bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Study of the Company Reorganisation Decision in Voluntary Administration
Authors: Routledge James , Gadenne David
Published: June 2007

A primary purpose of the voluntary administration legislation is to provide a flexible procedure by which a company can attempt to reorganise its affairs and continue trading. Informed decision‐making regarding which companies should attempt reorganisation is critical to the efficient operation of company rescue legislation. This paper explores decision‐making associated with the voluntary administration process, with a focus on the relevance of financial information to the reorganisation decision. Statistical models are developed to provide some insight into the reorganisation decision and the problem of identifying suitable (successful) reorganisation candidates from a pool of distressed companies. Additionally, insolvency experts’ decisions regarding companies’ prospects in reorganisation are examined. The decision accuracy of insolvency experts was found to be significantly lower than statistical model accuracy, indicating that further development of statistical models may be a useful aid to insolvency experts.
Development of cable maintenance robot for cable‐stayed bridges
Authors: Luo Jun , Xie Shaorong , Gong Zhenbang , Lu Tiansheng
Published: June 2007

Purpose

In order to replace the conventional human maintenance of cable‐stayed bridges, a robot is designed and constructed for tasks such as cleaning, painting and rust‐detecting.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a modular approach, two kinds of climbing mechanisms, plus a painting mechanism and a rust‐detecting method are designed.

Findings

A robot that can climb and maintain the cables of cable‐stayed bridges has been designed and constructed. It has been proved by experiment that the robot can overcome many disadvantages of conventional human bridge‐maintenance, and drastically improve efficiency, cost, and safety.

Research limitations/implications

The robot is of industrial size, but a new mechanism requiring less installing time will be designed for the future.

Practical implications

The robot has been applied to cables of the Nanpu Bridge and Xupu Bridge in Shanghai. More than 80 cable‐stayed bridges and six suspension bridges have been built or are being constructed across large rivers in China alone. This gives an enormous potential market.

Originality/value

The cable maintenance robot developed in this paper is the world's first special robot for the cables of cable‐stayed bridges.
Benchmarking top Arab banks' efficiency through efficient frontier analysis
Authors: Mostafa Mohamed
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The major aim of this research is to measure the relative efficiency of the top 100 Arab banks. The sensitivity of the results is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Data envelopment analysis DEA method was used to evaluate the relative efficiency of Arab banks. Cross‐sectional data for the year 2005 were used to conduct the analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that the performance of several banks is sub‐optimal, suggesting the potential for significant improvements. Separate benchmarks were derived for possible reductions in resources used, and significant savings are possible on this account.

Originality/value

From a policy perspective, this study highlights the importance of encouraging increased efficiency throughout the banking industry in the Arab world.
The impact of codes of ethics and experience on auditor judgments
Authors: Pflugrath Gary , Martinov‐Bennie Nonna , Chen Liang
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the presence of a code of ethics on the quality of auditors' judgments, within the context of the new International Standard on Quality Controls 1 (ISQC1).

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 112 professional accountants and auditing students was employed to investigate the effect of the presence of a code of ethics (operationalised as the presence vs absence of an organisational code of conduct) on the quality of audit judgments, pertaining to an inventory writedown, using a 2 × 2 full factorial “between‐subjects” experimental design.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that the presence of a code of ethics has a positive impact on the quality of the judgments made by professional accountants, but not on students. This suggests that it is the code of ethics, in the context of greater general experience that leads to higher quality of judgments.

Practical implications

The results suggest that the requirements of ISQC1 are relevant to the quality control of accounting firms and have potential to positively impact the quality of audit performance.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to examine the impact of the presence of a code of ethics within an audit context. It is the first time that the interactive effects of the code of ethics and technical competency, which together form an integral part of standard‐setters' quality control standards, upon the quality of auditor judgments has been investigated.
Ownership structure, board composition and corporate voluntary disclosure
Authors: Huafang Xiao , Jianguo Yuan
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the impact of ownership structure and board composition on voluntary disclosures of listed companies in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an OLS‐regression model to test the relationship among ownership structure, board composition and the level of voluntary disclosure. The sample is based on 559 firm observations in 2002.

Findings

Higher blockholder ownership and foreign listing/shares ownership is associated with increased disclosure. However, managerial ownership, state ownership, and legal‐person ownership are not related to disclosure. An increase in independent directors increases corporate disclosure and CEO duality is associated with lower disclosure. The paper also finds that larger firms had greater disclosure, while firms with growth opportunities are reluctant to disclose information voluntarily.

Research limitations/implications

Firstly, the sample is comprised of companies listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2002 and only 45.7 percent of representative firms listed in China. Secondly, the disclosure checklist does not cover all voluntary disclosure in corporations as employed and supported in several prior studies. Thirdly, the award of checklist items may be subjected to errors.

Practical implications

This paper indicates the relationship among ownership structure, board composition and corporate voluntary disclosure, and provides evidence for Chinese regulators to improve corporate governance and optimize ownership structure.

Originality/value

Distinct from prior empirical research based on disclosure behavior in developed‐western markets, this study examines the impact of ownership structure and board composition on voluntary disclosures of listed companies in the Asian setting of China.
The Companies Act 2006 – revolution or evolution?
Authors: Birds John
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The Companies Act became law in November 2006. Government spokesmen have claimed that it will simplify the running of the private companies that constitute the majority of registered companies and that it will enhance shareholder engagement in large quoted companies. Aims to question whether this is really the case.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a critical commentary.

Findings

There are some good things in the Act but it can be argued that these hardly add up to a revolution, and the new Act remains full of regulatory requirements for all companies, something that will be compounded when the mass of necessary secondary legislation is introduced.

Originality/value

Shows that evolution rather than revolution would seem a more apt description of this legislation.
Maintaining customer relationships in high credence services
Authors: Eisingerich Andreas B. , Bell Simon J.
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The growing importance of relationship marketing has increased interest in the role of consumer trust and loyalty in establishing, developing, and maintaining successful relational exchanges. The aim of this study is first, to examine the differential effects of perceived service quality, trust, and loyalty on repurchase intentions, second, to specify loyalty as a key mediating variable in the consumer‐trust repurchase intentions relationship, and finally, to directly confront the thesis that loyalty is a more powerful determinant of long‐term relationships than trust.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the proposed model in the context of professional services, the authors use data collected from 1,125 customers of a global financial services firm.

Findings

The results highlight customers' willingness to recommend the firm to relatives or friends to be the key driver of customer commitment to the organization.

Research limitations/implications

Although this single‐industry approach may establish the internal validity of the proposed model, replication in alternative service settings is needed to increase the generalizability of the findings. Further research is needed to investigate the longitudinal effects of trust and loyalty on repurchase intentions in professional service contexts.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to understanding of the relationships between different elements of service quality, trust, loyalty, and repurchase intentions; provide critical implications for managers of service organizations; and highlight directions for future research.
A qualitative study of Chinese wine consumption and purchasing
Authors: Liu Fang , Murphy Jamie
Published: June 2007

Purpose

This research aims to examine Chinese consumers’ wine consumption and purchasing behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The study, conducted during the Chinese New Year in early 2006, used in‐depth interviews with 15 consumers in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.

Findings

The results suggest that Chinese consume Chinese spirits for all occasions, yet consume red wine only for special occasions such as Chinese new year and other holidays. A key point for selling red wine to the Chinese is its positive image; drinking red wine is considered trendy and shows good taste. Another key point is consumer perceptions of red wine as healthier than Chinese spirits because wine contains less alcohol. Two other findings are that most Chinese consumers assume all wine is red wine and have little wine knowledge. Most respondents did not know of white wine or that Australia produces wine. Finally, China's culture of face value, mianzi, plays a key role in purchasing and consuming wine. Chinese tend to purchase inexpensive wine for private consumption and public occasions, yielding more mianzi in front of others. In some important occasions, consumers will purchase a foreign (French) red wine to impress their guests and obtain even more mianzi. In most situations, Chinese purchase and consume wine for perceived health and symbolic – lucky or good face – values.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size is a limitation. Another limitation is that all the respondents lived in the urban area of Guangzhou, one of China's most developed cities. The findings do not generalize to China.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that wine is a symbolic product rather than a necessity product in China; therefore, image is an important attribute for selling wine in China. Furthermore, limited wine knowledge tends to make Chinese consumers rely heavily on price for their wine purchasing decisions, as price relates to mainzi. Chinese consumers’ high awareness of France as a wine making country and their deep‐rooted positive beliefs about French wines pose difficulties for marketing other foreign wines, such as Australian wines, in China.

Originality/value

This is perhaps the first academic study in English of Chinese wine consumption and wine purchasing. It offers important insights on the characteristics of wine consumption and purchasing in China.
Generation of a wheat leaf rust, Puccinia triticina, EST database from stage‐specific cDNA libraries
Authors: HU GUANGGAN , LINNING ROB , MCCALLUM BRENT , BANKS TRAVIS , CLOUTIER SYLVIE , BUTTERFIELD YARON , LIU JERRY , KIRKPATRICK ROBERT , STOTT JEFF , YANG GEORGE , SMAILUS DUANE , JONES STEVEN , MARRA MARCO , SCHEIN JACQUELINE , BAKKEREN GUUS
Published: June 2007

Thirteen cDNA libraries constructed from small amounts of leaf rust mRNA using optimized methods served as the source for the generation of 25 558 high‐quality DNA sequence reads. Five life‐cycle stages were sampled: resting urediniospores, urediniospores germinated over water or plant extract, compatible, interactive stages during appressorium or haustorium formation just before sporulation, and an incompatible interaction. mRNA populations were subjected to treatments such as full‐length cDNA production, subtractive and normalizing hybridizations, and size selection methods combined with PCR amplification. Pathogen and host sequences from interactive libraries were differentiated in silico using cereal and fungal sequences, codon usage analyses, and by means of a partial prototype cDNA microarray hybridized with genomic DNAs. This yielded a non‐redundant unigene set of 9760 putative fungal sequences consisting of 6616 singlets and 3144 contigs, representing 4.7 Mbp. At an E‐value  10−5, 3670 unigenes (38%) matched sequences in various databases and collections but only 694 unigenes (7%) were similar to genes with known functions. In total, 296 unigenes were identified as most probably wheat and ten as rRNA sequences. Annotation rates were low for germinated urediniospores (4%) and appressoria (2%). Gene sets obtained from the various life‐cycle stages appear to be remarkably different, suggesting drastic reprogramming of the transcriptome during these major differentiation processes. Redundancy within contigs yielded information about possible expression levels of certain genes among stages. Many sequences were similar to genes from other rusts such as Uromyces and Melampsora species; some of these genes have been implicated in pathogenicity and virulence.
Expression and clinicopathological significance of oestrogen‐responsive ezrin–radixin–moesin‐binding phosphoprotein 50 in breast cancer
Authors: Song J , Bai J , Yang W , Gabrielson E W , Chan D W , Zhang Z
Published: June 2007

Aims:  Ezrin–radixin–moesin‐binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50) is a post synaptic density‐95/Disk‐large/ZO‐1 homologous domain‐containing protein that is involved in the linkage of integral membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton and plays an important role in cell signalling. To gain insights into its biological relevance, this study examined expression of EBP50 in two cohorts of breast carcinoma.

Methods and results:  Forty‐nine breast carcinoma tissue specimens were first examined by both immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization. EBP50 expression was correlated with various clinicopathological variables. The relative abundance of EBP50 mRNA in breast carcinomas and their corresponding normal tissue was compared using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). EBP50 immunoreactivity was then further independently validated in 120 breast carcinomas on tissue microarrays. EBP50 immunoreactivity was observed in morphologically normal and cancerous epithelial cells contrasting with the adjacent immunonegative stromal cells. An elevated cytoplasmic accumulation of EBP50 protein was readily detected in 73.5–80% of breast carcinomas. EBP50 immunoreactivity was significantly associated with tumour stage, lymph node and oestrogen receptor status. These immunohistochemical observations were further validated using RNA in situ hybridization and RT‐PCR. EBP50 immunoreactivity was significantly correlated with the mRNA expression level.

Conclusion:  Oestrogen‐responsive EBP50 may play an important role in tumour progression and might be a potential marker of invasiveness for breast cancer.
Differential expression of c‐Met, its ligand HGF/SF and HER2/neu in DCIS and adjacent normal breast tissue
Authors: Lindemann K , Resau J , Nährig J , Kort E , Leeser B , Annecke K , Welk A , Schäfer J , Vande Woude G F , Lengyel E , Harbeck N
Published: June 2007

Aims:  Tyrosine kinase receptors Her2/neu and c‐Met play an important role in breast cancer development and progression. Our aim was to determine the expression of c‐Met, its ligand hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and Her2/neu in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions of the breast (n = 39) by two different immunocytochemical techniques, classical immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and to correlate their expression levels with histopathological and clinical characteristics.

Methods and results:  Both methods revealed similar c‐Met staining patterns in both the in situ component and the adjacent normal tissue (P < 0.001). However, an imbalance in c‐Met expression between tumour and surrounding normal tissue was correlated with high‐grade DCIS (Van Nuys Grade 3). No correlation existed between Her2/neu and c‐Met expression. High HGF/SF immunoreactivity was observed in 43.6% of the cases, yet the adjacent cellular stroma revealed only low levels of HGF/SF. No correlation existed between c‐Met, Her2/neu or HGF/SF expression and clinicopathological factors.

Conclusion:  An imbalance in c‐Met expression between tumour and surrounding normal tissue is associated with an aggressive DCIS phenotype. Moreover, c‐Met and HGF/SF may contribute to tumour development by different means than those controlled by Her2/neu.
Predicting internal distance to the stomach for positioning nasogastric and orogastric feeding tubes in children
Authors: Beckstrand Jan , Cirgin Ellett Marsha L. , McDaniel Anna
Published: June 2007

Title. Predicting internal distance to the stomach for positioning nasogastric and orogastric feeding tubes in children

Aim:  This paper is a report of a study to examine how well direct morphological distances commonly used for nasogastric or orogastric tube insertion and other methods perform as predictors of the internal distance to the targeted position for the tube pores in the stomach.

Background:  Previous studies with very small samples have indicated that commonly used distances give malplacements, either above the oesophagogastric junction or below the body of the stomach, perhaps as much as 33% of the time.

Methods:  We compared the predicted distances to the endoscopic and manometric distances to the oesophagogastric junction and to the body of the stomach in a prospective study of 494 children, 2 weeks to 19 years (231 months) of age. Data were collected from 1991 to 1998 and in 2005.

Results:  The nose–ear–xiphoid distance commonly used in nursing, and other morphological distances, often gave estimates that were either shorter than that to the oesophagogastric junction or longer than that to the distal margin of the body of the stomach. Age‐specific methods for predicting the distance to the body of the stomach based on height gave highly accurate predictions of the internal distances.

Conclusion:  Age‐specific methods have the potential to predict accurately the distances to the body of the stomach in 98·8% of children from 0·5 to 100 months of age and in 96·5% of children over 100 months of age. Where age‐specific prediction methods cannot be used, the next best choice is the nose or mouth to ear–mid‐xiphoid–umbilicus span.
Empowerment of nursing students in the United Kingdom and Japan: a cross‐cultural study
Authors: Bradbury‐Jones Caroline , Irvine Fiona , Sambrook Sally
Published: June 2007

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore the phenomenon of empowerment cross‐culturally by comparing the situations in which nursing students from the United Kingdom and Japan experienced empowerment and disempowerment in clinical practice.

Background.  Empowerment has been the focus of many studies, but most focus on the experience of Registered Nurses and few have explored the phenomenon cross‐culturally.

Method.  This was a cross‐cultural, comparative study using the critical incident technique. Anonymous written data were collected from nursing students in Japan and United Kingdom between November 2005 and January 2006. Japanese data were translated and back‐translated. Analysis of the transcripts revealed three themes: Learning in Practice, Team Membership, Power.

Findings.  Nursing students in these countries are exposed to different educational and clinical environments, but their experiences of empowerment and disempowerment are similar. For both, learning in practice, team membership and power are associated with either empowerment or disempowerment; depending on the context. United Kingdom students are aware of the importance of acting as patient advocates, although they cannot always find the voice to perform this. Japanese students however, appear to be unaware of the concept of advocacy.

Conclusion.  Student nurse empowerment may transcend cultural differences, and learning in practice, team membership and power may be important for the empowerment of nursing students globally. Further cross‐cultural exploration is required into the association between advocacy and empowerment.
Geographical distributions in tropical trees: can geographical range predict performance and habitat association in co‐occurring tree species?
Authors: Baltzer Jennifer L. , Davies Stuart J. , Noor Nur Supardi Md. , Kassim Abdul Rahman , LaFrankie James V.
Published: June 2007

Aim A major floristic and climatic transition from aseasonal to seasonal evergreen tropical forest (the Kangar–Pattani Line; KPL) exists in the Indo‐Sundaic region of Southeast Asia. Mechanisms constraining species distribution here are at present poorly understood, but it is hypothesized that species differ in their tolerances of abiotic factors, in particular water availability. Under this hypothesis, we anticipate differences in performance or habitat preferences, or both, of species differing in distribution with respect to the KPL. The aim of this study is to test whether geographical distributions can be used to explain variation in growth, mortality and habitat preferences in co‐occurring tree species differing in their distribution in relation to the KPL.

Location Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia; south of the KPL.

Methods All tree species within a 50‐ha forest dynamics plot were classified as widespread or southern based upon their distributions in relation to the KPL and as habitat specialists or generalists based on spatial association with soil‐based habitat categories. Growth and mortality rates, variation in growth and mortality with respect to soil type, and levels of habitat association were quantified for species with different geographical distributions.

Results Differences existed in species performance based upon geographical distributions. Specifically, widespread species had lower growth rates than did species restricted to the aseasonal forests. Mortality rates did not differ as a function of geographical distribution. The growth responses of species to soil habitats also diverged, such that differences in performance of widespread species among soil types were more conservative than those of species restricted in their distribution to the aseasonal forests. However, the proportion of species showing positive habitat associations did not differ significantly between widespread and southern species.

Main conclusions Distribution‐based differences in species performance and response to soil type support the hypothesis that species tolerant of wider climatic variation perform less well in any given environment due to limitations on plasticity. These performance differences provide quantitative evidence of the role of climatic transitions in determining tree species distributions in relation to the Kangar–Pattani Line in the Indo‐Malay region. Such differences in performance have important implications for our understanding of biodiversity gradients and responses of Indo‐Sundaic forests to climate change.
Thyrotrophin‐Releasing Hormone, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Prolactin‐Releasing Peptide and Dopamine Regulation of Prolactin Secretion By Different Lactotroph Morphological Subtypes in the Rat
Authors: Christian H. C. , Chapman L. P. , Morris J. F.
Published: June 2007

In the male rat anterior pituitary, three morphological subtypes of cells secreting primarily prolactin (PRL) (lactotrophs) have been described. Type I contain predominantly large irregularly shaped granules, whereas type II and type III lactotrophs contain smaller spherical granules. We have previously shown that oestradiol and testosterone exert a rapid stimulatory effect selectively on type II lactotrophs but it is not known how the lactotroph subtypes respond to peptide secretagogues. We have therefore examined which cell subtype(s) release PRL in response to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), thyrotrophin‐releasing hormone (TRH) and prolactin‐releasing peptide (PrRP‐31). Pituitary segments were incubated in medium containing tannic acid (to capture exocytosis of secretory granules), either alone or with secretagogue peptide. VIP (1–10 nM), TRH (10 nM) and PrRP‐31 (10 nM) all caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the amount of PRL granule exocytosis from type II and III lactotrophs, but had no effect on PRL exocytosis from type I. Dopamine (100 nM) inhibited basal exocytosis of immunoreactive (ir)‐PRL from type I, II and III lactotrophs and PrRP‐31‐stimulated ir‐PRL granule exocytosis from II and III lactotrophs. Treatment of lactating female rats with the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride (40 µg/kg) produced a significant increase (P < 0.05) in PRL granule exocytosis from type I and type III lactotrophs and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the proportion of type I and II cells undergoing exocytosis of PRL. In conclusion, VIP, TRH and PrRP‐31 selectively stimulate exocytosis from type II and III lactotrophs in the male rat, whereas all three lactotroph types are sensitive to dopamine inhibition of exocytosis in male and female rats.
Comparative disposition of pharmacologic markers for cytochrome P‐450 mediated metabolism, glomerular filtration rate, and extracellular and total body fluid volume of Greyhound and Beagle dogs
Authors: KUKANICH B. , COETZEE J. F. , GEHRING R. , HUBIN M.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of the study was to compare the disposition of pharmacologic markers for cytochrome P‐450 (CYP) metabolism, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and extracellular (ECFV) and total body fluid volumes (TBFV) of Greyhounds and Beagles. Six healthy Greyhound and six healthy Beagle dogs were studied. Antipyrine, a marker for CYP metabolism and TBFV, and inulin, a marker for the GFR and ECFV, were administered i.v. Samples were collected at predetermined times and plasma was analyzed by validated high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods.

There were no differences in the disposition or pharmacokinetic parameters for inulin between the dog breeds. However, the clearance of antipyrine (mean = 8.33 mL/min/kg) in Greyhounds was significantly slower than Beagles (13.42 mL/min/kg,P = 0.004). The volume of distribution of antipyrine was significantly larger in Greyhounds (0.789 L/kg) than in Beagles (0.644 L/kg,P = 0.01). The half‐life of antipyrine was significantly longer in Greyhounds (1.09 h) compared with Beagles (0.55 h,P = 0.002). Thein vitroplasma protein binding of antipyrine was significantly less in Greyhounds (28%) compared with Beagles (40.3%,P = 0.008).

Greyhounds exhibited significantly slower CYP metabolism, higher TBFV, and lowerin vitroprotein binding of antipyrine compared with Beagles. No differences in GFR or ECFV were found.
How special are brightest group and cluster galaxies?
Authors: Von Der Linden Anja , Best Philip N. , Kauffmann Guinevere , White Simon D. M.
Published: June 2007

We use the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to construct a sample of 625 brightest group and cluster galaxies (BCGs) together with control samples of non-BCGs matched in stellar mass, redshift and colour. We investigate how the systematic properties of BCGs depend on stellar mass and on their privileged location near the cluster centre. The groups and clusters that we study are drawn from the C4 catalogue of Miller et al. but we have developed improved algorithms for identifying the BCG and for measuring the cluster velocity dispersion. Since the SDSS photometric pipeline tends to underestimate the luminosities of large galaxies in dense environments, we have developed a correction for this effect which can be readily applied to the published catalogue data. We find that BCGs are larger and have higher velocity dispersions than non-BCGs of the same stellar mass, which implies that BCGs contain a larger fraction of dark matter. In contrast to non-BCGs, the dynamical mass-to-light ratio of BCGs does not vary as a function of galaxy luminosity. Hence BCGs lie on a different Fundamental Plane than ordinary elliptical galaxies. BCGs also follow a steeper Faber–Jackson relation than non-BCGs, as suggested by models in which BCGs assemble via dissipationless mergers along preferentially radial orbits. We find tentative evidence that this steepening is stronger in more massive clusters. BCGs have similar mean stellar ages and metallicities to non-BCGs of the same mass, but they have somewhat higher α/Fe ratios, indicating that star formation may have occurred over a shorter time-scale in the BCGs. Finally, we find that BCGs are more likely to host radio-loud active galactic nuclei than other galaxies of the same mass, but are less likely to host an optical active galactic nucleus (AGN). The differences we find are more pronounced for the less massive BCGs, i.e. they are stronger at the galaxy group level.
Attentional modulation of visceral and somatic pain
Authors: Dunckley P. , Aziz Q. , Wise R. G. , Brooks J. , Tracey I. , Chang L.
Published: June 2007

Abstract  A better understanding of the cortical processes underlying attentional modulation of visceral and somatic pain in health are essential for interpretation of future imaging studies of hypervigilance towards bodily sensations which is considered to be an aetiologically important factor in the heightened pain reported by patients with irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. Twelve healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Simultaneous trains of electrical pulses (delivered to either the rectum or lower abdomen) and auditory tones lasting 6 s were delivered to the subjects during a whole‐brain functional scan acquisition. Subjects were instructed to attend to the auditory tones (distracter task) or electrical pulses (pain task). Pain intensity ratings were significantly lower during the distraction task compared with the pain task (P < 0.01) in both sensory modalities. The left primary somatosensory cortex increased in activity with increasing pain report, during attention to visceral pain. Bilateral anterior insula (aIns) cortex activity increased with increasing somatic pain report independent of the direction of attention. Conversely, the primary and secondary auditory cortices significantly increased in activation with decreased pain report. These results suggest that pain intensity perception during attentional modulation is reflected in the primary somatosensory cortex (visceral pain) and aIns cortex activity (somatic pain).
Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin‐pulsed dendritic cells stimulate natural killer T cells and γδT cells
Authors: Naoe Michio , Ogawa Yoshio , Takeshita Kumiko , Morita Jun , Iwamoto Sanju , Miyazaki Akira , Yoshida Hideki
Published: June 2007

Background:  Immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) for bladder cancer is successful, although the precise mechanism is unclear. Natural killer (NK) cells are a candidate for BCG‐activated killer cells, but the roles of other T lymphocytes, such as NKT cells and γδT cells, are not fully understood. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a potent activator of both NKT cells and γδT cells. However, it is known that the patient's prognosis is good if there are increased numbers of dendritic cells (DCs) in the urine after BCG therapy. Therefore, we investigated whether DCs are matured by BCG and whether BCG‐pulsed DCs stimulate NKT cells and γδT cells.

Methods:  Naïve Pan T cells were isolated form peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and DCs were obtained by culturing CD14+ monocytes with granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐4. The DCs were pulsed with BCG and their maturation was measured by fluorescence‐activated cell sorter analysis using the CD86 antibody. Naïve T lymphocytes were stimulated by coculture with BCG‐pulsed DCs in vitro, followed by FACS analysis to estimate the ratio and activation of NKT cells and the ratio of γδT cells. The 51Cr (chromium) release assay was used to estimate the cytotoxic activity of the stimulated T cells. Cytolytic proteins in the patient's PBMCs were measured during BCG therapy using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  The DCs were matured by BCG stimulation and the number of NKT cells and γδT cells increased after culturing with BCG‐pulsed DCs. The BCG‐pulsed DCs also activated the NKT cells and γδT cells. Also, the lymphocytes that were cocultured with the BCG‐pulsed DCs showed unspecific cytotoxic activity against a bladder cancer cell line.

Conclusion:  Sensitization of NKT cells and γδT cells by BCG‐pulsed DCs might be one of the mechanisms of BCG immunotherapy.
Personality and Prejudice: From Big Five Personality Factors to Facets
Authors: Ekehammar Bo , Akrami Nazar
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT
Extending our previous research on personality and prejudice, we tested the predictive power of Big Five facet compared with factor scores in three studies. Study 1 (N=170) examined the predictive power of factors and facets when explaining generalized prejudice, a composite of four prejudice types. Study 2 (N=158) focused on sexism and Study 3 (N=80) examined the impact of personality and experimentally manipulated social norm against expressing sexism. Multiple regression analyses showed the strongest facets (Tender‐Mindedness and Values) to outperform the strongest factors (Agreeableness and Openness to Experience) in predicting prejudice in all three studies. We discuss the outcome against the background of previous empirical findings and the two major approaches—the personality and the social psychological—to explaining individual differences in prejudice.
Cognitive dysfunction associated with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Taylor V. H. , MacQueen G. M.
Published: June 2007

Metabolic syndrome which includes visceral obesity, elevated triglycerides, elevated fasting blood sugar, high blood pressure and a decrease in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels comprises the most common chronic physical illnesses in modern society. Components of the metabolic syndrome play a role in the pathogenesis of a plethora of medical illnesses. Evidence has emerged highlighting the detrimental effects of metabolic syndrome and its constituent features on the cognitive aspects of neurological function. The precise mechanisms underlying this association are not known but a combination of neuroanatomical changes and neuroendocrine consequences of somatic dysregulation may be relevant. As the population ages and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases, it is important that this clinically relevant association be recognized.
PATTERN RECOGNITION VIA ROBUST SMOOTHING WITH APPLICATION TO LASER DATA
Authors: Grillenzoni Carlo
Published: June 2007

Nowadays airborne laser scanning is used in many territorial studies, providing point data which may contain strong discontinuities. Motivated by the need to interpolate such data and preserve their edges, this paper considers robust nonparametric smoothers. These estimators, when implemented with bounded loss functions, have suitable jump‐preserving properties. Iterative algorithms are developed here, and are equivalent to nonlinear M‐smoothers, but have the advantage of resembling the linear Kernel regression. The selection of their coefficients is carried out by combining cross‐validation and robust‐tuning techniques. Two real case studies and a simulation experiment confirm the validity of the method; in particular, the performance in building recognition is excellent.
MODEL SELECTION FOR PENALIZED SPLINE SMOOTHING USING AKAIKE INFORMATION CRITERIA
Authors: Wager Carrie , Vaida Florin , Kauermann Göran
Published: June 2007

Two different forms of Akaike's information criterion (AIC) are compared for selecting the smooth terms in penalized spline additive mixed models. The conditional AIC (cAIC) has been used traditionally as a criterion for both estimating penalty parameters and selecting covariates in smoothing, and is based on the conditional likelihood given the smooth mean and on the effective degrees of freedom for a model fit. By comparison, the marginal AIC (mAIC) is based on the marginal likelihood from the mixed‐model formulation of penalized splines which has recently become popular for estimating smoothing parameters. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the use of mAIC for selecting covariates for smoothing in additive models is new. In the competing models considered for selection, covariates may have a nonlinear effect on the response, with the possibility of group‐specific curves. Simulations are used to compare the performance of cAIC and mAIC in model selection settings that have correlated and hierarchical smooth terms. In moderately large samples, both formulations of AIC perform extremely well at detecting the function that generated the data. The mAIC does better for simple functions, whereas the cAIC is more sensitive to detecting a true model that has complex and hierarchical terms.
On the Cardiovascular Effects of Whole‐Body Vibration Part I. Longitudinal Effects: Hydrodynamic Analysis
Authors: Yue Z. , Mester J.
Published: June 2007

For a given direction of whole‐body vibration and a given piece of blood vessel, the local vibration has in general both a longitudinal (parallel) component and a lateral (perpendicular) component. The longitudinal and lateral effects are treated in Part I and Part II, respectively. In Part I, detailed hydrodynamic analysis shows that the maximal shear stress at the wall of the vessel is considerably increased by the longitudinal component of vibration for big vessels. For example, for high frequency range 40–50 Hz, the maximal shear stress at the wall of coronary artery could increase by 35–49% even if the local longitudinal amplitude is as small as 50 μm. Potential benefits and risks associated with this effect are discussed. In Part II, statistical analysis is carried out based on the results of specially designed experiments, where accelerations at different body locations and some cardiovascular parameters were measured simultaneously. Some changes of body mode were arranged during the vibration experiments in a way that the transmissibility of vibration increased considerably during each change of body mode. Statistical analysis of the results suggests with high level of confidence (>97%) that arterioles were dilated during such changes of body mode. Potential benefits associated with this effect are discussed.
High in vitro efficacy of Nyda® L, a pediculicide containing dimeticone
Authors: Oliveira FAS , Speare R , Heukelbach J
Published: June 2007

Background  The therapy of pediculosis remains a common problem in clinical practice. As resistance to commonly used chemical pediculicides is constantly increasing, there is a need for new effective compounds.

Study design  The efficacy of Nyda® L, a new pediculicide containing a high concentration of dimeticone, was assessed in an in vitro trial and compared with three reference products (Hedrin® containing 4% dimeticone, Lyclear® containing 1% permethrin, and Prioderm® containing 1% malathion) and a negative control group. Head lice were collected from heavily infested patients in a resource‐poor community in Northeast Brazil, where no resistance against pediculicides has been reported thus far. In each of the five groups, 50 adult fully vital lice were tested. We used a dip test (immersing head lice in the undiluted products for 3 min, washing off products after 20 min). Using predefined criteria for mortality, the lice were monitored at different points in time, for a period of 24 h.

Results  Nyda® L and Prioderm® killed all head lice already after 5 min. The efficacy of Nyda® L was better than of Lyclear®. Lice treated with Hedrin® resurrected after several hours and did not show a significantly higher mortality compared with the control group after 24 h.

Conclusion  Nyda® L can be regarded as a very efficacious pediculicidal compound, killing all lice in vitro within 5 min.
Epidemiology of orofacial herpes simplex virus infections in the general population in France: results of the HERPIMAX study
Authors: Malvy D , Ezzedine K , Lançon F , Halioua B , Rezvani A , Bertrais S , Chanzy B , Malkin J‐E , Morand P , De Labareyre C , Hercberg S , El Hasnaoui A
Published: June 2007

Background  Prevalence of clinically manifest orofacial herpes in the general population is poorly characterized.

Objectives  To establish the lifetime prevalence of clinically manifest orofacial herpes and its relationship with herpes simplex virus (HSV) serotype in the French general population.

Patients/methods  Subjects (N = 2796) were serotyped for HSV1 and HSV2 and provided data on herpetic symptoms by questionnaire. Subjects reporting at least one episode of orobuccal ulcerative mucosal lesions were classified as clinically manifest orofacial herpes.

Results  Lifetime prevalence of clinically manifest orofacial herpes was 38.3% (42.1% in women, 32.4% in men). Prevalence in subjects seropositive for HSV1 was 50.3%. This prevalence rate was independent of HSV2 serotype. Prevalence in subjects infected with HSV2 alone was similar to that in subjects seronegative for HSV.

Limitations  Lack of case ascertainment limits precision of the data.

Conclusions  Clinically manifest orofacial herpes was reported in one third of the sample, principally associated with HSV1 infection. HSV2 infection did not produce orofacial lesions nor influence clinical manifestations of HSV1 infection.
Effects of matrix metalloproteinase inhibition on short‐ and long‐term plasticity of schaffer collateral/CA1 synapses
Authors: Meighan Peter C. , Meighan Starla E. , Davis Christopher J. , Wright John W. , Harding Joseph W.
Published: June 2007

It is increasingly evident that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc containing extracellular endopeptidases, participate in processes supporting hippocampal synaptic plasticity. The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of MMPs involvement in hippocampal plasticity. Acute hippocampal slices, generated from 20‐ to 30‐day‐old male Sprague–Dawley rats, were subjected to various electrophysiologic stimulatory paradigms to produce either short‐term or long‐term modifications to synaptic efficacy. Slices exposed to broad‐spectrum MMP inhibitor, FN‐439, exhibited impairments in paired‐pulse facilitation, theta‐burst facilitation, and long‐term depression. Additionally, we observed that MMP inhibition impaired both the induction and stability of long‐term potentiation (LTP). Furthermore, evidence indicated that the effect of MMP inhibition on LTP maintenance is dependent upon integrin‐directed adhesion, whereas the effects of MMP inhibition on LTP induction are independent of integrin‐directed adhesion. Together, these data support a generalized role for MMPs in short‐term and long‐term hippocampal plasticity and indicate that MMPs are a necessary facet of integrin‐mediated cell adhesion supporting LTP stabilization.
Hyperammonaemia alters the mechanisms by which metabotropic glutamate receptors in nucleus accumbens modulate motor function
Authors: Cauli Omar , Mlili Nisrin , Rodrigo Regina , Felipo Vicente
Published: June 2007

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors by injecting (S)3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) increases motor activity by different mechanisms in control rats and in rats with chronic liver failure due to portacaval shunt. In control rats DHPG increases extracellular dopamine in NAcc and induces locomotion by activating the ‘normal’ circuit: NAcc→ventral pallidum→medial‐dorsal thalamus→prefrontal cortex, which is not activated in portacaval shunt rats. In these rats, DHPG activates an ‘alternative’ circuit: NAcc→substantia nigra pars reticulata→ventro‐medial thalamus→prefrontal cortex, which is not activated in control rats. The reasons by which liver failure leads to activation of this ‘alternative’ circuit remain unclear. The aim of this work was to assess whether hyperammonaemia could be responsible for the alterations found in chronic liver failure. We injected DHPG in NAcc of control or hyperammonaemic rats and analysed, byin vivobrain microdialysis, the neurochemical responses of the ‘normal’ and ‘alternative’ circuits. In hyperammonaemic rats DHPG injection in NAcc activates both the ‘normal’ and ‘alternative’ circuits. In hyperammonaemia, activation of the ‘alternative’ circuit and increased motor response following metabotropic glutamate receptors activation in NAcc seem due to an increase in extracellular glutamate which activates AMPA receptors.
Expressed sequence tag‐derived microsatellites for the cool‐water marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus
Authors: PROVAN JIM , BEATTY GEMMA E. , MAGGS CHRISTINE A. , SAVIDGE GRAHAM
Published: June 2007

The copepod Calanus finmarchicus is the major contributor to zooplankton biomass in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea, but recent studies have shown a 70% decrease in abundance as well as a northward shift in the species’ range. Insights into dispersal capabilities gained from population genetic studies will be crucial in predicting the response of C. finmarchicus communities to climate change and, consequently, we have developed a set of expressed sequence tag‐derived microsatellite markers to allow fine‐scale elucidation of population structuring and dispersal. Ten polymorphic markers displayed between two and 19 alleles, with levels of expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.044 to 0.924.
FORECASTING STOCK INDEX VOLATILITY: COMPARING IMPLIED VOLATILITY AND THE INTRADAY HIGH–LOW PRICE RANGE
Authors: Corrado Charles , Truong Cameron
Published: June 2007

The intraday high–low price range offers volatility forecasts similarly efficient to high‐quality implied volatility indexes published by the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) for four stock market indexes: S&P 500, S&P 100, NASDAQ 100, and Dow Jones Industrials. Examination of in‐sample and out‐of‐sample volatility forecasts reveals that neither implied volatility nor intraday high–low range volatility consistently outperforms the other.
THE SLOPE OF THE TERM STRUCTURE OF CREDIT SPREADS: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION
Authors: Bedendo Mascia , Cathcart Lara , El‐Jahel Lina
Published: June 2007

In this article we analyze the slope of the term structure of credit spreads. We investigate the explanatory role of interest rate, market, and idiosyncratic equity variables that the recent empirical literature highlights as important determinants of credit spread levels. This study extends the analysis and assesses its effect on credit slopes for a sample of corporate bonds. We find that these factors affect credit spreads at short and long maturities in a significantly different way. A closer inspection of the credit spread slope also reveals that it is a useful indicator of the direction of changes in future short‐term credit spreads. This evidence has important implications for the trading and risk management of portfolios of bonds with different maturities.