bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevating the Scientific and Public Policy Discourse on Crime Prevention: Taking Stock of the ‘What Works’ Report’s Influence 20 Years on
Authors: Welsh Brandon C , Wexler Andrea B 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
In 1997, the Office of Justice Programs published Preventing Crime: What Works, What Doesn’t, What’s Promising (Sherman, L. W., Gottfredson, D. C., MacKenzie, D. L., Eck, J. E., Reuter, P., and Bushway, S. D. (1997). Preventing Crime: What Works, What Doesn’t, What’s Promising. Washington, DC: Office of Justice Programs). The report was commissioned by the US Congress and was prepared by a team of criminologists from the University of Maryland. It aspired to be a methodologically rigorous and comprehensive review of the effectiveness of crime prevention programmes, ranging from prenatal home visits to community policing to parole. This 20-year review of the ‘what works’ report finds that it has been influential in elevating both the scientific and public policy discourse on crime prevention. It did this on three main fronts. First, it reaffirmed that not all evaluation designs are equally valid and made clear that only designs that provide confidence in observed effects should contribute to the evidence base. Secondly, it advanced the equally important task of assessing research evidence and, despite some limitations, adopted a more rigorous method for this purpose. Thirdly, undergirding all of this was the report’s commitment to the communication of science for the benefit of all parties: policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and the public. Implications for policy—with special reference to evidence-based policing—and research are discussed.
Muscle Activity During Aquatic and Land Exercises in People With and Without Low Back Pain
Authors: Psycharakis Stelios G , Coleman Simon G S , Linton Linda , Kaliarntas Konstantinos , Valentin Stephanie 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder. Aquatic exercises are commonly used by physical therapists for CLBP treatment and management; however, there are no data on trunk muscle activation during aquatic exercises in people with CLBP.

Objective
We quantified activation of trunk and gluteal muscles, exercise intensity, pain, and perceived exertion in people with and without CLBP when performing water and land exercises.

Design
The study used a cross-sectional design.

Methods
Twenty participants with nonspecific CLBP and 20 healthy participants performed 15 aquatic exercises and 15 similar land exercises. Mean and peak muscle activation were measured bilaterally from erector spinae, multifidus, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique using waterproof and wireless surface electromyography. Exercise intensity (heart rate), perceived exertion (Borg scale), and, for the CLBP group, pain (visual analog scale) were recorded.

Results
There were no significant between-group differences. Significant between-environment differences were found in heart rate (always higher on land), exertion (higher in the water for 3 exercises and on land for 6 exercises), and muscle activation (higher on land in 29% and in the water in 5% of comparisons). Pain levels were low, but pain was reported more than twice as frequently on land than in water (7.7% vs 3.7%, respectively).

Limitations
People with high levels of disability and CLBP classification were not included.

Conclusions
People with mild-to-moderate CLBP had similar exercise responses to healthy controls. Aquatic exercise produced sufficient muscle activation, intensity, and exertion, and should not be assumed to be less strenuous or less effective in activating trunk and pelvic muscles than exercise on land. These data can be used to inform design and prescription of rehabilitation programs and interventions.
The failure of the UK to tax adequately tobacco company profits
Authors: Branston J Robert , Gilmore Anna B 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background
A key driver of the global tobacco epidemic is the massive profit earned from manufacturing tobacco products despite high levels of product taxation. Two of the four major Transnational Tobacco companies are based in the UK, where there is growing evidence of corporate tax avoidance by transnational firms and where there are calls for the industry to pay more towards the harms caused by tobacco products.

Objectives/Methods
UK tobacco company profit and corporation tax data between 2009 and 2016 is obtained from publically available sources. The intention is not to perform a piece of forensic accounting but to establish the broad pattern of profit and taxation in order to inform consideration of tobacco product and firm taxation, and hence public health.

Results
Very little profit based taxation has been paid in the UK despite high levels of reported profits, both in the domestic market and globally.

Conclusions
The UK needs better reporting and corporate taxation standards. Tobacco companies should be made to pay more profit based taxation, such as by extending the surcharge on corporation tax currently paid by UK banks, and by making sure companies pay appropriate taxes when reorganizing corporate structures.
Association of Sunlight Exposure and Consumption of Vitamin D-Rich Foods During Pregnancy with Adverse Birth Outcomes in an African Population
Authors: Balogun Hamudat , Jaakkola Jouni J K , Amegah A Kofi 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background
Our objective was to assess whether dietary vitamin D (vitD) intake and sunlight exposure during pregnancy is associated with birth outcomes in a healthy Ghanaian population.

Methods
A population-based cross-sectional study that included 703 mother-infant pairs accessing postnatal services at the five main health facilities in Cape Coast, Ghana was conducted in 2016. Information on sunlight exposure practices and consumption of vitD-rich foods during pregnancy was collected.

Results
A 1 µg increase in vitD intake resulted in a statistically significant 0.00505 weeks increase in gestational age (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00005, 0.01004). Mothers classified in the first quartile of vitD intake had 37% (prevalence ratio = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.69) increased risk of preterm birth (PTB) compared to their counterparts classified in the fourth quartile. Decreased vitD intake was also associated with low-to-moderate Apgar score.

Conclusion
Nutrition education of mothers on the importance of screening for vitD deficiency during early months of pregnancy is recommended.
Extensive splicing across the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome
Authors: Douglass Stephen M. , Leung Calvin S. , Johnson Tracy L. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPre-mRNA splicing is vital for the proper function and regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used as a model organism for studies of RNA splicing because of the striking conservation of the spliceosome components and its catalytic activity. Nonetheless, there are relatively few annotated alternative splice forms, particularly when compared to higher eukaryotes. Here, we describe a method to combine large scale RNA sequencing data to accurately discover novel splice isoforms in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using our method, we find extensive evidence for novel splicing of annotated intron-containing genes as well as genes without previously annotated introns and splicing of transcripts that are antisense to annotated genes. By incorporating several mutant strains at varied temperatures, we find conditions which lead to differences in alternative splice form usage. Despite this, every class and category of alternative splicing we find in our datasets is found, often at lower frequency, in wildtype cells under normal growth conditions. Together, these findings show that there is widespread splicing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, thus expanding our view of the regulatory potential of RNA splicing in yeast.Author SummaryPre-mRNA splicing is a fundamental step in eukaryotic gene expression. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer’s yeast, is a model organism for the study of pre-mRNA splicing in eukaryotes. Through the process of pre-mRNA splicing, a single gene is capable of encoding multiple mature mRNA products, but it is often difficult to identify the splice events that lead to these mRNA products. Here, we describe a method to accurately discover novel splice events in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and find evidence for extensive splicing in Saccharomyces. By utilizing a variety of strains and growth conditions, we are able to characterize many splice forms and correlate cellular conditions with prevalence of novel splice events.
Chloroplasts alter their morphology and accumulate at the pathogen interface during infection byPhytophthora infestans
Authors: Savage Zachary , Duggan Cian , Toufexi Alexia , Pandey Pooja , Liang Yuxi , Segretin María Eugenia , Yuen Lok Him , Gaboriau David C. A. , Leary Alexandre Y. , Tumtas Yasin , Khandare Virendrasinh , Ward Andrew D. , Botchway Stanley W. , Bateman Benji C. , Pan Indranil , Schattat Martin , Sparkes Imogen , Bozkurt Tolga O. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractUpon immune activation, chloroplasts switch off photosynthesis, produce anti-microbial compounds, and associate with the nucleus through tubular extensions called stromules. Although it is well-established that chloroplasts alter their position in response to light, little is known about the dynamics of chloroplasts movement in response to pathogen attack. Here, we report that chloroplasts accumulate at the pathogen interface during infection by the Irish potato famine pathogenPhytophthora infestans, associating with the specialized membrane that engulfs the pathogen haustorium. Chemical inhibition of actin polymerization reduces the accumulation of chloroplasts at the pathogen haustoria, suggesting this process is partially dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. However, chloroplast accumulation at haustoria does not necessarily rely on movement of the nucleus to this interface and is not affected by light conditions. Stromules are typically induced during infection, embracing haustoria and interconnecting chloroplasts, to form dynamic organelle clusters. We found that infection-triggered stromule formation relies on BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-ASSOCIATED KINASE 1 (BAK1) mediated surface immune signaling, whereas chloroplast repositioning towards haustoria does not. Consistent with the defense-related induction of stromules, effector mediated suppression of BAK1 mediated immune signaling reduced stromule formation during infection. On the other hand, immune recognition of the same effector stimulated stromules, presumably via a different pathway. These findings implicate chloroplasts in a polarized response upon pathogen attack and point to more complex functions of these organelles in plant-pathogen interactions.
Inferring lifestyle for Aves and Theropoda: a model based on curvatures of extant avian ungual bones
Authors: Cobb Savannah E. , Sellers William I. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractClaws are involved in a number of behaviours including locomotion and prey capture, and as a result animals evolve claw morphologies that enable these functions. Past authors have found geometry of the keratinous sheath of the claw to correlate with mode of life for extant birds and squamates; this relationship has frequently been cited to infer lifestyles for Mesozoic theropods includingArchaeopteryx.However, claw sheaths rarely fossilise and are prone to deformation; past inferences are thus compromised. As the ungual phalanx within the claw is relatively resistant to deformation and more commonly preserved in the fossil record, geometry of this bone would provide a more useful metric for paleontological analysis. In this study, ungual bones of 108 birds and 5 squamates were imaged using X-ray techniques and a relationship was found between curvatures of the ungual bone within the claw of pedal digit III and four modes of life; ground-dwelling, perching, predatory, and scansorial; using linear discriminant analysis with Kappa equal to 0.69. Our model predicts arboreal lifestyles for certain key taxaArchaeopteryxandMicroraptorand a predatory ecology forConfuciusornis.These findings demonstrate the utility of our model in answering questions of palaeoecology, the theropod-bird transition, and the evolution of avian flight.
The emigration of adult children and smoking behaviors of parents
Authors: Luo Tianyuan , Escalante Cesar 
Published: January 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of adult children’s migration on the smoking behavior of rural parents who are left behind and raise the concern that the rural residents’ increasing tendency to migrate to urban areas in China nowadays could encourage such a behavior.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey and applying propensity score matching method and individual-level fixed effects model, this paper addresses the potential endogeneity issues that may arise between the children’s migration decisions and parental smoking behavior.FindingsThis study’s results indicate that rural parents left behind by their emigrant children indeed are more likely to sustain their smoking habit. The validated smoking effect of emigration calls for effective government programs that entail intervention to curb such potentially aggravating health risk, especially among middle-aged and older fathers.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to examine the impact of children’s migration on the smoking behavior of left-behind parents in rural households in China. Our findings call for immediate attention to the smoking behavior of older age cohort in China as the scale of rural−urban migration trend is expected to increase. Moreover, given that many countries in Asia, such as India, Vietnam and Indonesia, are confronting similar issues, our findings could provide useful implications for smoking cessation and control policies in those countries.
Corruption and socio-political economic structures: a case of Nigeria
Authors: Otusanya Olatunde Julius , Lauwo Sarah G. 
Published: January 2019

Purpose“Corrupt practices” is a recurring feature of media coverage. The paper seeks to encourage debates about the influence of institutional structures on agency to break away from methodological individualism. This paper aims to encourage reflections on the role of both the structures and actors which have shaped the continuous expansion of corrupt practices in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachWhilst recognising that deviant behaviour by some individuals is always possible, this paper has rejected methodological individualism and shows the value of locating anti-social practices within the broader socio-political and historical context. Within a socio-political framework, this study adopts the theories of critical realism, developmental state and globalisation to understand the relationship between social agency and society, focusing upon the institutional structures and the role of social actors.FindingsThe evidence shows that socio-political and economic development, politics, power, history and globalisation have continued to reproduce and transform the institutional structures and actors which have facilitated anti-social practices in Nigeria. The paper concludes that large sums of government revenue have been undermined by the anti-social practices of the Nigerian political and economic elite (both local and international), which have enriched a few, but impoverished most, Nigerians.Practical implicationsAs a consequence of recurring corrupt practices in Nigeria, there is a pressing need for reform to curb these practices which have had, and continue to have, a serious effect on Nigeria and its future development.Originality/valueIt provides a framework for understanding and explaining the inter-relations of actors and institutional structures and the linkages and influences that have shaped the practices in Nigeria.
Mapping corruption in procurement
Authors: Graycar Adam 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to focus on understanding and preventing corruption in procurement in public sector settings. Just as not all corruption is the same, not all procurement is the same. One purpose is to analyze different types of procurements: standard, customized, intangible and complex. Corruption in procurement undermines public administration, and the purpose of this paper is to identify different types of procurements and provide readers with a framework for analysis and subsequent intervention.

Design/methodology/approach
In all, 42 actual cases of public sector corruption in procurement are examined, and from these, an analytical matrix is developed. These cases are derived from the reports of the New South Wales (Australia) Independent Commission against Corruption. These cases represent all of the procurement cases that the ICAC has taken to a formal hearing in its 30 years of existence.

Findings
While fraud is a major feature of corruption in procurement, there are significant organizational facilitators, and a number of slippage points in organizations are identified. These include peer culture, lack of due process, temptation and managerial incompetence/willful disregard, and these are built into a matrix which can be used in different countries or settings by readers wishing to understand and prevent different types of corruption in procurement in their agencies.

Originality/value
This paper uses cases that have not previously been aggregated or analyzed and provides analytical tools for practitioners and academics.
A taxing assessment
Authors: Nkoane Paul 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to enlighten the reader about the development in tax law. Moreover, the author intends to show that other measures could be implemented to supplement the existing machinery.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper explores the duty vested in the courts to probe the merits of transactions meant to evade or avoid the burden of tax. So much of the text is based on case law. The methodology is based on literature research rather interpersonal research.

Findings
The paper highlights that the current tax machinery has solved a number of tax issues. However, the machinery has not addressed the problem of fraud committed in the banking sector. The paper therefore recommends solutions to this problem.

Research limitations/implications
The paper was formulated before the current tax laws where implemented. The current law contains the solution this study advanced. In a sense, this study examines the impact of the current law and the duty of the court to probe the merits of impeachable transactions.

Practical implications
The study would give the legislature food for thought and would also guide the courts with matters of tax fraud.

Originality/value
Though the original recommendations form part of the current statute, this study is still immensely original in delivery and thought. It provide not only an original influence on the court but also the legislature with original solution to the existing problem.
A fraud investigation plan for a false accounting and theft case
Authors: Lokanan Mark Eshwar 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to formulate and propose a fraud investigation plan that forensic accountants can use to investigate financial frauds. In particular, the paper sets out the structure and rationale of the fraud investigation plan that both forensic accountants and fraud examiners can use in their investigation of false accounting and theft charges.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses the material facts from the Polly Peck International fraud as a prototype case upon which to build an investigation plan and detail potential areas of investigation to establish evidence for a criminal trial.

Findings
The findings revealed that the case can be used to provide insights on evidence gathering techniques and test particular models of fraud detection. The concealment and conversion evidence gathering techniques provide fodder on how to gather and triangulate both direct and circumstantial evidence that can be used to avoid mistrials in courts.

Practical implications
The case is of interest to practitioners and forensic and fraud examination students who would like to build on their existing knowledge and obtain insights into the steps to follow to conduct an investigation and gather evidence to build a case. The paper makes specific recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of investigations.

Originality/value
The paper is among one of the few to propose a fraud investigation plan designed to investigate cases involving false accounting and theft charges. More importantly, the paper uses a real case to illustrate how to examine documentation/data and how such documentation will be analysed in a trial.
To whistle or not to whistle? Determinants and consequences
Authors: Nawawi Anuar , Salin Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh 
Published: January 2019

PurposeMany corporate scandals that occurred recently have indicated the importance of a whistle-blowing mechanism in preventing fraud and malpractices from damaging the organizations. By selecting one organization that has experienced a corporate scandal, this study aims to examine factors that influence employee’s intention to blow the whistle to prevent malpractices in the company. In addition, this study also examines the perceptions of employees regarding the business culture in their organization and how this culture impacts their intention to whistle-blow.Design/methodology/approachThis study engages in a mixed method of data collection, namely, survey questionnaire and interviews to gather the data.FindingsIt is found that retaliation is the most important factor that influences the employee’s intention to whistle-blow, followed by the burden to prove the malpractices, cost implications as a result of the wrongdoing and the action taken by the authority as a result of the fraud reporting. In terms of business culture, a large number of employees are reluctant to become a whistle-blower, although a secured and safe whistle-blowing mechanism is in place, indicating that Asian customs of collectivism and assertiveness play a major part in shaping the whistle-blowing mechanism in Malaysian organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThe results provide further confirmation of the determinants that influence employees to report wrongdoings in the organizations. This study however may subject to self-reported data biasness because of sensitivity of the research that related to fraud and immoral behaviours that occur in the company. Owing to this sensitivity, the study only focuses on employees’ internal whistle-blowing intentions rather than their actual intentions.Practical implicationsThis study helps the management to understand the working culture in the company so that they can identify the weak area of governance which needs improvement such as whistle-blower protection.Originality/valueThis study is original, as it focuses on the employees in a big organization such as government link companies that have experienced corporate scandals albeit having whistle-blowing mechanism in place. In addition, the finding of this study contributes to the theory and body of the literature on the whistle-blowing determinants, currently scarce in the context of a developing country like Malaysia.