bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of efficiency and technology across the banking systems of Vietnam, China and India
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Pham Thien
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Given some similarities in the banking industry and economic condition across Vietnam, China and India, the purpose of this paper is to estimate and compare the cost and revenue efficiency of banks across these three countries over the period 1995–2011.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the meta-frontier of Battese et al. (2004) and O’Donnell et al. (2008) which envelops the three country-frontiers to measure the cost and revenue efficiency of banks in these three countries.

Findings

This study finds that Chinese banks adopt the most advanced cost-reducing and revenue-increasing technology when providing banking products to their customers, followed by Indian banks. Indian banks are as cost-efficient as Chinese banks, but more cost-efficient than Vietnamese banks. Indian banks are as revenue-efficient as Vietnamese banks, but less revenue-efficient than Chinese banks. Over the analysis period, banks in the three countries have employed the more advanced technology in reducing costs, and they have become more cost-efficient. Nonetheless, for revenue side, the improvement in revenue efficiency and adopted technology are observed only in Chinese banks. The main source of meta-cost and meta-revenue inefficiency of these banking systems stems from undertaking inferior technology rather than managerial ability. Results from comparison across bank types show that state-owned banks (SOBs) are more cost and revenue-efficient than privately owned banks, with Indian and Chinese SOBs being the most cost- and revenue-efficient, respectively.

Practical implications

To improve meta-cost efficiency, Chinese and Indian banks would constitute a relevant benchmark for Vietnamese banks, while to improve meta-revenue efficiency, Chinese banks would be considered as a relevant benchmark for Vietnamese and Indian banks.

Originality/value

This is the first study which utilizes meta-frontier to compare cost and revenue efficiency and technology across banks in Vietnam, China and India.
A model for supply chain risk management in the automotive industry using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy TOPSIS
Authors: Salehi Heidari Samira , Khanbabaei Mohammad , Sabzehparvar Majid
Published: October 2018

Purpose

One of the most important issues in supply chain (SC) management is the identification and management of the risk involved in it. The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive model of supply chain risk management (SCRM) in the product life cycle (PLC) and the operational process cycle (OPC). To decrease the risks in a fuzzy environment, the model considers the organizational performance factors (OPF) and the risk operational practices (ROP).

Design/methodology/approach

Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process is used to determine the weights of the relationships between the PLC, OPC and OPF in the hierarchical structure of the decision problem. In addition, the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution is employed to recognize the priority of ROPs in dealing with the performance factors. The integrated framework is evaluated using the case study of an automotive company in Iran.

Findings

The results demonstrated that the proposed model can be used to formulate an appropriate method for prioritizing defined alternatives to decrease risk and improve the organizational performance in SCRM under fuzzy conditions.

Research limitations/implications

A major limitation of the study is that a few of the selected criteria for risk assessment are focused only on economic factors. Another limitation of the current study is related to the PLC, OPC and OPF being based on the work of Xia and Chen (2011).

Practical implications

The current study identified the more important stage in the PLC. More significant process in each stage of the PLC and weightier risk factors in each process of the OPC were determined. Some strategies for reducing risk in each stage of the PLC were presented. The best alternatives for reducing risks in SC were indicated.

Originality/value

It is worth mentioning that previous studies have not applied multiple criteria and alternatives to decrease the risks involved in the PLC and OPC parts of the SC under fuzzy conditions. However, it should be stated that some academics have used these techniques separately, in other specialized areas of the SC.
The view, brew and loo: perceptions of botanic gardens?
Authors: Catahan Nicholas , Woodruffe-Burton Helen
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This is an exploratory and qualitative study to consider approaches to capture, analyse and monitor perceptions from big data, to inform and contribute to place management research and practice of botanic gardens (BGs). This paper aims to address the ongoing significant threat to BGs due to funding being cut and the need to inform and develop sustainable revenue streams for their survival.

Design/methodology/approach

Guiding research questions for this study were: ‘What are the perceived strengths and areas for development for 2 BGs via a Leximancer Automatic Content Analysis (ACA) of TripAdvisor online reviews; and do they match BGs purpose of scientific research, conservation, display and education?’ A content analysis of 582 online reviews from 2007 to 2017 follows qualitative methodology techniques using a combination of manual and automatic text analysis (Leximancer text mining software). These approaches enabled a comparison of online TripAdvisor reviews with Likert-type or rating scale items of 1 to 5 stars.

Findings

Insights revealed the use of Leximancer and TripAdvisor (or similar innovations) as tools for potential place management, place marketing communications and monitoring purposes. Predominant perceptions extracted from reviews are not concerned with documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific discovery, conservation, display and education. Reviews clearly focus more upon aesthetics, facilities and services, which support previous studies. Overall, reviews highlighted positive sentiments towards the BGs.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations link to limited data across two BGs, synthesis and meaning of complex perceptions, matters of subjectivity and time needed to interpret information. Implications enable insights into BG “place” gleaned from big data in the form of user-generated content and electronic Word-Of-Mouth using Leximancer; viewed as a measure alongside management action plans. Future studies could strengthen debate and action regarding the use of Leximancer, and also public perception of BGs’ core functions, importance and value. The research supports potential to monitor and transform perceptions, values and beliefs. Outcomes could eventually inform policy and generate a much-needed shift in funds and resources for BGs by highlighting their relevance and value to society.

Originality/value

An empirical and methodological contribution via peer reviewed studies of visitor perceptions via online reviews of Britain’s BGs “place” and “space” analysed with Leximancer have never been published. This study critically explores potential visitor and place management needs of BGs. Managers can make better use of big data from social media platforms/digital channels, using a novel type of data analytical software like Leximancer for strategic planning; with more informed approaches to place management, innovation and development. A key contribution of this study is this ACA methodological approach for place management.
BRI and its digital dimension: twists and turns
Authors: Kozłowski Krzysztof
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the perspectives of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Belt and Road strategy. The challenge in terms of studying the New Silk Road concept comes from the fact of dramatic difference between the declared ambitions of the Chinese state and the elusive character of concrete Chinese involvement, in particular as far as the digital dimension of the strategy is concerned.

Design/methodology/approach

The goal will be achieved by comparing the Chinese expansion in the Post-Soviet Central Asia with nowadays declarations concerning the digital version of the New Silk Road. For China, the Post-Soviet Central Asia was the first frontier approached on the basis of genuinely own integration strategy: the New Silk Road Diplomacy, which later evolved into the New Silk Road concept. An overview of Chinese activity in the region tells a lot about its grand strategy of today.

Findings

To paraphrase T.S. Kuhn, what one sees depends on not only what one is looking at but also what one has learned to notice. The Post-Soviet Central Asia shows the way Beijing thinks about integration. PRC achieved the most by basing on the free rider effect: concentrating on economic expansion, while other Powers provided relative regional security and stability.

Originality/value

The comparison of the beginnings of the New Silk Diplomacy in the 1990s with the plans of the New Digital Road gives a unique angle to grasp the specific features of the Chinese approach to international integration.
Resilience and transparency in social systems
Authors: Griffiths Dai
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper draws on the literature of cybernetics to argue that the resilience of organizations can be diminished by an unconsidered maximization of transparency and accountability. In doing so, it critically examines the concept of resilience and the relationship of resilience to neoliberalism.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual analysis of resilience is carried out at two levels. First, the use of the concepts of resilience, viability, transparency, accountability and neoliberalism is considered, together with the relationship between them. Second, the management interventions that result from the application of these related ideas are critiqued from the perspective of cybernetics and particularly of variety and black boxes.

Findings

It is shown that within complex social environments, the unconsidered imposition of transparency and accountability as a management strategy may constrain the resilience of the organizations and individuals rather than enhance it. The use of data analytics enhances this tendency.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical analysis of the relationship between transparency and resilience offers a basis for carrying out empirical studies.

Practical implications

There are practical implications for organizational managers, employees and stakeholders, offering them a means of understanding the systemic threat posed by organizational design decisions which enhance transparency and accountability without taking into consideration the full range of interactions which act to maintain organizational viability.

Social implications

The analysis provides a rationale for resisting the imposition of social policies inspired by neoliberalism.

Originality/value

The bringing together of the concepts of resilience, neoliberalism, transparency and accountability, and their exposure to cybernetic analysis, provides a novel perspective on resilience, and new insights into way that organizations maintain their viability.
Comparison analysis on the bilateral efforts of farmers and the third-party organization under multiple contract modes
Authors: Sun Lanying , Li Xiaoyan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is under the analysis framework of the system theory, analyzing the optimal contract mode of agricultural supply chain to guarantee the stability of agricultural supply chain and the equilibrium of agricultural product market, to analyze the effect of farmers’ risk attitude on the selection of contract modes and to find the way to encourage farmers’ productive effort and to avoid farmers’ hitchhiking behavior, to guarantee the stability of agricultural supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

Under the guidance of the system theory, using the Stackelberg model and the nonlinear programming theory, this paper comparatively analyzes farmers’ effort (productive effort and sales effort), farmers’ income and the stability of agricultural supply system of four types of contract modes between farmers, third-party organizations and market.

Findings

First, in the agricultural market, market-type contract cannot maximize farmers’ income. The main reason is that farmers do not have enough ability to avoid market risk and to bargain. Second, for farmers of risk seeking, choosing a market-type contract and secondary-income contract can increase their income. Third, under the fixed-purchase price contract, the hitchhiking behavior would happen. Fourth, when farmers’ productive efforts are the same, farmers’ income under the secondary-income contract is higher than under the fixed-purchase price contract. Because under the secondary-income contract, farmers have the opportunity to obtain the secondary distribution of benefits, farmers’ hitchhiking behavior could be avoided.

Originality/value

Analyzing the contract modes between farmers and the third-party organization in the agricultural market could reduce the influence of price fluctuation, avoid the uncertainty of the relationship between the supply and demand, stimulate the productive effort of farmers and provide theoretical guidance for establishing efficient and stable agricultural supply system.
Flow–ecology relationships are spatially structured and differ among flow regimes
Authors: Bruckerhoff Lindsey A. , Leasure Douglas R. , Magoulick Daniel D.
Published: October 2018

In streams, hydrology is a predominant driver of ecological structure and function. Providing adequate flows to support aquatic life, or environmental flows, is therefore a top management priority in stream systems.

Flow regime classification is a widely accepted approach for establishing environmental flow guidelines. However, it is surprisingly difficult to quantify relationships between hydrology and ecology (flow–ecology relationships) while describing how these relationships vary across classified flow regimes. Developing such relationships is complicated by several sources of spatial bias, such as autocorrelation due to spatial design, flow regime classification and other environmental or ecological sources of spatial bias.

We used mixed moving‐average spatial stream network models to develop flow–ecology relationships across classified flow regimes and to assess spatial patterns of these relationships. We compared relationships between fish traits and life‐history strategies with hydrologic metrics across flow regimes and assessed whether spatial autocorrelation influenced these relationships.

Trait–hydrology relationships varied between flow regimes and across all streams combined. Some relationships between traits and hydrologic metrics fit predictions based on life‐history theory, while others exhibited unexpected relationships with hydrology. Spatial factors described a large proportion of variability in fish traits and different patterns of spatial autocorrelation were observed in different flow regimes.

Synthesis and applications. Further work is needed to understand why flow–ecology relationships vary across classified flow regimes and why these relationships may not fit predictions based on life‐history theories. Managers determining environmental flow standards need to be aware that different hydrologic metrics are often important drivers of fish trait diversity in different flow regimes. Flow–ecology relationships may therefore be confounded by spatial structure inherent in flow regime classification and much existing biological data. Complex patterns of spatial bias should be considered when managing stream systems within an environmental flows framework.
The pH‐responsive PacC transcription factor plays pivotal roles in virulence and patulin biosynthesis in Penicillium expansum
Authors: Chen Yong , Li Boqiang , Xu Xiaodi , Zhang Zhanquan , Tian Shiping
Published: October 2018

The PacC (loss or reduction in phosphatase activity at acid but not at alkaline pH [Pac]) transcription factor regulates environmental adaptation, secondary metabolism and virulence in many fungal pathogens. Here, we report the functions of PacC in Penicillium expansum, a postharvest pathogenic fungus in horticultural crops, and ascertain that the gene expression and proteolytic processing of PePacC are strictly pH‐dependent. Loss of PePacC resulted in an obvious decrease in growth and conidiation of P. expansum cultured in both acidic and alkaline conditions. The ΔPePacC mutant lost the ability of patulin production at pH values above 6.0 because expressions of all the genes in patulin cluster were significantly down‐regulated. Additionally, virulence of the ΔPePacC mutant was obviously reduced in pear and apple fruits. Proteome analysis revealed that PePacC could function as an activator or repressor for different target proteins, including calreticulin (PeCRT) and sulfate adenylyltransferase (PeSAT), which were further proved to be involved in virulence of P. expansum. Our results demonstrate important roles for PePacC in patulin biosynthesis via limiting expressions of the genes in the cluster, and in pathogenesis via mediating a known virulence factor glucose oxidase (PeGOD) and new virulence factors, such as PeCRT and PeSAT.
Catalytic linkage between caspase activity and proteostasis in Archaea
Authors: Seth‐Pasricha Mansha , Senn Stefan , Sanman Laura E. , Bogyo Matthew , Nanda Vikas , Bidle Kelly A. , Bidle Kay D.
Published: October 2018

The model haloarchaeon, Haloferax volcanii possess an extremely high, and highly specific, basal caspase activity in exponentially growing cells that closely resembles caspase‐4. This activity is specifically inhibited by the pan‐caspase inhibitor, z‐VAD‐FMK, and has no cross‐reactivity with other known protease families. Although it is one of the dominant cellular proteolytic activities in exponentially growing H. volcanii cells, the interactive cellular roles remain unknown and the protein(s) responsible for this activity remain elusive. Here, biochemical purification and in situ trapping with caspase targeted covalent inhibitors combined with genome‐enabled proteomics, structural analysis, targeted gene knockouts and treatment with canavanine demonstrated a catalytic linkage between caspase activity and thermosomes, proteasomes and cdc48b, a cell division protein and proteasomal degradation facilitating ATPase, as part of an ‘interactase’ of stress‐related protein complexes with an established link to the unfolded protein response (UPR). Our findings provide novel cellular and biochemical context for the observed caspase activity in Archaea and add new insight to understanding the role of this activity, implicating their possible role in the establishment of protein stress and ER associated degradation pathways in Eukarya.
International Mergers and Acquisitions Laws, the Market for Corporate Control, and Accounting Conservatism
Authors: KHURANA INDER K. , WANG WEI
Published: October 2018

Exploiting the staggered enactment of country‐level mergers and acquisitions (M&A) law as an exogenous increase in corporate takeover threat, this paper examines how a disciplinary market for corporate control affects accounting conservatism. Following M&A law adoption, we find increased accounting conservatism, with more pronounced effects in countries with weak shareholder protection and in those experiencing larger growth in takeover activity. Further analysis reveals that elevated takeover threats increase conservatism through changes in capital structure and investment decisions as well as improvements in board monitoring. Our findings highlight the importance of the market for corporate control in shaping financial‐reporting outcome.
Effect of Parboiling on Phenolic, Protein, and Pasting Properties of Rice from Different Paddy Varieties
Authors: Pal Priyanka , Singh Narpinder , Kaur Parmeet , Kaur Amritpal
Published: October 2018

The present study evaluated the effect of parboiling on milling, chemical constituents, pasting and cooking properties of different paddy varieties. Parboiling decreased L* and a* values and increased b* and head rice recovery. Parboiling significantly increased the protein content and antioxidant activity on a dry basis. Parboiling decreased whiteness, fat content, and paste viscosities. The parboiling process increased the hydrophobicity of rice from all the varieties. Parboiled milled rice showed higher free and bound phenolic acids as compared to unparboiled milled rice. Parboiled milled rice showed higher content of essential amino acid than unparboiled milled rice. Variety PB1121 was suited best for parboiling on the basis of total color (ΔE), protein content, essential amino acid, and phenolic acids among the evaluated paddy varieties.

Practical Application

The present study revealed that parboiled milled rice had higher antioxidant activity, amino acids, ferulic acid, and p‐coumaric acids. Indeed, parboiled milled rice showed better textural and nutritional properties and would be more suitable for canning, puffed rice and biryani (rice cooked with chicken/mutton).
Rosé Sparkling Wines: Influence of Winemaking Practices on the Phytochemical Polyphenol During Aging on Lees and Commercial Storage
Authors: Sartor Saionara , Burin Vívian Maria , Panceri Carolina Pretto , dos Passos Robson Rodrigo , Caliari Vinícius , Bordignon‐Luiz Marilde T.
Published: October 2018

The effects of oenological agents, gum arabic, and oenological tannin, added at two different stages in the winemaking of rosé sparkling wines (addition to the base wine and to the sparkling wine after disgorging) on evolution of the phytochemical composition during aging on lees and commercial storage were studied for the first time. The sparkling wines were monitored during 12 months of aging on lees (sur lie, with lees) and commercial storage (bottle storage, without lees), in terms of the polyphenolics, color intensity and antioxidant capacity. It was observed that the stage of the addition of oenological agents influenced the changes in phytochemical polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of sparkling wines. The most notable effects on the polyphenolics were observed in the experiment with the addition of oenological agents to the base wine, which significantly increased the concentrations of trans‐resveratrol, gallic and ellagic acids, catechin, quercetin, and myricetin. The addition of oenological agents after the disgorging stage had less influence on the phenolics of the sparkling wines. Caffeic acid, trans‐caftaric acid, catechin, tyrosol, and gallic acid were the most abundant polyphenolics in rosé sparkling wines. The winemaking practices evaluated in this study comprise an interesting approach to the improvement and/or maintenance of the polyphenolics, according to winemaking practices, besides providing new knowledge on the evolution of rosé sparkling wines.

Practical Applications

Tannins and gum arabic are been described as oenological agents, however, are poorly explored in rosé sparkling wines. Many chemical modifications that occur during the winemaking process, especially due to the second in‐bottle fermentation and the yeast contact in the case of sparkling wines, can be determinant of authenticity and quality of sparkling wines. The addition of oenological agents in different stages of the winemaking can provide new insights into the evolution of phytochemical constituents of rosé sparkling wines and draw perspectives for improving technological properties of these wines based on practical experience.
Methods for normalizing microbiome data: An ecological perspective
Authors: McKnight Donald T. , Huerlimann Roger , Bower Deborah S. , Schwarzkopf Lin , Alford Ross A. , Zenger Kyall R.
Published: October 2018

Microbiome sequencing data often need to be normalized due to differences in read depths, and recommendations for microbiome analyses generally warn against using proportions or rarefying to normalize data and instead advocate alternatives, such as upper quartile, CSS, edgeR‐TMM, or DESeq‐VS. Those recommendations are, however, based on studies that focused on differential abundance testing and variance standardization, rather than community‐level comparisons (i.e., beta diversity). Also, standardizing the within‐sample variance across samples may suppress differences in species evenness, potentially distorting community‐level patterns. Furthermore, the recommended methods use log transformations, which we expect to exaggerate the importance of differences among rare OTUs, while suppressing the importance of differences among common OTUs.

We tested these theoretical predictions via simulations and a real‐world dataset.

Proportions and rarefying produced more accurate comparisons among communities and were the only methods that fully normalized read depths across samples. Additionally, upper quartile, CSS, edgeR‐TMM, and DESeq‐VS often masked differences among communities when common OTUs differed, and they produced false positives when rare OTUs differed.

Based on our simulations, normalizing via proportions may be superior to other commonly used methods for comparing ecological communities.
The Metapopulation Microcosm Plate: A modified 96‐well plate for use in microbial metapopulation experiments
Authors: Kurkjian Helen M.
Published: October 2018

Researchers in many subfields of ecology and evolutionary biology test hypotheses relating to metapopulation dynamics and landscape spatial structure. Key aspects of these hypotheses are often (a) large numbers of subpopulations and dispersal corridors and (b) their positions relative to each other. Testing such spatial hypotheses using traditional laboratory equipment and methods can be impractical, unwieldy, expensive, or impossible.

The Metapopulation Microcosm Plate (MMP) overcomes many of these difficulties. This device resembles a 96‐well microtitre plate, but contains dispersal corridors between wells that can be modified in their spatial position to create various artificial landscapes, each with up to 96 habitat patches and hundreds of nonintersecting dispersal corridors of varying lengths. The device can be filled with nutrient broth and used to culture microbial metapopulations.

Here, I describe how MMPs are designed, assembled, sterilized, and filled and demonstrate that MMPs can remain water tight and sterile with minimal evaporation for 5–7 days.

Metapopulation Microcosm Plates (MMPs) can be used to test many spatial hypotheses that have previously been prohibitively difficult to test. Further, by allowing individual behavioural responses to within‐patch conditions, MMPs can incorporate greater realism than directed pipetting or other artificial dispersal methods.
Progressive nicotine patch dosing prior to quitting smoking: feasibility, safety and effects during the pre‐quit and post‐quit periods
Authors: Przulj Dunja , Wehbe Luis , McRobbie Hayden , Hajek Peter
Published: October 2018

Background and aims

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) may be more effective in aiding smoking cessation if higher doses of nicotine from it can be tolerated. We examined the responses to, and 4‐week abstinence rates observed, when titrating the dose of transdermal nicotine patch up to 84 mg/day over 4 weeks prior to a target quit date and titrating down again over 4 weeks afterwards.

Design

Clinical cohort study.

Setting

Tobacco dependence clinic, Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Participants

Fifty smokers seeking help with stopping smoking.

Intervention

Participants started on one 21‐mg/24‐hour patch 4 weeks prior to their target quit day (TQD). The dose was increased weekly by adding a 21‐mg patch unless participants reported adverse effects and/or did not wish to increase the dose. The dose was reduced by 21 mg/day each week from 1 week post‐TQD, until it reverted to the standard dose (21 mg/day) at 4 weeks post‐TQD. Participants received weekly behavioural support and could also use oral NRT from the TQD. Participants were advised to smoke ad libitum during the pre‐quit period.

Measurements

Proportion of participants progressing through each stage of dosing, adherence, adverse effects, changes in cigarette consumption, smoke intake and enjoyment of smoking during the pre‐quit period; withdrawal symptoms; carbon monoxide‐validated abstinence during 4 weeks post‐TQD.

Findings

Of the 50 participants, 72.0% (n = 36) progressed to the 84‐mg nicotine dose and 94.0% (n = 47) completed the trial. Adverse effects consisted primarily of nausea and were mild and well tolerated. Cigarette consumption, smoke intake and enjoyment of smoking declined significantly during the pre‐quit period. Forty‐one (82%) participants achieved 4 weeks validated abstinence. Abstainers experienced no detectable cigarette withdrawal symptoms.

Conclusions

Most smokers seeking help with stopping appear to be able to tolerate doses of transdermal nicotine patch up to 84 mg/day during a 4‐week pre‐quit up‐titration period with minimal side effects.
The War on Drugs, Racial Meanings, and Structural Racism: A Holistic and Reproductive Approach
Authors: Rosino Michael L. , Hughey Matthew W.
Published: October 2018

The War on Drugs in the United States has been part of a system of social control targeting low‐income black and Latinx communities. While this statement has been contested, its validity is clear from an encompassing framework that considers the history of racially motivated laws and practices and moral panics among whites who have blamed drug‐related social problems and crime on marginalized racial groups. We develop a holistic and reproductive approach to understanding racial oppression by analyzing racial meanings and structural racism related to the War on Drugs. To uncover structural racism, we propose a framework that captures the relationship between drug policies and enforcement practices, racialized mass incarceration, the distribution of resources, and the reproduction of racial oppression in the United States. To examine racial meanings, we present findings from an in‐depth content analysis of newspaper articles and digital media discussing the War on Drugs. Based on over 30 years of news content—394 op‐eds, letters to the editor, and news articles and 3,145 comments drawn from the comments sections of online news articles—we argue that criminal justice practices and the distribution of racial meanings through the media act as racialized structuring mechanisms. We demonstrate how those mechanisms work in tandem to strengthen and naturalize the connection between racial groups and unequal social positions. We uncover how dominant racial meanings act as symbolic resources that maintain forms of structural racism such as the War on Drugs. Finally, we discuss the benefits of our approach and suggest relevant and necessary future research and practices.
Rural Segregation and Racial Violence: Historical Effects of Spatial Racism
Authors: Cook Lisa D. , Logan Trevon D. , Parman John M.
Published: October 2018

To review the evidence of changes in segregation over time, we use a newly developed household‐level measure of residential segregation that can distinguish between the effects of increasing racial homogeneity of a location and the tendency to segregate within a location given a particular racial composition (Logan and Parman ). This household measure of segregation reveals high levels of segregation in the South and rising levels of segregation in both cities and rural communities over the first half of the 20th century. We review new evidence that this segregation was highly correlated with interracial violence in the form or lynchings. We conclude with a discussion of the interaction between residential segregation, racial animosity, and violence.
Cracking the Racial Code: Black Threat, White Rights and the Lexicon of American Politics
Authors: Bennett Dylan , Walker Hannah
Published: October 2018

Racially coded language that appeals to racial bias without open bigotry has a long history in the politics of the United States. Politicians intentionally activate the latent racial biases of both racial conservatives and center‐left liberals without explicitly talking about race. Conservative positions on significant policy areas have shifted over time on the basis of coded racial appeals. Fundamental rights are coded as white rights. Government actions to aid the poor or reduce discrimination are coded as black threats. The racial dimension explains the changing positions of American conservatism on gun rights, crime and mass incarceration, immigration, the welfare state, federalism, and economic policy. White racial identity, mobilized by coded political talk, restrains the potential for cross‐racial coalitions and perpetuates the political repression of nonwhite Americans.
Mass Incarceration and Racial Inequality
Authors: Pettit Becky , Gutierrez Carmen
Published: October 2018

Despite two decades of declining crime rates, the United States continues to incarcerate a historically and comparatively large segment of the population. Moreover, incarceration and other forms of criminal justice contact ranging from police stops to community supervision are disproportionately concentrated among African American and Latino men. Mass incarceration, and other ways in which the criminal justice system infiltrates the lives of families, has critical implications for inequality. Differential rates of incarceration damage the social and emotional development of children whose parents are in custody or under community supervision. The removal through incarceration of a large segment of earners reinforces existing income and wealth disparities. Patterns of incarceration and felony convictions have devastating effects on the level of voting, political engagement, and overall trust in the legal system within communities. Incarceration also has damaging effects on the health of families and communities. In short, the costs of mass incarceration are not simply collateral consequences for individuals but are borne collectively, most notably by African Americans living in acutely disadvantaged communities that experience high levels of policing and surveillance. In this article, we review racial and ethnic differences in exposure to the criminal justice system and its collective consequences.
The Spectacle of Lynching: Rituals of White Supremacy in the Jim Crow South
Authors: Louise Wood Amy
Published: October 2018

From 1890s to the 1930s, white mobs tortured and killed thousands of African Americans across the South. These lynchings, even those committed by the smallest of mobs, were ritualistic and performative, enacting and reinforcing the core beliefs of white supremacy. The narratives and photographs produced after lynchings likewise created and circulated representations of white domination and black subordination. Lynching was thus more than a social or political form of violence; it was a cultural spectacle that conveyed meaning to its white participants and spectators. This article, adapted from the author’s 2009 book, examines the forces that gave rise to lynching spectacles and the cultural work those spectacles performed. It argues that, although the spectacle was reinforced through modern technologies, such as photography, lynching ultimately arose as a reaction against the transformations that modern life had brought to the South. Industrialization and urbanization had destabilized the racial hierarchy and fueled white fears of a black crime wave. Lynching was a violent means to assert order in the face of potential disorder. As such, it was rooted in traditional practices, such as notions of popular justice and public executions, and white southerners interpreted lynching spectacles through local customs and beliefs. Over time, the dissemination of lynching spectacle nationally through modern media by anti‐lynching activists contributed to the decline of mob violence.
More severe intellectual disability found in teenagers compared to younger children with Down syndrome
Authors: Wester Oxelgren Ulrika , Myrelid Åsa , Annerén Göran , Westerlund Joakim , Gustafsson Jan , Fernell Elisabeth
Published: October 2018

Aim

We investigated the severities and profiles of intellectual disability (ID) in a population‐based group of children with Down syndrome and related the findings to coexisting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods

There were about 100 children with Down syndrome living in Uppsala County, Sweden, at the time of the study who all received medical services from the same specialist outpatient clinic. The 60 children (68% male) were aged 5–17 years at inclusion: 41 were assessed within the study and 19 had test results from previous assessments, performed within three years before inclusion. We compared two age groups: 5–12 and 13–18 years old.

Results

Of the 60 children, 49 were assessed with a cognitive test and the 11 children who could not participate in formal tests had clinical assessments. Mild ID was found in 9% of the older children and in 35% of the younger children. Severe ID was found in 91% of the older children and 65% of the younger children. Verbal and nonverbal domains did not differ.

Conclusion

Intellectual level was lower in the older children and patients with Down syndrome need to be followed during childhood with regard to their ID levels.
Developmental stages of the blue‐breasted quail (Coturnix chinensis)
Authors: Nakamura Yoshiaki , Nakane Yoshifumi , Tsudzuki Masaoki
Published: October 2018

Chickens and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) have traditionally been the primary avian models in developmental biology research. Recently, the blue‐breasted quail (Coturnix chinesis), the smallest species in the order Galliformes, has been proposed as an excellent candidate model in avian developmental studies owing to its precocious and prolific properties. However, data on the embryonic development of blue‐breasted quail are scarce. Here, we developed a normal developmental series for the blue‐breasted quail based on developmental features. The blue‐breasted quail embryos take 17 days to reach the hatching period at 37.7°C. We documented specific periods of incubation in which significant development occurred, and created a 39‐stage developmental series. The developmental series for the blue‐breasted quail was almost identical to that for chickens and Japanese quail in the earlier stages of development (stages 1–16). Our staging series is especially useful at later stages of development (stages 34–39) of blue‐breasted quail embryos as a major criterion of staging in this phase of development was the weight of embryos and the length of third toes.
Magnetic resonance and radiographic imaging of a case of bilateral bipartite navicular bones in a horse
Authors: Harcourt M , Smith C , Bell R , Young A
Published: October 2018

Case report

We describe the radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings associated with a case of bilateral forelimb bipartite navicular disease in a 7‐year‐old Warmblood gelding used for eventing. In addition to the radiographically evident partitioned navicular bones, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also detected other concurrent abnormalities occurring within the foot that have not been described before in other cases of navicular bone partition. MRI not only revealed soft tissue lesions of the podotrochlear apparatus, but also allowed for more detailed characterisation of the recently diagnosed osseous navicular bone pathology.

Conclusion

Knowledge of these additional changes influenced prognostication in this case and provides an explanation for why this condition usually results in such a poor prognosis for the return to previous levels of performance in athletic patients.
Combined transverse femoral ostectomy and tibial tuberosity distalisation for correction of medial patella luxation and patella alta in dogs
Authors: Drew J , Glyde M , Hosgood G , Newman M
Published: October 2018

Background

Patella alta is the proximal displacement of the patella within the femoral trochlea. Previous studies have identified an association between patella alta and patella luxation. Distalisation of the tibial tuberosity has been recommended to establish proximodistal alignment of the stifle extensor mechanism with the underlying femur in dogs affected by patella alta. However, a recent canine ex vivo study found stifle extensor mechanism load increased significantly following tibial tuberosity distalisation. Generation of excessive load within the stifle extensor mechanism was avoidable by performing a combined transverse femoral ostectomy and tibial tuberosity distalisation.

Case report

Two dogs presented with acute onset left hindlimb lameness and medial patella luxation. The left patellar ligament length to patella length ratio was 2.37 and 2.39 in each dog (reference range 1.33–2.06), consistent with patella alta. No other stifle abnormalities were identified. Proximodistal stifle extensor mechanism alignment was corrected with a combined transverse femoral ostectomy and tibial tuberosity distalisation. The postoperative ratio of the distance between the proximal pole of the patella and femoral condyle to patella length ratio (A : P) fell within the corrected reference range (1.52–2.44). Follow‐up orthopaedic examination and postoperative radiographs at 10–12 weeks demonstrated clinical bone union of the femoral ostectomy and tibial tuberosity distalisation sites. No evidence of medial patella luxation or lameness could be detected.

Conclusion

A combined transverse femoral ostectomy and tibial tuberosity distalisation technique resolved medial patella luxation with patella alta in two dogs. Additionally, the normal A : P reference interval should be corrected to 1.52–2.44.
Do Children Distinguish Between Resource Inequalities With Individual Versus Structural Origins?
Authors: Rizzo Michael T. , Elenbaas Laura , Vanderbilt Kimberly E.
Published: October 2018

This study investigated children's ability to distinguish between resource inequalities with individual versus structural origins. Children (3‐ to 8‐years‐old; N = 93) were presented with resource inequalities based on either recipients’ merit (individual factor) or gender (structural factor). Children were assessed on their expectations for others’ allocations, own allocations, reasoning, and evaluations of others’ allocations. Children perpetuated merit‐based inequalities and either rectified or allocated equally in response to gender‐based inequalities. Older, but not younger, children expected others to perpetuate both types of inequalities and differed in their evaluations and reasoning. Links between children's allocations and judgments were also found. Results reveal novel insights into children's developing consideration of the structural and individual factors leading to resource inequalities.
Primary aldosteronism is associated with decreased low‐density and high‐density lipoprotein particle concentrations and increased GlycA, a pro‐inflammatory glycoprotein biomarker
Authors: Berends Annika M. A. , Buitenwerf Edward , Gruppen Eke G. , Sluiter Wim J. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Connelly Margery A. , Kerstens Michiel N. , Dullaart Robin P. F.
Published: October 2018

Background

Primary aldosteronism (PA) may confer increased cardiovascular risk beyond effects on systemic blood pressure, but contributing mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We compared plasma (apo)lipoproteins and lipoprotein particle characteristics, GlycA, a pro‐inflammatory glycoprotein biomarker of enhanced chronic inflammation, and plasma total branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA), measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, between patients with PA, control subjects without hypertension, subjects with untreated hypertension and subjects with treated hypertension.

Methods

Twenty PA patients were individually matched with 2819 control subjects without hypertension, 501 subjects with untreated hypertension and 878 subjects with treated hypertension participating in the PREVEND (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End‐Stage Disease) cohort study with respect to age, sex, body mass index, smoking and statin use. The Vantera® Clinical Analyzer was used to determine NMR‐based laboratory parameters.

Results

Total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), apolipoprotein (apo) B, apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I), LDL particle and HDL particle concentrations were all decreased in PA subjects vs control subjects and subjects with untreated hypertension (P < 0.016). Triglycerides (TG) and triglyceride‐rich lipoprotein (TRL) concentrations were lower in PA subjects vs subjects with (untreated) hypertension. GlycA was increased in PA vs the three comparator groups (P < 0.016). Total BCAA concentrations were unaltered in PA.

Conclusions

Primary aldosteronism is associated with lower concentrations of LDL and HDL particles and to some extent also with lower TG and TRL particle concentrations. PA is also characterized by increased GlycA levels, indicating enhanced low‐grade chronic inflammation. Low HDL particle concentrations and increased GlycA could contribute to accelerated cardiovascular disease development in PA.
Altered lateralization of dorsal language tracts in 6‐week‐old infants at risk for autism
Authors: Liu Janelle , Tsang Tawny , Jackson Lisa , Ponting Carolyn , Jeste Shafali S. , Bookheimer Susan Y. , Dapretto Mirella
Published: October 2018

Altered structural connectivity has been identified as a possible biomarker of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in the developing brain. Core features of ASD include impaired social communication and early language delay. Thus, examining white matter tracts associated with language may lend further insight into early signs of ASD risk and the mechanisms that underlie language impairments associated with the disorder. Evidence of altered structural connectivity has previously been detected in 6‐month‐old infants at high familial risk for developing ASD. However, as language processing begins in utero, differences in structural connectivity between language regions may be present in the early infant brain shortly after birth. Here we investigated key white matter pathways of the dorsal language network in 6‐week‐old infants at high (HR) and low (LR) risk for ASD to identify atypicalities in structural connectivity that may predict altered developmental trajectories prior to overt language delays and the onset of ASD symptomatology. Compared to HR infants, LR infants showed higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF); in contrast, in the right SLF, HR infants showed higher FA than LR infants. Additionally, HR infants showed more rightward lateralization of the SLF. Across both groups, measures of FA and lateralization of these pathways at 6 weeks of age were related to later language development at 18 months of age as well as ASD symptomatology at 36 months of age. These findings indicate that early differences in the structure of language pathways may provide an early predictor of future language development and ASD risk.