bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do overconfident CEOs stay out of trouble? Evidence from employee litigations
Authors: Rayfield Blake , Unsal Omer
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The authors study the relationship between CEO overconfidence and litigation risk by examining employee-level lawsuit data. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the executive characteristics that potentially affect the likelihood of employee litigations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a unique data set of employee lawsuits from the National Labor Relations Board – “Disposition of Unfair Labor Practice Charges” – which includes complaints, litigations and decisions. The data spans the years 2000–2014. The authors employ the option-based CEO overconfidence metric of Malmendieret al.(2011) as the primary explanatory variable.

Findings

The authors find that overconfident CEOs are less likely to be subjected to labor-related litigations. The authors document that firms with overconfident CEOs have fewer lawsuits opened by both labor unions and individuals. The authors then investigate the effect of employee litigations on firm performance to understand why overconfident CEOs are less prominent among lawsuits. The authors show that litigations lower corporate investment and value of capital expenditures for responsible firms, which may limit overconfident CEOs’ ability to invest. Therefore, the results may reveal the fact that overconfident CEOs may prefer to align with the interest of their employees to avoid reduced investment opportunities.

Originality/value

The paper makes three main contributions. First, it provides the first large-sample evidence on CEO overconfidence and labor relations. The authors employ data on firm-level labor litigation that contains both the case reason and case outcome. Second, this paper adds to the growing literature of CEO overconfidence and governance practices in the workplace. Finally, the study highlights the importance of employee treatment and explores the impact of labor lawsuits on firm value.
Germline mutation in DNA‐repair genes is associated with poor survival in BRCA1/2‐negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Fan Zhenhua , Hu Li , Ouyang Tao , Li Jinfeng , Wang Tianfeng , Fan Zhaoqing , Fan Tie , Lin Benyao , Xu Ye , Xie Yuntao
Published: August 2019

BRCA1/2 genes are the most frequently germline mutated DNA‐repair genes, and the survival of BRCA1/2 carriers has been extensively explored in breast cancer. However, the prevalence of germline mutations in non‐BRCA1/2 DNA‐repair genes and the survival of carriers are largely unknown in a large cohort of unselected breast cancer patients. Germline mutations in 16 DNA‐repair genes were determined using a multigene panel in 7657 BRCA1/2‐negative breast cancer patients who were unselected for family history of cancer or age at diagnosis. Among the 7657 BRCA1/2‐negative breast cancer patients, 257 (3.4%) carried at least 1 pathogenic germline mutation in the 16 DNA‐repair genes. The prevalence of DNA‐repair gene mutations was significantly higher in familial breast cancers (5.2%, P = 0.002) and early‐onset breast cancers (diagnosed at and before the age of 40) (4.5%, P = 0.003) than that of sporadic breast cancers (2.9%) (diagnosed above age of 40), respectively. The DNA‐repair gene mutation carriers were significantly more likely to have a larger tumor (P = 0.04) and axillary lymph node metastasis (P = 0.03). Moreover, DNA‐repair gene mutation was an independent unfavorable factor for recurrence‐free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.91, P = 0.05) and disease‐specific survival (adjusted HR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.04‐2.57, P = 0.03) in this cohort. Overall, 3.4% of BRCA1/2‐negative breast cancer patients carried germline mutations in the 16 DNA‐repair genes, and the DNA‐repair gene mutation carriers exhibited an aggressive phenotype and had poor survival compared with noncarriers.
Prognostic and predictive role of DNA mismatch repair status in stage II‐III colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Deng Zhujun , Qin Yun , Wang Jing , Wang Gang , Lang Xiaoqiang , Jiang Juan , Xie Kang , Zhang Wengeng , Xu Heng , Shu Yang , Zhang Yan
Published: August 2019

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status was considered to be a potential prognostic factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) but with conflicting reports, and varied in terms of TNM stages. Its relationship with prognosis in stage II‐III CRC had not yet been systematically established. Therefore, we retrieved eligible studies published through May 2019, and screened out 51 studies that reported survival data (overall survival [OS] and/or disease‐free survival [DFS]) in 28 331 CRC patients at stage II‐III, totally 16.4% of whom were characterized as deficient MMR (dMMR). Significant associations of dMMR status were observed with longer OS (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.68‐0.82; P < .001), as well as DFS (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.59‐0.75, P < .001). However, dMMR patients received no statistically significant benefit from fluoropyrimidine‐based treatment for either OS (HR = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.60‐1.17; P = .31) or DFS (HR = 0.83, 95%CI: 0.60‐1.15; P = .27), compared with that in proficient MMR (pMMR) patients for both OS (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.43‐0.71; P < .001) and DFS (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.50‐0.73; P < .001). Our analysis indicate that dMMR CRC patients at stage II‐III had higher OS and DFS than pMMR ones, and fluoropyrimidine‐based chemotherapy could improve survival in pMMR patients rather than dMMR ones.
Familial pancreatic adenocarcinoma: A retrospective analysis of germline genetic testing in a French multicentre cohort
Authors: Schwartz Mathias , Korenbaum Clement , Benfoda Meriem , Mary Mickael , Colas Chrystelle , Coulet Florence , Parrin Melissa , Jonveaux Philippe , Ingster Olivier , Granier Sandra , De Mestier Louis , Cros Jerome , Riffault Angelique , Muller Marie , Levy Philippe , Rebours Vinciane , Greenhalf William , Soufir Nadem , Hammel Pascal
Published: August 2019

The rate of genetic diagnosis of French patients with familial pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is not known. We report germline genetic testing data from 133 index cases meeting criteria for familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) as well as 87 ‘FPC‐like’ index cases who did not fulfilled strict FPC definition but were evocative for a PDAC predisposition. The overall rate of genetic diagnosis (in BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, and ATM genes) was 8.3% in FPC patients and 4.6% in FPC‐like patients, consistent with the literature in other populations. Genetic variants were also identified in FANCA and BAP1 genes, as well as in the CDKN2A p12 transcript. This pancreas‐specific transcript is a known key player in driving pancreatic oncogenesis. This might be the first described case of a PDAC genetic predisposition due to a variant in this specific transcript.
Activation of epiplexus macrophages in hydrocephalus caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage and thrombin
Authors: Wan Yingfeng , Hua Ya , Garton Hugh J. L. , Novakovic Nemanja , Keep Richard F. , Xi Guohua
Published: August 2019

Aims

We have found that hydrocephalus development in spontaneously hypertensive rats was associated with activation of epiplexus cells. The current study examined whether epiplexus cell activation occurs in a rat subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), whether activation would be greater in a subset of rats that developed hydrocephalus and the potential role of thrombin in epiplexus cell activation.

Methods

There were two parts in this study. First, an endovascular perforation was performed in rats to induce SAH. Second, rats received an intraventricular infusion of either thrombin or saline. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the ventricular volumes. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to study epiplexus cell activation.

Results

Iba‐1, OX‐6, and CD68 were expressed in the epiplexus cells of the choroid plexus in sham‐operated rats. SAH increased Iba‐1 and CD68 immunoreactivity in epiplexus cells in addition to an increase in Iba‐1‐positive cell soma size. Those effects were greater in rats that developed hydrocephalus. Intraventricular thrombin mimicked the effects of SAH on epiplexus cell activation and hydrocephalus.

Conclusion

This study supports the concept that epiplexus cell activation is associated with hydrocephalus development. Epiplexus cell activation may be in response to thrombin production after hemorrhage, and it may be a therapeutic target.
The association between aortic knob width on chest x‐ray and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in patients referred for sleep testing
Authors: Cetin Erdem , Casim Hasan
Published: August 2019

Objective

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been linked with many forms of cardiovascular diseases. Aortic knob width (AKW) has increasingly been presented as a marker of diagnosis and prognosis of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. We sought to determine whether AKW has an association with sleep apnoea syndrome in patients referred to sleep testing in order to provide baseline information for future studies on general population.

Methods

A total of 363 patients were included in this retrospective study. The capacity of AKW indexed by patients’ height in predicting the presence of severe OSA was analysed using receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. The association of OSA severity with AKW indexed by height was tested with two separate models of ANCOVA (analysis of variance).

Results

Area under the curve for estimating severe OSA with AKW was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.60 to 0.73, P < 0.001). A cut‐off value of 21.42 mm/m provided a sensitivity of 62.6% and a specificity of 70.7% for severe OSA. In both ANCOVA models, the association of OSA severity on AKW indexed by height was significant and the effect size was moderate (P < 0.001, partial eta squared: 0.09 and 0.05).

Conclusions

Aortic knob width indexed by height has a significant association with the severity of OSA; however, the association is significantly influenced by gender and age.
Managing cognitive load with a flipped language class: An ethnographic study of the student experience
Authors: Tonkin Kati , Page Sara , Forsey Martin
Published: August 2019

This ethnographic study of a beginning‐level German course at an Australian university examined the student experience of learning second language (L2) grammar in a flipped classroom. Students accessed explicit grammar instruction and completed grammar exercises prior to attending face‐to‐face classes; during class, the structures were briefly reviewed by the students and then applied in interactive task‐based activities focused on meaningful use of the L2. In surveys and interviews, learners reported that the opportunity to manage the pace and depth of their interaction with online grammar modules facilitated their learning and increased their confidence. Linking these outcomes to research that has shown that flipped teaching models reduce or assist in the management of cognitive load, the study presents a compelling case for flipping the L2 classroom.
Monte Carlo Simulations as a Decision Support to Interpret δ15N Values of Nitrate in Groundwater
Authors: Wild Lisa M. , Rein Arno , Einsiedl Florian
Published: August 2019

Intense farming is often associated with the excessive use of manure or fertilizers and the subsequent deterioration of the groundwater quality in many aquifers worldwide. Stable isotopes of dissolved nitrate (δ15N and δ18O) are widely used to determine sources of nitrate contamination and denitrification processes in groundwater but are often difficult to interpret. Thus, Monte Carlo simulations were carried out for a site in lower Bavaria, Germany, in order to explain δ15N observations in a porous groundwater system with two aquifers, the main aquifer (MA) and several smaller perched aquifers (PA). For evaluating potential contributions, frequency distributions of δ15N were simulated deriving from (I) the mixing of different nitrate sources, related to land use, as input to groundwater, combined with (II) transport of nitrate in groundwater and (III) microbial denitrification. Simulation results indicate a source‐driven isotopic shift to heavier δ15N values of nitrate in groundwater, which may be explained by land use changes toward a more intensified agriculture releasing high amounts of manure. Microbial denitrification may play a role in the PA, with simulated δ15N distributions close to the observations. Denitrification processes are however unlikely for the MA, as reasonable simulation curve fits for such a scenario were obtained predominantly for unrealistic portions of nitrate sources and related land use. The applied approach can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the influence of different potential contributions, which might mask each other due to overlapping δ15N ranges, and it can support the estimation of nitrate input related to land use.
The gadolinium effect on crystallization behavior and luminescence of β‐NaYF4:Yb,Er phase
Authors: Vukovic Marina , Mancic Lidija , Dinic Ivana , Vulic Predrag , Nikolic Marko , Tan Zhenquan , Milosevic Olivera
Published: August 2019

Single phase β‐NaY0.8‐xGdxYb0.18Er0.02F4 nanoparticles with different concentrations of gadolinium ions were prepared via PVP‐assisted solvothermal treating at 200°C (PVP‐ polyvinylpyrrolidone). With the increase in Gd3+ concentration, size of the nanoparticles decreased. The up‐converting spectra recorded upon 980 nm irradiation showed the green (510‐560 nm) and red (640‐690 nm) emissions, due to 2H11/2, 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions, respectively. The strongest up‐conversion luminescence was detected in 15 mol% Gd3+‐doped nanoparticles obtained after 20 hours of solvothermal treating. With the rise of Gd3+ content up‐conversion emission decreased due to increased defect concentration in the NaYF4 matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved in situ generation of hydrophilic nanoparticles as a result of PVP ligands retention at the particle surface.
Selective preparation of Ag species on photoluminescence of Sm3+ in borosilicate glass via Ag+‐Na+ ion exchange
Authors: Zhao Jingyuan , Zhu Jialun , Yang Zhengwen , Jiao Qing , Yu Chengye , Qiu Jianbei , Song Zhiguo
Published: August 2019

Photoluminescence (PL) of rare earth ion‐doped glasses could be enhanced by diverse Ag species such as Ag+ ions, Ag+‐Ag+ pairs, Ag nano‐clusters (NCs), and Ag nanoparticles (NPs). Selective preparation of silver species in rare earth ion‐doped glasses is a crucial step to obtain the luminescence enhancement of rare earth ions caused by the different silver species. In this work, Ag+ ions and Ag NCs were selectively prepared in the Sm3+‐doped borosilicate glass via the Ag+‐Na+ ion exchange. The influence of AgNO3/NaNO3 ratio in the molten salt on the Ag existing states was investigated. The results demonstrate that the isolated Ag+ ions exist in the Sm3+‐doped borosilicate glass when the ratio of AgNO3/NaNO3 is 1/1000. The Ag NCs are formed in the Sm3+‐doped borosilicate glass when the AgNO3/NaNO3 ratio is 1/10. The influence of Ag+ ions or Ag NCs on the PL of Sm3+ was systematically investigated. The results show that the PL of Sm3+ was enhanced by the energy transfer from Ag+ ions or Ag NCs to Sm3+.
The ‘Dream Scene’: Exploring Participatory Socially Engaged Art Practices through Arts‐Based Educational Research
Authors: LeBlanc Natalie
Published: August 2019

In this article, I explore ‘the dream scene’, a mode of installation art described by art critic and art historian Claire Bishop to demonstrate how artistic practice can provoke participation and social engagement. I will focus on a concept entitled ‘the crypt’ that emerged in my doctoral research, and one that I continued to explore in a novel way in a collaborative event at Tate Exchange, in Liverpool, UK in March 2018. It is my intention that ‘the crypt’ can provide an example of what ‘a dream scene’ can look like and, more importantly, what a dream scene can do. Finally, I will attend to some of the implications that this type of engagement has for arts‐based educational research.
A’ãma Mrémé: A Playful Window into A'uwẽ‐Xavante Language, Cognition, and Social Organization
Authors: Graham Laura R.
Published: August 2019

A’ãma mrémé, or a’ãma speech, spoken by incumbents of a special ceremonial role within central Brazilian A'uwẽ‐Xavante society, illustrates Joel Sherzer's argument regarding the centrality of speech play to both linguistic and social analysis. A’ãma mrémé is a ludic code variant, a system of lexical substitution primarily at the level of nouns and verbs, spoken exclusively by a’ãma. Morphological analysis of of a’ãma mrémé reveals the existence of conceptual categories and perceptions that are not otherwise linguistically transparent. Further, a’ãma, who indexically make their ceremonial identity and role salient through the everyday practice of ãma speech, add an additional layer of complexity to A'uwẽ‐Xavante's complicated dualistic system of social organization. This complexity, heretofore overlooked by anthropologists of A'uwẽ‐Xavante, becomes apparent through attention to socially situated discourse and verbal arts. A’ãma mrémé enriches and adds complexity to understandings of A'uwẽ‐Xavante language, thought, and social organization. It is, as Sherzer contends, a place where language, cognition, perception, worldview and social structure come together in distilled form.
Hup bi'id ɨd: Shamanic incantation at the nexus of language and culture
Authors: Epps Patience , Ramos Danilo Paiva
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we explore the genre of shamanic incantation (bi'id ɨd) among the Hup people of the northwest Amazon. We consider the artistic features that characterize bi'id ɨd as both verbal art and powerful shamanic action – most notably the intersecting layers of parallelism, the leveraging of metaphor from both literal and figurative perspectives, and the strategic use of evidentials. We also consider the astonishingly complex taxonomy and cosmography the genre embodies, with its ontological classification of the plants, animals, and other beings within the diverse environments of the Hup world (rivercourse, forest, sky, water, etc.). As we lay out here, Hup bi'id ɨd provides an example par excellence of Sherzer's conception of discourse as the nexus of language and culture, and an illustration of the fact that a rich understanding of language and culture must make reference to both together.
The influence of coarticulatory and phonemic relations on individual compensatory formant production
Authors: Klein Eugen , Brunner Jana , Hoole Phil
Published: August 2019

Previous auditory perturbation studies have shown that speakers are able to simultaneously use multiple compensatory strategies to produce a certain acoustic target. In the case of formant perturbation, these findings were obtained examining the compensatory production for low vowels /ɛ/ and /æ/. This raises some controversy as more recent research suggests that the contribution of the somatosensory feedback to the production of vowels might differ across phonemes. In particular, the compensatory magnitude to auditory perturbations is expected to be weaker for high vowels compared to low vowels since the former are characterized by larger linguopalatal contact. To investigate this hypothesis, this paper conducted a bidirectional auditory perturbation study in which F2 of the high central vowel /ɨ/ was perturbed in opposing directions depending on the preceding consonant (alveolar vs velar). The consonants were chosen such that speakers' usual coarticulatory patterns were either compatible or incompatible with the required compensatory strategy. The results demonstrate that speakers were able to compensate for applied perturbations even if speakers' compensatory movements resulted in unusual coarticulatory configurations. However, the results also suggest that individual compensatory patterns were influenced by additional perceptual factors attributable to the phonemic space surrounding the target vowel /ɨ/.
Excellent Self-Rated Health Associated With Activities of Higher Intensities: A Compositional Data Analysis Approach
Authors: von Rosen Philip , Hagströmer Maria
Published: August 2019

Background: This study investigates the association between self-rated health and the time spent in sedentary behavior (SB), low light-intensity physical activity (LLPA), high light-intensity physical activity (HLPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), by controlling for demographics, socioeconomic status, and chronic diseases. Methods: A total of 1665 participants (55% women) completed a questionnaire about demographics, chronic diseases, and anthropometric characteristics and provided objective physical activity data on time in SB, LLPA, HLPA, and MVPA, using an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer. Association between self-rated health and activity data was explored in a compositional data analysis. Results: The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed a significantly lower time spent in MVPA in proportion to time in other movement behaviors (SB, LLPA, and HLPA) for participants who rated their health as alright or poor compared with excellent (P < .001). Participants with poor, compared with excellent health, spent about a third of the time in MVPA (17 vs 50 min), marginally higher time in HLPA (134 vs 125 min), more time in LLPA (324 vs 300 min), and similar time in SB (383 vs 383 min), accounting for confounders and time in other movement behaviors. Conclusions: Promoting MVPA, as opposed to time in other movement behaviors, is suggested to be beneficial for excellent self-rated health.
Untethered soft robotic matter with passive control of shape morphing and propulsion
Authors: Kotikian Arda , McMahan Connor , Davidson Emily C. , Muhammad Jalilah M. , Weeks Robert D. , Daraio Chiara , Lewis Jennifer A.
Published: August 2019

Untethered, soft robotic matter repeatedly self-morphs and propels in response to thermal stimuli via active hinges.
The Genome Sequences of Three
Paraburkholderia
sp. Strains Isolated from Wood-Decay Fungi Reveal Them as Novel Species with Antimicrobial Biosynthetic Potential
Authors: Webster Gordon , Mullins Alex J. , Bettridge Aimee S. , Jones Cerith , Cunningham-Oakes Edward , Connor Thomas R. , Parkhill Julian , Mahenthiralingam Eshwar
Published: August 2019

Three strains of fungus-associated
Burkholderiales
bacteria with antagonistic activity against Gram-negative plant pathogens were genome sequenced to investigate their taxonomic placement and potential for antimicrobial specialized metabolite production. The selected strains were identified as novel taxa belonging to the genus
Paraburkholderia
and carry multiple biosynthetic gene clusters.
Comparison of retinal ganglion cell-related layer asymmetry between early glaucoma eyes with superior and inferior hemiretina damage
Authors: Saito Hitomi , Iwase Aiko , Araie Makoto
Published: August 2019

Aim

To compare retinal ganglion cell (RGC)-related layer thickness asymmetry between early open-angle glaucoma (EG) eyes with superior and inferior hemiretina damage.

Methods

This was a retrospective study including 95 EG eyes (mean deviation >−2 dB, including 43 preperimetric glaucoma eyes) with photographically determined glaucomatous retinal nerve fibre layer defect and disc change confined to one hemiretina, and 93 age, sex and refraction matched normal subjects as controls. Ganglion cell complex, ganglion cell layer+inner plexiform layer and circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness measured by spectral domain optical coherence imaging were compared between the affected and unaffected hemiretinae within each glaucoma eye as well as to those of the corresponding hemiretina of normal control eyes.

Results

Intraeye comparison revealed that there was no significant difference in all parameters between the affected and unaffected hemiretinae in eyes with superior hemiretina damage (p=0.110~0.343) while all parameters were thinner in the affected inferior hemiretina compared with the unaffected superior hemiretina in eyes with inferior hemiretina damage (p<0.001). The affected hemiretina of both groups were thinner compared with normal controls (p<0.001). All parameters of the unaffected hemiretina of eyes with superior hemiretina damage were thinner than normal controls (p<0.001), while eyes with inferior hemiretina damage showed no significant difference compared with those of their corresponding hemiretina of normal eyes (p=0.086~0.924).

Conclusion

The pattern of RGC damage in early stage glaucoma may differ depending on which horizontal hemiretina is affected first.
Dermoscopy for melanoma detection and triage in primary care: a systematic review
Authors: Jones OT , Jurascheck LC , van Melle MA , Hickman S , Burrows NP , Hall PN , Emery J , Walter FM
Published: August 2019

Objective

Most skin lesions first present in primary care, where distinguishing rare melanomas from benign lesions can be challenging. Dermoscopy improves diagnostic accuracy among specialists and is promoted for use by primary care physicians (PCPs). However, when used by untrained clinicians, accuracy may be no better than visual inspection. This study aimed to undertake a systematic review of literature reporting use of dermoscopy to triage suspicious skin lesions in primary care settings, and challenges for implementation.

Design

A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis.

Data sources

We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and SCOPUS bibliographic databases from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2017, without language restrictions.

Inclusion criteria

Studies including assessment of dermoscopy accuracy, acceptability to patients and PCPs, training requirements, and cost-effectiveness of dermoscopy modes in primary care, including trials, diagnostic accuracy and acceptability studies.

Results

23 studies met the review criteria, representing 49 769 lesions and 3708 PCPs, all from high-income countries. There was a paucity of studies set truly in primary care and the outcomes measured were diverse. The heterogeneity therefore made meta-analysis unfeasible; the data were synthesised through narrative review. Dermoscopy, with appropriate training, was associated with improved diagnostic accuracy for melanoma and benign lesions, and reduced unnecessary excisions and referrals. Teledermoscopy-based referral systems improved triage accuracy. Only three studies examined cost-effectiveness; hence, there was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions. Costs, training and time requirements were considered important implementation barriers. Patient satisfaction was seldom assessed. Computer-aided dermoscopy and other technological advances have not yet been tested in primary care.

Conclusions

Dermoscopy could help PCPs triage suspicious lesions for biopsy, urgent referral or reassurance. However, it will be important to establish further evidence on minimum training requirements to reach competence, as well as the cost-effectiveness and patient acceptability of implementing dermoscopy in primary care.

Trial registration number

CRD42018091395.
Chinese primary knee osteoarthritis progression cohort (CPKOPC) to evaluate the progression of knee osteoarthritis in the Beijing population: a prospective cohort study protocol
Authors: Zhao Minwei , Liang Yupeng , Wang Xinguang , Zeng Lin , Tian Hua
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Millions of patients are currently suffering from pain and dysfunction caused by osteoarthritis (OA), and billions of dollars have been invested into treatment. Because there is no effective treatment that can reverse the progression of knee OA, it is important to determine the risk factors that may influence the progression. However, although there are many studies that examine risk factors for progression, there are only a few that specifically focus on the impact of each risk factor for predicting progression of knee OA. This study aimed to develop a cohort of patients with primary knee OA in the Beijing area to establish models that identify the influence of each risk factor on the prediction of knee OA progression.

Methods and analysis

This is a prospective, multicentre, hospital-based cohort study. The study population comprises 2000 patients with primary knee OA from the Beijing area. The recruitment and baseline visits started in December 2017 and will finish in November 2018. After baseline visits, the patients will be followed for 3 years or until the occurrence of primary outcomes. Demographic variables will be collected during the baseline visit. Influencing factors including occupational exposures, family history and treatment will be collected at baseline and each follow-up visit. The primary outcome measure is a comprehensive index which will be combined with clinical WOMAC score, imaging K-L grade and clinical outcomes. These data will also be collected at baseline and each follow-up visit.

Ethics and dissemination

This study protocol has been approved by Peking University Third Hospital Medical Science Research Ethics Committee. All the eligible participants will give written informed consent. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national or international conferences. Besides, the results will be disseminated to all participants via the social software ‘WeChat’.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR-ROC-17013790; preresults.
Educational virtual reality videos in improving bowel preparation quality and satisfaction of outpatients undergoing colonoscopy: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Yi , Xie Feng , Bai Xiaoyin , Yang Aiming , Wu Dong
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Colonoscopy is the reference method in screening and diagnosis of colorectal neoplasm, but its efficacy is closely related to the quality of bowel preparation. Poor patient compliance is a major risk factor for inadequate bowel preparation likely due to poor patient education. Such an education is usually provided via either oral or written instructions by clinicians. However, multiple education methods, such as smartphone applications, have been proved useful in aiding patients through bowel preparation. Also, it was reported that a large proportion of patients feel anxious before colonoscopy. Virtual reality (VR) is a novel method to educate patients and provides them with an immersive experience. Theoretically, it can make patients better prepared for bowel preparation and colonoscopy. However, no prospective studies have assessed the role of this novel technology in patient education before colonoscopy. We hypothesise that VR videos can improve bowel preparation quality and reduce pre-procedure anxiety.

Methods/design

The trial is a prospective, randomised, single-blinded, single-centre trial. Outpatients who are scheduled to undergo colonoscopy for screening or diagnostic purposes for the first time will be randomised to receive either the conventional patient education or the conventional methods plus VR videos, and 322 patients will be enrolled from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The primary endpoint is the quality of bowel preparation, measured by the Boston bowel preparation score. Secondary endpoints include polyp detection rate, adenoma detection rate, cecal intubation rate, patient compliance to complete bowel cleansing, withdrawal time, pre-procedure anxiety, overall satisfaction and willingness for the next colonoscopy.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the institutional review board of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (No. ZS-1647). The results of this trial will be published in an open-access way and disseminated among gastrointestinal physicians and endoscopists.

Trial registration number

NCT03667911
Pharmaceutical industry funding of events for healthcare professionals on non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants in Australia: an observational study
Authors: Behdarvand Behrad , Karanges Emily A , Bero Lisa
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To describe the nature, frequency and content of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC)-related events for healthcare professionals sponsored by the manufacturers of the NOACs in Australia. A secondary objective is to compare these data to the rate of dispensing of the NOACs in Australia.

Design and setting

This cross-sectional study examined consolidated data from publicly available Australian pharmaceutical industry transparency reports from October 2011 to September 2015 on NOAC-related educational events. Data from April 2011 to June 2016 on NOAC dispensing, subsidised under Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), were obtained from the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services.

Main outcome measures

Characteristics of NOAC-related educational events including costs (in Australian dollars, $A), numbers of events, information on healthcare professional attendees and content of events; and NOAC dispensing rates.

Results

During the study period, there were 2797 NOAC-related events, costing manufacturers a total of $A10 578 745. Total expenditure for meals and beverages at all events was $A4 238 962. Events were predominantly attended by general practitioners (42%, 1174/2797), cardiologists (35%, 977/2797) and haematologists (23%, 635/2797). About 48% (1347/2797) of events were held in non-clinical settings, mainly restaurants, bars and cafes. Around 55% (1551/2797) of events consisted of either conferences, meetings or seminars. The analysis of the content presented at two events detected promotion of NOACs for unapproved indications, an emphasis on a favourable benefit/harm profile, and that all speakers had close ties with the manufacturers of the NOACs. Following PBS listings relevant to each NOAC, the numbers of events related to that NOAC and the prescribing of that NOAC increased.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the substantial investment in NOAC-related events made by four pharmaceutical companies had a promotional purpose. Healthcare professionals should seek independent information on newly subsidised medicines from, for example, government agencies or drug bulletins.
TROG 18.01 phase III randomised clinical trial of the Novel Integration of New prostate radiation schedules with adJuvant Androgen deprivation: NINJA study protocol
Authors: Martin Jarad , Keall Paul , Siva Shankar , Greer Peter , Christie David , Moore Kevin , Dowling Jason , Pryor David , Chong Peter , McLeod Nicholas , Raman Avi , Lynam James , Smart Joanne , Oldmeadow Christopher , Tang Colin I , Murphy Declan G , Millar Jeremy , Tai Keen Hun , Holloway Lois , Reeves Penny , Hayden Amy , Lim Tee , Holt Tanya , Sidhom Mark
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of non-metastatic prostate cancer (PC). The objectives of the Novel Integration ofNew prostate radiation schedules with adJuvant Androgen deprivation (NINJA) clinical trial are to compare two emerging SBRT regimens for efficacy with technical substudies focussing on MRI only planning and the use of knowledge-based planning (KBP) to assess radiotherapy plan quality.

Methods and analysis

Eligible patients must have biopsy-proven unfavourable intermediate or favourable high-risk PC, have an Eastern Collaborative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 and provide written informed consent. All patients will receive 6 months in total of androgen deprivation therapy. Patients will be randomised to one of two SBRT regimens. The first will be 40 Gy in five fractions given on alternating days (SBRT monotherapy). The second will be 20 Gy in two fractions given 1 week apart followed 2 weeks later by 36 Gy in 12 fractions given five times per week (virtual high-dose rate boost (HDRB)). The primary efficacy outcome will be biochemical clinical control at 5 years. Secondary endpoints for the initial portion of NINJA look at the transition of centres towards MRI only planning and the impact of KBP on real-time (RT) plan assessment. The first 150 men will demonstrate accrual feasibility as well as addressing the KBP and MRI planning aims, prior to proceeding with total accrual to 472 patients as a phase III randomised controlled trial.

Ethics and dissemination

NINJA is a multicentre cooperative clinical trial comparing two SBRT regimens for men with PC. It builds on promising results from several single-armed studies, and explores radiation dose escalation in the Virtual HDRB arm. The initial component includes novel technical elements, and will form an important platform set for a definitive phase III study.

Trial registration number

ANZCTN 12615000223538.
Pathways of healthcare and antibiotics use following reported gastrointestinal illness: a cross-sectional study in rural Anhui, China
Authors: Shen Xing Rong , Xie Maomao , Chai Jing , Feng Rui , Cheng Jing , Liu Rong , Kadetz Paul , Wang DeBin
Published: August 2019

Objective

To document the factors, and their pathways, that influence healthcare and antibiotics use following reported gastrointestinal illnesses in Anhui province, China.

Study design

This study uses cross-sectional design, descriptive statistical analysis, pathway mapping and multivariate logistic regression modelling.

Setting

Households in 12 villages in Anhui province, China.

Participants

A total of 3659 residents who: (1) held a registered rural residence and were actually living in the sampled villages when this study was conducted; (2) were aged 18 years and older and (3) were willing to participate and able to answer the survey questions.

Outcome measures

Planned and measured variables included the occurrence of gastrointestinal illness, professional care seeking and antibiotic use due to the illness and factors influencing these measures.

Results

Of the 3659 informants, 29.0% reported gastrointestinal illness episodes in the past year. Of these episodes, 50.2% led to professional care seeking and 65.4% of antibiotic use. Multivariate logistic modelling identifies that: (1) reported gastrointestinal illnesses were more frequent in north compared with middle (OR 0.569, 95% CI 0.472 to 0.686) and south (OR 0.588, 95% CI 0.492 to 0.702) Anhui, and were positively associated with age (B=0.123, p<0.05), knowledge concerning (B=0.248, p<0.05) and practice of (B=0.184, p<0.05) prevention; (2) seeking professional care and antibiotic use following the illness was linked to the severity of symptoms and geographical locations, rather than to specific pathogenic features.

Conclusions

Reported gastrointestinal illnesses are quite prevalent in the sample population and a large proportion of these have resulted in professional care and antibiotics use. The factors associated with the reported illnesses and pathways of healthcare and antibiotic use, as identified in this study, should inform future research and intervention efforts.
Geochronology, geochemistry, and Pb–Hf isotopes of mineralization-related magmatism in the Dongyang gold deposit, Fujian Province, southeastern China
Authors: Xu Zhi-Tao , Sun Jing-Gui , Lei Feng-Zhi , Han Ji-Long , Zhang Ke-Yao
Published: August 2019

The recently discovered Dongyang low-sulphidation epithermal Au deposit is located in Fujian Province. The Au mineralization hosted in rhyolite porphyry and the Lower Jurassic Nayuan Formation continental volcanic rocks is considered to be related to intermediate–acidic intrusions (rhyolite porphyry, quartz diorite porphyry, and dacite porphyry). The zircon U–Pb ages of these samples are 160.3 ± 0.8, 156.6 ± 0.8, and 154.1 ± 0.6 Ma, respectively, and the sulphide Rb–Sr isotope isochron age is 152.4 ± 1.7 Ma, indicating a temporal link between porphyry emplacement and Au mineralization. Porphyries are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements and slightly depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements, belong to the high-potassium calc-alkaline or shoshonitic series, and show characteristics of volcanic arcs or active continental margins. Moreover, the εHf(t) values of the porphyries range from −11.6 to −7.6, −11.2 to −5.4, and −9.8 to −4.6, respectively. The 208Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 206Pb/204Pb values of the ore minerals are from 38.417 to 38.406, 15.603, and from 18.179 to 18.175, respectively. Pb and Hf isotopes indicate that the intermediate–acidic magma related to mineralization originated from Mesoproterozoic lower crust. Consequently, these data favour an intermediate–acidic magma origin for Au mineralization in the Dongyang deposit. Integrating new and published data on the tectonic evolution, we suggest that the rhyolite porphyry, quartz diorite porphyry, dacite porphyry, and associated Au mineralization in the Dongyang deposit formed at 160–152 Ma in an extensional environment related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate beneath the South China block.
Linear and bent triatomic molecules are not qualitatively different!
Authors: Jensen Per
Published: August 2019

I, and other authors, have discussed in several recent publications that “linear” triatomic molecules (defined as having linear equilibrium structures) are necessarily observed as being bent on ro-vibrational average. We have demonstrated this theoretically by calculations of the rotation–vibration expectation values, [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the bond angle supplement, [Formula: see text] being the instantaneous value of the bond angle of the triatomic molecule A–B–C. Direct experimental evidence of bent average structures has been obtained by other authors in Coulomb explosion imaging experiments, and indirect evidence from re-interpretation of experimentally derived rotational constant values. In spite of a rather significant amount of evidence in support of the bent average structures, the idea has been heavily criticized. In the present work I discuss in more detail some of the arguments for the bent average structures put forward in previous papers, and I hope to correct and clarify some of the misunderstandings leading to the criticisms. Part of the criticism originates in a widespread, but fallacious, belief among spectroscopists that linear and bent chain molecules have qualitatively different energy-level and spectral intensity patterns. This is not true. One can view the linear-molecule energy level and spectral patterns as limiting cases of the bent-molecule ones.
LARGE SHAREHOLDERS AND INFORMATION ASYMMETRY IN A TRANSITION ECONOMY – EVIDENCE FROM VIETNAM
Authors: VO XUAN VINH
Published: August 2019

A growing volume of studies indicate that the information asymmetry problem is a serious issue which significantly hinders stock market development. This problem is more pronounced in emerging markets with weak institutions. The domination of large shareholders in a firm might be a cause of information asymmetry because they are commonly believed to have access to private and value-relevant information. The current paper offers insight into the relationship between multiple large shareholder ownership and stock market information asymmetry in the context of Vietnam, an important emerging market. Employing fixed effects and GMM estimators for a panel data sample of firms listed on the Ho Chi Minh City stock exchange covering the period 2007–2015, the results suggest that the concentration of large shareholder ownership is positively and significantly associated with information asymmetry. This finding has strong implications for policy making process in promoting stock market development.
Magnetic field effects on neutrino oscillations
Authors: Erdas Andrea , Metzler Zachary
Published: August 2019

Using the exact propagators in a constant magnetic field, the neutrino self-energy has been calculated to all orders in the field strength [Formula: see text] within the minimal extension of the Weinberg–Salam model with massive Dirac neutrinos. A neutrino dispersion relation, effective potential and effective mass have been obtained that depend on [Formula: see text]. The consequences of this effective potential on neutrino oscillations have been explored, and resonance conditions have been obtained for magnetic fields [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the elementary charge and [Formula: see text] is the electron mass. The oscillation length has also been obtained, showing that [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] resonant oscillations in magnetic field are likely to occur in the proximity of most stars generating high magnetic fields.
A VGA Linearity Improvement Technique for ECG Analog Front-End in 65nm CMOS
Authors: Nagulapalli Rajasekhar , Hayatleh Khaled , Barker Steve
Published: August 2019

This paper presents a 65[Formula: see text]nm CMOS low-power, highly linear variable gain amplifier (VGA) suitable for biomedical applications. Typical biological signal amplitudes are in the 0.5–100[Formula: see text]mV range, and therefore require circuits with a wide dynamic range. Existing VGA architectures mostly exhibit a poor linearity, due to very low local feedback loop-gain. A technique to increase the loop-gain has been explored by adding additional feedback to the tail current source of the input differential pair. Stability analysis of the proposed technique was undertaken with pole-zero analysis. A prototype of Analog Front End (AFE) has been designed to provide 25–50 dB gain, and post-layout simulations showed a 15[Formula: see text]dB reduction in the harmonic distortion for 20[Formula: see text]mV pk-pk input signal compared to the conventional architecture. The circuit occupies 3,108[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m2 silicon area and consumes 0.43 [Formula: see text]A from a 1.2[Formula: see text]V power supply.
The Optimizations of Dual-Threshold Independent-Gate FinFETs and Low-Power Circuit Designs
Authors: Ni Haiyan , Hu Jianping , Zhang Xuqiang , Zhu Haotian
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a method of optimizing dual-threshold independent-gate FinFET devices is discussed, and the optimal circuit design is carried out by using these optimized devices. Dual-threshold independent-gate FinFETs include low threshold devices and high threshold devices. The low threshold device is equivalent to two merging parallel short-gate devices and high threshold device is equivalent to two merging series SG devices. We optimize the device mainly by selecting the appropriate gate work function, gate oxide thickness, silicon body thickness and so on. Our optimization is based on the Berkeley BSIMIMG model and verified by TCAD tool. Based on these optimized devices, we designed the compact basic logic gates and two new compact D-type flip-flops. Additionally, we developed a circuit synthesis method based on Binary Decision Diagram (BDD) and the optimized compact basic logic gates. Hspice simulations show that the circuits using the proposed dual-threshold IG FinFETs have better performance than the circuits directly using the short-gate devices.
Exponential-constructible functions in P-minimal structures
Authors: Chambille Saskia , Cubides Kovacsics Pablo , Leenknegt Eva
Published: August 2019

Exponential-constructible functions are an extension of the class of constructible functions. This extension was formulated by Cluckers and Loeser in the context of semi-algebraic and sub-analytic structures, when they studied stability under integration. In this paper, we will present a natural refinement of their definition that allows for stability results to hold within the wider class of [Formula: see text]-minimal structures. One of the main technical improvements is that we remove the requirement of definable Skolem functions from the proofs. As a result, we obtain stability in particular for all intermediate structures between the semi-algebraic and the sub-analytic languages.