bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Appraisal of Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials
Authors: Elwood Mark
Published: March 2017

This book presents a system of critical appraisal applicable to clinical, epidemiological and public health studies and to many other fields. It assumes no prior knowledge. The methods are relevant to students, practitioners and policymakers. The book shows how to assess if the results of one study or of many studies show a causal effect. The book discusses study designs: randomised and non-randomised trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and surveys, showing the presentation of results including person-time and survival analysis, and issues in the selection of subjects. The system shows how to describe a study, how to detect and assess selection biases, observation bias, confounding, and chance variation, and how to assess internal validity and external validity (generalisability). Statistical methods are presented assuming no previous knowledge, and showing applications to each study design. Positive features of causation including strength, dose-response, and consistency are discussed. The book shows how to do systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and discusses publication bias. Systems of assessing all evidence are shown, leading to a general method of critical appraisal based on 20 key questions in five groups, which can be applied to any type of study or any topic. Six chapters show the application of this method to randomised trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and case-control studies. An appendix summarises key statistical methods, each with a worked example. Each main chapter has self-test questions, with answers provided.
Factors Influencing the Reliability of the Glasgow Coma Scale: A Systematic Review
Authors: Reith Florence CM , Synnot Anneliese , van den Brande Ruben , Gruen Russell L. , Maas Andrew IR
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND:The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) characterizes patients with diminished consciousness. In a recent systematic review, we found overall adequate reliability across different clinical settings, but reliability estimates varied considerably between studies, and methodological quality of studies was overall poor. Identifying and understanding factors that can affect its reliability is important, in order to promote high standards for clinical use of the GCS.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this systematic review was to identify factors that influence reliability and to provide an evidence base for promoting consistent and reliable application of the GCS.

METHODS:A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL from 1974 to July 2016. Studies assessing the reliability of the GCS in adults or describing any factor that influences reliability were included. Two reviewers independently screened citations, selected full texts, and undertook data extraction and critical appraisal. Methodological quality of studies was evaluated with the consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments checklist. Data were synthesized narratively and presented in tables.

RESULTS:Forty-one studies were included for analysis. Factors identified that may influence reliability are education and training, the level of consciousness, and type of stimuli used. Conflicting results were found for experience of the observer, the pathology causing the reduced consciousness, and intubation/sedation. No clear influence was found for the professional background of observers.

CONCLUSION:Reliability of the GCS is influenced by multiple factors and as such is context dependent. This review points to the potential for improvement from training and education and standardization of assessment methods, for which recommendations are presented.
Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion, Radiofrequency Denervation, and Conservative Management for Sacroiliac Joint Pain: 6-Year Comparative Case Series
Authors: Vanaclocha Vicente , Herrera Juan Manuel , Sáiz-Sapena Nieves , Rivera-Paz Marlon , Verdú-López Francisco
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is an under-recognized condition. Substantial information supports the safety and effectiveness of SIJ fusion (SIJF). Long-term follow-up after SIJF has not been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To determine responses to conservative management (CM), SIJ denervation, and SIJF in patients with SIJ pain unresponsive to CM.

METHODS

Retrospective study with long-term (up to 6 yr) follow-up of 137 patients with SIJ pain seen in an outpatient neurosurgery clinic who received either CM (n = 63), sacroiliac denervation (n = 47), or minimally invasive SIJF (n = 27). At each routine clinic visit, patients completed pain scores and Oswestry Disability Index. Additional data were extracted from medical charts.

RESULTS

Patients treated with continued CM had no long-term improvement in pain (mean worsening of 1 point) or disability (mean Oswestry Disability Index worsened by 4-6 points), increased their use of opioids, and had poor long-term work status. SIJF patients had large improvements in SIJ pain (mean 6 points), large improvements in disability (mean 25 points), a decrease in opioid use, and good final work status. Sacroiliac denervation patients had intermediate responses (0-1 and 1-2 points, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In patients with SIJ pain unresponsive to CM, SIJF resulted in excellent long-term clinical responses, with low opioid use and better work status compared to other treatments.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Exploring the Clinical Evidence
Authors: Lam Gretl , Fontaine Rocky , Ross Frank L. , Chiu Ernest S.
Published: March 2017

GENERAL PURPOSE:

To provide information about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), its mechanisms, indications and safe applications based on clinical evidence.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:

1. Recall the physiology of wound healing and the mechanisms of action of HBOT.

2. Identify current applications of HBOT based on clinical evidence as well as its risks and contraindications.

Treating chronic wounds and infections are challenging medical problems worldwide. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), the administration of 100% oxygen at pressures greater than 1.4 atmosphere absolute in a series of treatments, can be used as an adjunctive therapy in many wound care settings because it improves oxygenation and neovascularization and decreases inflammation in chronic wounds. A growing number of studies support the benefits of HBOT for enhancing wound healing and decreasing the likelihood of negative events such as amputation. However, many practitioners are unfamiliar with HBOT. This article provides a general introduction to HBOT, reviews the physiology and mechanisms of behind HBOT, discusses all the indications for HBOT, and explores in-depth the clinical evidence for HBOT in the treatment of arterial insufficiencies, diabetic ulcers, delayed radiation injury, and chronic refractory osteomyelitis.
Debate: Are Benzodiazepines Appropriate Treatments for Patients with Substance Use Disorders? Yes
Authors: Park Tae Woo
Published: March 2017

Benzodiazepines are a controversial treatment for anxiety in patients with substance use disorders. Concerns include risk of addiction, overdose, and diversion. But benzodiazepines are among the most effective and well-tolerated treatments for anxiety, and are safe for the majority of patients who take them. Though not appropriate for all cases, particularly in those with an active opioid use disorder, benzodiazepines should be considered as a treatment for patients with substance use disorders after careful weighing of benefits and harms.
In Vivo Cysteinyl Leukotriene Release in Allergic and Nonallergic Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions during Anesthesia
Authors: Laroche Dominique , Léturgie Pierre , Mariotte Delphine , Ollivier Yann , Hanouz Jean-Luc , Le Mauff Brigitte , Parienti Jean-Jacques
Published: March 2017

Background

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions occurring during anesthesia are classified as allergic when skin tests and mast cell tryptase are positive and as nonallergic when negative results are obtained. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) are potent mediators synthesized by mast cell and eosinophil that induce bronchial constriction. They could play a role in hypersensitivity reactions.

Methods

cysLT C4, D4, and E4 concentrations were measured by a competition immunoassay in serial plasma samples obtained prospectively from 21 anesthetized controls and retrospectively from 34 patients who reacted at induction of anesthesia (24 with allergic and 10 with nonallergic reactions).

Results

In controls, the median (interquartile range) cysLT concentration was 0.83 (0.69 to 1.02) μg/l before anesthesia and was unchanged 30 min, 6 h, and 24 h afterward. In the patients with allergic reactions, the values were highly increased 30 to 60 min after the reaction (17.9 [7.8 to 36.0] μg/l), while the patients with nonallergic reactions had less increased values (7.3 [3.0 to 11.5] μg/l). The difference between the three groups was significant (P < 0.0001). Increased values persisted during the 24 h of observation. Concentrations were significantly higher in patients with bronchospasm (P = 0.016).

Conclusions

cysLTs appear to be an important mediator of allergic and nonallergic immediate hypersensitivity reactions. These findings might open a new field for management of patients with hypersensitivity reactions, especially nonallergic ones.
Update on maintenance therapy for granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis
Authors: Singer Ora , McCune W. Joseph
Published: March 2017

Purpose of review

The antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides are a group of rare systemic diseases. The past several years have seen major therapeutic advances in the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). The success rate in induction of remission is high, but reducing the high incidence of relapses remains a therapeutic challenge.

Recent findings

Studies have shown no improvement in relapse rates in GPA and MPA over the past 2 decades. This has prompted a recent focus on therapeutic strategies to maintain remission in these relapsing diseases. Low-dose rituximab (RTX) at fixed intervals has been shown superior to azathioprine for maintenance of remission. Despite this advance, longer follow-up periods have shown late-stage relapses with withdrawal of therapy suggesting a possible need for longer treatment regimens. Evaluation of prognostic indicators is also helpful in stratifying patients who might be more likely to relapse or to respond to a particular therapy.

Results from recent research have significantly advanced our approach to prevention of relapses in GPA and MPA. Newer maintenance agents have shown benefit in maintenance of remission and relapse-free survival.
Examining Patient Outcome Quality Indicators Based on Wait Time From Referral to Entry Into Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Kehler Dustin Scott , Kent Dave , Beaulac Julie , Strachan Leisha , Wangasekara Nilu , Chapman Soyun , Hiebert Brett , Lamont Darlene , Lerner Neal , Boreskie Sue , Avery Lorraine , Duhamel Todd A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine whether meeting the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) ≤60-day wait time from cardiac rehabilitation (CR) referral to enrollment is associated with CCS patient-level quality indicator outcomes.

Methods:

This pilot observational study consisted of 69 participants entering CR separated into 2 groups based on wait time (≤60-day, n = 45; >60-day, n = 24). Data were collected at baseline, and 1, 4 (CR completion), 6, and 12 months after baseline. Quality indicators for achieving a 0.5 peak metabolic equivalent (MET) improvement at CR completion, physical activity of 150 min/wk of moderate-vigorous physical activity, and CR adherence were assessed. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire.

Results:

Sixty participants completed the study (≤60-day, n = 40; >60-day, n = 20). In the ≤60-day group, 92% of participants achieved the 0.5 MET improvement upon CR completion; whereas 60% of the >60-day group met this criteria (P ≤ .05). For the 150 min/wk of moderate-vigorous physical activity and CR adherence, both groups were not significantly different at any time. Elevated depressive symptoms were initially observed in 45% of participants in the ≤60-day group and 35% in the >60-day group (NS) and decreased to 8% in the ≤60-day group compared with 30% in the >60-day group at 12 months (P ≤ .05).

Conclusions:

Meeting the CCS 60-day acceptable wait time is associated with improvements in METs and depressive symptoms, but not with physical activity or CR adherence. A larger observational study is warranted to explore patient-level CCS quality indicators during and after CR.
MICROPERIMETRY IN BEST VITELLIFORM MACULAR DYSTROPHY
Authors: Battaglia Parodi Maurizio , Castellino Niccolò , Iacono Pierluigi , Chowers Itay , Empeslidis Theodoros , Goldstein Michaella , Bandello Francesco
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To investigate retinal sensitivity in eyes with all the clinical stages of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD).

Methods:

Thirty-two patients affected by VMD in subclinical, vitelliform, pseudohypopyon, vitelliruptive, and atrophic stages were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. Patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including determination of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), staging of the disease (Gass's classification), and microperimetry by means of the macular integrity assessment microperimeter. The primary outcome measure was to describe the alterations in the retinal sensitivity of eyes affected by VMD in different stages. Secondary outcome measures included correlations between retinal sensitivity and best-corrected visual acuity and the correlation between the VMD stage and the specific microperimetry pattern.

Results:

Mean retinal sensitivity was reduced in all the VMD stages. Nevertheless, vitelliform, pseudohypopyon, and vitelliruptive stages turned out to be very similar, especially within 10°. Fixation was classified as stable in 27 eyes (44.2%), relatively unstable in 16 eyes (26.2%), and unstable in 18 eyes (29.5%). Fixation stability correlated both with the disease stage and best-corrected visual acuity.

Conclusion:

VMD is characterized by complex microperimetric abnormalities, involving the whole macular area. Microperimetry may contribute to the global clinical assessment of patients affected by VMD and could be used in future therapeutic approaches.
News on the molecular regulation and function of hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor and LDLR-related protein 1
Authors: van de Sluis Bart , Wijers Melinde , Herz Joachim
Published: March 2017

Purpose of review

Clearing of atherogenic lipoprotein particles by the liver requires hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and LDLR-related protein 1 (LRP1). This review highlights recent studies that have expanded our understanding of the molecular regulation and metabolic functions of LDLR and LRP1 in the liver.

Recent findings

Various proteins orchestrate the intracellular trafficking of LDLR and LRP1. After internalization, the receptors are redirected via recycling endosomes to the cell surface. Several new endocytic proteins that facilitate the endosomal trafficking of LDLR and consequently the clearance of circulating LDL cholesterol have recently been reported. Mutations in some of these proteins cause hypercholesterolemia in human. In addition, LRP1 controls cellular cholesterol efflux by modulating the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1, and hepatic LRP1 protects against diet-induced hepatic insulin resistance and steatosis through the regulation of insulin receptor trafficking.

LDLR and LRP1 have prominent roles in cellular and organismal cholesterol homeostasis. Their functioning, including their trafficking in the cell, is controlled by numerous proteins. Comprehensive studies into the molecular regulation of LDLR and LRP1 trafficking have advanced our fundamental understanding of cholesterol homeostasis, and these insights may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in the future.
Rediscovering scavenger receptor type BI: surprising new roles for the HDL receptor
Authors: Hoekstra Menno , Sorci-Thomas Mary
Published: March 2017

Purpose of review

Scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) is classically known for its role in antiatherogenic reverse cholesterol transport as it selectively takes up cholesterol esters from HDL. Here, we have highlighted recent literature that describes novel functions for SR-BI in physiology and disease.

Recent findings

A large population-based study has revealed that patients heterozygous for the P376L mutant form of SR-BI showed significantly increased levels of plasma HDL-cholesterol and had increased risk of cardiovascular disease, demonstrating that SR-BI in humans is a significant determinant of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, SR-BI has been shown to modulate the susceptibility to LPS-induced tissue injury and the ability of sphingosine 1 phosphate to interact with its receptor, linking SR-BI to the regulation of inflammation. In addition, important domains within the molecule (Trp-415) as well as novel regulators (procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer protein 2) of SR-BI's selective uptake function have recently been identified. Moreover, relatively high expression levels of the SR-BI protein have been observed in a variety of cancer tissues, which is associated with a reduced overall survival rate.

The HDL receptor SR-BI is a potential therapeutic target not only in the cardiovascular disease setting, but also in inflammatory conditions as well as in cancer.
Applying Mondrian Cross-Conformal Prediction to Estimate Prediction Confidence on Large Imbalanced Bioactivity Datasets
Authors: Sun Jiangming , Carlsson Lars , Ahlberg Ernst , Norinder Ulf , Engkvist Ola , Chen Hongming
Published: March 2017

Conformal prediction has been proposed as a more rigorous way to define prediction confidence compared to other application domain concepts that have earlier been used for QSAR modelling. One main advantage of such a method is that it provides a prediction region potentially with multiple predicted labels, which contrasts to the single valued (regression) or single label (classification) output predictions by standard QSAR modelling algorithms. Standard conformal prediction might not be suitable for imbalanced datasets. Therefore, Mondrian cross-conformal prediction (MCCP) which combines the Mondrian inductive conformal prediction with cross-fold calibration sets has been introduced. In this study, the MCCP method was applied to 18 publicly available datasets that have various imbalance levels varying from 1:10 to 1:1000 (ratio of active/inactive compounds). Our results show that MCCP in general performed well on cheminformatics datasets with various imbalance levels. More importantly, the method not only provides confidence of prediction and prediction regions compared to standard machine learning methods, but also produces valid predictions for the minority class. In addition, a compound similarity based nonconformity measure was investigated. Our results demonstrate that although it gives valid predictions, its efficiency is much worse than nonconformity measures obtained from supervised learning.
Accounting for technical noise in single-cell RNA sequencing analysis
Authors: Jia Cheng , Kelly Derek , Kim Junhyong , Li Mingyao , Zhang Nancy R.
Published: March 2017

Recent technological breakthroughs have made it possible to measure RNA expression at the single-cell level, thus paving the way for exploring expression heterogeneity among individual cells. Current single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) protocols are complex and introduce technical biases that vary across cells, which can bias downstream analysis without proper adjustment. To account for cell-to-cell technical differences, we propose a statistical framework, TASC (Toolkit for Analysis of Single Cell RNA-seq), an empirical Bayes approach to reliably model the cell-specific dropout rates and amplification bias by use of external RNA spike-ins. TASC incorporates the technical parameters, which reflect cell-to-cell batch effects, into a hierarchical mixture model to estimate the biological variance of a gene and detect differentially expressed genes. More importantly, TASC is able to adjust for covariates to further eliminate confounding that may originate from cell size and cell cycle differences. In simulation and real scRNA-seq data, TASC achieves accurate Type I error control and displays competitive sensitivity and improved robustness to batch effects in differential expression analysis, compared to existing methods. TASC is programmed to be computationally efficient, taking advantage of multi-threaded parallelization. We believe that TASC will provide a robust platform for researchers to leverage the power of scRNA-seq.
Dynamic expression of FKBP5 in the medial prefrontal cortex regulates resiliency to conditioned fear
Authors: Criado-Marrero Marangelie , Morales Silva Roberto J. , Velazquez Bethzaly , Hernández Anixa , Colon María , Cruz Emmanuel , Soler-Cedeño Omar , Porter James T.
Published: March 2017

The factors influencing resiliency to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain to be elucidated. Clinical studies associate PTSD with polymorphisms of the FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5). However, it is unclear whether changes in FKBP5 expression alone could produce resiliency or susceptibility to PTSD-like symptoms. In this study, we used rats as an animal model to examine whether FKBP5 in the infralimbic (IL) or prelimbic (PL) medial prefrontal cortex regulates fear conditioning or extinction. First, we examined FKBP5 expression in IL and PL during fear conditioning or extinction. In contrast to the stable expression of FKBP5 seen in PL, FKBP5 expression in IL increased after fear conditioning and remained elevated even after extinction suggesting that IL FKBP5 levels may modulate fear conditioning or extinction. Consistent with this possibility, reducing basal FKBP5 expression via local infusion of FKBP5–shRNA into IL reduced fear conditioning. Furthermore, reducing IL FKBP5, after consolidation of the fear memory, enhanced extinction memory indicating that IL FKBP5 opposed formation of the extinction memory. Our findings demonstrate that lowering FKBP5 expression in IL is sufficient to both reduce fear acquisition and enhance extinction, and suggest that lower expression of FKBP5 in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex could contribute to resiliency to PTSD.
Low lifetime stress exposure is associated with reduced stimulus–response memory
Authors: Goldfarb Elizabeth V. , Shields Grant S. , Daw Nathaniel D. , Slavich George M. , Phelps Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2017

Exposure to stress throughout life can cumulatively influence later health, even among young adults. The negative effects of high cumulative stress exposure are well-known, and a shift from episodic to stimulus–response memory has been proposed to underlie forms of psychopathology that are related to high lifetime stress. At the other extreme, effects of very low stress exposure are mixed, with some studies reporting that low stress leads to better outcomes, while others demonstrate that low stress is associated with diminished resilience and negative outcomes. However, the influence of very low lifetime stress exposure on episodic and stimulus–response memory is unknown. Here we use a lifetime stress assessment system (STRAIN) to assess cumulative lifetime stress exposure and measure memory performance in young adults reporting very low and moderate levels of lifetime stress exposure. Relative to moderate levels of stress, very low levels of lifetime stress were associated with reduced use and retention (24 h later) of stimulus–response (SR) associations, and a higher likelihood of using context memory. Further, computational modeling revealed that participants with low levels of stress exhibited worse expression of memory for SR associations than those with moderate stress. These results demonstrate that very low levels of stress exposure can have negative effects on cognition.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of ethyl 5-phenylisoxazole-3-carboxylate
Authors: Shaik Althaf , Kirubakaran Sivapriya , Thiruvenkatam Vijay
Published: March 2017

The title compound, C12H11NO3, is an intermediate used in the synthesis of many drug-like molecules. The molecule is almost planar, with the phenyl ring inclined to the isoxazole ring by 0.5 (1)°. The ester moiety has an extended conformation and is almost in the same plane with respect to the isoxazole ring, as indicated by the O—C—C—N torsion angle of −172.86 (18)°. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviapairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds with the same acceptor atom, forming inversion dimers with twoR21(7) ring motifs. The molecules stack in layers lying parallel to (10-3). Analysis using Hirshfeld surface generation and two-dimensional fingerprint plots explores the distribution of weak intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure.
Agency cost of debt: evidence from Kansas farm operations
Authors: Brewer Brady , Featherstone Allen M.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how debt affects the cost structure of a farm. Agency costs arise when stakeholders of a farm manage their farm differently to obtain debt which results in inefficiencies. These inefficiencies cause a farm to deviate from cost minimization strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the non-parametric technique of data envelopment analysis. Through this method, a non-stochastic cost frontier is constructed where all farms must lie on or above the frontier. This allows for the analysis of how debt affects the shape of the cost frontier and for how debt affects deviations away from cost-minimizing strategy. The shadow costs of the debt constraints in the linear programming problem are used to analyze the effect of debt at the cost frontier while a series of Tobit models are estimated to examine the effect of debt on deviations away from the frontier.

Findings

The findings of this paper support the existence of agency costs associated with debt for Kansas farms. The addition of debt and capital constraints lowered the minimum cost frontier increasing the average efficient cost under variable returns to scale. However, for those farms on the frontier, the shadow cost of debt was negative meaning an increase in debt would lower the overall variable cost. The increase of debt was found to be negatively correlated to the efficiency score of the farms.

Originality/value

This paper provides value by supporting the existence of agency costs which has been disagreed upon in the literature and also providing new insights for how to analyze agency costs. Since debt was found to have a negative shadow value for those farms on the frontier but negatively correlated with efficiency scores, this suggests that agency costs affect firms differently depending on where the farm is on the cost frontier.
Farm and lender structural change: implications for federal credit
Authors: Dodson Charles B. , Ahrendsen Bruce L.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine changes in the structures of US farms and lenders and identify prospective implications for federal credit.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from US farm operations for 1996-2014 were adjusted to 2014 values using commodity price indices. Farm size groups were constructed by value of farm production to analyze changes in farm numbers, production, assets, debt, leverage, liquidity, profitability, land tenure, commodity type, contract production, organization type, and use of Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct and guaranteed loans by farm size. Bank, Farm Credit System (FCS), and FSA data from 1996 to 2015 were adjusted to 2014 values. Lender size groups were constructed to analyze changes in bank and association numbers, farm loans, and use of FSA guaranteed loans by lender size.

Findings

The greatest consolidation has been by farms with over $2 million in production. More farm debt is held by large, complex organizations, frequently with multiple operators, more variable income, and greater reliance on production contracts and operating and nonreal estate credit. Large farms have greater leverage, are more profitable, and have a larger share of household income from the farm. Banks and FCS institutions are fewer and larger, yet smaller institutions use FSA guarantees to a greater extent. Larger farms tend to be more reliant on both direct and guaranteed FSA loans and are likely to become more dependent on FSA credit.

Originality/value

Changing farm and lender structure together with softening farm income may require FSA farm loan program changes to meet any increase in loan demand. Policy alternatives are provided to meet changing demand for farm credit.
Modeling debt choice in agriculture: the effect of endogenous asset values
Authors: Bampasidou Maria , Mishra Ashok K. , Moss Charles B.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the endogeneity of asset values and how it relates to farm financial stress in US agriculture. The authors conceptualize an implied measure of farm financial stress as a function of debt position. The authors posit that there are variations in the asset values that are beyond the farmer’s control and therefore have implications on farm debt.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework recognizes the endogeneity of return on assets (ROA). It uses a non-parametric technique to approximate the variance of expected ROA (VEROA). The authors model the rate of return on agricultural assets and interest rate with a formulation that focuses on macroeconomic policy. Further, the authors use a dynamic balanced panel data set from 1960 to 2011 for 15 US agricultural states from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey, and information from traditional state-level financial statements.

Findings

Estimation of linear dynamic debt panel data models accounting for the endogeneity of ROA and VEROA is a challenging task. Estimated variances are unstable. Hence, the authors focus on variance specification that uses the residuals squared from the ARIMA specification and non-parametric estimators. Arellano-Bover/Blundell-Bond generalized method of moments estimation procedures, although may be biased, show that VEROA has a negative and significant effect on the total amount of debt in the agricultural sector.

Research limitations/implications

The instruments used in this analysis are lagged regressors which may be weakly correlated with the relevant first-order condition, hence not properly identifying the parameters of interest. Future research could include the identification of better instruments, potentially use of sequential moment conditions.

Originality/value

Unlike previous study, the authors use non-parametric approximation of VEROA. The authors model the rate of return on agricultural assets and interest rate with a formulation that focuses on macroeconomic policy. Second, the authors make use of a large dynamic balanced panel data set from 1960 to 2011 for 15 agricultural states in the USA. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the few that provides evidence on risk-balancing behavior at the agricultural sector level, of the USA.
Empirical analysis of the main factors influencing rice harvest losses based on sampling survey data of ten provinces in China
Authors: Wu Linhai , Hu Qipeng , Wang Jianhua , Zhu Dian
Published: March 2017

Purpose

In China, a major grain producer, rice losses during harvest cannot be ignored. The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent of rice harvest losses in major grain-producing areas in China by a sampling survey, and to further analyze the main factors influencing rice harvest losses using an ordered multinomial logistic model.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, data were collected using a multi-stage sampling method from ten major rice-producing provinces/regions in China. On this basis, five counties were selected from each of these provinces/regions. In the actual survey, house numbers were randomly selected, and then corresponding farmer households were visited by trained investigators.

Findings

The survey found that 56.22 percent of respondents believed that rice harvest losses were 4 percent or lower in China, though there were differences among the provinces. The proportion of family business income, planting scale, mechanization level, timely harvest, and operational meticulousness had negative effects on rice harvest losses. On the other hand, farmers’ experience of employment as migrant workers had a positive effect on rice harvest losses. In addition, bad weather and short handedness during harvest significantly increased rice harvest losses.

Originality/value

The meaning of rice harvest losses was defined based on previous research findings on the definition of grain harvest losses and the realities in China. The current rice harvest losses in different areas in China were analyzed based on sampling survey data from 957 farmers in ten provinces in China.
Organic farming
Authors: Ma Wanglin , Ma Chunbo , Su Ye , Nie Zihan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that influence Chinese apple farmers’ willingness to adopt organic farming, paying a special attention to the role of information acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

Given that the selection bias may occur when farmers themselves decide whether or not to acquire the information to understand the essence of organic farming, this study employs a recursive bivariate probit model to address the issue of the selection bias.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that farmers’ decision to acquire information is positively affected by farmers’ environmental awareness, access to credit and access to information. In particular, information acquisition appears to increase the likelihood of farmers’ willingness to adopt organic farming by 35.9 percentage points on average.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that measures increasing farmers’ information exposure can be promising policy interventions to induce adoption of organic farming.

Originality/value

While considerable evidence indicates that organic farming provides more benefits than conventional production practice, little is known about farmers’ willingness to adopt in China. This paper provides a first attempt by examining the role of information acquisition in determining Chinese apple farmers’ willingness to adopt.
Rubber specialization vs crop diversification: the roles of perceived risks
Authors: Min Shi , Huang Jikun , Waibel Hermann
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of farmers’ risk perceptions regarding rubber farming on their land use choices, including rubber specialization and crop diversification.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey data of some 600 smallholder rubber farmers in Xishuangbanna in Southwest China is employed. This paper develops a general conceptual framework that incorporates a subjective risk item into a model of farmers’ land use choices, thereby developing four econometric models to estimate the role of risk perceptions, and applies instrumental variables to control for the endogeneity of risk perceptions.

Findings

The results demonstrate that risk perceptions play an important role in smallholders’ decision-making regarding land use strategies to address potential risks in rubber farming. Smallholders with higher risk perceptions specialize in rubber farming less often and are more likely to diversify their land use, thereby contributing to local environmental conservation in terms of agrobiodiversity. The land use choices of smallholder rubber farmers are also associated with ethnicity, household wealth, off-farm employment, land tenure status, altitude and rubber farming experience.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding of the implications of farmers’ risk perceptions and shows entry points for improving the sustainability of rubber-based land use systems.
Research on women in international business and management: then, now, and next
Authors: Bullough Amanda , Moore Fiona , Kalafatoglu Tugba
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the paradox that represents a shortage of women in management and senior leadership positions around the world, while research has consistently shown that having women in positions of influence leads to noteworthy organizational benefits, as guest editors for this special issue, the authors provide an overview of four key streams of cross-cultural research on gender – women in international management, anthropology and gender, women’s leadership, and women’s entrepreneurship – which have been fairly well-developed but remain underexplored.

Design/methodology/approach

Each author led the review of the scholarly literature stream that aligned most with personal research areas of expertise, while particularly focusing each literature review on the status of each body of work in relation to the topic of women and gender in international business and management.

Findings

The authors encourage future work on the role of women and gender (including gay, lesbian, and transgender) in cross-cultural management, and the influence of cross-cultural matters on gender. In addition to new research on obstacles and biases faced by women in management, the authors hope to see more scholarship on the benefits that women bring to their organizations.

Practical implications

New research could aim to provide specific evidence-based recommendations for: how organizations and individuals can work to develop more gender diversity in management and senior positions around the world, and encourage more women to start and grow bigger businesses.

Social implications

Scholars can lead progress on important gender issues and contribute to quality information that guides politicians, organizational leaders, new entrants to the workforce.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to cover these topics and review the body of work on cross-cultural research on women in international business and management. The authors hope it serves as a useful launch pad for scholars conducting new research in this domain.
Gender and operations management
Authors: Metters Richard
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Work that is considered appropriate for only one gender by the indigenous culture is explored. The focus is on the operational issues that accrue due to the combination of what is deemed appropriate treatment to, and activities of, women. Global differences in the operational sub-categories of business location, layout, the implementation of process improvement programs, shift scheduling, operational compliance, the strategic capability of volume flexibility, and other issues are explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature from the disparate fields of women’s studies, anthropology, law, developmental economics, and management are synthesized.

Findings

There are extreme differences internationally in the viability of operational practices involving shift work, facility location, and other production issues. Particularly, research involving the implementation of quality management programs may be compromised due to gender effects.

Practical implications

A large number of practical issues are discussed. The viability and wisdom of many operational practices being copied from different cultures is addressed.

Originality/value

This work is a synthesis of the same subjects from widely disparate intellectual domains. The author informs management scholars and managers from unusual sources in medicine, women’s studies, anthropology, developmental economics, and law.
Family and state ownership, internationalization and corporate board-gender diversity
Authors: Saeed Abubakr , Yousaf Amna , Alharbi Jaithen
Published: March 2017

Purpose

In times of vivid debates on the inclusion of women on boards, the purpose of this paper is to shed a new light on the composition of boardrooms in emerging market firms by investigating how family and state ownership affect board-gender diversity in the emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses Tobit regression to examine the effect of firm ownership on board-gender diversity. A panel data set of Chinese and Indian firms for the period 2004-2013 is used to conduct this study.

Findings

The results show a negative and significant impact of family and state ownership on the proportion of women directors. However, this relationship is seen to be reverse if the firm is operating in international markets. Notably, a negative relationship was seen to persist between ownership structure and board-gender diversity for both female executive and independent board members, whereas a positive impact of internationalization was observed only for independent female directors.

Originality/value

This research addresses the board-gender diversity issue in emerging economies by focusing on firm characteristics which are unique to their business context. Further, this study identifies the conditions under which emerging market firms assimilate or proscribe women on their boards by recognizing the salient features of firms from emerging markets. Hence, in doing so, new evidence is added to the studies on the determinants of board-gender diversity. Lastly, it advances the earlier literature based on resource dependency and agency views and demonstrates the importance of internationalization for the inclusion of women on corporate boards.
Educational mismatch and labor earnings in Brazil
Authors: Reis Mauricio Cortez
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between educational mismatch and labor earnings in Brazil, taking into account individual fixed effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis employs longitudinal data and information provided by job analysts about the schooling required for each occupation. The latter of which is used to classify workers as undereducated, overeducated, or adequately matched. Estimates include individual fixed effects to control for time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity.

Findings

Evidence indicates that one more year of overeducation increases labor earnings, but only half as strong as one more year of required schooling. The estimated effects on years of undereducation are negative, but undereducated workers earn more than adequately matched workers with the same level of education. Although, in particular, the incidence of undereducation in Brazil is much higher than reported for developed countries, the impact of over- and undereducation does not differ.

Research limitations/implications

The fixed effects approach only controls for unobservable factors that are time-invariant. Also, much lower impacts using fixed effects may be due in part to attenuation bias as a consequence of measurement errors.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the scarce literature on the consequences of overeducation and undereducation for labor earnings in developing countries, providing estimates that take into account individual fixed effects.
Employee service innovative behavior
Authors: Garg Shreya , Dhar Rajib
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the under-researched work on service innovation by examining employee service innovative behavior in the Indian banking industry. In doing so, this study addresses the call for carrying out context-based research to advance service innovation literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using convenience sampling and self-administered survey methods, data were obtained from professionals employed in Indian public sector banks (n=294).

Findings

Findings reveal that leader-member exchange (LMX) shares a positive relationship with employee service innovative behavior via work engagement. Results also indicate that job autonomy as moderator strengthened the relationship between LMX and employee service innovative behavior mediated by work engagement.

Practical implications

This study recommends that higher levels of LMX quality should be combined with enhanced levels of job autonomy for significantly influencing employee service innovative behavior.

Originality/value

Even though previous studies on service innovation have produced a significant piece of work, this study is among the first to propose and analyze a comprehensive and theoretically grounded structure of LMX, work engagement, job autonomy and employee service innovative behavior by incorporating social exchange and job characteristics theories.
The relationship between personal values, organizational formalization and employee work outcomes of compliance and innovation
Authors: Eva Nathan , Prajogo Daniel , Cooper Brian
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction between personal values and the organizational context in influencing work behaviors. Specifically, it examines the relationships between two dimensions of personal values based on Schwartz’s value theory – self-direction and conformity; and two work behaviors – innovation and compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 187 employees in Australia. Multiple regression method was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that organizational formalization moderated the relationship between self-direction values and innovative behaviors. As hypothesized, the positive effect of self-direction values on innovative behavior was strongest in less formalized organizations. the authors also found that conformity values predicted compliance behaviors, but no evidence of moderation by organizational formalization.

Practical implications

It is important for organizations seeking particular work behaviors to ensure they are hiring employees with corresponding values and structuring the degree of formalization in the organization accordingly.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the interactionist perspective, demonstrating that formalization interacts with employee values to influence work behaviors. Further, the authors extend previous studies on self-direction values and creative behaviors by understanding how personal values impact innovative behavior.