bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Should sex traffickers be subject to sexually violent predator laws?
Authors: Greer Benjamin Thomas , Cotulla Grace , Seddighzadeh Halleh
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Protecting society from sex offenders has presented a challenge for state legislatures. Recent decades have seen a significant increase in sexually motivated crimes, especially sex trafficking. Effectively combatting sexual exploitation demands a range of legal strategies. As of 2012, 20 states have passed sexually violent predators (SVP) legislation. Human traffickers may exhibit the same deplorable characteristics as SVPs and should be subject to civil commitments. Traffickers are extremely skilled at exploiting their victim’s psychological pressure-points; knowing which cultural or personal experiences they can prey upon to extract compliance. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the overlapping predatory nature of sex traffickers and SVPs; the creation and purpose of sexual predator civil commitment statutes; and to dissect two cases which could give grounds for civil commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Legal research and analysis.

Findings

Repeated human sex traffickers may suffer from an underlying mental illness which would render them a continued danger to society when released from jail. They should be evaluated and civility committed if medically appropriate.

Practical implications

A potential increase in civil commits.

Social implications

Keep society safe from repeat sexual predators.

Originality/value

The authors have vast experience in the field of human trafficking and this topic will be a pioneering initial discussion.
The competition between B2C platform and third-party seller considering sales effort
Authors: Cao Kaiying , He Ping
Published: September 2016

Purpose

By studying the competition between a B2C platform and a third-party seller, the purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare their optimal decisions and profits between cases with and without sales effort of the platform or third-party seller.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studies the competition between a B2C platform and a third-party seller. The platform sells a product directly, and allows the third-party seller to sell a competing product on the platform. Based on whether the platform or the third-party seller makes sales effort, there are four scenarios. The paper analyzes the optimal decisions and profits of platform and third-party seller under each scenario, respectively.

Findings

The transaction fee has a negative effect on third-party seller’s sales effort level. What is more, the platform can take a free riding from the third-party seller’s sales effort, but the platform’s sales effort has a negative effect on the profit of third-party seller.

Practical implications

These results provide managerial insights for the platform and the third-party seller to make decisions.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first papers to study the competition between B2C platform and third-party seller.
A feasibility and pilot trial of computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for depression in adolescents: lessons learned from planning and conducting a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tindall Lucy , Varley Danielle , Wright Barry
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus upon the challenges faced by a research team when conducting a computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (CCBT) trial for adolescents with low mood/depression and how solutions were sought to eliminate these difficulties in future child and adolescent mental health clinical research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have presented a number of problems faced by the research team when conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) concerning adolescents with low mood/depression.

Findings

From examining the problems faced by the research team, the authors have provided key pieces of advice for prospective adolescent mental health RCTs. This advice includes developing clear project plans, setting strategies to encourage and maintain study information in the community and support recruitment, and keeping your organisation appraised of study needs and network and involve governance departments, IT and finance departments in these discussions early.

Originality/value

RCTs, particularly those focusing on child and adolescent mental health, can face a number of difficulties throughout its stages of completion (from protocol development to follow-up analysis). Studies involving the use of technologies add a layer of complexity to this. This review will be of value to researchers aiming to run a high-quality RCT concerning child and adolescent mental health.
A new admission system model for teacher colleges
Authors: Katz Sara , Frish Yehiel
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Aspects of intellectual competence would not be sufficient for quality teaching that requires a mix of intellectual and personal qualities. The purpose of this paper was to elicit personal attributes of teachers’ college applicants.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative case study consisted of 99 participants aged 20-24 years of average socio-economic and achievement backgrounds. The authors constructed five qualitative tools, in addition to the two existing standardized exams. Using techniques of the grounded theory, the authors sorted and synthesized the data through three-phase coding.

Findings

The authors elicited a general concept map of attributes, from which a personal attribute profile for each participant emerged. This model makes fine differentiations between individuals, providing a personal attribute profile pool of applicants useful for any admission committee and for empowering students’ strengths during studies.

Research limitations/implications

A solid database of non-cognitive attributes opens the door to further research, which will take into consideration multiple variables, such as student knowledge, beliefs and aptitudes.

Practical implications

Training teachers to apply research methodology into practice and limiting the length of tools make the mission possible, interesting and useful. Figuring out how to collect valid measures of such data about large numbers of college students would be a major challenge.

Social implications

As teachers occupy a central position in the educational enterprise, they become guardians of the country’s collective socio-cultural legacy. In the current context of teacher shortages, the authors offer a model that has the potential of improving recruitment of applicants for teaching and raising teacher quality.

Originality/value

No previous attempt that uses qualitative methodology for this purpose was found.
The influence of class size upon numeracy and literacy performance
Authors: Watson Kevin , Handal Boris , Maher Marguerite
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the influences of calendar year, year level, gender and language background other than English (LBOTE) on student achievement in literacy and numeracy relative to class size.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were collected over five years (2008-2012) as test results from the Australian National Assessment Plan in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) in Years 3 and 5 from over 100 Sydney primary schools.

Findings

It was found that the most important factors influencing academic performance in literacy and numeracy were, in descending order: gender, LBOTE, the calendar year in which the test was conducted, followed by class size. All variables were significantly associated with NAPLAN performance, but effect size estimates for class size were close to zero.

Originality/value

The results of this study support other studies suggesting that factors other than class size are more important in influencing academic performance.
Predictors of academic success in web-based courses: age, GPA, and instruction mode
Authors: Vella Elizabeth J. , Turesky Elizabeth F. , Hebert Jenni
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use a heutagogical approach to determine whether students enrolled in blended courses achieve higher grades relative to those enrolled in completely online courses, in addition to identifying demographic predictors of academic success in college courses involving Web-based modes of instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed models regression evaluated predictors of grade in terms of age, gender, instruction mode, graduate vs undergraduate status and full-time vs part-time load across 2,174 students (M = 27.6, SD = 9.54 years) enrolled in Web-based courses for a single term at a mid-sized public university in the northeastern USA.

Findings

In accordance with expectations, a significant main effect indicated higher grades among students enrolled in blended relative to completely online courses. Other predictors of academic success in Web-based courses included older age, female gender, graduate student status and part-time academic load. An interaction between age and gender on grade indicated the difference in performance between men and women diminished among older compared to younger students. Another interaction between age and instruction mode on successful course completion indicated a higher probability of success in blended courses among older students relative to their younger counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by its cross-sectional design of large scope, which is incapable of addressing differences in online instructional styles and student motivation factors.

Originality/value

The current study offers newfound evidence that students enrolled in Web-based college courses may benefit from a blended instructional format, a finding that may be particularly evident among older students.
Community‐level plant palatability increases with elevation as insect herbivore abundance declines
Authors: Descombes Patrice , Marchon Jérémy , Pradervand Jean‐Nicolas , Bilat Julia , Guisan Antoine , Rasmann Sergio , Pellissier Loïc
Published: September 2016

Plants protect themselves against herbivore attacks through a myriad of physical structures and toxic secondary metabolites. Together with abiotic factors, herbivores are expected to modulate plant defence strategies within plant assemblages. Because the abundance of insect herbivore decreases in colder environments, the palatability of plants in communities at higher elevation should shift in response to both abiotic and biotic factors.

We inventoried grasshopper communities to document changes in herbivore abundance along elevation gradients and quantified associated shifts in plant palatability. We measured plant palatability by measuring the growth of Spodoptera littoralis generalist caterpillars fed with the leaves of 172 plant species. We related plant palatability to leaf traits and elevation at the species and community levels.

In congruence with the decrease in grasshopper abundance with elevation, we found that the mean palatability level of plant communities increases with elevation. In addition, plant palatability was negatively associated with the community‐weighted mean of leaf dry matter content. At the species level, plants with high carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio were less palatable, while we found no effect of species mean elevation on plant palatability.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that plant communities at higher elevation are composed of species that are generally more palatable for insect herbivores. Shift in plant palatability with elevation may thus be the outcome of a relaxation of the in situ herbivore pressure and changes in abiotic conditions.
Emergency Department Visits Following Joint Replacement Surgery in an Era of Mandatory Bundled Payments
Authors: Nedza Susan M. , Fry Donald E. , DesHarnais Susan , Spencer Eric , Yep Patrick
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is actively testing bundled payments models. This study sought to identify relevant details for 90‐day postdischarge emergency department (ED) visits of Medicare beneficiaries following total joint replacement (TJR) surgery meeting eligibility for a CMS bundled payment program.

Methods

The CMS research identifiable file for the State of Texas for 2011–2012 was used to identify patients who underwent TJR. Qualifying inpatient claims were linked to 90‐day postdischarge ED claims. The claims associated with live discharge were divided into three cohorts: elective total hip replacement (THR), emergent (THR), and total knee replacement. The frequency, distribution, diagnoses, and disposition for these ED visits were identified and stratified by timing within the postdischarge period as well as discharge diagnosis. Visits were correlated with age, sex, joint replaced, and fracture.

Results

There were 50,838 TJR surgeries in Texas in 2011–2012 that would have been eligible for inclusion in the CMS defined CJR program. A total of 12,747 ED visits by 9,299 patients occurred in the 90‐day postdischarge period. Visits to the ED by patients 85 and older predominated in the case of THR performed secondary to a hip fracture. Patients 65–74 years predominated in both elective surgery categories. There were 2,370 ED visits within 90 days of 10,786 elective THRs, of which 55.5% were discharged home, 34.6% were hospitalized or transferred, and 6.9% were admitted to observation. Of the 3,438 ED visits among 8,475 emergent hip replacement cases, 22.4% were discharged home, 50.2% were hospitalized or transferred, and 5.3% were admitted to observation. Of the 6,939 visits among 31,387 knee replacement cases, 61.9% were discharged home, 30.6% were readmitted or transferred, and 7.1% were admitted to observation. The discharge diagnoses varied by volume and timing in the postdischarge period. The most prevalent diagnoses across groups included injury/trauma, physiologic decompensation, cardiopulmonary events, and infection.

Conclusions

ED services are frequent for Medicare TJR bundle‐eligible patients within the postdischarge period. ED utilization, discharge diagnosis and disposition varied by age, and elective and emergent surgeries. The ED is an important site for identifying and managing postoperative adverse outcomes.
Politics and Administration
Authors: Ting Michael M.
Published: September 2016

This article develops a theory of the administration and effectiveness of government programs. In the model, a bureaucrat chooses a mechanism for assigning a good to clients with uncertain qualifications. The mechanism applies a costly means test to verify the client's eligibility. A politician exercises oversight by limiting the bureaucrat's testing resources and the number of clients to be served. The model predicts the incidence of common administrative pathologies, including inefficient and politicized distribution of resources, inflexibility, program errors, and backlogs. When the politician favors marginally qualified clients, per capita spending is low and error rates are high. When the politician favors highly qualified clients, per capita spending is higher and error rates are lower. In the latter case, the bureaucrat may also use discriminatory testing, which allows the politician to target favored clients. Such targeted programs increase budgets and reduce backlogs, but they also increase error rates.
Testicular function during puberty and young adulthood in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome with and without spermatozoa in seminal fluid
Authors: Rohayem J. , Nieschlag E. , Zitzmann M. , Kliesch S.
Published: September 2016

Patients with Klinefelter's syndrome experience progressive testicular degeneration resulting in impaired endocrine function and azoospermia. What proportion of adolescents develop testosterone deficiency during puberty and how many have spermatozoa in their semen is unclear to date. We aimed to investigate testicular function during puberty and young adulthood in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome and to assess testosterone effects in target tissues. The clinical data of 281 patients with non‐mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome aged 10–25 years without previous testosterone replacement were reviewed. In late pubertal adolescents, semen analyses were evaluated, and testicular volumes, hormone and haemoglobin (Hb) levels, the number of CAG repeats and final height data were compared to those of 233 age‐matched controls with pubertal gynaecomastia. Spontaneous pubertal virilisation to Tanner stages IV–V occurred. Serum T levels ≥10 nmol/L were reached in 62% of patients with Klinefelter's syndrome and in 85% of controls at ages 15–25 (TKFS: 12.2 ± 5.4 vs. TC: 16.6 ± 7.2 nmol/L). LHKFS levels were elevated >10 U/L in 84%, and normal in all controls (LHKFS: 18.6 ± 12.2 vs. LHC: 3.5 ± 1.6 U/L). In nine of 130 (7%) adolescents with Klinefelter's syndrome, spermatozoa (oligozoospermia) were found in semen; all had T levels >7 nmol/L and eight of nine had LH levels ≤18 U/L, while their hormone levels, number of CAG repeats and testicular volumes were not different from those of adolescents with azoospermia. Controls had normal sperm concentrations in 73% (46/63). Semen volumesKFS were normal in 55% vs. 78% in controls; HbKFS was normal in 89% (HbC: 97%). Mean final heightKFS was 185 ± 8 cm vs. 181 ± 7 cm in controls. Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism develops during early puberty in adolescents with Klinefelter's syndrome and remains compensated in over 60% during ages 15–25, with sufficient testosterone secretion for spontaneous accomplishment of pubertal development. Spermatozoa in semen are rare and associated with T levels >7 nmol/L. Parameters reflecting androgen deficiency in target tissues may help to optimise timing of testosterone substitution, which should preferably not be initiated before fertility status has been clarified.
Quantile Association for Bivariate Survival Data
Authors: Li Ruosha , Cheng Yu , Chen Qingxia , Fine Jason
Published: September 2016

Bivariate survival data arise frequently in familial association studies of chronic disease onset, as well as in clinical trials and observational studies with multiple time to event endpoints. The association between two event times is often scientifically important. In this article, we examine the association via a novel quantile association measure, which describes the dynamic association as a function of the quantile levels. The quantile association measure is free of marginal distributions, allowing direct evaluation of the underlying association pattern at different locations of the event times. We propose a nonparametric estimator for quantile association, as well as a semiparametric estimator that is superior in smoothness and efficiency. The proposed methods possess desirable asymptotic properties including uniform consistency and root-n convergence. They demonstrate satisfactory numerical performances under a range of dependence structures. An application of our methods suggests interesting association patterns between time to myocardial infarction and time to stroke in an atherosclerosis study.
Report of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland/British Society of Gastroenterology Colorectal Polyp Working Group: the development of a complex colorectal polyp minimum dataset
Authors: Chattree A. , Barbour J. A. , Thomas‐Gibson S. , Bhandari P. , Saunders B. P. , Veitch A. M. , Anderson J. , Rembacken B. J. , Loughrey M. B. , Pullan R. , Garrett W. V. , Lewis G. , Dolwani S. , Rutter M. D.
Published: September 2016

Aim

The management of large non‐pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs) is complex, with widespread variation in management and outcome, even amongst experienced clinicians. Variations in the assessment and decision‐making processes are likely to be a major factor in this variability. The creation of a standardized minimum dataset to aid decision‐making may therefore result in improved clinical management.

Method

An official working group of 13 multidisciplinary specialists was appointed by the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) and the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) to develop a minimum dataset on LNPCPs. The literature review used to structure the ACPGBI/BSG guidelines for the management of LNPCPs was used by a steering subcommittee to identify various parameters pertaining to the decision‐making processes in the assessment and management of LNPCPs. A modified Delphi consensus process was then used for voting on proposed parameters over multiple voting rounds with at least 80% agreement defined as consensus. The minimum dataset was used in a pilot process to ensure rigidity and usability.

Results

A 23‐parameter minimum dataset with parameters relating to patient and lesion factors, including six parameters relating to image retrieval, was formulated over four rounds of voting with two pilot processes to test rigidity and usability.

Conclusion

This paper describes the development of the first reported evidence‐based and expert consensus minimum dataset for the management of LNPCPs. It is anticipated that this dataset will allow comprehensive and standardized lesion assessment to improve decision‐making in the assessment and management of LNPCPs.
Integrating Social Network Effects in the Share‐Of‐Choice Problem
Authors: Gunnec Dilek , Raghavan S.
Published: September 2016

Accounting for social network effects in marketing strategies has become an important issue. Taking a step back, we seek to incorporate and analyze social network effects on new product development and then propose a model to engineer product diffusion over a social network. We build upon the share‐of‐choice (SOC) problem, which is a strategic combinatorial optimization problem used commonly as one of the methods to analyze conjoint analysis data by marketers in order to identify a product with largest market share, and show how to incorporate social network effects in the SOC problem. We construct a genetic algorithm to solve this computationally challenging (NP‐Hard) problem and show that ignoring social network effects in the design phase results in a significantly lower market share for a product. In this setting, we introduce the secondary operational problem of determining the least expensive way of influencing individuals and strengthening product diffusion over a social network. This secondary problem is of independent interest, as it addresses contagion models and the issue of intervening in diffusion over a social network, which are of significant interest in marketing and epidemiological settings.
Clinical progress in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar problems in horses
Authors: Burns G. , Dart A. , Jeffcott L.
Published: September 2016

It is well known that a painful back can be responsible for loss of performance in horses. Veterinary examination of the sore back used to be limited to manual palpation with diagnosis confirmed empirically by response to treatment. Today, due to advances in imaging, there are multiple methods for evaluating the pathology of the horse's thoracolumbar (TL) spine. Radiography, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy, thermography and algometry all play a part in developing a better understanding of equineTLproblems. Despite this progress, definitive diagnosis can still be problematic. There is a lack of objectivity in understanding the implications of the pathology detected and its effect on the horse. It is difficult to determine the degree of pain experienced by individual horses and how that interferes with their performance and welfare. This paper emphasises the importance of a systematic clinical examination to identify the presence of pain that can be supported by recognition of pathology using a range of diagnostic aids. These will also be reviewed to assist the clinician in understanding the tools available to evaluate a horse with a sore back.
On the specification of extract, transform, and load patterns behavior: A domain‐specific language approach
Authors: Oliveira Bruno , Belo Orlando
Published: September 2016

During the last few years, many research efforts have been done to improve the design of extract, transform, and load (ETL) models systems. Still, ETL systems are considered very time‐consuming, error‐prone, and complex involving several participants from different knowledge domains. The ETL processes are one of the most important components of a data warehousing system that are strongly influenced by the complexity of business requirements, their changing and evolution. These aspects influence not only the structure of the data warehouse itself but also the structures of the data sources involved with. To minimize the negative impact of such variables, we propose the use of ETL patterns to build specific ETL packages. In this paper, we formalize this approach using the BPMN for modeling more conceptual ETL workflows, mapping them to real execution primitives through the use of a domain‐specific language that allows for the generation of specific instances that can be executed in an ETL commercial tool.
Deployment‐Related Benefit Finding and Postdeployment Marital Satisfaction in Military Couples
Authors: Renshaw Keith D. , Campbell Sarah B.
Published: September 2016

Extensive research has evaluated potential negative effects of military deployments on romantic relationships. Comparatively few studies have examined potential positive effects of such deployments. In stressful situations, benefit finding (BF) has been found to be linked with better functioning on both individual and interpersonal levels. This study reports on deployment‐related BF in a sample of 67 male service members (SMs) who deployed at least once since 9/11/2001 and their wives. Couples completed measures of marital satisfaction at baseline (an average of 1 year postdeployment) and follow‐up 4–6 months later. At follow‐up, SMs also provided data on symptoms of posttraumatic stress, and both partners provided reports of deployment‐related BF. Multivariate path analysis controlling for SMs' PTSD symptom severity revealed that wives' BF was positively associated with increases in SMs' relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that wives' responses to deployment may be more influential than SMs' responses to deployment on military couples' relationships. This pattern indicates that support for spouses during deployments is essential; furthermore, such support should include an emphasis on trying to facilitate personal growth in spouses.
Effects of defoliation frequency and nitrogen fertilization on the production and potential for persistence of Dactylis glomerata sown in multispecies swards
Authors: Gatti M. L. , Ayala Torales A. T. , Cipriotti P. A. , Golluscio R. A.
Published: September 2016

Management decisions should facilitate the dominance of C3 perennial grasses over annuals. This study examined the effects of defoliation frequencies and nitrogen fertilization on the productivity and potential for persistence of Dactylis glomerata L. (DG cocksfoot, perennial) in multispecies swards. Treatments were randomly applied to 24 mini‐swards of DG + Bromus willdenowii Kunth (BW prairie grass, annual/biennial) in a factorial design of four defoliation frequencies, based on number of leaves per tiller, by two nitrogen winter fertilization levels (N− or N+). Regardless of fertilization, very frequent and repeated defoliations were related to decreases of about 43% of aboveground biomass and frequent defoliations with decreases of about 44% of vegetative tillers associated with horizontal space occupation and potential for persistence. Nevertheless, differences in DG aerial productivity or reserves were not detected between frequent and optimal defoliation frequencies. Combined effects of N+ and optimal frequency were related to root biomass increment of about 200%, compared with frequent defoliation, associated with competitiveness and survival of DG. Optimal defoliation frequency would have ecological but not production advantages, compared with frequent defoliations. The results are discussed in terms of more objective decision‐making in the management of multispecies swards.
Biotite Reference Materials for Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry 18O/16O Measurements
Authors: Siron Guillaume , Baumgartner Lukas , Bouvier Anne‐Sophie , Putlitz Benita , Vennemann Torsten
Published: September 2016

Five new biotite reference materials were calibrated at the SwissSIMS laboratory (University of Lausanne) for oxygen isotope determination by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and are available to the scientific community. The oxygen isotope composition of the biotites, UNIL_B1 to B5, was determined by laser‐heating fluorination to be 11.4 ± 0.11‰, 8.6 ± 0.15‰, 6.1 ± 0.04‰, 7.1 ± 0.05‰ and 7.6 ± 0.04‰, respectively. SIMS analyses on spots smaller than 20 μm gave a measurement repeatability of 0.3‰ (2 standard deviation, 2s). The matrix effect due to solid solution in natural biotite could be expressed as a linear function of XMg and XF for biotite. No effect was found for different crystallographic orientations. SIMS analysis allows the oxygen isotope composition of biotite to be measured with a measurement uncertainty of 0.3–0.4‰ (2s) for biotites with similar major element compositions. A measurement uncertainty of 0.5‰ (2s) is realistic when F poor biotites (lower than 0.2% m/m oxides) within the compositional range of XMg of 0.3–0.9 were compared from different sessions. The linear correlation with F content offers a reasonable working curve for F‐rich biotites, but additional reference materials are needed to confirm the model.
Perichromosomal protein Ki67 supports mitotic chromosome architecture
Authors: Takagi Masatoshi , Natsume Toyoaki , Kanemaki Masato T. , Imamoto Naoko
Published: September 2016

Although the condensin complexes and topoisomerase IIα (TopoIIα) are the central players in mitotic chromosome formation, they are insufficient for its completion, and additional factors involved in the process have been extensively sought. In this study, we examined the possibility that Ki67, a perichromosomal protein widely used as a cell proliferation marker, is one such factor. Using a combination of auxin‐inducible degron and CRISPR–Cas9‐based gene editing technologies, we generated a human HCT116 cell line in which Ki67 is rapidly depleted in a few hours. The removal of Ki67 before mitotic entry did not impact the early mitotic chromosome assembly observed in prophase but subsequently resulted in the formation of misshapen mitotic chromosomes. When Ki67 was removed after mitotic entry, preassembled rod‐shaped mitotic chromosomes became disorganized. In addition, we show that Ki67 and TopoIIα are reciprocally coimmunoprecipitated from mitotic cell extracts. These observations indicate that Ki67 aids the finalization of mitotic chromosome formation and helps maintain rod‐shaped chromosome architecture, likely in collaboration with TopoIIα. Together, these findings represent a new model in which mitotic chromosome architecture is supported both internally and externally.
A social welfare perspective of market‐oriented social enterprises
Authors: Gidron Benjamin , Monnickendam‐Givon Yisca
Published: September 2016

The article analyses market‐oriented social enterprises from a social welfare perspective, within the context of the innate conflict between business and welfare orientations. After defining the concept of market‐oriented social enterprises and presenting some successful examples on such entities that employ different marginalised populations, particularly people with disabilities, the article asks three interrelated questions: (i) What policy environment is needed to encourage the development of social enterprises? (ii) Given the innate tension between the social and economic objectives in social enterprises, what structural principles are needed to enable them to meet those dual objectives? Lastly, (iii) What intervention modalities are best suited to help individual participants in those frameworks? Answers to these questions are discussed within conceptual frameworks from the worlds of welfare and business that jointly provide a base for a social welfare rationale for market‐oriented social enterprises.
Time‐Varying Linkage of Possible Safe Haven Assets: A Cross‐Market and Cross‐asset Analysis
Authors: Nguyen Phong , Liu Wei‐han
Published: September 2016

This paper contributes to applying the time‐varying symmetrized Joe–Clayton copula to study the dynamic linkage among possible safe haven assets (SHAs) in the major international markets over the past 34 years. We re‐examine four major asset types (long‐term government bonds, equity indices, oil, and gold) and test whether they are qualified individually as a safe haven asset against when paired against each other in a specific market. The empirical analyses indicate that: (1) Government bonds are generally confirmed SHAs. (2) Gold and oil are overwhelming SHAs against government bond across the markets. (3) US and East Asian markets (Japan, Australia and New Zealand) have more SHA options than the other regions against equity index.
The Influence of Country‐ and Firm‐level Governance on Financial Reporting Quality: Revisiting the Evidence
Authors: Bonetti Pietro , Magnan Michel L. , Parbonetti Antonio
Published: September 2016

This paper examines how firm‐level governance and country‐level governance interplay in shaping financial reporting quality. Using IFRS adoption as a source of variation in firms’ reporting discretion, and a large sample of European firms that mandatorily switch to the new set of standards, we find that in countries with low enforcement and weak oversight over financial reporting, only firms with strong board‐level corporate governance mechanisms experience an increase in financial reporting quality, consistent with firm‐ and country‐level governance mechanisms being substitutes. However, in countries with high enforcement and strict oversight over financial reporting, firms with either strong or weak board‐level governance mechanisms experience an increase in financial reporting quality, even if the increase is larger for the former group. Overall, our findings indicate that in the debate about the effects of governance on the quality of financial reporting, it is important to consider both country‐ and firm‐level corporate governance mechanisms.
Transnational European Party Federations as EU Foreign Policy Actors: The Activities of Europarties in Eastern Partnership States
Authors: Chryssogelos Angelos‐Stylianos
Published: September 2016

This article assesses how the involvement of European party federations (Europarties) in the politics of Eastern Partnership (EaP) states relates to the objectives of the EU in the region. Under specific scope conditions, Europarties can promote EU interests and values and help EU neighbourhood policy overcome some of the inconsistencies created by the lack of the enlargement tool. The article conceptualises Europarties as transnational actors whose external activities match the pathways of EU influence in EaP states. Empirically, by examining political developments in Georgia and Moldova, the article demonstrates how Europarties function as a conduit for EU strategic influence over pro‐European elites, as well as a normative influence on the functioning of party politics in EaP states.
Evidence for increased behavioral control by punishment in children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Furukawa Emi , Alsop Brent , Sowerby Paula , Jensen Stephanie , Tripp Gail
Published: September 2016

Background

The behavioral sensitivity of children with ADHD to punishment has received limited theoretical and experimental attention. This study evaluated the effects of punishment on the response allocation of children with ADHD and typically developing children.

Method

Two hundred and ten children, 145 diagnosed with ADHD, completed an operant task in which they chose between playing two simultaneously available games. Reward was arranged symmetrically across the games under concurrent variable interval schedules. Asymmetric punishment schedules were superimposed; responses on one game were punished four times as often as responses on the other.

Results

Both groups allocated more of their responses to the less frequently punished alternative. Response bias increased significantly in the ADHD group during later trials, resulting in missed reward trials and reduced earnings.

Conclusions

Punishment exerted greater control over the response allocation of children with ADHD with increased time on task. Children with ADHD appear more sensitive to the cumulative effects of punishment than typically developing children.
The reliability of the Manchester Triage System (MTS): a meta‐analysis
Authors: Mirhaghi Amir , Mazlom Reza , Heydari Abbas , Ebrahimi Mohsen
Published: September 2016

Objective

Although the Manchester Triage System (MTS) was first developed two decades ago, the reliability of the MTS has not been questioned through comparison with a moderating variable; therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the extent of the reliability of MTS using a meta‐analytic review.

Method

Electronic databases were searched up to 1 March 2014. Studies were only included if they had reported sample sizes, reliability coefficients, and adequate description of the reliability assessment. The Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies was used. Two reviewers independently examined abstracts and extracted data. The effect size was obtained by the z‐transformation of reliability coefficients. Data were pooled with random‐effects models, and meta‐regression was performed based on the method‐of‐moments estimator.

Results

Seven studies were included. The pooled coefficient for the MTS was substantial at 0.751 (CI 95%: 0.677 to 0.810); the incidence of mistriage is greater than 50%. Agreement is higher for the latest version of MTS (for adults) among nurse–experts and in countries in closer proximity to the country of MTS origin (the UK, in Manchester) than for the oldest (pediatric) version, nurse–nurse raters, and countries at a greater distance from the UK.

Conclusion

The MTS showed an acceptable level of overall reliability in the emergency department, but more development is required to attain almost perfect agreement.
Microleakage around Class V Composite Restorations after Ultrasonic Scaling and Sonic Toothbrushing around their Margin
Authors: Goldstein Ronald E. , Lamba Suruchi , Lawson Nathaniel C. , Beck Preston , Oster Robert A. , Burgess John O.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To measure microleakage around class V composite restorations after piezoelectric ultrasonic scaling and sonic toothbrushing.

Methods

3 mm × 2 mm × 1.5 mm boxes were prepared on buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted molars centered on the cementum‐enamel junction. Half the preparations were beveled (0.5 mm). Preparations were restored with composite and polished. Restorations on one side of the teeth were either traced with an ultrasonic scaler (60 seconds, n = 16) or brushed in a sonic toothbrushing machine (2 hours, n = 16). After thermocycling (10,000 cycles/5–55°C), specimens were immersed in 5 wt% Fuchsine solution (24 hours). Samples were sectioned and evaluated for percentage of dye penetration. Data were analyzed with an exact Wilcoxon rank‐sum test and exact Wilcoxon signed‐rank test (alpha = 0.05).

Results

Microleakage was observed at the cementum‐composite interface but not the enamel‐composite interface. There was not a statistically significant effect of the bevel for ultrasonic scaling or for sonic toothbrushing. Data obtained with and without a bevel were combined and a statistically significant difference in microleakage between the treatment and control sides of the tooth were found for ultrasonic scaling (32.5%±44.9%, n = 16; p = 0.016) but not sonic toothbrushing (2.5% ± 41.2%, n = 16; p = 1.0).

Conclusions

Piezoelectric ultrasonic scaling increased microleakage at cementum‐composite interface and there was no difference in microleakage with the use of a bevel.

Clinical Significance

Piezoelectric sonic scaling around Class V composite restorations with margins in cementum should be avoided. Beveled margins will not reduce the incidence of microleakge resulting from ultrasonic scaling in Class V restorations. Placing the apical margin of the restoration in enamel should be attempted whenever possible to prevent future microleakage. (J Esthet Restor Dent 29:41–48, 2017)
Mathematical modeling of starch gelatinization and some quality properties of parboiled rice based on parboiling indicators using RSM
Authors: Taghinezhad Ebrahim , Brenner Tom
Published: September 2016

The effects of parboiling indicators (soaking temperature and steaming time) on the degree of starch gelatinization (DSG) and several rice quality properties [head rice yield (HRY), color value, lightness, and hardness] of parboiled rice were investigated. A mathematical model was used to predict DSG and rice quality from the parboiling conditions, which were varied as follows: 60, 65, and 70 °C for the soaking temperature and 2, 6, and 10 min for the steaming time (at 96 °C). A central composite design was applied and a total of 13 experimental runs were generated for each step. An ANOVA test showed the all models were significant (p < 0.01) and there was no significant lack of fit in any of the response variables. The most appropriate model for prediction the amount of DSG, HRY, color value, lightness, and hardness of samples was linear (R2 = 0.87), quadratic (R2 = 0.92), quadratic (R2 = 0.97), quadratic (R2 = 0.86), and linear (R2 = 0.94) model, respectively. The DSG and hardness increased with increasing soaking temperature and steaming time, while the HRY and lightness showed a maximum at a steaming time of 6 min. The statistical model was used to predict the optimal parboiling conditions for global optimization of the quality properties.

Practical applications

Parboiled rice enjoys high popularity because of its high nutritional content. The most important effect of parboiling is rice gelatinization. The degree of starch gelatinization (DSG) and quality properties (head rice yield, color value, lightness, and hardness) of parboiled rice are determined by the parboiling indicators (PI): soaking temperature and steaming time. These properties can be predicted based on PI using mathematical models. Increasing the parboiling indicators increases the cost of parboiling process. For the parboiling industry, it will help to determine the soaking temperature and steaming time of rice to yield the desired product quality. For this reason, optimizing the parboiling process is economically important for the rice industry.
Effects of wearing and removing dentures on oropharyngeal motility during swallowing
Authors: Onodera S. , Furuya J. , Yamamoto H. , Tamada Y. , Kondo H.
Published: September 2016

Wearing dentures and dysphagia are common in older individuals; however, it is still unknown how dentures affect oral and pharyngeal swallowing. The purpose of this study was to reveal the effects of wearing and removing dentures on oropharyngeal movements during pharyngeal swallowing in the feeding sequence of solid food. Participants were 25 edentulous volunteers (nine men, 16 women; mean age 76·2 years) who wore complete dentures. The test food was minced agar jelly containing barium sulphate. Subjects were instructed to feed and swallow the test food with or without dentures during observation using videofluorography. We quantitatively evaluated the range, distance and duration of oropharyngeal movements during pharyngeal swallowing. When dentures were absent, the range of mandible and hyoid movements were significantly expanded in the anterosuperior direction, and the range of laryngeal movement was significantly expanded in the anterior direction. Additionally, the posterior pharyngeal wall contraction and upper oesophageal sphincter opening significantly increased. In addition, the distances of the mandible, hyoid and laryngeal movements and the mandibular duration were significantly extended when dentures were absent. No significant differences were observed in the duration of movements of other organs between wearing and removing dentures. The hyoid bone, larynx, posterior pharyngeal wall and upper oesophageal sphincter do not change their duration of movements when dentures were removed but, rather, expand their range of movement. This might be a spatial change of oropharyngeal movement to avoid temporal changes in pharyngeal swallowing when dentures were absent in edentulous older individuals.
Presumptive Iatrogenic Microcystin‐Associated Liver Failure and Encephalopathy in a Holsteiner Gelding
Authors: Mittelman N.S. , Engiles J.B. , Murphy L. , Vudathala D. , Johnson A.L.
Published: September 2016

An 8‐year‐old Holsteiner gelding was presented for evaluation of anorexia, obtundation, icterus, and mild colic signs of 48 hours duration. History, physical examination, and initial diagnostics were suggestive of hepatic disease and encephalopathy. Microcystin toxicosis was suspected based on historical administration of a cyanobacteria supplement, associated serum biochemistry abnormalities, and characteristic histopathological changes. Microcystin contamination was confirmed in both supplement containers fed to the horse. Fulminant hepatic failure and encephalopathy progressed resulting in euthanasia. Necropsy findings were consistent with microcystin induced liver failure.
A systems biology approach reveals major metabolic changes in the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus in response to the carbon source L‐fucose versus D‐glucose
Authors: Wolf Jacqueline , Stark Helge , Fafenrot Katharina , Albersmeier Andreas , Pham Trong K. , Müller Katrin B. , Meyer Benjamin H. , Hoffmann Lena , Shen Lu , Albaum Stefan P. , Kouril Theresa , Schmidt‐Hohagen Kerstin , Neumann‐Schaal Meina , Bräsen Christopher , Kalinowski Jörn , Wright Phillip C. , Albers Sonja‐Verena , Schomburg Dietmar , Siebers Bettina
Published: September 2016

Archaea are characterised by a complex metabolism with many unique enzymes that differ from their bacterial and eukaryotic counterparts. The thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus is known for its metabolic versatility and is able to utilize a great variety of different carbon sources. However, the underlying degradation pathways and their regulation are often unknown. In this work, the growth on different carbon sources was analysed, using an integrated systems biology approach. The comparison of growth on L‐fucose and D‐glucose allows first insights into the genome‐wide changes in response to the two carbon sources and revealed a new pathway for L‐fucose degradation in S. solfataricus. During growth on L‐fucose major changes in the central carbon metabolic network, as well as an increased activity of the glyoxylate bypass and the 3‐hydroxypropionate/4‐hydroxybutyrate cycle were observed. Within the newly discovered pathway for L‐fucose degradation the following key reactions were identified: (i) L‐fucose oxidation to L‐fuconate via a dehydrogenase, (ii) dehydration to 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐L‐fuconate via dehydratase, (iii) 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐L‐fuconate cleavage to pyruvate and L‐lactaldehyde via aldolase and (iv) L‐lactaldehyde conversion to L‐lactate via aldehyde dehydrogenase. This pathway as well as L‐fucose transport shows interesting overlaps to the D‐arabinose pathway, representing another example for pathway promiscuity in Sulfolobus species.