bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous auditing and data mining for strategic risk control and anticorruption: Creating “fair” value in the digital age
Authors: Cardoni Andrea , Kiseleva Evgeniia , De Luca Francesco 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis paper aims to bridge a gap in the literature by investigating a continuous audit case for anticorruption. The evolution of technology can offer valuable opportunities to integrate legality checks and business processes that are consistent with the growing call to fight corruption at the institutional level. Since the last decade, researchers have proposed conceptual frameworks demonstrating the visible advantages of continuous auditing and data mining, but significant difficulties still exist in practice. This process has been implemented in only a few cases, and the lack of empirical studies implies a need for additional research on this topic.To fill this gap, we adopt the framework proposed by Chan and Vasarhelyi (2011) and identify success factors for the implementation of continuous auditing. For the analysis, we use the research methodology of a single case study and focus on the Italian company Acciai Speciali Terni Spa (AST), the only steelwork company in Europe that has been ISO 37001 certified. This study demonstrates the practical impact of continuous auditing and data mining on strategic risk control by empirically testing the Chan and Vasarhelyi (2011) framework for the specific issue of anticorruption. The results show that effective continuous auditing is centered on an integrative and change management approach and that strategic vision, risk mapping, and a no‐corruption culture are among the most influential factors. The AST case demonstrates that technology is currently essential for supporting strategic risk control but only if it is integrated with consistent growth in organizational and managerial capabilities.
Barium aspiration ‐ Accident or complication?
Authors: Ricardo Pires Joana , Teixeira Mariana , Ferreira Filipa , Neves Clarinda 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAspiration of barium sulfate is possible during radiographic contrast procedures and is potentially life‐threatening in severe cases. In patients with dysphagia or suspected tracheoesophageal fistula, barium compounds may be used, considering lateral projection fluoroscopy of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, but iso‐osmotic agents should also be considered.
Obesity Alters Endoxifen Plasma Levels in Young Breast Cancer Patients: A Pharmacometric Simulation Approach
Authors: Mueller‐Schoell Anna , Klopp‐Schulze Lena , Schroth Werner , Mürdter Thomas , Michelet Robin , Brauch Hiltrud , Huisinga Wilhelm , Joerger Markus , Neven Patrick , Koolen Stijn L.W. , Mathijssen Ron H.J. , Copson Ellen , Eccles Diana , Chen Sylvia , Chowbay Balram , Tfayli Arafat , Zgheib Nathalie K. , Schwab Matthias , Kloft Charlotte 
Published: June 2020

Endoxifen is one of the most important metabolites of the prodrug tamoxifen. High interindividual variability in endoxifen steady‐state concentrations (CSS,min ENDX) is observed under tamoxifen standard dosing and patients with breast cancer who do not reach endoxifen concentrations above a proposed therapeutic threshold of 5.97 ng/mL may be at a 26% higher recurrence risk compared with patients with endoxifen concentrations exceeding this value. In this investigation, 10 clinical tamoxifen studies were pooled (1,388 patients) to investigate influential factors on CSS,min ENDX using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling. Age and body weight were found to significantly impact CSS,min ENDX in addition to CYP2D6 phenotype. Compared with postmenopausal patients, premenopausal patients had a 30% higher risk for subtarget CSS,min ENDX at tamoxifen 20 mg per day. In treatment simulations for distinct patient subpopulations, young overweight patients had a 3.1–13.8‐fold higher risk for subtarget CSS,min ENDX compared with elderly low‐weight patients. Considering ever‐rising obesity rates and the clinical importance of tamoxifen for premenopausal patients, this subpopulation may benefit most from individualized tamoxifen dosing.
Dryland cropping system impact on forage accumulation, nutritive value, and rainfall use efficiency
Authors: Holman Johnathon D. , Schlegel Alan , Obour Augustine K. , Assefa Yared 
Published: June 2020

AbstractForage cropping systems have greater precipitation use efficiency compared with cereal grains and oilseed cropping systems. However, information is limited to which forage species and forage rotation system increases productivity the most in the central Great Plains. The objective of this research was to identify the productivity and nutritive value of forage sorghum [FS, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], winter triticale [WT, ×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus (Secale × Triticum)], and spring triticale (ST) crop rotations in the central Great Plains. The study was conducted from 2008 through 2011 at Garden City, Jetmore, and Tribune, KS. The experimental design was a randomized completed block with four crop rotation treatments: continuous FS–FS, continuous WT–WT, annual double‐crop WT/FS, and 2‐yr, double‐crop WT/FS–ST rotations. The annualized forage accumulation from WT/FS–ST rotation at Garden City, Jetmore, and Tribune were 30, 53, and 62% greater than annualized yields from the WT–WT rotation, respectively. The annualized forage accumulation from double crop WT/FS rotation were 55 and 148% greater than annualized forage accumulation from WT–WT rotation at Garden City and Jetmore. Overall productivity of a rotation was in the order WT/FS > WT/FS–ST or FS–FS > WT–WT. Despite its greater productivity, it was difficult to implement field operations (planting and harvesting) in the WT/FS rotation due to insufficient time in the growing season and because, often, there was little to no soil water available at planting. We concluded the WT/FS–ST rotation was less intense and more easily adoptable than the WT/FS rotation and has sufficient diversity to utilize resources better than continuous FS–FS or WT–WT rotations.
Responses of four submerged macrophytes to freshwater snail density (Radix swinhoei) under clear‐water conditions: A mesocosm study
Authors: Zhi Yongwei , Liu Yang , Li Wei , Cao Yu 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMacrophytes play a key role in stabilizing clear‐water conditions in shallow freshwater ecosystems. Their populations are maintained by a balance between plant grazing and plant growth. As a freshwater snail commonly found in shallow lakes, Radix swinhoei can affect the growth of submerged macrophytes by removing epiphyton from the surface of aquatic plants and by grazing directly on macrophyte organs. Thus, we conducted a long‐term (11‐month) experiment to explore the effects of snail density on macrophytes with distinctive structures in an outdoor clear‐water mesocosm system (with relatively low total nitrogen (TN, 0.66 ± 0.27 mg/L) and total phosphorus (TP, 36 ± 20 μg/L) and a phytoplankton chlorophyll a (Chla) range of 14.8 ± 4.9 μg/L) based on two different snail densities (low and high) and four macrophyte species treatments (Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogeton wrightii, P. crispus, and P. oxyphyllus). In the high‐density treatment, snail biomass and abundance (36.5 ± 16.5 g/m2 and 169 ± 92 ind/m2, respectively) were approximately twice that observed in the low‐density treatment, resulting in lower total and aboveground biomass and ramet number in the macrophytes. In addition, plant height and plant volume inhabited (PVI) showed species‐specific responses to snail densities, that is, the height of P. oxyphyllus and PVI of M. spicatum were both higher under low‐density treatment. Thus, compared with low‐density treatment, the inhibitory effects of long‐term high snail density on macrophytes by direct feeding may be greater than the positive effects resulting from epiphyton clearance when under clear‐water conditions with low epiphyton biomass. Thus, under clear‐water conditions, the growth and community composition of submerged macrophytes could be potentially modified by the manual addition of invertebrates (i.e., snails) to lakes if the inhibitory effects from predatory fish are minor.
Droplet digital PCR applied to environmental DNA, a promising method to estimate fish population abundance from humic‐rich aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Capo Eric , Spong Göran , Koizumi Shuntaro , Puts Isolde , Olajos Fredrik , Königsson Helena , Karlsson Jan , Byström Pär 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMeasures of environmental DNA (eDNA) concentrations in water samples have the potential to be both a cost‐efficient and a nondestructive method to estimate fish population abundance. However, the inherent temporal and spatial variability in abiotic and biotic conditions in aquatic systems have been suggested to be a major obstacle to determine relationships between fish eDNA concentrations and fish population abundance. Moreover, once water samples are collected, methodological biases are common, which introduces additional sources of variation to potential relationships between eDNA concentrations and fish population abundance. Here, we evaluate the performance of applying the droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method to estimate fish population abundance in experimental enclosures. Using large‐scale enclosure ecosystems that contain populations of nine‐spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius), we compared the concentrations of fish eDNA (COI mitochondrial region, 134 bp) obtained with the ddPCR method with high precision estimates of fish population abundance (i.e., number of individuals) and biomass. To evaluate the effects of contrasted concentrations of humic substances (potential PCR inhibitors) on the performance of ddPCR assays, we manipulated natural dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations (range 4–11 mg/L) in the enclosures. Additionally, water temperature (+2°C) was manipulated in half of the enclosures. Results showed positive relationships between eDNA concentration and fish abundance and biomass estimates although unexplained variation remained. Still and importantly, fish eDNA estimates from high DOC enclosures were not lowered by potential inhibitory effects with our procedure. Finally, water temperature (although only 2°C difference) was neither detected as a significant factor influencing fish eDNA estimates. Altogether, our work highlights that ddPCR‐based eDNA is a promising method for future quantification of fish population abundance in natural systems.
Rationale and design of the EMPYREAN study
Authors: Motoki Hirohiko , Masuda Izuru , Yasuno Shinji , Oba Koji , Shoin Wataru , Usami Satoru , Saito Yoshihiko , Waki Masako , Komatsu Mitsuhisa , Ueshima Kenji , Nakagawa Yasuaki , Son Cheol , Yonemitsu Shin , Hiramitsu Shinya , Konda Manako , Onishi Katsuya , Kuwahara Koichiro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimsA sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor was recently found to reduce heart failure hospitalization in the EMPA‐REG OUTCOME trial. We have hypothesized that autonomic nerve activity may be modulated by SGLT2 inhibition. The current study aims to investigate the impact of empagliflozin on sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods and resultsThis ongoing study is a prospective, randomized, open‐label, multicentre investigation of 134 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patients are randomly allocated to receive either empagliflozin or sitagliptin with the treatment goal of the Japan Diabetes Society guidelines. Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring is performed at the baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. Analyses of heart rate variability are conducted using the MemCalc method, which is a combination of the maximum entropy method for spectral analysis and the non‐linear least squares method for square analysis. The primary endpoint is the change in the low‐frequency (0.04–0.15 Hz)/high‐frequency (0.15–0.4 Hz) ratio from baseline to 24 weeks.ConclusionsThis investigation on the effect of EMPagliflozin on cardiac sYmpathetic and parasympathetic neRve activity in JapanEse pAtieNts with type 2 diabetes (EMPYREAN study) offers an important opportunity to understand the impact of SGLT2 inhibition on autonomic nerve activity in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The impact of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction for the prognosis in patients with lower extremity arterial disease
Authors: Lee Jen‐Kuang , Hwang Juey‐Jen , Chiang Fu‐Tien , Wu Cho‐Kai 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimsLower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) share many risk factors, but the characteristics of LVDD and its association with prognosis in patients with LEAD have not been fully examined.Methods and resultsWe investigated the impact of LVDD on the clinical outcomes in LEAD patients. LVDD was classified according to the newest suggested classification by the American Society of Echocardiography. Survival analysis for mortality (primary endpoint) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE; secondary endpoint) was calculated with all clinical variables and adjusted by multivariate Cox regression. We consecutively enrolled 221 controls and 464 LEAD patients from outpatient clinics and hospitals. The prevalence of LVDD was proportional to the severity of LEAD defined by the Rutherford class. The difference of LVDD severity is significant when compared with the control and LEAD patients or LEAD patients who underwent endovascular therapy (EVT), and it is also proportional to the LEAD severity. The grade of LVDD was a significant factor in predicting MACE and mortality in LEAD patients after multivariate Cox regression analysis [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.47–2.83, P = 0.026; HR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.02–2.02, P = 0.041]. This impact remained significant in LEAD patients who underwent EVT.ConclusionsThe degree of LVDD may predict MACE and mortality in LEAD patients. Whether early identification of LVDD in LEAD patients is helpful warrants further large‐scale prospective randomized studies.
Microbial fuel cell‐enhanced electrokinetic process for remediation of chromium from marine sediments
Authors: Razavi Marzie , Yousefi Kebria Daryoush , Ebrahimi Atieh 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe combination of microbial fuel cell with electrokinetic processes, known as Microbial Electrokinetic Cell (MEKC), is an innovative and sustainable process for simultaneous sediment remediation and renewable energy production. This study made a major contribution to research on MEKC by demonstrating the maximum energy extraction and chromium removal using three types of the anode electrode, comprising plate graphite (PG), scratched plate graphite (SPG), and the combination of SPG with granular activated carbon (SPG‐GAC) used as bioanode. The results indicated that power generation changed noticeably based on the anolyte type and electrode configuration. The application of the SPG‐GAC electrode resulted in the maximum power densities of 10 ± 0.02 and 5.12 ± 0.04 W/m3 in MEKCs fed by actual and synthetic wastewater, respectively. However, feeding MEKC with synthetic wastewater instead of the actual one caused a slight reduction in chromium removal from 72.64 to 69.50% in anode and from 53.70 to 49.44% in cathode chamber. According to the obtained results, the SPG‐GAC can be suggested to improve MEKC power generation by increasing bacterial adhesion and enhancing the extracellular electron transfer using the granular activated carbon. Furthermore, the results provided a proof‐of‐concept that MEKC has a high potential to be used for efficient sediment remediation and to promote environmental health.
Preparation and kinetic study of organic amine‐loaded ion‐exchange resin as CO2 adsorbents
Authors: Liu Xinmin , Qiu Xuexia , Sun Xin , Mei Libin , Wang Lingyun , Guo Qingjie 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOrganic amine adsorbents prepared by template method using ion exchange resin (D001) as support and polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a modifier, and the preparation process was optimized by orthogonal experiment plan. The results showed that adsorbents prepared under conditions (the copper ion concentration was 0.2 mol/L, the ultrasonic time was 3 hr, and the PEI loadings were 30%) had an excellent CO2 adsorption properties. The effects of temperature and gas influent velocity on CO2 adsorption properties were investigated in a fixed bed reactor. When PEI loadings were 30%, the adsorption temperature was 65°C and the gas influent velocity was 40 ml/min, organic amine adsorbents performed a better PEI dispersion, stability, and CO2 adsorption capacity. Maximum CO2 adsorption capacity was 4.00 mmol/g. Besides, the CO2 adsorption capacity decreased by only 10% after 10 cycles of adsorption–desorption tests, attribute to a small amount of PEI was volatilize during the regeneration process. The external diffusion was eliminated by increasing the gas influent velocity, and the adsorption data were well fitted the Weber‐Morris particle diffusion model, indicating that CO2 adsorption was controlled by internal diffusion.
The use of artificial neural networks to estimate optimum insulation thickness, energy savings, and carbon dioxide emissions
Authors: Küçüktopcu Erdem , Cemek Bilal 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study examined artificial neural networks' (ANNs) applicability in modeling optimum insulation thickness (OIT), annual total net savings (ATS), and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions (RCO2) that result from insulating buildings. Data from insulation markets, economic parameters, fuel prices, and heating degree days (HDDs) were introduced into the model as input variables. To complete the most thorough analysis, three learning algorithms, Levenberg Marquardt (LM), Bayesian Regularization (BR), and Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) were employed. Five statistical indexes were utilized to evaluate models' performances: determination coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), standard error of prediction (SEP), RMSE observations' standard deviation ratio (RSR), and average absolute percent relative error (AAPRE). Moreover, visualization techniques were used to assess the similarity between the OIT, ATS, and RCO2 values calculated and predicted. The results obtained clearly show that the LM model outperformed the BR and SCG models in all estimations. Thereafter, the developed ANNs model was validated for different cities. Overall, this model will provide an effective and straightforward guide for people working in the field to improve thermal insulation design, analysis, and implementation worldwide.
Forecast performance and bubble analysis in noncausal MAR(1, 1) processes
Authors: Gourieroux Christian , Hencic Andrew , Jasiak Joann 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the performance of nonlinear short‐term forecasts of noncausal processes from closed‐form functional predictive density estimators. The processes considered have mixed causal–noncausal MAR(1, 1) dynamics and non‐Gaussian distributions with either finite or infinite variance. The quality of point forecasts is affected by spikes and bubbles in the trajectories of these processes, which also characterize many financial and economic time series. This is due to deformations of estimated predictive densities from multimodality during explosive episodes. We show that two‐step‐ahead predictive densities of future trajectories based on the MAR(1, 1) Cauchy process can be used as a new graphical tool for early detection of bubble outsets and bursts. The method is applied to the Bitcoin/US dollar exchange rates and commodity futures.
Metabolic syndrome and risk of pancreatic cancer: A population‐based prospective cohort study
Authors: Xia Bin , He Qiangsheng , Pan Yihang , Gao Fang , Liu Anran , Tang Yan , Chong Charing , Teoh Anthony Y. B. , Li Fangping , He Yulong , Zhang Changhua , Yuan Jinqiu 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMetabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components may link to pancreatic cancer risk; however, current epidemiological evidence is limited, and the potential mechanisms underlying the associations remain unclear. To investigate this, we carried out this prospective cohort study of 474 929 participants without a diagnosis of cancer based on UK Biobank dataset. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria and pancreatic cancer was identified through linkage to UK cancer registries (median follow‐up time: 6.6 years). We evaluated hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for demography and lifestyle factors. Restricted cubic spline was performed for each MetS component to investigate their possible nonlinear associations with risk of pancreatic cancer. During 3 112 566 person‐years of follow‐up, 565 cases of pancreatic cancer were identified. Individuals with MetS (HR = 1.31, 95% CI, 1.09‐1.56), central obesity (HR = 1.24, 95% CI, 1.02‐1.50) and hyperglycemia (HR = 1.60, 95% CI, 1.31‐1.97) had increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Higher waist circumference (WC) and blood glucose were independently associated with pancreatic cancer, with no evidence against nonlinearity. Although elevated CRP (≥1.00 mg/dL) showed a positive association with the risk for pancreatic cancer, the effect was substantially increased only in participants with MetS and CRP ≥1.00 mg/dL. Our study demonstrated a positive association between MetS and increased risk of pancreatic cancer, with two of the MetS components, WC and blood glucose, showing independent associations in linear manner. Our study also suggested a potential joint effect of MetS and CRP in pancreas tumorigenesis.
Predictors and moderators of improved social‐emotional functioning in mothers with substance use disorders and their young children enrolled in a relationship‐based case management program
Authors: Hildebrandt Ursula C. , Graham J. Christopher , Grant Therese M. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTMothers with substance use disorders (SUDs) typically have trauma histories and psychosocial difficulties that lead to poor social‐emotional functioning and disrupted mother–child relationships. This 12‐month study explored associations of family adverse circumstances and services (case management, therapeutic, and community‐based) received by 57‐mothers with SUDs and their infants (less than 24‐months‐old) with changes in social‐emotional functioning. All mothers were enrolled in a relationship‐based case management program (Parent–Child Assistance Program [PCAP]) that emphasized connecting mothers to appropriate community services. A subset of mothers was additionally provided a trauma‐focused psychotherapeutic intervention (infant–parent psychotherapy [IPP]). Dyads in both treatment groups improved in overall social‐emotional functioning as assessed by the Functional Emotional Assessment Scale (FEAS). A combined‐sample regression analysis revealed that improved FEAS scores were significantly predicted by the number of community services received but not by PCAP case management hours (IPP was not included in this analysis). More adverse circumstances were associated with less improvement in social‐emotional functioning in the children; but among the mothers trauma level did not predict FEAS scores. We also found a moderating effect of trauma: Dyads with relatively more adversity showed a significantly greater association of community services received with improvement in FEAS scores than did those with relatively less adversity.