bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association of pattern of lifetime alcohol use and cause of death in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study
Authors: Bergmann Manuela M , Rehm Jürgen , Klipstein-Grobusch Kerstin , Boeing Heiner , Schütze Madlen , Drogan Dagmar , Overvad Kim , Tjønneland Anne , Halkjær Jytte , Fagherazzi Guy , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine , Clavel-Chapelon Françoise , Teucher Birgit , Kaaks Rudolph , Trichopoulou Antonia , Benetou Vassiliki , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Palli Domenico , Pala Valeria , Tumino Rosario , Vineis Paolo , Beulens Joline WJ , Redondo Maria Luisa , Duell Eric J , Molina-Montes Esther , Navarro Carmen , Barricarte Aurelio , Arriola Larraitz , Allen Naomi E , Crowe Francesca L , Khaw Kay-Tee , Wareham Nick , Romaguera Dora , Wark Petra A , Romieu Isabelle , Nunes Luciana , Riboli Elio , Ferrari Pietro
Published: January 2014

Background There is limited evidence for an association between the pattern of lifetime alcohol use and cause-specific risk of death.

Methods Multivariable hazard ratios were estimated for different causes of death according to patterns of lifetime alcohol consumption using a competing risks approach: 111 953 men and 268 442 women from eight countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study were included. Self-reported alcohol consumption at ages 20, 30, 40 or 50 years and at enrolment were used for the analysis; 26 411 deaths were observed during an average of 12.6 years of follow-up.

Results The association between lifetime alcohol use and death from cardiovascular diseases was different from the association seen for alcohol-related cancers, digestive, respiratory, external and other causes. Heavy users (>5 drinks/day for men and >2.5 drinks/day for women), regardless of time of cessation, had a 2- to 5-times higher risk of dying due to alcohol-related cancers, compared with subjects with lifetime light use (≤1 and ≤0.5 drink/week for men and women, respectively). Compared with lifetime light users, men who used <5 drinks/day throughout their lifetime had a 24% lower cardiovascular disease mortality (95% confidence interval 2-41). The risk of death from coronary heart disease was also found to be 34–46% lower among women who were moderate to occasionally heavy alcohol users compared with light users. However, this relationship was only evident among men and women who had no chronic disease at enrolment.

Conclusions Limiting alcohol use throughout life is associated with a lower risk of death, largely due to cardiovascular disease but also other causes. However, the potential health benefits of alcohol use are difficult to establish due to the possibility of selection bias and competing risks related to diseases occurring later in life.
Lignin Modification Leads to Increased Nodule Numbers in Alfalfa
Authors: Gallego-Giraldo Lina , Bhattarai Kishor , Pislariu Catalina I. , Nakashima Jin , Jikumaru Yusuke , Kamiya Yuji , Udvardi Michael K. , Monteros Maria J. , Dixon Richard A.
Published: January 2014

Reduction of lignin levels in the forage legume alfalfa (Medicago sativa) by down-regulation of the monolignol biosynthetic enzyme hydroxycinnamoyl coenzyme A:shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT) results in strongly increased digestibility and processing ability of lignocellulose. However, these modifications are often also associated with dwarfing and other changes in plant growth. Given the importance of nitrogen fixation for legume growth, we evaluated the impact of constitutively targeted lignin modification on the belowground organs (roots and nodules) of alfalfa plants. HCT down-regulated alfalfa plants exhibit a striking reduction in root growth accompanied by an unexpected increase in nodule numbers when grown in the greenhouse or in the field. This phenotype is associated with increased levels of gibberellins and certain flavonoid compounds in roots. Although HCT down-regulation reduced biomass yields in both the greenhouse and field experiments, the impact on the allocation of nitrogen to shoots or roots was minimal. It is unlikely, therefore, that the altered growth phenotype of reduced-lignin alfalfa is a direct result of changes in nodulation or nitrogen fixation efficiency. Furthermore, HCT down-regulation has no measurable effect on carbon allocation to roots in either greenhouse or 3-year field trials.
Bis[3-methyl-5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl] selenide methanol hemisolvate
Authors: Seredyuk Maksym , Sharkina Natalia O. , Gumienna-Kontecka Elzbieta , Kapshuk Anatoly A.
Published: January 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H16N6Se·0.5CH3OH, contains two independent molecules of bis[3-methyl-5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl] selenide with similar C—Se—C bond angles [99.30 (14) and 98.26 (13)°], and a methanol molecule of solvation. In one molecule, the dihedral angles between pyrazole and neighbouring pyridine rings are 18.3 (2) and 15.8 (2)°, and the corresponding angles in the other molecule are 13.5 (2) and 8.3 (2)°. In the crystal, the selenide and solvent molecules are linked by classical O—H...N and N—H...N hydrogen bonds, as well as by weak C—H...O and C—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
trans-Tetracarbonylbis(triphenylphosphane-κP)molybdenum(0)
Authors: Waldhart Greyson W. , Mankad Neal P.
Published: January 2014

The well known title compound,trans-[Mo(C18H15P)2(CO)4], has not been studied previously by X-ray crystallography, unlike itscisisomer. The complex possesses crystallographically imposed inversion symmetry, with the Mo atom residing on an inversion centre (1aWyckoff position). The two triphenylphosphane groups are arranged in a staggered orientation. Each of the phenyl groups exhibits significantly different Mo—P—C—C torsion angles ranging from 2.6 (2) to 179.4 (1)°, most likely due to steric interactions based upon their positions relative to the carbonyl ligands.
A two-dimensional bilayered CdIIcoordination polymer with a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture incorporating 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethene and 2,2′-(diazenediyl)dibenzoic acid
Authors: Liu Lei-Lei , Zhou Yan , Li Ping , Tian Jiang-Ya
Published: January 2014

In poly[[μ2-1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethene-κ2N:N′][μ2-2,2′-(diazenediyl)dibenzoato-κ3O,O′:O′′]cadmium(II)], [Cd(C14H8N2O4)(C12H10N2)]n, the asymmetric unit contains one CdIIcation, one 2,2′-(diazenediyl)dibenzoate anion (denotedL2−) and one 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethene ligand (denoted bpe). Each CdIIcentre is six-coordinated by four O atoms of bridging/chelating carboxylate groups from threeL2−ligands and by two N atoms from two bpe ligands, forming a distorted octahedron. The CdIIcations are bridged byL2−and bpe ligands to give a two-dimensional (4,4) layer. The layers are interlinked through bridging carboxylate O atoms fromL2−ligands, generating a two-dimensional bilayered structure with a 3641362topology. The bilayered structures are further extended to form a three-dimensional supramolecular architectureviaa combination of hydrogen-bonding and aromatic stacking interactions.
Institutional influences on women's representation on corporate boards
Authors: Sheridan Alison , Ross-Smith Anne , Lord Linley
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to interrogate changes to women's representation on boards from an institutional perspective in a particular national context (Australia).

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on institutional theory at the legal, political and social levels the paper identifies the factors through which women's underrepresentation on corporate boards in Australia gained traction over the period 2009-2012.

Findings

– Through the analysis of the Australian context over the period 2009-2012, the paper proposes a framework to represent the multiple, differentiated and often conflicting spheres affecting women's representation on boards and how this may have wider application internationally.

Research limitations/implications

– In focusing on the institutional factors, the paper does not mean to underplay organisational factors relevant to women's access to board positions; rather the authors seek to draw attention to how the organisational factors may be shaped by changing institutional “rules”. From the interrogation of the conditions under which women's underrepresentation on corporate boards in Australia gained traction, the paper provides a conceptual foundation for the emerging study of institutions and women's representation on corporate boards internationally.

Practical implications

– The purpose of documenting these institutional changes in Australia is to be instructive to others addressing the practical problem of how to increase women's representation on boards and what institutional factors may need to be considered to prompt change.

Originality/value

– The conceptual framework adds to the as yet relatively under-theorised field of women on corporate boards.
Job demands, health, and absenteeism: does bullying make things worse?
Authors: Devonish Dwayne
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine workplace bullying as a potential moderator (or exacerbator) in the relationship between job demands and physical, mental and behavioral strain.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey data from a cross-section of 262 employees were collected using a range of measures and hierarchical moderated regressions were performed to examine the interactive effects of job demands and workplace bullying on physical exhaustion, depression, and medically certified and uncertified absenteeism.

Findings

– The results revealed that workplace bullying significantly exacerbated the effects of job demands on physical exhaustion, depression, and uncertified absenteeism.

Research limitations/implications

– The study utilized a cross-sectional self-report survey research design which does not permit causal inferences to be made. Longitudinal research is needed to further investigate these relationships reported here.

Practical implications

– Managers should seek to minimize workplace bullying as well as excessive job demands to help alleviate the risk of employees developing negative health outcomes.

Originality/value

– The study investigated how different categories of stressors interact with each other to predict various health outcomes or forms of job strains.
Making and measuring “good” HR practice in an SME: the case of a Yorkshire bakery
Authors: Doherty Liz , Norton Ann
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand how “good” HR practice is characterised in SMEs and what the drivers are for adopting this good practice. The paper also explores methods for measuring the impact of HR practice which are helpful and realistic in the context of an SME.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research was carried out in one SME, a bakery based in South Yorkshire. It was an action research project which utilised semi-structured interviews, participant observation on the factory floor and analysis of company documentation in the diagnosis phase. In addition, reflections on action interventions have informed the findings, together with post-project, semi-structured interviews with key actors three years after the completion of the project.

Findings

– The drivers of good HR practice were found to be size, market position, external “coercive networks”, presenting issues, the ideology of the managing director and the energy of an HR champion. The findings demonstrate that the impact of “good” HR practice can be best evaluated in SMEs through one-shot, cost-based metrics or more strategic qualitative measures.

Originality/value

– The paper develops an original model to show the relationship between the drivers, the HR practices adopted and measurable outcomes. This makes an important contribution to the debate about HRM within SMEs and it has practical value for informing the development of good HR practice in SMEs.
Capital structure inconclusiveness: evidence from Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore
Authors: Haron Razali
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper of this study is to examine the possible factors contributing to the issue of inconclusiveness in capital structure studies. This study also attempts to provide logical explanations to the unresolved issue of inconsistencies in the relationship between factors identified and leverage in capital structure studies. Comparisons are also made between the emerging market and the developed market to see whether the findings are consistent with both market landscapes.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employs two models in its methodology which are static and dynamic models to examine the effects of using different models in the study. The fixed effect model and partial adjustment model represent the static and dynamic models, respectively. The dynamic model is estimated using generalized method of moments. This study also uses six definitions of leverage to examine the impact of using different leverage definition in capital structure studies. To test the robustness of the findings comparison were made with past studies done by other researchers on developed markets.

Findings

– This study found that the use of different models (with the same leverage definition) and different leverage definitions (using the same model) give different results including signs. Inconsistencies were more obvious in the different leverage definitions (using the same model) compared to the use of different models (with the same leverage definition). There was also evidence that the findings were consistent with both the emerging and the developed markets as other studies on developed markets also report inconsistent results when using different models and different leverage definitions.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample chosen focussed only on firms in three emerging markets (Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore) thus it may not be sufficient for generalization.

Originality/value

– The issue of inconclusive results and findings in capital structure studies keeps recurring but no study has been done to further understand the issue. Using data from the selected countries, this paper attempts to fill this gap in the literature.
An extensile method on the arbitrage pricing theory based on downside risk (D-APT)
Authors: Reza Tavakoli Baghdadabad Mohammad , Glabadanidis Paskalis
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a new and improved version of arbitrage pricing theory (APT), namely, downside APT (D-APT) using the concepts of factors’ downside beta and semi-variance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study includes 163 stocks traded on the Malaysian stock market and uses eight macroeconomic variables as the dependent and independent variables to investigate the relationship between the adjusted returns and the downside factors’ betas over the whole period 1990-2010, and sub-periods 1990-1998 and 1999-2010. It proposes a new version of the APT, namely, the D-APT to replace two deficient measures of factor's beta and variance with more efficient measures of factors’ downside betas and semi-variance to improve and dispel the APT deficiency.

Findings

– The paper finds that the pricing restrictions of the D-APT, in the context of an unrestricted linear factor model, cannot be rejected over the sample period. This means that all of the identified factors are able to price stock returns in the D-APT model. The robustness control model supports the results reported for the D-APT as well. In addition, all of the empirical tests provide support the D-APT as a new asset pricing model, especially during a crisis.

Research limitations/implications

– It may be worthwhile explaining the autocorrelation limitation between variables when applying the D-APT.

Practical implications

– The framework can be useful to investors, portfolio managers, and economists in predicting expected stock returns driven by macroeconomic and financial variables. Moreover, the results are important to corporate managers who undertake the cost of capital computations, fund managers who make investment decisions and, investors who assess the performance of managed funds.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first study to apply the concepts of semi-variance and downside beta in the conventional APT model to propose a new model, namely, the D-APT.
How others see us: leaders’ perceptions of communication and communication managers
Authors: Simcic Brønn Peggy
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to assess other leaders’ perceptions of the importance and contribution of communication to organizational success and the abilities of their communication executives to contribute to strategic decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative approach was used through a questionnaire sent to 5,000 business leaders in small, medium, and large firms across the country of Norway.

Findings

– Overall results indicate that communication is viewed as not as important to business success as other management disciplines, but leaders rate communication skills as the most important communication discipline. In general, communication executives must improve their strategic orientation if they are to be engaged in decision processes where more than communication is discussed. There is moderate but significant correlation between strategic orientation and involvement in decision making and being invited to the strategic planning process.

Research limitations/implications

– This research was performed in a small country with all the limitations that creates; only a small percentage of the respondents had a unique communication department or head of communication, although there is some evidence this is not unusual. There also might be issues with definitions of terms such as public relations and corporate communication; while they are familiar to communication professionals, they are not so well understood by others.

Practical implications

– Hopefully this study will give a greater understanding of the view of communication in organizations and its contribution to organizational success.

Originality/value

– This study appears to be one of the first to ask other leaders opinions on communication and communication executives’ role in organizations. Most studies have asked communication executives their opinions on how their leaders view them.
The role and status of communication practice in the USA and Europe
Authors: Swerling Jerry , Thorson Kjerstin , Zerfass Ansgar
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore trends in practitioners’ perceptions of their role within organizations as well as their influence among senior management both in the USA and Europe. It analyses practitioners’ beliefs about the status of their work as well as their understandings of the ways the new media environment is shifting their everyday practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on data from two surveys of public relations (PR) practitioners, one in the USA and the other in Europe. These data enable comparisons between communication practice in the two geographic areas. The paper focusses the analysis on senior-level practitioners who reported working within the communication department of an organization.

Findings

– The findings of this study suggest that practitioners in both regions are optimistic about the influence of communications within their broader organizations. However, European practitioners are more likely to adopt a “central but flexible” organizational strategy for managing the need to speak in many voices across media and publics. American respondents report much greater use of social media tools than do their European counterparts. These findings are discussed as they relate to the diverse circumstances characterizing the communication practice in each region.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a rare comparative look at attitudes and practices within PR and communications in two distinct geographic areas.
Leadership for a new vision of public school classrooms
Authors: Sheppard Bruce , Brown Jean
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of distributed leadership to the school district level as the authors examine how leadership for twenty-first century learning is distributed within public schools and school districts as they strive to transform their school classrooms from primarily teacher-directed toward more student-centered and technology-enhanced. It contributes to a growing understanding of the inherent distribution of school and school district leadership and helps elucidate how existing leadership machinations can be adapted to facilitate the transformation of public school classrooms from being primarily teacher-directed, to predominately student-centered, technology-enhanced learning environments.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a qualitative study conducted in all school districts in one Canadian province. Data were gathered through interviews of all district technology leaders and principals of two schools (per district) deemed exemplary in their use of technology for classroom learning; focus group sessions with stratified samples of teachers and all district-level program professionals in each district, and semi-structured observations of district-selected technology-savvy classrooms in two schools per district.

Findings

– The paper provides insights into the challenges of leading classroom innovation, including costs associated with technology acquisition and the provision of quality professional development. It reaffirms the continued relevance of the school principal while concomitantly confirming the inherent existence of distributed leadership within and across organizational boundaries that can facilitate or impede complex change. Finally, findings from this study serve as yet another reminder that the accumulated, rich evidence base regarding the process of leading and implementing complex innovation appears to be largely ignored by practitioners.

Research limitations/implications

– Because the research approach is qualitative and restricted to one defined population, the generalizability of this study may be limited.

Practical implications

– This paper draws attention to practical importance of fostering leadership from multiple sources and the need for reflection on how research evidence in education can better directed toward improved practice.

Originality/value

– Given the major public expenditures in the acquisition of new and emerging technology for public school classrooms, this paper may foster reflection for improved leadership and implementation practices. The paper anticipates that this work will contribute to a growing understanding of the distributed nature of school and school district leadership. Also, the paper believes it will help elucidate how current machinations of leadership might be adapted to facilitate the transformation of public school classrooms from primarily teacher-directed to predominately student-centered, technology-enhanced learning environments.
The timeline of self-efficacy: changes during the professional life cycle of school principals
Authors: Fisher Yael
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The first purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between principal self-efficacy and work experience. The second purpose of this paper is to re-study the structure of a multidimensional and hierarchical Principal Self-Efficacy Scale (PSES).

Design/methodology/approach

– PSES was measured using the Brama-Friedman scale (PSES) (Brama and Friedman, 2007). During the 2010 school year, 123 principals participated. Exploration of PSES was based on Facet Theory (Guttman, 1959).

Findings

– The findings show that the highest levels of the PSES were found with principals that were at their first year of leading the school. The levels of PSES drop significantly during the second year and up to the fifth year of work experience. The levels of PSES start to rise after the fifth year, and stabilize after ten years. Furthermore, the findings show that PSES is comprised of organizational leadership, educational, and pedagogical leadership and external and communal relations.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was relatively small and mostly from the center school district of Israel. The second limitation was that the sample included only Jewish principals. Since 20 percent of the population in Israel is Arabs, further studies should include all minorities in order to enlighten the issue.

Practical implications

– Understanding the relations between PSES levels and work experience could assist policy makers with decisions concerning continuing professional development (in-service training) of principals.

Originality/value

– Little is known about the relations between perceived self-efficacy of principals and their work experience.
A DMAIRC approach to lead time reduction in an aerospace engine assembly process
Authors: Arturo Garza-Reyes Jose , Flint Ashley , Kumar Vikas , Antony Jiju , Soriano-Meier Horacio
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Problem solving and continuous process improvement are key elements to achieve business excellence. Many problem solving and process improvement methodologies have been proposed and adopted by organisations, with DMAIC being the most widely used. The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical application of a modified version of DMAIC which enabled a world-class organisation to achieve an optimum reduction in the lead time of its aerospace engine assembly process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews the most commonly used problem solving and process improvement methodologies and specifically, DMAIC, its variations and limitations. Based on this, it presents define, measure, analyse, improve, review, control (DMAIRC). Finally, DMAIRC is empirically applied through a case study, in a world-class manufacturing organisation.

Findings

– The results obtained from the case study indicate that DMAIRC is an effective alternative to achieve the maximum improvement potential of a process. In particular, DMAIRC helped the organisation studied to achieve a 30 percent reduction in the lead time of its engine assembly process.

Originality/value

– The novel problem solving and process improvement methodology presented in this paper can be used by organisations to undertake a more effective improvement project by assuring that the maximum potential of their improvement initiatives and processes is achieved.
Concentration risk model for Greek bank's credit portfolio
Authors: Lefcaditis Constantinos , Tsamis Anastasios , Leventides John
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The IRB capital requirements of Basel II define the minimum level of capital that the bank has to retain to cover the current risks of its portfolio. The major risk that many banks are facing is credit risk and Basel II provides an approach to calculate its capital requirement. It is well known that Pillar I Basel II approach for credit risk capital requirements does not include concentration risk. The paper aims to propose a model modifying Basel II methodology (IRB) to include name concentration risk.

Design/methodology/approach

– The model is developed on data based on a portfolio of Greek companies that are financed by Greek commercial banks. Based on the initial portfolio, new portfolios were simulated having a range of different credit risk parameters. Subsequently, the credit VaR of various portfolios was regressed against the credit risk indicators such as Basel II capital requirements, modified Herfindahl Index and a non-linear model was developed. This model modifies the Pillar I IRB capital requirements model of Basel II to include name concentration risk.

Findings

– As the Pillar I IRB capital requirements model of Basel II does not include concentration risk, the credit VaR calculations performed in the present work appeared to have gaps with the Basel II capital requirements. These gaps were more apparent when there was high concentration risk in the credit portfolios. The new model bridges this gap providing with a correction coefficient.

Practical implications

– The credit VaR of a loan portfolio could be calculated from the bank easily, without the use of additional complicated algorithms and systems.

Originality/value

– The model is constructed in such a way as to provide an approximation of credit VaR satisfactory for business loan portfolios whose risk parameters lie within the range of those in a realistic bank credit portfolio and without the application of Monte Carlo simulations.
Time‐lapse seismic modelling of CO2 fluid substitution in the Devonian Redwater Reef, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Sodagar Taher M. , Lawton Don C.
Published: January 2014

Common shot ray tracing and finite difference seismic modelling experiments were undertaken to evaluate variations in the seismic response of the Devonian Redwater reef in the Alberta Basin, Canada after replacement of native pore waters in the upper rim of the reef with CO2. This part of the reef is being evaluated for a CO2 storage project. The input geological model was based on well data and the interpretation of depth‐converted, reprocessed 2D seismic data in the area. Pre‐stack depth migration of the ray traced and finite difference synthetic data demonstrate similar seismic attributes for the Mannville, Nisku, Ireton, Cooking Lake, and Beaverhill Lake formations and clear terminations of the Upper Leduc and Middle Leduc events at the reef margin. Higher amplitudes at the base of Upper‐Leduc member are evident near the reef margin due to the higher porosity of the foreslope facies in the reef rim compared to the tidal flat lagoonal facies within the central region of the reef. Time‐lapse seismic analysis exhibits an amplitude difference of about 14% for Leduc reflections before and after CO2 saturation and a travel‐time delay through the reservoir of 1.6 ms. Both the ray tracing and finite difference approaches yielded similar results but, for this particular model, the latter provided more precise imaging of the reef margin. From the numerical study we conclude that time‐lapse surface seismic surveys should be effective in monitoring the location of the CO2 plume in the Upper Leduc Formation of the Redwater reef, although the differences in the results between the two modelling approaches are of similar order to the effects of the CO2 fluid replacement itself.
Restorationist Counter‐Enlightenment: Thomas M'Crie on the Concept of Civil Liberty
Authors: Durgun Fatih
Published: January 2014

Enlightenment notions for Counter‐Enlightenment purposes have not to date been used to provide a comprehensive context for Scottish religious history‐writing in the age of Counter‐Revolution and Restoration. The Evangelical historian and divine Thomas M'Crie's studies on Scottish Reformation history, Life of John Knox and Life of Andrew Melville, published in 1811 and 1819 respectively, exhibit an abundance of historiographical material for research. M'Crie was among the most renowned writers of his own time, but his historical works have been briefly passed over in recent secondary sources. The main purpose of this study is to rescue M'Crie's historical works on the Scottish Reformation past from near oblivion. This article argues that M'Crie produced an apology for the Scottish Reformation, adopting an aggressive style that attacked Scottish Enlightenment historians and thinkers such as William Robertson and David Hume, especially in the matter of their treatment of John Knox and Andrew Melville. M'Crie tried to restore his chosen past in order to influence the religious and political affairs of Scotland. In M'Crie's Counter‐Enlightenment historiography, the concept of civil liberty and Presbyterianism become interchangeable in a Restorationist religio‐political discourse. That is why M'Crie's enthusiasm for the Scottish Reformation constitutes the most representative example of the Presbyterian interpretation, which held its own against Enlightenment influence.
Predicting women at risk for developing obstetric fistula: a fistula index? An observational study comparison of two cohorts
Authors: Browning A , Lewis A , Whiteside S
Published: January 2014

Objective

To ascertain if a predictor of obstructed labour and obstetric fistula (OF) occurrence could be devised.

Design

Observational study of two cohorts.

Setting

Selian Lutheran Mission Hospital, Arusha, Tanzania and Aberdeen Women's Centre, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Population

All women presenting with OF caused by obstructed labour and all women having a normal vaginal delivery (NVD) at both institutions were eligible for the study.

Methods

All women with OF and those delivering normally had their height in centimetres measured and their intertuberous space measured by the number of examiner's knuckles admitted. The dimensions for OF and normal delivery were examined individually and multiplied to gain a ‘fistula index’.

Main outcomes measures

Dimensions and index were compared statistically between OF and NVD women using t tests. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values from receiver operating characteristic curves were obtained for predicting OF.

Results

There were statistical differences between the groups with OF women being significantly shorter, having a smaller intertuberous space and lower fistula index than those undergoing NVD (each P < 0.001). Sensitivity was high for fistula index ≤ 507.5 (94.9%, 95% confidence interval 83.1–98.6%) and for intertuberous space of at least three knuckles (92.3%, 95% CI 79.7–97.3%) alone.

Conclusions

A simple antenatal measurement of intertuberous space could screen those women at higher risk of needing medical intervention to prevent OF.
Australia's Indigenous Carbon Economy: A National Snapshot
Authors: ROBINSON CATHY J. , GERRARD EMILY , MAY TRACEY , MACLEAN KIRSTEN
Published: January 2014

Many Indigenous communities in Australia are well situated to provide greenhouse gas abatement and carbon sequestration benefits, but little is known about the factors affecting the capability of Australia's Indigenous organisations to participate in climate change mitigation strategies. This paper provides a ‘snapshot’ summary of certain aspects of Australia's Indigenous organisations' participation in carbon offset schemes. The snapshot provides insight into the degree to which Indigenous organisations are aware of carbon market opportunities in Australia, the level that these Indigenous organisations participate in or engage with carbon‐based economic enterprises, and the key pathways through which Indigenous carbon market opportunities are pursued. Analysis of data collected from a national survey conducted between 2011 and 2012 show that most obstacles to Indigenous participation in carbon offset schemes relate to land tenure arrangements; geographic and biophysical factors; low levels of requisite technical, human and financial resources; and appropriate recognition of Indigenous knowledge and cultural responsibilities. The snapshot also highlights the value of supporting regionally specific capacity‐building strategies to enable Indigenous people to participate in emerging carbon offset activities and the generation of associated ecosystem services. Cultural, socio‐economic or demographic factors that are also likely to influence the ability of many Indigenous communities to participate in carbon market opportunities are identified as important areas for further research.
Studying the Effects of Nucleating Agents on Texture Modification of Puffed Corn‐Fish Snack
Authors: Shahmohammadi Hamid Reza , Bakar Jamilah , Rahman Russly Abdul , Adzhan Noranizan Mohd
Published: January 2014

To improve textural attributes of puffed corn‐fish snack, the effects of 1%, 1.5%, and 2% of calcium carbonate, magnesium silicate (talc), sodium bicarbonate as well as 5% and 10% of wheat bran (as the nucleating materials) on textural attributes were studied. Sensory evaluation, bulk density, expansion ratio, maximum force, and count peaks were measured using the Kramer test. The results showed that all of the additives except bran significantly enhanced the texture. Among them, talc at 0.5% was the best to enhance the density and expansion ratio. Effects of using 0.5% talc on puffed corn‐fish snack microstructure were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The average cell diameter of 109 ± 48 μm and cell numbers per square centimeter of 67.4 for talc‐treated products were obtained, while for nontalc‐treated extrudates, average cell diameter of 798 ± 361 μm and cell numbers per square centimeter of 13.9 were found. Incorporation of 0.5% w/w of magnesium silicate reduced (7‐fold) the average cell diameter while increased (4‐fold) the cell number.
Rosuvastatin Can Block Pro‐Inflammatory Actions of Transgenic Human C‐Reactive Protein Without Reducing its Circulating Levels
Authors: Šilhavý Jan , Zídek Václav , Landa Vladimír , Šimáková Miroslava , Mlejnek Petr , Škop Vojtěch , Oliyarnyk Olena , Kazdová Ludmila , Mancini Massimiliano , Saar Kathrin , Schulz Herbert , Hübner Norbert , Kurtz Theodore W. , Pravenec Michal
Published: January 2014

Aims

Statins have antiinflammatory effects and are known to decrease risk of cardiovascular events and to reduce serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), a widely studied biomarker and potential mediator of inflammation and heart disease. However, it is unclear whether statins can block pro‐inflammatory effects of human CRP independent of their ability to reduce serum levels of human CRP. Here, we investigated whether rosuvastatin could block pro‐inflammatory effects of human CRP without reducing circulating levels of human CRP.

Methods and Results

We studied the antiinflammatory effects of rosuvastatin in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) transgenically expressing human CRP (CRP‐transgenic SHR) and in nontransgenic SHR lacking human CRP (nontransgenic SHR). The CRP‐transgenic SHR is characterized by increased serum levels of human CRP and inflammation. In the CRP‐transgenic strain, we found that rosuvastatin treatment decreased circulating levels of inflammatory response markers IL6 and TNFα without decreasing circulating levels of human CRP. In contrast, in the nontransgenic strain lacking human CRP, rosuvastatin treatment had little or no effect on IL6 and TNFα levels. Rosuvastatin also reduced cardiac inflammation and oxidative tissue damage, reduced epididymal fat mass, and improved adipose tissue lipolysis much more in the CRP‐transgenic strain than in the nontransgenic strain.

Conclusion

Rosuvastatin can protect against pro‐inflammatory effects of human CRP in a manner that is not dependent on achieving a reduction in circulating levels of human CRP.
Left retroperitoneal aortic aneurysm repair in patients unsuitable for endovascular treatment
Authors: Twine Christopher P. , Von‐Oppell Ulrich , Williams Ian M.
Published: January 2014

Background

This study aims to evaluate the contemporary outcome of left open retroperitoneal (RP) abdominal aortic surgery over a 7‐year time period in patients with difficult anatomy unsuitable for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods

Eighty‐four consecutive patients unsuitable for EVAR/FEVAR underwent left RP open aortic surgery. Of these, 44 (52%) required an infrarenal cross‐clamp, 17 (20%) a suprarenal cross‐clamp and 15 (18%) a supracoeliac cross‐clamp. Eight (10%) were thoracoabdominal aneurysms.

Results

There were four mortalities within 30 days (4.8%). Two occurred in patients with a supracoeliac cross‐clamp, one in a suprarenal cross‐clamp (total suprarenal mortality 10%) and one in an infrarenal cross‐clamp. Four patients required prolonged ventilatory support (>10 days). Three patients (9%) from the suprarenal group developed post‐operative renal dysfunction, one of these required permanent dialysis. Paralytic ileus occured in two patients (2%) and was secondary to ischaemia in both cases.

Conclusion

There will always remain a small group of patients best treated by open aortic surgery. By definition, these are complex, difficult cases and are decreasing in number. However, in vascular units regularly performing the RP approach, excellent results can be obtained. This series provides further evidence for centralization of vascular services.
When does ultrasonography influence management in suspected appendicitis?
Authors: Scrimgeour Duncan S. G. , Driver Christopher P. , Stoner Rebecca S. , King Sebastian K. , Beasley Spencer W.
Published: January 2014

Background

Accurate diagnosis of appendicitis is challenging, particularly in children. Moreover, opinion is divided over the role of ultrasonography (US) in its diagnosis and how US may influence management. This study compares the use of US in two tertiary paediatric hospitals and how it influenced the management of suspected appendicitis.

Methods

Data from acute admissions, radiology, histopathology and theatre were cross‐referenced to review all children who underwent an appendicectomy (with or without preoperative US) for suspected appendicitis in Christchurch (CH) in New Zealand and Aberdeen (AB) in Scotland in 2009.

Results

Five hundred and ninety‐nine patients (442 CH; 157 AB) were included, with similar age and gender distributions. US was performed in 23% of patients with an overall appendix visualization rate of 29%. The overall positive and negative predictive values were 67% and 100%, respectively. Females were more likely to have US than males (P < 0.001, χ2). In females with no appendix seen on US, in the presence or absence of other pathology, a normal appendix was confirmed in 50% and 58%, respectively. Visualizing the appendix resulted in a lower rate of normal appendix at operation (20%, 4/20) compared with when the appendix was not visualized (56%, 14/25).

Conclusion

Identification of a normal appendix on US seems sufficiently accurate to exclude appendicitis with confidence, while positive US should be interpreted in conjunction with the clinical features in influencing the decision to operate. The incidence of a non‐inflamed appendix at operation could be reduced with an increased rate of appendiceal visualization by sonographers.
Why China's Rise May Not Cause Major Power‐Transition War: A Review Essay
Authors: Peou Sorpong
Published: January 2014

This article seeks to review these theoretical debates in light of recent empirical evidence. The two publications are selected for two reasons. First, China's Ascent is a collection of contributions made by leading scholars in the field of international security and is based on different optimistic perspectives on the question of China's rise. The second publication, Southeast Asia and the Rise of China, was more recently published. Based on some of the theoretical insights and empirical evidence presented by the authors in the two volumes, I argue that the Asia‐Pacific region is bound to remain stable and potentially more peaceful if and when China becomes a liberal democracy.
Beyond the Look East Policy: United Malays National Organisation and the Fall of the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan
Authors: Ismail Muhamad Takiyuddin , Abdul Hamid Ahmad Fauzi
Published: January 2014

This article argues that the strong relationship between Malaysia and Japan is also stimulated by symbiotic ties binding together both countries' respective major political parties, i.e., the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). UMNO, especially under the leadership of Mahathir Mohamad (1981–2003), derived political lessons from developments affecting LDP in Japan. First, emulation of Japan's success in economic development became the basis for the Look East Policy launched in 1981. Second, which is the focus of this article, lessons were drawn from the failure of LDP to retain power twice, in 1993 and in 2009. Although LDP's reversal of fortunes served as a landmark for UMNO in situating changes to its trajectory since 1993, the analogical reasoning and political lessons applied by UMNO leaders were, to a large extent, flawed. Arguably, politicians frequently do misjudge in analogizing between different situations which at a glance seem to be comparable.
Marriage Immigration and Multicultural Families: Public Policies and Their Implications for the Philippines and South Korea
Authors: Kim Junmo , Yang Seung‐Bum , Torneo Ador
Published: January 2014

This article surveys marriage immigration from the Philippines to South Korea, the public policies of both governments, and ongoing developments, challenges, and their implications for future policy. Policies in both countries provide the context in which international marriages occur and impact the sociocultural, political, economic life of marriage immigrants and their “multicultural families.” Philippine policies are still generally limited to a ban on commercial brokerage and provision of predeparture orientation programs for migrant brides. The Korean government has adopted policies to support these groups and to transform South Korea into a “more mature, multicultural society,” but the results have so far been mixed. Sociodemographic, economic, and political trends suggest that marriage immigration will persist with the following implications: continued emphasis on rights and welfare in future policies; more stringent regulation of marriage agencies; an increasingly important role for marriage immigrants in policymaking and implementation; and the necessity of policy adjustments and international cooperation among stakeholders.
The Role of Stimulus Novelty on Children's Inflexible Dimensional Switching
Authors: Jowkar‐Baniani Gelareh , Schmuckler Mark A.
Published: January 2014

Children's ability to flexibly shift attention between different representational schemes was investigated using the dimensional change card sorting task. Across three experiments (N = 56 three‐year‐olds and N = 40 four‐year‐olds in ; N = 14 three‐year‐olds in ; and N = 14 three‐year‐olds in ) the role of perceptual information on children's cognitive flexibility was investigated by manipulating different aspects of the task materials between pre‐ and postswitch phases. Better performance was observed when either task‐relevant (the color or shape of the images on the cards) or task‐irrelevant information (the background color or shape of the actual cards) was changed, with this improvement occurring when the changes were salient enough to induce a stimulus novelty effect.