bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence for host-associated clones of grape phylloxera Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae) in Australia
Authors: Corrie A.M. , van Heeswijck R. , Hoffmann A.A. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractGrape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch, is an important pest of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) (Vitaceae). Using microsatellite DNA markers it was demonstrated strong associations can exist between D. vitifoliae asexual lineages and vine host type within a vineyard. Also, in excised root bioassays, D. vitifoliae collected from three regions where different genotypic classes predominated showed host-specific differences in life table parameters of reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase. Lastly, comparisons of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome oxidase I) sequences revealed that D. vitifoliae in Australia have paraphyletic origins and fall into two clades partially related to vine host usage. These findings indicate introduction of separate lineages of D. vitifoliae which have close host associations and as such, have important implications for management of this pest in Australia.
Insecticide-treated cattle against tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae): what governs success?
Authors: Hargrove J.W. , Torr S.J. , Kindness H.M. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe distributions of insecticide-treated cattle from sites in Tanzania and Zimbabwe were assessed from interviews with livestock owners, analysis of secondary livestock data and mapping technologies. The time-course of tsetse control operations at these sites were then simulated using a mathematical model that assumed diffusive movement and logistic growth in fly populations. A simulation of a tsetse control operation in Mudzi district, north-east Zimbabwe, was in accord with observations that the use of insecticide-treated cattle was unable to prevent substantial re-invasion of tsetse from Mozambique, consequent on the patchy distribution of cattle. The simulation was also consistent with the observed efficacy of a 10-km wide barrier of insecticide-treated targets deployed evenly at 4 km−2. Simulation of a control operation on Mkwaja Ranch in Tanzania was in accord with the observation that the use of insecticide-treated cattle reduced the tsetse population on the ranch by c. 90%. Insecticide-treated cattle were used to better effect in the Kagera Region of Tanzania. Simulation of this operation predicts that the deployment of 35,000 treated cattle in the area would result in > 99% control of the tsetse population, consistent with the observed decline, by 1–2 orders of magnitude, in cases of trypanosomiasis in the region. The greater success of the Kagera operation was due to the size and shape of the treated area and, particularly, to the restriction of re-invasion to 20% of the perimeter, compared with > 80% on Mkwaja. Simulation was used to assess how tsetse control could have been improved at Mkwaja. The results suggest that splitting herds into smaller, more numerous, units could have achieved some improvement but, in general, the disease problem would not have been solved by the use of insecticide-treated cattle alone. Only by deploying odour-baited targets in ungrazed areas, or in a 1–3-km barrier around the ranch, could substantially better control (99–99.9%) have been achieved. Sensitivity analyses of the Mkwaja simulation showed that the general conclusions were robust to assumptions regarding cattle distribution and the rates of fly movement and growth. Properly managed and appropriately applied insecticide-treated baits are powerful weapons for tsetse control but should not be used without regard to potential levels of re-invasion, consequent largely on considerations of the size and shape of the treatment area and the density and distribution of the baits.
Efficient contracting and accounting
Authors: Emanuel David , Wong Jilnaught , Wong Norman 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThis paper examines the role of accounting in an efficient contracting perspective of the firm. The firm is an alternative to the market when the costs of using the market become excessive. When a firm replaces the market, authority substitutes for the price mechanism in determining how decisions are made. This paper examines accounting's role in controlling the firm to ensure resources are put to their highest‐value use. Accounting, together with employment contracts, compensation arrangements, debt contracts, internal and external auditors, and the board of directors including its audit and compensation committees comprise a package of mechanisms that have evolved to govern the firm. These institutional devices become the firm's efficient contracting technology. As accounting is part of that contracting technology, the accounting controls and systems that evolve and get implemented are efficient and the accounting methods that are used in calculating the numbers that form part of the firm's contractual arrangements are, likewise, efficient.
Accounting and Finance at forty: a retrospective evaluation
Authors: Otchere Isaac 
Published: May 2003

Abstract Accounting and Finance has evolved from a news bulletin to a full‐grown refereed academic journal that has published papers written by authors from Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, Europe and Asia. The Journal published its 41st volume in 2001 and that anniversary issue coincides with the beginning of the new millennium. As part of the celebration of this important milestone, this article reviews the Journal's evolution, the variety of papers published and the Journal's impact on accounting and finance research in the Asia Pacific region. Data for 394 papers published in the Journal by 570 authors are analysed. I find that the distribution of institutions and authors that have published in the Journal is highly skewed, with the top five (11) institutions accounting for 35 per cent (51 per cent) of the published papers in the Journal. Similarly, 8 per cent of the authors have published 26 per cent of the articles in the Journal. Analysis of the citation pattern indicates that Accounting and Finance does not have much impact on research published in the Asia Pacific region, with the Journal accounting for only 1.06 per cent of all citations in the selected Asia Pacific journals. Sub‐period analysis indicates that not even the establishment of the editorial board in the latter half of the 1990s has helped improve the impact of the Journal on research published in the Asia Pacific region. However, compared with other Asia‐Pacific journals, Accounting and Finance has the strongest impact on publications in the selected journals. The impact is even stronger in the latter half of the 1990s. Also, the impact of Accounting and Finance on the more recent journals in the Asia Pacific region is stronger than that of the other more established journals.
Capital structure and financing of SMEs: Australian evidence
Authors: Cassar Gavin , Holmes Scott 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThis paper investigates the determinants of capital structure and use of financing for small and medium sized enterprises. Hypotheses utilising static trade‐off and pecking order arguments are empirically examined using a series of firm characteristics including: size, asset structure, profitability, growth and risk. The hypotheses developed are tested using a large Australian nationwide panel survey. The results suggest that asset structure, profitability and growth are important determinants of capital structure and financing. For asset structure the direction of the influence is reliant upon the capital structure or financing measure employed. The results generally support static trade‐off and pecking order arguments proposed by theoretical models.
Green national accounting for welfare and sustainability:A Taxonomy Of Assumptions And Results
Authors: Asheim Geir B. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThis paper summarizes assumptions made and results obtained in parts of the literature on welfare and sustainability accounting. I consider five different assumptions that can be imposed independently of each other, producing 32 different combinations. This taxonomy is used to organize results in welfare and sustainability accounting. The analysis illustrates how stronger results require stronger assumptions and thereby impose harder informational requirements.
A Paleoeconomic Theory of Co‐Evolution and Extinction of Domesticable Animals
Authors: Horan Richard D. , Shogren Jason F. , Bulte Erwin 
Published: June 2003

AbstractOne Pleistocene mystery is why early North Americans eradicated their large, potentially domesticable animals (e.g., horses), whereas early Europeans did not. A commonly‐held hypothesis is that European species were evasive due to co‐evolution with hominids, whereas North American animals were naïve and unable to adapt quickly enough when experienced human hunters arrived from Eurasia. We explore this hypothesis with a paleoeconomic model of co‐evolution that integrates human hunting investments and wildlife population responses. We find that investments in hunting ability, based on the relative scarcity of prey species, could have mattered more than wildlife ‘naivety’ in explaining the extinction.
Consciousness and Self in Animals: Some Reflections
Authors: Bekoff Marc 
Published: May 2003

AbstractIn this essay I argue that many nonhuman animal beings are conscious and have some sense of self. Rather than ask whether they are conscious, I adopt an evolutionary perspective and ask why consciousness and a sense of self evolved—what are they good for? Comparative studies of animal cognition, ethological investigations that explore what it is like to be a certain animal, are useful for answering this question. Charles Darwin argued that the differences in cognitive abilities and emotions among animals are differences in degree rather than differences in kind, and his view cautions against the unyielding claim that humans, and perhaps other great apes and cetaceans, are the only species in which a sense of self‐awareness has evolved. I conclude that there are degrees of consciousness and self among animals and that it is likely that no animal has the same highly developed sense of self as that displayed by most humans. Many animals have a sense of “body‐ness” or “mine‐ness” but not a sense of “I‐ness.” Darwin's ideas about evolutionary continuity, together with empirical data (“science sense”) and common sense, will help us learn more about consciousness and self in animals. Answers to challenging questions about animal self‐awareness have wide‐ranging significance, because they are often used as the litmus test for determining and defending the sorts of treatments to which animals can be morally subjected.
Being Conscious of Marc Bekoff: Thinking of Animal Self‐Consciousness
Authors: Peterson Gregory R. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe preceding article by Marc Bekoff reveals much about our current understanding of animal self‐consciousness and its implications. It also reveals how much more there is to be said and considered. This response briefly examines animal self‐consciousness from scientific, moral, and theological perspectives. As Bekoff emphasizes, self‐consciousness is not one thing but many. Consequently, our moral relationship to animals is not simply one based on a graded hierarchy of abilities. Furthermore, the complexity of animal self‐awareness can serve as stimulus for thinking about issues of theodicy and soteriology in a broader sense.
Pluralism and Ambivalence in the Evolution of Morality
Authors: Peters Karl E. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractMuch good work has been done on the evolution of human morality by focusing on how “selfish genes” can give rise to altruistic human beings. A richer research program is needed, however, to take into account the ambivalence of naturally evolved biopsychological motivators and the historical pluralism of human morality in religious systems. Such a program is described here. A first step is to distinguish the ultimate cause of natural selection from proximate causes that are the results of natural selection. Next, some proximate causes are suggested as possible conditions of biological and emotional valuing as well as of customary social morality and individual rational ethical thought. Finally, different moral perspectives of Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity are briefly presented in order to illustrate how one might inquire about the selection of a variety of biopsychological and cultural proximate causes that enable the evolution of a plurality of religious moral systems.
DNA–protein crosslinks and p53 protein expression in relation to occupational exposure to formaldehyde
Authors: Shaham J , Bomstein Y , Gurvich R , Rashkovsky M , Kaufman Z 
Published: May 2003

Background:Formaldehyde (FA) is classified as a probable human carcinogen.Aims:To examine DNA protein crosslinks (DPC) and p53, which are generally known to be involved in carcinogenesis, in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to FA.Methods:DPC and p53 (“wild type” and mutant) were examined in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 186 workers exposed to FA (mean years of exposure = 16) and 213 unexposed workers. Every worker completed a questionnaire on demographic data, occupational and medical history, smoking, and hygiene.Results:The adjusted mean level of DPC in the exposed and the unexposed workers differed significantly. Adjustment was made for age, sex, years of education, smoking, and origin. Exposure to FA increased the risk of having a higher level of pantropic p53 above 150 pg/ml (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.8 to 3.1). A significant positive correlation was found between the increase of pantropic p53 protein and mutant p53 protein, as well as between pantropic p53 >150 pg/ml and mutant p53 protein. In the exposed group a significantly higher proportion of p53 >150 pg/ml was found among workers with DPC >0.187 (55.7%) (0.187 = median level of DPC) than among workers with DPC ⩽0.187 (33.3%). The risk of having pantropic p53 protein >150 pg/ml was determined mainly by levels of DPC. Workers with DPC above the median level had a significantly higher risk of having pantropic p53 >150 pg/ml (adjusted OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.4).Conclusions:Results suggest that DPC and mutation in p53 may represent steps in FA carcinogenesis and a possible causal relation between DPC and mutation in p53. These biomarkers can be applied in the assessment of the development of cancer due to FA exposure.
Lung cancer risk in workers exposed to poly(vinyl chloride) dust: a nested case-referent study
Authors: Mastrangelo G , Fedeli U , Fadda E , Milan G , Turato A , Pavanello S 
Published: May 2003

Background:There have been few investigations of an association between poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) dust exposure and an increase in lung cancer incidence, and their conclusions have been inconsistent.Aims:To determine whether PVC and/or vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is the associated risk factor(s), by means of a nested case-referent study, in order to estimate lung cancer risk, avoiding selection, information, or confounding biases.Methods:Thirty eight cases of histologically verified lung cancer and 224 control subjects without a history of cancer were selected from an Italian cohort of 1658 vinyl chloride workers. Information sources included clinical records (diagnosis, smoking habits) and plant records (occupational history). The risk of lung cancer was estimated by odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), calculated using logistic regression models.Results:In PVC baggers exposed to high levels of respirable PVC particles in the workplace, the lung cancer OR increases by 20% for each extra year of work (OR = 1.2003; 95% CI 1.0772 to 1.3469; p = 0.0010), when the influence of age and smoking habits is controlled. No relation was found between lung cancer and cumulative VCM exposure.Conclusion:This nested case-control study showed, in the VCM/PVC industry, an increased risk of lung cancer associated with exposure to PVC dust; previous cohort studies failed to recognise such excess, probably because they used VCM exposure as the risk indicator.
Reducing long term sickness absence by an activating intervention in adjustment disorders: a cluster randomised controlled design
Authors: van der Klink J J L , Blonk R W B , Schene A H , van Dijk F J H 
Published: May 2003

Aims:To compare an innovative activating intervention with “care as usual” (control group) for the guidance of employees on sickness leave because of an adjustment disorder. It was hypothesised that the intervention would be more effective than care as usual in lowering the intensity of symptoms, increasing psychological resources, and decreasing sickness leave duration.Methods:A prospective, cluster randomised controlled trial was carried out with 192 patients on first sickness leave for an adjustment disorder. Symptom intensity, sickness duration, and return to work rates were measured at 3 months and 12 months. Analyses were performed on an intention to treat basis.Results:At 3 months, significantly more patients in the intervention group had returned to work compared with the control group. At 12 months all patients had returned to work, but sickness leave was shorter in the intervention group than in the control group. The recurrence rate was lower in the intervention group. There were no differences between the two study groups with regard to the decrease of symptoms. At baseline, symptom intensity was higher in the patients than in a normal reference population, but decreased over time in a similar manner in both groups to approximately normal levels.Conclusion:The experimental intervention for adjustment disorders was successful in shortening sick leave duration, mainly by decreasing long term absenteeism.
Upper airway inflammation in waste handlers exposed to bioaerosols
Authors: Heldal K K , Halstensen A S , Thorn J , Djupesland P , Wouters I , Eduard W , Halstensen T S 
Published: May 2003

Aims:To examine work associated upper airway inflammation in 31 waste handlers, and to correlate these findings with personally monitored exposure to different bioaerosol components.Methods:Cell differentials, interleukin 8 (IL-8), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) were examined in NAL (nasal lavage), and swelling of the nasal mucosa was determined by acoustic rhinometry before work start on Monday and the following Thursday. Bioaerosol exposure was determined by personal full shift exposure measurements on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and analysed for total bacteria, fungal spores, endotoxin, and β(1→3)-glucans.Results:The increased percentage of neutrophils from Monday (28%) to Thursday (46%) correlated with increases in ECP (rS= 0.71, p < 0.001) and MPO (rS= 0.38, p < 0.05), and showed a close to significant correlation with nasal swelling (rS= −0.55, p = 0.07). The Thursday levels of neutrophils, MPO, and IL-8 were associated with the exposure to fungal spores (range 0–2.0 × 106/m3) and endotoxin (range 4–183 EU/m3) measured the day before, and the median exposure to β(1→3)-glucans (range 3–217 ng/m3), respectively (rS= 0.47–0.54, p < 0.01). Swelling of the nasal mucosa was associated with the fungal spore and β(1→3)-glucan exposure (rS= 0.58–0.59, p < 0.05).Conclusion:These results are based on a relatively small population, and conclusions must be drawn with care. The results suggested that a moderate exposure to fungal spores, endotoxins, and β(1→3)-glucans during waste handling induced upper airway inflammation dominated by neutrophil infiltration and swelling of the nasal mucosa.
Youth preferences for cigar brands: rates of use and characteristics of users
Authors: Soldz S , Huyser D J , Dorsey E 
Published: May 2003

Objective:Youth use of cigars has increased in the USA. Understanding brand preference among youth could help explain the attraction to cigars, and develop prevention strategies. This study reports on youth characteristics associated with preferences for cigar brands.Design:Data are presented on 5006 students in grades 7–12 (ages 12–18 years) in classrooms administered the cigar use reasons evaluation (CURE), a questionnaire assessing alternative tobacco use (cigars, bidis, and kreteks).Setting:Twelve middle and high schools across Massachusetts.Main outcome measures:Preferred brands of cigars.Results:Cigar smoking was reported by 16.4% of the sample. The brands preferred by over 5% of cigar users were Phillies (overall prevalence: 31.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 27.9% to 34.3%), Black & Mild (12.3%, 95% CI 9.8% to 15.4%), Garcia y Vega (11.4%, 95% CI 9.3% to 13.8%), Swisher Sweets (9.6%, 95% CI 7.6% to 12.2%), Backwoods (6.1%, 95% CI 4.6% to 8.1%), and non-listed brands (16.4%, 95% CI 14.0% to 19.0%). Male cigar smokers were significantly more likely than females to prefer five brands: Backwoods, Dutch Masters, Garcia y Vega, Phillies, and Swisher Sweets, while females were more likely to prefer Black & Mild and non-listed brands. Brand preferences were also distinguished by self, friends’ and siblings’ tobacco use, race/ethnicity, parents’ education and cigar use, GPA (grade point average), college plans, and community type. Urban students were more likely to prefer Black & Mild; students whose parents smoke cigars preferred non-listed brands.Conclusions:Youth prefer certain brands, most notably Phillies. Particular brands are preferred by particular youth subgroups, raising the possibility of selective marketing toward these groups.
Improving the self reporting of tobacco use: results of a factorial experiment
Authors: Cowling D W , Johnson T P , Holbrook B C , Warnecke R B , Tang H 
Published: May 2003

Objectives:To examine divergent estimates of smoking prevalence in two random digit dial surveys for the same population. Based upon internal and external reviews of survey procedures, differences in survey introductions (general health versus tobacco specific introduction) and/or differences in the use of filter questions were identified as the most likely explanations. This prompted an experiment designed to investigate these potential sources of measurement error.Design:A randomised 2 × 2 factorial experiment.Setting:A random digit dial telephone survey from July to September 2000.Subjects:3996 adult Californian respondents.Main outcome measures:A series of smoking prevalence questions in the context of a tobacco or general health survey.Results:Logistic regression analyses suggest that, among females, prior knowledge (from the survey introduction) that a survey is concerned with tobacco use may decrease self reported smoking prevalence (approximately 4% absolute prevalence difference). Differences in the use of filter questions resulted in almost no misclassification of respondents.Conclusions:The tobacco specific survey introduction is causing some smokers to deny their tobacco use. The data suggest that these smokers tend to be women that smoked occasionally. A desire by the participants to minimise their personal time costs or a growing social disapproval of tobacco use in the USA may be contributing to the creation of previously undetected survey artefacts in the measurement of tobacco related behaviours.