bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resilience and transparency in social systems
Authors: Griffiths Dai 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
This paper draws on the literature of cybernetics to argue that the resilience of organizations can be diminished by an unconsidered maximization of transparency and accountability. In doing so, it critically examines the concept of resilience and the relationship of resilience to neoliberalism.

Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual analysis of resilience is carried out at two levels. First, the use of the concepts of resilience, viability, transparency, accountability and neoliberalism is considered, together with the relationship between them. Second, the management interventions that result from the application of these related ideas are critiqued from the perspective of cybernetics and particularly of variety and black boxes.

Findings
It is shown that within complex social environments, the unconsidered imposition of transparency and accountability as a management strategy may constrain the resilience of the organizations and individuals rather than enhance it. The use of data analytics enhances this tendency.

Research limitations/implications
The theoretical analysis of the relationship between transparency and resilience offers a basis for carrying out empirical studies.

Practical implications
There are practical implications for organizational managers, employees and stakeholders, offering them a means of understanding the systemic threat posed by organizational design decisions which enhance transparency and accountability without taking into consideration the full range of interactions which act to maintain organizational viability.

Social implications
The analysis provides a rationale for resisting the imposition of social policies inspired by neoliberalism.

Originality/value
The bringing together of the concepts of resilience, neoliberalism, transparency and accountability, and their exposure to cybernetic analysis, provides a novel perspective on resilience, and new insights into way that organizations maintain their viability.
Comparison analysis on the bilateral efforts of farmers and the third-party organization under multiple contract modes
Authors: Sun Lanying , Li Xiaoyan 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is under the analysis framework of the system theory, analyzing the optimal contract mode of agricultural supply chain to guarantee the stability of agricultural supply chain and the equilibrium of agricultural product market, to analyze the effect of farmers’ risk attitude on the selection of contract modes and to find the way to encourage farmers’ productive effort and to avoid farmers’ hitchhiking behavior, to guarantee the stability of agricultural supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach
Under the guidance of the system theory, using the Stackelberg model and the nonlinear programming theory, this paper comparatively analyzes farmers’ effort (productive effort and sales effort), farmers’ income and the stability of agricultural supply system of four types of contract modes between farmers, third-party organizations and market.

Findings
First, in the agricultural market, market-type contract cannot maximize farmers’ income. The main reason is that farmers do not have enough ability to avoid market risk and to bargain. Second, for farmers of risk seeking, choosing a market-type contract and secondary-income contract can increase their income. Third, under the fixed-purchase price contract, the hitchhiking behavior would happen. Fourth, when farmers’ productive efforts are the same, farmers’ income under the secondary-income contract is higher than under the fixed-purchase price contract. Because under the secondary-income contract, farmers have the opportunity to obtain the secondary distribution of benefits, farmers’ hitchhiking behavior could be avoided.

Originality/value
Analyzing the contract modes between farmers and the third-party organization in the agricultural market could reduce the influence of price fluctuation, avoid the uncertainty of the relationship between the supply and demand, stimulate the productive effort of farmers and provide theoretical guidance for establishing efficient and stable agricultural supply system.
Flow–ecology relationships are spatially structured and differ among flow regimes
Authors: Bruckerhoff Lindsey A. , Leasure Douglas R. , Magoulick Daniel D. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

In streams, hydrology is a predominant driver of ecological structure and function. Providing adequate flows to support aquatic life, or environmental flows, is therefore a top management priority in stream systems.

Flow regime classification is a widely accepted approach for establishing environmental flow guidelines. However, it is surprisingly difficult to quantify relationships between hydrology and ecology (flow–ecology relationships) while describing how these relationships vary across classified flow regimes. Developing such relationships is complicated by several sources of spatial bias, such as autocorrelation due to spatial design, flow regime classification and other environmental or ecological sources of spatial bias.

We used mixed moving‐average spatial stream network models to develop flow–ecology relationships across classified flow regimes and to assess spatial patterns of these relationships. We compared relationships between fish traits and life‐history strategies with hydrologic metrics across flow regimes and assessed whether spatial autocorrelation influenced these relationships.

Trait–hydrology relationships varied between flow regimes and across all streams combined. Some relationships between traits and hydrologic metrics fit predictions based on life‐history theory, while others exhibited unexpected relationships with hydrology. Spatial factors described a large proportion of variability in fish traits and different patterns of spatial autocorrelation were observed in different flow regimes.

Synthesis and applications. Further work is needed to understand why flow–ecology relationships vary across classified flow regimes and why these relationships may not fit predictions based on life‐history theories. Managers determining environmental flow standards need to be aware that different hydrologic metrics are often important drivers of fish trait diversity in different flow regimes. Flow–ecology relationships may therefore be confounded by spatial structure inherent in flow regime classification and much existing biological data. Complex patterns of spatial bias should be considered when managing stream systems within an environmental flows framework.
The pH‐responsive PacC transcription factor plays pivotal roles in virulence and patulin biosynthesis in Penicillium expansum
Authors: Chen Yong , Li Boqiang , Xu Xiaodi , Zhang Zhanquan , Tian Shiping 
Published: October 2018

SummaryThe PacC (loss or reduction in phosphatase activity at acid but not at alkaline pH [Pac]) transcription factor regulates environmental adaptation, secondary metabolism and virulence in many fungal pathogens. Here, we report the functions of PacC in Penicillium expansum, a postharvest pathogenic fungus in horticultural crops, and ascertain that the gene expression and proteolytic processing of PePacC are strictly pH‐dependent. Loss of PePacC resulted in an obvious decrease in growth and conidiation of P. expansum cultured in both acidic and alkaline conditions. The ΔPePacC mutant lost the ability of patulin production at pH values above 6.0 because expressions of all the genes in patulin cluster were significantly down‐regulated. Additionally, virulence of the ΔPePacC mutant was obviously reduced in pear and apple fruits. Proteome analysis revealed that PePacC could function as an activator or repressor for different target proteins, including calreticulin (PeCRT) and sulfate adenylyltransferase (PeSAT), which were further proved to be involved in virulence of P. expansum. Our results demonstrate important roles for PePacC in patulin biosynthesis via limiting expressions of the genes in the cluster, and in pathogenesis via mediating a known virulence factor glucose oxidase (PeGOD) and new virulence factors, such as PeCRT and PeSAT.
Catalytic linkage between caspase activity and proteostasis in Archaea
Authors: Seth‐Pasricha Mansha , Senn Stefan , Sanman Laura E. , Bogyo Matthew , Nanda Vikas , Bidle Kelly A. , Bidle Kay D. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryThe model haloarchaeon, Haloferax volcanii possess an extremely high, and highly specific, basal caspase activity in exponentially growing cells that closely resembles caspase‐4. This activity is specifically inhibited by the pan‐caspase inhibitor, z‐VAD‐FMK, and has no cross‐reactivity with other known protease families. Although it is one of the dominant cellular proteolytic activities in exponentially growing H. volcanii cells, the interactive cellular roles remain unknown and the protein(s) responsible for this activity remain elusive. Here, biochemical purification and in situ trapping with caspase targeted covalent inhibitors combined with genome‐enabled proteomics, structural analysis, targeted gene knockouts and treatment with canavanine demonstrated a catalytic linkage between caspase activity and thermosomes, proteasomes and cdc48b, a cell division protein and proteasomal degradation facilitating ATPase, as part of an ‘interactase’ of stress‐related protein complexes with an established link to the unfolded protein response (UPR). Our findings provide novel cellular and biochemical context for the observed caspase activity in Archaea and add new insight to understanding the role of this activity, implicating their possible role in the establishment of protein stress and ER associated degradation pathways in Eukarya.
International Mergers and Acquisitions Laws, the Market for Corporate Control, and Accounting Conservatism
Authors: KHURANA INDER K. , WANG WEI 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTExploiting the staggered enactment of country‐level mergers and acquisitions (M&A) law as an exogenous increase in corporate takeover threat, this paper examines how a disciplinary market for corporate control affects accounting conservatism. Following M&A law adoption, we find increased accounting conservatism, with more pronounced effects in countries with weak shareholder protection and in those experiencing larger growth in takeover activity. Further analysis reveals that elevated takeover threats increase conservatism through changes in capital structure and investment decisions as well as improvements in board monitoring. Our findings highlight the importance of the market for corporate control in shaping financial‐reporting outcome.
Effect of Parboiling on Phenolic, Protein, and Pasting Properties of Rice from Different Paddy Varieties
Authors: Pal Priyanka , Singh Narpinder , Kaur Parmeet , Kaur Amritpal 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe present study evaluated the effect of parboiling on milling, chemical constituents, pasting and cooking properties of different paddy varieties. Parboiling decreased L* and a* values and increased b* and head rice recovery. Parboiling significantly increased the protein content and antioxidant activity on a dry basis. Parboiling decreased whiteness, fat content, and paste viscosities. The parboiling process increased the hydrophobicity of rice from all the varieties. Parboiled milled rice showed higher free and bound phenolic acids as compared to unparboiled milled rice. Parboiled milled rice showed higher content of essential amino acid than unparboiled milled rice. Variety PB1121 was suited best for parboiling on the basis of total color (ΔE), protein content, essential amino acid, and phenolic acids among the evaluated paddy varieties.Practical ApplicationThe present study revealed that parboiled milled rice had higher antioxidant activity, amino acids, ferulic acid, and p‐coumaric acids. Indeed, parboiled milled rice showed better textural and nutritional properties and would be more suitable for canning, puffed rice and biryani (rice cooked with chicken/mutton).
Rosé Sparkling Wines: Influence of Winemaking Practices on the Phytochemical Polyphenol During Aging on Lees and Commercial Storage
Authors: Sartor Saionara , Burin Vívian Maria , Panceri Carolina Pretto , dos Passos Robson Rodrigo , Caliari Vinícius , Bordignon‐Luiz Marilde T. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe effects of oenological agents, gum arabic, and oenological tannin, added at two different stages in the winemaking of rosé sparkling wines (addition to the base wine and to the sparkling wine after disgorging) on evolution of the phytochemical composition during aging on lees and commercial storage were studied for the first time. The sparkling wines were monitored during 12 months of aging on lees (sur lie, with lees) and commercial storage (bottle storage, without lees), in terms of the polyphenolics, color intensity and antioxidant capacity. It was observed that the stage of the addition of oenological agents influenced the changes in phytochemical polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of sparkling wines. The most notable effects on the polyphenolics were observed in the experiment with the addition of oenological agents to the base wine, which significantly increased the concentrations of trans‐resveratrol, gallic and ellagic acids, catechin, quercetin, and myricetin. The addition of oenological agents after the disgorging stage had less influence on the phenolics of the sparkling wines. Caffeic acid, trans‐caftaric acid, catechin, tyrosol, and gallic acid were the most abundant polyphenolics in rosé sparkling wines. The winemaking practices evaluated in this study comprise an interesting approach to the improvement and/or maintenance of the polyphenolics, according to winemaking practices, besides providing new knowledge on the evolution of rosé sparkling wines.Practical ApplicationsTannins and gum arabic are been described as oenological agents, however, are poorly explored in rosé sparkling wines. Many chemical modifications that occur during the winemaking process, especially due to the second in‐bottle fermentation and the yeast contact in the case of sparkling wines, can be determinant of authenticity and quality of sparkling wines. The addition of oenological agents in different stages of the winemaking can provide new insights into the evolution of phytochemical constituents of rosé sparkling wines and draw perspectives for improving technological properties of these wines based on practical experience.
Methods for normalizing microbiome data: An ecological perspective
Authors: McKnight Donald T. , Huerlimann Roger , Bower Deborah S. , Schwarzkopf Lin , Alford Ross A. , Zenger Kyall R. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Microbiome sequencing data often need to be normalized due to differences in read depths, and recommendations for microbiome analyses generally warn against using proportions or rarefying to normalize data and instead advocate alternatives, such as upper quartile, CSS, edgeR‐TMM, or DESeq‐VS. Those recommendations are, however, based on studies that focused on differential abundance testing and variance standardization, rather than community‐level comparisons (i.e., beta diversity). Also, standardizing the within‐sample variance across samples may suppress differences in species evenness, potentially distorting community‐level patterns. Furthermore, the recommended methods use log transformations, which we expect to exaggerate the importance of differences among rare OTUs, while suppressing the importance of differences among common OTUs.

We tested these theoretical predictions via simulations and a real‐world dataset.

Proportions and rarefying produced more accurate comparisons among communities and were the only methods that fully normalized read depths across samples. Additionally, upper quartile, CSS, edgeR‐TMM, and DESeq‐VS often masked differences among communities when common OTUs differed, and they produced false positives when rare OTUs differed.

Based on our simulations, normalizing via proportions may be superior to other commonly used methods for comparing ecological communities.
The Metapopulation Microcosm Plate: A modified 96‐well plate for use in microbial metapopulation experiments
Authors: Kurkjian Helen M. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Researchers in many subfields of ecology and evolutionary biology test hypotheses relating to metapopulation dynamics and landscape spatial structure. Key aspects of these hypotheses are often (a) large numbers of subpopulations and dispersal corridors and (b) their positions relative to each other. Testing such spatial hypotheses using traditional laboratory equipment and methods can be impractical, unwieldy, expensive, or impossible.

The Metapopulation Microcosm Plate (MMP) overcomes many of these difficulties. This device resembles a 96‐well microtitre plate, but contains dispersal corridors between wells that can be modified in their spatial position to create various artificial landscapes, each with up to 96 habitat patches and hundreds of nonintersecting dispersal corridors of varying lengths. The device can be filled with nutrient broth and used to culture microbial metapopulations.

Here, I describe how MMPs are designed, assembled, sterilized, and filled and demonstrate that MMPs can remain water tight and sterile with minimal evaporation for 5–7 days.

Metapopulation Microcosm Plates (MMPs) can be used to test many spatial hypotheses that have previously been prohibitively difficult to test. Further, by allowing individual behavioural responses to within‐patch conditions, MMPs can incorporate greater realism than directed pipetting or other artificial dispersal methods.
Progressive nicotine patch dosing prior to quitting smoking: feasibility, safety and effects during the pre‐quit and post‐quit periods
Authors: Przulj Dunja , Wehbe Luis , McRobbie Hayden , Hajek Peter 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground and aimsNicotine replacement therapy (NRT) may be more effective in aiding smoking cessation if higher doses of nicotine from it can be tolerated. We examined the responses to, and 4‐week abstinence rates observed, when titrating the dose of transdermal nicotine patch up to 84 mg/day over 4 weeks prior to a target quit date and titrating down again over 4 weeks afterwards.DesignClinical cohort study.SettingTobacco dependence clinic, Mar del Plata, Argentina.ParticipantsFifty smokers seeking help with stopping smoking.InterventionParticipants started on one 21‐mg/24‐hour patch 4 weeks prior to their target quit day (TQD). The dose was increased weekly by adding a 21‐mg patch unless participants reported adverse effects and/or did not wish to increase the dose. The dose was reduced by 21 mg/day each week from 1 week post‐TQD, until it reverted to the standard dose (21 mg/day) at 4 weeks post‐TQD. Participants received weekly behavioural support and could also use oral NRT from the TQD. Participants were advised to smoke ad libitum during the pre‐quit period.MeasurementsProportion of participants progressing through each stage of dosing, adherence, adverse effects, changes in cigarette consumption, smoke intake and enjoyment of smoking during the pre‐quit period; withdrawal symptoms; carbon monoxide‐validated abstinence during 4 weeks post‐TQD.FindingsOf the 50 participants, 72.0% (n = 36) progressed to the 84‐mg nicotine dose and 94.0% (n = 47) completed the trial. Adverse effects consisted primarily of nausea and were mild and well tolerated. Cigarette consumption, smoke intake and enjoyment of smoking declined significantly during the pre‐quit period. Forty‐one (82%) participants achieved 4 weeks validated abstinence. Abstainers experienced no detectable cigarette withdrawal symptoms.ConclusionsMost smokers seeking help with stopping appear to be able to tolerate doses of transdermal nicotine patch up to 84 mg/day during a 4‐week pre‐quit up‐titration period with minimal side effects.
The War on Drugs, Racial Meanings, and Structural Racism: A Holistic and Reproductive Approach
Authors: Rosino Michael L. , Hughey Matthew W. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe War on Drugs in the United States has been part of a system of social control targeting low‐income black and Latinx communities. While this statement has been contested, its validity is clear from an encompassing framework that considers the history of racially motivated laws and practices and moral panics among whites who have blamed drug‐related social problems and crime on marginalized racial groups. We develop a holistic and reproductive approach to understanding racial oppression by analyzing racial meanings and structural racism related to the War on Drugs. To uncover structural racism, we propose a framework that captures the relationship between drug policies and enforcement practices, racialized mass incarceration, the distribution of resources, and the reproduction of racial oppression in the United States. To examine racial meanings, we present findings from an in‐depth content analysis of newspaper articles and digital media discussing the War on Drugs. Based on over 30 years of news content—394 op‐eds, letters to the editor, and news articles and 3,145 comments drawn from the comments sections of online news articles—we argue that criminal justice practices and the distribution of racial meanings through the media act as racialized structuring mechanisms. We demonstrate how those mechanisms work in tandem to strengthen and naturalize the connection between racial groups and unequal social positions. We uncover how dominant racial meanings act as symbolic resources that maintain forms of structural racism such as the War on Drugs. Finally, we discuss the benefits of our approach and suggest relevant and necessary future research and practices.
Rural Segregation and Racial Violence: Historical Effects of Spatial Racism
Authors: Cook Lisa D. , Logan Trevon D. , Parman John M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTo review the evidence of changes in segregation over time, we use a newly developed household‐level measure of residential segregation that can distinguish between the effects of increasing racial homogeneity of a location and the tendency to segregate within a location given a particular racial composition (Logan and Parman ). This household measure of segregation reveals high levels of segregation in the South and rising levels of segregation in both cities and rural communities over the first half of the 20th century. We review new evidence that this segregation was highly correlated with interracial violence in the form or lynchings. We conclude with a discussion of the interaction between residential segregation, racial animosity, and violence.
Cracking the Racial Code: Black Threat, White Rights and the Lexicon of American Politics
Authors: Bennett Dylan , Walker Hannah 
Published: October 2018

AbstractRacially coded language that appeals to racial bias without open bigotry has a long history in the politics of the United States. Politicians intentionally activate the latent racial biases of both racial conservatives and center‐left liberals without explicitly talking about race. Conservative positions on significant policy areas have shifted over time on the basis of coded racial appeals. Fundamental rights are coded as white rights. Government actions to aid the poor or reduce discrimination are coded as black threats. The racial dimension explains the changing positions of American conservatism on gun rights, crime and mass incarceration, immigration, the welfare state, federalism, and economic policy. White racial identity, mobilized by coded political talk, restrains the potential for cross‐racial coalitions and perpetuates the political repression of nonwhite Americans.