bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antecedents of voluntary corporate governance disclosure: a post-2007/08 financial crisis evidence from the influential UK Combined Code
Authors: Elmagrhi Mohamed H. , Ntim Collins G. , Wang Yan 
Published: June 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the level of compliance with, and disclosure of, good corporate governance (CG) practices among UK publicly listed firms and consequently ascertain whether board characteristics and ownership structure variables can explain observable differences in the extent of voluntary CG compliance and disclosure practices.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses one of the largest data sets to-date on compliance and disclosure of CG practices from 2008 to 2013 containing 120 CG provisions drawn from the 2010 UK Combined Code relating to 100 UK listed firms to conduct multiple regression analyses of the determinants of voluntary CG disclosures. A number of additional estimations, including two stage least squares, fixed-effects and lagged structures, are conducted to address the potential endogeneity issue and test the robustness of the findings.FindingsThe results suggest that there is a substantial variation in the levels of compliance with, and disclosure of, good CG practices among the sampled UK firms. The authors also find that firms with larger board size, more independent outside directors and greater director diversity tend to disclose more CG information voluntarily, whereas the level of voluntary CG compliance and disclosure is insignificantly related to the existence of a separate CG committee and institutional ownership. Additionally, the results indicate that block ownership and managerial ownership negatively affect voluntary CG compliance and disclosure practices. The findings are fairly robust across a number of econometric models that sufficiently address various endogeneity problems and alternative CG indices. Overall, the findings are generally consistent with the predictions of neo-institutional theory.Originality/valueThis study extends, as well as contributes to, the extant CG literature by offering new evidence on compliance with, and disclosure of, good CG recommendations contained in the 2010 UK Combined Code following the 2007/2008 global financial crisis. This study also advances the existing literature by offering new insights from a neo-institutional theoretical perspective of the impact of board and ownership mechanisms on voluntary CG compliance and disclosure practices.
Board of directors and financial transparency and disclosure. Evidence from Italy
Authors: Torchia Mariateresa , Calabrò Andrea 
Published: June 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the link between board of directors’ composition (independent directors’ ratio, board size, CEO-duality) and financial transparency and disclosure (T&D).Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes board composition and financial T&D of Italian listed companies using multiple linear regression analysis.FindingsThe results of this paper show a significant link between board composition and the level of financial T&D. In particular, the authors found a positive and significant relationship between the independent directors’ ratio and the level of financial T&D and a negative relationship between board size and the level of financial T&D.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this paper focuses on a sample of 100 Italian listed companies, the authors acknowledge the importance of extending the results to other national context and to other type of firms (e.g. non-listed firms or SMEs). Moreover, while this paper concerns the amount of information disclosed by firms, it does not look at the quality or accuracy of disclosure.Practical implicationsThis paper reveals the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms (such as board composition) in enhancing the level of financial T&D. Indeed, the authors provide some indications to firms to improve their internal governance mechanisms (e.g. the importance of high proportion of independent directors and of small- and medium-sized boards of directors).Originality/valueThis paper provides interesting insights to firms which are under pressure to improve the level of information to stakeholders. Moreover, has the level of information that is not legally required vary among companies and countries, the authors shed light on a context characterized by high level of ownership concentration, where firms can experience different types of conflict of interests.
Sustainability certification schemes: evaluating their effectiveness and adaptability
Authors: Mori Junior Renzo , Franks Daniel M. , Ali Saleem H. 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
New sustainability certification schemes (SCS) with different scope, governance structure and operating practice are fast emerging. This rapid growth and divergence in metrics has resulted in questions about the effectiveness of such schemes. Although this practice has been growing fast, to date, there are no reviews comprehensively synthesising the literature regarding SCS’ main flaws, challenges and improvement opportunities. This paper aims to identify what are the key components affecting effectiveness of SCS, highlighting their benefits, flaws and improvement opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach
An integrated literature review was conducted to identify and assess recent studies related to the benefits, flaws, effectiveness and improvement opportunities of SCS worldwide.

Findings
Key components affecting the effectiveness of SCS were identified (sustainability awareness; market access; management systems and productivity; social, environmental and economic impacts; monitoring outcomes; competition, overlapping and interoperability; stakeholder participation; and accountability and transparency). The authors argue that SCS to succeed have to be effective; provide accountability about their goals and achievements; and manage stakeholders’ expectations. Civil Society’s awareness of the scientific underpinnings of sustainability issues also contributes to the existence and improvement of such schemes.

Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this study are associated with the secondary material that was publicly available for our literature review.

Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified need to explore the key components affecting effectiveness of SCS, their benefits, flaws and improvement opportunities. Such a synthesis also identifies the key areas where interoperability between SCS should be pursued by corporations and governments.
A framework for board capital
Authors: Pérez-Calero Leticia , Villegas Ma del Mar , Barroso Carmen 
Published: June 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine in greater depth the concept of “board capital”, which the authors consider to be a bundle of three types of capital, and believe to be a clear antecedent of the board’s ability to perform its roles, which have positive consequences for the firm’s performance.Design/methodology/approachThrough 83 firms listed on The Madrid Stock Exchange during the period 2005-2010, the authors test empirically the relationships between different dimensions of board capital and firm performance, and specially how internal social capital moderates the relationships between board human capital and external social capital with firm performance.FindingsThe results show that certain characteristics of human capital (average board tenure) and external social capital (directors’ interlocks) are positively related to the firm performance. The empirical findings also indicate that the internal social capital, measured by board density, is positively related to the firm performance and moderates these above relationships, increasing the potential of the resources contributed by the board members and influencing to a large extent on a firm’s performance.Practical implicationsThe results of the investigation will help both executives and scholar in two ways. First, they will assist firms when they have to select board members, as they can now understand how the resources that board members bring with them can affect the firm performance. To be more effective, boards need to have members that have experience as firm’s directors, external connections to other boards and many internal ties among them. Second, in this context, internal social capital is especially relevant, so the firms should look for possible ways of encouraging internal ties between directors. In this paper, the authors have opted for study the participation of directors in committees.Originality/valueThe authors propose that these three types of capital (human, external and internal social capital) need to be synergistically combined to create a group of directors with access to a complete set of skills, knowledge and connections, but which can still work as a compact social group when making decisions.
Human mesenchymal stem cells attenuate pulmonary hypertension induced by prenatal lipopolysaccharide treatment in rats
Authors: Chou Hsiu‐Chu , Lin Willie , Chen Chung‐Ming 
Published: June 2016

SummaryIntra‐amniotic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces pulmonary hypertension in newborn rats. This study was designed to test whether human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reduce pulmonary hypertension and alleviate cardiac hypertrophy in prenatal LPS‐treated rats. Pregnant Sprague‐Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with LPS (0.5 mg/kg per day) or untreated on gestational days 20 and 21. Human MSCs (3×105 cells and 1×106 cells) in 0.03 mL of normal saline (NS) were transplanted intratracheally on postnatal day 5. Four study groups were considered: normal, LPS+NS, LPS+MSCs (3×105 cells), and LPS+MSCs (1×106 cells). On postnatal day 14, lung and heart tissues were collected for measuring the arterial medial wall thickness (MWT) and β‐myosin heavy chain (β‐MHC) level as markers of pulmonary hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy, respectively. The LPS+NS group exhibited a significantly higher right ventricle (RV)/[left ventricle (LV)+ interventricular septum (IVS)] thickness ratio and MWT, a greater cardiomyocyte width, a greater number of cardiomyocyte nuclei per squared millimeter, and higher β‐MHC expression than those observed in the normal group. Human MSC transplantation (3×105 cells and 1×106 cells) in LPS‐treated rats reduced MWT and the RV/(LV+IVS) thickness ratio to normal levels. This improvement in right ventricular hypertrophy was accompanied by a decrease in toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor‐κB, and tumor necrosis factor‐α expression in the heart. Intratracheal human MSCs transplantation can attenuate pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy in prenatal LPS‐treated rats; this attenuation may be associated with suppression of TLR4 expression via paracrine pathways.
On the Problem of Constructing Rational Preferences
Authors: Markey‐Towler Brendan 
Published: June 2016

In standard models it is typically taken for granted that preferences are given and defined over the alternatives alone, and the possibility of making a rational choice is a matter of assumption. I generalise this aspect of the economic model so that preferences over alternatives are constructed from given preferences defined over various characteristics of the alternatives under consideration. I characterise the decision problem before investigating what conditions a procedure for aggregating preferences over attributes into preferences over alternatives must satisfy in order for the latter to be rational. I then consider what the implications of these conditions for the procedural rationality of the aggregation process.
Commercial Milk Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Kit Reactivities to Purified Milk Proteins and Milk‐Derived Ingredients
Authors: Ivens Katherine O. , Baumert Joseph L. , Taylor Steve L. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractNumerous commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits exist to quantitatively detect bovine milk residues in foods. Milk contains many proteins that can serve as ELISA targets including caseins (α‐, β‐, or κ‐casein) and whey proteins (α‐lactalbumin or β‐lactoglobulin). Nine commercially‐available milk ELISA kits were selected to compare the specificity and sensitivity with 5 purified milk proteins and 3 milk‐derived ingredients. All of the milk kits were capable of quantifying nonfat dry milk (NFDM), but did not necessarily detect all individual protein fractions. While milk‐derived ingredients were detected by the kits, their quantitation may be inaccurate due to the use of different calibrators, reference materials, and antibodies in kit development. The establishment of a standard reference material for the calibration of milk ELISA kits is increasingly important. The appropriate selection and understanding of milk ELISA kits for food analysis is critical to accurate quantification of milk residues and informed risk management decisions.
Salvianolic acid A improves intestinal motility in diabetic rats through antioxidant capacity and upregulation of nNOS
Authors: Yu Xiao Yan , Zhang Li , Yang Xiu Ying , Li Xiao Ting , Du Guan Hua 
Published: June 2016

ObjectiveThis study aimed to detect the effect of a new herbal extract salvianolic acid A (SalA) on gastrointestinal complications in diabetic rats.MethodsAltogether 80 rats were divided randomly into five groups, including normal control (NC) group, high‐fat (HF) diet group, diabetes mellitus (DM) control group, and DM treated with SalA (0.1 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg) groups, respectively. DM was induced by feeding the rats with HF diet and the administration of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). Four weeks after the establishment of the DM model, the rats received SalA or double distilled water for 8 weeks. After the evaluation of intestinal motility, the animals were sacrificed and their intestines were isolated and collected. The levels of advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected. Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expressions in the intestine were also detected.ResultsCompared with the NC and HF rats, the DM control rats showed significantly increased blood glucose level and decreased weight. Compared with the DM control group, SalA did not influence their weight and blood glucose level, but significantly reduced the levels of AGE and MDA. Intestinal transit was promoted by SalA in diabetic rats, and the expressions of PGP9.5 and nNOS in the intestine were both upregulated.ConclusionThe effect of SalA on the intestinal motility of diabetic rats might be due to its antioxidant capacity and restoring nNOS expression.
Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Upala Sikarin , Jaruvongvanich Veeravich , Riangwiwat Tanawan , Jaruvongvanich Suthinee , Sanguankeo Anawin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo systematically review and quantify the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and metabolic parameters in individuals with H. pylori infection.MethodsA systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed. Inclusion criteria were observational studies assessing the association between H. pylori infection and MS in adult participants. We calculated the pooled effect estimate of MS with 95% confidence interval (CI) between patients infected with H. pylori and those without by using a random‐effects model. The secondary outcomes were the differences between groups in homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP).ResultsAltogether 18 trials with 27 544 participants met the inclusion criteria. Six trials were included in the analysis of MS. There was a statistically significant association between H. pylori and MS with a pooled odds ratio of 1.34 (95% CI 1.17–1.53, I2 = 39%, Pheterogeneity < 0.01). Between the infected and non‐infected groups there were significant differences in FBG, HDL‐C, BMI, triglyceride, HOMA‐IR and SBP (all P < 0.05).ConclusionH. pylori infection is positively associated with MS. Infection with H. pylori is also associated with higher triglyceride, FBG, BMI, HOMA‐IR, SBP and lower HDL‐C.
Ecology of aspergillosis: insights into the pathogenic potency of Aspergillus fumigatus and some other Aspergillus species
Authors: Paulussen Caroline , Hallsworth John E. , Álvarez‐Pérez Sergio , Nierman William C. , Hamill Philip G. , Blain David , Rediers Hans , Lievens Bart 
Published: June 2016

SummaryFungi of the genus Aspergillus are widespread in the environment. Some Aspergillus species, most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus, may lead to a variety of allergic reactions and life‐threatening systemic infections in humans. Invasive aspergillosis occurs primarily in patients with severe immunodeficiency, and has dramatically increased in recent years. There are several factors at play that contribute to aspergillosis, including both fungus and host‐related factors such as strain virulence and host pulmonary structure/immune status, respectively. The environmental tenacity of Aspergilllus, its dominance in diverse microbial communities/habitats, and its ability to navigate the ecophysiological and biophysical challenges of host infection are attributable, in large part, to a robust stress‐tolerance biology and exceptional capacity to generate cell‐available energy. Aspects of its stress metabolism, ecology, interactions with diverse animal hosts, clinical presentations and treatment regimens have been well‐studied over the past years. Here, we synthesize these findings in relation to the way in which some Aspergillus species have become successful opportunistic pathogens of human‐ and other animal hosts. We focus on the biophysical capabilities of Aspergillus pathogens, key aspects of their ecophysiology and the flexibility to undergo a sexual cycle or form cryptic species. Additionally, recent advances in diagnosis of the disease are discussed as well as implications in relation to questions that have yet to be resolved.
Repetitive flanking sequences challenge microsatellite marker development: a case study in the lepidopteran Melanargia galathea
Authors: Schmid Max , Csencsics Daniela , Gugerli Felix 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMicrosatellite DNA families (MDF) are stretches of DNA that share similar or identical sequences beside nuclear simple‐sequence repeat (nSSR) motifs, potentially causing problems during nSSR marker development. Primers positioned within MDFs can bind several times within the genome and might result in multiple banding patterns. It is therefore common practice to exclude MDF loci in the course of marker development. Here, we propose an approach to deal with multiple primer‐binding sites by purposefully positioning primers within the detected repetitive element. We developed a new protocol to determine the family type and the primer position in relation to MDFs using the software packages repark and repeatmasker together with an in‐house R script. We re‐evaluated newly developed nSSR markers for the lepidopteran Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) and explored the implications of our results with regard to published data sets of the butterfly Euphydryas aurinia, the grasshopper Stethophyma grossum, the conifer Pinus cembra and the crucifer Arabis alpina. For M. galathea, we show that it is not only possible to develop reliable nSSR markers for MDF loci, but even to benefit from their presence in some cases: We used one unlabelled primer, successfully binding within an MDF, for two different loci in a multiplex PCR, combining this family primer with uniquely binding and fluorescently labelled primers outside of MDFs, respectively. As MDFs are abundant in many taxa, we propose to consider these during nSSR marker development in taxa concerned. Our new approach might help in reducing the number of tested primers during nSSR marker development.
Testing specialization hypothesis on a stress gradient
Authors: Fazlioglu Fatih , Wan Justin S. H. , Bonser Stephen P. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSpecialization can allow plants to perform well in their home environments at the expense of poor performance in other habitats. A great difference in performance across habitats is observed as high phenotypic plasticity in performance traits and a by‐product of selection. However, phenotypic plasticity (particularly adaptive plasticity) can be an active response to the selection by allowing the maintenance of performance. Therefore, specialization and adaptive plasticity delineate two opposing strategies. The specialization hypothesis presents a non‐adaptive interpretation of plasticity and predicts that phenotypic plasticity of performance traits is greater in specialization to good habitats, whereas bad habitat specialists express low plasticity in performance traits. We tested the specialization hypothesis using plants adapted to extremely stressful mine‐site habitats (sites with highly acidic soil and heavy metal contamination). Seeds of five herbaceous species were collected from high stress (mine site) and low stress habitats. We established a glasshouse experiment where seedlings from high and low stress habitats were grown under near neutral pH and acid soil treatments. We compared performance trait plasticity (e.g. biomass) from high stress and low stress populations and found that there was no significant difference in performance traits between high and low stress populations across treatments. The overall result did not support the specialization hypothesis. Moreover, our results suggest that the species invaded the mine sites are either extreme generalists or the surrounding populations retain some stress tolerant genotypes that are capable of invading the mine sites.
Familial frontal fibrosing alopecia treated with dutasteride, minoxidil and artificial hair transplantation
Authors: Cranwell William C , Sinclair Rodney 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA 46‐year‐old premenopausal woman presented with familial frontal fibrosis alopecia affecting the temples bilaterally. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Her past history included rheumatoid arthritis treated with hydroxychloroquine 400 mg daily and methotrexate 20 mg weekly. Serial intralesional injections of triamcinolone did not limit the progression of hair loss. Treatment with dutasteride 0.1 mg daily and minoxidil 1 mg daily stabilised hair loss and artificial fibre hair transplantation initially led to a satisfactory cosmetic outcome. Unfortunately, the patient developed implant folliculitis uncontrolled by antibiotics, necessitating the removal of the fibres 12 months post‐transplantation.
Children with cancer share their views: tell the truth but leave room for hope
Authors: Jalmsell Li , Lövgren Malin , Kreicbergs Ulrika , Henter Jan‐Inge , Frost Britt‐Marie 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimOne in five children diagnosed with cancer will die from the disease. The aim of the study was to explore how children with cancer want to receive bad news about their disease, such as when no more treatment options are available.MethodsWe conducted individual interviews with ten children with cancer, aged seven to 17 years, at a single paediatric oncology unit in central Sweden. Interviews were audio‐taped and analysed with systematic text condensation. Bad news was defined as information about a potentially fatal outcome, such as a disease relapse, or information that the treatment administered was no longer working and that there was no more treatment possible.ResultsAll children expressed that they wanted truthful information and they did not want to be excluded from bad news regarding their illness. They wanted to be informed as positively as possible, allowing them to maintain hope, and in words that they could understand. They also wanted to receive any bad news at the same time as their parents.ConclusionChildren with cancer want to be fully informed about their disease, but they also wanted it to be relayed as positively as possible so that they could stay hopeful.