bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increasing Choice and Control for Older and Disabled People: A Critical Review of New Developments in England
Authors: Glendinning Caroline 
Published: July 2008

Abstract This paper critically examines new policies currently being implemented in England aimed at increasing the choice and control that disabled and older people can exercise over the social care support and services they receive. The development of these policies, and their elaboration in three policy documents published during 2005, are summarized. The paper then discusses two issues underpinning these proposals: the role of quasi‐markets within publicly funded social care services; and the political and policy discourses of consumerism and choice within the welfare state. Despite powerful critiques of welfare consumerism, the paper argues that there are nevertheless very important reasons for taking choice seriously when considering how best to organize and deliver support and other services for disabled and older people. A policy discourse on consumerism, however, combined with the use of market mechanisms for implementing this, may be highly problematic as the means of creating opportunities for increased choice and, on its own, risks introducing new forms of disadvantage and social exclusion.
Dynamic Inefficiency in an Overlapping Generation Economy with Pollution and Health Costs
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ MARÍA‐JOSÉ 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe analyze an overlapping generations model in which pollution arises, in an accumulatively way, from production. Householders do not care directly about the environment, but pollution leads them to incur health costs when they are elderly. We show that the presence of pollution means that the economy more likely to be dynamically inefficient. For these cases we analyze two kinds of tax scheme: one based on production taxes and the other based on capital and wage taxes. We show how to design both schemes to put the economy into the golden rule allocation. We also show that under the production tax scheme young and elderly agents pay less taxes (or receive more transfers) than under the production tax system.
Competition over Time‐Inconsistent Consumers
Authors: GOTTLIEB DANIEL 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHow do firms respond to consumers' time inconsistency? This paper studies the optimal design of nonexclusive contracts under competition. It shows that nonexclusivity creates a stark asymmetry between immediate‐costs goods and immediate‐rewards goods. For immediate‐cost goods nonexclusivity does not affect the equilibrium and, when consumers are sophisticated, the efficient allocation is achieved. When consumers are partially naive, the optimal sales tax may be either positive or negative and depends on parameters that are hard to estimate. In the case of immediate‐rewards goods, however, the equilibrium features marginal‐cost pricing and is always inefficient. Moreover, the optimal tax does not depend on the consumers' degree of naiveté and is a function of parameters that are easy to assess.
Political Cycles: Issue Ownership and the Opposition Advantage
Authors: SOUBEYRAN RAPHAËL , GAUTIER PASCAL 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn modern democracies, common wisdom suggests that political parties alternate in power due to voters' disappointment. The aim of this paper is to show that parties' turnover may be due to voters' “satisfaction.” Our model is built on two main assumptions: Parties “own” different issues, and investments in the provision of public goods create a linkage between successive elections. We show that no party can maintain itself in power forever when the median voter is moderate enough. This result holds when the parties' main objective is to win the election and is compatible with a large range of candidates subobjectives that may change from one election to the next. We also provide some novel welfare implications. Whereas rent‐seeker candidates always dominate reelection‐concerned candidates in one public good models, rent‐seeker candidates may be welfare improving compared with reelection‐concerned candidates.
Joint Projections of Temperature and Precipitation Change from Multiple Climate Models: A Hierarchical Bayesian Approach
Authors: Tebaldi Claudia , Sansó Bruno 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPosterior distributions for the joint projections of future temperature and precipitation trends and changes are derived by applying a Bayesian hierachical model to a rich data set of simulated climate from general circulation models. The simulations that are analysed here constitute the future projections on which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change based its recent summary report on the future of our planet’s climate, albeit without any sophisticated statistical handling of the data. Here we quantify the uncertainty that is represented by the variable results of the various models and their limited ability to represent the observed climate both at global and at regional scales. We do so in a Bayesian framework, by estimating posterior distributions of the climate change signals in terms of trends or differences between future and current periods, and we fully characterize the uncertain nature of a suite of other parameters, like biases, correlation terms and model-specific precisions. Besides presenting our results in terms of posterior distributions of the climate signals, we offer as an alternative representation of the uncertainties in climate change projections the use of the posterior predictive distribution of a new model’s projections. The results from our analysis can find straightforward applications in impact studies, which necessitate not only best guesses but also a full representation of the uncertainty in climate change projections. For water resource and crop models, for example, it is vital to use joint projections of temperature and precipitation to represent the characteristics of future climate best, and our statistical analysis delivers just that.
The Giants of Excess: A Challenge to the Nation’s Health
Authors: Grand Julian Le 
Published: July 2008

SummarySir William Beveridge in his famous report wanted to eliminate the five giants of want, squalor, idleness, ignorance and disease: the giants of too little. However, the problems facing welfare states are more the giants of too much: the giants of excess. For health in particular, excessive behaviours of various kinds contribute significantly to the major sources of morbidity and mortality in our society, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney and liver diseases. There are few good theories about why individuals engage in excess behaviours. But it is clear that one of the main problems that face both individuals and the government or other agencies tasked with improving health is that the costs of most unhealthy activities impact in the future, whereas the benefits from them occur in the present. Policies have to be developed that either bring some of the costs from unhealthy activities (or the benefits from healthy ones) back from the future, or reduce some of the benefits from unhealthy activities (or reduce the costs of healthy ones) in the present. To avoid the danger of the ‘nanny state’, they should also not impact too greatly on individual freedom or autonomy. Promising ideas that meet these criteria, which are derived from the philosophy of libertarian paternalism, include smoking permits and exercise hours.
Forecasting Obesity Trends in England
Authors: Mills Terence C. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryForecasts of trends in obesity in England for 2010 are produced by treating the available data, which contain the proportions of the population, categorized by age and sex, falling into different body mass index ranges, as compositional data sets, so that the implicit simplex restrictions are automatically satisfied. Forecasts are calculated by using linear trend models for the log-ratio transformations and are accompanied by prediction regions. The advantages of treating data on proportions compositionally are emphasized and compared with forecasts that have been obtained by ignoring this restriction.
Improving Semiparametric Estimation by Using Surrogate Data
Authors: Chen Song Xi , Leung Denis H. Y. , Qin Jing 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe paper considers estimating a parameter β that defines an estimating function U(y, x, β) for an outcome variable y and its covariate x when the outcome is missing in some of the observations. We assume that, in addition to the outcome and the covariate, a surrogate outcome is available in every observation. The efficiency of existing estimators for β depends critically on correctly specifying the conditional expectation of U given the surrogate and the covariate. When the conditional expectation is not correctly specified, which is the most likely scenario in practice, the efficiency of estimation can be severely compromised even if the propensity function (of missingness) is correctly specified. We propose an estimator that is robust against the choice of the conditional expectation via an empirical likelihood. We demonstrate that the estimator proposed achieves a gain in efficiency whether the conditional score is correctly specified or not. When the conditional score is correctly specified, the estimator reaches the semiparametric variance bound within the class of estimating functions that are generated by U. The practical performance of the estimator is evaluated by using simulation and a data set that is based on the 1996 US presidential election.
Gaussian Predictive Process Models for Large Spatial Data Sets
Authors: Banerjee Sudipto , Gelfand Alan E. , Finley Andrew O. , Sang Huiyan 
Published: July 2008

SummaryWith scientific data available at geocoded locations, investigators are increasingly turning to spatial process models for carrying out statistical inference. Over the last decade, hierarchical models implemented through Markov chain Monte Carlo methods have become especially popular for spatial modelling, given their flexibility and power to fit models that would be infeasible with classical methods as well as their avoidance of possibly inappropriate asymptotics. However, fitting hierarchical spatial models often involves expensive matrix decompositions whose computational complexity increases in cubic order with the number of spatial locations, rendering such models infeasible for large spatial data sets. This computational burden is exacerbated in multivariate settings with several spatially dependent response variables. It is also aggravated when data are collected at frequent time points and spatiotemporal process models are used. With regard to this challenge, our contribution is to work with what we call predictive process models for spatial and spatiotemporal data. Every spatial (or spatiotemporal) process induces a predictive process model (in fact, arbitrarily many of them). The latter models project process realizations of the former to a lower dimensional subspace, thereby reducing the computational burden. Hence, we achieve the flexibility to accommodate non-stationary, non-Gaussian, possibly multivariate, possibly spatiotemporal processes in the context of large data sets. We discuss attractive theoretical properties of these predictive processes. We also provide a computational template encompassing these diverse settings. Finally, we illustrate the approach with simulated and real data sets.
Near‐nerve needle sensory and medial plantar nerve conduction studies in patients with small‐fiber sensory neuropathy
Authors: Uluc K. , Temucin C. M. , Ozdamar S. Erdem , Demirci M. , Tan E. 
Published: July 2008

Background and purpose:  The aim of this prospective study was to show and compare the rate of large‐fiber involvement with near‐nerve needle sensory (NNNS) nerve conduction study (NCS) and with medial plantar NCS recorded with surface electrodes in a group of patients who had clinically pure small‐fiber sensory neuropathy (SFSN) with reduced intra‐epidermal nerve fiber density in skin biopsy and with normal routine NCS.Methods and results:  The study included 19 patients with clinically pure SFSN with normal routine NCS results and 17 healthy volunteers. Routine NCS, skin biopsy, medial plantar NCS and NNNS NCS were performed. NNNS NCS data were evaluated both by using univariate analysis methods and by using a multivariate analysis method, principal components analysis (PCA). Eight patients (42%) had abnormal results for medial plantar NCS with surface electrodes. Seven patients (37%) had abnormal results for NNNS NCS with PCA, whilst only four patients with univariate analysis. We found a significant correlation between intra‐epidermal nerve fiber densities, medial plantar NCS and PCA results of NNNS NCS.Conclusions:  This study showed that large‐nerve fibers are also involved in some patients with pure SFSN and medial plantar NCS can accurately diagnose neuropathy without a need for NNNS NCS in patients with normal routine NCS.
Academic and Non‐Academic Staff's Psychological Contract in Turkey
Authors: Aydin İnayet , Yilmaz Kürşad , Memduhoğlu Hasan Basri , Oğuz Ebru , Güngör Sabri 
Published: July 2008

AbstractStudies of psychological contract as part of organisation‐individual agreements have become important in recent years. This study determines views, about the psychological contract, of academic and non‐academic staff and managers in faculties of education in Turkey. A total of 442 employees at 11 state universities in Turkey were included in the research. ‘Psychological Contract Inventory’ and ‘Psychological Contract Measures’, designed by Rousseau were utilised during the development process of the data‐gathering tool. After the adaptation work, the scale consisted of 68 items under three sections and seven subscales. The results showed that academic staff and executives considered that their university carried out its obligations towards the staff at a ‘moderate’ level, whereas the non‐academic staff considered it ‘insufficient’. The academic and the non‐academic staff considered that the employees carried out their tasks at a ‘maximum’ level, whereas the executives considered it ‘moderate’.
Policing Chinese Migrant Sex Workers in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Maggy 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis article examines the nature of control of Chinese unwanted migrants. In contrast to much existing research work on the patterns and control of Chinese unauthorised migration to the West, the focus here is on the regulation of immigration violators who routinely move back and forth across the border between the People’s Republic of China and the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. Through an examination of official statistics, relevant documents and pilot interviews with police officers, immigration officials and prison officers, this article aims to provide some critical insights into the operationalization of the migratory control regime in Hong Kong. In particular, the use of police crackdowns and imprisonment as a migration management instrument raises important questions about their efficacy and the differential impact on particular social groups, especially for women who overstay and are ostensibly engaged in migratory sexual labour.
Short‐Term Skilled Labour Movements and Economic Growth
Authors: Tani Massimiliano 
Published: July 2008

AbstractEconomic models typically study the long‐term effects of migration, and hence emphasise their impact on a country’s endowment of skills using net migration rates. This approach however does not take into account the contribution of short‐term movements of skilled labour on a country’s stock of knowledge and ability to innovate. This paper develops a theoretical approach to extend the analysis to gross migration flows, which captures the volume of interactions and the potential for knowledge exchanges between a country’s skilled labour and workers living elsewhere. One implication of the approach developed is that higher growth can be achieved through higher international labour mobility, even if there is no net migration. Countries that find it difficult or impossible to attract skilled labour on a permanent basis may therefore enjoy the growth effect brought by skilled temporary migrants.
A double‐blind, randomized trial of 0.05% betamethasone vs. topical catalase/dismutase superoxide in vitiligo
Authors: Sanclemente G , Garcia JJ , Zuleta JJ , Diehl C , Correa C , Falabella R 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  Among all the topical immunomodulators, vitiligo's mainstay therapy includes topical corticosteroids. Many other non‐immune theories have also been suggested for vitiligo's pathogenesis, but the role of oxidative stress has gained more importance in recent years.Objective  To compare the effect of topical 0.05% betamethasone vs. catalase/dismutase superoxide (C/DSO).Study design  Randomized, matched‐paired, double‐blind trial.Setting  Dermatology Section, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.Subjects  Patients (aged > 18 years or between 12 and 18 years) with parent's informed consent, with stable or active bilateral vitiligo.Intervention  Topical 0.05% betamethasone or C/DSO.Methods  Two lesions similar to each other in size were chosen. All assessments were made by two blinded investigators, and photographs were subjected to morphometry analysis.Main outcome  Skin repigmentation by digital morphometry.Results  Twenty‐five patients were enrolled in the study (21 women and 4 men). Mean age of participants was 40 years (range: 12–74 years). One patient on C/DSO experienced a mild local erythematous papular rash that self‐resolved. At 4 months of therapy, there was no statistical difference on the percentage of repigmentation between betamethasone and C/DSO (5.63% ± 27.9 vs. 3.22% ± 25.8, respectively, P = 0.758). After 10 months of therapy, the percentage of skin repigmentation increased to 18.5 ± 93.14% with betamethasone and to 12.4 ± 59% with C/DSO, but again, we found no statistical differences (P = 0.79).Discussion and conclusions  Few studies have described objective methods to evaluate repigmentation among vitiligo patients. Digital morphometry provides an objective assessment of repigmentation in vitiligo. Objective vitiligo repigmentation with topical C/DSO at 10 months is similar to topical 0.05% betamethasone. Although a mild adverse effect was related to the use of C/DSO, such finding was not severe enough to discontinue treatment.
The advantage of establishing homogeneous patient groups: Is it worth isolating ‘juvenile acne of the face’?
Authors: Revuz J , Pawin H , Poli F , Faure M , Chivot M , Beylot C , Dréno B 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  Acne is a highly heterogeneous disorder with respect to its regional involvement, demographics, lesion types and response to treatment. Homogeneous patient groups must therefore be created before measuring the severity of acne and interpreting the results of therapeutic trials. The individualization of ‘juvenile acne of the face’ is a first step in this direction.Methods  Based on textbooks, major reviews of acne and a ′Medline′ literature search, we identified four key points to delineate sub groups of acne patients.Result  ‘Juvenile acne of the face’ is defined by four main clinical criteria: (1) age (from puberty to age 25 years), (2) site (face), (3) lesion type (polymorphous), (4) absence of a causal factor. Other subgroups of ‘true’ acne are listed with their distinctive characteristics. Non‐acne follicular diseases (i.e. without sebum retention) are listed.Discussion  We chose ‘juvenile acne of the face’ to define the first homogeneous group of patients because it is the most frequent form of acne and the target of most acne drugs. It has a sufficiently uniform prognosis to devise a functional and reproducible severity rating scale with the aim of facilitating the evaluation and comparison of therapeutic methods.Conclusion  The next step in our work will be to elaborate severity scales which are dedicated to a single type of acne.
A cross‐sectional study of psychological morbidity in patients with acne, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in specialist dermatology and general practices
Authors: Magin PJ , Pond CD , Smith WT , Watson AB , Goode SM 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  There is considerable evidence for an association of skin diseases with psychological morbidity. This relationship is best established for acne, psoriasis and atopic eczema. Previous studies have mostly been performed in specialist dermatological practice, and there is a lack of studies that include patients from general practice and a lack of controlled studies employing multivariate analysis.Aims/objectives  This study aims to examine the relationship of acne, psoriasis and atopic eczema with psychological morbidities in patients recruited from general practice as well as specialist dermatology practice.Methods and subjects  In this cross‐sectional study, 108 patients from general and specialist dermatology practices with the three diseases had disease severity assessed and completed measures of minor psychological disturbance (General Health Questionnaire‐12), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), public self‐consciousness and social anxiety (Fenigstein Self‐Consciousness Scale), and neuroticism and extraversion/introversion (Eysenck Personality Inventory). Demographic data were also collected, along with self‐ratings of disease severity. Control subjects were 96 patients without skin disease recruited from the same general practices as the subjects.Results  On univariate analyses, patients with skin disease had higher levels of minor psychological disturbance, public self‐consciousness and neuroticism than did controls. There were no differences in psychological measures between specialist and general practice patients or between patients with different skin diseases. On multivariate analyses, the significant differences did not persist.Conclusions  This study demonstrates confounding in the relationship of skin diseases with psychological morbidity. The complex relationship of skin disease and psychological morbidity should be re‐examined.
Roads as barriers to animal movement in fragmented landscapes
Authors: Shepard D. B. , Kuhns A. R. , Dreslik M. J. , Phillips C. A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractRoads can act as barriers to animal movement through mortality during crossing attempts or behavioral avoidance. This barrier effect has negative demographic and genetic consequences that can ultimately result in local or regional extinction. Here we use radio‐telemetry data on three terrestrial vertebrates (eastern massasaugaSistrurus catenatus, eastern box turtleTerrapene carolinaand ornate box turtleTerrapene ornata) to test whether roads acted as barriers to movement. Specifically, we test whether individuals avoided crossing roads by comparing the number of observed crossings with the number of road crossings predicted by randomizations of individual movement paths. All species crossed roads significantly less often than predicted by chance, indicating strong road avoidance. Results of this study showing behavioral avoidance and previous studies on road mortality indicate that roads are strong barriers to these species. High mortality during crossing attempts would select for road avoidance, reducing the number of individuals killed on roads over time but leading to genetically partitioned subpopulations due to a lack of gene flow. In species that are long‐lived and late‐maturing, negative genetic effects might not be observable over short time‐scales, thus placing populations at high risk of extinction because of a failure to detect an incrementally worsening problem. Formulating successful management strategies for many species in decline will require integrating data on road mortality, animal behavior and population genetics in order to understand more clearly the barrier effect of roads.