bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caste and Nature
Authors: Sharma Mukul
Published: March 2018

Rarely do Indian environmental discourses examine nature through the lens of caste. Whereas nature is considered as universal and inherent, caste is understood as a constructed historical and social entity. Mukul Sharma shows how caste and nature are intimately connected. He compares Dalit meanings of environment to ideas and practices of neo-Brahmanism and certain mainstreams of environmental thought. Showing how Dalit experiences of environment are ridden with metaphors of pollution, impurity, and dirt, the author is able to bring forth new dimensions on both environment and Dalits, without valourizing the latter’s standpoint. Rather than looking for a coherent understanding of their ecology, the book explores the diverse and rich intellectual resources of Dalits, such as movements, songs, myths, memories, and metaphors around nature. These reveal their quest to define themselves in caste-ridden nature and building a form of environmentalism free from the burdens of caste. The Dalits also pose a critical challenge to Indian environmentalism, which has, until now, marginalized such linkages between caste and nature.
Data at the Tevatron
Authors: Campbell John , Huston Joey , Krauss Frank
Published: March 2018

Before the LHC, there was the Tevatron, which ran at the high-energy frontier for approximately 25 years. Many of the modern analysis tools used at the LHC were first developed at the Tevatron. In this chapter, benchmark data analyses (and related theoretical tools), such as for W/Z bosons, photons, and jets, are described. The apex of the Tevatron was the discovery of the top quark. Measurements of the top quark cross section and of the top quark mass are examined and tt¯ asymmetry measurements and predictions are reviewed. Although attributed to many Beyond-the-Standard Model scenarios, the ultimate explanation for the larger than expected asymmetry turned out to be higher order QCD. There were very active Higgs boson searches at the Tevatron. Although the Tevatron was able to somewhat exclude the allowed Higgs mass range, time ran out before any observation could be made. This was left to the LHC.
Humanism and Empire
Authors: Lee Alexander
Published: March 2018

For more than a century, scholars have believed that Italian humanism was predominantly ‘civic’ in outlook. Often serving in communal government, fourteenth-century humanists like Albertino Mussato and Coluccio Salutati are said to have derived from their reading of the Latin classics a rhetoric of republican liberty that was opposed to the ‘tyranny’ of neighbouring signori and of the German emperors. In this groundbreaking study, Alexander Lee challenges this long-held belief. From the death of Frederick II in 1250 to the failure of Rupert of the Palatinate’s ill-fated expedition in 1402, Lee argues, the humanists nurtured a consistent and powerful affection for the Holy Roman Empire. Though this was articulated in a variety of different ways, it was nevertheless driven more by political conviction than by cultural concerns. Surrounded by endless conflict—both within and between city states—the humanists eagerly embraced the Empire as the surest guarantee of peace and liberty, and lost no opportunity to invoke its protection. Indeed, as Lee shows, the most ardent appeals to imperial authority were made not by ‘signorial’ humanists, but by humanists in the service of communal regimes. The first comprehensive, synoptic study of humanistic ideas of Empire in the period c.1250–1402, this volume offers a radically new interpretation of fourteenth-century political thought, and raises wide-ranging questions about the foundations of modern constitutional ideas. As such, it is essential reading not just for students of Renaissance Italy and the history of political thought, but for all those interested in understanding the origins of liberty.
Italy, Rome, and Empire
Authors: Lee Alexander
Published: March 2018

The middle decades of the fourteenth century saw a change in the nature of the humanists’ enthusiasm for Empire. Often closely associated with the papal court, either as civic administrators in Rome, or as benefice holders or rhetoricians in Provence, they appealed to imperial authority out of a concern for the ‘Italic world’. This depended above all on the restoration of Rome. Only when the Eternal City had been returned to its ancient glory would Italy know peace and liberty; and it was hence upon the emergence of a truly ‘Roman’ emperor that the humanists now pinned their hopes. At times, this could be one who had already been elected king of the Romans, or even crowned emperor; but, as this chapter demonstrates, the imperial mantle could also be draped about the shoulders of entirely different political actors, or even placed in the hands of the Romans themselves.
Unresolved Business: Federal Corporate Governance Enhancements
Authors: Steinberg Marc I.
Published: March 2018

This chapter analyzes and recommends federal corporate governance enhancements that should be implemented. These enhancements, which should be adopted in a measured and directed manner, are necessary to remediate certain deficiencies that currently exist. Consistent therewith, this chapter focuses on several important matters that merit attention, including the undue deference by federal courts to state law, the appropriate application of federal law to tactics undertaken in tender offers, the need for a federal statute encompassing insider trading, and the propriety of more vigorous oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission (such as with respect to the “current” disclosure regime, the SEC’s Standards of Professional Conduct for Attorneys, and the Commission’s neglecting at times to invoke its statutory resources). Thus, the analysis set forth in this chapter identifies significant deficiencies that currently exist and recommends measures that should be implemented on the federal level to enhance corporate governance standards.
Evidence for Somatic Hypersensitivity in Veterans With Gulf War Illness and Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Authors: Zhou QiQi , Verne Meghan L. , Zhang Buyi , Verne G. Nicholas
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

Over 25% of Persian Gulf War (PGW) veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI) (chronic health symptoms of undetermined etiology) developed gastrointestinal (GI) (diarrhea and abdominal pain) and other somatic symptoms.

Objectives:

Our study objective was to determine if veterans with GWI and GI symptoms exhibit heightened patterns of somatic pain perception (hypersensitivity) across nociceptive stimuli modalities.

Methods:

Participants were previously deployed GW Veterans with GWI and GI symptoms (n=53); veterans with GWI without GI symptom (n=47); and veteran controls (n=38). We determined pain thresholds for contact thermal, cold pressor, and ischemic stimuli.

Results:

Veterans with GWI and GI symptoms showed lower pain thresholds (P<0.001) for each stimulus. There was also overlap of somatic hypersensitivities among veterans with GI symptoms with 20% having hypersensitivity to all 3 somatic stimuli. Veterans with GWI and GI symptoms also showed a significant correlation between mechanical visual analog scale abdominal pain ratings and heat pain threshold, cold pressor threshold, and ischemic pain threshold/tolerance.

Discussion:

Our findings show that there is widespread somatic hypersensitivity in veterans with GWI/GI symptoms that is positively correlated with abdominal pain ratings. In addition, veterans with somatic hypersensitivity that overlap have the greatest number of extraintestinal symptoms. These findings may have a translational benefit: strategies for developing more effective therapeutic agents that can reduce and/or prevent somatic and GI symptoms in veterans deployed to future military conflicts.
Invitation strategies and coverage in the population-based cancer screening programmes in the European Union
Authors: Vale Diama B. , Anttila Ahti , Ponti Antonio , Senore Carlo , Sankaranaryanan Rengaswamy , Ronco Guglielmo , Segnan Nereo , Tomatis Mariano , Žakelj Maja P. , Elfström Klara M. , Lönnberg Stefan , Dillner Joakim , Basu Partha
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to describe the compliance of the population-based cancer screening programmes in the European Union Member States to the invitation strategies enumerated in the European Guidelines and the impact of such strategies on the invitational coverage. Experts in screening programme monitoring from the respective countries provided data. Coverage by invitation was calculated as the proportion of individuals in the target age range receiving a screening invitation over the total number of annualized eligible population. The invitation strategies of 30 breasts, 25 cervical and 27 colorectal national or regional population-based screening programmes are described. Individual mail invitations are sent by 28 breasts, 20 cervical and 25 colorectal screening programmes. Faecal occult blood test kits are sent by post in 17 of the colorectal cancer screening programmes. The majority of programmes claimed to have a population registry, although some use health insurance data as the database for sending invitations. At least 95% invitation coverage was reached by 16 breast, six cervical and five colorectal screening programmes. Majority of the programmes comply with the invitation strategies enumerated in the European guidelines, although there is still scope for improvements. Coverage by invitation is below the desirable level in many population-based cancer screening programmes in European Union.
Vascular Tumors in Infants: Case Report and Review of Clinical, Histopathologic, and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Infantile Hemangioma, Pyogenic Granuloma, Noninvoluting Congenital Hemangioma, Tufted Angioma, and Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma
Authors: Johnson Emma F. , Davis Dawn M. , Tollefson Megha M. , Fritchie Karen , Gibson Lawrence E.
Published: March 2018

Vascular tumors in infants present a diagnostic and treatment dilemma for both clinicians and pathologists. Infantile hemangioma, the most common vascular tumor in infants, can be confused for other less common vascular tumors in infants. Correct and timely diagnosis is important, as some vascular tumors can be associated with life-threatening coagulopathy. We present the cases of 5 vascular tumors that have clinical and histologic overlap: infantile hemangioma, pyogenic granuloma, noninvoluting congenital hemangioma, tufted angioma, and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. Typical clinical and histopathologic features of each lesion are summarized. We review the utility and characteristic immunohistochemistry including CD31, CD34, GLUT-1, D2-40, LYVE-1, Prox-1, and WT-1. Collaboration between the clinician and the dermatopathologist correlating the clinical history and histopathologic features can lead to the correct diagnosis, whereas the utility of immunohistochemistry remains in question.
Demonstration of the Effectiveness of Augmented Reality Telesurgery in Complex Hand Reconstruction in Gaza
Authors: Greenfield Max J. , Luck Joshua , Billingsley Michael L. , Heyes Richard , Smith Oliver J. , Mosahebi Afshin , Khoussa Abu , Abu-Sittah Ghassan , Hachach-Haram Nadine
Published: March 2018

Augmented reality (AR) is defined as “a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite view.”
1
This case report describes how emerging AR telesurgery technologies may be used to facilitate international surgeon–surgeon collaboration and training. Here, we illustrate how a remote surgeon in Beirut, Lebanon, was able to offer assistance to a surgeon in Gaza, Palestine, during a complex hand reconstruction case following a bomb-blast injury in an 18-year-old male. We discuss the implications of AR technology on the future of global surgery and how it may be used to reduce structural inequities in access to safe surgical care.
Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a Young Child With Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Hulme Kathryn M. , Isaacs David , Marais Ben J. , Robinson Paul D.
Published: March 2018

We report a 2-year-old, previously healthy boy, who presented with chronic pneumonia. He was diagnosed with culture-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis. Complications included spontaneous pneumothorax presumed to be secondary to cavity formation and complete subsegmental airway obstruction that did not resolve with prolonged oral corticosteroid treatment.
Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention to Increase Human Papillomavirus Knowledge in High-Risk Minority Women
Authors: Suarez Mora Adria , Madrigal Jessica M. , Jordan Lauren , Patel Ashlesha
Published: March 2018

Objectives

The aims of the study were to evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer knowledge in a population at high risk for cervical cancer and to determine whether knowledge and attitudes toward HPV vaccination improve after educational intervention.

Materials and Methods

This pre-post survey design study was conducted at the John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County colposcopy clinic. An HPV knowledge and awareness survey was given to participants before their clinical encounter. Afterward, participants watched an educational video and repeated the survey, which was administered again at the follow-up visit. Knowledge scores and acceptability of HPV vaccination were compared across all surveys.

Results

Among the 104 participants who completed baseline and immediate postintervention surveys, the average baseline score was 9.6 of 20. Knowledge scores improved after the educational intervention (mean = 14.1, p < .0001) and remained elevated in the 44 participants that completed long-term follow-up (mean = 13.5, p < .0001). Acceptability of HPV vaccination for participants themselves increased from 47.1% to 76% (p < .0001) and for children/grandchildren increased from 30.8% to 71.2% (p < .0001) after the intervention. Overall, women were worried about HPV and cervical cancer for themselves and their children/grandchildren at baseline. However, the intervention improved perceptions about HPV vaccination cost, safety, adverse effects, and efficacy.

Conclusions

Knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination is low in this high-risk population and may improve with a simple educational intervention. Increased knowledge was associated with an increase in vaccine acceptability and improved perceptions about HPV vaccination. Educational interventions targeted toward high-risk women are necessary to decrease cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
Food Consumption Patterns and Micronutrient Density of Complementary Foods Consumed by Infants Fed Commercially Prepared Baby Foods
Authors: Reidy Kathleen C. , Bailey Regan Lucas , Deming Denise M. , O’Neill Lynda , Carr B. Thomas , Lesniauskas Ruta , Johnson Wendy
Published: March 2018

Nutrition is critically important in the first 1000 days, and while most American babies are fed commercial baby foods, there is little or no evidence from nationally representative data to understand the implications of such consumption. We used 24-hour dietary recall data for 505 infants from The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study to describe food consumption patterns and micronutrient density of complementary foods consumed by infants fed commercially prepared baby food fruit, vegetables, and dinners and compared with those eaten by nonconsumers of these products. Results show that consumers were significantly more likely to report eating all vegetables (excluding white potatoes, 71% vs 51%), deep yellow vegetables (42% vs 18%), and fruits (79% vs 65%) and were less likely to report eating white potatoes (10% vs 24%), dark green vegetables (4% vs 20%), and sweets (23% vs 47%) than were nonconsumers. Nutrient density of the complementary foods of consumers was greater for fiber, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium, but lower in sodium and vitamin D. We conclude that infants fed commercially prepared baby foods were more likely to eat vegetables and fruits, and their diets were higher in several micronutrients. These findings provide important insights on complementary feeding and are useful to support the development of evidence-based infant-feeding guidelines.
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Asfarviridae
Authors: Alonso Covadonga , Borca Manuel , Dixon Linda , Revilla Yolanda , Rodriguez Fernando , Escribano Jose M. ,   ICTV Report Consortium
Published: March 2018

The family Asfarviridae includes the single species African swine fever virus, isolates of which have linear dsDNA genomes of 170–194 kbp. Virions have an internal core, an internal lipid membrane, an icosahedral capsid and an outer lipid envelope. Infection of domestic pigs and wild boar results in an acute haemorrhagic fever with transmission by contact or ingestion, or by ticks of the genus Ornithodoros. Indigenous pigs act as reservoirs in Africa, where infection is endemic, and from where introductions occur periodically to Europe. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the taxonomy of the Asfarviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/asfarviridae.
Insulin Signaling-independent Activation of DAF-16 Shapes the Transcriptome during Normal Aging
Authors: Li Shang-Tong , Zhao Han-Qing , Zhang Pan , Liang Chung-Yi , Zhang Yan-Ping , Hsu Ao-Lin , Dong Meng-Qiu
Published: March 2018

The roles and regulatory mechanisms of transriptome changes during aging are unclear. It has been proposed that the transcriptome suffers decay during aging owing to age-associated down-regulation of transcription factors. In this study, we characterized the role of a transcription factor DAF-16, which is a highly conserved lifespan regulator, in the normal aging process of Caenorhabditis elegans. We found that DAF-16 translocates into the nucleus in aged wild-type worms and activates the expression of hundreds of genes in response to age-associated cellular stress. Most of the age-dependent DAF-16 targets are different from the canonical DAF-16 targets downstream of insulin signaling, indicating that activation of DAF-16 during aging is not due to reduced insulin signaling from DAF-2. Further analysis showed that it is due to the loss of proteostasis during aging, at least in part. We also found that without daf-16, dramatic gene expression changes occur as early as on adult day 2, indicating that DAF-16 acts to stabilize the transcriptome during normal aging. Our results thus reveal that normal aging is not simply a process in which the gene expression program descends into chaos due to loss of regulatory activities; rather, there is active transcriptional regulation that fights aging.
The Evolutionary Moulding in plant-microbial symbiosis: matching population diversity of rhizobialnodA and legumeNFR5genes
Authors: Igolkina Anna A. , Bazykin Georgii A. , Chizhevskaya Elena P. , Provorov Nikolai A. , Andronov Evgeny E.
Published: March 2018

We propose the Evolutionary Moulding hypothesis that population diversities of partners in nitrogen-fixing rhizobium-legume symbiosis are matched, and tested it in nucleotide polymorphism of symbiotic genes encoding two components of the plant-bacteria signalling system. The first component is the rhizobialnodA acyltransferase involved in the fatty acid tail decoration of Nod factor (rhizobia signalling molecule). The second component is the plantNFR5receptor, putatively required for Nod-factor binding.

We collected three wild growing legume species together with soil samples adjacent to the roots (soil pool) from one large 25-year fallow:Vicia sativa, Lathyrus pratensisandTrifolium hybridumnodulated by one of the twoRhizobium leguminosarumbiovars (viciaeandtrifolii). For each plant species we prepared three pools for DNA extraction: the plant pool (30 plant indiv.), the nodule pool (90 nodules) and the soil pool (30 samples).NFR5gene libraries from the plant pool andnodA gene libraries from nodule and soil pools were sequenced by Sanger technology and High-throughput pyrosequencing, respectively. Analysis of the data demonstrated concordance in population diversities of one symbiotic partner (rhizobia) the second partner (legume host), in line with the Evolutionary Moulding hypothesis. This effect was evinced by the following observations for each plant species: (1) significantly increased diversity in the nodulenodA popset (set of gene sequences derived from the nodule population) compared to the soil popset; (2) a monotonic relationship between the diversity in the plantNFR5gene popset and the nodule rhizobialnodA gene popset; and (3) higher topological similarity of theNFR5gene tree with thenodA gene tree of the nodule popset, than with thenodA gene tree of the soil popset. Both nonsynonymous diversity and Tajima’s D were increased in the nodule popsets compared to the soil popsets, consistent with relaxation of negative selection and/or admixture of balancing selection underlying the Evolutionary Moulding effect. We propose that the observed genetic concordance arises from the selection of particular characteristics of the nodulenodA genes by the host plant.
Object-vector coding in the medial entorhinal cortex
Authors: Høydal Øyvind Arne , Skytøen Emilie Ranheim , Moser May-Britt , Moser Edvard I.
Published: March 2018

Mammals use distances and directions from local objects to calculate trajectories during navigation but how such vectorial operations are implemented in neural representations of space has not been determined. Here we show in freely moving mice that a population of neurons in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) responds specifically when the animal is at a given distance and direction from a spatially confined object. These ‘object-vector cells’ are tuned similarly to a spectrum of discrete objects, irrespective of their location in the test arena. The vector relationships are expressed from the outset in novel environments with novel objects. Object-vector cells are distinct from grid cells, which use a distal reference frame, but the cells exhibit some mixed selectivity with head-direction and border cells. Collectively, these observations show that object locations are integrated in metric representations of self-location, with specific subsets of MEC neurons encoding vector relationships to individual objects.
Label-free assessment of pre-implantation embryo quality by the Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM)-phasor approach
Authors: Ma Ning , de Mochel Nabora Reyes , Pham Paula Duyen Anh , Yoo Tae Yeon , Cho Ken WY. , Digman Michelle A.
Published: March 2018

Development of quantitative, safe and rapid techniques for assessing embryo quality provides significant advances in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). We apply the phasor-FLIM method to capture endogenous fluorescent biomarkers of pre-implantation embryos as a non-morphological caliber for embryo quality. Here, we identify the developmental, or “D-trajectory”, that consists of fluorescence lifetime from different stages of mouse pre-implantation embryos. The D-trajectory correlates with intrinsic fluorescent species from a distinctive energy metabolism and oxidized lipids, as seen with Third Harmonic Generation (THG) that changes over time. In addition, we have defined an Embryo Viability Index (EVI) to distinguish pre-implantation embryo quality using the Distance Analysis, a machine learning algorithm to process the fluorescence lifetime distribution patterns. We show that the phasor-FLIM approach provides a much-needed non-invasive quantitative technology for identifying healthy embryos at the early compaction stage with 86% accuracy. This may increase embryo implantation success forin vitrofertilization clinics.

Highlights

A label-free method of tracking metabolic trajectories during pre-implantation mouse embryo development.

A non-invasive approach for assessing embryo quality and viability by a phasor-FLIM analysis.
Whole-genome sequencing of Atacama skeleton shows novel mutations linked with dysplasia
Authors: Bhattacharya Sanchita , Li Jian , Sockell Alexandra , Kan Matthew J. , Bava Felice A. , Chen Shann-Ching , Ávila-Arcos María C. , Ji Xuhuai , Smith Emery , Asadi Narges B. , Lachman Ralph S. , Lam Hugo Y.K. , Bustamante Carlos D. , Butte Atul J. , Nolan Garry P.
Published: March 2018

Over a decade ago, the Atacama humanoid skeleton (Ata) was discovered in the Atacama region of Chile. The Ata specimen carried a strange phenotype—6-in stature, fewer than expected ribs, elongated cranium, and accelerated bone age—leading to speculation that this was a preserved nonhuman primate, human fetus harboring genetic mutations, or even an extraterrestrial. We previously reported that it was human by DNA analysis with an estimated bone age of about 6–8 yr at the time of demise. To determine the possible genetic drivers of the observed morphology, DNA from the specimen was subjected to whole-genome sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq platform with an average 11.5× coverage of 101-bp, paired-end reads. In total, 3,356,569 single nucleotide variations (SNVs) were found as compared to the human reference genome, 518,365 insertions and deletions (indels), and 1047 structural variations (SVs) were detected. Here, we present the detailed whole-genome analysis showing that Ata is a female of human origin, likely of Chilean descent, and its genome harbors mutations in genes (COL1A1,COL2A1,KMT2D,FLNB,ATR,TRIP11,PCNT) previously linked with diseases of small stature, rib anomalies, cranial malformations, premature joint fusion, and osteochondrodysplasia (also known as skeletal dysplasia). Together, these findings provide a molecular characterization of Ata's peculiar phenotype, which likely results from multiple known and novel putative gene mutations affecting bone development and ossification.
Bacteriophage N4 large terminase: expression, purification and X-ray crystallographic analysis
Authors: Wangchuk Jigme , Prakash Prem , Bhaumik Prasenjit , Kondabagil Kiran
Published: March 2018

Genome packaging is a critical step in the assembly of dsDNA bacteriophages and is carried out by a powerful molecular motor known as the large terminase. To date, wild-type structures of only two large terminase proteins are available, and more structural information is needed to understand the genome-packaging mechanism. Towards this goal, the large and small terminase proteins from bacteriophage N4, which infects theEscherichia coliK12 strain, have been cloned, expressed and purified. The purified putative large terminase protein hydrolyzes ATP, and this is enhanced in the presence of the small terminase. The large terminase protein was crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method and the crystal diffracted to 2.8 Å resolution using a home X-ray source. Analysis of the X-ray diffraction data showed that the crystal belonged to space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 53.7,b= 93.6,c= 124.9 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. The crystal had a solvent content of 50.2% and contained one molecule in the asymmetric unit.
Do agricultural services contribute to cost saving? Evidence from Chinese rice farmers
Authors: Tang Liqun , Liu Qiang , Yang Wanjiang , Wang Jianying
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify agricultural services into five categories, including agricultural materials supply service, financial service, technical service, machinery service and processing and sales service, and to examine the effect of agricultural services on cost saving of rice production in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a three-year panel data set covering 3,421 rice farmers in 12 Chinese provinces collected from the state rice industry experiment stations’ fixed watch points of China Agriculture Research System, a stochastic frontier model which takes the price vectors of input variables into cost function is developed by stochastic frontier analysis method in the study.

Findings

There is a deviation between the actual cost and the minimum cost on rice production in China due to the loss of cost efficiency, whose score is 0.7983 at the mean. Agricultural services can help improve cost efficiency, thus contributing to cost saving. Specifically, the effect of technical service on cost saving is the highest, followed by processing and sales service, machinery service, financial service and agricultural materials supply service.

Originality/value

The results of this paper are of great significance to the effectiveness and efficiency of the targeted agricultural services and indicate implications for policy improvement under the context of clear upward trend of agricultural production costs.
Dynamic and static analysis of agricultural productivity in China
Authors: Diao Panpan , Zhang Zhonggen , Jin Zhenyong
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) and input redundancies in different regions of China, and to bring out the policy implications for improving efficiency in agricultural production as well as environment protection.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the provincial panel data during 1995-2014, the agricultural productivity of China and its regional disparity are analyzed. First, the agricultural TFP and its decomposition are dynamically evaluated by means of data envelopment analysis-Malmquist productivity index. Second, the agricultural radial production efficiency in year 2014 and the input redundancy changes from 1995 to 2014 are measured based on the BCC-slacks-based measure model.

Findings

The results showed that the overall agricultural TFP of China grew 4.3 percent annually during 1995-2014, mainly as a result of technical progress. However, the declines of technical efficiency and scale efficiency slowed down the agricultural TFP growth. The TFP growth in the Western region and Central region far exceeded the Eastern region in last few years. In 2014, most effective decision-making units were in the Western region. The input redundancies in the agricultural production increased substantially after 2006, especially for the pesticide use amount, reservoir capacity and agricultural machinery power.

Originality/value

Combining the dynamic and static analyses, the paper fulfilled the study of China’s agricultural productivity and the input redundancies in recent years, and also presented the regional disparities.
Rural energy policy in China
Authors: He Ling-Yun , Hou Bingdong , Liao Hua
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Rural energy policy is a critical measure to fight the long-standing poverty issue in China. Energy poverty, per se, is one important yet too often neglected dimension of poverty, and one of the biggest challenges in rural China during the 40-year rural reform. Reducing energy poverty is one of the poverty alleviation tasks and the goals of energy transition in the rural areas. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the status of energy poverty in China, discussing the challenges of energy poverty reduction, and then proposing the potential measures.

Design/methodology/approach

Using various data (including the authors’ survey data), this paper analyzes the volume and structure of energy use, and affordability of energy for the rural households, then examines the impacts of energy poverty on health, social and productivity, and finally discusses the infrastructure, cognitive ability, culture, income, etc., that shape the challenges to energy poverty reduction.

Findings

In addition to raising the household income, it is urgently needed to enforce the collaborations among government departments, and to improve the energy infrastructure according to local conditions, helping the residential environment cognition.

Originality/value

Energy poverty is almost a too often neglected issue in rural China. Few in existing literature comprehensively investigate this critically important social economic problem. This paper contributes to the profound understanding in energy poverty and the possible approaches to alleviate it.
Joint venture survival in China: the importance of tangible and intangible trust
Authors: Koch Bradley James , Koch Pamela L.T.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship among joint venture survival in Sichuan and two types of trust: intangible trust and tangible trust. Intangible trust encapsulates the internal affective aspects of trust, whereas tangible trust captures the external and more easily visible willingness to commit resources to the partnership.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data used in this research are based on surveys conducted in 2002-2003 of 274 foreign invested firms in Sichuan province and are from a follow-up investigation of firm survival in 2009.

Findings

The results show that both intangible trust and tangible trust are significant in predicting survival in joint ventures seven years into the future. In addition, the authors explore determinates of intangible and tangible trust. Management control had no impact on intangible trust, but it had a significant positive impact on tangible trust via the presence of a foreign general manager. Cultural distance had the expected negative effect on intangible trust, but an unanticipated positive influence on tangible trust.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this research is establishing a link between measures of trust taken in 2002 with a performance measure from 2009. Trust today, whether it is tangible or intangible, predicts performance in the future. The majority of prior research linked a current measure of trust with a current measure of performance, which blurs the trust and performance relationship, as it is likely that the relationship is reciprocal and higher levels of trust may be the result of good performance just as much as good performance is a result of higher levels of trust.
The birth of social entrepreneurship within a Thai university
Authors: Sooampon Sutti
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether and how academic entrepreneurship can grow in less technologically advanced conditions, particularly those seen in emerging markets. The objective was to examine the pre-conditions for the birth and growth of university-based ventures in Thailand, where science commercialisation has not yet flourished.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study approach was adopted for the in-depth study of the birth of an unusual entrepreneurial initiative in one academic unit within a dental school, an environment that typically focuses on academic work. Data from interviews with key members working in this unit were analysed to reveal the pre-conditions of entrepreneurship within this Thai university department, with a focus on the existing understanding of academic entrepreneurship.

Findings

Social conditions, rather than technology-related motives, were important for the birth of the university-based venture examined. Key triggers for academic entrepreneurship in this situation were found to closely align with a model of social entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

Evidence from this emerging economy can help expand the typology of academic entrepreneurship. In addition to the technology-led ventures typically seen, the results from this study call for socially oriented university-based ventures that tackle social problems in local society.
Post occupancy evaluation of a flexible workplace facility in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. , Alnuaimi Ali K. , Sanni-Anibire Muizz O.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present an assessment of user satisfaction of an innovative workplace design, otherwise known as flexible workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

The study first sought to establish the level of flexibility of the workplace through the identification of flexibility criteria presented in a checklist format. In total, 29 criteria were identified and subsequently assigned weights by ten professionals. These professionals further assessed a case study office building through a walkthrough exercise to determine its level of flexibility. Furthermore, a post occupancy evaluation (POE) was conducted to assess the level of users’ satisfaction with functional performance elements. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 142 users, with a 63 per cent response rate. The feedback was analyzed and presented using the mean satisfaction index approach.

Findings

The results showed that the total flexibility achieved by the facility is 67.63 per cent, which is considered to be “averagely flexible”. The POE results also showed that users were strongly dissatisfied (SD) with the “adequate number of enclosed offices,” which is one of the corner-stones of flexibility where open-plan offices are strongly encouraged. Users expressed dissatisfaction with other issues, while their overall satisfaction with the facility was noted.

Originality/value

This study is based on the premise that innovative workplace facilities will only fulfill its intended objectives if designers consider the satisfaction of its users. The study makes a specific contribution in the assessment of workplace flexibility and occupants’ satisfaction of flexible workplaces. This will be of significant value to facility managers, designers and space planners involved in the design and management of workplace facilities.
Performance measurement for the strategic management of health-care estates
Authors: Rodríguez-Labajos Laura , Thomson Craig , O’Brien Geraldine
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the role of performance measurement in current practices for strategic management of health-care estates.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts a constructivist grounded theory approach, combining different methodologies of a pan-European qualitative questionnaire, interviews with international health-care providers and a case study of National Health Services (NHS) Scotland. Here, documentation analysis, observations and in-depth interviews involving NHS stakeholders were undertaken.

Findings

The analysis shows evidence that measuring estate performance has limited value for individual NHS boards regarding strategic decisions related to long-term planning and investment. This was due to design issues and the prioritisation of clinical delivery, which contribute to the neglect of the estate as a consideration in long-term strategic planning. This misalignment results in a tool which is valuable for accountability but which is less helpful to NHS boards in shaping future decisions around the estate.

Practical implications

Responding to a gap in understanding of the application of performance measurement in the context of health-care estates, this research provides three recommendations to promote a more effective and relevant performance measurement system. These actively recognise the importance of the estate within strategic decision-making as helping to inform the long-term planning and management of the estate within the individual NHS boards.

Originality/value

This paper shows the current role of performance measurement for the strategic management of health-care estates and identifies issues related to its applicability and value.
The potential effects of the social costs from alcohol consumption on state financial condition
Authors: Hummel Daniel
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Most of the literature on the topic of alcohol consumption and externalities related to it identify adverse effects. The effects of these possible externalities on government financial condition remain relatively unexplored in the literature. In economics, the theory of social costs related to unrestricted economic behavior such as alcohol consumption has been explored since the early twentieth century which spread into the field of public administration through welfare economics. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a study of the possible effects of alcohol consumption on state financial condition across state governments in the USA, based on a mediation analysis with PROCESS.

Findings

This paper finds that there is a significant mediated effect of alcohol consumption on state financial condition through some economic and demographic variables. The paper explores these findings as well as future research.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that takes an interdisciplinary approach to the social cost and public finance literature with a specific focus on alcohol consumption.
Do hospitals earn their nonprofit status? Evidence from New Hampshire in 2012
Authors: Plante Catherine , Ragland Linda
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to add to the stream of research examining the difference between the amount of taxes waived for nonprofit hospitals and the amount of charity care they provide.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is an archival study.

Findings

Almost all nonprofit hospitals in the sample provide enough charity care to cover their waived taxes. Almost none provide enough charity care at the level that has been proposed to the federal government for hospitals to maintain their nonprofit status.

Research limitations/implications

As with most hospital research, a limitation is this study’s focus on a single state to control for regulatory differences among states.

Practical implications

The data on the new Form 990 allow better measurement and transparency regarding a nonprofit hospital’s charity care. For legislators, regulators, and taxpayers, the results from this study raise questions about: the large variations in the amount of charity care provided among nonprofit hospitals and whether enough is being done in terms of providing charity care.

Social implications

There is great variation among nonprofit hospitals as to the amount of charity care provided. Relying upon a nonprofit hospital’s altruistic nature may not be enough to ensure that they act in the best interest of society.

Originality/value

This study is unique because, for the first time, a true measure of taxes waived is used in the analysis. All previous research has had to proxy taxes.
Impact of thermo‐tactile stimulation on the speed and efficiency of swallowing: a systematic review
Authors: Schwarz Maria , Ward Elizabeth C. , Ross Jane , Semciw Adam
Published: March 2018

Background

A delayed or absent swallow reflex is common in dysphagia and can have a significant impact on swallow safety. Recent clinical practice survey data have supported the fact that clinicians continue to use thermo‐tactile stimulation (TTS) as a strategy to stimulate key nerve pathways and evoke a swallow reflex for patients with a delayed or absent swallow reflex.

Aims

To conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of TTS as a compensatory and/or rehabilitative tool.

Methods & Procedures

A search performed on CINAHL, Medline and Speech Bite identified 599 articles. After removing duplicates, the titles and abstracts of 458 articles were assessed for eligibility; 426 articles were deemed to be clearly ineligible and the remaining 32 full‐text articles were further screened for inclusion. Ten of these studies were included in this review.

Main Contribution

The results of this review highlight the lack of available evidence in this area and give support to the view that there is only low‐level evidence for use of TTS as a compensatory strategy immediately before a swallow.

Conclusions & Implications

There is low‐level evidence to support the use of TTS. Current best practice would be to use TTS on a case‐by‐case basis, following detailed instrumental assessment and evaluation of its efficacy for an individual.
Effectiveness of learning in online academic courses compared with face‐to‐face courses in higher education
Authors: Soffer Tal , Nachmias Rafi
Published: March 2018

This study examined the effectiveness of 3 online courses compared with the same 3 courses in a face‐to‐face (F2F) format, which had the same characteristics (e.g., the same instructor and final exam content and place). Effectiveness was examined by utilizing a wide range of variables, including 2 objective measures (N = 968): grades and completion rate; and 9 subjective measures (N = 360): 7 measures include instructional aspects (course structure, learning content, lessons watched, assignments, communication), engagement, and satisfaction. Findings indicate significant differences between online and F2F courses in most of the examined variables. Students in the online courses reported better understanding of the course structure, better communication with the course staff, watching the videos lessens more, and higher engagement and satisfaction. Students in the F2F courses reported better contribution of the learning content. Students' final grades were higher in the online courses, and no differences were found in the completion rate. The findings suggest that in many of the examined effectiveness aspects, online courses are as effective as, or more effective than, F2F courses. Interpretations of the findings are discussed.
Inflammatory cytokine‐mediated induction of serine racemase in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Yoshihisa Yoko , Rehman Mati Ur , Nakagawa Maho , Matsukuma Shoko , Makino Teruhiko , Mori Hisashi , Shimizu Tadamichi
Published: March 2018

Serine racemase (SR) is an enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of d‐serine, an endogenous coagonist for N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐type glutamate receptor in the central nervous system. Our previous study demonstrated that SR was expressed in the epidermis of wild‐type (WT) mice but not in SR knockout (KO) mice. In addition, SR immune‐reactivity was only found in the granular and cornified layers of the epidermis in WT mice. These findings suggested that SR is involved in the differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes and the formation of the skin barrier. However, its role in skin barrier dysfunction such as atopic dermatitis (AD) remains elusive. AD is a chronic inflammatory disease of skin, and the clinical presentation of AD has been reported to be occasionally associated with psychological factors. Therefore, this study examined the content of d‐serine in stratum corneum in AD patients and healthy controls using a tape‐stripping method. Skin samples were collected from the cheek and upper arm skin of AD patient's lesion and healthy individuals. The d‐serine content was significantly increased in the involved skin of AD in comparison with healthy individuals. An immunohistochemical analysis also revealed an increased SR expression in the epidermis of AD patients. Furthermore, the SR expression in cultured human keratinocytes was significantly increased by the stimulation with tumour necrosis factor ‐α or macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Taken together, these findings suggest that d‐serine expressed particularly strongly in AD lesional skin and that the SR expression in the keratinocytes is linked to inflammatory cytokines.