bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and genetic characteristics of congenital hypothyroidism due to mutations in the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene in Israelis
Authors: Tenenbaum‐Rakover Yardena , Mamanasiri Sunee , Ris‐Stalpers Carrie , German Alina , Sack Joseph , Allon‐Shalev Stavit , Pohlenz Joachim , Refetoff Samuel
Published: March 2007

Objectives  Iodide organification defect (IOD) is characterized by a reduced ability of the thyroid gland to retain iodide and results in hypothyroidism. Mutations in the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene are a frequent cause of IOD. While TPO mutations have been identified in various populations, none have been reported in Israeli patients with IOD. The objectives of this study were to characterize the molecular basis of IOD in an Israeli Arab‐Muslim population and to analyse the clinical, neurological and imaging data of patients with TPO mutations followed for up to 29 years.

Patients  Twenty‐two patients from six core families with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and IOD living in the same region.

Design and measurements  All subjects underwent clinical, hormonal and imaging evaluation. The TPO gene was directly sequenced and the presence of specific mutations among family members was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).

Results  All patients had congenital and persistent primary hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland was demonstrated in all subjects by technetium (99mTc) scans. A positive perchlorate discharge test (mean 87%) was indicative of IOD. Enlargement of the thyroid gland was shown in 64% of our patients, mostly with multinodular appearance, and in some with retrosternal invasion. Neurological complications were observed in 13 patients (59%). Four subjects, who carry two different TPO mutations, had sensorineural deafness. Two previously described TPO gene mutations [G1567A (G493S) and C1708T (R540X)] and one novel TPO gene mutation [C965T (S292F)] were identified. The two previously described mutations were present in 90% of the subjects. Haplotyping suggested a distant common ancestry for each of these two mutations.

Conclusions  Three different TPO gene mutations were found to be responsible for IOD in a consanguineous Israeli population. The high rate of development of multinodular glands (MNGs) in our cohort of patients indicates the need for long‐term follow‐up of patients with TPO gene mutations.
Thyroid function in paediatric and young adult patients after sarcoma therapy: a report from the Late Effects Surveillance System
Authors: Paulides M. , Dörr H. G. , Stöhr W. , Bielack S. , Koscielniak E. , Klingebiel T. , Jürgens H. , Bölling T. , Willich N. , Sauer R. , Langer T. , Beck J. D.
Published: March 2007

Objective  The role of chemotherapy in thyroid sequelae after cancer treatment has not been studied systematically, especially in sarcoma patients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of post‐therapeutic thyroid disorders and their contributing factors in a cohort of paediatric sarcoma patients.

Design  Late effects of sarcoma treatment have been collected prospectively within the Late Effects Surveillance System (LESS) in Germany, Austria and Switzerland since 1998.

Patients  We studied 340 relapse‐free paediatric patients (median age at diagnosis 12·2 [interquartile range (IQR) = 7·3–15·6 years] treated for osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma within the COSS‐96, CWS‐96/CWS‐2002P or EICESS‐92/EURO‐E.W.I.N.G.‐99 therapy trials. In addition to polychemotherapy, 127 patients were irradiated (mean cumulative dose 47 ± 9·7 Gy), including 51 patients with irradiation to the head/neck region. Median follow‐up was 24·6 (IQR = 11·9–44·9) months.

Measurements  We reviewed the results of yearly examinations of serum TSH and fT4 levels and thyroid ultrasound examinations.

Results  The incidence of thyroid disorders was 37% (19/51, 95% CI 24–52%) in patients with head/neck irradiation, and 11% (32/289, 95% CI 8–15%) in patients without irradiation to the head/neck. Thyroid disorders were more frequent in patients treated with idarubicin (P = 0·027) and trofosfamide (P = 0·016). We also found a significant association between raised TSH levels and treatment with trofosfamide (P = 0·008) or idarubicin (P = 0·037) (n = 250).

Conclusions  The incidence of thyroid disorders in the head/neck‐irradiated group was high. Even without head/neck irradiation, we found an increased proportion of patients with thyroid disorders, possibly as a result of chemotherapy.
Low prevalence of hypothyroidism among black and Mulatto people in a population‐based study of Brazilian women
Authors: Sichieri Rosely , Baima Jader , Marante Tatiana , De Vasconcellos Mauricio Teixeira Leite , Moura Anibal Sanchez , Vaisman Mario
Published: March 2007

Objective  African‐Americans have been shown to have low prevalence of hypothyroidism. Brazil has a high ethnic admixture allowing further exploration into whether environmental factors can explain the ethnic differences.

Design  A survey, representative of the population of Rio de Janeiro, a large metropolitan city in Brazil. Factors studied included race, parity, income, schooling, and smoking.

Population  The survey was carried out in Rio de Janeiro whereby households (1500) were selected using three‐stage probability sampling. A total of 1298 (86·5%) women participated in the survey (non‐response: 13·5%).

Measurements  TSH from blood drawn at the households. Anti‐thyroperoxidase (anti‐TPO) antibodies and free T4 were also measured.

Results  Overall prevalence of hypothyroidism (TSH > 4 mUI/ml or taking medication) was 12·3%. Prevalence was 6·9% in black people, 8·8% in Mulatto people, and 16·7% among white people. The mean serum TSH of the population was 2·65 (95% confidence interval 2·33–2·97). The TSH distribution of black and Mulatto people was shifted to the left compared to white people. After adjustment for age, income, smoking and presence of anti‐TPO, Black and Mulatto people were still protected from hypothyroidism. The adjusted odds ratio for black compared to white people was 0·45 (95% CI 0·30–0·68) and for Mulatto people was 0·34 (95% CI 0·18–0·63). Serum TSH levels were significantly lower in smokers than in non‐smokers, but there was no association between number of cigarettes smoked and serum TSH level.

Conclusions  This is the first time it has been demonstrated that Mulatto people have a prevalence of hypothyroidism which lies between that of white and black people, independent of the prevalence of anti‐TPO and smoking.
Effects of habitat complexity on community structure and predator avoidance behaviour of littoral zooplankton in temperate versus subtropical shallow lakes
Authors: MEERHOFF MARIANA , IGLESIAS CARLOS , DE MELLO FRANCO TEIXEIRA , CLEMENTE JUAN M. , JENSEN ELISABETH , LAURIDSEN TORBEN L. , JEPPESEN ERIK
Published: March 2007

1. Structural complexity may stabilise predator–prey interactions and affect the outcome of trophic cascades by providing prey refuges. In deep lakes, vulnerable zooplankton move vertically to avoid fish predation. In contrast, submerged plants often provide a diel refuge against fish predation for large‐bodied zooplankton in shallow temperate lakes, with consequences for the whole ecosystem.

2. To test the extent to which macrophytes serve as refuges for zooplankton in temperate and subtropical lakes, we introduced artificial plant beds into the littoral area of five pairs of shallow lakes in Uruguay (30°–35°S) and Denmark (55°–57°N). We used plants of different architecture (submerged and free‐floating) along a gradient of turbidity over which the lakes were paired.

3. We found remarkable differences in the structure (taxon‐richness at the genus level, composition and density) of the zooplankton communities in the littoral area between climate zones. Richer communities of larger‐bodied taxa (frequently including Daphnia spp.) occurred in the temperate lakes, whereas small‐bodied taxa characterised the subtropical lakes. More genera and a higher density of benthic/plant‐associated cladocerans also occurred in the temperate lakes. The density of all crustaceans, except calanoid copepods, was significantly higher in the temperate lakes (c. 5.5‐fold higher).

4. Fish and shrimps (genus Palaemonetes) seemed to exert a stronger predation pressure on zooplankton in the plant beds in the subtropical lakes, while the pelagic invertebrate Chaoborus sp. was slightly more abundant than in the temperate lakes. In contrast, plant‐associated predatory macroinvertebrates were eight times more abundant in the temperate than in the subtropical lakes.

5. The artificial submerged plants hosted significantly more cladocerans than the free‐floating plants, which were particularly avoided in the subtropical lakes. Patterns indicating diel horizontal migration were frequently observed for both overall zooplankton density and individual taxa in the temperate, but not the subtropical, lakes. In contrast, patterns of diel vertical migration prevailed for both the overall zooplankton and for most individual taxa in the subtropics, irrespective of water turbidity.

6. Higher fish predation probably shapes the general structure and dynamics of cladoceran communities in the subtropical lakes. Our results support the hypothesis that horizontal migration is less prevalent in the subtropics than in temperate lakes, and that no predator‐avoidance behaviour effectively counteracts predation pressure in the subtropics. Positive effects of aquatic plants on water transparency, via their acting as a refuge for zooplankton, may be generally weak or rare in warm lakes.
Sexual reproduction and diapause ofHexarthrasp. (Rotifera) in short‐lived ponds in the Chihuahuan Desert
Authors: SCHRÖDER T. , HOWARD S. , ARROYO M. L. , WALSH E. J.
Published: March 2007

1. In the life cycle of monogonont rotifers it is generally assumed that diapausing eggs invariably hatch into amictic stem females which produce female offspring parthenogenetically. Diapausing eggs are only produced by later generations after sexual reproduction has been induced by environmental cues.

2. We show that populations of an undescribedHexarthraspecies inhabiting small temporary ponds in the Chihuahuan Desert deviate from this life cycle pattern. These ponds may dry within days and up to 85% of females were mictic. Females producing male offspring and diapausing eggs were observed 1 or 2 days, respectively, after ponds had filled with water.

3. Under laboratory conditions, 7–46% of females hatching from re‐hydrated sediments were sexual. Male offspring of these females can fertilise other mictic stem females leading to diapausing egg formation. In laboratory experiments, females produced fully developed diapausing eggs within 1.9 days at 20 °C and 1.2 days at 30 °C.

4. In addition, embryonic development time (1.1–0.3 days at temperatures between 12 and 30 °C) and juvenile period (2.1–0.5 days for the same temperature range) are shorter than those of other rotifer species. In short‐lived habitats, the potential for rapid population development and production of new diapausing eggs may be crucial in the long‐term survival of populations.
A light regulated OmpR‐class promoter element co‐ordinates light‐harvesting protein and chromophore biosynthetic enzyme gene expression
Authors: Alvey Richard M. , Bezy Ryan P. , Frankenberg‐Dinkel Nicole , Kehoe David M.
Published: March 2007

Co‐ordination of chromophore and apoprotein biosynthesis is required during photosynthetic light‐harvesting antennae production, such as occurs during complementary chromatic adaptation (CCA). This response to ambient light colour changes is controlled by a phytochrome‐class photoreceptor and involves changes in the synthesis of cyanobacterial light‐harvesting antennae. During growth in red light, CCA activates cpc2 transcription, an operon that encodes the light‐harvesting protein phycocyanin. In order to function, this apoprotein must have covalently attached phycocyanobilin chromophores, which are synthesized by PcyA. We show that pcyA is also transcriptionally activated by CCA during red light growth and is not regulated via feedback that senses cpc2 RNA levels. The pcyA and cpc2 promoters contain a common regulatory element, a direct repeat typical of OmpR‐class transcription factor binding sites, at similar positions relative to their red light‐controlled transcription start sites. Deletion of this element from the pcyA promoter eliminated CCA‐regulated transcription, and insertion of the element into a non‐light responsive promoter conferred CCA regulation. We conclude that this element is necessary and sufficient to confer CCA transcriptional regulation and that it co‐ordinates phycocyanin and phycocyanobilin biosynthesis in red light.
Recognition of the N‐terminal lectin domain of FimH adhesin by the usher FimD is required for type 1 pilus biogenesis
Authors: Munera Diana , Hultgren Scott , Fernández Luis Ángel
Published: March 2007

In this work we discover that a specific recognition of the N‐terminal lectin domain of FimH adhesin by the usher FimD is essential for the biogenesis of type 1 pili in Escherichia coli. These filamentous organelles are assembled by the chaperone–usher pathway, in which binary complexes between fimbrial subunits and the periplasmic chaperone FimC are recognized by the outer membrane protein FimD (the usher). FimH adhesin initiates fimbriae polymerization and is the first subunit incorporated in the filament. Accordingly, FimD shows higher affinity for the FimC/FimH complex although the structural basis of this specificity is unknown. We have analysed the assembly into fimbria, and the interaction with FimD in vivo, of FimH variants in which the N‐terminal lectin domain of FimH was deleted or substituted by different immunoglobulin (Ig) domains, or in which these Ig domains were fused to the N‐terminus of full‐length FimH. From these data, along with the analysis of a FimH mutant with a single amino acid change (G16D) in the N‐terminal lectin domain, we conclude that the lectin domain of FimH is recognized by FimD usher as an essential step for type 1 pilus biogenesis.
Metabolism of glutamine and glutathione via γ‐glutamyltranspeptidase and glutamate transport in Helicobacter pylori: possible significance in the pathophysiology of the organism
Authors: Shibayama Keigo , Wachino Jun‐ichi , Arakawa Yoshichika , Saidijam Massoud , Rutherford Nicholas G. , Henderson Peter J. F.
Published: March 2007

γ‐Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) is a periplasmic enzyme of Helicobacter pylori implicated in its pathogenesis towards mammalian cells. We have cloned and expressed the H. pylori strain 26695 recombinant GGT protein in Escherichia coli and purified it to homogeneity. The purified protein exhibited hydrolysis activity with very high affinities for glutamine and glutathione shown by apparent Km values lower than 1 μM. H. pylori cells were unable to take up extracellular glutamine and glutathione directly. Instead, these substances were hydrolysed to glutamate by the action of GGT outside the cells. The glutamate produced was then transported by a Na+‐dependent reaction into H. pylori cells, where it was mainly incorporated into the TCA cycle and partially utilized as a substrate for glutamine synthesis. These observations show that one of the principle physiological functions of H. pylori GGT is to enable H. pylori cells to utilize extracellular glutamine and glutathione as a source of glutamate. As glutamine and glutathione are important nutrients for maintenance of healthy gastrointestinal tissue, their depletion by the GGT enzyme is hypothesized to account for the damaging of mammalian cells and the pathophysiology of H. pylori.
Xanthomonas campestris cell–cell communication involves a putative nucleotide receptor protein Clp and a hierarchical signalling network
Authors: He Ya‐Wen , Ng Alvin Yu‐Jin , Xu Min , Lin Kui , Wang Lian‐Hui , Dong Yi‐Hu , Zhang Lian‐Hui
Published: March 2007

The bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris co‐ordinates virulence factor production and biofilm dispersal through a diffusible signal factor (DSF)‐mediated cell–cell communication mechanism. The RpfC/RpfG two‐component system plays a key role in DSF signal transduction and appears to modulate downstream DSF regulon by changing intracellular content of cyclic dimeric GMP (c‐di‐GMP), an unusual nucleotide second messenger. Here we show that Clp, a conserved global regulator showing a strong homology to the cAMP nucleotide receptor protein Crp of Escherichia coli, is essential for DSF regulation of virulence factor production but not for biofilm dispersal. Deletion of clp in Xcc changed the transcriptional expression of 299 genes including a few encoding transcription factors. Further genetic and microarray analysis led to identification of a homologue of the transcriptional regulator Zur, and a novel TetR‐type transcription factor FhrR. These two regulatory factors regulated different sets of genes within Clp regulon. These results outline a hierarchical signalling network by which DSF modulates different biological functions, and may also provide a clue on how the novel nucleotide signal can be coupled to its downstream regulatory networks.
Large‐scale deformation in the India‐Asia collision constrained by earthquakes and topography
Authors: Andronicos Christopher L. , Velasco Aaron A. , Hurtado José M.
Published: March 2007

Analysis of earthquake focal mechanisms allows division of the India‐Asia collision into kinematic domains that strongly correlate with topography. These kinematic domains indicate strain partitioning dominated by oblique slip deformation. The Kunlun and south Tibetan fault systems mark discontinuities in the strain field and bound the high, flat topography of the plateau which deforms by transtension. The northern and southern margins of Tibet deform by transpression or contraction and are topographically steep. Correlations between seismicity and topography are due to Mohr–Coulomb wedge mechanics at the northern and southern plateau margins which produce naturally steep surface slopes, whereas the flat interior and eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is underlain by viscous crust which supports subdued topography further muted by Cenozoic basin fill. These data indicate that the long wavelength topography of the India‐Asia collision is controlled by seismically caused surface displacements which are linked to deep crustal deformation mechanics.
The transition between ‘orogenic’ and ‘anorogenic’ magmatism in the western Mediterranean area: the Middle Miocene volcanic rocks of Isola del Toro (SW Sardinia, Italy)
Authors: Lustrino Michele , Morra Vincenzo , Fedele Lorenzo , Serracino Marcello
Published: March 2007

The Isola del Toro is a small island (∼1 km2) about 5 nautical miles SW of Sardinia entirely made up of mildly alkaline sodic evolved rocks (benmoreites and trachytes) related to each other by fractionation processes. 40Ar/39Ar dating of an anorthoclase mineral separate from a trachyte gave an age of 11.83 ± 0.10 Ma. This age estimate falls within an interval previously considered a‐magmatic in Sardinia. The results of this study shift the beginning of the Middle Miocene–Quaternary anorogenic volcanism of Sardinia back to the Late Serravalian. The transition between orogenic and anorogenic activity in Sardinia is markedly different from that recorded in the rest of the circum‐Mediterranean area, where this transition is much more gradual, both in time and in terms of magma composition. On the other hand, the transition between orogenic and anorogenic magmatism in Sardinia is rather sharp and lacks hybrid compositions. The Isola del Toro volcanic rocks represent the first anorogenic products produced during the opening of the western Mediterranean Sea.
Identification of a novel HLA‐B*58 allele, B*5813, by sequence‐based typing of DNA from Korean baby cord blood
Authors: Yoon S. , Baek J.‐Y. , Hur S.‐S. , Kwon O.‐J. , Kwack K.
Published: March 2007

The novel HLA‐B*5813 allele was identified in the cord blood of a Korean baby by sequence‐based typing. This allele shows a sequence identical to that of HLA‐B*5801, except for a nucleotide substitution that changes GAG to AAG at codon 128, resulting in an amino acid change from glutamic acid to lysine in the protein.
Proximal interleukin‐10 gene polymorphisms in Italian patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Beretta L. , Cappiello F. , Barili M. , Scorza R.
Published: March 2007

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) can favour the development of fibrosis by promoting a relative shift towards T helper 2 responses. Three single base pair substitutions in the 5′ flanking region of the IL‐10 gene (G/A −1082, C/T −819 and C/A −592) influence the amount of IL‐10 secreted in cell cultures: the GCC haplotype is associated with an increased production, while the ACC and the ATA haplotypes are associated with intermediate and decreased production. Accordingly, three phenotypes have been individuated: high producers (GCC+/GCC+), medium producers (GCC+/GCC−) and low producers (GCC−/GCC−). We hypothesised that IL‐10 haplotypes and genotypes are differently expressed in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with the limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) subset or the diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) subset. One hundred and sixty‐one unrelated Italian patients with SSc and 94 controls have been included. Their DNA was extracted and stored before being analysed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers. The GCC haplotype is overrepresented in patients with SSc; subjects with dcSSc were the primary contributors to these results (dcSSc: 52.2% vs controls: 37.2%; χ2= 8.519, 2 d.f., corrected P= 0.04). In Scl70‐positive patients, the GCC haplotype increased the likelihood of presenting the dcSSc subset [χ2= 12.56, P < 0.0005; odds ratio (OR) = 3.89, 95% confidence interval (CI95) = 1.69–9.08]; these results were confirmed at the phenotypic level (χ2= 11.67, 2 d.f., P= 0.003). In Scl70‐positve patients, the high‐producing phenotype was associated with poor survival, independently from disease subset and gender (hazard ratio = 9.9, CI95= 1.6–61.27, P < 0.05). The IL‐10 haplotype and genotype associated with high IL‐10 production may alter the susceptibility to SSc and/or its expression, increasing the prognostic value of other well‐known markers of disease severity.
Sequence analysis of the new allele HLA‐A*020112†
Authors: Horn P. A. , Hallensleben M. , Eiz‐Vesper B. , Blasczyk R.
Published: March 2007

The novel allele HLA‐A*020112 differs from HLA‐A*020101 by a synonymous nucleotide exchange at position 53 in exon 2 (G→A)
Identification of acceptable HLA mismatches in immunized patients using single‐antigen‐expressing cell lines
Authors: Eijsink C. , Zoet Y. M. , Kardol M. J. , Witvliet M. D. , Claas F. H. J. , Mulder A. , Doxiadis I. I. N.
Published: March 2007

Sera of highly sensitized patients (HSP) contain complex human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies, minimizing the chance to identify crossmatch‐negative donors. Expression of 3–6 HLA class I antigens on lymphocytes hampers identification of acceptable mismatches (AMs) by conventional screening (C‐SCR). The single‐antigen‐expressing cell line (SAL) concept circumvents this problem. As a proof of principle, 26 sera of sensitized patients were tested by flow cytometry for immunoglobulin G antibodies against 16 HLA‐A and ‐B SALs. Results were compared with C‐SCR. Mostly, SAL reactions confirmed presence/absence of HLA antibodies. While C‐SCR sometimes failed to provide unambiguous antibody specificity, we defined 24 new HLA antibody specificities with SALs and proposed 33 new AM by non‐reactivity with SALs. Thus, the SAL concept is useful for confirmation/identification of AM and will enhance transplantation of HSP.
Identification of genes involved in the biosynthesis of the cytotoxic compound glidobactin from a soil bacterium
Authors: Schellenberg Barbara , Bigler Laurent , Dudler Robert
Published: March 2007

Glidobactins (syn. cepafungins) are a family of structurally related cytotoxic compounds that were isolated from the soil bacterial strain K481‐B101 (ATCC 53080; DSM 7029) originally assigned to Polyangium brachysporum and, independently, from an undefined species related to Burkholderia cepacia. Glidobactins are acylated tripeptide derivatives that contain a 12‐membered ring structure consisting of the two unique non‐proteinogenic amino acids erythro‐4‐hydroxy‐l‐lysine and 4(S)‐amino‐2(E)‐pentenoic acid. Here we report the cloning and functional analysis of a gene cluster (glbA–glbH) involved in glidobactin synthesis from K481‐B101, which according to its 16S rRNA sequence belongs to the Burkholderiales. The putative encoded proteins include a mixed non‐ribosomal peptide/polyketide synthetase whose structure and architecture allowed to build a biosynthetic pathway model explaining the biosynthesis of the unique peptide part of glidobactins. Intriguingly, among the more than 600 bacterial strains whose genome sequence is currently available, homologous gene clusters were found in Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causing agent of melioidosis, and in the insect pathogen Photorhabdus luminescens, strongly suggesting that these organisms are capable to synthesize compounds similar to glidobactins. In addition, a glb gene cluster that was inactivated by transposon‐mediated rearrangements was also present in Burkholderia mallei, a very close relative of B. pseudomallei and the causing agent of glanders in horse‐like animals.
Explaining Vertical Integration Strategies: Market Power, Transactional Attributes and Capabilities
Authors: Díez‐Vial Isabel
Published: March 2007

abstract  We analyse vertical boundaries of firms by identifying and comparing industrial, transactional and firm‐specific factors in such a way that industrial organization, new institutional economics and the capability‐based view are all taken into account. After testing the model in 155 firms in the Spanish meat industry, we observe that only factors associated with both transaction costs and capabilities have a statistical and economic relevance for explaining vertical integration. Firms vertically integrate to create specific investment between stages of the value chain, to internally exploit their pool of knowledge and capacities, and to guarantee quality of inputs and services employed. On the other hand, firms avoid high levels of vertical integration in the presence of high demand changes in order to stay flexible. Finally, providers or clients with market power do not seem to affect vertical boundaries in any consistent way.
An Examination of the Factors that Influence Whether Newcomers Protect or Share Secrets of their Former Employers*
Authors: Hannah David R.
Published: March 2007

abstract This research investigated the factors that influence a decision that is often faced by employees who have made a transition from one organization to another: the decision about whether to protect secrets of their former employer or to share them with their new co‐workers. A total of 111 employees from two high‐tech companies participated in interviews. Their comments were analysed and, based on both relevant literature and the results of that analysis, a theory of the factors that influence newcomers' protect vs. share decisions was developed. According to that theory, newcomers first decide whether or not information is a trade secret of their former employer by considering (1) whether the information is part of their own knowledge, and (2) whether the information is publicly available, general, and negative (about something that did not work). If newcomers decide the information is a trade secret, they then evaluate (1) the degree to which their obligations are biased towards their former or new employer, and (2) the degree to which they identify more strongly with their former or new employer. Newcomers whose obligations and identifications are biased towards a new employer are more likely to share secrets. If these obligations and identifications are balanced, newcomers may share information in a way that allows them to believe they are fulfilling their responsibilities to both their former and their new employers.
Incentive Asymmetries in the Mergers and Acquisitions Process*
Authors: Parvinen Petri , Tikkanen Henrikki
Published: March 2007

abstract This paper focuses on the relationship between incentive asymmetries and some potentially undesirable outcomes along the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) process which could potentially destroy the shareholder value of the merged corporate entity. Incentive asymmetries are seen as belonging to the three categories of ‘risk‐antecedent’, ‘information‐antecedent’ and ‘pure self‐interest antecedent’. We propose that incentive asymmetries are responsible for increases in the number of M&A projects and that they might create a ‘lemons problem’ with M&A candidates. Incentive asymmetries are also suggested to lead to prolonged contract‐writing phases, biased financial evaluations and acquisition price escalation, as well as undermined post‐M&A integration plans. If resolutions to these problems are sought, the use of high‐ and low‐powered incentive schemes will need to reflect risk, information and pure self‐interest.
From followers to market leaders: Asian electronics firms in the global economy
Authors: Yeung Henry Wai‐Chung
Published: March 2007

Abstract: This paper aims to explain how a number of leading electronics firms from Asian newly industrialised economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan are articulated into global production networks and become major players in their respective market niches. Developing a triangular theoretical framework, I seek to explain the complex relationships between the dynamic articulation of these leading Asian electronics firms into different global production networks and their simultaneous upgrading from typical followers to market leaders. As a critique of the dominant developmental state discourse, I argue that the interplay between corporate strategies and home base advantages within the context of changing global production networks can offer a better explanation of the differentiated competitive outcomes of these Asian firms. This paper draws upon original data collected through personal interviews with top executives from leading electronics firms in the four Asian newly industrialised economies. I conclude the paper with some implications for theory and policy in relation to corporate development in Asian economies.
Media in Indonesia: Forum for political change and critical assessment
Authors: Kakiailatu Toeti
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  This paper reviews the struggle for freedom of the press in Indonesia from the colonial period until 2006. First, the paper examines press initiatives and restraints placed on these during the colonial period, followed by those during the period of Sukarno. Then, the paper questions Suharto's efforts to censor the press during his presidency drawing on the author's personal experiences working as a journalist in Jakarta during this period. More recent governmental changes are then analysed with regards to the press and questions raised regarding how far this emancipation has enabled journalists and the mass media – especially the popular press – to live up to what some argue is their responsibility, to serve as a forum for political change and critical assessment. The paper questions if newspapers in Indonesia have been successful in reaching in practice, their mottos of implementing press freedom, and it debates whether announcing that one is ‘working on the people's behalf’ is the same as maintaining ‘press freedom’. I conclude with case studies that raise questions regarding whether, in the present political climate, a newspaper can really be free from government interference in Indonesia.
Regional autonomy and local resource management in Indonesia
Authors: Setiawan Bakti (Bobi) , Hadi Sudharto P.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  As the largest archipelagic nation in the world, with distinctive environmental conditions and biodiversity, Indonesia on the one hand has tremendous natural and environmental riches while on the other hand faces a variety of environmental problems. After three decades of the New Order era, 1967–1998, Indonesian society is in a crucial transformation process towards a more democratic era. At the same time, as indicated in that country's decentralisation laws No. 22/99 and 25/99, Indonesia is also shifting its style of government, from a centralistic to decentralised one. These two trends are happening simultaneously with globalisation prompting a flow of global capital that directly increases pressure on the Indonesian environment. This paper evaluates the decentralisation of environmental management programmes in Indonesia and focuses on the implications of these changes. The weaknesses of current environmental policies and programmes in Indonesia, which give too dominant a role to the government and neglect civil society's involvement in natural resources and environmental management, are analysed. Further, the paper addresses the lack of attention to date to issues of environmental rights and justice that create many complex environmental and social conflicts throughout Indonesia. We conclude by recommending some fundamental changes to environmental policies and programmes in the decentralised system.
Finalising the nation: The Indonesian military as the guarantor of national unity
Authors: Roosa John
Published: March 2007

Abstract: The Indonesian military sees itself as the guarantor of national unity, the state's last line of defence against separatist movements. This paper argues that the military's methods for maintaining national unity have been counterproductive. Its counter‐insurgency wars in Aceh and Papua have exacerbated the sense of alienation from Indonesia that the people in these provinces have felt. In this post‐Suharto era of political reform, the military has been unable to recognise that its old methods have failed, even after its obvious failure in East Timor, whose people, after living under a 24‐year military occupation, rejected continued integration with Indonesia in a referendum in 1999. The fact that the politicians in the legislative and executive branches of the state have tended to encourage the military to persist with its old methods suggests that the military by itself should not be faulted. Only political resolutions, such as the Helsinki agreement for ending the conflict in Aceh – an agreement that resulted more from the devastation of the December 2004 tsunami than from the Indonesian military's counter‐insurgency warfare – offer any guarantee of national unity.
Managing Food Price Instability in Asia: A Macro Food Security Perspective*
Authors: Peter Timmer C. , Dawe David
Published: March 2007

The present paper describes the benefits and costs, in qualitative terms, of managing food price instability in Asia in the context of promoting economic growth and poverty reduction to improve food security. The experience of Asian governments in actual practice with price stabilization is discussed in the context of managing an efficient transition to market‐mediated food security. Recent experience in Indonesia, where a sharp increase in rice prices (caused by a ban on rice imports) pushed 4 million people into poverty, provides continued motivation for the analytical story in this paper.
Supermarkets in Vietnam: Opportunities and Obstacles
Authors: Maruyama Masayoshi , Trung Le Viet
Published: March 2007

The present paper is the first study to link the perceptions of Vietnamese consumers to the barriers and prospects related to the development of supermarkets in Vietnam by applying quantitative and statistical analysis to Hanoi consumer survey data. It is found that shopping habits related to the purchase of fresh produce in traditional markets, combined with the proximity and low prices these outlets provide, act as a major deterrent to supermarket development. Supermarkets have made considerable advances in the sales of processed food and non‐food products. However, without expanding their fresh food category, lowering prices and enhancing their location convenience, supermarkets cannot expand their current position.
Evaluating the Relative Impact of Fiscal Incentives and Trade Policies on the Returns to Manufacturing in Taiwan, 1955–1995*
Authors: Jenkins Glenn P. , Kuo Chun‐Yan
Published: March 2007

In the present paper, an integrated cash flow model is developed to examine the relative impact of tax incentives, financial subsidies, and macroeconomic variables on the profitability of industrial investments. It allows for the variables in the model to interact with each other. An application of the model is carried out for Taiwan, which has implemented a variety of fiscal incentives over the past 40 years. The principal policy conclusion is that trade and macroeconomic policies are much more important than income tax incentives or subsidized finance policies in determining the success of Taiwan's industrialization process. The effects of all of the fiscal incentives are found to be much smaller than those of the trade policies or the fundamental trends in macroeconomic variables such as the movement of the real exchange rate and the real wage rate.
Evaluating Claims People Make About Themselves: The Development of Skepticism
Authors: Heyman Gail D. , Fu Genyue , Lee Kang
Published: March 2007

The way in which children evaluate people's claims about their own psychological characteristics was examined. Among children ages 6–11 from the United States and China (total N=243), there was an age‐related increase in skepticism about self‐report concerning the highly value‐laden characteristics honest, smart, and nice, but not concerning less value‐laden characteristics. There were also differences between the countries: children from China showed greater skepticism about value‐laden characteristics, and were more likely to assume that others might lie about characteristics that lack strong evaluative implications. Older children from China were especially likely to expect individuals to act in ways that are consistent with modesty norms when communicating about themselves.
From Actors to Agents to Persons: The Development of Character Representation in Young Children's Narratives
Authors: Nicolopoulou Ageliki , Richner Elizabeth S.
Published: March 2007

This study addressed a puzzling discrepancy in existing research about when children achieve and manifest a mentalistic conception of the person. Narrative research suggests that children do not represent characters as mental agents until middle childhood, whereas social cognition research places this understanding at around 4 years. Using a theoretically informed typology, 617 stories were analyzed composed by 30 children participating in a storytelling and story‐acting practice integrated into their preschool curriculum. Results indicated that children's representation of characters shifted from almost exclusively physical and external portrayals of “actors” at 3 to increasing inclusion of “agents” with rudimentary mental states at 4 and of “persons” with mental representational capacities by 5. The developmental trajectories of boys and girls differed somewhat.
Emotional Eavesdropping: Infants Selectively Respond to Indirect Emotional Signals
Authors: Repacholi Betty M. , Meltzoff Andrew N.
Published: March 2007

Two experiments examined whether 18‐month‐olds learn from emotions directed to a third party. Infants watched an adult perform actions on objects, and an Emoter expressed Anger or Neutral affect toward the adult in response to her actions. The Emoter then became neutral and infants were given access to the objects. Infants' actions were influenced by their memory of the Emoter's affect. Moreover, infants' actions varied as a function of whether they were currently in the Emoter's visual field. If the previously angry Emoter was absent (Experiment 1) or turned her back (Experiment 2), infants did not use the prior emotion to regulate their behavior. Infants learn from emotional eavesdropping, and their subsequent behavior depends on the Emoter's orientation toward them.
Relationships Between Procedural Rigidity and Interrepresentational Change in Children's Drawing Behavior
Authors: Picard Delphine , Vinter Annie
Published: March 2007

The present experiments were aimed at testingKarmiloff‐Smith's (1992)assumption that representational flexibility in drawing behavior requires the relaxation of a sequential constraint. A total of two hundred and forty 5‐ to 9‐year‐old children produced cross‐category drawings (e.g., a house with wings) in 4 conditions. The results indicated that procedural rigidity declined as representational change improved. The decline in procedural rigidity occurred before representational change attained its highest level. This decline was related to a greater ability to manage early interruptions of the procedures, not to a greater ability to modify the usual feature sequencing. It was concluded that rigidity in routine development could act as a sequential constraint on interrepresentational change.
Parental Sensitivity and Attachment in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparison With Children With Mental Retardation, With Language Delays, and With Typical Development
Authors: Van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Rutgers Anna H. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J. , Swinkels Sophie H. N. , Van Daalen Emma , Dietz Claudine , Naber Fabienne B. A. , Buitelaar Jan K. , Van Engeland Herman
Published: March 2007

This study on sensitivity and attachment included 55 toddlers and their parents. Samples included children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mental retardation, language delay, and typical development. Children were diagnosed at 4 years of age. Two years before diagnosis, attachment was assessed with the Strange Situation procedure, and parental sensitivity and child involvement during free play were assessed with the Emotional Availability Scale. Parents of children with ASD were equally sensitive as parents of children without ASD, but their children showed more attachment disorganization and less child involvement. More sensitive parents had more secure children, but only in the group without ASD. Less severe autistic symptoms in the social domain predicted more attachment security. Autism challenges the validity of attachment theory.
Language and Theory of Mind: Meta‐Analysis of the Relation Between Language Ability and False‐belief Understanding
Authors: Milligan Karen , Astington Janet Wilde , Dack Lisa Ain
Published: March 2007

Numerous studies show that children's language ability is related to false‐belief understanding. However, there is considerable variation in the size of the correlation reported. Using data from 104 studies (N=8,891), this meta‐analysis determines the strength of the relation in children under age 7 and examines moderators that may account for the variability across studies—including aspect of language ability assessed, type of false‐belief task used, and direction of effect. The results indicate a moderate to large effect size overall that remains significant when age is controlled. Receptive vocabulary measures had weaker relations than measures of general language. Stronger effects were found from earlier language to later false belief than the reverse. Significant differences were not found among types of false‐belief task.
Baby Carriage: Infants Walking With Loads
Authors: Garciaguirre Jessie S. , Adolph Karen E. , Shrout Patrick E.
Published: March 2007

Maintaining balance is a central problem for new walkers. To examine how infants cope with the additional balance control problems induced by load carriage, 14‐month‐olds were loaded with 15% of their body weight in shoulder‐packs. Both symmetrical and asymmetrical loads disrupted alternating gait patterns and caused less mature footfall patterns. Walking was most severely compromised by back loads. Infants with less walking experience, lower levels of walking proficiency, and chubbier body proportions were more adversely affected. In addition, infants displayed a unique postural response to asymmetrical loads. In contrast to older children and adults, infants leaned with loads rather than in the opposite direction to the loads. Findings are discussed in terms of development from accommodation to compensatory strategies.
Are There Long‐Term Effects of Early Child Care?
Authors: Belsky Jay , Vandell Deborah Lowe , Burchinal Margaret , Clarke‐Stewart K. Alison , McCartney Kathleen , Owen Margaret Tresch ,   The NICHD Early Child Care Research Network
Published: March 2007

Effects of early child care on children's functioning from 4½ years through the end of 6th grade (M age=12.0 years) were examined in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (n=1,364). The results indicated that although parenting was a stronger and more consistent predictor of children's development than early child‐care experience, higher quality care predicted higher vocabulary scores and more exposure to center care predicted more teacher‐reported externalizing problems. Discussion focuses on mechanisms responsible for these effects, the potential collective consequences of small child‐care effects, and the importance of the ongoing follow‐up at age 15.
Accelerating Refractive Rendering of Transparent Objects
Authors: Hui K. C. , Lee A. H. C. , Lai Y. H.
Published: March 2007

In this paper, a technique is proposed for the rendering of transparent objects interactively using the method of refractive rendering. In the proposed technique, the refractive rendering algorithm is performed in two stages, namely the pre‐computation stage and the shading stage. In the pre‐computation stage, ray‐traced information, including directions and positions of rays, are generated by a ray tracing process and are stored in a set of ray lists. In the shading stage, these data are retrieved from the ray lists for computing the shading of an object. Using the proposed technique, photorealistic image of transparent objects and gemstones with various cuttings, material properties, lighting and background can be rendered interactively. By combining the refractive rendering technique with conventional shading techniques, jewelry and crystal designs can be rendered at a much higher speed comparing with conventional ray tracing techniques.
Bilateral versus Multilateral Trade and Investment Liberalisation
Authors: Egger Peter , Larch Mario , Pfaffermayr Michael
Published: March 2007

To assess the welfare effects of bilateral versus multilateral trade and/or investment liberalisation in general equilibrium, we set up a three‐country and three‐factor knowledge‐capital model of trade and multinational activity. Numerical simulation results indicate that multilateral liberalisation tends to dominate bilateral liberalisation in welfare terms. A transition economy tends to prefer bilateral over multilateral liberalisation to avoid plant relocation. For similar reasons, a developed country may prefer bilateral over multilateral liberalisation, if the other economies exhibit big relative factor endowment differences.