bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recombinant allergens
Authors: Valenta R. , Vrtala S. , Laffer S. , Spitzauer S. , Kraft D.
Published: May 2007

A great variety of recombinant plant, mite, mold, mammal, and insect allergens have been expressed in heterologous hosts (e.g., Escherichia coli), their cDNA being used as a template. The number of biologically active recombinant allergens available for experimental, diagnostic, and therapeutic purposes is increasing tremendously. Recombinant allergens have proven to be valuable tools to investigate T‐cell and B‐cell recognition of allergens as well as to study mechanisms of specific IgE regulation. The immunologic equivalence of many relevant recombinant allergens with their natural counterparts has been demonstrated, and the three‐dimensional structures of several recombinant allergens have been described recently. As a result of extensive cross‐reactivities among the relevant allergens, it appears that the number of epitopes needed for diagnosis and specific immunotherapy is less diverse than originally anticipated and might be soon covered by recombinant molecules. Recombinant allergens have been used for successful in vitro, as well as in vivo, allergy diagnosis, and work is in progress to produce recombinant allergen derivatives with reduced anaphylactic potential to improve current forms of immunotherapy.
Variability of house‐dust‐mite allergen levels within carpets
Authors: Simpson A. , Hassall R. , Custovic A. , Woodcock A.
Published: May 2007

Sensitization and exposure to house‐dust‐mite allergens is an important cause of asthma. Standardized, reliable, and reproducible methods for measuring exposure are essential for the assessment of the relationship between exposure, sensitization, and asthma. This study investigated the variability of the house‐dust‐mite allergen Der p 1 concentration in reservoir dust collected within whole carpets in living rooms and bedrooms. The carpets of nine bedrooms and 11 living rooms were sampled. Each room was divided into 1 m2 areas measured from wall to wall where the carpet was accessible. Reservoir dust samples were collected by vacuuming each 1 m2 area for 2 min. Der p 1 was assayed by a two‐site monoclonal‐antibody‐based immunometric ELISA. Der p 1 was detectable in the carpets of nine bedrooms and six of the 11 living rooms. Within these 15 rooms, there was a wide range of Der p 1 levels. The smallest range of allergen within single room was 0.9 μg Der p 1/g dust (0.2 and 1.1 ng/g; 5.5‐fold difference), and the largest was 149.2 μg Der p 1/g dust (0.8 and 150 μg/g; 192‐fold difference). The mean range of allergen levels in the living rooms was 11.5 jig Der p 1/g of dust, and the mean coefficient of variation of these rooms was 80.2%. illustrating the huge variation of mite allergen levels within each room. The variation within bedrooms was also large, with a mean coefficient of variation value of 88.7%. The coefficient of variation was significantly lower around soft furnishings or beds (57%) than in the rest the room (89.3%), with the mean difference being 32% (95% CI 27ndash;63%; P=0.04). In conclusion, this study has shown that there is a great variation of Der p 1 levels between areas within a room. No consistent pattern of distribution of mite allergen within a room was found. Der p 1 levels in areas around soft furnishings and beds varied less than the levels in the rest of room.
Latex allergy in spina bifida patients – prevention by primary prophylaxis
Authors: Cremer R. , Kleine‐Diepenbruck U. , Hoppe A. , Bläker F.
Published: May 2007

Background The effect of latex prophylaxis has not been investigated in spina bifida children, a high‐risk group for latex allergy. As repeated operations have been identified as a major cause of latex sensitization, we wanted to find out whether primary latex prophylaxis during surgery could prevent latex allergy in children with spina bifida.

Methods In December 1995, we established latex‐free surgery and anesthesia for all patients with spina bifida regardless of their sensitization to latex. Twelve children born after that date (mean age 1.2 years, mean ntmiber of operations 3.3, range 1 ‐7) were tested for specific IgE against latex until December 1997 (ImmunoCap, Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) and compared with eight children born before December 1995 (mean age 1.3 years, mean number of operations 3.6, range 1–8), in whom a test for latex IgE had been done before the age of 2 years.

Results Before we established primary prophylaxis, three of seven children with spina bifida (38%) were sensitized to latex until the age of 2 years. After the establishment of a latex‐free operating theater for spina bifida patients, none of the 12 patients were sensitized to latex despite up to seven operations in each child.

Conclusions Primary latex prophylaxis during surgery can prevent latex sensitization in young spina bifida patients.
Nasal response in subjects undergoing challenges by inhaling occupational agents causing asthma through the nose and mouth
Authors: Desrosiers M. , Nguyen B. , Ghezzo H. , Leblanc C. , Malo J.‐L
Published: May 2007

Background Subjects with occupational asthma (OA) often report nasal symptoms, but nasal reactions to inhalation challenges with occupational agents have not been well characterized.

Methods Fifteen subjects with OA (eight due to high‐molecular‐weight agents ‐ flour and guar gum ‐ and seven due to isocyanates) underwent inhalational challenges using closed‐circuit devices (dry particles for high‐molecular‐weight agents and gas generator for isocyanates) on two occasions, 2‐4 weeks apart in a random fashion. On one occasion, they inhaled through the nose and, on another, through the mouth. The FEV, was monitored for up to 8 h afterward, and symptoms were documented with a standardized questionnaire on nasal symptomatology, assessment of nasal resistance by rhinomanometry, and nasal lavage for the examination of cells and mediators. Results Inhaling through the mouth and through the nose:

yielded similar asthmatic responses (25 ± 8% and 22 ± 10% maximum changes in FEV1)

more than doubled the peak nasal symptoms and nasal resistance when the maximum daily response was compared with prechallenge results.

This increase occurred on the days of inhalational challenges through the mouth and through the nose. There were some significant responses assessed by nasal lavage in terms of cells and mediators, again with no differences between the days of challenges through the mouth and through the nose. Conclusions Inhaling occupational agents of high or low molecular weight, including isocyanates, whether through the mouth or nose:

results in a similar asthmatic response

causes a significant nasal response in terms of symptoms and an increase n i nasal resistance

causes some significant changes in inflammatory cells and mediators.
Hay fever – a Finnish nationwide study of adolescent twins and their parents
Authors: Räsäsnen M. , Laitinen T. , Kaprio J. , Koskenvuo M. , Laitinen L A.
Published: May 2007

Background Like other atopic diseases, hay fever is known to cluster in families. This clustering is due either to effects of a shared family environment or to genetic inheritance. By comparing the occurrence of hay fever among monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) twin pairs, we were able t o estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the development of hay fever.

Methods A questionnaire mailed to a nationwide sample of 2483 families with 16‐year‐old twins furnished data for the cumulative incidence of physician‐diagnosed hay fever among these adolescents and their parents. Results Among the 1765 twin pairs with data available for analysis, hay fever was reported for 14.1% of boys (95% CI = 12.4‐15.8%) and 10.0% of girls (95% CI=8.6‐11.4%). The MZ twin pairs (probandwise concordance rate=60.3%, 95% CI=52‐68%) were significantly more concordant for hay fever than were DZ twin pairs (31.5%, 95% Cl=26‐36%). Genetic factors accounted for 74‐82% of the interindividual variability in liability to hay fever, variation in shared family environment for 7% at most, and unique (individual) environment for 18%.

Conclusions Familial occurrence of hay fever is mainly due to genes predisposing to the trait. Environmental exposures shared in common by family members but varying between families appear to account for at most a modest proportion of the variability in risk of developing hay fever.
Amino acid sequence similarity of Hev b 3 to two previously reported 27‐ and 23‐kDa latex proteins allergenic to spina bifida patients
Authors: Yeang H.Y. , Ward M.A. , Zamri A.S.M. , Dennis M.S. , Light D.R.
Published: May 2007

Separate studies have reported spina bifida patients to be especially allergic t o proteins of 27 and 23 kDa found in the serum of centrifuged natural rubber latex. An insoluble latex protein located on the surface of small rubber particles, Hev b 3, has similarly been found to be allergenic to spina bifida patients. In this study, internal amino acid sequences of Hev b 3 showed similarity to the published sequences for the 27‐ and 23‐kDa latex proteins. The latter allergens are hence identified as Hev b 3.

Determination of the molecular weight of Hev b 3 revealed various species of 22–23 kDa. The consistent gaps of about 266 Da observed between various forms of the intact protein suggest that the protein undergoes post‐translational modification. To determine whether Hev b 3 also occurs i n a soluble form in the latex serum, its presence in molecular‐filtered serum was checked by ELISA and Western blot, TTie results showed Hev b 3 to be largely absent in the C‐serum from fresh latex. The protein is therefore insoluble in its native state. However, a small amount of the solubilized protein was detected in ammonia‐stabilized latex (commonly used in the manufacture of latex products).
Latex allergy in fruit‐allergic patients
Authors: García Ortiz J. C. , Moyano J. C. , Alvarez M , Bellido J.
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of latex allergy in fruit‐allergic patients, and to assess its clinical significance. Fifty‐seven fruit‐allergic patients and 50 non‐fruit‐allergic atopic patient controls were studied. All patients were questioned about conventional immediate symptoms after contact with latex products. Patients also underwent skin prick testing and determination of specific serum IgE to latex, as well as a screening test for environmental allergens. Immunologic latex sensitization occurred in 49/57 (85.9%) fruit‐allergic patients, who showed a positive STP and/or CAP to latex, but in only two controls (P<0.001). Six out of 57 (10.5%) fruit‐allergic patients suffered from clinically relevant latex allergy. Symptoms included contact urticaria, angioedema, conjunctivitis, generalized urticaria, and moderate anaphylactic reactions. No control reported symptoms with latex products (P=0.052). In all patients, clinical symptoms to fruits preceded a history of latex allergy. The fruits most associated were melon, peach, and banana. From our data, we conclude that there is a potential for allergic reactions to latex in patients with allergy to fruit. All patients with fruit allergy should be screened for individual risk of latex allergy.
PGE2 suppresses excessive anti‐IgE induced cysteinyl leucotrienes production in mast cells of patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease
Authors: Wang X. S. , Wu A. Y‐Y. , Leung P. S. , Lau H. Y. A.
Published: May 2007

Background:  Aspirin causes bronchospasm in patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). The contribution of mast cells to the increased cysteinyl‐leucotrienes (cys‐LTs) detected in AERD patients is however not defined.

Aims of the study:  Effects of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LO) pathways on mediator release from cultured mast cells of normal subjects, aspirin tolerant asthma (ATA) and AERD patients were compared to better define the role of mast cells in AERD.

Methods:  Mast cells were cultured from peripheral blood progenitors and were activated by anti‐IgE. Histamine, PGD2 and cys‐LTs released were then determined.

Results:  Basal release of all three mediators was similar in all subjects. Although the release of all three mediators was increased by anti‐IgE, mast cells from AERD patients produced significantly more cys‐LTs (6.9 ± 2.0 ng/106 cells) than normal and ATA subjects (2.3 ± 0.8 and 1.7 ± 0.5 ng/106 cells, respectively). While COX and LO pathway inhibitors did not affect anti‐IgE induced histamine release, they significantly suppressed the production of PGD2 and cys‐LTs, respectively, in all patients. PGE2 significantly enhanced anti‐IgE induced histamine and PGD2 release from mast cells of normal subjects but not those of ATA and AERD patients. In contrast, PGE2 suppressed only anti‐IgE induced cys‐LTs release from mast cells of AERD patients.

Conclusion:  We speculate that overproduction of cys‐LTs is unique to mast cells of AERD patients and is particularly sensitive to suppression by PGE2. Consequently reduction of PGE2 production by aspirin removes this endogenous control of cys‐LTs overproduction, resulting in asthma attack.
A Subgroup 1 Tobamovirus Isolated from Brugmansia sp. and its Detection by RT‐PCR
Authors: Ilmberger N. , Willingmann P. , Adam G. , Heinze C.
Published: May 2007

A new virus, isolated from a mixed infected Brugmansia sp., was characterized. The viral genome was about 6380 nucleotides (nts) long and showed an organization typically for tobamoviruses with overlapping open reading frames (ORF) of the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) and the movement protein (MP). The coat protein (CP) was in the same size as known for other tobamoviruses. Phylogenetic analyses of the complete genome indicated that the new isolate belongs to the tobamovirus subgroup 1, despite strong serological reactions with Ribgrass mosaic virus (RMV) specific antiserum in a plate trapped antigen ELISA. Sequence comparisons with species of the genus Tobamovirus revealed >10% overall sequence divergence, which indicates according to the rules of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) that this virus is a new species and we suggest the name Brugmansia mild mottle virus (BMMV) for that isolate. Furthermore, we present a diagnostic reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) protocol for the detection of this isolate which uses a drastically reduced cycling time.
Growth promotion of quorum‐quenching bacteria in the rhizosphere of Solanum tuberosum
Authors: Cirou Amélie , Diallo Stéphanie , Kurt Caroline , Latour Xavier , Faure Denis
Published: May 2007

Among 17 molecules structurally related to N‐acylhomoserine lactone (NAHL), gamma‐caprolactone (GCL), 6‐caprolactone (6CL) and 4‐heptanolide (HTN) were found to stimulate the degradation of NAHL by bacterial communities recovered from bulk and rhizospheric soils. In the 6CL‐, GCL‐ and HTN‐treated bacterial consortia, the NAHL‐degrading bacteria were more abundant than in control (mannitol‐treated) consortia. Moreover, the GCL‐ and HTN‐consortia showed a biocontrol activity against Pectobacterium atrosepticum in soft rot assays with tubers of Solanum tuberosum. When GCL was applied to hydroponic cultures of S. tuberosum, a significant increase of the ratio of NAHL‐degrading bacteria among total cultivable bacteria was observed in several independent experiments. Most of these bacteria, the growth of which was stimulated by GCL amendment, were also able to use GCL as a sole carbon source. They belong to the Rhodococcus and Delftia genera. DGGE analysis revealed that GCL treatments affected the structure of bacterial communities. This work highlights the possibility to manage the NAHL‐degrading bacteria in a complex environment such as rhizosphere.
In situ detection of novel Acidobacteria in microbial mats from a chemolithoautotrophically based cave ecosystem (Lower Kane Cave, WY, USA)
Authors: Meisinger Daniela B. , Zimmermann Johannes , Ludwig Wolfgang , Schleifer Karl‐Heinz , Wanner Gerhard , Schmid Michael , Bennett Philip C. , Engel Annette S. , Lee Natuschka M.
Published: May 2007

Lower Kane Cave, Wyoming (USA), has hydrogen sulfide‐bearing springs that discharge into the cave passage. The springs and cave stream harbour white filamentous microbial mats dominated by Epsilonproteobacteria. Recently, novel 16S rRNA gene sequences from the phylum Acidobacteria, subgroup 7, were found in these cave mats. Although Acidobacteria are ubiquitously distributed in many terrestrial and marine habitats, little is known about their ecophysiology. To investigate this group in Lower Kane Cave in more detail, a full‐cycle rRNA approach was applied based on 16S and 23S rRNA gene clone libraries and the application of novel probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization. The 16S and 23S rRNA gene clone libraries yielded seven and six novel acidobacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) respectively. The majority of the OTUs were affiliated with subgroups 7 and 8. One OTU was affiliated with subgroup 6, and one OTU could not be assigned to any of the present acidobacterial subgroups. Fluorescence in situ hybridization distinguished two morphologically distinct, rod‐shaped cells of the acidobacterial subgroups 7 and 8. Although the ecophysiology of Acidobacteria from Lower Kane Cave will not be fully resolved until cultures are obtained, acidobacterial cells were always associated with the potentially chemolithoautotrophic epsilon‐ or gammaproteobacterial filaments, suggesting perhaps a lifestyle based on heterotrophy or chemoorganotrophy.
Community dynamics and heterogeneities in mixed bacterial communities subjected to nutrient periodicities
Authors: Konopka Allan , Carrero‐Colon Militza , Nakatsu Cindy H.
Published: May 2007

Sixteen replicate microcosms were inoculated with a mixed assemblage of heterotrophic bacteria and provided with discrete pulses of protein as carbon and energy source. The dynamics of community structure were monitored by 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE). The results were consistent with a strong role for biological interactions in maintaining diversity. Replicate microcosms developed different microbial communities. For systems exposed to nutrient pulses every 7 days, the number of DGGE bands averaged 13 ± 4 (mean ± SD) and the Dice similarity coefficient between pairs ranged from 0.08 to 0.67. In each of 16 systems provided protein once each day, there were dynamic changes over the first 30 days but community composition was stable over the next 20 days. However, most systems differed from each other; two‐thirds of the pairwise comparisons had similarity coefficients in the range of 0.35–0.63. These 16 systems contained 10 ± 2 phylotypes (mean ± SD) and in aggregate 34 phylotypes were found in the 16 systems. Most phylotypes were found in < 25% of the systems, and there were not strong networks of association among phylotypes.
COST DISINFLATION AND EXPORT EXPANSION
Authors: KURIHARA KENNETH K.
Published: May 2007

This note is an attempt to offer a quantitatively significant answer to the question: How effective is cost disinflation likely to be in restoring a deficit country's balance of payments equilibrium? This question is occasioned by such recent structural changes in the world economy as to intensify cost‐price competition in international markets. In seeking the needed answer, the author has set up a system of equations to describe the relevant domestic and foreign variables affecting a trading nation's balance of payments–on plausible assumptions. The analysis made on the basis of that system leads to the following conclusions:

1. If a nation is not a marginal supplier of internationally tradeable goods, the price‐elasticity of world demand for that nation's exports is likely to be so far below unity (trend value) as to worsen its balance of payments in consequence of a disinflation‐induced fall in its export price, given the constant exchange rates and the constant level of effective world demand.

2. If a nation's exports consist largely of capital goods and manufactures, the income‐elasticity of world demand for that nation's exports is likely to exceed unity so as to aggravate its balance of payments difficulties during a period of falling effective world demand possibly set off by some other nation's disinflationary drive, cet. par.

3. If a nation's cost disinflation increases its innovational investment (designed to increase general productivity), its induced imports are likely to increase via the foreign‐trade multiplier and so to offset any beneficial effect that a disinflationinduced fall in the export price might have on its trade balance.

4. In sum, the analysis would make it theoretically unsound and practically unwise for any trading nation to place unilaterally excessive reliance on the price mechanism in general and disinflation in particular for balance of payments equilibrium–especially in this day and age of universal wage‐price rigidities, income sensibilities and exchange‐rate flexibilities.
Output, Inflation and the Terms of Trade in a Small Open Economy
Authors: Lars Calmfors
Published: May 2007

The possibilities of deviating from the natural rate of output in an open economy are analyzed. It is shown that output can be pegged for some time above the natural rate even under perfect foresight in such an economy. But this results in continuously improving terms‐of‐trade. In an open economy these terms‐of‐trade changes ‐ rather than rational expectations per se ‐ are the main constraint on employment policies. The natural‐rate hypothesis implies a trade‐off between the level of output and the rate of change of the trade balance. This trade‐off can be avoided temporarely only by letting government expenditure crowd out private expenditure.
A Note on Lindahl's Theory of Distribution
Authors: Guglielmo Chiodi  , Kumaraswamy Velupillai
Published: May 2007

It has become customary to dichotomize research results in functional income distribution in terms of neo‐classical vs. neo‐Keynesian theories with appropriate footnotes referring to fringe theories and distinguished predecessors. In this note the latter set is enlarged! Erik Lindahl's masterly contribution to this subject is presented in a generalized version of a Kaldor‐Pasinetti model. In Penning Politikens Medel (1930) Lindahl poses the question of how savings will be adjusted to equilibrium with a higher level of investment which, in turn, has been caused by a lowering of the rate of interest. The equilibrium level is attained, in a characteristically Kaldor‐Pasinetti way, by a redistribution of incomes.
Freiwilligengruppen als Problem der ökonomischen Klubtheorie
Authors: Badelt Christoph
Published: May 2007

Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit der Bereitstellung von Gütern und Dienstleistungen durch ≪Freiwilligengruppen≫, die als ≪Klubs≫ im Sinne der Public Choice‐Theorie aufgefasst werden. Es wird eine theoretische Erklärung vorgeschlagen, warum Individuen eine Freiwilligengruppe gründen und sich nicht für eine institutionelie Alternative, zum Beispiel ein gewinnorientiertes Unternehmen, entscheiden. Haupterklärungsgründe für diese Wahl sind der Nutzen, den Mitglieder von Freiwilligengruppen infolge ihrer Wahlentscheidung zusätzlich zu jenem aus dem Konsum des Klubguts ziehen, Transaktionskostengesichtspunkte, Vertrauensaspekte im Zusammenhang mit asymmetrischer Information und qualitative Unterschiede, die mit der institutionellen Form der Erbringung einer Leistung verbunden sind. Für manche Formen von Freiwilligengruppen werden altruistische Präferenzen in die Erkläng miteinbezogen.
The Effects of European Competition Policy on Pricing and Profit Margins
Authors: Feinberg Robert M.
Published: May 2007

This paper analyzes the effects of EEC and West German policy towards horizontal agreements and restrictive practices on the performance of the West German manufacturing sector. Three empirical studies are reported: (1) a time‐series study of price indexes for 10 products from the mid‐1950's to the present; (2) a cross‐section study (for 1979 data) of 106 industries; and (3) an analysis of changes in company profit margins over time. The results suggest some short‐run response to antitrust cases, but no long‐lasting ‘deterrent’ effect. There is some evidence of a ‘regime effect’ occurring after 1957, i. e., a general price decline in West German industry due to changes in the competitive environment which started in that year.
‘Left’ and ‘Right’ in ‘Federal Europe’
Authors: ROTHSCHILD KURT W.
Published: May 2007

The article tries to find out whether the political composition of government in twelve Western European countries had any effect on real growth, unemployment and inflation. The method chosen is to combine year after year the countries in ‘Left’, ‘Right’ and (left and right) coalition groups and then to compare the group results over the period 1960‐1984. In the period of high growth and full employment political composition plays a minor part. After 1970 the picture changes: the left group (left and left coalition governments) exhibits consistently higher growth and lower unemployment rates than the right group. With regard to inflation the picture is less clear. There is an indication that coalitions have generally fared better than either ‘pure’ left or ‘pure’ right governments.
Zur politischen Ökonomie der Protektion in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Authors: WAGNER JOACHIM
Published: May 2007

Der Beitrag untersucht die Bedeutung von Ansätzen der Neuen Politischen Ökonomie für die Erklärung der Protektion in Industrien der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Nach einer Darstellung der theoretischen Grundüberlegungen folgt ein kurzer Überblick über empirische Untersuchungen zu Bestimmungsgründen der Protektion in der Bundesrepublik. In einer ökonometrischen Untersuchung werden dann Modelle geschätzt und getestet, die als endogene Variable das Niveau der Gesamtprotektion einer Branche und als exogene Variablen eine Reihe von Grössen, die in Modellen der Neuen Politischen Ökonomie für relevant erachtet werden, enthalten. Wichtige Ergebnisse sind: Ein mit den theoretischen Überlegungen übereinstimmendes und statistisch signifikantes Vorzeichen ergab sich für den Konzentrationsgrad (positiv), den Wertschöpfungsanteil am Output (negativ) und den Importdruck aus Entwicklungsländern (positiv). Entgegen einer früheren Untersuchung für die Bundesrepublik ist jedoch die Richtung des Einflusses der Anzahl der Firmen und der Beschäftigten statistisch nicht gesichert und umgekehrt wie in den theoretischen Modellen abgeleitet.
Lohndynamik und Arbeitslosigkeit
Authors: WEBER CARLO JAEGER und ARND
Published: May 2007

Die verbreitete Ratlosigkeit gegenüber der Aufgabe, im OECD‐Raum wieder Vollbe‐schäftigung herzustellen, weist auf grundlegende Probleme der verwendeten Theorien hin. Immerhin lassen sich einige Fakten zum historischen Zusammenhang von Lohndynamik und Arbeitslosigkeit rekonstruieren. Dazu wird die Entwicklung in den USA mit derjenigen in der BRD verglichen. Vor diesem Hintergrund scheint die konsequente Koppelung einer Professionalisierung der Erwerbsarbeit mit einer Flexibilisierung des Arbeitsmarkts ‐ speziell im europaischen Rahmen ‐ neue Möglichkeiten zu eröffnen.

The difficulties involved in the task of reestablishing full employment in the OECD area point to fundamental problems in the theories applied. Nevertheless, some facts can be reconstructed in connection with the historical relationship between wage dynamics and unemployment. This is illustrated by a comparison between develop‐merits in the United States and in the Federal Republic of Germany. Seen against this backdrop, the consistent combination of greater professionalism in occupational activities with increased flexibility on the labour market ‐ especially in Western Europe ‐ appears to open up fresh opportunities.

Le désarroi de plus en plus répandu quant à la manière de restaurer le plein emploi dans les pays de l'OCDE révèle la présence de problèmes fondamentaux dans les theories appliquées. Néanmoins, il est possible de reconstituer quelques faits liés au rapport historique entre la dynamique des salaires et le cho̧mage, et de les illustrer à l'aide d'une comparaison entre l'évolution suivie aux USA et celle suivie en RFA. Sur cette toile de fond, le couplage systématique d'une professionnalisation du travail rémunéré et d'une flexibilisation du marché de l'emploi ‐ surtout en Europe occidental ‐ semble ouvrir des possibilityés nouvelles.
The Pricing of LDC Debt in the Secondary Market: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Perasso Giancarlo
Published: May 2007

Six years after the explosion of the LDCs’ debt crisis, little has been achieved in trying to solve this problem. So far the international financial community and the indebted LDCs have managed to ‘muddle through’ by means of debt reschedulings, debt forgiveness, IMF‐sponsored adjustment programs, and the invention of new financial instruments. Among the latter, prominent relevance has been recently gained by debt‐equity swaps. This paper deals with what debt‐equity swaps are, how they work, the main participants in the market where debt‐equity swaps are carried out, and how the price for LDC debt is determined in this market. Our findings are that the price is indeed determined by market forces (and not by psychological factors, as it is often implied in the press), thus creating a new set of policy options to pursue the use of debt‐equity swaps for reducing the LDCs’ external debt. Despite some drawbacks of this device, that are highlighted in the paper, our main conclusion is that debt‐equity swaps may represent a useful tool for “buying time” while waiting for both the LDCs and the developed countries to undertake policies aimed at the easing of the foreign debt burden in the LDCs.
Besprechungen—Comptes rendus—Reviews
Authors: Scaperlanda Anthony
Published: May 2007

EICHENGREEN, BARRY and Lindert, Peter (eds.): The International Debt Crisis in Historical Perspective. Cambridge/London: The MIT Press 1989.282 pp. Index. U.S. $ 25.00.
Collective Risk Decisions in the Presence of Many Risks1
Authors: Elliott Steven R. , McKee Michael
Published: May 2007

This paper reports the results of laboratory investigations of individual and group decision making regarding willingness to pay to reduce risks when more than one risk is present. It is found that group decision making environments improve the overall decisions when the consequence of the decision is common to all members of the group. When the consequences are individual, group decisions are less likely to improve upon individual decisions. The latter effect appears to be due to the unwillingness of individuals to engage in communication when they are not bound by a group decision. The conclusion is that both discussion and common outcomes are necessary for group decisions to be superior to individual decisions.

Diese Studie enthält die Ergebnisse einer experimentellen Untersuchung des Entscheidungs‐prozesses von Gruppen und Individuen über die Zahlungsbereitschaft, Risiken zu reduzieren, wenn mehrere Risiken gleichzeitig auftreten. Dabei wird festgestellt, dass Gruppenentscheidungen Einzelentscheidungen überlegen sind, wenn die Konsequenzen der Entscheidung für alle Mitglieder der Gruppe identisch sind. Wenn die Konsequenzen der Entscheidung nur einzelne betreffen, verrin‐gert sich die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass Gruppenentscheidungen besser als Einzelentscheidungen sind. Dies lässt sich vermudich auf die mangelnde Bereitschaft einzelner zurückführen, am Kommunikationsprozess teilzunehmen, wenn sie selbst nicht von der Gruppenentscheidung betroffen sind. Wir kommen zu dem Ergebnis, dass sowohl eine gemeinsame Diskussion als auch ein gemeinsames Ergebnis vorhanden sein miissen, damit Gruppenentscheidungen individuellen Ent‐scheidungen überlegen sind.

Cet article présente les résultats ďanalyses de laboratoire consacrées au rǒle joué par la décision collective ou individuelle dans la détermination du prix susceptible ďětre payé pour réduire ľexposition aux risques quand ceux‐ci sont nombreux. Les résultats montrent que le cadre de décision collective améliore les décisions prises globalement lorsque leurs conséquences sont partagées par tous les membres du groupe. En outre, dans le cas des conséquences individuelles, les décisions collectives ne semblent pas affecter les décisions prises individuellement. Ce dernier résultat paraǐtt ětre du au refus des individus ďéchanger ľinformation surtout lorsqu'ils ne sont pas contraints par la décision collective. Ľétude conclue que la communication ainsi que les conséquences communes sont nécessaires pour que les décisions collectives soient préférables aux décisions individuelles.
The Economics of Cohabitation
Authors: Ressler Rand W. , Waters Melissa S.
Published: May 2007

Union formation behavior has undergone vast changes over the past 25 years in virtually all Western countries. Key components of the change have been the increase in cohabitational unions and the decline in the marriage rate. Although this has important implications for both household and market production activities, no previous economic studies have focused explicitly on cohabitation. This paper develops an economic model of cohabitational demand based on the standard theory of consumer choice. Regression analysis of United States’ data aggregated at the state level provides support for this economic model. Specifically, it suggests that the increased labor force participation of women has generated a higher level of demand for the greater flexibility offered by cohabitational unions relative to formal marriage.

In den letzten fünfundzwanzig Jahren hat sich die Partnerschaftgründung in praktisch alien wesdichen Ländern grundlegend verändert. Wesentliche Bestandteile dieser Veränderung sind die zunehmende Anzahl von eheähnlichen Partnerschaften und die Abnahme der Heiratsrate. Obwohl dies grosse Auswirkungen auf die Haushalts‐ wie auch auf die Erwerbstätigkeit hat, wurden bisherige Studien auf das Zusammenleben in eheähnlichen Gemeinschaften nicht ökonomisch untersucht. Die vorliegende Arbeit entwickelt ein ökonomisches Modell der Nachfrage nach diesen eheähnlichen Gemeinschaften, basierend auf der gängigen Theorie der Konsumentenwahl. Eine Regressionsanalyse für die Vereinigten Staaten stützt dieses ökonomische Modell ab. Die Unter‐suchung deutet darauf hin, dass die steigende Erwerbsquote der Frauen mit einem höheren Wunsch nach Flexibilität verbunden ist. Eheähnliche Partnerschaften sind flexibler als die traditionelle Ehe.

La façon dans laquelle les unions sont formées entre les hommes et les femmes a subi des changements énormes pendant les dernières 25 années dans la plupart des pays occidentaux. Les raisons principales pour ces changements sont ľaugmentation des unions cohabitationales et la chute du taux de mariage. Pourtant il y a des implications importantes pour les activités de production en vente aussi bien que domestiques, aucune étude économique n'a jamais mis au point le concept de la cohabitation. Cette thèse développe un modèle économique de la demande cohabitationale fondé sur la théorie du choix des consommateurs. Une analyse de regression des données américaines au niveau ďétat soutient ce modèle économique. Specifiquement, il suggère que ľaugmentation de la participation des femmes au milieu de travail a généré une plus grande demande pour la flexibilityé offerte par des unions cohabitationales rélatif au mariage formel.
MANAGERIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPANY PERFORMANCE PART I
Authors: Child John
Published: May 2007

This paper utilizes information collected on more than eighty British companies and on about 800 senior managers working in them. It is in two parts. Part I starts by outlining problems involved in identifying influences on company performance. It then describes the sources of data analysed in the paper. The remainder of Part I examines the view that certain managerial and organizational attributes will tend to raise levels of performance whatever the type of company and its operating circumstances. Another approach takes the view that what makes for good performance is contingent upon the type of company and the prevailing situation. This is examined against our data in Part II of the paper. Part II concludes with an assessment of present knowledge on the managerial and organizational concomitants of company performance and the practical implicatons to be drawn from it.
A COMPARISON OF THE PREDICTIVE POWER OF SUBTRACTIVE AND MULTIPLICATIVE MODELS OF JOB SATISFACTION AND PERFORMANCE
Authors: Norton S. D. , Marco N. Di
Published: May 2007

Subtractive and multiplicative contingency models were compared by multiple regression, in six samples, to each other and to non‐contingency models. Contingency models had less predictive power. Independent variables were Life Style and Organizational Structure measures. Dependent variables were the Job Descriptive Index, other job attitude measures, and performance measures.
KNOWING AND PRACTICING: TEACHING BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES AT THE ISRAEL DEFENCE FORCES COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE
Authors: Lipshitz Raanan
Published: May 2007

This paper describes the design, implementation, and accompanying conceptual developments of a course in the behavioural sciences at the Israel Defence Forces Command and General Staff College. The objective of the course is to improve the effectiveness of the student as a problem‐solver, decision‐maker and crisis‐manager. The two basic assumptions underlying the course are: (1) That the latter objective can be achieved by helping the student put into practice certain ideas, models and methods from the areas of descriptive epistemology, problem‐solving, decision‐making under uncertainty, and decision‐making under stress; (2) That the likelihood of utilizing acquired knowledge is directly related to its concreteness and relevance. On the basis of the latter assumption, the methodology of experiential learning was adapted for teaching conceptual material.

Results of final examinations indicate that the instructional method of the course is comparable to traditional methods for the purpose of teaching conceptual knowledge. It is still too early to judge its effectiveness vis à vis the more ambitious goals of the course. The experience gained in implementation revealed two problematical issues which must be resolved if these goals are to be achieved. The first issue concerns the over‐all coherence of the course, the other, the emotional reactions of resistance and defensiveness which characterized the learning process.

In an attempt to resolve these issues, a new conceptual framework was developed, which embeds the subjects of problem‐solving and decision‐making within descriptive (or lay) epistemology. The framework is centred around the concept of reality images, defined as the way in which an individual perceives his external situation and internal condition, and the meanings which he selects or attributes to them. It is argued that the effectiveness of problem‐solving, decision‐making and crisis‐management are a function of the reality image construction process. Furthermore, normative models of problem‐solving and decision‐making will be utilized most effectively if they are conceived as tools for the construction of reality images. Finally, it is suggested that the most important aids for constructing reality images of high fidelity are exercising reflection and inquiry.

The paper concludes with a discussion of several basic questions, raised by the course, which are relevant to the applicability of recent developments in cognitive psychology.
SOME FACETS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSULTANTS AND CLIENTS IN ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: McGivern Chris
Published: May 2007

Although frequently represented as a critical aspect of consultancy, the relationship between consultants and their clients and its relevance to the achievement of successful outcomes are subjects to which few writers have devoted serious attention.

In an earlier piece of research, the author concluded that an ‘interdependent’ relationship was likely to be an important factor in successful consulting assignments. He identified eight facets of this type of relationship. This paper describes how that theory was tested when three consultants, together with a number of their clients, explained why they thought their work together had been successful. The cases illustrate both the ways in which the relationships were built and the extent to which they were perceived as having been important ingredients in the outcomes achieved.

The relationships described were characterized by high levels of mutual trust and interaction as well as contingency on the part of the consultants. In several respects the relationships were seen as interdependent. A feature of this study was that the extent to which the consultants found the research useful in a personal sense seemed to depend on the quality of the relationship between the author and the consultants. In the cases described the exercise seems to have been mutually beneficial. In another example this seems not to have been the case and the explanation seems to lie at least partly in a lack of interdependence.
NATURAL LEARNING AND MANAGERIAL ACTION: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY IN THE FIELD SETTING
Authors: Burgoyne J. G. , Hodgson V. E.
Published: May 2007

An approach to collecting data about managers’ experience of their work is described, involving having them ‘think aloud’ while doing their work, and ‘re‐live’ episodes soon afterwards. Some of the epistemological and methodological issues relating to this research approach are discussed.

Examples of data are given, and 37 episodes of managerial work are analyzed for evidence relating to the question of how managers learn naturally from everyday experience.

The analysis suggests that the concept of levels of learning proposed by Bateson (1973) is useful. An initial categorization of processes of learning, arising from the data, are presented. Some evidence that the profounder forms of learning are incremental rather than sudden is presented, and the issue of the functionality of profounder versus more superficial forms of learning in relation to everyday managerial work is raised.
RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY: TOWARDS A CONCEPTUAL SYNTHESIS
Authors: McGlvern C. K. , Fineman S.
Published: May 2007

This paper describes an investigation into some of the apparent similarities between what certain kinds of researchers and consultants do in organizations. Using a facet analysis approach (Foa, 1965), an instrument was devised with the purpose of identifying and delineating overlaps between organizational research and consultancy. Sixty‐six British researchers and consultants took part in the study. The results highlight certain specific similarities and suggest that these may represent aspects of research and consultancy which are crucial to their success. The facets of the two activities which emerged from the study as being common are described by reference to the qualitative data which were generated by participants. A number of important implications for the successful conduct of research and consultancy are discussed with particular reference to the process of managing the relationship between investigators and those with whom they work.
COMPARATIVE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH LEADING TO AN INTERVENTION STRATEGY [I]
Authors: Hoy Frank , Van Fleet David D. , Yetley Mervin J.
Published: May 2007

Several literature reviews have concluded that there is little consistency among researchers and practitioners when referring to the concept, ‘organizational effectiveness’. In this study, multiple data gathered on several organizational constituencies for three models of organizational effectiveness are studied to examine empirically the comparability of those models. The relative effectiveness of each organization varied both between and within the theoretical models providing the bases of analysis. Little convergence exists among the models so that problem diagnosis intervention in the processes of small organizations may be more accurate when treating effectiveness as a multivariate concept examined via a given organization's constituencies over time.
A CROSS‐NATIONAL STUDY OF LEADERSHIP: PARTICIPATION AS A FUNCTION OF PROBLEM STRUCTURE AND LEADER POWER
Authors: Bottger Preston C. , Hallein Ingrid H. , Yetton Philip W.
Published: May 2007

This study explores the effects of task structure and leader power on participative leadership across Australian, African, Papua‐New Guinea and Pacific Island managers. Managers in all national groups are more participative in situations of low structure and low power than for high structure and high power, respectively. Participation in situations of low structure and low power declines in the order: Australia, Africa, Papua‐New Guinea, Pacific Islands. It is argued that this effect is an instrumental effect of managerial education, rather than being culturally determined. the Vroom‐Yetton leadership methodology is used to measure participation levels. Subjects are a total of 150 middle‐level managers attending management education courses.
MANAGEMENT CONTROL AS A BRIDGING CONCEPT
Authors: Storey John
Published: May 2007

Despite their often overlapping subject areas, management science and social science reveal only occasional promise of a fruitful interlink. However, recent developments in the study of managerial control suggest that this problematic could well be used as a suitable bridge.
A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO BANK PRUDENTIAL MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION: THE UTILIZATION OF FEEDFORWARD CONTROL
Authors: Gardener Edward P. M.
Published: May 2007

This paper explores the operational characteristics of a new systems approach for monitoring the prudential strength, or safety, of modern commercial banks. It exploits the principle of feedforward control through the simulated contingency analysis of a bank's planned financial and associated management positions. This approach will be shown to have operational potential for both individual bank managements and the supervisory authorities who monitor the prudential soundness of all banks. Most of the research to date in this field has been concerned with assessing the adequacy of a bank's capital funds, its capital adequacy position. The primary function of bank capital is to act as a kind of internal insurance fund in order to protect a bank against uncertainties.
DIVISIONALIZATION, DECENTRALIZATION AND PERFORMANCE OF LARGE UNITED KINGDOM COMPANIES 1
Authors: Hill C. W. L. , Pickering J. F.
Published: May 2007

Questionnaire survey data from 144 large U.K. firms are used to describe and discuss the nature of organization design in major companies. It was found that the majority of firms were multidivisional. However a considerable variation in internal operating procedures was found which emphasized that many multidivisional companies do not behave in the way that the strategy/structure literature predicts. Empirical testing of the relation between structure and financial performance also emphasizes that divisionalization is not necessarily the key to a superior profit performance. Rather it would appear that organizational procedures need to be reconsidered in the light of recent divisional structures established in many companies. It is argued that a powerful divisional head office may weaken overall performance and that instead greater attention should be paid to the opportunity to decentralize operating decisions to the individual business units within each division.