bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Key Predictors of an Academic Career after Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship
Authors: Luby Alexandra O. , Ranganathan Kavitha , Matusko Niki , Buchman Steven R.
Published: September 2020

Background:

As craniofacial fellowship positions outnumber the availability of academic craniofacial jobs, it is important to understand the factors associated with securing an academic position after fellowship. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of bibliometric indices and trainee demographics on the ability to obtain a full-time academic plastic surgery position on completion of a craniofacial fellowship.

Methods:

Craniofacial fellowship graduates between 2009 and 2018 (n = 182) were identified. Initial job placement and demographic data were collected; bibliometric indices at fellowship completion were calculated. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess the association of select factors with job placement.

Results:

Of the 48.9 percent of fellows that secured academic positions, 39.3 percent trained at five fellowship institutions. The majority of those completing residency at top institutions for academic surgery and research entered academic positions at fellowship completion. Geography influenced academic placement, as 72.7 percent of trainees in the Northeast secured academic positions. Only 20.3 percent of fellows completed dedicated postgraduate research time, but among these, 70.3 percent entered academic jobs. The h-index (OR, 1.14; p = 0.01) and total manuscripts (OR, 1.04; p = 0.02) were significantly associated with academic practice while adjusting for other covariates.

Conclusions:

Although residency training institution, geographic location, and postgraduate research may influence academic placement, the h-index and total manuscripts represent the best predictors of academic careers after craniofacial fellowship. This information is valuable for applicants who aspire to be academic craniofacial surgeons, and for programs and educators who can use these data to identify applicants with a propensity for academics.
Predicting Sexually Transmitted Infections Among HIV+ Adolescents and Young Adults: A Novel Risk Score to Augment Syndromic Management in Eswatini
Authors: Thivalapill Neil , Jasumback Caitlyn L. , Perry Sarah H. , Dlamini Lindokuhle , Matsenjwa Martha , Masangane Zandile T. , Mavimbela Mpumelelo , Mthethwa Nobuhle , Kirchner H. Lester , Mphaya Joyce , Lukhele Bhekumusa , Mandalakas Anna , Kay Alexander W.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Despite poor predictive power, syndromic screening is standard of care for diagnosing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in low-resource, high HIV-burden settings. Predictive models may augment syndromic screening when diagnostic testing is not universally available for screening high-risk patient populations such as adolescents and young adults living with HIV.

Setting:

Four hundred fifteen adolescents and young adults living with HIV, age 15–24 years, participated from 3 clinical sites in Eswatini, provided urine, sexual and medical history, and completed physical examination.

Methods:

STI cases were defined by a positive Xpert result for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea, or Trichomonas vaginalis. Features predictive of an STI were selected through Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) with 5-fold cross validation. Various model strategies were compared with parametric area under the Receiver Operator Curve (AUC) estimation and inferences were made with bootstrapped standard errors.

Results:

Syndromic screening poorly predicted STIs [AUC 0.640 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 0.577 to 0.703]. A model considering 5 predictors (age group, sex, any sexual activity, not always using condoms (either self or partner), a partner who was 25 years or older, and horizontal or unknown mode of HIV acquisition) predicted STIs better than syndromic screening [AUC: 0.829 (95% CI: 0.774 to 0.885)] and was improved when the risk score was supplemented with leukocyte esterase (LE) testing [AUC: 0.883 (95% CI: 0.806 to 0.961)].

Conclusions:

This simple predictive model, with or without leukocyte esterase testing, could improve STI diagnosis in HIV-positive adolescents and young adults in high burden settings through complementary use with syndromic screening and to guide patient selection for molecular STI diagnostic tests.
Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Frozen Amniotic Membrane Transplantation and Lamellar Keratoplasty in the Treatment of Mooren Ulcer
Authors: Chen Yingxin , Gao Ruiyao , Gao Minghong , Liu Qiming , Song Lixin
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To compare of the clinical efficacy of frozen amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) and lamellar keratoplasty (LKP) in the treatment of Mooren ulcer.

Method:

Forty patients (42 eyes) with Mooren's ulcer in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2019 were divided into frozen AMT group (20 eyes) and LKP group (22 eyes). Comparative observation of post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal epithelial healing time, corneal epithelialization time, ulcer healing, corneal transparency, corneal graft transparency, neovascularization and original disease recurrence were observed.

Results:

The average BCVA at post-operative 6 and 12 months in LKP group were significantly lower than AMT group (P < 0.05). The ulcer healing rates in LKP group (63.6) were significantly higher than AMT group (30) (P < 0.05). The corneal epithelialization time of LKP group were 9.55 ± 1.26 days. The corneal epithelial healing time of AMT group were 13.50 ± 2.21 days. Nine cases were corneal graft transparency grade 0, and 13 cases were grade I. Three eyes in AMT group were corneal transparency grade 0, 7 were grade I and 10 were grade II. Corneal neovascularization were observed in 3 eyes in AMT group and 4 eyes in LKP group. The original disease recurrence rates in LKP group (50) were significantly higher than AMT group (20) (P < 0.05). Four cases of primary corneal transplantation failure were observed in LKP group.

Conclusion:

Lamellar keratoplasty group obtained significantly better BCVA during follow-up and faster healing time than the frozen AMT group while frozen AMT group had lower original disease recurrence rates than LKP group.
The Pyramid Chin Augmentation: A New Technique
Authors: Ramieri Valerio , Maffìa Francesco , Vellone Valentino , Marianetti Sara , Marianetti Tito M.
Published: September 2020

The surgical approach to chin for esthetical purpose can be isolated or in a combination with other treatments like maxillomandibular surgery. Both possibilities include sliding genioplasty or implants of autologous or alloplastic materials. In this article, the authors present their new technique, the Pyramid Chin Augmentation.

In January 2020, a 40-year-old male patient came to authors’ observation asking for a great augmentation in the sagittal dimension of the chin, a better pronunciation of mandibular angles and of his cheekbones. The surgical treatment consisted in three different procedures at the same time: a chin wing osteotomy, a Pyramid Chin Augmentation and zygomatic PEEK custom-made malar implants. The pyramid was created on the body of the chin wing with a cortical bone graft from the oblique line of the ascending ramus of the mandible. The harvested bone was cut into strips of rectangular shape gradually shorter to be superimposed on the wing forming a pyramid. A fixation with 2 screws was performed and then was necessary to smoothen the edges of the bone layers.

The result immediately after the end of the surgery was in line with the set goals. The mandibular angles were more prominent, the chin was more sagittal pronounced, and there was no evidence of depression in the symphysial region.

The Pyramid Chin Augmentation Technique can be a valid tool in chin augmentation surgery and can also represent an effective procedure in the finishing touch of other facial surgery techniques.
Oxy-right Ventricular Assist Device for Bridging of Right Heart Failure to Lung Transplantation
Authors: Lee Sung Kwang , Kim Do Hyung , Cho Woo Hyun , Yeo Hye Ju
Published: September 2020

Background.

Right heart failure develops in lung transplantation candidates on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and increases mortality. The safety and feasibility of the oxy-right ventricular assist device (oxyRVAD) as a bridge to lung transplantation in severe right heart failure caused by terminal lung disease have not been evaluated.

Methods.

We retrospectively reviewed 14 patients who used oxyRVAD for bridging of right heart failure to lung transplantation.

Results.

The major cause of lung transplantation was acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (78.6%), and the median venovenous ECMO duration was 7 d. Before oxyRVAD, median mean pulmonary artery pressure was 60.5 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR], 54–68), and the median peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity was 3.9 m/s (IQR, 3.7–4.1). After oxyRVAD conversion, median mean pulmonary artery pressure was 60.5 mm Hg (IQR, 57.3–65), and the median peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity was 2.9 (IQR, 2.6–3.2). All patients were hemodynamically stable (median arterial blood pressure, 83 mm Hg; median heart rate, 79 bpm). Three patients developed pulmonary congestion (21.4%), and all patients stabilized within 24 h. Active rehabilitation during ECMO was possible in all patients, and the median duration of awake state during ECMO was 14 d. A total of 10 patients were bridged successfully to lung transplantation, and hospital survival rates were 90%.

Conclusions.

OxyRVAD stabilized hemodynamic parameters without fatal complications, permitted the discontinuation of sedation, and allowed active rehabilitation in patients with severe right heart failure. OxyRVAD may be a feasible option for bridging of right heart failure to lung transplantation.
High levels of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile contamination of hospital environments: a hidden threat in hospital-acquired infections in Kenya
Authors: Odoyo Erick , Kyanya Cecilia , Mutai Winnie , Musila Lillian
Published: September 2020

Introduction. The contribution of

Clostridioides difficile

(formerly

Clostridium difficile

) to the burden of hospital-associated infections (HAIs) remains undetermined in many African countries.

Aim. This study aimed to identify a sensitive and readily adaptable

C. difficile

detection assay and to evaluate the

C. difficile

HAI risk in Kenya.

Methodology. Sterile swabs in neutralizing buffer were used to sample equipment or surfaces that patients and clinical staff touched frequently. These swabs were either plated directly on chromogenic agar or cultured in an enrichment broth before plating. The swab suspensions, enrichment broth and plate cultures were screened by quantitative PCR (qPCR) to determine the most efficient detection method. The HAI risk was evaluated by testing the

C. difficile

-positive samples by qPCR for the A, B and binary toxins.

Results.

C. difficile

was detected on 4/57 (7.0 %) equipment and surfaces by direct culture. The additional enrichment step increased the detection rate 10-fold to 43/57 (75.4 %). In total, 51/57 (89.5 %) environmental samples were positive for

C. difficile

detected through either culture or qPCR. The genes encoding the primary toxins, tcdA and tcdB, were detected on six surfaces, while the genes encoding the binary toxins, cdtA and cdtB, were detected on 2/57 (3.5 %) and 3/57 (5.3 %) surfaces, respectively. Different

C. difficile

toxin gene profiles were detected: the tcdA+/tcdB− gene profile on 4/10 (40 %) high-touch surfaces, tcdA−/tcdB+ on 3/10 (30 %) surfaces, tcdA+/tcdB+/cdtA+/cdtB+ on 2/10 (20 %) surfaces and tcdA−/tcdB+/cdtB+ on one high-touch surface.

Conclusion. The widespread contamination of hospital environments by toxigenic

C. difficile

gives a strong indication of the high risk of

C. difficile

infections (CDIs). The two-step culture process described can easily be adapted for monitoring hospital environment contamination by

C. difficile

.
Early stopping in clinical PET studies: how to reduce expense and exposure
Authors: Svensson Jonas , Schain Martin , Knudsen Gitte M. , Ogden Todd , Plavén-Sigray Pontus
Published: September 2020

Clinical positron emission tomography (PET) research is costly and entails exposing participants to radioactivity. Researchers should therefore aim to include just the number of subjects needed to fulfill the purpose of the study. In this tutorial we show how to applysequential Bayes Factor testingin order to stop the recruitment of subjects in a clinical PET study as soon as enough data have been collected to make a conclusion. By using simulations, we demonstrate that it is possible to stop a study early, while keeping the number of erroneous conclusions low. We then apply sequential Bayes Factor testing to a real PET data set and show that it is possible to obtain support in favor of an effect while simultaneously reducing the sample size with 30%. Using this procedure allows researchers to reduce expense and radioactivity exposure for a range of effect sizes relevant for PET research.
Efficacy of commercial mouth-rinses on SARS-CoV-2 viral load in saliva: Randomized Control Trial in Singapore
Authors: Seneviratne Chaminda J. , Balan Preethi , Ki Karrie Ko Kwan , Udawatte Nadeeka S , Lai Deborah , Lin Dorothy Ng Hui , Venkatachalam Indumathi , Sit Jay Lim Kheng , Lin Ling Moi , Oon Lynette , Tin Goh Bee , Ying Jean Sim Xiang
Published: September 2020

The presence of high SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) titres in saliva may result in transmission of the virus and increase the risk of COVID-19 infection. This is particularly important as significant amounts of aerosols are generated during dental procedures, posing risk to dental care personnel and patients. Thus, reducing the titres of SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva of infected patients could be one of the key approaches to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission during dental procedures. In this randomised control trial, the efficacy of three commercial mouth-rinse viz. povidone-iodine (PI), chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), in reducing the salivary SARS-CoV-2 viral load in COVID-19 positive patients were compared with water. A total of 36 COVID-19 positive patients were recruited, of which 16 patients were randomly assigned to four groups— PI group (n=4), CHX group (n=6), CPC group (n=4) and water as control group (n=2). Saliva samples were collected from all patients at baseline and at 5 min, 3 h and 6 h post-application of mouth-rinses/water. The samples were subjected to SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR analysis. The fold change of Ct values were significantly increased in CPC group at 5 minutes and 6 h time points (p<0.05), while it showed significant increase at 6 h time point for PI group (p<0.01). Considering Ct values as an indirect method of arbitrarily quantifying the viral load, it can be postulated that CPC mouth-rinse can decrease the salivary SARS-CoV-2 levels within 5 minutes of use, compared to water rinsing. The effect of decreasing salivary load with CPC and PI mouth-rinsing was observed to be sustained at 6 h time point. Within the limitation of the current study, it can be concluded that use of CPC and PI formulated commercial mouth-rinses, with its sustained effect on reducing salivary SARS-CoV-2 level, may be useful as a pre-procedural rinse to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
First detection of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in the vicinity of COVID-19 isolation centre through wastewater surveillance in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Firoz , Islam Md. Aminul , Kumar Manish , Hossain Maqsud , Bhattachariya Prosun , Islam Md. Tahmidul , Hossen Foysal , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Uddin Md. Main , Islam Md. Nur , Bahadur Newaz Mohammed , Didar-ul-Alam Md. , Reza Hasan Mahmud , Jakariya Md.
Published: September 2020

In the course of a COVID-19 pandemic, 0.33 million people got infected in Bangladesh, we made the first and successful attempt to detect SARS-CoV-2 viruses’ genetic material in the vicinity wastewaters of an isolation centre i.e. Shaheed Bhulu Stadium, situated at Noakhali. The idea was to understand the genetic loading variation, both temporal and distance-wise in the nearby wastewater drains when the number of infected COVID-19 patients is not varying much. Owing to the fact that isolation center, in general, always contained a constant number of 200 COVID-19 patients, the prime objective of the study was to check if several drains carrying RNA of coronavirus are actually getting diluted or accumulated along with the sewage network. Our finding suggested that while the temporal variation of the genetic load decreased in small drains over the span of 50 days, the main sewer exhibited accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Other interesting finding displays that probably distance of sampling location in meters is not likely to have a significant impact on gene detection concentration, although the quantity of the RNA extracted in the downstream of the drain was higher. These findings are of immense value from the perspective of wastewater surveillance of COVID-19, as they largely imply that we do not need to monitor every wastewater system, and probably major drains monitoring may illustrate the city health. Perhaps, we are reporting the accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material along the sewer network i.e. from primary to tertiary drains. The study sought further data collection in this line to simulate conditions prevailed in the most of south Asian country and to shed further light on the temporal variation and decay/accumulation processes of the genetic load of the SARS-COV-2.

HIGHLIGHTS

First detection report of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the wastewaters of Bangladesh.

We traced the genetic load in the vicinity of the isolation center with 200 COVID-19 patients.

About 75% of positive samples were found during the monitoring period.

Main sewer and canal exhibit temporal accumulation of genetic load of SARS-CoV-2

In general, shredding shows a variable trend during the sampling tenure.
Gaussian graphical modeling of the serum exposome and metabolome reveals interactions between environmental chemicals and endogenous metabolites involved in critical metabolic processes
Authors: Bessonneau Vincent , Gerona Roy R. , Trowbridge Jessica , Grashow Rachel , Lin Thomas , Buren Heather , Morello-Frosch Rachel , Rudel Ruthann A.
Published: September 2020

Given the complex exposures from both exogenous and endogenous sources that an individual experiences during life, exposome-wide association studies that interrogate levels of small molecules in biospecimens have been proposed for discovering causes of chronic diseases. We conducted a study to explore associations between environmental chemicals and endogenous molecules using Gaussian graphical models (GGMs) of non-targeted metabolomics data measured in a cohort of California women firefighters and office workers. GGMs revealed many exposure-metabolite associations, including that exposures to mono-hydroxyisononyl phthalate, ethyl paraben and 4-ethylbenzoic acid were associated with metabolites involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis, and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were linked to bile acids – hormones that regulate cholesterol and glucose metabolism – and inflammatory signaling molecules. Some hypotheses generated from these findings were confirmed by analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Taken together, our findings demonstrate a novel approach to discovering associations between chemical exposures and biological processes of potential relevance for disease causation.
Adherence to the test, trace and isolate system: results from a time series of 21 nationally representative surveys in the UK (the COVID-19 Rapid Survey of Adherence to Interventions and Responses [CORSAIR] study)
Authors: Smith Louise E , Potts Henry WW , Amlȏt Richard , Fear Nicola T , Michie Susan , Rubin G James
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To investigate rates of adherence to the UK’s test, trace and isolate system over time.

Design

Time series of cross-sectional online surveys.

Setting

Data were collected between 2 March and 5 August 2020.

Participants

42,127 responses from 31,787 people living in the UK, aged 16 years or over, are presented (21 survey waves, n≈2,000 per wave).

Main outcome measures

Identification of the key symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, high temperature / fever, and loss of sense of smell or taste), self-reported adherence to self-isolation if symptomatic, requesting an antigen test if symptomatic, intention to share details of close contacts, self-reported adherence to quarantine if alerted that you had been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Results

Only 48.9% of participants (95% CI 48.2% to 49.7%) identified key symptoms of COVID-19. Self-reported adherence to test, trace and isolate behaviours was low (self-isolation 18.2%, 95% CI 16.4% to 19.9%; requesting an antigen test 11.9%, 95% CI 10.1% to 13.8%; intention to share details of close contacts 76.1%, 95% CI 75.4% to 76.8%; quarantining 10.9%, 95% CI 7.8% to 13.9%) and largely stable over time. By contrast, intention to adhere to protective measures was much higher. Non-adherence was associated with: men, younger age groups, having a dependent child in the household, lower socioeconomic grade, greater hardship during the pandemic, and working in a key sector.

Conclusions

Practical support and financial reimbursement is likely to improve adherence. Targeting messaging and policies to men, younger age groups, and key workers may also be necessary.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC

Test, trace and isolate systems are one of the cornerstones of COVID-19 recovery strategy.

The success of the test, trace and isolation system depends on adherence to isolating if symptomatic, getting a test if symptomatic, passing on details of close contacts if infection is confirmed, and quarantining of contacts.

Rates of adherence to test, trace and isolate behaviours in the UK need to be systematically investigated.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

Self-reported adherence to test, trace and isolate behaviours is low; intention to carry out these behaviours is much higher.

Identification of COVID-19 symptoms is also low.

Practical support and financial reimbursement are likely to improve adherence to test, trace and isolate behaviours.
Time course of homeostatic structural plasticity in response to optogenetic stimulation in mouse anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Lu Han , Gallinaro Júlia V. , Normann Claus , Rotter Stefan , Yalcin Ipek
Published: September 2020

Plasticity is the mechanistic basis of development, aging, learning and memory, both in healthy and pathological brains. Structural plasticity is rarely accounted for in computational network models, due to a lack of insight into the underlying neuronal mechanisms and processes. Little is known about how the rewiring of networks is dynamically regulated. To inform such models, we characterized the time course of neural activity, the expression of synaptic proteins, and neural morphology employing anin vivooptogenetic mouse model. We stimulated pyramidal neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex of mice and harvested their brains at 1.5 h, 24 h, and 48 h after stimulation. Stimulus-induced cortical hyperactivity persisted up to 1.5 h and decayed to baseline after 24 h, indicated by c-Fos expression. The synaptic proteins VGLUT1 and PSD-95, in contrast, were upregulated at 24 h and downregulated at 48 h, respectively. Spine density and spine head volume were also increased at 24 h and decreased at 48 h. This specific sequence of events reflects a continuous joint evolution of activity and connectivity that is characteristic of the model of homeostatic structural plasticity. Our computer simulations thus corroborate the observed empirical evidence from our animal experiments.
Rotational dynamics versus sequence-like responses
Authors: Lebedev Mikhail A , Ninenko Ivan , Ossadtchi Alexei
Published: September 2020

In a recent review, Vyas et al. commented on our previous observations regarding the presence of response sequences in the activity of cortical neuronal population and the contribution of such sequences to rotational dynamics patterns revealed with jPCA. Vyas et al. suggested that rotations generated from sequence-like responses are different from the ones arising from empirical neuronal patterns, which are highly heterogeneous across motor conditions in terms of response timing and shape. Here we extend our previous findings with new results showing that empirical population data contain plentiful neuronal responses whose shape and timing persist across arm-movement conditions. The more complex, heterogeneous responses can be also found; these response patterns also contain temporal sequences, which are evident from the analysis of cross-condition variance. Combined with simulation results, these observations show that both consistent and heterogeneous responses contribute to rotational patterns revealed with jPCA. We suggest that the users of jPCA should consider these two contributions when interpreting their results. Overall, we do not see any principal contradiction between the neural population dynamics framework and our results pertaining to sequence-like responses. Yet, questions remain regarding the conclusions that can be drawn from the analysis of low-dimensional representations of neuronal population data.
Top management team meetings and firm performance
Authors: Harymawan Iman , Nasih Mohammad , Nowland John
Published: September 2020

Purpose

How do shareholders know if corporate managers are doing their jobs? This paper aims to propose using top management team meetings as a measure of the behavior of company managers. More meetings may indicate effective effort by top management to enhance company performance. Alternatively, more meetings may reflect procrastination and decision paralysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Using top management team meeting data publicly disclosed by Indonesian companies during 2010–2017, this study tests for these hypothesized relationships between top management team meeting frequency and firm performance.

Findings

This study found that top management team meetings are positively related to firm performance, indicating that more meetings do represent more effective effort by top management teams. Further analysis shows that only firms that consistently hold more meetings than their peers perform better, particularly during periods of poor performance.

Originality/value

This study highlights top management team meetings as a valid signal of management effort and suggests there should be louder calls for disclosure of these types of executive performance metrics around the world.
The paradox of surprise: empirical evidence about surprising gifts received and given by close relations
Authors: Vanhamme Joëlle , Lindgreen Adam , Beverland Michael
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore surprising gifts received and given by close relations to identify the variables involved in creating surprising gifts. The analysis of the viewpoints of the giver and the recipient, reflecting their profiles, leads to recommendations for retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory, small-scale, open-ended questionnaire (48 respondents) produces 43 (38) accounts of surprising gifts given (received), informed further by in-depth interviews (eight informants, both givers and recipients of surprising gifts).

Findings

This study identifies and elaborates on the variables (why, when, what, where, who and how, and their combinations) that define surprising gift giving, from both giver and recipient perspectives. The findings indicate a paradox: even if givers or recipients prefer a surprising gift, they might give or wish for an unsurprising gift to avoid disappointment.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should confirm the findings using representative samples. Moreover, gender differences in surprising gift giving should be investigated further. Finally, the exact characteristics and properties that make common objects potential candidates for successful surprising gifts should be studied further.

Practical implications

The discussion has relevant implications for manufacturers and retailers. For example, if recipients are surprised, happy and satisfied, they likely exhibit higher brand recall. The recipient’s (happy versus not happy) emotions also have spillover effects on the giver’s. Thus, retailers should provide assistance in the store and advertise their salespeople as experts who can offer advice about selecting appropriate gifts. The exact characteristics and properties that make common objects potential candidates for successful surprising gifts should be studied further.

Originality/value

The systematic account of all six variables, not previously analyzed in the literature, provides rich insights into surprising gift giving. The discussion of the study of givers and recipients supplements these insights.
Optimisation of a chuck for cardboard can seaming – part 1: surface engineering and tribological evaluation
Authors: Velkavrh Igor , Ausserer Florian , Klien Stefan , Voyer Joel , Vorlaufer Georg , Abbrederis Alexander
Published: September 2020

Purpose

During the production of cardboard food cans, the packaging bottom and the cylindrical wall are joined in the seaming process. In order to achieve a high-quality, crack-free surface of the cardboard seam, low friction between the seaming chuck and the cardboard must be ensured. The goal of this study was to minimise the friction between the seaming chuck and the cardboard can surface.

Design/methodology/approach

Tribological properties of the seaming chuck were optimised by adjusting its material properties, surface topography and surface energy followed by measurements of the resulting friction response in sliding contact with a representative paper sample.

Findings

A strong correlation between the surface free energies of the tribological samples and their measured coefficients of friction was observed, indicating that in tribological tests, adhesion was the dominating friction mechanism. Furthermore, the fact that the smoother samples yielded higher friction values than the rougher ones is most likely also correlated with the higher adhesion of the smoother samples originating from their larger contact area.

Research limitations/implications

The existing results indicate that for tribological optimisation of paper and cardboard contacts primarily the adhesive friction component should be considered – by either reducing the surface free energy of the counter-body or optimising its surface topography.

Practical implications

By applying the selected solution concept, a friction reduction of more than 50% as compared to the benchmark was achieved.

Originality/value

The present study provides a guideline for tribological optimisation of paper and cardboard contacts.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-02-2020-0064/
Stock Market and Social Mood : Evidence from Korea
Authors: Choi Sujung
Published: September 2020

This study provides empirical evidence on the existence of a mood effect in Korea Stock Market. Given the assumptions that changes in the Consumer Expectation Index and the numbers of suicides proxy for the social mood, I find that the aggregate stock market moves with the changes of investor sentiment, on average. The relation between the KOSPI and mood variables representing for investor sentiment is economically and statistically significant. For example, a 10% increase of the CEI relative to the previous month leads to a 14.7% rise of the KOSPI. The magnitude of the mood effect is even larger on the small cap stocks, especially in the KOSDAQ market. The contemporaneous changes in the KOSPI affected by the changes of investor sentiment are mostly reversed in the next month, suggesting that the mood effect is short-lived and seems to be unrelated to the fundamental information.
Foreign institutional investors and the contribution of cash and dividend to firm's value
Authors: Karim Saima , Ilyas Muhammad
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of foreign institutional investors (FII) on the contribution of cash and dividend to firm's value in the context of Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a sample of 1,929 nonfinancial firms listed in Tokyo Stock Exchange in the period from 2002 to 2016. For data analysis, pooled OLS regression with firm and year fixed effect is applied. Further, the p-value of difference is used to test the null hypothesis of equal coefficients.

Findings

The findings depict that cash holdings contribute more to firm's value when ownership by FII is high. Contrarily, dividends contribute more to firm's value when ownership by FII is low. The results remain consistent after using excess cash holdings instead of cash holdings and after re-estimating the main regression model in the presence of top 30% and bottom 30% ownership level.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to Japanese nonfinancial sector. The results implied that firms where the probability of managerial agency cost and expropriation of cash is high, the presence of FII mitigates the agency cost and positively influences the contribution of cash to firm's value. Overall, this research highlighted the disciplinary and monitoring role of FII in Japan.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights on the monitoring and governance role of foreign institutions, showing that FII promote better cash management and utilization, which significantly affects the contribution of cash holdings to firm's value.
Do new ways of working increase informal learning at work?
Authors: Gerards Ruud , de Grip Andries , Weustink Arnoud
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a first investigation of how new ways of working (NWW) and their various facets relate to employee informal learning at work, while accounting for a range of known antecedents of informal learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The job demand–control model and the job demands–resources model underpin our hypotheses on how NWW would relate to informal learning. The hypotheses are tested using the Preacher and Hayes (2008) bootstrap method for mediation analysis, accounting for the potential mediating effect of the frequency with which employees receive feedback.

Findings

The analyses show that NWW positively relate to informal learning at work. This relation is mediated by the frequency with which employees receive feedback. Further analysis shows that one particular NWW facet – access to organizational knowledge – is an independent driver of informal learning, hardly mediated by receiving feedback.

Practical implications

The results suggest that managers who seek new ways to stimulate informal learning can do so by giving their employees more access to organizational knowledge, for instance, by leveraging the potential of modern ICT.

Originality/value

This empirical paper is the first study on the impact of NWW on informal learning at work. Using data on the Dutch working population, it provides novel insights for several strands of literature as well as for practitioners.
Environmental awareness, consumption of organic products and gender
Authors: do Prado Nágela Bianca , Moraes Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de
Published: September 2020

Purpose

It was aimed to propose and test a theoretical model to evaluate how some dimensions of environmental awareness influence the intention of consuming organic products using gender as a control variable.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was developed through quantitative methodology with the use of multivariate data analysis (PLS-SEM). The model uses a second-order construct. Although, it was conducted in a nonprobabilistic way using a convenience sample, with 213 university students.

Findings

It was confirmed the relation between the environmental awareness dimensions' influence and the intention to buy organic products that is also influenced according to the consumers' gender. There is a more positive effect and intensity in the organics' purchase by women.

Research limitations/implications

The nonprobabilistic nature in addition to the use of the convenience sample, factors that do not allow the generalization of the results, are some limitations. Moreover, the dimensions of environmental awareness proposed do not include all of the motivators about the organic consumption.

Practical implications

The results identified the factors that motivate the intention to consume organic products in Brazilian context and can contribute to managerial strategies formulation in order to increase the value perceived by the customer in relation to the consumption of these products.

Originality/value

This paper presents a deeper understanding about the dynamics between the factors that can guide the choice for organic products, besides providing a greater theoretical and empirical support tested by the use of a second-order construct.
Cycles in cattle and hog prices in South America
Authors: Fliessbach Astrid , Ihle Rico
Published: September 2020

Prices of agricultural products often vary in relatively stable patterns around their long‐run trends. These variations translate into fluctuations of selling prices as well as farm revenues. We provide an overview of the current literature on agricultural price cycles. Using a transparent and reproducible model selection process and the Kalman filter, we select optimal models and estimate the cyclic patterns of hog and cattle prices for Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Durations of those cycles are found to be about three years and seven years, respectively. These durations are in line with the literature and the biological characteristics of livestock production. Our results can inform producers forecasts on price developments in the short and medium run. They are useful for guiding policy makers on the timing of policy interventions for influencing the duration or the amplitudes of cycles.
Societal religiosity and the gender gap in political interest, 1990–2014
Authors: Fernández Juan J. , Jaime‐Castillo Antonio M. , Mayrl Damon , Valiente Celia
Published: September 2020

This manuscript examines the structural causes of the gender gap in political interest. In many countries, men are more interested in politics than women. Yet, in others, men and women prove equally interested. We explain this cross‐national variation by focusing on the effects of societal religiosity. Since religion sustains the traditional gender order, contexts where societal religiosity is low undermine the taken‐for‐grantedness of this order, subjecting it to debate. Men then become especially interested in politics to try to reassert their traditional gender dominance, or to compensate for their increasingly uncertain social status. A secular environment thus increases political interest more among men than among women, expanding this gender gap. Using the World and European Values Survey, we estimate three‐level regression models and test our religiosity‐based approach in 96 countries. The results are consistent with our hypothesis.
A prospective study of placental growth factor in twin pregnancy and development of a dichorionic twin pregnancy specific reference range
Authors: Hayes‐Ryan D , Meaney S , Fitzgerald AP , O’Mahony E , Normile C , Kenny LC , O’Donoghue K
Published: September 2020

Objective

To develop a dichorionic twin pregnancy specific reference range for placental growth factor (PlGF), and to compare gestation‐specific placental growth factor levels in twin pregnancies later complicated by pre‐eclampsia, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy or fetal growth restriction with control pregnancies.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Single large tertiary maternity unit in Ireland.

Population or Sample

Women with a twin pregnancy.

Methods

Consenting pregnant women, across a variety of gestations, had a single blood sample taken at one time‐point only during their pregnancy. The plasma was initially biobanked and PlGF was measured later in batches using the point of care Triage® PlGF test.

Main outcome measures

Development of pre‐eclampsia, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy or fetal growth restriction.

Results

Placental growth factor levels in uncomplicated dichorionic twin pregnancies were significantly lower in the women who later developed pre‐eclampsia than in the controls at all gestational intervals. In those that later developed any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, median PlGF was lower only in those recruited before 24 weeks of gestation, whereas in infants with a customised birthweight below the third centile, PlGF was lower only in those sampled after 24 weeks of gestation.

Conclusions

Placental growth factor levels in twin pregnancy differ significantly between those women with a pregnancy that will later be complicated by pre‐eclampsia and those that will not. This difference is present many weeks before clinical signs or symptoms of disease are present. Using cross‐sectional values from uncomplicated twin pregnancies, we have developed a dichorionic twin pregnancy specific reference range for PlGF.

Tweetable Abstract

Placental growth factor levels in twin pregnancy differ significantly between women that will later develop pre‐eclampsia and those that will not.
Association between pill burden and interdialytic weight gain in patients with hemodialysis: A multi‐center cross‐sectional study
Authors: Murasawa Masaru , Uehara Atsuko , Suzuki Tomo , Shimizu Sayaka , Kojima Shigeki , Uchida Daisuke , Okamoto Takeshi , Naganuma Toru , Sasaki Sho , Imai Naohiko , Chikaraishi Akihiro , Matsukawa Shigeaki , Kawarazaki Hiroo , Sakurada Tsutomu , Shibagaki Yugo
Published: September 2020

High daily pill burden affects quality of life and mortality. High interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) is associated with increased mortality. We examined the association between pill burden and IDWG in hemodialysis patients. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in six dialysis centers in Japan in June 2017. The exposure was the number of daily tablets, and outcome was defined as 1 day of relative IDWG divided by post‐dialysis weight from the previous session. Among 188 outpatients (mean age, 68.7 [SD, 10.3] years; men, 67.0%; median dialysis vintage, 76.0 [interquartile range, 36.5, 131.5] months), the mean number of daily tablets was 19.7 ± 9.9, and mean relative weight gain was 3.5 ± 1.2%. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a regression coefficient of 0.021 (95% confidence interval: 0.004‐0.039), indicating that one additional tablet prescription increased the IDWG by 0.021%. In hemodialysis patients, the daily pill burden was a significant, independent risk for increased relative IDWG.
Neonatal respiratory distress produced by a nasopharyngeal glioma with a persistent craniopharyngeal canal
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Pujari Vishnu S , Munshi Mihir , Hastak Meenal S
Published: September 2020

Nasopharyngeal gliomas are congenital masses of heterotopic glial tissue. Our case report describes an infant with respiratory distress produced by a nasopharyngeal glioma with a persistent craniopharyngeal canal (CPC). The identification of CPC is important for medical and surgical management of possible pituitary dysfunction and preventing operative and post‐operative complications.
Three dimensional texture analysis of noncontrast chest CT in differentiating solitary solid lung squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma and correlation to immunohistochemical markers
Authors: Han Rui , Arjal Roshan , Dong Jin , Jiang Hong , Liu Huan , Zhang Dongyou , Huang Lu
Published: September 2020

Background

The aim of the study was to investigate 3D texture analysis (3D‐TA) in noncontrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) (NCECT) to differentiate squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from adenocarcinoma (AC), and the correlation with immunohistochemical markers.

Methods

A total of 70 patients confirmed with SCC (n = 29) and AC (n = 41) were enrolled in this retrospective study. 3D‐TA was utilized to calculate TA parameters of all the tumor lesions based on NCECT images, and all the patients were divided into the training and the test groups. The TA parameters were selected by dimensionality reduction, and the model was established to differentiate SCC from AC according to the training group. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the model in both the training and the test groups. Spearman correlation were used to assess the correlation between the selected feature parameters and immunohistochemical markers (P63, P40, and TTF‐1).

Results

Five TA parameters, including volume count, relative deviation, Haralick correlation, gray‐level nonuniformity and run length nonuniformity, were obtained to differentiate SCC from AC by multistep dimensionality reduction. The new model combined with all five TA parameters yielded a high diagnostic performance to differentiate SCC from AC (AUC 0.803) in test group, with a specificity of 89% and a sensitivity of 77%. There was weak correlation between the five texture feature parameters and P63 as well as P40 in all patients (P < 0.05), respectively.

Conclusions

The model including five TA parameters on NECT has a good diagnostic performance in differentiating SCC from AC.

Key points

• Significant findings of the study

The model created by five selected textural feature parameters can differentiate solid SCC from AC without contrast media. The selected five texture feature parameters are correlated to the immunohistochemical markers P63 and P40.

• What this study adds

The textural feature parameters' model can identify SCC from AC without contrast media.
Ethanol‐Impaired Myogenic Differentiation is Associated With Decreased Myoblast Glycolytic Function
Authors: Levitt Danielle E. , Chalapati Naveena , Prendergast Matthew J. , Simon Liz , Molina Patricia E.
Published: September 2020

Background

Myopathy affects nearly half of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), and impaired skeletal muscle regenerative potential is a probable contributing factor. Previous findings from our laboratory indicate that chronic in vivo and in vitro ethanol (EtOH) treatment decreases myogenic potential of skeletal muscle myoblasts. Myogenesis, a highly coordinated process, requires shifts in cellular metabolic state allowing for myoblasts to proliferate and differentiate into mature myotubes. The objective of this study was to determine whether alcohol interferes with myoblast mitochondrial and glycolytic metabolism and impairs myogenic differentiation.

Methods

Myoblasts were isolated from vastus lateralis muscle excised from alcohol‐naïve adult male (n = 5) and female (n = 5) rhesus macaques. Myoblasts were proliferated for 3 days (day 0 differentiation; D0) and differentiated for 5 days (D5) with or without 50 mM EtOH. Metabolism was assessed using a mitochondrial stress test to measure oxygen consumption (OCR) and extracellular acidification (ECAR) rates at D0. Differentiation was examined at D5. Expression of mitochondrial and glycolytic genes and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was measured at D0 and D5.

Results

Ethanol significantly (p < 0.05) increased myoblast maximal OCR and decreased ECAR at D0, and decreased fusion index, myotubes per field, and total nuclei at D5. The EtOH‐induced decrease in ECAR was associated with the EtOH‐mediated decreases in fusion index and myotubes per field. EtOH did not alter the decrease in glycolytic gene expression and increase in mtDNA from D0 to D5.

Conclusion

During myoblast proliferation, EtOH decreased glycolytic metabolism and increased maximal OCR, suggesting that myoblast metabolic phenotype was dysregulated with EtOH. The EtOH‐induced decrease in ECAR was associated with decreased differentiation. These findings suggest that EtOH‐mediated shifts in metabolic phenotype may underlie impaired differentiation, which has important clinical implications for myogenesis in those affected by alcoholic myopathy.