bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stochastic processes and ecological connectivity drive stream invertebrate community responses to short‐term drought
Authors: Sarremejane Romain , Truchy Amélie , McKie Brendan G. , Mykrä Heikki , Johnson Richard K. , Huusko Ari , Sponseller Ryan A. , Muotka Timo 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Community responses to and recovery from disturbances depend on local (e.g. presence of refuges) and regional (connectivity to recolonization sources) factors. Droughts are becoming more frequent in boreal regions, and are likely to constitute a severe disturbance for boreal stream communities where organisms largely lack adaptations to such hydrological extremes.

We conducted an experiment in 24 semi‐natural stream flumes to assess the effects of local and regional factors on the responses of benthic invertebrate communities to a short‐term drought. We manipulated flow (drought vs. constant‐flow), spatial arrangement of leaf litter patches (aggregated vs. evenly distributed) and colonization from regional species pool (enhanced vs. ambient connectivity) to test the combined effects of disturbance, resource arrangement and connectivity on the structural and functional responses of benthic invertebrate communities.

We found that a drought as short as 1 week reduced invertebrate taxonomic richness and abundance, mainly through stochastic extinctions. Such changes in richness were not reflected in functional diversity. This suggests that communities were characterized by a high degree of functional redundancy, which allowed maintenance of functional diversity despite species losses. Feeding groups responded differently to drought, with organic matter decomposers responding more than scrapers and predators.

Three weeks were insufficient for complete invertebrate community recovery from drought. However, recovery was greater in channels subjected to enhanced connectivity, which increased taxonomic diversity and abundance of certain taxa. Spatial configuration of resources explained the least variation in our response variables, having a significant effect only on invertebrate abundance and evenness (both sampling occasions) and taxonomic richness (end of recovery period).

Even a short drought, if occurring late in the season, may not allow communities to recover before the onset of winter, thus having a potentially long‐lasting effect on stream communities. For boreal headwaters, extreme dewatering poses a novel disturbance regime that may trigger substantial and potentially irreversible changes. An improved understanding of such changes is needed to underpin adaptive management strategies in these increasingly fragmented and disturbed ecosystems.
Effects of intracerebroventricular leptin and orexin‐A on the baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity in conscious rats fed a normal or high‐fat diet
Authors: Huang Chunlong , AlMarabeh Sara , Cavers Jeremy , Abdulla Mohammed H. , Johns Edward J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study examined the effect of leptin and orexin‐A on autonomic baroreflex control in conscious Wistar rats exposed to high‐fat (45% fat) or normal (3.4%) diet for 4 weeks. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored during the generation of baroreflex gain curves and acute volume expansion (VEP). Intracerebroventricular (ICV) leptin (1 μg/min) increased RSNA in the normal diet group (0.31 ± 0.04 vs 0.23 ± 0.03 mV/s) and MAP in the high‐fat diet group (115 ± 5 vs 105 ± 5 mm Hg, P < .05). Orexin‐A (50 ng/min) increased RSNA, HR and MAP in the high‐fat diet group (0.26 ± 0.03 vs 0.22 ± 0.02 mV/s, 454 ± 8 vs 417 ± 12 beats/min, 117 ± 1 vs 108 ± 1 mm Hg) and the normal diet group (0.18 ± 0.05 vs 0.17 ± 0.05 mV/s, 465 ± 10 vs 426 ± 6 beats/min, 116 ± 2 vs 104 ± 3 mm Hg). Baroreflex sensitivity for RSNA was increased during ICV leptin by 50% in the normal diet group, compared to 14% in the high‐fat diet group (P < .05). Similarly, orexin‐A increased baroreflex sensitivity by 56% and 50% in the high‐fat and normal diet groups, respectively (all P < .05). During ICV saline, VEP decreased RSNA by 31 ± 5% (P < .05) after 10 minutes and the magnitude of this response was blunted during ICV infusion of leptin (17 ± 2%, P < .05) but not orexin‐A in the normal diet group. RSNA response to VEP was not changed during ICV leptin or orexin‐A in the high‐fat diet group. These findings indicate possible central roles for leptin and orexin‐A in modulating the baroreflexes under normal or increased fat intake in conscious rats and potential therapeutic approaches for obesity associated hypertension.
Should We Worry about Government Debt? Thoughts on Australia's COVID‐19 Response
Authors: Edmond Chris , Holden Richard , Preston Bruce 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNo. While the COVID‐19 crisis has required a dramatic increase in debt‐financed government spending, in the current conditions the benefits from this debt are unusually high and the costs unusually low. While conditions can change, the Australian Government can right now hedge against these risks by lengthening the maturity structure of government debt, even at the cost of a modest increase in its current servicing costs.
Restatement of CSR Reports: Frequency, Magnitude, and Determinants*
Authors: Pinnuck Matthew , Ranasinghe Ajanee , Soderstrom Naomi , Zhou Joey 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTWe provide the first direct analysis of the magnitude of unreliable quantitative information disclosed in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. CSR report reliability is of particular interest to fund managers for investment decisions as well as to policymakers for regulating and monitoring purposes. However, surprisingly little is known about CSR reporting reliability despite concerns raised in the prior literature. We examine how often CSR reports for the Global Fortune 250 (G250) are restated, the magnitude of restatements, and factors associated with restatements during the period 2006 to 2013. During this sample period, the occurrence of restatements increased monotonically, with 39% of G250 CSR reports including one or more line‐item restatements. The magnitude of the line‐item restatements is quite high, with a median restatement of about 10%. We also find evidence of bias in the revised items toward overstatement. We find that restatements occur more frequently in firms that have reported a high level of social performance and that have environmental targets. The occurrence of restatement is also positively associated with firms residing in strong law countries and having their CSR reports audited. Our analysis of reporting bias indicates a negative association between use of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting guidelines and the likelihood of an overstatement. We also find a positive association between having the CSR report audited and the likelihood of revisions associated with overstatements. Together, our exploratory results indicate that CSR information may be unreliable and firms that face pressure to perform well have more restatements. However, our evidence is consistent with the restatements resulting from improvements in information systems over time rather than intentional bias. Our findings will help investors and fund managers better judge the reliability of CSR disclosures, and inform regulators and standard setters on ways to enhance the reliability of CSR reporting. Finally, we contribute to the audit literature examining sustainability assurance.
Emergency department–based interventions affecting social determinants of health in the United States: A scoping review
Authors: Walter Lauren A. , Schoenfeld Elizabeth M. , Smith Catherine H. , Shufflebarger Erin , Khoury Charles , Baldwin Katherine , Hess Jennifer , Heimann Matthew , Crosby Cameron , Sontheimer Sylvia Y. , Gragg Stephen , Hand Delissa , McIlwain Joseph , Greene Christopher , Skains Rachel M. , Hess Erik P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundSocial determinants of health (SDoH) have significant implications for health outcomes in the United States. Emergency departments (EDs) function as the safety nets of the American health care system, caring for many vulnerable populations. ED‐based interventions to assess social risk and mitigate social needs have been reported in the literature. However, the breadth and scope of these interventions have not been evaluated. As the field of social emergency medicine (SEM) expands, a mapping and categorization of previous interventions may help shape future research. We sought to identify, summarize, and characterize ED‐based interventions aimed at mitigating negative SDoH.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review to identify and characterize peer‐reviewed research articles that report ED‐based interventions to address or impact SDoH in the United States. We designed and conducted a search in Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases. Abstracts and, subsequently, full articles were reviewed independently by two reviewers to identify potentially relevant articles. Included articles were categorized by type of intervention and primary SDoH domain. Reported outcomes were also categorized by type and efficacy.ResultsA total of 10,856 abstracts were identified and reviewed, and 596 potentially relevant studies were identified. Full article review identified 135 articles for inclusion. These articles were further subdivided into three intervention types: a) provider educational intervention (18%), b) disease modification with SDoH focus (26%), and c) direct SDoH intervention (60%), with 4% including two “types.” Articles were subsequently further grouped into seven SDoH domains: 1) access to care (33%), 2) discrimination/group disparities (7%), 3) exposure to violence/crime (34%), 4) food insecurity (2%), 5) housing issues/homelessness (3%), 6) language/literacy/health literacy (12%), 7) socioeconomic disparities/poverty (10%). The majority of articles reported that the intervention studied was effective for the primary outcome identified (78%).ConclusionEmergency department–based interventions that address seven different SDoH domains have been reported in the peer‐reviewed literature over the past 30 years, utilizing a variety of approaches including provider education and direct and indirect focus on social risk and need. Characterization and understanding of previous interventions may help identify opportunities for future interventions as well as guide a SEM research agenda.
Effectiveness, efficiency, and fee premiums in audits led by industry specialist partners
Authors: Bell Timothy B. , Bryan David B. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe use engagement‐level data from a Big 4 firm to examine whether industry specialist partners are associated with audit effectiveness, audit efficiency and fee premiums. First, we examine the relation of partner industry specialisation to audit effectiveness ratings made by the firm’s internal quality inspectors and find a positive association. Next, in tests using the effective audits subsample, we find that audits led by industry specialist partners have lower audit hours (i.e., audits are more efficient), higher total audit fees and audit fees per hour, and that both fee measures increase as efficiency increases.
The learning mechanisms through public procurement for innovation: The case of government‐funded basic research organizations
Authors: Castelnovo Paolo , Dal Molin Martina 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe investigate how the procurement activity of government‐funded science organizations support the performance of the firms involved in their supply chain. Specifically, the aim of the paper is to identify the mechanisms and disentangle the channels driving this process.Our testing ground is the Italian Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN). We frame our study as a mixed‐methods research project: three distinct but complementary methodologies are employed, which combine quantitative and qualitative evidence. Firstly, econometric and Bayesian Network analyses are performed, using the information collected through an online survey to suppliers as well as balance‐sheet data extracted from online databases. Then, five case studies are investigated in depth, carrying out direct interviews with company staff.Our findings suggest that four types of benefits stem from suppliers’ cooperation with INFN: learning, innovation, market penetration, and networking. These gains represent “intermediate outputs” which in turn impact on suppliers’ socio‐economic performance. We provide evidence that suppliers involved in innovative procurement usually experience the greatest benefits. This is mainly explained by the new technical competencies acquired, which are exploited to develop new products that support company business development and sales. In contrast, reputational gains, leading to the acquisition of new clients, are experienced also by companies involved in regular procurement.
Goals of children with unilateral cerebral palsy in a brain stimulation arm rehabilitation trial
Authors: Metzler Megan J , Haspels Eva , Brunton Laura , Andersen John , Pritchard Lesley , Herrero Mia , Hodge Jacquie , Kirton Adam 
Published: December 2020

AimTo explore relationships between category classifications for children’s rehabilitation goals, outcomes, and participant characteristics.MethodChildren with hemiparetic cerebral palsy due to perinatal stroke rated self‐selected goals with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and completed the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) and Box and Block Test (BBT), at baseline and 6 months, in a randomized, controlled 10‐day neuromodulation rehabilitation trial using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Goals were classified with the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Analysis included standard linear regression.ResultsData for 45 participants (mean age 11y 7mo, SD 3y 10mo, range 6–19y, 29 males, 16 females) on 186 goals were included. Self‐care goal percentage corresponded with baseline BBT by age (standardized ß=–0.561, p=0.004). Leisure goal percentage corresponded with baseline BBT (standardized ß=0.419, p=0.010). AHA change corresponded with productivity goals (standardized ß=0.327, p=0.029) and age (standardized ß=0.481, p=0.002). COPM change corresponded with baseline COPM and age by AHA change (p<0.05).InterpretationYounger children with lower motor function were more likely to select self‐care goals while those with better function tended to select leisure goals. Functional improvement corresponded with older age and productivity goals. COPM change scores reflected functional improvement among older children. Children chose functionally and developmentally appropriate goals. Consequently, children should be free to set goals that matter to them.What this paper adds

Children in a brain stimulation trial chose divergent upper extremity functional goals.

Younger children with lower ability chose more self‐care goals.

Children with higher ability chose more leisure goals.

Older children’s goal ratings reflected objective functional motor gains.

Children chose goals appropriate to their function and level of development.
Effectiveness of the Transformation model, a model of care that integrates diabetes services across primary, secondary and community care: A retrospective study
Authors: Brady Emer M. , Bodicoat Danielle H. , Zaccardi Francesco , Seidu Samuel , Idris Iskandar , Khunti Kamlesh , Farooqi Azhar , Davies Melanie J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimsThe primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a model integrating diabetes services across primary, secondary and community care (Transformation model). The secondary aim was to understand whether changes resulted from the model.MethodsThe model was implemented In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (UK) across three clinical commissioning groups, the acute trust and accompanying stakeholders. One clinical commissioning group (Leicester City) implemented the entire model and was the primary evaluation population. A quasi‐experimental interrupted time series design was employed. The primary outcome was number of Type 2 diabetes‐related bed‐days per 1000 patients.ResultsIn the primary population, the mean number of Type 2 diabetes‐related bed‐days per 1000 patients was increasing before model implementation by 0.33/month (95% confidence interval: −0.07, 0.72), whereas it was decreasing after implementation by a mean value of −0.14/month (−0.33, 0.06); a statistically significant difference (p = 0.04). Secondary analyses showed: nationally, there was no significant change between the pre‐ and post‐periods so it is unlikely that large secular change drove the improvement; the other two Leicestershire clinical commissioning groups saw improvement or stability; underlying processes worked as hypothesised overall; diabetes biomedical markers deteriorated in the primary care population suggesting a change in case‐mix due to moving some patients out of secondary care.ConclusionsGiven that the initial aim was to shift services from secondary to primary care without causing harm, an improvement is better than expected. This observational evaluation cannot show conclusively that improvements were due to the Transformation model, but secondary analyses support this.
Xylem characteristics in Ulmus americana cultivars and their potential use as a preliminary screening method for Dutch elm disease resistance
Authors: Beier Garrett L. , Blanchette Robert A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTraditional screening of American elm (Ulmus americana) for resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED) often requires many years between initial propagation of trees and inoculation of older trees in the field. Previously published studies have found an association between smaller vessel diameters and increased resistance to DED, but further validation was needed to determine whether it could provide a rapid screening method to identify candidate trees for further testing. This investigation examined xylem characteristics in main stems of three‐year‐old trees for five cultivars and two wild‐type seedling populations of U. americana with varying levels of resistance to DED. Cultivars with low disease severity ratings tended to have smaller vessel diameters and higher vessel densities than cultivars with high disease severity ratings. Xylem characteristics were also assessed in branches and main stems of larger plant material. Data suggest that the use of main stems is preferential to branches when evaluating large trees, as main stems provided more resolution in differentiating between the genotypes. Results from this study indicate that there is potential for the use of xylem characteristics, such as vessel diameter and vessel density, for selecting trees with putative resistance. However, caution should be used due to the potential effects of the environment, such as the effect of water availability and its impacts on xylem development.
Oil palm survival under climate change in Malaysia with future basal stem rot assessments
Authors: Paterson R. Russell M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe high economic return from sales of palm oil is because of its inclusion in a vast range of commodities, and Malaysia is the second largest producer after Indonesia. However, increasing cultivation of oil palm has a negative environmental impact threatening sustainability. Basal stem rot (BSR) by Ganoderma boninense is of major concern to sustainability of the palm oil industry. CLIMEX, a computer model, provided suitability‐for‐future‐growth maps of oil palm in Malaysia. The present study used this model to determine how climate affects oil palm growth, providing quantitative scenarios of future oil palm mortality and BSR incidence in Malaysia under a 'no change' presumption. Unsuitable climate for oil palm will make the plant susceptible to disease. High and low levels of oil palm mortality and BSR incidence were predicted from the CLIMEX model in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, respectively, by 2100. Sabah represented the most sustainable region in Malaysia for palm oil production followed by Sarawak. Overall, climate change will not affect the incidence of BSR greatly until 2050 but the situation will deteriorate thereafter. These scenarios can be monitored for accuracy in the future. Methods to ameliorate climate change effects on oil palm and concomitantly reducing BSR incidence are required. Palm oil production may be unsustainable after 2050, and urgent action must be taken.
Experimental investigation of fatigue crack propagation in interbedded marble under multilevel cyclic uniaxial compressive loads
Authors: Wang Yu , Meng Huajun , Long Dayu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMultilevel cyclic loading–unloading uniaxial compressive testing combined with real‐time acoustic emission monitoring (AE) and post‐test computed tomography (CT) scanning was employed to investigate the anisotropic cracking propagation and the type of crack classification for interbedded marble. An AE parameter method using RA (ratio of rise time to amplitude) and AF (ratio of AE counts to duration) is used to classify cracking event modes and propagation characteristics. Results show that the fatigue strength and lifetime first decreases and then increases with increasing interbed orientation, and they reach a minimum for rock with an interbed orientation of 30°. In addition, the distribution of RA values and AF values is strongly influenced by the rock structure, especially the interbeds. Moreover, CT imaging reveals the difference between the cracking mode and it is found that the cracking propagation pattern is structurally dependent. An increase of RA value provides an early warning for rock failure.
Review of Modeling Approaches to Groundwater Flow in Deformed Carbonate Aquifers
Authors: Medici Giacomo , Smeraglia Luca , Torabi Anita , Botter Chartlotte 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe discuss techniques to represent groundwater flow in carbonate aquifers using the three existing modeling approaches: equivalent porous medium, conduit network, and discrete fracture network. Fractures in faulted stratigraphic successions are characterized by dominant sets of sub‐vertical joints. Grid rotation is recommended using the equivalent porous medium to match higher hydraulic conductivity with the dominant orientation of the joints. Modeling carbonate faults with throws greater than approximately 100 m is more challenging. Such faults are characterized by combined conduit‐barrier behavior. The barrier behavior can be modeled using the Horizontal Flow Barrier Package with a low‐permeability vertical barrier inserted to represent the impediment of horizontal flow in faults characterized by sharp drops of the piezometric surface. Cavities can occur parallel to the strike of normal faults generating channels for the groundwater. In this case, flow models need to account for turbulence using a conduit network approach. Channels need to be embedded in an equivalent porous medium due to cavities a few centimeters large, which are present in carbonate aquifers even in areas characterized by low hydraulic gradients. Discrete fracture network modeling enables representation of individual rock discontinuities in three dimensions. This approach is used in non‐heavily karstified aquifers at industrial sites and was recently combined with the equivalent porous medium to simulate diffusivity in the matrix. Following this review, we recommend that the future research combines three practiced modeling approaches: equivalent porous medium, discrete fracture network, and conduit network, in order to capture structural and flow aspects in the modeling of groundwater in carbonate rocks.