bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The frequency of corporate misconduct: public enforcement versus private reality
Authors: Soltes Eugene
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Perceptions about the frequency of misconduct – among the public, academics and even regulators – have largely been formed by examining enforcement statistics, which rely on the detection and sanctioning of the misconduct. This study aims to illuminate the real occurrence of corporate misconduct, much of which escapes public detection.

Design/methodology/approach

By examining confidential firm records describing misconduct within organizations, the author shows that public enforcement statistics significantly underestimate the amount of serious malfeasance that arises within firms.

Findings

Through analyzing records for several large multinational firms, the author finds that there are, on average, more than two instances of internally substantiated misconduct per week per firm.

Originality/value

Ultimately, this analysis illustrates the challenge of addressing corporate malfeasance within large organizations.
Political connections and corporate social responsibility reporting in Portugal
Authors: Bianchi Maria Teresa , Monteiro Patrícia , Azevedo Graça , Oliveira Jonas , Viana Rui Couto , Branco Manuel Castelo
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relation between firms’ political connections and corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in Portugal. The authors argue that in settings where the existence of political connections are viewed as damaging collective interests of stakeholders, political connected firms can deal with legitimacy issues from such connections by resorting to CSR practices and the reporting thereof.

Design/methodology/approach

Using archival data from a panel sample of 36 firms from Portugal between 2009 and 2012, the authors examine the relationship between political connections and CSR reporting by way of regression analysis.

Findings

The authors find a positive relationship between political connections and CSR reporting.

Originality/value

This study draws on legitimacy theory to highlight that CSR can be used to deal with stakeholder activism and vigilance pertaining to suspicion related to the existence of political connections.
Using proxies of microbial community‐weighted means traits to explain the cascading effect of management intensity, soil and plant traits on ecosystem resilience in mountain grasslands
Authors: Piton Gabin , Legay Nicolas , Arnoldi Cindy , Lavorel Sandra , Clément Jean-Christophe , Foulquier Arnaud
Published: November 2019

Trait‐based approaches provide a framework to understand the role of functional biodiversity on ecosystem functioning under global change. While plant traits have been reported as potential drivers of soil microbial community composition and resilience, studies directly assessing microbial traits are scarce, limiting our mechanistic understanding of ecosystem functioning.

We used microbial biomass and enzyme stoichiometry, and mass‐specific enzymes activity as proxies of microbial community‐weighted mean (CWM) traits, to infer trade‐offs in microbial strategies of resource use with cascading effects on ecosystem resilience. We simulated a drought event on intact plant–soil mesocosms extracted from mountain grasslands along a management intensity gradient. Ecosystem processes and properties related to nitrogen cycling were quantified before, during and after drought to characterize ecosystem resilience.

Soil microbial CWM traits and ecosystem resilience to drought were strongly influenced by grassland type. Structural equation modelling revealed a cascading effect from management to ecosystem resilience through modifications in soil nutrients, and plant and microbial CWM traits. Overall, our results depict a shift from high investment in extracellular enzymes in nutrient‐poor soils (oligotrophic strategy), to a copiotrophic strategy with low microbial biomass N:P and low investment in extracellular enzymes associated with exploitative plant traits in nutrient‐rich soils.

Microbial CWM traits responses to management intensity were highly related to ecosystem resilience. Microbial communities with a copiotrophic strategy had lower resistance but higher recovery to drought, while microbial communities with an oligotrophic strategy showed the opposite responses. The unexpected trade‐off between plant and microbial resistance suggested that the lower resistance of copiotrophic microbial communities enabled plant resistance to drought.

Synthesis.Grassland management has cascading effects on ecosystem resilience through its combined effects on soil nutrients and plant traits propagating to microbial traits and resilience. We suggest that intensification of permanent grassland management and associated increases in soil nutrient availability decreased plant–microbe competition for N under drought through the selection of drought‐sensitive microbial communities with a copiotrophic strategy that promoted plant resistance. Including proxies of microbial CWM traits into the functional trait framework will strengthen our understanding of soil ecosystem functioning under global change.
The vaginal metabolome and microbiota of cervical HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative women: a cross‐sectional analysis
Authors: Borgogna JC , Shardell MD , Santori EK , Nelson TM , Rath JM , Glover ED , Ravel J , Gravitt PE , Yeoman CJ , Brotman RM
Published: November 2019

Objective

Characterise the vaginal metabolome of cervical HPV‐infected and uninfected women.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

The Center for Health Behavior Research at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

Sample

Thirty‐nine participants, 13 categorised as HPV‐negative and 26 as HPV‐positive (any genotype; HPV+), 14 of whom were positive with at least one high‐risk HPV strain (hrHPV).

Method

Self‐collected mid‐vaginal swabs were profiled for bacterial composition by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, metabolites by both gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, and 37 types of HPV DNA.

Main outcome measures

Metabolite abundances.

Results

Vaginal microbiota clustered into Community State Type (CST) I (Lactobacillus crispatus‐dominated), CST III (Lactobacillus iners‐dominated), and CST IV (low‐Lactobacillus, ‘molecular‐BV’). HPV+ women had higher biogenic amine and phospholipid concentrations compared with HPV– women after adjustment for CST and cigarette smoking. Metabolomic profiles of HPV+ and HPV− women differed in strata of CST. In CST III, there were higher concentrations of biogenic amines and glycogen‐related metabolites in HPV+ women than in HPV– women. In CST IV, there were lower concentrations of glutathione, glycogen, and phospholipid‐related metabolites in HPV+ participants than in HPV– participants. Across all CSTs, women with hrHPV strains had lower concentrations of amino acids, lipids, and peptides compared with women who had only low‐risk HPV (lrHPV).

Conclusions

The vaginal metabolome of HPV+ women differed from HPV− women in terms of several metabolites, including biogenic amines, glutathione, and lipid‐related metabolites. If the temporal relation between increased levels of reduced glutathione and oxidised glutathione and HPV incidence/persistence is confirmed in future studies, anti‐oxidant therapies may be considered as a non‐surgical HPV control intervention.

Tweetable abstract

Metabolomics study: Vaginal microenvironment of HPV+ women may be informative for non‐surgical interventions.
Chlorogenic Acid Stimulates the Thermogenesis of Brown Adipocytes by Promoting the Uptake of Glucose and the Function of Mitochondria
Authors: Han Xue , Zhang Yuxin , Guo Jielong , You Yilin , Zhan Jicheng , Huang Weidong
Published: November 2019

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) prevents obesity and related diseases by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with adenosine triphosphate. Previous studies have demonstrated that polyphenols can promote the thermogenesis of BAT in mice. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a common phenolic acid found in fruits and vegetables, as well as traditional Chinese medicine, which is responsible for a variety of physiological activities. However, it is still unclear whether CGA has positive effects on the thermogenesis of BAT. In this study, CGA enhances the thermogenesis and proton leak of brown adipocytes, however, no changes are evident regarding the differentiation of C3H10T1/2 into brown adipocytes. Surprisingly, CGA promotes the uptake of glucose by upregulating the glucose transporter 2 and phosphofructokinase. Moreover, CGA increases the number and the function of mitochondrial. Taken together, CGA stimulates thermogenesis of brown adipocytes by promoting the uptake of glucose and the function of mitochondria.

Practical Application

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is widely found in fruits, vegetables, and traditional Chinese medicines, which has been considered to have antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory function. However, whether it has the function of resisting obesity and promoting thermogenesis is still unclear. In this study, brown adipocyte was used to explore the function and mechanism of CGA on thermogenesis. It provides new ideas for the utilization of foods rich in CGA and traditional Chinese medicine.
Casein as a Modifier of Whey Protein Isolate Gel: Sensory Texture and Rheological Properties
Authors: Cubides Yvette T. Pascua , Eklund Peter R. , Foegeding E. Allen
Published: November 2019

The objective of this study was to determine if casein could be used to adjust the structure of whey protein gels and alter targeted textural properties. Secondarily, we sought to determine if specific structural and mechanical properties were associated with sensory texture terms. Heat set gels were made from whey proteins alone or combined with casein in micellar or dispersed form at pH 6.0 and 5.5. Replacing the whey protein with casein produced a gel breakdown pattern that was more cohesive during mastication with increased moisture retention. Additionally, casein addition reduced gel strength but minimally altered recoverable energy (an indicator of elasticity). Structural breakdown patterns were shifted from brittle‐ to ductile‐like fracture for gels containing dispersed casein at pH 5.5 or micellar casein at pH 6.0. Shifts in microstructure observed by confocal microscopy could not explain the changes in mechanical or sensory textures. The differentiating sensory attributes among treatments were adhesiveness, cohesiveness of mass, tackiness, firmness, fracturability, and deformability. Most notably, adding casein increased cohesiveness while maintaining water holding properties. Sensory texture properties could be explained by a combination of macroscopic structural changes (appearance), fracture properties, and postfracture breakdown pattern. Overall, it was demonstrated that casein can be used to alter whey protein gel structure such that sensory firmness and fracturability are decreased and cohesiveness is increased, while preventing a large increase in moisture release.

Practical Application

There is a current desire to use alternative sources of protein in a variety of food applications, which requires the ability to design food structures with specific textural properties. Whey protein gels were used as a model soft solid structure with textural attributes of low cohesiveness and water release, and high firmness and fracturability. It was shown that adding casein modified the structure such that cohesiveness increased, firmness and fracturability decreased, and water holding ability was maintained. Using a second source of protein to modify a primary protein network appears to be a viable way to adjust textural properties.
Machine Learning and Expert Judgement: Analyzing Emerging Topics in Accounting and Finance Research in the Asia–Pacific
Authors: Cai Cynthia W. , Linnenluecke Martina K. , Marrone Mauricio , Singh Abhay K.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we focus on the question to what extent machine learning (ML) tools can be used to support systematic literature reviews. We apply a ML approach for topic detection to analyze emerging topics in the literature—our context is accounting and finance research in the Asia–Pacific region. To evaluate the robustness of the approach, we compare findings from the automated ML approach with the results from a manual analysis of the literature. The automated approach uses a keyword algorithm detection mechanism whereby the manual analysis uses common techniques for qualitative data analysis, that is, triangulation between researchers (expert judgement). From our paper, we conclude that both methods have strengths and weaknesses. The automated analysis works well for large corpora of text and provides a very standardized and non‐biased way of analyzing the literature. However, the human researcher is potentially better equipped to evaluate current issues and future trends in the literature. Overall, the best results might be achieved when a variety of tools are used together.
Financial misreporting and peer firms' operational efficiency
Authors: Lao Brent , Yi Sheng
Published: November 2019

We investigate the impact of financial misreporting on peer firms’ operational efficiency, defined as a firm’s efficiency in converting investments into revenues. We find that, on average, peers’ operational efficiency declines after rival firms misstate their financial performance. However, we also find that the impact of financial misreporting is not homogeneous across peer firms. The negative effect is mainly driven by non‐misstating firms that had high performance. For firms that had lower past performance, the negative effect is significantly weaker, suggesting that the perceived competition induced by misreporting has a more positive effect. In addition, we document that the effect of misreporting is influenced by peer firms’ external financing need, industry leadership status and information environment.
Discrimination and disability: Types of discrimination and association with trust, self‐efficacy and life satisfaction among older Australians
Authors: Temple Jeromey B. , Kelaher Margaret , Brooke Libby , Utomo Ariane , Williams Ruth
Published: November 2019

Objective

To examine the prevalence, context and types of discrimination reported by older Australians (aged 55 years and over) and associations between outcomes (trust, self‐efficacy and life satisfaction) and exposure to discrimination.

Methods

The 2014 General Social Survey was used to measure discrimination. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between levels of trust, self‐efficacy and life satisfaction and exposure to discrimination.

Results

A sizeable minority of older Australians with a disability reported discrimination (15%), with higher exposure for those with more severe or multiple disabilities. In addition to disability, age and nationality, race or ethnic group were cited as reasons for discrimination. Discrimination was reported across a variety of contexts, including everyday social interactions. Lower levels of trust, self‐efficacy and life satisfaction were associated with exposure to disability discrimination.

Conclusions

Focusing on disability discrimination alone underestimates the level of exposure to discrimination. Discrimination may reinforce social exclusion by reducing trust and self‐efficacy in familial and community contexts.
Victorian Voting: The Origins of Party Orientation and Class Alignment
Authors: Dewan Torun , Meriläinen Jaakko , Tukiainen Janne
Published: November 2019

Much of what we know about the alignment of voters with parties comes from mass surveys of the electorate in the postwar period or from aggregate electoral data. Using individual elector‐level panel data from nineteenth‐century United Kingdom poll books, we reassess the development of a party centered electorate. We show that (a) the electorate was party‐centered by the time of the extension of the franchise in 1867, (b) a decline in candidate‐centered voting is largely attributable to changes in the behavior of the working class, and (c) the enfranchised working class aligned with the Liberal left. This early alignment of the working class with the left cannot entirely be explained by a decrease in vote buying. The evidence suggests instead that the alignment was based on the programmatic appeal of the Liberals. We argue that these facts can plausibly explain the subsequent development of the party system.
Development at the Edge of Difference: Rethinking Capital and Market Relations from Lugu Lake, Southwest China
Authors: Qian Junxi , Wei Lei
Published: November 2019

This paper rethinks the relationships between capitalist development in indigenous places and the fabric of local differences and specificities. It first develops a critical appraisal of the celebration of ethnic identities, local agency and indigenous knowledge in existing literatures. It suggests that, based on such insights, we can further envision the possibility of questioning and problematising the ontology and concept of the capitalist economy. Above all, this paper is interested in non‐capitalist factors percolating into capitalist economies and creating fissures in their logical and ontological coherence. It examines how capitalist economies depend on local specificities to achieve particular configurations. We elucidate this argument with a case study of indigenous development in Lugu Lake, Southwest China, which is inhabited by the ethnic Mosuo people. Through the dual lenses of land and labour, we pay special attention to the transition from grassroots development initiatives to heavy dependence on exogenous capital and entrepreneurs.
Larval growth and allometry in the cabbage butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)
Authors: Springolo Arianna , Rigato Emanuele , Fusco Giuseppe
Published: November 2019

By adopting a longitudinal study design and through geometric morphometrics methods, we investigated individual and ontogenetic variation in size, shape and timing during larval development of the cabbage butterfly Pieris brassicae under laboratory conditions. We found that ontogenetic size progression departs modestly, but significantly, from growth at a constant rate and that size at hatching contributes considerably to determine the size of the individual at all subsequent stages. As for the shape, ontogenetic allometry is much more conspicuous than static allometry, the latter in many cases being close to isometry. Analysis of developmental timing revealed a stage of apparently more effective developmental control at stage 3, supported by both the relatively small variance in cumulative developmental time up to stage 3 and by the pattern of correlation between duration of single stages. While presenting detailed quantitative aspects of growth in P. brassicae, in particular with respect to individual variation, this study and the associated dataset can provide a basis for further explorations of the post‐embryonic development in this insect and contribute to the ongoing investigations on growth regulation and control in insects.
Bridging the research‐implementation gap requires engagement from practitioners
Authors: Dubois Natalie S. , Gomez Andres , Carlson Sara , Russell Diane
Published: November 2019

A widely recognized challenge in natural resource management and conservation is the gap between the knowledge generated by researchers and the information being used to inform policy and practice. This research‐implementation gap can limit the effectiveness of conservation practice when it results in delayed adoption of approaches that produce better outcomes or a failure to discontinue the use of ineffective practices. To date, much of the discussion about bridging the research‐implementation gap has focused on changes to the supply side, that is, the flow of information from scientists to practitioners. However, changes to the practice of conservation, the demand side, are an important, and often overlooked, component of efforts to increase conservation gains in the face of unprecedented rates of extinction. We use a decision‐theory perspective to explore how program managers and implementers can use existing tools from evidence‐based conservation and adaptive management to more efficiently allocate investments to the use and generation of evidence. Use of these frameworks to achieve broad‐scale change in conservation practice will require building additional capacities into conservation programs across scales. We recommend five actions that conservation practitioners and their institutions can take to bridge the research‐implementation gap in conservation.
Liraglutide for perioperative management of hyperglycaemia in cardiac surgery patients: a multicentre randomized superiority trial
Authors: Hulst Abraham H. , Visscher Maarten J. , Godfried Marc B. , Thiel Bram , Gerritse Bastiaan M. , Scohy Thierry V. , Bouwman R. Arthur , Willemsen Mark G. A. , Hollmann Markus W. , Preckel Benedikt , DeVries J. Hans , Hermanides Jeroen ,   on behalf of the GLOBE Study Group
Published: November 2019

Aims

Most cardiac surgery patients, with or without diabetes, develop perioperative hyperglycaemia, for which intravenous insulin is the only therapeutic option. This is labour‐intensive and carries a risk of hypoglycaemia. We hypothesized that preoperative administration of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist liraglutide reduces the number of patients requiring insulin for glycaemic control during cardiac surgery.

Materials and methods

In this randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, balanced (1:1), multicentre randomized, superiority trial, adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery in four Dutch tertiary hospitals were randomized to receive 0.6 mg subcutaneous liraglutide on the evening before surgery and 1.2 mg after induction of anaesthesia or matching placebo. Blood glucose was measured hourly and controlled using an insulin‐bolus algorithm. The primary outcome was insulin administration for blood glucose >8.0 mmol/L in the operating theatre. Research pharmacists used centralized, stratified, variable‐block, randomization software. Patients, care providers and study personnel were blinded to treatment allocation.

Results

Between June 2017 and August 2018, 278 patients were randomized to liraglutide (139) or placebo (139). All patients receiving at least one study drug injection were included in the intention‐to‐treat analyses (129 in the liraglutide group, 132 in the placebo group). In the liraglutide group, 55 (43%) patients required additional insulin compared with 80 (61%) in the placebo group and absolute difference 18% (95% confidence interval 5.9–30.0,P= 0.003). Dose and number of insulin injections and mean blood glucose were all significantly lower in the liraglutide group. We observed no difference in the incidence of hypoglycaemia, nausea and vomiting, mortality or postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Preoperative liraglutide, compared with placebo, reduces insulin requirements while improving perioperative glycaemic control during cardiac surgery.
Males paving the road to polyandry? Parental compensation in a monogamous nesting cuckoo and a classical polyandrous relative
Authors: Goymann Wolfgang
Published: November 2019

Comparative studies have established the necessity for biparental care as an important factor for monogamy in freshwater fish and birds. However, whether two parents are really needed for offspring care remains an open question in many cases. I experimentally studied female and male contributions to offspring care in the white‐browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus), a monogamous and biparental cuckoo with a balanced adult sex ratio, and contrasted it with the sympatric black coucal (C. grillii), a classically polyandrous species with a male‐biased adult sex ratio and male‐only care. To study the necessity for biparental care, I temporarily removed one partner for 2 days to see whether the remaining parent compensated for the absence of its partner. Both female and male white‐browed coucals approximately doubled their feeding rates when their partner was absent, thus fully compensating the number of feeding visits to the nest. However, nestlings maintained their growth only, when males were present and females were removed. When males were removed and only females were present, nestling growth declined. Hence, only male white‐browed coucals fully compensated for the temporary loss of the partner, suggesting that females could benefit most from nesting with additional males—if these should become available. Removing female black coucals had no consequence for nestling feeding rates of male black coucals. But male black coucals had to be returned to their territories within a few hours to avoid harming the brood because female black coucals typically would not commence feeding their offspring. In conclusion, the breeding system of white‐browed coucals seems quite flexible and the relatively balanced adult sex ratio may stabilize monogamy in this species. Should ecological factors ever favour a stronger bias in the adult sex ratio towards males, female white‐browed coucals may easily become polyandrous and relinquish parental care entirely to males.
Regulating informality: Worker centers and collective action in day‐labor markets
Authors: Theodore Nik
Published: November 2019

Day‐labor markets are characterized by chronic instability, low pay, and weak institutional protections against violations of labor standards. In the U.S., worker centers address these conditions through the operation of hiring halls that dispatch workers, set minimum wages, and redress wage theft. Surveys conducted in Seattle in 2012 and 2015 were used to evaluate wage rates, employment rates, and wage theft variables for workers at a worker center and those seeking employment at four informal hiring sites. Worker center members were found to have significantly higher wages, higher employment rates, and lower rates of wage theft than day laborers who search for employment in public spaces.
Targeted Teaching
Authors: Bland Martin
Published: November 2019

Statistics is used in medical research, often by people with limited training in the discipline – so, inevitably, mistakes will be made. But rather than highlight those mistakes in statistical journals or at statistics conferences, statisticians need to engage researchers on their home turf, says Martin Bland
Multimodal mechanisms and enhanced efficiency of atrial fibrillation cardioversion by pulmonary delivery of a novel flecainide formulation
Authors: Tessarolo Silva Fernanda , Pedreira Giovanna C. , Medeiros Sofia A. , Bortolotto Alexandre L. , Araujo Silva Bruna , Hurrey Michael , Madhavapeddi Prashanti , Schuler Carlos , Belardinelli Luiz , Verrier Richard L.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Inhaled flecainide significantly alters atrial electrical properties with the potential to terminate atrial fibrillation (AF) efficiently by optimizing dose and drug formulation.

Methods

Seventeen Yorkshire pigs were studied. Intrapericardial acetylcholine and burst pacing were used to induce AF. Effects of a novel cyclodextrin formulation (hydroxypropyl‐ß‐cyclodextrin [HPßCD]) of flecainide (75 mg/mL, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg, bolus) instilled intratracheally at 2 minutes after AF initiation were studied. Concentration time‐area analyses of flecainide HPßCD were compared to the traditional acetate formulation.

Results

Intratracheal instillation of flecainide HPßCD accelerated the conversion of AF to sinus rhythm in a dose‐proportional manner, shortening AF duration by 47% (P = .014) and 79% (P = .002) at the lower and higher doses, respectively, compared to intratracheal sterile water placebo. AF dominant frequency was reduced by 11% (P = .04) and 29% (P = .004) respective to dose. At 2 minutes after intratracheal flecainide HPßCD, atrial depolarization (Pa) duration increased by 12% (P = .02) and 17% (P = .009) at the lower and higher doses, respectively. At this time, the PR interval was prolonged by 9% (P = .04 for the higher dose) and AV node conduction was slowed, decreasing the ventricular rate during AF by 16% (P = .002) and 28% (P = .007) for the lower and higher doses. Flecainide HPßCD achieved the more efficient conversion of AF than the acetate formulation, reflected in a markedly reduced area under the curve (P = .04).

Conclusion

Intratracheal instillation of the new flecainide HPßCD formulation effectively terminates AF through efficient multimodal actions including slowing of atrial conduction velocity and decreasing AF dominant frequency, allowing reduced net drug delivery and inhalation time.
LIN28A gene polymorphisms modify neuroblastoma susceptibility: A four‐centre case‐control study
Authors: Hua Rui‐Xi , Zhuo Zhenjian , Ge Lili , Zhu Jinhong , Yuan Li , Chen Chongfen , Liu Jing , Cheng Jiwen , Zhou Haixia , Zhang Jiao , Xia Huimin , Zhang Xianwei , He Jing
Published: November 2019

Neuroblastoma ranks the most common seen solid tumour in childhood. Overexpression of LIN28A gene has been linked to the development of multiple human malignancies, but the relationship between LIN28A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and neuroblastoma susceptibility is still under debate. Herein, we evaluated the correlation of four potentially functional LIN28A SNPs (rs3811464 G>A, rs3811463 T>C, rs34787247 G>A, and rs11247957 G>A) and neuroblastoma susceptibility in 505 neuroblastoma patients and 1070 controls from four independent hospitals in China. The correlation strengths were determined by using odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among these SNPs, rs34787247 G>A exhibited a significant association with increased susceptibility in neuroblastoma (GA vs GG: adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.03‐1.64; AA vs GG: adjusted OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.36‐4.64, AA/GA vs GG: adjusted OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.12‐1.80, AA vs GG/GA: adjusted OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.29‐4.42). Furthermore, the combined analysis of risk genotypes revealed that subjects carrying three risk genotypes (adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.02‐2.63) are more inclined to develop neuroblastoma than those without risk genotype, and so do carriers of 1‐4 risk genotypes (adjusted OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.01‐1.56). Stratification analysis further revealed risk effect of rs3811464 G>A, rs34787247 G>A and 1‐4 risk genotypes in some subgroups. Haplotype analysis of these four SNPs yields two haplotypes significantly correlated with increased neuroblastoma susceptibility. Overall, our finding indicated that LIN28A SNPs, especially rs34787247 G>A, may increase neuroblastoma risk.
A meta‐analysis on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with different subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Ghoshal Uday C , Nehra Abhimanyu , Mathur Akash , Rai Sushmita
Published: November 2019

Background

Enteric microbiota is increasingly being recognized as an important factor in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The reported prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in subjects with IBS is highly variable, and there is no consensus on the role of SIBO in different subtypes of IBS, and indications and methods of testing.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed for studies applying tests for SIBO in subjects with IBS. After applying prospectively decided exclusion criteria, the eligible papers were examined using a meta‐analysis approach for the prevalence of SIBO in subjects with IBS using different tests. The odds ratios of SIBO among subjects with IBS as compared with healthy controls using different tests were calculated.

Results

Of the available studies (22, 17, 5, and 3 using lactulose and glucose hydrogen breath tests [LHBT and GHBT], jejunal aspirate culture, and more than one tests, respectively) meeting the inclusion criteria, 36.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.2–44.6) had a positive test for SIBO. Patients with IBS were 2.6 (95% CI 1.3–6.9) and 8.3 (95% CI 3.0–5.9) times more likely to have a positive test for SIBO as compared with healthy controls using GHBT and jejunal aspirate culture, respectively. Patients with diarrhea‐predominant IBS were more likely to have positive GHBT as compared with the other subtypes.

Conclusions

Patients with IBS were more likely to have SIBO as compared with healthy subjects using GHBT and jejunal aspirate culture but not using LHBT. Patients with diarrhea‐predominant IBS more often have SIBO.
Race, Ethnicity, and Other Risks for Live Discharge Among Hospice Patients with Dementia
Authors: Luth Elizabeth A. , Russell David J. , Brody Abraham A. , Dignam Ritchell , Czaja Sara J. , Ryvicker Miriam , Bowles Kathryn H. , Prigerson Holly G.
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES

The end‐of‐life trajectory for persons with dementia is often protracted and difficult to predict, placing these individuals at heightened risk of live discharge from hospice. Risks for live discharge due to condition stabilization or failure to decline among patients with dementia are not well established. Our aim was to identify demographic, health, and hospice service factors associated with live discharge due to condition stabilization or failure to decline among hospice patients with dementia.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

A large not‐for‐profit agency in New York City.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 2629 hospice patients with dementia age 65 years and older.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcome was live discharge from hospice due to condition stabilization or failure to decline (vs death). Measures include demographic factors (race/ethnicity, Medicaid, sex, age, marital status, parental status), health characteristics (primary dementia diagnosis, comorbidities, functional status, prior hospitalization), and hospice service (location, length of service, number and timing of nurse visits).

RESULTS

Logistic regression models indicated that compared with white hospice patients with dementia, African American and Hispanic hospice patients with dementia experienced increased risk of live discharge (African American: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34‐4.38; Hispanic: aOR = 2.99; 95% CI = 1.81‐4.94). Home hospice (aOR = 7.57; 95% CI = 4.04‐14.18), longer length of service (aOR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.04‐1.05), and more days between nurse visits and discharge (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.56‐2.21) were also associated with live discharge.

CONCLUSION

To avoid burdensome and disruptive transitions out of hospice in patients with dementia, interventions to reduce live discharge due to condition stabilization or failure to decline should be tailored to meet the needs of African American, Hispanic, and home hospice patients. Policies regarding sustained hospice eligibility should account for the variable and protracted end‐of‐life trajectory of patients with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:551–558, 2020
Antibiotic Stewardship for Older Adults in Ambulatory Care Settings: Addressing an Unmet Challenge
Authors: Pulia Michael S. , Keller Sara C. , Crnich Christopher J. , Jump Robin L.P. , Yoshikawa Thomas T.
Published: November 2019

Inappropriate antibiotic use is common in older adults (aged >65 y), and they are particularly vulnerable to serious antibiotic‐associated adverse effects such as cardiac arrhythmias, delirium, aortic dissection, drug‐drug interactions, and Clostridioides difficile. Antibiotic prescribing improvement efforts in older adults have been primarily focused on inpatient and long‐term care settings. However, the ambulatory care setting is where the vast majority of antibiotic prescribing to older adults occurs. To help improve the clinical care of older adults, we review drivers of antibiotic prescribing in this population, explore systems aspects of ambulatory care that can create barriers to optimal antibiotic use, discuss existing stewardship interventions, and provide guidance on priority areas for future inquiry. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:244–249, 2020
A transmural gradient of myocardial remodeling in early‐stage heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the pig
Authors: Mühlfeld Christian , Rajces Alexandra , Manninger Martin , Alogna Alessio , Wierich Marie‐Christin , Scherr Daniel , Post Heiner , Schipke Julia
Published: November 2019

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is characterized by diastolic dysfunction. This study aimed to analyze whether early HFpEF is already associated with ultrastructural alterations and whether they differ quantitatively among the layers of the left ventricular wall. HFpEF was induced in pigs by deoxy‐corticosterone acetate (DOCA) treatment along with a high‐salt/high lipid diet over 3 months and compared with weight‐matched normal pigs (n = 5 each). Samples of the left ventricle were taken and processed for light and electron microscopy. Interstitial fibrosis, subcellular composition of cardiomyocytes and mean cardiomyocyte diameter were evaluated by stereology in subendocardial, midmyocardial and subepicardial regions. DOCA enhanced the mean cardiomyocyte diameter in all locations of the ventricle wall to the same degree. The subcellular composition did not differ between the locations and was not altered by DOCA. The volume fraction of interstitium was smaller in the subendocardium of DOCA group than of control group. Within the interstitium, the volume fraction of collagen fibrils (between cardiomyocytes) was increased in the subendocardial and midmyocardial wall layers of the DOCA group but not in the subepicardial layer. Although the capillary length density and average supply area were not altered in response to DOCA in any of the wall layers, the volume fraction of blood vessels related to the interstitial space was enhanced in the subendocardium of the DOCA group but not in the other wall layers. In conclusion, cardiomyocyte changes due to DOCA were similar in subepicardial, midmyocardial and subendocardial regions but DOCA‐induced changes in the interstitium appeared to be more pronounced in the subendocardial ventricular wall layers. This suggests a pivotal role of the subendocardial interstitium in the pathogenesis of HFpEF.
Charitable asymmetric bidders
Authors: Bos Olivier
Published: November 2019

Recent papers show that the all‐pay auction is better at raising money for charity than the first‐price auction with symmetric bidders under incomplete information. Yet, this result is lost with sufficiently asymmetric bidders under complete information. In this paper, we consider a framework on charity auctions with asymmetric bidders under some incomplete information. We find that the all‐pay auction still raises more money than the first‐price auction. Thus, the all‐pay auction should be seriously considered when one wants to organize a charity auction.
Artificial intelligence classification of wetland vegetation morphology based on deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Lin Ping , Lu Qun , Li Du , Chen Yongming , Zou Zhiyong , Jiang Shanchao
Published: November 2019

In real‐world wetland vegetation morphology (WVM) detection, large scene variations such as those due to landform, vegetation, sunlight, weather, and sky, as well as camera parameter settings such as focal length and shooting angle, require systematic and complicated artificial intelligence technology to accurately discriminate inter and intra‐class wetland objections. To deal with these challenges, we introduced a deep‐level discriminative model based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) for classifying the images of DongZhai Harbor intertidal, Lashi Lake alpine, Yancheng coastal and Zoige plateau wetlands in China. A 96‐dimensional convolution operation with kernel sizes of first applied to the resized WVM input pictures to acquire the effective morphologic features. The perceptron layers of the rectified linear unit and the batch normalization were used in the middle layer to achieve the better gradient propagation property during the training process. The WVM features were down‐sampled by the pooling networks to reduce the neuron dimensions. The fully connected layer linked to the output of the convolutional and pooling layers to obtain the high‐level WVM species information for the final WVM classification purpose. The deep‐level CNN‐based method was compared with the traditional shallow‐level feature‐designed algorithms of conditional maximum entropy regression, multilayer perceptron and support vector machine. The deep‐level algorithm showed the superior performance for detecting the WVM species, which provided a superior alternative routine for accurate artificial intelligence classification of WVM in the ecological engineering application.

Recommendations for Resource Managers

This proposed artificial intelligence model can be used to effectively help people understand the macroscopic scene changes of ecological elements from the wetland vegetation morphology images.

The detection results show the robustness of the discriminative model, for it is not affected by the complex natural factors such as landform, vegetation, sunlight, weather, and sky, as well as human factors such as camera parameter settings of focal length and shooting angle to some extent.

The deep‐level model based on the cascade convolution framework can be used to extract more distinguishing detailed ecological features from the original wetland vegetation morphology images compared with the shallow‐level algorithms using a single convolutional layer.
Phylogenetic and pathogenic variability of strains of Ralstonia solanacearum causing moko disease in Colombia
Authors: Ramírez M. , Moncada R. N. , Villegas‐Escobar V. , Jackson R. W. , Ramírez C. A.
Published: November 2019

Moko disease, caused by the bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum, is one of the most devastating diseases of Musa spp. in Colombia, where banana and plantain are major crops. The disease epidemiology is poorly understood and little is known about the diversity of the bacterial populations associated with this disease. This study assessed the diversity, phylogenetic relationship and pathogenicity of R. solanacearum strains associated with moko disease in Colombia. For this, the genetic diversity of 65 isolates obtained from four banana/plantain‐growing regions was evaluated by using multiplex PCR and analysing the partial sequences of the mutS, rplB and egl genes. These analyses revealed that all the strains belonged to the R. solanacearum phylotype II, sequevars 4 and 6. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis assorted the strains into three subgroups, which matched the region of isolation: (i) central region (i.e. Eastern plains and Andes, IIB/4); (ii) northwest (i.e. Urabá and a few strains from Magdalena, IIB/4); and (iii) north coast (Magdalena and a few strains from Urabá, IIA/6). In addition, this evolutionary pattern was associated with pathogenicity, as 63 of the 65 isolates caused wilting of banana and plantain plants under greenhouse conditions, whilst only 32, those isolated from the central region, caused such symptoms in tomato plants. In conclusion, this study shows that banana and plantain crops in Colombia foster genetically diverse strains of R. solanacearum that belong to at least three different genetic groups, which show biogeographic and host range association.
Nonpharmacological techniques to support patients with intellectual developmental disorders to receive dental treatment: A systematic review of behavior change techniques
Authors: Mac Giolla Phadraig Caoimhin , Asimakopoulou Koula , Daly Blanaid , Fleischmann Isabel , Nunn June
Published: November 2019

Aims

To identify the nonpharmacological patient‐support techniques (nPSTs) reported, used or recommended for people with intellectual‐developmental‐disorders (IDD) to receive dental treatment; to identify their active ingredients and evaluate their effectiveness by adopting an existing taxonomy of behavior‐change techniques (BCTs).

Methods and results

Following a protocol, a search strategy was undertaken using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Cinahl, and Psychinfo (EBSCO). Selection criteria were applied, with review and extraction in duplicate. A comprehensive list of nPSTs were identified and coded by their constituent behavior‐change techniques (BCTs), where BCT‐taxonomy‐Version‐1 criteria were satisfied. Quality assessment was undertaken and effectiveness of BCTs reported. From 915 screened articles, 23 were included. In 207 instances nPSTs were identified, representing 46 distinct nPST techniques, such as positive‐reinforcement (n = 18) and tell‐show‐do (n = 9). Of the 207 nPST codes, 135 were coded as BCTs (65.2%). The most commonly coded BCT was demonstration of the behavior (BCT6.1; n = 25). Considering studies of interventions (n = 11), all were at moderate to critical risk of bias. No interventions or outcome measures were comparable across studies.

Conclusion

This is the first review to bring together techniques dentists use in practice and theory‐driven BCTs. A significant overlap between nPSTs and BCTs was evident supporting the use of BCT taxonomy to code dental interventions. No strong evidence supporting any intervention was identified.
No time for reflection: Patient experiences with treatment‐related decision‐making in advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Netsey‐Afedo Mette Margrethe Løwe , Ammentorp Jette , Osther Palle Jørn Sloth , Birkelund Regner
Published: November 2019

Background

The rationale of the study was the predominant understanding that patient involvement in treatment‐related decision‐making is essential and that communication with cancer patients can affect their quality of life, satisfaction with care, and psychosocial and medical outcomes positively.

Aim

This study explored how patients with advanced prostate cancer experience the communication with health professionals and their experiences of how and by whom treatment‐related decisions were made.

Methods

A phenomenological‐hermeneutic research design was applied, and data were collected using qualitative interviews supplemented with participant observations in a urological outpatient clinic at a regional hospital in Denmark. Thirteen patients participated. Data were analysed using Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation.

Findings

The patients experienced the course as being routine and that decisions related to treatment were made in advance. Three themes were identified: (1) Fast track diagnosing and treatment, (2) Off course I should have this treatment, and (3) They don't ask about existential issues.

Conclusion

The study concluded that patients experienced communication primarily revolved around disease‐ and treatment‐related issues and that it was characterised as efficient and straightforward, but insufficient. The patients experienced that the doctors made treatment‐related decisions without involving them.
A facile approach for elimination of ibuprofen from wastewater: an experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Reza Ruhul Amin , Ahmaruzzaman M.
Published: November 2019

Herein, we developed the waste‐derived adsorbent, mesoporous Schumannianthus dichotomus (MSD) and used for the exploitation of Ibuprofen (IBP) in an economic and reliable way. The developed adsorbent was characterized by various physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses. Relatively higher surface area of 1058 m2/g, pore volume of 0.9909 cm3/g and average article size of 39.09 µm justified the utilization of the developed material for the removal of IBP from aqueous phase. The effect of ionic strength (

, Cl–, and

), divalent ions (Ca2+ and Mg2+) and surfactant on the removal of IBP onto MSD was investigated. Adsorption equilibrium is attained in 60 min with adsorbent load of 1.8 g/L. The removal efficiency of MSD is around 98% with sequestering capacity of 243.90 mg/g. Thermodynamic investigation revealed the adsorption process to be exothermic, (ΔH = −8.729 kJ/mol) and spontaneous in nature (ΔG = −7.06 kJ/mol) with a decrease in the randomness (ΔS = −5.57 JK/mol) at the solid/liquid interface. The energy recovered from the adsorbent‐loaded IBP in terms of higher heating value (17.15 mJ/kg) further enhanced its utilization. The low cost of MSD (USD 14.39 per kg) also justified its utilization for wastewater treatment in an economic perspective. Density Function Theory studies showed that a weak interaction occurs between IBP and the developed activated carbon, MSD. The exothermic character of IBP adsorption onto MSD was confirmed by experimental investigation.