bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Customer insurance frauds: the influence of fraud type, moral intensity and fairness perception
Authors: Tseng Lu-Ming 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine customers’ ethical attitudes (EA) and intentions toward two types of insurance frauds. This study proposes that the factors, such as fraud types (i.e. opportunistic and planned insurance fraud), moral intensity and fairness perception (FP), can affect the customers’ acceptance of the insurance frauds.Design/methodology/approachTo test the research hypotheses of this study, Taiwanese insurance customers are invited in the empirical investigation, and a scenario-based questionnaire is used to collect the data. The hypotheses of this study are tested by using a partial least squares regression.FindingsThe results show that moral intensity constructs and FP significantly relate to the respondents’ acceptance of insurance frauds, while fraud types also have significant impacts on the respondents’ perceptions of moral intensity and fairness.Originality/valueThere is no research which has examined the relationships among fraud types, moral intensity, FP, demographic variables and customers’ EA and intentions toward insurance frauds. Understanding the relationships among these variables could provide implications for those involved in the practice of anti-fraud programs.
Dielectrophoresis velocities response on tapered electrode profile: simulation and experimental
Authors: Abd Samad Muhammad Izzuddin , Buyong Muhamad Ramdzan , Kim Shyong Siow , Yeop Majlis Burhanuddin 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use a particle velocity measurement technique on a tapered microelectrode device via changes of an applied voltage, which is an enhancement of the electric field density in influencing the dipole moment particles. Polystyrene microbeads (PM) have used to determine the responses of the dielectrophoresis (DEP) voltage based on the particle velocity technique.Design/methodology/approachAnalytical modelling was used to simulate the particles’ polarization and their velocity based on the Clausius–Mossotti Factor (CMF) equation. The electric field intensity and DEP forces were simulated through the COMSOL numerical study of the variation of applied voltages such as 5 V p-p, 7 V p-p and 10 V p-p. Experimentally, the particle velocity on a tapered DEP response was quantified via the particle travelling distance over a time interval through a high-speed camera adapted to a high-precision non-contact depth measuring microscope.FindingsThe result of the particle velocity was found to increase, and the applied voltage has enhanced the particle trajectory on the tapered microelectrode, which confirmed its dependency on the electric field intensity at the top and bottom edges of the electrode. A higher magnitude of particle levitation was recorded with the highest particle velocity of 11.19 ± 4.43 µm/s at 1 MHz on 10 V p-p, compared to the lowest particle velocity with 0.62 ± 0.11 µm/s at 10 kHz on 7 V p-p.Practical implicationsThis research can be applied for high throughout sensitivity and selectivity of particle manipulation in isolating and concentrating biological fluid for biomedical implications.Originality/valueThe comprehensive manipulation method based on the changes of the electrical potential of the tapered electrode was able to quantify the magnitude of the particle trajectory in accordance with the strong electric field density.
Empathy and apology: the effectiveness of recovery strategies
Authors: Radu Alexandru Gabriel , Arli Denni , Surachartkumtonkun Jiraporn , Weaven Scott , Wright Owen 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the role of empathy and apology in service recovery, and more specifically, establish how these factors promote positive service outcomes, typified by reconciliation and mitigate negative occurrences, characterised by customer retaliation and avoidance.Design/methodology/approachThis study used an online panel to collect data from 213 US residents, who were asked to recall a service failure episode they experienced within the past six months, write briefly about it and answer a questionnaire measuring constructs of interest in relation to their previous experience. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the quantitative data.FindingsBoth service employee empathy and apology were found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between service failure severity and reconciliation, retaliation and avoidance.Originality/valueThe combination of empathy and apology as moderators into a single framework represents a unique contribution of this research. Furthermore, outcome variables of reconciliation, retaliation and avoidance are utlilized to measure relationship outcomes following service failure. This study highlights the need for managers to design hiring and training policies to promote empathy and the use of sincere apologies throughout customer interactions.
Disclosure of sales compensations and product recommendations
Authors: Tseng Lu-Ming , Yu Tsu-Wei 
Published: March 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of disclosure of sales compensations on insurance brokers’ intention to make inappropriate product recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach
This research examines the insurance brokers’ intention to make inappropriate product recommendations through an application of the theory of planned behavior. Surveys are used as the research instrument, and the hypotheses are tested with a between-subjects experimental design. One case of mandatory disclosure and one case of non-mandatory disclosure are compared in the research.

Findings
The results indicate that the disclosure of sales compensations is significantly associated with the subjective norms from the official authority and perceived behavioral control (PBC). The results of this study also indicate that, when the disclosure is mandatory, the PBC has a stronger effect on the insurance brokers’ intention to make biased product recommendations than dose the attitude and subjective norms. When the disclosure is non-mandatory, however, the subjective norms have a stronger effect on the insurance brokers’ intention.

Originality/value
The impacts of compensation disclosures on the financial professionals’ product recommendations have been less examined. This study could make a contribution to the literature by providing some empirical observations from the views of Taiwan’s life insurance brokers.
Cross-cultural impact on financial companies’ online brand personality
Authors: Shi Xingsong , Shan Xiaohui 
Published: March 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate Chinese and American financial companies’ distinct brand personality indicators shown through culturally based linguistic features online. The potential correlation between culturally oriented brand personalities and companies’ financial performance is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach
This study employs computerized content analyses to examine the cross-cultural differences among 28 American and Chinese financial companies’ online communication based on Aaker’s brand personality framework.

Findings
The findings reveal that despite some similarities, there are significant differences between the frequencies and patterns of brand personality indicators on American and Chinese websites, which demonstrate the connection between the companies’ linguistic preferences with their different cultural backgrounds. It also proves that there could be significant relationship between financial companies’ corporate brand (CB) personality expressions and their financial performance, and US financial companies’ revenues are more closely correlated with brand personality dimensions than Chinese companies’.

Practical implications
The necessity for cross-cultural adaptation of CB personality is verified in this study. Chinese international companies may have a big room to improve their online corporate communication. Similarly, foreign companies who intend to enter into Chinese market may think about laying emphasis on their personality indicators of competence in their online corporate communication.

Originality/value
This research is among the first to utilize a corpus-based analytical tool to conduct content analyses of financial companies’ online brand personalities, in addition to empirically validate the correlations between companies’ brand personality indicators and financial performance. The study enriches the literature on online marketing communication, draws attention to the connection between cultural differences and linguistic preferences in CB personality construction and emphasizes the importance of making appropriate cross-cultural adaptation in online corporate communication.
Coral reef ecosystem services in the Anthropocene
Authors: Woodhead Anna J. , Hicks Christina C. , Norström Albert V. , Williams Gareth J. , Graham Nicholas A. J. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Coral reefs underpin a range of ecosystem goods and services that contribute to the well‐being of millions of people. However, tropical coral reefs in the Anthropocene are likely to be functionally different from reefs in the past. In this perspective piece, we ask, what does the Anthropocene mean for the provision of ecosystem services from coral reefs?

First, we provide examples of the provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services underpinned by coral reef ecosystems. We conclude that coral reef ecosystem service research has lagged behind multidisciplinary advances in broader ecosystem services science, such as an explicit recognition that interactions between social and ecological systems underpin ecosystem services.

Second, drawing on tools from functional ecology, we outline how these social–ecological relationships can be incorporated into a mechanistic understanding of service provision and how this might be used to anticipate future changes in coral reef ecosystem services.

Finally, we explore the emergence of novel reef ecosystem services, for example from tropicalized coastlines, or through changing technological connections to coral reefs. Indeed, when services are conceived as coming from social–ecological system dynamics, novelty in services can emerge from elements of the interactions between people and the ecosystem.

This synthesis of the coral reef ecosystem services literature suggests the field is poorly prepared to understand the changing service provision anticipated in the Anthropocene. A new research agenda is needed that better connects reef functional ecology to ecosystem service provision. This research agenda should embrace more holistic approaches to ecosystem service research, recognizing them as co‐produced by ecosystems and society. Importantly, the likelihood of novel ecosystem service configurations requires further conceptualization and empirical assessment. As with current ecosystem services, the loss or gain of services will not affect all people equally and must be understood in the context in which they occur. With the uncertainty surrounding the future of coral reefs in the Anthropocene, research exploring how the benefits to people change will be of great importance.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Causes and short‐term consequences of variation in milk composition in wild sheep
Authors: Renaud Limoilou‐Amelie , Blanchet F. Guillaume , Cohen Alan A. , Pelletier Fanie 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Ecologists seek to understand the fitness consequences of variation in physiological markers, under the hypothesis that physiological state is linked to variability in individual condition and life history.

Thus, ecologists are often interested in estimating correlations between entire suites of correlated traits, or biomarkers, but sample size limitations often do not allow us to do this properly when large numbers of traits or biomarkers are considered.

Latent variables are a powerful tool to overcome this complexity. Recent statistical advances have enabled a new class of multivariate models—multivariate hierarchical modelling (MHM) with latent variables—which allow to statistically estimate unstructured covariances/correlations among traits with reduced constraints on the number of degrees of freedom to account in the model. It is thus possible to highlight correlated structures in potentially very large numbers of traits.

Here, we apply MHM to evaluate the relative importance of individual differences and environmental effects on milk composition and identify the drivers of this variation. We ask whether variation in bighorn sheep milk affects offspring fitness.

We evaluate whether mothers show repeatable individual differences in the concentrations of 11 markers of milk composition, and we investigate the relative importance of annual variability, maternal identity and morphological traits in structuring milk composition. We then use variance estimates to investigate how a subset of repeatable milk markers influence lamb summer survival.

Repeatability of milk markers ranged from 0.05 to 0.64 after accounting for year‐to‐year variations. Milk composition was weakly but significantly associated with maternal mass in June and September, summer mass gain and winter mass loss. Variation explained by year‐to‐year fluctuations ranged from 0.07 to 0.91 suggesting a strong influence of environmental variability on milk composition. Milk composition did not affect lamb survival to weaning.

Using joint models in ecological, physiological or behavioural contexts has the major advantage of decomposing a (co)variance/correlation matrix while being estimated with fewer parameters than in a “traditional” mixed‐effects model. The joint models presented here complement a growing list of tools to analyse correlations at different hierarchical levels separately and may thus represent a partial solution to the conundrum of physiological complexity.
Altered leaf litter quality exacerbates the negative impact of climate change on decomposition
Authors: Prieto Iván , Almagro María , Bastida Felipe , Querejeta José Ignacio 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Leaf litter decomposition is a key component of global biogeochemical cycles that influence soil carbon storage, nutrient availability and plant productivity. Ongoing climate change will lead to warmer and drier conditions in many dryland regions, potentially affecting litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics. Climate change effects can be direct and/or indirect, for example, through changes in litter quality, yet their relative importance on litter decomposition remains unclear.

We conducted a manipulative study in a semi‐arid shrubland to assess the effects of leaf litter quality, forecasted climate change, that is, +2.5°C warming (W), 30% rainfall reduction (RR) as well as their interaction (W + RR) to elucidate their relative effects on litter decomposition.

Climatic effects alone reduced decomposition of a homogeneous Control leaf litter collected from Helianthemum squamatum shrubs growing in unmanipulated plots by 23.4%, 18.1% and 29.8% in the W, RR and W + RR treatments respectively. Leaf litter quality was lower in shrubs that had been growing in warmed plots (W and W + RR), as they had lower nutrient concentrations (P, Fe) and higher C:N and C:P ratios than leaf litter produced under ambient (Control) conditions. Lignin concentration was significantly lower in litter from W + RR plots, yet when both climate and litter quality were considered simultaneously, decomposition rates were 32.0%, 26.3% and 39.9% lower in W, RR and W + RR plots compared to Controls. In addition, we found greater microbial N immobilization in leaf litter incubated within warmed (W and W + RR) than within non‐warmed plots (Control and RR). Structural equation modelling showed that higher litter moisture and microbial biomass contents stimulated decomposition. Simulated climate change (W, RR and W + RR) reduced decomposition indirectly by negatively affecting litter moisture contents and litter microbial biomass. Microbial nitrogen immobilization was stimulated by the lower quality (i.e. high C:N ratios) of the leaf litter collected in shrubs from warmed plots (W and W + RR).

Synthesis. Our findings indicate that forecasted climate change conditions slow down C and N cycling in a dryland ecosystem, an effect that is further exacerbated by climate change‐induced reductions in litter quality and related reductions in bacterial and fungal biomass in litter.
A novel berberine‐metformin hybrid compound exerts therapeutic effects on obese type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Jia Dan , Li Zi Wen , Zhou Xinxin , Gao Ying , Feng Yifan , Ma Min , Wu Zhengzhi , Li Weimin 
Published: March 2019

SummaryIn this study, we investigated the biological activities of a novel berberine‐metformin hybrid compound (BMH473) as an anti‐diabetic agent. BMH473 exhibited significant anti‐hyperglycaemic and anti‐hyperlipidaemic effects on T2DM rats. In white adipose tissue, BMH473 reduced the perirenal and epididymal adipose tissue mass and modulated the lesions in perirenal adipose tissue, by inhibiting the protein expressions of PPAR‐Ɣ, C/EBP‐α and SREBP‐1c as well as the mRNA expressions of lipogenic genes. Moreover, BMH473 downregulated the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in perirenal adipose tissue through the suppression of p‐NF‐κB. In liver, BMH473 reduced liver ectopic fat accumulation, by regulating the protein expression levels of SREBP‐1c and PPAR‐α as well as the mRNA expression levels of lipogenic genes. In addition, BMH473 inhibited hepatic gluconeogenesis by promoting the phosphorylation levels of AMPK α and ACC, and down‐regulating the mRNA expression levels of FBPase, G6Pase and PEPCK. Furthermore, BMH473 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on lipogenesis and lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes by modulating the protein expression levels of PPAR‐Ɣ, C/EBP‐α and SREBP‐1 c as well as the mRNA expression levels of lipogenic genes. In conclusion, our results suggest that the newly synthesized BMH473 is beneficial for maintaining glucose and lipid homeostasis in type 2 diabetic rats, and exhibits better anti‐hyperlipidaemic effects compared to metformin and berberine.
Caregivers navigating rehabilitative care for people with aphasia after stroke: a multi‐lens perspective
Authors: Shafer Jennifer S. , Shafer Paul R. , Haley Katarina L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundUp to 40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia and require long‐term caregiver assistance after discharge from the hospital. Caregivers assume multiple roles as they help people with aphasia to access outpatient rehabilitative care in an increasingly person‐centred model of care. Examining caregiver roles and how different stakeholders in the rehabilitative journey perceive these roles may be the first step in providing more tailored support to caregivers and improving outcomes for both caregivers and people with aphasia.AimsTo characterize the roles caregivers assume while navigating outpatient rehabilitative care for people with aphasia after stroke from the perspective of different stakeholders in the rehabilitative process.Methods & ProceduresThirty‐six people participated in the study, including seven caregivers, 22 stroke survivors with aphasia and seven healthcare providers. Focus groups were conducted, and an iterative thematic analysis was used to identify themes.Outcomes & ResultsResults indicate that caregivers are perceived differently by varying stakeholders, and that caregivers adopt diverse roles as advocates, therapists, motivators and guardians. They assume these roles in order to fill gaps in services or otherwise to facilitate the recovery journey for the person with aphasia.Conclusions & ImplicationsThis study provides a valuable glimpse into how varying stakeholders view the role of the caregiver during rehabilitation for people with aphasia after stroke. Providing caregivers with the training and support they need throughout the recovery journey by treating them as partners in the process may mitigate the perception of caregivers as feeling compelled to adopt multiple roles.
A microfluidic platform for the simultaneous quantification of methanogen populations in anaerobic digestion processes
Authors: Mathai Prince P. , Dunn Hannah M. , Venkiteshwaran Kaushik , Zitomer Daniel H. , Maki James S. , Ishii Satoshi , Sadowsky Michael J. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryMethanogens are a diverse group of archaea that play a critical role in the global carbon cycle. The lack of appropriate molecular tools to simultaneously quantify numerous methanogenic taxa, however, has largely limited our ability to study these communities in a wide variety of habitats, such as anaerobic digesters (ADs). In this study, 34 probe‐based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were designed to target all known methanogenic genera within the archaeal phylum Euryarchaeota. These qPCR assays were adapted to a high‐throughput microfluidic platform, which allowed for the simultaneous detection and absolute quantification of numerous taxa in a single run. The resulting microfluidic qPCR (MFQPCR) platform was successfully used to decipher structure–function relationships among methanogenic communities in four laboratory‐scale digesters exposed to a transient organic overload. Twelve of the 34 genera targeted in the MFQPCR were detected in the ADs, similar to results obtained using high‐throughput sequencing. The MFQPCR platform and conventional qPCR assays also generated similar quantitative results. The MFQPCR tool developed here will help optimize AD technologies for efficient waste treatment and enhanced biogas production and can facilitate studies that will increase our understanding of methanogenic communities in other environments.
Colonization, penetration and transformation of manganese oxide nodules by Aspergillus niger
Authors: Ferrier John , Yang Yuyi , Csetenyi Laszlo , Gadd Geoffrey Michael 
Published: March 2019

SummaryIn this study, the ability of the geoactive fungus Aspergillus niger to colonize and transform manganese nodules from the Clarion‐Clipperton Zone in both solid and liquid media was investigated. Aspergillus niger was able to colonize and penetrate manganese nodules embedded in solid medium and effect extensive transformation of the mineral in both fragmented and powder forms, precipitating manganese and calcium oxalates. Transformation of manganese nodule powder also occurred in a liquid medium in which A. niger was able to remove the fine particles from suspension which were accumulated within the central region of the resulting mycelial pellets and transformed into manganese oxalate dihydrate (lindbergite) and calcium oxalate dihydrate (weddellite). These findings contribute to an understanding of environmental processes involving insoluble manganese oxides, with practical relevance to chemoorganotrophic mineral bioprocessing applications, and, to the best of our knowledge, represent the first demonstration of fundamental direct and indirect interactions between geoactive fungi and manganese nodules.
Resonant herbs: botanical socialities, personal boundary work, and the politics of self‐care in Southern California
Authors: Vine Michael 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn the Southern California desert, a group of primarily young women seek to enlist the assistance of wild plants as simultaneously material, social, and spiritual beings in negotiating what they perceive to be the signature challenge of the present moment: how to fortify the boundaries of the self against harm while staying open to the prospect of positive interpersonal connection. An analysis of concrete practices through which these spiritual herbalists relate to plants, their selves, and each other will contribute to efforts made by anthropologists to rethink the constitution of the interior landscape of self from the perspective of lived experience, while also demonstrating how the constitution of the human self is in practice actively scaffolded by an exterior landscape of nonhuman others.