bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of Fungiflora Y to detect fungus in a frozen section of allergic mucin
Authors: Kimura Masatomo , Sano Ayako , Maenishi Osamu , Ito Hiroyuki
Published: August 2007

Allergic fungal sinusitis is a non‐invasive disease characterized by pansinusitis with nasal polyps, with most causative agents being members of the dematiaceous fungi. Reported herein is the ninth Japanese case of allergic fungal sinusitis; an Alternaria species was culturally identified as the etiological agent. The present patient, a 32‐year‐old man, presented with multiple sinusitis and nasal polyps. Allergic mucin, which is a histological hallmark of this disease, was examined intraoperatively on frozen section. Although characteristic histology, including laminated masses of mucin and aggregates of eosinophils, was seen in HE‐stained sections, fungal hyphae were scarce and recognized merely as clear spaces. Because fluorescent stilbene derivatives seem useful for the rapid detection of fungi, Fungiflora Y, a commercially available staining kit that includes a fluorescent stilbene derivative, was applied to the sections, and hyphae were successfully visualized using a fluorescence microscope. This stain takes only several minutes to perform. It is concluded that Fungiflora Y should be used when fungal elements are hard to find on HE stain, especially in cases in which rapid detection of fungus is requested.
Diffuse‐type giant cell tumor/pigmented villonodular synovitis arising in the sacrum: Malignant form
Authors: Oda Yoshinao , Takahira Tomonari , Yokoyama Ryohei , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi
Published: August 2007

Diffuse‐type giant cell tumor (GCT)/pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) in the axial skeleton or spine is rare. Herein is reported a case of diffuse‐type GCT/PVNS involving the sacrum and the fifth lumbar vertebra, in which the patient developed regional lymph node swelling after recurrence. The recurrent tumor was found to have atypical histological features such as spindle cell morphology, cytological atypia and high mitotic rate, which are compatible with the diagnostic criteria of secondary malignant diffuse‐type GCT/PVNS. Although the nodal lesions were not sampled histologically, the clinical and histological features indicate that the current case is an example of malignant diffuse‐type GCT/PVNS. This case is considered to be the first case of malignant diffuse‐type GCT/PVNS in the spine, because no such lesions have been previously reported in the axial skeleton or spine. Careful surveillance should be required for diffuse‐type GCT/PVNS arising at unusual site.
Understanding the role of knowledge in the practice of expert nephrology nurses in Australia
Authors: Bonner Ann
Published: August 2007

Abstract This paper, which is abstracted from a larger study into the acquisition and exercise of nephrology nursing expertise, aims to explore the role of knowledge in expert practice. Using grounded theory methodology, the study involved 17 registered nurses who were practicing in a metropolitan renal unit in New South Wales, Australia. Concurrent data collection and analysis was undertaken, incorporating participants' observations and interviews. Having extensive nephrology nursing knowledge was a striking characteristic of a nursing expert. Expert nurses clearly relied on and utilized extensive nephrology nursing knowledge to practice. Of importance for nursing, the results of this study indicate that domain‐specific knowledge is a crucial feature of expert practice.
Patient advocacy in the USA: Key communication role functions
Authors: Martin Donald R. , Tipton Bryan K.
Published: August 2007

Abstract  Researchers have long documented the importance of patient advocacy programs as a means of providing customer service in health‐care organizations. Yet, while effective communication is often acknowledged as key to effective patient advocacy, knowledge of the specific communication role functions enacted by patient advocates remains limited, as does our understanding of the function of patient advocacy at the organizational level. This qualitative investigation not only provides a typology of communication roles enacted by patient advocates while solving problems on behalf of patients and their family members, but also integrates scholarly research on “boundary‐spanning” as a means of theoretically contextualizing the advocacy role at the organizational level.
Comparison of the body fluid levels in healthy individuals and those with schizophrenia in Japan: Using the bioelectrical impedance method
Authors: Satoh Miyuki , Sakuda Hiromi , Kobayashi Toshio , Kataoka Tsuyoshi , Nakao Fujiko , Turale Sue
Published: August 2007

Abstract  Polydipsia and water intoxication have been found to be care problems in people with schizophrenia in many countries. This Japanese study measured the body fluid distribution and body fat of 80 males with long standing schizophrenia and compared this to that of 64 healthy males, using bioelectrical impedance spectrum analysis (BIS). Participants with schizophrenia exhibited significantly lower percentages of intracellular fluid and total body fluid, and significantly higher percentages of fat. Moreover, the percentage of extracellular fluid was distributed over a wider range. When the percentage body fluid was compared between the two groups by matching body mass index and body fat, intracellular fluid was significantly lower for those participants with schizophrenia. There findings suggest that nurses and other health professionals need to be very cautious when attempting to modify the excessive drinking of fluids by patients with schizophrenia. In mistakenly trying to prevent water intoxication, they may in fact be contributing to dehydration.
The psychosocial work environment and burnout among Swedish registered and assistant nurses: The main, mediating, and moderating role of empowerment
Authors: Hochwälder Jacek
Published: August 2007

Abstract  The aim of the present study was to explore: the main effect of empowerment on burnout; empowerment as a mediator between the work environment and burnout; and empowerment as a moderator of the association between the work environment and burnout. In order to explore these effects, multiple regression analyses were performed on questionnaire data from 838 registered nurses and 518 assistant nurses in Sweden. The analyses showed that: empowerment has a negative association to burnout; empowerment has a mediating effect between the work environment (especially for control and social support) and burnout; and the moderating effect of empowerment on the association between the work environment and burnout was weak. The results suggest that: empowerment explains variation with regard to burnout over and above what can be explained by established work situation dimensions; the improvement of the work environment is associated with a higher sense of empowerment which, in turn, is related to lower degrees of burnout; and individual and group differences should be considered in workplace health promotion.
Health status, trends, and issues in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayasekara Rasika S. , Schultz Tim
Published: August 2007

Abstract  It is widely recognized that better health is a prerequisite for the overall economic and social development of a nation. Sri Lanka, like many other countries experiencing the epidemiological transition, will have to make effective decisions on health‐care service management and the development of education and training programs for health‐care professionals. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current health service administration, health status, trends and issues, and health financing and resource allocation in Sri Lanka. The review revealed that Sri Lanka has achieved a relatively high health status given a low level of spending on its health‐care services; however, Sri Lanka still experiences vital health problems in all stages of the life cycle, mainly related to lifestyle and the epidemiological transition associated with widespread societal and economic crises.
Short‐term effects of low intensity fire on soil macroinvertebrate assemblages in different vegetation patch types in an Australian tropical savanna
Authors: DAWES‐GROMADZKI TRACY Z.
Published: August 2007

Abstract  Early dry season fires are a common land management regime employed across the tropical savannas of northern Australia. The rationale is that this reduces fuel loads and so reduces fire risk in the latter part of the dry season. Despite the acceptance of fire as a major management tool the ecological effects of fire remain uncertain. Vegetation patches and their associated macroinvertebrates play a critical role in the capture and recycling of water and nutrients. The aim of this study was to examine the responses of soil macroinvertebrates, within different types of vegetation patches, to early dry season fires in tropical savanna woodland in northern Australia. The abundance of major macroinvertebrate taxa and functional groups, and taxon richness were quantified in three vegetation patch types 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after burning. Termites dominated the soil macroinvertebrate assemblage sampled. Fire led to significant decreases in ant and spider abundances and overall taxon richness. Functional group analyses showed significant overall declines in the abundances of macropredators and litter transformers. There were also interactions between fire and patch type; in tree patches, fire significantly reduced total macroinvertebrate abundance, as well as the abundance of termites and ecosystem engineers. These changes in soil macroinvertebrates will potentially influence patch functionality, with important implications for soil processes and landscape health.
Usefulness of human leucocyte antigen‐B27 subtypes in predicting ankylosing spondylitis: Taiwan experience
Authors: Hou T.‐Y. , Chen H.‐C. , Chen C.‐H. , Chang D.‐M. , Liu F.‐C. , Lai J.‐H.
Published: August 2007

Background:  Genetic factors are clearly attributed to the susceptibility of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐B27 proved to be the very useful marker for diagnosing AS. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HLA‐B27 subtypes in Taiwan and to investigate whether these subtypes may be of help in predicting the diagnosis of AS.

Methods:  A total of 314 patients with AS and a control group of 71 subjects positive for HLA‐B27 detected by flow cytometry analysis were recruited for the study. HLA‐B27 subtypes were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction‐sequence‐specific primers and sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probing.

Results:  Four B27 alleles were identified: B*2704, B*2705, B*2706 and B*2707. HLA‐B*2704 was the predominant allele. There were significant differences in the distribution of HLA‐B27 subtypes between patients with AS and controls. Five of them who were homozygous for the B*2704 allele were solely found in AS group but not in controls. Statistical analysis showed that B*2704 was positively associated with AS, which suggested an increased possibility of having AS. Other HLA‐B27 subtypes showed no strong correlation with AS.

Conclusion:  In the Taiwanese population, susceptibility to AS was determined by the presence of HLA‐B*2704. Although B*2706 was reported to have a negative association with AS in Taiwanese, Thai and Chinese Singaporean populations, we report, in our study, two AS patients with B*2706 (0.6%). Disease heterogeneity suggests that other than genetic background, many pathogenic factors could be associated with AS. This may need to be investigated with a larger group of patients with AS and controls.
Adverse effects of a multicentre system for ethics approval on the progress of a prospective multicentre trial of cancer treatment: how many patients die waiting?
Authors: Christie D. R. H. , Gabriel G. S. , Dear K.
Published: August 2007

Background: As cancer survival is improving approximately by 1–2% per year, delays in the clinical trials that lead to that improvement could cost lives.

Aims: To review the process of ethics committee approval for a multicentre clinical trial of cancer treatment and to estimate the delay it will cause in obtaining the results and the effects of such delays on survival for all cancers in Australia.

Methods: A survey was sent to each of the 15 centres participating in the study to obtain details about submissions they had made to their ethics committees and the replies received from them.

Results: The survey response rate was 100%. The average time required to complete an ethics submission was 12 h, and the average length of time for a final reply was 70 days. Wide variation was noted in the replies, 40% were considered constructive. Most centres said the effort in ethics submissions is sufficient to limit participation in other clinical trials that are available.

Conclusion: The multicentre system of ethics approval has significantly delayed this multicentre trial and may delay advances in cancer care. Extrapolating this delay to determine an influence on improvements in cancer survival suggests that it may be responsible for 60 cancer deaths per year. A method for measuring the effect on the shape of the accrual curve is defined, and the term DIABOLECAL (Delays in Accrual Brought On Largely by Ethics Committee Activity Lag‐time) is proposed to describe it. Attempts to overcome this problem have been introduced overseas.
Meta‐analysis of B type natriuretic peptide and N‐terminal pro B natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of clinical heart failure and population screening for left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Authors: Ewald B. , Ewald D. , Thakkinstian A. , Attia J.
Published: August 2007

Background:  We set out to review the validity of tests for B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N‐terminal pro BNP (NTproBNP) in the diagnosis of clinical heart failure (HF) in primary care and hospital settings and to examine the effect of age. We also examined the accuracy of the test in population screening for left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Methods:  Medline and Embase were searched systematically till June 2005. Forty‐seven studies were identified for systematic review and 27 were included in meta‐analyses. Test performance was summarized as the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). As a secondary data analysis, this paper does not require ethical approval.

Results:  In groups of symptomatic patients with average age less than 80 years, the summary DOR of 27 for BNP equates to a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 84% in the detection of clinical HF. Summary of head‐to‐head studies shows BNP is a better indicator than NTproBNP. The performance of both tests decreased with the age of patients, the DOR declining by a factor of 2.0 for BNP and 2.5 for NTproBNP for each decade of increasing age. BNP correlated better to clinical status than to echocardiographic parameters, and test performance was similar in acute inpatient and general practice settings.

Conclusion:  Tests for BNP are helpful in the diagnosis of clinical HF or in screening for left ventricular systolic dysfunction and are superior to NTproBNP. In the clinical setting, test performance declined with increasing patient age.
Empiric antibiotic prescribing for patients with community‐acquired pneumonia: where can we improve?
Authors: Buising K. L , Thursky K. A. , Black J. F. , MacGregor L. , Street A. C. , Kennedy M. P. , Brown G. V.
Published: August 2007

Background:  Community acquired pneumonia is one of the most common infections for which antibiotics are prescribed in Australia.

Methods:  We audited empiric antibiotic prescribing for 392 adults with community‐acquired pneumonia.

Results:  Only 61.9% of patients received empiric antibiotic coverage for both typical and atypical pathogens. Of those who required intensive care unit management, 34.6% did not receive antibiotic cover for atypical pneumonia pathogens within the first 24 h. Approximately 21.9% of patients reporting antibiotic allergies were given antibiotics to which they had a documented allergy.

Conclusion:  Efforts to improve prescribing practices could be focused towards identifying patients with severe illness early and improving recognition of documented allergies.
Improving quality and safety of hospital care: a reappraisal and an agenda for clinically relevant reform
Authors: Scott I. A. , Poole P. J. , Jayathissa S.
Published: August 2007

Improving quality and safety of hospital care is now firmly on the health‐care agenda. Various agencies within different levels of government are pursuing initiatives targeting hospitals and health professionals that aim to identify, quantify and lessen medical error and suboptimal care. Although not denying the value of such ‘top–down’ initiatives, more attention may be needed towards ‘bottom–up’ reform led by practising physicians. This article discusses factors integral to delivery of safe, high‐quality care grouped under six themes: clinical workforce, teamwork, patient participation in care decisions, indications for health‐care interventions, clinical governance and information systems. Following this discussion, a 20‐point action plan is proposed as an agenda for future reform capable of being led by physicians, together with some cautionary notes about relying too heavily on information technology, use of non‐clinical quality personnel and quantitative evaluative approaches as primary strategies in improving quality.
When nitrous oxide is no laughing matter: nitrous oxide and pediatric anesthesia
Authors: BAUM VICTOR C.
Published: August 2007

Although often felt to be relatively innocuous, nitrous oxide can have significant metabolic effects in settings of abnormal vitamin B12 and B12‐related metabolism in children. These conditions can be genetic or environmental. Symptoms may not appear until days to weeks after exposure to nitrous oxide. Although overt genetic diseases are relatively uncommon, the implications of nitrous oxide interactions with much more frequent but less symptomatically obvious single nucleotide polymorphisms are potentially more concerning. In addition, nitrous oxide can have direct and differing neurotoxic effects on both immature and aged brain, the clinical impact of which remains undetermined.
Interactions between soil and tree roots accelerate long‐term soil carbon decomposition
Authors: Dijkstra Feike A. , Cheng Weixin
Published: August 2007

Decomposition of soil organic carbon (SOC) is the main process governing the release of CO2 into the atmosphere from terrestrial systems. Although the importance of soil–root interactions for SOC decomposition has increasingly been recognized, their long‐term effect on SOC decomposition remains poorly understood. Here we provide experimental evidence for a rhizosphere priming effect, in which interactions between soil and tree roots substantially accelerate SOC decomposition. In a 395‐day greenhouse study with Ponderosa pine and Fremont cottonwood trees grown in three different soils, SOC decomposition in the planted treatments was significantly greater (up to 225%) than in soil incubations alone. This rhizosphere priming effect persisted throughout the experiment, until well after initial soil disturbance, and increased with a greater amount of root‐derived SOC formed during the experiment. Loss of old SOC was greater than the formation of new C, suggesting that increased C inputs from roots could result in net soil C loss.
Inorganic carbon fixation by sulfate‐reducing bacteria in the Black Sea water column
Authors: Neretin Lev N. , Abed Raeid M. M. , Schippers Axel , Schubert Carsten J. , Kohls Katharina , Kuypers Marcel M. M.
Published: August 2007

The Black Sea is the largest anoxic water basin on Earth and its stratified water column comprises an upper oxic, middle suboxic and a lower permanently anoxic, sulfidic zone. The abundance of sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) in water samples was determined by quantifying the copy number of the dsrA gene coding for the alpha subunit of the dissimilatory (bi)sulfite reductase using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The dsrA gene was detected throughout the whole suboxic and anoxic zones. The maximum dsrA copy numbers were 5 × 102 and 6.3 × 102 copies ml−1 at 95 m in the suboxic and at 150 m in the upper anoxic zone, respectively. The proportion of SRB to total Bacteria was 0.1% in the oxic, 0.8–1.9% in the suboxic and 1.2–4.7% in the anoxic zone. A phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA clones showed that most clones from the anoxic zone formed a coherent cluster within the Desulfonema–Desulfosarcina group. A similar depth profile as for dsrA copy numbers was obtained for the concentration of non‐isoprenoidal dialkyl glycerol diethers (DGDs), which are most likely SRB‐specific lipid biomarkers. Three different DGDs were found to be major components of the total lipid fractions from the anoxic zone. The DGDs were depleted in 13C relative to the δ13C values of dissolved CO2 (δ13CCO2) by 14–19‰. Their δ13C values [δ13CDGD(II–III)] co‐varied with depth showing the least 13C‐depleted values in the top of the sulfidic, anoxic zone and the most 13C‐depleted values in the deep anoxic waters at 1500 m. This co‐variation provides evidence for CO2 incorporation by the DGD(II–III)‐producing SRB, while the 1:2 relationship between δ13CCO2 and δ13CDGD(II–III) indicates the use of an additional organic carbon source.
Jordanian women’s perceptions of post‐partum health care
Authors: Khalaf I. A. , Abu‐Moghli F. A. , Mahadeen A. I. , Callister L. C. , Al‐Hadidi M.
Published: August 2007

Purpose:  This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore Jordanian childbearing women’s perceptions of their needs for health care and the post‐partum healthcare services they received.

Methods:  Twenty‐four Jordanian childbearing women participated in the focus groups. Discussions focused on infant and maternal health concerns, access to post‐partum health care, including family‐planning services, the characteristics and behaviour of healthcare providers, and suggestions for the provision of quality maternal post‐partum health care.

Findings:  The majority of the women indicated that most of the services perceived and provided during the post‐natal period were related to child care. They indicated that they attend post‐natal visits mostly for treatment, family planning and/or child care and stated that they have not been told about the post‐natal visits during pregnancy, or after giving birth.

Conclusions:  Study findings provided insight and understanding of women’s perspectives on post‐partum health care and implied a need to translate qualitative findings into clinical practice guidelines. It is suggested that the Jordanian Ministry of Health develops a comprehensive plan to improve educational offerings for post‐partum women, and ensure that all healthcare facilities offer affordable and high‐quality post‐partum health care.
Anxiety, depression and coping strategies in post‐hysterectomy Chinese women prior to discharge
Authors: Wang X.Q. , Lambert C. E. , Lambert V. A.
Published: August 2007

Objective:  This survey investigated the relationships among anxiety, depression, coping strategies and demographic characteristics of post‐hysterectomy Chinese women before discharge and further determined the best predictors of anxiety and depression among this group.

Methods:  The sample consisted of 105 women who were administered, 1–2 days prior to discharge, via one‐to‐one interview, the Zung Self‐rating Anxiety Scale, the Zung Self‐rating Depression Scale, the Brief COPE Scale and a demographic questionnaire.

Results:  Only 1.9% of the participants experienced anxiety, while 4.8% experienced depression after having a hysterectomy. Active coping, positive reframing, planning, emotional support and venting were the most frequently used coping strategies. Significant positive and negative correlations were found among anxiety, depression, coping strategies and the demographic characteristics of the subjects. The best predictors of anxiety were self‐blame, venting and medical payment. The best predictors of depression were self‐blame and employment status.

Conclusion:  Self‐blame was the predictor of both anxiety and depression. It implied that a patient’s negative self‐evaluation may influence both psychological status and mental health. The ways of medical payment and employment status were predictors of anxiety and depression respectively, both of which reflected the economic stress that affected the psychological status and quality of life of the Chinese women, post‐hysterectomy, before discharge. The findings of this study indicate that care for Chinese women post‐hysterectomy, before discharge, should address their physical, psychological, social and economic well‐being.
Nurse migration and its implications for Philippine hospitals
Authors: Perrin M.E. , Hagopian A. , Sales A. , Huang B.
Published: August 2007

Background:  ‘Push’ and ‘pull’ factors motivate Filipino registered nurses (RNs) to leave for employment in foreign countries making the Philippines the leading source country for nurses overseas.

Objective:  To assess the current RN‐staffing situation in Philippine hospitals.

Design:  A self‐administered survey was mailed to a sample of 200 Philippine hospital chiefs of nurses.

Results:  According to respondents, the majority of RNs in their hospitals (73%) were aged 40 years and younger and female (85%); government hospital RNs earned higher wages than private hospital RNs; and on average, RN vacancy rates and RN turnover rates were lower in government hospitals than private hospitals. All respondents reported no difficulty recruiting RNs with less than 12 months of work experience. However, recruitment of more experienced RNs was somewhat or very difficult for private hospitals compared with government hospitals. Higher salaries, better benefits and good career opportunities were identified as most effective incentives for both recruitment and retention.

Conclusions:  RN staffing in government hospitals is more favourable than in private hospitals as measured by employment tenure, vacancy rates, turnover rates and ability to recruit and retain more experienced RNs. On average, respondents reported over half (59%) of total RN turnover was the result of nurse migration overseas.
Does self‐care agency change between hospital admission and discharge? An Orem‐based investigation
Authors: Zrínyi M. , Zékányné R.I.
Published: August 2007

Aims:  To assess whether nursing care improved patients’ self‐care agency between admission to hospital care and discharge.

Methods:  A pre‐test–post‐test comparative research design with random subject selection was used. One hundred and sixty patients and 52 nurses rated identical self‐care agency assessment forms, based on Orem’s framework, both at admission and discharge. Patient satisfaction with nursing care and nurse satisfaction with working conditions were also assessed. Repeated measures ancova as well as paired and independent t‐tests were used to test differences at both time points. Level of significance was set at 0.05 in this study.

Results:  Patients in general reported high self‐care agency pre‐ and post‐test. Compared with a reference group of elderly residents, the study sample showed significantly lower levels of self‐care agency. We found no difference between patient and nurse assessments of self‐care agency on admission and discharge. Better patient–nurse relationships were associated with greater self‐care agency reported by patients.

Conclusions:  Authors found no change in patient self‐care agency between hospital admission and discharge. Outcomes may have been due to the inappropriate choice of the conceptual framework applied for acute care settings or to the insufficient length of the study. A longitudinal approach to observe long‐term improvement of self‐care capabilities is recommended.
University of California, San Francisco International Nursing Network for HIV/AIDS Research
Authors: Holzemer W.L.
Published: August 2007

Aim:  The University of California, San Francisco International Nursing Network for HIV/AIDS Research (the Network) is an international group of nurse scientists dedicated to research and education for the purpose of improving HIV/AIDS nursing care around the world. This article describes the evolution of the Network, as well as its structure, achievements and challenges.

Background:  Although HIV/AIDS has been around for over 25 years, millions of people are still affected by the disease every year. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported that in 2005, there were 38.6 million people living with HIV around the world. In many parts of the developed and developing world, nurses are the primary caregivers for people living with HIV/AIDS, and they need up‐to‐date information about the daily management of the disease. The Network was established to respond to the need of HIV/AIDS nurses for relevant information to inform clinical care. The Network’s main activity is a series of international multi‐site collaborative research studies. Past studies have addressed issues such as medication adherence, symptom management and self‐care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Network also hosts semi‐annual meetings as well as a biannual international nursing science conference.

Conclusion:  The Network’s flexible structure has proven to be one of its greatest assets, as well as a challenge. Although the Network faces challenges, it has proven to be a useful framework for conducting international collaborative activities related to HIV/AIDS and nursing science.
Do principles‐based accounting standards lead to biased financial reporting? An Australian experiment
Authors: Psaros Jim
Published: August 2007

International accounting standards are deliberately designed to be principles‐based (i.e. ‘substance over form’). With Australia's recent adoption of international accounting standards, a relevant question is, do principles‐based accounting standards lead to biased financial reporting? The present paper describes a study that analysed the consolidation judgements of senior accounting officials from Australian listed companies. Participants made consolidation judgements based on AASB 1024 Consolidated Accounts. Although AASB 1024 is not identical to IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements, there are many similarities and both follow a principles‐based approach. In aggregate, the present study finds that principles‐based accounting standards do not necessarily lead to biased financial reporting.
Forecast accuracy in initial public offerings and the impact of external constraints relative to managerial choice: a research note
Authors: Ismail Norashikin , Weetman Pauline
Published: August 2007

We examine the accuracy of earnings forecasts published in prospectuses, under conditions where external influences of state regulation and economic condition act as constraints to mitigate management optimism. Our results indicate that regulation has no significant impact, but economic condition and management optimism are significantly associated with forecast accuracy. We conclude that a study of forecast accuracy over time must take into account external influences and that attempting to use regulation to improve forecast accuracy is not an effective strategy when there are strongly adverse economic conditions and when promoters or managers are optimistic in forecasting.
What do we learn from the Implicit Association Test about intergroup attitudes in Hong Kong? The case of social identification inclusiveness and need for closure
Authors: Lam Shui‐fong , Chiu Chi‐yue , Lau Ivy Yee‐man
Published: August 2007

The current study tests an implication of the Associative‐Propositional Evaluation model of implicit and explicit attitude measures in Hong Kong's intergroup context. We argued that the Implicit Association Test taps associative intergroup evaluations that are not necessarily consistent with the propositional implications of one's social identification inclusiveness and need for closure. In contrast, explicit intergroup attitude measures tap propositional evaluations resulting from validating the inferences drawn from pertinent propositional information in the evaluation context. Thus, explicit intergroup attitude should be consistent with the propositional implications of social identification inclusiveness and need for closure. We tested and found support for these hypotheses in a study of Hong Kong adolescents' (N = 65) perception of Hong Kong people and Mainland Chinese.
Relatedness of identities and emotional closeness with parents across and within cultures
Authors: Imamoğlu E. Olcay , Karakitapoğlu‐Aygün Zahide
Published: August 2007

Differences in emotional‐ and identity‐relatedness with parents were explored across two cultural groups (863 university students from the USA and Turkey, representing individualist and collectivist societies, respectively) in Study 1, and across two socioeconomic status (SES) groups (353 high school students from the upper and lower SES in Turkey) in Study 2. In both studies, within‐cultural differences in emotional‐ and identity‐relatedness with parents were also explored in terms of: (i) self‐directed and other‐directed value orientations; and (ii) self‐types, as suggested by the Balanced Integration‐Differentiation Model. Results indicated cultural groups to be quite similar in emotional‐relatedness, but to differ in relatedness of identities, with Turks reporting more related identities. Similarly, in Turkey, SES seemed to have more impact on identities than on emotional closeness, the lower SES adolescents reporting more relatedness with parents than upper SES adolescents. Thus, relatedness of identities appeared to be more important than emotional relatedness in differentiating between cultural and SES contexts. Results involving different self‐types and value orientations pointed to both cross‐cultural similarities and within‐cultural diversity in the two domains of relatedness. Theoretical implications of cross‐ and within‐culture differences in emotional‐ and identity‐relatedness with parents are discussed.
Comparing normative influences as determinants of environmentally conscious behaviours between the USA and Japan
Authors: Ando Kaori , Ohnuma Susumu , Chang Edward C.
Published: August 2007

The present study explored the influences of subjective and descriptive norms on environmentally conscious behaviours between the USA and Japan. It was predicted that subjective norms would have a larger effect on behaviour in Japan than in the USA. Descriptive norms were expected to have a greater influence on behaviour in the USA. The survey was done with 160 American students and 114 Japanese students. The results showed that subjective norms are relevant only in Japan, but the effect was limited. Alternatively, descriptive norms were a powerful determinant in the USA. It was also found that respondents asserted that they commit environmentally conscious behaviours more frequently than others, regardless of their country. The present research suggests that the role of subjective and descriptive norms may vary between cultures, and highlights a necessity for distinguishing between interpersonal and social norms.
Price as a quality or sacrifice cue: Role of goal orientation
Authors: Lin Chien‐Huang , Wu Pei‐Hsun , Chuang Shih‐Chieh , Kao Danny T.
Published: August 2007

Prior research seems to have neglected the factors that influence consumers to use price information as an indicator of quality or sacrifice. Based on the concept of ‘goal looms larger’, Study 1 in the present research demonstrated that the extent to which consumers use price information as an indicator of quality or sacrifice is a function of consumer goal (promotion focus vs prevention focus). Study 2 demonstrated that extremeness aversion is a function of consumer goal. The extent of extremeness aversion is significantly greater for prevention‐focused consumers than for promotion‐focused consumers.
Economic assessment of acquiring water for environmental flows in the Murray Basin*
Authors: Qureshi M. Ejaz , Connor Jeff , Kirby Mac , Mainuddin Mohammed
Published: August 2007

This article is an economic analysis of reallocating River Murray Basin water from agriculture to the environment with and without the possibility of interregional water trade. Acquiring environmental flows as an equal percentage of water allocations from all irrigation regions in the Basin is estimated to reduce returns to irrigation. When the same volume of water is taken from selected low‐value regions only, the net revenue reduction is less. In all scenarios considered, net revenue gains from freeing trade are estimated to outweigh the negative revenue effects of reallocating water for environmental flows. The model accounts for how stochastic weather affects market water demand, supply and requirements for environmental flows. Net irrigation revenue is estimated to be 75 million less than the baseline level for a scenario involving reallocating a constant volume of water for the environment in both wet and dry years. For a more realistic scenario involving more water for the environment in wet and less in dry years, estimated net revenue loss is reduced by 48 per cent to 39 million. Finally, the external salinity‐related costs of water trading are estimated at around 1 million per annum, a quite modest amount compared to the direct irrigation benefits of trade.
The welfare costs of urban outdoor water restrictions
Authors: Brennan Donna , Tapsuwan Sorada , Ingram Gordon
Published: August 2007

Outdoor water restrictions are usually implemented as bans on a particular type of watering technology (sprinklers), which allow households to substitute for labour‐intensive (hand‐held) watering. This paper presents a household production model approach to analysing the impact of sprinkler restrictions on consumer welfare and their efficacy as a demand management tool. Central to our empirical analysis is an experimentally derived production function which describes the relationship between irrigation and lawn quality. We demonstrate that for a typical consumer complete sprinkler bans may be little more effective than milder restrictions policies, but are substantially more costly to the household.
Policy interventions to promote the adoption of water saving sprinkler systems: the case of lettuce on the Gnangara Mound
Authors: Brennan Donna
Published: August 2007

The potential for improving irrigation scheduling decisions and adoption of more efficient irrigation systems is explored using a bioeconomic simulation model of lettuce production on the Gnangara Mound near Perth, Western Australia. Sandy soils with poor water and nutrient holding capacity are associated with declining marginal productivity of water at high water use, which would create an incentive to reduce water use and to adopt closer sprinkler spacing if farmers had correct information about the declining marginal productivity of water. Incorrect perceptions regarding water–yield relationships lead to over use of water by up to 50 per cent and reduce profits by 475 per crop hectare (12 per cent) in the short run, and remove the incentive to adopt more efficient systems in the long run. Higher water prices create an incentive to reduce irrigation scheduling time in the short term and to adopt more uniform sprinkler systems, and tend to reduce the discrepancies associated with poor information about the marginal productivity of water. The low level of adoption of efficient irrigation systems in the region might be explained partly by historically poor water governance and insufficient extension regarding water productivity and technology.
Beyond Fear
Authors: LaBar Kevin S.
Published: August 2007

Neurobiological accounts of emotional memory have been derived largely from animal models investigating the encoding and retention of memories for events that signal threat. This literature has implicated the amygdala, a structure in the brain's temporal lobe, in the learning and consolidation of fear memories. Its role in fear conditioning has been confirmed, but the human amygdala also interacts with cortical regions to mediate other aspects of emotional memory. These include the encoding and consolidation of pleasant and unpleasant arousing events into long-term memory, the narrowing of focus on central emotional information, the retrieval of prior emotional events and contexts, and the subjective experience of recollection and emotional intensity during retrieval. Along with other mechanisms that do not involve the amygdala, these functions ensure that significant life events leave a lasting impression in memory.
A Domain-General Theory of the Development of Perceptual Discrimination
Authors: Scott Lisa S. , Pascalis Olivier , Nelson Charles A.
Published: August 2007

In this article, we posit a domain-general principle that may account for the improvement that is observed in several aspects of perceptual development over the first years of life. Development during this time frame is characterized by a process of perceptual narrowing, whereby the discrimination of perceptual information is broadly tuned at first and then declines to more selective levels with experience. This process appears to cut across both the visual and auditory modalities and may reflect the development of a common neural architecture.
Psychological Essentialism of Human Categories
Authors: Prentice Deborah A. , Miller Dale T.
Published: August 2007

Psychological essentialism is an ordinary mode of category representation that has powerful social-psychological consequences. This article reviews those consequences, with a focus on the distinctive ways people perceive, evaluate, and interact with members of human categories they essentialize. Why and when people engage in this mode of thinking remain open questions. Variability in essentialism across cultures, categories, and contexts suggests that this mode of representing human categories is rooted in a naturalistic theory of category origins, combined with a need to explain differences that cross category boundaries.
Regarding Scenes
Authors: Henderson John M.
Published: August 2007

When we view the visual world, our eyes flit from one location to another about three times each second. These frequent changes in gaze direction result from very fast saccadic eye movements. Useful visual information is acquired only during fixations, periods of relative gaze stability. Gaze control is defined as the process of directing fixation through a scene in real time in the service of ongoing perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral activity. This article discusses current approaches and new empirical findings that are allowing investigators to unravel how human gaze control operates during active real-world scene perception.
You Can't Take It With You
Authors: Richardson Rick , Hayne Harlene
Published: August 2007

Despite evidence for memory skill early in development, the evidence reviewed here shows that early-acquired memories, in rats and humans, are frozen in time. That is, in the absence of opportunities for updating, early memories are only expressed via responses or words that were available at the time of encoding. We discuss the theoretical importance of these findings and their potential clinical and forensic implications.
Supporting lifelong learning for people with profound and multiple learning difficulties
Authors: NIND MELANIE
Published: August 2007

This article addresses the issue of supporting lifelong learning for individuals with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Lifelong learning is usually a more mainstream concept and is rarely applied to this marginalized group for whom learning per se is such a challenge. The paper debates whether the concept is a useful one, and what lifelong learning might actually look like for someone with such a profound intellectual impairment.
Do touch: physical contact and people who have severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties
Authors: HEWETT DAVE
Published: August 2007

Dave Hewett PhD. is well known within the education and care fields for his invaluable work on communication with both children and adults who have severe and profound learning difficulties (with or without autism). However, because his work until recent times has tended to occur within more segregated services, he is only now becoming known to staff working in mainstream education as the children with more severe learning and communication difficulties are beginning to receive inclusive schooling. In this article he shares his thoughts, backed up with research, on the importance of touch for us all, but focusing on the reasons this needs special attention for those who have profound additional disabilities. Before concluding, the author offers us some very useful tools when working with children where touch and intensive interaction may be part of a teaching programme to help in building a relationship, and opening early communication channels.
Who goes to SLD schools? Aspects of policy and provision for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties who attend special schools in England
Authors: MALE DAWN B. , RAYNER MATTHEW
Published: August 2007

This article focuses on aspects of policy and provision for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) who attend special schools in England. The findings reported below are from a larger study, which aimed to answer the question: ‘Who Goes to SLD Schools in England?’
How many colours are necessary to increase the reading speed of children with visual stress? A comparison of two systems
Authors: Smith Liane , Wilkins Arnold
Published: August 2007

We measured the increase in reading speed afforded by two currently available systems of coloured overlays: the Intuitive Overlays, which provide a choice of 30 colours, and the Eye Level Reading Rulers, which provide a choice of 5. Forty‐eight pupils from a local authority primary school who reported experiencing symptoms of visual stress were individually tested with both systems in a random order, balanced across pupils. There were no differences between the systems as regards the children's preference or the reduction in symptoms of visual stress. However, there was a significant increase in reading speed with the Intuitive Overlays and no increase, on average, with the Reading Rulers. Pupils showing an increase in reading speed of more than 5% with either overlay were tested again, on this occasion with Intuitive Overlays of the conventional size and those cut to the (much smaller) size of the Reading Rulers. There was no difference in reading speed between the large and small overlays. Participants whose reading speed increased with the Reading Rulers by as much as with the Intuitive Overlays tended to be those who chose a similar colour for both overlays. The general pattern of results suggests that the Reading Rulers failed to increase reading speed because they do not offer sufficient colours and hence the benefits of the Reading Rulers in increasing reading speed are likely to be less than obtained with the Intuitive Overlays.