bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Audit quality following the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s operation
Authors: Chiu She-Chih , Chien Chin-Chen , Lin Hsuan-Chu
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which the transition from self-regulation to heteronomy has changed the gap in audit quality between Big Four and non-Big Four auditors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes publicly held companies in the USA between 1999 and 2012 using univariate analysis, multivariate analysis and quantile regression analysis. Audit quality is measured with discretionary accruals.

Findings

This study shows an insignificant difference in audit quality between the clients of Big Four and non-Big Four auditors after Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (hereafter, PCAOB) began its operations. In the analysis of the effects of PCAOB inspections on the audit quality of audit firms that are inspected annually and triennially, the findings show that the inspections have more positive effects when carried out annually. This suggests that the frequency of inspection is positively associated with audit quality. Overall, these results provide evidence that recent improvements in audit quality have been caused by changes in regulatory standards.

Originality/value

The paper provides three major original contributions. First, the authors add to the literature on audit quality by further demonstrating a reduced gap in audit quality between Big Four and non-Big Four audit firms due to heteronomy. Secondly, this study contributes to the debate as to whether independent inspections on audit firms are beneficial or not and suggests that the PCAOB inspections help increase audit quality. Finally, the results of this work contribute to the growing literature examining discretionary accruals.
Tax avoidance, value creation and CSR – a European perspective
Authors: Kiesewetter Dirk , Manthey Johannes
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to answer how corporate governance and corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) affect the relationship between value creation and tax avoidance. This study further analyses the impact of the institutional environment, i.e. whether a country is rather a liberal or a coordinated market economy, on the relationship between CSR and tax avoidance.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis comprises a panel data set of 7,924 observations for the years from 2005 to 2014 for European companies. The relationship between value creation and tax avoidance is tested by grouping the sample in high and low CSR performers. Similarly, the impact of the type of market economy is analysed for the firms.

Findings

The research design does not find evidence that tax avoidance is creating value. The empirical findings reveal that there is a positive relationship between value creation and the effective tax rate for firms with low social and environmental characteristics. Further, this analysis could show that stronger corporate governance is associated with a lower effective tax rate in both coordinated and liberal market economies. The analysis identifies social strengths being associated with a higher effective tax rate for coordinated market economies.

Practical implications

It is proposed to encourage CSR disclosure. The creation of incentives for social strengths could increase tax revenue. Firms should reconsider whether the engagement in tax avoidance is worth it and pursue social responsibility to achieve higher value creation for their stakeholders.

Originality/value

The paper challenges the intuitive expectation that tax avoidance creates value. It is suggested that the governance and CSR culture, as well as the tax legislation in Europe, is different to the USA. Conclusively, tax avoidance is not generating value for the European sample.
Legal systems, internationalization and corporate sustainability. An empirical analysis of the influence of national and international authorities
Authors: Hörisch Jacob , Burritt Roger Leonard , Christ Katherine L. , Schaltegger Stefan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to compare the influence of different legal systems on corporate sustainability management practices. Against the background of growing internationalization of business activities, it additionally considers whether internationalization allows companies to circumvent the influence of national authorities.

Design/methodology/approach

Three legal systems are compared using regression analyses of more than 200 large corporations in five countries: common law (USA and Australia), German code law (Germany) and French code law (France and Spain).

Findings

The impact of national and international authorities is found to be strongest in French code law countries. In addition, the influence of international authorities is stronger for corporations with higher shares of international sales. For both national and international authorities, the degree of internationalization is found to moderate the influence of the legal system on corporate sustainability practices.

Practical implications

The legal system in place influences the relative effectiveness of national and international authorities over company sustainability practices and needs to be taken into account in policymaking. To be effective, international authorities need to work with or substitute for national authorities in promoting corporate sustainability practices in countries depending on their legal systems.

Originality/value

This research applies and quantitatively tests La Porta’s (1998) framework on legal systems in the new context of corporate sustainability.
Can board gender diversity promote corporate social performance?
Authors: Kyaw Khine , Olugbode Mojisola , Petracci Barbara
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper examines if gender diversity on corporate boards promotes corporate social performance (CSP) across industries and across countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Fixed-effect panel models are estimated using Europe-wide data from 2002 through 2013. Instrumental variable estimation and propensity score matching are also used to control for potential endogeneity.

Findings

Board gender diversity (BGD) improves environmental and social performance and consequently the CSP. Although the positive effect of gender diversity is prevalent across industries, the effect is more pronounced for firms in emerging markets.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that gender law that fosters gender diversity can promote CSP in firms, and the benefit can be enjoyed with just an introduction of one female director to the board. Promotion of gender diversity in Europe is most beneficial in emerging markets.

Originality/value

The results provide new insights to the literature, as we find that a critical mass of female directors on boards is not required to promote CSP. The research also highlights that BGD enhances CSP irrespective of the industry, and the effect on CSP is more pronounced in emerging markets where regulations regarding CSR are not so clear-cut.
DoesMusharakah Mutanaqisahconverge withBai Bithamin Ajiland conventional loans?
Authors: Kashi Aghilasse , Mohamad Azhar
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the disputableShari’ahand the technical issues underlying the implementation of theMusharakah Mutanaqisahpartnership (MMP) model in home financing by Islamic banks in Malaysia. It assesses whether this much-lauded facility is in line withShari’ahrules and whether it diverges from or converges to the Bay’ Bithaman Ajil (BBA) and conventional loan models.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative methodology based on in-depth interviews to achieve these objectives.

Findings

With regard to the issue of convergence, it is obvious from the interviewees’ perceptions that the MMP model is converging with the BBA and conventional housing loans.

Originality/value

Many factors were mentioned as the reasons for this convergence, with the most important being that Islamic banks are not operating in a fully fledged Islamic financial system, reducing the risk weightage and regulatory restrictions. As forShari’ahcompliance, controversy may result from the enhanced features that structure this facility. Though these enhanced features areShari’ahcompliant, it transforms the MMP model into a debt rather than a partnership contract.
European NPLs through the crisis: a policy review
Authors: Jassaud Nadege , Vidon Edouard
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The unfolding of the financial crisis in parts of Europe has highlighted a number of challenges which can be analysed through the prism of NPLs. These included the discrepancies across supervisory regimes, the limitations of macro-prudential supervision and the diversity of NPL resolution approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review policy lessons from the crisis in dealing with the NPL problem.

Findings

The paper highlights some key recommendations – the need for intrusive supervision, strong macro-financial surveillance and NPL resolution approaches that provide the right incentives.

Originality/value

These recommendations can help inform the current debate regarding regulatory and structural initiatives to tackle NPLs.
“That was a good shift”
Authors: Johnson Anya , Nguyen Helena , Parker Sharon K. , Groth Markus , Coote Steven , Perry Lin , Way Bruce
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a boundary spanning, interprofessional collaboration between advanced practice nurses (APNs) and junior doctors to support junior doctors’ learning and improve patient management during the overtime shift.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods evaluation of an intervention in an adult tertiary referral hospital, to enhance interprofessional collaboration on overtime shifts. Phase 1 compared tasks and ward rounds on 86 intervention shifts with 106 “regular” shifts, and examined the effect on junior doctor patient management testing a model using regression techniques. Phase 2 explored the experience of the intervention for stakeholders. 91 junior doctors participated (89 percent response rate) on 192 overtime shifts. Junior doctors, APNs and senior medical professionals/administrators participated in interviews.

Findings

The intervention was associated with an increase in self-initiated ward rounds by junior doctors, partially explained by junior doctors completing fewer tasks skilled nurses could also complete. The intervention significantly reduced doctors’ engagement in tasks carried over from day shifts as well as first year (but not more experienced) junior doctors’ total tasks. Interviews suggested the initiative reduced junior doctors’ work pressure and promoted a safe team climate, situation awareness, skills, confidence, and well-being.

Originality/value

Junior doctors overtime shifts (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) are important, both for hospitals to maintain patient care after hours and for junior doctors to learn and develop independent clinical decision making skills. However, junior doctors frequently report finding overtime shifts challenging and stressful. Redesigning overtime shifts to facilitate interprofessional collaboration can improve patient management and junior doctors’ learning and well-being.
Bricks-and-mortar and patient safety culture
Authors: Brandis Susan , Schleimer Stephanie , Rice John
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Building a new hospital requires a major investment in capital infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of bricks-and-mortar on patient safety culture before and two years after the move of a large tertiary hospital to a greenfield site. The difference in patient safety perceptions between clinical and non-clinical staff is also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses data collected from the same workforce across two time periods (2013 and 2015) in a large Australian healthcare service. Validated surveys of patient safety culture (n=306 and 246) were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

Using two-way analysis of variance, the authors found that perceived patient safety culture remains unchanged for staff despite a major relocation and upgrade of services and different perceptions of patient safety culture between staff groups remains the same throughout change.

Practical implications

A dramatic change in physical context, such as moving an entire hospital, made no measurable impact on perceived patient safety culture by major groups of staff. Improving patient safety culture requires more than investment in buildings and infrastructure. Understanding differences in professional perspectives of patient safety culture may inform organisational management approaches, and enhance the targeting of specific strategies.

Originality/value

The authors believe this to be the first empirically based paper that investigates the impact of a large investment into hospital capital and a subsequent relocation of services on clinical and non-clinical staff perceptions of patient safety culture.
Key factors in developing transit trade corridors in Northeast Asia
Authors: Lim Sang-Won , Suthiwartnarueput Kamonchanok , Abareshi Ahmad , Lee Paul Tae-Woo , Duval Yann
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate key critical factors for developing transit trade corridors (TTCs) in optimizing trade and logistics performance, taking into account economic, geographic and political concerns among countries in the Northeast Asia region, which have been dynamically developing TTCs to optimize trade and logistics performance in association with development of transport infrastructure in the Greater Tumen Region located in the Northeast Asia.

Design/methodology/approach

This research explores key factors affecting the TTC through a comprehensive literature review in tandem with expert survey. Factor analysis, both exploratory and confirmatory, is employed to further investigate the underlying factors affecting more efficient development of a TTC.

Findings

This research has drawn eight underlying factors affecting the design of a TTC: development and policy implications; safety, security and political concerns; environmental protection; financing and investment; soft infrastructure; hard infrastructure; geography and landscape; and corridor performance.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has a limited geographical scope of the Northeast Asia. Therefore, more primary data collection would be useful in future work. Development of International trade corridor and TTC is critical in northeast Asia for moving goods through designated geographical paths. The key factors drawn in this paper contributes not only to promoting its related services and information (across borders) with the provision of policy support and related facilities for TTC but also to lowering logistics costs and improving trades in the northeast Asian region. As a result, the countries in the region will accelerate their regional economies in collaboration with international bodies and framework, such as UNDP, Greater Tumen Initiative and One Belt One Road Initiative.

Practical implications

The eight underlying factors the authors identified in this research will be valuable for policy-makers to design TTCs and consequently the research will contribute to regional economies in northeast Asia by establishing efficient trade and transport routes among the countries in the region.

Social implications

Developing TTCs is a kind of platform and infrastructure to accelerate cargo movements and people movements in the northeast Asia. Users of TTCs will benefit their businesses thanks to an efficient logistics system and lower logistics costs, which result in promoting international and regional trade in the region.

Originality/value

There has not been any research done on factors to consider in developing TTCs in the world, whose consequence is no readily available reference that can support a systematic assessment and decision-making in development of TTCs. The findings of this research provide a helpful reference for policy-makers, potential users and developers of TTCs to refer in planning and developing them.
Formation of contracts for the international sale of goods under Korean law and the CISG
Authors: Lee Byung Mun
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the rules on the formation of contracts under Korean law and the Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) in a comparative way and introduce the relevant proposed rules under the Amendment Draft of the Korean Civil Code (KCC). In addition, it attempts to compare and evaluate them in light of the discipline of comparative law.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve the purposes of the study, it executes a comparative study of the rules as to the formation of contracts of the CISG, Korean law and the Amendment Draft of the KCC. The basic question for this comparative study is placed on whether a solution from one jurisdiction is more logical than the others and to what extent each jurisdiction has responded to protect the reasonable expectations of the parties in the rules as to the formation of contracts.

Findings

The comparative study finds that most of the rules under the CISG are quite plausible and logical and they are more or less well reflected in the proposals advanced by the KCC amendment committee. On the other hand, the other rules under the CISG which have brought criticisms in terms of their complexity and inconsistent case law invite us their revision or consistent interpretation. The drawbacks of the CISG have also been well responded in the Amendment Draft of the KCC. Nevertheless, it is quite unfortunate that the Amendment Draft of the KCC still has a rule that regards any purported performance with non-material alteration of the terms of an offer as an acceptance.

Originality/value

This study may provide legal and practical advice to both the seller and the buyer when they enter into a contract for international sales of goods. In addition, it may render us an insight into newly developed or developing rules in this area and show us how they interact with each other. Furthermore, it may be particularly useful in Korea where there is an ongoing discussion for revision of the KCC.
A service research contribution to the global challenge of sustainability
Authors: Saviano Marialuisa , Barile Sergio , Spohrer James Clinton , Caputo Francesco
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Poverty, hunger, inequalities, diseases, unsustainable use of resources, etc., in spite of scientific progress, still remains unsolved worldwide issues. All these issues relate to the challenges of sustainability and sustainable development that now call for urgent answers. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the service research community can respond to this call and to identify key areas of potential contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

After a brief review of selected service literature aimed at exploring its interest in the topics of sustainability and sustainable development, the authors develop the interpretative proposal identifying the key requirements of a global engagement in the challenge of sustainability and sustainable development and highlighting the potential contribution of service research.

Findings

Findings highlight the potential contribution of service research to the global challenge of sustainability and suggest acting upon education by considering the “T-Shaped” professional model as a possible reference for embedding sustainability in the education of future managers and addressing the need of interdisciplinary thinking through the systems approach.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed study of service literature is only an exploratory analysis of main contributions that does not aim to identify gaps but only to highlight the potential of a greater engagement of service research in the global call for a more sustainable and inclusive development.

Practical implications

A trans-disciplinary approach is also required. This implies the involvement of the business and the social real world.

Originality/value

This paper represents a novel call for engaging the service research community in a boundary-crossing collaboration with the aim of contributing to address the challenge of sustainability.
An ISM approach for the barrier analysis in implementing sustainable supply chain management
Authors: Movahedipour Mahmood , Zeng Jianqiu , Yang Mengke , Wu Xiankang
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Sustainability has been on the executive agenda for years and it is now one of the fastest growing supply chain management trends. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the barriers for the adoption and implementation of the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) concept.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has been divided into two phases such as identification of barriers and qualitative analysis. First, to identify the most influential barriers, the authors offer a systematic literature review, taking 188 papers published from 2010 to November 2016 into account. The investigation phase led to the selection of 15 barriers based on the literature in consultation with industrial experts and academicians. Second, the interpretive structural modeling qualitative analysis was used to find out the mutual influences between the 15 barriers by a survey.

Findings

Further, the authors propose and illustrate the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification analysis to test a framework that extrapolates SSCM barriers and their relationships. “Inadequate information technology implementation” has been identified as the most important barrier that may force organizations to implement SSCM practices to ensure their business sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The authors presented some limitations in their research in some fields which could allow new researchers and practitioners to conduct the future research to grow in different dimensions.

Practical implications

Practitioners or policymakers usually are not familiar with these types of research works; that is why most of these surveys remain theoretical and conceptual. Future investigation needs to be done in practical application domain instead of merely giving opinions.

Originality/value

Based on the authors’ research, the researchers have more attention to work in conceptual analysis due to other fields, but the authors believe that even with the implementation of SSCM, many remarkable areas still exist for future research which could help in development. The authors also provide more details in this paper.
Simultaneous instance and feature selection for improving prediction in special education data
Authors: Villuendas-Rey Yenny , Rey-Benguría Carmen , Lytras Miltiadis , Yáñez-Márquez Cornelio , Camacho-Nieto Oscar
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the classification of families having children with affective-behavioral maladies, and thus giving the families a suitable orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology includes three steps. Step 1 addresses initial data preprocessing, by noise filtering or data condensation. Step 2 performs a multiple feature sets selection, by using genetic algorithms and rough sets. Finally, Step 3 merges the candidate solutions and obtains the selected features and instances.

Findings

The new proposal show very good results on the family data (with 100 percent of correct classifications). It also obtained accurate results over a variety of repository data sets. The proposed approach is suitable for dealing with non-symmetric similarity functions, as well as with high-dimensionality mixed and incomplete data.

Originality/value

Previous work in the state of the art only considers instance selection to preprocess the schools for children with affective-behavioral maladies data. This paper explores using a new combined instance and feature selection technique to select relevant instances and features, leading to better classification, and to a simplification of the data.
Identity change in a drug-free Therapeutic Community: a Lacanian interpretation of former residents’ perspectives on treatment process and outcome
Authors: Debaere Virginie , Verhaeghe Paul , Vanheule Stijn
Published: July 2017

Purpose

In drug-free Therapeutic Communities (TCs), people with addictions live together in order to achieve recovery in terms of a modified drug-free lifestyle. Central to the TC approach is the assumption that this shift is only achievable when “identity change” has taken place. However, this claim has rarely been addressed in TC research. Further insight into the nature and realization of such identity change might help to understand how this community approach contributes to long-term recovery. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The present qualitative interview study explores the perspectives of ten former TC residents on their treatment and their process of change. To organize the interview data, Lacanian psychoanalytic theory on identity formation/change is used as a framework.

Findings

The common thread in the participants’ process of change is presented in three parts: their life before, in and after the TC. The substeps within these parts are illustrated with several quotes.

Originality/value

The findings highlight the value of innovative qualitative research designs to address the many challenges to addiction treatment research. A Lacanian reading of the data makes it possible to describe the subjective logic of the process of change in the TC, focusing on how substance (mis)use functions as an attempted solution in dealing with identity issues. By linking crucial TC ingredients such as the TC law and TC tools to the process of the identity change, a new reading of this long-term group approach is achieved.
Du choc des idées jaillit la lumière: thinking with Eric Broekaert’s integrated and holistic paradigm of education
Authors: Roets Griet , Smeyers Paul , Vandenbroeck Michel , De Bie Maria , Derluyn Ilse , Roose Rudi , Vanobbergen Bruno , Bradt Lieve , Van Gorp Angelo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on how Eric Broekaert perceived “Ortho-pedagogy” as an academic discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors try to get a grasp on Broekaert’s point of view while cross-reading three central articles in which he explains his integrated and holistic paradigm of education.

Findings

One could argue that, while claiming that the different epistemological, ontological and methodological approaches underlying Eric Broekaert’s paradigm of holistic education are not easily integrated, the potential paradoxes he produced in this claim also enabled a “choc des idées” and challenged and enlightened a wide diversity of researchers and practitioners in taking a partial, locatable, critical, reflexive and temporary stance in educational praxis (Lather, 1991).

Originality/value

The authors discuss how Broekaert, as a companion in life, enabled them to cautiously embrace tensions, paradoxes and complexities in the development of an educational praxis.
The application of genetic algorithm for the design of screw in twin-screw extruder
Authors: Ren Jianhua , Zhao Junjie , Liu Xinyi
Published: July 2017

Purpose

With the twin screw extruder being widely used, there are a lot of parameters considered in the method, and the extruder’s volume is an important parameter of twin screw extruders among them. In this paper, some of the extruder parameters such as the impacting extruder volume are introduced, and the mathematical relationship in these parameters is interpreted. The minimum power consumption is the goal of the authors’ structural design.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper further applies genetic algorithm, a kind of intelligent optimization methods, to obtain the most optimized design dimension, and power consumption function related to unit output of extruder is used as the optimizing target. Meanwhile, this paper takes channel depth of feeding section, channel depth of extrusion section affecting the energy consumption, the width of flight top and helix angle as design variables.

Findings

By using genetic algorithm, the optimal structure size is obtained, and the power consumption is minimum.

Originality/value

With the use of optimizing the structure, the power of consumption is reduced. This method has important economic significance and important social significance on energy saving.
Pyrolysis characteristic of coals with different metamorphic grades and its instruction to coalbed methane development
Authors: Xia Peng , Li Kunjie , Zeng Fangui , Xiao Xiong , Zhang Jianliang , Xiang Jianhua , Sun Beilei
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Pyrolysis for coal gas generation changes the composition, pore structure, permeability and adsorption capacity of coal. This work aims to discuss the utilization of coal pyrolysis on enhancing coalbed methane (CBM) production in the Gujiao area, Shanxi province, China.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted mainly by the methods of thermogravimetry mass spectrometry (TG-MS) analysis, liquid nitrogen adsorption experiment and methane isothermal adsorption measurement.

Findings

The results can be concluded as that 400-700°C is the main temperature range for generating CH4. Pore volume and specific surface area increase with increasing temperature; however, the proportion of micro pore, transition pore and macro pore has no difference. The optimum temperature for enhancing CBM production should be letter than 600°C because the sedimentation of tar and other products will occupy some pores and fissures after 600°C.

Originality/value

Here in, to accurately recognize the suitable maximum temperature for heating development, a method enhancing CBM production, TG-MS, was adopted to analyze the products and the weight loss of coals with different ranks in the Gujiao area at temperature of 30-1,100°C. And then the pore structure, porosity, permeability, methane adsorption capacity and thermal maturity of coals during pyrolysis were investigated with increased temperature from 30°C to 750°C. On these bases, the favorable condition for enhancing CBM production and the thermal evolution of coal were recognized.
Light irradiation helps magnetotactic bacteria eliminate intracellular reactive oxygen species
Authors: Li Kefeng , Wang Pingping , Chen Chuanfang , Chen Changyou , Li Lulu , Song Tao
Published: July 2017

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) demonstrate photoresponse. However, little is known about the biological significance of this behaviour. Magnetosomes exhibit peroxidase‐like activity and can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Magnetosomes extracted from the Magnetospirillum magneticum strain AMB‐1 show enhanced peroxidase‐like activity under illumination. The present study investigated the effects of light irradiation on nonmagnetic (without magnetosomes) and magnetic (with magnetosomes) AMB‐1 cells. Results showed that light irradiation did not affect the growth of nonmagnetic and magnetic cells but significantly increased magnetosome synthesis and reduced intracellular ROS level in magnetic cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was performed to analyse the expression level of magnetosome formation‐associated genes (mamA, mms6, mms13 and mmsF) and stress‐related genes (recA, oxyR, SOD, amb0664 and amb2684). Results showed that light irradiation upregulated the expression of mms6, mms13 and mmsF. Furthermore, light irradiation upregulated the expression of stress‐related genes in nonmagnetic cells but downregulated them in magnetic cells. Additionally, magnetic cells exhibited stronger phototactic behaviour than nonmagnetic ones. These results suggested that light irradiation could heighten the ability of MTB to eliminate intracellular ROS and help them adapt to lighted environments. This phenomenon may be related to the enhanced peroxidase‐like activity of magnetosomes under light irradiation.
Symbiont dynamics and strain diversity in the defensive mutualism between Lagria beetles and Burkholderia
Authors: Flórez Laura V. , Kaltenpoth Martin
Published: July 2017

Defensive mutualisms are often facultative in nature, and their evolutionary dynamics can be shaped by changes in local antagonist communities or arms races with coevolving antagonists. Under these conditions, selection may favour hosts that flexibly acquire symbionts producing compounds with bioactivity against current antagonists. Here, we study the prevalence, dynamics and strain diversity of Burkholderia gladioli bacteria in Lagria beetles, a recently described protective symbiosis involving vertical transmission and antifungal defense for the host eggs. In Lagria hirta, we investigate the fate of the bacteria during the host life cycle. Despite a transmission route relying solely on the females, the bacteria are present in both sexes during the larval stage, suggesting a potentially multifaceted defensive role. In L. hirta and L. villosa adults, culture‐dependent and ‐independent techniques revealed that individual beetles harbour diverse Burkholderia strains from at least two different phylogenetic clades, yet all closely related to free‐living B. gladioli. Interestingly, rearing the beetles in the laboratory strongly impacted symbiont strain profiles in both beetle species. Our findings highlight the dynamic nature of the B. gladioli‐Lagria symbiosis and present this as a valuable system for studying multiple strain coinfections, as well as the evolutionary and ecological factors regulating defensive symbiosis.
Molecular and functional analysis of the mce4 operon in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: García‐Fernández Julia , Papavinasasundaram Kadamba , Galán Beatriz , Sassetti Christopher M. , García José L.
Published: July 2017

Mycobacterium smegmatis contains 6 homologous mce (mammalian cell entry) operons which have been proposed to encode ABC‐like import systems. The mce operons encode up to 10 different proteins of unknown function that are not present in conventional ABC transporters. We have analysed the consequences of individually deleting each of the genes of the mce4 operon of M. smegmatis, which mediates the transport of cholesterol. None of the mce4 mutants were able to grow in cholesterol suggesting that all these genes are required for its uptake and that none of them can be replaced by the homologous genes of the other mce operons. This result suggests that different mce operons do not provide redundant capabilities and that M. smegmatis, in contrast with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is not able to use alternative systems to import cholesterol in the analysed culture conditions. Either deletion of the entire mce4 operon or single point mutations that eliminate the transport function cause a phenotype similar to the one observed in a mutant lacking all 6 mce operons suggesting a pleiotropic role for this system.
The Exploration Phase of Replication Strategies: The Role of Autonomous Action for Reverse Knowledge Flows
Authors: Friesl Martin , Larty Joanne
Published: July 2017

Replication strategies rely on the exploration of new knowledge. An important source of new knowledge is the transfer of unit level experience to headquarters, a process referred to as reverse knowledge flows. Such knowledge flows are fraught with difficulty as formal mechanisms often break down due to diverging business interests of unit and headquarters managers. This study brings together research on knowledge stickiness and autonomous action to provide a new avenue for understanding reverse knowledge flows. By drawing on an exploratory study of a franchise network, we provide an insight into how autonomous action reduces initiation stickiness but potentially increases implementation stickiness. Our analysis suggests that the role of autonomous action for reverse knowledge flows is moderated by unit managers’ resource expectations that emerge as a result of autonomous action. Exploring the interplay of autonomous action and knowledge stickiness provides new explanatory means for understanding reverse knowledge flows in replicator organizations.
Combined deficiency of the Cnr1 and Cnr2 receptors protects against age‐related bone loss by osteoclast inhibition
Authors: Sophocleous Antonia , Marino Silvia , Kabir Dilruba , Ralston Stuart H. , Idris Aymen I.
Published: July 2017

The endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating bone mass and bone cell activity and inactivation of the type 1 (Cnr1) or type 2 (Cnr2) cannabinoid receptors influences peak bone mass and age‐related bone loss. As the Cnr1 and Cnr2 receptors have limited homology and are activated by different ligands, we have evaluated the effects of combined deficiency of Cnr1 and 2 receptors (Cnr1/2−/−) on bone development from birth to old age and studied ovariectomy induced bone loss in female mice. The Cnr1/2−/− mice had accelerated bone accrual at birth when compared with wild type littermates, and by 3 months of age, they had higher trabecular bone mass. They were also significantly protected against ovariectomy‐induced bone loss due to a reduction in osteoclast number. The Cnr1/2−/− mice had reduced age‐related bone loss when compared with wild‐type due to a reduction in osteoclast number. Although bone formation was reduced and bone marrow adiposity increased in Cnr1/2−/− mice, the osteoclast defect outweighed the reduction in bone formation causing preservation of bone mass with aging. This contrasts with the situation previously reported in mice with inactivation of the Cnr1 or Cnr2 receptors individually where aged‐related bone loss was greater than in wild‐type. We conclude that the Cnr1 and Cnr2 receptors have overlapping but nonredundant roles in regulating osteoclast and osteoblast activities. These observations indicate that combined inhibition of Cnr1 and Cnr2 receptors may be beneficial in preventing age‐related bone loss, whereas blockade of individual receptors may be detrimental.
Determinants of bilateral trade: evidence from ASEAN+3
Authors: Nguyen Dong Phong , Vo Xuan Vinh
Published: July 2017

In this research, we investigate the determinants of international trade, employing a dataset of bilateral trade and economics characteristics in the ASEAN+3 countries. We include a large number of independent variables that potentially drive international trade. We also use various standard gravity model variables to maintain consistency with the current literature. The results provide some important insights into the determinants of bilateral trade and offer policy implications regarding the promotion of international trade for governments worldwide. In particular, we find that output asymmetry between countries positively explains bilateral trade. Moreover, the findings suggest that making use of comparative advantage by differentiating the export product structure is important in promoting international trade. We do not find a consistent impact from bilateral exchange rate volatility on bilateral trade. This result points to the importance of providing opportunities for the hedging of currency uncertainty to avoid its adverse effects on trade. The results for other standard gravity model variables are consistent with the results of previous theoretical and empirical research.
Anti‐TNF treatment in Crohn's disease and risk of bowel resection—a population based cohort study
Authors: Eberhardson M. , Söderling J. K. , Neovius M. , Cars T. , Myrelid P. , Ludvigsson J. F. , Askling J. , Ekbom A. , Olén O.
Published: July 2017

Background

TNF inhibitors (TNFi) have been shown to reduce the need for surgery in Crohn's disease, but few studies have examined their effect beyond the first year of treatment.

Aim

To conduct a register‐based observational cohort study in Sweden 2006‐2014 to investigate the risk of bowel resection in bowel surgery naïve TNFi‐treated Crohn's disease patients and whether patients on TNFi ≥12 months are less likely to undergo bowel resection than patients discontinuing treatment before 12 months.

Methods

We identified all individuals in Sweden with Crohn's disease through the Swedish National Patient Register 1987‐2014 and evaluated the incidence of bowel resection after first ever dispensation of adalimumab or infliximab from 2006 and up to 7 years follow‐up.

Results

We identified 1856 Crohn's disease patients who had received TNFi. Among these patients, 90% treatment retention was observed at 6 months after start of TNFi and 65% remained on the drug after 12 months. The cumulative rates of surgery in Crohn's disease patients exposed to TNFi years 1‐7 were 7%, 13%, 17%, 20%, 23%, 25% and 28%. Rates of bowel resection were similar between patients with TNFi survival <12 months and ≥12 months respectively (P=.27). No predictors (eg, sex, age, extension or duration of disease) for bowel resection were identified.

Conclusions

The risk of bowel resection after start of anti‐TNF treatment is higher in regular health care than in published RCTs. Patients on sustained TNFi treatment beyond 12 months have bowel resection rates similar to those who discontinue TNFi treatment earlier.
Retort beef aroma that gives preferable properties to canned beef products and its aroma components
Authors: Migita Koshiro , Iiduka Takao , Tsukamoto Kie , Sugiura Sayuri , Tanaka Genichiro , Sakamaki Gousuke , Yamamoto Yasufumi , Takeshige Yusuke , Miyazawa Toshio , Kojima Ayako , Nakatake Tomoko , Okitani Akihiro , Matsuishi Masanori
Published: July 2017

The objective of this study is to identify the properties and responsible compounds for the aromatic roast odor (retort beef aroma) that commonly occurs in canned beef products and could contribute to their palatability. The optimal temperature for generating retort beef aroma was 121°C. An untrained panel evaluated both uncured corned beef and canned yamato‐ni beef and found that they had an aroma that was significantly (P < 0.01) similar to the odor of 121°C‐heated beef than 100°C‐heated beef. The panel also noted that the aroma of 121°C‐heated beef tended to be (P < 0.1) preferable than that of 100°C‐heated beef. These results suggest that retort beef aroma is one constituent of palatability in canned beef. GC‐MS (gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry) analysis of the volatile fraction obtained from 100°C‐ and 121°C‐heated beef showed that the amounts of pyrazine, 2‐methylpyrazine and diacetyl were higher in the 121°C‐heated beef than in the 100°C‐heated beef. GC‐sniffing revealed that the odor quality of pyrazines was similar to that of retort beef aroma. Therefore, pyrazines were suggested to be a candidate responsible for the retort beef aroma. Analysis of commercial uncured corned beef and cured corned beef confirmed the presence of pyrazine, 2‐methylpyrazine and 2,6‐dimethylpyrazine.
Inhibition of nuclear Wnt signalling: challenges of an elusive target for cancer therapy
Authors: Lyou Yung , Habowski Amber N , Chen George T , Waterman Marian L
Published: July 2017

The highly conserved Wnt signalling pathway plays an important role in embryonic development and disease pathogenesis, most notably cancer. The ‘canonical’ or β‐catenin‐dependent Wnt signal initiates at the cell plasma membrane with the binding of Wnt proteins to Frizzled:LRP5/LRP6 receptor complexes and is mediated by the translocation of the transcription co‐activator protein, β‐catenin, into the nucleus. β‐Catenin then forms a complex with T‐cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancer binding factor (LEF) transcription factors to regulate multiple gene programmes. These programmes play roles in cell proliferation, migration, vasculogenesis, survival and metabolism. Mutations in Wnt signalling pathway components lead to constitutively active Wnt signalling that drives aberrant expression of these programmes and development of cancer. It has been a longstanding and challenging goal to develop therapies that can interfere with the TCF/LEF–β‐catenin transcriptional complex. This review will focus on the (i) structural considerations for targeting the TCF/LEF–β‐catenin and co‐regulatory complexes in the nucleus, (ii) current molecules that directly target TCF/LEF–β‐catenin activity and (iii) ideas for targeting newly discovered components of the TCF/LEF–β‐catenin complex and/or downstream gene programmes regulated by these complexes.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on WNT Signalling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.24/issuetoc
Intranasal delivery of dexamethasone efficiently controls LPS-induced murine neuroinflammation
Authors: Meneses G , Gevorkian G , Florentino A , Bautista M A , Espinosa A , Acero G , Díaz G , Fleury A , Pérez Osorio I N , del Rey A , Fragoso G , Sciutto E , Besedovsky H
Published: July 2017

Neuroinflammation is the hallmark of several infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. Synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) are the first-line immunosuppressive drugs used for controlling neuroinflammation. A delayed diffusion of GCs molecules and the high systemic doses required for brain-specific targeting lead to severe undesirable effects, particularly when lifelong treatment is required. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improving this current therapeutic approach. The intranasal (i.n.) route is being employed increasingly for drug delivery to the brain via the olfactory system. In this study, the i.n. route is compared to the intravenous (i.v.) administration of GCs with respect to their effectiveness in controlling neuroinflammation induced experimentally by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. A statistically significant reduction in interleukin (IL)-6 levels in the central nervous system (CNS) in the percentage of CD45+/CD11b+/lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D [Ly6G+ and in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining was observed in mice from the i.n.-dexamethasone (DX] group compared to control and i.v.-DX-treated animals. DX treatment did not modify the percentage of microglia and perivascular macrophages as determined by ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) immunostaining of the cortex and hippocampus. The increased accumulation of DX in brain microvasculature in DX-i.n.-treated mice compared with controls and DX-IV-treated animals may underlie the higher effectiveness in controlling neuroinflammation. Altogether, these results indicate that IN-DX administration may offer a more efficient alternative than systemic administration to control neuroinflammation in different neuropathologies.