Louisiana State University

About: Louisiana State University is a education organization based out in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 40206 authors who have published 76587 publications receiving 2566076 citations. The organization is also known as: LSU & Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Managing Transboundary Crises: Identifying the Building Blocks of an Effective Response System

Abstract: In recent years, crises have become increasingly transboundary in nature. This exploratory paper investigates whether and how the transboundary dimensions of crises such as pandemics, cyber attacks and prolonged critical infrastructure failure accentuate the challenges that public and private authorities confront in the face of urgent threats. We explore the transboundary dimensions of crises and disasters, discuss how an increase in ‘transboundedness’ affects traditional crisis management challenges and investigate what administrative mechanisms are needed to deal with these compounded challenges. Building on lessons learned from past crises and disasters, our goal is to stimulate a discussion among crisis management scholars about the political-administrative capabilities required to deal with ‘transboundary’ crises.

Arginase, Prostaglandins, and Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract: Tumor-induced tolerance is a well-established phenomenon in cancer patients that can severely impair the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy. One mechanism leading to T-cell tolerance is the generation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) by soluble factors produced by the tumor. MDSC express CD11b(+) as a common marker but may vary in their stage of maturation, depending on the tumor factors being produced. Arginase production by MDSC depletes arginine from the tumor microenvironment and impairs T-cell signal transduction and function. We studied whether an increase in MDSC could explain the molecular alterations and dysfunction found in T cells of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Arginase activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 117 RCC patients was increased between 6- to 8-fold compared with normal controls. The increased arginase activity was limited to the CD11b(+)CD14(-) myeloid cells and resulted in significantly decreased serum levels of arginine and increased ornithine in patients. Depletion of MDSC restored IFN-gamma production and T-cell proliferation. Preliminary data suggest that prostaglandin E(2) produced by the tumor induces arginase I expression in MDSC. Therefore, blocking MDSC activity may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy in RCC.

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on body fat and energy metabolism in the mouse

Abstract: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring group of dienoic derivatives of linoleic acid found in the fat of beef and other ruminants. CLA is reported to have effects on both tumor development and body fat in animal models. To further characterize the metabolic effects of CLA, male AKR/J mice were fed a high-fat (45 kcal%) or low-fat (15 kcal%) diet with or without CLA (2.46 mg/kcal; 1.2 and 1.0% by weight in high- and low-fat diets, respectively) for 6 wk. CLA significantly reduced energy intake, growth rate, adipose depot weight, and carcass lipid and protein content independent of diet composition. Overall, the reduction of adipose depot weight ranged from 43 to 88%, with the retroperitoneal depot most sensitive to CLA. CLA significantly increased metabolic rate and decreased the nighttime respiratory quotient. These findings demonstrate that CLA reduces body fat by several mechanisms, including a reduced energy intake, increased metabolic rate, and a shift in the nocturnal fuel mix.

Financial Flexibility and the Choice between Dividends and Stock Repurchases

Abstract: The paper measures the growth in open-market stock repurchases and the manner in which stock repurchases and dividends are used in U.S. corporations. We find that aggregate repurchases have increased dramatically over this period: the number and value of repurchase program announcements has grown from 115 and $15.4 billion in 1985 to 755 and $115 billion in 1996. Actual share repurchases have grown from approximately $8.8 billion in 1985 to over $63 billion in 1996. These repurchases represent an economically important source of payouts, and are responsible for much of the variation in aggregate payouts. Nonetheless they are still small relative to the $142 billion in dividends paid by industrial firms listed on Compustat in 1996. Stock repurchases and dividends are used at different times from one another, by different kinds of firms. Stock repurchases are very pro-cyclical, while dividends increase steadily over time. Dividends are paid by firms with higher "permanent" operating cash flows, while repurchases are used by firms with higher "temporary", non-operating cash flows. Repurchasing firms also have much more volatile cash flows and distributions. These results are consistent with the view that the flexibility inherent in repurchase programs is one reason why they are sometimes used instead of dividends.

The effectiveness of managerial leadership development programs: A meta‐analysis of studies from 1982 to 2001

Abstract: Eighty-three studies from 1982 to 2001 with formal training interventions were integrated via meta-analytic techniques to determine the effectiveness of interventions in their enhancement of performance, knowledge, and expertise at the individual, team or group, or organizational level. The studies were separated by research design, with the outcome measure of the intervention as the unit of analysis. The effect size for knowledge outcomes ranged from .96 to 1.37; expertise outcomes from .35 to 1.01; and system outcomes averaged .39. Interventions with knowledge outcomes were found to be more effective than in the Burke and Day (1986) meta-analysis, with the most effective interventions using a single group pretest-posttest research design. Methodological and conceptual differences in Burke and Day's meta-analysis on the effectiveness of managerial training make historical comparisons risky. The data suggest that practitioners can attain substantial improvements in both knowledge and skills if sufficient front-end analysis is conducted to assure that the right development is offered to the right leaders.