bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of tuberculosis in presence of hepatic and renal impairment
Authors: CHAN Kin‐Sang
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  Antituberculous drugs are potentially hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic, which may complicate the treatment course, increase treatment morbidity or even be potentially fatal if not recognized early. Prediction, prevention and precaution for early liver derangement are important to minimize antituberculosis drug hepatotoxicity (ATDH). Identification of hosts at risk can predict or prevent ATDH. Genetic polymorphism of drug metabolizing enzymes (N‐acetyltransferase 2, cytochrome P450 oxidase [CYP2E1], and glutathione S‐transferase) are suggested as one of the key factors in determining the risk of ATDH. Vigilant clinical and biochemical monitoring are mandatory to improve outcomes of patients with drug‐induced hepatotoxicity during antituberculosis chemotherapy. The clinical approach to ATDH depends on its phase of treatment and the severity of drug‐induced hepatitis. Current professional guidelines suggest withholding of antituberculosis drugs when alanine aminotransferase exceeds three‐ or five‐times the upper limit of normal. This can be followed by an interim nonhepatotoxic regime, or gradual introduction of one or two or three hepatotoxic drugs when liver function becomes normal. In the presence of renal impairment, antituberculosis drugs can be modified by manipulating the dosage or dose interval or both as follows: (1) no adjustment in dosage and dose interval; (2) increase of the dose interval without decreasing dose; (3) reduction of the dose without change in dose interval; and (4) reduction of the dose and increase of the dose interval.
Development of new antituberculosis drugs: Its relevance worldwide and in the Asia–Pacific region
Authors: TAM Cheuk‐Ming
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health problem today. The development of new TB drugs is in line with WHO's Stop TB Strategy. The Global TB Drug Alliance was formed in 2000 to enhance TB drug development. Current drug therapy for active TB, TB/HIV coinfections, multidrug‐resistant TB and latent TB infection are far from satisfactory. New drugs with desirable characteristics are required. Ideally, drugs should be active against drug‐sensitive and drug‐resistant bacteria, and act on both dividing and nonreplicating persistent bacteria. More needs to be known about the biology of ‘persistent’ bacilli which may be important for development of drugs for shortening current treatment regimens and tackling the huge pool of latent infection. The TB drug development process has been very slow, and there are a number of hurdles in efficacy evaluation. Mathematical models have predicted that substantial benefits can be gained with the introduction of new, shorter treatment regimens. Nowadays, an increasing number of potential candidates are in the global TB drug development pipeline. Among these, seven relatively more important novel compounds are in various stages of clinical development, namely, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, TMC207, OPC‐67683, PA‐824, LL3858 and SQ109. In addition, there are other new compounds in the TB Alliance's portfolio in various stages of development, and many more in the projects of other workers worldwide. The stock‐taking exercise by the Working Group on New Drugs has provided many examples of such work. With the flourishing interest in this field, it is hoped that a new drug may become available rather soon.
Involvement of glypican‐1 autoprocessing in scrapie infection
Authors: Löfgren Kajsa , Cheng Fang , Fransson Lars‐Åke , Bedecs Katarina , Mani Katrin
Published: August 2008

The copper‐binding cellular prion protein (PrPC) and the heparan sulphate (HS)‐containing proteoglycan glypican‐1 (Gpc‐1) can both be attached to lipid rafts via their glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors, and copper ions stimulate their cointernalization from the cell surface to endosomes. The prion protein controls cointernalization and delivers copper necessary for S‐nitrosylation of conserved cysteines in the Gpc‐1 core protein. Later, during recycling through endosomal compartments, nitric oxide can be released from the S‐nitroso groups and catalyses deaminative degradation and release of the HS substituents. Here, by using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that normal PrPC and Gpc‐1 colocalize inside GT1‐1 cells. However, in scrapie‐infected cells (ScGT1‐1), Gpc‐1 protein remained at the cell surface separate from the cellular prion protein. Scrapie infection stimulated Gpc‐1 autoprocessing and the generated HS degradation products colocalized with intracellular aggregates of the disease‐related scrapie prion protein isoform (PrPSc). Coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated an association between Gpc‐1 and PrPC in uninfected cells, and between HS degradation products and PrPSc in infected cells. Silencing of Gpc‐1 expression or prevention of Gpc‐1 autoprocessing elevated the levels of intracellular PrPSc aggregates in infected cells. These results suggest a role for Gpc‐1 autoprocessing in the clearance of PrPSc from infected cells.
Activity requires soluble amyloid precursor protein α to promote neurite outgrowth in neural stem cell‐derived neurons via activation of the MAPK pathway
Authors: Gakhar‐Koppole Nidhi , Hundeshagen Phillip , Mandl Claudia , Weyer Sascha W. , Allinquant Bernadette , Müller Ulrike , Ciccolini Francesca
Published: August 2008

It is known that activity modulates neuronal differentiation in the adult brain but the signalling mechanisms underlying this process remain to be identified. We show here that activity requires soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) to enhance neurite outgrowth of young neurons differentiating from neural stem cells. Inhibition of sAPP secretion and anti‐APP antibodies both abolished the effect of depolarization on neurite outgrowth, whereas exogenous sAPPα, similar to depolarization, induced neurite elongation. Depolarization and sAPPα both required active N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) recruitment to induce neurite outgrowth. However, depolarization and sAPPα played different roles in modulating this signalling cascade. Depolarization induced ERK phosphorylation with fast kinetics via activation of NMDAR. By contrast, acute application of sAPPα did not lead to ERK activation. However, continuous generation of sAPPα was necessary for depolarization‐induced ERK phosphorylation, indicating that sAPPα promotes MAPK/ERK recruitment by an indirect mechanism. In addition, we found that blockade of NMDAR down‐regulated APP expression, whereas depolarization increased sAPPα, suggesting that activity may also act upstream of sAPP signalling by regulating the amount of cellular APP and extracellular sAPPα. Finally, we show that soluble amyloid precursor‐like protein 2 (sAPLP2), but not sAPLP1, is functionally redundant to sAPP in promoting neurite outgrowth and that soluble members of the APP family require membrane‐bound APP to enhance neurite outgrowth. In summary, these experiments indicate a novel role of APP family members in activity‐dependent neuronal differentiation.
The need for speed: informed land acquisitions for conservation in a dynamic property market
Authors: McDonald‐Madden Eve , Bode Michael , Game Edward T. , Grantham Hedley , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: August 2008

Land acquisition is a common approach to biodiversity conservation but is typically subject to property availability on the public market. Consequently, conservation plans are often unable to be implemented as intended. When properties come on the market, conservation agencies must make a choice: purchase immediately, often without a detailed knowledge of its biodiversity value; survey the parcel and accept the risk that it may be removed from the market during this process; or not purchase and hope a better parcel comes on the market at a later date. We describe both an optimal method, using stochastic dynamic programming, and a simple rule of thumb for making such decisions. The solutions to this problem illustrate how optimal conservation is necessarily dynamic and requires explicit consideration of both the time period allowed for implementation and the availability of properties.
Subsidy hypothesis and strength of trophic cascades across ecosystems
Authors: Leroux Shawn J. , Loreau Michel
Published: August 2008

Ecosystems are differentially open to subsidies of energy, material and organisms. This fundamental ecosystem attribute has long been recognized but the influence of this property on community regulation has not been investigated. We propose that this environmental attribute may explain variation in the strength of trophic cascades among ecosystems. Simply because of gravity, we should predict that systems with convex profiles receive low amounts of subsidies whereas systems with concave profiles act as spatial attractors, and receive high amounts of subsidies. The subsidy hypothesis states that ecosystems with high amounts of allochthonous inputs will experience the strongest trophic cascades. To test this hypothesis, we derive ecosystem models and investigate the effect of location and magnitude of subsidies on the strength of trophic cascades. Predictions from our models support the subsidy hypothesis and highlight the need to consider ecosystems as open to allochthonous flows.
Expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 by equine ocular and adnexal squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Smith Kerry M. , Scase Timothy J. , Miller Jodi L. , Donaldson David , Sansom Jane
Published: August 2008

Objective: To investigate whether cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is expressed by equine ocular and adnexal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC).

Methods: Forty‐three samples of histologically confirmed cases of ocular SCC or carcinomain situ(CIS) from 34 horses presented to the Animal Health Trust between 1992 and 2004 were subjected to a standard, two‐layered, indirect immunohistochemical method using a rabbit polyclonal antihuman COX‐2 antibody. Ten formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples taken from recognized predilection sites for SCC, from the grossly normal eyes of 10 horses euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study, were used as negative controls. Samples of equine fetal kidney were used as positive controls. Following immunolabeling, the number of normal and neoplastic epithelial cells exhibiting positive COX‐2 expression was recorded along with staining intensity and distribution.

Results: Of 43 tumors, 34 were defined as first presentation tumors. When compared with control tissue, in which 0% (0/10) of samples expressed COX‐2, significantly more of these samples with SCC (58.6%, 17/29:P = 0.002), CIS (60%, 3/5:P = 0.022) or either tumor type (58.8%, 20/34:P = 0.001) exhibited positive cytoplasmic and perinuclear immunohistochemical staining for COX‐2. Of the samples exhibiting positive immunohistochemical staining, only 10% (2/20) showed staining in 2%–10% of neoplastic cells, while 90% (18/20) showed staining in 1% of neoplastic cells. About 70% (14/20) of those positively immunolabeled samples exhibited an intensity of staining greater than or equal to the staining exhibited by the equine fetal kidney positive control.

Conclusion: Neoplastic tissue from both equine ocular SCC and CIS exhibit COX‐2 expression at significantly higher levels than normal control ocular tissue. However, the percentage of cells expressing positive immunohistochemical staining is consistently low. On the basis of this study, it is unlikely that anti‐COX‐2 therapy would be of benefit in the treatment of equine ocular and adnexal SCC.
Ocular immunology in equine recurrent uveitis
Authors: Deeg Cornelia A.
Published: August 2008

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a disease with high prevalence and relevance for the equine population, since it results in blindness. Over the last decade, important advancements have been made in our understanding of the underlying immune responses in this disease. ERU is mediated by an autoaggressive Th1 response directed against several retinal proteins. Interphotoreceptor‐retinoid binding protein (IRBP) and cellular retinaldehyde‐binding protein (CRALBP) are capable to induce ERU‐like disease in experimental horses, with the unique possibility to activate relapses in a well‐defined manner. Further, proteomic evidence now suggests that retinal Mueller glial cells (RMG) may play a fatal role in uveitic disease progression by directly triggering inflammation processes through the expression and secretion of interferon‐γ. Ongoing relapses in blind eyes can be associated with stable expression of the major autoantigens in ERU retinas. This review briefly summarizes the most significant developments in uveitis immune response research.
Ocular and multicentric lymphoma in a young racehorse
Authors: Germann Stephanie E. , Richter Marianne , Schwarzwald Colin C. , Wimmershoff Julia , Spiess Bernhard M.
Published: August 2008

A 6‐year‐old thoroughbred gelding was presented with a history of blepharospasm and opacity in the OS of 1 weeks’ duration. Ophthalmic examination findings were consistent with acute uveitis in the OS, and traditional treatment was initiated with systemic antibiotics and anti‐inflammatory drugs, topical mydriatics, and corticosteroids. During the total treatment period of 4 weeks response to treatment was weak and the horse developed further problems such as cellulitis of the right hind limb with fever and eventually weight loss and dependent edema. Blood work was indicative of liver disease. Abdominal sonography revealed severe splenomegaly and slight hepatomegaly, and a liver biopsy confirmed malignant T‐cell lymphoma. The horse was euthanized due to deteriorating general condition and subsequently underwent postmortem examination. Necropsy and histologic examination revealed a multicentric lymphoma with involvement of spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and OU.

The findings in this case demonstrate that the differential diagnosis of intraocular and systemic lymphoma should be considered in any horse presenting with anterior uveitis, especially when uveitis is unresponsive to treatment and when additional systemic signs of illness such as lethargy, fever, weight loss, or dependent edema arise.

Cytological examination of aqueous humor may provide a rapid diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma in eyes with clinical uveitis.
The anatomy of the palatoquadrate in the Lower Triassic Proterosuchus fergusi (Reptilia, Archosauromorpha) and its morphological transformation within the archosauriform clade
Authors: Klembara Jozef , Welman Johann
Published: August 2008

The anatomy of the palatoquadrate ossifications of the Lower Triassic archosauromorph Proterosuchus fergusi from South Africa is described. It consists of two ossifications, the epipterygoid and the quadrate, which were joined by cartilage in life. The margins of the cartilage are clearly indicated by ridges and grooves on the dorsal surface of the pterygoid. The epipterygoid ossification consists of two structures: the anteroposteriorly expanded basal portion and, dorsally from it, an extending, slender, ascending process. From the anterior margin of the basal portion of the epipterygoid, a plate‐like structure, herein called the lamina epipterygoidea anteromedialis, extends anteromedially to form the anterolateral wall of the cavum epiptericum. Comparisons with the similarly constructed embryonal and adult epipterygoid components of Sphenodon punctatus show that the anteromedial lamina of the epipterygoid of P. fergusi is an additional component of the epipterygoid of this species and that this lamina is absent in the former species. However, a structure in a topologically similar position to the anteromedial lamina of the epipterygoid of P. fergusi is present in the palatoquadrate of Alligator mississippiensis. In the latter species, the structure is called the lamina palatoquadrati anterior; it ossifies in membrane and forms the dorsolateral cover of the huge trigeminal ganglion. It is hypothesized here that the anteromedial lamina of the epipterygoid of P. fergusi and the anterior lamina of the palatoquadrate of A. mississippiensis are most probably homologous structures and are present in both the basal and one of the crown taxa of the archosauromorph clade, respectively.
Self‐monitoring of blood glucose changed non‐insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes patients’ beliefs about diabetes and self‐monitoring in a randomized trial
Authors: French D. P. , Wade A. N. , Yudkin P. , Neil H. A. W. , Kinmonth A. L. , Farmer A. J.
Published: August 2008

Aims  To determine whether differences in beliefs about diabetes and its treatment resulted from different intensities of self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in non‐insulin treated patients with Type 2 diabetes in the Diabetes Glycaemic Education and Monitoring (DiGEM) trial.

Methods  Patients (n = 453) were randomized to usual care, less‐intensive SMBG and more intensive SMBG. Beliefs about diabetes were measured with a standard questionnaire (the revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire; IPQ‐R). Changes in beliefs were analysed using analysis of covariance (ancova) with adjustment for baseline values. Mediation analyses assessed whether differences in behavioural outcomes between groups could be attributed to differences in beliefs.

Results  Completed questionnaires were returned by 339 patients (74.8%). Respondents were mean (± sd) age 65.9 ± 10 years and with diabetes duration of 4.8 ± 4.7 years (median 36, range 1–384 months). Concerns about the consequences of diabetes increased in both self‐monitoring groups, relative to control subjects [P = 0.004; Cohen's d standardized effect size = 0.19 less intensive and d = 0.36 more intensive monitoring]. No other beliefs about diabetes differed between groups. Beliefs about the importance of self‐testing increased in both self‐monitoring groups relative to the usual‐care group (P < 0.001; d = 0.57 less intensive and d = 0.63 more intensive monitoring). Changes in psychological well‐being did not differ between groups, but control patients reported greater increases in general (P = 0.014) and specific (P < 0.001) dietary adherence than did patients in the self‐monitoring groups. These outcomes were not mediated by intervention‐related changes in beliefs.

Conclusions  Despite changes in some beliefs about diabetes differing between groups there were no corresponding changes in self‐reported health behaviours. This suggests that changes in illness beliefs resulting from SMBG do not cause changes in diabetes‐related health behaviours.
Association between reduced pulmonary diffusing capacity and cardiac autonomic dysfunction in Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Pitocco D. , Santangeli P. , Fuso L. , Zaccardi F. , Longobardi A. , Infusino F. , Incalzi R. A. , Lanza G. A. , Crea F. , Ghirlanda G.
Published: August 2008

Background  In Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), it has been suggested that autonomic nervous system dysfunction (NAD) impairs lung diffusion capacity. Heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of cardiac autonomic function, is a sensitive method of detecting NAD. To our knowledge, no previous study has assessed whether cardiac sympatho‐vagal balance is associated with lung diffusion capacity in diabetes.

Methods  Twenty Type 1 DM patients without pulmonary abnormalities and systemic NAD underwent measurement of lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) by single‐breath method and assessment of cardiac autonomic function by HRV analysis on 24‐h electrocardiographic Holter recordings.

Results  Standard respiratory function tests and peripheral autonomic tests were normal in all patients. DLCO was lower than normal reference values in six patients (30%). DLCO correlated significantly with most HRV variables, independent of the clinical and laboratory variables. The strongest correlation was found with standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN; r = 0.62, P = 0.003) in the time domain and low frequency (LF) power (r = 0.73, P < 0.001) in the frequency domain.

Conclusions  In Type 1 diabetes, a significant association exists between cardiac NAD and reduced DLCO in the absence of clinical respiratory and autonomic abnormalities. Thus, NAD may be involved in the early reduction of DLCO in these patients, possibly through abnormalities in the regulation of pulmonary blood flow at the microvascular level.
Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c as risk factors for Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Inoue Kazuo , Matsumoto Masatoshi , Akimoto Kimihiko
Published: August 2008

Aims   We examined the value of combining fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as a predictor of diabetes, using the new American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria of FPG and lower cut‐off point of HbA1c.

Methods   A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 1998 to 2006, inclusive, in 10 042 persons (55 884 person‐years), with a mean age of 53.0 years at baseline. The cumulative incidence of diabetes (defined either as an FPG ≥ 7.0 mmol/l or as clinically diagnosed diabetes) was measured.

Results   The cumulative incidence and incidence density of diabetes were 3.7% (368 cases) and 6.6/1000 person‐years over a mean follow‐up period of 5.5 years. The cumulative incidence of diabetes in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and HbA1c 5.5–6.4% was 24.8% (172/694 persons) compared with 0.4% (25/6698 persons), 2.5% (15/605 persons), 7.6% (156/2045 persons) in those with normal fasting glucose (NFG) and HbA1c < 5.5%, NFG and HbA1c 5.5–6.4% and IFG and HbA1c < 5.5%, respectively. The hazard ratio for diabetes, adjusted for possible confounders, was 7.4 (95% confidence interval, 4.70 to 11.74) for those with NFG and HbA1c 5.5–6.4%, 14.4 (11.93 to 27.79) for those with IFG and HbA1c < 5.5% and 38.4 (24.63 to 59.88) for those with IFG and HbA1c 5.5–6.4%.

Conclusions The combination of FPG and HbA1c identifies individuals who are at risk of progression to Type 2 diabetes at the new ADA criteria of FPG and a lower cut‐off point of HbA1c than previous studies.
Who Studies Abroad? Evidence from France and Italy
Authors: PIETRO GIORGIO DI , PAGE LIONEL
Published: August 2008

This article uses data from representative samples of university students in France and Italy in an attempt to investigate the determinants of participation in foreign exchange programmes. Empirical results indicate that selection into these programmes is mainly driven by student's academic and foreign language skills. On the other hand, parents' occupation does not seem to have any significant effect on the probability of studying abroad.
Leadership and Strategic Management: keys to institutional priorities and planning*
Authors: TAYLOR JAMES S. , DE LOURDES MACHADO MARIA , PETERSON MARVIN W.
Published: August 2008

Allocating and managing resources have always been important cornerstones of institutional leadership. Institutional resources include financial, physical and human components. Even in the best of times, it is a challenge to do this effectively. In times of diminished and shrinking resources, distributing these precious commodities across the institutions in the most equitable and productive manner is fraught with complications. As higher education funding streams expand and present more options, they also create new challenges. Leaders today must be well‐versed in the emerging realms of philanthropy and entrepreneurialism. Beyond monetary resources, leaders and senior managers must monitor and understand the external environment in order to make discerning decisions about the viability of further infrastructure investments because of changing student demographics or the complexities of personnel within the dynamic culture of social organisations. This article will stress the need for leadership and an institutional planning process as essential prerequisites to effective resource allocations. Portugal will also be discussed as a case study.
Making the Harder Yards: Environmental Policy Integration in Australia
Authors: Ross Andrew , Dovers Stephen
Published: August 2008

Solutions to environmental problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and land and water resource degradation require long term integration of economic, social and environmental policies. This poses challenges to specialised, hierarchical public administration systems. The study reported here examined strategies, structures and processes to enable environmental policy integration in six Australian states and territories, and some federal arrangements. The study found that the most prominent success factors, barriers and gaps that affect environmental policy integration relate to leadership, long term embedding of environmental policy integration and implementation capacity. Factors deserving further research and policy attention include leadership, cultural change and capacity building; embedding sustainability in structures and processes; development of a long term evidence based approach; strengthening decentralised implementation arrangements; and evaluation of policy integration initiatives.
Changing Relations between Government and Citizen: Administrative Law and the Work of the Australian Commonwealth Ombudsman
Authors: Stuhmcke Anita
Published: August 2008

This article examines the individual complaint‐taking role of the Australian Commonwealth Ombudsman over a 28 year period between 1977–2005. This study was conceived through a curiosity to determine how a 30 year old administrative law institution is reacting to accommodate a dramatically altered legal, political and economic environment. The suspicion was that, in the absence of legislative amendment to its jurisdiction and role, the Commonwealth Ombudsman must strategically change due to the demands of these external forces. The overall quantitative finding from the data analysis is that the internal strategic direction of the Commonwealth Ombudsman is indeed altering. In terms of dispute resolution it is increasingly using its discretionary powers to turn individual complainants back to government departments/agencies. The data analysis reveals that this administrative law institution is shifting from a reactive individual complaint taker to a proactive standard setter for government administration. This article suggests that this movement may impact upon citizen ‘rights’ or perceptions of their rights to have their individual complaints heard against government. This in turn may have a ripple effect for notions of democratic accountability and the relationship between the citizen and the state.
A Computing Approach Using Probabilistic Neural Networks for Instantaneous Appraisal of Rear‐End Crash Risk
Authors: Pande Anurag , Abdel‐Aty Mohamed
Published: August 2008

Abstract:  Computing and information technology has significantly increased the capabilities to collect, store, and analyze freeway traffic surveillance data. The most common forms of such data are collected using the underground loop detectors. In the recent past the potential of using these data for identification of crash‐prone conditions has been explored. In the present work, application of probabilistic neural networks (PNN) is explored to identify conditions prone to rear‐end crashes on the freeway. PNN is a neural network implementation of the well‐documented Bayesian classifier. In this research the rear‐end crashes observed on the Interstate‐4 corridor in Orlando FL are divided into two groups based on the average traffic speeds observed around the crash location prior to the crash occurrence. Using decision tree‐based classification it was observed that although these two groups of crashes have comparable frequencies, traffic conditions belonging to one of the groups (characterized by a low‐speed traffic regime) are comparatively rare on the freeways. Hence, if those conditions are encountered on the freeway in real time, then conditions may be considered prone to rear‐end crashes. As conditions belonging to the other group of rear‐end crashes (characterized by a medium‐to‐high speed regime) are more commonly observed on the freeway, PNN‐based classification models are developed for this group. The rear‐end crashes along with a sample of randomly selected noncrash cases were used to calibrate the classifiers. The output layer of the PNN models was modified to provide a measure of crash risk, instead of the binary classification based on an arbitrary threshold. A desirable threshold on this output may be established to separate crash‐prone conditions from “normal” freeway traffic.
The Contest to the Control in European Family Firms: How Other Shareholders Affect Firm Value
Authors: Jara‐Bertin Mauricio , López‐Iturriaga Félix J. , López‐de‐Foronda Óscar
Published: August 2008

Manuscript type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: This paper analyses the influence of large shareholders on firm value using a sample of firms from 11 European countries, specifically considering how the existence of a controlling coalition in family‐owned firms and the contestability of control of the largest shareholder affect the value of the family‐owned firms.

Research Findings/Insights: We find that increased contestability of the control of the largest shareholder increases the value of family‐owned firms. Results also show that in firms in which the largest shareholder is a family, a second family shareholder reduces firm value. Conversely, an institutional investor as second shareholder increases firm value. Likewise, better legal protection of shareholders not members of the controlling coalition increases the value of family firms.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: We explore an under‐examined aspect of agency conflict – contestability between large, dominant shareholders and minority shareholders. We highlight the role of the second and third largest shareholders, in terms of share and type of shareholder. We suggest the need for new avenues of research focused on the dynamics of power within the firm. Finally, we identify a situation in which conflict of interest becomes prominent.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study corroborates policymakers' concerns regarding the protection of rights of minority shareholders. We suggest the need for a stronger macro governance environment to facilitate minority shareholder participation in corporate decision making. Our study also lends support to balanced ownership structures with multiple large shareholders as a way to increase the firm's performance. Managers would also better serve shareholders' interests by not limiting their attention to the current controlling coalition.
Are Socially Responsible Managers Really Ethical? Exploring the Relationship Between Earnings Management and Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Prior Diego , Surroca Jordi , Tribó Josep A.
Published: August 2008

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: This paper investigates the connection between earnings management and corporate social responsibility (CSR). We argue that earnings management practices damage the collective interests of stakeholders; hence, managers who manipulate earnings can deal with stakeholder activism and vigilance by resorting to CSR practices.

Research Findings/Insights: Using archival data from a multi‐national panel sample of 593 firms from 26 countries between 2002 and 2004, we find a positive impact of earnings management practices on CSR; this relationship holds for different robustness checks. Also, we demonstrate that the combination of earnings management and CSR has a negative impact on financial performance.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study draws on a generalized agency theory where managers are seen as the agents of all stakeholders and the earnings management literature to highlight that CSR can be used to garner support from stakeholders and, therefore, provides an opportunity for entrenchment to those managers that manipulate earnings. As such, it suggests new avenues of research for both the corporate governance literature, as well as for the stakeholder perspective.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study offers insights for policy makers and managers interested in enhancing CSR. For managers, our findings suggest that projecting a socially‐friendly image in order to disguise earnings management cannot be sustained over time due to the detrimental effect on financial performance. In addition, this study provides a warning signal to policy makers that certain practices geared toward raising a firm's CSR may simply be a mechanism for hindering other devious practices.
The Remuneration Committee and Strategic Human Resource Management
Authors: Main Brian G. M. , Jackson Calvin , Pymm John , Wright Vicky
Published: August 2008

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: This study questions the adequacy of the agency approach in representing how remuneration committees design executive pay arrangements.

Research Findings/Results: Using evidence collected from interviews conducted in late 2006, with 22 members of various UK remuneration committees, we find that concerns with legitimacy push remuneration committees towards an institutional isomorphism in processes and practice.

Theoretical Implications: Any interpretation through an agency lens of the design of executive remuneration as being a key component in the toolbox of strategic human resource management needs to be qualified by considerations of neo‐institutionalism. There is scope for a melding of the two approaches.

Practical Implications: The fulfillment of the expectations placed upon the remuneration committee necessitates an adequate allocation of time and resource plus self‐awareness on the part of the committee of the inherent tendency to follow the norms, rules of thumb, and customary practice of others. The remuneration committee chair emerges as a pivotal actor, and this position merits being treated as a weighty and onerous appointment, possibly on a par with that of the chair of the audit committee.
RISK AND THE SECURITISATION OF STUDENT MIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES
Authors: EWERS MICHAEL C. , LEWIS JOSEPH M.
Published: August 2008

This paper examines the construction of international students as objects of security in the United States during the period surrounding 11 September, 2001. Competing perceptions of international student migration as threatening or beneficial contributed to policy discourses that sought to mitigate the risk inherent in migration. The events of 9/11 prompted new evaluations of migration risk, and in particular, foreign students were securitised – that is, incorporated into policy dialogues as national security threats requiring immediate and strict controls. We examine the securitisation of international students through the evolutionary processes of risk perception and risk management, which are articulated in the construction and contesting of geopolitical storylines.
COMMON BELIEF, CONTESTED MEANINGS: DEVELOPMENT AND FAITH‐BASED ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE
Authors: OLSON ELIZABETH
Published: August 2008

Since the 1990s, an increasing number of development agencies have attempted to incorporate faith‐based development organisations into mainstream ‘secular’ partnerships. Development scholars have responded to these trends by seeking to understand the range of ways that faith might matter in development. Far less emphasis has been placed on how development itself might be influencing faith organisations or their values of development. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between organisational culture and development within a Catholic prelature in the southern Andes of Peru. By examining changes in development practice and perspective over time and tracing the relationship between development values across scales of organisation, I analyse the various ways that religiously‐inspired development values are navigated, integrated and contested in the formulation and funding of development projects.
SHOPPING, BORDERS AND UNFAMILIARITY: CONSUMER MOBILITY IN EUROPE
Authors: SPIERINGS BAS , VAN DER VELDE MARTIN
Published: August 2008

National borders are often considered to constrain the international flow of products, services, people and capital. However, borders and differences between countries could also promote cross‐border mobility. This contribution investigates what discourages and encourages cross‐border shopping mobility. This is done by categorising differences between countries into more ‘rational differences’ on the one hand and more ‘emotional differences’ on the other hand. Furthermore, the ‘bandwidth of unfamiliarity’ concept is introduced to scrutinise how the interpretation by shoppers of both rational and emotional differences generates (im)mobility. In so doing, a ‘border paradox’ is discussed, where increasing cross‐border integration (e.g. in the form of regional ‘homogenisation’) could coincide with decreasing cross‐border mobility. This paradox is used here to reveal a possible flipside of the European Union policy to promote international mobility, by trying to dissolve borders between member states.
SHACKLE AND MODERN DECISION THEORY
Authors: Basili Marcello , Zappia Carlo
Published: August 2008

The paper discusses the role of George L.S. Shackle in fostering an unconventional approach to individual decision making. Up until the early 1970s Shackle was the single critic of the probabilistic approach to decision making who proposed an alternative formal corpus for dealing with uncertainty. The main aim of the paper is to analyse Shackle's non‐probabilistic conceptualization of individual decisions under uncertainty from a specific viewpoint, namely that of a possible connection between his theory and one of the most interesting recent approaches to decision under uncertainty, the so‐called non‐additive probability approach of Gilboa and Schmeidler. The paper shows that these developments in modern decision theory take Shackle's issue seriously and confirm that the reliance of strict Bayesian theory on probabilistic judgements based on point‐probability estimates, a reliance that Shackle intended to oppose, is untenable. Non‐additive decision theory also provides a usage of non‐additive probability distributions in choice that is an alternative to Shackle's approach of using a qualitative notion of probability, such as potential surprise.
Reduced oxygen due to high‐altitude exposure relates to atrophy in motor‐function brain areas
Authors: Paola M. D. , Bozzali M. , Fadda L. , Musicco M. , Sabatini U. , Caltagirone C.
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  At high altitudes barometric pressure is reduced and, thus, less oxygen is inhaled. Reduced oxygen concentration in brain tissue can lead to cerebral damage and neurological and cognitive deficits. The present study was designed to explore the effects of high‐altitude exposure using a quantitative MRI technique, voxel‐based morphometry.

Methods:  We studied nine world‐class mountain climbers before (baseline) and after (follow‐up) an extremely high‐altitude ascent of Everest and K2. We investigated the effects of repeated extremely high‐altitude exposures by comparing mountain climbers’ scans at baseline with scans of 19 controls. In addition, we measured the effects of a single extremely high‐altitude expedition by comparing mountain climbers’ scans at baseline and follow‐up.

Results:  A region of reduced white matter density/volume was found in the left pyramidal tract near the primary (BA 4) and supplementary (BA 6) motor cortex when mountain climbers at baseline were compared with controls. Further, when mountain climbers’ scans before and after the expedition were compared, a region of reduced grey matter density/volume was found in the left angular gyrus (BA 39).

Conclusion:  These findings suggest that extremely high‐altitude exposures may cause subtle white and grey matter changes that mainly affect brain regions involved in motor activity.
Misdiagnosis in epilepsy: a review and recognition of diagnostic uncertainty
Authors: Chowdhury F. A. , Nashef L. , Elwes R. D. C.
Published: August 2008

The diagnosis of first seizure or epilepsy may be challenging and misdiagnosis can occur. Studies carried out in various settings have reported misdiagnosis rates of between 4.6% and 30%. Misdiagnosis can lead to serious consequences including driving and employment restrictions and inappropriate treatments. Most studies focus on ways of reducing misdiagnosis. However, in some cases, it may be difficult to make a definite diagnosis at initial presentation. This is because of a number of reasons including overlapping clinical features with other conditions, inadequate available history and limitations of investigations. Consequently, diagnostic uncertainty is inevitable in epilepsy, although few studies acknowledge this. In this paper we review the literature on misdiagnosis rates, analyse reasons for misdiagnosis and consider limitations of available investigations. We propose that diagnostic uncertainty in epilepsy should be more widely acknowledged and addressed, and that this may reduce misdiagnosis rates.
Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth type X: unusual phenotype of a novel CX32 mutation
Authors: Mazzeo A. , Di Leo R. , Toscano A. , Muglia M. , Patitucci A. , Messina C. , Vita G.
Published: August 2008

Background:  X‐linked Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMTX), caused by mutations in the gene encoding connexin32, is the second most common form of inherited demyelinating neuropathy, next to CMT 1A, and accounts for 10–20% of all hereditary demyelinating neuropathies.

Aims of the study:  To describe clinical and electrophysiological data of an Italian family carrying a novel mutation in the Cx32 gene.

Patients and methods:  Clinical, electrophysiological, and genetic findings of three patients carrying the Ser128Leu mutation in the intracellular domain of the Cx32 gene were reported. Brain MRI studies were also performed.

Results:  In our family the disease was characterized by a moderate‐to‐severe polyneuropathy affecting similarly males as well females. In the proband the phenotype was quite unusual in terms of late‐onset, rapidity of evolution and severity. Abnormal brain MRI in association with CNS symptoms were also observed. Both sons had also clinical evidence of CNS involvement.

Conclusions:  The Ser128Leu mutation in the Cx‐32 gene is a novel substitution, which has not been reported so far. This novel mutation could be added to the group of Cx‐32 mutations with CNS phenotypes. The identification of new CMTX causing mutations is a crucial step for carrier detection and pre‐symptomatic diagnosis.
Modulatory effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on perception and pain thresholds in healthy volunteers
Authors: Boggio P. S. , Zaghi S. , Lopes M. , Fregni F.
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  We aimed to evaluate whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective in modulating sensory and pain perception thresholds in healthy subjects as to further explore mechanisms of tDCS in pain relief.

Methods:  Twenty healthy subjects received stimulation with tDCS under four different conditions of stimulation: anodal tDCS of the primary motor cortex (M1), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), occipital cortex (V1), and sham tDCS. The order of conditions was randomized and counterbalanced across subjects. Perception threshold and pain threshold to peripheral electrical stimulation of the right index finger were evaluated by a blinded rater.

Results:  The results showed a significant effect of the interaction time versus stimulation condition for perception (P = 0.046) and pain threshold (P = 0.015). Post hoc comparisons revealed that anodal stimulation of M1 increased both perception (P < 0.001, threshold increase of 6.5%) and pain (P = 0.001, threshold increase of 8.3%) thresholds significantly, whilst stimulation of the DLPFC increased pain threshold only (P = 0.046, threshold increase of 10.0%). There were no significant effects for occipital or sham stimulation.

Conclusions:  These results show that both M1 and DLFPC anodal tDCS can be used to modulate pain thresholds in healthy subjects; thus, the mechanism of tDCS in modulating pain involves pathways that are independent of abnormal pain‐related neural activity.
The role of dualities in arbitrating continuity and change in forms of organizing
Authors: Graetz Fiona , Smith Aaron C.T.
Published: August 2008

A substantial body of literature on new forms of organizing has forecast the end of bureaucracy. More recent empirical studies, however, indicate that high‐performing organizations are adopting dual forms of organizing in which the controllability advantages associated with traditional forms work to complement and support the responsiveness attributes of new forms of organizing. The paradox is that, if organizations discard the key planning, co‐ordinating and direction‐setting mechanisms of traditional forms of organizing, they also remove the stabilizing dimensions of organizational form that are essential in periods of uncertainty and change. The challenge for organizations lies in learning how to manage the tensions or dualities between traditional and new forms of organizing, a process demanding the arbitration of continuity and change. This paper explores the concept of dualities and its salience in the management of organizing forms. First, the nature of dualities is explained; secondly, a set of characteristics is developed to describe the behaviour of dualities; and thirdly, suggestions are presented for arbitrating the tensions that exist in organizing form dualities. These three contributions are relevant because they signal the route to the effective creation and management of organizing form dualities, the benefit of which is the constructive combination of dynamic capabilities (underpinning innovation and responsiveness, the hallmarks of new forms of organizing) and operational capabilities (underpinning stability and efficiency, the hallmarks of traditional forms of organizing).
Self‐Construals, Motivation, and Feedback‐Seeking Behaviors
Authors: Brutus Stéphane , Greguras Gary J.
Published: August 2008

The current study explores the relations between individualism, motivation, and feedback‐seeking behaviors. Specifically, we examined how three motivational factors (i.e., status‐striving, achievement‐striving, and affiliation‐striving) mediated or moderated the relations between individualism and feedback‐seeking behaviors. Data were collected from 154 Singaporean undergraduate students across two time periods. Results indicated that only status motivation mediates the individualism–feedback‐seeking relation. Affiliation was found to moderate that same relation but only for a specific subset of feedback‐seeking behaviors. The implications of these findings for performance management and development are discussed.
HR Professionals' Beliefs About, and Knowledge of, Assessment Techniques and Psychometric Tests
Authors: Furnham Adrian
Published: August 2008

In all 255 adult professionals concerned with selection, assessment and training completed a questionnaire which asked their beliefs about the validity, cost, practicality and legality of different assessment techniques (i.e., Assessment Centres, Biodata, Interviews) and their knowledge and use of both personality and ability tests. Participants tended to be positive about the tests themselves, how they were used and about test publishers. They rated Assessment Centres, Cognitive ability tests and Work Samples as the most valid, while Interviews were rated as most practical. Results from knowledge of personality and intelligence tests indicated that only a few tests were widely known, more so in personality/motivation than intelligence. Implications of these results for educating and informing practitioners are considered.