bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditional relative survival and competing mortality in patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Yoo Jung Eun , Han Kyungdo , Shin Dong Wook , Park Sang Hyun , Cho In Young , Yoon Dong Woog , Cho Jongho , Jung Kyu‐Won
Published: August 2020

We aimed to investigate the conditional relative survival (CRS) and competing mortality in patients who underwent surgery for newly diagnosed lung cancer. Using a nationwide population‐based database, we calculated 5‐year CRS on 1 to 5 years survival after surgery. These rates were reported according to age, sex, socioeconomic status, comorbidities and treatment received. We also estimated cause‐specific mortality with the consideration of competing risk. We identified 34 349 patients newly diagnosed with primary lung cancer from 2007 to 2013. The 5‐year CRS after surgery was 71.7% at baseline improving steadily to 85.4% by 5 years, suggesting evidence of persistent excess mortality risk. Throughout the period, lung cancer was the most common cause of death, contributing to 83.6% mortality 1 year after surgery and 66.3% 5 years after surgery. Other causes of death included cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease, which increased continuously with time after surgery. CRS rates for patients with lung cancer improved over time but did not reach the level of the general population even 5 years after surgery. Although the main cause of death continues to be lung cancer, death from noncancer causes increased with time after surgery. Evidence‐based decisions could be made on the dynamic risk profiles of the patients.
The impact of Euro through time: Exchange rate dynamics under different regimes
Authors: Antonakakis Nikolaos , Chatziantoniou Ioannis , Gabauer David
Published: August 2020

In this study, we examine the role of the Euro in currency co‐movements and contagion considering the USD exchange rates of six major currencies (i.e., EUR[DM], JPY, GBP, CHF, AUD, as well as, CAD). We identify five distinct intervals, each one corresponding to a different exchange rate regime or reflecting diverse economic developments. First, we model conditional volatility by introducing a novel DCC‐GARCH‐Copula model (based on GARCH selection criteria). Then, we investigate conditional volatility connectedness employing a Bayesian TVP‐(Pseudo)FAVAR model. This approach effectively refines existing measures of dynamic connectedness. Findings suggest strong co‐movements that differ across regimes. In addition, the EUR becomes weaker following both the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the decision for the first Economic Adjustment Programme for Greece. Following the announcement of the result of the EU referendum the GBP eventually receives influence from the EUR. Results remain robust to a series of tests.
Depreciate to save the economy? An empirical evidence worldwide
Authors: Ku‐Hsieh Chen
Published: August 2020

Can depreciation save the economy? This paper conducts an empirical examination with balanced panel data for 133 economies from 1980 to 2014. In the study, the impact of depreciation is dichotomized into common effect and individual effect. The results show that, first of all, the common effect is negative in the current period, and turns to be positive in the lag period, while the magnitude of the former is higher. Secondly, it is also revealed that in terms of individual effect, the negative impact of the common effect will be intensified by the degree of openness, but be mitigated by the scale, floatability, and development level of economies. Among them, scale has a decisive influence. Third, when putting the two tiers of effects together, the aggregate results are generally not strong; moreover, only a few economies can benefit from depreciation. The exceptions are the US and China, which can obtain approximately 0.58% benefits from a 1% depreciation. Fourth, insufficient evidence was found to show a contribution of exchange rate change to total factor productivity. Fifth, there is a two‐way causal relationship between exchange rate and output; however, the causality between exchange rate and productivity is not obvious.
The role of financial stress in the economic activity: Fresh evidence from a Granger‐causality in quantiles analysis for the UK and Germany
Authors: Saliminezhad Andisheh , Bahramian Pejman
Published: August 2020

This study examines the dynamic causal relationship between financial stress index and economic activity in the UK and Germany for the period from 2003 to 2018. Unlike the previous studies which ignore the consideration of all quantiles of distribution, we employ a Granger causality in quantiles that captures causal links in each quantile of distribution. Hence we are able to disseminate between the causality in the median and the tails of the conditional distribution. Our findings indicate that there is a significant, negative causal relationship running from financial stress to economic activity in both countries. However, the changes in the financial stress level in Germany start influencing the industrial production earlier (when economic activity is at lower levels) than in the UK. Our results highlight the emphasis on the consideration of the entire conditional distribution to avoid the risk of misleading inferences on the causality analysis.
The relationship between foreign direct investment and economic growth: A multivariate causality approach from Namibia
Authors: Owusu Erasmus L.
Published: August 2020

The paper empirically investigates the short and long‐run causal relationship between foreign direct investments, credit to the private sector, trade openness, gross national expenditure and economic growth in Namibia. In doing this, the paper employs multivariate Granger‐causality within an Auto‐regression distributed lag‐bounds approach to co‐integration and unrestricted error correction model. The paper finds a strong bi‐directional causal relationship between FDI inflow and economic growth both in the short and the long run. Suggesting that FDI inflow spurs economic growth and economic growth promotes FDI inflow and also, FDI inflow, credit to the private international trade and national expenditure spur economic growth both in the short and the long runs in Namibia. The policy implication therefore is to provide incentives for private sector innovation and production away from the export and import sector.
POLYNOMIAL SOLUTION OF THE STANDARD H2 OPTIMAL CONTROL PROBLEM FOR MACHINE CONTROL SYSTEM APPLICATIONS: LQG GAUGE CONTROL PROBLEM DESIGN
Authors: Grimble M. J.
Published: August 2020

A solution to the standard H2 optimal control problem is presented which is particularly useful in machine and process control applications where the output to be controlled is different from the signal for feedback. The tracking problem is considered where the unmeasured output must follow a given reference trajectory. A feature of the solution is that the algorithm involves a number of Diophantine equations associated with each control function, which provides insight and simpler equations for numerical computations.

The results are applicable to both one‐ and two‐degrees‐of‐freedom controller structures and the unusual two‐and‐a‐half‐degrees‐of‐freedom controller structure. A special dynamic robustness weighting function is introduced so that the feedback loop properties can be improved. The general system model employed enables a much wider class of problems to be tackled than is possible with the usual output feedback control problem.
MODELLING AND OPTIMAL TRACKING OF A SINGLE‐LINK FLEXIBLE MANIPULATOR
Authors: Liu Linghua , Hac Aleksander
Published: August 2020

We consider here motion control of the end‐point of a one‐link flexible manipulator. The partial differential equations of motion are derived from Hamilton's principle and include the effect of ‘centrifugal stiffening’ arising from the presence of axial forces, as well as other non‐linear terms. The desired trajectory is assumed to be given prior to the execution of motion. An optimal control law which minimizes a performance index that trades off the tracking precision and the terminal position accuracy versus control effort is obtained. This control law is composed of a feedforward term that depends on the desired trajectory and a full state feedback term with a time‐varying gain matrix. Since the optimal control law requires the availability of the full state vector, the output feedback is considered as an alternative. We propose to determine the output feedback control law by minimizing the least squares difference between the feedback portions of the optimal control input and the actual input. The basic structure of the optimal control law, which includes the feedback and feedforward terms, is preserved. The results of simulations demonstrate that when the outputs are carefully selected, the performance of the system with the output feedback can closely approach that of the optimal system with full state feedback.
DESIGN OF OPTIMAL CONTROL SYSTEMS WITH EIGENVALUE PLACEMENT IN A SPECIFIED REGION
Authors: Arar Abdul‐Razzaq , Sawan M. E. , Rob R. A.
Published: August 2020

A recursive method for determining the state weighting matrix of a linear quadratic regulator problem in order to shift the open‐loop poles inside a vertical strip is presented. This method is capable of shifting both real and imaginary parts for continuous time systems. Aggregation is used in each step of the recursive process. Therefore each time the order of the system is reduced to first‐ or second‐order. In this paper we combine the well‐known aggregation technique and the non‐linear constrained minimization problem and develop a new algorithm for determining the state weighting matrix which shifts the open‐loop poles inside the desired vertical strip.
OPTIMAL FEEDBACK GUIDANCE FOR LOW‐THRUST ORBIT INSERTION
Authors: Kluever Craig A.
Published: August 2020

An optimal feedback guidance scheme is developed for the terminal orbit insertion phase of a low‐thrust planar transfer to geosynchronous orbit. The minimum fuel trajectory between specified energy levels is utilized as a reference trajectory and the guidance law is derived using linear quadratic regulator optimization. The feedback guidance scheme responds effectively to a wide range of initial conditions and results in very precise terminal orbit conditions with near‐optimal performance. The guidance scheme also successfully handles propulsion system uncertainties and extremely large initial state deviations. Numerical results are presented for a variety of orbit insertion manoeuvres.
DISCRETE TIME DYNAMIC GAME MODELS FOR ADVERTISING COMPETITION IN A DUOPOLY
Authors: Sorger Gerhard
Published: August 2020

Advertising competition in a duopoly is modelled as a discrete time dynamic game over an infinite time horizon. Firms maximize the present value of their profits which depend on their own advertising strategy and on their market share. The evolution of market shares is determined by both firms' advertising activities. In this simple framework we compute a Nash equilibrium and analyse the dynamic properties of the equilibrium strategies and the resulting time path of the market share. It turns out that, depending on the revenue functions and the market response function, various dynamic patterns may emerge among which one can find convergence towards a unique steady state, convergence towards one of multiple steady states, and regular or irregular pulsing strategies.
ITERATIVE DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING FOR MINIMUM ENERGY CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH TIME DELAY
Authors: Dadebo S. A. , McAuley K. B.
Published: August 2020

This paper presents the use of iterative dynamic programming employing exact penalty functions for minimum energy control problems. We show that exact continuously non‐differentiable penalty functions are superior to continuously differentiable penalty functions in terms of satisfying final state constraints. We also demonstrate that the choice of an appropriate penalty function factor depends on the relative size of the time delay with respect to the final time and on the expected value of the energy consumption. A quadratic approximation (QA) of the delayed variables is much better than a linear approximation (LA) of the same for relatively large time delays. The QA improves the rate of convergence and avoids the formation of ‘kinks‘.

A more general way of selecting appropriate penalty function factors is given and the results obtained using four illustrative examples of varying complexity corroborate the efficacy of the method.
CONTROLLABILITY OF QUASI‐LINEAR DELAY SYSTEMS IN BANACH SPACES
Authors: Balachandran K. , Balasubramainiam P. , Dauer J. P.
Published: August 2020

Sufficient conditions for the controllability of quasi‐linear delay systems in Banach spaces are established. The results are obtained using the Schauder‐Tychonov theorem. A class of examples to which the results apply is presented.
RECURSIVE REDUCED‐ORDER OPEN‐LOOP OPTIMAL CONTROL OF DISCRETE WEAKLY COUPLED LINEAR SYSTEMS
Authors: Shen Sherman X. , Xia Qijun , Rao Ming
Published: August 2020

A recursive reduced‐order algorithm with an arbitrary degree of accuracy is obtained for solving the open‐loop optimal control problem of discrete weakly coupled linear systems. The original two‐point boundary value problem is transformed into two reduced‐order initial value problems via the use of a non‐singular transformation. The solutions by the proposed algorithm converge to the optimal solutions of discrete time open‐loop control with a rate of convergence of O(ɛ2), where ɛ is a small coupling parameter. The obtained results are in the spirit of the parallel reduced‐order algorithms for small‐parameter optimal control problems. The algorithm produces considerable savings in required computations.
FEEDBACK CONTROL OF A HEAT DIFFUSION SYSTEM WITH TIME‐DEPENDENT SPATIAL DOMAIN
Authors: Wang P. K. C.
Published: August 2020

The problem of controlling the temperature distribution in a solid cylinder whose length varies with time and with one end in contact with a constant temperature medium is considered. This problem is motivated from that of controlling the temperature and thermal gradient inside a crystal pulled from a melt by the Czochralski method. Boundary feedback controls are derived by considering the time rate of change of a cost functional involving the deviations of both the solid temperature and its gradient from their desired values. The derived feedback controls consist of spatially distributed proportional‐plus‐rate and lag compensators and a non‐linear feedback control involving the temperature gradient at the cylinder surface and the velocity of the spatial domain boundary. The resulting feedback‐controlled system has the property that the cost functional along any motion decreases monotonically to zero with time. A numerical scheme for solving the partial differential equation of the feedback‐controlled system is proposed. Typical numerical results on the dynamic behaviour of the feedback‐controlled system obtained by means of the proposed scheme are presented.
APPROXIMATE LINEARIZATION OF CONTROL SYSTEMS WITH DISCONTINUOUS NON‐LINEARITIES
Authors: Cebuhar Wenceslao A.
Published: August 2020

The class of systems containing elements with discontinuous input‐output characteristics (such as jumps, hysteresis, etc.) presents a serious challenge to control specialists. They are so difficult to treat analytically that they are normally dealt with using heuristic methods. In this paper a mathematical framework for such problems is presented and precise criteria for measuring the non‐linearity are introduced. Linearization is considered in a restricted but realistic sense (on average or at discrete times only). In this context the most common practical techniques such as dithering and pulse width modulation are analysed. In addition, a simple new approach for feedforward control is developed. It produces a locally optimal control, providing results that are superior to those from more standard precompensation techniques. An application of these ideas to a small travelling wave motor is included. Such motors have considerable dry friction and therefore provide significant examples of the kind of systems under consideration.
APPROXIMATE TIME OPTIMAL CONTROL OF DC SERVOS WITH UNKNOWN LOAD AND NON‐LINEAR FRICTION TORQUE
Authors: Majd Vahid Johari , Simaan Marwan A. , Vogt William G.
Published: August 2020

In this paper we apply the minimum time optimal control strategy to achieve the fastest possible position tracking of a servo system under unknown load and non‐linear friction torque. Adaptive identification of the discretized model, which becomes a non‐linear function of the unknown parameters, is implemented under poor excitation of bang‐bang control by introducing two approximate methods. The results show significant improvement in the performance of the system.
Ameliorative role of curcumin on copper oxide nanoparticles‐mediated renal toxicity in rats: An investigation of molecular mechanisms
Authors: Elkhateeb Shereen A. , Ibrahim Taiseer R. , El‐Shal Amal S. , Abdel Hamid Omaima I.
Published: August 2020

The increasing role of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in many industries and their broad range of applications increase its potential toxic effects. Curcumin possesses a wide range of health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the role of curcumin in attenuating CuO NPs toxicity in rat kidney. Thirty six animals were divided into five groups; control groups (I, II), curcumin group orally received curcumin 200 mg/kg bw, CuO NPs group orally gavaged 250 mg/kg bw CuO NPs and combined group orally gavaged curcumin and CuO NPs. Treatment was given for 3 months. Administration of CuO NPs revealed elevation in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, elevated kidney and urine levels of kidney injury molecule‐1, decreased catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, total sulfhydryl, reduced glutathione content, increased serum reactive oxygen species, tissue total oxidant status, lipid hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide levels, increased interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, nuclear factor (NF‐κB), and decreased heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) and γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ‐GCS) genes expression. Moreover, histopathological alteration in kidney structure was detected. Immunohistochemical‐stained sections by caspase‐3 reaction revealed apoptosis. Pretreatment with curcumin improved most of the adverse effects in rats treated with CuO NPs regarding oxidative stress and inflammatory indices in kidney, and kept histopathological‐ and immunohistochemical‐stained sections near to normal. This study shows that curcumin administration attenuates the toxicity in the kidney of CuO NPs‐treated rats through its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.
Interpersonal problems and social dysfunction: Examining patients with avoidant and borderline personality disorder symptoms
Authors: McCloskey Katharine D. , Cox Daniel W. , Ogrodniczuk John S. , Laverdière Olivier , Joyce Anthony S. , Kealy David
Published: August 2020

Objective(s)

Interpersonal problems are one of the most persistent difficulties facing those with personality disorders (PDs) and are linked with dysfunction across numerous social domains. Using an interpersonal model of PDs, we examined the indirect effects of Avoidant PD (AvPD) symptoms and social dysfunction through interpersonal problems, as well as Borderline PD (BPD) symptoms and social dysfunction.

Methods

Participants were 226 adults taking part in an outpatient treatment program.

Results

Using cross‐sectional data from self‐reported measures, we found that cold (b = 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.038, 0.176]) and overly nurturant (b = 0.04, 95% CI [0.001, 0.090]) interpersonal problems showed an indirect association between AvPD symptoms and social dysfunction. The only significant indirect association between BPD symptoms and social dysfunction was overly nurturant (b = 0.05, 95% CI [0.001, 0.120]).

Conclusions

Results may aid in the development of more individualized treatments for AvPD and BPD symptoms.
Associations between VEGF isoforms and impending retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Movsas Tammy Z. , Muthusamy Arivalagan
Published: August 2020

Background/Objective

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is the main driver of angiogenesis during neurodevelopment (i.e., brain and retina). VEGF165 and VEGF121 are the two most prevalent human VEGF isoforms. Although retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a neuroretinal disorder, is associated with VEGF dysregulation, little is known about the interaction of VEGF isoforms on neuroretinal angiogenesis. We hypothesized that: (a) A specific VEGF165/VEGF121 correlation, at a given time point, is associated with normal retinal development (no ROP) and (b) An altered correlation, of such, is associated with aberrant retinal development (ROP). Utilizing pre‐collected dried blood spots (DBS) from <1‐week‐old preterm infants, we aimed to determine whether correlations between VEGF165 and VEGF121 precede the diagnosis of early stage, non‐proliferative ROP (NP‐ROP).

Methodology

We conducted a case/control study, utilizing DBS from 65 preterm infants. We measured DBS levels of VEGF165 on the Mesoscale Discovery Platform and VEGF121 via Cloud Clone Elisa Assay.

Results

In infants with NP‐ROP, VEGF165 is significantly higher in males (than females). In infants without ROP, there is a significant correlation between VEGF165 and VEGF121 in females (but not males). In infants with NP‐ROP, the opposite is so; there is a significant correlation between VEGF165 and VEGF121 in males (but not females).

Conclusions

This pilot study, utilizing de‐identified data, suggests the potential importance of examining interactions between VEGF isoforms, at <1 week after birth, to better understand ROP development. Our study also suggests that retinal angiogenesis may not be a sex‐neutral process. A prospective study is needed to confirm our novel findings.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood of opium‐addicted mothers
Authors: Fanaei Hamed , Riki Farideh , Khayat Samira , Bornavard Morad
Published: August 2020

Background

It is reported that opium consumption during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and neurodevelopmental defects in infants. BDNF and NGF alterations during pregnancy cause neurobehavioral deficits in the offspring. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of opium addiction of pregnant women on BDNF and NGF levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood as well as pregnancy outcome.

Materials and methods

The present research was a cross‐sectional study. Thirty‐five addicted pregnant women and 35 healthy pregnant women were included in the study. Blood samples were taken immediately after delivery from the maternal vein and umbilical cord. Then, BDNF and NGF concentrations in serum were measured by ELISA kits. The outcomes of pregnancy were determined by a checklist. Descriptive, t test, Mann–Whitney, and Chi‐squared test were used to analyze the data. SPSS version 21 software was used for the analyses. A p‐value <.05 was considered significant.

Results

BDNF levels were significantly lower in maternal and umbilical cord blood in the opium‐addicted group (917.2 31 ± 316.5 and 784.6 ± 242.9 pg/ml, respectively) compared to the control group (1351 ± 375 and 1063 ± 341 pg/ml, respectively) (p < .0001 and p < .0002, respectively). Similarly, NGF level was significantly lower in maternal and umbilical cord blood in the opium‐addicted group (302.7 ± 35.50 and 226.6 ± 45.43 pg/ml, respectively) compared to the control group (345.7 ± 43.16 and 251.2 ± 37.72 pg/ml, respectively) (p < .0001 and p = .0165, respectively).

Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as NICU admissions, congenital anomalies, neonatal deaths, meconium contaminated amniotic fluid, respiratory problems, neonatal resuscitation, and low Apgar score were significantly higher in the opium‐addicted group than in the control group.

Conclusion

The results of this study revealed that opium consumption during pregnancy reduces BDNF and NGF levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood, which may cause neurodevelopmental disorders in later periods of infants' life.
Ex vivo efficacy of BCMA‐bispecific antibody TNB‐383B in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Foureau David M. , Bhutani Manisha , Robinson Myra , Guo Fei , Pham Duy , Buelow Ben , Steuerwald Nury , Rigby Katherine , Tjaden Elise , Leonidas Marina , Paul Barry A. , Atrash Shebli , Ndiaye Ami , Symanowski James T. , Voorhees Peter M. , Usmani Saad Z.
Published: August 2020

TNB‐383B is a fully human BCMA‐targeting T‐cell engaging bispecific monoclonal antibody (T‐BsAb). We assessed ex vivo efficacy of this drug to mediate killing of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) freshly isolated from 10 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). BMMC were treated ex vivo with TNB‐383B at doses ranging from 0.001‐1 μg. Plasma cell (PC) lysis, viability, BCMA expression, CTL distribution, and degranulation were assessed by flow cytometry. Cytokine response to TNB‐383B was quantified by multiplex protein assay. Dose‐dependent PC lysis was triggered in all cases by TNB‐383B at doses as low as 0.001 μg (P = .0102). Primary MM cells varied in BCMA expression. High BCMA+ PC count correlated with increased PC lysis (P = .005) and significant CTL degranulation specific to TNB‐383B treatment (P = .0153 at 1 μg). High E:T ratio in bone marrow specimens led to lower viable and higher apoptotic PC compared with low E:T ratio (P < .001). Three cytokines were significantly modulated by TNB‐383B: IL‐2/TNFα increased by ∼4 ± 3.5‐fold average (P < .005 at 1 μg) and IP10 increased by ∼50 ± 15‐fold (P < .001 at 1 μg). We conclude that TNB‐383B triggers primary PC lysis and CTL degranulation in a dose‐dependent fashion ex vivo with no T cell expansion and mild increase of CRS‐associated cytokines.
Social sciences, modernization, and late colonialism: The Centro de Estudos da Guiné Portuguesa
Authors: Ágoas Frederico
Published: August 2020

In Portugal, studies of transformations since the mid‐1950s in colonial social research have focused on the colonial school in Lisbon or other bodies directly under the supervision of the metropolitan administration. Nonmetropolitan initiatives have been neglected and the social‐scientific undertakings of the Centro de Estudos da Guiné Portuguesa (CEGP), in particular, have been only marginally dealt with. This article maps CEGP's creation in Bissau, in 1945, and its social‐scientific activity not only to establish its precedence but also to highlight local colonial enterprise and to specify its imprint upon developments in the metropole. It addresses CEGP's immediate context and main actors, institutional setting, research activities, publications, and other scientific outlets, to then put forward some concluding remarks regarding the epistemic reach of overseas governmental measures and the practical effects, in metropolitan colonial policies and scientific research, of peripheral imperial bureaucratic knowledge.
Ecomorphology reveals Euler spiral of mammalian whiskers
Authors: Dougill Gary , Starostin Eugene L. , Milne Alyx O. , van der Heijden Gert H. M. , Goss Victor G. A. , Grant Robyn A.
Published: August 2020

Whiskers are present in many species of mammals. They are specialised vibrotactile sensors that sit within strongly innervated follicles. Whisker size and shape will affect the mechanical signals that reach the follicle, and hence the information that reaches the brain. However, whisker size and shape have not been quantified across mammals before. Using a novel method for describing whisker curvature, this study quantifies whisker size and shape across 19 mammalian species. We find that gross two‐dimensional whisker shape is relatively conserved across mammals. Indeed, whiskers are all curved, tapered rods that can be summarised by Euler spiral models of curvature and linear models of taper, which has implications for whisker growth and function. We also observe that aquatic and semi‐aquatic mammals have relatively thicker, stiffer, and more highly tapered whiskers than arboreal and terrestrial species. In addition, smaller mammals tend to have relatively long, slender, flexible whiskers compared to larger species. Therefore, we propose that whisker morphology varies between larger aquatic species, and smaller scansorial species. These two whisker morphotypes are likely to induce quite different mechanical signals in the follicle, which has implications for follicle anatomy as well as whisker function.
Insulin deficiency, but not resistance, exaggerates cognitive deficits in transgenic mice expressing human amyloid and tau proteins. Reversal by Exendin‐4 treatment
Authors: King Matthew R. , Anderson Nicholas J. , Deciu Mihaela , Guernsey Lucie S. , Cundiff Morgan , Hajizadeh Shohreh , Jolivalt Corinne G.
Published: August 2020

Epidemiological studies have pointed at diabetes as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and this has been supported by several studies in animal models of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, side‐by‐side comparison of the two types of diabetes is limited. We investigated the role of insulin deficiency and insulin resistance in the development of memory impairments and the effect of Exendin‐4 (Ex4) treatment in a mouse model of AD. Three–4‐month‐old female wild type (WT) mice and mice overexpressing human tau and amyloid precursor protein (TAPP) were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) or fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). A second study was performed in TAPP‐STZ mice treated with Ex4, a long‐lasting analog of GLP‐1. Plasma and brain were collected at study termination for ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry analysis. Learning and memory deficits were impaired in TAPP transgenic mice compared with WT mice at the end of the study. Deficits were exaggerated by insulin deficiency in TAPP mice but 12 weeks of insulin resistance did not affect memory performances in either WT or TAPP mice. Levels of phosphorylated tau were increased in the brain of WT‐STZ and TAPP‐STZ mice but not in the brain of WT or TAPP mice on HFD. In the TAPP‐STZ mice, treatment with Ex4 initiated after established cognitive deficits ameliorated learning, but not memory, impairments. This was accompanied by the reduction of amyloid β and phosphorylated tau expression. Theses studies support the role of Ex4 in AD, independently from its actions on diabetes.
Can curious employees be more agile? The role of cognitive style and creative process engagement in agility performance
Authors: Müceldili Büşra , Tatar Berivan , Erdil Oya
Published: August 2020

Curiosity is an intriguing concept that has attracted the attention of scholars from a variety of disciplines. Yet, work‐related curiosity, a crucial factor in workforce agility—the ability of employees to react and adapt to changes in the workplace—has been neglected in organizational research. Here, we broaden our understanding of curiosity in an organizational context through an empirical investigation of the role of cognitive style on work‐related curiosity, and the impact of work‐related curiosity on the constructs of agility performance and creative process engagement. We argue that cognitive style plays a major role in the formation of work‐related curiosity, and hence it is positively associated with agility performance. We also argue that that creative process engagement acts as a mediating factor between work‐related curiosity and agility performance. Using structural modeling, and based on data collected from 210 participants in Turkey, we tested five hypotheses concerning these relationships. The results both contribute to the existing literature on work‐related curiosity and provide insights for firms wishing to transform their employees' innate curiosity into a valuable organizational resource.
An evidence‐based system for the classification and clinical management of non‐proximal gingival recession defects
Authors: Chambrone Leandro , Avila‐Ortiz Gustavo
Published: August 2020

Gingival recession defect (GRD) may be defined as an apical migration of the gingival margin respective to the cementoenamel junction resulting in partial exposure of the root surface to the oral cavity, which may have important esthetic, functional, and periodontal health implications. A novel system for the classification and management of non‐proximal GRDs is proposed in this article. This evidence‐based system consists of two essential components: (1) Establishment of the GRD type based on the midbuccal/midlingual attachment level respective to the interproximal bone level, and (2) Assessment of the gingival phenotype according to the width of attached gingiva and gingival thickness. Each category of this new classification system is linked with treatment recommendations substantiated by relevant literature pertaining to the outcomes of validated root coverage procedures in specific scenarios, which can be used as a guide for clinical decision‐making in daily practice.
The fate of the distal papilla around tooth‐bound implant‐supported restorations in maxillary central incisor sites
Authors: Gonzalez‐Martin Oscar , Avila‐Ortiz Gustavo
Published: August 2020

The distal papilla around tooth‐bound implant‐supported restorations in maxillary central incisor sites tends to exhibit an atrophied aspect after tissue maturation following the delivery of the final prosthesis. This article provides an explanation to this phenomenon, as well as a set of therapeutic considerations to minimize its occurrence and optimize the outcomes of tooth replacement therapy with dental implants in this specific anatomic location.
Accelerating the oxidation of pork fat by illumination and fat oil for the production of Baijiu beverage
Authors: Wei Daiyue , Deng Penghua , Tian Xiaofei , He Songgui , Li Weigang , Wu Zhenqiang
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Aged pork fat, deeply oxidized pork fat soaked in basic liquor for more than half a year, is an important material in producing Chi‐aroma Baijiu (CAB). With the expansion of production scale of CAB, innovative strategies for efficient production of aged pork fat are in great demand. The purpose of this study is to accelerate the lipid oxidation of pork fat and improve the productivity of aged pork fat.

RESULTS

Results showed that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were the main reactant; generation reactions of lipid peroxides and free fatty acids (FFAs) were two limiting steps during the preparation of aged pork fat. Processing under illumination could alleviate the first limiting step by increasing the peroxide value and p‐anisidine value of pork fat to 16.22‐ and 28.48‐fold higher than control samples and simultaneously the PUFAs were increased to 190.60 ± 0.19 g kg−1. Soaking in basic liquor with deeply oxidized fat oil could alleviate the second limiting step by transferring FFAs from fat oil into pork fat. With more oxidized PUFAs, the acid value of the pork fat was 7.91‐fold higher than that of the control.

CONCLUSION

Illumination and deeply oxidized fat oil could alleviate the two rate‐limiting steps of lipid oxidation and improve the productivity of aged pork fat significantly. The results are highly applicable in the CAB industry. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Preoperative tranexamic acid does not reduce transfusion rates in major oncologic surgery: Results of a randomized, double‐blind, and placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Wright Gerald Paul , Wolf Andrea M. , Waldherr Tracy L. , Ritz‐Holland Deborah , Laney Eric D. , Chapman Heidi A. , Lane Brian R. , Assifi M. Mura , Chung Mathew H.
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives

Allogeneic blood transfusions are associated with worse postoperative outcomes in oncologic surgery. The aim of this study was to introduce a preoperative intervention to reduce transfusion rates in this population.

Methods

Adult patients undergoing major oncologic surgery in five categories with similar transfusion rates were recruited. Enrollees received a single preoperative intravenous dose of placebo or tranexamic acid (1000 mg). The primary outcome measure was perioperative transfusion rate. Secondary outcome measures included: estimated blood loss, thromboembolic events, morbidity, hospital length of stay, and readmission rate.

Results

Seventy‐six patients were enrolled, 39 in the tranexamic acid group and 37 in the placebo group, respectively. Demographics and surgery type were equivalent between groups. The transfusion rates were 8 out of 39 (20.5%) in the tranexamic acid group and 5 out of 37 (13.5%) in the placebo group, respectively (P = .418). Median estimated blood loss was 400 mL (interquartile range [IQR] = 150‐600) in the tranexamic acid group compared with 300 mL (IQR = 150‐800) in the placebo group (P = .983). There was one pulmonary embolism in each arm and no deep venous thrombosis (P > .999).

Conclusion

Preoperative administration of tranexamic acid at a 1000 mg intravenous dose does not decrease transfusion rates or estimated blood loss in patients undergoing major oncologic surgery.
Olfactory Fluctuation Revisited
Authors: Hsieh Julien W. , Daskalou Dimitrios , Detroux Valentine , Sipione Rebecca , Senn Pascal , Hugentobler Marianne , Landis Basile N.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Many patients complain about olfactory fluctuation (OF), which is a symptom commonly attributed to sinonasal disease. Data‐based evidence for its association with sinonasal disease is scarce. The aim of the study is to identify explanatory variables associated with OF and to analyze its predictive value regarding sinonasal disease.

Study design

We performed a retrospective study based on patients with olfactory dysfunction.

Methods

We analyzed data from 482 patients attending the smell and taste outpatient clinic with full psychophysical workup and structured questions regarding their symptoms. The questionnaire included items on OF and chronic nasal symptoms. Clinical investigators filled out the second part of this questionnaire that included information about nasal endoscopy, psychophysical tests of orthonasal olfaction (Sniffin' Sticks), retronasal olfaction, and putative etiology of olfactory dysfunction.

Results

OF was more prevalent in sinonasal disease (42.4%) compared to other putative etiologies of olfactory dysfunction such as postinfectious (28%) or posttraumatic (11.7%) (X2 [5, n = 440] = 24.98; P < .0001). OF was strongly associated with Sniffin' Sticks score categories (anosmia, hyposmia, normosmia) (X2 [2, n = 424] = 39.21; P < .0001; Cramer's V = 0.30; P < .0001) and presence of “chronic nasal symptoms” (X2 [1, n = 437] = 22.71; P < .0001; Cramer's V = 0.23; P < .0001). The accuracy in predicting putative sinonasal disease etiology when OF was present depended strongly on the clinical context.

Conclusion

Olfactory fluctuation is a symptom mostly but not exclusively associated with sinonasal disease, elevated Sniffin' Sticks test scores, and is frequently accompanied by other nasal complaints. Its presence is valuable information for clinicians to be integrated into the clinical context when doing patients' workup.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:2442–2447, 2020
The Effects of Menopause on Neuromuscular Parameters of the Rat Vocal Folds
Authors: Lenell Charles , Johnson Aaron M.
Published: August 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Menopause adversely affecs power and endurance of the limb muscles. However, despite clinical observations that menopause corresponds to negative changes of the voice, the direct effects of estrogen deprivation on the thyroarytenoid muscles are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of estrogen deprivation via ovariectomy on three neuromuscular parameters of the thyroarytenoid muscles using a rat model.

Study Design

Animal model.

Methods

Cryosections of vocal folds of 20 (10 control and 10 ovariectomized) female rats were stained to label neuromuscular junctions, fiber size, or parvalbumin levels using immunohistochemical techniques and compared between experimental groups.

Results

The neuromuscular junctions, thyroarytenoid fiber sizes, and parvalbumin levels of the vocal folds were similar between experimental groups.

Conclusions

The loss of estrogen did not change neuromuscular parameters of the vocal folds of adult female rats; therefore, vocal changes within the outer vibratory layers of the vocal folds may primarily be responsible for clinically observed menopausal vocal changes.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 131:1343–1348, 2021
Exploring cultivated land evolution in mountainous areas of Southwest China, an empirical study of developments since the 1980s
Authors: Liang Xinyuan , Jin Xiaobin , Yang Xuhong , Xu Weiyi , Lin Jinhuang , Zhou Yinkang
Published: August 2020

Cultivated land protection is related to food security and sustainable development. As an important reserve resource, the protection and development of cultivated land in mountainous areas need attention from governments and academia. This paper analyses the long‐term evolution process cultivated land in mountainous areas of Southwest China by using large‐scale remote sensing, topographic relief amplitude model, and a modified binary logistic regression model, to understand internal reasons for evolution differentiation at the macro level. The results show that untransformed cultivated land is mainly distributed below the topographic relief amplitude of 770 m. The transformation direction and spatial characteristics of transformed cultivated land gradually shift to low relief amplitude (<631 m) areas with time. Construction land accounts for 51.11% of the cultivated land transformation, usually distributed in flatlands or basins below the relief amplitude of 498 m, and hilly cultivated land around it displays a fluctuating recovery process. Topography is the most important factor affecting the evolution of cultivated land in mountainous areas. However, there are still differences in the driving mechanism of cultivated land evolution types, and some key policies in China in the past directly affected the evolution paths of cultivated land in mountainous areas. The research results can provide ideas for the utilization and protection of cultivated land in similar mountainous areas.
Elicitation kinetics of phenolics in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) sprouts by thermal treatments
Authors: Ampofo Josephine , Ngadi Michael , Ramaswamy Hosahalli S.
Published: August 2020

Phenolics are plant secondary metabolites with numerous health benefits, produced via the phenylpropanoid pathway in plants in response to environmental conditions. In this study, the mathematical relationship between thermal elicitation (25°C, 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C) of phenolic compounds through the accumulation of oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxide [H2O2], malondialdehyde [MDA], catalase [CAT], and guaiacol peroxidase [GPX]) and activation of phenylpropanoid triggering enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase [PAL] and tyrosine ammonia‐lyase [TAL]) was kinetically modeled at different sprouting stages of common bean. The rate of H2O2 and MDA formation showed an increasing trend with an increase in sprouting temperature. However, activation rates of CAT, GPX, PAL, and TAL were highest at 30°C, after which there were significant reductions. Also, activation rate of PAL was lower as compared with TAL, which was further established with its low activation energy Ea value of 150 kJ/mol compared with TAL (221 kJ/mol). Also, activation energy values for total phenolic acids (30.4 kJ/mol) and flavonoids (64.0 kJ/mol) showed that they required less energy for formation during sprouting, compared with anthocyanins (209 kJ/mol), with the activation energy results obtained from their estimated kinetic rate constants and production percentages. Thus, manipulation of sprouting temperature can increase the potential use of common beans as natural functional foods with improved health benefits.
A Bibliometric Review of the Special Issues of Psychology & Marketing: 1984‐2020
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asif , Ali Imtiaz , Ashraf Rohail
Published: August 2020

Psychology & Marketing (P&M), an internationally reputed journal, publishes original, peer‐reviewed, empirical research on the application of psychological theories and techniques to marketing. The aim of this essay is to provide a bibliometric overview of the leading trends in the special issues of P&M over its history (1984–2020). Using bibliometric techniques, we analyze the impact of the special issues via their most cited papers, most productive authors, affiliated institutions and countries, as well as the best guest editors who contributed to the selection of the most cited special issue articles. Using network analysis VOSviewer software, we also group the special issues into four clusters to identify common themes. Further, we develop graphical visualization of coauthorships, bibliographic coupling, and cocitations. Results show that the most productive contributors are from American institutions and that P&M remains well connected to other leading journals in the marketing and psychology discipline, such as the Journal of Marketing Research, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the Journal of Consumer Research, the Journal of Marketing, and the Journal of Business Research.
Functional and genetic analyses of ZYG11B provide evidences for its involvement in OAVS
Authors: Tingaud‐Sequeira Angèle , Trimouille Aurélien , Marlin Sandrine , Lopez Estelle , Berenguer Marie , Gherbi Souad , Arveiler Benoit , Lacombe Didier , Rooryck Caroline
Published: August 2020

Background

The Oculo‐Auriculo‐Vertebral Spectrum (OAVS) or Goldenhar Syndrome is an embryonic developmental disorder characterized by hemifacial microsomia associated with auricular, ocular and vertebral malformations. The clinical heterogeneity of this spectrum and its incomplete penetrance limited the molecular diagnosis. In this study, we describe a novel causative gene, ZYG11B.

Methods

A sporadic case of OAVS was analyzed by whole exome sequencing in trio strategy. The identified candidate gene, ZYG11B, was screened in 143 patients by next generation sequencing. Overexpression and immunofluorescence of wild‐type and mutated ZYG11B forms were performed in Hela cells. Moreover, morpholinos were used for transient knockdown of its homologue in zebrafish embryo.

Results

A nonsense de novo heterozygous variant in ZYG11B, (NM_024646, c.1609G>T, p.Glu537*) was identified in a single OAVS patient. This variant leads in vitro to a truncated protein whose subcellular localization is altered. Transient knockdown of the zebrafish homologue gene confirmed its role in craniofacial cartilages architecture and in notochord development. Moreover, ZYG11B expression regulates a cartilage master regulator, SOX6, and is regulated by Retinoic Acid, a known developmental toxic molecule leading to clinical features of OAVS.

Conclusion

Based on genetic, cellular and animal model data, we proposed ZYG11B as a novel rare causative gene for OAVS.
Much uncertainty remains for providers seeking COVID‐19‐related relief
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: August 2020

Communication gaps continue to complicate the effort to provide federal relief funding to behavioral health and other health care providers that have been adversely affected by the COVID‐19 crisis. It remained unclear last week as to whether recent outreach efforts to providers would result in a flurry of applications for the latest round of Provider Relief Fund money before the Aug. 3 application deadline.