bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A multi-stakeholder perspective on the adoption of good agricultural practices in the Thai fresh produce industry
Authors: Wongprawmas Rungsaran , Canavari Maurizio , Waisarayutt Chutima 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors hindering the adoption of good agricultural practices (GAPs) in the Thai fresh fruit and vegetable industry from the perspectives of key stakeholders in different tiers of the supply chain up to consumers.

Design/methodology/approach
– Semi-structured interviews were carried out in Bangkok and nearby cities. The key informants were experts, governmental authorities, producers, distributors, exporters, and consumers. A qualitative content-summarising approach was used to analyse the interview transcripts.

Findings
– Stakeholders perceived the credibility of national GAP (Q-GAP) standards implemented in the Thai domestic market as low, due to a lack of reliable verification and traceability and because the system is managed by governmental bodies. Consumer demand could drive the market of safe produce, but retail stores are the main influencers of producers’ adoption of GAPs in domestic markets.

Research limitations/implications
– The findings are based on a small group of Thai fresh produce industry players and consumers who operate mainly in an urban context.

Practical implications
– The paper provides relevant information for policy makers and industrialists to find appropriate strategies to sustain GAPs in Thailand. Stakeholder awareness of food safety issues and information provision are crucial.

Originality/value
– This is the first in-depth study of stakeholders’ perceptions of GAP implementation in the Thai fresh produce supply chain as the industry is currently transitioning from a commodity market to a quality/safety-oriented market. The results raise important issues regarding GAP adoption, food safety certification, and labelling in Thailand.
Written testimony, oral history and retail environments
Authors: Bailey Matthew 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to join a growing movement in marketing history to include the voices of consumers in historical research on retail environments. It aims to show that consumer perspectives offer new insights to the emergence and reception of large-scale, pre-planned shopping centers in Australia during the 1960s, and allow one to write a history of this retail form from below, in contrast to the top-down approach that is characteristic of the broader literature on shopping mall development.

Design/methodology/approach
– Written testimonies by consumers were gathered using a qualitative online questionnaire. The methodology is related to oral history, in that it seeks to capture the subjective experiences of participants, has the capacity to create new archives, to fill or explain gaps in existing repositories and provide a voice to those frequently lost to the historical record.

Findings
– The written testimonies gathered for this project provide an important contribution to the understanding of shopping centers in Australia and, particularly Sydney, during the 1960s, the ways that they were envisaged and used and insights into their reception and success.

Research limitations/implications
– As with oral history, written testimony has limitations as a methodology due to its reliance on memory, requiring both sophisticated and cautious readings of the data.

Originality/value
– The methodology used in this paper is unique in this context and provides new understandings of Australian retail property development. For current marketers, the historically constituted relationship between people and place offers potential for community targeted promotional campaigns.
Insights into European interbank network contagion
Authors: Philippas Dionisis , Koutelidakis Yiannis , Leontitsis Alexandros 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the importance of interbank connections and shocks on banks’ capital ratios to financial stability by looking at a network comprising a large number of European and UK banks.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors model interbank contagion using insights from the Susceptible Infected Recovered model. The authors construct scale-free networks with preferential attachment and growth, applying simulated interbank data to capture the size and scale of connections in the network. The authors proceed to shock these networks per country and perform Monte Carlo simulations to calculate mean total losses and duration of infection. Finally, the authors examine the effects of contagion in terms of Core Tier 1 Capital Ratios for the affected banking systems.

Findings
– The authors find that shocks in smaller banking systems may cause smaller overall losses but tend to persist longer, leading to important policy implications for crisis containment.

Originality/value
– The authors infer the interbank domestic and cross-border exposures of banks employing an iterative proportional fitting procedure, called the RAS algorithm. The authors use an extend sample of 169 European banks, that also captures effects on the UK as well as the Eurozone interbank markets. Finally, the authors provide evidence of the contagion effect on each bank by allowing heterogeneity. The authors compare the bank’s relative financial strength with the contagion effect which is modelled by the number and the volume of bilateral connections.
Performance of Black-Scholes model with TSRV estimates
Authors: Singh Shivam , . Vipul 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to test the pricing performance of Black-Scholes (B-S) model, with the volatility of the underlying estimated with the two-scale realised volatility measure (TSRV) proposed by Zhang et al. (2005).

Design/methodology/approach
– The ex post TSRV is used as the volatility estimator to ensure efficient volatility estimation, without forecasting error. The B-S option prices, thus obtained, are compared with the market prices using four performance measures, for the options on NIFTY index, and three of its constituent stocks. The tick-by-tick data are used in this study for price comparisons.

Findings
– The B-S model shows significantly negative pricing bias for all the options, which is dependent on the moneyness of the option and the volatility of the underlying.

Research limitations/implications
– The negative pricing bias of B-S model, despite the use of the more efficient TSRV estimate, and post facto volatility values, confirms its inadequacy. It also points towards the possible existence of volatility risk premium in the Indian options market.

Originality/value
– The use of tick-by-tick data obviates the nonsynchronous error. TSRV, used for estimating the volatility, is a significantly improved estimate (in terms of efficiency and bias), as compared to the estimates based on closing data. The use of ex post realised volatility ensures that the forecasting error does not vitiate the test results. The sample is selected to be large and varied to ensure the robustness of the results.
Value versus growth: Taiwan evidence
Authors: Hsu Chuan-Hao , Lee Kuei-Chih , Chang Yi-Ping , Fung Hung-Gay 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to use a stochastic dominance test to examine the relative performance of value vs growth stocks based on multiple value-growth proxies in the Taiwan stock market.

Design/methodology/approach
– This work examines whether the return distribution of a value portfolio stochastically dominates that of a growth portfolio using a test proposed by Linton et al. (2005).

Findings
– By applying stochastic dominance analysis on the full-sample period, the sub-sample period and the state of the world’s economic conditions, the authors find that the earnings-to-price or dividend-to-price ratio is better than the book-to-market ratio as a value-growth proxy in Taiwan. There are robust results even after adjusting for data frequency, a sampling method and sample excluding financial services.

Originality/value
– This study makes the first attempt to examine value vs growth strategies based on multiple value-growth proxies in the emerging market of Taiwan by administering the stochastic dominance test.
Relativisation in Maltese
Authors: Camilleri Maris , Sadler Louisa 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe develop a detailed description of the differences and similarities between the syntax of restrictive and non‐restrictive relative clauses in Maltese. We show that Maltese makes use of both a complementiser strategy and a wh‐pronoun strategy in each type of relative clause. We discuss in some detail the ways in which the distribution of gaps and resumptive pronouns differs between these two strategies, being heavily constrained in the case of the wh‐pronoun strategy. The discussion highlights some differences between the standard and dialectal varieties of Maltese, especially in regard to wh‐relatives. Beyond these major strategies, we illustrate two further relative constructions, a highly constrained bare relativisation strategy for restrictive relativisation and a further wh‐pronoun strategy found only in non‐restrictives. While the main focus of this paper is a synchronic description of relativisation in Maltese, we draw a number of comparisons between Maltese and some Arabic dialects, in particular the Western dialects to which Maltese is closely related.
Acceptability of the flipped classroom approach for in‐house teaching in emergency medicine
Authors: Tan Eunicia , Brainard Andrew , Larkin Gregory L 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the relative acceptability of the flipped classroom approach compared with traditional didactics for in‐house teaching in emergency medicine.MethodsOur department changed its learning model from a ‘standard’ lecture‐based model to a ‘flipped classroom’ model. The ‘flipped classroom’ included provided pre‐session learning objectives and resources before each 2 h weekly session. In‐session activities emphasised active learning strategies and knowledge application. Feedback was sought from all medical staff regarding the acceptability of the new approach using an online anonymous cross‐sectional qualitative survey.ResultsFeedback was received from 49/57 (86%) medical staff. Ninety‐eight per cent (48/49) of respondents preferred the flipped classroom over the traditional approach. Aspects of the flipped classroom learners liked most included case‐based discussion, interaction with peers, application of knowledge, self‐directed learning and small‐group learning. Barriers to pre‐session learning include work commitments, ‘life’, perceived lack of time, family commitments, exam preparation and high volume of learning materials. Reported motivational factors promoting pre‐session learning include formal assessment, participation requirements, more time, less material, more clinical relevance and/or more interesting material. Case studies and ‘hands‐on’ activities were perceived to be the most useful in‐session activities.ConclusionThe flipped classroom shows promise as an acceptable approach to in‐house emergency medicine teaching.
Mitochondrial DNA Fragmentation as a Molecular Tool to Monitor Thermal Processing of Plant‐Derived, Low‐Acid Foods, and Biomaterials
Authors: Caldwell Jane M. , Pérez‐Díaz Ilenys M. , Sandeep KP , Simunovic Josip , Harris Keith , Osborne Jason A. , Hassan Hosni M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCycle threshold (Ct) increase, quantifying plant‐derived DNA fragmentation, was evaluated for its utility as a time‐temperature integrator. This novel approach to monitoring thermal processing of fresh, plant‐based foods represents a paradigm shift. Instead of using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect pathogens, identify adulterants, or authenticate ingredients, this rapid technique was used to quantify the fragmentation of an intrinsic plant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene over time‐temperature treatments. Universal primers were developed which amplified a mitochondrial gene common to plants (atp1). These consensus primers produced a robust qPCR signal in 10 vegetables, 6 fruits, 3 types of nuts, and a biofuel precursor. Using sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) puree as a model low‐acid product and simple linear regression, Ct value was highly correlated to time‐temperature treatment (R2 = 0.87); the logarithmic reduction (log CFU/mL) of the spore‐forming Clostridium botulinum surrogate, Geobacillus stearothermophilus (R2 = 0.87); and cumulative F‐value (min) in a canned retort process (R2 = 0.88), all comparisons conducted at 121 °C. D121 and z‐values were determined for G. stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 and were 2.71 min and 11.0 °C, respectively. D121 and z‐values for a 174‐bp universal plant amplicon were 11.3 min and 9.17 °C, respectively, for mtDNA from sweet potato puree. We present these data as proof‐of‐concept for a molecular tool that can be used as a rapid, presumptive method for monitoring thermal processing in low‐acid plant products.
Butyric acid fermentation from pretreated and hydrolysed wheat straw by an adapted Clostridium tyrobutyricum strain
Authors: Baroi G. N. , Baumann I. , Westermann P. , Gavala H. N. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryButyric acid is a valuable building‐block for the production of chemicals and materials and nowadays it is produced exclusively from petroleum. The aim of this study was to develop a suitable and robust strain of Clostridium tyrobutyricum that produces butyric acid at a high yield and selectivity from lignocellulosic biomasses. Pretreated (by wet explosion) and enzymatically hydrolysed wheat straw (PHWS), rich in C6 and C5 sugars (71.6 and 55.4 g l−1 of glucose and xylose respectively), was used as substrate. After one year of serial selections, an adapted strain of C. tyrobutyricum was developed. The adapted strain was able to grow in 80% (v v−1) PHWS without addition of yeast extract compared with an initial tolerance to less than 10% PHWS and was able to ferment both glucose and xylose. It is noticeable that the adapted C. tyrobutyricum strain was characterized by a high yield and selectivity to butyric acid. Specifically, the butyric acid yield at 60–80% PHWS lie between 0.37 and 0.46 g g−1 of sugar, while the selectivity for butyric acid was as high as 0.9–1.0 g g−1 of acid. Moreover, the strain exhibited a robust response in regards to growth and product profile at pH 6 and 7.
Individual identification from genetic marker data: developments and accuracy comparisons of methods
Authors: Wang Jinliang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractGenetic marker‐based identification of distinct individuals and recognition of duplicated individuals has important applications in many research areas in ecology, evolutionary biology, conservation biology and forensics. The widely applied genotype mismatch (MM) method, however, is inaccurate because it relies on a fixed and suboptimal threshold number (TM) of mismatches, and often yields self‐inconsistent pairwise inferences. In this study, I improved MM method by calculating an optimal TM to accommodate the number, mistyping rates, missing data and allele frequencies of the markers. I also developed a pairwise likelihood relationship (LR) method and a likelihood clustering (LC) method for individual identification, using poor‐quality data that may have high and variable rates of allelic dropouts and false alleles at genotyped loci. The 3 methods together with the relatedness (RL) method were then compared in accuracy by analysing an empirical frog data set and many simulated data sets generated under different parameter combinations. The analysis results showed that LC is generally one or two orders more accurate for individual identification than the other methods. Its accuracy is especially superior when the sampled multilocus genotypes have poor quality (i.e. teemed with genotyping errors and missing data) and highly replicated, a situation typical of noninvasive sampling used in estimating population size. Importantly, LC is the only method that guarantees to produce self‐consistent results by partitioning the entire set of multilocus genotypes into distinct clusters, each cluster containing one or more genotypes that all represent the same individual. The LC and LR methods were implemented in a computer program COLONY for free download from the Internet.
Uterine papillary serous carcinoma pre‐operatively diagnosed as endometrioid carcinoma: Is omentectomy necessary?
Authors: Peled Yoav , Aviram Amir , Krissi Haim , Gershoni Assaf , Sabah Gad , Levavi Hanoch , Eitan Ram 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundUterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is a relatively rare but aggressive uterine malignancy comprising approximately 10% of endometrial cancers. Many women pre‐operatively misdiagnosed as having endometrioid carcinoma have ultimately UPSC on final pathology. These women receive inadequate surgical staging without omentectomy.AimTo assess the value of omentectomy on disease‐free interval and overall survival in women with UPSC who had an initial diagnosis of endometrioid carcinoma.MethodsThis retrospective study included all women treated for the final diagnosis of UPSC in our centre from January 2007 to December 2012. Data regarding patient demographics, staging procedures, histology results, adjuvant therapy and follow‐up outcomes were recorded.ResultsOf the 52 women with a final diagnosis of UPSC, more than 45% had an initial diagnosis of endometrioid carcinoma. All women underwent hysterectomy and removal of the adnexa. Lymph node evaluation was performed in 75% of women. Omentectomy was performed in 30/52 women (58%). Of those, three women (10%) had omental involvement. Mean disease‐free interval with omentectomy was 24.5 months versus 30.5 months without (P = 0.29). Mean overall survival was 33 months with an omentectomy and 29 months without (P = 0.32). Recurrence patterns did not differ between groups.ConclusionWomen diagnosed pre‐operatively with endometrioid carcinoma and eventually found to have UPSC can expect no change in prognosis despite not having undertaken a full staging procedure. Repeat surgery for omentectomy is probably of no benefit.
Alcohol enhances the psychostimulant and conditioning effects of mephedrone in adolescent mice; postulation of unique roles of D3 receptors and BDNF in place preference acquisition
Authors: Ciudad‐Roberts Andrés , Camarasa Jorge , Ciudad Carlos J. , Pubill David , Escubedo Elena 
Published: July 2015

Background and PurposeThe psychostimulant mephedrone is often consumed in combination with alcohol (EtOH). This kind of drug consumption during adolescence is a matter of concern.Experimental ApproachWe studied, in adolescent CD‐1 mice, whether EtOH could enhance the psychostimulant (locomotor acivity) and rewarding [conditioned place preference (CPP)] effects of mephedrone. We also determined the transcriptional changes associated with a conditioning treatment with these drugs.Key ResultsMephedrone (10 mg·kg−1) increased locomotor activity, which was further enhanced by 40% when combined with EtOH (1 g·kg−1). This enhancement was blocked by haloperidol. Furthermore, mephedrone (25 mg·kg−1) induced CPP, which increased by 70% when administered with a dose of EtOH that was not conditioning by itself (0.75 g·kg−1). There was enhanced expression of the D3 dopamine receptor mRNA (Drd3) and Arpc5 in all drug‐treated groups. The D3 receptor antagonist SB‐277011A and the BDNF receptor antagonist ANA‐12 completely prevented CPP as well as the increases in Drd3 in all groups. Accordingly, increased expression of BDNF mRNA in medial prefrontal cortex was detected at 2 and 4 h after mephedrone administration.Conclusions and ImplicationsIf translated to humans, the enhancement of mephedrone effects by ethanol could result in increased abuse liability. D3 receptors and BDNF play a key role in the establishment of CPP by mephedrone, although an accompanying increase in other synaptic plasticity‐related genes may also be necessary.
Macrolides increase the expression of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 in human sinonasal epithelium, contributing to glucocorticoid activation in sinonasal mucosa
Authors: Park Se Jin , Kook Jin Ho , Kim Ha Kyun , Kang Sung Hoon , Lim Sae Hee , Kim Hyun Jin , Kim Kyung Won , Kim Tae Hoon , Lee Sang Hag 
Published: July 2015

Background and PurposeThe anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of macrolides include the ability to decrease mucus secretion and inhibit inflammatory mediators in chronic rhinosinusitis. Nevertheless, their mechanisms of action remain to be determined. Here we have investigated the effects of macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin, azithromycin and josamycin; representating the 14‐, 15‐ and 16‐membered macrolides) on endogenous steroids in human sinonasal epithelial cells and mouse nasal mucosa.Experimental ApproachThe effects of macrolides on the expression of steroid‐converting enzymes [11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β‐HSD1 and 11β‐HSD2)], steroid‐synthesizing enzymes (3β‐HSD, CYP21, CYP11B1 and CYP11A1) and cortisol levels were assessed in cultured human epithelial cells. In control and adrenalectomized mice , these enzymes and corticosterone levels were evaluated in nasal mucosa and serum after administration of macrolides.Key ResultsThe expression levels of 3β‐HSD, CYP21, 11β‐HSD1 and CYP11B1 increased in human epithelial cells treated with clarithromycin and azithromycin, whereas the expression levels of 11β‐HSD2 and CYP11A1 were not affected. Josamycin had no effects on the expression of these enzymes. Cortisol levels increased in epithelial cells treated with clarithromycin or azithromycin. The expression of 3β‐HSD, CYP11A1, CYP21, CYP11B1 and 11β‐HSD1 was upregulated in nasal mucosa of mice treated with clarithromycin or azithromycin, but not in adrenalectomized mice.Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study provides evidence that 14‐ and 15‐membered macrolide antibiotics may affect the expression of steroid‐synthesizing and steroid‐converting enzymes in human sinonasal epithelial cells and mouse nasal mucosa, increasing the endogenous cortisol levels in sinonasal mucosa.
Gender differences in use of prescription narcotic medications among living kidney donors
Authors: Lentine Krista L. , Lam Ngan N. , Schnitzler Mark A. , Garg Amit X. , Xiao Huiling , Leander Sheila E. , Brennan Daniel C. , Taler Sandra J. , Axelrod David , Segev Dorry L. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPrescription narcotic use among living kidney donors is not well described. Using a unique database that integrates national registry identifiers for living kidney donors (1987–2007) in the United States with billing claims from a private health insurer (2000–2007), we identified pharmacy fills for prescription narcotic medications in periods 1–4 and >4 yr post‐donation and estimated relative likelihoods of post‐donation narcotic use by Cox regression. We also compared narcotic fill rates and medication possession ratios (MPRs, defined as (days of medication supplied)/(days observed)), between donors and age‐ and sex‐matched non‐donors. Overall, rates of narcotic medication fills were 32.3 and 32.4 per 100 person‐years in periods 1–4 and >4 yr post‐donation. After age and race adjustment, women were approximately twice as likely as men to fill a narcotic prescription in years 1–4 (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.86–2.79) and >4 yr (aHR 1.70; 95% CI 1.50–1.93). MPRs in donors were low (<2.5% days exposed), and lower than among age‐ and sex‐matched non‐donors. Prescription narcotic medication use is more common among women than men in the intermediate term after live kidney donation. Overall, total narcotic exposure is low, and lower than among non‐donors from the general population.