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Can a comparative capitalism approach explain fiscal policy activism?
No full textThis study investigates the implications of models of capitalism for the responsiveness of countries’ fiscal policies during business cycles using new data for member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and China. We expand the literature by adding the category of East Asian nonliberal capitalism to the established distinction of liberal market economies and nonliberal coordinated market economies. These three differ substantially not just in their fiscal policies, but also in monetary policies, degree of financial market orientation, exchange rate regime, and labor market organization. As in previous studies, we find that governments of liberal economies adopt more countercyclical fiscal policies. Departing from existing studies, however, among the nonliberal models of capitalism, (East Asian) state-led models have more countercyclical fiscal policies than (European) coordinated market economies, perhaps as countercyclical as liberal economies, both historically and during the 2007–9 crisis. This is due to less independent central banks, managed float of exchange rates, and limited financial market orientation and financial openness in East Asia, which allow for more active fiscal policy. Among political factors, left-of-center governments, fractionalized party systems, and election years are associated weakly with countercyclical fiscal policy, as expected. Labor market coordination and welfare generosity have unclear roles in regard to fiscal policy, a topic for future research. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Association of blood pressure components with mortality and cardiovascular events in prehypertensive individuals: a nationwide population-based cohort study
No full textBackground: The effects of each blood pressure index [systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP)] on the occurrence of mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events have not yet been investigated in prehypertensive populations.Methods: A total of 30,258 prehypertensive Korean participants underwent periodic health examination between 2003 and 2004 were enrolled, and the associations of BP components with mortality and CV events were investigated. Moreover, based on the DBP [80 DBP <90mmHg (N=21,323) and DBP <80mmHg (N=8,935)], the effects of BP components were also evaluated.Results: Multivariate Cox analyses in prehypertensive group revealed that the hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.121 and 1.130 per 10mmHg increase in SBP and PP for mortality, respectively. Additionally, 10mmHg increase of SBP (HR:1.090) was still significantly, but increase of PP (HR:1.060) was marginally associated with higher incidence of CV events. However, there were no significant associations with increase in DBP or MAP on adverse clinical outcomes in prehypertensive group. In the prehypertensive subjects with DBP <80mmHg, CV events more frequently occurred by 38.8% and 28.5% per 10mmHg increase in SBP and PP, respectively.Conclusions: Prehypertensive subjects might need to be cautioned when they have high SBP or PP with low DBP even in healthy populations.Key messagePrehypertensive subjects should be cautioned when they have high-systolic blood pressure or pulse pressure with low-diastolic blood pressure, even without previous hypertension, diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease
Impact of Long-Term RF-EMF on Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Aging Brains of C57BL/6 Mice
No full textThe expansion of mobile phone use has raised questions regarding the possible biological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on oxidative stress and brain inflammation. Despite accumulative exposure of humans to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) from mobile phones, their long-term effects on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the aging brain have not been studied. In the present study, middle-aged C57BL/6 mice (aged 14 months) were exposed to 1950 MHz electromagnetic fields for 8 months (specific absorption rate (SAR) 5 W/kg, 2 h/day, 5 d/week). Compared with those in the young group, levels of protein (3-nitro-tyrosine) and lipid (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal) oxidative damage markers were significantly increased in the brains of aged mice. In addition, levels of markers for DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, p53, p21, gamma H2AX, and Bax), apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1)), astrocyte (GFAP), and microglia (Iba-1) were significantly elevated in the brains of aged mice. However, long-term RF-EMF exposure did not change the levels of oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptosis, astrocyte, or microglia markers in the aged mouse brains. Moreover, long-term RF-EMF exposure did not alter locomotor activity in aged mice. Therefore, these findings indicate that long-term exposure to RF-EMF did not influence age-induced oxidative stress or neuroinflammation in C57BL/6 mice
Differential toxicities of fine particulate matters from various sources
No full textFine particulate matters less than 2.5 mu m (PM2.5) in the ambient atmosphere are strongly associated with adverse health effects. However, it is unlikely that all fine particles are equally toxic in view of their different sizes and chemical components. Toxicity of fine particles produced from various combustion sources (diesel engine, gasoline engine, biomass burning (rice straw and pine stem burning), and coal combustion) and non-combustion sources (road dust including sea spray aerosols, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and secondary organic aerosols (SOA)), which are known major sources of PM2.5 was determined. Multiple biological and chemical endpoints were integrated for various source-specific aerosols to derive toxicity scores for particles originating from different sources. The highest toxicity score was obtained for diesel engine exhaust particles, followed by gasoline engine exhaust particles, biomass burning particles, coal combustion particles, and road dust, suggesting that traffic plays the most critical role in enhancing the toxic effects of fine particles. The toxicity ranking of fine particles produced from various sources can be used to better understand the adverse health effects caused by different fine particle types in the ambient atmosphere, and to provide practical management of fine particles beyond what can be achieved only using PM mass which is the current regulation standard
THE ROLE OF CONFUCIANISM IN THE FORMATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACTS: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA
No full textWe investigated the role of cultural factors in the formation of psychological contracts in a Chinese context, on the basis that psychological contracts are different in different cultures. In particular, we considered Confucianism, which can govern the formation of psychological contracts in an Asian context. As people with different personalities make different psychological contracts, we hypothesized that the Asian-specific factor of Confucianism would moderate the relationship between 3 personality factors, namely, neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness, and the formation of psychological contracts. Thus, we surveyed 217 people employed in organizations in China, and found a moderating effect of Confucianism on the relationship between conscientiousness and relational psychological contracts. These findings suggest that when Confucianism is internalized, the Chinese workplace environment can be effectively managed by relational psychological contracts. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed
Nonoperative versus operative treatment for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents: A comparative study
No full textWe aimed to compare the outcomes and complications of nonoperative and operative treatment for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents. Radiological and functional evaluations and complications for 23 patients with nonoperative treatment were compared with those for 18 patients with operative treatment. No nonunion developed in either group. No significant intergroup differences were observed for occurrence of delayed union or time to union (P=0.851 and 0.887, respectively). Both groups showed excellent functional outcomes on the basis of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores and Constant Shoulder Scores. Shoulder abduction strength and range of motion were also well restored in both treatment groups. However, recovery of shoulder range of motion was significantly faster in the operative group (mean: 5.3 weeks; range: 4.0-7.0 weeks) than in the nonoperative group (mean: 9.9 weeks; range: 8.0-19.0 weeks) (P<0.001). There were no patients in either treatment group who needed revisional surgery to address complications with functional deficits. Both nonoperative and operative treatments yielded excellent outcomes, without severe complications. On the basis of our results, nonoperative treatment is recommended as a primary treatment option for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures in adolescents. However, operative treatment can be considered in selected patients who require early functional recovery or have a high activity level. © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
Educational needs for new graduate nurses in Korea
No full textNew nursing graduates often experience difficulty adjusting to clinical work environments, despite completing well-structured education programs. This study explored the educational needs of recent nursing graduates from the perspectives of new nurses and their clinical educators in Korea. Four focus-group interviews with 7 nurse educators and 8 new nurses were conducted. Data were analyzed using Patton's inductive content analysis. Five analytic categories emerged: communication skills that build good relationships, managing unexpected situations, prioritization, practical experiences, and different ways of delivering education. Educators and new nurses agreed that communication skills are essential in building and maintaining interpersonal relationships. Future educational programs for new graduate nurses should reflect the needs of nurses and their educators so new registered nurses can successfully make the transition to expert nurses
Effects of TEACCH Structured Teaching on Independent Work Skills among Individuals with Severe Disabilities
No full textTo support employment of individuals with severe disabilities, instructional approaches for improving independent performance are urgently needed. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of TEACCH structured teaching on the independent work skills of individuals with severe disabilities in a job setting. A multiple probe across participants design was used for this study. Results demonstrated that structured teaching was effective in enhancing engagement and reducing disruptive behavior in three individuals with severe disabilities in the absence of adult prompting. In addition, their performance was generalized in a different job setting
Risk assessment of toxicants on WHO TobReg priority list in mainstream cigarette smoke using human-smoked yields of Korean smokers
No full textRecently, the World Health Organization Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation (WHO TobReg) announced a priority list of 38 toxicants among the more than 7000 chemicals found in cigarette smoke, building upon previous lists of toxicants in cigarette smoke. Here, we conducted a comprehensive study on the quantitative exposure and risk characterization of these priority toxicants in mainstream cigarette smoke listed by the WHO TobReg. The human-smoked toxicant yields estimated from spent cigarette butts of a total of 361 smokers using the part-filter method (PFM) were applied to current exposure and risk estimation for the first time. The PFM can estimate human-smoked yields of toxicants using smokers' maximum mouth-level exposure. The human-smoked yield of each toxicant was converted to systemic uptake by considering bioavailability. Risk indicators including the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), cumulative ILCR, hazard quotient (HQ), hazard indices (HIs), and margin of exposure (MOE) were estimated from the systemic uptake of toxicants combined with Korean exposure factors by gender and age group as well as for total smokers. It was demonstrated that cigarette smoking results in significant cancer and non-cancer health risks. A sensitivity analysis showed that the human-smoked toxicant yield is one of the most important contributors to risk level variations. Our risk estimation suggested that previous risk assessments might have ignored or underestimated the uncertainty of risk assessment. In conclusion, we assessed the risk level of the 38 toxicants on the priority list developed by the WHO TobReg and provided a Korean-specific priority list for the regulations on the emission of cigarette smoke
Potential for Prebiotics as Feed Additives to Limit Foodborne Campylobacter Establishment in the Poultry Gastrointestinal Tract
No full textCampylobacter as an inhabitant of the poultry gastrointestinal tract has proven to be difficult to reduce with most feed additives. In-feed antibiotics have been taken out of poultry diets due to the negative reactions of consumers along with concerns regarding the generation of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Consequently, interest in alternative feed supplements to antibiotics has grown. One of these alternatives, prebiotics, has been examined as a potential animal and poultry feed additive. Prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients by host enzymes that enhance growth of indigenous gastrointestinal bacteria that elicit metabolic characteristics considered beneficial to the host and depending on the type of metabolite, antagonistic to establishment of pathogens. There are several carbohydrate polymers that qualify as prebiotics and have been fed to poultry. These include mannan-oligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides as the most common ones marketed commercially that have been used as feed supplements in poultry. More recently, several other non-digestible oligosaccharides have also been identified as possessing prebiotic properties when implemented as feed supplements. While there is evidence that prebiotics may be effective in poultry and limit establishment of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella in the gastrointestinal tract, less is known about their impact on Campylobacter. This review will focus on the potential of prebiotics to limit establishment of Campylobacter in the poultry gastrointestinal tract and future research directions