bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The globalization of naval provisioning: ancient DNA and stable isotope analyses of stored cod from the wreck of the Mary Rose, AD 1545
Authors: Hutchinson William F. , Culling Mark , Orton David C. , Hänfling Bernd , Lawson Handley Lori , Hamilton-Dyer Sheila , O'Connell Tamsin C. , Richards Michael P. , Barrett James H.
Published: September 2015

A comparison of ancient DNA (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope evidence suggests that stored cod provisions recovered from the wreck of the Tudor warship Mary Rose, which sank in the Solent, southern England, in 1545, had been caught in northern and transatlantic waters such as the northern North Sea and the fishing grounds of Iceland and Newfoundland. This discovery, underpinned by control data from archaeological samples of cod bones from potential source regions, illuminates the role of naval provisioning in the early development of extensive sea fisheries, with their long-term economic and ecological impacts.
The history of introduction of the African baobab (Adansonia digitata, Malvaceae: Bombacoideae) in the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Bell Karen L. , Rangan Haripriya , Kull Christian A. , Murphy Daniel J.
Published: September 2015

To investigate the pathways of introduction of the African baobab,Adansonia digitata, to the Indian subcontinent, we examined 10 microsatellite loci in individuals from Africa, India, the Mascarenes and Malaysia, and matched this with historical evidence of human interactions between source and destination regions. Genetic analysis showed broad congruence of African clusters with biogeographic regions except along the Zambezi (Mozambique) and Kilwa (Tanzania), where populations included a mixture of individuals assigned to at least two different clusters. Individuals from West Africa, the Mascarenes, southeast India and Malaysia shared a cluster. Baobabs from western and central India clustered separately from Africa. Genetic diversity was lower in populations from the Indian subcontinent than in African populations, but the former contained private alleles. Phylogenetic analysis showed Indian populations were closest to those from the Mombasa-Dar es Salaam coast. The genetic results provide evidence of multiple introductions of African baobabs to the Indian subcontinent over a longer time period than previously assumed. Individuals belonging to different genetic clusters in Zambezi and Kilwa may reflect the history of trafficking captives from inland areas to supply the slave trade between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries. Baobabs in the Mascarenes, southeast India and Malaysia indicate introduction from West Africa through eighteenth and nineteenth century European colonial networks.
Noise in gene expression is coupled to growth rate
Authors: Keren Leeat , van Dijk David , Weingarten-Gabbay Shira , Davidi Dan , Jona Ghil , Weinberger Adina , Milo Ron , Segal Eran
Published: September 2015

Genetically identical cells exposed to the same environment display variability in gene expression (noise), with important consequences for the fidelity of cellular regulation and biological function. Although population average gene expression is tightly coupled to growth rate, the effects of changes in environmental conditions on expression variability are not known. Here, we measure the single-cell expression distributions of approximately 900 Saccharomyces cerevisiae promoters across four environmental conditions using flow cytometry, and find that gene expression noise is tightly coupled to the environment and is generally higher at lower growth rates. Nutrient-poor conditions, which support lower growth rates, display elevated levels of noise for most promoters, regardless of their specific expression values. We present a simple model of noise in expression that results from having an asynchronous population, with cells at different cell-cycle stages, and with different partitioning of the cells between the stages at different growth rates. This model predicts non-monotonic global changes in noise at different growth rates as well as overall higher variability in expression for cell-cycle–regulated genes in all conditions. The consistency between this model and our data, as well as with noise measurements of cells growing in a chemostat at well-defined growth rates, suggests that cell-cycle heterogeneity is a major contributor to gene expression noise. Finally, we identify gene and promoter features that play a role in gene expression noise across conditions. Our results show the existence of growth-related global changes in gene expression noise and suggest their potential phenotypic implications.
Linked selection and recombination rate variation drive the evolution of the genomic landscape of differentiation across the speciation continuum of Ficedula flycatchers
Authors: Burri Reto , Nater Alexander , Kawakami Takeshi , Mugal Carina F. , Olason Pall I. , Smeds Linnea , Suh Alexander , Dutoit Ludovic , Bureš Stanislav , Garamszegi Laszlo Z. , Hogner Silje , Moreno Juan , Qvarnström Anna , Ružić Milan , Sæther Stein-Are , Sætre Glenn-Peter , Török Janos , Ellegren Hans
Published: September 2015

Speciation is a continuous process during which genetic changes gradually accumulate in the genomes of diverging species. Recent studies have documented highly heterogeneous differentiation landscapes, with distinct regions of elevated differentiation (“differentiation islands”) widespread across genomes. However, it remains unclear which processes drive the evolution of differentiation islands; how the differentiation landscape evolves as speciation advances; and ultimately, how differentiation islands are related to speciation. Here, we addressed these questions based on population genetic analyses of 200 resequenced genomes from 10 populations of four Ficedula flycatcher sister species. We show that a heterogeneous differentiation landscape starts emerging among populations within species, and differentiation islands evolve recurrently in the very same genomic regions among independent lineages. Contrary to expectations from models that interpret differentiation islands as genomic regions involved in reproductive isolation that are shielded from gene flow, patterns of sequence divergence (dxy and relative node depth) do not support a major role of gene flow in the evolution of the differentiation landscape in these species. Instead, as predicted by models of linked selection, genome-wide variation in diversity and differentiation can be explained by variation in recombination rate and the density of targets for selection. We thus conclude that the heterogeneous landscape of differentiation in Ficedula flycatchers evolves mainly as the result of background selection and selective sweeps in genomic regions of low recombination. Our results emphasize the necessity of incorporating linked selection as a null model to identify genome regions involved in adaptation and speciation.
Application of many-body dissipative particle dynamics to determine liquid characteristics
Authors: Yamada Toru , Yuan Jinliang , Sunden Bengt Ake
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to find out the applicability of the many-body dissipative particle dynamics (MDPD) method for various real fluids by specifically focusing on the effects of the MDPD parameters on the MDPD fluid properties.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, the MDPD method based on van der Waals (vdw) equation of state is employed. The simulations are conducted by using LAMMPS with some modifications of the original package to include the many-body features in the simulation. The simulations are investigated in a three-dimensional Cartesian box solution domain in which MDPD particles are distributed. In order to evaluate the MDPD liquid characteristics for a stationary liquid film, self-diffusivity, viscosity, Schmidt number (Sc) and surface tension, are estimated for different MDPD parameters. The parameters are carefully selected based on previous studies. A set of single-droplet simulations is also performed to analyze the droplet characteristics and its behavior on a solid-wall. Besides, the relationship between the characteristic length in the DPD simulations and scaling parameters for the stationary liquid-film case is discussed by employing the Ohnesorge number.

Findings

– The results show that the liquid properties in the MDPD simulations can be widely ranged by varying the MDPD parameters. The values are highly influenced by the many-body feature in the conservative force which is not included in the original DPD method. It is also found that the wetting ability of the MDPD fluid on solid walls can be easily controlled by changing a many-body parameter. The characteristic length between the MDPD reduced unit and real unit is related for the stationary liquid-film case by employing the Ohnesorge number.

Originality/value

– The present parametric study shows that the liquid properties in the MDPD method can vary by carefully controlling the MDPD parameters, which demonstrates the high-potential applicability of the method for various real fluids. This will contribute to research areas in multi-phase transport phenomena at nano and sub-micron scales in, for example, fuel cells, batteries and other engineering devices involving porous media.
Effect of fluid-porous interface conditions on steady flow around and through a porous circular cylinder
Authors: Bovand Masoud , Rashidi Saman , Dehesht Masoomeh , Abolfazli Esfahani Javad
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to implement the numerical analysis based on finite volume method to compare the effects of stress-jump (SJ) and stress-continuity (SC) conditions on flow structure around and through a porous circular cylinder.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, a steady flow of a viscous, incompressible fluid around and through a porous circular cylinder of diameter “D,” using Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer’s equation in the porous region, is discussed. The SJ condition proposed by Ochoa-Tapia and Whitaker is applied at the porous-fluid interface and compared with the traditional interfacial condition based on the SC condition in fluid and porous media. Equations with the relevant boundary conditions are numerically solved using a finite volume approach. In this study, Reynolds and Darcy numbers are varied within the ranges of 1
<
Re
<
40 and 10-7
<
Da
<
10-2, respectively, and the porosities are e=0.45, 0.7 and 0.95.

Findings

– Results show that the SJ condition leads to a much smaller boundary layer within porous medium near the interface as compared to the SC condition. Two interfacial conditions yield similar results with decrease in porosity.

Originality/value

– There is no published research in the literature about the effects of important parameters, such as Porosity and Darcy numbers on different fluid-porous interface conditions for a porous cylinder and comparison the effects of SJ and SC conditions on flow structure around and through a porous circular cylinder.
The application of business risk audit methodology within non-Big-4 firms
Authors: Kutum Imad , Fraser Ian , Hussainey Khaled
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the application of the business risk audit (BRA) approach within non-Big-4 audit firms in the USA, the UK and Canada. This paper focuses on the motivation for adopting this approach for non-Big-4 audit firms in the three countries, and the advantages, disadvantages and aftermath of applying this method.

Design/methodology/approach

– A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to obtain the data necessary to address the research questions was used.

Findings

– It is found that non-Big-4 audit firms in the three countries have adopted BRA; their motivation was primarily to follow the standards in each country, and the general trend in the industry. The advantages identified are consistent with previous research; a direct benefit was noted for audit effectiveness and risk management for both clients and auditors. One major disadvantage of applying BRA is the cost burden to both the audit firm and their clients. Some of the interviewees claimed that this method is better suited to large firms and large audits.

Originality/value

– This is an innovative study that addresses a contemporary auditing issue. The majority of the audit research studies concentrate on the big audit firm practices; this study is the first to examine the application of audit practices within smaller audit firms.
Impact of IPO grading on earnings management
Authors: Maheshwari Yogesh , Agrawal Khushbu
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the impact of initial public offering (IPO) grading on earnings management by Indian companies in their IPOs. Specifically, it investigates whether earnings management significantly differs in the pre-IPO grading regime and post-IPO grading regime. Further, it examines whether earnings management significantly differs between high-graded and low-graded IPOs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The cross-sectional modified Jones model is used to obtain the discretionary accruals, a proxy for earnings management. The impact of IPO grading on earnings management is assessed using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

– Earnings management is significantly lower in graded IPOs as compared to the ones that are not graded. Further, among the graded IPOs, the high-graded IPOs exhibit lower earnings management as compared to the low-graded IPOs. The findings are robust to the use of an alternative measure for discretionary accruals.

Originality/value

– IPO grading in India is a unique certification mechanism, introduced for the first time in any market. This paper establishes the efficacy of this mandatory certification mechanism in reducing earnings management. The findings could be valuable to issuer companies, investors and market regulators.
A novel model to implement ERP based on dynamic capabilities
Authors: Chang Tsung-Sheng , Fu Hsin-Pin , Ku Cheng-Yuan
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose an implementation model for enterprise resource planning (ERP) based on resource-based view, and using the dynamic capability theory as its theoretical foundation. This model includes: the establishment of the objectives of the implementation, an assessment of the available resources and the scope of the implementation, the redesign/integration and organizational learning during the process, the implementation of the system, and the measurement and evaluation of its performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– An integrated circuits design company in Taiwan was used in a case study to examine the validity of the proposed model.

Findings

– When the proposed ERP implementation model was applied in this study, the results show that organizational coordination, system-process redesign and integration, and organizational learning are the critical strategies for enterprises, in order to reduce the risks during the implementation of ERP projects.

Practical implications

– This model can help enterprises recognize the resources needed when implementing an ERP. In addition, they need to consider the reliability of these resources, as this will increase the efficiency of the implementation, and thus the probability of success.

Originality/value

– Studies of past models in the implementation of ERP have been conducted in various industries. There is a need for further studies that evaluate the different concepts in terms of the effectiveness of specific methods, in order to enhance the probability of successfully implementing a dynamic system. This paper is one of the first to explain how an enterprise can implement an ERP that is based on the theory of dynamic capabilities. The case study illustrates the important, critical success factors.
US Supreme Court clarifies liability standard under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for statements of opinion in registration statements
Authors: Parrino Richard , Schwab Douglas , Wertheimer David
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to examine the US Supreme Court’s much anticipated decision in Omnicare, Inc. v. Laborers Dist. Council Const. Indus. Pension Fund. In this 2015 case, the Supreme Court announced important principles for interpreting the application of the two bases for liability under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 to statements of opinion expressed in registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with public securities offerings.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article examines the Supreme Court’s articulation of the standards federal courts must apply under Section 11 to determine if opinion statements were untrue statements of a material fact or misleading because they omitted material facts necessary to make the statements of opinion not misleading. The paper identifies a number of the complexities involved in the Supreme Court’s approach and emphasizes the nuanced assessment of the facts surrounding opinion statements courts will be required to undertake by Omnicare.

Findings

– The Omnicare decision has significant implications for the litigation of Section 11 claims challenging statements of opinion and for the preparation of registration statement disclosures. The Omnicare decision dramatically alters the standards for reviewing Section 11 claims premised on opinions long applied in a number of US federal appellate circuits. The decision is likely to result in more Section 11 claims based on supposedly misleading opinion statements, and potentially in a greater number of Section 11 claims that survive at least an initial motion to dismiss. Omnicare highlights the importance of including in registration statement disclosures meaningful cautionary statements identifying important facts that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from views expressed in an opinion.

Originality/value

– Expert guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
SEC permits abbreviated tender and exchange offers for non-convertible high-yield and investment-grade debt securities
Authors: Blumenstein Ian B. , Maki J. Eric , Owen John T.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– To advise companies of a recent SEC no-action letter relating to tender and exchange offers for certain debt securities.

Design/methodology/approach

– Reviews various conditions allowing an issuer to use a shortened timeframe in which certain debt tender/exchange offers need be kept open for as few as five business days.

Findings

– The abbreviated debt tender/exchange offer structure contemplated by the no-action letter provides a more efficient mechanism for conducting debt tender/exchange offers in certain circumstances.

Practical implications

– Issuers conducting a debt tender/exchange offer should consider whether the new abbreviated structure is more effective in achieving their objectives than the more traditional structures.

Originality/value

– Practical guidance from experienced securities regulatory lawyers that gives an overview of important developments in debt tender/exchange offer practice.
FINRA proposes requiring registration of associated persons who develop algorithmic trading strategies
Authors: Angstadt Janet M. , Foley Michael T. , Pazzol Ross , Van De Graaff James D.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– To analyze FINRA’s proposal that would require registration with FINRA of associated persons of FINRA-member firms who are primarily responsible for the design, development or significant modification of an algorithmic trading strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

– This article discusses the rationale and details of the proposed requirements.

Findings

– If adopted in its current form, the proposed rule-making, particularly when combined with the SEC’s proposed amendments to Rule 15b9-1 under the Securities and Exchange Act, would result in many various individuals who currently are not subject to a FINRA registration requirement, to pass a qualification examination and register.

Originality/value

– This article contains valuable information about important FINRA rule making activity.
–Nonrecourse Mortgage and Housing Price Boom, Bust, and Rebound
Authors: Bao Te , Ding Li
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates the impact of –nonrecourse vs. recourse mortgages on housing price dynamics in major U.S. metropolitan statistical areas for the period from 2000 to 2013. We find evidence that –nonrecourse states experience faster price growth during the boom period (2000–2006), a sharper price drop during the bust period (2006–2009) and faster price recovery in the rebound period after a crisis (2009–2013). Moreover, the volatility of housing prices is higher in nonrecourse states than in recourse states, particularly during the rebound period.
Temperature‐Dependent Postmortem Changes in Human Cardiac Troponin‐T (cTnT): An Approach in Estimation of Time Since Death
Authors: Kumar Sachil , Ali Wahid , Singh Uma S. , Kumar Ashutosh , Bhattacharya Sandeep , Verma Anoop K. , Rupani Raja
Published: September 2015

Estimation of time of death is an indispensible requirement of every medico‐legal autopsy, but unfortunately, there is not a single method by which it could be determined accurately. This study focused on the temperature‐dependent postmortem degradation of cardiac troponin‐T and its association with postmortem interval (PMI) in human. The analysis involved extraction of the protein, separation by denaturing gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), and visualization by Western blot using cTnT‐specific monoclonal antibodies. The area of the bands within a lane was quantified by scanning and digitizing the image using Gel Doc (Universal Hood). The results indicate a characteristic banding pattern among human cadavers (n = 6) and a pseudo‐linear relationship between percentage of cTnT degradation and the log of the time since death (r > 0.95), which can be used to estimate the postmortem interval. The data presented demonstrate that this technique can provide an extended time range during which PMI can be more accurately estimated.
Authentication of Whey Protein Powders by Portable Mid‐Infrared Spectrometers Combined with Pattern Recognition Analysis
Authors: Wang Ting , Tan Siow Ying , Mutilangi William , Aykas Didem P. , Rodriguez‐Saona Luis E.
Published: September 2015

The objective of this study was to develop a simple and rapid method to differentiate whey protein types (WPC, WPI, and WPH) used for beverage manufacturing by combining the spectral signature collected from portable mid‐infrared spectrometers and pattern recognition analysis. Whey protein powders from different suppliers are produced using a large number of processing and compositional variables, resulting in variation in composition, concentration, protein structure, and thus functionality. Whey protein powders including whey protein isolates, whey protein concentrates and whey protein hydrolysates were obtained from different suppliers and their spectra collected using portable mid‐infrared spectrometers (single and triple reflection) by pressing the powder onto an Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) diamond crystal with a pressure clamp. Spectra were analyzed by soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) generating a classification model showing the ability to differentiate whey protein types by forming tight clusters with interclass distance values of >3, considered to be significantly different from each other. The major bands centered at 1640 and 1580 cm−1were responsible for separation and were associated with differences in amide I and amide II vibrations of proteins, respectively. Another important band in whey protein clustering was associated with carboxylate vibrations of acidic amino acids (∼1570 cm−1). The use of a portable mid‐IR spectrometer combined with pattern recognition analysis showed potential for discriminating whey protein ingredients that can help to streamline the analytical procedure so that it is more applicable for field‐based screening of ingredients.
Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose by Gluconacetobacter hansenii CGMCC 3917
Authors: Feng Xianchao , Ullah Niamat , Wang Xuejiao , Sun Xuchun , Li Chenyi , Bai Yun , Chen Lin , Li Zhixi
Published: September 2015

In this study, comprehensive characterization and drying methods on properties of bacterial cellulose were analyzed. Bacterial cellulose was prepared by Gluconacetobacter hansenii CGMCC 3917, which was mutated by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment. Bacterial cellulose is mainly comprised of cellulose Iα with high crystallinity and purity. High‐water holding and absorption capacity were examined by reticulated structure. Thermogravimetric analysis showed high thermal stability. High tensile strength and Young's modulus indicated its mechanical properties. The rheological analysis showed that bacterial cellulose had good consistency and viscosity. These results indicated that bacterial cellulose is a potential food additive and also could be used for a food packaging material. The high textural stability during freeze–thaw cycles makes bacterial cellulose an effective additive for frozen food products. In addition, the properties of bacterial cellulose can be affected by drying methods. Our results suggest that the bacterial cellulose produced from HHP‐mutant strain has an effective characterization, which can be used for a wide range of applications in food industry.
The Glycemic Potential of White and Red Rice Affected by Oil Type and Time of Addition
Authors: Kaur Bhupinder , Ranawana Viren , Teh Ai‐Ling , Henry C Jeya.K
Published: September 2015

Limited research exists on how different oil types and time of addition affect starch digestibility of rice. This study aimed to assess the starch digestibility of white and red rice prepared with 2 oil types: vegetable oil (unsaturated fat) and ghee (clarified butter, saturated fat) added at 3 different time points during the cooking process (“before”: frying raw rice in oil before boiling, “during”: adding oil during boiling, and “after”: stir‐frying cooked rice in oil). Red rice produced a slower digestion rate than white rice. White rice digestibility was not affected by oil type, but was affected by addition time of oil. Adding oil “after” (stir‐frying) to white or red rice resulted in higher slowly digestible starch. Red rice cooked using ghee showed the lowest amount of glucose release during in vitro digestion. The addition of ghee “during” (that is boiling with ghee) or “before” (that is frying rice raw with ghee then boiling) cooking showed potential for attenuating the postprandial glycemic response and increasing resistant starch content. This is the first report to show healthier ways of preparing rice. White rice with oil added “after” (stir‐fried) may provide a source of sustained glucose and stabilize blood glucose levels. Boiling red rice with ghee or cooking red rice with ghee pilaf‐style may provide beneficial effects on postprandial blood glucose and insulin concentrations, and improve colonic health. The encouraging results of the present study justify extending it to an in vivo investigation to conclusively determine the effect of time of addition of fat when rice is cooked on blood glucose homeostasis.
Physicochemical and Gelatinization Properties of Starches Separated from Various Rice Cultivars
Authors: Woo Hee‐Dong , We Gyoung Jin , Kang Tae‐Young , Shon Kee Hyuk , Chung Hyung‐Wook , Yoon Mi‐Ra , Lee Jeom‐Sig , Ko Sanghoon
Published: September 2015

Morphological, viscoelastic, hydration, pasting, and thermal properties of starches separated from 10 different rice cultivars were investigated. Upon gelatinization, the G′ values of the rice starch pastes ranged from 37.4 to 2057 Pa at 25 °C, and remarkably, the magnitude depended on the starch varieties. The rheological behavior during gelatinization upon heating brought out differences in onset in G′ and degree of steepness. The cultivar with high amylose content (Goami) showed the lowest critical strain (γc), whereas the cultivars with low amylose content (Boseokchal and Shinseonchal) possessed the highest γc. The amylose content in rice starches affected their pasting properties; the sample possessing the highest amylose content showed the highest final viscosity and setback value, whereas waxy starch samples displayed low final viscosity and setback value. The onset gelatinization temperatures of the starches from 10 rice cultivars ranged between 57.9 and 64.4 °C. The amylose content was fairly correlated to hydration and pasting properties of rice starches but did not correlate well with viscoelastic and thermal characteristics. The combined analysis of hydration, pasting, viscoelastic, and thermal data of the rice starches is useful in fully understanding their behavior and in addressing the processability for food applications.
A comparison of the i‐gel™ and the PRO‐Breathe® laryngeal mask during pressure support ventilation in children
Authors: Drake‐Brockman T. F. E. , Ledowski T. , Hegarty M. , Gessner M. , von Ungern‐Sternberg B. S.
Published: September 2015

Many studies comparing the i‐gel™ with laryngeal masks include patients in whom laryngeal mask cuff inflation pressures are higher than recommended, or involve the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs and positive pressure ventilation. We compared the i‐gel with the PRO‐Breathe® laryngeal mask in anaesthetised, spontaneously breathing children. Two hundred patients aged up to 16 years were randomly allocated to either the i‐gel or the PRO‐Breathe laryngeal mask. The PRO‐Breathe was inflated to an intracuff pressure of 40 cmH2O. All patients received pressure support of 10 cmH2O and positive end‐expiratory pressure of 5 cmH2O. Successful insertion at the first attempt was 82% for the i‐gel compared with 93% for the PRO‐Breathe (p = 0.019). Leakage volume was significantly higher with i‐gel sizes 1.5 (p = 0.015), 2 (p = 0.375), 2.5 (p = 0.021) and 3 (p = 0.003) compared with the equivalent‐sized PRO‐Breathe device. Device dislodgement following successful initial placement was more frequent with the i‐gel (5%) compared with the PRO‐Breathe laryngeal mask (0%). We conclude that the PRO‐Breathe laryngeal mask is superior to the i‐gel in terms of leakage volume and device dislodgement.
Calculating the Debt Gap
Authors: Ross Andrew
Published: September 2015

Using the debate over Scottish independence as a case study, this article analyses how calculating creditworthiness—or “sovereign risk”—has increasingly become the investment yardstick used by the political class to chart the limits to national self‐determination. In considering other species of predatory lending—municipal debt and household debt‐the article also charts the migration of the so‐called “debt trap” from Southern countries to the North over the last decade. It assesses the progress of advanced societies towards a state of creditocracy, in which the goal of the creditor class is to wrap debt around every social good, generating long‐term income streams and repayment obligations that are unsustainable in a functional democracy. The conclusion argues that debt refusal is a legitimate method of salvaging popular democracy.
Childhood diarrhoea in Danish day care centres could be associated with infant colic, low birthweight and antibiotics
Authors: Hebbelstrup Jensen Betina , Röser Dennis , Andreassen Bente Utoft , Olsen Katharina E. P. , Nielsen Henrik Vedel , Roldgaard Bent Bjørn , Schjørring Susanne , Mirsepasi‐Lauridsen Hengameh Chloé , Jørgensen Steffen L. , Mortensen Esben Munk , Petersen Andreas Munk , Krogfelt Karen Angeliki
Published: September 2015

Aim

Diarrhoea is very common in children attending day care centres. The aim of this study was to examine certain predisposing risk factors for an association with diarrhoea, including foreign travel, treatment with antibiotics, having household pets, infant colic, bottle feeding, using a pacifier and low birthweight.

Methods

A dynamic one‐year follow‐up cohort study comprising 179 children from 36 day care centres was conducted from September 2009 to July 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Questionnaires were sent to the children's parents or legal guardians every two months for a year, requesting information on gastrointestinal symptoms and exposure. A logistic regression was performed to identify the odds ratios of different risk factors for diarrhoea.

Results

The odds ratios for diarrhoea were 1.97 (0.93–4.20) for children with a history of infant colic, 1.91 (0.90–4.04) for low birthweight children and 1.45 (0.74–2.82) for children who had used antibiotics. Having a pet in the household had a possible protective effect towards diarrhoeal events, with an odds ratio of 0.47 (0.20–1.09).

Conclusion

A history of infant colic, low birthweight, and to a lesser extent antibiotic use, possibly increased the risk of diarrhoea in Danish children in day care centres.
Association of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor valine to methionine polymorphism with sexual dysfunction following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment in female patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Nazree Nur Elia , Mohamed Zahurin , Reynolds Gavin P. , Mohd Zain Shamsul , Masiran Ruziana , Sidi Hatta , Chong Lu Ann , Hway Anne Yee , Adlan Aida Syarinaz , Zainal Nor Zuraida
Published: September 2015

Introduction

The occurrence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) treatment gives negative impacts on patients' quality of life and causes treatment discontinuation. We aimed to investigate whether genetic polymorphism of identified candidate gene is associated with FSD in our study population.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study. A total of 95 female patients with MDD who met the criteria of the study were recruited and were specifically assessed on the sexual function by trained psychiatrists. Patients' DNA was genotyped for BDNF Val66Met polymorphism using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The prevalence of FSD in this study is 31.6%. In the FSD group, patients with problematic marriage were significantly more frequent compared with patients who did not have problematic marriage (P = 0.009). Significant association was detected in the lubrication domain with BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (P = 0.030) using additive genetic model, with even stronger association when using the recessive model (P = 0.013).

Discussion

This study suggested that there was no significant association between BDNF Val66Met with FSD. However, this polymorphism is significantly associated with lubrication disorder in patients treated with SSRIs.
Postgraduate events as a building block for interdisciplinary research
Authors: Darlington Eleanor , Waite Catherine , Balsdon Stacey
Published: September 2015

Postgraduate students are at the forefront of geographical research, forging their career in a rapidly changing landscape. The ideology of geography as a single discipline is being erased, enabling complex geographical questions spanning both natural and social sciences to be properly addressed. A postgraduate event organised in a thematic manner, rather than by discipline, reveals that postgraduate students still associate with ‘human’ or ‘physical’ geography, rather than with interdisciplinary work. However, students who overcome time constraints and have exposure to, or engage with, interdisciplinary research gain valuable transferable skills, enhancing research outputs and employability. Therefore, postgraduate perceptions of interdisciplinary research are important for geography to advance.
Parents' experiences of being in the Solihull Approach parenting group, ‘Understanding Your Child's Behaviour’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Vella L. R. , Butterworth R. E. , Johnson R. , Urquhart Law G.
Published: September 2015

Background

Empirical evidence suggests that the Solihull Approach parenting group, ‘Understanding Your Child's Behaviour’ (UYCB), can improve child behaviour and parental well‐being. However, little is known about parents' in‐depth experience of participating in the UYCB programme. This study provides an in‐depth qualitative evaluation of UYCB, focussing on possible moderating factors and mechanisms of change that may inform programme development.

Method

Ten parents (eight mothers and two fathers), recruited from seven UYCB groups across two locations, were interviewed within 7 weeks of completing the group and again 10 months later. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

Four themes were identified: ‘Two Tiers of Satisfaction’, ‘Development as a Parent’, ‘Improved Self‐belief’ and ‘The “Matthew Effect”’. In summary, the majority of parents were immensely satisfied at both completion and follow‐up: they valued an experience of containment and social support and perceived improvement in specific child difficulties, their experience of parenting, their confidence and their coping. Most parents appeared to have developed more reflective and empathic parenting styles, with self‐reported improved behaviour management. Theoretical material was well received, although some struggled with technical language. Positive outcomes appeared to be maintained, even reinforced, at follow‐up, and were associated with having few initial child difficulties, perceiving improvement at completion and persevering with the recommendations. Two participants, whose children had the most severe difficulties, perceived deterioration and felt that the group was insufficient for their level of difficulties.

Conclusion

Through in‐depth analysis of parental experiences, UYCB appears to achieve its aims and communicate well its theoretical principles, although change may also occur through processes common to other group programmes (e.g. social support). Recommendations, stemming from the experiences of these parents, include simplified language, separate groups for parents with complex needs, greater emphasis on the importance of perseverance, and additional support for parents who appear to be struggling to make changes.
OLD WINE IN A NEW BOTTLE: TRADE OPENNESS AND FDI FLOWS—ARE THE EMERGING ECONOMIES CONVERGING?
Authors: Apergis Nicholas , Cooray Arusha
Published: September 2015

This study uses the club convergence methodology of Phillips and Sul (2007) for emerging economies spanning the period 1960–2013 to explore whether such convergence exists and whether the increase of international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows has been a global or club phenomenon. We find the absence of a homogeneous convergence club. The results for FDI outflows also reach similar conclusions, suggesting the formation of convergence clubs by stage of development. These results suggest that policies that promote convergence in trade openness and FDI flows would permit countries to benefit from mutual interactions and by greater consistency and efficiency in trade regimes, thus permitting these countries to benefit from openness leading to a race to the top rather than bottom. (JEL F41, C33)
THE IMPACT OF PUBLICLY PROVIDED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON DISTRICT‐LEVEL TEST SCORES
Authors: Artz Benjamin , Welsch David M.
Published: September 2015

While the existing literature largely finds that standardized test scores are positively associated with participation in pre‐kindergarten programs at the student level, there is little research on the policy effect of publicly providing these programs to entire school districts. We attempt to partially fill this void by examining the effect that publicly provided pre‐kindergarten and full‐day kindergarten programs have on fourth grade student achievement in math and reading at the district level. The models utilize panel data from districts in Wisconsin along with fixed effects estimations. We find that once time‐invariant unobserved heterogeneity of a district is accounted for, preschool programs have small but significant impacts on a cohort's future math scores, particularly in less‐educated communities. Additionally, there is no evidence that preschool or full‐day kindergarten has an impact on future reading scores at the district level. (JEL I20, I28)
Sensing Abnormal Resource Flow Using Adaptive Limit Process Charts in a Complex Supply Network*
Authors: Sawaya William J. , Pathak Surya , Day Jamison M. , Kristal Mehmet Murat
Published: September 2015

Supply networks are becoming increasingly complex with multiple overlapping relationships between firms that may span across industries. Consequently, inventory management is becoming more difficult as managers have to cope with variability in the supply flows that originate from different parts of the network. Managers that quickly sense abnormal flows may intervene and adapt their inventory policies in response to system changes. In this article, we present a framework for sensing abnormal flows originating within the upstream supply network of a focal organization. Our framework combines time series modeling with process charts to identify abnormal flow patterns in the incoming supply streams. It is a flexible framework that uses off‐the‐shelf technology to provide managers with a process that can be employed for monitoring multiple individual or aggregated data streams originating within any complex system such as complex adaptive supply networks. We illustrate our framework on four years of longitudinal supply data from the second largest food bank in the United States. We identify multiple instances of abnormal supply flows and validate our results through rigorous inventory analysis as well as field‐based expert interviews. We discuss the implications of our findings for inventory management in complex supply networks, both from academic and practitioner points of view.
Prevalence of orofacial dysfunction in cerebral palsy and its association with gross motor function and manual ability
Authors: Edvinsson Siv E , Lundqvist Lars‐Olov
Published: September 2015

Aim

To investigate the prevalence of orofacial dysfunction (OFD) and explore factors associated with OFD in young individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional study on a population with CP in a Swedish county (132 individuals, mean age 14y 2mo [SD 4y 5mo], range 5–22y) using the Nordic Orofacial Test – Screening (NOT‐S), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). The NOT‐S interview was completed by 129 individuals (76 males, 53 females) of whom 52 (30 males, 22 females) also agreed to complete the NOT‐S examination.

Results

OFD occurred in at least one NOT‐S domain in about 80% of the individuals and was present in all subdiagnoses, GMFCS levels, and MACS levels. Prevalence of OFD increased with increasing levels of GMFCS and MACS from level I=55% to level V=100%. Within the 12 NOT‐S domains, the prevalence of OFD varied between 19% and 69%, wherein seven of them were at least 40%: ‘Drooling’, ‘Nose breathing’, ‘Chewing and swallowing’, ‘Face at rest’, ‘Oral motor function’, ‘Speech’, and ‘Facial expression’ (in ascending order).

Interpretation

OFD is common in CP. The use of OFD screening in health service planning would assist detection of areas in need of further evaluation.
Distributions of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in Scotland's topsoil: a national‐scale study
Authors: Thornton B. , Martin G. , Procee M. , Miller D. R. , Coull M. , Yao H. , Chapman S. J. , Hudson G. , Midwood A. J.
Published: September 2015

The land use and climate of Scotland are currently undergoing change. Concentrations of Natural abundance stable isotopes in ecosystems have been used extensively to help to understand a wide range of processes and functions. In the current study topsoil was collected from the intercepts of a 20‐km grid across the whole of Scotland (183 points), which encompass large differences in mean annual temperature (MAT,3.1–9.1°C), mean annual precipitation (MAP, 588–3470 mm) and land use (from arable land through grassland and woodland to less fertile moorlands and bogs). At each sampling point the natural abundance δ13C and δ15N values were measured. This paper describes for the first time the spatial distribution of these isotopes in the topsoil of Scotland. We applied linear modelling to assess the extent to which land use and climate can control the observed distributions. The more enriched topsoil δ13C values occurred in the northern and western regions of Scotland. Topsoil δ13C values were tightly constrained about the mean, and possibly because of this we were able to explain only 23.6% of the variance even after considering the potential effects of a wide range of abiotic factors and land uses. Precipitation and land use explained the greatest variance in topsoil δ13C, but individually this was only 10.4 and 9.9%, respectively. Topsoil δ15N values showed a more complex spatial arrangement. The main areas of the more enriched δ15N values were in the northern isles, along or near the coast on the eastern side of the country and in some areas of the western mainland. For topsoil δ15N, all explanatory variables together explained 55.7% of the variance, with land use alone explaining 45.4%. Soil under arable land and improved grassland, the more fertile sites, had the most enriched δ15N values, whereas woodland and bogs had the most depleted values. A positive relationship between topsoil δ15N and potential rate of nitrification suggested that this was due, at least in part, to greater losses of nitrate under arable land and improved grassland.
Cytogenetic and oxidative status of human lymphocytes after exposure to clinically relevant concentrations of antimalarial drugs atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride in vitro
Authors: Dinter Domagoj , Gajski Goran , Domijan Ana‐Marija , Garaj‐Vrhovac Vera
Published: September 2015

Atovaquone (ATO) and proguanil hydrochloride (PROG) is the fixed combination for the prevention and treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. As safe and effective antimalarial drugs are needed in both the treatment and the prophylaxis of malaria, this study was performed to investigate their possible cyto/genotoxic potential towards human lymphocytes and the possible mechanism responsible for it. Two different concentrations of ATO and PROG were used with and without S9 metabolic activation. The concentrations used were those found in human plasma when a fixed‐dose combination of ATO and PROG was used: 2950/130 ng/mL after prophylactic treatment and 11 800/520 ng/mL after treatment of malaria, respectively. Possible cellular and DNA‐damaging effects were evaluated by cell viability and alkaline comet assays, while oxidative stress potential was evaluated by formamidopyrimidine‐DNA glycosylase (Fpg)‐modified comet assay, in addition to measuring malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. According to our results, the ATO/PROG combination displayed only weak cyto/genotoxic potential towards human lymphocytes with no impact on oxidative stress parameters, suggesting that oxidative stress is not implicated in their mechanism of action towards human lymphocytes. Given that the key portion of the damaging effects was induced after S9 metabolic activation, it is to presume that the principal metabolite of PROG, cycloguanil, had the greatest impact. The obtained results indicate that the ATO/PROG combination is relatively safe for the consumption from the aspect of cyto/genotoxicity, especially if used for prophylactic treatment. Nevertheless, further cytogenetic research and regular patient monitoring are needed to minimize the risk of adverse events especially among frequent travellers.