bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The governance slack model: A cash flow approach to shape up corporate accountability and good practices
Authors: Apreda Rodolfo
Published: February 2017

This paper introduces a cash flow model to budget and monitor distinctive matters usually arising in corporate governance. By enlarging the standard cash flow model widely used in Finance, and avoiding some of its downsides, it sets up a composite of cash flows called governance slack, which amounts to a comprehensive budget for the most usual governance issues. This slack has a dual structure whose dynamics keeps track of uses and sources of its components, and could become functional in preventing likely agency problems and improving not only disclosure but accountability as well.
The incentives of Australian companies to utilize executive stock option plans
Authors: Goodwin Jenny , Kent Pamela
Published: February 2017

This study investigates the firm specific characteristics which provide ex ante incentives to Australian companies to utilize an executive stock option (ESO) plan. We hypothesize that the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer, the firm’s investment opportunity set, the level of leverage and the degree of international diversification of the firm are related to the firm’s utilization of an ESO plan. Using a sample of 378 firms drawn from the largest 500 firms in Australia, we find that the results support our hypotheses, with the exception of the level of firm leverage.
Non-executive directors and the changing nature of audit committees: Evidence from UK audit committee chairmen
Authors: Windram Brian , Song Jihe
Published: February 2017

In this paper we provide a descriptive summary of a postal survey of FT 500 UK company audit committee chairman on the operations of UK audit committees. The survey represents an “insider view” of the activities of audit committees and the characteristics of non-executive directors and contributes to the continuing debate on corporate governance reforms. In particular we report on company boards and their composition, audit committee chairman and their outside directorships, financial literacy and remuneration and various aspects of audit committee activity. Our survey shows that UK audit committees and corporate boards have undergone many changes in the last decade since the last comprehensive survey reported in Collier (1992). Our study on the current level of activity within major UK corporate audit committees deepens understanding of the roles and characteristics of non-executive directors and the operation of UK audit committees. In particular our survey shows that there is a significant shift in audit committee activities from the traditional financial reporting role to a greater focus on internal control and risk management. Independence is overwhelmingly seen as the most significant attribute of an audit committee member. Lack of time is perceived to be the greatest impediment to audit committee effectiveness but pressure from executives and an unclear remit are surprisingly prevalent problems even after ten years of corporate governance reforms.
A contractual approach to the regulation of corporate directors’ fiduciary duties
Authors: Urtiaga María Gutiérrez
Published: February 2017

Traditional American corporation statutes state that the business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by a board of directors who act as fiduciaries of the corporation. The purpose of this paper is to explain the economic logic underlying the regulation of corporate directors’ fiduciary duties, placing special emphasis on the consequences of the adoption of protective measures for the directors such as indemnification and liability insurance.
The importance of board composition and committee structure: The case of poison pills
Authors: Davidson III Wallace N. , Pilger Ted , Szakmary Andrew
Published: February 2017

We examine board composition, characteristics, and structure for firms whose boards adopt poison pills. We find that board composition is unrelated to the stock market’s perception of poison pill adoption. However, the percentage of shares held by blockholders, the tenure of independent outsiders on the board, and the proportion of outsiders on the executive committee do seem to influence whether a poison pill adoption is perceived as management entrenching or not. We also find that when boards have absolute control of the sample firms, this control is related to board shareholdings, board tenure of outsiders, and the proportion of outsiders on the board committees. It is not related to the market reaction for poison pill adoption.
Regulation, corporate control and bank risk taking
Authors: Lee Seok Weon
Published: February 2017

In this study, we examine the relation between ownership structure and risk-taking behavior of banks by analyzing data for three different regulatory and economic regimes of the Korean banking industry. We find that stockholder-controlled banks exhibit higher but unprofitable risk-taking than managerially-controlled banks during the period of deregulation 1994-1995, and that this relation is more transparent during the period of deregulation and decline of the industry 1996-1997. However, higher risk-taking incentives of stockholder-controlled banks become weaker during the period of tightened regulation and structural reform 1999-2000. Furthermore, the profitability of stockholder-controlled banks given a unit increase in the bank’s risk appears to be improved in this period relative to the periods of deregulation. Considering that the economic conditions of the Korean banking industry in this period is under recovery stage (not prosperity), these results may suggest that stockholder controlled banks try to change their risk-taking behavior toward a more deliberate and profitable one, and therefore, may provide somewhat convincing evidence for the corporate control hypothesis stating that insider ownership during periods of regulatory stringency would give banks the incentives to pursue modest, deliberate and profitable risk-taking strategies. In the test for the partitioned sample, we find stronger evidences that are an integral part of this paper.
Relational knowledge and governance choices: A view within resource-based theory perspective
Authors: Della Corte Valentina , Sciarelli Mauro
Published: February 2017

The paper is a theoretical paper, focused on the analysis of the intangible and cognitive content of inter-firm relationships, according to Knowledge Based View (Kogut and Zander, 1992; Foss, 1993, 1996; Nonaka, 1994; Grant, 1996, Teece, 1998). In particular, the issue is examined taking into account two main approaches on learning and knowledge creation: the exploration/exploitation model (March, 1991) and the model based on the concept of absorptive capacity (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990). These approaches are analyzed critically, with specific reference to inter-firm collaboration, taking into account also contributions within the so called Relational View (Gulati, 1998; Dyer and Singh, 1998; Kale and Singh, 1999, 2007; Kale, Dyer and Singh, 2002), according to which the social aspect of the relationship between the firm and its external environment is a central question. The basic assumption is that external relationships can generate knowledge and competences that are potentially able to generate relational rents (Dyer and Singh, 1998), important not only for the single firm but also for the whole aggregate (alliance, rather than network) it belongs to. Then a systemic logic comes out, according to which partners interact, exchange knowledge and resources, through different governance models, in order to reduce relational costs and gain the most intense synergic effects. The problem is, however, that such a profitable collaboration does not seem to be so widespread and in some cases networks fail because of the lack of coordination mechanisms. From this point of view, a governance entity can be necessary or at least appropriate (Kale, Dyer and Singh, 2002). Therefore, the aim of the paper is to verify: the role of relational knowledge within and between networks, in order to gain sustainable competitive advantage. In this direction, also the relationship between knowledge view and resource-based theory is analyzed, considering the former to complete and enrich the latter; if governance choices regarding relational knowledge can be themselves sources of competitive advantage.
Corporate governance and performance: Evidence from Chinese private listed companies based on cash flow rights and control rights
Authors: Semba Hu Dan , Zheng Haiyan
Published: February 2017

This paper investigates the relationship between control rights, cash flow rights, and firm performance across a sample of 276 China’s private listed companies (CPC) from 2003 to 2008. This paper finds that the performance of firms with pyramid ownership structures (POS) is lower than that of firms with direct controlling ownership structures (DOS). The separation of control rights and cash flow rights, which is the main characteristic of POS, is negatively related to the firm performance. Furthermore, in order to reduce the negative influence of control rights, this paper proposes the following countermeasures: cash flow rights should be increased because it has a positive effect on the firm performance; the supervisory powers of shareholders meeting (SM) should be strengthened because it helps improve firm performance and overrule invalid decisions taken by independent directors in China. This is proved by the findings that show a positive correlation between the attendance rate at shareholders’ meetings and firm performance; moreover, there is no positive relationship between independent directors and firm performance.
Relating firm performance to corporate governance characteristics: A research perspective on the publicly listed information technology companies in Australia
Authors: Imam Tasadduq , Ahmed Abdullahi , Tickle Kevin
Published: February 2017

The objective of this research is to relate company performance (in terms of different measures) to corporate governance characteristics (like board size, internal or external majority governance) for the publicly listed information technology (IT) companies in Australia. A sample of 55 such companies are considered. Results reveal that, contrary to the popular belief in respect to positive influence of external board members, performance of the IT companies tend to worse with higher degree of board independence. We attribute the characteristics of these outcomes to the dynamic properties of the IT industrial sector in Australia. Linear regression models relating the performance measures to board characteristics along with other financial information have also been developed. The number of senior management members has been identified as the key board characteristic factor in these models, implying the importance of major internal control over highly independent board for the publicly listed Australian IT companies.
Benchmarking sustainable high performance companies.
Authors: Hough Johan
Published: February 2017

This article examines various approaches to benchmarking and measuring sustainable performance in order to identify long-term high performance companies in South Africa. We set guidelines and select the criteria for benchmarking high performance. This benchmarking approach (based on the accessibility and reliability of standardized financial data) addresses the critical issues in the measurement of sustainable performance: benchmarking approaches, measuring strategic performance, finding the right guidelines for peer performance benchmarks, calibrating sustainability and long-term performance, and comparing individual high performers with the established benchmark. This study sheds light on the practical guidelines for and the benefit of benchmarking high performance. Forty-four peer performance benchmarks and clusters based on 166 Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) listed companies were established. Furthermore, fourteen high and superior performers were identified on the basis of this benchmark process.
Perceptions of knowledge transfer of foreign African doctors practicing in South African provincial hospitals
Authors: Lutakwa Joly N. , Parumasur Sanjana Brijball
Published: February 2017

This study assesses the perceptions of knowledge transfer of foreign African doctors, practicing in South African provincial hospitals relating to the process, barriers, channels and importance of knowledge transfer practices in the organization. A sample of 62 foreign African doctors practicing in South African provincial hospitals was drawn using snowball sampling. Data was collected using a self-developed questionnaire whose psychometric properties were statistically determined. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicate that foreign African doctors believe that in their hospital environments there are different barriers to knowledge transfer. Whilst the biographical profiles of these doctors do not significantly influence their perceptions of knowledge transfer, the latter is significantly impacted upon by the importance given to knowledge transfer practices in the organization and the different barriers to knowledge transfer. Strategies for enhancing knowledge sharing are recommended.
Capital markets, corporate governance and capital budgeting: Implications for firm value
Authors: Kalyebara Baliira , Ahmed Abdullahi D.
Published: February 2017

The conventional discounting capital budgeting techniques have been widely criticized for being inappropriate in incorporating multi-criteria interactions and for focusing on one-off single objective of maximizing net present value. This paper modifies a Multiple Objective Linear Programming (MOLP) optimization model of Levary and Seitz (1990). It adds to the objective function the mitigation of agency costs as a proxy of good corporate governance principles and capital market interactions. The goal of the study is to examine the impact of agency costs on the present value of a long term capital project and investment appraisal decision making in the airline industry to support better capital investment decision making in the future. Recent collapses of high profile companies in airline industry and other industries such as Flyglobespan Airline (in the year 2009) in Scotland, Ansett Airline (in the year 2001)in Australia, Enron(in the year 2001)and Lehman Brothers (in 2008)in the U.S whose impact is still being experienced today provide us with evidence of how important the minimization of agency costs is for the survival and success of organisations and the huge amounts involved as a result of poor corporate governance. The results reveal that debt financing which is often provided by capital markets plays an influential role in shaping the investment appraisal decisions through interest rates and debt covenants embedded in the debt contracts. The results show that mitigation of agency costs improves the firm’s cash flow, financial management and corporate governance. It discourages illegal earnings management practices, enhances investment decisions, investors’ confidence and reliability in the firm’s investment decisions and hence enhances the firm value.
Correlation between condensed tannin and fiber contents of irradiated pomegranate seed
Authors: Zarei Mohsen , Shawrang Parvin
Published: February 2017

Pomegranate seeds were exposed to electron and gamma irradiations at doses of
5, 10, 15 and 20 kGy to study the relationships between their condensed
tannin, NDF, ADF contents, in vitro rumen methane production and protozoa
population. Data were analyzed by using the GLM procedure. Orthogonal
contrast showed that gamma irradiation significantly increased the NDF
content of pomegranate seed as compared to control (P<0.05), however electron
beam irradiation did not significantly affect NDF%. The condensed tannin
content of the pomegranate seed was significantly decreased by gamma and
electron beam irradiation compared to control (P<0.05). Our results showed
that there was a negative correlation between the methane production and NDF
content of the gamma irradiated pomegranate seed. This means that the methane
production of the gamma irradiated pomegranate seed decreased with increasing
NDF%. Therefore, it seems that, in addition to tannin, the reduction of the
methane production was affected by the cell wall content. Generally, the cell
wall content may be more important than tannins in limiting microbial and in
vitro fermentation.
Effects of avocado seed extract in different trisextenders on sperm and oxidative stress indices of vitrified goat spermatozoa
Authors: Olamitibo Daramola , Dayo Onanuga , Oladimeji Abioja , Mathew Adeleke , Olajide Olowofeso , Emmanuel Oke , Oluwafemi Adekunle , Amidu Sorongbe , Ayobami Iyanda
Published: February 2017

Effects of avocado seed extract (ASE) in different tris-extenders on sperm
and seminal oxidative stress indices of vitrified spermatozoa of West African
Dwarf (WAD) goats during vitrification were assessed. Semen samples were
diluted with varying levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mL/100 mL of diluent) of ASE
in tris citric acid (TCA), tris sodium phosphate (TSP) and tris sodium
citrate (TSC) extenders while a tris-extender without citric acid, sodium
phosphate and sodium citrate served as control. Diluted semen samples were
vitrified and preserved. The results revealed higher (P<0.05) progressive
sperm motility in TCA extenders at 10%, 15% and 20%, and TSP extender at 20%
ASE. Acrosome integrities were higher (P<0.05) in the different
tris-extenders at 15% and 20% ASE. TCA, TSP and TSC extenders had higher
(P<0.05) membrane integrities at 10%, 15% and 20% ASE. TSP extenders had
higher (P<0.05) live sperm at 20% ASE. TCA extenders had higher acrosome
reaction while TSP at 20% ASE and TSC at 15% and 20% of ASE had higher sperm
capacitation. TCA extender at 20% ASE had reduced malondialdehyde (MDA)
concentrations while higher acrosin activities were observed at 20% ASE in
TCA extender (P<0.05). The findings indicated that 20% ASE in the
tris-extenders improved sperm and oxidative stress indices and the
tris-extenders were ranked best in this order: TCA > TSP > TSC.
The Bridgman method growth and spectroscopic characterization of calcium fluoride single crystals
Authors: Elswie Ibrahim , Lazarevic Zorica , Radojevic Vesna , Gilic Martina , Rabasovic Maja , Sevic Dragutin , Romcevic Nebojsa
Published: February 2017

It must be noted that the main objective of this study was to obtain single
crystals of calcium fluoride - CaF2, and after that the crystals were
characterized with various spectroscopic methods. The crystals were grown
using the Bridgman technique. By optimizing growth conditions, <111> oriented
CaF2 crystals up to 20 mm in diameter were grown. Number of dislocations in
CaF2 crystals was 5?104 - 2?105 per cm2. Selected CaF2 single crystal is cut
into several tiles with the diamond saw. The plates were polished, first with
the silicon carbide, then the paraffin oil, and finally with a diamond paste.
The obtained crystal w?s studied by Raman and infrared -IR spectroscopy. The
crystal structure is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). One Raman and two
IR optical modes predicted by group theory are observed. A low
photoluminescence testifies that the concentration of oxygen defects within
the host CaF2 is small. All performed investigations show that the obtained
CaF2 single crystal has good optical quality, which was the goal of this
work.
Severe carotid stenosis and delay of reperfusion in endovascular stroke treatment: an Interventional Management of Stroke-III study
Authors: Gogela Steven L. , Gozal Yair M. , Zhang Bin , Tomsick Thomas A. , Ringer Andrew J. , Broderick Joseph P. , Khatri Pooja , Abruzzo Todd A.
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

The impact of extracranial carotid stenosis on interventional revascularization of acute anterior circulation stroke is unknown. The authors examined the effects of high-grade carotid stenosis on the results of endovascular treatment of patients in the Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS)-III trial.

METHODS

The 278 patients in the endovascular arm of the IMS-III trial were categorized according to the degree of carotid stenosis as determined by angiography. In comparing patients with severe stenosis or occlusion (≥ 70%) to those without severe stenosis (< 70%), the authors evaluated the time to endovascular reperfusion, modified Thrombolysis in Cerebrovascular Infarction (mTICI) scores, 24-hour mean infarct volumes, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage rates, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 90 days.

RESULTS

Compared with the 249 patients with less than 70% stenosis, patients with severe stenosis (n = 29) were found to have a significantly longer mean time to reperfusion (105.7 vs 77.7 minutes, p = 0.004); differences in mTICI scores, infarct volumes, hemorrhage rates, and mRS scores at 90 days did not reach statistical significance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that severe carotid stenosis (p < 0.0001) and higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (p = 0.004) were associated with an increase in time to reperfusion. Older age (p < 0.0001), higher NIHSS score (p < 0.0001), and the absence of reperfusion (p = 0.001) were associated with worse clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe ipsilateral ICA stenosis was associated with a significantly longer time to reperfusion in the IMS-III trial. Although these findings may not translate directly to modern devices, this 28-minute delay in reperfusion has significant implications, raising concern over the treatment of tandem ICA stenosis and downstream large-vessel occlusion.
Utility of MRI-based disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus scoring for predicting prognosis after surgery for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: clinical research
Authors: Shinoda Narihide , Hirai Osamu , Hori Shinya , Mikami Kazuyuki , Bando Toshiaki , Shimo Daisuke , Kuroyama Takahiro , Kuramoto Yoji , Matsumoto Masato , Ueno Yasushi
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

The presence of disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH) on brain imaging is a recognized finding of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), but the features of DESH can vary across patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of MRI-based DESH scoring for predicting prognosis after surgery.

METHODS

In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, the DESH score was determined by consensus between a group of neurosurgeons, neurologists, and a neuroradiologist based on the preoperative MRI findings of the patients with suspected iNPH. The DESH score was composed of the following 5 items, each scored from 0 to 2 (maximum score 10 points): ventriculomegaly, dilated sylvian fissures, tight high convexity, acute callosal angle, and focal sulcal dilation. The association between the DESH score and improvement of the scores on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), iNPH Grading Scale (iNPHGS), Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), and Timed 3-Meter Up and Go Test (TUG-t) was examined. The primary end point was improvement in the mRS score at 1 year after surgery, and the secondary outcome measures were the iNPHGS, MMSE, TMT-A, and TUG-t scores at 1 year after surgery. Improvement was determined as improvement of 1 or more levels on mRS, ≥ 1 point on iNPHGS, ≥ 3 points on MMSE, a decrease of > 30% on TMT-A, and a decrease of > 10% on TUG-t.

RESULTS

The mean DESH score for the 50 patients (mean age 77.6 ± 5.9 years) reviewed in this study was 5.58 ± 2.01. The mean rate of change in the mRS score was −0.50 ± 0.93, indicating an inverse correlation between the DESH score and rate of change in the mRS score (r = −0.749). Patients who showed no improvement in mRS score tended to have a low DESH score as well as low preoperative MMSE and TMT-A scores. There were no differences in the areas of deep white matter hyperintensity and periventricular hyperintensity on the images between patients with and without an improved mRS score (15.6% vs 16.7%, respectively; p = 1.000). The DESH score did differ significantly between patients with and without improved scores on the iNPHGS (6.39 ± 1.76 vs 4.26 ± 1.69, respectively; p < 0.001), MMSE (6.63 ± 1.82 vs 5.09 ± 1.93; p = 0.010), TMT-A (6.32 ± 1.97 seconds vs 5.13 ± 1.93 seconds; p = 0.042), and TUG-t (6.48 ± 1.81 seconds vs 4.33 ± 1.59 seconds; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI-based DESH scoring is useful for the prediction of neurological improvement and prognosis after surgery for iNPH.
Efficacy of deep rTMS for neuropathic pain in the lower limb: a randomized, double-blind crossover trial of an H-coil and figure-8 coil
Authors: Shimizu Takeshi , Hosomi Koichi , Maruo Tomoyuki , Goto Yuko , Yokoe Masaru , Kageyama Yu , Shimokawa Toshio , Yoshimine Toshiki , Saitoh Youichi
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

Electrical motor cortex stimulation can relieve neuropathic pain (NP), but its use requires patients to undergo an invasive procedure. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) using a figure-8 coil can relieve NP noninvasively, but its ability to relieve lower limb pain is still limited. Deep rTMS using an H-coil can effectively stimulate deep brain regions and has been widely used for the treatment of various neurological diseases; however, there have been no clinical studies comparing the effectiveness of figure-8 coils and H-coils. This study assessed the clinical effectiveness of 5 once-daily stimulations with H-coils and figure-8 coils in patients with NP.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, 3-way crossover trial examined 18 patients with NP who sequentially received 3 types of stimulations in the M1 for 5 consecutive days; each 5-day stimulation period was followed by a 17-day follow-up period before crossing over to the next type of stimulation. During each rTMS session, patients received a 5-Hz rTMS to the M1 region corresponding to the painful lower limb. The visual analog scale (VAS) and the Japanese version of the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire 2 (SF-MPQ2-J) were used to measure pain intensity. The primary outcome was VAS score reduction immediately after and 1 hour after intervention.

RESULTS

Both the VAS and SF-MPQ2-J showed significant pain improvement immediately after deep rTMS with an H-coil as compared with the sham group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.049, respectively). However, neither outcome measure showed significant pain improvement when using a figure-8 coil. The VAS also showed significant pain improvement 1 hour after deep rTMS with an H-coil (p = 0.004) but not 1 hour after rTMS using a figure-8 coil. None of the patients exhibited any serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings suggest that the use of deep rTMS with an H-coil in the lower limb region of the M1 in patients with NP was tolerable and could provide significant short-term pain relief.

Clinical trial registration no.: UMIN000010536 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/)
Metabolite and functional profile of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Aleksanderek Izabela , Stevens Todd K. , Goncalves Sandy , Bartha Robert , Duggal Neil
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to compare the recovery of neuronal metabolism and functional reorganization in the primary motor cortex (M1) between mild and moderate cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) following surgical intervention.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with CSM underwent 3-T MRI scans that included spectroscopy and functional MRI, before surgery and 6 months postsurgery. The classification of severity was based on the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association questionnaire. Mild and moderate myelopathy were defined by modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores > 12 of 18 (n = 15) and 9–12 (n = 13), respectively. Ten healthy control subjects underwent 2 MRI scans 6 months apart. Metabolite levels were measured in the M1 contralateral to the greater deficit side in patients with CSM and on both sides in the controls. Motor function was assessed using a right finger–tapping paradigm and analyzed with BrainVoyager QX.

RESULTS

Patients with mild CSM had a lower preoperative N-acetylaspartate to creatine (NAA/Cr) ratio compared with moderate CSM, suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction. Postsurgery, NAA/Cr in moderate CSM decreased to the levels observed in mild CSM. Preoperatively, patients with mild CSM had a larger volume of activation (VOA) in the M1 than those with moderate CSM. Postoperatively, the VOAs were comparable between the mild and moderate CSM groups and had shifted toward the primary sensory cortex.

CONCLUSIONS

The NAA/Cr ratio and VOA size in the M1 can be used to discriminate between mild and moderate CSM. Postsurgery, the metabolite profile of the M1 did not recover in either group, despite significant clinical improvement. The authors proposed that metabolic impairment in the M1 may trigger the recruitment of adjacent healthy cortex to achieve functional recovery.
Striking the Right Balance Between the Interests of the Foreign Investors and the Host State – A Case Study of the Tanzania-Germany BIT 50 Years After Its Conclusion
Authors: Milej Tomasz P.
Published: February 2017

Fifty years ago, Tanzania and Germany concluded a bilateral investment treaty (BIT). The main features of this BIT differ from what is common today. The article examines the adequacy of the Treaty's stipulations against the backdrop of the controversies which the conclusion of the BITs has recently sparked in developing states and in Tanzania in particular. It discusses the nexus between the conclusion of the BITs and the inflow of foreign investments. As there is a general feeling among Tanzanian scholars that the BITs are too favourable to investors at the expense of local firms and legitimate policy objectives of the host state, various claims have been made with respect to the content of the investment treaties. Taking the Tanzania-Germany BIT as a case study, the article analyses these claims in the context of a global debate on the relationship between the need for the protection of foreign investors and sustainable development objectives. Finally, the future of the Tanzania-Germany BIT is discussed in the light of the post-Lisbon EU approach to the investment policy.
A Comparison of Spatio-Temporal Disease Mapping Approaches Including an Application to Ischaemic Heart Disease in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Anderson Craig , Ryan Louise
Published: February 2017

The field of spatio-temporal modelling has witnessed a recent surge as a result of developments in computational power and increased data collection. These developments allow analysts to model the evolution of health outcomes in both space and time simultaneously. This paper models the trends in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in New South Wales, Australia over an eight-year period between 2006 and 2013. A number of spatio-temporal models are considered, and we propose a novel method for determining the goodness-of-fit for these models by outlining a spatio-temporal extension of the Moran’s I statistic. We identify an overall decrease in the rates of IHD, but note that the extent of this health improvement varies across the state. In particular, we identified a number of remote areas in the north and west of the state where the risk stayed constant or even increased slightly.
Relationship between Selected Serum Metallic Elements and Obesity in Children and Adolescent in the U.S.
Authors: Fan Yun , Zhang Chunlan , Bu Jin
Published: February 2017

The prevalence of obesity has increased at an alarming rate worldwide. Metallic elements are involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and related diseases. To date, whether environmental exposure to metallic elements has effects on obesity in children and adolescents is still unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association of blood metallic elements with obesity in U.S. children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study was performed with 5404 children and adolescents (6–19 years, 2745 males and 2659 females) who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014. Blood lead, mercury, selenium, manganese, copper, and zinc, as well as biochemical parameters including triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed for all subjects. Multivariate logistic regression and linear regression were applied to assess associations of metallic elements and overweight, obesity status, and serum metabolites as distinct outcomes adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, and the poverty income ratio. When stratified by age and sex, significant associations were found between the highest quartile of copper concentrations in blood with obesity status (OR = 9.27, 95% CI: 5.43, 15.82, pfor trend < 0.001) and cholesterol (OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.43, 6.63, pfor trend < 0.001). The highest concentrations of manganese in the blood was associated with obesity in those aged 6–19 years (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.74, 3.02, pfor trend < 0.001). Moreover, blood mercury and selenium showed positive relationships with cholesterol. Further, a negative association existed between blood zinc and obesity. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data provide epidemiological evidence that blood metallic elements are positively associated with obesity in children and adolescents. However, the underlying mechanisms still need further exploration.
Deriving Dynamic Subsidence of Coal Mining Areas Using InSAR and Logistic Model
Authors: Yang Zefa , Li Zhiwei , Zhu Jianjun , Yi Huiwei , Hu Jun , Feng Guangcai
Published: February 2017

The seasonal variation of land cover and the large deformation gradients in coal mining areas often give rise to severe temporal and geometrical decorrelation in interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) interferograms. Consequently, it is common that the available InSAR pairs do not cover the entire time period of SAR acquisitions, i.e., temporal gaps exist in the multi-temporal InSAR observations. In this case, it is very difficult to accurately estimate mining-induced dynamic subsidence using the traditional time-series InSAR techniques. In this investigation, we employ a logistic model which has been widely applied to describe mining-related dynamic subsidence, to bridge the temporal gaps in multi-temporal InSAR observations. More specifically, we first construct a functional relationship between the InSAR observations and the logistic model, and we then develop a method to estimate the model parameters of the logistic model from the InSAR observations with temporal gaps. Having obtained these model parameters, the dynamic subsidence can be estimated with the logistic model. Simulated and real data experiments in the Datong coal mining area, China, were carried out in this study, in order to test the proposed method. The results show that the maximum subsidence in the Datong coal mining area reached about 1.26 m between 1 July 2007 and 28 February 2009, and the accuracy of the estimated dynamic subsidence is about 0.017 m. Compared with the linear and cubic polynomial models of the traditional time-series InSAR techniques, the accuracy of dynamic subsidence derived by the logistic model is increased by about 50.0% and 45.2%, respectively.
Developing a Rating System for Building Energy Efficiency Based on In Situ Measurement in China
Authors: Zhao Li , Zhou Zhengnan
Published: February 2017

Building energy consumption in China recently surpassed the US building consumption, and it is expected to increase significantly in the next decade pushed by the continuous population and urbanization increase. In response to that situation, the Chinese government introduced a series of building energy codes and rating systems to assess and enhance the building energy performance. The purpose of this study is to develop a rating system for the building energy efficiency, based on in situ measurement. The system is intended for office buildings in China’s cold zone. An evaluation framework, graphic dominant point, and principle of data collection and processing are illustrated in this paper. Three existing buildings were rated under the new rating system. The authors believe that the new system will contribute to a more accurate and comprehensive understanding for asset holders and occupants, that report on the extent to which energy efficiency buildings have been reached. Rating results are expected to be a reference for the retrofitting of existing buildings and the design of new buildings. In addition, the outlook for the rating system was also discussed.
Protection against Shiga Toxins
Authors: Kavaliauskiene Simona , Dyve Lingelem Anne , Skotland Tore , Sandvig Kirsten
Published: February 2017

Shiga toxins consist of an A-moiety and five B-moieties able to bind the neutral glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) on the cell surface. To intoxicate cells efficiently, the toxin A-moiety has to be cleaved by furin and transported retrogradely to the Golgi apparatus and to the endoplasmic reticulum. The enzymatically active part of the A-moiety is then translocated to the cytosol, where it inhibits protein synthesis and in some cell types induces apoptosis. Protection of cells can be provided either by inhibiting binding of the toxin to cells or by interfering with any of the subsequent steps required for its toxic effect. In this article we provide a brief overview of the interaction of Shiga toxins with cells, describe some compounds and conditions found to protect cells against Shiga toxins, and discuss whether they might also provide protection in animals and humans.
Contribution à la connaissance des Histeridae de la faune française. 4e note (Coleoptera)
Authors: Secq Michel , Secq Bernard
Published: February 2017

Liste de Coléoptères Histeridae Saprininae (hormis le genre Saprinus) observés en France continentale et en Corse.
Les Metopina d'un jardin en Beaujolais (Rhône) (Diptera Phoridae)
Authors: Withers Philippe
Published: February 2017

Un piège à eau utilisé dans le jardin de l'auteur a permis la capture de petits invertébrés rarement rencontrés lors de récoltes plus traditionnelles. L'étude spécifique des mouches minuscules du genre M et opina a mis en évidence la présence de 6 espèces parmi les 10 espèces européennes actuellement connues.
18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection of asymptomatic malignant melanoma recurrence
Authors: Lawal Ismaheel , Lengana Thabo , Ololade Kehinde , Boshomane Tebatso , Reyneke Florette , Modiselle Moshe , Vorster Mariza , Sathekge Mike
Published: February 2017

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT in the detection of asymptomatic recurrence in patients with malignant melanoma who have had resection of their primary lesion. We also aimed to determine the pattern and factors predisposing to disease recurrence. Methods: Patients with malignant melanoma who have had surgical resection of their disease and without any clinical evidence of disease recurrence were followed- up with FDG PET/CT. The diagnostic accuracy of FDG PET/CT, pattern of recurrence and factors predictive of disease recurrence were determined. Results: A total of 144 patients were followed-up for a median period of 50.50 months. Asymptomatic recurrence was seen in 37 patients (25.7 %) with a median time to recurrence of 20 months. Lymph node was the commonest site of asymptomatic recurrence. Sex, tumour depth, histology type and presence of nodal metastasis were significant predictors of tumour recurrence. Age, race, site of primary lesion, type of lymph node resection were not significant predictors of disease recurrence. Race has a significant effect on the histological subtype of tumour (nodular maligna was more common in Caucasian while acral lentiginous was more prevalent in the Blacks) and the site of the primary lesion (lower limb in Blacks and trunk in Caucasians). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FDG PET/CT for the detection of disease recurrence were 94.5 %, 87.6 % and 89.6 % respectively. Conclusion: FDG PET/CT is a suitable modality for early detection of asymptomatic recurrence of malignant melanoma. Asymptomatic recurrence most commonly occurs in lymph nodes. Sex, nodal metastasis and tumour pathologic features are predictors of recurrence.
Cisplatin-Impaired Adipogenic Differentiation of Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Chang Yu-Hsun , Liu Hwan-Wun , Chu Tang-Yuan , Wen Yao-Tseng , Tsai Rong-Kung , Ding Dah-Ching
Published: February 2017

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are derived from adipose tissue and can be induced in vitro to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondroblasts, myocytes, neurons, and other cell types. Cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapy drug for cancer patients. However, the effects of cisplatin on ADSCs remain elusive. This study found that a high concentration of cisplatin affects the viability of ADSCs. First, the IC50concentration of cisplatin was evaluated. Proliferation of ADSCs, as assessed by the XTT method, decreased immediately after treatment with various concentrations of cisplatin. ADSCs maintained mesenchymal stem cell surface markers after cisplatin treatment, as determined by flow cytometry. Upon differentiation by adding specific reagents, a significant decrease in adipogenic differentiation (by Oil red O staining) and osteogenic differentiation (by Alizarin red staining), and significant chondrogenic differentiation (by Alcian blue staining) were found after cisplatin treatment. Quantitative RT-PCR was also used in evaluating expression of specific genes to confirm differentiation. Finally, ADSCs from one donor who had received cisplatin showed significantly decreased adipogenic differentiation but increased osteogenic differentiation compared with ADSCs derived from one healthy donor. In conclusion, cisplatin affects the viability, proliferation, and differentiation of ADSCs both in vitro and in vivo via certain signaling pathways, such as p53 and Fas/FasL. The differentiation abilities of ADSCs should be evaluated before their transplantation for repairing cisplatin-induced tissue damage.
Molecular Outflows in Local ULIRGs: Energetics from Multitransition OH Analysis
Authors: González-Alfonso E. , Fischer J. , Spoon H. W. W. , Stewart K. P. , Ashby M. L. N. , Veilleux S. , Smith H. A. , Sturm E. , Farrah D. , Falstad N. , Meléndez M. , Graciá-Carpio J. , Janssen A. W. , Lebouteiller V.
Published: February 2017

We report on the energetics of molecular outflows in 14 local ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) that show unambiguous outflow signatures (P Cygni profiles or high-velocity absorption wings) in the far-infrared lines of OH measured with the Herschel/PACS spectrometer. All sample galaxies are gas-rich mergers at various stages of the merging process. Detection of both ground-state (at 119 and 79 μm) and one or more radiatively excited (at 65 and 84 μm) lines allows us to model the nuclear gas (≲300 pc) and the more extended components using spherically symmetric radiative transfer models. Reliable models and the corresponding energetics are found in 12 of the 14 sources. The highest molecular outflow velocities are found in buried sources, in which slower but massive expansion of the nuclear gas is also observed. With the exception of a few outliers, the outflows have momentum fluxes of (2–5) × L
IR/c and mechanical luminosities of (0.1–0.3)% of L
IR. The moderate momentum boosts in these sources (≲3) suggest that the outflows are mostly momentum driven by the combined effects of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and nuclear starbursts, as a result of radiation pressure, winds, and supernova remnants. In some sources (∼20%), however, powerful (1010.5–11
L
⊙) AGN feedback and (partially) energy-conserving phases are required, with momentum boosts in the range of 3–20. These outflows appear to be stochastic, strong AGN feedback events that occur throughout the merging process. In a few sources, the outflow activity in the innermost regions has subsided in the past ∼1 Myr. While OH traces the molecular outflows at subkiloparsec scales, comparison of the masses traced by OH with those previously inferred from tracers of more extended outflowing gas suggests that most mass is loaded (with loading factors of

) from the central galactic cores (a few × 100 pc), qualitatively consistent with an ongoing inside-out quenching of star formation. Outflow depletion timescales are <108 yr, shorter than the gas consumption timescales by factors of 1.1–15, and are anticorrelated with the AGN luminosity.
Asteroseismic Diagram for Subgiants and Red Giants
Authors: Gai Ning , Tang Yanke , Yu Peng , Dou Xianghua
Published: February 2017

Asteroseismology is a powerful tool for constraining stellar parameters. NASA’s Kepler mission is providing individual eigenfrequencies for a huge number of stars, including thousands of red giants. Besides the frequencies of acoustic modes, an important breakthrough of the Kepler mission is the detection of nonradial gravity-dominated mixed-mode oscillations in red giants. Unlike pure acoustic modes, mixed modes probe deeply into the interior of stars, allowing the stellar core properties and evolution of stars to be derived. In this work, using the gravity-mode period spacing and the large frequency separation, we construct the ΔΠ1–Δν asteroseismic diagram from models of subgiants and red giants with various masses and metallicities. The relationship ΔΠ1–Δν is able to constrain the ages and masses of the subgiants. Meanwhile, for red giants with masses above 1.5 M
⊙, the ΔΠ1–Δν asteroseismic diagram can also work well to constrain the stellar age and mass. Additionally, we calculate the relative “isochrones” τ, which indicate similar evolution states especially for similar mass stars, on the ΔΠ1–Δν diagram.
Label Transfer from APOGEE to LAMOST: Precise Stellar Parameters for 450,000 LAMOST Giants
Authors: Ho Anna Y. Q. , Ness Melissa K. , Hogg David W. , Rix Hans-Walter , Liu Chao , Yang Fan , Zhang Yong , Hou Yonghui , Wang Yuefei
Published: February 2017

In this era of large-scale spectroscopic stellar surveys, measurements of stellar attributes (“labels,” i.e., parameters and abundances) must be made precise and consistent across surveys. Here, we demonstrate that this can be achieved by a data-driven approach to spectral modeling. With The Cannon, we transfer information from the APOGEE survey to determine precise

,

,

, and

from the spectra of 450,000 LAMOST giants. The Cannon fits a predictive model for LAMOST spectra using 9952 stars observed in common between the two surveys, taking five labels from APOGEE DR12 as ground truth

,

,

,

, and K-band extinction

. The model is then used to infer

,

,

, and

for 454,180 giants, 20% of the LAMOST DR2 stellar sample. These are the first

values for the full set of LAMOST giants, and the largest catalog of

for giant stars to date. Furthermore, these labels are by construction on the APOGEE label scale; for spectra with S/N > 50, cross-validation of the model yields typical uncertainties of 70 K in

, 0.1 in

, 0.1 in

, and 0.04 in

, values comparable to the broadly stated, conservative APOGEE DR12 uncertainties. Thus, by using “label transfer” to tie low-resolution (LAMOST R ≈ 1800) spectra to the label scale of a much higher-resolution (APOGEE R ≈ 22,500) survey, we substantially reduce the inconsistencies between labels measured by the individual survey pipelines. This demonstrates that label transfer with The Cannon can successfully bring different surveys onto the same physical scale.