Rate Of Return Research Articles

How retailers can gain more profitability driven by digital technology: Live streaming promotion and blockchain technology traceability?

Live streaming in e-commerce often faces challenges like counterfeit products and high return rates. To mitigate this issue, retailers can adopt blockchain technology for product traceability to enhance consumer trust, i.e., blockchain-traceable products may be sold in live streaming. Our paper presents three analytical models under various return policies to explore how live streaming and blockchain technology interact in e-commerce. Retailers can invest in live streaming with influencers to attract consumers and in blockchain technology to reduce product returns, benefiting from a demand-enhancing effect and a price-enhancing effect, respectively. The retailer’s investment strategy between live streaming and blockchain technology depends on the interactions of these two effects, moderated by the retailer’s budget type, the market commission level of live streaming, and the traceability cost of blockchain technology. For budget-constrained retailers, live streaming and blockchain technology act as substitutes. When the commission level is low (high) and the traceability cost is high (low), the demand-enhancing (price-enhancing) effect dominates the price-enhancing (demand-enhancing) effect, thus the retailer invests in live streaming (blockchain technology) as a substitute for blockchain technology (live streaming). Conversely, for budget-unconstrained retailers, they may act as complements, prompting investment in both when commission levels and traceability costs are low. The retailer does not invest in either when both the commission level and traceability cost are high. We extend our results to a full refund policy to show the robustness of our result and find that it reduces the retailer’s incentive to invest in live streaming or blockchain technology.

The Impact of Social Media and Emotional Intelligence on Investment Decision: A Fuzzy Set Delphi Study Among Investors in Thailand's Stock Market

The economic condition of Thailand and the rate of return observed on the stock exchange of Thailand (SET) surpasses the profits generated through savings. This has resulted in SET gaining popularity among individuals seeking a substantial rate of return. Understanding the elements investors consider when investing in Thailand's stock exchange is crucial due to its increasing popularity. This research utilizes a second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) method to examine the impact of social media and emotional intelligence on investors' investment decisions in Thailand's stock market. The research method employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Step 1 involved qualitative research utilizing the e-fuzzy set Delphi technique, which entailed sending an online questionnaire to 19 experts. The questionnaire included both open-ended and closed-ended questions on a 7-point scale. Step 2 involved conducting quantitative research using simple random sampling. To gather information from investors in SET, 600 investors were surveyed. It was found that emotional intelligence, social media, risk perception, and financial literacy influence investors’ investment decisions in SET, respectively. This research will provide new insights into the impact of social media and emotional intelligence on investors' decision-making in Thailand's stock market.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Seed rates on Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat in the Irrigated Condition of South West Shewa, Central Highland of Ethiopia

Inappropriate seed density and fertilizer management can lead to unstable crop yields. Excessive fertilizer application can potentially cause yield loss and nitrogen (N) leaching that leads to environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to explore the optimal N application rate and seed rate on bread wheat with different nitrogen responding under irrigation condition at two experimental sites in the South West Shewa, Ethiopia. A year field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of five N application rates (N0, N23, N46, N69, and N92) and three seed rates on bread wheat yield components like; - aboveground biomass, harvest index, number of tillers per plant, spike length, number of kernels per plant, grain yield and net return. The results showed that N application rate and seed rate were significantly interaction (P< 0.05) effect on aboveground biomass, harvest index, number of tillers per plant, spike length, number of kernels per plant and grain yield. Generally, spike length, number of tillers per plant and number of kernels per spike of wheat were increased with increased at some level in nitrogen fertilizer rate for the three seed rate at both locations. Highest number of kernels per spike (42.00, 44.00) and the highest mean above ground biomass yield (13.70 t ha<sup>-1</sup>, 7.5 t ha<sup>-1</sup>) were obtained for 150 kg ha <sup>-1</sup> seed rate with 69 N kg ha<sup>-1</sup> application at Ameya and Woliso sites respectively. The highest net benefit of 171531.88 EB ha<sup>-1</sup> with marginal rate of return of 351.14% was obtained from 175 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> seed rate with application of 69 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>. Therefore, 175 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> seed rate with application of 69 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> is economical feasible for bread wheat production at Ameya area and also the highest net benefit of 51675 EB ha<sup>-1</sup> with marginal rate of return of 115.22% was obtained from 150 kg ha <sup>-1</sup> seed rate with application of 69 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> at Woliso area.

The circular bioeconomy of the olive oil industry: Deterministic and probabilistic profitability of olive mill by-product gasification

In the novel paradigm of the circular economy the value of products, materials, and resources is retained in the economy for as long as possible, thereby minimizing waste generation. In this context, the olive oil producing countries are presented with a new opportunity that lies in the large amount of by-products generated by the olive oil industry, in particular olive pomace. Among the existing options for valorizing it, gasification is a technically proven and economically viable process, especially for moderately high energy prices. This research aims to analyze the profitability of olive pomace gasification, identifying the main uncertainty factors that determine said profitability. To that end, sensitivity analyses and probabilistic scenario analyses using the Monte Carlo method are conducted for the first time in this research context. The results show a positive profit margin of €19.27 per ton of milled olives, a Net Present Value (NPV) of €453,067, and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 9.7 %. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the electricity price is the main determinant of profitability, while other factors, such as the biomass price or the sale of by-products (biochar), are less important. The Monte Carlo analysis reveals the uncertainty involved in these types of projects, showing that the probability of the investment being profitable (NPV>0) is only 25.1 %. The assessment evidences that this kind of projects presents high capital needs and strongly uncertain profitability, recommending the implementation of public and private green finance instruments to overcome high-capital barriers and de-risk these investments.

Assessment of Colombian renewable energy auctions policy: Enabler or barrier for concentrating solar power plants

Auctions are an alternative for introducing renewable energy (RE) projects into electricity markets at competitive prices. Colombia added 2.2 GW capacity of RE through this mechanism. Nevertheless, 94% of the awarded generation is allocated between 12 a.m. and 5 p.m. because of a lack of low-cost storage. Integrating concentrating solar power plants (CSP) could be relevant in tackling this issue. Therefore, a preliminary step is to determine if Colombian instruments benefit the deployment of CSP and trigger the discussion about its future in the country. In this work, we evaluate how auction mechanisms and fiscal incentives (FI) influence the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for two CSP configurations. The results indicate that FIs reduce capital expenditures between 17.11% and 19.45%, reaching similar LCOEs to those reported internationally. However, energy prices higher than USD 150/MWh are required to achieve an adequate IRR. Regarding the auction design, it is observed that a “security criterion” leads to a significant loss of competitiveness for CSP as it neglects its possibility to support demand at night. Policy suggestions are provided for a level playing field where low-cost solutions can coexist with dispatchable renewable power generation.

Optimum Seeding and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Maximizing Yield and Sustaining Rain-Fed Lowland Rice (<i>Oryza Sativa </i>L.) in Fogera Plain North-western Ethiopia

Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) is increasingly becoming an important food crop in Ethiopia. However, the average rice productivity in Ethiopia is estimated at 2.8 t ha<sup>-1</sup> which is much lower than the world average, 4.6 t ha<sup>-1</sup>. Its productivity is challenged due to a lack of appropriate and location-specific agronomic practices like the application of optimum doses of nitrogen fertilizer and the use of optimum seeding rates. Thus, a field experiment was conducted in Fogera district in South Gondar Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia during the 2021 main cropping season to determine the optimum dose of N level and seeding rate. The treatments comprised factorial combinations of four levels of N (134, 184, 234 and 284 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) and four different seeding rates (60, 80, 100, and 120 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. All data on phenology, vegetative growth yield and yield-related parameters were collected and measured following scientific standards of each parameter. Those data were subjected to analysis of variance using the general linear model (GLM) procedures of SAS 9.0 version system. Economic analysis was also carried out by following CIMMYT partial budget analysis procedures. The analysis result showed the main effects of both, different levels of nitrogen and different rate of seeding, and their interactions showed highly significant effect on the number of both total and effective tillers, grain filling, panicle length, phonological parameters, totals spikelet’s, thousands seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and straw yield. Application of 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> level with a seeding rate 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> gave the maximum grain yield (6,641 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>), the highest number of effective tillers per m<sup>2</sup> (792) and filled grains per panicle (95.34). Furthermore, the highest net return of ETB 118,850 with acceptable marginal rate of return (2,313%) was also obtained from the application of 184 kg N ha-<sup>1</sup> level and a seeding rate 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>. From the current research experiment, it is possible to conclude that increasing seeding rate beyond 100 kg ha<sup>-1 </sup>and N above 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> is not economical yield of rice <i>“Selam’’ </i>variety in the study area. Rather, use of 184 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> and seeding rate of 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> is promising for Lowland Rice (<i>Selam</i>) variety production under the rain fed condition in Fogera Plains and similar agro-ecologies of rain-fed growing area of Ethiopia for better economic and agronomic advantage.

Do recently translocated black‐footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) chicks respond to artificial social attraction?

AbstractTranslocations of chicks are increasingly being used in seabird restoration projects, along with social attraction of adults using acoustic and visual cues, to establish new colonies or re‐establish extirpated colonies. Many seabird species exhibit high rates of natal philopatry, where most chicks return to the nesting colonies from which they fledged. This makes them ideal candidates for translocation projects since they have a high likelihood of returning to translocation sites if they are relocated prior to imprinting on a natal site. Starting in 2017, Black‐footed Albatross (BFAL) chicks were translocated from populations in the low‐lying Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, where they face habitat loss due to sea level rise, to the higher elevation island of O‘ahu, in an attempt to establish a new colony for this species. Additionally, social attraction was utilized at the site to attract potential nesting adults and provide social stimuli for the translocated chicks. Our study examined the response of translocated BFAL chicks to visual and audio stimuli inside a mammalian predator exclusion fence at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on the island of O‘ahu. Decoys constructed in two different poses, representing courtship and resting postures of adult BFAL, were placed in various combinations with playback speakers around the perimeter of artificial shelters. Motion‐activated cameras were used to record and compare the number of visits by chicks to different combinations of visual and acoustic stimuli. We found the number of visits was highest at setups that included a combination of a decoy pair and a playback speaker, suggesting that a combination of visual and audio cues of adult BFAL are most attractive to the chicks. Future studies are needed to evaluate the long‐term impacts of exposure to artificial visual and audio stimuli as chicks on return rates to translocation site and social behavior as adults.

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the moisture recovery and specific resistance of yak hair fiber

This study measured the moisture regain and specific resistance values of yak hair fiber in a humidified environment to provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of yak hair fiber in the fields of textile, electronics and manufacturing. The effects of temperature and relative humidity on moisture absorption and electrical resistance of yak hair fiber were measured, and the effects of ambient temperature and humidity on the moisture regain and specific resistance of yak hair fiber were evaluated when using a new type of water-cooled textile air conditioner as a humidifying device, and the amino acid structure and crystallinity were compared between yak hair fiber and wool fiber. The experimental results show that temperature and relative humidity have a greater effect on the moisture regain rate and specific resistance value of the fiber, and the higher the temperature and relative humidity, the higher the moisture regain rate of yak hair fiber and the lower the specific resistance. When the temperature was 30 °C and the relative humidity was 85%, the fiber had the lowest specific resistance value and the highest moisture return rate. In terms of amino acid species, there is not much difference in chemical structure between yak hair fiber and wool fiber. The crystallinity of yak hair fiber is lower than that of wool fiber.

‛Until you're in the chair and executing your role, you don't know': A qualitative study of the needs and perspectives of people with stroke-related communication disabilities when returning to vocational activity.

People with communication disability after stroke experience low rates of return to vocational roles. Vocational rehabilitation is recommended; however, there are no clear guidelines informing vocational rehabilitation for people with communication disability. Understanding the needs and experiences of this population is critical to improving vocational stroke rehabilitation outcomes. This study aimed to: (1) investigate the experience of vocational rehabilitation for people with communication disability after stroke, (2) identify gaps and, (3) provide preliminary recommendations for tailored service delivery. Seven participants with an identified communication impairment following stroke were recruited from a larger clinical trial of early vocational rehabilitation (20% of total sample, n = 34). To address the study aims, a qualitative design was employed. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Data were integrated with demographic and intervention audit data to contextualise participant experiences, identify vocational rehabilitation gaps and inform preliminary recommendations. Participants were five men and two women aged 24-69 years whose communication profiles included difficulties with auditory comprehension and information processing, reading comprehension, thinking, executive function and self-regulation, as well as difficulties with verbal and written expression. Vocational rehabilitation was perceived as beneficial but participants identified gaps including limited access to psychological and peer-based support during early rehabilitation, limitations to accessing specialist vocational rehabilitation programs, barriers to accessing ongoing rehabilitation after resumption of vocational activity, and limited preparedness for the degree of impact that their communication changes had on execution of vocational roles and responsibilities. Vocational environments are communicatively demanding and people living with acquired communication difficulties face a range of vocation-related participation barriers even when communication difficulties are mild. Greater emphasis on evaluating the vocational communication environment and targeted communication training and preparation for colleagues within the workplace is recommended to reduce barriers faced. Interdisciplinary rehabilitation, inclusive of psychological care, may support working-age stroke survivors to recognise and acknowledge changes in their communication function, lead to improved engagement in the rehabilitation process, and ensure early identification of factors likely to influence successful return-to-vocational activity. What is already known on the subject Stroke is common amongst people of working age yet fewer than half of stroke survivors will return to pre-stroke vocational roles. Communication difficulties affect anywhere between 24% and 45% of people after stroke and include changes to language abilities, motor speech, vision, hearing and cognition. This group experiences much lower rates of return to vocational roles when compared to people with stroke who do not have a concomitant communication difficulty. Vocational rehabilitation is recommended. However, currently there is limited evidence to inform vocational rehabilitation guidelines for people with stroke and communication difficulties. Achieving a successful return to vocational activity is associated with improved life satisfaction for people with communication difficulties after stroke and is a key research priority for this population. What this study adds This study investigated the experiences of people with communication difficulty after stroke who reported a goal of returning to pre-stroke vocational activity. Data associated with types of interventions received, the experiences and perceptions of vocational rehabilitation, and experiences of returning to vocational activity were analysed to identify core rehabilitation needs and develop preliminary recommendations to inform future vocational rehabilitation guidelines for this population. What are the clinical implications of this work? The present study provides preliminary evidence that people experiencing communication difficulties after stroke require a more integrated rehabilitation pathway. During early stages of vocational rehabilitation psychological and peer-based support is indicated to support adjustment to changed communication function and to enable productive goal setting and engagement in rehabilitation. Clinicians need to complete a detailed analysis of the vocational communication environment and consider the communication activities involved in the individual's future vocational duties in order to plan meaningful rehabilitation. A multidisciplinary approach is required and additional training for clinicians is indicated to support clinicians to work collaboratively within the vocational setting.

Optimizing the bidding strategy and assessing profitability of over-install renewable plants equipped with battery energy storage systems

The over-installation of renewable energy sources (RES) can enhance the profits of RES producers by increasing the total exporting energy; however, RES power curtailments must be applied under over-production of RES plants to ensure their contracted maximum export capacity limits. Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) can be used to reduce the RES curtailments and therefore enhance the profits of producers. This work develops a bidding strategy as a scenario-based stochastic optimization scheme to maximize the expected profits of producers in electricity markets considering battery degradation and maximum export capacity constraints. Using the proposed scheme, a financial analysis is performed to assess the profitability for over-installing hybrid RES plants by calculating the net present value and internal rate of return of the project under different BESS costs. Simulation results, using real data from a wind and photovoltaic plant, demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed stochastic scheme in enhancing the profit of producers compared to the corresponding deterministic scheme. The performed financial analysis, using the net present value metric, indicates that a maximum over-installation of 150%–170% and 160%–180% for the wind and photovoltaic plant, respectively, is profitable, while the usage of a BESS is profitable when its cost is under 200,000 €/MWh.

Transphyseal arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children under 12 years.

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children is on the rise. Despite this trend, the optimal management of these injuries remains a matter of ongoing debate. In this light, our study seeks to assess the clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes of transphyseal ACL reconstruction in preadolescent patients in the medium-term. This prospective study included preadolescent patients aged up to 12 years who underwent ACL transphyseal reconstruction between 2010 and 2020 and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical assessments encompassed joint stability and range of motion. Furthermore, leg length discrepancy (LLD) and femorotibial alignment were evaluated both clinically and radiologically using full-length lower limb standing radiographs. Pre- and postoperative functional outcomes were assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scales, and the return to normal sports activity was evaluated using the ACL-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale. Complications and relevant follow-up data were also recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate these outcomes. A total of 35 preadolescent patients, consisting of 24 males and 11 females, with a mean age at surgery of 11.2 ± 0.7 years (8.7-12), were included in the study. The mean follow-up was 52.3 ± 20.7 months (24.1-95.9). No significant growth disturbances or clinically relevant LLD were evidenced. All patients demonstrated clinically stable knees with full range of motion at the 2-year follow-up. There were statistically significant improvements in pre- and postoperative IKDC (39.3 ± 13.5 vs. 99.7 ± 0.8, p < 0.005) and Lysholm scores (48.2 ± 15.1 vs. 99.6 ± 1.4, p < 0.005). All but two patients were able to return to their pre-injury level of sports activity, with a mean ACL-RSI score of 93.5 ± 1.3. The analysis revealed an 8.6% rerupture rate and an11.4% rate of contralateral ACL injuries, with 5-year survival rates of 92.3% and 88.8%, respectively. Subgroup analyses based on age, gender, surgical delay, or associated meniscal lesions did not reveal any significant differences in functional outcomes. Additionally, there was no discernible relationship between age or timing of ACL reconstruction and the risk of meniscal injuries. Our study reinforces the value of ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature preadolescent patients, with transphyseal technique proven to be a safe, effective, and technically simpler option, even for children under the age of 12. The findings indicate excellent functional outcomes, a high rate of successful return to sporting activities, and minimal to no incidence of growth-related complications in the medium-term. Level II, prospective comparative cohort study, before and after intervention.

Exploring the Role of Internal Control Systems in Financial Statement Quality under Coercive Pressure in Government Entities

Objective - This study examines the influence of coercive pressure on financial statement quality and the mediating role of internal control systems in central government accounting entities of ministries/institutions partnering with the State Treasury Service Office of Malang (KPPN Malang).Design/Methodology - The research sample was collected by purposive sampling questionnaire with an 84.38% return rate. It comprised 216 respondents of staff and managers responsible for preparing financial statements in central government work units of ministries/institutions partnering with KPPN Malang. Research data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique to predict the relationships between coercive pressure, financial statement quality, and the mediating role of internal control systems.Results - It was found that coercive pressure positively influences financial statement quality. Coercive pressure has a positive effect on internal control systems, and internal control systems have a positive impact on financial statement quality. Meanwhile, internal control systems can mediate the relationship between coercive pressure and financial statement quality.Research limitations/implications - The research findings have practical implications that suggest coercive pressures from stakeholders demanding high-quality financial statements should be responded to by implementing effective internal control systems to ensure the quality of presented financial statements.Novelty/Originality - The novelty of this research lies in examining the mediating role of internal control systems in the relationship between coercive pressure and financial statement quality, which has not been discussed in existing studies.

Designing with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): A pathway to decarbonize residential buildings

The ambitious targets set for greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency by 2050 demand a critical increase of building renovation rates. This challenge is shared by most Western nations, including Europe and Switzerland, where the current annual renovation rate stands at a mere 0.6 %. In this context, designing renovation strategies using building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) components as a new building material is one of the most promising ways to achieve decarbonization of the building stock in an economical and environmentally efficient manner. To this end, building design teams are key, especially in promoting BIPV-based projects to their clients and taking this approach into account from the initial design phase where pivotal decisions with significant impact are made. This article illustrates the potential impact of specific choices in renovation processes on the overall building performance, considering a Life-Cycle Analysis/Cost (LCA/LCC) and multi-criteria analysis. It uses a 1970's residential building as case study, examining different refurbishment scenarios. Findings reveal that scenarios integrating BIPV can significantly enhance energy savings, achieving up to 122 % in energy efficiency gains, and can meet the 2050 targets for cumulative energy demand (CED) and global warming potential (GWP). Additionally, the most effective BIPV scenarios demonstrate economic viability with a payback period of 14–18 years and internal rates of return (IRR) between 5.3 % and 5.9 %. These results underscore the economic and environmental benefits of BIPV in building renovations and advocate for its broader adoption to achieve national and international climate goals.

Effect of mannitol on postoperative delirium in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft: a randomised controlled trial

ObjectivePostoperative delirium (POD), especially after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), is a relatively common and severe complication increasing side effects, length of hospital stay, mortality and healthcare resource costs....

Optimal investment with insurable background risk and nonlinear portfolio allocation frictions

We study optimal investment and insurance demand in a continuous-time model that combines risky assets with an insurable background risk. This risk takes the form of a jump-diffusion process that reduces the return rate of the agent's wealth. The main distinctive feature of our model is that the agent's decision on portfolio choice and insurance demand causes nonlinear friction in the dynamics of the wealth process. We use the HJB equation to find the optimal conditions for the agent to fully, partially, or totally insure against the background risk. We consider different types of friction, such as differential borrowing and lending rates. We also show a mutual-fund separation result and provide numerical examples.

Utility and Outcomes of Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation and Transplantation for Gynecologic Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To evaluate the utility, success, and safety of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autologous cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation for fertility preservation in patients with gynecologic cancers. A comprehensive search was performed of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant studies on the utility and outcomes of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autologous cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation for gynecologic cancers from inception until January 23, 2024. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment, and the results were then reviewed together. Twenty-three studies were included in the current systematic review. The resultant data were meta-analyzed to produce a pooled-effect estimate of the utility of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autologous transplantation in gynecologic cancers as a proportion of all indications. We found that 7.5% and 9.6% of women undergoing ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autologous transplantation, respectively, had gynecologic cancers. In comparison, hematologic malignancies and breast cancer accounted for approximately 66.0% of all indications for these procedures. The return rate for autologous cryopreserved ovarian tissue transplantation in gynecologic cancers (6.0%) was not statistically different from those for other indications. Among women with gynecologic cancer who underwent ovarian stimulation, 27.3% had at least one child, and the ovarian endocrine function was restored in 78.1% of the women after autologous transplantation. The median graft longevity was 32 months, and no graft-site recurrence was reported after autologous transplantation in women with gynecologic cancer. Our results suggest that ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autologous transplantation are feasible options for preserving ovarian function in women with gynecologic cancers, although ovarian tissue cryopreservation is underutilized, and further studies are needed to determine the longer-term outcomes of autologous transplantation. PROSPERO, CRD42024498522.

Surgical Treatment of Proximal Hamstring Avulsion Injuries Compared With Nonsurgical Treatment: A Matched Comparative Study With a Mean Follow-up of >4 Years From the Proximal Hamstring Avulsion Surgery Cohort Study

Background: Surgical outcomes for proximal hamstring avulsion injury (PHAI) are well documented, yet comparative analyses with nonsurgical approaches remain scarce. Purpose: To compare the functional outcomes between surgical and nonsurgical interventions for PHAI. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This comparative study, conducted at a sports surgery center between January 2012 and July 2021, focused on patients with primary PHAI. The study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Group selection involved utilizing propensity score matching to compare an arm of patients who were surgically treated (indications included patients with complete injury, patients with partial injury with >2 cm of retraction, and patients for whom 6 months of nonsurgical treatment failed) with another arm of patients who refused surgery. The primary outcome was evaluated using the Parisian Hamstring Avulsion Score (PHAS). The secondary outcomes included the Tegner Activity Scale (TAS) score; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score; rate and quality of return to sport (RTS); and patient satisfaction. Results: The study included 32 patients (mean age, 55.8 years [SD, 8.4 years]) in the nonsurgical treatment arm and 95 patients in the surgical treatment arm (mean age, 53.4 years [SD, 7.7 years]) (P > .05). The interval from injury to treatment was 5.7 months (SD, 9.6 months) for the surgical group and 12.7 months (SD, 25.9 months) for the nonsurgical group (P > .05). At the final follow-up (nonsurgical group: mean, 56.5 months [SD, 28.2 months]; surgical group: mean, 50.7 months [SD, 33.1 months]), the PHAS was significantly higher in the surgical group (mean, 86.3 [SD, 13.7]) compared with the nonsurgical group (mean, 69.8 [SD, 15.1]) (P < .0001). Higher activity scores were also observed in the surgical group for the TAS and UCLA scores (P = .0224 and P = .0026, respectively). A higher percentage of the surgical group (68.4%) returned to sports compared with the nonsurgical group (46.9%) (P = .0354), with a greater proportion in the surgical group returning at the same or higher level (67.7% vs 26.7%) (P = .0069). Additionally, a higher satisfaction level was reported by patients in the surgical group (89.5%) in contrast to the nonsurgical group (25%) (P < .0001). Three patients in the surgical group experienced complications (2 reruptures and 1 hyperesthesia at the pudendal nerve territories). Odds ratios (ORs) indicated that patients in the surgical group were significantly more likely to achieve or exceed median scores for the PHAS (OR, 6.79; P < .001), TAS score (OR, 2.29; P = .045), and UCLA score (OR, 3.63; P = .003), as well as to RTS at any level (OR, 2.46; P = .031) or at the preinjury level or higher (OR, 6.04; P < .001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that surgical treatment of PHAI significantly enhances long-term functional scores, including the PHAS, TAS score, UCLA score, satisfaction, and RTS, at a mean follow-up of >4 years compared with nonsurgical treatment. Registration: NCT02906865 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)

The effectiveness of telephone surveys on the return of first-time donors: A randomized controlled trial.

The management of blood supply depends, among other factors, on the effective remobilization of first-time donors (FTDs). This study investigates the efficacy of telephone calls to increase second donation rates. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 418 first-time blood donors. In the telephone group (TG, n = 206), men were contacted 9-10 and women 13-14 weeks after their first donation. They were asked about satisfaction and intention to return, and offered an appointment. The primary outcome was the return rate within 6 months after the first donation. The mean age was 28.8 ± 10.0 years and 59.9% of FTDs were female. In the TG, 89.3% were reached. Approximately 50% of each group had donated a second time by 24.2 weeks for the control group (CG) and 14.8 weeks for the TG. The six-month return rate was 65.0% in the TG and 54.3% in the CG (95%-CI [0.9%; 20.6%]; p = .033). The restricted mean time to return within 6 months was 19.4 weeks in the CG compared to 17.2 weeks in the TG (95%-CI [0.7; 3.7]; p = .004). The intervention effect tended to be larger in men than in women. Contacting FTDs by phone after their first donation increases the six-month return rate and reduces the interval to a second donation. Male donors appear to be more receptive to this intervention. Whether the effect of the intervention helps to establish a donor identity in the long term should be the subject of further studies.

Distal Triceps Tendon Repair in Strength Athletes Leads to Satisfactory Return to Sports: A Retrospective Analysis of 22 Cases.

Background: Distal triceps brachii tendon rupture (DTTR) is a relatively rare injury that is common in bodybuilding and high-intensity contact sports and can lead to significant functional impairment of the elbow joint. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical outcomes and the rate of return to sports among competitive bodybuilders and high-demand strength athletes after surgical repair of DTTR. Methods: This retrospective case series was performed in an institutional setting in tertiary health care. Return to sports of 22 competing or high-demand strength athletes (meaning three or more exercises per week) were analyzed pre- and postoperatively after surgical repair of DTTR using a hybrid technique of transosseous sutures and anchor fixation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic variables, and independent and paired t-tests were used to assess clinical outcomes. Results: The follow-up showed that from pre- to postoperatively, there was no deterioration in the number of sports disciplines (2.4 and 2.5 sporting activities per person, respectively; p = 0.540) or in the frequency of weekly training (4.1 and 4.1 times per person, respectively; p = 0.329). The postoperative visual analog scale for pain (from 6.0 to 1.6, p < 0.001), level of fitness (from 5.1 to 2.6, p = 0.002), and ability to train (from 5.2 to 1.3, p < 0.001) improved significantly. The time of return to sports was 1.5-3 months and 4-6 months after the surgery for ten patients each. The overall rate of return to sports was 95%, whereas 86% returned to the preinjury level of sporting activity. Conclusions: Repair of DTTR leads to high rates of return to sports in competitive athletes.

Effect of insecticides and intercropping systems on fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) infestations and damage in maize in northern Ghana

Field studies were conducted over two successive seasons to test the effects of maize-legume intercropping system on fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) and if insecticide use was necessary in intercropping systems. Three insecticide treatments [no spray, Emastar 112 EC (a.i. emamectin benzoate 48 g/L + acetamiprid 64 g/L), Neem seed oil (NSO) (a.i. 3% azadirachtin)] and three intercropping systems [sole maize (Zea mays L.), maize + soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and maize + groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)] were arranged as a 3 × 3 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design. Data were collected on FAW larval infestations, parasitism rates, damage, grain yield and gross financial returns. Results from combined-years analyses showed that larval infestation was significantly affected by intercropping (p = 0.034) only, with maize + soybean recording the lowest infestation while sole maize was highest. Damage to crop and cobs were significantly affected by years and insecticide treatments. Cob damage was also significantly affected by intercropping system with maize + soybean being lowest and sole maize recording the highest damage. Parasitoids recorded were Coccygidium luteum, Chelonus bifoveolatus, and Charops sp. Grain yield was significantly affected by the intercropping systems only (p = 0.004), with no significant year (p = 0.152), insecticide (p = 0.726) and insecticide × intercropping system (p = 0.660) effects. Sole maize (1.6 t/ha) had the lowest yield while maize + groundnut (2.2 t/ha) was highest. In terms of income, an economic analysis showed that spraying intercropped maize with NSO resulted in the highest marginal rate of return. Thus, the use of NSO and intercropping is an effective FAW management strategy.