bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Commercial Health Insurance Characteristics in Bariatric Surgery Utilization
Authors: Chhabra Karan R. , Fan Zhaohui , Chao Grace F. , Dimick Justin B. , Telem Dana A.
Published: November 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to understand relationships among insurance plan type, out-of-pocket cost sharing, and the utilization of bariatric surgery among commercially insured patients.

Background:

Only 1% of eligible persons undergo bariatric operations, and this underutilization is often attributed to lack of insurance coverage. But even among the insured, underinsurance is now recognized as a major barrier to accessing medical care. The relationships among commercial insurance design, out-of-pocket cost sharing, and elective surgery utilization, particularly in bariatrics, are not well understood.

Methods:

Retrospective review of 73,002 commercially insured members of the IBM MarketScan commercial claims database who underwent bariatric surgery from 2014 to 2017. The exposure variables were insurance plan type and out-of-pocket cost sharing. The outcome was utilization of bariatric surgery. We also examined seasonal trends in bariatric surgery utilization stratified by average levels of cost sharing.

Results:

Utilization of bariatric surgery was higher in plans with lower cost sharing, such as PPOs (20 operations/100,000 enrollees) than in HDHPs (high-deductible health plans, 12.1 operations/100,000 enrollees). Overall, every $1000 increase in cost sharing was associated with 5 fewer bariatric operations per 100,000 insured lives; this association was strongest in plans with high cost sharing (high-deductible and consumer-directed health plans). Members of all plan types had higher surgical utilization in quarter 4 relative to quarter 1 of each year; these seasonal variations were also most pronounced in plans with high cost sharing.

Conclusions:

Insurance plan types with higher cost sharing have lower utilization of bariatric surgery. Underinsurance may represent a newly identified barrier to surgical care that should be addressed by advocates and policymakers.
Clinical and Genetic Factors Impact Time to Surgical Recurrence After Ileocolectomy for Crohn's Disease
Authors: Kline Bryan P. , Weaver Taelor , Brinton David L. , Harris Leonard , Yochum Gregory S. , Berg Arthur S. , Koltun Walter A.
Published: November 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with time to surgical recurrence after Crohn's ileocolectomy.

Summary Background Data:

The most common surgery performed for Crohn's disease is ileocolectomy. Identifying patients at high risk for surgical recurrence may assist with medical and surgical decision-making.

Methods:

Data were obtained from 409 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who had undergone ≥1 ileocolectomies at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with CD were evaluated in these patients: rs2076756, rs2066844, and rs2066845 in NOD2, rs4958847 and rs13361189 in IRGM, and rs2241880 in ATG16L1. Genotype and clinical factors were analyzed to determine associations with time to recurrent ileocolectomy. A subgroup analysis was performed on 241 patients naïve to biologics before initial ileocolectomy to assess the effect of biologic therapy on time to recurrent surgery.

Results:

There were 286 patients who underwent a single ileocolectomy, whereas 123 required multiple ileocolectomies. Ileocolonic involvement [hazard ratio (HR) 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–3.00, P = 0.006] and rs2066844 in NOD2 (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.17–2.77, P = 0.007) were associated with decreased time to surgical recurrence by multivariate analysis. In patients naïve to preoperative biologics, the initiation of postoperative biologics was associated with a 40% decreased incidence of surgical recurrence (HR 0.60, CI 0.39–0.93, P = 0.02) over time.

Conclusions:

Ileocolonic distribution of disease and the rs2066844 SNP in NOD2 are associated with shorter time to recurrent ileocolectomy. The initiation of postoperative biologics in naïve patients was associated with a reduced incidence of recurrence over time.
Hospital and Surgeon Selection for Medicare Beneficiaries With Stage II/III Rectal Cancer
Authors: Chioreso Catherine , Gao Xiang , Gribovskaja-Rupp Irena , Lin Chi , Ward Marcia M. , Schroeder Mary C. , Lynch Charles F. , Chrischilles Elizabeth A. , Charlton Mary E.
Published: November 2019

Objective:

To determine factors associated with rectal cancer surgery performed at high-volume hospitals (HVHs) and by high-volume surgeons (HVSs), including the roles of rurality and diagnostic colonoscopy provider characteristics.

Summary of Background Data:

Although higher-volume hospitals/surgeons often achieve superior surgical outcomes, many rectal cancer resections are performed by lower-volume hospitals/surgeons, especially among rural populations.

Methods:

Patients age 66+ diagnosed from 2007 to 2011 with stage II/III primary rectal adenocarcinoma were selected from surveillance, epidemiology, and end results-medicare data. Patient ZIP codes were used to classify rural status. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with surgery by HVH and HVS.

Results:

Of 1601 patients, 22% were rural and 78% were urban. Fewer rural patients received surgery at a HVH compared to urban patients (44% vs 65%; P < 0.0001). Compared to urban patients, rural patients more often had colonoscopies performed by general surgeons (and less often from gastroenterologists or colorectal surgeons), and lived substantially further from HVHs; these factors were both associated with lower odds of surgery at a HVH or by a HVS. In addition, whereas over half of both rural and urban patients received their colonoscopy and surgery at the same hospital, rural patients who stayed at the same hospital were significantly less likely to receive surgery at a HVH or by a HVS compared to urban patients.

Conclusions:

Rural rectal cancer patients are less likely to receive surgery from a HVH/HVS. The role of the colonoscopy provider has important implications for referral patterns and initiatives seeking to increase centralization.
Hematoma Risk After Needle Electromyography in Patients Using Newer Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Nagarajan Elanagan , Dyer Nolan , Bailey Emily , Bollu Pradeep C. , Yelam Anudeep , Sivaraman Manjamalai , Govindarajan Raghav
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

To assess the safety of needle electromyography in patients on non–vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with warfarin.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was done in patients who underwent needle electromyography studies while they were using warfarin and NOACs. After the needle electromyography, all the patients were monitored for 2 hours and ultrasound of high-risk muscle groups was done. The complications were classified based on the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis definitions.

Results:

Fifty-eight patients were included: 29 were using NOACs and the other 29 were on warfarin. The mean age was 59.33 ± 16 years. Hemorrhagic complications from needle electromyography were noted in 9 patients: 7 (77.7%) NOACs and 2 (22.3%) warfarin. Among them, 6 patients (66.6%) met the diagnostic criteria for Clinically Relevant Non-Major Bleeding criteria proposed by International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis and 3 patients (33.4%) had an asymptomatic hematoma on ultrasound evaluation. A total of 267 muscles were tested and only 9 (3.3%) muscles had hemorrhagic complications. One patient (rivaroxaban) had acute bleeding requiring pressure bandage, five patients (two apixaban, two rivaroxaban, and one warfarin) had clinical hematoma that required ice packs, and three patients (two rivaroxaban and one warfarin) had a hematoma on ultrasound of deep muscles.

Conclusions:

Patients on NOACs had minimal risk of clinically relevant hemorrhagic complications, and the risk is not significantly different from those on warfarin.
Propane-2-sulfonic acid octadec-9-enyl-amide, a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ dual agonist, enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in rats with cerebral ischaemia
Authors: Li Ying , Ren Tong , Xu Lanxi , Wang Ying , Yang Bingye , Luo Haohong , Zeng Zhen , Zhang Yanan , Du Guicheng , Zhu Maoshu , Zhou Juan
Published: November 2019

Our previous studies showed that propane-2-sulfonic acid octadec-9-enyl-amide (N15), a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ (PPARα/γ) dual agonist, protected against ischaemia-induced acute brain damage in mice and improved cognitive ability in the chronic phase of ischaemic stroke. It is well known that hippocampal neurogenesis is closely related to cognitive function. In the present study, we investigated the effect of N15 on hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. The middle cerebral artery of rats was blocked for 2 hours. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg N15 or vehicle was given once daily for days 2–13 after MCAO. The newly mature neurons were detected by staining. The expressions of synapse-related proteins were observed by qRT-PCR or western blotting. We found that N15-treated rats showed improved survival post-MCAO. In addition, N15 treatment markedly increased the newly mature neurons and enhanced the expression levels of growth-associated protein-43, synaptophysin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 in the hippocampus. Moreover, N15 promoted the activation of PPARα and PPARγ on day 7 and 14 after cerebral ischaemia. These results reveal that N15 may promote neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in MCAO rats through the activation of the PPARα/γ dual signal pathway.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked connectivity reveals modulation effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on patients with disorders of consciousness
Authors: Xia Xiaoyu , Wang Yong , Li Chen , Li Xiaoli , He Jianghong , Bai Yang
Published: November 2019

Several studies have investigated possible role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with disorder of consciousness (DOC). But the details of patients’ brain responses to the rTMS are yet to be disclosed. The aim of the study is to explore the neural electrical responses of DOC patients to rTMS modulation. DOC Patients [14 vegetative state, seven minimally conscious state (MCS)] and healthy subjects were enrolled and received one session of rTMS. The TMS-electroencephalogram was recorded at before and immediately after rTMS stimulation. TMS-evoked potentials as well as TMS-evoked connectivity were proposed to capture the effective connectivity alteration induced by rTMS. Significant changes of TMS-evoked potential were found in the healthy group but not in DOC patients. TMS-evoked connectivity was significantly enhanced by the rTMS in healthy and MCS groups. In addition, the enhancement was positively correlated with patients’ Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores. Global synchrony of the TMS-evoked connectivity matrix significantly enhanced by rTMS in the control and MCS groups but not in vegetative state patients. Furthermore, after rTMS stimulation, the similarity of TMS-evoked connectivity patterns between pairwise patients was significantly raised in MCS patients. But no significant changes were found in vegetative state patients. TMS-evoked connectivity reveals that rTMS can effectively modulate effective connectivity of MCS patients, but no evidence of changes in vegetative state patients.
Steroid receptor RNA activator affects the development of poststroke depression by regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ signaling pathway
Authors: Jiang Baoying , Wang Hongwei , Xu Houchi
Published: November 2019

The long noncoding RNA, steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA), has been reported to be involved in the development of many types of disease in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether SRA was associated with poststroke depression (PSD). A PSD rat model was established, and depression-like behaviors and sucrose consumption in rats with PSD were analyzed. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-PCR), western blot and luciferase dual reporter assay analyses were performed to detect the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression following SRA small interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment. Compared with the control, the horizontal and vertical movement scores and consumption of sucrose solution were decreased in the PSD, PSD + LV-SRA and PSD + pioglitazone groups at 7 days post-SRA-siRNA treatment, while they were increased in the PSD + LV-SRA and PSD + pioglitazone groups. Furthermore, SRA expression in the PSD, PSD + LV-SRA and PSD + pioglitazone groups was lowered compared with the control group at 7 days postinjection. SRA increased the reported luciferase activity, but pioglitazone had no effect on the luciferase activity induced by SRA. SRA upregulated PPARγ mRNA and protein expression, whereas SRA siRNA significantly downregulated its expression. No significant differences in characteristics were identified between rats with and without PSD. SRA was more highly expressed in rats with PSD than rats without PSD. Collectively, this study suggests that SRA is associated with PSD through PPARγ signaling, indicating a potential therapeutic target of SRA for controlling PSD.
Tannic acid inhibits electrogenic Na+/HCO3− co-transporter activity in embryonic neural stem cell-derived radial glial-like cells
Authors: Nordström Tommy , Zhenyu Gao , Andersson Leif C. , Åkerman Karl E.O.
Published: November 2019

Self-renewing neural stem cells and progenitor cells are cell populations that generate radial glial cells and neurons through asymmetric division. Regulation of intracellular pH in stem cells with high metabolic activity is critical for both cell signaling and proliferation. We have recently found that a S0859-inhibitable electrogenic Na+/HCO3
− co-transporter (NBCe1, Slc4a4), is the primary pHi regulatory mechanism in stem cell-derived radial glial-like cells. Here we show, by using the voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye DiBAC4(3) and BCECF, a pH-sensitive dye, that an antioxidant, tannic acid (100 µM), can inhibit potassium- and calcium-dependent rapid changes in membrane potential and NBCe1 mediated pHi regulation in brain-derived glial-like cells in vitro. Furthermore, neural stem cell differentiation and neurosphere formation (proliferation) were completely inhibited by tannic acid. The present study provides evidence that tannic acid is a natural inhibitor of NBCe1. It is tempting to speculate that tannic acid or related compounds that inhibits NBCe1-mediated pHi regulation in glial-like cells may also have bearing on the treatment of glial neoplasms.
Patients’ and physicians’ perspectives and experiences on the quality of medical consultations: a qualitative study
Authors: Bahadori Mohammadkarim , Yaghoubi Maryam , Haghgoshyie Elaheh , Ghasemi Matina , Hasanpoor Edris
Published: November 2019

Aim:

Medical consultation is not only one of the most important steps in disease diagnosis and patient treatment, but also every patient's right. The purpose of this review was to explore patients’ and physicians’ perspectives and experiences of the quality of medical consultations.

Methods:

A qualitative interview study was carried out in outpatient clinics. A combination of face-to-face and telephone interviews was used due to the geographical spread of the respondents. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic descriptive analysis was used to interpret the data. Eligible physicians (n = 21) and patients (n = 27) were invited to take part in a semistructured interview to explore the views, perceptions, and experiences of patients on various factors affecting the quality of medical consultations.

Results:

The consultation quality was categorized into three topics: structure quality, process quality, and outcome quality. Data synthesis identified the following major themes for structure quality of consultations: administrative-organizational quality (with eight subthemes), physical environment quality (with six subthemes), and educational quality (with three subthemes). In addition, process quality was categorized into two major themes: examination quality (with nine subthemes) and interpersonal quality (with 13 subthemes). Outcome quality consisted of three major themes: patient satisfaction (with four subthemes), clinical outcomes (with two subthemes), and organizational outcomes (with three subthemes).

Conclusion:

Medical consultation plays a central role in the quality and effectiveness of the received health care. Using the indicators of consultation quality improvement can develop physicians’ clinical competence and skills. Furthermore, decision-makers can use them to monitor and evaluate physicians’ performance.
Effects of forced air precooling and MA film packaging on quality characteristics of ‘Fuji’ apples
Authors: Hong Sang-Tai , Park Yang-Kyun , Park Hyung-Woo
Published: November 2019

This study was carried out to find a method of pretreatment before storage to improve the shelf life of apples. Fuji apple was pretreated with forced air precooling and pretreated with neutral water and packed in a functional MA film and stored for 18 weeks at 0℃ to investigate changes in quality such as weight, hardness, decay rate, titratable acidity and vitamin C. The weight loss of apple packed functional MA film was higher than that of control, weight loss of control was 6.3% and that of functional MA films were 0.3-0.9%. The change of hardness and titratable acidity was also lower than that of control. The decay ratio of apple packed with functional MA films were 1.7-1.4% but that of control was 5.3%, the decay ratio of control was higher than those of functional MA film. Vitamin C also showed little change in MA film packaging after pretreatment. Therefore, when the apple is stored for a long period, it is effective to maintain quality of Fuji apple by forced air precooling method or precooling to low temperature with neutral water and storage in MA film packaging.
Quality characteristics of soft morning roll bread with different ratios of high yield tongil-type rice flours
Authors: Sim Eun-Yeong , Park Hye-Young , Lee Ji Yoon , Kwak Jieun , Lee Jin-Young , Jeon Yong-hee , Lee Choon-Ki , Hong Ha-Cheol , Choi Induck
Published: November 2019

In this study, we compared the quality characteristics of soft morning roll bread with different contents of two Korean high-yield tongil-type rice varieties, namely Hanareum4 and Keumkang1. The final and setback viscosities increased with increasing rice flour ratio as determined by a Rapid Visco Analyzer. The pH of the dough decreased as the rice flour ratio was decreased from 70% to 0%, regardless of the rice cultivar, and the dough rose more when less rice flour was added. During the final fermentation stage, the volumes of the dough containing Keumkang1 were 32.2, 27.5, 23.0, and 21.0 mL when 0, 30, 50, and 70% rice flour were added, respectively. The SEM images reveal that the dough forms a net-like morphology during fermentation, due to the decomposition of the wheat and rice flour. The volume and moisture contents of soft morning roll bread ranged in 90-192.5 mL and 38.25-40.06%, respectively. The volume of the Keumkang1-containing bread loaf was higher than that of the Hanareum4-containing loaf. Texture profile analysis (TPA) results suggest that the hardness and chewiness of the bread containing 30% Keumkang1 is very similar to that of the 100%-wheat bread regardless of rice varieties. The results suggest that Keumkang1 can replace wheat at a 30% level for morning roll bread purposes.
A small molecule antagonist for the Tudor domain of SMN disrupts the interaction between SMN and RNAP II
Authors: Liu Yanli , Iqbal Aman , Li Weiguo , Ni Zuyao , Wang Yalong , Ramprasad Jurupula , Abraham Karan Joshua , Zhang Mengmeng , Zhao Dorothy Yanling , Qin Su , Loppnau Peter , Guo Xinghua , Zhou Mengqi , Brown Peter J , Zhen Xuechu , Xu Guoqiang , Mekhail Karim , Ji Xingyue , Bedford Mark T. , Greenblatt Jack F. , Min Jinrong
Published: November 2019

Survival of motor neuron (SMN), a Tudor-domain-containing protein, plays an important role in diverse biological pathways via recognition of symmetrically dimethylated arginine (Rme2s) on proteins by its Tudor domain, and deficiency of SMN leads to the motor neuron degenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here we report a potent and selective antagonist with a 4-iminopyridine scaffold targeting the Tudor domain of SMN. Our structural and mutagenesis studies indicate that the sandwich stacking interactions of SMN and compound 1 play a critical role in selective binding to SMN. Various on-target engagement assays support that compound 1 recognizes SMN specifically in a cellular context. In cell studies display that the SMN antagonist prevent the interaction of SMN with R1810me2s of DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit POLR2A and results in transcription termination and R-loop accumulation, mimicking depletion of SMN. Thus, in addition to the antisense, RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 techniques, the potent SMN antagonist could be used as an efficient tool in understanding the biological functions of SMN and molecular etiology in SMA.
Interrogating theoretical models of neural computation with emergent property inference
Authors: Bittner Sean R. , Palmigiano Agostina , Piet Alex T. , Duan Chunyu A. , Brody Carlos D. , Miller Kenneth D. , Cunningham John P.
Published: November 2019

1

A cornerstone of theoretical neuroscience is the circuit model: a system of equations that captures a hypothesized neural mechanism. Such models are valuable when they give rise to an experimentally observed phenomenon – whether behavioral or a pattern of neural activity – and thus can offer insights into neural computation. The operation of these circuits, like all models, critically depends on the choice of model parameters. A key step is then to identify the model parameters consistent with observed phenomena: to solve the inverse problem. In this work, we present a novel technique, emergent property inference (EPI), that brings the modern probabilistic modeling toolkit to theoretical neuroscience. When theorizing circuit models, theoreticians predominantly focus on reproducing computational properties rather than a particular dataset. Our method uses deep neural networks to learn parameter distributions with these computational properties. This methodology is introduced through a motivational example inferring conductance parameters in a circuit model of the stomatogastric ganglion. Then, with recurrent neural networks of increasing size, we show that EPI allows precise control over the behavior of inferred parameters, and that EPI scales better in parameter dimension than alternative techniques. In the remainder of this work, we present novel theoretical findings gained through the examination of complex parametric structure captured by EPI. In a model of primary visual cortex, we discovered how connectivity with multiple inhibitory subtypes shapes variability in the excitatory population. Finally, in a model of superior colliculus, we identified and characterized two distinct regimes of connectivity that facilitate switching between opposite tasks amidst interleaved trials, characterized each regime via insights afforded by EPI, and found conditions where these circuit models reproduce results from optogenetic silencing experiments. Beyond its scientific contribution, this work illustrates the variety of analyses possible once deep learning is harnessed towards solving theoretical inverse problems.
Imatinib overrides taxane resistance by selective inhibition of novel CLIP1 variant obstructing the microtubule pore
Authors: Kita Katsuhiro , Thakkar Prashant V. , Galletti Giuseppe , Madhukar Neel , Navarro Elena Vila , Barasoain Isabel , Goodson Holly V. , Sackett Dan , Díaz José Fernando , Elemento Olivier , Shah Manish A. , Giannakakou Paraskevi
Published: November 2019

Despite its widespread use, the majority of patients with gastric cancer (GC) will not respond to taxane chemotherapy due to resistance mechanisms. Here, we report the discovery of a novel truncated variant of the microtubule plus-end binding protein (+TIP) CLIP-170, hereafter CLIP-170S, whose expression is enriched in taxane resistant cell lines and patients with GC. To establish causation, we knocked-down (KD) CLIP-170S which completely reversed taxane resistance. Mass-spec proteomics and 5’-RACE further showed that CLIP-170S lacked the first 150 amino acids, including the Cap-Gly motif required for microtubule (MT) plus-end localization. Mechanistically, we show that CLIP-170S was mislocalized from the MT plus-end to the MT lattice obstructing the MT pore surface site required for taxane entry into the MT lumen. Computational analysis of RNA-seq data from taxane-sensitive and resistant GC cell lines, predicted imatinib as the top candidate drug to overcome drug resistance. Imatinib treatment completely reversed taxane resistance, as predicted, and did so unexpectedly by selective depletion of CLIP-170S. Importantly, CLIP170S was found to be highly prevalent in tumor biopsies from patients with GC. Taken together, these data identify CLIP-170S as a novel, clinically prevalent +TIP variant that obstructs the MT pore and confers taxane resistance. The discovery of this previously unrecognized variant together with the computational discovery of Imatinib as a selective CLIP-170S inhibitor, implicate the MT pore in clinical taxane resistance and provide new therapeutic opportunities for treatment of GC and beyond.
Regulation of nerve growth and patterning by cell surface protein disulphide isomerase
Authors: Cook Geoffrey M.W. , Sousa Catia , Schaeffer Julia , Wiles Katherine , Jareonsettasin Prem , Kalyanasundaram Asanish , Walder Eleanor , Casper Catharina , Patel Serena , Chua Pei Wei , Riboni-Verri Gioia , Raza Mansoor , Swaddiwudhipong Nol , Hui Andrew , Abdullah Ameer , Wajed Saj , Keynes Roger J.
Published: November 2019

Contact repulsion of growing axons is an essential mechanism for spinal nerve patterning. In birds and mammals the embryonic somites generate a linear series of impenetrable barriers, forcing axon growth cones to traverse one half of each somite as they extend towards their body targets. This study shows that protein disulphide isomerase provides a key component of these barriers, mediating contact repulsion at the cell surface in half-somites. Repulsion is reduced bothin vivoandin vitroby a range of methods that inhibit enzyme activity. The activity is critical in initiating a nitric oxide/S-nitrosylation-dependent signal transduction pathway that regulates the growth cone cytoskeleton. Rat forebrain grey matter extracts contain a similar activity, and the enzyme is expressed at the surface of cultured human astrocytic cells and rat cortical astrocytes. We suggest this system is co-opted in the brain to counteract and regulate aberrant nerve terminal growth.
A big-data approach to understanding metabolic rate and response to obesity in laboratory mice
Authors: Corrigan June K. , Ramachandran Deepti , He Yuchen , Palmer Colin , Jurczak Michael J. , Li Bingshan , Friedline Randall H. , Kim Jason K. , Ramsey Jon J. , Lantier Louise , McGuinness Owen P. , Banks Alexander S. ,   Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center Energy Balance Working Group
Published: November 2019

Maintaining a healthy body weight requires an exquisite balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. In humans and in laboratory mice these factors are experimentally measured by powerful and sensitive indirect calorimetry devices. To understand the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the regulation of body weight, an important first step is to establish the normal range of metabolic values and primary sources contributing to variability in results. Here we examine indirect calorimetry results from two experimental mouse projects, the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Centers and International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium to develop insights into large-scale trends in mammalian metabolism. Analysis of nearly 10,000 wildtype mice revealed that the largest experimental variances are consequences of institutional site. This institutional effect on variation eclipsed those of housing temperature, body mass, locomotor activity, sex, or season. We do not find support for the claim that female mice have greater metabolic variation than male mice. An analysis of these factors shows a normal distribution for energy expenditure in the phenotypic analysis of 2,246 knockout strains and establishes a reference for the magnitude of metabolic changes. Using this framework, we examine knockout strains with known metabolic phenotypes. We compare these effects with common environmental challenges including age, and exercise. We further examine the distribution of metabolic phenotypes exhibited by knockout strains of genes corresponding to GWAS obesity susceptibility loci. Based on these findings, we provide suggestions for how best to design and conduct energy balance experiments in rodents, as well as how to analyze and report data from these studies. These recommendations will move us closer to the goal of a centralized physiological repository to foster transparency, rigor and reproducibility in metabolic physiology experimentation.
2-[1-(1,3-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-inden-2-ylidene)ethyl]hydrazinecarbothioamide
Authors: Omar Ali Nur Halilatul Sadiqin , Sheikh Abdul Hamid Malai Haniti , Mirza Aminul Huq , Usman Anwar
Published: November 2019

The title compound, C12H11N3O2S, was synthesized by a condensation reaction of 2-acetylindan-1,3-dione and thiosemicarbazide in ethanol in the presence of glacial acetic acid. The molecule adopts a thioketone form. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of 1H-inden-1,3(2H)-dione and hydrazinecarbothioamide units is 86.32 (7)°. Weak intramolecular N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds are observed. In the crystal, molecules are linked via pairs of weak intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers. The dimers are further linked into a three-dimensional network through N—H...S and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, and π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.5619 (10)–3.9712 (9) Å].
Accounting and accountability in the Anthropocene
Authors: Bebbington Jan , Österblom Henrik , Crona Beatrice , Jouffray Jean-Baptiste , Larrinaga Carlos , Russell Shona , Scholtens Bert
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to interrogate the nature and relevance of debates around the existence of, and ramifications arising from, the Anthropocene for accounting scholarship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper’s aim is achieved through an in-depth analysis of the Anthropocene, paying attention to cross-disciplinary contributions, interpretations and contestations. Possible points of connection between the Anthropocene and accounting scholarship are then proposed and illuminated through a case study drawn from the seafood sector.

Findings

This paper develops findings in two areas. First, possible pathways for further development of how accounting scholarship might evolve by the provocation that thinking about the Anthropocene is outlined. Second, and through engagement with the case study, the authors highlight that the concept of stewardship may re-emerge in discussions about accountability in the Anthropocene.

Research limitations/implications

The paper argues that accounting scholarship focused on social, environmental and sustainability concerns may be further developed by engagement with Anthropocene debates.

Practical implications

While accounting practice might have to change to deal with Anthropocene induced effects, this paper focuses on implications for accounting scholarship.

Social implications

Human well-being is likely to be impacted if environmental impacts accelerate. In addition, an Anthropocene framing alters the understanding of nature–human interactions and how this affects accounting thought.

Originality/value

This is the first paper in accounting to seek to establish connections between accounting, accountability and the Anthropocene.
Does a “soft” board gender quotas policy work?
Authors: Conde-Ruiz José Ignacio , García Manu , Yáñez Manuel
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the functioning of a non-sanction “soft” gender quota policy structure (a simple recommendation), using the case of Spain. In the first part of the paper, the authors have reported the dismal improvement regarding the increase of female percentage presence in the companies’ boards of members.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors provide a detailed sectorial analysis and a classification of board members by type (executive, proprietary, independent and other external). In the second part, the authors exploit the fact that since 2013, the stock-listed companies are legally obliged to respond to a series of questions on gender diversity issues in their annual reports. Using this requirement, the authors perform an analysis using text processing techniques. The authors find that “self-plagiarism” is common in the responses – i.e. they copy responses from previous years – as well as “plagiarism” – i.e. they copy responses from other companies in previous years.

Findings

The insufficient progress in respect to the goals of the Law of Equality of 2007 (enacted by Spanish authorities) and the lack of interest that can be inferred from the companies’ responses included in their annual reports lead the authors to consider the necessity of changing the law on the corporate policies gender quotas in Spain.

Originality/value

It is the first study that realizes this type of analysis for Spain.
Polarization independent bandstop frequency selective surface for X-band application
Authors: D. Kanchana , Sankararajan Radha , B.S. Sreeja , E. Manikandan
Published: November 2019

Purpose

A novel low profile frequency selective surface (FSS) with a band-stop response at 10 GHz is demonstrated. The purpose of this designed FSS structure is to reject the X-band (8-12 GHz) for the application of shielding. The proposed FSS structure having the unit cell dimension of 8 × 8 mm2, the miniaturization of the FSS unit cell in terms of λ0 is 0.266 λ0 × 0.266 λ0, where λ0 is free space wavelength. The designed FSS provides 4 GHz bandwidth with insertion loss of 15 dB. The transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes of the proposed design are same because of polarization independent characteristics and hold the angularly stable frequency response for both TE and TM mode polarization. Both the simulation and measurement results are in good agreement to each other.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed FSS design contains square-shaped PEC material, which is placed on the substrate and the shape of the circle and rectangle is etched over the PEC material. The PEC material of the patch dimension is 0.0175 mm. The substrate used for the proposed design is FR4 lossy with the thickness of 0.8 mm and permittivity εr = 4.3 having a loss tangent of 0.02.

Findings

To find a new design and miniaturized FSS structure is discussed.

Originality/value

100%
Numerical investigation of passive cavitation control using a slot on a three-dimensional hydrofoil
Authors: Liu Cheng , Yan Qingdong , Wood Houston G.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the mechanism and suppression of instabilities induced by cavitating flow around a three-dimensional hydrofoil with a particular focus on cavitation control with a slot.

Design/methodology/approach

The transient cavitating flow around a Clark-Y hydrofoil was investigated using a transport-equation-based cavitation model and the stress-blended eddy simulation model was used to capture the flow turbulence. A homogeneous Rayleigh–Plesset cavitation model was used to model the transient cavitation process and the results were validated with test data. A slot was applied to the hydrofoil to suppress cavitation instabilities, and various slot widths and exit locations were applied to the blade and the cavitation behavior, as well as drag/lift forces, were simulated and compared to investigate the effects of slot geometries on cavitation suppression.

Findings

The large eddy simulation based turbulence model was able to capture the interactions between the cavitation and turbulence. Moreover, the simulation revealed that the re-entrant jet was responsible for the periodic shedding of cavities. The results indicated that a slot was able to mitigate or even suppress cavitation-induced instabilities. A jet flow was generated at the slot exit and disturbed the re-entrant jet. If the slot geometry was properly designed, the jet could block the re-entrant jet and suppress the unsteady cavitation behavior.

Originality/value

This study provides unique insights into the complicated transient cavitation flows around a three-dimensional hydrofoil and introduces an effective passive cavitation control technique useful to researchers and engineers in the areas of fluid dynamics and turbomachinery.
Are lesson study participants sharing their professional knowledge?
Authors: Whitney Stephanie R.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Research and practice are often seen as separate entities, however, the notion of teacher as researcher situates the act of teaching as research (Watanabe, 2018). Educators in Japan identify as researchers with contributions to make to the field. Lesson study is one vehicle for their research. The purpose of this paper is to understand whether educators outside Japan are sharing their work resulting from lesson study to impact the field beyond their local context.

Design/methodology/approach

Databases were searched to find cases (n=45) of lesson study in K-12 mathematics classrooms in the USA. Descriptions of how lesson study was implemented were coded to determine whether sharing of findings was a part of the lesson study cycle and, if so, to identify the mechanisms for sharing.

Findings

In 12 of the 45 cases, there was evidence that the lesson study team shared their findings beyond the team. The modes of sharing included inviting people to the research lesson, distributing the research lesson, presenting at conferences or writing articles.

Research limitations/implications

The cases are limited to published lesson study projects. The end of the lesson study cycle for teams not sharing was not evaluated.

Practical implications

Ways to make sharing results more accessible are discussed.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is in that it evaluates a large number of documented cases of lesson study to understand if and how teachers are making their professional knowledge gained through lesson study public.
Does inward remittance lead to export performance in South Asian countries?
Authors: Jena Nihar Ranjan , Sethi Narayan
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate whether inward remittance leads to export performance in selected South Asian economies over the time period of 1993–2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The stationarity of the variables is checked by Levin, Lin and Chut, Breitungt-stat., Im, Pesaran and ShinW-stat., ADF–Fisher and Philips–Perron–Fisher panel unit root tests. Panel Granger Causality is used to verify the short-run causality. Pedroni’s, Kao’s and Johansen–Fisher panel cointegration approaches are employed to examine the long-run relationship among the variables. Panel VECM is used to confirm the existence of a long-run relationship among the variables.

Findings

Panels FMOLS and DOLS show that remittance inflows have negatively impacted the export performance of the selected South Asian countries during the study period. Granger Causality and VECM test confirm the existence of short-run and long-run relationship among the variables. The authors conclude that inward remittance is affecting export performance negatively during the study period. Furthermore, inward remittances occupy a major source of development finance for selected South Asian countries.

Originality/value

The study uses a dynamic macroeconomic modeling framework to assess the inward remittance on export performance in South Asian countries. Taking into account the diversity of the level of growth experienced by the five countries in the Asian region, the study uses an appropriate regression technique, i.e. panel dynamic OLS whose results are robust. As exports are a proven way to further economic growth, this study fills a vital gap in the literature by ascertaining the degree of impact of remittances in influencing outbound exports from the South Asian region.
Capital structure dynamics of Indian corporates
Authors: Rani Neelam , Yadav Surendra S. , Tripathy Naliniprava
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the capital structure determinants and speed of adjustment (SOA) toward the target capital structure of firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has used the generalized method of moments (GMM) model and two-stage least squares (TSLS) to the panel data of 3,310 Indian firms, from January 2000 to March 2018, to determine the adjustment speed toward target capital structure. Further, the study employed a fully modified ordinary least square technique to shed light on the dynamic nature of the adjustment process.

Findings

The results of the GMM estimations indicate that Indian firms are adjusting their capital structure toward the target rate of 10.38 percent per year. Similarly, the findings of TSLS estimate specify a SOA of 15.49 percent per year. The low adjustment speed suggests the prevalence of higher adjustment costs of Indian firms.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can be undertaken by including certain macroeconomic factors such as GDP, inflation and the interest rate, which also affect the SOA since firms are pretentious by market conditions while designing capital structure for firms.

Practical implications

In the current financial and regulatory set-up when there are frequent perturbations in the capital market, the study will be valuable for regulators, firms and academicians. The work would enable the concerned stakeholders to manage their scare resources and capital effectively by a better way to make informed decisions. It will facilitate managers of young companies to identify and regulate the factors that are more pertinent for them to make flexible financial decisions concerning the capital structure.

Originality/value

The study amplifies on previous studies and provides new insights on the speed of the adjustment process of Indian firms, helping to modify and refine their capital structures toward the optimum capital structure. This will not only enhance the financial flexibility in the capital structure of Indian corporates but also be of great value to the policymakers and other stakeholders.
The efficiency of wages, profit sharing, and stock
Authors: Weltmann Dan
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine which forms of compensation are more efficient at affecting employee attitudes, thus extending efficiency wage theory from wage-based compensation to profit sharing and stock-based compensation.

Design/methodology/approach

Three models of efficiency wage theory were tested: shirking, turnover and gift exchange. The effects of those three modes of compensation (wages, profit sharing and stock) were contrasted for the three models of efficiency wage theory.

Findings

The findings were that raising wages is the most efficient form of compensation in the turnover and shirking models, while in the gift exchange model profit sharing and stock-based compensation may function like efficiency wages.

Originality/value

This is the first study of this particular issue.
Turning employees into owners
Authors: Case John , Quarrey Michael
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze policies where employee share ownership might be relevant to the inequality debate in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Description and analysis of policy alternatives designed to increase the prevalence of employee ownership in the USA economy.

Findings

Since 1974, Congress has passed many provisions to encourage employee ownership, all with widespread bipartisan support. Additional policies would have an even greater impact. Congress could “level the playing field” for corporate divestitures and sales of companies by private equity firms; create Employee Ownership Investment Corporations, modeled after Small Business Investment Corporations, to provide capital for sales to employees; and create an Employee Equity Loan Program to guarantee loans for employee-ownership transactions. Such measures would have no budgetary impact. It could also create tax incentives to encourage corporate and private-equity sales to employees and establish regulations to ensure that employee-owned companies are eligible for the full benefit of recent opportunity zone legislation. Legislation could also encourage publicly traded companies to offer stock to employees at a discount and require companies that receive various forms of special treatment from the government to establish employee stock-ownership programs.

Originality/value

The academic journal literature has virtually no policy analyses on employee share ownership.
Skin in the game – investor behavior in asset pricing, the Indian context
Authors: Gupta Saurabh , Bhaduri Saumitra N.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate investor behavior under two broad categories, market-wide sentiment and herding.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a dynamic factor model, that extracts distinct latent factors representing fluctuations in asset returns due to changes in fundamentals as well as investors’ sentiments, the paper investigates the impact of investor behavior on asset pricing.

Findings

Consistent with the literature, the results suggest that the behavioral factors play a significant role in explaining variation in the asset prices. However, the degree of influence depends on the nature of the stocks or portfolios. The findings conform to the hypothesis that behavioral factors play a more important role in explaining the price movements of high and medium valued stocks than those of smaller valued stocks. Further, the behavioral factors also exhibit high auto-correlation, depicting the pervasive nature of such factors, and proving that information cascades and other behavioral mechanisms propagate over a period of time leading to bubbles and market crashes. Finally, since herding is often associated with market volatility, the authors test the hypothesis using two measures of volatility and the result shows positive significant associations between them as suggested in the literature.

Originality/value

The paper presents a dynamic factor model to study the impact of investor behavior on asset returns using a conventional three factors model with behavioral factors. A factor model is proposed to extract distinct latent factors representing fluctuations in asset returns due to changes in fundamentals as well as investors’ sentiments. The study investigates investor behavior under two broad categories, market-wide sentiment and herding. Consistent with the literature, the results suggest that the behavioral factors play a significant role in explaining variation in the asset prices. However, the degree of influence depends on the nature of the stocks or portfolios. The findings conform to the hypothesis that behavioral factors play a more important role in explaining the price movements of high and medium valued stocks than those of smaller valued stocks. Further, the behavioral factors also exhibit high auto-correlation, depicting the pervasive nature of such factors, and proving that information cascades and other behavioral mechanisms propagate over a period of time leading to bubbles and market crashes.