bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shadow credit and the private, middle market
Authors: Anthony Zabala Craig , M. Josse Jeremy
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze a particular segment of the US “shadow banking” market and its revival since the recent credit crisis, namely, lending to the private Middle Market, defined as financings of $5-100 million to non-public, unrated operating entities or pools of assets with not more than $50 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis includes a review survey of a segment of capital markets and primary evidence from direct participation in two examples of actual private, non-bank lending between 2011 and 2012 executed by a Middle Market US investment bank.

Findings

– While there have been considerable challenges, historically, in providing credit for small-and mid-sized businesses in the USA, private Middle Market capital is (post the recent credit crisis) finding opportunities, notwithstanding, constraints imposed by market and other forces, including systemic crises, cyclical forces and changes in regulatory regimes.

Research limitations/implications

– Any generalization is limited due to the absence of disaggregated survey data for the US capital markets and the limited examples examined.

Practical implications

– The capital markets segment and non-bank financial institutions examined in this paper are developing as an alternative source of credit/lending from commercial banks for mid-sized companies.

Social implications

– The mid-sized firms financed by the shadow credit market are a significant source of job creation in the US economy making non-bank credit a lifeline to job growth in the financial crisis.

Originality/value

– Direct participation is unique to the firms studied. Value is in developing a general framework to analyze different segments of the capital market.
Tail events in the FX markets since 1740
Authors: Abildgren Kim
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of the so-called “small-sample problem” within quantitative exchange-rate risk management.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors take a closer look at the frequency distribution of nominal price changes in the European foreign exchange markets.

Findings

– The analysis clearly illustrates the risk of seriously underestimating the probability and magnitude of tail events when frequency distributions are derived from fairly short data samples.

Practical implications

– The authors suggest that financial institutions and regulators should have an eye for the long-term historical perspective when designing sensitivity tests or “worst case” scenarios in relation to risk assessments and stress tests.

Originality/value

– The authors add to the literature by analysing the distribution of nominal exchange-rate fluctuations on the basis of a unique quarterly data set for ten European exchange-rate pairs covering a time span of 273 years constructed by the authors. To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first study on nominal exchange-rate changes for a large number of exchange-rate pairs based on quarterly data spanning almost three centuries.
The relationship between NPD innovation and NPD performance: the moderating role of NPD best practices in Indian manufacturing industry
Authors: Vinayak Kalluri , Kodali Rambabu
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the study is to study the relation between new product development (NPD) innovation and NPD best practices in an organization with respect to NPD performance in the backdrop of Indian manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– Performance indices are developed based on NPD innovation and NPD best practices in an organization. Based on the developed performance indices, a cluster typology or classification of surveyed organizations is conducted. Different hypotheses are generated and tested to chet1ck the relation between NPD best practices and NPD innovation in an organization with respect to NPD performance in the Indian manufacturing industry.

Findings

– The following results were obtained: there is a positive effect on NPD performance for those organizations that strongly implement NPD best practices; the stronger the NPD innovation, the higher the NPD performance; and stronger organizations' ability for NPD innovation has positive relationship with NPD best practices. Hence, it is proven that, “the stronger the NPD innovation in an organization, with defined NPD best practices, the better the NPD performance”.

Originality/value

– According to the author’s knowledge, no study is reported in literature which addresses the effect of NPD best practices and NPD innovation in an organization with respect to performance in the Indian manufacturing industry.
A new standardized interval-valued chart for fuzzy data
Authors: Cheng Yu-Ting , Yang Chih-Ching
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– Constructing a fuzzy control chart with interval-valued fuzzy data is an important topic in the fields of medical, sociological, economics, service and management. In particular, when the data illustrates uncertainty, inconsistency and is incomplete which is often the. case of real data. Traditionally, we use variable control chart to detect the process shift with real value. However, when the real data is composed of interval-valued fuzzy, it is not feasible to use such an approach of traditional statistical process control (SPC) to monitor the fuzzy control chart. The purpose of this paper is to propose the designed standardized fuzzy control chart for interval-valued fuzzy data set.

Design/methodology/approach

– The general statistical principles used on the standardized control chart are applied to fuzzy control chart for interval-valued fuzzy data.

Findings

– When the real data is composed of interval-valued fuzzy, it is not feasible to use such an approach of traditional SPC to monitor the fuzzy control chart. This study proposes the designed standardized fuzzy control chart for interval-valued fuzzy data set of vegetable price from January 2009 to September 2010 in Taiwan obtained from Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan. Empirical studies are used to illustrate the application for designing standardized fuzzy control chart. More related practical phenomena can be explained by this appropriate definition of fuzzy control chart.

Originality/value

– This paper uses a simpler approach to construct the standardized interval-valued chart for fuzzy data based on traditional standardized control chart which is easy and straightforward. Moreover, the control limit of the designed standardized fuzzy control chart is an interval with (LCL, UCL), which consists of the conventional range of classical standardized control chart.
New statistical analysis on the marketing research and efficiency evaluation with fuzzy data
Authors: Wu Berlin , T. Nguyen Hung
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to use soft computing technique and fuzzy statistical tool to evaluate people's performance on the marketing research and time management.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through standardized measurement system, the authors come up with real-value data to satisfy not the current needs but data itself. This is when fuzzy classification stands out and highlights the area of in-between and undefined.

Findings

– The proposed metric system helps the authors to assess the distance among trapezoidal fuzzy data. The index of efficiency between observed time and ideal time is also presented.

Originality/value

– With the ranking of fuzzy sample, the authors can examine the decision process by non-parametric testing hypothesis.
An occurrence based regime switching model to improve forecasting
Authors: Huarng Kun-Huang
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose an occurrence-based model to improve the forecasting of regime switches so as to assist decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper proposes a novel model where occurrences of relationships are taken into account when forecasting. Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index is taken as the forecasting target.

Findings

– Due to the consideration of occurrences of relationships in forecasting, the out of sample forecasting is improved.

Practical implications

– The proposed model can be applied to forecast other time series for regime switches. In addition, it can be integrated with other time series models to improve forecasting performance.

Originality/value

– The empirical results show that the proposed model can improve the forecasting performance.
Luxury fashion brand image building: the role of store design in Bally and Tod's Japan
Authors: Jiang Zhiqing , Nagasawa Shin’ya , Watada Junzo
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reveal how store design influences luxury brand image building in a competitive market through the case study of two luxury fashion brands – Bally and Tod's.

Design/methodology/approach

– Quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (interview) approaches are both utilized in this research study. The authors interviewed brand managers of Bally and Tod's Japan and then conducted questionnaires to 57 consumers and six brand managers. Correspondence analysis, multidimensional analysis, and rough set theory were utilized to analyze the data obtained from questionnaires in order to draw the positioning maps of brand image and store image, calculate the distance of images between managers and consumers and derive and compare inference structure.

Findings

– The “Brand Dimensions Scales” created by Aaker (1997) can enable to measure luxury brand and store image in a scientific way. The results clarify that there is a big gap between consumers’ and managers’ cognition; the architect who designs the building could be a efficient way of advertising a luxury brand and its building to the public; and location and store atmosphere should influence luxury brand image building through non-verbal communication.

Originality/value

– This research study on luxury brand image building provides a way to measure brand image and assesses the impact change in brand image as well as its stores.
Culture in international business research
Authors: Portugal Ferreira Manuel , Li Dan , Rosa Reis Nuno , Ribeiro Serra Fernando
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conduct a study on the articles published in the four top international business (IB) journals to examine how four cultural models and concepts – Hofstede’s (1980), Hall’s (1976), Trompenaars’s (1993) and Project GLOBE’s (Houseet al., 2004) – have been used in the extant published IB research. National cultures and cultural differences provide a crucial component of the context of IB research.

Design/methodology

– This is a bibliometric study on the articles published in four IB journals over the period from 1976 to 2010, examining a sample of 517 articles using citations and co-citation matrices.

Findings

– Examining this sample revealed interesting patterns of the connections across the studies. Hofstede’s (1980) and Houseet al.’s (2004) research on the cultural dimensions are the most cited and hold ties to a large variety of IB research. These findings point to a number of research avenues to deepen the understanding on how firms may handle different national cultures in the geographies they operate.

Research limitations

– Two main limitations are faced, one associated to the bibliometric method, citations and co-citations analyses and other to the delimitation of our sample to only four IB journals, albeit top-ranked.

Originality/value

– The paper focuses on the main cultural models used in IB research permitting to better understand how culture has been used in IB research, over an extended period.
A survey of experiences of abuse
Authors: Hewitt Olivia
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– People with a learning disability remain at increased risk of abuse and neglect due to a number of factors associated with learning disability per se and the culture in which they live. Understanding the prevalence of abuse within this population allows for appropriate planning and service development. Understanding more about the type and frequency of abuse (and the perpetrators) facilitates prevention of abuse. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– All clients allocated to a psychologist between 2009 and 2011 were included in this survey. The psychologist reported whether the client had experienced any abuse over their lifetime. Information regarding the type of abuse experienced, the relationship to the abuser, and the number of different episodes of abuse was recorded.

Findings

– Of the 695 clients in the survey 25 per cent had experienced abuse. Of this 25 per cent, 46 per cent were men and 54 per cent were women. In all, 23 per cent of the group who had experienced abuse were referred to the service as a direct result of abuse, whilst 77 per cent were referred for another reason. The most prevalent types of abuse were emotional (27 per cent), sexual (24 per cent), physical (20 per cent), and neglect (12 per cent).

Originality/value

– Prevalence rates within this study are broadly in line with the existing literature. However, differences included high levels of emotional abuse, and high frequency of abuse perpetrated by women, and by family members. Psychology services should routinely screen for abuse experiences and be alert to the possibility of abuse from female caregivers.
Commentary on experiential learning: changing student attitudes towards learning disability: how can we reduce exclusion further?
Authors: Harding Celia
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide some thoughts following on from reading: “Experiential learning: changing student attitudes towards learning disability”.

Design/methodology/approach

– This commentary outlines some considerations for the continued development of using service users in tertiary education as educators.

Findings

– The literature is not clear on the involvement of people with more profound and multiple learning disabilities, or for those who do not use much spoken language in tertiary level teaching.

Originality/value

– A further cultural shift is needed to ensure that all people with learning disabilities regardless of their communication style have the opportunity to share their experiences within a teaching and learning context.
Experiential learning: changing student attitudes towards learning disability
Authors: Smith Carly , Forrester-Jones Rachel
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the reflective journals kept by 62 students researching and interviewing people with learning disabilities. The aim was to explore the content and discover any themes that were generated throughout the journals as a result of the pre-, during- and post-interview process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method used to analyse the journals was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith and Osborn, 2008).

Findings

– The results showed that there was a shift from negative to positive reflections as the frequency of contact with people with learning disabilities increased and that the majority of students reported a change in attitude towards this group of individuals after experiencing direct contact (two to three meetings over a period of two months).

Research limitations/implications

– Implications of the findings are for government policies, promoting social inclusion through education, to offer the opportunity for direct contact with people with learning disabilities, (in keeping with Allport's, 1954 Contact Theory) at an earlier stage in education, fostering an environment for earlier attitude change and increased social inclusion.

Social implications

– Changing society's attitude through our education system may decrease marginalisation by the public as well as discriminatory and abusive behaviour found in some social and community care settings.

Originality/value

– This piece of research may add value to social, government and educational policies. Finding an evidence base to continue to build policies for decreasing marginalisation and promoting social inclusion for people with learning disabilities.
Habitat‐based polymorphism is common in stream fishes
Authors: Senay Caroline , Boisclair Daniel , Peres‐Neto Pedro R.
Published: July 2014

Morphological differences (size and shape) across habitats are common in lake fish where differences relate to two dominant contrasting habitats: the pelagic and littoral habitat. Repeated occurrence of littoral and pelagic morphs across multiple populations of several lake fish species has been considered as important evidence that polymorphism is adaptive in these systems. It has been suggested that these habitat‐based polymorphic differences are due to the temporal stability of the differences between littoral and pelagic habitats.

Although streams are spatially heterogeneous, they are also more temporally dynamic than lakes and it is still an open question whether streams provide the environmental conditions that promote habitat‐based polymorphism. We tested whether fish from riffle, run and pool habitats, respectively, differed consistently in their morphology.

Our test compared patterns of morphological variation (size and shape) in 10 fish species from the three stream habitat types in 36 separate streams distributed across three watersheds.

For most species, body size and shape (after controlling for body size) differed across riffle, run and pool habitats. Unlike many lake species, the nature of these differences was not consistent across species, possibly because these species use these habitat types in different ways.

Our results suggest that habitat‐based polymorphism is an important feature also in stream fishes despite the fact that streams are temporally variable in contrast to lake systems. Future research is required to assess whether the patterns of habitat‐based polymorphism encountered in streams have a genetic basis or they are simply the result of within generation phenotypic plasticity.
How topography induces reproductive asynchrony and alters gypsy moth invasion dynamics
Authors: Walter Jonathan A. , Meixler Marcia S. , Mueller Thomas , Fagan William F. , Tobin Patrick C. , Haynes Kyle J.
Published: July 2014

Reproductive asynchrony, a temporal mismatch in reproductive maturation between an individual and potential mates, may contribute to mate‐finding failure andAllee effects that influence the establishment and spread of invasive species. Variation in elevation is likely to promote variability in maturation times for species with temperature‐dependent development, but it is not known how strongly this influences reproductive asynchrony or the population growth of invasive species.

We examined whether spatial variation in reproductive asynchrony, due to differences in elevation and local heterogeneity in elevation (hilliness), can explain spatial heterogeneity in the population growth rate of the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar(L.), along its invasion front inVirginia andWestVirginia,USA.

We used a spatially explicit model of the effects of reproductive asynchrony on mating success to develop predictions of the influences of elevation and elevational heterogeneity on local population growth rates. Population growth rates declined with increased elevation and more modestly with increased elevational heterogeneity. As in earlier work, we found a positive relationship between the population growth rate and the number of introduced egg masses, indicating a demographicAllee effect. At high elevations and high heterogeneity in elevation, the population growth rate was lowest and the density at which the population tended to replace itself (i.e. theAllee threshold) was highest.

An analysis of 22 years of field data also showed decreases in population growth rates with elevation and heterogeneity in elevation that were largely consistent with the model predictions.

These results highlight how topographic characteristics can affect reproductive asynchrony and influence mate‐findingAllee effects in an invading non‐native insect population. Given the dependence of developmental rates on temperature in poikilotherms, topographic effects on reproductive success could potentially be important to the population dynamics of many organisms.
Extreme climate events lower resilience of foundation seagrass at edge of biogeographical range
Authors: Fraser Matthew W. , Kendrick Gary A. , Statton John , Hovey Renae K. , Zavala‐Perez Andrea , Walker Diana I.
Published: July 2014

Extreme climatic events will dictate the response of ecosystems to climate change, yet are understudied in marine ecosystems. The interaction of stressors from such events has the potential to amplify negative impacts and drive ecosystems into alternate states.

Here, we show a drastic response of a temperate seagrass species (Amphibolis antarctica) in Shark Bay – a World Heritage Site in Western Australia at a temperate–tropical transition zone – to two stressors driven by concurrent extreme climatic events: a marine heatwave (Ningaloo Niña) and the Gascoyne floods that impacted the west coast of Australia in the austral summer of 2010–2011.

Widespread defoliation (leaf loss) of A. antarctica was observed in the months following the extreme events and was highest at sites affected by flooding (Wooramel River floods). We propose that the negative impact was magnified by the synergistic interactions both stressors had on the carbon balance of the plant. The elevated temperatures increased plant demand for carbon, which could not be met through photosynthesis due to turbid floodwaters reducing light availability, resulting in the plant having a negative carbon balance.

Two years following the extreme events, recovery of leaf biomass was evident, though still 7–20% of historical averages. In contrast, below‐ground biomass decreased by an order of magnitude in the two years following the events. As below‐ground reserves underpin the tolerance of large seagrass species like A. antarctica to disturbances, the declining trajectory of below‐ground biomass will likely manifest as a loss of resilience in A. antarctica to future disturbances.

Synthesis. Given the ecological importance of Amphibolis antarctica in Shark Bay as a foundation species – accounting for 85% (˜3700 km2) of the cover of seagrasses in Shark Bay – predicted increases in the frequency and magnitude of similar climatic events could have catastrophic implications for the future of this World Heritage embayment. Where extreme climatic events overlap and cause multiple, synergistic stressors to plant communities, ecological responses are likely to be more extreme, particularly in ecosystems where foundation species exist near upper thermal tolerance limits.
Explaining pragmatic performance in traumatic brain injury: a process perspective on communicative errors
Authors: Bosco Francesca M. , Angeleri Romina , Sacco Katiuscia , Bara Bruno G.
Published: July 2014

Background

The purpose of this study is to investigate the pragmatic abilities of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Several studies in the literature have previously reported communicative deficits in individuals with TBI, however such research has focused principally on communicative deficits in general, without providing an analysis of the errors committed in understanding and expressing communicative acts. Within the theoretical framework of Cognitive Pragmatics theory and Cooperative principle we focused on intermediate communicative errors that occur in both the comprehension and the production of various pragmatic phenomena, expressed through both linguistic and extralinguistic communicative modalities.

Aims

To investigate the pragmatic abilities of individuals with TBI.

Methods & Procedures

A group of 30 individuals with TBI and a matched control group took part in the experiment. They were presented with a series of videotaped vignettes depicting everyday communicative exchanges, and were tested on the comprehension and production of various kinds of communicative acts (standard communicative act, deceit and irony). The participants’ answers were evaluated as correct or incorrect. Incorrect answers were then further evaluated with regard to the presence of different intermediate errors.

Outcomes & Results

Individuals with TBI performed worse than control participants on all the tasks investigated when considering correct versus incorrect answers. Furthermore, a series of logistic regression analyses showed that group membership (TBI versus controls) significantly predicted the occurrence of intermediate errors. This result holds in both the comprehension and production tasks, and in both linguistic and extralinguistic modalities.

Conclusions & Implications

Participants with TBI tend to have difficulty in managing different types of communicative acts, and they make more intermediate errors than the control participants. Intermediate errors concern the comprehension and production of the expression act, the comprehension of the actors’ meaning, as well as the respect of the Cooperative principle.
Preparing students with intellectual disabilities to audit inclusive university courses
Authors: Wintle James
Published: July 2014

There is a growing trend toward including adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in further education. However, there is a lack of literature on the preparation of students with ID to attend further education. This article, by James Wintle of Queen's University, Ontario, describes how a non‐profit organisation, CALC Prep, prepares adults with ID to audit university courses. Eighty hours of observations were conducted over the course of one term at this organisation. A grounded theory approach was used to identify themes within CALC Prep's curriculum. Themes within the curriculum that were considered most useful for students preparing to audit courses at the university included familiarising the students with the university, enhancing self‐awareness, enhancing self‐expression and building literacy skills. Additionally, recommendations for improving the transition of students with ID from the preparation programme to auditing university courses are offered.
Does the Prior Application of the Field Kit Bullet Hole Testing Kit 3 on a Suspected Bullet Hole Bias the Analysis of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry?
Authors: Seltenhammer Monika H. , Fitzl Christine , Wieser Ingo , Binder Reinhard , Paula Pia , Risser Daniele U.
Published: July 2014

Forensic ballistics is the study of bullet trajectory and consists of determining gunshot residue (GSR) to identify bullet holes. Among several highly sensitive methods, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) is employed to analyze GSR in the laboratory. However, it is sometimes necessary to identify bullet holes immediately at a crime scene. The purpose of this examination was to determine whether the use of the field test Bullet Hole Testing Kit 3 (BTK3) on a suspected bullet hole would influence the outcome of AAS‐analysis: Three commonly encountered firearms (Glock17, Tokarev, and Colt) were fired at skin, wood, and cloth. AAS‐analysis was performed with and without previous BTK3 application. The results clearly indicate that there is no significant interaction on the grounds of BTK3 use (BTK3 vs. no‐BTK3 [kit_nokit] [Pb: p = 0.1309; Sb: p = 0.9111], material*kit_nokit [Pb: p = 0.5960; Sb: p = 0.9930], distance*kit_nokit [Pb: p = 0.4014; Sb: p = 0.9184], and firearm type*kit_nokit [Pb: p = 0.9662; Sb: p = 0.9885]); hence, applying this field kit does not falsify later AAS outcomes.
A Hydrologic Retention System and Water Quality Monitoring Program for a Human Decomposition Research Facility: Concept and Design
Authors: Wozniak Jeffrey R. , Thies Monte L. , Bytheway Joan A. , Lutterschmidt William I.
Published: July 2014

Forensic taphonomy is an essential research field; however, the decomposition of human cadavers at forensic science facilities may lead to nutrient loading and the introduction of unique biological compounds to adjacent areas. The infrastructure of a water retention system may provide a mechanism for the biogeochemical processing and retention of nutrients and compounds, ensuring the control of runoff from forensic facilities. This work provides a proof of concept for a hydrologic retention system and an autonomous water quality monitoring program designed to mitigate runoff from The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) Facility. Water samples collected along a sample transect were analyzed for total phosphorous, total nitrogen,,, NH4, F−, and Cl−. Preliminary water quality analyses confirm the overall effectiveness of the water retention system. These results are discussed with relation to how this infrastructure can be expanded upon to monitor additional, more novel, byproducts of forensic science research facilities.
Effectiveness of Femur Bone Indexes to Segregate Wild from Captive Minks, Mustela vison, and Forensic Implications for Small Mammals
Authors: Zhou Xiao Li , Xu Yan Chun , Yang Shu Hui , Hua Yan , Stott Philip
Published: July 2014

Utilization of free‐living populations of endangered wildlife species is usually strictly prohibited or restricted. Farming of endangered species can provide products that are in demand as a countermeasure. A novel forensic issue arises because it becomes necessary to discriminate the origin of given wildlife products. We tested the effectiveness of five measurements and four indexes of femur bone using farmed minks (n = 40) and escapees (n = 32). Results showed all measurements, namely body mass (Lf), body length (Mf), femur mass (Vf), femur length (Mb), and femur volume (Lb), were highly discriminatory. However, they are susceptible to the influence of nutrition level and sex. Femur length index (Ifl), femur linear density (Dl), and femur volume density (Dv) eliminated the influence of level of nutrition and were highly effective. However, Ifl and Dl were influenced by sex (p = 0.000). Because Dv was not influenced by sex (p = 0.683) and was highly effective, it was the preferred index.
Injuries of the Head from Backface Deformation of Ballistic Protective Helmets Under Ballistic Impact
Authors: Rafaels Karin A. , Cutcliffe Hattie C. , Salzar Robert S. , Davis Martin , Boggess Brian , Bush Bryan , Harris Robert , Rountree Mark Steve , Sanderson Ellory , Campman Steven , Koch Spencer , ‘Dale’ Bass Cameron R.
Published: July 2014

Modern ballistic helmets defeat penetrating bullets by energy transfer from the projectile to the helmet, producing helmet deformation. This deformation may cause severe injuries without completely perforating the helmet, termed “behind armor blunt trauma” (BABT). As helmets become lighter, the likelihood of larger helmet backface deformation under ballistic impact increases. To characterize the potential for BABT, seven postmortem human head/neck specimens wearing a ballistic protective helmet were exposed to nonperforating impact, using a 9 mm, full metal jacket, 124 grain bullet with velocities of 400–460 m/s. An increasing trend of injury severity was observed, ranging from simple linear fractures to combinations of linear and depressed fractures. Overall, the ability to identify skull fractures resulting from BABT can be used in forensic investigations. Our results demonstrate a high risk of skull fracture due to BABT and necessitate the prevention of BABT as a design factor in future generations of protective gear.
Characteristics of Backspatter on the Firearm and Shooting Hand—An Experimental Analysis of Close‐range Gunshots
Authors: Kunz Sebastian N. , Brandtner Herwig , Meyer Harald J.
Published: July 2014

Contact and close‐range gunshot injuries can produce bloodstains on the shooting hand and weapon. In this study, backspatter was analyzed in experimental horizontal pistol shots into blood‐filled sponges. The shooting distances were set between 0 and 45 cm. With increasing shooting distance, there was a significant decrease in the degree of backspatter. Microspatter could be detected on the weapon and shooting hand up to a shooting distance of 40 cm. They were predominantly located on thumb and index finger as well as the radial dorsal aspects of the hand. Fine spray of microspatter combined with elongated droplets in the shape of exclamation marks was found at contact and 2‐cm distance shots. An angular calculation based on the shape of the bloodstains was possible up to a shooting distance of 2 cm. No bloodstains were detected beyond 45 cm.
A Moderating Role for Gender in Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Alcohol Services Utilization: Results from the 2000 to 2010 National Alcohol Surveys
Authors: Zemore Sarah E. , Murphy Ryan D. , Mulia Nina , Gilbert Paul A. , Martinez Priscilla , Bond Jason , Polcin Douglas L.
Published: July 2014

Background

Few nationally representative studies have examined racial/ethnic disparities in alcohol services utilization. Further, little is known about whether racial/ethnic disparities generalize across genders, and what factors account for these disparities. Thus, we aimed to describe the combined impact of race/ethnicity and gender on alcohol services utilization, and to explore the roles for social influence factors in explaining racial/ethnic and gender disparities.

Methods

Data were pooled across the 2000, 2005, and 2010 National Alcohol Surveys. Outcomes included lifetime utilization of any services, specialty alcohol treatment, and Alcoholics Anonymous. Social influence factors were assessed as lifetime social pressures (i.e., pressures from a partner, friends, and/or family), legal consequences, and work‐related consequences. Core analyses included only those with a lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Results

Analyses revealed a pattern of lower services utilization among Latinos and Blacks (vs. Whites) and women (vs. men); further, race‐by‐gender interactions revealed that Black–White differences were limited to women, and provided some evidence of stronger Latino–White disparities among women (vs. men). Illustrating these patterns, among women, only 2.5% of Latinas and 3.4% of Blacks with a lifetime AUD accessed specialty treatment, versus 6.7% of Whites; among men, corresponding figures were 6.8% for Latinos, 12.2% for Blacks, and 10.1% for Whites. Racial/ethnic differences were typically robust (or stronger) when controlling for demographics and AUD severity. Evidence did not support a role for measured social influence factors in racial/ethnic disparities, but did suggest that these factors contribute to gender disparities, particularly among Whites and Blacks.

Conclusions

Findings for substantial Latino–White and Black–White disparities, especially among women, highlight the need for continuing research on explanatory factors and the development of appropriate interventions. Meanwhile, our evidence for persistent gender disparities and for social influence factors as drivers of these disparities tentatively suggests a need for intensified outreach to female heavy drinkers.
Linkage disequilibrium over short physical distances measured in sheep using a high‐density SNP chip
Authors: Kijas James W. , Porto‐Neto Laercio , Dominik Sonja , Reverter Antonio , Bunch Rowan , McCulloch Russell , Hayes Ben J. , Brauning Rudiger , McEwan John ,   the International Sheep Genomics Consortium
Published: July 2014

The extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between genetic loci has implications for both association studies and the accuracy of genomic prediction. To characterise the persistence of LD in diverse sheep breeds, two SNP genotyping platforms were used. First, existing SNP genotypes from 63 breeds obtained using the ovine SNP50 BeadChip (49 034 loci) were used to estimate LD decay in populations with contrasting levels of genetic diversity. Given the paucity of marker pairs separated by short physical distances on the SNP50 BeadChip, genotyping was subsequently performed for four breeds using the recently developed ovine HD BeadChip that assays approximately 600 000 SNPs with an average genomic spacing of 5 kb. This facilitated a highly accurate estimate of LD over short genomic distances (<30 kb) and revealed LD varies considerably between sheep breeds. Further, sheep appear to contain generally lower levels of LD than do other domestic species, likely a reflection of aspects of their past population history.
A Case Report of Different Degrees of the Left Anterior, Septal and Posterior Fascicular Branch Block
Authors: Sun Huaqun , Hong Yupeng , Jin Tao
Published: July 2014

We present a rare case of various conduction defects involving the left anterior, septal, and posterior branch in one patient. The different degrees of block of anterior, septal, and posterior fascicular of the left bundle branch indicate pathological changes in left ventricle. However, the values of this electrocardiographic presentation indicating the left ventricular function still need more investigations.
The impact of type 2 diabetes and obesity on the long‐term outcomes of more than 85 000 liver transplant recipients in the US
Authors: Younossi Z. M. , Stepanova M. , Saab S. , Kalwaney S. , Clement S. , Henry L. , Frost S. , Hunt S.
Published: July 2014

Background

Type 2 diabetes is known to negatively impact the outcome of chronic liver disease.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of diabetes on the outcomes of liver transplants (LT).

Methods

Study cohort included adults (>18 years) who received LT in the US between 1994 and 2013 (The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients). Pre‐ and post‐transplant diabetes was recorded in patients with mortality follow‐up.

Results

We included 85 194 liver transplant recipients. Of those, 11.2% had history of pre‐transplant diabetes. The most common indications for liver transplant were hepatitis C (36.4%), alcohol‐related liver disease (20.6%), primary liver malignancy of unspecified aetiology (14.7%), cryptogenic cirrhosis (8.0%), hepatitis B (4.6%) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (3.9%). A total of 96.5% transplants were from deceased donors, and 7.9% donors had history of diabetes. During an average 6.5 years of follow‐up, 31.3% recipients died and 8.8% had a graft failure. In multivariate survival analysis [at least 5 years of cohort follow‐up (N = 35 870)], after adjustment for age, ethnicity, insurance type, history of chronic diseases, HCV infection and noncompliance, independent predictors of recipient mortality included the presence of pre‐transplant diabetes [adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) = 1.21 (1.12–1.30)] and developing diabetes post‐transplant [1.06 (1.02–1.11)]. Donor's history of diabetes was also independently associated with higher mortality [1.10 (1.02–1.19)]. Furthermore, donor's history of diabetes was also associated with an increased the risk of liver graft failure [1.35 (1.24–1.47)].

Conclusions

Presence of type 2 diabetes pre‐ and post‐transplant, as well as presence of type 2 diabetes in the donors, are all associated with an increased risk of adverse post‐transplant outcomes.
STATIC AND DYNAMIC EFFECTS OF CENTRAL BANK TRANSPARENCY
Authors: Dai Meixing
Published: July 2014

Using a New Keynesian framework, this paper shows that, under optimal discretion and optimal pre‐commitment in a timeless perspective, imperfect transparency about the relative weight assigned by the central bank to output‐gap stabilization generally reduces the average reaction of inflation to inflation shocks and the volatility of inflation, but increases those of the output gap in static and dynamic terms, and more so when inflation shocks are highly persistent. When inflation shocks are moderately persistent, opacity could improve social welfare if the weight assigned to output‐gap stabilization is low and this is more likely under pre‐commitment than under discretion.
Clinical and genetic characteristics of a large monocentric series of patients affected by thyroid hormone (Th) resistance and suggestions for differential diagnosis in patients without mutation of Th receptor β
Authors: Macchia Enrico , Lombardi Martina , Raffaelli Valentina , Piaggi Paolo , Macchia Lorenzo , Scattina Ilaria , Martino Enio
Published: July 2014

Objective

The syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is caused by a mutation of TH receptor β (TRβ) in 80% of cases. Patients without mutation (non‐TR‐RTH) may have a biochemical pattern that is difficult to differentiate from that of pituitary TSH‐secreting adenoma (TSHoma). Herein, we report a large monocentric series of RTH focusing on patients with non‐TR‐RTH, to evaluate possible clinical or biochemical parameters able to distinguish them from TSHoma.

Design and patients

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 99 consecutive patients with inappropriate TSH secretion (IST) syndrome referred to our Department between 1983 and 2011, identifying 68 patients with RTH and 31 patients with TSHomas.

Measurements

Patient records were reviewed for the main clinical, biochemical and imaging characteristics.

Results

Of our 68 patients with RTH, 16 (23·5%) did not show a TRβ mutation and did not have affected family members. Of these 16 patients, three developed a TSHoma, during follow‐up. To distinguish non‐TR‐RTH from TSHoma, we identified appropriate cut‐off values for the main biochemical parameters that demonstrated the greatest sensitivity and specificity (T3 suppression test, α‐subunit/TSH molar ratio, α‐subunit assay and TRH test) and we calculated the probability for each patient to develop a TSHoma.

Conclusions

The application of the identified cut‐offs could become a very useful tool in the challenging differential diagnosis between sporadic non‐TR‐RTH and TSHoma. It would then be possible to select the patients at higher risk of developing a TSHoma and therefore needing a closer follow‐up.
In Vitro Assessment with the Infrared Thermometer of Temperature Differences Generated During Implant Site Preparation: The Traditional Technique Versus the Single‐Drill Technique
Authors: Lucchiari Nicola , Frigo Anna Chiara , Stellini Edoardo , Coppe Matteo , Berengo Mario , Bacci Christian
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To assess in vitro, using an infrared (IR) thermometer, temperature changes generated at implant sites by osteotomies involving two different drilling methods (with multiple drills versus only one) and to measure the influence of irrigation on the temperature variation.

Materials and Methods

Forty bone samples (from bovine rib) were divided into two groups of 20. Osteotomies were performed in group A with four drills, using the standard method (Leone Dental Implant System, final diameter 3.5 mm), and in group B with a single drill (Zero1 Drill, Leone Dental Implant System 3.5 mm diameter). In each group, half of the osteotomies were performed with irrigation (subgroups A1 and B1) and the other half without irrigation (subgroups A2 and B2). Two osteotomies were performed on each sample, using four different‐sized drills according to the standard technique on one side and using a single drill on the other side. The starting temperature (T0) and the maximum temperature (Tmax) reached in the bone were measured. Comparisons of ΔT were drawn between subgroups A1 and B1 and between subgroups A2 and B2. The data were analyzed using Student's t‐test (with 95% confidence interval).

Results

The mean difference identified between the temperature produced with the last drill used in the traditional technique and that produced with the single drill was 0.3150 ± 1.0194°C when irrigation was used (group A1 vs group B1; not statistically significant). The mean difference between the temperature produced with the last drill of the traditional technique and that produced with the single drill was −0.3526 ± 0.5232°C when irrigation was not used (group A2 vs group B2; statistically significant).

Conclusions

The single‐drill method induced a significantly greater variation in temperature than the traditional method, but only when irrigation was used; without any irrigation, the difference in the temperature variation generated by the two methods was not statistically significant. In any case, bone heating during the osteotomy never exceeded 2°C and was clinically irrelevant, as thermal damage to bone has only been reported in the literature for temperatures beyond 47°C persisting for more than one minute.
Sinus Width Analysis and New Classification with Clinical Implications for Augmentation
Authors: Teng Minhua , Cheng Qian , Liao Jian , Zhang Xuan , Mo Anchun , Liang Xing
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To measure the distances between the medial and lateral sinus wall (sinus width [SW]) at different levels on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and apply those SW values to formulate a new sinus classification.

Materials and Methods

Edentulous sites adjacent to maxillary sinuses with inadequate residual bone height (RBH) were included from the CBCT database. SW was measured at the heights of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 mm from the sinus floor. Mean SW was stratified into different groups by RBH, study sites (first and second premolars and molars), and measurement levels. Statistical analyses were conducted with commercially available software (IBM SPSS Statistics 19, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

A total 186 patients (mean age 50.4 years) with 267 edentulous sites were included. Mean SW was wider at molar sites, higher measurement levels, and sites with less RBH. Narrow, average, or wide sinuses were classified based on the 33rd and 67th percentile SW values at 1‐, 5‐, and 9‐mm measurement levels, respectively.

Conclusions

SW at different levels relating to sinus floor elevation was measured. The proposed classification could contribute to estimate the difficulty of sinus augmentation, useful for the selection of surgical approaches. Further studies are required to testify its clinical implications.
Predictors of Alveolar Process Remodeling Following Ridge Preservation in High‐Risk Patients
Authors: Cosyn Jan , Cleymaet Roberto , De Bruyn Hugo
Published: July 2014

Purpose

(1) To clinically evaluate horizontal remodeling of the alveolar process (hard and soft tissues) following ridge preservation in high‐risk patients and (2) to identify predictors of such remodeling.

Materials and Methods

Periodontally healthy nonsmoking patients with a failing tooth in the anterior maxilla (15–25) were selected for a prospective case series. All were in need of a single implant and demonstrated high risk for aesthetic complications given an incomplete buccal bone wall and/or thin‐scalloped gingival biotype. Following flapless tooth extraction, ridge preservation was performed using one or more collagen‐enriched, bovine‐derived block grafts (Geistlich Bio‐Oss® Collagen® 100 mg, Geistlich Pharma AG, Wolhusen, Switzerland) without the additional use of membranes or soft tissue grafts. The change in buccopalatal dimension of the alveolar process between baseline (prior to tooth extraction) and 4 months was assessed on the basis of superimposed occlusal slides. Regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of alveolar process remodeling.

Results

Forty‐two patients (21 females, 21 males; mean age 38) met the selection criteria and consented to the treatment. Mean alveolar process remodeling was 14% (SD 7, range 4–30) with minimal remodeling (≤10%) in 16 patients (38%) and advanced remodeling (>20%) in 10 patients (24%). A single implant could be installed in all subjects without additional guided bone regeneration. Connective tissue grafting was performed later on in the treatment for aesthetic purposes, hereby compensating for tissue loss at the buccal aspect. Predictors of alveolar process remodeling were tooth location (central incisors and cuspids > laterals incisors and premolars), tooth abscess (p = .025), and buccal bone loss (p = .035).

Conclusion

Alveolar process remodeling seems inevitable yet acceptable following ridge preservation in high‐risk patients. Proper case selection may reduce the incidence of advanced remodeling.