bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National criminal jurisdiction over transnational financial crimes
Authors: Le Nguyen Chat
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the international standards for establishing national jurisdiction over the transnational crimes of money laundering and bribery and identify challenges to the adoption of those standards by different states in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, first, defines transnational money laundering and transnational bribery; then, it examines the legal bases and principles on which a state can claim criminal jurisdiction over these offences. This paper also discusses the application of jurisdictional conditions in a transnational context and how to deal with the problems arising from national claim of jurisdiction over these offences, for example, jurisdictional concurrence.

Findings

This paper argues that when the jurisdictional concurrence occurs, the involved states should consult one another by taking into account a number of relevant factors and take the “centre of gravity” approach to deciding which state or forum should prosecute eventually. States less able to establish jurisdiction over the offences are often those which have a weak legal basis and/or insufficient resources.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this article would be the good guidance on how a state could claim jurisdiction over the offences of transnational money laundering and transnational bribery.
Anti-bribery information
Authors: Nobanee Haitham , Ellili Nejla
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the extent of anti-bribery disclosures in the annual reports of the banks listed on UAE financial markets by differentiating between Islamic and conventional banks and examine the effect of anti-bribery disclosure on bank’s performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses in the first stage the content analysis to explore the extent of anti-bribery disclosure in the annual reports of the banks. In the second stage, the dynamic panel two-step robust system has been applied to study the impact of the anti-bribery disclosure on banking performance.

Findings

The empirical results show that the anti-bribery disclosure is at low levels for all banks and that there are no significant differences in overall anti-bribery disclosure between the two banking systems while there are significant differences in “anti-bribery human resources practices” between Islamic and conventional banks. The dynamic panel data results show that the association between the anti-bribery disclosure and the bank’s performance is not significant as this kind of information is not clearly disclosed in the annual reports of the banks.

Research limitations/implications

The study suggests to the UAE central bank and financial markets regulators to design a framework of anti-corruption disclosure by considering the international anti-corruption regime as an effort to respond to the international development of the bribery practices.

Originality/value

Anti-bribery concerns all the banks over the world and this research is the first study that constructs an index to measure the anti-bribery disclosure and helps in providing the status of the banking industry in terms of anti-bribery disclosure within an emerging market in the objective to improve the transparency in combatting the bribery.
Risk management, top management support, internal audit activities and fraud mitigation
Authors: Alazzabi Waled Younes E. , Mustafa Hasri , Karage Ahmed Ibrahim
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of top management support (TMS) and risk management (RM) on the internal audit activities (IAA) and fraud mitigation (FM) in the Libyan banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The data is collected using a survey questionnaire of 16 commercial banks in Libya and analysed using a structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study shows positive and significant relationships between RM and employees’ FM and TMS and employees’ FM. The study also demonstrates a significant mediating effect on the relationship between RM, TMS and FM.

Research limitations/implications

The study is conducted in the Libyan banking sector. Further research is needed in other contexts and sectors to understand the contribution of the RM and TMS on FM, including the impact of technology and internal audit characteristics in terms of experience, education and professional certificates on FM.

Originality/value

The study is the first attempt to explore FM in an emerging economy, particularly Libya, by introducing IAA as a mediator. The study provides implications for regulators and top management in the banking sector.
An insider's look at the rise of Nigerian 419 scams
Authors: Brody Richard G. , Kern Sara , Ogunade Kehinde
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine and provide additional insights into Nigerian 419 scams. Such scams may also be referred to as advance fee frauds. This study not only provides a historical perspective as to why these scams continue to remain popular and successful but also addresses cultural issues and technological issues associated with this type of fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is primarily conceptual, focusing on the historical underpinnings of 419 scams as well as changes that have occurred as a result of technological advancements. Further, an active Nigerian scammer agreed to be interviewed by one of the authors and the information has been incorporated into this paper.

Findings

Fraudsters in Nigeria use a more “scientific” approach to identifying victims. The Government of Nigeria has been implementing some new policies and techniques to identify these fraudsters as well as to attempt to curtail such fraudulent activities. Unfortunately, these attempts have had limited success and more will be needed to slow down 419 scammers. The total elimination of such scams is unlikely.

Originality/value

Although many 419 scams have been reported in the news, actual studies in this area are quite limited. Further, current research has not produced comprehensive papers that focus on why these frauds ever started, how they have developed over time and how technology has impacted such frauds. This paper is among the first to include “inside” information from an actual Nigerian scammer and thus adds significant value to the existing literature.
Analysis of Bahrain’s anti-money laundering (AML) and combatting of terrorist financing (CTF) practices
Authors: Naheem Mohammed Ahmad
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the level of anti-money laundering (AML) and combatting terrorist financing (CTF) practices incorporated within the legal framework of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The paper also studies the application of AML/CTF legislation in regulatory practice and implementation. Bahrain is an important state within the Middle-East region and is an integral part to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The paper analyzes Bahrain’s compliance to international AML/CTF standards and presents recommendations on remaining deficiencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper studies the level of AML/CTF legislation enacted by the Kingdom of Bahrain by first examining the regulatory application, and then, the level of implementation. To understand the level of AML/CTF implementation, the paper uses literature on increased prosecution, penalties and reports for AML/CTF crimes in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In addition, the paper analyzes Bahrain’s compliance level to international standards of AML/CTF legislation and regulation.

Findings

The paper finds evidence of significant progress in the application of best practices of AML/CTF within the Kingdom of Bahrain. The paper also finds an increase in levels of implementation – i.e. suspicious transaction reports, investigations and prosecutions – with respect to AML/CTF violations. Additionally, the paper finds a limited number of deficiencies in Bahrain’s effort to establish strong reporting and enforcement mechanisms.

Practical implications

Bahrain is an important member of the international trade network and one of the fastest growing non-oil economies in the region. The country sought to diversify the economy, with more industry- and service-intensive sectors. The level of AML/CTF implementation represents an important risk-averse approach to financial services in the country. Evidence of the country’s strengthening approach is an important factor in determining foreign investment confidence and the country’s policy on combatting terrorism financing.

Originality/value

Commentators have previously recognized key deficiencies in Bahrain’s enactment and application of AML/CTF legislation. However, the analysis does not incorporate externalities arising from regulatory delay in domestic AML/CTF policy. The following paper studies the progress made by Bahrain since 2000-2001 and subsequent attempts at improving enforcement to maintain international compliance.
Testing relevance and applicability: reflections on organizational anthropology
Authors: Karsten Mette Marie Vad
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Starting from the challenges and implications of doing organizational ethnography within the organization which the researcher is also employed by, the purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the idea of “passing the test” in relation to such ethnographic endeavor. The paper discusses how “collaboration” on projects and in product development processes with colleagues/informants is a precondition for passing “tests,” which unfolded as subtle, verbalized demands made by colleagues/informants during fieldwork.

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal anthropological fieldwork was carried out as part of an industrial PhD project, which investigates digitization as organizational, professional and social practices in the Danish construction industry. The fieldwork lasted on/off from April 2017 to December 2018. Various forms of participant observation and collaborative ethnographic methods were used during fieldwork.

Findings

The paper investigates how these “tests” focused on two key aspects: the relevance of anthropology in a profit-oriented, technical corporate organization; and the application of anthropological theories and ethnographic methodologies for the benefit of product development, usability studies and organizational change. It is argued that the tests were passed through collaborative engagements, where the author oscillated between positions as collegial insider and outside researcher for the dual benefit of both commercial interests and research interests.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that daring to collaborate and co-create products (as something different than texts) during organizational fieldwork for the benefit of both corporate and ethnographic interests offers strong possibilities for keeping ethnography relevant and applicable, passing tests in organizational settings and advancing ethnography’s impact in the world.
Early contractor involvement (ECI): ways to do it in public projects
Authors: Wondimu Paulos A. , Klakegg Ole Jonny , Lædre Ola
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Early contractor involvement (ECI) faces many barriers because it differs from traditional business practices. Public owners, especially, face a major challenge because they must comply with international and national legislation. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that illustrates the various approaches that public project owners can take to implement ECI.

Design/methodology/approach

In addition to a literature review, three groups of case studies were carried out. The case studies were based on 54 semi-structured in-depth interviews with key personnel from 21 Norwegian public projects and document study.

Findings

In all, 25 approaches to ECI were identified during the research. Twelve of these were used in the cases studied.

Social implications

There are several approaches to ECI that are suitable for public owners. However, the contractor’s contribution depends on which approach is implemented and how it is implemented.

Originality/value

As original contribution, this study presents a novel framework that defines options for implementing ECI in public projects. Furthermore, this paper provides insights on how ECI can be implemented in public projects based on Norwegian experiences. Although the empirical data of the study is limited to Norwegian public projects, this study contributes to knowledge about how to implement ECI internationally.
Exploring the moderating role of construal levels on the impact of process vs outcome attributes on service evaluations
Authors: Tatavarthy Aruna Divya , Chatterjee Swagato , Sharma Piyush
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test an integrated conceptual framework using construal level theory (CLT) to explain the differences in the effects of process and outcome service attributes on overall service evaluation and customer satisfaction based on consumption context (social), evaluation context (temporal) and individual characteristics (expertise).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use two lab experiments (hotel and restaurant settings) and a field study of online reviews posted by actual hotel customers to test all the hypotheses.

Findings

Process (outcome) attributes have a stronger influence on service evaluations under low-level (high-level) construal. Specifically, process attributes have a stronger influence when customers are accompanied by proximal (vs distal) social group, evaluate a service under near (vs distant) temporal frame or have high (vs low) level of customer expertise.

Practical implications

Service managers can use the findings about the differences in the influence of social, temporal and individual variables on customer evaluations under process and outcome attributes to improve customers’ service experiences and satisfaction.

Originality/value

This paper extends past research on the influence of construal levels on customer decision making by exploring the differences in the effects of process vs outcome service attributes on overall service evaluation and customer satisfaction, under the influence of low (vs high) construal levels triggered by social, temporal and individual variables.
The effect of psychological empowerment on job burnout and competitive advantage
Authors: Safari Ali , Adelpanah Arash , Soleimani Razieh , Heidari Aqagoli Parisa , Eidizadeh Rosa , Salehzadeh Reza
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims at investigating the effect of psychological empowerment on job burnout and competitive advantage with the mediating role of organizational commitment and creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population included all the managers and staffs of Tooka Company in Iran, and for data analysis, 120 completed questionnaires were used. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS 18 and Amos 20 software and structural equation modeling method. To test the mediating relationships, bootstrap method was used.

Findings

The findings showed that psychological empowerment has a significant direct effect on job burnout and competitive advantage. Also, psychological empowerment has a significant indirect effect on job burnout through the mediating role of organizational commitment. In addition, psychological empowerment has a significant indirect effect on competitive advantage through the mediating role of organizational creativity.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate the relationship between psychological empowerment, job burnout, competitive advantage, organizational commitment and creativity.
Awards and executives’ financial performance preference
Authors: Deng Bofu , Liu Jia Wei , Ji Li
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper discusses the fundamental nature of the corporate awards disclosed in the annual reports of Chinese A-share listed companies. The authors hypothesise and investigate the role of awards playing as non-financial performance, which is a Chinese characteristic, and therefore, can substitute for financial performance from the perspective of an executive’s preference of financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focusses on the corporate awards disclosed in company annual reports. It regards award-winning at the enterprise level as a kind of non-financial performance of Chinese enterprises, which represents achievements in the status competition and establishes good conditions for enterprises. The authors design empirical models and use data of A-share listed company to investigate the research questions and check the robustness of conclusions by eliminating endogenous problems and sample selection problems.

Findings

The empirical evidence reveals that corporate awards reduce management financial performance preference. This is reflected not only in reduced current period positive accruals earnings management, which can directly improve current period financial performance but also in reduced current period negative earnings management, which can indirectly improve future financial performance. The authors also find that there is an industry spillover effect of corporate awards, which is that awards increase the financial performance preference of other company executives within the industry.

Research limitations/implications

As a form of non-financial performance, corporate awards provide more reference information for investors. Currently, academic attention to this issue in China is still lacking. What is the essence of corporate awards, what economic consequences are there for listed companies and what effect is there on China’s capital market development? These questions are worthy of further study.

Originality/value

First, the literature on corporate awards has focussed on the effect of awards on individual behaviour, mainly considering awards as non-monetary rewards and exploring their economic consequences. Therefore, the hypothesis that awards are “Chinese-style performance” is an extension of the literature and theory related to the economic consequences of awards from the individual to the enterprise level, which is an important addition to the literature on corporate awards and their economic consequences. Second, the authors propose and prove that awards are an important demonstration of a company’s competitive performance. This study provides a better understanding of how Chinese companies display their performance and the behavioural logic behind the performance demands of company management.
Are banks misled by leverage misestimate of Chinese listed companies?
Authors: Wang Zhenjie , Wang Zhuquan , Su Xinhui
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The authors point out that the existing research confuses the operational liabilities formed based on the “transaction” relationship with the financial liabilities formed based on the “investment” relationship, which not only exaggerates the value of leverage but also underestimates the level of protection that companies provide for creditors alone. That is, the confusion of concepts not only triggers the problem of leverage misestimate but also triggers the short-term financial risk misestimate. The performance of “nominal leverage” and “nominal short-term solvency” based on total assets calculation cannot reflect the real leverage level and the real short-term financial risk of enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

To distinguish the concepts of “assets” and “capital” and rationalize the relationship between “transactions” and “investments”, authors systematically design the “real leverage” indicators and “real short-term solvency” indicators, and measure the degree of misestimate of leverage and short-term financial risk indicators by traditional research. On this basis, this paper describes and analyses the trends of leveraged misestimate and short-term financial risk misestimate of listed companies in China and analyses which companies have more serious leverage misestimate. And it helps readers to form an objective understanding of the leveraged misestimate and short-term financial risk misestimate of listed companies in China.

Findings

Firstly, the overall high level of leverage of listed companies in China in the traditional sense is largely because of the misestimate of indicators. And this kind of misestimate is more serious among firms that have advantages in trading, such as state-owned enterprises and firms with higher market shares. Secondly, for most firms with normal solvency, traditional research systematically overestimated the negative impact of “nominal leverage” on financial risk indicators (represented by short-term solvency). The overestimation is significant in firms with serious leverage misestimate. Thirdly, indicators’ misestimate of the traditional research makes the banks cannot make effective credit decisions according to the firm's “real leverage” and “real short-term solvency”.

Originality/value

Firstly, clarify the differences between the concepts of “assets” and “capital”, and clarify the level of “real leverage” of listed companies in China, which is conducive to the process of “de-leveraging”. Secondly, revise the problem of misestimate of related indicators, so that financial institutions can clearly identify the true profitability and real risk level of the entity domain, and thus improve the effectiveness of credit decisions.
Comparison of wear properties of Ti6Al4V fabricated by wrought and electron beam melting processes in simulated body fluids
Authors: Xiang Dingding , Tan Xipeng , Liao Zhenhua , He Jinmei , Zhang Zhenjun , Liu Weiqiang , Wang Chengcheng , Shu Beng Tor
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study the wear properties of electron beam melted Ti6Al4V (EBM-Ti6Al4V) in simulated body fluids for orthopedic implant biomedical applications compared with wrought Ti6Al4V (Wr-Ti6Al4V).

Design/methodology/approach

Wear properties of EBM-Ti6Al4V compared with Wr-Ti6Al4V against ZrO2 and Al2O3 have been investigated under dry friction and the 25 Wt.% newborn calf serum (NCS) lubricated condition using a ball-on-disc apparatus reciprocating motion. The microstructure, composition and hardness of the samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction and a hardness tester, respectively. The contact angles with 25 Wt.% NCS were measured by a contact angle apparatus. The wear parameters, wear 2D and 3D morphology were obtained using a 3D white light interferometer and SEM.

Findings

EBM-Ti6Al4V yields a higher contact angle than the Wr-Ti6Al4V with the 25 Wt.% NCS. EBM-Ti6Al4V couplings exhibit lower coefficients of friction compared with the Wr-Ti6Al4V couplings under both conditions. There is only a slight difference in the wear resistance between the Wr-Ti6Al4V and EBM-Ti6Al4V alloys. Both Wr-Ti6Al4V and EBM-Ti6Al4V suffer from similar friction and wear mechanisms, i.e. adhesive and abrasive wear in dry friction, while abrasive wear under the NCS condition. The wear depth and wear volume of the ZrO2 couplings are lower than those of the Al2O3 couplings under both conditions.

Originality/value

This paper helps to establish baseline bio-tribological data of additively manufactured Ti6Al4V by electron beam melting in simulated body fluids for orthopedic applications, which will promote the application of additive manufacturing in producing the orthopedic implant.
Overview of cold spray coatings applications and comparisons: a critical review
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Kumar Manoj , Jindal Neeru
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to consolidate the results of various researchers focusing the different applications, so that this paper could become the torch bearer for the futuristic researchers working in the domain of cold gas dynamics spray coating.

Design/methodology/approach

A study on the cold spray coating is presented by summarizing the data present in literature. Important factors such as coating temperature, pressure, coating thickness, particle size, which affect the erosion-corrosion (E-C) resistance, physical and mechanical properties of boiler steel are stated. This paper also addresses the use of cold spray coating and compares it with other different thermal spray processes.

Findings

From the literature review, it was noticed that cold spray technology is best as compare to other thermal spray processes to reduce porosity, increase hardness, adhesion strength and retention in properties of feedstock powders.

Originality/value

Cold spray coating technology has a great potential in almost every field especially in restoration of surfaces, generation of complex surface, biomedical application, resist hot corrosion, wear, oxidation and erosion corrosion.
The response of the melanized yeast Exophiala dermatitidis to gamma radiation exposure
Authors: Schultzhaus Zachary , Romsdahl Jillian , Chen Amy , Tschirhart Tanya , Kim Seongwon , Leary Dagmar , Wang Zheng
Published: February 2020

The melanized yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is resistant to many environmental stresses and is used as a model for understanding the diverse roles of melanin in fungi. Here, we describe the extent of resistance of E. dermatitidis to acute γ‐radiation exposure and the major mechanisms it uses to recover from this stress. We find that melanin does not protect E. dermatitidis from γ‐radiation. Instead, environmental factors such as nutrient availability, culture age and culture density are much greater determinants of cell survival after exposure. We also observe a dramatic transcriptomic response to γ‐radiation that mobilizes pathways involved in morphological development, protein degradation and DNA repair, and is unaffected by the presence of melanin. Together, these results suggest that the ability of E. dermatitidis to survive γ‐radiation exposure is determined by the prior and the current metabolic state of the cells as well as DNA repair mechanisms, and that small changes in these conditions can lead to large effects in radiation resistance, which should be taken into account when understanding how diverse fungi recover from this unique stress.
A new ‘Great Schism'? Theopolitics of communion and canonical territory in the Orthodox Church
Authors: KORMINA JEANNE , NAUMESCU VLAD
Published: February 2020

This article examines the recent ‘schism’ in Eastern Orthodoxy to show how religion and politics are strongly intertwined in disputes over territory and sovereignty. It argues that two logics are at play in this conflict: one grounded in the theological‐political concept of ‘canonical territory’, the other in the notion of ‘communion’ at the basis of the Christian fellowship. The first is deployed in claims for national sovereignty as well as imperial domination, while the latter can make or break communities of faith. Drawing a parallel between the post‐socialist revival of religion in Ukraine and the current mobilization on the ground, it shows how these contradictory logics shape the fate of people, churches and states.
Ambivalent solidarities: Food governance reconfigurations in Croatia and Italy
Authors: SMITH ROBIN , GRASSENI CRISTINA
Published: February 2020

The authors compare the solidarity practices of farmers and food activists in Croatia and Italy in order to highlight the unintended consequences of mutual support initiatives and how these may reinforce disengagement from governance. Two ethnographic case studies from Istria (Croatia) and Lombardy (northern Italy) show self‐reliant ways of organizing mutual support networks among, respectively, Istrian winemakers and Lombard Solidarity Purchase Groups. They both challenge the top‐down regulatory governance of food systems, with the former organizing forms of economic and logistic mutual support to bypass strictures and faults of the Croatian fiscal and agricultural aid system and the latter self‐certifying organic crops to avoid the costs and arbitrariness of bureaucratic procedures for organic certification. Both highlight the discourse and practice of morality in food procurement and the ambivalence of the concept and practice of ‘solidarity’.
Reading Religious Decline: Secularisation and Spiritual Self‐Fashioning in the Fans of Malcolm Muggeridge, c. 1966–1982†
Authors: Reagles David G.
Published: February 2020

This article argues that Malcolm Muggeridge's fans used his religious writings to self‐fashion their religious identity. This action was made in direct response to their belief, increasingly accepted in Britain and beyond during the 1960s and 1970s, that Christianity was in a state of inexorable decline. These letters provide near‐unique access to non‐elite readings of religion where readers crafted narratives of their spiritual lives, candidly disclosing their deepest apprehensions and concerns, hopes, and aspirations. They reveal the pervasive quality of the secularisation story regardless of social setting, and they illustrate the inchoate character of its popular reception. In this context, readers depended on Muggeridge's own presentation of a popularised secularisation thesis to crystallise the nebulous feelings about the vitality of religion that preoccupied their thoughts. Their concerns about the future of Christianity coalesced with their growing disenchantment with institutional Christianity, which they felt was either too ill‐equipped or theologically bankrupt to engage adequately society's spiritual crisis. In response, readers sought alternative expressions of their faith that were unencumbered by the churches they held in suspicion. This analysis builds on recent attempts to historicise the “secularisation thesis” by showing it functioned as an agent in the events it purported to describe.
Mid‐urethral sling revision for mesh exposure–long‐term outcomes of two surgical techniques from a comparative clinical retrospective cohort study
Authors: Karmakar D , Dwyer PL , Nikpoor P
Published: February 2020

Objective

To compare vaginal closure with versus without sling excision in the management of vaginal sling exposure following mid‐urethral sling (MUS).

Design

Clinical retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary urogynaecological centre in Australia.

Population

Women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who had a MUS (n = 2823) during 1999–2017 with a follow‐up period up to December 2018. Thirty‐three women (1%) had sling exposure and 31 required surgical intervention (1%).

Methods

Clinical review with analysis of surgical database and patient records.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was successful closure and resolution of exposure‐related symptoms without the need for re‐surgery. Secondary outcomes were repeat procedure and recurrent incontinence following revision.

Results

Mean follow up was 103 months. Of the 20 women with a primary excision and closure approach, 19 had successful closure. Seven of 11 women with simple vaginal closure without excision needed another surgery for recurrent mesh exposure. Recurrence of stress incontinence did not occur in any of the four who had ‘successful’ closure without excision. Of those who had sling division/removal without a concomitant stress continence procedure, 32% (7/22) required further surgery.

Conclusion

Sling excision and repair have better outcomes with less recurrence of sling exposure compared with simple closure. Following sling removal, one of three women will develop SUI recurrence and require surgery.

Tweetable abstract

#Slingexcision &repair leads to less recurrence of exposure versus #simpleclosure for #slingmeshexposure.
Phytopathogenic organisms and mycotoxigenic fungi: Why do we control one and neglect the other? A biological control perspective in Malaysia
Authors: Yazid Siti Nur Ezzati , Jinap Selamat , Ismail Siti Izera , Magan Naresh , Samsudin Nik Iskandar Putra
Published: February 2020

In this review, we present the current information on development and applications of biological control against phytopathogenic organisms as well as mycotoxigenic fungi in Malaysia as part of the integrated pest management (IPM) programs in a collective effort to achieve food security. Although the biological control of phytopathogenic organisms of economically important crops is well established and widely practiced in Malaysia with considerable success, the same cannot be said for mycotoxigenic fungi. This is surprising because the year round hot and humid Malaysian tropical climate is very conducive for the colonization of mycotoxigenic fungi and the potential contamination with mycotoxins. This suggests that less focus has been made on the control of mycotoxigenic species in the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium in Malaysia, despite the food security and health implications of exposure to the mycotoxins produced by these species. At present, there is limited research in Malaysia related to biological control of the key mycotoxins, especially aflatoxins, Fusarium‐related mycotoxins, and ochratoxin A, in key food and feed chains. The expected threats of climate change, its impacts on both plant physiology and the proliferation of mycotoxigenic fungi, and the contamination of food and feed commodities with mycotoxins, including the discovery of masked mycotoxins, will pose significant new global challenges that will impact on mycotoxin management strategies in food and feed crops worldwide. Future research, especially in Malaysia, should urgently focus on these challenges to develop IPM strategies that include biological control for minimizing mycotoxins in economically important food and feed chains for the benefit of ensuring food safety and food security under climate change scenarios.
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy of 60 Gy in eight fractions is safe for ultracentral non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yang Dan , Cui Jianing , Zhao Jun , You Jing , Yu Rong , Yu Huiming , Jiang Leilei , Li Dongming , Xu Bo , Shi Anhui
Published: February 2020

Background

There is no consensus on the definition or recommended radiotherapy treatment of ultracentral non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we report our institution's experience in treating ultracentral lung cancer patients with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) of 60 Gy in eight fractions.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 21 ultracentral NSCLC patients treated with 60 Gy SABR in eight fractions. We defined ultracentral lung cancer as the planning target volume (PTV) directly abutting or overlapping central structures, including the proximal bronchial tree, heart, and great vessels but not the esophagus. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS) and local control (LC). Toxicity was scored per the CTCAE v4.03.

Results

The median follow‐up time was 15 months, and the median OS was 15 months. The one‐ and two‐year OS rates were 87.5% and 76.6%, respectively. The one‐ and two‐year PFS rates were 71.1% and 64.0%, respectively. The one‐ and two‐year LC rates were 92.9% and 92.9%, respectively. The rate of grade 2 treatment‐related toxicities was 19.1%. There was no grade ≥ 3 treatment‐related toxicity.

Conclusion

SABR of 60 Gy in eight fractions is feasible for ultracentral NSCLC.
Totally mechanical linear stapled anastomosis for minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy: Operative technique and short‐term outcomes
Authors: Gao Hui‐Jiang , Mu Ju‐Wei , Pan Wei‐Min , Brock Malcolm , Wang Mao‐Long , Han Bin , Ma Kai
Published: February 2020

Background

Anastomosis is one of the important factors affecting anastomotic complications after esophagectomy, and multiple reports have compared anastomotic complications among various techniques. However, there is insufficient evidence in the literature to definitively recommend one anastomotic technique over another.

Method

We retrospectively evaluated 34 consecutive patients who underwent an improved totally mechanical side‐to‐side: posterior‐to‐posterior linear stapled (TM‐STS) technique for minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagogastric anastomosis, performed by a single surgeon between February 2015 to November 2017. The operative techniques and short‐term outcomes are analyzed in this study.

Results

There were no conversions to an open approach and a complete resection was achieved in all patients undergoing this improved procedure. During the first half of the series, the median operation time was 355 minutes, ranging from 257 to 480 minutes. Over the second half of this series, the median operation time was reduced to 256 minutes. There were no mortalities or serious postoperative complications. Only one patient (2.9%) had an anastomotic leak, which resolved without intervention. Another patient (2.9%) experienced transient, delayed conduit emptying which upper gastrointestinal radiography determined was due to a mechanical obstruction caused by an abnormally long gastric tube in the chest cavity.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that this improved TM‐STS technique is safe and effective for minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, and can be considered as one of the alternative procedure for patients with lower esophageal as well as Siewert types I/II gastroesophageal junction carcinoma.
Evaluating the target‐tracking performance of scanning avian radars by augmenting data with simulated echoes
Authors: Urmy Samuel S. , Warren Joseph D.
Published: February 2020

Small scanning radars have been used for many years to track the movements of insects, birds and bats. While the ability to track multiple flying animals simultaneously has numerous applications in basic ecology and applied conservation, translating radar tracks into accurate animal densities and fluxes requires estimates of detection and tracking probabilities. These can be challenging to determine, especially in environments with variable background clutter.

In order to assess radar tracking probabilities, we added echoes from simulated bird tracks to sequences of scans collected with an X‐band marine radar at a colony of common and roseate terns (Sterna hirundo and S. dougallii) on Great Gull Island, New York, USA in the summers of 2014 and 2015. Automated detection, classification and tracking algorithms were used to extract the trajectories of terns from the radar data. The proportion of simulated tracks recovered by these procedures could then be used to estimate the tracking probabilities for real birds. Stationary telescope transects provided visual ground truth.

The radar could track individual birds up to 3 km away, performing best between 0.5 and 1.2 km, where 38% of simulated birds were correctly detected and tracked in each scan. Overall, 94% of all simulated birds were tracked over at least part of their trajectories. Tracking performance was limited by weak bird echoes, backscatter from the sea surface and the inherent challenges of multi‐target tracking.

This simulation‐based method provides a low‐cost, flexible approach for estimating radar‐tracking probabilities in complex, cluttered environments. Knowledge of these probabilities in turn allows the animal densities and fluxes to be corrected for imperfect detection. Despite their limitations, small scanning radars can track hundreds of birds simultaneously over tens of km2, giving a view of animal movement unavailable with other techniques.
A simple, reliable method for long‐term, in‐stream data logger installation using rock‐climbing hardware
Authors: Fogg S. Kathleen , O’Daniel Scott J. , Poole Geoffrey C. , Reinhold Ann Marie , Hyman Amanda A.
Published: February 2020

Long‐term deployment of in‐stream data loggers provides valuable information about stream conditions, particularly at times when streams are difficult to sample manually. However, in streams with high water velocities and substantial shear stress, the detachment of loggers from their installation points is a common problem. Thus, successful logger retrieval requires a durable installation method.

We present a method for data logger installation using rock‐climbing hardware that is simple to assemble, economical and minimally invasive. The method is applicable in streams with exposed bedrock or boulders, which serve as attachment points for loggers.

Installed loggers are capable of withstanding extreme environmental conditions. After deploying 18 loggers for approximately 15 months in six different streams with snowmelt‐dominated hydrographs, we retrieved 16 of the 18 loggers originally deployed. Where loggers were not recovered, hardware failure at installation sites was not likely the cause.

In addition to application in streams, the use of rock‐climbing hardware may be well‐suited to securing long‐term data logger installations on rock substrates in any extreme environment.
Chipper: Open‐source software for semi‐automated segmentation and analysis of birdsong and other natural sounds
Authors: Searfoss Abigail M. , Pino James C. , Creanza Nicole
Published: February 2020

Audio recording devices have changed significantly over the last 50 years, making large datasets of recordings of natural sounds, such as birdsong, easier to obtain. This increase in digital recordings necessitates an increase in high‐throughput methods of analysis for researchers. Specifically, there is a need in the community for open‐source methods that are tailored to recordings of varying qualities and from multiple species collected in nature.

We developed Chipper, a Python‐based software to semi‐automate both the segmentation of acoustic signals and the subsequent analysis of their frequencies and durations. For avian recordings, we provide widgets to best determine appropriate thresholds for noise and syllable similarity, which aid in calculating note measurements and determining song syntax. In addition, we generated a set of synthetic songs with various levels of background noise to test Chipper's accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility.

Chipper provides an effective way to quickly generate quantitative, reproducible measures of birdsong. The cross‐platform graphical user interface allows the user to adjust parameters and visualize the resulting spectrogram and signal segmentation, providing a simplified method for analysing field recordings.

Chipper streamlines the processing of audio recordings with multiple user‐friendly tools and is optimized for multiple species and varying recording qualities. Ultimately, Chipper supports the use of citizen‐science data and increases the feasibility of large‐scale multi‐species birdsong studies.
An investigation into student satisfaction, approaches to learning and the learning context in Auditing
Authors: Chiang Christina , Wells Paul K. , Fieger Peter , Sharma Divesh S.
Published: February 2020

Arguably, the audit course is one of the most challenging as it links prior accounting knowledge with new audit knowledge that students are generally not exposed to. A mini‐audit group project was implemented at a New Zealand university, and a learning approach and learning experience survey instrument was administered. Responses from 98 students suggest that they perceived the learning experience positively and were encouraged to adopt a deep approach to learning. The findings have implications for accounting educators in the design and development of learning and assessment strategies in an audit course.
Ex vivo excimer laser ablation of cornea guttata and ROCK inhibitor‐aided endothelial recolonization of ablated central cornea
Authors: Kassumeh Stefan , von Studnitz Annabel , Priglinger Siegfried G. , Fuchshofer Rudolf , Luft Nikolaus , Moloney Gregory , Dirisamer Martin , Ohlmann Andreas
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To determine whether excimer laser ablation of guttae is a viable strategy for removal of diseased tissue in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) on excised human Descemet membranes and whether an excimer laser‐created wound on healthy human corneas ex vivo is recolonized with corneal endothelial cells.

Methods

Descemet membranes of FECD patients and corneal endothelium of normal human corneas were ablated ex vivo using an excimer laser licensed for glaucoma surgery. Specimens were kept in cell culture medium supplemented with 10 μm of rho‐kinase inhibitor ripasudil. Corneal endothelial cell regeneration was observed using light and electron scanning microscopy. Furthermore, the whole corneal samples were evaluated by haematoxylin/eosin staining and immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against Na+/K+‐ATPase.

Results

Guttae and corneal endothelium could be ablated with an excimer laser without total ultrastructural damage to the Descemet membrane or stroma. Nearly complete endothelial wound closure was accomplished after 26–38 days in treated corneas. Light and electron scanning microscopy suggested the establishment of a layer of flat endothelial cells. Additionally, Na+/K+‐ATPase expression could only be observed on the inner side of the Descemet membrane.

Conclusion

Our proof of concept study demonstrated that excimer lasers can be used to ablate diseased tissue from excised FECD Descemet membranes ex vivo. Additionally, corneal endothelial cells recolonize a previously ablated endothelial area in healthy human corneas ex vivo under treatment with ripasudil. Thus, our results are the first experimental basis to further investigate the feasibility of an excimer laser ablation as a graftless FECD treatment option.
On symmetric semiparametric two‐sample problem
Authors: Li Moming , Diao Guoqing , Qin Jing
Published: February 2020

We consider a two‐sample problem where data come from symmetric distributions. Usual two‐sample data with only magnitudes recorded, arising from case‐control studies or logistic discriminant analyses, may constitute a symmetric two‐sample problem. We propose a semiparametric model such that, in addition to symmetry, the log ratio of two unknown density functions is modeled in a known parametric form. The new semiparametric model, tailor‐made for symmetric two‐sample data, can also be viewed as a biased sampling model subject to symmetric constraint. A maximum empirical likelihood estimation approach is adopted to estimate the unknown model parameters, and the corresponding profile empirical likelihood ratio test is utilized to perform hypothesis testing regarding the two population distributions. Symmetry, however, comes with irregularity. It is shown that, under the null hypothesis of equal symmetric distributions, the maximum empirical likelihood estimator has degenerate Fisher information, and the test statistic has a mixture of χ2‐type asymptotic distribution. Extensive simulation studies have been conducted to demonstrate promising statistical powers under correct and misspecified models. We apply the proposed methods to two real examples.