bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Firm performance and board composition: Some new evidence
Authors: Barnhart Scott W. , Marr M. Wayne , Rosenstein Stuart
Published: June 2007

We investigate the effect of board composition on overall corporate performance while controlling for managerial ownership and other key variables. We recognize that both managerial ownership and board composition may be endogenous to performance, but our work differs from previous in two important respects. First, we measure performance using the market value to book value ratio of common stock equity rather than the more commonly used Tobin's q. Second, recognizing that overall estimates from the IV approach depend greatly on the choice of instruments, we perform sensitivity analysis by using a variety of instruments to proxy for board composition and managerial ownership. Both our OLS and IV estimates indicate a significant curvilinear relation between board composition and performance. However, we find that moderate differences in first‐stage regressions, resulting in small changes to first‐stage R2s, lead to widely differing overall results. Our results suggest that findings of studies using IV and similar techniques (e.g. two‐ and three‐stage least squares) must be interpreted cautiously.
Analysis of divisional profitability using the residual income profile
Authors: Frigo Mark L. , Ciecka James E.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes the residual income profile which is a graphical method that summarizes the profitability characteristics of a division of a firm and illustrates the relationship between return on investment and residual income. In addition, the residual income profile shows the sensitivity of residual income to changes in interest rates.
Debt finance and the cost of management ownership: Some elementary results
Authors: Garvey Gerald T.
Published: June 2007

Increased debt reduces a company's equity base, which reduces the dollar investment a manager must make to hold a given proportion of stock. Therefore, it is often argued, managers' effort incentives are improved by high leverage. This paper shows that while risky debt reduces the cost of providing managers with substantial equity ownership, the cheaper equity captures less of the fruits of the manager's effort. Managers' effort incentives are improved by high debt levels only under quite restrictive conditions. These conditions are more plausible when agency problems are due to a managerial propensity to expand size by investing in negative net present value projects. The results also imply that when debt is increased to reduce the agency costs of free cash flow, the accompanying covenants should allow for substantial cash distributions to shareholders even before bondholder claims are satisfied.
The determinants of board composition: An agency theory perspective
Authors: Bathala Chenchuramaiah T. , Rao Ramesh P.
Published: June 2007

This study examines the interrelation between board composition and variables that capture various agency and financial dimensions of the firm. The agency literature suggests that outside directors on the board provide important monitoring functions in an attempt to resolve, or at least mitigate, agency conflicts between management and shareholders. The agency literature indicates that other mechanisms such as managerial equity ownership, dividend payments, and debt leverage also serve as important devices in reducing agency conflicts in firms. This study argues and documents that an inverse relationship exists between the proportion of external members on the board and managerial stock ownership, dividend payout, and debt leverage. This is consistent with the hypothesis that individual firms choose an optimal board composition depending upon alternative mechanisms employed by the firm to control agency conflicts. Board composition is also found to be systematically related to a number of other variables including institutional holdings, growth, volatility, and CEO tenure.
Sibling rivalry: The emergence of competition among the baby bells
Authors: Shughart William F.
Published: June 2007

The Modification of Final Judgment (MFJ) prohibits the seven regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) spun off by AT&T from competing with one another in various markets ‘adjacent’ to the local telephone exchange. I have examined the competitiveness of three of these adjacent markets (cellular telephone, paging services, and yellow pages publishing) since divestiture in order to assess the likelihood of collusion among the RBOCs. On the basis of a decade of post‐divestiture experience, I find the prospect of collusion to be remote and, hence, the probability of anticompetitive effects from lifting the MFJ to be vanishingly small.
International stock exchange listing and the reduction of political risk
Authors: Cheung Yan‐Leung , Shum Chi‐Kuen
Published: June 2007

The impending 1997 assimilation into the People's Republic of China made the 1980s a challenging period for Hong Kong, one in which Kong Kong‐based companies relocated their corporate domiciles to other countries as political insurance. International listing, however, is another way for companies to reduce political risk. This paper examines the post‐1985 effects of Hong Kong‐based company stocks being quoted on London's International Stock Exchange. We document that there is no price effect for these companies after the first trading day and a significant increase in the average trading volume surrounding the event day. This may be attributed to the London market makers who build up their stakes before the listing and who unwind their positions in the Hong Kong market after the event day. We also find that there is, on average, a decrease in systematic risk of these companies after being traded on the London market. Furthermore, the evidence shows that there is an increase in systematic risk for companies that are not listed in London after 4 June 1989, however, not for those London‐listed Hong Kong companies. The results constitute evidence to support the inference that there is a reduction of local political risk for internationally listed companies.
Changing industrial structure and competitive patterns of manufacturing and non‐manufacturing in a small open economy: An entropy measurement
Authors: Ng Linda Fung‐Yee
Published: June 2007

This paper studies the industrial concentration and competitive patterns of Hong Kong, a typical small open economy, via an entropy measurement. A relatively low degree of concentration was found to exist. Manufacturing showed decreasing concentration for 1976‐81 and increasing concentration after 1987. Non‐manufacturing had decreasing concentration since 1982. A structural change between the sectors had occurred. The size of the domestic market seemed unimportant in determining the level of concentration in a small open economy with free trade. The open‐door policy of the PRC which facilitated free resource mobility and outward investment between the two regions should be important to contribute such patterns.
Technological development and cooperation in Greater China
Authors: Chen E. Yegin
Published: June 2007

The three Chinese economies of Hong Kong, China and Taiwan (‘Greater China’) will continue to undergo dramatic change in productivity and technology in the coming decades. While they previously depended upon technology transfer and imitation, they now pursue strategies based on technological cooperation in selected areas and on indigenous technological development. This paper describes the potential for the three economies, with their complementary capabilities, to develop mutually beneficial technological cooperation, and highlights initial cases of cooperative efforts. Finally, the paper points out the extent to which the economies of Greater China have begun significant initiatives to develop technology indigenously.
A quadrature finite element method for semilinear second‐order hyperbolic problems
Authors: Mustapha K. , Mustapha H.
Published: June 2007

In this work we propose and analyze a fully discrete modified Crank–Nicolson finite element (CNFE) method with quadrature for solving semilinear second‐order hyperbolic initial‐boundary value problems. We prove optimal‐order convergence in both time and space for the quadrature‐modified CNFE scheme that does not require nonlinear algebraic solvers. Finally, we demonstrate numerically the order of convergence of our scheme for some test problems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2008
A space‐time mixed‐hybrid finite element method for the damped wave equation
Authors: Mounim A. Serghini
Published: June 2007

A space‐time finite element method is introduced to solve the linear damped wave equation. The scheme is constructed in the framework of the mixed‐hybrid finite element methods, and where an original conforming approximation of H(div;Ω) is used, the latter permits us to obtain an upwind scheme in time. We establish the link between the nonstandard finite difference scheme recently introduced by Mickens and Jordan and the scheme proposed. In this regard, two approaches are considered and in particular we employ a formulation allowing the solution to be marched in time, i.e., one only needs to consider one time increment at a time. Numerical results are presented and compared with the analytical solution illustrating good performance of the present method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2008
Impact of chromosomal abnormalities on preimplantation embryo development
Authors: Rubio Carmen , Rodrigo Lorena , Mercader Amparo , Mateu Emilia , Buendía Pilar , Pehlivan Tugce , Viloria Thamara , De los Santos Ma José , Simón Carlos , Remohí José , Pellicer Antonio
Published: June 2007

Objectives

To evaluate the influence of numerical chromosomal abnormalities on preimplantation embryo development.

Methods

This study includes 6936 embryos from 1245 women undergoing preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Indications for aneuploidy screening were: recurrent miscarriages, implantation failure, severe male factor, advanced maternal age, and mixed causes. Embryo biopsy was performed on day 3, and embryos were co‐cultured until day 5, when embryo transfer was performed.

Results

In the aneuploidy screening regimen, normal euploid embryos showed significantly higher blastocyst rates (68.2%) compared to chromosomally abnormal (42.8%, p < 0.0001) and mosaic (53.7%, p < 0.0001) embryos. Among aneuploid embryos for autosomes, higher blastocyst rates were observed in trisomies than monosomies, although only statistically significant in patients over 36 years of age (50.8 vs 38.9%; p < 0.0001). In contrast, in embryos with sex chromosomes aneuploidy, similar blastocyst rates were observed between trisomies and monosomy X.

Conclusion

Embryos with certain types of chromosomal abnormalities were negatively selected during preimplantation embryo development. Despite this selection, a remarkable percentage of chromosomally abnormal embryos can develop normally to blastocyst stage with high probability of implantation and pregnancy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrafamilial variability in Fraser syndrome
Authors: Prasun Pankaj , Pradhan Mandakini , Goel Himanshu
Published: June 2007

Fraser syndrome (OMIM 219000) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cryptophthalmos, cutanaeous syndactyly, malformations of the larynx and genitourinary tract, craniofacial dysmorphism, orofacial clefting, mental retardation and musculoskeletal anomalies. There is marked interfamilial clinical heterogeneity. However, there is strong phenotypic similarity and concordance of the degree of severity of the disease within a family. We report a family with two cases of Fraser syndrome with marked clinical heterogeneity. One case had lethal phenotype with bilateral renal agenesis, while the other had mild phenotype with normal kidneys. It has not been reported before and highlights the importance of careful screening of pregnancies in families with Fraser syndrome. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A cross‐cultural comparison of personality: English and Austrian children
Authors: Eysenck Sybil G. , Renner Walter
Published: June 2007

The Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire was given to 457 boys and 431 girls in Austria. Factor comparisons indicated that the dimensions of psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism, and social desirability were identical in Austria and in England. Minimal item changes were required to produce a viable Austrian scoring key with satisfactorily high reliabilities for all dimensions except in the case of P for girls, which was somewhat weaker. Austrian norms indicated that boys score higher than girls on P and E but lower on N and L. Direct cross‐cultural comparisons revealed few marked personality differences between Austrian and English children, there being a slight tendency for the former to score higher on psychoticism, extraversion and the lie scale but slightly lower on neuroticism.
The effects of perceived parental rearing style on the development of Type A pattern
Authors: Emmelkamp Paul M. G. , Karsdorp Edith P.
Published: June 2007

The aetiological antecedents of the Type A pattern have not been studied widely. In the present study the effects of parental rearing practices on the development of Type A pattern were evaluated. Perceived parental rearing style was assessed by the EMBU and Type A pattern by the JAS. Subjects were drawn from a random sample of residents (older than 21 years) of a Dutch community. Results suggested that a significant amount of variance of Type A behaviour can be accounted for by perceived parental characteristics, especially rejection and lack of emotional warmth. It is suggested that lack of emotional warmth and negative evaluation of children by their parents may lead to an internalized maladaptive cognitive set in the children which may be a developmental antecedent for eliciting the competitiveness, achievement striving, and sense of time urgency characteristic of Type A adults.
Category‐breadth and social‐desirability values for 573 personality terms
Authors: Hampson Sarah E. , Goldberg Lewis R. , John Oliver P.
Published: June 2007

Forty‐five British adults rated 573 person‐descriptive terms on category breadth (defined as the diversity of behavioural referents of a trait) and social desirability. These values are presented here, along with American values where available. The British ratings proved highly reliable, and they correlated substantially with the American values, thus demonstrating the generalizability of category‐breadth judgements between these two cultures and the stability of the social‐desirability values over a 20‐year interval.
Cognitive processes and computerized personality assessment
Authors: Mervielde Ivan
Published: June 2007

Several implications of the cognitive viewpoint on personality are tested and the predictive validity of cognitive processing variables is assessed with judgements of parents and friends as a criterion measure. Free recall of items was related to cognitive schemas but reaction time during score recall was not. Ease of faking as well as response latency during faking were not related to cognitive schemas.

Intra‐individual analysis revealed a consistent non‐linear relationship between response latency and item score in all conditions of the experiment. Although some cognitive process variables were correlated with the criterion measures, adding these variables to item scores did not always increase the predictive validity.
The concepts of depression, anxiety, and neuroticism in questionnaires
Authors: Luteijn Frans , Bouman Theo K.
Published: June 2007

In this study, the relations among depression, anxiety, and neuroticism measured by self‐report questionnaires were investigated. Subjects were 207 psychiatric patients. High correlations were found among self‐report scales purporting to measure depression, anxiety, and neuroticism. Results of a content analysis showed considerable overlap among these scales. A division of items into six content categories did not result in lower correlations compared to the original scales.
Explaining perceived cross‐situational consistency: Intuitive psychometrics or semantic mediation?
Authors: Semin Gün R. , Krahé Barbara
Published: June 2007

Recent studies at the interface of social cognition and personality theory have stressed lay persons' ability to ‘function as intuitive psychometricians’ (Epstein and Teraspulsky, 1986). This research argues that lay persons not only show a substantial degree of accuracy in estimating cross‐situational generality of behaviour, but also take into account principles of aggregation over time. In contrast, it is argued here that lay persons' perceptions of the degree of relatedness of different behaviours are mediated largely by the decontextualized semantic relationships between behavioural descriptions. This argument finds support in two experimental studies which demonstrate that the main source for subjects' judgments of ‘cross‐situational consistency’ can be found in an abstracted knowledge base which is represented and mediated through language. The implications of the findings are drawn out for personality research, in particular with reference to domain and item selection in questionnaires for research.
Selective polymerization of propylene oxide by a tin phosphate coordination polymer
Authors: Schütz Christine , Dwars Torsten , Schnorpfeil Christoph , Radnik Jörg , Menzel Michael , Kragl Udo
Published: June 2007

Oligomeric and polymeric polyether polyols, especially poly(propylene oxide), are used for the production of detergents, nonionic surfactants, washing agents, and cleaners, but they are predominantly used in polyurethane production processes. Tin phosphate coordination polymers show good activity in the selective polymerization of epoxides. The catalyst can be easily synthesized by the condensation of tributyl phosphate and butyl tin trichloride. Investigations of this achiral organotin phosphate condensate in the stereoregular polymerization of propylene oxide, including the properties controlling the molecular weight of the resulting poly(propylene oxide) and structural and mechanistic studies, are presented. Additionally, the polymerization of propylene oxide occurs with high activity, no allyl end groups, just a small number of irregularities, and a high percentage of isotacticity (88%) in the polymer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3032–3041, 2007
Lessons learned—Fire due to leakage of ethanol during transfer
Authors: Gangopadhyay R.K. , Das S.K.
Published: June 2007

Ethanol is a highly flammable liquid with a relatively low flash point (18°C (open cup). There is a concern that evaporating ethanol could pose an explosion hazard in bonded warehouses and in distillation rooms. A literature search indicated that explosions occur very rarely. The present study is based on an accidental leakage of ethanol during transfer from a road tanker to a static tank and it caught fire with sparks generated due to electrical faults.

The major lessons learned from this accident, included: (a) designers and operators should always use explosion proof electrical equipment when handling flammables and (b) management must take the responsibility to adequately train their personnel who handle hazardous material. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2007
Effects of modernisation on desired fertility in Egypt
Authors: Baschieri Angela
Published: June 2007

Using a conceptual framework that borrows notions both from the economic theory of fertility and social interaction theory, this paper assesses the relative importance of social and economic modernisation at the individual and community level in explaining geographical differentials in desired fertility in Egypt. Using the 2000 Egyptian Demographic Health Survey and an up‐to‐date map of land cover in Egypt, this paper provides an application of an advanced methodology which uses a combination of multilevel modelling and geographical information system (GIS) techniques. The paper shows how GIS techniques facilitate the construction of several variables representing the level of economic modernisation, such as land use, road density and urbanisation. It illustrates how GIS techniques and multilevel modelling can help us to move forward a step in substantiating theories of community influences on fertility. This study also analyses the effect of current family composition on desired fertility in Egypt and reveals the desire of Egyptian society to have at least two children and at least one boy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypnotherapy in the irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Whorwell P. J.
Published: June 2007

In a controlled clinical trial 30 patients with severe classic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were allocated to receive treatment with hypnotherapy or placebo medication plus supportive psychotherapy. After three months all the patients in the hypnotherapy group improved dramatically but only two patients in the control group improved. Since that time we have reported our additional experience with more patients and a mean follow‐up time of 18 months. The technique of hypnosis is described and preliminary work that has been undertaken using direct measurements of gastrointestinal motility has demonstrated that hypnotised patients seem to have the ability to influence motility.
Anxiety and the aching heart
Authors: Jefferson James W.
Published: June 2007

There are four specific syndromes: functional cardiac disorders, mitral valve prolapse syndrome, hyperventilation syndrome and panic disorder. In many cases, the symptoms are very similar and reassurance is a critical aspect of treating these patients. Controversy exists as to what constitutes a diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse, but echocardiography has suggested a prevalence of about 5 per cent of the population. It is more common in young women weighing less than 50 kg (30 per cent) but as they become older they are less likely to suffer from the condition. On the other hand, in males age does not seem to make any difference. In most cases, prolapse is a benign and often silent disorder. Drug therapy has primarily focused on beta‐blockers whilst antipanic drugs are effective in panic disorder. The hyperventilation test undertaken in the doctor's office is a very useful way of explaining this condition to the patient and reassuring him of its relatively benign nature.
Syncope, seizures and stress
Authors: Stevens Harold
Published: June 2007

The episodic attack may reflect either cardiogenic or neurogenic mechanisms and not all seizures are due to epilepsy but rather can be caused by acute cerebral ischaemia. Cerebral ischaemia may result from vaso‐vagal syncope or vago‐vagal syncope, the latter being associated with an abrupt fall in blood pressure. Many events may precipitate syncope and convulsions: rectal examinations, micturition syndrome, tussive syncope, ingestion of food and liquids (i.e. the Banquet Syndrome) are some examples. Sudden death may occur due to stress, the causal mechanisms usually involving the cardiovascular system. Cardiac dysrhythmia is frequently implicated. Stress may incude a broad variety of autonomic responses mediated often through the vagal system resulting in syncope, seizures and fatal collapse. The higher nervous system may also modify autonomic electrical activity of the heart with the same consequences.
Equity/inequity, stress and employee commitment in a health care setting
Authors: McKenna J. F.
Published: June 2007

This article investigates the relationship between perceptions of equity, occupational stress and employee commitment in a health care setting. Significant relationships were found among these variables and implications for the health care field are discussed.
The signification of stress in the aetiopathogenesis of type2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ionescu‐Tirgoviste Constantin , Simion Prunǎ , Mariana Costea , Dan Cheta M. , Iulian Mincu
Published: June 2007

The present study investigated the possible involvement of stress in the aetiopathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus by using three different approaches: the role of chronic and subacute stress, assessed by a clinical interview in 300 newly discovered diabetic patients; the role of acute stress, by analysing the incidence of diabetes mellitus in connection with the earthquake of 4 March 1977; and investigating the autonomic reactivity of patients in whom stress was or was not involved in the onset of diabetes. The results showed: a chronic psychosocial stress was encountered in 44 per cent of 300 newly discovered type 2 diabetes mellitus patients; the number of newly registered diabetic cases was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the month of May in 1977 (two months after the earthquake) as against the years preceding (1976) or following (1978) the earthquake; an autonomic hyperreactivity was found in the patients in whom stress was involved in the onset of diabetes as against the controls or diabetics in whom this factor was not involved in the onset of the disease.
Irritable mood and physical illness
Authors: Fava Giovanni A.
Published: June 2007

The role and features of irritable mood in the medically ill have eluded systematic investigation. Irritability may be a non‐specific manifestation of another psychiatric disturbance, such as depression, or part of the emotional reaction to hospitalization, pain and diagnostic procedures. Irritability, however, may also be a mood state relatively independent of other major moods of anxiety and depression. It may be associated with abnormal illness behavior. The diagnosis and treatment of irritable mood in the medically ill are reviewed. Hostility and irritability appear to be worthy of clinical and research attention in psychosomatic medicine.
Personality characteristics and proneness to burnout: A study among internists
Authors: Keinan Giora , Melamed Samuel
Published: June 2007

Burnout syndrome is commonly conceived as resulting from prolonged emotional load. Thus, it was hypothesized that people with certain personality characteristics, which make them more liable to extensive emotional arousal, are likely to be burnout‐prone. The personality characteristics chosen were: repression‐sensitization (R‐S). emotional reactivity (ER), learned resourcefulness (LR), Type A behavior (TAB), and hostility. Also recorded were age and tenure at current job. Subjects for the study were doctors of internal medicine employed in public hospitals. Burnout was found to be positively related to R‐S, ER and hostility, and negatively related to LR. No significant results were obtained with TAB. In addition, burnout was negatively (but not significantly) associated with tenure. It was concluded that subjects who display an increased tendency to emotional arousal, and/or lack LR skills, are likely to suffer burnout.
PTSD presenting as an eating disorder
Authors: Torem Moshe S. , Curdue Kathryn
Published: June 2007

Although the incidence of eating disorders has been on the rise in the past decade, their etiology is still obscure and their treatment still unsatisfactory, with a relatively high mortality rate. This article describes a special subgroup of patients with an eating disorder whose underlying illness was a previously undiagnosed post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Once the proper diagnosis was made and the therapy was focused on the proper resolution of the trauma and its effects, the patients showed improvement in their overall state of mind, including the eating disorder symptoms. It is hoped that this article will heighten the clinicians' awareness of this subgroup of eating disorder patients and improve the treatment outcome.
Situational stress and anxiety in man: Studies with drugs in laboratory and surgical settings
Authors: O'Boyle Ciaran A.
Published: June 2007

The development of new selective anxiolytic drugs has led to increased interest in the pharmacology of stress. Attempts to assess the effects of drugs on situational stress responses in man have resulted in the development of a wide variety of laboratory stress paradigms. This article provides an overview of these laboratory models, which have been used with moderate success to demonstrate the efficacy of anxiolytic drugs such as benzodiazepines and beta‐adrenoreceptor blockers. Given the importance of cognitive factors in stress responses, the ecological validity of such laboratory paradigms is questioned. Stress associated with surgical and diagnostic techniques provides an opportunity for assessing the impact of drugs in ‘real‐life’ settings which are neither contrived nor unethical and in which therapeutic use of sedative and anxiolytic agents is justifed. This article examines the nature of anxiety associated with surgical and diagnostic procedures. Methodological and theoretical aspects of surgical and diagnostic stress models are reviewed, with particular consideration of the multidimensional nature of the human stress response and the effects of drugs theron.
Stress, the immune system and psychiatric illness
Authors: Leonard B. E.
Published: June 2007

Anecdotal evidence suggesting a causal relationship between psychiatric illness, environmental stress and a malfunctioning immune system goes back to antiquity. Recently, clinical and experimental studies have established the interrelationship between neuroendocrine regulation, the immune system and abnormalities in central neurotransmission which may be deranged as a consequence of stressful events. This short review is an attempt to assess the evidence implicating altered immune responsiveness in depression and schizophrenia and to consider the impact of different types of environmental stress in triggering the immune malfunction. While these findings are of considerable biological importance, it is presently unclear whether the immunological changes are primary or secondary to the disease states.
Tribulin — an endocoid marker for anxiety in man
Authors: Sandler M. , Clow Angela , Watkins P. J. , Fibiol Vivette Glover
Published: June 2007

Tribulin is the game given to an endogenous monoamine oxidase inhibitor/benzodiazepine receptor ligand. Evidence has been obtained of an increased output of this material in conditions associated with stress and anxiety eg lactate‐provoked panic attacks, general anxiety disorder and alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal. The major monoamine oxidase inhibitory component in normal human urine has recently been identified mass spectrometrically as isatin (indole‐2,3‐dione).
Pathological grief, psychiatric symptoms and immune status following conjugal bereavement
Authors: Pettingale K. W. , Watson M. , Inayat Q. , Alhaq A.
Published: June 2007

Psychological and immunological assessments were performed concurrently on 33 spouses who had each been bereaved at least one year previously. The sample of bereaved spouses showed a high incidence of psychiatric morbidity, with 46 per cent having a Catego score of 5 or above using the Present State Examination (PSE); 30 per cent showed excessive rumination about the deceased, using the Grief Experience Inventory. There was also a high incidence of physical complaints within the group but the majority of these antedated the bereavement and no significant correlations were found between physical complaints and either psychological or immunological variables. There were no significant differences in cellular or humoral immune profile between subjects with high and low Catego scores. However, measures of emotional responsiveness using the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale were significantly correlated with helper T‐lymphocyte and natural killer cell numbers. It is proposed that these data support the concept of neuroendocrine modulation of the immune system but do not suggest either that the overall effect of bereavement is immunosuppressive or that immune changes are responsible for an increase in mortality following bereavement.
Stress and medical marriages
Authors: Yandoli Alyson Hall
Published: June 2007

The literature concerning medical marriages is reviewed and, where relevant to potential stress in marriage, the differences between British and North American medical careers are discussed. After a general review of psychiatric morbidity, suicide rates and substance abuse amongst doctors, the major difficulties for married doctors during training are contrasted with the increased stability of mature medical marriages, which nevertheless are relatively unsatisfying for both partners. Little is known about recent medical marriages, particularly in Britain. The likely difficulties for the woman doctor with a non‐medical spouse and for dual doctor marriages are discussed, together with the implications for childcare. Problems in marriage are not necessarily associated with the actual number of hours spent working, but satisfaction seems to be associated with communuication and intimacy between the partners.
Septal dopaminergic–cholinergic interactions during stress
Authors: Finkelstein Yoram , Sternfeld Moshe , Flechter Shlomo , Kushnir Amir , Hod Israel
Published: June 2007

To find out whether or not modification of the dopaminergic tone affects the stress response of the septo‐hippocampal cholinergic system, rats were treated with DA‐2 receptor agonist or antagonist. The findings indicate that after treatment with the DA antagonist sulpiride, when the septo‐hippocampal cholinergic system is released from tonic dopaminergic inhibition, it becomes activated to a certain level and cannot be further activated in response to acute stress. Enhancement of the dopaminergic tone, by treatment with the DA agonist apomorphine, may suppress the activation of the cholinergic system in response to acute stress. Thus, when stressful conditions are encountered, the initial transient activation of the septo‐hippocampal cholinergic system, which subsides within minutes, may be temporally related to a slower stress‐induced activation of the mesoseptal dopaminergic system. These results imply that septo‐hippocampal cholinergic activity represents an active pathway for major dopaminergic neuronal signals of stress.
A somewhat personal odyssey in studying the stress process
Authors: Antonovsky Aaron
Published: June 2007

The reader is taken on a journey spanning some 25 years devoted to the author's involvement in stress research as a sociologist of health. The starting point is work on life stressors, moving to the distinction between tension and stress and the concept of generalized resistance resources. In the course of the story, consideration is given to the difference between the study of diseases and of dis–ease. The next step taken is the formulation of the salutogenic problem and its implications for health research, in contrast to the traditional study of pathogenesis. Finally, the meaning of the sense of coherence, an orientation to the world as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful, and hypothesized to be a core variable in shaping coping with stressors and thereby influencing health status, is discussed.
The role and development of some methodological questions in life event, social support and depression research
Authors: Oei T. I. , Zwart F. M.
Published: June 2007

Research on life events, social support and depressive behaviour has evolved from the descriptive level to the contextual perspective. Precise conceptualization of the terms used, such as ‘life events’ and ‘social support’ is called for, together with a conscientious application of research techniques like the interview method. Careful analysis of different variables such as ‘provoking agent’ and ‘vulnerability factor’ would seem necessary, before the causality question can be approached.
Chronic stress reduced GH response to the serotonin agonist 5‐methoxy‐n, n‐dimethyltriptamine but did not alter pituitary–adrenal, prolactin or TSH responses in the rat
Authors: Armario A. , Campmany Li. , Lopez‐Calderon A. , Jolin T.
Published: June 2007

The present work investigates the effect of a chronic stress model in which several acute stressors were applied on a random basis on pituitary–adrenal, prolactin, growth hormone (GH) and thyroid—stimulating hormone (TSH) responses to the serotonin agonist 5‐methoxy‐N, N‐dimethyltryptamine (MeODMT) administered peripherally. The drug stimulates pituitary–adrenal, prolactin and GH secretion at the two doses tested. Its effect on serum TSH was stimulatory at the lower dose but had no effect at the higher dose. Previous chronic stress did not alter pituitary‐adrenal, prolactin and TSH responses to the drug. In contrast, reduced GH response to MeODMT was observed in chronically stressed rats, suggesting that subsensitivity to serotonin was present after chronic stress. The present results indicate that serotonergic pathways controlling anterior pituitary hormone secretion respond heterogeneously to chronic stress.
Stressful life events and risk for depression in the family
Authors: Stephenson Judith J. , Schwab John J. , Bell Roger A.
Published: June 2007

In a prospective epidemiologic study of risk for depression in a random sample of 43 families, we interviewed adults and children in their homes at baseline, six months later, and nine months after the second interview. At time‐1 and time‐3, a 28‐item stressful life events (SLE) inventory was given to each adult and child over the age of 11, and at time‐2, to the family as a whole. Risk for depression was evaluated by screening instruments and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. At time‐1, the mean number of SLE reported as occurring in the last six months was 4.43 ± 3.55. For the 34 families that were interviewed all three times, almost two more SLE per family (5.82 ± 3.70) were reported at time‐3 than at time‐1 (3.97 ± 2.59). Methodologic factors, as well as being in ‘risk’ status at some time during the study, were responsible for the greater number of events reported at time‐3 than at time‐1. There was surprisingly little agreement among family members about the number and type of SLE that had occurred. Children's reports of SLE added approximately 20 per cent to those reported by parents.
Aerobics and postmenopausal osteoporosis
Authors: Schapira Daniel
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the influence of aerobic physical exercise on the metabolism of bone in postmenopausal women. After reviewing bone physiology and biomechanics and the effects of aerobics on ageing and physical fitness, their beneficial consequences on the postmenopausal skeleton are demonstrated by the results of clinical studies. Aerobic activity seems to be an attractive modality in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Various aerobic exercises are described and their optimal features are discussed. The physician's role in designing and monitoring the exercise programme is emphasized.
Stress and facial appearance
Authors: Thomas Christopher S.
Published: June 2007

This article examines the relationship between abnormal facial appearance, body image and psychological functioning. It explores the differences between patients in whom abnormalities of facial appearance generate stress which leads to personality impairment and mental illness and patients with abnormal personalities and/or mental illness who complain that they have an abnormal facial appearance. The role of cosmetic surgery and other therapies in treating these different. types of dissatisfaction with appearance is reviewed.
Mental adjustment of Swedish UN soldiers in South Lebanon in 1988
Authors: Carlström Anders , Lundin Tom , Otto Ulf
Published: June 2007

A study of mental adjustment was carried out by means of a questionnaire at a Swedish UN logistic battalion in south Lebanon at the end of its period of service. The results showed a general good adjustment with no great variations between different subgroups. A rather high proportion of the respondents reported the service as being monotonous. Compared with earlier studies, a higher proportion of stress symptoms was found. It is possible that this could have been caused by differences in selection and service conditions.
Information requirements for crisis intervention after disaster work
Authors: Duckworth Douglas H.
Published: June 2007

Over the past 10 years, researchers and employers have shown an increased interest in the psychological problems that can be experienced by first‐line disaster workers. This article briefly reviews available research in the area, and then illustrates the increased management concern over these problems by describing recent developments in the UK Police Service. Disaster contingency planning in this Service has come to place particular emphasis upon the provision of crisis intervention after potentially traumatic disaster work experiences: early, brief, problem‐focused treatment, which aims to restore distressed individuals to a precrisis level of functioning. The possible benefits of such early intervention are considered, and then attention is turned to the types of information required for guiding intervention in specific cases. Beyond basic information relating to current symptoms and coping activities, it will be useful to determine what experiences from before, during and after the disaster work are implicated in the person's current disturbance, and how the person is modelling these experiences. It will also be important to identify those contemporaneous, psychological appraisal processes that are sustaining the disturbance: individuals who are left to adjust ‘naturally’ typically pay little or no attention to these powerfully disturbing, but in principle modifiable appraisal processes.
The impact of stressful life events on natural killer cells
Authors: Schlesinger Michael , Yodfat Y.
Published: June 2007

A study was carried out among members of a kibbutz to determine to what extent their capacity to cope with stressors affected natural killer (NK) cells and how this capacity was regulated by personal, family and social resources. The NK activity and NK cell markers were analysed among 92 kibbutz residents. A number of psychosocial parameters (including family function, social support, and demoralization) were assessed in parallel. A significant correlation was found between the capacity of individuals to cope with daily life stress and their cytotoxic NK activity. Individuals who were diagnosed as having anxiety neurosis had a significantly weaker NK activity and their population of Leu‐11 positive cells was significantly lower than among those without such symptoms. No significant association could be determined between either NK cell activity or proportion of Leu‐11 positive lymphocytes and any of the psychosocial parameters tested. Thus, while coping with stress has a significant effect on the NK system, further studies are required to elucidate the psychosocial mechanisms involved.
Affects, Neurotransmitters, and immunocompetence
Authors: Udelman Donna Lou , Udelman Harold D.
Published: June 2007

Twenty‐five individuals participated in a three month study of associations between depression, hopefulness, neurotransmitters, and immunity. Fifteen subjects were diagnosed as Major Depression (DSM‐III); ten were ‘normals’ who had no psychiatric history, no major medical disorder, and were taking no medication. Psychological testings included three Gottschalk verbal sample scales, the Zung depression scale and the Udelmans' Social History Index. Physiologic measurements included neurotransmitters, 5‐HIAA, CBC and immune parameters. All testings were done at the onset and three months later. Data were scored, analyzed and compared between groups and within the groups. Findings are presented and hypothetical constructs discussed. Implications for future studies are suggested.
The psychosocial integration of diabetic patients type 1 (insulin‐dependent)
Authors: Mincu I. , Costea Mariana , Ionescu‐Tirgoviste C. , Popa Elena
Published: June 2007

A comparative study was carried out on 250 diabetic patients type 1 (118 males, 132 females, aged between 16–60, mean age 37 ± 15 years and a diabetes duration of 13 ± 5 years) and 100 controls (43 males, 57 females, between 20–60 years old with a mean age 32 ± 17 years).

Factors of maladjustment have been assessed within the family, professional, social and psychologic dimensions, by a standardized questionnaire (36 items) which was adapted by us from existing scales such as: PULSES scale; and scales of Affleck, Y. W.9, Craig, A. R.10 and Peterson, C.11 questionnaire.

The frequencies distribution showed the most significant difference (p < 0.001) between the 2 examined groups for social stress (20 ± 12% versus 6 ± 2%), followed by family stress (36 ± 10% versus 14 ± 5%). Professional stress was of a lower significance (31, 2 ± 4 versus 12 ± 9%). Stress in diabetics is determined rather by the education level and sex differences, than by age and diabetes duration.

The high rate of psychosocial maladjustment of diabetics derived from management problems that require too many changes in the family, vocational, social, attitudinal and life style functioning patterns.

The ergotic unadaptative rate (31, 2%) has been conditioned by the frequency of premature retiring (23%) and on the other hand by the high level of family disharmonies (17, 6%) and social isolation (8, 8%). This reveals major relational frustration and the high rate of psychosocial maladjustment of diabetic patients. In view of psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation of diabetics, a holistic bio‐psycho‐social approach, in an integrated interdisciplinary team, is required.
Type A behavior pattern and coronary heart disease: The hostility factor?
Authors: Rosenman Ray H.
Published: June 2007

It would appear that the type A behavior pattern (TABP) is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly at younger ages, and for incidence of initial myocardial infarction. Competitiveness may be the so‐called ‘toxic’ factor in TABP, having seminal importance in aggressive drive, accelerated pace, impatience and hostility. Nevertheless, it seems unlikely that human emotional and behavioral aspects can ever satisfactorily be subdivided into single component parts such as ‘hostility’.
Type A personality, work stress and psychological distress in Japanese adult employees
Authors: Iwata Noboru , Suzuki Kazuo , Saito Kazuo , Abe Kazuhiko
Published: June 2007

To explore work stress–strain relations and the effect of Type A/B personality among Japanese adult employees, a questionnaire survey was conducted in two branches of a large bank in Hokkaido, Japan. Data were obtained from 256 adult employees (158 males and 98 females). The questionnaire consisted of several scales concerning role stress, the 28‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐28), job dissatisfaction, the Jenkins Activity Survey, and others. While most of the variables differed across three subsamples (male clerks, males of chief clerk status or higher, and female clerks), both role overload and conflict were comparable. Role overload and conflict were highly associated with psychological distress, but role ambiguity showed a few significant correlations. Also, fewer significant correlations were found for Type A/B subscales. A moderated multiple regression analysis was carried out by subsample for each pair of role stress and Type A/B subscale for each psychological distress. A buffering effect of Type A/B was tested by considering the significance of its interaction term with role stress. As a whole global A tendency ie, high scores on the JAS‐A/B subscale would play a role as ‘buffer’, but high hard‐driving and competitive tendencies would play roles as both ‘buffer’ and ‘exaggerator’ according to the type of stress. Most of these results, however, were detected in the analyses of male clerks. Therefore, either buffering or exacerbating effects of Type A/B personality on stress–strain relations were recognized to vary between genders, across job positions, and/or across the types of stress at work and distress.