bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women managers in the United Arab Emirates: successful careers or what?
Authors: A. Tlaiss Hayfaa
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the career success of women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The paper examines the interplay of some of the macro-national and meso-organizational factors in explaining the micro-individual experiences of career success.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws on in-depth interviews with 26 women managers in large private organizations in the UAE to explore whether they experienced their careers as successful or not and the measures they used to operationalize their career success.

Findings

– The findings presented in the paper support the use of a multi-level research design to capture the complexity of women's experience of career success. The findings illustrate how local cultural values, societal expectations, and organizational attitudinal and structural factors influence the experiences and the conceptualizations of career success of women in this research context.

Originality/value

– The originality of the paper is threefold. First, the value added of this research lies in exploring whether the women experienced career success or not and the reasons underscoring their experiences, before looking into how they measured that success. Second, the originality of the paper lies in adapting a relational multi-level framework that is commonly used in diversity management studies, to capture the multiple factors that impact the experiences and operationalization of career success of women. Third, the paper contributes to the limited research on the career experience of women in the UAE and the Arab Middle East in general.
Temporal comparisons of prices, expenditure and growth in India: a state-wise analysis
Authors: Majumder Amita , Ray Ranjan , Sinha Kompal
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The contribution of this study is both methodological and empirical. It provides a method of estimating preference consistent true cost of living indices and demonstrates the use of unit values (food items), adjusted for quality and demographic effects, as prices. Using NSS data, changes in living standards (measured by per capita real expenditure) in India are examined between 1999/2000 and 2009/2010. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– From the adjusted unit values, “exact” price indices are computed using QAIDS-based preference consistent methods that allow between-item substitution effects and variation across states.

Findings

– A comparison of the nominal and price deflated real expenditures under alternative temporal price scenario during 1999/2000-2009/2010 shows that the states largely preserve their ranks over the periods, in spite of differential temporal price movement. However, comparison of the nominal and price-deflated real expenditure growth reveals that the rankings are sensitive to the price deflator used.

Practical implications

– The results question the wisdom of the treatment of large countries with heterogeneous preferences, e.g. India, as single entities in PPP calculations as in the ICP project. Hence, the results have methodological and empirical implications that extend beyond India.

Originality/value

– The study provides evidence on the issue of spatial difference in the temporal movement in prices, where no such evidence exists, and contains the first evidence on living standards in India in the post global financial crisis era. Also, this is the first attempt to base calculation of temporal movement in prices, as measured by the “exact” price indices, on the adjusted unit values of food items.
Cookies versus clams: clashing tracking technologies and online privacy
Authors: Kuehn Andreas
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This article compares the use of deep packet inspection (DPI) technology to the use of cookies for online behavioral advertising (OBA), in the form of two competing paradigms. It seeks to explain why DPI was eliminated as a viable option due to political and regulatory reactions whereas cookies technology was not, even though it raises some of the same privacy issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paradigms draw from two-sided market theory to conceptualize OBA. Empirical case studies, NebuAd's DPI platform and Facebook's Beacon program, substantiate the paradigms with insights into the controversies on behavioral tracking between 2006 and 2009 in the USA. The case studies are based on document analyses and interviews.

Findings

– Comparing the two cases from a technological, economic, and institutional perspective, the article argues that both paradigms were equally privacy intrusive. Thus, it rejects the generally held view that privacy issues can explain the outcome of the battle. Politics and regulatory legacy tilted the playing field towards the cookies paradigm, impeding a competing technology.

Originality/value

– Shifting the narrative away from privacy to competing tracking paradigms and their specific actors sheds light on the political and the regulatory rationales that were not considered in previous research on OBA. Particularly, setting forth institutional aspects on OBA – and DPI in general – the case studies provide much needed empirical analysis to reassess tracking technologies and policy outcomes.
Accounting and conflict resolution in Ireland
Authors: L. Porter Susan , L. Pentz Marcia
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to contribute to the special issue by sharing reflections on and best practices derived from the successful five-year iteration of a semester-long, hybrid, international accounting course which centers on a short-term cultural immersion component in Ireland. The course provides students with an opportunity to learn about international business and to learn about the importance of tolerance and finding common ground with people.

Design/methodology/approach

– Discussion of the process the course designer used to combine traditional technical content with a “liberal arts,” soft-skills content and places both firmly within the international cultural context of a short-term, study abroad experience. The paper includes insight into how the authors choose a country to visit, develop international academic partners, administer an international case competition and assess student performance throughout the course.

Findings

– The paper identifies practices that were successful and implementation of changes over time for course improvement.

Originality/value

– This describes a unique approach to incorporating a hybrid-based course that was developed to embrace cultural differences while maintaining high expectations for understanding and application of technical accounting material.
Applications of Lean Six Sigma in an Irish hospital
Authors: Laureani Alessandro , Brady Malcolm , Antony Jiju
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the implementation of Lean Six Sigma techniques through a series of student projects carried out in a hospital setting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The five projects were carried out by teams of Masters' students taking a module on operations and quality management. The students were all staff members of the hospital. The study analysed each of the five projects under a number of headings: setting and context, approach, key success factors, benefits and lessons learnt. The projects were then examined to identify patterns among the projects.

Findings

– All student projects adopted a single foundation methodology as the basis for the project, but supported this with additional techniques from the Lean Six Sigma stable. The primary methodology was Lean in the case of three projects, Six Sigma in the case of one project and mistake proofing in the case of the final project. The most commonly used supporting techniques were process mapping, seven wastes, 5S and logic tree/root cause which were each used in two of the five projects. Other techniques used were control charts, checklists and theory of constraints, which were each used by one project team. Support from top management and regular communication with stakeholders were identified as key factors for success by three of the five project teams. All of the projects, although implemented during a time period of less than three months, and by relatively novice users of Lean Six Sigma techniques, yielded practical benefit to the hospital.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper examines a number of Lean Six Sigma projects carried out in an Irish hospital. Students were tasked to examine and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a clinical or/and an administrative process within the hospital. Arguably, a single module on a Master's program in healthcare leadership and organisational change is insufficient to bring about large-scale process change in a single hospital in particular, or to the Irish healthcare sector in general, but it is a start, and as these projects demonstrate it provides a set of tools, techniques and effective methods for instigating process change.

Practical implications

– Lean Six Sigma offer a variety of methodologies and techniques for use on a process improvement project. It is vital that the project team select for use those techniques which are most appropriate to the particular context of the project. Adoption of an overall methodology (philosophy) supported by specific techniques, proved to be an effective approach.

Originality/value

– This paper provides useful information for practitioners who are introducing the Lean Six Sigma approach into a hospital setting. The study demonstrates that relatively novice users of Lean Six Sigma can provide value to the organisation in a relatively short period of time. The paper also demonstrates that Lean Six Sigma can be used and provide benefit in a variety of settings within a hospital.
Reducing patient waiting time in a pathology department using the Six Sigma methodology
Authors: Gijo E.V. , Antony Jiju , Hernandez Jose , Scaria Johny
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Six Sigma as a powerful business strategy has been around for almost a decade and has grown exponentially in healthcare industry during the past five years. During the last five years or so, many leading healthcare institutions have implemented Lean and Six Sigma methodologies with remarkable results in terms of reducing ER cycle time, increasing timely completion of medical records, increasing bed availability, improving patient flow, enhancing patient safety, increasing capacity of the theatres, reducing medication errors and so on and so forth. The purpose of this paper is to reduce patient waiting time in a pathology department of a super-specialty hospital attached to a manufacturing company. The average waiting time for patients was estimated to be around 24 minutes with a standard deviation of 17.5 minutes. This was not acceptable in the eyes of patients, and hence, it was highly desirable to understand the reasons for excessive waiting times as well as the root causes of variation in the waiting times.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Six Sigma DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) methodology was adopted for reducing the average waiting time and variation in waiting times.

Findings

– During the execution of this case study, a number of non-value added activities were identified within the process and actions were initiated to systematically eliminate different forms of waste using the principles of Lean thinking. Cause-and-effect analysis was carried out to identify the potential causes for unacceptable waiting times and data were collected to validate these causes. The tools such as hypothesis test, box plot, dot plot etc. were used to analyse the data through Minitab statistical software and conclusions were made. As a result of this project, the average waiting time reduced from 24 minutes to 11 minutes (i.e. over 50 per cent reduction), the standard deviation reduced from 17.5 minutes to 10.04 minutes(over 40 per cent reduction).

Originality/value

– This paper highlights the use of data driven and scientific problem solving methodology such as Six Sigma with the involvement of hospital staff members like nurses, clinicians and technicians. The results of the case study have provided greater stimulus among the senior management team for deploying the use of DMAIC methodology for tackling process and patient care related problems in the hospital.
Challenges in managing a multi-sectoral health promotion program
Authors: Höög Elisabet , Garvare Rickard , Ivarsson Anneli , Weinehall Lars , Elisabeth Nyström Monica
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate program management teams' views on issues and challenges in managing a large, multi-sectoral child health promotion program in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 17 participants representing two autonomous program management teams, one strategic and one operational, were interviewed. Analysis of interview data was complemented with reviews of program documents.

Findings

– Program management teams identified important issues concerning the program's formal structure, goals, role distribution, and change and dissemination processes, but lacked a shared mental model of the situation. Inter and intra group communication, long- and short-term strategic planning were further areas in need of improvement. While issues and challenges might seem to be agreed upon by the program's change agents, closer inspection reveals variation in key characteristics as well as in perspectives on solutions.

Originality/value

– Health promotion programs are challenging. Researchers trying to understand program success have focused on particular interventions, contextual factors and program recipients. Less research has focused on the internal processes of teams tasked with wide-ranging change mandates and the effects such processes can have on program outcomes. This study contributes to a deeper understanding on internal processes and mental models of change agent teams.
Community Knowledge Centers for Liberia: meeting Africa's millennium goals through a unique collaboration of communities, universities, libraries, and schools for Liberia's economic and social development
Authors: A. Kesselman Martin , Wu Connie , Palumbo Laura , Simon James , Rodolfo Juliani Hector , Rowe Richard
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the need for libraries and rural community knowledge centers using appropriate technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study discussing new ideas.

Findings

– An alternative to traditional libraries is proposed for the dissemination and teaching of agriculture, literacy, health information, etc.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper requires the development of prototypes and grant funding.

Practical implications

– Although the article discusses Liberia, the information represents any rural community in developing countries where often electricity, libraries, and internet connectivity do not exist.

Originality/value

– Rethinking existing ideas and creating new ones.
The impact of digital library resources on scholarly communication: challenges and opportunities for university libraries in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Amjid , Ahmed Shamshad
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of HEC digital library resources and services in the public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan on the basis of research scholars' satisfaction and its impact on their research progress.

Design/methodology/approach

– A descriptive survey research method was adopted in order to achieve the objectives of this study. A stratified random sampling technique was used to solicit data from both genders. Research scholars of MS/MPhil and PhD from 14 public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were selected as sampled for this study. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data and a five-point Likert scale was used to know the purpose and the satisfaction level of respondents with digital library resources. The impact of digital library on research and problems faced by them while using these resources was also measured by using a five-point Likert scale.

Findings

– The results of this study indicate that near to one-fourth of the respondents used digital library resources two to three times a week for article writing and thesis or dissertation purposes. The study concluded that digital library provides effective resources and services to research scholars and also found a significant impact on their research progress at these universities. However, research scholars were not satisfied with the support of library professionals regarding the use of digital library resources. The study has identified several problems encountered by respondents in the use of digital library resources and services.

Practical implications

– The findings of this study and their implications will be helpful for HEC authorities, universities libraries administrators, decision and policy makers and LIS professionals both in Pakistan and in other places. They should benefit from considering the experience of research scholars with digital library resources. This experience can help future subscriptions, training and use of these resources to maximize research scholars' success and achievement in their research activities.

Originality/value

– The study is the first of its kind and an important source for knowing the effectiveness of digital library resources on research scholars' progress at Pakistani universities.
Dimensional analysis of impulse loading resulting from detonation of shallow-buried charges
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Glomski Patrick , Cheeseman Bryan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Development of military vehicles capable of surviving shallow-buried explosive blast is seldom done using full-scale prototype testing because of the associated prohibitively high cost, the destructive nature of testing, and the requirements for large-scale experimental-test facilities and a large crew of engineers committed to the task. Instead, tests of small-scale models are generally employed and the model-based results are scaled up to the full-size vehicle. In these scale-up efforts, various dimensional analyses are used whose establishment and validation requires major experimental testing efforts and different-scale models. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the present work, a critical assessment is carried out of some of the most important past efforts aimed at developing the basic dimensional analysis formulation for the problem of impulse loading experienced by target structures (e.g. vehicle hull) due to detonation of explosive charges buried to different depths in sand/soil (of different consistency, porosity, and saturation levels).

Findings

– It was found that the analysis can be substantially simplified if only the physical parameters associated with first-order effects are retained and if some of the sand/soil parameters are replaced with their counterparts which better reflect the role of soil (via the effects of soil compaction in the region surrounding the explosive and via the effects of sand-overburden stretching and acceleration before the associated sand bubble bursts and venting of the gaseous detonation products takes place). Once the dimensional analysis is reformulated, a variety of experimental results pertaining to the total blast impulse under different soil conditions, charge configurations, charge deployment strategies, and vehicle ground clearances are used to establish the underlying functional relations.

Originality/value

– The present work clearly established that due to the non-dimensional nature of the quantities formulated, the established relations can be utilized across different length scales, i.e. although they are obtained using mainly the small-scale model results, they can be applied at the full vehicle length scale.
Modeling damage mechanics of railway tracks to evolve control strategies for derailment prevention
Authors: Banerjee Upamanyu
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– With an eye to prevent derailment of high-speed trains, vis-à-vis unwarranted loss of lives and property, this paper aims to develop a formalism of designing a suitable control system with embedded decision support system.

Design/methodology/approach

– A model of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) crack propagation in railway tracks is designed, simulating the alarming stress intensity factor around the advancing fatigue cracks. COMSOL multi-physics software is employed to design the RCF crack monitoring system with acoustic emission (AE) count signals, describing the damage threshold of railway tracks.

Findings

– Simulation experiment on stress intensity factor for cracks in real life rail sections has enabled to describe the maximum working stress; it has been noticed that the threshold value of stress intensity factor (∼ 41 MPa m1/2) for the onset of unstable crack propagation is reached at a fatigue crack length of 11.5 mm. It is further noticed that the observed AE count at a particular instant of time in a specific location of railway track is a true indication of the vulnerability of rail failures.

Originality/value

– The proposed model, a completely new of its kind, bears a high socio-technological value as it entails the design of an intelligent control system to prevent train accidents.
Service recovery's impact on customers next-in-line
Authors: Van Vaerenbergh Yves , Vermeir Iris , Larivière Bart
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Previous research considers service recovery as a one-on-one interaction between a service provider and a complaining customer. However, customers frequently complain at the place where they receive the service, making an investigation of the impact of a service recovery on observing customers necessary. Using observational learning theory and attribution theory as theoretical anchors, this paper examines whether observing a service recovery influences the observing customers’ satisfaction and repurchase intentions. In addition, this paper tests whether service quality perceptions mediate, and customers’ locus of control attributions moderate these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

– Study 1 tests the main hypothesis using a scenario-based experiment in two settings (restaurant, retail). Study 2 further elaborates on these findings using a scenario-based experiment in a hotel setting.

Findings

– The findings show that the negative consequences of a failed recovery extend beyond the complaining customers to observing customers, whereas the positive consequences of observing a satisfactory recovery do not influence the observing customer when compared to observing a failure-free service delivery. These relationships are driven by the service quality information customers extract from observing a service recovery. In addition, the results indicate that the negative spill-over effects are attenuated if the observing customer gets information about who caused the failure.

Originality/value

– From a theoretical point of view, this study contributes by outlining service recovery's different impacts on complaining and observing customers: whereas service recovery forms a critical for complaining customers, it only acts as a dissatisfier for observing customers. In addition, it is the first to test a potential explanation for why observing a service recovery leads to lower customer outcomes, and provides insights about how service providers might attenuate the negative spill-over effects of a failed recovery.
Internalization of quality management in service organizations
Authors: José Tarí Juan , Heras-Saizarbitoria Iñaki , Pereira Jorge
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the internalization of quality management (QM) on the basis of quality certifiable standards – also referred to as meta-standards – in service organizations. More specifically, the paper analyzes the case of the internalization of a quality standard in the Spanish hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper examines the relationships between the measures of internalization, benefit, QM tools and motivation, using partial least squares in the framework of the structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

– The results show that the hotels that have internalized the standard to a greater extent are more likely to be driven by internal motivation, develop more QM tools and achieve greater benefits than the hotels with a lower degree of internalization.

Originality/value

– As previous studies have examined these issues in relation to the internalization of ISO standards, the present study adds to this important stream of research and contributes by advancing the understanding of these issues through the case of a specific standard for the hotel industry.
Lifting the veil on environment-social-governance rating methods
Authors: Stubbs Wendy , Rogers Paul
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– There is growing recognition that numerous business drivers contribute to financial performance and investment returns but they are not included in a company's profit and loss statements. In the investment industry, these wider sets of value drivers are known as environment-social- governance (ESG) factors. A small number of specialized ESG rating agencies provide information to investors about the extent to which firms' behaviors are socially responsible. However, a major criticism of these rating agencies is the lack of transparency in their methods. This paper aims to examine the issues of subjectivity, transparency and uniformity of ESG ratings by exploring the methods used to assess ethics performance by an Australian rating agency.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study was conducted on an Australian ESG rating provider, Regnan. The data for the analysis were sourced from internal Regnan documents.

Findings

– The paper found that a level of subjectivity is inevitable in ESG ratings and the call for uniformity may inhibit innovation, but these issues can be addressed by increased transparency of the rating methods.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research is required to understand what level and, combination of, uniformity and transparency is sufficient to satisfy stakeholder requirements for ESG information.

Practical implications

– The discussion of the factors underlying the ethics performance rating may prompt more open and transparent debate on how to assess ethical performance of companies, and increase investor confidence in ESG ratings. It may also provide more direction to companies on how to strengthen their ethical performance.

Originality/value

– There is growing recognition that numerous business drivers contribute to financial performance and investment returns but they are not included in a company's profit and loss statements. These “ESG” factors can account for up to 66 percent of the market value of globally listed companies. In response to calls for more transparency on how ESG factors are assessed, and how ethical performance is appraised, this paper attempts to lift the veil on ESG rating methods.
Stakeholder thinking in sustainability management: the case of Novozymes
Authors: Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen Esben , Hove Henriksen Morten , Frier Claus , Søby Jeanette , Jennings Vernon
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The objective of the paper is to describe and discuss how the biotech company Novozymes integrates stakeholder thinking into everyday sustainability practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on first-hand experiences as well as secondary information from Novozymes' stakeholder-oriented sustainability activities.

Findings

– The paper illustrates how a company is striving to transform the general stakeholder principles into concrete, manageable actions. Moreover, the paper describes some of the needs, challenges, and paradoxes experienced by an organisation that is trying to make sense of stakeholder thinking.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this paper is to provide a detailed analysis of how various stakeholder relations management methods can be used in practice to integrate sustainability in an organisation.
Hummingbirds can fuel expensive hovering flight completely with either exogenous glucose or fructose
Authors: Chen Chris Chin Wah , Welch Kenneth Collins
Published: October 2013

Hummingbirds have specialized on a diet consisting almost exclusively of a mixture of sucrose, glucose and fructose found in floral nectar. Previous studies have shown that hummingbirds can fuel energetically expensive hovering flight almost exclusively using recently ingested sucrose. However, the relative capacities for the direct utilization of glucose and fructose by hovering hummingbirds remain unknown.

13C‐enriched solutions of glucose and fructose were fed to ruby‐throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) separately. Along with simultaneous measurements of gas exchange during hovering we collected exhaled breath samples using feeder‐mask respirometry and analysed these to determine the isotopic signatures of exhaled carbon dioxide. We found that hovering hummingbirds transition from exclusively oxidizing endogenous fatty acids when fasted, to oxidizing newly ingested carbohydrates when given access to either glucose or fructose solutions. We then switched hummingbirds to the respective unlabelled solutions of glucose or fructose to estimate carbohydrate turnover kinetics.

During the period of availability of enriched solutions, the percentage of metabolism supported by exogenous sugar increased from 0% to near 100% in some individuals. On average, hummingbirds fuelled 81% and 88% of their metabolism during hovering flight with exogenous glucose and fructose, respectively.

The amount of energy ingested, fractional turnover of ingested sugars in the pool of actively metabolized substrates, amount oxidized, energy expended and proportion of hovering metabolism supported by each hexose were all similar between glucose and fructose.

By foraging frequently and fuelling hovering flight directly with ingested monosaccharides hummingbirds avoid the energetic tax associated with the cost of synthesis of fats from these sugars prior to their oxidation. Remarkably, hovering hummingbirds are able to utilize fructose and glucose equally, a physiological feat which no mammals are thought to match, and one that suggests novel physiological capacities for the oxidation of fructose by active muscle tissues in hummingbirds. The data presented here indicate hummingbirds enhance net energy intake though specialization of diet, behaviour, and, uniquely, metabolic physiology.
Long‐term biological legacies of herbivore density in a landscape‐scale experiment: forest understoreys reflect past deer density treatments for at least 20 years
Authors: Nuttle Tim , Ristau Todd E. , Royo Alejandro A.
Published: October 2013

Ungulate browsers, when at high densities, are major drivers of vegetation change in forests world‐wide. Their effects operate via a variety of generalizable mechanisms related to plant palatability and relative growth rate with respect to browsing pressure.

Though such impacts are obviously long‐lasting when they determine composition of tree regeneration, we document in a unique long‐term (30 year) experiment that biological legacies of initial deer density persist in the understorey herbaceous vegetation at least 20 years after deer densities were equalized.

We sampled understorey vegetation in former clear‐cut areas where density of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was manipulated (3.9–31.2 deer km−2) for 10 years (1979–1990), and stands experienced ambient deer density (ca. 10–12 deer km−2) for the next 20 years (1990–2010) to determine whether initial deer density treatments still influenced understorey vegetation in 30‐year‐old, closed‐canopy forests.

Stands initially (1979–1990) exposed to higher deer densities had ca. five times higher fern cover and three times the seedling and forb cover in 2010, as well as significantly lower angiosperm species density, compared to stands initially exposed to lower deer densities.

These results appear driven by deer avoidance of ferns, allowing them to expand at high deer density and sequester sites for decades.

Synthesis. Our long‐term, experimental results show unequivocally that elevated deer densities cause significant, profound legacy effects on understorey vegetation persisting at least 20 years. Of relevance regionally and globally where high deer densities have created depauperate understoreys, we expect that deer density reduction alone does not guarantee understorey recovery; stands may need to be managed by removing recalcitrant understorey layers (e.g. ferns).
Nonparametric Generalized Least Squares in Applied Regression Analysis
Authors: O'Hara Michael , Parmeter Christopher F.
Published: October 2013

This paper compares a nonparametric generalized least squares (NPGLS) estimator to parametric feasible GLS (FGLS) and variants of heteroscedasticity robust standard error estimators (HRSE) in an applied setting. NPGLS consistently estimates the unknown scedastic function and produces more efficient parameter estimates than HRSE. We apply these various approaches for handling heteroscedasticity to data on professor rankings obtained from RateMyProfessors.com. We find that the statistical significance of key variables differs across seven versions of HRSE, leading to different conclusions, and a standard parametric approach to FGLS suffers from misspecification. NPGLS combines the virtues of both of these parametric approaches.
Does Market Structure Influence Price Transmission in the Agro‐food Sector? A Meta‐analysis Perspective
Authors: Bakucs Zoltán , Fałkowski Jan , Fertő Imre
Published: October 2013

There exists a large literature on price transmission in agro‐food sectors. However, a great majority of empirical studies focus on the existence of asymmetry and, by and large, do not investigate the reason for its presence or absence. This is in sharp contrast to the theoretical literature that provides a number of explanations of why we should expect (a)symmetry. In response, this paper investigates the reasons for asymmetric price transmission in the agro‐food chain, using meta‐analysis of existing studies. Our focus is on the organizational and institutional characteristics of the agro‐food supply chain. Our findings suggest that asymmetric price transmission in farm–retail relationships is more likely to occur in sectors/countries with more fragmented farm structure, higher governmental support and more restrictive regulations on price controls in the retail sector. On the other hand, more restrictive regulations on entry barriers in the retail sector and the relative importance of the sector tend to promote symmetric farm–retail price transmission. The latter is also more likely in the presence of a strong processing industry.
Farm Level Costs of Agri‐environment Measures: The Impact of Entry Level Stewardship on Cereal Farm Incomes
Authors: Udagawa Chihiro , Hodge Ian , Reader Mark
Published: October 2013

Applying a difference‐in‐difference approach with propensity score matching, we examine the impact of participation in the Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) scheme on cereal farm incomes in eastern England. We assess the extent to which impacts are related to a) the source of income affected – whether only from agricultural or total business income; b) the channel of the impact – through land use and/or labour input; and c) the level of impacts through time. In addition, we assess the appropriateness of the level of the ELS payment. We find that: a) entering the ELS scheme could negatively affect cereal farm incomes – in particular, the total business income; b) that negative impacts arise primarily in relation to the use of land resources; c) that impacts may diminish over a relatively short period of time; and d) that the ELS payment broadly compensates for losses without providing over compensation. Given the diminishing negative impact over time, the level of ELS payment might need to be reviewed in the longer term, although policy evaluation should consider the wider implications for efficiency of alternative payment levels. We also discuss some limitations of the approach and potential extensions.
Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage with sphincterotomy in acute obstructive cholangitis: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Ru Ling , Zhao Hang , Dai Yan Miao , Zhu Feng , Li Lei , Li Bai Wen , Luo Sheng Zheng , Wan Xin Jian
Published: October 2013

Objective

We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for temporary biliary decompression in patients with acute obstructive cholangitis.

Methods

In total, 72 patients with acute obstructive cholangitis were prospectively randomized to undergo emergency ENBD with EST (EST group, n = 36) or without EST (non‐EST group, n = 36). The clinical outcomes and complications between the two groups were compared.

Results

Endoscopic nasobiliary decompression was successful in all 72 patients. Four patients underwent a second endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to replace the nasobiliary catheter due to blockage (one in the EST group and two in the non‐EST group) or migration (one in the EST group). The mean serum γ‐glutamyltransferase and total bilirubin levels after treatment were significantly higher in the non‐EST group than in the EST group (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed for other parameters evaluated. The total complication rate was similar between the two groups (EST 25.0% vs non‐EST 19.4%). Although hemorrhage occurred more frequently in the EST group and acute pancreatitis in the non‐EST group, these differences were not significant.

Conclusions

EST is helpful and safe for biliary drainage while ENBD without EST is the first choice for acute cholangitis. EST may increase the efficacy of ENBD in patients with papillary inflammatory stricture and thick bile.
Development and validation of clinical diagnostic models for the probability of malignancy in solitary pulmonary nodules
Authors: Dong Jingsi , Sun Nan , Li Jiagen , Liu Ziyuan , Zhang Baihua , Chen Zhaoli , Gao Yibo , Zhou Fang , He Jie
Published: October 2013

Background

It is critical to develop a non‐invasive and accurate method for differentiating between malignant and benign solitary pulmonary nodules. In large sample studies, the effectiveness of the diagnostic prediction model as a tool of assessment of the probability of malignancy is still unclear. The establishment of a diagnostic model based on large samples is needed.

Methods

In this study, 3358 patients diagnosed with a solitary pulmonary nodule between January 2005 and March 2013, were enrolled. All patients received surgery for pulmonary nodule resection. Clinical characters, preoperative biomarker results, and computed tomography scan findings were collected. All patients were randomly separated into a training set (n = 1679) and a test set (n = 1679); we used training sets to build a diagnostic model for the malignancy probability of pulmonary nodules, and applied the test set to validate our model, as well as other published diagnostic models.

Result

Logistic regression analysis identified 11 clinical characteristics as independent predictors of malignancy in patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule. The goodness‐of‐fit statistic for the model indicated that the observed proportion of malignancies did not differ from the predicted proportion (P = 0.571). The area under the curves of the receiver operator characteristic curve for our model in the training set was 0.935.

Conclusion

As the accuracy of the model was high, we suggest that the diagnostic model can be used as a tool to help guiding clinical decisions, when the clinician cannot make a definitive diagnosis of a solitary pulmonary nodule.
A pharmacological network for lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Ye Xiaolan , Linton James M. , Schork Nicholas J. , Buck Linda B. , Petrascheck Michael
Published: October 2013

One goal of aging research is to find drugs that delay the onset of age‐associated disease. Studies in invertebrates, particularly Caenorhabditis elegans, have uncovered numerous genes involved in aging, many conserved in mammals. However, which of these encode proteins suitable for drug targeting is unknown. To investigate this question, we screened a library of compounds with known mammalian pharmacology for compounds that increase C. elegans lifespan. We identified 60 compounds that increase longevity in C. elegans, 33 of which also increased resistance to oxidative stress. Many of these compounds are drugs approved for human use. Enhanced resistance to oxidative stress was associated primarily with compounds that target receptors for biogenic amines, such as dopamine or serotonin. A pharmacological network constructed with these data reveal that lifespan extension and increased stress resistance cluster together in a few pharmacological classes, most involved in intercellular signaling. These studies identify compounds that can now be explored for beneficial effects on aging in mammals, as well as tools that can be used to further investigate the mechanisms underlying aging in C. elegans.
Human protein aging: modification and crosslinking through dehydroalanine and dehydrobutyrine intermediates
Authors: Wang Zhen , Lyons Brian , Truscott Roger J. W. , Schey Kevin L.
Published: October 2013

Nonenzymatic post‐translational modification (PTM) of proteins is a fundamental molecular process of aging. The combination of various modifications and their accumulation with age not only affects function, but leads to crosslinking and protein aggregation. In this study, aged human lens proteins were examined using HPLC–tandem mass spectrometry and a blind PTM search strategy. Multiple thioether modifications of Ser and Thr residues by glutathione (GSH) and its metabolites were unambiguously identified. Thirty‐four of 36 sites identified on 15 proteins were found on known phosphorylation sites, supporting a mechanism involving dehydroalanine (DHA) and dehydrobutyrine (DHB) formation through β‐elimination of phosphoric acid from phosphoserine and phosphothreonine with subsequent nucleophilic attack by GSH. In vitro incubations of phosphopeptides demonstrated that this process can occur spontaneously under physiological conditions. Evidence that this mechanism can also lead to protein–protein crosslinks within cells is provided where five crosslinked peptides were detected in a human cataractous lens. Nondisulfide crosslinks were identified for the first time in lens tissue between βB2‐ & βB2‐, βA4‐ & βA3‐, γS‐ & βB1‐, and βA4‐ & βA4‐crystallins and provide detailed structural information on in vivo crystallin complexes. These data suggest that phosphoserine and phosphothreonine residues represent susceptible sites for spontaneous breakdown in long‐lived proteins and that DHA‐ and DHB‐mediated protein crosslinking may be the source of the long‐sought after nondisulfide protein aggregates believed to scatter light in cataractous lenses. Furthermore, this mechanism may be a common aging process that occurs in long‐lived proteins of other tissues leading to protein aggregation diseases.
H3K4 demethylase activities repress proliferative and postmitotic aging
Authors: Alvares Stacy M. , Mayberry Gaea A. , Joyner Ebony Y. , Lakowski Bernard , Ahmed Shawn
Published: October 2013

Homeostasis of postmitotic and proliferating cells is maintained by pathways that repress stress. We found that the Caenorhabditis elegans histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) demethylases RBR‐2 and SPR‐5 promoted postmitotic longevity of stress‐resistant daf‐2 adults, altered pools of methylated H3K4, and promoted silencing of some daf‐2 target genes. In addition, RBR‐2 and SPR‐5 were required for germ cell immortality at a high temperature. Transgenerational proliferative aging was enhanced for spr‐5; rbr‐2 double mutants, suggesting that these histone demethylases may function sequentially to promote germ cell immortality by targeting distinct H3K4 methyl marks. RBR‐2 did not play a comparable role in the maintenance of quiescent germ cells in dauer larvae, implying that it represses stress that occurs as a consequence of germ cell proliferation, rather than stress that accumulates in nondividing cells. We propose that H3K4 demethylase activities promote the maintenance of chromatin states during stressful growth conditions, thereby repressing postmitotic aging of somatic cells as well as proliferative aging of germ cells.
The Association Between Blood Alcohol Content and Cheerfulness, Focus Distraction, and Sluggishness Among Young Adults Attending High School Parties
Authors: Eliasen Marie , Rod Morten H. , Flensborg‐Madsen Trine , Petersen Jørgen H. , Grønbæk Morten , Tolstrup Janne S.
Published: October 2013

Background

The belief that alcohol makes you cheerful is one of the main reasons for engaging in high‐risk drinking, especially among young adults. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between blood alcohol content (BAC) and cheerfulness, focus distraction, and sluggishness among students attending high school parties.

Methods

Participants included 230 students attending high school parties. BAC, measured by use of a breath analyzer, self‐reported cheerfulness (on a score from 0 to 16), focus distraction (score from 0 to 8), and sluggishness (score from 0 to 4) were assessed several times during the party. Data were analyzed by means of linear regression, including robust standard errors and stratified on sex.

Results

For girls, cheerfulness increased up to a BAC of 0.113 g% and decreased at higher BACs. At BACs of 0.020, 0.050, 0.100, and 0.150 g% cheerfulness was 11.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.4 to 11.6), 12.4 (95% CI: 11.8 to 12.9), 13.5 (95% CI: 13.0 to 14.0), and 13.1 (95% CI: 11.9 to 14.4), respectively. For boys, the association was linear with an increase of 0.18 points in cheerfulness (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.36) for every 0.010 g% increase in BAC. Focus distraction increased with increasing BAC: 0.22 (95% CI: 0.16 to 0.28) and 0.24 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.33) points for girls and boys, respectively, per 0.010 g% increase in BAC. The degree of sluggishness increased only slightly with increasing BAC with 0.02 (95% CI: 0.02 to 0.05) and 0.03 (95% CI: −0.01 to 0.07) points for every 0.010 g% increase in BAC for girls and boys, respectively.

Conclusions

Cheerfulness increased up to a certain BAC value for girls, while it increased linearly for boys. Focus distraction increased with increasing BAC.