Multi-Analytical Research on the Caisson Painting of Dayu Temple in Hancheng, Shaanxi, China

In this research, the caisson painting of Dayu Temple in Hancheng, Shaanxi, China, was analyzed via a multi-analytical methodology, using a pH meter, an ultra-depth-of-field optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), a high-resolution X-ray diffractometer (XRD), a micro-confocal laser Raman spectrometer, a gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC-MS), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). With the corroborative evidence derived from the above analyses, it could be determined that the caisson painting of Dayu Temple was painted on bamboo paper and attached to hemlock wood substrate of the Pinaceae Tsuga genus using starch paste, with common colorants such as carbon black, cinnabar mixed with a small amount of red lead, ultramarine, and ultramarine mixed with Paris green, with animal glue having been adopted as a sizing agent. These results provide important scientific data for the production craft of precious caisson paintings, contributing to the revelation of their historic, artistic, and scientific value, and should enable conservators to make informed decisions in restoration.

Genomic Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the fourth common cancer amongst women worldwide. Infection by high-risk human papilloma virus is necessary in most cases, but not sufficient to develop invasive cervical cancer. Despite a predicted genetic heritability in the range of other gynaecological cancers, only few genomic susceptibility loci have been identified thus far. Various case-control association studies have found corroborative evidence for several independent risk variants at the 6p21.3 locus (HLA), while many reports of associations with variants outside the HLA region remain to be validated in other cohorts. Here, we review cervical cancer susceptibility variants arising from recent genome-wide association studies and meta-analysis in large cohorts and propose 2q14 (PAX8), 17q12 (GSDMB), and 5p15.33 (CLPTM1L) as consistently replicated non-HLA cervical cancer susceptibility loci. We further discuss the available evidence for these loci, knowledge gaps, future perspectives, and the potential impact of these findings on precision medicine strategies to combat cervical cancer.

17. Corroboration, the ‘Turnbull Guidelines’, and Opinion Evidence

This chapter considers the nature of corroborative evidence; the situations where corroborative evidence is required as a matter of law; the situations where a corroboration warning might be given as a matter of judicial discretion; and the application of the ‘Turnbull guidelines’ in cases where eye-witness identification is disputed. It also explains the rules relating to opinion evidence and to expert opinion evidence in particular.

IMPACT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FAILURE ON PUBLIC TRUST: AN EVIDENCE FROM INDIA

This research study explores the maligned role of Chanda Kochhar, the top-notch executive of ICICI Bank, a leading multinational and financial service provider. An alleged corruption case was filed against her under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The case was filed against her after a whistleblower alleged that the bank had given INR 32.50 billion to Videocon group in 2012, the majority of which was declared as Non- Performing Assets later by the bank. This research study focuses on misused the position for personal gains. It touches upon the board of directors of an organisation's fiduciary role and tries to outline whistleblowers’ importance in corporate governance. The study unravels the conflicts of interest, alleged corruption, lack of disclosures of related party transactions required by corporate governance principles, and quid-pro-quo. The study will deliberate the impact of such alleged corruption on the various stakeholders, especially shareholders. The study is exploratory and qualitative and based on publicly available information. Other corroborative evidence verifies the reliability of the information. This study will offer suggestions to improve the corporate governance principles to the regulators. JEL Classification Codes: D73, D74, G21, G34.

Sustainability measures and earnings management: evidence from Greek municipalities

PurposeThis study analyses the engagement of Greek municipalities in earnings management activities through the manipulation of their accrual accounts. It aims at identifying whether discretionary accruals are associated with certain financial sustainability measures calculated through financial statement numbers.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, the annual financial data of Greek municipalities for the period 2011–2018 are used. The final sample corresponds to an unbalanced panel data sample that includes 1,565 yearly observations. Total accruals and discretionary accruals modelling are based both on the aggregate Jones model and the modified Jones model.FindingsThe findings provide evidence that Greek municipalities engage in earnings management practices through the manipulation of accruals. Moreover, there is corroborative evidence that financial sustainability indicators, such as indebtedness, liquidity and efficiency ratios, are related to the magnitude of earnings management, while earnings management behaviour during the year preceding the municipal elections is more intense.Originality/valueThe paper expands the literature in earnings management in local governments by analysing the relation of financial sustainability indicators to this behaviour.

Credible learning of hydroxychloroquine and dexamethasone effects on COVID-19 mortality outside of randomized trials

ObjectivesTo investigate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and dexamethasone on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mortality using patient data outside of randomized trials.DesignPhenotypes derived from electronic health records were analyzed using the stability-controlled quasi-experiment (SCQE) to provide a range of possible causal effects of hydroxy-chloroquine and dexamethasone on COVID-19 mortality.Setting and participantsData from 2,007 COVID-19 positive patients hospitalized at a large university hospital system over the course of 200 days and not enrolled in randomized trials were analyzed using SCQE. For hyrdoxychloroquine, we examine a high-use cohort (n=766, days 1 to 43) and a later, low-use cohort (n=548, days 44 to 82). For dexamethasone, we examine a low-use cohort (n=614, days 44 to 101) and high-use cohort (n=622, days 102 to 200).Outcome measure14-day mortality, with a secondary outcome of 28-day mortality.ResultsHydroxycholoroquine could only have been significantly (p<0.05) beneficial if baseline mortality was at least 6.4 percentage points (55%) lower among patients in the later (low-use) than the earlier (high-use) cohort. Hydroxychloroquine instead proves significantly harmful if baseline mortality rose from one cohort to the next by just 0.3 percentage points. Dexamethasone significantly reduced mortality risk if baseline mortality in the later (high-use) cohort (days 102-200) was higher than, the same as, or up to 1.5 percentage points lower than that in the earlier (low-use) cohort (days 44-101). It could only prove significantly harmful if mortality improved from one cohort to the next by 6.8 percentage points due to other causes—an assumption implying an unlikely 84% reduction in mortality due to other causes, leaving an in-hospital mortality rate of just 1.3%.ConclusionsThe assumptions required for a beneficial effect of hydroxychloroquine on 14 day mortality are difficult to sustain, while the assumptions required for hydroxychloroquine to be harmful are difficult to reject with confidence. Dexamethasone, by contrast, was beneficial under a wide range of plausible assumptions, and was only harmful if a nearly impossible assumption is met. More broadly, the SCQE reveals what inferences can be credibly supported by evidence from non-randomized uses of experimental therapies, making it a useful tool when randomized trials have not yet produced clear evidence or to provide corroborative evidence from different populations.

Duterte Presidency and the 2019 Midterm Election: An Anarchy of Parties?

In this article, we argue that a consequence of Duterte’s presidency is the further weakening of the party system in the Philippines, or the emergence of “anarchy of parties.” Traditionally, Philippine presidents used their power of patronage in a quid-pro-quo manner vis-à-vis the legislators to achieve presidents’ goals, and this executive-legislative transaction was coordinated mainly through the president’s party. However, evidence suggests that Duterte bypassed Congress to achieve his policies by riding on his popularity and did not have to use his power of pork to co-opt politicians. As a result, the president’s party decreased its value as a coordination device for congressional affairs and party nominations at elections. Consequently, what we observe is an anarchy of parties where inter-party competition has become even more fluid and fragmented than before the Duterte presidency. We provide corroborative evidence to support our claim by mainly focusing on the 2019 midterm elections.