bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What drives crisis readiness? An assessment of managers in the United States: The effects of market turbulence, perceived likelihood of a crisis, small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises and innovative capacity
Authors: Parnell John A. , Crandall William “Rick”
Published: January 2021

We investigate four contributors to crisis readiness: market turbulence, innovative capacity, perceived likelihood of a crisis (PLC) and firm size. Results from a PLS‐SEM assessment of 284 managers in the United States suggest that market turbulence is not only a precursor to crisis readiness but also affects PLC and innovative capacity in firms. We conclude that managers in SMEs were more likely to expect a crisis but less prepared to address one when it strikes.
Rule omission, rule migration and the limits of financial industry power
Authors: CHALMERS ADAM WILLIAM , MALIK TEHMINAH NAZ
Published: January 2021

This paper seeks to deepen our understanding of financial industry lobbying efforts that result in specific regulatory rules being dropped from the regulatory agenda, or what we call ‘rule omission’. Critically, existing research either ignores rule omission or characterizes it as the pinnacle of lobbying success. We argue that only in carefully mapping out industry preferences and tracking what happens to rules following their omission can we say something about the extent to which finance wins or loses in its effort to shape regulation. Our analysis is based on two in‐depth case studies from the European Union: (1) solvency rules in the Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision Directive (IORPP II), where rule omission does reflect a strong case of industry influence; and (2) short selling rules in the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), a case of rule omission resulting in more stringent rules over industry activities.
Do dual eligible beneficiaries experience better health care in special needs plans?
Authors: Haviland Amelia M. , Elliott Marc N. , Klein David J. , Orr Nate , Hambarsoomian Katrin , Zaslavsky Alan M.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D‐SNPs) were intended to provide better care for beneficiaries eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid through better coordination of these two programs.

Data Sources

671 913 dual eligible (DE) respondents to the 2009‐2019 Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey.

Study Design

We compared the 2015‐2019 experiences of DE beneficiaries in D‐SNPs relative to fee‐for‐service Medicare (FFS) and non‐SNP Medicare Advantage (MA) using propensity‐score weighted linear regression. Comparisons were made to 2009‐2014. 12 patient experience measures were considered.

Data Collection Methods

Annual mail survey with telephone follow‐up of non‐respondents.

Principal Findings

More than 65% of DE beneficiaries enrolled in FFS. Of 12 measures, D‐SNP performance was higher than non‐SNP MA on two (P < .05), lower than non‐SNP MA on two (P < .05), and higher than FFS on four (P < .01). DE beneficiaries did not report better coordination of care in D‐SNPs. D‐SNP performance was often worse than other coverage types in prior periods.

Conclusions

Relative to FFS Medicare, DE beneficiaries report higher immunization rates in D‐SNPs, but slight or no better performance on other dimensions of patient experience. New requirements in 2021 may help D‐SNPs attain their goal of better care coordination.
Distinct roles of two RDL GABA receptors in fipronil action in the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)
Authors: Li Ben‐Jie , Wang Kun‐Kun , Chen Dong‐Ping , Yan Ying , Cai Xu‐Ling , Chen Hui‐Min , Dong Ke , Lin Fei , Xu Han‐Hong
Published: January 2021

The phenylpyrazole insecticide fipronil blocks resistance to dieldrin (RDL) γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in insects, thereby impairing inhibitory neurotransmission. Some insect species, such as the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), possess more than one Rdl gene. The involvement of multiple Rdls in fipronil toxicity and resistance remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the roles of two Rdl genes, PxRdl1 and PxRdl2, in P. xylostella fipronil action. In Xenopus oocytes, PxRDL2 receptors were 40 times less sensitive to fipronil than PxRDL1. PxRDL2 receptors were also less sensitive to GABA compared with PxRDL1. Knockout of the fipronil‐sensitive PxRdl1 reduced the fipronil potency 10‐fold, whereas knockout of the fipronil‐resistant PxRdl2 enhanced the fipronil potency 4.4‐fold. Furthermore, in two fipronil‐resistant diamondback moth field populations, PxRdl2 expression was elevated 3.7‐ and 4.1‐fold compared with a susceptible strain, whereas PxRdl1 expression was comparable among the resistant and susceptible strains. Collectively, our results indicate antagonistic effects of PxRDL1 and PxRDL2 on fipronil action in vivo and suggest that enhanced expression of fipronil‐resistant PxRdl2 is potentially a new mechanism of fipronil resistance in insects.
Slow and steady wins the race: contrasted phylogeographic signatures in two Alpine amphibians
Authors: DUFRESNES Christophe , RODRIGUES Nicolas , SAVARY Romain
Published: January 2021

A deeper phylogeographic structure is expected for slow‐dispersing habitat specialists compared to widespread adaptable species, especially in topographically complex regions. We tested this classic assumption by comparing the genomic (RAD‐sequencing) phylogeographies of 2 amphibians inhabiting the Swiss Alps: the mobile, cosmopolitan common frog (Rana temporaria) against the stationary, mountain endemic Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra). Our results ran opposite of predictions: the frog displayed significantly higher genetic divergences and lower within‐population variation compared to the salamander. This implies a prominent role for their distinctive glacial histories in shaping intraspecific diversity and structure: diversification and recolonization from several circum‐Alpine micro‐refugia for the frog versus a single refugium for the salamander, potentially combined with better population connectivity and stability. These striking differences emphasize the great variability of phylogeographic responses to the Quaternary glaciations, hence the complexity to predict general patterns of genetic diversity at the regional scale, and the forces that underlie them.
Improvement of physicochemical properties of reduced‐cholesterol butter by the addition of β‐sitosteryl oleate
Authors: Nguyen Anh Thi Lan , Boakye Prince G. , Besong Samuel S. , Tomasula Peggy M. , Alamu‐Lumor Enyam S.
Published: January 2021

Beta‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) has been shown to successfully lower the cholesterol content of dairy products, such as butter, but the process tends to negatively impact the overall quality and consistency. In this study, β‐sitosterol, which is similar in structure as cholesterol, was reacted with oleic acid to form β‐sitosteryl oleate (BSO), and this was used to improve the consistency of reduced‐cholesterol butter. The reaction was catalyzed by sodium bisulfate (2%, w/w) at 140 °C, and the highest degree of esterification (94.3%) was obtained after 9 hr of reaction using a β‐sitosterol‐oleic acid molar ratio of 1:5. Ultra‐pasteurized cream was then treated with 15% (w/v) β‐CD at 40 °C with stirring (100 rpm), for 30 min. Results indicated a 95.4% reduction in cholesterol content. Finally, the reduced‐cholesterol cream was constituted to contain 3, 5, and 10% (w/w) BSO, after which fat was extracted from the three formulations and their melting profiles compared to that of milk fat. The cream containing 3% BSO showed a profile similar to milk fat and was, therefore, used to formulate BSO‐incorporated reduced‐cholesterol butter (BSOB). Instrumental analyses showed that BSOB was comparable to the control butter with respect to physical properties, such as hardness/firmness and adhesiveness.

Practical Application

A modified plant sterol, beta‐sitosteryl oleate, was incorporated into a reduced‐cholesterol butter to improve its physicochemical properties. The reduced‐cholesterol butter was comparable to regular butter with respect to its consistency and melting properties and could be made into sticks. In addition to the reduced‐cholesterol butter, this product could provide the foundation for new products blending butter and oils to create other low‐cholesterol, reduced saturated‐fat products, possibly in stick form.
Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid on advanced glycation end product‐induced renal fibrosis in vitro: A potential therapeutic target
Authors: Jeon Gyeong Yun , Nam Mi‐Hyun , Lee Kwang‐Won
Published: January 2021

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed from amino acids and reducing sugars through nonenzymatic Maillard reaction. AGEs are known to induce oxidative stress, which may cause fibrosis or cancer. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of caffeic acid (CA) on AGE‐mediated kidney epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human HK‐2 cells. Exposure to 100 µg/mL of AGEs by kidney epithelial cells raised the production of reactive oxygen species by 5.2‐fold and decreased levels of glutathione. In addition, cardamonin, a β‐catenin inhibitor, was used to determine the signaling pathway for β‐catenin in which cardamonin inhibited the AGEs‐induced translocation of β‐catenin into the nucleus, resulting in an inhibition of the EMT process. Similarly, our findings showed that, close to the control level, CA treatment decreased AGE‐mediated oxidative stress, loss of E‐cadherin expression, and overexpression of α‐smooth muscle actin and fibronectin by inactivation of the β‐catenin pathway. Furthermore, AGE treatment enhanced the expression of collagen type I (1.99‐fold) as well as the activity of metalloproteinases 2 (1.86‐fold) and 9 (2.79‐fold), but such increase was inhibited by the pretreatment of CA. In conclusion, this study determined the inhibitory effect of CA on AGE‐induced β‐catenin signaling, which prevented the occurrence of EMT in kidney epithelial cells. This suggests that CA may be a potential target for AGE‐induced renal fibrosis.

Practical Application

Exposure of kidney epithelial cells to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leads to a rise in reactive oxygen species and a decrease in glutathione, thereby increasing oxidative stress that may cause fibrosis. However, treatment of kidney cells with caffeic acid (CA) prior to their exposure to AGEs lowers oxidative stress and decreases fibrosis. This research reveals the beneficial influence of CA on renal fibrosis in laboratory‐cultured kidney cells (in vitro), which makes CA a potential therapeutic target for AGE‐induced fibrosis.
Combination of natural strategies to improve the oxidative stability of echium seed oil
Authors: Roschel Gabriela Grassmann , da Silveira Tayse Ferreira Ferreira , Cajaíba Letícia Maeda , Ferrari Roseli Aparecida , Castro Inar Alves
Published: January 2021

Echium seed oil is an alternative source of omega 3 fatty acids but it is highly susceptible to oxidation. A combination of three natural strategies was proposed in this study aiming to improve the oxidative stability of echium oil obtained by pressing (PO) or solvent extraction (PSO), kept in the storage condition for 180 days or during the consumption for 30 days. Our results showed that the reduction of temperature was sufficient to keep the oil stable during storage for both samples. During the consumption time, the best stability was achieved by adding a mixture of antioxidants, composed of sinapic (500 ppm), ascorbic (250 ppm), and citric (150 ppm) acids, and/or 20% of high oleic sunflower oil. The combined strategies promoted a 34 to 80% reduction of peroxide value and 0 to 85% reduction of malondialdehyde concentrations in the samples, showing to be a feasible and natural alternative to improve the oxidative stability of echium oil.

Practical Application

Our study successfully applied an optimized combination of simple and low‐cost strategies to enhance the chemical stability of echium seed oil. As the use of echium oil expands around the world, the oil industry and final consumers may benefit from our results to increase the oil shelf‐life.
Garlic flavonoids alleviate H2O2 induced oxidative damage in L02 cells and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by Bcl‐2/Caspase pathway
Authors: Gao Xudong , Yanan Jia , Santhanam Ramesh Kumar , Wang Yajie , Lu Yangpeng , Zhang Min , Chen Haixia
Published: January 2021

Liver damage is a common liver disorder, which could induce liver cancer. Oral antioxidant is one of the effective treatments to prevent and alleviate liver damage. In this study, three flavonoids namely myricetin, isoquercitrin, and isorhamnetin were isolated and identified from Laba garlic. The isolated compounds were investigated on the protective effects against H2O2‐induced oxidative damages in hepatic L02 cells and apoptosis inducing mechanism in hepatic cancer cells HepG2 by using MTT assay, flow cytometry and western blotting analysis. Myricetin, isoquercitrin, and isorhamnetin showed proliferation inhibition on HepG2 cells with IC50 value of 44.32 ± 0.213 µM, 49.68 ± 0.192 µM, and 54.32 ± 0.176 µM, respectively. While they showed low toxicity on normal cell lines L02. They could significantly alleviate the oxidative damage towards L02 cells (P < 0.05), via inhibiting the morphological changes in mitochondria and upholding the integrity of mitochondrial structure and function. The fluorescence intensity of L02 cells pre‐treated with myricetin, isoquercitrin, and isorhamnetin (100 µM) was 89.23 ± 1.26%, 89.35 ± 1.43% and 88.97 ± 0.79%, respectively. Moreover, the flavonoids could induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells via Bcl‐2/Caspase pathways, where it could up‐regulate the expression of Bax and down‐regulate the expression of Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL, pro‐Caspase‐3, and pro‐Caspase‐9 proteins in a dose dependent manner. Overall, the results suggested that the flavonoids from Laba garlic might be a promising candidate for the treatment of various liver disorders.

Practical Application

Flavonoids from Laba garlic showed selective toxicity towards HepG2 cells in comparison to L02 cells via regulating Bcl‐2/caspase pathway. Additionally, the isolated flavonoids expressively barred the oxidative damage induced by H2O2 in L02 cells. These results suggested that the flavonoids from laba garlic could be a promising agent towards the development of functional foods.
Genotype by sequencing: An alternative new method to amplicon metabarcoding and shotgun metagenomics for the assessment of eukaryote biodiversity
Authors: Piñol Josep
Published: January 2021

The use of high‐throughput DNA sequencing (HTS) has revolutionized the assessment of biodiversity in plant and animal communities. There are two main approaches to estimate the identity and the relative species abundance (RSA) in complex mixtures using HTS: amplicon metabarcoding and shotgun metagenomics. While amplicon metabarcoding targets one or a few genomic regions, shotgun metagenomics randomly explores the genome of the species. In this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Wagemaker et al. (2021) present a new method, multi‐species Genotyping by Sequencing (msGBS), as an alternative middle ground between metabarcoding and metagenomics. They apply the technique to mixtures of plant roots and report the remarkable capacity of msGBS to estimate the RSA. If validated in other laboratories and biological communities, msGBS might become a third method to explore the biodiversity of biological communities, especially of plants, where current techniques are struggling to get sufficient taxonomic resolution.
DILS: Demographic inferences with linked selection by using ABC
Authors: Fraïsse Christelle , Popovic Iva , Mazoyer Clément , Spataro Bruno , Delmotte Stéphane , Romiguier Jonathan , Loire Étienne , Simon Alexis , Galtier Nicolas , Duret Laurent , Bierne Nicolas , Vekemans Xavier , Roux Camille
Published: January 2021

We present DILS, a deployable statistical analysis platform for conducting demographic inferences with linked selection from population genomic data using an Approximate Bayesian Computation framework. DILS takes as input single‐population or two‐population data sets (multilocus fasta sequences) and performs three types of analyses in a hierarchical manner, identifying: (a) the best demographic model to study the importance of gene flow and population size change on the genetic patterns of polymorphism and divergence, (b) the best genomic model to determine whether the effective size Ne and migration rate N, m are heterogeneously distributed along the genome (implying linked selection) and (c) loci in genomic regions most associated with barriers to gene flow. Also available via a Web interface, an objective of DILS is to facilitate collaborative research in speciation genomics. Here, we show the performance and limitations of DILS by using simulations and finally apply the method to published data on a divergence continuum composed by 28 pairs of Mytilus mussel populations/species.
In vitro studies of H520 cell cycle and apoptosis by anlotinib combined with radiotherapy
Authors: Guo Lu , Zhang Luyao , Guan Yan , Li Yan , Zhang Chufeng , Guo Qisen
Published: January 2021

Background

To study in vitro the effects of anlotinib combined with radiotherapy on the lung cancer H520 cell cycle and apoptosis.

Methods

The log growth period H520 cells were divided into the control group, anlotinib group (A group), radiotherapy group (RT group) and combined group (A + RT group). Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry and changes in H520 cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed in each group.

Results

Anlotinib was determined to significantly inhibit cell growth in all groups, both alone, or in combination with radiotherapy. After receiving corresponding treatments, the proportions of G2/M‐phase cells in the control group, A group, RT group and A + RT group were different, and statistically significant (F = 32.086, P < 0.001). The apoptotic cell statistics of H520 cells in the control group, A group, RT group and A + RT group were significantly different (F = 44.537, P < 0.01). The relative expression of CDK1 in each group of cells was 0.04 ± 0.02, 0.07 ± 0.12, 0.81 ± 0.11, and 0.56 ± 0.16, respectively. There were differences between the groups by analysis of variance which were statistically significant (F = 58.36, P < 0.0001). The relative expression of cycle B in each group of cells was 0.27 ± 0.05, 0.40 ± 0.16, 0.65 ± 0.14, and 0.57 ± 0.13, respectively. There were differences between the groups by analysis of variance which were statistically significant (F = 10.77, P = 0.0002).

Conclusions

Anlotinib had an inhibitory effect on lung cancer H520 cell proliferation. A higher rate of apoptosis and G2/M phase block was observed in the anlotinib‐radiotherapy combined group. Anlotinib combined with radiotherapy was able to synergistically inhibit tumor cell growth.

Key points

Anrotinib combined with radiotherapy can synergistically inhibit tumor cell growth.
Financial Transparency to the Rescue: Effects of Public Country‐by‐Country Reporting in the European Union Banking Sector on Tax Avoidance*
Authors: Overesch Michael , Wolff Hubertus
Published: January 2021

We analyze the effect of mandatory financial transparency on corporate tax avoidance. The effectiveness of comprehensive tax transparency, in the form of a public country‐by‐country reporting, to mitigate corporate tax planning is largely unknown. Capital Requirements Directive IV by the European Commission required multinational banks to publish key financial and tax data in the form of public country‐by‐country reporting. We examine tax avoidance of banks around the reform. Our focus is on multinational banks newly required to report activities in tax havens that had not been publicly disclosed before the country‐by‐country reporting mandate. We predict and find that these exposed banks increased their tax expense relative to multinational banks with no activities in tax havens to disclose, as well as relative to domestic banks unaffected by the new mandate. In additional tests, we compare our sample of exposed multinational banks to several control groups from the financial sector and other industries. Our results suggest that country‐by‐country reporting can serve as an additional policy instrument to curb corporate tax avoidance, but only when the reporting exposes the firms' tax sheltering activities to public scrutiny.
Content validation of the nursing outcome Knowledge Heart Failure Management: Brazilian nurses’ opinions
Authors: da Costa Ferreira Natany , Takao Lopes Camila , Moorhead Sue , Gengo e Silva Butcher Rita de Cassia
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To estimate the content validity of the outcome Knowledge: Heart Failure Management (1835) of the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC).

Methods

A methodological study conducted in Brazil with nurses with expertise in cardiovascular nursing and nursing process. The nurse experts evaluated the relevance of the indicators for the nursing outcome on a 5‐point Likert scale. A total of 55 indicators were analyzed, including 50 NOC indicators, four indicators located from a scoping review, and one suggested by an expert during the content validation process. The relevance ratio supported the categorization of indicators as critical, supplemental, or unnecessary. Relevance ratios of critical and supplemental indicators were summed and divided by the total number of the indicators to calculate the outcome content validity (OCV) score of the nursing outcome.

Findings

Fifteen nurse experts, mostly females (n = 13) with a mean age of 36.0 ± 6.3 years, 13.9 ± 6.5 years of professional experience, and extensive use of the nursing process in their clinical practice (n = 10), teaching (n = 13), and research (n = 11), participated in this study. Regarding the content validation, 43 (78.2%) out of 55 indicators were categorized as critical (relevance ratio .80–.98), 11 (20%) as supplemental (relevance ratio .67–.79), and one indicator (1.8%) was categorized as unnecessary (relevance ratio .48). The OCV score of the nursing outcome was .87.

Conclusion

The study provided evidence of content validity of 49 indicators of the NOC outcome, Knowledge: Heart Failure Management, and five new indicators identified through the validation process based on nurse experts’ opinions.

Implications for the nursing practice

These findings provide evidence‐based indicators for the measurement of heart failure patients' knowledge about disease management. As a result, nurses can test the effectiveness of nursing interventions based on valid outcome indicators.
Despair in the time of COVID: A look at suicidal ingestions reported to the California Poison Control System during the pandemic
Authors: Ontiveros Sam T. , Levine Michael D. , Cantrell F. L. , Thomas Caroline , Minns Alicia B.
Published: January 2021

Background

Despite concern that the global pandemic will worsen depression and suicide rates, there remain little data on its actual effect. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on suicidal ingestions reported to the California Poison Control System (CPCS).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional comparison of suicidal ingestions reported to the CPCS during the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic compared to suicidal ingestions reported during the same period in 2018 and 2019.

Results

The CPCS received 19,607 call for suicidal ingestions during the study periods, of which 13,800 were in the pre‐COVID era (2018 and 2019) and 5,807 were in the COVID era. The median (IQR) number of suicidal ingestions per month decreased from 2,286 (2,240–2,364) to 1,940 (1,855–2,045; p = 0.02). This decrease was consistent and significant across all age groups except those age 70 or older. Ingestions without adverse events decreased by 101 cases/month (95% confidence interval [CI] = 136.8 to 65; p = 0.0003), minor outcomes decreased by 156.6 cases/month (95% CI = 226.2 to 87.1; p = 0.001), and moderate outcomes decreased by 96 cases/month (95% CI = 143.9 to 48.1; p = 0.00021). Major outcomes decreased from 793 (4.99%) cases in the pre‐COVID era to 315 (4.60%) cases in the COVID era (risk ratio = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.81 to 1.05). The number of deaths decreased by 3.7 cases/month (95% CI = –8.3 to 0.92, p = 0.10).

Conclusions

Despite concern for worsening suicidality, calls regarding suicidal ingestions to the nation's largest poison control center decreased during the COVID era compared to the pre‐COVID era. This study provides evidence that the pandemic's effects on modern society remain difficult to predict. Further effort is needed to understand how pandemic will affect American's mental health.
Validity and Reliability of Executive Function Measures in Children With Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Correspondence Between Multiple Raters and Laboratory Measures
Authors: Bernes Gemma A. , Villodas Miguel , Coles Claire D. , Kable Julie A. , May Philip A. , Kalberg Wendy O. , Sowell Elizabeth R. , Jones Kenneth L. , Riley Edward P. , Mattson Sarah N. ,   CIFASD
Published: January 2021

Background

Rating scales are designed to complement traditional performance‐based measures, and both can provide useful information about the functioning of youth with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure. Few studies, however, have compared ratings from multiple informants or the relationship between these subjective rating scale scores and the objective results from laboratory performance‐based scales.

Methods

The current study addressed both of these questions in 3 study groups: children with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure (n = 47), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 41), and typically developing controls (CON; n = 73). All subjects completed a standardized neuropsychological test battery, including laboratory measures of executive functioning and a self‐report measure of executive function behaviors. Parents and teachers completed corresponding rating scales of executive function behaviors for each subject. This study assessed the relationship between these behavior rating scales and corresponding neuropsychological tests, and interrater agreement among the multiple informants.

Results

Weak correlations were found between the rating scales and laboratory measures, indicating poor convergent validity for the behavior rating scale. Interrater reliability was found but it differed by group. Agreement was found between parent and teacher ratings for children with prenatal alcohol exposure, whereas teacher–child agreement was found for those with ADHD.

Conclusions

Findings from this study indicate that behavior ratings can be used to supplement laboratory measures but may not be measuring cognitive abilities regardless of whether a clinical diagnosis is present. A multimethod approach should be used when measuring skills in this domain. This was one of the first studies to examine cross‐informant agreement in a sample of children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Further research is necessary to understand why interrater agreement differed for children with prenatal alcohol exposure and those with ADHD.
Butterflies Australia: a national citizen science database for monitoring changes in the distribution and abundance of Australian butterflies
Authors: Sanderson Chris , Braby Michael F , Bond Suzi
Published: January 2021

Conservation biology is a field of science that is heavily biased against insects and allied invertebrates, largely due to a data deficiency feedback loop that maintains a cycle of ignorance and inaction. Because many invertebrate groups are, and remain, extremely data poor, it is frequently difficult to conduct even the most basic conservation actions, such as status evaluation, listing, recovery and monitoring of threatened species. Thus, declines and extinctions of invertebrates are frequently undetected and poorly documented. To address this data deficiency, we have developed a new national database – Butterflies Australia – for one insect taxon that integrates citizen science (data collectors) with global, standardised monitoring protocols and emerging tools in technology and biodiversity informatics. The database is created from a platform, which consists of a phone app and website, that offers the potential to rapidly increase data availability on the occurrence of Australian butterflies at a far greater scale than was previously possible, as well as to monitor trends in their distribution and abundance over time. We discuss the attributes and importance of successful citizen science projects and quantitative methods for monitoring butterflies, both from an Australian perspective and in an international context, and then outline the operational aspects of the Butterflies Australia platform. A review of survey methods that have been used for monitoring or inventorying butterflies in Australia over the past 50 years revealed a diverse array of sampling techniques, with little standardisation between studies and wide variation in space (sampling unit) and time (sampling effort). Transect counts, in particular, have rarely followed the international guidelines recommended for standardised global butterfly monitoring. Finally, we discuss the benefits of our new citizen science tool for butterflies and potentially other invertebrates. We envisage that our platform will engender increased community awareness, improved quantity and quality of data collection, better conservation policy and planning, as well as enhanced resourcing and research for the conservation management of butterflies.
Trade, value chains, and rent distribution with foreign exchange controls: Coffee exports in Ethiopia
Authors: Tamru Seneshaw , Minten Bart , Swinnen Johan
Published: January 2021

Exchange rate policies can have important implications on incentives for export agriculture. However, their effects are often not well understood. We study the issue of foreign exchange controls and pricing in the value chain for Ethiopia's coffee—its most important export crop. Relying on unique pricing and cost data, we find that coffee exporters are willing to incur losses during exporting by offering high prices for coffee locally in order to access scarce foreign exchange. We further find that the consequent high wholesale prices for coffee are transmitted to producers, so that coffee farmers are unintended beneficiaries of this rent.
Repeal of the Clean Power Plan: Social Cost and Distributional Implications
Authors: Khanna Madhu , Chen Xiaoguang , Wang Weiwei , Oliver Anthony
Published: January 2021

The Clean Power Plan (CPP) was repealed due to concerns about the “unnecessary, costly burdens” it may impose on electric utilities, thereby delaying efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) from the electricity sector. This paper examines the greenhouse gas and welfare implications of this repeal while incorporating the presence of the state renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in the US as the status quo. We assess the carbon abatement and welfare costs with the CPP relative to two alternative baselines: a no‐policy baseline and a pre‐existing policy baseline with the RPS. The CPP is implemented as a regional mass‐based standard, a regional rate‐based standard, or as a national mass‐based standard with trading of emissions across regions over the 2022–2030 period. We find that the incremental discounted welfare costs per metric ton of CO2 that would have been abated by the CPP relative to the RPS would be substantially lower than the global social cost of CO2. However, the overall costs of carbon abatement with the CPP added to the RPS would have become higher than the social cost of carbon when estimated relative to a no‐policy baseline, except with a national mass‐based CPP. Across all policy combinations and choice of baselines, the aggregate welfare costs were lowest under a national mass‐based standard and highest under the regional rate‐based standard. We also find that the CPP would have imposed large welfare costs on consumers and fossil fuel producers while benefiting the renewable fuel producers.
Regional anaesthesia: risk, consent and complications
Authors: McCombe K. , Bogod D.
Published: January 2021

The risks of regional anaesthesia relate primarily to the technical nature of the procedure, chief among them being neurological. While rare, the direct relationship between nerve damage and the procedure itself means that patients need to be aware of this complication when consent is sought. In order to give valid consent, a patient must be informed. The extent of the information required has been defined by a 2015 legal ruling which established that the standard is the expectation of a reasonable patient, rather than the information deemed consequential by a reasonable doctor. The implications of this for clinicians are profound, and mean that the process of consent must, for example, include alternatives to the proposed treatment. Additionally, patients must have capacity and give their consent without coercion. Effective communication of risk can be challenging. As well as the barriers to comprehension that can result from language, literacy and numeracy, clinicians need to be aware of their own biases, often in favour of a regional anaesthetic approach. Patients also have biases, and doctors must be aware of these in order to best target their provision of information. Careful use of language and employing adjuncts such as information leaflets and visual aids can help to maximise the individual's autonomy. Particular care must be taken in special situations such as where patients have capacity issues or time is limited by the emergency nature of the intervention.
Updates in our understanding of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity: a narrative review
Authors: Macfarlane A. J. R. , Gitman M. , Bornstein K. J. , El‐Boghdadly K. , Weinberg G.
Published: January 2021

Despite advances in clinical practice, local anaesthetic systemic toxicity continues to occur with the therapeutic use of local anaesthesia. Patterns of presentation have evolved over recent years due in part to the increasing use of ultrasound which has been demonstrated to reduce risk. Onset of toxicity is increasingly delayed, a greater proportion of clinical reports are secondary to fascial plane blocks, and cases are increasing where non‐anaesthetist providers are involved. The evolving clinical context presents a challenge for diagnosis and requires education of all physicians, nurses and allied health professionals about these changing patterns and risks. This review discusses: mechanisms; prevention; diagnosis; and treatment of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity. The local anaesthetic and dose used, site of injection and block conduct and technique are all important determinants of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity, as are various patient factors. Risk mitigation is discussed including the care of at‐risk groups, such as: those at the extremes of age; patients with cardiac, hepatic and specific metabolic diseases; and those who are pregnant. Advances in the changing clinical landscape with novel applications and settings for the use of local anaesthesia are also described. Finally, we signpost future directions to potentially improve the management of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity. The utility of local anaesthetics remains unquestionable in clinical practice, and thus maximising the safe and appropriate use of these drugs should translate to improvements in patient care.
Cardiovascular events in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery treated with remote ischaemic preconditioning: 1‐year follow‐up of a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Ekeloef S. , Koyuncu S. , Holst‐Knudsen J. , Gundel O. , Meyhoff C. S. , Homilius M. , Stilling M. , Ekeloef P. , Münster A. M. B. , Mathiesen O. , Gögenur I.
Published: January 2021

Remote ischaemic preconditioning reduces the risk of myocardial injury within 4 days of hip fracture surgery. We aimed to investigate the effect of remote ischaemic preconditioning on the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events 1 year after hip fracture surgery. We performed a phase‐2, multicentre, randomised, observer‐blinded, clinical trial between February 2015 and September 2017. We studied patients aged ≥ 45 years with a hip fracture and a minimum of one cardiovascular risk factor. Patients were allocated randomly to remote ischaemic preconditioning applied just before surgery or no treatment (control group). Remote ischaemic preconditioning was performed on the upper arm with a tourniquet in four cycles of 5 min ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion. Primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events within 1 year of surgery. A total of 316 patients were allocated randomly to the remote ischaemic preconditioning group and 309 patients to the control group. Major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 43 patients (13.6%) in the remote ischaemic preconditioning group compared with 51 patients (16.5%) in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) 0.83 (0.55–1.25); p = 0.37). Fewer patients in the remote ischaemic preconditioning group had a myocardial infarction (11 (3.5%) vs. 22 (7.1%); hazard ratio (95%CI) 0.48 (CI 0.23–1.00); p = 0.04). Remote ischaemic preconditioning did not reduce the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events within 1 year of hip fracture surgery. The effect of remote ischaemic preconditioning on clinical cardiovascular outcomes in non‐cardiac surgery needs confirmation in appropriately powered randomised clinical trials.
COVID‐19 and male reproduction: Current research and unknown factors
Authors: Yao Yangcheng , Yuan Xiaoqiong , Wu Linjing , Guo Na , Yin Li , Li Yufeng
Published: January 2021

Background

The testes are suspected target organs of SARS‐CoV‐2. However, the results of studies on the effect of COVID‐19 on male reproduction are controversial.

Objective

To summarize current research on the effects of COVID‐19 on male reproduction.

Methods

A systematic review of English literature was performed using PubMed and Ovid Embase up to 18 August 2020. Research articles on the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in semen, the effects of the virus on semen parameters and any pathological changes in the testes were evaluated.

Results

Fourteen studies were included in this review. Six of 176 survivors (3.4%) and 1 of 13 decedents (7.7%) in 2 of 12 studies were positive for viral RNA in semen and testicular tissue, respectively. After stratification of patient groups, we found that the virus was detected in the relatively early stage of infection, 6–16 days after disease onset, in semen from survivors. Two of 3 studies reported that some participants had substandard semen quality after COVID‐19, and 1 study found that COVID‐19 may impair semen quality in a severity‐related manner. Pathological analyses showed that injuries to the seminiferous tubule occurred in all decedents (N = 11). Another study found that orchitic and testis fibrin microthrombi occurred in patients with fatal disease (100%, N = 2). Scrotal discomfort of orchiepididymitis or spermatic cord inflammation has also been reported in COVID‐19 patients.

Conclusion

Current studies suggest that semen is rarely considered a carrier of SARS‐CoV‐2 genetic material during the infection period but not in the semen of recovered patients. Fatal COVID‐19 may cause testicular structure damage without the presence of virus.
Spontaneous pregnancies among infertile couples during assisted reproduction lockdown for COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Villani Maria Teresa , Morini Daria , Spaggiari Giorgia , Simoni Manuela , Aguzzoli Lorenzo , Santi Daniele
Published: January 2021

Background

The worldwide spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection has profoundly affected all aspects of human life, with tangible consequences in several contexts, including reproduction. However, evidences on the inter‐relation between psychological distress and reproductive medicine are still conflicting.

Methods

The national lockdown imposed in Italy in March‐May 2020 and the consequent assisted reproductive techniques (ART) activity blockage allowed to evaluate the conception ability of couples who suffered the postponement of ART cycles. In particular, we collected anamnestic, anthropometrical and demographic data of those women attending ART straddling the lockdown period attending to the Fertility Centre of Reggio Emilia.

Results

Among the 431 couples recalled to reschedule ART cycles, 34 couples (7.9%) obtained a spontaneous pregnancy during the lockdown. Comparing spontaneously pregnant to non‐pregnant women, the pregnant group resulted younger (P = 0.009) and with a shorter infertility history (P = 0.029). Interestingly, the sexual activity frequency was significantly higher in pregnant women compared to non‐pregnant ones (P < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic analysis, number of sexual intercourses per week and the infertility history duration were significantly related to pregnancy (P < 0.001 and P = 0.030, respectively). In addition, the application of neural network technology including data about women age, body mass index, infertility duration, weekly sexual intercourses and infertility causes allowed to correctly classify pregnant women with an accuracy of 92.7%.

Conclusion

The high pregnancy rate observed in a very short time‐frame interval probably revealed an under‐explored cause of idiopathic infertility, that is the frequency of sexual intercourses, resulting the best predictive variable on achieving a spontaneous pregnancy. This factor is commonly under‐investigated during the anamnestic workup of infertile couples. Clinicians involved in ART should better investigate the sexual habits of infertile couples, with the aim to correctly apply ART to those couples who really need it, avoiding unnecessary over‐treatment for those couples able to conceive spontaneously.
Prevalence of asymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in elective surgical patients in Australia: a prospective surveillance study
Authors: Coatsworth Nicholas , Myles Paul S. , Mann Graham J. , Cockburn Ian A. , Forbes Andrew B. , Gardiner Elizabeth E. , Lum Gary , Cheng Allen C. , Gruen Russell L. ,   the SARS‐CoV‐2 Testing in Elective Surgery Collaborators
Published: January 2021

Background

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of active or previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in asymptomatic adults admitted for elective surgery in Australian hospitals. This surveillance activity was established as part of the National Pandemic Health Intelligence Plan.

Methods

Participants (n = 3037) were recruited from 11 public and private hospitals in four states (NSW, Vic, SA and WA) between 2 June and 17 July 2020, with an overall 66% participation rate. Presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA was assessed by Reverse Transcriptase ‐ Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs taken after induction of anaesthesia. Presence of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies was assessed by analysis of serum collected at the same time using a novel dual‐antigen ELISA assay.

Results

No patient (0/3010) returned a positive RT‐PCR result. The Bayesian estimated prevalence of active infection of 0.02% (95% probability interval 0.00–0.11%), with the upper endpoint being 1 in 918. Positive serology (IgG) was observed in 15 of 2991 patients, with a strong positive in five of those individuals (Bayesian estimated seroprevalence 0.16%; 95% probability interval 0.00–0.47%).

Conclusion

These results confirm that during periods of low community prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 elective surgery patients without fever or respiratory symptoms had a very low prevalence of active SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Symptoms within somatization after sexual abuse among women: A scoping review
Authors: Iloson Carina , Möller Anna , Sundfeldt Karin , Bernhardsson Susanne
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Somatization, defined as a number of medically unexplained physical symptoms for many years, is a resource‐intensive condition with much suffering. Adult somatization has been linked to childhood trauma in both men and women. Among women, sexual trauma affects somatization level to a greater extent than nonsexual trauma. Early diagnosis of a somatization disorder would be of great help for both patients and society. The purpose of this scoping review is to map and summarize the literature on symptoms within somatization in women who have been sexually abused, and investigate if any specific symptom can be linked to previous sexual abuse.

Material and methods

A scoping review methodology was used. The databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched for original qualitative and quantitative research published between 2008 and 2019 that matched the objectives of the review.

Results

The database search identified 195 articles, of which 43 were retrieved in full text. Seven articles were included, involving 2076 women. All studies were quantitative. The included studies were heterogeneous. Four studies showed inconsistent findings regarding a link between sexual abuse and chronic or acute pain. Two studies showed an association between sexual abuse and increased incidence of somatic symptoms. One study showed an association between sexual abuse and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. No specific somatic symptoms in somatization were identifiable within the scope of this study.

Conclusions

This is to our knowledge the first scoping review on sexual abuse and symptoms of somatization. The findings suggest a link between sexual abuse and somatic symptoms, but the identified association with pain and irritable bowel syndrome is inconsistent. No studies have clearly identified specific symptoms within somatization associated with sexual abuse. Qualitative research on the topic was identified as a knowledge gap.
Secondary aortic valve replacement in continuous flow left ventricular assist device therapy
Authors: Gyoten Takayuki , Morshuis Michiel , Fox Henrik , Deutsch Marcus‐André , Hakim‐Meibodi Kavous , Schramm René , Gummert Jan F. , Rojas Sebastian V.
Published: January 2021

The purpose of the study was to investigate the outcome of secondary surgical aortic valve replacement (sSAVR) in patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) in the context of ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy. From 2009 to 2020, 792 patients underwent cf‐LVAD implantation [HVAD (Medtronic, USA), n = 585, and HM 3 (Abbott, USA), n = 207]. All cf‐LVAD patients with severe AR requiring secondary AVR were enrolled in this study. A total of six patients (median, 40 years, IQR; 34‐61 years, 50% male) underwent secondary surgical aortic valve replacement (sSAVR) after cf‐LVAD implantation. Median time of previous LVAD support was 26 months (IQR: 21‐29 months). Two patients required additional tricuspid valve repair (TVR) and one patient underwent SAVR after failed TAVR. Four patients needed temporary right ventricular assist device (RVAD) with a median of 30 days (IQR; 29‐33 days). Three patients were bridged to urgent heart transplantation due to persevering right heart failure, whereas two destination therapy (DT) candidates survived without any associated complications. An additional DT patient died of pneumonia 1 month after sSAVR. Secondary surgical aortic valve replacement in ongoing LVAD patients is an advanced procedure for a complex cohort. In our series, sSAVR was safely performed and effective, but involved a high‐risk for subsequent right heart failure, requiring urgent heart transplantation. In LVAD patients with severe AR requiring treatment where TAVR is not feasible, sSAVR can be evaluated as salvage option for bridge to transplant patients or selected destination therapy candidates.