bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment gap in the use of lipid‐lowering drug therapy in diabetes: a population‐based study
Authors: James P. , Tan H. H. , MacAlpine R. , Brennan G. , Emslie‐Smith A. , Morris A. D. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBackground  Lowering cholesterol is highly effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in high‐risk people with prevalent cardiovascular disease.Aims  To investigate lipid‐lowering therapy use for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in all diabetic patients in Tayside, ScotlandMethods  Among the 385 500 Tayside residents on 31 March 2001, the DARTS database identified all people with Types 1 and 2 diabetes with prevalent macrovascular disease, defined as a history of angina or coronary heart disease. The uptake of lipid‐lowering drug was ascertained from MEMO's database of prescriptions dispensed at Tayside pharmacies.Results  Among the 1128 Type 1 patients, 11.3% had prevalent macrovascular disease and 7.9% used lipid‐lowering therapy with 42.2% for patients with macrovascular disease. Current/former smokers (OR 2.40, 95% CI: 1.15–5.03) and those with a history of coronary heart disease (OR 2.26, 95% CI: 1.04–4.90) were more likely to use lipid‐lowering therapy. Among the 8686 Type 2 patients, 38.8% had prevalent macrovascular disease and 18.3% used lipid‐lowering therapy, with 26.7% for patients with macrovascular disease. Current/former smokers (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.17–1.61) and those with a history of coronary heart disease (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.66–2.59) or angina (OR 1.30, CI 1.03–1.63) were more likely to use lipid‐lowering therapy. A duration of 4 years or less from the first macrovascular event was associated with increased use (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.05–1.54). Age > 70 years reduced the likelihood (OR 0.51, CI 0.44–0.60).Conclusion  A clear gap exists between those requiring lipid‐lowering drug therapy and those who are actually receiving it in Tayside.
Polymorphisms in the 5′‐upstream region of the PKCβ gene in Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ikeda Y. , Suehiro T. , Osaki F. , Tsuzura S. , Kumon Y. , Hashimoto K. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAims  Protein kinase C (PKC), a serine/threonine kinase, is known to be activated in various tissues under hyperglycaemic conditions. Notably, PKCβ, a member of the conventional PKC group, is the predominant isoform detected in vascular tissues and could be involved in the development of diabetic vascular complications. In the present study, we investigated genetic variations in the 5′‐upstream region of the PKCβ gene to assess their possible relation to vascular complications in diabetic patients.Methods  Variations upstream from the PKCβ gene (−1066/+256) were examined in 60 Type 2 diabetic patients using a cycle sequencing method. Screening of detected variations was performed in 204 Type 2 diabetic patients and 160 healthy controls.Results  Five single nucleotide polymorphisms; C(−238)G, C(−287)T, A(−348)G, C(−546)G, and C(−853)T, were identified in the upstream region. The C(−287)T and A(−348)G polymorphisms were in perfect linkage disequilibrium. There were no significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies of the five polymorphisms among the diabetic patients and healthy subjects. However, both −238GG and −287CC (−348GG) homozygotes showed significantly higher frequencies of macrovascular disease compared with patients with other genotypes. Further, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that the −238G fragment had a five‐fold higher affinity for transcription factor Sp1 when compared with −238C.Conclusions  The C(−238)G and C(−287)T‐A(−348)G polymorphisms in the 5′‐upstream region of the PKCβ gene may have an effect on the susceptibility of diabetic vascular complications through an alteration of tissue PKCβ density or function.
Feasibility of using the TOSCA telescreening procedures for diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Luzio S. , Hatcher S. , Zahlmann G. , Mazik L. , Morgan M. , Liesenfeld B. , Bek T. , Schuell H. , Schneider S. , Owens D. R. , Kohner E. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAims  The TOSCA project was set up to establish a tele‐ophthalmology service to screen for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of establishing telemedicine‐based digital screening for detecting DR and to evaluate the satisfaction of both patients and healthcare professionals with the screening procedures used within the TOSCA project.Methods  The study was a non‐randomized, multicentre study carried out in four different countries over a period of 3 months.Patients  (n = 390) with diabetes aged > 12 years were included. Two digital retinal images per eye (macular and nasal) were taken and exported to a central server. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess satisfaction. Accredited graders carried out grading remotely and the results were reported back to the referring centre. Previously graded patient data chosen randomly to represent examples of both DR and no DR were also sent anonymously to the grading centre at a frequency of approximately every 10 patients.Results  Most (99%) of the images were assessable enabling a retinopathy grade to be assigned to the patient. Patients found the retinal photography procedures acceptable; only 6% in one centre would not recommend the procedure. Healthcare professionals (photographers and graders) were also satisfied with the overall procedures. The average time taken to grade each patient was approximately 5 min.Conclusions  This study demonstrated that it is feasible to electronically transmit and grade retinal images remotely using the TOSCA process. Built‐in quality assurance procedures proved acceptable.
The association of coronary calcium score and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic subjects asymptomatic for coronary heart disease (The PREDICT Study)
Authors: Elkeles R. S. , Feher M. D. , Flather M. D. , Godsland I. F. , Nugara F. , Richmond W. , Rubens M. B. , Wang D. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAim To determine the association between coronary calcification score (CACS) obtained by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) and cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic subjects entered into a prospective cohort study.Methods Type 2 diabetic subjects attending routine hospital diabetic clinics without known coronary heart disease (CHD) underwent EBCT to measure CACS. Demographic data were obtained and conventional cardiovascular risk factors were measured at baseline.Results Four hundred and ninety‐five subjects were assessed of whom 67.7% were male. They had a mean (sd) age of 62.9 (7.1) years, with median (inter‐quartile range) duration of diabetes of 8 (4–13) years. None had a history of coronary artery disease. Forty‐five per cent were receiving lipid‐lowering agents (including 36% statins). In a univariate analysis, there were significant associations between increased CACS and age, duration of diabetes, male gender, waist–hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure, and the use of statins. In a multivariate model adjusting for the possible interaction of these and other factors, the significant association between CACS and WHR, systolic blood pressure, male gender and statin use remained.Conclusions The close association between CACS and WHR and the association with systolic blood pressure suggest that coronary calcification may be particularly linked to the metabolic syndrome in Type 2 diabetes.
Signalling power of special dividends in an imputation environment
Authors: Balachandran Balasingham , Nguyen Tuan Anh 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe present study examines the impact of the announcement of special dividends for a sample of Australian companies over the period July 1989 to June 2002. The risk‐adjusted price reaction to special dividend announcements from the day before the announcement to the day after the announcement (day −1 to day 1) is positive and statistically significant, averaging 3.67 per cent. Initial special dividend announcements (4.68 per cent) led to stronger price reaction than special dividend announcements that follow an earlier special dividend (1.51 per cent) in the previous year. The magnitude of price reactions to special dividend announcements is statistically related to the size of the special dividend, the existence of prior special dividend announcements, abnormal cash flow for the year ended after the special dividend announcement, the existence of dividend reinvestment plans (DRP) versus non‐DRP, and a preannouncement effect. Finally, we found strong support for the information content/signalling hypothesis for special dividend announcements that do not participate in DRP and limited support for those associated with DRP.
Corporate governance, insider ownership and operating performance of Australian initial public offerings
Authors: Balatbat Maria C. A. , Taylor Stephen L. , Walter Terry S. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractWe examine ownership structures and corporate governance attributes of 313 Australian initial public offerings (IPOs) between 1976 and 1993 and their relation with up to 5 years of post‐listing operating performance, adjusted for similar (non‐IPO) firms. Consistent with prior share price‐based evidence, we find that the operating performance of Australian IPOs typically deteriorates over the first 4 post‐listing years. Any evidence of a positive association between insider ownership and firm performance is confined to the fourth and fifth years after the IPO. Evidence of a positive relation between institutional ownership and performance is restricted to the latter part of our 5‐year post‐listing window. Board composition (i.e. outsider versus insider control) is not associated with operating performance, although there is some evidence that independent board leadership is associated with better operating performance.
Impact of the timing of receipt of an inherited explanation on auditors’ analytical procedures judgements
Authors: Green Wendy 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe present study extends prior research relating to auditors’ analytical procedures (AP) processes in two ways. First, it examines whether the timing of receipt of an inherited explanation (before or after self‐generating explanations) affects auditors’ hypothesis generation. Second, responding to calls to address how the auditors’ performance of the earlier stages of the AP process affects their performance in later stages of that process (Koonce, 1993; Cohen, Krishnamoorthy and Wright, 2000) the present study concurrently addresses the hypothesis generation, information search, hypothesis evaluation and final judgement stages of the AP process. Consistent with a facilitation effect, more non‐error explanations were generated by auditors initially inheriting a non‐error explanation. Further, consistent with a recency effect, the initial likelihood assessed for the inherited explanation was higher when it was received after self‐generation of alternatives. Despite these initial differences, the timing of the inherited explanation did not significantly affect the auditors’ information search, evaluation processes or outcome performance (in terms of cause selection). Results relating to the receipt of an inherited explanation were similar, except that significantly fewer subjects not inheriting an explanation selected a cause the same as the inherited explanation. These results suggest that although inheriting an explanation from management does affect the outcome of the AP process, it does not lead to fewer correct outcomes, and highlight the importance of examining the AP process in its entirety rather than in a piecemeal manner.
R&D investment and systematic risk
Authors: Ho Yew Kee , Xu Zhenyu , Yap Chee Meng 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe present study investigates the relationship between a firm's R&D intensity and the risk of its common stock, by analysing a sample of firms which are more profitable, larger in market capitalization and more R&D intensive than the universe of US‐listed firms. The results from the portfolio analysis, Monte Carlos simulations and correlation analysis of our sample show that: (i) R&D intensity is positively related to systematic risk in the stock market; (ii) the greater systematic risk is largely attributable to the greater intrinsic business risk and the greater operating risk of R&D‐intensive firms; (iii) R&D‐intensive firms carry marginally less financial leverage but they do not differ from other firms in terms of operating leverage; and (iv) our results are particularly strong in the manufacturing sector. For the non‐manufacturing sector, the results are not robust for different study periods.
Commonality in liquidity: Evidence from the Australian Stock Exchange
Authors: Fabre Joel , Frino Alex 
Published: September 2004

AbstractSeveral studies have reported strong evidence of commonality in liquidity in US markets. The present study uses the research design of Chordia et al. (2000) to examine commonality in liquidity for a broad sample of stocks listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). In contrast to previous research, there is some evidence of market‐wide commonality in liquidity for ASX stocks, but it is less significant and less pervasive than that observed in other markets. These results are consistent with explanations based on differences in market structure between the USA and Australia.
Technological and organizational influences on the adoption of activity‐based costing in Australia
Authors: Brown David A. , Booth Peter , Giacobbe Francesco 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe present paper examines one set of potential reasons for the paradox as to why so few firms have adopted activity‐based costing (ABC) despite the demonstrated benefits of this costing system. A cross‐sectional survey of Australian firms is used to examine the influence of seven technological and organizational factors on firms’ initial interest in ABC and their decision to adopt it or not. The organizational factors of top management support, the support of an internal champion, and organizational size were shown to be associated with initial interest in ABC. The decision to adopt or reject ABC had one organizational factor associated with it, the support of an internal champion.
Greatness as Measure? Recent Writings on the High Court of Australia
Authors: Ritter David 
Published: September 2004

Owen Dixon. By P. Ayres Oxford Companion to the High Court of Australia. Edited by T. Blackshield, M. Coper and G. Williams The Brennan Legacy: Blowing the Winds of Legal Orthodoxy. By R. Creyke and P. Keyzer
Book Reviews
Authors: Davis Michael T. 
Published: September 2004

David Collins: A Colonial Life. By John Currey Brisbane: Squatters, Selectors and Surveyors. (Brisbane History Group Papers No 16) Edited by Rod Fisher and Jennifer Harrison Beyond the Ladies Lounge: Australia's Female Publicans. By Clare Wright Legacies of White Australia: Race, Culture, Nation. Edited by Laksiri Jayasuriya, David Walker and Jan Gothard This War Never Ends: The Pain of Separation and Return. By Michael McKernan Keeper of the Faith: A Biography of Jim Cairns. By Paul Strangio Platypus and Parliament: The Australian Senate in Theory and Practice. By Stanley Bach Unfolding History, Evolving Identity: The Chinese in New Zealand. Edited by Manying Ip New Guinea: Crossing Boundaries and History. By Clive Moore Erasmus in the Twentieth Century: Interpretations c.1920–2000. By Bruce Mansfield Eighteenth‐Century British Erotica. Edited by Chris Mounsey and Rictor Norton London Corresponding Society, 1792–1799. Edited by Michael Davis. Robert Emmet and the Rebellion of 1798. By Ruán O'Donnell Robert Emmet and the Rising of 1803. By Ruán O'Donnell Wilhelminism and its Legacies. German Modernities and the Meanings of Reform, 1890–1930. Essays for Hartmut Pogge von Strandmann. Edited by Geoff Eley and James Retallack Divided Lives: The Untold Stories of Jewish‐Christian Women in Nazi Germany. By Cynthia A. Crane. Conqueror's Road: An Eyewitness Report of Germany 1945. By Osmar White Conflict and Compromise in East Germany, 1971–1989: A Precarious Stability. By Jeannette Z. Madarász The Tsarist Secret Police Abroad: Policing Europe in a Modernising World. By Fredric S. Zuckerman
“A Problem from Hell”: America and the Age of Genocide.
By Samantha Power A History of Modern India, 1480–1959. Edited by Claude Markovitz; translated by Nisha George and Maggy Hendry Power in Transition: The Peaceful Change of International Order. By Charles A. Kupchan, Emanuel Adler, Jean‐Marc Coicaud and Yuen Foong Khong Reading Humanitarian Intervention: Human Rights and the Use of Force in International Law. By Anne Orford Stories of Gay and Lesbian Immigration: Together Forever? By John Hart The Dynamics of Political Crime. By Jeffrey Ian Ross The Battle for Hearts and Minds: Using Soft Power to Undermine Terrorist Networks. Edited by Alexander T. J. Lennon The Media and Neo‐Populism: A Contemporary Comparative Analysis. Edited by Gianpietro Mazzoleni, Julianne Stewart and Bruce Horsfield
Development of social cognition in infant chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Face recognition, smiling, gaze, and the lack of triadic interactions1
Authors: TOMONAGA MASAKI , TANAKA MASAYUKI , MATSUZAWA TETSURO , MYOWA‐YAMAKOSHI MASAKO , KOSUGI DAISUKE , MIZUNO YUU , OKAMOTO SANAE , YAMAGUCHI MASAMI K. , BARD KIM A. 
Published: September 2004

Abstract: In this paper, we summarize a series of studies on the developmental changes in social cognition in mother‐raised infant chimpanzees from birth to around 2 years old. The infants preferentially tracked a photograph of their mother's face at 1 month but showed indifferent preferences to faces at 2 months old. This change in facial recognition was correlated with a decrease in neonatal spontaneous smiling, increase in social smiling and a decline in neonatal imitation of facial expressions. Also at around 2 months, the infants began to show preferences for directed‐gaze faces over averted gazes, and the amount of mutual gaze time between mother and infant chimpanzees increased. Thus, by 2 months of age, abilities required for dyadic interactions are already developed in chimpanzees as is the case in humans. The development of triadic interactions, however, is rather different between these two species. The infant chimpanzee can follow another's pointing or gaze at around 1 year, but even by 2 years old, does not “share” attention with the others.
Looking back: The “representational mechanism” of joint attention in an infant chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)1
Authors: OKAMOTO SANAE , TANAKA MASAYUKI , TOMONAGA MASAKI 
Published: September 2004

Abstract:  An infant chimpanzee's joint visual attention to objects behind him was investigated. A recent study has shown that a 13‐month‐old infant chimpanzee can follow human social cues including glancing (Okamoto, Tomonaga, Ishii, Kawai, Tanaka, & Matsuzawa, 2002a). In humans, 12‐month‐olds do not follow gaze to objects behind them but 18‐month‐olds do (Butterworth & Jarrett, 1991). In the present study, from 13 months old, the infant chimpanzee had been tested to look at one of two identical objects, which an experimenter indicated by pointing or head turning. The objects were set in front of or behind the subject. In our series of experiments, we used moving or stationary objects as targets. Moreover, the experimenter manipulated a computer at the onset of each block of trials. The results show that by the age of 20 months, the infant reliably followed the experimenter's cues and looked back to the target behind him. Moving targets elicited more responses than stationary targets, and the subject showed more follow responses after having seen the experimenter manipulating the computer.
Single‐channel activations and concentration jumps: comparison of recombinant NR1a/NR2A and NR1a/NR2D NMDA receptors
Authors: Wyllie David J. A. , Béhé Philippe , Colquhoun David 
Published: September 2004

We have expressed recombinant NR1a/NR2A and NR1a/NR2D N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor channels in Xenopus oocytes and made recordings of single‐channel and macroscopic currents in outside‐out membrane patches. For each receptor type we measured (a) the individual single‐channel activations evoked by low glutamate concentrations in steady‐state recordings, and (b) the macroscopic responses elicited by brief concentration jumps with high agonist concentrations, and we explore the relationship between these two sorts of observation.
Low concentration (5‐100 nM) steady‐state recordings of NR1a/NR2A and NR1a/NR2D single‐channel activity generated shut‐time distributions that were best fitted with a mixture of five and six exponential components, respectively. Individual activations of either receptor type were resolved as bursts of openings, which we refer to as ‘super‐clusters’.
During a single activation, NR1a/NR2A receptors were open for 36 % of the time, but NR1a/NR2D receptors were open for only 4 % of the time. For both, distributions of super‐cluster durations were best fitted with a mixture of six exponential components. Their overall mean durations were 35.8 and 1602 ms, respectively.
Steady‐state super‐clusters were aligned on their first openings and averaged. The average was well fitted by a sum of exponentials with time constants taken from fits to super‐cluster length distributions. It is shown that this is what would be expected for a channel that shows simple Markovian behaviour.
The current through NR1a/NR2A channels following a concentration jump from zero to 1 mM glutamate for 1 ms was well fitted by three exponential components with time constants of 13 ms (rising phase), 70 ms and 350 ms (decaying phase). Similar concentration jumps on NR1a/NR2D channels were well fitted by two exponentials with means of 45 ms (rising phase) and 4408 ms (decaying phase) components. During prolonged exposure to glutamate, NR1a/NR2A channels desensitized with a time constant of 649 ms, while NR1a/NR2D channels exhibited no apparent desensitization.
We show that under certain conditions, the time constants for the macroscopic jump response should be the same as those for the distribution of super‐cluster lengths, though the resolution of the latter is so much greater that it cannot be expected that all the components will be resolvable in a macroscopic current. Good agreement was found for jumps on NR1a/NR2D receptors, and for some jump experiments on NR1a/NR2A. However, the latter were rather variable and some were slower than predicted. Slow decays were associated with patches that had large currents.