bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perception of food safety and changes in food consumption habits: a consumer analysis
Authors: Rimal Arbindra , Fletcher Stanley M. , McWatters K. H. , Misra Sukant K. , Deodhar S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe relationship between seven types of food safety concerns and the corresponding change in food consumption habits of 236 households in Georgia, USA was evaluated. Results showed a gap between food safety concerns and food consumption habits. Gaps were particularly evident in the cases of pesticide residues, animal drug residues, growth hormones and bacteria. For example, more than 54% of sample households were extremely concerned about pesticide residues, but only 35% actually took extreme precaution in buying items considering this perceived threat. The study indicated that educating consumers about preventive methods to reduce food safety threats will lead to reduced concerns and changes in food consumption habits.
A comparison of determinants of consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the performance of apparel products between South Korea and the United States
Authors: Chen‐Yu Jessie H. , Hong Keum‐Hee , Lee Yuri 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to identify the determinants of consumer satisfaction and dissatisfaction (CS/D) with the performance of apparel products at the purchase and product‐consumption stages for Korean consumers, and to examine if these determinants were similar to those for US consumers. Results showed that at the purchase stage, the three variables, found significantly related to CS/D at purchase for US consumers, were also significant for Korean consumers. These three at‐purchase variables were: perceived at‐purchase performance, performance expectation and experience‐based norm disconfirmation (i.e. the discrepancy between consumers’ experience‐based norm and their perception of product performance at purchase). When the variables related to CS/D at the product‐consumption stage were examined, both similarities and differences were found between Korean and US consumers. For both countries, perceived consumption performance and satisfaction at purchase were significantly related to CS/D at the product‐consumption stage. Differences were found in the effects of expectancy disconfirmation and performance expectation on CS/D at the product‐consumption stage. Expectancy disconfirmation is the discrepancy between consumers' performance expectation and their perception of product performance after consumption. Expectancy expectation was found to be a significant determinant of CS/D for US consumers, but was not a determinant for Korean consumers. Performance expectation, which was found not to be a significant determinant of CS/D for US consumers, was a significant determinant for Korean consumers.
Knowledge: a variable in evaluating clothing quality
Authors: Hines Jean D. , Swinker Mary E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis study was designed to determine the effect knowledge has on the types of information cues used to evaluate clothing quality. Students ranked the importance of 24 product attributes for evaluating clothing quality before beginning a 15‐week university course on evaluation of clothing products and again at the conclusion of the course. Most (64%) of the intrinsic cues were ranked significantly higher on the pretest than post‐test and many of the extrinsic (75%) and aesthetic (67%) cues rated significantly lower. There were no differences in the ranking of the performance cues. However, caution should be taken when interpreting the results of the study. Although all of the cues ranked significantly higher in the post‐test were intrinsic cues, when evaluating the relative ranking of the cues in the pretest and post‐test, there were few differences. The same five aesthetic cues were in the top third on both tests and the same six intrinsic cues were in the bottom third on both tests. The findings of this study suggest that knowledge does influence how consumers evaluate quality and additional research that focuses on the effect of knowledge in consumers’ evaluation of clothing quality is needed.
The morality of spending in Finnish youth consumer culture
Authors: Autio Minna 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThis article discusses the morality of spending (i.e. the unnecessary spending) as well as the freedom of spending in Finnish consumer narratives written by 16‐ to 19‐ year‐old pupils. First, the study explores different meanings of the unnecessary spending discourse. Second, the study argues that young consumers are using a wastrel metaphor (i.e. a squanderer, a prodigal son/daughter) as a symbol of liberation from the shame of spending. A narrative research approach is applied for the collection and analysis of data and illustrating the results. The qualitative data were collected in five upper secondary schools between November 2001 and May 2002. The morality of spending comprises various significances, although the discourse is often pleasure‐oriented for youth. Some youngsters define the unnecessary spending as a criticism of the consumer society. Furthermore, the discourse strengthens self‐control as well as helps to arrange both positive and negative consumer experiences. Thus, the morality of spending is a part of the process of growing up as a consumer and constructing a consumer identity.
Attitude towards fashion advertisements with political content: impacts of opinion leadership and perception of advertisement message
Authors: Harben Beth , Kim Soyoung 
Published: September 2010

AbstractFashion advertisements with political content are unique in that they go against the accepted strategy of advertising. As fashion advertisements with political content become more prevalent, consumers’ reactions to them become an important subject of research. This study examines consumers’ attitudes towards fashion advertisements with political content with respect to fashion and political opinion leadership, political views, perception of advertisement message and product attitude. Results showed that attitude towards advertisements with political content was influenced significantly by the viewer's political views and agreement with the advertisement message, but not by political opinion leadership. Fashion opinion leadership influenced product attitude only for advertisements without political content. The viewers’ advertisement attitudes were carried over to product attitudes regardless of the presence of political message.
Land Tenure and Tenure Regimes in Mexico: An Overview
Authors: ASSIES WILLEM 
Published: September 2010

This article provides an overview of the evolution of land tenure and tenure regimes in rural Mexico from colonial times to the present. It shows how, by the late nineteenth century, the dual system of indigenous communal tenure and Spanish and criollo landholdings was undermined by liberal legislation that sought to privatize community lands. This resulted in a process of disappropriation and concentration of land in a few hands, which created the setting for rural upheaval during the Mexican revolution and for the subsequent redistributive land reform and the creation of a ‘social sector’ consisting of ejidos and agrarian communities. By the 1960s, however, the reform sector began to enter into crisis. A reform of the Constitution and new agrarian legislation of 1992 opened the way to privatization of land in the social sector, expecting that this would dynamize production. It is shown that this has not been the case. In a context of globalization and asymmetric free‐trade relations the crisis has only deepened.
DYNAMIC HEDGE FUND STYLE ANALYSIS WITH ERRORS‐IN‐VARIABLES
Authors: Bodson Laurent , Coën Alain , Hübner Georges 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe revisit the traditional return‐based style analysis in the presence of time‐varying exposures and errors‐in‐variables (EIV). We apply a benchmark selection algorithm using the Kalman filter and compute the estimated EIV of the selected benchmarks. We adjust them by subtracting their EIV from the initial return series to obtain an estimate of the true uncontaminated benchmarks. Finally, we run the Kalman filter on these adjusted regressors. Analyzing EDHEC alternative index styles, we show that this technique improves the factor loadings and allows more precise identification of the return sources of the considered hedge fund strategy.
MUTUAL FUNDS SELECTION BASED ON FUNDS CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Budiono Diana P. , Martens Martin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe popular investment strategy in the literature is to use only past performance to select mutual funds. We investigate whether an investor can select superior funds by additionally using fund characteristics. After considering the fund fees, we find that combining information on past performance, turnover ratio, and ability produces a yearly excess net return of 8.0%, whereas an investment strategy that uses only past performance generates 7.1%. Adjusting for systematic risks, and then using fund characteristics, increases yearly alpha significantly from 0.8% to 1.7%. The strategy that also uses fund characteristics requires less turnover.
Cathodal iontophoresis of treprostinil and iloprost induces a sustained increase in cutaneous flux in rats
Authors: Blaise S , Roustit M , Millet C , Ribuot C , Boutonnat J , Cracowski JL 
Published: September 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe treatment of scleroderma‐related digital ulcers is still a therapeutic challenge. The most effective drugs are prostacyclin analogues. However, their usage is limited to an intravenous route of administration and by their frequent side effects. The objective of this study was to test whether treprostinil, iloprost and epoprostenol can induce sustained vasodilatation in rats when delivered locally using cutaneous iontophoresis.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHTreprostinil, iloprost and epoprostenol were delivered by cathodal and anodal iontophoresis onto the hindquarters of anaesthesized rats (n= 8 for each group). Skin blood flow was quantified using laser Doppler imaging and cutaneous tolerance was assessed from day 0 to day 3.KEY RESULTSCathodal but not anodal iontophoresis of treprostinil (6.4 mM), iloprost (0.2 mM) and epoprostenol (1.4 mM) induced a significant and sustained increase in cutaneous blood flow. The effects of treprostinil and iloprost were significantly different from those of treprostinil vehicle. Only weak effects were observed when both drugs were applied locally without current. Skin resistance was unchanged in areas treated with prostacyclin analogues. Finally, skin tolerance was good, with no evidence of epidermal damage.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSCathodal iontophoresis of treprostinil and iloprost increases cutaneous blood flow with a good local tolerance. The effects of cathodal iontophoresis of these drugs should be investigated in humans, as they could have potential as new local therapies for digital ulcers in patients with scleroderma.
Predictors of Short‐Term Smoking Cessation Among Korean American Men
Authors: Kim Sun Seog 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT Objectives:The purpose of this study was to examine which demographic, smoking behavior, and theoretical variables of theory of planned behavior would predict smoking cessation attempts among Korean American men.Design:This is a longitudinal study and data collection was conducted at baseline and 1‐month follow‐up.Sample:At baseline, 118 Korean adult male smokers were recruited into the study and of these, 93 participated at follow‐up.Measures:Study questionnaires consisted of demographic data, smoking behavior, and theoretical variables.Analysis:A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify correlates of behavioral intentions to quit smoking at baseline and binary logistic regression analysis for predictors of actual quitting behavior at follow‐up.Results:Among smoking behavior variables, past‐year quit attempts and average number of cigarettes smoked per day explained 15% of the variance in behavioral intentions to quit smoking ( p<.0001). Two theoretical variables attitudes and perceived family social norms increased the explanatory power by 22% ( p<.0001) with an overall of 37%. Religion and perceived family social norms had about 32% predictive power over actual quitting behavior ( p<.0001).Conclusions:Any smoking cessation programs planned for Korean American men consider encouraging family members to affirm antismoking messages to this ethnic subgroup.
Fetal Positions: Unraveling the Influence of Religion on Premarital Pregnancy Resolution*
Authors: Adamczyk Amy , Felson Jacob 
Published: September 2010

Objective. This study illustrates the ways religiosity and denominational affiliation influence the probability that a young woman will have an abortion.Methods. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), measures of sexual behavior, out‐of‐wedlock pregnancy, and out‐of‐wedlock pregnancy resolution are regressed on religiosity and denominational affiliation.Results. Religiosity indirectly reduces the likelihood that a woman will have an abortion by reducing the probability that she will have an out‐of‐wedlock pregnancy. Among women who conceive out of wedlock, religiosity increases the likelihood of marriage before birth, and thereby reduces the probability of abortion. However, among women who conceive out of wedlock and do not marry before birth, religiosity is unrelated to the probability of having an abortion.Conclusions. Religiosity affects the probability that a woman will obtain an abortion more through its influence on choices about sex and marriage, and less through its influence on attitudes about abortion.
The Political Economy of Privatization in Sub‐Saharan Africa*
Authors: Adams Samuel , Mengistu Berhanu 
Published: September 2010

Objective. Few studies have examined the determinants of privatization in Sub‐Saharan Africa. This study examined the macroeconomic, political, and institutional factors that drive the privatization process in Sub‐Saharan Africa.Method. We used pooled ordinary least squares regression estimation technique to analyze the determinants of privatization in 22 Sub‐Saharan African countries over a period of 12 years (1991–2002).Results. We found that inflation, income inequality, and the institutional or governance infrastructure are key determinants of privatization in Sub‐Saharan Africa. On the other hand, we did not find democracy and debt to be significantly correlated with privatization. However, countries with high debt levels that were also experiencing high inflation were more likely to privatize.Conclusion. Government leadership and, consequently, politics play a significant role in the privatization decision in Sub‐Saharan African countries.
Food Assistance Programs and Outcomes in the Context of Welfare Reform*
Authors: Huffman Sonya Kostova , Jensen Helen H. 
Published: September 2010

Objective. Food assistance programs play an important role in meeting the basic needs of low‐income households. We consider how the Food Stamp Program (FSP), labor force participation, and food insecurity status affect outcomes of low‐income households under different program designs and economic conditions.Methods. Data from the Survey of Program Dynamics allow estimation of the effects of participation in FSP, labor market participation, and food insecurity on each other. To obtain estimates of behavioral relationships, we apply a simultaneous equation model and make a set of plausible assumptions about identification to implement the instrumental variable estimation.Results. Food insecurity has a positive effect on FSP participation, while labor force participation reduces FSP participation. Furthermore, FSP participation is more responsive to changes in the amount of program benefits than to changes in nonlabor income. Labor force participation has no direct effect on food insecurity; although not statistically significant, the effect of FSP participation on food insecurity is positive. A higher wage rate decreases FSP participation and increases participation in the labor force.Conclusion. The structural approach, which relies on particular identifying assumptions, allows us to explicity examine linkages among food program participation, labor force participation, and well‐being, measured in terms of food insecurity. The results provide evidence that among low‐income households, program parameters affect FSP participation, but no evidence that the food assistance reduces food insecurity.
School Context and the Effect of ESL Placement on Mexican‐Origin Adolescents' Achievement*
Authors: Callahan Rebecca , Wilkinson Lindsey , Muller Chandra 
Published: September 2010

Objectives. Immigrant adolescents' academic achievement is crucial to our future economic stability, and Mexican‐origin linguistic minority youth in U.S. schools generally demonstrate lower levels of achievement. English as a Second Language (ESL) programs provide an institutional response to these students' needs, the effect of which may vary by the proportion of immigrant students in the school.Measures. Using propensity score matching and data from the Adolescent Health and Academic Achievement Study (AHAA) and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we estimate the effect of ESL placement on Mexican‐origin achievement for first‐, second‐, and third‐generation adolescents separately in schools with many and few immigrant students.Results. The estimated effect of ESL placement varies by both immigrant concentration in the school and by students' generational status.Conclusions. We find that ESL enrollment may be protective for second‐generation Mexican‐origin adolescents in high immigrant concentration schools, and may prove detrimental for first‐generation adolescents in contexts with few other immigrant students.
Higher Education Policy, Enrollment, and Income Inequality*
Authors: Bergh Andreas , Fink Günther 
Published: September 2010

Objective. The objective of this article is to examine whether public expenditure on higher education has an effect on income inequality by increasing enrollment.Methods. Combining data from the World Bank Development Indicators with data from the World Income Inequality Database version 2, we study the relation between government education expenditure and enrollment rates, as well as the relation between government education expenditure and the change in income inequality during the 1980s and the 1990s.Results. We find that public expenditure on higher education has no positive effect on enrollment. Increased enrollment is mainly explained by higher GDP per capita. Using carefully selected Gini coefficients to ensure comparability over time, we do not find a robust relation between higher education expenditure and lower income inequality, contrary to some previous studies.Conclusions. Government expenditure on higher education has very limited effects on enrollment and inequality. This finding, however, does not imply that there are no social benefits from such subsidies. For example, in countries where high marginal tax rates decrease the economic returns to education, governments may wish to compensate for this through subsidies.
The Determinants of Corporate Entrepreneurial Intention within Small and Newly Established Firms
Authors: Fini Riccardo , Grimaldi Rosa , Marzocchi Gian Luca , Sobrero Maurizio 
Published: September 2010

In this article, we study the determinants of corporate entrepreneurial intention (CEI) within small and newly established firms. Given that in these ventures, entrepreneurial activities usually occur as a result of individuals’ behaviors, the CEI of their founders is key to explaining these companies’ ability to become engaged in entrepreneurial actions. Building on the theory of planned behavior, we conceptualize how individual characteristics and contextual variables influence CEI. Our theoretical model of the micro–foundation of CEI is tested on a sample of 200 entrepreneurs, founders of 133 new technology–based firms. Results show that CEI is influenced by situationally specific motivation, individual skills, and perceived environmental dynamism. Managerial implications are discussed.
Female Gender is Associated with a Better Outcome after Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: LEYVA FRANCISCO , FOLEY PAUL W. X. , CHALIL SHAJIL , IRWIN NICK , SMITH RUSSELL E. A. 
Published: September 2010

Background: Some studies have suggested that women respond differently to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We sought to determine whether female gender influences long‐term clinical outcome, symptomatic response as well as echocardiographic response after CRT.
Methods and Results: A total of 550 patients (age 70.4 ± 10.7 yrs [mean ± standard deviation]) were followed up for a maximum of 9.1 years (median: 36.2 months) after CRT‐pacing (CRT‐P) or CRT‐defibrillation (CRT‐D) device implantation. Outcome measure included mortality as well as unplanned hospitalizations for heart failure or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Female gender predicted survival from cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52, P = 0.0051), death from any cause (HR: 0.52, P = 0.0022), the composite endpoints of cardiovascular death /heart failure hospitalizations (HR: 0.56, P = 0.0036) and death from any cause/hospitalizations for MACE (HR: 0.67, P = 0.0214). Female gender predicted death from pump failure (HR: 0.55, P = 0.0330) but not sudden cardiac death. Amongst the 322 patients with follow‐up echocardiography, left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling (≥15% reduction in LV end‐systolic volume) was more pronounced in women (62% vs 44%, P = 0.0051). In multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses, the association between female gender and cardiovascular survival was independent of age, LV ejection fraction, atrial rhythm, QRS duration, CRT device type, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and LV reverse remodelling (adjusted HR: 0.48, P = 0.0086). At one year, the symptomatic response rate (improvement by ≥1 NYHA classes or ≥25% increase in walking distance) was 78% for both women and men.
Conclusions: Female gender is independently associated with a lower mortality and morbidity after CRT. (PACE 2011; 82–88)
Les nouveaux marchés du travail: monopsone et faiblesse syndicale
Authors: ERICKSON Christopher L. , MITCHELL Daniel J. B. 
Published: September 2010

Résumé.Comment se peut‐il que partout les employeurs connaissent des pénuries de main‐d'æuvre de plus en plus graves? Pourquoi les salaires n'augmentent‐ils pas dans les économies en expansion? Selon les auteurs, le déclin du pouvoir syndical a permis aux employeurs d'avoir la haute main sur la détermination des salaires et conditions d'emploi, sur un marché du travail monopsonistique. Ils rejettent le modèle de la concurrence parfaite, avec ajustement de l'offre et de la demande, et considèrent que, loin d'être une curiosité pédagogique, celui du monopsone, avec inégalité du rapport de forces, se généralise. Il faut rétablir la capacité d'expression des salariés pour que les bons résultats macroéconomiques ne s'accompagnent d'effets pernicieux, comme les inégalités salariales ou l'affaiblissement des droits des travailleurs.