bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causal Process Theories
Authors: Dowe Phil
Published: January 2010

If the core idea of process theories of causation is that causation can be understood in terms of causal processes and interactions, then the approach should be attributed primarily to Wesley Salmon (1925–2001). Salmon takes causal processes and interactions as more fundamental than causal relations between events. To express this Salmon liked to quote John Venn: ‘Substitute for the time honoured “chain of causation”, so often introduced into discussions upon this subject, the phrase a “rope of causation”, and see what a very different aspect the question will wear’. According to the process theory, any facts about causation as a relation between events obtain only on account of more basic facts about causal processes and interactions. Causal processes are the world-lines of objects, exhibiting some characteristic essential for causation.
Causes, Laws, and Ontology
Authors: Tooley Michael
Published: January 2010

Different approaches to causation often diverge very significantly on ontological issues, in the case of both causal laws, and causal relations between states of affairs. This article sets out the main alternatives with regard to each. Causal concepts have surely been present from the time that language began, since the vast majority of action verbs involve the idea of causally affecting something. Thus, in the case of transitive verbs describing physical actions, there is the idea of causally affecting something external to one — one finds food, builds a shelter, sows seed, catches fish, and so on — while in the case of intransitive verbs describing physical actions, it is very plausible that they involve the idea of causally affecting one's own body — as one walks, runs, jumps, hunts, and so on.
Causation and Statistical Inference
Authors: Glymour Clark
Published: January 2010

In the applied statistical literature, causal relations are often described equivocally or euphemistically as ‘risk factors’, or as part of ‘dimension reduction’. The statistical literature also tends to speak of ‘statistical models’ rather than of causal explanations, and to say that parameters of a model are ‘interpretable’, often means that the parameters make sense as measures of causal influence. These ellipses are due in part to the use of statistical formalisms for which a causal interpretation is wanted but unavailable or unfamiliar, and in part to a philosophical distrust of attributions of causation outside experimental contexts, misgivings traceable to the disciplinary institutionalization of claims of influential statisticians, notably Karl Pearson and Ronald Fisher. More candid treatments of causal relations have recently emerged in the theoretical statistical literature.
Causation and Semantic Content
Authors: Jackson Frank
Published: January 2010

How does causation enter the picture? Belief is a state shaped by the world, a state that seeks to fit the world; desire is a state that shapes the world, that seeks to make the world fit it. Both metaphors are compelling and are loaded with causality. We often use ‘reference’ for the relation between thought and world. We often use ‘content’ for how things have to be for, for example, a belief with that content to be true and a desire with that content satisfied. In these terms, the tradition of seeking to understand aboutness in causal terms is the tradition of seeking causal accounts of reference and content.
Causation and Explanation
Authors: Lipton Peter
Published: January 2010

In its simplest form, a causal model of explanation maintains that to explain some phenomenon is to give some information about its causes. This prompts four questions that will structure the discussion to follow. The first is whether all explanations are causal. The second is whether all causes are explanatory. The answer to both of these questions turns out to be negative, and seeing why this is so helps to clarify the relationship between causation and explanation. The third question is itself a request for an explanation: Why do causes explain, when they do? Why, for example, do causes explain their effects but effects not explain their causes? Finally, the article considers how explanation can illuminate the process of causal inference.
Causation in Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Healey Richard
Published: January 2010

There is widespread agreement that quantum mechanics has something radical to teach us about causation. But opinions differ on what this is. Physicists have often taken the central lesson to be that many physical events occur spontaneously, so that a principle of causality is violated whenever an atom emits light, or a uranium nucleus decays, even though nothing that happened beforehand made this inevitable. Feynman urged philosophers to acknowledge that this implication of quantum mechanics undermines the view that causal determinism forms a precondition of scientific inquiry. But while some physicists have denied the implication, most philosophers since Reichenbach have accepted it with alacrity, and sought to develop accounts of causation equally applicable in an indeterministic or a deterministic world.
Causation in Spacetime Theories
Authors: Hoefer Carl
Published: January 2010

Although Russell maintained that causation was not to be found in advanced physical theories (which is described in this article), even he would have admitted that, if one must talk of cause–effect relations between events, then spacetime theories may well place constraints on what sorts of causal relations may exist and how they may be arranged in time. They may also imply the possibility of surprising and unexpected causal relations, and even serious causal anomalies. This article looks at what the three most important spacetime theories imply about causation. It starts with a brief look at Newtonian physics, looks at how important changes are introduced by Special Relativity theory, and finally turns to the rich causal fields of General Relativity models.
Causation in Biology
Authors: Okasha Samir
Published: January 2010

This article is organized into four sections. The first section gives a brief historical survey of the contributions made by biologists to the understanding of causality. The second section looks at the role of causal concepts in the theory of evolution. The third section discusses Mayr's distinction between proximate and ultimate causation, and the related issue of teleological explanation. The fourth section looks at causation in genetics, with special reference to the nature–nurture problem.
First‐line therapy with doxycycline in ocular adnexal mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A retrospective analysis of clinical predictors
Authors: Kim Tae Min , Kim Ki Hwan , Lee Min Joung , Jeon Yoon Kyung , Lee Se‐Hoon , Kim Dong‐Wan , Kim Chul Woo , Kim Il Han , Khwarg Sang In , Heo Dae Seog
Published: January 2010

This retrospective study was launched to evaluate the efficacy of doxycycline and to find independent predictors of a clinical response in patients with ocular adnexal lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (OAML). Thirty‐eight patients with newly diagnosed, localized OAML received doxycycline for 3 weeks (12 patients) or 6 weeks (26 patients). Clinical factors including absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and neutrophil count (ANC) were compared between responders and non‐responders. After a median follow‐up of 26.4 months, doxycycline resulted in an overall response rate of 47% and a 3‐year time‐to‐treatment failure (TTF) rate of 84%. Patients treated with doxycycline for 6 weeks versus 3 weeks tended to have a higher response rate (54%vs 33%). Absolute lymphocytosis (ALC > 3.01 × 109/L) and absolute neutrophilia (ANC > 1.92 × 109/L) were defined based on the median value of each count. Patients with (19 patients) versus without absolute lymphocytosis had significantly shorter 2‐year TTF (70%vs 100%, P = 0.021) and a lower response rate (32%vs 63%, P = 0.051). Absolute lymphocytosis (odds ratio [OR] = 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–20.8; P = 0.043) and non‐conjunctival tumor (OR = 11.8; 95% CI, 1.1–122.5; P = 0.038) were negative predictors for response by multivariate analysis. Front‐line doxycycline is effective particularly in localized OAML patients without absolute lymphocytosis but with conjunctival involvement.

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1199–1203)
Benefits and risks of furosemide in acute kidney injury
Authors: Ho K. M. , Power B. M.
Published: January 2010

Furosemide, a potent loop diuretic, is frequently used in different stages of acute kidney injury, but its clinical roles remain uncertain. This review summarises the pharmacology of furosemide, its potential uses and side effects, and the evidence of its efficacy. Furosemide is actively secreted by the proximal tubules into the urine before reaching its site of action at the ascending limb of loop of Henle. It is the urinary concentrations of furosemide that determine its diuretic effect. The severity of acute kidney injury has a significant effect on the diuretic response to furosemide; a good ‘urinary response’ may be considered as a ‘proxy’ for having some residual renal function. The current evidence does not suggest that furosemide can reduce mortality in patients with acute kidney injury. In patients with acute lung injury without haemodynamic instability, furosemide may be useful in achieving fluid balance to facilitate mechanical ventilation according to the lung‐protective ventilation strategy.
The increased mucosal mRNA expressions of complement C3 and interleukin-17 in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Sugihara T , Kobori A , Imaeda H , Tsujikawa T , Amagase K , Takeuchi K , Fujiyama Y , Andoh A
Published: January 2010

Recent studies have demonstrated that the complement system participates in the regulation of T cell functions. To address the local biosynthesis of complement components in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mucosa, we investigated C3 and interleukin (IL)-17 mRNA expression in mucosal samples obtained from patients with IBD. The molecular mechanisms underlying C3 induction were investigated in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs). IL-17 and C3 mRNA expressions in the IBD mucosa were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The C3 levels in the supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-17 and C3 mRNA expressions were elevated significantly in the active lesions from ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) patients. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-17 and C3 mRNA expression in the IBD mucosa. IL-17 stimulated a dose- and time-dependent increase in C3 mRNA expression and C3 secretion in colonic SEMFs. The C3 molecules secreted by colonic SEMFs were a 115-kDa α-chain linked to a 70-kDa β-chain by disulphide bonds, which was identical to serum C3. The IL-17-induced C3 mRNA expression was blocked by p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors (PD98059 and U0216) and a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580). Furthermore, IL-17-induced C3 mRNA expression was inhibited by an adenovirus containing a stable mutant form of IκBα. C3 and IL-17 mRNA expressions are enhanced, with a strong correlation, in the inflamed mucosa of IBD patients. Part of these clinical findings was considered to be mediated by the colonic SEMF response to IL-17.
Implicit structural inversion of gravity data using linear programming, a validation study*
Authors: Van Zon Arnout Tim , Roy Chowdhury Kabir
Published: January 2010

In this study, a regional scale gravity data set has been inverted to infer the structure (topography) of the top of the basement underlying sub‐horizontal strata. We apply our method to this real data set for further proof of concept, validation and benchmarking against results from an earlier forward modelling done elsewhere.

Our aim is to carry out implicit structural inversion, i.e., to obtain a geologically reasonable model, without specifically solving for structure. The 2.5D volume of interest is parametrized with homogeneous horizontal prisms and a two‐lithology medium is assumed. A possible regional linear trend and a general floating reference are also inverted for. Using a gridded parametrization, linear programming is used to minimize the L1‐norm of the data misfit, relative to a floating reference.

Given a known density contrast between the lithologies, an inversion using linear programming has the intrinsic advantage that a relatively sharp image of the sub‐surface is retrieved instead of a smooth one. The model recovered is almost bi‐modal and its general features seem to be robust with respect to several parametrization scenarios investigated. The floating reference and a linear trend in the data were also retrieved simultaneously. The inversion results, indicating two depressions in the basement, are robust and agree with those obtained earlier based upon detailed 2D forward modelling using many narrow, near‐vertical prisms.
Relating 4D seismics to reservoir geomechanical changes using a discrete element approach
Authors: Alassi Haitham , Holt Rune , Landrø Martin
Published: January 2010

A modified discrete element method is briefly introduced and used for modelling reservoir geomechanical response during fluid injection and depletion. The modified approach works as a continuum method until some local failure is initiated, after which it behaves like a discrete element method on a polygonal lattice. The method is advantageous for modelling fracture developments in rocks. It is applied here to synthetic models of two reservoirs taken from the North Sea (Gullfaks and Elgin‐Franklin). For Gullfaks, two cases of water injection were modelled, one with low horizontal effective stress and the other with low vertical effective stress. Vertical fractures are developed in the first case, whereas horizontal fractures are developed in the second case. This would not have been seen using traditional methods. Based on 4D seismics data for the Gullfaks field, one may envision that horizontal fractures could have been formed. The Elgin‐Franklin synthetic model is used to study various scenarios of changing stress field around the depleting reservoir. Based on 4D seismics data from this field, one may see changes that could be interpreted in terms of possible fault reactivation.
Wavenumber of the guided wave supported by a thin resistive layer in marine controlled‐source electromagnetics
Authors: Kong F.N. , Johnstad S.E. , Park J.
Published: January 2010

This paper discusses the asymptotic behaviour of the electromagnetic fields received on the sea‐bed (target response), as well as the fields distributed inside a thin resistive target, generated by a horizontal electric dipole above the sea‐bed in marine controlled‐source electromagnetics for hydrocarbon exploration. It is found that the guided wave supported by a thin resistive target can be expressed as a single‐mode exponential function. A simple closed‐form expression is derived to relate the single‐mode wavenumber of the guided wave to the model parameters: the resistivity and thickness of the target layer, the sea‐bed resistivity and the frequency. When the air‐wave is removed, the guided wave is dominant among the fields received on the sea‐bed at far offset. Hence the wavenumber of the guided wave can be calculated from the fields measured on the sea‐bed. The closed‐form expression can then be used to invert the target property from the calculated wavenumber and hence, can be considered as a hydrocarbon indicator.
Production and fitness of Fusarium pseudograminearum inoculum at elevated carbon dioxide in FACE
Authors: MELLOY PAUL , HOLLAWAY GRANT , LUCK JO , NORTON ROB , AITKEN ELIZABETH , CHAKRABORTY SUKUMAR
Published: January 2010

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is increasingly affecting food production but how plant diseases will influence production and quality of food under rising CO2 is not well understood. With increased plant biomass at high CO2 the stubble‐borne fungal pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum causing crown rot (CR) of wheat may become more severe. We have studied inoculum production by Fusarium using fungal biomass per unit wheat stubble, stem browning from CR and the saprophytic fitness of Fusarium strains isolated from two wheat varieties grown in 2007 and 2008 at ambient and elevated CO2 in free‐air CO2 enrichment (FACE) with or without irrigation and once in a controlled environment. Fungal biomass, determined using primers for fungal ribosomal 18s and the TRI5 gene, increased significantly at elevated CO2 in two of the three studies. Stem browning increased significantly at elevated CO2 in the 2007 FACE study. At elevated CO2 increased stem browning was not influenced by irrigation in a susceptible variety but in a resistant variety stem browning increased by 68% without irrigation. Wheat variety was significant in regression models explaining stem browning and Fusarium biomass but pathogen biomass at the two CO2 levels was not significantly linked to stem browning. Fusarium isolates from ambient and elevated CO2 did not differ significantly in their saprophytic fitness measured by the rate of colonization of wheat straw. We show that under elevated CO2Fusarium inoculum in stubbles will be amplified from increased crop and pathogen biomass while unimpeded saprophytic fitness will retain its effectiveness. If resistant varieties cannot completely stop infection, Fusarium will rapidly colonize stubble to further increase inoculum once the crop is harvested. Research should move beyond documenting the influence of elevated CO2 to developing disease management strategies from improved knowledge of pathogen biology and host resistance under rising CO2.
Hepcidin messenger RNA expression in human lymphocytes
Authors: Pinto Jorge P , Dias Vera , Zoller Heinz , Porto Graça , Carmo Helena , Carvalho Félix , De Sousa Maria
Published: January 2010

Hepcidin regulates intracellular iron levels by interacting with and promoting the degradation of ferroportin, a membrane protein and the only known cellular iron exporter. Studies of hepcidin expression and regulation have focused on its effects in innate immunity and as a regulator of systemic iron metabolism. In the present study we characterized the expression of hepcidin messenger RNA (mRNA) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with a focus on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). We found that (1) all human PBMCs analyzed express basal hepcidin mRNA levels; (2) hepcidin mRNA expression increases after T‐lymphocyte activation; (3) expression by PBLs increases in response to challenge by holotransferrin (Fe‐TF) and by ferric citrate in vitro; (4) the Fe‐TF‐mediated up‐regulation of hepcidin decreases ferroportin expression at the cytoplasmic membrane of PBLs; and (5) silencing of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) abrogates the effect of Fe‐TF. In summary, we show that hepcidin expression determines intracellular iron levels by regulating the expression of ferroportin, as described in other cells, and that inappropriately low expression of hepcidin impairs normal lymphocyte proliferation. The results establish hepcidin as a new player in lymphocyte biology.
Brain size, head size and behaviour of a passerine bird
Authors: Møller A. P.
Published: January 2010

A recent increase in comparative studies of the ecological and evolutionary consequences of brain size in birds and primates in particular have suggested that cognitive abilities constitute a central link. Surprisingly, there are hardly any intraspecific studies investigating how individuals differing in brain size behave, how such individuals are distributed and how brain size is related to life history and fitness components. Brain mass of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica was strongly predicted by external head volume, explaining 99.5% of the variance, allowing for repeatable estimates of head volume as a reflection of brain size. Repeatability of head volume within and between years was high, suggesting that measurement errors were small. In a 2 years study of 501 individual adult barn swallows, I showed that head volume differed between sexes and age classes, with yearlings having smaller and more variable heads than older individuals, and females having smaller and more variable heads than males. Large head volume was not a consequence of large body size, which was a poor predictor of head volume. Birds with large heads arrived early from spring migration, independent of sex and age, indicating that migratory performance may have an important cognitive component. Head volume significantly predicted capture date and recapture probability, suggesting that head volume is related to learning ability, although morphological traits such as wing length, aspect ratio and wing area were unimportant predictors. Intensity of defence of offspring increased with head volume in females, but not in males. Barn swallows with large heads aggregated in large colonies, suggesting that individuals with large heads were more common in socially complex environments. These results suggest that brain size is currently under natural and sexual selection, and that micro-evolutionary processes affecting brain size can be studied under field conditions.
A Note on Langerhans Cells in the Oesophagus Epithelium of Domesticated Mammals
Authors: Meyer W. , Hornickel I. , Schoennagel B.
Published: January 2010

With 3 figures

Using the zinc‐iodide osmium tetroxide (ZIO) method, TEM and immunohistochemistry (for CD1a and langerin), the study demonstrates Langerhans cells in the oesophageal epithelium of domesticated mammals (herbivores: horse, cattle, goat; omnivores: pig, dog, laboratory rat; carnivores: cat), although with variations between the species. The ZIO method and TEM showed this cell type in the cat and, sporadically, in the horse; CD1a (+) Langerhans cells were demonstrated in the ovine, porcine and murine oesophagus. Positive staining for langerin was detected in single cells of the caprine, canine, murine and feline oesophagus and more distinct in almost all the cell layers of the equine and porcine oesophagus epithelium. The findings are discussed comparing specifically the results for CD1a and langerin, whereby the latter C‐type lectin may be of importance in species with a rather thick oesophagus epithelium, such as that present in the plantivorous and most of the omnivorous animals, where antigenic pressure is reduced.
Mental health and well‐being within rural communities: The Australian Rural Mental Health Study
Authors: Kelly Brian J. , Stain Helen J. , Coleman Clare , Perkins David , Fragar Lyn , Fuller Jeffrey , Lewin Terry J. , Lyle David , Carr Vaughan J. , Wilson Jacqueline M. , Beard John R.
Published: January 2010

Objective:  This paper outlines the methods and baseline data from a multisite cohort study of the determinants and outcomes of mental health and well‐being within rural and remote communities.

Methods:  A stratified random sample of adults was drawn in non‐metropolitan New South Wales using the Australian Electoral Roll, with the aim of recruiting all adult members of each household. Surveys assessed psychological symptoms, physical health and mental disorders, along with individual‐, family/household‐ and community‐level characteristics. A stratified subsample completed a telephone‐administered World Mental Health‐Composite International Diagnostic Interview (World Mental Health‐3.0). Proxy measures of child health and well‐being were obtained. Follow up of this sample will be undertaken at one, three and five years.

Results:  A total of 2639 individuals were recruited (1879 households), with 28% from remote/very remote regions. A significant relationship was found between recent distress (Kessler‐10 scores), age and remoteness, with a linear reduction of Kessler‐10 scores with age and the lowest mean scores in remote regions.

Conclusions:  Existing rurality categories cannot address the diverse socio‐cultural, economic and environmental characteristics of non‐metropolitan regions. While it has limitations, the dataset will enable a fine‐grained examination of geographic, household and community factors and provide a unique longitudinal dataset over a five‐year period.
Lower urinary tract symptoms in women with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Guo Ya‐Jun , Ho Chen‐Hsun , Chen Shyh‐Chyan , Yang Shun‐Shuang , Chiu Han‐Mo , Huang Kuo‐How
Published: January 2010

Objectives:  To investigate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to evaluate risk factors associated with the psychiatric morbidity of these patients.

Methods:  The study group included 52 female patients with a diagnosis of IBS. Fifty‐five women without gastrointestinal symptoms were used as controls. LUTS were evaluated using the American Urological Association Symptom Index questionnaire. Psychiatric morbidity was evaluated using a 12‐item version of the Chinese Health Questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors associated with psychiatric morbidity in IBS patients.

Results:  There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the demographic variables. The most common LUTS in patients with IBS were storage symptoms. These patients had significantly higher scores of frequency, nocturia, urge incontinence, lower maximal flow rate and lower voiding volume (P < 0.05). In addition, significantly higher storage and total American Urological Association Symptom Index questionnaire scores were also noted in IBS patients (P < 0.05). The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in IBS patients was 28.8%, which was significantly higher than in the control group (20%). The urinary storage symptom score (odds ratio: 1.518; 95% confidence interval: 1.17–1.96; P = 0.002) was significantly correlated with psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusions:  LUTS are common in IBS patients and have a negative impact on their psychiatric status. Healthcare providers should be aware of the psychological consequences of LUTS in these patients.
Inactivation of the GacA response regulator in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf‐5 has far‐reaching transcriptomic consequences
Authors: Hassan Karl A. , Johnson Aaron , Shaffer Brenda T. , Ren Qinghu , Kidarsa Teresa A. , Elbourne Liam D. H. , Hartney Sierra , Duboy Robert , Goebel Neal C. , Zabriskie T. Mark , Paulsen Ian T. , Loper Joyce E.
Published: January 2010

The GacS/GacA signal transduction system is a central regulator in Pseudomonas spp., including the biological control strain P. fluorescens Pf‐5, in which GacS/GacA controls the production of secondary metabolites and exoenzymes that suppress plant pathogens. A whole genome oligonucleotide microarray was developed for Pf‐5 and used to assess the global transcriptomic consequences of a gacA mutation in P. fluorescens Pf‐5. In cultures at the transition from exponential to stationary growth phase, GacA significantly influenced transcript levels of 635 genes, representing more than 10% of the 6147 annotated genes in the Pf‐5 genome. Transcripts of genes involved in the production of hydrogen cyanide, the antibiotic pyoluteorin and the extracellular protease AprA were at a low level in the gacA mutant, whereas those functioning in siderophore production and other aspects of iron homeostasis were significantly higher in the gacA mutant than in wild‐type Pf‐5. Notable effects of gacA inactivation were also observed in the transcription of genes encoding components of a type VI secretion system and cytochrome c oxidase subunits. Two novel gene clusters expressed under the control of gacA were identified from transcriptome analysis, and we propose global‐regulator‐based genome mining as an approach to decipher the secondary metabolome of Pseudomonas spp.
The σ‐factor FliA, ppGpp and DksA coordinate transcriptional control of the aer2 gene of Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Österberg Sofia , Skärfstad Eleonore , Shingler Victoria
Published: January 2010

Here the σ‐factor requirement for transcription of three similar, but differentially regulated, aer genes of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is investigated. Previous work has shown that the three Aer proteins, like chemoreceptors, colocalize to a single pole in a CheA‐dependent manner. Lack of Aer2 – the most abundant of these three proteins – mediates defects in metabolism‐dependent taxis and aerotaxis, while lack of Aer1 or Aer3 has no apparent phenotype. We show, using wild‐type and mutant P. putida derivatives combined with P. putida reconstituted FliA‐ (σ28) and σ70‐dependent in vitro transcription assays, that transcription of aer2 is coupled to motility through the flagella σ‐factor FliA, while σ70 is responsible for transcription of aer1 and aer3. By comparing activities of the wild‐type and mutant forms of the aer2 promoter, we present evidence (i) that transcription from FliA‐dependent Paer2 is enhanced by changes towards the Escherichia coli consensus for FliA promoters rather than towards that of P. putida, (ii) that the nature of the AT‐rich upstream region is important for both output and σ70 discrimination of this promoter, and (iii) that Paer2 output is directly stimulated by the bacterial alarmone ppGpp and its cofactor DksA.
Chloroform respiration to dichloromethane by a Dehalobacter population
Authors: Grostern Ariel , Duhamel Melanie , Dworatzek Sandra , Edwards Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2010

Chloroform (CF), or trichloromethane, is an ubiquitous environmental pollutant because of its widespread industrial use, historically poor disposal and recalcitrance to biodegradation. Chloroform is a potent inhibitor of metabolism and no known organism uses it as a growth substrate. We discovered that CF was rapidly and sustainably dechlorinated in the course of investigating anaerobic reductive dechlorination of 1,1,1‐trichloroethane in a Dehalobacter‐containing culture. Like 1,1,1‐trichloroethane dechlorination in this culture, CF dechlorination was a growth‐linked respiratory process, requiring H2 as an electron donor and CF as an electron acceptor. Moreover, the same specific reductive dehalogenase likely catalyzed both reactions. This Dehalobacter population appears specialized for substrates with three halogen substituents on the same carbon atom, with widespread implications for bioremediation.
Family therapists as front line mental health providers in war‐affected regions: using reflecting teams, scaling questions, and family members in a hospital in Central Africa
Authors: Charlés Laurie L.
Published: January 2010

This paper will illustrate the utilization of systemic family therapy services inside a hospital in a war‐affected region of the Central African Republic. Through an international non‐governmental organization (NGO), the author, a family therapist, provided counselling supervision and services to hospital staff and patients in an area of open conflict in the northern region of the country. In circumstances of chronic insecurity fuelled by both government and rebel forces, families displaced in this region are vulnerable to numerous health conditions and social problems. Family therapy techniques and ideas were used to work with individuals, couples and families presenting with health and social problems resulting from HIV‐TB, infections, chronic malnutrition, acute poisoning and beliefs about sorcery. Case examples illustrate the systems consultation model used with the mental health team in order to expand and promote the sustainability of patient mental healthcare in this underserved region.
‘I want to be listened to’: systemic psychotherapy with a man with intellectual disabilities and his paid supporters
Authors: Haydon‐Laurelut Mark , Nunkoosing Karl
Published: January 2010

This paper contends that the systemic approach can be useful in working with adults with intellectual disabilities and their relational network, including paid care services. A practice example using a systemic approach with a man with intellectual disabilities and his paid supporters showed a movement from an internal description of the problem as existing in the man with intellectual disabilities to a focus on coordinating the relationship between the man and his paid supporters. The authors argue for the utility of the systemic approach in working with those who live and work in services for people with intellectual disabilities and who may not have had access to these kinds of conversation in the past.
Learning across Communities of Practice: An Examination of Multidisciplinary Work
Authors: Oborn Eivor , Dawson Sandra
Published: January 2010

Communities of practice (CoPs) have been identified as important sites of learning. Novices learn from masters whilst participating in situated practice and becoming more central members of the community. Empirical studies highlight the difficulty of learning across CoPs, although few studies specifically examine how learning develops in such a multidisciplinary context. We examine the processes of learning occurring when members of different CoPs, in this case various cancer specialists, are required to meet together as a formally constituted multidisciplinary team, and to establish multidisciplinary collaboration as a basis for decision making and action. Our paper highlights that while learning in CoPs develops through repetition, gaining legitimacy and achieving mastery, learning across CoPs in multidisciplinary contexts emphasizes key boundary processes to negotiate and broaden meaning. As such, multidisciplinary collaboration is not so much to learn from each others' talk, but to learn to talk in this new arena. We identify three practices which facilitate learning across CoPs: organizing discussions, acknowledging other perspectives and challenging assumptions. We also discuss the boundary processes which are promoted through brokers and the use of boundary objects in facilitating multidisciplinary work.
Reduction of Asymmetric Information Through Corporate Governance Mechanisms – The Importance of Ownership Dispersion and Exposure toward the International Capital Market
Authors: Holm Claus , Schøler Finn
Published: January 2010

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: The purpose of this study is to examine how differences in “ownership dispersion” and “exposure to the international capital market” affect the particular use of the corporate governance mechanisms “transparency” and “board independence” in listed companies.

Research Findings/Insights: Our findings are based on a Danish dataset that includes 100 listed companies. We find that transparency is a more important corporate governance mechanism for companies with exposure to the international capital market, while differences in ownership dispersion do not affect the use of the transparency mechanism. In contrast, we find that board independence in the context of a two‐tier board member system is an important corporate governance mechanism for companies with widely dispersed ownership and not for companies with exposure to the international capital market.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: The relationships identified in our study contribute to improved understanding of the contextual relationship between good corporate governance and the companies' choice of corporate governance mechanisms within a given corporate governance system. This is important in order to interpret inconsistencies in prior research findings and provide insight for the design of future studies into the seemingly endogenous nature of many corporate governance relationships.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: The requirement to adhere to the “comply or explain rules” for corporate governance has become commonplace for listed companies. The study provides insight into valid reasons for differences in compliance. Regulators and other capital market participants should acknowledge that companies may differ in their use of corporate governance mechanisms for various reasons, including differences in ownership dispersion and exposure to the international capital market.
Board Supervision Capability and Information Transparency
Authors: Chiang Hsiang‐Tsai , He Li‐Jen
Published: January 2010

Manuscript Type: Empirical

Research Question/Issue: Board members are charged with the responsibility of supervising company operation and firm value cannot only be influenced by managers' actions, but also by those of boards of directors. Furthermore, transparency has always played an important role in corporate governance, but few studies related it to the capacity of boards of directors. Consequently, this study focuses on the capacity, compensation, and structure of boards of directors and how they relate to company transparency.

Research Findings/Insights: Using both primary and archival data from Taiwan, we find that compensation can encourage company board of directors to act in the best interests of shareholders when there is greater board independence. Among all board supervision capabilities, continuing education is the most important factor in enhancing the transparency of a firm.

Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study considers the importance of directors' compensation in corporate governance while the majority of prior studies only consider the role of management compensation. Further, the results provide additional evidence to demonstrate that board supervision capabilities may complement strong governance.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study offers deeper insights for policy makers to understand the influence of board of directors' impact on corporate governance. In addition, it provides evidence to recommend further consideration of director compensation and continuing education to enhance board effectiveness.
Restructuring to Repair Legitimacy – A Contingency Perspective
Authors: Wang Pengii
Published: January 2010

Manuscript Type:Empirical

Research Question/Issue:This study examines the effectiveness of restructuring in repairing legitimacy after a firm is punished for financial fraud.

Research Findings/Insights:We use the antecedents of fraud to distinguish between three types of financial fraud and argue that different types of such fraud affect different dimensions of legitimacy. We also identify four types of restructuring and adopt a contingency perspective to argue that the type of restructuring adopted should match the dimensions of legitimacy affected for a successful legitimacy repair, which is proxied by a positive market response when the restructuring is announced. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms, we find that disassociation from illegitimate business operations and creation of valuable business operations are more effective in repairing legitimacy after fraudulent financial reporting. Disassociation from illegitimate organizational structures and creation of monitors are more effective following embezzlement or stock market manipulation. However, no type of restructuring is effective following improper accounting practice. Market investors value creation of monitors more than they do disassociation from an illegitimate organizational structure, and attach the same value to disassociation from illegitimate business operations and creation of valuable business operations.

Theoretical/Academic Implications:This study makes three contributions to the organizational legitimacy and corporate crisis management literature. First, it links corporate crises arising from financial fraud to social legitimacy. Second, it extends the number of restructuring types identified in the legitimacy literature to four, taking content and form as two dimensions. Third, it links corporate crises arising from financial fraud to the effectiveness of responsive restructurings via social legitimacy.

Practitioner/Policy Implications:Firms punished for financial fraud should signal restructuring according to the nature of the fraud and address the pertinent dimensions of legitimacy.
Risk‐Based Capital and Credit Insurance Portfolios
Authors: Lai Van Son , Soumaré Issouf
Published: January 2010

This paper analyzes the risk‐management practices of a vulnerable credit insurer by studying the effects of time‐varying correlations, asset risks and loan maturities on the risk‐based capital that backs credit insurance portfolios. Since asset correlations may change over a business cycle, we have analyzed these effects by means of a one‐factor Gaussian stochastic model as part of an extended contingent claims analysis. Our results show the need to account for cyclical changes to correlations in the pricing of credit insurance. When compared with the reserve of risk‐based capital recommended by the Basel II Internal Ratings‐Based (IRB) approach, our model provides a better capital buffer against extreme credit losses, especially in times of recession and/or in a risky business environment. Using a risk‐adjusted performance metric (RAPM), we find insurers perform better when insuring relatively short‐term loans. We also make several policy recommendations on creating a reserve of risk‐based capital to protect against possible loan losses.
Maternal behavior predicts infant cortisol recovery from a mild everyday stressor
Authors: Albers Esther M. , Marianne Riksen‐Walraven J. , Sweep Fred C.G.J. , Weerth Carolina de
Published: January 2010

Background:  In the very first years of life, parenting is considered to be important for the regulation of the infant's emotional and physiological states. In the present study, three‐month‐old infants’ cortisol responses (reactivity and recovery) to a mild everyday stressor, namely being taken out of the bath, were examined in relation to the quality of maternal behavior. It was hypothesized that a higher quality of maternal behavior towards the infant predicted lower cortisol reactivity as well as a better recovery from the reaction.

Method:  The participants were 64 infants (34 boys and 30 girls) and their mothers. Maternal behavior (sensitivity and cooperation) towards the infant during the bathing routine was rated from videotapes. Salivary cortisol was obtained from the infants three times: before the bathing routine (T1), and 25 minutes (T2) and 40 minutes (T3) after the infants were taken out of the bath.

Results:  The infants reacted with a significant increase in cortisol to the stressor (from 6.8 nmol/l to 9.9 nmol/l), and regression analysis showed that the higher the quality of maternal behavior the better the cortisol recovery from the stressor.

Conclusion:  Our findings indicate the potential importance of social processes for physiological recovery from everyday stressful situations in infants.
Specificity of putative psychosocial risk factors for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents
Authors: Shanahan Lilly , Copeland William , Jane Costello E. , Angold Adrian
Published: January 2010

Background:  Most psychosocial risk factors appear to have general rather than specific patterns of association with common childhood and adolescence disorders. However, previous research has typically failed to 1) control for comorbidity among disorders, 2) include a wide range of risk factors, and 3) examine sex by developmental stage effects on risk factor–disorder associations. This study tests the specificity of putative psychosocial risk factors while addressing these criticisms.

Methods:  Eight waves of data from the Great Smoky Mountains Study (N = 1,420) were used, covering children in the community age 9–16 years old. Youth and one parent were interviewed up to seven times using the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment, providing a total of 6,674 pairs of interviews. A wide range of putative neighborhood, school, peer, family, and child risk factors, and common and comorbid youth disorders were assessed.

Results:  The majority of putative risk factors were specific to one disorder or one disorder domain. A unique or ‘signature set’ of putative risk factors was identified for each disorder. Several putative risk factors were associated with a disorder in preadolescent males, preadolescent females, adolescent males, or adolescent females only.

Conclusions:  Our findings support the need to define risk factors and disorders narrowly, to control comorbidity and other risk factors, and to consider developmental patterns of specificity by sex.
An introduction to QT interval prolongation and non‐clinical approaches to assessing and reducing risk
Authors: Pollard CE , Abi Gerges N , Bridgland‐Taylor MH , Easter A , Hammond TG , Valentin J‐P
Published: January 2010

Owing to its association with Torsades de Pointes, drug‐induced QT interval prolongation has been and remains a significant hurdle to the development of safe, effective medicines. Genetic and pharmacological evidence highlighting the pivotal role the human ether‐a‐go‐go‐related gene (hERG) channel was a critical step in understanding how to start addressing this issue. It led to the development of hERG assays with the rapid throughput needed for the short timescales required in early drug discovery. The resulting volume of hERG data has fosteredin silicomodels to help chemists design compounds with reduced hERG potency. In early drug discovery, a pragmatic approach based on exceeding a given potency value has been required to decide when a compound is likely to carry a low QT risk, to support its progression to late‐stage discovery. At this point, thein vivoefficacy and metabolism characteristics of the potential drug are generally defined, as well its safety profile, which includes usually a dog study to assess QT interval prolongation risk. The hERG andin vivoQT data, combined with the likely indication and the estimated free drug level for efficacy, are put together to assess the risk that the potential drug will prolong QT in man. Further data may be required to refine the risk assessment before making the major investment decisions for full development. The non‐clinical data are essential to inform decisions about compound progression and to optimize the design of clinical QT studies.

This article is commented on by Guth and Rast, pp. 22–24 of this issue and is part of a themed section on QT safety. To view this issue visithttp://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2010
Dealing with hERG liabilities early: diverse approaches to an important goal in drug development
Authors: Guth BD , Rast G
Published: January 2010

In drug development, early recognition of a potential for blocking the human ether‐a‐go‐go related gene (hERG) channels is perhaps the best way to avoid later disappointment when QT interval prolongation shows up in clinical trials. Knowledge of the hERG blocking liability offers the chance to modify the molecule to reduce, or even eliminate, this unwanted activity and lack of success in such modification is a good reason to stop further development of the molecule. In this issue of the BJP, different methods for early detection of hERG channel blocking liability are discussed by Pollard et al. One attractive approach is widespread screening of molecules at a very early stage of research to detect compounds with this liability and thereby eliminate them. There are now several methodologies available that offer hERG channel testing on a high‐throughput format but entail a diverse selection of direct and indirect readouts of hERG channel blocking activity and all are subject to practical limitations that also need to be considered prior to investing in a particular experimental approach. The approach selected, if any, should reflect the resources and expertise available. In any case, it is essential to be aware of the experimental limitations and potential inaccuracies that are inherent to each approach.

This article is a commentary on Pollard et al., pp. 12–21 of this issue and is part of a themed section on QT safety. To view this issue visit http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2010