bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of vegetable residues incorporation on soil fertility, rhizosphere microbial community structure, and plant growth of continuously cropped cucumber in a solar greenhouse
Authors: Chen Xiaolu , Zhang Dalong , Li Xiaoya , Li Xiaotian , Lou Jie , Wei Min
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Incorporating crop residues into the soil is considered a sustainable and valuable method to alleviate soil deterioration caused by continuous monoculture in greenhouse production. However, the effect of vegetable residues retention on soil amendments is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the impacts of sweet pepper, tomato, and cucumber plant residues on soil microbial communities and plant growth of continuously cropped cucumber in a solar greenhouse.

Methods

The 16S rRNA and ITS1 rRNA genes were amplified, and high-throughput sequencing was performed to explore the impacts of vegetable residues incorporation on soil microbial communities. Additionally, soil chemical properties, cucumber root vigor, and fruit yield were measured to assess the impacts of vegetable residues incorporation on continuously cropped soil and cucumber growth.

Results

The results showed that incorporating vegetable residues could improve soil buffering capacity, increase the content of soil organic matter and available nutrients, and increased the diversity of soil microorganisms and improved community structure; vegetable residues increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi, while reducing the quantity of soil-borne pathogens such as Bacillariophyta and Acidobacteria. Similar results were observed for the fungal communities: the relative abundance of Ascomycota was decreased to varying degrees, while the relative abundance of Rozellomycota and Basidiomycota was raised. The results demonstrated that vegetable residues incorporation significantly increased cucumber root vigor and enhanced fruit yield. The effects of different types of residues on improving soil properties were ordered sweet pepper plant residues > cucumber plant residues > tomato plant residues, and 20% of sweet pepper plant residues incorporation had the most significant effect on crop yield.

Conclusion

In summary, returning vegetable residues alleviated soil continuous cropping obstacles by improving the soil fertility and the diversity and community structure of soil microorganisms, and consequently promoting the growth and yield of greenhouse-grown cucumbers. The findings demonstrated that returning vegetable residues was an effective and sustainable measure for soil amendment during continuous cropping in greenhouse production.
Combination high-dose interleukin-2 and nivolumab for programmed cell death-1 refractory metastatic melanoma: a case series
Authors: Nikanjam Mina , Mullen Jaren , Yacoub Carol , Daniels Gregory A.
Published: August 2022

Background

Therapeutic options are needed for metastatic melanoma refractory to therapies directed against programmed cell death-1. High-dose interleukin-2 has the potential to overcome programmed cell death-1 resistance.

Case presentation

We report three consecutive Caucasian patients, two female (60 and 55 years old) and one male (56 years old), refractory to anti-programmed cell death-1 therapy who were treated with concurrent nivolumab and standard-dosing bolus high-dose interleukin-2. We did not see any unexpected toxicities with overlapping treatments as compared with either high-dose interleukin-2 or nivolumab alone.

Conclusions

The tolerance and disease control observed among the three patients in this limited series support formal exploration of this combination.
Boundary value problems for second-order causal differential equations
Authors: Wang Wenli , Wang Peiguang
Published: August 2022

This paper focuses on second-order differential equations involving causal operators with nonlinear two-point boundary conditions. By applying the monotone iterative technique in the presence of upper and lower solutions, with a new comparison theorem, we obtain the existence of extremal solutions. This is an extension of classical theory of second-order differential equations. Finally, we present two examples to show the usefulness of our results.
Factors affecting medication adherence among older adults using tele-pharmacy services: a scoping review
Authors: Emadi Fatemeh , Ghanbarzadegan Arash , Ghahramani Sulmaz , Bastani Peivand , Baysari Melissa T
Published: August 2022

Background

Medication adherence among older adults (aged 60 and above), particularly those with chronic conditions who take several medications, is critical, and tele-pharmacy services are a way to improve medication adherence. This study sought to determine the factors influencing medication adherence (MA) in older adults using tele-pharmacy services.

Method

The Joana Briggs Institute scoping review methodology was implemented. Searches were conducted in databases PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Embase from 2000 to the present day, to identify both qualitative and quantitative studies focusing on the use of tele-pharmacy by older people. Factors impacting MA were extracted and analyzed into themes using a qualitative approach. A concept map was also designed summarising these factors.

Results

Of 7495 articles obtained in the initial search, 52 articles met the inclusion criteria. The analysis resulted in 5 themes and 21 sub-themes representing factors that impacted MA with tele-pharmacy. These themes are divided broadly into technology and user related factors. Technology factors included design of the tele-pharmacy intervention, commercial aspects, and adherence measurement method. User factors included user-health constraints, behaviors and perceptions.

Conclusion

Industry, policymakers, and stakeholders should consider using tele-pharmacy services for improving medication adherence among older adults; however, ensuring interventions facilitate communication between patients and health care teams, and are accompanied by user training and support, is essential for technology uptake and effectiveness.
Exosome-mediated effects and applications in inflammatory diseases of the digestive system
Authors: Wu Xianli , Xu Xiaolin , Xiang Yiwei , Fan Dongdong , An Qiming , Yue Gengyu , Jin Zhe , Ding Jianhong , Hu Yanxia , Du Qian , Xu Jingyu , Xie Rui
Published: August 2022

Exosomes are membranous vesicles containing RNA and proteins that are specifically secreted in vivo. Exosomes have many functions, such as material transport and signal transduction between cells. Many studies have proven that exosomes can not only be used as biomarkers for disease diagnosis but also as carriers to transmit information between cells. Exosomes participate in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including the immune response, antigen presentation, cell migration, cell differentiation, and tumour development. Differences in exosome functions depend on cell type. In recent years, exosome origin, cargo composition, and precise regulatory mechanisms have been the focus of research. Although exosomes have been extensively reported in digestive tumours, few articles have reviewed their roles in inflammatory diseases of the digestive system, especially inflammatory-related diseases (such as reflux oesophagitis, gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, and pancreatitis). This paper briefly summarizes the roles of exosomes in inflammatory diseases of the digestive system to provide a basis for research on the mechanism of inflammatory diseases of the digestive system targeted by exosomes.
Research on electroacupuncture parameters for knee osteoarthritis based on data mining
Authors: Cai Fei-hong , Li Fan-lian , Zhang Yu-chen , Li Pei-qi , Xiao Bin
Published: August 2022

Background

Knee osteoarthritis, a common degenerative joint disease, has been widely treated by electroacupuncture in recent years. However, there are too many parameters of the treatment currently, resulting in various applications in clinical practice. This study aims to summarize the optimal stimulation parameters of electroacupuncture for knee osteoarthritis in clinical studies by applying data mining techniques.

Methods

Four databases including Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for clinical studies on electroacupuncture treating knee osteoarthritis from 2012 to 2021. A database was established by Microsoft Excel 2020 and analyzed by R Version 4.1.1.

Results

Forty-six articles were included according to the established criteria. The most used electroacupuncture stimulation parameters were 0.30 mm × 40 mm needle, continuous wave, low frequency of current (mainly 2 Hz), stimulation duration for 30 min per treatment, and frequency of treatment for once a day. Eighteen acupoints were mentioned and the most used ones include Dubi (ST35), Liangqiu (ST34), Neixiyan (EX-LE4), Xuehai (SP10), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Yinlingquan (SP9), and those most generally used acupoints are closely arranged on the Stomach Channel of Foot Yangming. Cluster analysis showed two groups, one for obligatory acupoints and one for adjunctive ones. The association analysis showed the most supported acupoint pair was Liangqiu (ST34) and Xuehai (SP10).

Conclusions

Continuous wave, low frequency of current (2 Hz), 30-min stimulation, and local acupoint selection are frequently used for electroacupuncture treating knee osteoarthritis. Due to the limitations of this study, further research and more standardized, multi-centered, and large-sample clinical trials should be conducted to provide more convincing evidence.
Maternal obesity alters methylation level of cytosine in CpG island for epigenetic inheritance in fetal umbilical cord blood
Authors: Ma Zhuoyao , Wang Yingjin , Quan Yanmei , Wang Zhijie , Liu Yue , Ding Zhide
Published: August 2022

Background

Over the past few decades, global maternal obesity prevalence has rapidly increased. This condition may induce long-lasting pathophysiological effects on either fetal or infant health that could be attributable to unknown unique changes in the umbilical blood composition.

Methods

A total of 34 overweight/obese and 32 normal-weight pregnant women were recruited. Fifteen umbilical blood samples including 8 overweight/obese subjects and 7 normal weight women were sequenced using Targeted Bisulfite Sequencing technology to detect the average methylation level of cytosine and identify the differentially methylated region (DMR). GO and KEGG analyses were then employed to perform pathway enrichment analysis of DMR-related genes and promoters. Moreover, the mRNA levels of methylation-related genes histone deacetylases (HDACs) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) were characterized in the samples obtained from these two groups.

Results

Average methylated cytosine levels in both the CpG islands (CGI) and promoter significantly decreased in overweight/obese groups. A total of 1669 DMRs exhibited differences in their DNA methylation status between the overweight/obese and control groups. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that DMR-related genes and promoters were enriched in the metabolism, cancer and cardiomyopathy signaling pathways. Furthermore, the HDACs and DNMTs mRNA levels trended to decline in overweight/obese groups.

Conclusions

Decreased methylated cytosine levels in overweight/obese women induce the gene expression activity at a higher level than in the control group. DMRs between these two groups in the fetal blood may contribute to the changes in gene transcription that underlie the increased risk of metabolic disorders, cancers and cardiomyopathy in their offspring.
Geophysical model generation with generative adversarial networks
Authors: Puzyrev Vladimir , Salles Tristan , Surma Greg , Elders Chris
Published: August 2022

With the rapid development of deep learning technologies, data-driven methods have become one of the main research focuses in geophysical inversion. Applications of various neural network architectures to the inversion of seismic, electromagnetic, gravity and other types of data confirm the potential of these methods in real-time parameter estimation without dependence on the starting subsurface model. At the same time, deep learning methods require large training datasets which are often difficult to acquire. In this paper, we present a generator of 2D subsurface models based on deep generative adversarial networks. Several networks are trained separately on realistic density and stratigraphy models to reach a sufficient degree of accuracy in generation of new highly detailed and varied models in real-time. This allows for creation of large synthetic training datasets in a cost-effective manner, thus facilitating the development of better deep learning algorithms for real-time inversion and interpretation.
Adaptive coordination control strategy of renewable energy sources, hydrogen production unit, and fuel cell for frequency regulation of a hybrid distributed power system
Authors: Salama Hossam S. , Magdy Gaber , Bakeer Abualkasim , Vokony Istvan
Published: August 2022

Owing to the significant number of hybrid generation systems (HGSs) containing various energy sources, coordination between these sources plays a vital role in preserving frequency stability. In this paper, an adaptive coordination control strategy for renewable energy sources (RESs), an aqua electrolyzer (AE) for hydrogen production, and a fuel cell (FC)-based energy storage system (ESS) is proposed to enhance the frequency stability of an HGS. In the proposed system, the excess energy from RESs is used to power electrolysis via an AE for hydrogen energy storage in FCs. The proposed method is based on a proportional-integral (PI) controller, which is optimally designed using a grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm to estimate the surplus energy from RESs (i.e., a proportion of total power generation of RESs: Kn). The studied HGS contains various types of generation systems including a diesel generator, wind turbines, photovoltaic (PV) systems, AE with FCs, and ESSs (e.g., battery and flywheel). The proposed method varies Kn with varying frequency deviation values to obtain the best benefits from RESs, while damping the frequency fluctuations. The proposed method is validated by considering different loading conditions and comparing with other existing studies that consider Kn as a constant value. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method, which changes Kn value and subsequently stores the power extracted from the RESs in hydrogen energy storage according to frequency deviation changes, performs better than those that use constant Kn. The statistical analysis for frequency deviation of HGS with the proposed method has the best values and achieves large improvements for minimum, maximum, difference between maximum and minimum, mean, and standard deviation compared to the existing method.
The role of achievement attribution in the associations between parent–child communication and psychological well-being among adolescents: A mediation analysis
Authors: Li Ningning , Li Yuting , Huang Xinxin , Xiang Siying , Hu Qianying , Luo Chao , Ju Peijun , Mellor David , Xu Yifeng , Fei Hui , Chen Jianhua
Published: August 2022

Background

Previous studies have explored the association between parenting style and offspring’s psychological well-being, and the association between offspring’s achievement attribution pattern and psychological well-being. However, little is known about the role of offspring’s achievement attribution in the relationship between parenting and offspring’s psychological well-being. We aimed to find the role of adolescents’ achievement attribution pattern in the relationship between parent–child communication quality and adolescents’ mental health.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 2,725 adolescents aged from 9 to 18 years who are participating in the China Family Panel Studies. Participants supplied demographic information and completed a series of psychological scales including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, an adapted version of the Parental Bonding Instrument, an achievement attribution scale, and single-item measures of subjective well-being and subjective interpersonal popularity.

Results

Linear regression analysis revealed that after controlling for demographic factors good parent–child communication negatively correlated with depression symptoms, and positively associated with subjective well-being and subjective interpersonal popularity. Next, mediation analysis found that internal attribution of achievement partly mediated the effects of parent–child communication quality on adolescents’ depression, subjective well-being, and subjective interpersonal popularity. The result was robust after controlling demographic variables.

Conclusions

An internal attribution pattern of achievement partially accounted for the associations between parent–child communication quality and adolescents’ psychological outcomes including depression, subjective well-being, and subjective interpersonal popularity. Future interventions for adolescents’ mental health promotion can target parent–child communication and adolescents’ positive achievement attribution pattern.
Genetic Pathways Underlying Individual Differences in Regular Physical Activity
Authors: de Geus Eco J.C.
Published: August 2022

Twin and family studies show a strong contribution of genetic factors to physical activity (PA) assessed either by self-report or accelerometers. PA heritability is around 43% across the life span. Genome-wide association studies have implied biological pathways related to exercise ability and enjoyment. A polygenic score based on genetic variants influencing PA could help improve the success of intervention programs.
Diagnostic dilemma in a patient with upper arm mass with history of breast cancer and melanoma
Authors: Wyciszczok Hanna , Healy Nuala Ann , Taylor Helen
Published: August 2022

We present a case of upper limb muscle metastasis in a female patient with a history of malignant melanoma. Although melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, muscle metastases are extremely rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We discuss the challenge of diagnosing muscle metastasis on radiological imaging and in particular of distinguishing metastatic lesions to muscle from sarcoma. We also review the imaging findings of other published cases in a literature review. We conclude that although certain characteristic features of melanoma metastases can be identified on imaging (e.g., hyperintensity on T 1-weighted MRI), the radiological appearances are highly variable and histopathological examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Recurrent acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy associated with RAN-binding protein-2 gene mutation in a pediatric patient
Authors: Olubiyi Olutayo Ibukunolu , Zamora Carlos , Jewells Valerie , Hunter Senyene E.
Published: August 2022

A young male child presented with recurrent episodes of seizures and altered mental status following febrile episodes on three separate occasions between his first and third birthdays. Laboratory evaluations identified SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first episode and no infective agents or antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid during all the episodes. Brain imaging with CT and MRI revealed bilaterally symmetric patchy hemorrhagic necrotic foci in the deep brain nuclei and medial temporal lobes, prompting suspicion for an underlying predisposition to recurrent acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy. Gene analysis confirmed a mutation in the RAN-binding protein-2 (RANBP2) gene. The patient made good recovery following treatment with IVIG, steroids and plasmapheresis, and follow-up brain imaging showed no progression of brain lesions.

Early suspicion from characteristic imaging features in appropriate clinical settings will inform timely appropriate treatment and better outcome. We therefore provided short review of imaging features of acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy.
Transitional vascular anomaly of a persistent medial procephalic vein causing obstructive hydrocephalus and intracranial haemorrhage
Authors: Isikbay Masis , Narsinh Kazim , Caton Michael , Amans Matthew
Published: August 2022

We report a case of obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a transitional (shunting) developmental venous anomaly not previously reported in the literature. Both thalami in this patient drain into a midline vein in the floor of the third ventricle that crosses the cerebral aqueduct and exerts mass effect. While this patient’s hydrocephalus was managed by a ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter, their hospital course was complicated by a spontaneous intraparenchymal bleed of the left thalamus thought to be caused by their vascular malformation. Given the risk of venous infarcts, this transitional venous anomaly could not be treated safely.
Granulomatous lymphadenitis in the inferior pulmonary ligament
Authors: Girvin Francis , Zhou Fang , Escalon Joanna , Steinberger Sharon , Gupta Deepti , Groner Lauren
Published: August 2022

The inferior pulmonary ligament and related connective tissue septa are a recognizable site of granulomatous lymphadenitis on CT of the chest and may mimic a lung parenchymal lesion. The anatomy of the inferior pulmonary ligament, CT appearances and potential etiologies of this entity are reviewed and illustrated.
Significance of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in promoting growth and development of children with idiopathic short stature
Authors: Han Wenbiao , Zhang Jing , Song Tao , Han Yanni
Published: August 2022

Objective: To explore the significance of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) therapy in promoting the growth and development of children with idiopathic short stature (ISS).

Methods: Medical records of 95 children with ISS, treated in our hospital from July 2019 to July 2020, were retrospectively selected and divided into two groups based on the received treatment. Of them, 41 patients received routine treatment (Group-I) and 54 patients received a combination of routine and rhGH treatment (Group-II). The levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), bone age, growth velocity, height standard deviation score (Ht-SDS), and adverse reactions were compared and analyzed between the two groups.

Results: After treatment, IGF-1, bone age, growth velocity, and Ht-SDS in Group-II were higher than those in Group-I (P < 0.05); After treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions in Group-II was 7.41%, which had no significant difference compared with 7.32% in Group-I (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: In the treatment of children with Idiopathic Short Stature(ISS), the choice of rhGH can further improve the curative effect, promote the growth and development of children, without significant adverse reactions.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6535

How to cite this:Han W, Zhang J, Song T, Han Y. Significance of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in promoting growth and development of children with idiopathic short stature. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(7):2016-2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6535

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Higher mortality associated with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in the Western Cape, South Africa, using RdRp target delay as a proxy: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Hussey Hannah , Davies Mary-Ann , Heekes Alexa , Williamson Carolyn , Valley-Omar Ziyaad , Hardie Diana , Korsman Stephen , Doolabh Deelan , Preiser Wofgang , Maponga Tongai , Iranzadeh Arash , Engelbrecht Susan , Wasserman Sean , Schrueder Neshaad , Boloko Linda , Symons Greg , Raubenheimer Peter , Viljoen Abraham , Parker Arifa , Cohen Cheryl , Jasat Waasila , Lessells Richard , Wilkinson Robert J , Boulle Andrew , Hsiao Marvin
Published: August 2022

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) has been associated with more severe disease, particularly when compared to the Alpha variant. Most of this data, however, is from high income countries and less is understood about the variant’s disease severity in other settings, particularly in an African context, and when compared to the Beta variant.

Methods: A novel proxy marker, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) target delay in the Seegene AllplexTM 2019-nCoV (polymerase chain reaction) PCR assay, was used to identify suspected Delta variant infection in routine laboratory data. All cases diagnosed on this assay in the public sector in the Western Cape, South Africa, from 1 April to 31 July 2021, were included in the dataset provided by the Western Cape Provincial Health Data Centre (PHDC). The PHDC collates information on all COVID-19 related laboratory tests, hospital admissions and deaths for the province. Odds ratios for the association between the proxy marker and death were calculated, adjusted for prior diagnosed infection and vaccination status.

Results: A total of 11,355 cases with 700 deaths were included in this study. RdRp target delay (suspected Delta variant) was associated with higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.86), compared to presumptive Beta infection. Prior diagnosed infection during the previous COVID-19 wave, which was driven by the Beta variant, was protective (aOR 0.32; 95%CI: 0.11-0.92) as was vaccination (aOR [95%CI] 0.15 [0.03-0.62] for complete vaccination [≥28 days post a single dose of Ad26.COV2.S or ≥14 days post second BNT162b2 dose]).

Conclusion: RdRp target delay, a proxy for infection with the Delta variant, is associated with an increased risk of mortality amongst those who were tested for COVID-19 in our setting.
impact of foreign trade development on the organization of socio-economic security of Ukraine
Authors: Myronova Mariana , Svydruk Irena , Sydorchuk Orystlava , Trut Olha , Klepanchuk Olha
Published: August 2022

The integral indicator and dynamics of Ukraine’s level of socio-economic security in the main areas in which it manifests are determined. The dynamics of the level of economic security depending on the development of the foreign trade of Ukraine are analysed using the official method for calculating Ukraine’s level of economic security. Hypotheses relating to the existence of relationships between indicators of the economic security of foreign trade and the general level of socio-economic security are studied in detail in terms of individual subsystems of socio-economic security. With the help of regression analysis, the hypotheses are statistically confirmed and the measures of the influence of parameters of economic security of foreign trade development on socio-economic security are revealed. The main opportunities and threats related to ensuring the socio-economic security of Ukraine in foreign trade development are identified. It is proposed to direct further research to developing institutional tools to create opportunities to strengthen the positive impact of foreign trade on ensuring the socio-economic security of Ukraine.
Platform Refund Insurance or Being Cast Out: Quantifying the Signaling Effect of Refund Options in the Online Service Marketplace
Authors: Zheng Jinyang , Wang Youwei , Tan Yong
Published: August 2022

This study examines whether and how an online service marketplace can leverage refund options endorsed by different parties (i.e., the platform or sellers) to address the “lemons” problem that is due to the intangibility, variability, and unreturnable nature of the services sought. We show that both platform refund insurance and a seller-guaranteed refund increase service demand, with platform refund insurance as the more effective option and hence having a more effective signaling mechanism, and that sellers with a better reputation or less popularity might benefit less from refund options. An investigation on further use of the more effective refund option, a “having platform refund insurance or being cast out” policy (i.e., retaining platform refund-insured sellers but expelling uninsured ones), reveals the effectiveness of this policy in filtering out low-quality sellers, shown as an improved quality of sellers on the platform due to new sellers’ replacing those who were expelled, yet a cost (i.e., a loss in demand and consumer welfare) for the platform due to the changes in characteristics (e.g., price) of sellers. This cost, however, is lower than the benefit from the improved quality of the sellers, so that the platform’s overall performance improves.
Channel Coordination of Storable Goods
Authors: Li Xi , Li Krista J. , Xiong Yan
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates how a manufacturer should respond to the retailer’s and consumers’ stockpiling ability by contracting with the retailer.
Sorting Effects of Broad-Based Equity Compensation
Authors: Tsui David , Vance Marshall
Published: August 2022

We examine the sorting role of broad-based equity pay using detailed employee-level data. We propose trust in management as an important characteristic over which equity pay sorts employees, as such pay typically leaves employees with concentrated positions in employer stock and therefore more exposed to the outcomes of management’s actions. Consistent with this conjecture, we find that the relation between employees’ perceptions of management’s credibility and voluntary turnover intentions is significantly stronger in the presence of a broad-based equity plan. Our findings provide insight into how broad-based equity pay can improve firm performance despite theoretical challenges regarding its incentive effects.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.

Funding: M. Vance acknowledges financial support from fellowships received through the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4524 .
Disclosure and Competition for Capital
Authors: Cheng Stephanie F. , Cuny Christine , Xue Hao
Published: August 2022

Ownership segmentation in the municipal bond market gives rise to competition among local issuers for a limited supply of capital. We consider the disclosure implications of this competition for capital, using Moody’s 2010 recalibration of the municipal rating scale. The recalibration placed lowly upgraded issuers at a disadvantage relative to their highly upgraded peers within the same market segment. We develop a model in which two municipal bond issuers compete for investors’ capital by choosing bond yields. The model predicts the issuer that is disadvantaged by the recalibration is more likely to improve its disclosure to better compete with its advantaged peer if (i) the rating upgrade that its peer receives is higher and (ii) competition for capital is fiercer. Empirically, we find that the disadvantaged issuers provide more and timelier financial disclosures after the recalibration. This improvement in disclosure quality increases in the extent of the issuer’s disadvantage, arises only if we consider peers with whom the issuer directly competes for capital, and is pronounced when the local capital supply is constrained. Our analytical and empirical analyses support the idea that a competitive disadvantage in raising capital in segmented markets can motivate issuers to improve disclosure quality.

This paper was accepted by Brian Bushee, accounting.

Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4525 .
Approximation and Convergence of Large Atomic Congestion Games
Authors: Cominetti Roberto , Scarsini Marco , Schröder Marc , Stier-Moses Nicolás
Published: August 2022

We consider the question of whether and in what sense, Wardrop equilibria provide a good approximation for Nash equilibria in atomic unsplittable congestion games with a large number of small players. We examine two different definitions of small players. In the first setting, we consider games in which each player’s weight is small. We prove that when the number of players goes to infinity and their weights to zero, the random flows in all (mixed) Nash equilibria for the finite games converge in distribution to the set of Wardrop equilibria of the corresponding nonatomic limit game. In the second setting, we consider an increasing number of players with a unit weight that participate in the game with a decreasingly small probability. In this case, the Nash equilibrium flows converge in total variation toward Poisson random variables whose expected values are Wardrop equilibria of a different nonatomic game with suitably defined costs. The latter can be viewed as symmetric equilibria in a Poisson game in the sense of Myerson, establishing a plausible connection between the Wardrop model for routing games and the stochastic fluctuations observed in real traffic. In both settings, we provide explicit approximation bounds, and we study the convergence of the price of anarchy. Beyond the case of congestion games, we prove a general result on the convergence of large games with random players toward Poisson games.

Funding: R. Cominetti gratefully acknowledges the support of Proyecto Anillo [Grant ANID/PIA/ACT192094]. M. Scarsini’s work was partially supported by the Gruppo Nazionale per l’Analisi Matematica, la Probabilità e le loro Applicazioni, Istituto Nazionale di Alta Matematica [Grant 2020 “Random walks on random games”] and the Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale 2017 [Grant “Algorithms, Games, and Digital Markets”]. This research also received partial support from the European Cooperation in Science and Technology [Action European Network for Game Theory].
Differential Privacy in Personalized Pricing with Nonparametric Demand Models
Authors: Chen Xi , Miao Sentao , Wang Yining
Published: August 2022

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and big data, the application of data-driven personalized pricing has been increasingly prevalent in real practices such as finance, insurance, and retailing. However, with the public’s growing concern of the abuse of their personal data, legislation efforts are being taken to guarantee data privacy. In this work, we guarantee customers’ data privacy from the algorithm design of our dynamic personalized pricing policies. Two algorithms are developed with different levels of privacy guarantee. The first algorithm protects customers’ data in a centralized manner, meaning that the data aggregator (the pricing platform) is trusted, and the attacker is unlikely to know customers’ personal information. The second algorithm has a stronger privacy guarantee, which is mathematically proved to be able to protect customers’ data even when the data set is hacked. Besides privacy protection, both of our algorithms are effective in achieving near-optimal revenue maximization.
Free Add-Ons in Services
Authors: Gao Pin , Fu Xingyu , Liu Haoyu , Chen Ying-Ju
Published: August 2022

The paper examines a seller’s offering of free add-ons in services. We build a stylized model where the seller decides the level of add-on provision to enhance its core service, and consumers make discrete choices between the seller and an outside option. When the seller supplies its service through a single channel, we show that the optimal add-on provision is unimodal in the difference between the seller’s service quality and the outside option, comparable with the existing literature. When the service is supplied through multiple channels, we show that the seller may make nonidentical add-on provisions among channels. If the cost of add-on provision is low, the seller should adopt a differentiation strategy. If the cost is high, the seller should adopt a homogenization strategy. Various extensions are considered to establish the robustness of our results.

Funding: P. Gao received financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72192805] and the Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society [Grant AC01202101102]. Y-J Chen received financial support fromthe Hong Kong Research Grants Council [Grant 16212821].
Observational Study of the Impact of COVID-19 on Sleep in Children With and Without Special Educational Needs
Authors: Elphick Heather , Howsley Philippa , Mills Nathaniel , Beevers Vicki , Artis Lisa
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Children and young people (CYP) with special educational needs (SEN) are more likely to experience disturbed sleep and poor mental wellbeing. This study explored the differential impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the sleep and mental wellbeing of CYP with and without SEN.Methods: The National Institute of Health Research Children and Young People MedTech Cooperative, Sheffield Children’s National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, and The Sleep Charity carried out an online survey between June 23, 2020, and August 17, 2020. The 77-item survey was shared on social media platforms.Results: A total of 559 participants were included in the analyses, and 15.74% of them reported having CYP with SEN. While sleep changes due to the pandemic were largely similar for both groups, CYP with SEN were more likely to get up or wake up during the night than those without SEN (40.91% vs. 27.18%). CYP with SEN were significantly more likely than those without SEN to be demotivated (61.44% vs. 31.57%), sad and tearful (36.15% vs. 19.35%), or anxious and stressed (41.67% vs. 18.54%) during the pandemic, and the increased anxiety was more likely to contribute to poorer sleep (43.48% vs. 14.82%).Conclusions: While the majority of CYP in both groups reported sleep changes due to the pandemic, CYP with SEN experienced more sleep disturbance. The findings provide initial evidence to suggest that the pandemic may have had a greater impact on the sleep and mental wellbeing of CYP with SEN than those without SEN.
Dizziness in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Kim Jae Rim , Park Soo Ryun , Park Hea Ree , Joo Eun Yeon
Published: August 2022

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and dizziness are common conditions observed in the general population, and several epidemiological studies have reported an association between OSA and dizziness. Vestibular dysfunction, autonomic instability, and cerebellar degeneration secondary to recurrent hypoxia are implicated as mechanisms underlying dizziness in patients with OSA. Moreover, OSA is a risk factor for many diseases associated with dizziness, including Meniere disease, stroke, and psychiatric conditions. A dizziness questionnaire, vestibular function tests, and tests for autonomic function are useful for evaluation of OSA and concomitant dizziness. A growing body of evidence has shown that effective treatment of OSA including continuous positive airway pressure therapy reduces dizziness in these patients. Greater attention to dizziness is warranted in patients with OSA.
Effects of Low-Concentration Carbon Dioxide Exposure at Bedtime on Sleep in Adults With Insomnia Symptoms
Authors: Choi Su Jung , Joo Eun Yeon
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulation in an enclosed space might cause drowsiness. This study aimed to assess the effect of bedtime exposure to low concentrations of CO2 gas on the sleep quality of adults with insomnia.Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled cross-over study, we consecutively recruited 24 adults (9 men; age, 55.4±6.3 y) complaining of sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ≥5). The following two interventions were used in the study: exposure to 2% low-concentration edible CO2 gas (experimental intervention) and exposure to room air (sham-controlled intervention). A sleep air device (Gosleep®, NYX), which atomizes CO2 gas, was used in both experimental and sham-controlled interventions. For the sham session, room air was generated for 18 min, and then, gradually reduced by degrees in the next 5 min with the device finally being turned off.Results: The group exposed to CO2 gas had longer time in bed (361.3±55.2 min vs. 347.2±35.7 min, p=0.034) and total sleep time (311.0±74.3 min vs. 287.2±69.4 min, p=0.010) than the group exposed to room air. Meanwhile, the total arousal (19.7±9.5/h vs. 24.0±13.7/h, p=0.011) and non-REM arousal (20.9±11.3/h vs. 25.1±14.9/h, p=0.008) indices were lower in the group exposed to CO2 gas than in the group exposed to room air. However, perceived total sleep time or sleep latency and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale scores were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion: Exposure to low concentrations of CO2 improved the total sleep time and arousal index in adults with insomnia. Unexpectedly, CO2 administration was found to be effective for sleep maintenance.
S-type fiber surface plasmon resonance strain sensor
Authors: Wei Yong , Shi Chen , Zhao Xiaoling , Liu Chunlan , Li Lingling , Wang Rui , Liu Chunbiao , Zhu Dong , Zhang Yu , Liu Zhihai
Published: August 2022

The fiber surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is widely used in high-sensitivity refractive index detection, and there are few reports on SPR sensors used for strain measurement. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an S-type fiber strain sensor based on SPR. The simulation and testing results indicate that the smaller the vertical axis offset of S-type fiber is, the larger the incidence angle of SPR is, and the closer the working band of SPR is to the shorter wavelength direction. By electrofusion, we fabricated an S-type structure on the single-mode fiber, and by the S-type structure, the high-order cladding mode was excited. A 50 nm gold film was coated on the surface of the fiber cladding behind the S-type structure. The evanescent field of the cladding mode contacted the gold film to produce SPR, and the strain can change the vertical axis offset of the S-type fiber and further change the incidence angle of SPR; hence an S-type fiber strain sensor based on SPR was realized. When the refractive index of the ambient medium is 1.345 RIU, the vertical axis offset and length of the S-shaped structure are 87 and 501 µm, respectively, the resonance wavelength of the fiber SPR strain sensor changes from 648.06 to 631.77 nm with a strain detection range of

0
−
1200

µ
ε

, and its sensitivity is

−

14.38

p
m

/

µ
ε

. The proposed sensor provides a new solution for the strain measurement of the fiber SPR sensor, which is expected to be used in the fields of engineering, health monitoring, and early warning.
Optical fiber point sensors based on forward Brillouin scattering
Authors: Shemer Keren , Bashan Gil , Zehavi Elad , Diamandi Hilel Hagai , Bernstein Alon , Sharma Kavita , London Yosef , Barrera David , Sales Salvador , Bergman Arik , Zadok Avi
Published: August 2022

Forward Brillouin scattering interactions support the sensing and analysis of media outside the cladding boundaries of standard fibers, where light cannot reach. Quantitative point-sensing based on this principle has yet to be reported. In this work, we report a forward Brillouin scattering point-sensor in a commercially available, off-the-shelf multi-core fiber. Pump light at the inner, on-axis core of the fiber is used to stimulate a guided acoustic mode of the entire fiber cross-section. The acoustic wave, in turn, induces photoelastic perturbations to the reflectivity of a Bragg grating inscribed in an outer, off-axis core of the same fiber. The measurements successfully analyze refractive index perturbations on the tenth decimal point and distinguish between ethanol and water outside the centimeter-long grating. The measured forward Brillouin scattering linewidths agree with predictions. The acquired spectra are unaffected by forward Brillouin scattering outside the grating region. The results add point-analysis to the portfolio of forward Brillouin scattering optical fiber sensors.
A method for single particle tracking through a multimode fiber
Authors: Cifuentes Angel , Trägårdh Johanna
Published: August 2022

Multimode optical fiber (MMF) endoscopes have recently gained widespread attention as a novel tool for imaging deep within tissue using light microscopy. We here present a method for particle tracking through the MMF, which overcomes the lack of a fast enough wide-field fluorescence imaging modality for this type of endoscope, namely a discrete implementation of orbital particle tracking. We achieve biologically relevant tracking speeds (up to 1.2 μm/s) despite using a slow SLM for the wavefront shaping. We demonstrate a tracking accuracy of λ/50 for a 0.3 NA fiber and show tracking of a pinhole moving to mimic Brownian motion with diffusion rates of up to 0.3 μm2/s.
Polarization-controlled and symmetry-dependent multiple plasmon-induced transparency in graphene-based metasurfaces
Authors: Tang Bin , Guo Ziqing , Jin Gui
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we theoretically and numerically demonstrate a polarization-controlled and symmetry-dependent multiple plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) in a graphene-based metasurface. The unit cell of metasurface is composed of two reversely placed U-shaped graphene nanostructures and a rectangular graphene ring stacking on a dielectric substrate. By adjusting the polarization of incident light, the number of transparency windows can be actively modulated between 1 and 2 when the nanostructure keeps a geometrical symmetry with respect to the x-axis. Especially, when the rectangular graphene ring has a displacement along the y-direction, the number of transparency windows can be arbitrarily switched between 2 and 3. The operation mechanism behind the phenomena can be attributed to the near-field coupling and electromagnetic interaction between the bright modes excited in the unit of graphene resonators. Moreover, the electromagnetic simulations obtained by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method agree well with the theoretical results based on the coupled modes theory (CMT). In addition, as applications of the designed nanostructure, we also study the modulation degrees of amplitude, insertion loss and group index of transmission spectra for different Fermi energies, which demonstrates an excellent synchronous switch functionality and slow light effect at multiple frequencies. Our designed metasurface may have potential applications in mid-infrared optoelectronic devices, such as optical switches, modulators, and slow-light devices, etc.
Reconfigurable reflective multifunction OAM metasurface based on spin-decoupling
Authors: Huang Hui-Fen , Ye Jun-Jie
Published: August 2022

This Letter develops a spin-decoupled reconfigurable reflective orbital angular momentum (OAM) metasurface (MTS). The reconfigurability is realized by switching the feed among left-hand circular polarization (LHCP), right-hand circular polarization (RHCP), and linear polarization (LP) incidences, and the reconfigurable design principle is provided. This Letter also proposes a design method for the desired energy ratio between the co-polarized and cross-polarized beams. Compared with published multifunction MTSs, the designed MTSs have the following advantages: multi-polarizations, arbitrary beam numbers and modes, composite waveform (pencil and OAM beams), high aperture efficiency (21.1%, 14.6%, 6.63% for RHCP, LP, and LHCP incidences, respectively), high purity (above 92.41%), required energy distribution ratio, and reconfigurability. The MTSs have potential prospects in high-capacity wireless communications.