bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green accounting practices: lesson from an emerging economy
Authors: Maama Haruna , Appiah Kingsley Opoku
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Reporting on only the financial performance of an organisation is no longer the focus of reporting because, gradually, investors and other stakeholders demand that companies also report on their effect on the environment and the society. Accounting and reporting for the environment has, therefore, increasingly become important to stakeholders and organisations because the effect of an organisation’s environmental and social performance on its financial health. The purpose of this study is to examine the extend of voluntary green accounting practice of companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on content analysis of 202 annual reports of 23 listed firms in Ghana, from 2006 to 2015.

Findings

The mining, oil and gas sector has integrated environmental sustainability information in their accounting system. With regards to the nature of green disclosure, the content analysis depicts that only positive qualitative disclosures were provided in the annual reports. Again, almost all the companies increased the quality and quantity of environmental disclosures over the years.

Practical implications

The service and manufacturing sectors should integrate environmental sustainability information in their accounting system. This, in turn, may enhance their legitimacy to access critical resources for survival.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the green and social reporting practices literature from Ghana, a sub-Sahara Africa country.
Customer satisfaction with Ijarah financing
Authors: Adeinat Iman , Al Rahahleh Naseem , Bhatti M. Ishaq
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess customers’ perceptions of Islamic banks (IBs) of customers who have used or intend to use Ijarah service to purchase a car. The study further examines the mediating role of clarity and accuracy (CAA) of service offered between customer perceptions and customer satisfaction. This paper focuses on connecting in quantitative terms customers’ perceptions of IB services to customer satisfaction by providing the first evidence of this relationship in the context of car Ijarah financing.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a model is proposed to assess customers’ perceptions of the Ijarah service used by IBs to finance car purchases. The model connects customers’ perceptions to customer satisfaction with thisShariah-compliant service. The data are drawn from 300 randomly selected customers living in five major cities in Pakistan, and factor analysis and structural equation modeling are used to understand the patterns of correlation/covariance among a set of variables and to evaluate customers’ perceptions of Ijarah financing for car purchases.

Findings

The results of the study show a significant positive relationship between customers’ perceptions and customer satisfaction. In particular, the CAA of the services provided is a significant predictor of customer satisfaction. This paper finds that CAA is a partial mediator between customers’ perceptions and customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

As this study is based on only one country and one simple car Ijarah financing product, the results cannot be generalized to the entire industry. Therefore, deeper research is needed in which data from other countries are used and a range of models and approaches are applied to secure knowledge about the multinational and multifactor variations of Ijarah financing.

Practical implications

In terms of their implications for IBs, the study results provide a basis for the banks to more effectively cater to their customers by improving the services offered in line with customers’ expectations and thereby increasing profitability. This investigation is much needed in academia and industry because the market share for Ijarah financing is growing and competition between IB products and conventional banking products is increasing.

Originality/value

This study presents the first endeavor to use exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to assess customer satisfaction in Ijarah financing using Pakistani banking clients’ data. This approach is also applicable to various IB financial products andShariahcontracts.
High bacterial diversity in nearshore and oceanic biofilms and their influence on larval settlement by Hydroides elegans (Polychaeta)
Authors: Lema Kimberley A. , Constancias Florentin , Rice Scott A. , Hadfield Michael G.
Published: May 2019

Settlement of many benthic marine invertebrates is stimulated by bacterial biofilms, although it is not known if patterns of settlement reflect microbial communities that are specific to discrete habitats. Here, we characterized the taxonomic and functional gene diversity (16S rRNA gene amplicon and metagenomic sequencing analyses), as well as the specific bacterial abundances, in biofilms from diverse nearby and distant locations, both inshore and offshore, and tested them for their ability to induce settlement of the biofouling tubeworm Hydroides elegans, an inhabitant of bays and harbours around the world. We found that compositions of the bacterial biofilms were site specific, with the greatest differences between inshore and offshore sites. Further, biofilms were highly diverse in their taxonomic and functional compositions across inshore sites, while relatively low diversity was found at offshore sites. Hydroides elegans settled on all biofilms tested, with settlement strongly correlated with bacterial abundance. Bacterial density in biofilms was positively correlated with biofilm age. Our results suggest that the localized distribution of H. elegans is not determined by ‘selection’ to locations by specific bacteria, but it is more likely linked to the prevailing local ecology and oceanographic features that affect the development of dense biofilms and the occurrence of larvae.
Impact of different intraoperative CO2 pressure levels (8 and 15 mmHg) during laparoscopic hysterectomy performed due to benign uterine pathologies on postoperative pain and arterial pCO2: a prospective randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: Radosa JC , Radosa MP , Schweitzer PA , Radosa CG , Stotz L , Hamza A , Takacs Z , Lepper PM , Wagenpfeil S , Linxweiler M , Morinello E , Solomayer E‐F
Published: May 2019

Objective

To compare the effects of two different intraoperative CO2 pressures (8 and 15 mmHg) during laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign uterine pathologies in terms of postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain, laparoscopy‐mediated vegetative alterations, pain medication requirement, arterial CO2 pressure (pCO2), surgical parameters, and safety.

Design

Prospective randomised controlled study.

Setting

German university hospital.

Population

Female patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign uterine pathologies.

Methods

Patients were randomised to a standard pressure (SP; 15 mmHg, control) or low‐pressure (LP; 8 mmHg, experimental) group.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcomes were postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain intensities, measured via numeric rating scale (NRS) and vegetative parameters (fatigue, nausea, vomiting, bloating) at 3, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were pain medication requirement (mg) and arterial pCO2 (mmHg). Surgical parameters and intra‐ and postoperative complications were also recorded.

Results

In total, 178 patients were included. Patients in the LP group (n = 91) showed significantly lower postoperative abdominal and shoulder pain scores, fewer vegetative alterations, lower pain medication requirements, a shorter postoperative hospitalization, and lower intra‐ and postoperative arterial pCO2 values compared with the SP group (n = 87; P ≤ 0.01). No differences in intra‐ and postoperative complications were observed between groups.

Conclusions

Low‐pressure laparoscopy seems to be an effective and safe technique for the reduction of postoperative pain and laparoscopy‐induced metabolic and vegetative alterations following laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications.

Tweetable abstract

Low‐pressure laparoscopy seems to be an effective and safe technique for reduction of pain following laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Metabolic Variance: A Metric to Detect Shifts in Stream Ecosystem Function as a Result of Stream Restoration
Authors: Blersch Stacey Sloan , Blersch David M. , Atkinson Joseph F.
Published: May 2019

The restoration of lotic ecosystems as currently practiced is constrained by a limited understanding of the emergence of stream ecosystem functions and their linkages to perceived ecosystem services valued by society. An investigation was made into the connections between ecosystem function and hydraulic structure of a stream impacted by gravel mining operations in western New York. Stream ecosystem metabolic parameters were measured using two‐point dissolved oxygen diurnals on multiple reaches of the same stream, and were correlated with geomorphic and hydraulic descriptors of the same reaches. Results showed ecosystem metabolism at the reach scale varied as a function of geomorphic condition, where higher primary production and community respiration (CR) were observed for reaches observed to be unstable vs. those that were stable or restored. The metabolic variance of a stream ecosystem, proposed as a measure of the degree to which a desired ecological functional goal has been achieved post‐restoration, is determined as the rate of change of the ratio of primary production to CR. Shifts in the P/R ratio were evident in reaches post‐restoration, presumably as a result of changes in hydraulic structure, supporting the utility of the ratio by describing a direct link between instream hydraulic conditions and ecosystem function.
Assessment of Groundwater Depletion and Implications for Management in the Denver Basin Aquifer System
Authors: Ruybal Christopher J. , Hogue Terri S. , McCray John E.
Published: May 2019

The Denver Basin Aquifer System (DBAS) is a critical groundwater resource along the Colorado Front Range. Groundwater depletion has been documented over the past few decades due to the increased water use among users, presenting long‐term sustainability challenges. A spatiotemporal geostatistical analysis is used to estimate potentiometric surfaces and evaluate groundwater storage changes between 1990 and 2016 in each of the four DBAS aquifers. Several key depletion patterns and spatial water‐level changes emerge in this work. Hydraulic head changes are the largest in the west‐central side of the DBAS and have decreased in some areas by up to 180 m since 1990, while areas to the northwest show increases in hydraulic head by over 30.5 m. The Denver and Arapahoe aquifers show the largest groundwater storage losses, with the highest rates occurring in the 2000s. The results highlight uncertainty in the volumetric predictions under various storage coefficient calculations and emphasize the importance of representative aquifer characterization. The observed groundwater storage depletions are due to a combination of factors, which include population growth increasing the demand for water, variable precipitation, and drought influencing recharge, and increased groundwater pumping. The methods applied in this study are transferable to other groundwater systems and provide a framework that can help assess groundwater depletion and inform management decisions at other locations.
A Parallel Computation Tool to Enable Dynamic Sensitivity and Model Performance Analysis of APEX: Evapotranspiration Modeling
Authors: Talebizadeh Mansour , Moriasi Daniel N. , Steiner Jean L. , Gowda Prasanna H. , Tadesse Haile , Nelson Amanda M. , Starks Patrick J.
Published: May 2019

Global sensitivity analysis can be used for assessing the relative importance of model parameters on model outputs. The sensitivity of parameters usually indicates a temporal variation due to variation in the environmental conditions (e.g., variation in weather or plant growth). In addition, the size of averaging window by which the outputs of a model are aggregated or averaged may impact parameter sensitivities. In this study, temporal variation of parameters sensitives, model performance, as well as the impact of the size of time‐averaging window on evapotranspiration (ET) prediction using the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model are investigated. To achieve these goals, an open‐source package named PARAPEX was developed in R and used to perform dynamic sensitivity and model performance analysis of APEX using parallel computation. PARAPEX reduced the computation time from 5,939 to 379 s (using 20 and 1 computation nodes, respectively). The sensitivity analysis results indicated the parameters accounting for the reducing effect of plant cover on evaporation from the soil surface, the effect of soil on the plant root growth, and the effect of cycling and transformation dynamics of organic matter at the top soil layer as the top sensitive parameters based on the mean daily simulated ET and the Nash–Sutcliffe model performance measure. The dynamic performance analysis indicated poor ET predictions by APEX during the growing seasons. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems. See the February 2019 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
Comparison of Evapotranspiration Simulation Performance by APEX Model in Dryland and Irrigated Cropping Systems
Authors: Tadesse Haile K. , Moriasi Daniel N. , Gowda Prasanna H. , Steiner Jean L. , Talebizadeh Mansour , Nelson Amanda M. , Starks Patrick J. , Marek Gary
Published: May 2019

Accurate estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) is essential to improve water use efficiency of crop production systems managed under different water regimes. The Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model was used to simulate ET using four potential ET (ETp) methods. The objectives were to determine sensitive ET parameters in dryland and irrigated cropping systems and compare ET simulation in the two systems using multiple performance criteria. Measured ET and crop yield data from lysimeter fields located in the United States Department of Agriculture‐Agricultural Research Service Bushland, Texas were used for evaluation. The number of sensitive parameters was higher for dryland (11–14) than irrigated cropping systems (6–8). Only four input parameters: soil evaporation plant cover factor, root growth soil strength, maximum rain intercept, and rain intercept coefficient were sensitive in both cropping systems. Overall, it is possible to find a set of robust parameter values to simulate ET accurately in APEX in both cropping systems using any ETp method. However, more computation time is required for dryland than irrigated cropping system due to a relatively larger number of sensitive input parameters. When all inputs are available, the Penman–Monteith method takes the shortest computation time to obtain one model run with robust parameter values in both cropping systems. However, in areas with limited datasets, one can still obtain reasonable ET simulations using either Priestley–Taylor or Hargreaves. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems. See the February 2019 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
Rapid identification and interpretation of gene–environment associations using the new R.SamBada landscape genomics pipeline
Authors: Duruz Solange , Sevane Natalia , Selmoni Oliver , Vajana Elia , Leempoel Kevin , Stucki Sylvie , Orozco‐terWengel Pablo , Rochat Estelle , Dunner Susana ,   The NEXTGEN Consortium,   The CLIMGEN Consortium, Bruford Michael W. , Joost Stéphane
Published: May 2019

samβada is a genome–environment association software, designed to search for signatures of local adaptation. However, pre‐ and postprocessing of data can be labour‐intensive, preventing wider uptake of the method. We have now developed R.SamBada, an r‐package providing a pipeline for landscape genomic analysis based on samβada, spanning from the retrieval of environmental conditions at sampling locations to gene annotation using the Ensembl genome browser. As a result, R.SamBada standardizes the landscape genomics pipeline and eases the search for candidate genes of local adaptation, enhancing reproducibility of landscape genomic studies. The efficiency and power of the pipeline is illustrated using two examples: sheep populations from Morocco with no evident population structure and Lidia cattle from Spain displaying population substructuring. In both cases, R.SamBada enabled rapid identification and interpretation of candidate genes, which are further discussed in the light of local adaptation. The package is available in the r CRAN package repository and on GitHub (github.com/SolangeD/R.SamBada).
Efficacy and safety of leflunomide in psoriatic arthritis treatment: A single‐arm meta‐analysis
Authors: Dai Qiaoding , Xu Liping , Yu Xiali
Published: May 2019

Aim

To systematically assess the clinical efficacy and safety of leflunomide for treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until 1 January, 2018, to include relevant studies in this single‐arm meta‐analysis. Psoriasis improvement was evaluated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. The primary outcome in patients was assessed using the Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC). Other effectiveness evaluations included those of adverse events, quality of life including functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] total score), and a quality‐of‐life instrument for dermatologic diseases (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] total score).

Results

A total of 6 studies were included. After leflunomide treatment, 48% of the patients experienced a reduction of ≥50% based on PASI scores (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22‐0.73). PASI 75 improvement was observed among 25% of the patients (95% CI: 0.11‐0.38). The primary effectiveness analysis revealed that 15% of the patients (95% CI: 0.07‐0.26) discontinued leflunomide treatment. Further, 77% of the patients (95% CI: 0.59‐0.92) achieved a PsARC response. Adverse events occurred in 38% of the patients (95% CI: 0.04‐0.71). The mean ± SD percentage PASI improvement was −4.88 (95% CI: −8.92, −0.85). Moreover, DLQI and HAQ were −2.02 (95% CI: −3.01, −1.03) and −0.19 (95% CI: −0.29, −0.09), respectively.

Conclusions

Leflunomide is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for PsA, and would be a safe and convenient option.
Regional Powers’ Rise and Impact on International Conflict and Negotiation: China and India as Global and Regional Players
Authors: Narlikar Amrita
Published: May 2019

In this article, I investigate the impact that the rise of regional powers as global players has had on the nature of international conflict, and also the negotiating table. I focus specifically on China and India, and analyze their negotiating behavior in two areas: one multilateral, the other regional. Despite the apparent similarities that one might assume at first glance, the article points to some significant points of difference between these two players. The differences are important from a policy perspective, besides being theoretically interesting. The argument proceeds in five parts. The first section explains the reasoning behind the case selection, with respect to the countries (China and India) as well as issue‐areas (multilateral trade governance, and the Belt and Road Initiative [BRI]). It also outlines the main hypotheses in Section 1. Section 2 investigates the two hypotheses about the negotiation behaviors of China and India in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Section 3 takes on a similar comparison with reference to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Section 4 presents the conclusions of the study, and Section 5 offers policy recommendations.
Israeli and Palestinian Stories. Can Mediators Reconfigure Incompatible Narratives?
Authors: Rosoux Valérie
Published: May 2019

The rise of further tensions and wars in the Middle East interconnects, oversimplifies and radicalizes narratives. The aim of the article is to question the scope and practical limits of the mediators’ power regarding parties’ representations of the past. The study is divided into four parts. The first describes the specific challenge faced by practitioners. The other parts explore the Israeli‐Palestinian case, focusing on three distinct approaches to contradictory narratives. The first can be summarized by the formula ‘neither nor’ (neither the Israeli narrative, nor the Palestinian narrative). In concealing interpretations of the past, mediators try to do away with the ‘tyranny of the past’. The second approach takes into consideration ‘both the Israeli and the Palestinian narratives’. It tends to be inclusive and to consider all interpretations of the past. The third and last approach applies a ‘on the one hand, on the other hand’ reasoning in order to forge new interpretations of the past. At each stage of the research, the purpose is to question the actual impact of these approaches. Do they enable the parties to move on, or do they reinforce the deadlock? Do they open the minds of the negotiators or do they rather close them?
Comparing two classes of alpha diversities and their corresponding beta and (dis)similarity measures, with an application to the Formosan sika deer Cervus nippon taiouanus reintroduction programme
Authors: Chao Anne , Chiu Chun‐Huo , Wu Shu‐Hui , Huang Chun‐Lin , Lin Yi‐Ching
Published: May 2019

Diversity partitioning, which decomposes gamma diversity into alpha and beta components, is commonly used to obtain measures that quantify spatial/temporal diversity and compositional similarity or dissimilarity among assemblages. We focus on the decomposition of diversity as measured by Hill numbers (parameterized by a diversity order q ≥ 0).

At least three diversity‐partitioning schemes based on Hill numbers have been proposed. These schemes differ in the way they formulate alpha diversity. We focus on comparing two classes of alpha diversities, developed, respectively, by Routledge (1979) and Chiu et al. (2014). Both are defined for all diversity orders q ≥ 0. Because these two approaches to quantifying alpha have not been compared in the literature; it has been unclear how to choose a proper alpha formulation for practical applications.

We review the two classes of alpha diversities and discuss the properties of their corresponding beta and (dis)similarity measures. Our research offers clear guidelines regarding the choice of an alpha formula: (a) If the goal is to assess compositional (dis)similarity among (unweighted) species relative abundance datasets, then the two alpha formulas are identical, leading to the same beta and (dis)similarity measures. (b) If the goal is to assess compositional (dis)similarity among (unweighted) species raw abundance datasets, then Chiu et al.’s approach should be used. Their beta can be monotonically transformed to various (dis)similarity measures in the range [0, 1]. (c) If each assemblage is weighted by its absolute, total abundance (i.e. assemblage size), but the goal is to assess compositional (dis)similarity among species relative abundance datasets, then Routledge’s approach should be used. In this case, construction of legitimate (dis)similarity measures among species relative abundance datasets for unequal assemblage sizes/weights, for any order q ≥ 0, has not been addressed in the literature. Here we propose non‐monotonic transformations of Routledge’s beta to fill this gap.

The extension of our analysis to phylogenetic diversity partitioning is generally parallel. We apply various species/taxonomic and phylogenetic dissimilarity measures to Taiwan’s plant data; the results provide insights into the assessment of a reintroduction programme of Formosan sika deer into a forest area. Pertinent sampling and related issues are also discussed.
Transference of natural diversity from the apomictic germplasm of Paspalum notatum to a sexual synthetic population
Authors: Zilli Alex L. , Acuña Carlos A. , Schulz Roberto R. , Marcón Florencia , Brugnoli Elsa A. , Novo Sabina F. , Quarin Camilo L. , Martínez Eric J.
Published: May 2019

Genetic improvement in apomictic forage species has been restricted because of the absence of genetic variability in sexual germplasm with the same ploidy level. Following a new breeding scheme, a sexual synthetic tetraploid population (SSTP) of Paspalum notatum has been generated. The objectives of this work were: (a) to evaluate the genetic variability in SSTP by means of molecular markers, morphologic and agronomic traits, and seed fertility and quality traits and (b) to assess the transference of genetic variability from the apomictic germplasm to the sexual one. Molecular markers revealed a twofold higher level of variability in the SSTP in comparison with the sexual germplasm utilised for its generation, and similar levels with the apomictic ones; moreover, markers showed that most of the variability was inherited from the apomictic germplasm. Morphologic and agronomic traits and seed fertility and quality traits showed high levels of variation in the three groups of genotypes indicating that the new breeding scheme was effective in transferring variability from the apomictic germplasm to the SSTP. This new population will be useful in breeding of P. notatum, and the breeding scheme used for its generation may be used in other apomictic species.
Simultaneous Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among College Students: Patterns, Correlates, Norms, and Consequences
Authors: White Helene R. , Kilmer Jason R. , Fossos‐Wong Nicole , Hayes Kerri , Sokolovsky Alexander W. , Jackson Kristina M.
Published: May 2019

Background

Alcohol and marijuana users often engage in simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use (i.e., using the 2 substances together so that their effects overlap), which can result in more negative consequences than using either substance alone. Nevertheless, little is known about SAM use among contemporary college students to aid in the development of preventive interventions. This study examined SAM use patterns, demographic correlates of SAM use, and normative influences on SAM use and related negative consequences among college students.

Methods

Students who had used alcohol and marijuana in the past year were recruited from 3 state universities in states with different laws regarding recreational marijuana use (N = 1,389). They completed an online survey, which assessed their own alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use and related consequences, their perceptions of the proportion of same‐gender peers and close friends who engaged in SAM use, marijuana access, and demographic characteristics.

Results

About three‐fourths of participants reported at least 1 occasion of SAM use in the past year with an average frequency of twice per month among SAM users. There were significant differences in SAM use prevalence and frequency by sociodemographic characteristics controlling for past‐year alcohol and marijuana frequency. Students in a state with decriminalized recreational marijuana use reported higher frequency of past‐year SAM use than students in states with legalized or criminalized use. There were significant demographic differences in perceived norms regarding SAM use among close friends and same‐gender peers. SAM users endorsed significantly higher perceived peer and friend norms than nonusers. Also, higher perceived norms predicted more frequent SAM use and more negative consequences of use.

Conclusions

Results indicate a need for prevention programs on college campuses that address SAM use. Interventions that use personalized normative feedback may be effective.
Trends in Prescribed Central Nervous System Depressant Medications Among Adults Who Regularly Consume Alcohol: United States 1999 to 2014
Authors: Borodovsky Jacob T. , Krauss Melissa J. , Chi Tingying , Bierut Laura J. , Grucza Richard A.
Published: May 2019

Background

Although the risks of using central nervous system depressant (CNS‐D) medications with alcohol are well documented, little is known about trends in prescribed use of these medications among individuals who regularly consume alcohol (i.e., trends in “concurrent use”). We examined changes in the prevalence of prescribed CNS‐D medications among individuals who drank alcohol on 52 or more occasions in the past year (“regular drinking”). CNS‐D medications included sedative‐hypnotics (subclassified as anxiolytics or sleep medications) and opioids.

Methods

We used 8 cross‐sectional cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2000 to 2013–2014) from participants aged 20 and older (n = 37,709). We used log‐binomial regression to examine (i) prevalence trends of prescribed CNS‐D medication use, (ii) trend differences by drinking status, and (iii) correlates of CNS‐D medication use.

Results

Among those who drink regularly, the relative annual increase in prevalence of sedative‐hypnotic use was 5.3% (95% CI: 2.7 to 7.9): Anxiolytic and sleep medication use increased annually by 3.7% (95% CI: 0.8 to 6.7) and 11.2% (95% CI: 6.5 to 16.0), respectively. Opioid use trends among those who drink regularly were not statistically significant but were nonlinear. Differences in CNS‐D medication trends between those who drink regularly and those who drink infrequently/abstain were not statistically significant. Those who drink regularly were less likely than those who drink infrequently/abstain to use opioids (adjusted relative risk [ARR]: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.78) and anxiolytics (ARR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.81), but not sleep medications (ARR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.35). Those aged 40 and older were 2 to 5 times as likely as those aged 20 to 29 to use sedative‐hypnotics.

Conclusions

Among those who drink regularly, the prevalence of prescribed sedative‐hypnotic use increased and prescribed opioid use remained common. These trends indicate that a substantial portion of the population is at risk of alcohol‐related adverse drug reactions—particularly those aged 40 and older.
Falls, fear of falling and related factors in community‐dwelling individuals aged 80 and over in Turkey
Authors: Simsek Hatice , Erkoyun Erdem , Akoz Ali , Ergor Alp , Ucku Reyhan
Published: May 2019

Objective

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls, fear of falling (FOF) and related factors in individuals aged 80 and over living in the Balçova district of Izmir.

Methods

One thousand and seventy‐five individuals aged 80 years or older participated. The dependent variables were falls and fear of falling. The independent variables were socio‐demographic and socio‐economic characteristics, health‐related characteristics and 'safety status of home' features.

Results

The participants’ mean age was 84.1 ± 3.7 (range, 80‐101) years, and 60.8% were female (n = 582). The prevalence of falls was 35.4% in the last year, and fear of falling was 86.6%. The risk factors for falls were number of chronic diseases, moderate and high fall risk, sleep disturbance and slippery bathroom floors, whilst for fear of falling they were number of chronic diseases, female gender, living alone and moderate or high fall risk.

Conclusion

A monitoring program is indicated to address high fall and fear of falling prevalence among people aged 80 and over.
Expression of Toll‐like receptors and costimulatory molecules in splenic B cells in a normal and abortion‐prone murine pregnancy model
Authors: Lorek Daria , Kedzierska Anna Ewa , Slawek Anna , Chelmonska‐Soyta Anna
Published: May 2019

Problem

The regulatory role of B lymphocytes in the pregnancy‐induced maternal immune response is not well recognized. B lymphocytes function as antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) and regulate Toll‐like receptors and costimulatory molecule expression in response to intrinsic and extrinsic signals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, and MHC class II and the costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, and CD40 in splenic B cells in a normal and abortion‐prone murine pregnancy model.

Methods of study

The expression level of these molecules on female splenic B cells was investigated using real‐time PCR and flow cytometry. The analysis was performed on the 3rd and 14th day of normal (CBA/JxBALB/c) and abortion‐prone (CBA/JxDBA/2J) murine pregnancy.

Results

The expression of Tlr9, Cd86, and H2‐Ab1 in splenic B cells on the 3rd day after mating was upregulated, whereas Tlr2 was downregulated in abortion‐prone females. On day 14, we observed lower expression levels of Tlr4 and Cd80 and higher expression levels of Cd86 in CBA/J females mated with DBA/2J males. At the protein level, the differences were observed only on day 3 of pregnancy. TLR4 and CD40 molecules were upregulated in splenic B cells, while TLR9 and CD86 were downregulated in abortion‐prone mice.

Conclusion

Differential expression of TLRs and costimulatory molecules in splenic B cells in abortion‐prone and normal pregnancies suggests the involvement of these cells in the regulation of the immune response at the periphery in pregnant females.
Does Direct Democracy Hurt Immigrant Minorities? Evidence from Naturalization Decisions in Switzerland
Authors: Hainmueller Jens , Hangartner Dominik
Published: May 2019

Do minorities fare worse under direct democracy than under representative democracy? We provide new evidence by studying naturalization requests of immigrants in Switzerland that were typically decided with referendums in each municipality. Using panel data from about 1,400 municipalities for the 1991–2009 period, we exploit Federal Court rulings that forced municipalities to transfer the decisions to their elected municipality councils. We find that naturalization rates surged by about 60% once politicians rather than citizens began deciding on naturalization applications. Whereas voters in referendums face no cost of arbitrarily rejecting qualified applicants based on discriminatory preferences, politicians in the council are constrained to formally justify rejections and may be held accountable by judicial review. Consistent with this mechanism, the increase in naturalization rates caused by switching from direct to representative democracy is much stronger for more marginalized immigrant groups and in areas where voters are more xenophobic or where judicial review is more salient.
Editorial: bodybuilders beware
Authors: Feldman David M. , Jacobson Ira M.
Published: May 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Robles‐Diaz et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15211.
Editorial: mesalazine and mucosal microbiome in quiescent ulcerative colitis—what can we learn?
Authors: Buchner Anna M. , Lichtenstein Gary R.
Published: May 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Olaisen et al and Olaisen and Fossmark papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15227 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15285.
Editorial: mesalamine and mucosal microbiome in quiescent ulcerative colitis—what can we learn? Authors' reply
Authors: Olaisen Maya , Fossmark Reidar
Published: May 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Olaisen et al and Buchner and Lichtenstein papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15227 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15281.
Mercury exposure and its effects on fertility and pregnancy outcome
Authors: Bjørklund Geir , Chirumbolo Salvatore , Dadar Maryam , Pivina Lyudmila , Lindh Ulf , Butnariu Monica , Aaseth Jan
Published: May 2019

Mercury (Hg), a highly toxic environmental pollutant, shows harmfulness which still represents a big concern for human health, including hazards to fertility and pregnancy outcome. Research has shown that Hg could induce impairments in the reproductive function, cellular deformation of the Leydig cells and the seminiferous tubules, and testicular degeneration as well as abnormal menstrual cycles. Some studies investigated spontaneous abortion and complicated fertility outcome due to occupational Hg exposure. Moreover, there is a relation between inhaled Hg vapour and reproductive outcome. This MiniReview evaluates the hypothesis that exposure to Hg may increase the risk of reduced fertility, spontaneous abortion and congenital deficits or abnormalities.
Compensation for cures: Why we should pay a premium for participation in ‘challenge studies’
Authors: Anomaly Jonathan , Savulescu Julian
Published: May 2019

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing public health problems humanity faces. Research into new classes of antibiotics and new kinds of treatments – including risky experimental treatments such as phage therapy and vaccines – is an important part of improving our ability to treat infectious diseases. In order to aid this research, we will argue that we should permit researchers to pay people any amount of money to compensate for the risks of participating in clinical trials, including ‘challenge studies’ that involve deliberately infecting patients. We think that standard worries about paying for participation in risky research are reducible to concerns that can be addressed with the right screening mechanisms.
Impact of metformin use on the outcomes of newly diagnosed diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma
Authors: Wang Yucai , Maurer Matthew J. , Larson Melissa C. , Allmer Cristine , Feldman Andrew L. , Bennani N. Nora , Thompson Carrie A. , Porrata Luis F. , Habermann Thomas M. , Witzig Thomas E. , Ansell Stephen M. , Slager Susan L. , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Cerhan James R.
Published: May 2019

The diabetes mellitus (DM) drug metformin targets mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin and inhibits lymphoma growth in vitro. We investigated whether metformin affected outcomes of newly diagnosed diffuse large B‐cell (DLBCL, n = 869) and follicular lymphoma (FL, n = 895) patients enrolled in the Mayo component of the Molecular Epidemiology Resource cohort study between 2002 and 2015. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, prognostic index and treatment were used to estimate the association of metformin exposure (No DM/No metformin; DM/No metformin; DM/Metformin) with event‐free (EFS), lymphoma‐specific (LSS) and overall (OS) survival. Compared to No DM/No metformin DLBCL patients, there was no association of DM/Metformin (n = 48; HR = 1·05, 95% CI 0·59–1·89) or DM/No metformin(n = 54; HR = 1·41, 95% CI 0·88–2·26) with EFS; results were similar for LSS and OS. Compared to No DM/No metformin FL patients, there was no association of DM/Metformin (n = 37; HR = 1·16, 95% CI 0·71–1·89) or DM/No metformin (n = 19; HR = 1·16, 95% CI 0·66–2·04) with EFS; results were similar for LSS. However, DM/Metformin was associated with inferior OS (HR = 2·17; 95% CI 1·19–3·95) compared to No DM/No metformin. In conclusion, we found no evidence that metformin use was associated with improved outcomes in newly diagnosed DLBCL and FL.
New basic insights on the potential of a chitosan‐based medical device for improving functional recovery after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Muratori Luisa , Fregnan Federica , Ronchi Giulia , Haastert‐Talini Kirsten , Metzen Jennifer , Bertolo Riccardo , Porpiglia Francesco , Geuna Stefano
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To evaluate: (i) the neuro‐regenerative potential of chitosan membrane (CS‐Me) on acutely axotomised autonomic neurones in vitro; (ii) to exclude the possibility that a pro‐regenerative biomaterial could interfere with the proliferation activity of prostate cancer cell lines; (iii) to provide an in vivo proof of the biocompatibility and regeneration promoting effect of CS‐Me in a standardised rat model of peripheral nerve injury and repair; (iv) finally, to evaluate the tissue reaction induced by the degrading material; as previous studies have shown promising effects of CS‐Me for protection of the neurovascular bundles for potency recovery in patients that undergo nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy (RP).

Materials and Methods

Addressing aim (i), the neuro‐regenerative potential, organotypic cultures derived from primary sympathetic ganglia were cultured on CS‐Me over 3 days and neurite extension and axonal sprouting were evaluated.

Addressing aim (ii), effects of CS on cancer cells, different human prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU‐145, LN‐Cap) were seeded on CS‐coated plates or cultured in the presence of CS‐Me dissolution products.

Addressing aims (iii) and (iv), functional recovery of peripheral nerve fibres and tissue reaction with the biomaterial, CS‐Me and CS nerve guides were used to repair a median nerve injury in the rat. Functional recovery was evaluated during the post‐recovery time by the behavioural grasping test.

Results

CS‐Me significantly stimulated axon elongation from autonomic ganglia in comparison to control conditions in organotypic three‐dimensional cultures. CS coating, as well as the dissolution products of CS‐Me, led to a significantly lower proliferation rate of prostate cancer cell lines in vitro.

Tissue reaction towards CS‐Me and standard CS nerve guides was similar in the rat median nerve model, as was the outcome of nerve fibre regeneration and functional recovery.

Conclusion

The results of this study provide the first experimental evidence in support of the clinical safety of CS‐Me and of their postulated effectiveness for improving functional recovery after RP. The presented results are coherent in demonstrating that acutely axotomised autonomic neurones show increased neurite outgrowth on CS‐Me substrate, whilst the same substrate reduces prostate cancer cell line proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, CS‐Me do not demonstrate any disadvantage for peripheral nerve repair in a standard animal model.
Relationships between tectonic activity and sedimentary source‐to‐sink system parameters in a lacustrine rift basin: A quantitative case study of the Huanghekou Depression (Bohai Bay Basin, E China)
Authors: Liu Hao , van Loon A. J. (Tom) , Xu Jie , Tian Lixin , Du Xiaofeng , Zhang Xintao , Chen Danlei
Published: May 2019

Lacustrine rift basins commonly preserve a fairly complete record of the sediment source‐to‐sink (S2S) system, and consequently may form an ideal natural laboratory for establishing quantitative relationships between the various elements within the S2S system. The tectonic‐activity rate in the source (e.g., fault‐growth rate and fault‐activity rate), accommodation space and depositional system in the sink (e.g., areal extent and volume, as well as the depositional dip of the fan‐ and braid‐deltas) are genetically related and their quantitative correlations are explored. The Palaeogene succession on the southwestern margin of the Huanghekou Depressionin the Bohai Bay Basin, one of the largest lacustrine rift basins in eastern China, was chosen to study these relationships, using 3‐D seismic, core and well‐log data. The tectonic activity was strongly related to the sediment supply, accommodation space and morphology of the sink area. Three different rates of tectonic activity are identified; these led to changes in the basic features of the S2S system that influenced each other. In Members 4 and 3 (lower unit) of the Shahejie Fm. (40.44–44.7 Ma), strong tectonic activity led to significant uplift, resulting in the widest exposure of the provenance area to erosion, to a high sediment‐supply rate, to a steep slope and to a large accommodation space which controlled the development of several fan‐deltas with steep progradational angles. In Member 3 (upper unit) of Shahejie Fm. (37.89–40.44 Ma) and Member 3 of Dongying Fm. (30.2–33.28 Ma), decreased tectonic activity led to slower uplifting, resulting in a wider alluvial plain, longer transport distances, a lower sediment‐supply rate and less accommodation space, so that braid‐deltas with larger volumes and a gentler slope developed; In Members 1 and 2 of Shahejie Fm. (33.28–37.89 Ma) and Member 2 of Dongying Fm. (26.71–30.2 Ma), still further decreasing tectonic activity led to a still lower sediment‐supply rate, a more gentle depositional slope, less accommodation space, and the development of several braid‐deltas with a gentle angle. The quantitative relationships established here advance our understanding of the relationships within lacustrine source‐to‐sink systems, especially for tectonically controlled rift basins.
Superorganisms or loose collections of species? A unifying theory of community patterns along environmental gradients
Authors: Liautaud Kevin , van Nes Egbert H. , Barbier Matthieu , Scheffer Marten , Loreau Michel
Published: May 2019

The question whether communities should be viewed as superorganisms or loose collections of individual species has been the subject of a long‐standing debate in ecology. Each view implies different spatiotemporal community patterns. Along spatial environmental gradients, the organismic view predicts that species turnover is discontinuous, with sharp boundaries between communities, while the individualistic view predicts gradual changes in species composition. Using a spatially explicit multispecies competition model, we show that organismic and individualistic forms of community organisation are two limiting cases along a continuum of outcomes. A high variance of competition strength leads to the emergence of organism‐like communities due to the presence of alternative stable states, while weak and uniform interactions induce gradual changes in species composition. Dispersal can play a confounding role in these patterns. Our work highlights the critical importance of considering species interactions to understand and predict the responses of species and communities to environmental changes.
The Value of Choice: An Experiment Using Multiple‐Choice Tests
Authors: Aray Henry , Pedauga Luis
Published: May 2019

This article presents a novel experimental methodology in which groups of students were offered the option to choose between two equivalent scoring rules to assess a multiple‐choice test. The effect of choosing the scoring rule on marks is tested. Two major contributions arise from this research. First, it contributes to the literature on the value of choice. Second, it also contributes to the literature on the educational measurement of knowledge. The results suggest that choice could positively affect students' scores. However, students need to learn to choose the assessment method. Moreover, women seem to obtain greater benefits from the option of choosing the scoring rule.