bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women on boards in India: a need or tokenism?
Authors: Srivastava Varnita , Das Niladri , Pattanayak Jamini Kanta 
Published: April 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of gender diversity on corporate boards in India in the light of recent regulatory reform introduced in the Companies’ Act, 2013 which mandated the presence of at least one woman on the corporate boards of all the listed firms.Design/methodology/approachBased on a panel of 300 firm-year observations for 15 years from 2001 to 2015, regression analysis has been conducted to analyze the relation between gender-related variables of corporate boards with firm-specific financial characteristic, cost of equity (COE) and return on assets (ROA) of firms listed in CNX Nifty, a major financial market index of India.FindingsThe analysis indicates that boards with gender diversity explain a slightly more than 5.5 percent change in a firm’s COE and have a much higher impact of 45 percent on a firm’s ROA. The presence of female directors on the boards and their independence have a negative association with the COE, whereas the level of involvement of female directors on different committees has a positive association with the ROA.Practical implicationsThe findings may help theorists in defining the right mix of female on the corporate boards in an emerging economy. Also, by taking input from the findings, regulators and industry can formulate policies to foster gender diversity on corporate boards in India.Originality/valueThis study considers the recent regulatory norm introduced in India. This issue has still not been discussed and analyzed by researchers in India. It attempts to explain the impact a gender diverse board can make on a firm’s performance. It also makes valuable recommendations to improve the norms intended to more effectively foster gender diversity on corporate boards in India.
Systematic bibliometric analysis on Kaizen in scientific journals
Authors: Álvarez-García José , Durán-Sánchez Amador , del Río-Rama María de la Cruz 
Published: April 2018

Purpose
Since Masaaki Imai coined the term Kaizen in the mid-1980s, it has been seen as a key element for the competitiveness of Japanese companies, and it is currently a widely discussed philosophy and is applied in a wide range of organizations throughout the world. The purpose of this paper is to serve as guidance for researchers who are developing their studies in the field of the Kaizen philosophy, in order to improve their knowledge on the most relevant articles, the most productive authors or the key scientific journals that make up this subject.

Design/methodology/approach
In order to fulfill the proposed objective, a descriptive bibliometric study was carried out with the analysis of citations from 138 articles included in the multidisciplinary database Scopus (Elsevier) until 2016. For the search of documents, a tracking strategy was chosen that allowed for the development of the ad hoc database required to analyze each of the basic variables of the bibliometric indicators.

Findings
The results obtained show a growing interest of the scientific community in its study in the last decade, as shown by the significant increase in citations received by articles, despite the reduction in the number of papers published in the last two years.

Research limitations/implications
The main limitations are derived from the choice of a specific database, as well as the specific search equation.

Originality/value
The study presents an in-depth analysis of the current state of research regarding the Kaizen philosophy through its bibliometric study, providing useful information for academics and professionals by providing a series of significant indicators to measure the bibliographic material.
Spring weather conditions influence breeding phenology and reproductive success in sympatric bat populations
Authors: Linton Danielle M. , Macdonald David W. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Climate is known to influence breeding phenology and reproductive success in temperate‐zone bats, but long‐term population level studies and interspecific comparisons are rare.

Investigating the extent to which intrinsic (i.e. age), and extrinsic (i.e. spring weather conditions), factors influence such key demographic parameters as the proportion of females becoming pregnant, or completing lactation, each breeding season, is vital to understanding of bat population ecology and life‐history traits.

Using data from 12 breeding seasons (2006–2017), encompassing the reproductive histories of 623 Myotis daubentonii and 436 Myotis nattereri adult females, we compare rates of recruitment to the breeding population and show that these species differ in their relative sensitivity to environmental conditions and climatic variation, affecting annual reproductive success at the population level.

We demonstrate that (1) spring weather conditions influence breeding phenology, with warm, dry and calm conditions leading to earlier parturition dates and advanced juvenile development, whilst cold, wet and windy weather delays birth timing and juvenile growth; (2) reproductive rates in first‐year females are influenced by spring weather conditions in that breeding season and in the preceding breeding season when each cohort was born. Pregnancy and lactation rates were both higher when favourable spring foraging conditions were more prevalent; (3) reproductive success increases with age in both species, but at different rates; (4) reproductive rates were consistently higher, and showed less interannual variation, in second‐year and older M. daubentonii (mean 91.55% ± 0.05 SD) than M. nattereri (mean 72.74% ± 0.15 SD); (5) estimates of reproductive success at the population level were highly correlated with the size of the juvenile cohort recorded each breeding season.

Improving understanding of the influence of environmental conditions, especially extreme climatic fluctuations, and the identification of critical periods (i.e. spring for reproductive female bats in temperate zones), which have disproportionate and lasting impacts on breeding phenology and reproductive success at a population level, is critical for improving predictions of the likely impact of climate change on bat populations.
Multiple factors, including arena size, shape the functional responses of ladybird beetles
Authors: Uiterwaal Stella F. , DeLong John P. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Functional response studies are often used to determine the suitability of predators as biocontrol agents. Ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are often used for the control of crop pests such as aphids. However, most functional response studies on coccinellids compare a limited number of species at different life stages, temperatures or sexes. A large‐scale comparison of ladybird beetle functional responses is needed to evaluate the utility of these species as potential biocontrol predators and to understand the traits that influence the interaction strength between ladybird beetles and their prey.

We compiled 158 ladybird beetle functional responses from 30 studies and tested for effects of taxa, traits, temperature and arena size on functional response parameters using linear mixed‐effects models.

Our results show that functional response parameters (handling time and space clearance rate) are affected by predator stage, predator mass, prey type, temperature and arena size. Although complicated by interaction terms, space clearance rate generally increased with predator size, temperature and predator stage, while handling time decreased with predator size, temperature and predator stage. Coleopteran prey induced the highest handling times.

Our results also show that experimental arena size has a large, consistent effect on space clearance rate. Arena size is more important in determining foraging rates at low prey densities than any other factor considered here, including predator mass and temperature. Efforts to use laboratory‐based functional response experiments to evaluate the efficacy of biocontrol predators are therefore confounded by the choice of arena size.

Synthesis and applications. In addition to confirming known body mass and temperature effects, our study reveals previously unclear age‐related effects and the importance of prey types, which can be used to optimize biocontrol programmes. The arena size effect is unexpected and problematic because failure to account for arena size precludes accurate comparison of biocontrol predator effectiveness. We suggest managers and biocontrol practitioners re‐evaluate the efficacy of candidate biocontrol predators, perhaps by statistically controlling for arena size to minimize the influence of this widely unconsidered factor on functional response estimates.
Morphosyntactic abilities of toddlers with hearing impairment and normal hearing: evidence from a sentence‐repetition task
Authors: Novogrodsky Rama , Meir Natalia , Michael Rachel 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundWhile considerable research exists on morphosyntax of school‐age children with hearing impairment (HI), little is known about development of morphosyntax at younger ages. Some studies show that young children with HI have a delay in language abilities compared with children with normal hearing (NH); conversely, other studies show evidence that they achieve age‐appropriate language development.AimsTo investigate whether characteristics of morphosyntactic development displayed by young children with HI are unique or whether they are similar to those of NH children.Methods & ProceduresFifty‐four Hebrew‐speaking children (15 with HI and 39 with NH), aged 22–40 months, completed a novel Hebrew sentence repetition (SRep) task designed to evaluate morphosyntactic abilities. Accuracy on the total correct structure, repetition of content and function words, and repetition of specific morphemes were compared across groups.Outcomes & ResultsAt the earliest stages of combining words to sentences, toddlers in both groups showed a large variation in morphosyntactic development, with no significant difference between the two groups. Children with HI and NH showed similar results for the acquisition of morphemes and various syntactic structures. In the group of children with HI, hearing capability accounted for 28% of the variance of the SRep task.Conclusions & ImplicationsThe findings suggest typical morphosyntax capacity at the onset of language development among of children with HI who are diagnosed early and receive intensive intervention.
Colonization of medical devices by staphylococci
Authors: Zheng Yue , He Lei , Asiamah Titus K. , Otto Michael 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThe use of medical devices in modern medicine is constantly increasing. Despite the multiple precautionary strategies that are being employed in hospitals, which include increased hygiene and sterilization measures, bacterial infections on these devices still happen frequently. Staphylococci are among the major causes of medical device infection. This is mostly due to the strong capacity of those bacteria to form device‐associated biofilms, which provide resistance to chemical and physical treatments as well as attacks by the host's immune system. Biofilm development is a multistep process with specific factors participating in each step. It is tightly regulated to provide a balance between biofilm expansion and detachment. Detachment from a biofilm on a medical device can lead to severe systemic infection, such as bacteremia and sepsis. While our understanding of staphylococcal biofilm formation has increased significantly and staphylococcal biofilm formation on medical devices is among the best understood biofilm‐associated infections, the extensive effort put in preclinical studies with the goal to find novel therapies against staphylococcal device‐associated infections has not yet resulted in efficient, applicable therapeutic options for that difficult‐to‐treat type of disease.
Genome‐based evolutionary history of Pseudomonas spp
Authors: Hesse Cedar , Schulz Frederik , Bull Carolee T. , Shaffer Brenda T. , Yan Qing , Shapiro Nicole , Hassan Karl A. , Varghese Neha , Elbourne Liam D. H. , Paulsen Ian T. , Kyrpides Nikos , Woyke Tanja , Loper Joyce E. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryPseudomonas is a large and diverse genus of Gammaproteobacteria. To provide a framework for discovery of evolutionary and taxonomic relationships of these bacteria, we compared the genomes of type strains of 163 species and 3 additional subspecies of Pseudomonas, including 118 genomes sequenced herein. A maximum likelihood phylogeny of the 166 type strains based on protein sequences of 100 single‐copy orthologous genes revealed thirteen groups of Pseudomonas, composed of two to sixty three species each. Pairwise average nucleotide identities and alignment fractions were calculated for the data set of the 166 type strains and 1224 genomes of Pseudomonas available in public databases. Results revealed that 394 of the 1224 genomes were distinct from any type strain, suggesting that the type strains represent only a fraction of the genomic diversity of the genus. The core genome of Pseudomonas was determined to contain 794 genes conferring primarily housekeeping functions. The results of this study provide a phylogenetic framework for future studies aiming to resolve the classification and phylogenetic relationships, identify new gene functions and phenotypes, and explore the ecological and metabolic potential of the Pseudomonas spp.
Controlling food, controlling relationships: exploring the meanings and dynamics of family food practices through the diary‐interview approach
Authors: MacDonald Sarah , Murphy Simon , Elliott Eva 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPotential merits of a social practice perspective for examining the meanings and dynamics of family food include moving beyond individual behaviour, and exploring how practices emerge, develop and change. However, researchers have struggled to encourage reflection on mundane practices, and how to understand associated meanings. Drawing on a study of families in South Wales, this article reflects on the value of the diary‐interview approach in addressing these methodological challenges, and aims to explore and understand the dynamics of control across family contexts. Contemporary practice theories distinguish between practices as ‘performances’ and practices as ‘entities’ and the diary‐interview method facilitated an examination of these dimensions. Detailed accounts of daily ‘performances’ (through diaries), alongside reflection on underlying contexts and ‘entities’ (through interviews), illustrated the entanglement of control, practices and context. The article adds further complexity to the concept of practice ‘bundles’ which facilitated an understanding of how food was interrelated with other practices – across family contexts and across generations. Sociological approaches with a practices perspective at the core, offer potential for developing public health interventions by acknowledging: the relational meaning of food; the embeddedness of food within everyday practices; and the need to consider interventions across a range of policy areas.
Evaluation of home enteral nutrition services at public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Tang Diana , Parker Elizabeth K. , Faruquie Sahrish S. , Hames Nadia L. , Talbot Peter 
Published: April 2018

AimThere is currently limited information regarding the home enteral nutrition population and its service practice at the state and national levels. The aim of this study is to report on patient numbers and demographics of the home enteral nutrition population in New South Wales, and to evaluate the implementation of home enteral nutrition services in public hospitals in the state.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted using two online questionnaires, which were completed by the dietitian overseeing home enteral nutrition at each participating hospital.ResultsThe home enteral nutrition population of participating hospitals was approximately 7600, with 81% oral nutrition support patients and 19% tube‐fed patients. Mean compliance score to the home enteral nutrition implementation checklist was 54.1% (±20.7%), with a range of 14.3% to 98.2%. Hospitals with a home enteral nutrition dietitian/coordinator scored a higher rate of compliance with the implementation checklist compared with hospitals without one (79.6% (±15.6%) vs 47.6% (±2.4%); P < 0.001). The key service improvements suggested by dietitians included increased funding towards a home enteral nutrition dietitian/coordinator (67.8%); improved resources to provide outpatient reviews, home visits and multidisciplinary service model (54.2%); improved database management and a more efficient registration process (52.5%).ConclusionsHome enteral nutrition services continue to be inconsistent across New South Wales. Funding and resource limitations were identified as the major barriers to addressing gaps in service provision.
Microbial rRNA gene expression and co‐occurrence profiles associate with biokinetics and elemental composition in full‐scale anaerobic digesters
Authors: Ziels Ryan M. , Svensson Bo H. , Sundberg Carina , Larsson Madeleine , Karlsson Anna , Yekta Sepehr Shakeri 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThis study examined whether the abundance and expression of microbial 16S rRNA genes were associated with elemental concentrations and substrate conversion biokinetics in 20 full‐scale anaerobic digesters, including seven municipal sewage sludge (SS) digesters and 13 industrial codigesters. SS digester contents had higher methane production rates from acetate, propionate and phenyl acetate compared to industrial codigesters. SS digesters and industrial codigesters were distinctly clustered based on their elemental concentrations, with higher concentrations of NH3‐N, Cl, K and Na observed in codigesters. Amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and reverse‐transcribed 16S rRNA revealed divergent grouping of microbial communities between mesophilic SS digesters, mesophilic codigesters and thermophilic digesters. Higher intradigester distances between Archaea 16S rRNA and rRNA gene profiles were observed in mesophilic codigesters, which also had the lowest acetate utilization biokinetics. Constrained ordination showed that microbial rRNA and rRNA gene profiles were significantly associated with maximum methane production rates from acetate, propionate, oleate and phenyl acetate, as well as concentrations of NH3‐N, Fe, S, Mo and Ni. A co‐occurrence network of rRNA gene expression confirmed the three main clusters of anaerobic digester communities based on active populations. Syntrophic and methanogenic taxa were highly represented within the subnetworks, indicating that obligate energy‐sharing partnerships play critical roles in stabilizing the digester microbiome. Overall, these results provide new evidence showing that different feed substrates associate with different micronutrient compositions in anaerobic digesters, which in turn may influence microbial abundance, activity and function.
Dynamic changes in morphology, gene expression and microbiome in the jejunum of compensatory‐growth rats induced by protein restriction
Authors: Zhu Yizhi , Shi Chao , Niu Qingyan , Wang Jing , Zhu Weiyun 
Published: April 2018

SummaryWe previously reported that protein‐restricted rats experienced compensatory growth when they were switched to a normal protein diet (NPD). This study aimed to investigate the changes in gene expression and microbiome in the jejunum of compensatory‐growth rats. Weaned Sprague‐Dawley rats were assigned to an N group, an LN group and an L group. The rats in the L and N groups were fed a low protein diet (LPD) and the NPD respectively. The rats in the LN group were fed with the LPD for 2 weeks, followed by the NPD. The experiment lasted 70 days, and the rats were sacrificed for sampling on days 14, 28 and 70 to determine the jejunal morphology, microbiome and gene expression related to digestive, absorptive and barrier function. The results showed that, although rats in the LN group had temporarily impaired morphology and gene expression in the jejunum on day 14 in response to the LPD, they had improved jejunal morphology and gene expression related to jejunal function on day 28 compared to rats in the N group. This improvement might promote compensatory growth of rats. However, lower expression of genes related to nutrient absorption and undifferentiated villous height (VH) were observed in the jejunum of rats in the LN group on day 70. In contrast, rats in the L group had lower VH on day 28 and day 70, while the expression of absorptive genes increased on day 28 compared to rats in the N group. Additionally, dramatic microbial changes in the jejunum of compensatory‐growth rats were observed, principally for Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus. Moreover, the abundance of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus significantly correlated with gene expression in the jejunum as revealed by the correlation analysis.
Mild hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the growth‐related decline in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and prevents hyperglycemia in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nagatomo Fumiko , Takemura Ai , Roy Roland R. , Fujino Hidemi , Kondo Hiroyo , Ishihara Akihiko 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundHumans and animals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit low skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and impaired glucose metabolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of exposure to mild hyperbaric oxygen on these changes in obese rats with T2DM.MethodsFive‐week‐old non‐diabetic Long‐Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) and diabetic Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were divided into normobaric (LETO‐NB and OLETF‐NB) and mild hyperbaric oxygen (LETO‐MHO and OLETF‐MHO) groups. The LETO‐MHO and OLETF‐MHO groups received 1266 hPa with 36% oxygen for 3 h daily for 22 weeks.ResultsFasting and non‐fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and triglyceride levels were lower in the OLETF‐MHO group than in the OLETF‐NB group (P < 0.05). In the soleus muscle, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor δ/β (Pparδ/β),Pparγ, and PPARγ coactivator‐1α (Pgc‐1α) mRNA levels were lower in the OLETF‐NB group than in all other groups (P < 0.05), whereas myogenin (Myog) and myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) mRNA levels were higher in the OLETF‐MHO group than in the LETO‐NB and OLETF‐NB groups (P < 0.05). The soleus muscles in the OLETF‐NB group contained only low‐oxidative Type I fibers, whereas those in all other groups contained high‐oxidative Type IIA and Type IIC fibers in addition to Type I fibers.ConclusionsExposure to mild hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the decline in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and prevents the hyperglycemia associated with T2DM.Pgc‐1α,Myog, andMyf5mRNA levels appear to be closely associated with skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in rats with T2DM.