bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategizing with organizational videoblogs: sensegiving, self-branding or spectacle?
Authors: Krohn Mikaela
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Despite the increased interest in video methods and the role of visuality in organizations and management, the use of video in organizations has received scant attention. The purpose of this paper is to explore organizational videoblogs as a phenomenon, and discuss avenues that open up for qualitative research. The paper examines the affordances of organizational videoblogs in a strategy context by contrasting them with more conventional corporate videos, in order to discuss how spectacularization and social media style communication is influencing social practices in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

First, this paper introduces the phenomenon of organizational videoblogging and its implications for research. Second, it engages in a theoretical discussion on videoblogs as a strategizing activity, through three different analytical lenses: strategic sensegiving, strategic self-branding and strategy as spectacle. Illustrative empirical examples are used to support the theoretical discussion.

Findings

The paper argues that organizational videoblogging is a phenomenon that changes social practices in organizations by injecting a visual, social media type communication. Organizational videoblogs emphasize authenticity and provide new affordances for sensegiving and self-branding in strategizing, but ultimately lead us to ask whether they risk turning strategizing into an infotainment-like spectacle.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in conceptualizing how and why organizational videoblogs can be studied in organizations. The paper provides future research with vocabulary and characteristics to distinguish different types of video in organizations.
Client industry characteristics and auditor changes
Authors: Cairney Tim , Stewart Errol G.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether the industry characteristics of homogeneity, product competition, high auditor competition and accounting standards complexity are associated with auditor changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regressions test for significance of the industry characteristics on resignations, dismissals and directional changes to and from Big 4 and nonBig 4 auditors after controlling for client, auditor and engagement factors.

Findings

The authors report a lower likelihood of auditor resignations with greater accounting standards complexity. The authors also report a greater likelihood of auditor dismissals with greater industry homogeneity, greater product competition and greater auditor competition. Results also show that accounting standards complexity is associated with a lower likelihood of changes from Big to nonBig auditors, and industry homogeneity is associated with a greater likelihood of changes from Big to nonBig. Also, greater auditor competition is associated with a lower likelihood of changes from nonBig to Big auditors.

Research limitations/implications

Prior research has established the importance of industry characteristics to the market for audit services (Cairney and Stewart, 2015; Wang and Chui, 2015; Cahan et al., 2011; Bills et al., 2015). The authors report that industry characteristics also impact auditor changes. Second, previous research has used various methods that indicate general industry effects on changes. The paper contributes to this research by specifying industry characteristics. Limitations include the reliance on the self-reporting in 8-Ks to identify auditors resigning and firms dismissing auditors. Also, the paper relies on proxies for industry characteristics that were developed in prior research.

Practical implications

Regulators have expressed concern over the relatively low rates of auditor changes and the problem of lack of auditor choice. By demonstrating a significant effect of industry characteristics on changes, the authors indicate some levers that may be available to influence rates of auditor changes, especially realignments to nonBig.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to examine how specific industry characteristics impact auditor changes. The study may be of interest to academics who are interested in how industry factors influence auditor changes. It may also interest policymakers who could lever the characteristics of industries to address concerns about the low rates of auditor changes.
Unraveling spatiotemporal variability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a temperate grassland plot
Authors: Goldmann Kezia , Boeddinghaus Runa S. , Klemmer Sandra , Regan Kathleen M. , Heintz‐Buschart Anna , Fischer Markus , Prati Daniel , Piepho Hans‐Peter , Berner Doreen , Marhan Sven , Kandeler Ellen , Buscot François , Wubet Tesfaye
Published: May 2019

Soils provide a heterogeneous environment varying in space and time; consequently, the biodiversity of soil microorganisms also differs spatially and temporally. For soil microbes tightly associated with plant roots, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), the diversity of plant partners and seasonal variability in trophic exchanges between the symbionts introduce additional heterogeneity. To clarify the impact of such heterogeneity, we investigated spatiotemporal variation in AMF diversity on a plot scale (10 × 10 m) in a grassland managed at low intensity in southwest Germany. AMF diversity was determined using 18S rDNA pyrosequencing analysis of 360 soil samples taken at six time points within a year. We observed high AMF alpha‐ and beta‐diversity across the plot and at all investigated time points. Relationships were detected between spatiotemporal variation in AMF OTU richness and plant species richness, root biomass, minimal changes in soil texture and pH. The plot was characterized by high AMF turnover rates with a positive spatiotemporal relationship for AMF beta‐diversity. However, environmental variables explained only ≈20% of the variation in AMF communities. This indicates that the observed spatiotemporal richness and community variability of AMF was largely independent of the abiotic environment, but related to plant properties and the cooccurring microbiome.
Interim Effective Tax Rate Estimates and Internal Control Quality
Authors: McGuire Sean T. , Neuman Stevanie S. , Rice Sarah C.
Published: May 2019

This study examines whether the volatility of interim estimates of the annual effective tax rate (ETR) provides ex ante information about the quality of firms' internal control environments. Recent research suggests that some firms selectively disclose internal control weaknesses (ICWs). Given the negative consequences associated with ICWs, it is important for capital market participants to be able to identify firms with ineffective internal controls in a timely manner. We find that firms with more volatile annual ETR estimates are more likely to report both tax‐ and nontax‐related ICWs in the current year. Our results also indicate that the volatility of annual ETR estimates declines following the remediation of tax‐related ICWs, but not following the remediation of nontax‐related ICWs. In addition, we find that ETR volatility in the current year is associated with the likelihood that a firm will report an ICW in the following year. Finally, we provide evidence that the volatility of annual ETR estimates is associated with the likelihood that a firm has an undisclosed ICW. In combination, our results suggest that the volatility of interim estimates of the annual ETR provides an ex ante signal of the likelihood that a firm's internal controls are ineffective.
Perivascular adipose tissue‐derived stromal cells contribute to vascular remodeling during aging
Authors: Pan Xiao‐Xi , Ruan Cheng‐Chao , Liu Xiu‐Ying , Kong Ling‐Ran , Ma Yu , Wu Qi‐Hong , Li Hai‐Qing , Sun Yan‐Jun , Chen An‐Qing , Zhao Qiang , Wu Fang , Wang Xiu‐Jie , Wang Ji‐Guang , Zhu Ding‐Liang , Gao Ping‐Jin
Published: May 2019

Aging is an independent risk factor for vascular diseases. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), an active component of the vasculature, contributes to vascular dysfunction during aging. Identification of underlying cell types and their changes during aging may provide meaningful insights regarding the clinical relevance of aging‐related vascular diseases. Here, we take advantage of single‐cell RNA sequence to characterize the resident stromal cells in the PVAT (PVASCs) and identified different clusters between young and aged PVASCs. Bioinformatics analysis revealed decreased endothelial and brown adipogenic differentiation capacities of PVASCs during aging, which contributed to neointimal hyperplasia after perivascular delivery to ligated carotid arteries. Mechanistically, in vitro and in vivo studies both suggested that aging‐induced loss of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1 α (PGC1α) was a key regulator of decreased brown adipogenic differentiation in senescent PVASCs. We further demonstrated the existence of human PVASCs (hPVASCs) and overexpression of PGC1α improved hPVASC delivery‐induced vascular remodeling. Our finding emphasizes that differentiation capacities of PVASCs alter during aging and loss of PGC1α in aged PVASCs contributes to vascular remodeling via decreased brown adipogenic differentiation.
An examination of the Vietnamese emerging market economy: understanding how and why auditors have responded to the audit law reforms
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Thi , Kend Michael
Published: May 2019

Using New Institutional Sociology (NIS), we seek to explain the variation between what was intended with the Vietnamese reforms to audit in 2011 and the actual practice, and why there is variation. This paper reports findings from interviews with 70 individuals representing identified groups of stakeholders in the market for audit and assurance services in Vietnam. Overall, the findings indicate that there still exist business risks for foreign companies that pursue trade and commerce in communist Vietnam, particularly where non‐Big 4 audit firms are involved in the external audit function, as in some cases auditor independence is most likely compromised.
Molecular detection of microbial colonization in cervical mucus of women with and without endometriosis
Authors: Akiyama Kanoko , Nishioka Keisuke , Khan Khaleque N. , Tanaka Yukiko , Mori Taisuke , Nakaya Takaaki , Kitawaki Jo
Published: May 2019

Problem

Intrauterine microbial colonization and its association with the pathogenesis of endometriosis via an innate immune cascade have been reported. As a potential source of microbial transmission, information on microbial colonization in cervical mucus is unknown. We investigated pattern of microbiota in the cervical mucus collected from women with and without endometriosis using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technology.

Method of study

Cervical mucus samples were collected from women with (n = 30) and without (n = 39) endometriosis. The communities of microbiota in cervical mucus in the endometriosis group and the control group were examined by Gram staining and NGS targeting the V5‐V6 region of 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Copy number of some target bacteria was detected by real‐time PCR.

Results

We confirmed visual presence of bacteria in cervical mucus by Gram staining. NGS analysis showed that distribution of microbiota was similar in cervical mucus of women with and without endometriosis regardless of the phases of the menstrual cycle. In addition to predominant Lactobacilli spp., the populations of Corynebacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Streptococcus were increased in the endometriosis group. Of them, Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus were identified as the more significant candidates in the endometriosis group than in controls by real‐time PCR (P < 0.05 for each).

Conclusion

Our NGS analysis of cervical mucus indicated that among a variable microbiota, two candidates (Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus) were more frequently detected in women with endometriosis. Further investigation is needed to elucidate a mechanistic link of these bacteria in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
Clinical clearance of the thoracic and lumbar spine: a pilot study
Authors: Mitra Biswadev , El‐Menyar Ayman , Mercier Eric , Liew Susan , Varma Dinesh , Fitzgerald Mark C. , Al‐Hilli Shatha , Peralta Ruben , Al‐Thani Hassan , Cameron Peter A.
Published: May 2019

Background

In patients who are awake with normal mental and neurologic status, it has been suggested that the thoracolumbar (TL) spine may be cleared by clinical examination, irrespective of the mechanism of injury. The aim of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and accuracy of a clinical decision tool focused towards clearance of the TL spine during assessment of patients in the emergency department after trauma.

Methods

A prospective interventional study was conducted at two major trauma centres. The intervention of a clinical decision tool for assessment of the TL spine was applied prospectively to all patients with subsequent imaging results acting as the comparator. The primary outcome variable was fracture of the thoracic or lumbar vertebra(e). The clinical decision tool was assessed using sensitivity and specificity for detecting a TL fracture and reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

There were 188 cases included for analysis that all underwent imaging of the thoracic and/or lumbar vertebrae. There were 34 (18%) patients diagnosed with fractures of the thoracic and/or lumbar vertebrae. In this pilot study, sensitivity of the clinical decision tool was 100% (95% CI 87.3–100%) and specificity was 37.0% (95% CI 29.5–45.2%) for the detection of a thoracic or lumbar vertebral fracture.

Conclusions

Feasibility of clinical clearance of the TL spine in two major trauma centres was demonstrated in a clinical study setting. Evaluation of this clinical decision tool in patients following blunt trauma, particularly in reducing imaging rates, is indicated using a larger prospective study.
The genetic aetiology of retinal degeneration in children in Finland – new founder mutations identified
Authors: Avela Kristiina , Salonen‐Kajander Riitta , Laitinen Arja , Ramsden Simon , Barton Stephanie , Rudanko Sirkka‐Liisa
Published: May 2019

Purpose

To study the genetic aetiology and phenotypes of retinal degeneration (RD) in Finnish children born during 1993–2009.

Methods

Children with retinal degeneration (N = 68) were investigated during 2012–2014 with a targeted gene analysis or a next‐generation sequencing (NGS) based gene panel. Also, a full clinical ophthalmological examination was performed.

Results

The cohort covered 44% (68/153) of the Finnish children with inherited RD born 1993–2009. X‐linked retinoschisis, retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis and cone–rod dystrophy were the most common clinical diagnoses in the study group. Pathogenic mutations were found in 17 retinal genes. The molecular genetic aetiology was identified in 77% of the patients (in 77% of the families) analysed by NGS method. Several founder mutations were detected including three novel founder mutations c.148delG in TULP1, c.2314C>R (p.Gln772Ter) in RPGRIP1 and c.533G>A (Trp178Ter) in TYR. We also confirmed the previous tentative finding of c.2944 + 1delG in GYCU2D being the most frequent cause of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in Finland.

Conclusions

Globally, RD is genetically heterogeneous with over 260 disease genes reported so far. This was shown not to be the case in Finland, where the genetic aetiology of RD is caused by a small group of genes, due to several founder mutations that are enriched in the population. We found that X‐chromosomal retinoschisis constitutes the major group in Finnish paediatric RD population and is almost exclusively caused by two founder mutations. Several other founder mutations were detected including three novel founder mutations. All in all, the genetic aetiology of 77% of families was identified which is higher than previously reported from other populations, likely due to the specific genomic constitution of the Finns.
Mindsets are contagious: The social contagion of implicit theories of intelligence among classmates
Authors: King Ronnel B.
Published: May 2019

Background

Beliefs about the malleability of intelligence (fixed or growth mindsets) are strongly influenced by teachers and parents. However, the social contagion of mindsets among one's classmates has not been given sufficient attention.

Aims

This study aimed to examine the social contagion of mindsets among one's peers by investigating the relationship between classmates' mindsets and one's own mindset.

Sample

In Study 1, 676 students nested within 19 classes were surveyed, and in Study 2, 848 students nested within 30 classes participated.

Methods

Students were surveyed across two time points 7 months apart. Multilevel modelling was used.

Results

The mindset of one's classmates at Time 1 predicted one's own mindset at Time 2 even after adjusting for one's own Time 1 mindset. These effects held even after controlling for demographic variables, social desirability, and achievement goals.

Conclusion

The current study provided evidence for the social contagion of mindsets. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
A moral panic over cats
Authors: Lynn William S. , Santiago‐Ávila Francisco , Lindenmayer Joann , Hadidian John , Wallach Arian , King Barbara J.
Published: May 2019

Some conservationists believe that free‐ranging cats pose an enormous risk to biodiversity and public health and therefore should be eliminated from the landscape by any means necessary. They further claim that those who question the science or ethics behind their arguments are science deniers (merchants of doubt) seeking to mislead the public. As much as we share a commitment to conservation of biodiversity and wild nature, we believe these ideas are wrong and fuel an unwarranted moral panic over cats. Those who question the ecological or epidemiological status of cats are not science deniers, and it is a false analogy to compare them with corporate and right‐wing special interests that perpetrate disinformation campaigns over issues, such as smoking and climate change. There are good conservation and public‐health reasons and evidence to be skeptical that free‐ranging cats constitute a disaster for biodiversity and human health in all circumstances. Further, there are significant and largely unaddressed ethical and policy issues (e.g., the ethics and efficacy of lethal management) relative to how people ought to value and coexist with cats and native wildlife. Society is better served by a collaborative approach to produce better scientific and ethical knowledge about free‐ranging cats.
Human development and advocacy journalism: Analysis of low editorial coverage in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Kamboh Shafiq , Yousaf Muhammad
Published: May 2019

Context

Despite being a nuclear power, Pakistan does not have satisfactory human development indicators. The 2018 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Index (HDI) ranking places it at 150 out of 189 countries, the lowest in the region after Afghanistan.

Purpose

This article examines advocacy journalism coverage of human development issues versus other issues in the contents of mainstream Pakistani newspapers and investigates the factors behind the inadequate space give

n to them. The study further explores the association between editorial and readers’ priorities.

Methods

The quantitative content analysis method is used to measure and compare the frequency of sample content in five categories coupled with qualitative in‐depth interviews with veteran journalists/academics to explain the factors that influence the editorial content.

Findings

Rather than use precious space to comment on social hardship and ultimately improve the country’s HDI value, editorial content is dominated by the discourse produced by the communication bureaucracies of powerful national and international establishments. Issues‐based policies of the state and political actors that do not concern human development, and warmongering and actual conflicts with India and Afghanistan, are given considerably greater coverage. Moreover, readers’ reactions to editorial content through Facebook Likes indicate a clear difference between editorial and readers’ priorities.

Policy Implications

The communication aspects of development programmes should actively feed editorial boards regarding current global development agendas to ensure sufficient coverage of their advocacy. It is imperative to make the UNESCO‐led syllabus Teaching Journalism for Sustainable Development an integral part of the country’s journalism curriculum. Relevant bodies should organize professional editorial training to raise awareness of how to use precious space wisely for the advocacy of development issues and how to be alert to the readers’ priority issues.
Biventricular contractility during exercise in adults with small, unrepaired atrial septal defects
Authors: Udholm Sebastian , Maagaard Marie , Nyboe Camilla , Hjortdal Vibeke E.
Published: May 2019

Background

Adult patients with a small, unrepaired atrial septal defect (ASD) have higher mortality and increased risk of several comorbidities compared to general population. Further, reduced submaximal and peak exercise capacity was recently demonstrated in these patients. The mechanisms behind these findings remain unexplained and, therefore, biventricular contractility during exercise was assessed by evaluating the force–frequency relationship in the same group of patients.

Methods

Adults patients with a small, unrepaired ASD and healthy age‐ and gender‐matched controls were examined using echocardiography during supine bicycle exercise. Continuous tissue velocity Doppler was used to evaluate isovolumetric acceleration (IVA) and systolic velocities during an incremental workload protocol. All data were analyzed post hoc in a blinded fashion.

Results

We included 30 patients previously diagnosed with a small, unrepaired ASD (mean age 35 years, 63% female) and 25 controls (mean age 34 years, 64% female). Patients had similar values of IVA and systolic velocities at rest when compared with the healthy controls. Further, no differences in IVA was found at peak heart rate for neither the left ventricle (90 ± 39 vs 129 ± 68 cm/s2, P = 0.1547) nor the right ventricle (128 ± 56 vs 154 ± 56 cm/s2, 0.5691). There were no correlations between peak velocities and the lower exercise capacity previously reported in these patients.

Conclusion

Adult patients with a small, unrepaired ASD have normal biventricular contractility at rest and during exercise when compared with healthy peers. Consequently, the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the impaired exercise capacity previously demonstrated in these patients remains unknown and will be a target for future work.
Habitat fragmentation reduces plant progeny quality: a global synthesis
Authors: Aguilar Ramiro , Cristóbal‐Pérez Edson Jacob , Balvino‐Olvera Francisco Javier , de Jesús Aguilar‐Aguilar María , Aguirre‐Acosta Natalia , Ashworth Lorena , Lobo Jorge A. , Martén‐Rodríguez Silvana , Fuchs Eric J. , Sanchez‐Montoya Gumersindo , Bernardello Gabriel , Quesada Mauricio
Published: May 2019

Most of the world's land surface is currently under human use and natural habitats remain as fragmented samples of the original landscapes. Measuring the quality of plant progeny sired in these pervasive environments represents a fundamental endeavour for predicting the evolutionary potential of plant populations remaining in fragmented habitats and thus their ability to adapt to changing environments. By means of hierarchical and phylogenetically independent meta‐analyses we reviewed habitat fragmentation effects on the genetic and biological characteristics of progenies across 179 plant species. Progeny sired in fragmented habitats showed overall genetic erosion in contrast with progeny sired in continuous habitats, with the exception of plants pollinated by vertebrates. Similarly, plant progeny in fragmented habitats showed reduced germination, survival and growth. Habitat fragmentation had stronger negative effects on the progeny vigour of outcrossing‐ than mixed‐mating plant species, except for vertebrate‐pollinated species. Finally, we observed that increased inbreeding coefficients due to fragmentation correlated negatively with progeny vigour. Our findings reveal a gloomy future for angiosperms remaining in fragmented habitats as fewer sired progeny of lower quality may decrease recruitment of plant populations, thereby increasing their probability of extinction.
Antibiotics use and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Sweden
Authors: Sun J. , Zhan Y. , Mariosa D. , Larsson H. , Almqvist C. , Ingre C. , Zagai U. , Pawitan Y. , Fang F.
Published: May 2019

Background and purpose

Previous animal studies have suggested a disrupted intestinal microbiome in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Due to the known effect of antibiotics on gut microflora, the potential role of antibiotics use on the risk of ALS deserves an investigation.

Methods

A nested case–control study was conducted using several Swedish national registers. In all, 2484 ALS patients diagnosed between 1 July 2006 and 31 December 2013 were included as cases, and five controls per case individually matched to the case by sex, birth year and area of residence were randomly selected from the general Swedish population. Information on antibiotics prescriptions before ALS diagnosis was extracted from the Prescribed Drug Register for both cases and controls. A conditional logistic regression model was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

After accounting for potential diagnostic delay in ALS by excluding all prescriptions within 1 year before diagnosis, any antibiotics use was associated with a higher risk of ALS. The ORs (95% CIs) were 1.06 (0.94–1.19), 1.13 (1.00–1.28) and 1.18 (1.03–1.35) when comparing 1, 2–3 and ≥4 prescriptions to no prescription (P for trend = 0.0069). Similar results were noted for antibiotics used for respiratory infections and urinary tract as well as skin and soft tissue infections. Amongst different individual antibiotics, the risk of ALS was especially increased in relation to more than two prescriptions of beta‐lactamase sensitive penicillin (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.10–1.50).

Conclusions

Use of antibiotics, especially repeated, might be associated with a higher subsequent risk of ALS.
Intra‐articular anaesthesia of the equine stifle improves foot lameness
Authors: Radtke A. , Fortier L. A. , Regan S. , Kraus S. , Delco M. L.
Published: May 2019

Background

Equine diagnostic anaesthesia can be a useful tool in challenging lameness examinations. However, anaesthetics diffuse over time leading to nonspecific desensitisation of periarticular structures. Nerves that convey sensation from the distal limb to the central nervous system pass in close proximity to the caudal stifle joint capsule. Therefore, diffusion of intra‐articular (IA) anaesthetics could cause inadvertent desensitisation of the distal limb resulting in a false diagnosis of stifle lameness.

Objectives

To determine if IA stifle anaesthesia can alleviate lameness originating in the distal limb.

Study design

Crossover experiment.

Methods

Nine horses were fitted with a circumferential hoof clamp to induce a moderate unilateral hindlimb lameness. Intra‐articular stifle anaesthesia was performed and gait was evaluated every 10 min during the 90‐min trial using an inertial sensor system. Push‐off and landing components of the lameness were assessed by measuring the mean inter‐stride difference between the maximum and minimum heights of the pelvis respectively. Differences were compared using a Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

Overall, horses with hoof clamp‐induced foot pain had a reduction in push‐off lameness after IA stifle anaesthesia. The mean change in diffmax at 90 min was −4.3 mm (P = 0.005) for the experimental group vs. −2.3 mm (P = 0.2) for the control group. Lameness decreased over time, with an average improvement of 23% at 30 min, 33% at 60 min and 38% at 90 min. There was high inter‐horse variability; 3/9 horses improved by ~50% within 30 min, while 2/9 improved by ~30% and 4/9 had minimal (<10%) or no improvement in lameness. Improvement after IA stifle anaesthesia was not related to the severity of baseline lameness (P = 0.3–0.7).

Main limitations

Limited clinical applicability of our lameness induction model.

Conclusions

Intra‐articular stifle anaesthesia reduces foot lameness in a third of horses by up to 50% within 30 min. Clinically, the results of IA stifle anaesthesia should be considered in the light of these findings before treatment recommendations are made, as additional diagnostics may be required to rule out pain originating in the distal limb.
Streamlined eco‐engineering approach helps define environmental flows for tropical Andean headwaters
Authors: Rosero‐López Daniela , Walter M. Todd , Flecker Alexander S. , Lloret Pablo , De Bièvre Bert , González‐Zeas Dunia , Calvez Roger , Dangles Olivier
Published: May 2019

Applying the environmental flows concept to human‐altered lotic ecosystems continues to face many practical challenges and barriers. Here, we modify a previously proposed framework, the Eco‐Engineering Decision Scaling, for application to part of the water supply system of Quito, Ecuador.

Specifically, we used feedback from engineers and water managers to develop a common set of metrics for defining flow‐ecology relationships and assess managed‐flow impacts on stream ecology. At 12 sites over 3 years, we collected flow and benthic invertebrate data (taxonomic richness, taxa important for fish, functional feeding groups, and water quality‐sensitive taxa) during wet and dry seasons. We then used these data to identify flow thresholds (relative to unmanaged flows) where flow withdrawal caused visible ecological impacts.

For this system, reduction of flow to 20% of the annual median was detrimental to benthic communities, while reductions to 40% of the annual median flow caused a variety of responses in the system. A trade‐off analysis of weighted metrics showed that a 50% benthic fauna richness could be sustained if dry season flows were maintained between 28% and 40% of the unmanaged median annual flow. This study provides a roadmap for bridging between eco‐engineering theoretical frameworks and the adoption of the environmental flows concept as actionable management thresholds.
The spatial scale dependence of diazotrophic and bacterial community assembly in paddy soil
Authors: Gao Qun , Yang Yunfeng , Feng Jiajie , Tian Renmao , Guo Xue , Ning Daliang , Hale Lauren , Wang Mengmeng , Cheng Jingmin , Wu Linwei , Zhao Mengxin , Zhao Jianshu , Wu Liyou , Qin Yujia , Qi Qi , Liang Yuting , Sun Bo , Chu Haiyan , Zhou Jizhong
Published: May 2019

Aim

The factors driving microbial community β‐diversity (variation in composition) at different spatial scales yield fundamental insights into the mechanisms that maintain ecosystem biodiversity, which as yet are uncertain. Here, we explore whether spatial scale‐dependent patterns of β‐diversity vary between microbial functional groups and bacterial taxa (i.e., diazotrophic and bacterial communities) across local to regional scales (from metres to hundreds of kilometres).

Location

Eastern China.

Time period

October and November 2015.

Major taxa studied

Diazotrophic and bacterial communities.

Methods

We use two complementary statistical tools to unveil biotic mechanisms (i.e., species association) underlying variation in β‐diversity of diazotrophic and bacterial communities. We examined distance–decay slopes of both communities at the local (1–113 m), meso‐ (3.4–39 km) and regional (103–668 km) scales. We used an environmentally constrained checkerboard score and topological features of association networks as indices of species association. We then calculated contributions of species association, abiotic factors and geographical distance to explain community β‐diversity. The scale‐dependent distance–decay relationships were also examined in ubiquitous (high occupancy across samples) and endemic communities of diazotrophs and bacteria.

Results

Diazotrophs displayed steeper distance–decay slopes than bacteria, suggesting that the β‐diversity of diazotrophic communities was more variable. The distance–decay slopes were dependent on spatial scales in both communities, owing to different contributions of geographical distance, abiotic factors and species association at three spatial scales. Intriguingly, species association was greater and contributed more to community β‐diversity than other forces at the local scale, implying that species association could greatly alter community structures.

Main conclusions

Drivers of diazotrophic and bacterial community β‐diversity depended on spatial scales, resulting in different distance–decay patterns. Moreover, this was the first study to use two methods to demonstrate that species association played important, but as yet unrecognized, roles in driving spatial scale‐dependent β‐diversity.
Seasonal and diurnal relationship of forage nutritive value and mass in a tall fescue pasture under continuous stocking
Authors: La Guardia Nave Renata , Corbin Michael Dereck
Published: May 2019

Monitoring forage mass and nutritive value of pastures are encouraged to ensure adequate and efficient grazing management. For on‐farm monitoring, reliable instruments such as the rising plate meter (RPM) are useful and easy to achieve. The objective of this research was to verify the relationship between measurements of RPM (MRPM) to forage nutritive value based on seasonal and diurnal changes within a tall fescue sward under continuous stocking management. The study was conducted at the Plateau AgResearch and Education Center in Crossville, TN, from January 2015 to December 2016. The experiment was conducted in two 9‐hectare pastures consisting of a tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons., formerly Festuca arundinacea Schreb.] sward. During the 12‐month grazing period each year, total aboveground available forage was measured monthly in each pasture with a calibrated RPM. In addition, each month, several randomly placed 1‐m2 sample areas were collected at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to characterize forage nutritive value. Neutral detergent fiber, crude protein and in vitro total dry matter digestibility (IVTDMD) were predicted by means of near‐infrared spectroscopy. During the entire year of 2015, all correlation coefficients of forage nutritive value variables with MRPM were significant. However, in 2016, only IVTDMD showed a significant correlation with MRPM. Of the nutritive value variables, we chose to focus on the IVTDMD and MRPM relationship because it had one of the highest correlations for most seasons and different times of day, especially in 2015. There was a strong relationship between RPM measurements of herbage mass with IVTDMD, and this relationship is especially useful during the spring, where rapid growth is occurring. The same relationship was not found to be consistent during periods of slow forage growth, especially if recovering from a drought event.
Yellow fever and orthotopic liver transplantation: new insights from the autopsy room for an old but re‐emerging disease
Authors: Duarte‐Neto Amaro N , Cunha Marielton dos P , Marcilio Izabel , Song Alice T W , de Martino Rodrigo B , Ho Yeh‐Li , Pour Shahab Z , Dolhnikoff Marisa , Saldiva Paulo H N , Duarte Maria I S , Takakura Cleusa F , Lima Fabiana R , Tanigawa Ryan Y , Iglezias Silvia D’A , Kanamura Cristina T , dos Santos Angela B G , Perondi Beatriz , Zanotto Paolo M de A , D’Albuquerque Luiz A C , Alves Venancio A F
Published: May 2019

Aims

The clinical spectrum of yellow fever (YF) ranges from asymptomatic to fulminant hepatitis. During the sylvatic YF epidemic in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil in 2018, seven orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTs) were performed in our institution to treat fulminant YF hepatitis. Three patients recovered, while four patients died following OLT. The autopsy findings of all these cases are presented herein as the first description of YF in transplanted patients.

Methods and results

All patients were men, aged 16–40 years, without vaccination to YF virus (YFV). All organs were examined, with tissue sampling for histopathological analysis. Detection of YF virus antigens (YFV Ag) was performed with two primary antibodies (mouse polyclonal anti‐YFV antibody directed to wild strain and a goat anti‐YF virus antibody), and RT–PCR assays were utilised to detect YFV‐RNA. All the cases depicted typical findings of YF hepatitis in the engrafted liver. The main extrahepatic findings were cerebral oedema, pulmonary haemorrhage, pneumonia, acute tubular necrosis and ischaemic/reperfusion pancreatitis. Of the four cases, the YVF Ag was detected in the heart in one case, liver and testis in three cases, and the kidney and spleen in all four cases. All four cases had YF virus RNA detected by RT–PCR in the liver and in other organs.

Conclusions

Infection of the engrafted liver and other organs by YFV, possibly combined with major ischaemic systemic lesions, may have led to the death of four of the seven patients undergoing OLT.
Changes in epidermal morphology associated with dandruff
Authors: Pople J. E. , Bhogal R. K. , Moore A. E. , Jenkins G.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Dandruff is a very common scalp condition characterized by flaking and pruritus usually with no visible signs of inflammation, such as redness and erythema. Dandruff is considered a multifactorial condition with both microbial colonization and host factors such as sebum production thought to play a role. There is evidence of changes in epidermal morphology in the scalp skin of dandruff sufferers, with reports of an increase in mean thickness and more nucleated cell layers. The underlying mechanisms driving these morphological changes are currently unclear. The objective of this study was to fully characterize epidermal morphology in dandruff compared to healthy scalp skin and to evaluate potential mechanisms underlying any changes observed.

Methods

Scalp skin biopsies were taken from 22 healthy female subjects and 21 dandruff sufferers, from both lesional and non‐lesional sites. Samples were processed, sectioned and stained using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). To fully characterize epidermal morphology, measurements were taken of epidermal thickness, the convolution of the dermal‐epidermal junction and the depth of epidermal rete ridges. To analyse changes in epidermal proliferation immunohistochemical staining was performed using Ki67, a well‐established marker of cell proliferation, and quantified using image analysis.

Results

Histochemical analysis of skin sections revealed that in dandruff lesional samples, the epidermis was thicker, had a more convoluted dermal epidermal junction and the rete ridges were elongated, compared to healthy scalp skin. Similar directional changes in epidermal morphology, were observed in non‐lesional dandruff samples, albeit to a lesser extent. Image analysis of Ki67 expression in the epidermis revealed dandruff lesional skin contained significantly more Ki67‐positive proliferating keratinocytes than healthy controls samples. This suggests dandruff scalp skin epidermal keratinocytes are in a hyper‐proliferative state.

Conclusion

There were significant changes in epidermal morphology in dandruff lesional skin compared to healthy scalp skin including increased epidermal thickness, a more convoluted dermal‐epidermal junction and elongation of rete ridges. Interestingly, we found there was evidence of an increase in the percentage of epidermal Ki67‐positive cells, which has not been reported previously, and demonstrates dandruff is a condition displaying epidermal hyper‐proliferation.
Formation of α/β‐Si3N4nanoparticles by carbothermal reduction and nitridation of geopolymers
Authors: Bagci Cengiz , Yang Qun , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: May 2019

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) particles with various α/β‐Si3N4ratios were fabricated from geopolymer (GP)‐carbon compositions (M2O·Al2O3·4.5SiO2·12H2O+18C), where M is an alkali ion (Na+, K+and Cs+). They were made by carbothermal reduction and nitridation at 1400°, 1500°, and 1600°C for 2 hours under flowing nitrogen. Characterization of carbothermally reacted GP‐carbon compositions was based on XRD, SEM‐EDS, HRTEM, and selected area electron diffraction analyses. Depending on the alkaline composition of GP, the carbon content and the reaction temperature, a compositionally variable α/β‐Si3N4or SiAlON was achieved. Crystallization of the GPs gradually increased by heat treatment over 1400°C with corresponding weight loss. It was found that NaGP, KGP, and CsGP crystallized into a major phase of α‐Si3N4, β‐Si3N4, and SiAlON, respectively. Prolonged heating at 1600°C led to an increase in the α/β‐Si3N4ratio in NaGP due to the formation of aluminum nitride, while it led to a decrease in α/β‐Si3N4ratio in KGP. In the case of CsGP, SiAlON replaced the pollucite which mainly formed at lower temperatures. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the needle‐like particles were of ~0.5 µm in size and consisting of α/β‐Si3N4mixtures.
Preparation and mechanical properties of Si3N4 nanocomposites reinforced by Si3N4@rGO particles
Authors: Hu Yangyang , Chen Zhaoqiang , Zhang Jingjie , Xiao Guangchun , Yi Mingdong , Zhang Wenliang , Xu Chonghai
Published: May 2019

A new type of reduced graphene oxide‐encapsulated silicon nitride (Si3N4@rGO) particle was synthesized via an electrostatic interaction between amino‐functionalized Si3N4 particles and graphene oxide (GO). Subsequently, the Si3N4@rGO particles were incorporated into a Si3N4 matrix as a reinforcing phase to prepare nanocomposites, and their influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Si3N4 ceramics was investigated in detail. The microstructure analysis showed that the rGO sheets were uniformly distributed throughout the matrix and firmly bonded to the Si3N4 grains to form a three‐dimensional carbon network structure. This unique structure effectively increased the contact area and load transfer efficiency between the rGO sheets and the matrix, which in turn had a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The results showed that the nanocomposites with 2.25 wt.% rGO sheets exhibited mechanical properties that were superior to monolithic Si3N4; the flexural strength increased by 83.5% and reached a maximum value of 1116.4 MPa, and the fracture toughness increased by 67.7% to 10.35 MPa·m1/2.
Does Mandatory Shareholder Voting Prevent Bad Acquisitions? The Case of the United Kingdom
Authors: Becht Marco , Polo Andrea , Rossi Stefano
Published: May 2019

A large number of studies have shown that many companies have made large acquisitions that their own shareholders probably would not have approved if given the opportunity to do so. In this article, which summarizes the findings of their study published recently in the Review of Financial Studies, the authors present evidence that suggests the effectiveness of shareholder voting as a corporate governance mechanism designed to prevent such value‐reducing acquisitions from taking place.

The authors' study focused on acquisitions in the U.K. where proposed transactions that exceed a series of 25% relative size (target's as a percentage of the acquirer's) thresholds are defined as “Class 1” transactions and require shareholder approval. The authors found strikingly positive stock market reactions to the announcements of such Class 1 acquisitions—as compared to zero if not negative average announcement returns for Class 2 transactions that were not subject to a shareholder vote. And when the authors extended their analysis to U.S. M&A markets, they found that the larger (again, in relative size) U.S. deals—large enough that they would have required a shareholder vote in the U.K.—provided returns to their shareholders that were negative, and thus significantly lower than those of their U.K counterparts. In terms of the economic significance of their findings, the authors found that Class 1 transactions were associated with aggregate gains to acquirer shareholders of $13.6 billion. By contrast, U.S. transactions of similar size, which again were not subject to shareholder approval, were associated with aggregate losses of $210 billion for acquirer shareholders; and Class 2 U.K. transactions, also not subject to shareholder approval, were associated with aggregate losses of $3 billion.

In a further series of tests designed to shed light on how mandatory shareholder voting generates such substantial value improvements for acquirer shareholders, the authors also found evidence suggesting that when faced with the requirement of a shareholder vote, CEOs and boards are more likely to resist the temptation to overpay to close a deal. And the fact that the shareholders of the Class 1 acquirers did not end up blocking a single transaction that was submitted to a vote suggests that this mechanism works without the need for shareholders to actually vote down a deal. In other words, mandatory shareholder voting on acquisitions is a powerful deterrent to “bad deals” because, first of all, the vote is triggered automatically by the relative size tests and, second, CEOs and boards, with the help of their bankers, have a pretty good idea well in advance of the vote whether their shareholders are going to vote “no”—and such a vote would be viewed by top management as a major rejection, a strong vote of no confidence.
Do Large Blockholders Reduce Risk?
Authors: Newton David , Paeglis Imants
Published: May 2019

The conventional assumption in the asset pricing literature is that the identity of a company's owners is largely irrelevant, but studies of companies with “blockholders”—shareholders with large positions in a particular company—provide grounds for questioning this assumption. Unlike the well‐diversified investors of modern portfolio theory, blockholders have strong incentives to monitor corporate performance and, when necessary, to exert control over ineffective managements and boards. The findings of many studies support the idea that blockholders have a positive effect on rates of return.

The authors of this article report the findings of their recent investigation of whether blockholders might also have a positive effect on shareholder value by reducing the risk of the companies in which their holdings are concentrated. After distinguishing between companies with individual as opposed to corporate blockholders, and those with one share, one vote as opposed to those with dual‐class shares, the authors find that ownership of large positions by individuals—but not corporations—was associated with lower systematic risk (when using both Fama‐French multiple factor and CAPM models). At the same time, they find that the firm‐specific risk of such companies was higher, but “biased” toward positive outcomes—that is, smaller downsides with larger upsides. What's more, this upward shift in performance and risk‐profile was achieved at least partly through increases in productivity as reflected in higher profit margins, profitability, profit per employee, and operating leverage, and lower costs of goods sold, SGA, and cash holdings. By contrast, in the case of blockholders in companies with dual‐class share structures, all of these positive associations with blockholders were either significantly weaker, or reversed. That is, whereas the presence of individual blockholders appears to increase productivity and value under a one share, one vote governance regime, blockholders in companies with dual‐class structures were associated with higher systematic risk and reduced productivity and value.