bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endogeneity and the Dynamics of Voluntary Disclosure Quality: Is there Really an Effect on the Cost of Equity Capital?*
Authors: Eugster Florian 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTResearch on the effects of voluntary disclosure quality on the cost of equity capital is often plagued by endogeneity concerns. In this paper, I use a dynamic panel system GMM estimator, which provides internal instruments from the firm's history that directly address endogeneity arising from unobserved heterogeneity and simultaneity. By using hand‐collected voluntary disclosure scores for firms listed in the Swiss stock exchange, I examine the dynamic relation between voluntary disclosure quality and the cost of equity capital in a panel over a period of 10 years. The results suggest that the relation between voluntary disclosure quality and the cost of equity capital becomes insignificant after controlling adequately for potential dynamic endogeneity, simultaneity, and unobserved heterogeneity.
Vertical interlock and the value of cash holdings
Authors: Chen Xin , Yang Chang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe test whether vertical interlock endangers cash resources that manifests in a lower value of cash in listed companies affiliated with business groups. Using a sample of 9,032 observations from 2007 to 2016 in the Chinese market, we find that investors tend to value cash holdings in companies with vertical interlock substantially less than in those without. The marginal effect of vertical interlock on the value of cash remains significantly negative after controlling for existing governance mechanisms, accounting conservatism and internal control quality, shedding light on agency problems between majority shareholders and minority shareholders within business groups of emerging markets.
Mandatory CSR disclosure, monitoring and investment efficiency: evidence from China
Authors: Liu Li , Tian Gary Gang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure on firms’ investment efficiency in China. Using the CSR regulation that mandates a group of listed firms to disclose stand‐alone CSR reports after 2008 as a natural experiment, we find that firms subject to the mandatory CSR regulation have decreased investment inefficiency subsequent to the mandate, especially in cases of overinvestment. This effect is more pronounced for firms with a control‐ownership wedge, state‐owned enterprises (SOEs), and firms having lower institutional ownership. Further analyses find that the reduction of overinvestment is much more significant in industries with high pollution and that the reduction in investment is not due to the CSR spending siphoning off capital used in other projects. We argue that mandatory corporate social responsibility disclosure improves monitoring over firms in China, especially when firms are characterised as having severe agency problems.
Antipsychotic medication exposure, clozapine, and pneumonia: results from a self‐controlled study
Authors: Rohde C. , Siskind D. , de Leon J. , Nielsen J. 
Published: December 2019

ObjectiveBy using a self‐controlled design, we investigated whether antipsychotic medication exposure was associated with increased pneumonia risk and whether patients receiving clozapine were more likely to develop pneumonia than patients receiving other antipsychotic medications.MethodsThrough nationwide health registers, we identified all out‐patients with schizophrenia initiating antipsychotic treatment. First, we estimated whether antipsychotic‐naïve patients with schizophrenia increased their risk of pneumonia after initiation of either a first‐ or second‐generation antipsychotic medication using a one‐year mirror‐image model. Afterward, similar analyses were made for individual second‐generation antipsychotics. Lastly, the rate of pneumonia for patients initiated on clozapine was compared to patients commenced on other second‐generation antipsychotics.ResultsIn total, 8355 antipsychotic‐naïve patients with schizophrenia were initiated on a first‐generation antipsychotic medication; 0.95% of the patients had developed pneumonia before exposure, compared to 0.68% after exposure (P = 0.057). Similar findings were made for the 8001 antipsychotic‐naïve patients with schizophrenia initiated on second‐generation antipsychotic medications, with 0.56% developing pneumonia before exposure compared to 0.55% after exposure (P = 1.00). Second‐generation antipsychotic medications did not increase the pneumonia risk, except for risperidone (increased by 0.32%; P = 0.007) and clozapine, which gave the largest absolute increase in pneumonia risk although not significant (increased by 0.64%; P = 0.10). The rate of pneumonia was higher after initiation of clozapine than for other second‐generation antipsychotic medications.ConclusionMost antipsychotic medications were not found to increase the risk of pneumonia. Clozapine exposure might be associated with increased risk of developing pneumonia.
Sometimes Less Is More: Censorship, News Falsification, and Disapproval in 1989 East Germany
Authors: Gläßel Christian , Paula Katrin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDoes more media censorship imply more regime stability? We argue that censorship may cause mass disapproval for censoring regimes. In particular, we expect that censorship backfires when citizens can falsify media content through alternative sources of information. We empirically test our theoretical argument in an autocratic regime—the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Results demonstrate how exposed state censorship on the country's emigration crisis fueled outrage in the weeks before the 1989 revolution. Combining original weekly approval surveys on GDR state television and daily content data of West German news programs with a quasi‐experimental research design, we show that recipients disapproved of censorship if they were able to detect misinformation through conflicting reports on Western television. Our findings have important implications for the study of censoring systems in contemporary autocracies, external democracy promotion, and campaigns aimed at undermining trust in traditional journalism.
Regulating germline editing in assisted reproductive technology: An EU cross‐disciplinary perspective
Authors: Nordberg Ana , Minssen Timo , Feeney Oliver , de Miguel Beriain Iñigo , Galvagni Lucia , Wartiovaara Kirmo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPotential applications of genome editing in assisted reproductive technology (ART) raise a vast array of strong opinions, emotional reactions and divergent perceptions. Acknowledging the need for caution and respecting such reactions, we observe that at least some are based on either a misunderstanding of the science or misconceptions about the content and flexibility of the existing legal frameworks. Combining medical, legal and ethical expertise, we present and discuss regulatory responses at the national, European and international levels. The discussion has an EU starting point and is meant as a contribution to the general international regulatory debate. Overall, this paper concludes that gene editing technologies should not be regulated autonomously. Rather, potential uses should be regulated under general, existing frameworks and where applicable by reference to sufficiently equivalent technologies and techniques already subject to specific regulation. To be clear, we do not argue for the hasty introduction of gene editing as a reproductive treatment option in the immediate future. We call for caution with regard to overreaching moratoria and prohibitions that will also affect basic research. We recommend flexible regulations that allow for further responsible research into the potential development of the technology. We call for an open and inclusive debate and argue that scientific communication should claim a more prominent role to counter the danger of widespread misinformation. A high level of transparency and accuracy should guide scientific communication while simultaneously global‐scale responsibility and governance should be fostered by promoting cross‐disciplinary thinking and multi‐level stakeholder involvement in legal and regulatory processes.
That’s not fair! The effects of teacher justice and academic achievement on Self and Other’s resistant agency
Authors: Mameli Consuelo , Caricati Luca , Molinari Luisa 
Published: December 2019

BackgroundNotwithstanding the emphasis on the idea that students should be actively and accountably engaged in their educational pathways, little research has investigated learners’ agentic behaviours that take the form of student resistance to adult authority.AimsThis paper presents an experimental study aimed to assess whether, and to what extent, student Self and Other resistant agency depends on perceptions of teacher justice and student achievement.MethodsParticipants were asked to read one of four scenarios concerning a generic student asking for the possibility to retake a test she/he had previously failed, with an experimental design including two levels of teacher justice × 2 levels of academic achievement. Then, they answered two items regarding the likelihood of protest on the part of the student depicted in the scenario and enforced by themselves in having to deal with a similar situation.ResultsThe multilevel analysis indicated a principal effect of justice and target, with resistant agency rated as more likely in the unjust condition and for the Other. The justice effect was further qualified by an interaction with the achievement level, with resistant agency higher in the unjust and low achievement condition. Finally, a three‐way interaction appeared, with Self resistant agency higher in the just and high achievement condition.ConclusionsThese results are discussed in terms of their implications for teacher practices, as they emphasize the importance just learning environments have in allowing students to express their opinions as well as dissent.
Self‐determined motivation and academic buoyancy as predictors of achievement in normative settings
Authors: Aydın Görkem , Michou Aikaterini 
Published: December 2019

BackgroundAcademic buoyancy (Martin & Marsh, 2006, Oxford Review of Education, 35, 353; 2008, Journal of School Psychology, 46, 53) is students’ competence to respond effectively to academic daily setbacks and is considered an optimal characteristic of students’ functioning related to achievement. From the self‐determination theory perspective (Ryan & Deci, 2017, American Psychologist, 55, 68), satisfaction of the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness and autonomous forms of motivation relate to students’ optimal functioning in schooling.AimsWe investigated (1) whether students’ end‐of‐course (T2) academic buoyancy in the normative environment of English preparatory programmes (EPP) is predicted by their beginning‐of‐course (T1) need satisfaction or frustration and autonomous or controlled motivation (i.e., high or low self‐determined motivation), and (2) whether students’ T2 academic buoyancy mediates the relation between students’ T1 self‐determined motivation and final (T3) academic achievement.SampleIn T1 and T2, 267 students (Mage = 19.11, SD = 1.28) attending three EPPs in Ankara, Turkey, participated in the study.MethodA prospective design was used, data were collected through self‐reports, and SEM was conducted to test the hypotheses.ResultsStudents’ T1 need frustration negatively predicted T1 autonomous motivation and positively predicted T1 controlled motivation, which (respectively) positively and negatively predicted T2 academic buoyancy. T1 need satisfaction related positively to T2 academic buoyancy. Finally, T2 academic buoyancy mediated the relation between students’ need satisfaction and final achievement while controlled motivation was also negatively related to final achievement.ConclusionStudents’ high need satisfaction and low need frustration as well as high autonomous and low controlled motivation could support students’ buoyancy and achievement in the normative settings of EPP.
Occlusal support predicts tooth loss in older Japanese people
Authors: Mihara Yusuke , Matsuda Ken‐ichi , Takahashi Toshihito , Hatta Kodai , Fukutake Motoyoshi , Sato Hitomi , Gondo Yasuyuki , Masui Yukie , Kamide Kei , Sugimoto Ken , Kabayama Mai , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Arai Yasumichi , Maeda Yoshinobu , Ikebe Kazunori 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesMany older people lose their teeth. However, few studies have examined whether the number of remaining teeth or the amount of occlusal support is more important for tooth loss that occurs in older age after adjusting for systemic factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate comprehensively the factors related to tooth loss over a period of 6 years, including occlusal support in 70‐ and 80‐year‐old community‐dwelling Japanese people.MethodsThis cohort study included 296 participants in the 70‐year‐old group and 232 in the 80‐year‐old group. The number of teeth of all participants was recorded at baseline and after 6 years, and the participants were divided into two groups according to the number of teeth lost (0 or 4 or more). Occlusal support was classified into three groups based on posterior occlusal support. Mean probing pocket depth, tooth brushing habits, frequency of dental check‐ups, education level, economic status and systemic factors (carotid atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cognitive function and smoking habits) were evaluated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship of tooth loss with occlusal support and systemic factors.ResultsLogistic regression analysis revealed that mean probing pocket depth (odds ratio [OR] = 5.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.70‐12.04, P < .01) and posterior occlusal support (reference = Eichner class A; Eichner B1‐3, OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 1.54‐12.17, P < .01; Eichner B4 or C, OR = 6.16, 95% CI = 1.17‐32.44, P = .03) were associated significantly with the loss of four or more teeth.ConclusionsThis study revealed that age itself is not a predictor of multiple tooth loss in community‐dwelling older Japanese people. Deep mean probing pocket depth and a lack of posterior occlusal support were significantly associated with the loss of four or more teeth.
Obesity is common at diagnosis of childhood pituitary adenoma and may persist following successful treatment
Authors: Sethi Aashish , Didi Mohammed , Dharmaraj Poonam , Ramakrishnan Renuka , Senniappan Senthil , Das Urmi , Avula Shivaram , Sinha Ajay , Mallucci Conor , Weerasinghe Kamal , Daousi Christina , Gilkes Catherine , Thorp Nicola , Blair Joanne 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveThere is a paucity of data describing long‐term outcomes of paediatric patients with pituitary adenoma. In this report, we describe clinical features, treatment and outcomes of a paediatric cohort.DesignRetrospective cohort study.PatientsTwenty‐four white Caucasian patients aged <16 years from a single tertiary care centre in the United Kingdom at diagnosis followed for (median, range) 3.3, 0.7‐8.4 years.MeasurementsClinical and radiological data at diagnosis and follow‐up.ResultsThirteen patients had prolactinomas (54.1%, age: 15.2 years, 13.2‐15.8 years; all females), including ten macroadenomas (11.0‐35.0 mm). Patients presented with menstrual disorders (91%), headache (46%), galactorrhoea (46%) and obesity (body mass index [BMI] SDS > 2): (38%). Ten patients with prolactinoma were treated with dopamine agonist alone, 3 also required surgery and 2 patients, cabergoline, surgery plus radiotherapy. Five patients had Cushing's disease (20.8%, age: 14.0, 4.0‐15.7 years; 2 female), including one macroadenoma (24 mm). Patients presented with obesity (100%), short stature (60%) and headache (40%). Transsphenoidal resection resulted in biochemical cure (09.00 cortisol < 50 nmol/L). Two patients relapsed 3‐ and 6 years following surgery, requiring radiotherapy. One patient also required bilateral adrenalectomy. Six patients had nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (25.0%, age: 15.8, 12.5‐16.0 years; 2 female), including two macroadenomas (20.0‐53.0 mm). Patients presented with obesity (67%), visual field defects (50%) and headache (50%). Four required surgical resections; two recurred following surgery and required radiotherapy. On latest follow‐up; 13 (54.1%) patients were obese (BMI 3.09 SDS; range: 2.05‐3.73 SDS).ConclusionObesity is common at diagnosis of pituitary adenoma in childhood and may persist despite successful treatment. Adenomas were larger, more resistant to treatment, and more likely to recur than in adult populations.
“Multiple sclerosis plus”: Does it influence the disease course?
Authors: de Seabra Mafalda Maria Laracho , Abreu Pedro Miguel Paredes , Soares Mendonça Maria Teresa , Reis Joaquim Jorge Correia Silva , Sá Maria José Pontes Marques , Guimarães Ferreira Almeida Joana Cruz 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo study the association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases (AID).MethodsFrom a cohort of 635 patients with MS, 66 patients with an history of AID were selected. Controls, matched 1:1, were chosen from the population of patients with MS without autoimmune comorbidities. Further analysis aimed to compare these groups.ResultsThe prevalence of comorbid AID in our population was 10.4%. The mean age was 43 ± 13 years; 77% were women. A total of 15 different types of AID were identified, the predominant one was autoimmune thyroiditis (18/66; 27%). In 46% of patients, the AID was diagnosed before, and in 49%, it was diagnosed after the diagnosis of MS. The presence of family history of AID was not associated with the risk of developing AID. Our analysis found no association between the presence of AID and disease activity (new lesions, gadolinium enhancement, mean of annual relapse rate, initiation of a second‐line treatment), either when considering each variable individually or within a composite score. The median Extended Disability Status Scale and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score was 1.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 3.0) and 1.0 (IQR 3.0), respectively, in the AID group, and 1.5 (IQR 3.0) and 2.0 (IQR 3.0), respectively, in the control group, and the difference was not statistically significant. The presence of a concomitant AID influenced therapeutic choice in nine patients.ConclusionsThe present study underlines the varied range of AID that might coexist with MS. This common ground does not seem to have a negative effect on the disease course.
Characterization of macrophages infiltrating peri‐implantitis lesions
Authors: Fretwurst Tobias , Garaicoa‐Pazmino Carlos , Nelson Katja , Giannobile William V. , Squarize Cristiane H. , Larsson Lena , Castilho Rogerio M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of peri‐implantitis lesions are poorly understood. It was the aim to determine the content and activation status of macrophages present in human peri‐implantitis lesions and compare the current findings with the macrophage polarization associated with periodontitis lesions.Material and MethodsA total of 14 patients were studied in this investigation. Seven were soft tissue biopsies from dental implants affected by peri‐implantitis that required explantation. Seven biopsies were from chronic periodontal disease. Immunofluorescence stains were performed using biomarkers to identify macrophages (CD68+) undergoing M1 polarization (iNOS+) and M2 polarization (CD206+), along with Hoechst 33,342 to identify DNA content. All samples were stained and photographed, and double‐positive cells for CD68 and iNOS or CD68 and CD206 were quantified.ResultsAll peri‐implantitis biopsies examined revealed a mixed population of macrophages undergoing M1 polarization and M2 polarization. Further analysis demonstrated the co‐expression of iNOS and CD206, which indicates the presence of a heterogenic immune response on peri‐implantitis lesions. Macrophage polarization in peri‐implantitis lesions presents a distinct pattern than in periodontitis. We observed a significant increase in the population of M1 macrophages on peri‐implantitis samples compared to periodontal disease samples.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that peri‐implantitis has higher numbers of macrophages displaying a distinct macrophage M1 polarization signature compared to periodontitis lesions. This pattern may explain, in part, the distinct nature of peri‐implantitis progression vs. periodontitis in humans.
Racial disparities after stoma construction in colorectal surgery
Authors: Sharp S. P. , Ata A. , Chismark A. D. , Canete J. J. , Valerian B. T. , Wexner S. D. , Lee E. C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimRacial disparities are under‐recognized among patients undergoing colorectal surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the complication rates and surgical outcomes stratified by race and ethnicity among patients undergoing colorectal surgery with intestinal stoma creation.MethodThe ACS NSQIP database from 2013 to 2016 was used. Colon, rectum and small bowel cases requiring intestinal stoma creation were selected. Both African‐American and other groups of minority patients were compared with Caucasian patients using a complex multivariable analysis model. Primary outcomes of interest were complication rates, mortality and extended hospital length of stay.ResultsThe study included 38 088 admissions. After multivariable analysis, African‐American patients still had a prolonged length of hospital stay and higher complication rates. Other minorities also had a prolonged length of hospital stay and higher complication rates.ConclusionsBoth African‐American and other groups of minority patients requiring an ostomy suffer significantly higher postoperative complication rates and a prolonged hospital length of stay, even after comorbidity adjustment. Access to care, socioeconomic status and comorbid disease management are all important factors for minority patients who undergo colorectal surgery requiring intestinal stoma construction.
Early clinical outcomes of a rapid colorectal cancer diagnosis pathway using faecal immunochemical testing in Nottingham
Authors: Chapman C. , Thomas C. , Morling J. , Tangri A. , Oliver S. , Simpson J. A. , Humes D. J. , Banerjea A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimWe introduced primary care access to faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) as a stratification tool for symptomatic patients considered to be at risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) prior to urgent referral. We aimed to evaluate clinical and pathway outcomes during the first 6 months of this novel approach.MethodFIT was recommended for all patients who consulted their general practitioner with lower gastrointestinal symptoms other than rectal bleeding and rectal mass. We undertook a retrospective audit of the results of FIT, related clinical outcomes and resource utilization on prospectively logged cases between November 2017 and May 2018.ResultsOf the 1862 FIT kits dispatched by post 91.4% were returned, with a median return time of 7 days (range 2–110 days); however, 1.3% of returned kits could not be analysed. FIT results ≥ 150.0 μg haemoglobin (Hb)/g faeces identified patients with a significantly higher risk of CRC (30.9% vs 1.4%, chi‐square 167.1, P < 0.0001). FIT results ≥ 10.0 μg Hb/g faeces identified patients with significantly higher risk of significant noncancer bowel pathology (24.1% vs 4.9%, chi‐square 73.6, P < 0.0001) and FIT results < 4.0 μg Hb/g faeces identified a group more likely to have non‐CRC pathology (5.1% vs 2.4%, chi‐square 3.9, P < 0.05). The CRC detection rate in 531 patients investigated after a FIT result of < 4.0 μg Hb/g faeces was 0.2%. In 899 investigated patients, a FIT result with a threshold of 4.0 μg Hb/g faeces had sensitivity 97.2% (85.5–99.9% CI), specificity 61.4% (58.1–64.7% CI), negative predictive value 99.8% (98.7–100.0% CI) and positive predictive value 9.5% (8.7–10.4% CI).ConclusionA symptomatic pathway incorporating FIT is feasible and appears more clinically effective than pathways based on age and symptoms alone.