bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Managerial Litigation Risk on Earnings Warnings: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: HUANG YING , LI NINGZHONG , YU YONG , ZHOU XIAOLU 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTWe examine the causal effect of managerial litigation risk on managers’ disclosure of earnings warnings in the face of large earnings shortfalls. Exploring the staggered adoption of universal demand (UD) laws as an exogenous decrease in litigation risk, we find that the adoption leads to a decrease in managers’ issuance of earnings warnings, especially among firms facing a higher litigation risk prior to the adoption. In contrast, we find no change in managers’ tendency to alert investors of impending large positive earnings surprises. Collectively, our results provide causal evidence that higher litigation risk incentivizes managers to issue more earnings warnings. Our results differ from Bourveau et al.’s finding of an increase in the frequency of management earnings forecasts after the adoption of UD laws. We reconcile our findings with theirs by demonstrating that the effect of adopting UD laws on management earnings forecasts depends critically on forecast horizon: The adoption increases long‐horizon forecasts, but decreases short‐horizon forecasts.
The expression of seven key genes can predict distant metastasis of colorectal cancer to the liver or lung
Authors: Tang Li , Lei Yuan Yuan , Liu Yao Jiang , Tang Bo , Yang Shi Ming 
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveIt is unclear how primary colorectal cancer (CRC) cells select to metastasize to the liver or lungs, the most frequent distant metastasis of CRC. We aimed to identify the key genes and pathways that may predict the distant metastasis of CRC to these sites.MethodsThree gene expression array datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus were analyzed. Protein–protein network analyses, best subsets regressions and backward stepwise regression analyses were used to screen the key genes and their expressions were used to construct a predictive logistic regression model. Expression data from local clinical samples were used as a validation dataset. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the performance of the predictive model.ResultsIn total, 59 differentially expressed genes (DEG) related to liver‐metastasis, 90 related to lung metastasis and 45 related to both liver and lung metastasis were identified. The KEGG pathways and gene oncology (GO) terms that were enriched in liver and lung metastasis were identified. A predictive logistic regression model consisted of SPARC, COL1A2, MMP9, COL11A1, COL3A1, CXCL12 and THBS2 was established. The area under the ROC curve reached 0.839 in predicting liver and lung metastasis, using our clinical samples as the validation dataset.ConclusionsSeven key genes capable of predicting liver and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer were identified, which provides clues for exploring the mechanism of selecting target organs during the metastatic process in CRC and inspires the researches for new potential targets for therapy to inhibit metastasis.
Transcriptome dynamics and metabolite analysis revealed the candidate genes and regulatory mechanism of ganoderic acid biosynthesis during liquid superficial‐static culture of Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Wang Qiong , Xu Mengmeng , Zhao Liting , Wang Feng , Li Youran , Shi Guiyang , Ding Zhongyang 
Published: September 2020

SummaryGanoderic acid (GA), an important secondary metabolite of Ganoderma lucidum, exhibited many significant pharmacological activities. In this study, the biosynthetic mechanism of GAs was investigated by comparing metabolites and transcriptome dynamics during liquid superficial‐static culture (LSSC) and submerged culture (SC). LSSC was a better method to produce GA because thirteen GAs were identified from mycelia by UPLC‐QTOF‐MS, and the content of all GAs was higher in LSSC than in SC. Ergosterol was accumulated during the SC process in G. lucidum. Transcriptome dynamics analysis revealed CYP5150L8 was the key gene regulating lanosterol flux into GA biosynthesis. Other sixteen CYP450 genes were significantly higher expressed during the culture time in LSSC and could be potential candidate genes associated with the biosynthesis of different GAs. In addition, six of the ten expressed genes in ergosterol biosynthetic pathway shown upregulated at some time points in SC. These results not only provide a fundamental information of the key genes in ergosterol and GA biosynthetic pathway, but also provide directions for future elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of GAs in G. lucidum and enabling us to promote the development and utilization of LSSC at the industrial level.
Clostridium difficile in soil conditioners, mulches and garden mixes with evidence of a clonal relationship with historical food and clinical isolates
Authors: Lim Su‐Chen , Knight Daniel R. , Moono Peter , Foster Niki F. , Riley Thomas V. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryWith rates of community‐associated Clostridium difficile infection (CA‐CDI) increasing worldwide, potential reservoirs/sources of C. difficile in the community are being sought. Since C. difficile is found in animal manure and human biosolids, which are composted for agricultural purposes, composted products could be a source. In this study, the presence of C. difficile in composted products, and their genetic relatedness to other previously isolated strains from humans, root vegetables and the environment in Western Australia, was investigated. Overall, C. difficile was found in 22.5% (16/71) of composted products [29.7% (11/37) of soil conditioners, 16.7% (2/12) of mulches and 13.6% (3/22) of garden mixes]. Fifteen C. difficile PCR ribotypes (RTs) were identified, the most common toxigenic strains being RTs 020 and 056. Clostridium difficile RT 056 is commonly associated with CDI in humans and has also been isolated from cattle, root vegetables and the environment (veterinary clinics and lawn) in Australia. High‐resolution core‐genome analysis of 29 C. difficile RT 056 strains revealed clonal relationships between isolates derived from humans, vegetables, composted products and the environment. These findings provide support for an intricate transmission network between human, food and the environment, further highlighting the importance of a ‘One Health’ approach for managing CDI.
Managing Land‐based CDR: BECCS, Forests and Carbon Sequestration
Authors: Brack Duncan , King Richard 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDecisions about when, where and how to achieve widespread carbon dioxide removal (CDR) are urgently required. Delays in developing the requisite policy and regulatory frameworks increase the risks of overshooting climate goals and will necessitate much larger negative emissions initiatives in the future. Yet the deployment of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) at the scales assumed under most Paris‐Agreement‐compliant emission‐reduction pathways is unlikely. More generally, the sustainability of large‐scale BECCS is questionable given its extensive land, water, and energy requirements for feedstocks and the competing necessity of these resources for the provision of ecosystem services and attainment of multiple Sustainable Development Goals. BECCS on a more limited scale, however, could have more benign impacts if feedstocks were restricted to wastes and residues. There is also widespread recognition that extensive afforestation, reforestation and forest restoration have critical roles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. To date there has been little focus on the optimum strategies for integrating land‐based CDR approaches – under which circumstances forest areas are best left undisturbed, managed for conservation, and/or managed for harvested wood products, and how these options affect the availability of residual feedstocks for BECCS. This paper reviews this debate and suggests appropriate policy measures.
Enhancing the usefulness of artificial seeds in seed beetle model systems research
Authors: Holmes Leslie A. , Nelson William A. , Dyck Markus , Lougheed Stephen C. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Seed beetles are among textbook examples of experimental model systems used to better understand nature's complexities. A potential seed beetle model systems' strength is the use of artificial seeds to remove experimental confounds. This is particularly relevant for scaling life histories to population dynamics but requires many artificial seeds. Current methods of producing seeds are laborious, limiting their application.

Building on previous work, we developed efficient methods to produce artificial seeds and expand their use. We outline steps to produce artificial seeds and describe a new technique for transferring beetle eggs laid on natural seeds to artificial seeds.

Our methods yielded a 100‐fold increase in artificial seed production that is 80% more efficient than current methods. Burrowing success of beetle larvae from eggs laid on natural seeds and transferred to artificial seeds (85.4%) was comparable to rates on natural seeds.

Streamlining artificial seed production enables highly replicated life‐history and time‐series assays with large sample sizes. The ability to transfer eggs from natural to artificial seeds allows research on many phenomena including oviposition strategies, maternal provisioning and competitive strategies, broadening the usefulness of seed beetle model systems in ecological and evolutionary research.
The way bioclimatic variables are calculated has impact on potential distribution models
Authors: Bede‐Fazekas Ákos , Somodi Imelda 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Bioclimatic variables (BCVs) are routinely used in potential distribution models, typically without considering their calculation options in detail. We aimed at studying the impact of a decision, yet unexamined, on the calculation of BCVs, namely whether the identity of specific months/quarters in the calculation of BCVs should be updated for the future periods (temporal context). Effects on the performance of potential distribution models and on their projections were investigated. Additionally, we also aimed at comparing the impact of month/quarter shifts to that of climate model selection and covariate selection.

Potential natural vegetation models encompassing eight habitat types and the whole territory of Hungary were created using boosted regression trees. We tested multiple initial covariate sets to compare the impact of the temporal context to that of covariate selection. The resulting models were applied to the reference and one future time period (with data from two regional climate models). The effect of the BCV calculation approach was tested by linear mixed‐effects models and model goodness‐of‐fit measures in a comprehensive framework of 192 predictions. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) and true positive rate (TPR) curves were used to evaluate the models.

Our results show that (a) temporal context of BCVs in interaction with covariate selection had a strong effect on model structure as well as on projections; (b) no evidence supporting the superiority of the widely applied calculation approach of BCVs was found. However, we found notable differences under the two approaches and examples of projection artefacts when applying the widespread way of calculation.

We conclude that (a) more attention and more transparent communication is needed when BCVs are used as covariates in distribution models; (b) not only ecophysiology but also the way covariates are calculated should be considered when preselecting covariates for potential distribution models.
Combining thermotherapy with meristem culture for improved eradication of onion yellow dwarf virus and shallot latent virus from infected in vitro‐cultured shallot shoots
Authors: Wang Min‐Rui , Hamborg Zhibo , Blystad Dag‐Ragnar , Wang Qiao‐Chun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe present study described a combining thermotherapy with meristem culture for improved eradication of onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and shallot latent virus (SLV) from co‐infected in vitro‐cultured shallot shoots. In vitro‐cultured shoots infected with OYDV and SLV were thermo‐treated at a constant temperature of 36°C for 0, 2 and 4 weeks, and then meristems (0.5 mm) containing 1–2 leaf primordia were excised and cultured for shoot regrowth. Meristem culture without thermotherapy produced much higher levels of survival (100%) and shoot regrowth (55%) than those (62% survival and 32% shoot regrowth) produced by the procedure combining 4 weeks of thermotherapy with meristem culture. However, much higher virus‐free frequencies (70% for OYSV, 80% for SLV and 50% for both viruses) were obtained in the latter than those (10% for OYSV, 15% for SLV and 10% for both viruses) obtained in the former. Histological and subcellular studies showed that thermotherapy imposed stress or damage to the cells of meristems, thus resulting in reduced meristem survival and shoot regrowth. Studies on virus location revealed considerable alternations of virus distribution patterns in the thermo‐treated meristems. The results of histological and subcellular studies and analysis of virus distribution pattern added valuable experimental data in the combining thermotherapy with meristem culture for virus eradication. These data provided explanations as to why combining thermotherapy with meristem culture improved the eradication of OYDV and SLV from the virus‐infected in vitro shallot shoots.
An in‐depth examination of maize yield response to fertilizer in Central Malawi reveals low profits and too many weeds
Authors: Burke William J. , Snapp Sieglinde S. , Jayne Thom S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe examine the productivity of fertilizer used on maize in Central Malawi using field‐level panel data from over 1,200 observations on more than 500 fields over 4 harvest years. There are several novel aspects of this analysis compared to other on‐farm fertilizer efficiency studies, including (a) precise and accurate yield measurement using crop cuts, (b) estimating the impact of timely weeding, (c) the use of data on multiple soil characteristics from a panel of soil samples, and (d) the ability to control for field‐level fixed effects by tracking the same land over time. We find critical ecological and management threshold effects on fertilizer effectiveness at 0.94% soil carbon content, 57–58% sandiness, and weeding within 4 weeks of planting. Overall, we estimate lower yield response to fertilizer than reported in earlier studies: 2.6 maize kg/N kg under ideal circumstances, and statistically nil under many other conditions. We discuss the implications of our findings for farmers, policymakers, and researchers.
Reflections on the T Trials
Authors: Swerdloff Ronald , Wang Christina 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis manuscript is a review and discussion of the published results of the T Trials.ObjectiveTo re‐examine the efficacy of testosterone replacement of hypogonadal men >65 years of age in the T Trials.Materials and MethodsThe T Trials were a complex collection of seven double blind, placebo‐controlled trials of the efficacy of testosterone as replacement therapy for older men with unequivocal hypogonadism. There were three main trials (sexual function; physical function; vitality) and four sub‐trials (cognition; bone; anemia; and cardiovascular). All subjects participated in the main trials while more selective inclusion/exclusion criteria existed for the sub‐trials. Subjects were excluded for perceived higher risk of prostate cancer and recent myocardial or cerebral vascular events.ResultsThe previously published results are reviewed here as seen in the context of this special issue on late‐onset hypogonadism. In the T Trials, positive benefits were seen in the sexual function, bone, and anemia trials with small but significant benefits in the vitality trial. No benefit was seen in the cognition trial, partial benefit in physical function, and a negative benefit outcome seen in the cardiovascular trial. The later trial was underpowered and the results were described as exploratory. Adverse events were relatively uncommon in the 12‐month treatment phase and additional 12‐month post‐treatment phase. The most frequent adverse effect ascribed to testosterone was erythrocytosis.ConclusionsThe T Trials studied the efficacy of testosterone replacement therapy on 788 men with low testosterone and symptoms of hypogonadism. The studies demonstrated benefits in four trials (sexual function, vitality, bone, and anemia); partial benefit in the physical function trial; no effect in the cognition trial; and a negative effect in the exploratory cardiovascular trial. The T Trials were not designed to assess long‐term risks of testosterone in men.
Necrotising fasciitis deaths in Australia: patient characteristics and potential areas for improvement in clinical management
Authors: Stewart Sasha K. , Vu Janine , McCulloch Glenn A. J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundNecrotising fasciitis (NF) is a life‐threatening bacterial infection with high mortality. This retrospective study aimed to investigate patient characteristics and potential areas for improvement in clinical management in NF cases in Australia.MethodsRetrospective analysis of surgical death data from all public and private Australian hospitals in every state and territory, excluding New South Wales, collected through the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality for the 9‐year period, January 2009 to February 2018.ResultsA total of 290 NF cases were identified. Among these NF cases, obesity and diabetes mellitus were two of the most common comorbidities, with a prevalence of 26% and 41%, respectively. A total of 41 clinical management issues (CMIs) were identified among 36 NF cases. A larger proportion of NF cases had CMIs compared with non‐NF surgical mortality cases. Delay in diagnosis was the leading CMI (n = 28, 68.3%), followed by delay to surgery (n = 7, 17.1%). The majority of delayed diagnoses were attributed to non‐surgical clinicians in the hospital.ConclusionCMIs were identified in a larger proportion of NF cases than in other non‐NF surgical mortality cases, suggesting that there are areas for improvement in NF diagnosis and management in Australia. The leading potentially avoidable issue identified in NF deaths was delay in diagnosis. This highlights the importance of awareness among non‐surgical clinicians that NF is a surgical emergency requiring urgent debridement.
Pre‐operative frailty is predictive of adverse post‐operative outcomes in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Richards Simon J. G. , Cherry Tiffany J. , Frizelle Frank A. , Eglinton Tim W. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundAn increasing number of elderly patients are presenting for elective surgery. Pre‐operative risk assessment in this population is inexact due to the complex interplay between age, comorbidity and functional status. Frailty assessment may provide a surrogate measure of a patient's physiological reserve and aid operative decision‐making. The aim of this study is to determine the association between pre‐operative frailty, as assessed using the Edmonton Frail Scale, and post‐operative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery.MethodsA prospective analysis of 86 patients over the age of 65 undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery at a tertiary centre between October 2017 and October 2018 was performed. Frailty assessment was conducted pre‐operatively using the Edmonton Frail Scale. Primary outcomes included length of stay and post‐operative complication rates. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the influence of frailty on post‐operative outcomes including mortality, prolonged hospital admission, complication rates and quality of life.ResultsOf 86 patients, 12 (14.0%) were identified as frail. Frailty was associated with a significantly increased median length of stay (20 days versus 6 days, incidence rate ratio 2.83, P < 0.01) and a significantly increased risk of major post‐operative complications (50.0% versus 6.7%, odds ratio 13.8, P < 0.01). Frailty was not associated with a significant reduction in quality of life scores at 30 and 90 days post‐operatively.ConclusionFrailty is associated with adverse post‐operative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery. Frailty assessment is an important component of pre‐operative risk assessment and may identify targets for pre‐operative optimisation.
Trade misinvoicing effects on tax revenue in sub‐Saharan Africa: The role of tax holidays and regulatory quality
Authors: Asmah Emmanuel Ekow , Kwaw Andoh Francis , Titriku Edem 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe first target of Goal 17 of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) emphasizes the need to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and improve revenue collection. However, the average tax‐to‐GDP ratio is much lower than the optimal threshold required to finance development. Meanwhile, Africa is losing a significant amount of its capital through illicit financial flows, primarily driven by trade misinvoicing, but at the same time offering fiscal incentives and improving governance to create an environment for increased domestic revenue. Using random and fixed effects models, the study examines the tax revenue effects of trade misinvoicing, and further examines the extent to which tax holidays and regulatory quality dilute or deepen the revenue effects of trade misinvoicing for 13 African countries over the period 2000 to 2015. The results suggest that trade misinvoicing reduces tax revenue. While tax holiday strengthens the effect of trade misinvoicing, regulatory quality dilutes the effect of trade misinvoicing on tax revenue. The study, therefore, recommends that the governments of SSA should promote good governance, reduce trade misinvoicing and review existing tax incentives as critical components of the ongoing efforts to increase domestic resource mobilization for development.
Impact of gene polymorphisms in drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transporters on trough concentrations of rivaroxaban in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Nakagawa Junichi , Kinjo Takahiko , Iizuka Mei , Ueno Kayo , Tomita Hirofumi , Niioka Takenori 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRivaroxaban is excreted from the body via multiple pathways involving glomerular filtration, drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transporters. In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms in P‐glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 and CYP2J2 on the pharmacokinetics of rivaroxaban. Eighty‐six patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing AF catheter ablation were enrolled in this study. In these analyses, the dose‐adjusted plasma trough concentration ratio (C0h/D) of rivaroxaban was used as the pharmacokinetic index. The median (quartile range) rivaroxaban C0h/D was 3.39 (2.08‐5.21) ng/mL/mg (coefficient of variation: 80.5%). The C0h/D did not differ significantly among ABCB1 c.3435C>T, c.2677G>A/T, c.1236C>T, ABCG2 c.421C>A, CYP3A5*3 and CYP2J2*7 genotypes. Stepwise selection multiple linear regression analysis showed that the estimated glomerular filtration rate was the only independent factor influencing the C0h/D of rivaroxaban (R2 = 0.152, P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between the C0h of rivaroxaban and prothrombin time (PT) (rho = 0.357, P = 0.001). In patients with NVAF, pharmacokinetic genotype tests are unlikely to be useful for prediction of the C0h of rivaroxaban.