bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Academic Identities and Practices in a Competitive Enhancement Context: a UK‐based case study
Authors: FANGHANEL JOËLLE , TROWLER PAUL
Published: August 2008

This article proposes that in a context where the roles assigned to academics are increasingly complex, where academic work is visibly managed and monitored with an emphasis on teaching quality and professionalised practices, better understandings of academic identities might emerge from a focus on the teaching dimension of the academic role. It seeks to capture this dimension through a theoretical framework that takes account of the context and realities in which academics operate.

It examines this complexity through a set of policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the teaching function in UK universities, and a brief report on a study of 18 UK academics focusing on the nature of academic labour. It argues that the teaching dimension of the academic role cannot be usefully studied from outside the context in which academics evolve and construct their apprehensions of teaching practice, and without paying attention to the degree of agency available to them in the context where they operate. It points to the negative impact of competing initiatives directed disjointedly at teaching and research.
Academic Entrepreneurship in France: the promotion of economic returns of public research and its political and scientific challenges
Authors: MANIFET CHRISTELLE
Published: August 2008

Emphasising the level of the observation of university configurations and the example of academic entrepreneurship, the author analyses the drivers of economic returns of public research in France. Based on the study of national public policy in this field since 1999 and a general survey of the paths of researchers‐entrepreneurs, the article highlights the weight of political and scientific logics. It also shows that behind the justification of promoting the knowledge economy lies a commercialisation of knowledge that underpins a process to defend the interests of a public research sector in support of mixed mercantile, managerial and professional and scientific logics.
French Medical Schools: from hierarchy to anomy1
Authors: HARDY‐DUBERNET ANNE‐CHANTAL
Published: August 2008

In order to successfully match students and jobs in the medical profession of their choice, and at the same time meet the country's health care needs, it has become evident that access to medical schools and the various medical professions should be tightly regulated, in particular by a numerus clausus. In most Western countries, medical schools are applying different selection methods and approaches that seem to be working well, although they often tend to displace — rather than address — the fundamental problem of professional insertion. Using research that we conducted over several years on medical education in France, we will begin our discussion by showing that it is distinct from medical studies offered in many other European countries in that it is permeated by a competitive culture based on a meritocracy principle that is common to the training of other French elites. We then explain how managing the flow of medical students in such a centralised manner has produced a very rigid system that leaves little room for universities to develop innovative pedagogical approaches and improve the quality of the education they offer. We also show how this classification system – at both individual and national level — greatly influences not only the behaviour of medical students, but also of medical schools whose capacity to distinguish themselves has become very limited.
Biodiversity versus emergencies: the impact of restocking on animal genetic resources after disaster
Authors: Heffernan Claire
Published: August 2008

Restocking is a favoured option in supporting livelihoods after a disaster. With the depletion of local livestock populations, the introduction of new species and breeds will clearly affect biodiversity. Nevertheless, the impact of restocking on Animal Genetic Resources has been largely ignored. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to examine the consequences of restocking on biodiversity via a simple model. Utilising a hypothetical project based on cattle, the model demonstrates that more than one‐third of the population was related to the original restocked animals after three generations. Under conditions of random breed selection, the figure declined to 20 per cent. The tool was then applied to a donor‐led restocking project implemented in Bosnia‐Herzegovina. By restocking primarily with Simmental cattle, the model demonstrated that the implementation of a single restocking project is likely to have accelerated the decline of the indigenous Buşa breed by a further nine per cent. Thus, greater awareness of the long‐term implications of restocking on biodiversity is required.
COORDINATION INCENTIVES UNDER COMPLEMENTARY COST‐REDUCING TECHNOLOGIES*
Authors: GONZÁLEZ‐MAESTRE MIGUEL
Published: August 2008

This paper focuses on the optimal regulation regarding technology transfer and mergers in a duopoly model where two complementary technologies can be developed. On the one hand, we show that there are cases where a prohibitive policy regarding (cross) licensing agreements can be socially desirable. On the other hand, our analysis stresses that, in many cases, there are important coordination problems that cannot be overcome by means of cross‐licensing agreements and merger is the optimal policy.
IMPACT OF EXCHANGE RATE UNCERTAINTY ON COMMODITY TRADE BETWEEN THE US AND AUSTRALIA*
Authors: BAHMANI‐OSKOOEE MOHSEN , WANG YONGQING
Published: August 2008

Exchange rate volatility is said to have negative or positive effect on trade flows. Previous studies that considered the impact of exchange rate uncertainty on the trade flows of Australia employed trade data either between Australia and rest of the world or between Australia and her few major trading partners. They were unable to discover any significant impact. In this paper when we disaggregate trade data by commodity between Australia and one of her major trading partners, the US, we find exchange rate volatility to have short‐run effects on trade flows of most industries. However, the short‐run effects last into long run, only in limited cases, though more in export commodities than import ones.
COMPETITION CAN HARM CONSUMERS*
Authors: COWAN SIMON , YIN XIANGKANG
Published: August 2008

Duopolists selling differentiated products can generate less consumer surplus than a monopoly selling one of the products. In a Hotelling‐type model where a monopoly supplies more than half of potential consumers, but not all, entry by a rival leads to a duopoly price that is higher than the monopoly price. Consumers in aggregate will be made worse off by such entry when the effect of the price increase outweighs the benefit of extra variety. When consumers have continuous demand functions and firms use two‐part tariffs, duopoly can also result in lower aggregate consumer surplus than monopoly.
CHILDCARE USE AND PARENTS’ LABOUR SUPPLY IN AUSTRALIA*
Authors: KALB GUYONNE , LEE WANG‐SHENG
Published: August 2008

Based on data which are representative of the Australian population in 2002, this paper first analyses the demand for and cost of formal and informal childcare for couple and sole‐parent families, shedding light on factors which affect the demand for childcare. The predicted demand of formal childcare and the predicted costs of informal childcare arising from these models are then used to impute total childcare costs at different levels of labour supply. Finally, the predicted total costs are incorporated in the estimation procedure of structural labour supply models for couple and sole parent families. By making several extensions to the methodology adopted in Doiron and Kalb (2005a), who estimated similar models based on 1996 Australian data and which this paper largely replicates in terms of methodology, it is found that the average elasticities of labour supply with regard to the cost of childcare are quite similar to the earlier estimates. The elasticities remain at the lower end of the range found in the international literature with the exception of the elasticities for sole parents with preschool children and/or on relatively low wages.
The Values Shaping Australian Asylum Policy: The Views of Policy Insiders
Authors: Palmer David
Published: August 2008

Drawing on interviews with former political leaders and senior public servants, this article maps the values that have guided asylum policy decisions over the past three decades. The findings support the view that a culture of control permeates policy decisions, but pushing deeper, that policy‐maker perceptions of asylum issues are shaped by two primary values: nation building and good governance. Values that tend to preoccupy policy critics, for example human rights, compassion, international legal obligations and national character, are by no means absent, but are subsumed within and harnessed to the desire to be a good engineer and responsible governor. The study adds to the insights required for constructive dialogue between governments and refugee advocates, and affords a comprehensive framework within which asylum policy can be understood and analysed.
How Much Responsiveness is Too Much or Too Little?
Authors: Mulgan Richard
Published: August 2008

This article analyses the main principles underlying public service responsiveness, illustrating them with examples drawn largely from recent experience in the Australian Commonwealth government. The final section attempts to identify some general international trends which are placing new strains on the relationships between politicians and public servants.
Temporal Evolution of Short‐Term Urban Traffic Flow: A Nonlinear Dynamics Approach
Authors: Vlahogianni Eleni I. , Karlaftis Matthew G. , Golias John C.
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  Recognizing temporal patterns in traffic flow has been an important consideration in short‐term traffic forecasting research. However, little work has been conducted on identifying and associating traffic pattern occurrence with prevailing traffic conditions. We propose a multilayer strategy that first identifies patterns of traffic based on their structure and evolution in time and then clusters the pattern‐based evolution of traffic flow with respect to prevailing traffic flow conditions. Temporal pattern identification is based on the statistical treatment of the recurrent behavior of jointly considered volume and occupancy series; clustering is done via a two‐level neural network approach. Results on urban signalized arterial 90‐second traffic volume and occupancy data indicate that traffic pattern propagation exhibits variability with respect to its statistical characteristics such as deterministic structure and nonlinear evolution. Further, traffic pattern clustering uncovers four distinct classes of traffic pattern evolution, whereas transitional traffic conditions can be straightforwardly identified.
Development of an Estimation Procedure for an Activity‐Based Travel Demand Model
Authors: Recker W. , Duan J. , Wang H.
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  In this article, we implement an estimation procedure for a particular mathematical programming activity‐based model to estimate the relative importance of factors associated with spatial and temporal interrelationships among the out‐of‐home activities that motivate a household's need or desire to travel. The method uses a genetic algorithm to estimate coefficient values of the utility function, based on a particular multidimensional sequence alignment method to deal with the nominal, discrete attributes of the activity/travel pattern (e.g., which household member performs which activity, which vehicle is used, sequencing of activities), and a time sequence alignment method to handle temporal attributes of the activity pattern (e.g., starting and ending time of each activity and/or travel). The estimation procedure is tested on data drawn from a well‐known activity/travel survey.
Tabu Search Strategies for the Public Transportation Network Optimizations with Variable Transit Demand
Authors: Fan Wei , Machemehl Randy B.
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  Systematic tabu search (TS)‐based heuristic methods are put forward in this article and applied for the design of public transportation networks with variable demand. A multi‐objective nonlinear mixed integer model is formulated. Solution methodologies are proposed, which consist of three main components: an initial candidate route set generation procedure (ICRSGP) that generates all feasible routes incorporating practical bus transit industry guidelines; a network analysis procedure (NAP) that decides transit demand matrix, assigns transit trips, determines service frequencies, and computes performance measures; and a Tabu search method (TSM) that combines these two parts, guides the candidate solution generation process, and selects an optimal set of routes from the huge solution space. Comprehensive tests are conducted and sensitivity analyses are performed. Characteristics analyses are undertaken and solution qualities from different algorithms are compared. Numerical results clearly indicate that the preferred TSM outperforms the genetic algorithm used as a benchmark for the optimal bus transit route network design problem without zone demand aggregation.
Fuzzy Modeling Approach for Combined Forecasting of Urban Traffic Flow
Authors: Stathopoulos Antony , Dimitriou Loukas , Tsekeris Theodore
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  This article addresses the problem of the accuracy of short‐term traffic flow forecasting in the complex case of urban signalized arterial networks. A new, artificial intelligence (AI)‐based approach is suggested for improving the accuracy of traffic predictions through suitably combining the forecasts derived from a set of individual predictors. This approach employs a fuzzy rule‐based system (FRBS), which is augmented with an appropriate metaheuristic (direct search) technique to automate the tuning of the system parameters within an online adaptive rolling horizon framework. The proposed hybrid FRBS is used to nonlinearly combine traffic flow forecasts resulting from an online adaptive Kalman filter (KF) and an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The empirical results obtained from the model implementation into a real‐world urban signalized arterial demonstrate the ability of the proposed approach to considerably overperform the given individual traffic predictors.
Do Animals Have an Interest in Liberty?
Authors: Cochrane Alasdair
Published: August 2008

Proponents of justice for animals often argue that non-human animals have an interest in liberty. Furthermore, they usually claim that this animal interest in liberty is intrinsic rather than instrumental; that is to say, liberty is regarded to be good for animals in itself, irrespective of its contribution to the achievement of other goods, such as pleasure. For this reason they argue that legislating to improve welfare standards in zoos, circuses, laboratories and agriculture is inadequate. Instead, they claim that such practices are analogous to human slavery, necessarily harmful and must be abolished. In this article I refute this assertion and claim that for most animals, their interest in liberty can only ever be instrumental. In doing so I outline and reject two different arguments in favour of an intrinsic animal interest in liberty: first, that liberty is an intrinsic interest of animals because they possess preference autonomy; and second, that it is good for animals to be free, where freedom is defined as the ability to exercise one's natural functionings. I conclude that most animals do not possess an intrinsic interest in liberty because they are not autonomous in the relevant sense; that is, they cannot frame, revise and pursue their own conception of the good. If my conclusion is correct, this would have important effects on our obligations to non-human animals. I end the article by introducing some of these possible implications. Specifically, I propose that for most animals, our obligations do not consist of liberating them, and that it might be permissible to use and interfere with animals more often than other proponents of justice for animals have suggested. If this is the case, not all of the ways we keep and use animals need to be abolished. Nevertheless, many need to be reformed to improve welfare standards.
Governance and Coercion
Authors: Sager Fritz
Published: August 2008

The present article departs from the assumption often found in literature concerning governance, which is that coercion is the quintessence of government and that, therefore, the growing importance of new forms of governance in policy formulation and implementation will lead to the adoption of softer policy instruments. This hypothesis will first be discussed in the wider context of the instrument choice literature, whereby an opposing view is derived. The two competing hypotheses are then tested in a comparison of the alcohol control policy designs of the Swiss member states, i.e. the cantons. The results of a multivariate regression analysis show that strong governance structures understood as networks embracing both public and private actors lead to the adoption of restrictive policy designs that must be enforced by public authority and as such cannot be employed by non-public governance actors. It is concluded that in their evaluation of policy instruments, governance actors follow a logic of consequentiality rather than a logic of appropriateness.
The Multicultural State We're In: Muslims, ‘Multiculture’ and the ‘Civic Re-balancing’ of British Multiculturalism
Authors: Meer Nasar , Modood Tariq
Published: August 2008

British multiculturalism is alleged to have buckled under various Muslim-related pressures. Indeed, some intellectuals, commentators and politicians of different political persuasions have pointed to evidence of a ‘retreat’ to be found in an increased governmental emphasis upon ‘integration’ and ‘social cohesion’. One response to these developments, from defenders of diversity-related politics, has comprised a discursive reorientation of British multiculturalism to focus upon an anti-essentialist ‘multiculture’ that can transcend the alleged hitherto reification of British multiculturalism. This article offers an alternative appraisal of British multiculturalism. We contest the idea that British multiculturalism is subject to a wholesale ‘retreat’ and suggest instead that it has been, and continues to be, subject to a productive critique that is resulting in something best characterised as a ‘civic re-balancing’. Simultaneously, and rather than seeking comfort in a depoliticised ‘multiculture’ view, we defend the ideal of a dynamic political multiculturalism, comprised of a body of discourses and policies originating from a racial equality paradigm inaugurated by the first Race Relations Act (1965). It is argued that this tradition has successfully and legislatively embedded a recognition of ‘difference’ – with the goal of promoting equality of access and opportunity – into Britain's self-image which has led to some significant accommodations for certain groups. Muslim minorities are currently appealing to this tradition as one means of achieving greater civic inclusion.
The Trouble with Recognition: Subjectivity, Suffering, and Agency
Authors: McNay Lois
Published: August 2008

This article focuses upon the disagreement between Nancy Fraser and Axel Honneth about how to characterize the relation between social suffering and recognition struggles. For Honneth, social and political conflicts have their source in the “moral” wounds that arise from the myriad ways in which the basic human need for recognition is disregarded in unequal societies. Fraser criticizes Honneth for the uncritical subjectivism of his account of social suffering that reduces social oppression to psychic harm. Fraser therefore redefines misrecognition not as a psychological injury but as “status subordination” understood as institutionalized patterns of discrimination and value inequality. My central argument is that while Fraser's critique of Honneth's subjectivist construal of recognition is largely justified, she falls into a counterveiling objectivism that prevents her from developing some of the central insights of her own paradigm. Her “non-identarian” rendering of recognition leads her to abandon an experiential or interpretative perspective that is associated with the idea of identity and, as a result, she cannot explain certain crucial aspects of political agency. Pierre Bourdieu's notion of habitus is used to indicate a way beyond the naturalization of the cluster of emotions associated with social suffering that seems to be the inevitable consequence of Honneth's “ontology” of recognition (McNay 2007). At the same time, the experiential emphasis of habitus mitigates the objectivism of Fraser's dualist paradigm showing how some of its central insights can be taken further through a materialist redefinition of identity and agency.
MARSHALL'S CETERIS PARIBUS IN A DYNAMIC FRAMEWORK
Authors: Cerina Fabio
Published: August 2008

The paper aims to propose a formalization of the concept of ceteris paribus (CP) by means of a dynamic model. The basic result of the analysis is that the CP clause may assume essentially different meanings according to (1) the kind of variables assumed to be ‘frozen’ and (2) the length of the time horizon. It is then possible to distinguish, respectively, between an exogenous and an endogenous CP and, within the latter, between a short‐run and a long‐run CP. This double analytical distinction helps in understanding the role the CP clause plays in Marshall's thought and in economics in general.
Diagnostic value of brain MRI and 18F‐FDG PET in the differentiation of parkinsonian type multiple system atrophy from Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kwon K.‐Y. , Choi C. G. , Kim J. S. , Lee M. C. , Chung S. J.
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  Differentiation between parkinsonian type multiple system atrophy (MSA‐P) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) is important but often difficult. We investigated the diagnostic value of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG PET) in differentiating MSA‐P from PD.

Methods:  Twenty‐four patients with MSA‐P (16 probable and 8 possible) and eight patients with PD were included in this study.

Results:  For analysis using the putaminal findings, the sensitivities were 58.3% by visual analysis of brain MRI, 95.8% by visual analysis of 18F‐FDG PET, and 79.2% by statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis of 18F‐FDG PET in differentiating MSA‐P from PD; the specificity was 100% for each analysis. Using the putaminal findings, visual analysis of 18F‐FDG PET had a higher sensitivity compared with brain MRI (P = 0.004) and SPM analysis of 18F‐FDG PET revealed a tendency towards higher sensitivity compared with brain MRI (P = 0.063). For analysis using both putaminal and infratentorial findings, the sensitivities were 79.2% by visual analysis of brain MRI, 95.8% by visual analysis of 18F‐FDG PET, 95.8% by SPM analysis of 18F‐FDG PET in differentiating MSA‐P from PD; the specificity was 100% for each analysis.

Conclusion:  Both brain MRI and 18F‐FDG PET showed diagnostic usefulness in differentiating MSA‐P from PD, with 18F‐FDG PET being more sensitive than brain MRI.
Paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis: immunological and clinical aspects
Authors: Skeie G. O. , Romi F.
Published: August 2008

Paraneoplastic myasthenia gravis (MG) is accompanied by a neoplasm, usually thymoma. In patients with thymoma and a specific genetic make‐up, the paraneoplastic immune response develops further in thymic remnant or peripheral lymphatic tissue. Paraneoplastic MG and late‐onset MG (age ≥ 50 years) share a similar immunological profile with high titin and ryanodine receptor (RyR) antibody prevalence. This profile is the most important predictor of clinical outcome in paraneoplastic MG. The presence of a thymoma per se does not cause more severe MG. MG severity is linked to the patient’s immunological profile. Paraneoplastic MG causes a distinctive non‐limb symptom profile at MG onset, characterized by bulbar, ocular, neck, and respiratory symptoms. When the diagnosis of paraneoplastic MG is established, the neoplasm should be removed surgically. Pre‐thymectomy plasmapheresis or iv‐IgG should be considered in these patients to minimize post‐thymectomy MG exacerbation risk. Paraneoplastic MG usually continues after thymectomy. The pharmacological treatment of paraneoplastic MG does not differ from non‐paraneoplastic MG, except for tacrolimus that should be considered in difficult cases. Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant acting specifically in RyR antibody positive patients through enhancing RyR‐related sarcoplasmic calcium release that in theory might be blocked by RyR antibodies, causing symptomatic relief in paraneoplastic MG.
A 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy study in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Sarchielli P. , Presciutti O. , Alberti A. , Tarducci R. , Gobbi G. , Galletti F. , Costa C. , Eusebi P. , Calabresi P.
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  Repeated episodes of hypoxia, hypercapnia and transient blood pressure elevation in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may damage neutral structures and induce cerebral metabolic impairment. This study aimed to determine the impact of OSAS on cerebral metabolites measured by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H ‐MRS).

Methods:  Twenty OSAS patients underwent standard overnight polysomnography and 1H‐MRS separately. Proton volumes of interest (VOIs) were placed in frontal and midtemporal regions bilaterally.

Results:  Significantly lower values of the N‐acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratio were found in frontal regions (P < 0.004) compared with 20 age‐matched control subjects. A significant increase in the myo‐inositol (Ins)/Cr ratio was evident bilaterally in temporal and frontal regions (P < 0.00002 and P < 0.04). Choline (Cho)/Cr ratio values were also significantly greater in temporal regions (P < 0.00001). A significant negative correlation (r = −0.51, P < 0.03) was found between the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) and NAA/Cr ratio in the frontal regions of OSAS patients.

Conclusions:  Reduction in the NAA/Cr ratio in frontal regions of OSAS patients could be related to neural loss. Increase in the Cho/Cr ratio in temporal regions and Ins/Cr ratio in both frontal and temporal regions could be interpreted as evidence of membrane breakdown and reactive gliosis, respectively, consequent to repeated episodes of hypoxia in OSAS.
Cytokine IL‐1 beta but not IL‐1 alpha promoter polymorphism is associated with Alzheimer disease in a population from the Canary Islands, Spain
Authors: Déniz‐Naranjo M. C. , Muñoz‐Fernandez C. , Alemany‐Rodríguez M. J. , Pérez‐Vieitez M. C. , Aladro‐Benito Y. , Irurita‐Latasa J. , Sánchez‐García F.
Published: August 2008

Aims:  Previous studies have reported the presence of low‐grade inflammation in Alzheimer disease (AD). Based on these data, our work attempts to investigate the effects of some promoter polymorphisms of pro‐inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐1 alpha and IL‐1 beta] on AD.

Patients and methods:  A PCR‐RFLP technique was used to analyze the promoter polymorphisms of both IL‐1 alpha (−889 C/T) and IL‐1 beta (−511 C/T) and the APOE genotype from the DNA samples of 282 patients (according to NINCDS‐ADRDA criteria) and 312 control subjects.

Results:  (i) The risk of developing AD in our population was associated with the IL‐1 beta (−511 C/T) promoter polymorphism; (ii) such risk was independent of the risk factor allele in the APOE gene (APOE4); and (iii) the IL‐1 alpha promoter polymorphism (−889 C/T) was not associated with the disease.

Conclusion:  In our population, IL‐1 beta promoter polymorphism (−511 C/T) is an independent risk factor for AD.
The Influence of a Manager's Own Performance Appraisal on the Evaluation of Others
Authors: Latham Gary P. , Budworth Marie‐Hélène , Yanar Basak , Whyte Glen
Published: August 2008

This study examined the possibility that the performance appraisal process is affected by a pervasive and inherent effect that has heretofore been unidentified. This effect derives from the results of the performance appraisal most recently performed on the manager who subsequently conducts appraisals of others. The nature of this effect was examined in four studies. In a case study, the ratings received by two area coordinators in a university academic department affected their subsequent ratings of faculty. In a simulation, 30 managers received hypothetical feedback regarding their own job performance. The managers subsequently evaluated an employee on videotape. Managers who received positive feedback about their performance subsequently rated the employee significantly higher than managers who received negative feedback regarding their own performance. This occurred despite the fact that the managers knew the evaluation of them was bogus. The results of two follow‐up field studies involving 74 manager–employee dyads in a manufacturing company in Canada and 39 manager–subordinate dyads in a retail organization in Turkey are consistent with the view that one's own performance appraisal is related to the subsequent appraisal of one's subordinates. Both anchoring with insufficient adjustment and a mood induction may explain this effect, but the results are more consistent with the former explanation than the latter.
Comparing the Performance of Native North Americans and Predominantly White Military Recruits on Verbal and Nonverbal Measures of Cognitive Ability
Authors: Vanderpool Michael , Catano Victor M.
Published: August 2008

This study compared the cognitive ability of adult Canadian First Nations (American Indian) aboriginals (N=101) living in remote areas to recruits (N=131) undergoing military training in the Canadian Forces. Comparisons involved both verbal and nonverbal measures: The Canadian Forces Aptitude Test (CFAT), Wonderlic Personnel Test, (WPT), Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) and Mill Hill Vocabulary (MHV) test. All measures were examined for differential test and item functioning; as well, the CFAT was analyzed for adverse impact. Confirming past research, First Nations (FNs) members scored, on average, 18 points lower in IQ estimates based on the WPT, a verbal measure of cognitive ability; however, the differences between the groups were less on the nonverbal tests: SPM (5 points lower) and the MHV (9 points lower). Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis detected a few items from the CFAT, SPM and MHV that displayed DIF, but none from the WPT. The SPM and WPT appear to be unbiased measures with respect to differential test functioning (DTF), once language and education are controlled. Making employment decisions solely on verbal cognitive ability test scores, however, is likely to produce adverse impact against members of FN, unless verbal ability is a bona fide occupational requirement for the positions under consideration. Both the verbal and nonverbal cognitive ability tests assessed the same latent structure suggesting that the nonverbal tests could be used in place of the verbal tests with little loss in predictive ability for occupations involving a high degree of spatial ability.
Ability and Personality Predictors of Salary, Perceived Job Success, and Perceived Career Success in the Initial Career Stage
Authors: Rode Joseph C. , Arthaud‐Day Marne L. , Mooney Christine H. , Near Janet P. , Baldwin Timothy T.
Published: August 2008

Using longitudinal data from a sample of recent college graduates, we examined the effects of ability (general mental ability and emotional intelligence) and personality (Big Five and proactive personality) on extrinsic (i.e., salary) and intrinsic (i.e., perceived job and career success) indicators of career success. Results from regression analyses indicated that gender, extroversion, and agreeableness were the strongest predictors of salary. Emotional stability and proactive personality predicted perceived job success, while extroversion was significantly related to perceived career success. Neither of the ability measures significantly predicted our indicators of extrinsic or intrinsic career success. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Lactoferrin induces cell surface retention of prion protein and inhibits prion accumulation
Authors: Iwamaru Yoshifumi , Shimizu Yoshihisa , Imamura Morikazu , Murayama Yuichi , Endo Ryo , Tagawa Yuichi , Ushiki‐Kaku Yuko , Takenouchi Takato , Kitani Hiroshi , Mohri Shirou , Yokoyama Takashi , Okada Hiroyuki
Published: August 2008

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders, and the conformational conversion of normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) into its pathogenic, amyloidogenic isoform (PrPSc) is the essential event in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Lactoferrin (LF) is a cationic iron‐binding glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin (TF) family, which accumulates in the amyloid deposits in the brain in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Pick’s disease. In the present study, we have examined the effects of LF on PrPSc formation by using cell culture models. Bovine LF inhibited PrPSc accumulation in scrapie‐infected cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, whereas TF was not inhibitory. Bioassays of LF‐treated cells demonstrated prolonged incubation periods compared with non‐treated cells indicating a reduction of prion infectivity. LF mediated the cell surface retention of PrPC by diminishing its internalization and was capable of interacting with PrPC in addition to PrPSc. Furthermore, LF partially inhibited the formation of protease‐resistant PrP as determined by the protein misfolding cyclic amplification assay. Our results suggest that LF has multifunctional antiprion activities.
IRS‐2 branch of IGF‐1 receptor signaling is essential for appropriate timing of myelination
Authors: Freude Susanna , Leeser Uschi , Müller Marita , Hettich Moritz M. , Udelhoven Michael , Schilbach Katharina , Tobe Kazuyuki , Kadowaki Takashi , Köhler Christoph , Schröder Hannsjörg , Krone Wilhelm , Brüning Jens C. , Schubert Markus
Published: August 2008

Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 increases proliferation, inhibits apoptosis and promotes differentiation of oligodendrocytes and their precursor cells, indicating an important function for IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) signaling in myelin development. The insulin receptor substrates (IRS), IRS‐1 and ‐2 serve as intracellular IGF‐1R adaptor proteins and are expressed in neurons, oligodendrocytes and their precursors. To address the role of IRS‐2 in myelination, we analyzed myelination in IRS‐2 deficient (IRS‐2−/−) mice and age‐matched controls during postnatal development. Interestingly, expression of the most abundant myelin proteins, myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein was reduced in IRS‐2−/− brains at postnatal day 10 (P10) as compared to controls. myelin basic protein immunostaining in P10‐IRS‐2−/− mice revealed a reduced immunostaining, but an unchanged regional distribution pattern. In cerebral myelin isolates at P10 unaltered relative expression of different myelin proteins was found, indicating quantitatively reduced but not qualitatively altered myelination. Interestingly, up‐regulation of IRS‐1 expression and increased IGF‐1R signaling were observed in IRS‐2−/− mice at P10‐14, indicating a compensatory mechanism to overcome IRS‐2 deficiency. Adult IRS‐2−/− mice showed unaltered myelination and motor function. Furthermore, in neuronal/brain‐specific insulin receptor knockout mice myelination was unchanged. Thus, our experiments reveal that IGF‐1R/IRS‐2 mediated signals are critical for appropriate timing of myelination in vivo.
Differential migration, LPS‐induced cytokine, chemokine, and NO expression in immortalized BV‐2 and HAPI cell lines and primary microglial cultures
Authors: Horvath Ryan J. , Nutile‐McMenemy Nancy , Alkaitis Matthew S. , DeLeo Joyce A.
Published: August 2008

Microglial cells are hematopoietically derived monocytes of the CNS and serve important neuromodulatory, neurotrophic, and neuroimmune roles. Following insult to the CNS, microglia develop a reactive phenotype, migrate to the site of injury, proliferate, and release a range of proinflammatory, anti‐inflammatory, and neurotrophic factors. Isolation of primary microglial cell cultures has been an integral step in elucidating the many roles of these cells. In addition to primary microglial cells, several immortalized cell lines have been created to model primary microglia in vitro, including murine‐derived BV‐2 cells and rat derived highly aggressive proliferating immortalized (HAPI) cells. Here, we compare rat primary microglial, BV‐2, and HAPI cells in experiments assessing migration, expression of activation markers, and production and release of nitric oxide, cytokines, and chemokines. BV‐2 and HAPI cells responded similarly to primary microglia in experiments assessing migration, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 expression, and nitric oxide release. However, BV‐2 and HAPI cells did not model primary microglia in experiments assessing tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 expression and release and phospho‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 44/42 expression following lipopolysaccharide treatment. These results indicate that BV‐2 and HAPI cell cultures only partially model primary microglia and that their use should therefore be carefully considered.
Values of the balanced decision making between supply chain partners
Authors: Kim Bowon , Kim Jongjoo
Published: August 2008

Coordination between supply chain partners is critical to effective supply chain management. In this paper, we consider two cases of decision‐making structure for a simple supply chain consisting of two players: the first case in which a supply chain partner dominates the decision‐making process, and the other in which two players share the decision‐making process equally. According to the literature, we knowa priorithat the balanced decision making forges a better (financial) outcome than the dominating case does. Therefore, our primary research objective is to analyze detailed dynamics of resource allocation and sources of the benefit of the balanced decision making. Our analysis indicates that the value of the balanced decision making arises from more effective resource utilization than the dominating case does: each of the cooperative partners knows how to optimize its resource utilization better than the other does.
The ALGACEA‐1 method for the capacitated vehicle routing problem
Authors: Faulin Javier , Juan Angel A.
Published: August 2008

We base the ALGACEA‐1 method on Clarke–Wright's savings estimates, using Monte Carlo techniques for node selection. This procedure controls the assigned probabilities for node selection using a bounded Entropy function. Similarly, we have discussed the parameter tuning for this method with the purpose of obtaining a good algorithm performance. Finally, some computational results are given to show the quality of the solutions provided by ALGACEA‐1 in a real case and in some benchmarking instances.
Peliosis hepatis and hemoperitoneum in a dog with diphacinone intoxication
Authors: Beal Matthew W. , Doherty Arin M. , Curcio Keith
Published: August 2008

Objective: To describe the clinical course of a dog presented with peliosis hepatis and hemoperitoneum in concert with anticoagulant rodenticide intoxication.

Case summary: A 7.75‐year‐old spayed female Shetland Sheepdog presented with clinical signs consistent with hypovolemia, hemoperitoneum, and a history of bright green stool 3 days before the onset of clinical signs. Initial packed cell volume/total solids were consistent with acute hemorrhage. A coagulation profile showed prolongation in activated clotting time and prolongation of both prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time, suggesting abnormal coagulation. Abdominal hemorrhage persisted in the face of normalization of the hemodynamic status and coagulation profile, and treatment with Vitamin K1. Abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple patchy hypoechoic areas throughout the caudate liver lobe. An exploratory laparotomy was performed 24 hours after presentation and revealed the caudate liver lobe as the source of the hemorrhage. Histopathologic examination of a specimen of the liver was consistent with peliosis hepatis. Toxicologic testing identified diphacinone levels in the blood consistent with anticoagulant rodenticide intoxication. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and within 48 hours the dog was discharged. The dog returned to full function and a hepatic ultrasound performed 15 months postoperatively showed no significant abnormalities.

New or unique information provided: Exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides may be associated with the development of peliosis hepatis in dogs.
Factors Associated with the Choice of Delivery without Epidural Analgesia in Women at Low Risk in France
Authors: Le Ray Camille , Goffinet François , Palot Maryse , Garel Micheline , Blondel Béatrice
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT:  Background:
Regional anesthesia is used for three‐fourths of the deliveries in France. Epidural analgesia during labor is supposed to be available to all women at low risk. The purpose of our study was to examine how the choice of delivery without an epidural varied in this context according to women’s characteristics, prenatal care, and type of maternity unit.
Methods:
The 2003 National Perinatal Survey in France collected data about a representative sample of births. We selected 8,233 women who were at low risk and therefore should have been able to choose whether or not to deliver without epidural analgesia. Women were interviewed in the maternity unit after delivery. The factors associated with women’s choice to deliver without epidural analgesia were studied with multivariable analyses.
Results:
Of the 2,720 women who gave birth without epidural analgesia, 37 percent reported that they had not wanted one; other reasons were labor occurring too quickly (43.9%), medical contraindication (3.3%), and unavailability of an anesthesiologist (2.8%). The reported decision to deliver without epidural analgesia was closely associated with high parity. It was also more frequent among women in an unfavorable social situation (not cohabiting, no or low‐qualified job) and among women who gave birth in nonuniversity public hospitals, in small‐ or medium‐sized maternity units, and in maternity units without an anesthesiologist always on site.
Conclusions:
Unfavorable social situation and organizational factors are associated with the reported choice to give birth without epidural analgesia. This finding suggests that women are not always in a position to make a real choice. It would be useful to improve the understanding of how pregnant women define their preferences and to know how these preferences change during pregnancy and labor. (BIRTH 35:3 September 2008)
Does Physical Activity During Pregnancy Reduce the Risk of Gestational Diabetes among Previously Inactive Women?
Authors: Liu Jihong , Laditka James N. , Mayer‐Davis Elizabeth J. , Pate Russell R.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT:  Background:
Gestational diabetes affects approximately 7 percent of all pregnancies in the United States; its prevalence may have increased among all ethnic groups since the early 1990s. Our study examined whether physical activity during pregnancy reduced the risk of gestational diabetes among women who were physically inactive before pregnancy.
Methods:
We used data from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS), a nationally representative sample of mothers with live births. The NMIHS obtained mothers’ gestational diabetes diagnoses from care providers and mothers reported their physical activity before and during pregnancy, including the number of months with physical activity and types of physical activity. We developed a physical activity index, the product of the number of months with physical activity, and average metabolic equivalents for specific activities. The analysis included 4,813 women who reported being physically inactive before pregnancy, with singleton births and no previous diabetes diagnosis.
Results:
Gestational diabetes was diagnosed in 3.5 percent of the weighted sample in 1988. About 11.8 percent of these previously inactive women began physical activity during pregnancy. Women who became physically active had 57 percent lower adjusted odds of developing gestational diabetes than those who remained inactive (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20–0.93). Women who had done brisk walking during pregnancy had a lower adjusted risk of gestational diabetes (OR 0.44, CI 0.19–1.02) and women with a physical activity index score above the median had 62 percent lower odds of developing gestational diabetes than the inactive women (CI 0.15–0.96).
Conclusions:
Results suggest that physical activity during pregnancy is associated with lower risk for gestational diabetes among previously inactive women. (BIRTH 35:3 September 2008)
Are Cesarean Deliveries More Likely for Poorly Educated Parents? A Brief Report from Italy
Authors: Cesaroni Giulia , Forastiere Francesco , Perucci Carlo A.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT:  Background:
Although debate on factors associated with a high risk of cesarean delivery has continued for many years, only a few studies have explored the role of socioeconomic position. We studied the effect of educational level on risk of cesarean section in particular the different roles of maternal and paternal education.
Methods:
We analyzed all 88,698 firstborn live births registered between 1990 and 1996 to mothers who were residents of Rome at the time of delivery. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between cesarean section and parent education, taking possible confounding factors into consideration.
Results:
During the study period, the cesarean section rate was 32.5 percent. The direct association between level of education and cesarean delivery, found in the crude analysis, was completely reversed once maternal age was taken into account. Multivariate analyses showed that women with a primary school degree had a 24 percent (95% CI = 12–37) higher risk of cesarean delivery than those with a university degree. The association was even stronger for deliveries in public hospitals. Although both parents’ level of education had an effect on the cesarean section rate, maternal education had a stronger effect than and was independent from paternal education.
Conclusions:
Mothers with little education were consistently more likely to deliver by cesarean section than highly educated women, even when their partner’s level of education was taken into account. Effective interventions aimed at reducing cesarean delivery rates in women of lower social class should be a priority for national health services, particularly in countries where the cesarean rate has been increasing. (BIRTH 35:3 September 2008)