bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing US dairy farm income and wealth distributions
Authors: Hadrich Joleen C. , Wolf Christopher A. , Johnson Kamina K.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The structural change of the dairy industry has been a long-term process with fewer, larger dairy herds in all regions. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether this structural change is leading to less income and wealth equality across dairy farms and how these factors differ across the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Income and wealth inequality of US dairy farms was estimated by Gini coefficients using data from the 2000 and 2010 ARMS dairy costs and returns data. A population-level quantile regression was estimated at decile increments to determine the factors that affect net farm income (NFI) and net worth (NETW) and if they changed across the time periods.

Findings

Adjusted-Gini coefficients were estimated and indicated that income inequality was greater than wealth inequality across US dairy farms. Results of the quantile regressions confirm regional differences exist with dairy farms in Mountain regions consistently having lower NFI and NETW relative to farms in the Lake States region when factors such as herd size were equal. Life cycle effects were not observed for NFI, but present within NETW estimates across the ten years.

Originality/value

This analysis estimates industry-specific-adjusted Gini coefficients to determine if income and wealth inequality exist.
Agricultural credit risk and the macroeconomy
Authors: Johnson Andrew M. , Boehlje Michael D. , Gunderson Michael A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the linkage between agricultural sector and macroeconomic factors with farm financial health. It considers whether agricultural lenders can more accurately anticipate changes in the credit quality of their portfolios by considering broad economic indicators outside the agriculture sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines firm, sector, and macroeconomic drivers of probability of default (PD) migrations from a sample of 153 grain farms of actual lender data from Farm Credit Mid-America’s portfolio. A series of ordered logit models are developed.

Findings

Farm-level and sector-level variables have the most significant impact on PD migrations. Equity to asset ratios, working capital to gross farm income ratios, and gross corn income per acre are found to be the most significant drivers of PD migrations. Macroeconomic variables are shown to unreliably forecast PD migrations, suggesting that agricultural lenders should emphasize firm and sector variables over macroeconomic factors in credit risk models.

Originality/value

This paper builds the literature on agricultural credit risk by testing a broader set of sector and macroeconomic variables than previous articles. Also, prior articles measured the direction but not magnitude of PD migrations; the ordered model in the analysis measures both.
Food security and nutrition in an urbanizing world
Authors: Fan Shenggen , Cho Emily EunYoung , Rue Christopher
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The paper is a synthesis of the 2017 Global Food Policy Report, and the purpose of this paper is to put into perspective the major food policy issues, developments, and decisions of 2016 and highlights challenges and opportunities for 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an overview of recent changes in the global context for food security and nutrition, and synthesizes research findings on major issues that arise in an urbanizing world. Based on its findings, the authors present policy recommendations and areas for future research for food security and nutrition.

Findings

Urbanization is linked with dietary changes to more energy-dense diets, and, the triple burden of malnutrition is increasing, particularly in rapidly urbanizing developing countries. Rural-urban linkages are key to improving food security and nutrition in both rural and urban areas, and traditional agricultural value chains linking farms to cities are undergoing a “quiet revolution.” Governance to enhance food security in the context of rapid urbanization faces various challenges in the institutional, administrative, and political realms, especially for the informal economy in developing countries. To address the unique challenges of urbanization, policies will need to create enabling environments, promote efficient and inclusive value chains, improve governance, and promote tailored programs. Research gaps that need to be filled include better, updated, and disaggregated data on food security and nutrition, as well as an enhanced understanding of enabling environments.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the increasingly relevant issue of rapid urbanization, especially in developing countries, for food security and nutrition, and synthesizes recent research in this area.
Traders’ market power along Indonesian rubber value chains
Authors: Kopp Thomas , Brümmer Bernhard
Published: March 2017

Purpose

While traders of agricultural products are known to often exercise market power, this power has rarely been quantified for developing countries. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to derive a measure, the authors estimate the traders’ revenue functions and calculate the marginal value products directly from them. The authors subsequently find the determinants affecting their individual market power.

Findings

Results show that market power at the traders’ level exists and is substantial. This market power is amplified in situations of extreme remoteness, and weakens with increasing market size.

Originality/value

An exceptional data set with detailed information on the business practices of rubber traders in Jambi, Indonesia is employed with an innovative methodology to directly estimate revenue functions.
Looking out or looking up: gender differences in expatriate turnover intentions
Authors: Lee Hyun-Jung , Chua Chei Hwee , Miska Christof , Stahl Günter K.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

With the steady increase in the number of female expatriates and multinational corporations’ (MNCs’) pressing need for global female talent, understanding the factors that attract and retain female expatriates is urgent. Drawing from the literatures on gender differences in (domestic) labor turnover and gender differences in social networks, the purpose of this paper is to investigate gender differences in expatriates’ turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data via a questionnaire survey from an international sample of female (n=164) and male (n=1,509) expatriates who were on a company-sponsored international assignment at the time of completing the survey.

Findings

The findings show that female expatriates’ turnover intentions are mainly explained by satisfaction with company support. In contrast, male expatriates’ turnover intentions are explained by repatriation concerns and perceived gap between within- and outside-company career-advancement opportunities, in addition to satisfaction with company support. The authors did not find any gender differences in the levels of turnover intentionper se.

Practical implications

Since males dominate the expatriate cadre of most companies, existing expatriate retention strategies are likely to be geared toward males. Companies that value and want to retain their female talent need to gain a better understanding of what matters to female expatriates in their decisions to stay or leave the company, and adjust their expatriation and repatriation management strategies accordingly.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first to empirically test the gender differences in expatriate turnover intentions. The authors propose two underlying mechanisms that explain gender differences in expatriate turnover intentions: social integration and career advancement. The findings point to an important new research frontier that focuses on gender differences in the underlying mechanisms of turnover intentions rather than in the level of turnover intentions.
The effectiveness of transformational leadership on empowerment
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Shin Mannsoo
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of gender on the effectiveness of transformational leadership. Drawing on role congruity theory, it elucidates the moderating effects of leader gender, subordinate gender, and leader-subordinate gender dyad on the relationship between transformational leadership and psychological empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

Employees of companies in Korea responded to a paper-pencil survey, rating their psychological empowerment and leadership behaviors of their direct leader on a five-point Likert-type scale. The analysis includes 339 responses.

Findings

The results indicate that a leader’s gender has no significant moderating effect on psychological empowerment, but the gender of the subordinate has a significant moderating effect, with male subordinates more strongly influenced by transformational leadership than female subordinates. Notably, the findings show that the effectiveness of transformational leadership is contingent on the leader-subordinate gender dyad. Specifically, transformational leadership has as significant an effect on female leader-male subordinate dyads as on male leader-male subordinate dyads.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to leadership and gender studies in the management field by investigating the effect of gender roles on the effectiveness of transformational leadership. Future research should extend this study and explore whether these findings are generalizable.

Practical implications

The remarkable finding of the effect of female leadership on employee empowerment suggests organizations should use more female leaders.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to shed light on gender issues in relation to transformational leadership in Korea.
A perspective on gender in management
Authors: Madsen Susan R. , Scribner Robbyn T.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

There is still a lack of understanding why there is little progress when it comes to women seeking and obtaining top management and leadership positions in organizations today, and this is particularly true within the cross-cultural and international management and leadership contexts. One step forward, however, is to understand current work and trends in research and theory to identify these gaps. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the most recently published literature on the role of gender in management teams within and across cultures.

Design/methodology/approach

This content analysis has examined the most recent literature (i.e. January 1, 2010 to March 1, 2016) in 15 influential academic journals within the cross-cultural and international management field. The study has analyzed 152 primary and 85 secondary articles that met the strict criteria of the study.

Findings

Results include findings on journals/articles, gender of authors, countries included in data collection, constructs measured, tone of manuscripts (i.e. adverse outcomes associated with gender compared to the neutral/mixed or positive effects), and the theoretical frameworks utilized in the articles.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis will be useful for researchers, theorists, and practitioners in understanding the current knowledge base and in discovering the emerging gaps and needs.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind within gender and cross-cultural/international management. The findings clearly show gaps in research and theory that will help guide future work.
Education gap between second-generation migrants and natives and the role of intergenerational transmission of education
Authors: Fleury Nicolas
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the role played by parental education endowments vs intergenerational transmission of education in education differences between second-generation immigrants and natives for the French case.

Design/methodology/approach

First, estimates of human capital accumulation functions are performed by using a representative sample of the French population. Second, the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique is implemented to underline the specific roles of differences in parental education endowments and of differences in intergenerational transmission in education between origins.

Findings

The econometric estimates of human capital accumulation function parameters underline that the determinants of education level (and their magnitude), differ substantially between natives and migrants. They also underline evidence of heterogeneity in the intergenerational transmission of education among the different origins of migrants in France. The Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition results show that parental education endowments account differences for a significant part of the education gaps among origins. No evidence is found that differences in parental transmissions of education explain these gaps.

Originality/value

The paper focusses on France, a country with a rich history of immigration in the twentieth century. The econometric analysis is based on a rich source of data for France that allows studying intergenerational mobility in education and also distinguishing natives from second-generation migrants based on their geographical origin.
Challenges and opportunities for gender-affirming healthcare for transgender women in prison
Authors: Sevelius Jae , Jenness Valerie
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to briefly address three interrelated areas of concerns – victimization, housing placement and healthcare provision – related to the health and welfare of transgender women in jails, prisons and other types of detention facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a growing body of research on health risks for transgender women who are detained in facilities in California and elsewhere, the authors provide recommendations for policy and practice that constitutes gender-affirming healthcare for transgender women behind bars.

Findings

Policymakers, correctional leaders, and prison-based clinicians have a number of opportunities to address the welfare of transgender women in jails, prisons and other types of detention facilities.

Originality/value

This policy brief offers concrete steps government officials can take to better meet their professional and constitutional obligations, provide higher quality care for transgender women involved in the criminal justice system, and effectuate positive changes in transgender women’s health and welfare both inside and outside of carceral environments.
Human rights and correctional health policy: a view from Europe
Authors: Rogan Mary
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Correctional healthcare should promote the protection of human rights. The purpose of this paper is to bring a discussion of human rights into debates on how such policy should be best organized.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper achieves its aim by providing an analysis of European prison law and policy in the area of prison health, through assessing decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as policies created by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture.

Findings

The paper describes the position of the European Court of Human Rights on the topics of access to healthcare, ill health and release from prison, mental illness in prison, and the duty to provide rehabilitative programming for those seeking to reduce their level of “risk.” It also argues that human rights law can be a source of practical reform, and that legal frameworks have much to offer healthcare leaders seeking to uphold the dignity of those in their care.

Originality/value

This paper will provide a rare example of the engagement of human rights law with correctional health policy. It provides practical recommendations arising out of an analysis of European human rights law in the area of prisons.
Heterogeneous preferences of Russian residential mortgage borrowers
Authors: Ozhegov Evgeniy M.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the heterogeneity of preferences of mortgage borrowers of Russian state-owned suppliers of residential housing mortgages.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis takes into account the underwriting process and the choice of contract terms of all loans originated from 2008 to 2012. The data set contains demographic and financial characteristics for all applications, loan terms and the performance information for all issued loans by one regional bank which operates government mortgage programs. The paper uses a multistep semiparametric approach to estimate the determinants of bank and borrower choice controlling for possible heterogeneity of preferences, sample selection and endogeneity of contract terms.

Findings

The study found that the demand of low-income households who are unable to afford to improve the housing conditions by other instruments than government mortgage is less elastic according to the change both in interest rate and maturity compared with higher-income households.

Social implications

Given lower elasticities of the demand, the low-income group of borrowers has higher potential cost of loan and is usually rejected by commercial banks. The presence of the Agency of Housing Mortgage Lending special programs with subsidized interest rate for special constrained categories (young families, teachers, researchers etc.) widens the access for housing conditions’ improvements as a part of housing affordability government program.

Originality/value

The main contribution to the literature is modeling choice of contract terms as interdependent by the structural system of simultaneous equations with heterogeneous marginal effects.
Job resources and demands for expatriate academics
Authors: Jonasson Charlotte , Lauring Jakob , Selmer Jan , Trembath Jodie-Lee
Published: March 2017

Purpose

While there is a growing interest in expatriate academics, their specific role as teachers with daily contact to local students seems to have been largely ignored when examining their adjustment and work outcomes. Based on the job demands-resources model the authors predict that good teacher-student relations, as a supportive job resource, will have a positive effect on expatriate academics’ job satisfaction. This effect, however, will be even stronger for individuals experiencing high job demands and challenges in terms of intercultural job adjustment. In other words, expatriate academics that have difficulties adjusting will benefit more from the social support that can originate from good relations to their students. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed expatriate academics adjusting to a university position in China by use of 124 responses from foreign university employees.

Findings

The authors found that teacher-student relations had a positive association with job satisfaction and that positive teacher-student relations increased job satisfaction more for individuals being slow to adjust.

Originality/value

This is one of the few papers to explore the impact that students can have on expatriate academics and treat this relationship as a potential resource for universities to capitalize upon in socializing their new foreign academic staff members.
Support for female international business travellers in dual-career families
Authors: Puchmüller Katharina , Fischlmayr Iris
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate experiences of female international business travellers living in dual-career families (DCFs) who also have childcare obligations. In particular, the paper explores in which way different sources of support – specifically organizational support – are perceived as important and are available to the women under research. Because of the women’s regular absences due to business trips and the fulfilment of their family role, challenges regarding childcare or household responsibilities may occur. Consequently and also according to social support theory, different types of support may be necessary to organize family and international career, and effectively perform in both environments.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the experiences and thoughts of these women with special regards on support issues. Data are collected from 51 semi-structured interviews with internationally travelling women in DCF situations originating from seven Western and non-Western countries. The interviews are analysed applying template analysis.

Findings

Results show that, across countries, support is mainly derived from within family. Regarding institutional or organizational support, however, the reported expectations and actually offered activities differ because of local institutional and cultural variations. The examined women value different forms of organizational support, but do not necessarily expect it.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first exploratory examinations of various forms of support for female international business travellers in DCFs suggested by social support theory. It includes a culturally diverse sample and contributes to cross-cultural career research.
SEC issues final rule on investment company liquidity risk management
Authors: Schwartz Rachael Leah , Pugliese Domenick , Bateman Marguerite , Vargo Kimberly
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To provide an overview of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recently adopted rule 22e-4 (Rule 22e-4) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act) regarding investment company liquidity risk management programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews and summarizes the specific requirements of Rule 22e-4 to better enable investment companies and their boards to comply by the general compliance date of December 1, 2018 (smaller complexes have until June 1, 2019).

Findings

The SEC clarifies that each fund should tailor its particular Program to ensure that it is adequately assessing and managing its specific liquidity risk based on its investment strategies and risks; however, it is not expected that a fund would eliminate all adverse impacts of liquidity risk. In addition, under the final rule, while the board does have certain duties and responsibilities with respect to certain aspects of a fund’s Program, the SEC pared back much of what had been in the Proposing Release to ensure that the board’s role remains one of oversight and not management.

Practical implications

Although the compliance date does not occur for almost two years, funds and their boards should begin reviewing the Rule 22e-4 requirements now and developing their Program.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced investment management attorneys that provides insight into expectations for compliance with Rule 22e-4.
Are your customer accounts in order? – SEC announces sweep of broker-dealers and implementation of the customer protection rule initiative
Authors: Mitchum Melissa Beck , Xiong Bob
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To explain the Customer Protection Rule Initiative announced by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and offer practical guidance for complying with Rule 15c3-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Design/methodology/approach

This article discusses Rule 15c3-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, related interpretative guidance, and the Customer Protection Rule Initiative announced in June 2016 by the SEC.

Findings

This article concludes that broker-dealers should take advantage of the Customer Protection Rule Initiative’s self-reporting mechanism and use this time to review their current account arrangements with banks, existing internal policies and procedures, and account documentation.

Originality/value

This article contains valuable information about the SEC’s Customer Protection Rule Initiative and practical compliance guidance from experienced securities lawyers.
SEC adopts rules and forms to modernize reporting requirements for registered investment companies
Authors: Cohen Stephen , Johnson Megan , Brooks Gary , Higgs Brooke
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To explain the new rules, forms, and amendments to current rules and forms (Final Rule) that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted to modernize the reporting of information provided by registered investment companies (funds) and to improve the quality and type of information that funds provide to the SEC and investors.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses the background leading up to the Final Rule, provides an overview and summary of the Final Rule’s key components, and highlights issues that may be raised by the new reporting regime.

Findings

The Final Rule will have a significant effect on many funds. Funds will experience a substantially increased reporting burden with respect to both the frequency of reporting and the granularity of information required.

Practical implications

Fund managers and fund service providers should begin to evaluate the impact of the Final Rule, the processes that will need to be implemented to prepare filings on new forms, and the changes in fund disclosure practices that will be required in response to the amendments to certain forms.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from financial services lawyers specializing in the investment management industry.
SEC charges private fund administrator with gatekeeping failures
Authors: Miller Keith , Lybecker Martin E. , Kanach Jesse , Moynihan Mary C. , Levun Hillary B.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To explain a set of recent US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) administrative settlements targeting fund administrators and to alert fund administrators and other financial service providers to their growing “gatekeeper” obligations.

Design/methodology/approach

This article explores the factual and legal contours of SEC administrative settlements with a fund administrator, as well as related enforcement actions against investment managers, to better understand the affirmative steps the SEC is expecting financial service providers to take to help root out fraud and misappropriation in the financial services sector.

Findings

The SEC’s administrative settlements with this fund administrator illustrate the SEC’s expanding focus on the “gatekeeper” function and signal the intent of the SEC to impute culpability for wrongdoing to fund administrators and other financial service providers simply for not doing enough to root out fraud and misappropriation in the financial services sector.

Originality/value

This article contains valuable information about recent SEC enforcement activity and practical guidance from experienced white collar, securities, and investment management lawyers.
What can mutual fund boards and advisers learn from the AXA trial ruling?
Authors: Colby Eben , DeCapo Thomas , Burdon Kenneth , Morris Aaron
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To analyze the August 2016 court decision in Sivolella v. AXA Equitable Life Ins. Co. and its implications for cases concerning mutual fund advisory fees under Section 36(b) of the of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses Section 36(b), the plaintiffs’ arguments and the judge’s decision in favor of the mutual fund adviser. Provides insights from the judge’s analysis of the advisory fees at issue, including the independence of the mutual fund board and quality of the annual advisory contract renewal process, whether the language of the advisory and subadvisory agreements fully reflects the nature and extent of services provided, the board’s reliance on outside experts and advisers when considering the advisers’ fees and services, and continuous improvements in the boards’ annual advisory contract renewal process.

Findings

AXA was a decisive victory for the adviser, and serves as a reminder to boards and advisers alike that a diligent focus on board process and independence can pay twofold after litigation is filed.

Practical implications

Boards and advisers should consider AXA’s implications, and whether the decision raises issues that should be reviewed by independent counsel with experience advising funds and advisers with respect to the Investment Company Act.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
Attitudes of police officers toward offenders: implications for future training
Authors: Cunha Olga Soares , Gonçalves Rui Abrunhosa
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Police officers’ attitudes toward criminals are critical to the justice system’s response to crime. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the attitudes toward offenders (ATOs) among police officers.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess police officers ATOs, the authors adapted the Attitudes Toward Prisoner scale to produce the ATO scale. The scale was completed by 431 male police officers in a Portuguese police institution.

Findings

The results revealed that police officers hold more negative ATOs than correctional officers and graduate students. Moreover, the results revealed significant differences in average ATO scores according to police officers’ age, years of service, marital status and education; namely, police officers who were older, married, less educated, and with more years of police service had more positive ATOs. However, the results revealed that these demographic factors had a limited value in predicting attitudes, as none of them emerged as a predictor of ATOs.

Originality/value

Nonetheless, considering the relevance of attitudes in law enforcement procedures, the implications for training police officers are provided, specifically using critical incident technique strategies.
What motivates the blue line for technology adoption? Insights from a police expert panel and survey
Authors: Egnoto Michael , Ackerman Gary , Iles Irina , Roberts Holly Ann , Smith Daniel Steven , Liu Brooke Fisher , Behlendorf Brandon
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Testing technologies for policing is costly and laborious. Previous research found that police can be reticent about technology adoption. The purpose of this paper is to examine law enforcement adoption of programmatic innovations focused on particular crime types (radiological and nuclear threats).

Design/methodology/approach

First, an expert police panel explored readiness to adopt an advanced technology (personal radiation detectors (PRDs)). A survey was then developed from the panel findings (n=101 sampled from East Coast metropolitan police).

Findings

Results indicated that on-duty device adoption was likely, but not off-duty. In addition, concerns about ease of carrying PRDs, personal health and security issues, and concerns about job performance were raised. Furthermore, findings suggest that police respond negatively to financial incentives, and focus instead on how innovations can contribute to their own safety and that of their immediate families. Additionally, results indicate that false positives are not a significant barrier to adoption, but device training is important.

Practical implications

This work gives insight how to engage officers more meaningfully in technology adoption for benefit of policing in the field.

Originality/value

This work expands previous police adoption literature and advances understanding of the increasing role officers are taking in counter-terrorism efforts in the USA with applications around the world.
The effect of micro-level disorder incidents on public attitudes toward the police
Authors: Luo Fei , Ren Ling , Zhao Jihong Solomon
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Drawing upon the police accountability model, the purpose of this paper is to advance the research on public attitudes toward the police (PATP) by examining the effects of reported disorder incidents at the micro level on the two dimensions of PATP.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses two waves of random sample telephone survey of 2,393 residents in Houston, Texas. The disorder data were provided by the Houston Police Department. Disorder incidents surrounding each respondent’s residence were extracted by using geographic information systems technology. Structural equation modeling was used for the analysis.

Findings

The main findings suggest that while the observational measure of disorder exerts no direct impact on residents’ general attitudes toward the police; it has a significant impact on specific attitudes toward the police measured by using the neighborhoods as the principle geographical context. In addition, documented disorder incidents are found to be a robust predictor of perceptions of disorder in both models.

Originality/value

The measurement of PATP was ambiguous in the research literature and scholarly attention to the observational factors such as reported disorder incidents has been lacking. This study fills the gap of the relevant literature by measuring PATP as a two-dimensional concept and incorporating reported disorder incidents into the analysis.
Demonstrating development: meetings as management in Kenya's health sector
Authors: Brown Hannah , Green Maia
Published: March 2017

International development operates as a system of meetings. This essay shows how meetings work within aid regimes to structure responsibilities for implementation, to situate projects within funding streams, and to realize the effects of scale. Where donor aid is increasingly allocated to support national plans which are the responsibility of recipient governments, the monitoring of outcomes requires the instantiation of project forms within and across existing state institutions. This involves the delineation of distinct sectors and their scale of operation, alongside the maintenance of relations with external funders. Drawing on ethnographic material from the Kenyan health sector, we show how development projects are realized as tangible social institutions through the structure of formal meetings. Meetings mark the temporality and trajectory of development as a set of planned activities contributing to specific targets. In the context of specific projects they become fora where commitment to development goals of participation, capacity‐building, and effective management can be demonstrated.
An office of ethics: meetings, roles, and moral enthusiasm in animal protection
Authors: Reed Adam
Published: March 2017

This essay explores the relationship between meetings and organizational ethics in an animal protection charity in Scotland. Here, recent ‘professionalization’ has seen the late introduction of an ‘ethics of office’ and accompanying impersonalization of roles. A consequent struggle emerges over what the relationship should be between the core message of the organization, as an office of animal ethics, and the ‘personal’ principles or ethical commitment of individual staff members. All of this comes to a head when persons, and office‐holders, meet.
A Preliminary Study on Sources of Banding Artifacts for the Identification of Monochromatic Laser Printers,
Authors: Liu Ning , Zhang Lichao , Chen Chuntao
Published: March 2017

The analysis of questioned documents printed with monochromatic toner has been a great challenge to document examiners. Banding artifacts, which are often perceived in the outputs of laser printers, could be a solution to the identification of printers. In this study, sources other than the gear transmission errors were discovered for some primary banding frequency components. By detecting the angular velocity variation of photosensitive drums and other rotating parts of the tested printers and comparing them with the banding signals extracted from the printouts, the authors located the sources of banding frequency components. It was shown that the sources of some primary and persistent banding signals, which were previously unknown, were traced to the periodic velocity variations of the motors or the timing belts. As inherent signatures, banding artifacts could be promising features for discriminating documents printed by individual laser printers.
Salivary gland hypofunction in KK‐Ay type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Munemasa Takashi , Mukaibo Taro , Kondo Yusuke , Masaki Chihiro , Kusuda Yuichiro , Miyagi Yuta , Tsuka Shintaro , Hosokawa Ryuji , Nakamoto Tetsuji
Published: March 2017

Background

Hypofunction of different organs in the body is associated with diabetes, including in the oral cavity. Diabetes is often associated with xerostomia, but the underlying mechanism is not well characterized. Thus, the mechanisms underlying diabetes‐induced xerostomia were investigated in this study in KK‐A
y mice as an experimental model of type 2 diabetes.

Methods

The mechanisms involved in diabetes‐induced xerostomia were investigated using the ex vivo glandular perfusion technique, histological analysis, and immunohistochemical and intracellular signaling analyses.

Results

Ex vivo submandibular gland secretions from KK‐Ay mice decreased by 30% following stimulation with 0.3 μmol/L carbachol (CCh), a cholinergic agonist. Acinar cell weight was comparable between KK‐Ay and control mice, whereas duct cell weight was significantly greater in KK‐Ay mice. Concentrations of Na+ and Cl− in the secreted saliva decreased significantly in KK‐Ay mice, supporting the finding of increased ductal tissue in KK‐Ay mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed no significant differences between KK‐Ay and control mice in terms of the expression of Cl− and water channels, Na+–K+–2Cl− cotransporters, and membrane proteins critical for fluid secretion. Cellular signaling analysis revealed that the increase in [Ca2+]i in response to 0.3 μmol/L CCh was reduced by 30% in KK‐Ay mice, although there was no significant difference in the thapsigargin (1.0 μmol/L)‐induced increase in store‐depleted calcium between KK‐Ay and control mice.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that submandibular fluid secretion is diminished in KK‐Ay mice because of a diminished increase in [Ca2+]i. Duct cell weight increased in KK‐Ay mice, possibly leading to increased ion reabsorption and thus decreased Na+ and Cl− concentrations in the secreted saliva.
Mating behaviour and reproductive output in insecticide‐resistant and ‐susceptible strains of the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais)
Authors: Guedes N.M.P , Guedes R.N.C. , Campbell J.F. , Throne J.E.
Published: March 2017

Insecticide resistance is a broadly recognised and well‐studied management problem resulting from intensive insecticide use, which also provides useful evolutionary models of newly adapted phenotypes to changing environments. Two common assumptions in such models are the existence of fitness costs associated with insecticide resistance, which will place the resistant individuals at a disadvantage in insecticide‐free environments, and the prevalence of random mating among insecticide‐resistant and ‐susceptible individuals. However, cases of insecticide resistance lacking apparent fitness disadvantages do exist impacting the evolution and management of insecticide resistance. Assortative mating, although rarely considered, may also favour the evolution and spread of insecticide resistance. Thus, the possible existence of both conditions in the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais), a key pest of stored cereals, led to the assessment of the mating behaviour and reproductive fitness of insecticide‐resistant and ‐susceptible weevil strains and their reciprocal crosses. The patterns of female and male mating choice also were assessed. Although mating behaviour within and between weevil strains was similar without mate choice, mating within the resistant strain led to higher reproductive output than within the susceptible strain; inter‐strain matings led to even higher fertility. Thus, no apparent fitness cost associated with resistance seems to exist in these weevils, favouring the evolution of this phenotype that is further aided by the higher fertility of inter‐strain matings. Mate choice reduced latency to mate and no inter‐strain preference was detected, but female weevils were consistent in their mate selection between 1st and 2nd matings indicating existence of female mating preference among maize weevils. Therefore, if female mate selection comes to favour trait(s) associated with insecticide resistance, higher reproductive fitness will be the outcome of such matings favouring the evolution and spread of insecticide resistance among maize weevil populations reverting into a management concern.
Phenological growth stages of bael (Aegle marmelos) according to the extended Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie scale
Authors: Kishore K. , Mahanti K.K. , Samant D.
Published: March 2017

Bael (Aegle marmelos) is an important rutaceous fruit widely cultivated in India. This crop is revered for its high economic and therapeutic value. However, its phenology has not yet been described systematically. Detailed description of phenological growth stages of bael using the extended Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale has been worked out and reported in this paper. Eight principal growth stages and 37 secondary growth stages for bud, leaf development, shoot growth, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development, fruit maturation and senescence have been distinctively defined. The sequential progression of principal growth stages has been described according to the phenological growth pattern and climatic requirements of different phenophases. The extended BBCH scale is broadly applicable for bael cultivation as it describes all the phenophases pertaining to vegetative and reproductive stages. Because of the relative importance of phenophases in crop management and crop improvement, the BBCH scale will facilitate adoption of better crop management practices, crop improvement and characterisation of bael germplasm. Moreover, the extended BBCH scale will be a useful tool in assessing impact of climate change on crop yield and fruit quality.
Adolescent Ethnic Identity in Social Context: A Commentary
Authors: Meeus Wim
Published: March 2017

Key findings from the various studies of this special section of Child Development are that ethnic identity is embedded in a positive proximal interpersonal context in adolescence and that the links between ethnic identity and the interpersonal context seem to become stronger from the beginning of early adolescence on. Remarkably, the (longitudinal) studies do not show that ethnic identity is a better predictor of developmental outcomes or that it can be better predicted in minority groups than in majority groups. I use one of the articles to demonstate that a longitudinal prediction model is different from a developmental sequence model. Finally, an extension of the present measures of ethnic identity is proposed. This extension would allow for a thorough investigation of the saliency of ethnic identity and its interplay with other identity domains during adolescent development.
Sorption–desorption test for functional assessment of skin treated with a lipid system that mimics epidermal lamellar bodies
Authors: Moner Verónica , Fernández Estibalitz , del Pozo Alfonso , Rodríguez Gelen , Cócera Mercedes , de la Maza Alfonso , López Olga
Published: March 2017

Background

Many skin diseases are associated with either increases or decreases in lamellar body secretion, or dysfunctional lamellar bodies. Consequently, diseased skin is characterized by reduced barrier function and altered lipid composition and organization. Human skin is commonly evaluated in vivo with non‐invasive biophysical techniques. The dynamic functions of the skin are evaluated with repeat measurements such as the sorption–desorption test (SDT).

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo skin hydration–dehydration kinetics after treatment with a lipid system that mimics the morphology, structure and composition of lamellar bodies in both healthy and irritated human skin.

Methods

A patch with an aqueous solution of 2% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was used to irritate the skin of the volunteers. The SDT was performed with the CM 820 corneometer.

Results

After treatment with this system, both healthy and SLS‐irritated skin increased their ability to retain water and to release water slowly during the desorption phase.

Conclusions

Treatment with this system seems to reinforce the barrier function in both healthy and SLS‐irritated human skin. Therefore, the present study provides evidence that this system could be of interest for developing future treatments for protecting and repairing the skin.
THE EFFECTS OF YOUNG ADULT‐DEPENDENT COVERAGE AND CONTRACEPTION MANDATES ON YOUNG WOMEN
Authors: Trudeau Jennifer , Conway Karen Smith
Published: March 2017

This research investigates two features of the Affordable Care Act that especially affect young adults, the young adult‐dependent coverage (YAD) mandate and the requirement to cover contraception (CM). Both mandates were first enacted at the state level but have been studied only in isolation. We estimate a wide range of models allowing these mandates to have joint effects on insurance coverage, health‐care access, health outcomes and fertility. We provide new evidence that helps settle the mixed findings from past state‐level YAD and CM research and suggests the two mandates may combine to improve the well‐being of young adults. (JEL I18, I12, H75)
Accuracy of adrenal imaging and adrenal venous sampling in diagnosing unilateral primary aldosteronism
Authors: Ladurner Roland , Sommerey Sandra , Buechner Stefan , Dietz Anna , Degenhart Christoph , Hallfeldt Klaus , Gallwas Julia
Published: March 2017

Introduction

The correct differentiation between unilateral and bilateral adrenal involvement in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) is of utmost importance to justify surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of adrenal imaging compared to adrenal venous sampling (AVS), histopathology and postoperative outcome.

Methods

The data of all patients with unequivocal AVS who underwent unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism between May 2004 and April 2015 were entered in this retrospective study. We compared computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results with corresponding AVS data, histopathology findings and postoperative outcome.

Results

A total of 175 patients underwent unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism. AVS was successful in 152 patients and postoperative outcome available in 148 patients. Despite unilateral disease according to AVS results, bilateral normal glands were seen in 15 MRI (17·2%) and 7 CT scans (8·5%), respectively. Unilateral enlargement of the nonhypersecreting adrenal gland was found in three MRI (3·5%) and 10 CT scans (12·2%) of patients who showed aldosterone hypersecretion deriving from the contralateral gland. Fifteen MRI (17·2%) and 18 CT scans (22·0%) revealed bilateral adrenal pathology despite unilateral aldosterone hypersecretion.

Conclusion

The accuracy of CT and magnetic resonance imaging in predicting unilateral disease is poor. AVS appears to be an essential diagnostic step to identify those patients who may benefit from unilateral adrenalectomy.