bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orbital calibration of the Early Kimmeridgian (southeastern France): implications for geochronology and sequence stratigraphy
Authors: Boulila S. , Galbrun B. , Hinnov L. A. , Collin P.‐Y.
Published: September 2008

Classic stratigraphic methods rarely provide high‐resolution correlations between intrabasinal sedimentary sequences, which are important to understand the origin of sedimentation process and its environmental change. In this study, we investigate high‐resolution cyclostratigraphic correlation from magnetic susceptibility in two Early Kimmeridgian pelagic marl‐limestone successions, at La Méouge and Châteauneuf‐d'Oze, southeastern France. Spectral analysis reveals the complete suite of orbital frequencies (precession, obliquity, and eccentricity) with the marl‐limestone couplets being primarily precession‐driven. Frequencies detected by the spectral analysis are similar between the sections, but their relative amplitudes are somewhat different, linked to the palaeoenvironmental position and the completeness of the sections. High‐resolution correlation reveals two significant hiatuses at Châteauneuf‐d’Oze. Early Kimmeridgian Platynota, Hypselocyclum, and Divisum ammonite zones were orbitally calibrated for an ultra‐high resolution assessment of geological time. Finally, strong 405‐kyr eccentricity cycles are recorded as third‐order depositional sequences.
Could Iceland be a modern analogue for the Earth's early continental crust?
Authors: Martin E. , Martin H. , Sigmarsson O.
Published: September 2008

For the last two decades, Iceland and other oceanic plateaux have been considered as potential analogues for the formation of the early Earth's continental crust. This study examines the compositions of silicic rocks from modern oceanic plateaux, revealing their differences to Archaean continental rock types (trondhjemite–tonalite–granodiorite or TTG) and thereby emphasising the contrasted mechanisms and/or sources for their respective origins. In most oceanic plateaux, felsic magmas are thought to be formed by fractional crystallization of basalts. In Iceland, the interaction between mantle plume and the Mid‐Atlantic ridge results in an abnormally high geothermal gradient and melting of the hydrated metabasaltic crust. However, despite the current `Archaean‐like' high geothermal gradients, melting takes place at a shallow depth and is unable to reproduce the TTG trace element signature. Consequently, oceanic plateaux are not suitable environments for the genesis of the Archaean continental crust. However, their subduction could account for the episodic crustal growth which has occurred throughout the Earth's history.
Selection of High Nitrogen‐Fixing Rhizobia Nodulating Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) for Semi‐Arid Tunisia
Authors: Ben Romdhane S. , Aouani M. E. , Trabelsi M. , De Lajudie P. , Mhamdi R.
Published: September 2008

Inoculation of grain legumes with rhizobia may improve biological N2 fixation and crop yield. However, drought, high temperature and soil salinity constrain legume root‐nodule formation and function. Here, two rhizobial strains nodulating Tunisian chickpea, Mesorhizobium ciceri strain CMG 6 and Mesorhizobium mediterraneum strain CTM 226 originating from semi‐arid regions, were selected for their symbiotic performance and their salt stress tolerance (3 % NaCl). Both strains were then examined as inoculants in different soils and field conditions. Field experiments were conducted in four sites using four chickpea cultivars. Rhizobia occupying nodules in non‐inoculated plots were isolated and characterized using 16S rDNA typing; to examine nodule occupancy by the inoculant strains we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism of 16S rDNA gene and repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR. The inoculant strains gave a significant increase in nodule number, shoot dry weight and grain yield in all the experimented fields for the four cultivars used, even in the non‐irrigated soils. The improvement in plant production was equal to or better than nitrogen fertilization. Moreover, the monitoring of the nodule occupancy showed that inoculant strains competed well in the native populations of rhizobia. These results suggest that nodulation and yield of chickpea can be improved by inoculation with competitive and salt‐tolerant rhizobia and is economically promising to increase chickpea production in water‐limited regions.
Physiological Responses of Krishum (Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis Koidz) to Neutral and Alkaline Salts
Authors: Wang Y. , Guo J. X. , Meng Q. L. , Cui X. Y.
Published: September 2008

The aims of this study were to compare the physiological responses of krishum (Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis Koidz) to neutral and alkaline salt stress and identify and examine the mechanisms involved in plant response to salt treatments. In this study, biomass, ion accumulation (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+), organic solute (proline) concentration, rate of membrane electrolyte leakage (REL) and antioxidase activities including those of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) and peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) were investigated in krishum under different concentrations of NaCl, Na2CO3 and the mixture of the two salts in the same volume. All three treatments caused increases in Na+ concentration, proline content and REL and decreases in root Mg2+ and K+ content. Increased Ca2+ and antioxidase activities were observed at lower external Na+ concentrations. However, at higher external Na+ levels, decreased Ca2+ and antioxidase activities were detected. Alkaline salt resulted in more damage to krishum than neutral salt including lower SOD, POD and CAT activities and decreased proline content, relative to neutral salt. High Na+ and low K+ in krishum intensified ion toxicity under alkaline condition. Alkaline salt caused greater harm to plants than neutral salt, the primary reason of which might be the lower Ca2+ content in the plant under alkaline salt stress.
Fish assemblages and rapid colonization after enlargement of an artificial reef off the Algarve coast (Southern Portugal)
Authors: Leitão Francisco , Santos Miguel N. , Erzini Karim , Monteiro Carlos C.
Published: September 2008

Artificial reefs (ARs) have been deployed in Algarve (Southern Portugal) coastal waters to contribute to the sustainability of local nearshore fisheries. Herein, we describe the colonization process of the recently deployed Faro/Ancão AR, and assess the time until the fish assemblage reaches stability and their seasonal patterns. In addition, we compare the results from the present study with those previously reported for an older AR. The fish assemblages were monitored monthly over a 2‐year period by means of visual census. A rapid increase in fish colonization occurred within the first 4 months. After this initial period the assemblage structure showed high similarity (> 73%). The high rate of colonization of the AR was related to the maturity already achieved by the nearby 14‐year‐old AR and to the fish migration from the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nearby nursery habitat. The reef fish assemblage structure showed a seasonal pattern, mainly associated with recruitment episodes of occasional demersal species (Boops boops, Trachurus trachurus and Pagellus spp.) in spring and summer. A total of 66% of the species found in AR are of commercial and recreational importance. The overall mean density and biomass were 2.8 ind·m−3 and 207 g·m−3. The occasional demersal species accounted for 42% of the fish density. The most important species in terms of biomass belong to the Sparidae family along with Dicentrarchus labrax. The fish assemblage of the new ARs showed higher mean number of species, diversity, density and biomass values than those reported for the older AR. This result was associated with enlargement of the AR area and with the fishing exploitation of the isolated, small and patchy old AR. Moreover, the high biomass values recorded in the new ARs were mainly due to the increased density of D. labrax after AR enlargement. The results of the present study are used to define guidelines for suitable management strategies for the AR areas that are exploited by the local commercial and recreational fisheries.
Agronomic performance of anther‐derived doubled haploid and single seed descent lines in crosses between primary and secondary winter triticale
Authors: Thiemt E. M. , Oettler G.
Published: September 2008

Octoploid (8x) and hexaploid (6x) primary triticales (xTriticosecale Wittm.) can be used as crossing parents with secondary 6x triticales to enlarge the genetic basis of a breeding programme or introgress traits. Doubled haploid (DH) production permits to develop homozygous lines more rapidly from a segregating generation than other breeding methods such as single seed descent (SSD). Both anther‐derived DH and SSD lines were produced from reciprocal cross‐combinations between 8x and 6x primary and 6x secondary triticales. Field experiments of DH and SSD lines were conducted in three environments as two‐replicate lattices to measure seven agronomic traits. A tendency for higher grain yield, taller plants and a higher 1000‐kernel weight of SSD lines compared with DH lines was found. Significant genetic variation for all traits in both breeding methods was revealed, indicating their suitability to select superior genotypes. Hexaploid and even more so 8x primary triticales can profitably be included as crossing parents in a commercial breeding programme. In such crosses, the primary triticales should be used as the male parents if followed by DH method.
Hepatitis A seroprevalence and demographics in Turkish children in Ankara
Authors: Sac Rukiye U. , Bostancı Ilknur , Dallar Yıldız , Cihan Goksin , Atlı Ozlem
Published: September 2008

Background:  Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of hepatitis in childhood and an important public health problem. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A and patient demographics in children between 1 and 15 years old who were admitted to a pediatric outpatient clinic in Ankara, Turkey.

Methods:  Hepatitis IgM and G antibodies were determined in the sera of children who attended the outpatient clinic. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects or their parents.

Results:  The mean age of the children (n = 335) was 7.9 ± 2.1 years; 47.5% of them were girls. The overall anti‐HAV IgG prevalence in children aged 1–15 years was 47.2%. The positivity of hepatitis A IgM was highest in the 6–10 years age group (22.7%; P < 0.001). HAV IgG was highest in the 11–15 years age group (69.4%; P < 0.001). A total of 95.6% of the children had social insurance, 49.3% were living in poverty. The socioeconomic level of 82.4% of subjects was low. The history of hepatitis in their families was 6.9%.

Conclusions:  Hepatitis A is intermediate endemic in Ankara and children must be vaccinated before school age, in addition to health education and improved sanitation.
Differentiation of bacterial and viral community‐acquired pneumonia in children
Authors: Don Massimiliano , Valent Francesca , Korppi Matti , Canciani Mario
Published: September 2008

Background:  Microbe‐specific diagnosis of pediatric community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) and the distinction between typical‐bacterial, atypical‐bacterial and viral cases are difficult. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of four serum non‐specific inflammatory markers and their combinations, supplemented by chest radiological findings, in the screening of bacterial etiology of pediatric CAP.

Methods:  Serum procalcitonin (PCT), serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), blood erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were determined in 101 children with CAP, all confirmed on chest radiograph. Evidence of etiology was achieved in 68 patients (67%) mainly using a serologic test panel including 15 pathogens.

Results:  For the combination of CRP > 100 mg/L, WBC count > 15 × 109/L, PCT > 1.0 ng/mL and ESR > 65 mm/h, the likelihood ratio for a positive test result (LR+) was 2.7 in the distinction between pneumococcal and viral CAP and 3.9 between atypical and viral CAP. If there was a higher value in one of these four parameters (CRP > 200 mg/L, WBC count > 22 × 109/L, PCT > 18 ng/mL or ESR > 90 mm/h) LR+ changed to ≥3.4, which means a significant increase from pre‐test to post‐test disease probability. An alveolar radiological infiltration was associated with higher values in non‐specific inflammatory markers when compared with interstitial infiltrates, but there were no significant associations between radiological and etiological findings.

Conclusions:  CRP, WBC count, PCT and ESR or their combinations have a limited role in screening between bacterial and viral pediatric CAP. If all or most of these markers are elevated, bacterial etiology is highly probable, but low values do not rule out bacterial etiology.
Whole blood interferon‐γ assay for tuberculosis in children in Japan
Authors: Higuchi Rumiko , Mori Masaaki , Ozawa Remi , Miyamae Takako , Imagawa Tomoyuki , Nishimaki Shigeru , Mitsuda Toshihiro , Aihara Yukoh , Yokota Shumpei
Published: September 2008

Background:  Whole blood interferon‐γ assay QuantiFERON‐TB2G (QFT‐2G), which is a new specific method for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB), has been developed and used in the clinical field. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of QFT‐2G as an indicator, both for diagnosing childhood TB and for assessing therapeutic effectiveness.

Methods:  The subjects were 61 children introduced to the TB outpatient department for the first time between June 2004 and March 2006. QFT‐2G, the tuberculin test and chest computed tomography (CT) were performed for all patients.

Results:  Ten patients having typical characteristics of primary tuberculosis (PTB) on chest CT, and diagnosed as having tubercle bacillus infections, all had positive reaction on QFT‐2G. Of seven patients who had no abnormalities on diagnostic imaging but who reacted positively on QFT‐2G, one developed TB later, and no TB was detected over the period of observation in 44 patients with negative QFT‐2G at their first consultation. Moreover, four patients with non‐tuberculous acid‐fast bacilli in which Mycobacterium avium or Mycobacterium gordonae was detected had negative reaction on QFT‐2G. In addition, all 10 patients with positive reactions on QFT‐2G in whom the subsequent course of the disease was observed had decrease on QFT after treatment.

Conclusions:  QFT‐2G is a powerful tool with a wide application both in diagnosis and in assessment of treatment effectiveness in PTB.
Gender and neurogenin3 influence the pathogenesis of ketosis‐prone diabetes
Authors: Louet J.‐F. , Smith S. B. , Gautier J.‐F. , Molokhia M. , Virally M.‐L. , Kevorkian J.‐P. , Guillausseau P.‐J. , Vexiau P. , Charpentier G. , German M. S. , Vaisse C. , Urbanek M. , Mauvais‐Jarvis F.
Published: September 2008

Ketosis‐prone diabetes (KPD) is a phenotypically defined form of diabetes characterized by male predominance and severe insulin deficiency. Neurogenin3 (NGN3) is a proendocrine gene, which is essential for the fate of pancreatic β cells. Mice lacking ngn3 develop early insulin‐deficient diabetes. Thus, we hypothesized that gender and variants in NGN3 could predispose to KPD. We have studied clinical and metabolic parameters according to gender in patients with KPD (n = 152) and common type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (n = 167). We have sequenced NGN3 in KPD patients and screened gene variants in T2DM and controls (n = 232). In KPD, male gender was associated with a more pronounced decrease in β‐cell insulin secretory reserve, assessed by fasting C–peptide [mean (ng/ml) ± s.d., M: 1.1 ± 0.6, F: 1.5 ± 0.9; p = 0.02] and glucagon‐stimulated C–peptide [mean (ng/ml) ± s.d., M: 2.2 ± 1.1, F: 3.1 ± 1.7; p = 0.03]. The rare affected females were in an anovulatory state. We found two new variants in the promoter [−3812T/C (af: 2%) and −3642T/C (af: 1%)], two new coding variants [S171T (af: 1%) and A185S (af: 1%)] and the variant already described [S199F (af: 69%)]. These variants were not associated with diabetes. Clinical investigation revealed an association between 199F and hyperglycaemia assessed by glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c (%, ±s.d.) S199: 12.6 ± 1.6, S199F: 12.4 ± 1.4 and 199F: 14.1 ± 2.2; p = 0.01]. In vitro, the P171T, A185S and S199F variants did not reveal major functional alteration in the activation of NGN3 target genes. In conclusion, male gender, anovulatory state in females and NGN3 variations may influence the pathogenesis of KPD in West Africans. This has therapeutic implications for potential tailored pharmacological intervention in this population.
Robust improvements in fasting and prandial measures of β‐cell function with vildagliptin in drug‐naïve patients: analysis of pooled vildagliptin monotherapy database
Authors: Pratley R. E. , Schweizer A. , Rosenstock J. , Foley J. E. , Banerji M. A. , Pi‐Sunyer F. X. , Mills D. , Dejager S.
Published: September 2008

Aim:  To assess the effects of 24‐week treatment with vildagliptin on measures of β‐cell function in a broad spectrum of drug‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods:  Data from all double‐blind, multicentre, randomized, placebo‐ or active‐controlled trials conducted in drug‐naïve patients with T2DM were pooled from all patients receiving monotherapy with vildagliptin (100 mg daily: 50 mg twice daily or 100 mg once daily, n = 1855) or placebo (n = 347). Fasting measures of β‐cell function [homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function (HOMA‐B) and proinsulin : insulin ratio] were assessed in the overall pooled monotherapy population. Standard meal tests were performed at baseline and week 24 in a subset of patients, and effects of vildagliptin (100 mg daily, n = 227) on dynamic (meal test–derived) measures of β‐cell function [insulin secretion rate relative to glucose (ISR/G) and insulinogenic indices] were assessed relative to baseline and vs. placebo (n = 29).

Results:  In the overall population, vildagliptin significantly increased HOMA‐B both relative to baseline [adjusted mean change (AMΔ) = 10.3 ± 1.5] and vs. placebo (between‐treatment difference in AMΔ = 11.5 ± 4.5, p = 0.01) and significantly decreased the proinsulin : insulin ratio relative to baseline (AMΔ = −0.05 ± 0.01) and vs. placebo (between‐treatment difference in AMΔ = −0.09 ± 0.02, p < 0.001). Relative to baseline, vildagliptin monotherapy significantly increased all meal test–derived parameters, and ISR/G (between‐treatment difference in AMΔ = 9.8 ± 2.8 pmol/min/m2/mM, p < 0.001) and the insulinogenic index0–peak glucose (between‐treatment difference in AMΔ = 0.24 ± 0.05 pmol/mmol, p = 0.045) were significantly increased vs. placebo.

Conclusions:  Vildagliptin monotherapy consistently produced robust improvements in both fasting and meal test–derived measures of β‐cell function across a broad spectrum of drug‐naïve patients with T2DM.

All Phase III trials described (NCT 00099905, NCT 00099866, NCT 00099918, NCT 00101673, NCT 00101803 and NCT 00120536) are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov.
Metabolomic profiling of dietary‐induced insulin resistance in the high fat–fed C57BL/6J mouse
Authors: Shearer J. , Duggan G. , Weljie A. , Hittel D. S. , Wasserman D. H. , Vogel H. J.
Published: September 2008

The predictive ability of metabolic profiling to detect obesity‐induced perturbations in metabolism has not been clearly established. Complex aetiologies interacting with environmental factors highlight the need to understand how specific manipulations alter metabolite profiles in this state. The aim of this study was to determine if targeted metabolomic profiling could be employed as a reliable tool to detect dietary‐induced insulin resistance in a small subset of experimental animals (n = 10/treatment). Following weaning, male C57BL/6J littermates were randomly divided into two dietary groups: chow and high fat. Following 12 weeks of dietary manipulation, mice were fasted for 5 h prior to serum collection. The resultant high fat–fed animals were obese and insulin resistant as shown by a euglycaemic‐hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Sera were analysed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and 46 known compounds were identified and quantified. Multivariate analysis by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, a projection method for class separation, was then used to establish models of each treatment. Models were able to predict class separation between diets with 90% accuracy. Variable importance plots revealed the most important metabolites in this discrimination to include lysine, glycine, citrate, leucine, suberate and acetate. These metabolites are involved in energy metabolism and may be representative of the perturbations taking place with insulin resistance. Results show metabolomics to reliably describe the metabolic effects of insulin resistance in a small subset of samples and are an initial step in establishing metabolomics as a tool to understand the biochemical signature of insulin resistance.
Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin when added to ongoing metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes*
Authors: Scott R. , Loeys T. , Davies M. J. , Engel S. S. ,   for the Sitagliptin Study 801 Group
Published: September 2008

Aim:  To assess the addition of sitagliptin to ongoing metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes who were inadequately controlled [haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7–11%] on metformin monotherapy.

Methods:  Patients (n = 273) on metformin (≥1500 mg/day) were randomized to receive the addition of once‐daily placebo, sitagliptin 100 mg or rosiglitazone 8 mg in a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio for 18 weeks. The efficacy analysis was based on the all‐patients‐treated population using an analysis of co‐variance with change in HbA1c from baseline as the primary endpoint.

Results:  The mean baseline HbA1c was 7.7% for the entire cohort. After 18 weeks, both active add‐on therapies led to greater improvements in HbA1c from baseline: −0.73% for sitagliptin (p < 0.001 vs. placebo) and −0.79% for rosiglitazone compared with −0.22% for placebo. No difference was observed between the sitagliptin and rosiglitazone treatments (0.06% [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.14 to 0.25]). The proportion of patients achieving an HbA1c < 7% was greater with sitagliptin (55%) and rosiglitazone (63%) compared with placebo (38%). Body weight increased from baseline with rosiglitazone (1.5 kg) compared with body weight reduction with sitagliptin (−0.4 kg) and placebo (−0.8 kg). The difference in body weight between the sitagliptin and rosiglitazone groups was 1.9 kg (95% CI: 1.3–2.5). In a prespecified analysis, the proportion of patients experiencing a greater than 3‐kg increase in body weight was 21% in the rosiglitazone group compared with 2% in both the sitagliptin and placebo groups. Both active treatments were generally well tolerated, with no increased risk of hypoglycaemia or gastrointestinal adverse events compared with placebo.

Conclusions:  In this 18‐week study, the addition of sitagliptin was effective and well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy. Treatment with sitagliptin produced similar reductions in HbA1c compared with the addition of rosiglitazone.
How should a nurse approach truth‐telling? A virtue ethics perspective
Authors: Hodkinson Kate
Published: September 2008

Abstract  Truth‐telling is a key issue within the nurse–patient relationship. Nurses make decisions on a daily basis regarding what information to tell patients. This paper analyses truth‐telling within an end of life scenario. Virtue ethics provides a useful philosophical approach for exploring decisions on information disclosure in more detail. Virtue ethics allows appropriate examination of the moral character of the nurse involved, their intention, ability to use wisdom and judgement when making decisions and the virtue of truth‐telling. It is appropriate to discuss nursing as a ‘practice’ in relation to virtue ethics. This is achieved through consideration of the implications of arguments made by Alasdair MacIntyre who believes that qualities such as honesty, courage and justice are virtues because they enable us to achieve the internal goods of practices.
Nurses' attitudes to euthanasia: the influence of empirical studies and methodological concerns on nursing practice
Authors: Holt Janet
Published: September 2008

Abstract  This paper introduces the controversy surrounding active voluntary euthanasia and describes the legal position on euthanasia and assisted suicide in the UK. Findings from studies of the nurses' attitudes to euthanasia from the national and international literature are reviewed. There are acknowledged difficulties in carrying out research into attitudes to euthanasia and hence the review of findings from the published studies is followed by a methodological review. This methodological review examines the research design and data collection methods used in the published studies, problems with understanding definitions of euthanasia and the measurement of attitudes. The paper concludes with a discussion of how research in this area may influence nursing practice.
Estimating and validating a firm‐year‐specific measure of conservatism: Australian evidence
Authors: Lai Cheng , Taylor Stephen L.
Published: September 2008

We provide new evidence on the asymmetric timeliness with which economic gains and losses are recognized in Australian financial reporting (i.e. conservatism), as well as some of the factors associated with variation in conservatism. We first derive, and then estimate and subsequently validate, a firm‐year‐specific measure of conservatism (C_Score) in the manner suggested byKhan and Watts (2007). Our results indicate that conservatism is a pervasive feature of the Australian financial reporting environment. Conservatism is positively associated with stock return volatility, investment cycle length and prior period conservatism, and it is negatively associated with firm age, firm size and leverage. The results are an encouraging start for research into the causes and consequences of conservatism in Australian financial reporting.
Knowledge transfer in project reviews: the effect of self‐justification bias and moral hazard
Authors: Cheng Mandy M. , Schulz Axel K‐D , Booth Peter
Published: September 2008

In this study, we examine two factors that impact managers’ willingness to share private information during the project review stage of capital budgeting. Drawing on the cognitive dissonance theory and the agency theory, we find that both high perceived personal responsibility and the use of project reviews for performance evaluation result in a greater tendency for managers to withhold negative private information. However, we do not find an interaction between these two factors. Our study makes a contribution to both the academic literature investigating factors affecting project reviews and the practitioner literature looking at design and implementation of effective project reviews.
Goodwill impairment as a reflection of investment opportunities
Authors: Godfrey Jayne M. , Koh Ping‐Sheng
Published: September 2008

We exploit a unique opportunity to examine whether goodwill impairment write‐offs reflect firms’ investment opportunities during the first years of the US goodwill impairment accounting regime. We find that impairment write‐offs are negatively associated with firms’ underlying investment opportunities. We also find associations between goodwill impairment write‐offs and traditionally applied leverage, firm size and return on assets variables, although the leverage and firm size results are less robust. The results support the International Accounting Standards Board and Financial Accounting Standards Board contention that an impairment test regime can reflect firms’ underlying economic attributes, while simultaneously indicating that managers use discretion to reduce contracting costs.
Accruals quality and corporate cash holdings
Authors: García‐Teruel Pedro J. , Martínez‐Solano Pedro , Sánchez‐Ballesta Juan Pedro
Published: September 2008

This Work Uses Panel Data For Firms Listed In The Spanish Stock Exchange Over The Period From 1995 To 2001 To Analyse The Effect Of Accounting Quality On Cash Holdings. The Results Show That Firms With Good Accruals Quality Hold Lower Cash Levels Than Firms With Poor Accruals Quality. This Finding Suggests That The Quality Of Accounting Information May Reduce The Negative Effects Of Information Asymmetries And Adverse Selection Costs, Allowing Firms To Reduce Their Level Of Corporate Cash Holdings. The Results Also Show That Cash Holdings Decrease When Firms Increase Their Use Of Bank Debt And In The Presence Of Cash Substitutes. In Contrast With This, Firms With Higher Cash Flow Hold Higher Levels Of Cash.
Corporate governance and chief executive officer dismissal following poor performance: Australian evidence
Authors: Lau James , Sinnadurai Philip , Wright Sue
Published: September 2008

This paper investigates the association between corporate performance and the probability of chief executive officer (CEO) dismissal for large corporations in Australia. Consistent with prior US and UK studies, corporate performance is negatively related to the probability of CEO dismissal, using both accounting and market‐based performance measures. This paper also investigates whether key corporate governance characteristics affect the likelihood of CEO dismissal, by examining their effect on the strength of the negative association between corporate performance and CEO dismissal. The only significant variable is size of the board. Although its effect is opposite to that hypothesized, this paper provides a plausible explanation. Overall, the results are consistent with shareholder wealth considerations dominating board behaviour in Australia.
Black economic empowerment, legitimacy and the value added statement: evidence from post‐apartheid South Africa
Authors: Cahan Steven F. , Van Staden Chris J.
Published: September 2008

We examine why companies in South Africa voluntarily provide a value added statement (VAS). The VAS can be used by management to communicate with employees and thereby establish a record of legitimacy. Since we want to establish if the VAS is used to establish symbolic or substantive legitimacy, we examine whether production of a VAS is associated with actual performance in labour‐related areas. To measure labour‐related performance, we use an independent Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) rating. We find that BEE performance is significantly and positively related to the voluntary publication of a VAS. Our results suggest that BEE performance and disclosure of a VAS are two elements of a strategy used by South African companies to establish their substantive legitimacy with labour.
Volatility linkages of the equity, bond and money markets: an implied volatility approach
Authors: Wang Kent
Published: September 2008

This study proposes an alternative approach for examining volatility linkages between Standard & Poor's 500, Eurodollar futures and 30 year Treasury Bond futures markets using implied volatility from the three markets. Simple correlation analysis between implied volatilities in the three markets is used to assess market correlations. Spurious correlation effects are considered and controlled for. I find that correlations between implied volatilities in the equity, money and bond markets are positive, strong and robust. Furthermore, I replicate the approach of Fleming, Kirby and Ostdiek (1998) to check the substitutability of the implied volatility approach and find that the results are nearly identical; I conclude that my approach is simple, robust and preferable in practice. I also argue that the results from this paper provide supportive evidence on the information content of implied volatilities in the equity, bond and money markets.
Effects of Psychological Contract Breach on Organizational Citizenship Behaviour: Insights from the Group Value Model
Authors: Restubog Simon Lloyd D. , Hornsey Matthew J. , Bordia Prashant , Esposo Sarah R.
Published: September 2008

abstract

Research on psychological contract breach has referenced social exchange as its dominant theoretical foundation. In this study, we draw insights from the group value model as a theoretical extension to explain employees' negative responses to psychological contract breach. According to the group value model, fair treatment by group members communicates symbolic messages about the relationship between the organization and the employee, and has implications for whether employees can take pride in their organizational membership. When people are treated unfairly, they lose trust in the organization and dis‐identify from the group. This in turn results in less willingness on the part of the employees to engage in organizational citizenship behaviours (OCBs). We tested these relationships across three studies. In Study 1, we conducted a longitudinal test of the role of trust as a mediator between breach and organizational identification. In Studies 2 (cross‐sectional) and 3 (longitudinal), we tested the complete model in which we examined the role of trust and identification in mediating the link between breach and OCBs. All three studies provided support for the mediated model. Furthermore, as predicted by the group value model, the hypothesized relationships emerged in response to relational but not transactional contract breaches. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
Changes in the Relation of Self‐Efficacy Beliefs and Behaviors Across Development
Authors: Davis‐Kean Pamela E. , Huesmann L. Rowell , Jager Justin , Collins W. Andrew , Bates John E. , Lansford Jennifer E.
Published: September 2008

Many social science theories that examine the connection between beliefs and behaviors assume that belief constructs will predict behaviors similarly across development. Converging research implies that this assumption may not be tenable across all ages or all belief constructs. Thus, to test this implication, the relation between behavior and beliefs about the self was examined in 2 independent data sets with 2 different constructs: aggression and achievement. The respondents were 6–18 years of age and predominately Caucasian. Results using quasi‐simplex structural equation models suggest that self‐beliefs become more strongly related to behavior as children grow older independent of the reliability of the measures used. Possible limitations in the use of self‐report methodology with young children are discussed.
Stability and Change of Moral Disengagement and Its Impact on Aggression and Violence in Late Adolescence
Authors: Paciello Marinella , Fida Roberta , Tramontano Carlo , Lupinetti Catia , Caprara Gian Vittorio
Published: September 2008

Stability and change of moral disengagement were examined in a sample of 366 adolescents from ages 14 to 20 years. Four developmental trajectories were identified: (a) nondisengaged group that started with initially low levels followed by an important decline, (b) normative group that started with initially moderate levels followed by a decline, (c) later desister group that started with initially high‐medium levels followed by an increase from 14 to 16 years and an even steeper decline from 16 to 20 years, and (d) chronic group that started with and maintained medium‐high levels. The results attest that adolescents who maintained higher levels of moral disengagement were more likely to show frequent aggressive and violent acts in late adolescence.
Profiles of Disruptive Behavior Across Early Childhood: Contributions of Frustration Reactivity, Physiological Regulation, and Maternal Behavior
Authors: Degnan Kathryn A. , Calkins Susan D. , Keane Susan P. , Hill‐Soderlund Ashley L.
Published: September 2008

Disruptive behavior, including aggression, defiance, and temper tantrums, typically peaks in early toddlerhood and decreases by school entry; however, some children do not show this normative decline. The current study examined disruptive behavior in 318 boys and girls at 2, 4, and 5 years of age and frustration reactivity, physiological regulation, and maternal behavior in the laboratory at 2 years of age. A latent profile analysis resulted in 4 longitudinal profiles of disruptive behavior, which were differentiated by interactions between reactivity, regulation, and maternal behavior. A high profile was associated with high reactivity combined with high maternal control or low regulation combined with low maternal control. Results are discussed from a developmental psychopathology perspective.
Development of Emotional and Behavioral Regulation in Children Born Extremely Preterm and Very Preterm: Biological and Social Influences
Authors: Clark Caron A. C. , Woodward Lianne J. , Horwood L. John , Moor Stephanie
Published: September 2008

This study describes the development of emotional and behavioral regulation in a regional cohort of children born extremely preterm (<28 weeks gestational age, n = 39), very preterm (<34 weeks gestational age, n = 56), and full term (n = 103). At 2 and 4 years, children born at younger gestational ages demonstrated poorer self‐regulation across multiple contexts spanning observed interactions, formal cognitive testing, and parental report of child behavior at home. Among children born preterm, the 2 strongest predictors of impairments in self‐regulation were the presence of moderate‐to‐severe cerebral white matter abnormalities on neonatal magnetic resonance and a less sensitive parenting style when children were aged 2 years. Findings support the importance of early neurological development and parenting for developing regulation in children born very preterm.
Searching and Planning: Young Children’s Reasoning About Past and Future Event Sequences
Authors: McColgan Kerry L. , McCormack Teresa
Published: September 2008

Six experiments examined children’s ability to make inferences using temporal order information. Children completed versions of a task involving a toy zoo; one version required reasoning about past events (search task) and the other required reasoning about future events (planning task). Children younger than 5 years failed both the search and the planning tasks, whereas 5‐year‐olds passed both (Experiments 1 and 2). However, when the number of events in the sequence was reduced (Experiment 3), 4‐year‐olds were successful on the search task but not the planning task. Planning difficulties persisted even when relevant cues were provided (Experiments 4 and 5). Experiment 6 showed that improved performance on the search task found in Experiment 3 was not due to the removal of response ambiguity.
Limitations in 4‐Year‐Old Children’s Sensitivity to the Spacing Among Facial Features
Authors: Mondloch Catherine J. , Thomson Kendra
Published: September 2008

Four‐year‐olds’ sensitivity to differences among faces in the spacing of features was tested under 4 task conditions: judging distinctiveness when the external contour was visible and when it was occluded, simultaneous match‐to‐sample, and recognizing the face of a friend. In each task, the foil differed only in the spacing of features, and spacing alterations were within normal limits. Children performed at chance levels in all but 1 task—match‐to‐sample, and in that task, only 10 of 18 children were correct on more than 50% of the trials. Sensitivity to the spacing of facial features in identity and distinctiveness tasks is very weak at 4 years of age—at least when the changes do not exceed ±2.5 SD of normal variability.
Perception of Dynamic and Static Audiovisual Sequences in 3‐ and 4‐Month‐Old Infants
Authors: Lewkowicz David J.
Published: September 2008

This study investigated perception of audiovisual sequences in 3‐ and 4‐month‐old infants. Infants were habituated to sequences consisting of moving/sounding or looming/sounding objects and then tested for their ability to detect changes in the order of the objects, sounds, or both. Results showed that 3‐month‐olds perceived the order of 3‐element sequences and that 4‐month‐olds perceived the order of 3‐ and 4‐element sequences. In addition, results indicated that perception of moving sequences was more robust than of looming ones and that detection of order differences was not based on primacy cues. The current results show that perception of multisensory sequences and their structure emerges early in development, and a preliminary model of the development of sequence perception is offered.
Longitudinal Analysis of Intrinsic Motivation and Competence Beliefs: Is There a Relation Over Time?
Authors: Spinath Birgit , Steinmayr Ricarda
Published: September 2008

The present study explored whether competence beliefs and intrinsic motivation for different school domains show reciprocal effects over time. A sample of 670 German elementary school pupils (M= 8.8 years, SD= 0.51) was followed over 1 year. At 4 measurement occasions, children completed self‐reports on their intrinsic motivation and competence beliefs for math, German, and school in general. Latent growth models revealed that intrinsic motivation and competence beliefs decreased over time. Comparing correlational and cross‐lagged structural equation models yielded only weak evidence for cross‐lagged influences between the 2 constructs. Results suggest that the developmental curves of competence beliefs and intrinsic motivation might be less inextricably interwoven than frequently assumed.
Children’s Insecure Representations of the Interparental Relationship and Their School Adjustment: The Mediating Role of Attention Difficulties
Authors: Davies Patrick T. , Woitach Meredith J. , Winter Marcia A. , Cummings E. Mark
Published: September 2008

This study examined the role of attention difficulties as a mediator of associations between children’s insecure representations of the interparental relationship and their school adjustment in a sample of two hundred and sixteen 6‐year‐old children. Consistent with hypotheses, findings from structural equation models indicated that observer ratings of children’s insecure representations of interparental relationships in a story completion task predicted computerized task assessments and parent reports of children’s attention difficulties 1 year later. Children’s attention difficulties, in turn, were associated with concurrent levels of school problems and increases in school problems over a 1‐year period as indexed by teacher reports. Attention difficulties accounted for an average of 34% of the association between insecure internal representations and school problems.
Evaluation of Information Applications of a Self‐Organizing Distributed Traffic Information System for a Large‐Scale Real‐World Traffic Network
Authors: Yang Xu , Recker Will
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  This article presents an evaluation of the system performance of a proposed self‐organizing, distributed traffic information system based on vehicle‐to‐vehicle information‐sharing architecture. Using microsimulation, several information applications derived from this system are analyzed relative to the effectiveness and efficiency of the system to estimate traffic conditions along each individual path in the network, to identify possible incidents in the traffic network, and to provide rerouting strategies for vehicles to escape congested spots in the network. A subset of vehicles in the traffic network is equipped with specific intervehicle communication devices capable of autonomous traffic surveillance, peer‐to‐peer information sharing, and self‐data processing. A self‐organizing traffic information overlay on the existing vehicular roadway network assists their independent evaluation of route information, detection of traffic incidents, and dynamic rerouting in the network based both on historical information stored in an in‐vehicle database and on real‐time information disseminated through intervehicle communications. A path‐based microsimulation model is developed for these information applications and the proposed distributed traffic information system is tested in a large‐scale real‐world network. Based on simulation study results, potential benefits both for travelers with such equipment as well as for the traffic system as a whole are demonstrated.
Nondestructive Evaluation of Elastic Properties of Concrete Using Simulation of Surface Waves
Authors: Kim Jae Hong , Kwak Hyo‐Gyoung
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  Nondestructive evaluation using the propagation of an impact‐induced surface wave can be effectively applied in estimating in situ material properties. In this study, to evaluate information of a surface waveform beyond the simple wave velocity, artificial intelligence engines are employed to estimate simulation parameters, that is, the properties of elastic materials. The developed artificial neural networks are trained with a numerical database having secured its stability. In the process, the appropriate shape of the force–time function for an impact load is assumed so as to avoid Gibbs phenomenon, and the proposed principal wavelet‐component analysis accomplishes a feature extraction with a wavelet transformed signal. The results of estimation are validated with experiments focused on concrete materials.
Using Evolutionary Optimization Techniques for Scheduling Water Pipe Renewal Considering a Short Planning Horizon
Authors: Dridi Leila , Parizeau Marc , Mailhot Alain , Villeneuve Jean‐Pierre
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  The maintenance and management of underground infrastructures is a growing problem for a majority of municipalities. The maintenance costs are increasing while the financial resources of municipalities remain limited. Water distribution system (WDS) managers therefore need tools to assist them in the elaboration of pipe renewal management plans. In this article, results of a newly developed strategy for pipe renewal based on a cost function are presented. The strategy allows the minimization of a cost function while also considering hydraulic criterion. This strategy was tested on a short planning horizon of five years. The pipe number to be replaced and the optimal moment for renewal are identified using three different optimization techniques: IGA (Island Genetic Algorithm), NPGA‐2 (Niched Pareto Genetic Algorithm 2), and NSGA‐II (Non‐dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm‐II). The proposed approach has five distinctive features: (1) it is coupled with a flexible evolutionary framework that allows the user to select any type of operator for IGA or any kind of multiobjective genetic algorithm; (2) it uses the hydraulic simulator Epanet2.0 which allows steady state or dynamic simulations; (3) it considers a probabilistic break model to evaluate the structural deterioration of pipes; (4) it integrates a Bayesian approach for the estimation of the pipe break model parameters that take into account the influence of inherent uncertainties related to the quality of data during the decision‐making process; and (5) it simulates the variation of the pipe's roughness over the years. The developed strategy/model is explained using an example that allows us to elucidate its most important components. Simulation experiments on a small network (100 pipes) are presented. A comparison of three evolutionary algorithm results is provided. Tests showed that IGA performs well, but for networks of larger sizes, we recommend increasing the number of demes to reach better solutions. Higher quality results were achieved with NSGA‐II than NPGA‐2 on differently sized networks. We recommend the use the NSGA‐II to optimize large WDS. Future developments for this strategy are also discussed.