bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
China’s NME status at the WTO: analysis of the debate
Authors: Hošman Mirek Tobiáš 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Although officially ended in July 2020, China’s dispute about its non-market economy (NME) status at the World Trade Organization (WTO) is far from being resolved. The NME status enables China’s counterparts to disregard Chinese prices in antidumping proceedings and instead use the so-called surrogate country methodology. This paper aims to structure and analyze the complex debate, which emerged with the disputes China has filed against the European Union and the USA at the WTO, and therefore provide a point of reference for future analysis of and debates about China’s NME status.

Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is based on the existing academic literature on the topic and on the legal WTO-related documents (e.g. multilateral agreements, China’s Accession Protocol, legal findings of the WTO dispute panels).

Findings
Four different interpretations of the respective legal documents about China’s NME status are discussed and strong and weak aspects of these interpretations are pointed out. Also, several misunderstandings and mistakes appearing in the debate are clarified.

Practical implications
As the question of China’s position at the WTO and its NME status has not been resolved yet and some authors believe that China will pursue its case again once the WTO Appellate Body revives its functionality, the analysis of the debate can serve as a point of reference for the academic debate and the future research on this topic. Moreover, it offers an introduction to China’s NME position at the WTO for the newcomers to this topic.

Originality/value
Although China’s NME status has been much discussed, there is no literature review that would structure the debate and point out some of the (dis)advantages of the respective arguments and interpretations. Rather than adding to the large corpus of literature about the NME status, this study takes this corpus as the object of its analysis.
Assessing the impact of dividend policy on the sustainability of distressed firms
Authors: Sami Mina , Abdallah Wael 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The paper uses firm level data for the top listed firms in New York exchange stock over the period 2000–2017. The analysis is mainly based on 237 firms that already experienced losses at the end of the fiscal year. The study aims to use the properties of the dynamic panel data, specifically the methodology proposed by Arenllo and Bond (1991), to fulfill the objectives of the paper.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper focuses on the dividend policy management of the firms when they experience a loss at the end of the fiscal year. The objective is to examine how such a policy management affects the sustainability of the firm (measured by the future sales and total factor productivity[TFP]) and the wealth of its shareholders (measured by the Stock Returns).

Findings
The results show that the distressed firms that distribute dividends at the end of the loss period are able to maintain sustainability and to reach more favorable wealth situation of their shareholders relative to the firms who abstain to pay; the dividend policy during periods of loss is still able to send positive signals about the firm in the market; and the dividend policy can be considered as a predictive indicator for a sustainable firm whose shareholders can also predict their capital gains.

Originality/value
Agreed upon the literature that the firms during the period of crisis are likely to change their dividend policy, this study offers robust evidence that the dividend policy of distressed firms affects their sustainability (measured by sales and TFP) and the wealth status of their shareholders (measured by the Stock Returns).
Why should I contribute my voice? Analysis of members' knowledge contribution behavior from a perspective of social distance
Authors: Zhang Min , Xue Yunxiao , Yang Jun , Zhang Yan 
Published: February 2021

PurposeMembers' knowledge contribution behavior has positive significance for maintaining the activity of the knowledge community, as well as for improving knowledge interaction efficiency and member viscosity. With the development of the mobile Internet, knowledge communities based on social platforms have become more convenient and popular. This study aims to explore what and how factors influence members' knowledge contribution behavior in social knowledge communities from the perspective of social distance.Design/methodology/approachBased on the theory of reciprocity and on the theory of self-efficacy, hypotheses and research models are proposed. In the empirical study, WeChat learning group is selected as the research case. The empirical investigation (N = 244) collects research data through questionnaires.FindingsI-intention and we-intention both have positive influence on members' knowledge contribution behavior. Knowledge self-efficacy positively moderates the influence of we-intention and affects knowledge contribution behavior. In addition, I-intention is positively affected by expected knowledge benefit, expected emotional benefit and expected image benefit, while costs have no effect. We-intention is positively influenced by affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment in relationship strength, as well as affiliation to the contributing climate.Originality/valueThis paper aims to discuss I-intention, we-intention, and their roles in members' knowledge contribution behavior. It is a beneficial development for existing research to combine the characteristics of new style communities with systematical analysis of knowledge contribution behavior. Findings may provide enlightenment to the social knowledge community on diversity development and differentiated marketing strategies.
Effects of roasted coffee on the chemical, microbiological and sensory qualities of fermented cocoa and cashew juices
Authors: Gyedu-Akoto Esther , Kumi Asare Eric , Opoku Stephen Yaw , Dadzie Abu Mustapha , Ofosu-Agyei Emmanuel 
Published: February 2021

PurposeRoasted coffee provides a complex blend of different flavours which produce a range of sensory qualities. With the development of protocols for the production of fresh juices, jams and marmalades from cocoa and cashew pulp juices at Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, this paper aims to study the effects of roasted coffee powder on fermented cocoa and cashew juices to diversify the uses of these two juices.Design/methodology/approachCocoa and cashew juices were fermented with the incorporation of 2% roasted coffee powder using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast starter. The fermenting juices were monitored by measuring pH, temperature, specific gravity and titratable acidity. At the end of the fermentation, the juices were poured into clean, sterilized containers to mature. They were then analysed for their physicochemical, microbiological and sensory qualities. These were repeated with cocoa and cashew juices without coffee powder to determine the effects of the roasted coffee on the fermented juices.FindingsThe addition of roasted coffee powder to cocoa and cashew juices did not have any significant effect on the fermentation performance of the juices. Three out of the four juices took a total of 13 days to complete fermentation with an average final specific gravity of 0.99. The quality of the fermented juices was not compromised by microbial activities. However, the addition of roasted coffee powder reduced the alcohol content of fermented cocoa juice from 9.0 to 5.0% and that of cashew from 11.0% to 7.5%. Sensory analysis using untrained panellists, who were ordinary consumers, showed significant differences among the four fermented juices in terms of appearance, taste and aroma. Their mean scores for coffee aroma ranged from 0.3 to 2.0 with coffee incorporated fermented juices having higher rankings.Originality/valueThese findings have shown the possibility of processing cocoa and cashew juices, which under normal circumstances would have been discarded along their value chains, into coffee-flavoured wines. They are also important to cocoa, cashew and coffee farmers, processors, as well as wine enthusiasts.
Polyurethane resin derived from polyol of palm olein and recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Adamu Abbas Ahmad , Muhamad Sarih Norazilawati , Gan Seng Neon 
Published: February 2021

PurposePoly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste from soft drink bottles was incorporated into palm olein alkyd to produce new polyol for use in polyurethane resins as surface protection on metal surfaces.Design/methodology/approachAlkyd was prepared from palm olein, glycerol and phthalic anhydride. PET underwent simultaneous glycolysis and transesterification reactions with the alkyd. Varying the amount of PET has led to polyols with different viscosities. Polyurethane resins were produced by reacting the polyols with toluene diisocyanate. The resins were coated on mild steel panels and cured. Performances of the cured films were tested.FindingsThe polyurethanes (PU) resin cured to a harder film with better thermal stability. Films showed excellent adhesion properties, while higher content of PET exhibited higher pencil hardness, better water, salt, acid and alkali resistance.Research limitations/implicationsOther vegetable oils could also be used. The alkyd structure could be changed by formulation to have different functionality and the ability to incorporate higher amount of PET waste. Rate of glycolysis of PET could be increased by higher amount of ethylene glycol.Practical implicationsThis method has managed to use waste PET in producing new polyol and PU resins. The cured films exhibit good mechanical and chemical properties, as well as excellent adhesion and thermal stability.Social implicationsThe non-biodegradable PET has created environmental pollution problems connected to littering and illegal landfilling. It has become necessary to pay greater attention to recycling PET bottles for obtaining valuable products.Originality/valueThis approach is different from the earlier reports, where PET was recycled to recover the raw materials.
Back‐calculation of keratometer index based on OCT data and raytracing – a Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Langenbucher Achim , Szentmáry Nóra , Weisensee Johannes , Cayless Alan , Menapace Rupert , Hoffmann Peter 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPurposeThis study aims to develop a raytracing‐based strategy for calculating corneal power from anterior segment optical coherence tomography data and extracting the individual keratometer index, which converts the corneal front surface radius to corneal power.MethodsA large OCT dataset (10,218 eyes of 8,430 patients) from the Casia 2 (Tomey, Japan) was post‐processed in MATLAB (MathWorks, USA). Radius of curvature, asphericity of the corneal front and back surface, central corneal thickness and pupil size (aperture) were used to trace a bundle of rays through the cornea and derive the best focus plane. Corneal power was calculated with respect to the corneal front vertex plane, and the keratometer index was back‐calculated using corneal power and front surface radius. Keratometer index was analysed in a multivariate linear model.ResultsThe averaged resulting keratometer index was 1.3317 ± 0.0017 with a median of 1.3317 and range from 1.3233 to 1.3390. In a univariate model, only the front surface asphericity affected the keratometer index. The multivariate model for modelling the keratometer index using all 6 input parameters performed very well (RMS error: 5.54e‐4, R2: 0.90, significance vs. constant model: <0.0001).ConclusionsIn the classical calculation, the keratometer index used for converting corneal radius to dioptric power uses several model assumptions. As these assumptions are not generally satisfied, corneal power cannot be calculated from corneal front surface radius alone. Considering all 6 input variables, the linear prediction model performs well and can be used if all input parameters are measured with a tomographer.
Circulating chemerin level is associated with metabolic, biochemical and haematological parameters—A population‐based study
Authors: Chou Hsin‐Hua , Teng Ming‐Sheng , Hsu Lung‐An , Er Leay‐Kiaw , Wu Semon , Ko Yu‐Lin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to analyse the association of chemerin levels with several metabolic, biochemical and haematological parameters in a large Taiwanese population with relative healthy status.DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsData of 4101 healthy participants without history of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and renal insufficiency from Taiwan Biobank were analysed. The demographic, biochemical and haematologic parameters were retrieved from the database. Chemerin levels were measured using commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to test the independent correlates of chemerin.ResultsIn the univariate analysis, circulating chemerin levels were positively associated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), total cholesterol, triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (γ‐GT), leucocyte and platelet counts both in men and women and negatively associated with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and total bilirubin. In the multivariate analysis, BMI, HbA1C, triglyceride, uric acid, γ‐GT and platelet counts predicted chemerin levels independently both in men and in women with positive correlation, while eGFR, total bilirubin and HDL‐C predicted circulating chemerin levels independently with negative correlation.ConclusionsChemerin level is independently associated with multiple metabolic, biochemical and haematological parameters. This study provides further evidence on the molecular basis linking obesity with several human diseases.
Decreased Nutritional Risk Index is associated with mortality after heart transplantation
Authors: Krishnan Aravind , Bigelow Benjamin , Hsu Steven , Gilotra Nisha A. , Sharma Kavita , Choi Chun Woo , Kilic Ahmet 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionValidated scoring tools, such as the Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), can aid clinicians in quantifying the degree of malnourishment in patients prior to an operation. We evaluated the association between NRI and outcomes after heart transplantation.MethodsThe United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was used to identify adult patients (age > 18) undergoing heart transplantation between 1987 and 2016. NRI was calculated and categorized into previously established groupings representing severity of malnutrition. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to assess the primary outcome of all‐cause mortality.ResultsA total of 25,236 patients were included in the analysis. Most patients (75.4%) were male. Malnourishment was absent (NRI ≥ 100) in 11,022 (44%) patients, while 2,898 (12%) were mildly malnourished (97.5 ≤ NRI < 100), 8,685 (34%) were moderately malnourished (83.5 ≤ NRI < 97.5), and 2,631 (10%) were severely malnourished (NRI < 83.5). Moderate‐to‐severe malnutrition was associated with increased mortality (HR = 1.18, p < .001, 95%CI: 1.13‐1.24), and post‐transplant renal failure requiring dialysis (OR: 1.13, p < .001, 95%CI: 1.03‐1.23).ConclusionMalnourishment determined by NRI is independently associated with mortality and post‐transplant dialysis after heart transplant. This is the largest study of NRI in heart transplant recipients.
Walk this way, fly that way: Goniozus jacintae attunes flight and foraging behaviour to leafroller host instar
Authors: Aspin Emma , Keller Michael A. , Yazdani Maryam , Hardy Ian C.W. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractParasitoids exhibit distinct behaviours while foraging for their herbivorous hosts. Some are specialised with respect to the host stage they can utilise and even the age of individuals within a single stage. Observing the behavioural response of parasitoids to hosts of varying age may provide more practical understanding of potential biocontrol agents. A wind tunnel experiment was conducted to test for host‐stage dependent foraging behaviour in Goniozus jacintae Farrugia (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), a common but understudied parasitoid of the light brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), which is a pest of grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae), and other crops in Australia. Goniozus jacintae was already known to parasitise instars 3‐6 of LBAM, but most readily parasitises the later instars. Later instars are larger and have a higher rate of feeding, producing more faeces and silk deposits than earlier instars, and are likely to also produce more volatile cues that may be detected by parasitoids. We found that the timing, frequency, and duration of foraging behaviours of G. jacintae varied significantly among host instars. Flight duration was shortest when females were exposed to leaves infested by fifth instars. The profile of behaviours exhibited was different during pre‐ and post‐flight foraging, with the newly described slow walking behaviour only exhibited in close proximity to a potential host. These results contribute to the understanding of bethylid foraging, a relatively unexplored aspect of bethylid reproductive behaviour, and towards enhancing the efficacy of utilising G. jacintae in the control of leafroller pests.
Biodiversity and pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi associated with the lesser spruce sawfly, Pristiphora abietina
Authors: Biryol Seda , Araz Nazan , Eski Ardahan , Aktürk Rasim , Aksu Yaşar , Çelik Göktürk Berna , Bilgin Lale , Demir İsmail 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOutbreaks of lesser spruce sawfly, Pristiphora abietina (Christ) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), on conifers regularly occur in Turkey and other European countries. Chemical pesticides have been used to contain outbreaks, but those may damage the forest and disturb natural enemies. To minimize the use of chemical pesticides in the management of this forest pest, we identified the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) that naturally occur on P. abietina and tested their efficacy against the pest under laboratory and semi‐field conditions. Using morphological and molecular techniques, 13 EPF isolates were obtained from the pest and identified as Beauveria bassiana (Bals.‐Criv.) Vuill., Beauveria pseudobassiana S.A. Rehner & Humber, and Lecanicillium muscarium (Petch.) Zare & W. Gams. A laboratory screening test at 106 conidia ml−1 showed that all isolates caused 59‐100% mortality after 14 days. Further experiments were performed with the three most effective isolates, all belonging to B. bassiana. For these isolates, an increase in conidia dose increased pest mortality. Also, the ability of horizontal transmission in the pest population was shown. All three isolates were effective in killing P. abietina on spruce under semi‐field conditions. These data will contribute to the development of an integrated pest management program for P. abietina based on microbial biological control.
Lessons From the Field. Family Grief Care and Bibliotherapy: A Call for Models and Studies
Authors: Bowman Ted 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveFor this Lesson From the Field report, I write as a family and grief educator to advocate for greater attention to bibliotherapy by family scientists, therapists, and educators. Bibliotherapy (also referred to as poetry therapy or therapeutic storytelling) is the use of literary resources, storytelling, or writing with the purpose of healing.BackgroundDisruptive changes can result in altered personal or family stories. Grief educator Tom Attig (1996) reported that after significant changes, such as bereavement, many persons describe a process of relearning their world. Family therapist Karl Tomm (1990) asserted that a human task throughout life is to story and re‐story. Earlier and current models of family development include milestones of changing family stories (see Duvall, 1962; McGoldrick et al., 2011). A current collective example is personal and family disruptions in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Despite many accounts, journals like Family Relations have rarely explored the intersection of family changes (for this article, the focus is family changes that result in loss and grief) using the perspectives and tools of bibliotherapy.MethodDisruptive changes and the resulting grief and loss for individuals and families were used as an example of a subject matter worthy of family scientists' attention.Conclusion and ImplicationsFamily grief care includes attention to changing family stories. Enhanced studies of bibliotherapy by family scientists can inform and enrich support for families through times of grief.
Clinical and radiological features of MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD, and evolution of the diagnostic processes in Thailand
Authors: Rattanathamsakul Natthapon , Siritho Sasitorn 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe prevalence and clinical features of multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease (MOGAD) are similar in the Thai population to those of other Asian countries. These disorders share common features and mimic other conditions, emphasizing the importance of helpful diagnostic tools, including serologic testing and imaging study. Since the establishment of the first laboratory center in Thailand for aquaporin‐4 antibody (AQP4‐Ab) in 2010, seven centers nationwide have provided testing and increased the diagnostic rate in the past decade. The Thai Clinical Practice Guideline for MS and NMOSD was published in 2018, incorporating AQP4‐Ab testing and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in all patients suspected of demyelinating diseases. Herein, we summarize the evolution of processes and obstacles in the diagnosis of demyelinating diseases in Thailand.
A voltage‐dependent Ca2+ homeostat operates in the plant vacuolar membrane
Authors: Dindas Julian , Dreyer Ingo , Huang Shouguang , Hedrich Rainer , Roelfsema M. Rob G. 
Published: February 2021

Summary

Cytosolic calcium signals are evoked by a large variety of biotic and abiotic stimuli and play an important role in cellular and long distance signalling in plants. While the function of the plasma membrane in cytosolic Ca2+ signalling has been intensively studied, the role of the vacuolar membrane remains elusive.

A newly developed vacuolar voltage clamp technique was used in combination with live‐cell imaging, to study the role of the vacuolar membrane in Ca2+ and pH homeostasis of bulging root hair cells of Arabidopsis.

Depolarisation of the vacuolar membrane caused a rapid increase in the Ca2+ concentration and alkalised the cytosol, while hyperpolarisation led to the opposite responses.

The relationship between the vacuolar membrane potential, the cytosolic pH and Ca2+ concentration suggests that a vacuolar H+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism plays a central role in cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis. Mathematical modelling further suggests that the voltage‐dependent vacuolar Ca2+ homeostat could contribute to calcium signalling when coupled to a recently discovered K+ channel‐dependent module for electrical excitability of the vacuolar membrane.