bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FGF activity asymmetrically regulates the timing of habenular neurogenesis in a Nodal-dependent manner
Authors: Dean Benjamin J. , Gamse Joshua T. , Wu Shu-Yu 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThe highly conserved habenular nuclei in the vertebrate epithalamus function as an integrating center that relaying information between the forebrain and the brain stem. These nuclei play crucial roles in modulating a broad variety of cognitive behaviors. Moreover, habenular nuclei has also attracted interest as a model for brain asymmetry, since many vertebrates exhibit left-right differences in habenular size and neural circuitry. Left-right (L/R) asymmetry is a shared feature of the central nervous system in vertebrates. Despite its prevalence and functional significance, few studies have addressed the molecular bases for the generation of the asymmetric brain structure, perhaps due to the absence of genetically accessible model animals showing robust brain asymmetry. Previous studies on zebrafish epithalamus demonstrated that Nodal signaling directs the habenular asymmetry during the early stages of development by biasing the neurogenesis on the left-side. Here, we discover a novel regulatory module involving asymmetric activation of FGF signaling that determines the timing of habenular neurogenesis by regulating cell-cycle progression of neuronal progenitors, which seamlessly integrates the L/R patterning driven by Nodal and the spatiotemporal patterning of habenular neurons.
Co-entangled actin-microtubule composites exhibit tunable stiffening and power-law stress relaxation
Authors: Ricketts Shea N. , Ross Jennifer L. , Robertson-Anderson Rae M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe use optical tweezers microrheology and fluorescence microscopy to characterize the nonlinear mesoscale mechanics and mobility of in vitro co-entangled actin-microtubule composites. We create a suite of randomly-oriented, well-mixed networks of actin and microtubules by co-polymerizing varying ratios of actin and tubulin in situ. To perturb each composite far from equilibrium, we use optical tweezers to displace an embedded microsphere a distance greater than the lengths of the filaments at a speed much faster than their intrinsic relaxation rates. We simultaneously measure the resistive force the filaments exert and the subsequent force relaxation. We find that the presence of a large fraction of microtubules (>0.7) is needed to substantially increase the resistive force, which is accompanied by large heterogeneities in force response. Actin minimizes these heterogeneities by reducing the mesh size of the composites and supporting microtubules against buckling. Composites also undergo a sharp transition from stress-softening to stiffening when the fraction of microtubules (ϕT) exceeds 0.5, by microtubules suppressing actin bending fluctuations. The induced force following strain relaxes via two time-dependent power-law decays. The first decay phase, with scaling exponents that increase proportionally with the fraction of actin, signifies actin bending fluctuations. Alternatively, the second phase, with a ϕT-independent scaling exponent of ~0.4, is indicative of filaments reptating out of deformed entanglement constraints. Corresponding mobility measurements of steady-state actin and microtubules show that both filaments are more mobile in equimolar composites (ϕT=0.5) compared to networks of primarily actin or microtubules. This non-monotonic dependence of mobility on ϕT, which further demonstrates the important role mesh size plays in composites, highlights the surprising emergent properties that can arise in composites.
Identification of piRNA binding sites reveals the Argonaute regulatory landscape of theC. elegansgermline
Authors: Shen En-Zhi , Chen Hao , Ozturk Ahmet R. , Tu Shikui , Shirayama Masaki , Tang Wen , Ding Yue-He , Dai Si-Yuan , Weng Zhiping , Mello Craig C. 
Published: February 2018

SUMMARYpiRNAs (Piwi-interacting small RNAs) engage Piwi Argonautes to silence transposons and promote fertility in animal germlines. Genetic and computational studies have suggested thatC. eleganspiRNAs tolerate mismatched pairing and in principle could target every transcript. Here we employin vivocross-linking to identify transcriptome-wide interactions between piRNAs and target RNAs. We show that piRNAs engage all germline mRNAs and that piRNA binding follows microRNA-like pairing rules. Targeting correlates better with binding energy than with piRNA abundance, suggesting that piRNA concentration does not limit targeting. In mRNAs silenced by piRNAs, secondary small RNAs accumulate at the center and ends of piRNA binding sites. In germline-expressed mRNAs, however, targeting by the CSR-1 Argonaute correlates with reduced piRNA binding density and suppression of piRNA-associated secondary small RNAs. Our findings reveal physiologically important and nuanced regulation of individual piRNA targets and provide evidence for a comprehensive post transcriptional regulatory step in germline gene expression.
Does hedging enhance firm value in good and bad times
Authors: Alam Nafis , Gupta Amit 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine if the hedging strategy of the firm adds value to the firm, and if so, is the source of the benefit consistent with the hedging theory?

Design/methodology/approach
The paper used data from 129 top non-financial Indian companies spanning a period of 2008-2015 and analyzed using the ordinary least squares regression technique.

Findings
The study finds that firms engaged in hedging compared to non-hedgers have less volatility in the firm’s value. The use of hedging during the financial crisis is found to be value enhancing for the hedgers. The results also found that some firms do not disclose the notional value of derivatives clearly, which highlights the need of clear regulation for derivative declaration in the annual reports.

Research limitations/implications
Research implications of this study are to gain an insight into the hedging effectiveness in the highly volatile Indian market as compared to developed countries. High volatility in the exchange rate of Indian rupee further makes it one of the most relevant markets to study the effect of hedging on the firm’s value.

Practical implications
Mostly hedging is done purely for risk management, and if managers try to time the market by selective hedging, it can bring a negative impact for the firm. Findings show that managers should manage their hedging strategy based on changing the economic environment and not purely on the firms’ financial value.

Originality/value
To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study to extract the dollar value of derivative usage of sample firms and analyze its effectiveness in enhancing firm value in the presence of other financial parameters. This will be an advancement of previous studies, which used hedging as a dummy variable only. Most studies on this topic are carried out in developed countries; there is a limited research on developing markets such as India, and past studies have been more generic one like determinants of hedging and overall derivative scenario.
Audit committee adoption and firm value: evidence from UK financial institutions
Authors: Agyemang-Mintah Peter , Schadewitz Hannu 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impact of audit committee (AC) adoption on the financial value of financial institutions in the UK and also to examine the impact of the establishment of an AC on firm value during the pre/post-global financial crisis era.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper embarks on a theoretical and empirical literature review on AC adoption and its impact on a firm’s financial value. The paper uses data from 63 financial institutions and covers a 12-year period.

Findings
The empirical results indicate that the adoption of an AC by financial institutions has a positive and statistically significant impact on firm value. The results from the pre-crisis period also indicate that the adoption of an AC makes a positive and significant contribution to firm value. However, there is no impact on firm value during the post-crisis period. The results suggest that the entire UK economy experienced an economic downturn after the financial crisis (2009-2011), and financial firms were no exception.

Research limitations/implications
This study helps to fill research gaps on the relationships between ACs and firm value as they exist in UK financial institutions. These findings are important for policymakers and regulators.

Practical implications
This research will encourage firms to establish ACs.

Social implications
This new finding about the importance of firms having an AC in place is important for policymakers and regulators.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to conduct an empirical study of the effect of AC adoption on UK financial institutions and firm value. Second, no single study has been conducted on the effects of AC adoption and its impact on either the pre- or post-financial crisis periods. This is the first paper to provide such empirical evidence.
Mandatory IFRS adoption, investor protection and earnings management
Authors: Kouki Ahmed 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of investor protection on earnings management before and after IFRS adoption.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 106 companies listed on Germany, France and Belgium stock markets for the pre-IFRS (2000-2004) and post-IFRS (2006-2011) periods was used. This research is based on a comparative study between the pre- and the post-IFRS periods.FindingsThe results showed that investor protection better explains earnings management after the transition to IFRS. The findings revealed that international standards and investor protection are significant in jointly explaining earnings management for the second reporting period.Originality/valueThe study gives rise to a score that is considered as a proxy of investor protection that regroups several macroeconomic indexes.
Key dimensions of value creation ability of supply management
Authors: Kähkönen Anni-Kaisa , Lintukangas Katrina 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the dimensions of supply management that may contribute to its ability to create value. Based on previous literature, this study proposes that key supplier management (KSM), the strategic level of supply management and supplier relationship management (SRM) capabilities can be supply management factors that significantly influence its ability to create value.

Design/methodology/approach
The issue is examined using survey data collected in Finland, and the concepts are tested using regression analysis.

Findings
The results show that KSM, the strategic level of supply management and SRM capabilities are significant dimensions of value creation in supply management. The findings support the contemporary understanding of value in which firms endeavour to create value for the company, its customers and its suppliers.

Originality/value
Previously, value creation has received minor attention in supply chain management research. Although previous research clearly shows that strategic supply management plays a significant role in firms’ competitiveness and performance, its role and potential in value creation have been less studied. Thus, this study contributes by empirically examining the factors affecting the ability of a firm’s supply management to create value.
Counterfeiting: addressing mitigation and resilience in supply chains
Authors: Machado Solange Mata , Paiva Ely Laureano , da Silva Eliciane Maria 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze how companies develop mitigation capabilities in their supply chains in order to reduce the negative impacts of counterfeiting.

Design/methodology/approach
Five cases with two types of supply chain are analyzed: B2B (clothing, footwear and toys) and B2C (automotive). Data gathering was based on interviews, while secondary data were obtained directly from trade associations.

Findings
Companies presented different levels of proactivity for counterfeiting resilience. Companies with a lower level of appetite for risk are more proactive and have a broad number of mitigation capabilities. These companies develop intelligence that is required for combating counterfeiting and the capabilities needed for addressing its ex ante and ex post phases.

Research limitations/implications
The research examines a complex and controversial subject about which there is limited information. The case studies are limited to Brazilian companies and the local subsidiaries of foreign companies. Therefore, the specific context may influence the study findings and reduce their generalizability.

Practical implications
Mitigation capabilities enable companies to minimize the negative impact of counterfeiting and make companies more resilient to counterfeiting activities. The findings indicate that when managers allocate resources in earlier phases of counterfeiting, losses are lower.

Originality/value
This study shows the development process of mitigation capabilities in the ex ante and post-disruption phases of counterfeiting.
A proposed model forwaqffinancing public goods and mixed public goods in Malaysia
Authors: Azrai Azaimi Ambrose Azniza Hartini , Gulam Hassan Mohamed Aslam , Hanafi Hanira 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to formulate a model forwaqffinancing of public goods and mixed public goods in Malaysia which constitute the country’s federal government expenditures. The model is built on the basis of understanding the concept ofwaqf, learning fromwaqfinstitutions of the past and present and addressing specific Malaysianwaqfissues.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data originate from semi-structured interviews ofwaqfacademicians from the Islamic economics and Islamic finance fields,waqfgovernment officials and private sector institutions that are involved inwaqfmanagement. The secondary data come from the Malaysian Federal Constitution, law enactments, books, e-books, bulletins, journals, conference proceedings, government reports and websites.FindingsBy synthesizing the data, it is found that return from cashwaqfinvestment in unit trust can be used to finance 11 items of federal government expenditures. The overall process can be managed by Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia through a collaboration with an Islamic unit trust firm.Practical implicationsThis research shows howwaqfcan practically assist the Malaysian federal government in financing public goods and mixed public goods. It indirectly shows an alternative source of financing for these goods. Other economies can also learn and adapt from the model developed in this paper.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to revive the function ofwaqfas a provider of public goods and mixed public goods from Islamic history. Inadvertently, this paper also introduceswaqfas a possible fiscal tool.
Factors influencing behaviour to participate in Islamic microfinance
Authors: Maulana Hartomi , Razak Dzuljastri Abdul , Adeyemi Adewale Abideen 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the factors that affect Muslim customers’ participation in using Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (BMT). The decomposed theory of planned behaviour (DTPB) was used as the research framework.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses primary data collected by self-administered questionnaires involving a sample of 405 respondents from selected BMTs in five different regencies in East Java. Structural equation modelling was used in the analysis.

Findings
This study revealed that among the three main beliefs, only perceived behavioural control towards BMT was found to have positive and significant impact on clients’ participation towards BMT. With regards to antecedents’ influence on their main beliefs, only perceived compatibility, perceived complexity and uncertainty and facilitating condition were not significant.

Research limitations/implications
As the data collected are existing clients of BMT, behavioural intention is excluded from the study, and as a result, the study may lack comprehensive results. Therefore, future study will be very useful if it includes behavioural intention as the variables.

Practical implications
The finding of the present study could help BMT to better manage by focussing on relative advantage and behavioural control to build client relationships.

Originality/value
The paper may be first study to apply DTPB to client behaviours in the area of Islamic microfinance in Indonesia.
The role of training in building awareness about formalin abuse: evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir Golam Mohammad Shamusul , Mahmud Kazi Tanvir , Hassan Aniqa , Hilton David , Islam Sheikh Monirul 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to assess the impact of the training program on fish traders in building awareness about formalin abuse in food items.

Design/methodology/approach
Primary data was collected from the fish traders in Bangladesh by using simple random sampling technique. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the opinions of the fish traders about training in building awareness of formalin abuse.

Findings
This study showed that the training of the fish traders played a positive role in improving their awareness level of formalin abuse.

Practical implications
Enhancement of both training and educational support could be an effective strategy in preventing formalin abuse in food.

Originality/value
This study helps in assessing the opinions of the fish traders about the effectiveness of the training programs in building awareness of formalin abuse.
Estrategias competitivas y gestión deportiva
Authors: Quispe Julio , Rivera Jaime 
Published: February 2018

PropósitoEsta investigación utiliza la Teoría Basada en Recursos como base para un modelo que permite integrar las acciones organizacionales con las variables que pueden moderar, directa o indirectamente, su impacto en el alto desempeño de los clubes de fútbol.Diseño/metodología/enfoqueSe desarrolla una contrastación empírica en tres fases. La primera fue la técnica de regresión lineal. En segundo lugar, un análisis multivariado de covarianza (MANCOVA) y el tercer procedimiento, una regresión por mínimos cuadrados en dos fases. El objetivo de usar estos dos últimos procedimientos fue evaluar el efecto conjunto de las variables independientes sobre las variables dependientes, así como los efectos de interacción entre las mismas.HallazgosSe validan las relaciones, directas e indirectas, entre las variables organizacionales y decisionales previstas en el modelo. También se valida la importancia de las acciones promocionales del club, para lograr competitividad basada en su desempeño o resultados.Limitaciones de la investigación/implicacionesInvestigaciones futuras se podrían replicar en otros países, usando muestras más grandes con técnicas estadísticas más complejas. También, se podría contrastar si las relaciones encontradas pueden variar según las culturas, o pueden usarse otras variables no contempladas en este estudio.Implicaciones prácticasEl cuestionario usado es una fuente de información fiable para los directivos de marketing de los clubes de fútbol, puesto que las escalas pueden ser usadas como guías para evaluar y diagnosticar su potencial de competitividad basada en el desempeño.Implicaciones socialesLos clubes de fútbol tienen un desarrollo e impacto directo en la sociedad. Por ello, las implicancias en el club recaerán en el entorno cercano (aficionados y sociedad) a este.Originalidad/valorEsta investigación aporta varias contribuciones fundamentales a la literatura sobre la competitividad organizacional en el sector deportivo, con aplicación específica a los clubes de fútbol. Este es uno de los escasos estudios que muestran que la competitividad es el resultado de una dinámica motivacional y organizativa, y que el éxito de los clubes se basa en un fenómeno más complejo que solo la asistencia a los eventos. También, es una investigación en un país emergente, lo cual extiende la aplicabilidad teórica y práctica del fenómeno estudiado.
Relationship between leader member exchange (LMX), high-involvement HRP and employee resilience on extra-role performance
Authors: Gupta Neha , Sharma Vandna 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the role of employee engagement (EE) as a mediator in the relationship of extra-role performance (ERP) with leader member exchange (LMX), high-involvement human resource practices (HI HRPs) and employee resilience (ER) in the emerging service sector organizations in India.Design/methodology/approachData have been gathered from 328 employees from executive and non-executive grades from metro rail organizations of North India through structured questionnaire. Before analysis, missing data and outliers were examined. Structure equation modelling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis have been performed to analyse the hypothesized model.FindingsFindings reveal that all the constructs taken in the study – LMX, HI HRP and ER – had a positive influence on employees’ ERP through EE.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is helpful in providing better understanding of the predictors of EE and the way it affects employees’ ERP for researches that are aiming to conduct related research studies in an Indian context. To achieve higher employee performance, organizations need to identify factors or drivers that potentially increase the EE levels, thereby, increasing the employees’ performance. This will also help HR practitioners in shaping and formulating effective organizational policies and practices.Originality/valueThis study has considered the emerging service sector organizations in India that have not been endeavoured before as earlier studies concentrated more on Western countries. The result of the study is congruent with that of the previous studies by establishing a positive relationship between EE and employees’ ERP and also concludes that LMX, HI HRP and ER have positive influence on EE.
Leading organizational transformation: an action research study
Authors: Canterino Filomena , Cirella Stefano , Shani Abraham Baruch (Rami) 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address a specific gap in the literature that centers on individual perspective of leadership within the context of organizational transformation. It explores synergies between leadership, analyzed as a combination of individual and plural perspectives, and managerial drivers relating to organizational transformation (communicating, mobilizing, and evaluating).

Design/methodology/approach
The study examines a complex organizational transformation initiative faced by an Italian, family-owned fashion design company through an action research project.

Findings
The results illustrate that context may play a role in accelerating the implementation of plural forms of leadership and their effectiveness during some phases of transformation. Specific emerging manifestations of leadership and synergies with transformation drivers are identified.

Research limitations/implications
This is a single case study derived from an action research project. Although the approach is congruent with the nature of the phenomenon and the purpose of the study, it does not aim for generalizability, and as such further empirical investigation is advocated.

Originality/value
The paper offers an original perspective on leadership of organizational transformation, discussing in particular the co-existence of individual and plural leadership and the role of context.