bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances Associated With Increased Susceptibility to Liver Injury in Children
Authors: Stratakis Nikos , V. Conti David , Jin Ran , Margetaki Katerina , Valvi Damaskini , Siskos Alexandros P. , Maitre Léa , Garcia Erika , Varo Nerea , Zhao Yinqi , Roumeliotaki Theano , Vafeiadi Marina , Urquiza Jose , Fernández‐Barrés Silvia , Heude Barbara , Basagana Xavier , Casas Maribel , Fossati Serena , Gražulevičienė Regina , Andrušaitytė Sandra , Uppal Karan , McEachan Rosemary R.C. , Papadopoulou Eleni , Robinson Oliver , Haug Line Småstuen , Wright John , Vos Miriam B. , Keun Hector C. , Vrijheid Martine , Berhane Kiros T. , McConnell Rob , Chatzi Lida
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread and persistent pollutants that have been shown to have hepatotoxic effects in animal models. However, human evidence is scarce. We evaluated how prenatal exposure to PFAS associates with established serum biomarkers of liver injury and alterations in serum metabolome in children.

Approach and Results

We used data from 1,105 mothers and their children (median age, 8.2 years; interquartile range, 6.6‐9.1) from the European Human Early‐Life Exposome cohort (consisting of six existing population‐based birth cohorts in France, Greece, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom). We measured concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoate, perfluorononanoate, perfluorohexane sulfonate, and perfluoroundecanoate in maternal blood. We assessed concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma‐glutamyltransferase in child serum. Using Bayesian kernel machine regression, we found that higher exposure to PFAS during pregnancy was associated with higher liver enzyme levels in children. We also measured child serum metabolomics through a targeted assay and found significant perturbations in amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism associated with prenatal PFAS. A latent variable analysis identified a profile of children at high risk of liver injury (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.21‐1.92) that was characterized by high prenatal exposure to PFAS and increased serum levels of branched‐chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine), aromatic amino acids (tryptophan and phenylalanine), and glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylcholine [PC] aa C36:1 and Lyso‐PC a C18:1).

Conclusions

Developmental exposure to PFAS can contribute to pediatric liver injury.
Targeted next‐generation sequencing reveals molecular heterogeneity in non‐chronic lymphocytic leukemia clonal B‐cell lymphocytosis
Authors: Defrancesco Irene , Zibellini Silvia , Boveri Emanuela , Frigeni Marco , Ferretti Virginia Valeria , Rizzo Ettore , Bonometti Arturo , Capuano Francesca , Candido Chiara , Rattotti Sara , Tenore Annamaria , Picone Cristina , Flospergher Elena , Zerbi Caterina , Bergamini Fabio , Fabbri Nicole , Cristinelli Caterina , Varettoni Marzia , Paulli Marco , Arcaini Luca
Published: August 2020

Non‐chronic lymphocytic leukemia (non‐CLL) clonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (CBL) encompasses a heterogeneous group of hematologic disorders that are still poorly understood. To shed light on their biological aspects, we retrospectively analyzed a highly selected series of 28 patients, who had a clonal B‐cell population in the peripheral blood and in the bone marrow, without evidence of lymphoma. Extended targeted next‐generation sequencing revealed wide molecular heterogeneity with MYD88 (14%), PDE4DIP (14%), BIRC3 (11%), CCND3 (11%), NOTCH1 (11%), and TNFAIP3 (11%) as the most mutated genes. Mutations of MYD88 were “nonclassic” in most cases. Although some genetic lesions were overlapping with indolent lymphomas, mainly splenic B‐cell lymphomas of marginal zone origin and splenic diffuse red pulp small B‐cell lymphoma, the genetic profile of our non‐CLL CBL series seemed to suggest that various pathways could be involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders, not mirroring any specific lymphoma entity. These data better enlighten the molecular characteristics of non‐CLL CBL; however, more efforts are needed in order to improve the diagnostic process, prognostication, and clinical management.
First‐line pazopanib in intermediate‐ and poor‐risk patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Final results of the FLIPPER trial
Authors: Staehler Michael , Panic Andrej , Goebell Peter J. , Merling Marie , Potthoff Karin , Herrmann Edwin , de Geeter Patrick , Vannier Corinne , Hogrefe Cathrin , Marschner Norbert , Grünwald Viktor
Published: August 2020

Temsirolimus has long been the only approved first‐line standard of care (SOC) with overall survival (OS) benefit in poor‐risk patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC). However, tyrosine kinase inhibitors are also commonly used in clinical practice. Pazopanib is an SOC for first‐line mRCC treatment, but for poor‐risk patients data are scarce. The FLIPPER (First‐Line Pazopanib in Poor‐Risk Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma) study aimed to assess efficacy and safety of first‐line pazopanib in poor‐risk mRCC patients. FLIPPER was a single‐arm, multicenter, Phase IV trial. Key inclusion criteria were treatment‐naive clear cell, inoperable advanced or mRCC, poor‐risk according to MSKCC with slight modification, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥60% and adequate organ function. Oral pazopanib 800 mg was given daily. Primary endpoint was the 6‐month progression‐free survival rate (PFS6). Secondary endpoints included PFS, OS, overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR) and safety. For analysis, descriptive statistics were used. Between 2012 and 2016, 60 patients had been included. Forty‐three patients qualified for safety analyses, 34 for efficacy. Median age was 66 years, 64.7% of patients were poor‐risk, 82.4% had a KPS ≤70%. PFS6 was 35.3% (95% CI, 19.7‐53.5). Median PFS and OS were 4.5 months (95% CI, 3.6‐7.8) and 9.3 months (95% CI, 6.6‐22.2), respectively. ORR was 32.4% (95% CI, 17.4‐50.5), median DOR 9.7 months (95% CI, 1.8‐12.4). The most common treatment‐related grade 3/4 adverse event reported in 4.7% of patients was hypertension. No treatment‐related death occurred. Since pazopanib is active and well tolerated in poor‐risk patients with clear cell mRCC, our results support its use as first‐line treatment in this setting.
Machine learning model to predict oncologic outcomes for drugs in randomized clinical trials
Authors: Schperberg Alexander V. , Boichard Amélie , Tsigelny Igor F. , Richard Stéphane B. , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: August 2020

Predicting oncologic outcome is challenging due to the diversity of cancer histologies and the complex network of underlying biological factors. In this study, we determine whether machine learning (ML) can extract meaningful associations between oncologic outcome and clinical trial, drug‐related biomarker and molecular profile information. We analyzed therapeutic clinical trials corresponding to 1102 oncologic outcomes from 104 758 cancer patients with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, melanoma and nonsmall‐cell lung cancer. For each intervention arm, a dataset with the following attributes was curated: line of treatment, the number of cytotoxic chemotherapies, small‐molecule inhibitors, or monoclonal antibody agents, drug class, molecular alteration status of the clinical arm's population, cancer type, probability of drug sensitivity (PDS) (integrating the status of genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic biomarkers in the population of interest) and outcome. A total of 467 progression‐free survival (PFS) and 369 overall survival (OS) data points were used as training sets to build our ML (random forest) model. Cross‐validation sets were used for PFS and OS, obtaining correlation coefficients (r) of 0.82 and 0.70, respectively (outcome vs model's parameters). A total of 156 PFS and 110 OS data points were used as test sets. The Spearman correlation (rs) between predicted and actual outcomes was statistically significant (PFS: rs = 0.879, OS: rs = 0.878, P < .0001). The better outcome arm was predicted in 81% (PFS: N = 59/73, z = 5.24, P < .0001) and 71% (OS: N = 37/52, z = 2.91, P = .004) of randomized trials. The success of our algorithm to predict clinical outcome may be exploitable as a model to optimize clinical trial design with pharmaceutical agents.
Viability of liberal professions' economic effectiveness in the context of the new fiscal changes in Romania
Authors: Antohi Valentin M. , Zlati Monica L. , Radu Riana I. , Cosmulese Cristina G. , Socoliuc Marian
Published: August 2020

In the current economic flow generated context, the services provided by liberal professions have become a link between producers and suppliers of products, services and end‐users. The objective of the study is to delineate the fiscal debt sustainability threshold and its impact on liberal professions specific activities. A subsequent objective is to highlight the impact of the independent activities of the liberal professions at the micro and macroeconomic level by developing a model of circular interdependence, between the inputs and outputs of resources, services and the critical point from which it can produce value, continuity and growth in activity. The results of the study are based on the definition of the role of the liberal profession in the context of the current economy in Romania, as well as on the demarcation of the critical point from which the economic spiral can create added value and profitability.
The macroeconomics of gender equality
Authors: Ghosh Taniya , Ramanayake Sanika S.
Published: August 2020

This study investigates the association between gender gap and economic progress. Using a panel VAR study as well as a comprehensive gender gap index and its sub‐indices from the World Economic Forum, the study confirms the existence of bidirectional Granger causality between gender gap and economic progress, for OECD countries and developing countries. On the one hand, economic progress encourages equity for both sexes. On the other hand, gender equity helps developing nations prosper and significantly improve their human capital, which, in turn, drives long‐run economic progress. By contrast, closing the gender gap negatively affects OECD output. For the sample of developing countries, the aforementioned results are robust to sub‐indices measured by gender gap in economic participation as well as opportunity, educational attainment, and political empowerment. We recommend that gender policies specifically aim at eliminating gaps in female education.
An empirical examination of purchasing power parity: Argentina 1810–2016
Authors: Jacobo Alejandro D. , Sosvilla‐Rivero Simón
Published: August 2020

This paper examines the purchasing power parity behaviour for Argentina during the 1810–2016 period. To that end, we use cointegration analysis and error correction models allowing for structural breaks. We find a long‐run relationship between the AR$/USD exchange rate and the price differential between Argentina and the USA. In particular, we offer empirical evidence in favour of a cointegrating equation with two structural breaks. We also find evidence that the data could identify an appropriate error correction model for the short‐run dynamics, hence providing further support for the cointegrating equation as a long‐run relationship.
The spillover effects of economic policy uncertainty on the oil, gold, and stock markets: Evidence from China
Authors: Gao Ruzhao , Zhao Yancai , Zhang Bing
Published: August 2020

In this study, we investigate the different spillover levels of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on the oil, gold, and stock markets in China. EPU has the highest levels of the growth and volatility spillover on the gold market, and EPU transmits the lowest levels of growth and volatility spillovers to the oil market. EPU receives the highest level of return spillover from the oil market and the lowest from the gold market. However, EPU receives a higher level of the volatility spillover from the gold and stock markets. Regarding growth spillover, EPU is the net spillover receiver from the oil market and the net spillover transmitter to the gold market. Regarding volatility spillover, EPU is a main spillover receiver from all three markets. All net spillovers from EPU to the oil, gold, and stock markets are time‐varying. The recent financial crisis exerts significant effects on the net spillovers of EPU on the three markets.
Asymmetric cointegration, Non‐linear ARDL, and the J‐curve: A bilateral analysis of Pakistan and its trading partners
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Nosheen Misbah , Rehman Panezai Gauhar , Salahuddin
Published: August 2020

Earlier studies that investigated the response of the trade balance to exchange rate changes relied on the assumption that appreciations and depreciation behaves in symmetric way and have used the linear ARDL approach for empirical estimates. The empirical results are supposed to have masked by restricted assumption of symmetry between exchange rate and trade balance. In this study, we investigate the J‐curve at the bilateral level between Pakistan and her major eight trading partners. We find significant evidence that non‐linear Autoregressive Distributive lag (ARDL) Model performs better as compared to linear ARDL. In case of linear ARDL, there is no evidence of the J‐curve at bilateral level, however, when we used non‐linear ARDL, we found the support of the J‐curve in the case of Malaysia, China, and the United States.
The role of information and communication technology (internet penetration) on Asian stock market efficiency: Evidence from quantile‐on‐quantile cointegration and causality approach
Authors: Afshan Sahar , Sharif Arshian , Nassani Abdelmohsen A. , Abro Muhammad M. Q. , Batool Rubeena , Zaman Khalid
Published: August 2020

The objective of the study is to evaluate the long‐run and causal relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and Asian stock market efficiency by using quantile‐on‐quantile cointegration and causality approach, which analysed the different slope coefficients at median and the lower tails of conditional quantiles distribution. The study selected 10 Asian countries that experienced massive capital flows and e‐financing to verify efficient market hypothesis. The study utilizing a monthly time series data ranging from 2000 M01 to 2016 M12, where pre‐ and post‐global financial crisis time period is certainly induced, which affected through trade and financial channels in many Asian countries. The results confirmed the positive linkages between stock market efficiency and internet use in the 8 Asian countries while this result is averted in the two Asian countries (i.e., China and Russia) in a given time period. The heterogeneity between the countries in the stock‐ICT nexus could be endorsed to the multiple factors that need to be included in the multivariate framework.
Exploring the dynamic price discovery, risk transfer and spillover among INE, WTI and Brent crude oil futures markets: Evidence from the high‐frequency data
Authors: Zhang Yue‐Jun , Ma Shu‐Jiao
Published: August 2020

In order to test whether Chinese crude oil futures (INE) has already played the role of futures market and whether it has had a significant impact on international benchmark market, we construct the permanent temporary model and Information Share model based on 15 min of high‐frequency trading data from March 26, 2018 to October 30, 2018 to inspect the proportions of new information in INE and Brent markets, and use the Garbade‐Silber model to measure the risk transfer effect. Furthermore, the generalised spillover index is proposed to examine the effects of return and volatility spillovers among INE, WTI and Brent futures markets. The results reveal that: firstly, during the sample period, INE is not yet a promoter of international benchmark crude oil prices, but more obvious followers. Secondly, although INE has begun to display the price discovery function, it is weaker than that of Brent, and the risk transfer function between them does not appear strong. Finally, INE market mainly acts as a net transmitter of return spillover before August 2018, but it has almost always been the net transmitter of volatility spillover during the full sample period. These findings are of interest to policy makers as well as investors for risk hedging and asset allocation of crude oil portfolios.
Information content of insider filings after stock repurchase and seasoned equity issue announcements
Authors: Huang Han‐Ching , Tung Pei‐Shan
Published: August 2020

This paper examines the information content of insider filings after stock repurchase and seasoned equity issue (SEOs) announcements. We find that when firms and insiders trade in the same directions, the absolute value of the market reaction to insiders' purchase filings after stock repurchase announcements is larger than that to insiders' sale filings after SEO announcements. Thus, although insiders' sale filings after SEO announcements still suggest that the stocks are overvalued, the signals may be less informative owing to the confounding effect of some insiders' liquidity needs. When the firms and insiders trade in opposite directions, insiders' purchases after a firm's sale dominate insiders' sales after a firm's purchase, since insiders' purchase always convey positive information about a firm's future. When the firms and insiders trade in the same direction, the abnormal returns following purchases (or sales) depend on the type of insiders who make the trade. The positive (negative) abnormal returns following purchases (sales) decrease in absolute value according to the category of insiders, which is consistent with the information hierarchy hypothesis. When firms and insiders trade in opposite directions, the results are similar, but the magnitude is weak. Based on our results, the insiders who are more familiar with the day‐to‐day operations of the firm would trade on more valuable information than other insiders. Although following CEO trades more closely results in CEOs trading more cautiously, CEOs face less litigation risk and trade more on their informational advantages after event announcements.
Firm financial performance during the financial crisis: A French case study
Authors: Ben Jabeur Sami , Belhaj Hassine Rabi , Mefteh‐Wali Salma
Published: August 2020

This study investigates the effect of the 2008 financial crisis on the corporate performance of 805 French firms over the period of 2007–2009. This research uses both ordinary least squares (OLS) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to estimate this relationship. The OLS results show no impact of the regional gross domestic product per capita on profitability, whereas the fsQCA suggests several paths for corporate performance. The study offers two principal contributions. Firstly, it takes into account region specificities to assess the impact of the financial crisis on firm performance. Secondly, the study combines an innovative analytical approach, fsQCA, with multivariate regression analysis to analyse firm performance.
South Asia: Multilateral trade agreements and untapped regional trade integration
Authors: Kumar Rakesh
Published: August 2020

This paper presents the facts on existing and future prospects of regional trade integration in South Asia in the backdrop of multilateral trade agreements. The study applies trade intensity index of four largest South Asian countries (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) to estimates the short‐ and long‐run trade co‐integration in autoregressive multilateral framework. The results highlights that long‐run trade complementarities are found between the trade of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while short‐run trade complementarities exist between India and Bangladesh, and between India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan and Bangladesh are found close trade competitors in South Asia in short run. The findings are important for policy implication which highlights how to bridge the untapped regional trade integration in South Asia. If trade barriers are overcome, the greater degree of trade openness can play vital role in achieving balanced regional economic development. India being the largest economy can play key role in striving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) process for pursuing its objectives.
The implications of cash flows for future earnings and stock returns within profit and loss firms
Authors: Naoum Vassilios‐Christos , Papanastasopoulos Georgios A.
Published: August 2020

The current study examines the association of cash subcomponents of earnings with future profitability and stock returns, conditional on the sign of current profitability. The empirical findings, based on a sample of U.K. listed firms for the period 1989–2013, indicate that, the higher persistence of the cash component of earnings is entirely attributable to cash distributions to equity holders and that investors fail to anticipate this higher persistence, leading to significant mispricing. Cash distributions to equity holders appear to have a positive relation with future returns. Furthermore, we show that the positive effect of the cash subcomponent related to equity financing activities on future earnings and stock price performance, is highly attenuated across profit firms, and becomes more severe across loss firms. Overall, our findings lend support to the earnings fixation hypothesis in explaining the pricing implications of the cash component of earnings on future stock returns.
Board gender composition and debt financing
Authors: Ahmed Ammad , Atif Muhammad
Published: August 2020

There is a recent upsurge in calls for more women on corporate boards around the world; however, a perception of women being risk‐averse that is created by lottery and gambling studies has affected women's advancement in their career ladder. Our study investigates women's risk averseness when they are on corporate boards in the context of a firm's use of debt financing. Using a unique Australian setting, we find that women on the board have a positive association with the firm's use of debt financing. This suggests that firms with women on the board are not conservative in using debt financing. Our results are robust to the use of alternative measures of gender diversity and to a series of sensitivity checks including propensity score matching, difference‐in‐differences and two‐stage least square techniques.
Money laundering and bank risk: Evidence from U.S. banks
Authors: Altunbaş Yener , Thornton John , Uymaz Yurtsev
Published: August 2020

We test for a link between bank risk and enforcements issued by U.S. regulators against banks for money laundering (ML) in a sample of 960 publicly listed U.S. banks over 2004–2015. ML‐related enforcements are associated with increased bank risk on several measures of risk with the result robust to a variety of estimation methodologies. Moreover, the impact of ML on bank risk is accentuated by the presence of powerful CEOs and only partly mitigated by large and independent executive boards.
Modelling opportunity cost effects in money demand due to openness
Authors: van Huellen Sophie , Qin Duo , Lu Shan , Wang Huiwen , Wang Qing Chao , Moraitis Thanos
Published: August 2020

We apply a novel model‐based approach to constructing composite international financial indices (CIFIs) as measures of opportunity cost effects that arise due to openness in money demand models. These indices are tested on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan Province of China (TPC), two economies which differ substantially in size and degree of financial openness. Results show that (a) stable money demand equations can be identified if accounting for foreign opportunity costs through CIFIs, (b) the monetary policy intervention in the PRC over the global financial crisis period temporarily mitigated disequilibrating foreign shocks to money demand, (c) CIFIs capture opportunity costs due to openness more adequately than commonly used US interest rates and (d) CIFI construction provides valuable insights into the channels through which foreign financial markets affect domestic money demand.
Removal of an encrusted ureteral stent by cutting the stent with a holmium laser using 4.5‐Fr semi‐rigid and flexible ureteroscopes
Authors: Imai Satoshi , Inoue Takaaki , Muramaki Mototsugu , Yamada Yuji , Fujisawa Masato
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Ureteral stents (double‐J stents) are widely used in urology to prevent or relieve ureteral obstruction and have become an integral part of urological practice. We have often experienced cases in which a stent cannot be removed due to encrustation.

Case presentation

We describe the case of a 54‐year‐old male, who presented with a severely encrusted ureteral stent, which had only been inserted for one month until second surgery for renal stones. The ureteral stent could not be removed as it had become encrusted with renal stones. The encrusted ureteral stent was successfully removed by cutting it with a Ho:YAG laser using 4.5/6.5‐Fr semi‐rigid and flexible ureteroscopes retrogradely. The patient subsequently remained stone‐free without any complication.

Conclusion

We experienced a case in which an encrusted ureteral stent was successfully removed retrogradely. Technological advancements in endourology will hopefully make the treatment of such cases safer and less invasive.
Translation and preliminary validation of a Korean version of the parental reflective functioning questionnaire
Authors: Lee Yujin , Meins Elizabeth , Larkin Fionnuala
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to explore the factor structure, reliability, and validity of a Korean translation of the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ). The PRFQ consists of three subscales: prementalizing modes, certainty about mental states, and interest and curiosity in mental states. A convenience sample of 163 Korean parents completed the K‐PRFQ. Exploratory factor analysis showed three factors mapped on to the original PRFQ factors, but items from the original prementalizing modes subscale clustered into two additional factors. Data from a subsample (n = 67) showed that the certainty about mental states and interest and curiosity in mental states subscales correlated positively with more optimal self‐reported parenting. We discuss the validity of using the PRFQ in collectivistic cultures.
Agriculture sustainability in arid lands of southern Tunisia: Ecological impacts of irrigation water quality and human practices*
Authors: Dhaouadi Latifa , Besser Houda , Wassar Fatma , Kharbout Nissaf , Brahim Naima Ben , Wahba Mohamed As , Kang Yaohu Kang
Published: August 2020

Groundwater resources in southwestern Tunisia are facing serious quantity and quality degradation. Given that they are the only source used for oasis irrigation, serious impacts on the soil of the region are expected. Accordingly, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the suitability of the sampled water from the Complex Terminal aquifer for irrigation purposes and to determine the potential impacts of their long‐term use within the present agricultural practices on soil properties.

The calculated ionic ratios indicate different classes ranging from permissible to unsuitable waters with respect to alkalinity standards (sodium adsorption ratio from 3.68 to 9.34, %Na from 36.7 to 61.2, and rill erodibility from 0.48 to 1.43). Water samples present high values of electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and potential salinity, about 54.5, 29.4, and 32.2%, respectively, which indicates serious salinity hazard. All the sampled waters may induce corrosion and clogging problems as deduced from the calculated light dynamic penetrometer and total hardness indices. The weighted water quality indices results (Canadian Water Quality Index and the irrigation water quality index) confirm the poor quality of the used irrigation water.

The results of this study coupled with field investigations indicate that the cumulative impacts of low water quality and poor agricultural practices have damaged the total oasean ecosystem.
MiR‐1224‐5p acts as a tumor suppressor via inhibiting the malignancy of rectal cancer through targeting SLC29A3
Authors: Song Na‐Sha , Pei Zhi‐Dong , Fu Gui
Published: August 2020

The emphasis of our study was to determine the physiological function of miR‐1224‐5p in rectal cancer (RC) and its in‐depth mechanism. First, the expression of miR‐1224‐5p in RC tissues was analyzed using public data from the TCGA database. Then, miR‐1224‐5p expression in RC cell lines SW480 and SW837 was measured using the qRT‐PCR assay. The subsequent CCK‐8 assay was executed to assess the function of miR‐1224‐5p in the viability of the RC cell. Bioinformatics prediction prompted that SLC29A3 may be a potential target gene for miR‐1224‐5p. Western blotting and dual‐luciferase reporter assays were performed to affirm the above forecasting. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox multivariate analysis were carried out to assess the relationship between SLC29A3 and prognosis. Finally, CCK‐8, colony formation assay, and transwell assay were used for functional analysis of miR‐1224‐5p/ SLC29A3 axis in vitro. MiR‐1224‐5p was expressed at low levels in RC tissues and cell lines. Up‐regulation of miR‐1224‐5p inhibited SW480 cell viability, while inhibition of miR‐1224‐5p enhanced the viability of SW837 cells. What is more, we affirmed that miR‐1224‐5p could direct target SLC29A3, which was expressed at high levels in RC tissues. In addition, SLC29A3 could be used as an independent predictive factor of prognosis in patients with RC, and the higher SLC29A3 expression, the lower survival rate. Finally, cellular functional experiments evidenced that miR‐1224‐5p mimic can reduce the cell viability, invasion, and migration, while overexpression of SLC29A3 presented an opposite effect. Importantly, co‐transfection experiments indicated that SLC29A3 can reverse miR‐1224‐5p‐mediated inhibition in the malignant progression of RC cells. Our work raised the possibility that miR‐1224‐5p functioned as a tumor suppressor in RC, which achieved its function via targeting SLC29A3.
SOLUTION OF OPTIMAL CONTROL PROBLEMS ON A PARALLEL MACHINE USING THE EPSILON METHOD
Authors: Frick P. A , Stech D. J.
Published: August 2020

Using Balakrishnan's epsilon formulation and the Rayleigh‐Ritz method with a Walsh function basis, optimal control problems are transformed from the standard two‐point boundary value problem form to an unconstrained non‐linear programming problem. The resulting matrix‐vector equations describing the optimal solution can be very easily implemented on say an IBM PC running Matlab or MatrixX on the one hand and have standard parallel solution methods for implementation on parallel computers on the other. Some computational results performed on an Intel hypercube are presented to illustrate that considerable computational savings can be realized by using the proposed algorithm.
REDUCED‐ORDER STATE SPACE MODELS FOR CONTROL OF METAL‐FORMING PROCESSES
Authors: Grandhi R. V. , Thiagarajan R. , Malas J. C. , Irwin D.
Published: August 2020

This paper describes a systematic procedure to build reduced‐order analytical models for representing metal‐forming processes. The non‐linear finite element method (FEM) is used to model and simulate the metal‐forming process. The procedure for construction of the state space model from the finite element model is described. Available model reduction schemes are utilized in generating reduced‐order models from the full size state space representation of the system. The objective of the design process is to maintain specified effective strain rates in certain critical elements of the workpiece. The control input (ram velocity) is designed off‐line using the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory with finite time control. Three model reduction methods are studied and a suitable technique applicable to the metal‐forming process is identified. The selection is based on two performance measures, namely the designed velocity schedule and the infinity norm of the reduced‐order system. The method of building the reduced‐order process models is explained and demonstrated using two case studies.
NUMERICAL METHODS FOR HJB EQUATIONS OF OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS FOR PIECEWISE DETERMINISTIC SYSTEMS
Authors: Boukas E. K.
Published: August 2020

This paper deals with numerical methods for the optimization of piecewise, stationary and deterministic systems. We mainly extend the methods used by Kushner and by Gonzales and Roffman to deal with a different kind of optimization problem and provide a comparison between these extended methods. The basic idea behind the numerical approximation methods is to build a discrete Markov decision process with finite state space and finite control space which is readily solvable and approximates the optimization problem for the class of piecewise deterministic systems. To illustrate the usefulness of the proposed methods, a numerical example in the field of production systems is presented.
ROBUST POWER SYSTEM LOAD‐FREQUENCY CONTROLLER DESIGN BASED ON H∞ OPTIMIZATION APPROACH
Authors: Wang Youyi , Zhou Rujing , Gao Long
Published: August 2020

An H∞ controller based on the standard H∞ control design approach is proposed for power system load‐frequency control with system parametric uncertainties. The variation bounds of power system parameters are obtained by changing parameters by 30%‐50% simultaneously from their typical values. The existing H∞ control technique is applied to design a load‐frequency controller for power systems. The design procedure is given. The proposed H∞ controller is simple, effective and can ensure that the overall system is asymptotically stable for all admissible uncertainties. Our simulation results show that for the example system the proposed H∞ load‐frequency controller can achieve good performance even in the presence of generation rate constraint.
FIXED‐ORDER DYNAMIC OPTIMAL CONTROL DESIGN FOR ROBUST STABILITY OF LINEAR DISCRETE SYSTEMS
Authors: Kolla Sri R.
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a fixed‐order dynamic optimal control design method for robust stability of linear discrete systems. The controller determination includes a stability robustness component in addition to the standard quadratic state and control terms in the performance criterion. The control design is based on a parameter optimization technique. The resulting controller involves the solution of three algebraic matrix equations, two of which are discrete‐time Lyapunov matrix equations.
APPLICATION OF RECEDING HORIZON CONTROL STRATEGY TO PURSUIT‐EVASION PROBLEMS
Authors: Shinar J. , Glizer V. J.
Published: August 2020

Time‐optimal interception of an arbitrarily manoeuvering evader is investigated using a simplified kinematic model of planar constant speed motion. Against such an uncertain evader behaviour a new and robust pursuer strategy, inspired by the ‘receding horizon’ control concept, is developed. Numerical results of an extensive simulation study show that for all the cases that have been tested the optimal horizon length is approximately 60% of the minimum time required to capture a straight‐flying evader. Moreover, the performance loss compared with the optimal control and game solutions is less than 1%. The proposed guidance algorithm, based on the ‘receding horizon’ control concept and using a singular perturbation approximation, is very simple to implement and leads almost always to a near‐optimal outcome.
ABOUT OPTIMAL SHAPE DESIGN IN FLUID DYNAMICS
Authors: Neittaanmäki P. , Rivkind V. , Seregin G.
Published: August 2020

In this paper we study optimal shape design problems for systems governed by the Navier‐Stokes equations. Optimality conditions are presented. A numerical example for the design of an axisymmetric solid body surrounded by a Navier‐Stokes flow is given.
GLOBAL ASYMPTOTIC STABILIZATION OF THE SPINNING TOP
Authors: Wan Chih‐Jian , Coppola Vincent T. , Bernstein Dennis S.
Published: August 2020

We consider the problem of controlling a top to the sleeping motion using two different actuation schemes. For a fixed‐base top two actuators are assumed to provide forces at the centre of mass in inertially fixed directions, while for a cart‐mounted top two actuators are assumed to apply forces to the cart in inertially fixed directions. The controller for the cart‐mounted top is obtained from the controller designed for the fixed‐base top using d'Alembert's principle. Both controllers are proved to be globally asymptotically stabilizing. For the uncontrolled fixed‐base top, necessary and sufficient conditions for Lyapunov stability of the sleeping motion are derived. For the case in which there is only one force actuator, locally asymptotically stabilizing control laws that drive the fixed‐base top to the sleeping motion are also obtained.
SHAPE OPTIMIZATION IN AERODYNAMICS USING NON‐LINEAR GENERALIZED MINIMAL RESIDUAL ALGORITHM
Authors: Vossinis Andreas
Published: August 2020

Non‐linear generalized minimal residual (GMRES) is suggested in order to solve the optimality conditions of unconstrained shape optimization problems in aerodynamics. These are formulated as optimal control problems. A brief description of GMRES and how to use it as an optimization tool is first given. The solution of a pressure recovery problem for an aerofoil in subsonic flow follows. The full potential state equation with lift is used; it is solved by a P1 finite element formulation on unstructured meshes. The cost function gradient is calculated by introducing the Lagrangian and an adjoint system, since the lift is treated as a state constraint. The same problem is also solved in transonic full potential flow. A mass flux upwinding is used in order to capture weak shocks and supersonic pockets. The lift is modelled with the help of an approximate Riemann solver on the wake. A P1 finite element method on unstructured meshes is used for the resolution of the state equation. The Lagrangian and an adjoint equation are used in order to calculate in a formal way the cost function gradient. Finally, the solution of a drag minimization problem is presented in the same kind of flow.
POWELL'S METHOD APPLIED TO LEARNING NEURAL CONTROL OF THREE UNKNOWN DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
Authors: Li C. James , Yan Lilai , Chbat Nicolas W.
Published: August 2020

This paper describes a direct neural network (NN) learning controller that is capable of improving its performance in the control of a non‐linear system whose dynamics are unknown. This controller is able to improve its performance without having to identify a model of the plant, which is a necessity for most existing neural network controllers. This characteristic is obtained with a gradient‐free neural network learning algorithm, Powell's method. The performance of this new controller in the control of three non‐linear systems, a pendulum, a double pendulum and a robot, was evaluated by simulations and experiments. The new controller has shown fast learning and small tracking error in the control of these systems.
GRAMMIAN ASSIGNMENT FOR STOCHASTIC PARAMETER SYSTEMS AND THEIR STABILIZATION UNDER RANDOMLY VARYING DELAYS
Authors: Yaz Engin , Ray Asok
Published: August 2020

The motivation for the work reported in this paper accrues from the necessity of finding stabilizing control laws for systems with randomly varying distributed delays. It reports the development of assignability conditions for mean square controllability and observability Grammians in discrete‐time stochastic‐parameter systems and shows how to parametrize the static output feedback gains to achieve a certain Grammian assignment. All assignable Grammians are expressed either as the simultaneous solutions of a Riccati‐like matrix inequality and a linear equation or as a non‐linear matrix equation with a free parameter.
ROBUST GUARANTEED COST CONTROL OF UNCERTAIN NON‐LINEAR ROBOTIC SYSTEM USING MIXED MINIMUM TIME AND QUADRATIC PERFORMANCE INDEX
Authors: Kaloust J. , Qu Z.
Published: August 2020

To provide better transient performance in controlling robots, a mixed minimum time and quadratic performance index is used. For known and uncertain revolute robot manipulators a conventional optimal control and a robust guaranteed cost control are proposed respectively. Asymptotic stability is also discussed based on the Lyapunov direct method. The proposed robust control is continuous and requires no knowledge of the uncertain system except for bounding functions.
A PENALTY METHOD FOR POINT AND PATH STATE CONSTRAINTS IN TRAJECTORY OPTIMIZATION
Authors: Bartholomew‐Biggs M. C.
Published: August 2020

This communication gives a brief description of a practical penalty function approach to the solution of optimal control problems involving constraints on the state variables. The work is motivated by a wish to retain some benefits of the Pontryagin approach to trajectory optimization when certain in‐flight constraints are included. A single computational example is used to demonstrate the viability of the method.
BARRIER STRATEGIES AND CAPTURE CRITERIA IN A 3D PURSUIT‐EVASION DIFFERENTIAL GAME
Authors: Segal A. , Miloh T.
Published: August 2020

A 3D pursuit‐evasion situation where a highly manoeuvrable evader is engaged by a faster bank‐to‐turn pursuer is considered in this paper. The differential game (DG) is solved as a ‘game of kind’ (GOK), establishing barrier strategies and capture criteria in terms of the game parameters. Some of these strategies and the associated optimal pursuit‐evasion manoeuvres have been presented in two earlier papers for the ‘classical’ type of barrier surface, i.e. with a tangential termination on the target set. This paper covers a larger region in the game parameter space, introducing a new type of game termination.
Teaching New Literacies and Inquiry: A Grassroots Effort to Bring About Educational Change in Kenya
Authors: Kerkhoff Shea N. , Spires Hiller A. , Wanyonyi Peter
Published: August 2020

Print‐based literacy is no longer sufficient for the global digital age. However, distribution of the resources needed to learn new literacies is unequal. The authors describe a qualitative case study conducted with teachers in Kenya who participated in a professional development series on new literacies and inquiry. The professional development involved an inquiry‐based literacy approach that is technology‐rich and learner‐centered. Three themes emerged from the data: shifting to learner‐centered pedagogies: “I’m inspired to improve my teaching”; change is slow but coming: “We need to be empowered with more information about new technologies”; and strategies for teaching new literacies: “Creating is better than just talking.” The discussion focuses on the enduring challenges for educational transformation in Kenya coupled with the substantive changes that are being made by pioneering Kenyan educators.
Fueling conflict? (De)escalation and bilateral aid
Authors: Bluhm Richard , Gassebner Martin , Langlotz Sarah , Schaudt Paul
Published: August 2020

This paper studies the effects of bilateral foreign aid on conflict escalation and deescalation. First, we develop a new ordinal measure capturing the two‐sided and multifaceted nature of conflict. Second, we propose a dynamic ordered probit estimator that allows for unobserved heterogeneity and corrects for endogeneity. Third, we identify the causal effect of foreign aid on conflict by predicting bilateral aid flows based on electoral outcomes of donor countries which are exogenous to recipients. Receiving bilateral aid raises the chances of escalating from small conflict to armed conflict, but we find little evidence that aid ignites conflict in truly peaceful countries.
Novel input polarisation independent endoscopic cross‐polarised optical coherence tomography probe
Authors: Blessing Katharina , Schirmer Judith , Sharma Gargi , Singh Kanwarpal
Published: August 2020

Lead by the original idea to perform noninvasive optical biopsies of various tissues, optical coherence tomography found numerous medical applications within the last two decades. The interference based imaging technique opens the possibility to visualise subcellular morphology up to an imaging depth of 3 mm and up to micron level axial and lateral resolution. The birefringence properties of the tissue are visualised with enhanced contrast using polarisation sensitive or cross‐polarised optical coherence tomography (OCT) techniques. Although, it requires strict control over the polarisation states, resulting in several polarisation controlling elements. In this work, we propose a novel input‐polarisation independent endoscopic system based on cross‐polarised OCT. We tested the feasibility of our approach by measuring the polarisation change from a quarter‐wave plate for different rotational angles. Further performance tests reveal a lateral resolution of 30 μm and a sensitivity of 103 dB. Images of the human nail bed and cow muscle tissue demonstrate the potential of the system to measure structural and birefringence properties of the tissue endoscopically.
TL1A (TNFSF15) genotype affects the long‐term therapeutic outcomes of anti‐TNFα antibodies for Crohn's disease patients
Authors: Endo Katsuya , Kakuta Yoichi , Moroi Rintaro , Yamamoto Katsutoshi , Shiga Hisashi , Kuroha Masatake , Naito Takeo , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim

TL1A (TNFSF15) is a major Crohn's disease (CD) susceptibility gene, especially in the East Asian population, and is also known to be associated with some clinical phenotypes, such as stricturing and penetrating behavior. This study aims to investigate the association between TL1A genotype and the long‐term therapeutic outcomes of infliximab and adalimumab in Japanese CD patients.

Methods

We investigated 119 biologic‐naïve CD patients treated with infliximab or adalimumab. TL1A ‐358C/T (rs6478109) was genotyped as a tag single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for CD risk or nonrisk haplotype of TL1A (the ‐358C allele is a risk allele for CD development). We compared the long‐term therapeutic outcomes of anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibodies between the TL1A ‐358C/C group and the C/T+T/T group.

Results

Sixty‐nine cases (58.0%) were homozygous for the risk allele (TL1A ‐358C/C group), and 50 cases (42.0%) were heterozygous for the risk allele or homozygous for the protective allele (TL1A ‐358C/T+T/T group). No significant differences were found in the cumulative retention rates and the relapse‐free survival between the TL1A genotypes. However, the surgery‐free survival was significantly lower in the TL1A ‐358C/C group than in the C/T+T/T group (log‐rank test, P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that TL1A ‐358C/C was identified as an independent risk factor for surgery (hazard ratio, 4.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.39–22.1; P = 0.025).

Conclusion

An association was found between the TL1A genotype and the therapeutic outcomes of anti‐TNF therapy. Our data indicate that the design of customized therapy with anti‐TNF antibodies using TL1A genomic information could be effective in the future.