bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Back pain, mental health and substance use are associated in adolescents
Authors: Kamper SJ , Michaleff ZA , Campbell P , Dunn KM , Yamato TP , Hodder RK , Wiggers J , Williams CM
Published: March 2018

Background

During adolescence, prevalence of pain and health risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and poor mental health rise sharply. While these risk factors and mental health are accepted public health concerns, the same is not true for pain. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between back pain and health risk factors in adolescents.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the Healthy Schools Healthy Futures study, and the Australian Child Wellbeing Project was used. The mean age of participants was 14-15 years. Children were stratified according to the frequency they experienced back pain over the past 6 months. Within each strata, the proportion of children that reported drinking alcohol or smoking in the past month and the proportion that experienced feelings of anxiety or depression was reported. Test-for-trend analyses assessed whether increasing frequency of pain was associated with health risk factors.

Results

Data from approximately 2,500 and 3,900 children in the two studies was analysed. Larger proportions of children smoked or drank alcohol within each strata of increasing pain frequency. The trend with report of anxiety and depression was less clear, although there was a marked difference between the children that reported pain ‘rarely or never’, and those that experienced back pain more frequently.

Conclusion

Two large, independent samples show Australian adolescents that experience back pain more frequently are also more likely to smoke, drink alcohol and report feelings of anxiety and depression. Pain appears to be part of the picture of general health risk in adolescents.

What is already known on this subject?

The prevalence of back pain rises steeply during the adolescent years, and is responsible for considerable personal impact in a substantial minority. During this time, indicators of adverse health risk such as smoking, alcohol use, anxiety and depression also increase in prevalence. Pain and lifestyle-related health risk factors can have ongoing consequences that stretch into adulthood.

What this study adds?

This study shows a close relationship between increasing pain frequency, and tendency to engage in health risk behaviours and experience indicators of poor mental health in adolescents. This study shows that pain may be an important consideration in understanding the general health, and health risk in adolescents.
Distinct and Complementary Functions of Rho kinase isoforms ROCK1 and ROCK2 in Prefrontal Cortex Structural Plasticity
Authors: Greathouse Kelsey M. , Boros Benjamin D. , Deslauriers Josue F. , Henderson Benjamin W. , Curtis Kendall A. , Gentry Erik G. , Herskowitz Jeremy H.
Published: March 2018

Twenty-nine protein kinase inhibitors have been used to treat human diseases. Out of these, two are Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) 1 and 2 inhibitors. ROCKs are attractive drug targets for a range of neurologic disorders; however a critical barrier to ROCK-based therapeutics is ambiguity over whether there are isoform-specific roles for ROCKs in neuronal structural plasticity. Here, we used a genetics approach to address this long-standing question. Both male and female adult ROCK1+/− and ROCK2+/− mice exhibited anxiety-like behaviors compared to littermate controls. Individual pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) were targeted for iontophoretic microinjection of fluorescent dye, followed by high-resolution confocal microscopy and neuronal 3D reconstructions for morphometry analysis. Increased apical and basolateral dendritic length and intersections were observed in ROCK1+/− but not ROCK2+/− mice. Although dendritic spine densities were comparable among genotypes, apical spine extent was decreased in ROCK1+/− but increased in ROCK2+/− mice. Spine head and neck diameter were reduced similarly in ROCK1+/− and ROCK2+/− mice; however certain spine morphologic subclasses were more affected than others in a genotype-dependent manner. Biochemical analyses of ROCK substrates revealed that phosphorylation of LIM kinase was reduced in synaptic fractions from ROCK1+/− or ROCK2+/− mice, correlating to overlapping spine morphology phenotypes. Collectively, these observations implicate ROCK1 as a novel regulatory factor of neuronal dendritic structure and detail distinct and complementary roles of ROCKs in mPFC dendritic spine structural plasticity. This study provides a fundamental basis for current and future development of isoform-selective ROCK inhibitors to treat neurologic disorders.

Significance Statement

The Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCK) 1 and 2 heavily influence neuronal architecture and synaptic plasticity. ROCKs are exciting drug targets and pan-ROCK inhibitors are clinically approved to treat hypertension, heart failure, glaucoma, spinal cord injury, and stroke. However development of isoform-specific ROCK inhibitors is hampered due to ambiguity over ROCK1- or ROCK2-specific functions in the brain. Our study begins to address this critical barrier and demonstrates that ROCK1 can mediate the dendritic arbor of neurons while both ROCK1 and ROCK2 heavily influence dendritic spine morphology. This study highlights distinct and complementary roles for ROCK1 and ROCK1 in prefrontal cortex structural plasticity and provides a fundamental basis for future development of isoform-selective ROCK inhibitors to treat neurologic disorders.
The IMMUNE-ASSOCIATED NUCLEOTIDE-BINDING 9 protein is a regulator of basal immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wang Yuanzheng , Li Yansha , Rosas-Diaz Tabata , Caceres-Moreno Carlos , Lozano-Duran Rosa , Macho Alberto P.
Published: March 2018

A robust regulation of plant immune responses requires multitude of positive and negative regulators that act in concert. The immune-associated nucleotide-binding (IAN) gene family members are associated with immunity in different organisms, although no characterization of their function has been carried out to date in plants. In this work, we analyzed the expression patterns of IAN genes and found that IAN9 is repressed upon pathogen infection or treatment with immune elicitors. IAN9 encodes a plasma membrane-localized protein that genetically behaves as a negative regulator of immunity. A novel ian9 mutant generated by CRISPR/Cas9 shows increased resistance to Pseudomonas syringae, while transgenic plants overexpressing IAN9 show a slight increase in susceptibility. In vivo immunoprecipitation of IAN9-GFP followed by mass spectrometry analysis revealed that IAN9 associates with a previously uncharacterized C3HC4-type RING finger domain-containing protein that we named IAP1, for IAN9-associated protein 1, which also acts as a negative regulator of basal immunity. Interestingly, neither ian9 or iap1 mutant plants show any obvious developmental phenotype, suggesting that they display enhanced inducible immunity rather than constitutive immune responses. Since both IAN9 and IAP1 have orthologs in important crop species, they could be suitable targets to generate plants more resistant to diseases caused by bacterial pathogens without yield penalty.
Inactivation of NUPR1 promotes cell death by coupling ER-stress responses with necrosis
Authors: Santofimia-Castaño Patricia , Lan Wenjun , Bintz Jennifer , Gayet Odile , Carrier Alice , Lomberk Gwen , Neira José Luis , González Antonio , Urrutia Raul , Soubeyran Philippe , Iovanna Juan
Published: March 2018

Genetic inhibition of NUPR1 induces tumor growth arrest. Inactivation of NUPR1 expression in pancreatic cancer cells results in lower ATP production, higher consumption of glucose with a significant switch from OXPHOS to glycolysis followed by necrotic cell death. Importantly, induction of necrosis is independent of the caspase activity. We demonstrated that NUPR1 inactivation triggers a massive release of Ca2+from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cytosol and a strong increase in ROS production by mitochondria with a concomitant relocalization of mitochondria to the vicinity of the ER. In addition, transcriptomic analysis of NUPR1-deficient cells shows the induction of an ER stress which is associated to a decrease in the expression of some ER stress response-associated genes. Indeed, during ER stress induced by the treatment with thapsigargin, brefeldin A or tunicamycin, an increase in the mitochondrial malfunction with higher induction of necrosis was observed in NUPR1-defficent cells. Finally, activation of NUPR1 during acute pancreatitis protects acinar cells of necrosis in mice. Altogether, these data enable us to describe a model in which inactivation of NUPR1 in pancreatic cancer cells results in an ER stress that induces a mitochondrial malfunction, a deficient ATP production and, as consequence, the cell death by necrosis.

Highlights

NUPR1 expression promotes pancreatic cancer development and progression

NUPR1-depletion is a promising therapeutic strategy to be used for treating cancers

NUPR1-depletion induces ER stress, mitochondrial malfunction and a significant switch from OXPHOS to glycolysis followed by necrotic cell death

Inactivation of NUPR1 antagonizes cell growth by coupling a defective ER-stress response and a caspase-independent necrosis.
mTORC1 controls glycogen synthase kinase 3β nuclear localization and function
Authors: Bautista Stephen J. , Boras Ivan , Vissa Adriano , Mecica Noa , Yip Christopher M. , Kim Peter K. , Antonescu Costin N.
Published: March 2018

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) phosphorylates and regulates a wide range of substrates involved in diverse cellular functions. Some GSK3β substrates, such as c-myc and snail, are nuclear-resident transcription factors, suggesting possible control of GSK3β function by regulation of its nuclear localization. Inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1) led to partial redistribution of GSK3β from the cytosol to the nucleus, and GSK3β-dependent reduction of the expression of c-myc and snail. mTORC1 is controlled by metabolic cues, such as by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) or amino acid abundance. Indeed AMPK activation or amino acid deprivation promoted GSK3β nuclear localization in an mTORC1-dependent manner. GSK3β was detected in several distinct endomembrane compartments, including lysosomes. Consistently, disruption of late endosomes/lysosomes through perturbation of Rab7 resulted in loss of GSK3β from lysosomes, and enhanced GSK3β nuclear localization as well as GSK3β-dependent reduction of c-myc levels. This indicates that GSK3β nuclear localization and function is suppressed by mTORC1, and suggests a new link between metabolic conditions sensed by mTORC1 and GSK3β-dependent regulation of transcriptional networks controlling biomass production.

Summary statement (15-30 words)

GSK3β nuclear localization and function is negatively regulated by the metabolic and mitogenic sensor mTORC1. mTORC1 control of GSK3β localization requires Rab7 and lysosomal membrane traffic.
ASD and ADHD have a similar burden of rare protein-truncating variants
Authors: Satterstrom F. Kyle , Walters Raymond K. , Singh Tarjinder , Wigdor Emilie M. , Lescai Francesco , Demontis Ditte , Kosmicki Jack A. , Grove Jakob , Stevens Christine , Bybjerg-Grauholm Jonas , Bækvad-Hansen Marie , Palmer Duncan S. , Maller Julian B. ,   iPSYCH-Broad Consortium, Nordentoft Merete , Mors Ole , Robinson Elise B. , Hougaard David M. , Werge Thomas M. , Mortensen Preben Bo , Neale Benjamin M. , Børglum Anders D. , Daly Mark J.
Published: March 2018

Main Text
Analysis of novel domain-specific mutations in the zebrafishndr2/cyclopsgene generated using CRISPR-Cas9 RNPs
Authors: Turner Ashley N. , Andersen Reagan S. , Bookout Ivy E. , Brashear Lauren N. , Davis James C. , Gahan David M. , Gotham John P. , Hijaz Baraa A. , Kaushik Ashish S. , McGill Jordan B , Miller Victoria L. , Moseley Zachariah P. , Nowell Cerissa L. , Patel Riddhi K. , Rodgers Mia C. , Shihab Yazen A. , Walker Austin P. , Glover Sarah R. , Foster Samantha D. , Challa Anil K.
Published: March 2018

Nodal-related protein (ndr2) is a member of the transforming growth factor type β superfamily of factors and is required for ventral midline patterning of the embryonic central nervous system in zebrafish. In humans, mutations in the gene encoding nodal cause holoprosencephaly and heterotaxy. Mutations in thendr2gene in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) lead to similar phenotypes, including loss of the medial floor plate, severe deficits in ventral forebrain development, and cyclopia. Alleles of thendr2gene have been useful in studying patterning of ventral structures of the central nervous system. Fifteen differentndr2alleles have been reported in zebrafish, of which eight were generated using chemical mutagenesis, four were radiation-induced, and the remaining alleles were obtained via random insertion, gene targeting (TALEN), or unknown methods. Therefore, most mutation sites were random and could not be predicteda priori. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system fromStreptococcus pyogenes, we targeted distinct regions in all three exons of zebrafishndr2and observed cyclopia in the injected (G0) embryos. We show that the use of sgRNA-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes can cause penetrant cyclopic phenotypes in injected (G0) embryos. Targeted PCR amplicon analysis using Sanger sequencing showed that most of the alleles had small indels resulting in frameshifts. The sequence information correlates with the loss of ndr2 activity. In this study, we validate multiple CRISPR targets using anin vitronuclease assay andin vivoanalysis using embryos. We describe one specific mutant allele resulting in loss of conserved terminal cysteine-coding sequences. This study is another demonstration of the utility of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in generating domain- specific mutations and provides further insights into the structure-function of thendr2gene.
Xchromosome and autosomal recombination are differentially sensitive to disruptions in SC maintenance
Authors: Billmyre Katherine Kretovich , Cahoon Cori K. , Heenan G. Matthew , Wesley Emily , Yu Zulin , Unruh Jay R. , Takeo Satomi , Hawley R. Scott
Published: March 2018

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a conserved meiotic structure that regulates the repair of double strand breaks (DSBs) into crossovers or gene conversions. The removal of any central region SC component, such as theDrosophila melanogastertransverse filament protein C(3)G, causes a complete loss of SC structure and crossovers. To better understand the role of the SC in meiosis, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to construct three in-frame deletions within the predicted coiled-coil region of the C(3)G protein. These three deletion mutants disrupt SC maintenance at different times during pachytene and exhibit distinct defects in key meiotic processes, allowing us to define the stages of pachytene when the SC is necessary for homolog pairing and recombination. Our studies demonstrate that theXchromosome and the autosomes display substantially different defects in pairing and recombination when SC structure is disrupted, suggesting that theXchromosome is potentially regulated differently than the autosomes.
A novel GATA-binding protein 4 gene variation associated with familial atrial septal defect
Authors: Yang Yongchao , Xia Yu , Wu Yueheng , Huang Shufang , Teng Yun , Liu Xiaobing , Li Ping , Chen Jimei , Zhuang Jian
Published: March 2018

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the most common congenital heart defect. Part of ASD exhibits familial predisposition, but the genetic mechanism remains largely unknown. In the current study, we use multiple methods to identify and confirm the gene associated with a familial ASD. Chromosomal microarray analyses, whole exome sequencing, Sanger sequencing, multiple bioinformatics programs, in silico protein structure modeling and molecular dynamics simulation were performed to predict the pathogenic of the variant gene. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to evaluate the influence of downstream target gene of the target variation. A novel, heterozygous, missense variant GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA4):c.958C>T, p.R320W was identified. An autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with incomplete penetrance was observed in the family. Multiple prediction indicate the variant in GATA4 to be deleterious. Molecular dynamics simulation further revealed that the variation of p.R320W could prevent the zinc finger of GATA4 from interacting with the DNA. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated a significant decrease in transcriptional activity (0.90±0.099 vs 1.50±0.079, p = 0.001) of the variant GATA4 compared with the wild type. We believe the novel variation of GATA4 (c.958C>T, p.R320W) with a pattern of incomplete inheritance that may be highly associated with this familial ASD. The finding enriched our knowledge of variations that may associated with ASD.
Synthesis, structure characterization, photoluminescence properties and TD–DFT calculations for two new borates
Authors: Hadjadj Nasreddine , Dems Mohamed AbdEsselem , Merazig Hocine , Bendjeddou Lamia
Published: March 2018

Due to their rich structural chemistry and wide variety of applications, borate materials have provided a rich area of research. In a continuation of this research, diethylammonium bis(2-oxidobenzoato-κ2
O
1,O
2)borate, C4H12N+·BO4(C7H4O)2
−, (1), and propylammonium bis(2-oxidobenzoato-κ2
O
1,O
2)borate, C3H10N+·BO4(C7H4O)2
−, (2), have been synthesized by the reaction of boric acid with salicylic acid under ambient conditions. In both structures, the B atom exhibits a slightly distorted tetrahedral environment formed by the bidentate coordination of two salicylate anions via the O atoms of the central carboxylate and oxide groups. In the crystals of salts (1) and (2), mixed cation–anion layers lying parallel to the (101) plane are formed through N—H...O, C—H...O and C—H...π/N—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions, resulting, in each case, in a two-dimensional supramolecular architecture in the solid state. The photoluminescence properties of the salts were studied using the as-synthesized samples and reveal that salts (1) and (2) both display a strong blue-light emission, with maxima at 489 and 491 nm, respectively. In DFT/TD–DFT (time-dependent density functional theory) studies, the blue emission appears to be derived from an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) excited state. In addition, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies were used to investigate the title salts.
Action for increasing energy-saving behaviour in student residences at Rhodes University, South Africa
Authors: Bulunga Angel Ancha Lindelwa , Thondhlana Gladman
Published: March 2018

Purpose

In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered as a tool for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in campus residences. This paper aims to report on a pilot programme aimed at reducing energy consumption via behaviour change interventions, variably applied in residences at Rhodes University, South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via structured questionnaires, energy consumption records and post-intervention programme focus group discussions.

Findings

Participant residences that received a mix of different interventions in the forms of pamphlets, face-to-face discussions, incentives and feedback recorded more energy reductions of up to 9 per cent than residences that received a single or no intervention. In post-experiment discussions, students cited personal, institutional and structural barriers to pro-environmental energy-use behaviour.

Practical implications

Overall, the results of this study suggest that information provision of energy-saving tips combined with regular feedback and incentives can result in energy-use reductions in university residences, which may yield environmental and economic benefits for universities, but addressing barriers to pro-environmental behaviour might maximise the results.

Originality/value

Given the lack of literature on energy conservation in the global South universities, this study provides the basis for discussing the potential for using behavioural interventions in universities for stirring pathways towards sustainability.
Finite element investigation on mode I crack tip characteristics in residually stressed glare
Authors: Bhat Sunil , Narayanan S.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Behavior of mode I crack tip in fiber metal laminate (FML) differs from that in homogeneous or plain specimen made of metal used in the laminate due to the load transfer effect in the laminate caused by property mismatch between dissimilar material layers. The purpose of this paper is to present a finite element investigation on the characteristics of crack tip in monotonically loaded and residually stressed FML.

Design/methodology/approach

Crack tip characteristics are assessed by: the sizes of various zones that form at the tip; and crack tip energy release rates. The same are found by modeling two types of Glare laminates under monotonic tension with different crack orientations in SSY regime – Type I and Type II. Residual stresses are externally introduced in the models. Delaminations are modeled by cohesive elements. Crack tip zone sizes are measured from finite element solutions. Values of J integrals are computed over cyclic paths near the crack tips. Identically cracked and loaded plain aluminum alloy specimens are also modeled for comparison.

Findings

The sizes of crack tip zones in Glare laminates are found to be different than those in plain specimens. Process zone is observed to form at crack tip in Type I laminate whereas it does not develop in Type II laminate, the reverse being true in plain specimens. Values of J integrals near crack tips are also found to deviate from those in plain specimens, higher in Type I laminate due to crack tip stress amplification and lower in Type II laminate due to stress reduction. Crack orientation decides the amplification or shielding effect in the laminate.

Research limitations/implications

There is scope for validating the numerical results reported in the paper by theoretical models.

Practical implications

The method to quantify crack tip shielding and amplification is presented that shall be useful in checking the structural integrity/safety of the laminate during actual service conditions.

Originality/value

Shielding and amplification effects are explicitly described and illustrated in the paper. Suitability of using J integrals over paths crossing non-homogeneous and property mismatched material layers is tested. Use of cohesive zone method that is readily applicable in finite element procedures and is relatively simple, fast and reasonably accurate is also demonstrated.
Social media research in the context of emerging markets
Authors: Tamilmani Kuttimani , Rana Nripendra P. , Alryalat Mohammad Abdallah Ali , Al-Khowaiter Wassan A.A. , Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Despite the potential of social media in emerging markets (EMs), only a few studies published in high-quality information systems (IS) journals that have addressed issues related to social media in the context of EMs. The purpose of this paper is to analyse existing research related to social media published in high-quality IS journals for exploring initial research trends, emerging themes, limitations and future research directions in the context of EMs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a systematic review of 22 articles on social media, which were published in the “Senior Scholars Basket of IS Journals and Information Systems Frontiers” from 1997 to 2017. Manual literature search approach (i.e. screening through the table of contents of each journal) was employed to identify relevant articles. The content of relevant articles was systematically analysed and synthesised along with keyword analysis to understand research trends on social media related issues in the EMs context.

Findings

The study identified four major themes from existing research on the social media in the context of EMs, namely: social media frameworks; social media and consumers; social media and organisations; and social media and society with the majority of the studies focussing on consumers. A single subject was found as the major limitation with studies analysed focussing on single platform/country/domain hindering the generalisability whereas including a new exogenous variable to improve the validity of existing studies emerged as main future research direction.

Originality/value

This study conducted literature review on social media in EMs, which have not been undertaken yet. Moreover, it employed manual search (an effort and time-intensive approach) to overcome the shortcomings of keyword search to identify, locate, select and analyse the social media literature in the context of EMs.
Asset misappropriation in small businesses
Authors: Kennedy Jay P.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to increase the understanding of the types of insider financial frauds that occur within small businesses by focusing on a sample of businesses that have not employed a certified fraud examiner (CFE) in response to employee theft.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey data analyzed come from 102 small businesses (100 employees or fewer) in a midsized Midwestern city in the USA, and reflect 125 reported employee thefts.

Findings

The study results indicate that small businesses that do not hire a CFE report certain thefts with greater and lower frequencies as compared to small businesses that do hire a CFE. For particular types of frauds, CFEs may be no more useful than the efforts of business owners or managers, and other employees.

Practical implications

There may be important organizational differences between businesses that hire CFEs and those that do not, differences related to the ways in which business finances are maintained, the ways in which specific controls are used and the ability of employees to access business resources. These factors may create business-based opportunity structures that make particular types of insider financial frauds more or less likely to occur within a particular business.

Originality/value

Existing research on insider financial frauds may not appropriately account for small businesses that cannot afford, or are unwilling, to hire a CFE. The findings discussed in this paper contribute to a more complete picture of the types of frauds that small businesses experience, as well as how these businesses deal with insider theft.
Cheque kiting? I have an idea!!
Authors: Ilter Cenap
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the present cheque clearance system in the USA and its possible misuses in the practical sense. Cheque kiting has been a way of creating fictitious cash balances on the balance sheet, which is a fraud. This practice can be prevented by a different accounting treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares the cheque clearance system in the USA with the author’s own experiences from Turkey. It purports the riskiness of the present cheque clearance system on the financial statements and suggests a practical accounting application to prevent possible financial statement misrepresentations.

Findings

The paper explores that if the present accounting treatment is changed both for the banks and the businesses, the possibility of cheque kiting and misrepresentation of cash balances on the balance sheet will end. Basically, cash is the amount that can be used by the customer, the rest is not cash, it is “cheques in collection” and it should be treated as an account receivable until it is collected.

Practical implications

Financial statements are vital for the business world. Based on these statements, banks lend money, governments collect taxes and people buy and sell stocks. They need to be presented fairly. The present accounting application on cheque clearance is not transparent enough in the USA, and this might lead to misrepresentation of financial statements. The paper suggests a practical solution to this problem. By changing the accounting treatment, the companies will only show cash in their cash accounts and not the cheques in the collection process.

Social implications

Fair treatment is the motto for any situation we face in our daily lives. One may be a poor or rich person but the treatment should be fair unless he/she is a fraudster. A rich person’s cheque is deposited in his/her bank account the next business day, and a poor person’s cheque might take days to be credited. This is not a fair treatment. The paper suggests that there must be a one-way accounting treatment, regardless of the depositor’s financial situation.

Originality/value

This paper has been prepared based on the author’s past business experience in Turkey and his study of the US cheque clearance system, comparing the two. It reflects the real-world examples of cheque kiting and its negative consequences in the USA and proposes a solution.
Impact of fraud on Ghanaian SMEs and coping mechanisms
Authors: Andoh Charles , Quaye Daniel , Akomea-Frimpong Isaac
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of growth of most developing countries, as they employ a large number of people as opposed to large firms. Consequently, these enterprises should succeed in expanding to become significant employers and producers. However, what seems obvious at least through cursory observation is that the current state of SMEs betrays an economic loss with respect to the benefits that ought to be forthcoming from their potential. This loss can be triggered by a number of factors. The study determines the drivers of internal fraud and their impact on Ghanaian SMEs and prescribes coping mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data collected on 250 SMEs collected from various sectors across Accra, the capital of Ghana, are used for this study. Using a cross-sectional regression, the authors identify the key drivers of internal fraud that hamper the growth of Ghanaian SMEs.

Findings

The regression results show that although several fraud variables impact negatively the growth of the SME sector, it is only accounting fraud which is significant. This study also revealed that stealing, fake currency issued for the payment of goods or service and non-payment of goods or service account for almost 83 per cent of fraud cases experienced by SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to the SMEs located in the Accra, the capital of Ghana.

Practical implications

The study will offer SMEs owners methods that will assist in their determination to fight fraud in the business that they manage.

Social implications

The survival of SMEs is paramount to job creation. Consequently, combating fraud that stifle the growth of SMEs will allow SMEs to grow to their full potential and create more job opportunities for the unemployed. This will minimizes the social vices such as robbery, stealing, drug trafficking and prostitution that confront nations.

Originality/value

This study should be useful to managers of SMEs, auditors and the security agencies in developing economies in particular, in their quest to combat fraud within SMEs.
The creation of express, resulting and constructive trust in banking transactions
Authors: Demetriades George
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the circumstances where an express, resulting or constructive trust may arise in banking transactions, taking in consideration relevant case law. Bankers in certain situations could become a trustee or a fiduciary in relation to their customers. Emphasis is given on the issue of constructive trust as, after many years of inconsistent case law, a recent decision of the Supreme Court clarifies this controversial issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is focused primarily on examining relevant cases and judicial reasoning to identify the circumstances leading to the creation of express, resulting or constructive trust in banking transactions.

Findings

In certain circumstances, the banker could become liable as a trustee under equity. An express trust may arise between a banker and a customer in cases where the customer gives the money to the bank to fulfil a specific purpose. Where the bank is not able to fulfil this purpose, a resulting trust may arise and will hold the money as a resulting trustee. There are some exceptional situations, where the bank can be liable as a constructive trustee. An agent who receives benefits in breach of his fiduciary duty holds those benefits on trust for his principal.

Practical implications

Knowledge of the legal position and the circumstances that can lead to the creation of express, resulting or constructive trust is essential for both bankers and their clients to protect their interests. The flexibility of equitable remedies can be used to fill in the gaps or deficiencies in the common law. Clients of banks or even third parties in the case of constructive trust can be in a very advantageous position in circumstances where a trust for their money is created.

Originality/value

The paper takes in to consideration all updated academic papers and modern court decisions. The analysis provided in the paper can be very useful for bankers, their clients and practitioners. The paper clarifies the application of equity law and the creation of trust in certain banking transactions.
Adequacy of law enforcement and prosecution of economic crimes in South Africa
Authors: Swanepoel Andries P. , Meiring Jacolize
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Economic crime is a serious challenge to business leaders, government officials and private individuals in South Africa. Given the important role of law enforcement, prosecution and sentencing in deterring economic crimes, the purpose of this paper is to determine if law enforcement, prosecution and sentencing practices are deemed to be adequate in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data from Web-based and manual questionnaires were used to empirically analyse the perceptions of sentenced economic crime offenders and role-players regarding the statement that law enforcement and prosecution practices of economic crimes relating to fraud, corruption or tax evasion in South Africa are not adequate. The final realised sample included a total of 345 from the various populations of key role-players and a total of 82 economic crime offenders from a Gauteng-based correctional institution. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to test for significant differences between the views of role-players and economic crime offenders.

Findings

The majority of both groups of respondents is of the opinion that law enforcement, prosecution and sentencing practices in South Africa are not adequate with regard to economic crime offences, although statistically significant differences exist in the degree of agreement. The challenge is therefore to prosecute more economic crime offenders by improving law enforcement, prosecution and sentencing practices. The study also revealed that people have a reluctance to speak out about fraud, corruption or tax evasion or to report such offences for various reasons.

Originality/value

The research assisted in identifying the challenges economic crime presents and the shortcomings in current law enforcement, prosecution and sentencing practices in South Africa.
Transformational leadership and organizational commitment
Authors: Keskes Imen , Sallan Jose M. , Simo Pep , Fernandez Vicenc
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and to test three models in order to examine the mechanisms through which dimensions of transformational leadership influence different forms of organizational commitment by testing the possible mediating role of leader-member exchange (LMX) dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants in this study are represented by 427 senior executive French employees having a university degree and minimum two years of work experience in their current organization. The relationships between different variables were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that the dimensions of LMX mediated the relationships between the dimensions of transformational leadership and organizational commitment dimensions. The contribution dimension of LMX acts as a consequence, rather than an antecedent of commitment. These findings are important since they may serve as a bind between leadership dimensions and the kind of organizational commitment that each of these dimensions can generate in followers.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study that tests the interaction of transformational leadership and LMX on organizational commitment in a French context. The originality of this work leads on investigating these three concepts as multidimensional constructs and focusing on the mediating role of LMX in the relationship between dimensions of transformational leadership and different forms of organizational commitment which can be considered as a novelty in the field of research in this area. As a result, this study addresses concerns about that lack of academic research on the mechanisms by which transformational leaders influence the organizational commitment of their followers.
Expatriate academics in Malaysia: motivation, adjustment, and retention
Authors: Richardson Christopher , Wong Hsin-Wei
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Existing studies on expatriate academics (EAs) are primarily set in advanced-country settings, thus overlooking the EA experience in developing and emerging markets. With this in mind, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivating factors behind EAs taking up jobs in Malaysia, and their adjustment and retention experiences in their host country.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 EAs working in four public universities in Malaysia.

Findings

Among the chief motivating factors for expatriation were familiarity with the country, the perceived desirable cultural/religious environment, and favourable research environment. Adjustment-wise, there was something of a mixed experience, with most adjusting well socially, but many citing disappointment with work. Such sentiment has contributed to reducing retention plans among several of the respondents.

Originality/value

The study explores the EA experience in the context of an emerging market. At present much of the literature focuses on EAs working in advanced economies. This paper indicates that the motivation, adjustment, and retention cognition of EAs in emerging markets may not be entirely consistent with what previous studies have suggested.
Corporate governance compliance and accrual earnings management in eastern Africa
Authors: Waweru Nelson M. , Prot Ntui Ponsian
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether compliance with corporate governance (CG) requirements has constrained earnings management (EM) for companies listed in Kenya and Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises of 48 companies listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange and the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange. The data are collected from annual reports over the period 2005-2014, a total of 480 firm-year observations. Panel data models are used in the analyses.

Findings

The results show that discretionary accruals (DAs) average about 11.3 per cent, whereas audit quality is negatively and significantly related to DAs. However, board independence, board gender diversity and director share ownership were positively and significantly related to DAs suggesting that CG may not have constrained EM in eastern Africa.

Research limitations/implications

The findings should be understood within the context that only annual reports and audited financial statements that were filed with Capital Markets Authority (Kenya) and Capital Markets and Securities Authority (Tanzania) are used as source of information.

Originality/value

The study potentially contributes in three main ways. First, this is the first cross-country analysis that has examined the effect of CG structures on EM in an African context. Second, literature on CG and EM has been extended. Finally, the authors have extended research by observing the limitations of CG in reducing EM in an environment that is experiencing weaknesses in CG structures.
Against the scandal: itinerant curriculum theory as subaltern momentum
Authors: Paraskeva João M.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Keeping Spivak’s essay “Can the Subaltern Speak?” in mind, the purpose of this paper is to examine the itinerant curriculum theory (ICT) as a subaltern momentum unveiling how ICT informs subaltern ways of being and thus, potentially, the research lens for qualitative approaches. In this context, the paper examines how curriculum as an ideological devise produces an epistemicide – the killing of knowledge – an epistemological havoc cooked up daily in the process of qualitative studies promoting and legitimizing a specific modern western Eurocentric episteme.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper dissects modernity as a colonial zone, creating “abyssal thinking,” a eugenic system of visible and invisible distinctions that legitimizes the visible, i.e. “this side of the line” and produces “the other side of the line” as “non-existent.”

Findings

The paper urges the need to decolonize leading modern western Eurocentric counter-hegemonic traditions such as Marxism.

Originality/value

The paper analyzes ICT’s contribution to subaltern struggles, asserts ICT’s commitment against any form of canon, grabs the educational matrix of qualitative research as an eugenic beast from its very own ideological horns, alerting the need to examine any study of education and society within the ideological eugenic political economy and modes of production of systems pillared by poverty, exploitation, segregation, and intellectual rape.
Perception of 3D-printing: analysis of manufacturing use and adoption
Authors: Schniederjans Dara G. , Yalcin Mehmet G.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify ways in which five technology adoption theories converge to enhance insight on 3D-printing perceptions and adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 63 structured interviews were conducted with top management professionals from a variety of manufacturing organizations throughout the USA. After controlling for top management decision power, total of 35 interviews and non-parametric statistical analyses were used in conjunction with innovation adoption theory to derive four propositions.

Findings

Results show five adoption theories converge to create a new adoption model specific to 3D-printing. Results also suggests differences specific to users, potential users and non-users.

Originality/value

Results delineate between current, potential and non-users to better understand adoption. Dissimilar to current qualitative research, quantitative (non-parametric) techniques are used to examine the viability of the propositions. Further, the results use various adoption theories to determine convergences specific to 3D-printing.
Heat distribution in material during fused deposition modelling
Authors: Wolszczak Piotr , Lygas Krystian , Paszko Mateusz , Wach Radoslaw A.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the problem of heat distribution in FDM 3D printing. The temperature distribution of the material is important because of the occurrence of shrinkage and crystallization phenomena that affect the dimensional accuracy and strength of the material.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a thermoplastic material (polylactide) and a test stand equipped with a 3D printer adapted to perform thermographic observations. The main source of heat in the study was a molten laminate material and a hot-end head.

Findings

When the material is molten at the temperature of 190°C, the temperature of a previous layer increases above the glass transition point (Tg = 64.8°C) and reaches to about 80°C. In addition, at the boundary of the layers, there occurs a permanent bonding of the consecutive layers because of their partial melting. The paper also reports the results of porosity of PLA samples printed at the temperature ranging between 205 and 255°C. The degree of porosity depends on the temperature of the extruded material.

Practical implications

The results may be helpful for designers of various printed parts and construction engineers of printing heads and 3D printer chambers.

Originality/value

Thermograms of material layers with a height of 0.3 mm are obtained using a thermal imaging camera with a lens for macro magnification (43 pixels/mm).
Tourist motivation: an integral approach to destination choices
Authors: Yoo Chang-Keun , Yoon Donghwan , Park Eerang
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discuss prevalent socio-psychological models which examine how tourists’ needs and motivations affect their destination choices by collectively considering Plog’s (1974) psychographic profiles, Cohen’s (1979) tourist typology and Peace’s (1988) travel career ladder. The current study argues that no single model can adequately explain tourists’ destination selection process as well as travel behaviors and introduces a new integrated perspective of existing psychological models.

Design/methodology/approach

Examining responses from 202 Hong Kong residents who have travel experience, this study divides the respondents’ psychographics into three types.

Findings

Using multinomial logit model (MNL) analysis, the study finds that tourists’ travel motivations and destination settings can be varied by their psychographics types. The findings also reveal that tourist’s psychographic types can be varied by demographics, travel type, frequencies, duration, purpose and destination setting.

Originality/value

The study provides implications for tourism marketers as well as the tourism literature by suggesting an integrative approach for a better understanding of tourist motivations.
Brexit, Trump, and ‘methodological whiteness’: on the misrecognition of race and class
Authors: Bhambra Gurminder K.
Published: March 2018

The rhetoric of both the Brexit and Trump campaigns was grounded in conceptions of the past as the basis for political claims in the present. Both established the past as constituted by nations that were represented as ‘white’ into which racialized others had insinuated themselves and gained disproportionate advantage. Hence, the resonant claim that was broadcast primarily to white audiences in each place ‘to take our country back’. The politics of both campaigns was also echoed in those social scientific analyses that sought to focus on the ‘legitimate’ claims of the ‘left behind’ or those who had come to see themselves as ‘strangers in their own land’. The skewing of white majority political action as the action of a more narrowly defined white working class served to legitimize analyses that might otherwise have been regarded as racist. In effect, I argue that a pervasive ‘methodological whiteness’ has distorted social scientific accounts of both Brexit and Trump's election victory and that this needs to be taken account of in our discussion of both phenomena.