bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The pricing strategy of dual-channel supply chain with risk-averse agents and heterogeneous preference consumers
Authors: Wang Rufeng , Chang Zhiyong , Yan Shuli 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the pricing strategy and the impact of agents' risk preference in a dual-channel supply chain in which both agents are risk-averse.Design/methodology/approachThe authors make use of the mean-variance (MV) method to measure the risk aversion of the agents and apply Stackelberg game to obtain the optimal strategies of the proposed models. Furthermore, the authors compare the optimal strategies with that in the benchmark model in which no agent is risk-averse.FindingsThe authors find that the pricing decisions can be divided into four categories according to the risk attitudes of the agents: the decisions that are independent of two agents' risk attitudes, the decisions that depend on only one agent’s risk attitude (i.e. depend on only manufacturer's risk attitude and depend on only retailer's risk attitude) and the decisions that depend on both agents' risk attitudes. In addition, the authors find that the retail price will be lower and the wholesale price in most cases will be lower than that in the benchmark when at least one agent's risk control is effective; the demand will be always increasing as long as one agent's risk control is effective. Furthermore, compared to the benchmark, a win-win strategy (i.e. Pareto improvement) for the supply chain members can be obtained in a certain range where the agents' risk controls are appropriate.Originality/valueThis research provides a theoretical reference for the managers to make the pricing decisions and the risk control in dual-channel supply chains with heterogeneous preference consumers.
To downsize or not to downsize: when and how does corporate downsizing create long-term value?
Authors: Alnahedh Mishari , Alrashdan Abdullatif 
Published: June 2021

PurposeHow does corporate downsizing contribute to a firm’s long-term value? While the extant empirical findings on this relationship are inconclusive, contradictory and equivocal, the answers to this question remain particularly important in today’s business environment. Considering that downsizing is often directed toward long-term growth and survival, the authors posit that scholars should account for the temporal nature of this strategic decision to understand its economic impact on the firm’s operations. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide a more rigorous empirical examination of how a firm’s decision to downsize its workforce affects that firm’s long-term value.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used Wibbens and Siggelkow’s (2020) measure of long-term investor value appropriation (LIVA) to directly observe the effects of corporate downsizing on firm long-term value and growth. Using a sample of 3,149 US publicly traded manufacturing firms that operated between 2002 and 2018, the authors tested the main effect of downsizing on LIVA and three boundary condition hypotheses.FindingsThe authors found a positive relationship between corporate downsizing and a firm’s long-term value. Interestingly, this positive relationship is stronger among firms that had high human resource slack and R&D intensity. Contrary to our expectations, the authors did not find support for the moderation effect of the proximity to bankruptcy on the relationship between corporate downsizing and a firm’s long-term value.Originality/valueWith these findings, this paper sheds light on the long-term implications of a firm’s decision to downsize its workforce.
Changing an industry: leading equality in the investment and savings industry
Authors: Butler Steve , Smith Simon M. 
Published: June 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the Diversity Project, a cross company initiative that has been applied in the investment and savings profession to accelerate progress towards a more inclusive culture across the industry. This is with a view to providing a template for other industries considering impactful change.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper considers the approach taken by the investment and savings industry to drive change towards a more inclusive culture by using a summative content analysis approach. The authors framework this application using Sustainable Development Goal 10 (reduced inequalities) to increase relevance and contribution beyond this context.

Findings
The Diversity Project demonstrates numerous examples of driving change within the investment and savings industry by galvanising cross company support for events, publications, charters and action. These experiences will provide policymakers and practitioners in other industrial sectors insight to achieve similar change.

Originality/value
The Diversity Project established in 2016 has gained significant traction in the investment and savings industry through membership of 70 firms and 30 partner firms, supporting 18 cross company diversity and inclusion work streams focussed on developing collaborative and cohesive action plans.
Parent rating of intelligibility: A discussion of the construct validity of the Intelligibility in Context Scale (ICS) and normative data of the Swedish version of the ICS
Authors: Lagerberg Tove B. , Anrep‐Nordin Elin , Emanuelsson Helena , Strömbergsson Sofia 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundIntelligibility can be defined as the speakers’ ability to convey a message to the listener and it is considered the key functional measure of speech. The Intelligibility in Context Scale (ICS) is a parent rating scale used to assess intelligibility in children.AimsTo describe normative and validation data on the ICS in Swedish and to investigate how these are related to age, gender and multilingualism.Methods & ProceduresTwo studies were included. Study 1 included ICS forms from 319 Swedish‐speaking children (3:2–9:2 years:months). Study 2 included video recordings and ICS forms from 14 children with speech sound disorder (SSD) and two with typical speech. The video recordings were transcribed in the validation process, resulting in intelligibility reference scores to which ICS scores were correlated.Outcomes & ResultsStudy 1: The mean value of the ICS for the 319 children was 4.73. There were no differences in ICS score related to age or gender. The children in the multilingual group were significantly older than the monolingual group and had significantly lower ICS scores than the group of monolinguals. Study 2: There was a moderate correlation between the ICS score and the transcription‐based intelligibility score, with the two children with typical speech excluded; however, this correlation was not significant.Conclusions & ImplicationsWe contribute mean scores and percentiles on the ICS for Swedish‐speaking children. The finding that the ICS does not provide valid measures of intelligibility for the included children with SSD suggests that the instrument measures a different construct.What this paper addsWhat is already known on the subject

The ICS has been translated to numerous languages and validated against articulation measures in several previous studies. The validity of the Swedish version has been investigated against intelligibility based on transcription of single words.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

The study provides normative values of the Swedish version of the ICS for children aged 3–9 years. This is the first study to use a gold standard measure of intelligibility in continuous speech to validate the ICS. The results show a somewhat dubious validity regarding ICS for the group of children with SSD included in the study.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

The ICS's suitability as a measure of intelligibility is questionable; however, it might be of use for speech and language pathologists to give an overview of the parents’ view of their child's ability to communicate, in order to make a decision on possible further assessment and intervention. The normative values of the Swedish version of the ICS could be of use in this decision process.
Nutritional properties and health aspects of pulses and their use in plant‐based yogurt alternatives
Authors: Boeck Theresa , Sahin Aylin W. , Zannini Emanuele , Arendt Elke K. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPlant‐based yogurt alternatives are increasing in market value, while dairy yogurt sales are stagnating or even declining. The plant‐based yogurt alternatives market is currently dominated by products based on coconut or soy. Coconut‐based products especially are often low in protein and high in saturated fat, while soy products raise consumer concerns regarding genetically modified soybeans, and soy allergies are common. Pulses are ideally suited as a base for plant‐based yogurt alternatives due to their high protein content and beneficial amino acid composition. This review provides an overview of pulse nutrients, pro‐nutritional and anti‐nutritional compounds, how their composition can be altered by fermentation, and the chemistry behind pulse protein coagulation by acid or salt denaturation. An extensive market review on plant‐based yogurt alternatives provides an overview of the current worldwide market situation. It shows that pulses are ideal base ingredients for yogurt alternatives due to their high protein content, amino acid composition, and gelling behavior when fermented with lactic acid bacteria. Additionally, fermentation can be used to reduce anti‐nutrients such as α‐galactosides and vicine or trypsin inhibitors, further increasing the nutritional value of pulse‐based yogurt alternatives.
Expanded hemodialysis as effective alternative to on‐line hemodiafiltration: A randomized mid‐term clinical trial
Authors: Hadad‐Arrascue Fernando , Nilsson Lars‐Göran , Rivera Angela S. , Bernardo Angelito A. , Cabezuelo Romero Juan B. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractExpanded hemodialysis (HDx), using medium cut‐off membrane, is a novel therapy that effectively clears middle molecules (MMs). We aimed to compare HDx to hemodiafiltration (HDF) in an open randomized clinical study. Patients currently on HDF (age 18–80 years; on HDF >3 months) were randomized to switch to HDx (N = 21) or continue HDF (N = 22) with a 24‐week follow‐up. Pre‐ to post‐dialysis reduction ratios (RR) and changes in pre‐dialysis levels over time were evaluated for MMs and clinical biomarkers. Use of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs) was assessed. HDx showed greater RR for YKL‐40 while RR appeared similar between groups for beta2‐microglobulin, FGF‐23, and free light chains. Intradialytic changes in inflammatory biomarkers (IL‐6, CRP, PTX3) did not differ between therapies. Changes from baseline to 12 and 24 weeks did not differ between groups for MMs, inflammatory markers, albumin, fibrinogen, hemoglobin, PTH, and phosphorus. Use of ESAs tended to decrease in HDx arm while remaining stable in HDF arm. HDx appeared safe with similar clinical effectiveness as HDF. With fewer requirements and resource needs, HDx provides an attractive alternative to HDF.
How many complaints against police officers can be abated by incapacitating a few “bad apples?”
Authors: Chalfin Aaron , Kaplan Jacob 
Published: June 2021

Research SummaryThe notion that the unjustified use of force by police officers is concentrated among a few “bad apples” is a popular descriptor that has gained traction in scholarly research and achieved considerable influence among policy makers. But is removing the bad apples likely to have an appreciable effect on police misconduct? Leveraging a simple policy simulation and data from the Chicago Police Department, we estimate that removing the top 10% of officers identified based on ex ante risk and replacing them with officers drawn from the middle of the risk distribution would have led to only a 4–6% reduction in the use of force incidents in Chicago over a 10‐year period.Policy ImplicationsOur analysis suggests that surgically removing predictably problematic police officers is unlikely to have a large impact on citizen complaints. By assembling some of the first empirical evidence on the likely magnitude of incapacitation effects, we provide critical support for the idea that early warning systems must be designed, above all, to deter problematic behavior and promote accountability.
Association between PD‐L1 expression and initial brain metastasis in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer and its clinical implications
Authors: Lee Kyoungmin , Choi Yoon J. , Kim Jung S. , Kim Dae S. , Lee Sung Y. , Shin Bong K. , Kang Eun J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundBrain metastases frequently occur in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) resulting in a poor prognosis. Here, we investigated the association between PD‐L1 expression and brain metastasis in patients with NSCLC and its clinical significance.MethodsA total of 270 patients diagnosed with metastatic NSCLC who underwent PD‐L1 testing on their tumor tissue between January 2017 and March 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The VENTANA PD‐L1 (SP263) assay was used, and positive PD‐L1 expression was defined as staining in ≥1% of tumor cells.ResultsPositive PD‐L1 expression was observed in 181 (67.0%) patients, and 74 (27.4%) patients had brain metastasis at diagnosis. Synchronous brain metastases were more frequently observed in PD‐L1‐positive compared with PD‐L1‐negative patients (31.5% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.045). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified positive PD‐L1 expression (odds ratio [OR]: 2.24, p = 0.012) as an independent factor associated with synchronous brain metastasis, along with the histological subtype of nonsquamous cell carcinoma (OR: 2.84, p = 0.003). However, the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) progression was not associated with PD‐L1 positivity, with a two‐year cumulative CNS progression rate of 26.3% and 28.4% in PD‐L1‐positive and PD‐L1‐negative patients, respectively (log rank p = 0.944). Furthermore, positive PD‐L1 expression did not affect CNS progression or overall survival in patients with synchronous brain metastasis (long rank p = 0.513 and 0.592, respectively).ConclusionsInitial brain metastases are common in NSCLC patients with positive PD‐L1 expression. Further studies are necessary to understand the relationship between early brain metastasis and cancer immunity.
Attitudes toward the Use of Force: Instrumental Imperatives, Moral Principles, and International Law
Authors: Dill Janina , Schubiger Livia I. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWhat informs ordinary citizens' attitudes toward the use of force? Previous research identifies several key concerns in public opinion toward war, but does not directly evaluate the relative importance of these considerations. We articulate three distinct logics of war support—moral, legal, and instrumental—and use an experimental survey with 3,000 U.S. respondents to test how ordinary citizens make trade‐offs among multiple competing imperatives relevant for decision making in war. Our design is the first to isolate to what extent substantive legal demands, instrumental military imperatives, and specific moral principles are reflected in respondents' preferences. Although all logics have some resonance, we find that respondents' preferences are remarkably consistent with several core demands of international law even though respondents are not told that the legality of the use of force is at stake. Only the imperative to minimize U.S. military casualties overwhelms both legal and moral demands.
Elective abdominal wall hernia repair surgical mortality—A systematic review of the literature and peer review of mortality in Australia
Authors: Patiniott Paul , Reid Jessica , Maloney Ryan T. , Karatassas Alex , Maddern Guy 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study systematically reviewed the literature regarding perioperative mortality in human adults undergoing elective surgical abdominal wall hernia repair, including an audit of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM) database.MethodsA systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for the reporting of systematic reviews and meta‐analysis of observational studies. Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase database searches and data extraction were conducted from June 1979 to October 2019. Statistical analysis was undertaken utilising denominator values for elective hernia procedures derived from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data. Risk‐adjusted perioperative mortality rates for the relevant procedures were also produced, using a binary logistic regression for the risk adjustment.ResultsThrough systematic review of the literature, it was established that the overall reported perioperative mortality in human adults undergoing elective surgical abdominal wall hernia repair was low (0.1%–0.5%). Using ANZASM and AIHW data, the calculated risk‐adjusted mortality rate for Australian patients was found to be significantly lower (0.04%–0.06%, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe risk‐adjusted mortality rate for elective abdominal wall hernia surgery in Australia is very low and compares favourably to international cohorts. Despite low absolute numbers, the factors which were most significantly associated with increased perioperative mortality in patients undergoing elective surgical abdominal wall hernia repair were increased age, cardiorespiratory co‐morbidity and incisional hernia repair.
Comparison of oesophageal and gastric cancer in the evaluation of urgent endoscopy referral criteria
Authors: Kumar Liana , Kholmurodova Feruza , Bull Jeff , Bright Tim , Watson David I. , Shenfine Jonathan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of the study is to identify differences in epidemiology and clinical presentation between oesophageal and gastric cancer and to evaluate the sensitivity of the Australian urgent endoscopy referral guidelines.MethodsDesign; Observational cohort study from February 2013 to October 2018. Setting: A single tertiary specialist oesophago‐gastric cancer centre: Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia. Participants: Patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer that had surgery with curative intent 61.9% oesophageal cancer, 38.1% gastric cancer. Main outcome measures: Differences between oesophageal and gastric cancer in terms of demographical variables, first presenting symptoms and sensitivity of the Australian urgent endoscopy referral guidelines.ResultsOesophageal cancer presented at a median age of 64.4 years old, with a male: female ratio of 6:1, and dysphagia as the first presenting symptom in 61%. Gastric cancer presented at a median age of 69.5, with a 2:1 male: female ratio and predominantly non‐specific symptoms—blood loss (36%), weight loss, nausea, and anorexia (21%) and epigastric pain (13%). The Australia urgent endoscopy referral guidelines had 76% sensitivity for oesophageal cancer detection compared with a 33% sensitivity for gastric cancer in this cohort. Delays from symptom onset to referral occurred for most patients with timeframes over four times the recommended 2‐week timeframe.ConclusionThere should be a separate urgent referral guideline for oesophageal and gastric cancer. These should include dysphagia for oesophageal cancer and blood loss (anaemia, haematemesis, melaena) for gastric cancer. Delays from symptom onset to referral indicate the need for further education of the public and general practitioners on symptoms warranting urgent referral.
A prospective case series of Fournier's gangrene at a tertiary centre involving adjacent organs
Authors: David Rowan , Traeger Luke , Kahokehr Arman , Miller John , Ashrafi Akbar 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies of patients with Fournier's gangrene (FG) highlight the importance of early surgical intervention in improving mortality rates. We prospectively determined subgroups of patients with FG at high risk of severe local morbidity.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated all patients diagnosed with FG at a tertiary hospital (1 January 2018 to 1 January 2021). Data were collated on demographics, comorbidity, infection source, treatment and clinical outcomes.ResultsWe identified 14 consecutive male patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 57 (50–64) years. Most common risk factors were diabetes (n = 10, 71%) and obesity (n = 10, 71%). Median (range) HbA1c was 11.20 (7.5–15.3), and body mass index of 41.25 (23.7–70.0). Seven patients had adjacent organ involvement (AOI), involving the corporal bodies (57%) and testes (43%). The most common suspected source was dermatological (50%), followed by genitourinary (29%) and gastrointestinal (GI) (21%). Median (interquartile range) hospital length of stay (LOS) was 32 (8.5–30.75) days. Patients with AOI were more likely to have a suspected GI source, need mechanical ventilation (p = 0.023), a significantly longer LOS (p = 0.015) and time to wound closure (p = 0.04). Patients with suspected dermatological origin of infection, had a significantly lower rate of AOI (p = 0.029), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.029) and a shorter LOS (p = 0.035).ConclusionIn our prospective series, FG is associated with a high rate of AOI and suspected non‐dermatological origin of infection, which confers significant perioperative morbidity including the need for mechanical ventilation, LOS and longer time from initial debridement to wound closure.
A decade review of emergency obturator hernia repairs
Authors: Diab Jason , Badiani Sarit , Berney Christophe R. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundObturator hernia is a rare pelvic hernia associated with a high morbidity and mortality. It most commonly occurs in elderly, multiparous females with symptoms and signs of small bowel obstruction. We present an Australian hospital network experience on emergency presentations of obturator hernias highlighting differences between clinical profile and surgical management.MethodsA retrospective review of adult patients diagnosed with acute obturator hernia during a 10 year period (2010–2020) was conducted across 10 major Sydney hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.ResultsObturator hernia was diagnosed in 18 patients (mean 82.7 years, range: 60–96 years old), all confirmed on pre‐operative computed tomography imaging. The most common presentations were elderly women demonstrating clinical features of a small bowel obstruction. The mean onset of symptoms from home to hospital admission was 49.4 h. Non‐survivors had a significantly elevated urea level (15.6 vs. 7.8 mmol/L, p = 0.036) at presentation and a longer delay from onset of presenting symptoms to diagnosis (84.0 vs. 36.2 h, p = 0.028). Eleven patients underwent urgent laparotomy and six laparoscopic repairs. The mean operative time was 101.0 min. The average hospital length of stay was 16.2 days with a mortality rate of 27.8%.ConclusionTimely diagnosis and operative intervention for obturator hernia is the cornerstone of management.