bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High macrophyte canopy complexity enhances sediment retention and carbon storage in coastal vegetative meadows at Tangkhen Bay, Phuket, Southern Thailand
Authors: Panyawai Janmanee , Tuntiprapas Piyalap , Prathep Anchana 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMarine macrophytes help protect coastal habitats by modifying the energy of their environment, attenuating wave action, and stabilizing the sediment. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of the above ground parts of different seagrass and seaweed species on the deposition, retention, physical (dry bulk density and grain size), and chemical properties (organic carbon content and organic carbon density) of sediment. Six seagrass and seaweed communities with different above ground morphologies were studied between the dry (April 2015) and wet seasons (August 2015). The results suggested that the highest canopy complexity index was in the green alga, Halimeda macroloba Decaisne patches, which had the highest canopy score. High canopy complexity patches were likely to retain more sediment and store more organic carbon than lower canopy complexity patches and bare sand, respectively. The sediment retention and percent of organic carbon content were also affected by seasons. The wave action in the wet season affected the sediment through higher sediment deposition and movement, which caused increased sediment instability and led to changes in sediment properties. In addition, shoot density in the dry season was lower than that in the wet season, most likely due to damage from long exposure during low tide. Our results indicate that the canopy complexity of marine macrophytes and seasons influenced both sediment retention and properties of the sediment.
Effects of sand burial disturbance on establishment of three desert shrub species in the margin of oasis in northwestern China
Authors: Wang Guohua , Yu Kailiang , Gou Qianqian 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSand burial is an important environmental disturbance which determines seed germination, plant establishment, and plant fitness in sand dune ecosystems. But the critical importance of sand burial for seedling establishment of desert shrubs is rarely explored. We investigated the effects of sand burial at different regimes (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm, the main depths of soil seed bank) on the seedling emergence, growth and survival rate of three dominant desert shrubs (Calligonum mongolicum, Nitraria sphaerocarpa and Haloxylon ammodendron) for ecosystem restoration in sand dunes of northwestern China. The results indicated that shallow burial improved the seedling emergence and the subsequent seedling survival rate for the initial establishment period. The optimal burial depths were 2, 4 and 5 cm for H. ammodendron, N. sphaerocarpa and C. mongolicum, respectively; this difference in optimal burial depth may account for observed decreased regeneration of H. ammodendron as compared to the other two species. Beyond the optimal depths, we found that sand burial prevented seedling emergence for H. ammodendron and N. sphaerocarpa. Only a small proportion of seedlings can emerged from deep burial depth by increasing seedling biomass allocation to blow‐ground stem. However, after emergence deep sand burial stimulated growth rate of emerged seedlings, increased the seedling vigor and promoted the seedling establishment. We suggest that sand burial could affect plant regeneration and potentially leaded to shift in species composition. Choice of suitable species for ecosystem restoration needs to account for its ability in term of seed germination and plant establishment/regeneration to adapt to disturbance of sand burial.
Bacteria and microeukaryotes are differentially segregated in sympatric wastewater microhabitats
Authors: Cohen Yossi , Pasternak Zohar , Johnke Julia , Abed‐Rabbo Alfred , Kushmaro Ariel , Chatzinotas Antonis , Jurkevitch Edouard 
Published: January 2019

SummaryWastewater purification is mostly performed in activated sludge reactors by bacterial and microeukaryotic communities, populating organic flocs and a watery liquor. While there are numerous molecular community studies of the bacterial fraction, those on microeukaryotes are rare. We performed a year‐long parallel 16S rRNA gene and 18S rRNA‐gene based analysis of the bacterial and of the microeukaryote communities, respectively, of physically separated flocs and particle‐free liquor samples from three WWTPs. This uncovered a hitherto unknown large diversity of microeukaryotes largely composed of potential phagotrophs preferentially feeding on either bacteria or other microeukaryotes. We further explored whether colonization of the microhabitats was selective, showing that for both microbial communities, different but often closely taxonomically and functionally related populations exhibiting different dynamic patterns populated the microhabitats. An analysis of their between plants‐shared core populations showed the microeukaryotes to be dispersal limited in comparison to bacteria. Finally, a detailed analysis of a weather‐caused operational disruption in one of the plants suggested that the absence of populations common to the floc and liquor habitat may negatively affect resilience and stability.
Audit Within the Corporate Governance Paradigm: A Cornerstone Built on Shifting Sand?
Authors: Fairchild Richard , Gwilliam David , Marnet Oliver 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis paper is a case study‐based investigation of aspects of the current paradigmatic approach to ‘good’ corporate governance, with its focus on the interlinked roles of internal control and risk management procedures, internal audit and external audit, overseen and coordinated by a formal structure of board committees, in particular the audit committee. The evidence that we adduce from the study of four high‐profile cases of perceived accounting and governance failure provides limited assurance that this approach will in fact be cost‐effective or efficient in preventing further such cases of accounting and governance failure. Specifically, issues as to remuneration and fee dependence, lack of relevant knowledge and expertise, social and psychological dependence upon executive management appear to have significantly and negatively affected the quality of decision‐making of governance gatekeepers. This suggests that further consideration of relevant economic, institutional and cognitive/behavioural factors beyond the rational choice model of traditional economics should underpin future developments in required modes and structures of governance.
Corporate Governance Reform in Australia: A New Institutional Approach
Authors: Mees Bernard , Smith Sherene A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractFrom an international perspective, Australia has been one of the leading jurisdictions for corporate governance reform. Its first corporate governance code predates the Cadbury Report, and Australia is also one of the few countries internationally to have been only marginally affected by the recession that ensued after the Global Financial Crisis. Considerable governance reform has occurred since 2007–8 in Australia, however; much of it occasioned by pressure brought to bear by institutional investors as a reaction to both traditional governance failings and also social and environmental concerns such as a growing awareness of climate change. Institutional influence is primarily associated with the compulsory retirement income system that emerged in the 1980s in light of an economy‐wide union campaign. While governance structures are becoming more homogenous, institutional logics reflecting trustees’ concerns are driving and shaping this ongoing process. A new approach to corporate engagement has emerged under the influence of investor representative bodies such as the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors that is driving corporate governance change.
Does Corporate Culture Affect Bank Risk‐Taking? Evidence from Loan‐Level Data
Authors: Nguyen Duc Duy , Nguyen Linh , Sila Vathunyoo 
Published: January 2019

AbstractUsing comprehensive corporate and retail loan data, we show that the corporate culture of banks explains their risk‐taking behaviour. Banks whose corporate culture leans towards aggressive competition are associated with riskier lending practices: higher approval rate, lower borrower quality, and fewer covenant requirements. Consequently, these banks incur larger loan losses and make greater contributions to systemic risk. The opposite behaviour is observed among banks whose culture emphasizes control and safety. Our findings cannot be explained by heterogeneity in a bank's business model, CEO compensation incentives or CEO characteristics. We use an exogenous shock to the US banking system during the 1998 Russian default crisis to support a causal inference.
Withdrawn: Hair Analysis for Drug‐Facilitated Crime: The Critical Role of Hair Growth Rate
Authors: Koren Gideon , Bellaish Elad , Maman Karen 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe following article from the Journal of Forensic Sciences, “Hair Analysis for Drug‐Facilitated Crime: The Critical Role of Hair Growth Rate” by Koren G, Bellaish E, Maman K, published online on 3rd September 2019 (1) on Wiley Online Library has been withdrawn at the authors’ request, and in agreement between the authors, the Journal’s Editorial Office, and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The withdrawal has been agreed to by all parties due to material included in the article being involved in current litigation.Reference1. Koren G, Bellaish E, Maman K. Hair analysis for drug‐facilitated crime: the critical role of hair growth rate. J Forensic Sci 2019;54(5):1574–5. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14013.
Evolutionary and functional analyses of the interaction between the Bombyx mori inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) and nucleopolyhedrovirus IAPs
Authors: Chen Peng , Kang Tao‐Tao , Bao Xi‐Yan , Dong Zhan‐Qi , Zhu Yan , Xiao Wen‐Fu , Pan Min‐Hui , Lu Cheng 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAs an important insect immune response, apoptosis plays a critical role in the interaction between baculoviruses and insect hosts. Previous reports have identified inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins in both insects and baculoviruses, but the relationship between these proteins is still not clearly understood. Here, we found that insect IAP proteins were clustered with baculovirus IAP3, suggesting that the baculovirus iap3 gene might be derived from the Lepidoptera or Diptera. We demonstrated that Bombyx mori inhibitor of apoptosis (Bmiap) gene had an inhibitory effect on apoptosis in silkworm cells. Further analysis of the effects of Bmiap genes on the proliferation of B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) showed that both the Bmiap and BmNPV iap genes increased BmNPV proliferation after BmNPV infected silkworm cells. Our results also indicated that BmNPV IAP1 and IAP2 directly interacted with BmIAP in silkworm cells, implying that the Bmiap gene might be hijacked by BmNPV iap genes during BmNPV infection. Taken together, our results provide important insights into the functional relationships of iap genes, and improve our knowledge of apoptosis in baculoviruses and insect hosts.
Patterns of social determinants of health associated with drug use among women living with HIV in Canada: a latent class analysis
Authors: Shokoohi Mostafa , Bauer Greta R. , Kaida Angela , Logie Carmen H. , Lacombe‐Duncan Ashley , Milloy M.‐J. , Lloyd‐Smith Elisa , Carter Allison , Loutfy Mona ,   on behalf of the CHIWOS Research Team
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsIdentifying typologies of social determinants of health (SDoH) vulnerability influencing drug use practices among women living with HIV (WLWH) can help to address associated harms. This research aimed to explore the association of SDoH clusters with drug use among WLWH.DesignLatent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify the distinct clusters of SDoH. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was employed to account for confounding and potential selection bias. Associations were analyzed using generalized linear model with log link and Poisson distribution, and then weighted risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.Setting and ParticipantsData from 1422 WLWH recruited at time‐point 1 of the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS, 2013–15), with 1252 participants at 18 months follow‐up (time‐point 2).MeasurementsDrug use was defined as use of illicit/non‐prescribed opioids/stimulants in the past 6 months. SDoH indicators included: race discrimination, gender discrimination, HIV stigma, social support, access to care, food security, income level, employment status, education, housing status and histories of recent sex work and incarceration.FindingsLCA identified four SDoH classes: no/least SDoH adversities (6.6%), discrimination/stigma (17.7%), economic hardship (30.8%) and most SDoH adversities (45.0%). Drug use was reported by 17.5% and 17.2% at time‐points 1 and 2, respectively. WLWH with no/least SDoH adversities were less likely to report drug use than those in economic hardship class (weighted RR = 0.13; 95% CIs = 0.03, 0.63), discrimination/stigma class (weighted RR = 0.15; 95% CIs = 0.03, 0.78), and most SDoH adversities class (weighted RR = 0.13; 95% CIs = 0.03, 0.58).ConclusionsSocial determinants of health vulnerabilities are associated with greater likelihood of drug use, underscoring the significance of addressing interlinked social determinants and drug use through the course of HIV care and treatment.
Anatomical variation of habitat‐related changes in scapular morphology
Authors: Matsuo Taiki , Morita Fumio , Tani Daisuke , Nakamura Hitomi , Higurashi Yasuo , Ohgi Junji , Luziga Claudius , Wada Naomi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe mammalian forelimb is adapted to different functions including postural, locomotor, feeding, exploratory, grooming and defence. Comparative studies on morphology of the mammalian scapula have been performed in an attempt to establish the functional differences in the use of the forelimb. In this study, a total of 102 scapulae collected from 66 species of animals, representatives of all major taxa from rodents, sirenians, marsupials, pilosa, cetaceans, carnivores, ungulates, primates and apes, were analysed. Parameters measured included scapular length, width, position, thickness, area, angles and index. Structures included supraspinous and infraspinous fossae, scapular spine, glenoid cavity, acromium and coracoid processes. Images were taken using computed tomographic (CT) scanning technology (CT‐Aquarium, Toshiba and micro CT‐LaTheta, Hotachi, Japan), and measurement values were acquired and processed using Avizo computer software and CanvasTM 11 ACD systems. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Results obtained showed that there were differences in morphological characteristics of scapula between mammals with arboreal locomotion and living in forest and mountainous areas and those with leaping and terrestrial locomotion living in open habitat or savannah. Differences were seen in the ratio of maximum length and maximum width, the orientation of scapular spine and the horizontal length of acromion and coracoid processes. The cause for the statistical grouping of the animals and the way the scapular shape covaries with habitat and to the type of locomotion and speed are discussed in detail.
Project to improve storage, access and incorporation of advance care plans in a regional Australian hospital
Authors: Auret Kirsten , Sinclair Craig , Wilkinson Anne , Thomas Jill , Price Dot 
Published: January 2019

AbstractProblemDespite acknowledged benefits, the impact of advance care planning on usual care is inconsistent.DesignQuality improvement study.SettingA Western Australian regional hospital.Key measures for improvementThis project aimed to create a system for storing, accessing and incorporating advance care planning documents in clinical care.Strategies for changeInterventions over 18 months addressed four areas: medical records processes for receiving and processing advance care planning documents; information technology solutions for electronic storage and alerts; clerical staff duties in regards advance care planning documents; and clinician education.Effects of changeThere was a 12‐fold increase in advance care planning documents stored electronically and 100% of audited notes had correct filing of advance care planning documents with an alert in place at follow‐up audit. Clinician recognition of the presence of an advance care planning document improved. Detailed examples of interventions are described.Lessons learntRepeated exposure to different forms of advance care planning education, in conjunction with simple but effective system changes can make a difference in changing established hospital practice. Final impact of these changes on end‐of‐life care requires further audit.
Establishment and effects of allograft and synthetic bone graft substitute treatment of a critical size metaphyseal bone defect model in the sheep femur
Authors: Hettwer Werner , Horstmann Peter F. , Bischoff Sabine , Güllmar Daniel , Reichenbach Jürgen R. , Poh Patrina S. P. , van Griensven Martijn , Gras Florian , Diefenbeck Michael 
Published: January 2019

Assessment of bone graft material efficacy is difficult in humans, since invasive methods like staged CT scans or biopsies are ethically unjustifiable. Therefore, we developed a novel large animal model for the verification of a potential transformation of synthetic bone graft substitutes into vital bone. The model combines multiple imaging methods with corresponding histology in standardized critical sized cancellous bone defect. Cylindrical bone voids (10 ml) were created in the medial femoral condyles of both hind legs (first surgery at right hind leg, second surgery 3 months later at left hind leg) in three merino‐wool sheep and either (i) left empty, filled with (ii) cancellous allograft bone or (iii) a synthetic, gentamicin eluting bone graft substitute. All samples were analysed with radiographs, MRI, μCT, DEXA and histology after sacrifice at 6 months. Unfilled defects only showed ingrowth of fibrous tissue, whereas good integration of the cancellous graft was seen in the allograft group. The bone graft substitute showed centripetal biodegradation and new trabecular bone formation in the periphery of the void as early as 3 months. μCT gave excellent insight into the structural changes within the defects, particularly progressive allograft incorporation and the bone graft substitute biodegradation process. MRI completed the picture by clearly visualizing soft tissue ingrowth into unfilled bone voids and presence of fluid collections. Histology was essential for verification of trabecular bone and osteoid formation. Conventional radiographs and DEXA could not differentiate details of the ongoing transformation process. This model appears well suited for detailed in vivo and ex vivo evaluation of bone graft substitute behaviour within large bone defects.
Characterization of sensitization to furry animal allergen components in an adult population
Authors: Suzuki Shintaro , Nwaru Bright I. , Ekerljung Linda , Sjölander Sigrid , Mincheva Roxana , Rönmark Erik P. , Rönmark Eva , Lundbäck Bo , Borres Magnus P. , Lötvall Jan 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundThere are paucity of data on sensitization to furry animal allergen components in adults. Furry animals are major sensitizers and contributors to asthma burden in northern Europe and North America.ObjectiveTo characterize sensitization patterns to furry animal allergen components in Swedish adults.MethodsBased on the West Sweden Asthma Study, a random population (n = 1103) and an asthma sample (n = 769) were tested for allergen sensitization using Phadiatop®. Those with IgE ≥ 0.35 kUA/L were tested for cat (Fel d 1, 2, and 4), dog (Can f 1, 2, 3, and 5), and horse (Equ c 1) allergen component sensitization. We defined allergen component poly‐sensitization patterns, identified data‐driven sensitization clusters, described component sensitization overlaps, and assessed determinants of sensitization patterns.ResultsThe prevalence of allergen component sensitization ranged from 0.8% for Fel d 2 and Can f 3 to 8.9% for Fel d 1. The most common dog component was Can f 5 (3.6%); 2.1% were sensitized to Equ c 1. Those sensitized to Fel d 2 and Fel d 4 were commonly sensitized to Fel d 1. The most common dog component overlap was between Can f 1/Can f 2 and Can f 5. Mono‐sensitization was 5.6%, double sensitization 1.5% and poly‐sensitization 2.1%. Sensitization was always higher in the asthma than in the random sample. Three sensitization clusters were derived, namely non‐sensitized (90% in random vs 66% in asthma sample); Fel d 1‐driven sensitized (7% vs 19%); and multi‐sensitized (3% vs 15%). Key determinants of sensitization were gender, age, raised on a farm, family history of allergy or asthma, smoking, and occupational exposure to dust or fumes.Conclusions & Clinical RelevanceFel d 1 and Can f 5 are the most common cat and dog components sensitization in this adult Swedish population. Mono‐sensitization is more common than poly‐sensitization. This detailed characterization highlights the current distribution of furry animal allergen components in Swedish adults, and their impact on clinical outcomes of asthma will be further explored.
Exploring immunomodulation by endocrine changes in Lady Windermere syndrome
Authors: Holt M R , Miles J J , Inder W J , Thomson R M 
Published: January 2019

SummaryLung disease due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) occurs with disproportionate frequency in postmenopausal women with a unique phenotype and without clinically apparent predisposing factors. Dubbed ‘Lady Windermere syndrome’, the phenotype includes low body mass index (BMI), tall stature and higher than normal prevalence of scoliosis, pectus excavatum and mitral valve prolapse. Although the pathomechanism for susceptibility to NTM lung disease in these patients remains uncertain, it is likely to be multi-factorial. A role for the immunomodulatory consequences of oestrogen deficiency and altered adipokine production has been postulated. Altered levels of adipokines and dehydroepiandrosterone have been demonstrated in patients with NTM lung disease. Case reports of NTM lung disease in patients with hypopituitarism support the possibility that altered endocrine function influences disease susceptibility. This paper catalogues the evidence for immunomodulatory consequences of predicted endocrine changes in Lady Windermere syndrome, with emphasis on the immune response to NTM. Collectively, the data warrant further exploration of an endocrine link to disease susceptibility in Lady Windermere syndrome.
LSMAT Least Squares Medial Axis Transform
Authors: Rebain Daniel , Angles Baptiste , Valentin Julien , Vining Nicholas , Peethambaran Jiju , Izadi Shahram , Tagliasacchi Andrea 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe medial axis transform has applications in numerous fields including visualization, computer graphics, and computer vision. Unfortunately, traditional medial axis transformations are usually brittle in the presence of outliers, perturbations and/or noise along the boundary of objects. To overcome this limitation, we introduce a new formulation of the medial axis transform which is naturally robust in the presence of these artefacts. Unlike previous work which has approached the medial axis from a computational geometry angle, we consider it from a numerical optimization perspective. In this work, we follow the definition of the medial axis transform as ‘the set of maximally inscribed spheres’. We show how this definition can be formulated as a least squares relaxation where the transform is obtained by minimizing a continuous optimization problem. The proposed approach is inherently parallelizable by performing independent optimization of each sphere using Gauss–Newton, and its least‐squares form allows it to be significantly more robust compared to traditional computational geometry approaches. Extensive experiments on 2D and 3D objects demonstrate that our method provides superior results to the state of the art on both synthetic and real‐data.