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Relative Size (relative + size)
Selected AbstractsImpact of Relative Size and Language on the Attitudes between Nations and Linguistic Groups: The Case of SwitzerlandAPPLIED PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Carine Matser This study explores the impact of relative size on the intra- and intergroup attitudes of groups who either share a language or have a different language. For that purpose, we examined international attitudes, comparing a small nation, Switzerland, and two larger nations, Germany and France. We found support for the assumption that large neighbouring nations pose a threat to the smaller nation's identity, especially when they are linguistically similar. Consequently, in line with Tajfel's Social Identity Theory (1978), the smaller nation's inhabitants evaluate those of the larger nation less positively, liking them less and perceiving them to be more arrogant than vice versa. By investigating the special case of the French-speaking and the German-speaking Swiss as linguistic groups within their own nation we were able to demonstrate that these groups seek support with the larger,linguistically,similar nation to defend themselves against the more direct in-country threat to their identity. They acknowledge the similarity with the larger nation, yet keep defending their social identity by expressing a dislike for this perceived similarity. Cette étude analyse l'impact de la taille relative de groupes partageant ou non un même langage sur les attitudes intra et inter groupes. Pour ce faire, nous avons étudié des attitudes internationales en comparant une petite nation, la Suisse, à deux grandes nations, l'Allemagne et la France. Nous avons confirmé l'hypothèse selon laquelle les grandes nations constituent une menace pour l'identité des plus petites nations voisines, particulièrement quand elles partagent une même langue. En conséquence, dans la lignée de la théorie de l'identité sociale de Tajfel (1978), les habitants de petites nations évaluent leurs homologues des plus grandes nations moins positivement, les apprécient moins et les percoivent comme étant plus arrogants que l'inverse. En enquêtant sur le cas particulier des Suisses francophones et germanophones comme groupes linguisitiques au sein de leur propre nation, nous démontrons qu'ils recherchent l'appui d'une plus grande nation similaire à eux linguistiquement pour se défendre d'une menace intérieure plus directe envers leur identité. Cependant, s'ils reconnaissent la similitude avec des plus grandes nations, ils n'en continuent pas moins à défendre leur identité sociale en exprimant une aversion pour cette similitude perçue. [source] Customization: Impact on Product and Process PerformancePRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2005Vishwanath G. Hegde Manufacturing capability has often been viewed to be a major obstacle in achieving higher levels of customization. Companies follow various strategies ranging from equipment selection to order process management to cope with the challenges of increased customization. We examined how the customization process affects product performance and conformance in the context of a design-to-order (DTO) manufacturer of industrial components. Our competing risk hazard function model incorporates two thresholds, which we define as mismatch and manufacturing thresholds. Product performance was adversely affected when the degree of customization exceeded the mismatch threshold. Likewise, product conformance eroded when the degree of customization exceeded the manufacturing threshold. Relative sizes of the two thresholds have management implications for the subsequent investments to improve customization capabilities. Our research developed a rigorous framework to address two key questions relevant to the implementation of product customization: (1) what degrees of customization to offer, and (2) how to customize the product design process. [source] Parsing the general and specific components of depression and anxiety with bifactor modeling,DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 7 2008Leonard J. Simms Ph.D. Abstract Recent hierarchical models suggest that both general and specific components are needed to fully represent the variation observed among mood and anxiety disorders. However, little is known about the relative size, severity, and psychological meaning of these components. We studied these features through bifactor modeling of the symptoms from the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms [IDAS; Watson et al., 2007] in 362 community adults, 353 psychiatric patients, and 673 undergraduates. Results revealed that although all IDAS symptom types loaded prominently both on a general factor as well as specific factors, some symptom groups,such as dysphoria, generalized anxiety, and irritability,were influenced more strongly by the general factor, whereas others,e.g., appetite gain, appetite loss, and low well-being,contained a larger specific component. Second, certain symptom groups,e.g., Suicidality, Panic, Appetite Loss, and Ill Temper,reflected higher severity than other symptom groups. Finally, general factor scores correlated strongly with markers of general distress and negative emotionality. These findings support a hierarchical structure among mood and anxiety symptoms and have important implications for how such disorders are described, assessed, and studied. Depression and Anxiety 0:1,13, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The evolution of hippocampus volume and brain size in relation to food hoarding in birdsECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 12 2004László Zsolt Garamszegi Abstract Food-hoarding birds frequently use spatial memory to relocate their caches, thus they may evolve a larger hippocampus in their brain than non-hoarder species. However, previous studies testing for such interspecific relationships provided conflicting results. In addition, food hoarding may be a cognitively complex task involving elaboration of a variety of brain regions, even outside of the hippocampus. Hence, specialization to food hoarding may also result in the enlargement of the overall brain. In a phylogenetic analysis of distantly related birds, we studied the interspecific association between food hoarding and the size of different brain regions, each reflecting different resolutions. After adjusting for allometric effects, the relative volume of the hippocampus and the relative size of the entire brain were each positively related to the degree of food-hoarding specialization, even after controlling for migration and brood parasitism. We also found some significant evidence for the relative volume of the telencephalon being associated with food hoarding, but this relationship was dependent on the approach we used. Hence, neural adaptation to food hoarding may favour the evolution of different brain structures. [source] Prudence and Pragmatism in the Fiscal StanceECONOMIC OUTLOOK, Issue 2 2000Simon Proce In this article, Simon Price argues that the government is pursuing a remarkably conservative fiscal policy. Not only has demand management been left almost entirely to the MPC, but since 1997 spending has been held down while the overall tax burden has been raised. Consequently, the relative size of the national debt is declining at a rapid rate. There are rules that are intended to govern debt policy, but they are based on less sound principles than the government argues, and may be inconsistent. Oddly, despite the emphasis on these rules, the government has announced a path for spending that makes it clear that it is in fact planning not to follow them. The government may be planning to reduce the national debt at an excessive rate. This may make sense in the short run, but is more problematic in the medium to long term. This is not to say fiscal policy should be immediately relaxed; the current low levels of private sector saving may well justify a temporarily tight fiscal stance. [source] The Race to the Bottom, from the BottomECONOMICA, Issue 290 2006NANCY H. CHAU The dominant perspective in discussions of labour and environmental standards and globalization is that of North,South competition and its impact on Northern standards. This paper presents an alternative perspective, that of South,South competition to export to the North and its impact on Southern standards. It develops a simple model of Southern competition, and demonstrates that whether a Southern race to the bottom is possible depends intricately on the Northern demand curve, the size of large exporters relative to each other and the relative size of the competitive fringe of small exporters. The possibility that Northern trade protectionism may undermine Southern standards is also examined. [source] CONTRIBUTIONS AND ELECTIONS WITH NETWORK EXTERNALITIESECONOMICS & POLITICS, Issue 1 2005Adam Meirowitz This paper develops a model of campaign contributions and electoral competition. Contributors have separable preferences over policy and the electoral success of the candidate they support, as in influence buying. Policy preferences are single peaked over a single policy dimension. A candidate's chances of victory are increasing in the relative size of her war chest. In equilibrium, potential contributors balance incentives to donate to a candidate that is desirable on policy grounds and ensuring that they back the likely winner. With exogenous candidate positions, we find conditions under which, in equilibrium, contributors donate to the candidate that is less desirable on policy grounds solely because they consider the candidate viable. We also find that there is a degree of indeterminacy, wherein multiple equilibria inducing different lotteries over the final policy often exist. With endogenous candidate locations, we find that while median policies are always supportable as equilibrium, it is often the case that any pair of candidate locations is supportable in equilibrium. These results suggest that in settings with substantial influence buying, median policy interests may not be represented. [source] Socio-Spatial Relationships in Dairy CowsETHOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Lorenz Gygax Farm animals may serve as models for evaluating social networks in a controlled environment. We used an automated system to track, at fine temporal and spatial resolution (once per minute, ±50 cm) every individual in six herds of dairy cows (Bos taurus). We then analysed the data using social network analyses. Relationships were based on non-random attachment and avoidance relationships in respect to synchronous use and distances observed in three different functional areas (activity, feeding and lying). We found that neither synchrony nor distance between cows was strongly predictable among the three functional areas. The emerging social networks were tightly knit for attachment relationships and less dense for avoidance relationships. These networks loosened up from the feeding and lying area to the activity area, and were less dense for relationships based on synchronicity than on median distance with respect to node degree, relative size of the largest cluster, density and diameter of the network. In addition, synchronicity was higher in dyads of dairy cows that had grown up together and shared their last dry period. This last effect disappeared with increasing herd size. Dairy herds can be characterized by one strongly clustered network including most of the herd members with many non-random attachment and avoidance relationships. Closely synchronous dyads were composed of cows with more intense previous contact. The automatic tracking of a large number of individuals proved promising in acquiring the data necessary for tackling social network analyses. [source] The Pricing of French Unit Seasoned Equity OfferingsEUROPEAN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2001Pierre Chollet Units are bundles of common stock and warrants. By issuing units, firms precommit to a future and uncertain seasoned offering at the exercise price of the warrants. This study shows that the issuance of units seasoned offerings in France is accompanied by significant abnormal returns of on average 9,12%, depending on the computing methods. Underpricing increases with the risk of the issuer and the relative size of the future seasoned equity issue linked to warrant exercises. Our results are consistent with our signaling hypothesis. [source] Water-repellent soil and its relationship to granularity, surface roughness and hydrophobicity: a materials science viewEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2005G. McHale Summary Considerable soil water repellency has been observed at a wide range of locations worldwide. The soil exhibiting water repellency is found within the upper part of the soil profile. The reduced rate of water infiltration into these soils leads to severe runoff erosion, and reduction of plant growth. Soil water repellency is promoted by drying of soil, and can be induced by fire or intense heating of soil containing hydrophobic organic matter. Recent studies outside soil science have shown how enhancement of the natural water repellency of materials, both porous and granular, by surface texture (i.e. surface roughness, pattern and morphology) into super-hydrophobicity is possible. The similarities between these super-hydrophobic materials and observed properties of water-repellent soil are discussed from a non-soil scientist, materials-based perspective. A simple model is developed for a hydrophobic granular surface and it is shown that this can provide a mechanism for enhancement of soil water repellency through the relative size and spacing of grains and pores. The model provides a possible explanation for why soil water repellency should be more prevalent under dry conditions than wet. Consequences for water runoff, raindrop splash and soil erosion are discussed. [source] Deal Size, Bid Premium, and Gains in Bank Mergers: The Impact of Managerial MotivationsFINANCIAL REVIEW, Issue 3 2007Atul Gupta G14; G21; G34 Abstract Do mergers with greater target relative to acquirer size create more value than mergers with smaller relative sized targets? Do larger bid amounts represent wealth transfers from acquirers or do they signal greater expected merger gains? We hypothesize that the relations among aggregate merger gains, relative size, and bid premiums are asymmetric across mergers made by value-enhancing versus value-reducing managers. We use a large sample of bank mergers to test these predictions and find that the value response to different explanatory variables is asymmetric. Our findings provide new insights into how the market values merger bids. [source] Factors influencing the temporal coherence of five lakes in the English Lake DistrictFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000D. G. George 1. The lakes in the Windermere catchment are all deep, glacial lakes but they differ in size, shape and general productivity. Here, we examine the extent to which year-to-year variations in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of these lakes varied synchronously over a 30,40-year period. 2. Coherence was estimated by correlating time-series of the spring, summer, autumn and winter characteristics of five lakes: Esthwaite Water, Blelham Tarn, Grasmere and the North and South Basins of Windermere. Three physical, four chemical and two biological time-series were analysed and related to year-to-year variations in a number of key driving variables. 3. The highest levels of coherence were recorded for the physical and chemical variables where the average coherence was 0.81. The average coherence for the biological variables was 0.11 and there were a number of significant negative relationships. The average coherence between all possible lake pairs was 0.59 and average values ranged from 0.50 to 0.74. A graphical analysis of these results demonstrated that the coherence between individual lake pairs was influenced by the relative size of the basins as well as their trophic status. 4. A series of examples is presented to demonstrate how a small number of driving variables influenced the observed levels of coherence. These range from a simple example where the winter temperature of the lakes was correlated with the climatic index known as the North Atlantic Oscillation, to a more complex example where the summer abundance of zooplankton was correlated with wind-mixing. 5. The implications of these findings are discussed and a conceptual model developed to illustrate the principal factors influencing temporal coherence in lake systems. The model suggests that our ability to detect temporal coherence depends on the relative magnitude of three factors: (a) the amplitude of the year-to-year variations; (b) the spatial heterogeneity of the driving variables and (c) the error terms associated with any particular measurement. [source] Shiny spheres of placozoans (Trichoplax) function in anti-predator defenseINVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Alexis M. Jackson Abstract. When individual placozoans, Trichoplax adhaerens, were fed to polyps of the hydroid Podocoryna carnea, the polyps became paralyzed in all 27 trials. In one instance the hydroid polyp died and in five instances a fragment of the placozoan survived. The time to recovery from paralysis varied with the relative size of the polyp and the placozoan. Placozoans were disassociated into separate cells and then reaggregated by centrifugation to produce pellets of tissue lacking the vesicles called shiny spheres, normally abundant in the upper epithelium. We fed pellets of two size classes to the hydroid polyps. When the placozoan pellet was smaller than the hydroid, paralysis was eliminated in nine of ten trials. When the placozoan pellet was comparable in size to the polyp, paralysis occurred but the recovery time was substantially reduced, compared with trials in which polyps were fed intact placozoans possessing shiny spheres. These results support a function of shiny spheres in anti-predator defense. [source] Evolution of M1 crown size and cusp proportions in the genus HomoJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 5 2009Rolf Quam Abstract Previous research into tooth crown dimensions and cusp proportions has proved to be a useful way to identify taxonomic differences in Pliocene and Pleistocene fossil hominins. The present study has identified changes in both M1 crown size and cusp proportions within the genus Homo, with M1 overall crown size reduction apparently occurring in two main stages. The first stage (a reduction of ca. 17%) is associated with the emergence of Homo ergaster and Homo erectus sensu stricto. The second stage (a reduction of ca. 10%) occurs in Homo sapiens, but the reduced modern human M1 tooth crown size was only attained in Upper Paleolithic times. The absolute sizes of the individual cusps are highly positively correlated with overall crown size and dental reduction produces a reduction in the absolute size of each of the cusps. Most of the individual cusps scale isometrically with crown size, but the paracone shows a negative allometric relationship, indicating that the reduction in paracone size is less than in the other M1 cusps. Thus, the phylogenetically oldest cusp in the upper molars also seems to be the most stable cusp (at least in the M1). The most striking change in M1 cusp proportions is a change in the relative size of the areas of the paracone and metacone. The combination of a small relative paracone and a large relative metacone generally characterizes specimens attributed to early Homo, and the presence of this character state in Australopithecus and Paranthropus suggests it may represent the primitive condition for the later part of the hominin clade. In contrast, nearly all later Homo taxa, with the exception of Homo antecessor, show the opposite condition (i.e. a relatively large paracone and a relatively small metacone). This change in the relationship between the relative sizes of the paracone and metacone is related to an isometric reduction of the absolute size of the metacone. This metacone reduction occurs in the context of relative stability in the paracone as crown size decreases. Among later Homo taxa, both Homo heidelbergensis and Homo neanderthalensis show a further reduction of the metacone and an enlargement of the hypocone. Fossil and contemporary H. sapiens samples show a trend toward increasing the relative size of the protocone and decreasing the relative size of the hypocone. In Europe, modern human M1 cusp proportions are essentially reached during the Upper Paleolithic. Although some variation was documented among the fossil taxa, we suggest that the relative size of the M1 paracone and metacone areas may be useful for differentiating the earliest members of our genus from subsequent Homo species. [source] Energetic cost of calling: general constraints and species-specific differencesJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2010A. G. OPHIR Abstract The energetic cost of acoustic signalling varies tremendously among species. Understanding factors responsible for this heterogeneity is important for understanding the costs and benefits of signalling. Here, we present a general model, based on well-established principles of bioenergetics, which predicts the energetic cost of call production across species. We test model predictions using an extensive database of resting and calling metabolic rates of insects, amphibians and birds. Results are largely supportive of model predictions. Calling metabolic rates scale predictably with body mass and temperature such that calling and resting metabolic rates are directly proportional to each other. The cost of acoustic signalling is ,8 times higher than resting metabolic rate in ectotherms, and ,2 times higher in birds. Differences in the increase in metabolic rate during calling are explained by the relative size of species' sound-producing muscles. Combined with published work, we quantify call efficiency and discuss model implications. [source] The allometric pattern of sexually size dimorphic feather ornaments and factors affecting allometryJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2009J. J. CUERVO Abstract The static allometry of secondary sexual characters is currently subject to debate. While some studies suggest an almost universal positive allometry for such traits, but isometry or negative allometry for nonornamental traits, other studies maintain that any kind of allometric pattern is possible. Therefore, we investigated the allometry of sexually size dimorphic feather ornaments in 67 species of birds. We also studied the allometry of female feathers homologous to male ornaments (female ornaments in the following) and ordinary nonsexual traits. Allometries were estimated as reduced major axis slopes of trait length on tarsus length. Ornamental feathers showed positive allometric slopes in both sexes, although that was not a peculiarity for ornamental feathers, because nonsexual tail feathers also showed positive allometry. Migration distance (in males) and relative size of the tail ornament (in females) tended to be negatively related to the allometric slope of tail feather ornaments, although these results were not conclusive. Finally, we found an association between mating system and allometry of tail feather ornaments, with species with more intense sexual selection showing a smaller degree of allometry of tail ornaments. This study is consistent with theoretical models that predict no specific kind of allometric pattern for sexual and nonsexual characters. [source] Dentition and tooth replacement pattern in Chalcides (Squamata; Scincidae)JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Sidney Delgado Abstract This study was undertaken as a prerequisite to investigations on tooth differentiation in a squamate, the Canarian scincid Chalcides. Our main goal was to determine whether the pattern of tooth replacement, known to be regular in lizards, could be helpful to predict accurately any stage of tooth development. A growth series of 20 laboratory-reared specimens, aged from 0.5 month after birth to about 6 years, was used. The dentition (functional and replacement teeth) was studied from radiographs of jaw quadrants. The number of tooth positions, the tooth number in relation to age and to seasons, and the size of the replacement teeth were recorded. In Chalcides, a single row of pleurodont functional teeth lies at the labial margin of the dentary, premaxillary, and maxillary. Whatever the age of the specimens, 16 tooth positions were recorded, on average, in each quadrant, suggesting that positions are maintained throughout life. Replacement teeth were numerous whatever the age and season, while the number of functional teeth was subject to variation. Symmetry of tooth development was evaluated by comparing teeth two by two from the opposite side in the four jaw quadrants of several specimens. Although the relative size of some replacement teeth fitted perfectly, the symmetry criterion was not reliable to predict the developmental stage of the opposite tooth, whether the pair of teeth compared was left,right or upper,lower. The best fit was found when comparing the size of successive replacement teeth from the front to the back of the jaw. Every replacement tooth that is 40,80% of its definitive size is followed, in the next position on the arcade, by a tooth that is, on average, 20% less developed. Considering teeth in alternate positions (even and odd series), each replacement tooth was a little more developed than the previous, more anterior, one (0.5,20% when the teeth are from 10,40% of their final size). The latter pattern showed that tooth replacement occurred in alternate positions from back to front, forming more or less regular rows (i.e., "Zahnreihen"). In Chalcides, the developmental stage of a replacement tooth in a position p can be accurately predicted provided the developmental stage of the replacement tooth in position p-1 or, to a lesser degree, in position p-2 is known. This finding will be particularly helpful when starting our structural and ultrastructural studies of tooth differentiation in this lizard. J. Morphol. 256:146,159, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Trophic Effects of Oestrogen on Male Rat Anterior Pituitary LactotrophsJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 5 2009L. A. Nolan Rapid but often transient changes in mitotic and apoptotic activity are important components of the pituitary response to changes in the hormonal environment. For example, bilateral adrenalectomy and orchidectomy each result in a wave of increased mitosis lasting approximately 1 week, mediated by the same population of trophically active and, to a large extent, endocrinologically inactive cells. By contrast to these tonic inhibitors of pituitary trophic activity, reports of a progressive increase in lactotroph numbers during pregnancy suggest that oestrogen is a potent and persistent pituitary mitogen. By comparing the amplitude and duration of male rat anterior pituitary mitotic responses to oestrogen treatment, to adrenalectomy, and to a combination of the two, the present study aimed to further clarify the characteristics of the oestrogen-induced trophic response, in particular whether lactotrophs are the predominant cell type involved. Adrenalectomy produced a wave of increased mitotic activity, which resolved within 7 days as expected, whereas oestrogen induced a significant increase in mitotic activity, which was sustained for the 14-day duration of the study. The trophic effects of combining adrenalectomy and oestrogen treatment were not additive in that the statistically insignificant upward trend in mitotic index during the first few days compared to oestrogen treatment alone was entirely abolished by oestrogen pre-treatment. The increase in mitotic activity in lactotrophs induced by oestrogen either with or without adrenalectomy did not result in an increase in the relative size of the prolactin-positive compared to prolactin-negative pituitary parenchymal cell numbers by the end of the study. Despite the marked increase in the lactotroph population that is reported during pregnancy, these data indicate that at least the early (i.e. within 2 weeks) mitotic response to pharmacological doses of oestrogen increases mitotic activity in the lactotroph subpopulation by only 5,8% relative to other cellular subpopulations. Unexpectedly, the mitotic response to oestrogen principally occurs in non-prolactin-containing cells and results in the recruitment, amongst other trophically responsive populations, of the entire subpopulation of prolactin-, adrenocorticotrophic hormone- and luteinising hormone-negative cells that respond mitotically to adrenalectomy. Oestrogen therefore has a previously unrecognised non-cell type-specific trophic effect in the pituitary that obscures the relative expansion of the lactotroph population by inducing concurrent increases in numbers of prolactin-negative cells, the nature of which at least in part remains to be determined. [source] The contribution of MD,PhD training to academic orthopaedic facultiesJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2001John M. Clark Little is known about the distribution of research-trained physicians across the various specialties. To document the extent to which MD,PhD programs are a source of research-trained faculty for orthopaedic departments, this study examined the specialty choices of graduates of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) from 1964 to 1994. The MSTP, a combined MD,PhD program supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, (NIGMS), produces roughly 25% of all MD,PhDs in the US. Methods. Copies of the appendices from training grant applications containing information on MSTP graduates were obtained from the NIGMS. Also, a questionnaire was mailed to 116 university-affiliated orthopaedic surgery departments asking how many faculty were MD's, PhDs or MD,PhDs. Results. Records were obtained for all MST programs. Information on postdoctoral training and/or a current position was reported for 1615 graduates who earned both MD and PhD. Of these graduates, 277 chose non-clinical paths. The other 1338 entered a residency or internship. Of these, 593 were still in residency training, 566 were academic faculty members and 130 were in private practice. In the records, 12 (0.9%) were listed as orthopaedic surgical residents (6) or faculty (6). At this time, all 12 have completed training, and 11 are in academic practice. Eighty-three departments replied to the questionnaire. In that sample of 1761 faculty positions, 1478 were MDs, 217 were PhDs and 36 (2.0%) were MD-PhDs. Conclusion. Despite robust support of MD,PhD programs, the number of dual degree recipients on orthopaedic faculties is small when compared to the relative size of the specialty. Other sources of research-trained staff should perhaps be developed. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Using Excise Taxes to Finance State Government: Do Neighboring State Taxation Policy and Cross-Border Markets Matter?JOURNAL OF REGIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002Michael A. Nelson In this paper the excise tax policy of U.S. state governments is analyzed with special attention to how this policy is influenced by the level of excise taxation in neighboring states, "border-tax effects," and the relative size of the market located across state boundaries. Using a panel data set, state policies towards the taxation of cigarettes, all alcoholic beverages, beer, distilled liquor, motor fuel, and insurance are investigated within the context of a vote-maximizing model of collective decision making. The role of the industry in that state whose goods and services are singled out for special taxation is also examined. [source] Chemical cues and binary individual recognition in the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpusJOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Francesca Gherardi Abstract The behaviour exhibited by the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus in response to an empty shell varied in the presence of cues from conspecific individuals according to its familiarity or not with them. This binary discrimination was independent of the conspecific's relative size and was based on chemical signatures, an ability that this species shares with a few other aquatic invertebrates. From our results, olfaction appeared to be the dominant sensory channel in P. longicarpus' binary discrimination, but the combination of two signal components from visual and olfactory channels resulted in the enhancement of the response displayed by the receiver. Besides, crabs reacted differently when exposed to their own odour than to the odour of familiar (as well as unfamiliar) conspecifics, suggesting that recognition in this species can be more refined than a binary discrimination and that chemical ,badges' may be attributes of individual crabs. [source] Self-financing Unemployment Insurance and Bargaining StructureLABOUR, Issue 2 2003Helge Sanner For this purpose, we compare the outcome of a model with a uniform payroll tax to a model where workers pay taxes according to their systematic risk of unemployment. Our results highlight the importance of the bargaining structure for the assessment of a particular UI scheme. Most importantly, it depends on the relative size of the unions whether efficiency favors a uniform or a differentiated UI scheme. [source] Median liver lobe of woodchuck as a model to study hepatic outflow obstruction: a pilot studyLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2008Uta Dahmen Abstract Background: Hepatic vein outflow obstruction represents an important clinical problem in living-liver transplantation. An animal model is required to study the influence of outflow obstruction on the intrahepatic regulation of liver perfusion and the subsequent effects on liver injury and recovery during liver regeneration. The size of woodchucks enables the use of standard clinical imaging procedures. Aim: This study aims at describing hepatic vascular and territorial anatomy of the woodchuck liver based on a virtual three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the hepatic vascular tree. Methods: Woodchucks (n=6) were subjected to an all-in-one computed tomography (CT) after contrasting the vascular and the biliary tree. CT-images were used for 3D-reconstruction of hepatic and portal veins and calculation of the corresponding portal and hepatic vein territories and their respective volume using hepavision (MeVisLab). A virtual resection was performed following the Cantlie-line and territories at risk were calculated. Results: The median lobe of the woodchuck liver has a similar vascular supply and drainage as the human liver with two portal (right and left median portal vein) and three hepatic veins (left, middle and right median hepatic vein). The corresponding portal and hepatic vein subterritories are of a similar relative size compared with the human liver. Virtual splitting of the median lobe of the woodchuck liver revealed areas at risk of focal outflow obstruction, as observed clinically. Conclusion: The median liver lobe of the woodchuck represents, to a small extent, the hepatic vascular anatomy of the human liver and is therefore a suitable potential model to correlate repeated imaging of impaired liver perfusion with histomorphological findings of liver damage and regeneration. [source] The option to change the use of a property when future property values and construction costs are uncertainMANAGERIAL AND DECISION ECONOMICS, Issue 7 2001Åke Gunnelin This paper models the decision to change the use of a property when its value in the current use and the new use, as well as construction costs, are uncertain. In the case of development of vacant land, when cash flows and construction costs are lognormally distributed, the development of the property optimally takes place when the ratio of benefit to cost of development reaches some fixed level. In the redevelopment case, the timing problem is found to be more complex, as the cost of exercising the conversion option consists of two parts, the construction costs and the surrendered value of the property in the current use, which may evolve differently over time. In this case, optimal redevelopment will take place for different benefit,cost ratios, depending on the relative sizes of the property values in the different uses and the construction costs. Also, for a given current benefit,cost ratio, the option value will vary significantly, depending on the relative size of the state variables. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] New perspectives for estimating body condition from mass/length data: the scaled mass index as an alternative methodOIKOS, Issue 12 2009Jordi Peig Body condition is assumed to influence an animal's health and fitness. Various non-destructive methods based on body mass and a measure of body length have been used as condition indices (CIs), but the dominant method amongst ecologists is currently the calculation of residuals from an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression of body mass against length. Recent studies of energy reserves in small mammals and starlings claimed to validate this method, although we argue that they did not include the most appropriate tests since they compared the CI with the absolute size of energy reserves. We present a novel CI (the ,scaled mass index') based on the central principle of scaling, with important methodological, biological and conceptual advantages. Through a reanalysis of data from small mammals, starlings and snakes, we show that the scaled mass index is a better indicator of the relative size of energy reserves and other body components than OLS residuals, performing better in all seven species and in 19 out of 20 analyses. We also present an empirical and theoretical comparison of the scaled mass index and OLS residuals as CIs. We argue that the scaled mass index is a useful new tool for ecologists. [source] Prenatal diagnosis of ventricular aneurysm: a report of two cases and a reviewPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 2 2002Salvatore Pipitone Abstract Ventricular aneurysms have rarely been reported prenatally. Their prognosis is variable depending on factors such as early detection, their relative size in comparison to the ventricular cavity, growth on follow-up, and signs of cardiac failure. In view of the fact that it may be useful to report on additional cases in order to make available further information on aetiology, prognosis and neonatal management, we hereby report on two cases of ventricular aneurysm with good mid-term prognosis. One case of apical aneurysm of the left ventricle was associated with a muscular ventricular septal defect, the features of which are compatible with a fetal myocardial infarction and ventricular septal rupture in absence of coronary artery anomalies as demonstrated by catheterisation. Another case of sub-tricuspidal aneurysm of the right ventricle associated with mitral prolapse appears to be a component of diffuse connective dysplasia. Despite the early gestational age at diagnosis, the large size of the aneurysm and the associated defect, both the infants were asymptomatic in infancy prompting a conservative management. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Middle phalanx skeletal morphology in the hand: Can it predict flexor tendon size and attachments?AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Mary W. Marzke Abstract Specific sites on the palmar diaphysis of the manual middle phalanges provide attachment for the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon. It has been assumed in the literature that lateral palmar fossae on these bones reflect locations for these attachments and offer evidence for relative size of the flexor tendon. This assumption has led to predictions about relative FDS muscle force potential from sizes of fossae on fossil hominin middle phalanges. Inferences about locomotor capabilities of fossil hominins in turn have been drawn from the predicted force potential of the flexor muscle. The study reported here provides a critical first step in evaluating hypotheses about behavioral implications of middle phalangeal morphology in fossil hominins, by testing the hypothesis that the lateral fossae reflect the size of the FDS tendon and the location of the terminal FDS tendon attachments on the middle phalanx. The middle phalangeal region was dissected in 43 individuals from 16 primate genera, including humans. Qualitative observations were made of tendon attachment locations relative to the lateral fossae. Length measurements of the fossae were tested as predictors of FDS tendon cross-sectional area and of FDS attachment tendon lengths. Our results lead to the conclusion that the hypothesis must be rejected, and that future attention should focus on functional implications of the palmar median bar associated with the lateral fossae. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Somatosensory Nuclei of the Manatee Brainstem and ThalamusTHE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2007Diana K. Sarko Abstract Florida manatees have an extensive, well-developed system of vibrissae distributed over their entire bodies and especially concentrated on the face. Although behavioral and anatomical assessments support the manatee's reliance on somatosensation, a systematic analysis of the manatee thalamus and brainstem areas dedicated to tactile input has never been completed. Using histochemical and histological techniques (including stains for myelin, Nissl, cytochrome oxidase, and acetylcholinesterase), we characterized the relative size, extent, and specializations of somatosensory regions of the brainstem and thalamus. The principal somatosensory regions of the brainstem (trigeminal, cuneate, gracile, and Bischoff's nucleus) and the thalamus (ventroposterior nucleus) were disproportionately large relative to nuclei dedicated to other sensory modalities, providing neuroanatomical evidence that supports the manatee's reliance on somatosensation. In fact, areas of the thalamus related to somatosensation (the ventroposterior and posterior nuclei) and audition (the medial geniculate nucleus) appeared to displace the lateral geniculate nucleus dedicated to the subordinate visual modality. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that, although the manatee cortex contains Rindenkerne (barrel-like cortical nuclei located in layer VI), no corresponding cell clusters were located in the brainstem ("barrelettes") or thalamus ("barreloids"). Anat Rec, 290:1138,1165, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Olfactory fossa of Tremacebus harringtoni (platyrrhini, early Miocene, Sacanana, Argentina): Implications for activity patternTHE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Richard F. Kay Abstract CT imaging was undertaken on the skull of , 20-Myr-old Miocene Tremacebus harringtoni. Here we report our observations on the relative size of the olfactory fossa and its implications for the behavior of Tremacebus. The endocranial surface of Tremacebus is incomplete, making precise estimate of brain size and olfactory fossa size imprecise. However, olfactory fossa breadth and maximum endocranial breadth measured from CT images of one catarrhine species and eight platyrrhine species for which volumes of the olfactory bulb and brain are known show that the osteological proxies give a reasonably accurate indication of relative olfactory bulb size. Nocturnal Aotus has the largest relative olfactory fossa breadth and the largest olfactory bulb volume compared to brain volume among extant anthropoids. Tremacebus had a much smaller olfactory fossa breadth and, by inference, bulb volume,within the range of our sample of diurnal anthropoids. Variations in the relative size of the olfactory bulbs in platyrrhines appear to relate to the importance of olfaction in daily behaviors. Aotus has the largest olfactory bulbs among platyrrhines and relies more on olfactory cues when foraging than Cebus, Callicebus, or Saguinus. As in other examples of nocturnal versus diurnal primates, nocturnality may have been the environmental factor that selected for this difference in Aotus, although communication and other behaviors are also likely to select for olfactory variation in diurnal anthropoids. Considering the olfactory fossa size of Tremacebus, olfactory ability of this Miocene monkey was probably not as sensitive as in Aotus and counts against the hypothesis that Tremacebus was nocturnal. This finding accords well with previous observations that the orbits of Tremacebus are not as large as nocturnal Aotus. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The effects of transition on the distribution of income in ChinaTHE ECONOMICS OF TRANSITION, Issue 3 2001A study decomposing the GINI coefficient for 198 Using two large samples for 1988 and 1995 we decompose the Gini coefficient of household income according to type of income with the purpose of analyzing reasons for the rapid increase of inequality. The results show that the change in relative size of money income and its changed profile are found to be the major processes behind the rapid increase of income inequality in rural China. Changes in housing allocation and an increased number of retirees in combination with higher benefits have made inequality increase in urban China and in China as a whole. JEL classification: D31, P27. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||