bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occupational identities of management accountants: the role of the IT system
Authors: Heinzelmann Rafael
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of IT systems on occupational identities of management accountants. The author highlights the pivotal role of the IT system as a central reference point for organisational identity regulation and identity work.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a qualitative case study approach.

Findings

The IT system presents the central means of establishing appropriate behaviour in case organisation (“identity regulation”). At the same time, the IT system acts as a sense-giving device (“identity work”) – the central reference point for management accountants to make sense of their work. In addition, the system creates more dirty and unclean work (Morales and Lambert, 2013), producing dissonance between the business partner role and the organisational reality, which is resolved by relating dirty and unclean work through use of the SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

Research limitations/implications

The paper suggests to understand IT systems as an important driver of the management accounting work shaping the occupational identity of management accountants.

Practical implications

The author aims to sensitise practitioners and organisations to the potential risks of relying too strongly on IT systems – a behaviour which can limit the professional judgement and business insight of management accountants.

Originality/value

The author contributes to the discussion on how technological disruptions, e.g. ERP implementation, Big Data, business analytics, digitalisation, change management accountants’ identity and management accounting work. The author shows how organisations establish appropriate behaviour and how management accountants make sense upon dissonances between the professional ideals exemplified by business partner role and the organisational realities.
Determinants and impacts of risk disclosure quality: evidence from China
Authors: Elshandidy Tamer , Neri Lorenzo , Guo Yingxi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Few studies have focused on emerging markets owing to difficulties in identifying the real effect of disclosures on these economies. To fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to first: investigate the main drivers for risk disclosure quality for Chinese financial firms, second: further study the impact of such disclosure on market liquidity.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises all financial firms listed in the Shanghai A-shares market for the period 2013–2015. By relying on manual content analysis of annual reports, the risk disclosure quality is measured through a multidimensional approach which encompasses three factors: quantity of disclosure, coverage of disclosure and the semantic properties of depth and outlook. The findings of this paper are based on ordinary least squares and fixed-effects estimations.

Findings

The findings suggest that firm characteristics (especially size) influence risk disclosure practices of Chinese financial companies. Furthermore, the authors found that risk disclosure quality has an impact on market liquidity, and when the authors analysed each year the authors noticed that the results were driven by the year 2013; moreover, the authors noticed no or little significance from the period of the emerging financial crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of this paper is limited to financial firms in China. The usage of manual content analysis limits the authors’ ability to investigate risk reporting drivers and its impact on market liquidity on a large scale.

Practical implications

The importance of this paper stems from documenting several reporting incentives concerning not only firms’ quantity, but also firms’ quality of risk reporting. Collectively, the findings support activism for reforms and the enhancement of regulations in China in order to make the market more efficient.

Originality/value

This paper provides new evidence for financial companies in China on the principal drivers for risk disclosure quality and highlights how the quality of such disclosure impacts market liquidity. Furthermore, this paper confirms previous findings on the Chinese market (Ball et al., 2000; Zou and Adams, 2008) in which, given a decreasing but still strong state presence, there is higher stock volatility and weak corporate governance.
Earnings management and managerial ownership in private firms
Authors: O’Callaghan Steve , Ashton John , Hodgkinson Lynn
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate two related questions. First, is earnings management behaviour in private firms related to managerial ownership and if so, what form does the relationship take. Second, is there evidence of opportunistic earnings management behaviour in private firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses univariate and multivariate (regression) methodologies to examine the association between managerial ownership and earnings management in private firms. The study employs a data set of 1,223 large private UK firms.

Findings

Evidence is presented indicating opportunistic earnings management behaviour in private firms. Specifically, firms with low managerial ownership appear to engage in more earnings management when faced with poor performance. Further, when firms report income-increasing discretionary accruals, the magnitude of abnormal accruals varies non-linearly with managerial ownership.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by availability of data on sample firm ownership. This study uses cross-sectional data due to these limitations. Further research could investigate the relationships between earnings management and classes of shareholders other than managers in private firms.

Practical implications

Policy implications of this work suggest that non-managing shareholders in private firms face considerable agency costs, in particular where managerial ownership is very low or very high.

Originality/value

Pervasiveness of earnings management in private firms compared to public firms is well documented in the literature. There is limited extant research on the relationship between ownership structure and earnings management in private firms. The novel aspect of this study is to present findings on the association between this behaviour, managerial ownership and firm performance in private firms.
Aggregate financial disclosure practice: evidence from the emerging capital market of Kuwait
Authors: Dawd Issa
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the mandatory and voluntary disclosure practice and its determinants in Kuwait, an emerging market that applies International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs two main methods: an index-based analysis of mandatory, voluntary and aggregate disclosure as well as univariate and multivariate regression analysis of the determinants of disclosure levels.

Findings

The results show that the average aggregate disclosure level is 44 per cent. None of the sample companies complied fully with the disclosure requirements of IAS/IFRS. The extent of voluntary disclosure is also relatively low, although the documented amount represents an increase on that revealed in earlier studies in Kuwait. The multivariate regression results reveal that firm size is positively associated with voluntary disclosure, while mandatory disclosure is negatively linked to profit.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on evidence from a single country and further work is needed to ascertain the extent of generalisability.

Practical implications

The results of the study have implications for policy makers, professional accounting bodies and regulators as they contribute to the debate on to develop and encourage both compliance with mandatory disclosure requirements and voluntary practice. The evidence also has implications for attempts to derive full understanding of the factors driving disclosure practices in the developing world, and how these differ from behaviour in the world’s richest nations.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature in the area in two main ways. First, as compliance with mandatory disclosure requirements in developed countries is total (or near to total) in most cases, it has been the subject of little empirical enquiry. By focussing instead on a developing nation – one that has adopted IFRS – the analysis facilitates the provision of novel evidence regarding both the nature and determinants of failure to follow disclosure rules. Second, prior studies generally fail to distinguish between financial and non-financial firms, despite differences in reporting standards and norms across the two groups; the present study makes this distinction.
The influence of internal and external factors on the marketing strategic planning in SNOWA Corporation
Authors: Ebrahimi Ali , Banaeifard Hamidreza
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of internal and external factors of SNOWA Corporation on its marketing strategic planning. Is there a relationship between internal and external factors and strategic marketing planning? How severe is this relationship?

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is an applied research using a descriptive-analytic method. The statistical sample of this research includes 300 personnel of SNOWA Corporation. Data were collected applying a standard questionnaire in a five-point Likert scale. Content validity ratio and content validity index were used to evaluate the content validity of the questionnaire, and a Cronbach’s alpha test was applied to assess its reliability. SPSS Software (factor analysis) and Amos Software (structural equation modeling) were applied to analyze the collected data. Results of this research show that internal and external factors influence the development of its marketing strategic planning.

Findings

Results of this research show that internal and external factors influence the development of SNOWA marketing strategic planning. Another result of this study is that the severity of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables varies from the viewpoint of the employees of different departments.

Practical implications

The study will help managers deal with environmental opportunities effectively while formulating corporation strategies. In addition, findings reveal that having vision and mission help managers find a clear way to reach the goals.

Originality value

This is one of a few papers to provide empirical evidence of the influence of internal and external factors of SNOWA Corporation on its marketing strategic planning. Identification of the external-internal factors used in formulating marketing strategic planning may prove useful for other researchers working in this under-researched area.
Financing terrorism through cryptocurrencies – a danger for Europe?
Authors: Teichmann Fabian Maximilian Johannes
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to illustrate how terrorists finance their activities through cryptocurrencies.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative content analysis of 30 semi-standardized expert interviews with both illegal financial service providers and prevention experts developed understanding of the concrete techniques of financing terrorism through cryptocurrencies.

Findings

Terrorists could use Bitcoin to receive donations from their supporters.

Research limitations/implications

As the findings are based on semi-standardized interviews, they are limited to the perspectives of the 30 interviewees.

Practical implications

The identification of gaps in current prevention mechanisms is intended to provide legislators and intelligence agencies with insights into the operations of terrorism financers.

Originality/value

While the existing literature focuses simply on identifying areas that could play a role in financing terrorism, this paper describes concrete methods, taking both prevention and criminal perspectives into account.
Assessment of asset forfeiture in targeting Somali piracy ransoms
Authors: Gikonyo Constance
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the applicability and challenges of using asset forfeiture mechanisms in taking away the illicit gains of Somali piracy for ransoms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a desk research on the issue. It is based on analysis of the key principles in the area and relevant literature on the subject.

Findings

Asset forfeiture mechanisms can be used to facilitate the seizure of Somali piracy proceeds. It is applicable to those who directly or indirectly benefited from piracy: the foot soldiers, financiers and other beneficiaries. This would enable withdrawal of piracy re-investment capital and hence may act as a disincentive for current and prospective offenders.

Research limitations/implications

For the initiative to work, various states and other actors need to cooperate. However, incentives such as corruption, the personal interests of individuals and states that have benefited from Somali piracy, may make them unwilling to collaborate. This would definitely hinder the implementation and effectiveness of using asset forfeiture.

Originality/value

Much of the literature on Somali piracy for ransoms has focussed on maritime solutions. Further, authors and organisations have advocated for following the money trail. As a result, consideration of the benefits and challenges of doing so needs to be done. This paper seeks to fill this gap.
Making sure crime does not pay
Authors: Gibbs Tanya
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse a new piece of Dubai legislation, Dubai Law No. (4) of 2016: The Dubai Economic Security Centre (DESC) Law, in respect of its role and impact on economic crime mitigation in the emirate and in the country as a whole.

Design/methodology/approach

The jurisdiction’s various risks and vulnerabilities were examined to determine weaknesses and gaps in the current legislative and regulatory framework.

Findings

The findings highlight that despite numerous legislative efforts targeting economic crime, bringing economic criminals to justice has remained an issue in Dubai. Creation of the Dubai Economic Security Centre (DESC) may mark a significant change in that emirate’s approach to tackling this issue.

Research limitations/implications

Though the DESC itself is (as of this writing) still in a formative state, it is clearly intended to be a comprehensive response to expedite and streamline investigative processes and mitigate the multi-jurisdictional problems with which law enforcement has hitherto contended.

Practical implications

The DESC is also intended to serve not only as an informational clearinghouse but also as an organisational entity with significant roles in law enforcement and even legislation.

Social implications

Regardless of its ambitious and promising results, the effectiveness of its organisational structure and performance is yet to be determined.

Originality/value

This research can be beneficial for the government officials in charge of establishment and launch of the DESC, as well as for future research as it points to its potential ambiguities and misinterpretations.
Geographical variation in GP drug prescribing for schizophrenia and similar psychosis in England
Authors: Brimicombe Allan , Mungroo Pat
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Visualising and analysing geographical patterns in mental illness can be a starting point for understanding and creating effective policy around inequalities and how to resolve them. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This research note looks at geographical variations in GP drug prescribing for schizophrenia and similar psychosis using open Presentation-level Data for England downloaded from NHS Digital.

Findings

The authors found considerable geographical variation in both the level of prescribing per thousand population at local authority level and in the rate of change measured over five years. There is a statistically significant north-south divide in prescribing. The authors have used social marketing geodemographics to explore possible correlates with the geographical patterns. Highest positive correlations show links to deprivation and less healthy lifestyle choices.

Originality/value

This is the first time National maps of geographical variation of GP prescribing for schizophrenia and psychosis have been produced. Seeing this geographical variation is in itself informative and a potential eye-opener. In doing so, new questions can be asked of the data, practice and policy.
Extending McKinsey’s 7S model to understand strategic alignment in academic libraries
Authors: Cox Andrew Martin , Pinfield Stephen , Rutter Sophie
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise the issues of alignment for changing academic libraries by using and extending McKinsey’s 7S model.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical work was conducted to consider and extend the 7S model for the situation of academic libraries. Empirical data were then used to confirm the value of these extensions and suggest further changes. The data to support the analysis were drawn from 33 interviews with librarians, library and non-library academics and experts, and a survey of UK library staff.

Findings

In the academic library context, the 7S model can be usefully extended to include three library functions (stuff, space and services) and users. It can also include institutional influences and stakeholders, and aspects of the external environment or situation, including suppliers and allies. The revised model then provides a useful framework within which data about library change can be analysed. Perceived barriers to successful performance fit the model and enable the identification of seven challenges of alignment.

Research limitations/implications

The resulting model has potential applications such as in the structuring analysis of academic library performance, mapping future directions of development and for exploring variations across the sector and internationally.

Practical implications

The revised model can be used by practitioners to think through their own strategic position and to act to shape their future, in the light of seven major areas of alignment.

Originality/value

The paper extends a well-known model used in strategy, to produce a more comprehensive, sector-specific analytic tool.
Building (or not building) dynamic capabilities: the case of Italian subsidiaries in China and India
Authors: Tattara Giuseppe
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of capability building at subsidiary level and the forces preventing such process. The paper discusses and tests three propositions governing this process.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on multiple case studies. A case study research is most useful when addressing issues about which little prior theory has been developed or empirical evidence collected.

Findings

Subsidiaries in Asia operate in a way substantially different from those in the West. Specifically what ways do market specificities in Asian economies serve to either inhibit or positively encourage the development of a subsidiary? What are the circumstances which could induce subsidiaries to outsource production?

Research limitations/implications

Future research should explore the regional effect on MNE subsidiary types and different flexibilities exhibited in the value chain. What are the specific aspects (macro and micro) that explain variations of business strategies at subsidiary levelboth over time and between countries?

Practical implications

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) should be aware of the strong potential for capability development at the subsidiary level. This increased awareness ought to induce consideration in MNEs about how best to encourage such know capability development and how to leverage these capabilities for a better MNE performance.

Social implications

Managers who knew the host country languages and culture, and have outward-looking attitudes, are in advantageous positions to learn about new opportunities.

Originality/value

The paper offers empirical insights into the state and drivers of subsidiary performance in Asia. Specifically it shows how neglect of external conditions can act to open people’s eyes and foster a capability-building process within subsidiaries.
Multi-objective surgery scheduling integrating surgeon constraints
Authors: Khalfalli Marwa , Ben Abdelaziz Fouad , Kamoun Hichem
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generate a daily operating theater schedule aiming to minimize completion time and maximum overtime while integrating real-life surgeon constraints, such as their role, specialty, qualification and availability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper deals with complete surgery process using multi-objective surgery scheduling approach. Furthermore, the combinatorial nature of the studied problem does not allow to solve it to optimality. Therefore, the authors developed two approaches embedded in a tabu search metaheuristic, namely, weighted sum and e-constraint, to minimize completion time and maximum overtime.

Findings

The integration of the upstream and downstream services of an intervention and the consideration of the specific constraints related to surgeons are very essential to obtaining more closed schedules to the realty.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of efficient schedules for a significant number of operations coming from different specialties throughout its complete surgery process under multi-resource constraints.

Social implications

The paper can help hospital managers and decision makers to well manage the budget by minimizing the overtime cost and by offering efficient daily operating theater schedule.

Originality/value

The results of the paper will help hospital managers and decision makers to well manage the budget by minimizing the overtime cost and offering efficient daily operating theater schedule.
Social entrepreneurship: creating social value when bridging holes
Authors: Kokko Suvi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how social value is created in a context characterized by institutional complexity. By identifying stakeholders interacting in a social enterprise and the logics guiding their expected and experienced value, the study describes how social value is created when different institutional logics embedded in strong-tie networks are bridged.

Design/methodology/approach

Concepts of structural holes and institutional logics were applied to the empirical case of a social enterprise. Interviews provided the primary empirical material, but multiple data collection methods were used.

Findings

A shared goal facilitated co-existence of competing value logics, and provided common space forming multiple social value outcomes as products of the different logics.

Research limitations/implications

Limited to one case, this study shows that the interaction of otherwise unconnected stakeholders in a social enterprise, and their embeddedness in different institutional logics, provides one explanation for why and how social value is created.

Practical implications

Acknowledging and addressing gaps in knowledge and resources can lead to social value creation if social enterprises remain open to different logics. This suggests that co-existence of different logics can be a key factor for successful social value creation in social enterprises, if the competing logics are turned into complementary sources.

Originality/value

Dependency on logics from different networks of stakeholders shapes social enterprises to produce outcomes consistent with the different logics. The multiplicity of social value outcomes poses challenges for evaluating the success of social enterprises, especially when the tendency is to use evaluation approaches from the for-profit sector, focusing on the economic logic.
Cruise tourism: social media content and network structures
Authors: Tiago Flávio , Couto João , Faria Sandra , Borges-Tiago Teresa
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present knowledge acquired through examining three cruise lines’ social media strategies over a three-year period, analyzing the network structures involved and demonstrating the value of the STAR (storytelling, triggers, amusement and reaction) model for enhancing social media activity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study gathered data from three cruise lines’ official websites and Facebook and Twitter accounts, examining variables such as internet presence, engagement and fans/followers. Furthermore, the work also addresses several issues that researchers encounter when using the STAR model.

Findings

Digital activity was found to vary significantly between the three cruise lines’ websites and Facebook and Twitter accounts, with the companies adopting different approaches and obtaining different results. Each company tended to have its own base of fans and followers, who shared a common language, reflected in the hashtags they used. The results show that cruise lines wishing to develop a content-oriented strategy that maximizes engagement in social media should share rich multimedia content that supports storytelling values and can be used on multiple platforms.

Originality/value

This work can be of interest to practitioners aiming to use a comparison and assessment tool for their digital activity. It could also assist future researchers focusing on cruise line activity, as few researchers have analyzed the online content strategies of cruise lines, particularly on Facebook and Twitter.
Measuring service quality and customer satisfaction of the small- and medium-sized hotels (SMSHs) industry: lessons from United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Authors: Ahmad Syed Zamberi , Ahmad Norita , Papastathopoulos Avraam
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to delve upon customer satisfaction and service quality within small- and medium-sized hotels (SMSHs) by using a modified SERVQUAL model.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were collected from a sample of 253 guests of varying nationalities who stayed at SMSHs of one-to-three-star ratings in the UAE. Moreover, 15 face-to-face interviews were conducted. The influence of the five dimensions of the SERVQUAL model on visitors’ satisfaction was explored using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results indicated that three out of the five dimensions of SERVQUAL, namely, tangible, responsiveness and assurance, have significant positive impact on visitors’ satisfaction of the SMSHs Industry. The remaining two dimensions of SERVQUAL, reliability and empathy, have no significant impact on visitors’ satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study provides a major contribution in that it offers the potential to examine a vastly under researched area of customer satisfaction and service quality of SMSHs in a developing country.
Non‐invasive measurement of metabolic rates in wild, free‐living birds using doubly labelled water
Authors: Bourne Amanda R. , McKechnie Andrew E. , Cunningham Susan J. , Ridley Amanda R. , Woodborne Stephan M. , Karasov William H.
Published: October 2018

Doubly labelled water (DLW) is routinely used to measure energy expenditure and water turnover in free‐ranging animals. Standard methods involve capture, blood sampling for baseline measurement, injection with isotopic tracers, captivity for an equilibration period, post‐dose blood sampling, release and subsequent recapture for final blood sampling. Single sampling methods that minimise disturbance by reducing capture and handling time have been developed and tested. Sampling faeces rather than blood could further reduce disturbance to study animals in a range of species and study systems. However, the extent to which estimates of metabolic rate derived from blood and faecal samples diverge has not been investigated.

We compared isotopic enrichment in blood and faecal samples taken concurrently from captive Southern Pied Babblers Turdoides bicolor. Isotopic enrichment levels in faeces and in blood were used to calculate initial and final ratios of for each individual. We then used these ratios to calculate daily energy expenditure (DEE) and directly compared measurements from blood samples with those from faecal samples within individuals. We found that faecal sampling resulted in estimates of DEE that agree with those based on blood sampling.

Additionally, we field‐tested a faecal sampling protocol with a habituated population of babblers in the southern Kalahari Desert. During the field test, study animals were not captured or handled for either dosing or sampling. Field‐testing confirmed the practical feasibility of non‐invasive dosing and sampling techniques in free‐living animals, and we obtained measurements of DEE that we used to test an a priori prediction that DEE is inversely related to air temperature. Our data show decreasing DEE with increasing air temperature, a pattern consistent with studies testing similar predictions in birds using traditional DLW methods.

We demonstrate that faecal samples can substitute for blood when measuring DEE using DLW and provide a method that will allow field‐based researchers to obtain sound physiological measurements while minimising handling and removal of study animals from their natural environments.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Root traits of herbaceous crops: Pre‐adaptation to cultivation or evolution under domestication?
Authors: Martín‐Robles Nieves , Morente‐López Javier , Freschet Grégoire T. , Poorter Hendrik , Roumet Catherine , Milla Rubén
Published: October 2018

Agricultural fields are commonly characterized by high nutrient and water availabilities, which are favourable for plant growth. Such conditions might promote the evolution of resource‐acquisitive strategies. We asked whether crop plants show root traits typical of resource‐acquisitive strategies and whether this strategy is primarily a result of their evolution under domestication or of the early selection of successful candidates for domestication.

We studied a set of 30 crop species and their wild progenitors. We set up a greenhouse experiment to measure five root traits: root thickness, root tissue density, specific root length (SRL), root mass fraction (RMF) and root length ratio. In addition, we compiled data from other wild herbaceous species, growth in similar conditions to this experiment, to place the root traits of our crops in the context of wider botanical variation.

Wild progenitors had thicker and less dense roots, with higher RMF and lower SRL, than other wild herbs. Thicker and less dense roots are indicative of fertile soils, which suggest that wild progenitors could have been adapted for success in agricultural conditions. Additionally, we found that domestication generally increased total plant dry mass, but none of the root traits evolved consistently towards a more resource‐acquisitive strategy after domestication across all species. Root trait values differed between progenitors and crop species for most pairs surveyed, but this occurred in diverse directions depending on crop species. Such differences were independent of phylogeny, functional group or variability in the domestication processes, such as timing of the domestication event or organ under focal artificial selection.

Our comparative study revealed that the root phenotype exhibited by wild progenitors (thick roots with low density and SRL), when compared with other wild herbs, was in accordance with plants typical of fertile habitats. However, none of the root traits reacted to domestication in accordance with evolution towards faster growth strategies. Thus, the adaptation of crop root phenotypes to the fertile conditions of agricultural fields might be largely determined by early choices of wild species, rather than by further evolution under domestication.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
How traffic facilitates population expansion of invasive species along roads: The case of common ragweed in Germany
Authors: Lemke Andreas , Kowarik Ingo , von der Lippe Moritz
Published: October 2018

Because common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., henceforth Ambrosia) has negative effects on human health, it is a common focus for management, which would benefit from a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which the species spreads. Road systems are known to be invasion corridors, but the conduit function of vehicles for the rapid spread of Ambrosia along roads and for population extension along roadside verges has not yet been demonstrated convincingly.

To quantify the effect of different traffic volumes on the dispersal and population extension of Ambrosia, we used two approaches: First, by combining field experiments along roads with records of the seed rain around single plants, we simulated a combined dispersal kernel that revealed the interactions between primary dispersal and traffic‐mediated secondary dispersal. Second, we recorded the seedling recruitment around isolated roadside populations over 2 years to determine how traffic‐related parameters affect population extension.

The longest traffic‐mediated dispersal distances exceeded those of primary dispersal by about one order of magnitude. Traffic volume had a significant positive effect on dispersal distances and on the lateral deposition of seeds on the road verge.

Seedling recruitment around isolated roadside populations was significantly higher in the driving direction than against, but only at the distance where the major seed rain of traffic‐mediated dispersal is to be expected according to the combined dispersal kernel (3–15 m).

Synthesis and applications. This study isolates the effects of road traffic from confounding mechanisms (e.g. mowing machinery, propagule pressure from infested fields) on common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) invasions. Results demonstrate the traffic‐mediated dispersal in Ambrosia invasions as a routine and predictable process that facilitates population extension in the direction of traffic along roadsides, depending on traffic volume. This highlights the importance of prioritizing mowing along high use roads and mowing of isolated populations to prevent seed abscission and further spread of common ragweed.
The social life of DNA: racial reconciliation and institutional morality after the genome
Authors: Nelson Alondra
Published: October 2018

This 2017British Journal of SociologyLecture builds upon ideas developed inThe Social Life of DNA: Race, Reparations, and Reconciliation after the Genome(Nelson 2016). I argue that one of the more significant developments of the postgenomic era is the circulation of DNA analysis outside of the life sciences, especially commercial applications such as direct‐to‐consumer genealogical testing. These tests are increasingly taken up in ‘reconciliation projects’ – endeavours in which DNA analysis is put to the use of repairing the past, including a recently launched attempt in the United States to locate descendants of enslaved persons sold by the Jesuit stewards of Georgetown College in order to bolster that institution’s finances. With this reconciliation project, genetic genealogy has become a vehicle for a form of social repair, and most particularly, the reuniting of ‘lost’ kin. This use of genetic genealogy takes place against the backdrop of an expanding, national inquiry into ties between education and slavery. In the process, the legacy of racial slavery is rendered both contemporary and proximate, despite a ‘colour‐blind’ racial project that aims to negate the significance of this history and its coeval development with US higher education. Elite educational institutions such as Georgetown that elect to excavate these histories are soon after faced with the choice of how to respond, on campus and beyond, to revelations of entanglements between edification and bondage. However imperfectly, colleges and universities are among the few institutional settings where the contested issue of structural racism (and remedies to it) may be aired. It is in these fraught debates that the exercise of ‘institutional morality’ can take shape; organizations engage in practices that articulate institutional values and are faced with a choice of symbolic and distributional responses.
Risk equalization in competitive health insurance markets: Identifying healthy individuals on the basis of multiple‐year low spending
Authors: Eijkenaar Frank , van Vliet René C. J. A. , van Kleef Richard C.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To study the extent to which risk equalization (RE) in competitive health insurance markets can be improved by including an indicator for being healthy.

Study Setting/Data Sources

This study is conducted in the context of the Dutch individual health insurance market. Administrative data on spending and risk characteristics (2011‐2014) for the entire population (N = 16.6 m) as well as health survey data from a large sample (N = 387 k) are used.

Study Design

The indicator for being healthy is low spending in three consecutive prior years. “Low spending” is defined in three ways: belonging to the bottom 60%, 70%, or 80% of the annual spending distribution. Versions of the Dutch RE model 2017 with and without the indicator are compared on individual‐level payment fit and, using the survey data, group‐level payment fit.

Principal Findings

All three alternative models outperform the Dutch RE model 2017. However, significant unpriced risk heterogeneity remains. Compared with the 60% threshold, the 80% threshold comes with a larger improvement in fit but identifies a less selective group.

Conclusions

The performance of the RE model can be improved by adding an indicator for being healthy based on multiple‐year low spending. However, risk‐selection potential remains, warranting high priority to further improvement of RE.
CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated Tyrosine hydroxylase knockout resulting in larval lethality in Agrotis ipsilon
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Yao‐Hui , Chen Xi‐En , Tian Di , Xu Xia , Li Kai , Huang Yong‐Ping , He Lin
Published: October 2018

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is involved in insect melanin and the catecholamine biosynthesis pathway. TH as an enzyme catalyzing the conversion of tyrosine to 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine is the first step reaction in the pathway. Although TH has been proven to affect the pigmentation of the epidermis and development in many insects, there is no report about physiological function of the TH gene in Agrotis ipsilon. Here we cloned the TH gene from A. ipsilon. Semi‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that AiTH was expressed at all development stages. Moreover, its high expression levels in the head and epidermis suggest that it is mainly related to pigment deposition and insect development. Then, we used the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 system to target the AiTH gene: deletion events were detected at the target sites. Compared with the control group, a few mutants with the phenomenon of narrowing in the egg shell and embryos can develop but cannot hatch; the other hatched embryos were seriously dehydrated after hatching and died within the first day. Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis revealed that TH was down‐regulated in AiTH mutants. Here, our work demonstrated that AiTH plays an important role in growth and development of newly hatched larvae; meanwhile, it would be a promising target to explore a control strategy for A. ipsilon.
phMRI, neurochemical and behavioral responses to psychostimulants distinguishing genetically selected alcohol‐preferring from genetically heterogenous rats
Authors: Bifone A. , Gozzi A. , Cippitelli A. , Matzeu A. , Domi E. , Li H. , Scuppa G. , Cannella N. , Ubaldi M. , Weiss F. , Ciccocioppo R.
Published: October 2018

Alcoholism is often associated with other forms of drug abuse, suggesting that innate predisposing factors may confer vulnerability to addiction to diverse substances. However, the neurobiological bases of these factors remain unknown. Here, we have used a combination of imaging, neurochemistry and behavioral techniques to investigate responses to the psychostimulant amphetamine in Marchigian Sardinian (msP) alcohol‐preferring rats, a model of vulnerability to alcoholism. Specifically, we employed pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural circuits engaged by amphetamine challenge, and to relate functional reactivity to neurochemical and behavioral responses. Moreover, we studied self‐administration of cocaine in the msP rats. We found stronger functional responses in the extended amygdala, alongside with increased release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell and augmented vertical locomotor activity compared with controls. Wistar and msP rats did not differ in operant cocaine self‐administration under short access (2 hours) conditions, but msP rats exhibited a higher propensity to escalate drug intake following long access (6 hours). Our findings suggest that neurobiological and genetic mechanisms that convey vulnerability to excessive alcohol drinking also facilitate the transition from psychostimulants use to abuse.
Prescription opioid medication misuse among university students
Authors: Harries Michael D. , Lust Katherine , Christenson Gary A. , Redden Sarah A. , Grant Jon E.
Published: October 2018

Background and Objectives

Prescription opioid misuse is an established problem in the United States. Less information is known regarding the clinical and cognitive characteristics of prescription opioid misusers, specifically in a college age population. This study sought to characterize individuals who misuse prescription opioids and the differences between current, past and non‐misusers.

Methods

A 156‐item survey was administered to over 9,449 university students at a large, public Midwestern university. Survey questions obtained demographic information, self‐reported grade point average, sexual behavior, mental health characteristics, and substance use. Participants also completed assessments that asked questions regarding impulsivity, mental health, substance use, and other impulsive behaviors including gambling and sexual activity. 3,522 students completed the survey and were included in the analysis.

Results

Of this group, 2.2% reported misusing prescription opioids in the last 12 months and another 5.3% reported misusing prescription opioids previously but not in the past year. This study found prescription opioid misusers to be more likely to live off campus, have a lower GPA, and exhibit increased impulsivity. Prescription opioid misusers were also more likely to report earlier age of sexual activity and were less likely to use barrier protection during sexual activity.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

This study identifies a number of risk factors for those misusing prescription opioids that can be used to develop and refine prescription opioid misuse screening tools for university health centers. It also identifies a number of concurring behaviors that can simultaneously be addressed when prescription opioid misusers are identified. (Am J Addict 2018;XX:1–7)
Fatal road transport crashes among Australian residential aged care facility residents
Authors: Lee Hui‐Ching , Johnson Marilyn , Bugeja Lyndal , Koppel Sjaan , Chong Derek , Ibrahim Joseph E
Published: October 2018

Objective

To examine fatal road transport crashes of residential aged care facility (RACF) residents to determine crash characteristics and risk factors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of a retrospective national cohort of RACF resident deaths notified to Australian coroners. Inclusion criteria: death occurred between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2013; mechanism classified as ‘transport injury event’; and completed coronial investigation. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted on crash characteristics and risk factors.

Results

Thirty‐eight deaths met the inclusion criteria. Median age of deceased RACF residents was 84 years, and gender was equally distributed. Men were most frequently pedestrians (n = 14, 37%), and women were most frequently motor vehicle passengers (n = 14, 37%). Road user factors contributed to two‐thirds of crashes (n = 25, 66%), with ‘failure to yield’ (n = 17, 45%) most frequent.

Conclusion

Reducing fatal crashes of RACF residents requires effective road safety strategies and public awareness of risks for this increasing and vulnerable population.
Baseline fragmented QRS is associated with increased all‐cause mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kanitsoraphan Chanavuth , Rattanawong Pattara , Mekraksakit Poemlarp , Chongsathidkiet Pakawat , Riangwiwat Tanawan , Kanjanahattakij Napatt , Vutthikraivit Wasawat , Klomjit Saranapoom , Thavaraputta Subhanudh
Published: October 2018

Background

Recent studies suggested that fragmented (fQRS) is associated with poor clinical outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. However, no systematic review or meta‐analysis has been done. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the association between baseline fQRS and all‐cause mortality in HFrEF.

Methods

We comprehensively reviewed the databases of MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to February 2018. Published studies of HFrEF that reported fQRS and outcome of all‐cause mortality and major arrhythmic event (sudden cardiac death, sudden cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation, or sustained ventricular tachycardia) were included. Data were integrated using the random‐effects, generic inverse‐variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.

Results

Ten studies from 2010 to 2017 were included. Baseline fQRS was associated with increased all‐cause mortality (risk ratio [RR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–2.19, p < 0.0001, I2 = 73%) as well as major arrhythmic events (RR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.09–2.80, I2 = 89%). Baseline fQRS increased all‐cause mortality in both Asian and Caucasian cohorts (RR = 2.17 with 95% CI 1.33–3.55 and RR = 1.45 with 95% CI 1.05–1.99, respectively) as well as increased major arrhythmic events in Asian cohort (RR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.05–2.13). Baseline fQRS also increased all‐cause mortality in patients who had not received implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator, significantly more than in patients who had received implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (RR = 2.46 with 95% CI 1.56–3.89 and 1.36 with 95% CI 1.08–1.71, respectively).

Conclusion

Baseline fQRS is associated with increased all‐cause mortality up to 1.63‐fold in HFrEF patients. Fragmented QRS could be a predictor of clinical outcome in patients with HFrEF.