bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for failure to thrive in infancy depend on the anthropometric definitions used: The Copenhagen County Child Cohort
Authors: Olsen Else M. , Skovgaard Anne M. , Weile Birgitte , Jørgensen Torben
Published: August 2007

Failure to thrive (FTT) is the term widely used to describe poor weight gain in infancy, a condition associated with cognitive deficiency in later childhood. FTT has been investigated in earlier population studies, but little is known about risk factors for FTT or the sequence of events as this requires data to be collected prospectively within the first year of life. Furthermore, several different anthropometric criteria have been used to define FTT, and it is not known whether children identified by the different criteria are comparable. In the present population study we compared risk factors for FTT in a general infant population using different definitions of FTT. Three different criteria of FTT mirroring those used in previous population studies were applied to a birth cohort of 6090 infants. Sociodemographic data and prospectively collected information concerning physical and mental development of the children were obtained from National registries and standardised public health nurse records. Risk factors preceding each of the three ‘types’ of FTT were compared.

The three criteria for FTT identified children with very different profiles and a prevalence of FTT ranging from around 2% to 21% in this affluent population. The criterion of slow weight gain conditional on birthweight (conditional weight gain) was associated with lower birthweight, small‐for‐gestational‐age and deviant overall development. Adding low body mass index did not change this profile. In contrast, the commonly used criterion of downward crossing of centiles on an ordinary weight‐for‐age chart was associated with factors normally linked with low risk of adverse physical and mental development.

Slow conditional weight gain, irrespective of additional thinness, seemed to identify infants with prenatal growth retardation and early developmental delays. In contrast, simple downward crossing of centiles seemed mainly to identify healthy low‐risk infants, and thus, seems a poor screening measure of FTT in this affluent infant population. Thus, conditional weight gain appears to be the most sensible measure of FTT at present. However, only longitudinal studies including different anthropometric measures and different outcomes can unravel the discriminating power of the different FTT definitions concerning long‐term prognosis.
Ectopic expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase inVicia narbonensisseeds: effects of improved nutrient status on seed maturation and transcriptional regulatory networks
Authors: Radchuk Ruslana , Radchuk Volodymyr , Götz Klaus‐Peter , Weichert Heiko , Richter Andreas , Emery R.J. Neil , Weschke Winfriede , Weber Hans
Published: August 2007

Seed maturation responds to endogenous and exogenous signals like nutrient status, energy and hormones. We recently showed that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) overexpression inVicia narbonensisseeds alters seed metabolism and channels carbon into organic acids, resulting in greater seed storage capacity and increased protein content. Thus, these lines represent models with altered sink strength and improved nutrient status. Here we analyse seed developmental and metabolic parameters, and C/N partitioning in these seeds. Transgenic embryos take up more carbon and nitrogen. Changes in dry to FW ratio, seed fill duration and major seed components indicate altered seed development. Array‐based gene expression analysis of embryos reveals upregulation of seed metabolism, especially during the transition phase and at late maturation, in terms of protein storage and processing, amino acid metabolism, primary metabolism and transport, energy and mitochondrial activity, transcriptional and translational activity, stress tolerance, photosynthesis, cell proliferation and elongation, signalling and hormone action and regulated protein degradation. Stimulated cell elongation is in accordance with upregulated signalling pathways related to gibberellic acid/brassinosteroids. We discuss that activated organic and amino acid production leads to a wide‐range activation of nitrogen metabolism, including the machinery of storage protein synthesis, amino acid synthesis, protein processing and deposition, translational activity and the methylation cycle. We suggest that α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) and/or oxalacetate provide signals for coordinate upregulation of amino acid biosynthesis. Activation of stress tolerance genes indicates partial overlap between nutrient, stress and abscisic acid (ABA) signals, indicating a common interacting or regulatory mechanism between nutrients, stress and ABA. In conclusion, analysis of PEPC overexpressing seeds identified pathways responsive to metabolic and nutrient control on the transcriptional level and its underlying signalling mechanisms.
Involvement of cathepsin B in the plant disease resistance hypersensitive response
Authors: Gilroy Eleanor M. , Hein Ingo , Van Der Hoorn Renier , Boevink Petra C. , Venter Eduard , McLellan Hazel , Kaffarnik Florian , Hrubikova Katarina , Shaw Jane , Holeva Maria , López Eduardo C. , Borras‐Hidalgo Orlando , Pritchard Leighton , Loake Gary J. , Lacomme Christophe , Birch Paul R. J.
Published: August 2007

A diverse range of plant proteases are implicated in pathogen perception and in subsequent signalling and execution of disease resistance. We demonstrate, using protease inhibitors and virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS), that the plant papain cysteine protease cathepsin B is required for the disease resistance hypersensitive response (HR). VIGS of cathepsin B prevented programmed cell death (PCD) and compromised disease resistance induced by two distinct non‐host bacterial pathogens. It also suppressed the HR triggered by transient co‐expression of potato R3a and Phytophthora infestans Avr3a genes. However, VIGS of cathepsin B did not compromise HR following recognition of Cladosporium fulvum AVR4 by tomato Cf‐4, indicating that plant PCD can be independent of cathepsin B. The non‐host HR to Erwinia amylovora was accompanied by a transient increase in cathepsin B transcript level and enzymatic activity and induction of the HR marker gene Hsr203. VIGS of cathepsin B significantly reduced the induction of Hsr203 following E. amylovora challenge, further demonstrating a role for this protease in PCD. Whereas cathepsin B is often relocalized from the lysosome to the cytosol during animal PCD, plant cathepsin B is secreted into the apoplast, and is activated upon secretion in the absence of pathogen challenge.
CMV‐hyperimmune globulin for preventing cytomegalovirus infection and disease in solid organ transplant recipients: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Bonaros Nikolaos , Mayer Bernd , Schachner Thomas , Laufer Günther , Kocher Alfred
Published: August 2007

Abstract. Objective: The goal of this meta‐analysis was to investigate the impact of cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin (CMVIG) on cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, CMV disease, and mid‐term survival in solid organ transplant recipients.

Methods: Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases were searched since their inceptions until 2006. Inclusion criteria comprised: prospective randomized trials, in solid organ transplantation which received CMV prophylaxis including CMVIG on one of the treatment arms. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled risk ratios (RR) and meta‐regression was employed to explain study heterogeneity. Stratified analyses were conducted and Funnel plot was used to assess publication bias.

Results: Literature searches identified 11 randomized trials (698 patients; median follow‐up: 12 months, range: 3–22 months) including six randomized trials (302 patients) after kidney transplantation. The analysis demonstrated a beneficial effect of the prophylactic use of CMVIG on total survival [RR (95% confidence interval; CI): 0.67 (0.47–0.95)] and prevention of CMV‐associated death [RR (95% CI): 0.45 (0.24–0.84)] in solid organ transplant recipients but not kidney transplant recipients [RR (95% CI): 0.35 (0.12–1.04)]. CMV disease was significantly reduced in all recipients receiving prophylactic CMVIG [RR (95% CI): 0.697 (0.57–0.85)]. CMVIG had no impact on CMV‐infections and clinically relevant rejections.

Conclusions: Prophylactic administration of CMVIG after solid organ transplantation is associated with improved total survival, reduced CMV disease, and CMV‐associated deaths.
Test of semiochemicals and a resistant wheat variety for Russian wheat aphid management in South Africa
Authors: Prinsloo G. , Ninkovic V. , Van Der Linde T. C. , Van Der Westhuizen A. J. , Pettersson J. , Glinwood R.
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  Aphid behaviour‐modifying semiochemicals were tested against Russian wheat aphid Diuraphis noxia in South African wheat. Volatile substances from plant essential oils, methyl salicylate, 1,8‐cineole and menthol were tested in the laboratory and field in combination with the D. noxia‐susceptible wheat variety Betta and the resistant variety Elands. All three substances were repellent to D. noxia in olfactometric tests. Diuraphis noxia settled less on Elands plants that had been exposed to the volatiles, whereas the effect of the volatiles on D. noxia settling on Betta was less obvious. A slow‐release pellet formulation was used to apply semiochemicals in wheat in replicated plot field trials in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, semiochemicals reduced aphid populations in Elands, but led to increased aphid populations in Betta. Further, the impact of the chemicals on aphid numbers and grain quality (thousand grain weight) varied according to plant variety, indicating an interaction between semiochemicals and plant resistance/variety.
Comparisons of calling behaviour of different geographical populations of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Zhao X.‐C. , Wu K.‐M. , Guo Y.‐Y.
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, with worldwide distribution, evolves into different geotypes for adapting to the changes of geographical climates. Comparisons of calling behaviour of the insect collected from the temperate region in northern China (Beijing), the temperate region in north‐western China (Kashi) and the tropical region in southern China (Haikou) were investigated in the laboratory as a first step to understanding the influence of reproductive behaviour on its population differentiation. There were more than 80% of virgin females of each population that showed calling behaviour. The age at which the moths of all three populations initiated calling varied significantly. The durations of calling in scotophase and the percentages of females calling also differed between populations. Only a few females of the Beijing and Haikou populations called in the first 2 h after the onset of scotophase, whereas many Kashi females called at this time. However, the main calling peak occurred during the second half of scotophase for all three populations. Females of the Beijing and Haikou populations exhibited similar calling onset times at the same age, whereas the Kashi females initiated calling significantly earlier than those of Beijing and Haikou from nights 3 to 7. The durations of each calling bout and the time spent by both Beijing and Haikou populations were similar to each other at the same age, but were significantly shorter than that of the Kashi population from nights 3 to 7. These results suggest that there are genetic variations not only in pre‐period calling but also in the calling behaviour of H. armigera.
A Modified Procedure for Isolating Double‐stranded RNA: Application to Diagnosis of Amasya Cherry Disease
Authors: Açikgöz S. , Döken M. T. , Değirmenci N. F. , Coutts R. H. A. , Kozlakidis Z.
Published: August 2007

A novel method of isolating double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) from cherry leaves affected with Amasya cherry disease (ACD) using silica capture in combination with non‐ionic cellulose was developed. Unfractionated RNAs prepared using the new procedure and used to isolate dsRNA was cleaner in terms of contamination with proteins and phenolics when compared with preparations isolated with a phenol/chloroform method. The generated dsRNA was successfully utilized in a reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction method developed to detect a diagnostic, mycovirus dsRNA element always associated with ACD.
A Rapid and Reliable Method for Monitoring the Sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to Boscalid
Authors: Stammler G. , Benzinger G. , Speakman J.
Published: August 2007

Boscalid is a new fungicidal compound registered against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in different crops in several European countries. For a sustainable use of this compound, the sensitivity of the target pathogen has to be observed. A mycelial growth test in tissue culture plates with liquid YBA medium was developed for a rapid and reliable sensitivity determination. Isolates never exposed to boscalid and field isolates from oilseed rape and beans, which had been isolated after boscalid market introduction and mainly from fields with boscalid treatments, were monitored for their sensitivity. All isolates were totally inhibited within 1.0 mg active ingredient/l. The frequency distribution of the ED50 values was similar both for those isolates which had never been exposed to boscalid and for those isolates collected in 2006.
Trends in incidence of treated end‐stage renal disease, overall and by primary renal disease, in persons aged 20–64 years in Europe, Canada and the Asia‐Pacific region, 1998–2002
Authors: STEWART JOHN H , MCCREDIE MARGARET RE , WILLIAMS SHEILA M , JAGER KITTY J , TRPESKI LILYANNA , MCDONALD STEPHEN P ,   FOR THE ESRD INCIDENCE STUDY GROUP
Published: August 2007

Aims:  To determine if rates of diabetic and non‐diabetic end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), which had been rising in young and middle‐aged adults in all populations up to the mid‐1990s, had started to decline, and if so, whether improvement had occurred in respect of each of the principal primary renal diseases causing ESRD.

Methods:  Poisson regression of age‐ and sex‐standardized incidence of ESRD for persons aged 20–64 years in 18 populations from Europe, Canada and the Asia‐Pacific region, for 1998–2002.

Results:  In persons from 12 European descent (Europid) populations combined, there was a small downward trend in all‐cause ESRD (−1.7% per year, P = 0.001), with type 1 diabetic ESRD falling by 7.8% per year (P < 0.001), glomerulonephritic ESRD by 3.1% per year (P = 0.001), and ‘all other non‐diabetic’ ESRD by 2.5% per year (P = 0.02). The reductions in ESRD attributed to hypertensive (−2.2% per year) and polycystic renal disease (−1.5% per year) and unknown diagnosis (−0.2% per year) were not statistically significant. On the other hand, the incidence of type 2 diabetic ESRD rose by 9.9% per year (P < 0.001) in the combined Europid population, although that of (principally type 2) diabetic ESRD remained unchanged in the pooled data from the four non‐Europid populations.

Conclusion:  Recent preventive strategies, probably chiefly modern renoprotective treatment, appear to have been effective for tertiary prevention of ESRD caused by the proteinuric nephropathies other than type 2 diabetic nephropathy, for which the continuing increase in Europid populations represents a failure of prevention and/or a change in the nephropathic potential of type 2 diabetes.
Forecasting Corporate Bankruptcy: Optimizing the Performance of the Mixed Logit Model
Authors: Hensher David A. , Jones Stewart
Published: August 2007

In recent studies, Jones and Hensher (2004, 2005) provide an illustration of the usefulness of advanced probability modelling in the prediction of corporate bankruptcies, insolvencies and takeovers. Mixed logit (or random parameter logit) is the most general of these models and appears to have the greatest promise in terms of underlying behavioural realism, desirable econometric properties and overall predictive performance. It suggests a number of empirical considerations relevant to harnessing the maximum potential from this new model (as well as avoiding some of the more obvious pitfalls associated with its use). Using a three‐state failure model, the unconditional triangular distribution for random parameters offers the best population‐level predictive performance on a hold‐out sample. Further, the optimal performance for a mixed logit model arises when a weighted exogenous sample maximum likelihood (WESML) technique is applied in model estimation. Finally, we suggest an approach for testing the stability of mixed logit models by re‐estimating a selected model using varying numbers of Halton intelligent draws. Our results have broad application to users seeking to apply more accurate and reliable forecasting methodologies to explain and predict sources of firm financial distress better.
Surviving Chapter 11 Bankruptcies: Duration and Payoff?
Authors: Wong Brad , Partington Graham , Stevenson Maxwell , Torbey Violet
Published: August 2007

Three of the authors previously developed a model to predict the duration of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the payoff to shareholders (Partington et al., 2001). This work augments that study using a much larger sample to re‐estimate the model and assess its stability. It also provides an opportunity for out‐of‐sample testing of predictive accuracy. The resulting models are based on Cox's proportional hazards model and the current article points to the need to test two important assumptions underlying the model. First, that the hazards are proportional and, second, that censoring is independent of the event studied. Using the extended data set, all the previously significant accounting variables drop out of the model and only two covariates of the original model remain significant. These are the market wide credit spread and the market capitalization of the firm, both measured immediately prior to the firm's entry to Chapter 11. Receiver operating characteristic curves are then used to assess the predictive accuracy of the original and extended models. The results show that Lachenbruch tests can provide a misleading indication of predictive ability out of sample. Using the Lachenbruch method of in‐sample testing, both models show predictive power, but in a true out‐of‐sample test they fail dismally. The lessons of this work are relevant to better predicting the gains and losses likely to accrue to shareholders of companies in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and in similar administrative arrangements in other jurisdictions.
MEASURING RISK IN ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE
Authors: Hoti Suhejla , McAleer Michael , Pauwels Laurent L.
Published: August 2007

Abstract Environmental sustainability indices, such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and the Ethibel Sustainability Index, quantify the development and promotion of sustainable social, ethical and environmental values in the community. Moreover, such indices provide a benchmark for managing sustainability portfolios, and developing financial products and services that are linked to sustainable economic, environmental, social and ethical criteria. This paper reviews the existing data and risk indices in environmental finance. The main purpose of the paper is to analyse existing sustainability and ethical indices in environmental finance, and evaluate empirical environmental risk by estimating conditional volatility clustering that is inherent in these indices. Financial volatility models are estimated to analyse the underlying conditional volatility or time‐varying risk that is inherent in alternative environmental sustainability indices. Volatility clustering is observed for most series, but some extreme observations are also evident. The log‐ and second‐moment conditions suggest that valid inferences can be drawn for purposes of sensible empirical analysis.
The ‘Criminalization’ of Social Security Law: Towards a Punitive Welfare State?
Authors: Larkin Philip M.
Published: August 2007

The aim of this article is to place certain recent legislative reforms in the field of social security within the context of the overall development of the welfare state, and examine to what extent a certain trend is discernable: namely, whether eligibility for various welfare benefits is becoming so contingent on socially acceptable behaviour as to make the welfare system less a means for the relief of poverty, its ostensible sole purpose, and more akin to an instrument of education, even punishment, for those who have recourse to social security benefits.
Burned by Bullying in the American Workplace: Prevalence, Perception, Degree and Impact*
Authors: Lutgen‐Sandvik Pamela , Tracy Sarah J. , Alberts Jess K.
Published: August 2007

abstract  This study assesses the prevalence of workplace bullying in a sample of US workers, using a standardized measure of workplace bullying (Negative Acts Questionnaire, NAQ), and compares the current study's prevalence rates with those from other bullying and aggression studies. The article opens by defining bullying as a persistent, enduring form of abuse at work and contrasting it with other negative workplace actions and interactions. Through a review of the current literature, we propose and test hypotheses regarding bullying prevalence and dynamics relative to a sample of US workers. After discussing research methods, we report on the rates of bullying in a US sample, compare these to similar studies, and analyse the negative acts that might lead to perceptions of being bullied. Based upon past conceptualizations, as well as research that suggests bullying is a phenomenon that occurs in gradations, we introduce and provide statistical evidence for the construct and impact of bullying degree. Finally, the study explores the impact of bullying on persons who witnessed but did not directly experience bullying in their jobs.
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: A DISAGGREGATED ANALYSIS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES*
Authors: BOSE NILOY , HAQUE M. EMRANUL , OSBORN DENISE R.
Published: August 2007

In this paper, we examine the growth effects of government expenditure for a panel of 30 developing countries over the 1970s and 1980s, with a particular focus on disaggregated government expenditures. Our methodology improves on previous research on this topic by explicitly recognizing the role of the government budget constraint and the possible biases arising from omitted variables. Our primary results are twofold. First, the share of government capital expenditure in GDP is positively and significantly correlated with economic growth, but current expenditure is insignificant. Second, at the disaggregated level, government investment in education and total expenditures in education are the only outlays that are significantly associated with growth once the budget constraint and omitted variables are taken into consideration.
MERGERS UNDER UNCERTAINTY: THE EFFECTS OF DEBT FINANCING*
Authors: SOCORRO M. PILAR
Published: August 2007

In this paper, we consider a Cournot oligopoly with demand uncertainty, fixed costs and constant marginal costs. The demand uncertainty makes some mergers that would be unprofitable in a certain environment profitable in this model. However, socially advantageous mergers may be still unprofitable for the colluding firms, so public intervention may be needed. One possibility consists in subsidizing such mergers. However, the combination of limited liability debt financing and an appropriate antitrust policy leads to higher social welfare than subsidies. The reason is that, given the limited liability effect, merging parties compete more aggressively, so the reduction in market quantity is mitigated.
THE IMPACT OF SIMPLE FISCAL RULES IN GROWTH MODELS WITH PUBLIC GOODS AND CONGESTION*
Authors: GHOSH SUGATA , NOLAN CHARLES
Published: August 2007

In this paper we examine the implication of a simple class of fiscal rules for long‐run economic growth and welfare. The Golden Rule of Public Finance that we examine is motivated by institutional arrangements in countries such as Germany and the UK. We find that rules that seek to limit government borrowing to productive investment spending have a clear justification in terms of growth and welfare when government‐provided goods are otherwise excessively provided. Even in the case where it is private consumption that is excessive, the Golden Rule of Public Finance is likely to be good from a growth perspective, but the welfare effects are more ambiguous.
Habeas Corpus: The Sense of Ownership of One’s Own Body
Authors: DE VIGNEMONT FREDERIQUE
Published: August 2007

Abstract: What grounds my experience of my body as my own? The body that one experiences is always one’s own, but it does not follow that one always experiences it as one’s own. One might even feel that a body part does not belong to oneself despite feeling sensations in it, like in asomatognosia. The article aims at understanding the link between bodily sensations and the sense of ownership by investigating the role played by the body schema.
Exchange Rates and the Conversion of Currency‐Specific Risk Premia
Authors: Eisenberg Astrid , Rudolf Markus
Published: August 2007

How do the risk factors that drive asset prices influence exchange rates? Are the parameters of asset price processes relevant for specifying exchange rate processes? Most international asset pricing models focus on the analysis of asset returns given exchange rate processes. Little work has been done on the analysis of exchange rates dependent on asset returns. This paper uses an international stochastic discount factor (SDF) framework to analyse the interplay between asset prices and exchange rates. So far, this approach has only been implemented in international term structure models. We find that exchange rates serve to convert currency‐specific discount factors and currency‐specific prices of risk – a result linked to the international arbitrage pricing theory (IAPT). Our empirical investigation of exchange rates and stock markets of four countries presents evidence for the conversion of currency‐specific risk premia by exchange rates.
UK Evidence on the Characteristics versus Covariance Debate
Authors: Lee Edward , Liu Weimin , Strong Norman
Published: August 2007

We evaluate the Fama–French three‐factor model in the UK using the approach of Daniel and Titman (1997) to determine whether characteristics or covariance risk better explains the size and value premiums. Across all three factors, we find that return premiums bear little relationship to the corresponding loadings. We show that small and value stocks earn higher returns irrespective of their return covariance. Our study contributes to the existing literature by reporting original findings on the Fama–French three‐factor model in the UK and by reporting results that complement existing evidence from similar studies in the USA and Japan.
The Post‐Cost Profitability of Momentum Trading Strategies: Further Evidence from the UK
Authors: Agyei‐Ampomah Sam
Published: August 2007

This paper examines the post‐cost profitability of momentum trading strategies in the UK over the period 1988–2003 and provides direct evidence on stock concentration, turnover and trading cost associated with the strategy. We find that after factoring out transaction costs the profitability of the momentum strategy disappears for shorter horizons but remains for longer horizons. Indeed, for ranking and holding periods up to 6‐months, profitable momentum returns would not be available to most average investors as the cost of implementation outweighs the possible returns. However, we find post‐cost profitability for ranking and/or holding periods beyond 6 months as portfolio turnover and its associated cost reduces. We find similar results for a sub‐sample of relatively large and liquid stocks.
Japan's Deflation: A Time‐Inconsistent Policy in Need of an Inflation Target*
Authors: Cargill Thomas F. , Guerrero Federico
Published: August 2007

The Japanese economy experienced a ten‐year period of deflation between 1995 and 2005, an experience that has been unprecedented among industrial economies since the Great Depression of the 1930s. This paper offers an equilibrium explanation of deflationary policy rooted in the time‐inconsistency literature, and shows that central bank policy may be susceptible to a deflation bias under a set of conditions resembling those actually faced by the Bank of Japan. The paper offers general lessons about central bank policy and provides further support for the adoption of an inflation‐targeting framework.
Candidates' Ability to Identify Criteria in Nontransparent Selection Procedures: Evidence from an assessment center and a structured interview
Authors: König Cornelius J. , Melchers Klaus G. , Kleinmann Martin , Richter Gerald M. , Klehe Ute‐Christine
Published: August 2007

In selection procedures like assessment centers (ACs) and structured interviews, candidates are often not informed about the targeted criteria. Previous studies have shown that candidates' ability to identify these criteria (ATIC) is related to their performance in the respective selection procedure. However, past research has studied ATIC in only one selection procedure at a time, even though it has been assumed that ATIC is consistent across situations, which is a prerequisite for ATIC to contribute to selection procedures' criterion‐related validity. In this study, 95 candidates participated in an AC and a structured interview. ATIC scores showed cross‐situational consistency across the two procedures and accounted for part of the relationship between performance in the selection procedures. Furthermore, ATIC scores in one procedure predicted performance in the other procedure even after controlling for cognitive ability. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Selecting Unskilled and Semi‐Skilled Blue‐Collar Workers: The criterion‐related validity of the PDI‐employment inventory1
Authors: Carless Sally A. , Fewings‐Hall Shannon , Hall Margaret , Hay Margaret , Hemsworth Paul H. , Coleman Grahame J.
Published: August 2007

Two concurrent criterion‐related validity studies were conducted with blue‐collar workers employed in Australia. The first sample consisted of 77 unskilled and semi‐skilled manufacturing employees. The second sample consisted of 243 stockpeople who worked in piggeries. A range of work‐related criteria was used, and this range differed across the two studies. The results showed that Employment Inventory–Performance was a reasonable predictor of some aspects of supervisor ratings of work performance but unrelated to other aspects. A similar pattern of findings emerged with self‐ratings of work performance. Employment Inventory–Tenure was weakly related to turnover intentions and actual turnover.
Migration Control in Europe After 9/11: Explaining the Absence of Securitization*
Authors: BOSWELL CHRISTINA
Published: August 2007

Rejecting the predominant view that 9/11 encouraged a ‘securitization’ of migration control, this article argues that political discourse and practice in Europe have remained surprisingly unaffected by the terrorism threat. This finding challenges the critical securities literature, implying the need for a more differentiated theory of the political system and organizational interests.
Real Constitution, Formal Constitution and Democracy in the European Union
Authors: ERK JAN
Published: August 2007

The European integration experiment might besui generisin many ways, but this does not mean that one could not import theoretical insights from other fields of study that seek to understand the workings of political unions where unity and diversity coexist. In particular, the literatures on comparative federalism, political theory and constitutional politics can help set the study of the European Union in a broader context. One point that emerges from this theoretical cross‐fertilization is the absence of a shared language space that could function as the forum for European democratic deliberation. As a result, democracy in Europe by default functions through the underlying real constitution of nationaldemoiinstead of a pan‐Europeandemos. Similar experiences in multination federations suggest that in such cases formal constitutions will inevitably come to reflect the deep differences between the constituent units. In this context, some degree of constitutional ambiguity might be not only unavoidable but also desirable.
Blocking Minorities: Networks and Meaning in the Opposition Against the Proposal for a Directive on Temporary Work in the Council of Ministers of the European Union*
Authors: NEDERGAARD PETER
Published: August 2007

This article contains a case study of the behaviour of a blocking minority in the Council of Ministers. The article demonstrates that the behaviour of the Member States cannot be explained directly in this case by domestic circumstances and interests, as is often done, for example, in the liberal intergovernmentalist literature. Instead, the alternative explanations offered in this article are tight networks and their ability to create meaning in being part of the blocking minority through an attractive storyline. If generalized, this means that the influence of storylines created by discourse‐coalitions must be upgraded as explanations of the behaviour in the Council of Ministers and that Member States providing the network with hegemony can critically strengthen an issue network. These factors have previously been overlooked in the literature on the Council of Ministers.
Regeneration of the central nervous system using endogenous repair mechanisms
Authors: Okano Hideyuki , Sakaguchi Masanori , Ohki Koichi , Suzuki Norihiro , Sawamoto Kazunobu
Published: August 2007

Recent advances in developmental and stem cell biology have made regeneration‐based therapies feasible as therapeutic strategies for patients with damaged central nervous systems (CNSs), including those with spinal cord injuries, Parkinson disease, or stroke. These strategies can be classified into two approaches: (i) the replenishment of lost neural cells and (ii) the induction of axonal regeneration. The first approach includes the activation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult CNS and cell transplantation therapy. Endogenous NSCs have been shown to give rise to new neurons after insults, including ischemia, have been sustained; this form of neurogenesis followed by the migration and functional maturation of neuronal cells, as well as the responses of glial cells and the vascular system play crucial roles in endogenous repair mechanisms in damaged CNS tissue. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in regeneration‐based therapeutic approaches using endogenous NSCs, including the results of our own collaborative groups.
Neurotensin type 2 receptor is involved in fear memory in mice
Authors: Yamauchi Rena , Wada Etsuko , Kamichi Sari , Yamada Daisuke , Maeno Hiroshi , Delawary Mina , Nakazawa Takanobu , Yamamoto Tadashi , Wada Keiji
Published: August 2007

Neurotensin receptor subtype 2 (Ntsr2) is a levocabastine‐sensitive neurotensin receptor expressed diffusely throughout the mouse brain. Previously, we found that Ntsr2‐deficient mice have an abnormality in the processing of thermal nociception. In this study, to examine the involvement of Ntsr2 in mouse behavior, we performed a fear‐conditioning test in Ntsr2‐deficient mice. In the contextual fear‐conditioning test, the freezing response was significantly reduced in Ntsr2‐deficient mice compared with that of wild‐type mice. This reduction was observed from 1 h to 3 weeks after conditioning, and neither shock sensitivity nor locomotor activity was altered in Ntsr2‐deficient mice. In addition, we found that Ntsr2 mRNA was predominantly expressed in cultured astrocytes and weakly expressed in cultured neurons derived from mouse brain. The combination ofin situhybridization and immunohistochemistry showed that Ntsr2 mRNA was dominantly expressed in glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells in many brain regions including the hypothalamus, while Ntsr2 gene was co‐expressed with neuron‐specific microtubule associated protein‐2 in limited numbers of cells. These results suggest that Ntsr2 in astrocytes and neurons may have unique function like a modulation of fear memory in the mouse brain.
Vocal individuality in the roding calls of Woodcock Scolopax rusticola and their use to validate a survey method
Authors: HOODLESS ANDREW N. , INGLIS JOHN G. , DOUCET JEAN‐PHILIPPE , AEBISCHER NICHOLAS J.
Published: August 2007

The Woodcock Scolopax rusticola is a difficult species to survey in the breeding season because of its cryptic plumage and, with the exception of courtship flights, secretive behaviour. Sparse data from general bird surveys prohibit reliable estimation of population sizes and trends, and a new species‐specific method to provide baseline information on population status and to enable reliable future monitoring is required. Counts of displaying, or ‘roding’, males at dawn or dusk potentially provide such a method but their value is unclear because it is impossible for an observer to distinguish different birds. We examined the vocal individuality of 39 roding males and were able to attribute calls to individuals correctly in 95% of cases on the basis of five parameters measured from spectrograms. Using calls, we determined the number of individual males at 43 sites. Roding activity differed between males at one site, with the two most active birds accounting for, on average, 55 and 27% of passes. There was no evidence of sequential roding by different males. We quantified the relationship between numbers of males and numbers of passes of roding birds during a 1‐h period at dusk. This relationship was not affected by region, month, habitat or woodland size class. We conclude that counts of roding males provide a suitable index for monitoring populations of this species.
Investigation of the Lith6 candidate genes APOBEC1 and PPARG in human gallstone disease
Authors: Schafmayer Clemens , Völzke Henry , Buch Stephan , Egberts Jan , Spille Annika , Von Eberstein Huberta , Franke Andre , Seeger Markus , Hinz Sebastian , ElSharawy Abdou , Rosskopf Dieter , Brosch Mario , Krawczak Michael , Foelsch Ulrich R. , Schafmayer Anton , Lammert Frank , Schreiber Stefan , Faendrich Fred , Hampe Jochen , Tepel Juergen
Published: August 2007

Background: Genetic susceptibility contributes to the aetiology of gallbladder diseases as shown by multiple epidemiological studies. A major gallstone susceptibility locus (Lith6) was identified in 2003 by quantitative trait locus mapping in mice. Two attractive positional and functional candidate genes in apolipoprotein B mRNA‐editing protein (APOBEC1) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARG) are located in this interval.

Aims: To investigate APOBEC1 and PPARG as candidate genes for common symptomatic gallstone disease in humans.

Patients and methods: Eight hundred and ten patients who underwent cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease (median age of onset 50) were compared with 718 sex‐matched control individuals. An independent additional sample included 368 gallstone patients and 368 controls. Control individuals were sonographically free of gallstones. Haplotype tagging and all known coding single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped for PPARG (N=32) and APOBEC1 (N=11).

Results: The investigated high‐risk patient sample provides a power of greater than 80% for the detection of odds ratios down to 1.45. No evidence of association of the two genes in the single‐point tagging markers, coding variants and in the sliding window haplotype analysis was detected (all nominal single point P‐values >0.04). A logistic regression analysis including age, sex and BMI as covariates was also negative (nominal P‐values ≥0.08).

Conclusions: In the investigated German samples, no evidence of association of APOBEC1 and PPARG with gallstone susceptibility was detected. Systematic fine mapping of the complete Lith6 region is required to identify the causative genetic variants for gallstone in mice and humans.
Prediction of coronary atherosclerotic disease with liver transaminase level
Authors: Adibi Peyman , Sadeghi Masoumeh , Mahsa Majid , Rozati Golnaz , Mohseni Masood
Published: August 2007

Background/Aims: Recent studies have shown that liver transaminases are associated with components of the metabolic syndrome including central obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia and high blood pressure, but their direct influence on coronary atherosclerosis has not been investigated before. We conducted this study to evaluate the predictive value of liver transaminases for angiography‐documented coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease.

Methods: Six hundred and thirty consecutive patients with suspicious coronary artery disease (CAD) who were candidates for coronary angiography were enrolled. In addition to coronary angiography, measurements of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations, C‐reactive protein (CRP) level and assessment of the traits of the metabolic syndrome were performed in all patients.

Results: ALT and ALT/AST ratios were significantly correlated with angiographic atherosclerosis score in women (r=0.17 and 0.24 respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that the ALT/AST ratio in women could predict severe CAD [odds ratio (OR) 3.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.76–8.76]. After adjustment for components of the metabolic syndrome and CRP concentration, the OR remained significant (4.00 [1.76–9.14]). Although significant in univariate analysis, neither ALT (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77–1.15) nor AST (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.72–1.22) could predict severe CAD in men.

Conclusion: An elevated ALT/AST ratio in women predicts coronary atherosclerosis independently of the metabolic syndrome and serum CRP concentration, and should warrant further diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Subgenotypes of hepatitis B virus genotype C do not correlate with disease progression of chronic hepatitis B in Taiwan
Authors: Tseng Tai‐Chung , Liu Chun‐Jen , Chen Pei‐Jer , Lai Ming‐Yang , Lin Chih‐Lin , Kao Jia‐Horng , Chen Ding‐Shinn
Published: August 2007

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C (HBV/C) has two subgenotypes: HBV/Cs and Ce. The prevalence and clinical implications of subgenotype Cs and Ce in Taiwanese HBV carriers remain unknown.

Methods: Subgenotypes of HBV/C were determined in 242 Taiwanese HBV carriers with various stages of liver disease. The clinical as well as virologic features between patients with HBV/Cs and HBV/Ce infection were further compared.

Results: HBV/Ce was the predominant subgenotype in Taiwan. The prevalence of HBV/Ce was 93.6% in the inactive carriers group, 84.2% in chronic hepatitis patients, 81.2% in cirrhosis patients, 92.5% in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients without cirrhosis and 91.9% in HCC patients with cirrhosis. There was no significant difference in the distribution of the HBV/C subgenotypes among patients with different stages of liver disease.

Conclusions: Subgenotypes of HBV/C may not have a clinical impact on the disease progression of chronic hepatitis B in Taiwan.
The Sustainability of Subsistence Hunting by Matsigenka Native Communities in Manu National Park, Peru
Authors: OHL‐SCHACHERER JULIA , SHEPARD GLENN H. , KAPLAN HILLARD , PERES CARLOS A. , LEVI TAAL , YU DOUGLAS W.
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  The presence of indigenous people in tropical parks has fueled a debate over whether people in parks are conservation allies or direct threats to biodiversity. A well‐known example is the Matsigenka (or Machiguenga) population residing in Manu National Park in Peruvian Amazonia. Because the exploitation of wild meat (or bushmeat), especially large vertebrates, represents the most significant internal threat to biodiversity in Manu, we analyzed 1 year of participatory monitoring of game offtake in two Matsigenka native communities within Manu Park (102,397 consumer days and 2,089 prey items). We used the Robinson and Redford (1991) index to identify five prey species hunted at or above maximum sustainable yield within the ∼150‐km2 core hunting zones of the two communities: woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha), spider monkey (Ateles chamek), white‐lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), Razor‐billed Currasow (Mitu tuberosa), and Spix's Guan (Penelope jacquacu). There was little or no evidence that any of these five species has become depleted, other than locally, despite a near doubling of the human population since 1988. Hunter–prey profiles have not changed since 1988, and there has been little change in per capita consumption rates or mean prey weights. The current offtake by the Matsigenka appears to be sustainable, apparently due to source–sink dynamics. Source–sink dynamics imply that even with continued human population growth within a settlement, offtake for each hunted species will eventually reach an asymptote. Thus, stabilizing the Matsigenka population around existing settlements should be a primary policy goal for Manu Park.
Colonization of the Southern Patagonia Ocean by Exotic Chinook Salmon
Authors: BECKER LEANDRO A. , PASCUAL MIGUEL A. , BASSO NÉSTOR G.
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  Anadromous salmonids have been particularly successful at establishing wild populations in southern Patagonia, in contrast to their limited success elsewhere outside their native ranges. The most recent such discovery is a spawning population of Chinook salmon in the Santa Cruz River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean from Argentina. We used mitochondrial DNA analysis to discriminate between alternative potential sources of this population and were able to discard in situ introductions of fish imported directly from California in the early twentieth century. Our results showed that the fish most likely came from Puget Sound, Washington, imported into southern Chile for salmon‐ranching experiments in the 1980s. This finding provides concrete evidence of colonization of Atlantic rivers from Pacific locations. The southern Pacific and Atlantic oceans provide a favorable marine environment for the success of invading salmon. In particular, the waters associated with fjords, southern channels, and the inshore portion of the Patagonian shelf provide a rather bounded, continuous waterway for exotic anadromous salmonids, rich in diverse forage species.