280 research outputs found
The evolution of management control combination in the transformation toward hybridity: a case study
No full textThis paper investigates how management control (MC) practices evolve in nature and interrelationship as control problems develop in a dynamic environment. Drawing on coupling theory, it examines how three MC practices – cultural control, budgeting control, and performance measurement – are (re)coupled across two distinct periods in a Chinese state-owned company. During the organisational transition from a government-oriented model to a more complex hybrid-business model, the findings indicate that control problems increase in both scope and complexity. Correspondingly, the combination of MC practices shifts from more informal culture control loosely coupled with budgeting, towards a more rigid and comprehensive budgeting and performance measurement system, supported by more formal culture control in a tightly coupled combination. The study illustrates how MC combinations evolve from loose to tight coupling through simultaneous adjustments in individual practices themselves and in their responsiveness and distinctiveness when combined. This suggests that flexibility in control may lie in an organisation’s capability to adapt – by revitalising existing MC practices, introducing new ones, and reshaping their combinations – rather than in the fixed nature of any single practice or type of coupling. The findings contribute to the literature on MC combination in general, and on MC in hybrid organisations in particular, while offering important practical insights into enhancing the effectiveness of MC in organisations
Blockholders and corporate governance
No full textBlockholding has long been perceived as a harmful force to corporate governance due to its alleged exacerbation of minority expropriation, which is the core theoretical justification of recent worldwide ‘anti-blockholding’ regulatory movements. However, two facts should not be neglected that, first, although blockholding imposes risks of deepening Type II agency conflicts in public companies, it serves a crucial corporate governance role to minimise the Type I agency problem. Therefore, whether tightening rules that might disincentive blockholding is warranted can only be determined if the expected benefits outweigh associated costs. Second, while theories suggest that concentration empowers blockholders to expropriate minority shareholders’ interests, it is largely based on an over-simplified assumption that blockholders are homogeneous, sharing the same incentives and behaviours.To this end, viewing corporate governance as the reflection of a firm’s agency conflicts, this thesis aims to facilitate a more balanced view with a focus on disentangling the interactions between corporate governance and the nature of blockholders; particularly effects from the most passive blockholder type – state, and the most active type – hedge fund activists.Seeing audit fee as an indicator of firm’s extent corporate governance effectiveness, the thesis first examines the individual and joint impacts of the controlling shareholder’s (CS’s) three attributes – types, the level of control and control-ownership wedge – on audit pricing of Chinese public companies. Contrary to extant research suggesting that control concentration monotonically enlarges the agency problem and, eventually, audit fees, findings suggest such a relationship depends on the nature of control. It is interesting to find that the voting rights level of state CS is significantly negatively related to audit fee; whereas that of non-state counterparts is significantly opposite. This supports the view that auditors are likely to recognise incentive alignment as the dominant effect introduced by state control and entrenchment effect as the threat brought by non-state control. Furthermore, evidence suggests that auditors tend to perceive two-right divergence for non-state CSs as intentional and a risk indicator; but see that for state CSs as the expanding of control chain, which wears away the risk mitigation effects. To some extent, this thesis illustrates that control concentration, per se, does not necessarily impair corporategovernance; rather this impairment is caused by CSs’ unethical incentive and excessively large control without bonded ownership.Moreover, using a proprietary dataset of hedge fund activists together with 2002-2014 SEC 13D(/A) filings in US markets, this study next examines the impact of hedge fund activism (HFA) on risk perception of auditors, proxied by audit fee. It proposes that there should be a ‘learning curve’ for stakeholders to recognise long-term corporate governance benefits brought by this new wave of shareholder activism. Consistent with expectations, results show that, relative to those of matched controls, audit fee for HFA-targeted companies exhibits no differences pre-intervention; however, these differences emerge and increase significantly in the first three post-intervention audit engagements, followed by a fall back to the fifth post-event year. Furthermore, findings suggest that the post-intervention fee drop is negatively associated with the auditor-HFA experiences/encounters. Findings also suggest that these audit fee dynamics do not result from indirect effects caused by changes of firm’s fundamentals. Taken together, the results suggest that policymakers should not be urged to tighten regulations on HFA but instead should allow more time for this new breed of activist blockholder to be understood.Once the intangible perception gap between third party and presence of blockholders was addressed, in the final empirical analysis, this research further investigates tangible impacts of HFA on portfolio companies’ choice between real activity (REM) and accrual-based earning management (AEM) techniques as a result of their influences on the strategic aspect of corporate governance. Specifically, results suggest that target firms’ REMs via reducing/postponing R&D and SG&A expenses declined significantly during HFAs’ holding period; as well as after shares being withdrawn. This not only indicates that HFAs suppressed managers’ intention to deliver earnings at the cost of long-term performance; but also that such beneficial influences persisted in the short- and long-term periods after HFA’s disposal of shares. On the AEM side, the study reveals a significant increase in AEM after HFA intervention. This supports the expectation that targeted companies reallocate reduced earnings to AEM as a result of HFAs’ demand for balancing stakes among stakeholders and earnings-smoothing. Overall, these findings support the previous view that HFA serves as a remedy for extant corporate governance
The combination of management control practices
No full textThe combination of management control (MC) practices has become a topic of great and enduring interest and concern in management accounting literature. Traditional contingency-based MC research has been criticized about over-emphasizing the benefit from MC practices fitting with organizational context and thus ignoring the benefit from internal consistency among MC practices. Building on this, more and more scholars recognized that the functions and characteristics of individual MC practices may be linked to other MC practices, rather than being only impacted from organizational contexts. Thus, MC researchers are now paying more attention to the combination of MC practices. As the development of MC combination research, a system vs package debate emerges for illustrating MC combination. To address the debate, different views about the debate arose, such as ‘irreconcilable dualism’, ‘unseparated and reconcilable two concepts’ and ‘goes beyond the duality’. However, the emergence of these various views to some extent reflects that MC combination is not thoroughly studied and needs to be further explored, such as what, why and how MC practices are linked to each other. To extent our understanding of MC combination, the thesis was designed to explore the nature and characteristics of the construct and examining it in operation at organizational level. To achieve the objective, three independent and related papers are conducted. The first paper synthesized MC combination literature to elaborate the overview of MC combination by a systematic literature review. We identified two MC combination research streams and discuss how MC combination is studied in both streams. Some research gaps and future research directions are highlighted. The second and third paper, by conducting case studies, empirically explore how MC combination is operated under institutional environment to address organizational objectives. Both papers illustrate the complexity and dynamic of MC combination, respectively. Thus, the thesis, on the one hand, contributes to enrich the understanding of MC combination and theorizing MC combination. On the other hand, the thesis provides practical implications by contributing to researchers for future research and practitioners like organizational managers for considering the design of MC practices
Synthesis and characterization of bio-based poly(butylene furandicarboxylate)-b-poly(tetramethylene glycol) copolymers
No full textPoly(butylene furandicarboxylate)-b-poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PBF-PTMG) copolymers were synthesized from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG, the M-n is 1000 g/mol) through a process of esterification and polycondensation. The copolymers were characterized by H-1 NMR, GPC, DSC, POM, XRD, TGA and tensile strength measurements. The weight content of PTMG segments in the copolymers was 19.7%, 39.4% and 59.6% respectively, and their M-w,, ranged from 59,300 to 85,900 g/mol. By combining the results of DSC, POM and XRD, they were block copolymers built up of crystallized PBF segments as the hard blocks and amorphous PBF and PTMG segments as the soft blocks, and the two segments were miscible in amorphous phase. As the content of PTMG segments increased, the glass transition temperature (T-g), the melting temperature (T-m), the crystallization temperature (T-c) and the crystallization ability of these copolymers decreased gradually, while their crystal structure changed little. For mechanical properties, the copolymers exhibited the characteristics of elastomers, showing good stress at break (16-26 MPa) and outstanding elongation at break (381-832%). The copolymers had greatly enhanced elasticity and flexibility properties as the content of PTMG segments increased, and the thermal annealing enhanced their tensile properties due to the more crystallinity and better regularity of PBF segments. Moreover, the TGA results revealed that PBF-PTMG copolymers had excellent thermal stability. Therefore, as novel bio-based copolymers, they might find applications in thermoplastics as well as elastomers. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Resolvase OsGEN1 mediates DNA repair by homologous recombination
No full textYen1/GEN1 are canonical Holliday junction resolvases that belong to the RAD2/XPG family. In eukaryotes, such as budding yeast, mice, worms, and humans, Yen1/GEN1 work together with Mus81-Mms4/MUS81-EME1 and Slx1-Slx4/SLX1-SLX4 in DNA repair by homologous recombination to maintain genome stability. In plants, the biological function of Yen1/GEN1 remains largely unclear. In this study, we characterized the loss of function mutants of OsGEN1 and OsSEND1, a pair of paralogs of Yen1/GEN1 in rice (Oryza sativa). We first investigated the role of OsGEN1 during meiosis and found a reduction in chiasma frequency by ∼6% in osgen1 mutants, compared to the wild type, suggesting a possible involvement of OsGEN1 in the formation of crossovers. Postmeiosis, OsGEN1 foci were detected in wild-type microspore nuclei, but not in the osgen1 mutant concomitant with an increase in double-strand breaks. Persistent double-strand breaks led to programmed cell death of the male gametes and complete male sterility. In contrast, depletion of OsSEND1 had no effects on plant development and did not enhance osgen1 defects. Our results indicate that OsGEN1 is essential for homologous recombinational DNA repair at two stages of microsporogenesis in rice.Chong Wang, James D. Higgins, Yi He, Pingli Lu, Dabing Zhang, Wanqi Lian
Early Palaeozoic alkaline trachytes in the North Daba Mountains, South Qinling Belt: petrogenesis and geological implications
No full textEarly Palaeozoic alkaline magmatism is widely preserved in the North Daba Mountains, South Qinling Belt (SQB), predominately composed of basalt–diabase and trachyte–syenite. The petrogenesis of the felsic rocks and their genetic connections with the mafic members remain controversial. Here, an integrated investigation, combining geochronology and whole-rock and Sr–Nd isotopic geochemistry, is conducted to further constrain the origin and tectono-magmatic evolution of the trachytes in Pingli–Zhuxi area, North Daba Mountains. Zircon U–Pb dating for the Pingli–Zhuxi trachytes yield ages of 406.0 to 427.9 Ma, which are close to those of the mafic rocks (420–455 Ma) in research area. The trachytes show relatively high SiO2 (60.88–63.87 wt.%) and total alkali (Na2O + K2O = 10.19–12.24 wt.%) contents, and are characterized by pronounced enrichment in LREEs and HFSEs, with insignificantly negative Eu anomalies and significantly negative Sr anomalies. All of the samples display low and variable initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.6959 to 0.7083 and narrow range initial 143Nd/144Nd ratios of 0.5123 to 0.5125 with positive εNd(t) values of +3.0 to +7.3, suggesting a depleted source. Together with the published data from coeval SQB diabases, our geochemistry evidences show regular and linear variations between mafic and felsic end-members, suggesting their closely genetic link. A plausible petrogenetic hypothesis for the genesis of the Pingli–Zhuxi trachytes implies a protracted process of fractional crystallization driven by separation of K-feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, apatite, and Ti-magnetite from a basaltic melt. Enrichment in REEs and HFSEs and similar geochemical characteristics point to that the Pingli–Zhuxi trachytes and the coeval mafic rocks originate from a cogenetic metasomatized lithosphere source in rift setting. Asthenospheric upwelling is a key factor for continental break up and lithosphere metasomatism. Collectively, melting of the metasomatized source, followed by protracted K-feldspar-dominated fractional crystallization, leading to the occurrence of the Pingli–Zhuxi trachytes in the North Daba Mountains.</p
Cycle slipping in discrete phase-controlled system
No full textThis paper considers cycle slipping of discrete phase-controlled system with periodic nonlinearity. The number of slipped cycles is an important characteristic of such nonlinear system. Based on Yakubovich-Kalman Lemma which establishes the equivalence between frequency domain inequalities(FDIs) and Linear matrix inequalities(LMIs), the conditions of estimating the number of slipped cycles are derived. Then dynamic output feedback controller is designed to guarantee the nonexistence of cycle slipping. As a result, the transient performance of discrete phase-controlled system is improved. A concrete application to impulse phase-locked loop (PLL) shows the applicability and validity of the proposed approach.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000243873603021&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Automation & Control SystemsCPCI-S(ISTP)
Ethmia anomala Zhu & Wang 2022, sp. nov.
No full textEthmia anomala sp. nov. (Figs 2, 11) Type material. CHINA, Shaanxi: Holotype ♂, Niutoudian (32.03ºN, 109.33ºE), Pingli, 772 m, 2.VIII.2016, leg. WX Feng & WT Shi, slide No. ZXJ20076. Diagnosis. The new species is similar to E. maculata Sattler, 1967 in forewing pattern. It can be distinguished by the black distal stripe of the forewing not connected with the distal stripe in the cell; by the uncus bifurcated in the distal 3/4, and the costa longer than half the length of the valva in the male genitalia. In E. maculata, the black distal stripe of the forewing is connected with the distal stripe in the cell; the uncus is bifurcated in the distal 2/3, and the costa is half the length of the valva (Sattler 1967: 121, fig. 60). Description. Adult (Fig. 2). Wingspan 27.5 mm. Head: Vertex white with a black spot, frons white. Labial palpus white, black dorsally in basal palpomere and in basal half of second palpomere on outer surface; third palpomere black at base, in distal 2/5 on ventral surface, near apex on dorsal surface. Antenna with scape black on dorsal surface and along posterior margin, white on ventral surface and along anterior margin; flagellum greyish brown, white in basal 3/5 along anterior margin. Thorax: Collar white, black basally. Mesonotum greyish white, with a black rounded spot anteromedially, with a pair of black spots medially and distally. Tegula greyish white, with black spot laterobasally. Forewing greyish white, black in basal 1/4 of costal margin; overlaid with 18 black markings: six black stripes in basal 3/5 below costal margin, the longest one extending from basal 1/3 transversely to distal 2/5 below costal margin, ovate silver grey spot laid between basal and second stripes, two short stripes in distal 2/5 below costal margin; cell with a short triangular black stripe beyond middle, with a black stripe at distal 1/3; distal stripe black, triangular, below its left placed a diffused spot; fold with black dot at base, rectangular stripe near base, with tadpole-shaped stripe near middle headed towards base, rounded black dot placed below its middle, narrow stripe above its middle; a black dot set near base above dorsum; ten marginal dots extending from distal part of costal margin along termen to tornus; fringe white basally, brown along middle of termen. Hindwing and fringe pale grey. Legs greyish white; coxa of foreleg with a black spot ventrally, femur and tibia black dorsally, tarsus black; femur of midleg mixed with black dorsally, with a black spot at base, tibia black dorsally, greyish white near base, at middle and at apex, tarsus black, greyish white at base of basal tarsomere and at apices of basal two tarsomeres; femur of hindleg mixed with yellowish brown dorsally, tibia with yellowish brown long hairs, tarsus mixed with black on inside, black at apical one tarsomere, black on outside, greyish white at apices of basal four tarsomeres. Abdomen: Male genitalia (Fig. 11) with uncus quadrate in basal 1/4, asymmetrically bifurcate in distal 3/4, slender and bending sideways, pointed apically. Gnathos shorter than uncus; caudal part inconspicuous; oral part lip-shaped, with fine denticles on posterior margin. Labis short digitate, with dense setae. Valva with costa longer than half of its length, almost uniform in width, rounded apically; sacculus sub-quadrate, produced inward to a stout process basally, dorsal margin with a small digitate process near base, ventral half with dense long setae; cucullus sub-quadrate in basal half, digitate in distal half, covered with dense setae. Juxta widely banded, posterolateral lobes narrowed to slender apex. Phallus curved basally, with several unequal cornuti, apical one largest, drop-shaped. Female unknown. Distribution. China (Shaanxi). Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin anomalus, referring to the uncus asymmetrically bifurcated in distal 3/4.Published as part of Zhu, Xiaoju & Wang, Shuxia, 2022, Study of the genus Ethmia Hübner, [1819] (Lepidoptera: Ethmiidae) from China with descriptions of six new species, pp. 176-192 in Zootaxa 5194 (2) on page 178, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5194.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/714706
Die Gänsehaut-Reaktion, emotionales Erleben und Musik: Einblicke in die interdisziplinäre Erforschung eines durch Musik evozierten rätselhaften Phänomens
No full textDie vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit der Gänsehaut-Reaktion, welche durch Musik als Reaktion auf starke Emotionen ausgelöst werden kann.
Das Ziel ist es, interdisziplinäre Forschungsperspektiven zu beleuchten, die Neurowissenschaften, Psychologie, Philosophie und Musikethnologie beinhalten. Des Weiteren soll auf die Bedeutung von biologischen, kulturellen und sozialen Faktoren eingegangen werden, welche emotionale Reaktionen auf Musik beeinflussen können.
Es werden die wichtigsten Forschungsergebnisse aus den thematisch relevanten Wissenschaften zusammengefasst und analysiert. Dazu werden theoretische Analysen, empirische Studien und experimentelle Ansätze verwendet.
Die Forschung zeigt, dass Emotionen durch Musik sowohl psychologisch als auch neurophysiologisch entstehen und dass die Gänsehaut-Reaktion ein evolutionäres Relikt mit thermoregulatorischen und emotionalen Funktionen ist.
Die vorliegende Arbeit betont die Notwendigkeit einer interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit, um die komplexen Mechanismen der Gänsehaut-Reaktion und der durch Musik ausgelösten Emotionen besser zu verstehen und neue Erkenntnisse zur Verbindung zwischen menschlichen Emotionen und Musik zu gewinnen
MEIOTIC F-BOX is essential for male meiotic DNA double-strand break repair in rice
No full textF-box proteins constitute a large superfamily in plants and play important roles in controlling many biological processes, but the roles of F-box proteins in male meiosis in plants remain unclear. Here, we identify the rice (Oryza sativa) F-box gene MEIOTIC F-BOX (MOF), which is essential for male meiotic progression. MOF belongs to the FBX subfamily and is predominantly active during leptotene to pachytene of prophase I. mof meiocytes display disrupted telomere bouquet formation, impaired pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes, and arrested meiocytes at late prophase I, followed by apoptosis. Although normal, programmed double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) form in mof mutants, foci of the phosphorylated histone variant γH2AX, a marker for DSBs, persist in the mutant, indicating that many of the DSBs remained unrepaired. The recruitment of Completion of meiosis I (COM1) and Radiation sensitive51C (RAD51C) to DSBs is severely compromised in mutant meiocytes, indicating that MOF is crucial for DSB end-processing and repair. Further analyses showed that MOF could physically interact with the rice SKP1-like Protein1 (OSK1), indicating that MOF functions as a component of the SCF E3 ligase to regulate meiotic progression in rice. Thus, this study reveals the essential role of an F-box protein in plant meiosis and provides helpful information for elucidating the roles of the ubiquitin proteasome system in plant meiotic progression.Yi He, Chong Wang, James D. Higgins, Junping Yu, Jie Zong, Pingli Lu, Dabing Zhang and Wanqi Lian
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