bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-evaluated Outcome after Surgery for Basal Meningiomas
Authors: Akagami Ryojo , Napolitano Mario , Sekhar Laligam N.
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE:

To study the outcomes of patients with basal meningiomas treated by one primary surgeon with a philosophy of aggressive surgical management to establish an index of satisfaction and patient-evaluated outcome.

METHODS:

We collected prospective data for patients with basal meningiomas who were operated on by one primary surgeon (LNS) during a 7-year period from 1993 to 2000. The outcomes in 269 patients were ascertained through follow-up visits, mailed follow-up questionnaires, and telephone interviews by two other surgeons (RA and MN). The mean patient age was 50 ± 13.6 years. The mean estimated tumor diameter was 3.07 ± 1.24 cm. There were 62 males and 207 females. Mean follow-up was 49 ± 26 months. Twenty-seven percent of patients were Levine-Sekhar (LS) Grade 0, 43% were LS Grade I, 24% were LS Grade II, and 6% were LS Grade III. Gross total resection was achieved in 66% of patients. Extent of resection correlated (P < 0.05) with LS grade. Thirty-seven patients received adjuvant treatments, and six patients required reoperations. Perioperative mortality was 1.1%. Eighty percent of patients were discharged home, 17% were discharged to rehabilitation facilities, and 1.5% were discharged to nursing homes. Postoperative complications were observed in 30% of patients.

RESULTS:

During the follow-up study, of a total of 269 patients, 30 patients could not be contacted, and 11 patients had died of unrelated causes. The mean follow-up Karnofsky Performance Scale score of the patients was 83 ± 10. Ninety-seven percent of patients were very satisfied/satisfied with their treatments (P < 0.001). Forty-three percent of patients were employed, and 83% of patients were employable. Their expectations of treatment were met in 90% of patients (P < 0.001), 95% thought surgery had been a good treatment choice (P < 0.001), and 95% would recommend the same treatment for a family member (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

These results demonstrate that patient satisfaction can remain high and satisfactory outcome can be achieved with surgical management in patients with these complex lesions.
Spontaneous Thrombosis of a Residual Arteriovenous Malformation in Eloquent Cortex after Surgery: Case Report
Authors: Bendok Bernard R. , Getch Christopher C. , Ali Mir Jafer , Parish Todd , Batjer H. Hunt
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE:

The presence of a residual arteriovenous malformation (AVM) on postoperative angiograms is typically an indication for prompt return to the operating room to complete resection, because of the risk of early hemorrhage. This approach, however, may involve risks of neurological deficits when the residual AVM is in eloquent cortex. We present a case of complete thrombosis of a residual AVM after surgery. This residual AVM tissue was located in eloquent cortex. Complete spontaneous thrombosis of residual AVMs after surgery has only rarely been reported. This phenomenon raises questions regarding the most appropriate management for residual AVMs in eloquent cortex.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

The patient was a 43-year-old, right-handed, male patient with an AVM centered in the left precentral gyrus. The patient presented with medically intractable seizures and progressive right hemiparesis. After AVM resection, angiography revealed a residual AVM with early venous drainage. Angiography performed 1 week later demonstrated a persisting AVM nidus without early venous drainage. Angiography performed 3 months later demonstrated complete thrombosis of the residual AVM.

INTERVENTION:

The patient has been monitored for more than 1 year, without additional symptoms or therapy.

CONCLUSION:

We continue to advocate prompt return to the operating room when postoperative angiography reveals a residual AVM with persistent shunting. When the residual AVM is in eloquent cortex and is small, with a single draining vein, however, observation of the patient (with strict blood pressure control) and repeat angiography after 1 week represent an alternative strategy that is supported by this case report. As this case demonstrates, it is possible for small residual AVMs to thrombose. This may avert the need for reoperation for residual AVMs in eloquent cortex, with the potential for neurological deficits.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Terminal Myelocystocele in the Fetal Surgery Era: Case Report
Authors: Midrio Paola , Silberstein Howard J. , Bilaniuk Larissa T. , Adzick N. Scott , Sutton Leslie N.
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE:

We report a case of a child with terminal myelocystocele (TMC). This case exemplifies the importance of performing a multidisciplinary evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging in the patient with suspected meningomyelocele when fetal surgery is being considered.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

This patient was evaluated at the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment and considered for fetal surgery to repair meningomyelocele.

TECHNIQUE:

A follow-up based on both ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging was performed throughout pregnancy.

CONCLUSION:

Although a definitive diagnosis of TMC was not established prenatally, the patient was not offered fetal surgery, based on multiple selection criteria. We correlate the pathophysiology of TMC with the radiographic and amniocentesis findings. TMC must be considered in the differential diagnosis in a fetus with a dysraphic defect.
Endovascular Treatment for Poorest-grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the Acute Stage: Has the Outcome Been Improved?
Authors: Inamasu Joji , Nakamura Yoshiki , Saito Ryoichi , Kuroshima Yoshiaki , Mayanagi Keita , Ichikizaki Kiyoshi
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE

Patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have been considered good candidates for endovascular treatment. The results of treatment of Grade V SAH, the poorest grade, however, have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

The clinical characteristics and outcome parameters of 22 World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade V SAH patients treated endovascularly in the acute stage between 1998 and 2000 are summarized and compared with those of 18 Grade V SAH patients treated conservatively between 1995 and 1997.

RESULTS

Among the 22 patients treated endovascularly, 8 patients (36.4%) survived. The rate was significantly higher than that of the 18 patients treated conservatively (5.6%), only one of whom survived. The favorable outcome rate, however, was not significantly different between the two groups (4.5% versus 6.0%). Subdivision of both treatment groups according to Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score showed that the improved survival among those treated endovascularly was attributable to the improved survival in those with a preprocedural GCS score of 6 but not of 4 or 5.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment of the 22 World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grade V SAH patients improved their survival rate but not their favorable outcome rate in comparison with conservative treatment. Further accumulation of clinical data is essential to determine whether endovascular treatment can improve the functional outcome of those with GCS scores of 6 and whether there is no role for endovascular treatment in those with GCS scores of 4 or 5.
Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Bailes Julian E.
Published: July 2004

CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY IS a procedure that has withstood the test of time and scientific scrutiny to remain an important technique for the surgical prevention of stroke. Several aspects of this operation are critical for success, i.e., improving on the natural history of carotid artery stenosis. The procedure is described in a stepwise manner, with emphasis on key steps for avoiding thrombotic or embolic complications.
Surgical Transvenous Embolization of a Carotid-Cavernous Dural Fistula with Cortical Drainage via a Petrosal Vein: Two Technical Case Reports
Authors: Hara Tsuyoshi , Hamada Jun-ichiro , Kai Yutaka , Ushio Yukitaka
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

We present two interesting cases involving carotid-cavernous dural fistulae draining only or predominantly into the petrosal vein after previous incomplete, complicated, endovascular treatments. Transvenous embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils, via the petrosal vein, during surgical exposure completely obliterated the fistulae.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old man manifesting left ocular symptoms after incomplete embolization of a left carotid-cavernous dural fistula and a 56-year-old woman manifesting left hemiparesis after complicated embolization of a right carotid-cavernous dural fistula were referred to our hospital. A percutaneous transvenous approach was attempted in both cases, but the catheter could not reach the fistula site. A combined open surgical and endovascular approach was then used.

INTERVENTION

The hemispheric branch of the petrosal vein was exposed via a retromastoid craniectomy. The catheter was then directly introduced into the hemispheric branch, followed by navigation into the fistula site. The fistula was completely embolized with Guglielmi detachable coils.

CONCLUSION

The technique of surgical transvenous embolization via a petrosal vein is a valuable alternative for the treatment of carotid-cavernous dural fistulae that drain only or predominantly into the petrosal vein, when the percutaneous transvenous route is not accessible.
Multimodal Quantitation of the Effects of Endovascular Therapy for Vasospasm on Cerebral Blood Flow, Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonographic Velocities, and Cerebral Artery Diameters
Authors: Oskouian Rod J. , Martin Neil A. , Lee Jae Hong , Glenn Thomas C. , Guthrie Donald , Gonzalez Nestor R. , Afari Arash , Viñuela Fernando
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to quantify the effects of endovascular therapy on vasospastic cerebral vessels.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records for 387 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were treated at a single institution (University of California, Los Angeles) between May 1, 1993, and March 31, 2001. Patients who developed cerebral vasospasm and underwent cerebral arteriographic, transcranial Doppler ultrasonographic, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) studies before and after endovascular therapy for cerebral arterial spasm (vasospasm) were included in this study.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients fulfilled the aforementioned criteria and were treated with either papaverine infusion, papaverine infusion with angioplasty, or angioplasty alone. After balloon angioplasty (12 patients), CBF increased from 27.8 ± 2.8 ml/100 g/min to 28.4 ± 3.0 ml/100 g/min (P = 0.87); the middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity was 157.6 ± 9.4 cm/s and decreased to 76.3 ± 9.3 cm/s (P < 0.05), with a mean increase in cerebral artery diameters of 24.4%. Papaverine infusion (20 patients) transiently increased the CBF from 27.5 ± 2.1 ml/100 g/min to 38.7 ± 2.8 ml/100 g/min (P < 0.05) and decreased the middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity from 109.9 ± 9.1 cm/s to 82.8 ± 8.6 cm/s (P < 0.05). There was a mean increase in vessel diameters of 30.1% after papaverine infusion. Combined treatment (13 patients) significantly increased the CBF from 33.3 ± 3.2 ml/100 g/min to 41.7 ± 2.8 ml/100 g/min (P < 0.05) and decreased the transcranial Doppler velocities from 148.9 ± 12.7 cm/s to 111.4 ± 10.6 cm/s (P < 0.05), with a mean increase in vessel diameters of 42.2%.

CONCLUSION

Balloon angioplasty increased proximal vessel diameters, whereas papaverine treatment effectively dilated distal cerebral vessels. In our small series, we observed no correlation between early clinical improvement or clinical outcomes and any of our quantitative or physiological data (CBF, transcranial Doppler velocities, or vessel diameters).
Direct Surgery for Posttraumatic Carotid-cavernous Fistula as a Result of an Intradural Pseudoaneurysm: Case Report
Authors: Fu Yoshihiko , Ohata Kenji , Tsuyuguchi Naohiro , Hara Mitsuhiro
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is currently treated with interventional neuroradiological embolization procedures. A rare case of posttraumatic CCF that resulted from an intradural pseudoaneurysm is presented. The patient was treated by direct surgery because an embolization procedure was not suitable.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 16-year-old boy developed chemosis in the right eye 17 days after a traffic accident. Angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm that arose from the site of origin of the posterior communicating artery, drained directly into the cavernous sinus, and formed a high-flow CCF.

INTERVENTION

Direct surgery was performed to repair the arterial laceration at the junction of the internal carotid artery and the posterior communicating artery. A clip was applied along the internal carotid artery. The posterior stump of the damaged posterior communicating artery was also included in the clip. Postoperatively, the CCF and pseudoaneurysm were completely obliterated, and the symptoms were cured.

CONCLUSION

Awareness of an unusual intradural origin of a CCF and the possibility of a direct surgical treatment should be kept in mind.
Cumulative Effects of Concussion in High School Athletes
Authors: Collins Michael W. , Lovell Mark R. , Iverson Grant L. , Cantu Robert C. , Maroon Joseph C. , Field Melvin
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE

A common assumption in sports medicine is that a history of concussion is predictive of a lower threshold for, as well as a worse outcome after, subsequent concussive injury. The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between concussion history in high school athletes and the on-field presentation of symptoms after subsequent concussion.

METHODS

One hundred seventy-three athletes who experienced sports-related concussion composed the initial study group. Binary groups were subsequently created on the basis of concussion history. Sixty athletes with no concussion history were compared with 28 athletes with a history of three or more concussions. The groups were compared in terms of the on-field presentation of symptoms after an in-study concussion. Dependent variables included the postinjury presence of loss of consciousness, anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, and confusion.

RESULTS

Athletes with three or more prior concussions were more likely to experience on-field positive loss of consciousness (χ2 = 8.0, P = 0.005), anterograde amnesia (χ2 = 5.5, P = 0.019), and confusion (χ2 = 5.1, P = 0.024) after a subsequent cerebral concussion. An odds ratio revealed that athletes with a history of three concussions were 9.3 times more likely than athletes with no history of concussion to demonstrate three to four abnormal on-field markers of concussion severity.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to suggest a cumulative effect of concussion in high school athletes. A more severe on-field presentation of concussion markers is evidenced in high school athletes with a pronounced history of concussion. This study's findings highlight the need for more long-term outcome studies in high school athletes who sustain sports-related concussions.
Anterior Microforaminotomy for Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy: Part 1—Disc-preserving “Functional Cervical Disc Surgery”
Authors: Jho Hae-Dong , Kim Woo-Kyung , Kim Myung-Hyun
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE

Anterior cervical microforaminotomy was developed by the senior author (H-DJ) under the concept of “functional spine surgery,” which directly eliminates compressive pathological factors while preserving functional anatomic features. The surgical results are reported.

METHODS

Among approximately 400 patients who underwent anterior cervical microforaminotomy at the University of Pittsburgh between March 1993 and May 1999, 104 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Forty-five patients were men and 59 were women. Patient ages ranged from 26 to 74 years (median, 46 yr). Compressive pathological lesions included spondylotic spurs in 44 cases (42.3%), soft disc herniation in 54 cases (51.9%), and a combination of the two in 6 cases (5.8%).

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients (79.8%) experienced excellent results, 20 patients (19.2%) experienced good results, and 1 patient experienced fair results. No patient demonstrated a poor or unchanged outcome. All patients demonstrated excellent decompression in their postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans, and all patients except one with discitis maintained their motion segments well, as indicated in postoperative dynamic roentgenograms. Two patients developed transient Horner's syndrome, one patient developed transient hemiparesis, and one patient developed discitis, resulting in spontaneous bone fusion.

CONCLUSION

Anterior microforaminotomy provided good or excellent outcomes, with minimal morbidities, for 98% of 104 patients with cervical discogenic radiculopathy. The functional anatomic features were well preserved for 99% of the patients.
Calcium Signaling in Mitral Cell Dendrites of Olfactory Bulbs of Neonatal Rats and Mice During Olfactory Nerve Stimulation and β-Adrenoceptor Activation
Authors: Yuan Qi , Mutoh Hiroki , Debarbieux Franck , Knöpfel Thomas
Published: July 2004

Synapses formed by the olfactory nerve (ON) provide the source of
excitatory synaptic input onto mitral cells (MC) in the olfactory bulb. These
synapses, which relay odor-specific inputs, are confined to the distally
tufted single primary dendrites of MCs, the first stage of central olfactory
processing. β-adrenergic modulation of electrical and chemical signaling
at these synapses may be involved in early odor preference learning. To
investigate this possibility, we combined electrophysiological recordings with
calcium imaging in olfactory bulb slices prepared from neonatal rats and mice.
Activation of ON-MC synapses induced postsynaptic potentials, which were
associated with large postsynaptic calcium transients. Neither electrical nor
calcium responses were affected by β-adrenergic agonists or antagonist.
Immunocytochemical analysis of MCs and their tufted dendrites revealed clear
immunoreactivity with antibodies against α1A (Cav2.1, P/Q-type) and
α1B (Cav2.2, N-type), but not against α1C (Cav1.2, L-type) or
α1D (Cav1.3, L-type) calcium channel subunits. Moreover, nimodipine, a
blocker of L-type calcium channels, had no effect on either electrical or
calcium signaling at ON-MC synapses. In contrast to previous evidence, we
concluded that in neonatal rats and mice (P5-P8), mitral cells do not express
significant amounts of L-type calcium channels, the calcium channel type that
is often targeted by β-adrenergic modulation. The absence of
β-adrenergic modulation on either electrical or calcium signaling at
ON-MC synapses of neonatal rats and mice excludes the involvement of this
mechanism in early odor preference learning.
Overexpectation: Response Loss During Sustained Stimulus Compounding in the Rabbit Nictitating Membrane Preparation
Authors: Kehoe E. James , White Natasha E.
Published: July 2004

Rabbits were given reinforced training of the nictitating membrane (NM) response using separate conditioned stimuli (CSs), which were a tone, light, and/or tactile vibration. Then, two CSs were compounded and given further pairings with the unconditioned stimulus (US). Evidence of both overexpectation and summation effects appeared. That is, responding to the individual CSs declined despite their continued pairing with the US on compound trials (overexpectation), and responding on the compound trials was greater than responding to the individual CSs (summation). The response loss appeared regardless of the testing regime, that is, whether the test presentations of the individual CSs were themselves reinforced (Experiment 2), not reinforced (Experiment 1), or deferred until the end of compound training (Experiment 2). The results are discussed with respect to the roles of excitatory versus inhibitory processes, elemental versus configural processes, and the possible roles of cerebellar and hippocampal pathways.
Towards a school library development policy for Uganda
Authors: Magara Elisam , Bukirwa Nyumba Joyce
Published: July 2004

This paper is based on a literature review and aims at providing guidelines for a school library development policy for Uganda. It presents the need for school libraries, describes the background to the policy formulation process, and analyses the existing legal and institutional framework for school libraries in Uganda. The paper highlights the current initiatives in support of school library development in Uganda and gives justification for a school library development policy for Uganda. Guidelines and implementation strategies are given to guide the formulation of this school library development policy.
The conservation and preservation of film and magnetic materials (1): film materials
Authors: Bereijo Antonio
Published: July 2004

This article is one of two concentrating on the conservation of audio‐visual materials. This first one focuses on the conservation of one particular form of A‐V material, motion‐picture and film media. An outline of the main landmarks in the historical development of film conservation is given, followed by an examination of both the composition and the most common pathologies of film. Finally the environmental and other conditions for effective preservation are described. The companion piece to this article focuses on the conservation of magnetic materials, and should be read subsequent to this first paper (see Library Review, Vol. 53 No. 7).
Revolution in the stacks: a bibliography of selected multimedia anarchist resources in English
Authors: Stranack Kevin
Published: July 2004

Provides a selective bibliography of English language multimedia resources for librarians, teachers, students, and activists interested in anarchism. Includes lists of suggested books, encyclopedias, journals, music, Web sites, e‐books, videos, and indexes, as well as selection tools to assist librarians in developing anarchist collections.
Stock condition data for decent homes: impact of surveyors' judgments
Authors: Kempton Jim
Published: July 2004

The UK government has introduced condition standards for housing known as the “Decent Homes Standard” (DHS). The DHS prescribes several key indicators – termed “criteria” – for showing that a dwelling is up to a minimum standard of repair and that it meets a minimum energy efficiency level. The DHS requires that all English social housing meet these criteria by 2010. The social housing sector is currently trying to implement maintenance programmes to ensure that the DHS is met. A range of strategic problems have arisen, particularly in terms of the finance available to undertake necessary works to dwellings, and human resources – both in terms of contractor availability and in‐house resources such as contract administrators and surveyors. However, the main starting point for implementing a strategy to meet the DHS is stock condition data. This paper describes issues with the accuracy and consistency of surveyors' survey judgements and their potential impact on planning for the DHS.
Tensions and omissions in maintenance management advice for historic buildings
Authors: Dann Nigel , Wood Sue
Published: July 2004

This paper presents a review of the literature pertinent to the management of the maintenance of historic buildings. First, literature on the philosophy and principles of conservation is considered, followed by a review of the more recent subject of the management of conservation and its processes. Throughout the review the maintenance management requirements of heritage and non‐heritage buildings are compared and contrasted. Key themes are identified for best practice (including those for condition surveys) and the paper concludes with the identification of perceived gaps in knowledge.
Attitudes towards waste minimisation amongst labour only sub‐contractors
Authors: Saunders John , Wynn Peter
Published: July 2004

Waste generation by the construction industry is a significant issue for the industry and for society generally. The paper examines previous studies about attitudes towards waste management within the industry and by means of a small questionnaire study sets out to examine: the extent of labour only sub‐contractors' awareness and understanding of waste as an issue, their perceptions of the causes of waste and their attitudes towards the allocation of financial responsibility for waste minimisation. The survey shows that the results of previous studies can be extended to labour only sub‐contractors and it identifies a willingness, beyond what might have been anticipated for this group, to accept some of the costs of waste reduction.
Costs and benefits of flexible workspaces: work in progress in The Netherlands
Authors: van der Voordt Theo J.M.
Published: July 2004

The last decade has witnessed the introduction of non‐territorial offices with desk sharing and desk rotation linked to different job functions and working processes. This paper discusses the motives behind the application of these new concepts, potential costs and benefits and data on accommodation costs. A framework of potential costs and benefits is presented and illustrated by data from cost analyses and post‐occupancy evaluations of new offices. The author advocates the creation of an integral framework of (potential) costs and benefits, structured according to the principles of the balanced score card. This may help decision makers to set priorities in objectives and to anticipate on effects of interventions in office accommodation. Empirical data on costs and benefits of innovative workplace design are scarce. The framework according to the balanced score card should be explored further by interviewing experts from different organisations. The integral framework is new. The conceptual framework and data from empirical research may support decision making.
Global capitalism and the question of global governance
Authors: Taylor Kenneth B.
Published: July 2004

Economists have observed that during the last several decades of the twentieth century there have been more examples of national economic success than failure. One leading explanation for this is that socio‐economic evolution has resulted in improved institutions and institutional arrangements. Globalization during the second half of the twentieth century spread capitalist institutions and liberal politics around the world. This paper examines the fundamental forces underlying these socioeconomic processes. If the boundaries of these forces are on the global rather than national level, the issue of a global government naturally arises. The relationship between the forces of socio‐economic evolution, sustainable globalization and global governance are explored. An index of global government is presented to monitor these phenomena over time.
Customer and employee views of critical service incidents
Authors: Chung‐Herrera Beth G. , Goldschmidt Nadav , Doug Hoffman K.
Published: July 2004

This study examined perceptual similarities and differences between customers and employees in terms of critical service incidents. Specifically we explored the extent to which customers and employees were similar or different in summary perceptions of service failures and recovery, the attributions made by the two perspectives in terms of causes for failures and recovery efforts, and whether each perspective believed that age, gender or race contributed to service failures or recovery. The critical incidents technique was used to collect 1,512 customer‐reported incidents and 390 employee‐reported incidents. Results revealed that customers and employees had both similar and different views depending on the ultimate outcome of the encounter. Overall, customers and employees were fairly similar in their perceptions regarding failures that ultimately resulted in a good recovery effort. However, the two perspectives differed in their views of service failures that accompanied a poor recovery effort. Conclusions and implications for practice are also provided.
Accounting and accountability in the Iona Community
Authors: Jacobs Kerry , Walker Stephen P.
Published: July 2004

This paper explores the issue of accounting and accountability in the spirituality and practices of an ecumenical Christian group – the Iona Community. Fundamental to the existence and operation of the Iona Community is their Rule, which requires all full‐members to account to each other for their use of money and time. This paper explores the development of that Rule and how it is actualised. It examines the accounting practices of individuals in the Community and the distinction between individualising and socialising accountabilities. Findings reported challenge the assumption that accounting has no role in a religious or sacred setting. The study also serves to illustrate that the distinction between individualising and socialising accountability is not clear. In the Iona Community structures of individualising accountability were subject to resistance. Structures of socialising accountability, while perceived as positive and empowering, had the potential to function as forms of internalised surveillance and domination.
God's fund managers
Authors: Kreander Niklas , McPhail Ken , Molyneaux David
Published: July 2004

While the literature contains a number of studies of ethical investment funds, relatively little is known about church investment processes and practices despite the significant role they have played in the development of the sector. This paper attempts to address this lacuna by studying the ethical investment programmes of two UK churches: the Methodist Church and the Church of England. The paper initially explores the relationship between the Judaeo‐Christian church and the development of the ethical investment movement. This history reveals an engagement both at the institutional and individual level that challenges the assumed sacred secular divide now commonplace within the literature and the more recent guardian‐advocate dichotomy. Second, the paper delineates the way in which the churches theologically conceptualise this engagement and describes how these values are proceduralised through the operation of the funds. The final section provides an immanent critique of church investments both at a performative and theological level. The aim of this concluding section is to engage with the churches in exploring the broader potential for the church in effecting social change.
The Enlightenment and its discontents
Authors: Tinker Tony
Published: July 2004

Capitalism, religion and science (including calculative sciences such as accounting) have a long and turbulent relationship that, today, is manifest in the “War on Terror”. As social ideologies, religion and science have played a sometimes decisive influence in the history of capitalism. What can one learn from these past encounters to better understand their relationship today? This paper explores the historical origins of this relationship as a struggle over the ideals of the Enlightenment: – as decline of the modern and the rise of the postmodern. The paper begins by tracing the evolution of Christianities and their different potentials in both resisting and accommodating the extant social order. Islam, in contrast, has,until recently, enjoyed a relatively sheltered existence from capitalism, and today, some factions present a militant stance against the market and the liberal democratic state. Overall, the Enlightenment and modernist projects are judged to be jeopardy – a condition fostered by orthodox economics and accounting ideology, where it is now de rigueur to divide the secular from the non‐secular, the normative from the positive, and the ethical from the pragmatic or realist. Finally, the mechanisms behind this Enlightenment regression are examined here using literary analysis, as a modest prelude to developing a new politics for a progressive accounting; one that seeks to restore the integrity and probity of the Enlightenment Ideal.
Sacred vestiges in financial reporting
Authors: Davison Jane
Published: July 2004

Accounting research has mirrored the annual report in its eclecticism. There remain, however, notable gaps in the research profile, including theological perspectives and the analysis of visual images. The contribution of this present study is twofold: to advance a general philosophical reading of sacred vestiges within financial reporting, and to add to the interpretation of visual images within financial reporting. The examination takes as its primary guide the philosopher and religious historian, Mircea Eliade, and also draws on the work of C.G. Jung. The paper first suggests that archaic traces of a sacred concept of cyclical and repeatable time may be perceived in the periodic preparation of financial statements and associated ritual. It is further contended that the visual space of financial reporting may bear traces of archaic religious attitudes; specific images are analysed and illuminated by religious and cultural associations with ascension.
“Inertia Creeps”, or a phenomenological perspective on objects in sociology
Authors: Schinkel Willem
Published: July 2004

In this paper, the attitude of general sociology towards nature and objects is criticized. Usually, the social is so defined that it excludes objects, “things” in general. But this limiting definition of the social has led to a proliferation of the concept of “society”, which excludes first of all certain people – those not a part of a conscience collective – and second, it excludes objects from the social and thus from the realm of study of the social sciences. Yet objects, it is maintained here, have a very constitutive impact on social life. In order to clarify this, the paper aims to show two things: that there is a vocabulary with the help of which humans and non‐humans can be sociologically described in a similar way; that objects cannot be sociologically explained away in the way a “radical” social constructivism would do.
After the fact
Authors: Hagemeijer Rouven E.
Published: July 2004

A review of and commentary upon the papers in the special issue of JOCM (Vol. 17, No. 4) and their actual relation to the object and organising.
CEO interview: the InnoCentive model of open innovation
Authors: Allio Robert J.
Published: July 2004

Darren J. Carroll (dcarroll@innocentive.com) is President and Chief Executive Officer of InnoCentive, which connects a virtual global community of 50,000 qualified scientists with its client companies that are seeking solutions to high‐tech problems. The InnoCentive model allows its customers to tap into inexpensive solvers – scientists residing in Russia, China, India, the EU, or North America– who are uniquely prepared minds. A seeker company – clients such as Procter & Gamble, Dow, Eli Lilly – posts problems anonymously on the InnoCentive Web site. The problem solvers submit solutions. The best one that fits the posted criteria is awarded payment. Confidentiality and integrity of the marketplace are assured. InnoCentive validates the award amount offered by estimating the complexity of the problem, the amount of resources required, and the value of the solution to the seeker company. The value proposition of a third party, like InnoCentive, to be the go‐between for those seeking answers to problems and those providing the answers includes: problem definition assistance; access to a growing network of 50,000 respected scientists; preliminary vetting to screen out ideas that clearly do not meet the criteria. The bottom line – when doing research for new products, the competitive advantage lies in getting to a solution faster, better, and cheaper. And that’s where an open innovation model can help.
Short‐ and long‐term performance in manufacturing SMEs
Authors: O'Regan Nicholas , Ghobadian Abby
Published: July 2004

Contrary to popular belief, managing short‐term performance differs significantly from managing long‐term performance. It is not an extension of short‐term performance over a longer‐term time frame. This paper examines the steps of managing performance from the context of organisational factors. The analysis indicates a dramatic picture as the improvement of short and long‐term performance is driven by distinctly different attributes of strategy, leadership, culture and organisational capability. The difference in all cases indicates that attributes that are perceived as “internally orientated” are associated with improving short‐term performance, whereas attributes that are commonly perceived as “externally orientated” are associated with improving long‐term performance. These findings will be helpful to managers focusing on improving their firm's performance in the short or long term and enable them to focus on the attributes of each of the factors examined that help the achievement of the performance targets set.
Performance measurement of Taiwan's commercial banks
Authors: Ho Chien‐Ta , Zhu Dauw‐Song
Published: July 2004

Most previous studies concerning company performance evaluation focus merely on operational efficiency. Operational effectiveness, however, which might directly influence the survival of a company, is usually ignored. As a result, this paper presents a study which uses an innovative two‐stage data envelopment analysis model that separates efficiency and effectiveness to evaluate the performance of 41 listed corporations of the banking industry in Taiwan. The empirical result of this paper is that a company with better efficiency does not always mean that it has better effectiveness. There is no apparent correlation between these two indicators.
Determinants of the productive efficiency for the bank systems in the European Union countries
Authors: Espitia‐Escuer Manuel , García‐Cebrián Lucía Isabel
Published: July 2004

In the framework of the European Union, one of the economic sectors of most interest to politicians, academics and professionals has been the banking sector. The aim of this paper is to verify the existence of differences in the efficiency of the banking sectors and what variables determine these differences in European Union countries in the period 1988 to 1999. In spite of the role of the European Market as an element of homogenisation, the starting point of the banking sector in each country is noticeably different. In this paper we will compare the banking systems, looking at aggregate data for each country, since both the characteristics of the financial systems and the regulatory activity follow national guidelines. The efficiency values of each banking system calculated by the means of stochastic frontiers in the European Union will then be used as the dependent variable in the estimation of a regression.
Communicating knowledge about police performance
Authors: Collier Paul M. , Edwards John S. , Shaw Duncan
Published: July 2004

This paper describes the organizational processes of knowledge acquisition, sharing, retention and utilisation as it affected the internal and external communication of knowledge about performance in an English police force. The research was gathered in three workshops for internal personnel, external stakeholders and chief officers, using Journey Making, a computer‐assisted method of developing shared understanding. The research concluded that there are multiple audiences for the communication of knowledge about police performance, impeded by the requirement to publish performance data. However, the intelligence‐led policing model could lead to a more focused means of communication with various stakeholder groups. Although technology investment was a preferred means of communicating knowledge about performance, without addressing cultural barriers, an investment in technology may not yield the appropriate changes in behaviour. Consequently, technology needs to be integrated with working practices in order to reduce organizational reliance on informal methods of communication.
Tolerance as a mechanism of resistance to Thrips palmi in common beans
Authors: Frei Andrea , Bueno Juan M. , Diaz‐Montano John , Gu Hainan , Cardona César , Dorn Silvia
Published: July 2004

Tolerance as a mechanism of resistance to the melon thrips, Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in common beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L., was evaluated under field and greenhouse conditions. Seven resistant (Brunca, BH‐5, BH‐60, BH‐130, BH‐144, EMP 486, and FEB 115) and five susceptible (PVA 773, EMP 514, BAT 477, APN 18, and RAZ 136) bean genotypes were assessed according to adult and larval populations, visual damage and reproductive adaptation scores, and yield components in field trials. From these genotypes, four resistant (Brunca, BH‐130, EMP 486, and FEB 115) and two susceptible (APN 18 and RAZ 136) genotypes were selected for quantification of proportional plant weight and height increase changes due to thrips infestation in greenhouse tests. Under medium to high thrips infestation in the field, most resistant genotypes tended to have higher reproductive adaptation and lower yield losses, though they did not always suffer less damage, as compared to susceptible genotypes. In the greenhouse, resistant genotypes showed less reduction in plant dry weight and height increase than did some susceptible ones under the same infestation pressure. Results from both field trials and greenhouse tests suggest the possible expression of tolerance as a mechanism of resistance to T. palmi in the resistant genotype EMP 486, and confirm the existence of antixenosis in FEB 115, whereas tolerance might be combined with other resistance mechanisms in Brunca.
Predation capacity of two predatory laelapid mites on soil‐dwelling thrips stages
Authors: Berndt O. , Poehling H.‐M. , Meyhöfer R.
Published: July 2004

The life cycle of the Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), one of the most important glasshouse pests, includes a soil passage composed of three instars that deserve more attention in terms of biocontrol strategies. It has been repeatedly reported that two polyphagous predatory mites, Stratiolaelaps miles (Berlese) and Hypoaspis (Geolaelaps) aculeifer (Canestrini) (Acari: Laelapidae), also prey on these thrips stages, in addition to several other soil inhabiting prey species. However, the potential thrips consumption rates have never been quantified for these predatory mites. Therefore, an arena experiment was carried out to investigate the potential predation rates of the two mites on second instar larvae, prepupae, and pupae of F. occidentalis. In addition, the fecundity on the thrips diet was assessed and compared to oviposition rate on a nematode prey. All thrips instars were accepted as prey by each mite species. Females of H. aculeifer preyed on 3.5 (± 0.5) thrips instars and laid 2.5 (± 0.87) eggs per day, whereas females of S. miles preyed on 1.64 (± 0.3) thrips and laid 0.8 (± 0.53) eggs. Males of both species killed 0.6 (± 0.3) thrips per day. The fitness of the two predatory mites on F. occidentalis as prey and their suitability as biocontrol agents are elucidated. Reasons for reduced thrips control in the soil environment, in contrast to the results obtained in arena assays are discussed.
The interaction of a Botanophila fly species with an exotic Epichloë fungus in a cultivated grass: fungivore or mutualist?
Authors: Rao Sujaya , Baumann Denise
Published: July 2004

Epichloë spp. (Ascomycetes: Clavicipitaceae) are endophytic fungii of Pooid grasses that cause choke disease, the suppression of seed production. They also host Botanophila spp. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), the larvae of which feed on the fungus. Studies on Epichloë elymi on wild grasses indicate that the flies transfer spermatia between Epichloë mating types, thereby affecting cross‐fertilization, suggesting that the fungus–fly interaction reflects obligatory mutualism. Epichloë typhina, inadvertently introduced into western USA, was first detected in cultivated Dactylis glomerata L. fields in 1996. It spread rapidly, raising concerns about impacts on seed production. The present study was conducted to address questions pertaining to the occurrence and nature of the fungus–fly interaction in the new habitat of E. typhina. The first report of an endemic Botanophila species associated with E. typhina in Oregon is presented here. Surveys of D. glomerata fields indicated no correlation between fly abundance and fungal fertilization. In one field, no fly eggs or larvae were detected, but fertilized stromata were universally present. The fly was established in the remaining 12 fields surveyed, but while the number of stromata with fly larvae ranged from 6 to 98%, stromata development was uniform. Up to 10 larvae were present on a stroma, and these consumed >90% of the perithecia. Comparisons of pupal weights indicated that the fungal resource was not limiting, even at high larval densities. An exclusion study in a D. glomerata field also indicated that E. typhina fertilization occurred without the fly. In Oregon, the fly clearly benefits from the association with the fungus, but there is no evidence of benefit to the fungus. Thus if obligatory mutualism in the fungus–fly relationship described from the midwestern USA is the norm, our studies suggest a shift in the interaction to one of simple foraging on the fungus by fly larvae.
Frequency of Bt resistance genes in Helicoverpa armigera populations from the Yellow River cotton‐farming region of China
Authors: Li Guoping , Wu Kongming , Gould Fred , Feng Hongqiang , He Yunzhuan , Guo Yuyuan
Published: July 2004

Bt cotton has been widely planted in the Yellow River valley of China since 1998. Anci County in Hebei Province and Xiajin County in Shandong Province are two areas where almost 100% of the cotton grown produces Cry1A(c) toxin. These areas were therefore selected for analysis of the frequency of genes coding for resistance to Cry1A(c) in field populations of the bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In 2002, adult females were collected using light traps. Females were caged individually and were allowed to lay eggs. At hatch, 25–35 larvae from each female were screened for growth rate on normal artificial diet, and on diet containing 1.0 µg of Cry1A(c) toxin per ml of diet. This growth rate bioassay was designed to detect non‐recessive resistance genes in heterozygous genotypes and to detect recessive resistance genes only when present in a homozygous resistant genotype. The bioassay detected one resistant individual out of 234 screened in Anci and one resistant individual out of 420 in Xiajin. These results suggest that a conservative estimate of the resistance gene frequency is 0.00107 in the Anci population, and 0.00059 in the Xiajin population. Our results indicate that minor resistance genes or less dominant genes for resistance may occur at higher frequencies, especially in the Xiajin population.
INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMIC MODELS OF CRIME
Authors: Merlo Antonio
Published: July 2004

This introduction to the IER symposium on economic models of crime briefly reviews the articles in this issue and tries to put them in the context of the current research on the economics of crime.
WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE DECLINE IN CRIME?*
Authors: İmrohoroğlu Ayse , Merlo Antonio , Rupert Peter
Published: July 2004

In this article we analyze recent trends in aggregate property crime rates in the United States. We propose a dynamic equilibrium model that guides our quantitative investigation of the major determinants of observed patterns of crime. Our main findings can be summarized as follows: First, the model is capable of reproducing the drop in crime between 1980 and 1996. Second, the most important factors that account for the observed decline in property crime are the higher apprehension probability, the stronger economy, and the aging of the population. Third, the effect of unemployment on crime is negligible. Fourth, the increased inequality prevented an even larger decline in crime. Overall, our analysis can account for the behavior of the time series of property crime rates over the past quarter century.