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Parechoviruses are small, nonenveloped, singlestranded RNA viruses belonging to the large Picomaviridae family that circulate worldwide; primary infections occur mainly in children Nineteen human parechovirus types have been classified as [...]

The main purpose of this paper is to estimate lost consumer values due to various restrictions on household electricity use involving behavior adaptation. To do this, we conduct a choice experiment where households choose between hypothetical electricity contracts including various restrictions on the use of high-power household appliances. In addition, we use a contingent valuation question related to complete blackouts to study a restriction on other types of electricity usage (heating, lighting, TV, etc.). The results indicate a significant difference between the value lost due to the soft control, and the blackouts. Furthermore, policies aiming at stimulating behavioral changes are costly and it is far from obvious that demand response requiring behavioral adaptation is more cost effective than supply response (i.e., increased production of electricity). Keywords: Value of lost load, Choice experiment, Electricity contracts, Demand response, 1. INTRODUCTION In Europe, and elsewhere, electricity markets are changing and the transformation is characterized by three key factors: (i) deregulation of electricity markets, (ii) new technologies with respect to [...]

Introduction Arsenic exposure from naturally contaminated drinking water is a global public health concern that affects >200 million people worldwide (Naujokas et al. 2013), and ~56 million in Bangladesh (Flanagan [...], Background: Arsenic exposure affects >200 million people worldwide, including >50 million in Bangladesh. Arsenic exposure increases the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, and one potential mechanism of arsenic toxicity is epigenetic dysregulation. Objective: We assessed associations between arsenic exposure and genome-wide DNA methylation measured at baseline among 396 Bangladeshi adults participating in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS) who were exposed by drinking naturally contaminated well water. Methods: Methylation in whole blood DNA was measured at ~850,000 CpGs using the Illumina InfiniumMethylationEPIC (EPIC) array. To assess associations between arsenic exposure and CpG methylation, we used linear regression models adjusted for covariates and surrogate variables (SVs) (capturing unknown technical and biologic factors). We attempted replication and conducted a meta-analysis using an independent dataset of ~450,000 CpGs from 400 Bangladeshi individuals with arsenical skin lesions. Results: We identified 34 CpGs associated with [log.sub.2]-transformed creatinine-adjusted urinary arsenic [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05]. Sixteen of these CpGs annotated to the 450K array, and 10 associations were replicated (p < 0.05). The top two CpGs annotated upstream of the ABR gene (cg01912040, cg10003262). All urinary arsenic-associated CpGs were also associated with arsenic concentration measured in drinking water (p Conclusions: The novel and replicable associations between arsenic exposure and DNA methylation at specific CpGs observed in this work suggest that epigenetic alterations should be further investigated as potential mediators in arsenic toxicity and as biomarkers of exposure and effect in exposed populations.

Author(s): Kyriaki Michailidou [1, 2]; Sara Lindstrm [3, 4]; Joe Dennis [1]; Jonathan Beesley [5]; Shirley Hui [6]; Siddhartha Kar [7]; Audrey Lemaon [8]; Penny Soucy [8]; Dylan Glubb [5]; [...]

The family is generally thought of as a safe place where one can recuperate from the ups and downs of the outside world. However, major sources of stress and worry [...], Children 9 to 13 years old exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) reported on their violence exposure, attachment to both parents, temperament (negative emotionality and emotion regulation), perceived quality of life, and health complaints. Half of the children perceived their quality of life as good and did not have recurrent health complaints. When controlling for socioeconomic status, health complaints were associated with higher IPV exposure and negative emotionality, whereas quality of life was associated with attachment security, higher capacity for emotion regulation, and lower negative emotionality. These results underscore the importance of increasing and supporting the capacity of children exposed to IPV to handle and express their emotions, as well as making school nurses and other primary care practitioners more attentive to IPV as a possible background factor in children's health complaints. Keywords Intimate partner violence * Subjective health * Health complaints * Quality of life * Well-being Attachment * Negative emotionality * Emotion regulation

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious societal problem that affects a significant number of children. Population studies find that 4-30 % of all children are affected by violence in [...], Among children visiting child and adolescent psychiatric clinics (CAP), the prevalence of exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is reported to be approximately 25 %. The extent to which CAP clinicians are aware of this violence, however, is unclear. Some researchers recommend asking about IPV at intake, both to raise disclosure rates and to ensure adequate treatment. Many clinicians are reluctant to do so as a matter of routine when there is no indication of occurrence of IPV in the family. When we interviewed 14 clinicians about their experiences using a standard questionnaire about IPV, three themes emerged: (a) constraint (the questions hinder the development of good relationships with patients), (b) uncertainty (upon reflection, screening is acknowledged as important, but somewhat deficient), and (c) utility (the questionnaire provides a useful framework). Our findings indicate that clinicians&apos; negative feelings and ambivalence make the implementation of routinely asking about IPV a long process. Keywords Intimate partner violence * Child psychiatry * Routine questions * Obstacles

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is a human toxicant and carcinogen. Genetic variation might affect long-term accumulation. Cd is absorbed via iron transporters. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the impact of iron homeostasis genes [...]

BACKGROUND: Elemental mercury ([Hg.sup.0]) is widely used in small-scale gold mining. Persons working or living in mining areas have high urinary concentrations of Hg (U-Hg). Differences in genes encoding potential [...]

BACKGROUND: Arsenic in drinking water causes severe health effects. Indigenous people in the South American Andes have likely lived with arsenic-contaminated drinking water for thousands of years. Inhabitants of San [...]

BACKGROUND: Cadmium, a common food pollutant, alters DNA methylation in vitro. Epigenetic effects might therefore partly explain cadmium's toxicity, including its carcinogenicity; however, human data on epigenetic effects are lacking. [...]

BACKGROUND: High concentrations of lithium in drinking water were previously discovered in the Argentinean Andes Mountains. Lithium is used worldwide for treatment of bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant depression. One known [...]

During recent decades, a number of studies have highlighted the fact that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious problem and that children often are present when the violence occurs [...], Witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) is a frightening experience that affects children's development and well-being. This study examines experiences of IPV from the perspective of children. Interviews with 14 children between 8 and 12 years of age were analyzed using a thematic method. Three main themes were identified: how children talked about abuse of their mother, described their own actions, and related to or handled memories of violence. Most children confirmed that their mother had been the victim of abuse, but had difficulties describing these experiences. Narratives were often incoherent and difficult to fully understand. In contrast, most of the children seemed to find it easier to describe their own actions during violence and conflicts. Not thinking about IPV was a strategy that aimed at reducing unwanted memories; it is also a strategy that may obstruct creating a narrative. Keywords Intimate partner violence * Children's perspective * Interviews * Thematic analysis

BACKGROUND: Arsenic (As) occurs as monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in humans, and the methylation pattern demonstrates large interindividual differences. The fraction of urinary MMA is a marker [...]

Increasingly dynamic business environments, and demands for responsible ways of' doing business, call for new approaches to leadership. This implies a need to rethink management education and to generate knowledge [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.05.016 Byline: Thomas Broberg, Runar Brannlund Keywords: Willingness to pay; Contingent valuation; Predators; Policy analysis Abstract: This paper contributes with an applied policy analysis of the predator preservation policy in Sweden. We estimate the overall mean willingness to pay (WTP) for preserving the four large predators in the Swedish fauna by applying the contingent valuation method. Using survey data from 2004 we find that 50 percent of the Swedish population is willing to contribute financially toward implementation of the predator policy package, and that the estimated overall mean WTP is approximately SEK 290. Further, we test for spatial differences in attitudes and WTP and find that respondents in Stockholm have the highest overall mean WTP, while respondents living in wolf-territories have the lowest. Our mean WTP measure is flawed with upward bias, since we cannot estimate the willingness to accept for those with clearly negative preferences regarding the predator policy package (e.g. hunters). In this paper, we set their WTP equal to zero. Thus, we cannot rule out the possibility that the mean willingness to pay is, in fact, negative, i.e. the social-value of implementing the predator policy is negative. Finally, the estimates of the overall WTP are sensitive to response-uncertainty. When the respondents indicate uncertainty about their valuation, they tend to state higher values. Author Affiliation: Department of Economics, UmeA[yen] University, SE-901 87 UmeA[yen], Sweden Article History: Received 18 December 2006; Revised 3 May 2007; Accepted 25 May 2007

BACKGROUND: Exposure to toxic methylmercury (MeHg) through fish consumption is a large problem worldwide, and it has led to governmental recommendations of reduced fish consumption and blacklisting of mercury-contaminated fish. [...]

As a basis for theories of psychopathology, clinical psychology and related disciplines need sound taxonomies that are generalizable across diverse populations. To test the generalizability of a statistically derived 8-syndrome taxonomic model for youth psychopathology, confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were performed on the Youth Self-Report (T. M. Achenbach & L. A. Rescorla, 2001) completed by 30,243 youths 11-18 years old from 23 societies. The 8-syndrome taxonomic model met criteria for good fit to the data from each society. This was consistent with findings for the parent-completed Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) and the teacher-completed Teacher's Report Form (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) from many societies. Separate CFAs by gender and age group supported the 8-syndrome model for boys and girls and for younger and older youths within individual societies. The findings provide initial support for the taxonomic generalizability of the 8-syndrome model across very diverse societies, both genders, and 2 age groups. Keywords: taxonomy, youths, psychopathology, Youth Self-Report, multicultural

This study was the first to examine relations between attachment and religion--spirituality in adults using a developmentally validated attachment assessment, the Adult Attachment Interview. Security of attachment was expected to be linked to a religiosity-spirituality that is socially based on the parental relationships and reflects extrapolation of attachment experiences with sensitive parents to perceived relationships with a loving God. Insecurity of attachment was expected to be related to religiosity-spirituality via emotional compensation for states of insecurity. Participants (N = 84; 40% men; mean age = 29 years) were drawn from religious-spiritual groups. Religiousness--spirituality was assessed with questionnaires. Results generally supported the hypotheses (ps < .05). Estimates of parental loving were linked to socially based religiosity, loving God images, and gradual religious changes occurring at early ages and in life contexts indicating a positive influence of close relationships. Estimates of parental rejection and role reversal were related to New Age spirituality and sudden-intense religious changes occurring in life contexts of turmoil. Current attachment state of mind was generally unrelated to traditional religiosity, but current preoccupation, unresolved--disorganized, and cannot classify states were associated with New Age spirituality. Keywords: Adult Attachment Interview, religion, religious change, God image, New Age

In this study, the authors compared ratings of behavioral and emotional problems and positive qualities on the Youth Self-Report (T. M. Achenbach & L. A. Rescoda, 2001) by adolescents in general population samples from 24 countries (N = 27,206). For problem scales, country effect sizes (ESs) ranged from 3% to 9%, whereas those for gender and age ranged from less than 1% to 2%. Scores were significantly higher for girls than for boys on Internalizing Problems and significantly higher for boys than for girls on Externalizing Problems. Bicountry correlations for mean problem item scores averaged .69. For Total Problems, 17 of 24 countries scored within one standard deviation of the overall mean of 35.3. In the 19 countries for which parent ratings were also available, the mean of 20.5 for parent ratings was far lower than the self-report mean of 34.0 in the same 19 countries (d = 2.5). Results indicate considerable consistency across 24 countries in adolescents' self-reported problems but less consistency for positive qualities. Keywords: YSR, cross-cultural, self-reported problems, adolescents

The susceptibility to arsenic-induced diseases differs greatly between individuals, possibly due to interindividual variations in As metabolism that affect retention and distribution of toxic metabolites. To elucidate the role of [...]

The benefits and challenges of offering cross-border, interdisciplinary academic experiences for students and faculty are described. The lessons learned from an annual transboundary field course offered jointly to Canadian and American students from Alberta and Montana are illustrated.

A school-based model for early detection and intervention among 4-12-year-old children who displayed externalizing behavior problems was developed and examined. The results were encouraging and demonstrated that it is possible to work effectively with many children who display externalizing behavior problems in a nonclinical setting.

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2006.00177.x Byline: ULF AXBERG ([dagger]), KJELL HANSSON ([double dagger]), ANDERS G BROBERG (s.), INGEGERD WIRTBERG ([dagger][dagger]) Keywords: Marte Meo; Coordination Meetings; School-Based Intervention; Externalizing Behavior Problems Abstract: Antisocial behavior is often persistent, and in addition to causing suffering to children and their families, it also poses considerable costs for society. Children who display externalizing behavior in their early years run a high risk of having severe problems later in life. There is a need for treatment methods that may be used in various settings because these children constitute a group that is hard to reach with conventional treatment methods. In addition, the dropout rate from ordinary treatment is often high. In the present study, a systemic school-based model for early detection and intervention among 4-12-year-old children who displayed externalizing behavior problems was developed and examined in a nonrandomized study in the county of Skaraborg in Sweden. The intervention was collaborative and included a combination of the Marte Meo model and coordination meetings based on systemic theory and practice. Treatment effects in the group who had received the intervention were compared with a group who had received treatment as usual in their ordinary school setting. Assessments were carried out before, and 2 years after, the intervention. For the intervention group (N=33), there was a significant decrease in the children's reported symptoms in school and in the home. No decrease in externalizing behavior was found in the comparison group (N=16). There were no dropouts in the intervention group after the intervention had begun. The results are promising; the study demonstrates that it is possible to work effectively with many children who display externalizing behavior problems in a nonclinical setting. Author Affiliation: ([dagger])Department of Psychology, Goteborg University, Child and Adolescent Pediatric Services, Hospital of Skaraborg, Sweden. ([double dagger])School of Social Work, Lund University, Sweden. (s.)Department of Psychology, Goteborg University, Sweden. ([dagger][dagger])Department of Psychology, Lund University, Sweden. Article note: Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Ulf Axberg, Department of Psychology, Goteborg University, Box 500, SE-405 30 Goteborg, Sweden. Tel: +46-31-773 58 34; Fax: +46-31-773 46 20. E-mail: Ulf.axberg@psy.gu.se

All North American radiotelemetry studies of within-home-range habitat selection by northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) and all studies relating territory occupancy and productivity to landscape habitat features were reviewed. The habitat selection patterns studied suggested that goshawk management plans in the United States at the time were probably inadequate.

Introduction Exposure to chemicals on the skin can cause skin diseases, such as irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, urticaria, and skin cancer (Anderson and Meade 2014). Dermal exposure is also [...], Background: The filaggrin protein is important for skin barrier structure and function. Loss-of-function (null) mutations in the filaggrin gene FLG may increase dermal absorption of chemicals. Objective: The objective of the study was to clarify if dermal absorption of chemicals differs depending on FLG genotype. Method: We performed a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based genetic screen for loss-of-function mutations (FLG null) in 432 volunteers from the general population in southern Sweden and identified 28 FLG null carriers. In a dermal exposure experiment, we exposed 23 FLG null and 31 wild-type (wt) carriers to three organic compounds common in the environment: the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pyrene, the pesticide pyrimethanil, and the ultraviolet-light absorber oxybenzone. We then used liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry to measure the concentrations of these chemicals or their metabolites in the subjects&apos; urine over 48 h following exposure. Furthermore, we used long-range PCR to measure FLG repeat copy number variants (CNV), and we performed population toxicokinetic analysis. Results: Lag times for the uptake and dermal absorption rate of the chemicals differed significantly between FLG null and wt carriers with low (20-22 repeats) and high FLG CNV (23-24 repeats). We found a dose-dependent effect on chemical absorption with increasing lag times by increasing CNV for both pyrimethanil and pyrene, and decreasing area under the urinary excretion rate curve [(AUC.sub.(0-40hj)]) with increasing CNV for pyrimethanil. FLG null carriers excreted 18% and 110% more metabolite (estimated by [AUC.sub.(0-40hj)]) for pyrimethanil than wt carriers with low and high CNV, respectively. Conclusion: We conclude that FLG genotype influences the dermal absorption of some common chemicals. Overall, FLG null carriers were the most susceptible, with the shortest lag time and highest rate constants for skin absorption, and higher fractions of the applied dose excreted. Furthermore, our results indicate that low FLG CNV resulted in increased dermal absorption of chemicals. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7310

The purpose of the present study was to examine the cultural embeddedness of the notions of hierarchy and solidarity in parent-child relationships at the macro and micro levels in two nations. Mothers 'beliefs about and use of physical punishment in Sweden, where parental use of physical punishment has been prohibited by law, were compared to those found in Canada, where physical punishment is a legally sanctioned behaviour. Questionnaires were administered to 102 Canadian mothers and 97 Swedish mothers of preschool children. Support was found for the hypothesized relationship between micro processes and macro structures. Canadians reported using mild physical punishment more often than Swedes. While attitudes toward spanking were generally negative in both groups, the attitudes of Canadian mothers reflected a belief system that could be described as higher on the hierarchy dimension and lower on the solidarity dimension than those of Swedish mothers. The findings are discussed in terms of connections and contradictions between micro and macro level processes and their evolving natures. Le but de l'etude presente etait d'examiner la construction sociale des notions avec la hierarchie et avec la solidarite dans les rapports entre les parents et leurs enfants aux niveaux macro et micro dans deux nations. Les croyances des meres vis-a-vis l'utilisation de la punition physique en Suede, ou l'utilisation de la punition physique a ete interdite par loi, ont ete comparees a celles trouvees au Canada, ou la punition physique est un comportement legalement et culturellement sanctionne. Des questionnaires ont ete administres 102 meres canadiennes et a 97 meres suedoises avec des enfants prescolaires. Il y a un rapport presuppose entre les processus micro et les structures macro. Les Canadiens ont indique l'utilisation de la punition physique plus souvent que les Suedois. Les attitudes envers la punition physique etaient generalement negatives dans les deux groupes, les attitudes des meres canadiennes ont montre des ideologies qui pourraient etre decrit en tant que plus haut sur le plan de la hierarchie et plus bas sur le plan de la solidarite que celles des meres suedoises. Les resultats sont presentes en termes des parallelismes et des contradictions entre les processus au niveau micro et macro et leurs formes qui se convertissent. El proposito del estudio actual fue de examinar la construccion social de las nociones con la jerarquia y con la solidaridad en las relaciones entre los padres y sus ninos en los niveles macro y micro en dos naciones. Las creencias de las madres con relacion al uso del castigo fisico en Suecia, en donde el uso del castigo fisico ha sido prohibido por la ley, fueron comparadas a esas encontradas en Canada, donde el castigo fisico es un comportamiento legalmente y cultural sancionado. Los cuestionarios fueron administrados a 102 madres canadienses y a 97 madres suecas con ninos preescolares. Ha una relacion presupuesto entre los procesos micro y las estructuras macro. Los canadienses divulgaron el uso del castigo fisico mas que los suecos. Las actitudes en relacion del castigo fisico eran generalmente negativas en ambos grupos, las actitudes de madres canadienses demostraron ideologias que podrian ser descrito como mas alto en el plan de la jerarquia y mas bajo en el plan de la solidaridad que las de madres suecas. Los resultados son presentados en terminos de los paralelismos y de las contradicciones entre los procesos al nivel micro y macro y sus formas que se convierten., INTRODUCTION Over the past 20 years, parental use of physical punishment has become an increasingly controversial practice. The controversy has been fueled by a growing body of research demonstrating that […]

In response to chronic fetal anemia, coronary blood flow, maximal coronary conductance, and coronary reserve increase. We sought to determine whether chronic fetal anemia alters left ventricular (LV) function in adulthood. We studied adult sheep that had been made anemic for 20 days in utero by phlebotomy. They were transfused just before birth. At 7 mo of age, LV function was measured by pressure-volume loops at rest and during hypoxic stress. The in utero anemia group (n = 8) did not differ from controls (n = 5) with respect to hematocrit, heart and body weight, or baseline hemodynamic parameters. However, the effect of hypoxia (relative to baseline) on multiple indexes of systolic function was different between the two groups. End-systolic elastance increased in the in utero anemia group (baseline to hypoxia) by 4.15 [+ or -] 3.47 mmHg/ml (mean [+ or -] SD) but changed little in controls (0.24 [+ or -] 0.45), which shows that the response to hypoxia was significantly different (P < 0.01) between groups. Similarly, the maximum derivative of LV pressure with respect to time increased in the in utero anemia group (486 [+ or -] 340 mmHg/s,) but on average fell in the controls (-503 [+ or -] 211 mmHg/s) with the response again being significantly different (P < 0.03). We conclude that in sheep, perinatal anemia can alter cardiac responses to hypoxic stress in the adult long after restoration of normocythemia. phlebotomy; end-systolic elastance

Eyespots (color patterns resembling eyes) are present in many taxa and often have important ecological functions. In some taxa, potential functions of eyespots have not been extensively examined, as is the case with pygmy-owls (Glaucidium spp.), many of which bear a conspicuous eye-like pattern on their nape. Using wooden replicas of Northern Pygmy-Owls (G. gnoma), with and without eyespots, we tested one potential function: whether eyespots affect mobbing behaviors of small forest birds. We measured the orientation of mobbing behaviors (where birds perched and flew at the model) and intensity of mobbing bouts (duration of bouts and number of mobbing individuals). Eyespots affected the most proximal behavior, close passing (flights directly at the model, resulting in an approach within 0.5 m). When eyespots were present, mobbers shifted away from eyespots, providing the first empirical evidence for a link between eyespots and avian mobbing.

Integration of ecological principles into private land-use planning is critical to preservation of biodiversity and functional ecosystems in the United States. Ecologists need to play an active role in shaping [...]

SMITH V., BROBERG A. L. and OVERGAARD J. (2002) Does location matter for firms' R&D behaviour? Empirical evidence for Danish firms, Reg. Studies 36, 825-832. In this paper, we analyse whether regional location matters for Danish firms' R & D performance. In accordance with KLEINKNECHT and POOT's, 1992, survey, we test the urban hierarchy hypothesis stating that firms in urban agglomerations are more likely to perform R & D than firms elsewhere. Using a micro dataset for Danish firms obtained by merging Danish R & D statistics with account data, the evidence of the influence of location on both the probability for undertaking R & D and R & D intensity is mixed, but basically not in favour of any urban hierarchy in Danish R & D. Other non-regional factors such as size of firm, sectoral dummies classified according to Pavitt's taxonomy, and the dummy controlling for ICT service industries are also estimated to have significant influence on firms' R & D behaviour. Furthermore, the age of a firm only affects its R & D intensity significantly. R & D Innovation Regions Urban agglomerations SMITH V, BROBERG A. L. et OVERGAARD J. (2002) La localisation, est-elle importante pour le comportement des entreprises quant a la recherche-developpement?: des preuves empiriques aupres des entreprises danoises, Reg. Studies 36, 825-832. Get article cherche a analyser si, oui ou non, la localisation regionale est importante pour le comportement des entreprises danoises quant a la recherche-developpement. Conformement a l'enquete de KLEINKNECHT et POOT, 1992, on met a l'epreuve l'hypothese des hierarchies urbaines qui affirme qu'il est plus probable que les entreprises implantees dans des agglomerations urbaines font de la recherche- developpement que les entreprises implantees ailleurs. On se sert d'une base de micro-donnees aupres des entreprises danoises, obtenue d'une reunion des statistiques sur la recherche-developpement au Danemark et des donnees comptabilisees. Il s'avere que les preuves quant a l'impact de la localisation sur a la fois la probabilite de faire de la recherche-developpement et l'intens ite de la recherche-developpement s'averent mitigees. En principe, elles ne viennent pas a l'appui de l'affirmation d'une hierarchisation urbaine de la recherche-developpement des entreprises danoises. On estime aussi que d'autres facteurs non-regionaux, tels la taille des entreprises, les variables fictives sectorielles classees selon la taxonomie de Pavitt, et la variable fictive qui tient compte des industries de service de la TIC, ont eu un impact non-negligeable sur le comportement des entreprises quant a la recherche-developpement. Qui plus est, seul l'age de l'entreprise influe de facon importante sur l'intensite de la recherche-developpement. Recherche-developpement Innovation Regions Agglomerations urbaines SMITH V., BROBERG A. L. und OVERGAARD J. (2002) Wirkt der Standort sich auf das Forschungs-und Entwicklungsverhalten von Firmen aus?, Reg. Studies 36, 825-832. Dieser Aufsatz untersucht, ob Standort in einer bestimmten Region fur Leistungen danischer Firmen in Forschung und Entwicklung von Bedeutung ist. In Ubereinstimmung mit der Untersuchung von KLEINKNECHT und POOT, 1992, wird die Hypothese der Stadthierarchie gepruft, die behauptet, Firmen in stadtischen Ballungsgebieten haben auf dem Gebiet der Forschung und Entwicklung mehr Erfolg zu verzeichnen als anderorts. Die Verwendung einer Mikrodatenserie fur danische Firmen, die durch Verschmelzung danischer Statistiken fur Forschung und Entwicklung mit Buchhaltungsdaten erarbeitet wurden, zeigt, daB der EinfluB des Standorts sich sowohl auf die Wahrscheinlichkeit der Inangriffnahme wie auch auf die Intensivitat von Forschung und Entwicklung als unterschiedlich erweist, doch im Grunde keine stadtische Hierarchie in danischer Forschung und Entwicklung begunstigt. Es wurde auch von anderen, nicht regional best immten Faktoren, wie FirmengroBe, sektoralen, Pavitts Taxonomie gemaB klassifizierten Vergleichen, und der Vergleichskontrolle von ICT Dienstleistungsindustrien angenommen, daB sie einen signifikanten EinfluB auf das Forschungs- und Entwicklungsverhalten von Firmen ausuben. Dem Alter einer Firma jedoch kommt signifikanter EinfluB nur bei der Intensitat von Forschung und Entwicklung zu. Forschung und Entwicklung Innovation Regionen Stadtische Ballungsgebiete

Research has been conducted on Lactobacillus plantarum MiLAB 393 strain. The ability of the lactic acid bacteria to produce cyclic dipeptides has been tested and the details are reported.

Research is presented on levels of persistent organic pollutants in fish and sediments of the Swedish lake Vattern, specifically polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT. Arctic char species showed yearly declines of 13% for DDT and 5% for PCBs, while sediment contaminant levels for less polluted areas were about 60% of the levels for heavily polluted areas.

In Goteborg, Sweden, 146 children (72 girls) were enrolled in a longitudinal study when they averaged 16 months of age. None of the children had experienced regular out-of-home care yet, but within 3 months, 54 entered center care and 33 entered family day care. Quality of home and out-of-home care environments, child temperament, and the development of verbal abilities were assessed regularly during preschool years. When they were 8 years old (2nd grade), cognitive ability tests were administered to the 123 children (65 girls) still in the study. Tested ability was related to the number of months children had spent in center-based day care before 3.5 years of age. Child care quality predicted cognitive abilities among children who had spent at least 36 months in out-of-home care during their preschool years. Both tested and rated cognitive abilities in 2nd grade were related to earlier measures of verbal ability and to paternal involvement during preschool years.

There can be a number of difficulties relating to notifying the European Commission about a planned large-scale business concentration, such as an acquisition or a merger. However, there are several ways in which managers involved in such deals can ease this process. These include obtaining legal advice and notifying the European Commission at the earliest possible stage. It can also be very beneficial to make one employee, probably the corporate strategy director, responsible for notification.

Two of the Scandinavian countries, Sweden and Finland have recently joined the European Communities. Together with a third Scandinavian country, Denmark, which joined the Communities two decades ago it seems likely that Scandinavian views and attitudes will make a great impact on the future work of the European Communities - including the on-going harmonisation in the field of corporate social responsibility. This article provides an examination of the Scandinavian view on the five best known models for achieving corporate social responsibility and it shows the likely impact of the admittance of the Scandinavian countries on the future work in the European Communities with regard to corporate social responsibility. The article concludes that the most likely impact of the increased Scandinavian participation in the European Communities is that the regulation and enforcement model is given significantly increased support and that the non-shareholder interest representation model is given increased support at least with regard to employee representation.