bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing the pecking order theory: the importance of methodology
Authors: Vasiliou Dimitrios , Eriotis Nikolaos , Daskalakis Nikolaos 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that different methodologies may lead to different implications about the validity of the pecking order theory.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from Greek firms as a starting‐point, the paper first investigates whether they follow the financing pattern implied by the pecking order theory and then illustrates that conclusions concerning the pecking order should be carefully shaped by researchers, as the methodology used can be misleading. Two different information sources are used; the first is data derived from the financial statements of the Greek firms listed in the Athens Exchange, while the second comprises the answers to a detailed questionnaire.FindingsIt is shown that a negative relationship between leverage and profitability does not necessarily mean that the pecking order financing hierarchy holds. Analysis should not rely solely on the mean‐oriented regression quantitative analysis to test the pecking order theory, as it refers to a distinct hierarchy.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should focus on investigating the reasons that underlie actual firm financing.Practical implicationsThe fact that the pecking order is actually a hierarchy makes research in this field more complex. Analysts should consider this special feature of the pecking order approach when analyzing the existence of the pecking order financing pattern. The methodology followed is of crucial importance in the analysis of the existence of the pecking order financing pattern.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper to test the pecking order pattern of financing using simultaneously quantitative and qualitative data, and to compare results and conclusions drawn from these two different types of methodology.
The investment decision‐making process from a risk manager's perspective: a survey
Authors: Masood Omar , Aktan Bora , Chaudhary Sahil 
Published: June 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify associations between various inputs in the investment decision process of Saudi Arabian risk managers (RMs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports the views of 81 RMs in Saudi Arabia regarding their approach to investment risk and uses these as inputs into conditional independence graphs.FindingsSaudi RMs favour their experience and personal judgment over mathematical projections and statistical models when considering investment risk. A need remains for an efficient risk‐modeling framework for the banking system that has more practical value than those which have emerged to date.Originality/valueThe paper provides novel insights on issues such as the extent to which risk management is dealt with in practice via personal experience rather than statistical‐based projections. The findings also shed light on the level of satisfaction amongst RMs and regulators with the incentives provided in the Saudi Arabian environment, and the importance placed on guidance from the nation's leading regulatory institution.
Gender in family business ownership and management: a six‐country analysis
Authors: Sonfield Matthew C. , Lussier Robert N. 
Published: June 2009

PurposeWhile family firms constitute a highly important component of most countries' economies, and in many countries a sizable portion of these family businesses are owned and managed by women, there has been minimal study of gender issues in family business ownership and management. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap.Design/methodology/approachThe research design was self‐reported survey research, which is the most commonly used methodology in family business research and for small business and entrepreneurship quantitative research.FindingsIn contrast to early (pre‐1980) gender comparisons in management and entrepreneurship, and in support of the majority of more recent studies, this investigation found no significant relationships between the gender of family business owner‐managers and ten management characteristic variables in a sample of 593 family businesses in six countries.Originality/valueThese findings add to the limited and currently inconclusive body of knowledge regarding gender issues specifically in family business, and more generally in entrepreneurship and management.
The Diva storyline: an alternative social construction of female entrepreneurship
Authors: Smith Robert 
Published: June 2009

PurposeMany “Divas” despite possessing destructive character traits ironically become successful entrepreneurs thus illustrating an alternative “storied” social construction of entrepreneurship. This influences how female entrepreneurs are perceived in the popular press and can be manipulated as an alternative entrepreneurial reality. The purpose of this paper is to build upon research into entrepreneurial identity introducing the “Diva” concept.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative methodological approach involves an analysis of biographies of famous Diva's to identify common themes; and an internet trawl to identify supplementary micro‐biographies and newspaper articles on “Divas”. This tripartite approach allows rich data to be collected permitting a comparative analysis.FindingsThis empirical paper presents the socially constructed nature of entrepreneurial narrative and the “Diva storyline” demonstrating the influence of journalistic licence upon how successful women are portrayed. The paper adds incremental credence to power of male‐dominated journalistic practices to vilify enterprising behaviour to sell newspapers.Research limitations/implicationsAn obvious limitation to the work is that the sample of articles and biographies selected were chosen via search parameters which mention the word “Diva”. Nevertheless, there is scope for further “more detailed” research into the phenomenon to flesh out the model built in this preliminary paper.Practical implicationsAn important implication for scholars and journalists is the need to reconsider how we tell and decode entrepreneur stories. As researchers, we need to recognise that there are other avenues for women to become entrepreneurs than to become businesswomen and that it is alright for women to reject the “entrepreneur” label.Originality/valueThis paper informs our understanding of the socially constructed nature of how we tell, understand and appreciate entrepreneur stories. It thus makes a unique contribution by illustrating that the storylines which constitute the “Diva cycle” are constructed from the same storylines that we associate with entrepreneur stories but narrated in a different order. It provides another heuristic device for understanding the social construction of gendered entrepreneurial identities making it of interest to feminist scholars of entrepreneurship and to social constructionists alike.
Behavioral intervention to promote smoking cessation and prevent weight gain: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Spring Bonnie , Howe Dorothea , Berendsen Mark , McFadden H. Gene , Hitchcock Kristin , Rademaker Alfred W. , Hitsman Brian 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTAims  The prospect of weight gain discourages many cigarette smokers from quitting. Practice guidelines offer varied advice about managing weight gain after quitting smoking, but no systematic review and meta‐analysis have been available. We reviewed evidence to determine whether behavioral weight control intervention compromises smoking cessation attempts, and if it offers an effective way to reduce post‐cessation weight gain.Methods  We identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared combined smoking treatment and behavioral weight control to smoking treatment alone for adult smokers. English‐language studies were identified through searches of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Of 779 articles identified and 35 potentially relevant RCTs screened, 10 met the criteria and were included in the meta‐analysis.Results  Patients who received both smoking treatment and weight treatment showed increased abstinence [odds ratio (OR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01, 1.64] and reduced weight gain (g = −0.30, 95% CI = −0.57, −0.02) in the short term (<3 months) compared with patients who received smoking treatment alone. Differences in abstinence (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.85, 1.79) and weight control (g = −0.17, 95% CI = −0.42, 0.07) were no longer significant in the long term (>6 months).Conclusions  Findings provide no evidence that combining smoking treatment and behavioral weight control produces any harm and significant evidence of short‐term benefit for both abstinence and weight control. However, the absence of long‐term enhancement of either smoking cessation or weight control by the time‐limited interventions studied to date provides insufficient basis to recommend societal expenditures on weight gain prevention treatment for patients who are quitting smoking.
The utility of online panel surveys versus computer‐assisted interviews in obtaining substance‐use prevalence estimates in the Netherlands
Authors: Spijkerman Renske , Knibbe Ronald , Knoops Kim , Van De Mheen Dike , Van Den Eijnden Regina 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTAims  Rather than using the traditional, costly method of personal interviews in a general population sample, substance‐use prevalence rates can be derived more conveniently from data collected among members of an online access panel. To examine the utility of this method, we compared the outcomes of an online survey with those obtained with the computer‐assisted personal interviews (CAPI) method.Design  Data were gathered from a large sample of online panellists and in a two‐stage stratified sample of the Dutch population using the CAPI method.Setting  The Netherlands.Participants  The online sample comprised 57 125 Dutch online panellists (15–64 years) of Survey Sampling International LLC (SSI), and the CAPI cohort 7204 respondents (15–64 years).Measurements  All participants answered identical questions about their use of alcohol, cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and performance‐enhancing drugs. The CAPI respondents were asked additionally about internet access and online panel membership. Both data sets were weighted statistically according to the distribution of demographic characteristics of the general Dutch population.Findings  Response rates were 35.5% (n = 20 282) for the online panel cohort and 62.7% (n = 4516) for the CAPI cohort. The data showed almost consistently lower substance‐use prevalence rates for the CAPI respondents. Although the observed differences could be due to bias in both data sets, coverage and non‐response bias were higher in the online panel survey.Conclusions  Despite its economic advantage, the online panel survey showed stronger non‐response and coverage bias than the CAPI survey, leading to less reliable estimates of substance use in the general population.
Shoreline trajectories on a glacially influenced stable margin – insight from the Barents Sea Shelf, NW Russia
Authors: Jensen Maria A. , Larsen Eiliv 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTThis study describes shoreline migration paths for late Quaternary sediments on the inner Barents Sea shelf between Kola and the Pechora Sea. The depositional geometries provide an example of stratigraphical architecture in a glacially influenced basin prone to isostatic movements as well as rapid and high‐amplitude changes in eustatic sea level. The depositional geometries reflect asymmetrical relative sea level changes characterised by marine inundation upon deglaciation and prolonged forced regressions. Thus, all deposition occurs during the falling stage and lowstand systems tracts. The transgressive and highstand systems tracts are lacking and the maximum landward position of the shoreline is coinciding with the basal surface of forced regression. Shoreline migration is dominated by downward and seaward trajectories, but aggradation occurs on the falling limb of the relative sea level curve due to superimposed eustatic cycles of lower hierarchical order. Fluvial aggradation behind the shoreline takes place during the lowstand systems tract, but is also linked to high sediment supply and may also respond to superimposed lower order sea level fluctuations. Lateral variations in isostatic load due to asynchronous ice advances lead to regional variations in shoreline trajectories. Significant differences in sea level history exist across former ice margins leading to time‐transgressive and laterally discontinuous stratigraphical surfaces. Sequence boundaries are not only diachronous along the depositional profile, but also laterally, and basal surfaces of forced regression are strongly diachronous across former ice margins. Absolute age control allows for estimates of the time differences along significant stratigraphical surfaces.
Rhabdomyolysis a result of azithromycin and statins: an unrecognized interaction
Authors: Strandell Johanna , Bate Andrew , Hägg Staffan , Edwards I Ralph 
Published: June 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Rhabdomyolysis is a serious but rare adverse effect of statins.• The mechanism of rhabdomyolysis with statins is poorly defined, but the occurrence is known to increase with dose/ concentration.• Some macrolides are known to interact with statins; however, azithromycin has not been described to interact with statins with the exception of two literature case reports. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • A case series in the World Health Organization Adverse Drug Reaction (WHO‐ADR) database was suggestive of a possible drug interaction between statins and azithromycin with rhabdomyolysis.• A disproportionality measure, Omega, was shown to identify previously not recognized suspected drug interactions within the WHO‐ADR dataset.AIMSIn a systematic screening of the World Health Organization Adverse Drug Reaction database, VigiBase, in July 2008, a measure of association used to detect interactions (Omega) highlighted azithromycin with the individual statins atorvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin and rhabdomyolysis. The aim was to examine all reports including rhabdomyolysis‐azithromycin and statins in VigiBase to assess if the data were suggestive of an interaction.METHODSThe individual case reports in VigiBase and the original files were reviewed. In order to investigate the reporting over time for rhabdomyolysis with azithromycin and statins to VigiBase, Omega values were generated retrospectively.RESULTSThe reporting over time showed that rhabdomyolysis under concomitant use of azithromycin and statins was reported more often than expected from 2000 and onwards in Vigibase. After exclusion of possible duplicates and follow‐up reports, 53 cases from five countries remained. Rhabdomyolysis occurred shortly after initiation of azithromycin in 23% of cases. In 11 patients an interaction had been suggested by the reporter. With the exception of one patient, the statin doses reported were within the recommended daily doses.CONCLUSIONSCase reports in VigiBase are suggestive that interactions between azithromycin and statins resulting in rhabdomyolysis may occur. This analysis showed the potential of the newly developed disproportionality measure, Omega, which can help to identify drug interactions in VigiBase in the future. The results also showed that reviewing spontaneous reports can add information to drug interactions not established previously.
Microarray analysis of placental tissue in intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Struwe E. , Berzl G. , Schild R. , Blessing H. , Drexel L. , Hauck B. , Tzschoppe A. , Weidinger M. , Sachs M. , Scheler C. , Schleussner E. , Dötsch J. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryObjective  Besides foetal or maternal disorders, placental dysfunction is a major cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Although numerous macro‐ and histopathological changes have been described, little is known about the precise aetiology and the contribution of foetal/placental genes in this disorder.Design  Placental tissues of 20 IUGR and control neonates were analysed by microarray technique. Four of the regulated genes with possible relevance in the pathogenesis of IUGR and its consequences were further studied in placentas of 27 IUGR and 35 control newborns.Results  Elevated gene expression of leptin, corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH), and IGF‐binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) in IUGR placentas could be confirmed in the larger group by real‐time PCR, whereas prolactin showed no significant difference. Accordingly, protein expression of leptin and IGFBP‐1 depicted by Western blot was elevated in IUGR, prolactin was not different. Birthweight standard deviation score (SDS) correlated negatively to leptin, IGFBP‐1, and CRH, whereas placental weight correlated only to IGFBP‐1. Leptin correlated negatively to gestational age of IUGR patients and positively to placental score, a marker of severity of impaired foeto‐placental circulation.Conclusions  As confirmed in a large group of IUGR and control samples, the up‐regulated factors leptin, IGFBP‐1, and CRH may serve as candidate genes for the prediction of subsequent metabolic consequences in IUGR newborns. These three factors may not only influence growth of the foetus, but might also interact with programming of its metabolic functions, which has to be determined in an ongoing study.
Harem size and oviposition behaviour in a polygynous bark beetle
Authors: LATTY TANYA M. , MAGRATH MICHAEL J. L. , SYMONDS MATTHEW R. E. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract. 1. Harem polygyny can have fitness benefits and costs on females. In bark beetles of the genus Ips the latter may include within‐harem competition between larvae. However, earlier competition between females for male care and mating opportunities may also influence oviposition behaviour. There has been relatively little investigation into the relationship between harem size and initial egg output. The present study investigated this relationship in the bark beetle Ips grandicollis.2. The measure of egg output used was the number of eggs in the gallery with the most eggs in each harem. Mean (±SE) harem size of 242 observed harems was 3.25 ± 0.10. A curvilinear relationship was found between egg output and harem size, with females in smaller harems (one to four females) laying more eggs with increased harem size. However, females in larger harems (five to seven females) laid fewer eggs as harem size increased. The optimal harem size (in terms of number of eggs laid) was close to four females.3. We found no evidence from a behavioural assay that females could preferentially choose unmated males over mated males with harems of two females. Additionally, the distribution of harem sizes suggests that females distribute themselves among males randomly.4. The results suggest that harem size has effects on female reproduction that extend beyond larval competition and influence patterns of oviposition. The mechanism that determines why egg laying is greatest at intermediate levels is unknown. There is no evidence that smaller harems belong to lower quality males, but females may adjust egg‐laying behaviour in large harems as a result of reduced male attendance or anticipated larval competition.
Grass invasion causes rapid increases in ecosystem carbon and nitrogen storage in a semiarid shrubland
Authors: WOLKOVICH ELIZABETH M. , LIPSON DAVID A. , VIRGINIA ROSS A. , COTTINGHAM KATHRYN L. , BOLGER DOUGLAS T. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAccurately predicting terrestrial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage requires understanding how plant invasions alter cycling and storage. A common, highly successful type of plant invasion occurs when the invasive species is of a distinctly different functional type than the native dominant plant, such as shrub encroachment throughout the western United States and annual grass invasions in Mediterranean shrublands, as studied here. Such invasions can dramatically transform landscapes and have large potential to alter C and N cycling by influencing storage in multiple pools. We used a manipulation of non‐native annual grass litter within a shrub‐dominated habitat in southern California (coastal sage scrub, CSS) to study how grass invasion alters ecosystem C and N storage. We added, removed, or left unchanged grass litter in areas of high and low invasion, then followed soil and vegetation changes. Grass litter greatly increased C and N storage in soil, aboveground native and non‐native biomass. Aboveground litter storage increased due to the greater inputs and slower decomposition of grass litter relative to shrub litter; shading by grass litter further reduced decomposition of both non‐native and native litter, which may be due to reduced photodegradation. Soil C and N pools in areas of high litter increased ∼20% relative to low litter areas in the two years following manipulation and were generally sinks for C and N, while areas with low litter were sources. We synthesize our results into a C cycle of invaded and uninvaded areas of CSS and link changes in storage to increases in the soil fungi : bacteria ratio, increased plant inputs, and decreased litter loss. Overall, we show that grasses, especially through their litter, control important abiotic and biotic mechanisms governing C and N storage, with widespread implications for C sequestration and N storage in semiarid systems undergoing grass or shrub invasions.
Accelerated induction of mycobacterial antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐infected lung by subcutaneous vaccination with Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin
Authors: Begum Dilara , Umemura Masayuki , Yahagi Ayano , Okamoto Yuko , Hamada Satoru , Oshiro Kiyotetsu , Matsuzaki Goro 
Published: June 2009

SummaryBoth CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are important in protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. To evaluate the effect of vaccination with Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) on the CD8+ T‐cell response to pulmonary M. tuberculosis infection, we analyzed the kinetics of CD8+ T cells specific to the mycobacterial Mtb32a309–318 epitope, which is shared by M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG, in the lung of mice infected with M. tuberculosis. The CD8+ T cells were detected by staining lymphocytes with pentameric major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I H‐2Db–Mtb32a209–318 peptide complex and were analysed by flow cytometry. Mtb32a‐specific CD8+ T cells became detectable on day 14, and reached a plateau on day 21, in the lung of M. tuberculosis‐infected unvaccinated mice. Subcutaneous vaccination with M. bovis BCG in the footpads induced Mtb32a‐specific CD8+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes (LNs) on day 7 and their numbers further increased on day 14. When M. bovis BCG‐vaccinated mice were exposed to pulmonaryinfection with M. tuberculosis 4 weeks after vaccination, the Mtb32a‐specific CD8+ T cells in the infected lung became detectable on day 7 and reached a plateau on day 14, which was 1 week earlier than in the unvaccinated mice. The pulmonary CD8+ T cells from the BCG‐vaccinated M. tuberculosis‐infected mice produced interferon‐γ in response to Mtb32a209–318 peptide on day 7 of the infection, whereas those of unvaccinated mice did not. The results demonstrate that induction of mycobacterial antigen‐specific protective CD8+ T cells in the M. tuberculosis‐infected lung is accelerated by subcutaneous vaccination with M. bovis BCG.