bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Profitability differences between MNE subsidiaries and domestic firms: The case of the food industry in Greece
Authors: Anastassopoulos George 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis report analyzes determinants of profitability differences between subsidiaries of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) and Domestic Enterprises (DMEs) in the Greek food industry using company level data. Previous studies have tested the hypothesis that ownership‐specific advantages are a major determinant of performance differences. This study analyzes the processed food sector (SIC = 20), using a panel data set for 75 firms and 5 years. The model is evaluated using a random effects model. The results indicate that the determinants of profitability differ between MNEs subsidiaries and DMEs. MNEs' profitability depends on their market share, knowledge, and experience of the local market; training intensity; and product differentiation through the use of technological inputs from abroad and local advertising. DMEs' profitability depends on their market share and product differentiation, through local advertising and local R&D. Size has a negative effect on profitability for both groups of companies. Even after allowing for all of these determinants of profitability, ownership has an independent effect on profitability (namely higher for MNE subsidiaries than DMEs). [EconLit citations: F23, L66, L69]. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 45–60, 2004.
Variation in crown and root formation and eruption of human deciduous teeth
Authors: Liversidge H.M. , Molleson T. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe aim of this study was to document variation of deciduous tooth formation and eruption. The material comprises 121 individuals of known or estimated age (using tooth length) from Spitalfields in London, and radiographs of 61 healthy living children aged 2–5 years. Other skeletal material from two medieval Scottish archaeological sites (Whithorn, N = 74; Newark Bay, N = 59) was also examined. Stages of crown and root formation as well as eruption (alveolar, midway, and occlusal levels) were assessed for each developing maxillary and mandibular tooth from radiographs or direct vision. Age of attainment for individual stages was calculated by probit analysis, and these data were also adapted for use in estimating age. The timing of crown completion was similar to previously reported studies, but apex completion times were later. Analysis of data relative to the first and second molars at the two stages D (crown complete) and F (root length ≥ crown height) allowed comparison with the Scottish material. No significant differences were observed between population groups for tooth formation or eruption. These data fill several gaps in the literature, and will be useful in assessing maturity and predicting age during early childhood. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of tissue maturation and antioxidants on the apoptotic response of articular cartilage after injurious compression
Authors: Kurz Bodo , Lemke Angelika , Kehn Melanie , Domm Christian , Patwari Parth , Frank Eliot H. , Grodzinsky Alan J. , Schünke Michael 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo study the influence of tissue maturation and antioxidants on apoptosis in bovine articular cartilage induced by injurious compression.MethodsBovine articular cartilage disks were obtained from the femoropatellar groove of animals ages 0.5–23 months and placed in culture. Cartilage disks were preincubated overnight with the cell‐permeable superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic Mn(III) porphyrin (0–12.5 μM) or α‐tocopherol (0–50 μM) and then injured by a single unconfined compression to a final strain of 50% at a velocity of 1 mm/second. After 4 days of additional incubation, the disks were fixed and embedded for light and electron microscopy. Apoptotic cells were quantified morphologically by the appearance of nuclear blebbing on light microscopy. Biosynthetic activity was demonstrated by incorporation of radiolabeled proline. The antioxidative action of the SOD mimetic was confirmed by histologic examination of cartilage after incubation with nitroblue tetrazolium.ResultsInjurious compression induced significantly more apoptosis in cartilage disks from newborn calves (22% of cells) than in cartilage from more mature cows (2–6%). In cartilage from 22‐month‐old animals, the SOD mimetic reduced the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by injury in a dose‐dependent manner (complete inhibition with 2.5 μM), while α‐tocopherol had no effect. Neither antioxidant altered protein biosynthesis or cellular ultrastructure.ConclusionOur data suggest that the apoptotic response of articular cartilage to mechanical injury is affected by maturation and is mediated in part by reactive oxygen species. The antioxidative status of the tissue might be important for the prevention of mechanically induced cell death in articular cartilage.
Proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 and Src kinase signaling transduce monosodium urate crystal–induced nitric oxide production and matrix metalloproteinase 3 expression in chondrocytes
Authors: Liu Ru , Lioté Frédéric , Rose David M. , Merz Denise , Terkeltaub Robert 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveArticular deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals may promote cartilage and bone erosion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine how MSU crystals stimulate chondrocytes.MethodsNitric oxide (NO) release, and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP‐3) were assessed in cultured chondrocytes treated with MSU. MSU‐induced functional signaling by specific protein kinases (p38, Src, and the focal adhesion kinase [FAK] family members proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 [Pyk‐2] and FAK) was also examined using selective pharmacologic inhibitors and transfection of kinase mutants.ResultsMSU induced MMP‐3 and iNOS expression and NO release in chondrocytes in a p38‐dependent manner that did not require interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), as demonstrated by using IL‐1 receptor antagonist. MSU induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk‐2 and FAK, their adaptor protein paxillin, and interacting kinase c‐Src. Pyk‐2 and c‐Src signaling both mediated p38 MAPK activation in response to MSU. Pyk‐2 and c‐Src signaling played a major role in transducing MSU‐induced NO production and MMP‐3 expression. But, despite the observed FAK phosphorylation, a selective pharmacologic FAK inhibitor and a FAK dominant‐negative mutant both failed to block MSU‐induced NO release or MMP‐3 expression in parallel experiments.ConclusionIn chondrocytes, MSU crystals activate a signaling kinase cascade typically employed by adhesion receptors that involves upstream Src and FAK family activation and downstream p38 activation. In this cascade, Pyk‐2, Src, and p38 kinases transduce MSU‐induced NO production and MMP‐3 expression. Our results identify Pyk‐2 and c‐Src as novel sites for potential therapeutic intervention in cartilage degradation in chronic gout.
Origin of cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART)‐immunoreactive innervation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Fekete Csaba , Wittmann Gábor , Liposits Zsolt , Lechan Ronald M. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractAxons containing cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) densely innervate the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Recent data from our laboratory demonstrated that CART‐immunoreactive (IR) neurons of arcuate nucleus origin innervate the PVN, but comprise only a portion of the total CART‐IR input to this region of the brain. To identify sources other than the arcuate nucleus, retrograde transport studies were performed with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), focally delivered into the PVN of adult rats. Neurons double‐labeled for CTB and CART were visualized by immunofluorescence. The most prominent groups of double‐labeled cells were identified in the retrochiasmatic area, arcuate nucleus, lateral hypothalamus, perifornical area, zona incerta, C1–3 regions, and the medial subnucleus of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). In addition, scattered retrogradely labeled CART‐IR neurons were found in the parabrachial nucleus. In the diencephalon, the majority of double‐labeled neurons were localized ipsilateral to the injection site; however, in the medulla the CART/CTB‐containing neurons were found bilaterally. By triple‐labeling immunofluorescence, CART/CTB neurons in the perifornical area, zona incerta complex, and more medial portions of the lateral hypothalamus were found to co‐contain melanin concentrating hormone (MCH), whereas CART/CTB neurons of the C1–3 regions of the brainstem but not medial subnucleus of the NTS were observed to express phenylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PNMT). We conclude that the CART innervation of the PVN derives from multiple neuronal sources of the hypothalamus and medulla. These observations raise the possibility that CART serves multiple functions in the PVN and is utilized to transmit diverse physiological signals that contribute to the complex regulation of homeostatic functions of the PVN. J. Comp. Neurol. 469:340–350, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antibodies against astrocyte M1 and M2 muscarinic cholinoceptor from schizophrenic patients' sera
Authors: Borda Tania , Gomez Ricardo , Berría Maria I. , Sterin‐Borda Leonor 
Published: January 2004

AbstractWe demonstrated the presence of circulating antibodies from schizophrenic patients able to interact with cultured astrocytes activating muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). Sera and purified IgG from 15 paranoid schizophrenic and 15 age‐matched normal subjects were studied by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI), flow cytometry, dot blot, enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), and radioligand competition assays. Astrocyte membranes and/or a synthetic peptide, with identical amino acid sequence of human M1 and M2 mAChR, were used as antigens. By IFI and flow cytometry procedures, we proved that serum purified IgG fraction from schizophrenic patients, reacted to astrocyte cell surface. The same antibodies were able to inhibit the binding of the specific mAChR radioligand 3H‐QNB. Using synthetic peptide for dot blot and ELISA, we demonstrated that these antibodies reacted against the second extracellular loop of human cerebral M1 and M2 mAChR. Also, the corresponding affinity‐purified antipeptide antibody displayed an agonistic‐like activity associated to specific M1 and M2 mAChR activation, increasing inositol phosphates accumulation and decreasing cyclic AMP production, respectively. This article gives support to the participation of an autoimmune process in schizophrenia disease. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Storm‐coverage effect on dynamic flood‐frequency analysis: empirical data analysis
Authors: Moon Jangwon , Kim Joong‐Hoon , Yoo Chulsang 
Published: January 2004

AbstractIn this study, a dynamic flood‐frequency analysis model considering the storm coverage effect is proposed and applied to six sub‐basins in the Pyungchang River basin, Korea. The model proposed is composed of the rectangular pulse Poisson process model for rainfall, the Soil Conservation Service curve number method for infiltration and the geomorphoclimatic instantaneous unit hydrograph for runoff estimation. Also, the model developed by Marco and Valdes is adopted for quantifying the storm‐coverage characteristics. By comparing the results from the same model with and without the storm‐coverage effect consideration, we could quantify the storm‐coverage effect on the flood‐frequency analysis. As a result of that, we found the storm‐coverage effect was so significant that overestimation of the design flood was unavoidable without its consideration. This also becomes more serious for larger basins where the probability of complete storm coverage is quite low. However, for smaller basins, the limited number of rain gauges is found to hamper the proper quantification of the storm‐coverage characteristics. Provided with a relationship curve between the basin size and the storm coverage (as in this study), this problem could be overcome with an acceptable accuracy level. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Appropriate vertical discretization of Richards' equation for two‐dimensional watershed‐scale modelling
Authors: Downer Charles W. , Ogden Fred L. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractA number of watershed‐scale hydrological models include Richards' equation (RE) solutions, but the literature is sparse on information as to the appropriate application of RE at the watershed scale. In most published applications of RE in distributed watershed‐scale hydrological modelling, coarse vertical resolutions are used to decrease the computational burden. Compared to point‐ or field‐scale studies, application at the watershed scale is complicated by diverse runoff production mechanisms, groundwater effects on runoff production, runon phenomena and heterogeneous watershed characteristics. An essential element of the numerical solution of RE is that the solution converges as the spatial resolution increases. Spatial convergence studies can be used to identify the proper resolution that accurately describes the solution with maximum computational efficiency, when using physically realistic parameter values. In this study, spatial convergence studies are conducted using the two‐dimensional, distributed‐parameter, gridded surface subsurface hydrological analysis (GSSHA) model, which solves RE to simulate vadose zone fluxes. Tests to determine if the required discretization is strongly a function of dominant runoff production mechanism are conducted using data from two very different watersheds, the Hortonian Goodwin Creek Experimental Watershed and the non‐Hortonian Muddy Brook watershed. Total infiltration, stream flow and evapotranspiration for the entire simulation period are used to compute comparison statistics. The influences of upper and lower boundary conditions on the solution accuracy are also explored. Results indicate that to simulate hydrological fluxes accurately at both watersheds small vertical cell sizes, of the order of 1 cm, are required near the soil surface, but not throughout the soil column. The appropriate choice of approximations for calculating the near soil‐surface unsaturated hydraulic conductivity can yield modest increases in the required cell size. Results for both watersheds are quite similar, even though the soils and runoff production mechanisms differ greatly between the two catchments. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrometeorological behaviour of pine and larch forests in eastern Siberia
Authors: Hamada Shuko , Ohta Takeshi , Hiyama Tetsuya , Kuwada Takashi , Takahashi Atsuhiro , Maximov Trofim C. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractSeasonal changes in the water and energy exchanges over a pine forest in eastern Siberia were investigated and compared with published data from a nearby larch forest. Continuous observations (April to August 2000) were made of the eddy‐correlation sensible heat flux and latent heat flux above the canopy. The energy balance was almost closed, although the sum of the turbulent fluxes sometimes exceeded the available energy flux (Rn − G) when the latent heat flux was large; this was related to the wind direction. We examined the seasonal variation in energy balance components at this site. The seasonal variation and magnitude of the sensible heat flux (H) was similar to that of the latent heat flux (λE), with maximum values occurring in mid‐June. Consequently, the Bowen ratio was around 1·0 on many days during the study period. On some clear days just after rainfall, λE was very large and the sum of H and λE exceeded Rn − G. The evapotranspiration rate above the dry canopy from May to August was 2·2 mm day−1. The contributions of understory evapotranspiration (Eu) and overstory transpiration (Eo) to the evapotranspiration of the entire ecosystem (Et) were both from 25 to 50% throughout the period analysed. These results suggest that Eu plays a very important role in the water cycle at this site. From snowmelt through the tree growth season (23 April to 19 August 2000), the total incoming water, comprised of the sum of precipitation and the water equivalent of the snow at the beginning of the melt season, was 228 mm. Total evapotranspiration from the forest, including interception loss and evaporation from the soil when the canopy was wet, was 208–254 mm. The difference between the incoming and outgoing amounts in the water balance was from +20 to −26 mm. The water and energy exchanges of the pine and larch forest differed in that λE and H increased slowly in the pine forest, whereas λE increased rapidly in the larch forest and H decreased sharply after the melting season. Consequently, the shape of the Bowen ratio curves at the two sites differed over the period analysed, as a result of the differences in the species in each forest and in soil thawing. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical characterization of the spatial variability of soil moisture in a cutover peatland
Authors: Petrone Richard M. , Price J. S. , Carey S. K. , Waddington J. M. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractSoil moisture is a significant variable in its importance to the validation of hydrological models, but it is also the one defining variable that ties in all components of the surface energy balance and as such is of major importance to climate models and their surface schemes. Changing the scale of representation (e.g. from the observation to modelling scale) can further complicate the description of the spatial variability in any hydrological system. We examine this issue using soil moisture and vegetation cover data collected at two contrasting spatial scales and at three different times in the snow‐free season from a cutover peat bog in Cacouna, Québec. Soil moisture was measured using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) over 90 000 m2 and 1200 m2 grids, at intervals of 30 and 2 m respectively. Analyses of statistical structure, variance and spatial autocorrelation were conducted on the soil moisture data at different sampling resolutions and over different grid sizes to determine the optimal spatial scale and sampling density at which these data should be represented. Increasing the scale of interest without adequate resolution in the measurement can lead to significant inconsistency in the representation of these variables. Furthermore, a lack of understanding of the nature of the variability of soil moisture at different scales may produce spurious representation in a modelling context. The analysis suggests that in terms of the distribution of soil moisture, the extent of sampling within a grid is not as significant as the density, or spacing, of the measurements. Both the scale and resolution of the sampling scheme have an impact on the mean of the distribution. Only approximately 60% of the spatial pattern in soil moisture of both the large and small grid is persistent over time, suggesting that the pattern of moisture differs for wetting and drying cycles. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A theory of pressure sensor performance in snow
Authors: Johnson Jerome B. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractA theory of pressure sensor response in snow is derived and used to examine the sources of measurement errors in snow water equivalent (SWE) pressure sensors. Measurement errors in SWE are caused by differences in the compressibility of the pressure sensor and the adjacent snow layer, which produces a shear stress along the perimeter of the sensor. When the temperature at the base of the snow cover equals 0 °C, differences in the snowmelt rate between the snow–SWE sensor interface and the adjacent snow–soil interface may also produce a shear stress along the sensor's perimeter. This shear stress perturbs the pressure field over the sensor, producing SWE measurement errors. Snow creep acts to reduce shear stresses along the SWE sensor's perimeter at a rate that is inversely proportional to the snow viscosity. For sustained periods of differential snowmelt, a difference in the mass of snow over the sensor compared with the surrounding soil will develop, producing additional permanent errors in SWE measurements. The theory indicates that SWE pressure sensor performance can be improved by designing a sensor with a high Young's modulus (low compressibility), low aspect ratio, large diameter and thermal properties that match those of the surrounding soil. Simulations of SWE pressure sensor errors using the theory are in close agreement with observed errors and may provide a means to correct historical SWE measurements for use in hydrological hindcast or climate studies. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A supplementary approach for estimating reaeration rate coefficients
Authors: Jha Ramakar , Ojha C. S. P. , Bhatia K. K. S. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractDifferent commonly used predictive equations for the reaeration rate coefficient (K2) have been evaluated using 231 data sets obtained from the literature and 576 data sets measured at different reaches of the River Kali in western Uttar Pradesh, India. The data sets include stream/channel velocity, bed slope, flow depth, cross‐sectional area and reaeration rate coefficient (K2), obtained from the literature and generated during the field survey of River Kali, and were used to test the applicability of the predictive equations. The K2 values computed from the predictive equations have been compared with the corresponding K2 values measured in streams/channels. The performance of the predictive equations has been evaluated using different error estimation, namely standard error (SE), normal mean error (NME), mean multiplicative error (MME) and coefficient of determination (r2). The results show that the reaeration rate equation developed by Parkhurst and Pomeroy yielded the best agreement, with the values of SE, NME, MME and r2 as 33·387, 4·62, 3·58 and 0·95, respectively, for literature data sets (case 1) and 37·567, 3·57, 2·6 and 0·95, respectively, for all the data sets (literature data sets and River Kali data sets) (case 2). Further, to minimize error estimates and improve correlation between measured and computed reaeration rate coefficients, supplementary predictive equations have been developed based on Froude number criteria and a least‐squares algorithm. The supplementary predictive equations have been verified using different error estimates and by comparing measured and computed reaeration rate coefficients for data sets not used in the development of the equations. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A two‐step‐ahead recurrent neural network for stream‐flow forecasting
Authors: Chang Li‐Chiu , Chang Fi‐John , Chiang Yen‐Ming 
Published: January 2004

AbstractIn many engineering problems, such as flood warning systems, accurate multistep‐ahead prediction is critically important. The main purpose of this study was to derive an algorithm for two‐step‐ahead forecasting based on a real‐time recurrent learning (RTRL) neural network that has been demonstrated as best suited for real‐time application in various problems. To evaluate the properties of the developed two‐step‐ahead RTRL algorithm, we first compared its predictive ability with least‐square estimated autoregressive moving average with exogenous inputs (ARMAX) models on several synthetic time‐series. Our results demonstrate that the developed two‐step‐ahead RTRL network has efficient ability to learn and has comparable accuracy for time‐series prediction as the refitted ARMAX models. We then investigated the two‐step‐ahead RTRL network by using the rainfall–runoff data of the Da‐Chia River in Taiwan. The results show that the developed algorithm can be successfully applied with high accuracy for two‐step‐ahead real‐time stream‐flow forecasting. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.