bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of farmers’ willingness to adopt genetically modified insect-resistant rice in China
Authors: Xu Ruomei , Wu Yanrui , Luan Jingdong
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Genetically modified (GM) crops, particularly GM grain crops, have been controversial since their commercialization in 1996. However, only a few studies have investigated farmers’ attitudes toward adopting GM grain crops in China. The purpose of this paper is to explore farmers’ willingness to adopt GM insect-resistant rice prior to its commercial release in China and determines the factors that affect farmers’ prospective adoption decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics are used to analyze the farmers’ potential willingness to adopt GM rice and level of awareness of GM rice and socioeconomic characteristics. Ordered and binary probit models are applied to identify the key factors that affect the farmers’ decision to adopt GM insect-resistant rice.

Findings

Descriptive statistics show that most farmers have little knowledge of GM rice, approximate 35.5 percent of farmers could plant GM rice, and over half of the respondents are uncertain whether or not they will adopt the new crops. The results of econometric analyses show that increasing output and income, and simplicity in crop management, have positive effects on prospective adoption, whereas the high-seed price of GM rice has a significantly negative effect. Health implications also have a significantly positive effect on the farmers’ decision to adopt GM grain crops. A comparative analysis of ordered and binary probit models demonstrates that farmers are more deliberate in their decisions when they have fewer choices. Aside from the above-mentioned variables, the following factors are also statistically significant in the probit model: government technicians’ recommendations, neighbors’ attitudes, level of environmental risks, and the farmer’s age.

Originality/value

Information on the major risks and benefits of GM rice was provided to the farmers in the questionnaire. The farmers were then asked to choose from the three ordered alternative answers, namely, “accept,” “uncertain,” and “reject”. Both ordered and binary probit models were applied to comparatively analyze the collected data. This study is one of a handful of studies that employ these econometric models to identify and explain the underlying factors that affect farmers’ decisions. The relevant findings have important implications for future agricultural policy in China.
Transportation infrastructure and rural development in China
Authors: Wang Zhiyang , Sun Sizhong
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The infrastructure investment is one important source of economic growth in China in the past three decades. However it is not clear to what extent such investment affects development in rural area. The purpose of this paper is to explore this impact both conceptually and quantitatively, and draw policy implications from the empirical exercise.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first describe the conceptual link between the transportation infrastructure and rural development, which motivates the empirical model. Then by utilizing an autoregressive distributed lag model, the authors estimate both the short- and long-run impacts of the transportation infrastructure on rural development, in terms of cereal yield and per capita net income of rural households.

Findings

The authors find that investment in transportation infrastructure positively affects rural development in China. In terms of cereal yield, a 1 percent increase in the road infrastructure (road length) leads to around 0.05 percent increase in cereal yield in the short-, and around 0.19 percent increase in the long-run. In terms of the per capita net income of rural households, a 1 percent increase in the road infrastructure results in around 0.14 percent increase in the short-, and its long-run impact is not statistically significant. The positive impacts lend supports to promote investment in the transportation infrastructure. To this end, in addition to the government funding, the participation of private capital can also be promoted through a number of channels, such as the build-operate-transfer, public-private partnership, and establishment of infrastructure investment bank.

Originality/value

This study evaluates the impacts of transportation infrastructure on rural development in China. Despite of the importance of infrastructure and rural development, there is a lack of study on the interaction between them. This paper intends to fill in this gap. In addition, implications drawn in this exercise can benefit policy makers not only in China, but also in other developing countries.
The impact of foreign direct investment on urban-rural income inequality
Authors: Chen Chunlai
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on urban-rural income inequality in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the provincial-level panel data and employs the fixed-effects instrumental variable regression technique to investigate empirically the impact of FDI on urban-rural income inequality in China.

Findings

The study finds that while FDI has directly contributed to reducing urban-rural income inequality through employment creation, knowledge spillovers and contribution to economic growth, FDI has also contributed to increasing urban-rural income inequality through international trade.

Practical implications

The study has some policy implications. First, as the study finds that FDI not only contributes to reducing urban-rural income inequality through employment creation, knowledge spillovers and contribution to economic growth, but also contributes to increasing urban-rural income inequality through international trade, therefore, apart from improving local economic and technological conditions to attract more FDI inflows, China should re-design FDI policies by shifting away from encouraging export-oriented FDI to encouraging FDI flows into the industries and sectors in line with China’s overall economic structural adjustments and industrial upgrading. Second, policies should focus on increasing investment in infrastructure development and in public education, which not only can reduce urban-rural income inequality but also can attract more FDI inflows. And finally policies should be designed to accelerate urbanisation development by focusing on urban-rural integrated development, household registration system reform and proper settlement of rural migrants in urban areas, thus reducing urban-rural income inequality.

Originality/value

The paper makes two major contributions to the literature. First, the paper adopts the fixed-effects instrumental variable regression technique to deal with the endogeneity issues in estimating the impact of FDI on urban-rural income inequality, producing more consistent estimates. Second, the paper investigates not only the direct impact of FDI on urban-rural income inequality through the effects of employment creation, knowledge spillovers and contribution to economic growth, but also the indirect impact of FDI on urban-rural income inequality through its activities in international trade, adding new empirical evidence to the sparse literature on the impact of FDI on income inequality in China.
China’s outward FDI efficiency along the Belt and Road
Authors: Fan Zhaobin , Zhang Ruohan , Liu Xiaotong , Pan Lin
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the China’s outward FDI efficiency and it determinants in 69 countries along the Belt and Road over the period of 2003-2013.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper defines the extent of the Belt and Road in terms of geographical boundaries, justifying the application of the stochastic frontier gravity model to the FDI analysis, and then constructing a frontier regression model to assess the China’s outward FDI efficiency and it determinants in countries along the Belt and Road.

Findings

Regarding the core gravity parameter estimates, China’s outward FDI was highly consistent with the gravity model. As far as policy parameters are concerned, China’s outward FDI was significantly restricted by some man-made barriers in host countries. According to the estimated FDI efficiency scores, China has huge outward FDI potential in countries along the Belt and Road. In general, China’s outward FDI efficiency demonstrated a consistent uptrend from the perspectives of both FDI flows and stocks over the period of 2003-2013. Although China’s outward FDI performance indicated a very uneven pattern across different countries and periods, there were no significant performance differences between the Road and Belt.

Practical implications

The Belt and Road initiative can be largely beneficial to China’s outward FDI, but the specific framework of cooperation should be designed on the basis of determinants of China’s outward FDI. The regional cooperation with the Road countries should mainly focus on the removal of business barriers and financial barriers. The regional cooperation with the Belt countries should mainly concern the improvement of local intellectual property protection, the reduction of local tax burden, and removal of business barriers and financial barriers.

Originality/value

To the authors’ best knowledge, no existing literature has specifically examined the efficiency of China’s outward FDI in the countries along the Belt and Road and its determinants.
Police body worn cameras: a mixed method approach assessing perceptions of efficacy
Authors: Pelfrey Jr William V. , Keener Steven
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The importance of body-worn cameras (BWC) in policing cannot be overstated. This is not a hyperbolic statement – use of force incidents in Ferguson and Baltimore, the ensuing riots, coupled with critical long term implications for police community relations demonstrate the need for BWC data. Few studies have been published on the use of BWCs and little is known about officer perceptions, administrator decision making, and agency use of BWC data. No published studies incorporate qualitative data, which lends important context and depth, in the interpretation of officer survey data. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study presents a mixed-method study of a large university police agency prior to full implementation of BWC. A survey of patrol officers and supervisors, using a census approach with near full participation, coupled with focus group interviews, produced data on perceptions, concerns, and expectations of full BWC implementation.

Findings

Findings point to officer concerns regarding the utilization of BWC data and administrative expectations regarding complaint reduction and officer assessment.

Originality/value

Important implications regarding training and policy are presented. BWC data represent an important tool for agency decision makers but have numerous potential negative uses. Understanding officer concerns juxtaposed with administrator expectations, through both survey and qualitative data, advance the knowledge on BWC.
Challenges to implement innovative ideas and practices
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Rumki
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the key challenges related to innovation in the hospitality industry specific to the ITC Welcome Group’s Fortune Park Centre Point, Jamshedpur. This paper also presents possible solutions to these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a semi-structured interview with the General Manager, ITC Welcome Group’s Fortune Park Centre Point, Jamshedpur. The purpose was to explore an open-ended strategic question: what are the key challenges in the implementation of innovative ideas and practices in the hospitality industry? And what are the ways to improve the innovation processes in the hospitality industry?

Findings

The paper provides valuable information on hotel management and operations and outlines innovative solutions to key challenges in Fortune Park Centre Point, Jamshedpur.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the operative approaches to key challenges, especially the tailor-made training and philosophy for overcoming workforce barriers.

Originality/value

The paper draws on practitioner perspectives and observations to explain how Fortune Park Centre Point, Jamshedpur, secures operational success. This paper will be of interest to practitioners, educators, researchers, industry leaders and students.
The cost competitiveness, competitiveness and sustainability of the hospitality industry in India
Authors: Vij Madhu
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive treatment of the various issues surrounding the concept of the cost competitiveness, competitiveness and sustainability of the hospitality industry. We also investigate how innovations in the Indian hospitality industry can optimize costs without compromising the quality of the product or the services offered.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is mainly survey-based with the use of both structured and unstructured questionnaires. In addition, some interviews were conducted with policy-makers and academics to explore from their perspectives what might be the innovations and sustainability issues in the next decade.

Findings

The paper helps to identify the essential aspects of cost competitiveness, competitiveness and sustainability in the hospitality industry and to better understand if cost optimization can be accomplished simply by realigning process or cost. These issues have become very important in India in the present context of globalization.

Practical implications

With growing competition on a global level, the hospitality industry needs to proactively manage its internal operations and focus on reducing costs and raising service quality. In this context, the paper helps to reveal sustainable cost effective practices that are geared to today’s competitive environment.

Originality/value

The inspiration to write this paper arises from the recent global economic slowdown and the fact that the hospitality industry is confronted with growing competition on a global level. This study highlights how value can be created for customers by applying suitable strategies.
Customer service innovations in the Indian hospitality industry
Authors: Bharwani Sonia , Mathews David
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The hospitality industry the world over is transforming from a product-focused, physical-asset-intensive business to a customer-focused, experience-centric one. This research aims at evolving a typology of customer-centric hospitality innovations. It attempts to explicitly capture the intrinsic DNA of hospitality innovations in the Indian context by exemplifying the typology posited with customer service innovations adopted by contemporary hoteliers that provide new ways of managing and enhancing customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on primary research through qualitative interviews conducted with select hospitality professionals, supplemented by secondary research in the form of a review of academic literature, as well as other secondary data sources such as company websites and travel websites which shed light on customer service innovations in the Indian context.

Findings

To develop and sustain competitive advantage, hospitality businesses are increasingly channelizing their efforts to provide innovative and holistic experiential service offerings. Service innovations are being tailored to cater to the unique personal tastes and requirements of hotel guests to connect with individual guests on a personal and emotional level to create memorable hospitality experiences.

Research limitations/implications

Practitioners, researchers and educationists in the hospitality industry would find the implications of this study useful in the context of the present customer-centric business environment where hotels are constantly striving to meet the exponentially rising bar of guest expectations.

Originality/value

The research highlights that it is critical to keep the customers’ perspectives central while designing innovative hospitality products. Further, it is important to create a cadre of innovation champions and service enthusiasts who can engender a culture of service innovation within the organisation.
Integrating gravimetric and interferometric synthetic aperture radar data for enhancing reservoir history matching of carbonate gas and volatile oil reservoirs
Authors: Katterbauer Klemens , Arango Santiago , Sun Shuyu , Hoteit Ibrahim
Published: August 2016

Reservoir history matching is assuming a critical role in understanding reservoir characteristics, tracking water fronts, and forecasting production. While production data have been incorporated for matching reservoir production levels and estimating critical reservoir parameters, the sparse spatial nature of this dataset limits the efficiency of the history matching process. Recently, gravimetry techniques have significantly advanced to the point of providing measurement accuracy in the microgal range and consequently can be used for the tracking of gas displacement caused by water influx. While gravity measurements provide information on subsurface density changes, i.e., the composition of the reservoir, these data do only yield marginal information about temporal displacements of oil and inflowing water. We propose to complement gravimetric data with interferometric synthetic aperture radar surface deformation data to exploit the strong pressure deformation relationship for enhancing fluid flow direction forecasts. We have developed an ensemble Kalman‐filter‐based history matching framework for gas, gas condensate, and volatile oil reservoirs, which synergizes time‐lapse gravity and interferometric synthetic aperture radar data for improved reservoir management and reservoir forecasts. Based on a dual state–parameter estimation algorithm separating the estimation of static reservoir parameters from the dynamic reservoir parameters, our numerical experiments demonstrate that history matching gravity measurements allow monitoring the density changes caused by oil–gas phase transition and water influx to determine the saturation levels, whereas the interferometric synthetic aperture radar measurements help to improve the forecasts of hydrocarbon production and water displacement directions. The reservoir estimates resulting from the dual filtering scheme are on average 20%–40% better than those from the joint estimation scheme, but require about a 30% increase in computational cost.
Multipathing in three‐parameter common‐image gathers from reverse‐time migration
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhang Qunshan , McMechan George A. , Gonzalez Gladys
Published: August 2016

Reverse‐time migration gives high‐quality, complete images by using full‐wave extrapolations. It is thus not subject to important limitations of other migrations that are based on high‐frequency or one‐way approximations. The cross‐correlation imaging condition in two‐dimensional pre‐stack reverse‐time migration of common‐source data explicitly sums the product of the (forward‐propagating) source and (backward‐propagating) receiver wavefields over all image times. The primary contribution at any image point travels a minimum‐time path that has only one (specular) reflection, and it usually corresponds to a local maximum amplitude. All other contributions at the same image point are various types of multipaths, including prismatic multi‐arrivals, free‐surface and internal multiples, converted waves, and all crosstalk noise, which are imaged at later times, and potentially create migration artefacts. A solution that facilitates inclusion of correctly imaged, non‐primary arrivals and removal of the related artefacts, is to save the depth versus incident angle slice at each image time (rather than automatically summing them). This results in a three‐parameter (incident angle, depth, and image time) common‐image volume that integrates, into a single unified representation, attributes that were previously computed by separate processes. The volume can be post‐processed by selecting any desired combination of primary and/or multipath data before stacking over image time. Separate images (with or without artifacts) and various projections can then be produced without having to remigrate the data, providing an efficient tool for optimization of migration images. A numerical example for a simple model shows how primary and prismatic multipath contributions merge into a single incident angle versus image time trajectory. A second example, using synthetic data from the Sigsbee2 model, shows that the contributions to subsalt images of primary and multipath (in this case, turning wave) reflections are different. The primary reflections contain most of the information in regions away from the salt, but both primary and multipath data contribute in the subsalt region.
Sub‐sample time shift and horizontal displacement measurements using phase‐correlation method in time‐lapse seismic
Authors: Tomar Gaurav , Singh Satish C. , Montagner Jean‐Paul
Published: August 2016

Hydrocarbon production and fluid injection affect the level of subsurface stress and physical properties of the subsurface, and can cause reservoir‐related issues, such as compaction and subsidence. Monitoring of oil and gas reservoirs is therefore crucial. Time‐lapse seismic is used to monitor reservoirs and provide evidence of saturation and pressure changes within the reservoir. However, relative to background velocities and reflector depths, the time‐lapse changes in velocity and geomechanical properties are typically small between consecutive surveys. These changes can be measured by using apparent displacement between migrated images obtained from recorded data of multiple time‐lapse surveys. Apparent displacement measurements by using the classical cross‐correlation method are poorly resolved. Here, we propose the use of a phase‐correlation method, which has been developed in satellite imaging for sub‐pixel registration of the images, to overcome the limitations of cross‐correlation. Phase correlation provides both vertical and horizontal displacements with a much better resolution. After testing the method on synthetic data, we apply it to a real dataset from the Norne oil field and show that the phase‐correlation method can indeed provide better resolution.
Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate augments therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells in skin wound healing
Authors: Li Min , Xu Jingxing , Shi Tongxin , Yu Haiyang , Bi Jianping , Chen Guanzhi
Published: August 2016

In non‐healing wounds, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐based therapies have the potential to activate a series of coordinated cellular processes, including angiogenesis, inflammation, cell migration, proliferation and epidermal terminal differentiation. As pro‐inflammatory reactions play indispensable roles in initiating wound repair, sustained and prolonged inflammation exhibit detrimental effects on skin wound closure. We investigated the feasibility of using an antioxidant agent epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), along with MSCs, to improve wound repair through their immunomodulatory actions. In a rat model of wound healing, a single dose of EGCG at 10 mg/kg increased the efficiency of MSC‐induced skin wound closure. Twenty days after the wound induction, MSC treatment significantly enhanced the epidermal thickness, which was further increased by EGCG administration. Consistently, the highest extent of growth factors upregulation for neovascularization induction was seen in the animals treated by both MSCs and EGCG, associated with a potent anti‐scarring effect throughout the healing process. Finally, expression levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐6, in the wound area were reduced by MSCs, and this reduction was further potentiated by EGCG co‐administration. EGCG, together with MSCs, can promote skin wound healing likely through their combinational effects in modulating chronic inflammation.
Blunted renal vasoconstriction in patients with subclinical contrast‐induced renal injury
Authors: Kurihara Osamu , Seino Yoshihiko , Shibata Yusaku , Matsushita Masato , Komiyama Hidenori , Kato Katsuhito , Murakami Daisuke , Munakata Ryo , Takano Masamichi , Miyauchi Yasushi , Hata Noritake , Shimizu Wataru
Published: August 2016

Contrast media are considered to cause acute kidney injury by activating various factors that induce renal vasoconstriction. We analysed the renal microvascular haemodynamic response using the Doppler flow wire method. Then changes in urinary liver‐type fatty acid‐binding protein levels following contrast medium administration were compared between groups with or without a micro‐injury of the kidney. In the group without renal micro‐injury, the average peak velocity (APV) decreased significantly, whereas the renal artery resistance index (RI) increased significantly following contrast medium administration. In contrast, there was no significant change in either the APV or RI in the group with a renal micro‐injury. A blunted microvascular response was found in the micro‐injury group, whereas microvascular resistance increased in the non‐micro‐injury group.
Inhibition of CD8+ T cells and elimination of myeloid cells by CD4+ Foxp3− T regulatory type 1 cells in acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Li Guang‐Gang , Cao Ying‐Hua , Run Yue , Xu Ru‐Xiang , Zheng Zhen‐Dong
Published: August 2016

Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are caused by rapid‐onset bilateral pulmonary inflammation. We therefore investigated the potential role of interleukin (IL)‐10+CD4+ Tr1 cells, a regulatory T cell subset with previously identified immunosuppressive functions, in ARDS patients. We first showed that circulating Tr1 cells were upregulated in active and resolved ARDS patients compared to healthy controls and pneumonia patient controls. A significant fraction of these Tr1 cells expressed granzyme B and perforin, while most Tr1 cells did not express interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), IL‐4, IL‐17 or FOXP3, suggesting that the effector functions of these Tr1 cells were primarily mediated by IL‐10, granzyme B, and perforin. Indeed, Tr1 cells effectively suppressed CD8+ T cell IFN‐γ production and induced lysis of monocytes and dendritic cells in vitro. The elimination of myeloid antigen‐presenting cells depended on granzyme B production. We also discovered that Tr1 cells could be identified in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from ARDS patients. All these results suggested that Tr1 cells possessed the capacity to downregulate inflammation in ARDS. In support of this, we found that ARDS patients who resolved the inflammation and survived the syndrome contained significantly higher levels of Tr1 cells than ARDS patients who succumbed to the syndrome. Overall, this report added a novel piece of evidence that ARDS could be intervened by regulatory T cell‐mediated suppressive mechanisms.
The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on heart rate variability during the night in patients with chronic heart failure and central sleep apnoea
Authors: Terziyski Kiril V , Draganova Aneliya I , Taralov Zdravko Z , Ilchev Ilcho S , Kostianev Stefan S
Published: August 2016

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves autonomic activity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and central sleep apnoea (CSA), but its effect on heart rate variability (HRV) during therapy has not been reported. We hypothesized that CPAP may decrease HRV, despite its beneficial effects on sympathetic overactivation, due to the expected stabilization of breathing. Sixty‐seven CHF patients underwent polysomnography (PSG). Ten of them presented with CSA (age 66.1±8.5 years, apnoea‐hypopnea index [AHI]=57.6±23.3, central AHI [cAHI]=41.6±24.6 [mean±SD]) and were subjected to a second PSG with manual CPAP titration. Beat‐to‐beat heart intervals for a 6‐hour period of sleep were extracted from each recording and HRV was analysed. CPAP significantly reduced AHI (AHI=23.1±18.3 P=.004). Standard deviation of normal‐normal interbeat interval (SDNN) (61.5±29.0 vs 49.5±19.3 ms, P=.021), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) (21.8±9.2 vs 16.4±7.1 ms, P=.042), total power (lnTP=7.8±1.1 vs 7.4±0.8 ms2, P=.037), low frequency power (lnLF=5.5±1.5 vs 5.0±1.4 ms2, P=.003) and high frequency power (lnHF=4.6±1.0 vs 4.0±1.0 ms2, P=.024) were decreased. There was a strong correlation between the decrease in AHI and the decrease in lnHF (Spearman's ρ=.782). CPAP leads to a decrease in spectral and time domain parameters of HRV during therapy in CHF patients with CSA. These changes are best explained by the effect which CPAP‐influenced breathing pattern and lowered AHI exert on HRV.
New insights into molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in kidney disease
Authors: Mimura Imari , Tanaka Tetsuhiro , Nangaku Masaomi
Published: August 2016

The number of patients with kidney failure has increased in recent years. Different factors contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease, including glomerular sclerosis, atherosclerosis of the renal arteries and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Tubulointerstitial injury is induced by hypoxia and other inflammatory signals, leading to fibroblast activation. Technological advances using high‐throughput sequencing has enabled the determination of the expression profile of almost all genes, revealing that gene expression is intricately regulated by DNA methylation, histone modification, changes in chromosome conformation, long non‐coding RNAs and microRNAs. These epigenetic modifications are stored as cellular epigenetic memory. Epigenetic memory leads to adult‐onset disease or ageing in the long term and may possibly play an important role in the kidney disease process. Herein we emphasize the importance of clarifying the molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic modifications because this may lead to the development of new therapeutic targets in kidney disease.
Does tranexamic acid prevent postpartum haemorrhage? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Ker K , Shakur H , Roberts I
Published: August 2016

Background

Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality. Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces surgical haemorrhage and the risk of death in bleeding trauma patients.

Objectives

To assess the effects of TXA on risk of postpartum haemorrhage and other clinically relevant outcomes.

Search strategy

We searched the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP electronic databases to May 2015.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials comparing TXA with no TXA or placebo in women giving birth vaginally or by caesarean section.

Data collection and analysis

Two authors extracted data and assessed the risk of bias for each trial. Because of data concerns we did not conduct a meta‐analysis.

Main results

We found 26 trials including a total of 4191 women. Examination of the trial reports raised concerns about the quality of the data. Eight trial reports contained identical or similar text and there were important data inconsistencies in several trials. Two trials did not have ethics committee approval. Meta‐analysis of baseline variables suggested that randomisation was inadequate in many trials.

Conclusions

There is no reliable evidence that TXA prevents postpartum haemorrhage during childbirth. Many of the trials conducted to date are small, low quality and contain serious flaws.

Tweetable abstract

No evidence that TXA prevents postpartum haemorrhage. Existing trials are unreliable, with serious flaws.
Medication Nonadherence: The Role of Cost, Community, and Individual Factors
Authors: Abbass Ibrahim , Revere Lee , Mitchell Jordan , Appari Ajit
Published: August 2016

Objective

To explain the association of out‐of‐pocket (OOP) cost, community‐level factors, and individual characteristics on statin therapy nonadherence.

Data Sources

BlueCross BlueShield of Texas claims data for the period of 2008–2011.

Study Design

A retrospective cohort of 49,176 insured patients, aged 18–64 years, with at least one statin refill during 2008–2011 was analyzed. Using a weighted proportion of days covered ratio, differences between adherent and nonadherent groups are assessed using chi‐squared tests, t‐tests, and a clustered generalized linear model with logit link function.

Principal Findings

Statin therapy adherence, measured at 48 percent, is associated with neighborhood‐level socioeconomic factors, including race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and poverty level. Individual characteristics influencing adherence include OOP medication cost, gender, age, comorbid conditions, and total health care utilization.

Conclusions

This study signifies the importance of OOP costs as a determinant of adherence to medications, but more interestingly, the results suggest that other socioeconomic factors, as measured by neighborhood‐level variables, have a greater association on the likelihood of adherence. The results may be of interest to policy makers, benefit designers, self‐insured employers, and provider organizations.
Chemical and Cellular Antioxidant Activities of Chicken Breast Muscle Subjected to Various Thermal Treatments Followed by Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion
Authors: Sangsawad Papungkorn , Kiatsongchai Ratana , Chitsomboon Benjamart , Yongsawatdigul Jirawat
Published: August 2016

The effect of thermal treatments on chemical and cellular antioxidant activities of chicken breasts subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was investigated. Breast of Korat crossbred chicken (KC) and commercial broiler (BR) were cooked under various conditions, namely heating at 70 °C for 30 min (H‐0.5) and 24 h (H‐24), autoclaving (AC) at 121°C for 15 min (AC‐15) and 60 min (AC‐60). Protein digestibility decreased upon the extreme thermal treatment of AC‐60. The H‐0.5 improved metal chelating activity of KC digesta, FRAP, and anti‐liposome oxidation of BR digesta. Digesta of BR/H‐0.5 and KC/AC‐15 at 50 μg/mL exhibited the highest cytoprotective effect against tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)‐induced oxidative damage of HepG2 cells. In addition, the KC/AC‐15 digesta at a concentration as low as 12.5 μg/mL inhibited intracellular TBHP‐induced reactive oxyfen species (ROS) production (P < 0.05). Thus, the digesta of KC breasts subjected to AC‐15 provides not only nutritional value but also antioxidant activity at the cellular level.
Prevalence of celiac disease in first‐degree relative of children in Sistan and Baluchestan province (Iran)
Authors: Shahraki Touran , Hill Ivor
Published: August 2016

Objective

To determine the prevalence of elevated antibodies and histological changes of celiac disease (CD) on intestinal biopsies among first‐degree relatives (FDR) of Iranian children with known CD and to describe the characteristics of the affected FDR.

Method

The FDR of 119 patients with CD in Iran were tested for tissue transglutaminase (TTG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels. Upper endoscopy and duodenal biopsy were recommended to those with elevated TTG‐IgA antibodies. The characteristics and clinical features of all CD patients were recorded.

Results

Altogether 480 FDR (52.7% females) participated in the study, of whom 63 had an elevated TTG‐IgA and 44 consented to undergo endoscopy with biopsies. Histology revealed Marsh 0 in six, Marsh I in seven, Marsh II in four and Marsh III in 27. Most of those with Marsh II or III changes were siblings (26/31). The prevalence of TTG‐IgA positivity among FDR was 13.1% and for biopsy‐confirmed CD (Marsh II and III) it was 6.5%. Most FDR with CD had symptoms, with the most common being abdominal pain (45.0%), followed by musculoskeletal pain (35.5%) and constipation (25.8%). FDR with Marsh III changes had significantly higher levels of TTG‐IgA.

Conclusions

The prevalence of CD in FDR in Iran is much higher compared with the general population (6.5% vs 0.5–0.6%). Testing should be considered for all FDR of Iranian patients with known CD and in particular in symptomatic cases.
Role of phenazines and cyclic lipopeptides produced by pseudomonas sp. CMR12a in induced systemic resistance on rice and bean
Authors: Ma Zongwang , Hua Gia Khuong Hoang , Ongena Marc , Höfte Monica
Published: August 2016

Pseudomonas sp. CMR12a produces two different classes of cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) (orfamides and sessilins), which all play a role in direct antagonism against soilborne pathogens. Here we show that Pseudomonas sp. CMR12a is also able to induce systemic resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae on rice and to the web blight pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG2‐2 on bean. Plant assays with biosynthesis mutants of Pseudomonas sp. CMR12a impaired in the production of phenazines and/or CLPs and purified metabolites revealed that distinct bacterial determinants are responsible for inducing systemic resistance in these two pathosystems. In rice, mutants impaired in phenazine production completely lost their ability to induce systemic resistance, while a soil drench with pure phenazine‐1‐carboxamide (PCN) at a concentration of 0.1 or 1 μM was active in inducing resistance against M. oryzae. In bean, mutants that only produced phenazines, sessilins or orfamides were still able to induce systemic resistance against Rhizoctonia web blight, but a balanced production of these metabolites was needed. This study not only shows that Pseudomonas sp. CMR12a can protect rice to blast disease and bean to web blight disease, but also displays that the determinants involved in induced systemic resistance are plant, pathogen and concentration dependent.
Electrophysiological and Behavioral Effects of Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Alcohol Approach Bias Retraining in Hazardous Drinkers
Authors: den Uyl Tess E. , Gladwin Thomas E. , Wiers Reinout W.
Published: August 2016

Background

Cognitive bias modification (CBM) can be used to retrain automatic approach tendencies for alcohol. We investigated whether changing cortical excitability with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could enhance CBM effects in hazardous drinkers. We also studied the underlying mechanisms by including behavioral (craving, implicit associations, approach tendencies) and electrophysiological (event‐related potentials) measurements.

Methods

The analytical sample consisted of 78 hazardous drinkers (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test >8) randomly assigned to 4 conditions in a 2‐by‐2 factorial design (control/active CBM and sham/active tDCS). The intervention consisted of 3 sessions of CBM, specifically alcohol approach bias retraining, combined with 15 minutes 1 mA tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. There was a pre‐ and postassessment before and after the intervention that included experimental tasks (Approach Avoidance Task, Implicit Association Task) and an electroencephalogram with an oddball and cue‐reactivity task.

Results

tDCS decreased cue‐induced craving (but not overall craving) on postassessment. CBM did not induce an avoidance bias during assessment. During the training, active and control‐CBM only differed in bias score during the first session. We found no enhancement effects of tDCS on CBM. Electrophysiological data showed no clear effects of active tDCS or CBM on the P300.

Conclusions

There were no electrophysiological or behavioral effects of repeated CBM and/or tDCS, except for an effect of tDCS on craving. Applied in these specific ways these techniques appear to have limited effects in a hazardous drinking population.
Trends and Correlates of Disparities in Alcohol‐Related Mortality Between Hispanics and Non‐Hispanic Whites in the United States, 1999 to 2014
Authors: Mejia de Grubb Maria C. , Salemi Jason L. , Gonzalez Sandra J. , Zoorob Roger J. , Levine Robert S.
Published: August 2016

Background

Among Hispanics, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are among the leading causes of death despite generally lower alcohol consumption rates. Moreover, recent national studies have suggested temporal changes in Hispanic consumption and alcohol mortality, which raises the question of whether Hispanic white disparities in alcohol‐related mortality are also changing over time. This study aimed to describe temporal trends of alcohol‐related mortality between Hispanics and non‐Hispanic (NH) whites in the United States from 1999 to 2014 and to assess county‐level sociodemographic characteristics that are associated with racial/ethnic disparities in age‐adjusted alcohol‐related mortality.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based, cross‐sectional, ecologic study using multiple cause‐of‐death mortality data linked, at the county level, to census data from the American Community Survey.

Results

Overall, 77% of alcohol‐related deaths were among men, and Hispanic men had the highest age‐adjusted alcohol‐related mortality rate (41.6 per 100,000), followed by NH white men (34.8), NH white women (10.8), and Hispanic women (6.7). Whereas the relative gap in alcohol‐related mortality between NH white and Hispanic women increased from 1999 to 2014, the disparity between NH white and Hispanic men that was pronounced in earlier years was eliminated by 2012. From 2007 to 2014, when the race/ethnic disparity among men was decreasing, county‐specific Hispanic:NH white age‐adjusted mortality ratios (AAMRs) ranged from 0.29 to 2.64. Lower Hispanic rates were associated with large metropolitan counties, and those counties that tended to have Hispanic populations were less acculturated, as evidenced by their higher rates of being foreign‐born, non‐U.S. citizens or citizens through naturalization, and a higher proportion that do not speak English “very well.”

Conclusions

Since 1999, whereas the increasing mortality rate among whites is leading to a widening gap among women, mortality differences between Hispanic and white men have been eliminated. The understanding of contextual factors that are associated with disparities in alcohol‐related mortality may assist in tailoring prevention efforts that meet the needs of minority populations.
The Australian experience following plain packaging: the impact on tobacco branding
Authors: Greenland Steven J.
Published: August 2016

Aims

Brands are critical to tobacco marketing. Industry stakeholders predicted that plain packaging, by removing key tangible branding dimensions, would restrict new products and brand differentiation. However, manufacturers respond innovatively to limit regulatory impact. This study investigates brand strategy following plain packaging's introduction to Australia.

Methods

Brand portfolios were determined using 2006–15 tobacco ingredient reports. These detail the brand and variant names sold and are provided annually as part of a voluntary agreement between the Australian Government and leading manufacturers. Post‐plain packaging brand ranges were verified using retail price lists and a supermarket retail audit using a method used previously to verify a period of pre‐plain packaging data.

Results

The verification process identified some data inaccuracies from one manufacturer which resulted in the issuing of corrected data. After plain packaging the leading manufacturers continued with extensive brand ranges differentiated by price. All launched new products. While total brand numbers fell from 29 to 24, the mean number of variants for the leading 12 brands grew from 8.9 to 9.7. Substantial variant name modifications occurred with 50 new or modified names in 2012–13. Among leading brands, the incidence of variant colour names increased from 49.5 to 79.3%.

Conclusions

New brands and variants were not inhibited by the introduction of plain packaging in Australia. After plain packaging, leading brand variant numbers expanded by 9 to 116 and colour variant names increased by 73.6% and became the norm—lighter colours (blue, gold and silver) dominated, perpetuating notions of less harmful cigarettes. [Correction added on 09 September 2016, after first online publication: The figures in the last sentence of the Abstract are now corrected from ‘expanded by 116’ to ‘expanded by 9 to 116’.]
Novel Y‐chromosome short tandem repeats in Sus scrofa and their variation in European wild boar and domestic pig populations
Authors: Iacolina L. , Brajković V. , Canu A. , Šprem N. , Cubric‐Curik V. , Fontanesi L. , Saarma U. , Apollonio M. , Scandura M.
Published: August 2016

Y‐chromosome markers are important tools for studying male‐specific gene flow within and between populations, hybridization patterns and kinship. However, their use in non‐human mammals is often hampered by the lack of Y‐specific polymorphic markers. We identified new male‐specific short tandem repeats (STRs) in Sus scrofa using the available genome sequence. We selected four polymorphic loci (5–10 alleles per locus), falling in one duplicated and two single‐copy regions. A total of 32 haplotypes were found by screening 211 individuals from eight wild boar populations across Europe and five domestic pig populations. European wild boar were characterized by significantly higher levels of haplotype diversity compared to European domestic pigs (HD = 0.904 ± 0.011 and HD = 0.491 ± 0.077 respectively). Relationships among STR haplotypes were investigated by combining them with single nucleotide polymorphisms at two linked genes (AMELY and UTY) in a network analysis. A differentiation between wild and domestic populations was observed (FST = 0.229), with commercial breeds sharing no Y haplotype with the sampled wild boar. Similarly, a certain degree of geographic differentiation was observed across Europe, with a number of local private haplotypes and high diversity in northern populations. The described Y‐chromosome markers can be useful to track male inheritance and gene flow in wild and domestic populations, promising to provide insights into evolutionary and population genetics in Sus scrofa.
Prevalence of maternal chronic diseases during pregnancy – a nationwide population based study from 1989 to 2013
Authors: Jølving Line Riis , Nielsen Jan , Kesmodel Ulrik Schiøler , Nielsen Rasmus Gaardskær , Beck‐Nielsen Signe Sparre , Nørgård Bente Mertz
Published: August 2016

Introduction

There is substantial evidence of a negative impact of maternal chronic disease during pregnancy on reproductive outcomes. Knowledge of the prevalence of chronic diseases during pregnancy is limited, but essential for a focused preventive effort regarding optimal disease control during pregnancy. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of chronic diseases during pregnancy.

Material and Methods

This register‐based cohort study included all women giving birth in Denmark between 1989 and 2013 based on data from Danish health registers. Maternal chronic diseases included 23 disease categories of both physical and mental health conditions recorded within a period of 10 years before childbirth.

Results

We included 1 362 200 childbirths during the study period. The overall prevalence of maternal chronic disease increased from 3.71% in 1989 to 15.76% in 2013. The most frequently registered chronic diseases were chronic lung diseases/asthma (1.73%), thyroid disorders (1.50%) and anxiety and personality disorders (1.33%). Taking increasing maternal age at birth into account, the relative risk for women to have a chronic disease from 2009 to 2013 was 4.14 (95% CI 4.05–4.22), compared with mothers giving birth from 1989 to 1993.

Conclusions

We found an increasing prevalence of maternal chronic disease during pregnancy and more than a four‐fold increased risk of maternal chronic disease during pregnancy for childbirths in the period 2009 through 2013, compared with 1989 through 1993. The main limitation of our study is related to a potentially greater awareness and hence more careful registration of maternal chronic disease over time and thereby an increased tendency to register diseases.