bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extraordinary diversity of viruses in deep‐sea sediments as revealed by metagenomics without prior virion separation
Authors: Zheng Xiaowei , Liu Wang , Dai Xin , Zhu Yaxin , Wang Jinfeng , Zhu Yongqiang , Zheng Huajun , Huang Ying , Dong Zhiyang , Du Wenbin , Zhao Fangqing , Huang Li 
Published: July 2020

SummaryOur current knowledge of the virosphere in deep‐sea sediments remains rudimentary. Here we investigated viral diversity at both gene and genomic levels in deep‐sea sediments of Southwest Indian Ocean. Analysis of 19 676 106 non‐redundant genes from the metagenomic DNA sequences revealed a large number of unclassified viral groups in these samples. A total of 1106 high‐confidence viral contigs were obtained after two runs of assemblies, and 217 of these contigs with sizes up to ~120 kb were shown to represent complete viral genomes. These contigs are clustered with no known viral genomes, and over 2/3 of the ORFs on the viral contigs encode no known functions. Furthermore, most of the complete viral contigs show limited similarity to known viral genomes in genome organization. Most of the classified viral contigs are derived from dsDNA viruses belonging to the order Caudovirales, including primarily members of the families Myoviridae, Podoviridae and Siphoviridae. Most of these viruses infect Proteobacteria and, less frequently, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, etc. Auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs), present in abundance on the viral contigs, appear to function in modulating the host ability to sense environmental gradients and community changes, and to uptake and metabolize nutrients.
Response of wintering waterbird diversity to reclamation history and post‐reclamation habitat along Yellow Sea coast
Authors: WANG Zheng , LI Ning , GAO Shuai , AN Shuqing 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWaterbird diversity is one of the most important indicators for monitoring wetland quality. However, the increasing intensity of reclamation activities in recent decades caused the change of habitat landscape along coasts, which could affect the diversity of wintering waterbirds. Our study tried to investigate how reclamation history and post‐reclamation habitats influence the species richness, species abundance, and Shannon–Wiener diversity of wintering waterbirds along Yancheng coastal wetlands. A total of 68 waterbird species were recorded and the abundance pattern of wintering birds changed from 2009 to 2013. Species richness and abundance of wintering waterbirds varied in the different reclamation histories. Most importantly, the general linear mixed model highlighted the importance of reclamation history, post‐reclamation habitat type, and their interactions for shaping both species abundance and Shannon–Wiener diversity of wintering waterbirds, but these variables did not affect the species richness of waterbirds. Furthermore, the random forest results also showed a positive association between reclamation history with species richness, species abundance, and Shannon–Wiener diversity of wintering waterbirds. Moreover, three post‐reclamation habitat types, Suaeda glauca, bare flat, and fish pond, played important roles for wintering birds. Our results highlighted that reclamation history, post‐reclamation habitats, and their interactions determined waterbird diversity. Given the growing threats to wetland ecosystems from reclamation activities, further research should find a balance between coastal reclamation and waterbird biodiversity conservation.
Fish growth enhances microbial sulfur cycling in aquaculture pond sediments
Authors: Zhang Keke , Zheng Xiafei , He Zhili , Yang Tony , Shu Longfei , Xiao Fanshu , Wu Yongjie , Wang Binhao , Li Zhou , Chen Pubo , Yan Qingyun 
Published: July 2020

SummaryMicrobial sulfate reduction and sulfur oxidation are vital processes to enhance organic matter degradation in sediments. However, the diversity and composition of sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfur‐oxidizing bacteria (SOB) and their environmental driving factors are still poorly understood in aquaculture ponds, which received mounting of organic matter. In this study, bacterial communities, SRB and SOB from sediments of aquaculture ponds with different sizes of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) were analysed using high‐throughput sequencing and quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). The results indicated that microbial communities in aquaculture pond sediments of large juvenile fish showed the highest richness and abundance of SRB and SOB, potentially further enhancing microbial sulfur cycling. Specifically, SRB were dominated by Desulfobulbus and Desulfovibrio, whereas SOB were dominated by Dechloromonas and Leptothrix. Although large juvenile fish ponds had relatively lower concentrations of sulfur compounds (i.e. total sulfur, acid‐volatile sulfide and elemental sulfur) than those of larval fish ponds, more abundant SRB and SOB were found in the large juvenile fish ponds. Further redundancy analysis (RDA) and linear regression indicated that sulfur compounds and sediment suspension are the major environmental factors shaping the abundance and community structure of SRB and SOB in aquaculture pond sediments. Findings of this study expand our current understanding of microbial driving sulfur cycling in aquaculture ecosystems and also provide novel insights for ecological and green aquaculture managements.
The bacterial community and metabolome dynamics and their interactions modulate fermentation process of whole crop corn silage prepared with or without inoculants
Authors: Xu Dongmei , Wang Nian , Rinne Marketta , Ke Wencan , Weinberg Zwika G. , Da Mi , Bai Jie , Zhang Yixin , Li Fuhou , Guo Xusheng 
Published: July 2020

SummaryMulti‐omics approach was adopted to investigate the modulation of bacterial microbiota and metabolome as well as their interactions in whole crop corn ensiling systems by inoculating homofermentative Lactobacillus plantarum or heterofermentative Lactobacillus buchneri. Inoculations of the two different inoculants resulted in substantial differences in microbial community and metabolic composition as well as their dynamics in ensiled corn. Inoculants also altered the correlations of microbiota in different manners, and various keystone species were identified in corn silages with different treatments. Many metabolites with biofunctional activities like bacteriostatic, antioxidant, central nervous system inhibitory and anti‐inflammatory were found in the present silage. A constitutive difference in microbiota dynamics was found for several pathways, which were upregulated by specific taxa in middle stage of fermentation, and widespread associations between metabolites with biofunctions and the species of lactic acid bacteria dominated in silage were observed. Multiple microbial and metabolic structures and dynamics were correlated and affected the fermentation process of the corn ensiling systems. Results of the current study improve our understanding of the complicated biological process underlying silage fermentation and provide a framework to re‐evaluate silages with biofunctions, which may contribute to target‐based regulation methods to produce functional silage for animal production.
Incidence of hippocampal metastases in non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Ly Sophia , Lehman Margot , Liu Howard , Hukins Craig , Murphy Michelle , Dauth Margaret , Devine Matthew S , Mai Gang Tao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesPatients with locally advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (LA‐NSCLC) develop brain metastases in 25–50% of cases during the course of their disease. Data on the incidence of metastases occurring in the hippocampus/perihippocampal zones are limited. This is important when considering hippocampal‐sparing brain radiation (HS‐BR), a method that could potentially reduce the neurocognitive impact of such treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of hippocampal/perihippocampal metastases in a cohort of patients with advanced NSCLC treated at our institution.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included NSCLC patients discussed at our institutional lung cancer multidisciplinary meeting between 2000 and 2016. MRI and contrast‐enhanced CT (ceCT) brain images were reviewed to assess the incidence of hippocampal/perihippocampal metastases including metastases within the hippocampal subgranular zone and a 5 mm margin (hippocampal avoidance region) defined as per the RTOG 0933 study.ResultsOf 2146 patients reviewed, 357 (16.6%) had brain metastases. A total of 335 patients had available MRI/ceCT brain images for review. Thirty (9%) patients had brain metastases in the hippocampal avoidance region, 8 (2.4%) with hippocampal metastases and 22 (6.6%) with perihippocampal metastases. Univariate analyses did not show an association between developing metastases in the hippocampal avoidance region and age (P = 0.75), gender (P = 0.91) and tumour type (P = 0.298).ConclusionThe incidence of metastases in the hippocampal avoidance region in our large cohort of patients was 9%. With low rates of metastases in this region, HS‐BR can be considered a feasible option in the management of patients with advanced NSCLC.
Auditor Responses to Shareholder Activism
Authors: Guo Feng , Lin Chenxi , Masli Adi , Wilkins Michael S. 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we investigate how auditors respond to shareholder activism against their clients. Our study is important because activism may be viewed by auditors as a source of increased engagement risk, thereby impacting audit outcomes. The potential relationship between shareholder activism and audit outcomes leads us to predict that activism targets will pay higher audit fees and also will be more likely to receive adverse internal control opinions (ICOs) and first‐time going concern opinions (GCOs). Our results, which support all three predictions, suggest that the public scrutiny associated with activism campaigns heightens auditors' concerns about reputational damage and litigation risk. Consistent with this notion, we find that activism targets are more likely to experience accounting‐related lawsuits. We also find that the increased likelihood of adverse ICOs documented in our baseline tests reflects higher‐quality reporting rather than increased auditor conservatism. Overall, our findings suggest that activism campaigns spur auditor diligence while also increasing the possibility of negative outcomes that may not be fully anticipated by activist investors.
Effects of tillage systems on wheat and weed water relationships over time when growing together, in semiarid conditions
Authors: Santín‐Montanyá María Inés , Gandía‐Toledano María Luisa , Zambrana Encarnación , Tenorio José Luis 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWater availability directly influences interactions and competition between weeds and crops. This article is based on the idea that relative water content (RWC) indicates the water uptake within plants and that it is possible to explain the water relationships between plants that are growing together. A field experiment carried out for 3 years (2013–2014, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016) compared the short‐term effects of years and tillage systems on wheat grain yield, weed density, wheat‐RWC, weed‐RWC and soil water content (SWC), at tillering and flowering stages in a winter wheat monoculture system. The three tillage treatments were conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no‐tillage (NT). Wheat grain yield was low all years of study, because of low interannual rainfall, and we did not observe differences between tillage systems. Weed density was also affected by year and not by tillage systems. Lowest winter rainfall (73.4 mm from Nov to Feb) in the last year of the study (2015–2016), decreased the weed density in all tillage systems. Despite the rainfall variability over the 3 years of study, the NT system presented higher weed density (73 plants/m2) than MT and CT systems (39.83 and 46.33 plants/m2). We also observed a higher number of weed species for the NT system, facilitated by a high soil water storage in this system. The wheat‐RWC, at tillering stage, varied with years and tillage systems; we found that high winter rainfall (2013–2014) led to higher values in CT (64.5%) compared with MT (52.9%) and NT plots (52.9%). Weed‐RWC values did not vary and SWC was greater in NT than in CT and MT. At flowering stage, the year (2015–2016) with highest spring rainfall favoured higher wheat‐RWC in NT (56.9%) compared with CT (48.3%). However, the lowest spring rainfall coincided with the lowest weed‐RWC, (18% in NT plots) and SWC was always higher in NT soils. The results showed that climatic conditions affected the water competence dynamics between weeds and wheat in different ways. Seemingly, weeds can tolerate a lack of water availability until crop tillering stage independently of tillage system; however, the competition for water was not a problem as crops overcame the high weed density by flowering stage.
Aging is associated with a decline in Atg9b‐mediated autophagosome formation and appearance of enlarged mitochondria in the heart
Authors: Liang Wenjing , Moyzis Alexandra G. , Lampert Mark A. , Diao Rachel Y. , Najor Rita H. , Gustafsson Åsa B. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAdvancing age is a major risk factor for developing heart disease, and the biological processes contributing to aging are currently under intense investigation. Autophagy is an important cellular quality control mechanism that is reduced in tissues with age but the molecular mechanisms underlying the age‐associated defects in autophagy remain poorly characterized. Here, we have investigated how the autophagic process is altered in aged mouse hearts. We report that autophagic activity is reduced in aged hearts due to a reduction in autophagosome formation. Gene expression profile analysis to evaluate changes in autophagy regulators uncovered a reduction in Atg9b transcript and protein levels. Atg9 proteins are critical in delivering membrane to the growing autophagosome, and siRNA knockdown of Atg9b in cells confirmed a reduction in autophagosome formation. Autophagy is also the main pathway involved in eliminating dysfunctional mitochondria via a process known as mitophagy. The E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin plays a key role in labeling mitochondria for mitophagy. We also found increased levels of Parkin‐positive mitochondria in the aged hearts, an indication that they have been labeled for mitophagy. In contrast, Nrf1, a major transcriptional regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, was significantly reduced in aged hearts. Additionally, our data showed reduced Drp1‐mediated mitochondrial fission and formation of enlarged mitochondria in the aged heart. Overall, our findings suggest that cardiac aging is associated with reduced autophagosome number, decreased mitochondrial turnover, and formation of megamitochondria.
Board reforms and the cost of equity: International evidence
Authors: Li Maoliang , Wu Ji , Zhang Liansheng , Zou Liping 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe examine the impact of corporate board reforms on the cost of equity (COE) using a sample of data in 41 countries for the period from 1992 to 2012. We find a significant increase in the COE after board reforms worldwide. This effect is eased for firms in countries under a comply‐or‐explain reform approach, as well as for firms in emerging countries. We further conclude that board reforms involving board independence, audit committee and auditor independence, and the separation of the CEO and Chairman positions, result in increases in the COE. Our results suggest that board reforms are considered inefficient to mitigate agency problems.
What accounting standards were the cause of enforcement actions following IFRS adoption?
Authors: Bradbury Michael E. , Scott Tom 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe provide descriptive evidence on enforcement actions (i.e., regulatory enquiries and their outcomes) following the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in New Zealand. The most common enquiries made by the Securities Commission of New Zealand post‐IFRS adoption period (2007–2010) relate to IFRS transition, financial statement presentation, financial instrument disclosures and related party disclosures. We conclude that the perspective of public enforcement (securities regulators) differs from that of private enforcement (auditors) and focuses on disclosure issues. We discuss the implications of this result for current International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issues, such as materiality and professional judgment in principles‐based standards.
Employee quality and audit fee: evidence from China
Authors: Li Xing , Chen Xia , Qi Baolei , Tian Gaoliang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study investigates the association between employee quality and audit fee. Using data for firm‐level employee quality (as proxied by employee education) from Chinese listed firms from 2011 to 2018, we find that firms operated by high‐quality employees enjoy lower audit charges. The association between employee quality and audit fee is more pronounced in firms with a culture of high integrity. Our 2SLS estimation helps us establish a causal link between employee quality and audit fee. The final validity tests suggest that high‐quality employees contribute to lower audit fee by reducing audit risk and audit effort.
Trophic structure of frog assemblages in coastal habitats in southern Brazil
Authors: Huckembeck Sônia , Winemiller Kirk O. , Loebmann Daniel , Garcia Alexandre M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe evaluated the hypothesis that contrasting environmental conditions in a coastal wetland and nearby sand dunes results in frog assemblages with divergent trophic structures. We predicted that the more productive habitat (wetland) would have higher diversity of primary producers and frogs with larger trophic niches and greater interspecific dietary overlap when compared to the less‐productive dune habitat. Stomach content analysis (SCA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA) were used to compare frog trophic ecology in the two habitats. We compared trophic niche size (Shannon’s index) and overlap (Pianka’s index; isotopic ellipse area, SEAc). Bayesian isotope mixing models were used to estimate relative contributions of basal production sources to frog biomass in each habitat. Estimates indicated that wetland frogs assimilated material from diverse basal sources (suspended particulate organic matter (POM), C3plants, periphyton), whereas frogs inhabiting dunes assimilated material mostly originating from C3plants. Both SCA and SIA revealed less trophic overlap among frogs from the sand dunes compared with those from the wetland. Dietary overlap was greater than expected at random for frogs in both the wetland and dunes. Mean overlap among isotopic ellipses (SEAc) of all frogs at each habitat was higher in the wetland (0.14‰) than in the dunes (0.04‰). These findings corroborate our prediction that trophic structure in the wetland is more complex than in the sand dunes. Also, as expected, we observed greater isotopic niche segregation among frogs in the sand dunes, a potential mechanism that reduces competition for limited food resources.
Characteristics of Specialist‐Diagnosed Asthma‐COPD Overlap in Severe Asthma: Observations from the Korean Severe Asthma Registry (KoSAR)
Authors: Lee Hyun , Kim Sang‐Heon , Kim Byung‐Keun , Lee Youngsoo , Lee Hwa Young , Ban Ga‐Young , Kim Min‐Hye , Kim Joo‐Hee , Kwon Jae‐Woo , Park So‐Young , Jung Jae‐Woo , Park So Young , Park Chan Sun , Rhee Chin Kook , Lee Taehoon , Lee Jae‐Hyun , Kim So Ri , Park Jong‐Sook , Park Heung‐Woo , Yoo Kwang Ha , Oh Yeon‐Mok , Koh Young‐Il , Lee Byung‐Jae , Jang An‐Soo , Cho Sang‐Heon , Park Hae‐Sim , Park Choon‐Sik , Cho You Sook , Yoon Ho Joo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundWhile the clinical characteristics and outcomes of asthma‐chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) have been frequently compared with those of COPD or asthma, the prevalence and features of ACO in patients with severe asthma are unclear.ObjectivesEvaluation of the prevalence and clinical features of ACO using the Korean severe asthma registry.MethodsAt the time of registration, ACO was determined in patients with severe asthma by attending specialists. Patients were classified into ACO and non‐ACO groups, and the demographic and clinical characteristics of these two groups were compared.ResultsOf 482 patients with severe asthma, 23.7% had ACO. Patients in the ACO group were more likely to be male (P < .001), older (P < .001), and ex‐ or current smokers (P < .001) compared with those in the non‐ACO group. Patients in the ACO group had lower mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (P < .001) and blood eosinophil percentage (P = .006), but higher blood neutrophil percentage (P = .027) than those in the non‐ACO group. The ACO group used more inhaled long‐acting muscarinic antagonist (P < .001), methylxanthine (P = .001), or sustained systemic corticosteroid (P = .002). In addition, unscheduled emergency department visits due to exacerbation were more frequent in the ACO group (P = .006).ConclusionAmong patients with severe asthma, those with ACO were older, predominantly male, and were more likely to have a smoking history than those with asthma only. Patients with ACO used more systemic corticosteroid and had more frequent exacerbations related to emergency department visits than those with severe asthma only.
Surgical management of recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after definitive surgery and radiotherapy
Authors: Toppi Jason , Tham Yik Seng , Webb Angela , Henderson Michael A. , Rischin Danny , Magarey Matthew J. R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundSurgery is the primary treatment for patients with recurrent head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) who have previously been treated by definitive surgery and radiotherapy. There are limited published data to direct management and the role of immunotherapy is currently under evaluation.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of patients with at least stage III recurrent head and neck cSCC previously managed by definitive surgery and radiotherapy.ResultsA total of 30 patients met the inclusion criteria. Eighty‐seven percent were male and the median age at the time of surgery was 79 years. After salvage surgery, 7% developed local recurrence and 43% regional or distant failure. The 2‐year overall survival and disease‐free survival were 45% (95% confidence interval 24–64) and 11% (95% confidence interval 1–34), respectively. Advanced age was associated with a higher risk of overall mortality (P < 0.05).ConclusionPatients with recurrent head and neck cSCC in the setting of previous radiotherapy have high recurrence rates with poor survival justifying consideration for treatment with anti‐PD‐1 immunotherapy strategies.