bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Domestication of Data: Why Embracing Digital Data Means Embracing Bigger Questions
Authors: NAFUS DAWN
Published: November 2016

The EPIC community has been wrestling with ways to integrate quantitative and qualitative methods in light of the increasing role that digital data plays in business practices. Some focus on methodological issues (digital data as method), while others point to the consumer value in data products (data as thing in the world). This paper argues that “digital data as method” and “digital data as thing in the world” are becoming increasingly intertwined. We are not merely witnessing ethnographers’ haulting embrace of digital data, but a wider process of the domestication of data, in which we, alongside the people we study, are participants. The domestication of data involves everyday situations in which ordinary people develop their own sense‐making methods—methods remarkably similar to ethnographic knowledge production. In this way, the domestication process tightens the connection between data as thing in the world and data as method. I argue that seeing the interconnection gives us the conceptual resources necessary to open up new areas where ethnographers can gain both intellectual and practical footholds in data‐rich environments.
Plus Size Fashion: What Happens when Stereotypes, Fueled by Popular Culture, Creep into a Retailer's Business Decisions?
Authors: KINNEY MEG , PHILLIPS HAL
Published: November 2016

This case demonstrates the power of video as a data collection tool and a storytelling approach to the presentation of research findings. Fresh Produce Clothing specifically selected Bad Babysitter as a consulting partner for their expertise in video‐based ethnography and narrative style of delivery. The case begins with contextualizing a business with an imperative to evolve and an organizational culture that was not aligned. The locus of the debate was the Plus Sized shopper – a consumer segment that put interpretation of hard data by headquarters at odds with impassioned anecdotal inputs from the field. Video offered a visceral way to get past conjecture and “bring her into the room”. The primary benefit to the brand was the immediacy for translating learning into actionable insights and consensus on the way forward. The revenue impact was dramatic: leadership took a 180‐degree turn from phasing the Plus shopper out to investing in her.
Working For It: Feminist Art and Ethnography
Authors: YURY CARRIE
Published: November 2016

Feminist art and ethnography have something in common. We examine the everyday; are interested in activism and equality. As a practitioner of both, I assert that we need feminist ethnography, especially in corporate technology research, where women are discounted because of cultural stereotypes, in spite of being key users and consumers. We need to be open about being feminist ethnographers. We must turn ideas of “bias” inside out, as current bias against women in technology is rampant. It's going to be a lot of work, but it's work that is worth doing.
LOLZ OMG, I'M DEAD. The Rise of Performative Behavior in Social Media, and Its Implications for Digital Ethnography
Authors: HARTNETT KATHLEEN
Published: November 2016

Performative behavior is an action taken specifically with an audience in mind, to elicit a response or reaction. Digital Ethnography encounters this on a daily basis, as we study behavior on social & digital networks where performative behavior is rampant. As a research source, social media behavior is often dismissed because of it's orientation towards performance – but as people lead more omni‐channel lives, the distinction between online and offline lives is becoming harder to discern. As such, we need to start viewing performative behavior as extensions of fully formed individuals. This means today's Ethnographers need to become Digital Ethnographers as well, to better understand individuals as the sum of both thier online & offline personalities.
How a 10‐Day Silent Meditation Course Made Me a Better Researcher
Authors: KAYAN SHIPRA
Published: November 2016

This talk is an illustration of my journey from being a dejected, sole researcher in a chaotic 300 person startup to a place where I learned not only how to be a better interviewer, but also a more effective and influential employee.
Parecoxib, propacetamol, and their combination for analgesia after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized non‐inferiority trial
Authors: Camu F. , Borgeat A. , Heylen R. J. , Viel E. J. , Boye M. E. , Cheung R. Y.
Published: November 2016

Background

This study assessed non‐inferiority of parecoxib vs. combination parecoxib+propacetamol and compared the opioid‐sparing effects of parecoxib, propacetamol, and parecoxib+propacetamol vs. placebo after total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

In this randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, non‐inferiority study, patients received one of four IV treatments after surgery: parecoxib 40 mg bid (n = 72); propacetamol 2 g qid (n = 71); parecoxib 40 mg bid plus propacetamol 2 g qid (n = 72); or placebo (n = 38) with supplemental IV patient‐controlled analgesia (morphine). Patients and investigators were blinded to treatment. Pain intensity at rest and with movement was assessed regularly, together with functional recovery (modified Brief Pain Inventory‐Short Form) and opioid‐related side effects (Opioid‐Related Symptom Distress Scale) questionnaires up to 48 h.

Results

After 24 h, cumulative morphine consumption was reduced by 59.8% (P < 0.001), 38.9% (P < 0.001), and 26.8% (P = 0.005) in the parecoxib+propacetamol, parecoxib, and propacetamol groups, respectively, compared with placebo. Parecoxib did not meet criteria for non‐inferiority to parecoxib+propacetamol. Parecoxib+propacetamol and parecoxib significantly reduced least‐squares mean pain intensity scores at rest and with movement compared with propacetamol (P < 0.05). One day after surgery, parecoxib+propacetamol significantly reduced opioid‐related symptom distress and decreased pain interference with function compared with propacetamol or placebo.

Conclusion

Parecoxib and parecoxib+propacetamol provided significant opioid‐sparing efficacy compared with placebo; non‐inferiority of parecoxib to parecoxib+propacetamol was not demonstrated. Opioid‐sparing efficacy was accompanied by significant reductions in pain intensity on movement, improved functional outcome, and less opioid‐related symptom distress. Study medications were well tolerated.
Costs are key when reintroducing threatened species to multiple release sites
Authors: Helmstedt K. J. , Possingham H. P.
Published: November 2016

Threatened species with reduced and fragmented habitats can be reintroduced into their historical ranges to establish new populations. Multiple sites might be an option for reintroductions; therefore, managers must determine when to open sites (e.g. establish infrastructure and improve conditions), release individuals into those sites, and eventually cease releases. Careful planning of this schedule, incorporating the cost of actions, is imperative at the outset of a program. To address this challenge, we consider a reintroduction plan under different cost scenarios for three potential reintroduction sites. In particular, we investigate the implications of having either no ongoing site‐management cost, a financial ongoing site‐management cost, or a demographic cost of continuous releases. We couple population and management models to find a schedule that maximizes total abundance over time of bridled nail‐tail wallabyOnychogalea fraenata(released in fixed numbers each breeding season from a stable source population) using stochastic dynamic programming. We find that the type of ongoing cost influences the structure of the optimal schedule. If active release sites cost nothing to maintain, there is no incentive to cease releases. In that case, the optimal schedule is to open sites sequentially, then release individuals to the smallest active population for the entire length of the program. A financial cost for managing active sites alters this result; once all sites are open and have populations of a critical threshold size, sites should be closed sequentially. A higher mortality rate (demographic cost) at active compared to inactive sites completely changes the structure of the optimal strategy. Instead of opening all sites in the first few management stages, only one site should be active any time to reduce the demographic impact of releases. Our general results provide a guide for planning future reintroduction programs and illustrate the importance of categorizing and understanding ongoing costs for reintroduction planning.
Avian responses to an emergent, wetland weed
Authors: Carlos Emma H. , Weston Michael A. , Gibson Maria
Published: November 2016

African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum Solanaceae) is a Weed of National Significance in Australia. It is particularly problematic in Victoria and is thought to not only threaten native wildlife but also provide important habitat, particularly to birds, when there is no native alternative. In a wetland ecosystem such as a saltmarsh, boxthorn has the potential to increase structural complexity because it can stand as an emergent above surrounding vegetation. We compared bird assemblages and behaviour in saltmarsh vegetation with and without boxthorn in a coastal wetland in south‐east Australia. Species assemblage, but not richness, changed with the presence of boxthorn. The presence of singing honeyeaters (Lichenostomus virescens) and white‐fronted chats (Epthianura albifrons), the two most common native bird species (based on numerical and spatial dominance), appeared to drive these differences; singing honeyeaters preferred boxthorn while white‐fronted chats avoided it. The presence of boxthorn increased the seasonal availability of fruit and flowers, which was reflected by a high frequency of foraging for fruit and nectar where boxthorn was present. In saltmarshes without boxthorn, there was a higher frequency of foraging for insects. Some, but not all, species responded to increased structural complexity and fruit/floral resources provided by boxthorn. Consequently, management by reducing boxthorn is likely to alter bird communities and the usage of sites by some native species, thus management success should consider fine‐scale biodiversity objectives, such as managing for particular types or species of birds.
The evolution of global farming land: facts and interpretations
Authors: Headey Derek D.
Published: November 2016

Although land plays a crucially important role in economic development and structural transformation, the causes and consequences of the evolution of farming land have received scant attention in recent decades. In this article, I document global and regional changes in aggregate agricultural land use, per capita land use, and average farm sizes. The spatial distribution of global farming land has changed dramatically, with developed countries substantially reducing their share of global agricultural land, and land‐abundant developing countries substantially increasing their share. In per capita terms, we see a rather different pattern, with average farm sizes increasing in rich and more commercialized agricultural systems, and generally declining or staying constant in poorer and less commercialized systems. These outcomes are the result of complex processes that are not always well understood. I conclude the article by suggesting new, or neglected, areas of research that would facilitate a better understanding of these critically important developments.
Economics and politics of food standards, trade, and development#
Authors: Swinnen Johan
Published: November 2016

Standards have played an important role in food trade for a very long time. Their rapid growth in recent years has triggered vigorous debates on their impacts on international trade and development, with many arguing that standards are “non‐tariff barriers” to trade and that standards are marginalizing the poor. I present conceptual frameworks and review empirical evidence on the equity and efficiency effects and the political economy of standards. Models which incorporate essential aspects of standards yield complex theoretical results and nuanced conclusions. Careful empirical analyses support such nuanced arguments and find complex effects. For trade, standards can create welfare gains but also involve rent redistribution which induces lobbying by interest groups to set the standards at their preferred level. This makes it difficult to distinguish socially desirable standards from those resulting from political rent‐seeking. For development, it is crucial to explicitly account for (a) the endogeneity of the institutional organization of value chains and (b) both smallholder contracting and employment creation on large scale farms when considering the impact of standards on development and poverty.
Exploring the effectiveness of combined mentalization‐based group therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy for inpatients with borderline personality disorder – A pilot study
Authors: Edel Marc‐Andreas , Raaff Vanessa , Dimaggio Giancarlo , Buchheim Anna , Brüne Martin
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by emotional instability, interpersonal dysfunction, and other features that typically develop before a background of insecure attachment and traumatic experiences. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) has proven highly effective in reducing self‐harm and improving emotion regulation, whereby problems concerning social cognition, which are also characteristic of BPD, may need additional approaches such as mentalization‐based treatment (MBT).

Methods

Here, we examined, in a pilot study, the effectiveness of MBT given adjunct to DBT, compared to DBT alone, in an inpatient sample with BPD, whereby mentalization was measured using a novel cartoon‐based task.

Results

Both treatments were highly effective in reducing symptom severity. The combination of DBT and MBT was superior in reducing fearful attachment and in improving affective mentalizing.

Conclusions

Mentalization‐based treatment in combination with DBT may improve certain aspects of social cognitive skills and attachment security, as compared to DBT alone, although the exact mechanisms that led to these changes need to be studied further.

Practitioner points

Clinical implications

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) can usefully be combined with mentalization‐based treatment (MBT).

The combination of DBT and MBT reduces self‐harm more than DBT alone.

DBT plus MBT may lead to a reduction in fearful attachment and improvement of affective mentalizing.

Short‐term combinations of evidence‐based borderline treatments may enrich psychiatric inpatient care. Therefore, such approaches deserve further research.

Limitations

The treatment condition was therapeutically more intense than the control condition.

The study lacked a follow‐up assessment.

The impact of comorbid conditions on treatment response was not taken into account.

Adherence to the manualized approach was not measured.
Azelaic acid 20 % cream: effects on quality of life and disease severity in adult female acne patients
Authors: Kainz Julius Thomas , Berghammer Gabriele , Auer-Grumbach Piet , Lackner Verena , Perl‐Convalexius Sylvia , Popa Rodica , Wolfesberger Barbara
Published: November 2016

Background

Data on the efficacy of acne treatments and their impact on quality of life (QoL) in adult patients is sketchy.

Objective

Assessment of the efficacy of azelaic acid 20 % cream (Skinoren®) on acne severity and disease‐related QoL.

Patients and methods

Noninterventional study in adult female patients with mild to moderate acne. Efficacy variables included DLQI and acne severity on the face, chest, and back using the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) scale (grade 1 = nearly clear skin; 2 = mild acne; 3 = moderate acne). Visits were scheduled at baseline, at 4–8 weeks, and at twelve weeks.

Results

Of the 251 women enrolled, 59 % had grade 1 acne at baseline; 31 %, grade 2; and 10 %, grade 3; the most commonly affected area of the body was the face (IGA grades 2 or 3: 79 %). After twelve weeks, there was significant improvement of acne on the face (IGA grades 0 or 1: 82 %), chest, and back. Median DLQI decreased from nine at baseline to five after twelve weeks. Ninety percent of physicians and patients rated the tolerability of the treatment as very good or good.

Conclusions

Treatment with azelaic acid 20 % cream significantly improves acne severity and disease‐related QoL in adult women.
Effect of exenatide on postprandial glucose fluxes, lipolysis, and ß‐cell function in non‐diabetic, morbidly obese patients
Authors: Camastra Stefania , Astiarraga Brenno , Tura Andrea , Frascerra Silvia , Ciociaro Demetrio , Mari Andrea , Gastaldelli Amalia , Ferrannini Ele
Published: November 2016

Aims

To investigate the effect of exenatide on glucose disposal, insulin secretion, ß‐cell function, lipolysis and hormone concentrations in non‐diabetic, morbidly obese subjects under physiological conditions.

Materials and methods

Patients were assigned to exenatide 10 µg twice daily (EXE, n = 15) or control (CT, n = 15) for 3 months. Patients received a meal test/tracer study (MTT) to measure endogenous glucose production (EGP), rate of oral glucose appearance (RaO), insulin secretion rate (ISR), ß‐cell function, hepatic insulin resistance (HIR) and adipose tissue insulin resistance (AT‐IR) and insulin sensitivity (IS).

Results

Post treatment, the EXE group showed a significant reduction in body weight (
P
< .001). The postmeal time‐course of glucose, insulin and ISR showed a lower peak between 60 and 180 minutes in phase with a reduction in RaO (
P
< .01). After an initial similar suppression, EGP resumed at higher rates between 60 and 180 minutes (
P
= .02) in EXE vs CT, while total RaO and EGP were similar throughout the MTT. In EXE, the postmeal glucagon, GLP1 and GIP responses were reduced (
P
< .05). Fasting and postprandial lipolysis and ß‐cell function were unaltered by active treatment. HIR, AT‐IR and IS were all improved after exenatide treatment (
P
< .05).

Conclusions

In morbidly obese non‐diabetic subjects, exenatide causes weight loss, decreased postprandial glycaemia and glucagon response without changes in ß‐cell function. These effects are consequent upon delayed oral glucose appearance in the circulation. Exenatide treatment is also associated with an improvement in hepatic, adipose tissue and whole‐body IS with no influence on postprandial lipolysis.
Neutral biogeography of phylogenetically structured interaction networks
Authors: Coelho Marco Túlio Pacheco , Rodrigues João Fabrício Mota , Rangel Thiago F.
Published: November 2016

Little is known about how biogeographic processes affect the dynamics of species interactions in space and time, although it is widely accepted that they drive community assemblage. In functional interactions, such as pollination and seed dispersal, species that share common ancestry tend to retain a common number of interactions and interact with similar sets of species, a pattern more commonly observed for animals than plants. On the one hand, the most coherent explanation for the phylogenetic structure of pollination and seed dispersal networks is that species retain ecological traits over evolution, which would cause the conservation of interaction partners. On the other hand, fundamental processes of biodiversity, such as dispersal and evolutionary rates seem to have important roles shaping the observed phylogenetic structure of mutualistic networks, but no model has been created to study the effect of these processes in the phylogenetic structure of mutualistic interactions. Here, we developed a stochastic simulation model to study the evolution of two interacting groups of species, which evolve independently over the same geographical domain. In our model, individuals of the same interaction group share ecological traits, whereas individuals of different trophic groups are ecologically distinct. We show that even in the absence of ecological differences between individuals, and disregarding any conservation of phenotypical and phenological traits between species, the interplay of dispersal and speciation is still a major driver of complex phylogenetic structure of functional interactions, such as pollination and seed dispersal.
Antifungal activity and identification of active compounds of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum against Botryosphaeria dothidea
Authors: Cheng M. , Xu Q. , Li Y. , Qin H. , Chen J.
Published: November 2016

The canker disease caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea in China has resulted in serious damage and death to Carya cathayensis and continues to expand its range. A Bacillus strain, designated Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum CGMCC 11640, was successfully screened from 103 field isolates from local soils by a plate dual‐culture method. It showed inhibition zones between B. dothidea and CGMCC 11640 in vitro. From a methyl alcohol extract of the filtrate, the antifungal compounds were identified as a series of lipopeptides by HPLC, namely fengycins, surfactins and iturins, with fengycins being the dominant component. The fengycins were further identified by LC–MS to be a mixture of C15, C16, C17 and C18 fengycin A and their isomers (normal, iso and anteiso). The strong anti‐B. dothidea activity indicated that the B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum CGMCC 11640 and its bioactive components might provide an alternative bioresource for the biocontrol of C. cathayensis canker.
Fungicide sensitivity of Dothistroma septosporum isolates in the UK
Authors: Piotrowska M. J. , Ennos R. A. , Riddell C. , Hoebe P. N.
Published: November 2016

Dothistroma septosporum, a causal agent of Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), is a damaging fungal pathogen of pines that has recently started to affect native Scots pine woodlands in the UK. In addition to silvicultural methods, fungicide spraying of forest nursery stock can help prevent the spread of DNB. However, the effectiveness of modern single‐site fungicides against D. septosporum and the risk of fungicide resistance evolution remain largely unknown. In this project, we aimed to establish sensitivity profiles of D. septosporum to some widely used single‐site fungicide classes in vitro, and to determine whether fungicide resistance is already present, as this could increase the spread of D. septosporum genotypes on planting stock in native woodlands. For this purpose, we compared isolates of D. septosporum, originating from pine stands unexposed to fungicides, with isolates from nursery outbreaks, for sensitivity to a range of commonly applied fungicides. Most of the fungicides we tested were effective in vitro and we observed no significant shifts in sensitivity in forest nurseries. Although further tests in planta are required to confirm effectiveness of single‐site fungicides against D. septosporum, our results suggest that they can be successfully used in DNB control, although appropriate measures to prevent the evolution of fungicide resistance are strongly recommended.
Elm yellows: A phytoplasma disease of concern in forest and landscape ecosystems
Authors: Marcone C.
Published: November 2016

Elm yellows (EY) is a lethal or decline phytoplasma disease that affects several Ulmus (elm) species and hybrids, which is widespread in North America and Europe. The symptoms vary among the elm species. In those native to North America, main symptoms include epinasty, chlorosis, premature casting of the leaves, yellow to brown discoloration of the phloem in the roots and stem and tree death that usually occurs within 1 or 2 years from the appearance of foliar symptoms. In contrast, affected trees of European and Asian species are primarily characterized by witches’ broom as a specific symptom, do not show phloem discoloration and are less prone to decline. The disease is caused by a relatively genetically homogeneous phytoplasma, the EY agent “Candidatus Phytoplasma ulmi,” a member of the EY phytoplasma group or 16SrV group, subgroup 16SrV‐A. In nature, this pathogen exhibits a high plant host specificity. The elm leafhopper Scaphoideus luteolus is the only confirmed vector of EY phytoplasma in North America, whereas Macropsis mendax has been reported as a natural vector in Northern Italy. However, other insect vectors are likely to be involved in its natural spread. Phytoplasmas of other taxonomic groups or 16SrV subgroups, which are known to infect a wide range of plant hosts, have been identified in naturally infected elm trees. However, the pathological relevance of these “non‐elm” phytoplasmas needs to be confirmed in many cases. Their detection is mainly based on the highly sensitive nested PCR assays, while pathological data are lacking. This study summarizes, within the framework of a single comprehensive review, the current knowledge of EY. Gaps in knowledge of this disease and prospects for future research are also critically discussed.
shapecoder: a new method for visual quantification of body mass index in young children
Authors: Park B.‐K. Daniel , Reed M. P. , Kaciroti N. , Love M. , Miller A. L. , Appugliese D. P. , Lumeng J. C.
Published: November 2016

Background

Few tools exist to quantify body mass index visually.

Objective

To examine the inter‐rater reliability and validity (sensitivity and specificity for overweight/obesity and obesity) of a three‐dimensional visual rating system to quantify body mass index (BMI) in young children.

Methods

Children (n = 242, mean age 5.9 years, 50.0% male; 40.5% overweight/ obese) participated in a videotaped protocol and weight and height were measured. Research staff applied a novel three‐dimensional computer‐based figure rating system (shapecoder) to the child's videotaped image. Inter‐rater reliability was calculated, as well as correlation with measured body mass index (BMI) and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for overweight/obesity and obesity.

Results

Inter‐rater reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98). The correlation of shapecoder‐generated BMI with measured BMI was 0.89. For overweight/obesity, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 62%, 97%, 94% and 79% respectively. For obesity, these values were 65%, 99%, 97% and 92% respectively.

Conclusion

shapecoder provides a method to quantify child BMI from video images with high inter‐rater reliability, fair sensitivity and good specificity for overweight/obesity and obesity. The approach offers an improvement over existing two‐dimensional rating scales for BMI.
Can welfare and labour market regimes explain cross‐country differences in the unemployment of young people?
Authors: TAMESBERGER Dennis
Published: November 2016

No single institution can reduce (long‐term) youth unemployment. Welfare and labour market institutions function as “bundles”, through multiple inter‐institutional synergies. Based on a focused literature review for theory and on cluster analysis for empirics, the author identifies five such regimes across the EU‐27 and estimates their effects on the youth unemployment ratio and on long‐term youth unemployment. The most helpful institutional arrangement for young people in the labour market would be a combination of strong dual apprenticeship embedded in a corporatist labour market regime with high levels of social security, active labour market policy, and spending on education and childcare.
University of Texas Roundtable on Recent Trends in U.S. Venture Capital
Authors: Gibbins Brooks , Shamapant Venu , Schiffman Glenn , Saper Jake , Wiles Ken
Published: November 2016

At a recent private equity conference hosted by the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas in Austin, four venture capitalists representing the East and West Coasts provided testimony to the spread of the VC industry far beyond Silicon Valley to places like New York, London, and Berlin—as well as Austin itself. The result, in the words of one panelist, has been “a shift from Silicon Valley as the epicenter of so much innovation and growth to something more like a globally distributed network of capital, talent, and opportunity.”

Along with this geographic expansion of the industry, perhaps the most notable change is the tendency of today's VCs to delay the IPOs of their portfolio companies and, by keeping them private longer, capture more of their growth in value. Whereas 20 years ago 90% or more of the value appreciation came after the IPO of a highly successful company (think about Micro‐Soft or Amazon.com), a much larger share of the overall value creation now appears to be taking place before the IPO, thanks to the growing use of a funding vehicle known as private initial public offerings, or PIPOs. The use of PIPOs has enabled VC‐backed companies to attract large amounts of capital from large institutional investors like Fidelity—which in the past would not have invested in the company until the IPO—while retaining what the panelists view as significant advantages of private ownership and governance.
Drivers of Shareholder Returns in Tech Industries (or How to Make Sense of Amazon's Market Value)
Authors: Milano Gregory V. , Chatterjee Arshia , Fedigan David
Published: November 2016

Earnings according to GAAP do a notoriously poor job of explaining the current values of the most successful high‐tech companies, which in recent years have experienced remarkable growth in revenues and market capitalizations. But if GAAP earnings fail to account for the values of such companies, are there other measures that do better?

The authors address this question in two main ways. They begin by summarizing the findings of their recent study of both the operating and the stock‐market performance of 169 publicly traded tech companies (with market caps of at least $1 billion). The aim of the study was to identify which of the many indicators of corporate operating performance—including growth in revenues, EBITDA margins, and returns on equity—have had the strongest correlation with shareholder returns over a relatively long period of time. The study's main conclusion is that investors appear to be looking for signs of neither growth nor efficiency in using capital alone, but for an optimal mix or balancing of those goals. And that mix, as the study also suggests, is captured in a cash‐flow‐based variant of “residual income” the authors call “residual cash earnings,” or RCE.

In the second part of their article, the authors show how and why RCE does a much better job than reported net income or EPS of explaining the current market value of Amazon.com, one of the best‐performing tech companies in the world. Mainly by treating R&D spending as an investment of capital rather than an expense, RCE reveals the value of a company that is distinguished by both the amount and the productivity of its ongoing investment—both of which have been obscured by GAAP.
A Better Way to Measure Operating Performance (or Why the EVA Math Really Matters)
Authors: O'Byrne Stephen F.
Published: November 2016

Most companies rely heavily on earnings to measure operating performance, but earnings growth has at least two important weaknesses as a proxy for investor wealth. Current earnings can come at the expense of future earnings through, for example, short‐sighted cutbacks in investment, including spending on R&D. But growth in EPS can also be achieved by investing more capital with projected rates of return that, although well below the cost of capital, are higher than the after‐tax cost of debt. Stock compensation has been the conventional solution to the first problem because it's a discounted cash flow value that is assumed to discourage actions that sacrifice future earnings. Economic profit—in its most popular manifestation, EVA—has been the conventional solution to the second problem with earnings because it includes a capital charge that penalizes low‐return investment.

But neither of these conventional solutions appears to work very well in practice. Stock compensation isn't tied to business unit performance—and often fails to provide the intended incentives for the (many) corporate managers who believe that meeting current consensus earnings is more important than investing to maintain future earnings. EVA doesn't work well when new investments take time to become profitable because the higher capital charge comes before the related income.

In this article, the author presents two new operating performance measures that are likely to work better than either earnings or EVA because they reflect the value that can be lost either through corporate underinvestment or overinvestment designed to increase current earnings. Both of these new measures are based on the math that ties EVA to discounted cash flow value, particularly its division of current corporate market values into two components: “current operations value” and “future growth value.” The key to the effectiveness of the new measures in explaining changes in company stock prices and market values is a statistical model of changes in future growth value that captures the expected effects of significant increases in current investment in R&D and advertising on future profits and value.
Patterns of species richness, endemism and environmental gradients of African reptiles
Authors: Lewin Amir , Feldman Anat , Bauer Aaron M. , Belmaker Jonathan , Broadley Donald G. , Chirio Laurent , Itescu Yuval , LeBreton Matthew , Maza Erez , Meirte Danny , Nagy Zoltán T. , Novosolov Maria , Roll Uri , Tallowin Oliver , Trape Jean‐François , Vidan Enav , Meiri Shai
Published: November 2016

Aim

To map and assess the richness patterns of reptiles (and included groups: amphisbaenians, crocodiles, lizards, snakes and turtles) in Africa, quantify the overlap in species richness of reptiles (and included groups) with the other terrestrial vertebrate classes, investigate the environmental correlates underlying these patterns, and evaluate the role of range size on richness patterns.

Location

Africa.

Methods

We assembled a data set of distributions of all African reptile species. We tested the spatial congruence of reptile richness with that of amphibians, birds and mammals. We further tested the relative importance of temperature, precipitation, elevation range and net primary productivity for species richness over two spatial scales (ecoregions and 1° grids). We arranged reptile and vertebrate groups into range‐size quartiles in order to evaluate the role of range size in producing richness patterns.

Results

Reptile, amphibian, bird and mammal richness are largely congruent (r = 0.79–0.86) and respond similarly to environmental variables (mainly productivity and precipitation). Ecoregion size accounts for more variation in the richness of reptiles than in that of other groups. Lizard distributions are distinct with several areas of high species richness where other vertebrate groups (including snakes) are species‐poor, especially in arid ecoregions. Habitat heterogeneity is the best predictor of narrow‐ranging species, but remains relatively important in explaining lizard richness even for species with large range sizes.

Main conclusions

Reptile richness varies with similar environmental variables as the other vertebrates in Africa, reflecting the disproportionate influence of snakes on reptile richness, a result of their large ranges. Richness gradients of narrow‐ranged vertebrates differ from those of widespread taxa, which may demonstrate different centres of endemism for reptile subclades in Africa. Lizard richness varies mostly with habitat heterogeneity independent of range size, which suggests that the difference in response of lizards is due to their ecological characteristics. These results, over two spatial scales and multiple range‐size quartiles, allow us to reliably interpret the influence of environmental variables on patterns of reptile richness and congruency.
Five‐year efficacy and safety of tenofovir‐based salvage therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B who previously failed LAM/ADV therapy
Authors: Lim Lucy , Thompson Alexander , Patterson Scott , George Jacob , Strasser Simone , Lee Alice , Sievert William , Nicoll Amanda , Desmond Paul , Roberts Stuart , Marion Kaye , Bowden Scott , Locarnini Stephen , Angus Peter
Published: November 2016

Background

Multidrug‐resistant HBV continues to be an important clinical problem. The TDF‐109 study demonstrated that TDF±LAM is an effective salvage therapy through 96 weeks for LAM‐resistant patients who previously failed ADV add‐on or switch therapy. We evaluated the 5‐year efficacy and safety outcomes in patients receiving long‐term TDF±LAM in the TDF‐109 study.

Methods

A total of 59 patients completed the first phase of the TDF‐109 study and 54/59 were rolled over into a long‐term prospective open‐label study of TDF±LAM 300 mg daily.

Results

Results are reported at the end of year 5 of treatment. At year 5, 75% (45/59) had achieved viral suppression by intent‐to‐treat analysis. Per‐protocol assessment revealed 83% (45/54) were HBV DNA undetectable. Nine patients remained HBV DNA detectable, however 8/9 had very low HBV DNA levels (<264IU/mL) and did not meet virological criteria for virological breakthrough (VBT). One patient experienced VBT, but this was in the setting of documented non‐compliance. The response was independent of baseline LAM therapy or mutations conferring ADV resistance. Four patients discontinued TDF, one patient was lost to follow‐up and one died from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conclusions

Long‐term TDF treatment appears to be safe and effective in patients with prior failure of LAM and a suboptimal response to ADV therapy. These findings confirm that TDF has a high genetic barrier to resistance is active against multidrug‐resistant HBV, and should be the preferred oral anti‐HBV agent in CHB patients who fail treatment with LAM and ADV.
Undergraduates deserve methods too: Using a research laboratory model to engage students in cognitive anthropological research
Authors: DENGAH II H. J. FRANÇOIS , HAWVERMALE ERICA , TEMPLE ESSA , MONTIERTH MCKAYLA , DUTSON TALON , YOUNG TYLER , THOMAS ELIZABETH , PATTERSON KIRSTI , BENTLEY ABIGAIL , TAUBER DAVID
Published: November 2016

Some in the public sphere question the value of an anthropology degree. This assessment is unfortunate, as an education in anthropology prepares students for a wide variety of careers. To communicate the relevancy of anthropology, the discipline needs to have a renewed focus on applied methods. No longer can research be primarily for PhD students. Undergraduates also need opportunities for developing tangible skills that will be attractive and useful to employers. This paper provides an example of the Collaborative Anthropological Research Laboratory (CARL) that addresses this need. Based at Utah State University, CARL engages undergraduates in experiential learning through research. In their cognitive anthropological study of campus gender roles, these students gain valuable experience in a suite of methodological approaches that are valued in the applied sector. We contend that CARL serves as an example of how to construct a research group that focuses on the educational needs of undergraduates. [undergraduate, cognitive anthropology, methods]
Pre‐rain green‐up is ubiquitous across southern tropical Africa: implications for temporal niche separation and model representation
Authors: Ryan Casey M. , Williams Mathew , Grace John , Woollen Emily , Lehmann Caroline E. R.
Published: November 2016

Tree phenology mediates land–atmosphere mass and energy exchange and is a determinant of ecosystem structure and function. In the dry tropics, including African savannas, many trees grow new leaves during the dry season – weeks or months before the rains typically start. This syndrome of pre‐rain green‐up has long been recognized at small scales, but the high spatial and interspecific variability in leaf phenology has precluded regional generalizations.

We used remote sensing data to show that this precocious phenology is ubiquitous across the woodlands and savannas of southern tropical Africa.

In 70% of the study area, green‐up preceded rain onset by > 20 d (42% > 40 d). All the main vegetation formations exhibited pre‐rain green‐up, by as much as 53 ± 18 d (in the wet miombo). Green‐up showed low interannual variability (SD between years = 11 d), and high spatial variability (> 100 d).

These results are consistent with a high degree of local phenological adaptation, and an insolation trigger of green‐up. Tree–tree competition and niche separation may explain the ubiquity of this precocious phenology. The ubiquity of pre‐rain green‐up described here challenges existing model representations and suggests resistance (but not necessarily resilience) to the delay in rain onset predicted under climate change.
Unravelling the inheritance, QST and reproductive phenology attributes of the tetraploid tropical grass Brachiaria ruziziensis (Germain et Evrard)
Authors: Simeão Rosangela M. , Valle Cacilda B. , Resende Marcos D. V.
Published: November 2016

The autotetraploid forage Congo signal grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) is an important component in the Brachiaria breeding programme. As with other tropical forage grass species, the association between flowering and seed yield components, the mode of inheritance and the effects of population structure on phenotypic breeding are lacking. Seventeen characteristics evaluated in 59 half‐sib progeny of seven subpopulations were analysed using a mixed model methodology. According to the commonality analysis, the total seed yield (0.67) and number of days to flowering (0.22) had a greater influence on the filled‐seed yield. The flowering synchrony, total number of panicles, filled‐seed yield, green matter yield and dry matter yield presented statistically significant additive genetic variance between and within the subpopulations. The QST estimates ranged from 0.09 for the flowering synchrony index to 0.31 for the filled‐seed yield. The effects of population structure and its use in breeding programmes are further discussed.
Can ecosystem functional recovery be traced to decomposition and nitrogen dynamics in estuaries of the Lower Laguna Madre, Texas?
Authors: Marquez Mario A. , Fierro‐Cabo Alejandro , Cintra‐Buenrostro Carlos E.
Published: November 2016

The biggest incentive to attempt the restoration and protection of estuaries is their widely acknowledged ecological and economic importance. Assessing estuary health and recovery can most accurately come from examining ecosystem processes. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of mass loss and nitrogen (N) dynamics during leaf litter decomposition, to detect signs of functional recovery in two estuarine systems in south Texas. Submerged litterbags with black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) leaves were retrieved at various dates over 320 days. Decomposition was about 50% slower in one of the recovering systems compared to a reference site. Nitrogen immobilization and release from decaying leaf litter also discriminated among sites. Nitrogen immobilization potentials ranged from 4.15 to 6.89 mgN/g leaf litter, with the reference site exhibiting the highest value and thus the highest potential to conserve N during litter decomposition. The reference site also had a N immobilization time twice as long as the recovering sites, and a slower net release after the immobilization, appearing again as the most conservative in this part of the N cycling, possibly pointing to a less disturbed, or more stable ecosystem. Overall, the N dynamics during decomposition of mangrove leaf litter were similar in both recovering sites, whereas the reference site had a more conservative nutrient dynamics with more N being retained for longer in decomposing litter, coupled with a slower net release. Metrics derived from N dynamics may provide a finer resolution assessment of functional recovery, than only decomposition metrics.
CD6 and Linker of Activated T Cells are Potential Interaction Partners for T Cell‐Specific Adaptor Protein
Authors: Hem C. D. , Ekornhol M. , Granum S. , Sundvold‐Gjerstad V. , Spurkland A.
Published: November 2016

The T cell‐specific adaptor protein (TSAd) contains several protein interaction domains, and is merging as a modulator of T cell activation. Several interaction partners for the TSAd proline‐rich region and phosphotyrosines have been identified, including the Src and Tec family kinases lymphocyte‐specific protein tyrosine kinase and interleukin 2‐inducible T cell kinase. Via its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, TSAd may thus function as a link between these enzymes and other signalling molecules. However, few binding partners to the TSAd SH2 domain in T cells are hitherto known. Through the use of in silico ligand prediction, peptide spot arrays, pull‐down and immunoprecipitation experiments, we here report novel interactions between the TSAd SH2 domain and CD6 phosphotyrosine (pTyr)629 and linker of activated T cells (LAT) pTyr171, pTyr191 and pTyr226.
IL‐12B Gene Polymorphisms and IL‐12 p70 Serum Levels Among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Paradowska‐Gorycka A. , Sowinska A. , Stypińska B. , Haladyj E. , Pawlik A. , Romanowska‐Próchnicka K. , Olesinska M.
Published: November 2016

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the autoimmune diseases, where different polymorphisms in cytokine genes play a pathogenic role. IL‐12 is now recognized as a critical cytokine in terms of regulating the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells. We investigated the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs3212227 (A/C) and rs17860508 (CTCTAA/GC)) of the IL‐12B gene in the genetic susceptibility to RA and in the severity of the disease. Six hundred and thirty‐four Caucasian RA patients and 341 healthy matched controls were studied using PCR‐RFLP method and high‐resolution melting analysis. Concentration of IL‐12 cytokine level in serum was evaluated using ELISA. The genotype frequency did not deviate from HWE in each examined group. Frequencies of the rs3212227 CC genotype were statistically higher in patients with RA compared with the healthy control group in both codominant and recessive models (P = 0.037; P = 0.04, respectively). The frequency of rs3212227 C allele also showed similar tendency (P = 0.07). IL‐12 level in serum was significantly higher in RA group compared with control (P < 0.0001). We observed that increased IL‐12 serum level was correlated with higher number of tender and swollen joints, ExRA presence and higher levels of haemoglobin, CRP and PLT. Also higher IL‐12 level in serum was observed within RA patients with hypertension. Present findings indicated that IL‐12p40 + 1188A/C polymorphism as well as IL‐12p70 protein levels may be associated with RA in the Polish population.