bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women on management board and ESG performance
Authors: Velte Patrick 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse women on management board and their impact on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in two European two-tier countries.

Design/methodology/approach
The empirical quantitative paper covers a sample of German and Austrian companies which are listed at the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt and Vienna Stock Exchange for the business years 2010-2014 (1,019 firm-year observations). A correlation and regression analysis is conducted to measure a possible link between gender diversity and ESG performance in these European countries.

Findings
Multiple regressions state that female members in the management board do have a positive impact on ESG performance, measured by the AssetFour database by Thomson Reuters. Surprisingly, CSR expertise does not have a significant impact on ESG performance, whether the implementation of a CSR committee has a positive and significant link with ESG performance.

Originality/value
The analysis is the first empirical study that has a focus on Germany and Austria as the main representatives of the European two-tier system. Findings have implications for both users and public policy and suggest that current national and European regulations on corporate governance and CSR could have a great impact on future CSR performance and market reactions.
Leadership as enabling function for flourishing by design
Authors: Elkington Rob , Upward Antony 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to alert the reader to the urgent need to address the most pressing challenge and opportunity of the twenty-first century, namely, leadership that enables flourishing for all forever.

Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper suggests a heuristic for the reader and supplies a working model of leadership as enabling function for flourishing that arises from a survey of the literature around leadership development, as well as a brief review of the literature on flourishing.

Findings
The paper highlights the reality that there are, as yet, only a small number of organizations and leadership that have conceptualized and implemented the notion of flourishing by design and that a great deal more research and implementation needs to occur to prove the validity of the model.

Research limitations/implications
There is a need to undertake quasi-experimental research in which leadership development praxis incorporates the element of flourishing by design and then action research through which the outcomes can be measured, modified and ongoing improvements iterated into the organizational design.

Practical implications
This paper suggests a different mindset and skillset for leadership and, by implication, leadership development. The ongoing research into “Seeking Best Methods for Leadership Development”, through the authors’ Round 1 Delphi survey has uncovered the elements of Human Capital, Social Capital, Structural Capital and Self Leadership, as core elements desired by global CEOs as necessary for an effective leadership development program. What the authors did not probe for, and need to probe for, is the element of “Flourishing Capital” or the degree to which the leadership might be developed to serve as an enabling function for flourishing for all forever.

Social implications
If organizations design flourishing into the raison d‘être of the organization, then organizations will seek and develop leadership that has flourishing as a core motif and focus. If organizational leadership supports and enhances flourishing as a central motif, then a shift will occur from profit only to profit that supports flourishing for all forever.

Originality/value
The paper highlights the reality that there are, as yet, only a small number of organizations and leadership that have conceptualized and implemented the notion of flourishing by design and that a great deal more research and implementation needs to occur to prove the validity of the model.
How green are you, really? Consumers’ skepticism toward brands with green claims
Authors: Ulusoy Emre , Barretta Paul G. 
Published: May 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between perceptions of brands advertising claims of environmental sustainability, intention to purchase such brands and the role of trust.Design/methodology/approachAdapted scales were used to measure perceptions of price–value perception, environmental concern, brand trust and purchase intention. Relationships were tested using simple regression and structural equations modeling.FindingsThe results suggest that consumers who did not report high environmental concern had high brand trust but no significant purchase intention; consumers who reported high environmental concern had significant intention to purchase green products, but negative trust in brands which were advertised with a claim to be green.Research limitations/implicationsEfforts to advertise green claims may only be effective for consumers without an intention to purchase green products, and may alienate consumers who are interested in purchasing such products. Structural equations modeling was tested on apost hocbasis with a sample size that did not warrant very good fit ratios.Originality/valueThe present study indicates that green claims may be misguided, and that products that have genuine green benefits may need to find alternative methods of communicating those benefits to consumers who intend to engage in sustainable consumption behavior.
Theoretical derivation of a Brie‐like fluid mixing law
Authors: Papageorgiou Giorgos , Amalokwu Kelvin , Chapman Mark 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTPrediction of the velocity of acoustic waves in partially saturated rocks is very important in geophysical applications. The need to accurately predict acoustic velocities has resulted in a widespread popularity of Brie's effective fluid mixing law. This empirical model together with Gassmann's formula are used routinely in fluid substitution problems in petroleum geophysics and seismic monitoring of carbon capture and storage. Most attempts to justify Brie's model have been focused on interpretation in terms of patchy saturation models and attaching meaning to the Brie parameter in terms of the patch size. In this paper, using a microstructural description of the rock and a parameter relating to capillary pressure, we calculate an effective fluid modulus that is very similar to Brie's law. The fluid mixing law we propose is independent of frequency and has a solid theoretical foundation. This proposed law produces analytically harmonic and arithmetic averaging at the endpoints. Our results indicate that Brie‐like behaviour may not necessarily be related to frequency‐ and patch‐size‐ dependent phenomena.
Quantifying spatial resilience
Authors: Allen Craig R. , Angeler David G. , Cumming Graeme S. , Folke Carl , Twidwell Dirac , Uden Daniel R. 
Published: May 2016

Summary

Anthropogenic stressors affect the ecosystems upon which humanity relies. In some cases when resilience is exceeded, relatively small linear changes in stressors can cause relatively abrupt and nonlinear changes in ecosystems.

Ecological regime shifts occur when resilience is exceeded and ecosystems enter a new local equilibrium that differs in its structure and function from the previous state. Ecological resilience, the amount of disturbance that a system can withstand before it shifts into an alternative stability domain, is an important framework for understanding and managing ecological systems subject to collapse and reorganization.

Recently, interest in the influence of spatial characteristics of landscapes on resilience has increased. Understanding how spatial structure and variation in relevant variables in landscapes affects resilience to disturbance will assist with resilience quantification, and with local and regional management.

Synthesis and applications. We review the history and current status of spatial resilience in the research literature, expand upon existing literature to develop a more operational definition of spatial resilience, introduce additional elements of a spatial analytical approach to understanding resilience, present a framework for resilience operationalization and provide an overview of critical knowledge and technology gaps that should be addressed for the advancement of spatial resilience theory and its applications to management and conservation.
Foraging choices of vampire bats in diverse landscapes: potential implications for land‐use change and disease transmission
Authors: Streicker Daniel G. , Allgeier Jacob E. 
Published: May 2016

Summary

In Latin America, the common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus is the primary reservoir of rabies, a zoonotic virus that kills thousands of livestock annually and causes sporadic and lethal human rabies outbreaks. The proliferation of livestock provides an abundant food resource for this obligate blood‐feeding species that could alter its foraging behaviour and rabies transmission, but poor understanding of the dietary plasticity of vampire bats limits understanding of how livestock influences rabies risk.

We analysed individual‐ and population‐level foraging behaviour by applying δ13C and δ15N stable isotope analysis to hair samples from 183 vampire bats captured from nine colonies in Peru. We also assessed the isotopic distributions of realized prey by analysing blood meals extracted from engorged bats and samples collected from potential prey species. In two adjacent but contrasting areas of the Amazon with scarce and abundant livestock, we used questionnaires to evaluate the incidence of feeding on humans.

Population‐level isotopic signatures suggested substantial among‐site variation in feeding behaviour, including reliance on livestock in some colonies and feeding on combinations of domestic and wild prey in others. Isotopic heterogeneity within bat colonies was among the largest recorded in vertebrate populations, indicating that individuals consistently fed on distinct prey resources and across distinct trophic levels. In some sites, isotopic values of realized prey spanned broad ranges, suggesting that bats with intermediate isotopic values could plausibly be dietary specialists rather than generalists.

Bayesian estimates of isotopic niche width varied up to ninefold among colonies and were maximized where wildlife and livestock were present at low levels, but declined with greater availability of livestock. In the Amazon, the absence of livestock was associated with feeding on humans and wildlife.

Policy implications. We provide the first insights into the foraging behaviour of vampire bats in habitats with common depredation on humans and show how vampire bat foraging may respond to land‐use change. Our results demonstrate risks of rabies transmission from bats to other wildlife and are consistent with the hypothesis that introducing livestock might reduce the burden of human rabies in high‐risk communities.
Caesarean section rates and adverse neonatal outcomes after induction of labour versus expectant management in women with an unripe cervix: a secondary analysis of the HYPITAT and DIGITAT trials
Authors: Bernardes TP , Broekhuijsen K , Koopmans CM , Boers KE , van Wyk L , Tajik P , van Pampus MG , Scherjon SA , Mol BW , Franssen MT , van den Berg PP , Groen H 
Published: May 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate caesarean section and adverse neonatal outcome rates after induction of labour or expectant management in women with an unripe cervix at or near term.DesignSecondary analysis of data from two randomised clinical trials.SettingData were collected in two nationwide Dutch trials.PopulationWomen with hypertensive disease (HYPITAT trial) or suspected fetal growth restriction (DIGITAT trial) and a Bishop score ≤6.MethodsComparison of outcomes after induction of labour and expectant management.Main outcome measuresRates of caesarean section and adverse neonatal outcome, defined as 5‐minute Apgar score ≤6 and/or arterial umbilical cord pH <7.05 and/or neonatal intensive care unit admission and/or seizures and/or perinatal death.ResultsOf 1172 included women with an unripe cervix, 572 had induction of labour and 600 had expectant management. We found no significant difference in the overall caesarean rate (difference −1.1%, 95% CI −5.4 to 3.2). Induction of labour did not increase caesarean rates in women with Bishop scores from 3 to 6 (difference −2.7%, 95% CI −7.6 to 2.2) or adverse neonatal outcome rates (difference −1.5%, 95% CI −4.3 to 1.3). However, there was a significant difference in the rates of arterial umbilical cord pH <7.05 favouring induction (difference −3.2%, 95% CI −5.6 to −0.9). The number needed to treat to prevent one case of umbilical arterial pH <7.05 was 32.ConclusionsWe found no evidence that induction of labour increases the caesarean rate or compromises neonatal outcome as compared with expectant management. Concerns over increased risk of failed induction in women with a Bishop score from 3 to 6 seem unwarranted.Tweetable abstractInduction of labour at low Bishop scores does not increase caesarean section rate or poor neonatal outcome.
The Potential Implications of a Brexit for Future EU Agri‐food Policies
Authors: Matthews Alan 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThis article examines the implications of a possible Brexit for the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and agri‐food sector. Five potential ways in which these implications might be felt are discussed: (1) implications for the future orientation of the CAP in the absence of the UK; (2) implications for the EU budget and the share devoted to the CAP; (3) implications for the future regulatory environment for EU farm and food businesses; (4) implications for agricultural research; and (5) implications for future EU trade and trade relationships. Because the UK is a net contributor to the EU budget, a net importer of agri‐food products from the EU, and punches above its weight in research terms, its withdrawal would have broadly negative effects for the EU farm and food sector. Whether the absence of the UK's voice in the Council of Ministers when discussing future agricultural, trade and regulatory policies would be counted as positive or negative depends on one's policy preferences in these areas. For those advocating a market‐oriented agricultural policy and a regulatory regime strongly anchored in science its withdrawal would be a loss.
Brexit: Breaking Away – Would it Pay?
Authors: Jongeneel Roel , van Berkum Siemen , Vrolijk Hans 
Published: May 2016

SummaryIn the event of a Brexit the UK would have to redefine its trade relationship with the EU and develop its own agricultural policy. We analyse the impacts of a UK–EU Free Trade Arrangement (FTA); a WTO MFN tariff rates scenario; and a UK Trade Liberalisation scenario (UK TL). In each scenario the effects of three different levels of direct payments to farmers are estimated: current levels, 50 per cent reduction and no direct payments. In the FTA and WTO scenarios, UK prices for agricultural products would increase due to the higher trade facilitation costs and the UK's loss of access to EU preferential import regimes, with positive impacts on producers but negative on consumers or users. In the UK TL scenario, prices for animal products tend to decline, while crop prices show an increase relative to the status quo. The effects on farm incomes reflect these changes in prices but incomes ultimately are strongly dependent on choice of agricultural policy with regard to direct payments. Full abolition of direct payments generally more than offsets the positive effects of output price increases on farm incomes. Direct payments of 50 per cent of current levels have more diverse impacts on farm incomes.
Change in Flavonoid Composition and Antioxidative Activity during Fermentation of Onion (Allium cepa L.) by Leuconostoc mesenteroides with Different Salt Concentrations
Authors: Lee Yu Geon , Cho Jeong‐Yong , Kim Young‐Min , Moon Jae‐Hak 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the change in flavonoid composition and antioxidative activity during fermentation of onion (Allium cepa L.) by Leuconostoc mesenteroides with different NaCl concentrations. In order to qualify and quantify the flavonoids during fermentation of onion, 7 flavonoids, [quercetin 3,7‐O‐β‐d‐diglucopyranoside (Q3,7G), quercetin 3,4′‐O‐β‐d‐diglucopyranoside (Q3,4′G), quercetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (Q3G), quercetin 4′‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (Q4′G), isorhamnetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (IR3G), quercetin (Q), and isorhamnetin (IR)], were isolated and identified from onion. During fermentation, the contents of flavonoid glucosides (Q3,7G, Q3,4′G, Q3G, Q4′G, and IR3G) gradually decreased, whereas the contents of flavonoid aglycones (Q, IR) gradually increased. Decline rates of the flavonoid glucosides increased with the addition of L. mesenteroides. Furthermore, the activity of β‐glucosidase, which is produced by L. mesenteroides, is dose‐dependently inhibited with different NaCl concentrations during fermentation. The presence of L. mesenteroides enhanced the antioxidative activity of onion as demonstrated using the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid), and reducing power assays. The enhancement of antioxidative activity was considered because the content of flavonoid aglycones increased during fermentation. However, the addition of NaCl may decrease the antioxidative activity; we surmise that this phenomenon occurs because of the inhibition of β‐glucosidase by NaCl. Therefore, we conclude that the addition of NaCl may be useful for the regulation of antioxidative activity via the control of β‐glucosidase action, during the fermentation of flavonoid glucoside‐rich foods.
Economic evaluation of single‐fraction versus multiple‐fraction palliative radiotherapy for painful bone metastases in breast, lung and prostate cancer
Authors: Collinson Lucie , Kvizhinadze Giorgi , Nair Nisha , McLeod Melissa , Blakely Tony 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntroductionSingle‐ and multiple‐fraction external beam radiotherapy (SFX‐EBRTandMFX‐EBRT) are palliative treatment options for localized metastatic bone pain.MFXis the preferred choice in many developed countries. Evidence shows little difference in how effectivelySFXandMFXreduce pain. However,SFXis associated with higher retreatment and (in one meta‐analysis) pathological fracture rates.MFXis, however, more time‐consuming and expensive. We estimated the cost‐effectiveness ofSFXversusMFXfor metastatic bone pain in breast, prostate and lung cancer in New Zealand.MethodsWe constructed a Markov microsimulation model to estimate health gain (in quality‐adjusted life‐years orQALYs), health system costs (in real 2011NZdollars) and cost‐effectiveness. The model was populated using effect estimates from randomized controlled trials and other studies, and New Zealand cancer and cost data. Disability weights from the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study were used in estimatingQALYs.ResultsAcross all three cancers,QALYgains were similar forSFXcompared toMFX, and per patient costs were less forSFXthanMFX, with a difference ofNZ$1469 (95% uncertainty interval $1112 to $1886) for lung cancer, $1316 ($810 to $1854) for prostate cancer and $1344 ($855 to $1846) for breast cancer. Accordingly, from a cost‐effectiveness perspective,SFXwas the preferable treatment option. Various sensitivity analyses did not overturn the clear preference forSFX.ConclusionFor all three cancers,SFXwas clearly more cost‐effective thanMFX. This adds to the case for desisting from offeringMFXto patients with metastatic bone pain, from a cost‐effectiveness angle.
Children with developmental dyslexia showed greater sleep disturbances than controls, including problems initiating and maintaining sleep
Authors: Carotenuto M , Esposito M , Cortese S , Laino D , Verrotti A 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimAlthough there have been frequent clinical reports about sleep disturbances in children with learning disabilities, no data are available about the prevalence of sleep disturbances in children with developmental dyslexia (DD). This study evaluated sleep disturbances in children with DD referred to a hospital clinic and compared their scores with healthy controls.MethodsWe consecutively enrolled 147 children (66% male) aged 10.26 ± 2.63 years who were referred by clinical paediatricians to the Clinic for Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry at the Second University of Naples with DD and 766 children without DD (60% male) aged 10.49 ± 2.39 years recruited from schools in the same urban area. Sleep disturbances were assessed with the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC), which was filled out by the children's main carers.ResultsCompared with the controls, the children with DD showed significantly higher rates of above threshold scores on the total SDSC score (p < 0.001) and on the subscales for disorders in initiating and maintaining sleep (p < 0.001), sleep breathing disorders (p < 0.001) and disorders of arousal (p < 0.001).ConclusionSleep disorders were significantly more frequent in children with DD than in healthy controls. A possible relationship between dyslexia and sleep disorders may have relevant clinical implications.
Morphometry of skeletal muscle capillaries: the relationship between capillary ultrastructure and ageing in humans
Authors: Bigler M. , Koutsantonis D. , Odriozola A. , Halm S. , Tschanz S. A. , Zakrzewicz A. , Weichert A. , Baum O. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimTo determine whether the ultrastructure of the capillary system in human skeletal muscle changes during advancing senescence, we evaluated the compartmental and subcompartmental organization of capillaries from vastus lateralis muscle (VL) biopsies of 41 non‐diseased persons aged 23–75 years.MethodsFrom each VL biopsy, 38–40 randomly selected capillaries were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and subsequent morphometry with a newly established tablet‐based image analysis technique.ResultsQuantification of the compartmental organization revealed most indicators of the capillary ultrastructure to be only non‐significantly altered (P > 0.05) over age. However, the peri‐capillary basement membrane (BM) was thicker in the older participants than in the younger ones (P ≤ 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a bipartite relationship between the two parameters: a homogenous slight increase in BM thickness up to the age of approximately 50 years was followed by a second phase with more scattered BM thickness values. In 44.5% of the capillary profiles, projections/filopodia of the pericytes (PCs) traversed the BM and invaded endothelial cells (ECs) visible as PC pegs in pale cytoplasm holes (EC sockets). Strikingly, PC pegs were often in proximity to the EC nucleus. In PC profiles, sockets were likewise detected in 14.2% of the capillaries. Within these PC sockets, cellular profiles were frequently seen, which could be assigned to EC filopodia, internal PC curling or PC–PC interactions. Quantification of the occurrence of peg–socket junctions revealed the proportions of empty EC sockets and empty PC sockets to increase (P ≤ 0.05) during ageing.ConclusionOur investigation demonstrates advancing senescence to be associated with increase in BM thickness and loss of EC and PC filopodia length in skeletal muscle capillaries.