bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bridging human rights and social determinants of health: Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay
Authors: Smart Juan , Letelier Alejandra
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to do a systematic assessment and testing of identified human rights norms alongside social determinant approaches in relation to identified health issues of concern in four Latin American countries (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) to show how social determinants and human rights frameworks improve population health.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, in the first part the authors analyze the inequalities both between and within each of the selected countries in terms of health status and health determinants of the population. Then, in the second section, the authors analyze the level of recognition, institutionalisation and accountability of the right to health in each country.

Findings

From the data used in this paper it is possible to conclude that the four analysed countries have improved their results in terms of health status, health care and health behaviours. This improvement coincides with the recognition, institutionalisation and creation of accountability mechanisms of human rights principles and standards in terms of health and that a human rights approach to health and its relation with other social determinants have extended universal health coverage and health systems in the four analysed countries.

Originality/value

Despite of the importance of the relation between human rights and social determinants of health, there are few human right scholars working on the issues of social determinants of health and human rights. Most of the literature of health and human rights has been focussed specific relations between specific rights and the right to health, but less human right scholar working on social determinants of health. On the other hand, just a few epidemiologists and people working on social medicine have actually started to use a universal human rights frame and discourse. In fact, according to Vnkatapuram, Bell and Marmot: “while health and human rights advocates have from the start taken a global perspective, social medicine and social epidemiology have been slower to catch up”.
Who is to blame? Exploring accountability in fraud victimisation
Authors: Cross Cassandra
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the discourses surrounding accountability as it relates to fraud victimisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based upon interviews with 31 professionals across the fraud justice network (FJN) in the UK and Canada.

Findings

The paper highlights the complexities that surround participant’s perspectives of liability when it comes to fraud. Professionals articulated responsibility falling across the spectrum of victims, offenders and third parties. Further, it is evident that perspectives of accountability are largely influenced by the various types of frauds that exist and the ways in which victims incur losses.

Research limitations/implications

Interviews with selected FJN professionals may not be representative of those across the broader sector in each country. Despite this, there was still a diversity in views which highlights the tensions that currently exist as to where accountability is positioned.

Practical implications

The findings clearly indicate that accountability is not directed at any one party, rather there appears to be an interplay across offenders, victims and third parties. While the offender is arguably the one who should be held most accountable for their actions, a lack of official responses to fraud offending means that the offender is largely invisible. For those who place accountability on the victim, there is evidence of neoliberal discourses that argue for prudential citizens, or those who take responsibility for their own actions. This is in contrast to those who believed that victims could not be held accountable for actions beyond their control, and instead third parties were accountable, and should increase their role in education and awareness.

Originality/value

This paper articulates the discourses of accountability that exist for fraud, and how the current thinking can contribute to interactions with victims, as well as current responses to victimisation. Further work is required to better identify the criteria against which victims are being held accountable, as well as better understand who bears responsibility with responses to fraud victimisation.
Police recruit perception of transgender officers: inclusion, diversity and transgender people
Authors: Miles-Johnson Toby
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The reality of policing in the twenty-first century is that most officers identify as white, heterosexual and cisgender (or identifying with the sex assigned to them at birth) and outnumber officers from diverse groups. Whilst many diverse officers are employed by police organisations, there is a lack of evidence to suggest transgender people seek employment in policing or (following strategic recruitment drives) are actively recruited by police organisations. This raises questions regarding the factors which constrain or facilitate employment of transgender people into policing and whether strategic recruitment drives targeting transgender people work. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a recruitment drive targeting diverse community members, an online survey was administered to police recruits in one of Australia’s smaller state based police organisations (n=742) to determine if recruits self-identity as transgender or cisgender, and whether or not self-identified cisgender or transgender recruits would be willing to work alongside one another.

Findings

The results indicated that all the recruits in this study identified as cisgender. Whilst transgender recruits may have participated in the research, none of the recruits identified openly as transgender in the survey. Consequently, there was a significant association between the recruit’s gender and sexuality, and their perceptions of working alongside transgender officers, with almost all recruits stating that they would prefer to work with cisgender officers.

Practical implications

The findings of this research contribute original knowledge to the extant body of policing literature regarding police recruit perceptions of working alongside transgender officers.

Originality/value

This type of research has not been conducted in an Australian context before.
Underpricing and market timing in SEOs of European REITs and REOCs
Authors: Lorenz Felix
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) by examining the underpricing of European real estate corporations and identifying determinants explaining the phenomenon of setting the offer price at a discount at SEOs.

Design/methodology/approach

With a sample of 470 SEOs of European real estate investment trusts (REITs) and real estate operating companies (REOCs) from 2004 to 2018, multivariate regression models are applied to test for theories on the pricing of SEOs. This paper furthermore tests for differences in underpricing for REITs and REOCs as well as specialized and diversified property companies.

Findings

Significant underpricing of 3.06 percent is found, with REITs (1.90 percent) being statistically less underpriced than REOCs (5.08 percent). The findings support the market timing theory by showing that managers trying to time the equity market gain from lower underpricing. Furthermore, underwritten offerings are more underpriced to reduce the risk of the arranging bank, but top-tier underwriters are able to reduce offer price discounts by being more successful in attracting investors. The results cannot support the value uncertainty hypothesis, but they are in line with placement cost stories. In addition, specialized property companies are subject to lower underpricing.

Practical implications

An optimal issuance strategy taking into account timing, relative offer size and the choice of the underwriter can minimize the amount of “money left on the table” and therefore contribute to the lower cost of raising capital.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate SEO underpricing for European real estate corporations, pricing differences of REITs and REOCs in seasoned offerings and the effect of market timing on the pricing of SEOs.
Brand valuation – examining the role of marketing on firm financial performance
Authors: Kumar B. Rajesh , Sujit K.S. , Kareem Abdul Waheed
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to broadly examine the role of marketing–finance interface factors for value creation. Specifically, the study investigates the influence of discretionary expenditures such as advertisement on valuation of brands and firms within the framework of risk factors.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the model and hypotheses of this study as it has the possibilities of multiple causations among different variables used in the system. Some independent variables are not truly independent and there is a possibility of biased estimation and inconsistent results. Hence a dynamic simultaneous equation model is used including the instrumental variable approach.

Findings

The study provides evidence for direct association between brand value and firm value which is represented by the joint impact of both operating and stock market performance. The results establish the direct relationship between brand and firm value and signify the relevance of intangible value creation.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gap in the research which examines the role of marketing decisions on value creation which jointly impacts both operating and stock market performance.
How managerial ties impact opportunity discovery in a transition economy? Evidence from China
Authors: Guo Hai , Tang Jintong , Wei Zelong
Published: December 2019

Purpose

By integrating the resource management perspective and the optimal distinctiveness perspective, the purpose of this paper is to explain how firms configure their managerial ties and competences to identify entrepreneurial opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data collected from 238 firms in a transition economy, this paper tests a model of firms’ exploration and exploitation competences under which managerial ties promote or constrain opportunity discovery.

Findings

The paper finds that managerial ties are positively related to opportunity discovery. More importantly, competence exploration strengthens the impact of business ties on opportunity discovery, whereas it weakens the impact of political ties. On the contrary, competence exploitation strengthens the effect of political ties on opportunity discovery, whereas it weakens the impact of business ties.

Originality/value

First, the findings enrich the social network perspective of opportunity recognition by linking managerial social ties to opportunity discovery in the context of a transition economy. Second, this paper adds to current understanding of the resource management perspective and the optimal distinctiveness perspective by exploring the fit between different managerial ties (business ties vs political ties) and different competences (exploration vs exploitation) in contributing to opportunity discovery.
Online communication of visual information
Authors: Lee Wen-Hsuan , Lin Yu-Hsun
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deepen the understanding of why text messages are superseded by using stickers, thus driving instant messaging software (IMS) users’ visual communication process.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Uses & Gratifications (U&G) theory and using a semantic technique, this research begins by identifying design indices of stickers and user’s perceived gratifications that they describe and evaluate at their first impression of using stickers in Study 1. Study 2 introduces media richness theory and the expectancy model into the framework of U&G theory and further explains several causal linkages from the LINE stickers’ design quality indices to proximal users’ perception of gratifications and distal sticker use intention.

Findings

Study 1 explores four variables, playfulness, variety, delicacy and uniqueness, as stickers’ design quality indices and discloses two user perceptions of gratifications, i.e., the needs of self-expression and of flaunting to someone, as main intrinsic motives for users sending stickers. The results of Study 2 further support the finding that self-expression and a mentality that seeks conspicuousness are two important psychological variables mediating the effects of three design quality indices – playfulness, variety and uniqueness – on visual image use intention.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this research is to verify the psychological mechanism of visualized communication between IMS users. Moreover, the finding extends the digital marketing literature by highlighting conspicuous consumption that occurs not only in consuming luxury goods, but also in costless or cheaper digital product such as IMS stickers.
Causes of failure among Malaysian female entrepreneurs
Authors: Al-Shami Samer , Mamun Abdullah Al , Sidek Safiah , Rashid Nurulizwa
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the specific causes of failure among Malaysian female entrepreneurs who were provided with financial services by the microfinance institution: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) to start up their own businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a qualitative-based case study design approach, with data collected from a total of 18 female entrepreneurs who had failed to develop their businesses. In-depth personal interviews were conducted, coupled with personal observation via purposive cum snowball sampling.

Findings

Thematic analysis revealed a pattern-based outcome which discloses a variety of causes affecting the failure of Malaysian female entrepreneurship. These causes ranged from inter-related external factors which were perceived as beyond their control, such as personal life events, intensive competition and loan inflexibility to internal causes, which were related to lack of resources, poor financial management and personal dissatisfaction with their own business performance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study provide valuable information for Malaysian economic policymakers in how to practically address the objectives of the National Women's Policy (NPW) and improve the innovative quality of their products and services. A thorough understanding of the specific obstacles facing female entrepreneurs in Malaysia is essential if policymakers are to improve opportunity exploitation efficiency and assist in mitigating the external and internal causes of business failure among Malaysian females.

Originality/value

Studies in this field have demonstrated that most new “start-ups” fail within three years of their establishment. While determinist, emotive and voluntarist theories can often provide an adequate explanation for the causes of business failure, it is clear that no single factor is usually responsible. Rather, multiple interrelated factors are found to be at play. This study, therefore, provides an integrative model for causes of business failure among small-business female entrepreneurs. It also represents one of only a few such studies in the literature and, to the best of knowledge at the time of writing, is the first such study that used an integrative approach to explain the causes of business failure in the Malaysian context.
Dynamic integration paths of emerging multinational enterprises in advanced markets
Authors: Yang Yanan , Lütge Christoph
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine dynamic multi-stage post-merger integration (PMI) evolutions by Chinese multinational enterprises (CMNEs) in the German market and their potential influencing factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A data set was collected from 25 interviews with 21 respondents from six Chinese acquisition cases in Germany, and a comparative multi-case study and content analysis were applied.

Findings

The results reveal that Chinese acquirers take segmented linear integration path in Germany from nearly no integration to organisational integration and then to production integration. It contains three sub-paths: the P-O-O path (partnering–organisational optimisation–production optimisation), the P-P-P path (preservation–organisational preservation–production preservation) and the P-C-C path (preservation–organisational centralisation–production confusion). The initial nearly no integration condition is mainly impacted by asymmetric information and the targets’ strategic positions, whereas different organisational and production integration degrees in mid- and long-term stages are primarily influenced by Chinese acquirers' different dynamic capabilities. Moreover, Chinese acquirers' corporate ownership is not found to be a significant factor that influences CMNEs to take different integration strategies in different PMI stages.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to broaden emerging multinational enterprises’ (EMNEs) PMI theory by adding dynamic perspective and provides suggestions for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) practitioners to identify integration options and avoid integration pitfalls in different integration stages.

Originality/value

Existing works identified that EMNEs prefer to partner with the targets in advanced markets, but lacked a dynamic perspective to disclose whether the partnering strategy would be adjusted or not over time. This study is the first to explore multi-stage integration changes and is one of the few studies that recognise the interaction of the integration strategy with the dynamic capability of the acquiring enterprises.
Investigation of compressive deformation behaviors of cubic periodic cellular structural cubes through 3D printed parts and FE simulations
Authors: Wang Jun , Rai Rahul , Armstrong Jason N.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the relationship between mechanical behaviors and the underlying geometry of periodic cellular structures. Particularly, the answer to the following research question is investigated: Can seemingly different geometries of the repeating unit cells of periodic cellular structure result in similar functional behaviors? The study aims to cluster the geometry-functional behavior relationship into different categories.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, the effects of the geometry on the compressive deformation (mechanical behavior) responses of multiple standardized cubic periodic cellular structures (CPCS) at macro scales are investigated through both physical tests and finite element simulations of three-dimensional (3D) printed samples. Additionally, these multiple CPCS can be further nested into the shell of 3D models of various mechanical domain parts to demonstrate the influence of their geometries in practical applications.

Findings

The paper provides insights into how different CPCS (geometrically different unit cells) influence their compressive deformation behaviors. It suggests a standardized strategy for comparing mechanical behaviors of different CPCS.

Originality/value

This paper is the first work in the research domain to investigate if seemingly different geometries of the underlying unit cell can result in similar mechanical behaviors. It also fulfills the need to infill and lattify real functional parts with geometrically complex unit cells. Existing work mainly focused on simple shapes such as basic trusses or cubes with spherical holes.
Professional status and norm violation in email collaboration
Authors: Axtell Carolyn M. , Moser Karin S. , McGoldrick Janet
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Status is a central aspect of teamwork relationships and successful collaboration in teams, both online and offline. Status group membership and status perception shape behavioural expectations and norm perceptions of what is appropriate, but despite their importance have been neglected in previous research. Status effects are of special interest in online collaboration, e.g. via email, where no immediate feedback or non-verbal/paraverbal communication and direct observation is possible. The purpose of this study is to address this gap in research.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental scenario study with two different professional status groups (lecturers and students) tested status effects on causal attributions, intergroup bias and emotional and collaborative responses to perceived norm violations in emails.

Findings

Results overall showed three key findings: a “black-sheep-effect” with harsher negative attributions for same status members, more aggression and less cooperation towards lower status senders and stronger (negative) emotional reactions towards high status senders.

Originality/value

The findings are important for managing professional online communication because negative personal attributions, strong emotions and aggressive behaviours can increase team conflict, lead to mistakes and generally undermine performance.
A high accurate automated first‐break picking method for seismic records from high‐density acquisition in areas with a complex surface
Authors: Xu Yinpo , Yin Cheng , Zou Xuefeng , Ni Yudong , Pan Yingjie , Xu Liangjun
Published: December 2019

As the application of high‐density high‐efficiency acquisition technology becomes more and more wide, the areas with complex surface conditions gradually become target exploration areas, and the first‐break picking work of massive low signal‐to‐noise ratio data is a big challenge. The traditional method spends a lot of manpower and time to interactively pick first breaks, a large amount of interactive work affects the accuracy and efficiency of picking. In order to overcome the shortcoming that traditional methods have weak anti‐noise to low signal‐to‐noise ratio primary wave, this paper proposes a high accurate automated first‐break picking method for low signal‐to‐noise ratio primary wave from high‐density acquisition in areas with a complex surface. Firstly, this method determines first‐break time window using multi‐azimuth spatial interpolation technology; then it uses the improved clustering algorithm to initially pick first breaks and then perform multi‐angle comprehensive quality evaluation to first breaks according to the following sequence: ‘single trace → spread → single shot → multiple shots’ to identify the abnormal first breaks; finally it determines the optimal path through the constructed evaluation function and using the ant colony algorithm to correct abnormal first breaks. Multi‐azimuth time window spatial interpolation technology provides the base for accurately picking first‐break time; the clustering algorithm can effectively improve the picking accuracy rate of low signal‐to‐noise ratio primary waves; the multi‐angle comprehensive quality evaluation can accurately and effectively eliminate abnormal first breaks; the ant colony algorithm can effectively improve the correction quality of low signal‐to‐noise ratio abnormal first breaks. By example analysis and comparing with the commonly used Akaike Information Criterion method, the automated first‐break picking theory and technology studied in this paper has high picking accuracy and the ability to stably process low signal‐to‐noise ratio seismic data, has a significant effect on seismic records from high‐density acquisition in areas with a complex surface and can meet the requirements of accuracy and efficiency for massive data near‐surface modelling and statics calculation.
Listening to the client voice – A constructivist grounded theory study of the experiences of client‐centred practice after stroke
Authors: Walder Kim , Molineux Matthew
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Collaboration, choice and power‐sharing are cornerstones of practice as occupational therapists support individuals to re‐establish an occupational identity and reintegrate into the community following stroke. Yet evidence of unmet client needs suggests client‐centred care is not optimal, and little is known of client perspectives of client‐centred practice. A deeper understanding of the client experience of therapeutic relationships during adjustment following stroke, will help facilitate client‐centred practice. This paper reports on a study exploring the research question: how do stroke survivors perceive their relationship with their health care team as they adjust to life following stroke?

Methods

In this constructivist grounded theory study, in‐depth interviews were conducted with six adult stroke survivors from South‐East Queensland, Australia. Transcribed interviews were analysed using a constant comparative approach, identifying emerging concepts and patterns, to construct a theoretical understanding of the experience and meaning of adjustment and reintegration back into the community, with a specific focus on perceptions of therapeutic relationships and client‐centred practice.

Results

Participant perspectives of client‐centred care during their rehabilitation following stroke were revealed and implications of this for their recovery identified. Themes of being understood; out of the driver's seat; knowing what's going on; and what I need when I need it emerged. Participants described not being: involved in decision making, provided with information, or receiving services aligned to their needs. Periods of frustration, loss of hope and fluctuating motivation were also common.

Conclusion

Findings shed further light on previously reported health service and discharge experiences. The insight gained into individual experiences of client‐centred care following stroke suggest ways therapists can understand and address each client's adjustment experience and the impact this has on their needs, goal‐setting, motivation, and confidence. Client‐centred care must be grounded in client reality.
Microbial communities from Arctic marine sediments respond slowly to methane addition during ex situ enrichments
Authors: Klasek Scott , Torres Marta E. , Bartlett Douglas H. , Tyler Madeline , Hong Wei‐Li , Colwell Frederick
Published: December 2019

Anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) consume methane in marine sediments, limiting its release to the water column, but their responses to changes in methane and sulfate supplies remain poorly constrained. To address how methane exposure may affect microbial communities and methane‐ and sulfur‐cycling gene abundances in Arctic marine sediments, we collected sediments from offshore Svalbard that represent geochemical horizons where anaerobic methanotrophy is expected to be active, previously active, and long‐inactive based on reaction‐transport biogeochemical modelling of porewater sulfate profiles. Sediment slurries were incubated at in situ temperature and pressure with different added methane concentrations. Sediments from an active area of seepage began to reduce sulfate in a methane‐dependent manner within months, preceding increased relative abundances of anaerobic methanotrophs ANME‐1 within communities. In previously active and long‐inactive sediments, sulfur‐cycling Deltaproteobacteria became more dominant after 30 days, though these communities showed no evidence of methanotrophy after nearly 8 months of enrichment. Overall, enrichment conditions, but not methane, broadly altered microbial community structure across different enrichment times and sediment types. These results suggest that active ANME populations may require years to develop, and consequently microbial community composition may affect methanotrophic responses to potential large‐scale seafloor methane releases in ways that provide insight for future modelling studies.
Patterns and prevalence of lethal mass violence
Authors: Duwe Grant
Published: December 2019

Research Summary

Mass shootings have been identified as a novel American crime problem. The term is merely a new name, however, for an older crime problem—mass murder. The social construction of the mass shooting and mass murder problems have both been driven by “mass public shootings”—incidents that occur in the absence of other criminal activity (e.g., robberies, drug deals, and gang “turf wars”) in which a gun was used to kill four or more victims at a public location within a 24‐hour period. Using data on 845 mass shootings, including 158 mass public shootings, which occurred in the United States between 1976 and 2018, in this study, I analyze trends in their prevalence and severity (i.e., number of victims killed and wounded). After controlling for growth in the U.S. population, the results show the late 1980s and early 1990s had the highest incidence of mass shootings. Both the incidence and severity of mass public shootings, on the other hand, have increased over the last decade. I also describe the patterns of mass public shootings by reporting incident and offender characteristics.

Policy Implications

Despite the recent growth in mass public shootings, the infrequency with which they occur makes it very challenging to develop broad measures that will reduce their incidence or severity. It may therefore be more effective to focus on strategies that that have shown promise in decreasing violence in general.
Investigating the applicability of situational crime prevention to the public mass violence context
Authors: Freilich Joshua D. , Chermak Steven M. , Klein Brent R.
Published: December 2019

Research Summary

In this article, we argue that situational crime prevention (SCP) strategies can be used to prevent public mass violence, as well as to mitigate the harms caused from those attacks that still occur. We draw from the SCP perspective generally, and its application to terrorism particularly, as well as from the public mass violence literature. We focus on the pillars of opportunity that include target selection, weapon selection, tools used, and conditions that facilitate public mass violence attacks.

Policy Implications

We conclude that SCP's EVIL DONE risk assessment template could be refined for the public mass violence context. We argue that the exposed, occupied, nearer, and easy dimensions, along with a newly created personal grievance dimension, could be used to identify more at‐risk settings that should receive more situational interventions to prevent these attacks. We similarly conclude that SCP's other pillars could be used to prevent these attacks. We outline specific hard and soft interventions that could thwart these attacks. Importantly, we use examples to illustrate that SCP's strategies could effectively mitigate the harms caused by public mass violence attacks that do occur. We also set forth research strategies to test our claims.
When the Client Is a Former Auditor: Auditees' Expert Knowledge and Social Capital as Threats to Staff Auditors' Operational Independence
Authors: Daoust Laurence , Malsch Bertrand
Published: December 2019

Auditees can play an active role in influencing staff auditors' professional judgment and skepticism. Yet, although it constitutes one of the main threats to auditor independence, very little is known about the means and extent of auditees' power during the audit engagement. To address this knowledge gap, our study focuses on a specific category of auditees, namely, auditees who have worked as auditors in large accounting firms. We interviewed 36 of these auditees and triangulated our findings with 11 interviews conducted with auditors. At the theoretical level, we conceptualize auditees' influence over auditors as intentional and active through the notion of “social power.” Overall, our analysis shows that the efficacy of auditees' power during the engagement materializes through the mobilization of two main power resources developed during their time at the firms: (i) expert knowledge of auditing techniques and (ii) social capital. On the one hand, relying on their cognitive authority, auditees' employ three different power strategies to constrain staff auditors' operational independence: stage‐setting, teaching, and questioning. On the other hand, auditees' social capital can support the use of two additional strategies: attracting and monitoring. Our triangulation analysis confirms our findings and suggests that auditors may be aware of the threats to independence that auditee expertise and social capital pose. By focusing on auditees' agentic capabilities—that is, individuals' capabilities to consciously exert influence over the course of events—we reinterpret the pressures exerted by clients on auditors as the product of strategic actions and discuss substantive consequences for independence risk.
The Forewarning Effect of Critical Audit Matter Disclosures Involving Measurement Uncertainty*
Authors: Kachelmeier Steven J. , Rimkus Dan , Schmidt Jaime J. , Valentine Kristen
Published: December 2019

We present experimental evidence suggesting that critical audit matter (CAM) disclosures in the auditor's report involving areas of high measurement uncertainty forewarn users of misstatement risk. Specifically, in our first study with MBA students, financial analysts, and attorneys, we find that CAMs (i) lower premisstatement assessments of confidence in the financial statement area disclosed as a CAM, and (ii) lower assessments of auditor responsibility for a subsequently revealed misstatement in a CAM‐related area. In our second study with student participants proxying as mock jurors, we find that the responsibility‐mitigating effect of CAM disclosure is driven by CAM disclosures involving measurement uncertainty, as opposed to CAM disclosures involving categorical determinations. Combined, our findings help reconcile mixed evidence from prior research, supporting the view that the forewarning effect of CAM disclosures involving measurement uncertainty could mitigate perceived auditor responsibility for CAM‐related material misstatements.
RNA Sequencing Reveals a Comprehensive Circular RNA Expression Profile in a Mouse Model of Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Dou Xiaobing , Feng Luyan , Ying Na , Ding Qinchao , Song Qing , Jiang Fusheng , Wang Cui , Li Songtao
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the most common liver disease and a severe mortality burden in the world. However, ALD is rarely detected at its early stages. Thus, exploration of an early event for ALD may help the prognosis and further therapy of ALD. Several circRNAs were proven as novel molecular biomarkers for the progression of chronic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Whether circRNAs are involved explicitly in ALD remains unknown.

Methods

The expression profile of circRNAs in an ALD mouse model was depicted by circRNA sequencing. The dysregulated circRNAs were verified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Bioinformatics and circRNA/microRNA (miRNA) crosstalk analyses were applied to predict the potential functions of circRNAs. Finally, the miRNA expression was confirmed by miRNA sequencing.

Results

Compared with the control group, 6 members of circRNAs were up‐regulated, and 4 were down‐regulated in the ALD model. GO enrichment analyses revealed these circRNAs were predominantly enriched in the endoplasmic reticulum, arachidonic acid metabolism, and cytochrome P450 metabolism pathway. Among these circRNAs, the differential expression of 5 circRNAs was validated and consistent with qRT‐PCR, and only the up‐regulated mou_circ_1657 is included in the circBase. Further, the crosstalk analysis of circRNA–miRNA revealed 7 miRNAs were targeted by mou_circ_1657, of which miR‐19‐5b was the only miRNA that was down‐regulated in the ALD mice according to the miRNA sequencing data, suggesting it needs further attention in ALD.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that a cluster of circRNAs is aberrantly expressed in the livers of ALD mice. mou_circ_1657/miR‐19‐5b may play a critical role in the development of ALD. Our study provides new insight into the future investigation and therapy on ALD.
Three‐year longitudinal cognitive functioning in patients recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder
Authors: Torres I. J. , Qian H. , Basivireddy J. , Chakrabarty T. , Wong H. , Lam R. W. , Yatham L. N.
Published: December 2019

Objective

The longitudinal course of neuropsychological functioning after the first manic episode in bipolar disorder is unknown. The present study evaluated cognitive change in bipolar disorder in the first 3 years after the initial manic episode.

Methods

Ninety‐one newly diagnosed patients with bipolar disorder and 61 demographically similar healthy participants received a neuropsychological evaluation assessing multiple cognitive domains at baseline, 1‐year, and 3‐year time points. Patients also received clinical assessments including mood ratings at all time points.

Results

Patients showed deficits in all domains at baseline, but similar longitudinal trajectories across time relative to healthy participants in most cognitive domains. For processing speed, patients showed more gains than controls from baseline to 1 year, but these gains stabilized thereafter. Patients with alcohol/substance abuse showed an initial delay but subsequent recovery in executive functioning. Patients who discontinued antipsychotic treatment showed better cognitive outcomes in verbal memory.

Conclusion

Appropriately treated patients with bipolar disorder showed favorable cognitive outcome in the first 3 years after experiencing an initial manic episode, arguing against cognitive neuroprogression at this stage of the illness. Discontinuation of antipsychotic treatment may be associated with better cognitive outcomes, but clarification of the role of antipsychotics on cognitive functioning requires further investigation.
“It's God's plan to be here”: Displacement, Transit and Resettlement of Chin and Karenni Refugees to Australia
Authors: Hoffstaedter Gerhard , Lamb Nicole
Published: December 2019

Ethnic minorities have been fleeing persecution in Myanmar for decades. Many have fled to neighbouring countries as a place of first asylum and Malaysia is now home to one the largest urban refugee populations in the region. Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN convention and protocol on refugees and the presence of the UNHCR are barely tolerated, which leaves refugees and asylum seekers in a perennial state of limbo. Most refugees in Malaysia hope that the UNHCR will determine their status and resettle them in the West. Australia has been a key resettlement country for refugees in transit in Malaysia due to the failed Malaysia swap deal that nonetheless secured 4,000 resettlement places from Malaysia to Australia between 2012 and 2016. Refugees look towards Australia as a good international citizen and wealthy resettlement country, where, they believe, they can fulfil their hopes and dreams and secure a future for their children. This article follows the stories of a number of refugees from transit in Malaysia to resettlement in Australia. Resettled refugees are considered the lucky ones, but this article documents the unexpected difficulties of settling in and beginning a new life in Australia.
Comparison of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis and modified Alvarado scoring systems in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis
Authors: Damburacı Nurullah , Sevinç Barış , Güner Murat , Karahan Ömer
Published: December 2019

Background

The diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) is mainly dependent on clinical evaluation. There are several scoring systems developed for an accurate and early diagnosis of AA. Modified Alvarado score is one of the most common systems. The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis (RIPASA) scoring system was developed in 2010. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the accuracy of modified Alvarado and RIPASA scoring systems for the diagnosis of AA.

Methods

A total of 100 cases with the clinical diagnosis of AA were included in the study. All the cases were treated surgically. For all cases, modified Alvarado and RIPASA scores were calculated and recorded. According to the calculated cut‐off values, sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values and total accuracy were calculated for each scoring systems.

Results

According to the receiver operating characteristic curve. the optimal score of modified Alvarado score for AA was found to be 5.5 with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 69%. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal score of RIPASA score for AA was found to be 8.75 with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 88%. With the cut‐off value of 8.75, total accuracy of RIPASA scoring was found to be 85.2%. Although there is no significant difference in negative appendicectomy rate, both sensitivity and the specificity of the RIPASA were found to be significantly higher than the modified Alvarado.

Conclusion

According to the current study, RIPASA scoring system was found to be superior to modified Alvarado in the prediction of cases with AA.
Muscle unloading: A comparison between spaceflight and ground‐based models
Authors: Qaisar Rizwan , Karim Asima , Elmoselhi Adel B.
Published: December 2019

Prolonged unloading of skeletal muscle, a common outcome of events such as spaceflight, bed rest and hindlimb unloading, can result in extensive metabolic, structural and functional changes in muscle fibres. With advancement in investigations of cellular and molecular mechanisms, understanding of disuse muscle atrophy has significantly increased. However, substantial gaps exist in our understanding of the processes dictating muscle plasticity during unloading, which prevent us from developing effective interventions to combat muscle loss. This review aims to update the status of knowledge and underlying mechanisms leading to cellular and molecular changes in skeletal muscle during unloading. We have also discussed advances in the understanding of contractile dysfunction during spaceflights and in ground‐based models of muscle unloading. Additionally, we have elaborated on potential therapeutic interventions that show promising results in boosting muscle mass and strength during mechanical unloading. Finally, we have identified key gaps in our knowledge as well as possible research direction for the future.
Review article: clinical pharmacology of current and investigational hepatitis B virus therapies
Authors: Smolders Elise J. , Burger David M. , Feld Jordan J. , Kiser Jennifer J.
Published: December 2019

Background

Treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with current therapy suppresses HBV DNA, but loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg; functional cure), is rare. Multiple compounds are under investigation.

Aims

To describe the pharmacology, including drug interactions, efficacy, safety and mechanisms of action of investigational compounds for HBV infection.

Methods

Descriptive review using PubMed and Google to identify literature/conference papers on investigational compounds (≥Phase 2) with data on efficacy and safety in HBV‐infected patients.

Results

Bulevirtide, JNJ‐56136379, ABI‐H0731, REP‐2139, and inarigivir decrease HBV DNA/RNA, with greater potency than current nucleos(t)ide analogues. REP‐2139 (25%‐75% of patients, 20‐48 weeks treatment) and inarigivir (26% of patients, 12‐24 weeks treatment) induce HBsAg loss. ARO‐HBV reduced (>1.5 log10 UI/mL) HBsAg in 85% of patients (12 weeks treatment). There are some safety concerns with investigational agents (e.g., increased bile acids with bulevirtide, and liver enzyme flares with REP‐2139) which will require a risk benefit assessment compared with current therapies. Single and multidose pharmacokinetic data are available for bulevirtide, JNJ‐56136379, ABI‐H0731; no such data are available for REP‐2139, ARO‐HBV, inarigivir. Initial drug interaction assessments have been performed with bulevirtide and inarigivir (only in vitro).

Conclusions

There are promising investigational therapies for HBV infection. Increasing the potential for HBsAg loss may result in more patients achieving functional cure. However, many knowledge gaps remain such as pharmacokinetics in those with HBV, cirrhosis and renal impairment but also the interaction potential between investigational therapies, risk‐benefit profiles, and potential for drug interactions with medications used to treat comorbidities associated with aging.
Litter dynamics recover faster than arthropod biodiversity during tropical forest succession
Authors: Cole Rebecca J. , Selmants Paul , Khan Shafkat , Chazdon Robin
Published: December 2019

Litterfall and litter decomposition are key elements of nutrient cycling in tropical forests, a process in which decomposer communities such as macro‐arthropods play a critical role. Understanding the rate and extent to which ecosystem function and biodiversity recover during succession is useful to managing the growing area of tropical successional forest globally. Using a replicated chronosequence of forest succession (5–15, 15–30, 30–45 years, and primary forest) on abandoned pastures in lowland tropical wet forest, we examined litterfall, litter chemistry, and effects of macro‐arthropod exclusion on decomposition of two litter types (primary and 5‐ to 15‐years‐old secondary forest). Further, we assessed macro‐arthropod diversity and community composition across the chronosequence. Overstory cover, litterfall, and litter nutrients reached levels similar to primary forest within 15–30 years. Young secondary forest litter (5–15 years) had lower initial N and P content, higher C:N, and decayed 60 percent faster than primary forest litter. The presence of macro‐arthropods strongly mediated decomposition and nutrient release rates, increasing litter mass loss by 35–44 percent, N released by 53 percent, and P release by 84 percent. Forest age had no effect on soil nutrients, rates of litter decomposition, nutrient release, or macro‐arthropod influence. In contrast, abundance and community composition of macro‐arthropods remained significantly lower and distinct in all ages of secondary compared with primary forest. Order richness was lower in 5–15 years of secondary compared with primary forest. Our results suggest that in highly productive tropical wet forest, functional recovery of litter dynamics precedes recovery of decomposer community structure and biodiversity.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Numerically dominant species drive patterns in resource use along a vertical gradient in tropical ant assemblages
Authors: Law Stephanie J. , Parr Catherine
Published: December 2019

Resource availability can influence the foraging strategy adopted by different ant species as they endeavor to meet nutrient demands of the colony. In tropical rain forests, environmental conditions including resource availability vary over a vertical gradient. Consequently, nitrogen is predicted to become more limiting than carbohydrates toward the canopy as food webs shift to become more reliant on plant‐based resources. We used a “bait‐choice” experiment in a tropical rain forest to examine differences in protein and carbohydrate use with height and determined whether there were differences in response between common (numerically dominant) and rare species. Additionally, we investigated the nutrient use at the species level. Using species co‐occurrence analysis, we examined interspecific competition by testing the co‐occurrence of ant species at the tree level. Over the 12 trees investigated, 124 morphospecies were identified with eight species comprising 90% of total ant abundance. Species richness and protein use increased with height of bait for all species pooled and for common species but not rare species. Correspondingly, relative carbohydrate use decreased with height. We found greater species richness of rare species on carbohydrate baits compared with protein baits. Ant species were randomly distributed among trees when all species were included in co‐occurrence analysis. However, when only common species were considered, segregation between species was evident among trees providing evidence for the presence of ant mosaics. Our results suggest that nitrogen limitation in the canopy may not be true for the whole ant assemblage but rather for the few common species.