bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of herbivore exclusion on forb diversity: Comparing species and functional responses during a drought
Authors: van Coller Helga , Siebert Frances
Published: July 2019

Rainfall and herbivory shape savannah herbaceous communities, but these disturbances are being altered globally. To assess potential consequences of such alterations, we evaluated herbivore effects on species and functional diversity during an episodic drought in a sodic savannah using data collected from long‐term herbivore exclosures in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Herbaceous life forms are rarely acknowledged as distinct functional entities. Moreover, the functional ecology of forbs remains elusive. Here, we present disturbances–responses by forbs separately from grasses. We hypothesised that combinations of intense utilisation and drought would be associated with low diversity and high dominance at species and functional levels for both life forms. Contrary to our hypothesis, low forb and grass diversity was associated with long‐term herbivore exclusion, which exceeded expected undesirable effects of intense utilisation and drought. Grasses responded less sensitively, suggesting that forbs respond dynamically to changes in herbivore assemblage when these alterations are combined with drought. Consistent with patterns in savannah systems, forbs contributed significantly to species and functional trait diversity. High forb diversity is suggested to enhance resilience of this nutrient‐rich ecosystem against declines in its functioning when subjected to drought and alterations in herbivory.
The Tissue Fixation System: How obsolete and potentially dangerous technology continues to be ‘sold’
Authors: Dietz Hans Peter
Published: July 2019

Gynaecologists have been at the receiving end of much regulatory intervention in recent years, some of it inappropriate and heavy‐handed such as the recent ban on midurethral slings in the National Health Service, others appropriate and, if anything, occurring too late. Regulatory agencies have failed, and so have individual doctors and their organisations. An example of individual and systemic failure involves the Tissue Fixation System. It is an Australian story that is not yet widely known, which is why the author has decided to acquaint the readers of ANZJOG with the situation in this country, where the Tissue Fixation System was invented, manufactured and used on thousands of patients over a period of eight years before its manufacture, sale and export from Australia ended in 2014.
Western and East Asian sociocultural learning models: Evidence from cross‐cultural and immigrant research
Authors: Li Jin , Yamamoto Yoko
Published: July 2019

We review Li's research and theory of cultural learning models in light of Chirkov's (2019) theory of sociocultural models that draw on previous theories and research across social sciences. We recast Li's models as sociocultural learning models (SCLMs) by incorporating Chirkov's three emphases: (a) the inseparability between the social and the cultural, (b) the public versus individuals’ internalization ofSCLMs and their mutual enforcement, and (c) collective intentionality and intersubjectivity as embedded in the enactment ofSCLMs. As an initial attempt to document how publicSCLMs become internalized, we further examine the role of joint intentionality and intersubjectivity at the person‐to‐person level. We use discourse analysis to look at two mother–child conversations about learning from our current European American and Chinese immigrant research data. We show evidence that both joint intentionality and intersubjectivity are prevalently and deeply present in the process of parental socialization (transmittingSCLMs to their young). We conclude that intentionality and intersubjectivity are indispensable to enableSCLMs to exist and to continue by enabling the public to become internalized. The internalization is then enacted and repeated by members across the culture, who in turn function to uphold and renewSCLMs.
The effects of physical contact and decision type on moral decision making: A study of harm to save moral behavior
Authors: Hsieh I‐Ju , Chen Yung Y.
Published: July 2019

This study examined the relationship between physical contact and decision type in predicting “harm to save” behavior. Participants were assigned to making either a judgment or a choice involving moral dilemmas. All participants were presented with dilemmas that either required or did not require having physical contact with potential victims. Participants were asked to decide whether to sacrifice fewer people to save more (utilitarian responses) or not to do so and thus more people would die (deontological responses). The study sample included 345 participants who completed a set of self‐report measures. Results indicated an interaction between physical contact and decision type. In the choice condition only, participants reported significantly less utilitarian responses to the dilemmas that required having physical contact with the person to be harmed than to dilemmas that did not require physical contact. This difference was not found in the judgment condition. These results contribute to a greater understanding of the nature and potential malleability of human morality.
Effect of grazing cows in an intensive silvopastoral system with Leucaena leucocephala on Panela cheese properties: yield, composition, fatty acid profile and sensory acceptability
Authors: Moneeb Asmaa H. M. , Aguilar‐Pérez Carlos F. , Ayala‐Burgos Armín J. , Solorio-Sánchez Francisco J. , Ku‐Vera Juan C.
Published: July 2019

Yield, chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and sensory acceptability of Panela cheese produced from cows grazing in an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) with Leucaena leucocephala and Cynodon nlemfuensis were evaluated and compared with Panela cheese from cows grazing a monoculture system (MS) of C. nlemfuensis only. The experiment lasted for 9 weeks in a tropical area in Mexico using ten crossbred cows (30–90 days of milking) assigned homogenously as five cows in each experimental group. No significant differences were found between the two systems for milk and cheese gross composition. Panela cheese from ISS showed lower content of the hypercholesterolemic fatty acids, accompanied with higher content of omega‐3, omega‐6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, Panela cheese from ISS showed higher preference for the attributes of appearance, texture, flavor, and overall acceptability. It is concluded that Panela cheese from cows grazing in ISS has better acceptability and nutritional properties than that produced from MS with grass only.
Effects of maternal protein supplementation and inclusion of rumen‐protected fat in the finishing diet on nutrient digestibility and expression of intestinal genes in Nellore steers
Authors: da Cruz Wendell F. G. , Schoonmaker Jon P. , de Resende Flavio D. , Siqueira Gustavo R. , Rodrigues Liziana M. , Zamudio Germán D. R. , Ladeira Marcio M.
Published: July 2019

The study aimed to evaluate nutrient digestibility and intestine gene expression in the progeny from cows supplemented during gestation and fed diets with or without rumen‐protected fat (RPF) in the feedlot. Forty‐eight Nellore steers, averaging 340 kg, were housed in individual pens and allotted in a completely randomized design using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (dams nutrition × RPF). Cows' supplementation started after 124 ± 21 days of gestation. The feedlot lasted 135 days and diets had the inclusion of zero or 6% of RPF. Digestibility was evaluated by total feces collection. Steers were slaughtered using the concussion technique and samples of pancreas and small intestine were collected immediately after the slaughter to analyze α‐amylase activity, and the expression of SLC5A1, CD36, and CCK and villi morphometry. Feeding RPF increased nutrients digestibility (p < 0.01). There was no effect of maternal nutrition on digestibility and α‐amylase activity in steers (p > 0.05). Duodenal expression of SLC5A1, CD36, and CCK increased in the progeny from restricted cows. In conclusion, protein restriction during mid to late gestation of dams has long‐term effects on small‐intestine length and on expression of membrane transporters genes in the duodenum of the progeny. However, maternal nutrition does not affect digestibility in the feedlot.
Drug‐induced aseptic meningitis: 329 cases from the French pharmacovigilance database analysis
Authors: Bihan Kevin , Weiss Nicolas , Théophile Hélène , Funck‐Brentano Christian , Lebrun‐Vignes Bénédicte
Published: July 2019

Aims

Drug‐induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM) is an adverse drug reaction of exclusion; only few studies have addressed this iatrogenic disease. The aim was to characterize DIAM and to identify suspected drugs.

Methods

Data were collected from the analysis of the French Pharmacovigilance Database from inception (1 January 1985) to 8 March 2017. All cases were initially analysed according to the French imputability method by institutional pharmacologists (clinicians or pharmacists). Further analyses of well documented cases were then performed.

Results

In this study, 329 cases of aseptic meningitis were retrieved from the French Pharmacovigilance Database for a total of 429 suspected drugs. Analysis of 203 well documented cases, including 282 drugs, showed that the main reported classes were intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulin, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), vaccines, antimicrobials, intrathecal antimetabolites, corticosteroids and antalgics/anaesthetics (except NSAIDs). Lymphocytic (33.0%) and purulent (44.8%) meningitis represented the majority of cases of aseptic meningitis. In other cases, the cerebrospinal fluid was mixed (45–55% of neutrophils +45–55% of lymphocytes) or data about cerebrospinal fluid composition were lacking. Most DIAM cases (96%) had a favourable reported outcome with full recovery or minimal residual symptoms.

Conclusion

The most frequently involved drugs in DIAM were intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulin, NSAIDs, vaccines, and antimicrobials and this without being able to differentiate them in terms of biological characteristics. Although further studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of DIAM, a continuous enrichment of pharmacovigilance databases is essential to identify new signals and to help clinicians in the understanding of DIAM.
Substance, rights, value, and abortion
Authors: Simkulet William
Published: July 2019

Most serious contemporary opposition to abortion is grounded on the belief that human fetuses are members of the same moral category as beings like us, and that the loss of any such life is one of the worst possible losses. Substance view theorists oppose abortion for this reason: in their view beings like us are essentially rational substances with inherent moral worth, and those who perform induced abortion fail to recognize this moral worth. In a recent series of articles, Rob Lovering presents reductio‐style arguments against the substance view, in part arguing that it is inconsistent with our intuitions in rescue and spontaneous abortion cases. In a recent reply, Henrik Friberg‐Fernros argues that the substance view can evade these problematic implications because of a distinction between killing and letting die. According to this argument, the fetus’s right to life is a negative right not to be killed, not a positive right to be rescued, thus the anti‐abortion theorist who lets fetuses die acts acceptably. I argue this stance fails to recognize the inherent moral worth that the substance view contends fetuses possess. One who refrains from saving a person, or doesn’t care how many people she saves, cannot reasonably claim to value life. Furthermore, this stance is at odds with most contemporary anti‐abortion views that oppose induced abortions of both the killing and letting die variety.
‘You Are What You Read:’ Is selective exposure a way people tell us who they are?
Authors: Hart William , Richardson Kyle , Tortoriello Gregory K. , Earl Allison
Published: July 2019

Selective exposure is the tendency to gather viewpoint‐congenial versus viewpoint‐uncongenial information. Extant models of selective exposure suggest this tendency occurs because people anticipate reading congenial (vs. uncongenial) information will cause more favourable intrapersonal consequences. However, these models ignore the notion that people's information choices are, in part, symbolic gestures designed to convey identity‐relevant beliefs to an audience through information display. Drawing from perspectives that emphasize human consumption as symbolic and a way to signal one's identity, we suggest that selective exposure pertains not only to information processing but also to conveying identity through information display. Experiment 1 showed that people characterize information display as a way to communicate their views to an audience. Experiments 2–4 showed that people are averse to displaying uncongenial versus congenial information (without processing the information), anticipate feeling more uncomfortable and more inauthentic merely displaying (without processing) uncongenial versus congenial information, and that people's intentions to engage in selective exposure in daily life are a function of their belief that selective‐exposure displays convey their identity. None of these studies or findings can be generated from extant selective‐exposure theories. Thus, selective‐exposure theories are likely incomplete because they ignore people's beliefs and goals regarding information display.
A Unifying Approach for Investigating and Understanding Youth’s Help and Care for the Family
Authors: Armstrong‐Carter Emma , Olson Elizabeth , Telzer Eva
Published: July 2019

Youth provide significant contributions to their families, ranging from completing household chores to taking care of members of the family. Researchers have examined correlates, predictors, and consequences of the variation in youth’s contributions to their families. One body of work has examined family assistance—youth’s help with household chores. Another has looked at youth caregivers who provide significant, ongoing care to family members with health needs. This research has been disaggregated across various theoretical models, methods, and terms, making it difficult to investigate and understand the full spectrum of youth’s contributions to the family. In this article, we summarize evidence about youth’s help and care for the family across a fuller spectrum of behaviors and intensity, and review the challenges and strengths of myriad methods and conceptual models. We propose a unifying approach for investigating youth’s contributions to the family that capitalizes on the strengths of each discipline and prioritizes interdisciplinary sharing of resources.
Learning to Remember Words: Memory Constraints as Double‐Edged Sword Mechanisms of Language Development
Authors: Vlach Haley A.
Published: July 2019

Word learning researchers have historically been interested in elucidating the mechanisms that allow children to encode words. Recent research has moved beyond the moment of encoding to examine the processes underlying children’s retention and retrieval of words across time. This work has revealed significant memory constraints on children’s word learning. That is, children struggle to retain and retrieve newly learned words. This review outlines research suggesting that describing these processes as memory constraints may mischaracterize how memory shapes language development. Instead, memory constraints are more accurately characterized as double‐edged sword mechanisms; limited memory abilities likely hinder and promote children’s word learning simultaneously. The review concludes with suggestions for developing a theory of how children learn to remember words.
The ecological outcomes of biodiversity offsets under “no net loss” policies: A global review
Authors: zu Ermgassen Sophus O. S. E. , Baker Julia , Griffiths Richard A. , Strange Niels , Struebig Matthew J. , Bull Joseph W.
Published: July 2019

No net loss (NNL) biodiversity policies mandating the application of a mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimize, remediate, offset) to the ecological impacts of built infrastructure are proliferating globally. However, little is known about their effectiveness at achieving NNL outcomes. We reviewed the English‐language peer‐reviewed literature (capturing 15,715 articles), and identified 32 reports that observed ecological outcomes from NNL policies, including >300,000 ha of biodiversity offsets. Approximately one‐third of NNL policies and individual biodiversity offsets reported achieving NNL, primarily in wetlands, although most studies used widely criticized area‐based outcome measures. The most commonly cited reason for success was applying high offset multipliers (large offset area relative to the impacted area). We identified large gaps between the global implementation of offsets and the evidence for their effectiveness: despite two‐thirds of the world's biodiversity offsets being applied in forested ecosystems, we found none of four studies demonstrated successful NNL outcomes for forested habitats or species. We also found no evidence for NNL achievement using avoided loss offsets (impacts offset by protecting existing habitat elsewhere). Additionally, we summarized regional variability in compliance rates with NNL policies. As global infrastructural expansion accelerates, we must urgently improve the evidence‐base around efforts to mitigate development impacts on biodiversity.
What Drives Visitor Engagement in Exhibits? The Interaction Between Visitor Activation Profiles and Exhibit Features
Authors: Dorph Rena , Cannady Matthew A. , Schunn Christian D.
Published: July 2019

This paper explores the use of science learning activation to understand how various types of visitors engage with different exhibits. In particular, we examined how learners engaged in two very different resource‐rich exhibits using two distinct analytic techniques. Regression analyses revealed that learners’ prior science learning activation can be used to predict learners’ engagement at each of the exhibits. A latent class analysis grouped learners into four emergent activation profiles (Low Motivation, High Motivation, Low Ability and High Ability), and found that learners within each profile engaged differently with the two exhibits. Analyses across the two approaches suggest that engagement in a science center exhibit experience can vary widely by learners’ activation. The study provides an analytic lens for understanding which learners are being engaged by an exhibit. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of this study for design, selection, and evaluation of exhibits in science centers.
Nonlinear Capital Flow Tax: Capital Flow Management and Financial Crisis Prevention in China
Authors: Ju Jiandong , Li Li , Nie Guangyu , Shi Kang , Wei Shang‐Jin
Published: July 2019

How to promote capital account liberalization while preventing financial crises is a challenging task for policymakers. This study proposes a nonlinear (progressive) capital flow tax as a solution. We first demonstrate that the collateral requirement of international borrowing can give rise to multiple equilibria and self‐fulfilling financial crises. We then show that the crisis equilibrium characterized by large exchange rate depreciation, capital flight and welfare loss can be eliminated by imposing a nonlinear (progressive) tax scheme on capital outflows with the marginal tax rate increasing with the size of individual capital outflows. The implementation of such a tax scheme in China is also discussed.
Regional Competition in China under the Price Distortion of Construction Land: A Study Based on a Two‐regime Spatial Durbin Model
Authors: Liu Yongjian , Geng Hong
Published: July 2019

This study examines regional competition in China by considering the spatial correlation and spillover effect of construction land price distortion using a two‐regime Spatial Durbin Model to investigate the patterns and trends of the competition between 285 cities in China from 2006 to 2015. The study finds: (i) price distortion of construction land is a common phenomenon but the distortion index generally shows a declining trend; (ii) regional competition through construction land price distortion shows a weakly intensified pattern, although the competition patterns in the four regions of China varied; and (iii) the intensity of competition between regions was lower during the 12th Five‐year Plan compared to the 11th Plan. The intensity of competition between cities was also lower inside than outside urban agglomerations. These results provide policy implications for remedying the price distortion of construction land and promoting regional coordinated development.
Can a policy‐induced reduction in alcohol consumption improve health outcomes and stimulate the UK economy?: A potential ‘double dividend’
Authors: Connolly Kevin , Bhattacharya Aveek , Lisenkova Katerina , McGregor Peter G.
Published: July 2019

Introduction and Aims

The health benefits of reducing excessive alcohol consumption are well‐documented and widely accepted, but policies directed to this end are often regarded as damaging to the economy. Previous UK alcohol impact studies typically focus on what are in effect the ‘gross’ impacts of a fall in alcohol consumption considered in isolation, so that estimated economic impacts are always negative. Here we investigate the ‘net’ impacts of a reduction in consumption accounting for the reallocation of household spending and the expenditure of any increase in government revenues.

Design and Methods

We employ a health‐augmented, Input–Output modelling framework. We simulate the impact of a reduction in alcohol consumption due to: a change in consumer tastes that generate a reallocation of household spending; an increase in alcohol duties accompanied by the use of increased revenues to stimulate government expenditure.

Results

We find evidence of a trade‐off between employment and health benefits for the case of a tastes‐induced switch from alcohol consumption, but this is less severe than past analyses would suggest (and does not apply to economic activity more generally). For the case of increased taxation on alcohol (and increased government spending) we find that there is in fact no trade‐off between employment on the one hand and health on the other; employment and economic activity are stimulated while health outcomes improve.

Discussion and Conclusions

There is a potential ‘double‐dividend’ of improved health outcomes and increased economic activity as a consequence of a rise in alcohol duties.
Women's bodies, rebirth, and Shin Buddhism: Insights and challenges for Christianity
Authors: Largen Kristin Johnston
Published: July 2019

In this article, I examine a traditional Shin teaching on women and women's bodies as they relate to rebirth in Amida's Pure Land and ask how that teaching might inform Christian doctrines on women's bodies. After an analysis of the role of women's bodies in the broader Shin teachings around Amida's compassion and rebirth in the Pure Land, I conclude by raising questions for Christianity this analysis invites and suggest further lines of inquiry that might help open up more positive understanding of women and women's bodies in contemporary Christianity.
Labor markets and cultural values: Evidence from Japanese and American views about caregiving immigrants
Authors: Peters Margaret E. , Kage Rieko , Rosenbluth Frances , Tanaka Seiki
Published: July 2019

One overlooked reason for the persistence of distinct cultural values across rich democracies, we argue, is a country's labor market structure. Parents seeking to position their children for long‐term success would do well to instill values consistent with requirements of the labor market in the country where their children are likely to work. To the extent that labor markets are fluid, as in the United States, parents should teach their children to be resourceful and creative. In countries like Japan with relatively rigid labor markets, where workers have one chance to land a long‐term contract with a leading company, parents instead should instill the values of hard work and respect for authority. We find evidence consistent with this argument in survey experiments about attitudes in the United States and Japan about the desirability of employing immigrants for care work, and what values the immigrant care workers should hold. We also find evidence of indirect norm creation. American and Japanese respondents prefer immigrants—not just caregiving immigrants—whose values align with their country's type of valued human capital.
Genetics and selective breeding of variation in wing truncation in a flightless aphid control agent
Authors: Lommen Suzanne T.E. , Koops Kees G. , Cornelder Bardo A. , de Jong Peter W. , Brakefield Paul M.
Published: July 2019

Augmentative biological control by predaceous ladybird beetles can be improved by using flightless morphs, which have longer residence times on the host plants. The two‐spot ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is used for the biological control of aphids in greenhouses and on urban trees. Flightlessness due to truncated wings occurs at very low frequency in some natural populations of A. bipunctata. Pure‐breeding strains of this 'wingless' genotype of A. bipunctata can easily be obtained in the laboratory. Such strains have not been commercialized yet due to concerns about their reduced fitness compared to wild‐type strains, which renders mass production more expensive. Wingless strains exhibit, however, wide intra‐population phenotypic variation in the extent of wing truncation which is related to fitness traits. We here use classical quantitative genetic techniques to study the heritability and genetic architecture of variation in wing truncation in a wingless strain of A. bipunctata. Split‐families reared at one of two temperatures revealed strong family‐by‐temperature interaction: heritability was estimated as 0.64 ± 0.09 at 19 °C and 0.29 ± 0.06 at 29 °C. Artificial selection in opposite directions at 21 °C demonstrated that the degree of wing truncation can be altered within a few generations resulting in wingless phenotypes without any wing tissue (realized h2 = 0.72), as well as those with minimal truncations (realized h2 = 0.61) in two replicates. The latter lines produced more than twice as many individuals. This indicates that selective breeding of wing truncation may be exploited to improve mass rearing of flightless strains of A. bipunctata for commercial biological control. Our work illustrates that cryptic variation can also be a source for the selective breeding of natural enemies.
Great tits take greater risk toward humans and sparrowhawks in urban habitats than in forests
Authors: Vincze Ernő , Pipoly Ivett , Seress Gábor , Preiszner Bálint , Papp Sándor , Németh Brigitta , Liker András , Bókony Veronika
Published: July 2019

Urban animals often take more risk toward humans than their non‐urban conspecifics do, but it is unclear how urbanization affects behavior toward non‐human predators. Responses to humans and non‐human predators may covary due to common mechanisms enforcing a phenotypic correlation. However, while increased tolerance toward humans may be advantageous for urban animals, reduced vigilance toward non‐human predators that can pose actual threat may be costly. Therefore, urban animals may benefit from showing specific responses to different threat levels, such as humans versus non‐human predators, or hostile versus non‐hostile humans. To test these alternatives, we compared responses (latencies to return to nest) of urban and forest‐breeding great tits (Parus major) to familiar hostile and unfamiliar humans as well as one of their common predators, the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). We found that urban birds were more risk‐taking toward both humans and sparrowhawk than forest birds. However, responses to sparrowhawk did not correlate with responses to humans either within or across habitats. This suggests that higher risk‐taking of urban compared to forest‐dwelling great tits toward sparrowhawk may be threat‐specific response to lower predation risk rather than a spillover effect of increased tolerance to humans. Furthermore, birds responded similarly to unfamiliar and familiar (potentially dangerous) humans in both habitats, suggesting that great tits may not adjust their risk‐taking to the threat represented by individual humans. These findings indicate that urban birds may flexibly adjust their risk‐taking to certain, but not all, types of threat.
Exploring Relational Reconciliation Processes in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Families
Authors: Dollahite David C. , Marks Loren D. , Barrow Betsy Hughes
Published: July 2019

Objective

To explore personal and interpersonal processes that encourage relational reconciliation in nonclinical religious families.

Background

Few studies have addressed what reconciliation is and when it is beneficial. Although intergroup reconciliation has been well documented, little research has addressed relational reconciliation in families. We focus on relational reconciliation pertaining to more normative and typical relational hurts and offenses that nearly all families experience, rather than severe offenses that might be best addressed in a clinical setting.

Method

Using systematic qualitative methods, in‐depth interviews from a nonclinical, exemplar sample of 198 religiously, ethnically, and geographically diverse mothers, fathers, and adolescents were coded and analyzed. Research questions focused on what circumstances led to a need for reconciliation, what motivated families to reconcile, how families reconciled, and what benefits families received from reconciling.

Results

Families were reportedly motivated to reconcile (a) because of their religious beliefs, (b) because they could see a “bigger picture” beyond the immediate conflict, and (c) because they felt that they had been recipients of God's love and forgiveness. The process of reconciliation involved (a) praying to God for help (spiritual processes), (b) admitting mistakes and taking responsibility (personal processes), (c) forgiving and being forgiven (relational processes), and (d) working to fix problems and make amends (practical processes).

Conclusion

Consistent with previous research, these processes reportedly fostered self‐healing following relational distance and led to positive relational outcomes.

Implications

When self‐healing does not occur, clinicians, pastoral counselors, and family life educators may play an important role in helping individuals and families develop and incorporate the transformative processes of reconciliation identified in our data.
A unique ferrous iron binding mode is associated with large conformational changes for the transport protein FpvC of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Vigouroux Armelle , Aumont‐Nicaise Magali , Boussac Alain , Marty Loïc , Lo Bello Léa , Legrand Pierre , Brillet Karl , Schalk Isabelle J. , Moréra Solange
Published: July 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes pyoverdine, a major siderophore to get access to iron, an essential nutrient. Pyoverdine scavenges ferric iron in the bacterial environment with the resulting complex internalized by bacteria. Releasing of iron from pyoverdine in the periplasm involves an iron reduction by an inner membrane reductase and two solute‐binding proteins (SBPs) FpvC and FpvF in association with their ABC transporter. FpvC and FpvF belong to two different subgroups of SBPs within the structural cluster A: FpvC and FpvF were proposed to be a metal‐binding protein and a ferrisiderophore‐binding protein respectively. Here, we report the redox state and the binding mode of iron to FpvC. We first solved the crystal structure of FpvC bound to a fortuitous Ni2+ by single anomalous dispersion method. Using a different protein purification strategy, we determined the structure of FpvC with manganese and iron, which binds to FpvC in a ferrous state as demonstrated by electron paramagnetic resonance. FpvC is the first example of a hexahistidine metal site among SBPs in which the Fe2+ redox state is stabilized under aerobic conditions. Using biophysics methods, we showed that FpvC reversibly bind to a broad range of divalent ions. The structure of a mutant mimicking the apo FpvC reveals a protein in an open state with large conformational changes when compared with the metal‐bound FpvC. These results highlight that the canonical metal site in FpvC is distinct from those yet described in SBPs and they provide new insights into the mechanism of PVD‐Fe dissociation in P. aeruginosa.
Genomic analysis unveils important aspects of population structure, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella aerogenes
Authors: Passarelli‐Araujo Hemanoel , Palmeiro Jussara K. , Moharana Kanhu C. , Pedrosa‐Silva Francisnei , Dalla‐Costa Libera M. , Venancio Thiago M.
Published: July 2019

Klebsiella aerogenes is an important pathogen in healthcare‐associated infections. Nevertheless, in comparison to other clinically important pathogens, K. aerogenes population structure, genetic diversity, and pathogenicity remain poorly understood. Here, we elucidate K. aerogenes clonal complexes (CCs) and genomic features associated with resistance and virulence. We present a detailed description of the population structure of K. aerogenes based on 97 publicly available genomes by using both multilocus sequence typing and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms extracted from the core genome. We also assessed virulence and resistance profiles using Virulence Finder Database and Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database, respectively. We show that K. aerogenes has an open pangenome and a large effective population size, which account for its high genomic diversity and support that negative selection prevents fixation of most deleterious alleles. The population is structured in at least 10 CCs, including two novel ones identified here, CC9 and CC10. The repertoires of resistance genes comprise a high number of antibiotic efflux proteins as well as narrow‐ and extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases. Regarding the population structure, we identified two clusters based on virulence profiles because of the presence of the toxin‐encoding clb operon and the siderophore production genes, irp and ybt. Notably, CC3 comprises the majority of K. aerogenes isolates associated with hospital outbreaks, emphasizing the importance of constant monitoring of this pathogen. Collectively, our results may provide a foundation for the development of new therapeutic and surveillance strategies worldwide.
Nitrate addition stimulates microbial decomposition of organic matter in salt marsh sediments
Authors: Bulseco Ashley N. , Giblin Anne E. , Tucker Jane , Murphy Anna E. , Sanderman Jonathan , Hiller‐Bittrolff Kenly , Bowen Jennifer L.
Published: July 2019

Salt marshes sequester carbon at rates more than an order of magnitude greater than their terrestrial counterparts, helping to mitigate climate change. As nitrogen loading to coastal waters continues, primarily in the form of nitrate, it is unclear what effect it will have on carbon storage capacity of these highly productive systems. This uncertainty is largely driven by the dual role nitrate can play in biological processes, where it can serve as a nutrient‐stimulating primary production or a thermodynamically favorable electron acceptor fueling heterotrophic metabolism. Here, we used a controlled flow‐through reactor experiment to test the role of nitrate as an electron acceptor, and its effect on organic matter decomposition and the associated microbial community in salt marsh sediments. Organic matter decomposition significantly increased in response to nitrate, even at sediment depths typically considered resistant to decomposition. The use of isotope tracers suggests that this pattern was largely driven by stimulated denitrification. Nitrate addition also significantly altered the microbial community and decreased alpha diversity, selecting for taxa belonging to groups known to reduce nitrate and oxidize more complex forms of organic matter. Fourier Transform‐Infrared Spectroscopy further supported these results, suggesting that nitrate facilitated decomposition of complex organic matter compounds into more bioavailable forms. Taken together, these results suggest the existence of organic matter pools that only become accessible with nitrate and would otherwise remain stabilized in the sediment. The existence of such pools could have important implications for carbon storage, since greater decomposition rates as N loading increases may result in less overall burial of organic‐rich sediment. Given the extent of nitrogen loading along our coastlines, it is imperative that we better understand the resilience of salt marsh systems to nutrient enrichment, especially if we hope to rely on salt marshes, and other blue carbon systems, for long‐term carbon storage.
Downscaling of agricultural market impacts under bioeconomy development to the regional and the farm level—An example of Baden‐Wuerttemberg
Authors: Petig Eckart , Choi Hyung Sik , Angenendt Elisabeth , Kremer Pascal , Grethe Harald , Bahrs Enno
Published: July 2019

The expansion of the bioeconomy sector will increase the competition for agricultural land regarding biomass production. Furthermore, the particular path of the expansion of the bioeconomy is associated with great uncertainty due to the early stage of technology development and its dependency on political framework conditions. Economic models are suitable tools to identify trade‐offs in agricultural production and address the high uncertainty of the bioeconomy expansion. We present results from the farm model Economic Farm Emission Model of four bioeconomy scenarios in order to evaluate impacts and trade‐offs of different potential bioeconomy developments and the corresponding uncertainty at regional and farm level in Baden‐Wuerttemberg, Germany. The demand‐side effects of the bioeconomy scenarios are based on downscaling European Union level results of a separate model linkage between an agricultural sector and an energy sector model. The general model results show that the expanded use of agricultural land for the bioeconomy sector, especially for the cultivation of perennial biomass crops (PBC), reduces biomass production for established value chains, especially for food and feed. The results also show differences between regions and farm types in Baden‐Wuerttemberg. Fertile arable regions and arable farms profit more from the expanded use of biomass in the bioeconomy than farms that focus on cattle farming. Latter farms use the arable land to produce feed for the cattle, whereas arable farms can expand feedstock production for new value chains. Additionally, less intensive production systems like extensive grassland suffer from economic losses, whereas the competition in fertile regions further increases. Hence, if the extensive production systems are to be preserved, appropriate subsidies must be provided. This emphasizes the relevance of downscaling aggregated model results to higher spatial resolution, even as far as to the decision maker (farm), to identify possible contradicting effects of the bioeconomy as well as policy implications.
Ecology and conservation of the British Swallowtail butterfly,Papilio machaon britannicus: old questions, new challenges and potential opportunities
Authors: Collins N. Mark , Barkham Patrick J. , Blencowe Michael , Brazil Andrew , Kelly Andrea , Oldfield Sara , Strudwick Tim , Vane‐Wright Richard I. , Stewart Alan J.A.
Published: July 2019

The British Swallowtail,Papilio machaon britannicus, is an iconic flagship for its unique but now restricted and fragmented fenland ecosystem in the UK's Norfolk Broads.

Occurrence in 1 km2recording squares fell by 56% over the period of 1974–2014 and by 13% in 2005–2014, but the breeding populations, mainly confined to reserves, have increased in size.

Climate change‐induced sea‐level rise and consequent seawater incursion into the Norfolk Broads represent a significant existential threat to the butterfly.

Translocation to more secure fenland sites is recommended; several are being restored or recreated through stakeholder partnerships in East Anglia and Somerset.

Well‐researched introduction and management of the foodplant, Milk‐parsley, is essential for such translocations to succeed.

A better understanding is needed of the genetic structuring of the British Swallowtail populations using modern sequencing technologies, in particular to elucidate the significance of gene flow in relation to the viability of introductions to small or isolated sites.

In a species in which hybridisation is commonplace across the Holarctic, the continued influx and future spread in Britain of the continental subspeciesPapilio machaon gorganusmay present a threat to the genetic integrity of subspeciesbritannicus, despite their differences in habitat and larval foodplants.
Deciding factors in cooperation and trust between internal and external auditors in organizations: An exploratory analysis
Authors: Morais Georgina , Franco Mário
Published: July 2019

The general aim of this study is to assess the relationships between external and internal auditors concerning cooperation and trust as resources integrated in organizations' lines of defense, to favor solid, opportune, and transparent decision‐making in organs of governance. More precisely, the specific aims are: (1) to analyze the relationship between trust and cooperation; (2) to explore and analyze the categories of the mutually important factors for trust and cooperation; and (3) to analyze the differences between internal and external auditors. To achieve these goals, quantitative and exploratory research was undertaken, with data collection through surveys directed to the two auditor groups (internal and external) in Portugal. In order to analyze if there were relations between trust and cooperation, logistic regression was performed. Based on exploratory factor analysis of principal components, it was possible to extract three factors for cooperation and trust: (1) work performance, (2) coordination/collaboration, and (3) competence. A multiple linear regression was also used to check the differences between internal and external auditors for the three factors identified. From the two groups involved in this study, it was possible to gain each group's perception of the professional relationship concerning cooperation and trust as determinant variables in auditing. It was found that there is still a long way to go and that each group has slightly different perceptions. This study contributes to the scientific and professional community regarding the perception of cooperation and trust between these professionals.
Professional skepticism: The combined effect of partner style and team identity salience
Authors: Stevens Edward , Moroney Robyn , Webster John
Published: July 2019

Although essential in the delivery of a high‐quality audit, regulators report their concerns about an apparent lack of professional skepticism exercised by auditors. In an experiment, we use regulatory focus and social identity theories to examine how the style used by a partner (supportive or unsupportive) when allocating a task and team identity salience (high or low) combine to impact skepticism. We find that when team identity salience is high, auditors demonstrate greater skepticism when a partner's style is supportive rather than unsupportive. In additional analysis, we also consider how motivation moderates the effect of partner style and team identity salience on skepticism and retest our hypotheses using a different measure of skepticism. Our results suggest that team identity salience is important when considering the effect of partner style on professional skepticism.
Internal audit function characteristics and external auditors' co‐sourcing in different institutional contexts
Authors: Jokipii Annukka , Di Meo Fabrizio
Published: July 2019

We examine the association between several characteristics of an internal audit function (IAF) and fees paid to external auditors to support internal audit activities (co‐sourcing). We also analyze how this relation is influenced by the mandatory or voluntary implementation of IAFs. By using data from the Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK) study, which was conducted by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation in 2015, we find that more consulting‐oriented IAFs and more autonomous IAFs are likely to pay higher co‐sourcing fees, whereas IAFs with greater expertise are likely to pay lower co‐sourcing fees. Although results related to consulting activities hold regardless of the institutional context, the negative association between IAF expertise and co‐sourcing fees paid to support internal audit activities only holds in mandatory IAF environments, and the positive association between IAF autonomy and co‐sourcing fees paid only holds where IAF is voluntary.
A single‐institution retrospective evaluation of Mohs incision angles and histopathologic specimen quality
Authors: Yu Sherry H. , Olbricht Suzanne M. , Tiger Jeffrey B.
Published: July 2019

Background

Traditionally, Mohs layers are excised using a beveled incision to facilitate tissue flattening for tangential sectioning. Some surgeons perform non‐beveled incisions; however, these specimens may be harder for the histotechnician to process. Limited data exist comparing slide quality between these techniques.

Methods

Retrospective review of cases performed by two Mohs surgeons (surgeon 1 = non‐beveled incision; surgeon 2 =  beveled incision) using different incision angles between June 2014 and December 2016. Daily histopathologic slide quality assessment scores (maximum score = 5, minimum score = 1) of the day's first case were compared.

Results

About 536 slides (surgeon 1 = 277, surgeon 2 = 259) were evaluated from 2,825 cases. Mean quality assessment scores were similar between surgeons (4.89 and 4.86; P = 0.31) with missing or folded epidermis being the most commonly reported issue for both surgeons.

Conclusion

Similar slide quality can be achieved via both beveled and non‐beveled Mohs cutting angles. While more relaxing incisions may be necessary to optimize tissue flattening with non‐beveled incisions, there is no associated increased loss of epidermal margins. The potential benefits of non‐beveled incisions, such as minimizing tangentially cut adnexal structures and creating vertical wound edges optimized for repair, may offer an alternative technique with positive clinical implications.
Synergistic antimicrobial effect of lactocin AL705 and nisin combined with organic acid salts against Listeria innocua 7 in broth and a hard cheese
Authors: Verdi María Clara , Melian Constanza , Castellano Patricia , Vignolo Graciela , Blanco Massani Mariana
Published: July 2019

The effectiveness of antimicrobial mixtures against Listeria innocua 7, used as a L. monocytogenes surrogate, was investigated in broth and a food system. Synergistic effects were found for nisin (Nis), potassium sorbate (PS), calcium propionate (CP) and sodium lactate (SL), Nis + PS being the most effective binary mixture that exhibited listericidal activity in broth. To assess the effect of adding lactocin AL705 (AL705) to Nis + organic acid salt combinations, tridimensional isobolograms were generated. Sub‐MIC combinations of the antimicrobials exerted bactericidal activity against L. innocua 7 after AL705 addition to the binary mixtures. However, when applied on Sardo cheese contaminated with L. innocua 7 (initial inoculum 4.45 ± 0.06 CFU g−1), only Nis + PS + AL705 produced count reductions respect to the control, reaching 3.04 ± 0.35 CFU g−1 counts after 15 days at 15 °C. Ternary combinations containing AL705 showed potential to reduce antimicrobial usages for L. innocua 7 inhibition.