bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extending the bargaining power model
Authors: Lohrke Franz T. , Simpson Gina W. , Hunt David M. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to further develop the bargaining power model of political risk management by employing a historical case study to uncover issues not presently considered in the model.Design/methodology/approachIt first examines current political risk research, primarily focusing on the bargaining power model and then reviews a historical case study to demonstrate that the model remains incomplete. Next, both the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm and institutional theory are examined to develop propositions to guide future bargaining power research.FindingsExamining the bargaining power model by employing a historical case study of Panton, Leslie and Company, which operated in the present day Southeastern USA during its tumultuous colonization period, not only provides an interesting historical account of how one firm managed political risk, it suggests the need to modify the bargaining power model to consider both the specific resources required for differentiation and the need to balance differentiation and conformity pressures in managing political risk. Based on what this case study reveals about the model, it is suggested that the RBV provides insights into factors that may help an multinational enterprise (MNE) maintain its bargaining power based on differentiation even under changing environmental conditions. Further, it is suggested that institutional theory highlights conditions that make it more or less necessary for an MNE to conform to host government demands, which can reduce or enhance its bargaining power, respectively. Thus, in tandem, both may provide useful insights to produce a more “balanced” bargaining power view of political risk.Originality/valueFor practitioners, the findings highlight critical considerations in managing political risk by illustrating the need to balance differentiation and conformity. In addition, this review provides propositions to guide future empirical political risk research, especially studies focusing on bargaining power issues.
Knowledge management in monastic communities of the medieval Irish Celtic church
Authors: McGrath Paul 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to use the case of early medieval Irish monasticism to highlight the implicit a historicism of the knowledge management (KM) literature and to show how such a historical study can be used to increase the level of discourse and reflection within the contested and increasingly fragmented field of KM.Design/methodology/approachThe author uses secondary source analysis from a diversity of academic fields to examine the relatively sophisticated processes through which the monks gathered, codified, created, interpreted, disseminated and used religious and secular knowledge. The author then draws out a number of insights from this literature to aid current thinking on and debates within the field of KM.FindingsThe paper presents a church metaphor of KM operating at two levels. Internally the metaphor highlights the deliberate but politically contentious nature of knowledge creation, a process of developing both explicit and tacit knowledge among the monks, revolving around ideologies and cults, and primarily concerned with the avoidance, constraining and settling of controversies and debates. Externally, the metaphor highlights the political use of and the mediation of access to knowledge for the purposes of social position and influence.Originality/valueThis paper is original in providing a detailed consideration of KM activities within a specific early medieval historical context and in drawing from the study to contribute to current thinking within the field of KM.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CAPITAL STOCK, UNEMPLOYMENT AND WAGES IN NINE EMU COUNTRIES
Authors: Arestis Philip , Baddeley Michelle , Sawyer Malcolm 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTThe focus of this paper is to investigate the importance of the capital stock in the determination of wages and unemployment in a range of EMU countries and to compare the results across countries. A time‐series analysis is conducted in the case of nine euro area countries, which were selected solely on the basis of data availability and consistency: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. The paper begins with a short review of the literature on capital stock and unemployment, before it deals with the theoretical model. This is followed by estimation and testing of the theoretical model put forward, using both time‐series and panel data. The results are supportive of the main hypothesis of the paper: capital stock is an important determinant of unemployment and wages in the countries considered for the purposes of the paper.
R&D INVESTMENT, CREDIT RATIONING AND SAMPLE SELECTION
Authors: Piga Claudio A. , Atzeni Gianfranco 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTWe study whether R&D‐intensive firms are liquidity constrained, by modelling their antecedent decision to apply for credit. This sample selection issue is relevant when studying a borrower–lender relationship, as the same factors can influence the decisions of both parties. We find firms with no or low R&D intensity to be less likely to request extra funds. When they do, we observe a higher probability of being denied credit. Such a relationship is not supported by evidence from the R&D‐intensive firms. Thus, our findings lend support to the notion of credit constraints being severe only for a sub‐sample of innovative firms. Furthermore, the results suggest that the way in which the R&D activity is organized may differentially affect a firm's probability of being credit constrained.
Molecular characterization and functional importance of pectate lyase secreted by the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii
Authors: VANHOLME BARTEL , VAN THUYNE WOUTER , VANHOUTEGHEM KATRIEN , DE MEUTTER JAN , CANNOOT BERNARD , GHEYSEN GODELIEVE 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYTo analyse the parasitic behaviour of the plant‐parasitic nematode Heterodera schachtii, proteins secreted by this nematode were purified and separated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. Mass spectrometric analysis identified one of the spots as a pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2). The corresponding gene was cloned from a cDNA library using primers derived from the peptide tag. A second pectate lyase was cloned based on similarity to known pectate lyases of related cyst nematodes. The predicted proteins are only 29% identical. Despite the low homology, the proteins have a similar secondary structure and it is likely that they fold into a similar right‐handed β‐helix. Both proteins have a putative signal peptide for secretion, and in situ hybridization revealed that expression of the genes was limited to the subventral secretory glands. RT‐PCR showed that both genes were expressed in the migratory preparasitic stage although the level of expression between the two genes was different. Post‐transcriptional gene silencing by soaking the nematodes in double‐stranded RNA against the gene with the highest expression level affected the infection process of the nematode, which is in agreement with the general idea that pectate lyases are essential during migration of the nematode in the plant root.
Genes differentially expressed in Theobroma cacao associated with resistance to witches’ broom disease caused by Crinipellis perniciosa
Authors: LEAL GILDEMBERG AMORIM , ALBUQUERQUE PAULO S. B. , FIGUEIRA ANTONIO 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe basidiomycete Crinipellis perniciosa is the causal agent of witches’ broom disease of Theobroma cacao (cocoa). Hypertrophic growth of infected buds (‘brooms’) is the most dramatic symptom, but the main economic losses derive from pod infection. To identify cocoa genes differentially expressed during the early stages of infection, two cDNA libraries were constructed using the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) approach. Subtraction hybridization was conducted between cDNAs from infected shoot‐tips of the susceptible genotype ‘ICS 39’ and the resistant ‘CAB 214’, in both directions. A total of 187 unique sequences were obtained, with 83 from the library enriched for the susceptible ‘ICS 39’ sequences, and 104 for the resistant ‘CAB 214’. By homology search and ontology analyses, the identified sequences were mainly putatively categorized as belonging to ‘signal transduction’, ‘response to biotic and abiotic stress’, ‘metabolism’, ‘RNA and DNA metabolism’, ‘protein metabolism’ and ‘cellular maintenance’ classes. Quantitative reverse transcription amplification (RT‐qPCR) of 23 transcripts identified as differentially expressed between genotypes revealed distinct kinetics of gene up‐regulation at the asymptomatic stage of the disease. Expression induction in the susceptible ‘ICS 39’ in response to C. perniciosa was delayed and limited, while in ‘CAB 214’ there was a quicker and more intense reaction, with two peaks of gene induction at 48 and 120 h after inoculation, corresponding to morphological and biochemical changes previously described during colonization. Similar differences in gene induction were validated for another resistant genotype (‘CAB 208’) in an independent experiment. Validation of these genes corroborated similar hypothetical mechanisms of resistance described in other pathosystems.
The asthma–obesity link in childhood: open questions, complex evidence, a few answers only
Authors: Matricardi P. M. , Grüber C. , Wahn U. , Lau S. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryObesity and asthma are public health priorities in developed countries. Genes which may contribute to the control of both conditions include those encoding for the β2‐adrenergic receptor, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and the insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1). Prospective studies consistently supported a link between obesity and reported wheezing or asthma diagnosis in children. However, there are still no clear explanations for such a link. On one hand, overweight asthmatic children may perceive their asthma as worse. On the other hand, atopic sensitization and bronchial hyper‐reactivity do not explain the observed associations. After puberty, the association between asthma and obesity tends to be stronger in girls than in boys. It is conceivable that severe obesity in adolescent females may aggravate asthma through mechanisms different from those linking prepubertal obesity to unremitting asthma in males. Future studies should therefore address multiple age‐ and gender‐specific hypotheses about the mechanisms that link obesity to asthma throughout childhood.
Eczema, atopy and allergen exposure in adults: a population‐based study
Authors: Harrop J. , Chinn S. , Verlato G. , Olivieri M. , Norbäck D. , Wjst M. , Janson C. , Zock J.‐P. , Leynaert B. , Gislason D. , Ponzio M. , Villani S. , Carosso A. , Svanes C. , Heinrich J. , Jarvis D. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryBackground
There are few published studies on geographical variation in prevalence of eczema in adults or its association with recognised risk factors for allergic disease.Objective
To describe the geographical variation in prevalence of eczema in adults, assess the associations with sociodemographic risk factors, serum‐specific IgE and IgG, and exposure to allergen.Methods
A community‐based sample of 8206 adults aged 27–56 years, in 25 European centres and Portland, USA, provided questionnaire information on symptoms of eczema. Serum‐specific IgE to house dust mite (HDM), cat, grass and Cladosporium, and IgG and IgG4 to HDM and cat were measured. Mattress levels of mite and cat allergen were assessed.Results
Overall prevalence of eczema was 7.1% (range between countries of 2.2–17.6%). Eczema was associated with female gender [odds ratio (OR) 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.01–1.55)], family history of atopic disease (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.18–1.74), IgE sensitization to at least one allergen (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.19–1.90), particularly Cladosporium (OR 3.65; 95% CI 1.81–7.37), and total IgE. Eczema was negatively associated with age and no clear associations were observed with sibship size, mattress mite and cat allergen levels or with cat and HDM‐specific IgG or IgG4.Conclusions
There is geographical variation in the prevalence of eczema in adults both within and between countries. Although the disease is associated with IgE sensitization, in this study it was not related to mattress mite or cat allergen levels.
Near‐fatal asthma phenotype in the ENFUMOSA Cohort
Authors: Romagnoli M. , Caramori G. , Braccioni F. , Ravenna F. , Barreiro E. , Siafakas N. M. , Vignola A. M. , Chanez P. , Fabbri L. M. , Papi A. ,   and the ENFUMOSA Study Group
Published: April 2007

SummaryBackground
Near‐fatal asthma (NFA) is characterized by severe asthma attacks usually requiring intensive care unit admission. This phenotype of asthma has been studied mainly in acute conditions.Methods
The aim of our study was to compare the clinical, functional and inflammatory characteristics of NFA patients with mild to severe asthmatics in stable conditions. We recruited 155 asthmatic patients from five centres of the European Network for Understanding Mechanisms of Severe Asthma: 67 patients with mild‐to‐moderate asthma controlled by low/medium doses of inhaled corticosteroids; 64 with severe asthma that, despite treatment with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids, long‐acting β2‐agonists and for 1/3 also with regular oral corticosteroids, had at least one asthma exacerbation in the previous year; 24 with an NFA episode in the previous 5 years in the absence of inclusion criteria for the previous groups. All the patients were examined in stable conditions.Results
NFA patients were taking less corticosteroids and were less compliant to prescribed asthma medications than the other two groups of patients. Lung function, blood gases, atopic status, sputum and blood inflammatory cell count of NFA patients were similar to mild‐to‐moderate, but not severe, asthmatic patients.Conclusions
In stable conditions patients with an NFA attack in the previous 5 years cannot be distinguished from patients with mild‐to‐moderate asthma, while they are different from severe asthmatics both in terms of lung function and of airway inflammation. The risk factor that characterizes this group of patients is reduced usage of prophylactic corticosteroids.
Maternal fish intake during pregnancy and atopy and asthma in infancy
Authors: Romieu I. , Torrent M. , Garcia‐Esteban R. , Ferrer C. , Ribas‐Fitó N. , Antó J. M. , Sunyer J. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryBackground
There is growing evidence that n‐3 fatty acids have anti‐inflammatory properties and may modulate immune response. Dietary intake of these nutrients during pregnancy could play a role in the risk of asthma and atopy in the offspring.Methods
Using data from a cohort of women (n=462) enrolled during pregnancy and whose offspring were followed up to 6 years, we evaluated the impact of fish consumption during pregnancy on the incidence of atopy and asthma. Dietary intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (42 items) applied by an interviewer.Results
Thirty‐four percent of infants had a medical diagnosis of eczema at age 1 year, 14.3% of the children were atopic [based on skin prick test (SPT) at 6 years], and 5.7% had atopic wheeze at age 6 years. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, fish intake during pregnancy was protective against the risk of eczema at age 1 year, a positive SPT for house dust mite at age 6 years and atopic wheeze at age 6 years [odds ratio (OR)=0.73 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55–0.98, OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.46–1.01 and OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.31–0.96, respectively]. For an increase in fish intake from once per week to 2.5 times per week, the risk of eczema at age 1 year decreased by 37%, and the risk of positive SPT at age 6 years by 35%. Stratification by breastfeeding showed that fish intake was significantly related to a decrease risk in persistent wheeze among non‐breastfed children (P for interaction <0.05). No protective effect was observed among breastfed children.Conclusion
Our data suggest a protective effect of fish intake during pregnancy on the risk of atopy‐related outcomes.
Comparison of allergenicity and immunogenicity of an intact allergen vaccine and commercially available allergoid products for birch pollen immunotherapy
Authors: Lund L. , Henmar H. , Würtzen P. A. , Lund G. , Hjortskov N. , Larsen J. N. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryBackground
Specific immunotherapy with intact allergen vaccine is a well‐documented treatment for allergic diseases. Different vaccine formulations are currently commercially available, the active ingredient either being intact allergens or chemically modified allergoids. The rationale behind allergoids is to decrease allergenicity while maintaining immunogenicity. However, data from the German health authorities based on reporting of adverse events over a 10‐year period did not indicate increased safety of allergoids over intact allergens.Objective
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chemical modification on allergenicity and immunogenicity comparing four commercial allergoid products for birch pollen immunotherapy with an intact allergen vaccine.Methods
Solid‐phase IgE inhibition and histamine release assays were selected as model systems for allergenicity, and a combination of human T cell proliferation and IgG titres following mouse immunizations were used to address the immunogenicity of the intact allergen vaccine and the four allergoids. In all assays, the products were normalized with respect to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance dose.Results
IgE inhibition experiments showed a change in epitope composition comparing intact allergen vaccine with allergoid. One allergoid product induced enhanced histamine release compared to the intact allergens, while the other three allergoids showed reduced release. Standard T cell stimulation assays using lines from allergic patients showed a reduced response for all allergoids compared with the intact allergen vaccine regardless of the cell type used for antigen presentation. All allergoids showed reduced capacity to induce allergen‐specific IgG responses in mice.Conclusion
While some allergoids were associated with reduced allergenicity, a clear reduction in immunogenicity was observed for all allergoid products compared with the intact allergen vaccine, and the commercial allergoids tested therefore do not fulfil the allergoid concept.
The temporal sequence of allergic sensitization and onset of infantile eczema
Authors: Lowe A. J. , Abramson M. J. , Hosking C. S. , Carlin J. B. , Bennett C. M. , Dharmage S. C. , Hill D. J. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryBackground
Eczema is commonly associated with sensitization in infants, but the causative role of sensitization in the development of eczema has been questioned.Objective
To determine if allergic sensitization increases the risk of developing eczema, or alternatively, if eczema increases the risk of developing allergic sensitization.Methods
We used data from the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study, a prospective birth cohort of 552 infants with a family history of atopic disease. The main outcomes were risk of developing eczema from 6 months to 7 years of age in asymptomatic infants; and risk of developing sensitization, as measured by skin prick tests to milk, egg white, peanut, house dust mite, rye grass pollen and cat extracts, in previously unsensitized infants.Results
Sensitization to food extracts at 6 months was associated with an increased risk of developing eczema [hazard ratio (HR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.13–2.35] up to 7 years of age, after excluding infants with eczema in the first 6 months. However, eczema in the first 6 months was also associated with increased risk of new sensitization at both 1 year (HR 2.34, 1.38–3.98) and 2 years (HR 3.47, 1.65–7.32).Conclusion
In some infants, sensitization precedes and predicts the development of eczema, while in others eczema precedes and predicts the development of sensitization. This indicates that there are multiple pathways to atopic eczema.
Cysteinyl leukotrienes enhance tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in human monocytes/macrophages
Authors: Ichiyama T. , Kajimoto M. , Hasegawa M. , Hashimoto K. , Matsubara T. , Furukawa S. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryBackground
Matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) is an important enzyme responsible for airway remodelling. Monocytes/macrophages have a cysteinyl leukotriene 1 (cysLT1) receptor, but its function is poorly understood.Objective
To elucidate the function of the cysLT1 receptor of human monocytes/macrophages in MMP‐9 production.Methods
We examined the effect of cysLTs (LTC4, ‐D4 and ‐E4) on TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐9 production in THP‐1 cells, a human monocytic leukaemia cell line and peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages. In addition, we examined the effect of pranlukast, a cysLT1 receptor antagonist, on the enhancement of TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐9 production by cysLTs.Results
ELISA revealed that LTC4 and ‐D4, but not ‐E4, enhanced TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐9 production in THP‐1 cells and peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that LTC4 and ‐D4, but not ‐E4, increased MMP‐9 mRNA expression induced by TNF‐α in THP‐1 cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that pranlukast completely inhibited the enhancement of TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐9 production by LTC4 and ‐D4 in THP‐1 cells and peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes/macrophages.Conclusion
LTC4 and ‐D4 enhanced the TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐9 production via binding the cysLT1 receptor in human monocytes/macrophages. Pranlukast inhibited the enhancements by LTC4 and D4.
Effects of Rho‐kinase inactivation on eosinophilia and hyper‐reactivity in murine airways by allergen challenges
Authors: Taki F. , Kume H. , Kobayashi T. , Ohta H. , Aratake H. , Shimokata K. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryBackground
A small GTPase, Rho, and its target molecule, Rho‐kinase, play an important role in the cell functions, including contractility, chemotaxis, adhesion, and migration. It is generally considered that eosinophilic inflammation and hyper‐reactivity to methacholine in airways are fundamental to the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma.Objective
This study was designed to determine whether the Rho/Rho‐kinase pathways are involved in the eosinophil recruitment and airway hyper‐reactivity. We investigated inhibitory effects of fasudil, a specific inhibitor of Rho‐kinase, on acute allergic inflammation in mice.Methods
BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). OVA‐challenged mice were treated orally with fasudil (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) or saline before each OVA challenge. Total cell counts, differential cell counts, cytokines, and chemokines levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and lungs were examined histologically. Moreover, respiratory resistance in response to methacholine was measured.Results
When fasudil was administrated to OVA‐challenged mice, increased cell numbers of total cells and eosinophils were significantly attenuated in a dose‐dependent manner. However, inflammatory cells other than eosinophils were not affected by fasudil. Fasudil caused a dose‐dependent inhibition in increased levels of IL‐5, IL‐13, and eotaxin in BAL fluid by OVA challenges. Histological analysis of the airways revealed that both infiltration of inflammatory cells and goblet cell hyperplasia were significantly suppressed in fasudil treatment. Furthermore, fasudil significantly suppressed the augmented responsiveness to methacholine induced by OVA challenges.Conclusion
Oral administration of fasudil inhibits eosinophil recruitment, goblet cell hyperplasia and airway hyper‐reactivity by allergen challenges. These effects of this agent may be mediated by suppressing a chemokine and cytokines related to the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma such as eotaxin, IL‐5, and IL‐13. Our findings provide evidence that inhibition of the Rho/Rho‐kinase pathway may be beneficial for bronchial asthma.