bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identity and Foreign Policy
Authors: Vucetic Srdjan
Published: January 2019

One way of looking at the essence of society and politics is through efforts to claim and disclaim, and otherwise make and unmake, who we are, who they and others are, were, or aspire to be, in a given time and space. The simplest label for this approach is “identity”—a convenient shorthand for a large but often sparsely connected scholarship. In foreign policy analysis (FPA), a subfield of international relations (IR), this scholarship emerged in the 1990s under the rubric of constructivism. “Conventional constructivists” developed frameworks for understanding how identities guide thought and action, particularly focusing on how state identities inform foreign policy processes and how international structures shape the formation of state identity. In doing so, conventional constructivists engaged, and were engaged by, FPA researchers working in more established traditions. Signaling fidelity to the relational, multitudinous, never-settled ontology of identity formation, “critical constructivists” instead opted for the concept of “identification” to analyze the co-constitution of foreign policy practices and political subjectivities. Vigorous debates between and within the proponents of these approaches, in addition to many critiques of constructivism, have greatly increased and refined the theoretical and empirical contributions on identity and foreign policy. The latest research on how political constructions of us, them, and others shape, and are shaped by, foreign policy practices routinely mobilizes ever-newer concepts, theories, and methodological packages. General Overviews is a collection of “shortcuts”—that is, journal articles and chapters in handbooks that delineate the basic parameters of this literature. Fundamentals annotates sources that have proven to be exceptionally influential in setting this research agenda. Loosely structured by IR’s idea of regions, The next sections provide a world tour of sorts, covering Africa and the Middle East, Asia, The Americas, Europe, The Post-Soviet Space, and Comparative and with reference to both acclaimed and more overlooked contributions to scholarship. The essay concludes with a small selection of works representing “New Directions.”
Populism in Latin America
Authors: Hawkins Kirk
Published: January 2019

Donald Trump’s victory in the US 2016 presidential election awakened many US scholars to the existence of populism. However, the study of populism is old news for political scientists in Latin America and other regions. Since at least the 1960s, scholars in these regions have dealt with key conceptual, methodological, and theoretical issues in the study of populism, covering instances of populism that have appeared since the inception of liberal, representative democracy in the late 18th century. This wealth of scholarship is an aid to mainstream scholars in the United States and other wealthy democracies as they grapple with the impact of populist forces, providing them with tools for measuring populism and for studying its causes and consequences. However, there are also lessons for scholars in regions that have studied populism much longer. This is especially true for Latin America. Senior Latin Americanists who engage with populism have a tendency to rely on older approaches and methods that have not withstood empirical tests in other regions. Some researchers are unaware that comparative, cross-regional scholarship has arrived at a rough consensus about the nature of populist ideas, and that the cross-regional study of populist discourse has moved beyond the anti-positivist bent of some early work. Thus, this bibliography walks a fine line between highlighting the foundational work of earlier scholars, particularly those studying Latin America, while introducing current Latin Americanists to the work being done outside the region. A concluding section highlights the unique scholarly contributions to the study of populism in the United States, contributions that provide an important touchstone to Latin Americanists, not to mention mainstream scholars in the United States.
Applicatives
Authors: Peterson David A.
Published: January 2019

Applicative constructions (henceforth, “applicatives”) allow languages to express what otherwise would be expressed as an oblique participant as a core object participant. For instance, in Hakha Lai, a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in western Burma, a comitative participant (“with X”) may be obliquely marked, as in the sentence lawthlawpaa=hee ka-kal “I went with the farmer.” In this sentence an oblique comitative is expressed via the clitic postposition =hee (“with”). The verb stem kal “go” is prefixed with a first-person singular participant marker, ka-. Hakha Lai alternatively may express comitative participants by means of a bare, non-oblique object noun phrase, as in the sentence lawthlawpaa ka-kal-pii “I went with the farmer.” In this version, note that the verb is suffixed by -pii, the comitative applicative marker. We can refer to the object in the second sentence as the applicative object. The oblique comitative in the first sentence is syntactically distinct from a normal transitive object in many respects; the comitative in the second sentence, on the other hand, is syntactically identical to a normal transitive object. The term “applicative” is also used for cases in which only the verbally marked variant is possible, although not all researchers would regard such formations as true applicatives. More recently, the term “applicative” has been extended (in the Generative theoretical literature) to refer to other cases of constructions involving multiple objects, including instances where there is no verbal applicative marker and even instances where the objects in question do not bear the same case. Much of the research on applicatives has focused on aspects of their synchronic morphosyntax. In particular, treatments of the phenomenon in specific languages have concentrated on the status of the object that appears in the applicative with respect to an alternative oblique instantiation for such a participant and with respect to normal transitive objects. A further major issue has been the status of additional objects, including the object representing a P participant associated with the basic predicate, widely referred to as the base object, vis-à-vis an applicative object, or the object associated with the applicative marking morphology. A handful of studies have attempted to treat the grammaticalization sources for applicative constructions, in particular the morphology signaling the construction on the verb. Finally, a few studies have attempted to evaluate the function of applicatives in running discourse.
Competency to Stand Trial
Authors: Zapf Patricia A. , Beltrani Amanda
Published: January 2019

A core principle of modern-day law is that all defendants maintain the right to a fair trial. A defendant must be able to factually and rationally understand and participate in a court process, the ability to do so deems the defendant competent. Competency is relevant through all stages of the criminal justice process from arrest through sentencing. This article describes research and scholarship related to competency to stand trial. Competency to stand trial is a doctrine of jurisprudence that requires criminal proceedings to be postponed if a defendant is unable to meaningfully participate in his or her defense on account of a mental disease or defect. The US law regarding trial competency was established in the 1960 US Supreme Court Case Dusky v. United States (cited under Origins of Competency to Stand Trial and Key Legal Cases), and currently all states use some variant of the Dusky standard, with the exact definition varying by jurisdiction. Competency evaluations are essential to ensure the protection of a defendant’s due process rights guaranteed by the US Constitution. Approximately sixty thousand defendants are evaluated for trial competency annually, making this the most common forensic issue evaluated. Ultimately, an individual’s competency is a legal issue and does not have a distinct or easily identifiable psychological correlate. However, judges’ rulings closely follow mental health professionals’ recommendations most of the time, highlighting the importance of forensic mental health evaluators understanding the reason for the referral, the concerns surrounding competency, and the specific demands of the case. Issues of competency may be raised at any point during the proceedings, and if a bona fide doubt exists regarding competency, the issue must be formally considered: thus requiring a forensic evaluation. A defendant’s competency is assessed based on his or her present ability to understand court proceedings, make educated legal decisions, conduct oneself in a manner appropriate for court, and contribute to the development and execution of one’s legal defense. Forensic evaluators are tasked with describing the degree of congruence or incongruence between the relevant jurisdictional competency standard and the defendant’s current abilities. To complete this task, forensic evaluators must maintain a combination of advanced clinical skills coupled with knowledge about the legal system, competency standards, and the proper interpretation of the data collected for the evaluation.
The Climate Security Nexus
Authors: Snorek Julie , Abrahams Daniel
Published: January 2019

The progression of climate change impacts in the age of the Anthropocene will have dire consequences for our planet; yet, will it also bring about greater violence and conflict? The linking of climate change to violent conflict or the climate-security nexus (C-S nexus) was popularized in 2003 with the release of two security strategies from the Pentagon and the European Council. This idea gained momentum when, in 2007, the Nobel committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for their work at raising the world’s awareness of anthropogenic climate change. Scientists contributing to this dialogue took reference to the literature and theories of the environmental security debate, and much scholarship has ensued since. Although most empirical work has found no causal link between climate change and violent conflict, several quantitative studies have shown otherwise. A large majority of literature, however, focuses on the conditionalities of climate change on broader elements of human security and finds the proposed relationships to be neo-Malthusian and environmentally deterministic. The strength of this critique has resulted in wide disagreement of the validity of the C-S nexus—from those who recognize it as an important way to promote climate change mitigation to those that warn that such discourses serve an agenda for greater hegemony and militarized control of the Global South. These arguments, as well as their potential for policy response, are highlighted in this article through a body of literature that explains both how and why the C-S nexus is being discussed and the consequences to this and other securitization debates.
Characterization of patients with chronic refractory gout who do and do not have clinically apparent tophi and their response to pegloticase
Authors: Lawrence Edwards N , Singh Jasvinder A , Troum Orrin , Yeo Anthony E , Lipsky Peter E
Published: January 2019

Objective

To determine the characteristics and response to pegloticase of patients with chronic refractory gout with and without clinically apparent tophi.

Methods

Results from two randomized controlled trials of pegloticase in patients with chronic refractory gout with clinically apparent tophi or without tophi were used to assess baseline and on-treatment between-group differences.

Results

Patients with tophi were significantly older than those without tophi, had a significantly longer duration of disease, higher numbers of tender and swollen joints, higher Patient Global Assessment scores and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index scores, and lower Arthritis-Specific Health Index scores. Patients with tophaceous gout also had significantly lower scores for physical functioning, role physical, social functioning, and the physical component summary scores of the Short Form 36 vs patients without tophi. In addition, subjects with clinically apparent tophi had a significantly lower mean estimated glomerular filtration rate. Pegloticase treatment of tophaceous patients caused significant reductions in serum urate, flares, Patient Global Assessment, tender joints, swollen joints, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, visual analogue scale pain and Short Form 36 Bodily Pain, whereas patients without tophi had significant improvement in serum urate, flares, Patient Global Assessment, tender joints, and Short Form 36 Bodily Pain, but not swollen joints, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index functional score or pain visual analogue scale. Treatment with pegloticase had no effect on estimated glomerular filtration rate despite significant lowering of the urinary uric acid: creatinine ratio.

Conclusion

Patients with chronic refractory gout and clinically apparent tophi have more severe disease as well as reduced renal function. Both groups experienced significant clinical benefit with pegloticase treatment, although no change in renal function was noted.
Maternal investment, life histories, and the evolution of brain structure in primates
Authors: Powell Lauren E , Street Sally E , Barton Robert A
Published: January 2019

Life history is a robust correlate of relative brain size: large-brained mammals and birds have slower life histories and longer lifespans than smaller-brained species. One influential adaptive hypothesis to account for this finding is the Cognitive Buffer Hypothesis (CBH). The CBH proposes that large brains permit greater behavioural flexibility and thereby buffer the animal from unpredictable environmental challenges, allowing reduced mortality and increased lifespan. In contrast, the Developmental Costs Hypothesis (DCH) suggests that life-history correlates of brain size reflect the extension of maturational processes needed to accommodate the evolution of large brains. The hypotheses are not mutually exclusive but do make different predictions. Here we test novel predictions of the hypotheses in primates: examining how the volume of brain components with different developmental trajectories correlate with relevant phases of maternal investment, juvenile period and post-maturational lifespan. Consistent with the DCH, structures with different allocations of growth to pre-natal versus post-natal development exhibit predictably divergent correlations with the associated periods of maternal investment and pre-maturational lifespan. Contrary to the CBH, adult lifespan is uncorrelated with either whole brain size or the size of individual brain components once duration of maternal investment is accounted for. Our results substantiate and elaborate on the role of maternal investment and offspring development in brain evolution, suggest that brain components can evolve partly independently through modifications of distinct developmental mechanisms, and imply that postnatal maturational processes involving interaction with the environment may be particularly crucial for the development of cerebellar function. They also provide an explanation for why apes have relatively extended maturation times, which relate to the relative expansion of the cerebellum in this clade.
Exploring correlations in genetic and cultural variation across language families in Northeast Asia
Authors: Matsumae Hiromi , Ranacher Peter , Savage Patrick E. , Blasi Damián E. , Currie Thomas E. , Kognebuchi Kae , Nishida Nao , Sato Takehiro , Tanabe Hideyuki , Tajima Atsushi , Brown Steven , Stoneking Mark , Shimizu Kentaro K. , Oota Hiroki , Bickel Balthasar
Published: January 2019

Culture evolves in ways that are analogous to, but distinct from, genomes. Previous studies examined similarities between cultural variation and genetic variation (population history) at small scales within language families, but few studies empirically investigated such parallels across language families using diverse cultural data. We report an analysis comparing culture and genomes from in and around Northeast Asia spanning 11 language families. We extract and summarize the variation in language (grammar, phonology, lexicon), music (song structure, performance style), and genomes (genome-wide SNPs) and test for correlations. We find that grammatical structure correlates with population history. Recent contact and shared descent fail to explain the signal, suggesting relationships that arose before the formation of current families. Our results suggest that grammar might be a cultural indicator of population history, while also demonstrating differences among cultural and genetic relationships that highlight the complex nature of human history.
rEXPAR: an isothermal amplification scheme that is robust to autocatalytic parasites
Authors: Urtel Georg , Galas Jean-Christophe , Estevez-Torres André
Published: January 2019

In the absence of DNA, a solution containing the four deoxynucleotidetriphosphates (dNTPs), a DNA polymerase and a nicking enzyme generates a self-replicating mixture of DNA species called parasite. Parasites are problematic in template-based isothermal amplification schemes such as EXPAR, as well as in related molecular programming languages, such as the PEN DNA toolbox. Here we show that the nicking enzyme Nb.BssSI allows to change the sequence design of EXPAR templates in a way that prevents the formation of parasites when dATP is removed from the solution. This method allows to make the EXPAR reaction robust to parasite contamination, a common feature in the laboratory, while keeping it compatible with PEN programs, which we demonstrate by engineering a parasite-proof bistable reaction network.
Network-based hierarchical population structure analysis for large genomic datasets
Authors: Greenbaum Gili , Rubin Amir , Templeton Alan R. , Rosenberg Noah A.
Published: January 2019

Analysis of population structure in natural populations using genetic data is a common practice in ecological and evolutionary studies. With large genomic datasets of populations now appearing more frequently across the taxonomic spectrum, it is becoming increasingly possible to reveal many hierarchical levels of structure, including fine-scale genetic clusters. To analyze these datasets, methods need to be appropriately suited to the challenges of extracting multilevel structure from whole-genome data. Here, we present a network-based approach for constructing population structure representations from genetic data. The use of community detection algorithms from network theory generates a natural hierarchical perspective on the representation that the method produces. The method is computationally efficient, and it requires relatively few assumptions regarding the biological processes that underlie the data. We demonstrate the approach by analyzing population structure in the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana and in human populations. These examples illustrates how network-based approaches for population structure analysis are well-suited to extracting valuable ecological and evolutionary information in the era of large genomic datasets.
Signatures of replication timing, recombination and sex in the spectrum of rare variants on the human X chromosome and autosomes
Authors: Agarwal Ipsita , Przeworski Molly
Published: January 2019

The sources of human germline mutations are poorly understood. Part of the difficulty is that mutations occur very rarely, and so direct pedigree-based approaches remain limited in the numbers that they can examine. To address this problem, we consider the spectrum of low frequency variants in a dataset (gnomAD) of 13,860 human X chromosomes and autosomes. X-autosome differences are reflective of germline sex differences, and have been used extensively to learn about male versus female mutational processes; what is less appreciated is that they also reflect chromosome-level biochemical features that differ between the X and autosomes. We tease these components apart by comparing the mutation spectrum in multiple genomic compartments on the autosomes and between the X and autosomes. In so doing, we are able to ascribe specific mutation patterns to replication timing and recombination, and to identify differences in the types of mutations that accrue in males and females. In particular, we identify C>G as a mutagenic signature of male meiotic double strand breaks on the X, which may result from late repair. Our results show how biochemical processes of damage and repair in the germline interact with sex-specific life history traits to shape mutation patterns on both the X chromosome and autosomes.
Constitutive Androstane Receptor contributes towards increased drug clearance in cholestasis
Authors: Mathur Bhoomika , Arif Waqar , Patton Megan , Faiyaz Rahiman , Kalsotra Auinash , Wheatley Antony M , Anakk Sayeepriyadarshini
Published: January 2019

Understanding the alterations in drug metabolism in different liver diseases is crucial for appropriate therapeutic intervention. We performed high-throughput RNA sequencing on various liver injury models, including cholestasis, diet-induced steatosis, and regeneration. Comparative liver transcriptome analysis revealed overlapping and distinct gene profiles among different liver diseases. Particularly, cholestatic livers displayed robust induction of drug metabolizing genes. This upregulation is not a generic hepatic stress response, as it was suppressed or unchanged in other models of liver diseases. Consistently, drug metabolic gene profiles were induced in a subset of biliary atresia patients, but not in individuals with hepatitis B or C viral infection, and alcoholic hepatitis. Further analysis revealed this induction was specific to genes regulated by nuclear receptor CAR (Constitutive Androstane Receptor). To test this, we challenged cholestatic mice with a paralytic agent, zoxazolamine. Compared to controls, these mice displayed significantly reduced paralysis time, reflecting increased drug metabolism, and this effect was lost upon inhibition of CAR. Thus, CAR activation can alter therapeutic efficacy of certain drugs in a subset of cholestatic individuals.
Meiotic viral attenuation through an ancestral apoptotic pathway
Authors: Gao Jie , Chau Sabrina , Chowdhury Fuad , Zhou Tina , Hossain Saif , Angus McQuibban G. , Meneghini Marc D.
Published: January 2019

The programmed release of apoptogenic proteins from mitochondria is a core event of apoptosis, though ancestral roles of this phenomenon are not known. In mammals, one such apoptogenic protein is Endonuclease G (EndoG), a conserved nuclease that fragments the DNA of dying cells. In this work, we show that budding yeast executes meiotically programmed mitochondrial release of an EndoG homologue, Nuc1, during sporulation. In contrast to EndoG’s ostensible pro-death function during apoptosis, Nuc1 mitochondrial release attenuates the cytosolic dsRNA mycovirus, Killer, protecting spores from a lethal accumulation of its encoded toxin. Our identification of cell-protective viral attenuation as a target of this rudimentary apoptotic pathway illuminates a primordial role for mitochondrial release of EndoG.

One Sentence Summary

Yeast sporulation induces release of mitochondrial endonuclease G to accomplish viral attenuation.
A demographic model for estimating the inter-division lifespans of stem cells and the subsequent transit amplifying stages
Authors: Gadre Purna , Chatterjee Shambhabi , Varshney Bhavna , Mazumdar Debasmita , Gupta Samir , Nitsure Nitin , Ray Krishanu
Published: January 2019

The division rates of stem cells and their progeny shape the growth and maintenance of tissues. Here, we present a mathematical model that could estimate the stage-wise lifespans of germline stem cells (GSCs) and subsequent transit amplifying (TA) cells from their steady-state distribution inDrosophilatestis. Analysis of the wild-type data using this model indicated that the inter-division lifespans of the first two TA cycles remain similar to that of the GSCs, and then reduce by nearly 2-folds for the third and fourth cycles. Also, loss of Cyclin E and Cdk1 functions in the early germline cells, which decreased the rates of GSC divisions, is suggested to extend the lifespans of GSCs and the TA stages without affecting subsequent differentiation. Similar perturbations at the 4 and 8-cell stages, however, arrested the mitoses at the 8-cell stage, and only the Cyclin E-deficient cells continued with premature meiosis. Together, these results suggest that regulation of the G1-S and G2-M transitions in the GSCs and the rapidly dividing TA stages differentially impacts the amplification of the germline pool and subsequent differentiation. The model also helped to quantify distinct influences of these cell cycle regulatory molecules in determining the lifespans at different TA stages.

Highlights

A model for calculating the lifespans of transit amplifying stages from demography. Transit-amplifying divisions accelerate by nearly 2-folds after the second mitosis. Cyclin E and Cdk1 regulate the lifespans of GSCs and transit amplifying cells. The premature arrest of the final transit amplifying division induces meiosis.
Crystal structures of 1′-aminocobaltocenium-1-carboxylic acid chloride monohydrate and of its azo dye 1′-[2-(1-amino-2,6-dimethylphenyl)diazen-1-yl]cobaltocenium-1-carboxylic acid hexafluoridophosphate monohydrate
Authors: Jochriem Markus , Wurst Klaus , Kopacka Holger , Bildstein Benno
Published: January 2019

1′-Aminocobaltocenium-1-carboxylic acid chloride, [Co(C5H6N)(C6H5O2)]Cl·H2O, (3), and its azo derivative 1′-[2-(1-amino-2,6-dimethylphenyl)diazen-1-yl]cobaltocenium-1-carboxylic acid hexafluoridophosphate, [Co(C13H14N3)(C6H5O2)]PF6·H2O (5) were obtained from cobaltocenium-1,1′-dicarboxylic acid hexafluoridophosphate by converting one carboxyl group to its chlorocarboxyl derivative followed by chloride/azide exchange, Curtius rearrangement, diazotiation and azo coupling with 2,6-dimethylaniline. Both title compounds crystallize as their monohydrates. In the crystal structure of 3, both functional groups lie in the same direction, with the Cp rings being nearly eclipsed, and participate in an extended hydrogen-bonded supramolecular network including the counter-ion and the water molecule of crystallization. Although the functional groups in 5 are somewhat further apart, bearing a greater torsion angle with the Cp rings now staggered, a similar supramolecular network is observed with not only the carboxylic acid and azo groups, but also with the more remote amino group participating in a hydrogen-bonded network, again including the counter-ion and the water molecule. The hexafluoridophosphate ion shows positional disorder. Compound 3 was refined as an inversion twin. In 5, each of the six F atoms is disordered over two sets of sites in a 1:1 ratio.
Understanding and responding to new forms of competition
Authors: Keller Kevin Lane
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this note is to provide some brand strategy perspectives to Sheth and Koschmann’s Do brands compete or coexist? How persistence of brand loyalty segments the market.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a comment piece written in response to Sheth and Koschmann’s “Do brands compete or coexist? How persistence of brand loyalty segments the market”.

Findings

In their article, Jagdish Sheth and Anthony Koschmann provide a very useful empirically grounded example of how categories can evolve to be dominated by two or three key players and some of the implications which result from that. In doing so, they offer a number of useful insights. At the same time, however, it should be recognized that a number of competitive forces have emerged in recent years that have disrupted long-established equilibria and threatened long-term leadership in numerous categories. This note describes the nature of those forces and outlines three strategic approaches to improve the odds of long-term brand leadership and success.

Originality/value

This response to Sheth and Koschmann’s paper provides a scholarly dialogue centered upon the premise of brand loyalty within the context of market competition.
How TV sponsorship can help television spot advertising
Authors: Bellman Steven , Murphy Jamie , Arismendez Shruthi Vale , Varan Duane
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to test TV sponsorship bumper effects, for the same brand, on 30-s TV spot advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental study tests sponsorship bumpers and 30-s TV spot ads for eight brands, four familiar and four unfamiliar, using realistic stimuli and a sample representative of the US population.

Findings

Sponsorship boosts ad effectiveness and is measured by ad awareness and ad liking. Both effects were stronger for unfamiliar brands.

Research limitations/implications

The results show that combining sponsorship with spot advertising has an additive effect. The study design did not allow tests for potential synergy (multiplicative) effects.

Practical implications

Advertisers can use the results to evaluate investing in sponsorship and advertising packages, which can help unfamiliar brands achieve familiar brand awareness.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to compare the effectiveness of sponsorship-boosted ads with sponsorship bumpers alone and with TV spot ads.
Lean, Six Sigma and its influence on potential and realized absorptive capacity
Authors: Muraliraj J. , Kuppusamy S. , Zailani Suhaiza , Santha C.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how Lean and Six Sigma’s distinctive practices relate to potential absorptive capacity (PACAP) and realized absorptive capacity (RACAP). The paper seeks to understand which of the practices in Lean Six Sigma are needed to manage absorptive capacity systematically.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least square based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the theoretical model drawing on a sample of 125 manufacturing organizations in Malaysia. In addition to examining direct effects, the study also examines indirect effects using bootstrapping method to identify possible mediation effects proposed in the model.

Findings

The results explain that Lean’s social practices (LSP), Six Sigma’s roles structure (RS) and structured improvement procedure (SIP) positively influence potential absorptive capacity (PACAP). Meanwhile LSP, RS and focus on metrics (FOM) positively influence realized absorptive capacity (RACAP). SIP was found to influence RACAP through PACAP. The analysis reveals the combination of Lean Six Sigma practices that are required in managing PACAP and RACAP differentially.

Research limitations/implications

The study is only confined to manufacturing industries in Peninsular Malaysia. Data collected were cross-sectional in nature. The application of Lean Six Sigma and how it influences absorptive capacity may get sturdier across time, and this may change the effect toward sustainability of firm’s competitive advantage. A longitudinal study may be useful in that context. The study also makes specific recommendations for future research.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be used by Lean Six Sigma practitioners to prioritize the implementation of Lean Six Sigma practices to develop absorptive capacity of the organization through PACAP and RACAP, which needs to be managed differentially as they exert differential outcomes. This would enable organizations to tactfully navigate and balance between PACAP and RACAP in accordance to business strategies and market conditions.

Originality/value

Absorptive capacity in Lean and Six Sigma context has largely been studied as a unidimensional construct or used as a grounding theoretical support. Therefore, understanding the multidimensionality through PACAP and RACAP provide insights on how to enhance and maneuver absorptive capacity through Lean Six Sigma systematically. The findings may pave the way for future research in enhancing the current knowledge threshold in Lean Six Sigma.
Improving productivity through Lean practices in central India-based manufacturing industries
Authors: Dave Yash , Sohani Nagendra
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The core principle of implementing Lean manufacturing is reducing waste through optimum utilization of all resources. In this research paper, the authors have examined the effect of implementing Lean practices on the overall productivity in central India-based manufacturing industries. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate the relationship between the implementation of Lean practices and overall productivity particularly in central India-based manufacturing industries.

Design/methodology/approach

A model in the integrated form is developed to illustrate how Lean manufacturing practices improve the overall productivity. Based on this model, a survey is performed to validate all hypotheses related to the conceptual model subject to various statistical tests.

Findings

It is established by the findings of this research that industries based in central India should implement the whole concept of Lean manufacturing practices to improve overall productivity. Industries should adopt the concept of Lean manufacturing in totality, not through the island approach.

Originality/value

The value of this research paper is to showcase the possibility for central India-based companies to become world-class industries. For this, an approach in the form of an integrated model has been developed.
Bioclimatic strategies of traditional earthen architecture
Authors: Balaguer Laura , Mileto Camilla , Vegas López-Manzanares Fernando , García-Soriano Lidia
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and characterise bioclimatic strategies of traditional earthen architecture in a specific territory, the Valencian region of La Serranía. These constructions were built in relation to their surrounding geography or climate through several mechanisms facing the action of solar radiation, water, wind, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is based on a comparative analysis of selected case studies representing the constructions and typologies of traditional earthen heritage in a territory with similar geography and climate, albeit with certain zonal limitations.

Findings

The results show that these constructions built with earth offer a global solution to environmental conditioning factors of the region by a series of strategies formalised at urban, architectural and constructive level, either independently or jointly. Although climate variations affect its behaviour, traditional earthen architecture seeks compactness to reach indoor comfort.

Originality/value

Traditional earthen architecture is a valuable heritage in danger which has been devaluated until several years in this remote region. Therefore, prior knowledge of its bioclimatic strategies and formal constitution is essential to establishing heritage intervention criteria and proposals adapted to its geographical, socio-cultural and socio-economic context.
Analysis of a low-cost anthropomorphic sensory platform for the world first minibus test
Authors: Stopforth Riaan , Proctor-Parker Craig , Davrajh Shaniel
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper includes results of some of the tests involved for the design and implementation of low-cost crash anthropomorphics (ATPs) fitted with sensory systems to measure forces that would have been experienced by passengers in the vehicle, commonly used for public transport within South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the description of the implemented low cost ATPs and the analysis of the data obtained from the sensory system within the torso of the ATPs and in the head of a single ATP, to identify if a documented threshold is exceeded. The autopsy of the ATPs is performed to identify injuries.

Findings

The recorded results showed the type of injuries that could have occurred when an accident has occurred with occupant in the minibus taxi. The autopsy performed on the ATPs showed feasible injuries that could be obtained by a person in a similar scenario.

Research limitations/implications

The ATPs were to be designed and constructed with the sensory system, with a budget of ZAR13,000/US$1,000.

Originality/value

The contributions of this paper are as follows: present the test results of two ATPs, and discuss them, for a loss of control of a minibus on a wet surface, which has been indicated as a world first test; And identify the need for a data fusion of sensory information to evaluate the injuries with the autopsy performed.
The role of the police in anti-money laundering
Authors: Dujovski Nikola , Mojsoska Snezana
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to describe and discuss the role of the police in anti-money laundering, with particular reference to the situation in the Republic of Macedonia.

Design/methodology/approach

A doctrinal approach is used to describe the role of the police in anti-money laundering policy, as well as to discuss whether the police is the central and main body in the fight against this crime. Deductive and inductive methods are used to analyze the collected data about Macedonian activities, provided by domestic and international organizations and institutions. Government agencies, institutions and bodies with different capacities for identifying and combating money laundering are included.

Findings

According to global statistics, about $2tn is laundered annually. Money laundering directly affects general economic and social life and the entire development, which shows why the concerns about this phenomenon have been growing worldwide. The most important issue in combating money laundering refers to preventing and detecting the problem. The police have the central role in combating money laundering in the Republic of Macedonia, but they must co-operate with public prosecutors and other agencies to fight this crime with more success. Even though Macedonian legislation is harmonized with European Union (EU) directives, there are a lot of activities in the field of money laundering to be done to fulfill EU standards. Relevant collected data were acquired from MONEYVAL reports, annual reports from the Ministry of Interior, Public Bureau of Statistics and statistics from the public prosecutor’s office, including all published documents.

Originality/value

The paper answers questions related to the role and effectiveness of the police by examining different authorizations and powers. Different approaches in implementing the law are specified and suggestions to overcome “two voices” are given. A comparative approach is also used to demonstrate the number of criminal charges per year, mainly collected by the public prosecutor’s office. The authors analyze whether additional training is needed for the police. All institutions should collaborate with the police because money laundering offences may be disclosed during investigations of other offences.
Assessing the introduction of anti-money laundering regulations on bank stock valuation
Authors: Balani Henry
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the impact of the introduction of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations on bank stock valuations in the USA. Regulations can have a negative impact on financial returns as a result of increased operational costs, potentially driving down stock valuations and loss of profitability. However, regulations can also have a positive impact on valuations because of greater oversight and increased investor confidence. Findings are useful for assessing the market impact of future regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

Event studies and cross-sectional regression analysis are used to determine the impact on bank stock valuations together with specific characteristics of bank size and geographic headquarter location of the bank for identified AML regulations. Hypothesis related to the impact of the introduction of AML regulations are empirically tested based on the statistical significance of cumulative abnormal returns of markets.

Findings

AML regulations introduced in 1998 had a positive impact on bank stock valuations, while the USA PATRIOT Act legislation of 2001 had a negative impact. These findings suggest that recent AML regulation is a cost compliance burden for banks, where the costs of operations outweigh the benefits of improved processes. Larger banks see a more negative impact on their bank stock valuations compared to smaller banks, suggesting the market perceives greater cost and less profit for larger banks. Results also show that the location of bank’s headquarters does not significantly impact bank stock valuations.

Originality/value

This paper specifically focuses on the impact of AML regulations on the US banking sector, providing investors, academics and regulators additional insight on the market dynamics of regulations. Identifying whether the introduction of regulations has a significant impact on a bank’s performance will provide both banks and regulators clarity as to the net benefits associated with the current and future AML legislation.
The PRC exchange control-related compliance duties of Swiss banks towards PRC residents’ deposits
Authors: Liebeskind John
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the compliance duties of Swiss banks toward the Chinese exchange control in case of PRC residents’ deposits.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper matches the Swiss regulatory framework and practice in matter of banks diligence with that of the PRC exchange control and tentatively identifies the consequences resulting thereof for Swiss banks.

Findings

The paper finds that exchange control does fall within the scope of the Diligence Code. It suggests that banks should broadly interpret the related provisions. While in case of infringement, Chinese penalties can still be rated as a remote and moderate threat, they might strengthen. Meanwhile, the Swiss ones, under the Code, are serious.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not cover other forms of overseas investment from China, namely, commercial investment. Besides, there is no related jurisprudence or practice as of yet; therefore, the findings of the paper need to be tested.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that the compliance officers of Swiss banks should familiarize themselves with the specificities of the PRC exchange control to anticipate the related risks.

Originality/value

Sino-Swiss compliance and bilateral assistance in financial matters are still unchartered waters. Because the Greater China market is of growing significance for Swiss banks, they might welcome early guidance to avoid repeating their mistakes with the USA and the EU.
A MEMS BPSK to ASK converter
Authors: Scerri Jeremy , Portelli Barnaby , Grech Ivan , Gatt Edward , Casha Owen
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of using micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) to convert a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signal to a simpler amplitude shift keying (ASK) scheme.

Design/methodology/approach

The prototype is designed within the SOIMUMPs® fabrication process constraints. The fabrication constraints imposed geometric limitations on what could be tested. These constraints were used to build a mathematical model, which in turn was used to optimize the response using MATLAB®. The optimized design was tested using finite element analysis with CoventorWare®, and finally lab tests on the fabricated device were performed to confirm theoretical predictions.

Findings

Theoretical predictions compared well with lab measurements on a prototype device measuring 2.9 mm2. The prototype was tested with a carrier frequency of 174 kHz at a BPSK data rate of 3 kHz and carrier amplitude of 6 V. With these parameters, ASK modulation indices of 0.96 and 0.94 were measured at the two output sensors.

Originality/value

This study provides a MEMS solution for BPSK to ASK conversion. The study also identifies what limits betterment of the modulation index and data rate. Such a device has potential application in wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes that have energy harvesters and sensors that are also built in MEMS. Being a MEMS device, it can facilitate integration in such WSN nodes and, hence, potentially reduce size and costs.
A methodology for setting the injection moulding process parameters for polymer rapid tooling inserts
Authors: Bagalkot Anurag , Pons Dirk , Clucas Don , Symons Digby
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Polymer rapid tooling (PRT) inserts can be used as injection moulding (IM) cavities for prototyping and low volume production but lack the robustness of metal inserts. Metal inserts can withstand high injection pressure and temperature required, whereas PRT inserts may fail under similar parameters. The current method of parameter setting starts with using the highest pressure setting on the machine and then fine-tuning to optimize the process parameters. This method needs modification, as high injection pressures and temperatures can damage the PRT inserts. There is a need for a methodical process to determine the upper limits of moulding parameters that can be used without damaging the PRT inserts.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study analysis was performed to investigate the causes of failure in a PRT insert. From this, a candidate set-up process was developed to avoid start-up failure and possibly prolong tool life. This was then tested on a second mould, which successfully avoided start-up failure and moulded 54 parts before becoming unusable due to safety issues.

Findings

Process parameters that are critical for tool life are identified as mould temperature, injection pressure, injection speed, hold pressure and cooling time.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel method for setting IM process parameters for PRT inserts. This has the potential to prevent failure at start up when using PRT inserts and possibly extend the operating life of the PRT inserts.
Herd Growth, Farm Organisation and Subsidies in the Dairy Sector of Russia and Kazakhstan
Authors: Petrick Martin , Götz Linde
Published: January 2019

Initially taken as a template for farm restructuring after the demise of collective agriculture, the ‘Western family farm model’ has taken root in the former Soviet countries only belatedly and incompletely. We examine dairy structures in Russia and Kazakhstan and analyse the drivers of recent herd growth. We are specifically interested in the role of farm management and organisation, vertical integration, and the role of policy. Regression analysis based on a sample of 180 randomly selected commercial dairy farms, using an innovative simultaneous equation framework, shows that better herd management and access to milk marketing contracts were more effective in stimulating herd growth than current subsidy payments. We do not find evidence that milking plants belonging to corporate entities or even supra‐regional agroholdings grow more substantially than medium‐sized individual farms. Twenty‐five years after the end of central planning, structural change among commercial dairy farms in Russia and Kazakhstan appears similar in many ways to the patterns observed in the West more recently: smaller farms catch up in terms of herd growth and classical family‐run operations coexist with or even emulate vertically integrated agribusinesses based on hired labour. In moving toward this ‘new normal’ of farming structures, commercial dairy farms in Russia may even be a few steps ahead of their Western counterparts. At the same time, the still sizeable but stagnating group of subsistence producers in rural households finds no equivalent in the West.