Structural Change, Intersectoral Linkages And Hollowing-Out in the Taiwanese Economy, 1976-1994

This paper analyses structural change in the Taiwanese economy over the period 1976-1994 using a series of input-output tables. Unlike other studies of structural change, this analysis investigates the evolving internal complexity of intersectoral interdependencies using Key Sector Analysis which gauges the strength of forward and backward linkages, and the recently developed method of Minimal Flow Analysis, which gauges the degree of connectivity of the system. This analysis indicates that there has been a "hollowing-out" of the Taiwanese economy as the density of intersectoral linkages has declined since the early 1980s, similar to what has been observed of the US and Japanese economies at a much later stage of their development.

The optimisation of group breeding schemes

International audienc

Selecting "Friesians" for milk and beef

International audienc

T-Lymphocyte Activation is Not Affected by the Mobilization of Senescent T-Cells into the Peripheral Blood Following an Acute Bout of Exercise

It is well recognized that individuals are at an increased risk of illness following an arduous exercise regime. Exercise may affect activation status of cells and play a pivotal role in defense against pathogenic invasion. CD69 is the earliest known expressed cell surface antigen of T-cell activation and is a reliable marker of cell activation status (Green et al. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 35, 582-588: 2003). Exercise is known to alter the frequency of senescent cells in the blood expressing the cell surface glycoprotein killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1), and are antigen-experienced and unable to clonally expand upon further antigenic stimulation (Simpson et al. J. Appl. Phys. 103, 396-401:2007), PURPOSE: To examine the contribution of senescent T-cells mobilized by exercise on the overall activation status of the peripheral blood T-cell pool following an acute bout of exercise. METHODS: Ten moderately trained males (age: 24.6 ± 4.8; height: 183.1 ± 6.7cm; mass: 72.8 ± 7.9kg; ; 61.3 ± 5.9 ml.kg-1.min-1) ran at speeds corresponding to 80% until volitional exhaustion (time: 36.1 ± 5.8 minutes). Blood lymphocytes isolated before (PRE), immediately after (POST) and 1 hour after (1HrPOST) exercise were stimulated for 4 hours in culture with and without the mitogen PMA and assessed for KLRG1 and CD69 expression and co-expression on CD3+, CD3+/CD4+ (CD4+) and CD3+/CD8+ (CD8+) lymphocyte subsets using 4-colour flow cytometry. RESULTS: No changes in CD69 GMFI were observed on total CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells POST or 1HrPOST exercise. The proportions of KLRG1+ cells among the total CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations increased by 172%, 107% and 169% respectively POST exercise and fell below baseline values 1h later (p\u3c0.05). At all sample time points, CD69 GMFI was greater on stimulated KLRG1+ T-cells compared to KLRG1- cells (p\u3c0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that exercise does not affect the activation status of the total T-cell pool. Instead, the number of senescent cells expressing CD69 is greater than those that are not senescent at all times. This suggests that upon pathogenic invasion post-exercise

Littérature orale un patrimoine immatériel à Madagascar

Dr Guy Razamany, Littérature orale un patrimoine immatériel à Madagasca

A qualitative meta-analysis of trust in supervisor-subordinate relationships

Purpose: – Interpersonal trust is often considered as the “glue” that binds supervisors together with their subordinates, and creates a positive organisational climate. The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting subordinates’ trust to their supervisor, and the consequences of such a trusting relationship. Design/methodology/approach: – The authors conducted a qualitative meta-analysis of the trust literature between 1995 and 2011, to identify 73 articles and review 37 theoretical propositions, 139 significant model parameters and 58 further empirical findings. Findings: – Four distinct clusters of trust antecedents are found: supervisor attributes; subordinate attributes; interpersonal processes and organisational characteristics. Similarly, the authors identify three categories of trust consequences: subordinates’ work behaviour; subordinates’ attitude towards the supervisor; and organisational level effects. Research limitations/implications: – The authors find a bias towards studying supervisor attributes and interpersonal processes, yet a dearth of attention on subordinate attributes and organisational characteristics. Similarly, the conceptual attention on trust between supervisors and subordinates has been limited, with empirical work reporting predominantly significant findings. Social exchange has dominated as the theoretical perspective, and cross-section as the main research approach. In order to advance this important field more heterogeneity is needed, utilising a range of different theoretical schools and employing different methodologies. Originality/value: – This seems to be the first qualitative meta-analysis explicitly directed to understanding trust between supervisors and subordinates. The authors contribute to the field of trust by revealing current gaps in the literature and highlighting potential areas of future research