bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MANAGING DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY — INTERNET BANKING VENTURES FOR TRADITIONAL BANKS
Authors: CALLAWAY STEPHEN K. , HAMILTON ROBERT D.
Published: January 2008

This study examines the perception of the nature of technological change for Internet Banking by proposing and testing a model of the strategic management of online banking by traditional banks. Specifically, this empirical study uses a stratified sample of the FDIC database to address how perception of the technology and the environmental context (knowledge of cause-effect relations and crystallized outcome standards) impact internal and external constituency relationships (including social norms, staffing, and technology) and therefore the type of strategic control systems employed (input, output, and behavioral control systems). From a survey of 103 banking unit managers (both Internet and traditional branches) from 65 different banks, the study revealed that Internet banking showed a greater connection to external norms and values and a reduced connection to internal (corporate) technology compared to traditional banking. Further, degree and speed of disruptiveness had the opposite effect on crystallized standards, while both were associated with a greater utilization of input control systems. Clearly, uncertainty and rapidness of technological change have different impacts upon environmental perception and strategic management decisions. The study has important implications for bank managers pursuing the development of Internet Banking.
ENGAGING THE CREATIVE MINDS — THE ENGAGE MODELS
Authors: CHANG C. M.
Published: January 2008

All enterprises need creativity and innovation to maintain and sustain long term profitability. This paper advocates the rapid development of the creative process by applying an ENGAGE model. In order to frequently generate new ideas, creative people need to pursue new thinking strategies, which are outlined by a second ENGAGE model. It is believed that by consistently emphasizing both the creative process and the thinking strategies outlined in these two ENGAGE models, individuals and companies could become inventive and innovative much sooner than otherwise, thus contribute more effectively to the wellbeing of their enterprises and to the society at large.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN EMERGING MARKET SUBSIDIARIES — THE INFLUENCE OF AUTONOMY AND INTERNAL MARKETS ON SUBSIDIARY ROLES
Authors: BOEHE DIRK MICHAEL
Published: January 2008

Emerging market subsidiaries constitute an increasingly important asset for the innovative activities of multinational corporations (MNCs). This study examines how different types of these subsidiaries may be integrated into global R&D using two essential coordination mechanisms — hierarchical control and internal markets (competition among MNC units). Based on a sample of 146 Brazil based MNC subsidiaries, the key results suggest that (1) more innovative subsidiaries have higher autonomy than less innovative subsidiary as long as they have local market scope; (2) subsidiaries which develop new products for global or other emerging markets have competitive relationships with peer MNC units. Likewise, the results provide some preliminary support for an instrument which measures competition among MNC unit. Based on a comprehensive classification framework, the study puts forward some recommendations for MNC technology management regarding how subsidiary product development units may extend their market scope and technological capabilities.
Adenosine Modulates Cardiovascular Functions Through Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases 1 and 2 and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii of Rats
Authors: Ho Wen-Yu , Lu Pei-Jung , Hsiao Michael , Hwang Hwong-Ru , Tseng Yu-Chou , Yen Mao-Hsiung , Tseng Ching-Jiunn
Published: January 2008

Background—

The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) is the primary integrative center for baroreflex. Adenosine has been shown to play an important modulatory role in blood pressure control in the NTS. Our previous results demonstrated that adenosine decreases blood pressure, heart rate, and renal sympathetic nerve activity and modulates baroreflex responses in the NTS. We also demonstrated that a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor may block the cardiovascular effects of adenosine in the NTS, which suggests interaction between the adenosine receptor and NOS. However, the signaling mechanisms of adenosine that induce nitric oxide release in the NTS remain uncertain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible signal pathways involved in the cardiovascular regulation of adenosine in the NTS.

Methods and Results—

Adenosine was microinjected into the NTS of urethane-anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood pressure and heart rate decreased significantly after microinjection. The cardiovascular effects of adenosine were attenuated by prior administration of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor PD98059 (6 nmol/60 nL) or an endothelial NOS–selective inhibitor, L-NIO (6 nmol/60 nL); however, the neuronal NOS–specific inhibitor vinyl-
l
-NIO (600 pmol/60 nL) did not attenuate the cardiovascular effects of adenosine. Western blot and immunohistochemistry studies demonstrated that adenosine induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and endothelial NOS phosphorylation in the NTS. Pretreatment with PD98059 diminished the endothelial NOS phosphorylation evoked by adenosine.

Conclusions—

These results represent a novel finding that extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 is involved in cardiovascular regulation in the NTS. They also indicate that the cardiovascular modulatory effects of adenosine in the NTS are accomplished by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and then endothelial NOS.
Salt Loading Increases Urinary Excretion of Linoleic Acid Diols and Triols in Healthy Human Subjects
Authors: Dreisbach Albert W. , Rice Janet C. , Japa Shanker , Newman John W. , Sigel Aster , Gill Rajan S. , Hess Arthur E. , Cemo Angela C. , Fonseca Juan P. , Hammock Bruce D. , Lertora Juan J.L. , Hamm L. Lee
Published: January 2008

Increased dietary linoleic acid has been associated with reduced blood pressure in clinical and animal studies possibly mediated by prostaglandins. Urinary linoleate and prostaglandin metabolite excretion were investigated in subjects exposed to a salt-loading/salt-depletion regimen. Twelve healthy subjects were recruited from the New Orleans population (before Hurricaine Katrina) and admitted to the Tulane-Louisiana State University-Charity Hospital General Clinical Research Center after a 5-day outpatient lead-in phase on a 160-mmol sodium diet. On inpatient day 1, the subjects were maintained on the 160-mmol sodium diet, and a 24-hour urine specimen was collected. On day 2, the subjects received 2 L of IV normal saline over 4 hours and continued on a 160-mmol Na
+
diet (total: 460 mmol of sodium). Two 12-hour urine collections were obtained. On day 3, the subjects received three 40-mg oral doses of furosemide, two 12-hour urine collections were obtained, and the subjects were given a 10-mmol sodium diet. Urinary oxidized lipids were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectroscopy. The excretion of the urinary linoleate metabolites, dihydroxyoctadecamonoenoic acids, and trihydroxyoctadecamonoenoic acids increased significantly during intravenous salt loading as compared with day 1 and the salt-depleted periods. The urinary excretion of 6-keto- prostaglandin F1α was unaffected by salt loading but was dramatically increased 7- to 10-fold by salt depletion. Prostaglandin E2 excretion was positively correlated with sodium excretion. The salt-stimulated production of linoleic acid diols and triols may inhibit tubular sodium reabsorption, thereby assisting in the excretion of the sodium load.
Addition of Eplerenone to an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Effectively Improves Nitric Oxide Bioavailability
Authors: Imanishi Toshio , Ikejima Hideyuki , Tsujioka Hiroto , Kuroi Akio , Kobayashi Katsunobu , Muragaki Yasuteru , Mochizuki Seiichi , Goto Masami , Yoshida Kiyoshi , Akasaka Takashi
Published: January 2008

Angiotensin II and aldosterone both promote endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. We investigated the effect of a combination of eplerenone, a selective aldosterone antagonist, and enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on NO bioavailability and spontaneous atherosclerotic changes. Twenty-four myocardial infarction–prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits were treated with vehicle (control), eplerenone (50 mg/kg per day), enalapril (3 mg/kg per day), or eplerenone plus enalapril for 8 weeks (n=6 in each group). After treatment, acetylcholine-induced NO production was measured as a surrogate for endothelium-protective function, and vascular peroxynitrite (a product of superoxide and NO) was measured to assess dysfunctional endothelial NO synthase activity. Plaque area was quantified by histology. Intra-aortic infusion of acetylcholine produced an increase in plasma NO concentration that was significantly higher with all of the drug treatments compared with the control. Eplerenone and enalapril, in combination, increased acetylcholine-induced NO by 7.9 nM, which was significantly higher than with either eplerenone or enalapril alone. Vascular peroxynitrite was significantly higher in the control group (1.3 pmol/mg of protein) and significantly lower with combination treatment (0.4 pmol/mg of protein) compared with the enalapril or eplerenone group. The highest tetrahydrobiopterin levels were observed after cotreatment with eplerenone and enalapril. Histology of the thoracic aorta showed a significantly decreased plaque area with combination therapy compared with monotherapy. Combined treatment with a selective aldosterone antagonist and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor has additive protective effects on endothelial function and on atherosclerotic changes via decreased nitrosative stress.
Environmental representations of safety from crime versus insecurity: A study in Lisbon
Authors: Sautkina Elena
Published: January 2008

This study examines environmental representations of insecurity and safety from crime in Lisbon. Based on the idea that security is not an absolute antipode of insecurity (Guimelli & Rouquette, 2004), the author hypothesises that if an environmental characteristic contributes to representation of safety, its opposite will not necessarily be related to representation of insecurity, and vice versa. 121 subjects well-familiar with the city were asked to name 3 places in Lisbon where they feel insecure, and 3 of those where they feel safe from crime. Then, participants evaluated the importance of several environmental physical and social characteristics for their own representations of each place. The main hypothesis of our study has been confirmed. Results also show that social characteristics are judged more important for representation of insecure places than of safe ones, while physical characteristics do not account as much for representation of insecure places and are more essential for representation of safe ones.
Dilemas sociales y transporte urbano
Authors: Moreno Marta , Ruiz Juan Pedro , Corraliza José-Antonio
Published: January 2008

La caracterización de los patrones de conducta y de las actitudes de los conductores, así como de las percepciones y soluciones propuestas, ha permitido explorar los prerrequisitos para la gestión socio-ambiental sostenible del transporte en las ciudades. Se han comprobado los tres tipos de medidas propuestas en la literatura como soluciones a los dilemas sociales: cognitiva, ambiente social y conductual, a través de una encuesta realizada en 2002 a los conductores de Madrid. La fuerte resistencia, particularmente entre los que más conducen, a cambiar los patrones de conducción, la dificultad de hacer visibles las acciones individuales dado el tamaño del colectivo, o el prestigio social asociado, son algunos de los obstáculos detectados. Los resultados sugieren que no es probable que ninguna de las tres estrategias, por sí sola, pueda modificar significativamente la conducción hacia un uso más moderado, siendo necesarias aproximaciones integradas.
Representación social del ser humano versus naturaleza y su relación con las creencias medioambientales
Authors: Amérigo María , Bernardo Arantxa
Published: January 2008

La presente investigación analiza el contenido de las creencias hacia las relaciones entre las personas y su medio ambiente combinando una perspectiva actitudinal con el enfoque de las representaciones sociales. De esta forma, el objetivo principal consiste en determinar si existe una representación social diferente de las relaciones entre el ser humano y el medio ambiente para aquellas personas que enfocan estas relaciones desde creencias biosféricas que contemplan a la naturaleza por el valor intrínseco que posee, frente a creencias antropocéntricas que consideran la naturaleza en función de su contribución a la mejora de la calidad de vida humana. Los resultados obtenidos con una muestra de participantes procedentes de Madrid, Toledo y residentes en pueblos de la comarca occidental de la provincia de Toledo, ponen de manifiesto que aquellos participantes que puntuaron alto en biosferismo evaluaron de forma diferente a la naturaleza en sus aspectos positivos, en el sentido esperado. Así mismo, la escala antropocéntrica también produjo resultados en la dirección esperada: los participantes que puntuaron alto en antropocentrismo evaluaron al ser humano contemplando adjetivos con cualidades morales, que no fueron utilizados por los que puntuaron bajo en esta escala.
Valores, creencias ambientales y comportamiento ecológico de ahorro de agua y energía
Authors: Pato Claudia , Tamayo Alvaro
Published: January 2008

Este estudio aborda el papel mediador de las creencias ambientales en la relación entre valores y el comportamiento ecológico de ahorro de agua y energía, con estudiantes brasileños. Una muestra de 443 estudiantes de Brasilia (54,2% mujeres y 45,4% varones) con media de edad de 22,75 (DT = 6,1) respondió tres escalas. La primera medía el comportamiento de ahorro de agua y energía; la segunda, las creencias ambientales (ecocéntricas y antropocéntricas) y la tercera, los valores personales. Los análisis de regresión jerárquica revelaron que, las creencias ambientales antropocéntricas fueron variables mediadoras significativas en las relaciones que se establecieron entre el ahorro de agua y de energía y los valores de poder y de auto-promoción. Estos resultados sugieren que las metas motivacionales de poder y control influyen en la visión dicótona entre ser humano y ambiente, estimulando a las personas al desperdicio de agua y energía.
Criterios perceptivos en la valoración de la calidad sonora urbana
Authors: Guillén José-Domingo , López-Barrio Isabel
Published: January 2008

El estudio recoge los resultados de una investigación cuyo objetivo fue caracterizar los ambientes sonoros urbanos en función de su calidad perceptiva. En el estudio participó un grupo de 311 sujetos, que valoró en condiciones de laboratorio 9 paisajes sonoros, considerados representativos del entorno urbano. Como instrumento de medida de la percepción subjetiva se utilizó una escala de diferencial semántico compuesta por 18 pares de adjetivos. Los atributos referidos a la naturaleza del sonido y la ruidosidad percibida se mostraron como los más importantes en la percepción del paisaje sonoro. Otros atributos importantes fueron la capacidad informativa del sonido, la sensación de espacialidad en relación al contexto y su carácter variado (mezcla sonora) y relajante.
Las representaciones sociales del medio ambiente: el papel de la fotografía
Authors: Castrechini Angela , Pol Enric , Vidal Tomeu
Published: January 2008

Este estudio se centra en el papel de la fotografía en la construcción de la representación social (RS) del medio ambiente. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados del análisis de las referencias fotográficas utilizadas para ilustrar y/o acompañar tales noticias.

Se analizó una muestra de 266 fotografías procedentes de dos diarios: La Vanguardia y El País en su edición barcelonesa. El período de estudio comprendió desde el año 1992 hasta el 2002. El procedimiento consistió en categorizar los diferentes temas contenidos en las fotografías. Para su categorización no se partió de un sistema de categorías establecido a priori, sino que éste se fue construyendo a partir de la información proporcionada por el propio material analizado. Se obtuvieron cuatro categorías principales: actores sociales, paisajes, afectación del medio ambiente y acciones sociales.

Destaca una presencia mayoritaria de figuras políticas que puede reflejar el uso (y abuso) interesado de la prensa de algunas fuentes informativas y/o la hegemonía de una fuente por encima de las otras. Por otra parte, es de resaltar la alta presencia de fotografías de escenarios urbanos. Ello puede estar indicando un cambio en la representación social del medio ambiente, históricamente referido al paisaje natural y reflejo de la asociación tradicional entre naturaleza y conservacionismo. Las pruebas estadísticas realizadas muestran la existencia de diferencias significativas en cuanto al tipo de tema contenido en las fotografías a lo largo del período analizado.
Permanent Meanders in the California Current System
Authors: Centurioni L. R. , Ohlmann J. C. , Niiler P. P.
Published: January 2008

Surface Velocity Program (SVP) drifter data from 1987 through 2005; Archiving, Validation, and Interpretation of Satellite Oceanographic data (AVISO) sea level anomalies; and NCEP reanalysis winds are used to assemble a time-averaged map of the 15-m-deep geostrophic velocity field in the California Current System seaward of about 50 km from the coast. The wind data are used to compute the Ekman currents, which are then subtracted from the drifter velocity measurements. The resulting proxy for geostrophic velocity anomalies computed from drifters and from satellite sea level measurements are combined to form an unbiased mean geostrophic circulation map. The result shows a California Current System that flows southward with four permanent meanders that can extend seaward for more than 800 km. Bands of alternating eastward and westward zonal currents are connected to the meanders and extend several thousand kilometers into the Pacific Ocean. This observed time-mean circulation and its associated eddy energy are compared to those produced by various high-resolution OGCM solutions: Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS; 5 km), Parallel Ocean Program model (POP; 1/10°), Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM; 1/12°), and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Layered Ocean Model (NLOM; 1/32°). Simulations in closest agreement with observations come from ROMS, which also produces four meanders, geostrophic time-mean currents, and geostrophic eddy energy consistent with the observed values. The time-mean ageostrophic velocity in ROMS is strongest within the cyclonic part of the meanders and is similar to the ageostrophic velocity produced by nonlinear interaction of Ekman currents with the near-surface vorticity field.
An Observational Study of Hurricane Boundary Layer Small-Scale Coherent Structures
Authors: Lorsolo Sylvie , Schroeder John L. , Dodge Peter , Marks Frank
Published: January 2008

Data with high temporal and spatial resolution from Hurricanes Isabel (2003) and Frances (2004) were analyzed to provide a detailed study of near-surface linear structures with subkilometer wavelengths of the hurricane boundary layer (HBL). The analysis showed that the features were omnipresent throughout the data collection, displayed a horizontal and vertical coherency, and maintained an average orientation of 7° left of the low-level wind. A unique objective wavelength analysis was conducted, where wavelength was defined as the distance between two wind maxima or minima perpendicular to the features’ long axis, and revealed that although wavelengths as large as 1400 m were observed, the majority of the features had wavelengths between 200 and 650 m. The assessed wavelengths differ from those documented in a recent observational study. To evaluate the correlation between the features and the underlying near-surface wind field, time and spectral analyses were completed and ground-relative frequency distributions of the features were retrieved. High-energy regions of the power spectral density (PSD) determined from near-surface data were collocated with the features’ ground-relative frequency, illustrating that the features have an influence on the near-surface wind field. The additional energy found in the low-frequency range of the PSDs was previously identified as characteristic of the hurricane surface flow, suggesting that the features are an integral component of the HBL flow.
Dynamical Global Downscaling of Global Reanalysis
Authors: Yoshimura Kei , Kanamitsu Masao
Published: January 2008

With the aim of producing higher-resolution global reanalysis datasets from coarse-resolution reanalysis, a global version of the dynamical downscaling using a global spectral model is developed. A variant of spectral nudging, the modified form of scale-selective bias correction developed for regional models is adopted. The method includes 1) nudging of temperature in addition to the zonal and meridional components of winds, 2) nudging to the perturbation field rather than to the perturbation tendency, and 3) no nudging and correction of the humidity. The downscaling experiment was performed using a T248L28 (about 50-km resolution) global model, driven by the so-called R-2 reanalysis (T62L28 resolution, or about 200-km resolution) during 2001. Evaluation with high-resolution observations showed that the monthly averaged global surface temperature and daily variation of precipitation were much improved. Over North America, surface wind speed and temperature are much better, and over Japan, the diurnal pattern of surface temperature is much improved, as are wind speed and precipitation, but not humidity. Three well-known synoptic/subsynoptic-scale weather patterns over the United States, Europe, and Antarctica were shown to become more realistic. This study suggests that the global downscaling is a viable and economical method for obtaining high-resolution reanalysis without rerunning a very expensive high-resolution full data assimilation.
Climatology of Surface Cyclone Tracks Associated with Large Central and Eastern U.S. Snowstorms, 1950–2000
Authors: Changnon David , Merinsky Chad , Lawson Michael
Published: January 2008

The 241 largest snowstorms over the eastern two-thirds of the United States during 1950–2000 exhibited considerable temporal variability ranging from 1 storm in three winters to 10 storms in 1993/94. The peak decadal frequency was 55 storms (1950s), and the minimum was 45 storms (1970s and 1980s). The east–north-central region experienced the greatest number of large snowstorms (148) followed by the west–north-central (136) and central (133) regions. Regional trends were different. Assessment of surface cyclone tracks associated with the large snowstorms identified three primary tracks: one was located from the leeward side of the south-central Rocky Mountains east-northeast toward the Great Lakes; a second was from the lower Mississippi River basin northeastward toward the Great Lakes; and a third was along the coastal mid-Atlantic region northeast toward Maine. Temporal differences in the frequency of certain surface cyclone tracks were related to the decadal trends in regional large snowstorm occurrence. The minimum surface pressure associated with these storms ranged from 959 to 1013 hPa with more than 67% of all storms having a minimum surface pressure between 980 and 999 hPa. The average orthogonal distance from the storm track to the heavy snow region was 201 km. The average rate of cyclone movement ranged from less than 483 to more than 1930 km day−1, with more than 57% of storms moving between 805 and 1287 km day−1.
Homelessness, Children, and Youth: Research in the United States and Canada
Authors: Varney Darcy , van Vliet Willem
Published: January 2008

This issue of American Behavioral Scientist makes available some of the most recent research on the growing social, economic, and human development impacts of homelessness on families—specifically, on the lives of children and youth. The seven studies from the United States and Canada compiled here provide important evidence-based insights to inform efforts aimed at combating homelessness among children and youth. They represent a variety of methodologies, including rigorous, person-centered approaches that reveal the complexity of the homeless experience for young people and the heterogeneity of the young homeless population. As a body, the studies highlight the importance of understanding the diverse contexts in which homeless children and youth live and tailoring supportive services accordingly. Thousands of homeless young people remain unrecognized and underserved. The work in this issue illustrates the urgency of bringing researchers, policy makers, and practitioners together to work toward adequate and affordable shelter for all.
Understanding the Impact of Homelessness on Children
Authors: Buckner John C.
Published: January 2008

Focusing on the central aim of many published studies involving homeless children in the United States, this article summarizes findings on the effects of homelessness on children's mental health, health, developmental status, and academic achievement. Researchers have repeatedly documented that poverty is associated with higher rates of problems among both homeless and low-income housed groups of children in comparison to children in the broader population. Although the majority of studies have found homeless children to evidence greater problems than low-income housed children, results are inconsistent. Factors that may account for these discrepant findings are discussed, and recommendations for additional research are offered.
Adaptation in Homeless Children
Authors: Huntington Nicholas , Buckner John C. , Bassuk Ellen L.
Published: January 2008

Using a person-centered analytical approach, this article examines data from the Worcester Family Research Project to determine whether homeless children (53 preschoolers and 69 school-age children) can be classified into subgroups based on measures of behavior problems, adaptive functioning, and achievement. Cluster analyses revealed two clusters: higher functioning children (doing well across all three domains, n = 57) and lower functioning children (doing poorly across all three domains, n = 65). These results highlight that homeless children are not a homogeneous group, that a subgroup of children are doing well despite the stresses they face, and that services and policies perhaps ought to be more specifically targeted.
Homeless Young Adults and Behavioral Health
Authors: Zerger Suzanne , Strehlow Aaron J. , Gundlapalli Adi V.
Published: January 2008

Young adults (ages 18-24) are especially vulnerable to homelessness in the United States, and those experiencing homelessness exhibit high prevalence for many kinds of abuse and negative health outcomes. This article reviews common behavioral health issues facing homeless youth and assesses collective wisdom on effective treatments and services for this vulnerable population. On the whole, the research remains focused on individual-level risk and protective factors and service use patterns and preferences, which detracts from the structural issues that have shaped these individuals' experiences in the first place and are key to resolving them.
Imitation and inspiration in public sector reform: lessons from Commonwealth experiences
Authors: Laking Rob , Norman Richard
Published: January 2008

This article is based on a paper originally presented at the 2006 Conference of the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management. It discusses case studies of reform in developing countries presented at the Commonwealth Advanced Seminar, held annually in Wellington, New Zealand. The cases are analysed in terms of major reform issues such as civil service reform, strategic planning, management decentralization and accountability for results to draw out similarities in challenges and responses across jurisdictions and also some lessons about the uptake and implementation of policy ideas from other governments. The cases illustrate the influence on developing country governments of public management ideas, ranging from specific imitation of new management `technologies' to more generalized inspiration of the possibilities of reform.

Points for practitioners

There are significant similarities of reform issues across the diverse countries of the Commonwealth, indicating the value of cross-jurisdictional dialogue about reform agendas, particularly when participants share a common official language. Some ideas about New Public Management continue to exert a strong influence on reform agendas — particularly those relating to linking individual performance to organizational tasks and objectives. Nevertheless, inspiration, rather than imitation, may sometimes be the most useful result of cross-jurisdiction discussions about public sector reform, particularly when practitioners can discuss common issues and challenges.
Governance of public—private partnerships: lessons learnt from an Australian case?
Authors: Johnston Judy , Gudergan Siegfried P.
Published: January 2008

Large infrastructure public—private partnerships (PPPs) in Australia have revealed significant governance problems. The aim of this research is to examine the technical-rational and social contractual issues of PPPs within the broad context of risk, and accordingly propose a governance framework. The research builds on international PPP literature to develop an analytical conceptualization. It uses document review and interviews to construct a case study of a Cross City Tunnel (CCT) toll-way in Sydney, which became operational in August 2005 and failed in December 2006. The research indicates that failure within this so-called PPP largely occurred within the technical-rational governance system due to unforeseen risks. This led to a breakdown in the social contract, through political risk. A governance system that enhances risk assessment and diminishes the likelihood of negative political behaviours is required.

Points for practitioners

To develop a more considered risk assessment process within the technical-rational environment, negotiation and contractual processes need deeper analysis to identify factors that could affect PPP success or failure. This would involve taking the potential impacts of identified technical-rational and social risk factors through to a logical conclusion for the project and the partners. Furthermore, this research confirms that a basic system of PPP governance needs to encompass behavioural rules, which could include appropriate sanctions and penalties within the contract. Breach of rules could involve mediation but improved PPP governance may be better achieved through an independent, oversight authority.
The automated speed enforcement system in Great Britain: between a technical revolution and administrative continuity
Authors: Carnis Laurent
Published: January 2008

At the start of the 1990s, Great Britain implemented a national programme of speed checks that includes more than 5000 check locations. The coverage of the road network then allows increased surveillance of users. The deployment of this system constitutes a `technical revolution' in the manner of operating the checks. The results are convincing; a reduction in traffic speeds and an improvement in the road casualty toll. The system is also based on an original concept: local partnerships coordinated by a national office that must self-finance their operations. The speed camera programme is thus also an example of the implementation of a policy influenced by New Public Management. In fact, there are obvious parallels between the operation of the new automatic speed equipment and that of the traffic police tasks provided by police forces. In summary, the technical revolution will be combined with administrative continuity.

Points for practitioners

The introduction of automatic speed checks in Great Britain is a practical example of the implementation of automatic equipment replacing roles previously provided by other organizations, which will attract the interest of practitioners working on institutional change. It also allows us to discern the consequences of the introduction of a tool arising from new technologies, to understand its implementation into existing administrative practices and the change in relations with users. Finally, the operating methods for the equipment organization, divided between a centre responsible for strategy and local partnerships responsible for operational implementation within a financial framework requiring self-financing, are an original example of taking over an activity traditionally devolved to police organizations.
Ownership, competition and regulation under privatization policy: the Sri Lankan experience
Authors: Balasooriya Asoka F. , Alam Quamrul , Coghill Ken
Published: January 2008

In response to the global shift from command-based economies to market economies, Sri Lanka liberalized its economy in 1977. Liberalization includes three main components, i.e. institutional reforms, removal of barriers to market entry, and creation of proper regulatory regimes. Privatization as one of the strategies under liberalization, however, became the prominent policy adopted in the second wave of liberalization that took place in Sri Lanka in the mid-1980s. This was aimed at not only reducing the fiscal and administrative burdens of a large public enterprise sector, but also to stimulate private sector development and to inspire greater government accountability. The fundamentals for successful implementation were, however, the change in ownership, the designing of policies to stimulate competition and changes in the regulatory regime with capable institutions. This article explores and analyses the extent to which the prevailing socio-political culture of the country has influenced these three dimensions of the reforms that have taken place in the public utility sectors in Sri Lanka. It argues that if any of the three dimensions of privatization — that is, ownership, competition and regulation — are not taken into serious consideration, the expected outcomes would not be met. The arguments are built up under the same three pillars of privatization using primary and secondary data. It also highlights the importance of putting equal emphasis on all three dimensions of liberalization instead of pure organizational reforms. However, successful implementation is also subject to the availability of domestic conditions that are supportive of reforms.

Points for practitioners

• Reforms in the public utility sectors in Sri Lanka since the early 1980s with special reference to privatization policy have been dealt with.

• The importance of paying equal attention to all three dimensions, i.e. ownership, competition and regulation, is highlighted.

• The consequences of privatization of two industries, i.e. gas industry and telecommunications, are discussed in detail.

• Sri Lanka has responded to the demands for reforms without creating a legal and institutional framework and ignoring domestic conditions.
When Feelings Speak
Authors: Beukeboom Camiel J. , de Jong Elisabeth M.
Published: January 2008

Cognitive tuning accounts argue that both affective feelings and bodily feelings induce changes in information processing (N. Schwarz & G. L. Clore, 1996). This article examines how these effects of feelings are reflected in language abstraction. On the basis of previous work showing that affective cues change language abstraction, we hypothesized that proprioceptive cues (i.e., bodily feelings) associated with global processing (arm flexion) should induce more abstract language use, compared with bodily feelings associated with analytic processing (arm extension). This prediction received support in a study in which participants performed a written self-description task either while pressing their nondominant hand under the table (arm flexion), or on top of the table (arm extension), or while keeping their arm relaxed (control). Implications for interpersonal communication are discussed.
Receivers' Expectations for Abstract Versus Concrete Construal
Authors: Clark Anna E. , Semin Gün R.
Published: January 2008

How does conversational context shape the construal level of future events? According to construal-level theory, temporally distant events are construed more abstractly than close events due to an association between distance and construal level. The authors have argued that situated conversational relevancies determine construal level and therefore that construal level is flexible and determined in situ. Building on research that examined construal level in a language-production paradigm, this research examined the recipient's expectations for abstract versus concrete messages. Results supported the hypotheses that although temporal distance information should direct construal expectancies when shared knowledge information is not salient, social rules dictate that when salient, shared knowledge information determines construal level, overriding temporal distance. These findings support the reciprocal nature of conversational relevance and the symmetry between language production and reception.
Linguistic Discrimination in Minimal Groups
Authors: Moscatelli Silvia , Albarello Flavia , Rubini Monica
Published: January 2008

In line with recent evidence of linguistic discrimination within minimal groups, the present experiment examines the effects of asymmetries of status between minimal groups on linguistic discrimination. Equal-, high-, and low-status groups were created by modifying the standard minimal group condition. Linguistic data were obtained by asking participants to describe a choice (parity vs. in-group favoritism vs. out-group favoritism) made by either an in-group or an out-group member in allocating negative outcomes (i.e., seconds of noise to be listened via earphones). Results showed that high- and low-status groups described the out-group in a more biased fashion than did equal-status groups, suggesting that asymmetries of status enhance out-group derogation. This study contributes to evidence of linguistic discrimination in the realm of minimal groups when groups differ in their relative social position.
The Implicit Meta-Theory That Has Inspired and Restricted LCM Research
Authors: Fiedler Klaus
Published: January 2008

Two decades of research on the linguistic category model (LCM) have resulted in considerable empirical evidence that can be organized by distinct paradigms: the linguistic intergroup bias, the linguistic expectancy bias, the question-answering paradigm, and language-based attribution. The present article explicates the metatheory underlying the research that was actually conducted within these paradigms. This metatheory provides the organizing structure for a review of potential LCM research that has not been conducted yet because it does not fit the common metatheory. Untapped LCM research encompasses communication failures, deception, the inclusion of measures of effective communication, and the joint determination of language and cognition by social roles and ecological constraints. Because many of these often overlooked topics are theoretically important and practically useful, they suggest themselves as prominent goals of future research.
The Effect of a Proximal Tibial Medial Opening Wedge Osteotomy on Posterolateral Knee Instability
Authors: LaPrade Robert F. , Engebretsen Lars , Johansen Steinar , Wentorf Fred A. , Kurtenbach Chad
Published: January 2008

Background

Increased stability of posterolateral corner knee injuries has been observed clinically after proximal tibial medial opening wedge osteotomies.

Hypothesis

Static varus and external rotatory stability will be significantly improved in a knee with a grade 3 posterolateral knee injury after a proximal tibial medial opening wedge osteotomy.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Biomechanical testing of 10 nonpaired, cadaveric knees was performed in the intact state, after transection of the posterolateral corner (fibular collateral ligament, popliteus tendon, and popliteofibular ligament), and after a 10-mm proximal tibial medial opening wedge osteotomy. Loading conditions consisted of 12 N.m varus moments and 6 N.m external rotation torques. Six degrees of freedom motion analysis was used to assess motion changes, and a buckle transducer was used to measure the force on the superficial medial collateral ligament during applied loads.

Results

After transection of the posterolateral corner structures, a significant increase in varus rotation was found to applied varus moments with a mean increased opening of 5.9° to varus stress at 30° and 5.8° at 90° of knee flexion. After proximal tibial medial opening wedge osteotomy, varus rotation was increased by a mean of 1.6° at 30° and 1.7° at 90° of knee flexion compared with the intact state. There was a significant decrease in varus rotation to a varus moment after osteotomy compared with the posterolateral sectioned state at both 30° and 90°. External rotation of the knee increased by 4.7° at 30° and 4.8° at 90° after posterolateral structure sectioning compared with the intact state. After the osteotomy, there was a significant decrease in external rotation compared with the posterolateral sectioned state, and there was no significant difference in external rotation compared with the intact state. There was a significant increase in force on the superficial medial collateral ligament after the osteotomy compared with both the intact and posterolateral corner cut state for both an applied varus moment and external rotation torque at both 30° and 90°.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that a proximal tibial medial opening wedge osteotomy decreased varus and external rotation laxity for posterolateral corner–deficient knees. Concurrently, an increase in force was observed on the superficial medial collateral ligament compared with the native state.

Clinical Significance

The improved stability observed in some patients with grade 3 posterolateral knee injuries after a proximal tibial medial opening wedge osteotomy appears to at least in part be due to tightening of the superficial medial collateral ligament. The long-term consequences of the increased force on the superficial medial collateral ligament on the medial compartment, and whether it elongates with time, merit further investigation.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Failure and Cartilage Damage during Knee Joint Compression
Authors: Yeow Chen Hua , Cheong Chee Hoong , Ng Kian Siang , Lee Peter Vee Sin , Goh James Cho Hong
Published: January 2008

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury incurred from high-impact activities leads to an increased risk of osteoarthritis.

Hypothesis

Impact forces that cause ACL failure can also inflict cartilage damage, whereby its extent and distribution may be influenced by the ligament failure mechanism.

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

Six porcine knee specimens were mounted to a material testing system at 70° of flexion. During compression, rotational and translational data of the specimens were recorded with a motion-capture system. Compression was successively repeated with increasing actuator displacement until a significant drop in compressive force response was observed; ligament failure was assessed by dissection. Osteocartilage expiants were extracted from the meniscus-covered sites (anterior, exterior, and posterior) and exposed (interior) sites on both tibial compartments. The expiants were sectioned, stained, and histologically scored using the modified Mankin grading system.

Results

Five of the 6 specimens incurred ACL failure. On failure, a significant compressive force drop (1812.5–2659.3 N) was observed together with considerable posterior femoral translation; 2 specimens underwent external rotation, while 2 had internal rotation and 1 had no substantial rotation. Generally, the meniscus-covered sites displayed significant surface fraying and occasional deep clefts; the exposed site did not present substantial surface irregularities but indicated more tidemark disruption. Higher Mankin scores observed at certain sites illustrated a localized presence of contact and shear forces, which may be caused by pivoting and sliding of the femoral condyles during rotation.

Conclusion

The porcine model can be a tenable preliminary option for assessing the role of the human ACL during joint compression. Impact loads that result in ligament failure can potentially inflict considerable cartilage damage; the damage profile may be affected by the type of failure mechanism.

Clinical Relevance

Cartilage injury arising at the time of ACL injury may lead to an accelerated risk of joint degeneration.
Union of Medial Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Using a Corticocancellous Proximal Tibial Wedge Allograft
Authors: Yacobucci Gerald N. , Cocking Matthew R.
Published: January 2008

Background

Medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy has been gaining popularity in recent years, and autogenous iliac crest bone is the gold standard graft; however, the surgical time, risk, and morbidity associated with its harvest are significant. The question of a satisfactory bone-graft substitute has yet to be clearly answered.

Hypothesis

A corticocancellous proximal tibial wedge allograft is a satisfactory graft choice when evaluating union in medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients who underwent medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy from May 2001 to May 2006 were included in the study. The amount of correction ranged from 5° to 17.5°, with a mean of 10.1°. Forty patients had fixation with a stainless steel plate and screws and 10 with a titanium interlocking plate and screws. The graft used in each case was a corticocancellous proximal tibial wedge allograft. No osteoinductive supplements were added. Patients started continuous passive motion immediately after surgery and began weightbearing at 8 weeks (if bone healing was progressing). Clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed monthly until full union and twice thereafter. Follow-up ranged from 5 months to 6 years, with a mean of 2.1 years.

Results

The average time to bone union was 12.1 weeks (range, 8–24). Two patients (4%) had a nonunion, defined as not healed at 6 months. Only 1 patient (a nonunion patient) had loss of correction at the osteotomy site, defined as collapse of the opening wedge (this occurred at 6 months after surgery). There were no cases of infection, no wound-healing problems, no cases of arthrofibrosis, and no neurovascular injuries.

Conclusion

When union is assessed, a corticocancellous proximal tibial wedge allograft is a satisfactory graft choice in medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy.
Psychometric Verification of Perry's Public Service Motivation Instrument
Authors: Coursey David H. , Perry James L. , Brudney Jeffrey L. , Littlepage Laura
Published: January 2008

This research note reports a confirmatory factor analysis for three of Perry's (1996) public service motivation (PSM) subdimensions: self-sacrifice, commitment to public interest, and compassion. A mail survey of national award-winning volunteers constitutes the sample. Results indicate strong support for Perry's instrument, most noticeably better results for self-sacrifice than those found in Perry's original exploratory work. Implications and recommendations for PSM instrument development are discussed.