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Greater Propensity (greater + propensity)
Selected AbstractsAnger experience and expression across the anxiety disordersDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 2 2008David A. Moscovitch Ph.D. Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore possible differences in the experience and expression of anger across four anxiety disorder groups and non-clinical controls. Anger was assessed by two measures, the Reaction Inventory and the Aggression Questionnaire, in 112 individuals who met DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia (n=40), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; n=30), social phobia, (SOC; n=28), and specific phobia (SPC; n=14) as well as non-clinical controls (n=49). Patients with PD, OCD, and SOC reported a significantly greater propensity to experience anger than controls, whereas patients with SPC exhibited no differences in anger experience in comparison to controls. In addition, patients with PD reported significantly greater levels of anger aggression compared to both controls and patients with OCD, and patients with SOC reported significantly lower levels of verbal aggression than controls. Most, but not all, of these differences disappeared when symptoms of depression were controlled in the analyses. The implications of these findings and future directions for research are discussed 0:1,7, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Great American Biotic Interchange revisitedECOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2010Sarah Cody The "Great American Biotic Interchange" (GABI) is regarded as a defining event in the biogeography of the Americas. It is hypothesized to have occurred when the Isthmus of Panama closed ca three million years ago (Ma), ending the isolation of South America and permitting the mixing of its biota with that of North America. This view of the GABI is based largely upon the animal fossil record, but recent molecular biogeographic studies of plants that show repeated instances of long-distance dispersal over major oceanic barriers suggest that perhaps the land bridge provided by the isthmus may have been less necessary for plant migration. Here we show that plants have significantly earlier divergence time estimates than animals for historical migration events across the Isthmus of Panama region. This difference in timing indicates that plants had a greater propensity for dispersal over the isthmus before its closure compared with animals. The GABI was therefore asynchronous for plants and animals, which has fundamental implications for the historical assembly of tropical biomes in the most species-rich forests on the planet. [source] Financial dollarization: evaluating the consequencesECONOMIC POLICY, Issue 45 2006Eduardo Levy Yeyati SUMMARY Financial dollarization The presence in residents' portfolio of foreign-currency assets and liabilities (or ,financial dollarization') has been alleged to influence monetary policy in developing economies and, especially, to cause debtors' insolvency in the aftermath exchange rate depreciations (the ,balance sheet effect'). The abundant and influential literature on these implications, however, contrasts sharply with the scarcity of empirical work aimed at confirming or refuting them. Using a new database, this paper assesses the evidence on the determinants of financial dollarization and tests whether its empirical effects on monetary and financial stability and on economic performance are consistent with theoretical predictions. It finds that financially dollarized economies display a more unstable demand for money, a greater propensity to suffer banking crises after a depreciation of the local currency, and slower and more volatile output growth, without significant gains in terms of domestic financial depth. The results indicate that active de-dollarization policies may be advisable for the many economies, including Central and Eastern European ones, where foreign-currency denominated assets and liabilities are important in residents' financial portfolios. , Eduardo Levy Yeyati [source] The impact of later trading hours for hotels on levels of impaired driver road crashes and driver breath alcohol levelsADDICTION, Issue 9 2006Tanya Chikritzhs ABSTRACT Aim To examine the impact of later trading hours for licensed hotels in Perth, Western Australia on levels of associated impaired driver road crashes and driver breath alcohol levels (BALs). Design Police data on the ,last place of drinking' for impaired drivers involved in road crashes and their corresponding BALs were examined to identify those associated with Perth hotels between 1 July 1990 and 30 June 1997. During this period, 43 (23%) of the 186 hotels meeting study criteria were granted an Extended Trading Permit for 1 a.m. closing (ETP hotels), while the rest continued to close at midnight (non-ETP hotels). Time-series analyses employing multiple linear regressions were applied to determine whether an association existed between the introduction of extended trading and (i) monthly levels of impaired driver road crashes associated with ETP hotels and (ii) driver BALs associated with ETP hotels. Trends associated with non-ETP hotels were included as controls and possible confounders were considered. Findings After controlling for the trend in crash rates associated with non-ETP hotels and the introduction of mobile police breath testing stations to Perth freeways, a significant increase in monthly crash rates for ETP hotels was found. This relationship was largely accounted for by higher volumes of high-alcohol content beer, wine and spirits purchased by ETP hotels. No relation was found between driver BALs and the introduction of ETPs. Conclusions Late trading was associated with increased levels of impaired driver road crashes and alcohol consumption, particularly high-risk alcoholic beverages. Greater numbers of patrons and characteristics specific to clientele of hotels which applied for late trading hours (i.e. younger age, greater propensity to drunk-drive, preference for high-risk beverages) were suggested as having contributed to this increase. [source] Locomotion and Escape Modes in Rodents of the Monte Desert (Argentina)ETHOLOGY, Issue 6 2003Paula Taraborelli Modes of locomotion and escape tactics are attributes that affect the structure of animal communities, promoting exploitation of different microhabitats and the coexistence of different species. Bipedal locomotion is considered to be more effective than a quadrupedal gait in escaping attacks by predators because it allows for higher speed, a faster response to attack, sudden changes of direction and better detection of aerial raptors. The aim of this study was to determine the type of locomotion used at the moment of escape by three rodent species of the Monte desert ,Eligmodontia typus, Akodon molinae and Graomys griseoflavus. The study was carried out in three plant communities of the Ñacuñán Reserve (Mendoza). All three species showed differences in both mode of escape and locomotory pattern. Graomys griseoflavus exhibited the highest proportion of escapes using quadrupedal saltation. The mode of locomotion employed by E. typus varied according to the type of plant communities it inhabited. Those occurring at open sites (Medanal community) exhibited a greater propensity to jump during escapes than those from more sheltered habitats (Algarrobal community). Akodon molinae relied primarily on a quadrupedal gait when fleeing from predators, which would explain its greater dependence on plant cover. Therefore, the morphological and behavioural characteristics of these species are related to their mode of locomotion and the strategies they employ to diminish the risk of predation. [source] A closed-loop proposal for hydrogen generation using steel waste and a prototype solar concentratorINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 5 2009Abdul-Majeed Azad Abstract An economically viable and environmental-friendly method of generating PEM grade hydrogen has been proposed and is by the reaction of certain metals with steam, appropriately called ,metal,steam reforming',MSR. The drawbacks of conventional processes (hydrogen and carbothermic reduction schemes) are overcome by resorting to solution-based reduction schemes and are made economically feasible using iron oxides from steel industry's mill-scale waste. A novel aqueous-based room temperature technique using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the reducing agent has been developed that produces highly active nanoscale iron particles (,40,nm). By using hydrazine as an inexpensive and, compared with NaBH4, more stable reductant, body centered cubic iron particles with ,5,nm edges were obtained via solvothermal process under mild conditions from acid digested mill-scale waste. The nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) powder showed improved kinetics and greater propensity for hydrogen generation than the coarser microscale iron. The rate constants for the MSR were obtained for all the reduction schemes employed in this work and are given by khydrogen=0.0158,min,1kcarbon=0.0248,min,1ksodiumborohydride=0.0521,min,1 and khydrazine=0.1454,min,1, assuming first order kinetics. Another innovative effort converted the magnetite waste directly into nZVI under solvothermal conditions, thus obviating the sluggish and time-consuming acid dissolution step. This particular aspect has significant ramification in terms of time and cost of making the iron precursor. To initiate and sustain the somewhat endothermic MSR process, a solar concentrator consisting of a convex polyacrylic bowl with reflective aluminum coating was fabricated and evaluated. This unique combination of mill-scale waste as iron source, hydrazine as reductant, mild process conditions and solar energy as the MSR actuator obviates several drawbacks plaguing the grand scheme of producing and delivering pure and humidified H2 to a PEMFC stack. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Immigrants, Natives and Social Assistance: Comparable Take-Up Under Comparable CircumstancesINTERNATIONAL MIGRATION REVIEW, Issue 3 2001Edward J. Castronova Are immigrants on welfare because they are more likely to be eligible or because they are more likely to claim benefits for which they are eligible? The answer is politically important, but because most current research on immigration and welfare is based on data from the United States, the answer is difficult due to the complexities of the transfer system which make eligibility determinations difficult. In Germany, by contrast, eligibility for the main cash transfer program, Sozialhilfe (Social Assistance), is determined by a comparatively simple nationwide formula. We use data from the German Socio-Economic Panel to test whether immigrants to Germany are more likely than natives to claim welfare benefits for which they are eligible. We find that immigrants are more likely than native Germans to receive welfare, both because immigrants are more likely to be eligible and because they are more likely, when eligible, to claim their benefits. However, we also find that this greater propensity to take-up benefits is not related to immigrant status per se: when other sociodemographic factors are accounted for in an appropriate manner, immigrant households are no more likely to take-up benefits than native households. [source] Can Serotonin Transporter Genotype Predict Craving in Alcoholism?ALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2009Nassima Ait-Daoud Background:, We hypothesize that functional control of the serotonergic system is regulated in part by differential expression of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (5-HTT). Alcohol-dependent individuals with the LL/LS genotype (L-carriers), compared with those with the SS genotype, have a lower 5-HT neurotransmission, which we hypothesize would be associated with higher craving for alcohol among L-carriers. We hypothesize further that acute peripheral depletion of tryptophan (5-HT's precursor), while further reducing 5-HT function, might decrease auto-inhibition of 5-HT neuronal firing, thereby increasing 5-HT neurotransmission transiently and lowering alcohol craving. Methods:, We tested these hypotheses by examining whether in 34 Hispanic alcohol-dependent individuals subjective and physiological cue craving for alcohol differed by genotype, age of onset of problem drinking, and tryptophan availability. Results:, On subjective "urge to drink" and "crave for a drink," we found a significant (p < 0.05) main effect of genotype and cue, as well as an interaction among genotype, age of onset of problem drinking, and tryptophan depletion. For the physiological measure of pulse, there was a main effect of genotype. L-carriers had higher craving than their SS counterparts, an effect that decreased under tryptophan depletion. While craving in L-carriers increased with an earlier age of onset of problem drinking, the opposite effect was seen in those with the SS genotype. Conclusion:, These results not only provide support for the hypothesis that alcoholics who are L-carriers have greater alcohol craving and possibly greater propensity for drinking but also propose that there is an important 5-HTT gene-by-environment interaction that alters cue craving response for alcohol. [source] Relationship between the Duration of the Basal QRS Complex and Electrical Therapies for Ventricular Tachycardias among ICD PatientsPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2010JAVIER JIMÉNEZ-CANDIL M.D., Ph.D. Background:,In implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) patients, the duration of the basal QRS complex (QRSd) is not associated with a greater risk of developing ventricular tachyarrhythmias. QRSd could be inversely related to the effectiveness of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) because it may be associated with longer conduction times of the paced-impulses and hence, with a greater propensity to require shocks to terminate ventricular tachycardias (VTs). Methods:,We followed 216 ICD patients (pacing site: right ventricular apex; QRSd , 100: 34%) for 21 ± 12 months. ICD programming was standardized. QRSd was determined on the electrocardiogram (50 mm/s) at device implantation. Results:,Five hundred and fifty-one VTs (cycle length: 329 ± 35 ms) occurred in 67 patients (36% had a QRSd , 100 ms). ATP terminated 86% of VTs and 11% needed shocks. Mean ATP efficiency per patient was 83%. QRSd was significantly correlated with the probability of successful ATP (C-coefficient: 0.66), the best cut-off point being 100 (sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 49%). Patients with QRSd , 100 had a higher ATP effectiveness (98% vs 75%; P = 0.003) and fewer VTs terminated by shocks (1% vs 23%; P = 0.003). By logistic regression, QRSd > 100 remained as an independent predictor of receiving shocks to terminate VTs (P = 0.01). According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the occurrence of VTs was similar regardless of the QRSd (30% vs 38%; P = 0.2), but the incidence of shock due to VTs was higher in patients with a QRSd > 100 (19% vs 7%; P = 0.01). Conclusion:,Since QRSd is a negative and independent predictor of effective ATP, ICD patients with QRSd > 100 ms require shocks more frequently to terminate VTs. (PACE 2010; 596,604) [source] Critical Mass, Deliberation and the Substantive Representation of Women: Evidence from the UK's Devolution ProgrammePOLITICAL STUDIES, Issue 4 2006Paul Chaney This article provides empirical evidence to support recent assertions that the substantive representation of women depends not only on the numbers of women elected representatives in national legislatures, but also who they are. In this case study of one of the UK's devolved legislatures, analysis was undertaken of the transcripts of 327 plenary debates held during the first term of the National Assembly for Wales, where women constituted 42 percent of elected members (1999,2003). The gender dynamics of political debate around key equality topics reveal that the link between descriptive and substantive representation of women is complex. When a ,critical mass' of women is achieved the substantive representation of women is affirmed as ,probabilistic' rather than ,deterministic' for it is shaped by the institutional context, the gender dynamics of debate and, importantly, the actions of individual ,equality champions'. While women representatives exhibited a greater propensity to advance gender equality in debate than their male colleagues, the present findings also show the disproportionate influence of ,equality champions': women who are able to draw upon earlier feminist activism and act as ,strategic insiders' who make a difference to women's issues in a parliamentary context. [source] Transparency and International Portfolio HoldingsTHE JOURNAL OF FINANCE, Issue 6 2005R. GASTON GELOS ABSTRACT Does country transparency affect international portfolio investment? We examine this question by constructing new measures of transparency and by making use of a unique microdata set on portfolio holdings of emerging market funds around the world. We distinguish between government and corporate transparency. There is clear evidence that funds systematically invest less in less transparent countries. Moreover, funds have a greater propensity to exit nontransparent countries during crises. [source] Comparison of sympatric freshwater turtle populations from an urbanized Sydney catchmentAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 7 2008Shelley Burgin Abstract 1.Australian freshwater turtles are widely distributed throughout the continent, and in each river catchment there are at least two taxa. In south-eastern Australia Chelodina longicollis and forms of Emydura macquarii co-habit within a waterway, although they have been shown to partition habitat within the water column in non-urban bodies of water. Limited comparative data are available for the urban populations. 2.Within urban Sydney C. longicollis (eastern long-necked turtle) and Emydura macquarii dharuk (Sydney short-necked turtle) share habitat. However, in contrast with non-urban studies of C. longicollis and other sympatric E. macquarii taxa, it was observed that the population profile of the two species was similar at all sites, and that C. longicollis were present in greater numbers than E. m. dharuk. 3.The continued degradation of preferred habitat, low recruitment, and potential competition from introduced turtles place both species in a precarious position. 4.The shallow, impounded waterways of the regulated urban bodies of water align more closely with the preferred habitat of C. longicollis than with that of forms of E. macquarii, which prefer deeper flowing waters or large wetlands adjacent to rivers. Emydura m. dharuk may be at greatest risk of extinction in urban areas. 5.Across urban Sydney, the low numbers of E. m. dharuk compared with C. longicollis may be due to the lack of mobility of E. m. dharuk such that individuals tend to be stranded in sub-optimal habitat. In contrast, C. longicollis has a greater propensity for overland movement, and a preference for the ,new habitat' resulting from urban impacts on the associated waterways, and thus appears to be able to utilize these modified urban waters more successfully. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Environmental management systems and green supply chain management: complements for sustainability?BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, Issue 1 2008Nicole Darnall Abstract Some researchers question the legitimacy of EMSs since organizations can claim to have one when in fact they make no attempt to reduce their environmental harm. In instances where EMSs enhance an organization's environmental performance, critics argue that improvements are likely to occur within the organization's operational boundaries rather than being extended throughout the supply chain. However, previous research suggests that the organizational capabilities required to adopt an EMS may facilitate GSCM implementation and the institutional pressures to adopt both management practices are similar. Consequently, EMS adopters may have a greater propensity to expand their focus beyond their organizational boundaries and utilize GSCM practices to minimize system-wide environmental impacts. This research illuminates the debate by empirically evaluating the relationship between EMS and GSCM practices. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Characterization and astrocytic modulation of system L transporters in brain microvasculature endothelial cellsCELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 3 2008Yadollah Omidi Abstract Brain trafficking of amino acids is mainly mediated by amino acids transport machineries of the blood,brain barrier (BBB), where astrocytes play a key maintenance role. However, little is known about astrocytes impacts on such transport systems, in particular system L that consists of large and small neutral amino acids (NAAs) transporters, that is, LAT1/4F2hc and LAT2/4F2hc, respectively. In the current investigation, functionality and expression of system L were studied in the immortalized mouse brain microvascular endothelial b.End3 cells cocultured with astrocytes or treated with astrocyte-conditioned media (ACM). LAT2/4F2hc mediated luminal uptake of L -phenylalanine and L -leucine resulted in significantly decreased affinity of system L in b.End3 cells treated with ACM, while LAT2/4F2hc mediated luminal uptake of L -alanine remained unchanged. Gene expression analysis revealed marked upregulation of LAT1 and 4F2hc, but downregulation of LAT2 in b.End3 cells cultured with ACM. The basal to apical transport of L -phenylalanine and L -alanine appeared to be significantly greater than that of the apical to basal direction in b.End3 cells indicating an efflux functionality of system L. No marked influence was observed for transport of L -phenylalanine in b.End3 cells cocultured with astrocytes, while a slight decrease was seen for L -alanine in the basal to apical direction. Based on our findings, we propose that system L functions as influx and/or efflux transport machinery displaying a greater propensity for the outward transport of large and small NAAs. Astrocytes appeared to modulate the transcriptic expression and uptake functionalities of system L, but not the transport activities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||