bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Private Equity vs. PLC Boards in the U.K.: A Comparison of Practices and Effectiveness
Authors: Acharya Viral V. , Kehoe Conor , Reyner Michael 
Published: March 2009

The consistently higher returns generated by the most successful private equity firms have been attributed in part to their willingness to take on high levels of debt and their ability to exit from their investments at attractive multiples. But recent research suggests that the largest contributor to the superior performance of the best PE firms has been their ability to improve the operating performance of the companies they buy. And as the authors of this article argue, a key source of such improvements are fundamental differences in the way boards function in the public and private realm.Using in‐depth interviews with 20 executives who have served on both PE and plc boards of relatively large U.K. companies, the authors provide a number of suggestive insights into such differences:Perhaps the most visible of these differences is the “single‐minded” focus of PE boards on “value creation,” as contrasted with the focus of plc boards on issues of “governance” and “compliance.”Whereas PE boards view their role as “leading” the strategy of the firm and overseeing its execution by top management, plc boards are described as “monitoring” or “accompanying” strategies that are proposed and executed by management.Whereas PE boards report near‐complete alignment of objectives between executive and non‐executive directors, plc boards are described as having multiple commitments to and priorities that are divided among multiple stakeholders.Finally, whereas PE board members undergo an intensive “due diligence” process when joining boards, have frequent ongoing contacts with management, and focus heavily on the cash‐generating capacity of the business, initiations of plc board members are much more formal and ceremonial, their dealings with operating management are few and limited, and the information provided them has an “accounting” orientation and covers a broad range of subjects and corporate “responsibilities.”
Designing a U.S. Market for CO2
Authors: Parsons John E. , Ellerman A. Denny , Feilhauer Stephan 
Published: March 2009

The United States may soon have a market for carbon. If so, that market will grow out of a cap‐and‐trade system like the EU's Emissions Trading System for CO2 or the U.S. Acid Rain Program for SO2.This article reviews the historical performance of these two markets, with particular focus on how the flexibility afforded by, as well as restrictions on, the “banking” and borrowing of allowances has affected the evolution of prices. While both markets have generally functioned well, four episodes are used to illustrate the importance of designing the rules to encourage such flexibility.The 2005 opening of the EU CO2 market was marked by a surprisingly high price, one that resulted from a delay in institutions with long positions in allowances (“longs”) bringing supply to the market.The 2007 close of the first phase produced a sharp divergence between the spot price at the end of 2007 and the futures price for 2008, reflecting the restriction against carrying over (or “banking”) allowances from one phase to the next.The U.S. SO2 market's transition to a tighter system in 2000 avoided such a divergence by allowing unlimited banking of allowances into the second phase.In 2005‐2006, the U.S. SO2 market experienced a surprising price spike attributable to a combination of changing fundamentals and institutional features (notably, the tax treatment of “longs”) that undermined the flexibility of the bank.
Calmodulin kinase II initiates arrhythmogenicity during metabolic acidification in murine hearts
Authors: Pedersen T. H. , Gurung I. S. , Grace A. , Huang C. L.‐H. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAim:  The multifunctional signal molecule calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) has been associated with cardiac arrhythmogenesis under conditions where its activity is chronically elevated. Recent studies report that its activity is also acutely elevated during acidosis. We test a hypothesis implicating CaMKII in the arrhythmogenesis accompanying metabolic acidification.Methods:  We obtained monophasic action potential recordings from Langendorff‐perfused whole heart preparations and single cell action potentials (AP) using whole‐cell patch‐clamped ventricular myocytes. Spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticular (SR) Ca2+release events during metabolic acidification were investigated using confocal microscope imaging of Fluo‐4‐loaded ventricular myocytes.Results:  In Langendorff‐perfused murine hearts, introduction of lactic acid into the Krebs‐Henseleit perfusate resulted in abnormal electrical activity and ventricular tachycardia. The CaMKII inhibitor, KN‐93 (2 μm), reversibly suppressed this spontaneous arrhythmogenesis during intrinsic rhythm and regular 8 Hz pacing. However, it failed to suppress arrhythmia evoked by programmed electrical stimulation. These findings paralleled a CaMKII‐independent reduction in the transmural repolarization gradients during acidosis, which previously has been associated with the re‐entrant substrate under other conditions. Similar acidification produced spontaneous AP firing and membrane potential oscillations in patch‐clamped isolated ventricular myocytes when pipette solutions permitted cytosolic Ca2+ to increase following acidification. However, these were abolished by both KN‐93 and use of pipette solutions that held cytosolic Ca2+ constant during acidosis. Acidosis also induced spontaneous Ca2+ waves in isolated intact Fluo‐4‐loaded myocytes studied using confocal microscopy that were abolished by KN‐93.Conclusion:  These findings together implicate CaMKII‐dependent SR Ca2+ waves in spontaneous arrhythmic events during metabolic acidification.
Determinants of Competitiveness: Observations in China's Textile and Apparel Industries
Authors: Lau Chi‐Keung , To Kin‐Man , Zhang Zhiming , Chen Jing 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper attempts to explore key determinants of competitiveness in the textile and apparel industries, with special reference to Chinese Mainland. The authors conduct a survey that is designed to use productivity, supply‐side and demand‐side determinants to measure enterprises' competitiveness. The collected survey data is then analyzed using factor analysis to capture the related determining factors indicative of competitiveness at the enterprise level. The findings demonstrate that government policies and related industry infrastructure are the most important determinants of competitiveness in the textile and apparel industries, followed by domestic demand. This suggests that the improvement of industry infrastructure can foster industry performance, and that more resources should be endowed to enhance the domestic business competitiveness of local enterprises. The development of domestic demand will foster the competitiveness of the textile and apparel industries on a more sustainable basis.
Analysis of China's Renewable Energy Development under the Current Economic and Technical Circumstances
Authors: Shi Dan 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAt present, the development of renewable energy relies mainly on government support. The government invests in a considerable number of projects to improve public welfare and to assist in poverty relief. If China is to replace fossil fuels on a large scale with renewable energy sources, the production costs and prices of renewable energy must be brought down. All countries are facing the challenge of moving to a more secure and low‐carbon energy system without weakening economic and social development. In this regard, China is facing an even greater challenge in terms of economic cost, as cheap coal remains the main energy form. Technical innovation and industrialization in the area of renewable energy is an important means of lowering cost. China is in for a period of high‐speed development of its economy and the rising demand for energy is irreversible. If the technical progress and development speed of renewable energy lags behind the growth in demand, it will be difficult to realize the improvement of its energy structure.
New Spatial Logics in Global Cities Research: Networks, Flows and New Political Spaces
Authors: Lai Karen P. Y. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWhile world cities or global cities research has become an established interdisciplinary field over a few short decades, criticisms have been levelled at its narrow focus on selected leading cities and specific economic activities of corporate headquarters, finance and advanced producer services. This article identifies four recent strands of research from geographers and urban scholars seeking more nuanced and critical approaches to processes of globalisation and urban development. First, there has been a shift away from examining urban hierarchies to exploring networks and flows between global cities and the adoption of a relational perspective. Second, there has been a re‐scaling of analysis to examine global city‐regions and global city‐states. Third, researchers have turned to ‘alternative’ global cities to reveal new nodes and networks that were often written off conventional accounts of the global cities map. Fourth, there has been greater emphasis on social inequality and urban politics within global cities and challenges for positive social change. The concluding section draws together some common themes than run through these research trajectories and highlights some future research agendas that capitalise on geographers’ sensitivity to place in studying global cities. This place‐based perspective appreciates the very differences that enable global cities to perform particular roles in the global urban network. It also recognises global cities as inhabited by real people and communities and the impetus for positive social change in the face of intraurban and interurban inequalities.
Karl Pearson's Influence in the United States
Authors: Bellhouse David R. 
Published: March 2009

Summary Karl Pearson, the founder of mathematical statistics, was the leading statistical researcher from the 1890s up to about 1920. His interests were wide‐ranging and so his impact on statistics in the United States was also wide‐ranging. Many American researchers came to University College London to study with him. Others studied his work from afar. In the United States, Pearsonian statistics first penetrated the academic landscape in biology. This was soon followed by the fields of economics and psychology. It was not until relatively late in Pearson's career that several American mathematicians took up statistics as a serious research topic.
Karl Pearson—The Scientific Life in a Statistical Age by Theodore M. Porter: A Review
Authors: David Herbert A. 
Published: March 2009

Summary Porter presents an excellent account of the young Karl Pearson and his extraordinarily varied activities. These ranged from the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos Exams to German history and folklore, and included free thought, socialism, the woman's question, and the law. Returning to science, Pearson produced the famous Grammar of Science. He decided on a career in statistics only at age 35. Porter emphasizes Pearson's often acrimonious but largely successful battles to show the wide applicability and importance of statistics in many areas of science and public affairs. Eugenics became a passion for Pearson. Avoiding all formulas Porter fails to give any concrete ideas of even Pearson's most important contributions to statistical theory. We try to sketch these here.
Tracking the Emerging Human PathogenPseudallescheria boydiiby Using Highly Specific Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Thornton Christopher R. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTPseudallescheria boydiihas long been known to cause white grain mycetoma in immunocompetent humans, but it has recently emerged as an opportunistic pathogen of humans, causing potentially fatal invasive infections in immunocompromised individuals and evacuees of natural disasters, such as tsunamis and hurricanes. The diagnosis ofP. boydiiis problematic since it exhibits morphological characteristics similar to those of other hyaline fungi that cause infectious diseases, such asAspergillus fumigatusandScedosporium prolificans. This paper describes the development of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG1 κ-light chain monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific toP. boydiiand certain closely related fungi. The MAbs bind to an immunodominant carbohydrate epitope on an extracellular 120-kDa antigen present in the spore and hyphal cell walls ofP. boydiiandScedosporium apiospermum. The MAbs do not react withS. prolificans,Scedosporium dehoogii, or a large number of clinically relevant fungi, includingA. fumigatus,Candida albicans,Cryptococcus neoformans,Fusarium solani, andRhizopus oryzae. The MAbs were used in immunofluorescence and double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (DAS-ELISAs) to accurately differentiateP. boydiifrom other infectious fungi and to track the pathogen in environmental samples. Specificity of the DAS-ELISA was confirmed by sequencing of the internally transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA-encoding regions of environmental isolates.
Good Performance of Immunoglobulin M Assays in Diagnosing Genotype 3 Hepatitis E Virus Infections
Authors: Legrand-Abravanel Florence , Thevenet Isabelle , Mansuy Jean-Michel , Saune Karine , Vischi Françoise , Peron Jean-Marie , Kamar Nassim , Rostaing Lionel , Izopet Jacques 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
We have evaluated three anti-hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) assays, the EIAgen HEV IgM assay (Adaltis), the HEV IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 3.0, and the Assure HEV IgM rapid test (MP Diagnostics), for the routine detection of acute genotype 3 HEV. Their sensitivities were fairly good (90%, 88%, and 82%), and their specificities were excellent (100%, 99.5%, and 100%).
Serologic Assay To Quantify Human Immunoglobulin G Antibodies to the
Staphylococcus aureus
Iron Surface Determinant B Antigen
Authors: Raedler Michael D. , Heyne Samantha , Wagner Erica , Shalkowski Sheri K. , Secore Susan , Anderson Annaliesa S. , Cook James , Cope Leslie , McNeely Tessie , Retzlaff Mary , Shanter Jon , Rubinstein Leonard J. , Green Tina , Kartsonis N. , Esser Mark T. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

A direct binding Luminex assay has been developed and validated for the detection of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to the
Staphylococcus aureus
iron surface determinant B protein (IsdB) in serum following natural infection or immunization with investigational
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
-derived IsdB-based vaccines. To ensure that IsdB-specific IgG antibodies are measured following immunization with
S. cerevisiae
-derived IsdB, an
Escherichia coli
-produced IsdB antigen is used in the assay. The IsdB antigen is covalently conjugated to maleimide microspheres via an engineered carboxy-terminal cysteine residue. Antibody titers are determined in a direct binding format, where the phycoerythrin-labeled monoclonal antibody (HP6043) specific for IgG1 to IgG4 binds to human serum IgG antibodies. Fluorescent signal emitted from bound HP6043 is directly proportional to an individual's antibody levels. A pooled human reference serum from vaccinees with high titers to IsdB is used to generate a 12-point standard curve. The correlation of mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) units to μg/ml of IsdB-specific IgG is made by interpolating the MFI data through a four-parameter curve-fitting algorithm. The assay is sensitive to 1.06 μg/ml with a dynamic range of 2.1 to 10,625 μg/ml. The overall specificity of the assay is >96% and the linearity (parallelism) of the assay is −4% per 10-fold dilution. The total precision of the assay was 16.6% relative standard deviation across three different IsdB antigen lots, three different microsphere lots, two secondary antibody lots, and three different operators. The assay has proven useful for evaluating the immune response following the administration of different dosages and formulations of investigational IsdB-based vaccines.
Early Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis by a New Procedure Combining Broth Culture and PCR
Authors: Noussair Latifa , Bert Frédéric , Leflon-Guibout Véronique , Gayet Nadine , Nicolas-Chanoine Marie-Hélène 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is difficult because of the paucibacillary nature of these infections. We developed a culture-enhanced PCR assay combining a preliminary step of broth culture in BacT/Alert MP bottles with the subsequent detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
using the GenoType Mycobacteria Direct test. First, the procedure was applied to 10-fold-diluted suspensions of
M. tuberculosis
prepared in vitro. These experiments showed that a 15-day incubation time was required to detect bacilli in the suspension, with the lowest inoculum size yielding a single colony on Lowenstein-Jensen slants. The efficacy of culture-enhanced PCR at day 15 was subsequently evaluated with 225 nonrespiratory specimens from 189 patients with suspected tuberculosis. All these specimens were smear negative, and 31 (13.8%) from 27 patients were culture positive. The result of culture-enhanced PCR at day 15 was consistent with final culture results in all specimens tested. Compared to culture results, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 100%. Four patients with a negative culture and a negative PCR result were diagnosed as having tuberculosis on the basis of histological findings or therapeutic response. When using a positive diagnosis of tuberculosis as a gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 88.6%, 100%, 100%, and 97.9%, respectively. These results indicate that culture-enhanced PCR is a highly sensitive and specific method for the early detection of
M. tuberculosis
in extrapulmonary specimens.
Use of Dried Serum Spots for Serological and Molecular Detection of Hepatitis A Virus
Authors: Desbois Delphine , Roque-Afonso Anne-Marie , Lebraud Patricia , Dussaix Elisabeth 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
We assessed the feasibility of using dried serum spots (DSS) for the serological and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. Sixty-eight sera spotted onto filter papers (Whatman International Ltd., United Kingdom) were used for detection of total anti-HAV antibodies, and 64 sera were used for detection of immunoglobulin M antibody to HAV. DSS were stored at 4°C, room temperature, and 37°C for 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Sensitivity and specificity of the serological assays were 100% regardless of temperature and storage duration. To assess the stability of HAV RNA, we performed qualitative and quantitative reverse transcription-PCRs (RT-PCRs) with human plasma spiked with serial dilutions of cultured HAV spotted on Flinders Technology Associates filter paper cards (Whatman International Ltd.). Filter papers were stored at room temperature and processed for RT-PCR assays. No reduction of viral load was observed after 5, 15, and 30 days of storage. The ∼10-fold reduction of sensitivity from DSS was attributable to a smaller sample input in DSS samples. This method was further evaluated using 35 frozen sera. HAV RNA amplification showed 100% specificity and 92.3% sensitivity, and sequence analysis from DSS and sera provided identical results. HAV RNA can be accurately recovered from DSS for molecular epidemiology purposes, and we confirm the reliability of blotted samples in the serological diagnosis of HAV infection. The DSS method facilitates storage and shipment of samples from routine laboratories to reference centers for further investigations and large epidemiological studies.
Dried-Plasma Transport Using a Novel Matrix and Collection System for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Virologic Testing
Authors: Lloyd R. M. , Burns D. A. , Huong J. T. , Mathis R. L. , Winters M. A. , Tanner M. , De La Rosa A. , Yen-Lieberman B. , Armstrong W. , Taege A. , McClernon D. R. , Wetshtein J. L. , Friedrich Brian M. , Ferguson Monique R. , O'Brien William , Feorino P. M. , Holodniy M. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTA novel method for the collection and transportation of dried-blood-plasma samples, SampleTanker (ST), was developed and compared to standard shipping protocols for frozen-plasma specimens containing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Matched frozen and dried 1-ml EDTA-containing plasma samples were collected and analyzed by several molecular-based virologic assays. After addition of 1.175 ml of reconstitution buffer, 1.035 ml of dried plasma was recovered. Mean intra-assay variances were 0.05, 0.05, and 0.06 log10copies/ml for the Versant, Amplicor, and NucliSens QT HIV-1 load assays, respectively (P, not significant). However, mean HIV-1 viral load was consistently reduced in dried samples by 0.32 to 0.51 log10copies/ml, depending on assay type (P< 0.05). Infectious HIV-1 was not recovered from dried ST plasma. There was no significant difference in HIV-1 viral load results obtained using ST after 8 weeks of storage at ambient temperature. Compared to frozen plasma, HIV-1 genotypic results were >99% concordant at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, as well as for resistance-associated mutations. We further demonstrated successful detection of multiple analytes, including HIV-1 viral load, HIV-1 antiretroviral resistance genotype, and HCV genotype, from a single ST unit. Dried plasma collected with ST yielded comparable results to frozen samples for multiple-analyte clinical testing. As such, ST could be a useful alternative for virologic tests and clinical trials worldwide by significantly diminishing transportation cost and the sample volume restrictions associated with dried-blood-spot technology.
Molecular Identification of T4 and T5 Genotypes in Isolates from
Acanthamoeba
Keratitis Patients
Authors: Ledee D. R. , Iovieno A. , Miller D. , Mandal N. , Diaz M. , Fell J. , Fini M. E. , Alfonso E. C. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Acanthamoeba
keratitis (AK) is a rare but sight-threatening ocular infection. Outbreaks have been associated with contaminated water and contact lens wear. The epidemiology and pathology may be associated with unique genotypes. We determined the
Rns
genotype for 37 clinical isolates from 23 patients presenting at the University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute with confirmed AK infections in 2006 to 2008. The genus-specific ASA.S1 amplicon allowed for rapid genotyping of the nonaxenic cultures. Of the 37 isolates, 36 were of the T4 genotype. Within this group, 13 unique diagnostic fragment 3 sequences were identified, 3 of which were not in GenBank. The 37th isolate was a T5, the first in the United States and second worldwide to be found in AK. For five patients with isolates from the cornea and contact lens/case, identical sequences within each patient cluster were observed, confirming the link between contact lens contamination and AK infection. Genotyping is an important tool in the epidemiological study of AK. In this study, it allowed for the detection of new strains and provided an etiological link between source and infection. Additionally, it can allow for accurate categorizing of physiological differences, such as strain virulence, between isolates and clades.