bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of oral clarithromycin on gall‐bladder motility in normal subjects and those with gall‐stones
Authors: SENGUPTA S. , MODAK P. , McCAULEY N. , O'DONNELL L. J. D.
Published: June 2006

Background

Motilin receptor stimulation with erythromycin has been shown to have a prokinetic effect on gall‐bladder motility in human beings.

Aim

To find out whether oral clarithromycin has similar prokinetic activity to erythromycin on fasting and postprandial gall‐bladder emptying in normal humans and those with gall‐stone disease.

Methods

In a blinded two‐way crossover study clarithromycin 500 mg and a placebo were administered to 10 normal subjects and 10 subjects with gall‐stone disease. Gall‐bladder volumes were assessed in the fasting and postprandial state.

Results

Fasting volumes were significantly less following clarithromycin administration in both normal subjects and subjects with gall‐stones compared with placebo (12.1 ± 1.8 mL vs. 17.8 ± 2.0 mL, P < 0.05 and 16.7 ± 2 mL vs. 26.8 ± 7.2 mL, P < 0.02, mean ± S.E.M). Postprandial volumes were also significantly less following clarithromycin administration. Ejection fraction significantly increased following clarithromycin in both normal subjects (66 ± 5.8% vs. 37 ± 5.9%, P = 0.02) and subjects with gall‐stones (45 ± 3.2 vs. 20 ± 1.6%, P < 0.02).

Conclusion

Clarithromycin enhances both fasting and postprandial gall‐bladder contraction in normal humans and also in those with gall‐stone disease.
Systematic review: does gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease progress?
Authors: FULLARD M. , KANG J. Y. , NEILD P. , POULLIS A. , MAXWELL J. D.
Published: June 2006

Background

Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease affects approximately 20% of western populations. Barrett's oesophagus, associated with severe gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, is premalignant and regular endoscopic surveillance is generally performed. In contrast, mild gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is thought not to progress and is not generally subjected to endoscopic follow‐up.

Aim

To investigate whether gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease progresses endoscopically.

Methods

Systematic review of the literature.

Results

Well‐designed prospective studies are few, diagnostic criteria were not always standardized, management strategies varied and various sources of bias could not be excluded. Whilst most patients do not progress to more severe forms of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, and some cases actually regress, progression is seen in a small proportion of patients. Annual progression rates for non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease developing erosive oesophagitis ranged from 0% to 30%. About 1–22% of patients with mild erosive oesophagitis developed more severe inflammation annually, while 1–13% of patients with erosive oesophagitis developed Barrett's oesophagus each year.

Conclusion

Although most patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease do not progress, and some actually regress, progression does occur in a minority. Better data are required to determine whether patients with mild gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease would benefit from increased surveillance with the aim of detecting more advanced disease.
Effects of a 5‐HT4 receptor agonist on oesophageal function and gastro‐oesophageal reflux: studies using combined impedance‐manometry and combined impedance‐pH
Authors: TUTUIAN R. , MAINIE I. , ALLAN R. , HARGREAVES K. , AGRAWAL A. , FREEMAN J. , GALE J. , CASTELL D. O.
Published: June 2006

Background

5‐HT4 receptor agonists are used as promotility agents of the stomach, small and large intestine. There is limited information on the influence of 5‐HT4 receptor agonists on oesophageal function and gastro‐oesophageal reflux.

Aim

To evaluate the effects of tegaserod, a 5‐HT4 agonist on oesophageal function using impedance‐manometry and postprandial reflux using impedance‐pH monitoring.

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled in a double‐blind randomized three‐period crossover placebo‐controlled study. Impedance‐manometry and impedance‐pH monitoring after a refluxogenic meal were performed at baseline and after 2 days of dosing with tegaserod 6 mg b.d. or placebo. Multichannel intraluminal impedance‐EM recorded pressure and bolus transit data during standardized swallows. Multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH monitoring recorded the number of 2‐h postprandial acid and non‐acid reflux episodes.

Results

We found no significant difference in distal oesophageal amplitude when subjects received placebo (median 94.5; range: 53–243 mmHg) or tegaserod (93.6; 43–216 mmHg). Bolus transit time was similar during dosing with placebo (7.1; 5.3–9.4 s) and tegaserod (7.2; 5.9–11.1 s). We observed similar numbers of acid and non‐acid reflux episodes during dosing with placebo (5; 0–15 and 3; 0–18, respectively) and tegaserod (2; 0–11 and 4; 0–19, respectively).

Conclusion

Tegaserod, a 5‐HT4 receptor agonist does not change oesophageal motility and gastro‐oesophageal reflux parameters in healthy volunteers.
Phagocytic efficacy of macrophage-like cells as a function of cell cycle and Fcγ receptors (FcγR) and complement receptor (CR)3 expression
Authors: Luo Y , Cook E , Fries B C , Casadevall A
Published: June 2006

Previous studies have shown that the efficiency of phagocytosis is a function of cell cycle and that phagocytosis promotes cell cycle progression. Because phagocytosis is dependent on cellular receptors we hypothesized that Fcγ receptors (FcγR) and complement receptors (CR) expression varied with cell cycle. Consequently, we used centrifugal elutriation of macrophage-like cells, fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis and receptor staining to investigate expression of FcγR and CR as a function of cell cycle. We confirmed that FcγR expression on macrophage-like cells increased as the cells progressed from G1 to G2 phases. Moreover, CR3 expression varied as a function of cell cycle in a manner similar to FcγR. Correlation of receptor expression with cell size showed that FcγR and CR3 expression on macrophages was determined largely by cell size enlargement during the cell cycle. The efficacy of both Fc- and complement-mediated phagocytosis of live Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) showed a biphasic pattern with the efficacy of phagocytosis decreasing when the cells approached the G1–S interface, which paralleled the changes in receptor surface expression when cells exited G1 phase. Live Cn cells were significantly more resistant to phagocytosis than dead cells at all stages of macrophage-like cell cycle. In contrast to live cells, the efficacy of phagocytosis of dead Cn decreased as surface receptor expression increased. Hence, the efficacy of phagocytosis in this system as function of cell cycle is not related to phagocytic receptor expression.
Bone mineral density is not reduced in HIV‐infected Caucasian men treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Bolland Mark J. , Grey Andrew B. , Horne Anne M. , Briggs Simon E. , Thomas Mark G. , Ellis‐Pegler Rod B. , Woodhouse Andrew F. , Gamble Greg D. , Reid Ian R.
Published: June 2006

Objective   Recent studies have reported low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Frequently these findings have been attributed to treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We sought to determine whether BMD in HIV‐infected men treated with HAART for at least 3 months is different from that in healthy controls, and, if so, what HIV‐related factors might explain this finding.

Design   Cross‐sectional analysis.

Patients   Fifty‐nine HIV‐infected Caucasian men treated with HAART, and 118 healthy community‐dwelling controls. Each HIV‐infected man was age‐matched (within 5 years) to two controls.

Measurements   All participants had measurements of BMD and bone‐related laboratory parameters.

Results   The mean duration of known HIV infection was 8·5 years, and of treatment with HAART was 52 months. There was no significant difference in mean BMD between groups at the lumbar spine (HIV group: 1·23 g/cm2, controls: 1·25 g/cm2; P = 0·53) or total body (HIV group: 1·18 g/cm2, controls: 1·20 g/cm2; P = 0·09). At the total hip the HIV‐infected group had significantly lower BMD than the control group (HIV group: 1·03 g/cm2, controls: 1·09 g/cm2; P = 0·01). The HIV‐infected group were, on average, 6·3 kg lighter than the controls. After adjusting for this weight difference, HIV infection was not an independent predictor of BMD at any site (lumbar spine P = 0·79; total hip P = 0·18; total body P = 0·76).

Conclusions   HIV‐infected men treated with HAART are lighter than healthy controls. This weight difference is responsible for a small decrement in hip BMD. Overall, BMD is not significantly reduced in HIV‐infected Caucasian men treated with HAART.
Identification and functional characterization of three novel human melanocortin‐4 receptor gene variants in an obese Chinese population
Authors: Rong Rong , Tao Ya‐Xiong , Cheung Bernard M. Y. , Xu Aimin , Cheung Grace C. N. , Lam Karen S. L.
Published: June 2006

Objective  Mutations in the melanocortin‐4 receptor gene (MC4R) are the most common monogenic form of human obesity. However, the contribution of MC4R mutations to obesity in Chinese has not been investigated. We studied the frequency of MC4R mutations in an obese southern Chinese population and the functional consequences of the novel variants identified.

Methods  We screened for MC4R mutations in 227 obese [body mass index (BMI) 35·29 ± 5·75 kg/m2] and 100 lean (BMI 21·57 ± 0·29 kg/m2) southern Chinese subjects using PCR‐direct sequencing. In vitro functional studies, including cell surface expression, ligand binding, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation, were performed to examine the functional properties of three novel missense mutations.

Results  Apart from two previously reported polymorphisms, V103I and −176 A > C, three novel missense heterozygous variants (Y35C, C40R and M218T) were identified. The polymorphisms −176 A > C and Y35C were detected in both obese and normal subjects with similar frequency. C40R was identified only in an obese subject. Pedigree analysis revealed M218T carriers in both lean and obese subjects. The prevalence of V103I carriers in normal‐weight controls was significantly higher than that in obese subjects (5·3%vs. 1·3%, P < 0·05). In vitro functional studies showed that all three novel missense variants have normal functions.

Conclusions  Two known polymorphisms and three novel variants of the MC4R were identified. No overt functional defects were observed for the three novel MC4R variants, suggesting that they might not be the cause of obesity in variant carriers.
Mechanisms of solute transport affect small‐scale abundance and function of soil microorganisms in the detritusphere
Authors: Poll C. , Ingwersen J. , Stemmer M. , Gerzabek M. H. , Kandeler E.
Published: June 2006

In the detritusphere, particulate organic matter offers new sites for microorganisms, whereas soluble substrates are transported into the adjacent soil. We investigated how mechanisms of solute transport affect microbial abundance and function in the detritusphere. In a first experiment, transport was restricted to diffusion, whereas in a second experiment it was dominated by convection. Two soil moisture contents were established in each experiment. When diffusion was the exclusive transport mechanism, the addition of maize litter induced distinct gradients in enzyme activities, soil organic C content and microbial biomass to a depth of 1.5–2.8 mm. Convection enlarged these gradients to 2.5–3.0 mm. The moisture regime modified the temporal pattern of diffusive C transport, microbial growth and enzyme release by inducing faster transport at large water contents. Convective transport seemed to be unaffected by soil moisture content. Using a convective‐diffusive transport model with first‐order decay, it was possible to simulate the observed activity profiles. The results indicate that the spatial dimension of the detritusphere is governed by the ratio between decay rate of available substrates and transport rate. Bacteria and fungi showed differing utilization strategies as revealed by coupling phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis with stable isotope techniques. Fungi assimilated C directly in the litter, whereas bacteria took up the substrates in the soil and therefore depended more on transport processes than fungi. Our results demonstrate the impact of physicochemical conditions on the abundance and function of microorganisms in the detritusphere. Furthermore, the combination of enzymatic measurements and mathematical transport modelling may offer a new way to measure substrate decay rates in soil.
Over‐expression of c‐Myb increases the frequency of hemogenic precursors in the endothelial cell population
Authors: Dai Guoyou , Sakamoto Hiroshi , Shimoda Yuri , Fujimoto Tetsuhiro , Nishikawa Shin‐Ichi , Ogawa Minetaro
Published: June 2006

Definitive hematopoiesis has been proposed to arise from hemogenic endothelial cells during mouse embryogenesis. The c‐myb proto‐oncogene is essential for the development of definitive hematopoiesis and was reported to be activated in hemogenic endothelial cells. To investigate whether c‐Myb is involved in regulating the development of hemogenic endothelial cells, we conditionally induced c‐myb over‐expression during the in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells. VE‐cadherin+ CD45− cells inducibly expressing c‐Myb showed an increase in multilineage colony formation as well as an augmented capacity of the colony forming cells to self‐renew in vitro under the condition that only the endogenous c‐myb gene was expressed during differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Over‐expression of c‐Myb in the endothelial population led to activation of genes associated with definitive hematopoiesis such as Runx1, Hoxb4, Mll and Etv6. Our data provide evidence that c‐Myb is able to exert an effect in endothelial cells which fosters the establishment of their hemogenic potential.
Accurate model predicting sustained response at week 4 of therapy with pegylated interferon with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Martinot‐Peignoux M. , Comanor L. , Minor J. M. , Ripault M. P. , Pham B.‐N. , Boyer N. , Castelnau C. , Giuily N. , Hendricks D. , Marcellin Patrick
Published: June 2006

Summary.  Current models used to predict response to peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment, based on viral decline during the first 12 weeks of therapy, have focused on creating an early stopping rule to avoid unnecessary prolongation of therapy. We developed a multivariate model that predicted sustained virological response and nonresponse at baseline and during the first 12 weeks of therapy using collected data from 186 unselected patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin. This model employed ordinal regression with similarity least squares technology to assign the probability of a given outcome. Model variables include sex, age, prior treatment status, genotype, baseline serum alanine aminotransferase levels, histologic necroinflammation and fibrosis scores and serum hepatitis C virus RNA concentration at baseline and weeks, 4, 8, and 12. A multivariate model demonstrated high performance values at all time points. At baseline, the model demonstrated a negative predictive value (NPV) and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 91% and 95%, respectively. At week 4, these values improved to 97% and 100%, respectively, with 95% sensitivity, 89% specificity and 93% accuracy. At week 4, the model was equally efficient for naïve or previously treated patients. Internal validation demonstrated 90% PPV, 94% NPV, 95% sensitivity, 88% specificity and 92% accuracy. A week 4 stopping rule for patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon with ribavirin might be proposed by using the model developed in our study.
Type‐IV Indian swine HEV infects rhesus monkeys
Authors: Arankalle V. A , Chobe L. P , Chadha M. S
Published: June 2006

Summary.  In contrast to countries reporting zoonotic spread of hepatitis E virus (HEV), distinct genotypes circulate in humans (genotype 1) and pigs (genotype 4) from India indicating rarity of such spread. Pigs were refractory to human HEV. As rhesus is an excellent animal model for human HEV, an attempt was made to infect rhesus monkeys with swine HEV. Experimental infection of both the rhesus monkeys with swine‐HEV as evidenced by seroconversion to anti‐HEV antibodies and presence of viraemia suggests possibility of human infections or differential susceptibility. Comparison of Open Reading Frame‐2 and hypervariable regions of HEV genomes showed identity of swine and monkey‐derived HEV.
Dish structures in Eocene volcanic ash layers, Denmark
Authors: PEDERSEN GUNVER KRARUP , SURLYK FINN
Published: June 2006

Well developed dish structures occur in two out of 179 numbered ash layers in a 60 m thick section of Lower Eocene marine diatomite in northern Denmark. One of the two dish‐structured ash layers also contains Type A pillar structures of Lowe (1975). The ash layers are well graded and the grain sizes fall in the range of fine sand to coarse silt. The ash was transported by wind from volcanoes located in the Skagerrak and settled grain‐by‐grain on the sea floor. The ash layers were thus laid down by rapid sedimentation compared to the relatively slow deposition of the diatomite. The two ash layers showing dish structures are among the coarsest grained and thickest of the 179 layers. Other layers, which are equally thick but significantly finer grained or equally coarse‐grained but thinner, show no water escape structures.

The rapid deposition of the coarse‐grained ash on the fine‐grained, waterlogged diatom ooze may have started consolidation processes in the ooze, thereby inducing a water flow into the ash layer. This led to liquefaction and localized fluidization of the ash layer resulting in the formation of dish and pillar structures.

The present study supports the interpretation of dish and pillar structures as secondary structures, formed by water escape. This occurrence represents the first description of these structures from beds not deposited by currents and indicates that dish structures are not diagnostic of any type of sediment gravity flow.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐I Receptor (IGF‐IR) in the Developing and Mature Rat Testes
Authors: Yagci A. , Zik B.
Published: June 2006

It has been suggested that insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) plays an important role in the regulation of spermatogenesis in the testes. Its signal is mediated predominantly by the IGF‐I receptor (IGF‐IR). Signalling through IGF‐IR has been shown to have a potent survival function. IGF‐IR, a transmembrane tyrosine kinase, is widely expressed across many cell types. In this study, we demonstrated the distribution of IGF‐IR in testes of differently aged rats. Anti‐IGF‐IR is a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against a peptide mapping at the carboxy terminus of the IGF‐IR of human origin. Testicular specimens were fixed in Bouin's solution and embedded in paraffin. The paraffin‐embedded sections were processed for standard immunohistochemistry by the labelled streptavidin–biotin technique. At postnatal day 19, IGF‐IR immunoreactivity was seen moderately in spermatogonia, and slightly both in leptotene and zygotene primary spermatocytes. At postnatal day 35, immunoreactivity was seen slightly both in the pachytene primary spermatocytes and Leydig cells. Although there was intense immunoreactivity in the Leydig cells and in the elongated spermatids on days 50 and 70, the intensity of reaction was decreased in the elongated spermatids in the 10th month. Our results suggest that IGF‐IR may play significant roles in testicular function and germ cell development.
Identification of Candida fabianii as a cause of lethal septicaemia
Authors: Valenza Giuseppe , Valenza Regine , Brederlau Jörg , Frosch Matthias , Kurzai Oliver
Published: June 2006

Infections caused by rare fungal species of low pathogenic potential become increasingly common in hospital settings. The identification of these species presents a major challenge for the clinical mycology laboratory. We describe a case of fatal septicaemia caused by Candida fabianii. The use of common biochemical approaches led to misidentification of the isolate as Candida utilis. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) allowed unequivocal species identification.
In vitro susceptibilities of Malaysian clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and Cryptococcus gattii to five antifungal drugs
Authors: Tay S. T. , Tanty Haryanty T. , Ng K. P. , Rohani M.Y. , Hamimah H.
Published: June 2006

The in vitro susceptibilities of Malaysian clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and C . gattii to five antifungal drugs (amphotericin B, flucytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole) were determined using the Etest method. None of the Malaysian isolates was resistant to amphotericin B and ketoconazole. Isolates resistant to flucytosine, fluconazole and itraconazole were observed in this study. Minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) of ≥32 μg ml−1 against flucytosine, ≥64 μg ml−1 against fluconazole and ≥1 μg ml−1against itraconazole were noted in four (8.3%), two (4.2%) and one (2.1%) isolates respectively. There was no significant difference in the MICs for both Cryptococcus species (P > 0.05), indicating that C. gattii was as susceptible as var. grubii to all the antifungal drugs tested. No significant difference in the MICs for both Cryptococcus species collected from 1980 to 1990 and 2002 to 2004 were observed (P > 0.05).
Contact dermatitis due to ciclopiroxolamine
Authors: Romano C. , Ghilardi A. , Calò D. , Maritati E.
Published: June 2006

We report a case of contact dermatitis because of ciclopiroxolamine milk in a 43‐year‐old woman with tinea pedis and onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum. Ciclopiroxolamine is regarded as a weak sensitiser because of the few allergic reactions described in relation to its widespread use.
In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of filamentous fungi with Sensititre Yeast OneTM
Authors: Carrillo‐Muñoz A. J. , Quindós G. , Ruesga M. , Del Valle O. , Pemán J. , Cantón E. , Hernández‐Molina J. M. , Santos P.
Published: June 2006

Sensititre® is a colorimetric microdilution method for in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing based on the M27‐A document (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards) for yeasts. Difference between both methods is the presence of Alamar‐blue® and RPMI 1640 (glucose 2%) as culture medium. Antifungal susceptibility to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and flucytosine, 100 opportunistic filamentous fungi (Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp.) obtained from pathological samples was determined by the Sensititre method. Induction to conidium and sporangiospore formation at 35°C was used to get inoculum and plates were covered by 1 ml of saline and suspensions were made by gently probing by a sterile loop. Optical densities of the conidial suspensions were adjusted to 80–82% transmittance for Aspergillus spp. and 68–70% for the rest of strains tested. Final inoculum concentration size was 0.4 × 104–5 × 104 CFU ml−1. Readings were made at 72 h of incubation at 35°C; amphotericin B and itraconazole was active against Aspergillus fumigatus with CMI90 1 and 0.5 μg ml−1, respectively, opposite to Scedosporium prolificans and Scedosporium apiospermum. As it was expected, a CMI90 of 256 μg ml−1 for fluconazole and CMI90 for flucytosine amounting to 64 g ml−1 were obtained. Sensititre Yeast OneTM is a useful method and an alternative to reference methods to determine antifungal susceptibility of filamentous fungi for clinical laboratory routine. Correlation with microdilution results is studied. New triazole derivatives should be included as soon as their clinical use will be feasible.
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver: Report of eight cases, including three unusual cases, and a literature review
Authors: Tsou Yung‐Kuan , Lin Chun‐Jung , Liu Nai‐Jen , Lin Chen‐Chun , Lin Cheng‐Hui , Lin Shi‐Ming
Published: June 2006

Background:  Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the liver is a rare but increasingly recognized tumor‐like lesion. This condition is becoming an important differential diagnosis in patients with hepatic space‐occupying lesions. This study reports the clinical features of eight cases of IPT of the liver, including the first report of three cases with an unusual associated disease or clinical course.

Methods:  The study sample included cases of IPT diagnosed based on the histopathology in our institution from 1995 to 2004. Clinical events were reported and compared with reports in the literature.

Results:  The age of the patients ranged from 28 to 78 years. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, fever and bodyweight loss. Three patients were diagnosed incidentally. The initial clinical diagnoses were hepatocellular carcinoma in three cases, liver abscess in two cases, metastasis in one case and uncertain nature in two cases. Two cases were associated with preceding endophthalmitis and cholangiocarcinoma, respectively. Two patients had spontaneous lesion regression, but one of these had possible recurrence 10 months later. The other two patients experienced resolution of their lesions following antibiotic treatment. Four patients underwent surgical resection with subsequent recovery.

Conclusions:  The clinical and imaging features of IPT in this small series were found to sometimes mimic those of malignant liver tumors or abscess. Surgical resection was performed in half of the cases. However, IPT of the liver could resolve spontaneously or following antibiotics treatment.
Near demise of a child with Prader–Willi syndrome during elective orchidopexy
Authors: MANTADAKIS ELPIS , SPANAKI ANNA‐MARIA , GEROMARKAKI ELSA , VASSILAKI EFROSINI , BRIASSOULIS GEORGE
Published: June 2006

The case of a morbidly obese 3.5‐year‐old boy, with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), who experienced a life‐threatening episode of pulmonary edema soon after induction of general anesthesia with sevoflurane and intubation for orchidopexy is presented. The patient who had history of sleep apnea and who had an uneventful laparoscopy under general anesthesia 6 months previously was supported with mechanical ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure but developed hyperthermia, pneumonia, sepsis, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the intensive care unit. He recovered fully 11 days after surgery. The possible contributing factors for the development of pulmonary edema are discussed. Arrangements for monitoring in an intensive care setting after surgery are highly recommended for patients with PWS.
Spiritual But Not Religious? Evidence for Two Independent Dispositions
Authors: Saucier Gerard , Skrzypińska Katarzyna
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTSome psychologists treat religious/spiritual beliefs as a unitary aspect of individual differences. But a distinction between mysticism and orthodox religion has been recognized by scholars as well as laypersons, and empirical studies of “ism” variables and of “spirituality” measures have yielded factors reflecting this distinction. Using a large sample of American adults, analyses demonstrate that subjective spirituality and tradition‐oriented religiousness are empirically highly independent and have distinctly different correlates in the personality domain, suggesting that individuals with different dispositions tend toward different styles of religious/spiritual beliefs. These dimensions have low correlations with the lexical Big Five but high correlations with scales (e.g., Absorption, Traditionalism) on some omnibus personality inventories, indicating their relevance for studies of personality.
The ‘New Minimalist Approach’ to Private‐Sector Development: A Critical Assessment
Authors: Altenburg Tilman , Von Drachenfels Christian
Published: June 2006

Recent literature on private‐sector development emphasises the need to establish a ‘level playing field’ and tends to disregard selective supportive interventions. The most commonly highlighted elements are administrative simplification and effective property rights policies, with business services largely left to private providers ‐ what we call the ‘new minimalist approach’ (NMA). However, the NMA is based on certain unrealistic assumptions and is barely backed by empirical evidence. A range of complementary public policies is needed to create competitive sectors and overcome internal constraints, especially in small‐scale economies.
Development, a Question of Opportunity? A Critique of the 2006 World Development Report: Equity and Development
Authors: Cling Jean‐Pierre , Cogneau Denis , Loup Jacques , Naudet Jean‐David , Razafindrakoto Mireille , Roubaud François
Published: June 2006

The World Bank's World Development Report 2006 addresses equity and development, defining equity as respect for equal opportunities combined with the avoidance of absolute deprivation. Equity has up to now remained a marginal issue in development economics. This detailed analysis endeavours to place the subject within the context of the evolution of World Bank thinking and policies. The wealth of the concept is illustrated, the downside being the difficulty in defining it accurately. We also emphasise the gap between the prospects opened up by such an enlargement of development goals and the report's policy recommendations, which are generally merely an extension of the World Bank's traditional analyses.
Rural Adjustment Schemes: Juggling Politics, Welfare and Markets
Authors: Cockfield Geoff , Botterill Linda
Published: June 2006

The Commonwealth government has offered support to farmers in the form of structural or business adjustment‐type schemes since the Loan (Farmers Debt Adjustment) Acts of 1935–1971. Since 1971, a series of more comprehensive rural reconstruction/adjustment schemes with a range of objectives from debt alleviation to encouraging some exits from agricultural industries, has been in place. While having little direct impact on the structure of these industries, the various schemes have been politically important and an indicator of how core values relating to agricultural production and rural life have changed. A review of the schemes shows an increasing focus on improving farm productivity and sustainability, accompanied by a discourse emphasising the need to promote the ‘farm business’, rather than to protect the ‘family farm’. On the other hand, governments have also used these schemes to deliver ‘welfare’ outputs.
Local Heroes? Learning from Recent Community Strengthening Initiatives in Victoria1
Authors: Wiseman John
Published: June 2006

Policies and programs which aim to strength the engagement, connectedness and resilience of local communities have increasingly become a core element in public policy responses to the challenges posed by globalising social and economic relations. However, for many politicians, policy makers and citizens the conceptual framework and practical benefits of ‘community strengthening’ remain vague and unclear. This article aims to contribute to debates about the significance of community strengthening by providing a concise overview of the development and implementation of community strengthening initiatives by the Bracks Labor government in Victoria. Initial learning from this experience suggests that engaging and linking local communities can make a useful contribution to local social, environmental and economic outcomes as well as providing a foundation for the democratic renewal of local governance. Key factors underpinning successful community strengthening programs include strong local ownership and leadership, backed by sustained government investment in the social and physical infrastructure priorities identified as important by local communities. However, while local community strengthening strategies can lead to real improvements in community networks, infrastructure and capacity they are no substitute for the inclusive and redistributive taxation, income security, service delivery and labour market policies needed to create the conditions for sustainable reductions in poverty, inequality and social exclusion.
Online learner’s ‘flow’ experience: an empirical study
Authors: Shin Namin
Published: June 2006

This study is concerned with online learners’‘flow’ experiences. On the basis of Csikszentmihalyi’s theory of flow, flow was conceptualised as a complex, multimentional, reflective construct composing of ‘enjoyment’, ‘telepresence’, ‘focused attention’, ‘engagement’ and ‘time distortion’ on the part of learners. A flow model was put forward with regard to virtual class environment in a traditional university context, comprised with flow antecedents, flow and flow consequences. Based on the model, a virtual‐course flow measure was developed and administered to 525 undergraduate students engaged in virtual classes in order to examine the empirical relationships between measured flow antecedents, flow experiences and flow consequence‐course satisfaction in this case. The analysis of the data showed that: (1) students’ perceptions of their level of ‘skill’ and ‘challenge’ specific to each course are critical to determining the level of flow, (2) flow is a significant predictor of course satisfaction and (3) other than flow, individual differences such as ‘gender’ and ‘having a clear goal’ can make a significant difference in the level of flow in a virtual course. These findings are discussed along with the implications for bringing up a computer‐mediated environment more conducive to flow and learning.
Modifying the metaphor in order to improve understanding of control languages—the little‐person becomes a cast of actors
Authors: Whalley Peter
Published: June 2006

The instructional metaphor is an important bridge to understanding, particularly when students are undertaking tasks that are conceptually difficult and outside their previous experience. It is suggested that the limitations of the implicit metaphor of the procedural control languages are the main cause of the problems experienced with delivering the control topic within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) curriculum. These continue to dominate classroom practice despite Papert warning more than 25 years ago of the conceptual restrictions that they place on children’s thinking. It is also claimed that the procedural control languages do not provide an adequate representation of the underlying input–process–output model of control, and that this contributes to a systematic pattern of misunderstanding. Classroom trials of a graphic object‐orientated language are related to a prior study made with the procedural control language Control Logo. The relatively more sophisticated mental models developed by students working with actor‐lab are discussed in terms of the different underlying metaphors and the problem representation provided.
When curriculum‐based, technology‐enhanced field experiences and teacher inquiry coalesce: An opportunity for conceptual change?
Authors: Dawson Kara , Dana Nancy Fichtman
Published: June 2006

National agencies advocate the use of field experiences to help prepare teachers to integrate technology in their classrooms. However, prospective teachers often fail to synthesise the integration of technology with the complexities of teaching during such experiences. This study suggests teacher inquiry, a strategy for helping educators systematically and intentionally study their own practice, provides important benefits for prospective teachers participating in curriculum‐based, technology‐enhanced field experiences.

Specifically, this study explores whether or not engagement in teacher inquiry can promote conceptual change related to teaching with technology. Thirteen inquiries conducted by prospective teachers in six elementary schools were analysed and one instrumental case was identified. The case exemplifies how curriculum‐based, technology‐enhanced field experiences and teacher inquiry may coalesce to support conceptual change for prospective teachers. In fact, the marriage of curriculum‐based, technology‐enhanced field experiences and teacher inquiry embodies research‐based conditions necessary for conceptual change.

Teacher inquiry is widely recognised and supported in the general teacher education literature yet its use by prospective teachers in curriculum‐based, technology‐enhanced field experiences is novel. This exploratory study highlights its potential and encourages further research into its usefulness as a tool to prepare the next generation of teachers to be effective technology‐using educators.
Survival during a Crisis: Alliances by Singapore Firms
Authors: Pangarkar Nitin
Published: June 2006

In this study, we focus on the under‐researched issue of how environmental shocks impact alliance survival. We draw from several different theoretical perspectives such as industrial organization economics, managerial theories of the firm (such as agency theory) and institutional theories. We argue that the relationship between the occurrence of environmental shock and alliance survival is a contingent one. Specifically, we hypothesize that the following types of alliances will exhibit better likelihood of survival: alliances that yield a balance of short‐term and long‐term benefits (scale alliances) rather than purely long‐term benefits (link alliances); alliances that lead to either cost reduction or near‐term improvement in revenue realization (marketing alliances); and alliances that bring together partners from different economic regions (those involving Western and Asian partners). Based on an analysis of 348 alliances formed by Singapore firms, we find that marketing alliances and those involving at least one Western partner indeed exhibit a better likelihood of survival during the Asian economic crisis. We conclude that alliances that can enhance revenue potential in the short‐term are more robust to environmental shocks and that alliances can benefit from an effect similar to risk reduction through international diversification.
Economic Liberalization and the Antecedents of Top Management Teams: Evidence From Turkish ‘Big’ Business
Authors: Yamak Sibel , Üsdiken Behlül
Published: June 2006

There has been an increased interest in the last two decades in top management teams (TMTs) of business firms. Much of the research, however, has been US‐based and concerned primarily with TMT effects on organizational outcomes. The present study aims to expand this literature by examining the antecedents of top team composition in the context of macro‐level economic change in a late‐industrializing country. The post‐1980 trade and market reforms in Turkey provided the empirical setting. Drawing upon the literatures on TMT and chief executive characteristics together with punctuated equilibrium models of change and institutional theory, the article develops the argument that which firm‐level factors affect which attributes of TMT formations varies across the early and late stages of economic liberalization. Results of the empirical investigation of 71 of the largest industrial firms in Turkey broadly supported the hypotheses derived from this premise. In the early stages of economic liberalization the average age and average organizational tenure of TMTs were related to the export orientation of firms, whereas in later stages, firm performance became a major predictor of these team attributes. Educational background characteristics of teams appeared to be under stronger institutional pressures, altering in different ways in the face of macro‐level change.
Satisfaction with Virtual Communities of Interest: Effect on Members' Visit Frequency*
Authors: De Valck Kristine , Langerak Fred , Verhoef Peter C. , Verlegh Peeter W.J.
Published: June 2006

The authors develop a four‐dimensional scale to measure members' satisfaction with virtual communities of interest (VCIs). The dimensions consist of members' satisfaction with member‐to‐member interactions, organizer‐to‐member interactions and organizer‐to‐community interactions, all of which come together on the VCI's site. Using a sample of 3605 members of a VCI, the authors investigated the effect of each satisfaction dimension on members' visit frequency, and the moderating effect of membership duration on the links between the satisfaction dimensions and visit frequency. The results reveal that satisfaction with member‐to‐member interactions, organizer‐to‐member interactions and the community's site has positive effects on members' visit frequency. Members' satisfaction with organizer‐to‐community interactions has no effect on visit frequency. The findings also show that membership duration strengthens two, and weakens one of the linkages between the satisfaction dimensions and members' visit frequency.
Nurturing moments of transformation in teachers – comparative perspectives on the challenges of professional development
Authors: Jones Phyllis , West Elizabeth , Stevens Dana
Published: June 2006

This article discusses teachers' views of their own learning. Two groups of teachers attending graduate programmes in Seattle, Washington in the United States of America (USA) and Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom (UK), participated in a project that encouraged them to discuss examples of effective professional development. The teachers from the UK were enrolled on a Masters degree course for staff working with pupils with autism. The teachers from the USA were enrolled on a Masters degree course specifically focused upon working with children who have moderate to severe difficulties. Both groups of teachers were working, at least for a portion of their timetables, with pupils who had low incidence disabilities. Phyllis Jones, of the University of South Florida, Elizabeth West, from the Department of Special Education at Boise State University, and Dana Stevens, who is working on her PhD in special education at the University of Washington, analysed the critical moments of professional development identified by the teachers in both contexts. Four themes emerged: seeing the relationship between theory and practice, the role of the professor or lecturer in mediating learning, learning from others and reflecting in action. In this article, the authors analyse the themes in relation to the subtle differences that occurred within, and across, the two contexts. This analysis will assist in the design of quality professional development opportunities that reflect teachers' voices. Teachers make meaning of their learning in highly personal ways and, although it is possible to nurture formalised learning opportunities, teacher educators need to be constantly aware of the contextual and personal meaning making that is at play.
PUTTING PRESUPPOSITIONS ON THE TABLE: WHY THE FOUNDATIONS MATTER
Authors: Boehlke Paul R. , Knapp Laurie M. , Kolander Rachel L.
Published: June 2006

Abstract. Over time scientists have developed an effective investigative process that includes the acceptance of particular basic presuppositions, methods, content, and theories. The deeply held presuppositions are the philosophical foundation of scientific thought and do much to define the field's worldview. These fundamental assumptions can be esoteric for many and can become a source of conflict when they are not commonly shared with other points of view. Such presuppositions affect the observations, the conclusions drawn, and the positions taken. Furthermore, in some cases presuppositions in science have undergone important shifts in meaning, causing an increasing dissonance. We argue that disputes in religion and science often are due to these very basic differences in philosophy that are held by members in the different communities. To better understand the nature of science and its differences with religious views, presuppositions rather than conclusions should be articulated and examined for validity and scope of application.
Time Deformation, Continuous Euler Processes and Forecasting
Authors: Vijverberg Chu‐Ping C.
Published: June 2006

Abstract.  A continuous Euler model has time‐varying coefficients. Through a logarithmic time transformation, a continuous Euler model can be transformed to a continuous autoregressive (AR) model. By using the continuous Kalman filtering through the Laplace method, this article explores the data application of a continuous Euler process. This time deformation of an Euler process deforms specific time‐variant (non‐stationary) behaviour to time‐invariant (stationary) data on the deformed time scale. With these time‐invariant data on the transformed time scale, one may use traditional tools to conduct parameter estimation and forecasts. The obtained results can then be transformed back to the original time scale. Simulated data and actual data such as bat echolocation and the US residential investment growth are used to demonstrate the usefulness of time deformation in forecasting. The results indicate that fitting a traditional autoregressive moving‐average (ARMA) model on an Euler data set without imposing time transformation leads to forecasts that are out of phase while the forecasts of an Euler model stay mostly in phase.
DOES MORE TRANSPARENCY GO ALONG WITH BETTER GOVERNANCE?
Authors: ISLAM ROUMEEN
Published: June 2006

This paper explores the link between information flows and governance. It develops a new indicator, the transparency index, which measures the frequency with which governments update economic data that they make available to the public. The paper also uses the existence of a Freedom of Information Act and the length of time for which it has been in existence as an indicator reflecting the overall legislative environment for transparency. Measures of the type developed in this paper have hitherto not been used in the cross‐country literature on governance and growth. Cross‐country regression estimation shows that countries with better information flows as measured by these indices also govern better.
Global and Domestic Governance: Modes of Interdependence in Regulatory Policymaking
Authors: Lazer David
Published: June 2006

Abstract:  This article examines how the regulatory policies of countries are interdependent. In particular, it identifies three modes of interdependence: competitive, coordinative, and informational. In the competitive mode the essential structure of interdependence is for countries to attempt to have distinctive policies that provide some advantage over other countries, but where the equilibrium set of policies is suboptimal for all. In the coordinative mode, there is an advantage for all countries to adopt the same policy, but exactly which policy is adopted may have significant distributional consequences. Lastly, in the informational mode, the choices and experiences of countries produce informational externalities, pointing the way for other countries to policy decisions. This article examines the logic underpinning each of these modes of interdependence, and draws out the governance implications of each mode.