bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating outsourcing partners' capability: a case study from the pharmaceutical supply chain
Authors: Zhang Min , S. Pawar Kulwant , Shah Janat , Mehta Peeyush
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Many pharmaceutical companies outsource their research and development and manufacturing operations to value chain partners. Effective evaluation of outsourcees' capabilities and relationship management are often central for outsourcers to secure sustainable competitive advantage. This study aims to investigate how to evaluate outsourcees and manage outsourcing relationships in the pharmaceutical industry based on the theory of dynamic capability (DC).

Design/methodology/approach

– The investigation used an exploratory multiple case study approach. The data collection, spanning a period of 12 months, entailed a multinational pharmaceutical company (PharmCo) with its headquarters in Europe, and four contract research and manufacturing organizations from China and India.

Findings

– The results show that PharmCo evaluates its outsourcing partners based on their dynamic capabilities, which include processes (project deliverables, communication, and accuracy of costs), positions (financial assets, number of scientists, spectrum of services, and geographical presence), and paths (past experiences). The findings indicate that a pharmaceutical company outsources to partners with high operational capabilities, whereas it builds fully integrated outsourcing relationships only with those that have high dynamic capabilities.

Practical implications

– Findings from this study provide guidelines for practitioners in manufacturing industries to efficiently and effectively evaluate and manage outsourcees to deal with the challenges and risks associated with strategic outsourcing.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of DC in outsourcee evaluation and outsourcing relationship management in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, the paper illustrates how to conceptualize and measure the DC as a multi-dimensional construct. The analysis also indicates that partners' dynamic and operational capabilities play different roles in outsourcing relationship management.
Quality and reliability in new product development
Authors: Natarajan M. , Senthil V. , Devadasan S.R. , Vijay Mohan N. , Sivaram N.M.
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute a model that would facilitate the infusing of quality and reliability in new products by blending Six Sigma concept and new product development (NPD) process.

Design/methodology/approach

– A model called QUARNEWSS (stands for QUA – quality, R – reliability, NEW – new product and SS – Six Sigma) was designed. QUARNEWSS blends four stages of NPD process with Six Sigma's DMAIC improvement methodology and belt-based training infrastructure. After designing, QUARNEWSS was adopted to infuse quality and reliability in a new product being developed at a compressed air treatment products manufacturing company.

Findings

– The implementation experience indicated that QUARNEWSS could act as a vehicle for systematically infusing quality and reliability in new products.

Originality/value

– The contribution of QUARNEWSS model through this paper is valuable on considering the fact that modern customers demand new products with high degree of quality and reliability.
Comparative analysis of ultra-fine fluorescent disperse dye paste and its stability with naphthalene sulphonic derivative dispersant
Authors: Xiu Yufei , Wang Kezhong , Wang Chaoxia , Javed Kashif , Fu Shaohai , Tian Anli
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper was to prepare a stable fluorescent disperse yellow paste by wet grinding process by adding naphthalene sulphonic derivative dispersing agent.

Design/methodology/approach

– The dispersants 2-naphthalenesulphonic acid (NNO), naphthalene-sulphonic acid (MF) and benzyl naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate (CNF) were used to disperse the yellow dye. The particle size of the paste was characterised by particle size analyser. The paste centrifugal stability, diffusion properties, morphology and thermal properties were also tested for assessing its stability which could be helpful to prepare inks with good stability.

Findings

– The particle sizes of dye pastes with dispersing agent NNO, MF and CNF were 161.1, 150.0 and 136.0 nm, respectively, after grinding for 6 h. The dye paste grinded with dispersing agent CNF presented good centrifugal and thermal properties. TEM images demonstrated that the morphologies of dye pastes grinded with dispersing agent MF and CNF were homogeneous nearly spherical nanoparticle and rarely generated agglomeration and precipitation.

Originality/value

– The paste used for aqueous inkjet ink exhibited excellent thermal stability.
A review of the similarities and differences between five different polymer-solvent interaction coefficients
Authors: D. Sudduth Richard
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This paper attempted to show the potential relationship between five different interaction coefficients relating solvents and polymers. This review addressed primarily a comparison between the polymer-solvent interaction coefficients obtained from two different types of models. These two primary polymer-solvent interaction coefficients included the Flory-Huggins interaction coefficient developed from thermodynamic colligative properties and the polymer-solvent Sudduth interaction coefficient obtained from the generalized viscosity equation. The other three interaction coefficients included Hildebrand solubility parameter and the interaction coefficients or constants for the Huggins and Kraemers models that are normally generated from viscosity measurements. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– These five different interaction coefficients were compared from theoretical considerations as well as on the basis of available experimental data.

Findings

– Remarkably the polymer-solvent interaction coefficients for both Flory-Huggins interaction coefficient and the Sudduth interaction coefficient were found to be dimensionless and approximately of the same value. In addition, when both interaction coefficients are negative then both describe solvents. In addition, both interaction coefficients describe a plasticizer when they are in the range of 0 to ½. Finally both interaction coefficients describe a non-solvent or a suspension when both are greater than 1. The Hildebrand solubility parameter was found to be directly related to the Flory-Huggins interaction coefficient. The viscosity constants for the Huggins and Kraemers models were found to be included as subsets of the Sudduth generalized viscosity model.

Research limitations/implications

– The strong apparent relationship between these five different interaction coefficients to predict the interaction between polymers and solvents is strongly indicated based on the results from this study. However, approximately half of these interaction coefficients have been derived to be evaluated from colligative properties and half were derived to be evaluated from viscosity measurements.

Practical implications

– In general, it is much easier to obtain viscosity measurements compared to the evaluation of the colligative properties. Therefore, if a direct relationship can be shown between these five different interaction coefficients, then it would appear to be much easier to evaluate polymer-solvent interactions from the interaction coefficients obtained from viscosity measurements.

Originality/value

– This is the first time that these five interaction coefficients have been compared in such a way that shows their direct relationship even though half of these interaction coefficients have been derived to be evaluated from colligative properties and half were derived to be evaluated from viscosity measurements.
Italian banks' equity-based incentive plans: what does the future hold?
Authors: Dell'Atti Stefano , Sylos Labini Stefania , Morella Saverio
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to contribute to the development of an effective incentive policy implementation model, through an in-depth analysis of the stock option and/or stock grant schemes adopted by the major Italian banking groups.

Design/methodology/approach

– Out of the 77 banking groups operating in Italy on 30 June 2011, The paper selected 12 banking institutions that implemented either stock option or stock grant plans over the years 2007-2010. The documentary analysis was carried out on 22 stock option and/or stock grant schemes and based on the examination of corporate governance reports, as well as information memoranda on incentive plans.

Findings

– The results show a limited implementation of equity-based incentive plans in the Italian banking sector during the investigation period (2007-2010) and clearly demonstrates that, as far as these types of incentives are concerned, there is ample room for improvement as well as substantial adjustments.

Research limitations/implications

– The research covers a limited period of time. Therefore, further extending the scope of its survey will definitely be of great academic interest in the light of the latest regulatory changes made to the banking sector remuneration regime.

Originality/value

– By giving a clear indication of the critical points that should be addressed to improve the policies in force, this research study aims to provide greater knowledge about the remuneration practices adopted by Italian banks, in terms of equity-based incentive plans.
Taiwan second financial restructuring and commercial bank productivity growth
Authors: Hsiao Hsing-Chin , Lin Mei-Hwa
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of merger and acquisition (M&As) of “second financial restructuring” (SFR) on the productivity growth of commercial banks in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses the Malmquist productivity change index to evaluate the changes from pre-SFR to SFR period and from pre-SFR to post-SFR period. In addition, the bootstrapping regression method is applied to examine the relationship of SFR policy and productivity change.

Findings

– Merged banks have improved their productivity and scale efficiency after the M&As program of SFR. In addition, the greater productivity growth of merged banks than non-merged banks is attributed to small-sized and private-voluntary merged banks. Furthermore, the small-sized merged banks have greater productivity growth and scale efficiency improvement than the big-sized merged banks, and the government-mandatory merged banks have lower productivity growth than private-voluntary merged banks after the SFR.

Research limitations/implications

– This study has an academic implication for providing additional empirical evidence related to the impact of government M&As policy on bank productivity growth in the developing countries.

Practical implications

– The findings on this paper have implications for financial reform policy and banking management on M&As activity, in particular, as they clarify the differential effects of big-sized vs small-sized and government-mandatory vs private-voluntary merged banks.

Originality/value

– Understanding the impacts of financial reform is particularly important as the banking industry has become increasingly competitive. This paper contributes to this area by assessing the impact of the M&As policy of SFR on productivity growth and evaluating differential effects of M&As.
Ownership structure and efficiency in Taiwanese electronics firms
Authors: Yang Yan-Jie , Chen Jengfang , Long Kweh Qian , Chi Chen Hsin
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the effect of the separation of control and ownership on the efficiency performance of Taiwanese electronics firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper employs data envelopment analysis to estimate efficiency performance. Following Kuanet al., the paper measures the severity of a firm's agency problems using the difference between voting rights and cash flow rights, and the difference between seat control rights and cash flow rights. Using a panel dataset for the period from 2004 to 2010, the paper runs OLS regressions to find the relationship between efficiency performance and the separation of control and ownership.

Findings

– The results show that both the divergence between voting rights and cash flow rights, and the divergence between seat control rights and cash flow rights are significantly and negatively related to efficiency performance. Using Tobit regression in the second stage also provides a consistent result.

Research limitations/implications

– Shareholders, especially the minority group, should think twice before investing in a firm with a high deviation of control and ownership.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to examine the effect of the separation of control and ownership on the efficiency performance of Taiwanese electronics firms. The empirical evidence suggests existence of negative entrenchment effects in the electronics industry in Taiwan.
Roles played by histamine in strenuous or prolonged masseter muscle activity in mice
Authors: Yoneda Hiroyuki , Niijima‐Yaoita Fukie , Tsuchiya Masahiro , Kumamoto Hiroyuki , Watanbe Makoto , Ohtsu Hiroshi , Yanai Kazuhiko , Tadano Takeshi , Sasaki Keiichi , Sugawara Shunji , Endo Yasuo
Published: October 2013

Bruxism and/or clenching, resulting in fatigue or dysfunction of masseter muscles (MM), may cause temporomandibular disorders. Functional support of the microcirculation is critical for prolonged muscle activity. Histamine is a regulator of the microcirculation and is supplied by release from its stores and/or by de novo production via the induction of histidine decarboxylase (HDC). Interleukin (IL)‐1, a cytokine involved in temporomandibular disorders, is an inducer of HDC. In the present study, we examined the roles of histamine, HDC and IL‐1 in MM activity.

Experiments were conducted using our R+G+ model. A mouse restrained (R+) inside a narrow cylinder (front end blocked with a thin plastic strip) gnaws away (G+) the strip to escape, with the weight reduction in the strip serving as an index of MM activity.

Fexofenadine (a peripherally acting histamine H1 receptor antagonist) reduced MM activity in normal mice. Both H1 receptor‐deficient and HDC‐deficient mice exhibited low MM activity. Prolonged R+G+ induced HDC activity in MM. Mast cell‐deficient mice exhibited strikingly low HDC induction in MM (and also in the quadriceps femoris muscle) in response to muscle activity or IL‐1β. Mast cells were present around blood vessels and nerves in the epimysium and perimysium of MM.

These results, together with others reported previously, suggest that: (i) peripheral histamine supports strenuous MM activity; (ii) strenuous MM activity stimulates mast cells to release histamine and to induce HDC (which replenishes the histamine pool in mast cells, possibly mediated by IL‐1); and (iii) peripheral histamine H1 receptor antagonists may be effective in treating temporomandibular disorders or preventing prolonged clenching and/or bruxism.
The integrative analysis of microRNA and mRNA expression in Apis mellifera following maze‐based visual pattern learning
Authors: Qin Qiu‐Hong , Wang Zi‐Long , Tian Liu‐Qing , Gan Hai‐Yan , Zhang Shao‐Wu , Zeng Zhi‐Jiang
Published: October 2013

The honeybee (Apis mellifera) is a social insect with strong sensory capacity and diverse behavioral repertoire and is recognized as a good model organism for studying the neurobiological basis of learning and memory. In this study, we analyzed the changes in microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) following maze‐based visual learning using next‐generation small RNA sequencing and Solexa/lllumina Digital Gene Expression tag profiling (DGE). For small RNA sequencing, we obtained 13 367 770 and 13 132 655 clean tags from the maze and control groups, respectively. A total of 40 differentially expressed known miRNAs were detected between these two samples, and all of them were up‐regulated in the maze group compared to the control group. For DGE, 5 681 320 and 5 939 855 clean tags were detected from the maze and control groups, respectively. There were a total of 388 differentially expressed genes between these two samples, with 45 genes up‐regulated and 343 genes down‐regulated in the maze group, compared to the control group. Additionally, the expression levels of 10 differentially expressed genes were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and the expression trends of eight of them were consistent with the DGE result, although the degree of change was lower in amplitude. The integrative analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression showed that, among the 40 differentially expressed known miRNAs and 388 differentially expressed genes, 60 pairs of miRNA/mRNA were identified as co‐expressed in our present study. These results suggest that both miRNA and mRNA may play a pivotal role in the process of learning and memory in honeybees. Our sequencing data provide comprehensive miRNA and gene expression information for maze‐based visual learning, which will facilitate understanding of the molecular mechanisms of honeybee learning and memory.
Expression of candidate genes for residual feed intake in Angus cattle
Authors: Al‐Husseini W. , Gondro C. , Quinn K. , Herd R. M. , Gibson J. P. , Chen Y.
Published: October 2013

Residual feed intake (RFI) has been adopted in Australia for the purpose of genetic improvement in feed efficiency in beef cattle. RFI is the difference between the observed feed intake of an animal and the predicted feed intake based on its size and growth rate over a test period. Gene expression of eight candidate genes (AHSG, GHR, GSTM1, INHBA, PCDH19, S100A10, SERPINI2 and SOD3), previously identified as differentially expressed between divergent lines of high‐ and low‐RFI animals, was measured in an unselected population of 60 steers from the Angus Society Elite Progeny Test Program using quantitative real‐time PCR. Results showed that the levels of gene expression were significantly correlated with RFI. The genes explain around 33.2% of the phenotypic variance in RFI, and prediction equations using the expression data are reasonably accurate estimators of RFI. The association of these genes with economically important traits, such as other feed efficiency‐related traits and fat, growth and carcass traits, was investigated as well. The expression of these candidate genes was significantly correlated with feed conversion ratio and daily feed intake, which are highly associated with RFI, suggesting a functional role for these genes in modulating feed utilisation. The expression of these genes did not show any association with average daily gain, eye muscle area and carcass composition.
The Problem of Epistemic Cost: Why Do Economists Not Change Their Minds (About the “Coase Theorem”)?
Authors: Yalcintas Altug
Published: October 2013

Errors in the history of economic analysis often remain uncorrected for long periods due to positive epistemic costs (PEC) involved in allocating time to going back over what older generations wrote. In order to demonstrate this in a case study, economists' practice of the “Coase Theorem” is reconsidered from a PEC point of view.
When Heterodoxy Becomes Orthodoxy: Ecological Economics inThe New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics
Authors: Carpintero Óscar
Published: October 2013

Modern ecological economics emerged in opposition to mainstream economics as a scientific approach with many key heterodox features. Among these are an open systems perspective, transdisciplinarity, and radical criticism of the conventional representation of economic process. The term “ecological economics” was included internationally in the second edition (2008) ofTheNewPalgraveDictionary ofEconomics, the most prestigious and widely used dictionary of economics. In our view, however, the entry does little to facilitate understanding of the heterodox features, and theoretical and methodological controversies that have developed in ecological economics over the last two decades.
Characterization of Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase 1 Inhibitors
Authors: Korotkova Marina , Jakobsson Per‐Johan
Published: October 2013

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase‐1 (mPGES‐1) is an inducible terminal synthase in PGE2 biosynthesis by inflammatory and cancer cells. Clinical and experimental data emphasize that mPGES‐1 might be a valuable target, with improved selectivity and safety compared to traditional NSAIDs or selective COX‐2 inhibitors, in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, different types of cancer as well as central symptoms elicited by peripheral inflammation. Since the first characterization of mPGES‐1, the numbers of publications on mPGES‐1 structure, pathogenic role and inhibitor development have increased exponentially; however, there are currently no selective mPGES‐1 inhibitors available for clinical use. In this MiniReview, we focus on recent advances in the development of selective inhibitors of mPGES‐1 activity, with the aim to discuss the effects of targeting mPGES‐1 in different inflammatory models in vitro and in vivo.
Undemocratic Legacies: First‐Wave Feminism and the Somocista Women's Movement in Nicaragua, 1920s–1979
Authors: GONZÁLEZ‐RIVERA VICTORIA
Published: October 2013

The most important pre‐1979 women's movements in Nicaragua were first‐wave feminism and the right‐wing Somocista women's movement. I argue that it is useful to examine these two movements jointly in order to assess their legacy with regard to struggles over the relationship between women's organisations and political parties, age/generational differences, electoral democracy versus clientelism, and class and leadership. I conclude that while the pre‐1979 women's movements brought about women's suffrage and increased opportunities for some women, their collective legacy was, in some fundamental ways, undemocratic.
Between Two Fires:Mayangna Indians in Post‐RevolutionaryNicaragua, 1979–1990
Authors: MORRIS NATHANIEL
Published: October 2013

The predominantMayangna narrative of theNicaraguanCivilWar holds that theMiskitu tricked them into joining the conflict. However, I argue here that theMayangna leadership and theSandinista government were also responsible, asSandinista denial of the importance of ethnic difference inNicaragua allowedMiskitu nationalists, using the language of religion, to co‐optMayangna leaders, while subsequentSandinista violence turnedMayangna civilians against the revolution. Accusations of trickery stem from laterMayangna disillusion with the war and from problems with the autonomous political system set up in its wake, which encourages theMayangna to underplay the role of their own leaders and theSandinista government in embroiling them in the conflict. This one‐sided narrative, however, increasingly definesMayangna interpretations of their very identity as a people.
Antisense‐mediated post‐transcriptional silencing of SCN1B gene modulates sodium channel functional expression
Authors: Baroni Debora , Picco Cristiana , Barbieri Raffaella , Moran Oscar
Published: October 2013

Background information

Voltage‐dependent sodium channels are membrane proteins essential for cell excitability. They are composed by a pore‐forming α‐subunit and one or more β subunits. Nine α subunit and five β subunit isoforms have been identified in mammals: β1, its splice variant β1B, β2, β3 and β4. Although they do not form the ion channel pore, β subunits modulate both function as well as expression of sodium channels on cell membrane.

Results

To investigate the role of β1 subunit on the modulation of sodium channel expression, we silenced this auxiliary subunit with specific antisense oligonucleotides (ASONs) in two rat cell lines, the GH3 and the H9C2, from neuro‐ectoderm and cardiac myocyte origin, respectively. Treatment of cells with ASONs determined a reduction of about 50% of β1 subunit mRNA and protein expression in both cell lines. We found that this level of β1 subunit silencing resulted in an overall decrease of α subunit mRNA, protein expression and a decrease of sodium current density, without altering significantly the voltage‐dependent and kinetic properties of the currents. In GH3 cells, the β1 subunit silencing reduced the expression of Nav1.1, Nav1.3 and Nav1.6 isoforms, whereas the Nav 1.2 isoform expression remained unaltered. The expression of the only α subunit present in H9C2 cells, the Nav1.5, was also reduced by β1 subunit silencing.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the β1 subunit may exert an isoform‐specific fine‐tuned modulation of sodium channel expression.
Immunostimulatory Lipid Nanoparticles from Herbal Medicine
Authors: Hasson Tal H. , Takaoka Anna , de la Rica Roberto , Matsui Hiroshi , Smeureanu Gabriela , Drain Charles M. , Kawamura Akira
Published: October 2013

Reproducibility is an important issue in biological characterization of drug candidates and natural products. It is not uncommon to encounter cases in which supposedly the same sample exhibits very different biological activities. During our characterization of macrophage‐stimulatory lipids from herbal medicine, it was found that the potency of these lipids could vary substantially from experiment to experiment. Further analysis of this reproducibility issue led to the discovery of solvent‐dependent nanoparticle formation by these lipids. While larger nanoparticles (approximately 100 nm) of these lipids showed modest macrophage‐stimulatory activity, smaller nanoparticles (<10 nm) of the same lipids exhibited substantially higher potency. Thus, the study revealed an unexpected link between nanoparticle formation and macrophage‐stimulatory activity of plant lipids. Although nanoparticles have been extensively studied in the context of vehicles for drug delivery, our finding indicates that drugs themselves can form nanoassemblies, and their biological properties may be altered by the way they assemble.
‘Did not attends’ in children 0–10: a scoping review
Authors: Arai L. , Stapley S. , Roberts H.
Published: October 2013

Patients who do not attend (‘DNA’) health appointments have been identified as a service problem incurring significant costs to the NHS. In order to explore the causes, effects and costs of child DNAs, we carried out a scoping study to map the literature and identify gaps in the research. Given the breadth of issues underpinning DNAs, a scoping study, including research studies, audits, policy documents and conference abstracts, was the most useful way to map the field. To foster public and patient participation, we sought advice from parents participating in the National Children's Bureau's Family Research Advisory Group. From a pool of 1997 items, we found few UK studies with non‐attendance of 0–10 year olds as a primary focus, though many more incidentally reported DNA rates. Overall, four topics predominated: the conceptualization of DNAs; the correlates of non‐attendance; initiatives to reduce non‐attendance; and the relationship between non‐attendance and safeguarding. The Family Research Advisory Group identified broadly similar issues, but with a stronger emphasis on communication and practical matters. While there may be circumstances where failing to attend appointments makes little or no difference to a child (or even benefits them) it is likely that there are children whose health or well‐being are compromised as a result of failing to attend appointments. Both ‘over’ and ‘under'‐attendance can be a source of anxiety to health professionals. Areas where further work is needed include robust evaluation of the effectiveness, cost‐effectiveness and maintenance of measures to reduce DNAs and a better understanding of the relationship of safeguarding to non‐attendance.
Controlled Metamorphosis Between Skeleton‐Driven Animated Polyhedral Meshes of Arbitrary Topologies
Authors: Kravtsov Denis , Fryazinov Oleg , Adzhiev Valery , Pasko Alexander , Comninos Peter
Published: October 2013

Enabling animators to smoothly transform between animated meshes of differing topologies is a long‐standing problem in geometric modelling and computer animation. In this paper, we propose a new hybrid approach built upon the advantages of scalar field‐based models (often called implicit surfaces) which can easily change their topology by changing their defining scalar field. Given two meshes, animated by their rigging‐skeletons, we associate each mesh with its own approximating implicit surface. This implicit surface moves synchronously with the mesh. The shape‐metamorphosis process is performed in several steps: first, we collapse the two meshes to their corresponding approximating implicit surfaces, then we transform between the two implicit surfaces and finally we inverse transition from the resulting metamorphosed implicit surface to the target mesh. The examples presented in this paper demonstrating the results of the proposed technique were implemented using an in‐house plug‐in for Maya™.
Therapy of pathological scars
Authors: Wagner Justinus A.
Published: October 2013

The various clinical manifestations of scarring are an important topic for physicians in many disciplines. The prevention of excessive scarring is more successful than the treatment afterwards. Multiple options exist for prevention, wound repair modulation, and treatment of scars. This publication includes an overview of the pathogenesis, clinical classification, documentation, prevention, and invasive and non‐invasive therapy options.
Saline Contrast Echocardiography for the Detection of Patent Foramen Ovale in Hypoxia: A Validation Study Using Intracardiac Echocardiography
Authors: Fenster Brett E. , Curran‐Everett Douglas , Freeman Andrew M. , Weinberger Howard D. , Kern Buckner J. , Carroll John D.
Published: October 2013

Although the “3 beat rule” is widely utiized to discriminate patent foramen ovale (PFO)‐mediated right‐to‐left shunt (RTLS) from intrapulmonary RTLS using saline contrast transthoracic echocardiography (SCE), SCE diagnostic performance has yet to be validated using an invasive intracardiac standard. Percutaneous PFO occluder placement was recently shown to ameliorate hypoxia in patients with suspected PFO‐mediated RTLS. We evaluated the ability of SCE to predict PFO presence and size using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) as a gold standard in a hypoxic cohort. Sixty‐three hypoxic patients with suspected PFO‐mediated RTLS who underwent SCE at rest, with Valsalva maneuver, and with cough prior to ICE were evaluated retrospectively. PFO RTLS was defined by ICE findings including PFO anatomy, RTLS by saline contrast and color Doppler, and probe patency. SCE shunt severity and timing of left heart saline target appearance were compared to the presence of ICE‐defined PFO RTLS. Forty‐seven patients (75%) met criteria for PFO‐mediated RTLS. A 4 beat cutoff for resting SCE provided optimal diagnostic performance for detection of PFO‐mediated RTLS with a 71% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and 97% positive predictive value (PPV). Valsalva and cough maneuvers improved sensitivity compared to rest SCE (89% and 80%, respectively). Valsalva SCE shunt severity more accurately predicted PFO size than resting SCE. In contrast to the widely accepted “3 beat rule,” resting SCE for the detection of PFO RTLS in a hypoxic population performs optimally using a 4‐cycle cutoff with both excellent specificity and PPV.
A Rare Case of Nonobstructive Membrane of the Left Atrial Appendage
Authors: Mallisho Maram , Hwang Inyong , Alsafwah Shadwan
Published: October 2013

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a blind‐ending, complex structure distinct from the body of the left atrium and is sometimes regarded as a minor extension of the atrium. However, it should routinely be evaluated as part of a transesophageal echocardiographic examination. In this study we describe the presence of a nonobstructive membrane traversing the cavity of the LAA, found incidentally on transesophageal echocardiography.
Pulmonary Vein Stenosis Assessed by Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography
Authors: Anjo Diana , de Agustín Jose Alberto , Rodrigo Jose Luis , Macaya Carlos , Perez de Isla Leopoldo
Published: October 2013

Mini‐Abstract

We report a case about a 43‐year‐old man admitted to hospital with progressive exertional dyspnea and hemoptysis. Two months before admission, he had undergone radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Subsequent investigation revealed a severe obstruction of the left upper pulmonary vein (LUPV). Three‐dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography improved the morphological characterization of the LUPV, including direct en face visualization from the left atrium, and enabled the performance of direct planimetry at the level of LUPV stenosis using multiplanar review mode. Our case illustrates the usefulness of 3D transesophageal echocardiography in the accurate assessment of this rare but serious complication.
LEAGUE‐LEVEL ATTENDANCE AND OUTCOME UNCERTAINTY IN U.S. PRO SPORTS LEAGUES
Authors: MILLS BRIAN , FORT RODNEY
Published: October 2013

We extend the breakpoint literature regarding annual league‐level attendance and the impact of outcome uncertainty to the National Basketball Association, National Football League, and National Hockey League. As our measures are different than past work on baseball, we also apply our model to the American and National Leagues. Attendance series for each league under consideration are not stationary overall, but are stationary with break points. No form of outcome uncertainty (game, play‐off, or across seasons) matters for attendance in hockey or baseball regardless of which game uncertainty variable is used. Under the measure of game uncertainty that recommends itself for football, only play‐off uncertainty matters for attendance. Whether outcome uncertainty matters for basketball depends on the measure of game uncertainty. Situational similarities in the break points across leagues suggest general areas for future research. (JEL L83, C22)
DO COLLEGE‐PREPARATORY PROGRAMS IMPROVE LONG‐TERM OUTCOMES?
Authors: JACKSON C. KIRABO
Published: October 2013

This paper presents an analysis of the longer‐run effects of a college‐preparatory program implemented in inner‐city schools that provided teacher training in addition to payments to 11th‐ and 12th‐grade students and their teachers for passing scores on Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Affected students passed more AP exams, were more likely to remain in college beyond their first and second years, and earned higher wages. Effects are particularly pronounced for Hispanic students who experienced a 2.5‐percentage‐point increase in college degree attainment and an 11% increase in earnings. While the study is based on nonexperimental variation, the results are robust across a variety of specifications, and most plausible sources of bias are ruled out. The results provide credible evidence that implementing high‐quality college‐preparatory programs in existing urban schools can improve the long‐run educational and labor‐market outcomes of disadvantaged youth. (JEL I2, I24, J0)
A COMMENT ON SIEGFRIED'S FIRST LESSON IN ECONOMETRICS
Authors: ELDRIDGE DAMIEN S.
Published: October 2013

In an insightful, and delightfully short, paper that was published in the Journal of Political Economy in 1970, Siegfried provided an important lesson about econometric methodology for all budding young econometricians. Unfortunately, there is a mistake in that paper. This short comment provides a simple correction for that mistake. This correction will hopefully enable econometrics students to obtain the fundamental insights from Siegfried's paper with less confusion than might otherwise have been the case. (JEL A20, C01, C10)
QUANTIFYING BIAS IN DRIVING‐UNDER‐THE‐INFLUENCE ENFORCEMENT
Authors: HORN BRADY P. , MCCLUSKEY JILL J. , MITTELHAMMER RON C.
Published: October 2013

As the marginal suspect and propensity to commit crime are unobserved across racial categories, it is difficult to quantify racial bias with law enforcement outcomes data. We test for racial bias in driving‐under‐the‐influence of alcohol enforcement. The assessment outcome variable, blood alcohol content (BAC), provides information about motorist's choices and allows for a more refined test for racial bias compared with other law enforcement outcome data. We find no evidence of racial bias in the relevant range where our model applies. However, we do find differences in find rates at the lowest levels of BAC, where there should be no impairment. (JELJ7, K42)
WHO PAYS THE BAR TAB? BEER CONSUMPTION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES
Authors: CESUR RESUL , KELLY INAS RASHAD
Published: October 2013

Few studies explore the linkages between health behaviors and macroeconomic outcomes. This study uses 1971–2007 state‐level data from the United States to estimate the impact of beer consumption on economic growth. We document that beer consumption has negative effects on economic growth measures once the endogeneity of beer consumption is addressed. Our estimates are robust to a range of specification checks. These findings run parallel to a large body of literature documenting substantial social and economic costs stemming from alcohol use. (JEL I1, O4)
AN ECONOMIC THEORY OF WORKAHOLICS AND ALCOHOLICS
Authors: FINKLE AARON , SHIN DONGSOO
Published: October 2013

This paper considers the role of alcohol in agency problems in order to provide an economic rationale for alcoholics and workaholics. In our model, alcohol reduces productivity, but also can make imbibers blurt private information. We show that in the optimal contract, low‐productivity workers are compelled to over‐indulge in alcohol, while high‐productivity workers overproduce output. Thus, workers are made into “alcoholics” and “workaholics” depending on their productivity. We conclude that excessive drinking (working) may be the result, not the cause, of low (high) productivity of workers. (JEL D82, VSOP)
Just the Facts? The Separation of Sex Education from Moral Education
Authors: Lamb Sharon
Published: October 2013

In this essay Sharon Lamb considers how progressives have begun to win the longstanding battle to shape sex education and what they have had to give up in the process. After framing the battle in historical context, Lamb uses discourse analysis to explore the hidden values in the “evidence‐based” (EB) curricula that progressives currently favor and that pass for neutral today. As her analysis reveals, EB curricula privilege three discourses — a discourse of science, a discourse of healthy choices (with an emphasis on individuals), and a discourse of efficacy — all of which are grounded in ideology and serve to legitimize certain kinds of knowledge while undermining other kinds. Lamb concludes by proposing eight tenets for the future of sexuality education, which are intended to displace the eight tenets codified by proponents of abstinence‐only‐until‐marriage sexuality education.
Bursaphelenchus fungivorus from Pinus pinaster bark in Portugal
Authors: Fonseca L. , Cardoso J. M. S. , Moron‐Lopez J. , Abrantes I.
Published: October 2013

Bursaphelenchus fungivorus is reported for the first time in Portugal, identified as associated with Pinus pinaster bark and characterized on the basis of morphological and morphometrical characters for this species. Species identification was confirmed using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA. Intraisolate genetic variability was detected among ITS sequences of the Portuguese B. fungivorus isolate. Phylogenetic analysis, obtained from multiple sequence alignment between ITS sequences of Bursaphelenchus species, revealed that the Portuguese B. fungivorus isolate clusters with other B. fungivorus isolates, forming a separate group close to B. seani highlighting a molecular proximity of these two species.
Convergent structure of multitrophic communities over three continents
Authors: Segar Simon T. , Pereira Rodrigo A. S. , Compton Steve G. , Cook James M.
Published: October 2013

Astract

Ecological theory predicts that communities using the same resources should have similar structure, but evolutionary constraints on colonisation and niche shifts may hamper such convergence. Multitrophic communities of wasps exploiting fig fruits, which first evolved about 75MYA, do not show long‐term ‘inheritance’ of taxonomic (lineage) composition or species diversity. However, communities on three continents have converged ecologically in the presence and relative abundance of five insect guilds that we define. Some taxa fill the same niches in each community (phylogenetic niche conservatism). However, we show that overall convergence in ecological community structure depends also on a combination of niche shifts by resident lineages and local colonisations of figs by other insect lineages. Our study explores new ground, and develops new heuristic tools, in combining ecology and phylogeny to address patterns in the complex multitrophic communities of insect on plants, which comprise a large part of terrestrial biodiversity.
Ecological and evolutionary implications of food subsidies from humans
Authors: Oro Daniel , Genovart Meritxell , Tavecchia Giacomo , Fowler Mike S. , Martínez‐Abraín Alejandro
Published: October 2013

Human activities are the main current driver of global change. From hunter‐gatherers through to Neolithic societies–and particularly in contemporary industrialised countries–humans have (voluntarily or involuntarily) provided other animals with food, often with a high spatio‐temporal predictability. Nowadays, as much as 30–40% of all food produced in Earth is wasted. We argue here that predictable anthropogenic food subsidies (PAFS) provided historically by humans to animals has shaped many communities and ecosystems as we see them nowadays. PAFS improve individual fitness triggering population increases of opportunistic species, which may affect communities, food webs and ecosystems by altering processes such as competition, predator–prey interactions and nutrient transfer between biotopes and ecosystems. We also show that PAFS decrease temporal population variability, increase resilience of opportunistic species and reduce community diversity. Recent environmental policies, such as the regulation of dumps or the ban of fishing discards, constitute natural experiments that should improve our understanding of the role of food supply in a range of ecological and evolutionary processes at the ecosystem level. Comparison of subsidised and non‐subsidised ecosystems can help predict changes in diversity and the related ecosystem services that have suffered the impact of other global change agents.
Do Long-Term Unemployed Workers Benefit from Targeted Wage Subsidies?
Authors: Schünemann Benjamin , Lechner Michael , Wunsch Conny
Published: October 2013

We evaluate a wage subsidy program that is targeted at long-term unemployed workers in Germany. We use an alternative identification procedure compared to empirical studies conducted so far. Exploiting the particular program regulations and large administrative data we estimate the impact of program availability using a regression discontinuity framework. Our results suggest no significant impact of the availability of the subsidy on labor market outcomes of the target group. Even though our analysis lacks some statistical power, our findings do not support the substantial positive effects obtained from matching studies. As our approach does not require observability of all drivers of selection, previous empirical studies justifying government expenditures on wage subsidies based on matching methods should be reconsidered.
French connections: the networking strategies of French highly skilled migrants in London
Authors: RYAN LOUISE , MULHOLLAND JON
Published: October 2013

Although the migration studies literature often takes social networks for granted, these social ties are not spontaneous but require effort and nurturing. There has been insufficient research on the actual process of networking, especially among highly skilled migrants. Our understanding of why and how migrants form networks with particular characteristics is still poor. In this article, we argue that it is necessary to consider both the structure and content of networks – the nature of the relationships as well as the flow of resources within various social ties. Drawing on qualitative data from a study of highly skilled French migrants in London's business and financial sector, we use a microanalysis of network‐making processes. In the context of London as a dynamic and highly competitive financial centre, we examine the importance of opportunities, skills and shared interests in building new social relationships from scratch. In addition, we also assess how mobility and proximity, virtual communication and co‐presence impact on geographically dispersed networks and why some long distance relationships endure while others fade over time. By bringing together classic literature on professional networking and wider discussions on how relationships are managed across time and space, our work contributes to a fuller understanding of why and how highly skilled migrants form networks with particular characteristics.
Exploring the joint dynamics of intercity internet and corporate networks: a stochastic actor‐based modelling approach
Authors: LIU XINGJIAN
Published: October 2013

In this article, I show one possible solution to synthesis dynamics in multiple intercity networks. I adopt a stochastic actor‐based modelling approach to explore the co‐evolution of an intercity corporate network of 57 globalized advanced producer service firms across 93 cities, and another intercity internet network between these 93 cities, for the period 2004–2010. Stochastic actor‐based models (SABMs) help to connect interactions among cities and firms on the local scale with empirically observed networks on the global scale. My analysis accounts for the co‐evolution/interdependence among multiple world city networks (WCNs) and associated network changes in individual WCNs with exogenous city‐related covariates and endogenous local network structures.
Groundwater Flow Cycling Between a Submarine Spring and an Inland Fresh Water Spring
Authors: Davis J. Hal , Verdi Richard
Published: October 2013

Spring Creek Springs and Wakulla Springs are large first magnitude springs that derive water from the Upper Floridan Aquifer. The submarine Spring Creek Springs are located in a marine estuary and Wakulla Springs are located 18 km inland. Wakulla Springs has had a consistent increase in flow from the 1930s to the present. This increase is probably due to the rising sea level, which puts additional pressure head on the submarine Spring Creek Springs, reducing its fresh water flow and increasing flows in Wakulla Springs. To improve understanding of the complex relations between these springs, flow and salinity data were collected from June 25, 2007 to June 30, 2010. The flow in Spring Creek Springs was most sensitive to rainfall and salt water intrusion, and the flow in Wakulla Springs was most sensitive to rainfall and the flow in Spring Creek Springs. Flows from the springs were found to be connected, and composed of three repeating phases in a karst spring flow cycle: Phase 1 occurred during low rainfall periods and was characterized by salt water backflow into the Spring Creek Springs caves. The higher density salt water blocked fresh water flow and resulted in a higher equivalent fresh water head in Spring Creek Springs than in Wakulla Springs. The blocked fresh water was diverted to Wakulla Springs, approximately doubling its flow. Phase 2 occurred when heavy rainfall resulted in temporarily high creek flows to nearby sinkholes that purged the salt water from the Spring Creek Springs caves. Phase 3 occurred after streams returned to base flow. The Spring Creek Springs caves retained a lower equivalent fresh water head than Wakulla Springs, causing them to flow large amounts of fresh water while Wakulla Springs flow was reduced by about half.