AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Samir K. Ballas
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a pleiotropic genetic disorder of hemoglobin that has profound multiorgan effects. The low prevalence of SCD (,100,000/US) has limited progress in clinical, basic, and translational research. Lack of a large, readily accessible population for clinical studies has contributed to the absence of standard definitions and diagnostic criteria for the numerous complications of SCD and inadequate understanding of SCD pathophysiology. In 2005, the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers initiated a project to establish consensus definitions of the most frequently occurring complications. A group of clinicians and scientists with extensive expertise in research and treatment of SCD gathered to identify and categorize the most common complications. From this group, a formal writing team was formed that further reviewed the literature, sought specialist input, and produced definitions in a standard format. This article provides an overview of the process and describes 12 body system categories and the most prevalent or severe complications within these categories. A detailed Appendix provides standardized definitions for all complications identified within each system. This report proposes use of these definitions for studies of SCD complications, so future studies can be comparably robust and treatment efficacy measured. Use of these definitions will support greater accuracy in genotype,phenotype studies, thereby achieving a better understanding of SCD pathophysiology. This should nevertheless be viewed as a dynamic rather than final document; phenotype descriptions should be reevaluated and revised periodically to provide the most current standard definitions as etiologic factors are better understood, and new diagnostic options are developed. Am. J. Hematol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Analysis of the Long-Term Hearing Results after the Surgical Repair of Aural Atresia

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 10 2006
Sun O. Chang MD
Abstract Objectives: Careful surgical candidate selection guarantees a high probability of serviceable hearing postoperatively in congenital aural atresia (CAA) patients. The authors analyzed hearing results after CAA surgery with long-term follow-up (F/U) with respect to several clinical factors. Study Design: This was a retrospective study. Methods: The medical records of 93 CAA patients (100 ears) who underwent operations from January 1987 through December 2002 at Seoul National University Hospital were reviewed. Mean duration was 56.9 months. The authors evaluated the results of hearing after surgery over 3 year F/U with a view to clarifying the factors accounting for unsuccessful results. Results: Approximately 64% of patients treated surgically achieved a considerable hearing gain over long-term F/U. Postoperative hearing remained relatively stable over the period from 6 months to 3 years postoperatively, yielding only 2.75 dB of aggravation. However, hearing results in revision cases deteriorated with time, which led to statistically higher air-conduction thresholds than those of primary cases at the 1 and 3 year F/Us. Resultantly, only 26.6% of patients having achieved a poor hearing gain post first surgery benefited from revision audiologically. The severity of microtia was found to help predict poor long-term hearing outcomes after CAA surgery. Conclusions: Nonrevision cases and cases with mild microtia appear to have acceptable and stable long-term hearing results. Disappointing long-term hearing results in revision, and severe microtia cases should lead to considerations of alternative options in these cases, such as bone-anchored hearing aids, which offer reliable and stable results. [source]

Nuclear HBcAg and histology activity index as independent predictors of the expression of singly spliced HBV-RNA

JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 1 2007
I.-S. Sheen
Summary., Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA splicing has been reported by many researchers, the clinical significance of this event remains illusive. The present study was designed to investigate the clinical roles of singly spliced HBV-RNA. Liver biopsy tissues obtained from 32 consecutive patients were subjected to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for the detection of singly spliced and unspliced HBV-RNA. Stepwise linear regression model was used to estimate the ratio of singly spliced to unspliced (S/US) HBV-RNA in the presence of the following variables: age, gender, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, alpha-foetoprotein, status of HBV e antigen (HBeAg), status of antibody to HBeAg, HBV-DNA, histology activity index (HAI), fibrotic score, grade of cytoplasmic HBV core antigen (HBcAg), grade of nuclear HBcAg, genotype, status of precore-stop-mutation, basal core promoter mutation, previous lamivudine therapy and superinfection by other hepatitis viruses. The results showed that HAI (, = ,0.2616; P = 0.011) and grade of nuclear HBcAg expression (, = 0.5599; P =0.0067) were two independent predictors for the expression of singly spliced HBV-RNA. Further categorical analysis showed that patients with HAI score ,6 and grading of nuclear HBcAg ,2 have significantly higher S/US ratios. In conclusion, nuclear HBcAg and HAI are two independent predictors for the expression of singly spliced HBV-RNA. [source]

Simulation of Accuracy Performance for Wireless Sensor-Based Construction Asset Tracking

COMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009
Miros, aw J. Skibniewski
In particular, identifying the location of distributed mobile entities throughout wireless communications becomes the primary task to realize the remote tracking and monitoring of the construction assets. Even though several alternative solutions have been introduced by utilizing recent technologies, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) and the global positioning system (GPS), they could not provide a solid direction to accurate and scalable tracking frameworks in large-scale construction domains due to limited capability and inflexible networking architectures. This article introduces a new tracking architecture using wireless sensor modules and shows an accuracy performance using a numerical simulation approach based on the time-of-flight method. By combining radio frequency (RF) and ultrasound (US) signals, the simulation results showed an enhanced accuracy performance over the utilization of an RF signal only. The proposed approach can provide potential guidelines for further exploration of hardware/software design and for experimental analysis to implement the framework of tracking construction assets. [source]

Implementation, performance, and science results from a 30.7 TFLOPS IBM BladeCenter cluster

CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 2 2010
Craig A. Stewart
Abstract This paper describes Indiana University's implementation, performance testing, and use of a large high performance computing system. IU's Big Red, a 20.48 TFLOPS IBM e1350 BladeCenter cluster, appeared in the 27th Top500 list as the 23rd fastest supercomputer in the world in June 2006. In spring 2007, this computer was upgraded to 30.72 TFLOPS. The e1350 BladeCenter architecture, including two internal networks accessible to users and user applications and two networks used exclusively for system management, has enabled the system to provide good scalability on many important applications while being well manageable. Implementing a system based on the JS21 Blade and PowerPC 970MP processor within the US TeraGrid presented certain challenges, given that Intel-compatible processors dominate the TeraGrid. However, the particular characteristics of the PowerPC have enabled it to be highly popular among certain application communities, particularly users of molecular dynamics and weather forecasting codes. A critical aspect of Big Red's implementation has been a focus on Science Gateways, which provide graphical interfaces to systems supporting end-to-end scientific workflows. Several Science Gateways have been implemented that access Big Red as a computational resource,some via the TeraGrid, some not affiliated with the TeraGrid. In summary, Big Red has been successfully integrated with the TeraGrid, and is used by many researchers locally at IU via grids and Science Gateways. It has been a success in terms of enabling scientific discoveries at IU and, via the TeraGrid, across the US. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Cost analysis of the treatment of acute childhood lymphocytic leukaemia according to Nordic protocols

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2000
J Rahiala
Some attempts have been made to reduce the costs incurred in the therapy of leukaemia, but no studies are available regarding costs of the entire treatment in children with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL). We analysed all the direct costs of treatment of 11 children with ALL diagnosed and treated in Kuopio University Hospital. The follow-up continued from diagnosis until the end of treatment for each patient. Patient treatment on the ward lasted for 84-210 d and in the outpatient clinic for 24-66 d, depending on the risk group. From 11-54 of the inpatient days were required for the treatment of infections. Total mean cost of the entire treatment was US $103 250 (US $55 196-166 039) per patient, 53% of which were basic hospital costs and 47% patient-specific costs. Laboratory tests and radiology accounted for 18% of all direct costs and cytostatic drugs for 13%, but blood products accounted for only 4% of the total. Infections were the most important extra cause of costs, accounting for 18% of the mean total costs per patient. The complete treatment of a child with ALL came to a total of US $103 250. However, since 80% of children with ALL are long-term survivors, the cost must be regarded as a good investment. [source]

Magnetic resonance imaging at term and neuromotor outcome in preterm infants

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 3 2000
AM Valkama
In order to evaluate the value of neonatal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting neuromotor outcome in very low birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants, 51 such infants with gestational age <34 wk underwent brain MRI at term age. Myelination, parenchymal lesions (haemorrhage, leukomalacia, infarction, reduction of white matter), parenchymal lesions without subependymal haemorrhage, ventricular/brain ratios and widths of the extracerebral spaces were assessed. The MRI findings were compared with cranial ultrasound (US) performed at term. Infants' neuromotor development was followed up until 18 mo corrected age. Parenchymal lesions seen in MRI at term predicted cerebral palsy (CP) with 100% sensitivity and 79% specificity, the corresponding figures for US being 67% and 85%, respectively. Parenchymal lesions in MRI, excluding subependymal haemorrhages, predicted CP with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 97%, the corresponding figures for US being 58% and 100%, respectively. Delayed myelination, ventricular/brain ratios and widths of the extracerebral spaces failed to predict CP. Term age is a good time for neuroradiological examinations in prematurely born high-risk infants. Parenchymal lesions seen in MRI are reliable predictors for CP. [source]

A Prospective Comparison of Ultrasound-guided and Blindly Placed Radial Arterial Catheters

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2006
Stephen Shiver MD
Abstract Background Arterial cannulation for continuous blood-pressure measurement and frequent arterial-blood sampling commonly are required in critically ill patients. Objectives To compare ultrasound (US)-guided versus traditional palpation placement of arterial lines for time to placement, number of attempts, sites used, and complications. Methods This was a prospective, randomized interventional study at a Level 1 academic urban emergency department with an annual census of 78,000 patients. Patients were randomized to either palpation or US-guided groups. Inclusion criteria were any adult patient who required an arterial line according to the treating attending. Patients who had previous attempts at an arterial line during the visit, or who could not be randomized because of time constraints, were excluded. Enrollment was on a convenience basis, during hours worked by researchers over a six-month period. Patients in either group who had three failed attempts were rescued with the other technique for patient comfort. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, and Student's t-tests. Results Sixty patients were enrolled, with 30 patients randomized to each group. Patients randomized to the US group had a shorter time required for arterial line placement (107 vs. 314 seconds; difference, 207 seconds; p = 0.0004), fewer placement attempts (1.2 vs. 2.2; difference, 1; p = 0.001), and fewer sites required for successful line placement (1.1 vs. 1.6; difference, 0.5; p = 0.001), as compared with the palpation group. Conclusions In this study, US guidance for arterial cannulation was successful more frequently and it took less time to establish the arterial line as compared with the palpation method. [source]

The Cost Efficiency of Wild Dog Conservation in South Africa

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
P. A. LINDSEY
crianza de especies cinegéticas; financiamiento de donantes; Lycaon pictus; metapoblación; reintroducción Abstract:,Aside from Kruger National Park, no other suitable reserves of sufficient size exist in South Africa that will hold a viable population of wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). Consequently, conservation efforts have been focused on creating a metapopulation through a series of wild dog reintroductions into isolated fenced reserves. Additional potential exists for conserving wild dogs on private ranch land. Establishing the metapopulation was an expensive process, accounting for approximately 75% of the US$380,000 spent on wild dog conservation in South Africa during 1997-2001. The principal goal of the metapopulation project was to reduce the risk of catastrophic population decline. Now that this has been achieved, we developed a uniform cost-efficiency index to estimate the cost efficiency of current and potential future conservation strategies in South Africa. Conserving wild dogs in large protected areas was predicted to be the most cost-efficient conservation strategy (449 packs/$100,000 expenditure). Establishing the metapopulation has been less cost efficient (23 packs/$100,000), and expansion of the metapopulation was predicted to be even less cost efficient if predation by wild dogs results in additional costs, as is to be expected if private reserves are used for reintroductions (3-13 packs/$100,000). Because of low logistical costs, conserving wild dogs in situ on private ranch land was potentially more cost efficient than reintroducing wild dogs (14-27 packs/$100,000). We recommend that donor funding be used to reintroduce wild dogs into transfrontier parks, when they are established, to maintain the existing metapopulation and to establish conservation programs involving wild dogs on private ranch land. Investing in the expansion of the metapopulation should be limited to state-owned nature reserves willing to carry predation costs without compensation. Resumen:,Además del Parque Nacional Kruger, en África del Sur no existen otras reservas de suficiente tamaño como para mantener una población viable de perros salvajes (Lycaon pictus). En consecuencia, los esfuerzos de conservación se han enfocado en la creación de una metapoblación por medio de una serie de reintroducciones en pequeñas reservas cercadas. Hay un potencial adicional para la conservación de perros salvajes en terrenos privados. El establecimiento de la metapoblación fue un proceso costoso, ,75% de US $380,000 que fueron gastados en la conservación de perros salvajes entre 1997 y 2001 en África del Sur. La meta principal del proyecto de metapoblación fue la reducción del riesgo de una declinación catastrófica de la población. Ya que esto se ha logrado, desarrollamos un índice de rentabilidad uniforme para estimar la rentabilidad de las actuales y potenciales estrategias de conservación en África del Sur. Se predijo que la estrategia de conservación de más rentable (449manadas/$100,000 de gasto) era la conservación de perros salvajes en áreas protegidas grandes. El establecimiento de la metapoblación ha sido menos rentable (23 manadas/$100,000), y se predijo que la expansión de la metapoblación sería aun menos rentable si la depredación por perros salvajes resulta en costos adicionales, como se esperaría si se utilizan reservas privadas para las reintroducciones (3-13 manadas/$100,000). Debido a los bajos costos de logística, la conservación de perros salvajes in situ en terrenos privados fue potencialmente más rentable que reintroducir a los perros salvajes (14-27 manadas/$100,000). Recomendamos que el financiamiento de donantes sea utilizado para reintroducir perros salvajes en parque transfronterizos, cuando sean establecidos, para mantener a la metapoblación existente y para establecer programas de conservación que involucren a perros salvajes en terrenos privados. La inversión en la expansión de la metapoblación deberá limitarse a reservas naturales propiedad del estado que estén dispuestas a absorber los costos de la depredación sin ser compensadas. [source]

An Ecological and Economic Assessment of the Nontimber Forest Product Gaharu Wood in Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
Gary D. Paoli
We studied the demographic effect and economic returns of harvesting aromatic gaharu wood from fungus-infected trees of Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. at Gunung Palung National Park, Indonesia, to evaluate the management potential of gaharu wood. Aquilaria malaccensis trees openface> 20 cm in diameter occurred at low preharvest densities (0.16,0.32 ha) but were distributed across five of six forest types surveyed. During a recent harvest, 75% of trees were felled, with harvest intensities ranging from 50% to 100% among forest types. Overall, 50% of trees contained gaharu wood, but trees at higher elevations contained gaharu wood more frequently ( 73%) than trees at lower elevation (27%). The mean density of regeneration ( juveniles> 15 cm in height) near adult trees (3,7 m away) was 0.2/m2, 200 times greater than at random in the forest (10/ha), but long-term data on growth and survivorship are needed to determine whether regeneration is sufficient for population recovery. Gaharu wood extraction from Gunung Palung was very profitable for collectors, generating an estimated gross financial return per day of US $8.80, triple the mean village wage. Yet, the estimated sustainable harvest of gaharu wood at natural tree densities generates a mean net present value of only $10.83/ha, much lower than that of commercial timber harvesting, the dominant forest use in Kalimantan. Returns per unit area could be improved substantially, however, by implementing known silvicultural methods to increase tree densities, increase the proportion of trees that produce gaharu wood, and shorten the time interval between successive harvests. The economic potential of gaharu wood is unusual among nontimber forest products and justifies experimental trials to develop small-scale cultivation methods. Resumen: Datos ecológicos y económicos son esenciales para la identificación de productos forestales no maderables tropicales con potencial para la extracción sostenible y rentable en un sistema bajo manejo. Estudiamos el efecto demográfico y los beneficios económicos de la cosecha de la madera aromática gaharu de árboles de Aquilaria malaccenis Lam infectados por hongos en el Parque Nacional Gunung Palung Indonesia para evaluar el potencial de manejo de la madera. Arboles de Aquilaria malaccenis> 20 cm de diámetro ocurrieron en bajas densidades precosecha (0.16,0.32 ha,1) pero se distribuyeron en cinco de los seis tipos de bosque muestreados. Durante una cosecha reciente, 75% de los árboles fueron cortados, con intensidades de cosecha entre 50 y 100% en los tipos de bosque. En conjunto, 50% de los árboles contenían madera gaharu, pero árboles de elevaciones mayores contenían madera gaharu más frecuentemente ( 73%) que árboles de elevaciones menores (27%). La densidad promedio de regeneración ( juveniles> 15 cm de altura) cerca de árboles adultos (de 3 a 7 m de distancia) fue de 0.2 m,2, 200 veces mayor que en el bosque (10 ha,1), pero se requieren datos a largo plazo sobre el crecimiento y la supervivencia para determinar si la regeneración es suficiente para la recuperación de la población. La extracción de madera gaharu de Gunung Palung fue muy redituable, generando un rendimiento financiero bruto estimado en US $8.80 diarios, el triple del salario promedio en la zona. Sin embargo, la cosecha sostenible estimada de madera gaharu en densidades naturales de árboles genera un valor presente neto de sólo $10.83 ha,1, mucho menor que el de la cosecha comercial de madera, uso dominante del bosque en Kalimantan. Sin embargo, los rendimientos por unidad de área podrían mejorar sustancialmente mediante la instrumentación de métodos silviculturales para incrementar la densidad de árboles, incrementar la proporción de árboles que producen madera gaharu y reducir el intervalo de tiempo entre cosechas sucesivas. El potencial económico de la madera gaharu es poco usual entre los productos forestales no maderables y justifica la experimentación para desarrollar métodos de cultivo en pequeña escala. [source]

Board Monitoring, Regulation, and Performance in the Banking Industry: Evidence from the Market for Corporate Control

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 5 2010
Jens Hagendorff
ABSTRACT Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: The specific monitoring effect of boards of directors versus industry regulation is unclear. In this paper, we examine how the interaction between bank-level monitoring and regulatory regimes influences the announcement period returns of acquiring banks in the US and twelve European economies. Research Findings/Insights: We study three board monitoring mechanisms , independence, CEO-chair duality, and diversity , and analyze their effectiveness in preventing underperforming merger strategies under bank regulators of varying strictness. Only under strict banking regulation regimes, do board independence and diversity improve acquisition performance. In less strict regulatory environments, corporate governance is virtually irrelevant in improving the performance outcomes of merger activities. Theoretical/Academic Implications: Our results indicate a complementary role between monitoring by boards and bank regulation. This study is the first to report evidence consistent with complementarity by investigating the effectiveness (rather than the prevalence) of governance arrangements across regulatory regimes. Practitioner/Policy Implications: Our work offers insights to policymakers charged with improving the quality of decision-making at financial institutions. Attempts to improve the ability of bank boards to critically assess managerial initiatives are most likely to be successful if internal governance is accompanied by strict industry regulation. [source]

Maturation of Corporate Governance Research, 1993,2007: An Assessment

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 3 2009
Boris Durisin
ABSTRACT Manuscript Type: Review Research Question/Issue: This study seeks to investigate whether governance research in fact is a discipline or whether it is rather the subject of multi-disciplinary research. We map the intellectual structure of corporate governance research and its evolution from 1993,2007. Research Findings/Results: Based on the analysis of more than 1,000 publications and 48,000 citations in Corporate Goverance: An International Review (CGIR) and other academic journals, our study identifies the most influential works, the dominant subfields, and their evolution. Our study assesses the maturation of corporate governance research as a discipline; it finds increasing sophistication, depth and rigor, and consistency in its intellectual structure. Theoretical Implications: There is a large body of accumulated corporate governance research in the US, yet there is an empirical gap on cross-national studies in the literature. Furthermore, hardly any of the top cited works undertake their study in a cross-national setting. Thus, corporate governance research and CGIR in its quest to contribute to a global theory of corporate governance might benefit if articles have a cross-national methodological approach and empirical grounding in their research design and if articles explicitly aim at stating the theoretical underpinnings they draw on. Practical Implications: Globalists find in CGIR an outlet addressing economics and finance (e.g., whether and how compensation or dismissal of CEOs is related to board characteristics), management (e.g., whether and how best practice codes adoption is related to board characteristics and performance), and accounting (e.g., whether and how earnings manipulations is related to board characteristics) issues globally. [source]

Sarbanes Oxley Section 404 Costs of Compliance: a case study

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 2 2007
Lineke Sneller
In 2002 US Congress approved the Sarbanes Oxley Act (SOX). Section 404 requires companies to assess their internal controls and acquire an attestation of this assessment from their external auditor. In this paper, we investigate the costs of compliance of this assessment and attestation. The European division of a US listed company is used as a case study. The divisional project approach is described, and costs of compliance for this division are presented in two categories: assessment costs, mainly hours spent by internal staff; and attestation costs, mainly audit fees. The case study shows that the internal hours spent on assessment are approximately 12 times higher than the initial estimate made by the SEC in 2002, and that the realised other expenses are approximately 1.4 times higher than this estimate. Furthermore, a year on year increase of 50 per cent of the company's audit fee in the first year of Section 404 compliance is found. Companies can reduce the costs of compliance by implementing programmed controls, using auditors from countries with lower rates, remediating material weaknesses only, focusing on the internal control system rather than on individual controls, and by encouraging the auditor to rely on the company's assessment. [source]

Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility: a comparative analysis of the UK and the US,

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 3 2006
Ruth V. Aguilera
This paper argues that key differences between the UK and the US in the importance ascribed to a company's social responsibilities (CSR) reflect differences in the corporate governance arrangements in these two countries. Specifically, we analyse the role of a salient type of owner in the UK and the US, institutional investors, in emphasising firm-level CSR actions. We explore differences between institutional investors in the UK and the US concerning CSR, and draw on a model of instrumental, relational and moral motives to explore why institutional investors in the UK are becoming concerned with firms' social and environmental actions. We conclude with some suggestions for future research in this area. [source]

Continuity and Change in Corporate Governance: comparing Germany and Japan

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 3 2005
Gregory Jackson
Germany and Japan are often seen deviating from an economic model of shareholder control and thereby as being similar by virtue of their mutual contrast with the US. Given the common challenges for bank-based and stakeholder-oriented models of corporate governance, Germany,Japan comparison seems particularly timely. This article provides an introductory overview and analysis for the Special Issue by comparing recent developments in corporate law reform, banking and finance, and employment in Germany and Japan. While rejecting arguments for international convergence, we discuss this evidence of simultaneous continuity and change in corporate governance as a potential form of hybridisation of national models or renegotiation of stakeholder coalitions in German and Japanese firms. One consequence is the growing diversity of firm-level corporate governance practices within national systems. [source]

Redesigning Corporate Governance Structures and Systems for the Twenty First Century

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 3 2001
Robert A.G. Monks
How a corporation is governed has become in recent years an increasingly important element in how it is valued by the market place. McKinsey & Company in June 2000 published the results of an Investor Opinion Survey of attitudes about the corporate governance of portfolio companies. The survey gathered responses about investment intentions from over 200 institutions who together manage approximately $3.25 trillion in assets. Ranging from 17 per cent in the US and Britain to over 27 per cent in Venezuela, investors placed a specific premium on what was called "Board Governance". To put this into perspective, consider how greatly sales would have to increase, expenses be cut and margins improved to achieve a comparable impact on value. "For purposes of the survey, a well governed company is defined as having a majority of outside directors on the board with no management ties; holding formal evaluations of directors; and being responsive to investor requests for information on governance issues. In addition, directors hold significant stockholdings in the company, and a large proportion of directors' pay is in the form of stock options." This correlation of governance with market value by one of the most respected consulting companies in the world creates the foundations of a new language for management accountability. McKinsey has great credibility as a value-adding advisor to corporate managements. Governance is not a cause or a theology for McKinsey; it is an important element in the value of an enterprise. By getting the opinion of what we call Global Investors with portfolios of holdings on every continent, McKinsey has importantly impacted the cost of capital for all corporations henceforth. Admittedly, McKinsey's criteria of "board governance" are blunt. "Every organization attempting to accomplish something has to ask and answer the following question," writes Harvard Business School professor Michael C. Jensen in the introduction to his recent working paper: "What are we trying to accomplish? Or, put even more simply: When all is said and done, how do we measure better versus worse? Even more simply: How do we keep score... . I say long-term market value to recognize that it is possible for markets not to know the full implications of a firm's policies until they begin to show up.... Value creation does not mean succumbing to the vagaries of the movements in a firm's values from day to day. The market is inevitably ignorant of many of our actions and opportunities, at least in the short run...". Surprisingly little attention is paid to what we all intuitively know, that talented people are not entirely motivated by financial compensation. Directors therefore must pay special attention to creating an appropriate environment for stimulating optimum management performance. [source]

Corporate social responsibility in host countries: a perspective from American managers

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2007
Robert L. Engle
Abstract This paper examines the beliefs of 56 US-based senior international business executives regarding the importance of multinational corporations' involvement in the improvement of host countries' human rights, poverty, education, health care and environment. The results of this pilot study suggest that all five areas are considered important, with the environmental responsibilities of MNCs being perceived as the most important of these five areas. Little significant difference was found with regards to the executives' views of importance based on either their having lived overseas or based on the international component of their current job activity, with one exception: those executives with more than 50% of their job involving international activities believed that MNCs had a significantly greater environmental responsibility in host countries than did those with less job-related international activity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source]

The end of the MFA and apparel exports: has good CSR allowed Cambodia to hold steady against China in a quota free environment?

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2006
Stephen Frost
Abstract In the lead up the end of the Multi-Fiber Arrangement (MFA), commentators routinely argued that Chinese apparel exports would surge in a quota-free environment. It was also expected that Southeast Asian apparel exporting nations would suffer declines, leading to job and economic losses. Of particular concern was Cambodia, a country that relies almost exclusively on apparel exports for foreign earnings. By mid-2005, as trade data started to filter in, the doomsday scenario for countries like Cambodia seemed less clear cut. Although China's apparel exports had indeed soured, a surprising outcome was that exports to the US from Cambodia (and several other neighbours such as Indonesia and Vietnam) had also increased. This article focuses specifically on Cambodia (which of all the Southeast Asian countries surveyed has shown the greatest growth in apparel exports) and examines some of the CSR initiatives that help explain why gloomy prognostications have not yet become true. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source]

WHAT CRIME RATES TELL US ABOUT WHERE TO FOCUS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PRISONERS

CRIMINOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 3 2007
SUSAN TURNER
First page of article [source]

Seasonal allergies and suicidality: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2010
E. Messias
Messias E, Clarke DE, Goodwin RD. Seasonal allergies and suicidality: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Objective:, Studies have shown an association between allergies and suicidality, and a seasonality of suicide has also been described. We hypothesize an association between history of seasonal allergies and suicide ideation and attempt. Method:, Data came from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a nationally representative sample (n = 5692) of adults living in the US. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) controlling for the following: age, sex, race, smoking, asthma and depression. Results:, After weighting and adjustment, a positive and statistically significant association was found between history of seasonal allergies and history of suicidal ideation [adjusted OR = 1.27 (1.01,1.58)]. We found no association between history of seasonal allergies and history of suicide attempts [adjusted OR = 1.17 (0.89,1.52)]. Conclusion:, Findings from a population-based sample support the hypothesized relationship between allergies and suicidal ideation. [source]

HARMONIZING REGULATIONS FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE US AND VENEZUELAN SYSTEMS

DEVELOPING WORLD BIOETHICS, Issue 3 2008
DANNIE DI TILLIO-GONZALEZ
ABSTRACT This article aims to compare the national legal systems that regulate biomedical research in an industrialized country (United States) and a developing country (Venezuela). A new international order is emerging in which Europe, Japan and the United States (US) are revising common guidelines and harmonizing standards. In this article, we analyze , as an example , the US system. This system is controlled by a federal agency structured to regulate research funded by the federal government uniformly, either in the US or abroad. In contrast, in Venezuela, a developing country, the creation of a centralized system is a slow process. Different types of ethical committees review research projects using non-uniform criteria. Consequently, various parallel organizations that conduct biomedical research, such as universities, research institutes and private hospitals have diverse regulations operating at a local level. Thus, the most relevant difference between the Venezuelan and the US systems is the degree of standardization. In the US, the review process is performed by institutional review boards (IRBs), which have a similar organization and maintain relationships with a centralized agency, following standard regulations. Although new proposals for establishing national regulations are currently being considered in Venezuela, the success of these initiatives will depend on promoting governmental efforts to create a more structured centralized system supported by a national regulatory framework. This system will need governmental financial support at all levels. This article proposes an integrated system to regulate research with human participants in Venezuela and other developing countries. [source]

Prevalence and epidemiologic characteristics of FASD from various research methods with an emphasis on recent in-school studies

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEW, Issue 3 2009
Philip A. May
Abstract Researching the epidemiology and estimating the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) for mainstream populations anywhere in the world has presented a challenge to researchers. Three major approaches have been used in the past: surveillance and record review systems, clinic-based studies, and active case ascertainment methods. The literature on each of these methods is reviewed citing the strengths, weaknesses, prevalence results, and other practical considerations for each method. Previous conclusions about the prevalence of FAS and total FASD in the United States (US) population are summarized. Active approaches which provide clinical outreach, recruitment, and diagnostic services in specific populations have been demonstrated to produce the highest prevalence estimates. We then describe and review studies utilizing in-school screening and diagnosis, a special type of active case ascertainment. Selected results from a number of in-school studies in South Africa, Italy, and the US are highlighted. The particular focus of the review is on the nature of the data produced from in-school methods and the specific prevalence rates of FAS and total FASD which have emanated from them. We conclude that FAS and other FASD are more prevalent in school populations, and therefore the general population, than previously estimated. We believe that the prevalence of FAS in typical, mixed-racial, and mixed-socioeconomic populations of the US is at least 2 to 7 per 1,000. Regarding all levels of FASD, we estimate that the current prevalence of FASD in populations of younger school children may be as high as 2,5% in the US and some Western European countries. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2009; 15:176,192. [source]

Universal newborn screening and adverse medical outcomes: A historical note

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEW, Issue 4 2006
Jeffrey P. Brosco
Abstract Universal newborn screening programs for metabolic disorders are typically described as a triumph of medicine and public policy in the US over the last 50 years. Advances in science and technology, including the Human Genome Project, offer the opportunity to expand universal newborn screening programs to include many additional metabolic and genetic conditions. Although the benefits of such screening programs appear to outweigh their costs, some critics have claimed that historical examples of inadvertent harm ensuing from false-positive screening results and subsequent inappropriate medical treatment should make us wary of expanding universal newborn screening. In this essay, we report the results of a review of the published literature to assess whether the extension of screening from at risk populations to all newborns led to substantial morbidity and mortality from misguided medical treatment. We provide a historical overview of universal newborn screening programs in the United States, and then focus on six early NBS programs: congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, galactosemia, sickle cell disease, and maple syrup urine disease. Our comprehensive search of published sources did not reveal a widespread problem of harm ensuing from medical treatment of children with false positive screening test results. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MRDD Research Reviews 2006;12:262,269. [source]

The serotonin transporter 5-HTTPR polymorphism is associated with current and lifetime depression in persons with chronic psychotic disorders

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2009
J. Contreras
Objective:, Variation in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) promoter region has been shown to influence depression in persons who have been exposed to a number of stressful life events. Method:, We evaluated whether genetic variation in 5-HTTLPR, influences current depression, lifetime history of depression and quantitative measures of depression in persons with chronic psychotic disorders. This is an association study of a genetic variant with quantitative and categorical definitions of depression conducted in the southwest US, Mexico and Costa Rica. We analyzed 260 subjects with a history of psychosis, from a sample of 129 families. Results:, We found that persons carrying at least one short allele had a statistically significant increased lifetime risk for depressive syndromes (P < 0.02, odds ratio 2.18, 95% CI 1.10,4.20). Conclusion:, The ,ss' or ,sl' genotype at the 5-HTTLPR promoter polymorphic locus increases the risk of psychotic individuals to develop major depression during the course of their illness. [source]

A new US,UK diagnostic project: mood elevation and depression in first-year undergraduates at Oxford and Stanford universities

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2008
R. A. Chandler
Objective:, To investigate differences in prevalence of mood elevation, distress and depression among first-year undergraduates at Oxford and Stanford universities. Method:, An online survey was sent to Oxford and Stanford first-year undergraduate students for two consecutive years in the winter of 2005 and 2006. Students completed a survey that assessed mood symptoms and medication use. Results:, Both universities had similar rates of distress by General Health Questionnaire (Oxford , 42.4%; Stanford , 38.3%), depression by Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (Oxford , 6.2%; Stanford , 6.6%), and psychotropic and non-psychotropic medication usage (psychotropic: Oxford , 1.5%; Stanford 3.5%; non-psychotropic: Oxford , 13.3%; Stanford , 18%). Oxford had higher rates of mood elevation by Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) (Oxford , 4%; Stanford , 1.7%). Conclusion:, Oxford and Stanford students have similar rates of mood distress, depression and general medication usage. Students at Oxford have a higher prevalence of MDQ scores that possibly indicate a bipolar disorder, while Stanford students are prescribed more psychotropics. [source]

Eyeblink conditioning using cochlear nucleus stimulation as a conditioned stimulus in developing rats

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
John H. Freeman
Abstract Previous studies demonstrated that the development of auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) input to the cerebellum may be a neural mechanism underlying the ontogenetic emergence of eyeblink conditioning in rats. The current study investigated the role of developmental changes in the projections of the cochlear nucleus (CN) in the ontogeny of eyeblink conditioning using electrical stimulation of the CN as a CS. Rat pups were implanted with a bipolar stimulating electrode in the CN and given six 100-trial training sessions with a 300 ms stimulation train in the CN paired with a 10 ms periorbital shock unconditioned stimulus (US) on postnatal days (P) 17,18 or 24,25. Control groups were given unpaired presentations of the CS and US. Rats in both age groups that received paired training showed significant increases in eyeblink conditioned responses across training relative to the unpaired groups. The rats trained on P24,25, however, showed stronger conditioning relative to the group trained on P17,18. Rats with missed electrodes in the inferior cerebellar peduncle or in the cerebellar cortex did not show conditioning. The findings suggest that developmental changes in the CN projections to the pons, inferior colliculus, or medial auditory thalamus may be a neural mechanism underlying the ontogeny of auditory eyeblink conditioning. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 640-646, 2008. [source]

Cross-Modal transfer of the conditioned eyeblink response during interstimulus interval discrimination training in young rats

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
Kevin L. Brown
Abstract Eyeblink classical conditioning (EBC) was observed across a broad developmental period with tasks utilizing two interstimulus intervals (ISIs). In ISI discrimination, two distinct conditioned stimuli (CSs; light and tone) are reinforced with a periocular shock unconditioned stimulus (US) at two different CS,US intervals. Temporal uncertainty is identical in design with the exception that the same CS is presented at both intervals. Developmental changes in conditioning have been reported in each task beyond ages when single-ISI learning is well developed. The present study sought to replicate and extend these previous findings by testing each task at four separate ages. Consistent with previous findings, younger rats (postnatal day,PD23 and 30) trained in ISI discrimination showed evidence of enhanced cross-modal influence of the short CS,US pairing upon long CS conditioning relative to older subjects. ISI discrimination training at PD43,47 yielded outcomes similar to those in adults (PD65,71). Cross-modal transfer effects in this task therefore appear to diminish between PD30 and PD43,47. Comparisons of ISI discrimination with temporal uncertainty indicated that cross-modal transfer in ISI discrimination at the youngest ages did not represent complete generalization across CSs. ISI discrimination undergoes a more protracted developmental emergence than single-cue EBC and may be a more sensitive indicator of developmental disorders involving cerebellar dysfunction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 647-664, 2008. [source]

Amniotic fluid can act as an appetitive unconditioned stimulus in preweanling rats

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
Carlos Arias
Abstract Studies in humans and animals indicate that exposure to flavors in the amniotic fluid during the later gestational period may induce preferences for those flavors. Considering that during the last prenatal period the amniotic fluid contains substances that activate the opioid system, and that this system plays a critical role in the acquisition of olfactory preferences early in life, it has been hypothesized that the amniotic fluid may acquire appetitive unconditioned properties during this period. This has been tested in an experiment in which preweanling rats were exposed to alcohol odor (CS) paired or unpaired with the intraoral infusion of amniotic fluid (US) collected on gestational day 20. The pairing of these two stimuli induced an enhanced palatability of alcohol's flavor as well an increased intake of the drug. These results support the idea that amniotic fluid acquires appetitive unconditioned properties during the last days of gestation and suggest that associative mechanisms involving the amniotic fluid could be underlying odor and taste preferences acquired through fetal exposure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 139,149, 2007. [source]

Development of learned flavor preferences

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
Kevin P. Myers
Abstract Rats, like humans, are born with only a few innate flavor preferences and aversions. Preferences retain great plasticity throughout the lifespan because they are sensitive to modification by experience. From an early age, rats can rapidly learn to prefer or avoid a flavor (conditioned stimulus, CS) that is associated with a positive or negative unconditioned stimulus (US). The US may be the mother's milk, social or thermotactile stimulation, or other food-related stimuli. Flavor-flavor learning occurs when the CS flavor is mixed with a naturally preferred (e.g., sweet) or avoided (e.g., bitter) US flavor. Flavor preferences and aversions are also produced by USs that have postoral positive (e.g., nutritious) or negative (e.g., toxic) actions. These types of learning appear to involve different behavioral and neural mechanisms as indicated by differences in conditioned responses, effective temporal parameters, resistance to extinction, and neurochemical mechanisms. New evidence indicates that flavor-nutrient preference learning can occur before weaning and influence food selection after weaning. Flavor conditioning not only affects food choice, but can also significantly increase food acceptance, that is, total consumption. Thus, from an early age, learning processes shape the feeding behavior of animals. While primarily serving an adaptive function, learning may play a role in biasing individuals towards excessive intake and weight gain. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 48: 380,388, 2006. [source]

Associative learning and memory in a chimpanzee fetus: Learning and long-lasting memory before birth

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
Nobuyuki Kawai
Abstract We tested whether a chimpanzee fetus could form an association between an extrauterine tone and vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS) using classical conditioning treatment. Two kinds of pure tone were used as the conditioned stimuli, one where a 500-Hz tone was always followed by a VAS of 80 Hz (110 gal), the unconditioned stimulus (US), and another where a 1000-Hz tone was never followed by a VAS. This treatment was repeated 156 times in total until natural labor at 233 days of gestational age. Behavioral tests on the 33rd and 58th days after birth revealed a differential response to the tones: The infant displayed an exaggerated response to the 500-Hz tone, but not to the 1000-Hz tone. Other naïve chimpanzee infants did not show any response to either tone, which suggests that a chimpanzee fetus can distinguish between tones and form an association, and that it retains such information for at least 2 months after birth. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 44: 116,122, 2004. [source]