bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A commentary on agility in humanitarian aid supply chains
Authors: Oloruntoba Richard , Kovács Gyöngyi
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide a commentary and an overview of developments in the field of humanitarianism that could impact theoretical understanding of agility in humanitarian aid supply chains over the past decade.

Design/methodology/approach

– Authors review papers published on agility in humanitarian aid supply chains from 2006 to 2015 in the four leading Emerald-published logistics and supply chain management journals. These are: Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (SCMIJ); International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management (IJPDLM); International Journal of Operations and Production Management (IJOPM); and Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management (JHLSCM). This paper presents an overview and update of developments that have the potential to influence current thinking and understanding about agility in humanitarian aid supply chains, and humanitarian aid supply chains in general.

Findings

– Humanitarianism and the environment of Humanitarian organisations are evolving. Such evolution has potential impacts on theoretical discussions and understanding of agility in humanitarian aid supply chains and humanitarian aid supply chains in general.

Research limitations/implications

– This is not a critical literature review but an overview. The paper is based on four logistics and supply chain management journals only. However, the paper is based on the work published over a decade.

Practical implications

– Points scholars and practitioners to the impacts of Humanitarian Organisations using the relief-development continuum on supply chain design decisions including the pursuit of agility.

Social implications

– It may be the time to consider the relief-development continuum in fresh light and its implications for agility in humanitarian aid supply chains.

Originality/value

– This paper seems to be the first paper that highlights the influence of the relief-development continuum model on humanitarian aid supply chain design strategies.
How Does Centrality in Coopetition Networks Matter? An Empirical Investigation in the Mobile Telephone Industry
Authors: Sanou Famara Hyacinthe , Le Roy Frédéric , Gnyawali Devi R.
Published: October 2015

This research examines how a firm's position in a coopetitive network (formed through cooperation among firms within an industry) influences the extent of the firm's competitive aggressiveness and market performance. The authors collected data on the competitive and cooperative actions of firms in the mobile telephone industry from 2000 to 2006, using structured content analysis of news reports. The results show that the centrality of a firm in a coopetitive network contributes to the firm's competitive aggressiveness through increased volume and variety of competitive actions. Further, the more central a firm is in the network, the greater is its market performance. Firms that undertake more volume and variety of competitive actions improve their market performance. Overall, these results show that being in a central position in a coopetition network is quite advantageous for the firm.
Migration and Land Rental as Responses to Income Shocks in Rural China
Authors: Ward Patrick S. , Shively Gerald E.
Published: October 2015

Using longitudinal household survey data from rural China and an identification strategy based on observed rainfall realizations, we are able to test household responses to idiosyncratic and covariate income shocks. We find that negative idiosyncratic income shocks increase migration and elicit household out rental of land. The effect of covariate income shocks is generally dependent on both the timing and the nature of the shock. Our results suggest that rainfall deficiencies during paddy maturing or harvesting seasons reduce the number of migrants by raising the marginal value product of farm labour, thereby increasing the opportunity costs associated with migration.
Private Tutoring, Wealth Constraint and Higher Education
Authors: Chu Hsiao‐Lei
Published: October 2015

We show that when the effectiveness of private tutoring (PT) exceeds a PT‐effectiveness threshold, poor families become disadvantaged in sending their children to college and, thus, inequity arises. At the same time, the average spending on PT of the poor families is smaller than that of the wealthy families. Tax and transfer policies are able to amend the inequity, but student loans for college tuition and more establishments of colleges may have limited effects on reducing inequity.
Internal Audit Quality and Financial Reporting Quality: The Joint Importance of Independence and Competence
Authors: ABBOTT LAWRENCE J. , DAUGHERTY BRIAN , PARKER SUSAN , PETERS GARY F.
Published: October 2015

In light of the growing importance of internal audit functions (IAF) and the limited archival evidence on internal audit quality, we examine an interactive model of IAF quality (comprised of competence and independence) to better understand the determinants of IAF effectiveness as a financial reporting monitor. Our tests support the hypothesis that the joint presence of competence and independence is a necessary antecedent to effective IAF financial reporting monitoring. In sum, our results show that, the answer to “what is the effect of internal audit competence (independence) on financial reporting quality?” is “it depends on the independence (competence) of the internal auditor.” Our study extends the understanding of IAF quality determinants in the realm of financial reporting as it relates to ongoing discussions by researchers, standard setters, regulators, and practitioners.
Morphological diversity and regionalisation of kites in the Middle East and Central Asia
Authors: Barge Olivier , Brochier Jacques Élie , Crassard Rémy
Published: October 2015

In the last few years, the number of inventoried kites has increased fivefold, and the known distribution zone has been greatly extended across the Near East, Arabia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. High‐resolution satellite images provide substantial amounts of data that can be subjected to geomatics analysis. The resulting spatial data is used to identify regional differences. We present here a study of these kite structures at the global, regional and local scales, carried out by means of GIS. The recognition of a number of morphological characteristics, without any subjective attribute, leads to a geographically referenced inventory that clearly distinguishes five main regions. This paper suggests a method to define the morphology of the kites, which will be further augmented with cross‐variables including the surrounding environment, settlement distribution, animal exploitation and ethology, providing a base for future studies.
Desert kites in Jordan – a new appraisal
Authors: Betts Alison , Burke David
Published: October 2015

The desert kites of Jordan, usually stone‐built enclosures with long trailing walls, are part of a broader phenomenon found throughout specific parts of the Middle East, with similar types of structures known widely across the world. Most commonly, the enclosures are used for trapping large herds of ungulates. Those found in Jordan are more densely packed and of much greater variety than those elsewhere in the Middle East. This paper offers a review of the current state of knowledge concerning desert kites in Jordan, including new data on patterns of orientation and recent studies that help to strengthen the case for a Neolithic date for some of the kite systems.
Cyclic and constant hyperoxia cause inflammation, apoptosis and cell death in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Wu J. , Hafner C. , Schramel J. P. , Kaun C. , Krychtiuk K. A. , Wojta J. , Boehme S. , Ullrich R. , Tretter E. V. , Markstaller K. , Klein K. U.
Published: October 2015

Background

Perioperative high‐dose oxygen (O2) exposure can cause hyperoxia. While the effect of constant hyperoxia on the vascular endothelium has been investigated to some extent, the impact of cyclic hyperoxia largely remains unknown. We hypothesized that cyclic hyperoxia would induce more injury than constant hyperoxia to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods

HUVECs were exposed to cyclic hyperoxia (5–95% O2) or constant hyperoxia (95% O2), normoxia (21% O2), and hypoxia (5% O2). Cell growth, viability (Annexin V/propidium iodide and 3‐(4,5‐dimethythiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, MTT) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), release, cytokine (interleukin, IL and macrophage migration inhibitory factor, MIF) release, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) of cell lysate were assessed at baseline and 8, 24, and 72 h. A signal transduction pathway finder array for gene expression analysis was performed after 8 h.

Results

Constant and cyclic hyperoxia‐induced gradually detrimental effects on HUVECs. After 72 h, constant or cyclic hyperoxia exposure induced change in cytotoxic (LDH +12%, P = 0.026; apoptosis +121/61%, P < 0.01; alive cells −15%, P < 0.01; MTT −16/15%, P < 0.01), inflammatory (IL‐6 +142/190%, P < 0.01; IL‐8 +72/43%, P < 0.01; MIF +147/93%, P < 0.01), or redox‐sensitive (SOD +278%, TAC‐25% P < 0.01) markers. Gene expression analysis revealed that constant and cyclic hyperoxia exposure differently activates oxidative stress, nuclear factor kappa B, Notch, and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor pathways.

Conclusions

Extreme hyperoxia exposure induces inflammation, apoptosis and cell death in HUVECs. Although our findings cannot be transferred to clinical settings, results suggest that hyperoxia exposure may cause vascular injury that could play a role in determining perioperative outcome.
The roles of book‐tax conformity and tax enforcement in regulating tax reporting behaviour following International Financial Reporting Standards adoption
Authors: Chen Ester , Gavious Ilanit
Published: October 2015

This study investigates whether increasing the level of tax enforcement can potentially offset the primary cost of a reduction in the level of book‐tax conformity (BTC) following International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption – increased tax avoidance. We find that after the decrease in BTC and the concomitant increase in tax enforcement that followed IFRS adoption in Israel, tax avoidance declined significantly. Our results imply that one of the primary costs of reducing BTC can be avoided. Moreover, the results suggest that rather than one strict regulatory approach to deal with reporting manipulations, a combination of trust and control is more effective and less radical.
Heart rate and suicide: findings from two cohorts of 533 000 Taiwanese and 75 000 Norwegian adults
Authors: Chang S.‐S. , Bjørngaard J. H. , Tsai M. K. , Bjerkeset O. , Wen C. P. , Yip P. S. F. , Tsao C. K. , Gunnell D.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To investigate the association of resting heart rate with suicide in two large cohorts.

Method

The MJ cohort (Taiwan) included 532 932 adults from a health check‐up programme (1994–2008). The HUNT cohort (Norway) included 74 977 adults in the Nord‐Trøndelag County study (1984–1986), followed up to 2004. In both cohorts heart rate was measured at baseline, and suicide was ascertained through linkage to cause‐of‐death registers. Risk of suicide was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

There were 569 and 188 suicides (average follow‐up period of 8.1 and 16.9 years) in the MJ and HUNT cohorts respectively. Sex‐ and age‐adjusted hazard ratio for every 10 beat increase in heart rate per minute was 1.08 (95% Confidence Interval 1.00–1.16) and 1.24 (1.12–1.38) in the MJ and HUNT cohorts, respectively. In the MJ cohort this association was confined to individuals with a history of heart diseases vs. those without such a history (P for interaction = 0.008). In the HUNT cohort the association did not differ by history of heart diseases and was robust to adjustment for health‐related life style, medication use, and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

Elevated resting heart rate may be a marker of increased suicide risk.
Macroeconomic Consequences of Terms of Trade Episodes, Past and Present
Authors: Robinson Tim , Atkin Tim , Caputo Mark , Wang Hao
Published: October 2015

The early‐twenty first century saw Australia experience its largest and longest terms of trade boom. This paper places the most recent terms of trade boom in its historical context. While similarities exist with previous episodes, the macroeconomic policy frameworks and settings prevailing were quite different to those of the past. These different frameworks and settings mitigated the broader macroeconomic consequences of the terms of trade upswing and may do likewise as it declines.
Molecular phylogenetics of Australian weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea): exploring relationships in a hyperdiverse lineage through comparison of independent analyses
Authors: Gunter Nicole L , Oberprieler Rolf G , Cameron Stephen L
Published: October 2015

With over 60 000 described species in approximately 5800 genera, weevils (Curculionoidea) represent one of the most diverse and species‐rich superfamilies of eukaryotes on the planet. Recent attempts to resolve the phylogeny of family‐group taxa in weevils using morphological, molecular or combined data sets have produced vastly different patterns of relationships, particularly within the largest family, Curculionidae. Here we present an estimation of the phylogeny of Australian weevils and of the divergence dates of the major lineages based on a multi‐gene data set (28S, 16S and COI) spanning ∼3.5 kbp of DNA sequence. We assess its topological similarities to, and differences from, other recently published phylogenetic trees, particularly in relation to taxon sampling and relative diversity of the lineages, and we discuss the implications for weevil systematics. Our results, derived from a different set of taxa that has different combination of loci and different fossil calibration points, recover a number of relationships and age estimates that are congruent with those obtained by other recent weevil phylogeny estimates, indicating that we are beginning to recognise the major monophyletic lineages and reconstruct the major diversification events within Curculionoidea. Resolution of natural groups within families (e.g. subfamilies and tribes) however remains poor, even for studies with the largest volume of sequence data (whole mitochondrial genome analyses), evidently largely due to deficient taxon sampling. Although taxon sampling is known to be one of the most critical determinants of accurate phylogenetic reconstruction, it is rarely addressed in phylogenetic assessments. Our case study of weevils highlights not only its importance, but also the fact that it is very difficult to achieve comprehensive representative sampling in hyperdiverse lineages because of their sheer taxic diversity. Doubts concerning the monophyly of many subordinate lineages exacerbate this problem, restricting the use of exemplar approaches to taxon sampling. The value of comparing different data sets and analyses for assessing systematic relationships is often overlooked, even despite the presence of many conflicting results in previous phylogenetic hypotheses. A summary of relationships recovered relative to taxon sampling and methodological differences between different phylogenetic reconstructions provides an important stepping‐stone in understanding the diversification of weevils.
Metabolic and functional changes in retinitis pigmentosa: comparing retinal vessel oximetry to full‐field electroretinography, electrooculogram and multifocal electroretinography
Authors: Todorova Margarita G. , Türksever Cengiz , Schötzau Andreas , Schorderet Daniel F. , Valmaggia Christophe
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To determine a relationship between the retinal vessel saturation alterations and the residual retinal function measured by means of full‐field electroretinography (full‐field ERG), electrooculogram (EOG) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods

Retinal vessel oximetry (RO), full‐field ERG, EOG and mfERG were performed on 43 eyes of 22 patients suffering from RP and were compared to those of 26 eyes of 13 healthy controls. The oxygen saturation in the first and second branch retinal arterioles (A‐SO2) and venules (V‐SO2) was measured, and their difference (A‐V SO2) was calculated. Full‐field ERG amplitudes, EOG parameters and averaged mfERG response amplitudes (within central 3°, between 3° and 8°, 8° and 15°, 15° and 24°) were evaluated in relation to the RO measurements.

Results

V‐SO2 correlated negatively with the full‐field ERG and EOG values, with increasing functional damage the V‐SO2 was higher. The RP group was well distinguished from the controls when the RO measurements were correlated to the averaged N1 (baseline to trough), but also to the N1P1 (trough‐to‐peak) mfERG response amplitudes. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of V‐SO2, compared to those of N1 and N1P1 mfERG response averages (15–24°), presented a high differential margin between RP and controls (p < 0.001), shown by an area under the ROC curve of 0.912 (95% CI: 0.840–0.984).

Conclusion

Retinal vessel saturation showed a significant relation to full‐field ERG, EOG and mfERG. Thus, retinal vessel oximetry could potentially complement electrophysiological tests in monitoring disease progression in patients with RP.
The bitter truth about bitter taste receptors: beyond sensing bitter in the oral cavity
Authors: Avau B. , Depoortere I.
Published: October 2015

The bitter taste receptor (TAS2R)‐family of G‐protein‐coupled receptors has been identified on the tongue as detectors of bitter taste over a decade ago. In the last few years, they have been discovered in an ever growing number of extra‐oral tissues, including the airways, the gut, the brain and even the testis. In tissues that contact the exterior, protective functions for TAS2Rs have been proposed, in analogy to their function on the tongue as toxicity detector. However, TAS2Rs have also been found in internal organs, suggesting other roles for these receptors, perhaps involving as yet unidentified endogenous ligands. The current review gives an overview of the different proposed functions for TAS2Rs in tissues other than the oral cavity; from appetite regulation to the treatment of asthma, regulation of gastrointestinal motility and control of airway innate immunity.
Perceived discrimination amongst young people in socio‐economically disadvantaged communities: Parental support and community identity buffer (some) negative impacts of stigma
Authors: Bradshaw Daragh , Jay Sarah , McNamara Namh , Stevenson Clifford , Muldoon Orla T.
Published: October 2015

There is increasing acceptance that children are not unaware of when they are targets of discrimination. However, discrimination as a consequence of socio‐economic disadvantage remains understudied. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of perceived discrimination on well‐being, perceptions of safety and school integration amongst children growing up within socio‐economically disadvantaged communities in Limerick, Ireland. Mediation analysis was used to explore these relationships and to examine the potential role of parental support and community identity in boys and girls in the 6th to 9th year of compulsory education (N = 199). Results indicate perceived discrimination contributed to negative outcomes in terms of school integration, perceptions of safety and levels of well‐being. Age and gender differences were observed which disadvantaged boys and younger children. All negative outcomes were buffered by parental support. Community identity also protected young people in terms of feelings of school integration and risk but not in terms of psychological well‐being. Findings are discussed in terms of the different role of family and community supports for children negotiating negative social representations of their community.
Functional, electrophysiological and molecular docking analysis of the modulation of Cav1.2 channels in rat vascular myocytes by murrayafoline A
Authors: Saponara S , Durante M , Spiga O , Mugnai P , Sgaragli G , Huong TT , Khanh PN , Son NT , Cuong NM , Fusi F
Published: October 2015

Background and Purpose

The carbazole alkaloid murrayafoline A (MuA) enhances contractility and the Ca2+currents carried by the Cav1.2 channels [ICa1.2] of rat cardiomyocytes. As only few drugs stimulate ICa1.2, this study was designed to analyse the effects of MuA on vascular Cav1.2 channels.

Experimental Approach

Vascular activity was assessed on rat aorta rings mounted in organ baths. Cav1.2 Ba2+current [IBa1.2] was recorded in single rat aorta and tail artery myocytes by the patch‐clamp technique. Docking at a 3D model of the rat, α1ccentral pore subunit of the Cav1.2 channel was simulatedin silico.

Key Results

In rat aorta rings MuA, at concentrations ≤14.2 μM, increased 30 mM K+‐induced tone and shifted the concentration‐response curve to K+to the left. Conversely, at concentrations >14.2 μM, it relaxed high K+depolarized rings and antagonized Bay K 8644‐induced contraction. In single myocytes, MuA stimulated IBa1.2in a concentration‐dependent, bell‐shaped manner; stimulation was stable, incompletely reversible upon drug washout and accompanied by a leftward shift of the voltage‐dependent activation curve. MuA docked at the α1Csubunit central pore differently from nifedipine and Bay K 8644, although apparently interacting with the same amino acids of the pocket. Neither Bay K 8644‐induced stimulation nor nifedipine‐induced block of IBa1.2was modified by MuA.

Conclusions and Implications

Murrayafoline A is a naturally occurring vasoactive agent able to modulate Cav1.2 channels and dock at the α1Csubunit central pore in a manner that differed from that of dihydropyridines. © 2015 The British Pharmacological Society
Monitoring and evaluating the quality of cancer care in Japan using administrative claims data
Authors: Iwamoto Momoko , Nakamura Fumiaki , Higashi Takahiro
Published: October 2015

The importance of measuring the quality of cancer care has been well recognized in many developed countries, but has never been successfully implemented on a national level in Japan. We sought to establish a wide‐scale quality monitoring and evaluation program for cancer by measuring 13 process‐of‐care quality indicators (QI) using a registry‐linked claims database. We measured two QI on pre‐treatment testing, nine on adherence to clinical guidelines on therapeutic treatments, and two on supportive care, for breast, prostate, colorectal, stomach, lung, liver and cervical cancer patients who were diagnosed in 2011 from 178 hospitals. We further assessed the reasons for non‐adherence for patients who did not receive the indicated care in 26 hospitals. QI for pretreatment testing were high in most hospitals (above 80%), but scores on adjuvant radiation and chemoradiation therapies were low (20–37%), except for breast cancer (74%). QI for adjuvant chemotherapy and supportive care were more widely distributed across hospitals (45–68%). Further analysis in 26 hospitals showed that most of the patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy had clinically valid reasons for not receiving the specified care (above 70%), but the majority of the patients did not have sufficient reasons for not receiving adjuvant radiotherapy (52–69%) and supportive care (above 80%). We present here the first wide‐scale quality measurement initiative of cancer patients in Japan. Patients without clinically valid reasons for non‐adherence should be examined further in future to improve care.
Effects of N‐Methylated Amyloid‐β30–40 Peptides on the Fibrillation of Amyloid‐β1–40
Authors: Hiramatsu Hirotsugu , Ochiai Hironori , Komuro Tomoyuki
Published: October 2015

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with amyloid‐β (Aβ) fibrillation. N‐Methylated amyloid‐β peptides are potent inhibitors of amyloid‐β fibrillation. We investigated the inhibitory effect of N‐Methylated Aβ30–40 peptides on Aβ1–40 fibrillation. N‐Methylated Aβ30–40 peptides affected the fibrillation, and this effect was dependent on the concentration of N‐Methylated peptide and the number and position of N‐Methylated groups. N‐Methylated Aβ30–40 peptides were co‐aggregated with Aβ1–40. Spectroscopic technique was adopted to investigate an origin of the observed dependence. Suppression of thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence count was correlated with the dissociation constant Kd of monomer–dimer equilibrium of each N‐Methylated Aβ30–40 peptide. Monomeric N‐Methylated peptides decreased ThT fluorescence count during Aβ1–40 fibrillation. Secondary structure content was not largely different between Aβ1–40 fibrils and co‐aggregates. These results suggested that N‐Methylated Aβ30–40 peptides disrupted the regular β‐sheet structure of Aβ1–40 fibrils and affected the ThT fluorescence count. The monomer–dimer equilibrium of N‐Methylated peptides was (partly) responsible for the observed dependence of their inhibitory effect on the concentration of N‐Methylated peptide and the number and position of N‐Methylated groups. Our study provides a hint to design new N‐Methylated inhibitor peptides of fibrillation.
Iminothiazoline‐Sulfonamide Hybrids as Jack Bean Urease Inhibitors; Synthesis, Kinetic Mechanism and Computational Molecular Modeling
Authors: Saeed Aamer , Mahmood Shams‐ul , Rafiq Muhammad , Ashraf Zaman , Jabeen Farukh , Seo Sung‐Yum
Published: October 2015

The present work reports the synthesis of several 2‐iminothiazoline derivatives of sulfanilamide (3a–j) as inhibitors of jack bean ureases. The title compounds were synthesized by the heterocyclization of sulfanilamide thioureas with propragyl bromide in dry ethanol in the presence of 1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene as a base. All of the compounds showed higher urease inhibitory activity than the standard thiourea. The compounds (3h) and (3i) exhibited excellent enzyme inhibitory activity with IC50 0.064 and 0.058 μm, respectively, while IC50 of thiourea is 20.9 μm. The kinetic mechanism analyzed by Dixon plot showed that compound (3h) is a mixed‐type inhibitor while (3i) is a competitive one. Docking studies suggested that Asp633, Ala636, His492, Ala440, Lue523, Asp494 and Arg439 are the major interacting residues in the binding site of the protein and may have an instrumental role in the inhibition of enzyme's function. 2‐iminothiazoline analogues (3a–j) showed good docking score (−10.6466 to −8.7215 Kcal/mol) and binding energy (London dG ranging from −14.4825 to −10.4087 Kcal/mol) which is far better than the standard thiourea (binding score in S field −4.5790 Kcal/mol London dG −4.7726 Kcal/mol). Our results inferred compound (3i) may serve as a structural model for the design of most potent urease inhibitors.
Maternal anxiety versus depressive disorders: specific relations to infants' crying, feeding and sleeping problems
Authors: Petzoldt J. , Wittchen H.‐U. , Einsle F. , Martini J.
Published: October 2015

Background

Maternal depression has been associated with excessive infant crying, feeding and sleeping problems, but the specificity of maternal depression, as compared with maternal anxiety remains unclear and manifest disorders prior to pregnancy have been widely neglected. In this prospective longitudinal study, the specific associations of maternal anxiety and depressive disorders prior to, during and after pregnancy and infants' crying, feeding and sleeping problems were investigated in the context of maternal parity.

Methods

In the Maternal Anxiety in Relation to Infant Development (MARI) Study, n = 306 primiparous and multiparous women were repeatedly interviewed from early pregnancy until 16 months post partum with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Women (CIDI‐V) to assess DSM‐IV anxiety and depressive disorders. Information on excessive infant crying, feeding and sleeping problems was obtained from n = 286 mothers during postpartum period via questionnaire and interview (Baby‐DIPS).

Results

Findings from this study revealed syndrome‐specific risk constellations for maternal anxiety and depressive disorders as early as prior to pregnancy: Excessive infant crying (10.1%) was specifically associated with maternal anxiety disorders, especially in infants of younger and lower educated first‐time mothers. Feeding problems (36.4%) were predicted by maternal anxiety (and comorbid depressive) disorders in primiparous mothers and infants with lower birth weight. Infant sleeping problems (12.2%) were related to maternal depressive (and comorbid anxiety) disorders irrespective of maternal parity.

Conclusions

Primiparous mothers with anxiety disorders may be more prone to anxious misinterpretations of crying and feeding situations leading to an escalation of mother–infant interactions. The relation between maternal depressive and infant sleeping problems may be better explained by a transmission of unsettled maternal sleep to the fetus during pregnancy or a lack of daily structure and bedtime routine with the infant. Maternal disorders prior to pregnancy require more attention in research and clinical practice.
Poverty, Urbanicity, and Children's Development of Early Academic Skills
Authors: Votruba‐Drzal Elizabeth , Miller Portia , Coley Rebekah Levine
Published: October 2015

Poor children across the world live in communities spanning the rural to urban continuum. The United States has witnessed a transformation in the spatial location of poverty, with poor families dispersed increasingly across suburban communities and small towns as well as in inner cities and remote rural areas. Therefore, we must consider the broader macrosystem—what we call urbanicity—in which poverty is experienced. In this article, we draw from psychological and economic theories to present a conceptual model in which the experiences and repercussions of poverty may differ based on the macrosystem in which poverty occurs, that is, whether it happens in an urban, suburban, or rural community. We first describe characteristics of urban, suburban, and rural communities and propose potential repercussions of living in each of these places for economically disadvantaged children's development. We then summarize results from research on urbanicity differences in associations between income and children's academic skills. We end with suggestions for research.
The association of thiol/disulphide homeostasis and lipid accumulation index with cardiovascular risk factors in overweight adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Ozler Sibel , Oztas Efser , Tokmak Aytekin , Ergin Merve , Isci Esra , Eren Funda , Pehlivan Selcen , Neselioglu Salim , Yılmaz Nafiye
Published: October 2015

Objective

To assess thiol/disulphide homeostasis and lipid accumulation product index, and to determine whether they are associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk or not in overweight adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

Education and Research Hospital.

Patients

Group 1: 43 overweight+PCOS, Group 2: 45 normal weight+PCOS, Group 3: 27 overweight adolescents and Group 4: 96 age‐matched, normal weight healthy controls.

Interventions

Serum lipid profiles, hormonal parameters and thiol/disulphide homeostasis were measured. Lipid accumulation index (LAP index) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR) were calculated.

Main outcome measures

The relation between thiol/disulphide homeostasis and LAP index, and increased CVD risk were evaluated in overweight adolescents with PCOS.

Results

Native and total thiol levels were significantly lower in overweight+PCOS adolescents when compared with both normal weight PCOS and control adolescents (P = 0·002). LAP index values were significantly higher in Group 1 when compared separately with the rest of the three groups (P < 0·001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed serum total thiol levels of lower than 405·45 μmol/l were independently associated with increased risk of CVD in overweight PCOS adolescents (OR: 1·019, 95% CI: 1·001–1·036). In addition, a LAP index greater than 21·54 was also associated with increased CVD risk in overweight PCOS adolescents (OR: 1·270, 95% CI: 1·174–1·374).

Conclusion

In conclusion, we suggest that increased LAP index and decreased total thiol levels may contribute to the increased CVD risk in overweight adolescents with PCOS.
FACTOR DETERMINANTS OF TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH FOR THE JAPANESE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Authors: Kim Sangho
Published: October 2015

This study uses industrial panel data for Japanese manufacturing to estimate the sources of productivity growth by simultaneously considering embodied technical progress, spillover effects, and openness, after controlling for returns to scale, imperfect competition, and capacity utilization. Estimation results show the existence of considerable embodied technical progress and interindustry externalities of capital investments positively affecting productivity growth. Furthermore, embodied technical progress causes research and development (R&D) capital to affect productivity growth insignificantly, suggesting that the impact of R&D is realized only after being embodied into other capitals. From sector‐wise estimations, we notice differences in factors affecting productivity growth between the durable and nondurable manufacturing sectors. (JEL D24, O30)
What Do People Find Incompatible With Causal Determinism?
Authors: Bear Adam , Knobe Joshua
Published: October 2015

Four studies explored people's judgments about whether particular types of behavior are compatible with determinism. Participants read a passage describing a deterministic universe, in which everything that happens is fully caused by whatever happened before it. They then assessed the degree to which different behaviors were possible in such a universe. Other participants evaluated the extent to which each of these behaviors had various features (e.g., requiring reasoning). We assessed the extent to which these features predicted judgments about whether the behaviors were possible in a deterministic universe. Experiments 1 and 2 found that people's judgments about whether a behavior was compatible with determinism were not predicted by their judgments about whether that behavior relies on physical processes in the brain and body, is uniquely human, is unpredictable, or involves reasoning. Experiment 3, however, found that a distinction between what we call “active” and “passive” behaviors can explain people's judgments. Experiment 4 extended these findings, showing that we can measure this distinction in several ways and that it is robustly predicted by two different cues. Taken together, these results suggest that people carve up mentally guided behavior into two distinct types—understanding one type to be compatible with determinism, but another type to be fundamentally incompatible with determinism.
Pricing and sales tax collection policies for e‐cigarette starter kits and disposable products sold online
Authors: Cuomo Raphael E. , Miner Angela , Mackey Tim K.
Published: October 2015

Background

Previous studies have examined marketing characteristics of e‐cigarettes sold online and others have examined e‐cigarettes pricing in retail (non‐Internet) settings. This study expands on these findings by examining pricing and marketing characteristics of interest among e‐cigarette online vendors.

Methods

Structured web searches were conducted from August–September 2014 to identify popular e‐cigarette Internet vendors. We then collected pricing data (e‐cigarette starter kits and disposables), sales tax collection policies and other vendor marketing characteristics. Average price for each product category was then compared with marketing characteristics using linear regression for continuous variables and independent t‐tests for binary variables.

Results

Our searches yielded 44 e‐cigarette Internet vendors of which 77% (n = 34) sold a total of 238 starter kit offerings (Mprice = $55.89). Half (n = 22) sold disposable types of e‐cigarettes (Mprice = $7.17 p/e‐cigarette) at a price lower than reported elsewhere in retail settings. Average disposable e‐cigarette prices were also significantly higher for vendors displaying more health warning notices (P = 0.001). Only 46% disclosed sales tax collection policies and only 39% collected sales tax in their state of business.

Conclusions

This study expands on current understanding of e‐cigarette pricing and availability online and finds variation in e‐cigarette pricing may be influenced by type of product, use of online health warnings and vendor sales tax collection policies. It also finds that e‐cigarette online access and availability may be impacted by a combination of pricing and marketing strategies uniquely different from e‐cigarette retail settings that requires further study and targeted policy‐making. [Cuomo RE, Miner A, Mackey TK. Pricing and sales tax collection policies for e‐cigarette starter kits and disposable products sold online. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015]
Left Ventricular Thrombus in the Setting of Normal Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Crohn's Disease
Authors: Rasalingam Ravi , Saeed Ibrahim M. , Woodard Pamela K. , Pérez Julio E.
Published: October 2015

Crohn's disease results in a hypercoagulable state increasing the risk of venous or arterial thromboembolism. Cardiac involvement has not been routinely identified. Two cases are presented to illustrate that patients with Crohn's disease may represent an exception to the rule that left ventricular apical thrombus should be associated with an underlying wall motion abnormality and reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction.
Large Esophageal Hematoma Following Transesophageal Echocardiography‐Guided Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect
Authors: Sasikumar Deepa , Mahadevan Krishnamoorthy K.
Published: October 2015

A 47‐year‐old woman with a large ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and severe pulmonary artery hypertension underwent device closure of ASD under transesophageal echocardiography guidance. She developed a massive esophageal hematoma which was diagnosed 4 days after the procedure. The use of dual antiplatelets after the device closure further aggravated the hematoma. As the patient remained stable and the site of leak could not be identified by contrast studies, she was managed conservatively with nil per mouth, broad‐spectrum antibiotics, and continuous nasogastric aspiration. We were faced with the risk of thromboembolism after stopping antiplatelets versus the risk of increasing peri‐esophageal hematoma if they were continued. With careful monitoring for thrombus formation on the device, the antiplatelets were stopped and the hematoma resolved. The hematoma resolved by 10 days, and the antiplatelets were restarted gradually. Iatrogenic esophageal injury is an important cause of esophageal perforation, which is a condition with high mortality and morbidity. Esophageal perforation following device closure of ASD is particularly challenging as the scenario is worsened by the use of antiplatelets and they have to be discontinued with the attendant risk of thromboembolism.
Comorbidities and inhibitors in adult patients with haemophilia: issues, costs and management strategies
Authors: Berntorp Erik , Mauser‐Bunschoten Evelien , Jiménez‐Yuste Víctor , Spears Jeffrey B.
Published: October 2015

Along with greater life expectancy in patients with haemophilia has been an increase in associated haemophilia‐related (arthropathy, osteoporosis, viral infections) and age‐related (cardiovascular disease, renal disease, cancer and others) comorbidities, many of which are only just emerging as the population ages. At present, experience in managing these comorbidities is limited. As the demographic shift continues, haemophilia care centres can expect to encounter more patients with greater levels of complexity. In the absence of evidence‐based information to guide the management of adult patients with haemophilia, it is important that the scientific position be reviewed on a regular basis. To this end, several topics relevant to the clinical management of adult patients with haemophilia were examined in a symposium entitledComorbidities and inhibitors in adult patients with haemophilia: issues, costs and management strategiesheld on 11 February 2015 in Helsinki, Finland, in conjunction with the 8th Annual Congress of the European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders. This article is a summary of that event.
Different interaction modes for the default mode network revealed by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Zuo Nianming , Song Ming , Fan Lingzhong , Eickhoff Simon B. , Jiang Tianzi
Published: October 2015

The default mode network (DMN), which, in the resting state, is in charge of both the brain's intrinsic mentation and its reflexive responses to external stimuli, is recognized as an essential network in the human brain. These two roles of mentation and reflexive response recruit the DMN nodes and other task networks differently. Existing research has revealed that the interactions inside the DMN (between nodes within the DMN) and outside the DMN (between nodes in the DMN and nodes in task networks) have different modes, in terms of both strength and timing. These findings raise interesting questions. For example, are the internal and external interactions of the DMN equally linear or nonlinear? This study examined these interaction patterns using datasets from the Human Connectome Project. A maximal information‐based nonparametric exploration statistics strategy was utilized to characterize the full correlations, and the Pearson correlation was used to capture the linear component of the full correlations. We then contrasted the level of linearity/nonlinearity with respect to the internal and external interactions of the DMN. After a brain‐wide exploration, we found that the interactions between the DMN and the sensorimotor‐related networks (including the sensorimotor, sensory association, and integration areas) showed more nonlinearity, whereas those between the intra‐DMN nodes were similarly less nonlinear. These findings may provide a clue for understanding the underlying neuronal principles of the internal and external roles of the DMN.
Growth Capital‐Backed IPOs
Authors: Ritter Jay R.
Published: October 2015

Growth capital investing is the financing of growing businesses that are investing in tangible assets and the acquisition of other companies. Growth capital is common in retailing, restaurant chains, and health care management, and represents 12% of all venture capital (VC)‐backed initial public offerings (IPOs). Since 1980, investing in growth capital‐backed IPOs has produced mean three‐year style‐adjusted buy‐and‐hold returns of +25.2%, in contrast to style‐adjusted returns of approximately zero for other VC‐backed and buyout‐backed IPOs. One‐third of growth capital‐backed IPOs are rollups and these have produced much higher returns for investors than rollups without a financial sponsor.
Performance of Foreign and Global Mutual Funds: The Role of Security Selection, Region‐Shifting, and Style‐Shifting Abilities
Authors: Tsai Hui‐Ju , Wu Yangru
Published: October 2015

We examine the performance of U.S.‐based foreign and global funds after controlling for their regional and style exposure. We show that, on average, the total performance (TP) and security selection abilities of both foreign and global funds are significantly negative and exhibit short‐term predictability. Additionally, R2 reflects funds’ security selection abilities, consistent with previous findings for domestic mutual funds. Investors can earn higher abnormal returns and TP in the short run by purchasing past winners with low R2 than by purchasing past losers with high R2. However, there is no evidence of predictability in the funds' region‐shifting and style‐shifting abilities.
The Global Preference for Dividends in Declining Markets
Authors: Goldstein Michael A. , Goyal Abhinav , Lucey Brian M. , Muckley Cal B.
Published: October 2015

Investors globally prefer dividend‐paying stocks over nondividend‐paying stocks more in declining than in advancing markets, even accounting for firm‐level growth opportunities, size and risk effects. Dividend‐paying stocks outperform nondividend‐paying stocks, from 0.63% (China) to 3.79% (Canada) more per month in declining than in advancing markets. In declining markets, dividend‐paying firms outperform by more than any underperformance in advancing markets. The results are robust across dividend taxation regimes, legal environments, emerging and developed markets, periods prior to and after the 2008 global financial crisis, the exclusion of the dividend declaration month and in respect to segmented or integrated international capital markets.
Does Investment Horizon Matter? Disentangling the Effect of Institutional Herding on Stock Prices
Authors: Yüksel H. Zafer
Published: October 2015

This study finds that, over short horizons, herding by short‐term institutions promotes price discovery. In contrast, herding by long‐term institutions drives stock prices away from fundamentals over the same periods. Furthermore, while the positive predictability of short‐term institutional herding for stock prices is more pronounced for small stocks and stocks with high growth opportunities, the negative association between long‐term institutional herding and stock prices is stronger for stocks whose valuations are highly uncertain and subjective. Finally, we show that the destabilizing effect of institutional herding persistence documented in the recent literature is entirely driven by persistent herding by long‐term institutions.
Fails‐to‐Deliver before and after the Implementation of Rule 203 and Rule 204
Authors: Jain Archana , Jain* Chinmay
Published: October 2015

We study the determinants of fails‐to‐deliver in the period before and after the implementation of Rule 203 (elimination of option market maker exception from the locate and close‐out requirement) and Rule 204 (t+3 close‐out rule) in September 2008. We find a positive relation between short selling and fails‐to‐deliver that weakens after the implementation of these rules. Fails‐to‐deliver are higher for stocks with low institutional ownership, low book‐to‐market, small market capitalization, high turnover, and put option availability. The relation between short selling and these measures of borrowing costs is also weaker after the implementation of these rules.