bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the role of LinA and LinB in biodegradation of δ‐hexachlorocyclohexane
Authors: Wu Jun , Hong Qing , Sun Yan , Hong Yuanfan , Yan Qiuxiang , Li Shunpeng
Published: June 2007

Commercial formulations of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) consist of a mixture of four isomers, α, β, γ and δ. All these four isomers are toxic and recalcitrant pollutants. Sphingobium (formerly Sphingomonas) sp. strain BHC‐A is able to degrade all four HCH isomers. Eight lin genes responsible for the degradation of γ‐HCH in BHC‐A were cloned and analysed for their role in the degradation of δ‐HCH, and the initial conversion steps in δ‐HCH catabolism by LinA and LinB in BHC‐A were found. LinA dehydrochlorinated δ‐HCH to produce 1,3,4,6‐tetrachloro‐1,4‐cyclohexadiene (1,4‐TCDN) via δ‐pentachlorocyclohexene (δ‐PCCH). Subsequently, both 1,4‐TCDN and δ‐PCCH are catalysed by LinB via two successive rounds of hydrolytic dechlorinations to form 2,5‐dichloro‐2,5‐cyclohexadiene‐1,4‐diol (2,5‐DDOL) and 2,3,5‐trichloro‐5‐cyclohexene‐1,4‐diol (2,3,5‐TCDL) respectively. LinB could also catalyse the hydrolytic dechlorination of δ‐HCH to 2,3,5,6‐tetrachloro‐1,4‐cyclohexanediol (TDOL) via 2,3,4,5,6‐pentachlorocyclohexanol (PCHL).
The Moderating Effect of CEO Power on the Board Composition–Firm Performance Relationship*
Authors: Combs James G. , Ketchen David J. , Perryman Alexa A. , Donahue Maura S.
Published: June 2007

abstract  Prior studies of the relationship between the composition of boards of directors and firm performance offer equivocal results. Drawing on agency and power circulation theories, we attempt to reduce this equivocality by asserting that CEO power moderates the relationship. Specifically, an outside director dominated board is needed to check a powerful CEO, but monitoring by other executives provides sufficient constraints on CEOs with low power. We used event study methodology to test the effects of the interaction between board composition and CEO power on stock market reaction to 73 unexpected CEO deaths. We found support for our theorizing among two of three sources of CEO power. Thus, although regulatory trends increasingly support outside director dominated boards, our findings indicate that this may not always benefit shareholders and that CEO power should be considered when constructing boards.
An Exploration of How the Employee–Organization Relationship Affects the Linkage Between Perception of Developmental Human Resource Practices and Employee Outcomes*
Authors: Kuvaas Bård
Published: June 2007

abstract The purpose of the present study was to examine whether and how the quality of the employee–organization relationship (EOR) influences the relationship between employee perception of developmental human resource (HR) practices and employee outcomes. Analyses of 593 employees representing 64 local savings banks in Norway showed that four indicators of the EOR (perceived organizational support, affective organizational commitment, and procedural and interactional justice) moderated the relationship between perception of developmental HR practices and individual work performance. A strong and direct negative relationship was found between perception of developmental HR practices and turnover intention, but perceived procedural and interactional justice moderated this linkage. No support was found for a mediating role of the EOR indicators in the relationship between perception of developmental HR practices and employee outcomes. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
The Effects of Empowerment on Attitudes and Performance: The Role of Social Support and Empowerment Beliefs
Authors: Logan Mary S. , Ganster Daniel C.
Published: June 2007

abstract  This paper reports the results of a randomized field experiment that tested the effects of an empowerment intervention among unit managers of a large trucking company. The intervention was designed to increase participants' beliefs in their personal control and self‐efficacy with regard to key aspects of their jobs. Individuals who managed geographically dispersed profit centres were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (N = 38) or a no‐treatment control group (N = 30). The intervention significantly increased perceptions of maintenance control and impact at four months after the intervention, but only for those managers who felt that their supervisors were supportive. The intervention also improved archival measures of unit performance and affected work attitudes (depending upon the level of perceived supervisory support). The data point out the key role that perceived supervisor social support plays when implementing such organizational change interventions.
Comprehensiveness versus Pragmatism: Consensus at the Japanese–Dutch Interface
Authors: Noorderhaven Niels G. , Benders Jos , Keizer Arjan B.
Published: June 2007

abstract By comparing the views of managers working at the interface of two consensus‐oriented societies, Japan and the Netherlands, we show important differences between the consensus decision‐making processes as seen by Japanese and Dutch managers. These differences relate to how complete the agreement of opinion should be in order to speak of consensus, with the Japanese managers demanding a more complete consensus than the Dutch. The processes and conditions that Japanese and Dutch managers see as leading to consensus also differ. Japanese consensus is based on a more ordered, sequential process than Dutch consensus. Our respondents differed deeply regarding the role of the hierarchy in their own and the others’ consensus processes, with both Japanese and Dutch managers seeing their own consensus process as less hierarchical. Our findings show that the concept of consensus is interpreted quite differently by Japanese and Dutch managers. This is an important warning for companies operating at the interface of these two societies. More in general our research illustrates the usefulness for international management research of detailed comparative studies focusing not on stark contrasts but on more subtle differences between management practices.
The Impact of Managerial Environmental Perceptions on Corporate Entrepreneurship: Towards Understanding Discretionary Slack's Pivotal Role
Authors: Simsek Zeki , Veiga John F. , Lubatkin Michael H.
Published: June 2007

abstract  This study seeks to further delineate how a firm's competitive environment influences the firm's pursuit of entrepreneurial activities. To do so, we develop and test a parsimonious model that establishes the role of discretionary slack as a salient mediating mechanism through which managerial environmental perceptions influence corporate entrepreneurship. In addition, we examine two contingencies that further explain discretionary slack's impact on corporate entrepreneurship, including managements' market sensing capacity and use of outcome‐based incentives. Using single‐ and multi‐source survey data from 495 small‐ to medium‐sized firms, we find support for our model and its associated hypotheses. Specifically, we find that discretionary slack is significantly influenced by managerial perceptions of environmental munificence and dynamism and, in turn, mediates the impact of these perceptions on corporate entrepreneurship. In addition, we find that discretionary slack's impact on corporate entrepreneurship is significantly enhanced by managements' market sensing capacity but, interestingly, not by outcome‐based incentives.
Heterogeneity impairs numerical matching but not numerical ordering in preschool children
Authors: Cantlon Jessica , Fink Rebecca , Safford Kelley , Brannon Elizabeth M.
Published: June 2007

Do preschool children appreciate numerical value as an abstract property of a set of objects? We tested the influence of stimulus features such as size, shape, and color on preschool children's developing nonverbal numerical abilities. Children between 3 and 5 years of age were tested on their ability to estimate number when the sizes, shapes, and colors of the elements in an array were varied (heterogeneous condition) versus when they did not vary (homogeneous condition). One group of children was tested on an ordinal task in which the goal was to select the smaller of two arrays while another group of children was tested on a match‐to‐sample task in which the goal was to choose one of two visual arrays that matched the sample in number. Children performed above chance on both homogeneous and heterogeneous stimuli in both tasks. However, while children showed no impairment on heterogeneous relative to homogeneous arrays in the ordering task, performance was impaired by heterogeneity in the matching task. We suggest that nonverbal numerical abstraction occurs early in development, but specific task objectives may prevent children from engaging in numerical abstraction.
Neural correlates of mapping from phonology to orthography in children performing an auditory spelling task
Authors: Booth James R. , Cho Soojin , Burman Douglas D. , Bitan Tali
Published: June 2007

Age‐related differences (9‐ to 15‐year‐olds) in the neural correlates of mapping from phonology to orthography were examined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants were asked to determine if two spoken words had the same spelling for the rime (corresponding letters after the first consonant or consonant cluster). Some of the word pairs had conflicting orthography and phonology (e.g. jazz‐has, pint‐mint) whereas other pairs had non‐conflicting information (e.g. press‐list, gate‐hate) (see Table 1). There were age‐related increases in activation for lexical processing (across conflicting and non‐conflicting conditions) in left inferior parietal lobule, suggesting that older children have a more elaborated system for mapping between phonology and orthography that includes connections at different grain sizes (e.g. phonemes, onset‐rimes, syllables). In addition, we found that the conflicting conditions had lower accuracy, slower reaction time and greater activation in left inferior frontal gyrus as compared to non‐conflicting conditions. Higher accuracy was also correlated with greater activation in left inferior frontal gyrus for the most difficult conflicting condition (e.g. jazz‐has). The finding of both a conflict effect and a correlation with accuracy in left inferior frontal gyrus suggests that this region may be involved in resolving the conflict between orthographic and phonological representations.

Lexical rhyme conditions varying in their degree of phonological–orthographic consistency

Similar orthography
Dissimilar orthography

Similar
O+P+
O‐P+

Phonology
gate‐hate
*
jazz‐has

Dissimilar
O+P‐
O‐P‐

Phonology
*
pint‐mint
press‐list

Note: * Phonological–orthographic conflicting conditions, in which phonological information (whether the two words rhyme) conflicts with orthographic information (whether the two words are spelled the same beginning with the first vowel).
BOONIN ON THE FUTURE‐LIKE‐OURS ARGUMENT AGAINST ABORTION
Authors: GALVÃO PEDRO
Published: June 2007

I argue that David Boonin has failed in his attempt to undermine Donald Marquis's future‐like‐ours argument against abortion. I show that the ethical principle advanced by Boonin in his critique to that argument is unable, contrary to what he claims, to account for the wrongness of infanticide. Then I argue that Boonin's critique misrepresents Marquis's argument. Although there is a way to restate his critique in order to avoid the misrepresentation, the success of such restatement is precluded by the wrongness of infanticide.
GENETIC ENHANCEMENT – A THREAT TO HUMAN RIGHTS?
Authors: FENTON ELIZABETH
Published: June 2007

Genetic enhancement is the modification of the human genome for the purpose of improving capacities or ‘adding in’ desired characteristics. Although this technology is still largely futuristic, debate over the moral issues it raises has been significant. George Annas has recently leveled a new attack against genetic enhancement, drawing on human rights as his primary weapon. I argue that Annas’ appeal to human rights ultimately falls flat, and so provides no good reason to object to genetic technology. Moreover, this argument is an example of the broader problem of appealing to human rights as a panacea for ethical problems. Human rights, it is often claimed, are ‘trumps’: if it can be shown that a proposed technology violates human rights, then it must be cast aside. But human rights are neither a panacea for ethical problems nor a trump card. If they are drafted into the service of an argument, it must be shown that an actual human rights violation will occur. Annas’ argument against genetic technology fails to do just this. I shall conclude that his appeal to human rights adds little to the debate over the ethical questions raised by genetic technology.
SHOULD WE PREVENT NON‐THERAPEUTIC MUTILATION AND EXTREME BODY MODIFICATION?
Authors: SCHRAMME THOMAS
Published: June 2007

In this paper, I discuss several arguments against non‐therapeutic mutilation. Interventions into bodily integrity, which do not serve a therapeutic purpose and are not regarded as aesthetically acceptable by the majority, e.g. tongue splitting, branding and flesh stapling, are now practised, but, however, are still seen as a kind of ‘aberration’ that ought not to be allowed. I reject several arguments for a possible ban on these body modifications. I find the common pathologisation of body modifications, Kant's argument of duties to oneself and the objection from irrationality all wanting. In conclusion, I see no convincing support for prohibition of voluntary mutilations.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND NATURE OF THE ORDINARY/EXTRAORDINARY MEANS DISTINCTION IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC TRADITION
Authors: SULLIVAN SCOTT M.
Published: June 2007

In the Roman Catholic tradition the nature of the ordinary/extraordinary means distinction is best understood in light of its historical development. The moralist tradition that reared and nurtured this distinction implicitly developed a set of general criteria to distinguish the extraordinary from the ordinary. These criteria, conjoined with the context within which they were understood, can play an important role in refereeing the contemporary debate over the agressiveness of medical treatment and the extent of one's moral obligation.
Philosophy, Death and Immortality
Authors: Haldane John
Published: June 2007

Dewi Phillips was an insightful practitioner of a philosophical method of cultural phenomenology focused upon word and deed. His interests and outlook also brought him close to the concerns of some post‐Kantian theologians, such as Schleiermacher. The present essay observes a link between their treatments of the nature and significance of the idea of immortality. It then explores something of Phillips' positions as developed in Death and Immortality, acknowledging the importance, which he emphasises, of the spiritual meaning of these ideas. On the other hand, it argues that his rejection of metaphysical aspects and underpinnings to these ideas is misplaced, in part because it leads not only to overlooking certain possibilities, but also because it fails to capture the complexity of actual religious claims concerning these matters advanced in Judaeo‐Christian scripture and related literature. The essay ends by setting out an argument from Anselm's Monologion concerning the immortality of the soul in relation to loving and being loved by God. It is pointed out that since loving is an intentional attitude, one might love God while not knowing that God was the object of one's affection.
ML, PL, QL in Markov Chain Models
Authors: HJORT NILS LID , VARIN CRISTIANO
Published: June 2007

Abstract. In many spatial and spatial‐temporal models, and more generally in models with complex dependencies, it may be too difficult to carry out full maximum‐likelihood (ML) analysis. Remedies include the use of pseudo‐likelihood (PL) and quasi‐likelihood (QL) (also called the composite likelihood). The present paper studies the ML, PL and QL methods for general Markov chain models, partly motivated by the desire to understand the precise behaviour of the PL and QL methods in settings where this can be analysed. We present limiting normality results and compare performances in different settings. For Markov chain models, the PL and QL methods can be seen as maximum penalized likelihood methods. We find that QL is typically preferable to PL, and that it loses very little to ML, while sometimes earning in model robustness. It has also appeal and potential as a modelling tool. Our methods are illustrated for consonant‐vowel transitions in poetry and for analysis of DNA sequence evolution‐type models.
A Robust Conflict Measure of Inconsistencies in Bayesian Hierarchical Models
Authors: DAHL FREDRIK A. , GÅSEMYR JØRUND , NATVIG BENT
Published: June 2007

Abstract. O'Hagan (Highly Structured Stochastic Systems, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2003) introduces some tools for criticism of Bayesian hierarchical models that can be applied at each node of the model, with a view to diagnosing problems of model fit at any point in the model structure. His method relies on computing the posterior median of a conflict index, typically through Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations. We investigate a Gaussian model of one‐way analysis of variance, and show that O'Hagan's approach gives unreliable false warning probabilities. We extend and refine the method, especially avoiding double use of data by a data‐splitting approach, accompanied by theoretical justifications from a non‐trivial special case. Through extensive numerical experiments we show that our method detects model mis‐specification about as well as the method of O'Hagan, while retaining the desired false warning probability for data generated from the assumed model. This also holds for Student's‐tand uniform distribution versions of the model.
Horizontal Equity
Authors: GALBIATI ROBERTO , VERTOVA PIETRO
Published: June 2007

The principle of horizontal equity (HE) is considered as a basic principle to follow in order to design and evaluate a redistributive policy. However, the theoretical debate has not yet clarified what exactly horizontal equity is. In this paper we aim to clarify the meaning of the principle of HE and its normative content. In particular, we establish the true status of the two fundaments of the principle of HE, defining what is meant by ‘equals’ and then treating these ‘equals’‘equally’. Our analysis brings forth a new and more appropriate definition of the principle of HE.
Generalized and symptom‐specific sensitization of chronic itch and pain
Authors: Van Laarhoven AIM , Kraaimaat FW , Wilder‐Smith OH , Van De Kerkhof PCM , Cats H , Van Riel PLCM , Evers AWM
Published: June 2007

Background  Physicians are frequently confronted with patients reporting severe itch and pain. Particularly in patients suffering from persistent itch and pain, central and peripheral sensitization processes are assumed to be involved in the long‐term maintenance and aggravation of the symptoms. The present study explores generalized and symptom‐specific sensitization processes in patients suffering from persistent itch and pain. Specifically, it examines whether patients with chronic itch and pain are more sensitive to somatosensory stimuli (generalized sensitization) and simultaneously perceive somatosensory stimuli as a symptom of their main physical complaint, e.g. pain in chronic pain patients (symptom‐specific sensitization).

Methods  Thresholds for different mechanical and electrical sensory stimuli of Quantitative Sensory Testing were determined in 15 female patients suffering from chronic itch associated with atopic dermatitis, 15 female chronic pain patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and 19 female healthy controls. Intensities of itch and pain sensations were rated on a visual analogue scale.

Results  As expected, the patient groups had significantly lower tolerance thresholds for the somatosensory stimuli applied than the healthy controls, supporting generalized sensitization. Moreover, patients with chronic itch consistently reported more itch, while patients with chronic pain partly reported more pain in response to analogous somatosensory stimuli than the healthy controls and the other patient group, indicating symptom‐specific sensitization.

Conclusion  The present study provides preliminary support that both generalized and symptom‐specific sensitization processes play a role in the regulation and processing of somatosensory stimulation of patients with chronic itch and pain.
Syphilis depicted by the Greek moulages: a picture of skin manifestations in former times
Authors: Worm A‐M , Hadjivassiliou M , Katsambas A
Published: June 2007

A great part of the medical wax moulages produced in the beginning of the last century depicts the various clinical signs of syphilis. Based on the study of a large Greek moulage collection, the different stages of syphilis are described. Moulages may still have the original scope as teaching objects, presenting clinical manifestations seldom seen to day and thus more likely of being overseen by the clinicians.
An International Analysis of Earnings, Stock Prices and Bond Yields
Authors: Durré Alain , Giot Pierre
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  This paper assesses the contemporaneous relationship between stock prices, earnings and long‐term government bond yields for a large number of countries. The time period of our data spans several decades. In a time series framework our analysis first tests the presence of a long‐term contemporaneous relationship between these three variables (the so‐called Fed model). Next, we assess if government bond yields play a significant role in the long‐run relationship. Our empirical results question the validity of the Fed model in the sense that we show that long‐term market movements are mainly driven by the earnings yield and not the differential between bond and earnings yields. As such, our analysis validates the results of Asness (2003) for a much larger collection of countries while using a dynamic time series (cointegration) framework. Finally, we also show that changes in long‐term government bond yields have a short‐term impact on stock prices.
Employee Layoffs, Shareholder Wealth and Firm Performance: Evidence from the UK
Authors: Hillier David , Marshall Andrew , McColgan Patrick , Werema Samwel
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  We examine the financial performance of UK listed companies surrounding the announcement of permanent employee layoffs. We find that poor operating and stock price performance, increased gearing, and threats from external markets for corporate control precede employee layoffs. Layoff announcements elicit a significantly negative stock price reaction, which is driven by announcements that are reactive to poor financial conditions. We also find that layoffs result in significant increases in employee productivity and corporate focus. We conclude that layoffs represent an efficient response to poor financial conditions, but that their occurrence is strongly dependent on pressure from external control markets.
Divergence of Opinion and Post‐Acquisition Performance
Authors: Alexandridis George , Antoniou Antonios , Petmezas Dimitris
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  We examine the relation between divergence of opinion about the value of the acquiring firm in the pre‐acquisition announcement period and post‐acquisition stock returns. We find that acquirers subject to high opinion dispersion earn lower future returns than acquirers subject to low dispersion. It appears that, on average, only acquirers in the high divergence of opinion subset experience significant negative post‐event abnormal returns. In the spirit of Miller (1977), such evidence implies that high pre‐event investor disagreement leads to systematic overpricing of acquirers that manifests itself through long‐run underperformance of their stock. The documented misvaluation persists irrespective of the opinion divergence proxy and performance evaluation method used and after controlling for several common deal and acquirer characteristics.
Venture Capitalists, Business Angels, and Performance of Entrepreneurial IPOs in the UK and France
Authors: Chahine Salim , Filatotchev Igor , Wright Mike
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  Using a unique sample of 444 entrepreneurial IPOs in the UK and France, this paper analyses the investment patterns and the stock‐market performance effects of two types of early stage investors: venture capitalists (VCs) and business angels (BAs). Extending existing research, we identify important endogeneity and institutional effects. Our findings indicate that UK IPOs have a higher retained ownership and lower participation ratio by BAs, but a lower retained ownership and participation ratio by VCs than in France. BA and VC investments are substitutes, and they are endogenously determined by a number of firm‐ and founder‐related factors, such as founder ownership and external board ‘interlocks’, and underwriter reputation. UK VCs are effective third‐party certifying agents who reduce underpricing in UK IPOs, whereas in French IPOs they increase it by appearing to engage in grandstanding. This certification effect is more significant in UK IPOs involving both high VC and BA ownership. Finally, underpricing increases with VC participation ratio, where the higher exit of VCs seems to increase the risk premium required by outside investors, in particular in the UK.
ADHD‐ and medication‐related brain activation effects in concordantly affected parent–child dyads with ADHD
Authors: Epstein Jeffery N. , Casey B.J. , Tonev Simon T. , Davidson Matthew C. , Reiss Allan L. , Garrett Amy , Hinshaw Stephen P. , Greenhill Laurence L. , Glover Gary , Shafritz Keith M. , Vitolo Alan , Kotler Lisa A. , Jarrett Matthew A. , Spicer Julie
Published: June 2007

Background:  Several studies have documented fronto‐striatal dysfunction in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using response inhibition tasks. Our objective was to examine functional brain abnormalities among youths and adults with ADHD and to examine the relations between these neurobiological abnormalities and response to stimulant medication.

Method:  A group of concordantly diagnosed ADHD parent–child dyads was compared to a matched sample of normal parent–child dyads. In addition, ADHD dyads were administered double‐blind methylphenidate and placebo in a counterbalanced fashion over two consecutive days of testing. Frontostriatal function was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during performance of a go/no‐go task.

Results:  Youths and adults with ADHD showed attenuated activity in fronto‐striatal regions. In addition, adults with ADHD appeared to activate non‐fronto‐striatal regions more than normals. A stimulant medication trial showed that among youths, stimulant medication increased activation in fronto‐striatal and cerebellar regions. In adults with ADHD, increases in activation were observed in the striatum and cerebellum, but not in prefrontal regions.

Conclusions:  This study extends findings of fronto‐striatal dysfunction to adults with ADHD and highlights the importance of frontostriatal and frontocerebellar circuitry in this disorder, providing evidence of an endophenotype for examining the genetics of ADHD.
Very early phonological and language skills: estimating individual risk of reading disability
Authors: Puolakanaho Anne , Ahonen Timo , Aro Mikko , Eklund Kenneth , Leppänen Paavo H.T. , Poikkeus Anna‐Maija , Tolvanen Asko , Torppa Minna , Lyytinen Heikki
Published: June 2007

Background:  Analyses from the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Dyslexia project show that the key childhood predictors (phonological awareness, short‐term memory, rapid naming, expressive vocabulary, pseudoword repetition, and letter naming) of dyslexia differentiate the group with reading disability (n = 46) and the group without reading problems (n = 152) at the end of the 2nd grade. These measures were employed at the ages of 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 years and information regarding the familial risk of dyslexia was used to find the most sensitive indices of an individual child's risk for reading disability.

Methods:  Age‐specific and across‐age logistic regression models were constructed to produce the risk indices. The predictive ability of the risk indices was explored using the ROC (receiver operating curve) plot. Information from the logistic models was further utilised in illustrating the risk with probability curve presentations.

Results:  The logistic regression models with familial risk,letter knowledge, phonological awareness and RAN provided a prediction probability above .80 (area under ROC).

Conclusions:  The models including familial risk status and the three above‐mentioned measures offer a rough screening procedure for estimating an individual child's risk for reading disability at the age of 3.5 years. Probability curves are presented as a method of illustrating the risk.
The broader language phenotype of autism: a comparison with specific language impairment
Authors: Whitehouse Andrew J.O. , Barry Johanna G. , Bishop Dorothy V.M.
Published: June 2007

Background:  Some individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience linguistic difficulties similar to those found in individuals with specific language impairment (SLI). Whether these behaviours are indicative of a common underlying genetic cause or a superficial similarity is unclear.

Methods:  Standardised language assessments were administered to three participant groups: parents of children with ASD (Par‐A), parents of children with specific language/literacy impairment (Par‐L) and parents of typically developing children (Par‐T) (n = 30, in each group). Additionally, the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ) was used to assess autism‐like tendencies, in particular, social language use.

Results:  The Par‐A group performed better than the Par‐L group (and identical to the Par‐T group) on all language tests. Conversely, the Par‐A group was characterised by higher levels of pragmatic difficulties than the other two groups, as measured by the communication subscale of the AQ.

Conclusions:  No evidence was found for a shared phenotype in parents of children with ASD and SLI. A model is presented describing the relation between SLI and ASD.
ETHICS OF MANDATORY PREMARITAL HIV TESTING IN AFRICA: THE CASE OF GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Authors: RENNIE STUART , MUPENDA BAVON
Published: June 2007

Despite decades of prevention efforts, millions of persons worldwide continue to become infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) every year. This urgent problem of global epidemic control has recently lead to significant changes in HIV testing policies. Provider‐initiated approaches to HIV testing have been embraced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, such as those that routinely inform persons that they will be tested for HIV unless they explicitly refuse (‘opt out’). While these policies appear to increase uptake of testing, they raise a number of ethical concerns that have been debated in journals and at international AIDS conferences. However, one special form of ‘provider‐initiated’ testing is being practiced and promoted in various parts of the world, and has advocates within international health agencies, but has received little attention in the bioethical literature: mandatory premarital HIV testing. This article analyses some of the key ethical issues related to mandatory premarital HIV testing in resource‐poor settings with generalized HIV epidemics. We will first briefly mention some mandatory HIV premarital testing proposals, policies and practices worldwide, and offer a number of conceptual and factual distinctions to help distinguish different types of mandatory testing policies. Using premarital testing in Goma (Democratic Republic of Congo) as a point of departure, we will use influential public health ethics principles to evaluate different forms of mandatory testing. We conclude by making concrete recommendations concerning the place of mandatory premarital testing in the struggle against HIV/AIDS.
THE THERAPEUTIC EXCEPTION: ABORTION, STERILIZATION AND MEDICAL NECESSITY IN COSTA RICA
Authors: CARRANZA MARÍA
Published: June 2007

Based on the case of Rosa, a nine‐year‐old girl who was denied a therapeutic abortion, this article analyzes the role played by the social in medical practice. For that purpose, it compares the different application of two similar pieces of legislation in Costa Rica, where both the practice of abortion and sterilization are restricted to the protection of health and life by the Penal Code. As a concept subject to interpretation, a broad conception of medical necessity could enable an ample use of the therapeutic exception and a liberal use of both surgeries. The practice of therapeutic sterilization has been generalized in Costa Rica and has become the legitimate way to distribute contraceptive sterilization. In contrast, therapeutic abortion is very rarely practiced. The analysis carried out proposes that it is the difference in social acceptance of abortion and sterilization that explains the different use that doctors, as gatekeepers of social morality, make of medical necessity.
The Crusades and the Jews: Some Reflections on the 1096 Massacre
Authors: Bronstein Judith
Published: June 2007

In the year 1096, in the early stages of the First Crusade, Jewish communities, mainly in the Rhineland, were attacked and massacred by bands of crusaders. These events, which have been considered by historians as the first major persecution of the Jews in medieval Europe, aroused a wide‐ranging discussion. This study explores the most recent trends in the historiography of the 1096 massacres while examining the different methods and the approaches behind them.
Origins of the French Revolution
Authors: Bossenga Gail
Published: June 2007

There is at present no comprehensive interpretation of the origins of the French Revolution. Because of the fragmented state of the argument, this article explores several perspectives that have influenced research on the Revolution's origins including Alexis de Tocqueville's view of the state; research on the politics of the court at Versailles and the parlements; fiscal origins by institutional economic historians; and cultural approaches, including the analysis of the public sphere by Jürgen Habermas. It concludes that the collapse of the Old Regime was the result of a variety of converging causes, many of which had deep roots in the institutional structure of the old regime. The state itself generated institutional contradictions by both reinforcing privilege and implementing policies that undercut privilege in the quest for greater administrative efficiency. Ministerial incompetence combined with new forces, including enhanced international pressure from efficient British war finance and the growing appeal to public opinion, made reform increasingly difficult and created conditions favorable to revolution when the state went bankrupt in 1789.
Music and Politics in Germany 1933–1955: Approaches and Challenges
Authors: Thacker Toby
Published: June 2007

Until very recently, music has often been considered as an art form which stands outside and above politics. This article explores the new approaches taken by historians and musicologists in the last twenty years to the analysis of music in political context in Germany between 1933 and 1955, a period in which musicians worked under Nazi and Communist forms of dictatorship, under Allied military government, and under a liberal democracy. It outlines the ways in which this literature has been fragmented by self‐imposed chronological, geographical and thematic boundaries, and suggests ways in which these might be challenged.
The Right‐Wing Leagues and Electoral Politics in Interwar France
Authors: Jenkins Brian
Published: June 2007

The rise of the right‐wing leagues was the most striking symptom of the deep political crisis of the French Third Republic in the 1930s. The Croix de Feu was the most successful of these movements, and when it became a political party following the Popular Front government's ban on the leagues in 1936, it achieved a spectacular mass membership of around one million. French historians have, however, been reluctant to see these developments as analogous to events in Italy or Germany, arguing that the leagues were part of a long bonapartist tradition of episodic anti‐parliamentary protest, and that France was historically insulated against fascism. This article argues, on the contrary, that what made the leagues different from their Italian and German counterparts was not ideology, but their failure to gain access to the mainstream political arena. Without parliamentary representation they lacked political leverage at moments of crisis. The obstacles posed by the regime's electoral processes thus deserve much greater attention than they have been afforded hitherto.
Focal Chronic Inflammatory Epileptic Encephalopathy in a Patient with Malformations of Cortical Development, with a Review of the Spectrum of Chronic Inflammatory Epileptic Encephalopathy
Authors: Rhodes Roy H. , Lehman Richard M. , Wu Brenda Y. , Roychowdhury Sudipta
Published: June 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Chronic cellular inflammation closely associated with epilepsy without an active infection is a hallmark of Rasmussen encephalitis (RE). RE has typical and defining features lacking in other rare epilepsy patients who also have neocortical lymphocytes without an identifiable cause. A patient with malformations of cortical development had an abrupt change in frequency and epileptic focus after 22 years of a stable seizure disorder. Functional neurosurgery yielded a specimen showing a mixed cellular meningoencephalitis in the absence of a demonstrable infection.

Methods: Historical, neurologic, electroencephalographic, pathologic, and literature data were correlated.

Results: There was a subarachnoid mixed infiltrate including evidence of dendritic cells in our patient and also cytotoxic T lymphocytes adjacent to karyolytic neurons that corresponded to cells previously demonstrated to damage neurons in RE. Literature review disclosed 42 other cases similar to RE but with heterogeneous findings. The course was more protracted and often more benign than in RE. The inflammation that would have markedly decreased or disappeared in RE over that period was generally still well represented.

Conclusions: Our patient has heterogeneous features similar to, yet with differences from, RE. Literature review of chronic cellular inflammatory epileptic encephalopathy cases also similar to RE discloses important differences that may reflect idiosyncratic reactions and pace of the disease rather than a different disease. Comorbidity factors, genetic population traits, and secondary effects of the seizure disorder may lead to an expansion of the initial site of damage by an autoimmune reaction. These cases might best be grouped, probably along with RE, as secondary autoimmune diseases.
Severe Epilepsy in X‐Linked Creatine Transporter Defect (CRTR‐D)
Authors: Margherita Mancardi Maria , Caruso Ubaldo , Cristina Schiaffino Maria , Giuseppina Baglietto Maria , Rossi Andrea , Maria Battaglia Francesca , Sophi Salomons Gajja , Jakobs Cornelis , Zara Federico , Veneselli Edvige , Gaggero Roberto
Published: June 2007

Disorders of creatine synthesis or its transporter resulting in neurological impairment with mental retardation and epilepsy have only been recognized in recent years. To date, the epileptic disorder observed in creatine transporter deficiency (CRTR‐D) has been described as a mild phenotype with infrequent seizures and favorable response to common antiepileptic drugs.

We report on a 5 year‐old boy with known speech delay who presented with severe and refractory epilepsy. After extensive investigations, metabolite analysis and brain 1H‐MRS suggested CRTR‐D, which was confirmed by the detection of a known pathogenic mutation in the SLC6A8 gene (c.1631C>T; p.Pro544Leu).
Alcohol Drinking in MCH Receptor‐1‐Deficient Mice
Authors: Duncan Elizabeth A. , Sorrell Joyce E. , Adamantidis Antoine , Rider Therese , Jandacek Ronald J. , Seeley Randy J. , Lakaye Bernard , Woods Stephen C.
Published: June 2007

Background: Recently, we demonstrated that exogenous melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) increases alcohol drinking in rats when administered into the brain. However, because the physiological relevance of this finding is unclear, we tested the hypothesis that endogenous MCH signaling enhances alcohol consumption.

Methods: Alcohol intake was assessed in male and female wildtype (WT), heterozygous (HET), and homozygous MCH receptor‐1‐deficient (KO) mice. Mice were given 24‐hour access to a series of alcohol‐containing solutions. Following this, the mice were given limited (1‐hour) access to 10% alcohol. Finally, mice were allowed 24‐hour access to sucrose/quinine as a caloric control and a means to assess taste preference. A naïve cohort of male WT and KO mice was tested for alcohol clearance following intraperitoneal administration of 3 g/kg alcohol. Another naïve cohort of female mice was utilized to confirm that intracerebroventricular administration of MCH (5 μg) would augment alcohol drinking in mice.

Results: Exogenous MCH enhanced 10% alcohol consumption in mice (saline=0.45±0.08 g/kg, 5 μg MCH=0.94±0.20 g/kg). Male KO mice consumed more 10% alcohol (11.50±1.31 g/kg) than WT (6.26±1.23 g/kg) and HET mice (6.49±1.23 g/kg) during ad libitum access. However, alcohol intake was similar among genotypes during 1 hour daily access. Male KO mice tended to consume less 17.75% sucrose+1.3 mM quinine than controls (WT=10.5±3.6, HET=7.5±1.7, KO=4.4±0.9 g/kg). Alcohol metabolism was similar between WT and KO mice.

Conclusions: The finding that male KO consume more alcohol than WT and HET mice, are reminiscent of the counterintuitive reports that KO mice are hyperphagic and yet eat more when administered exogenous MCH. Changes in taste preference or alcohol metabolism do not appear to be important for the increased alcohol drinking in KO mice.
Socio‐cognitive Habilitation Using the Math Interactive Learning Experience Program for Alcohol‐Affected Children
Authors: Kable Julie A. , Coles Claire D. , Taddeo Elles
Published: June 2007

Background: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has been recognized as a disabling condition with a significant impact on the neurobehavioral functioning of affected individuals, including cognition, behavior, and academic functioning, but little research has been performed on targeted interventions for these children.

Methods: A socio‐cognitive habilitative program focused on improving behavior and math functioning in children 3 to 10 years of age (n=61) was developed and evaluated. The intervention provided parental instruction on FAS, advocacy, and behavioral regulation via workshops and interactive math tutoring with children. All families received parental instruction and were then randomly assigned to either the math instruction or standard psychoeducational care groups.

Results: Satisfaction with workshops was very high, with over 90% agreeing that trainers were knowledgeable and materials easy to understand and helpful. Significant gains in knowledge were found for information provided in the instructional groups. At posttesting, caregivers reported fewer problem behaviors on the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, Internalizing Problem Behavior, Externalizing Problem Behavior, and Total Problem Behavior summary scales. After 5 months, both groups of children demonstrated gains in math knowledge but significantly higher gains were found in the group receiving direct math instruction. The math treatment group was also more likely to demonstrate a gain of over 1 standard deviation on any of the 4 math outcome measures used.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that parents of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FAS(D)) benefit from instruction in understanding their child's alcohol‐related neurological damage and strategies to provide positive behavioral supports and that targeted psychoeducational programs may be able to remediate some of the math deficits associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.
Effects of a Moderate Evening Alcohol Dose. I: Sleepiness
Authors: Rupp Tracy L. , Acebo Christine , Van Reen Eliza , Carskadon Mary A.
Published: June 2007

Background: Few studies examining alcohol's effects consider prior sleep/wake history and circadian timing. We examined introspective and physiological sleepiness on nights with and without moderate alcohol consumption in well‐rested young adults at a known circadian phase.

Methods: Twenty‐nine adults (males=9), ages 21 to 25 years (M=22.6, SD=1.2), spent 1 week on an at‐home stabilized sleep schedule (8.5 or 9 hours), followed by 3 in‐lab nights: adaptation, placebo, and alcohol. Alcohol (vodka; 0.54 g/kg for men; 0.49 g/kg for women) or placebo beverage was consumed over 30 minutes ending 1 hour before stabilized bedtime. In addition to baseline, 3 sleep latency tests (SLTs) occurred after alcohol/placebo ingestion (15, 16.5, and 18 hours after waking). Stanford Sleepiness Scales (SSS) and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) of sleepiness were completed before each SLT and approximately every 30 minutes. The Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) was administered a total of 4 times (baseline, 5, 60, and 90 minutes postalcohol/placebo). Subjects' circadian phase was determined from melatonin levels in saliva samples taken at approximately 30‐minute intervals.

Results: All sleepiness and sedation measures increased with time awake. Only SSS and BAES sedation measures showed higher levels of sleepiness and sedation after alcohol compared with placebo. The mean circadian phase was the same for assessments at both conditions.

Conclusions: Alcohol did not increase physiological sleepiness compared with placebo nor was residual sedation evident under these conditions. We conclude that the effects on sleepiness of a moderate dose of alcohol are masked when sleep–wake homeostatic and circadian timing influences promote high levels of sleepiness.
Organizational Relationships Between Nursing Homes and Hospitals and Quality of Care During Hospital–Nursing Home Patient Transfers
Authors: Boockvar Kenneth S. , Burack Orah R.
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVES: To identify organizational factors and hospital and nursing home organizational relationships associated with more‐effective processes of care during hospital–nursing home patient transfer.

DESIGN: Mailed survey.

SETTING: Medicare‐ or Medicaid‐certified nursing homes in New York State.

PARTICIPANTS: Nursing home administrators, with input from other nursing home staff.

MEASUREMENTS: Key predictor variables were travel time between the hospital and the nursing home, affiliation with the same health system, same corporate owner, trainees from the same institution, pharmacy or laboratory agreements, continuous physician care, number of beds in the hospital, teaching status, and frequency of geriatrics specialty care in the hospital. Key dependent variables were hospital‐to–nursing home communication, continuous adherence to healthcare goals, and patient and family satisfaction with hospital care.

RESULTS: Of 647 questionnaires sent, 229 were returned (35.4%). There was no relationship between hospital–nursing home interorganizational relationships and communication, healthcare goal adherence, and satisfaction measures. Geriatrics specialty care in the hospital (r=0.157; P=.04) and fewer hospital beds (r=−0.194; P=.01) were each associated with nursing homes more often receiving all information needed to care for patients transferred from the hospital. Teaching status (r=0.230; P=.001) and geriatrics specialty care (r=0.185; P=.01) were associated with hospital care more often consistent with healthcare goals established in the nursing home.

CONCLUSION: No management‐level organizational relationship between nursing home and hospital was associated with better hospital‐to–nursing home transfer process of care. Geriatrics specialty care and characteristics of the hospital were associated with better hospital‐to–nursing home transfer processes.