bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
National health policy, the need of the hour: an analysis in Indian perspective
Authors: Subhashini R. 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe national health policy should strive towards achieving the concept of “healthcare for all” conceptualized by the World Health Organization (WHO) through health insurance scheme. The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the various gaps affecting the health care systems and to evolve strategic issues in health care in India through an exploratory survey.Design/methodology/approachThe main thrust is to analyze the problems of India's health care system and review of related literature, to identify the areas in the field of healthcare and health insurance which are unexplored or need to be tapped. This evaluation would give ample data to reinforce these areas and would lead us ultimately to the pre‐set target of WHO.FindingsIndia's march to prosperity faces a serious risk of slowing down due to the main reason – lack of proper access to health care due to the absence of a well laid out public policy. Therefore, the key stakeholders of the health insurance industry jointly need to build a robust health insurance system and help to bridge the gap that exists in reaching quality healthcare in India. A review of the health policy for modifications and to implement it successfully through health insurance without road blocks is called for.Practical implicationsThe results of this study, it is hoped, will outline equity in health care, which matters to every Indian citizen and how it can be achieved in India.Originality/valueThis paper suggests the adoption of an approach of management science called the gaps model of service quality in dealing with India's healthcare system problems, a new indicator aimed at assessment of the deficit in access to health services through a structured integrated way. The strategy takes account of the significant gaps identified to suggest new pragmatic methods to close the gaps.
The quarter century record on housing affordability, affordability drivers, and government policy responses in Australia
Authors: Worthington Andrew C. 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the record on housing affordability in Australia over the period 1985 to 2010, conceptually link this with the purported demand and supply drivers given in the literature, and comment on government policy responses. The paper also provides a suggested framework for future research on housing affordability.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs descriptive analysis of measures of affordability using commercial and other information. In addition, the paper undertakes analysis of the affordability drivers and government responses using recent governmental inquiries and other research into housing affordability.FindingsHousing affordability in Australia has worsened significantly in the past quarter century, including in both urban and regional areas, and is now among the world's most unaffordable. The main contributor at the national level has been the escalation of housing prices because of continuing strong demand arising from strong economic and population growth, the availability of cheaper and more accessible finance, and tax and other incentives for home and investor housing ownership. An additional contributor is unresponsive housing supply resulting from an extensive governmental role in land release and zoning, infrastructure charges, and building and environmental regulation.Research limitations/implicationsAs an analytical paper, the central aim is to summarise the findings and conclusions of other work and provide a suggested framework for future research. Accordingly, no attempt made to model directly the relationship between housing affordability, its demand and supply drivers and government policy responses.Practical implicationsThere is a need to reassess government policy at all levels as it relates to population, economic, urban, and environmental planning and government regulation and taxation and housing affordability. Need for future empirical work to quantify the causes and consequences of housing affordability.Originality/valueThis study provides a complete account of housing affordability and policy and the literature on housing affordability in Australia over the past 25 years.
Aligning business owners for a successful downtown brand
Authors: Sang Ryu Jay , Swinney Jane 
Published: July 2012

PurposeAlthough place branding has been practiced for many years, limited studies have examined its impacts on economic performance from business owners' perspectives. The purpose of this study is to explore the causal relationships between the internal branding of business owners and the external perception of downtown and business performance.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 167 downtown business owners of small communities in a Midwestern state in the USA. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate reliability and validity of the measurement model, and structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses and research model.FindingsThe findings suggest that internal communication about downtown branding increased business owners' downtown brand congruence (internal branding) and in turn downtown commitment. Positive links from business owners' downtown commitment to their perception of downtown performance and individual business performance were also identified.Practical implicationsThis study expands the scope of place branding with the perspectives of small communities' business owners. The findings suggest that “branding the downtown” may be an effective strategy to revitalize their downtown. Internal communication about downtown branding could encourage business owners to be integral parts of this strategy.Originality/valueThis study is unique in investigating place branding and internal branding quantitatively from the context of the business owner operating in the downtown.
Greenhouse gas emission practices and financial performance
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María , Prado‐Lorenzo José‐Manuel 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe ambiguous effect of sustainable business practices on business financial performance is explained empirically as the result of the disparity of the practices analyzed, the inadequate relation proposed and the misspecification of the moderating variables. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect that each of these factors can have as justification for the divergence of outcomes in previous studies.Design/methodology/approachSeveral dependence models have been estimated in order to observe the type of effect of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) practices on FP, attempting to establish whether this relationship is linear, positive or negative, or a curve. Additionally, the authors interacted these GHGE practices with the level of firms' innovation in relation to their competitors.FindingsThe results show that greenhouse gas emission controls have an inverse‐linear effect on firm performance, independently of their level of innovation. This relationship is justified in that in contrast to previous articles, the authors have evidence of a null relationship between particular corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and research and development expenses.Originality/valueIt is shown that it is the type of CSR practice observed and the business motives underlying it that is the determining factor of these divergences.
Costing adaptation to climate change impacts in forest ecosystems
Authors: Ojea Elena , Ghosh Ranjan K. , Agrawal Bharat B. , Joshi P.K. 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a framework for estimating the costs of adaptation to climate change impacts on ecosystems.Design/methodology/approachWhile existing studies on costing adaptation base themselves on either the financial flows on conservation or the costs of specific adaptation measures at the global level, the methodology presented here takes into account the impacts on ecosystems, the identification of vulnerable areas, and adaptation options at a more regional level.FindingsThe framework is then applied to forest ecosystems in India. The authors find that the total adaptation costs for forest ecosystems in India until 2085 are in the range of $1.34‐2.32 billion.Originality/valueThe key contribution of this paper is the proposal that for any robust estimation of adaptation costs, people should take into account the regional level impacts and the multiple adaptation options linked to those impacts.
Efficacy of the 1992 Small Business Incentive Act
Authors: Brau James C. , Troy Carpenter J. 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the fundamental purpose of the 1992 Small Business Incentive Act (SBIA) to reduce the regulatory burden for small firms to raise public equity capital.Design/methodology/approachOur research compares initial public offerings (IPOs) that filed with the newer SB‐2 program to benchmark firms that filed using the traditional S‐1 filing. The authors use three proxies to measure success, hypothesizing that, if the regulatory burden has indeed been reduced for small firms, all three variables should be smaller for SB‐2 IPOs. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.FindingsWith regards to easing regulatory costs, it is found that the program has not been effective. On average, SB‐2 IPOs experience larger‐scaled offering expenses, and pay higher underwriter gross spreads compared to S‐1 IPOs of similar size. SB‐2 IPOs, however, take fewer days to complete the registration process, when controlling for other relevant factors. In the burden of time, the SBIA has been effective.Practical implicationsThe paper is of value to managers of firms desiring to conduct an IPO. These managers, if they meet the size requirements dictated by the SEC, can elect to use an SB‐2 or an S‐1 document. The paper shows that if cost is the primary concern, the S‐1 program should be preferred. If time is the primary consideration, then the SB‐2 program is preferred.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, they are the first to test the efficacy of the SBIA program.
Threshold effects and inflation persistence in South Africa
Authors: Phiri Andrew 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate threshold effects in the persistence of South African aggregate inflation data.Design/methodology/approachThe conventional approach for assessing the degree of persistence within an inflation process is via its integration properties. This study makes use of univariate threshold autoregressive (TAR) models and associated unit root testing procedures to investigate the integration properties of the inflation data. Out‐of‐sample forecasts are further performed for the TAR models and their linear counterparts.FindingsThe empirical results confirm threshold effects in the persistence of all employed aggregated measures of inflation, whereas such asymmetric effects are ambiguous for disaggregated inflation measures. None of the observed series is found to be stationary in their levels. The out‐of‐sample forecasts for all TAR models outperform their linear counterparts.Practical implicationsGiven the scope of the study, the empirical analysis provides insight with concern to the performance of inflation subsequent to the adoption of the inflation target regime in South Africa. Of particular interest are the low persistence levels observed at inflation rates of below 4.7 and 4.4 percent for core and CPI inflation, respectively, as both these aggregated measures of inflation play an essential role in guiding monetary policy conduct within the economy. The overall findings imply that on an aggregate level, the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB's) current inflation target of 3‐6 percent encompasses a non‐stationary inflation range and thus proves to be restrictive on monetary policy conduct.Originality/valueThe paper fills in an important gap in the academic literature by evaluating asymmetric effects in the integration properties of inflation, at both aggregated and disaggregated levels, for the exclusive case of South Africa.
Phase I/II study of decitabine in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: A multi‐center study in Japan
Authors: Oki Yasuhiro , Kondo Yutaka , Yamamoto Kazuhito , Ogura Michinori , Kasai Masanobu , Kobayashi Yukio , Watanabe Takashi , Uike Naokuni , Ohyashiki Kazuma , Okamoto Shin‐ichiro , Ohnishi Kazunori , Tomita Akihiro , Miyazaki Yasushi , Tohyama Kaoru , Mukai Harumi Y. , Hotta Tomomitsu , Tomonaga Masao 
Published: July 2012

The management of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) remains challenging. We performed a phase I/II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of decitabine in patients with MDS in Japan. Patients with MDS with red cell transfusion dependence or 5–30% blasts in marrow and with an International Prognostic Scoring System score of intermediate‐1 or higher were eligible. Patients received intravenous decitabine at 15 or 20 mg/m2 daily for 5 days every 4 weeks. A total of 37 patients were enrolled. Three patients received 15 mg/m2 and experienced no dose limiting toxicity during the first cycle. Thirty‐four patients received 20 mg/m2. Grade 3 or greater non‐hematologic toxicities included cerebral infarction (n = 1), subdural hematoma (n = 1), elevated blood glucose (n = 1), and pulmonary hypertension (n = 1). At 20 mg/m2, complete response, partial response, and hematologic improvement were observed in 7 (20.6%), 2 (5.9%), and 7 (20.6%) patients, respectively. Complete cytogenetic response was observed in 30% of evaluable 20 patients. The median number of cycles to clinical response was 4 (range 4–8), and duration of remission was 474+ days (range 294–598+). The 2‐year rate of acute myeloid leukemia‐free survival was 52%. Correlative studies revealed hypomethylation in multiple genes in peripheral blood cells after treatment. Hypomethylation was generally more profound in CD15 + peripheral blood cells, which reflects myeloid cells, than in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In summary, decitabine was safe and demonstrated efficacy in Japanese patients with high‐risk MDS. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00796003).
Effect of pioglitazone on testosterone in eugonadal men with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Sridhar Subbiah , Walia Rama , Sachdeva Naresh , Bhansali Anil 
Published: July 2012

SummaryObjectivesPioglitazone is an insulin sensitizer used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It has been shown to reduce testosterone level in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome. However, its effect on testosterone in men has not been studied.Research design and methodsA randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial with 6 months follow‐up. Fifty (25 in each group) eugonadal men (well virilized and total testosterone ≥12 nm) with T2DM, aged 30–55 year and HbA1c of ≤7·5% were randomly assigned to receive pioglitazone 30 mg per day or placebo along with existing glimepiride and metformin therapy.ResultsAs compared to placebo, 6 months of pioglitazone therapy in patients with T2DM resulted in significant reduction in mean total testosterone level (16·1 to 14·9 vs 17·1 to 17·0 nm; P = 0·031), calculated free testosterone (P = 0·001) and bioavailable testosterone (P = 0·000) despite significant increase in sex hormone‐binding globulin (P = 0·000). Plasma androstenedione (∆4) level increased (1·5 to 1·9 vs 1·7 to 1·7 ng/ml; P = 0·051) following pioglitazone therapy. The decrease in testosterone was independent of change in body weight, body fat and HbA1c.ConclusionPioglitazone therapy significantly decreases total, free and bioavailable testosterone in eugonadal men with T2DM. The effects of these alterations need to be determined by further long‐term studies.
Oxidative stress is associated with C‐reactive protein in nondiabetic postmenopausal women, independent of obesity and insulin resistance
Authors: Park Seonmin , Kim Minjoo , Paik Jean Kyung , Jang Yoon‐Jung , Lee Sang‐Hyun , Lee Jong Ho 
Published: July 2012

SummaryObjectiveOxidative stress is associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome and inflammation, suggesting it could be an early event in the pathology of chronic diseases. We tested the hypothesis that elevated levels of oxidative stress markers are associated with increased C‐reactive protein (CRP) and that this is independent of obesity and insulin resistance.Research design and methodsThis study was cross‐sectional designed and nondiabetic postmenopausal women (n = 1821) with CRP levels ≤10 mg/l was enrolled. The CRP levels were categorized into quartiles from the lowest to the highest concentrations (Q1–Q4). The degree of insulin resistance was determined using the homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). We measured oxidative stress using urinary 8‐epi‐prostaglandin F2α (8‐epi‐PGF2α) and plasma oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL).ResultsAfter adjustments for age and lifestyle habits, including smoking and drinking, we found higher body mass index (BMI) and HOMA‐IR scores in Q2 and Q3 vs Q1. The Q4 BMI and HOMA‐IR scores were higher than all other quartiles. The plasma ox‐LDL was higher in Q4 than in Q1. Urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α was higher in Q3 and Q4 than in Q1 or Q2. Urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α positively correlated with CRP (r = 0·235, P < 0·001), whereas no correlation was found between ox‐LDL and CRP. Multiple linear regression analyses of BMI and HOMA‐IR showed that the association between urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α and CRP levels remained significant (P < 0·001).ConclusionsOxidative stress measured by increased concentration of urine 8‐epi‐PGF2α is strongly associated with CRP levels. This finding was independent of obesity and insulin resistance in nondiabetic postmenopausal women.
Identification of an OPR protein involved in the translation initiation of the PsaB subunit of photosystem I
Authors: Rahire Michèle , Laroche Fabrice , Cerutti Lorenzo , Rochaix Jean‐David 
Published: July 2012

SummaryGenetic analysis of mutants deficient in the biosynthesis of the photosystem I complex has revealed several nucleus‐encoded factors that act at different post‐transcriptional steps of chloroplast gene expression. Here we have identified and characterized the gene affected in the tab 1‐F15 mutant, which is specifically deficient in the translation of the photosystem I reaction center protein PsaB as the result of a single nucleotide deletion. This gene encodes Tab 1, a 1287 amino acid protein that contains 10 tandem 38–40 amino acid degenerate repeats of the PPPEW/OPR (octatricopeptide repeat) family, first described for the chloroplast translation factor Tbc2. These repeats are involved in the binding of Tab 1 to the 5′‐untranslated region of the psaB mRNA based on gel mobility shift assays. Tab 1 is part of a large family of proteins in Chlamydomonas that are also found in several bacteria and protozoans, but are rare in land plants.
Frontal lobe bioenergetic metabolism in depressed adolescents with bipolar disorder: a phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Authors: Shi Xian‐Feng , Kondo Douglas G , Sung Young‐Hoon , Hellem Tracy L , Fiedler Kristen K , Jeong Eun‐Kee , Huber Rebekah S , Renshaw Perry F 
Published: July 2012

Shi X‐F, Kondo DG, Sung Y‐H, Hellem TL, Fiedler KK, Jeong E‐K, Huber RS, Renshaw PF. Frontal lobe bioenergetic metabolism in depressed adolescents with bipolar disorder: a phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 607–617. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Objectives:  To compare the concentrations of high‐energy phosphorus metabolites associated with mitochondrial function in the frontal lobe of depressed adolescents with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls (HC).Methods:  We used in vivo phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) at 3 Tesla to measure phosphocreatine (PCr), beta‐nucleoside triphosphate (β‐NTP), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and other neurometabolites in the frontal lobe of eight unmedicated and six medicated adolescents with bipolar depression and 24 adolescent HCs.Results:  Analysis of covariance, including age as a covariate, revealed differences in PCr (p = 0.037), Pi (p = 0.017), and PCr/Pi (p = 0.002) between participant groups. Percentage neurochemical differences were calculated with respect to mean metabolite concentrations in the HC group. Post‐hoc Tukey–Kramer analysis showed that unmedicated BD participants had decreased Pi compared with both HC (17%; p = 0.038) and medicated BD (24%; p = 0.022). The unmedicated BD group had increased PCr compared with medicated BD (11%; p = 0.032). The PCr/Pi ratio was increased in unmedicated BD compared with HC (24%; p = 0.013) and with medicated BD (39%; p = 0.002). No differences in β‐NTP or pH were observed.Conclusions:  Our results support the view that frontal lobe mitochondrial function is altered in adolescent BD and may have implications for the use of Pi as a biomarker. These findings join volumetric studies of the amygdala, and proton MRS studies of n‐acetyl aspartate in pointing to potential differences in neurobiology between pediatric and adult BD.
Course of illness following prospectively observed mania or hypomania in individuals presenting with unipolar depression
Authors: Fiedorowicz Jess G , Endicott Jean , Solomon David A , Keller Martin B , Coryell William H 
Published: July 2012

Fiedorowicz JG, Endicott J, Solomon DA, Keller MB, Coryell WH. Course of illness following prospectively observed mania or hypomania in individuals presenting with unipolar depression. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 664–671. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Objectives:  In a well‐defined sample, we sought to determine which clinical variables, some of potential nosological relevance, influence subsequent course following prospectively observed initial episodes of hypomania or mania (H/M).Methods:  We identified 108 individuals in the National Institute of Mental Health Collaborative Depression Study diagnosed with unipolar major depression at intake who subsequently developed H/M. We assessed time to repeat H/M based on whether one had been started on an antidepressant or electroconvulsive therapy within eight weeks of developing H/M, had longer episodes, or had a family history of bipolar disorder.Results:  Modeling age of onset, treatment‐associated H/M, family history of bipolar disorder, duration of index H/M episode, and psychosis in Cox regression analysis, family history of bipolar disorder (n = 21) was strongly associated with repeat episodes of H/M [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–3.83, p = 0.03]. Those with treatment‐associated episodes (n = 12) were less likely to experience subsequent episodes of H/M, although this was not significant in the multivariate model (HR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.06–1.05, p = 0.06). These individuals also had a later age of onset for affective illness and were more likely to be depressed. Duration of illness with a temporal resolution of one week, psychosis, and age of onset were not associated with time to repeat H/M episode.Conclusions:  A family history of bipolar disorder influences the course of illness, even after an initial H/M episode. In this select sample, treatment‐associated H/M did not appear to convey the same risk for a course of illness characterized by recurrent H/M episodes.
First Report of Pseudomonas sp. Causing Marginal Scorch of Chinese Cabbage in China
Authors: Qiu Zhengming , Jiao Zhongjiu , Wu Jinping , Wan Zhongyi , Hu Hongtao , Guo Fengling 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA severe outbreak of marginal scorch was observed in Chinese cabbage for the first time in highland China. From pathogenicity, morphology and ribosomal DNA spacer sequences, the pathogen was identified as a Pseudomonas sp. This is the first report of Pseudomonas causing marginal scorch of Chinese cabbage.