bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Drug Resistance in Candida Albicans
Authors: Cowen Leah E. , Anderson James B. , Kohn Linda M.
Published: September 2002

▪ Abstract  The widespread deployment of antimicrobial agents in medicine and agriculture is nearly always followed by the evolution of resistance to these agents in the pathogen. With the limited availability of antifungal drugs and the increasing incidence of opportunistic fungal infections, the emergence of drug resistance in fungal pathogens poses a serious public health concern. Antifungal drug resistance has been studied most extensively with the yeast Candida albicans owing to its importance as an opportunistic pathogen and its experimental tractability relative to other medically important fungal pathogens. The emergence of antifungal drug resistance is an evolutionary process that proceeds on temporal, spatial, and genomic scales. This process can be observed through epidemiological studies of patients and through population-genetic studies of pathogen populations. Population-genetic studies rely on sampling of the pathogen in patient populations, serial isolations of the pathogen from individual patients, or experimental evolution of the pathogen in nutrient media or in animal models. Predicting the evolution of drug resistance is fundamental to prolonging the efficacy of existing drugs and to strategically developing and deploying novel drugs.
Microbial Communities and Their Interactions in Soil and Rhizosphere Ecosystems
Authors: Kent Angela D. , Triplett Eric W.
Published: September 2002

▪ Abstract  Since the first estimate of prokaryotic abundance in soil was published, researchers have attempted to assess the abundance and distribution of species and relate this information on community structure to ecosystem function. Culture-based methods were found to be inadequate to the task, and as a consequence a number of culture-independent approaches have been applied to the study of microbial diversity in soil. Applications of various culture-independent methods to descriptions of soil and rhizosphere microbial communities are reviewed. Culture-independent analyses have been used to catalog the species present in various environmental samples and also to assess the impact of human activity and interactions with plants or other microbes on natural microbial communities. Recent work has investigated the linkage of specific organisms to ecosystem function. Prospects for increased understanding of the ecological significance of particular populations through the use of genomics and microarrays are discussed.
Modulation of Amygdalar Activity by the Conscious Regulation of Negative Emotion
Authors: Schaefer Stacey M. , Jackson Daren C. , Davidson Richard J. , Aguirre Geoffrey K. , Kimberg Daniel Y. , Thompson-Schill Sharon L.
Published: August 2002

Lesion and neuroimaging studies suggest the amygdala is important in the perception and production of negative emotion; however, the effects of emotion regulation on the amygdalar response to negative stimuli remain unknown. Using event-related fMRI, we tested the hypothesis that voluntary modulation of negative emotion is associated with changes in neural activity within the amygdala. Negative and neutral pictures were presented with instructions to either “maintain” the emotional response or “passively view” the picture without regulating the emotion. Each picture presentation was followed by a delay, after which subjects indicated how they currently felt via a response keypad. Consistent with previous reports, greater signal change was observed in the amygdala during the presentation of negative compared to neutral pictures. No significant effect of instruction was found during the picture presentation component of the trial. However, a prolonged increase in signal change was observed in the amygdala when subjects maintained the negative emotional response during the delay following negative picture offset. This increase in amygdalar signal due to the active maintenance of negative emotion was significantly correlated with subjects' self-reported dispositional levels of negative affect. These results suggest that consciously evoked cognitive mechanisms that alter the emotional response of the subject operate, at least in part, by altering the degree of neural activity within the amygdala.
Neural Basis of the Retrieval of People's Names: Evidence from Brain-Damaged Patients and fMRI
Authors: Tsukiura Takashi , Fujii Toshikatsu , Fukatsu Reiko , Otsuki Taisuke , Okuda Jiro , Umetsu Atsushi , Suzuki Kyoko , Tabuchi Michio , Yanagawa Isao , Nagasaka Tatsuo , Kawashima Ryuta , Fukuda Hiroshi , Takahashi Shoki , Yamadori Atsushi
Published: August 2002

The aim of this study was to identify the neuroanatomical basis of the retrieval of people's names. Lesion data showed that patients with language-dominant temporal lobectomy had impairments in their ability to retrieve familiar and newly learned people's names, whereas patients with language-nondominant temporal lobectomy had difficulty retrieving newly learned people's names. Functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments revealed activations in the left temporal polar region during the retrieval of familiar and newly learned people's names, and in the right superior temporal and bilateral prefrontal cortices during the retrieval of newly learned information from face cues. These data provide new evidence that the left anterior temporal region is crucial for the retrieval of people's names irrespective of their familiarity and that the right superior temporal and bilateral prefrontal areas are crucial for the process of associating newly learned people's faces and names.
MARKETING THE TESTAMENTS: CANONGATE AND THEIR POCKET-SIZED BIBLES
Authors:   Sugirtharajah
Published: August 2002

Recently the Edinburgh-based publishing firm Canongate has brought out the Bible in the form of single books in the King James Version. Each of these volumes is introduced by a writer not necessarily associated with the Christian tradition, thus inviting the readers to approach them as literary works in their own right. For long the Bible came with commentaries written by prominent religious scholars, but now it looks as if it needed an introduction by novelists, pop artists, scientists including and even by some who are outside the Christian tradition to make the once familiar texts now widely neglected in the West come alive again. The purpose of this essay is to look at the following: the positive potential of this Pocket Canon; the role of the interpreter's personal voice within the process of discovering meaning in a narrative; the marketing of the Bible and appropriation of religious themes by secular marketeers; the re-iconization of the Bible though the King James Version; the colonial parallels in the investment, promotion and dissemination of the Bible; and the challenge of personal-voice criticism to biblical studies. Put at its simplest, can this disparate group of essayists rescue the Bible, which is fast losing its grip and importance in the West, and discover fresh significance in it?
SPEAKING THROUGH AMBIGUITY: MINOR CHARACTERS IN THE FOURTH GOSPEL
Authors: Conway Colleen
Published: August 2002

This article challenges the assumption that minor characters in the Fourth Gospel represent individual traits or varying degrees of belief in Jesus. It begins with an overview of the standard "representative" approach to Johannine characterization. This includes a brief survey of the history of interpretation of particular characters, revealing little agreement among readers as to what each character typifies. The study then moves to a discussion of the minor characters. The author does not presuppose a unified narrative with each character neatly fulfilling a narrative function. Instead, the analysis leans in the direction of deconstruction and its assumption of persistent textual indeterminacy. In this light, the study argues that nearly all of the minor characters appear unstable and shifting, particularly in relation to Jesus. Instead of assuming a position on a spectrum of negative to positive faith responses, the minor characters move individually up and down such a spectrum. The article concludes with an exploration of how the minor characters, as a group, challenge the polarized world of the Gospel.
MURDER IN KHAYBAR: SOME THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGINS OF THE QASĀMA PROCEDURE IN ISLAMIC LAW
Authors: Peters Rudolph
Published: August 2002

The institution of qasāma has intrigued both Muslim jurists and western scholars. The first were puzzled by its violation of essential legal principles, the latter by its apparent pre-Islamic origins. Because of its archaic and irrational character, western scholars assume that the institution was not applied in practice: "[I]t does not appear that this institution functioned much, even in the past, when the penal law of Islam had a certain practical application." However, the evidence of fatwa collections shows that the qasāma was indeed enforced by courts as late as the nineteenth century, and the rules connected with it have now found their way into some modern Islamic criminal codes. The qasāma, it appears, was a living institution in Islamic law and not just theory. In this essay I will try to shed some light on the origins of this institution and its reception into Islamic law. I will attempt to chart the earliest developments of Islamic jurisprudence by analyzing the available hadith material and the statements of the first generation of jurists. In the conclusion I will suggest that my analysis of the material on qasāma corroborates Motzki's and Powers' revision of the chronology of the development of Islamic jurisprudence first put forward by Joseph Schacht in The Origins of Muhammadan Jurisprudence (1950).
EVIDENCE: FROM MEMORY TO ARCHIVE
Authors: Messick Brinkley
Published: August 2002

This is an analysis of an evidence doctrine in Islamic law, based on a close reading of a chapter in an authoritative Zaydī school manual in conjunction with nineteenth and twentieth-century commentaries. As I follow the presentation of the doctrinal issues by these Muslim jurists, I examine concepts and procedures surrounding the witnesses and their testimony, the related role of the judge, the distinctive institution of jarh wa-ta'dīl, and the special case of written evidence.
Subcellular adaptation of the human diaphragm in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Orozco-Levi M , Gea J , Lloreta JL , Felez M , Minguella J , Serrano S , Broquetas JM
Published: August 2002

Pulmonary hyperinflation impairs the function of the diaphragm in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it has been recently demonstrated that the muscle can counterbalance this deleterious effect, remodelling its structure (i.e. changing the proportion of different types of fibres). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the functional impairment present in COPD patients can be associated with structural subcellular changes of the diaphragm. Twenty individuals (60+/-9 yrs, 11 COPD patients and 9 subjects with normal spirometry) undergoing thoracotomy were included. Nutritional status and respiratory function were evaluated prior to surgery. Then, small samples of the costal diaphragm were obtained and processed for electron microscopy analysis. COPD patients showed a mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 60+/-9% predicted, a higher concentration of mitochondria (n(mit)) in their diaphragm than controls (0.62+/-0.16 versus 0.46+/-0.16 mitochondrial transections (mt) x microm(-2), p<0.05). On the other hand, subjects with air trapping (residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) >37%) disclosed not only a higher n(mit) (0.63+/-0.17 versus 0.43+/-0.07 mt x microm(-2), p<0.05) but shorter sarcomeres (L(sar)) than subjects without this functional abnormality (2.08+/-0.16 to 2.27+/-0.15 microm, p<0.05). Glycogen stores were similar in COPD and controls. The severity of airways obstruction (i.e. FEV1) was associated with n(mit) (r=-0.555, p=0.01), while the amount of air trapping (i.e. RV/TLC) was found to correlate with both n(mit) (r=0.631, p=0.005) and L(sar) (r=-0.526, p<0.05). Finally, maximal inspiratory pressure (PI,max) inversely correlated with n(mit) (r=-0.547, p=0.01). In conclusion, impairment in lung function occurring in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with subcellular changes in their diaphragm, namely a shortening in the length of sarcomeres and an increase in the concentration of mitochondria. These changes form a part of muscle remodelling, probably contributing to a better functional muscle behaviour.
Effects of dilated cardiomyopathy on the diaphragm in the Syrian hamster
Authors: Stassijns G , Gayan-Ramirez G , De Leyn P , de Bock V , Dom R , Lysens R , Decramer M
Published: August 2002

This study aimed to elucidate changes in respiratory muscles and their mechanism in cardiomyopathy. The contractile properties and histology of the diaphragm, as well as serum levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, were examined in 10 hamsters with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (CM) and 10 controls. At 28 weeks, body weight in CM was reduced compared with controls (114+/-10 versus 144+/-14 g, p<0.0001). The ratio of diaphragm to body weight was significantly higher in CM than in controls (0.228+/-0.015 versus 0.182+/-0.017, p<0.0001). In vitro, maximal diaphragmatic twitch (303+/-63 versus 455+/-119 g x cm(-2)) and tetanic tensions (1,555+/-369 versus 2,204+/-506 g x cm(-2)) were significantly lower in CM than in controls (p<0.005). The half-relaxation time was significantly shorter in CM (19+/-1 ms) than in controls (24+/-3 ms, p<0.0005). Fatiguability at 25 Hz was significantly less in CM (28%) than in controls (42%, p<0.0001). Diaphragm and gastrocnemius adenosine triphosphatase staining showed type I fibre atrophy in CM, associated with an increase in the number of type I fibres in the diaphragm. Histological examination of both muscles revealed an abnormal muscular pattern. Finally, serum levels of IGF-1 were 47% lower in the CM group than in controls (p<0.0001) and were clearly related to the changes in the contractile properties and histology of the diaphragm. In conclusion, cardiomyopathy in hamsters: 1) depressed the force-generating capacity and shortened the relaxation of the hamster diaphragm; 2) induced type I fibre atrophy in combination with a myopathic pattern; and 3) was associated with a significant reduction in serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, related to the diaphragmatic changes. Whether these changes are primary myopathic or secondary to heart failure remains to be elucidated.
Do morphology and stage explain the inferior lung cancer survival in Denmark?
Authors: Storm HH , Dickman PW , Engeland A , Haldorsen T , Hakulinen T
Published: August 2002

Danish lung cancer patients diagnosed during 1983-1987 experienced 5-yr relative survival rates 2-7% inferior to patients in the other Nordic countries, despite the similarity of cancer registration and healthcare systems in the Nordic countries. Is the inferior relative survival in Denmark due to differences in morphology or stage of lung cancers? The present study compared in detail the survival of 92,719 patients diagnosed with lung cancer during 1978-1992 in Denmark, Finland, and Norway. In particular, differences in morphology and extent of disease were studied. A poor survival rate for small cell anaplastic lung carcinoma compared with all other morphologies was confirmed. However, this could not explain the relative survival differences observed between countries. Extent of disease was the most important predictor of survival. Part of the observed survival differences could be explained by a less favourable stage distribution in Denmark, combined with a slightly lower relative survival rate for those with metastatic disease. Differences in treatment are unlikely to explain the findings, although delays in diagnosing and treating patients in Denmark compared with neighbouring countries could partially explain the lower patient survival in Denmark. In conclusion, the main factor in the lower survival rate in Denmark is unfavourable stage distribution.
An epidemiological study of lung cancer: history and histological types in a general population in northern Finland
Authors: Makitaro R , Paakko P , Huhti E , Bloigu R , Kinnula VL
Published: August 2002

A prospective epidemiological study was conducted to assess the incidence, diagnosis, histology and surgical treatment of lung cancer in northern Finland. The results were compared with those obtained in a similar survey 20 yrs earlier. Most of the patients with a suspected lung tumour were interviewed (72%) and the information was combined with that obtained from the national cancer registry. All pathological specimens were re-evaluated by a pathologist. A total of 602 new lung cancer cases (85% male, 15% female) were diagnosed during the years 1990-1992, the annual incidence per 100,000 being 63 for males and 9.5 for females. The number not reported to the Finnish Cancer Registry was low (<1%). Lung cancer was confirmed histologically in 381 cases (63%) and in addition cytologically in 135 cases (23%). Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type (40%), the proportion of adenocarcinoma being 26%, small cell carcinoma 24% and large cell carcinoma 4%. The incidence of lung cancer had decreased significantly among males (from 87 to 63 per 100,000) compared with 20 yrs earlier but had increased among females (from 4.1 to 9.5), chiefly on account of adenocarcinoma. The findings of this prospective study show an increase in the incidence of lung adenocarcinoma among females, a histological type which is less closely related to smoking than the other cancers. This suggests that other risk factors may play an increasing role in the aetiology of lung cancer.
Implications of hormesis for industrial hygiene
Authors: Jayjock M A , Lewis P G
Published: August 2002

This paper considers hormesis as a valid and potentially valuable alternative hypothesis for low-dose response in the context of occupational health risk assessment. It outlines the current occupational risk assessment paradigm and its use of high-dose toxicological data in setting occupational exposure limits (OELs). This present effort is a call to science to investigate the potential promise of hormesis in providing prima facie experimental evidence for a low-dose threshold of toxic effect to chemical agents. The scientific effort and advancement advised in this piece could also lead to experimentally validated quantitative estimates of the toxic effect extant at occupational exposures in the region of the OEL.
Hormesis and industrial hygiene: a new hypothesis for low-dose response in occupational risk assessment
Authors: Carelli G , Iavicoli I , Castellino N
Published: August 2002

The study of Jayjock and Lewis, `Implication of Hormesis for Industrial Hygiene’, represents a challenge for the scientific community to consider hormesis as a possible working hypothesis for redefining risk assessment strategy for low-dose exposures in the realm of industrial hygiene. This invited commentary aims at examining some aspects of the study for which no proven and conclusive scientific evidence has yet been found, such as the limited nature of some statistical tests, the calculation of the safety factor, the place occupied by hormesis in industrial hygiene and, finally, the impact that scarce knowledge of this phenomenon and rejection by part of the scientific community has on the possibility of using hormesis in the safeguarding of workers’ health.
Jayjock and Lewis reply
Authors: Jayjock M A , Lewis P G
Published: August 2002

The current state-of-the-science, in our opinion, is incapable of accurately predicting the human health risk at environmental exposures to chemicals. We believe that dose-response models represent an integral part of the scientific method but that all models require valid scientific data in the realm of actual exposure in order to be derived and function properly. Given this current state, the evidence to date and the promise of hormesis to provide a detectable signal at low-dose, we view it as a variable and valuable hypothesis worthy of significant scientific effort.
Carcinogenicity testing of IL-10: principles and practicalities
Authors: Rosenblum I Y , Dayan A D
Published: August 2002

IL-10 is a cytokine with actions at many levels of the immune system. In the course of development of recombinant human IL-10 (rhuIL-10) as a potential treatment for a number of chronic diseases of man, the question `What about its carcinogenicity testing?’ was repeatedly asked, based on scientific evaluation by toxicologists, beliefs about regulatory requirements, and questions considered likely to be raised by physicians, patients, and lawyers. The feasibility of various approaches to the carcinogenicity testing of rhuIL-10 is critically discussed here as a contribution to rational consideration of the general need for and value of such testing, and its particular feasibility for a recombinant human protein with profound effects on the immune system. The physiological functions of IL-10 in man and rodents are reviewed in detail, as there are notable differences between species in its normal activities, followed by detailed evaluation of the potential procedures and practical problems of its carcinogenicity testing as a heterologous, immunogenic protein in rodents. The value of information that might be obtained from transgenic mice is also evaluated, and so are the results of studies exploring its actions on human tumour cell biopsies and rodent and human cell lines. It is concluded that despite the probable popular and regulatory expectations that carcinogenicity test results would be provided, all the physiological and pathological information reveals no indication that rhuIL10 would pose a carcinogenic risk to humans on prolonged administration, and that it would not be feasible to undertake such experimentation. It is argued that in this, as in other instances, professional and popular expectations have run beyond practical feasibility or theoretical justification. Cautious and critical evaluation should be made every time shorter or longer term toxicity studies of any candidate drug are planned or even considered, especially if it is a recombinant protein, to decide on objective grounds whether the studies are really necessary and whether they can be done in a way that will give meaningful results that will help in risk assessment.
The Modification of Emotional Responses: a problem for trust in nurse-patient Relationships?
Authors: de Raeve Louise
Published: August 2002

This article examines one aspect of the criticism of inauthenticity that can be levelled against the trustworthiness of professional relationships in general and nurse-patient relationships in particular. The overall question is: are such relationships inherently trustworthy or untrustworthy, from the patient’s point of view? The author concludes that, in spite of legitimate grounds for concern, and while it remains true that nurse-patient relationships may be untrustworthy, they are not inherently so for reasons of inauthenticity relating to emotional labour. The arguments used to defend this claim take their force from the idea that different criteria may be needed to assess the authenticity of nurse-patient relationships from those used to evaluate authenticity in ordinary social relationships. The utility of Hochschild’s idea of ‘deep’ acting, as offering a useful model for the management of emotions in nursing, is examined and rejected.
A Fundamental Ethical Approach to Nursing: some proposals for ethics education
Authors: Gastmans Chris
Published: August 2002

The purpose of this article is to explore a fundamental ethical approach to nursing and to suggest some proposals, based on this approach, for nursing ethics education. The major point is that the kind of nursing ethics education that is given reflects the theory that is held of nursing. Three components of a fundamental ethical view on nursing are analysed more deeply: (1) nursing considered as moral practice; (2) the intersubjective character of nursing; and (3) moral perception. It is argued that the fundamental ethical view on nursing goes together with a virtue ethics approach. Suggestions are made for the ethics education of nurses. In particular, three implications are considered: (1) an attitude versus action-orientated ethics education; (2) an integral versus rationalistic ethics education; and (3) a contextual model of ethics education. It will also be shown that the European philosophical background offers some original ideas for this endeavour.
A fast new numerical tool for designing prestressed dies for backward extrusion: Part 2: Numerical analysis
Authors: Bonnavand F , Bramley A N , Mynors D J
Published: August 2002

The economics of forging requires tools to be designed to ensure maximum service life. Ideally, this should be achieved by determining the maximum equivalent stress experienced by tools during service. However, the determination of the maximum equivalent stress in the dies through numerical simulations is very time consuming. For the case of a backward extrusion process, this paper proposes a method for its determination that is based on an analytical function of the process parameters. This function was obtained by generating a database that includes the maximum equivalent stress for a large range of process parameters. This database was then modelled by a function determined through statistical analysis.
Behavior of a Single Layer Spherical Dome with Openings and Large Depth-To-Span Ratio
Authors: Han Qinghua , Liu Xiliang
Published: August 2002

In this article, the design procedure for a single layer spherical dome engineering project, with openings and large depth-to-span ratio is introduced and its installation method is explained briefly. The supporting node and the connection node are described in detail. Using the 3-D straight beam element with constant cross section in T.L. Formulation, the eigen-buckling of this spherical dome is analyzed by the Block Lanczos Method and the equilibrium path is traced taking the initial geometric imperfection into account by the Cylindrical Arc Length Method. The influence of the wind force on the load capacity of the dome is discussed. Using the Subspace Iteration Method, the first 20 frequencies and their vectors are calculated. Some properties are also discussed. Conclusions are drawn and several suggestions are put forward in the paper.
Random Vibration Study of Structures under Multi-Component Seismic Excitations
Authors: Xue S. D. , Cao Z. , Wang X. S.
Published: August 2002

A random vibration study of structures under multi-component seismic excitations is presented in this paper. The pseudo excitation method proposed by J. H. Lin is employed and is further developed, from which a multi-component pseudo excitation method is formulated. Then, the random model and correlation for multiple ground motions are investigated. Based on the method, a computer program is developed and a random vibration study is performed for a double-layer spherical lattice shell to investigate its seismic performance under multi-component seismic excitations. It is found that a significant difference may occur between single and multi-component seismic excitations. The present study has shown that the developed method is a highly efficient and accurate CQC algorithm, in which all the cross-correlation terms between both participant modes and seismic excitations are involved. This method can easily be used for multi-component seismic analysis of structures that have closely spaced natural frequencies and coupled vibration modes.
Localisation de l'alcool deshydrogenase mitochondriale de Candida tropicalis
Authors: Gallo Michel , Roche-Penverne Bernadette , Azoulay Edgard
Published: August 2002

The presence of alcohol dehydrogenase on the external membrane explains why the oxidation of higher alcohols is not coupled to oxidative phosphorylation.
Le variant βE et le code de phosphorylation des caséines bovines
Authors: Grosclaude François , Mahe Marie-Françoise , Voglino Gian-Franco
Published: August 2002

The E variant of bovine β‐casein differs from the reference βA2 variant by the substitution 36 Glu (βA2) → Lys (βE). Seryl residue 35 is phosphorylated in βE as in βA2. The variant βE can be compared to the variant βC which also differs from βA2 by a Glu → Lys substitution. However, this substitution then affects the position 37, and, in this case, the seryl residue 35 is not phosphorylated. These observations tend to support the existence of the phosphorylation code of bovine caseins as postulated by Mercier et al. [1].
Interaction entre tARN‐ligases et lipides
Authors: Dimitrijevic L. , Godefroy-Colburn Th.
Published: August 2002

Yeast lysyl‐tRNA‐synthetase can be obtained under two different forms: a native form (mol. wt. 140 000) bound to lipids which are responsible for its low density; this form has a tendency to aggregate; the other form is partially proteolyzed (mol. wt. 110 000) and is not bound to lipids. When the lipid fraction is removed from the native enzyme it looses its activity which can be restored by adding back an amount of lipids equivalent to that which had been removed. The proteolyzed enzyme is also activated, but to a lesser extent, by the addition of the lipid fraction extracted from the native enzyme. At low concentration every preparation of lysyl‐tRNA‐synthetase seems to dissociate into inactive subunits, but this is especially true for the delipidized native enzyme. Synthetases for several other amino acids have a similar behavior.
Bank Dividend Policy as a Signal of Bank Quality
Authors: Boldin Robert , Leggett Keith
Published: August 2002

This article examines whether the dividendpolicy of bank holding companies is used as a signal of their quality. The study found evidence to support the dividend signaling argument-that is, that there is a positive relationship between bank dividendsper share and bank quality rating. Aaiiitionally, an inverse relationship between the dividend payout ratio and bank quality was found. Therefore, both aspects of a bank holding company’s dividendpolicy yields information about the quality of a fmancial institution.
Quantifying Time Value Errors
Authors: Mangiero George A. , Mangiero Susan M.
Published: August 2002

Time valuation of cash flows is an essential part of personal financial planning and management. Many financial arrangements are priced according to a cash-jlow valu- ation model. Expected cash flows associated with a stock or bond are discounted at an appropriate risk-adjusted rate in order to determine the fair value of the financial asset. Home mortgage loans arepriced according to the discounted value of thefitureprincipal and interest cash flows. Yet, despite the importance of the discounted cashflow method- ology in pricing assets, computational errors are often made when discount factors are not calculatedprecisely. This article attempts to quantify the magnitude of the error when the mathematicalfirnction for present value is ignored and interpolation is used instead to determine the discount factor,
Consultation and resource usage in retirement savings decisions
Authors: Clark-Murphy Marilyn , Gerrans Paul
Published: August 2002

Australian retirement savings funds are growing rapidly and fund members are assuming greater responsibility for their own savings. Individuals' retirement savings decision processes have not been extensively researched, however, these decisions are significant not only for members but also for employers and government. This paper provides information on retirement savings in Australia and reports on a survey of members of a University superannuation fund who were recently asked to choose between a defined benefit scheme or one of four investment accumulation accounts. We explore gender differences in knowledge of superannuation and those consulted in making the decision. Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Federal Open Market Committee meetings and stock market performance
Authors: Tori Cynthia Royal
Published: August 2002

This paper examines an interesting calendar effect - a relationship between contemporaneous stock market returns and Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting dates. Examining S&P 500 stock market returns between 1960 and 2000, the study ®nds that there is a positive and signi®cant calendar effect associated with FOMC meeting dates. The data reveal that while FOMC meeting dates only accounted for 4.42% of the trading days, FOMC meeting date returns accounted for over 13% of the cumulative returns over the time period. Using a dummy variable for FOMC meeting dates, regression results ®nd that the FOMC meeting dates have a signi®cantly positive effect on overall market returns. Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
A stock selection model using Morningstar's style box
Authors: Schadler Frederick P. , Eakins Stanley G.
Published: August 2002

In this paper, we place firms in the Morningstar's style box cells and test whether selecting ®rms from these cells allows investors to compile a portfolio consistent with their risk tolerance. We con®rm that the risk of those cells is consistent with the risk expectations published by Morningstar. Firms assigned to the upper left cells are lower risk than those assigned to the lower right cells. When we test for risk-adjusted returns we do not ®nd that investing in high risk cells results in greater returns. Our results suggest higher returns are possible by investing in lower risk value cells. Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Portfolio diversification in a highly infationary emerging market
Authors: Hanna Michael E. , Kiymaz Halil , Perdue Grady
Published: August 2002

This study applies modern portfolio theory to the individual asset allocation decision of an investor in an emerging market. The study utilizes data from January 1991 to January 1999. Turkey's experience with high in ̄ation, depreciation in its currency, and a relatively fast growing economy provide a unique ®nancial environment to examine personal portfolio asset allocation. Seven investments are considered for inclusion in the portfolio, including the Turkish, German and American stock markets, gold, and 12-month bank deposits denominated in Turkish liras, German marks, and U.S. dollars. The findings indicate that the lira-denominated bank deposit is the dominant investment vehicle. Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
A closer look at trading strategies for U.S. equity closed-end investment companies
Authors: Anderson Seth C. , Coleman B. Jay , Born Jeffery A.
Published: August 2002

Earlier studies of U.S. closed-end investment companies ,(CEICs) examined whether the discount between CEIC price and net asset value could be exploited to gain excess returns. We advance these studies by investigating many more trading strategies and various transaction costs. We find that the role of the span between buy and sell trigger points is highly signi®cant in determining returns, and that transaction costs impact returns and mitigate the infuence of the trigger point span. Moreover, the 10 most successful strategies for each transaction cost level exhibit lower coefficients of variation than does the Standard & Poor's 500 ,(S&P 500) index. Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
The Financial Modernization Act
Authors: Gilbert Erika W. , Scott William L.
Published: August 2002

The Financial Modernization Act /(FMA) of 1999 permits banks, securities firms, and insurance companies to combine and compete with each other in all types of financial services. No longer are the names of ®nancial institutions synonymous with their particular products. This suggests moving from an ``institutional perspective'' that focuses upon the historical specializations of institutions, to a ``functional perspective'' that focuses upon the value added by ®nancial services. The functional approach offers the finance curriculum a broad and ̄exible methodology for covering Financial services. Copyright 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
The value of retirement income streams
Authors: Jennings William W. , Reichenstein William
Published: August 2002

We examine issues surrounding the value of military retirement income. We then provide estimates of the expected present value of this income stream after taxes for singles, married couples, widows and widowers of military retirees. Finally, we contend that individuals should treat the after- tax present value of military retirement income as a bond in their family portfolio. When so considered, it can dramatically affect the family's asset allocation. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
Variable annuities versus mutual funds
Authors: Milevsky Moshe Arye , Panyagometh Kamphol
Published: August 2002

Mutual funds and variable annuities are similar instruments that differ mainly in their tax treatment. Their relative appeal is the subject of intense debate in the industry. This paper contributes to the literature by quantifying the impact of investment return uncertainty when comparing the two. We focus on the embedded tax options using Monte-Carlo simulations. We conclude that although low-cost variable annuities are superior to low-cost mutual funds over long time horizons, the critical threshold is at least 10 years for typical levels of risk aversion. If, however, one ignores the tax options, the erroneous break-even horizon drops to 5 years. Copyright 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
Equity Fund Size and Growth
Authors: Ciccotello Conrad S. , Grant C. Terry
Published: August 2002

Should individuals choose the largest or smallest equity jimisfor investment? This study explores the relationship of equityfind size to pe$ormance. Historical returns of largejiouis are found to be superior to their smaller peers. Yesterday’s best peforming funds tend to become to&y’s largestjkds as individuals invest heavily in response to the communications about the fund’s past success. But thefindings suggest that, once large, equity jimak do not outperform their peers. Especially for jima!s in aggressive growth objectives, the advantages of being small appear to outweigh the disadvantages. For individual investors wtih aggressive growth objectives, a strategy of investing in smallerjiouis may thus be wealth maximizing.
Churning
Authors: Brown Stewart L.
Published: August 2002

Churning involves excessive trading by stockbrokers in order to generate commissions. Current practice uses the turnover ratio to detect excessive trading. The turnover ratio is a flawed indicator of the actual hartn of excessive trading which is commissions. This paper examines the intersection of law and financial analysis in the retail securities arena. A unique set of data from 23 actual churning cases is used to argue that the tum- over ratio should be replaced by a more direct measure of the trading costs: the commission to equity ratio. An appropriate benchmark related to the return on common stocks is suggested to gauge excessive trading in a commission context.
Ratios and Benchmarks for Measuring the Financial Well-Being of Families and Individuals
Authors: Greninger Sue A. , Hampton Vickie L. , Kitt Kamd A. , Achacoso Joseph A.
Published: August 2002

Financial planners and educators comprised a panel of 156 experts in this Delphi study designed to identify and refine ratios and benchmarks for measuring financial well- being. Consensus between the two groups existed for benchmarks on 20 of 22 ratios in the areas of liquidity, savings, asset allocation, inflation prorection, tax burden, hous- ing expenses, and insolvency/credit. Consensus regarding the usefulness of specific ratios was observed for liquidity and tax burden but not for inflation protection and insolvency/credit. The preferred ratios were generally less complex and more easily measuredthanmanyoftheratiosusedinprevious work.From the findings, a profile of financial well-being for the typical family/individual was proposed.
An Emerging Partnership
Authors: Pahl Dede
Published: August 2002

The past 20 years have witnessed growth in personalfinancial planning-as a profes- sion and as a separate body of knowledge worthy of attention by the academic community. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards is aprivate, nonproBt, regulatory organization that has emerged as the group bringing these new practitioners and the personalfinance academics together in the quest towards an independent body of knowledge developed exclusively for personal financial planning. The CFP Board has funded its own research, through job analyses and market surveys and academic research through grants and monetary awards for seminal articles and research papers.
UML for ontology development
Authors: KOGUT PAUL , CRANEFIELD STEPHEN , HART LEWIS , DUTRA MARK , BACLAWSKI KENNETH , KOKAR MIECZYSLAW , SMITH JEFFREY
Published: August 2002

Ontologies are becoming increasingly important because they provide the critical
semantic foundation
for many rapidly expanding technologies such as software agents, e-commerce and knowledge
management (McGuinness, 2002). The Unified Modelling Language (UML)1 has been widely adopted
by the software engineering community and its scope is broadening to include more diverse modelling
tasks. This paper discusses the recent convergence of UML and ontologies and suggests some possible
future directions.
Prey choice and habitat use of people exploiting intertidal resources
Authors: de Boer W.F. , Blijdenstein A.-F. , Longamane F.
Published: August 2002

The impact of human exploitation depends mostly on the size of the catch and the species targeted. The value of a species is an important explanatory variable in understanding human impact. Co-management of resources should take into account these different resource values, when evaluating exploitation strategies. The prey choice and foraging behaviour of women and children searching for crabs and shells on the intertidal area at Inhaca Island, South Mozambique, were investigated using optimal foraging theory. This theoretical framework offers the possibility to understand the reasoning of an exploitation strategy and the preference for certain prey species. The number of people was registered, catches were analysed, and timing and substrate choice were recorded. The value of species was estimated using contingency tables. Women were more efficient than children, as their catch was heavier, and the mean weight/animal was larger. The density of women and their timing were positively correlated to prey availability. During neap tide, they spread their visit over more of the low water period and collected crabs by digging in the mangrove forests. No digging occurred during spring tide when a larger area was exposed, the total abundance of species increased, and more species became available. Women then switched to a second strategy, targeting swimming crabs in the tidal channel. Mean neap and spring tide catches were equal (133 g ash-free dry weight per person), but spring catches comprised significantly fewer animals per catch (42 against 123 per person), and mean animal weight was larger (5.4 against 3.0 g ash-free dry-weight per person). Diet breadth was narrower during spring tide, and decreased significantly with increased catch weight. Species with profitabilities (energy intake/handling time) lower than the mean intake rate of 0.024–0.028 g ash-free dry weight s−1 were generally excluded from the diet. The prey preference was positively related to the relative value ranks of the prey species, as measured by ranking of species by women. Women maximized the cumulative relative value ranks during spring tide, instead of total weight. Using this analysis, differences in prey choice and spatial differences in exploitation can be understood as a strategy aimed at maximizing intake and the relative value of a prey species.
Robust discourse parsing
via discourse markers, topicality and position
Authors: SCHILDER FRANK
Published: August 2002

This paper describes a simple discourse parsing and analysis algorithm that combines a formal
underspecification utilising discourse grammar with Information Retrieval (IR) techniques.
First, linguistic knowledge based on discourse markers is used to constrain a totally underspecified discourse representation. Then, the remaining underspecification is further specified
by the computation of a topicality score for every discourse unit. This computation is done via
the vector space model. Finally, the sentences in a prominent position (e.g. the first sentence
of a paragraph) are given an adjusted topicality score. The proposed algorithm was evaluated
by applying it to a text summarisation task. Results from a psycholinguistic experiment,
indicating the most salient sentences for a given text as the ‘gold standard’, show that the
algorithm performs better than commonly used machine learning and statistical approaches
to summarisation.
Intercultural Learning Arising from Pan‐European Collaboration: A community of practice with a ‘hole in the middle’
Authors: Somekh Bridget , Pearson Matthew
Published: August 2002

This article analyses the inter‐cultural learning that arose from engaging in collaborative research with partners in several European countries. It adopts a sociocultural approach, starting with a description of the pressures of accountability arising from the contractual context of a European‐funded project. Wenger's model of a community of practice and semiotic analysis based on Geertz's definition of culture are used as tools for understanding the social practices that developed in the course of working together. Three narrative vignettes provide ‘thick descriptions’ of the experience of ‘being there’ at project meetings. Each is followed by a passage of reflection and detailed discussion of an issue arising from practice: the first relating to the use of the English language as the project's working language, the second to the use of email as a main means of communication, and the third to differences in the interpretation of a key methodological concept. The inter‐cultural learning that resulted from engaging in this community of practice is then summarised and the paper ends with reflections upon the methodology adopted.
The Implications for Student Self‐esteem of Ordinary Differences in Schools: The cases of Malta and England
Authors: Chetcuti Deborah , Griffiths Morwenna
Published: August 2002

This article explores self‐esteem and its relationship with achievement and difference. It is written as an ongoing narrative between the two authors, who through their autobiographical conversations try to come to terms with the effects of ordinary (i.e. unexceptional, non‐deviant) differences on self‐esteem. Through a critical analysis of their own experiences as students, teachers, researchers and academics, the authors try to explore how differences are discursively constructed and how they might be reconstructed. The article is in three parts. It starts with an analytic enquiry of the construction of individual self‐esteem. The authors argue that current orthodoxy about self‐esteem is oversimplified because it focuses on an individual's response to personal achievement and to face‐to‐face social relationships. It is argued that the story must be much more complex and include issues of social justice. The second part uses qualitative data from Malta and England and autobiographical data in order to explore the relationship between self‐esteem and the achievements and aspirations of students. The third and final part uses these results to construct a concept of ‘ordinary difference’ which celebrates individual and socio‐political differences rather than tries to standardise them.