bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catalan-Spanish bilingualism continuum
Authors: Perpiñán Silvia 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis study investigates the expression of Catalan cliticsenandhi, which have no grammatical equivalent in Spanish, in the adult grammar of Catalan-Spanish early bilinguals. Participants (N = 57), born and raised in Catalonia, are divided into 3 groups according to their onset of acquisition and language use: Spanish-dominant (n = 20), Balanced Bilinguals (n = 15) and Catalan-dominant (n = 22). The results of an Acceptability Judgment Task and an Elicited Production Task indicated that Spanish-dominant bilinguals have a divergent grammar compared to that of the Catalan-dominant speakers, overaccepting ungrammatical omission and doubling of the clitics. The bilingual group patterned with the Catalan-dominant group in some of their judgments, but with the Spanish-dominant group in their production. It is argued that onset of acquisition cannot be the only explanation for the differences between the bilingual groups, and that quantity and quality of input play an important role in the acquisition process.
Experience with code-switching modulates the use of grammatical gender during sentence processing
Authors: Valdés Kroff Jorge R. , Dussias Paola E. , Gerfen Chip , Perrotti Lauren , Bajo M. Teresa 
Published: February 2016

AbstractUsing code-switching as a tool to illustrate how language experience modulates comprehension, the visual world paradigm was employed to examine the extent to which gender-marked Spanish determiners facilitate upcoming target nouns in a group of Spanish-English bilingual code-switchers. The first experiment tested target Spanish nouns embedded in a carrier phrase (Experiment 1b) and included a control Spanish monolingual group (Experiment 1a). The second set of experiments included critical trials in which participants heard code-switches from Spanish determiners into English nouns (e.g., la house) either in a fixed carrier phrase (Experiment 2a) or in variable and complex sentences (Experiment 2b). Across the experiments, bilinguals revealed an asymmetric gender effect in processing, showing facilitation only for feminine target items. These results reflect the asymmetric use of gender in the production of code-switched speech. The extension of the asymmetric effect into Spanish (Experiment 1b) underscores the permeability between language modes in bilingual code-switchers.
First isolation of Nocardia grenadensis from a clinical sample
Authors: Ercibengoa María , Bell Melissa , Vicente Diego , Marimón Jose María 
Published: February 2016

Introduction:

Nocardia species have a worldwide distribution and are commonly found as saprophytes of soil or water. However, they can cause human disease especially in immunocompromised patients, with respiratory infection being the most frequent clinical manifestation of the disease. The aim of the present work was to describe the first clinical isolation of Nocardia grenadensis from the sputum of a patient from the north of Spain suspected of having tuberculosis.

Case Presentation:
In November 2012, a chest X-ray showed a mass in the left upper lobe of the lung of a 75-year-old man with persistent cough with bloody expectoration. The patient was sent to the outpatient pulmonology consultation for further studies. In the sputum sent for mycobacterial study, a Nocardia isolate was present that was identified by sequencing a 1440 bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene as N. grenadensis at the Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA).

Conclusion:
The clinical significance of N. grenadensis in the sputum of this patient was uncertain, as symptoms of persistent cough with haemoptysis in the absence of other identified causes suggested the possible involvement of N. grenadensis in a bronchial lung infection. However, the spontaneous resolution of symptoms without specific antimicrobial treatment pointed to the possibility of a transient colonization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence in the literature of the isolation of N. grenadensis in humans.
Fraud and firm performance: keeping the good times (apparently) rolling
Authors: Finnerty John D. , Hegde Shantaram , Malone Chris B 
Published: February 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the hypothesis that a period of sustained supernormal firm performance (for up to five years before fraud commission) creates financial pressure on actors/agents so they have a propensity to behave fraudulently to keep the good times (apparently) rolling.

Design/methodology/approach
– Applying the Fama and French (1993) three-factor model using a range of calendar time portfolio methodologies, the authors measure abnormal drifts in stock performance in periods up to five years before alleged fraud commission dates. The authors examine a sample of 561 US firms subject to enforcement actions initiated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) over 1968-2009.

Findings
– The authors find that sustained firm-specific positive stock price performance for up to five years followed by the almost inevitable adverse shock, which eventually brings the good times to an end, generally precedes corporate fraud. Fraud occurs when firm managers engage in misconduct in a misguided attempt to keep the good times (apparently) rolling despite the negative shock.

Research limitations/implications
– The sample is restricted to firms with trading histories on the stock market prior to the misconduct, and to firms contained in the Federal Securities Regulation database of US firms subject to enforcement actions initiated by the SEC and the DOJ over 1968-2009.

Practical implications
– The desire to keep the good times rolling appears to be a very important driver of fraudulent behavior, even after controlling for the executive compensation incentive effects and business cycle effects emphasized in prior studies. The robust findings of positive abnormal returns for up to five years preceding initial fraud commission suggest that regulators and investors would be well-advised to scrutinize the behavior of firms that exhibit surprisingly persistent superior performance over an extended period. If the financial results appear too good to be true, a closer examination might just reveal that they indeed are.

Social implications
– While most investors generally like to see the “good times keep rolling” this pressure can create ethical dilemmas for managers.

Originality/value
– Unlike most other papers in this area of the literature, which concentrate on the pre-fraud disclosure, the authors investigate the firm’s performance in the pre-fraud commission period. The authors find that the commission of the alleged fraud is preceded by a sustained period of surprisingly good performance of up to five years in length. The authors believe that the paper provides empirical evidence that supports the hypothesis that a period of sustained supernormal firm performance (for up to five years before fraud commission) creates financial pressure on actors/agents so they have a propensity to behave fraudulently to keep the good times (apparently) rolling.
International stock market liquidity: a review
Authors: Ma Rui , Anderson Hamish D. , Marshall Ben R. 
Published: February 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on liquidity in international stock markets, highlights differences and similarities in empirical results across existing studies, and identifies areas requiring further research.

Design/methodology/approach
– International cross-country studies on stock market liquidity are categorized and reviewed. Important relevant single-country studies are also discussed.

Findings
– Market liquidity is influenced by exchange characteristics (e.g. the presence of market makers) and regulations (e.g. short-sales constraints). The literature has identified the most appropriate liquidity measures for global research, and for emerging and frontier markets, respectively. Major empirical facts are as follows. Liquidity co-varies within and across countries. Both the liquidity level and liquidity uncertainty are priced internationally. Liquidity is positively associated with firm transparency and share issuance, and negatively related to dividends paid out. The impact of internationalization on liquidity is not universal across firms and countries. Some suggested areas for future studies include: dark pools, high-frequency trading, commonality in liquidity premium, funding liquidity, liquidity and capital structure, and liquidity and transparency.

Research limitations/implications
– The paper focusses on international stock markets and does not consider liquidity in international bond or foreign exchange markets.

Originality/value
– This paper provides a comprehensive survey of empirical studies on liquidity in international developed and emerging stock markets.
Effects of branch expansion on bank efficiency: evidence from Japanese regional banks
Authors: Harimaya Kozo , Kondo Kazumine 
Published: February 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether branch expansions have realized efficiency gains by focussing on regional banks in Japan.Design/methodology/approach– The authors use a single-step estimation procedure, where both cost frontier parameters and inefficiency effects are addressed simultaneously, and examine the impact of expanding branch networks on bank performance.Findings– The findings show that regional banks expanding their branch networks to certain levels exhibit lower cost inefficiencies. Robustness results are also obtained from the samples, excluding the regional banks located in urban regions.Originality/value– The findings suggest that adequate levels of branch expansion have beneficial impacts for regional banks, although this result is contrary to the current region-based relationship banking policy promoted by Japan’s financial regulators.
Reflective assessment: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Graf Anne Jumonville , Harris Benjamin R. 
Published: February 2016

Purpose– Librarians engage in assessment for several purposes, such as to improve teaching and learning, or to report institutional value. In turn, these assessments shape our perspectives and priorities. How can we participate critically in the assessment of information literacy instruction and library programming while broadening our view and making room for questions about what we do? This paper aims to explore self-reflection as a method for building on existing assessment practices with a critical consciousness.Design/methodology/approach– In tracing the trajectory of assessment and reflective practice in library literature, the authors conducted a selective literature review and analyzed the potential impact of incorporating librarian self-reflection into assessment practices, particularly for instructional services. The authors’ experiences with strategies informed by these conversations were also described.Findings– Self-reflection has typically been used to improve teaching or as a method of assessing student learning. However, it can also be used to develop a critical awareness of what one accomplishes through the act of assessing. The authors develop and present self-reflective strategies and discuss their benefits and limitations.Practical implications– An extensive list of strategies was developed to illustrate practical examples of a reflective approach to assessment.Originality/value– Although librarians have used reflection as a type of assessment strategy, self-reflection has not been viewed as a method for evaluating other assessment techniques. Librarians interested in exploring reflective practice and thinking critically about assessment will find strategies and suggestions for doing so.
Production of set yoghurt analogue through replacement of milk fat with canola and sesame oil
Authors: Farmani Jamshid , Edalatkhah Mahsa , Motamedzadegan Ali , Mardani Mohsen 
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fat level and composition on chemical, textural, microbial and sensory properties of set yoghurt analogue. The best fat level for production of yoghurt analogue was found to be 2% (w/v). Studies on the effect of fat composition (canola‐to‐sesame oil ratios of 2.0/0, 1.3/0.7, 0.7/1.3, 2.0/0) indicated the superior performance of pure sesame oil. Increasing the canola‐to‐sesame oil ratio generally resulted in an inferior product. Replacement of milk fat by vegetable oils yielded yoghurts with a lower saturated fatty acid content and less firmness.
Gene and whole genome analyses reveal that the mycobacterial strain JS623 is not a member of the species Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Garcia Maria J. , Gola Susanne 
Published: February 2016

SummaryUnexpected differences were found between the genome of strain JS623, used in bioremediation studies, and the genome of strain mc2155, a model organism for investigating basic biology of mycobacteria. Both strains are currently assigned in the databases to the species Mycobacterium smegmatis and, consequently, the environmental isolate JS623 is increasingly included as a representative of that species in comparative genome‐based approaches aiming at identifying distinctive traits of the different members of the genus Mycobacterium. We applied traditional molecular taxonomic procedures – inference of single and concatenated gene trees – to re‐evaluate the membership of both strains to the same species, adopting the latest accepted cut‐off values for species delimitation. Additionally, modern whole genome‐based in silico methods where performed in a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of JS623 and other members of the genus Mycobacterium. These analyses showed that all relevant genome parameters of JS623 clearly separate this strain from M. smegmatis. The strain JS623 should be corrected as Mycobacterium sp. not only in the literature but, even more importantly, in the database entries, as inclusion of the genome wrongly attributed to the M. smegmatis species in comparative studies will result in misleading conclusions.
Comparative studies of the composition of bacterial microbiota associated with the ruminal content, ruminal epithelium and in the faeces of lactating dairy cows
Authors: Liu Jun‐hua , Zhang Meng‐ling , Zhang Rui‐yang , Zhu Wei‐yun , Mao Sheng‐yong 
Published: February 2016

SummaryThe objective of this research was to compare the composition of bacterial microbiota associated with the ruminal content (RC), ruminal epithelium (RE) and faeces of Holstein dairy cows. The RC, RE and faecal samples were collected from six Holstein dairy cows when the animals were slaughtered. Community compositions of bacterial 16S rRNA genes from RC, RE and faeces were determined using a MiSeq sequencing platform with bacterial‐targeting universal primers 338F and 806R. UniFrac analysis revealed that the bacterial communities of RC, RE and faeces were clearly separated from each other. Statistically significant dissimilarities were observed between RC and faeces (P = 0.002), between RC and RE (P = 0.003), and between RE and faeces (P = 0.001). A assignment of sequences to taxa showed that the abundance of the predominant phyla Bacteroidetes was lower in RE than in RC, while a significant higher (P < 0.01) abundance of Proteobacteria was present in RE than in RC. When compared with the RC, the abundance of Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia was higher in faeces, and RC contained a greater abundance of Bacteroidetes and Tenericutes. A higher proportions of Butyrivibrio and Campylobacter dominated RE as compared to RC. The faecal microbiota was less diverse than RC and dominated by genera Turicibacter and Clostridium. In general, these findings clearly demonstrated the striking compositional differences among RC, RE and faeces, indicating that bacterial communities are specific and adapted to the harbouring environment.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing as a Tool for Diagnosing Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hirashiki Akihiro , Kondo Takahisa , Okumura Takahiro , Kamimura Yoshihiro , Nakano Yoshihisa , Fukaya Kenji , Sawamura Akinori , Morimoto Ryota , Adachi Shiro , Takeshita Kyosuke , Murohara Toyoaki 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundRecently, it has become increasingly recognized that pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a particularly threatening result of left‐sided heart disease. However, there have been few investigations of the impact of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) variables on PH in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We evaluated the usefulness of crucial CPX variables for detecting elevated pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in patients with DCM.MethodsNinety subjects with DCM underwent cardiac catheterization and CPX at our hospital. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the ability of CPX variables to distinguish between the presence and absence of PH.ResultsOverall mean values were: mean PAP (mPAP), 18.0 ± 9.6 mmHg; plasma brain natriuretic peptide, 233 ± 295 pg/mL; and left ventricular ejection fraction, 30.2 ± 11.0%. Patients were allocated to one of two groups on the basis of mean PAP, namely DCM without PH [mean PAP (mPAP) <25 mmHg; n = 75] and DCM with PH (mPAP ≥25 mmHg; n = 15). A cutoff achieved percentage of predicted peak VO2 (%PPeak VO2) of 52.5% was the best predictor of an mPAP ≥25 mmHg in the ROC analysis (area under curve: 0.911). In the multivariate analysis, %PPeak VO2 was the only significant independent predictor of PH (Wald 6.52, odds ratio 0.892, 95% CI 0.818–0.974; P = 0.011).Conclusions%PPeak VO2 was strongly associated with the presence of PH in patients with DCM. Taken together, these findings indicate that CPX variables could be important for diagnosing PH in patients with DCM.
Lessons from Queer Bioethics: A Response to Timothy F. Murphy
Authors: Richie Cristina 
Published: February 2016

Abstract‘Bioethics still has important work to do in helping to secure status equality for LGBT people’ writes Timothy F. Murphy in a recent Bioethics editorial. The focus of his piece, however, is much narrower than human rights, medical care for LGBT people, or ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Rather, he is primarily concerned with sexuality and gender identity, and the medical intersections thereof (i.e. DSM diagnosis; access to SrS or ARTs). It is the objective of this response to provide an alternate account of bioethics from a Queer perspective.I will situate Queer bioethics within Queer studies, and offer three ‘lessons’ that bioethics can derive from this perspective. These are not definitive rules for Queer bioethics, since it is a field which fundamentally opposes categorizations, favoring pastiche over principles. These lessons are exploratory examples, which both complement and contradict LGBT bioethics. My latter two lessons – on environmental bioethics and disability – overlap with some of Murphy's concerns, as well as other conceptions of LGBT bioethics. However, the first lesson takes an antithetical stance to Murphy's primary focus by resisting all forms of heteroconformity and disavowing reproduction as consonant with Queer objectives and theory. The first lesson, which doubles as a primer in Queer theory, does heavy philosophical lifting for the remainder of the essay. This response to Timothy F. Murphy, whose work is certainly a legacy in bioethics, reveals the multiplicity of discourses in LGBT/Queer studies, many of which are advantageous – even essential – to other disciplines like bioethics.
Sentient Nonpersons and the Disvalue of Death
Authors: DeGrazia David 
Published: February 2016

AbstractImplicit in our everyday attitudes and practices is the assumption that death ordinarily harms a person who dies. A far more contested matter is whether death harms sentient individuals who are not persons, a category that includes many animals and some human beings. On the basis of the deprivation account of the harm of death, I argue that death harms sentient nonpersons (whenever their lives would be worth continuing). I next consider possible bases for the commonsense judgment that death ordinarily harms persons more than it harms sentient nonpersons. Contrary to what some philosophers believe, it is doubtful that the familiar resources of prudential value theory can vindicate this judgment. I show that the approach that at first glance seems most promising for supporting this judgment – namely, invoking an objective account of well‐being – faces substantial challenges, before arguing that McMahan's time‐relative interest account supplies the needed theoretical basis. I then go on to extract a significant practical implication of the first thesis, that death ordinarily harms sentient nonpersons: We should find a way to discontinue the routine killing of animal subjects following their use in experiments.
Moral Enhancement and Those Left Behind
Authors: Archer Alfred 
Published: February 2016

AbstractOpponents to genetic or biomedical human enhancement often claim that the availability of these technologies would have negative consequences for those who either choose not to utilize these resources or lack access to them. However, Thomas Douglas has argued that this objection has no force against the use of technologies that aim to bring about morally desirable character traits, as the unenhanced would benefit from being surrounded by such people. I will argue that things are not as straightforward as Douglas makes out. The widespread use of moral enhancement would raise the standards for praise and blame worthiness, making it much harder for the unenhanced to perform praiseworthy actions or avoid performing blameworthy actions. This shows that supporters of moral enhancement cannot avoid this challenge in the way that Douglas suggests.
Recombinant human thyrotropin‐stimulated thyroglobulin level at the time of radioactive iodine ablation is an independent prognostic marker of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in the setting of prophylactic central neck dissection
Authors: Moon Jae Hoon , Choi June Young , Jeong Woo‐Jin , Ahn Soon‐Hyun , Lee Won Woo , Kim Kyoung Min , Choi Sung Hee , Lim Soo , Park Young Joo , Yi Ka Hee , Park Do Joon , Jang Hak Chul 
Published: February 2016

SummaryObjectiveWe investigated the value of the stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) level at the time of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH)‐aided remnant ablation for predicting disease status 1 year later in patients with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection (CND).Design, setting, and participantThis was a prospective observational study of 253 consecutive patients with DTC who underwent rhTSH‐aided RAI ablation after total thyroidectomy and prophylactic CND. Patients with evidence of initial distant metastasis or positive Tg antibodies were excluded.Major outcome measureWe compared rhTSH‐stimulated Tg level at RAI ablation according to the disease status at 1 year and evaluated optimal cut‐off value of rhTSH‐stimulated Tg. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the independent predictive factors for disease status 1 year after ablation.ResultsAmong study participants, 228 (90·1%) were considered disease free at 1 year after remnant ablation. Patients with persistent or recurrent disease were more likely to be aged ≥45 years, and to have N1b stage, TNM stage III or IV, and higher rhTSH‐stimulated Tg level at RAI ablation. The optimal cut‐off of rhTSH‐stimulated Tg for predicting persistent or recurrent disease was 1·79 ng/ml, with a negative predictive value of 99·5%. A serum rhTSH‐stimulated Tg level ≥1·79 at the time of ablation was independently associated with persistent or recurrent disease 1 year later. N1b stage tended to be associated with persistent or recurrent disease.ConclusionA low stimulated serum Tg level at rhTSH‐aided RAI ablation may be a favourable prognostic marker in the setting of prophylactic CND.