bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Earthquake insurance for Greece: comparative analysis and pricing issues
Authors: Petseti Aglaia , Nektarios Milton
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The present article serves two main goals. First, the proposed scheme for Greece is being involved in a benchmarking analysis. Second, an expansion of previous quantitative models is undertaken in order to estimate risk‐based premiums for the proposed national insurance scheme.

Design/methodology/approach

The benchmarking analysis of the proposed scheme is undertaken in comparison to the best practices of the catastrophe insurance systems operating in most member‐states of the EU. Risk modelling is employed to calculate risk‐based premiums.

Findings

The benchmarking analysis leads to conclusions which may be useful for the stage of actual implementation of such a program in Greece. Risk‐based premiums for the proposed national insurance scheme are estimated for all CRESTA zones of the country.

Research limitations/implications

Uncertainty of estimated catastrophe losses is a limitation of the research.

Practical implications

The paper provides a detailed description of the proposed earthquake insurance scheme.

Social implications

The Greek Government should evaluate the proposal for the establishment of a national insurance program for earthquake damages.

Originality/value

The paper's originality/value consists of the construction of a unique data bank of the residential stock of Greece, and a comprehensive proposal for earthquake insurance, based on the best practices of national Cat insurance schemes.
Assessing the model risk with respect to the interest rate term structure under Solvency II
Authors: Martin Michael
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Interest rate risk, i.e. the risk of changes in the interest rate term structure, is of high relevance in insurers' risk management. Due to large capital investments in interest rate sensitive assets such as bonds, interest rate risk plays a considerable role for deriving the solvency capital requirement (SCR) in the context of Solvency II. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In addition to the Solvency II standard model, the author applies the model of Gatzert and Martin for introducing a partial internal model for the market risk of bond exposures. After introducing calibration methods for short rate models, the author quantifies interest rate and credit risk for corporate and government bonds and demonstrates that the type of process can have a considerable impact despite comparable underlying input data.

Findings

The results show that, in general, the SCR for interest rate risk derived from the standard model of Solvency II tends to the SCR achieved by the short rate model from Vasicek, while the application of the Cox, Ingersoll, and Ross model leads to a lower SCR. For low‐rated bonds, the internal models approximate each other and, moreover, show a considerable underestimation of credit risk in the Solvency II model.

Originality/value

The aim of this paper is to assess model risk with focus on bonds in the market risk module of Solvency II regarding the underlying interest rate process and input parameters.
Investigation of subjective age in the work context: study of a sample of French workers
Authors: Rioux Liliane , Mokounkolo René
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Following the work of Kastenbaum in 1972, the concept of subjective age has been extensively explored and numerous studies have shown that subjective age often has a greater explanatory power than chronological age. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, little work has focused specifically on subjective age at work. The purpose of this paper is to help fill this gap. The aim is to show that workers have a subjective age bias specific to the organisational context, and that this reveals their attitudes to work better than their overall subjective age bias.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 508 French salaried workers in three sectors (education, health, retail industry) answered: a French adaptation of Steitz and McClary's questionnaire to working life; the French version of the subjective age questionnaire; a scale of satisfaction with professional life; and a workplace attachment scale.

Findings

The results confirm that there is a subjective age bias at work, linked to the type of organisation and constituting a better predictor of attitude to work than overall subjective age. This finding suggests that chronological age is less relevant than subjective age at work.

Research limitations/implications

The existence of subjective age at work, more pertinent than chronological age, can call into question thea prioricategorization of workers by age group, an issue already raised by many authors.

Practical implications

The authors believe that the scale of subjective age at work can be used by human relations consultants or managers as a decision‐making tool in the context of professional mobility or in setting up mentoring projects.

Originality/value

The concept of subjective age is interesting from a theoretical level, to understand the subjective relationship of workers to their work‐place, and from an applied level, as a decision‐making tool in the context of professional mobility or in setting up mentoring projects. This research calls into question thea prioricategorization of workers by age group, raising the possibility of a different approach to the management of older workers.
Restoring trust in the corporation: an interview with Colin Mayer, Peter Moores Professor of Management Studies at Said Business School, and author of Firm Commitment
Authors: by Gareth Bell Interview
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Colin Mayer, Peter Moores Professor of Management Studies at Saïd Business School, and author of Firm Commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

An interview with Colin Meyer.

Findings

In the interview, Colin Mayer outlines a number of practical recommendations for corporate reform that will align the interests of the corporation with those of society, thus enabling the corporation to become the force for good it has the capacity to be.

Originality/value

According to Colin Mayer, the corporation is no longer acting in the interests of society at large, but solely for the short‐term financial benefit of its shareholders. The lack of long‐term vision and sustainable purpose has given rise to irresponsible practice, resulting in the gradual erosion of public trust.
Exploring corporate responsibility in Oman – social expectations and practice
Authors: Minnee Flora , Shanka Tekle , Taylor Ruth , Handley Brian
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to explore social expectations and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 153 respondents (45 per cent Omanis and 55 per cent expatriates) shared their expectations which were compared with documentary evidence from core large and medium‐sized enterprises' CSR practice in Oman.

Findings

On average, CSR mean scores exhibited similarity for most respondent groups except for Omanis, young people, and those with high school or lower education who scored less, indicating a general lack of awareness of CSR. Society in Oman seems to expect corporations to provide “safe and reliable products/services”, “appropriately treat employees”, “behave ethically”, and be “committed to social responsibility”.

Research limitations/implications

While there is limited generalizability of the findings of this exploratory study per se due to sample size limitations, a clear pattern emerges to facilitate more in‐depth studies on CSR in Oman, and furthermore in other emerging market economies and transitional economies.

Practical implications

The study demonstrates a need for additional research into CSR awareness, philosophy and practice in the small and medium enterprise sectors, and other industry sectors.

Originality/value

The paper presents findings from an exploratory empirical study investigating social expectations of CSR in Oman, and highlights the practice of CSR in Oman. It also compares these findings and other studies' on the philosophy, nature and practice of CSR in emerging market and transitional economies.
Social entrepreneurship theory and sustainable social impact
Authors: El Ebrashi Raghda
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to introduce a theory for social entrepreneurship based on integrating the entrepreneurship literature with a global empirical research carried out on social entrepreneurs using grounded theory. Theoretical contributions and insights from the social entrepreneurship literature are integrated into the research.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is an exploratory inductive qualitative research based on the grounded theory methodology developed by Glaser and Strauss, and procedures developed by Strauss and Corbin with a constructivist stance.

Findings

The behavioral theory of social entrepreneurship studies the contextual factors that lead to social venture creation, the underlying organization dynamics and structures, and how these typologies measure social impact, mobilize resources, and bring about sustainable social change.

Research limitations/implications

The result of the research is a behavioral theory for social entrepreneurship, which introduces new organizational typologies that create, measure, and sustain social change. Studying the underlying motivations and conditions upon which social enterprises evolve will help in extending the research on management of social outcomes and impacts. As the focus of the different typologies of social enterprises is to produce measurable social impact, researching these types of social organizations will advance research in social sciences.

Practical implications

Studying the phenomena of social entrepreneurship and explaining the social enterprises' unique behaviors, characteristics, and typologies will advance research for creating sustainable public wealth rather than just focusing on private wealth and business performance. While Schumpeter's entrepreneurship theory led the literature on economic growth, social entrepreneurship theory might be a factor for social development through economically sustainable and viable models.

Social implications

This research will help in studying the role of social entrepreneurs in creating new social institutions and structures, promoting social movements, and mobilizing resources to create sustainable social impact.

Originality/value

This research is an attempt to contribute to the social entrepreneurship literature by providing new insights about social entrepreneurship behavior. The result of the research is a behavioral theory for social entrepreneurship, which introduces new organizational typologies that create, measure, and sustain social change.
Evaluation of the environmental, social and governance information disclosed by Spanish listed companies
Authors: de la Cuesta Marta , Valor Carmen
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the quality of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting of Spanish companies listed in the IBEX‐35 stock index and the main drivers of the differences among reporters.

Design/methodology/approach

A benchmark tool was built based on GRIv3, and the ESG information issued by Spanish companies listed in the IBEX‐35 index was analyzed.

Findings

The authors conclude that GRI has resulted in some standardization of corporate social and environmental reporting, particularly in terms of format, but their approach to indicators is unlikely to produce high quality information that is relevant, comparable, complete and accessible to all stakeholders. Regulation and reputation seem to be the main drivers for improving the quality of ESG reporting. Global companies operating in industries with higher reputation risks had the highest levels of disclosure. Furthermore, reporting seems to be oriented to satisfying the demands of shareholders and investors rather than those of other stakeholders.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a structured definition of ESG quality reporting. Secondly, it makes an empirical contribution, by developing a reliable and valid instrument of research based on GRIv3.
The influence of personal attributes and organizational ethics position on accountants' judgments: Malaysian scenario
Authors: Mohd Ghazali Nazli A. , Ismail Suhaiza
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to examine the influence of personal attributes, organizational ethics position and other factors which are rules conformance, active participation in profession activities, ethics instructions received and understanding of the professional code of conduct on the Malaysian accountants' judgment on questionable ethical scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire is carried out to elicit opinions of Malaysian accountants on factors influencing ethical judgments.

Findings

Adopting 15 vignettes used in Emerson et al. to assess ethical judgments, the main findings revealed from the analysis are that older accountants, accountants attached to corporations with higher ethics scale and accountants who understand the professional code of conduct are expected to be stricter in judging questionable ethical situations.

Practical implications

The findings imply that perhaps one way to promote and preserve ethical organizational decisions is by employing older and experienced individuals and perhaps retaining older staff. The finding on age appears to suggest that wisdom comes with maturity.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few studies which investigate factors influencing ethical judgments of accountants in Malaysia. The research is timely given the growing importance of women in decision‐making levels, the expected rise in employment and the requirement to include the business ethics course in the accounting programs in Malaysia.
Socially and environmentally responsible apparel consumption: knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors
Authors: Kozar Joy M. , Hiller Connell Kim Y.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between social and environmental responsibility knowledge, attitudes, and purchasing behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge of, and attitudes towards, issues of social responsibility, including social and environmental aspects related to the production and distribution of apparel and textile goods. Information regarding engagement in socially and environmentally responsible apparel‐purchasing behavior was also collected. Participants included students enrolled at a four‐year institution located in the Midwestern USA.

Findings

Participants indicated being more knowledgeable about apparel environmental issues as compared to apparel social issues. Overall, participants exhibited low involvement in socially and environmentally responsible apparel‐purchasing behavior. However, both knowledge and attitudes of social and environmental issues were significant predictors of socially and environmentally responsible purchasing behavior.

Practical implications

Given the competition among apparel companies operating in the marketplace, this study lends valuable insight for firms in implementing strategic social and environmental practices and policies. The implications of this study also suggest that firms within the industry may need to respond to the barriers perceived by consumers in engaging in sustainable apparel‐purchasing behavior.

Originality/value

The findings of this study are useful in understanding the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Previous research on this topic has been inconclusive. A thorough examination of this topic is important, as noted by previous scholars, consumers have the ability to effect change in the marketplace through their purchasing behavior.
Fostering effective university‐industry partnerships: concluding remarks
Authors: Jauhari Vinnie
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the answers to the question posed in the introduction to the themed issue: how can effective university‐industry partnerships be developed?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper consolidates the findings of various studies featuring in this theme issue on effective university‐industry partnerships. It addresses the aspects which contribute to effective partnerships and also challenges the issues around such partnerships.

Findings

The paper discusses the range of best practices for building effective university‐industry partnerships.

Practical implications

There are lessons for industry, universities and policy makers.

Originality/value

The paper provides multiple perspectives on university‐industry partnerships from various geographies.
Building employability in hospitality industry
Authors: Jauhari Vinnie
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to provide insights into how an effective partnership between IIMT Gurgaon and Oxford Brookes University led to employability, curriculum development and research orientation at IIMT.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws from the experience of managing the collaborative partnership for 13 years and being involved in institutionalising the best practices and engagement with the hospitality industry.

Findings

The paper discusses the factors which have contributed to building effective university‐industry partnerships and generating employability of hospitality graduates at IIMT. The factors include a state of the art curriculum which focuses on learning outcomes, building competencies and enabling students to be able to do well in their careers. The networking with industry, developing an understanding of expectations, and supervised work experience are all factors that have contributed to the success.

Practical implications

There are lessons for industry and universities and policy makers.

Originality/value

The paper provides perspectives on building university‐industry partnerships from a perspective of a growing economy.
Plants as populations of release sites for seed dispersal: a structural‐statistical analysis of the effects of competition on Raphanus raphanistrum
Authors: Kelly Natalie , Cousens Roger D. , Taghizadeh Mohammad S. , Hanan Jim S. , Mouillot David
Published: June 2013

Trajectories of dispersing seeds begin at the positions of their fruits on the maternal plant. Mechanistic simulation models usually assume that seed release is restricted to a characteristic, species‐specific height. However, real canopies constitute distributed rather than point sources, which may have important consequences for dispersal kernels.

Fruit positions are determined by plant architecture, which is under both genetic control and environmental influence. Competition with other plants has a major modifying influence on canopy structure.

We used quantitative methods to describe the positions of fruits on plants of Raphanus raphanistrum L., examined how fruit spatial distributions change when plants grow under interspecific competition and explored how this is related to changes in the structural geometry and topology of the plant.

Raphanus raphanistrum was grown either as individual plants or in a wheat crop. Branching structures and fruit positions were captured using a three‐dimensional digitizer. Propagule locations were also mapped on the ground after dispersal. Fruit distributions pre‐dispersal were analysed using various statistical approaches; plant topological and geometrical indices were calculated for the branching structures.

Plants grown under competition were smaller, but the reduced size was because fewer modules were produced rather than because individual branches were in some way different. The distribution of these branches was also different under competition, with more apical dominance resulting in less branching along dominant modules. Under competition, fruits were concentrated in the upper parts of the canopy and closer, in the horizontal plane, to the base of the plant. This resulted in much more restricted local seed shadows post‐dispersal.

Synthesis. The effect of competition on plant size is primarily a result of a reduction in initiation of branches. For species with limited dispersal ability, this results in a greatly modified seed shadow at short distances. In the case of agricultural weeds, the concentration of fruits at greater heights when competing with a crop might result in a greater proportion being dispersed long distances by harvesting machinery, but they would be fewer in number.
Global Comparators Project: International Comparison of Hospital Outcomes Using Administrative Data
Authors: Bottle Alex , Middleton Steven , Kalkman Cor J. , Livingston Edward H. , Aylin Paul
Published: June 2013

Objective

To produce comparable risk‐adjusted outcome rates for an international sample of hospitals in a collaborative project to share outcomes and learning.

Data Sources

Administrative data varying in scope, format, and coding systems were pooled from each participating hospital for the years 2005–2010.

Study Design

Following reconciliation of the different coding systems in the various countries, in‐hospital mortality, unplanned readmission within 30 days, and “prolonged” hospital stay (>75th percentile) were risk‐adjusted via logistic regression. A web‐based interface was created to facilitate outcomes analysis for individual medical centers and enable peer comparisons. Small groups of clinicians are now exploring the potential reasons for variations in outcomes in their specialty.

Principal Findings

There were 6,737,211 inpatient records, including 214,622 in‐hospital deaths. Although diagnostic coding depth varied appreciably by country, comorbidity weights were broadly comparable. U.S. hospitals generally had the lowest mortality rates, shortest stays, and highest readmission rates.

Conclusions

Intercountry differences in outcomes may result from differences in the quality of care or in practice patterns driven by socio‐economic factors. Carefully managed administrative data can be an effective resource for initiating dialog between hospitals within and across countries. Inclusion of important outcomes beyond hospital discharge would increase the value of these analyses.
Implications of Metric Choice for Common Applications of Readmission Metrics
Authors: Davies Sheryl , Saynina Olga , Schultz Ellen , McDonald Kathryn M. , Baker Laurence C.
Published: June 2013

Objective

To quantify the differential impact on hospital performance of three readmission metrics: all‐cause readmission (ACR), 3M Potential Preventable Readmission (PPR), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 30‐day readmission (CMS).

Data Sources

2000–2009 California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development Patient Discharge Data Nonpublic file.

Study Design

We calculated 30‐day readmission rates using three metrics, for three disease groups: heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and pneumonia. Using each metric, we calculated the absolute change and correlation between performance; the percent of hospitals remaining in extreme deciles and level of agreement; and differences in longitudinal performance.

Principal Findings

Average hospital rates for HF patients and the CMS metric were generally higher than for other conditions and metrics. Correlations between the ACR and CMS metrics were highest (r = 0.67–0.84). Rates calculated using the PPR and either ACR or CMS metrics were moderately correlated (r = 0.50–0.67). Between 47 and 75 percent of hospitals in an extreme decile according to one metric remained when using a different metric. Correlations among metrics were modest when measuring hospital longitudinal change.

Conclusions

Different approaches to computing readmissions can produce different hospital rankings and impact pay‐for‐performance. Careful consideration should be placed on readmission metric choice for these applications.
The influence of ownership structure, analyst following and institutional infrastructure on stock price informativeness: international evidence
Authors: Jiang Li , Kim Jeong‐Bon , Pang Lei
Published: June 2013

Using firms from 20 non‐US countries, we investigate whether and how ownership structure, analyst following and country‐level institutions influence stock price informativeness (SPI). We find that stock price informativeness decreases with control‐ownership wedge (the detachment of voting rights from cash flows rights), and this SPI‐reducing effect of the wedge is attenuated for firms with high analyst following and in countries with strong country‐level institutions. We also find that stock price informativeness decreases with analyst following, but this SPI‐reducing effect of analyst following is attenuated in countries with strong country‐level institutions.
Do farm operators benefit from direct to consumer marketing strategies?
Authors: Park Timothy , Mishra Ashok K. , Wozniak Shawn J.
Published: June 2013

Using farm‐level data this study investigates factors associated with the choice of three direct marketing strategies (DMSs). Particular attention is given to the role of management and marketing skills in selection of DMSs. Additionally, the study applies a selectivity‐based approach for the multinomial logit model to assess the relationship between DMSs and the financial performance of the business. Results suggest that both management and marketing skills significantly affect direct‐to‐consumer sales. Farmers choosing the strategy of sales only through direct‐to‐consumer outlets report earnings that are significantly lower than earnings from the other marketing strategies. Marketing skills prove to be beneficial to direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) earnings. Finally, the selectivity correction terms in the direct sales model are significantly negative in the choice of DTC, indicating the presence of sample selection effects. Accounting for selectivity is essential to ensure unbiased and consistent estimates.
“Keep Government Out of Business”: Bank Nationalisation, Financial Reform and The Private Trading Banks In The 1930s
Authors: Eather Warwick , Cottle Drew
Published: June 2013

During the early 1930s the private trading banks came under sustained attack from sections of the Australian Labor Party and the Country Party, and from supporters of Major C.H. Douglas. Repeated calls for bank nationalisation or “socialisation of credit” or “social credit” heightened tensions within the banks and conservative political circles. In response, the banks secretly funded a nationwide campaign in support of the Lyons government in the lead‐up to the 1934 federal election. While the campaign was successful, the outcome resulted in the establishment of a Royal Commission to investigate the banking sector. The Royal Commission's recommendations and the Lyons government's proposed banking legislation were about providing greater government control of the sector. Opposition from the Bank of New South Wales and its supporters during the late 1930s helped forestall the legislation. The onset of war and, in 1941, initiatives from the federal Curtin Labor government and the National Security (Wartime Banking Control) Regulations ended what was a decade‐long struggle waged by the trading banks against greater government control of the banking sector.
The Menzies Government, the American Alliance and the Cuban Missile Crisis
Authors: Stanley Laura , Deery Phillip
Published: June 2013

This paper questions the traditional view of the Australian‐American relationship: that Australian dependency entailed unequivocal support for American foreign policy. It uses a particular Cold War event — the Cuban Missile Crisis — to examine the extent to which the reaction of the Australian government conformed to the general perception of immediate and absolute endorsement of the Kennedy administration's position. The paper will argue that the actual response of the Menzies government, as distinct from its public pronouncements, was constrained rather than unconditional, considered rather than reflexive, and shaped by strategic calculations of Australian interests.
Shifting Interests: Whitlam, Britain and French Nuclear Tests in the South Pacific
Authors: Chen Changwei
Published: June 2013

This article focuses on the interaction between the Australian and British governments during the early 1970s over French nuclear testing in the South Pacific. It examines the considerations behind the Australian government's approach to Britain, and Britain's response to initiatives from Australia. Through the presentation of a case study demonstrating how Australia's Pacific interests and Britain's European concerns inevitably led to different perspectives, I argue that the policies of both countries were primarily determined by their consideration of regional geopolitical interests, rather than the lingering links of Empire.
Adverse Influence of Mixed Acidemia on the Biocompatibility of Continuous Veno‐Venous Hemofiltration With Respect to the Lungs
Authors: Wagner Johanna‐Josophina , Bedarf Janis R. , Russ Martin , Grosch‐Ott Sascha , Keckel Tobias , Hiebl Bernhard , Schell Hanna , Unger Juliane K.
Published: June 2013

Experimental data indicate that hypercapnic adidosis has anti‐inflammatory effects. These anti‐inflammatory effects may even be a beneficial property in case of low tidal volume ventilation with consecutive hypercapnic acidosis. It is unclear whether these anti‐inflammatory effects predominate in critically ill patients who suffer from multiple pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory insults like extracorporeal organ support (pro‐inflammatory), metabolic acidosis (pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory), as well as hypoxia (pro‐inflammatory). Eighteen pigs were randomized into three groups, mechanically ventilated and connected to a continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration (CVVH) as pro‐inflammatory insult. A reference group with normal acid‐base state obtained normoventilation; a normoxemic acidemia group obtained normoxemic, mixed acidemia due to infusion of lactic and hyperchloremic acid and low tidal volume ventilation, and in a hypoxemic acidemia group the mixed acidemia was paralleled by hypoxemia. Lung histology including pulmonary leukocyte invasion, blood gases, blood cell counts, and hemodynamics were examined. The histological examination of the lungs of acidemic pigs showed a suppressed invasion of leukocytes and thinner alveolar walls compared with normoventilated and with hypoxemic pigs. Enhanced congestion and alveolar red blood cells (RBCs) combined with an increase of the pulmonary artery pressure were observed in acidemic pigs in comparison with the reference group. Normoxemic acidemia reduced the pro‐inflammatory reaction to the CVVH and mechanical ventilation in the ventilated lung areas in the form of pulmonary leukocyte invasion. However, this did not result in reduced scores for lung injury. Instead, an increased score for criteria which represent lung injury (congestion and alveolar RBCs) was observed in acidemic pigs.
The Firing Temperature of Pottery from Ancient Mesopotamia, Turkey, Using Luminescence Methods: A Case Study for Different Grain‐Size Fractions
Authors: Polymeris G. S. , Kiyak N. G. , Koul D. K. , Kitis G.
Published: June 2013

The assessment of the firing temperature of a prehistoric pottery sample collected from ancient Mesopotamia, Turkey was studied using luminescence techniques. The methods for this estimation involved the observation of the thermal and pre‐dose sensitization with various re‐firing temperatures for both TL and the OSL signals. In the former case, the 110°C TL peak and the rest of the glow curve were used as proxies in this study. In the framework of a first attempt to investigate the impact of grain‐size dependence on the sensitization of the luminescence signals, the aforementioned study was performed with four different pottery grain‐size fractions: (i) less than 60 μm, (ii) 60–90 μm, (iii) 90–180 μm and (iv) 180–250 μm. The results clearly demonstrated the firing temperature mark of ∼500°C in for the grain size of 90–180 μm, while—as in the case of the lower grain‐size fraction—a third proxy, the ratio of the pre‐dosed to the thermal sensitization, was seen to indicate the firing temperature. The remaining two grain‐size fractions failed to provide any meaningful results with regard to the firing temperature estimation. The dependence of the TL characteristics on the grain size was explained in the framework of the mixed mineralogy.
Effects of Imported Intermediate Varieties on Plant Total Factor Productivity and Product Switching: Evidence from Korean Manufacturing
Authors: Choi Yong‐Seok , Hahn Chin Hee
Published: June 2013

By utilizing previously unexplored plant–product data on Korean manufacturing, and detailed import data for 1991–1998, this paper empirically investigates whether greater access to imported intermediate varieties enhanced plant total factor productivity and product‐switching behavior. First, consistent with previous empirical studies, we find that a plant that belonged to industries with higher imported intermediate variety growth experienced higher productivity growth. Second, our empirical results suggest that increased imported intermediate varieties stimulated the product‐switching behavior of domestic plants. Because product‐switching behavior (i.e. simultaneously adding and dropping products) could be understood as a part of the continual process of ‘creative destruction’ within plants, our results imply that imported intermediate variety growth may be one of the channels through which resource reallocation within plants can be promoted.
Impact of Foreign Maids on Female Labor Force Participation in Malaysia
Authors: Tan Peck‐Leong , Gibson John
Published: June 2013

Demand for foreign maids by households in Malaysia has increased rapidly and expected to affect female labor force participation. Simple comparisons of households with maids and those without suggest that maids raise the participation rate of their female employers by 26 percentage points. However, such comparisons are not directly comparable. Households employing maids differ in many ways from those that do not. When propensity score matching methods are used to estimate the treatment effect of having a foreign maid, the female labor force participation rate is estimated to be only 18 percentage points higher in 1993/1994 and 13 percentage points higher in 2004/2005. This decline over time in the treatment effect is not apparent when simpler but potentially biased methods are used. The small and declining impact of hiring maids suggests financial losses to the host households.
Effect of Interest Rate Subsidies on Firm Performance and Investment Behavior during Economic Recession: Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Dinh Tuan‐Minh , Malesky Edmund , To Trung‐Thanh , Nguyen Duc‐Thanh
Published: June 2013

This paper aims to quantitatively evaluate the microeconomic consequences of the 4‐percent interest rate subsidy program, the main component of the Vietnamese Government's economic stimulus package in 2009, which was intended to assist recovery from the global economic and financial recession. Our analyses based on the Provincial Competitive Index 2009 survey and accounting data of firms listed on Vietnam's two stock exchanges show that firms that received subsidized loans were more likely to increase labor, to expand investment and to possess optimistic business plans. However, we find evidence that not all business activity generated by the stimulus led to productivity increases: a non‐trivial proportion of subsidized loans were not used to invest in production or expansion, but for speculative activities such as real estate and stock market trading.
On the Ruins of the Democratic Transition: Human Rights as an Agenda Item in Abeyance for theBrazilian Democracy
Authors: GUGLIANO ALFREDO ALEJANDRO , GALLO CARLOS ARTUR
Published: June 2013

This article discusses one of the main controversies inBrazilian society at this moment: the development of a national policy of human rights and the return of the debate on political crimes committed under the military dictatorship from 1964 onwards. The main hypothesis associates the barriers imposed on that human rights policy to the way in which democracy was retaken in the country and the model on which important segments related to the authoritarian government occupied strategic roles. Even today, this presents a real difficulty in terms of recovery and, if necessary, punishment for the crimes committed by the government during the dictatorship, which in turn makes the development of human rights policies more complicated.
Insulinotropic Actions of the Frog Skin Host‐Defense Peptide Alyteserin‐2a: A Structure–Activity Study
Authors: Ojo Opeolu O. , Abdel‐Wahab Yasser H. A. , Flatt Peter R. , Conlon J. Michael
Published: June 2013

Alyteserin‐2a (ILGKLLSTAAGLLSNL.NH2) stimulated the rate of insulin release from BRIN‐BD11 clonalβ cells at a concentration of 30 nm (p < 0.05) with a response of 296 ± 26% of basal release at 3 μm (p < 0.001). The insulinotropic actions of analogs containing substitutions by l‐lysine, d‐lysine, or l‐tryptophan at sites that maintain amphipathicity were evaluated. The [G11K], [S7k], [S7k,G11k], and [G11k,N15K] analogs were the most potent stimulating insulin release at 0.01 nm (p < 0.05). The [S7K], [G11K], [S14K], [N15K], [G11k], and [S7K,G11K] analogs were the most effective producing an approximately twofold greater (p < 0.001) release of insulin at 3 μm compared with alyteserin‐2a. The [T8W] and [A9W] analogs were less active than alyteserin‐2a. No peptide‐stimulated release of lactate dehydrogenase at concentrations up to 3 μm, indicating that the integrity of the plasma membrane had been preserved. Membrane depolarization and an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration are involved in the mechanism of action of the peptides. Administration of [G11k]alyteserin‐2a (75 nmol/kg body weight) to high‐fat‐fed mice with obesity and insulin resistance significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced insulin release and improved glucose tolerance during the 60‐min period following an intraperitoneal glucose load.
Government Time Discounting and Required Rates of Return: UK History and Current Issues
Authors: Spackman Michael
Published: June 2013

The UK government first set financial objectives for the nationalised industries in 1961 and subsequently promoted the use of ‘discounted cash flow’ for investment appraisal. The nationalised industry regime evolved until, in the 1990s, it was succeeded by economic regulation regimes for the privatised utilities. Meanwhile discounting conventions emerged and have continued to evolve for wider government policy analysis, including aspects of climate change. Issues about the size and functions of public expenditure notwithstanding, UK government conventions are currently fairly uncontroversial: however, in the world at large, government discounting remains subject to many academic and international controversies and misunderstandings.
Media, Education and Corruption: Investigating the Associations
Authors: Dutta Nabamita , Roy Sanjukta
Published: June 2013

We study the interactive association of press freedom, access to media and education with a nation's corruption levels. A free press generates unbiased information that greater access to the media helps propagate; and a greater degree of education, in the same context, helps individuals apply that information. This entire process generates a vigilant and corruption‐free economy. It is therefore important to consider these factors in conjunction.
Evaluation of Atrial Electromechanical Delay and Diastolic Functions in Patients with Hyperthyroidism
Authors: Sokmen Abdullah , Acar Gurkan , Sokmen Gulizar , Akcay Ahmet , Akkoyun Murat , Koroglu Sedat , Nacar Alper Bugra , Ozkaya Mesut
Published: June 2013

Aim

Hyperthyroidism is a well‐known cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) is a significant predictor of AF. The aim of this study was to assess the atrial EMD and diastolic functions in subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism by using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Methods and Results

The study population consisted of 3 groups: group I (30 healthy subjects), group II (38 patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism), and group III (25 patients with overt hyperthyroidism). Atrial electromechanical coupling was measured with TDI. Standard echocardiographic measurements and parameters of diastolic function were obtained by conventional echocardiography and TDI.

Intra‐ and inter‐atrial EMD were significantly prolonged in subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism compared with control group (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001 for intra‐atrial EMD; P < 0.001 for inter‐atrial EMD). In groups II and III, mitral A velocity (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001) and mitral E‐wave deceleration time (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02) were significantly increased, and mitral E/A ratio (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001) was significantly decreased compared with the control group. The lateral mitral Em/Am ratio in group II and group III was significantly lower than controls (P = 0.001). Mitral Em/Am ratio (β = −0.32, P = 0.002) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level (β = −0.27, P = 0.009) were negatively and independently correlated with inter‐atrial EMD.

Conclusion

This study showed that intra‐ and inter‐atrial electromechanical intervals were prolonged and diastolic function was impaired in both overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism. TSH level and mitral Em/Am ratio were found as independent predictors of atrial EMD.
Government Partisanship and Property Rights: Cross‐Country Firm‐Level Evidence
Authors: Weymouth Stephen , Broz J. Lawrence
Published: June 2013

Property rights are essential to economic development but vary with the political environment. We develop and test the claim that government partisanship influences the security of business firms' property rights: the perceived security of property rights increases when right‐wing parties take power and declines with the election of left‐leaning parties. Unlike research that uses country‐level aggregates to draw inferences about the determinants of secure property rights, we analyze survey responses of over 7,400 firm owners from 73 countries using a novel difference‐in‐differences approach. We find that the political partisanship of the government in power strongly affects individual perceptions of property rights: firm owners are more likely to perceive that their property rights are secure under right‐leaning governments. Our results are robust to firm‐ and country‐level economic performance as well as controls for political institutions that might induce more stability to property rights, such as the number of checks and balances (veto players) in a system. Overall, our results indicate that business owners' beliefs about the security of property rights are highly responsive to changes in government partisanship.
The Origin of Parties: The United States Congress in 1789–1797 as a Test Case
Authors: Eguia Jon X.
Published: June 2013

Why do political parties form? I test a theory of party formation in which legislators coalesce into voting blocs to coordinate their votes and influence policy outcomes. I use historical roll‐call data from the United States Congress. During the First and Second Congresses (1789–1793), there were no organized political parties. By the Fourth Congress (1795–1797), the Federalist and Republican parties shaped Congress. The analysis uses the Roll‐call data from the first two Congresses to predict which legislators will coalesce into parties in future Congresses. I compare this prediction with the parties that eventually emerged in the House and in the Senate. I find strong support for the theory in the Senate, and favorable but less significant results in the House.
Infectious risk factors and clinical indicators for tracheal mucus inBritishNationalHunt racehorses
Authors: Cardwell J. M. , Smith K. C. , Wood J. L. N. , Newton J. R.
Published: June 2013

Reasons for performing study

Many studies of respiratory disease in racehorses have focused on a combination of increased tracheal mucus and airway neutrophilia. Examination of each component separately should provide further insight into this condition.

Objectives

To identify infectious risk factors for endoscopically visible tracheal mucus inNationalHunt racehorses.

Study design

A 2 year prospective longitudinal study.

Methods

Monthly quantitative bacteriological examinations of tracheal wash samples and viral serological examinations were conducted. Risk factors for ‘small amounts of mucus’ (mucus score = 1/3) and ‘increased mucus’ (score ≥2/3) were identified.

Results

There were increased odds of small amounts of mucus when bothStreptococcus zooepidemicusand nonhaemolytic streptococci (NHS) were isolated (odds ratio [OR]2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]1.5–4.6; P<0.001) but not when either species was isolated in the absence of the other. Increased odds of increased mucus were associated with the isolation of eitherS. zooepidemicus(OR5.6; 95%CI1.2–25.9; P = 0.03) orNHS(OR3.7; 95%CI1.2–11.6; P = 0.02), with an increased effect when both were isolated together (OR12.5; 95%CI3.7–41.6; P<0.001). Approximately 6‐fold increased odds of small amounts of mucus were associated with the first 3 months in training (OR6.3; 95%CI2.0–19.4; P<0.001) and 3‐fold increased odds of increased mucus associated with the first 6 months in training (OR2.9; 95%CI1.3–6.4; P = 0.01). Coughing at exercise and increased serous nasal discharge were specific but insensitive indicators of increased mucus.

Conclusions

Associations withS. zooepidemicuscorroborate previous research, but an independent effect ofNHShas not previously been reported. The possibility that there are individual pathogenic species within this group should be considered. Further work is required to identifyS. zooepidemicussubtypes andNHSspecies associated with disease. Closer monitoring of the respiratory health of horses entering training for the first time is likely to be valuable.
Tensile properties in collagen‐rich tissues ofQuarterHorses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA)
Authors: Bowser J. E. , Elder S. H. , Pasquali M. , Grady J. G. , Rashmir‐Raven A. M. , Wills R. , Swiderski C. E.
Published: June 2013

Reasons for performing study

Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) is an autosomal recessive disorder ofQuarterHorses characterised by skin fragility. Horses withHERDAhave a missense mutation in peptidyl‐prolylcis‐transisomerase B(PPIB), which encodes cyclophilin Band alters folding and post translational modifications of fibrillar collagen.

Objectives

The study aimed to test the hypothesis that tendons, ligaments and great vessels, which, like skin, are rich in fibrillar collagen, will also have abnormal biomechanical properties in horses withHERDA.

Study design

Ex vivobiomechanical study comparing horses with and without a diagnosis ofHERDA.

Methods

Forelimb suspensory ligament, superficial and deep digital flexor tendons; withers, forelimb and abdominal skin; the main pulmonary artery and the aortic arch were harvested from 6 horses withHERDAand 6 control horses without theHERDAallele. Tissues were distracted to failure. Tensile strength (TS), elastic modulus (EM) and energy to failure (ETF) were compared.

Results

Horses withHERDAhad significantly lowerTSandEMin tendinoligamentous tissues and great vessels, respectively. TheTS,EMandETFwere significantly lower in skin from horses withHERDA. Differences inTSandETFwere more extreme at the withers than at the forelimb or abdomen.

Conclusions

Tendinoligamentous tissue, great vessels and skin are significantly weaker in horses withHERDAthan in horses lacking thePPIBmutation, substantiating that diverse tissues with high fibrillar collagen content are abnormal inHERDAand that theHERDAphenotype is not limited to the integument.