bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving board diversity around the world: the role of institutional investors
Authors: Alshabibi Badar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of institutional investors in improving board diversity for the companies in which they invest (investee companies) using evidence from corporate board characteristics across the globe. Additionally, this study also investigates the association between institutional investors and board diversity under various institutional settings, including varying economic conditions (pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis), legal systems and ownership structures.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample collected from 15 countries for the period 2006 to 2012, the paper uses panel data analysis to examine the association between institutional investors and board diversity.

Findings

The study provides evidence that institutional investors do not promote board diversity and show that in general there is no association between institutional ownership and various board diversity attributes such as gender, age, nationality and education. However, the study finds that institutional investors are positively associated with the educational diversity of boards during times of crisis and are negatively associated with board age diversity during pre-crisis and post-crisis periods. Furthermore, while in common law countries institutional investors are found to be negatively associated with board age diversity, they do not influence board diversity outcomes (i.e. gender, age, nationality and education) in civil law countries. The results also show that the associations between institutional investors and board diversity are mixed and insignificant according to different ownership structures (family and non-family owned firms). The main findings of the study are robust and apply to various estimation methods.

Originality/value

This study provides a unique perspective on the impact of institutional investors on board diversity using a sample collected from 15 countries. Furthermore, the study provides an insight that the institutional settings should be considered when investigating the activism of institutional investors in improving governance practices.
Developing and training artificial neural networks using bootstrap data envelopment analysis for best performance modeling of sawmills in Ontario
Authors: Shahi Shashi K. , Dia Mohamed , Yan Peizhi , Choudhury Salimur
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The measurement capabilities of the data envelopment analysis (DEA) models are used to train the artificial neural network (ANN) models for the best performance modeling of the sawmills in Ontario. The bootstrap DEA models measure robust technical efficiency scores and have benchmarking abilities, whereas the ANN models use abstract learning from a limited set of information and provide the predictive power.

Design/methodology/approach

The complementary modeling approaches of the DEA and the ANN provide an adaptive decision support tool for each sawmill.

Findings

The trained ANN models demonstrate promising results in predicting the relative efficiency scores and the optimal combination of the inputs and the outputs for three categories (large, medium and small) of sawmills in Ontario. The average absolute error in predicting the relative efficiency scores varies from 0.01 to 0.04, and the predicted optimal combination of the inputs (roundwood and employees) and the output (lumber) demonstrate that a large percentage of the sawmills shows less than 10% error in the prediction results.

Originality/value

The purpose of this study is to develop an integrated DEA-ANN model that can help in the continuous improvement and performance evaluations of the forest industry working under uncertain business environment.
From gateway to custodian city: Understanding urban residents’ sense of connectedness to Antarctica
Authors: Leane Elizabeth , Lucas Chloe , Marx Katie , Datta Doita , Nielsen Hanne , Salazar Juan Francisco
Published: June 2021

Antarctic “gateway” cities have been characterised primarily as portals through which goods and services from around the world can be transported to the frozen continent. However, recent research suggests that this concept should be expanded to address other forms of connectivity, including those felt by people living in these cities rather than simply passing through them. In this article, we explore the meaning of urban relations to Antarctica in the 21st century, focusing on the Australian city of Hobart. We outline evolving understandings of gateway cities, and of Antarctic gateways particularly; examine Hobart’s diverse connections to the far south; and analyse current public policy related to the city’s “gateway” status. We then report the results of a survey (n = 300) conducted in 2018 to investigate how citizens understand their city’s relationship with Antarctica. Survey results show that residents prioritised ecological concerns over economic or political issues and felt strongly that the city should play a custodian role in the future of Antarctica. Hobartians’ strong sense of environmental and cultural connectedness with Antarctica suggests a need to rethink the concept of Antarctic gateways if policy is to reflect adequately the meaning of this identity to residents of the cities that circle the southern continent.
Two‐episode Tectono‐thermal Events of the Heyuan Fault in Late Cretaceous and Oligocene and their Tectonic Implications, Southernmost South China Block
Authors: WANG Qiangmao , LI Hailong , LI Tingdong , DING Xiaozhong , ZHEN Junwei , ZHANG Min , FAN Yanxia
Published: June 2021

The Heyuan Fault, is one of the main NE‐trending faults in the southernmost South China Block and is close to the northernmost South China Sea to the south. The fault features multi‐stage deformation and controlled the formation of late Cretaceous to Cenozoic basins. Based on detailed field investigations and comprehensive geochronological research, including zircon U‐Pb, Rb‐Sr isochron, zircon U‐Th‐He dating, two episodic tectono‐thermal events are recognized. The first occurred during ∼79 Ma to 66 Ma, which is characterized by large‐scale quartz‐fluid emplacement. The other occurred at ∼34 Ma, which features the eruption of a set of basalts. The two events show a changing on material source from siliceous hydrotherm to basalt magma, supporting obvious lithospheric thinning of the southernmost South China Block, which shed light on the geological evolution and the interaction mechanisms between the SCB and the northern South China Sea since the Late Cretaceous.
Syn‐mineralization Uplifting and Exhumation of Porphyry Systems in China: Evidence from Fluid Inclusion Data
Authors: ZHOU Aorigele , ZHENG Ming , TANG Juxing , HE Wen , CHEN Hongjin
Published: June 2021

In order to understand how the metallogenic process of porphyry deposit specifically and directly respond to regional uplifting and exhumation, we compiled previous fluid inclusion data of 32 porphyry deposits in China by recalculating the fluid trapping depths and trapping depth reduction magnitude from early to late mineralization stage veins. The data reveal that the average trapping pressure ratio (Ave TPE/TPL) between early‐ and late‐stage veins of the these deposits are 1.2–18.4, mainly in the range of 1.35–5.83, with average trapping pressure reduction (1–Ave TPL/TPE) from early‐ to late‐ stage veins are 17%–95%, and mainly in the range of 25%–83%. The fluid trapping pressure based mineralization depths most of the porphyry deposits in China had decreased from early to late vein stages by at least 450 m (900–5800 m predominant), or greater than 950 m when take the average depth reduction value, which is greater than the current gap between early‐ and late‐ stage veins of each deposit. We propose that the apparently greater mineralization depth reduction magnitude than the current elevation gaps between early and late veins are likely a consequence of syn‐mineralization uplifting and exhumation process that often occurs in porphyry systems.
Novel strategy of cartilage repairingviaapplication ofP. atlanticawith stem cells and collagen
Authors: Tanideh Nader , Borzooeian Giti , Lotfi Mehrzad , Sani Mahsa , Irajie Cambyz , Ghaemmaghami Parvin , Koohi‐Hosseinabadi Omid , Tanideh Romina , Hashempour Sadeghian Mahdi , Borzooeian Zahra , Iraji Aida
Published: June 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory joint condition, still lacking effective treatments. Some factors consider as the main causes of OA, including biochemical, mechanical, and genetic factors. The growth of studies confirmed that modern medicine in combination with folk medicine regarding the arrival of reliable, efficient, and safe therapeutic products against OA. In the present study, the effects of various single and combinatorial treatments of knee articular cartilage, including stem cells, collagen, andP. atlanticahydroalcoholic leaves extract were investigated in a rat‐induced OA model. On week 12 after OA confirmation, histopathology and radiography assessments were evaluated and the serum and synovial fluid levels of TAC, TNF‐α, PEG2, MPO, MMP3, MMP13, and MDA were also measured. Combination therapy of OA‐induced rats with hydroalcoholic extract ofP. atlanticleaves, stem cells, and collagen considerably increased the efficacy of treatment as evidenced by increasing the TAC and lowering TNF‐α, MPO, MMP3, and MMP13 compared to control group and even groups received single therapy. This is in agreement with a high amount of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of the hydroalcoholic extract ofP. atlanticleaves. It is concluded that multifunctional agents targeting the pathophysiology of OA has exhibited significant therapeutic effects against OA.
Screening for compensated advanced chronic liver disease using refined Baveno VI elastography cutoffs in Asian patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zhou Yu‐Jie , Gao Feng , Liu Wen‐Yue , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Mahadeva Sanjiv , Raihan Nik Mustapha Nik , Wang Xiao‐Dong , Chan Wah‐Kheong , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Zheng Ming‐Hua
Published: June 2021

Background

Recently, Papatheodoridi et al proposed to refine the Baveno VI elastography dual‐cutoffs and introduce an algorithm for the detection of compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) in asymptomatic European patients with chronic liver diseases.

Aims

To validate the performance of the dual‐cutoffs (8/12 kPa) and the proposed algorithm to identify patients with cACLD in three well‐characterised Asian nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cohorts.

Methods

We included 830 patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD. Liver stiffness was measured using transient elastography (FibroScan).

Results

cACLD was found in 21.8% of patients. Compared with the original Baveno VI elastography criteria (10/15 kPa), the new cutoffs showed a comparable specificity and a higher sensitivity for identifying cACLD. We developed a simplified risk model incorporating age, liver stiffness value, and platelet count, which outperformed liver stiffness measurement alone in two Chinese cohorts (P = 0.001), and was further validated in a Malaysian cohort (P = 0.04). Overall, the “two‐step” screening of cACLD improved classification rates from 73.5% by the original dual‐cutoffs to 86.7%. Notably, usage of our simplified risk model resulted in significantly lower false‐negative rate than the refined screening approach by Papatheodoridi et al (27.1% vs 41.4%; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The dual elastography cutoffs of 8 and 12 kPa are more appropriate to identify cACLD in Asian patients with NAFLD. In combination with a simplified risk model in unclassified patients, the two‐step approach showed a classification rate of about 85%.
Associations between trust and drinking among adolescents
Authors: Sjödin Lars , Livingston Michael , Karlsson Patrik , Larm Peter , Raninen Jonas
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Trust is closely linked with health, but previous research on its association with alcohol use has yielded mixed findings. The aim of this study is to examine: (i) how two different dimensions of trust (general/institutional) are associated with alcohol use among adolescents; (ii) how these dimensions interact with alcohol use; and (iii) whether the associations are moderated by sex, parenting, health, school satisfaction or economic disadvantage.

Methods

A nationwide sample of 5549 adolescents (aged 15–16 years) in Sweden answered a questionnaire in school. General and institutional trust were measured with five items each. Logistic regressions were used to examine associations between drinking and the trust dimensions, and the cross‐combinations of these. Moderation by sex, parenting, health, school satisfaction and economic disadvantage was tested.

Results

General and institutional trust were both significantly associated with drinking. High scores on both dimensions simultaneously were associated with the lowest probability of drinking, and low scores on both with the highest. Low institutional trust had a stronger association than low general trust. The combination of high institutional/low general trust was more protective than low institutional/high general trust. The association between general trust and drinking was moderated by school satisfaction, and the relationship between institutional trust and drinking was moderated by parental support and control.

Discussion and Conclusions

High trust is associated with a lower probability of past‐year drinking among 15–16‐year‐olds. Parents and schools can be useful in endeavours to prevent low‐trusting individuals in this age group from drinking.
When Incivility Is a Form of Civility: Challenging the Comfort of Willful Ignorance
Authors: Applebaum Barbara
Published: June 2021

Abstract

In this essay, Barbara Applebaum reframes the case for subversive incivility by emphasizing the links between civility, comfort, and willful ignorance. The scholarship defending incivility gives much attention to ascertaining when incivility is justified. While acknowledging the importance of this focus, Applebaum asks whether it fails to adequately acknowledge (1) the role that willful ignorance plays in maintaining systemic privilege and oppression, and (2) how calls for civility are demands for dominant group comfort that protect willful ignorance from challenge. The essay begins with a review of some of the arguments that have been articulated in defense of justified incivility, particularly Tracy Owen Patton's concept of hegemonic civility. Next, Applebaum calls attention to how subversive incivility aims to disrupt the dominant group comfort that preserves willful ignorance, arguing that “incivility” is marked not by the tone of an utterance or argument, but rather by whether the message challenges hegemonic frameworks. She then elaborates the type of ignorance involved in willful ignorance and, finally, uses this concept to analyze a case of student “incivility” at Yale University. Applebaum concludes by recommending a shift in focus from establishing what counts as civility versus incivility to addressing the more fundamental question about what one is unwilling to know.
Re‐thinking therapeutic development for CNS metastatic disease
Authors: Saberian Chantal , Davies Michael A.
Published: June 2021

There has been unprecedented progress in the development of systemic therapies for patients with metastatic melanoma over the last decade. There is now tremendous potential and momentum to further and markedly reduce the impact of this disease. However, developing more effective treatments for metastases to the CNS remains a critical challenge for patients with melanoma. Melanoma patients with active CNS metastases have largely been excluded from both early‐phase and registration trials for all currently approved targeted and immune therapies for this disease. While this exclusion has generally been justified in clinical research due to concerns about poor prognosis, lack of CNS penetration of agents and/or risk of toxicities, recent post‐approval trials have shown the feasibility, safety and clinical benefit of clinical investigation in these patients. These trials have also identified key areas for which more effective strategies are needed. In parallel, recent translational and preclinical research has provided insights into novel immune, molecular and metabolic features of melanoma brain metastases that may mediate the aggressive biology and therapeutic resistance of these tumors. Together, these advances suggest the need for new paradigms for therapeutic development for melanoma patients with CNS metastasis.
Classification of cracking sources of different engineering media via machine learning
Authors: Huang Jie , Hu Qianting , Song Zhenlong , Zhang Gongheng , Qin Chao‐Zhong , Wu Mingyang , Wang Xiaodong
Published: June 2021

Complex civil structures require the cooperation of many building materials. However, it is difficult to accurately monitor and evaluate the inner damage states of various material systems. Based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) and the acoustic emission (AE) time‐frequency diagram, we used the transfer learning method for classifying the AE signals of different materials under external loads. The results show the CNN model can accurately classify cracks that come from different materials based on AE signals. The recognition accuracy can reach 90% just by retraining the full connection layer of the pretrained model, and its accuracy can reach 97% after retraining the top 2 convolutional layers of this model. A realization of cracking source identification mainly depends on the differences in mineral particles in materials. This work highlights the great potential for real‐time and quantitative monitoring of the health status of composite civil structures.
Inspired and engaged: Decoding MASSTIGE value in engagement
Authors: Das Manish , Saha Victor , Roy Abhirupa
Published: June 2021

This study explores two burgeoning aspects of marketing research; inspiration and engagement, in the context of mass‐prestige brands; that is those brands that position themselves among middle‐income people on the plank of mass‐prestige by maintaining premium feeling at an attainable price. Specifically, it examines the role of desire and perceived value in activating masstige inspiration and shaping masstige engagement. In addition, it investigates whether the transition from inspiration to masstige engagement varies based on need for uniqueness tendencies. Following a survey method, responses were obtained from 396 (354 usable) masstige (car) luxury buyers in India using a structured questionnaire. Covariance‐based Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the direct and mediation hypotheses, while moderation hypotheses were checked using multi‐group SEM. The study indicates that affective desire (discomfort, pleasure and guilt), but not cognitive (control) and perceive value (functional value, emotional value and social value), shapes consumers’ masstige engagement (cognitive, affective and behavioural). Affective desire and perceived value activates masstige inspiration (“inspired byi”) leading to masstige intention (inspired to) and finally masstige engagement. Creative choice counter conformity as uniqueness tendency strengthens the effect of masstige intention (inspired to) on masstige engagement but not unpopular and avoidance of similarity uniqueness tendencies. Study findings will significantly strengthen engagement and inspiration literature in general and masstige in particular besides providing input to the marketers in shaping masstige branding and communication strategies.
Long‐term effectiveness of an mHealth‐tailored physical activity intervention in youth with congenital heart disease: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lin Pei‐Jung , Fanjiang Yong‐Yi , Wang Jou‐Kou , Lu Chun‐Wei , Lin Kuan‐Chia , Cheong In‐Mei , Pan Kuan‐You , Chen Chi‐Wen
Published: June 2021

Aims

To evaluate the long‐term effectiveness of the Care & Organize Our Lifestyle (COOL) programme, a self‐regulation theory‐based mHealth programme, on improving disease knowledge and physical activity in youth with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Design

A three‐arm parallel‐group randomized controlled trial.

Methods

A total 143 participants with simple and moderate CHD aged 15–24 years were recruited from June 2016 to February 2018. The 12‐month programme compared two active intervention groups to a standard‐care control group (n = 47). Participants in one active intervention group (n = 49) were provided with COOL Passport, a mobile healthcare application. Those in the other group (n = 47) were provided with access to the Health Promotion Cloud system and use of game‐based interactive platforms along with COOL Passport. Outcomes were the Leuven Knowledge Questionnaire for Congenital Heart Disease and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Taiwan Show‐Card Version.

Results

After 12 months, 103 participants remained; the overall attrition rate was 28%. No significant differences were observed between the groups in any domain of disease knowledge after 6 months or 1 year. Neither active group exhibited significantly greater physical activity intensity than the standard‐care control group in any month during the 1 year.

Conclusion

The mHealth‐tailored intervention of the COOL programme did not improve disease knowledge or physical activity in young adults with CHD.

Impact

The application of the COOL Passport and Health Promotion Cloud system and use of game‐based interactive platforms must be modified and verified in future studies and may have clinical potential.

Trial registration: The registry of clinical trials was ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04264650.
Differential effects of aquatic anaesthetics on the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics: Examples using florfenicol in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Rairat T , Chi Y , Chang S‐K , Hsieh C‐Y , Chuchird N , Chou C‐C
Published: June 2021

Anaesthetics are commonly applied in pharmacokinetic (PK) studies to assure smooth handling of experimental procedures or to promote animal welfare. However, the influence of anaesthetics on the PK of co‐administered drug is generally unknown but assumes ignorable. The goal of the study was to investigate the effect of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS‐222), 2‐phenoxyethanol (2‐PE) and eugenol (EUG) on the PK of florfenicol (FF) in Nile tilapia. Twenty‐eight fish were repeatedly exposed to 90 ppm EUG, 300 ppm MS‐222 or 900 ppm 2‐PE before FF oral administration (15 mg/kg) and each successive blood sampling. The serum concentration–time profiles were analysed by a 2‐compartmental model, and the generated parameters in the control (without anaesthetic) and anaesthetic groups were statistically compared. The results demonstrated that the serum concentrations of each anaesthetic were similar at every FF sampling times (70 μg/ml for MS‐222; 277 μg/ml for 2‐PE; and 61 μg/ml for EUG). In comparison with the control group, the repeated use of MS‐222 did not result in a statistical difference in most of the PK parameters. In contrast, the elimination half‐lives of the 2‐PE and EUG groups were significantly longer whereas the absorption and distribution half‐lives of the 2‐PE group were significantly shorter than the control, resulting in altered optimal dosages in the simulation modelling. Whether or not the numbers and extent of PK parameters change mitigate subsequent estimations of other PK‐derived secondary values such as dosing regimen and withdrawal time remains to be elucidated, but the auxiliary use of anaesthetics in PK studies should not assume uninfluential.
COVID‐19 outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases in Latin America: Results from SECURE‐IBD registry
Authors: Queiroz Natália S F , Martins Camilla de Almeida , Quaresma Abel B , Hino Adriano A F , Steinwurz Flavio , Ungaro Ryan C , Kotze Paulo G
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim

One of the most impacted regions by the pandemic globally, Latin America is facing socioeconomic and health‐care challenges that can potentially affect disease outcomes. Recent data suggest that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients do not have an increased risk of the development of COVID‐19 complications. However, the impact of COVID‐19 on IBD patients living in least developed areas remains to be fully elucidated. This study aims to describe the outcomes of IBD patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 in countries from Latin America based on data from the SECURE‐IBD registry.

Methods

Patients from Latin America enrolled in the SECURE‐IBD registry were included. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. The studied outcomes were (i) a composite of need for intensive care unit admission, ventilator use, and/or death (primary outcome) and (ii) a composite of any hospitalization and/or death (secondary outcome). Multivariable regression was used to identify risk factors of severe COVID‐19.

Results

During the study period, 230 cases (Crohn's disease: n = 115, ulcerative colitis: n = 114, IBD‐unclassified [IBD‐U]: n = 1) were reported to the SECURE‐IBD database from 13 different countries. Primary outcome was observed in 17 (7.4%) patients, and the case fatality rate was 1.7%. In the adjusted multivariable model, the use of systemic corticosteroids (odds ratio [OR] 10.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.44–34.99) was significantly associated with the primary outcome. Older age (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00–1.05), systemic corticosteroids (OR 9.33; 95% CI: 3.84–22.63), and the concomitant presence of one (OR 2.14; 95% CI: 0.89–5.15) or two (OR 10.67; 95% CI: 1.74–65.72) comorbidities were associated with the outcome of hospitalization or death.

Conclusion

Inflammatory bowel disease patients with COVID‐19 in Latin America appear to have similar outcomes to the overall global data. Risk factors of severe COVID‐19 are similar to prior reports.
The Propagation of Regional Shocks in Housing Markets: Evidence from Oil Price Shocks in Canada
Authors: Kilian Lutz , Zhou Xiaoqing
Published: June 2021

The response of Canadian housing markets to oil price shocks provides strong evidence that shocks to the demand for housing that originate in one region also raise house prices in other regions. We develop a theoretical model that helps understand this finding. The model differentiates between oil‐producing and nonoil‐producing regions and incorporates multiple sectors, trade between provinces, government redistribution, and consumer spending on fuel. We empirically confirm the model prediction that oil price shocks are transmitted to housing markets in nonoil‐producing regions by the government redistribution of oil revenue and increased interprovincial trade.
On causal and non‐causal cointegrated vector autoregressive time series
Authors: Rygh Swensen Anders
Published: June 2021

Previous‐30 treatments of multivariate non‐causal time series have assumed stationarity. In this article, we consider integrated processes in a non‐causal setting. We generalize the Johansen–Granger representation for causal vector autoregressive (VAR) models to allow for dependence on future errors and discuss how the parameters can be estimated. The asymptotic distribution of the trace statistic is also considered. Some Monte Carlo simulations are presented.
Drug‐induced liver injury at a tertiary care centre in Germany: Model for end‐stage liver disease is the best predictor of outcome
Authors: Reike‐Kunze Martin , Zenouzi Roman , Hartel Johannes , Krech Till , Weidemann Sören , Sterneck Martina , Weiler‐Normann Christina , Lohse Ansgar W. , Schramm Christoph , Sebode Marcial
Published: June 2021

Background & Aims

Agents most frequently inducing idiosyncratic drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) differ between countries worldwide. Besides, there is no consistent data on the best model predicting mortality or the need for liver transplantation in DILI. We here analysed the DILI cohort of our centre with regard to causative drugs and clinical outcome.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 157 consecutive severe DILI patients presenting to our tertiary care centre in Hamburg, Germany, from 2008 to 2018, was performed.

Results

The most frequent putatively causative drugs were phenprocoumon (n = 21), metamizole (n = 17) and flupirtine (n = 6). The mean values of ALT, bilirubin and Model for End‐stage Liver Disease (MELD) score at the time of hospitalisation were 1201 U/L (SD: 1169 U/L), 6.8 mg/dL (SD: 7 mg/dL) and 17 (SD: 8). About 71% of all cases were treated with steroids or steroids combined with n‐acetylcysteine. About 12.1% of all DILI cases had a poor outcome (liver transplantation and/or death). At the time of admission, MELD score performed better than Hy's law, the ratio (R) or the new ratio (nR) on their own or combined with bilirubin, regarding sensitivity or specificity for poor outcome. MELD score had a c‐statistic of 0.847 (95% CI: 0.731‐0.964). Furthermore, the cut‐off of 18 MELD points had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 72% for poor outcome.

Conclusion

Phenprocoumon and metamizole are frequent causative drugs for DILI in Germany. In comparison to other prognostic scores, MELD score ≥18 at the time of admission performed best in our cohort for the prediction of poor outcome in DILI.
Inferior cure rate in pilot study of 4‐week glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment with or without ribavirin of chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Madsen Lone W. , Christensen Peer B. , Fahnøe Ulrik , Pedersen Martin S. , Bukh Jens , Øvrehus Anne
Published: June 2021

Background & Aims

Shortening the treatment duration for chronic hepatitis C may increase feasibility and reduce the cost of cure. The aims of this study were to compare 4 weeks of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) treatment with and without ribavirin for patients with chronic hepatitis C and favourable baseline characteristics and to monitor the development of resistance‐associated substitutions (RAS) and re‐treatment outcomes if treatment failed.

Methods

We performed an open‐label single‐centre randomized controlled trial, in which patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomized 1:1 to GLE/PIB ± ribavirin, stratified by genotype 3. The main inclusion criteria were treatment‐naive patients, aged 18‐49 with all genotypes accepted, and absence of liver fibrosis, determined by liver stiffness measurement less than 8 kPa. Viral genome sequences were determined by deep sequencing at baseline and at the time of relapse.

Results

A total of 32 patients started treatment. Sustained virological response at week 12 (SVR12) was 59% (10/17) for GLE/PIB without ribavirin and 73% (11/15) for GLE/PIB with ribavirin. Drug target‐specific NS5A RAS were detected at baseline for 45% (5/11) of patients with treatment failure and for 14% (3/21) of patients who achieved SVR12. Ten failure patients were retreated 12 weeks with sofosbuvir‐based regimens; all have been cured.

Conclusions

In this pilot study of 4‐week treatment with GLE/PIB with and without ribavirin, we found that baseline RAS were more frequent in patients with virological failure. Development of RAS did occur after short treatment but did not result in retreatment failure with a different regimen.

EudraCT no: 2017‐005179‐21.
Safety of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with advanced liver disease
Authors: Semmler Georg , Pomej Katharina , Bauer David J. M. , Balcar Lorenz , Simbrunner Benedikt , Binter Teresa , Hartl Lukas , Becker Jeannette , Pinter Matthias , Quehenberger Peter , Trauner Michael , Mandorfer Mattias , Lisman Ton , Reiberger Thomas , Scheiner Bernhard
Published: June 2021

Background & Aims

While direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly used in patients with liver disease, safety data especially in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) are limited.

Methods

Liver disease patients receiving DOAC treatment (ACLD: n = 104; vascular liver disease: n = 29) or vitamin K antagonists (VKA)/low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH; ACLD: n = 45; vascular: n = 13) between January 2010 and September 2020 were retrospectively included. Invasive procedures and bleeding events were recorded. Calibrated anti‐Xa peak levels and thrombomodulin‐modified thrombin generation assays (TM‐TGAs) were measured in a subgroup of 35/28 DOAC patients.

Results

Among patients receiving DOAC, 55 (41.3%) had advanced liver dysfunction (Child‐Pugh‐stage [CPS] B/C) and 66 (49.6%) had experienced decompensation. Overall, 205 procedures were performed in 60 patients and procedure‐related bleedings occurred in 7 (11.7%) patients. Additionally, 38 (28.6%) patients experienced spontaneous (15 minor, 23 major) bleedings during a median follow‐up of 10.5 (IQR: 4.0‐27.8) months. Spontaneous bleedings in ACLD patients were more common in CPS‐B/C (at 12 months: 36.9% vs CPS‐A: 15.9%, subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR]: 3.23 [95% CI: 1.59‐6.58], P < .001), as were major bleedings (at 12 months: 22.0% vs 5.0%, SHR: 5.82 [95% CI: 2.00‐16.90], P < .001). Importantly, CPS (adjusted SHR: 4.12 [91% CI: 1.82‐9.37], P < .001), but not the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma or varices, was independently associated with major bleeding during DOAC treatment. Additionally, ACLD patients experiencing bleeding had worse overall survival (at 12 months: 88.9% vs 95.0% without bleeding; P < .001). Edoxaban anti‐Xa peak levels were higher in patients with CPS‐B/C (345 [95% CI: 169‐395] vs CPS‐A: 137 [95% CI: 96‐248] ng/mL, P = .048) and were associated with lower TM‐TGA. Importantly, spontaneous bleeding rates were comparable to VKA/LMWH patients.

Conclusions

Anticoagulants including DOACs should be used with caution in patients with advanced liver disease due to a significant rate of spontaneous bleeding events.
Higher population genetic diversity within the algal symbiontDurusdiniuminPocillopora verrucosafrom Mexican Pacific reefs correlates with higher resistance to bleaching after the El Niño 2015–16 event
Authors: Cárdenas‐Alvarado María Angeles , Nava Héctor , González‐Rodríguez Antonio , Maldonado‐López Yurixhi , Rodríguez‐Lanetty Mauricio
Published: June 2021

Zooxanthellae are dinoflagellate algae belonging to the family Symbiodiniaceae that provide energy and oxygenation to corals, allowing them to develop a high calcification rate. Additionally, some species of these algal symbionts seem to be related to coral resistance to particular environmental conditions, and such responses have a high potential to cope with climate change and related phenomena. In this study, we examined the role of algal symbiont diversity in the resistance of corals to thermal stress along four coral reefs from the Mexican Pacific after the “El Niño” event of 2015–16. To assess the composition and genetic diversity of the populations of zooxanthellae, the 28S and ITS2 nrRNA genes were amplified and sequenced from a total of 102 fragments ofPocillopora verrucosa. The resulting phylogenetic trees of both molecular markers showed that all sequences were grouped within clade D corresponding to genusDurusdinium, closely related to the subtypes D1.1 and D1.2, respectively. The presence of this genus has been related to the ability of coral hosts to endure thermal stress. Analysis of haplotype networks showed a higher number of haplotypes for the ITS2 in comparison with the 28S marker, with 28 and 5 haplotypes, respectively. With the ITS2 marker, the haplotypes from Islote Zacatoso were differentiated with more mutational steps, showing the highest genetic diversity. This population was associated with corals that suffered a minimum coral bleaching during the El Niño event of 2015–16. Moreover, the population of Playa Las Gatas had the lowest genetic diversity in the area and showed the highest incidence of coral mortality and bleaching. In this way, we discuss the possible relationship between both local and external environmental conditions and current composition of zooxanthellae as modulators of the response of corals to thermal stress: higher genetic diversity of zooxanthellae seems to be related to high resistance to thermal stress.
Two cases of congenital dermatomyofibroma
Authors: Brooks Blake Elizabeth , Robinson‐Bostom Leslie , Telang Gladys , Bercovitch Lionel
Published: June 2021

We present two infants with histologically confirmed congenital dermatomyofibromas. Congenital cases are rare with only one prior case reporting presence since birth. Given the benign nature of the lesions and propensity of dermatomyofibromas to resolve without intervention in young male patients, no additional treatments were pursued.
Psychosocial impact of epidermolysis bullosa on patients: A qualitative study
Authors: Sangha Nimrita , MacLellan A. Nikolas , Pope Elena
Published: June 2021

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is an inherited disorder that results in painful skin blisters requiring daily wound care. The psychosocial impact of EB is one of the most significant concerns for patients, but there is minimal research addressing these concerns or ways to improve patient quality of life (QoL).

Objective

To examine the psychosocial impact of EB on affected patients and ways to improve their QoL.

Methods

Eight EB participants were selected from the 2006 DEBRA Family Conference Day in Toronto. Participants were interviewed by a social worker and a field evaluator. The transcript of each interview was assessed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Four themes were identified: school interaction, daily life, family interactions, and societal interactions. Participants reported being teased and avoided by peers, and they felt their conditions were misunderstood by the general public. School absenteeism resulted in some patients falling behind in school, which may have been misinterpreted as intellectual impairment. Patients acknowledged significant dependence on others and felt they were contributing to caregiver burden.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the psychosocial impact of EB on patients. As EB awareness and resources to support patients and caregivers have improved since this study was conducted, more studies exploring the current landscape and opportunities to improve quality of life are needed.
Is the demographic dividend diminishing in China? Evidence from population aging and economic growth during 1990–2015
Authors: Ye Jinqi , Chen Ziyan , Peng Bin
Published: June 2021

This paper presents new empirical evidence on the effect of population aging on economic growth in China. Aging is widely assumed to impact economic growth by shaping the labor market performance and human capital. Using an interactive fixed effects model and a provincial panel data set during 1990–2015, and also exploiting the predicted province‐by‐year variation in population aging fraction as an instrument, we examine the impact of population aging on the growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, labor force ratio, and labor productivity. The results show that a 10% increase in the fraction of the population aged 65+ decreases the growth rate of GDP per capita by approximately 2%. Furthermore, channel decomposition shows that half of the decrease is due to slower growth of the labor force ratio, whereas the rest may be due to slower productivity growth. In addition, the negative effect of aging on GDP growth is more substantial after the year 2000, and the effect of aging on the labor force ratio and productivity shows different patterns during different periods.
Validation of the Sysmex XN‐V hematology analyzer for canine specimens
Authors: Grebert Margot , Granat Fanny , Braun Jean‐Pierre , Leroy Quentin , Bourgès‐Abella Nathalie , Trumel Catherine
Published: June 2021

Background

The Sysmex XN‐V is derived from the new Sysmex XN series of human hematology analyzers. The main changes from the previously validated XT‐2000iV analyzer include an optic‐fluorescent analysis for platelets and nucleated RBC count.

Objective

We aimed to validate the Sysmex XN‐V for canine blood according to American College for Veterinary Clinical Pathology and International Council for Standardization in Hematology recommendations.

Materials and Methods

Canine EDTA blood specimens and quality control material were analyzed on the Sysmex XN‐V to evaluate imprecision, bias, linearity, a comparison with the XT‐2000iV analyzer, interference effects, carry‐over, and stability. We also verified previously established Sysmex XT‐2000iV reference intervals (RIs).

Results

Imprecision and bias were low (<5%) for most variables. Observed total error was lower than allowable total error for most measured variables except lymphocytes and monocytes. Visually determined linearity was excellent for all variables, except for lymphocytes. The correlation between the XN‐V and XT‐2000iV analyzers was high (>0.93) for all variables except MCHC and reticulocyte indices. Correlations between the Sysmex XN‐V and manual differential counts were good for neutrophils and eosinophils, acceptable for lymphocytes, and fair for monocytes. Hemolysis, lipemia, and to a lesser extent icterus, had significant effects on measured hemoglobin concentration and associated variables. Carry‐over was not visually observed for any variable. Changes in the Sysmex XN‐V measurements after storage at 4℃ and 24℃ were similar to those described for the Sysmex XT‐2000iV analyzer. The previously established Sysmex XT‐2000iV RIs can be used to interpret results from the Sysmex XN‐V analyzer for most variables except red blood cell distribution width and mean platelet volume.

Conclusions

The performance of the Sysmex XN‐V analyzer was excellent and compared favorably with the Sysmex XT‐2000iV analyzer.
The Series Elastic Gripper Design, Object Detection, and Recognition by Touch
Authors: Kaya Ozan , Tağlıoğlu Gökçe Burak , Ertuğrul Şeniz
Published: June 2021

In recent years, robotic applications have been improved for better object manipulation and collaboration with human. With this motivation, the detection of objects has been studied with a series elastic parallel gripper by simple touching in case of no visual data available. A series elastic gripper, capable of detecting geometric properties of objects, is designed using only elastic elements and absolute encoders instead of tactile or force/torque sensors. The external force calculation is achieved by employing an estimation algorithm. Different objects are selected for trials for recognition. A deep neural network (DNN) model is trained by synthetic data extracted from standard tessellation language (STL) file of selected objects. For experimental setup, the series elastic parallel gripper is mounted on a Staubli RX160 robot arm and objects are placed in pre-determined locations in the workspace. All objects are successfully recognized using the gripper, force estimation, and the DNN model. The best DNN model is capable of recognizing different objects with the average prediction value ranging from 71% to 98%. Hence, the proposed design of the gripper and the algorithm achieved the recognition of selected objects without the need for additional force/torque or tactile sensors.
In Situ Monitoring of Optical Emission Spectra for Microscopic Pores in Metal Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Sun Wenbo , Zhang Zhenhao , Ren Wenjing , Mazumder Jyoti , Jin Jionghua (Judy)
Published: June 2021

Quality assurance techniques are increasingly demanded in additive manufacturing. Going beyond most of the existing research that focuses on the melt pool temperature monitoring, we develop a new method that monitors the in situ optical emission spectra signals. Optical emission spectra signals have been showing a potential capability of detecting microscopic pores. The concept is to extract features from the optical emission spectra via deep auto-encoders and then cluster the features into two quality groups to consider both unlabeled and labeled samples in a semi-supervised manner. The method is integrated with multitask learning to make it adaptable for the samples collected from multiple processes. Both a simulation example and a case study are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Identification of Quinolinones as Antivirals against Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus
Authors: Haese Nicole N. , May Nicholas A. , Taft-Benz Sharon , Moukha-Chafiq Omar , Madadi Nikhil , Zhang Sixue , Karyakarte Shuklendu D. , Rodzinak Kevin J. , Nguyen Theresa H. , Denton Michael , Streblow Aaron D. , Towers Nichole A. , Rasmussen Lynn , Bostwick Robert J. , Maddry Joseph A. , Ananthan Subramaniam , Augelli-Szafran Corinne E. , Suto Mark J. , Sanders Wes , Moorman Nathaniel , DeFilippis Victor , Heise Mark T. , Pathak Ashish K. , Streblow Daniel N. , Morrison Thomas E.
Published: June 2021

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a reemerging alphavirus that can cause encephalitis resulting in severe human morbidity and mortality. Using a high-throughput cell-based screen, we identified a quinolinone compound that protected against VEEV-induced cytopathic effects.
Renoprotective Effects of Melatonin against Vancomycin-Related Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Patients: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hong Thomas S. , Briscese Kelsey , Yuan Marshall , Deshpande Kiran , Aleksunes Lauren M. , Brunetti Luigi
Published: June 2021

Vancomycin is associated with nephrotoxicity, and the mechanism may in part be related to oxidative stress.
In vitro
and preclinical studies suggest that melatonin supplementation decreases oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate concomitant use of melatonin and vancomycin and the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI).
The impact of a tear in the subducted Indian plate on the Miocene geology of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen
Authors: Wang Rui , Weinberg Roberto F. , Zhu Di-Cheng , Hou Zeng-Qian , Yang Zhi-Ming
Published: June 2021

The Yadong-Gulu Rift, cutting across the Gangdese belt and Himalayan terranes, is currently associated with a thermal anomaly in the mantle and crustal melting at 15–20 km depth. The rift follows the trace of a tear in the underthrusted Indian continental lithospheric slab recognized by high resolution geophysical methods. The Miocene evolution of a 400-km-wide band following the trace of the tear and the rift, records differences interpreted as indicative of a higher heat flow than its surroundings. In the Gangdese belt, this band is characterized by high-Sr/Y granitic magmatism that lasted 5 m.y. longer than elsewhere and by the highest values of εHf(i) and association with the largest porphyry Cu-Mo deposits in the Gangdese belt. Anomalously young magmatic rocks continue south along the rift in the Tethyan and Higher Himalayas. Here, a 300-km-wide belt includes some of the youngest Miocene Himalayan leucogranites; the only occurrence of mantle-derived mafic enclaves in a leucogranite; young mantle-derived lamprophyre dikes; and the youngest and hottest migmatites in the Higher Himalayas. These migmatites record a history of rapid exhumation contemporaneous with the exhumation of Miocene mafic eclogite blocks, which are unique to this region and which were both heated to >800 °C at ca. 15–13 Ma, followed by isothermal decompression. We suggest that the prominent tear in the Indian lithosphere, sub-parallel to the rift, is the most likely source for these tectono-thermal anomalies since the Miocene.
Scurvy mimicking as systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Likhitweerawong Narueporn , Boonchooduang Nonglak , Morakote Wipawee , Louthrenoo Orawan
Published: June 2021

Scurvy is a disease caused by chronic vitamin C deficiency. The greater prevalence was found in the paediatric population with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders due to their restricted dietary intake. Our case reported a child with autism who presented with arthralgia and anaemia. Systemic lupus erythematosus was the first diagnostic impression, resulting in over investigation and delayed diagnosis of vitamin C deficiency. After the child was treated with ascorbic acid, the child’s symptoms resolved. This case highlighted the importance of developmental and nutritional history taking in the paediatric population. Furthermore, parents and physicians should be concerned about nutritional status, especially in children with restrictive dietary intake.