bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of novel hyperosmotic shock response suggests “beads in liquid” cytosol structure
Authors: Alexandrov A.I. , Grosfeld E.V. , Dergalev A.A. , Kushnirov V.V. , Chuprov-Netochin R.N. , Tyurin-Kuzmin P.A. , Kireev I.I. , Ter-Avanesyan M.D. , Leonov S.V. , Agaphonov М.O.
Published: February 2019

Proteins can aggregate in response to stresses, including hyperosmotic shock. Formation and disassembly of aggregates is a relatively slow process. We describe a novel instant response of the cell to hyperosmosis, during which chaperones and other proteins form numerous foci with properties uncharacteristic of classical aggregates. These foci appeared/disappeared seconds after shock onset/removal, in close correlation with cell volume changes. Genome-wide and targeted testing revealed chaperones, metabolic enzymes, P-body components and amyloidogenic proteins in the foci. Most of these proteins can form large assemblies and for some, the assembled state was pre-requisite for participation in foci. A genome-wide screen failed to identify genes whose absence prevented foci participation by Hsp70. Shapes of and interconnections between foci revealed by super-resolution microscopy indicated that the foci were compressed between other entities. Based on our findings, we propose a new model of the cytosol architecture as a collection of numerous of gel-like regions suspended in a liquid network. This network is reduced in volume in response to hyperosmosis and forms small pockets between the gel-like regions.
A transcriptome-wide Mendelian randomization study to uncover tissue-dependent regulatory mechanisms across the human phenome
Authors: Richardson Tom G , Hemani Gibran , Gaunt Tom R , Relton Caroline L , Smith George Davey
Published: February 2019

Background

Developing insight into tissue-specific transcriptional mechanisms can help improve our understanding of how genetic variants exert their effects on complex traits and disease. By applying the principles of Mendelian randomization, we have undertaken a systematic analysis to evaluate transcriptome-wide associations between gene expression across 48 different tissue types and 395 complex traits.

Results

Overall, we identified 100,025 gene-trait associations based on conventional genome-wide corrections (P < 5 × 10−08) that also provided evidence of genetic colocalization. These results indicated that genetic variants which influence gene expression levels in multiple tissues are more likely to influence multiple complex traits. We identified many examples of tissue-specific effects, such as genetically-predicted TPO, NR3C2 and SPATA13 expression only associating with thyroid disease in thyroid tissue. Additionally, FBN2 expression was associated with both cardiovascular and lung function traits, but only when analysed in heart and lung tissue respectively.

We also demonstrate that conducting phenome-wide evaluations of our results can help flag adverse on-target side effects for therapeutic intervention, as well as propose drug repositioning opportunities. Moreover, we find that exploring the tissue-dependency of associations identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can help elucidate the causal genes and tissues responsible for effects, as well as uncover putative novel associations.

Conclusions

The atlas of tissue-dependent associations we have constructed should prove extremely valuable to future studies investigating the genetic determinants of complex disease. The follow-up analyses we have performed in this study are merely a guide for future research. Conducting similar evaluations can be undertaken systematically at http://mrcieu.mrsoftware.org/Tissue_MR_atlas/.
Transcriptional variation in glucosinolate biosynthetic genes and inducible responses to aphid herbivory on field-grownArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Sato Yasuhiro , Tezuka Ayumi , Kashima Makoto , Deguchi Ayumi , Shimizu-Inatsugi Rie , Yamazaki Misako , Shimizu Kentaro K. , Nagano Atsushi J.
Published: February 2019

Recently, increasing attempts have been made to understand how plant genes functionin naturastudies. To determine whether plant defense genes are activated under multiple biotic stimuli, we combined a high-throughput RNA-Seq with insect survey data on 19 accessions ofArabidopsis thalianagrowing on the field site of Switzerland. We found that genes with GO annotations “glucosinolate biosynthetic process” and “response to insects” were the most significantly enriched, exhibiting largely variable expression among plant accessions. Nearly half of the total expression variation in glucosinolate biosynthetic genes,AOPs, ESM1, ESP,andTGG1,was explained by among-accession variance. Combined with the field RNA-Seq data, bioassays confirmed thatAOP3was up-regulated in response to the mustard aphidLipaphis erysimi.In addition, we also found that the expression of a major cis-jasmone activated geneCYP81D11was positively correlated with the number of the flea beetlesPhyllotretaspp. The combined results from RNA-Seq and insect surveys suggested that plants can activate their defenses even when they are exposed to multiple biotic stimuliin natura.
Auxin regulates endosperm cellularization in Arabidopsis
Authors: Batista Rita A. , Figueiredo Duarte D. , Santos-González Juan , Köhler Claudia
Published: February 2019

The endosperm is an ephemeral tissue that nourishes the developing embryo, similar to the placenta in mammals. In most angiosperms, endosperm development starts as a syncytium, in which nuclear divisions are not followed by cytokinesis. The timing of endosperm cellularization largely varies between species, and the event triggering this transition remains unknown. Here we show that increased auxin biosynthesis in the endosperm prevents its cellularization, leading to seed arrest. Auxin-overproducing seeds phenocopy paternal-excess triploid seeds derived from hybridizations of diploid maternal plants with tetraploid fathers. Concurrently, auxin-related genes are strongly overexpressed in triploid seeds, correlating with increased auxin activity. Reducing auxin biosynthesis and signaling reestablishes endosperm cellularization in triploid seeds and restores their viability, highlighting a causal role of increased auxin in preventing endosperm cellularization. We propose that auxin determines the time of endosperm cellularization, and thereby uncovered a central role of auxin in establishing hybridization barriers in plants.
The NSL complex-mediated nucleosome landscape is required to maintain transcription fidelity and suppression of transcription noise
Authors: Lam Kin Chung , Chung Ho-Ryun , Semplicio Giuseppe , Iyer Shantanu S. , Gaub Aline , Bhardwaj Vivek , Holz Herbert , Georgiev Plamen , Akhtar Asifa
Published: February 2019

Nucleosomal organization at gene promoters is critical for transcription, with a nucleosome-depleted region (NDR) at transcription start sites (TSSs) being required for transcription initiation. How NDRs and the precise positioning of the +1 nucleosomes are maintained on active genes remains unclear. Here, we report that the Drosophila nonspecific lethal (NSL) complex is necessary to maintain this stereotypical nucleosomal organization at promoters. Upon NSL1 depletion, nucleosomes invade the NDRs at TSSs of NSL-bound genes. NSL complex member NSL3 binds to TATA-less promoters in a sequence-dependent manner. The NSL complex interacts with the NURF chromatin remodeling complex and is necessary and sufficient to recruit NURF to target promoters. Not only is the NSL complex essential for transcription, but it is required for accurate TSS selection for genes with multiple TSSs. Furthermore, loss of the NSL complex leads to an increase in transcriptional noise. Thus, the NSL complex establishes a canonical nucleosomal organization that enables transcription and determines TSS fidelity.
The expanded halo model of brand image, country image and product image in the context of three Asian countries
Authors: Woo Hongjoo
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine an alternate halo model across the context of South Korea, China and India, and provide expanded interrelationships among their major brands’ brand images, country images, general product images and category-specific images (electronics and fashion handbags).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed hypotheses in the alternate halo model were tested through a quantitative (survey) approach.

Findings

The results of analyzing 305 American consumers’ responses suggest theoretical and marketing implications for Asian countries in utilizing brand image effect and cross-category halo effects in marketing products in the global market.

Originality/value

The study proposes an alternate country image model that can be applied to the context of Asian countries with relatively immature country image, which is expanded from the traditional models in literature.
Athletes’ brand equity, spectator satisfaction, and behavioral intentions
Authors: Park Jae-Ahm , Sung Jun-Mo , Son Jae-Man , Na Kyunga , Kim Suk-Kyu
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among an individual athlete’s brand equity, overall spectator satisfaction at sporting events and behavioral intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The convenience sampling method was used when approaching potential participants among spectators of the LG Whisen Rhythmic All Stars 2013, a sporting event in which celebrated sports players perform choreographed dance routines. A total of 350 surveys were completed in Go-Yang, South Korea. Of the surveys collected, 20 were discarded due to excessive missing values, resulting in 330 usable surveys.

Findings

Using structural equation modeling, this study found that the brand equity of an individual athlete positively and directly affects the overall sporting event satisfaction and behavioral intentions, including re-purchase and word-of-mouth intentions among event attendees, which are factors that are mediated indirectly by satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study shows that the brand equity of an individual athlete can increase the spectator satisfaction levels in a similar manner to the brand equity of a sports team or product.
Does board independence moderate the relationship between environmental disclosure quality and performance? Evidence from static and dynamic panel data
Authors: Alipour Mohammad , Ghanbari Mehrdad , Jamshidinavid Babak , Taherabadi Aliasghar
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This study aims to link environmental disclosure quality (EDQ) to firm performance and examine the moderating role of board independence in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on agency theory and stakeholder theory, the authors developed and tested hypotheses using original survey data from 720 firm-year observations collected from 120 Iranian companies over six years between 2011 and 2016. In this paper, they conducted static and dynamic panel data analysis.

Findings

After correcting for endogeneity bias, the results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between EDQ and firm performance. The results also showed that board independence significantly reinforces the positive effect of EDQ on performance, and firms with more independent board members are involved environmental disclosure for improved performance. This is consistent with agency theory, which posits that a more independent board of directors can better monitor the CEO and reduce incentives for pursuing personal interests, which in turn improves performance. The results are robust after performing sensitivity tests.

Research limitations/implications

This paper takes the perspective of corporate governance to empirically examine the effect of EDQ on firm performance. This study makes a contribution to the literature by showing that board independence moderates the effects of EDQ on firm performance.

Practical implications

The evidence supports the emphasis that recent policy statements have put on increasing the number of independent directors on corporate boards. This study offers insights to policymakers interested in enhancing the monitoring role of corporate boards.

Originality/value

The study adds value to the understanding of the effect of the EDQ on performance and how board independence influences this relationship, particularly in an emerging economy like Iran.
Building information modelling (BIM) capability and delivery success on construction projects
Authors: Mahamadu Abdul-Majeed , Mahdjoubi Lamine , Booth Colin , Manu Patrick , Manu Emmanuel
Published: February 2019

Purpose

In spite of emerging research on building information modelling (BIM) capability assessment, there is a general dearth of knowledge about the links between often pre-emptive capability measurement attributes and actual delivery success. More so, current studies have not considered success from the wider construction supply chain (CSC) perspective. So far, the perceived importance of capability metrics is not based on post-project evaluations of their contribution to BIM delivery success. This paper aims to identify relevant BIM capability attributes used for qualifying CSC organisations for projects and further aims to investigate their relative importance and influence on some key aspects of BIM delivery success.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on heretofore validated set of BIM capability attributes from semi-structured interviews and a Delphi study, a survey of CSC firms on BIM-enabled projects was used to model the influence of BIM capability attributes on BIM delivery success. Multiple regression modelling was performed to ascertain the nature of the relationship between BIM capability attributes and the key aspects of BIM delivery success as identified from the literature.

Findings

BIM staff experience and the suitability of proposed methodology prior to project commencement were identified as the most influential on BIM delivery quality, as well as delivery within schedule and on budget. Conversely, the administrative and strategic-level capacities were found as the most influential in leveraging collaboration, coordination or integration of the CSC on projects through BIM.

Originality/value

This study provides a step change in prioritising BIM capability criteria based on evidence of their contribution to delivery success in key performance areas, rather than their perceived importance as capability metrics as widely practised.
User-centric work environments in modular healthcare facilities
Authors: Aalto Leena , Sirola Pia , Kalliomäki-Levanto Tiina , Lahtinen Marjaana , Ruohomäki Virpi , Salonen Heidi , Reijula Kari
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The challenges arising from the reform of the social and healthcare sector call for efficient, effective and novel processes in both public and private health and medical care. Facilities need to be designed to suit the new processes and to offer usable workspaces at different levels of healthcare services. Along with traditional construction, modular facility innovations could be one solution to these pressures. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study analyzed the different usability characteristics of the work environment in modular and non-modular healthcare facilities (HCFs). The qualitative research method was based on semi-structured interviews of employees and observations of the case buildings.

Findings

According to the results, the usability characteristics were divided into four main categories: functionality, healthiness, safety/security and comfort. The main differences between the modular and non-modular facilities appeared to be room size, soundproofing, safety issues and the utilization of colors and artwork, which were all perceived as better realized in the non-modular facilities. The staff highlighted functionality as the most important characteristic in their work environment. They even considered functionality as a feature of a comfortable work environment.

Originality/value

This paper presents new knowledge and a detailed description of the opinions and experiences of healthcare professionals concerning a user-centric, usable environment in the context of modular and non-modular HCFs.
Innovation through practice
Authors: Dossick Carrie , Osburn Laura , Neff Gina
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Through the study of visualizations, virtual worlds and information exchange, the purpose of this paper is to reveal the complex connections between technology and the work of design and construction. The authors apply the sociotechnical view of technology and the ramifications this view has on successful use of technology in design and construction.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a discussion paper reviewing over a decade of research that connects three streams of research on architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) teams as these teams grappled with adapting work practices to new technologies and the opportunities these technologies promised.

Findings

From studies of design and construction practices with building information modeling and energy modeling, the authors show that given the constructed nature of models and the loose coupling of project teams, these team organizational practices need to mirror the modeling requirements. Second, looking at distributed teams, whose interaction is mediated by technology, the authors argue that virtual world visualizations enhance discovery, while distributed AEC teams also need more traditional forms of 2D abstraction, sketching and gestures to support integrated design dialogue. Finally, in information exchange research, the authors found that models and data have their own logic and structure and, as such, require creativity and ingenuity to exchange data across systems. Taken together, these streams of research suggest that process innovation is brought about by people developing new practices.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors argue that technology alone does not change practice. People who modify practices with and through technology create process innovation.
Do Islamic stock indexes outperform conventional stock indexes? A state space modeling approach
Authors: Ben Rejeb Aymen , Arfaoui Mongi
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Islamic stock indexes outperform conventional stock indexes, in terms of informational efficiency and risk, during the recent financial instability period.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a state space model combined with a standard GARCH(1,1) specification while taking into account structural breakpoints. The authors allow for efficiency and volatility spillovers to be time-varying and consider break dates to locate periods of financial instability.

Findings

Empirical results show that Islamic stock indexes are more volatile than their conventional counterparts and are not totally immune to the global financial crisis. As regards of the informational efficiency, the results show that the Islamic stock indexes are more efficient than the conventional stock indexes.

Practical implications

Resulting evidence of this paper has several implications for international investors who wish to invest in Islamic and/or conventional stock markets. Policy makers and even academics and Sharias researchers should as well take preventive measures in order to ensure the stability of Islamic stock markets during turmoil periods. Overall, prudent risk management and precocious financial practices are relevant and crucial for both Islamic and conventional financial markets.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is performed by the use of time-varying models for volatility spillovers and informational efficiency. It considers structural break dates that think about the dynamic effect of informational flows on stock markets. The study was developed in a global framework using international data. The global analysis allows avoiding country specific effects.
A new grey comprehensive relational model based on weighted mean distance and induced intensity and its application
Authors: Yin Kedong , Xu Jie , Li Xuemei
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the essential characteristics of grey relational degree of proximity, to analyse the abstract meaning of grey relational degree of similarity and fully consider the two different relational degree models.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper constructed the grey proximity relational degree by using the weighted mean distance. To analyse the motivation of the development of things, this paper constructed the grey similarity degree by using the concept of induced strength. Finally, the two correlation models are weighted by reliability weighting.

Findings

The research finding shows that the distance is the essence of the grey relational degree of proximity, and the induced strength is a good explanation of the similarities in the development of things.

Practical implications

The analyses imply that the total amount of water consumption in China has the greatest correlation with the consumption of agricultural water resources, followed by the consumption of industrial water resources, and the least correlation with the consumption of domestic water resources.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in realizing the essential characteristics of grey relational degree of proximity and the abstract meaning of grey relational degree of similarity. Besides, the resolution of the correlation degree can be greatly improved by reliability weighting.
Qualitative insight into primary school children’s nutrition literacy
Authors: Velardo Stefania , Drummond Murray
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Health literacy is a key international public health goal. Conceptualising health literacy as an asset highlights the importance of fostering a health literate youth for the benefit of future generations, yet research has predominantly focused on examining adults’ and older adolescents’ health literacy. This presents a gap for child-centred studies with younger populations. The purpose of this paper is to report the findings from a qualitative study that explored health literacy, in a nutrition context (i.e. nutrition literacy), from primary school children’s perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examined children’s experiences in accessing, understanding and interacting with nutrition information. In doing so, the research employed a socio-ecological framework to understand facilitators and barriers that can influence children’s nutrition literacy. Preadolescent boys and girls aged 11–12 years were invited to take part in the study. At the time of recruitment, students were attending one of three state government schools in a socioeconomically disadvantaged region of metropolitan South Australia. A series of focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 participants. Interview data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic techniques.

Findings

Children demonstrated that they accessed and interacted with a variety of sources of nutrition information. Nutrition understandings were derived from the home, school and media environments. Parents and teachers were cited as key influences on children’s interactions with nutrition information and children particularly emphasised the trust placed in their teachers as health “experts.” While the home and school environments emerged as potential settings to develop children’s nutrition literacy skills, the children’s narratives also alluded to potential barriers surrounding nutrition literacy.

Originality/value

This study provides further insight into children’s nutrition literacy. While functional nutrition literacy remains a fundamental starting point, children are interested in opportunities to develop more interactive skills, such as those related to cooking. Opportunities also exist to foster more critical competencies. This research thereby highlights the importance of more integrated strategies to promote nutrition literacy among this population group across multiple settings.
Trade, FDI and income inequality: empirical evidence from CIS
Authors: Khan Imran , Nawaz Zuhaba
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and income inequality for Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), using annual data from 1990 to 2016. The study attempts to answer a critical question: does openness affect income distribution?

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis of the model involves the examination of likely non-linear effects of both trade and FDI on income distribution. Therefore, system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) estimator was applied to mitigate the problem of non-linearity and possible endogeneity. In the second stage, the model was extended to test the impact of education on income inequality. The hypothesis is that secondary school enrollment speeds up the process of adoption of contemporary technology and decreases inequality.

Findings

Trade and FDI have significant effects on income inequality when interacted with Gini-index; in case of trade, an inverted U-shaped curve holds as purposed by the trade theory. The components-wise effect of trade was held, except imports from advanced countries was found insignificant. Moreover, results were not found significant in case of human development index. Different results were found when trade and FDI interacted with education, which represents an important channel through which inequality is affected.

Research limitations/implications

The study implies that CIS needs to re-design trade and FDI policies by encouraging trade and FDI inflows into industries and sectors aligned with structural adjustments, domestic industries uplift and investment in social infrastructure.

Originality/value

This is the first study that has examined the impact of openness of income distribution in case of CIS.
Contingency factors and entrepreneurship: influence in business activity
Authors: Cabrer-Borrás Bernardí , Rico Belda Paz , Botella Carrubi Dolores
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of the survival of Spanish companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Two approaches are used and they are complementary. The first approach analyses the determinants of survival probability. For this purpose, a binary choice model is built and estimated using a sample of companies from the main economic sectors taken from the SABI database. Likewise, the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition is applied to quantify the difference between companies with employees and without employees and the proportion of this difference that owes to observed factors or unobserved factors. Finally, the second approach is a survival analysis carried out through the Cox proportional hazard model that identifies the determinants of the duration of business activity.

Findings

The results of the empirical analysis show that companies without employees present less favourable conditions for survival at all stages of their evolution than companies with employees.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study to the empirical literature consists in analysing the difference between companies with and without employees. Due to the structure of Spanish companies, this aspect and the determinants of such difference are essential for policymakers to increase the survival for companies.
The role of state ownership and home government political support in Russian multinationals’ internationalization
Authors: Panibratov Andrei , Michailova Snejina
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look into state ownership and political support as two factors that influence the process of internationalization of Russian MNEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors observe the theory and empirical evidence behind the phenomenon.

Findings

The authors find that state ownership and governmental political support are two mechanisms of the transformation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to MNEs in Russia.

Originality/value

The topic is not covered sufficiently in the literature. The paper is based on the recent findings by the paper co-authors.
Gradual Internationalization vs Born-Global/International new venture models
Authors: Paul Justin , Rosado-Serrano Alexander
Published: February 2019

Purpose

During the last two decades, studies on the theoretical models in the area of international business (IB), such as gradual internationalization and the born-global firms, have gained the attention of researchers. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the studies on the process of internationalization (Gradual Internationalization vs Born-Global/International new venture models) to identify the research gaps in this area and to prepare a future research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic literature review method was employed for this review. The authors highlight the findings from prior studies, compare and contrast salient characteristics and features, based on the articles published in journals with an impact factor score of at least 1.0, and provide directions for research.

Findings

The authors find that there are several areas that were under-explored in prior research. There is a great potential for theoretical extension and theory development in this field as it covers the tenets of four subjects: IB, marketing, strategic management and entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

There is no comprehensive/integrated review exploring the methods/variables and constructs used in prior studies integrating gradual internationalization/born-global models based on all the articles published in well-regarded academic journals. This review seeks to provide deeper insights, which help us to contribute toward the development of this research field.
Political connections, corruption and tax evasion: a cross-country investigation
Authors: Khlif Hichem , Amara Ines
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the association between political connections and tax evasion and test whether corruption level affects this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Tax evasion measure is based on Schneider et al. (2010), while country’s political connection trend is based on Faccio (2006).

Findings

Using a sample of 35 countries, the authors document that political connections are positively associated with tax evasion and this relationship becomes stronger for high corrupt environment.

Originality/value

The findings have policy implications for countries aiming to combat tax evasion as political connection trends in one country reduce the level of tax compliance. In addition, political connections and corruption play a complimentary role in increasing tax evasion practices.
Analysis of employee and management fraud in Tanzania
Authors: Zuberi Omari , Mzenzi Siasa Issa
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The study aims to explore specific motivations, rationalizations and opportunities that are involved in the occurrences of both employee and management fraud in the context of an emerging African country, Tanzania. It builds and extends from the fraud triangle theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was developed and administered to 114 participants who had witnessed, had examined or had been involved in fraud resolutions. The participants included fraud examiners, business managers and owners, victims, auditors, lawyers, and law enforcement agents. The data collected were analysed using descriptive analysis, principal component analysis and correlation analysis.

Findings

The results revealed six motivation factors that incentivize employees and managers to engage in fraudulent behaviours. These are business financial strain, social incentives and pressure, greed, operating problems, internal pressures and malevolent work environment. In addition, fraudsters rationalized their behaviour through five significant neutralization techniques identified as social weighting, transferring of blame, denial of injury, attitude and prior fraud history. Lastly, victim organisations were identified to have three main fraud opportunities: poor control environment, inadequate control activities and circumstances that allowed collusive behaviour among fraudsters.

Research limitations/implications

While the study attempted to explore the motivations, opportunities and rationalizations from the perspectives of the fraud-fighting professionals and witnesses, their views and suggestions might be different from the actual known fraudsters or incarcerated individuals.

Practical implications

Business organisations, fraud-fighting professionals and general community must understand the factors behind fraud occurrences, so proper measures may be taken to limit the frequency and amount of fraud losses.

Social implications

Creation of public awareness and dialogue necessary for the prevention, fighting and deterrence against all forms of fraud.

Originality/value

Despite the occurrences of many scams in both public and private sectors, limited studies exist as to the triggers behind fraud occurrences in the context of the developing countries and whether these triggers are the same as in other contexts. This study is an attempt to fill this gap.
A strategic approach for the crime of tax evasion
Authors: Chiarini Bruno , Marzano Elisabetta
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Crime games cannot be simply read with mixed strategies. These strategies are inconclusive of how the players act rationally. This is undeniably true for the crime of tax evasion, where dishonest taxpayers are rational agents, motivated by the comparison of payoffs, when considering the risk of non-compliance. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate that in the presence of a small “private disturbance” of the players’ payoff, the Nash equilibrium in mixed strategies provides us with the necessary information on equilibria in pure strategies that will be played.

Design/methodology/approach

In tax-evasion games, an equilibrium must necessarily be interpreted in pure strategies, and the only way to do this is to insert some private information into the game and reinterpret it in a Bayesian scheme. We show that taxpayers’ private,subjective considerations on the effective implementation of the penalty and the revenue agency’s private information on the cost of monitoring and conviction can lead to Bayesian equilibria in pure strategies. The present paper takes issue with this Bayesian equilibrium and the implications for comparative-statics results.

Findings

In this context, tougher sentencing deters crime, although, as the Italian experience teaches, the necessary condition required is the certainty of punishment and the ability of the government to enforce it. The equilibrium strategies with incomplete information reveal whether it is convenient for the two agents to maintain their “private disturbance” as private information or, on the contrary, it is convenient to expect it to be “common knowledge.”

Originality/value

A distinct set of studies has adopted a game theoretic approach and shows that the standard economic approach to crime deterrence inspired by Gary Beker’s seminal paper might be flawed. See, among others, Saha and Poole (2000), Tsebelis (1989) and Andreozzi (2010). This paper shows that a greater severity of the penalty and a higher certainty of punishment (a lower possibility of appealing against sanctions and no discounts on due penalties) necessarily lead to a unique Bayesian equilibrium without evasion.
Incentive systems in anti-bribery whistleblowing
Authors: Teichmann Fabian Maximilian Johannes
Published: February 2019

Purpose

While existing literature focusses on the causes and negative consequences of corruption, this paper illustrates the potential use of whistleblowing incentives to combat bribery in multinational corporations. The purpose of the present study is to highlight that anti-bribery mechanisms, which have already been successfully applied in the public sector, may also be deployed in multinational organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step qualitative research process was used. Informal interviews were conducted with 35 corrupt public officials, followed by formal interviews with 35 compliance experts and law enforcement officers. During the interviews, the advantages and disadvantages of whistleblowing incentives in multinational corporations were discussed. The interviewees’ responses were subjected to content analysis.

Findings

The principal finding was that rewarding employees with significant monetary bonuses may help to increase anti-bribery whistleblowing. However, such bonus payments should be made in only major cases of bribery to safeguard multinational corporations, company cultures and trust among employees.

Research limitations/implications

The findings convey the perspectives of the 70 interviewees based in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Practical implications

The paper offers suggestions to multinational corporations on how to effectively combat corruption and other forms of white-collar crime.

Originality/value

While the empirical findings are based on a European sample, the results may be applied globally.
The cost of corruption
Authors: Monteverde Vicente Humberto
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the ways for the formulation of a model for calculating the cost of corruption per country, taking into account the social cost.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is practical exploration; the model is formulated along with the social cost of specific calculation. Based on two specific acts of corruption, bribery and overpricing of public works, these acts are private and public corruption. From there, the model is formulated along with the social cost of specific calculation, based on two specific acts of corruption, bribery and overpricing of public works.

Findings

This paper concludes that the model is applicable to all the countries of the world, based on their tax structure.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations do not exist in the model; the additional implications are the extension of the model. The model can be used for local governments or countries.

Practical implications

Countries can calculate the theoretical cost of corruption in their local, regional or national economies, based on two specific acts of corruption, in political, private and public corruption; bribery and overpricing of public works.

Social implications

The social implications include knowing the theoretical cost of corruption and their effects.

Originality/value

The model calculates the cost of corruption and its economic and social impact.
Number-location bias: do consumers correctly process the number on the product package?
Authors: Park Jihye , Ma Yoon Jin
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the following three issues: whether consumers process numeric information with locational cues, which locations (horizontal vs vertical) are more influential in processing numbers and whether a number-location association is weakened or strengthened when a visual reference frame moves up or down.

Design/methodology/approach

A field study and a series of three lab experiments were conducted to examine the location effect of numeric information on the packagefaçadeon the perceived magnitude of a number.

Findings

The authors found that a number at the right was perceived as larger than one at the left only when the number is located at the bottom. Also, placing numeric information at the bottom rather than the top of a product packagefaçadewas more powerful in processing the numeric information, but this is true only when the visual frame is set lower.

Practical implications

This study provides practical insights for product managers in placing core numeric information on product packaging to effectively communicate product value to consumers. Optimal locations can be deliberately considered along with types of numeric information and product categories. For healthy products that promote fewer calories, the top area of the packagefaçademay be a better position for placing information on calories per serving to make the product more appealing to those who follow a healthy diet. Heavier, more voluminous products (e.g., refrigerator) better position their volume/weight information at the bottom than at the top or at the right of the bottom than at the left of the bottom on the product facade. Either the left side or right side of the top position may be beneficial for thinner, lightweight products (e.g., television).

Originality/value

The present work adds valuable empirical findings; inconsistent with past research, left-right location-number associations are not always true. People tend to associate smaller numbers with left-side locations and larger numbers with right-side locations only when the number is located at the bottom. Also, the study reported that top-small, bottom-large associations are not always true. The difference in perceived magnitude of the number between a number at the top and one at the bottom within the visual frame is significant only when the visual frame is set close to the ground.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans induces detachment and death of human gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts via elastase release following leukotoxin‐dependent neutrophil lysis
Authors: Hiyoshi Takumi , Domon Hisanori , Maekawa Tomoki , Nagai Kosuke , Tamura Hikaru , Takahashi Naoki , Yonezawa Daisuke , Miyoshi Tomohiro , Yoshida Akihiro , Tabeta Koichi , Terao Yutaka
Published: February 2019

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is considered to be associated with periodontitis. Leukotoxin (LtxA), which destroys leukocytes in humans, is one of this bacterium's major virulence factors. Amounts of neutrophil elastase (NE), which is normally localized in the cytoplasm of neutrophils, are reportedly increased in the saliva of patients with periodontitis. However, the mechanism by which NE is released from human neutrophils and the role of NE in periodontitis is unclear. In the present study, it was hypothesized that LtxA induces NE release from human neutrophils, which subsequently causes the breakdown of periodontal tissues. LtxA‐treatment did not induce significant cytotoxicity against human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) or human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). However, it did induce significant cytotoxicity against human neutrophils, leading to NE release. Furthermore, NE and the supernatant from LtxA‐treated human neutrophils induced detachment and death of HGECs and HGFs, these effects being inhibited by administration of an NE inhibitor, sivelestat. The present results suggest that LtxA mediates human neutrophil lysis and induces the subsequent release of NE, which eventually results in detachment and death of HGECs and HGFs. Thus, LtxA‐induced release of NE could cause breakdown of periodontal tissue and thereby exacerbate periodontitis.
Pharmacological inhibition of protease‐activated receptor‐2 reduces crescent formation in rat nephrotoxic serum nephritis
Authors: Han Yingjie , Tian Lifang , Ma Frank , Tesch Greg , Vesey David A. , Gobe Glenda C. , Lohman Rink‐Jan , Morais Christudas , Suen Jacky Y. , Fairlie David P. , Nikolic‐Paterson David J.
Published: February 2019

Glomerular crescent formation is a hallmark of rapidly progressive forms of glomerulonephritis. Thrombosis and macrophage infiltration are features of crescent formation in human and experimental kidney disease. Protease‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2) is a G‐protein coupled receptor that links coagulation and inflammation. This study investigated whether pharmacological inhibition of PAR‐2 can suppress glomerular crescent formation in rat nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTN). Disease was induced in Wistar Kyoto rats by immunisation with sheep IgG followed by administration of sheep nephrotoxic serum. Rats (n = 8/group) received the PAR‐2 antagonist (GB88, 10 mg/kg/p.o.), vehicle or no treatment starting 3 days before nephrotoxic serum injection and continuing until day 14. Vehicle and untreated rats developed thrombosis and macrophage infiltration in the glomerular tuft and Bowman's space in conjunction with prominent crescent formation. Activation of JNK signalling and proliferation in parietal epithelial cells was associated with crescent formation. GB88 treatment significantly reduced crescent formation with a substantial reduction in glomerular thrombosis, reduced macrophage infiltration in Bowman's space, and reduced activation of parietal epithelial cells. However, GB88 did not protect against the development of proteinuria, renal function impairment, inflammation or tubular cell damage in the NTN model. In conclusion, PAR‐2 plays a specific role in glomerular crescent formation by promoting glomerular thrombosis, macrophage accumulation in Bowman's space and activation of parietal epithelial cells.
The Cyclical Behaviour of the Labour Force Participation Rate in Australia
Authors: Evans Richard , Moore Angus , Rees Daniel M
Published: February 2019

We examine the cyclical relationship between labour market participation and economic activity in Australia. We find that the participation rate has a large and economically meaningful cyclical component. By cohort, the participation rates of young people, 25−54 year‐old females and older males are the most responsive to changes in economic conditions. If the participation rate did not adjust, expansions would be more inflationary; on the other hand, recessions would be more disinflationary and lead to larger increases in involuntary unemployment.
Waist to height ratio is the anthropometric index that most appropriately mirrors the lifestyle and psychological risk factors of obesity
Authors: Tomas Željka , Škarić‐Jurić Tatjana , Zajc Petranović Matea , Jalšovec Marta , Rajić Šikanjić Petra , Smolej Narančić Nina
Published: February 2019

Aim

To determine to what extent the lifestyle and psychological factors influenced the occurrence of obesity in the population of the Mediterranean island of Vis (Croatia); also to relate the examined risk factors to several obesity indicators in order to select the most sensitive one.

Methods

Cross‐sectional population study included 960 participants of both sexes (18–93 years) in whom the obesity was estimated using anthropometric indicators. The factor analysis of 55‐item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was performed as well as the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) for the self‐assessment of psychological health and wellbeing. FFQ and GHQ12 individual factors’ scores, sex, age, physical activity, smoking and socioeconomic status were further used as independent variables in the multiple linear regression analyses with five obesity indicators as dependent variables.

Results

The examined risk factors explained the highest proportion of variance of the waist to height ratio (WHtR) in comparison with all other indicators of obesity (body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio, sum of skinfolds thicknesses, fat mass percentage). Only the dietary factors showed a significant relation to BMI, while almost all of the tested variables–dietary pattern, psychological structure, smoking habit and physical activity–had a significant association with WHtR.

Conclusions

WHtR is the most useful indicator of obesity as it had a profiled relation with a number of lifestyle factors as well as with psychological health. The present study also revealed the importance of psychological factors for obesity phenotype, particularly the behavioural pattern which could be described as avoidance of dealing with problems.