bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Governance through political bureaucracy: an agency approach
Authors: Yolles Maurice 
Published: February 2018

PurposeSmart governance ultimately relates to the ability of political administrations to elicit trust and public confidence. Political administrations normally generate rational policies that arise from their context-sensitive goals. The capability of an administration to develop and implement policies is measured as efficacy, which can influence the value and stability of an administration. However, policy development and implementation is not only an attribute of a political administration but also of its bureaucracy. The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of bureaucracies, representing them as complex and dynamic.Design/methodology/approachA traditional blueprint model of a bureaucracy comes from Weber, seen to be a servicing body for the implementation of political policy decisions resulting from a process of governance. An alternative model arises from the fictional works of Kafka, which is underpinned by a firm conceptual basis of a bureaucracy that confronts that of Weber. Agency theory will be used to model bureaucracies, and comparisons will be made between the Weber and Kafka conceptualisation.FindingsThere are broad models of a bureaucracy that arise from different propositions such as a Weber and a Kafka model, the latter being more representative of administrations. Any attempts to measure comparative efficacy across political systems or administrations may well lead to failure due to the distinctions in the nature of the bureaucracies that they maintain. The paper argues that the Weber model is an unattainable boundary representation of a bureaucracy. In contrast, Kafka’s more pragmatic conceptualisation can be modelled as a pathological autonomous system that is both complex and adaptive. Such pathologies can be harmful to the implementation of socially improving policies.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that even where a political administration has policy initiatives that can improve society, these can be corrupted and misdirected by its bureaucracy, mistakenly believed (by the administration) to be dedicated to the service of the administration, rather than the bureaucracy’s own self-interests.Originality/valueNo other approach has been able to graphically represent the relative natures of different bureaucracies, or their pathologies.
A pragmatist perspective on sustainable global value chain governance – the case of Dr. Bronner’s
Authors: Knoll Hedda Ofoole , Jastram Sarah Margaretha 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight the challenges and opportunities of sustainable global value chain governance, it demonstrates strong theoretical deficits in this field and offers new pragmatist conceptual perspectives.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis is based on document analyses, 47 expert interviews and on field observations in Ghana, Africa.FindingsBased on an in-depth analysis of a US firm operating a fair trade value chain in an intercultural environment, the authors show that universalistic value chain-oriented governance instruments often fail because of strong institutional and cultural distances. Against the prevailing strategies of top-down management, the authors suggest a more bottom-up, pragmatist and collaboration-based approach to sustainable global value chain governance.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of an in-depth case study are not generalizable. Instead, they provide holistic insights into a so-far insufficiently examined field and an empirical fundament for further research on sustainable governance in global value chains. In particular, research on pragmatist, collaborative, dialogue based, bottom-up approaches of sustainable value chain governance will be of great value to further theoretical development of this field.Practical implicationsThis study is relevant to researchers and practitioners in the field of sustainable value chain governance. It reveals several misunderstandings about the effectiveness and impacts of sustainable governance in less developed countries and thus builds a foundation for better and more effective problem-solving approaches in international sustainable management activities.Social implicationsNontransparent supplier networks and (illegal) sub-contracting, as well as the strong influences of institutional, cultural and sub-cultural factors, make responsible value chain management a challenging task for any firm with international value creation activities. This leaves workers in local factories vulnerable to infringements of their fundamental human rights and the environment unprotected against long-lasting damages. Addressing these challenges and developing new solutions, therefore, can have strong impacts on the lives of workers in international supply chains.Originality/valueThe authors contribute, first, a differentiated empirical description and analysis of a sustainable value chain approach in a less developed country in Africa. Second, using an example of the field study, the authors highlight limitations of value chain-related governance theory based on a field study by illustrating the challenges and barriers and a lack of existing concepts concerning effective sustainable governance in global value chains. Third, the authors show different managerial responses to these cultural and institutional challenges between universalism and relativism, and, fourth, the authors suggest a more collaborative, bottom-up and pragmatist approach to sustainable value chain governance.
Testing tourism-led growth hypothesis in Laos?
Authors: Kyophilavong Phouphet , Gallup John Luke , Charoenrat Teerawat , Nozaki Kenji 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the tourism-led growth hypothesis in Laos.Design/methodology/approachThe authors test the tourism-led growth hypothesis using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) cointegration estimation (Pesaran et al., 2001) and Granger causality tests.FindingsThe results of this paper show that when tourism is forcing variable, there is no long-run relationship between tourism development and economic growth. The Granger causality test demonstrates that there is a uni-directional causality running from economic growth in tourism.Social implicationsThe empirical results and policy recommendation may be useful for other small developing countries.Originality/valueThis study is the first study to investigate the relationship between tourism development and growth in Laos, using a relatively new econometric approach – ARDL bound testing.
Taxonomic patterns in the nitrogen assimilation of soil prokaryotes
Authors: Morrissey Ember M. , Mau Rebecca L. , Schwartz Egbert , Koch Benjamin J. , Hayer Michaela , Hungate Bruce A. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryNitrogen (N) is frequently a limiting nutrient in soil; its availability can govern ecosystem functions such as primary production and decomposition. Assimilation of N by microorganisms impacts the availability of N in soil. Despite its established ecological significance, the contributions of microbial taxa to N assimilation are unknown. Here we measure N uptake and use by microbial phylotypes and taxonomic groups within a diverse assemblage of soil microbes through quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) with 15N. Following incubation with 15
, distinct patterns of 15N assimilation among taxonomic groups were observed. For instance, glucose addition stimulated 15N assimilation in most members of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria but generally decreased 15N use by Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes. While
is considered a preferred and universal source of N to prokaryotes, the majority (> 80%) of N assimilation in our soils could be attributed to a handful of active orders. Characterizing N assimilation of taxonomic groups with 15N qSIP may provide a basis for understanding how microbial community composition influences N availability in the environment.
Isolation and genomic characterization ofNovimethylophilus kurashikiensisgen. nov. sp. nov., a new lanthanide‐dependent methylotrophic species ofMethylophilaceae
Authors: Lv Haoxin , Sahin Nurettin , Tani Akio 
Published: February 2018

SummaryRecently, it has been found that two types of methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) exist in Gram‐negative bacterial methylotrophs, calcium‐dependent MxaFI‐MDH and lanthanide‐dependent XoxF‐MDH and the latter is more widespread in bacterial genomes. We aimed to isolate and characterize lanthanide‐dependent methylotrophs. The growth of strain La2‐4Ton methanol, which was isolated from rice rhizosphere soil, was strictly lanthanide dependent. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence showed only 93.4% identity to that ofMethylophilus luteusMimT, and the nameNovimethylophilus kurashikiensisgen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed. Its draft genome (ca. 3.69 Mbp, G + C content 56.1 mol%) encodes 3579 putative CDSs and 84 tRNAs. The genome harbors fivexoxFsbut nomxaFI. XoxF4 was the major MDH in the cells grown on methanol and methylamine, evidenced by protein identification and quantitative PCR analysis. Methylamine dehydrogenase gene was absent in the La2‐4Tgenome, while genes for the glutamate‐mediated methylamine utilization pathway were detected. The genome also harbors those for the tetrahydromethanopterin and ribulose monophosphate pathways. Additionally, as known species, isolates ofBurkholderia ambifaria, Cupriavidus necatorandDyadobacter endophyticusexhibited lanthanide dependent growth on methanol. Thus, lanthanide can be used as an essential growth factor for methylotrophic bacteria that do not harbor MxaFI‐MDH.
Disclosure “Scriptability”
Authors: ALLEE KRISTIAN D. , DEANGELIS MATTHEW D. , MOON JAMES R. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTIn response to the increasing use of computer programs to process firm disclosures, this registered report develops a new measure of “scriptability” that reflects computerized, rather than human, information processing costs. We validate our measure using SEC filing‐derived data from prior research and identify firm and disclosure characteristics related to it. In our planned hypothesis tests, we find some evidence that the speed of the market response to filings increases with scriptability, but find little evidence that scriptability affects the incidence and speed of news dissemination by Dow Jones. In additional analyses, we find that scriptability exhibits both positive and negative associations with changes in information asymmetry between market participants, depending on the filing, trading window, and measure examined. We also find little evidence that XBRL interacts with scriptability in a meaningful way. Overall, our study broadens our understanding of information processing costs and provides opportunities for new avenues of research.
Antioxidant Properties of Astaxanthin in Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions with Differently‐Charged Emulsifiers Under Chlorophyll Photosensitization
Authors: Yi BoRa , Kim Mi‐Ja , Lee JaeHwan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe antioxidative or prooxidative properties of astaxanthin at the concentrations of 0, 10, and 100 μM were determined in oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions containing neutral, anionic, and cationic emulsifiers, which was Tween 20, sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), respectively, under chlorophyll photosensitization. The oxidative parameters and headspace volatiles were analyzed in O/W emulsions. In the 24 h period of visible light irradiation, 100 μM of astaxanthin acted as an antioxidant in O/W emulsions containing neutral and anionic emulsifiers. However, astaxanthin in O/W emulsions with a cationic emulsifier was neither an antioxidant nor a prooxidant. The profiles of volatile compounds showed that astaxanthin served as a singlet oxygen quencher in O/W emulsions containing neutral and anionic emulsifiers. However, in O/W emulsion with a cationic emulsifier, astaxanthin was neither a singlet oxygen quencher nor a free radical scavenger because prooxidant properties of CTAB overwhelmed the antioxidant effects of astaxanthin. Therefore, the antioxidant properties of astaxanthin were influenced by the emulsifier charges in O/W emulsions.Practical ApplicationAstaxanthin is a lipid‐soluble pigment and has antioxidant, anticancer, and anti‐inflammatory properties and beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases. Many lipid‐based foods are displayed on the shelves in the markets under fluorescent light. The addition of astaxanthin can extend the shelf life of O/W emulsion type foods such as beverage and dressing products under visible light irradiation. Also, oxidative stability in emulsion type foods containing astaxanthin rich natural ingredients can be predicted.
Hypocholesterolemic Effects of Kenaf Seed Oil, Macroemulsion, and Nanoemulsion in High‐Cholesterol Diet Induced Rats
Authors: Cheong Ai Mun , Jessica Koh Jue Xi , Patrick Nwabueze Okechukwu , Tan Chin Ping , Nyam Kar Lin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of kenaf seed oil (KSO), kenaf seed oil‐in‐water macroemulsion (KSOM), kenaf seed oil‐in‐water nanoemulsions (KSON), and emulsifier mixtures (EM) on serum lipid profile, liver oxidative status, and histopathological changes in high‐cholesterol fed rats. Stability and characteristic of KSOM and KSON were carried out prior to in vivo study. Forty‐two Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into 7 groups (6 rats each) and induced hypercholesterolemia by feeding high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 14 days prior to treatments. Different treatments were introduced on day 15 to 29 while supplemented with HCD and removal of HCD during treatment on day 30 to 43, except for HCD group. Body weight and serum lipid profiles were measured at 3 different points: after hypercholesterolemia was induced, on day 29, and at the end of the experiment. Relative liver weight, atherogenic index, coronary risk index, and fecal total bile acids were also determined at the end of experiment. KSON showed significantly higher stability than KSOM and FTIR exhibited good encapsulation of KSO after 1.5 years of storage. Serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipid peroxidation levels in HCD group without treatment were significantly higher compared to normal control group and all treatment groups. All samples demonstrated hypocholesterolemic effect, but KSON exhibited higher efficiency in cholesterol‐lowering properties, weight control and decreased liver fat as confirmed by histopathological evaluation. The overall results revealed that the efficacy of different treatments was in descending order of KSON, KSO, KSOM, and EM.Practical ApplicationKenaf seed oil‐in‐water nanoemulsion (KSON) has the potential to be used as a natural alternative to the synthetic hypocholesterolemic drug in the future. However, larger sample size and clinical trial are needed to confirm on this potential application. In addition, treatment with KSON was suggested to prevent cardiovascular disease and fatty liver.
Cross‐protection from hydrogen peroxide by helper microbes: the impacts on the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus and other beneficiaries in marine communities
Authors: Zinser Erik R. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryHydrogen peroxide (HOOH) is a reactive oxygen species, derived from molecular oxygen, that is capable of damaging microbial cells. Surprisingly, the HOOH defence systems of some aerobes in the oxygenated marine environments are critically depleted, relative to model aerobes. For instance, the gene encoding catalase is absent in the numerically dominant photosynthetic cyanobacterium, Prochlorococcus. Accordingly, Prochlorococcus is highly susceptible to HOOH when exposed as pure cultures. Pure cultures do not exist in the marine environment, however. Catalase‐positive community members can remove HOOH from the seawater medium, thus lowering the threat to Prochlorococcus and any other member that likewise lacks their own catalase. This cross‐protection may constitute a loosely defined symbiosis, whereby the catalase‐positive helper cells may benefit through the acquisition of nutrients released by the beneficiaries such as Prochlorococcus. Other members of the community that may be helped by the catalase‐positive cells may include some lineages of Synechococcus – the sister genus of Prochlorococcus – as well as some lineages of SAR11 and ammonia oxidizing archaea and bacteria. The co‐occurrence of catalase‐positive and ‐negative members suggests that cross‐protection from HOOH‐mediated oxidative stress may play an important role in the construction of the marine microbial community.
The microbial contribution to reactive oxygen species dynamics in marine ecosystems
Authors: Zinser Erik R. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThis review surveys the current state of knowledge of the concentrations, sources and sinks of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ocean. Both abiotic and biotic factors contribute to ROS dynamics in seawater, and ROS can feature prominently in marine microbe–microbe interactions. The sun plays a key role in the production of ROS in the ocean, and consequently ROS concentrations are typically maximal in the sun‐exposed surface. However, microbes can also contribute significantly to extracellular ROS. Production of superoxide is widespread within the microbial community, and may benefit the producers as antimicrobial agents or perhaps more generally, as a means of nutrient scavenging. Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is a community‐wide activity, though some members may play less significant roles in this process. The more reactive forms of ROS, singlet oxygen and the hydroxyl radical, may be less important as microbial stressors, as they tend to react with the chemicals in seawater before they can contact the cells. However, exceptions may exist for microbes attached to singlet oxygen‐generating sinking particulate matter. Extracellular ROS thus plays an important role in the ecology of marine microbes, the full extent to which we are only beginning to appreciate.
Transcriptomics of aged Drosophila motor neurons reveals a matrix metalloproteinase that impairs motor function
Authors: Azpurua Jorge , Mahoney Rebekah E. , Eaton Benjamin A. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is responsible for transforming nervous system signals into motor behavior and locomotion. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, an age‐dependent decline in motor function occurs, analogous to the decline experienced in mice, humans, and other mammals. The molecular and cellular underpinnings of this decline are still poorly understood. By specifically profiling the transcriptome of Drosophila motor neurons across age using custom microarrays, we found that the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase 1 (dMMP1) gene reproducibly increased in motor neurons in an age‐dependent manner. Modulation of physiological aging also altered the rate of dMMP1 expression, validating dMMP1 expression as a bona fide aging biomarker for motor neurons. Temporally controlled overexpression of dMMP1 specifically in motor neurons was sufficient to induce deficits in climbing behavior and cause a decrease in neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular synapses. These deficits were reversible if the dMMP1 expression was shut off again immediately after the onset of motor dysfunction. Additionally, repression of dMMP1 enzymatic activity via overexpression of a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases delayed the onset of age‐dependent motor dysfunction. MMPs are required for proper tissue architecture during development. Our results support the idea that matrix metalloproteinase 1 is acting as a downstream effector of antagonistic pleiotropy in motor neurons and is necessary for proper development, but deleterious when reactivated at an advanced age.
Passive brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) woodland regeneration fails to recover floristic composition in an agricultural landscape
Authors: Le Brocque Andrew F. , Wagner Peter M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRegrowth (secondary) vegetation is increasingly seen as an important conservation alternative where there is inadequate cover of intact remnant, and more recently, the focus of potential biodiversity offsets. However, little is known of the functioning and dynamics of regrowth in comparison to remnant vegetation. This research tests whether the floristic composition and stand structure of brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) regrowth woodlands return to that of endangered brigalow remnant woodlands and the relationships of patterns in composition and structure to environmental drivers in the agricultural landscape of southern Queensland, Australia. Thirty‐eight sites were sampled for species composition (frequency), stand structure (foliage projected cover of strata) and environmental variables (spatial/patch characteristics), encompassing ungrazed and grazed old‐growth brigalow remnants and different aged brigalow regrowth (<20, 20–30, 30–40, >40 years since clearing). There was no difference in structure observed between grazed remnant and older regrowth (>40 years); however, ungrazed old‐growth remnants were structurally different to older regrowth. Ungrazed and grazed old‐growth remnants were compositionally different to all regrowth woodlands. The proportion of surrounding vegetation, land‐use type, patch grazing intensity and soil properties were highly correlated with patterns in composition and stand structure observed across the brigalow woodlands. While the stand structure of brigalow regrowth returns to that of remnant brigalow, the distinct floristic species composition of older regrowth may indicate a longer time period is needed for equivalence or a possible alternate stable state in these highly modified agricultural landscapes. To ensure the long‐term persistence of brigalow communities, further investigation of the development trajectory of brigalow regrowth is required; however, it is critical that intact brigalow remnant vegetation remains a priority for conservation strategy and policy.
Comparison of laryngeal morbidities with modified reinforced silicone tube intubation guided over a bougie vs. a guidewire: novel assessment with voice analysis
Authors: Ponnusamy T. , Kundra P. , Rudingwa P. , Gopalakrishnan S. 
Published: February 2018

SummarySemi‐rigid flexible introducer‐guided tracheal intubation is associated with pharyngolaryngeal morbidities. We compared the practice of railroading a newly described modified reinforced silicone tracheal tube with a built‐in guide channel in its wall over a non‐kinking guidewire with railroading the same tube over a disposable bougie, with respect to pharyngolaryngeal morbidities. One hundred and twenty‐four ASA 1 and 2 adults were randomly assigned to undergo bougie‐guided (n = 62) or wire‐guided (n = 62) intubation under general anaesthesia. All patients were assessed for postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complaints. In addition, voice parameters (fundamental frequency, shimmer, jitter and harmonic noise ratio) with vowels ‘a’ and ‘i’ were analysed pre‐operatively and 24 h postoperatively. The success of first‐attempt intubation and the associated haemodynamic response were also recorded. A higher incidence of pharyngolaryngeal complaints was seen in the bougie group, 48.3%, 95%CI (35.9–60.9%) when compared with wire‐guided group 28.3%, 95%CI (18.0–40.6%), p = 0.01. Postoperatively, all the voice parameters were significantly more affected when compared with their pre‐operative value in the bougie‐guided group (p < 0.05) but not in the wire‐guided group. The success of first‐attempt intubation was similar in both groups. Wire‐guided orotracheal intubation was associated with a lower incidence of pharyngolaryngeal complaints and effect on voice when compared with bougie‐guided intubation.