bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How different cost behaviour is in emerging economies? Evidence from Argentina
Authors: Stimolo María Inés , Porporato Marcela 
Published: January 2020

Purpose
Cost behaviour literature is expanding its reach beyond developed economies; however, there is limited knowledge about its causes in emerging economies. This is an exploratory study of sticky costs behaviour determinants in Argentina, a country with periodic political and economic turbulence. The purpose of this paper is to test the effect of GDP, asset intensity, industry and cost type in an inflationary context.

Design/methodology/approach
Anderson et al. (2003) empirical regression (ABJ model) is replicated in Argentina with 667 observations from 96 firms between the years 2004 and 2012. It uses panel data and variables are defined as change rates between two periods. The sample excludes financial and insurance firms. It tests if sticky cost behaviour changes in periods of macroeconomic deceleration, or in firms belonging to industries with different asset intensity levels, or among different cost types.

Findings
The analysis shows that costs are sticky in Argentina, where a superb economic outlook is required to delay cutting resources or increasing costs. Cost behaviour is affected by social and cultural factors, such as labour inflexibility driven by powerful unions and not by protective employment laws, asset intensity (industry) and macroeconomic environment. Results suggest that costs are sticky for aggregate samples, but not for all subsamples.

Practical implications
Administrative costs are sticky when GDP grows; but when growth declines, managers or firms do not delay cost cutting actions. Some subsamples are extreme cases of stickiness while others are anti-sticky, casting some doubt on the usefulness of sticky costs empirical tests applied to country-wide samples. Careful selection of observations for sticky costs studies in emerging economies is critical.

Originality/value
Evidence from previous studies show that on average costs are remarkably sticky in Argentina; this study shows that cost reduction activities occur faster but are not persistent enough to change the aggregated long-term results of cost stickiness in the presence of moderate to high inflation. The study contributes to the literature by suggesting that observations used in sticky costs studies from emerging economies might be mainly from positive macroeconomic environments, might have skewed results due to extreme cases of stickiness or might be distorted by inflation.
A behavioural investigation of power and gender heterogeneity in operations management under uncertainty
Authors: Villa Sebastián , Castañeda Jaime Andrés 
Published: January 2020

PurposeThe paper aims to explore how power and gender influence decision making in an operational and risky context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors run a laboratory experiment. The experimental factors are power and operational profitability. Power is manipulated using an episodic priming task, while profitability, by changing a newsvendor-type product’s procurement cost. Participants’ risk attitude is captured using a risk lottery.FindingsParticipants deviate from the optimal order regardless of the power condition and their risk profile. Risk-seeking women order consistently more than risk-seeking men, which allow women to offer a higher service level. In the low-profit condition, men prefer to make more conservative decisions, which allow them to place orders that are closer to the economical benchmark, where both men’ induced power and the risk-seeking tendencies from both genders play a role. Behavioural models in the high-power condition explain the observed differences in ordering behaviours.Originality/valueThis paper provides behavioural research to explore how differences in power and gender, and their links with risky decision making, influence decision making in an uncertain operations management context, representing thus an important departure from mainstream studies.
A hybrid approach to compute seismic travel times in three‐dimensional tetrahedral meshes
Authors: Nasr Maher , Giroux Bernard , Dupuis J. Christian 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTWe propose an optimized method to compute travel times for seismic inversion problems. It is a hybrid method combining several approaches to deal with travel time computation accuracy in unstructured meshes based on tetrahedral elementary cells. As in the linear travel time interpolation method, the proposed approach computes travel times using seismic ray paths. The method operates in two sequential steps: At a first stage, travel times are computed for all nodes of the mesh using a modified version of the shortest path method. The difference with the standard version is that additional secondary nodes (called tertiary nodes) are added temporarily around seismic sources in order to improve accuracy with a reasonable increase in computational cost. During the second step, the steepest travel time gradient method is used to trace back ray paths for each source–receiver pair. Travel times at each receiver are then recomputed using slowness values at the intersection points between the ray path and the traversed cells. A number of numerical tests with an array of different velocity models, mesh resolutions and mesh topologies have been carried out. These tests showed that an average relative error in the order of 0.1% can be achieved at a computational cost that is suitable for travel time inversion.
Enhancing effects of anagliptin on myoblast differentiation and the expression of mitochondrial biogenetic factors in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Han Se Eun , Kim Su Jin , Kim Young Il , Nam‐Goong Il Sung , Jung Hyo Won , Kim Eun Sook 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTo investigate the regulatory effects of anagliptin, a DPP‐IV inhibitor used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), on myoblast differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes and then treated with anagliptin (10, 25, and 50 μmol/L) for 24 hours. In C2C12 myotubes, anagliptin treatment was significantly increased the expression of MHC, PGC1α, Sirt‐1, NRF‐1, and TFAM and the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC in a concentration‐dependent manner. Anagliptin also significantly increased the total ATP levels in the myotubes. These results suggest that anagliptin can help prevent skeletal muscle dysfunction in T2DM by promotion of myoblast differentiation and enhancement of energy production via upregulation of mitochondrial biogenetic factors and activation of the AMPK/ACC signalling pathway.
An economic analysis of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy by polar body biopsy in advanced maternal age
Authors: Neumann K , Sermon K , Bossuyt P , Goossens V , Geraedts J , Traeger‐Synodinos J , Parriego M , Schmutzler A , van der Ven K , Rudolph‐Rothfeld W , Vonthein R , Griesinger G 
Published: January 2020

ObjectiveWhat are the cost per live birth and the incremental cost of preventing a miscarriage with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT‐A) by polar body biopsy and array‐based comprehensive genome hybridisation (aCGH) versus regular IVF/ICSI without PGT‐A for infertility treatment in women 36–40 years of age?DesignDecision tree model.PopulationA randomised clinical trial on PGT‐A (ESTEEM study).MethodsTwo treatment strategies were compared: one cycle of IVF/ICSI with or without PGT‐A. Costs and effects were analysed with this model for four different cost scenarios: high‐, higher medium, lower medium and low‐cost. Base case, sensitivity, threshold, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were used to examine the cost‐effectiveness implications of PGT‐A.ResultsPGT‐A increased the cost per live birth by approximately 15% in the high‐cost scenario to approximately 285% in the low‐cost scenario. Threshold analysis revealed that PGT‐A would need to be associated with an absolute increase in pregnancy rate by 6% to >39% or, alternatively, would need to be US$2,969 (high‐cost scenario) to US$4,888 (low‐cost scenario) cheaper. The incremental cost to prevent one miscarriage by PGT‐A using the base case assumptions was calculated to be US$34,427 (high‐cost scenario) to US$51,146 (low‐cost scenario). A probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed cost‐effectiveness for PGT‐A from 1.9% (high‐cost scenario) to 0.0% (low‐cost scenario) of calculated samples.ConclusionsWhile avoiding unnecessary embryo transfers and miscarriages are important goals, patients and doctors need to be aware of the high‐cost implications of applying PGT‐A using aCGH on polar bodies.Tweetable abstractPGT‐A by polar body biopsy and comprehensive genome hybridisation increases cost per live birth and requires high financial spending per miscarriage averted.
Particle Analysis for the Detection of Gunshot Residue (GSR) in Nasal Samples Using Scanning Laser Ablation and Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (SLA‐ICPMS)
Authors: Aliste Marina , Arranz Sandra , Sánchez‐Ortega Alicia , Sampedro M. Carmen , Unceta Nora , Gómez‐Caballero Alberto , Vallejo Asier , Goicolea Maria Aranzazu , Barrio Ramón J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCurrently, aluminum stub with carbon adhesive devices are used to collect inorganic gunshot residues (GSR) from the hands of a shooter. In an ideal shooting case, the gunshot particles do not persist for more than 2 h in the hands of the shooter, provided that the hands have not been washed. However, for forensic analysis and inference, the extended persistence of GSR would be desirable. This study investigates a novel GSR sampling and detection protocol. Sampling was performed in the nostrils using swab devices impregnated in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The GSRs persisted for longer periods in nasal mucus than on the hands, and particles were detected 6 h after shooting occurred. The analytical determination was conducted by scanning laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (SLA‐ICPMS) which enable the identification of the number of particles and their elemental composition. Seventeen isotope signals corresponding to13C,205Tl and 15 analytes that are usually associated with the composition of GSR residues were monitored:27Al,29Si,31P,33S,35Cl,39K,44Ca,57Fe,60Ni,63Cu,66Zn,118Sn,121Sb,137Ba, and208Pb. The SLA technique enabled the reduction of the swab analysis time to 40 min. The effectiveness of this methodology was evaluated with two types of firearms: a pistol and a shotgun. The results indicated that the methodology proposed for the analysis of the nasal GSR was effective and that it can improve or complement the forensic analyses and inferences presented in a court.
Formation and characterization of plant‐based emulsified and crosslinked fat crystal networks to mimic animal fat tissue
Authors: Dreher Johannes , Blach Carolin , Terjung Nino , Gibis Monika , Weiss Jochen 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAnimal fat tissue (that is, pork or beef fat) is composed of liquid and solid fat incorporated in a network of connective tissue. Hence, their rheological and thermal properties may differ significantly from plant‐derived fats. Specifically, animal fats have elastic and melting properties that give rise to not only a certain comminution behavior during processing, but also provide meat products such as sausages with certain organoleptic properties. To mimic key properties of animal fat tissue with plant‐derived materials, a new structuring approach was used. Canola oil was mixed with <30% (w/w) of fully hydrogenated canola oil at 65 °C, hot‐emulsified with a soy protein suspension (8%, w/w) at a lipid content of 70% (w/w) using a high‐shear disperser, and cooled to 37 °C. The concentrated, emulsified fat crystal networks were then incubated with transglutaminase for 1 hr to induce protein crosslinking. Microscopy images showed that samples were composed of tightly packed lipid particles with regions of coalesced or unemulsified lipids appearing at higher solid fat concentrations. Texture analysis and rheological measurements showed that crosslinked samples possessed elasticities that decreased with increasing solid fat concentration. Above 30% solid fat, matrices reverted back to exhibiting a mainly plastic behavior. Results were attributed to the formation of either a droplet‐filled protein network, a particulate fat crystal network, or a mixture thereof. Taken together, results show that plant‐based crosslinked emulsified fat crystal networks are able to mimic mechanical properties of animal fat provided that not too much solid fat (<30% in this study) is used. This makes them useful for the manufacture of meat products or analogues.Practical ApplicationThis study introduced a new structuring approach to mimic properties of animal fat tissue with only plant‐derived materials. The structured lipids can, for example, be used for the manufacture of processed meat analogues.
Longitudinal Associations Between Perceptions of Peer Group Drinking Norms and Students' Alcohol Use Frequency Within College Sport Teams
Authors: Graupensperger Scott , Turrisi Rob , Jones Damon , Evans M. Blair 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundStudents' alcohol use behaviors are shaped by the attitudes and behaviors of others, especially the peers within students' proximal social groups. Explaining the association between perceived drinking norms and alcohol use, researchers propose contradicting pathways that focus on conformity (i.e., social norms predict alcohol use) and projection (i.e., alcohol use predicts perceived norms). The current study examined the extent to which conformity and projection processes were evident in the association between college student alcohol use and the perceived alcohol use norms for students' club sport teams.MethodsThe sample comprised 1,054 college students (61% female) nested in 35 intact same‐sex club sport teams. On 3 separate occasions during a single school year (3‐month lag), participants reported drinking frequency and perceptions of descriptive and injunctive group drinking norms. We employed random intercepts cross‐lagged panel modeling to estimate prospective within‐person associations separately from stable trait‐like between‐person associations.ResultsDescriptive and injunctive group drinking norms were both positively related to students' alcohol use frequency at the between‐person level. Individuals nevertheless demonstrated variability at the within‐person level. Results revealed a strong contemporaneous association between descriptive norms and alcohol use frequency within each timepoint, but no prospective associations. Models including perceptions of injunctive drinking norms demonstrated similar contemporaneous associations with alcohol use frequency, but also identified significant prospective associations signifying conformity.ConclusionsFindings align with previous research reporting a strong and positive association between student's self‐reported alcohol use and subjective peer alcohol use norms. After disentangling within‐ and between‐person effects to probe for conformity and projection processes, the current findings are somewhat contrary to previous research that has reported reciprocal relationships between social norms and alcohol use behavior. Further investigation of the potential conformity and projection mechanisms of social norms is critical to advance norm‐based strategies to reduce harm.
Equity of access to post‐mastectomy breast reconstruction at a regional plastic surgery centre
Authors: Li Ye , Sheene Sandra , Locke Michelle 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department at the Counties Manukau District Health Board provides tertiary‐level access to post‐mastectomy breast reconstruction for all women in the northern region of New Zealand. Access to breast reconstruction is not always equitable. We aim to assess equity of access to breast reconstruction in this department.MethodsA retrospective review of all women referred to this service for immediate and delayed post‐mastectomy breast reconstruction between January 2013 and June 2018 was performed. Demographic information and progression to reconstruction were assessed in comparison to expected population figures available from health statistics.ResultsA total of 882 women were referred for breast reconstruction during this period. Significant discrepancies in ethnicity and geographical location were found between expected population proportions and the women referred for reconstruction. European women were more likely to be referred for, and receive, reconstruction. Māori women were proportionally represented in the cohort, whereas Asian and Pacific women were under‐represented (P = 0.0016). Within the referral cohort, Māori and Asian women were less likely to proceed to reconstruction following first specialist assessment than European women (P = 0.0015 and 0.0193, respectively). Proportionally fewer referrals for reconstruction were received from health services further away from the treatment centre than were received from closer health services.ConclusionThere is inequity in the rates of tertiary referral for breast reconstruction across ethnicities and geographical location in the northern region of New Zealand. Strategies to identify potential barriers such as access to transport may improve equity of access to breast reconstruction.
Visualization of endometriosis with laparoscopy and near‐infrared optics with indocyanine green
Authors: Siegenthaler Franziska , Knabben Laura , Mohr Stefan , Nirgianakis Konstantinos , Imboden Sara , Mueller Michael D. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionEndometriosis is a common health problem, affecting 10% of women of reproductive age. Laparoscopic surgery is proven to relieve pain and to improve fertility in women with endometriosis. However, identifying peritoneal endometriosis lesions may be difficult due to their polymorphic aspects. Endometriosis lesions harbor a high degree of neovascularization. The visualization of tissue perfusion by the additional use of near infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) may improve the detection of endometriosis lesions.Material and methodsIn a single‐center, prospective, single‐arm pilot study, patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for suspected endometriosis and/or infertility were recruited. All patients first had white light imaging with systematical documentation of all suspicious areas. ICG was then administered intravenously at .3 mg/kg bodyweight and the near infrared imaging was activated and an identical documentation of suspected lesions was performed again. After removal, the specimen were sent to pathology. Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT03850158.ResultsIn total, 173 suspected lesions were identified and excised, of which 150 had histologically proven endometriosis. Of the total number, 166 suspected lesions were detected using white‐light and 32 with ICG. Among the 32 suspected lesions found with ICG, 22 were confirmed to be endometriosis. Seven additional lesions were identified with ICG alone, of which only one was histologically proven endometriosis. Positive predictive values were 89.8%, 68.8% and 86.7% for white‐light laparoscopy alone, near‐infrared (NIR)‐ICG visualization alone, and the combination of white‐light and NIR‐ICG, respectively. ICG exposure time, previous abdominal surgery and rARSM stage showed a statistically significant impact on the ICG detection rate. In seven patients, ICG was used for the resection of deep infiltrating nodules from the rectum. In these cases, NIR fluorescence imaging with ICG was useful to define the borders between an endometriotic nodule and healthy tissue.ConclusionsThe diagnostic value of NIR‐ICG imaging in identifying endometriosis appears to be minimal. ICG exposure time over 20 minutes, no previous abdominal surgery and low rASRM stages have a significant positive effect on the ICG detection rate. NIR fluorescence imaging with ICG was helpful in the resection of deep infiltrating nodules in providing a better visualization of endometriosis.
Minimally invasive technique for gastrostomy tube insertion: A novel laparoscopic approach
Authors: Sayadi Shahraki Masoud , Berjis Nezamoddin , Bighamian Afshin , Mahmoudieh Mohsen , Shahabi Shahmiri Shahab , Sheikhbahaei Erfan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most common way of inserting a gastrostomy tube. If PEG is not appropriate for a patient, then the laparoscopic or open technique should be used. Here, we introduce a new laparoscopic technique for inserting a gastrostomy tube.Material and Surgical TechniqueWe used this new laparoscopic approach in 21 patients for whom PEG was not suitable. After marking on the abdominal skin and inserting the trocars, two 2‐0 silk sutures were passed. Two stitches were placed 2 cm apart in the stomach with one hand. Each suture was pulled out with the fascia closure, the stomach was pulled out with a Babcock, and a purse‐string suture using a round 2‐0 silk suture was placed outside the stomach, creating a mushroom‐retained gastrostomy.ConclusionThis new laparoscopic technique is minimally invasive. It provides full control through only two trocars and required smaller incisions than common laparoscopic approaches. This method can be used to insert a gastrostomy tube in indicated patients when PEG placement is not suitable.
Long‐term testosterone undecanoate replacement therapy: Impact of ethnicity
Authors: Kempegowda Punith , Quinn Lauren M. , Chandan Joht Singh , Shepherd Lisa , Kauser Samina , Rahim Asad , Bates Andrew 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundTestosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is indicated for symptomatic male hypogonadism. However, the safety and efficacy profiles across different ethnicities for long‐term TRT remain unclear.ObjectiveTo measure the impact of ethnicity on various biochemical parameters following testosterone undecanoate (TU) replacement.MethodA retrospective analysis of 50 male patients treated with TU from 2006 to 2017 in a large secondary care centre was performed. Changes in total testosterone, PSA, haematocrit, haemoglobin, total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) over eight years of treatment were analysed. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to assess differences in these parameters between Caucasians and South Asians.ResultsThirty‐one Caucasians (age: median (IQR) 55.0 years (49.0‐68.0); total duration of follow‐up 6.1 years (2.9‐9.3)) and 19 South Asians (age: median (IQR) 52.0 years (38.0‐69.0); duration of follow‐up 6.5 years (1.3‐8.4)) were treated with TU during the study period. There was no significant difference in total testosterone levels between the two ethnicities. We noted a higher free and bioavailable testosterone in South Asians than Caucasians, albeit within their reference range. PSA was higher in Caucasians than South Asians at two and eight years of TU therapy. After one year of TRT, haematocrit was higher in South Asians than Caucasians at one year, whereas LDL and total cholesterol were significantly higher in Caucasians than South Asians.ConclusionsCaucasians have a tendency towards increased PSA, total cholesterol and LDL compared with South Asians with TU replacement therapy. There is a higher increment of haematocrit in South Asians following one year of TU replacement therapy. All biochemical changes following TRT were within the respective reference ranges suggesting no apparent risk of prostate cancer and venous thromboembolism.