bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auditing Complex Estimates: How Do Construal Level and Evidence Formatting Impact Auditors' Consideration of Inconsistent Evidence?
Authors: Backof Ann G. , Carpenter Tina D. , Thayer Jane
Published: August 2018

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is concerned about auditors' tendency to ignore relevant information that is inconsistent with management's assumptions underlying complex estimates. We find that priming auditors to consider how management arrived at a particular assumption helps curb aggressive reporting by encouraging auditors to engage in low‐level, concrete thinking regarding the direct evidence underlying the assumption. Low‐level, concrete thinking enhances auditors' sensitivity to relevant contradictory evidence. We also find that auditors reviewing graphical (versus textual) evidence are more skeptical of aggressive assumptions underlying a complex estimate. Evidence suggests that this is because graphs provide a better cognitive fit for tasks requiring comparisons and associations among data points. Our study is important to practitioners, regulators, and researchers as it sheds light on how a simple prime and the presentation format of audit evidence influence auditors' professional skepticism in this area. Additionally, it supports audit firms' initiatives to transform data to more visual formats by highlighting a context in which graphs improve auditors' judgments. Finally, we provide evidence as to how different primes affect auditors' evaluation of evidence, which can be useful in designing more effective audit plans.
How dependent is the alcohol industry on heavy drinking in England?
Authors: Bhattacharya Aveek , Angus Colin , Pryce Robert , Holmes John , Brennan Alan , Meier Petra S.
Published: August 2018

Aims

To understand the extent of the alcohol industry's financial dependence on drinking above government low‐risk guidelines in England.

Design

Scenario modelling using descriptive analyses of pooled data from the 2013 and 2014 waves of two nationally representative surveys: the Health Survey for England (HSE) and the Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF). We estimated the proportion of alcohol sales revenue accounted for by drinkers above guideline levels, and how this varies between different beverage and retailer types. We then estimated the impact on sales revenue if the entire population reduced their drinking to within guideline levels, as well as the average price increases necessary to compensate for such a loss of revenue.

Setting

England.

Participants

A total of 16 872 individual (HSE) and 9975 household (LCF) survey respondents.

Measurements

Transaction‐level estimates of volume of alcohol purchased and price paid by beverage type and trade sector.

Findings

Those drinking above guideline levels are estimated to account for 68% of total alcohol sales revenue in 2013/14: 81% of off‐trade revenue and 60% of on‐trade revenue. This represents 77% of beer, 70% of cider, 66% of wine and 50% of spirits sales value. The heaviest drinking 4% of the population account for 30% of all consumption and 23% of all industry revenue. If all consumers reduced their drinking to within guideline levels, alcohol sales revenue could decline by 38% (£13 billion). To mitigate this loss, average prices paid would have to rise substantially—for example, by £2.64 for a pint of on‐trade beer or £12.25 for a 70 cl bottle of off‐trade spirits.

Conclusions

In England, the alcohol industry appears to be highly financially dependent upon heavy drinking, and might face significant financial losses were consumers to drink within guideline levels.
Transvaginal and transperineal ultrasound follow‐up after laparoscopic correction of uterine retrodisplacement in women with posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis
Authors: Seracchioli Renato , Raimondo Diego , Del Forno Simona , Leonardi Deborah , De Meis Lucia , Martelli Valentina , Arena Alessandro , Paradisi Roberto , Mabrouk Mohamed
Published: August 2018

Background

Retrodisplacement of the uterus (retroflexion and/or retroversion) may be associated with pelvic pain symptoms and posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Previous studies in symptomatic women with retrodisplacement of the uterus showed the efficacy of hysteropexy in terms of pain symptoms improvement.

Aim

To evaluate sonographic, clinical and surgical outcomes of a hysteropexy technique

Materials and Methods

Laparoscopic round ligament plication and tilting of the uterine fundus in women with uterine retrodisplacement and posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis was performed. Forty‐two symptomatic women were enrolled and the sonographic data of each (angle of uterine version and uterine flexion, uterine mobility) was assessed before and after surgery with transvaginal and transperineal approaches. Women were also evaluated at 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery for pain symptoms with a numerical rating scale (dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain), intraoperative data and surgical complications.

Results

The additional mean operative time of hysteropexy procedure was 8 ± 3 min. At early follow‐up both the uterine angles were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced. At 12‐month follow‐up, seven patients (16.7%) presented a retroverted uterus, while 12 (28.6%) presented a retroflexed uterus; the sliding sign remained negative in four patients (9.5%). A significant improvement of symptoms (P < 0.001) was observed during the follow‐up.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic hysteropexy appears as an effective additional surgical procedure, which can temporarily correct the uterine position in order to reduce the risk of postoperative adhesions.
Is there a role for Western herbal medicine in treating cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort?
Authors: Fisher Carole Y. , Adams Jon , Frawley Jane E. , Hickman Louise D. , Sibbritt David W.
Published: August 2018

Conventional treatments for cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort, while numerous and diverse, have drawbacks including side effects, interference with women's reproductive function and, importantly, failure to address symptoms. Many women turn to herbal medicine to treat a myriad of menstrual symptoms. Clinical evidence supports the efficacy of Vitex agnus‐castus but other medicinal herbs typically used by Western herbalists for treating menstrual symptoms are unsupported by clinical trials. This raises concerns around the efficacy and safety of these herbs. Women's treatment options need to be extended and individualised, where current conventional strategies fail, requiring appropriate clinical trials of potentially useful herbal medicines.
Minimally invasive surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: state of art and future perspectives
Authors: Hu Hai‐Jie , Wu Zhen‐Ru , Jin Yan‐Wen , Ma Wen‐Jie , Yang Qin , Wang Jun‐Ke , Liu Fei , Li Fu‐Yu
Published: August 2018

Background

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) occurs in the core section of the biliary system and has a strong tendency to broadly invade the surrounding vascular system, perineural tissue and major liver parenchyma. Thus, minimally invasive resection can only be achieved in limited cases. This article reviews the current laparoscopic and robotic surgery techniques for HCCA and analyses the difficulties and limitations of the current minimally invasive surgical techniques for HCCA.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using multiple electronic databases. All studies involving minimally invasive resections of HCCA were included (up to November 2017).

Results

Twelve studies were included, of which eight concerned laparoscopic surgery of HCCA and four involved robotic surgery for HCCA. For laparoscopic surgery, most of the surgical procedures were limited to partial hepatectomy or even bile duct resection; the post‐operative morbidity rate was approximately 38.9% (range 0–100%); those with fewer complications were mostly restricted to Bismuth type I or type II carcinomas. For robotic surgery, only one study concerned caudate lobectomy of HCCA, with a reported median operative time of 703 min and post‐operative morbidity of 90%.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive surgery for HCCA is restricted to highly selected cases and is deemed technically achievable in experienced hands. However, technical and instrumental improvement is needed to reduce the relevant morbidity and popularize the use of minimally invasive surgery to treat HCCA.
The Importance of Definitional and Temporal Issues in the Study of Resilience
Authors: Fisher David M. , Ragsdale Jennifer M. , Fisher Emily C.S.
Published: August 2018

Despite recent interest in the topic of resilience in organisations, much work is still needed to advance our understanding of this important area of inquiry. With this in mind, the authors argue that the study of resilience would benefit from (1) greater definitional clarity and (2) explicit inclusion of temporal issues in theoretical conceptualisations of resilience. Based on a systematic review of the literature, we advocate for a concise definition of resilience, along with a heuristic framework intended to meaningfully categorise the various elements, features, and experiences implicated by the concept of resilience, including (a) adversity triggers, (b) resilience outcomes, (c) resilience mechanisms, and (d) resilience promoting factors. This is followed by a discussion of temporal issues in relation to each of the four categories above. Various propositions and recommendations for future research are also presented.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis without cirrhosis compared to other liver diseases
Authors: Stine Jonathan G. , Wentworth Brian J. , Zimmet Alex , Rinella Mary E. , Loomba Rohit , Caldwell Stephen H. , Argo Curtis K.
Published: August 2018

Background

Given the lack of long‐term prospective studies, it is challenging for clinicians to make informed decisions about screening and treatment decisions regarding the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) who do not have cirrhosis.

Aim

To characterise the pooled risk of HCC in the non‐cirrhosis population.

Methods

Published studies were identified through April 2016 in MEDLINE, Scopus, Science Citation Index, AMED and the Cochrane Library. Two independent reviewers screened citations and extracted data. Random effect odds ratios (OR) were calculated to obtain aggregate estimates of effect size between NASH and non‐NASH groups. Between‐study variability and heterogeneity were assessed.

Results

Nineteen studies with 168 571 participants were included. Eighty‐six per cent of included subjects had cirrhosis. The prevalence of HCC in non‐cirrhotic NASH was 38.0%; among other aetiologies in non‐cirrhotics, it was 14.2% (P < 0.001). Non‐cirrhotic NASH subjects were at greater odds of developing HCC than non‐cirrhotic subjects of other aetiologies (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.27‐5.35, P = 0.009). When examining all NASH subjects either with or without cirrhosis, those with NASH as the underlying liver disease did not have a significantly increased risk of HCC (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.77‐2.65, P = 0.250).

Conclusions

In non‐cirrhotic subjects, those with NASH have a higher risk of HCC compared to other aetiologies of liver disease. Further study investigating the risk factors of HCC among non‐cirrhotic NASH patients is needed.
Variable efficacy of TIPSS in the management of ectopic variceal bleeding: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Oey Rosalie C. , de Wit Koos , Moelker Adriaan , Atalik Tugce , van Delden Otto M. , Maleux Geert , Erler Nicole S. , Takkenberg R. Bart , de Man Robert A. , Nevens Frederik , van Buuren Henk R.
Published: August 2018

Background

Evidence for the efficacy of TIPSS in ectopic variceal bleeding (EctVB) is largely based on relatively small series.

Aim

To define the efficacy of TIPSS in EctVB.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with chronic liver disease who presented with EctVB and received TIPSS in three tertiary centres in 1992‐2016.

Results

The study included 53 patients (70% male, median age 61 years, median model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score 11). The ectopic varices were located around the insertion of stomas (40%), duodenum (23%), rectum (17%) and at other sites (20%). Three‐quarters of the patients had previously received unsuccessful medical, endoscopic or surgical therapy. The median follow‐up was 14.0 months. Following TIPSS, bleeding recurred in 12 patients: 6 of 12 (50%) with duodenal varices, 2 of 9 (22%) with rectal varices and one each with stomal (1/21), intraperitoneal (1/3), hepaticojejunostomy (1/2) and ascending colon varices (1/2). The risk factors for re‐bleeding were MELD score at TIPSS placement (HR: 1.081 per point; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.012‐1.153; P = 0.034), varices located at site other than an enterostomy (HR: 9.770; 95%CI: 1.241‐76.917; P = 0.030) and previous local therapy (HR: 5.710; 95%CI: 1.211‐26.922; P = 0.028). The estimated cumulative re‐bleeding rate was 23% at 1 year, 26% at 3 years and 32% at 5 years. Post‐TIPSS hepatic encephalopathy manifested or worsened in 16 of 53 patients (30%).

Conclusion

TIPSS provides long‐term control of bleeding in most cirrhotic patients with EctVB. TIPSS is particularly effective in stomal EctVB, the most frequent cause of EctVB, but might not be as effective in duodenal EctVB.
Randomised clinical trial: oral taurine supplementation versus placebo reduces muscle cramps in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Vidot Helen , Cvejic Erin , Carey Sharon , Strasser Simone Irene , McCaughan Geoffrey William , Allman‐Farinelli Margaret , Shackel Nicholas Adam
Published: August 2018

Background

Painful muscle cramps occur in the majority of patients with cirrhosis impacting significantly on quality of life and sleep patterns. They are frequently unrecognised or overlooked. Current management is based on anecdotal evidence or case study reports.

Aim

To investigate the effect of oral taurine supplementation on frequency, duration, and intensity of muscle cramps in patients with chronic liver disease.

Methods

Patients with chronic liver disease who experienced three or more muscle cramps/week were enrolled in a double‐blinded, randomised control, crossover, taurine dose‐variable study. Each participant received either taurine supplementation or placebo for 4 weeks then crossed to the alternative arm. Primary outcome data for frequency, duration, and intensity of muscle cramps was recorded by participants. Participants recorded frequency, duration, and location of muscle cramps. Biochemical parameters, including serum taurine and methionine levels, were measured at each time point. Linear mixed models were used to analyse outcomes.

Results

Forty‐nine patients were enrolled in the study and 30 patients completed the protocol. Participants who were unable to complete the protocol were not included in the final analysis due to the absence of outcome data. The mean age of participants was 54.7 years and 70% were males. Oral taurine supplementation increased serum taurine levels (P < 0.001). There were no adverse side effects associated with taurine supplementation. Participants receiving 2 g taurine/d experienced a reduction in cramp frequency (seven cramps fewer/fortnight, P = 0.03), duration (89 minutes less/fortnight P = 0.03), and severity (1.4 units less on a Likert scale P < 0.004) compared to placebo.

Conclusions

Oral supplementation with 2 g taurine/d results in a clinically significant reduction in the frequency, duration, and intensity of muscle cramps in patients with chronic liver disease. Taurine should be considered as a safe and effective intervention in the management of muscle cramps in individuals with chronic liver disease.

This study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Register: ACTRN12612000289819.
Ambivalent ‘Indigeneities’ in an independent Timor‐Leste: Between the customary and national governance of resources
Authors: Palmer Lisa , McWilliam Andrew
Published: August 2018

Successfully achieving nationhood under the banner of what Anderson (2003) terms ‘aggregated nativeness’, Timor‐Leste is southeast Asia's newest nation. Yet as Anderson asserts ‘for the culture of nationalism … survival cannot be enough’ (2003: 184) and as with all other nationalisms, Timor‐Leste's nation‐making agenda is now engaged in the search for inclusive futures for its citizens. In this paper, we examine the extent to which Timor‐Leste's independence trajectory has included the active involvement of Indigenous Timorese traditions, practices and priorities in the governance of the new nation. By theorising these shifting ‘Indigenous’ ontologies and examining the ways in which they correspond (or not) with the tensions evident in more internationalised approaches to Indigeneity, we illuminate the socio‐political challenge of carving out spaces for plural identities and meaningfully diverse economic futures in Timor‐Leste. We argue that the term ‘Indigenous’ is not (yet) a term mobilised as a vehicle for the politics of recognition at either national or local levels of civil society.
Differentiated mitochondrial function in mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and human epithelial or endothelial cells in response to chemical exposure
Authors: Boncler Magdalena , Lukasiak Magdalena , Dastych Jaroslaw , Golanski Jacek , Watala Cezary
Published: August 2018

Mouse 3T3 fibroblasts are commonly used for in vitro toxicity testing; however, their sensitivity to stimuli is not well defined. To assess the sensitivity of the 3T3 cell line, the study compared the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) occurring after exposure to eight chemicals known to demonstrate pro‐apoptotic activity (glycerol, isopropanol, ethanol, paracetamol, propranolol, cobalt chloride, formaldehyde and atropine). Five cell lines were used as follows: mouse 3T3 fibroblasts, human epithelial cells (A549, Caco‐2 and HepG2) and human endothelial cells (HMEC‐1). Cell sensitivity was assessed based on the total area under and over the dose‐response curves (AUOC) in relation to baselines. The 3T3 fibroblasts had the highest AUOC values and were the most sensitive to the action of all the examined chemicals, with the exception of formaldehyde. Significant changes in MMP between the 3T3 cell line and other cells were observed after cell treatment with atropine (A549, Caco‐2 or HMEC‐1 cells vs 3T3 cells, P < 0.05), propranolol (A549 vs 3T3 cells, P < 0.01; HepG2 vs 3T3 cells, P < 0.05), cobalt chloride (A549 cells vs 3T3 cells, P < 0.01) or ethanol (HMEC‐1 vs 3T3, P < 0.05). Formaldehyde appeared the most toxic compound for Caco‐2 cells (Caco‐2 vs 3T3 cells, P < 0.05). The surface areas (AUOC) calculated for each other chemical and obtained for HepG2, Caco‐2, A549 and HMEC‐1 did not differ significantly between cell lines. We postulate that mouse 3T3 fibroblasts demonstrate significantly higher relative sensitivity to many agents with toxic potential.
The developmental basis of disease: Update on environmental exposures and animal models
Authors: Heindel Jerrold J.
Published: August 2018

At the Prenatal Programming and Toxicity (PPTox) Conference I in 2008, I presented an overview of the developmental origins of health and disease field focusing on environmental chemical exposures and disease outcomes. At that time, I noted that the field was getting off the ground with a focus on developmental exposure to a small number of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and disease outcomes across the lifespan in animal models. In this update, I note that the DOHaD field has changed significantly over the last decade. There are new windows of susceptibility including preconception, prepuberty, a focus on the mother and not just the offspring, and a significant focus on the new field of epigenetic transgenerational inheritance. New disease focus areas have sprung up including obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, all with a connection to developmental exposures to EDCs. There is also a focus on the study of new EDCs, molecular mechanisms, the development of new biomarkers of exposure and disease outcomes and studies focusing on intervention and prevention studies.
Towards the successful integration of e‐learning systems in higher education in Iraq: A student perspective
Authors: Ameen Nisreen , Willis Robert , Abdullah Media Noori , Shah Mahmood
Published: August 2018

This study aims to analyse the factors that can explain the adoption and effective use of a new e‐learning system in Iraq. To achieve this, it uses a selection of factors that are present in the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, and it includes three additional factors. The study hypothesises new relationships between the selected factors. Questionnaires were distributed to 300 university students in Iraq. Partial least squares‐structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) was used to analyse the data received. The findings suggest that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), subjective norms (SNs), information quality (IQ), system quality (SQ), technical support (TS) and self‐efficacy (SE) have significant effects on behavioural intention (BI). In turn, BI and TS have significant direct effects on the actual use (AU) of e‐learning systems. The factors age, gender and experience significantly moderated some of the relationships in the model. The research has several implications for policy makers, universities and the management of e‐learning systems.
Reintroduction of freshwater macroinvertebrates: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Jourdan Jonas , Plath Martin , Tonkin Jonathan D. , Ceylan Maria , Dumeier Arlena C. , Gellert Georg , Graf Wolfram , Hawkins Charles P. , Kiel Ellen , Lorenz Armin W. , Matthaei Christoph D. , Verdonschot Piet F. M. , Verdonschot Ralf C. M. , Haase Peter
Published: August 2018

Species reintroductions – the translocation of individuals to areas in which a species has been extirpated with the aim of re‐establishing a self‐sustaining population – have become a widespread practice in conservation biology. Reintroduction projects have tended to focus on terrestrial vertebrates and, to a lesser extent, fishes. Much less effort has been devoted to the reintroduction of invertebrates into restored freshwater habitats. Yet, reintroductions may improve restoration outcomes in regions where impoverished regional species pools limit the self‐recolonisation of restored freshwaters. We review the available literature on macroinvertebrate reintroductions, focusing on identifying the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that determine their success or failure. Our study reveals that freshwater macroinvertebrate reintroductions remain rare, are often published in the grey literature and, of the attempts made, approximately one‐third fail. We identify life‐cycle complexity and remaining stressors as the two factors most likely to affect reintroduction success, illustrating the unique challenges of freshwater macroinvertebrate reintroductions. Consideration of these factors by managers during the planning process and proper documentation – even if a project fails – may increase the likelihood of successful outcomes in future reintroduction attempts of freshwater macroinvertebrates.
Wnt signaling in human and mouse breast cancer: Focusing on Wnt ligands, receptors and antagonists
Authors: Yin Ping , Wang Wei , Zhang Zhongbo , Bai Yu , Gao Jian , Zhao Chenghai
Published: August 2018

Wnt proteins, a group of secreted glycoproteins, mainly combine with receptors Frizzled (FZD) and/or low‐density‐lipoprotein receptor‐related proteins 5/6 (LRP5/6), initiating β‐catenin‐dependent and ‐independent signaling pathways. These pathways, which can be regulated by some secreted antagonists such as secreted Frizzled‐related proteins (SFRP) and dickkopf‐related protein (DKK), play a critical role in embryo development and adult homeostasis. Overactivation of Wnt signaling has been implicated in some human diseases including cancer. Wnt transgenic mice provide convincing evidence that Wnt signaling is involved in breast cancer initiation and progression, which is further strengthened by observations on human clinical breast cancer patients and studies on in vitro cultured human breast cancer cells. This review focuses on the roles of Wnt ligands, receptors and antagonists in breast cancer development instead of molecules or signaling transactivating β‐catenin independent on Wnt upstream components.
Medical care experiences of children with autism and their parents: A scoping review
Authors: Wilson Shelby A. , Peterson Catherine C.
Published: August 2018

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families may benefit from the provision of additional supports in health care settings, particularly when preparing for and attending medical appointments. This review examined literature that describes experiences in medical care settings from the perspective of patients under age 18 with ASD and their caregivers. A scoping review was conducted to examine the experiences of children with ASD and their families in medical care settings. Twenty‐nine studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified and reviewed. The review indicated a number of challenges (e.g., parent‐reported problems in parent‐provider communication and overwhelming environments) as well as factors that facilitate positive experiences (e.g., providing positive reinforcement and explaining exam steps) during medical appointments. Children with ASD and their families are faced with many challenges while receiving care in medical settings. The present review identified many challenges families face, as well as facilitators of positive experiences. Understanding the unique experiences of patients with ASD and their parents will help to improve experiences in medical care settings for children, caregivers, and health care providers.
Comparison of the skin sensitization potential of 3 red and 2 black tattoo inks using interleukin‐18 as a biomarker in a reconstructed human skin model
Authors: Bil Wieneke , van der Bent Sebastiaan A. S. , Spiekstra Sander W. , Nazmi Kamran , Rustemeyer Thomas , Gibbs Susan
Published: August 2018

Background

During the last decade, the number of people with ≥1 tattoo has increased noticeably within the European population. Despite this, limited safety information is available for tattoo inks.

Objectives

To test the skin sensitization potential of 5 tattoo inks in vitro by using reconstructed human skin (RHS) and the contact sensitization biomarker interleukin (IL)‐18.

Methods

Two red and 3 black tattoo inks, 1 additive (Hamamelis virginiana extract) and 1 irritant control (lactic acid) were tested. The culture medium of RHS (reconstructed epidermis on a fibroblast‐populated collagen hydrogel) was supplemented with test substances in a dose‐dependent manner for 24 hours, after which cytotoxicity (histology; thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay) and skin sensitization potential (IL‐18 secretion; enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) were assessed.

Results

All but 1 ink showed cytotoxicity. Notably, 1 red ink and 1 black ink were able to cause an inflammatory response, indicated by substantial release of IL‐18, suggesting that these inks may be contact sensitizers.

Conclusions

The in vitro RHS model showed that 4 tattoo inks were cytotoxic and 2 were able to cause an inflammatory IL‐18 response, indicating that an individual may develop allergic contact dermatitis when exposed to these tattoo inks, as they contain contact sensitizers.
Cultural Effects Rather Than a Bilingual Advantage in Cognition: A Review and an Empirical Study
Authors: Samuel Steven , Roehr‐Brackin Karen , Pak Hyensou , Kim Hyunji
Published: August 2018

The bilingual advantage hypothesis contends that the management of two languages in the brain is carried out through domain‐general mechanisms, and that bilinguals possess a performance advantage over monolinguals on (nonlinguistic) tasks that tap these processes. Presently, there is evidence both for and against such an advantage. Interestingly, the evidence in favor has been thought strongest in children and older adults, leading some researchers to argue that young adults might be at peak performance levels, and therefore bilingualism is unable to confer an improvement. We conducted a large‐scale review of the extant literature and found that the weight of research pointed to an absence of positive evidence for a bilingual advantage at any age. We next gave a large number of young adult participants a task designed to test the bilingual advantage hypothesis. Reasoning from the literature that young adults from an East Asian (Korean) culture would likely outperform those from a Western (British) culture, we also compared participants on this factor. We found no evidence for a bilingual advantage but did find evidence for enhanced performance in the Korean group. We interpret these results as further evidence against the bilingual advantage hypotheses.
Real‐world opportunity of empagliflozin to improve blood pressure control in African American patients with type 2 diabetes: A National Cardiovascular Data Registry “research‐to‐practice” project from the diabetes collaborative registry
Authors: Arnold Suzanne V. , Seman Leo , Tang Fengming , Peri‐okonny Poghni A. , Ferdinand Keith C. , Mehta Sanjeev N. , Goyal Abhinav , Sperling Laurence S. , Kosiborod Mikhail
Published: August 2018

The 1245.29 Trial recently showed that empaglifozin improved both blood pressure and glucose control in African American (AA) patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension. Using the Diabetes Collaborative Registry, a large‐scale US registry of outpatients with diabetes recruited from primary care, cardiology and endocrinology practices, we sought to understand the potential impact of these observations in routine clinical practice. Among 74 290 AA patients with T2D from 368 US clinics, 60.4% had hypertension, of whom 34.5% had systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg (20.8% of the total AA T2D population). Only 1.7% of this eligible population had been prescribed a sodium‐glucose co‐transporter two inhibitor. The mean estimated 5‐year risk of cardiovascular death was 7.7%, which could be reduced to 6.2% when modelling the antihypertensive effect of empagliflozin across the eligible population (based on an 8‐mm Hg blood pressure reduction). These findings may represent a potential opportunity for better management of cardiovascular risk factors and improved outcomes in this vulnerable cohort.
Multimodality imaging of scimitar syndrome in adults: A report of four cases
Authors: Ngai Calvin , Freedberg Robin S. , Latson Larry , Argilla Michael , Benenstein Ricardo J. , Vainrib Alan F. , Donnino Robert , Saric Muhamed
Published: August 2018

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) comprises a group of congenital cardiovascular anomalies associated with pulmonary venous flow directly or indirectly into the right atrium. Scimitar syndrome is a variant of PAPVR in which the right lung is drained by right pulmonary veins connected anomalously to the inferior vena cava. Surgery is the definitive treatment for scimitar syndrome. However, it is not always necessary as many patients are asymptomatic, have small left‐to‐right shunts, and enjoy a normal life expectancy without surgery. We report multimodality imaging in four adults with scimitar syndrome and the implications for management of this rare syndrome.
HEARTDROID—Rule engine for mobile and context‐aware expert systems
Authors: Bobek Szymon , Nalepa Grzegorz J. , Ślażyński Mateusz
Published: August 2018

Building mobile context‐aware systems is inherently complex and non‐trivial task. It consists of several phases starting from acquisition of context, through modeling to execution of contextual models. Today, such systems are mostly implemented on mobile platforms, that introduce specific requirements, such as intelligibility, robustness, privacy, and efficiency. Over the last decade, along with the rapid development of mobile industry, many approaches were developed that unevenly support these requirements. This is mainly caused by the fact that current modelling and reasoning methods are not crafted to operate in mobile environments. We argue that the use of rule‐based reasoning tailored to mobile environments is an optimal solution. Rules are based on symbolic knowledge representation, as such they meet the general tendency to enforce understandability, intelligibility, and controllability of artificial intelligence software, as stated in the recent European Union General Data Protection Regulation. To this goal, we introduce a lightweight rule engine dedicated for Android platform called HEARTDROID. It executes models in the HMR+ rule language that are capable of expressing uncertainty of knowledge, capturing dynamics of mobile environment and provide high level of intelligibility. We present a qualitative and quantitative comparison of HEARTDROID with the most popular rule engines available.
Interregional Migration of Human Capital and Unemployment Dynamics: Evidence from Italian Provinces
Authors: Basile Roberto , Mantuano Marianna , Girardi Alessandro , Russo Giuseppe
Published: August 2018

Since the mid-1990s interregional migration flows in Italy have dramatically increased, especially from the South to the North. These flows are characterized by a strong component of human capital, involving a large number of workers with secondary and tertiary education. Using longitudinal data for the period 2002-2011 at NUTS-3 territorial level, we document that long-distance (i.e., South-North) net migration of high-skill workers has increased the unemployment at origin and decreased it at destination, thus deepening North-South unemployment disparities. On the other hand, long-distance net migration of low-skill workers has had the opposite effect, by lowering the unemployment at origin and raising it at destination. Further evidence also suggests that the diverging effect of high-skill migration dominates the converging effect of lowskill migration. Thus, concerns for an ‘internal brain drain’ from Southern regions look not groundless.
Potentially avoidable hospitalizations, non‐potentially avoidable hospitalizations and in‐hospital deaths among residents of long‐term care facilities
Authors: Jeon Boyoung , Tamiya Nanako , Yoshie Satoru , Iijima Katsuya , Ishizaki Tatsuro
Published: August 2018

Aim

The present study aimed to examine the percentage of and risk factors for potentially avoidable hospitalizations (PAH), non‐PAH and in‐hospital deaths among residents of special nursing homes for the elderly (SNH) and geriatric health service facilities (GHSF).

Methods

Long‐term care and national health insurance claims data (April 2012 to September 2013) were obtained from a suburban city in Chiba prefecture, Japan. Study participants were aged ≥75 years and resided in either SNH (n = 1138) or GHSF (n = 885). The PAH were defined using 17 medical condition groups, and the percentage of PAH, non‐PAH and in‐hospital deaths was identified, and associated factors were compared using multilevel logistic regression models for SNH and GHSF, respectively.

Results

A total of 34.5% SNH residents experienced any hospitalization, and this was composed of PAH (16.3%), non‐PAH (12.2%) or in‐hospital deaths (6.1%). Of the GHSF residents, 23.8% experienced any hospitalization, and this was comprised of PAH (9.5%), non‐PAH (10.6%) and in‐hospital death (3.7%). More than 70% of the PAH were related to respiratory infections, urinary tract infections or congestive heart failure. In both SNH and GHSF, artificial nutrition was positively associated with PAH and non‐PAHs, and male sex was positively associated with non‐PAHs and in‐hospital deaths. However, there were also discrepancies between SNH and GHSF in terms of risk factors for PAH.

Conclusions

The percentage of PAH was higher in SNH than in GHSF, which might be related to their different personnel and managerial regulations. The linkage of health and long‐term care claims data might facilitate data‐based evidence on policy‐making. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1272–1279.
Creative industries agglomeration and industrial efficiency in China
Authors: Yu Wentao
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we seek to explore the agglomeration externalities of creative industries impacting on industrial efficiency, both at the regional level and at the sector level. Firstly, we apply a data envelopment analysis model to compute the efficiency scores of creative industries in China. The result shows that China's industrial efficiency whether in different provinces or different creative sectors is characterized by huge disparities. Secondly, using the data from China's 31 provinces and 50 creative sectors during the period of 2004–2014, we empirically explore whether and how the development of creative industries agglomeration impact on industrial efficiency, where the agglomeration is distinguished between regional specialization, geographical concentration, and industrial concentration. We find that the three types of agglomeration externalities all play important roles in increasing productive efficiency in creative industries. The study also confirms that industrial efficiency is more likely to be increased by attracting much smaller firms concentrating in a given area, while this effect is mixed in a given creative sector.
Unnecessary Neuroimaging for Patients With Primary Headaches
Authors: Wang Rongfei , Liu Ruozhuo , Dong Zhao , Su Hui , Ao Ran , Liu Yinglu , Wang Yan , Ma Lin , Yu Shengyuan
Published: August 2018

Background – Headache may be due to either a primary or secondary disorder, and neuroimaging assessments can play an important role when differentiating between these types of headache. Although many studies have reported no significant differences between primary headache patients and the general population in terms of abnormal neuroimaging findings, others have shown that neuroimaging may be employed to rule out secondary causes of headache that could impact morbidity and mortality. This issue remains under debate. Thus, the present study compared the neuroimaging findings of headache patients and healthy controls.

Methods – This study recruited 1070 healthy controls and 1070 primary headache patients from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital. The primary headache patients were diagnosed by computerized clinical decision support systems, and re‐diagnosed by a specialist. All participants were assessed with either computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The neuroimaging findings were classified as significant abnormalities, non‐significant abnormalities, or normal.

Results – All the significant abnormalities were found using MRI scans. Significant abnormalities were identified in 4 primary headache patients (0.58%) and 5 healthy controls (0.73%); the rate of significant abnormalities was not significant different between both groups (P > .05).

Conclusions – The present study found that neuroimaging was unnecessary for the primary headache patients.
Producing World Heritage in the White City Tel Aviv
Authors: Flahive Robert
Published: August 2018

This paper engages with the political and spatial implications of UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Specifically, the paper explores the relationship between notions of heritage, Modernist Movement World Heritage, and nationalist imaginaries. I argue that the World Heritage regime validates and enables state authorities to exercise new forms of hegemonic domination, namely the exploitation of historical narratives to graft specific forms of national identity onto World Heritage Sites with the concomitant erasure of alternative readings and historical layers of a site. This paper focuses on World Heritage Sites in the modernist aesthetic to show these processes in action. I first decouple notions of “heritage” from World Heritage for greater analytical purchase on the embedded politics of modernist World Heritage Site identification and preservation. I then rely on the case of the “White City” Tel Aviv to tease out the narrative construction, erasure of alternative histories and readings of the space, and most importantly, the exercise of new forms of spatial domination at this modernist World Heritage Site. The paper concludes with three recommendations for a more holistic, equitable, and representative World Heritage regime.
Effects of yttria and magnesia on densification and thermal conductivity of sintered reaction‐bonded silicon nitrides
Authors: Zhou You , Hyuga Hideki , Kusano Dai , Matsunaga Chika , Hirao Kiyoshi
Published: August 2018

A variety of combinations of Y2O3 and MgO were used as additives in preparing Si3N4 ceramics by the sintering of reaction‐bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) method. By varying the amount of Y2O3 in the range of 0‐5 mol% and that of MgO in the range of 0‐8 mol%, the effects of Y2O3 and MgO additives on nitridation and sintering behaviors as well as thermal conductivity were studied. It was found that appropriate amount and combination of Y2O3 and MgO additives were essential for attaining full densification and achieving high thermal conductivity. The sample doped with 2.5 mol% of Y2O3 and 5 mol% of MgO attained a thermal conductivity of 128 Wm−1K−1 when sintered at 1900°C for 6 hours, and the sample doped with 2 mol% of Y2O3 and 4 mol% of MgO achieved a thermal conductivity of 156 Wm−1K−1 when sintered for 24 hours.
Maternal infection requiring hospitalization during pregnancy and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder in offspring: a quasi‐experimental family‐based study
Authors: Ginsberg Ylva , D'Onofrio Brian M. , Rickert Martin E. , Class Quetzal A. , Rosenqvist Mina A. , Almqvist Catarina , Lichtenstein Paul , Larsson Henrik
Published: August 2018

Background

Maternal infection during pregnancy (IDP) has been associated with increased risk of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring. However, infection is associated with social adversity, poor living conditions and other background familial factors. As such, there is a need to rule out whether the observed association between maternal IDP and ADHD might be attributed to such confounding.

Methods

This nationwide population‐based cohort study using a family‐based, quasi‐experimental design included 1,066,956 individuals born in Sweden between 1992 and 2002. Data on maternal IDP (bacterial or viral) requiring hospitalization and ADHD diagnosis in offspring were gathered from Swedish National Registers, with individuals followed up through the end of 2009. Ordinary and stratified Cox regression models were used for estimation of hazard ratios (HRs) and several measured covariates were considered. Cousin‐ and sibling‐comparisons accounted for unmeasured genetic and environmental factors shared by cousins and siblings.

Results

In the entire population, maternal IDP was associated with ADHD in offspring (HR = 2.31, 95% CI = 2.04–2.61). This association was attenuated when accounting for measured covariates (HR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.65–2.10). The association was further attenuated when adjusting for unmeasured factors shared between cousins (HR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.12–2.07). Finally, the association was fully attenuated in sibling comparisons (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.76–1.41).

Conclusions

This study suggests that the association between maternal IDP and offspring ADHD is largely due to unmeasured familial confounding. Our results underscore the importance of adjusting for unobserved familial risk factors when exploring risk factors for ADHD.
Investigating the effects of cesarean delivery and antibiotic use in early childhood on risk of later attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Axelsson Paul Bryde , Clausen Tine Dalsgaard , Petersen Anne Helby , Hageman Ida , Pinborg Anja , Kessing Lars Vedel , Bergholt Thomas , Rasmussen Steen Christian , Keiding Niels , Løkkegaard Ellen Christine Leth
Published: August 2018

Background

Increasing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) incidence has been proposed to be caused by factors influencing microbiota in early life. We investigated the potential causality between ADHD and two surrogate markers for changes in children's microbiota: birth delivery mode and early childhood antibiotic use.

Method

This population‐based, prospective cohort study linked nationwide registers of data for native Danish singleton live births in Denmark from 1997 to 2010. Exposure variables were delivery mode and antibiotic use during the first 2 years of life. The main outcome measure was ADHD diagnosis or redeemed ADHD medication prescriptions. For statistical analysis, we used both advanced sibling models and a more traditional approach.

Results

We included 671,592 children, followed from their second birthday in the period 1999–2014 for 7,300,522 person‐years. ADHD was diagnosed in 17,971. In total, 17.5% were born by cesarean delivery, and 72% received antibiotic treatment within their first 2 years of life. In the adjusted between‐within sibling survival model, mode of delivery or antibiotics had no effect on ADHD when compared with vaginal delivery or no antibiotic treatment as hazard ratios were 1.09 (95% confidence interval 0.97–1.24) for intrapartum cesarean, 1.03 (0.91–1.16) for prelabor cesarean, 0.98 (0.90–1.07) for penicillin, and 0.99 (0.92–1.06) for broader spectrum antibiotics. In a sibling‐stratified Cox regression, intrapartum cesarean was associated with increased ADHD risk, but other exposures were not. In a descriptive, nonstratified Cox model, we found increased risk for ADHD for all exposures.

Conclusions

Detailed family confounder control using the superior between‐within model indicates that cesarean delivery or use of antibiotics during the first 2 years of life does not increase ADHD risk. Therefore, our study suggests that changes in children's microbiota related to cesarean delivery or antibiotic use, do not cause ADHD.
Understanding of antidiabetic medication is associated with blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes: At baseline date of the KAMOGAWA‐DM cohort study
Authors: Sakai Ryosuke , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Ushigome Emi , Okamura Takuro , Hamaguchi Masahide , Yamazaki Masahiro , Oda Yohei , Fukui Michiaki
Published: August 2018

Aims/Introduction

Medication adherence, which is decreased by a poor understanding of medications, has a close association with blood glucose level in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, a relationship between the understanding of antidiabetic medication and blood glucose level in patients with type 2 diabetes is unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the understanding of antidiabetic medication and blood glucose level in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Lifestyle factors were evaluated by a questionnaire method, in the present cross‐sectional study. Poor understanding of antidiabetic medication (PUAD) was defined as a discrepancy between the answer and the actual use of oral antidiabetic medication on the questionnaire. Poor blood glucose level was defined as hemoglobin A1c ≥8%. To investigate the impact of PUAD on poor blood glucose level, propensity‐score matching analysis was used to remove the bias of confounding variables, including sex, age, log (duration of diabetes +1), body mass index, number of oral antidiabetic medications, smoking status, alcohol drinking, exercise, nephropathy, neuropathy, oral antidiabetic medications and insulin.

Results

Among 479 patients, 40 patients (8.4%) were categorized into the PUAD group. The hemoglobin A1c of patients with PUAD was higher than that of patients without (7.5 [1.3] vs 7.2 [0.9]%, P = 0.041). In the propensity‐matched 74 patients, PUAD was associated with poor blood glucose level (odds ratio 5.45, 95% confidence interval 1.54–25.8, P = 0.007) by logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

A poor understanding of antidiabetic medication is associated with poor blood glucose level in patients with type 2 diabetes.