bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Peru’s sovereign yield curve: the role of macroeconomic and latent factors
Authors: Olivares Rios Alejandra , Rodríguez Gabriel , Ataurima Arellano Miguel 
Published: April 2019

PurposeFollowing Ang and Piazzesi’s (2003) study, the authors use an affine term structure model to study the relevance of macroeconomic (domestic and foreign) factors for Peru’s sovereign yield curve in the period from November 2005 to December 2015. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachRisk premia are modeled as time-varying and depend on both observable and unobservable factors; and the authors estimate a vector autoregressive model considering no-arbitrage assumptions.FindingsThe authors find evidence that macro factors help to improve the fit of the model and explain a substantial amount of variation in bond yields. However, their influence is very sensitive to the specification model. Variance decompositions show that macro factors explain a significant share of the movements at the short and middle segments of the yield curve (up to 50 percent), while unobservable factors are the main drivers for most of the movements at the long end of the yield curve (up to 80 percent). Furthermore, the authors find that international markets are relevant for the determination of the risk premium in the short term. Higher uncertainty in international markets increases bond yields, although this effect vanishes quickly. Finally, the authors find that no-arbitrage restrictions with the incorporation of macro factors improve forecasts.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge this is the first application of this type of models using data from an emerging country such as Peru.
Re-examining the determinants of bank profitability in Nigeria
Authors: Bolarinwa Segun Thompson , Obembe Olufemi Bodunde , Olaniyi Clement 
Published: April 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the determinants of bank profitability in Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigates the effect of managerial cost efficiency on bank profitability. Also, since there exist mixed results and controversies in the literature, in both developed and developing countries, regarding the effect of efficiency on bank profitability, this study employs the standard measure of efficiency. In addition, the work incorporates the role of persistence, which is often neglected in the literature in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach
This study employs system generalized method of moments.

Findings
The findings, using the case of Nigeria, show that cost efficiency is a strong determinant of bank profitability in developing countries. In addition, the profitability of banks in Nigeria persists over time; hence, the industry is fairly competitive.

Research limitations/implications
The recent policies of banking industry recapitalization meant to increase profitability and stability in Nigeria and other African countries’ banking industry will not be effective if the issue of managerial efficiency is not properly addressed.

Practical implications
Improving the banking managerial efficiency will positively reduce bad loans, hence leading to the stability in the banking system.

Originality/value
The authors introduce efficiency using standard measure of stochastic frontier analysis for its measurement. Also, this study introduces the role of persistence in the literature in developing countries.
Multiwell study of seismic attenuation at the CO2CRC Otway project geosequestration site: Comparison of amplitude decay, centroid frequency shift and 1D waveform inversion methods
Authors: Pirogova A. , Pevzner R. , Gurevich B. , Glubokovskikh S. , Tertyshnikov K. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTAt the CO2CRC Otway geosequestration site, the abundance of borehole seismic and logging data provides a unique opportunity to compare techniques of Q (measure of attenuation) estimation and validate their reliability. Specifically, we test conventional time‐domain amplitude decay and spectral‐domain centroid frequency shift methods versus the 1D waveform inversion constrained by well logs on a set of zero‐offset vertical seismic profiles. The amplitude decay and centroid frequency shift methods of Q estimation assume that a seismic pulse propagates in a homogeneous medium and ignore the interference of the propagating wave with short‐period multiples. The waveform inversion explicitly models multiple scattering and interference on a stack of thin layers using high‐resolution data from sonic and density logs. This allows for stable Q estimation in small depth windows (in this study, 150 m), and separation of the frequency‐dependent layer‐induced scattering from intrinsic absorption. Besides, the inversion takes into account band‐limited nature of seismic data, and thus, it is less dependent on the operating frequency bandwidth than on the other methods. However, all considered methods of Q estimation are unreliable in the intervals where subsurface significantly deviates from 1D geometry. At the Otway site, the attenuation estimates are distorted by sub‐vertical faults close to the boreholes. Analysis of repeated vertical seismic profiles reveals that 15 kt injection of the CO2‐rich fluid into a thin saline aquifer at 1.5 km depth does not induce detectable absorption of P‐waves at generated frequencies 5–150 Hz, most likely because the CO2 plume in the monitoring well is thin, <15 m. At the Otway research site, strong attenuation Q ≈ 30–50 is observed only in shaly formations (Skull Creek Mudstone, Belfast Mudstone). Layer‐induced scattering attenuation is negligible except for a few intervals, namely 500–650 m from the surface, and near the injection interval, at around 1400–1550 m, where Qscat ≈ 50–65.
Effect of plant chemical variation and mutualistic ants on the local population genetic structure of an aphid herbivore
Authors: Zytynska Sharon E. , Guenay Yasemin , Sturm Sarah , Clancy Mary V. , Senft Matthias , Schnitzler Jörg‐Peter , Dilip Pophaly Saurabh , Wurmser Christine , Weisser Wolfgang W. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Plants exhibit impressive genetic and chemical diversity, not just between species but also within species, and the importance of plant intraspecific variation for structuring ecological communities is well known. When there is variation at the local population level, this can create a spatially heterogeneous habitat for specialised herbivores potentially leading to non‐random distribution of individuals across host plants.

Plant variation can affect herbivores directly and indirectly via a third species, resulting in variable herbivore growth rates across different host plants. Herbivores also exhibit within‐species variation, with some genotypes better adapted to some plant variants than others.

We genotyped aphids collected across 2 years from a field site containing ~200 patchily distributed host plants that exhibit high chemical diversity. The distribution of aphid genotypes, their ant mutualists, and other predators was assessed across the plants.

We present evidence that the local distribution of aphid (Metopeurum fuscoviride) genotypes across host‐plant individuals is associated with variation in the plant volatiles (chemotypes) and non‐volatile metabolites (metabotypes) of their host plant tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). Furthermore, these interactions in the field were influenced by plant‐host preferences of aphid‐mutualist ants.

Our results emphasise that plant intraspecific variation can structure ecological communities not only at the species level but also at the genetic level within species and that this effect can be enhanced through indirect interactions with a third species.
Metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis for production of para‐aminobenzoic acid – unexpected importance of carbon source is an advantage for space application
Authors: Averesch Nils J. H. , Rothschild Lynn J. 
Published: April 2019

SummaryHigh‐strength polymers, such as aramid fibres, are important materials in space technology. To obtain these materials in remote locations, such as Mars, biological production is of interest. The aromatic polymer precursor para‐aminobenzoic acid (pABA) can be derived from the shikimate pathway through metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis, an organism suited for space synthetic biology. Our engineering strategy included repair of the defective indole‐3‐glycerol phosphate synthase (trpC), knockout of one chorismate mutase isozyme (aroH) and overexpression of the aminodeoxychorismate synthase (pabAB) and aminodeoxychorismate lyase (pabC) from the bacteria Corynebacterium callunae and Xenorhabdus bovienii respectively. Further, a fusion‐protein enzyme (pabABC) was created for channelling of the carbon flux. Using adaptive evolution, mutants of the production strain, able to metabolize xylose, were created, to explore and compare pABA production capacity from different carbon sources. Rather than the efficiency of the substrate or performance of the biochemical pathway, the product toxicity, which was strongly dependent on the pH, appeared to be the overall limiting factor. The highest titre achieved in shake flasks was 3.22 g l−1 with a carbon yield of 12.4% [C‐mol/C‐mol] from an amino sugar. This promises suitability of the system for in situ resource utilization (ISRU) in space biotechnology, where feedstocks that can be derived from cyanobacterial cell lysate play a role.
Quantifying habitat use of migratory fish across riverscapes using space‐time isotope models
Authors: Brennan Sean R. , Cline Timothy J. , Schindler Daniel E. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Migratory animals pose difficult challenges to conservation and management because identifying critical habitats used throughout their lives is rarely possible. Endogenous tracers (e.g. isotope ratios) recorded in sequentially growing biogenic tissues, however, represent a potential source of unique insights at the more elusive temporal and spatial scales central to understanding the ecology of mobile species. To this end, a general probabilistic framework has emerged that quantitatively compares predictive models of isotopic variation across landscapes (called isoscapes) to the isotopic composition recorded in a biological tissue to determine the provenance and movements of animals throughout their lives.

Although this spatially continuous approach to isotope‐based geographic assignment is becoming more common across taxa and ecosystems, adopting this framework to take advantage of serial isotope records stored within sequentially growing biogenic tissues (e.g. teeth or otoliths) is less common.

Here, we construct a novel space‐time isotope model of provenance (STIMP) that determines the habitat use through time of migratory fish across river basins. To do so, this model integrates: strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) ratios across a riverscape, the serial records of 87Sr/86Sr within otoliths, habitat geomorphology and the directional movement patterns of fish through river networks.

To illustrate an application of the model, we applied it to a published dataset from Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) harvested in 2011 during a coastal fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska, U.S.A. Using this model, we show how individuals exploit an array of habitat types to achieve their juvenile growth prior to ocean migration, and that the intensity of habitat use among habitat types across the basin shifts spatially over the course of freshwater residence (e.g. from headwaters to migration corridors). The STIMP presented here integrates diverse information sources to reveal the cryptic juvenile movement patterns of a highly migratory species, providing new insights critical to their conservation. This general framework is applicable to any migratory taxa that use isotopically heterogeneous landscapes during their lives and record such variation in sequentially growing biogenic tissues.
When to go abroad: economic policy uncertainty and Chinese firms’ overseas investment
Authors: Wu Ji (George) , Zhang Jian , Wu Yiwen , Kong Dongmin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe study how economic policy uncertainty (EPU) influences firms’ overseas investments for Chinese listed companies. We find a significant negative relationship between EPU and firms’ overseas investments after controlling for firm characteristics and macroeconomic variables. Chinese firms seem to reduce their overseas investments on fixed income securities when facing domestic policy uncertainty. The negative relationship is pronounced for financially constrained firms, firms relying on government subsidies and with low overseas revenues, and SOEs. Firms operating in high marketisation regions can mitigate the negative effect of EPU on firms’ overseas investments. Our results remain significant when considering endogeneity problems.
Emerging new themes in environmental, social and governance investing: a systematic literature review
Authors: Daugaard Dan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractEnvironmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is a large and influential industry. Its activities could be illuminated, appraised and improved by academic research. Unfortunately, research to date has focused on measuring return performance. A wider range of topics is necessary before research can properly inform investors, companies and regulators. This paper contributes to the challenge by systematically exploring the literature to reveal a richer array of topics: the heterogeneous nature of ESG investing, its costs and motivations, and its management literature origins. In addition to these established topics, five emerging themes are identified: the human element, climate change, fund flows, fixed income and the rise of non‐Western players.
Moderate alcohol consumption and depression – a longitudinal population‐based study in Sweden
Authors: Gémes K. , Forsell Y. , Janszky I. , László K. D. , Lundin A. , Ponce De Leon A. , Mukamal K. J. , Moller J. 
Published: April 2019

Background and AimsThe interrelationship between alcohol consumption and depression is complex, and the direction of the association is unclear. We investigated whether alcohol consumption influences the risk of depression while accounting for this potential bidirectionality.MethodsA total of 10 441 individuals participated in the PART study in 1998–2000, 8622 in 2001–2003, and 5228 in 2010. Participants answered questions on their alcohol consumption, symptoms of depression, childhood adversity, and sociodemographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and lifestyle factors. A total of 5087 participants provided repeated information on alcohol consumption. We used marginal structural models to analyze the association between alcohol consumption and depression while controlling for previous alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms and other time‐varying confounders.ResultsNon‐drinkers had a higher depression risk than light drinkers (≤7 drinks/week) (risk ratio: 1.7; 95% confidence interval 1.3–2.1). Consumers of seven–fourteen drinks/week had a depression risk similar to that of light drinkers. Hazardous drinking was associated with a higher risk of depression than non‐hazardous alcohol consumption (risk ratio: 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–2.4).ConclusionLight and moderate alcohol consumption and non‐hazardous drinking were associated with the lowest risk of subsequent depression after accounting for potential bidirectional effects. Hazardous drinking increased the risk of depression.
Internalizing and externalizing symptoms and suicidal behaviour in young people: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of longitudinal studies
Authors: Soto‐Sanz V. , Castellví P. , Piqueras J. A. , Rodríguez‐Marín J. , Rodríguez‐Jiménez T. , Miranda‐Mendizábal A. , Parés‐Badell O. , Almenara J. , Alonso I. , Blasco M. J. , Cebrià A. , Gabilondo A. , Gili M. , Lagares C. , Roca M. , Alonso J. 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveTo assess internalizing and externalizing symptoms as risk factors for suicidal behaviour and suicide among adolescents and young adults.MethodWe conducted a systematic review of articles published until January 2017. We identified 26 883 potential papers; 1701 full‐text articles were assessed for eligibility, of which 1479 were excluded because of methodological reasons. Diverse meta‐analyses were performed for each group of symptoms. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) or beta coefficients for categorical variables, and effect size (ES) were calculated for continuous variables.ResultsFinally, 41 studies were included, involving participants aged 12–26 years for a systematic review, and 24 articles were included for meta‐analysis. The meta‐analysis showed that youths with any internalizing (ES = 0.93) or externalizing symptoms (ES = 0.76 and OR = 2.59) were more likely to attempt suicide in future. This effect was also seen in depression symptoms (OR = 6.58 and ES = 1.00), legal problems (OR = 3.36), and anxiety (ES = 0.65).ConclusionReported internalizing and externalizing symptoms are predictors of suicide behaviour in young people; therefore, the detection and management of these symptoms in young populations could be a crucial strategy for preventing suicidality in this group.
Ungulate browsing on introduced pines differs between plant communities: Implications for invasion process and management
Authors: Zamora‐Nasca Lucía B. , Relva M. Andrea , Núñez Martín A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe effects of herbivory on plant invasions are broadly discussed, and many studies have led to widely debated theories. In particular, the effects of herbivores on pine invasion found in different studies vary; in some cases, they controlled their expansion, and in others, they promoted it. On the other hand, vulnerability to invasion by pines differs between community types. Sites with dunes and bare ground are the most heavily invaded, followed by grasslands, while shrublands and forests are least invaded. Because current evidence is mostly observational, some of the varying responses of pine invasions to herbivory should be examined further through replicated experiments. Here, we address experimentally the extent to which preference for the non‐native invasive Pinus contorta by domestic sheep (Ovis aries) depends on the vegetation type. We installed experimental enclosures within two adjacent communities, grassland and shrubland, and in each one, we planted seedlings of P. contorta Douglas and established a sheep density typically recommended for the study area. The number of browsed seedlings, the number and type of branches browsed per seedling, the reduction in height and probability of survival immediately after browsing period were recorded. The number of browsed seedlings and damage to the terminal bud were higher in grassland than in shrubland, while the number of browsed branches per seedling was higher in shrubland than grassland. The reductions in height and probability of survival immediately after browsing were similar in both communities. These results show that moderate levels of sheep herbivory could reduce 20% seedling survival in both communities; nevertheless, the damage patterns differ between them. The sheep browsed more substantial number of seedlings in grasslands than in shrublands. However, if sheep find the seedlings, they damage it more in shrublands. These results suggest that experimental studies comparing communities are important for pine invasion management.
Research priorities in residential aged care services: A statewide survey
Authors: Rayner Jo‐Anne , Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre , Cowen Sandra 
Published: April 2019

ObjectivesTo ascertain the research priorities of staff working in Victorian residential aged care services (RACS).MethodIn October 2016, all 754 Victorian RACS were asked to list three most important research priorities in a confidential postal survey. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyse the data.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐two (21.5%) RACS participated. Research priorities, in order of importance, were grouped thematically as workforce issues, strategies to manage residents with dementia and funding to the sector. Staffing numbers and mix, particularly nurse‐to‐resident ratios, dominated workforce issues. The management of responsive behaviours was highlighted as a pressing clinical issue, and insufficient funding to the sector impacted on most issues reported.ConclusionsThe research priorities identified were inter‐related. Some were already well researched, suggesting RACS staff have little time and/or limited access to research evidence to inform the care and management of residents, possibly because of inadequate staffing and funding.
The importance of being rhythmic: Living in harmony with your body clocks
Authors: Dibner Charna 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCircadian rhythms have developed in all light‐sensitive organisms, including humans, as a fundamental anticipatory mechanism that enables proactive adaptation to environmental changes. The circadian system is organized in a highly hierarchical manner, with clocks operative in most cells of the body ensuring the temporal coordination of physiological processes. Circadian misalignment, stemming from modern life style, draws increasing attention due to its tight association with the development of metabolic, cardiovascular, inflammatory and mental diseases as well as cancer. This review highlights recent findings emphasizing the role of the circadian system in the temporal orchestration of physiology, with a particular focus on implications of circadian misalignment in human pathologies.
Programmed cell death protein‐1 (PD‐1)‐targeted immunotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: efficacy and safety data from an international multicentre real‐world cohort
Authors: Scheiner Bernhard , Kirstein Martha M. , Hucke Florian , Finkelmeier Fabian , Schulze Kornelius , von Felden Johann , Koch Sandra , Schwabl Philipp , Hinrichs Jan B. , Waneck Fredrik , Waidmann Oliver , Reiberger Thomas , Müller Christian , Sieghart Wolfgang , Trauner Michael , Weinmann Arndt , Wege Henning , Trojan Jörg , Peck‐Radosavljevic Markus , Vogel Arndt , Pinter Matthias 
Published: April 2019

SummaryBackgroundProgrammed cell death protein‐1‐targeted immunotherapy has shown promising results in phase II studies of hepatocellular carcinoma.AimTo evaluate safety and efficacy of nivolumab and pembrolizumab in an international, multicentre, real‐world cohort of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsSixty‐five patients treated with nivolumab (n = 34) or pembrolizumab (n = 31) between July 10, 2015 and December 31, 2018 (data cut‐off) across six centres in Austria and Germany were retrospectively analysed.ResultsChild‐Pugh class A/B/C was 32 (49%)/28 (43%)/5 (8%). Immunotherapy was used as systemic first‐/second‐/third‐/fourth‐line treatment in 9 (14%)/27 (42%)/26 (40%)/3 (5%) patients. Fifty‐four patients had at least one follow‐up imaging and were, therefore, available for radiological response assessment. The overall response and disease control rates were 12% and 49% respectively. Of 52 evaluable patients, four (8%) had hyperprogressive disease. Median time to progression was 5.5 (95% CI, 3.5‐7.4) months, median progression‐free survival was 4.6 (95% CI, 3.0‐6.2) months, and median overall survival was 11.0 (95% CI, 8.2‐13.8) months. Most common adverse events were infections (n = 7), rash (n = 6), pruritus (n = 3), fatigue (n = 3), diarrhoea (n = 3) and hepatitis (n = 3). Efficacy and safety results were comparable between Child‐Pugh A and B patients; however, median overall survival (OS) was shorter in Child‐Pugh B patients (16.7 vs 8.6 months; P = 0.065). There was no difference in terms of efficacy and adverse events between patients who received immunotherapy as first‐/second‐line and third‐/fourth‐line respectively.ConclusionsProgrammed cell death protein‐1‐targeted immunotherapy with nivolumab or pembrolizumab showed promising efficacy and safety in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, including subjects with Child‐Pugh stage B and patients with intensive pretreatment.