bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Formal analysis and verification support for reactive rule-based Web agents
Authors: Ksystra Katerina , Stefaneas Petros 
Published: October 2016

Purpose
Reactive rules are used for programming rule-based Web agents, which have the ability to detect events and respond to them automatically and can have complex structure and unpredictable behavior. The aim of this paper is to provide an appropriate formal framework for analyzing such rules.

Design/methodology/approach
To achieve this goal, the authors give two alternative semantics for the basic reactive rules’ families which allow us to specify reactive rule-based agents and verify their intended behavior. The first approach expresses the functionality of production and event condition action rules in terms of equations, whereas the second methodology is based in the formalism of rewriting logic. Both semantics can be expressed within the framework of CafeOBJ algebraic specification language, which then offers the verification support and have their advantages and downsides.

Findings
The authors report on experiences gained by applying those methodologies in a reactive rule-based system and compare the two methodologies.

Originality/value
Finally, the authors demonstrate a tool that translates a set of reactive rules into CafeOBJ rewrite rules, thus making the verification of reactive rules possible for inexperienced users.
Securitization and financial markets: the implications for interest rate pass-through
Authors: Robertson Mari L. 
Published: October 2016

PurposeThe transmission of monetary policy rates to lending rates is viewed as a crucial path of monetary policy. As an integral part of the financial system and the recent financial crisis, securitized assets have the potential to affect the interest rate pass-through process and monetary policy effectiveness. This paper aims to investigate the influence of securitization on the transmission of policy rate changes to lending rates and how rate transmission has changed since the recent financial crisis. Emphasis is placed on differences among the mortgage, consumer credit and business loan securitization markets and between agency and private-label securitization transactions.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical framework is an error-correction model augmented to directly measure the influence of securitization. Monetary policy effectiveness is measured by the size and speed of transmitted policy rate changes to lending rates. An efficiency measure of relative adjustment accounts for differences in the size of long-run responses across loan markets and changes in efficiency from securitization within loan markets.FindingsThe size and speed of interest rate pass-through tend to increase with securitization. Liquidity, capital relief and funding from securitization help to make lending rates more responsive. Increases in pass-through with securitization are less in the consumer credit and business loan markets after the recent financial crisis relative to before the crisis. In contrast, mortgage markets tend to have larger pass-through after the financial crisis. Differences in rate transmission after the recent financial crisis point to the role on nonbanks in consumer credit and business loans and asset purchase programs of the Federal Reserve in mortgage markets. Securitization tends to make the adjustment process more efficient, and gains in efficiency from securitization are larger after the financial crisis.Originality/valueA key contribution of the study differentiates securitization across markets and types to determine the effects on the interest rate pass-through process. The results show that increases in the efficiency of the adjustment process from securitization tend to be greater in mortgage markets and for all private-label securitized assets. These findings have implications for proposed government-sponsored entity (GSE) reform to reduce the role of GSEs in the housing market, promote private-label mortgage credit and strengthen securitization deals.
US banks’ international balance sheet linkages: a data survey
Authors: D’Avino Carmela 
Published: October 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to shed further light on international financial linkages created by banks. Typically, the larger the balance sheet exposure a bank has to a counterparty country, the more will be both its risk exposure and sensibility to shocks to this latter. The latest crisis has revealed the importance of filling the existing data gaps which hinder a full understanding of the geographical composition of banks’ balance sheet on a global basis.Design/methodology/approachThis paper, by focusing on US banks, reviews existing data on bilateral foreign positions on both a consolidated and an unconsolidated basis.FindingsThe investigation stresses the extent to which new data enhancements are going to enable to a better understanding of the global banking system and discusses other data limitations and gaps which should be addressed. In particular, policy recommendations point to the need to collect more detailed foreign offices-related statistics.Originality/valueThis is the first attempt in the literature to discuss data availability, limitations and policy suggestions regarding international bilateral banking statistics in the USA.
A century of macro-financial linkages
Authors: Abildgren Kim 
Published: October 2016

PurposeThe recent international financial crisis and the subsequent Great Recession has underlined the need to gain a better understanding of the linkages between financial factors and the real economy. The purpose of this paper is to explore the contributions of financial shocks to macroeconomic fluctuations in Denmark, USA and Canada over the past century.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compiles a new data set with break-adjusted quarterly time series of real gross domestic product (GDP) and six other key macroeconomic indicators for the three countries since 1921. It then explores the time-variation of macro-financial linkages by estimating structural vector-autoregressive models separately for three sample periods: 1921-1949, 1950-1979 and 1980-2014.FindingsFor all three countries, there seems to have been a non-trivial contribution from financial shocks to volatility in output and unemployment in all sample periods, even in the period 1950-1979, which was characterised by tight regulation of the financial sector and widespread financial stability. These findings underscore the general importance of financial factors to macroeconomic fluctuations.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to offer regression-based estimates of quarterly real GDP for Denmark for 1921-1947. As a result, quarterly figures for real GDP are now available for Denmark for the entire period 1921-2014. Such long-span time series of quarterly real GDP do not exist for any other European countries.
The role of ICT use to the economic growth in Sub Saharan African region (SSA)
Authors: Albiman Masoud Mohammed , Sulong Zunaidah 
Published: October 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the long run impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on economic growth in the Sub Saharan African (SSA) region. The direct impact of ICTs use was examined for a 27-year period (1990-2014), before the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) era (1990-1999) and during the MDGs era (2000-2014). Second and third objectives examined the nonlinear effect of ICT in the economic growth and their threshold values, respectively. The main growth enhancing transmission channels of ICT use were also looked at.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses panel method technique of system generalist method of moment. The data period was collected from the years 1990-2014 from 45 SSA countries. The three main proxies of ICT are fixed telephone lines, mobile phone users and internet users per 100 inhabitants.

Findings
For the direct impact analysis, mobile phone and internet were found to have triggered economic growth. However, for nonlinear effect analysis, mass penetration of ICT proxies seems to slow economic growth. The threshold analysis showed a penetration rate threshold of 4.5 per cent for both mobile phone and internet, and 5 per cent for fixed telephone line before economic growth gets triggered. Finally, the results indicated that, except for financial development, human capital, institutional quality and domestic investment were the main growth enhancing transmission channels of ICTs use in the economy.

Practical implications
From a policy perspective, results suggest SSA region to open more doors for investment in technology to ensure sustainable development. Such policy has to focus on investment into main transmission channels of ICT, namely, human capital, institutional quality and domestic investment. The policymakers have to ensure that penetration of mobile phone, fixed telephone and internet is met by improvement in human capital, institutional quality and domestic investment. Moreover, to fully use the potential of ICT, improving the financial sector is highly recommended.

Originality/value
In SSA, studies that address the impact of ICT on economic growth was almost non-existent, especially on its nonlinear effect and main transmission channels. While few studies have examined the direct impact of ICT, this study extended the scope by including the main growth enhancing transmission channels and nonlinear effect of ICT on SSA economies using recent data.
The impact of leader-member exchange on knowledge sharing and performance
Authors: Sharifkhani Maryam , Khazaei Pool Javad , Asian Sobhan 
Published: October 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between leader-member exchange (LMX), knowledge sharing and performance.Design/methodology/approachTo reach the objective, a sample was used which consisted of some oil and gas companies in Singapore with experience in balanced scorecard (BSC) perspectives. The partial least-squares structural equation modeling approach was used to test the model.FindingsThe results showed that LMX affects knowledge sharing and performance positively and meaningfully. Moreover, knowledge sharing affects performance.Originality/valueAn integrated model of LMX, knowledge sharing and performance was tested in the oil and gas industry. The combination of a developed country context and the significance of LMX enhances the contextual contribution of the paper.
The moderating effect of project risk mitigation strategies on the relationship between delay factors and construction project performance
Authors: Zailani Suhaiza , Ariffin Hazrina Aziz Md. , Iranmanesh Mohammad , Moeinzadeh Soroush , Iranmanesh Masoomeh 
Published: October 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the relationship between delay factors and construction project performance with respect to project risk mitigation strategies as moderators.

Design/methodology/approach
Random sampling was used to select the sample of the study. Data were gathered through a survey of 204 Malaysian construction companies. The data were analysed using the partial least squares technique.

Findings
The results indicate that environmental, resource and coordination issues negatively affect construction project performance. Project visibility and flexibility can mitigate the negative effects of both resource and coordination issues on project performance. Furthermore, supplier development can mitigate the negative effects of coordination issues.

Practical implications
The findings of the study will be useful for construction firms to complete construction projects timely, within a scheduled budget and with only minor defects if adopted.

Originality/value
This study is among the first to empirically test the moderating role of risk mitigation strategies on the relationship between delay factors and project performance in the construction industry.
Sudan and South Sudan: Distributional Impact of Public Spending and Taxation
Authors: Sahn David E. , Younger Stephen D. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis paper considers options for the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to use tax and expenditure policy to reduce poverty and inequality. We focus on understanding who benefits when government spends money on services such as paying teachers, building clinics, and subsidizing food or petrol, as well as the redistributive consequences of some standard taxes. Among the many findings is that it makes sense for South Sudan to concentrate on providing a few public services, such as expanding primary and secondary schooling, and primary health care units, with broad coverage, rather than trying to provide a wide range of public services with more limited coverage, especially given the limits of South Sudan's young bureaucracy. Taxing transport and communication would be strongly progressive. In the case of Sudan, we suggest that policy‐makers focus on expanding schooling services at both the primary and secondary levels, and also find that food aid, in kind and in cash, are highly pro‐poor. It would make sense to expand the electricity grid to rural areas, but the cost of doing so may be prohibitive. In contrast, it does appear as though petroleum subsidies are regressive in both countries, as they are in most developing countries.
Postmortem Concentration and Redistribution of Diazepam, Methadone, and Morphine with Subclavian and Femoral Vein Dissection/Clamping
Authors: Lemaire Eric , Schmidt Carl , Denooz Raphael , Charlier Corinne , Boxho Philippe 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPostmortem redistribution (PMR) concerns blood drug concentration variations after death, depending on many factors such as sampling site and technique. In our study, we focused on sampling method. 30 cases were sampled, each at cardiac, subclavian, femoral, and popliteal sites. Targeted substances were diazepam, methadone, and morphine. Blind stick and dissection/clamping techniques were concomitantly performed at subclavian and femoral sites. Subclavian and femoral concentrations were compared according to technique used. To assess the influence of sampling technique on PMR, central/peripheral ratios were calculated depending on sampling method. Results show that drug concentrations tend to be lower when drawn from a clamped subclavian or femoral vein whereas ratios including subclavian and/or femoral blood concentration are influenced according to the technique used. In conclusion, clamping a subclavian or femoral vessel before sampling tends to result in lower drug concentrations and may influence ratios, suggesting the importance of isolating vessels from thoraco‐abdominal viscera.
Extrusion of Rice, Bean and Corn Starches: Extrudate Structure and Molecular Changes in Amylose and Amylopectin
Authors: Vanier Nathan Levien , Vamadevan Varatharajan , Bruni Graziella Pinheiro , Ferreira Cristiano Dietrich , Pinto Vânia Zanella , Seetharaman Koushik , Zavareze Elessandra da Rosa , Elias Moacir Cardoso , Berrios Jose De J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of starch source and amylose content on the expansion ratio, density, and texture of expanded extrudates, as well as to investigate the structural and molecular changes that occur in starch granules as a function of extrusion. The starches employed were rice starches (8%, 20%, and 32% amylose), carioca bean starch (35% amylose), and Hylon V® corn starch (55% amylose). The extrudates from rice starches containing 20% and 32% amylose exhibited the highest expansion ratio, while, extrudates from Hylon V® corn starch containing 55% amylose exhibited the lowest expansion ratio. The hardness values of the extrudates with 55% amylose were twice those of the extrudates with 20%, 32%, and 35% amylose. An additional finding was that although the amylopectin promoted the expansion of the gelatinized starch matrix, it failed to strengthen and sustain the walls of the extrudate bubbles during expansion.
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae grows as aggregates in the lung of pigs: is it time to refine our in vitro biofilm assays?
Authors: Tremblay Yannick D. N. , Labrie Josée , Chénier Sonia , Jacques Mario 
Published: October 2016

SummaryActinobacillus pleuropneumoniae causes porcine pleuropneumonia and forms biofilms in vitro on abiotic surfaces; however, presence of biofilms during infections has not been documented. The aim of this study was to use a species‐specific fluorescent oligonucleotide probe and confocal microscopy to localize A. pleuropneumoniae in the lungs of two naturally infected pigs. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization and observed to grow as aggregates (~30–45 μm) during a natural infection. As the A. pleuropneumoniae aggregates observed in porcine lungs differed from the biofilms grown on a solid surface obtained in vitro, we designed a new biofilm assay using agarose, a porous substrate, favouring the formation of aggregates. In this study, we described for the first time the mode of growth of A. pleuropneumoniae during a natural infection in pigs. We also propose an in vitro biofilm assay for A. pleuropneumoniae using a porous substrate which allows the formation of aggregates. This assay might be more representative of the in vivo situation, at least in terms of the size of the bacterial aggregates and the presence of a porous matrix, and could potentially be used to test the susceptibility of A. pleuropneumoniae aggregates to antibiotics and disinfectants.
Metabolomics Analysis Revealed Distinct Cyclic Changes of Metabolites Altered by Chronic Ethanol‐Plus‐Binge and Shp Deficiency
Authors: Tran Melanie , Yang Zhihong , Liangpunsakul Suthat , Wang Li 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundChronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption causes alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and disruption of the circadian system facilitates the development of ALD. Small heterodimer partner (SHP) is a nuclear receptor and critical regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism. This study aimed at depicting circadian metabolomes altered by chronic EtOH‐plus‐binge and Shp deficiency using high‐throughput metabolomics.MethodsWild‐type (WT) C57BL/6 and Shp−/− mice were fed the control diet (CD) or Lieber–DeCarli EtOH liquid diet (ED) for 10 days followed by a single bout of maltose (CD + M) or EtOH (ED + E) binge on the 11th day. Serum and liver were collected over a 24‐hour light/dark (LD) cycle at Zeitgeber time ZT12, ZT18, ZT0, and ZT6, and metabolomics was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.ResultsA total of 110 metabolites were identified in liver and of those 80 were also present in serum from pathways of carbohydrates, lipids, pentose phosphate, amino acids, nucleotides, and tricarboxylic acid cycle. In the liver, 91% of metabolites displayed rhythmicity with ED + E, whereas in the serum, only 87% were rhythmic. Bioinformatics analysis identified unique metabolome patterns altered in WT CD + M, WT ED + E, Shp−/− CD + M, and Shp−/− ED + E groups. Specifically, metabolites from the nucleotide and amino acid pathway (ribose, glucose‐6‐phosphate, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and sedoheptulose‐7‐P) were elevated in Shp−/− CD + M mice during the dark cycle, whereas metabolites including N‐methylalanine, 2‐hydroxybutyric acid, and 2‐hydroxyglutarate were elevated in WT ED + E mice during the light cycle. The rhythmicity and abundance of other individual metabolites were also significantly altered by both control and EtOH diets.ConclusionsMetabolomics provides a useful means to identify unique metabolites altered by chronic EtOH‐plus‐binge.
The new designer drug buphedrone produces rewarding properties via dopamine D1 receptor activation
Authors: Oh Ji‐Hwan , Hwang Ji‐Young , Hong Sa‐Ik , Ma Shi‐Xun , Seo Jee‐Yeon , Lee Seok‐Yong , Kim Hyoung‐Chun , Jang Choon‐Gon 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSubstituted cathinones are synthetic analogs of the active components of natural products and are widely abused worldwide. However, the rewarding properties of these agents have not yet been evaluated. In this study, we investigated the abuse potential of buphedrone [2‐(methylamino)‐1‐phenylbutan‐1‐one, α‐methylamino‐butyrophenone] and its effects on the mesolimbic dopaminergic system in mice using conditioned place preference (CPP) analysis, a self‐administration test, a locomotor activity test, a behavioral sensitization test and Western blot analysis. Treatment with buphedrone supported CPP and self‐administration, enhanced locomotor activity and produced behavioral sensitization when mice were challenged with methamphetamine. SCH23390, a D1 dopamine antagonist, prevented buphedrone‐induced CPP, whereas raclopride, a D2 dopamine antagonist, had no effect. SCH23390 also blocked locomotor activity increase by buphedrone, while raclopride partially attenuated locomotor activation. Western blot analysis revealed that repeated buphedrone treatment increased D1 dopamine receptor expression in the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens in mice. Collectively, these findings suggest the abuse potential of buphedrone and demonstrate the involvement of the dopaminergic system in the establishment of its rewarding properties.
Concurrent polysubstance use in a longitudinal study of US youth: associations with sexual orientation
Authors: Kecojevic Aleksandar , Jun Hee‐Jin , Reisner Sari L. , Corliss Heather L. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimsTo estimate longitudinal associations between self‐reported sexual orientation and past‐year polysubstance use among youth, and test how gender, age and early onset of tobacco and alcohol use contributed to variation in polysubstance use.DesignLongitudinal community‐based cohort of US adolescents from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS 1) (n = 16 873) followed from ages 12–29 years.SettingUnited States of America.ParticipantsA total of 13 519 individuals (7839 females; 5680 males) who responded to at least one of five self‐administered questionnaires from 1999 to 2010. Ninety‐three per cent reported their race/ethnicity as non‐Hispanic white.MeasurementsMultivariable repeated measures generalized estimating equations estimated relative risks (RRs) of concurrent polysubstance use (i.e. past 12‐month use of three or more substances) comparing sexual orientation minority youth [i.e. mostly heterosexual (MH), bisexual (BI), gay/lesbian (GL)] to their same‐gender, completely heterosexual (CH) counterparts. Mediation analyses tested whether early onset of tobacco and/or alcohol use explained relationships between sexual orientation and concurrent polysubstance use.FindingsCompared with their same‐gender CH peers, sexual minorities evidenced higher risk for concurrent polysubstance use over all repeated measures [risk ratios (RRs) for sexual minority subgroups: from 1.63–2.91, P‐values: <0.001] and for all age groups (RRs: from 1.50–4.04, P‐values: < 0.05–< 0.001), except GL males aged 18–20 years. Differences between sexual minorities and CHs were larger among females than males (P‐values for sexual orientation × gender interactions were < 0.05 for MHs and BIs), and among younger versus older ages (P‐values for sexual orientation × age interactions were < 0.05, except for BI males). Sexual minorities’ younger age of smoking and/or drinking initiation contributed to their elevated polysubstance use (% of effect explained was between 9.4–24.3, P‐values: 0.04–< 0.001), except among GL males.ConclusionsSexual minority youth in the United States, and in particular younger females, appear to be at disproportionate risk for concurrent past‐year polysubstance use. Early onset of smoking and drinking may contribute to elevated risk of polysubstance use among sexual minorities.