bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Residents' perception of the quality of public housing in urban areas in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Ibem Eziyi O.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The general aim of this research is to investigate residents' perception of the quality of public housing and factors influencing this in Ogun State Southwest Nigeria. This is in view of a paucity of published works on this subject matter and the need to upgrade the quality of public housing in urban areas in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were collected through a cross sectional survey of proportionately selected 517 household heads in newly constructed public housing estates, and 90 staff members of four key public housing agencies in urban areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used in the collection of primary data. Descriptive statistics and categorical regression analysis were used in data analysis.

Findings

The results show that a majority of the respondents rated their current residential environment low on the quality scale. Whereas housing unit attributes were rated highest, neighbourhood facilities were rated very low on the housing quality scale. Housing delivery strategies, spatial deficiencies in housing units, organizational capacity of housing providers, age, income, education and tenure status of residents were found to be among the key factors influencing residents' perception of housing quality in the study area.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was concentrated on newly constructed public housing by Ogun State government in selected urban areas. Other studies can examine housing constructed by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the study area.

Practical implications

Lack of access to housing services, infrastructure and neighborhood facilities accounts for poor quality of public housing in the study area. This can be improved through adequate provision of basic social amenities, organizational capacity building and adoption of appropriate housing delivery strategies by public housing providers.

Originality/value

A framework for studying the quality of public housing in Nigeria and other countries has been developed. The findings can assist public housing policy makers and programme managers to improve on the quality of public housing and services.
Design for reliability predictability (DRP)
Authors: Semegn Assefa , Murphy Eamonn
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel approach of designing, specifying, and describing the behavior of software systems in a way that helps to predict their reliability from the reliability of the components and their interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Design imperatives and relevant mathematical documentation techniques for improved reliability predictability of software systems are identified.

Findings

The design approach, which is named design for reliability predictability (DRP), integrates design for change, precise behavioral documentation and structure based reliability prediction to achieve improved reliability predictability of software systems. The specification and documentation approach builds upon precise behavioral specification of interfaces using the trace function method (TFM) and introduces a number of structure functions or connection documents. These functions capture both the static and dynamic behavior of component‐based software systems and are used as a basis for a novel document driven structure based reliability predication model.

Originality/value

Decades of research effort have been spent in software design, mathematical/formal specification and description and reliability prediction of software systems. However, there has been little convergence among these three areas. This paper brings a new direction where the three research areas are unified to create a new design paradigm.
Attributes of overall satisfaction of agricultural machinery dealers using a three‐factor model
Authors: Staus Alexander , Becker Tilman
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the satisfaction of dealers with their suppliers in the agricultural machinery sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A dummy approach of the three‐factor model is used to detect the dimensions that influence the overall satisfaction of agricultural machinery dealers. The model considers satisfiers, dissatisfiers and so‐called performance factors that might lead to both satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

Findings

Two dissatisfiers, after‐sales and service methods and relationship with supplier, are detected. Furthermore, there is one satisfier, competitive outlook, and one performance factor, the product program.

Research limitations/implications

The dummy approach detects the three factors implicitly. A Kano‐questionnaire might be helpful to confirm the results.

Practical implications

Producers should first fulfill the factors that have the highest negative impact: product program, followed by after‐sales and service methods and relationship with supplier. After reaching a specific level within these factors, producers could seek to increase their dealers' satisfaction with the two factors, product program and competitive outlook. The product program thus represents the key factor for producers seeking to both decrease dissatisfaction and increase satisfaction.

Originality/value

While different approaches of the three‐factor model are used along with customer satisfaction, this paper is the first to detect different factors of dealer satisfaction in the agricultural machinery sector.
Where's the strategic intent in key account relationships?
Authors: J. Ryals Lynette , A. Davies Iain
Published: March 2013

Purpose

– Over the past ten to 15 years, key account management (KAM) has established itself as an important and growing field of academic study and as a major issue for practitioners. Despite the use of strategic intent in conceptualizing KAM relationship types, the role of strategic intent has not previously been empirically tested. This paper aims to address this issue

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reports on inductive research that used a dyadic methodology and difference modelling to examine nine key account relationship dyads involving 18 companies. This is supplemented with 13 semi-structured interviews with key account managers from a further 13 companies, which provides additional depth of understanding of the drivers of KAM relationship type.

Findings

– The research found a misalignment of strategic intent between supplier and customer, which suggested that strategic intent is unrelated to relationship type. In contrast, key buyer/supplier relationships were differentiated not by the level of strategic fit or intent, but by contact structure and differentiated service.

Practical implications

– This research showed that there can be stable key account relationships even where there is an asymmetry of strategic interests. The findings also have practical implications relating to the selection and management of key accounts.

Originality/value

– These results raise questions relating to conceptualizations of such relationships, both in the classroom and within businesses.
Institutional constraints for outsourcing services in Russia
Authors: Karhunen Päivi , Kosonen Riitta
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how the institutional context in an emerging economy, Russia, moderates the “do or buy” decision of international firms operating in the country. This is examined through the influence of institutional voids on transaction costs and definition of core competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a qualitative research approach, where the empirical data are based on interviews with executives of eight Finnish companies, which have invested in Russia's second largest city, St Petersburg.

Findings

The key findings include first, that the formal and informal constraints in the Russian business environment influence outsourcing decisions in terms of increased transaction costs, and in terms of resources needed to be competitive. Second, the authors show that, due to these constraints, a firm in Russia may need to insource functions that it would otherwise outsource as non‐core activities and invest in building of competencies specific to the Russian business environment.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the study is its focus on two countries. However, the analytical framework proposed for examining influence of institutions on outsourcing strategies is applicable to other country contexts.

Practical implications

This paper shows how the institutional constraints of the host country, reflecting in this case as underdeveloped market for business services and complex state regulation, can result in a significant need for adaptation of a foreign firm's business processes. This must be taken into account in business planning and allocation of resources to the Russian operations.

Originality/value

The paper provides researchers and practitioners with new information about a little‐studied topic by showing concrete ways of how institutions influence outsourcing strategies in Russia.
The importance of cultural adaptation for the trust development within business relationships
Authors: Weck Marina , Ivanova Maria
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal how trust develops between partner firms in the context of intercultural business relationships and how understanding of the business culture of a partner firm and adaptation to it can be a driving force for the beginning and maintaining of trust development with that partner.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is of a qualitative nature and employs “elite interviewing” methodology for the aims of data collection. The analysis is conducted through theoretically‐informed reading of interviews.

Findings

Managers constantly learn the business culture of the partner through interactions. Adaptation based on the acquired business culture knowledge is found to be as important for the development of trust between business relationships' parties. A “moderate” level of cultural adaptation is identified as most favourable for this development. Additionally, a categorization of cultural adaptation within business relationships is proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The insufficient number of personal interviews within a specific industrial context does not allow a generalisation of the study outcomes.

Originality/value

Research which addresses the importance of cultural adaptation for trust development within business relationships, is scarce. This study attempts to fill in this gap. Furthermore, it shows the need to consider business culture, rather than national culture, while studying business relationships. Finally, the study provides interesting avenues for further research.
Managing portfolios of interconnected customers: evidence from Russian B2B market
Authors: Tsybina Evgeniya , Rebiazina Vera
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to broaden the current view of customer portfolio management by including the notion of customer interconnectedness.

Design/methodology/approach

The previous research in customer portfolio theory is reviewed, with special attention to customer interconnectedness. Customer interconnectedness as a criterion to build customer portfolios is studied in the example of large Russian b2b company. First, the results of participative inquiry research within the company are presented and then the insights from five in‐depth interviews are described.

Findings

Findings suggest that the assumption of customer independence in a portfolio, on which most of customer portfolio models are based, may not fit certain markets and industries. This paper sheds light on to the specifics of customer portfolio building, in the Russian context and results in the customer interconnectedness assumption.

Research limitations/implications

Additional research beyond the provided exploratory study is needed to quantitatively test the assumption and generalize the results. The main research implications relate to the new perspective on customer portfolio theory based on customer interconnectedness.

Practical implications

The paper provides researchers and practitioners with insights into customer portfolio models specifics existing in Russia. This knowledge can be helpful, also, for foreign companies entering the Russian market.

Originality/value

The process of customer portfolio building in the Russian b2b markets has been addressed for the first time in b2b marketing research. The analysis of customer portfolio building in Russian b2b context shows that customer independence assumption is challenged and should be replaced with customer interconnectedness approach.
Perspectives of SME innovation clusters development in Russia
Authors: Bek Mikhail A. , Bek Nadezda N. , Sheresheva Marina Y. , Johnston Wesley J.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test models explaining the unsatisfactory innovation activity of Russian firms and the main obstacles to innovation cluster development.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on statistical analysis and the results of a pilot survey of 192 local businessmen, followed by imitation modeling analysis, the study tests hypotheses regarding the impact of unsatisfactory institutional environments, including weak property rights protection, on innovation cluster development in Russia.

Findings

The analysis shows that the impact of adverse factors on innovation activities of cluster members is crucial, and estimates to what extent the negative factors' influence should be reduced to prevent cluster degradation processes.

Research limitations/implications

The models provide a number of sensitivity tests of the parameters; however, data from clusters with different levels of support and protection need to be obtained. Government experiments could be conducted to test the models and find ranges of optimal parameters for cluster development. Short of this, examination of actual data from different cluster in similar environments would allow estimated of optimal strategies for support. Longitudinal data can also help determine the actual cause and effect of successful innovation cluster development.

Practical implications

The paper provides managerial implications for organizations involved in innovation clusters, which can be used to improve cluster members' performance and collaborative innovation activities by means of creating acceptable institutional environments.

Originality/value

The paper provides evidence of the connection between collaborative activities of clustering organizations in Russia and their performance caused by expectations concerning institutional conditions on the macro level in Russia.
Heterogeneous accountingisation
Authors: Kraus Kalle
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the effects of the increased influence of accounting on core values and practices within the services providing home care in Sweden – a public sector setting involving inter‐organisational cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study data were obtained primarily through semi‐structured interviews with managers and front‐line staff involved in home care.

Findings

When accountingisation is extended to include inter‐organisational cooperation, a form of heterogeneous accountingisation occurred in the home care services: an internal domain (with a low level of accountingisation) could be differentiated from an inter‐organisational domain (with a high level of accountingisation). When the accounting‐induced disturbances intensified, there was a redefinition of core values. In the internal domain, core values of pensioner‐oriented focus and flexibility during service delivery persisted. In contrast, in the inter‐organisational domain, core values had the legal boundaries of the organisation as their central foundation, standardisation was emphasised, and inter‐organisational work practices were defined as the other organisation's responsibility. The findings also extend the research on absorption groups by indicating the rise of a new type of absorption process. Absorption was not undertaken by a few individuals, specialist work groups or satellite organisations, as described in the literature; instead, all front‐line welfare professionals were involved in absorbing the accounting‐induced disturbances when performing their tasks.

Research limitations/implications

This case study research is context‐specific and the meaning and consequences of accountingisation may differ within the public sector because of the status and strength of professional groups concerned.

Originality/value

To date, research on accountingisation has primarily employed an intra‐organisational perspective. This paper analyses accountingisation in an inter‐organisational setting.
Metaphor in Nortel's letters to shareholders 1997‐2006
Authors: Bujaki Merridee , McConomy Bruce
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyze the use of metaphor in the 1997‐2006 letters to shareholders (LTS) of Nortel Networks Corporation (Nortel). It aims to assess the prevalence of metaphor and changes in the use of metaphor as turnover in corporate leadership took place and as Nortel's financial fortunes changed.

Design/methodology/approach

Metaphors in the LTS are part of a corporation's voluntary disclosures, which in turn may be used for impression management purposes. The paper uses discourse analysis, in particular quantitative and qualitative content analysis, of the LTS to identify key metaphors and to evaluate changes in the prevalence of these metaphors across corporate leaders and during phases of growth and decline.

Findings

Several key metaphors are identified in Nortel's letters to shareholders, including science, journey, vision, construction and theatre. Evidence is also found that demonstrates changes in the prevalence of metaphors across various chief executive officers, and changes in the meaning of metaphors in periods of growth and decline.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper is to highlight the use of metaphor in the voluntary disclosures (i.e. letters to shareholders) of a major North American corporation during a turbulent decade. The preferences of four very different CEOs are reflected in their choice of metaphor, supporting arguments that metaphor is used in voluntary disclosures as a means of impression management, particularly in relation to trends in corporate financial performance.
Discharging not‐for‐profit accountability: UK charities and public discourse
Authors: Dhanani Alpa , Connolly Ciaran
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the accountability practices of large United Kingdom (UK) charities through public discourse.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the ethical model of stakeholder theory, the paper develops a framework for classifying not‐for‐profit (NFP) accountability and analyzes the content of the annual reports and annual reviews of a sample of large UK charities using this framework.

Findings

The results suggest that contrary to the ethical model of stakeholder theory, the sample charities' accountability practices are motivated by a desire to legitimize their activities and present their organizations' activities in a positive light. These results contradict the raison d'être of NFP organizations (NFPOs) and the values that they espouse.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding the nature of accountability reporting in NFPOs has important implications for preparers and policy makers involved in furthering the NFP agenda. New research needs to examine shifts in accountability practices over time and assess the impact of the recent self‐regulation developed to enhance sector accountability.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the NFP accountability literature by: first, developing a framework of NFP accountability through public discourse using the ethical model of stakeholder theory; and second, advancing the understanding of the accountability practices of large UK charities.
The diffusion of risks in public private partnership contracts
Authors: Demirag Istemi , Khadaroo Iqbal , Stapleton Pamela , Stevenson Caral
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The UK government argues that the benefits of public private partnership (PPP) in delivering public infrastructure stem from transferring risks to the private sector within a structure in which financiers put their own capital at risk, and the performance‐based payment mechanism, reinforced by the due diligence requirements imposed by the lenders financing the projects. Prior studies of risk in PPPs have investigated “what” risks are allocated and to “whom”, that is to the public or the private sector. The purpose of this study is to examine “how” and “why” PPP risks are diffused by their financiers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on the financial structure of PPPs and on their financiers. Empirical evidence comes from interviews conducted with equity and debt financiers.

Findings

The findings show that the financial structure of the deals generates risk aversion in both debt and equity financiers and that the need to attract affordable finance leads to risk diffusion through a network of companies using various means that include contractual mitigation through insurance, performance support guarantees, interest rate swaps and inflation hedges. Because of the complexity this process generates, both procurers and suppliers need expensive expert advice. The risk aversion and diffusion and the consequent need for advice add cost to the projects, impacting on the government's economic argument for risk transfer.

Originality/value

The expectation inherent in PPP is that the private sector will better manage those risks allocated to it and because private capital is at risk, financiers will perform due diligence with the ultimate outcome that only viable projects will proceed. This paper presents empirical evidence that raises questions about these expectations.
Sole of an era
Authors: Colbeck Roger
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to convey the importance of improvements to Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a poetic exposition.

Findings

This paper highlights the necessity for alignment of research activity to ERA indicators of quality.

Research limitations/implications

The paper emphasises the importance of research to academics and the need to allocate dedicated time in a school's curriculum.

Originality/value

The paper is a reflective piece written during a research day inspired by proceedings.
Accounting scholars and journals rating and benchmarking
Authors: Parker Lee D. , Guthrie James
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This editorial aims to consider contemporary issues for accounting scholars, in particular journals rating and benchmarking, arguing that current international trends are risking academic research quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes the form of an editorial review and argument.

Findings

The paper acknowledges that accounting academic research is important to the higher education system, careers and publishers. However, its quality and the construction and measurement of the quality of accounting journals and research impact on society continue to be hotly debated.

Research limitations/implications

The editorial offers scope for accounting academics to engage in debate about the impact of journal rankings and benchmarking on their teaching and research, important issues in higher education, not only in Australia, but also internationally.

Originality/value

The paper provides commentary on the “quality” of accounting research and measurement practices associated with rating and benchmarking academic journals.
Out of control? Strategy in the NFP sector: the implications for management control
Authors: Tucker Basil P. , Parker Lee D.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This aim of this study is to explore the relationship between management control systems (MCSs) and the formulation of strategy in not‐for‐profit (NFP) organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper views the relationship between MCS and strategy through the contrasting lenses of new‐institutional and contingency theory, using data collected from semi‐structured interviews of CEOs and senior executives in 32 Australian NFPs.

Findings

Strategy is formulated predominantly by intended means, through structured strategic planning processes. Emergent strategy is typically a rare means by which strategy is developed, and is in fact often actively discouraged in the NFPs investigated. Contrary to expectations, control is predominantly exercised through informal means, rather than by formally designed systems.

Originality/value

With strategy and control being central concerns for most NFPs, this sector provides a unique vehicle for exploring the “robustness” of prior MCS strategy empirical findings. Investigating the MCS strategy relationship within a highly complex NFP context is thus an “acid test” of existing understanding of the MCS‐strategy nexus. As one of the few studies to investigate the relationship between control and strategy as it may apply in this context, this study refines and further develops extant management control theory.
Grazing management can counteract the impacts of climate change‐induced sea level rise on salt marsh‐dependent waterbirds
Authors: Clausen Kevin K. , Stjernholm Michael , Clausen Preben
Published: March 2013

Climate change–induced rises in sea level threaten to drastically reduce the areal extent of important salt marsh habitats for large numbers of waterfowl and waders. Furthermore, recent changes in management practice have rendered existent salt marshes unfavourable to many birds, as lack of grazing has induced an increase in high‐sward communities on former good‐quality marshes.

Based on a high‐resolution digital elevation model and two scenarios for projected rise in near‐future sea levels, we employ an ArcMap allocation model to foresee the areal loss in salt marsh associated with these changes. In addition, we quantify the areal extent of inadequate salt marsh management in four EU Special Protection Areas for Birds, and demonstrate concurrent population dynamics in four species relying on managed habitats. We conclude by investigating potential compensation for climate change–induced salt marsh losses by means of more efficient management.

Our models indicate that by the end of this century 15·3–43·6% of existent salt marshes will be flooded due to rising sea levels, and that inadequate managed salt marsh presently makes up around 51·1% of total marshes. Thus, re‐establishing extensive areas of well‐managed marshes might counterbalance the loss expected from rising sea levels during the next century.

In addition to positive effects on plant diversity, this will benefit energetically challenged herbivorous waterfowl such as light‐bellied brent geese Branta bernicla hrota L. and increase potential recovery of wader populations with unfavourable conservation status such as black‐tailed godwit Limosa limosa L., dunlin Calidris alpina L. and ruff Philomachus pugnax L.

Synthesis and applications. Implementing environmentally friendly management schemes based on extensive grazing (around 1 cow per hectare) is an important initiative to counteract the accelerating climate change–induced habitat loss in near‐coastal areas across the globe, and to secure priority salt marsh habitats that support internationally important populations of breeding, wintering and staging waterfowl. However, this may only be a temporary solution that will have to be supplemented by increased reintegration with the sea and managed retreat of seawalls or near‐coastal agricultural areas to effectively safeguard the future salt marsh biome.
Güler andÖngelvTurkey: Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Strasbourg's Discourse on the Justified Use of Force
Authors: Mavronicola Natasa
Published: March 2013

This article discusses the discourse on the justified use of force in theStrasbourgCourt's analysis of Article 3. With particular focus on the judgment inGüler andÖngelvTurkey, a case concerning the use of force by State agents against demonstrators, it addresses the question of the implications of such discourse, found in this and other cases, on the absolute nature of Article 3. It offers a perspective which suggests that the discourse on the justified use of force can be reconciled with Article 3's absolute nature.
Barriers to Use of Workers' Compensation for Patient Care at Massachusetts Community Health Centers
Authors: Azaroff Lenore S. , Davis Letitia K. , Naparstek Robert , Hashimoto Dean , Laing James R. , Wegman David H.
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To examine barriers community health centers (CHCs) face in using workers' compensation insurance (WC).

Data Sources/Study Setting

Leadership of CHCs in Massachusetts.

Study Design

We used purposeful snowball sampling of CHC leaders for in‐depth exploration of reimbursement policies and practices, experiences with WC, and decisions about using WC. We quantified the prevalence of perceived barriers to using WC through a mail survey of all CHCs in Massachusetts.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Emergent coding was used to elaborate themes and processes related to use of WC. Numbers and percentages of survey responses were calculated.

Principal Findings

Few CHCs formally discourage use of WC, but underutilization emerged as a major issue: “We see an awful lot of work‐related injury, and I would say that most of it doesn't go through workers' comp.” Barriers include lack of familiarity with WC, uncertainty about work‐relatedness, and reliance on patients to identify work‐relatedness of their conditions. Reimbursement delays and denials lead patients and CHCs to absorb costs of services.

Conclusion

Follow‐up studies should fully characterize barriers to CHC use of WC and experiences in other states to guide system changes in CHCs and WC agencies. Education should target CHC staff and workers about WC.
Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Women: The Obstetric‐Gynecologist's Point of View
Authors: Perrone Giuseppina , Brunelli Roberto
Published: March 2013

It has been confirmed that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality not only in men but also in women. The most recent American Heart Association (AHA) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) recommendations specifically address women. This is in response to the majority of studies that primarily involved men. Ideal cardiovascular health has been defined for women, and new factors were added to the traditional risk factors. As stated by the American and European Menopause Societies (NAMS and EMAS), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is no longer believed to be protective for CVD; on the contrary, women benefit just as much as men from statins to lower their risk of heart disease. At the onset of menopause, women exhibit an increase in cholesterol and an increased risk of CVD. Unfortunately, hyperlipidemia is largely undertreated in women, although the rate of hypercholesterolemia among women is similar to that of men. More aggressive intervention is recommended for persons with multiple risk factors and/or monogenic dyslipidemias. In women affected by familial hypercholesterolemia in the homozygous and compound forms, treatment such as lipoprotein apheresis is also suggested. There is evidence for the use of these techniques even in pregnancy. An update on the most recent guidelines issued by AHA, EAS, NAMS and EMAS for the prevention of CVD in women along with a brief overview on the use of lipoprotein apheresis in women during pregnancy is reported.
Disorderly Debates: Noise and Gesture in the 17th‐Century House of Commons
Authors: Peacey Jason
Published: March 2013

This article explores the atmosphere and behaviour of the house of commons during the 17th century, and endeavours to recover evidence about noise and gesture, decorum and disorder. Such evidence is rarely recorded and is difficult to interpret, but it is, nevertheless, possible to demonstrate that the House was often much less orderly and polite than contemporaries would have liked to admit, and than historians have often suggested. This evidence is largely absent from the official Commons' journals as well as from most private diaries, but it is occasionally recorded in contemporary news reports, and more obviously in the diary of Thomas Burton, and it highlights the numerous occasions on which proceedings fell into silence or descended into noisy uproar, as well as the occasions when interventions were made with gestures rather than words. At times, this aural and visual culture involved humour and harmless fun, but at others, it reveals personal tensions and political animosities that might otherwise not be apparent from recorded speeches. By drawing attention to such evidence and teasing out its meaning, this piece argues that historians have too often succumbed to the tendency to accentuate consensus and downplay conflict in 17th‐century parliaments.
Estate Acts of Parliament, 1740–1800
Authors: McCahill Michael
Published: March 2013

This study of 18th‐century estate acts draws upon the range of manuscript and printed materials relating to 428 estate bills to determine the nature of these measures, the backgrounds and motivations of their sponsors and their impact both upon the properties of individual promoters and on the broader economy. Estate acts enabled small proprietors, gentry and grandees (including a number of women) to free themselves from restrictions imposed by settlements and made it possible for them to sell, lease, exchange, partition, mortgage, alter earlier acts, or make other amendments to existing settlements. Many authorities have stressed the degree to which this legislation promoted economic growth, but the principal finding of this study is that, in the largest number of cases, they were utilised to alleviate indebtedness incurred primarily as a result of personal extravagance and secondarily because of overly generous provision for widows and younger children. While attesting to the positive economic contributions of landowners who tapped mineral resources and promoted urban development, the largest number of bills illuminate the costs of sustaining their self‐indulgent and unproductive expenditure.
Additional Docquets of Commissions of the Peace from the Papers of Lord Keeper Coventry (1625–40) in the Worcestershire Record Office
Authors: Broadway Jan , Cust Richard , Roberts Stephen K.
Published: March 2013

The docquets of letters patent are brief chancery documents authorising grants to be made under the great seal. They are, therefore, state papers, but an extensive collection dating from the long lord keepership (1625–40) of Sir Thomas Coventry (1578–1640) remained among Coventry's personal papers at Croome d'Abitot, Worcestershire. Most of the docquets were taken to Birmingham Central Library in 1938, and these form the basis of A Calendar of the Docquets of Lord Keeper Coventry, 1625–1640, ed. J. Broadway, R. Cust and S.K. Roberts (List and Index Society Special Series, 34–7, 4 vols, Kew, 2004). Some docquets were left behind at Croome, however, and in recent years these have been moved to the Worcestershire Record Office. The additional docquets calendared here are from the Worcestershire Record Office deposit and record the entrances and exits to and from the commissions of the peace. They are to be consulted alongside the comparable material presented in A Calendar of the Docquets, and provide useful additional evidence of how the crown adjusted or tuned the commissions of the peace in the counties during the reign of Charles I to 1640.
The Missing Official Proxy Records of the House of Lords for 1661–2
Authors: Eagles Robin , Jones Clyve
Published: March 2013

Voting in the house of lords until 1867 was allowed by proxy if a peer or bishop was absent. Proxy deeds which enabled the absent peers and bishops to nominate their proxies had to be registered in a proxy book in the care of the clerk assistant. Until recently there was no record of a proxy book for 1661–2, it having been wrongly bound with proceedings for 1625–6. This note looks at the layout of this newly‐found proxy book, and compares it with earlier and later books. The note ends with an analysis of the proxies recorded in the book and their importance for the political history of the period.
Integrative genetic and metabolite profiling analysis suggests altered phosphatidylcholine metabolism in asthma
Authors: Ried J. S. , Baurecht H. , Stückler F. , Krumsiek J. , Gieger C. , Heinrich J. , Kabesch M. , Prehn C. , Peters A. , Rodriguez E. , Schulz H. , Strauch K. , Suhre K. , Wang‐Sattler R. , Wichmann H.‐E. , Theis F. J. , Illig T. , Adamski J. , Weidinger S.
Published: March 2013

Background

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many risk loci for asthma, but effect sizes are small, and in most cases, the biological mechanisms are unclear. Targeted metabolite quantification that provides information about a whole range of pathways of intermediary metabolism can help to identify biomarkers and investigate disease mechanisms. Combining genetic and metabolic information can aid in characterizing genetic association signals with high resolution. This work aimed to investigate the interrelation of current asthma, candidate asthma risk alleles and a panel of metabolites.

Methods

We investigated 151 metabolites, quantified by targeted mass spectrometry, in fasting serum of asthmatic and nonasthmatic individuals from the population‐based KORA F4 study (N = 2925). In addition, we analysed effects of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 24 asthma risk loci on these metabolites.

Results

Increased levels of various phosphatidylcholines and decreased levels of various lyso‐phosphatidylcholines were associated with asthma. Likewise, asthma risk alleles from the PDED3 and MED24 genes at the asthma susceptibility locus 17q21 were associated with increased concentrations of various phosphatidylcholines with consistent effect directions.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated the potential of metabolomics to infer asthma‐related biomarkers by the identification of potentially deregulated phospholipids that associate with asthma and asthma risk alleles.
From the Firm to the Network: Global Value Chains and Employment Relations Theory
Authors: Lakhani Tashlin , Kuruvilla Sarosh , Avgar Ariel
Published: March 2013

We posit that traditional employment relations theories that focus on individual firms embedded in distinct national institutional contexts are no longer adequate for the analysis of employment relations in a globalized era where production and services are increasingly coordinated across countries and firms. Building on global value chain theory, we introduce a configurational framework that explicitly addresses the employment relations implications of the interconnections within and between firms in the global economy. We argue that different value chain configurations will evidence different employment relations patterns, and we validate our framework by applying it to the study of three contemporary global issues. In sum, the framework permits a shift in the focus of employment relations scholarship away from the individual firm to the global networks in which they belong, and hence provides a new theoretical lens for the analysis of employment relations in the global economy.
Endocrine effects of hCG supplementation to recombinant FSH throughout controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF: a dose–response study
Authors: Thuesen L. L. , Smitz J. , Loft A. , Nyboe Andersen A.
Published: March 2013

Objective

To analyse the endocrine response in relation to the Δ‐4 and Δ‐5 pathways of ovarian steroidogenesis after different doses of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) supplementation to recombinant FSH from Day 1 of controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF.

Design

A randomized dose–response pilot study.

Patients

A total of 62 IVF patients aged 25–37 years with regular cycles and FSH <12 IU/l were treated with a fixed dose of rFSH 150 IU/day and randomized to four hCG dose groups: Dose 0: 0 IU/day, Dose 50: 50 IU/day, Dose 100: 100 IU/day and Dose 150: 150 IU/day.

Results

A significant hCG dose‐dependent incremental increase was found for progesterone (49–160%), 17‐OH‐progesterone (223–614%), androstenedione (91–340%) and testosterone (95–338%) from Dose 0 to Dose 150, respectively. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) showed minor changes during stimulation and no differences between the groups. The highest oestradiol concentrations were observed in Dose 100 and Dose 150. Sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) increased similarly in all groups at the end of stimulation. No difference was observed for anti‐müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration between the groups, but a 50% decline from the start to the end of the stimulation was found.

Conclusion

Supplementation with hCG resulted in a clear dose‐related response for androgens, progesterone and 17‐OH‐progesterone. Oestradiol concentration reached maximum levels with an hCG dose of 100 IU/day, suggesting saturation of aromatase function. No difference between the groups was observed for DHEA, supporting that the stimulatory effects of hCG doses on androgens and oestrogen production were mainly induced via the Δ‐5 pathway. SHBG, being a biomarker of oestrogen/androgen balance, was not changed by increasing hCG.
In Vivo and In Vitro Studies of Epithelial Cell Behavior around Titanium Implants with Machined and Rough Surfaces
Authors: Atsuta Ikiru , Ayukawa Yasunori , Furuhashi Akihiro , Ogino Yoichiro , Moriyama Yasuko , Tsukiyama Yoshihiro , Koyano Kiyoshi
Published: March 2013

Background

The surface roughness of a dental implant affects the epithelial wound healing process and may significantly enhance implant prognosis.

Purpose

We explored the influence of surface roughness on peri‐implant epithelium (PIE) sealing and down‐growth by comparing machine‐surfaced (Ms) and rough‐surfaced (Rs) implants.

Materials and Methods

(1) Maxillary first molars were extracted from rats and replaced with Ms or Rs implants. (2) We also compared changes in the morphology of cultured rat oral epithelial cells (OECs) grown on Ms or Rs titanium (Ti) plates.

Results

(1) After 4 weeks, the PIE around Ms and Rs implants showed a similar structure to junctional epithelium (JE). At 16 weeks, Rs implants appeared to form a weak epithelial seal at the tissue‐implant interface and exhibited markedly less PIE down‐growth than Ms implants but was deeper than that observed in natural teeth. (2) We observed less expression of adhesion proteins in OECs cultured on Rs plates than in cells grown on Ms plates. Additionally, cell adherence, migration, and proliferation on Rs plates were lower, whereas apoptosis was reduced on Ms plates.

Conclusion

Ms implants are a better choice for integration with an epithelial wound healing process.
A 2013 updated systematic review & meta‐analysis of 36 randomized controlled trials; no apparent effects of non steroidal anti‐inflammatory agents on the risk of bleeding after tonsillectomy
Authors: Riggin L. , Ramakrishna J. , Sommer D.D , Koren G.
Published: March 2013

Background

Although the literature suggests that non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in controlling post‐operative pain in the paediatric population, physicians have been reluctant to utilise these medications after tonsillectomy due to concerns of increased bleeding rates. While many surgeons prescribe opioid analgesics postoperatively, these are associated with a number of potential adverse side‐effects including nausea, vomiting, constipation, excessive sedation and respiratory compromise.

Objective of review

To compare bleeding rates and severity between recipients of NSAIDs versus placebo or opioid analgesics for tonsillectomy.

Search strategy

Two authors independently searched electronic databases including PubMed, OVID, EMBASE and Cochrane Review from inception to July 2012. The keywords used included: Adenotonsillectomy, Tonsillectomy, Analgesia, Bleeding, Perioperative and Postoperative. These were then combined in various combinations with specific NSAIDs.

Evaluation method

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of all randomised control trials comparing bleeding rates and severity between NSAIDs versus placebo or opioids post‐tonsillectomy.

Results

A total of 36 studies met our inclusion criteria including 1747 children and 1446 adults. When all of the studies were combined in a meta‐analysis using the most severe outcome, there was no increased risk of bleeding in those using NSAIDs after tonsillectomy. Use of NSAIDs in general [1.30 (0.90–1.88)] or in children [1.06 (0.65–1.74)] was not associated with increased risk of bleeding in general, most severe bleeding, secondary haemorrhage, readmission or need of reoperation due to bleeding. Similarly, there was no increased bleeding risk for specific NSAIDs in adults. In the studies looking at paediatric subjects, the overall odds ratio of bleeding was even lower than in the general population and not significant. This result is based on 18 studies, six of which had zero outcomes in either treatment arm. Similar to the general population analysis, there was no significant difference in any of the subanalyses: bleeds treated with reoperation, readmission or bleeds in children that could be managed conservatively. There were also no significant differences in the subanalyses of individual NSAIDs. Similarly, there was no significant difference in rates of bleeding in the subanalysis of studies that gave NSAIDs multiple times, for instance, both before and after surgery.

Conclusions

These results suggest that NSAIDs can be considered as a safe method of analgesia among children undergoing tonsillectomy.
Light fastness and high‐temperature stability of thermochromic printing inks
Authors: Friškovec Mojca , Kulčar Rahela , Gunde Marta Klanjšek
Published: March 2013

Thermochromic printing inks are known for their low stability under the influence of various external conditions, but the consequences of the phenomenon on dynamic colorimetric properties have not yet been analysed. In this work, thermochromic prints were exposed to light and heated at two different temperatures, 150 and 200 °C, for varying time periods. The changes to the dynamic colour properties of the samples were described. It was found that both exposure to light and heating to high temperatures degrade the dynamic properties of thermochromic inks; however, they have different effects on the colour hysteresis. The corresponding loops contract with light exposure and heating, which is best described by the area of the entire colour loop. Exposure to light broadens the corresponding loop, while heating makes it narrower. The chemical stability of inks after exposure was also analysed by forced oxidation applying weakly ionised oxygen plasma. Stability of thermochromic samples is a combined effect of the binder, the polymeric shell and the active core inside the pigment capsules. The results show that poor stability against light and high temperatures has different origins.