bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managerial Traits and Capital Structure Decisions
Authors: Hackbarth Dirk 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis article incorporates well-documented managerial traits into a tradeoff model of capital structure to study their impact on corporate financial policy and firm value. Optimistic and/or overconfident managers choose higher debt levels and issue new debt more often but need not follow a pecking order. The model also surprisingly uncovers that these managerial traits can play a positive role. Biased managers' higher debt levels restrain them from diverting funds, which increases firm value by reducing this manager-shareholder conflict. Although higher debt levels delay investment, mildly biased managers' investment decisions can increase firm value by reducing this bondholder-shareholder conflict.
Style Investing and Institutional Investors
Authors: Froot Kenneth , Teo Melvyn 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis Paper explores the importance and price implications of style investing by institutional investors in the stock market. To analyze styles, we assign stocks to deciles or segments across three style dimensions: size, value/growth, and sector. we find strong evidence that institutional investors reallocate and sector. We find strong evidence that institutional investors reallocate across style groupings more intensively than across random stock groupings. In addition, we show that own segment style inflows and refurns positively forecast future stock returns, which distant segament style inflows and returns forecast negatively. We argue that behavioral theories play a role in explaining these results.
Blockholder Scarcity, Takeovers, and Ownership Structures
Authors: Gorton Gary , Kahl Matthias 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAgency problems in firms are prevalent because of a scarcity of wealthy principals with corporate governance ability, whom we call “restructuring specialists.” We investigate how this scarce resource, “agency cost-free capital,” is allocated. We show that the restructuring specialists may acquire blocks only in those states of the worls in which they can increase firm value the most, which corresponds to a takeover. Firms with dispersed ownership and firms with a financial intermediary as a blockholder can coexist, although they are otherwise identical. The moderl can explain differences in corporate ownership structures and restructuring mechanisms across economies.
Using Innovative Securities under Asymmetric Information: Why Do Some Firms Pay with Contingent Value Rights?
Authors: Chatterjee Sris , Yan An 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis paper provides the first theoretical explanation and the first empirical analysis of contingent value rights (CVRs), which have been used as a means of payment in acquisitions, exchange offers, debt restructurings, Chapter 11 reorganizations, and lawsuit settlements. A CVR is a put option committing to pay additional cash or securities to CVR holders, contingent on the issuer's share price falling below a prespecified reference level. In this paper, we develop a model to show that CVRs can help a higher-intrinsic-value firm to reveal its firm type when the firm faces an asymmetric information problem. Our model predicts that i) when CVRs are offered along with cash or stock, the announcement period abnormal stock return is greater than that in stock offers, ii) firms facing more severe asymmetric information problems are more likely to offer CVRs to signal their firm type, and iii) firms that are relatively more cash-constrained are more likely to offer CVRs rather than cash. We test all three predictions using a sample of mergers and acquisitions. Our empirical results are consistent with the predictions of the model.
Management of the narrow nose
Authors: Wallace H , Sood S , Rafferty A 
Published: April 2009

AbstractNasal obstruction is one of the most common complaints in the otolaryngology clinic. It can be a complex problem and may be multifactorial. Nasal valve dysfunction can be a cause of nasal obstruction, particularly in patients who have undergone previous reduction rhinoplasty. The exact site of the nasal valve is contentious and is frequently subdivided into the internal and external nasal valves. Accurate assessment is crucial for correct diagnosis and management planning. Various surgical and non-surgical techniques for addressing the problem of nasal valve collapse have been described in the literature. The choice of technique will depend on the causative pathology, availability of graft material, surgical experience and patient preference.
Laryngomalacia in a 12-year-old child after laryngeal mask use
Authors: Sproson E L , Madden G J , Turner M W A 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective:We present an unusual case of a 12-year-old child with state-dependent laryngomalacia presenting after anaesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway.Method:Current literature on state-dependent laryngomalacia and injury following laryngeal mask use is reviewed.Results:A child who had previously suffered with laryngomalacia as an infant presented with disturbed breathing at night and during exercise. After anaesthesia using a laryngeal mask airway, these symptoms became more pronounced. Microlaryngoscopy revealed laryngomalacic type movement of the larynx.Conclusion:Our case seems to support a more complex, multifactorial aetiology for laryngomalacia, including both the neurological control of the larynx as well as its structure.
Facial nerve decompression via middle fossa approach for hyperostosis cranialis interna: a feasible therapeutic approach
Authors: Waterval J J , Stokroos R J , De Bondt R B J , Manni J J 
Published: April 2009

AbstractHyperostosis cranialis interna is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by endosteal hyperostosis and osteosclerosis of the skull base and calvaria, leading to compression and dysfunction of cranial nerves I, II, VII and VIII.Case report:We report the use of bilateral surgical decompression of the internal auditory canals to treat hyperostosis cranialis interna in an eight-year-old girl presenting with bilateral facial palsy due to hyperostosis cranialis interna.Intervention and outcome:Using a middle fossa craniotomy approach, both internal auditory canals were unroofed and cranial nerves VII and VIII were decompressed, with a one-year interval between sides. The mimic function recovered. One year post-operatively, the right and left facial sides had been restored to House–Brackmann grades I and II, respectively.Conclusion:This is the first report of the use of surgical decompression of the internal auditory canal in a case of hyperostosis cranialis interna. Surgical decompression of the internal auditory canal is recommended therapeutically, but may also be performed prophylactically in younger patients with hyperostosis cranialis interna.
Function-based failure propagation for conceptual design
Authors: Krus Daniel , Grantham Lough Katie 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWhen designing a product, the earlier the potential risks can be identified, the more costs can be saved, as it is easier to modify a design in its early stages. Several methods exist to analyze the risk in a system, but all require a mature design. However, by applying the concept of “common interfaces” to a functional model and utilizing a historical knowledge base, it is possible to analyze chains of failures during the conceptual phase of product design. This paper presents a method based on these common interfaces to be used in conjunction with other methods such as risk in early design to allow a more complete risk analysis during the conceptual design phase. Finally, application of this method is demonstrated in a design setting by applying it to a thermal control subsystem.
The effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and metformin on in vitro developmental competence of bovine oocytes
Authors: Hong So Gun , Jang Goo , Oh Hyun Ju , Koo Ok Jae , Park Jung Eun , Park Hee Jung , Kang Sung Keun , Lee Byeong Chun 
Published: April 2009

SummaryBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling via tyrosine kinase B receptors may play an important role in ovarian development and function. It has been reported that metformin elevates the activity of Tyrosine kinase receptors and may amplify BDNF signalling. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of BDNF during in vitro maturation (IVM) and/or in vitro culture (IVC) (Experiment 1), and to evaluate the collaborative effect of BDNF and metformin treatment on the developmental competence of bovine in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, BDNF, which was added to our previously established IVM systems, significantly increased the proportions of MII oocytes at both 10 ng/ml (86.7%) and 100 ng/ml (85.4%) compared with the control (64.0%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in blastocyst development between the control or BDNF-supplemented groups. In Experiment 2, in order to investigate the effect of BDNF (10 ng/ml) and/or metformin (10−5 M) per se, TCM-199 without serum and hormones was used as the control IVM medium. The BDNF (48.3%) and BDNF plus metformin (56.5%) significantly enhanced the proportions of MII oocytes compared with the control (34.4%). Although, BDNF or metformin alone had no effect in embryo development, BDNF plus metformin significantly improved early embryo development to the 8–16-cell stage compared with the control (16.5 vs. 5.5%). In conclusion, the combination of BDNF and metformin may have a collaborative effect during the IVM period. These results could further contribute to the establishment of a more efficient bovine in vitro embryo production system.
Patterns of food insecurity and participation in food assistance programmes over time in the elderly
Authors: Kim Kirang , Frongillo Edward A 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to understand the relationship between need and help-seeking behaviour in older adults by examining the patterns of food insecurity and participation in food assistance programmes (FAP), i.e. the Food Stamp Program and home-delivered meals.DesignData from two longitudinal studies were used. The studies were designed to obtain nationally representative information on health, insurance coverage, financial status, family support systems, labour market status and retirement planning, every two years: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 1996–2002) and Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD, 1995–2002).SettingUSA.SubjectsThere were 7623 participants for HRS and 3378 for AHEAD.ResultsThe older adults appeared to have persistent patterns between food insecurity and participation in FAP, especially in the Food Stamp Program. More persistently food-insecure older adults had higher participation in FAP (P < 0·001). Food-insecure older adults at one time were more likely to shift from non-participation to participation in FAP the next time than food-secure older adults (P < 0·001). Regardless of previous food insecurity status, previous participants in FAP were more likely to participate subsequently.ConclusionsThe relationship between need and help-seeking behaviour in older adults was found to follow a persistent positive pattern, determined by looking at the patterns of food insecurity and participation in FAP. Although food insecurity as a need is a good predictor of participation in FAP, it is not enough to fully predict participation in FAP. Help-seeking behaviour (i.e. previous programme participation) is also important in predicting participation in FAP.
An Unlikely Synergy: Lou Harrison and Arnold Schoenberg
Authors: NEFF SEVERINE 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis essay addresses the unlikely but profound synergy between Arnold Schoenberg and Lou Harrison. Despite their personal rapport and mutual interests in visual art, they held antithetical beliefs about the nature of musical composition. Schoenberg maintained that a composition was the presentation of a metaphysical “Idea.” Harrison saw composition as the process of systematically gathering and assembling resources and techniques.After studying with Henry Cowell and Schoenberg, Harrison displayed a fascination with musical resources that led him to compose twelve-tone works using disparate compositional tools. A 1937 piano piece combines Schoenberg's methods of variation with Cowell's and Seeger's techniques of “dissonation.” The “Conductus” from the 1942 Suite for Piano, a work inspired by Schoenberg'sSuite für Klavier, op. 25, explores all twelve prime forms of the row in light of Cage's square-root form. A nontonal 1944 string quartet ends on a triad like Schoenberg'sOde to Napoleon, op. 41.In the 1950s Harrison rejected the aims of the total-serialist movement and found his own voice in just intonation instead. By the 1980s all vestiges of twelve-tone technique disappeared from his pieces; however, analogous serial techniques resurfaced in his paintings. Thus Harrison retained deep respect for Schoenberg as a composer, teacher, and friend.
Endostar, a recombined humanized endostatin, enhances the radioresponse for human nasopharyngeal carcinoma and human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts in mice
Authors: Wen Qing‐Lian , Meng Mao‐Bin , Yang Bo , Tu Ling‐Li , Jia Li , Zhou Lin , Xu Yong , Lu You 
Published: April 2009

The purpose of this paper is to determine the efficacy of combining radiation therapy with endostar, a recombined humanized endostatin, in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma and human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts. Tumor xenografts were established in the hind limb of male athymic nude mice (BALB/c‐nu) by subcutaneous transplantation. The tumor‐bearing mice were assigned into four treatment groups: sham therapy (control), endostar (20 mg/kg, once daily for 10 days), radiation therapy (6 Gray per day to 30 Gray, once a day for 1 week), and endostar plus radiation therapy (combination). The experiment was repeated and mice were killed at days 3, 6, and 10 after initiation therapy, and the tumor tissues and blood samples were collected to analyze the kinetics of antitumor, antiangiogenesis, and antivascularization responses of different therapies. In human nasopharyngeal carcinoma and human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts, endostar significantly enhanced the effects of tumor growth inhibition, endothelial cell and tumor cell apoptosis induction, and improved tumor cell hypoxia of radiation therapy. Histological analyses demonstrated that endostar plus radiation also induced a significant reduction in microvascular density, microvascular area, and vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 expression compared with radiation and endostar alone respectively. We concluded that endostar significantly sensitized the function of radiation in antitumor and antiangiogenesis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma and human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts by increasing the apoptosis of the endothelial cell and tumor cell, improving the hypoxia of the tumor cell, and changing the proangiogenic factors. These data provided a rational basis for clinical practice of this multimodality therapy. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Epidermoid anal cancer prognosis comparison among HIV+ and HIV− patients
Authors: ABRAMOWITZ L. , MATHIEU N. , ROUDOT‐THORAVAL F. , LEMARCHAND N. , BAUER P. , HENNEQUIN C. , MITRY E. , ROMELAER C. , APARICIO T. , SOBHANI I. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryBackground  Previous studies suggest a poor prognosis of epidermoid anal cancer in HIV+ patients.Aim  To investigate the long‐term outcome of epidermoid anal cancer in HIV+ and HIV− patients in the highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) era.Methods  We included all patients with epidermoid anal cancer referred to six hospitals from 1998 to 2004.Results  In all, 151 patients (44 HIV+, 107 HIV−) were reviewed retrospectively for 27 (median of 16–44) months. HIV+ patients were male (100% vs. 27%, P < 0.001) and younger (45 vs. 62 years old, P < 0.001) than HIV− patients. No significant differences were observed in the tumour stage, pelvic radiotherapy dose or concomitant chemotherapy, according to the HIV status. After chemoradiotherapy, similar numbers of HIV+ and HIV− patients had grade III‐IV toxicity. A complete response was obtained in 82% and 75% (N.S.) of cases, respectively. The disease‐free survival rates were 77% and 67% (N.S.) and the overall survival rates were 85% and 84% (N.S.), respectively, after 3 years of follow‐up. Duration of HIV infection, viral load and CD4 count had no effect on the survival rate of HIV+ patients with EAC.Conclusions  The clinical outcome of HIV+ patients with epidermoid anal cancer is similar to that of HIV− patients. Therefore, the same therapeutic guidelines should be applied to both populations.
Predicting the outcome of oral food challenges with hen's egg through skin test end‐point titration
Authors: Tripodi S. , Di Rienzo Businco A. , Alessandri C. , Panetta V. , Restani P. , Matricardi P. M. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryBackground
Oral food challenge (OFC) is the diagnostic ‘gold standard’ of food allergies but it is laborious and time consuming. Attempts to predict a positive OFC through specific IgE assays or conventional skin tests so far gave suboptimal results.Objective
To test whether skin test with titration curves predict with enough confidence the outcome of an oral food challenge.Methods
Children (n=47; mean age 6.2 ± 4.2 years) with suspected and diagnosed allergic reactions to hen's egg (HE) were examined through clinical history, physical examination, oral food challenge, conventional and end‐point titrated skin tests with HE white extract and determination of serum specific IgE against HE white. Predictive decision points for a positive outcome of food challenges were calculated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for HE white using IgE concentration, weal size and end‐point titration (EPT).Results
OFC was positive (Sampson's score 3) in 20/47 children (42.5%). The area under the ROC curve obtained with the EPT method was significantly bigger than the one obtained by measuring IgE‐specific antibodies (0.99 vs. 0.83, P<0.05) and weal size (0.99 vs. 0.88, P<0.05). The extract's dilution that successfully discriminated a positive from a negative OFC (sensitivity 95%, specificity 100%) was 1 : 256, corresponding to a concentration of 5.9 μg/mL of ovotransferrin, 22.2 μg/mL of ovalbumin, and 1.4 μg/mL of lysozyme.Conclusion
EPT is a promising approach to optimize the use of skin prick tests and to predict the outcome of OFC with HE in children. Further studies are needed to test whether this encouraging finding can be extended to other populations and food allergens.
A cohort study of the effects of serum osteoprotegerin and osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms on cardiovascular mortality in elderly women
Authors: Ueland Thor , Wilson Scott G. , Amirul Islam F. M. , Mullin Ben , Devine Amanda , Bollerslev Jens , Zhu Kun , Prince Richard L. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryObjective  To investigate the role of serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and OPG gene polymorphisms in relation to cardiovascular (CV) and all‐cause mortality in elderly women.Background  The OPG/RANK/RANKL plays a vital role in bone cell biology. It has also been detected in myocardial tissue and atherosclerotic plaques. In some population studies, OPG and OPG gene polymorphisms have been associated with CV disease risk.Design, measurements and results  In an 8·5‐year cohort population study of 1333 postmenopausal women mean age 75·2 ± 2·7 years, serum OPG concentrations above the median were associated with an increased risk of all‐cause [odds ratio (OR) 1·39 (1·04–1·85)], and in particular CV mortality [OR 1·83 (1·10–3·05)], before and after adjusting for age, BMI, treated hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, previous HRT use, calcium supplementation and smoking. Genotyping the OPG gene did not provide further information on the association between OPG and CV risk or mortality events.Conclusions  Raised osteoprotegerin appears to be an independent risk factor for total and CV death and thus has potential as a useful biomarker of risk as well as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Influence of genetic polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTM3, GSTT1 and GSTP1 on allograft outcome in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Singh Ranjana , Manchanda Parmeet K. , Kesarwani Pravin , Srivastava Aneesh , Mittal Rama D. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are important in protection against xenobiotic compounds and toxicity caused by immunosuppressants in renal transplant recipients. In the present study we hypothesize that genetic variability in GSTM1, GSTM3, GSTP1 and GSTT1 genes may be associated with allograft outcome.Methods:  The study included 223 controls and 273 transplant recipients categorized into 184 stable graft function (SGF), 57 rejection episodes (RE) and 32 delayed graft function (DGF). The polymorphism was studied using multiplex PCR and PCR‐RFLP.Results:  GSTM1 null genotype showed a 3.35‐fold higher risk for rejection in SGF vs. RE category [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27–8.84, p = 0.014]. Mutant (G) allele of GSTP1 was associated with a 5.52‐fold risk for DGF (95% CI 1.37–22.17, p = 0.016). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed significantly lower mean time to first RE in null genotype as compared with GSTM1 present patients (Log p = 0.002). The dose adjusted C2 levels in null genotype was higher as compared with GSTM1 present patients at one (p = 0.007) and three months (p = 0.027) post transplantation.Conclusion:  Patients with variant genotype of GSTM1 and GSTP1 were at higher risk for rejection and delayed functioning of the allograft, respectively, supporting the hypothesis for involvement of GST isoform variants in allograft outcome in renal transplant recipients.
Silent synapses onto interneurons in the rat CA1 stratum radiatum
Authors: Riebe Ilse , Gustafsson Bengt , Hanse Eric 
Published: April 2009

AbstractGlutamate transmission to γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons and to principal neurons differs in various important respects. Whether these differences exist from an early developmental stage, or result from differential development from a more common state, is unclear. In the hippocampal CA1 area, glutamate transmission to the developing, but not to the adult, principal neurons is characterized by the presence of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) silent synapses and of AMPA silencing induced by test pulse stimulation (0.03–1 Hz). In the present study, we examined whether this developmental difference in AMPA signaling is also true for glutamate transmission to CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons. We found that AMPA silent synapses onto these interneurons also exist, and that they can be generated by test pulse stimulation. In marked contrast to AMPA silencing in principal neurons, AMPA silencing in interneurons was not developmentally restricted, but was observed to the same extent after the first postnatal month as in the second postnatal week. In addition, we found that glutamate synapses onto these interneurons can also be N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐silent, that is, only AMPA‐signaling. After test pulse stimulation, the AMPA‐silent, the NMDA‐silent and the AMPA/NMDA‐signaling synapses onto the developing interneurons were estimated to be about equally frequent. These results highlight a diversity of glutamate signaling to CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons, and they indicate that the glutamate synapses onto pyramidal neurons and to interneurons can mature differentially.