bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Household margin insurance of agricultural sector in Indonesia using a farmer exchange rate index
Authors: Ahdika Atina , Rosadi Dedi , Effendie Adhitya Ronnie , Gunardi
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Farmer exchange rate (FER) is the ratio between a farmer's income and expenditure and is also an indicator of farmers’ welfare. There is little research regarding its use in risk modeling in crop insurance. This study seeks to propose a design for a household margin insurance scheme of the agricultural sector based on FER.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs various risk modeling concepts, i.e. value at risk, loss models and premium calculation, to construct the proposed model. The standard linear, static and time-varying copula models are used to identify the dependency between variables involved in calculating FER.

Findings

First, FER can be considered as the primary variable for risk modeling in agricultural household margin insurance because it demonstrates farmers’ financial ability. Second, temporal dependence estimated using the time-varying copula can minimize errors, reduce the premium rate and result in a tighter guarantee's level of security.

Originality/value

This research extends the previous similar studies related to the use of index ratio in margin insurance loss modeling. Its authenticity is in the use of FER, which represents the farmers' trading capability. FER determines farmers’ losses by considering two aspects: the farmers’ income rate and their ability to fulfill their life and farming needs. Also, originality exists in the use of the time-varying copulas in identifying the dependence of the indices involved in calculating FER.
Career decisions of Indian female talent: implications for gender-sensitive talent management
Authors: Böhmer Nicole , Schinnenburg Heike
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Talent scarcity in emerging economies such as India poses challenges for companies, and limited labour market participation among well-educated women has been observed. The reasons that professionals decide not to pursue a further corporate career remain unclear. By investigating career decision-making, this article aims to highlight (1) the contextual factors that impact those decisions, (2) individuals' agency to handle them and (3) the implications for talent management (TM).

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative research design, computer-aided analysis was conducted on interviews with 24 internationally experienced Indian business professionals. A novel application of neo-institutionalism in the Indian context was combined with the family-relatedness of work decisions (FRWD) model.

Findings

Career decisions indicate that rebellion against Indian societal and family expectations is essential to following a career path, especially for women. TM as part of the current institutional framework serves as a legitimising façade veiling traditional practices that hinder females' careers.

Research limitations/implications

Interviewees adopted a retrospective perspective when describing their career decisions; therefore, different views might have existed at the moment of decision-making.

Practical implications

Design and implementation of gender-sensitive TM adjusted to fit the specific Indian context can contribute to retaining female talent in companies and the labour market.

Originality/value

The importance of gender-sensitive TM can be concluded from an empirical study of the context-based career decision-making of experienced business professionals from India. The synthesis of neo-institutionalism, the FRWD model and the research results provides assistance in mapping talent experiences and implications for overcoming the challenges of talent scarcity in India.
Inverse-thermocapillary evaporation in a thin liquid film of self-rewetting fluid
Authors: Lim Elaine , Kueh Tze Cheng , Hung Yew Mun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The present study aims to investigate the inverse-thermocapillary effect in an evaporating thin liquid film of self-rewetting fluid, which is a dilute aqueous solution (DAS) of long-chain alcohol.

Design/methodology/approach

A long-wave evolution model modified for self-rewetting fluids is used to study the inverse thermocapillary characteristics of an evaporating thin liquid film. The flow attributed to the inverse thermocapillary action is manifested through the streamline plots and the evaporative heat transfer characteristics are quantified and analyzed.

Findings

The thermocapillary flow induced by the negative surface tension gradient drives the liquid from a low-surface-tension (high temperature) region to a high-surface-tension (low temperature) region, retarding the liquid circulation and the evaporation strength. The positive surface tension gradients of self-rewetting fluids induce inverse-thermocapillary flow. The results of different working fluids, namely, water, heptanol and DAS of heptanol, are examined and compared. The thermocapillary characteristic of a working fluid is significantly affected by the sign of the surface tension gradient and the inverse effect is profound at a high excess temperature. The inverse thermocapillary effect significantly enhances evaporation rates.

Originality/value

The current investigation on the inverse thermocapillary effect in a self-rewetting evaporating thin film liquid has not been attempted previously. This study provides insights on the hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of thermocapillary evaporation of self-rewetting liquid, which give rise to significant thermal enhancement of the microscale phase-change heat transfer devices.
Onboard activity choice of Chinese cruise tourists
Authors: Li Na
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the onboard activity choice of Chinese cruise tourists on three international cruise ships departing Shanghai, China.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was adopted for this study. Data was collected using participant observation, casual conversation and semi-structured in-depth interviews from 76 Chinese cruise respondents. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Chinese cruise tourists were offered various onboard activities, most of which were Western. Booking these activities involved tourists searching information and assessing and choosing what appealed to them. They chose these activities according to the consumption values, and their decision was influenced by both context-dependent variables—the variety and style of the activities and their capacity to appeal, and the personal variable—age. Chinese tourists were satisfied with the array of onboard activity options and viewed them as an opportunity to experience Western culture. However, when they were unfamiliar with or did not understand some activities, they preferred Chinese activities.

Originality/value

This study formulates propositions to underlie a conceptual framework of how cruise tourists choose an onboard activity. The findings derived from the data will be valuable to cruise lines seeking to better manage tourists’ onboard experiences.
On IMF debt and capital control: evidence from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea
Authors: Mohamad Azhar , Sifat Imtiaz Mohammad , Mohd Thas Thaker Hassanudin , Noor Anwar Muhammad
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of capital control and external debts after the 1997 financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using system estimation approach, the authors estimate a panel data-based econometric model for data on Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea from 1990 to 2017.

Findings

The authors find that on average, the crisis-hit South East Asian economies choosing external debt perform better in achieving greater economic growth and rebound better compared to economies imposing capital control.

Originality/value

This study attempts to answer whether a crisis-hit country should impose capital control or opt for external debt to recuperate from the crisis.
Public value budgeting: propositions for the future of budgeting
Authors: Douglas Scott , Overmans Tom
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The principles of public value management (PVM) have greatly inspired public management practitioners and scholars, but the application of these ideas to the everyday practice and research of government has proven to be more difficult. This article formulates propositions for how the principles of PVM could affect one of the core processes of government: budgeting. These propositions can inspire practitioners and be tested by future researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

The article identifies the core principles of PVM and applies these to the budgeting functions of the allocation, management and accountability of public money. This exploration leads to a first conceptualization of “public value budgeting” and generates 12 propositions about how budgeting will change and remain unaltered under the influence of PVM.

Findings

The central argument is that “public value budgeting” could promote more coordination and integration between public funds and community resources, more involvement of societal stakeholders in the budgetary process and more continuous tweaks and changes to the budget. At the same time, legislative vetoes, financial controls and debates about the best use of public money will remain an important feature of public budgeting.

Originality/value

The article forwards the first conceptualization of public value budgeting, connects the literatures on public value and public budgeting, and offers both a practical application of PVM to public budgeting as well as a concrete agenda for future research.
Do mergers and acquisitions affect information asymmetry in the banking sector?
Authors: Howe John S. , Morillon Thibaut G.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the consequences of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on information asymmetry in the banking sector. Specifically, the authors look at whether specific firm or deal characteristic influence information asymmetry levels between insiders and investors, as well as the impact of recent regulation such as the Dodd–Frank Act.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors decompose the M&A process into three periods (pre-announcement, negotiation and post-completion period) and document changes in the information asymmetry levels between insiders and investors through the M&A process. The authors capture changes in information asymmetry using six different spread-based information asymmetry measures.

Findings

The authors find evidence that information asymmetry increases following M&A announcement and decreases following deal completion. These findings are more pronounced for acquisitions involving a private target, all-cash deals and for mergers, as opposed to acquisition of assets. We find that overall, successful mergers improve the quality of the information environment, while failed deals degrade it. Additionally, the enactment of Dodd–Frank reduced the magnitude of the changes in information asymmetry during the M&A process. The results are important to regulators, policy makers and investors.

Originality/value

To authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that looks at the effect of bank M&As on information asymmetry as well as the effect of regulations on information asymmetry.
The cost of players’ injuries to professional sports leagues and other sports organizations
Authors: Walia Bhavneet , Boudreaux Christopher John
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Most literature studies have focused on direct treatment costs of injuries. This literature is extended to include the foregone playing time of players as an additional injury cost.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have reviewed the literature on the cost of players’ injuries to professional sports leagues and other organizations.

Findings

The authors concluded that players’ injury costs are substantial and sufficiently variable to be a primary source of financial uncertainty for a team.

Originality/value

This study's value has added risk pooling and league-wide revenue sharing as tools to mitigate the risk of injury costs. Previous literature reviews focused predominately on direct treatment costs.
The interactive influence of human and social capital on capability development: the role of managerial diversity and ties in adaptive capability
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca , Boyle Brendan , Nicholas Stephen
Published: July 2020

Purpose

How top management teams (TMTs) adapt and change to create and sustain competitive advantage is a fundamental challenge for human resource management studies. This paper examines the effects of TMT composition (human capital) and managerial ties (social capital) as factors that interactively explain managerial adaptive capability and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A unique survey dataset, derived through privileged access to organizational CEOs and CFOs of 101 Chinese organizations, was used to investigate a path between TMT functional diversity and organizational performance through adaptive managerial capability. Data were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression and Hayes (2012) PROCESS macro for SPSS.

Findings

Unexpectedly, the results show that functional diversity has no direct positive effect on firm performance; however when functionally-diverse TMTs are embedded in external networks, there is a significant positive impact on managerial adaptive capability and, through this, competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

By identifying TMT functional diversity as an important driver of adaptive managerial capability, contingent on managerial ties, this study addresses a significant research gap pertaining to how TMT characteristics potentially contribute to the development of a core organizational capability.

Practical implications

The authors’ results highlight the importance of ensuring that recruitment into TMTs considers the complementarity of member functional background; however, benefit is only achieved when TMT members establish external ties with other organizations.

Originality/value

The authors’ findings provide evidence of the interactive effect of human and social capital on adaptive capability development and, through this, organizational performance.
Effect of post-treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of selective laser melted Ti6Al4V lattice structures
Authors: Huang Xina , Lang Lihui , Gong Shuili , Zhao Mali
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the post-treatment processes on lattice structures of selective laser melting. Moreover, the effect of pressure during hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is determined.

Design/methodology/approach

Three post-treatment processes, annealing at 650°C, 920°C and HIP were adopted. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of selective lasering melted Ti6Al4V lattice structures after post-treatment were systematically investigated by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, electron backscattered diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and quasi-static mechanics tests.

Findings

The main findings in this paper are as below: first, the pores existing in the samples as-fabricated, annealed at 650°C and 920°C are disappeared after HIP. Second, the microstructure and compressive properties after HIP are similar to that after pure annealing at the same temperature. However, the HIPed sample had the highest number of cycles to failure. Third, the fracture mechanism of as-fabricated samples changes from mixed fracture to the micro-voids accumulation fracture after post-treatment processes.

Originality/value

HIP post-treatment can be replaced by annealing at the same temperature when the requirement for porosity and fatigue life is not very high.
Patient satisfaction and efficacy of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel in plaque psoriasis patients with poor adherence
Authors: Takahashi Hidetoshi , Katayama Hiroyasu , Uwajima Yuta , Koda Masato , Sasaki Hajime , Tanito Katsumi , Hagiwara Masanori , Matsuo Koma , Nakagawa Hidemi
Published: July 2020

Poor adherence to treatment makes achievement of expected therapeutic outcomes more difficult, especially in chronic disorders like psoriasis. There are several critical factors that affect adherence, including therapeutic efficacy, patient satisfaction, patient treatment preferences and ease of application, especially in topical therapy. The fixed combination of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate in a gel formulation (Cal/BDP gel) has been recommended as a first‐line topical treatment for mild to moderate plaque. To examine whether Cal/BDP gel can effectively improve treatment adherence, we investigated the effects of once‐daily Cal/BDP gel on factors affecting adherence at weeks 4, 8 and 12 in patients with plaque psoriasis who had poor adherence. A total of 46 subjects were enrolled and 41 subjects (26 men, 15 women; mean age, 50.5 years) were included in the analysis. The following items were evaluated: Patient Preference Questionnaire, nine‐item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication, Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA), modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (m‐PASI), body surface area (BSA), pruritus, medication adherence and application time. In patients with poor adherence, many preferred treatment with Cal/BDP gel and evaluated its convenience as “excellent” at weeks 4 and 12. At week 12, the proportion of “clear”/”very mild” ratings using PGA reached 20.5%, the change from baseline on m‐PASI was −61.3% and the change from baseline on BSA was −39.8%, suggesting that the skin symptoms of psoriasis had improved greatly. In most patients, the longer they used Cal/BDP gel, the greater their preference and satisfaction and the higher the therapeutic effect, which increased markedly over 12 weeks. These results suggest that Cal/BDP gel can effectively improve treatment adherence. Conversely, high adherence to Cal/BDP gel must enhance the therapeutic effect. Therefore, we expect that Cal/BDP gel could become the mainstay of topical psoriasis treatment in patients with poor adherence.
Advances in metabarcoding techniques bring us closer to reliable monitoring of the marine benthos
Authors: Steyaert Margaux , Priestley Victoria , Osborne Owen , Herraiz Alba , Arnold Richard , Savolainen Vincent
Published: July 2020

Reliable and accurate biodiversity census methods are essential for monitoring ecosystem health and assessing potential ecological impacts of future development projects. Although metabarcoding is increasingly used to study biodiversity across ecological research, morphology‐based identification remains the preferred approach for marine ecological impact assessments. Comparing metabarcoding to morphology‐based protocols currently used by ecological surveyors is essential to determine whether this DNA‐based approach is suitable for long‐term monitoring of the marine ecosystems.

We compared metabarcoding and morphology‐based approaches for the analysis of invertebrates in low diversity intertidal marine sediment samples. We used a recently developed bioinformatics pipeline and two taxonomic assignment methods to resolve and assign amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) from Illumina amplicon data. We analysed the community composition recovered by both methods and tested the effects, on the levels of diversity detected by the metabarcoding method, of sieving samples prior to DNA extraction.

Metabarcoding of the mitochondrial marker cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene recovers the presence of more taxonomic groups than the morphological approach. We found that sieving samples results in lower alpha diversity detected and suggests a community composition that differs significantly from that suggested by un‐sieved samples in our metabarcoding analysis. We found that while metabarcoding and morphological approaches detected similar numbers of species, they are unable to identify the same set of species across samples.

Synthesis and applications. We show that metabarcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) marker provides a more holistic, community‐based, analysis of benthic invertebrate diversity than a traditional morphological approach. We also highlight current gaps in reference databases and bioinformatic pipelines for the identification of intertidal benthic invertebrates that need to be addressed before metabarcoding can replace traditional methods. Ultimately, with these limitations taken into consideration, resolving community‐wide diversity patterns with metabarcoding could improve the management of non‐protected marine habitats in the United Kingdom.
Photographic Image Comparison of Vegetation
Authors: Finkelstein Nir S. , Rosengarten Hila , Levy Ophir
Published: July 2020

Images and videos are common types of evidence in crime scene investigations and laboratory analysis. Images may be taken by the suspect and/or by crime scene investigators and may serve as crucial elements in forensic laboratory analysis. Forensic photographic image comparison is the process of comparing one or more objects or persons in photographs/images when at least one image is known to be related to a crime. The forensic examiner usually compares the images in order to determine whether or not an association between the exhibits in the images can be made. This paper proposes an extension to the currently prevalent photographic image examination method. The extension introduces comparison of landscape and vegetation over time. It is revealed that similarities between images may still be found between the period of time the suspect photograph was taken and the period the crime scene investigator took the photograph from the same area. In this case report, two suspects to be involved in growing a marijuana field were arrested by the police. The forensic experts were asked to examine images taken by the crime scene investigators and to compare them to the images found in the suspects’ phones. They then tried to determine whether the suspects could be linked to the specific locations. While applying techniques derived from morphological comparison methodologies, the plants at the scene provided significant additional information. A tree trunk, branches, and twigs on a hedge in the photographs revealed specific individual characteristics that led the examiner to reach a conclusive decision.
Sirt1 sustains female fertility by slowing age‐related decline in oocyte quality required for post‐fertilization embryo development
Authors: Iljas Juvita D. , Wei Zhe , Homer Hayden A.
Published: July 2020

The NAD+‐dependent sirtuin deacetylase, Sirt1, regulates key transcription factors strongly implicated in ageing and lifespan. Due to potential confounding effects secondary to loss of Sirt1 function from the soma in existing whole‐animal mutants, the in vivo role of Sirt1 in oocytes (oocyte‐Sirt1) for female fertility remains unknown. We deleted Sirt1 specifically in growing oocytes and study how loss of oocyte‐Sirt1 affects a comprehensive range of female reproductive parameters including ovarian follicular reservoir, oocyte maturation, oocyte mitochondrial abundance, oxidative stress, fertilization, embryo development and fertility during ageing. Surprisingly, eliminating this key sirtuin from growing oocytes has no effect in young females. During a 10‐month‐long breeding trial, however, we find that 50% of females lacking oocyte‐Sirt1 become prematurely sterile between 9 and 11 months of age when 100% of wild‐type females remain fertile. This is not due to an accelerated age‐related decline in oocyte numbers in the absence of oocyte‐Sirt1 but to reduced oocyte developmental competence or quality. Compromised oocyte quality does not impact in vivo oocyte maturation or fertilization but leads to increased oxidative stress in preimplantation embryos that inhibits cleavage divisions. Our data suggest that defects emerge in aged females lacking oocyte‐Sirt1 due to concurrent age‐related changes such as reduced NAD+ and sirtuin expression levels, which compromise compensatory mechanisms that can cover for Sirt1 loss in younger oocytes. In contrast to evidence that increasing Sirt1 activity delays ageing, our data provide some of the only in vivo evidence that loss of Sirt1 induces premature ageing.
Association of Alcohol Consumption and Ideal Cardiovascular Health Among South Asians: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study
Authors: Chevli Parag A. , Hari Krupal J. , Kanaya Alka M. , Talegawkar Sameera A. , Needham Belinda L. , Herrington David
Published: July 2020

Background

Observational studies have shown that alcohol consumption above the recommended limit is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), although its association in South Asians is unclear. Less is known regarding the association between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health (CVH), assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) health metrics among those with South Asian ancestry.

Methods

This analysis included 701 participants without CVD from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) cohort (2015 to 2018). Based on a personal history questionnaire, participants were divided into never, former, and current drinkers. The current drinking category was further classified into 1 to 3 drinks/wk, 4 to 7 drinks/wk, and >7 drinks/wk. The consumption of 5 or more drinks on 1 occasion in the past month was defined as binge drinking. Each LS7 component was given a point score of 0, 1, or 2. The total score was categorized into 0 to 6, 7 to 10, and 11 to 14 to represent poor, intermediate, and ideal CVH, respectively. We use multinomial logistic regression to examine the association between alcohol consumption and CVH.

Results

In the MASALA cohort (mean age = 59 years, 43% female), participants consuming >7 drinks/wk had the lowest mean CVH score. Compared with never drinkers, male participants consuming >7 drinks/wk were less likely to have intermediate CVH (0.44 [0.08, 0.91]) and ideal CVH (0.23 [0.03, 0.96]). Binge drinking was associated with significantly lower odds of ideal CVH compared with never drinkers.

Conclusion

We found evidence of an inverse association of moderate to heavy alcohol consumption and ideal CVH in South Asian men. These findings further underscore the important relationship between alcohol consumption and CVH in this unique population of South Asians.
First‐trimester trophoblasts obtained by chorionic villus sampling maintain tolerogenic and proteomic features in successful pregnancies despite a history of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Bruno Valentina , Lindau Robert , Jenmalm Maria C. , Ticconi Carlo , Piccione Emilio , Pietropolli Adalgisa , Ernerudh Jan
Published: July 2020

Problem

While there are several known causes for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), about 50% are unexplained (uRPL), and in these cases, an aberrant immune regulation seems to be involved. Although fetally derived trophoblast cells have a key role in immune regulation, it is difficult to study their immune function during pregnancy, and it is not known whether trophoblast function may be an inherent aberration in uRPL or whether it is associated with the outcome of the current pregnancy.

Method of study

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed for clinical indications at 12 weeks of gestation. Superfluous materials, divided in small explants, were cultured for 20‐24 hours, and supernatants (conditioned medium) were collected from 36 women with singleton normal pregnancies, of whom 9 women had a history of RPL. The secreted immune protein profile was measured by proximity extension assay, and the conditioned medium was further used in functional ex vivo models to assess ability to polarize blood monocytes and CD4+T cells into immune regulatory phenotypes, as detected by flow cytometry.

Results

Conditioned medium from chorionic villi, human fetally derived placental tissue, was able to induce a decidual‐type of M2‐like macrophages, as well as an expansion of Treg cells ex vivo, both in women with uRPL and in control women. The preserved immunological properties were confirmed by a maintained immune protein profile in RPL compared with controls.

Conclusion

Trophoblasts in an ex vivo model maintain tolerogenic and proteomic profile features in successful pregnancies, despite a previous history of RPL.
Trends in Australian inguinal hernia repair rates: a 15‐year population study
Authors: Williams Michael L. , Hutchinson Adam G. , Oh Daniel D. , Young Christopher J.
Published: July 2020

Background

An inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical pathologies, and therefore the repair of an inguinal hernia is one of the most common general surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the trend in inguinal hernia repair (IHR) rates in Australia between 2000/2001 and 2014/2015 using population data from public and private hospitals.

Methods

ICD‐10 data cubes from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare were analysed to determine the number of inguinal hernia repairs performed, open or laparoscopically, between 2000/2001 and 2014/2015 financial years. These data were combined with the Australian Bureau of Statistics population data estimates for the corresponding years, to give a procedure per 100 000 estimates.

Results

Incidence of IHRs within Australia decreased from 217 to 194 per 100 000 population over the 15‐year study period. There was a clear shift towards increased uptake of laparoscopic surgery with a subsequent fall in rates of open IHRs. Males accounted for the majority of IHR procedures. Unilateral repair was more common; however, the incidence of unilateral repair rates decreased while bilateral IHR rates increased over the study period.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic techniques are increasingly being used within public and private institutions across the country for inguinal hernia repair. There has also been a decrease in the incidence of IHR procedures performed per year over the 15‐year period studied, consistent with published literature from Europe and the USA.
Minimally invasive video‐assisted thyroidectomy in Asian patients: experience from Singapore
Authors: Singaporewalla Reyaz M. , Rao Anil D.
Published: July 2020

Background

Minimally invasive video‐assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) although well established in Europe has not yet gained widespread acceptance in Asia. We describe our learning experience in the first reported series of 105 cases from Singapore.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of outcomes in 105 patients who underwent MIVAT from April 2011 to 2018 was performed. The inclusion criteria were – symptomatic benign thyroid pathologies and follicular lesions or neoplasms needing a hemi‐thyroidectomy. A thyroid lobe volume less than 35 mL was used as cut‐off. Patients underwent surgeon‐performed thyroid ultrasound with biopsy of solid nodules. All cases were operated by one surgeon using standard Miccoli technique with energy device used in all cases.

Results

From a total of 424 patients with nodular goitres undergoing thyroidectomy, 105 (24%) symptomatic eligible patients underwent the MIVAT procedure (M:F – 23:82). The mean incision lengths at start and completion were 1.7 cm (range 1.5–2 cm) and 2.4 cm (range 2–2.7 cm), respectively. Mean operating time was 97 min (range 59–160 min). There were four conversions (3.8%) in the first 25 cases and four patients (3.8%) experienced transient hoarseness with full recovery. Visual analogue pain scores at 6 and 24 h post‐operatively were 2.7 and 1.1, respectively. Scar satisfaction was reported as excellent (75%), satisfactory (23%) and poor (2%).

Conclusion

Although technically more demanding, MIVAT is a safe and useful operation in a thyroid surgeon's armamentarium. The limitation of goitre size, however, allows only a small percentage of symptomatic patients to undergo this procedure.
Snoring toddlers with and without obstructive sleep apnoea differed with regard to snoring time, adenoid size and mouth breathing
Authors: Markkanen Saara , Rautiainen Markus , Himanen Sari‐Leena , Satomaa Anna‐Liisa , Katila Maija , Peltomäki Timo , Saarenpää‐Heikkilä Outi
Published: July 2020

Aim

The difficulty of assessing the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children who snore without full‐night polysomnography is widely recognised. Our aim was to identify features that were characteristic of two‐year‐old children with OSA and evaluate whether this information could be used to assess the likelihood of OSA.

Methods

The study was carried out as part of the Child‐Sleep Project, a longitudinal birth cohort study of children born at Tampere University Hospital, Finland. This part of the study focused on the children in the cohort who snored and was carried out between 2013 and 2015. The primary outcomes were measured using parental questionnaires, polysomnography and clinical examinations.

Results

In total, 52 children participated at a mean age of 27 months (range 23‐34). Of these, 32 (44% male) snorers and 20 (70% male) controls. The most significant findings were that children who had OSA demonstrated longer snoring time (P = .003), a greater tendency for mouth breathing (P = .007) and bigger adenoid size (P = .008) than snorers without OSA.

Conclusion

Snoring time, adenoid tissue size and mouth breathing were important features that identified the likelihood of OSA in snoring toddlers.
Subcutaneous daratumumab plus standard treatment regimens in patients with multiple myeloma across lines of therapy (PLEIADES): an open‐label Phase II study
Authors: Chari Ajai , Rodriguez‐Otero Paula , McCarthy Helen , Suzuki Kenshi , Hungria Vania , Sureda Balari Anna , Perrot Aurore , Hulin Cyrille , Magen Hila , Iida Shinsuke , Maisnar Vladimir , Karlin Lionel , Pour Ludek , Parasrampuria Dolly A. , Masterson Tara , Kosh Michele , Yang Shiyi , Delioukina Maria , Qi Ming , Carson Robin , Touzeau Cyrille
Published: July 2020

Daratumumab is a CD38‐targeting monoclonal antibody approved for intravenous (IV) infusion for multiple myeloma (MM). We describe the Phase II PLEIADES study of a subcutaneous formulation of daratumumab (DARA SC) in combination with standard‐of‐care regimens: DARA SC plus bortezomib/lenalidomide/dexamethasone (D‐VRd) for transplant‐eligible newly diagnosed MM (NDMM); DARA SC plus bortezomib/melphalan/prednisone (D‐VMP) for transplant‐ineligible NDMM; and DARA SC plus lenalidomide/dexamethasone (D‐Rd) for relapsed/refractory MM. In total, 199 patients were treated (D‐VRd, n = 67; D‐VMP, n = 67; D‐Rd, n = 65). The primary endpoints were met for all cohorts: the ≥very good partial response (VGPR) rate after four 21‐day induction cycles for D‐VRd was 71·6% [90% confidence interval (CI) 61·2–80·6%], and the overall response rates (ORRs) for D‐VMP and D‐Rd were 88·1% (90% CI 79·5–93·9%) and 90·8% (90% CI 82·6–95·9%). With longer median follow‐up for D‐VMP and D‐Rd (14·3 and 14·7 months respectively), responses deepened (ORR: 89·6%, 93·8%; ≥VGPR: 77·6%, 78·5%), and minimal residual disease–negativity (10‒5) rates were 16·4% and 15·4%. Infusion‐related reactions across all cohorts were infrequent (≤9·0%) and mild. The median DARA SC administration time was 5 min. DARA SC with standard‐of‐care regimens demonstrated comparable clinical activity to DARA IV–containing regimens, with low infusion‐related reaction rates and reduced administration time.
Characterization of Late Cretaceous to Miocene source rocks in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea: An integrated numerical approach of stratigraphic forward modelling and petroleum system modelling
Authors: Grohmann Sebastian , Fietz W. Susanne , Nader Fadi H. , Romero‐Sarmiento Maria‐Fernanda , Baudin Francois , Littke Ralf
Published: July 2020

Stratigraphic forward modelling was used to simulate the deposition of Upper Cretaceous, Eocene and Oligo‐Miocene source rocks in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and, thus, obtain a process‐based 3D prediction of the quantity and quality distribution of organic matter (OM) in the respective intervals.

Upper Cretaceous and Eocene models support the idea of an upwelling‐related source rock formation along the Levant Margin and the Eratosthenes Seamount (ESM). Along the margin, source rock facies form a narrow band of 50 km parallel to the palaeo shelf break, with high total organic carbon (TOC) contents of about 1% to 11%, and HI values of 300–500 mg HC/g TOC. On top of the ESM, TOC contents are mainly between 0.5% and 3% and HI values between 150 and 250 mg HC/g TOC. At both locations, TOC and HI values decrease rapidly towards the deeper parts of the basin. In the Oligo‐Miocene intervals, terrestrial OM makes up the highest contribution to the TOC content, as marine organic matter (OM) is diluted by high‐sedimentation rates. In general, TOC contents are low (<1%), but are distributed relatively homogenously throughout the whole basin, creating poor quality, but very thick source rock intervals of 1–2 km of cumulative thickness.

The incorporation of these source rock models into a classic petroleum system model could identify several zones of thermal maturation in the respective source rock intervals. Upper Cretaceous source rocks started petroleum generation in the late Palaeocene/early Eocene with peak generation between 20 and 15 Ma ca. 50 km offshore northern Lebanon. Southeast of the ESM, generation started in the early Eocene with peak generation between 18 and 15 Ma. Eocene source rocks started HC generation ca. 25 Ma ago between 50 and 100 km southeast of the ESM and reached the oil to wet gas window at present day. However, until today they have converted less than 20% of their initial kerogen. Although the Miocene source rocks are mostly immature, Oligocene source rocks lie within the oil window in the southern Levant Basin and reached the onset of the wet gas window in the northern Levant Basin. However, only 10%–20% of their initial kerogen have been transformed to date.
A nomogram model based on the preoperative clinical characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma with Hashimoto's thyroiditis to predict central lymph node metastasis
Authors: Zhao Wanjun , He Linye , Zhu Jingqiang , Su Anping
Published: July 2020

Objective

Preoperative prediction of central lymph node (LN) metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) provides an important basis for surgical decision‐making, especially regarding the extent of tumour resection. We aimed to develop and validate a nomogram model for the preoperative assessment of central LN metastasis.

Methods

We retrospectively collected the data of 994 PTC patients with HT who underwent surgery at the West China Hospital from January 2008 to December 2017. Among them, 606 patients who underwent surgeries relatively earlier comprised the training cohort for nomogram development, while the other 388 who underwent surgeries relatively later formed the validation cohort to validate the model's performance. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using the data of the two respective cohorts, as well as the data of the combined cohort. The relevant preoperative potential risk factors include demographic characteristics, medical history information, thyroid function test, ultrasound characteristics and BRAF V600E gene detection. A nomogram model was subsequently developed. The performance, discrimination and calibration of the nomogram model were assessed in the training and validation cohorts and in the combined cohort.

Results

The central LN metastasis rate of PTC with HT was 49.7% (301/606) and 48.7% (193/388) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that younger age, normal body mass index, BRAF V600E mutation, larger maximum diameter, left lobe tumour, aspect ratio >1, capsular invasion and calcification were significant risk factors for central LN metastasis in PTC patients with HT. The preoperative nomogram showed good calibration and discrimination for the training and validation cohorts, as well as for the combined data set.

Conclusion

The nomogram we developed and validated with a comprehensive set of preoperative factors is effective in predicting central LN metastasis in PTC patients with HT.
Utopia and Idiocy: Public Art Experiments in the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona
Authors: Sansi Roger
Published: July 2020

This article presents public art experiments that have taken place in cities of the metropolitan region of Barcelona, Spain. Some of these experiments were commissioned with the purpose of fostering social cohesion, but instead, they have made social dissent visible. I analyze these public art experiments through two terms that have been often used to question them: utopia and idiocy. I argue that both terms are important in understanding the politics of aesthetics in these experiments. My final objectives are first to assess if these experiments can help us better understand their urban and cultural context, and second if the politics of aesthetics is a good framework to analyze public art experiments.
Trends in the level of evidence and impact of clinical studies published in leading oral implantology journals: 2008–2018
Authors: Wu Xinyu , Hu Qing , Yan Qi , Zhang Tingting , Riley Philip , Hua Fang , Shi Bin , Tu Yu‐Kang
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To present the characteristics and level of evidence (LOE) of clinical studies published in leading oral implantology journals during 2008–2018 and to explore whether the LOE of a study is associated with its scientific and social impact.

Materials and methods

Clinical studies with direct relevance to the evaluation of healthcare interventions published in 2008, 2013, and 2018 in six oral implantology journals were identified via hand searches. A modified 4‐level Oxford 2011 LOE tool was used to assess the LOE of all eligible studies. The citation count and Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) of each study were extracted from Web of Science and Altmetric Explorer, respectively. Thereafter, multivariable generalized estimation equation analyses were used to investigate the association between LOE, citation counts, and AAS, adjusting for potential confounding factors and clustering effects.

Results

A total of 763 clinical studies were included, among which the proportion of level‐1, level‐2, level‐3, and level‐4 studies was 2.4%, 30.4%, 40.2%, and 27.0%, respectively. During 2008–2018, the proportion of high LOE studies (level‐1 and level‐2) increased substantially from 24.6% to 43.1%, although the number of systematic reviews that only include randomized controlled trials has remained limited. According to multivariable analyses, the citation count (p = .002) and AAS (p = .005) of high LOE studies were both significantly greater than those of low LOE studies.

Conclusions

During the past decade, the proportion of high LOE studies has increased substantially in the field of oral implantology. Clinical studies with higher LOE tend to have greater scientific and social impact.
Navigating the mesentery: Part III. Unusual anatomy of ileocolic vessels
Authors: Stimec B. V. , Ignjatovic D.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The ileocolic vessels are important landmarks in advanced surgery of the midgut. The aim of the present study is to present variations of ileocolic vessels relevant to complete mesocolic excision with D3 lymphadenectomy of the right colon, within their detailed and precise morphometric framework and deriving from a large and consistent series of operated patients.

Methods

An ongoing prospective trial ‘Safe Radical D3 Right Hemicolectomy for Cancer through Preoperative Biphasic Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography’ was reviewed. The imaging datasets underwent manual segmentation and 3D reconstruction, and the results were validated at surgery. A total of 356 patients were included in the study.

Results

A cross‐section of the series revealed five cases (1.4%) with variation of ileocolic vessels relevant to complete mesocolic excision or D3 extended mesenterectomy. There were two cases with absence of a true classical ileocolic artery, two cases with absence of a true classical ileocolic vein, and one case of precocious bifurcation of the ileocolic artery, left to the superior mesenteric vein. The entire D3 area in all the cases was thoroughly documented and analysed from the morphometric point of view (calibres, lengths of vessels, crossing patterns).

Conclusion

The preoperative visualization of a patient’s individual 3D anatomy is a powerful tool in identifying the variations whose negligence could have dire consequences in complete mesocolic excision of the right colon.
The predictive value of the combined systolic‐diastolic index for atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Camci Sencer , Ari Selma , Karakus Alper , Ari Hasan , Taner Temmuz
Published: July 2020

Objective

Atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a factor that causes an increase in mortality and morbidity. Therefore, predicting post‐CABG AF development is important for treatment management. In this study, we investigated the value of the ratio E/(Ea × Sa) as a combined systolic‐diastolic index in predicting post‐CABG AF development.

Methods

This prospective study included 102 patients who underwent only isolated coronary bypass. Preoperative demographic features, biochemical, and hematological parameters, and the electrocardiographic data of all patients were recorded. The E/(Ea × Sa) indices were calculated from the echocardiographic measurements. Those who retained their postoperative sinus rhythm were defined as group 1, and those who developed AF were defined as group 2.

Results

Group 2 had significantly higher lateral (group 1:1.14 ± 0.61 vs. group 2:1.47 ± 0.87; P = .02), medial (group 1:1.61 ± 0.70 vs. group 2:1.99 ± 0.91; P = .02), and mean (group 1:1.30 ± 0.58 vs. group 2:1.62 ± 0.74; P = .001) E/(Ea × Sa) indices than group 1. In the univariate analysis, age, CHA2DS2‐VASc score, sPAP, IABP use, and mean E/(EaxSa) index were found to be significant predictors of post‐CABG AF development. However, only the mean E/(EaxSa) index was found to be a significant predictor of post‐CABG AF development in the multivariate analysis (OR: 2.19 95% CI 1.01–5.96; P = .045).

Conclusions

The combined systolic‐diastolic index predicted the development of post‐CABG AF.
Mutation profile and prognostic relevance in elderly patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia treated with decitabine‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Ni Jing , Hong Jian , Long Zhangbiao , Li Qingsheng , Xia Ruixiang , Zeng Qingshu
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Decitabine‐based chemotherapy regimens have shown efficacy in the treatment of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, it remains unclear whether any molecular alteration is correlated with the therapeutic effect of such treatment regimens.

Methods

Gene mutations were detected using next‐generation sequencing, and their impact on survival was investigated in elderly AML patients receiving decitabine‐based chemotherapy.

Results

A higher incidence of gene mutations was identified in elderly AML patients than in the younger cohorts. Elderly patients more frequently carried DNMT3A, IDH2, ASXL1, TET2, RUNX1, CEBPA single mutation (CEBPAsingle‐mut), and TP53 mutations. Survival analysis showed that DNMT3A, FLT3‐ITD, and TP53 mutations were associated with inferior overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) in younger AML patients receiving standard treatment. However, in elderly patients treated with decitabine‐based chemotherapy, FLT3‐ITD, and ASXL1 mutations, but not DNMT3A and TP53 mutations, were associated with poor OS and EFS. Moreover, contrary to CEBPA double mutation (CEBPAdouble‐mut), CEBPAsingle‐mut was identified as an unfavorable prognostic factor.

Conclusion

This study comprehensively analyzed the prognostic implications of gene mutations in elderly AML patients under decitabine‐based treatment modality. Identification of genetic biomarkers to predict the subgroup of elderly AML patients who can benefit from decitabine‐based regimens might have an immediate clinical utility to optimize the treatment of elderly AML patients.