bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disclosure of liquidity and cash flow statements by Australian superannuation funds before Covid‐19
Authors: Kent Pamela , Kent Richard , McCormack Robyn , Tarr Julie‐Anne 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe Commonwealth's stimulus package required the unexpected distribution of cash by superannuation funds to members during the Covid‐19 pandemic. We focus on disclosure and maintenance of an operational risk financial reserve and reporting of the statement of cash flows in annual reports by Australian superannuation funds. These disclosures represent mandated sources of information providing evidence of liquidity levels for meeting cash payouts and disclosure adherence. Many funds did not meet their statutory reporting requirements. More members and higher union board membership as measures of stakeholder power explain higher disclosure in support of managerial stakeholder theory.
Impact of COVID‐19 on student attainment and pedagogical needs when undertaking independent scientific research
Authors: Jeyapalan Jennie N. , James Victoria. , Gardner David S. , Lothion‐Roy Jennifer H. , Mongan Nigel P. , Rutland Catrin Sian 
Published: July 2022

AbstractResearch is often an essential component of completing a veterinary medicine degree, with universities worldwide aiming to teach students a variety of techniques and general research comprehension and skills. As universities worldwide navigated the COVID‐19 pandemic, it was often necessary to move towards distance learning, this was employed for the research module at The University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science. Following completion of their independent research project, each student cohort was sent a student evaluation of the module questionnaire and quantitative and qualitative analysis was undertaken. In addition, assessment outcomes based on dissertation grade, supervisor grade and overall module score were analysed quantitatively. This was conducted on both the individual cohorts and between the pre‐ and peri‐pandemic groups, ranging from 2017–2018 through to 2021–2022 cohorts. The students received increased dissertation and supervisor grades (by nearly 6%) during the 2021–2022 peri‐pandemic cohort, when compared to the pre‐pandemic cohorts, but did differ significantly compared to the 2020–2021 cohort. The pre‐ and peri‐pandemic Likert‐scale ratings for module organisation and assessment criteria were similar, workload management and the ability to explore concepts and ideas was reduced in the peri‐pandemic cohorts, whereas the accessibility to resources was increased in the peri‐pandemic students compared to those taught prior to the pandemic. Student feedback can provide essential information when designing and managing research projects and when compared to assessment grades it can help us understand attainment, essential information when providing a quality university level education whilst supporting student welfare following the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Outsourcing the dry season: Cattle ranchers' responses to weather shocks in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Skidmore Marin Elisabeth 
Published: July 2022

AbstractLivestock production plays a vital role in the global economy, yet little is known about how climate change will affect the industry. Studies of crop agriculture may not translate to livestock agriculture due to differences in the set of potential adaptation strategies. Ranchers' responses to changing weather and climate are particularly relevant in the Brazilian Amazon, where the dry season is increasing by as much as 0.6 days per year. A longer dry season increases production risks as animals may succumb to starvation, lack of water, or heat stress. I pair transaction data and weather shocks to show that ranchers strategically sold animals prior to the dry season, in response to two predictors of an extreme dry season: sporadic rainfall and high temperatures prior to the dry season. Ranchers sold animals for both fattening and slaughter in response to sporadic rainfall prior. Nearly half of animals initially sold for fattening were sold for slaughter 90 days later. In contrast, ranchers responded to high temperatures solely by selling for slaughter, suggesting that current on‐farm technologies are insufficient to prevent losses from heat stress. The overall supply increased in years with sporadic rainfall and high temperatures, but the supply fell by a greater amount the following year. My results suggest that farmers are currently not fully insulated from the effects of a severe dry season. As severe dry seasons become more frequent, the industry will likely increasingly rely on feedlots and need additional methods to cope with heat stress.
More competitive than you think? Pricing and location of processing firms in agricultural markets
Authors: Graubner Marten , Sexton Richard J. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe spatial distribution of production is a defining characteristic of agriculture, and the location choice in geographic space and the spatial pricing policies adopted by agricultural processing/packing firms are key determinants of the competitiveness and efficiency of agricultural product procurement markets. Spatially distributed buying firms in the presence of costly transportation of farm products creates natural oligopsony procurement markets. Although several studies have contributed to our understanding of price and output determination and the distribution of welfare in these markets, all are limited in that they address buying firms' locations or their choices of spatial pricing strategy in isolation, holding the other factor fixed, even though both would be chosen jointly in reality to comprise a firm's product‐procurement strategy. Here we overcome this limitation by using computational methods (including genetic algorithms) to study duopsony firms' joint choices of location and pricing policy. Our results differ considerably from those presented in prior literature. In general, we find that, when buyers have the flexibility to jointly choose their locations and pricing strategies, market outcomes are much more competitive and locations more efficient in terms of cost minimization than has been predicted by prior studies viewing location choice or pricing strategy in isolation.
Sustainable Finance: ESG/CSR, Firm Value, and Investment Returns*
Authors: Chang Xin , Fu Kangkang , Jin Yaling , Liem Pei Fun 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe review the burgeoning sustainable finance literature, emphasizing the value implications of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and CSR (corporate social responsibility) practices. We use a discounted cash flow valuation framework to identify value drivers through which such practices can enhance firm value. Collectively, empirical evidence supports that they increase firm value by motivating employees, strengthening customer–supplier relationships, boosting long‐term growth, increasing dividends, and reducing financing costs. Furthermore, more socially responsible firms deliver no higher excess stock returns in the long run. Green bonds neither provide issuers with a price premium nor make investors sacrifice on lower returns. Socially responsible investing (SRI) funds generate no higher risk‐adjusted long‐term returns than non‐SRI funds. Finally, we briefly suggest several topics for future research on sustainable finance.
Association of TNFSF11 rs2200287 and TNFSF11 rs2148072 gene polymorphisms in preeclampsia
Authors: Sivaraj Nagarjuna , Kusuma Bunga Papa , Kutikuppala L V Simhachalam , Rachel K Vijaya , Balaga Vijaya Sirisha , Gundakaram Samhitha 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundVarious cytokines released by white blood cells like lymphocytes are linked to the immune system during pregnancy. The polymorphism of the TNFSF11 (rs2200287 and rs2148072) gene is related to the preeclampsia of pregnancy.Materials and methodsThis study was a prospective study involving 304 pregnant women with preeclampsia (n = 152) and controls (non‐preeclamptic pregnant women) (n = 152). To investigate the rs2200287 and rs2148072 SNP's of TNFSF11 gene polymorphism by using the PCR–RFLP techniques.ResultsA significantly different genotype distribution of TNFSF11 (rs2200287 and rs2148072) polymorphisms were observed between the two groups, with the G allele of variant rs2200287 was highly significant in the preeclamptic group (P = 0.000; .5814; OR = .5814; 95% CI = .4211–.8012). And the C allele of variant rs2148072 was also highly significant in the preeclamptic group (P = 0.000; OR = .5076; 95% CI, .362–.71) in this study.ConclusionThe outcomes of the present study indicate that there was an association in TNFSF 11 (rs2200287 and rs2148072) gene polymorphism with preeclampsia compared to non‐preeclampsia women.
How Norms Shape the Nature of Belief Systems in Mass Publics
Authors: Groenendyk Eric , Kimbrough Erik O. , Pickup Mark 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHow should ideology be understood, and should we be concerned if Americans lack it? Combining widely used survey questions with an incentivized coordination game, we separately measure individuals’ own policy preferences and their knowledge of what other ideological group members expect them to believe. This allows us to distinguish knowledge of ideological norms—what liberals and conservatives believe ought to go with what—from adherence to those norms. We find that a nontrivial portion of those reporting ideologically inconsistent preferences do so knowingly, suggesting their lack of ideological constraint can be attributed to pragmatism rather than innocence. Additionally, a question order experiment reveals that priming ideological norms before measuring policy preferences promotes ideological adherence, suggesting ideological constraint is at least partially attributable to norm‐conformity pressure. Together, these findings raise the question whether ideology is actually desirable or if it instead allows elites to reverse the direction of accountability.
Exposure to avian coronavirus vaccines is associated with increased levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐cross‐reactive antibodies
Authors: Ardicli Ozge , Carli K. Tayfun , Satitsuksanoa Pattraporn , Dreher Anita , Cusini Alexia , Hutter Sandra , Mirer David , Rückert Beate , Jonsdottir Hulda R. , Weber Benjamin , Cervia Carlo , Akdis Mubeccel , Boyman Onur , Eggel Alexander , Brüggen Marie‐Charlotte , Akdis Cezmi A. , van de Veen Willem 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundAlthough avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and SARS‐CoV‐2 belong to different genera of the Coronaviridae family, exposure to IBV may result in the development of cross‐reactive antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 due to homologous epitopes. We aimed to investigate whether antibody responses to IBV cross‐react with SARS‐CoV‐2 in poultry farm personnel who are occupationally exposed to aerosolized IBV vaccines.MethodsWe analyzed sera from poultry farm personnel, COVID‐19 patients, and pre‐pandemic controls. IgG levels against the SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens S1, RBD, S2, and N and peptides corresponding to the SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF3a, N, and S proteins as well as whole virus antigens of the four major S1‐genotypes 4/91, IS/1494/06, M41, and D274 of IBV were investigated by in‐house ELISAs. Moreover, live‐virus neutralization test (VNT) was performed.ResultsA subgroup of poultry farm personnel showed elevated levels of specific IgG for all tested SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens compared with pre‐pandemic controls. Moreover, poultry farm personnel, COVID‐19 patients, and pre‐pandemic controls showed specific IgG antibodies against IBV strains. These antibody titers were higher in long‐term vaccine implementers. We observed a strong correlation between IBV‐specific IgG and SARS‐CoV‐2 S1‐, RBD‐, S2‐, and N‐specific IgG in poultry farm personnel compared with pre‐pandemic controls and COVID‐19 patients. However, no neutralization was observed for these cross‐reactive antibodies from poultry farm personnel using the VNT.ConclusionWe report here for the first time the detection of cross‐reactive IgG antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens in humans exposed to IBV vaccines. These findings may be useful for further studies on the adaptive immunity against COVID‐19.
Effects of recreational cannabis on testicular function in primary infertile men
Authors: Belladelli Federico , Fallara Giuseppe , Pozzi Edoardo , Corsini Christian , Cilio Simone , Raffo Massimiliano , d'Arma Alessia , Boeri Luca , Capogrosso Paolo , Eisenberg Michael , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundMale factor contributes to up to 50% of cases of couples experiencing infertility. Cannabis is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs, and its effects on the reproductive system have been largely debated in the literature.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of recreational cannabis use on total T (tT) levels, gonadal status, and sperm parameters in a cohort of primary infertile non‐Finnish, white‐European men.Materials and methodsData of 2074 white‐European men visited for primary couple's infertility were analyzed. Lifestyle factors and cannabis use were investigated in all participants. Semen analyses were based on the 2010 World Health Organization reference criteria. Serum hormones were evaluated, and patients were subdivided based on their gonadal status. Health‐significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were used to test the association between cannabis use, sperm parameters, and hormonal levels. Logistic regression analyses tested potential predictors for abnormal sperm parameters and gonadal status.ResultsOf 2074, 225 (10.9%) patients reported cannabis use in their lifetime. Total Testosterone levels were lower in cannabis users compared to nonusers (p = 0.03). In a multivariable linear regression analysis, cannabis use was inversely associated with tT levels (ß = −0.372 ng/ml; p = 0.005) but not with follicle‐stimulating hormone nor with luteinizing hormone levels. Conversely, at multivariable logistic regression model cannabis use was not associated with the type of hypogonadism. At multivariable linear regression analysis, cannabis use was inversely associated with sperm morphology (p = 0.007), while not with both sperm concentration and sperm motility. Similarly, at adjusted logistic regression analysis cannabis use resulted associated with teratozoospermia (p = 0.039) but not with oligo‐, astheno‐, and azoospermia.ConclusionsInfertile men using cannabis are at higher risk of having lower testosterone levels and altered sperm morphology as compared with nonusers.
Identifying neuroimaging biomarkers for psychogenic erectile dysfunction by fusing multi‐level brain information: A resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Guan Min , Chen Xin , Zhang Peiming , Wu Jia , Zhang Xiangsheng , Dong Minghao 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundPsychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED) patients who are under their 40s in China consist of a major component of erectile dysfunction. Existing neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that pED is a functional disorder with aberrant neural representations on the local level, the regional level, and the global level, respectively. Therefore, it is reasonable to incorporate brain information from all these levels simultaneously into consideration when identifying neuroimaging biomarkers for pED. However, no such endeavors have been made in previous studies to fully disclose the central mechanism of pED.MethodTo incorporate multi‐level brain features to fully explore the neural representation of pED, a novel machine learning framework was proposed in the current study. Specifically, we used amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation, regional homogeneity, and degree centrality as indices for local, regional, and global brain activity, respectively. A fully data‐driven method, that is, support vector machine (SVM) with recursive feature elimination analyses, was used to investigate discriminative brain map between 48 pED patients and 39 healthy control subjects for resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) data.ResultsBy fusing multi‐level brain features, our method led to a superb classification accuracy of 95.12% between two groups. Interestingly, the right anterior cingulate gyrus and the left precuneus showed abnormal representations at different levels simultaneously in pED patients, which also explicated highest discriminative power between groups. Moreover, the right insular, the left fusiform gyrus, the right inferior temporal gyrus, the right superior frontal gyrus, the right precentral gyrus, the bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, and the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus were discriminative for pED. Also, correlation analysis explicated that several core brain regions were associated with the clinical manifestations in pED patients.ConclusionThis is one of the first study investigating brain alterations on different levels simultaneously in pED patients. Our results suggested that pED involves multi‐level aberrant brain representations in multi‐dimensional neurobehavioral components, which closely interrelated with cognitive and psychosocial factors, that is, attention, appraisal, emotion, and sensorimotor. Our findings are likely to help foster new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of pED and the aberrant brain regions may serve as potential therapeutic targets for targeted therapy for brain.
Consumer engagement and patient reported outcomes in perioperative clinical trials in Australia: a systematic review
Authors: Wallace Sophie K. A. , Goulding Karen R. , Myles Paul S. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundConsumer engagement in clinical research is increasingly being prioritized by major funders such as the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature search of the Cochrane library, Embase, CINAHL PubMed and Medline to identify randomized clinical trials in surgery with perioperative outcomes conducted in Australia. All publications underwent review and thematic analysis to identify levels of consumer engagement and the inclusion of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMS).ResultsFrom 5373 records, the full texts of 809 articles were retrieved, of which 41 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. PROMS were identified in 63% of the trials as a primary or secondary outcome. Despite multiple available checklists and analysis tools, less than 2% of studies documented any consumer engagement apart from PROMS.ConclusionThere was very little consumer engagement in formulation, management, conduct and dissemination of the trial findings.
A novel approach to managing ruptured umbilical hernias in cirrhosis
Authors: Seppey Romain , Benjamin Aditya , Lambrakis Paul 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundRuptured umbilical hernias in patients with ascites (Flood Syndrome) is an uncommon problem with high morbidity and mortality. The treatment of patients experiencing Flood Syndrome is controversial, with a multitude of different treatments being proposed.MethodThis paper presents our experience in treating Flood syndrome, and presents a standardized way of treating these patients.ResultsSix consecutive patients with Flood syndrome were treated with the same standardized management and surgical technique. All patients had Cirrhosis (Child B and C). All were treated as open emergency operations, with no recurrence or post‐operative complications.ConclusionThough there is a lack of level I or II evidence, the data suggests that ruptured umbilical hernias in cirrhotic patients are a surgical emergency that can be optimally managed with operative management. We present a standardized technique for the repair of these hernias which is simple, reliable and appears to have reproducible results. The technique aims to provide a hermetic seal immediately peri‐operatively and is supported by medical optimization of the post‐operative period. Our small case series represents effective and safe management in appropriately selected patients.
Not sleeping soundly in early infancy is not bad
Authors: Nakagawa Atsuko , Naruse Marika , Heutchy Mika , Miyachi Taishi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAimsThis study sought to determine whether not sleeping soundly in early infancy predicted poor development. This complemented earlier studies of children aged 12 months or older.MethodsSleep/wake patterns of 35 Japanese infants (23 males) with a gestational age of 37< weeks were recorded at home using actigraphy. Families were registered with a laboratory‐based database for infant research. Follow‐up recordings were conducted at 3, 4, 6, 12, and 24 months. Crawling was rated by mothers at 12 months and used to create regular and irregular crawling groups. Temperament was scaled using the Japanese Infant Behaviour Questionnaire‐Revised Questionnaire and the Japanese Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire.ResultsAt 4 months, infants with regular crawling style had shorter night‐time sleep than infants with irregular crawling style. However, at 12 months, the former had longer motionless sleep at night compared to the latter. Before 6 months, infants with regular crawling style showed lower sleep efficiency, especially during the day, compared to those with irregular crawling style. In addition, the amount of night‐time active sleep at 3 and 4 months were positively correlated with day‐time activity, but not at 6 months.ConclusionShort fragmental sleep in early infancy did not always predict poor development.
Sublingual immunotherapy may be effective in reducing house dust mite allergies in children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Kim Minju , Lee Eun , Yoon Jisun , Jung Sungsu , Song Kun B. , Choi Eom J. , Kim Jeong‐Hoon , Yu Jinho 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAimWe evaluated the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy for children aged 5–17 years with atopic dermatitis who were allergic to house dust mites.MethodsThis open‐label, controlled, randomised trial from June 2015 to February 2018 comprised 60 subjects from a specialist allergy centre in South Korea. Half received sublingual immunotherapy for 12 months and the other half formed the control group. The subjects were evaluated using specialist scores and specific immunoglobulin and skin prick tests.ResultsSublingual immunotherapy significantly decreased the mean Scoring Atopic Dermatitis measurements in the sublingual group from baseline (30.2 ± 10.7) to 3 months (20.7 ± 8.5) and the effects persisted at 12 months (21.5 ± 12.4). However, the control group only showed a significant difference between baseline (30.4 ± 11.9) and 12 months (24.3 ± 10.2). The levels of Dermatophagoides farina‐specific immunoglobulin G4 significantly increased in the treatment group from baseline (0.6 ± 0.5) to 12 months (1.0 ± 0.7), with no significant changes in the control group. New sensitisations to two or more allergens between baseline and 12 months were significantly lower in the sublingual group (21.4%) than controls (54.2%).ConclusionSublingual immunotherapy improved disease severity and prevented new sensitisations in children with atopic dermatitis who were allergic to dust mites.