bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Maternal thinking” and the concept of “vulnerability” in security paradigms, policies, and practices
Authors: Cohn Carol
Published: May 2015

This article takes as its starting point Sara Ruddick’s discussion of “vulnerability” in her 1989 groundbreaking book Maternal Thinking: Toward a Politics of Peace. It examines the kind of thinking about vulnerability that Ruddick describes as developed through maternal practice and uses it as a heuristic device for rethinking the conceptions of and responses to vulnerability that permeate national and international security discourses. It explores the specific forms of practice and reason that are implicated by these different stances toward vulnerability and shows that the (often unexamined) assumptions underlying these stances are profoundly consequential for both policy and practice. Specifically, it takes both nuclear weapons and the so-called Global War on Terror as particular forms of response to perceived vulnerability and scrutinizes the practices associated with each in light of the forms of rationality arising from maternal practice. It also explores the assumptions underlying the concept of “vulnerable groups” commonly employed in international policy institutions, teasing out their implications for politics, policy, and action. Overall, it argues that Ruddick’s articulation of maternal thinking provides a valuable resource for reimagining transformed and transformative security practices.
Sara Ruddick’s Maternal Thinking as weaving epistemology for justpeace
Authors: Confortini Catia C , Ruane Abigail E
Published: May 2015

How is it possible to create more just forms of peace in our world? This article responds to calls for a feminist theory/peace studies collaboration by integrating work on feminist care ethics and conflict transformation. We propose that justpeace is possible by strengthening ways of knowing which sustainably weave together understandings of “self” and “other” to support relationships of care over dehumanization and violence. Building on Sara Ruddick’s work, we argue that her “maternal thinking” can be understood as a feminist “weaving” epistemology or flexible way of knowing that promotes meaningful inclusion, symmetrical power relations, and positive peace through three major practices: (1) living with dissonance, (2) creatively overcoming disconnects between the interests of the self and the other, and (3) bridging practical goals for surviving the present with more idealistic goals for best practices in the future. As such, it provides an alternative to “othering” practices at individual, national, and international levels which reinforce asymmetrical power relations, strengthen unjust social, economic and political structures, and support violent conflict. In conclusion, we illustrate how this weaving epistemology supports human rights practices promoting people over profit, equality over discrimination and violence, and restorative rather than retributive forms of conflict transformation.
Self-care: Managing compassion fatigue
Authors: McNutt Louise , Watson Max
Published: May 2015

There is great potential within general practice for doctors to neglect their own physical, emotional and spiritual needs as a result of the ever-increasing demands of their role. Such neglect is neither in the interests of doctors, their families or their patients. Ultimately, a healthy, balanced and emotionally stable doctor is a doctor who is likely to make better decisions. Looking after patients with palliative care needs can place particular burdens on GPs, especially if there has been a long-term relationship with the patient; the patient evokes memories of close personal experiences from the past; or the physical and emotional burdens that the patient faces are unusually difficult. This article will look at the issues surrounding compassion fatigue, burnout and resilience, and discuss the ways in which a GP can devise strategies to manage the former while trying to build the latter.
Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Raspovic Katherine M. , Hobizal Kimberlee B. , Rosario Bedda L. , Wukich Dane K.
Published: May 2015

Introduction. Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) and diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) are serious complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can result in infection, hospitalization, amputation, and have been shown to negatively affect quality of life (QOL). To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature that have specifically compared QOL in patients with diabetic CN without DFU to a group of patients with diabetic CN and concurrent DFU. The aim of this study was to compare self-reported assessments of QOL in patients with CN to a group of patients with CN and concomitant midfoot ulceration. Materials and Methods. We compared a group of 35 diabetic patients with midfoot CN and no ulcer to a group of 22 diabetic patients with midfoot CN and concurrent DFU. Self-reported outcome was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Results. No significant differences were found when comparing the 2 groups utilizing the SF-36 and FAAM with the exception that CN patients without foot ulcers had lower mean scores on the Bodily Pain Subscale. Both groups demonstrated negative impact on physical QOL and lower extremity function to a greater degree than mental QOL. Conclusion. The presence of ulceration does not appear to significantly impact QOL in patients with CN when compared to patients with CN without ulceration.

Levels of Evidence: Prognostic, Level III: Case control
Claw Toe Deformity of the Foot due to Foreign Body Granuloma
Authors: Bhowmick Kaushik , Matthai Thomas , Nesaraj Jerry , Jepegnanam Thilak S.
Published: May 2015

We present a case of dynamic claw deformity of the right third toe due to a foreign body granuloma adhering to the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon at the level of the body of the metacarpal bone. The deformity was completely corrected after removal of the granuloma and lengthening of the FDL tendon. A 25-year-old woman presented with pain and claw deformity of the right third toe, which corrected with ankle plantar flexion. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging suggested the presence of foreign body granuloma of the right FDL tendon at the level of body of third metacarpal bone. On removal of the granuloma and Z plasty of the FDL tendon, there was complete correction of the claw. In the reported literature, claw deformity is seen with compartment syndrome or ankle fractures due to fixed length phenomenon or checkrein deformity of the flexor tendons usually at the level of medial part of the ankle. Here, we present a case of checkrein claw deformity of the FDL tendon due to a foreign body granuloma.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case study
A Short-Term Retrospective of First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Using a Plate With PocketLock Fixation
Authors: Gross Christopher E. , Bei Chaoyong , Gay Tenaja , Parekh Selene G.
Published: May 2015

Background. Various techniques have been described for arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review the results of fixation for the first MTP arthrodesis of patients treated using dome-shaped reamers to prepare the joint surfaces and a novel MTP Plate with PocketLock fixation. Methods. Between July 2012 and November 2013, 16 feet in 16 patients were treated with a first MTP arthrodesis with a MTP Plate with PocketLock fixation. The mean patient age was 58.8 years (range, 46-82 years). Physical and radiographic examinations were performed at follow-up visits. The average follow-up period was 17.3 months. The radiographs were examined for union (3 bridging cortices), time to union, hardware failure, or other radiographic complications. The charts were reviewed to assess AOFAS-MTP-IP (American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal) scores and postoperative complications. Results. Fusion was seen in 11 of 16 feet (68.8%) and partial union in 1 patient (6.3%). Five nonunions (31.2%) were noted in the sample group: All were symptomatic and required revision surgery. No malunions were identified in our sample. One hardware failure was documented in a nonunion patient. The mean time to osseous union was 81.7 ± 15.9 days. The preoperative AOFAS MTP-IP score was 55.6 and the postoperative score was 64.7. Conclusion. The high nonunion and revision surgery rates demonstrate that this particular plate should be used with caution for a first MTP joint arthrodesis.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case series
A Systematic Review of Dietary Assessment Tools for Children Age 11 Years and Younger
Authors: Olukotun Oluwatoyin , Seal Nuananong
Published: May 2015

Dietary assessment tools are useful in nutritional epidemiology for identifying dietary patterns in both children and adults. Most commonly, dietary assessment methods include 24-hour recalls, food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), and food records. Despite the general acceptability of these methods, their accuracy and appropriateness for children have largely been underexamined. The purpose of this review was to identify the most appropriate dietary assessment methods for children age 11 years and younger by evaluating the existing evidence in relation to the validity and reliability of dietary assessment tools used in this population. This review consists of a systematic search of 3 electronic databases. In total, 9 studies with a sum of 735 participants were included in the review: 3 studies assessed the validity of 24-hour recalls; 5 assessed the validity of FFQs; and 1 assessed the validity of food record. The findings suggest that a FFQ may be the best method for assessing dietary intake in children between 9 months and 11 years of age. Further research is needed on the validity and reliability of these conventional dietary assessment methods used in young children.
Credentials for a PharmD graduate: The voyage never ends
Authors: Salahudeen Mohammed Saji , Nishtala Prasad S
Published: May 2015

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) is a professional pharmacy degree qualification offered by universities world-wide. While the graduates from the West are familiar with scope and job opportunities that present on completion of a PharmD degree, graduates from Asia and the Middle-East are coming to grips with the future of PharmD program and the role that it could play in career advancement. Through this review, we would like to highlight that numerous credential programs are available which can be added to the armory of PharmD graduates for advancement of their professional careers. The credentials detailed in this review are designed for PharmD graduates to optimize pharmaceutical care in specialized clinical settings such as geriatrics and ambulatory medicine. We have assembled an extensive list of post-PharmD educational opportunities to enhance professional practice for pharmacy graduates.
Schools and religious communities’ contributions to the religious formation of Christian youth
Authors: de Kock A
Published: May 2015

This article questions the implications of tribal forms of religious socialization for (religious) schools’ and communities’ contributions to the religious formation of Christian youth. It clarifies that the religious education of a new generation of young Christians requires authorities and communities to connect in a worldwide pedagogical space that includes contemporary participating youth. This argument is made against the background of the Dutch case, where young Christians grow up in a de-institutionalized world increasingly influenced by multi-religious and secular voices.
Selections From the ABC 2014 Annual Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Authors: Whalen D. Joel
Published: May 2015

This article, the second of a two-part series, features 11 teaching innovations presented at the 2014 Association for Business Communication annual conference. These 11 assignments included leadership and other-focused communication—detecting communication style, adaptive communication, personality type, delivering feedback, problem solving, and critical thinking—and projects—analytic reports, presentation, slide deck creation, visual tools, ethics, team communication, field observation and reporting, rhetoric, persuasion, advertising messages strategies, delivering bad news, reporting financial data, and cross-cultural and international communication. Additional teaching materials—including instructions to students, stimulus materials, slides, grading rubrics, frequently asked questions, and sample student projects—are posted on the Association for Business Communication website http://businesscommunication.org/assignments .
Microstructural study of cold forged and annealed Mg alloys
Authors: Lu L. , Zhao J. , Liu L. , Wang G.
Published: May 2015

Cold forging deformations (3 and 8) were carried out on extruded AZ31 and AZ61 Mg alloys, and subsequent annealing is performed at 573 K for different durations. The microstructure evolution is investigated and further analysed. The results show that the thick lenticular twinning is mainly formed at initial deformation stage and subsequently transforms into narrow band twinning. Compared to AZ31, AZ61 produces broader twins with lower volume fraction in response to 3 cold forging due to Al–Mn phase hindering the twinning activity and plastic deformation. Twin boundary plays an important role in refining grains as it provides the nucleation sites of static recrystallisation. Moreover, as for AZ61, the starting and ending times of static recrystallisation are much later than those of AZ31.
The PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PF-04691502 induces apoptosis and inhibits microenvironmental signaling in CLL and the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model
Authors: Blunt Matthew D. , Carter Matthew J. , Larrayoz Marta , Smith Lindsay D. , Aguilar-Hernandez Maria , Cox Kerry L. , Tipton Thomas , Reynolds Mark , Murphy Sarah , Lemm Elizabeth , Dias Samantha , Duncombe Andrew , Strefford Jonathan C. , Johnson Peter W. M. , Forconi Francesco , Stevenson Freda K. , Packham Graham , Cragg Mark S. , Steele Andrew J.
Published: May 2015

Key Points

PF-04691502 induces potent apoptosis in CLL cells and suppresses prosurvival anti–immunoglobulin M signaling and CXCL12-induced migration. PF-04691502 displays powerful antitumor effects in vivo in the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model.
CCR5 susceptibility to ligand-mediated down-modulation differs between human T lymphocytes and myeloid cells
Authors: Fox James M , Kasprowicz Richard , Hartley Oliver , Signoret Nathalie
Published: May 2015

CCR5 is a chemokine receptor expressed on leukocytes and a coreceptor used by HIV-1 to enter CD4+ T lymphocytes and macrophages. Stimulation of CCR5 by chemokines triggers internalization of chemokine-bound CCR5 molecules in a process called down-modulation, which contributes to the anti-HIV activity of chemokines. Recent studies have shown that CCR5 conformational heterogeneity influences chemokine-CCR5 interactions and HIV-1 entry in transfected cells or activated CD4+ T lymphocytes. However, the effect of CCR5 conformations on other cell types and on the process of down-modulation remains unclear. We used mAbs, some already shown to detect distinct CCR5 conformations, to compare the behavior of CCR5 on in vitro generated human T cell blasts, monocytes and MDMs and CHO-CCR5 transfectants. All human cells express distinct antigenic forms of CCR5 not detected on CHO-CCR5 cells. The recognizable populations of CCR5 receptors exhibit different patterns of down-modulation on T lymphocytes compared with myeloid cells. On T cell blasts, CCR5 is recognized by all antibodies and undergoes rapid chemokine-mediated internalization, whereas on monocytes and MDMs, a pool of CCR5 molecules is recognized by a subset of antibodies and is not removed from the cell surface. We demonstrate that this cell surface–retained form of CCR5 responds to prolonged treatment with more-potent chemokine analogs and acts as an HIV-1 coreceptor. Our findings indicate that the regulation of CCR5 is highly specific to cell type and provide a potential explanation for the observation that native chemokines are less-effective HIV-entry inhibitors on macrophages compared with T lymphocytes.
Th17 polarization of memory Th cells in early arthritis: the vasoactive intestinal peptide effect
Authors: Jimeno Rebeca , Leceta Javier , Garín Marina , Ortiz Ana M , Mellado Mario , Rodríguez-Frade Jose Miguel , Martínez Carmen , Pérez-García Selene , Gomariz Rosa P , Juarranz Yasmina
Published: May 2015

Several studies in humans indicate the implication of Th17 cells in RA. Therapies targeting their pathogenicity, as well as their plasticity to the Th17/1 phenotype, could ameliorate the progression of the pathology. The neuroendocrine environment has a major impact on the differentiation of lymphoid cells. VIP is present in the microenvironment of the joint, and its known therapeutic effects are supported by several studies on RA. We examine the ability of VIP to modulate the differentiation of Th17 cells. Peripheral blood CD4+CD45RO+ T cells from HD and eRA patients were expanded under Th17-polarizing conditions in the presence of TGF-β. After 7 days, the higher IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-9 levels and lower IL-22 levels indicate the nonpathogenic profile for Th17 cells in HD. In contrast, Th17 cells from eRA patients produced significantly more IL-22 and IFN-γ, and these cells show a more Th17/1 profile, indicating a pathogenic phenotype. Interestingly, when VIP was present in the Th17 conditioned medium, increased levels of IL-10 and IL-9 were detected in HD and eRA patients. VIP also reduced the levels of IL-22 in eRA patients. These data suggest that VIP reduces the pathogenic profile of the Th17-polarized cells. This effect was accompanied by an increased in the Treg/Th17 profile, as shown by the increase levels of Foxp3. In conclusion, this report addresses a novel and interesting question on the effect of VIP on human Th17 cells and adds clinical relevance by analyzing, in parallel, HD and eRA patients.
Phenotypic and functional characterization of Bst+/- mouse retina
Authors: Riazifar Hamidreza , Sun Guoli , Wang Xinjian , Rupp Alan , Vemaraju Shruti , Ross-Cisneros Fred N. , Lang Richard A. , Sadun Alfredo A. , Hattar Samer , Guan Min-Xin , Huang Taosheng
Published: May 2015

The belly spot and tail (Bst+/-) mouse phenotype is caused by mutations of the ribosomal protein L24 (Rpl24). Among various phenotypes in Bst+/- mice, the most interesting are its retinal abnormalities, consisting of delayed closure of choroid fissures, decreased ganglion cells, and subretinal vascularization. We further characterized the Bst+/- mice and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms to assess the feasibility of using this strain as a model for stem cell therapy of retinal degenerative diseases due to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. We found that, although RGC are significantly reduced in retinal ganglion cell layer in Bst+/- mouse, melanopsin-positive RGC, also called ipRGCs, appear to be unchanged. Pupillary light reflex (PLR) was completely absent in Bst+/- mice, but they had a normal circadian rhythm. In order to examine the pathological abnormalities in Bst+/- mice, we performed electronic microscopy (EM) in RGC and found that mitochondria morphology was deformed, having irregular borders and lacking cristae. The complex activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain were decreased significantly. Finally, for subretinal vascularization, we also found that angiogenesis is delayed in Bst+/- associated with delayed haloid regression. Characterization of Bst+/- retina suggests that the Bst+/- mouse strain could be a useful murine model, which can be used to further explore the pathogenesis and strategy of treatment of retinal degenerative diseases through employing stem cell technology.
Glycoprotein A33 deficiency: a new model of impaired intestinal epithelial barrier function and inflammatory disease
Authors: Williams Benjamin B. , Tebbutt Niall C. , Buchert Michael , Putoczki Tracy L. , Doggett Karen , Bao Shisan , Johnstone Cameron N. , Masson Frederick , Hollande Frederic , Burgess Antony W. , Scott Andrew M. , Ernst Matthias , Heath Joan K.
Published: May 2015

The cells of the intestinal epithelium provide a selectively permeable barrier between the external environment and internal tissues. The integrity of this barrier is maintained by tight junctions, specialised cell-cell contacts that permit the absorption of water and nutrients while excluding microbes, toxins and dietary antigens. Impairment of intestinal barrier function contributes to multiple gastrointestinal disorders, including food-hypersensitivity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis-associated cancer (CAC). Glycoprotein A33 (GPA33) is an intestinal epithelium-specific cell surface marker and member of the CTX group of transmembrane proteins. Roles in cell-cell adhesion have been demonstrated for multiple CTX family members, suggesting a similar function for GPA33 within the gastrointestinal tract. To test a potential requirement for GPA33 in intestinal barrier function, we generated Gpa33-/- mice and subjected them to experimental regimens designed to produce food hypersensitivity, colitis and CAC. Gpa33-/- mice exhibit impaired intestinal barrier function. This was shown by elevated steady-state immunosurveillance in the colonic mucosa and leakiness to oral TRITC-labelled dextran after short-term exposure to dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) to injure the intestinal epithelium. Gpa33-/- mice also exhibit rapid onset and reduced resolution of DSS-induced colitis and a striking increase in the number of colitis-associated tumours produced by treatment with the colon-specific mutagen azoxymethane (AOM) followed by two cycles of DSS. In contrast, Gpa33-/- mice treated with AOM alone show no increase in sporadic tumour formation, indicating that their increased tumour susceptibility is dependent on inflammatory stimuli. Finally, Gpa33-/- mice display hypersensitivity to food allergens, a common co-morbidity in human patients with IBD. We propose that Gpa33-/- mice provide a valuable model to study the mechanisms linking intestinal permeability and multiple inflammatory pathologies. Moreover, this model could facilitate pre-clinical studies aimed at identifying drugs that restore barrier function.
Autocrine VEGF maintains endothelial survival through regulation of metabolism and autophagy
Authors: Domigan Courtney K. , Warren Carmen M. , Antanesian Vaspour , Happel Katharina , Ziyad Safiyyah , Lee Sunyoung , Krall Abigail , Duan Lewei , Torres-Collado Antoni X. , Castellani Lawrence W. , Elashoff David , Christofk Heather R. , van der Bliek Alexander M. , Potente Michael , Iruela-Arispe M. Luisa
Published: May 2015

Autocrine VEGF is necessary for endothelial survival, although the cellular mechanisms supporting this function are unknown. Here, we show that – even after full differentiation and maturation – continuous expression of VEGF by endothelial cells is needed to sustain vascular integrity and cellular viability. Depletion of VEGF from the endothelium results in mitochondria fragmentation and suppression of glucose metabolism, leading to increased autophagy that contributes to cell death. Gene-expression profiling showed that endothelial VEGF contributes to the regulation of cell cycle and mitochondrial gene clusters, as well as several – but not all – targets of the transcription factor FOXO1. Indeed, VEGF-deficient endothelium in vitro and in vivo showed increased levels of FOXO1 protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Silencing of FOXO1 in VEGF-depleted cells reversed expression profiles of several of the gene clusters that were de-regulated in VEGF knockdown, and rescued both cell death and autophagy phenotypes. Our data suggest that endothelial VEGF maintains vascular homeostasis through regulation of FOXO1 levels, thereby ensuring physiological metabolism and endothelial cell survival.
Do Private Equity Owned Firms Have Better Management Practices?
Authors: Bloom Nicholas , Sadun Raffaella , Van Reenen John
Published: May 2015

Using an innovative survey measure of management practices on over 15,000 firms, we find private equity firms are better managed than government, family, and privately owned firms, and have similar management to publicly listed firms. This is true both in developed and developing countries. Looking at management practices in detail we find that private equity owned firms have strong people management practices (hiring, firing, pay, and promotions), but even stronger monitoring management practices (lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and monitoring). Plant managers working in private equity owned firms also report greater autonomy from headquarters over sales, marketing, and new product introduction.
Organizational Culture and Performance
Authors: Martinez Elizabeth A. , Beaulieu Nancy , Gibbons Robert , Pronovost Peter , Wang Thomas
Published: May 2015

Organizations are all around us. Culture is trickier—to analyze and even to see. We consider both the effect of management on culture and the effect of culture on performance. We begin by describing an intervention that dramatically improved outcomes and conspicuously included a culture-change component. We then use details from this intervention to describe potential empirical analyses of the association between organizational culture and performance in this and similar settings. Finally, we describe opportunities for theoretical models to explore how and why organizational culture might influence organizational performance.
The Impact of Ethnic Diversity in Bureaucracies: Evidence from the Nigerian Civil Service
Authors: Rasul Imran , Rogger Daniel
Published: May 2015

We document the correlation between the workplace diversity in bureaucratic organizations and public service delivery. We do so in the context of Nigeria, where ethnicity is a salient form of self-identity. We thus expand the empirical management literature highlighting beneficial effects of workplace diversity, that has focused on private sector firms operating in high-income settings. Our analysis combines two data sources: (i) a survey to over 4,000 bureaucrats eliciting their ethnic identities; (ii) independent engineering assessments of completion rates for 4,700 public sector projects. The ethnic diversity of bureaucracies matters positively: a one standard deviation increase in the ethnic diversity of bureaucrats corresponds to 9 percent higher completion rates. In line with the management literature from private sector firms in high-income countries, this evidence highlights a potentially positive side of ethnic diversity in public sector organizations, in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Liquidity in Retirement Savings Systems: An International Comparison
Authors: Beshears John , Choi James J. , Hurwitz Joshua , Laibson David , Madrian Brigitte C.
Published: May 2015

We compare the liquidity that six developed countries have built into their employer-based defined contribution (DC) retirement schemes. In Germany, Singapore, and the UK, withdrawals are essentially banned no matter what kind of transitory income shock the household realizes. By contrast, in Canada and Australia, liquidity is state-contingent. For a middle-income household, DC accounts are completely illiquid unless annual income falls substantially, in which case DC assets become highly liquid. The US stands alone in the universally high liquidity of its DC system: whether or not income falls, the penalties for early withdrawal are low or non-existent.
The Composition Effect of Consumption around Retirement: Evidence from Singapore
Authors: Agarwal Sumit , Pan Jessica , Qian Wenlan
Published: May 2015

It is well established that consumption is “hump” shaped over an individual's lifecycle, peaking in middle age and then declining in the years that follow. Prior research has documented that consumption declines at retirement, which is inconsistent with the standard lifecycle model with consumption smoothing. Using a unique dataset with detailed administrative records of credit and debit card transactions, we show the hump shaped lifecycle consumption pattern as documented in the literature. Additionally, we show compositional changes in consumption expenditures across individuals in the years surrounding retirement confirming the results of Aguiar and Hurst (2005, 2013).
Defined Contribution Pension Plans: Mutual Fund Asset Allocation Changes
Authors: Sialm Clemens , Starks Laura , Zhang Hanjiang
Published: May 2015

In this paper we compare changes in asset allocations between mutual funds held in defined contribution pension plans and funds held by other investors. We investigate how flows into equity and fixed income mutual funds depend on macroeconomic conditions. We find that defined contribution plans react more sensitively to these conditions, suggesting effects on mutual fund managers and other investors.
The Retirement Consumption Puzzle in China
Authors: Li Hongbin , Shi Xinzheng , Wu Binzhen
Published: May 2015

Using data from China's Urban Household Survey and exploiting China's mandatory retirement policy, we use the regression discontinuity approach to estimate the impact of retirement on household expenditures. Retirement reduces total non-durable expenditures by 20 percent. Among the categories of non-durable expenditures, retirement reduces work-related expenditures and expenditures on food consumed at home but has an insignificant effect on entertainment expenditures. After excluding these three components, retirement does not have an effect on the remaining non-durable expenditures. It suggests that the retirement consumption puzzle might not be a puzzle if a life-cycle model with home production is considered.
Tagging and Targeting of Energy Efficiency Subsidies
Authors: Allcott Hunt , Knittel Christopher , Taubinsky Dmitry
Published: May 2015

A corrective tax or subsidy is “well-targeted” if it primarily affects choices that are more distorted by market failures. Energy efficiency subsidies are designed to correct multiple distortions: externalities, credit constraints, “landlord-tenant” information asymmetries, imperfect information, and inattention. We show that three important energy efficiency subsidies are primarily taken up by consumers who are wealthier, own their own homes, and are more informed about and attentive to energy costs. This suggests that these subsidies are poorly targeted at the market failures they were designed to address. However, we show that “tagging” can lead to large efficiency gains.
Limited Attention and the Residential Energy Efficiency Gap
Authors: Palmer Karen , Walls Margaret
Published: May 2015

Inattention may be an important contributor to the energy efficiency gap and may be particularly acute in residential buildings where many different features will determine a home's energy use. Energy audits can provide information on how to reduce energy loss in a home, but the use of audits is rare. We use data from a national survey of 1700 homeowners to study the factors affecting a home owner's choice to have an audit. We create an index of energy inattention for our survey respondents. This index and two additional behavioral factors prove to be important determinants of the audit choice.
Individual Time Preferences and Energy Efficiency
Authors: Newell Richard G. , Siikamäki Juha
Published: May 2015

We examine the role of individual discount rates in energy efficiency decisions using evidence from an extensive survey of US homeowners to elicit preferences for energy efficiency and cash flows over time. We find considerable heterogeneity in individual discount rates. We also find that individual time preferences systematically influence willingness to invest in energy efficiency, as measured through product choices, required payback periods, and energy efficiency tax credit claims. Education is a key driver of individual discount rates. Our findings highlight the importance of individual discount rates to understanding energy efficiency investments, the energy-efficiency gap, and policy evaluation.
Deconstructing the Energy-Efficiency Gap: Conceptual Frameworks and Evidence
Authors: Gerarden Todd , Newell Richard G. , Stavins Robert N.
Published: May 2015

Energy-efficient technologies offer considerable promise for reducing the financial costs and environmental damages associated with energy use, but these technologies appear not to be adopted to the degree that appears justified, even on a purely private basis. We present two complementary frameworks for understanding this so-called “energy paradox” or “energy efficiency gap.” First, we build upon previous literature by dividing potential explanations for the energy efficiency gap into three categories: market failures, behavioral anomalies, and model and measurement errors. Second, we examine the elements of cost-minimizing energy efficiency decisions, the typical benchmark used in assessing the gap's magnitude.
Do Natural Field Experiments Afford Researchers More or Less Control than Laboratory Experiments?
Authors: Al-Ubaydli Omar , List John A.
Published: May 2015

A commonly held view is that laboratory experiments provide researchers with more “control” than natural field experiments. This paper explores how natural field experiments can provide researchers with more control than laboratory experiments. While laboratory experiments provide researchers with a high degree of control in the environment which participants agree to be experimental subjects, when participants systematically opt out of laboratory experiments, the researcher's ability to manipulate certain variables is limited. In contrast, natural field experiments bypass the participation decision altogether due to their covertness, and they allow for a potentially more diverse participant pool within the market of interest.
Heterogeneous Treatment Effects in Impact Evaluation
Authors: Vivalt Eva
Published: May 2015

It is very important to know how much we can extrapolate from a study's results. This paper examines the issue using data from impact evaluations in development.
Standing United or Falling Divided? High Stakes Bargaining in a TV Game Show
Authors: van Dolder Dennie , van den Assem Martijn J. , Camerer Colin F. , Thaler Richard H.
Published: May 2015

We examine high stakes three-person bargaining in a game show where contestants bargain over a large money amount that is split into three unequal shares. We find that individual behavior and outcomes are strongly influenced by equity concerns: those who contributed more to the jackpot claim larger shares, are less likely to make concessions, and take home larger amounts. Contestants who announce that they will not back down do well relative to others, but they do not secure larger absolute amounts and they harm others. There is no evidence of a first-mover advantage and little evidence that demographic characteristics matter.
I Take Care of My Own: A Field Study on How Leadership Handles Conflict between Individual and Collective Incentives
Authors: Gauriot Romain , Page Lionel
Published: May 2015

In most collective actions, individuals' incentives are not perfectly aligned with the goals of the group/team they are part of. We investigate how individual specific incentives affect both individuals and team leaders' strategies in a natural setting. We use a discontinuity in individual rewards in batsmen scoring in cricket to identify the causal effect of such incentives on behavior. We find that batsmen react to the presence of individual-specific incentives by adopting strategies that may be suboptimal at the team level. More surprisingly, we also find that team captains react to these individual incentives by adopting suboptimal strategies at the team level, which may bring large benefits to the individual players. These results suggest a complex interplay of individual and team incentives which we conjecture may arise in repeated team interactions.
A Measure of Robustness to Misspecification
Authors: Athey Susan , Imbens Guido
Published: May 2015

Researchers often report estimates and standard errors for the object of interest (such as a treatment effect) based on a single specification of a statistical model. We propose a systematic approach to assessing sensitivity to specification. We construct estimates of the object of interest for each of a large set of models. Our proposed robustness measure is the standard deviation of the point estimates over the set of models. Each member of the set is generated by splitting the sample into two subsamples based on covariate values, constructing separate parameter estimates for each subsample, and then combining the results.
Machine Learning Methods for Demand Estimation
Authors: Bajari Patrick , Nekipelov Denis , Ryan Stephen P. , Yang Miaoyu
Published: May 2015

We survey and apply several techniques from the statistical and computer science literature to the problem of demand estimation. To improve out-of-sample prediction accuracy, we propose a method of combining the underlying models via linear regression. Our method is robust to a large number of regressors; scales easily to very large data sets; combines model selection and estimation; and can flexibly approximate arbitrary non-linear functions. We illustrate our method using a standard scanner panel data set and find that our estimates are considerably more accurate in out-of-sample predictions of demand than some commonly used alternatives.
Post-Selection and Post-Regularization Inference in Linear Models with Many Controls and Instruments
Authors: Chernozhukov Victor , Hansen Christian , Spindler Martin
Published: May 2015

We consider estimation of and inference about coefficients on endogenous variables in a linear instrumental variables model where the number of instruments and exogenous control variables are each allowed to be larger than the sample size. We work within an approximately sparse framework that maintains that the signal available in the instruments and control variables may be effectively captured by a small number of the available variables. We provide a LASSO-based method for this setting which provides uniformly valid inference about the coefficients on endogenous variables. We illustrate the method through an application to demand estimation.
Prediction Policy Problems
Authors: Kleinberg Jon , Ludwig Jens , Mullainathan Sendhil , Obermeyer Ziad
Published: May 2015

Most empirical policy work focuses on causal inference. We argue an important class of policy problems does not require causal inference but instead requires predictive inference. Solving these “prediction policy problems” requires more than simple regression techniques, since these are tuned to generating unbiased estimates of coefficients rather than minimizing prediction error. We argue that new developments in the field of “machine learning” are particularly useful for addressing these prediction problems. We use an example from health policy to illustrate the large potential social welfare gains from improved prediction.
Can Online Learning Bend the Higher Education Cost Curve?
Authors: Deming David J. , Goldin Claudia , Katz Lawrence F. , Yuchtman Noam
Published: May 2015

We examine whether online learning technologies have led to lower prices in higher education. Using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, we show that online education is concentrated in large for-profit chains and less-selective public institutions. We find that colleges with a higher share of online students charge lower tuition prices. We present evidence of declining real and relative prices for full-time undergraduate online education from 2006 to 2013. Although the pattern of results suggests some hope that online technology can “bend the cost curve” in higher education, the impact of online learning on education quality remains uncertain.
Evaluating Econometric Evaluations of Post-Secondary Aid
Authors: Angrist Josh , Autor David , Hudson Sally , Pallais Amanda
Published: May 2015

In an ongoing evaluation of post-secondary financial aid, we use random assignment to assess the causal effects of large privately-funded aid awards. Here, we compare the unbiased causal effect estimates from our RCT with two types of non-experimental econometric estimates. The first applies a selection-on-observables assumption in data from an earlier, nonrandomized cohort; the second uses a regression discontinuity design. Selection-on-observables methods generate estimates well below the experimental benchmark. Regression discontinuity estimates are similar to experimental estimates for students near the cutoff, but sensitive to controlling for the running variable, which is unusually coarse.
What High-Achieving Low-Income Students Know About College
Authors: Hoxby Caroline M. , Turner Sarah
Published: May 2015

Previous work demonstrates that low-income higher achievers fail to apply to selective colleges despite their being admitted at high rates and receiving financial aid so generous that they pay less than at non-selective schools. The Expanding College Opportunities project, a randomized controlled trial, provides individualized information about colleges' net prices, resources, curricula, students, and outcomes. Our prior study shows that the intervention raises students' applications to, admissions at, enrollment, and progress at selective colleges. Here we use survey data to show that it actually changes students' knowledge and decision-making. We highlight topics on which they are misinformed.
Convergence in Adaptation to Climate Change: Evidence from High Temperatures and Mortality, 1900–2004
Authors: Barreca Alan , Clay Karen , Deschênes Olivier , Greenstone Michael , Shapiro Joseph S.
Published: May 2015

This paper combines panel data on monthly mortality rates of US states and daily temperature variables for over a century (1900-2004) to explore the regional evolution of the temperature-mortality relationship and documents two key findings. First, the impact of extreme heat on mortality is notably smaller in states that more frequently experience extreme heat. Second, the difference in the heat-mortality relationship between hot and cold states declined over 1900-2004, though it persisted through 2004. Continuing differences in the mortality consequences of hot days suggests that health motivated adaptation to climate change may be slow and costly around the world.
Geography, Depreciation, and Growth
Authors: Hsiang Solomon M. , Jina Amir S.
Published: May 2015

It has been proposed that geography influences economic growth for many reasons. Previous analyses of comparative development seem to have sidestepped the question of location-dependent depreciation. However the construction of new measures of tropical cyclone exposure enables us to consider the potential impact of this single source of capital depreciation. Using an estimate of asset destruction due to tropical cyclones, we identify the “sandcastle depreciation” rate, and find support for location-dependent depreciation by looking at average growth rates. This leads us to propose that heterogeneous and geographically-dependent depreciation rates may play an important role in global patterns of economic development.
Tropical Economics
Authors: Hsiang Solomon M. , Meng Kyle C.
Published: May 2015

Why wealth is systematically lower in the tropics remains a puzzle. We point out that latitude may have fundamental economic consequence because it plays a key role in how countries experience geophysical processes that have economic implications. We demonstrate that annual fluctuations in the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) leads to hotter and dryer local weather across tropical countries and subsequently to substantial losses in agricultural yields, output, and value-added. If volatility in agricultural production impedes economic growth, the relatively stronger influence of ENSO on the tropics may offer yet another partial explanation for slower historical growth in the tropics.
Federal Crop Insurance and the Disincentive to Adapt to Extreme Heat
Authors: Annan Francis , Schlenker Wolfram
Published: May 2015

Despite significant progress in average yields, the sensitivity of corn and soybean yields to extreme heat has remained relatively constant over time. We combine county-level corn and soybeans yields in the United States from 1989-2013 with the fraction of the planting area that is insured under the federal crop insurance program, which expanded greatly over this time period as premium subsidies increased from 20 percent to 60 percent. Insured corn and soybeans are significantly more sensitive to extreme heat that uninsured crops. Insured farmers do not have the incentive to engage in costly adaptation as insurance compensates them for potential losses.
Religion and Innovation
Authors: Bénabou Roland , Ticchi Davide , Vindigni Andrea
Published: May 2015

In earlier work we identified a robust negative association between religiosity and patents per capita, holding across countries as well as US states. In this paper we relate 11 indicators of individual openness to innovation (e.g., attitudes toward science and technology, new versus old ideas, change, risk taking, agency, imagination, and independence in children) to 5 measures of religiosity, including beliefs and attendance. We use five waves of the World Values Survey and control for sociodemographics, country and year fixed effects. Across the 52 regressions, greater religiosity is almost uniformly associated to less favorable views of innovation, with high significance.
Measuring Vote-Selling: Field Evidence from the Philippines
Authors: Hicken Allen , Leider Stephen , Ravanilla Nico , Yang Dean
Published: May 2015

Using data from an anti-vote-buying field experiment we conducted in the Philippines, we report and validate a proxy measure for vote-selling. We demonstrate that our proxy measure, vote-switching, changes as expected with voter preferences and monetary offers from candidates. Voters are less likely to vote for someone different than their initial preference the larger the favorability rating difference between the preferred and alternative candidates. Similarly, vote-switching increases the more money the alternative candidate offers compared to the preferred candidates. We also describe the effects of the promise-based interventions on vote-switching, reported in full in a companion paper.
More Money, More Problems? Can High Pay be Coercive and Repugnant?
Authors: Ambuehl Sandro , Niederle Muriel , Roth Alvin E.
Published: May 2015

IRBs can disallow high incentives they deem coercive. A vignette study on MTurk concerning participation in medical trials shows that a substantial minority of subjects concurs. They think high incentives cause more regret, and that more people would be better off without the opportunity to participate. We model observers as judging the ethicality of incentives by partially using their own utility. The model predicts that payments are repugnant only to the extent that they affect the participation decision, and more so for larger transactions. Incentivizing poorer participants is more repugnant, and in-kind incentives are less repugnant than monetary incentives.
Sacred Values? The Effect of Information on Attitudes toward Payments for Human Organs
Authors: Elias Julio J. , Lacetera Nicola , Macis Mario
Published: May 2015

Are attitudes about morally controversial (and often prohibited) market transactions affected by information about their costs and benefits? We address this question for the case of payments for human organs. We find in a survey experiment with US residents (N=3,417) that providing information on the potential efficiency benefits of a regulated price mechanism for organs significantly increased support for payments from a baseline of 52 percent to 71 percent. The survey was devised to minimize social desirability biases in responses, and additional analyses validate the interpretation that subjects were reflecting on the case-specific details provided, rather than just reacting to any information.