bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced full‐field electroretinogram (ERG) in a patient treated with methotrexate
Authors: Ponjavic Vesna , Gränse Lotta , Stigmar Elisabeth Bengtsson , Andréasson Sten
Published: December 2004

Purpose:  To examine retinal function in a patient with decreased vision possibly due to treatment with methotrexate.

Methods:  Ophthalmological examination included testing of visual acuity (VA), fundus inspection, fundus photography and kinetic perimetry. Retinal function was tested objectively with three electrophysiological methods: full‐field electroretinography (ERG), multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) and electro‐oculography (EOG).

Results:  A 13‐year‐old boy with psoriasis arthritis had been treated with methotrexate on a weekly basis for 8.5 years. After terminating treatment, his VA, which was reduced to 0.3 in both eyes initially, improved during the following 3 years but did not return to normal. No visual field defects were found with kinetic perimetry. The rod and cone responses in the full‐field ERG were markedly reduced in b‐wave amplitude initially, but grew slowly to nearly normal values 3 years later. After withdrawal of the drug, the mfERG demonstrated normal responses in the macular region. The Arden index in the EOG was normal.

Conclusion:  Chronic treatment with methotrexate may affect VA, and may reversibly reduce rod and cone function. In patients who use systemic medication and whose vision is reduced, objective evaluation of retinal function with electrophysiological methods is recommended.
Surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity in a Copenhagen high‐risk sample 1999–2001. Has progress reached a plateau?
Authors: Fledelius Hans C. , Göte Hanne , Greisen Gorm , Jensen Hanne
Published: December 2004

Purpose:  As part of current quality control to evaluate ophthalmic findings in the two combined central Copenhagen neonatology centres, for birth years 1999–2001, and to compare the selected sample with data of the national register for childhood visual impairment.

Methods:  In a prospective design to report on 372 infants mainly under regular surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the stratified functional unit made up by the neonatal wards of Rigshospitalet (RH) and Hvidovre Hospital (HH). The median neonate under ophthalmic surveillance in the two wards (screening limits usually 32 weeks/1750 g) was given by gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) values of 27.3 weeks/907 g and 30.3 weeks/1420 g, respectively. Feedback regarding outcome was secured for those transferred to regional centres.

Results:  The overall frequency of ROP was 38.5% in the RH (n = 252) and 10.8% in the HH sample (n = 120). From a peak share above 60% in those < 26 weeks/750 g at delivery, the incidence of ROP showed a regular decrease with decreasing immaturity. The centralized retinal ablation therapy for advanced ROP was given to a total of 29, with birth year 2001 unexpectedly showing a peak of 17 cases. Seven of the 29 children treated are now in the register for visually impaired, mainly due to low vision. Fourteen of the 29 had been very small for gestational age.

Conclusions:  Supported also by recent regional Danish data, the apparent progress in the fight against ROP over many years seems to have come to a halt. Except for the continued increased survival of extremely preterm babies we have no obvious neonatological indications to explain the suggested ‘adverse’ trend.
Surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity in a Danish county. Epidemiological experience over 20 years
Authors: Fledelius Hans C. , Kjer Birgit
Published: December 2004

Purpose: An updated analysis of the trends in a Danish county regarding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), outlining its natural history over the years 1982–2001.

Methods: Epidemiological data are given of the 132 infants in the county with birth years 1998–2001 prospectively under surveillance for ROP. The customary national screening limits of gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) of 32 weeks/1750 g were generally adhered to. The findings are compared to five previous consecutive reports of a similar set‐up, now making a total of 1123 who have been under surveillance.

Results: With focus on the 20 years' newborns at a higher risk for ROP in the county (GA/BW both under the above limits;n = 591) the continuous improvement up to 1998 − as reflected by ROP frequency, its severity, and risk levels according to GA/BW − appears to have been interrupted. Compared to the previous 4‐year period, the percentage acquiring ROP in 1998–2001 increased from 10 to 31%, and four recent cases qualified for retinal ablation therapy, compared with zero in the previous 4‐year period. However, there were no advanced stages (of at least ROP 3) in infants above 30 weeks/1500 g at delivery.

Conclusions: (a) Using the ROP also as a neonatal treatment quality parameter, the present trend (progress stopped) should be followed attentively. So far, we have no clues regarding therapy‐related or other causality. (b) Despite the suggested worsening, a lowering of the ophthalmic GA and BW screening limits now seems justifiable. With a view also to the high‐risk Copenhagen data and the national childhood visual impairment register, a reduction of the values to 31 weeks/1500 g should be considered.
Clinical evaluation of an eccentric infrared photorefractor: the PowerRefractor
Authors: Abrahamsson Maths , Ohlsson Josefin , Björndahl Maria , Abrahamsson Hannah
Published: December 2004

Purpose:  To evaluate the viability of the PowerRefractor as a screening tool for examining refractive errors in large samples of children.

Methods:  The variability of the PowerRefractor was estimated using four patients. The refractive error was determined using cyclopentolate and tropicamide as cycloplegic agents and compared to that determined in a non‐cycloplegic situation. In a second study, the data provided by the PowerRefractor were compared to results obtained by autorefractor or retinoscopy for 150 children aged from 6 months to 5 years.

Results:  Variability study. Statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between cycloplegic and non‐cycloplegic refraction for spherical and cylindrical refractive errors (p < 0.0001 in all cases). There was no significant difference between the measurements made using tropicamide and cyclopentolate (p = 0.33 and p = 0.18, respectively).

Comparison study. In 142 of 150 patients the difference between data obtained by the PowerRefractor and an autorefractor was within 1 D (spherical equivalent). However, there was a considerable difference between the data generated by the two methods in the remaining eight patients (up to 16 D).

Conclusions:  The PowerRefractor proved to be a reliable tool for estimating refractive errors in young children. The apparatus is easy to handle and the simultaneous examination of both eyes makes the PowerRefractor ideal for obtaining data on refractive errors in large samples.
A Leishmania major Response Locus Identified by Interval-specific Congenic Mapping of a T Helper Type 2 Cell Bias-controlling Quantitative Trait Locus
Authors: Baguet Aurelie , Epler Jennifer , Wen Kwun W. , Bix Mark
Published: December 2004

The propensity of naive CD4 T cells to become T helper (Th) type 2 cells correlates with susceptibility to infection by the protozoal parasite Leishmania major. Using genetic linkage analysis, we earlier identified Dice1 as a Th2 cell bias-controlling quantitative trait locus on chromosome 16. Using interval-specific congenic mapping, we now resolve Dice1 into two independent genetic loci, Dice1.1 and Dice1.2, which control Il4 expression from naive Th cells and thereby indirectly control Th2 cell bias. Interestingly, only one of the two congenic intervals containing Dice1.1 and Dice1.2, respectively, also contained an L. major response locus, indicating that L. major responsiveness can be insensitive to determinants that influence Th2 cell bias by controlling naive T cell Il4 expression. These results lay the groundwork for identifying the Dice1.1 and Dice1.2 genes controlling naive T cell Il4 expression and L. major responses, and for testing whether these control other Th2 cell–dependent processes such as worm expulsion, allergic asthma, and dermatitis.
Anthrolysin O and Other Gram-positive Cytolysins Are Toll-like Receptor 4 Agonists
Authors: Park Jin Mo , Ng Vincent H. , Maeda Shin , Rest Richard F. , Karin Michael
Published: December 2004

Exposure of bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) to low concentrations of Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin (LT), whose catalytic subunit is lethal factor (LF), results in induction of a robust apoptotic response dependent on activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)4. A similar TLR4-dependent apoptotic response is observed when BMDMs are infected with live B. anthracis (Sterne strain). However, TLR4 is considered to be a specific signaling receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a typical product of gram-negative bacteria, whereas B. anthracis is gram-positive. To understand how B. anthracis can activate TLR4, we analyzed its culture supernatants and found them to contain a potent TLR4-stimulating activity that can also induce apoptosis in macrophages in which the antiapoptotic p38 MAP kinase (whose activation is prevented by LF) was inhibited. Purification of this activity suggested it consists of anthrolysin O (ALO), a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family. We show that recombinant ALO can activate TLR4 in a manner independent of LPS contamination and, together with LT, can induce macrophage apoptosis. We also provide genetic evidence that ALO is required for induction of macrophage apoptosis in response to infection with live B. anthracis and that other CDC family members share the ability to activate TLR4.
Reciprocal Changes in Tumor Antigenicity and Antigen-specific T Cell Function during Tumor Progression
Authors: Zhou Gang , Lu Zhengbin , McCadden John D. , Levitsky Hyam I. , Marson Aimee L.
Published: December 2004

Two seemingly incompatible models exist to explain the progression of cancers in immunocompetent hosts. The cancer immunosurveillance hypothesis posits that recognition of transformed cells by the immune system results in the generation of an effector response that may impede tumor growth. Clinically detectable cancer results from the emergence of tumor variants that escape this selective pressure. Alternatively, induction of immune tolerance to tumor antigens may enable cancer progression. We established a model where changes in the function of tumor-specific T cells and in tumor antigen expression could be followed during cancer progression. Early recognition of antigen led to activation, expansion, and effector function in tumor-specific CD4+ T cells resulting in the outgrowth of tumors expressing substantially reduced levels of antigen. Antigen loss was not complete, however, and levels remained above the threshold required for tumor-specific T cell recognition in vivo. In the face of persisting antigen, T cell tolerance ensued, leading to an impaired ability to mediate further antigen loss. Together, these studies establish that the processes of immunosurveillance and tumor editing coexist with a process in which the functional tumor-specific T cell repertoire is also “edited,” reconciling two hypotheses historically central to our attempts to understand host antitumor immunity.
Probabilistic aspects of Al-Salam–Chihara polynomials
Authors: Bryc Włodzimierz , Matysiak Wojciech , Szabłowski Paweł
Published: December 2004

We solve the connection coefficient problem between the Al-Salam–Chihara polynomials and theqq-Hermite polynomials, and we use the resulting identity to answer a question from probability theory. We also derive the distribution of some Al-Salam–Chihara polynomials, and compute determinants of related Hankel matrices.
Local dual and poly-scale refinability
Authors: Sun Qiyu
Published: December 2004

For a compactly supported function

f
f

, let

S
n

(
f
)
,
n
≥
0

S_n(f), n\ge 0

, be the space of all finite linear combinations of

f
(

M
n

⋅
−
k
)
,
k
∈

Z

f(M^n\cdot -k), k\in \mathbf Z

. In this paper, we consider the explicit construction of local duals of

f
f

and the poly-scale refinability of functions in

S
0

(
f
)

S_0(f)

when

f
f

is an

M
M

-refinable function. We show that for any

M
M

-refinable function

f
f

, there exists a local dual of

f
f

in

S
N

(
f
)

S_N(f)

for some

N
≥
0

N\ge 0

, and that any function in

S
0

(
f
)

S_0(f)

is poly-scale refinable.
On the Betti numbers of sign conditions
Authors: Basu Saugata , Pollack Richard , Roy Marie-Françoise
Published: December 2004

Let

R

\mathrm {R}

be a real closed field and let

Q

{\mathcal Q}

and

P

{\mathcal P}

be finite subsets of

R

[

X
1

,
…
,

X
k

]

\mathrm {R}[X_1,\ldots ,X_k]

such that the set

P

{\mathcal P}

has

s
s

elements, the algebraic set

Z
Z

defined by

⋀

Q
∈

Q

Q
=
0

\bigwedge _{Q \in {\mathcal Q}}Q=0

has dimension

k
′

k’

and the elements of

Q

{\mathcal Q}

and

P

{\mathcal P}

have degree at most

d
d

. For each

0
≤
i
≤

k
′

,

0 \leq i \leq k’,

we denote the sum of the

i
i

-th Betti numbers over the realizations of all sign conditions of

P

{\mathcal P}

on

Z
Z

by

b
i

(

P

,

Q

)

b_i({\mathcal P},{\mathcal Q})

. We prove that
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="b Subscript i Baseline left-parenthesis script upper P comma script upper Q right-parenthesis less-than-or-equal-to sigma-summation Underscript j equals 0 Overscript k prime minus i Endscripts StartBinomialOrMatrix s Choose j EndBinomialOrMatrix 4 Superscript j Baseline d left-parenthesis 2 d minus 1 right-parenthesis Superscript k minus 1 Baseline period">

b
i

(

P

,

Q

)
≤

∑

j
=
0

k
′

−
i

(

s
j

)

4

j

d
(
2
d
−
1

)

k
−
1

.

b_i({\mathcal P},{\mathcal Q}) \le \sum _{j=0}^{k’ - i} {s \choose j} 4^{j} d(2d-1)^{k-1}.

\]
This generalizes to all the higher Betti numbers the bound

(

s

k
′

)

O
(
d

)
k

{s \choose k’}O(d)^k

on

b
0

(

P

,

Q

)

b_0({\mathcal P},{\mathcal Q})

. We also prove, using similar methods, that the sum of the Betti numbers of the intersection of

Z
Z

with a closed semi-algebraic set, defined by a quantifier-free Boolean formula without negations with atoms of the form

P
≥
0

P \geq 0

or

P
≤
0

P\leq 0

for

P
∈

P

P\in {\mathcal P}

, is bounded by
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="sigma-summation Underscript i equals 0 Overscript k Superscript prime Baseline Endscripts sigma-summation Underscript j equals 0 Overscript k prime minus i Endscripts StartBinomialOrMatrix s Choose j EndBinomialOrMatrix 6 Superscript j Baseline d left-parenthesis 2 d minus 1 right-parenthesis Superscript k minus 1 Baseline comma">

∑

i
=
0

k
′

∑

j
=
0

k
′

−
i

(

s
j

)

6

j

d
(
2
d
−
1

)

k
−
1

,

\sum _{i = 0}^{k’}\sum _{j = 0}^{k’ - i} {s \choose j} 6^{j} d(2d-1)^{k-1},

\]
making the bound

s

k
′

O
(
d

)
k

s^{k’} O(d)^k

more precise.
Detecting the index of a subgroup in the subgroup lattice
Authors: De Falco M. , de Giovanni F. , Musella C. , Schmidt R.
Published: December 2004

A theorem by Zacher and Rips states that the finiteness of the index of a subgroup can be described in terms of purely lattice-theoretic concepts. On the other hand, it is clear that if 

G
G

is a group and

H
H

is a subgroup of finite index of

G
G

, the index

|

G
:
H

|

|G:H|

cannot be recognized in the lattice

L

(
G
)

{\mathfrak {L}}(G)

of all subgroups of

G
G

, as for instance all groups of prime order have isomorphic subgroup lattices. The aim of this paper is to give a lattice-theoretic characterization of the number of prime factors (with multiplicity) of

|

G
:
H

|

|G:H|

.
Centralizers of area preserving diffeomorphisms on 𝑆²
Authors: Burslem Lizzie
Published: December 2004

It has been conjectured that a generic diffeomorphism on a compact manifold will have trivial centralizer. We give some partial results towards proving this conjecture within the class of area preserving diffeomorphisms of the sphere.
On Peixoto’s conjecture for flows on non-orientable 2-manifolds
Authors: Gutierrez Carlos , Pires Benito
Published: December 2004

Contrary to the case of vector fields on orientable compact

2
2

-manifolds, there is a smooth vector field

X
X

on a non-orientable compact

2
2

-manifold with a dense orbit (and therefore without closed orbits) whose phase portrait –up to topological equivalence– remains intact under a one-parameter family of twist perturbations localized in a flow box of

X
.

X.
Hilbert-Samuel coefficients and postulation numbers of graded components of certain local cohomology modules
Authors: Brodmann M. , Rohrer F.
Published: December 2004

Let

R
=

⨁

n
≥
0

R
n

R = \bigoplus _{n \geq 0} R_n

be a Noetherian homogeneous ring with one-dimensional local base ring

(

R
0

,

m

0

)

(R_0, {\mathfrak m}_0)

. Let

q

0

⊆

R
0

{\mathfrak q}_0 \subseteq R_0

be an

m

0

{\mathfrak m}_0

-primary ideal, let

M
M

be a finitely generated graded

R
R

-module and let

i
∈

N

0

i \in {\mathbb N}_0

. Let

H

R
+

i

(
M
)

H^i_{R_+}(M)

denote the

i
i

-th local cohomology module of

M
M

with respect to the irrelevant ideal

R
+

:=

⨁

n
>
0

R
n

R_+:= \bigoplus _{n > 0} R_n

of

R
R

. We show that the first Hilbert-Samuel coefficient

e
1

(

q

0

,

H

R
+

i

(
M

)
n

)

e_1 \big ( {\mathfrak q}_0, H^i_{R_+}(M)_n \big )

of the

n
n

-th graded component of

H

R
+

i

(
M
)

H^i_{R_+}(M)

with respect to

q

0

{\mathfrak q}_0

is antipolynomial of degree

>
i

> i

in

n
n

. In addition, we prove that the postulation numbers of the components

H

R
+

i

(
M

)
n

H^i_{R_+} (M)_n

with respect to

q

0

{\mathfrak q}_0

have a common upper bound.
Small prime solutions of quadratic equations II
Authors: Choi Kwok-Kwong , Liu Jianya
Published: December 2004

Let

b
1

,
…
,

b
5

b_1, \ldots , b_5

be non-zero integers and

n
n

any integer. Suppose that

b
1

+
⋯
+

b
5

≡
n

(
mod

24
)

b_1+\cdots +b_5 \equiv n \pmod {24}

and

(

b
i

,

b
j

)
=
1

(b_i,b_j)=1

for

1
≤
i
>
j
≤
5

1 \leq i > j \leq 5

. In this paper we prove that (i) if the

b
j

b_j

are not all of the same sign, then the above quadratic equation has prime solutions satisfying
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="p Subscript j Baseline much-less-than StartRoot StartAbsoluteValue n EndAbsoluteValue EndRoot plus max left-brace StartAbsoluteValue b Subscript j Baseline EndAbsoluteValue right-brace Superscript 25 slash 2 plus epsilon Baseline semicolon">

p
j

≪

|

n

|

+
max
{

|

b
j

|

}

25

/

2
+
ε

;

p_j\ll \sqrt {|n|}+ \max \{|b_j|\}^{25/2+\varepsilon };

and (ii) if all the

b
j

b_j

are positive and

n
≫
max
{

|

b
j

|

}

26
+
ε

n \gg \max \{|b_j|\}^{26+\varepsilon }

, then the quadratic equation

b
1

p
1
2

+
⋯
+

b
5

p
5
2

=
n

b_1p_1^2+\cdots +b_5p_5^2=n

is soluble in primes

p
j

.

p_j.

Our previous results are

max
{

|

b
j

|

}

20
+
ε

\max \{|b_j|\}^{20+\varepsilon }

and

max
{

|

b
j

|

}

41
+
ε

\max \{|b_j|\}^{41+\varepsilon }

in place of

max
{

|

b
j

|

}

25

/

2
+
ε

\max \{|b_j|\}^{25/2+\varepsilon }

and

max
{

|

b
j

|

}

26
+
ε

\max \{|b_j|\}^{26+\varepsilon }

above, respectively.
Purely periodic 𝛽-expansions with Pisot unit base
Authors: Ito Shunji , Rao Hui
Published: December 2004

Let

β
>
1

\beta >1

be a Pisot unit. A family of sets

{

X
i

}

1
≤
i
≤
q

\{X_i\}_{1\leq i\leq q}

defined by a

β
\beta

-numeration system has been extensively studied as an atomic surface or Rauzy fractal. For the purpose of constructing a Markov partition, a domain

X
^

=

⋃

i
=
1

q

X
^

i

\hat X=\bigcup _{i=1}^q \hat X_i

constructed by an atomic surface has appeared in several papers. In this paper we show that the domain

X
^

\hat X

completely characterizes the set of purely periodic

β
\beta

-expansions.
Embedding 𝐵_{∞} into Muckenhoupt classes
Authors: Mitsis Themis
Published: December 2004

What is the smallest

p
p

for which a weight in the reverse Hölder class

B
∞

B_\infty

also belongs to the Muckenhoupt class

A
p

A_p

? We give an asymptotically sharp answer to this question.
K-theory tools for local and asymptotic cyclic cohomology
Authors: Shirbisheh Vahid
Published: December 2004

A generalization of the Connes-Thom isomorphism is given for stable, homotopy invariant, and split exact functors on separable

C
∗

C^*

-algebras. As examples of these functors, we concentrate on asymptotic and local cyclic cohomology, and the result is applied to improve some formulas in asymptotic and local cyclic cohomology of

C
∗

C^*

-algebras. As another application, it is shown that these cyclic theories are rigid under Rieffel’s deformation quantizations.
Cloning and expression of multiple integral membrane proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Korepanova Alla , Gao Fei P. , Hua Yuanzi , Qin Huajun , Nakamoto Robert K. , Cross Timothy A.
Published: December 2004

Seventy integral membrane proteins from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome have been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. A combination of T7 promoter‐based vectors with hexa‐His affinity tags and BL21 E. coli strains with additional tRNA genes to supplement sparsely used E. coli codons have been most successful. The expressed proteins have a wide range of molecular weights and number of transmembrane helices. Expression of these proteins has been observed in the membrane and insoluble fraction of E. coli cell lysates and, in some cases, in the soluble fraction. The highest expression levels in the membrane fraction were restricted to a narrow range of molecular weights and relatively few transmembrane helices. In contrast, overexpression in insoluble aggregates was distributed over a broad range of molecular weights and number of transmembrane helices.
Poverty and Vulnerability in Indonesia Before and After the Economic Crisis
Authors: Suryahadi Asep , Sumarto Sudarno
Published: December 2004

It is well known that the economic crisis in Indonesia has caused the poverty rate to increase significantly. The present study finds, not only that the poverty rate increased significantly, but also that much of the increase was due to a large increase in the chronic poor category (i.e. the poor who have expected consumption below the poverty line and most likely will stay poor in the near future). Furthermore, the present study also finds that the proportion of households that have high vulnerability to poverty has more than doubled since the economic crisis. As a result, the proportion of the total vulnerable group (the current poor plus the high vulnerability group) has jumped from less than one‐fifth of the population before the crisis to more than one‐third after the crisis.
Hindsight Lessons aka Experiential Wisdom: A Review of the XXV ICAP
Authors: Nair Elizabeth
Published: December 2004

Voici un résumé et un compte rendu évaluatif du XXV Congrès International de Psychologie Appliquée (ICAP) qui s’est tenu du 7 au 12 juillet 2002 au Suntec Convention Center à Singapour. Ce sont au total 1659 personnes provenant de 66 pays qui se sont inscrites au Congrès. Le programme scientifique comprenait 54 communications de personnalités invitées, 884 propositions individuelles d’intervention orale ou de poster et 130 symposiums d’une demi‐heure répartis dans 12 sessions parallèles. Différents critères peuvent être retenus pour évaluer le succés de cette recontre. Une première pour ce Congrès fut l’exploitation des nouvelles technologies dans la conception et al réalisation du programme scientifique par un comité international. Ce rapport examine les points où des améliorations seraient envisageables et conclut sur des recommendations dont les futurs Congrès pourront tirer profit.

This is a summary and evaluation report on the XXV International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP), held from 7 to 12 July 2002 at the Suntec Convention Center, Singapore. A total of 1,659 persons from 66 countries registered for the Congress. The scientific program included 54 invited addresses, 884 individual submissions for oral and poster presentations, and 130 1–2 hour symposia in 12 concurrent sessions. Various criteria are suggested as possible indexes to evaluate the success of the Congress. A first for this Congress was the harnessing of global electronic technology in the development and delivery of the Scientific Program by an international committee. The report details possible areas for improvement, and concludes with recommendations for future ICAP congresses.
Assessment Center for Pilot Selection: Construct and Criterion Validity and the Impact of Assessor Type
Authors: Damitz Marc , Manzey Dietrich , Kleinmann Martin , Severin Karsten
Published: December 2004

Cette recherche a examiné la validité d’un centre d’évaluation pour la sélection de pilotes. Les scores de N = 1,036 participants ont été utilisés pour étudier la validité de construit. Un sous‐échantillon de participants performants a été suivi et les évaluations des pairs ont été retenus comme mesures du critère. Les résultats démontrent une première évidence de validité de construit et de critère pour cet outil d’évaluation des compétences interpersonnelles et liées à la performance. Par ailleurs, les résultats ont aussi montré que le type d’évaluateur (psychologue vs pilote) modère la validité prédictive des scores du centre d’évaluation. Cet effet “type d’évaluateur” dépend de la sorte de variables prédictives. Les résultats sont discutés et des implications pratiques sont suggérées.

This study examined the validity of an assessment center in pilot selection as a new field of application. Assessment center ratings of N= 1,036 applicants were used to examine the construct validity. A subsample of successful applicants was followed up and peer ratings were chosen as criterion measures. The results provide first evidence of the construct and criterion validity of this assessment center approach for rating interpersonal and performance‐related skills. Furthermore the type of assessor (psychologist versus pilot) moderates the predictive validity of the assessment center ratings. This type‐of‐assessor effect depends on the kind of predictor variables. The results are discussed and practical implications are suggested.
Information Exchange in Personnel Selection Decisions
Authors: Dose Jennifer J.
Published: December 2004

Les décisions en sélection de personnel impliquent souvent une décision de groupe où les membres du groupe ne partagent pas toute l’information disponible sur les candidats. Les entrevues en série sont un exemple d’une telle situation. Même si cette technique est communément utilisée pour la sélection du personnel, la littérature scientifique n’a pas étudié de facon extensive l’entrevue en série, et plus particulièrement le processus de prise de décision en groupe pour le choix du candidat final. La littérature sur l’échange d’information a étéétudiée pour éclaircir ce processus de décision. Les résultats ont démontré que souvent les groupes n’échangent pas assez d’information pour en arriver à la bonne décision, qu’ils discutent en plus grande proportion l’information négative que la positive et qu’ils échangent plus sur l’information déjà connue par tous les membres que sur l’information initialement connue par un membre seulement. Les implications pour la sélection du personnel sont discutées.

Personnel selection decisions often involve group decisions in which individual group members do not share all the available information about candidates. Serial interviews are one example of this situation. Although serial interview techniques are commonly used to select employees, the selection literature has not extensively investigated serial interviewing, especially the process of coming to a selection decision as a group at the conclusion of the process. The information exchange literature is used to shed light on this process. Results showed that groups often failed to exchange sufficient information to come to the correct decision, discussed a higher proportion of negative than positive information, and discussed more information that was already common knowledge to all group members than information initially known only to one member. Implications for selection procedures are discussed.
The Importance of Time Congruity in the Organisation
Authors: Francis‐Smythe J.A. , Robertson I.T.
Published: December 2004

En 1991, Kaufman, Lane, et Lindquist ont proposé que la congruité de temps entre les préférences individuelles de temps et l’utilisation du temps par une organisation menait à une performance satisfaisante et une augmentation de la qualité de vie au travail et en général. Notre recherche repose sur des mesures de temps individuelles et de travail dans un contexte organisationnel pour évaluer les effets de la congruité du temps sur un aspect de la vie au travail soit le bien‐être associé au travail. Les résultats démontrent que la personnalité du temps et la congruité du temps ont des effets directs sur le bien‐être et que la personnalité du temps agit comme médiateur dans la relation entre la congruité du temps et le bien‐être. Ces résultats contribuent à la littérature sur le concept de “person–job fit” qui suggère que les effets directs sont souvent plus importants que les effets indirects. Cette étude apporte aussi des exemples pratiques sur des moyens d’améliorer les lacunes méthodologiques déjà citées en regard de la recherche sur le concept de “person–job fit”.

In 1991 Kaufman, Lane, and Lindquist proposed that time congruity in terms of an individual's time preferences and the time use methods of an organisation would lead to satisfactory performance and enhancement of quality of work and general life. The research reported here presents a study which uses commensurate person and job measures of time personality in an organisational setting to assess the effects of time congruity on one aspect of work life, job‐related affective well‐being. Results show that time personality and time congruity were found to have direct effects on well‐being and the influence of time congruity was found to be mediated through time personality, thus contributing to the person–job (P–J) fit literature which suggests that direct effects are often more important than indirect effects. The study also provides some practical examples of ways to address some of the previously cited methodological issues in P–J fit research.
Questions About the Initiative of the European Commission Concerning the Awarding and Compulsory Competitive Tendering of Public Service Concessions
Authors: Cox H.
Published: December 2004

The ruling of the European Commission is that the award of contracts by regional or local authorities for the provision of services of general economic interest must be done by way of competitive tendering. Such contracts must not be awarded to the authority's own public enterprises or to any other enterprise, including by means of unilateral State act, without a call for tenders, a practice that had previously been common in many Member States. Public service concessions are also subject to the competition rules of the EC Treaty. Should the European Commission enact a directive concerning compulsory competitive tendering, this would result, for several Member States, in a serious change of paradigm as regards the awarding of public service concessions. Against this background, this article will attempt to find answers to the following questions:

—How is the present relationship of the regional or local authority with its own public enterprise to be considered?

—Are there any limits to applying the rules on competition of the EC Treaty to public service concessions?

—What kind of positive and negative effects concerning economic efficiency and supply of specific public services result from the awarding of public service concessions and from compulsory competitive tendering?

—What kind of, and what amount of, transaction costs result from compulsory competitive tendering and from the awarding of concessions?

—Does competitive tendering work properly, and are public tenderers given equal opportunities?

—Are there any alternatives to compulsory competitive tendering that would achieve an efficient market performance and provide sufficient supply?
Education for life?
Authors: McConkey Roy
Published: December 2004

Roy McConkey, Professor of Learning Disability at the University of Ulster, continues the New Professor series by focusing on ‘lifelong learning’ for people with learning disabilities and the consequent challenges for ‘educators’.
Research Section: Can the use of background music improve the behaviour and academic performance of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties?
Authors: Hallam Susan , Price John
Published: December 2004

Historically, there have been many claims regarding the beneficial effects of music on behaviour and development, but there has been little empirical work to verify them. Our present research studied the effects of providing background music in the classroom on the behaviour and performance in mathematical tasks of ten children attending a school for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, who exhibited a high frequency of disruptive behaviour. There was a significant improvement in behaviour and mathematics performance for all the children. The effects were particularly marked for those whose problems were related to constant stimulus‐seeking and over‐activity. Improvements were also observed in improved co‐operation and a reduction in aggression during the lessons immediately following the study.
British Manufacturing Organization and Workplace Industrial Relations: Some Attributes of the New Flexible Firm
Authors: Ackroyd Stephen , Procter Stephen
Published: December 2004

The characteristics of the largest British manufacturing firms are analysed in order to argue that the form of organization adopted at corporate and plant level by such firms is distinctive. The first part of the paper looks at the characteristic kinds and types of productive activities that the largest British firms undertake. It is then suggested that there is a distinctive pattern of organization for production at plant level, described as the ‘new flexible firm’, the features of which are formally set out. The new flexible firm have some key features which help to make sense of an emerging pattern of workplace industrial relations in manufacturing. The way this new form of organization at plant level utilizes labour contradicts rather than supports the expectations of some analysts about the importance of human resource management.
Exit, Voice and ‘Mandate’: Management Strategies and Labour Practices of Japanese Firms in Britain
Authors: Elger Tony , Smith Chris
Published: December 2004

This paper draws on case‐study research on four Japanese transplants in one locality to trace the evolving and unsettled relationship between company policies and labour market conditions. It shows that managements continue to face problems of recruiting and retaining labour in this greenfield and non‐union setting, as worker dissatisfactions are expressed more through ‘exit’ than ‘voice’. It then analyses the variety of ways in which managers have sought to build a ‘mandate’ to manage, and the scope and limits of management hegemony within these workplaces. Finally, it suggests that differences in management policies reflect differences in ownership patterns, corporate histories and roles within intra‐ and inter‐firm divisions of labour.
The Politics of Partnership? Innovation in Employment Relations in the Scottish Spirits Industry
Authors: Marks Abigail , Findlay Patricia , Hine James , Thompson Paul , McKinlay Alan
Published: December 2004

Perspectives that emphasize links between workplace innovation and broader HR policies, particularly of a ‘mutual gains’ nature, have become increasingly influential. This paper analyses the links and tensions between workplace change and industrial relations systems in the context of attempts to create a shop‐floor politics of partnership during a period of corporate restructuring in two spirits companies. We argue that interface tensions between the employment relationship, the labour process and organizational governance are inextricably linked to the outcomes of partnership initiatives. While there are positive outcomes to more integrated approaches to partnership, a range of industrial relations issues, notably the ambivalent position of shop‐stewards, remains problematic.
The Use of Native Categories in Management Research
Authors: Buckley Peter J. , Chapman Malcolm
Published: December 2004

This paper derives from the research project ‘The Management of Cooperative Strategies’, currently being undertaken by the authors. The authors are, respectively, a social anthropologist and an economist, who are trying to allow their different subject backgrounds to interact within the context of the research, and this paper is one result of this interaction. ‘Native categories’, or at least the idea of them under various other names, are an important notion within social anthropology, and this paper attempts to explore the usefulness, or otherwise, of the same idea within management research.
Evidence of Managerial Short‐termism in the UK
Authors: Grinyer John , Russell Alex , Collison David
Published: December 2004

This paper considers an aspect of possible managerial short‐termism in the UK. It discusses some potential motivations for that phenomenon and presents evidence which suggests that short‐termism exists and is positively associated with managerial perceptions of capital market valuation practices. Two hypotheses were developed and tested using the responses concerning R&D expenditure obtained from a postal questionnaire sent to the finance directors of theTimes 1000companies. These were that many top managers in UK quoted companies behave in a ‘short‐termist’ manner; and that the extent to which managers behave as hypothesized above is positively associated with their perceptions of the level of emphasis placed by the capital market on measurements related to short‐term reported earnings. The results obtained support the hypotheses. Overall, the evidence of the paper is consistent with the view that many finance directors of large UK companies are short‐termist in their perceptions and that such short‐termism is positively associated with their beliefs about the level of emphasis placed by the capital market on figures of reported earnings.
The Founder's Legacy: Hangover or Inheritance?
Authors: Ogbonna E. , Harris L. C.
Published: December 2004

The legacy of organizational founders is a comparatively under‐studied topic. Through two in‐depth case studies, this article explores the factors which influence whether founding strategic visions, objectives or decisions influence present‐day strategic choice. Furthermore, the study identifies and explores a number of factors which influence whether a strategic legacy is categorized as either an inheritance or a hangover. The article begins with an overview of existing research into the role of the founder, commitment and strategic inertia, which suggests that additional research is required to clarify the legacy of company founders. After a review of the research design and methodology adopted for the study, the findings of two case studies are presented. The findings suggest that the initial establishment of a strong organizational culture, continuing perceptions of success as well as successive family control all contribute to an adherence to the founding strategy, mission or objectives. In addition, the study indicates that the flexibility of the original strategy and environmental issues impact on the extent to which the strategic legacy is classified as an inheritance or a hangover. The article culminates in a series of conclusions and implications.
A Study in Studying Corporate Boards Over Time: Looking Backwards to Move Forwards
Authors: Pye Annie
Published: December 2004

This paper is based on data collected in the late 1980s and again in the late 1990s from interviews with chairmen, chief executives and board members in 12 large UK organizations such as Hanson, Marks & Spencer, Prudential and Glynwed. Although the primary focus is on theorizing and theory over time, this also leads us to question matters of method and methodology. The first section considers some of the study design issues raised by conducting this sequel study, noting that it was not possible to ‘repeat’ the first study for a number of important reasons. The second section observes that while our earlier analytical metaphor of organizing as explaining endures, the nature of the explanations has changed: ‘strategic focus’, ‘shareholder value’ and ‘corporate governance’ are now the contemporary watchwords although were unheard of in our interviews a decade earlier. The following section develops on this, concluding that in making judgements about future shareholder value, the primary evidence is drawn from events already past and interpreted through current explanations. We conclude on the importance of time to our theorizing, where there appears to be a confluence between time and person, in part, created and in part, supported by particular (judgements of) explanations of organizing prevailing at that time.
Lustre Recipes from A Medieval Workshop in Paterna
Authors: Molera J. , Mesquida M. , Pérez‐Arantegui J. , Pradell T. , Vendrell M.
Published: December 2004

The discovery of the workshop ‘Les Olleries Xiques’ in Paterna has provided a unique opportunity to analyse the raw materials, and in particular the recipes used in the production of the lustre decorations. Chemical and phase analyses of lustre raw materials and of lustre decorations belonging to the workshop pottery are shown. A comparison with existing ancient documentation on lustre recipes is also presented.
Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Ancient Egyptian Pigments
Authors: Rosalie David A. , Edwards H. G. M. , Farwell D. W. , De Faria D. L. A.
Published: December 2004

The application of FT‐Raman spectroscopy and visible Raman microscopy to the non‐destructive analysis of pigment specimens excavated from Tell el Amarna by Flinders Petrie in the 1890s has provided information about the chemical composition of the materials used by XVIIIth Dynasty artists in the New Kingdom at the time of King Akhenaten, c. 1340 bc. Comparison of the Raman spectra of the samples labelled ‘red and yellow ochre’ with documented, archival material from geological collections provided a clear indication of the materials used in the iron(III) oxide/hydroxide system, including α‐hematite, goethite, maghemite, magnetite and lepidocrocite. The yellow–orange specimen labelled ‘realgar’ proved to be a mixture of realgar and pararealgar; since the specimen had been sheltered from light since its excavation, this could indicate that the ancient Egyptian artists recognized the colour variation and may have used this to effect in their decorations. A specimen of yellow ochre contained goethite, α‐FeO.OH, with particles of crystalline, highly ordered graphite; in contrast, the red ochre specimens contained amorphous carbon particles.
Chemical Analysis of 17th‐century Red Glass Trade Beads from Northeastern North America and Amsterdam
Authors: Sempowski M. L. , Nohe A. W. , Hancock R. G. V. , Moreau J.‐F. , Kwok F. , Aufreiter S. , Karklins K. , Baart J. , Garrad C. , Kenyon I.
Published: December 2004

Seventeenth‐century opaque red (redwood) glass trade beads of different shapes and sizes were made of mixed alkali (mainly soda)–lime glasses and were coloured with Cu, presumably as cuprous oxide or as finely dispersed elemental Cu. During the early 17th century, beads of all shapes were opacified with Sn; cored beads, with uncoloured cores and hence lower Cu levels, also tended to have slightly lower Sn contents than uncored beads. By the mid‐17th century, cored tubular beads were being opacified with a combination of Sn and Sb, a technological change similar to that observed in white glass trade beads, while uncored redwood beads appear not to have been opacified with either Sn or Sb. Bead chemistries are sufficiently different to allow them to be sorted into subgroups, which may then be tracked in various archaeological sites and regions.
Chemical Alteration and Use of Beeswax Through Time: Accelerated Ageing Tests and Analysis of Archaeological Samples from Various Environmental Contexts
Authors: Regert M. , Colinart S. , Degrand L. , Decavallas O.
Published: December 2004

In order better to interpret the chemical composition of ancient organic residues and artefacts containing beeswax, the degradation of this raw material was accelerated in the laboratory by controlled heating. During the course of degradation, deposits were condensed above the beeswax. Both degraded beeswax and these deposits were analysed. These experiments definitively proved that n‐alkane depletion is due to a sublimation process that depends on the molecular weight of these hydrocarbons. The formation of benzoic and cinnamic derivatives due to the degradation of flavonoid precursors initially present in beeswax has also been highlighted for the first time. The analysis of samples from Neolithic and Roman periods led to the identification of beeswax characterized by different degradation patterns linked to their environmental context.
In the Steps of William the Conqueror: Neutron Activation Analysis of Caen Stone*
Authors: Holmes L. L. , Harbottle G.
Published: December 2004

Quarries in the Bathonian stone formation surrounding Caen produced high‐quality limestone for medieval churches in northern France and southern England and for their sculptural decoration. To investigate compositional differences among proximate stone sources, 103 samples collected from five separate quarries were analysed by NAA. The results show Caen stone to be essentially pure calcite and relatively homogeneous, but distinction among quarries is possible by discriminant analysis. Comparing compositions of quarry samples with data in the Brookhaven Limestone Database identified the origin of stone used in masonry and sculpture at Saint‐Étienne and La Trinité, Caen, and in several museum objects.
Neutron Activation Analyses of ‘Falke‐Group’ Stoneware*
Authors: Schwedt A. , Mommsen H. , Stephan H.‐G. , Gaimster D.
Published: December 2004

Fragments of late medieval highly decorated Falke‐group stoneware have been found in excavations all over central and northern Europe. The distribution of the finds points to an origin in Saxony, but the exact centre of production is still unknown. Therefore, a set of samples has been analysed with Neutron Activation and the data compared with Saxon reference groups. The results point to production in a single workshop. The data can be clearly distinguished from all reference groups in our databank. However, the most similar group is that of Zittau, Saxony. Also, one sherd, which is typologically very similar to the Falke group, and which was made in Zittau, suggests that production was based there.