39 research outputs found
Decoding the massive genome of loblolly pine using haploid DNA and novel assembly strategies
BACKGROUND: The size and complexity of conifer genomes has, until now, prevented full genome sequencing and assembly. The large research community and economic importance of loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., made it an early candidate for reference sequence determination. RESULTS: We develop a novel strategy to sequence the genome of loblolly pine that combines unique aspects of pine reproductive biology and genome assembly methodology. We use a whole genome shotgun approach relying primarily on next generation sequence generated from a single haploid seed megagametophyte from a loblolly pine tree, 20-1010, that has been used in industrial forest tree breeding. The resulting sequence and assembly was used to generate a draft genome spanning 23.2 Gbp and containing 20.1 Gbp with an N50 scaffold size of 66.9 kbp, making it a significant improvement over available conifer genomes. The long scaffold lengths allow the annotation of 50,172 gene models with intron lengths averaging over 2.7 kbp and sometimes exceeding 100 kbp in length. Analysis of orthologous gene sets identifies gene families that may be unique to conifers. We further characterize and expand the existing repeat library based on the de novo analysis of the repetitive content, estimated to encompass 82% of the genome. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to its value as a resource for researchers and breeders, the loblolly pine genome sequence and assembly reported here demonstrates a novel approach to sequencing the large and complex genomes of this important group of plants that can now be widely applied
Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science
Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138414/1/jia218442.pd
Voluntary disclosure of corporate strategy: determinants and outcomes. An empirical study into the risks and payoffs of communicating corporate strategy.
Business leaders increasingly face pressure from stakeholders to be transparent. There
appears however little consensus on the risks and payoffs of disclosing vital information
such as corporate strategy. To fill this gap, this study analyzes firm-specific determinants
and organisational outcomes of voluntary disclosure of corporate strategy. Stakeholder
theory and agency theory help to understand whether companies serve their interest to
engage with stakeholders and overcome information asymmetries. I connect these
theories and propose a comprehensive approach to measure voluntary disclosure of
corporate strategy. Hypotheses from the theoretical framework are empirically tested
through panel regression of data on identified determinants and outcomes and of
disclosed strategy through annual reports, corporate social responsibility reports,
corporate websites and corporate press releases by the 70 largest publicly listed
companies in the Netherlands from 2003 through 2008. I found that industry,
profitability, dual-listing status, national ranking status and listing age have significant
effects on voluntary disclosure of corporate strategy. No significant effects are found for
size, leverage and ownership concentration. On outcomes, I found that liquidity of stock
and corporate reputation are significantly influenced by voluntary disclosure of corporate
strategy. No significant effect is found for volatility of stock. My contributions to theory,
methodology and empirics offers a stepping-stone for further research into understanding
how companies can use transparency to manage stakeholder relations