bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Returns of Dividend vs. Non-Dividend-Paying Stocks and Their Relations With Financial Distress and Market Risk Measures
Authors: Rahgozar Reza , Rahgozar Navid
Published: February 2023

This study investigates whether risks and returns of dividend-paying stocks differ from non-dividend-paying stocks. It also examines the financial health and market risk exposure of dividend vs. non-dividend paying firms. The descriptive statistics show that average risks and return of non-dividend paying stocks are higher than dividend-paying stocks. However, tests of equality of means and variances fail to support the conventional view that dividend paying stocks’ returns and risks differ from non-dividend paying stocks over time. The Altman financial stress test shows that the average Z-score of non-dividend-paying stocks is higher and is more volatile than non-dividend paying firms. However, the results strongly reject the argument that dividend and non-dividend paying firms are equally exposed to financial risks. Furthermore, the tests of equality of mean and variance of market risk of dividend paying vs. non-dividend paying stocks are strongly rejected.
Corporate Governance and Firm Performance: Roles of Insider and Institutional Holdings
Authors: Bosworth William , Lee Sharon
Published: February 2023

Over the last decade more attention has focused upon the corporate governance roles played by insiders and institutional holders of corporations. In particular, how effective is monitoring by institutional holders? Does share ownership by insiders provide incentive for managers to perform in ways that maximize shareholder wealth? Many financial studies examined these relationships over the past thirty years. Recently there has been a change in how the quality of a company’s corporate governance is rated. Is the change in ratings systems by the ISS from GRids to Quickscores a good one? Is there a better “quick” indicator of good corporate governance? This paper provides additional evidence on the relationship between ownership structure and firm performance, and in doing so, shows that institutional and insider holdings may be better guides for investors than the “new and improved” ISS indicators.
Conceptual Framework for Examining the Impact of Basel 2.5 on Market Risk Capital
Authors: Obi Pat , Sil Shomir
Published: February 2023

This study presents a conceptual framework that highlights the overreaching impact of Basel 2.5 on market risk capital. The Basel accords provide the basis for the calculation of the minimum capital that banks should maintain to fully absorb their credit, market, and operational risks. In Basel 2.5, the calculation of market risk capital is enhanced by the inclusion of stressed value-at-risk, a new metric designed to account for future periods of extreme market volatility.As this study demonstrates, however, the use of this additional risk estimator often leads to the unintended consequence of excessive and costly capital charge, especially when the stressed period is overshadowed by more recent but less turbulent market events.
Firm Characteristics Over Time by Dividend Payment Pattern and Firm Size
Authors: Consler John , Lepak Greg , Havranek Susan
Published: February 2023

This paper examines relationships between four dividend payment patterns and firm size using seven relevant financial variables from prior studies. Growth rates on the means of these variables are obtained from CRSP using large sample (quarterly) data in the time span 2000 to 2012. The four dividend payment pattern groups represent traditional dividend theory, dividend irrelevance theory, dividend initiators, and a residual/catering theory approach. Results indicate that small firms following a traditional or a residual/catering payment pattern have been most attractive for investment purposes. Surprisingly, both small and large dividend initiators are not being rewarded by the market. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
Dignity, (Almost) Always Dignity: The Tone of CEO Departure Press Releases
Authors: Boni Leslie , Majadillas Mary Anne , Arthur Michelle
Published: February 2023

This paper examines press releases that announce the departure of the firm’s CEO. Using the Loughran and McDonald (2011) dictionary, we find that the tone of the press release is almost always positive, with the number of positive words exceeding the number of negative words, even when the CEO is forced to leave the firm. For both types of words (positive and negative), fifteen of the twenty most frequently-used words in the press releases for voluntary departures are common to those for forced departures. Press releases for forced departures are less positive, however. The rare exceptions – press releases with more negative words than positive words – are more likely when the departure announcement coincides with an announcement involving the departing CEO’s involvement in a federal or internal investigation.
Modified Dollar Cost Averaging Investment Strategy: Evidence From Major Developed International Stock Markets
Authors: Lin Eric , Xu Helen
Published: February 2023

The Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) method is widely used by individual investors as well as financial professionals and has been discussed extensively in the current literature. This study examines a modified DCA (MDCA) approach using a set of international stock market data. The research will test the hypothesis that the simple modification could enhance investor returns over those from the traditional DCA strategy. This is a subject of great interest to both academic researchers as well as to investors. Empirical results indicate that the MDCA strategy outperforms the DCA method across all of the international stock markets investigated.
Effects of Pilot Financial Deregulation in China: Evidence from Shanghai's Free-Trade Zone
Authors: Chiou Ingyu , Hou Zhenghong , Liu Yifan
Published: February 2023

On September 27, 2013, the Chinese government officially launched a new free-trade zone (FTZ) in Shanghai as a laboratory for remaking the country's financial and other sectors. This paper uses the event-study methodology to investigate how the stock prices of 16 Chinese banks are affected before, at, and after the announcement of the FTZ. Our findings are as follows. First, the mean abnormal return of 16 sample banks in each of the [-1, 0] and [0, 0] windows is positive but not statistically significant. This is not consistent with our hypothesis that financial deregulation tends to increase bank value. We suggest that reform uncertainty, increased competition, and information leakage may be possible explanations. Second, in each of the [-1, 0] and [0, 0] windows, the average abnormal return of regional banks is higher than that of Big 4 banks. This is not consistent with our prediction that financial deregulation often benefits large banks more than small banks. This inconsistency may be due to the fact that regional banks are normally more innovative and have more strategic freedom. Finally, in cross-sectional analysis, we find that the total assets (size) variable has little to do with the abnormal return and that the abnormal return is inversely related to the return on equity (profitability) variable. These two results are not consistent with our hypotheses.
Bank Dividend-cuts and the Stock Market Reaction Around the Great Recession
Authors: Zia Mujtaba , Kochan Mucahit
Published: February 2023

We study investors’ reaction to dividend decreases and omissions in the US banking industry during the Great Recession of 2007 and 2008 and compare it to the reaction in the years before and after the crisis. Conducting standard event study approach, we find that investors didn’t react negatively to dividend-cuts in the years preceding the financial crisis and during the crisis as they did in the years following the crisis. Our results imply a shift in the perception of dividend cuts during the financial crisis. Dividend cuts were not perceived as a negative signal about the financial health of the banking firms during the Great Recession.
Giving Options to Everyone: Are There Financial Implications to the Firm?
Authors: Tsebro Pavlo
Published: February 2023

Using simulated returns series and empirically observed stock returns, we show that broad-based option grants can generally lead to direct financial benefits for the company. Cash resources can be preserved internally by substituting options for a portion of payment in cash. However, the substitution of options for $1000 cash pay will result in only $10-$30 dollars of savings to the firm. This raises the question of whether savings of this magnitude can be universally considered as economically significant. We find that the sorting mechanisms in option grants and the financial-constraints explanation cannot be easily separated and both hypotheses should be studied jointly. The financing-constraints explanation for option grants can simply be a positive supplement to the sorting processes in compensating structures used by the firms.
Firm Size, Profitability, and Growth: A Dynamic Panel Analysis of the U.S. Life Insurance Industry
Authors: Bouzouita Raja
Published: February 2023

This paper analyzes the relationship between growth and firm size in the U.S. life insurance industry. Applying a dynamic panel model to a sample of life insurance companies from 1993 to 2010, I find strong support for the law of proportional effect (LPE). The results indicate that there is persistency in the growth of life insurance companies. Moreover, the findings suggest that firm specific characteristics such as age, profitability and leverage explain the size of insurance companies and macroeconomic covariates such as growth in GDP and the real interest rate are significant determinants.
Distribution Systems and Efficiency of Life Insurers in Korea
Authors: Park Jin
Published: February 2023

This study investigates technical efficiencies of all life insurance companies in Korea using data environment analysis (DEA) for the sample of 2006 – 2017. During the sample period studied, new life policy sales by cyber marketing and traditional face-to-face sales have significantly increased and sales by other distribution methods have parred or decreased. The estimates of average technical efficiency measures of Korean life insurers are about 18 percentage higher than those of foreign life insurers. Among competing regression models, a random effects model is found to be an appropriate model and shows that cyber marketing and tele-marketing have statistically significantly positive impact on insurers’ efficiency, while there is a statistically significantly negative relationship between the capital input and the efficiency. The findings of this suggests insurers should strive to increase their operational efficiency by reevaluating and restructuring their distribution channels.
Who Are Robo-Advisor Users?
Authors: Kim Seongsu David , Cotwright Marty , Chatterjee Swarn
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to explore the demand for robo-advising services by analyzing the participants’ behavioral characteristics and investment patterns. With the 2015 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor data, we found that robo-advisor users were younger investors with high risk tolerance, whose self-assessment of financial knowledge is comparatively higher than their actual knowledge, and were independent decision-makers. By controlling for those behavioral attributes of robo-advisor users, we also found that robo-advisor users were reluctant to invest in individual stocks, while they showed the largest preference for investing in pooled investment products such as Exchange Traded Funds. Implications of this study’s findings can be beneficial to financial planning practitioners, academics, and regulators.
Relationship Between Growth and Profitability: An Empirical Analysis of U.S. Property and Liability Insurers
Authors: Choi B. Paul , Jeong Jin-Gil
Published: February 2023

Using a data set of insurers operated in the U.S. property and liability (P-L) insurance market during the sample period, this study examines the interactions between firm growth and profitability. Dynamic panel regressions are conducted to investigate its relationship and other factors in the growth and profit equations. Regression models include firm specific variables and industry cycle variables to control and deliver a better estimation. The results of this study show that past profits have a major impact on future profits, thereby supporting that profits continue to be generated in the P-L insurance sector. The findings are consistent with two additional profit measures. Additionally, this research finds that lagged growth is benefitting present profit, specifically assessed by ROE. The growth model shows a positive association between lagged profit and current growth. This study further demonstrates how quickly smaller-sized businesses expand in this market. Other firm characteristics are identified in the profit and growth models as well.
Spor efter Vesthimmerlandske oldtidsveje - et kort indblik
Authors: Nielsen Martin Sejr
Published: February 2023

I Vesthimmerland er der gennem tiden gjort en lang række spektakulære arkæologiske fund. Køkkenmøddingen i Ertebølle, Skarpsallingkarret, jernalderlandsbyen i Østerbølle, Borremosefæstningen, Fredbjergvognen og Gundestrupkarret, for blot at nævne nogle, er alle fund, der beretter om Vesthimmerlands lange og rige forhistorie. Endvidere vidner flere fund direkte, andre indirekte, om mobilitet over kortere såvel som længere afstande.
La proximité dans la recherche participative
Authors: René Jean-François
Published: February 2023

Cet article propose de réfléchir à la question de la proximité dans le cadre de recherches participatives réalisées en lien avec des pratiques, actions ou interventions sociales. Nous mettrons en lien cette proximité avec trois autres attributs propres à la recherche participative : la prise en compte des émotions ; la nécessaire reconnaissance des acteurs concernés ; et la réciprocité, vue comme une balise aux interactions entre partenaires qui partagent mutuellement expériences et expertises. Deux recherches terrain réalisées entre 2012 et 2018 serviront à étayer notre réflexion.
Intervention de proximité auprès de résidents d’habitations à loyer modique de Montréal et Québec
Authors: Parent André-Anne , Reiser Chloé , Tourillon-Gingras Stéphanie
Published: February 2023

L’intervention de proximité est de plus en plus utilisée dans les Habitations à loyer modique (HLM) du Québec pour rejoindre les résidents et les amener à recourir aux services offerts par la communauté. Cet article présente les résultats d’une recherche portant sur les réseaux locaux, l’intervention de proximité et les retombées de ce type d’action auprès des résidents de six plans HLM à Montréal et à Québec. À l’aide de la théorie de l’acteur-réseau et en interrogeant les acteurs locaux, les intervenants et les locataires, il documente le déploiement de ces interventions, leurs défis et leurs retombées.
Socialisation genrée et maternité
Authors: Damant Dominique , Boulebsol Carole , Roy Valérie , Ledorze-Cloutier Geneviève , Tudeau Matis , Flynn Catherine
Published: February 2023

Comment la socialisation genrée et la maternité se modulent-elles dans l’expérience des femmes ayant des comportements violents ? Voilà la question au centre de cet article. À partir d’une partie des résultats d’une recherche menée au Québec en 2016 utilisant un cadre féministe intersectionnel, nous analysons les trajectoires de 26 femmes qui se reconnaissaient comme ayant eu des comportements violents.
Acelerando la cibernética: el ciberpunk como teoría-ficción
Authors: Fernández de Castro Pedro
Published: February 2023

Para la cibernética todas las entidades, ya sean seres vivos o mecánicos, funcionan como sistemas de autorregulación. Esta indistinción entre lo «vivo» y lo «muerto» (o no-vivo) coloca en el mismo plano anorgánico (ni orgánico ni no-orgánico) la subjetividad e identidad humanas y la capacidad de agencia de las máquinas (Salzano, 2022). Desde este paradigma, la tecnología actúa difuminando las líneas que conforman la interioridad humana, abriéndola al afuera, ya sea mediante experiencias de terror o de éxtasis.
A support vector machine training scheme based on quantum circuits
Authors: Zhang Yi-Jun , Mu Xiao-Dong , Guo Le-Meng , Zhang Peng , Zhao Dao , Bai Wen-Hua ,   Experimental Training Base, National University of Defense Technology, Xi’an 710106, China,   Institute of Information and Communication, National University of Defense Technology, Wuhan 430079, China,   Graduate School, Rocket Force University of Engineering, Xi’an 710043, China,   Xi’an Satellite Control Center, Xi’an 710043, China
Published: February 2023

In order to improve the training efficiency of the support vector machine, a quantum circuit training scheme based on the inner product of the quantum state for the support vector machine is proposed in this work. Firstly, on the basis of the full analysis of the computational complexity of the classical support vector machine, the kernel function which is the main factor affecting the computational complexity of the algorithm is primarily analyzed. Based on quantum mechanics and quantum computing theory, the training sample elements in the kernel function are quantized to generate the corresponding quantum states. Secondly, according to the quantum states of the training sample elements, the types and quantities of the required quantum logic gates are derived and calculated, and the quantum circuit that can generate the corresponding quantum states of the training sample elements through the evolution of the quantum initial ground states and the quantum logic gates is designed. Then, in the light of the relationship between the inner product of the quantum state and the quantum logic gate SWAP, the quantum circuit is designed to complete the exchange operation of the corresponding quantum state amplitude. The inner product of the quantum state is realized by exchanging and evolving the amplitude of the quantum state in the quantum circuit. Finally, by measuring the quantum state of the controlling qubit, the inner product solution of the kernel function is obtained, and the acceleration effect of training support vector machine is realized. The verification results show that the scheme enables the support vector machine not only to complete the correct classification, but also to operate the quantum part of the scheme on the real quantum computer . Compared with the classical algorithm, the scheme reduces the time complexity of the algorithm for the polynomial degree, greatly shortens the training time of the model, and improves the efficiency of the algorithm. The scheme has certain feasibility, effectiveness and innovation, and expands the training idea of the support vector machine.
Direct laser-writing of glass-based planar waveguide for fluorescence imaging
Authors: Zhang Lin-Feng , Ding Xiao-Chuan , Hou Zhi-Shan , Cao Yu ,   Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Laser Processing Robot, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China,   China International Science & Technology Cooperation Base for Laser Processing Robotics, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Published: February 2023

Fluorescent microscopic imaging technology has the characteristics of strong labeling capability, high signal strength, low experimental cost, simple imaging process, and imaging from living to in vitro, which is widely used in biological analysis imaging research such as tumor cell imaging, drug distribution in vivo detection, but how to simultaneously have both a wide field of view and a high resolution is a major difficulty in the current field of fluorescence microscopic imaging. Planar silicon waveguides have been found to be able to achieve a wide range of imaging of ultra-thin samples. However, they require sputtering deposition or ion beam etching and other preparation processes. The related processes are complex and equipment required is expensive. In this work, a planar-waveguide-type fluorescence microscope device based on direct picosecond-laser-writing is designed, in which picosecond laser is used to etch the glass surface to rapidly prepare micron sized grooves, and the low-cost and batch-preparation of glass based planar waveguides is further realized by spinning SU-8 photoresist. The waveguide diameter and depth can be customized by adjusting laser processing power, frequency, scanning speed and other parameters. The microscopic detection experiment with using Rhodamine B fluorescent molecule verifies that the direct laser-writing glass based planar waveguide fully meets the requirements for biological imaging with high resolution and large field of view. This simple and rapid processing method can effectively improve the the fluorescence imaging.
Community diversity is associated with intra-species genetic diversity and gene loss in the human gut microbiome
Authors: Madi Naïma Jesse , Chen Daisy , Wolff Richard , Shapiro B Jesse , Garud Nandita R
Published: February 2023

The human gut microbiome contains a diversity of microbial species that varies in composition over time and across individuals. These species (and strains within species) can migrate across hosts and evolve by mutation and recombination within hosts. How the ecological process of community assembly interacts with intra-species diversity and evolutionary change is a longstanding question. Two contrasting hypotheses have been proposed based on ecological observations and theory: Diversity Begets Diversity (DBD), in which taxa tend to become more diverse in already diverse communities, and Ecological Controls (EC), in which higher community diversity impedes diversification within taxa. Previously, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon data across a range of environments, we showed a generally positive relationship between taxa diversity and community diversity at higher taxonomic levels, consistent with the predictions of DBD (Madi et al., 2020). However, this positive 'diversity slope' reaches a plateau at high levels of community diversity. Here we show that this general pattern holds at much finer genetic resolution, by analyzing intra-species strain and nucleotide variation in static and temporally sampled shotgun-sequenced fecal metagenomes from cohorts of healthy human hosts. We find that both intra-species polymorphism and strain number are positively correlated with community Shannon diversity. This trend is consistent with DBD, although we cannot exclude abiotic drivers of diversity. Shannon diversity is also predictive of increases in polymorphism over time scales up to ~4-6 months, after which the diversity slope flattens and then becomes negative-consistent with DBD eventually giving way to EC. Also supporting a complex mixture of DBD and EC, the number of strains per focal species is positively associated with Shannon diversity but negatively associated with richness. Finally, we show that higher community diversity predicts gene loss in a focal species at a future time point. This observation is broadly consistent with the Black Queen Hypothesis, which posits that genes with functions provided by the community are less likely to be retained in a focal species' genome. Together, our results show that a mixture of DBD, EC, and Black Queen may operate simultaneously in the human gut microbiome, adding to a growing body of evidence that these eco-evolutionary processes are key drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem function.
Analysis of science journalism reveals gender and regional disparities in coverage
Authors: Davidson Natalie R , Greene Casey S
Published: February 2023

Science journalism is a critical way for the public to learn about and benefit from scientific findings. Such journalism shapes the public’s view of the current state of science and legitimizes experts. Journalists can only cite and quote a limited number of sources, who they may discover in their research, including recommendations by other scientists. Biases in either process may influence who is identified and ultimately included as a source. To examine potential biases in science journalism, we analyzed 22,001 non-research articles published by Nature and compared these with Nature-published research articles with respect to predicted gender and name origin. We extracted cited authors’ names and those of quoted speakers. While citations and quotations within a piece do not reflect the entire information-gathering process, they can provide insight into the demographics of visible sources. We then predicted gender and name origin of the cited authors and speakers. We compared articles with a comparator set made up of first and last authors within primary research articles in Nature and a subset of Springer Nature articles in the same time period. In our analysis, we found a skew toward quoting men in Nature science journalism. However, quotation is trending toward equal representation at a faster rate than authorship rates in academic publishing. Gender disparity in Nature quotes was dependent on the article type. We found a significant over-representation of names with predicted Celtic/English origin and under-representation of names with a predicted East Asian origin in both in extracted quotes and journal citations but dampened in citations.
Disparities in COVID-19 incidence and fatality rates at high-altitude
Authors: Abbasi Bilal Ahmed , Chanana Neha , Palmo Tsering , Pasha Qadar
Published: February 2023

Background

SARS-CoV-2 has affected every demography disproportionately, including even the native highland populations. Hypobaric-hypoxic settings at high-altitude (HA, >2,500 masl) present an extreme environment that impacts the survival of permanent residents, possibly including SARS-CoV-2. Conflicting hypotheses have been presented for COVID-19 incidence and fatality at HA.

Objectives

To evaluate protection or risk against COVID-19 incidence and fatality in humans under hypobaric-hypoxic environment of high-altitude (>2,501 masl).

Methods

Global COVID-19 data of March 2020-21, employed from official websites of the Indian Government, John Hopkins University, and Worldometer were clustered into 6 altitude categories. Clinical cofactors and comorbidities data were evaluated with COVID-19 incidence and fatality. Extensive comparisons and correlations using several statistical tools estimated the risk and protection.

Results

Of relevance, data analyses revealed four distinct responses, namely, partial risk, total risk, partial protection, and total protection from COVID-19 at high-altitude indicating a mixed baggage and complexity of the infection. Surprisingly, it included the countries within the same geographic region. Moreover, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes correlated significantly with COVID-19 incidence and fatality rate (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

Varied patterns of protection and risk against COVID-19 incidence and fatality were observed among the high-altitude populations. It is though premature to generalize COVID-19 effects on any particular demography without further extensive studies.
RANK signaling in osteoclast precursors results in a more permissive epigenetic landscape and sexually divergent patterns of gene expression
Authors: Keever Abigail L. , Collins Kathryn M. , Clark Rachel A. , Framstad Amber L. , Ashley Jason W.
Published: February 2023

Background

Sex is an important risk factor in the development of osteoporosis and other bone loss disorders, with women often demonstrating greater susceptibility than men. While variation in sex steroids, such as estradiol, accounts for much of the risk, there are likely additional non-endocrine factors at transcriptional and epigenetic levels that result in a higher rate of bone loss in women. Identification of these factors could improve risk assessment and therapies to preserve and improve bone health.

Methods

Osteoclast precursors were isolated male and female C57Bl/6 mice and cultured with either MCSF alone or MCSF and RANKL. Following the culture period RNA was isolated for RNA sequencing and DNA was isolated for tagmentation and ATAC sequencing. RNA-Seq and ATAC-seq were evaluated via pathway analysis to identify sex- and RANKL-differential transcription and chromatin accessibility.

Results

Osteoclasts demonstrated significant alterations in gene expression compared to macrophages with both shared and differential pathways between the sexes. Transcriptional pathways differentially regulated between male and female cells were associated with immunological functions with evidence of greater sensitivity in male macrophages and female osteoclasts. ATAC-Seq revealed a large increase in chromatin accessibility following RANKL treatment with few alterations attributable to sex. Comparison of RNA-Seq and ATAC-seq data revealed few common pathways suggesting that many of the transcriptional changes of osteoclastogenesis occur independently of chromatin remodeling.
Characterization of Chemical Pollution in the Agbado River Basin in Central Benin
Authors: Roch I. Vissoh , Ringo F. Avahounlin , A. Lyde Tomètin , A. Lucie Koudérin , Sintondji L. , Brunelle Icoutchika
Published: February 2023

The basin of the Agbado River is located across the hills department, between 7°27' and 8°46' north latitude and between 1°39' and 2°44' east longitude. In case to characterize the mineral elements that degrade water quality and to analyze the state of chemical pollution of the waters of the Agbado River, by the characterization of chemical pollution in the Agbado river basin we randomly sampled eight (08) sites throughout along the river. Volumetric and titrimetric methods were used to determine the various physico-chemical parameters in water and sediments. The organic pollution index method was used to assess the water quality of the Agbado River. The results of the physicochemical water analysis reflect the pH variations in the water samples. The pH values ​​do not correspond to the standard accepted by the WHO. The pH values ​​obtained are between 6.01 and 6.69; values ​​below the WHO standard (7-9). The electrical conductivity obtained are between 53.8 and 248 µS/cm. In accordance with the recommendations of the WHO for drinking water (conductivity < 2000µS/cm), translates that the waters analyzed are of low mineralization and therefore tolerable. Regarding major and minor ions only phosphorus, ammoniacal, nitric, sodium, iron, calcium, magnesium contents that do not meet the standard set by the WHO. The results from the determination of the Organic Pollution Index indicate that organic pollution is moderate on all eight (08) sampling sites.
Episodic Facial Paresis—An Isolated Presenting Symptom of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Varelas Antonios N. , Dickstein Leah , Eytan Danielle F.
Published: February 2023

This case report describes a case of a man in his 30s who presented with episodic right lower facial paresis for 10 days and was diagnosede with an episodic, transient pattern of unilateral facial palsy associated with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
A Shell‐Core Structure ZIF‐8@AgNWs for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Tian Zihan , Hou Zhaoping , Yang Xinhe , Liu Liangliang , Zhang Wanggang
Published: February 2023

Due to the wider bandgap and low electron discharge capacity, the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) shows low photocatalytic performance compared with conventional semiconductor materials. To enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZIF‐8, the ZIF‐8@AgNWs composite is synthesized via the in situ growth method using silver nanowires (AgNWs) as the photo‐enhanced material. The obtained ZIF‐8@AgNWs exhibit the fully encapsulated shell‐core structure of ZIF‐8‐AgNWs. The UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) analysis shows that the addition of AgNWs leads to a significant increase in light absorption of the ZIF‐8@AgNWs composite, and the bandgap of the ZIF‐8@AgNWs is 2.9 eV, with a significant decrease compared to pure ZIF‐8 (4.96 eV). The ZIF‐8@AgNWs‐2 achieves the best photocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) degradation. Its degradation eﬃciency reaches 94%, and its apparent rate constant is 0.04371 min−1. Herein, a novel strategy for the MOF‐based photocatalytic materials with higher photocatalytic activity is provided.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Resistance Element Welded Joints for DP780 Steel and 6061 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Yang Yue , Bi Yuanbo , Zhang Yixuan , Su Jie , Luo Zhen
Published: February 2023

DP780 steels and 6061‐T6 aluminum alloys are joined using the resistance element welding (REW) process with a flat Q235 rivet. The macrostructure, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the REW joints are investigated. The nugget zone and upper‐critical heat‐affected zone (UGHAZ) microstructure exhibit lath martensite. The inter‐critical heat‐affected zone (ICHAZ) microstructure consists of ferrite and martensite. Two types of intermetallic compound (IMC) layers are formed at the steel/Al interface. A tongue‐like Fe2Al5 layer is found adjacent to the steel side, while a needle‐like Fe4Al13 layer is found adjacent to the aluminum alloy side. The welding current has a significant influence on the nugget size, peak load, and energy absorption of joints. The fracture behavior analysis of the REW joints is performed using the in situ digital image correlation (DIC) method. There are two failure modes of the REW joint under different welding currents: pull‐out failure (POF) and the base material pull‐out failure (BPF). At a welding current of 17 kA, the maximum tensile‐shear value of the REW joints is 6.27 kN with a nugget diameter of 5.37 mm. The failure mode of the REW joints is mainly BPF mode that exhibits superior lap‐shear performance.
Effects of Tailoring Zn Additions on the Microstructural Evolution and Electrical Properties in GaInSnZnx High‐Entropy Alloys
Authors: Bai Jing , Wang Zhong , Zhang Min , Qiao Junwei
Published: February 2023

One major hindrance that now‐available low‐melting‐point alloys (LMPAs) for extensive applications is the limitation of cost and electroconductivity. GaInSnZnx high‐entropy alloys (HEAs) feature tunable solid–liquid phase transitions and are synthesized via induction melting, whose microstructural evolution and electrical properties are investigated by changing the composition. A sweepthrough composition space indicates these alloys are a mixed multiphase microstructure of low‐melting‐point near‐liquid Ga‐based solid solution and other relatively high‐melting‐point phases throughout, which is considered as the origin of stiffness transition of alloys. Varying molar amounts of Zn from 1 to 3, the volume fraction of Zn‐based solid‐solution phase gradually increases and its morphology changes from rod shape to island‐like structure. The electroconductivity keeps a continuous increment from 4.68 to 6.35 MS m−1, and in consideration of cost, these alloys have remarkable superiority over many LMPAs. The virgation between the electrical experimental and theoretical values computed using the volume model and multiphase alloy model is thoroughly elaborated, in which the presence of grain boundaries plays a dominant role. The present study provides a new design mentality to fabricate stiffness‐adjustable alloys with low cost and high conductivity and enriches alloy species in LMPA‐HEAs.
Engineering a drug eluting ocular patch for delivery and sustained release of anti‐inflammatory therapeutics
Authors: Chen Xi , Gholizadeh Shima , Ghovvati Mahsa , Wang Ziqing , Jellen Marcus J. , Mostafavi Azadeh , Dana Reza , Annabi Nasim
Published: February 2023

Ocular inflammation is commonly associated with eye disease or injury. Effective and sustained ocular delivery of therapeutics remains a challenge due to the eye physiology and structural barriers. Herein, we engineered a photocrosslinkable adhesive patch (GelPatch) incorporated with micelles (MCs) loaded with loteprednol etabonate (LE) for delivery and sustained release of drug. The engineered drug loaded adhesive hydrogel, with controlled physical properties, provided a matrix with high adhesion to the ocular surfaces. The incorporation of MCs within the GelPatch enabled solubilization of LE and its sustained release within 15 days. In vitro studies showed that MC loaded GelPatch supported cell viability and growth. In addition, subcutaneous implantation of the MC loaded GelPatch in rats confirmed its in vivo biocompatibility and stability within 28 days. This non‐invasive, adhesive, and biocompatible drug eluting patch can be used as a matrix for the delivery and sustained release of hydrophobic drugs.
Effect of surface roughness on methane hydrate formation and its implications in nucleation design
Authors: Li Mengyang , Fan Shuanshi , Wang Yanhong , Lang Xuemei , Li Gang
Published: February 2023

As a new form of energy with substantial potential, natural gas hydrate will play a crucial strategic role in the future due to its vast reserves and broad industrial application prospects. To better comprehend the nucleation and growth mechanism of clathrate hydrate, an enhanced thermodynamic model was proposed based on the wall roughness model and nucleation theory. In general, we discovered that the nucleation of hydrate on a smooth wall surface conforms to the conclusion of classical nucleation theory. However, curvature and surface roughness are frequently characterized by hydrophilicity's inhibition of hydrate and hydrophobicity's enhancement. The specific situation is more complex and requires specific analysis and discussion. Nonetheless, this also explains the uneven distribution of hydrate nucleation induction time. Our research reveals a fundamental method for designing or manipulating the heterogeneous nucleation of hydrates. We foresee promising applications in hydrate‐related technologies based on the fractal structure of the substrate's surface.
Raumzeitliche Propagation eines minimalen katalytischen RNA‐Netzwerkes in GUV‐Protozellen durch Temperaturzyklen und Phasenseparation
Authors: Peter Benedikt , Levrier Antoine , Schwille Petra
Published: February 2023

Kompartimentierung ist der Schlüssel zu vielen zellulären Prozessen und kritische Bedingung für minimales Leben. In Zellen sorgt eine komplexe Chemie dafür, Biomoleküle zur richtigen Zeit am richtigen Ort zusammenzubringen oder sie zu separieren. Durch die Selbstorganisation von Lipiden, Nukleinsäuren und Proteinen entstehen hochspezialisierte Mikroumgebungen mit funktionalen Grenzflächen und Schnittstellen. Wir stellen hier auf Basis von reversibler RNA‐basierter Flüssig‐Flüssig‐Phasenseparation (LLPS) in Riesenvesikeln (GUVs) ein effizientes System zur funktionalen Kompartimentierung vor. Dieses ist in der Lage, eine RNA‐basierte enzymatische Reaktion mithilfe von Frost‐Tau‐(FT)‐Zyklen innerhalb einer Population von GUVs zu propagieren. Wir zeigen, dass eine solche enzymatische Reaktion dadurch beschleunigt werden kann, dass die Reaktanden in der kondensierten RNA‐reichen Phase aufkonzentriert werden. Die gleichmäßige Verteilung von RNA‐Substraten im dekondensierten Zustand ermöglicht den Austausch zwischen den Vesikeln während des Einfrierens und Auftauens. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde untersucht, inwieweit ein minimales reversibles Phasenseparationssystem in Lipidvesikeln raumzeitliche Kontrolle in zyklischen Prozessen erlaubt, so wie es in Minimalzellen erforderlich wäre.
Spatiotemporal Propagation of a Minimal Catalytic RNA Network in GUV Protocells by Temperature Cycling and Phase Separation
Authors: Peter Benedikt , Levrier Antoine , Schwille Petra
Published: February 2023

Compartmentalization is key to many cellular processes and a critical bottleneck of any minimal life approach. In cells, a complex chemistry is responsible for bringing together or separating biomolecules at the right place at the right time. Lipids, nucleic acids and proteins self‐organize, thereby creating boundaries, interfaces and specialized microenvironments. Exploiting reversible RNA‐based liquid‐liquid phase separation (LLPS) inside giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), we present an efficient system capable of propagating an RNA‐based enzymatic reaction across a population of GUVs upon freezing‐thawing (FT) temperature cycles. We report that compartmentalization in the condensed RNA‐rich phase can accelerate such an enzymatic reaction. In the decondensed state, RNA substrates become homogeneously dispersed, enabling content exchange between vesicles during freeze‐thawing. This work explores how a minimal reversible phase separation system in lipid vesicles could help to implement spatiotemporal control in cyclic processes, as required for minimal cells.
Innovative ideas desire earlier communication: Exploring reverse serial‐order effect and liberating cognitive constraint for organizational problem‐solving
Authors: Ahn Paul Hangsan , Van Swol Lyn M. , Lu Runzhi Mary , Kim Sang Jung , Park Hyelin , Moulder Robert G.
Published: February 2023

The serial‐order effect wherein originality increases over time is one of the most robust findings in modern psychology. This effect, found in either individual or group sessions, is based on associative and spreading activation mechanisms: Mental association takes place in temporal sequential order from commonly (closely) to unusually (distantly) related semantic concepts stored in long‐term memory. Thus, data from previous studies might suggest that, in collective problem‐solving, we endure long meetings and pay closer attention to ideas presented toward the end of the meeting. However, members in innovative organizations have been reported to typically generate ideas on their own before group brainstorming. We hypothesized that in the subsequent group brainstorming session members would state their most appealing ideas first due to impression management. Our results from the individual‐then‐group hybrid brainstorming paradigm show that idea quality during the group session peaks early and then decays, in terms of both the number of high‐quality ideas produced and the proportion of ideas that are high‐quality. This “reverse” serial‐order effect implies that meeting for a reasonably brief time and looking into ideas shared early during the meeting may lead to better decisions—if individuals generated ideas prior to the meeting. We also found that flexibility (the rate at which new idea categories were introduced) dropped rapidly, but at a certain point of time, it stopped decreasing. This potentially suggests that extended group interaction after individual idea generation could bring greater idea diversity rather than higher overall quality. In addition, we found that the updated, cognitively constrained organizational norm for brainstorming, which likely narrows the scope of search, led to greater idea quantity (fluency), quality, and flexibility than the traditional, unconstrained norm. Our work challenges the traditional application of spreading activation theory to interpersonal, group, or organizational settings and calls for attention to the specific communicative processes of problem‐solving and decision‐making in question.
Target‐cycling synchronized rolling circle amplification strategy for biosensing Helicobacter pylori DNA
Authors: Zhang Xiaorong , Deng Yuan , Qiu Hongzhao , Yi Sirui , Huang Sijia , Chen Lanlan , Hu Shanwen
Published: February 2023

Helicobacter pylori is closely linked to many gastric diseases such as gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. Therefore, biosensing H. pylori has attracted wide attention from both scientists and clinicians. Here, we proposed an electrochemiluminescence (ECL)‐based platform that could sensitively detect H. pylori DNA. In this platform, a novel target‐cycling synchronized rolling circle amplification was used for signal amplification. Silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) were synthesized on the circle DNA products, embedding them with the ability to catalyze the electrochemical reduction of K2S2O8, in turn resulting in rapid consumption of the ECL co‐reactant near the working electrode, and leading to a decrease in the ECL emission intensity. In addition to its excellent stability and selectivity, the proposed strategy had a low detection limit of 10 pM, an indication that it can be beneficially applied to test biosamples. Furthermore, a biosensing chip was designed to improve the throughput and shed new light on large‐scale clinical biosensing applications.
Long pepper (Piper longum) derived carbon dots as fluorescent sensing probe for sensitive detection of Sudan I
Authors: Venugopalan P. , Vidya N.
Published: February 2023

In this piece of work, microwave‐assisted conversion of a natural precursor in to high‐valued nano‐scale material was carried out by a completely greener method. The fluorescent carbon dots prepared, designated as long pepper derived carbon dots (LPCDs), have been thoroughly characterized to explore the physical and chemical properties. The system exhibits excitation dependent emission behavior and from the optimal studies the excitation and emission wavelength of the system was found to be 330 nm and 455 nm respectively. On account of the superior fluorescent behavior of the LPCDs, it was successfully employed as a fluorescent sensing probe to detect Sudan I with good level of selectivity and sensitivity. This carcinogenic dye extensively used as food adulterant can impart several health issues. Food product safety is of high concern, therefore a simple facile and economical analytical method was proposed based on the fluorescence of LPCDs for this dye detection with satisfactory statistical parameters. A linear relationship was maintained in the range of 0 to 27.27 μM Sudan I with limit of detection of 0.92 μM. The quenching mechanism was studied and finally attributed to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism. In addition, the probe was effectively implemented for Sudan I detection in commercial chili powder samples with good level of recovery parameters.
Prediction of death rates for cardiovascular diseases and cancers
Authors: Gaidai Oleg , Xing Yihan , Balakrishna Rajiv , Sun Jiayao , Bai Xiaolong
Published: February 2023

Background

To estimate cardiovascular and cancer death rates by regions and time periods.

Design

Novel statistical methods were used to analyze clinical surveillance data.

Methods

A multicenter, population‐based medical survey was performed. Annual recorded deaths from cardiovascular diseases were analyzed for all 195 countries of the world. It is challenging to model such data; few mathematical models can be applied because cardiovascular disease and cancer data are generally not normally distributed.

Results

A novel approach to assessing the biosystem reliability is introduced and has been found to be particularly suitable for analyzing multiregion environmental and healthcare systems. While traditional methods for analyzing temporal observations of multiregion processes do not deal with dimensionality efficiently, our methodology has been shown to be able to cope with this challenge.

Conclusions

Our novel methodology can be applied to public health and clinical survey data.