Three-year Time Period Research Articles

A risky tale of two countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of the communication of the five major categories of risk (business, strategy, market and credit risk disclosure) over the volatile 2007-2009 global financial crisis (GFC) time period between Indonesia and Malaysia manufacturing listed companies. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 300 firm years data are collected consisting of a random sample of 100 manufacturing listed companies’ annual reports for fiscal year-ends from 2007 to 2009. The reports include 50 annual reports of manufacturing companies per country, listed in the stock exchanges of Indonesia and Malaysia for this three-year GFC time period. This research adopts a researcher-constructed risk disclosure index (RDI) to create an index measuring the extent of risk disclosure by listed firms. Findings – Key findings from statistical analysis are that country of incorporation and size help predict risk disclosure levels. Malaysian companies have significantly higher levels of business risk in 2007 and operating risk communication in 2007, 2008 and 2009 than Indonesian companies. These two countries have similar economic scenarios as developing countries which often have higher “business” risk for companies, but Malaysian companies disclose more risk information than Indonesia. The overall low disclosure levels (27.46-32.92 per cent for Indonesian companies and 35.20-39.04 per cent for Malaysian companies) highlight the potential for far higher communication of key risk factors in these two countries. Originality/value – This study is important as it contributes to the literature by providing comparative insights into the voluntary risk disclosure practices of manufacturing companies in the two important Asian countries (Indonesia and Malaysia) over the GFC time period. There is lack of risk disclosure studies in manufacturing companies, especially in these two sample countries.

Waveform inversion of shallow repetitive long period events at Villarrica Volcano, Chile

[1] Villarrica volcano is presently characterized by an active lava lake in the summit crater, with mild strombolian style eruptions of basaltic-andesitic products. The lava lake acts as a permeable barrier where gas-rich magma releases volatiles and then descends through the process of conduit convection to a deep storage reservoir. We identified thousands of repetitive long-period (LP) seismic events within a three-year time period using a matched filter; each was discovered to be associated with an infrasonic emission, and hence outgassing from the lava lake. Using this catalog of events for timing, we stacked signals over the three-year deployment from 2010-2012 to produce representative seismic and infrasonic signatures, and performed a full-waveform seismic inversion using nine stations from the network. The data are well represented by a single horizontal force source-time function, oriented N75°E and dipping 7°W from horizontal, with a maximum amplitude of 34.4 MN. The source is stable in time, and can be explained by a force couple system produced by a bursting bubble in the lava lake and the responsive drag force of the lava sloshing to fill in the void produced by the gas emission in an asymmetrical crater. Path effects lengthen the coda of the events with increasing distance from the source, resulting in emergent tremor-like signals at distant seismometers. Since the occurrence of LP events correlates with tremor intensity, we suggest much of the tremor results from the superposition of discrete LPs.

Remarkable Urban Uplift in Staufen im Breisgau, Germany: Observations from TerraSAR-X InSAR and Leveling from 2008 to 2011

As geothermal energy is of increasing importance as a renewable energy source, there is a high demand for comprehensive studies to prevent failure during implementation, as is the case in Staufen im Breisgau, Germany. The drilling of seven wells for the geothermal heating of the city hall in 2007 is thought to have disturbed the existing hydro-geological system in the complex structured transition zone of the Upper Rhine Graben and the Schwarzwald massif. This event has led to uplift, related to the transformation of anhydrite to gypsum, which affects the infrastructure of the city centre via the generation of large cracks. This study focuses on the application of the InSAR Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) approach using 50 X-band radar images from the German TerraSAR-X satellite (TSX) to map the spatial and temporal patterns of the deformation field in detail. X-band InSAR time series analysis for the three-year time period from July 2008 through May 2011 indicates maximum velocities of ~12 cm/yr in the line of sight (LOS) direction, from the ground to the satellite, approximately 50 m northeast of the drilling field. In comparison with leveling data for the same time period, TSX data analysis better delineates the border of the deformation area, and it is able to map the amount of deformation associated with different parts of the city. Moreover, this comparison indicates contributions of horizontal motion, as is expected for uplift patterns.

Neural, Psychophysiological, and Behavioral Markers of Fear Processing in PTSD: A Review of the Literature

As presently defined, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an amalgam of symptoms falling into: re-experiencing of the trauma, avoidance of reminders of it, emotional numbing and hyperarousal. PTSD has a well-known proximate cause, commonly occurring after a life-threatening event that induces a response of intense fear, horror, and helplessness. Much of the advancement in understanding of the neurobiology of PTSD has emerged from conceptualizing the disorder as one that involves substantial dysfunction in fear processing. This article reviews recent knowledge of fear processing markers in PTSD. A systematic search was performed of reports within the specific three-year publication time period of January 2010 to December 2012. We identified a total of 31 studies reporting fear processing markers in PTSD. We further categorized them according to the following classification: (1) neural-activation markers (n=10), (2) psychophysiological markers (n=14), and (3) behavioral markers (n=7). Across most studies reviewed here, significant differences between individuals with PTSD and healthy controls were shown. Methodological, theoretical and clinical implications were discussed.

Longitudinal Study of Daily Hassles in Adolescents in Arab Muslim Immigrant Families

This study investigated which daily hassles (i.e., parent, school, peer, neighborhood, and resource) were perceived by Arab Muslim immigrant adolescents as most stressful over a three-year time period and according to child's gender and mother's immigration status (i.e., refugee or non refugee). Data were collected at three time points during adolescence and analyzed using doubly multivariate analysis of covariance with linear and quadratic trends. School and parent hassles were greater than other hassles at every time point. Main effects of time, immigration status, and father's employment, but not child's gender, were statistically significant. School and parent hassles increased while peer and resource hassles decreased over time. Adolescents with refugee mothers reported greater school and neighborhood and fewer parent hassles than those with non refugee mothers. Adolescents with unemployed fathers reported significantly more school and neighborhood hassles. Study findings identify two at risk subgroups: those adolescents with refugee mothers and/or those adolescents with unemployed fathers; and pinpoint problematic daily hassles. Additional research is needed to explore vicarious trauma effects as a potential underlying reason for the pattern of daily hassles noted in adolescents with refugee mothers.

An empirical investigation of biodiversity loss from threatened species perspective: a comparative study

Using panel data for 113 countries over a three-year period of time, this research investigates the empirical relationship between the changes of threatened mammal species and economic development by comparing three different measures: 1 percentage changes 2 species richness 3 total threatened species. An N-shaped non-linear relationship is found when the dependent variable is the percentage changes; the Environment Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis is supported when species richness is applied and a non-linear relationship does exist for the total threatened species model. Results suggest that methodological differences, such as measurement, can bring very different results; caution should be exercised even when we evaluate EKC studies within a common topic such as, for instance, biodiversity loss from the threatened species perspective.

The phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

IntroductionLittle is known about rheumatoid arthritis in the black, particularly in Congolese, populations. Our objective was to describe the phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Congolese.MethodsAll consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients attending Kinshasa University Hospital in a three-year time period were included. Demographics, clinical features and tobacco consumption were noted. Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28 based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined. Radiographs were scored according to Sharp-van der Heijde. On a subset of patients and controls HLA-DRB1 typing was performed.ResultsA total of 114 females and 14 males aged 51.2 ± 14.9 were included. Mean duration of symptoms was four years. Moderate tobacco consumption was reported in a minority of patients. DAS-28 at first visit was >5.1 and HAQ ≥0.5 in all patients. X-rays showed joint erosions and/or joint space narrowing, mostly of a moderate grade in 55.8% of patients. Anti-CCP and/or RF were present in 48.6% of patients with available data (n = 72) and in 3.0% of controls (n = 67). Radiographic changes and nodules were more frequent in RF or anti-CCP positive patients. One copy of the shared epitope was found in 13 patients (35.1%) and 3 controls (12.5%). Two copies were found in one patient (2.7%) and in one control (4.2%).ConclusionCongolese patients with RA consult long after disease onset. Despite this delay, the majority presents without major damage and is RF, anti-CCP and SE negative. We put forward the hypothesis that besides different environmental factors there is probably also a particular genetic risk profile in Congolese patients, different from the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope.

Do Professional Service Organizations Financially Benefit from Conformance and Experiential Quality?

The professional service industry encompasses a major part of the U.S. economy and yet, several factors that affect its financial sustainability remain largely unknown. When catering to their customers, professional service providers have to combine conformance quality – adherence to strict technical standards, with experiential quality – ability to adapt service delivery to the unique customer. Conformance quality and experiential quality reflect respectively the dimensions of efficiency and flexibility of the service delivery process. Studies show that ambidexterity, or the ability to reconcile efficiency and flexibility, improves financial performance in many settings. However, professional services face unique challenges that make this relationship uncertain. This research investigates the financial benefits from ambidexterity using secondary data from a professional service sector, namely from 2830 hospitals, collected over a three-year time period. Financial performance is measured through both occupancy rate, which reflects potential for revenue generation, and cost effectiveness dimensions. Findings reveal no direct relationship between experiential quality and cost effectiveness, and a negative relationship between experiential quality and occupancy rates. However, we find strong synergies between conformance quality and experiential quality with regard to both cost effectiveness and occupancy rates. This suggests that ambidexterity is a financially beneficial strategy for professional service organizations. We discuss implications for theory and practice.

Weaving a Bridge of Sense: Students' Narrative Constructions as a Lens for Understanding Students' Coping with the Gap between Expectancies and Experiences When Entering Higher Education

This article shows how the application of narrative methodology brings new insights into understanding students' choices and their experiences upon entering a higher education programme. The point of departure is a study of a cohort of 38 students followed over a three-year period from when they were about to finish upper-secondary school in 2009 and into higher education. Firstly, the use of a narrative methodology gives access to understanding the students' choice of study as a continuous process of meaning making that involves both changes in perspectives concerning future plans and in interpretation of past experiences. This process continues when the students' expectations of their new programme interact with their first-year experiences, and they continuously work on their identities in order to feel they belong to their higher education programme. Secondly, by using this methodology, the authors gain access to how this meaning-making process through a three-year period of time reflects the students' negotiations of belonging to their higher education study programme. Finally, the methodology highlights the complexity of the students' choices, as well as the factors and contexts influencing these choices.

Application of TOPSIS Technique for Financial Performance Evaluation of Technology Firms in Istanbul Stock Exchange Market

For nearly thirty years, technology has been the fastest-growing sector in Turkey where firms centering on software creations, information technology and electronic products prevail. In today's increasingly competitive environment, an accurate and appropriate evaluation of financial performance bears considerable significance for a firm that targets to successfully maintain her market position and protect their market shares against potential risks in the future. This paper aims to propose a multi- criteria decision-making model to measure and compare the financial performance of thirteen technology firms trading in Istanbul Stock Exchange. These firms are examined and assessed in terms of ten financial ratios which are combined to obtain a financial performance score by using Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution Methods (TOPSIS). TOPSIS helps to rank these firms for three-year time period between 2009 and 2011. This study will find out whether the ranking results of TOPSIS and the ranking results of the firms’ market value in question overlap or not.

Remote detection of buried land-mines and IEDs using LWIR polarimetric imaging

We report results of an ongoing study designed to assess the ability for enhanced detection of recently buried land-mines and/or improvised explosive devices (IED) devices using passive long-wave infrared (LWIR) polarimetric imaging. Polarimetric results are presented for a series of field tests conducted at various locations and soil types. Well-calibrated Stokes images, S0, S1, S2, and the degree-of-linear-polarization (DoLP) are recorded for different line-of-sight (LOS) slant paths at varying distances. Results span a three-year time period in which three different LWIR polarimetric camera systems are used. All three polarimetric imaging platforms used a spinning-achromatic-retarder (SAR) design capable of achieving high polarimetric frame rates and good radiometric throughput without the loss of spatial resolution inherent in other optical designs. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis and a standardized contrast parameter are used to compare detectability between conventional LWIR thermal and polarimetric imagery. Results suggest improved detectability, regardless of geographic location or soil type.

The Prevalence of Question Use and Question Strategies in Print Advertising

Abstract The prevalence of question use in print advertising is examined using 10 of the largest selling consumer magazines across a three-year period of time. A classification scheme of “question strategies” for advertising communications is presented for the 10,774 questions observed. These strategies are then examined across different positions within advertisements. The implications of these findings for communication management are discussed, along with a research agenda.

Consommation du dosage de l’antigène spécifique de la prostate (PSA) en France chez les hommes sans cancer de la prostate déclaré (2008-2010)

This study evaluated the rate of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) dosage in men age 40 or older, affiliated to the general social security system in France between 2008 and 2010: 10.9 million men, excluding those with known prostate cancer. In 2010, 30.7% of this male population had at least one dosage of PSA, i.e. 12.3% of those between 40 and 54, 47.7% of those between 55 and 74, and 47.6% of those 75years old or older. Percentages of men who had at least one dosage in the three-year period were 26.2 %, 77.3 % and 75.6% for the same age brackets, respectively. Overall, 13% of men age 40 or older, and in particular 21% of men 75years old or older had more than three PSA dosages during the three-year time period. Eighty-eight percent of PSA dosages performed in 2010 were prescribed by a general practitioner and 3.2% by an urologist. Conflicting with French and internationally published recommendations regarding PSA dosage, the present results demonstrate a shift toward chaotic mass screening of prostate cancer particularly in men aged 75 or older.

Mobile telecommunications and health: report of an investigation into an alleged cancer cluster in Sandwell, West Midlands

Residents of one street expressed concern about the number of incident cancers, following the installation of a nearby mobile phone base station. The investigation explored whether the base station could be responsible for the cancers. Data were collected from residents' medical records. GPs and oncologists provided further information. Ward-level cancer incidence and mortality data were also obtained, over four three-year time periods. A total of 19 residents had developed cancer. The collection of cancers did not fulfil the criteria for a cancer cluster. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all malignant neoplasms (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) in females (1.38 (95% CI, 1.08-1.74)) and all persons (1.27 (CI, 1.06-1.51)) were significantly higher than in the West Midlands during 2001-3. There were no significant differences for colorectal, female breast and prostate cancers, for any time period. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for non-melanoma skin cancers in males and all persons was significantly lower than in the West Midlands during 1999-2001, and significantly lower in males, females and all persons during 2002-4. We cannot conclude that the base station was responsible for the cancers. It is unlikely that information around a single base station can either demonstrate or exclude causality.

A SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND CHANGES IN A CANCER DISPARITIES COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP NETWORK

The Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN) is one of the Community Network Program sites funded (2005-10) by the National Cancer Institute's Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities. TBCCN was tasked to form a sustainable, community-based partnership network focused on the goal of reducing cancer health disparities among racial-ethnic minority and medically underserved populations. This article reports evaluation outcome results from a social network analysis and discusses the varying TBCCN partner roles-in education, training, and research-over a span of three years (2007-09). The network analysis included 20 local community partner organizations covering a tricounty area in Southwest Florida. In addition, multiple externally funded, community-based participatory research pilot projects with community-academic partners have either been completed or are currently in progress, covering research topics including culturally targeted colorectal and prostate cancer screening education, patient navigation focused on preventing cervical cancer in rural Latinas, and community perceptions of biobanking. The social network analysis identified a trend toward increased network decentralization based on betweenness centrality and overall increase in number of linkages, suggesting network sustainability. Degree centrality, trust, and multiplexity exhibited stability over the three-year time period. These results suggest increased interaction and interdependence among partner organizations and less dependence on the cancer center. Social network analysis enabled us to quantitatively evaluate partnership network functioning of TBCCN in terms of network structure and information and resources flows, which are integral to understanding effective coalition practice based on Community Coalition Action Theory ( Butterfoss and Kegler 2009). Sharing the results of the social network analysis with the partnership network is an important component of our coalition building efforts. A comprehensive baseline needs assessment for the next five-year funding phase (2010-15) of TBCCN Community Networks Program Centers (CNP Center) is under way to further evaluate the growth and sustainability of the partnership network, with an emphasis on community-based intervention research that takes into account culture and literacy. [social network, health care disparities, cancer screening].

Biogeographical patterns and co-occurrence of pathogenic infection across island populations of Berthelot’s pipit (Anthus berthelotii)

Pathogens can exert strong selective forces upon host populations. However, before we can make any predictions about the consequences of pathogen-mediated selection, we first need to determine whether patterns of pathogen distribution are consistent over spatiotemporal scales. We used molecular techniques to screen for a variety of blood pathogens (avian malaria, pox and trypanosomes) over a three-year time period across 13 island populations of the Berthelot's pipit (Anthus berthelotii). This species has only recently dispersed across its range in the North Atlantic, with little subsequent migration, providing an ideal opportunity to examine the causes and effects of pathogenic infection in populations in the early stages of differentiation. We screened 832 individuals, and identified two strains of Plasmodium, four strains of Leucocytozoon, and one pox strain. We found strong differences in pathogen prevalence across populations, ranging from 0 to 65%, and while some fluctuations in prevalence occurred, these differences were largely stable over the time period studied. Smaller, more isolated islands harboured fewer pathogen strains than larger, less isolated islands, indicating that at the population level, colonization and extinction play an important role in determining pathogen distribution. Individual-level analyses confirmed the island effect, and also revealed a positive association between Plasmodium and pox infection, which could have arisen due to dual transmission of the pathogens by the same vectors, or because one pathogen lowers resistance to the other. Our findings, combined with an effect of infection on host body condition, suggest that Berthelot's pipits are subject to different levels of pathogen-mediated selection both across and within populations, and that these selective pressures are consistent over time.

Dynamics of the aquatic nesting bird populations in the mixed colonies from Vulpaşu, Chiriloaia and Cucova (Balta Mică a Brăilei Nature Park, Romania)

Dynamics of the aquatic nesting bird populations in the mixed colonies from Vulpaşu, Chiriloaia and Cucova (Balta Mică a Brăilei Nature Park, Romania) This study presents the observations made during a three-year period of time (2007-2009) in the three mixed colonies of the Balta Mică a Brăilei Nature Park: Vulpaşu, Chiriloaia and Cucova. In the colonies, there was reported a number of ten aquatic nesting species, with specific differences for each colony separately. The 10 species are: Phalacrocorax carbo (Great Cormorant), Phalacrocorax pygmaeus (Pygmy Cormorant), Nycticorax nycticorax (Night Heron), Ardeola ralloides (Squacco Heron), Egretta garzetta (Little Egret), Egretta alba (Great White Egret), Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret), Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron), Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis) and Platalea leucorodia (Spoonbill). The presence or absence of certain species in a colony is closely related to its ecological requirements, with the structural features of the ecosystems and the climatic conditions.

Stress Test For The Financial Optimization Models During The 2009 Recession

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The Sub-prime Mortgage credit crisis has led to a major downturn in virtually all financial sectors and consequently <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the real estate sector received the brunt of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>the 2008 – 2009 financial crisis. However, this downturn undoubtedly has provided <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">an</span> opportunity to test what investment strategy could have deflected the shocking force of this crisis and specifically what method could<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> have minimized</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">the risk of the most negatively affected investment -- Equity Real Estate Trust funds</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>Using ex-post data of EREITs, this research examines the implications and benefits of employing optimal portfolio allocation methods to different size EREIT portfolios during current financial crisis. This study compares the returns of optimally weighted EREIT portfolios to equally weighted EREIT portfolios, against the Dow Jones Equity REIT Index (DJEREIT Index).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The results indicate that a properly rebalanced risk-adjusted model portfolio (RAMP) outperforms both an equally weighted portfolio of identical assets and the DJEREIT Index.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>In fact, the twelve-asset optimized portfolio yields a superior return of 12.7% when compared to a return of an equally weighted portfolio of identical EREITs, and the DJEREIT Index during the three-year time period examined. </span></span></p>

Socioeconomic inequalities in the diffusion of health technology: Uptake of coronary procedures as an example

This paper examines socioeconomic lags in the diffusion of high technology health care, focusing on the diffusion of coronary procedures in people with ischaemic heart disease. Using linked hospital and mortality data, we studied patients admitted to Western Australian hospitals with a first admission for acute myocardial infarction between 1989 and 2003 (n=27,209). An outcome event was the receipt, within a year, of a coronary procedure-angiography, angioplasty and/or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Socioeconomic status (SES) was assigned to each individual using the SEIFA Index of Disadvantage. Cox regression was used to model the association between SES and procedure rates in five consecutive three-year time periods. Angiography and CABG showed socioeconomic lags in diffusion, with rates peaking earlier in higher SES patients, such that the inequality patterns were consistent with the inverse equity hypothesis. The evidence for a lag in diffusion for angioplasty was weaker. Overall, that there is some evidence for a lag in diffusion of health technology indicates that it is essential to consider trends over time when examining the equity impact of health technologies.

Changing malaria intervention coverage, transmission and hospitalization in Kenya

BackgroundReports of declining incidence of malaria disease burden across several countries in Africa suggest that the epidemiology of malaria across the continent is in transition. Whether this transition is directly related to the scaling of intervention coverage remains a moot point.MethodsPaediatric admission data from eight Kenyan hospitals and their catchments have been assembled across two three-year time periods: September 2003 to August 2006 (pre-scaled intervention) and September 2006 to August 2009 (post-scaled intervention). Interrupted time series (ITS) models were developed adjusting for variations in rainfall and hospital use by surrounding communities to show changes in malaria hospitalization over the two periods. The temporal changes in factors that might explain changes in disease incidence were examined sequentially for each hospital setting, compared between hospital settings and ranked according to plausible explanatory factors.ResultsIn six out of eight sites there was a decline in Malaria admission rates with declines between 18% and 69%. At two sites malaria admissions rates increased by 55% and 35%. Results from the ITS models indicate that before scaled intervention in September 2006, there was a significant month-to-month decline in the mean malaria admission rates at four hospitals (trend P < 0.05). At the point of scaled intervention, the estimated mean admission rates for malaria was significantly less at four sites compared to the pre-scaled period baseline. Following scaled intervention there was a significant change in the month-to-month trend in the mean malaria admission rates in some but not all of the sites. Plausibility assessment of possible drivers of change pre- versus post-scaled intervention showed inconsistent patterns however, allowing for the increase in rainfall in the second period, there is a suggestion that starting transmission intensity and the scale of change in ITN coverage might explain some but not all of the variation in effect size. At most sites where declines between observation periods were documented admission rates were changing before free mass ITN distribution and prior to the implementation of ACT across Kenya.ConclusionThis study provides evidence of significant within and between location heterogeneity in temporal trends of malaria disease burden. Plausible drivers for changing disease incidence suggest a complex combination of mechanisms, not easily measured retrospectively.