bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social capital inequality and capital structure of new firms in a developing country: the role of bank ties
Authors: Ngo Vi Dung , Evansluong Quang , Janssen Frank , Nguyen Duc Khuong
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This article aims to clarify the role of social capital and social capital inequality embedded in bank ties in enabling and diversifying new firms' debt use.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a quantitative method, using an unbalanced longitudinal dataset covering three years–2011, 2013 and 2015–from a project on small manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam. The sample consists of 513 firm-year observations.

Findings

Network extensity and network mobilisation increase new firms' debt use. Differences in ascribed and attained social statuses (i.e. gender, generation, business association membership and political affiliation) result in social capital inequality between entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs who are of a younger generation, have higher levels of education and are not members of the Communist Party benefit less from social capital than those who are older, have less education and are party members.

Originality/value

The effects of access to and the use of the social capital embedded in bank ties on new firms' debt use are both studied. The sources of social capital inequality are investigated at the individual level through distinguishing ascribed and attained social statuses and explained by two mechanisms: capital deficit and return deficit. The moderating effects of social capital inequality are also examined.
Bank regulation and credit crunch: evidence from MENA region commercial banks
Authors: EL-Moussawi Chawki , Kassem Mohamad , Roussel Josse
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper focuses on the relationship between the regulatory capital requirements and the supply of credit for commercial banks that are operating in the MENA region from 1999 till 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The application of the Fixed Effects Model on a panel of commercial banks in the MENA region has shown a negative relationship between supply of credit and both the capital requirements and solvency ratios.

Findings

The results showed that the idiosyncratic, the macroeconomic and the institutional variables affect the supply of credit behavior of banks. The robustness tests using the Two-Stage Least Square method (2SLS) also led to a negative correlation between the growth of credit and capital requirements. Specific macroeconomic and institutional variables have revealed the expected sign and are significant regardless of the estimated specifications.

Research limitations/implications

This work can be subjected to further future extensions. The explanatory power of our model can be improved by incorporating variables that reflect the corporate governance and structure of banking sector. Similarly, we can also include a variable that takes into account the increasing competition that could affect the stability of the banking sector and therefore the prudential banking regulation.

Originality/value

Previous studies that investigated only the relationship between capital level and risk-taking behavior of banks in the MENA region did not take into account neither the economic and institutional environment nor the impact of these regulations on credit (loans) supply.
Do external benchmarking mechanisms facilitate performance management in Malaysian local authorities?
Authors: Siti-Nabiha A.K. , George Roshni Ann
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates the extent to which externally led benchmarking may have facilitated performance management design and use in Malaysian local authorities.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal qualitative study of local authorities in Malaysia was undertaken, comprising interviews with key officers during the introduction of process-based key performance indicators (KPIs), and following the imposition of benchmarking (i.e. relative performance evaluation) on local authorities. Complexity theory was used in the analysing and theorising of data.

Findings

External benchmarking mechanisms facilitated only operational performance management, with strategic performance management merely ceremonially adopted. As the focus was on mainly operational KPIs, strategic goals were not translated into detailed action plans and outputs at departmental level. In addition, operational and strategic performance management packages were decoupled. Thus, the efforts of external actors resulted in operational controls suppressing rather than facilitating strategic processes.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need to transition from purely externally led benchmarking to internally driven benchmarking in local government, whereby benchmarking forms part of the interactive performance management mechanisms that lead to institutional learning and improvement.

Practical implications

Benchmarking activities should be based on comprehensive analyses of performance management design and use. A reflective approach to continuously identify gaps or weaknesses in performance management systems will enable local government administrators to improve systems and processes in a timely manner to meet stakeholder needs.

Originality/value

This paper explains the impact of central government policy and benchmarking initiatives on other levels of government. We have built on previous literature by examining the connection between external benchmarking and internal performance management design and use in local government. In relation to this, and following calls for research on holistic performance management, the integration between operational and strategic performance management packages was also examined.
The power of impossible
Authors: Asselineau Alexandre , Grolleau Gilles
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Labeling something as “impossible” can be performative and deprive businesses from promising ideas, by activating limiting mental models and self-fulfilling prophecies. Adopting an “everything may be(come) possible” thinking as the default option can lead businesses to discover unexpected and valuable directions and make the world a better place. This paper aims to propose practical insights to harness the power of “impossible” thinking such as considering impossibility as a current and temporary state, adopting an unconventional mindset and redirecting the reflection on what is needed to make the idea possible. Falling in love with any impossible target is obviously not without downsides.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses conceptually how adopting an impossible thinking approach can help business to discover unexpected and valuable directions.

Findings

The authors caution managers on the inappropriate use of the “impossible” label that can be performative, activate a limiting mental model, lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy and deprive businesses from promising ideas. This paper proposes ways by which the power of impossible thinking can be harnessed to make a difference.

Research limitations/implications

Discarding impossible ideas seems perfectly justified from a logical or cultural viewpoint while constituting simultaneously a bad decision from a business viewpoint. The generalization of authors’ insight must be undertaken with caution, given that harnessing the power of impossible does not mean to fall in love with any impossible idea.

Practical implications

Learning to not neglect seemingly impossible options and sometimes to reveal them can lead to sustainable competitive advantages.

Social implications

While generating a competitive advantage for the concerned companies, implementing impossible ideas can also contribute to make the world a better place.

Originality/value

The authors identify some mechanisms that can make impossible thinking beneficial and profitable for companies. These insights can help managers to nurture an environment that facilitates the emergence of pathbreaking advances.
Money at risk: climate change and performance of Canadian banking sector
Authors: U-Din Salah , Nazir Mian Sajid , Shahzad Aamer
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In the last few decades, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased in most parts of the world including Canada because of global warming. The global warming in Canada is about double the magnitude of global warming; therefore, policymakers are concerned about the potential significant impact of the weather catastrophes on the economy and financial sector. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of weather catastrophes on the Canadian banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of banking firms from Canada over the period 1988–2019, the present study estimates different econometric techniques to investigate the impact of weather catastrophes on the risk and performance of Canadian banks.

Findings

Analyses of the study do not find a significant impact of the weather catastrophes on the performance of the Canadian banks; however, it has helped banks to lower their risk level and improve stability due to proactive risk management. The findings of this study are not consistent with concerns of the policymakers about climate risk to the Canadian bank sector. More sector-specific research and policy initiatives are recommended to minimize the future financial risk of the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters.

Originality/value

The study contributes to support the notion that the climate risk of banks is protected with insurance and reconstruction activities provide more banking opportunities.
Tax evasion and money laundering: a complete framework
Authors: Kemsley Deen , Kemsley Sean A. , Morgan Frank T.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to define the fundamental nexus between income tax evasion and money laundering. The G7 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) designates tax evasion as a predicate offense for money laundering. We determine whether this designation is complete from a conceptual standpoint, or whether there is a stronger connection between tax evasion and money laundering.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies the FATF definition for money laundering – as well as generally accepted definitions for tax evasion and for a standard predicate offense – to identify the necessary conditions for each crime. This paper then uses these conditions to test opposing hypotheses regarding the nexus between tax evasion and money laundering.

Findings

This paper demonstrates that tax evasion does not meet the conditions for a standard predicate offense, and treating it as if it were a standard predicate could be problematic in practice. Instead, it is concluded that the FATF’s predicate label for tax evasion, together with tax evasion methods and objectives, imply that all tax evasion constitutes money laundering. In a single process, tax evasion generates both criminal tax savings and launders those criminal proceeds by concealing or disguising their unlawful origin.

Practical implications

The FATF could strengthen its framework by explicitly defining all tax evasion as money laundering. This would enable regulatory agencies to draw upon the full combined resources dedicated to either offense.

Originality/value

The analysis demonstrates that tax evasion completely incorporates money laundering as currently defined by the FATF.
Impact of environmental, social and governance disclosures on market reaction: an evidence of Top50 companies listed from Thailand
Authors: Suttipun Muttanachai , Yordudom Thanyaorn
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to survey the extent, level and trend of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures of top50 listed companies from Thailand, to test the different level of ESG disclosures of the companies between high profile industry and low profile industries and to examine the impact of ESG disclosures on the market reaction of top50 listed companies in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

Population and sample were top50 listed companies from the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Using corporate annual reports from 2015 to 2019, content analysis by word counting was used to quantify the extent, level and trend of ESG disclosures, while the market reaction was collected by the average stock price. Descriptive analysis, independent sample t-test, correlation matrix and multiple regression were used to analyze the data.

Findings

There was an increased level of ESG disclosures during the period being study. The most common ESG disclosures were social disclosure following by governance and environmental disclosures. Moreover, there were different levels of environmental disclosure of top50 listed companies between high and low profile industries, while no different levels of social and governance disclosures between high and low profile industries were found. Finally, the study found that environmental and social disclosures had a positive impact on market reaction, while there was a negative impact of governance disclosure on market reaction.

Originality/value

Thai investors can use ESG disclosures for their decision-making on investment.
Organizational citizenship behavior and team effectiveness in service industry: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Ansari Khaliqur Rehman , Upadhyay Rajesh Kumar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study to explore the relationship between organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), team effectiveness (TE), employee motivation (EM) and employee retention (ER) in the service sector. This study proposes an alternate heuristic TE framework, which is termed as IMMO (input-moderated mediation-output) by replacing M with MM (moderated mediation) in IMOI framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in service sector of Uttarakhand state and the data collected from the employees working in different service organizations (such as educational institute, banking, insurance several others). Collected data were analyzed by using different analytical tools like confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling for validating the constructs used in this study and to assess the relationship among different variables used for this study.

Findings

The result of this study reveals that OCB has positive impact on TE, and the relationship is mediated partially by EM, and the relation between EM and TE is moderated by ER.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on OCB and TE. The relation between OCB and TE with the mediation of EM and the moderation effect of ER between the relation of EM and TE was investigated. This study suggests both theoretical and practical implications based on the findings.
Augmenting brand community identification for inactive users: a uses and gratification perspective
Authors: Dessart Laurence , Veloutsou Cleopatra
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In an era where companies shift a part of their marketing budget to support their social media presence, very little is known about the antecedents and effects of participant identification in a social media community. This paper aims to examine the antecedents of community identification in a Facebook company-managed brand community, for inactive members, using the uses and gratification theory. Brand community identification is also expected to lead to higher levels of brand loyalty for these members.

Design/methodology/approach

This research reports the results of a quantitative with survey data from 389 members of a variety of different official Facebook pages.

Findings

The results reveal that inactive members of Facebook pages can be influenced to act in a way that is beneficial for a company. Perceived human and information value of the brand Facebook page lead members to identify with a brand community and identification is a strong predictor of loyalty to the brand.

Practical implications

This paper provides suggestions to managers on the development of brand community value that can increase brand community identification and loyalty of apparently inactive brand community members.

Originality/value

By showing that brand community identification and loyalty exist for users with low activity levels, this research challenges the widely accepted idea that only highly active members are valuable in online brand communities. Specifically, it reveals the most important motivations for these members to identify with the community and be loyal to the brand.
Watching participatory budgeting events or attending them produce different distributive outcomes
Authors: Lev-On Azi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study examines the impact of presence, synchronicity of exposure and other variables on allocative decisions reached following a participatory budgeting event.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes the distributive decisions reached following a participatory budgeting event, which took place in an academic institution, and students were asked to determine the distribution of a portion of the student union budget. Some students viewed the event live (physically or remotely), while others watched it in delay.

Findings

The main variable affecting allocative decisions was whether decision-makers were exposed to the event physically or remotely. There was a significant and large difference between allocation decisions of participants who were physically present at the event and those who were exposed to it remotely.

Practical implications

The discussion elaborates on the implications of the findings for the importance of presence and media selection in public engagement events.

Originality/value

Public engagement events are becoming widespread, with the Internet being a major tool in their administration. This study demonstrates that using the Internet to make such events accessible to the non-physically present can create significant changes in decisions reached by participants.
Incentive mechanisms for government officials' implementing open government data in China
Authors: Zhang Han , Bi Ying , Kang Fei , Wang Zhong
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors influencing the behaviors of government officials during the implementation of open government data (OGD). By identifying and understanding the key factors that determine government officials' adoption of OGD in China, this study can create a valuable reference for other countries and their decision-making regarding government implementation of OGD.

Design/methodology/approach

This research collected data by in-depth interviews with government officials in Chinese OGD departments. Through these interviews, the authors consulted 15 administrators from departments that are responsible for the information tasks in Beijing and other cities on their opinions about OGD. The authors also interviewed senior executives from information technology (IT) companies, as well as open data policy scholars from big data alliance and research institutions.

Findings

This paper provides insights about how to promote government officials in OGD implementation, including (1) strengthen social supervision for the environment, through developing and publishing OGD technology roadmaps, then attracting the public to actively participate in the implementing of OGD; (2) establish an OGD assessment mechanism for government officials, with bonus motivations, position promotion incentives, as well as spiritual incentives via regional or sector rankings; (3) alleviate the risks of officials' OGD decisions in actual practice, using the institution construction of OGD to guide its direction and strengthen security protection.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study how government officials' behavior can be motivated on OGD implementation.
Qualitative accounting research in the time of COVID-19 – changes, challenges and opportunities
Authors: Molinari Matteo , de Villiers Charl
Published: June 2021

Purpose

COVID-19 restrictions have severely impacted access to the traditional data and data sources used by qualitative researchers. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the corresponding challenges and opportunities of conducting qualitative research in accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study highlights the opportunities opened up by the way the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting qualitative accounting research, discussing the most common qualitative accounting research methods, practices and techniques used during the different phases of research.

Findings

The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping some of the traditional research methods, practices and techniques in qualitative accounting research. Particularly, academic researchers who are reluctant to use the new technologies need to adapt their research approach, deal with the new challenges and exploit the opportunities to conduct research in a COVID-19 environment. Some changes in research methods, practices and techniques will affect accounting research in the long term.

Research limitations/implications

This paper could be a valuable resource for qualitative accounting researchers.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to focus on the changes, challenges and opportunities for conducting qualitative accounting research in a COVID-19 setting. As such, this paper could be a valuable resource for different types of qualitative accounting researchers, specifically the discussion of ways to deal with the changes and challenges, as well as the opportunities, as summarised in the table.
Re-embedding embeddedness: what is the role of social enterprise in promoting democracy and protecting social rights?
Authors: Roy Michael J. , Dey Pascal , Teasdale Simon
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In today’s “market society” almost every aspect of the everyday lives is shaped by market forces. In this essay, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the potential role of social enterprise as one means of re-embedding the economy into society to ensure the economy works for people, rather than the other way around.

Design/methodology/approach

This is primarily a conceptual paper: a provocation.

Findings

The authors argue that to work as an embedding force, social enterprise needs to ensure both reciprocity and market exchange while acting in a way that attempts to compensate for the retreat of the state through providing public services and promoting collective decision-making and public deliberation.

Originality/value

Drawing upon the work of Karl Polanyi to conceptualise social enterprise as an “alternative” economic actor within a plural economic system, the authors contribute to on-going debates about social enterprise as an alternative way of organising markets and society. The authors highlight the challenges involved in achieving such a vision and suggest ways these might be overcome.
Optimising spatial distribution of mass‐flowering patches at the landscape scale to increase crop pollination
Authors: Desaegher James , Sheeren David , Ouin Annie
Published: June 2021

The addition of floral resources is often recommended to improve entomophilous crop pollination. However, implanting new plots of mass‐flowering resources in landscapes can have both positive and negative effects on pollinator visitation rates to crops.

We investigated the effects of plot characteristics (size and nesting quantities) on the best places to locate new co‐flowering plots to optimise crop pollination. First, we parameterised and validated an existing pollination model with field data. We set up experiments to simulate the conversion of random plots into new sunflower fields versus wildflower plots (intended to provide more nesting sites than sunflower fields and co‐flowering with sunflower) and quantified the change in pollinator visitation rates to existing target sunflower fields.

We predicted a decrease in visitation rates (competition) when floral plots were established next to target fields and an increase in visitation rates (facilitation) when floral plots were established farther away. We identified the competition‐facilitation transition distance (CF distance) and the distance at which facilitation was maximal (Fmax distance). We interpreted competition effects as a dilution of pollinators among the floral resources and facilitation effects as an increase in habitat quality, thus supporting bigger pollinator populations. Implanting floral resources that provide more nesting sites, such as wildflower plots versus new sunflower fields, significantly increased facilitation and reduced CF distance (713 m vs. 1,241 m) and Fmax distance (1,138 m vs. 1,788 m). The size of the converted plot did not affect CF or Fmax distance.

We predicted a benefit in isolating rather than aggregating multiple sunflower fields in terms of global crop pollination.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings highlight the opportunity to optimise the spatial distribution of mass‐flowering resources at the landscape scale to enhance crop pollination. We also suggest preserving or introducing nesting sites as a priority in areas with high‐density mass‐flowering resources to compensate for the negative consequences of pollinator dilution.
Canals as invasion pathways in tropical dry forest and the need for monitoring and management
Authors: Asth Matheus da Silva , Rodrigues Renato Garcia , Zenni Rafael Dudeque
Published: June 2021

Linear infrastructure intrusions are common around the world to meet the needs of a growing and interconnected human population. The implementation of linear infrastructures involves numerous forms and mechanisms of land‐use transformation that can facilitate and serve as pathways to the spread of invasive non‐native species. However, the type and intensity of land transformations change over time and this can affect the frequency and intensity in which linear infrastructures route the spread of invasive species.

Here, we present results collected over 5 years of monitoring surveys (2015–2019) to assess the relationship between the construction of one of the largest canals to date in Brazil and the spread of non‐native species. We studied the Integration Project of the São Francisco River (PISF), a canal fully inserted in the Caatinga biome, a tropical dry forest ecosystem for which information on invasion dynamics are little known.

Our results confirmed PISF canals served as habitat and dispersal corridors for non‐native plant species. Monitoring surveys recorded 26 non‐native species established along the 83.2 km2 PISF deployment area. Eleven years after the canal deployment area was completely cleared of vegetation, 92.3% of its extension had non‐native plant populations. Of the 10 species assessed for their population status, 8 had invasive populations.

The time immediately after construction work finished was the critical stage for the spread of non‐native woody plants, which increased their distributions with reduced levels of construction intervention, whereas most of the herbaceous species reduced their distributions. When human intervention was drastically reduced, many populations of non‐native plants rapidly formed at the deployment area.

Policy implications. Man‐made linear infrastructures can remove biogeographical barriers and serve as pathways for the spread of invasive species over long distances and across ecosystems. Thus, the planning, construction and management of such infrastructures should include measures and funding for risk assessment, prevention, monitoring and control of biological invasions. Agencies responsible for environmental licensing should mandate invasive species management as part of the installation and operation licensing conditions.
Moisture availability and ecological restoration limit fine fuels and modelled wildfire intensity following non‐native ungulate removal in Hawaii
Authors: Zhu Timothy R. , Litton Creighton M. , Giardina Christian P. , Trauernicht Clay
Published: June 2021

The removal and exclusion of non‐native ungulates for conservation of biodiversity is common globally, including on tropical Pacific Islands. However, the poorly quantified effects of ungulate exclusion on fuels and wildfire may represent an important conservation trade‐off.

We measured fuels (live and dead fuel loads, type, height and continuity) and modelled potential wildfire behaviour (flame height and rate of spread) inside and outside of 13 ungulate exclosures, three of which received active ecological restoration (e.g. planting of native shrubs and trees), across a 2,740 mm mean annual rainfall (MAR) gradient on the Island of Hawaii. Differences in fuel characteristics and modelled wildfire behaviour inside versus outside of ungulate exclosures were assessed using linear mixed effects analyses.

Non‐native ungulate removal, in general, increased fine fuel loading (average change ranged from −0.7 to 11.3 Mg/ha), shrub fuel loading (−0.1 to 5.6 Mg/ha) and modelled flame lengths (−0.2 to 1.9 m). Post‐removal fine fuel loading and modelled flame lengths increased linearly and positively with moisture availability, by as much as 56% in the wettest sites. Dead fine fuels, a key driver of fire intensity and combustion rates, also increased with ungulate removal. Sites undergoing active ecological restoration exhibited reductions in fuel loading, with greater reductions over time since ungulate removal; by the 10th year following ungulate removal, fine fuel loading was reduced at restoration sites by 41%.

Synthesis and applications. Dry and mesic environments where wildfire occurrence is more frequent are of particular concern following non‐native ungulate removal, but with drought even typically wet environments can be at high risk of wildfire following ungulate removal. Given limited resources, managers in mesic and wet forests might focus first non‐native ungulates in non‐native grass‐dominated areas that contribute disproportionately to wildfire spread and are adjacent to fenced higher value areas, while managers in dry to mesic areas might focus on removing non‐native ungulates. Where possible, land managers in all situations should invest in long‐term fuel management strategies such as active ecological restoration to reduce fuel loads and the occurrence and intensity of wildfires.
Contribution of microbial photosynthesis to peatland carbon uptake along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Hamard Samuel , Céréghino Regis , Barret Maialen , Sytiuk Anna , Lara Enrique , Dorrepaal Ellen , Kardol Paul , Küttim Martin , Lamentowicz Mariusz , Leflaive Joséphine , Le Roux Gaël , Tuittila Eeva‐Stiina , Jassey Vincent E. J.
Published: June 2021

Phototrophic microbes, also known as micro‐algae, display a high abundance in many terrestrial surface soils. They contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide fluxes through their photosynthesis, and thus regulate climate similar to plants. However, microbial photosynthesis remains overlooked in most terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we hypothesise that phototrophic microbes significantly contribute to peatland C uptake, unless environmental conditions limit their development and their photosynthetic activity.

To test our hypothesis, we studied phototrophic microbial communities in five peatlands distributed along a latitudinal gradient in Europe. By means of metabarcoding, microscopy and cytometry analyses, as well as measures of photosynthesis, we investigated the diversity, absolute abundance and photosynthetic rates of the phototrophic microbial communities.

We identified 351 photosynthetic prokaryotic and eukaryotic operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across the five peatlands. We found that water availability and plant composition were important determinants of the composition and the structure of phototrophic microbial communities. Despite environmental shifts in community structure and composition, we showed that microbial C fixation rates remained similar along the latitudinal gradient. Our results further revealed that phototrophic microbes accounted for approximately 10% of peatland C uptake.

Synthesis. Our findings show that phototrophic microbes are extremely diverse and abundant in peatlands. While species turnover with environmental conditions, microbial photosynthesis similarly contributed to peatland C uptake at all latitudes. We estimate that phototrophic microbes take up around 75 MT CO2 per year in northern peatlands. This amount roughly equals the magnitude of projected peatland C loss due to climate warming and highlights the importance of phototrophic microbes for the peatland C cycle.
Reciprocal crosses between Magnolia stellata and Magnolia kobus do not show significant reproductive barriers in seed formation
Authors: Tamaki Ichiro , Wadasaki Naotaka , Ishida Kiyoshi , Tomaru Nobuhiro
Published: June 2021

Congeneric invasive species reduce genetic endemism of native species through hybridization and sometimes cause extinction through genetic or demographic swamping. In the range of Magnolia stellata, a native rare subtree species, Magnolia kobus, an invasive planted/escaped tree species, can also be found. In order to examine possible natural hybridization between the two species, a reciprocal cross‐pollination experiment was conducted, and fruit set, seed set, female reproductive success in seed formation (FRS; fruit set × seed set) and seed weight were estimated. With M. stellata as the maternal tree, there were no significant differences in all measurements between intra‐ and interspecific crosses. With M. kobus as the maternal tree, there were also no significant differences in all measurements except fruit set. These results suggest that there are no reproductive barriers between the two species and planted/escaped M. kobus near the natural habitat of M. stellata presents a threat through hybridization.
‘Cry‐for‐help’ in contaminated soil: a dialogue among plants and soil microbiome to survive in hostile conditions
Authors: Rolli Eleonora , Vergani Lorenzo , Ghitti Elisa , Patania Giovanni , Mapelli Francesca , Borin Sara
Published: June 2021

An open question in environmental ecology regards the mechanisms triggered by root chemistry to drive the assembly and functionality of a beneficial microbiome to rapidly adapt to stress conditions. This phenomenon, originally described in plant defence against pathogens and predators, is encompassed in the ‘cry‐for‐help’ hypothesis. Evidence suggests that this mechanism may be part of the adaptation strategy to ensure the holobiont fitness in polluted environments. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were considered as model pollutants due to their toxicity, recalcitrance and poor phyto‐extraction potential, which lead to a plethora of phytotoxic effects and rise environmental safety concerns. Plants have inefficient detoxification processes to catabolize PCBs, even leading to by‐products with a higher toxicity. We propose that the ‘cry‐for‐help’ mechanism could drive the exudation‐mediated recruitment and sustainment of the microbial services for PCBs removal, exerted by an array of anaerobic and aerobic microbial degrading populations working in a complex metabolic network. Through this synergistic interaction, the holobiont copes with the soil contamination, releasing the plant from the pollutant stress by the ecological services provided by the boosted metabolism of PCBs microbial degraders. Improving knowledge of root chemistry under PCBs stress is, therefore, advocated to design rhizoremediation strategies based on plant microbiome engineering.
Why Wouldn't They Be Reconciled? Corbyn's Leadership and the Recalcitrance of the Parliamentary Labour Party
Authors: Gilbert Jeremy
Published: June 2021

One of the most striking features of Labour Party politics during the years of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership was the recalcitrant lack of cooperation that he received from many Labour MPs, even after his remarkable success in the 2017 general election. This article systematically examines a number of possible explanations for this behaviour, including genuine divisions within the party over the issue of institutional anti‐semitism and over the politics of Brexit. Ultimately, it concludes that the most plausible explanation for MPs’ opposition to Corbyn is simply the lack of material motivation for many of Labour's elected representatives and officials to pursue the end of a Labour government led by a political faction with which they themselves are not aligned.
Stuck in separation: Liminality, graffiti arts and the forensic institution as a failed rite of passage
Authors: McGrath Laura , Mighetto Isabella , Liebert Rachel Jane , Wakeling Ben
Published: June 2021

Forensic psychiatric institutions are tasked with both containment and transformation, with securely policing the border between institution and society and readying patients for return to the community. Forensic institutions can thus be theorised as a form of ‘rite of passage’, engaged in a process of transformation which both navigates and demarcates social limits. This article contributes to literature on risk and control in clinical institutions by offering a novel theoretical synthesis of features of rites of passage and liminality, as facilitated by an art project in a forensic setting. Through the prism of the Graffiti and Wellbeing Project (GWP), an arts initiative, we explore the ways in which forensic institutions thus offer or impede opportunities for transformation. The project engendered a space for the transformation of difficult emotions and histories through the medium of art creating a liminal space of transformation within the confines of a secure institution. Drawing on Douglas, Kristeva and Bahktin, we argue that forensic institutions largely attempt to manage their own transgressive, marginal status, and the abject experiences of patients, through a recourse to order, suppression and sublimation. We argue for a wider range of responses to the transgressive and marginal experiences and behaviours prevalent in forensic settings, drawing on examples from the GWP.
When democratic experience distorts democracy: Citizen reactions to undemocratic incumbent behaviour
Authors: FREDERIKSEN KRISTIAN VREDE SKAANING
Published: June 2021

Democratically elected incumbents have engaged in subverting democracy without losing popular support in several countries in recent years. It remains a puzzle that this phenomenon has occurred in relatively mature democracies. In this research note, I argue that citizens become less likely to sanction undemocratic behaviour as their country gains democratic experience because they lose incentives to form opinions on the basis of threats to democracy. Using macro‐level panel data on democratic experience, undemocratic incumbent behaviour and incumbent approval across 43 democracies from 1962 to 2018, I find that undemocratic incumbent behaviour decreases incumbent approval when democratic experience is low. As democratic experience increases, however, this effect fades out. These findings question whether we can count on citizens to be the backbone of democratic stability in countries with democratic experience.
Analyst Coverage Overlaps and Interfirm Information Spillovers
Authors: MARTENS TIM , SEXTROH CHRISTOPH J.
Published: June 2021

We offer a novel perspective on the role of sell‐side analysts as information intermediaries in capital markets by documenting a flow of information in a new direction, namely, from analysts to the firms they cover. We use analyst coverage overlaps and patent citations to examine analyst‐induced information spillovers about technology and industry trends. Consistent with analyst coverage–related information flows, firms are more likely to cite another firm's patent if that firm is covered by the same analyst. The effect varies with analysts' specialization, experience, and level of activity. Firms with more analyst‐based connections to peers also show greater corporate innovation. Collectively, our evidence indicates that financial analysts not only reduce information asymmetries between firms and capital market participants but also facilitate the production of business intelligence through feedback and interfirm information spillovers.
A single‐domain small protein Med‐ORF10 regulates the production of antitumour agent medermycin inStreptomyces
Authors: Cai Xiaofeng , Li Caiyun , Ichinose Koji , Jiang Yali , Liu Ming , Wang Huili , Gong Caixia , Li Le , Wan Juan , Zhao Yiming , Yang Qing , Li Aiying
Published: June 2021

Med‐ORF10, a single‐domain protein with unknown function encoded by a gene located in a gene cluster responsible for the biosynthesis of a novel antitumour antibiotic medermycin, shares high homology to a group of small proteins widely distributed in many aromatic polyketide antibiotic pathways. This group of proteins contain a nuclear transport factor‐2 (NTF‐2) domain and appear to undergo an evolutionary divergence in their functions. Gene knockout and interspecies complementation suggested that Med‐ORF10 plays a regulatory role in medermycin biosynthetic pathway. Overexpression ofmed‐ORF10 in its wild‐type strain led to significant increase of medermycin production. It was also shown by qRT‐PCR and Western blot that Med‐ORF10 controls the expression of genes encoding tailoring enzymes involved in medermycin biosynthesis. Transcriptome analysis and qRT‐PCR revealed that Med‐ORF10 has pleiotropic effects on more targets. However, there is no similar conserved domain available in Med‐ORF10 compared to those of mechanistically known regulatory proteins; meanwhile, no direct interaction between Med‐ORF10 and its target promoter DNA was detected via gel shift assay. All these studies suggest that Med‐ORF10 regulates medermycin biosynthesis probably via an indirect mode.
On‐site environmental DNA detection of species using ultrarapid mobile PCR
Authors: Doi Hideyuki , Watanabe Takeshi , Nishizawa Naofumi , Saito Tatsuya , Nagata Hisao , Kameda Yuichi , Maki Nobutaka , Ikeda Kousuke , Fukuzawa Takashi
Published: June 2021

Molecular methods, including those for environmental DNA (eDNA), provide essential information for biological and conservation sciences. Molecular measurements are often performed in the laboratory, which limits their scope, especially for rapid on‐site analysis. eDNA methods for species detection provide essential information for the management and conservation of species and communities in various environments. We have developed an innovative novel method for on‐site eDNA measurements using an ultrarapid mobile PCR platform. We tested the ability of our method to detect the distribution of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, in rivers and lakes. Our method reduced the measurement time to 30 min and provided high detectability of aquatic organisms compared to national observation surveys that use multiple fishing nets and laboratory extraction/detection using a benchtop qPCR platform. Our on‐site eDNA method can be immediately applied to various taxa and environments.
Arterial evaluation of systemic sclerosis patients with Doppler ultrasound: What did we find?
Authors: Badak Suade Ozlem , Gulek Bozkurt , Kayacan Erdogan Esra , Bınokay Hulya , Erken Eren
Published: June 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to detect macrovascular findings in systemic sclerosis (SSc) by means of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) and to evaluate the relationship between the laboratory and clinical findings in the setting of the disease.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study. Eighty‐eight patients were included in the study. CDUS examinations of the bilateral carotid, vertebral, and peripheral arteries were performed. The presence of macrovascular involvement was investigated and recorded, and its relationships with the clinical, laboratory, and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated.

Results

An atheromatous plaque was found in 67.7% of the 1936 arteries examined by CDUS. Of these 1936 arteries, 37.4% demonstrated a narrowing of the intraluminal diameter. On the other hand, the carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) was found to have increased in 55.7% of the patients. This increase was found to be statistically correlated with disease duration, the modified Rodnan Skin Thickness Score, and the Medsger Disease Activity Score. But no relation existed with the disease subtype, age, or cardiovascular risk factors. Arterial occlusion was detected in 10 patients. An association was found between the CIMT values and arterial occlusion.

Conclusions

In this study, we examined the arteries by means of CDUS, and we detected structural alterations in the peripheral and carotid arteries. We witnessed that these macrovascular changes had a close association with certain features of SSc. We think there is a need for broader prospective studies in order to evaluate the contribution of these factors to the macrovascular changes stated in the article.
Non‐invasive surveys of mammalian viruses using environmental DNA
Authors: Alfano Niccolò , Dayaram Anisha , Axtner Jan , Tsangaras Kyriakos , Kampmann Marie‐Louise , Mohamed Azlan , Wong Seth T. , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Wilting Andreas , Greenwood Alex D.
Published: June 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) and invertebrate‐derived DNA (iDNA) are used to survey biodiversity non‐invasively to mitigate difficulties in obtaining wildlife samples, particularly in remote areas or for rare species. Recently, eDNA/iDNA were used to monitor known wildlife pathogens; however, most wildlife pathogens are unknown and often evolutionarily divergent.

To detect and identify known and novel mammalian viruses from eDNA/iDNA, we used a curated set of RNA oligonucleotides as viral baits in a hybridization capture system coupled with high‐throughput sequencing.

We detected multiple known and novel mammalian RNA and DNA viruses from multiple viral families from both waterhole eDNA and leech‐derived iDNA. Congruence was found between detected hosts and viruses identified in leeches and waterholes.

Our results demonstrate that eDNA/iDNA samples represent an effective non‐invasive resource for studying wildlife viral diversity and for detecting novel potentially zoonotic viruses prior to their emergence.
Adapting a propane turkey fryer to manipulate temperature in aquatic environments
Authors: Konecny Cassandra A. , Brownlee Graham R. P. , Harley Christopher D. G.
Published: June 2021

There is a growing need to better understand the potential impacts of altered thermal regimes on biodiversity and ecosystem function as mean temperatures, and the likelihood of extreme temperatures, continue to increase.

One valuable approach to identify mechanisms and pathways of thermally driven change at the community level is through the manipulation of temperature in the field. However, where methods exist, they are often costly or unable to produce ecologically relevant changes in temperature.

Here, we present a low‐cost, easily assembled and readily customizable thermal manipulation system for tide pools or other small bodies of water—the Seaside Array for Understanding Thermal Effects (SAUTE)—and demonstrate its ability to effectively alter the temperature in tide pools.

During our 3‐hr heating manipulation, heated pools reached temperatures 4℃ warmer than unmanipulated pools. During the cooling manipulation, cooled pools remained on average 1.8℃ cooler than control pools.

The novel SAUTE system can be used to alter the temperature of tide pools in situ. Furthermore, it could be modified to heat other environments such as freshwater vernal pools and settlement tiles in a realistic and meaningful manner, serving as a useful tool to test questions surrounding the relationship between climate warming, thermal variability and ecological processes in natural aquatic communities.