bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capital budgeting practices: evidence from Korea
Authors: Kim Taeyeon , Lee Hongbok , Park Kwangwoo , Waggle Doug
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The authors present the results of a survey on how Korean firms evaluate new projects and estimate their capital costs. The authors report how Korean firms’ capital budgeting practices compare to other developed countries and to best practices in the field of finance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors survey CFOs of major Korean firms on their capital budgeting practices. The authors then compare the results against the US and European firms and best practices of leading firms and financial advisors.

Findings

The authors find that the capital budgeting practices of Korean firms are as strong as or stronger than firms in developed markets. A majority of Korean firms use best practices techniques such as NPV, IRR and the CAPM for project evaluation and cost of equity estimation. Chaebol affiliation results in somewhat stronger capital budgeting practices. The authors also find that other factors, such as company size, leverage, CEO age and CEO education, impact capital budgeting practices.

Originality/value

This paper is the first article that comprehensively examines Korean firms' capital budgeting practices.
High-fat diets are detrimental of the lipid profile, glucose metabolism and body composition of Wistar rats: the role of fatty acid type and consumption duration
Authors: Rocha-Gomes Arthur , Silva Juliana Dara , Morais Thais Angélica , da Costa Ferreira Amanda Rosa , Costa Viviane Cristina , Teixeira Amanda Escobar , Lessa Mayara Rodrigues , Silva Alexandre Alves da , Dessimoni-Pinto Nísia Andrade Villela , Riul Tania Regina
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional effects in Wistar rats of supplementation with stand-alone saturated fatty acid (SFA) or monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), the replacement of SFA by MUFA and the combination of both (SFA + MUFA) over a long period of time (13 weeks).

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 30 Wistar rats were used and randomly assigned to receive (n = 6): control – lab chow; lard (L20%) – lab chow with added lard (20%); olive oil (O20%) – lab chow with added olive oil (20%); lard replacement with olive oil (L20% –O20%) – during six weeks lab chow with added lard (20%) replaced by lab chow with added olive oil (20%) given during the past seven weeks of the trial; lard combination with olive oil (L10% + O10%) – lab chow with added lard (10%) and olive oil (10%). Food and caloric intake, weight gain, food and energy efficiency, body mass index, bone mineral composition and blood biochemistry were evaluated.

Findings

All diets with added fatty acids showed higher energy intake (p < 0.001), weight gain (p = 0.01), accumulation of adipose tissue (p = 0.02) and food and energy efficiency (p = 0.01) compared to the control group. All groups exhibited higher levels of blood triglycerides compared to the control group (p = 0.02). In addition, the L10% + O10% group developed hyperglycemia (p < 0.001); the L group showed higher amounts of non- high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) (p = 0.04); and the L20%−O20% group exhibited high levels of the triglyceride/HDL-c ratio (p = 0.04) in relation to the control.

Originality/value

These results indicate that regardless of the fatty acid type, consumption in large quantities of fatty acids for long periods of time can cause obesity and dyslipidemia.
How does real earnings management respond to the 2007-2008 financial crisis?
Authors: Li Zhigang , Hsu Yuan-Teng , Gao Xiang
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the dynamics of repurchase-based earnings management vis-à-vis other real activities manipulations during the 2007–2008 financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a Probit model to regress alternate real earnings management (REM) methods on a dummy variable indicating whether a firm falls in the crisis event window or not, during our 15-year sample period. This paper also detects switches made by suspected firms from repurchasing to other REM tools such as reducing discretionary expenditures.

Findings

This paper provides solid evidence indicating that firms suspected of earnings management have the tendency to decrease accretive share repurchases after the onset of the crisis. Conversely, the above pattern is neither observed in non-suspect firms nor over non-crisis periods. A further investigation documents that firms that switch REM during crisis can be characterized by less cash holding, smaller size, more severe liquidity shortage and/or tighter financial constraint.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on understanding the respective and interactive implications of both share repurchases and global financial crisis on firms’ REM activities.
CEO characteristics: do they matter for carbon performance? An empirical investigation of Australian firms
Authors: Elsayih Jibriel , Datt Rina , Hamid Ali
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Research suggests that chief executive officers (CEOs) play an important role in enhancing a firm’s legitimacy with regard to environmental performance. The purpose of this paper is to use the upper echelons theory and stakeholder theory to investigate whether the characteristics of CEOs are associated with carbon performance (CP).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a sample of 128 firm-year observations from Australian companies that participated in the carbon disclosure project from 2011 through 2014.

Findings

Two-stage least squares estimation reveals that CEO executive experience and CEO duality are positively associated with CP. By contrast, CEO tenure, CEO functional background experience and CEO industry experience are negatively related to CP, and CEO ownership is not related to CP.

Practical implications

The results might provide evidence for investors, policymakers and regulators with respect to the effectiveness of CEO characteristics for addressing carbon risks and possible linkages between CEO characteristics and carbon emission levels. In addition, the results give support CEO accountability regarding the carbon emissions.

Originality/value

This study provides the first empirical evidence of the impact of CEO characteristics on CP. Furthermore, this study contributes to the existing literature by showing how the characteristics of CEOs can impact corporate CP and provides a more in-depth understanding of whether such characteristics play important roles in determining corporate carbon action.
Dominant community mycorrhizal types influence local spatial structure between adult and juvenile temperate forest tree communities
Authors: Eagar Andrew C. , Cosgrove Colleen R. , Kershner Mark W. , Blackwood Christopher B.
Published: September 2020

Plant–soil feedback (PSF) is known to influence plant community composition, and recent work suggests that these effects may be regulated by traits related to mycorrhizal associations and phylogenetic relationships. However, there is a critical need to test the usefulness of these traits in predicting PSF outcomes in natural plant communities.

To test for evidence of mycorrhizal and phylogenetic controls over PSF at both the species and community level, we examined the spatial relationship between adult and juvenile trees in stem‐mapped hardwood forest plots using point pattern analyses and linear mixed‐effect models.

We found that spatial patterns of adult and juvenile trees, as well as overall adult tree recruitment, were significantly affected by the dominant mycorrhizal type of our forested communities, but were not influenced by the phylogenetic relationship between adult and juvenile trees. Additionally, PSF experienced by individual species was dependent on the mycorrhizal dominance of the surrounding community.

Spatial patterns in communities dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizal trees reflected overdispersion between adult and juvenile trees (suggestive of negative PSF), while communities dominated by ectomycorrhizal trees reflected clustering (suggestive of positive PSF).

Our findings indicate that PSFs are driven by the mycorrhizal associations of dominant trees, with effects of dominant community member traits on soil microorganisms and biogeochemistry ‘spilling over’ onto less abundant individuals in the community. Our research supports the use of whole‐community, mycorrhizal‐based frameworks for studying PSF in plant communities where multiple mycorrhizal types are present.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Sequential disturbances alter the outcome of inter‐genotypic interactions in a clonal plant
Authors: Kollars Nicole M. , DuBois Katherine , Stachowicz John J.
Published: September 2020

Multiple disturbances can have mixed effects on biodiversity. Whether the interaction of sequential disturbances drives local extinctions or promotes diversity depends on the severity of biomass reductions relative to any stabilizing and/or equalizing effects generated by the disturbance regimes.

Through a manipulative mesocosm experiment, we examined how warming events in the fall and simulated grazing disturbance (i.e. clipping) in the winter affected the density, biomass and genotypic diversity of assemblages of the clonal seagrass Zostera marina.

We show that the interaction of the two disturbance types reduced density and biomass to a greater degree than warming or clipping alone.

The genotype with the highest biomass in the assemblage shifted under the different experimental regimes such that the traits of winners were distinct in the different treatments. The favouring of different traits by different disturbances led to reduced evenness when a single disturbance was applied, and enhanced evenness under multiple disturbances.

We conclude that sequential disturbances can alter the outcome of inter‐genotypic interactions and maintain genotypic diversity in clonal populations. Our study expands the context in which disturbance can influence intraspecific diversity by showing that fluctuating selection may result from the sequential application of different disturbance types and not simply seasonal changes in a single agent.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Partial or complete? The evolution of post‐juvenile moult strategies in passerine birds
Authors: Delhey Kaspar , Guallar Santiago , Rueda‐Hernández Rafael , Valcu Mihai , Wang Daiping , Kempenaers Bart
Published: September 2020

Moulting strategies in birds have evolved to avoid overlap with, or prepare for, other demanding parts of the annual cycle, such as reproduction or migration. When moulting for the first time after leaving the nest, young birds replace their typically poor‐quality plumage during the post‐juvenile moult. The extent of this moult varies between species from partial to complete.

Earlier studies, restricted to Western Palearctic birds, suggest that in most species a complete post‐juvenile moult may not be possible simply because young birds are constrained by not having the same access to resources as adults, unless environmental conditions are favourable. These studies also show that complete post‐juvenile moult is more common in species with poor‐quality nest‐grown plumage.

We expanded the spatial and taxonomic scope of previous studies to 1,315 species of passerines from across the world and considered both the role of constraints, plumage quality and other selective pressures favouring a complete post‐juvenile moult. Thus, we test whether complete moult is more prevalent in species where nest‐grown feathers are presumably of poor quality (shorter nestling period), that live in environments that foster quick plumage degradation (open habitats, high insolation and humidity), and where males are under strong sexual selection.

Our data reveal that 24% of species carry out a complete post‐juvenile moult, and that this trait has a strong phylogenetic signal. Complete moult is more common in species that inhabit warmer regions and open habitats, show no delayed plumage maturation and have higher levels of sexual dichromatism (indicative of strong sexual selection). Neither the presumed quality of the nest‐grown plumage nor living in regions with high insolation correlates with complete moult.

In conclusion, the evolution of complete post‐juvenile moult not only depends on whether birds can perform a complete moult (i.e. suitable environmental conditions) but also on the strength of selection associated with the need of a complete moult. In particular, the necessity to keep the plumage in good condition in challenging environments and the benefits associated with producing adult‐like plumage colours to attract mates or deter rivals seem to play an important role.
Conservation in post‐industrial cities: How does vacant land management and landscape configuration influence urban bees?
Authors: Turo Katherine J. , Spring MaLisa R. , Sivakoff Frances S. , Delgado de la flor Yvan A. , Gardiner Mary M.
Published: September 2020

Rich pollinator assemblages are documented in some cities despite habitat fragmentation and degradation, suggesting that urban areas have potential as pollinator refuges. To inform urban bee conservation, we assessed local‐ and landscape‐scale drivers of bee community composition and foraging within vacant lots of Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Cleveland is a shrinking city, a type of urban area that has an over‐abundance of vacated greenspaces as a result of population loss and subsequent demolition of abandoned infrastructure. As such, Cleveland represents over 350 post‐industrial cities worldwide that are all promising locations for bee conservation.

Across a network of 56 residential vacant lots (each ~30 m × 12 m), we established seven unique habitats, including seeded native prairies, to investigate how vegetation management and landscape context at a 1,500 m radius influenced urban bee communities. We assessed the distribution of several bee functional traits, diversity and abundance with pan and malaise traps. Foraging frequency was determined with plant–pollinator interaction networks derived from vacuum collections of bees at flowers.

We observed higher bee richness and increased abundance of smaller sized bees as the size of surrounding greenspace patches increased within a 1,500 m radius landscape buffer. Within habitats, seeded treatments had no effect on bees but greater plant biomass and shorter vegetation were correlated with increased bee richness and abundance. Plant–pollinator interaction networks were dominated by spontaneous non‐native vegetation, illustrating that this forage supports urban bees.

Synthesis and applications. Our study indicates that proximity to larger greenspaces within an urban landscape promotes overall bee richness and increased occurrence of smaller bee species within residential vacant lots. While we did not observe our seeded native plants enhancing the bee community, native wildflowers were still establishing during the study and may have a greater influence when blooming at higher densities. Importantly, spontaneous non‐native vegetation provided the majority of urban bee's forage. Thus, vacant land that is minimally managed and vegetated with what many consider undesirable ‘weeds’ provides valuable habitat for bee conservation in cities.
Handling effective communication to support awareness in rescue operations
Authors: Chehade Samer , Matta Nada , Pothin Jean‐Baptiste , Cogranne Remi
Published: September 2020

Efficient rescue operations require a high level of situation awareness amongst decision‐makers and first responders for the purpose of achieving operations successfully and reducing losses. Moreover, a common operational picture between involved actors is required in order to support decision‐making. Therefore, different organisations and agencies have to collaborate, cooperate, and coordinate their actions with each other. Hence, effective interactions and communications between participants are vital to fulfil these essential needs. However, emergency actors still lack backing to exchange information effectively and ensure a common operational picture in order to reach shared situational awareness. For this reason, we aim to develop and implement Rescue MODES, a communication system oriented to support situation awareness amongst French emergency actors in rescue operations. In this paper, we examine and analyse actors’ activities and interactions, so that the system will be based on the real needs of actors. We start by studying and modelling the communications, interactions, and information flow. This modelling is based on an application ontology. Then, we define requirements for good communication in these operations and present some existing systems in France and how each system responds to these requirements.
Genome‐wide identification and characterization of long non‐coding RNAs in Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Yang Liu , Wang You‐Wei , Lu Yao‐Yao , Li Bin , Chen Ke‐Ping , Li Cheng‐Jun
Published: September 2020

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are poorly understood in insects. In this study, we performed genome‐wide analysis of lncRNAs in Tribolium castaneum by RNA‐seq. In total, 4516 lncRNA transcripts corresponding to 3917 genes were identified from late embryos, early larvae, late larvae, early pupae, late pupae and early adults of T. castaneum, including 3152 novel lncRNAs and 1364 known lncRNAs. These lncRNAs have few exons and transcripts, and are short in length. During development, they exhibited nine different expression patterns. Functionally, they can act either by targeting messenger RNAs (1813 lncRNAs) and lncRNAs (45 lncRNAs) or as micro RNA (miRNA) precursors (46 lncRNAs). LncRNAs were observed to target the metabolic enzymes of glycolysis, TCA cycle and amino acids, demonstrating that lncRNAs control metabolism by regulating metabolic enzymes. Moreover, lncRNAs were shown to participate in cell differentiation and development via their targets. As miRNA precursors, lncRNAs could participate in the ecdysone signaling pathway. This study provides comprehensive information for lncRNAs of T. castaneum, and will promote functional analysis and target identification of lncRNAs in the insect.
Genetic diversity, phylogenetic position and morphometric analysis of Astacus colchicus (Decapoda, Astacidae): a new insight into Eastern European crayfish fauna
Authors: BLÁHA Martin , PATOKA Jiří , JAPOSHVILI Bella , LET Marek , BUŘIČ Miloš , KOUBA Antonín , MUMLADZE Levan
Published: September 2020

The phylogeny of European crayfish fauna, especially with respect to Eastern European species, is still far from being completely resolved. To fill this gap, we analyzed most of the European crayfish species focusing on the phylogenetic position of the endemic crayfish Astacus colchicus, inhabiting Georgia. Three mitochondrial and one nuclear marker were used to study evolutionary relationships among European crayfish species, resulting in the unique phylogenetic position of A. colchicus indicating independent species status to A. astacus. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a deep molecular divergence of A. colchicus in comparison to A. astacus (6.5–10.9% in mtDNA and 1.1% in nDNA) as well as to Pontastacus leptodactylus and P. pachypus (5.5–10.0% in mtDNA and 1.4–2.4% in nDNA). Absent ventral process on second male pleopod and abdominal somites II and III with pleura rounded lacking prominent spines clearly indicate taxonomic assignment to the genus Astacus; however, the species is distributed almost in the middle of Ponto‐Caspian area typical by occurrence of the genus Pontastacus. Several morphological indices linked to head length, carapace, and total body length and width were found to demonstrate apparent differences between A. colchicus and A. astacus. Although this study provides a novel insight into European crayfish phylogeography, we also point out the gaps in comprehensive study of the P. leptodactylus species complex, which could reveal details about the potential species status of particular species and subspecies within this genus.
Androgen receptor DNA methylation is an independent determinant of glucose metabolic disorders in women; testosterone plays a moderating effect
Authors: Liu Xue , Huo Wenqian , Zhang Rui , Wei Dandan , Tu Runqi , Luo Zhicheng , Wang Yan , Dong Xiaokang , Qiao Dou , Liu Pengling , Zhang Li , Fan Keliang , Nie Luting , Liu Xiaotian , Li Linlin , Wang Chongjian , Mao Zhenxing
Published: September 2020

Background

We have previously shown that serum testosterone was associated with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Testosterone can be acting through binding the androgen receptor (AR). Therefore, we aimed to explore the independent associations of AR DNA methylation (ARm) with IFG and T2D and the moderation effects of serum testosterone on the associations.

Methods

A case‐control study with 1065 participants including 461 men and 604 women was performed. ARm in peripheral blood sample and serum testosterone were measured using pyrosequeuncing and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate the associations of ARm (including 2 cytosine‐phosphoguanine [CpG] islands and average methylation levels) with different glucose status. Serum testosterone was used as a moderator to estimate the moderation effect.

Results

After multivariate adjustment, CpG 1, 2 and CpG average methylation were all significantly associated with IFG (CpG 1: Odds ratio (OR) = 4.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.24‐10.27; CpG 2: OR = 4.35, 95% CI: 2.50‐7.58; CpG average: OR = 11.73, 95% CI: 5.36‐25.67) in women. In addition, testosterone played negative moderation effects in above associations. Moreover, no significant independent associations of methylation levels with T2D was observed both in men and women.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that ARm was positively associated with IFG in women and the associations would be weakened by testosterone. The individuals experiencing low testosterone and ARm levels reported a lower state of IFG than those who experienced high levels of testosterone and ARm in women.
Cost–utility analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer
Authors: Rongsriyam Kanisa , Tangjitgamol Siriwan , Leelahavarong Pattara , Teerawattananon Yot , Tharavichitkul Ekkasit , Tovanabutra Chokaew , Asakij Tussawan , Paengchit Kannika , Sukhaboon Jirasak , Penpattanagul Somkit , Kridakara Lieutenant Col. Apiradee , hanprasertpong Jitti , Khunnarong Jakkapan , Chottetanaprasith Taywin , Lorvidhaya Vichan
Published: September 2020

Introduction

This study aimed to compare the cost utility of concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) to CCRT followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (CCRT/ACT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) using provider and societal viewpoints.

Methods

Data from our trial which was a multi‐centre study evaluating the efficacy of ACT compared to CCRT/ACT were entered into a decision tree model. The data included clinical probability, direct medical and non‐medical costs, and utility obtained from the patients. The total cost, quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICER) were estimated for a time horizon of 3 years. All costs and outcomes were discounted at 3% annually.

Results

The cost of CCRT and CCRT/ACT was approximately 3,058 and 6,896 USD and 4,309 and 7,480 USD from provider and from societal viewpoints, respectively. The QALYs for CCRT and CCRT/ACT were 2.31480 and 2.32045, respectively. The ICER was 569,575 USD per QALY. For stage III–IVA LACC, the ICER was 28,050 USD per QALY. In the sensitivity analysis, the cost of ACT was the most significant influential parameter on the ICER. The ICER would be 0.26‐fold lower if the cost of ACT was reduced by 25%. At the current ceiling threshold of 5,000 USD/QALY, CCRT had a 100% probability of being the best option.

Conclusions

In the Thai context, CCRT is more cost effective than CCRT/ACT for stage IIB–IVA LACC. CCRT/ACT may be considered only for stage III–IVA LACC because it has a lower ICER than other types of LACC.
A rare case of transient duodenal volvulus in an elderly patient
Authors: Gavin Dominic J , Wilkie Bruce D , Ali Nadira
Published: September 2020

Duodenal volvulus is an extremely rare condition, with few cases reported in the literature. We present the case of an 83‐year‐old man with spontaneous duodenal volvulus diagnosed on CT imaging. Findings included volvulus of the third part of the duodenum, the characteristic whirl pattern of the superior mesenteric vessels and medialisation of the gallbladder. He was treated with nasogastric tube decompression and follow‐up CT demonstrated complete resolution of the volvulus.
Sarcopenia in rheumatoid arthritis: Is it a common manifestation?
Authors: Tekgoz Emre , Colak Seda , Ozalp Ates Funda Seher , Sonaeren Ilknur , Yilmaz Sedat , Cinar Muhammet
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the presence of sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method

This cross‐sectional study included 100 patients with RA and 100 gender‐matched healthy individuals. Sarcopenia was assessed by performing tests evaluating muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance, using the criteria determined by The European Working Group on Sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is defined as a decrease in muscle strength and muscle mass. On the other hand, presarcopenia is defined as a decrease in muscle strength with a normal muscle mass.

Results

The participants comprised of 70 females and 30 males. The frequency of presarcopenia was 35% in the RA group and 9% in the control group (P < .001). Results of handgrip and gait speed tests were lower in the RA group than in the healthy control group (P = .002 and P < .001, respectively). Presarcopenia was seen at higher rates among female and older patients, and patients with longer disease duration. Disease activity scores were higher in patients with presarcopenia than in patients without sarcopenia (P < .05). In multivariate regression analysis for presarcopenia; a statistically significant association was found between handgrip test results and age, gender, and disease activity (P < .001, R2 = .62).

Conclusions

Longer disease duration and higher disease activity may provoke the development of sarcopenia due to chronic inflammation in patients with RA. Physicians should be aware of the development of sarcopenia during the course of disease and take into account the preservative and preventive methods against sarcopenia by encouraging them about exercise along with controlling disease activity.
Prior statin therapy and 30‐day mortality in South Korean patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Oh Tak Kyu , Song In‐Ae
Published: September 2020

Background

The effect of prior statin therapy on mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate whether prior statin therapy was associated with lower 30‐day mortality compared to non‐statin use.

Methods

This population‐based cohort study used nationwide data procured from the National Health Insurance service in South Korea, and included all the adult patients admitted to a hospital for ARDS treatment between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017.

Results

In total, 14,600 patients with ARDS were included: 4,319 were statin users and 10,281 were non‐statin users. After propensity score matching, 6,046 patients with ARDS (3,023 patients in each group) were included in the analysis. The 30‐day mortality of statin users was 44.4% (1,331 of 3,023), while that of non‐statin users was 45.2% (1,331 of 3,023). On Cox regression analysis in the propensity score matched cohort, 30‐day mortality was not significantly associated with statin use compared to non‐statin use (hazard ratio: 0.95, 95% confidence interval: 0.88 to 1.02; P = .165). On Kaplan‐Meier estimation, the median survival time in statin users was 45 days (95% CI: 39 to 50), while that in non‐statin users was 42 days (95% CI: 37 to 47) after propensity score matching, and there was no statistical difference with the log‐rank test (P = .215).

Conclusion

This population‐based cohort study in South Korea showed that prior statin therapy was not significantly associated with 30‐day mortality in patients with ARDS. Our findings should be confirmed in future prospective studies.
Non‐suicidal self‐injury and its co‐occurrence with suicidal behavior: An epidemiological‐study among adolescents and young adults
Authors: Voss C. , Hoyer J. , Venz J. , Pieper L. , Beesdo‐Baum K.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) comprising thoughts and behaviors is common and often co‐occurring with suicidal behavior like ideation, plan, and attempt. As limited data are available for adolescents and young adults, this study aims to present prevalence estimates for lifetime NSSI, its co‐occurrence with suicidal behavior, conditional probabilities and their association with socio‐demographic characteristics, severity characteristics of suicidal behavior, and health service utilization.

Method

The epidemiological Behavior and Mind Health (BeMIND) study assessed in 2015/16 a random‐community sample of N = 1180 aged 14–21 years from Dresden, Germany, regarding lifetime NSSI via self‐administered questionnaire and suicidal behaviors via standardized interview.

Results

Any lifetime NSSI was reported by 19.3% (thoughts: 18.0%, behaviors: 13.6%) of the sample with higher prevalence in females (OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.9–3.8, P < 0.001). Lifetime prevalence of co‐occurring NSSI and suicidal behavior was 7.7%. Females had a 3.3‐ to 8.8‐fold odds of co‐occurrence than males. Among those with any NSSI, 39.6% endorsed suicidal behavior, and 66.3% of those with any suicidal behavior reported NSSI. 42.3% of those with any NSSI reported to have used mental healthcare services at any time during their life with higher rates in those with co‐occurring suicidal behavior (62.3%).

Conclusion

Non‐suicidal self‐injury and co‐occurring suicidal behavior is common in adolescents and young adults—especially females. The limited utilization of mental healthcare services underpins the need for improving recognition of NSSI and suicidal behavior as well as the accessibility of mental healthcare services during adolescence and emerging adulthood.
Trends in epidemiology, treatment and molecular testing of metastatic colorectal cancer in a real‐world multi‐institution cohort study
Authors: Kuchel Anna , Ahern Elizabeth , Collins Stephanie , Whitehall Vicki , Okano Satomi , Pelecanos Anita , Wyld David , Eastgate Melissa , Burge Matthew
Published: September 2020

Aim

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Australia, and survival after diagnosis of metastatic disease is improving. Our aim was to assess trends in epidemiology, treatment, molecular testing and survival in patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC).

Methods

Clinical data from February 2013 to December 2018 was recorded in a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study conducted in Queensland, Australia, examining clinical and molecular biomarkers in cases of mCRC.

Results

A total of 159 patients who had metastasis diagnosed after February 2013 were included in survival analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 63.9 years, but 29% had early‐onset disease (diagnosis aged <50 years). Median overall survival was 2.5 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2–3.0) for the 159 patients included in survival analysis. Independent factors correlated with poor prognosis included right‐sided primary tumor, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio >5, increased alkaline phosphatase level (ALP) and an increasing number of sites of metastatic disease. In contrast, metastasectomy was associated with improved overall survival (adjusted HR = 0.29’ 95% CI, 0.16–0.54), with similar survival between patients who had liver and non‐liver metastasectomy sites. Half (10/20) of the BRAF mutant CRC were also microsatellite unstable. The proportion of detected mutations amongst tested samples increased over time for Kirsten Rat Sarcoma (KRAS; OR [per year] = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01–1.39). Concurrently, the methods of molecular genetics testing employed in routine clinical practice changed towards the adoption of next‐generation sequencing.

Conclusions

Metastasectomy in mCRC may be beneficial regardless of the anatomical site of metastasis. The adoption of next‐generation sequencing techniques for molecular genetics testing coincided with a slightly increased rate of detection of KRAS and BRAF mutations, potentially reflecting greater test sensitivity. Further translational research is required in mCRC to define novel targets for treatment.
Earth's Data: Climate Change, Thai Carbon Markets, and the Planetary Atmosphere
Authors: Whitington Jerome
Published: September 2020

Carbon markets are the primary regulatory device for confronting climate change. This article analyzes the data practices through which carbon markets connect local reductions in carbon emissions with the planetary atmosphere as such. Carbon markets and related accounting practices are a special form of what Kim Fortun calls “informating environmentalism,” that is, the rendering of environmental issues into problems that can be managed by information systems. I explore the manufacture of carbon offsets (a kind of financial product) through two companies in Thailand who reduce carbon emissions from agricultural processing factories. Criticism of carbon markets may not recognize their importance if it ignores the information practices through which they are made and global problems to which they are addressed. The study of “Earth's data” helps emphasize the anthropological significance of carbon markets. Specifically, carbon regulation seeks to ensure Earth's future habitability by managing the chemical composition of the planetary atmosphere. [climate change, carbon markets, information infrastructure, global assemblage, planetary atmosphere, chemistry, quantification, Thailand]
Peripartum management of a patient with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Jimenez Erick , Cortez Daniel , McGill Mark , Ambrose Matthew
Published: September 2020

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a potentially lethal cardiac channelopathy characterized by episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) during exercise or in stressful situations. As the peripartum period creates a stressful environment, we describe our approach of this rare condition in a very common situation, child birth.
Length of hospital stay after cesarean section in Denmark from 2004 to 2016: A national register‐based study
Authors: Kruse Anne R. , Arendt Linn H. , Jakobsen Dorthe H. , Kehlet Henrik , Lauszus Finn F. , Forman Axel , Uldbjerg Niels , Sundtoft Iben B. , Kesmodel Ulrik S.
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Length of hospital stay after birth has decreased during the last decades, but nationwide data on length of hospital stay after cesarean section are lacking. Elements of Enhanced Recovery Programs were reported to reduce the length of hospital stay. The aim of this nationwide study was to describe the length of hospital stay after cesarean section in Denmark from 2004 to 2016 taking into account birth‐ and health‐related factors as well as demographic changes and, further, to assess potential differences between the five Danish regions.

Material and methods

Length of hospital stay was assessed in 164 209 deliveries by cesarean section in Denmark from 2004 to 2016. Data were obtained from the Danish National Patient Register. All deliveries by cesarean section at gestational age <22 weeks were excluded. Median length of hospital stay was reported based on crude and adjusted analyses.

Results

The median length of hospital stay was significantly reduced by 39 hours (95% confidence interval [CI] 37.9‐40.1), from 97 hours (4.0 days) in 2004 to 58 hours (2.4 days) in 2016. Reductions were observed among both planned and emergency cesarean sections. When birth‐ and health‐related factors as well as demographic changes were accounted for, median length of hospital stay was reduced by 30 hours (95% CI 29.3‐30.8) in the period. The decrease in length of hospital stay from 2004 to 2016 varied between the five Danish regions, with adjusted reductions between 19 and 46 hours.

Conclusions

A nationwide decrease in length of hospital stay after cesarean section was observed from 2004 to 2016 across all five regions but with significant regional variations. Further studies on the optimal length of hospital stay are needed, especially with regard to implementation of enhanced recovery programs.
Diagnostic accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in identifying the level of the lesion in fetuses with open spina bifida: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Di Mascio Daniele , Greco Francesca , Rizzo Giuseppe , Khalil Asma , Buca Danilo , Sorrentino Felice , Vasciaveo Lorenzo , Greco Pantaleo , Nappi Luigi , D’Antonio Francesco
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The role of prenatal ultrasound in correctly identifying the level of the lesion in fetuses with open spina bifida has yet to be determined. The primary aim of this systematic review was to report the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in determining the level of the lesion in fetuses with open spina bifida. The secondary aim was to elucidate whether prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improves the diagnostic performance of prenatal imaging in correctly identifying the level of the lesion.

Material and methods

Inclusion criteria were studies reporting the agreement between ultrasound, MRI and postnatal or postmortem assessment of fetuses with spina bifida. Agreement was defined as: complete (when the upper level of the lesion detected prenatally was the same recorded at postnatal or postmortem evaluation), within one (when the upper level of the lesion recorded prenatally was within one vertebral body higher or lower than that reported postnatally) and within two vertebral bodies (when the upper level of the lesion recorded prenatally was within two vertebral bodies higher or lower than that reported postnatally or postmortem evaluation). Meta‐analyses of proportions were used to combine data.

Results

Fourteen studies (655 fetuses) were included. Ultrasound was able to identify the correct level of the lesion in 40.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26.9‐55.6) of cases. The upper level of the lesion recorded on ultrasound was within one vertebral body in 76.2% (95% CI 65.0‐85.9) of cases and within two segments in 92.4% (95% CI 84.3‐97.7). Fetal MRI detected the exact level of the lesion in 42.5% (95% CI 35.9‐45.2) of cases; the level of the lesion recorded on MRI was higher in 26.4% (95% CI 20.0‐33.3) of cases and lower in 32.4% (95% CI 25.5‐39.7) than that confirmed postnatally. The upper level of the lesion recorded on MRI was within one vertebral body in 76.2% (95% CI 65.9‐85.2) of cases and within two segments in 94.2% (95% CI 90.2‐97.2).

Conclusions

Both ultrasound and MRI have a moderate diagnostic accuracy in identify the upper level of the lesion in fetuses with open spina bifida.
Advances in extracorporeal membrane oxygenator design for artificial placenta technology
Authors: Blauvelt David G. , Abada Emily N. , Oishi Peter , Roy Shuvo
Published: September 2020

Extreme prematurity, defined as a gestational age of fewer than 28 weeks, is a significant health problem worldwide. It carries a high burden of mortality and morbidity, in large part due to the immaturity of the lungs at this stage of development. The standard of care for these patients includes support with mechanical ventilation, which exacerbates lung pathology. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS), also called artificial placenta technology when applied to extremely preterm (EPT) infants, offers an intriguing solution. ECLS involves providing gas exchange via an extracorporeal device, thereby doing the work of the lungs and allowing them to develop without being subjected to injurious mechanical ventilation. While ECLS has been successfully used in respiratory failure in full‐term neonates, children, and adults, it has not been applied effectively to the EPT patient population. In this review, we discuss the unique aspects of EPT infants and the challenges of applying ECLS to these patients. In addition, we review recent progress in artificial placenta technology development. We then offer analysis on design considerations for successful engineering of a membrane oxygenator for an artificial placenta circuit. Finally, we examine next‐generation oxygenators that might advance the development of artificial placenta devices.
The expression and prognostic relevance of programmed cell death protein 1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tervo Sanni , Seppälä Miia , Rautiainen Markus , Huhtala Heini , Salo Tuula , Al‐Samadi Ahmed , Kuopio Teijo , Ahtiainen Maarit , Tommola Satu , Paavonen Timo , Toppila‐Salmi Sanna
Published: September 2020

Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) is an immune checkpoint receptor which plays an important role in a patient's immune responses to microbial and cancer antigens. It is expressed in tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) with many different malignancies. The aim of the study was to evaluate PD‐1 expression and its prognostic value in tongue cancer. The data of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) patients (N = 81) treated in Tampere University Hospital between 1999 and 2013 were used. Control data consisted of patients with non‐malignant tongue mucous membrane lesions (N = 48). The formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples were stained immunohistochemically and scanned via digital microscope. The staining of PD‐1 was examined semi‐quantitatively. The density and intensity of PD‐1 + cells were significantly higher in TSCC than in control samples. The expression of PD‐1 correlated with better survival. The expression of PD‐1 could be a potential prognostic marker in TSCC. Further research using larger sample size is needed.
Strontium isotope analysis in ancient glass from South Asia using portable laser ablation sampling
Authors: Seman S. , Dussubieux L. , Cloquet C. , Pryce T. O.
Published: September 2020

In order to carry out strontium (Sr) isotope analysis, glass artefacts from South Asia were sampled with portable laser ablation (pLA), a relatively novel sampling technique that leaves damage invisible to the naked eye. Subsequently, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) was used to obtain Sr isotope ratios after sample dissolution and separation. In this study, the goal was twofold: to determine whether the measurements of Sr isotope ratios were impacted by using a portable laser as a sample tool; and to assess the pertinence of using Sr isotope ratios to provenance Indian glass. Despite a deterioration in the precision of the measurement of the Sr isotope ratios for artefacts sampled with pLA compared with the traditional sampling method, the Sr isotope ratios of certain Indian glass are so different that this does not affect their separation but a comparison of data sets obtained using standard methods and pLA might be challenging.
The Selective Shield of Due Process: Analysis of the U.S. Department of Education's 2020 Title IX Regulations on Live Cross‐Examination
Authors: Holland Kathryn J. , Bedera Nicole , Webermann Aliya R.
Published: September 2020

The U.S. Department of Education (DoE) released new Title IX regulations in May 2020, including the requirement that postsecondary institutions conduct live hearings with direct cross‐examination for sexual misconduct reports. The 2,033‐page document included a summary of public comments and the DoE's discussion of those comments. We analyzed this publicly available document to answer two questions. (1) What are the primary concerns of the cross‐examination requirement for victims within the Department's summary of public comments? (2) How did the Department respond to these victim concerns? We conducted a content analysis, with a specific focus on the DoE's summary of survivor‐focused comments regarding cross‐examination and the DoE's discussion of and changes made in response to those comments. We identified four overarching survivor‐focused concerns and four categories of DoE responses. Our findings suggest that the DoE did not meaningfully address survivor‐focused concerns, but instead, selectively wielded “due process” as a shield to deflect critiques and legitimize the myth that sexual misconduct allegations inherently lack “credibility.” The lack of protections for victims is a significant departure from legal norms in other settings. Our findings identify the importance of legislators working with survivor‐activists, practitioners, and researchers to ensure complainants receive adequate procedural protections.
The cooccurrence of heightened media attention and adverse drug reaction reports for hormonal contraception in the United Kingdom between 2014 and 2017
Authors: Postma Lobke Geesje Maria , Donyai Parastou
Published: September 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the cooccurrence of heightened media attention after the publication of a paper by Skovlund et al in September 2016 on the link between hormonal contraception and depression or mood on adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports in the UK.

Methods

A quantitative analysis of relevant newspaper articles published between January 2014 and December 2017 was performed, as well as a content analysis. ADR reports were collected from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency website and via a Freedom of Information request. A quantitative analysis was performed on ADR reports of hormonal contraceptives for all ADRs and for depressed mood disorders and disturbances.

Results

The publication of the Skovlund et al paper did not lead to a peak in relevant newspaper articles, but there was a change in the content of the newspaper articles, which focussed more on the link between hormonal contraceptives and depression or mood. There was an overall increase in ADR reports by women relating to hormonal contraceptives between 2016 and 2017, and for combined contraceptives this was due to an increase in ADR reports of depressed mood disorders and disturbances.

Conclusions

The content of media attention appears to affect ADR reporting by women for combined contraceptives. In general, patients report the majority of depressed mood disorders and disturbances ADRs as opposed to health professionals, who report other ADRs. Care providers can anticipate the effect of heightened media attention and help patients when they experience these ADRs.
Risky research and bystander consent
Authors: Hanser Matthew
Published: September 2020

There is no quick and easy answer to the question whether research activities that endanger bystanders without their consent ever thereby violate those bystanders’ rights. We cannot dismiss the idea that bystanders possess strong rights against researchers simply on the grounds that they are, after all, merely bystanders. Indeed, it is easy to imagine scenarios in which researchers would be morally required to gain the informed consent of bystanders whom they risk harming. Whether bystander consent is required in any particular real‐world case will depend, in part, upon exactly how the research activity endangers them.