bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Market liberalizations and efficiency in Latin America
Authors: Chow Sheung Chi , Hui Yongchang , Vieito João Paulo , Zhu ZhenZhen
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of stock market liberalization on efficiency of the stock markets in Latin America.

Design/methodology/approach

Daily stock indices from Latin American countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, are used in the analysis. To examine the impact of stock market liberalization on efficiency, the authors use several approaches, including the runs test, Chow–Denning multiple variation ratio test, Wright variance ratio test, the martingale hypothesis test and the stochastic dominance (SD) test, on the above Latin American stock market indices.

Findings

The authors find that stock market liberalization does not improve stock market efficiency in Latin America.

Originality/value

This investigation is among the first to examine the impact of stock market liberalization on the efficiency of the stock markets. It is among the first to examine the impact of stock market liberalization on the efficiency of the Latin American stock markets. It is also among the first to apply the martingale hypothesis test and a SD approach on issue about efficient market.
Comparison of methods for estimating the uncertainty of value at risk
Authors: Gamba-Santamaria Santiago , Jaulin-Mendez Oscar Fernando , Melo-Velandia Luis Fernando , Quicazán-Moreno Carlos Andrés
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Value at risk (VaR) is a market risk measure widely used by risk managers and market regulatory authorities, and various methods are proposed in the literature for its estimation. However, limited studies discuss its distribution or its confidence intervals. The purpose of this paper is to compare different techniques for computing such intervals to identify the scenarios under which such confidence interval techniques perform properly.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods that are included in the comparison are based on asymptotic normality, extreme value theory and subsample bootstrap. The evaluation is done by computing the coverage rates for each method through Monte Carlo simulations under certain scenarios. The scenarios consider different persistence degrees in mean and variance, sample sizes, VaR probability levels, confidence levels of the intervals and distributions of the standardized errors. Additionally, an empirical application for the stock market index returns of G7 countries is presented.

Findings

The simulation exercises show that the methods that were considered in the study are only valid for high quantiles. In particular, in terms of coverage rates, there is a good performance for VaR(99 per cent) and bad performance for VaR(95 per cent) and VaR(90 per cent). The results are confirmed by an empirical application for the stock market index returns of G7 countries.

Practical implications

The findings of the study suggest that the methods that were considered to estimate VaR confidence interval are appropriated when considering high quantiles such as VaR(99 per cent). However, using these methods for smaller quantiles, such as VaR(95 per cent) and VaR(90 per cent), is not recommended.

Originality/value

This study is the first one, as far as it is known, to identify the scenarios under which the methods for estimating the VaR confidence intervals perform properly. The findings are supported by simulation and empirical exercises.
On the non-neutrality of the financing policy and the capital regulation of banking firms
Authors: Masera Rainer , Mazzoni Giancarlo
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate whether the value of banks is affected by their financing policies. Higher capital requirements have been invoked by exploiting a renewed edition of the Modigliani–Miller (M&M) theorem. This paper shows the limits of this claim by highlighting that the general statement that “bank equity is not expensive” can be misleading. The authors argue that market prices should play an important role in bank supervision. Expectations of future profits in prices supply timely information on the viability of a bank.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the Merton model to show the inapplicability of M&M theorem to banks. The long-run viability of a bank is analyzed with a dividend discount model which allows to compare a bank’s long-term profitability with its overall cost of capital implicit in market prices.

Findings

The authors show that the M&M framework cannot be applied to banks neither ex-ante nor ex-post. Ex-ante the authors focus on government guarantees, ex-post they emphasize the risk-shifting phenomena that may increase the overall risk of the bank. The authors show that a bank’s stability cannot be achieved if the market expectations of its future profits stay below the cost of funding.

Research limitations/implications

The authors use simple analytical models. In a future study, some key peculiarities of banks, such as the monetary nature of deposits, should be analytically modelled.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to the debate on capital regulation on the level of capital requirements and the instruments to assess the viability/stability of banks.

Originality/value

This paper uses simple models to assess analytically the key issues in the debate on banks’ capital regulation.
Risk tolerance and rationality in the case of retirement savings
Authors: Tavor Tchai , Garyn-Tal Sharon
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This research aims to examine the decision-making process involved in saving for retirement and compare it with decision-making processes regarding other financial products (such as loans and savings plans) as well as real products (such as a car or a home).

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on the distribution of 107 questionnaires. The questionnaire is composed of two parts: questions examining and focusing on the individual’s decision-making process and questions regarding socioeconomic factors. The average level of risk tolerance is calculated for each respondent with respect to the first four chapters. (These chapters include buying a car or a home, opening a savings plan and taking a loan). Afterward, the consistency (rationality) of the respondents is examined with regard to their decision-making concerning retirement savings plans. Then, an econometric model is used to further test the consistency of the respondents.

Findings

The results suggest that the level of risk tolerance associated with a retirement savings plan is consistent with that associated with the other financial products, but not with the real products. Majority of the respondents demonstrate high risk tolerance with respect to retirement savings, and their decision-making process is similar to a random thinking process. The level of deliberation and information-gathering regarding retirement savings is the lowest when compared with the other financial and real products examined in this paper. Majority of the respondents are less risk-tolerant toward the other financial and real products.

Originality/value

In this research, the authors examine how different individuals with different characteristics get different decisions about their personal retirement savings. The authors also examine these decisions’ deviation from the rational model, and compare it with decision-making processes regarding other financial products as well as real products.
Design and manufacture of TNT explosives detector sensors based on CNTFET
Authors: Masoumi Saeid , Hajghassem Hassan , Erfanian Alireza , Molaei Rad Ahmad
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Miniaturized smart sensors that can perform sensitive and selective real-time monitoring of target analytes are tremendously valuable for various sensing applications. So, the purpose of this paper is to provide details of sensors based on selective nanocoatings by combining trinitrotoluene (TNT) receptors bound to conjugated polydiacetylene (PDA) polymers with single-walled carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) for detecting explosives TNT.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, this paper describes the way of creating an FET with CNTs, which are functionalized by the peptide based on TNT molecule recognition elements and PDA, to offer a system which has the capability of answering the presence of related target molecules (TNT). Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

Single-wall nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide are interesting materials for creating biosensors of FETs at nanoscale because of unique electrical, mechanical, geometrical and biocompatible properties. Therefore, this sensor is designed and manufactured, and the results of applying TNT to sensor show good sensitivity and selectivity response.

Originality/value

In this timeframe of history, sensors based on CNTFET are required for different uses, including clinical diagnosis technologies, environmental tests and bioterrorism recognition technologies, that correspond to the military conflicts and terrorism. So, CNTFET sensor design provides real-time detection of TNT explosives.
Flexible pressure sensor with a “V-type” array microelectrode on a grating PDMS substrate
Authors: Cui Jianli , Duan Junping , Zhang Binzhen , Nan Xueli
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a fabrication and measurement of a highly stretchable pressure sensor with a “V-type” array microelectrode on a grating PDMS substrate.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the “V-type” array structure on the silicon wafer was fabricated by the MEMS technology, and the fabrication process included ultra-violet lithography and silicon etching. The “V-type” array structure on the master mold was then replicated into polycarbonate, which served as an intermediate, negative mold, using a conventional nanoimprint lithography technique. The negative mold was subsequently used in the PDMS molding process to produce PDMS “V-type” array structures with the same structures as the master mold. An Ag film was coated on the PDMS “V-type” array structure surface by the magnetron sputtering process to obtain PDMS “V-type” array microelectrodes. Finally, a PDMS prepolymer was prepared using a Sylgard184 curing agent with a weight ratio of a 20:1 and applied to the cavity at the middle of the two-layer PDMS “V-type” array microelectrode template to complete hot-press bonding, and a pressure sensor was realized.

Findings

The experimental results showed that the PDMS “V-type” array microelectrode has high stretchability of 65 per cent, temperature stability of 0.0248, humidity stability of 0.000204, bending stability and cycle stability. Capacitive pressure sensors with a “V-type” array microelectrode exhibit ideal initial capacitance (111.45 pF), good pressure sensitivity of 0.1143 MPa-1 (0-0.35 Mpa), fast response and relaxation times (<200 ms), high bending stability, high temperature/humidity stability and high cycle stability.

Originality/value

The PDMS “V-type” array structure microelectrode can be used to fabricate pressure sensors and is highly flexible, crack-free and durable.
Study on magnetohydrodynamics angular rate sensor under non-uniform magnetic field
Authors: Ji Yue , Li Xingfei , Wu Tengfei , Chen Cheng , Yang Ying
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The evaluations of the magnetohydrodynamics angular rate sensor (MHD ARS) in its applications necessitate further improvements in the sensor’s dynamic measurement ability. The magnetic field of the MHD ARS is a key factor in the sensor’s modeling and error analysis. The aim of this study is to illustrate the influence of a non-uniform magnetic field on the sensor.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical simulation is made using ANSYS FLUNET with the magnetic field calculated by 3D-Magnetostatic. The comparison of the simulation results between uniform and non-uniform magnetic fields is made to reveal and explain the effects of magnetic field inhomogeneity (MFI) on the flow and electric field in detail. Two different structures with different MFIs are designed to confirm the MFI effect on the sensor’s output in simulation and experiment. A cross-correlation experiment and an adaptive filter are carried out to extract the signal to identify the error of the sensor output caused by MFI.

Findings

The MFI effect on the flow field in MHD ARS is found to be insignificant, while its effect on the electric potential is considerable. The comparisons between two kinds of MHD ARS in numerical simulation and experiment show that the MFI effect on the sensor error can be identified by fitting the sensor output. The deviation is mainly generated at the peaks and valleys of an angular vibration.

Originality/value

The study of the MHD ARS under the influence of a non-uniform magnetic field can offer an understanding of the MFI effect on the sensor and an evaluation method of the sensor error caused by the MFI effect.
A novel method of studying the micro-contact using surface acoustic wave sensor
Authors: Yang Jian , Chen Hejuan
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the response behavior of the surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor under the loading of micro-particles and to evaluate the feasibility of using the SAW sensor to study the micro-contact of the particle–plane interface.

Design/methodology/approach

An analytical perturbation theory of the coupled system of particle and SAW is presented. It shows that in the weak-coupling regime, the SAW sensor detects the coupling stiffness rather than the additional mass of the particle at the interface. The frequency perturbation formula expressed in parameters of the geometry and mechanical properties of the contact is further derived. The frequency shift of a 262-MHz Rayleigh-type SAW in the oscillation configuration under the loading of multiple starch particles of different sizes has been measured.

Findings

The experiment results of a linear relationship between the frequency increase and the sum of the radius of particles to the power of 2/3 verified the validity of the theory of linking the SAW response to the geometry and mechanical properties of the contact.

Originality/value

The SAW sensor could serve as a new candidate for studying the details of mechanical properties of the micro-contact of the interface.
Microbial eukaryote communities exhibit robust biogeographical patterns along a gradient of Patagonian and Antarctic lakes
Authors: Schiaffino M. Romina , Lara Enrique , Fernández Leonardo D. , Balagué Vanessa , Singer David , Seppey Christophe C. W. , Massana Ramon , Izaguirre Irina
Published: October 2016

Microbial eukaryotes play important roles in aquatic ecosystem functioning. Unravelling their distribution patterns and biogeography provides important baseline information to infer the underlying mechanisms that regulate the biodiversity and complexity of ecosystems. We studied the distribution patterns and factors driving diversity gradients in microeukaryote communities (total, abundant, uncommon and rare community composition) along a latitudinal gradient of lakes distributed from Argentinean Patagonia to Maritime Antarctica using both denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and high‐throughput sequencing (Illumina HiSeq). DGGE and abundant Illumina operational taxonomic units (OTUs) showed both decreasing richness with latitude and significant differences between Patagonian and Antarctic lakes communities. In contrast, total richness did not change significantly across the latitudinal gradient, although evenness and diversity indices were significantly higher in Patagonian lakes. Beta‐diversity was characterized by a high species turnover, influenced by both environmental and geographical descriptors, although this pattern faded in the rare community. Our results suggest the co‐existence of a ‘core biosphere’ containing reduced number of abundant/dominant OTUs on which classical ecological rules apply, together with a much larger seedbank of rare OTUs driven by stochastic and reduced dispersal processes. These findings shed new light on the biogeographical patterns and forces structuring inland microeukaryote composition across broad spatial scales.
Cornwall's Devolution Deal: Towards a More Sustainable Governance?
Authors: Willett Joanie
Published: October 2016

This article considers the devolution deal signed by Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the summer of 2015. It asks if the deal constitutes a more sustainable approach to governance, concluding that while there are some factors that help to enhance sustainability, other areas urgently require more attention. These claims are made through an analysis of a model of sustainability which emphasises the importance of networks and feedback loops envisaging civil society as an adaptive organism. This helps to show that although power is significantly dispersed in some aspects of the ‘Cornwall Deal’, this latter does little to alter the highly centralised nature of governance across England, or provide spaces where local actors can feed back into central policy.
Effect of extrusion conditions and storage temperature on texture, colour and acidity of butter
Authors: Kashaninejad Morteza , Razavi Seyed M A , Mazaheri Tehrani Mostafa , Kashaninejad Mahdi
Published: October 2016

The effect of extruder shear rate (500, 750, 1125, 1500 and 1750/s), feed temperature (5, 7, 10, 13 and 15 °C) and storage temperature (5, 7, 10, 13 and 15 °C) on the acid value, colour (L*, a* and b*values) and texture (hardness and adhesiveness) of organic butter was examined. The optimised conditions in terms of extruder shear rate, feed temperature and storage temperature were 1345/s, 13 °C and 7 °C, respectively. At the optimised conditions; the predicted responses were determined as hardness 42.5 g/cm, work softening 67.2%, adhesiveness 42.5 gf/cm, acid value 3.4 mg KOH/kg and L* value 99.57.
Spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy and endometriosis: a case series
Authors: Lier MCI , Malik RF , van Waesberghe JHTM , Maas JW , van Rumpt–van de Geest DA , Coppus SF , Berger JP , van Rijn BB , Janssen PF , de Boer MA , de Vries JIP , Jansen FW , Brosens IA , Lambalk CB , Mijatovic V
Published: October 2016

Objective

To report pregnancy outcomes of SHiP (spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy) and the association with endometriosis.

Design

Retrospective case note review.

Setting

Dutch referral hospitals for endometriosis.

Sample

Eleven women presenting with 15 events of SHiP.

Methods

In collaboration with the Dutch Working Group on Endometriosis, unpublished cases of SHiP that occurred in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2015 were retrieved.

Main outcome measures

Maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.

Results

SHiP occurred predominantly in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The earliest and major presenting symptom was an acute onset of abdominal pain, often combined with low haemoglobin levels or signs of fetal distress. Imaging was a diagnostic tool when free peritoneal fluid could be observed. For surgical treatment of the bleeding site, a midline laparotomy was mostly needed, the median estimated amount of blood loss was 2000 mL. No fetomaternal or perinatal mortality was reported, despite a high rate of preterm births (54.5%). In all women, endometriosis was diagnosed at a certain moment in time and therefore was probably involved in the pathogenesis of SHiP. Four women showed recurrence of SHiP. In one of these cases the second event of SHiP occurred in a subsequent pregnancy.

Conclusion

Pregnancy outcomes of SHiP are improving when compared with previous reports, with absent fetomaternal and perinatal mortality in this recent series. Growing knowledge and adequate multidisciplinary intervention may have contributed to these favourable results. Increasing awareness of this serious complication of pregnancy is advocated, especially in women diagnosed with endometriosis.

Tweetable abstract

Growing awareness of SHiP is advocated, especially in women diagnosed with endometriosis.
Fluorescence Imaging of Posterior Spiracles from Second and Third Instars of Forensically Important Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae),
Authors: Flores Danielle , Miller Amy L. , Showman Angelique , Tobita Caitlyn , Shimoda Lori M. N. , Sung Carl , Stokes Alexander J. , Tomberlin Jeffrey K. , Carter David O. , Turner Helen
Published: October 2016

Entomological protocols for aging blowfly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae to estimate the time of colonization (TOC) are commonly used to assist in death investigations. While the methodologies for analyzing fly larvae differ, most rely on light microscopy, genetic analysis, or, more rarely, electron microscopy. This pilot study sought to improve resolution of larval stage in the forensically important blowfly Chrysomya rufifacies using high‐content fluorescence microscopy and biochemical measures of developmental marker proteins. We established fixation and mounting protocols, defined a set of measurable morphometric criteria and captured developmental transitions of 2nd instar to 3rd instar using both fluorescence microscopy and anti‐ecdysone receptor Western blot analysis. The data show that these instars can be distinguished on the basis of robust, nonbleaching, autofluorescence of larval posterior spiracles. High‐content imaging techniques using confocal microscopy, combined with morphometric and biochemical techniques, may therefore aid forensic entomologists in estimating TOC.
The VHOT (Vindaloo Hastens Outpouring of Troponins) Study
Authors: Tankel Alan S , Nagree Yusuf , Jones Peter , Mountain David , Macdonald Stephen PJ , Hill Paul , Than Martin
Published: October 2016

Background

Multiple cardiac and non‐cardiac processes may cause an elevated highly sensitive troponin (hsTn). We postulated that the consumption of a seriously hot vindaloo could cause an increase in hsTn levels in seemingly healthy volunteers.

Objective

To determine whether eating a very hot curry can cause elevated hsTn.

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort study. Participants had blood drawn for hsTn pre‐ingestion and at 2 and 4 h post‐ingestion of, first, a rather mild butter chicken and, 2 weeks later, a seriously hot lamb vindaloo. We assessed pre‐curry tolerance and perception of curry hotness for both curries using the VHOT scale.

Results

Although no participant had a troponin above the reference range at any point in time, we found dramatic relative increases in troponin in many of our participants. In the vindaloo phase, 8/22 (36%) had a relative change >20%, whereas 5/22 (23%) had a relative change >50% at 4 h. However, these changes were not significantly different to those in the butter chicken phase. Based on biological variability alone, 15/22 (68%) had a relative change of >20%, and 11/22 (50%) had a relative change of >50% between the two sessions (pre‐ingestion).

Conclusions

Eating a seriously hot vindaloo does not appear to be a risk factor for troponitis, and people may consume vindaloo safely with the knowledge that this is unlikely to result in significant damage to their myocardium. However, clinicians should be aware of the biological variability of hsTn and exercise caution when interpreting apparent changes within the normal range.
Alcohol intoxication in non‐motorised road trauma
Authors: Mitra Biswadev , Charters Kate E , Spencer John C , Fitzgerald Mark C , Cameron Peter A
Published: October 2016

Objective

To determine the proportion of non‐motorised road users involved in road traffic crashes that presents to hospital intoxicated.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective cohort study using data collected from the Alfred Trauma Registry. All patients presenting to an adult major trauma centre in Victoria, Australia from July 2009 to June 2014 who were involved in a road traffic crash as a non‐motorised road user – pedestrians, pedal‐cyclists, non‐motorised scooter users, horse riders – were included. Patients who had a blood alcohol measurement were included, and intoxication was defined as a blood alcohol concentration ≥0.05 g/100 mL.

Results

There were 1323 patients included for analysis with data on presenting blood alcohol concentration. Alcohol was detected in 248 (18.7%; 95%CI: 16.7–20.9) patients, whereas 211 (15.9%; 95%CI: 14.1–18.0) were intoxicated. Among all included pedestrians, 161 (24.7%) were intoxicated; among all included pedal‐cyclists, 47 (7.3%) were intoxicated. Intoxicated patients were significantly younger, and a higher proportion were males and more likely to present after hours and on public holidays (P < 0.01). Survival to hospital discharge and inpatient rehabilitation requirements were similar among intoxicated and non‐intoxicated patients.

Conclusions

Intoxication was common among non‐motorised road users, and the proportion of intoxicated patients in this subgroup appears unchanged over time despite public awareness programmes. The true burden of intoxication in non‐motorised road users remains unknown because of a lack of routine testing. Legislation directed at testing for intoxication of non‐motorised users and introduction of penalties should be considered to improve safety of all road users.
A conceptual framework for international human resource management research in developing economies
Authors: Ayentimi Desmond Tutu , Burgess John , Brown Kerry
Published: October 2016

This paper highlights the evolution and contribution of the institutional theory perspective to the study of human resource management (HRM) transfers between advanced economies and less developed economies owing to institutional dissimilarities. The paper seeks to explore the institutional differences between advanced economies (home) and less developed economies (host) through the lens of institutional theory and how such institutional differences constrain or provide opportunities for the transfer ofHRMpractices. We develop a conceptual framework through the lens of institutional theory to provide useful and comprehensive insight of factors or conditions to consider when transferringHRMpractices from advanced economies to less developed economies where there are institutional dissimilarities. The framework offers a broad perspective of the three dimensions of institutional theory to help multinational enterprises evaluate and explore how the differences in institutional settings between home and host countries may create opportunities or constraints inHRMpractice transfers.
Optimization of Vacuum Impregnation with Calcium Lactate of Minimally Processed Melon and Shelf‐Life Study in Real Storage Conditions
Authors: Tappi Silvia , Tylewicz Urszula , Romani Santina , Siroli Lorenzo , Patrignani Francesca , Dalla Rosa Marco , Rocculi Pietro
Published: October 2016

Vacuum impregnation (VI) is a processing operation that permits the impregnation of fruit and vegetable porous tissues with a fast and more homogeneous penetration of active compounds compared to the classical diffusion processes. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact on VI treatment with the addition of calcium lactate on qualitative parameters of minimally processed melon during storage. For this aim, this work was divided in 2 parts. Initially, the optimization of process parameters was carried out in order to choose the optimal VI conditions for improving texture characteristics of minimally processed melon that were then used to impregnate melons for a shelf‐life study in real storage conditions. On the basis of a 23 factorial design, the effect of Calcium lactate (CaLac) concentration between 0% and 5% and of minimum pressure (P) between 20 and 60 MPa were evaluated on color and texture. Processing parameters corresponding to 5% CaLac concentration and 60 MPa of minimum pressure were chosen for the storage study, during which the modifications of main qualitative parameters were evaluated. Despite of the high variability of the raw material, results showed that VI allowed a better maintenance of texture during storage. Nevertheless, other quality traits were negatively affected by the application of vacuum. Impregnated products showed a darker and more translucent appearance on the account of the alteration of the structural properties. Moreover microbial shelf‐life was reduced to 4 d compared to the 7 obtained for control and dipped samples.
Metagenomics insights into food fermentations
Authors: De Filippis Francesca , Parente Eugenio , Ercolini Danilo
Published: October 2016

This review describes the recent advances in the study of food microbial ecology, with a focus on food fermentations. High‐throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have been widely applied to the study of food microbial consortia and the different applications of HTS technologies were exploited in order to monitor microbial dynamics in food fermentative processes. Phylobiomics was the most explored application in the past decade. Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, although still underexploited, promise to uncover the functionality of complex microbial consortia. The new knowledge acquired will help to understand how to make a profitable use of microbial genetic resources and modulate key activities of beneficial microbes in order to ensure process efficiency, product quality and safety.
The Role of Wetlands for Mitigating Economic Damage from Hurricanes
Authors: Boutwell J. Luke , Westra John V.
Published: October 2016

Coastal communities along the United States coast often experience significant economic damage resulting from the impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes. Research suggests that certain factors that affect economic damages are increasing the vulnerability of coastal communities. Population growth, which increases vulnerability by placing valuable lives and assets in the path of storms, is expected to increase. Climate change has the potential to cause more frequent and intense storms, and coastal wetland loss is contributing to the vulnerability of coastal populations. Wetlands conservation and restoration is often advocated for as a means of reducing the impacts of coastal storms. The relationship between wetlands and storm surge energy is understood relatively well in physical terms, but very little economic analysis has been conducted to estimate the degree to which wetlands reduce economic impacts. Using factor analysis, the relationships among coastal populations, wetlands, storm intensity, and economic damage are explored. The factor analysis suggests that wetland presence is associated with a reduction in economic damages from coastal storms. Factor score analysis suggests that the proportion of damage explained by wetland presence is smaller for more intense storms. These results are consistent with those found in the physical science literature and have potentially large consequences for how wetlands are used in risk reduction.
Expression of the diguanylate cyclase GcbA is regulated by FleQ in response to cyclic di‐GMP in Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Xiao Yujie , Nie Hailing , Liu Huizhong , Chen Wenli , Huang Qiaoyun
Published: October 2016

Cyclic di‐GMP (c‐di‐GMP), a ubiquitous bacterial second messenger that regulates diverse cellular processes, is synthesized by diguanylate cyclase (DGC) and degraded by phosphodiesterase (PDE). GcbA is a well conserved DGC among Pseudomonas species, and has been reported to influence biofilm formation and flagellar motility in Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here we confirm the function of GcbA in Pseudomonas putida and reveal that expression of GcbA is regulated by FleQ in response to c‐di‐GMP. GcbA deletion impaired initial biofilm formation and enhanced swimming motility, but showed no influence on biofilm maturation in Pseudomonas putida. Deletion of the c‐di‐GMP effector FleQ led to a significant decrease in transcription of gcbA. Moreover, reducing c‐di‐GMP levels promoted gcbA transcription in a FleQ dependent way, while enhancing c‐di‐GMP levels abolished the promotion. In in vitro experiments we found that FleQ bound to gcbA promoter DNA and the binding was inhibited by c‐di‐GMP. Besides, FleN, an anti‐activator of FleQ, and the sigma factor RpoN also participated in transcription of gcbA. Our finding expands the complexity of FleQ‐dependent regulation and reveals a self‐regulation function of c‐di‐GMP by regulating GcbA expression via FleQ.
The Representativeness of Global Deliberation: A Critical Assessment of Civil Society Consultations for Sustainable Development
Authors: Sénit Carole‐Anne , Biermann Frank , Kalfagianni Agni
Published: October 2016

During the negotiations of the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations consulted worldwide nearly ten million people for their views. Such proliferating megaconsultations are often uncritically accepted as a remedy for an assumed democratic deficit of intergovernmental institutions. We argue, however, that the potential of civil society consultations to democratize global governance is constrained by the limited legitimacy of these consultations in the first place. Global consultations regularly fail to include civil society actors from developing countries, or show other sociodemographic biases. Also, they often fail to strengthen accountability between citizens, international organizations and governments. In this article, we investigate the causes of this phenomenon by exploring the relationship between the design of consultations and their democratic legitimacy. The basis for our argument is an in‐depth empirical study of three consultations carried out during the negotiations of the Sustainable Development Goals. We find that design is an important variable to explain the overall legitimacy of consultations. Yet its exact role is sometimes unexpected. Extensive material resources and open access conditions do not systematically enhance the legitimacy of the studied consultations. Instead, developing clear objectives, allocating sufficient time to participants, and formally binding the consultation to the negotiations hold considerably more promise.
Does auditor gender affect issuing going‐concern decisions for financially distressed clients?
Authors: Hossain Sarowar , Chapple Larelle , Monroe Gary S.
Published: October 2016

We investigate whether an audit partner's gender is associated with the likelihood of issuing a going‐concern opinion for a financially distressed client. Our analysis is based on data for a sample of Australian listed companies for the period 2003–2011. Our results from unrestricted and propensity score‐matched samples and a Heckman two‐stage model indicate that female audit partners are less likely to issue a going‐concern opinion for financially distressed clients. Our findings provide evidence of differential audit outcomes depending on the gender of the audit partner, thus implying that audit partner gender affects the decision‐making processes used when making the audit reporting decision. These behavioural differences have the potential to influence perceptions of financial reporting and audit quality.
Assessing the frequency and drivers of early‐greening in broad‐leaved woodlands along a latitudinal gradient in southern Africa
Authors: Whitecross Melissa A. , Witkowski Ed T. F. , Archibald Sally
Published: October 2016

Savannas are the only deciduous system where new leaf flush pre‐empts the onset of suitable conditions for growth, a phenological phenomenon known as early‐greening. Limited understanding of the frequency and drivers of the occurrence of early‐greening in southern African savanna trees exists. We aimed to estimate the frequency of early‐greening events across southern Africa and investigated potential environmental drivers of green‐up. We selected and compared seven broad‐leaved woodland sites whereBurkea africanawas a dominant species using remotely sensed data along a latitudinal gradient from South Africa to Zambia. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values were extracted from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite imagery at each site from January 2002 to June 2014. Using an austral year (July 1st–June 30th), early‐greening was recorded if the green‐up start date occurred prior to the onset date of seasonal rainfall. A latitudinal gradient of early‐green‐up was detected across southern Africa (R2 = 0.74) with the two most northerly (Zambian) sites showing the earliest and most consistent green‐up start dates (3 October ± 5.34 days). A strong latitudinal gradient was observed between the variability in the amount of rainfall in the first 6 months of green‐up and the green‐up start dates across southern Africa (R2 = 0.92). Photoperiod appeared to play a role in areas where the onset of rainfall commenced late into the austral year. Mean maximum temperatures recorded 10 days prior to green‐up start dates suggested a potential threshold of about 35°C, which could drive early‐greening in the absence of rainfall. Correlations between the proportion of early‐greening years and the above mentioned environmental factors indicated that rainfall variability had the strongest influence over the observed phenological gradient (R2 = 0.96). Understanding early‐greening in complex savanna systems is a vital step in furthering predictive phenological models under changing climatic conditions.
Right here, right now: Populations of Actinotus helianthi differ in their early performance traits and interactions
Authors: Emery Nathan J. , Henwood Murray J. , Offord Catherine A. , Wardle Glenda M.
Published: October 2016

Populations across the geographical distribution of a species are shaped by different local environments to produce distinctive patterns of variation in plant traits. Among‐population variation is, therefore, important for understanding potential shifts in distributions under changing environments, but is often not included in studies. In particular, critical data on the suitability of local environments for plant traits expressed at different life stages are lacking. To address this we performed two experiments to disentangle the influence of the local environment on multiple plant traits for populations of Actinotus helianthi from across its latitudinal range. A common environment experiment was used to compare early plant traits of germination, early seedling growth and survival for 17 populations of A. helianthi. To examine how biotic interactions vary across populations, we evaluated whether plant traits, including height and number of pseudanthia, influence visitor diversity and abundance, and if insect visitor abundance or diversity was associated with seed set success. We found that populations varied in germination success between 0.2 ± 0.1% and 64.2 ± 2.3%. Seedling growth and early survival varied among populations by as much as a factor of two and 44 respectively. We recorded variation in plant traits across hierarchical spatial scales from the maternal plant to biogeographical regions. The abundance and diversity of insect visitors also varied among populations and seed set was found to be site specific. There was a trend for populations with taller plants and larger floral display sizes to be more frequently visited by pollinators. We also identified a positive linear relationship between the number of visits by flies and seed set success. These results suggest that the local environment has a strong role in directly and indirectly influencing variation in plant traits within populations of A. helianthi, and potentially other perennial species.
Risk attitudes and the structure of decision‐making: evidence from the Illinois hog industry
Authors: Franken Jason R.V. , Pennings Joost M.E. , Garcia Philip
Published: October 2016

Research offers mixed evidence about the risk management decision‐making process of producers. Whether producers’ characteristics drive behavior directly or through risk attitude remains a puzzle. We assess whether managerial/firm characteristics directly affect choices or if their influence occurs indirectly through impacts on risk attitude. The findings, which support indirect effects, indicate that failure to represent relationships between risk attitude, other characteristics, and behavior appropriately can mask the effect of risk attitude. A more complete understanding of the structure of decision‐making may assist economists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in designing and targeting mechanisms to manage or transfer risk.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with hardcore smoking among rural daily male smokers
Authors: Yang Lei , Liu Yanxun , Wang Jian , Jia Chongqi
Published: October 2016

Background and Objectives

The existence of smokers who are resistant to smoking cessation interventions has attracted considerable interest in recent years. Given the paucity of data on that topic in rural China, we aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of hardcore smoking in rural China.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 14 villages in Shandong, China. A total of 1,287 male daily smokers were face‐to‐face interviewed. A multiple logistic regression model was used to explore the associations of demographics, environment, knowledge and attitudes about smoking, and smoking behavior characteristics with hardcore smoking among daily male smokers. A general dominance analysis model was used to access the relative contribution of the determinants that were identified in the multiple logistic regression.

Results

Hardcore smokers constituted 32.9% (n = 423) of daily male smokers. Five determinants for hardcore smoking were identified in the multiple logistic regression. Dominance analysis showed higher level of smoking intensity was the most important determinant of hardcore smoking, followed by being a farmer, starting to smoke daily under the age of 20, younger age, having fewer smokers around.

Discussion and Conclusions

This study suggests that hardcore smokers account for a substantial proportion of daily male smokers and are distinct from other groups of daily smokers.

Scientific Significance

Specifically tailored tobacco‐control efforts should be made to address the issues incurred by hardcore smokers. (Am J Addict 2016;25:628–633)
Patterns of the co‐use of alcohol, marijuana, and emerging tobacco products in a national sample of young adults
Authors: Cohn Amy M. , Johnson Amanda L. , Rath Jessica M. , Villanti Andrea C.
Published: October 2016

Background

Emerging tobacco product use is on the rise in young adults and has been linked to alcohol and marijuana use. Little is known about which patterns of alcohol, marijuana, and emerging tobacco product co‐use are most popular in this age group.

Objectives

This study examined the prevalence of a broad spectrum of marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco co‐use patterns across a variety of tobacco products in a national sample of young adults.

Methods

Data were analyzed from a sub‐set of 18–24 year olds (unweighted n = 3,940) from five waves of the Truth Initiative Young Adult Cohort, a national sample of 18–34 year olds. A user‐generated statistical program in R was used to assess all possible patterns of past 30‐day use of alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, cigars, e‐cigarettes, little cigars/cigarillos, hookah, and other tobacco (pipe, chew, dip, snus, dissolvables).

Results

No past 30‐day use of any substance emerged as the most popular pattern across all years (42%), followed by exclusive past 30‐day alcohol use (31%), and past 30‐day alcohol use with cigarettes (5%) or marijuana (4%). The popularity of exclusive marijuana use increased over time, but only 1% reported exclusive marijuana use without the combination of either alcohol or a tobacco product. E‐cigarette use only emerged in combination with alcohol and was the least popular pattern of co‐use relative to other patterns.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

Patterns stress the importance of alcohol among young people. Successful substance use prevention should focus on alcohol's co‐use with a variety of substances of abuse, rather than focus on a single behavior. (Am J Addict 2016;25:634–640)
Fusobacterium necrophorum findings in Denmark from 2010 to 2014 using data from the Danish microbiology database
Authors: Bank Steffen , Jensen Anders , Nielsen Hanne Merete , Kristensen Lena Hagelskjær , Voldstedlund Marianne , Prag Jørgen
Published: October 2016

Fusobacterium necrophorum findings in Denmark and estimation of the incidence of F. necrophorum bacteraemia was described using data from the nationwide Danish microbiology database (MiBa). All microbiological reports on any Fusobacterium species in Denmark were extracted for a period of 5 years from 2010 to 2014 from MiBa and from the local department of clinical microbiology. The overall incidence of F. necrophorum bacteraemia from 2010 to 2014 was 2.8 cases per million/year vs 9.4 in the age group 15–24 years. F. necrophorum was rare in blood cultures from children and middle‐aged patients and then raised again. However, 48 of 232 cases of Fusobacterium bacteraemia were not identified to species level, so the incidences of F. necrophorum bacteraemia may be underestimated in our study. F. necrophorum was found in throat swabs in the age group between 13 and 40 years and in otitis media in children below 2 years in those departments which performed anaerobic culture. The incidence of F. necrophorum bacteraemia found was comparable to earlier reported figures for Lemierre's syndrome. Fusobacterium bacteraemia should always be identified to species level.
The human gastrointestinal tract and oral microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease: a state of the science review
Authors: Lucas López Rosario , Grande Burgos María José , Gálvez Antonio , Pérez Pulido Rubén
Published: October 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes a spectrum of diseases from ulcerative colitis (UC) to Crohn's disease (CD). Many studies have addressed the changes in the microbiota of individuals affected by UC and CD. A decrease in biodiversity and depletion of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes has been reported, among others. Changes in microbial composition also result in changes in the metabolites generated in the gut from microbial activity that may involve the amount of butyrate and other metabolites such as H2S being produced. Other factors such as diet, age, or medication need to be taken into consideration when studying dysbiosis associated with IBD. Diverse bacterial species have been associated specifically or non‐specifically to IBD, but none of them have been demonstrated to be its ethiological agent. Recent studies also suggest that micro‐eukaryotic populations may also be altered in IBD patients. Last, but not least, viruses, and specially bacteriophages, can play a role in controlling microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tract. This may affect both bacterial diversity and metabolism, but possible implications for IBD still remain to be solved. Dysbiosis in the oral microbiome associated with IBD remains an emerging field for future research.
REDD+ on hold: Lessons from an emerging institutional setup in Laos
Authors: Vongvisouk Thoumthone , Lestrelin Guillaume , Castella Jean‐Christophe , Mertz Ole , Broegaard Rikke Brandt , Thongmanivong Sithong
Published: October 2016

The prospects of receiving funding for REDD+ have set many developing countries on a pathway of policy reforms to integrate REDD+ in national legislation. Progress has been slow partly due to the lengthy international negotiations on REDD+ but also because the policy reforms have not been backed by sufficient commitment to make REDD+ implementation feasible. To contribute to a better understanding of why policy and institutional reforms have not been successful in taking REDD+ implementation further, we analyse the institutional landscape of the forestry and environmental sectors in Laos as a case in point. We interviewed stakeholders from national to village levels and found that REDD+ has been effectively on hold in Laos. This is because of recent institutional transformations, rapid staff turnover and limited implementation capacity of government agencies at the national and sub‐national levels all of which have led to a heavy reliance on international support and external consultants. The result is that Laos may not be ready to benefit from the international agreement on REDD+. The situation in Laos provides a compelling example of how difficult REDD+ implementation has proven to be in countries where institution building is still in process.