bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compliance and determinants of US-listed foreign firms’ 20-F filings under the new Securities and Exchange Commission accelerated deadline
Authors: Chan Kam C. , El-Gazzar Samir , Jacob Rudolph A. , Lee Picheng 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accelerated deadline on foreign firms, and the 20-F filing practices and factors relating to the filing lags.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors identified 338 firms that file 20-F reports with the SEC during the period of 2010 and 2011. The authors then used multivariate regressions to examine the effects of the shortened deadline on foreign firms’ filing practices and the factors associated with these practices. In the regression models, the authors also control for other firm characteristics that have shown to affect the filing lags of US firms such as firm performance, size, mergers and restructures, audit firm, compliance with internal control requirements under Sarbanes Oxley Act, internal control weaknesses, going concern audit opinion and operating complexity.

Findings
– Based on a sample of 338 US-listed foreign firms, the results indicate that there is a significant reduction in the filing lags and a change in their distribution for fiscal year 2011, as compared to the preceding year, and as intended by the SEC. The authors also find that 20-F filing lags are negatively related to the use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or US-GAAP in 20-F reports and use of the English language in foreign firms’ home countries.

Practical implications
– The findings of this paper are of interest to accounting regulatory bodies including the SEC, US Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board by showing that registrants respond positively to regulations intending to promote timeliness of accounting disclosures and reporting, although many firms may oppose them in the due process stage.

Originality/value
– The authors contribute to the extant literature by providing new evidence that 20-F filing lags are negatively related to the use of IFRS or US-GAAP in 20-F reports, and the use of English language in foreign firms’ home countries.
The changing landscape of retirement rules of thumb
Authors: Boyd Naomi E. , Cervone Davide P. , Neidermeyer Presha E. , Neidermeyer Adolph 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the continued adherence to “standing” rules of thumb for the percentage of pre-retirement income which should be available to retirees.

Design/methodology/approach
– An analysis of census data to determine both the cause and magnitude of the debt load which retirees are carrying into their post-working years.

Findings
– The “standing” rules of thumb appear to provide less than adequate levels of income for retirees to service their continuing debt load which they have chosen to carry into their retirement years.

Research limitations/implications
– Census data are subject to the accuracy of “captured information” provided by the surveyed individuals. In this case, the information captured is consistent with generally reported data on the sufficiency of retirement income.

Practical implications
– Financial planners need to “get the word out early” that individuals need to consider earlier/greater funding of their anticipated retirement income.

Social implications
– Rising retirees may be “precluded” from retiring as anticipated because of the insufficiency of the replacement income they will have during their retirement years.

Originality/value
– Detailed census data have not been reviewed in detail with a focus on “individual debt load” as we have performed in this research study.
Lean leadership: an ethnographic study
Authors: Aij Kjeld Harald , Visse Merel , Widdershoven Guy A.M. 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this study is to provide a critical analysis of contemporary Lean leadership in the context of a healthcare practice. The Lean leadership model supports professionals with a leading role in implementing Lean. This article presents a case study focusing specifically on leadership behaviours and issues that were experienced, observed and reported in a Dutch university medical centre.

Design/methodology/approach
– This ethnographic case study provides auto-ethnographic accounts based on experiences, participant observation, interviews and document analysis.

Findings
– Characteristics of Lean leadership were identified to establish an understanding of how to achieve successful Lean transformation. This study emphasizes the importance for Lean leaders to go to the gemba, to see the situation for one’s own self, empower health-care employees and be modest. All of these are critical attributes in defining the Lean leadership mindset.

Originality/value
– In this case study, Lean leadership is specifically related to healthcare, but certain common leadership characteristics are relevant across all fields. This article shows the value of an auto-ethnographic view on management learning for the analysis of Lean leadership. The knowledge acquired through this research is based on the first author’s experiences in fulfilling his role as a health-care leader. This may help the reader examining his/her own role and reflecting on what matters most in the field of Lean leadership.
Prescribed burning protects endangered tropical heathlands of the Arnhem Plateau, northern Australia
Authors: Murphy Brett P. , Cochrane Mark A. , Russell‐Smith Jeremy 
Published: April 2015

Summary

There are concerns that frequent intense fires are reducing biodiversity on the Arnhem Plateau within Kakadu National Park, northern Australia. Since the 1980s, prescribed burning in the early dry season has aimed to reduce the extent of late dry season wildfires. A programme of more strategic prescribed burning has been undertaken since 2007, aiming to increase intervals between fires affecting heathland and rain forest communities.

We assess the effectiveness of prescribed burning in Kakadu's Stone Country using a Landsat satellite‐derived fire history (1980–2011), in terms of achieving ‘tolerable fire intervals’ for dominant plant communities.

Our analysis indicates that fire regimes have become substantially more favourable for biodiversity since the early 1980s. Although annual extent of burning has remained unchanged, two significant changes in fire regimes have occurred over the long term: (i) a switch from late dry season dominance to early dry season dominance and (ii) an increase in the abundance of long‐unburnt vegetation, both of which are likely to benefit biodiversity. Demonstrating the statistical significance of changes associated with recent, more strategic fire management (2007–2011) is limited by the short duration of this management approach, although there is evidence of increasing abundance of long‐unburnt vegetation during this time.

The view that the Arnhem Plateau's fire regimes are increasingly driving biodiversity loss (due to frequent late dry season wildfires) is erroneous; they are in a more benign state now than at any time over the last three decades, most likely due to extensive use of prescribed burning.

Synthesis and applications. In highly fire‐prone landscapes, such as savannas, prescribed burning can be an effective means of: (i) bringing forward peak fire activity to the time of year when fire conditions are relatively mild and (ii) increasing abundance of long‐unburnt vegetation. These changes are likely to favour persistence of a range of fire‐sensitive communities. Our case study supports the strategic use of prescribed burning to protect fire‐sensitive biota within highly fire‐prone landscapes throughout the world.
Molecular adaptations of Herbaspirillum seropedicae during colonization of the maize rhizosphere
Authors: Balsanelli Eduardo , Tadra‐Sfeir Michelle Z , Faoro Helisson , Pankievicz Vânia CS , de Baura Valter A , Pedrosa Fábio O , de Souza Emanuel M , Dixon Ray , Monteiro Rose A 
Published: April 2015

SummaryMolecular mechanisms of plant recognition and colonization by diazotrophic bacteria are barely understood. Herbaspirillum seropedicae is a Betaproteobacterium capable of colonizing epiphytically and endophytically commercial grasses, to promote plant growth. In this study, we utilized RNA‐seq to compare the transcriptional profiles of planktonic and maize root‐attached H. seropedicae SmR1 recovered 1 and 3 days after inoculation. The results indicated that nitrogen metabolism was strongly activated in the rhizosphere and polyhydroxybutyrate storage was mobilized in order to assist the survival of H. seropedicae during the early stages of colonization. Epiphytic cells showed altered transcription levels of several genes associated with polysaccharide biosynthesis, peptidoglycan turnover and outer membrane protein biosynthesis, suggesting reorganization of cell wall envelope components. Specific methyl‐accepting chemotaxis proteins and two‐component systems were differentially expressed between populations over time, suggesting deployment of an extensive bacterial sensory system for adaptation to the plant environment. An insertion mutation inactivating a methyl‐accepting chemosensor induced in planktonic bacteria, decreased chemotaxis towards the plant and attachment to roots. In summary, analysis of mutant strains combined with transcript profiling revealed several molecular adaptations that enable H. seropedicae to sense the plant environment, attach to the root surface and survive during the early stages of maize colonization.
Distinct mechanisms contribute to immunity in the lantibiotic NAI‐107 producer strain Microbispora ATCC PTA‐5024
Authors: Pozzi Roberta , Coles Murray , Linke Dirk , Kulik Andreas , Nega Mulugeta , Wohlleben Wolfgang , Stegmann Evi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe investigation of self‐resistance in antibiotic producers is important to understand the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogens and to improve antibiotic production. Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized antibiotics that mostly target peptidoglycan biosynthesis. The actinomycete Microbispora ATCC PTA‐5024 produces the lantibiotic NAI‐107, which interferes with peptidoglycan biosynthesis by binding bactoprenol‐pyrophosphate‐coupled peptidoglycan precursors. In order to understand how Microbispora counteracts the action of its own antibiotic, its peptidoglycan composition was analysed in detail. Microbispora peptidoglycan consists of muropeptides with D‐Ala and Gly in similar proportion at the fourth position of the peptide stems and alternative 3‐3 cross‐links besides the classical 4‐3 cross‐links. In addition, the NAI‐107 biosynthetic gene cluster (mlb) was analysed for the expression of immunity proteins. We show that distinct immunity determinants are encoded in the mlb cluster: the ABC transporter MlbYZ acting cooperatively with the transmembrane protein MlbJ and the lipoprotein MlbQ. NMR structural analysis of MlbQ revealed a hydrophobic surface patch, which is proposed to bind the cognate lantibiotic. This study demonstrates that immunity in Microbispora is not only based on one determinant but on the action of the distinct immunity proteins MlbQ, MlbYZ and MlbJ.
Nut clusters and crisps: atrocity stories and co‐narration in interviews with approved mental health professionals
Authors: Morriss Lisa 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe article explores the telling of co‐narrated atrocity stories in accomplishing professional identity. Building on previous work, it is argued that group membership is a prerequisite for such stories to be told. Extracts from empirical data from interviews with social work approved mental health professionals are analysed using an ethnomethodological approach. The findings show how atrocity stories can be co‐narrated, not only by longstanding colleagues, but also by two unacquainted persons who share the same professional identity. The article concludes that the ethnomethodological concepts of vulgar competency, unique adequacy, indexicality and the documentary method of interpretation are key to understanding the accomplishment of co‐narrated atrocity stories.
Is Foxglove Effective in Heart Failure?
Authors: Chaggar Parminder S , Shaw Steven M , Williams Simon G 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundDigoxin is the oldest known treatment for heart failure (HF) and has been demonstrated to reduce admissions for worsening heart failure in a large randomized trial recruiting patients in sinus rhythm with heart failure and ejection fraction <45%. This study forms the basis for current international guidelines recommending that digoxin should be considered in patients with symptomatic HF despite optimal doses of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, β‐blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in addition to device therapy, if indicated. However, digoxin predates mortality reducing HF therapies, and this article reviews the historical and recent data.MethodsMultiple PubMed searches were performed including, but not limited to, the search terms “digoxin,” “heart failure,” “efficacy,” “treatment,” “side‐effects,” “morbidity,” “mortality,” and “arrythmia.” Articles were excluded if not relevant, not in English or without abstract. Reference lists of relevant articles were manually searched for further references. Due to the large number of articles retrieved, a selection was reviewed based on the authors’ best judgement.ResultsThree randomized controlled trials and three large contemporary observational reports of digoxin therapy in heart failure and sinus rhythm were retrieved. Other studies were noted that included patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, which were also reviewed.ConclusionDefinitive randomized evidence of digoxin efficacy as add‐on therapy in HF is lacking because most landmark trials of modern HF disease modifying agents postdate the randomized studies of digoxin. Furthermore, questions remain regarding the optimum dose of digoxin and there are signals that digoxin may be harmful in some patients with HF. All contemporary data for digoxin in HF are derived from observational studies and the findings are conflicting. Despite two centuries of experience using cardiac glycosides to treat HF, fundamental questions regarding the efficacy and safety of digoxin in HF remain unanswered.
Naloxone added to bupivacaine or bupivacaine–fentanyl prolongs motor and sensory block during supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Marashi S. M. , Sharifnia H. R. , Azimaraghi O. , Aghajani Y. , Barzin G. , Movafegh A. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundIn this study, the effect of naloxone on duration of supraclavicular brachial plexus block was evaluated. It was hypothesized that naloxone can increase the duration of neural blockade.MethodsSixty‐eight patients scheduled for surgery under supraclavicular brachial plexus block were randomly assigned to receive 30 ml bupivacaine (Group C); 30 ml bupivacaine with 100 μg of fentanyl (Group F); 30 ml bupivacaine with 100 ng naloxone (Group N); or 30 ml bupivacaine with 100 μg of fentanyl and 100 ng naloxone (Group N + F). Sensory and motor blockade were recorded at 5, 15, and 30 min following the block, and every 10 min following the end of surgery. Duration of sensory and motor block was considered to be the time interval between the complete block and the first postoperative pain and complete recovery of motor functions.ResultsSensory and motor onset times were the same in all groups. The duration of sensory and motor block in Group C (11.3 ± 1.7 h and 4.56 ± 1.0 h) and Group F (12.8 ± 3.3 h and 5.1 ± 2.0 h) were less than in the other groups (18.1 ± 2.2 h and 6.18 ± 1.0 h in Group N, and 15.8 ± 2.9 h and 6.53 ± 1.1 h in Group N + F,P < 0.0001).ConclusionAddition of naloxone to bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block prolonged the duration of the neural blockade.
Persistence of Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes masks the impact of human disturbance on weight and body condition
Authors: Lomas E. , Larsen K. W. , Bishop C. A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSpecies may remain present on developed landscapes over extended periods, suggesting viability, while in reality, populations may be indirectly affected in subtle and significant ways. We investigated indirect effects of human disturbance and habitat development on a population of the threatened Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Crotalus oreganus oreganus in British Columbia, Canada. We used mark‐recapture (n = 623 males and non‐gravid females, 2002–2011) and radio‐telemetry (n = 100 males, n = 4 non‐gravid females, 2004–2011) to examine weight, length, body condition, ecdysis and exposure risk in habitats of varying disturbance levels. Snakes in the most disturbed areas (<10 m to the nearest source of human activity or development) had lower weights and body condition, and they lost significantly more weight during the active season. Mean body condition of all snakes was stable or even increasing up to 2008 whereafter declines occurred in all categories, but particularly so for animals using disturbed habitat. Although there was some indication that ecdysis rates were affected by disturbance, we found no evidence that animals in disturbed habitat tended to be more exposed (i.e. distant from cover). Our findings indicate that there are consequences of occupying disturbed habitats, even though outward changes in behaviour or declines in density on the landscape are not detected.
Concurrent pyoderma gangrenosum and infection with Scedosporium apiospermum
Authors: Tilakaratne Dev , Ryan Emma , Pearce Annette 
Published: April 2015

AbstractWe present a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) following hip surgery, who developed an exacerbation of her ulceration in conjunction with new areas on her lower limbs. Clinically, features of PG and deep fungal infection were apparent. Scedosporium apiospermum was isolated from the ulcers.
Autofluorescence imaging in the differential diagnosis of optic disc melanocytoma
Authors: Salvanos Panagiotis , Utheim Tor P. , Moe Morten C. , Eide Nils , Bragadόttir Ragnheiður 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPurposeOptic disc melanocytoma (ODM) is a benign tumour that usually occurs on or adjacent to the optic nerve head. The aim of the study was to evaluate fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging as a diagnostic tool in ODM.MethodsRetrospective comparative case series study of six patients with ODM and a comparing group of four patients with juxtapapillary choroidal nevus (JCN) and four with juxtapapillary uveal melanoma (JUM). Clinical examination was supplemented with ultrasound B‐scan examination and spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography. FAF images were obtained with the 532‐nm laser (Optomap P200Tx) from all patients.ResultsClinical examination in the ODM group revealed a dome‐shaped, darkly pigmented tumour on or adjacent to the optic disc in all patients, with a mean tumour basal dimension 1.4 mm and mean tumour thickness by ultrasonography of 1.0 mm. FAF revealed a totally hypofluorescent mass with sharply demarcated, feathery edges. No hyperfluorescent changes due to orange pigment or subretinal fluid were seen. In contrast, patients with JCN and JUM manifested focal hyperfluorescence as well as larger hyperfluorescent areas at the tumour and its borders.ConclusionFundus autofluorescence imaging is a non‐invasive adjuvant tool in the differential diagnosis of ODM characterized by lack of hyperfluorescence compared to JCN and JUM.
Metformin versus insulin for gestational diabetes mellitus: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Li‐Ping , Sheng Xiao‐Yan , Zhou Shuang , Yang Ting , Ma Ling‐Yue , Zhou Ying , Cui Yi‐Min 
Published: April 2015

▪▪▪The aim of the present meta‐analysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of metformin for the treatment of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We searched databases, including PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing metformin and insulin treatments in women with GDM. We carried out statistical analyses using RevMan 2011 and used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations profiler to rate the quality of evidence of the primary outcomes. We analysed eight studies involving 1592 subjects. Meta‐analysis of the RCTs showed that metformin had statistically significant effects on pregnancy‐induced hypertension [PIH; risk ratio (RR) 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31, 0.91]. However, its effects on neonatal hypoglycaemia (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.62, 1.02), rate of large‐for‐gestational age infants (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.55, 1.08), respiratory distress syndrome (RR 1.26; 95% CI 0.67, 2.37), phototherapy (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.67, 1.31) and perinatal death (RR 1.01; 95% CI 0.11, 9.53) were not significant. Our analyses suggest that there is no clinically relevant difference in efficacy or safety between metformin and insulin; however, metformin may be a good choice for GDM because of the lower risk of PIH. The advantages of metformin in terms of glycaemic control, PIH incidence and gestational age at birth are unclear, and should be verified in further trials.
The clinical impact of staging bone marrow examination on treatment decisions and prognostic assessment of lymphoma patients
Authors: Painter Dan , Smith Alexandra , de Tute Ruth , Crouch Simon , Roman Eve , Jack Andrew 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis study investigates the value of performing a staging bone marrow in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL) and classical hodgkin lymphoma (CHL). The results of 3112 staging bone marrow examinations were assessed for impact on prognostic assessment and critical treatment decisions. The detection of marrow involvement altered the disease‐specific prognostic index for 4·3% of DLBCL, 6·2% of FL and 0·6% of CHL but marrow involvement in DLBCL was an independent prognostic factor. Knowing the marrow status potentially changed treatment in 92 patients, detection of these patients would have required 854 examinations to be performed.
The deterioration of Canadian immigrants’ oral health: analysis of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada
Authors: Calvasina Paola , Muntaner Carles , Quiñonez Carlos 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the effect of immigration on the self‐reported oral health of immigrants to Canada over a 4‐year period.MethodsThe study used Statistics Canada's Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC 2001–2005). The target population comprised 3976 non‐refugee immigrants to Canada. The dependent variable was self‐reported dental problems. The independent variables were as follows: age, sex, ethnicity, income, education, perceived discrimination, history of social assistance, social support, and official language proficiency. A generalized estimation equation approach was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables.ResultsAfter 2 years, the proportion of immigrants reporting dental problems more than tripled (32.6%) and remained approximately the same at 4 years after immigrating (33.3%). Over time, immigrants were more likely to report dental problems (OR = 2.77; 95% CI 2.55–3.02). An increase in self‐reported dental problems over time was associated with sex, history of social assistance, total household income, and self‐perceived discrimination.ConclusionAn increased likelihood of reporting dental problems occurred over time. Immigrants should arguably constitute an important focus of public policy and programmes aimed at improving their oral health and access to dental care in Canada.