Ride

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Terms modified by Ride

  • ride comfort

  • Selected Abstracts


    An Analysis of the Market for Taxicab Rides in New York City*

    INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 2 2003
    Ricardo LagosArticle first published online: 2 JUN 200
    In the last few years, the city of New York has increased taxicab fares and relaxed a 59-year-old cap on the number of licenses. This article uses a dynamic equilibrium model of meeting frictions to quantify the impact of these policies on medallion prices and on the process that rules the meetings between passengers and taxicabs in New York City. [source]


    ORIGINAL RESEARCH,WOMEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH: Genital Sensation and Sexual Function in Women Bicyclists and Runners: Are Your Feet Safer than Your Seat?

    THE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2006
    Marsha K. Guess MD
    ABSTRACT Introduction., Bicycling is associated with neurological impairment and impotence in men. Similar deficits have not been confirmed in women. Aim., To evaluate the effects of bicycling on genital sensation and sexual function in women. Methods., Healthy, premenopausal, competitive women bicyclists and runners (controls) were compared. Main Outcome Measures., (1) Genital vibratory thresholds (VTs) were determined using the Medoc Vibratory Sensation Analyzer 3000. (2) Sexual function and sexually related distress were assessed by the Dennerstein Personal Experience Questionnaire (SPEQ) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). Results., Forty-eight bicyclists and 22 controls were enrolled. The median age was 33 years. The bicyclists were older, had higher body mass indices (BMIs), were more diverse in their sexual orientation, and were more likely to have a current partner. Bicyclists rode an average of 28.3 ± 19.7 miles/day (range 4,100), 3.8 ± 1.5 days/week, for an average of 2.1 ± 1.8 hours/ride. The mean number of years riding was 7.9 ± 7.1 years (range 0.5,30). Controls ran an average of 4.65 ± 2.1 miles/day (range 1.5,8) and 5.0 ± 1.2 days/week. On bivariate analysis, bicyclists had significantly higher VTs than runners, indicating worse neurological function at all sites (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis found significant correlations between higher VTs and bicycling at the left and right perineum, posterior vagina, left and right labia. Increasing VTs at the clitoris, anterior vagina, and urethra were associated with age. In bicyclists, there were no correlations between VTs and miles biked per week, duration of riding, or BMI. Composite SPEQ scores indicated normal sexual function in all sexually active subjects. Neither group suffered from sexually related distress. Conclusion., There is an association between bicycling and decreased genital sensation in competitive women bicyclists. Negative effects on sexual function and quality of life were not apparent in our young, healthy premenopausal cohort. Guess MK, Connell K, Schrader S, Reutman S, Wang A, LaCombe J, Toennis C, Lowe B, Melman A, and Mikhail MK. Genital sensation and sexual function in women bicyclists and runners: Are your feet safer than your seat? J Sex Med 2006;3:1018,1027. [source]


    Visual Stimuli in Daily Life

    EPILEPSIA, Issue 2004
    Dorothée G. A. Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité
    Summary: People of all ages, but especially children and adolescents, are increasingly exposed to visual stimuli. Typical environmental stimuli that can trigger epileptic seizures in susceptible persons are televisions (TVs), computers, videogames (VGs), discothèque lights, venetian blinds, striped walls, rolling stairs (escalators), striped clothing, and sunlight reflected from snow or the sea or interrupted by trees during a ride in a car or train. Less common stimuli are rotating helicopter blades, disfunctioning fluorescent lighting, welding lights, etc. New potentially provocative devices turn up now and then unexpectedly. During the last decades especially, displays have become increasingly dominant in many of our daily-life activities. We therefore focus mainly on the characteristics of artificial light and on current and future developments in video displays and videogames. Because VG playing has been shown also to have positive effects, a rating system might be developed for provocativeness to inform consumers about the content. It is important that patients with epilepsy be informed adequately about their possible visual sensitivity. [source]


    Effects of oral electrolyte supplementation on endurance horses competing in 80 km rides

    EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006
    F. SAMPIERI
    Summary Reasons for performing study: There is no evidence that use of oral electrolyte pastes enhances performance in competing endurance horses. Objective: To ascertain whether oral administration of a high dose (HD) of sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) to endurance horses would differentially increase water intake, attenuate bodyweight (bwt) loss and improve performance when compared to a low dose (LD). Methods: A randomised, blinded, crossover study was conducted on 8 horses participating in two 80 km rides (same course, 28 days apart). Thirty minutes before and at 40 km of the first ride 4, horses received orally 0.2 g NaCl/kg bwt and 0.07 g KCl/kg bwt. The other 4 received 0.07 g NaCl/kg bwt and 0.02 g KCl/kg bwt. Horses received the alternate treatment in the second ride. Data were analysed with 2-way ANOVA for repeated measures (P<0.05). Results: Estimated water intake was significantly greater with HD both at the 40 km mark and as total water intake; however, differences in bwt loss and speed between HD and LD were not found. Treatment significantly affected serum Na+, Cl,, HCO3, pH and water intake, but not serum K+ or bwt. Serum Na+ and Cl, were significantly higher at 80 km when horses received HD, but no differences were found in early recovery. Venous HCO3 and pH were significantly lower throughout the ride and in early recovery when horses received HD. Conclusions and potential relevance: Other than enhancing water intake, supplementing endurance horses with high doses of NaCl and KCl did not provide any detectable competitive advantage in 80 km rides. Further, the elevated serum electrolyte concentrations induced with HD might not be appropriate for endurance horses. [source]


    Thyroid hormone responses to endurance exercise

    EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006
    E. A. GRAVES
    Summary Reasons for performing study: Limited information exists about changes in circulating thyroid hormone concentrations during prolonged endurance exercise in horses. Objective: To examine the effects of prolonged exercise on serum iodothyronine concentrations in horses performing endurance exercise of varying distances. Methods: Serum concentrations of iodothyronines were measured in horses before and after completion of 40, 56, 80 and 160 km endurance rides (Study 1); daily during a 5 day, 424 km endurance ride (Study 2); and before and for 72 h after completion of a treadmill exercise test simulating a 60 km endurance ride (Study 3). Results: In Study 1, 40 and 56 km of endurance exercise had little effect on serum iodothyronine concentrations with the exception of a 10% decrease (P<0.05) in free thyroxine (FT4) concentration after the 56 km ride. In contrast, total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), FT4 and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations all decreased (P<0.05) after successful completion of 80 and 160 km rides, with decreases ranging from 13,31% and 47,54% for distances of 80 and 160 km, respectively. Further, pre-ride T4 concentration was lower (P<0.05) and FT3 concentration was higher (P<0.05) in horses competing 160 km as compared to horses competing over shorter distances. In Study 2, serum concentrations of T4, T3 and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) progressively decreased (P<0.05) over the course of the multi-day ride. In Study 3, the greatest decrease (P<0.05) in all iodothyronines was observed at 12 h of recovery, ranging from 25% for FT4 to 53% for FT3, but all thyroid hormone concentrations had returned to the pre-exercise values by 24 h of recovery. Conclusion: Endurance exercise results in transient decreases in serum iodothyronine concentrations. Potential relevance: These data are important to consider when thyroid gland function is assessed by measurement of serum iodothyronine concentrations in endurance horses. [source]


    Odorant specificity of three oscillations and the DC signal in the turtle olfactory bulb

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2003
    Ying-Wan Lam
    Abstract The odour-induced population response in the in vivo turtle (Terepene sp.) olfactory bulb consists of three oscillatory components (rostral, middle and caudal) that ride on top of a DC signal. In an initial step to determine the functional role of these four signals, we compared the signals elicited by different odorants. Most experiments compared isoamyl acetate and cineole, odorants which have very different maps of input to olfactory bulb glomeruli in the turtle and a different perceptual quality for humans. We found substantial differences in the response to the two odours in the rise-time of the DC signal and in the latency of the middle oscillation. The rate of rise for cineole was twice as fast as that for isoamyl acetate. Similarly, the latency for the middle oscillation was about twice as long for isoamyl acetate as it was for cineole. On the other hand, a number of characteristics of the signals were not substantially different for the two odorants. These included the latency of the rostral and caudal oscillation, the frequency and envelope of all three oscillations and their locations and spatial extents. A smaller number of experiments were carried out with hexanone and hexanal; the oscillations elicited by these odorants did not appear to be different from those elicited by isoamyl acetate and cineole. Qualitative differences between the oscillations in the turtle and those in two invertebrate phyla suggest that different odour processing strategies may be used. [source]


    Acute signalling responses to intense endurance training commenced with low or normal muscle glycogen

    EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
    Wee Kian Yeo
    We have previously demonstrated that well-trained subjects who completed a 3 week training programme in which selected high-intensity interval training (HIT) sessions were commenced with low muscle glycogen content increased the maximal activities of several oxidative enzymes that promote endurance adaptations to a greater extent than subjects who began all training sessions with normal glycogen levels. The aim of the present study was to investigate acute skeletal muscle signalling responses to a single bout of HIT commenced with low or normal muscle glycogen stores in an attempt to elucidate potential mechanism(s) that might underlie our previous observations. Six endurance-trained cyclists/triathletes performed a 100 min ride at ,70% peak O2 uptake (AT) on day 1 and HIT (8 × 5 min work bouts at maximal self-selected effort with 1 min rest) 24 h later (HIGH). Another six subjects, matched for fitness and training history, performed AT on day 1 then 1,2 h later, HIT (LOW). Muscle biopsies were taken before and after HIT. Muscle glycogen concentration was higher in HIGH versus LOW before the HIT (390 ± 28 versus 256 ± 67 ,mol (g dry wt),1). After HIT, glycogen levels were reduced in both groups (P < 0.05) but HIGH was elevated compared with LOW (229 ± 29 versus 124 ± 41 ,mol (g dry wt),1; P < 0.05). Phosphorylation of 5,AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) increased after HIT, but the magnitude of increase was greater in LOW (P < 0.05). Despite the augmented AMPK response in LOW after HIT, selected downstream AMPK substrates were similar between groups. Phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) was unchanged for both groups before and after the HIT training sessions. We conclude that despite a greater activation AMPK phosphorylation when HIT was commenced with low compared with normal muscle glycogen availability, the localization and phosphorylation state of selected downstream targets of AMPK were similar in response to the two interventions. [source]


    Clinical efficacy comparison of anti-wrinkle cosmetics containing herbal flavonoids

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010
    P. Chuarienthong
    Synopsis Herbal anti-wrinkle cosmetics were formulated from ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), a mixture of tea and rooibos (Camellia sinensis and Aspalathus linearis) and soybean (Glycine soja). These extracts were incorporated into the preliminary developed stable gel base with good preference. The gingko formulation was found to be more stable than the formula containing a mixture of tea and rooibos and the soybean formula. Clinical efficacies of the ginkgo formula and the formula containing a mixture of tea and rooibos were compared following 28 days of application. The ginkgo preparation increased skin moisturization (27.88%) and smoothness (4.32%) and reduced roughness (0.4%) and wrinkles (4.63%), whereas the formula containing tea and rooibos showed the best efficacy on wrinkle reduction (9.9%). In comparison to the tea and rooibos formula, gingko significantly improved skin moisturization (P = 0.05). Résumé Comparaison de l'efficacité clinique de cosmétiques antiride contenant des flavonoïdes d'origine végétale Des cosmétiques antiride d'origine végétale ont été formulés à partir de ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), d'un mélange de thé et de rooibos (Camélia sinensis et Aspalathus linearis) et de soja (Glycine soja). Ces extraits ont été incorporés dans une base de gel stable préalablement développée. La formulation de gingko s'est révélée plus stable que les formules contenant le mélange de thé et rooibos et le soja. Les efficacités cliniques de la formule ginkgo et de la formule contenant le mélange de thé et rooibos ont été comparées après 28 jours d'application. La préparation ginkgo a augmenté l'hydratation cutanée (27.88%) et la douceur de la peau (4.32%), la rugosité a été réduite (0.4%) ainsi que les rides (4.63%). La formule contenant le mélange thé et rooibos a montré la meilleure efficacité sur la réduction de ride (9.9%). En comparaison la formule ginkgo a augmenté de façon significative (P = 0.05) l'hydratation cutanée face à la formule contenant le mélange thé et rooibos. [source]


    Global City Frontiers: Singapore's Hinterland and the Contested Socio-political Geographies of Bintan, Indonesia

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006
    TIM BUNNELL
    During the 1980s, Singapore's policy-makers perceived that the continued expansion of the Singapore economy required more spaces and workers beyond the 680-square-kilometre territorial limits of the city-state. While planning to extend these limits through further land reclamation, Singapore also began to foster economic cooperation with regional neighbours, most famously in the form of a so-called Growth Triangle incorporating proximate areas of Malaysia and Indonesia. The empirical focus of this article is on the tourist enclave developed on the Indonesian island of Bintan, a 45-minute ferry ride from Singapore. This enclave embodies complex re-territorializations. We specify how, despite a decade of re-fashioning zones of Bintan into quasi-enclaves and the literal and metaphorical cultivation of a tourist haven, other claims on these transfrontier zones resurfaced in the form of resistances and struggles over the terms of access to land and resources. It is argued that the trajectory of Bintan is symptomatic of wider transformations and epitomizes new configurations of sovereignty, urbanity and ,gated globalism'. [source]


    Amino acid concentrations in blood serum of horses performing long lasting low-intensity exercise

    JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-6 2005
    D. Bergero
    Summary The aim of this work was to evaluate the changes in the concentrations, after two rides different for distance covered, of different amino acids in endurance horses. Blood samples have been collected from horses just before the start, at the top of a steep slope (819 m difference in height) and just at the end of a 32-km endurance ride. A second group, competing in a 72 km endurance ride, has also been sampled immediately before and after the race. In serum samples, the concentrations of alanine, arginine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine have been measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). anova and t -test have been used to study the differences in the concentrations of the amino acids. The pre-ride concentrations of the free amino acids were different between the two races, except for methionine and leucine. Differences between start and end race have been found for both groups for all the considered parameters except asparagine, isoleucine, leucine and lysine for the 72 km ride. Increases have been recorded for the shorter and decreases for the longer ride in the blood serum concentrations. Significant increases have also been found between the starting sampling and the second, at the top of the slope, only for alanine, arginine, asparagines, phenylalanine and lysine. The ride length has a significant impact on blood serum amino acids mobilization and uptake; in the shorter race the increases stand only for mobilization, whereas in the longer the decrease can be considered the effect of the onset of the amino acids catabolism. [source]


    Blood serum branched chain amino acids and tryptophan modifications in horses competing in long-distance rides of different length

    JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2004
    A. Assenza
    Summary During long-distance exercise, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism could lead to an increase in the blood tryptophan/BCAA ratio and an early onset of ,central fatigue'. Based on these considerations, we studied the modifications of blood serum BCAA and tryptophan (Try) levels in 30 endurance horses competing in rides varying in distance from 20 to 72 km. From all horses, blood samples were drawn just before and just after the end of the ride. Samples were analysed for their leucine (Leu), valine (Val), isoleucine (Iso) and Try levels. Data were processed by anova, using sampling moment and ride as factors, and by LSD post hoc test. Significant differences were recorded among the different distance rides for Leu, Val, Iso, Try, Try/BCAA ratio; the same trend was recorded between samples taken at the start and the end of the race for Val and Leu. The main effect observed was an increase of BCAA levels for all rides, except the 72-km ride; for Try, a significant increase was present in all races, except the 50-km ride. The Try/BCAA ratio decreased in 20- and 50-km races and increased in the others. These data confirm that long-distance exercise involves a mobilization of BCAA. The utilization of BCAA seems to be important in prolonged exercise: in the 72-km ride, we observed a decrease in BCAA blood serum levels, while a major role of Try was indicated by its increase, resulting in a rise of the Try/BCAA ratio. [source]


    Free-rider effects of generic advertising: The case of salmon

    AGRIBUSINESS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 3 2003
    Henry W. Kinnucan
    The free-rider effects of commodity promotion are a neglected issue in the empirical literature. This study addresses the lacuna by considering the salmon promotion program conducted by the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. Specifically, a model of the world salmon market is used to indicate returns to Norwegian producers from NSEC's marketing activities, but also returns to Norway's international competitors. Results suggest program intensification would have a positive effect on total (worldwide) producer surplus in the short run, but the gain's distribution is uneven. Specifically, Norway would receive 23% of the gain compared to 48% for United Kingdom producers. By way of comparison, Norway and UK world trade shares are 47 and 16%, respectively. The disproportionate gains to UK producers are due to a double free ride: from the export tax used to fund the advertising increase, and from the advertising itself. [EconLit citations: L660, Q130, Q170]. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 19: 315,324, 2003. [source]


    Trends in Alcohol-Related Traffic Risk Behaviors Among College Students

    ALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2010
    Kenneth H. Beck
    Background:, Alcohol-impaired driving is a major public health problem. National studies indicate that about 25% of college students have driven while intoxicated in the past month and an even greater percentage drive after drinking any alcohol and/or ride with an intoxicated driver. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the change in these various alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors as students progressed through their college experience. Methods:, A cohort of 1,253 first-time first-year students attending a large, mid-Atlantic university were interviewed annually for 4 years. Repeated measures analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations to evaluate age-related changes in prevalence and frequency of each behavior (i.e., ages 19 to 22). Results:, At age 19, 17%wt of students drove while intoxicated, 42%wt drove after drinking any alcohol, and 38%wt rode with an intoxicated driver. For all 3 driving behaviors, prevalence and frequency increased significantly at age 21. Males were more likely to engage in these behaviors than females. To understand the possible relationship of these behaviors to changes in drinking patterns, a post hoc analysis was conducted and revealed that while drinking frequency increased every year, frequency of drunkenness was stable for females, but increased for males. Conclusions:, Alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors are quite common among college students and take a significant upturn when students reach the age of 21. Prevention strategies targeted to the college population are needed to prevent serious consequences of these alcohol-related traffic risk behaviors. [source]


    Free Riding on Altruism and Group Size

    JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMIC THEORY, Issue 3 2002
    Jean Hindriks
    It is shown that altruism does not affect the equilibrium provision of public goods although altruism takes the form of unconditional commitment to contribute. The reason is that altruistic contributions completely crowd out selfish voluntary contributions. That is, egoists free ride on altruism. It is also shown that public goods are less likely to be provided in larger groups. The only qualification to our results is when the probability of altruism is so high that it is a dominant strategy for all egoistic players to free ride. In this case, actually, both altruism and the larger group facilitate public good provision. [source]


    Clinical and biochemical abnormalities in endurance horses eliminated from competition for medical complications and requiring emergency medical treatment: 30 cases (2005,2006)

    JOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 5 2009
    C. Langdon Fielding DVM, DACVECC
    Abstract Objective , To describe the clinical and clinicopathologic abnormalities in endurance horses eliminated from competition and requiring emergency medical treatment. Design , Retrospective study over a 2-year period (2005,2006). Ten horses that successfully completed the ride in 2006 were included for comparison. Setting , Temporary equine emergency field hospital. Animals , All horses (n=30) that were removed from endurance competition and treated for a metabolic abnormality were studied. Interventions , Horses were treated with IV fluids and analgesics. Monitoring included lab work (PCV, total protein, and electrolytes) and serial physical examinations. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and parametric and nonparametric comparisons (ANOVA, Friedman's test, and Kruskal-Wallis) where appropriate. Measurements and Main Results , The clinical diagnoses identified included colic, esophageal obstruction, poor cardiovascular recovery, myopathy, and synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. As a group, these sick horses had lower plasma chloride and potassium and higher total plasma protein concentrations as compared with 10 healthy horses that successfully completed the ride (P<0.05, <0.01, and <0.05 for chloride, potassium, and total protein, respectively). Horses with colic had a lower PCV as compared with horses with poor recovery and those with synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (P<0.05). All horses, including colics, were treated medically and discharged to owners. Conclusions , Based on the results of this study, the prognosis for horses requiring emergency veterinary treatment after being removed from endurance competition (for metabolic reasons) appears to be good if horses are withdrawn from competition under the same criteria outlined in this study. Biochemical abnormalities tend to be mild and do not necessarily aid in delineating sick horses from successfully completing horses. None of the horses with gastrointestinal disease required abdominal surgery. [source]


    Attitudes, Expectations and Sharing

    LABOUR, Issue 4 2003
    Sarah Brown
    Forward Links to Citing Articles Apology. Labour 19:4 801. Online publication date: 16-Dec-2005. Abstract., We explore the relationship between performance-related pay and the attitudes and expectations of a representative sample of British workers. Our results suggest that employees who participate in productivity-linked bonus schemes, discretionary bonus schemes, share ownership or profit sharing are more optimistic about future employment and pay and are generally more satisfied with their work environment. However, employees participating specifically in profit-sharing schemes are less likely to work as hard as they can, ceteris paribus. This is an intriguing finding, insinuating as it does that group-sharing schemes are unable to rout the temptation to free ride and thereby ensure a first best cooperative equilibrium. [source]


    West Nile virus may have hitched a ride across the Western United States on Culex tarsalis mosquitoes

    MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 8 2010
    TONY L. GOLDBERG
    West Nile virus spread rapidly from east to west across North America, despite the north-south migratory flyways of its avian hosts. In this issue, Venkatesan & Rasgon (2010) present new data on the population genetics of Culex tarsalis, the dominant West Nile virus vector in the Western United States, suggesting that patterns of mosquito gene flow may better reflect the virus's expansion from the Midwest to the Pacific than patterns of bird movement. These findings suggest a more significant role for vector dispersal in arboviral range expansion than has previously been appreciated, and they highlight the value of molecular genetic studies of insect vector populations for understanding epidemiology and disease ecology. [source]


    Effects of dynamic loads acting on carrying cable in operating ropeway

    PROCEEDINGS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS & MECHANICS, Issue 1 2008
    Marta Knawa
    The model of a carrying rope under in,service loads is developed to analyze dynamic response of the cable during ropeway operation including: start conditions while carriers leave the station, steady ride, an emergency stop of a system. The pendulum model of a moving passenger carrier is formulated to define loads acting on the cable. Equations of motion of the cable loaded by moving pendulums are derived by applying Ritz approximate method and Lagrangian description of motion. Some numerical results are presented to illustrate applicability of proposed method in an investigation of carrying cable vibrations. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    ,Irresponsible Lending' with a Better Informed Lender,

    THE ECONOMIC JOURNAL, Issue 532 2008
    Roman Inderst
    We present a simple model of personal finance in which an incumbent lender has an information advantage vis-à-vis both potential competitors and households. In order to extract more consumer surplus, a lender with sufficient market power may engage in ,irresponsible' lending, approving credit even if this is knowingly against a household's best interest. Unless rival lenders are equally well informed, competition may reduce welfare. This holds, in particular, if less informed rivals can free ride on the incumbent's superior screening ability. [source]


    Policy Framework for Transition to a Low-Carbon World Economy

    ASIAN ECONOMIC POLICY REVIEW, Issue 1 2010
    Ross GARNAUT
    Q5; F5 Climate change mitigation policy is the most difficult to come before our polity in living memory. There can be no solution without international agreement involving all substantial economies, and yet each country has an incentive to free ride on others. The international agreement must have five parts: agreement on the objective in terms of concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, agreement on allocation of an emissions entitlements budget among countries, agreement on rules for international trade in entitlements, agreement on developed countries taking the lead on development of low-emissions technologies, and agreement on assistance from developed countries for climate change mitigation in developing countries. Two sources of market failure must be corrected to achieve emissions reduction targets efficiently: the external costs of emitting greenhouse gases and the external benefits of private investment in innovation in relation to low-emissions technologies. [source]


    Climate change: a rational choice politics view,

    AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2009
    Geoffrey Brennan
    Reduction in carbon dioxide emissions constitutes a global public good; and hence there will be strong incentives for countries to free ride in the provision of CO2 emission reductions. In the absence of more or less binding international agreements, we would expect carbon emissions to be seriously excessive, and climate change problems to be unsolvable. Against this obvious general point, we observe many countries acting unilaterally to introduce carbon emission policies. That is itself an explanatory puzzle, and a source of possible hope. Both aspects are matters of ,how politics works', i.e. ,public choice' problems are central. The object of this paper is to explain the phenomenon of unilateral policy action and to evaluate the grounds for ,hope'. One aspect of the explanation lies in the construction of policy instruments that redistribute strategically in favour of relevant interests. Another is the ,expressive' nature of voting and the expressive value of environmental concerns. Both elements , elite interests and popular (expressive) opinion , are quasi-constraints on politically viable policy. However, the nature of expressive concerns is such that significant reductions in real GDP are probably not sustainable in the long term , which suggests that much of the CO2 reduction action will be limited to modest reductions of a largely token character. In that sense, the grounds for hope are, although not non-existent, decidedly thin. [source]


    Wingless can't fly so it hitches a ride with dynein

    BIOESSAYS, Issue 10 2001
    Steven H. Myster
    Asymmetric RNA localization is required for many developmental processes in a wide range of organisms. For example, wingless and pair-rule transcripts are localized to the apical membrane of polarized cells. It has been unclear, however, if this localization is important for biological activity and, in addition, how the transcripts are transported. Two recent studies(1,2) have identified cis -elements and trans -acting factors that are required for the asymmetric localization of mRNAs. Correct localization is shown to be required for biological activity, and a mechanism of RNA transport involving the microtubule motor dynein has been revealed. BioEssays 23:869,872, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source]


    Effects of oral electrolyte supplementation on endurance horses competing in 80 km rides

    EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006
    F. SAMPIERI
    Summary Reasons for performing study: There is no evidence that use of oral electrolyte pastes enhances performance in competing endurance horses. Objective: To ascertain whether oral administration of a high dose (HD) of sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) to endurance horses would differentially increase water intake, attenuate bodyweight (bwt) loss and improve performance when compared to a low dose (LD). Methods: A randomised, blinded, crossover study was conducted on 8 horses participating in two 80 km rides (same course, 28 days apart). Thirty minutes before and at 40 km of the first ride 4, horses received orally 0.2 g NaCl/kg bwt and 0.07 g KCl/kg bwt. The other 4 received 0.07 g NaCl/kg bwt and 0.02 g KCl/kg bwt. Horses received the alternate treatment in the second ride. Data were analysed with 2-way ANOVA for repeated measures (P<0.05). Results: Estimated water intake was significantly greater with HD both at the 40 km mark and as total water intake; however, differences in bwt loss and speed between HD and LD were not found. Treatment significantly affected serum Na+, Cl,, HCO3, pH and water intake, but not serum K+ or bwt. Serum Na+ and Cl, were significantly higher at 80 km when horses received HD, but no differences were found in early recovery. Venous HCO3 and pH were significantly lower throughout the ride and in early recovery when horses received HD. Conclusions and potential relevance: Other than enhancing water intake, supplementing endurance horses with high doses of NaCl and KCl did not provide any detectable competitive advantage in 80 km rides. Further, the elevated serum electrolyte concentrations induced with HD might not be appropriate for endurance horses. [source]


    Thyroid hormone responses to endurance exercise

    EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006
    E. A. GRAVES
    Summary Reasons for performing study: Limited information exists about changes in circulating thyroid hormone concentrations during prolonged endurance exercise in horses. Objective: To examine the effects of prolonged exercise on serum iodothyronine concentrations in horses performing endurance exercise of varying distances. Methods: Serum concentrations of iodothyronines were measured in horses before and after completion of 40, 56, 80 and 160 km endurance rides (Study 1); daily during a 5 day, 424 km endurance ride (Study 2); and before and for 72 h after completion of a treadmill exercise test simulating a 60 km endurance ride (Study 3). Results: In Study 1, 40 and 56 km of endurance exercise had little effect on serum iodothyronine concentrations with the exception of a 10% decrease (P<0.05) in free thyroxine (FT4) concentration after the 56 km ride. In contrast, total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), FT4 and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations all decreased (P<0.05) after successful completion of 80 and 160 km rides, with decreases ranging from 13,31% and 47,54% for distances of 80 and 160 km, respectively. Further, pre-ride T4 concentration was lower (P<0.05) and FT3 concentration was higher (P<0.05) in horses competing 160 km as compared to horses competing over shorter distances. In Study 2, serum concentrations of T4, T3 and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) progressively decreased (P<0.05) over the course of the multi-day ride. In Study 3, the greatest decrease (P<0.05) in all iodothyronines was observed at 12 h of recovery, ranging from 25% for FT4 to 53% for FT3, but all thyroid hormone concentrations had returned to the pre-exercise values by 24 h of recovery. Conclusion: Endurance exercise results in transient decreases in serum iodothyronine concentrations. Potential relevance: These data are important to consider when thyroid gland function is assessed by measurement of serum iodothyronine concentrations in endurance horses. [source]


    The Effects of Geography and Spatial Behavior on Health Care Utilization among the Residents of a Rural Region

    HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005
    Thomas A. Arcury
    Objective. This analysis determines the importance of geography and spatial behavior as predisposing and enabling factors in rural health care utilization, controlling for demographic, social, cultural, and health status factors. Data Sources. A survey of 1,059 adults in 12 rural Appalachian North Carolina counties. Study Design. This cross-sectional study used a three-stage sampling design stratified by county and ethnicity. Preliminary analysis of health services utilization compared weighted proportions of number of health care visits in the previous 12 months for regular check-up care, chronic care, and acute care across geographic, sociodemographic, cultural, and health variables. Multivariable logistic models identified independent correlates of health services utilization. Data Collection Methods. Respondents answered standard survey questions. They located places in which they engaged health related and normal day-to-day activities; these data were entered into a geographic information system for analysis. Principal Findings. Several geographic and spatial behavior factors, including having a driver's license, use of provided rides, and distance for regular care, were significantly related to health care utilization for regular check-up and chronic care in the bivariate analysis. In the multivariate model, having a driver's license and distance for regular care remained significant, as did several predisposing (age, gender, ethnicity), enabling (household income), and need (physical and mental health measures, number of conditions). Geographic measures, as predisposing and enabling factors, were related to regular check-up and chronic care, but not to acute care visits. Conclusions. These results show the importance of geographic and spatial behavior factors in rural health care utilization. They also indicate continuing inequity in rural health care utilization that must be addressed in public policy. [source]


    The developmental change in strategies parents employ to settle young children to sleep, and their relationship to infant sleeping problems, as assessed by a new questionnaire: the Parental Interactive Bedtime Behaviour Scale

    INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2002
    Julian Morrell
    Abstract The development of a new parental self-report questionnaire, the Parental Interactive Bedtime Behaviour Scale (PIBBS) is described. The PIBBS was designed to capture a wide range of parental behaviours used to settle infants off to sleep. The commonest behaviours employed were giving a feed, talking softly to the child, cuddling in the arms, and stroking. A factor analysis revealed five settling strategies; ,active physical comforting' (e.g. cuddling in arms); ,encouraging infant autonomy' (e.g. leaving to cry); ,movement' (e.g. car rides), ,passive physical comforting' (e.g. standing next to the cot without picking the infant up), and ,social comforting' (e.g. reading a story). Excessive ,active physical comforting' and reduced ,encourage autonomy' strategy use was associated with infant sleeping problems. Regarding developmental change in strategy between 1 and 2 years, the later the onset at which ,encourage autonomy' became the principal strategy used, the more likely that persistent infant sleeping problems would be present. Factors accounting for the change in strategy use over time were: (i) parental adaptation to infant developmental maturation; (ii) the interaction between maternal cognition and strategy, and, to a lesser extent; (iii) the interaction between infant temperament and parental strategy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Clinical efficacy comparison of anti-wrinkle cosmetics containing herbal flavonoids

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010
    P. Chuarienthong
    Synopsis Herbal anti-wrinkle cosmetics were formulated from ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), a mixture of tea and rooibos (Camellia sinensis and Aspalathus linearis) and soybean (Glycine soja). These extracts were incorporated into the preliminary developed stable gel base with good preference. The gingko formulation was found to be more stable than the formula containing a mixture of tea and rooibos and the soybean formula. Clinical efficacies of the ginkgo formula and the formula containing a mixture of tea and rooibos were compared following 28 days of application. The ginkgo preparation increased skin moisturization (27.88%) and smoothness (4.32%) and reduced roughness (0.4%) and wrinkles (4.63%), whereas the formula containing tea and rooibos showed the best efficacy on wrinkle reduction (9.9%). In comparison to the tea and rooibos formula, gingko significantly improved skin moisturization (P = 0.05). Résumé Comparaison de l'efficacité clinique de cosmétiques antiride contenant des flavonoïdes d'origine végétale Des cosmétiques antiride d'origine végétale ont été formulés à partir de ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), d'un mélange de thé et de rooibos (Camélia sinensis et Aspalathus linearis) et de soja (Glycine soja). Ces extraits ont été incorporés dans une base de gel stable préalablement développée. La formulation de gingko s'est révélée plus stable que les formules contenant le mélange de thé et rooibos et le soja. Les efficacités cliniques de la formule ginkgo et de la formule contenant le mélange de thé et rooibos ont été comparées après 28 jours d'application. La préparation ginkgo a augmenté l'hydratation cutanée (27.88%) et la douceur de la peau (4.32%), la rugosité a été réduite (0.4%) ainsi que les rides (4.63%). La formule contenant le mélange thé et rooibos a montré la meilleure efficacité sur la réduction de ride (9.9%). En comparaison la formule ginkgo a augmenté de façon significative (P = 0.05) l'hydratation cutanée face à la formule contenant le mélange thé et rooibos. [source]


    A review of ageing and an examination of clinical methods in the assessment of ageing skin.

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008
    Part 2: Clinical perspectives, clinical methods in the evaluation of ageing skin
    Synopsis With the advancement of skin research, today's consumer has increased access to technological information about ageing skin and hair care products. As a result, there is a rapidly increasing demand for proof of efficacy of these products. Recognizing these demands has led to the development and validation of many clinical methods to measure and quantify ageing skin and the effects of anti-ageing treatments. Many of the current testing methods used to research and evaluate anti-ageing product claim to employ sophisticated instruments alongside more traditional clinical methods. Intelligent use of combined clinical methods has enabled the development of technologically advanced consumer products providing enhanced efficacy and performance. Of non-invasive methods for the assessment and quantification of ageing skin, there is a plethora of tools available to the clinical researcher as defined by key clinically observed ageing parameters: skin roughness and surface texture; fine lines and wrinkles; skin pigmentation; skin colour; firmness and elasticity; hair loss; and proliferative lesions. Furthermore, many clinical procedures for the evaluation of ageing skin treatments are combined with invasive procedures, which enable added-value to claims (such as identification and alteration of biochemical markers), particularly in those cases where perception of product effect needs additional support. As discussed herein, clinical methods used in the assessment of skin ageing are many and require a disciplined approach to their use in such investigations. Résumé Avec les progrès des recherches sur la peau, les consommateurs aujourd'hui ont un accès accru aux informations technologiques concernant le vieillissement de la peau et les produits de soins capillaires. Il en découle une demande rapidement croissante des preuves d'efficacité de ces produits. La reconnaissance de ces demandes a conduit au développement et à la validation de nombreuses méthodes cliniques pour mesurer et quantifier la peau âgée ou le vieillissement de la peau et les effets des traitements anti-âge. Beaucoup des méthodes de test classiques utilisées pour rechercher et évaluer les revendications des produits antivieillissement reposent sur des instruments sophistiqués, à côté des méthodes cliniques plus traditionnelles. La combinaison intelligente de méthodes cliniques a permis le développement de produits commerciaux aux technologies avancées, possédant une efficacité et une performance améliorées. A partir de méthodes non invasives pour la détermination et la quantification des peaux âgées, une pléthore d'outils utilisables par les chercheurs cliniciens a été développée. Elle repose sur les paramètres cliniques-clés observés lors du vieillissement : rêcheur de la peau et texture de surface, ridules et rides, pigmentation de la peau, couleur de la peau, fermeté et élasticité, chute des cheveux et lésions proliférantes. De plus, de nombreuses procédures cliniques pour l'évaluation des traitements des peaux âgées sont combinées à des procédures invasives qui permettent des revendications à valeur ajoutée comme l'identification et l'altération de marqueurs biochimiques, en particulier dans les cas où la perception de l'effet du produit nécessite une argumentation complémentaire. Comme discuté ici, les méthodes cliniques utilisées pour la détermination du vieillissement de la peau sont nombreuses et nécessitent une approche contrôlée pour pouvoir les utiliser dans de telles recherches. [source]


    Global and systematic demonstration for the practical usage of a direct in vivo measurement system to evaluate wrinkles

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007
    T. Fujimura
    Synopsis The global and systematic demonstration for the practical usage of a direct three-dimensional in vivo measurement system (PRIMOS) to evaluate wrinkles was investigated. Ten repetitive measurements of the corner of the eye of a subject showed that the coefficient of variation (CV)% value was 7.0% in a typical line-length roughness parameter Ra (the arithmetic mean of roughness), and that the CV% value in a typical surface area roughness parameter Sa was 2.4%. The relationships between the roughness values obtained from the corners of the eye and the age or wrinkle scores of Japanese women aged 10,70 years was examined. The values of several roughness parameters within the evaluation line length or surface area increased with age and showed a good correlation coefficient (r > 0.743). Similar relationships between the wrinkle scores and the values of roughness parameters were observed (r > 0.699). The roughness values were widely distributed even in the same wrinkle score because the measurement areas were limited and the values of skin roughness, including the microreliefs and/or small warts, were included in the calculation. However, changes in roughness values are considerable following treatment with potent active ingredients such as retinoic acid, so that this in vivo evaluation method is sufficient to objectively evaluate wrinkles. We conclude that the direct three-dimensional analysis of wrinkles in vivo should become a popular method to objectively evaluate wrinkles in clinical tests of wrinkle-smoothing ingredients or following cosmetic surgery to provide evidence of quantitative results. Résumé Une démonstration globale et systématique pour l'utilisation pratique d'un système de mesurage in vivo tridimensionnel direct (PRIMOS) pour évaluer les rides àétéétudiée. Dix mesurages répétitifs de la cornée de l',il d'un sujet ont montrées que la valeur du % du coefficient de variation était de 7,0% pour un paramètre de rugosité de mesure typique Ra (moyen arithmétique de rugosité), et que la valeur du % du coefficient de dérivation pour un paramètre de rugosité d'une surface typique Saétait de 2,4%. Les relations entre les valeurs de rugosité obtenues des cornées de l',il et l'âge ou les indices de rides de femmes japonaises âgées de 10 à 70 ans furent examinées. Les valeurs de plusieurs paramètres de rugosité en-deçà de la mesure d'évaluation ou de la surface ont augmenté avec l'âge et ont présenté un bon coefficient de corrélation (r > 0,743). Des relations similaires entre des indices de rides et les valeurs de paramètres de rugosité furent observées (r > 0,699). Les valeurs de rugosité furent largement réparties même avec un indice de rugosité semblable, du fait que les zones de mesurages furent limitées et que les valeurs de rugosité de la peau, comprenant des microreliefs et/ou de petites verrues, furent inclues dans les calculs. Cependant, des changements dans les valeurs de rugosité ont été considérables selon le traitement avec des ingrédients actifs potentiels, tel que l'acide rétinoïque, de telle sorte que cette méthode d'évaluation in vivo est suffisante pour une évaluation objective des rides. Nous en concluons qu'une analyse tridimensionnelle directe des rides in vivo est une méthode pratique pour évaluer objectivement des rides dans des essais cliniques d'ingrédients d'adoucissage des rides ou en suivant une chirurgie esthétique pour mettre en évidence des résultats quantitatifs. [source]


    The riddle of genuine skin microrelief and wrinkles

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 6 2006
    P. Quatresooz
    Synopsis Wrinkles result from distinct structural changes occurring in specific parts of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. There is a need for evidenced-based cosmetology identifying and quantifying the different aspects of wrinkling. Histology allows to detect specific changes associated with particular types of wrinkles. Four main types of wrinkles can thus be recognized, including the atrophic crinkling rhytids, the permanent elastotic creases, the dynamic expression lines, and the gravitational folds. Each type usually develops on specific skin regions exhibiting distinct microanatomical characteristics. Whereas skin microrelief, expression lines and skin folds appear clearly marked at the histological level, only little dermal changes are identified under other reducible or permanent wrinkles compared with the skin immediately adjacent to them. Distinguishing different types of wrinkles brings more precision to the clinical practice. This is of importance because the different types of wrinkles respond differently to cosmetic, dermatological and surgical treatments. Résumé Les rides résultent de modifications distinctes de la structure de portions spécifiques du derme et du tissu sous-cutané. Il y a un besoin à développer encore la cosmétologie factuelle identifiant et quantifiant les différents aspects des rides. L'histologie permet de détecter des aspects spécifiques à chaque type de rides. Quatre types principaux peuvent être reconnus incluant les fines rhytides atrophiques, les rides élastosiques permanents, les rides d'expression dynamiques et les plis gravitationnels. Chaque type de ride a une propension à se développer sur des régions cutanées spécifiques caractéristiques par leur microanatomie. Alors que le microrelief cutané, les rides d'expression et les plis cutanés sont nettement visibles sous le microscope, peu d'altérations dermiques sont identifiées sous les autres rides réductibles ou permanentes. La distinction entre les différents types de rides apporte plus de précision à la pratique clinique. Ceci est important parce que les différentes rides répondent de manière distincte aux traitements cosmétiques, dermatologiques et chirurgicaux. [source]