bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
t‐statistics for weighted means in credit risk modeling
Authors: Goldberg Lisa R. , Kercheval Alec N. , Lee Kiseop 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a generalization of the familiar two‐sample t‐test for equality of means to the case where the sample values are to be given unequal weights. This is a natural situation in financial risk modeling when some samples are considered more reliable than others in predicting a common mean. We also describe an example with real credit data showing that ignoring this modification of the two‐sample test can lead to the wrong statistical conclusion.Design/methodology/approachWe follow the analysis of the classical two‐sample tests in the more general situation of weighted means. We also test our methods against some market data to assess the importance of the findings.FindingsWe formulate some explicit test statistics that should be used when the sample values are to be assigned differing known weights. Different cases are presented depending on how much is known about the variances. In the most typical case (the unpooled two‐sample test), we approximate the test statistic with a t‐distribution. Proofs are given where possible.Research limitations/implicationsIn the unpooled case, we still only have an approximate t‐distribution. This is related to the classical Behrens‐Fisher problem, which is still not fully solved. We also focus on the case where the sample values are normally distributed. It would be valuable to see how far the discussion can be extended to non‐normal distributions.Practical implicationsResearchers should use the two‐sample test statistics given in this paper instead of the standard ones when testing for equality of weighted means.Originality/valueWeighted means occur frequently in situations when the credibility or reliability of data vary. However, standard tests for equality of means do not take weights into account. These results will be of value to any researchers studying statistical means of data of varying reliability, such as corporate bond spreads.
An empirical investigation of the metrics alignment process
Authors: Melnyk Steven A. , Calantone Roger J. , Luft Joan , Stewart Douglas M. , Zsidisin George A. , Hanson John , Burns Laird 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo understand the use of metrics to attain alignment between the needs of the customer, strategic objectives, and the execution system. This paper examines the process by which metrics at the various levels are developed and the factors affecting this process.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on a series of “deep” case studies and 45 interviews of key managers at various levels within three related businesses. Open and axial coding on the data was performed and themes reported.FindingsThe findings show how metrics can generate two types of synergy, financial, and strategic and that numerous factors affect metrics deployment and alignment. There also exists a tension between those metrics that encourage sales growth through innovation and market development (i.e. the so‐called top line metrics) and those metrics that reduce costs or asset investments (i.e. bottom line metrics).Research limitations/implicationsSelective coding of the data to develop theoretical insight has yet to be performed.Practical implicationsAlignment is affected by both the goals used and the processes used in developing and implementing metrics. Furthermore, the study shows that those actions that foster cost reduction (e.g. through lean systems) may unintentionally hinder and limit those actions aimed at encouraging innovation.Originality/valueThe metrics alignment process is vital to effective management, yet the mechanisms of this process leading from understanding of the customer goals appropriate metrics for the execution system is effectively unexplored – a shortcoming that this paper begins to rectify.
Resources that drive performance: an empirical investigation
Authors: Rocha Fernandes Bruno H. , Mills John F. , Tereza L. Fleury Maria 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo investigate in an empirical situation the resources that drive organizational performance, considering as resources HR practices, human competencies and other tangible resources and evaluating performance according to the balanced scorecard (BSC) model.Design/methodology/approachAfter literature review, a case study in a Brazilian water company was chosen. Methodology consisted of in‐depth interviews with managers; collection of information from company's database and questionnaires; factor analysis to identify underlying factors that explain the majority of variance for each BSC perspective; regression analysis to find association between factors and resources.FindingsIn general, resources seemed to be correlated to performance, but further details appeared: employee competency presented no correlation with performance; environmental factors related to demand seemed to be the strongest performance determinant; employee satisfaction showed association with all BSC perspective.Research limitations/implicationsThe research circumstances are quite particular and should not be generalized to other organizations. Future research should focus on more knowledge intensive firms and use a longitudinal research design.Practical implicationsThe results for practitioners, especially those in the investigated company, included the need to review part of their indicators, choosing formulae that are better connected to business results.Originality/valueThis paper helps to understand how resources and competencies convert into performance and proposes a methodology to be used under particular conditions of organizations with multiple and comparable business units.
Local government financial key performance indicators – not so relevant, reliable and accountable
Authors: Pilcher Robyn 
Published: August 2005

PurposeLocal government in Australia has a complex system of accountability, part of which includes the publication of financial comparative performance measures. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how questionable financial figures not only distort the reported “bottom line” of local councils but can also be included in a number of financial key performance indicators (FKPIs) upon which council performance is judged. Valuation and depreciation of transport infrastructure assets form the basis for the evaluation.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal study of all New South Wales (NSW) councils (170) from 1999‐2000 to 2002‐2003 was conducted using archival research combined with in‐depth case study analysis and interviews (New South Wales (NSW) is the largest of Australia's eight states and territories). This paper provides detailed analysis of 28 local government councils classified as being on “financial watch” by the Department of Local Government and a comparative sample of 28 councils not classified as at risk but reporting figures considered to be contestable (At risk, or financially challenged councils, are defined as “having issues of concern with their financial operations”).FindingsOf the 170 councils in NSW, up to 98 per cent recorded an error in depreciation of some component of transport infrastructure during 1999‐2000 and 2002‐2003. The error margin ranged from 11 to 73,520 per cent significantly impacting on the three targeted FKPIs.Practical implicationsFuture research will examine preparation of possible alternative policies for local government addressing the issue of internal benchmarking and external performance measures.Originality/valueThis research offers some reparation for the relative lack of empirical research literature on local government FKPIs and, in particular, those that do not meet the underlying accountability focus of performance measurement.
Regional activation in the rat brain during visceral stimulation detected by c‐fos expression and fMRI
Authors: Lazovic J. , Wrzos H. F. , Yang Q. X. , Collins C. M. , Smith M. B. , Norgren R. , Matyas K. , Ouyang A. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract  Aim:  The aim of the study was to determine and compare the areas of brain activated in response to colorectal distention (CRD) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and c‐fos protein expression.Methods:  For fMRI study (3.0 T magnet), anaesthetized rats underwent phasic CRD, synchronized with fMRI acquisition. Stimulation consisted of eight cycles of balloon deflation (90 s) and inflation (30 s), at 40, 60 or 80 mmHg of pressure. For c‐fos study two sets of experiments were performed on anaesthetized rats: comparing (A) brain activation in rats with the inserted colorectal balloon (n = 5), to the rats without the balloon (n = 5); and (B) rats with inserted balloon (n = 10), to the rats with inserted and distended balloon (n = 10). The pressure of 80 mmHg was applied for 2 h of 30 s inflation and 90 s deflation, alternating cycles.Results:  Functional MRI revealed significant activation in the amygdala, hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebellum and hippocampus. Significant increase in c‐fos expression was observed in amygdala and thalamus in the first set of experiments, and hypothalamus and parabrachial nuclei in the second.Conclusion:  The two methods are not interchangeable but appeared to be complementary: fMRI was more sensitive, whereas c‐fos had much greater resolution.
A comparative study of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities and nitrate levels in vitiligo patients
Authors: Hazneci Ersoy , Karabulut Aysun Bay , Öztürk Çetin , Batçioğlu Kadir , Doğan Gürsoy , Karaca Şemsettin , Eşrefoğlu Muammer 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Several groups have shown the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of vitiligo.Methods  In this study, we examined the erythrocyte and plasma activities of glutathione peroxidase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, plasma nitrite/nitrate levels, and erythrocyte catalase activity in 23 vitiligo patients and 25 controls.Results  The results show that erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitrite/nitrate levels are high in vitiligo patients.Conclusions  Our study confirms that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of vitiligo, as indicated by the high levels of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitrite/nitrate.
Cyclosporine controls epidermolysis bullosa acquisita co‐occurring with acquired factor VIII deficiency
Authors: Maize John C. , Cohen Jack B. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a rare antibody‐mediated autoimmune blistering disease of adults. Likewise, acquired factor VIII deficiency is a rare antibody‐mediated disease of adulthood. Both diseases can be exceedingly difficult to treat and refractory to immunomodulatory therapies.Methods  Herein, we report a challenging case of EBA and acquired factor VIII deficiency in the same patient.Results  Cyclosporine 4 mg/kg/day rapidly controlled both disease processes after the patient failed to respond to prednisone, colchicine, and pulse cyclophosphamide. The EBA relapsed when the cyclosporine was decreased to 2 mg/kg/day and the patient wore snuggly fitting new shoes, but it cleared quickly when the dose was increased. Cyclosporine has since been decreased gradually to 1.5 mg/kg/day without relapse of either condition or detectable side‐effects.Conclusions  Cyclosporine should be considered when EBA and/or acquired factor VIII deficiency fail to respond to conservative therapy. Both conditions usually respond rapidly to cyclosporine 4–6 mg/kg/day.
Nasal and bronchial response to exercise in patients with asthma and rhinitis: the role of nitric oxide
Authors: Valero A. , Serrano C. , Valera J. L. , Barberá A. , Torrego A. , Mullol J. , Picado C. 
Published: August 2005

Background:  Physical exercise is associated with a decrease in nasal resistance in rhinitis and an increase in bronchial resistance in asthma. The objective was to evaluate the relationship between the levels of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) and exhaled bronchial nitric oxide (eNO) with bronchial responses to exercise in patients with rhinitis and asthma.Methods:  We submitted 24 subjects with asthma and rhinitis to an exercise test. A decrease in FEV1≥15% was considered positive. The volume of the nasal cavity and the minimal cross‐sectional area (MCA) was evaluated by means of acoustic rhinometry (AR), and nNO and eNO were evaluated by chemoluminiscence. The measurements were recorded at baseline, 15 and 50 min after the end of the exercise test.Results:  The exercise test was positive in 17 cases. Fifteen minutes after exercise test, the nasal volume increased by 57% (P < 0.0001) and was still increased by 30% after 50 min (P < 0.0001). There was no correlation between decrease in FEV1 and increase in nasal volume. The baseline value of nNO was 1185 ± 439 ppb, and the value at 15 and 50 min was 1165 ± 413 and 1020 ± 368 ppb, the latter value being significantly lower (P < 0.01) than the baseline. The baseline value of eNO was 21 ± 19 ppb, with no significant differences at 15 and 50 min. There was no significant correlation between either the decrease in FEV1 and the nasal response, or the baseline eNO and nNO values.Conclusions:  The nasal and bronchial response to exercise is completely different in rhinitis and asthma; in the former, an increase in nasal volume occurs, while in the latter there is a drop in FEV1. There is no relationship between the values of nasal or exhaled NO and the nasal and bronchial response after exercise.
Long‐term survival outcomes following breast cancer surgery in Western Australia
Authors: Spilsbury Katrina , Semmens James B. , Saunders Christobel M. , Holman C. D. J. 
Published: August 2005

Background:  Mortality rates from breast cancer are stabilizing or falling in many developed countries including Australia, however, survival outcomes are known to vary by social, demographic and treatment related factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate how hospital, social and demographic factors were associated with survival outcomes from surgically treated breast cancer for all women living in Western Australia.Methods:  The WA Data Linkage System was used to access hospital morbidity, death and cancer information for all women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in Western Australia 1982−2000. Relative survival and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify social, demographic and hospital factors associated with an increased risk of dying from breast cancer or dying from any cause.Results:  Survival outcomes improved in all women diagnosed in more recent calendar periods. However, a significantly increased risk of dying was observed for women who underwent initial surgical treatment in regional public hospitals outside of the state capital, Perth. Consistent with other reports, women aged greater than 80 years and younger than 35 years at diagnosis also had poorer survival outcomes. Residential location, socioeconomic status and race were not associated with survival after adjusting for treatment, health and hospital related factors.Conclusions:  Despite overall improvements in survival of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Western Australia, initial surgical treatment in public hospitals outside of Perth was associated with significantly poorer outcomes.
Naturalistic Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Beail Nigel , Warden Sharon , Morsley Kim , Newman David 
Published: August 2005

Background  Despite repeated calls for research on the efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy with people with intellectual disabilities there has been little progress in this area. This paper reports a naturalistic study of the effectiveness of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy provided in routine clinical practice.Method  The study was an open trial design with a 3‐month follow‐up period. Widely available and used psychotherapy outcome measures were adopted, but administered in an assisted completion format at intake, outcome and follow‐up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Effect sizes were also computed.Results  The results show statistically significant reductions in recipients’ levels of psychological distress and interpersonal problems and an increase in self‐esteem. Effect sizes were modest to large.Conclusions  The study shows that adults with intellectual disabilities can benefit from individual psychotherapy provided in routine clinical practice. The method has obvious limitations because of its uncontrolled, open trial design. However, the study had a recipient group that represents the client population and thus has greater generalisability to clinical practice. This study also provides some suggestions for routine audit and evaluation exercises and more rigorous designs.
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Early Childhood
Authors: Wyllie Elaine , Chee Michael , Granstrom Marja‐Liisa , DelGiudice Ennio , Estes Melinda , Comair Youssef , Pizzi Margaret , Kotagal Prakash , Bourgeois Blaise , Lüders Hans 
Published: August 2005

Summary:To explore the electroclinical features of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in early childhood, we studied results of video‐EEG and other tests of 14 children aged 16 months to 12 years selected by seizure‐free outcome after temporal lobectomy. Four children had mesiotemporal sclerosis, 1 had cortical dysplasia, and 9 had low‐grade temporal neoplasms. The children had complex partial seizures (CPS) with symptomatology similar to that of adults with TLE, including decreased responsiveness and automatisms. Automatisms tended to be simpler in the younger children, typically limited to lip smacking and fumbling hand gestures. Scalp/sphenoidal EEC showed anterior/inferior temporal interictal sharp waves and unilateral temporal seizure onset in the 4 children with mesiotemporal sclerosis and in the child with cortical dysplasia, but EEG findings in 9 children with low‐grade temporal tumors were complex, including multifo‐cal interictal sharp waves or poorly localized or falsely lateralized EEG seizure onset. In children without tumors, video‐EEG was critical to localization of the epi‐leptogenic zone for resection, but in patients with tumors video‐EEG was less localizing and its main value was to confirm that the reported behaviors were epileptic seizures with semiology typical of temporal lobe onset.
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy After Prolonged Febrile Convulsions: Excellent Outcome After Surgical Treatment
Authors: Abou‐Khalil Bassel , Andermann Eva , Andermann Frederick , Olivier Andre , Quesney L. Felipe 
Published: August 2005

Summary:We studied 47 consecutive patients who underwent temporal resection for seizure control. Nineteen (40%) had febrile convulsions preceding onset of their habitual seizures. In 17 of 18 patients whose disease duration was known, the febrile convulsions were prolonged (mean 4 h). As compared with patients without preceding febrile convulsions, patients with antecedent febrile convulsions had a significantly higher prevalence of positive family history of febrile convulsions, an increased incidence of retrospectively identified gestational or perinatal complications, and no foreign tissue lesions. Pathologic studies showed gliosis and cell loss in mesiotemporal structures, usually moderate, in addition to usually mild gliosis in lateral temporal cortex. These patients had an excellent outcome after temporal resection: 84% were seizure‐free, had residual auras only, or occasional convulsions with medication discontinuation. One patient (5%) had >90% improvement. Two patients (11%) in whom the hippocampus was totally spared continued to have complex partial seizures: in both, seizures stopped after reoperation and hippocampal resection. Thus, 95% of these patients had an excellent result. Only 16% required invasive preoperative studies to confirm lateralization. These results were significantly better than those of the group without preceding febrile convulsions (p= 0.0013).
Increasing Plasma Concentration Tolerability Study of Flunarizine in Comedicated Epileptic Patients
Authors: Treiman David M. , Pledger Gordon W. , DeGiorgio Christopher , Tsay Jia‐Yeong , Cereghino James J. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:Twelve patients with intractable partial seizures [4 receiving carbamazepine (CBZ), 4 phenytoin (PHT), and 4 both] entered a study of the tolerability of flunarizine (FNR) at specified plasma concentrations. After an 8‐week baseline period, a single‐dose pharmacoki‐netic study was performed for each patient to calculate a loading dose and maintenance dosage necessary to achieve a target plasma FNR concentration of 30 ng/ml. The first 8 patients received the loading dose (as divided doses) during a 1‐week hospitalization and the maintenance dosage for the ensuing 8 weeks. These patients proceeded to treatment periods with target concentrations of 60 and then 120 ng/ml, using doses based on an assumed linear relation between dose and plasma concentration. The last 4 patients were studied only at the 120‐ng/ml target level. Results indicated that this procedure successfully approximated target levels of 30 and 60 ng/ ml, but observed concentrations in the last period exceeded the 120‐ng/ml target level and continued to increase with time, often necessitating a dosage reduction owing to intolerability. Calculated doses for a given target concentration varied by a factor of 12. The most frequently reported adverse experiences were sedation and increased fatigue; reports of dizziness, headache, and lethargy were also common. Based on this study, a target concentration of at least 60 but <120 ng/ml is recommended for a controlled clinical trial of the antiepileptic efficacy of FNR.
Chemical Kindling: Implications for Antiepileptic Drugs‐Sensitive and Resistant Epilepsy Models
Authors: Shandra Alexei A. , Mazarati Andrey M. , Godlevsky Leonid S. , Vastyanov Rooslan S. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:The efficacy of phenobarbital (PB) and phe‐nytoin (PHT) was evaluated against the convulsions in chemically (picrotoxin, PTX) kindled rats. Two protocols were used: assessment of seizures immediately after the completion of the kindling procedure and after the 2–week postkindling PTX‐free period, as compared with acute PTX seizures. Kindled convulsions were more sensitive than acute PTX seizures to the antiepileptic action of PB and PHT. On the other hand, the “postkindling state” was characterized by the enhancement of the seventy of the convulsions in comparison with both kindled and acute PTX seizures and dramatic increase in the resistance to the action of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). It is concluded that the two paradigms—kindling proper and “postkindling”—could be applied as models for AED‐sensitive and AED‐resistant animal epilepsy models correspondingly.