bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Governance Mechanisms and Firm Value: The Impact of Ownership Concentration and Dividends
Authors: Setia‐Atmaja Lukas Y. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: This study examines whether ownership concentration affects board and audit committee independence, and whether the impact of board and audit committee independence on firm value is moderated by ownership concentration and dividend payouts.Research Findings/Insights: Using panel data on a sample of Australian publicly listed firms over the period 2000–2005 (1,530 firm‐year observations), the study finds that ownership concentration has a negative impact on board independence, but no impact on audit committee independence. Results also suggest that board independence enhances firm value and that performance impact of board independence is stronger in closely‐held firms and/or firms having low dividend payouts. A marginally positive impact of audit committee independence, especially among closely‐held firms, is also found.Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study suggests that the impact of governance mechanisms is moderated by companies' ownership structure and dividend policies. It extends research on the effectiveness of governance mechanisms by distinguishing two types of agency problems and using a simultaneous equations model. The findings underline the important governance role that independent boards and audit committee can play in a country that has high ownership concentration and high levels of private benefits of control.Practitioner/Policy Implications: The results of this study strengthen the idea that independent directors can also play a key role in the governance of closely‐held firms. As such, for investors, as far as agency costs are concerned, investments in closely‐held firms that have a higher proportion of independent directors on the board and audit committee are sensible. Closely‐held firms should be aware of the investor's need for more independent directors, especially when dividends are low.
Financing Constraints, Ownership Control, and Cross‐Border M&As: Evidence from Nine East Asian Economies
Authors: Chen Yenn‐Ru , Huang Yu‐Lin , Chen Chun‐Nan 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: This study distinguishes between the effects of financial constraint determinants on cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and domestic M&As for all takeover bids announced in nine East Asian economies from 1998 to 2005.Research Findings/Insights: The results of logistic regressions verify that the extent of stock market and governance developments improves corporate financing conditions and subsequently encourages cross‐border M&As in East Asia. The results also indicate that, except for ownership control variables, the firm‐specific factors of financing constraints reduce the occurrence of cross‐border M&As relative to domestic M&As. Although family‐ and state‐controlled firms have better access to external financing, they are reluctant to risk diluting their management control and thus prefer domestic M&As to cross‐border deals.Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study enhances the empirical studies of the relation between financing constraints and corporate investments based on the market imperfection hypothesis of corporate finance theories. In addition, this study also addresses the interaction between the market imperfection hypothesis and agency theory in explaining the effects of special ownership control on cross‐border M&As relative to domestic deals. Furthermore, by examining the research questions across nine East Asian economies, this study provides an understanding of how such a relation applies to firms in countries where information asymmetry is high.Practitioner/Policy Implications: The findings indicate the importance of corporate governance and verify the effects of unique organizational structures on major corporate decisions. Specifically, family‐controlled firms are often free of the financing constraints inherent in investment decisions. Thus, it is necessary to consider such organizational uniqueness when explaining the financing behavior of cross‐border M&As conducted by Asian firms.
The A Simili Argument: An Inferentialist Setting
Authors: CANALE DAMIANO , TUZET GIOVANNI 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe A Simili Argument draws the conclusion that a target case has a normative property Q since it shares a relevant property P with a source case. It can be seen as a complex inference constituted by three inferential steps: An abduction of the relevant property P, an induction of the class having that property, and a deduction of the target's having property Q. A major problem of this argument is the characterization of the property relevance. The standard answer refers to the notion of ratio: It is the ratio that fixes what is relevant for what. But the determination of the ratio is often a difficult and controversial task. This issue is considered here from an inferentialist point of view, claiming that the ratio and relevance are determined by the normative statuses reciprocally attributed by the speakers in the context of legal argumentation.
Product bundling strategies in Swedish markets: links to business orientation and perceived effects on consumer influence
Authors: Wäppling Anders , Strugnell Christopher , Farley Heather 
Published: November 2009

AbstractProduct bundling is an increasingly important marketing strategy within many industries, and consumer influence on companies' ranges of product bundles is, thus, becoming an important issue. The aim of this study was to investigate product bundling strategies consumers are exposed to by some selected companies in the Swedish automobile, travel and banking industries. Bundling strategies were considered in relation to business orientation as well as the consumer's potential to influence the product bundles offered by these companies. Fourteen qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with senior representatives from the three sectors. Interview respondents were selected in cooperation with their respective companies. Results underwent interpretative analysis, and the findings indicated that business orientation is linked to product bundling techniques and to the type of customer influence on product bundling. Consumers were exposed to mixed and complementary bundling strategies, and customers of companies that apply a market orientation were found to have greater opportunities to influence product bundles directly, whereas companies that apply a production‐oriented approach were less able to respond to their customers' wishes. Consumer influence on the product bundles of production‐oriented companies was found to be of a more indirect nature.
Understanding consumer receptivity towards foods and non‐prescription pills containing phytosterols as a means to offset the risk of cardiovascular disease: an application of protection motivation theory
Authors: Henson Spencer , Cranfield John , Herath Deepananda 
Published: November 2009

AbstractConsumer purchase intention with respect to foods and non‐prescription pills containing phytosterols was investigated through a mall intercept survey (n = 446) in Ontario, Canada. The study took as its starting point the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), a social cognition model rooted in research on fear appeal in determining health‐protective behaviour. Structural equation modelling was used to explore whether an adaptation of PMT explains intention to purchase products containing phytosterols as a means to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The standard form of PMT was adapted to take account of consumer perceptions of the risk of elevated blood cholesterol, reflecting the fact that phytosterols do not directly reduce the risk of CVD but rather help in the management of a single risk factor. Overall, coping appraisal had a positive and significant association with purchase intention, while threat appraisal had no significant effect. Incorporation of cholesterol as a risk factor for CVD significantly improved the measurement strength of the threat appraisal construct. However, the overall predictive power of the model did not change appreciably. The results suggest that the promotion of adaptive behaviours, such as consumption of functional foods and nutraceuticals, needs to focus on perception of response and self‐efficacy rather than individual perceptions of risk.
Assessing the impacts of climate change and land transformation on Banksia in the South West Australian Floristic Region
Authors: Yates Colin J. , McNeill Asha , Elith Jane , Midgley Guy F. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  To determine the potential combined effects of climate change and land transformation on the modelled geographic ranges of Banksia.Location  Mediterranean climate South West Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR).Methods  We used the species distribution modelling software Maxent to relate current environmental conditions to occurrence data for 18 Banksia species, and subsequently made spatial predictions using two simple dispersal scenarios (zero and universal), for three climate‐severity scenarios at 2070, taking the impacts of land transformation on species’ ranges into account. The species were chosen to reflect the biogeography of Banksia in the SWAFR.Results  Climate‐severity scenario, dispersal scenario, biogeographic distribution and land transformation all influenced the direction and magnitude of the modelled range change responses for the 18 species. The predominant response of species to all climate change scenarios was range contraction, with exceptions for some northern and widespread species. Including land transformation in estimates of modelled geographic range size for the three climate‐severity scenarios generally resulted in smaller gains and larger declines in species ranges across both dispersal scenarios. Including land transformation and assuming zero dispersal resulted, as expected, in the greatest declines in projected range size across all species. Increasing climate change severity greatly increased the risk of decline in the 18 Banksia species, indicating the critical role of mitigating future emissions.Main conclusions  The combined effects of climate change and land transformation may have significant adverse impacts on endemic Proteaceae in the SWAFR, especially under high emissions scenarios and if, as expected, natural migration is limiting. Although these results need cautious interpretation in light of the many assumptions underlying the techniques used, the impacts identified warrant a clear focus on monitoring across species ranges to detect early signs of change, and experiments that determine physiological thresholds for species in order to validate and refine the models.
Thalidomide attenuates nitric oxide‐driven angiogenesis by interacting with soluble guanylyl cyclase
Authors: Majumder Syamantak , Rajaram Megha , Muley Ajit , Reddy Himabindu S , Tamilarasan KP , Kolluru Gopi Krishna , Sinha Swaraj , Siamwala Jamila H , Gupta Ravi , Ilavarasan R , Venkataraman S , Sivakumar KC , Anishetty Sharmila , Kumar Pradeep G , Chatterjee Suvro 
Published: November 2009

Background and purpose:  Nitric oxide (NO) promotes angiogenesis by activating endothelial cells. Thalidomide arrests angiogenesis by interacting with the NO pathway, but its putative targets are not known. Here, we have attempted to identify these targets.Experimental approach:  Cell‐based angiogenesis assays (wound healing of monolayers and tube formation in ECV304, EAhy926 and bovine arterial endothelial cells), along with ex vivo and in vivo angiogenesis assays, were used to explore interactions between thalidomide and NO. We also carried out in silico homology modelling and docking studies to elucidate possible molecular interactions of thalidomide and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC).Key results:  Thalidomide inhibited pro‐angiogenic functions in endothelial cell cultures, whereas 8‐bromo‐cGMP, sildenafil (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) or a NO donor [sodium nitroprusside (SNP)] increased these functions. The inhibitory effects of thalidomide were reversed by adding 8‐bromo‐cGMP or sildenafil, but not by SNP. Immunoassays showed a concentration‐dependent decrease of cGMP in endothelial cells with thalidomide, without affecting the expression level of sGC protein. These results suggested that thalidomide inhibited the activity of sGC. Molecular modelling and docking experiments revealed that thalidomide could interact with the catalytic domain of sGC, which would explain the inhibitory effects of thalidomide on NO‐dependent angiogenesis.Conclusion and implications:  Our results showed that thalidomide interacted with sGC, suppressing cGMP levels in endothelial cells, thus exerting its anti‐angiogenic effects. These results could lead to the formulation of thalidomide‐based drugs to curb angiogenesis by targeting sGC.
Bone marrow‐derived cells can acquire cardiac stem cells properties in damaged heart
Authors: Barile Lucio , Cerisoli Francesco , Frati Giacomo , Gaetani Roberto , Chimenti Isotta , Forte Elvira , Cassinelli Letizia , Spinardi Laura , Altomare Claudia , Kizana Eddy , Giacomello Alessandro , Messina Elisa , Ottolenghi Sergio , Magli Maria Cristina 
Published: November 2009

AbstractExperimental data suggest that cell‐based therapies may be useful for cardiac regeneration following ischaemic heart disease. Bone marrow (BM) cells have been reported to contribute to tissue repair after myocardial infarction (MI) by a variety of humoural and cellular mechanisms. However, there is no direct evidence, so far, that BM cells can generate cardiac stem cells (CSCs). To investigate whether BM cells contribute to repopulate the Kit+ CSCs pool, we transplanted BM cells from transgenic mice, expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of Kit regulatory elements, into wild‐type irradiated recipients. Following haematological reconstitution and MI, CSCs were cultured from cardiac explants to generate ‘cardiospheres’, a microtissue normally originating in vitro from CSCs. These were all green fluorescent (i.e. BM derived) and contained cells capable of initiating differentiation into cells expressing the cardiac marker Nkx2.5. These findings indicate that, at least in conditions of local acute cardiac damage, BM cells can home into the heart and give rise to cells that share properties of resident Kit+ CSCs.
Comparison of the effects of treatment of peri‐implant infection in animal and human studies: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Faggion Jr Clovis Mariano , Chambrone Leandro , Gondim Valéria , Schmitter Marc , Tu Yu‐Kang 
Published: November 2009

AbstractObjective: The main objective of this systematic review is to compare the effects of treatment of peri‐implant infection between animal and human studies.Material and methods: A literature search was conducted using the Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature databases up to and including May 2008. In addition, bibliographies of systematic reviews on peri‐implant diseases were searched manually. Non‐surgical and surgical treatments of peri‐implantitis/mucositis in animal models or human studies were compared. Meta‐analysis was conducted to investigate the difference between the reported treatment effects in animal and human studies. Changes in probing pocket depth (PPD) and probing attachment level (PAL) from baseline measurements were used as measures of outcome. Single‐level and multilevel meta‐regression analysis was performed by taking into account the different follow‐up times of the studies included.Results: The single‐level and multilevel random‐effects meta‐analysis showed that the difference in PPD reduction [0.31 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.27, 0.88] and in PAL gain (0.21 mm, 95% CI: −0.47, 0.88) between animal and human studies was not statistically significant. The random‐effects meta‐regression suggested that studies with longer follow‐up times revealed greater PPD reduction (0.25 mm per month, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.35). However, when the different follow‐up times were taken into account, these differences became greater. Substantial heterogeneity between studies was found in the meta‐analyses (I2=97.6% for animal studies and 99.9% for human studies).Conclusion: There was great heterogeneity between human and animal studies in terms of study designs and treatment procedures. Therefore, the results from this meta‐analysis should be interpreted with caution. Heterogeneity between studies and its causes merit further investigations. To cite this article:
Faggion CM Jr, Chambrone L, Gondim V, Schmitter M, Tu Y‐K. Comparison of the effects of treatment of peri‐implant infection in animal and human studies: systematic review and meta‐analysis. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 137–147. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2009.01753.x
Dental health behaviour in relation to caries status among medical and dental undergraduate students of Udaipur district, India
Authors: Kumar S , Motwani K , Dak N , Balasubramanyam G , Duraiswamy P , Kulkarni S 
Published: November 2009

To cite this article:

Int J Dent Hygiene  DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2008.00346.x Kumar S, Motwani K, Dak N, Balasubramanyam G, Duraiswamy P, Kulkarni S. Dental health behaviour in relation to caries status among medical and dental undergraduate students of Udaipur district, India.Abstract:  Objective:  To compare the caries status and oral hygiene behaviour of dental and medical students and to assess the influence of oral hygiene behaviour on the caries status.Methods:  A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour along with clinical examination to asses the caries status. A total of 403 dental and medical students enrolled with Rajasthan University of Health Sciences of Udaipur district, India were recruited in the study.Results:  56.4% of dental students brushed their teeth twice daily compared to 38.5% of medical students. There was no significant difference between the mean decayed components of males and females of dental stream, whereas among medical subjects, males had a higher decayed score than females (P = 0.012). The mean behaviour score obtained by dental students (19.38) was greater than that of medical students (18.34). Moreover, medical students presented a higher decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) score (1.96) than dental students (1.16). Subjects who had a habit of brushing after every meal showed lower DMFT score (1.4) than those who brushed only once a day (1.64). Step‐wise linear regression analysis revealed that course of education and final behaviour score were the best predictors for the DMFT status.Conclusion:  This study revealed significant differences between the oral hygiene behaviour and caries status of dental and medical students; furthermore, caries status was significantly influenced by the oral hygiene behaviour.
Bandage pressure measurement and training: simple interventions to improve efficacy in compression bandaging
Authors: Keller Anita , Müller Marcel L , Calow Trevis , Kern Ingrid K , Schumann Hauke 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTCompression bandaging is a major cornerstone in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. Its efficacy considerably depends on the applied pressure and it is therefore largely dependent on the individual applying the system. The sub‐bandage pressure was measured under three consecutive compression bandages applied by 21 nurses before and after training and the introduction of a pressure monitor (Kikuhime®, MediTrade, Denmark). A questionnaire was used to evaluate the self‐rating before and after the intervention. Before intervention, a questionnaire showed the confidence of the nurses in reaching sufficient sub‐bandage pressure levels. However, 34·9% of all bandages were shown to be insufficient before intervention (< 20 or ≥ 60 mmHg) and only 17·5% after intervention, representing a statistically significant improvement through intervention. Of the insufficient bandages, 77·3% were applied by nurses with more than 10 years of working experience. Furthermore, the mean sub‐bandage pressure in active standing position, a marker for the working pressure, was improved form 38·7 to 64·3 mmHg after intervention. Continuous awareness and training are necessary to maintain sufficient compression bandaging. The availability of a pressure monitor was helpful to reach this goal. Long work experience and self‐rating alone is not sufficient to maintain adequate quality in compression bandaging.
The operative treatment of pressure wounds: a 10‐year experience in flap selection
Authors: Ahluwalia Romy , Martin Daniel , Mahoney James L 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTThis study sought to both assist in the selection of flaps for ischial pressure wound reconstruction and evaluate the overall complication rates associated with reconstruction. A retrospective medical record review was conducted for 78 patients following the surgical reconstruction of an ischial pressure sore. Records were reviewed for demographics, location of sores, methods of reconstruction and flap selection, as well as any complications and recurrences. A total of 72 wounds were reconstructed with an average of 1·4 flaps used per wound. An ischial flap complication rate of 16% was observed in flap follow‐up, with a recurrence rate of 7% recorded. The vast majority of complications went on to heal with 15% of patients requiring a second reconstruction. Our relatively large sample of ischial flaps allowed for a close comparison with previously published work. Both flap selection and site of reconstruction significantly affected the success rates for pressure sore coverage. The overall complication rates by flap and reconstructive site in this review are lower than previously published reports. Our experience with ischial reconstruction was extensive enough to suggest a posterior medial thigh fasciocutaneous flap combined with a biceps femoris muscle flap as a first choice in ischial pressure wound reconstruction.