bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Considering a non-document: concepts, components, and contexts
Authors: Kosciejew Marc Richard Hugh
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to begin a conversation about the term “nondocument.” It analyzes this term’s possible concepts, components and contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper draws upon the work of documentation studies scholars, including Michael Buckland, Bernd Frohmann and Niels Windfeld Lund, to begin an exploration of the term “nondocument,” framed within the context of the 2013–2014 Israeli–Palestinian peace negotiations brokered by the USA. It is comprised of seven sections revolving around different questions regarding non-document.

Findings

The document at the center of the 2013–2014 Israeli–Palestinian peace negotiations aimed to establish a framework for an eventual final-status peace agreement. There was skepticism, however, about the document’s proposed reservations inscription permitting either party to express reservations with any part of the framework. It was claimed that this reservation inscription made the document self-negating and therefore a non-document. This document was arguably a hybrid entity: a document-non-document. It was a document in the context of the negotiations. It became a non-document in the context of the collapse of the negotiations.

Research limitations/implications

The 2013–2014 peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine, brokered by the USA, revolved around a diplomatic document outlining provisions for a final peace settlement. The two parties were skeptical of a proposed provision permitting reservations to be expressed over other provisions within the document. An official involved in the negotiations stated that this provision made the document a non-document. But what exactly is meant by this term? This paper takes the opportunity to begin exploring such a notion. The aim, however, is not to definitively define non-document but instead to raise questions and provoke further discussions of this term.

Originality/value

The concept of non-document is underdeveloped. This paper presents questions and conceptual tools to help develop this term whilst providing possible points of departure for further examinations of how documents are or might be non-documents. These questions and tools also point in directions for various other approaches to phenomena that could be regarded as documents in some respects but not in others, or the ways in which something could is “almost” but “not quite” a document, or even help determine what is “not document.” Ultimately, this term could help expand other “conventional” approaches to documentation.
Transfer pricing, earnings management and tax avoidance of firms in Ghana
Authors: Amidu Mohammed , Coffie William , Acquah Philomina
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how transfer pricing (TP) and earnings management affect tax avoidance of firms in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a panel data set from 2008 to 2015 to further shed light on transfer pricing-tax avoidance nexus by examining the complex interaction of three key variables: transfer pricing, earnings management and tax avoidance.

Findings

The results show that almost all the sample firms have engaged in some form of transfer pricing strategies and the manipulation of earnings to avoid tax during 2008-2015. There is evidence to suggest that non-financial multinational corporations manipulate more earnings than the financial firms while financial firms also use more TP than non-financial firms. The overall results suggest that the sensitivity of tax avoidance to transfer pricing decreases as firms increase their earnings management. By extension, these results have important policy implication for policymakers in assessing the effectiveness of tax laws relating to transfer pricing.

Originality/value

The authors investigate how transfer pricing and earnings management affect the avoidance of firms operating in Ghana.
Combating corruption in Nigeria: the emergence of whistleblowing policy
Authors: Gholami Hossein , Salihu Habeeb Abdulrauf
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to appraise the roles of whistleblowing policy as a tool for combating corruption in Nigeria. Methodologically, it examines how the policy could be strengthened to effectively address the challenges of corruption in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is essentially a desk research with reliance on the secondary source of data. Relevant materials were collected in an eclectic manner from official documents, statutes and other published outlets such as books, journal publications, online articles, news reports and newspaper articles. Its scope is limited to issue and content analysis relating to the use of whistleblowing policy as a tool to combat corruption.

Findings

The paper finds that whistleblowing policy is an effective anti-corruption instrument that has facilitated discovery and recovery of looted public resources and prosecution of culprits in Nigeria.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how whistleblowing as an anti-corruption mechanism could be strengthened in Nigeria when the legislator finally passed the Whistleblower Protection Bill into law.
Corporate fraud and information asymmetry in emerging markets
Authors: Ghafoor Abdul , Zainudin Rozaimah , Mahdzan Nurul Shahnaz
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine changes in firms’ level of information asymmetry in emerging market of Malaysia for the period of 2000-2016. Specifically, the study focuses on changes in the quoted spread and quoted depth following the fraud announcement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a unique set of fraud sample using enforcement action releases (EARs) identified from the Security Commission of Malaysia and Bursa Malaysia. To estimate the result, the authors use event study methodology, OLS regression and simultaneous model on a set of 67 fraudulent firms.

Findings

The results of event study, OLS regression and simultaneous equation models suggest that information asymmetry increases on fraud discovery. The authors also use the analysis on subsamples classified by the type of regulator (who issued the enforcement release) and type of fraud committed. However, the authors find no evidence of a difference in information asymmetry across these groups. Overall, the results support the reputational view of fraud that it damages the firms’ reputation and increases uncertainty in the capital market.

Research limitations/implications

These findings provide valuable insights into understanding the information asymmetry around fraud announcements, especially for Malaysia, where the majority of the public-listed companies are family-controlled and under significant state control. The results of this study call for the active role that regulators can play to achieve a transparent and liquid capital market.

Practical implications

The research has practical implications. Specifically, for Malaysia, fraud is the primary area for National Results Areas (NKRA) in the Government Transformation Program (GTP). Therefore, for regulators and policymakers to ensure a liquid and transparent capital market, identifying the factors that elicit the fraudulent behavior and improving the related governance mechanism are necessary steps to prevent the fraudulent practices.

Social implications

Due to increased information asymmetry on fraud announcements, the demand for equity decreases that may affect not only the fraudulent firms but also results in negative externality for non-fraudulent firms, thus impairing their ability to fund equity.

Originality/value

A significant majority of studies have focused on corporate frauds in developed countries such as the USA that is characterized by dispersed ownership system and a strong capital market. One of the vocal critics of the agency theory is that it neglects the social and institutional framework within which companies operate. In emerging markets, such as Malaysia, the published academic papers on fraud and information asymmetry are very limited. As emerging markets practice different cultures, corporate governance mechanisms and market regulations, the study is significant to investigate the behavior of investors in such markets.
Audit and risk committee in financial crime prevention
Authors: Abdullah Wan Nailah , Said Roshima
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This empirical study aims to examine two areas: first, the characteristics of the audit committee and their relationship with corporate financial crime so as to ensure that their effectiveness as a corporate governance mechanism is still relevant; and second, the effectiveness of having a risk committee which is separated from the audit committee in the prevention of corporate financial crime.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical research was carried out by using a Web-based data collection for corporate financial crime cases.

Findings

While the results for audit committee characteristics are not supported, the findings, however, indicate a significant relationship between the existence of a stand-alone risk committee with corporate financial crime incidences.

Practical implications

The result of the study serves as an empirical indicator of a firm’s consideration in deciding on the implementation of a stand-alone risk committee from its audit committee.

Originality/value

Both the descriptive and correlation analyses produced by this paper provide new insights into the extent of corporate financial crime, as well as the empirical evidence of the effectiveness of having a stand-alone risk committee.
Cybercrime: an emerging threat to the banking sector of Pakistan
Authors: Malik Muhammad Shoukat , Islam Urooj
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gain more insight into the impact of cybercrime incidents in the banking sector of Pakistan. This study investigates the significant contribution of information security awareness on the relationship of cybercrimes and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact of cybercrime incidents on organizational performance is investigated by further exploring the moderating effects of information security awareness. A sample of 302 employees in the banking industry of Pakistan was studied by using survey design.

Findings

Cybercrime incidents have negative impact on organizational performance, but information security awareness weakens the negative impact of cybercrimes on organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The present study focuses on the banking sector so its finding cannot be generalized in other sectors. Further, in-depth comparative studies in other sectors with different cultural settings will help to authenticate the research findings.

Practical implications

Information security awareness weakens the negative impact of cybercrimes on organizational performance; therefore, it is important for banks’ HR managers to set up more security training courses to increase employees’ awareness on cybercrimes.

Originality/value

This study explores the impact of cybercrimes on banks’ performance with the moderating role of employees’ information security awareness. Linking these topics has created a new study within the cybercrimes discipline. The present study also enhances the understanding of employees’ role to combat the impact of cybercrimes on organizational performance.
Factor analysis of financial crime-related issues
Authors: Iwasokun Gabriel Babatunde , Akinyede Richard Olufemi , Fadamiro Catherine Folake , Bello Oniyide Alabi
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose indices that were freely considered as relevant for the analysis of financial crime-related issues in Nigeria and list them in the questionnaire that was administered across the six geo-political zones of the country to obtain relevant data that are useful for factor analysis of financial crime-related issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology involved data survey, preparation and normalization. Followed by principal component analysis-based factor analysis and then, results and interpretation.

Findings

The results of factor analysis placed high premium on government policies and regulations, responses and management, capacity building and awareness and litigation as the major issues for safe and secure financial system in Nigeria. Findings from the research also established that systemic ways of ensuring that citizens adopt technical know-how for national development rather than committing crimes should be introduced and enforced by the Nigerian government.

Originality/value

The research formulated some indices and established some models for the analysis.
Advancing theory of fraud: the S.C.O.R.E. model
Authors: Vousinas Georgios L.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to elaborate on the theory of fraud by enhancing the existing theories behind the factors that force people to commit fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the most commonly used and widely accepted models for explaining why people commit fraud – the fraud triangle, the fraud diamond, the fraud scale and the MICE model. The author argues that these models need to be updated to adapt to the current developments in the field and the ever-growing fraud incidents, both in frequency and severity, and builds on the theoretical background to create a new model so as to enhance the understanding behind the major factors which lead to the commitment of fraud.

Findings

The author identifies a major element – ego – which plays a crucial role in compelling people to commit fraud and concludes in the formation of the S.C.O.R.E. model, which is graphically depicted in the fraud pentagon. He goes further by adding the factor collusion to better apply in cases of white-collar crimes.

Originality/value

The paper develops the S.C.O.R.E. model to contribute to the development of fraud theory by identifying the key factors that play a major role in whether fraud will actually occur and acting as a theoretical benchmark for all future reference.
On again, off again: Acute stress response and negative feedback together predict resilience to experimental challenges
Authors: Zimmer Cedric , Taff Conor C. , Ardia Daniel R. , Ryan Thomas A. , Winkler David W. , Vitousek Maren N.
Published: January 2019

Individuals often vary markedly in their ability to cope with stressors, but the drivers of this variation remain poorly understood. Many studies have tested relationships among individual variation in glucocorticoid levels and the response to challenges—often finding inconsistent patterns; however, few have addressed whether variation in the capacity to terminate the stress response through negative feedback is associated with stress resilience.

While conceptual models predict that interactions among different components of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis regulation may be important predictors of the phenotypic and fitness effects of stress, we are aware of no previous experimental tests of this hypothesis.

We investigate whether individual variation in HPA axis regulation is related to resilience to experimental challenges in free‐living tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). We mimicked salient natural challenges by temporarily reducing flight efficiency or increasing perceived predation risk during incubation, and determined whether HPA axis responsiveness prior to treatments predicted resilience.

Females that exhibited both a robust HPA axis activation and strong negative feedback were less likely to abandon nests during incubation.

Our results suggest that exhibiting a strong HPA axis activation coupled with effective negative feedback may predict stress resilience. Therefore, the ability to turn on and then off the HPA axis efficiently may be important for fitness.

Our results also suggest that the interactions between different components of the HPA axis may provide greater insight into differences in stress coping capacity.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
National racial/ethnic and geographic disparities in experiences with health care among adult Medicaid beneficiaries
Authors: Martino Steven C. , Mathews Megan , Agniel Denis , Orr Nate , Wilson‐Frederick Shondelle , Ng Judy H. , Ormson A. Elizabeth , Elliott Marc N.
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To investigate whether health care experiences of adult Medicaid beneficiaries differ by race/ethnicity and rural/urban status.

Data Sources

A total of 270 243 respondents to the 2014‐2015 Nationwide Adult Medicaid Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey.

Study Design

Linear regression was used to estimate case mix adjusted differences in patient experience between racial/ethnic minority and non‐Hispanic white Medicaid beneficiaries, and between beneficiaries residing in small urban areas, small towns, and rural areas vs large urban areas. Dependent measures included getting needed care, getting care quickly, doctor communication, and customer service.

Principal Findings

Compared with white beneficiaries, American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) beneficiaries reported worse experiences, while black beneficiaries reported better experiences. Deficits for AIAN beneficiaries were 6‐8 points on a 0‐100 scale; deficits for API beneficiaries were 13‐22 points (P's < 0.001); advantages for black beneficiaries were 3‐5 points (P's < 0.001). Hispanic white differences were mixed. Beneficiaries in small urban areas, small towns, and isolated rural areas reported significantly better experiences (2‐3 points) than beneficiaries in large urban areas (P's < 0.05), particularly regarding access to care. Racial/ethnic differences typically did not vary by geography.

Conclusions

Improving experiences for racial/ethnic minorities and individuals living in large urban areas should be high priorities for policy makers exploring approaches to improve the value and delivery of care to Medicaid beneficiaries.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt prevents rebleeding in cirrhotic patients having cavernous transformation of the portal vein without improving their survival
Authors: Li Lu Ning , Sun Xiao Yan , Wang Guang Chuan , Tian Xiang Guo , Zhang Ming Yan , Jiang Kai Tong , Zhang Chun Qing
Published: January 2019

Objective

To compare the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) and endoscopic variceal ligations (EVL) plus propranolol in decreasing rebleeding and improving survival rates in cirrhotic patients with cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV).

Methods

Cirrhotic patients with CTPV and a history of variceal bleeding who were treated for recurrent variceal bleeding between June 2010 and July 2016 were identified and classified based on the treatment they received (TIPS or EVL plus propranolol). Their characteristics and clinical data were recorded. The rebleeding and long‐term survival rates between the two groups were analyzed.

Results

A total of 51 patients were included, of whom 25 were treated with TIPS and 26 with EVL plus propranolol. The mean duration of follow up was 21 months (range 1–47 months) in the former group and 27 months (range 6–73 months) in the latter group. The recurrent variceal bleeding‐free rate increased remarkably in the TIPS group compared with the EVL + propranolol group (P = 0.047). Three (14.3%) patients died in the TIPS group, and one (3.8%) in the EVL plus propranolol group (P = 0.305). Hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 14.3% (3/21) of the patients in the TIPS group and in 3.8% (1/26) in the EVL + propranolol group (P = 0.202).

Conclusion

TIPS appeared to be more effective in preventing rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with CTPV compared with EVL plus propranolol, without improving survival.
Asymmetric Learning from Prices and Post‐Earnings‐Announcement Drift
Authors: Choi Jaewon , Thompson Linh , Williams Jared
Published: January 2019

Motivated by research in psychology and experimental economics, we assume that investors update their beliefs about an asset's value upon observing the price, but only when the price clearly reveals that others obtained private information that differs from their own private information. Specifically, we assume that investors learn from the price of an asset in an asymmetric manner—they learn from the price if they observe good (bad) private information and the price is worse (better) than what is justified based on public information alone. We show that asymmetric learning from an asset's price leads to post‐earnings‐announcement drift (PEAD), and that it generates arbitrage opportunities that are less attractive than alternative explanations of PEAD. In addition, our model predicts that PEAD will be concentrated in earnings surprises that are not dominated by accruals, and it also predicts that earnings response coefficients will decline in the magnitude of the earnings surprises.
An inexpensive and open‐source method to study large terrestrial animal diet and behaviour using time‐lapse video and GPS
Authors: de la Rosa Carlos A.
Published: January 2019

The behaviour of free‐ranging animals is difficult to study, especially on the large spatial and temporal scales relevant to long‐lived large species. Animal‐borne video and environmental data collection systems (AVEDs) record behaviour and other data in real time as animals conduct daily activities. However, few studies have combined systematically collected, long‐term AVED foraging data with environmental and movement data to test hypotheses on animal foraging. Additionally, AVEDs are often either prohibitively expensive, or require extensive fabrication and programming knowledge.

The video and coordinate animal‐mounted system (VACAMS) is an animal‐mounted data collection system based on a modified GoPro®action camera platform that records short, first ‘person’ perspective videos of animal behaviour on an automated time‐lapse schedule. As most videos are georeferenced, researchers can return to the locations of specific behaviours and collect accurate, fine‐grained data on non‐woody vegetation and other habitat characteristics that may influence animal behaviour. Moreover, VACAMS are inexpensive and easy to use.

This study describes VACAMS preliminary data on cattle foraging and a hypothesis exploring free‐ranging cattle browsing habits throughout the rainy season in the tropical dry forest of Sonora, Mexico. I generated a database of vegetation types consumed by cows each month (annual, woody and leaf litter) and compared actual vegetation type frequencies to a priori assumptions based on seasonal patterns of forage availability. During the monsoons, when palatable vegetation was abundant, frequencies of annual and woody perennial vegetation in cattle diets did not differ from month to month. When the rains ceased and palatable vegetation became scarce, cows switched to leaf litter, dead annual vegetation, twigs and dried leguminous fruits.

Open‐source software and commercially available hardware make VACAMS financially attainable for many researchers, land managers, students and other user groups. VACAMS could be used on a range of domestic and semi‐domestic free‐ranging animals, particularly in dense forests where conventional observations are impossible. With improvements to GPS battery life and durability, the weakest points of the system, VACAMS could also potentially apply to studies of other large terrestrial animals.
Comparing the periodontal tissue response to non‐surgical scaling and root planing alone, adjunctive azithromycin, or adjunctive amoxicillin plus metronidazole in generalized chronic moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis: a preliminary randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liaw A , Miller C , Nimmo A
Published: January 2019

Background

The usefulness of administrating adjunctive systemic antibiotics to expedite healing of periodontal tissues is a topic of interest given the lack of clear guidelines.

Aim

To compare clinical outcomes in patients given adjunctive azithromycin (AZ), adjunctive amoxicillin plus metronidazole (AMX + MTZ), or scaling and root planing (SRP) alone in the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe chronic periodontitis.

Methods

Thirty‐eight patients were randomly assigned into: SRP alone; 500 mg AMX plus 400 mg MTZ three times per day for 7 days; or 500 mg AZ for 3 days. Antibiotics were administered after the first SRP session and clinical parameters for full‐mouth and baseline probing pocket depth (PPD) categories were reviewed 2‐months post‐treatment.

Results

Thirty‐four of 38 patients completed the study. All groups experienced significant improvements in full‐mouth clinical attachment level (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing. AZ exhibited greater reductions in PPD than SRP alone for baseline severe sites, whilst AMX+MTZ showed significant improvements in PPD and CAL than SRP alone for baseline moderate and severe sites. Of the two antibiotic therapies, AMX+MTZ showed greater reductions in PPD compared with AZ in baseline moderate sites only.

Conclusions

For patients with moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis, adjunctive systemic antibiotics might result in greater clinical benefits.
Intimate Mediations of For‐Profit Conservation Finance: Waste, Improvement, and Accumulation
Authors: Dempsey Jessica , Bigger Patrick
Published: January 2019

How to understand the marriage between accumulation and conservation? The paper draws from extensive research into one value chain, from the advisor in New York City to a wildlife‐friendly cattle business in Kenya. Making this enterprise return in money requires intimate and relentless efforts to transform wasteful conduct across a range of institutions and people; we focus on the attempted production of NGO economicus, homo economicus plus, and bos Taurus economicus. Drawing from feminist and postcolonial theorists of capitalism, we emphasise how green capitalist value production does not always hinge on extinguishing other‐than‐capitalist‐social relations but rather attempts to mobilise and harness such differences, including non‐profit‐seeking values, logics and relations. The paper concludes by reflecting on the temporal challenges facing for‐profit conservation finance, including those posed by previous regimes of accumulation that it relies on but also wants to overcome.
Increased prevalence of anti‐TNF therapy in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a decline in surgical resections during childhood
Authors: Ashton James J. , Borca Florina , Mossotto Enrico , Coelho Tracy , Batra Akshay , Afzal Nadeem A. , Phan Hang T. T. , Stanton Michael , Ennis Sarah , Beattie Robert Mark
Published: January 2019

Background

Anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α (anti‐TNF) therapy use has risen in paediatric‐onset inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD). Whether this has translated into preventing/delaying childhood surgery is uncertain. The Wessex PIBD cohort was analysed for trends in anti‐TNF‐therapy and surgery.

Aim

To assess patients diagnosed with PIBD within Wessex from 1997 to 2017. The prevalence of anti‐TNF‐therapy and yearly surgery rates (resection and perianal) during childhood (<18 years) were analysed (Pearson's correlation, multivariate regression, Fisher's exact).

Results

Eight‐hundred‐and‐twenty‐five children were included (498 Crohn's disease, 272 ulcerative colitis, 55 IBD‐unclassified), mean age at diagnosis 13.6 years (1.6‐17.6), 39.6% female. The prevalence of anti‐TNF‐treated patients increased from 5.1% to 27.1% (2007‐2017), P = 0.0001. Surgical resection‐rate fell (7.1%‐1.5%, P = 0.001), driven by a decrease in Crohn's disease resections (8.9%‐2.3%, P = 0.001). Perianal surgery and ulcerative colitis resection‐rates were unchanged. Time from diagnosis to resection increased (1.6‐2.8 years, P = 0.028) but mean age at resection was unchanged. Patients undergoing resections during childhood were diagnosed at a younger age in the most recent 5 years (2007‐2011 = 13.1 years, 2013‐2017 = 11.9 years, P = 0.014).

Resection‐rate in anti‐TNF‐therapy treated (16.1%) or untreated (12.2%) was no different (P = 0.25). Patients started on anti‐TNF‐therapy <3 years post‐diagnosis (11.6%) vs later (28.6%) had a reduction in resections, P = 0.047. Anti‐TNF‐therapy prevalence was the only significant predictor of resection‐rate using multivariate regression (P = 0.011).

Conclusions

The prevalence of anti‐TNF‐therapy increased significantly, alongside a decrease in surgical resection‐rate. Patients diagnosed at younger ages still underwent surgery during childhood. Anti‐TNF‐therapy may reduce the need for surgical intervention in childhood, thereby influencing the natural history of PIBD.
NMR as a new tool for cultural heritage application: The provenance of ancient white marbles
Authors: Gutiérrez Garcia‐M. A. , Savin M. C. , Cantin N. , Boudoumi S. , Lapuente P. , Chapoulie R. , Pianet I.
Published: January 2019

Identifying the origin of marble used in antiquity brings back to light details of the economic, social and political organization of classical societies, and characterizing in depth the chemistry of marble is key to discovering its provenance. Beyond X‐ray diffraction, which could reveal the presence of discriminant secondary crystalline phases and the quantification of accessory minerals combined with a multivariate analysis approach, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) enables one to recognize the local structure arrangement of both crystalline and amorphous materials by looking at one or more selected atoms. In present paper targets the 13C nuclide, and thus the major component of marble, calcium carbonate. Whatever their geological origin, marbles 13C‐NMR spectra present only one resonance corresponding to the carboxyl function whose intensity and line width vary from one marble to another. If the variation of the NMR signal intensity observed is the result of great T1 variations (from 220 to 5300 s) and is linked to iron content, the line width reflects defects in the calcite crystal in which calcium has been replaced by another element such as magnesium, aluminium or strontium. The specific profile of the NMR signal has been used successfully to help determine the origin of some archaeological items.
Proteomic analysis of Tianzhu White Yak (Bos grunniens) testis at different sexual developmental stages
Authors: Ruan Chong‐Mei , Wang Jing , Yang Yong‐Xin , Hu Jun‐Jie , Ma You‐Ji , Zhang Yong , Zhao Xing‐Xu
Published: January 2019

To explore the protein expression profiles of white yak (Bos grunniens) testis at different sexual developmental stages. The protein profiles of yak testis were determined using two‐dimensional electrophoresis and the expression levels of 298 protein spots were analyzed. Mass spectrometry was performed to identify those significantly differential expressed proteins; Western blotting was used to confirm the results. During the developmental stages, 29 protein spots showed more than twofold differences (p < 0.05) at ≥1 time point and were successfully identified. Two proteins were upregulated with age (category 1), five proteins (17.2%) were downregulated with age (category 2), four proteins were upregulated before 4 years of age and downregulated thereafter (category 3), fifteen proteins were upregulated before 2 years of age and downregulated thereafter (category 4), and three proteins fluctuated with age (category 5). The expression patterns of regucalcin and heat shock 60 kDa protein in category 2 were confirmed. The 29 differentially expressed proteins from yak testes (some had more than one function) were categorized into binding (n = 15), catalytic activity (n = 13), molecular function regulator (n = 4), antioxidant (n = 4), molecular transducer (n = 2), transporter (n = 1), and structural molecule (n = 1). The identification and analysis of these testis proteins may assist in understanding the developmental biology of reproduction system in male yak.
Infant Attachment Insecurity and Baseline Physiological Activity and Physiological Reactivity to Interpersonal Stress: A Meta‐Analytic Review
Authors: Groh Ashley M. , Narayan Angela J.
Published: January 2019

This meta‐analytic review (k = 5–10; N = 258–895) examined links between attachment insecurity and physiological activity at baseline and in response to interpersonal stress elicited by separation–reunion procedures in the early life course (1–5 years). Insecurity was trivially, nonsignificantly associated with baseline physiological activity (heart rate [HR]: g = −.06; respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]: g = −.06; cortisol: g = .01) and nonsignificantly associated with physiological reactivity to separation from parents (HR: g = −.001; RSA: g = .24). However, insecurity was moderately associated with heightened RSA (g = .26) and cortisol (g = .27) reactivity upon reunion with parents. Findings provide insight into the biobehavioral organization of attachment, suggesting that early insecurity is associated with heightened physiological reactivity to interpersonal stress.
Science denialism and compassionate conservation: response to Wallach et al. 2018
Authors: Driscoll Don A. , Watson Maggie J.
Published: January 2019

Article impact statement: A halt to lethal control of invasive species would lead to increased land degradation, species extinctions, and biotic homogenization.
Retrospective cohort study comparing endoscopic ultrasound‐guided and percutaneous drainage of upper abdominal abscesses
Authors: Carbajo Ana Yaiza , Brunie Vegas Francisco Javier , García‐Alonso Francisco Javier , Cimavilla Marta , Torres Yuste Raúl , Gil‐Simón Paula , de la Serna‐Higuera Carlos , Fernández Pérez Gabriel Carlos , Pérez‐Miranda Manuel
Published: January 2019

Background and Aim

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)‐guided drainage (EUS‐D) has become the standard treatment for peripancreatic fluid collections. Its use in other intra‐abdominal abscesses has been reported, although there is limited evidence.

Methods

We carried out a single‐center retrospective cohort study comparing percutaneous drainage (PCD) and EUS‐D of upper abdominal abscesses between January 2012 and June 2017. Pancreatic fluid collections and liver transplant recipients were excluded. Primary endpoints were technical and clinical success rates.

Results

We included 18 EUS‐D (nine hepatic and nine intraperitoneal abscesses) and 62 PCD. There were no differences regarding age, gender and etiology. Size was larger in the PCD group (80 vs 65.5 mm, P = 0.04) and perivesicular location was more frequent in the PCD group (24.2% vs 11.1%, P = 0.003). In the EUS‐D group, metal stents were deployed in 16 (88.9%) subjects (eight lumen‐apposing metal stents and eight self‐expandable metal stents), coaxial double‐pigtail plastic stents in six (33.3%) and lavage/debridement was carried out in five (27.8%). There were no significant differences in technical success (EUS‐D: 88.9%, PCD: 96.8%, P = 0.22) or clinical success (EUS‐D: 88.9%, PCD: 82.3%, P = 0.50), with no relapses in the EUS‐D group and 10 (16.1%) in the PCD group (P = 0.11). There were four (22.2%) adverse events in the EUS‐D group, none of them severe, and 13 (21%) in the PCD group (P = 0.91).

Conclusions

EUS‐D is an alternative to PCD in the treatment of upper abdominal abscesses, reaching similar success, relapse and adverse events rates.
CULTURE, LEGAL ORIGINS, AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Ang James B.
Published: January 2019

This study proposes that countries with a cultural orientation toward individualism tend to enjoy a higher level of financial development. Estimates based on cross‐country data lend strong support to this hypothesis. Specifically, the results indicate that existing disparity in the level of financial development is significantly correlated with variation in the extent of individualism across countries, where a one standard deviation increase in individualism is associated with 0.631 standard deviations improvement in the level of financial development. The results are robust to a number of considerations. Additional results provide some support to the notion that individualistic culture and legal origin may serve as complements rather than substitutes to each
other. (JEL O40, O50, Z10)
The influence of government ideology on monetary policy: New cross‐country evidence based on dynamic heterogeneous panels
Authors: Giesenow Federico M. , de Haan Jakob
Published: January 2019

Using data of 23 OECD countries over the 1980–2005 period, we examine whether government ideology affects monetary policy, conditional on central bank independence. Unlike previous studies in this line of literature, we estimate central bank behavior using forward‐looking and real‐time data in Taylor rule models and use estimators that allow for heterogeneity across countries. Our models with heterogeneous slope coefficients for the full sample do not suggest partisan effects. We also do not find evidence that central bank behavior is conditioned by the interaction of the ideology of the incumbent government and the electoral calendar.
In silico analysis of the binding properties of solasonine to mortalin and p53, and in vitro pharmacological studies of its apoptotic and cytotoxic effects on human HepG2 and Hep3b hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Pham Minh Quan , Tran Thi Hoai Van , Pham Quoc Long , Gairin Jean Edouard
Published: January 2019

Liver cancer, of which human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type, represents the second most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. To date, treatments remain mostly ineffective and efforts are made to discover new molecules or therapeutic strategies against HCC. Mortalin, an hsp70 chaperone protein, is overexpressed in various cancer, including HCC. Mortalin sequesters p53 into the cytoplasm, thereby inhibiting its translocation to the nucleus and consequently, its cellular functions. Inhibition of mortalin–p53 interactions, which should activate the apoptotic process and the subsequent cell death, has thus been proposed as an anticancer strategy. In silico screening of a database of 354 natural compounds identified solasonine, a steroidal glycoalkaloid from Solanaceae, as a potent inhibitor of p53–mortalin interactions. Pharmacological studies confirmed that solasonine was able to inhibit efficiently mortalin–p53 interaction in HCC HepG2 cell line that expresses both mortalin and p53. This resulted in p53 translocation to the nucleus. Solasonine‐induced apoptosis and cell death of HCC cell lines either expressing p53 (HepG2) or not (Hep3b), indicating that apoptotic activities of solasonine can be mediated not only through p53‐dependent but also p53‐independent pathways. The cytotoxic effects of solasonine correlated in part with its apoptotic properties and differed in the two HCC cell lines, being reversed by pifithrin‐α, an inhibitor of p53 functions, in HepG2 cells but not in Hep3b cells. Nonapoptotic cell death was also observed, notably in Hep3b cells.
Octopus as predators of abalone on a sea ranch
Authors: Greenwell Claire N. , Loneragan Neil R. , Admiraal Ryan , Tweedley James R. , Wall Mark
Published: January 2019

This study examined the occurrence of octopus across an abalone, Haliotis laevigata, Donovan, sea ranch in south‐western Australia, to understand how octopus may be impacting abalone production. Commercial divers removed 654 octopus and 17,666 empty abalone shells during regular, 2 to 4‐weekly surveys over 27 months. A negative binomial generalised linear model estimated a 78% increase in empty shells per artificial abalone habitat per day, when octopuses were present, after adjusting for location and season. Of the 408 shells examined for evidence of predation, 19% had a small, slightly ovoid hole consistent with those made by octopus. The mean (± 1 SE) length of shells with boreholes (70.3 ± 2.2 mm) was significantly longer than those without (59.8 ± 0.5 mm), and boreholes were concentrated over the adductor, respiratory organs and heart. This study provides important insights into the adaptable feeding regimes of octopus and their potential to impose strong top‐down controls on sea ranching operations.
Dynamics of early life‐history stages of fish along an estuarine gradient
Authors: Santos Régis Vinícius Souza , Severi William
Published: January 2019

This study aimed to identify the spatial and temporal patterns of composition and distribution of early life‐history stages of fish along an estuarine gradient. Samples were collected quarterly between April 2010 and January 2011 using conical‐cylindrical plankton nets in the Vaza Barris estuarine river system (NE Brazil). A total of 38,781 fish eggs and 3,526 larvae, representing 20 families and 42 taxa, were caught. The most abundant larval taxa were Microgobius meeki, Ctenogobius gr. smaragdus/boleosoma, Gobionellus oceanicus, Ctenogobius gr. stigmaticus/saepepallens/shufeldti, Bairdiella ronchus, Achirus sp., Trinectes sp., Stellifer rastrifer and S. stellifer, accounting together for 34.5% of the total catch. Ichthyoplankton distributions were characterized by high seasonal and spatial variability mainly attributed to the environmental characteristics of the estuary. Overall, lower estuarine region served as important accumulation areas for ichthyoplankton, concentrating the greatest diversity and abundance. Salinity gradient, water temperature, and inorganic nutrients were the main variables that affected the larval fish assemblages, presumably influencing spawning, development and survival of individuals or through their effect on food supply. Moreover, this study reinforced the concept that hydrological variations may have a strong influence on estuarine species retention and marine species immigration. Finally, this study highlights the importance of estuaries for the growth and maintenance of stocks of fish species, and the development of strategies to protect these habitats is of utmost relevance.
Sex and racial/ethnic differences in the association between childhood attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom subtypes and body mass index in the transition from adolescence to adulthood in the United States
Authors: Inoue Y. , Howard A. G. , Stickley A. , Yazawa A. , Gordon‐Larsen P.
Published: January 2019

Background

While attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with higher body mass index (BMI), little research has focused on how this association differs by sex or race/ethnicity.

Objective

To investigate the association between ADHD and BMI by sex and race/ethnicity (ie, European [EA], African [AA], and Hispanic American [HA]).

Methods

Data came from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health Waves II to IV (n = 13 332, age: 12‐34 years). On the basis of self‐reported childhood ADHD symptoms between the ages of 5 and 12 years, participants were categorized into: ADHD predominantly hyperactive/impulsive (ADHD‐HI); ADHD predominantly inattentive (ADHD‐I); ADHD combined (ADHD‐C; a combination of ADHD‐HI and ADHD‐I symptoms); and non‐ADHD.

Results

The patterns of ADHD‐BMI associations in the transition period between adolescence and young adulthood differed by sex and race/ethnicity. Compared with non‐ADHD, ADHD‐HI was associated with higher BMI among EA males and females, while ADHD‐I was associated with higher BMI among EA females. ADHD‐C was associated with higher BMI for HA females. We found no evidence of an association among AA males and females and HA males.

Conclusion

These study results suggest that the association between ADHD subtypes and BMI might differ across population subgroups in the United States.
Linking fresh paste microstructure, rheology and extrusion characteristics of cementitious binders for 3D printing
Authors: Nair Sooraj A. O. , Alghamdi Hussam , Arora Aashay , Mehdipour Iman , Sant Gaurav , Neithalath Narayanan
Published: January 2019

Cementitious binders amenable to extrusion‐based 3D printing are formulated by tailoring the fresh microstructure through the use of fine limestone powder or a combination of limestone powder and microsilica or metakaolin. Mixtures are proportioned with and without a superplasticizer to enable different particle packings at similar printability levels. A simple microstructural parameter, which implicitly accounts for the solid volume and inverse square dependence of particle size on yield stress can be used to select preliminary material combinations for printable binders. The influence of composition/microstructure on the response of pastes to extension or squeezing are also brought out. Extrusion rheology is used in conjunction with a phenomenological model to better understand the properties of significance in extrusion‐based printing of cementitious materials. The extrusion yield stress and die wall slip shear stress extracted from the model enables an understanding of their relationships with the fresh paste microstructure, which are crucial in selecting binders, extrusion geometry, and processing parameters for 3D printing.
Structural, electronic, and dielectric properties of a large random network model of amorphous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks and its analogues
Authors: Wang Hailong , Li Neng , Hu Zhongbo , Bennett Thomas D. , Zhao Xiujian , Ching Wai‐Yim
Published: January 2019

The amorphous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (a‐ZIFs) models and its analogues (with 918 or 810 atoms, respectively) are constructed based on a larger continuous random network (CRN) model of amorphous SiO2 (a‐SiO2) model. The atomic, electronic, and dielectric properties of these structures, which possess different metal nodes and organic linkers, are investigated by well‐defined density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results suggest that all a‐ZIFs have ultra‐low dielectric constants and a large energy loss function (ELF), which suggests that they may be good candidates for electromagnetic absorptive materials. Most important, these a‐ZIFs models offer a base‐line model for other amorphous ZIFs for further research on models containing vacancies, defects, doping or under high pressure or high temperature.
Flight activity in pallid swiftsApus pallidusduring the non‐breeding period
Authors: Hedenström Anders , Norevik Gabriel , Boano Giovanni , Andersson Arne , Bäckman Johan , Åkesson Susanne
Published: January 2019

Flight activity recorders have recently confirmed that alpine and common swifts spend the majority of their non‐breeding period on the wing, which may last 6–10 months. Here we test the hypothesis that the closely related pallid swift, a species with a breeding distribution around the Mediterranean, lead a similar aerial life‐style during its migration and wintering periods. The pallid swift usually lays two clutches in one season and therefore spends more time in the breeding area than the common swift. We successfully tracked four pallid swifts with data loggers that record light for geolocation and acceleration every 5 min to monitor flight activity. The birds wintered south of the Sahel in west Africa from the Ivory Coast to Cameroon. The pallid swifts spent the majority of their non‐breeding time in flight, especially the first two months after leaving the breeding area in autumn, while a few landing events occurred during the winter. The total time grounded was < 1%, similar to that of the common and alpine swifts. The mass specific flight metabolic rate of swifts is similar to the average non‐breeding metabolic rate of a long distance terrestrial migrant, suggesting swifts are not more likely to procure oxidative damage as a consequence of continuous flight than other migrants. The open airspace used by swifts may provide a relatively safe habitat that explain the high survival rate found in swifts.