bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporary interruption of baricitinib: characterization of interruptions and effect on clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Emery Paul , Tanaka Yoshiya , Cardillo Tracy , Schlichting Douglas , Rooney Terence , Beattie Scott , Helt Cameron , Smolen Josef S.
Published: May 2020

Background

In clinical practice, temporary interruption of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy is common for various reasons including side effects, non-compliance, or necessity for surgery. To characterize temporary interruptions of baricitinib and placebo-matched tablets in phase 3 studies of patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and describe their impact on efficacy and safety.

Methods

During 4 baricitinib phase 3 studies, investigators documented timing, reason, and duration of investigator-initiated temporary interruptions of study drug. In 2 studies, patients recorded RA symptoms in daily diaries for 12 weeks. Post hoc analyses investigated changes in symptom scores during interruptions and resumption of treatment. Interruptions were evaluated for reoccurrence of adverse events or laboratory abnormalities after retreatment.

Results

Across the placebo-controlled studies, interruptions occurred in larger proportions of baricitinib- (2 mg, 18%; 4 mg, 18%) vs placebo-treated (9%) patients in only one study (bDMARD-inadequate responder patients, RA-BEACON). In the active comparator-controlled studies, the lowest rates of interruption were in the baricitinib monotherapy arm (9%) of RA-BEGIN (vs methotrexate monotherapy or combination therapy), and proportions were similar for baricitinib (10%) and adalimumab (9%) in RA-BEAM. Adverse events were the most common reason for interruption, but their reoccurrence after drug restart was infrequent. Most interruptions lasted ≤ 2 weeks. Daily diaries indicated modest symptom increases during interruption with return to pre-interruption levels or better after resumption. Interruptions had no impact on long-term efficacy outcomes.

Conclusions

Consistent with its pharmacologic properties, brief interruptions of baricitinib during phase 3 studies were associated with minor increases in RA symptoms that resolved following retreatment. This analysis provides useful information for clinicians, as temporary interruption of antirheumatic therapy is common in the care of patients with RA.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01710358, NCT01711359, NCT01721057, NCT01721044
The effect of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 on migration and invasion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lee Ha-Reum , Yoo Su-Jin , Kim Jinhyun , Yoo In Seol , Park Chan Keol , Kang Seong Wook
Published: May 2020

Background

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate the migration and invasion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), which are key effector cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) induces ROS generation and, consequently, enhances cell migration. Despite the important interrelationship between RA, FLS, and ROS, the effect of NOX4 on RA pathogenesis remains unclear.

Methods

FLS isolated from RA (n = 5) and osteoarthritis (OA, n = 5) patients were stimulated with recombinant interleukin 17 (IL-17; 10 ng/ml) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α; 10 ng/ml) for 1 h. Cell migration, invasion, adhesion molecule expression, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, and ROS expression were examined. The mRNA and protein levels of NOX4 were analyzed by RT-qPCR and western blotting, respectively. The NOX4 inhibitor GLX351322 and NOX4 siRNA were used to inhibit NOX4 to probe the effect of NOX4 on these cellular processes.

Results

Migration of RA FLS was increased 2.48-fold after stimulation with IL-17 and TNF-α, while no difference was observed for OA FLS. ROS expression increased in parallel with invasiveness of FLS following cytokine stimulation. When the expression of NOX was examined, NOX4 was significantly increased by 9.73-fold in RA FLS compared to unstimulated FLS. Following NOX4 inhibition, cytokine-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), VEGF, and migration and invasion capacity of RA FLS were markedly decreased to unstimulated levels.

Conclusion

NOX4 is a key contributor to cytokine-enhanced migration and invasion via modulation of ROS, VCAM1, and VEGF in RA FLS.
The complete genome sequence of the archaeal isolate Halomicrobium sp. ZPS1 reveals the nitrogen metabolism characteristics under hypersaline conditions
Authors: Hu Xinyu , Zeng Chunlin , Hou Zhaozhi , Wang Yuan , Xu Qin , Isobe Kazuo , Senoo Keishi , Zhu Lin
Published: May 2020

Purpose

As a potential tool for the biodegradation of nitrogen contaminants, including nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium, in pickled foods with high salinity, the halophilic and denitrifying archaeal strainHalomicrobiumsp. ZPS1 was isolated from edible salt particles.

Methods

Under anaerobic and static culture conditions,Halomicrobiumsp. ZPS1 could simultaneously degrade nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium in liquid medium with 18% salinity and generate N2O. To gain insight into these physiological characteristics, the complete genome ofHalomicrobiumsp. ZPS1 was sequenced to reveal the mechanism of nitrogen metabolism associated with salt-tolerance.

Result

The complete genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 3,094,203 bp with a circular chromosome and a GC content of 65.64%. Based on gene annotation, 3191 CDSs, 6 rRNA genes, and 76 tRNA genes were identified. Moreover, 28 genes were annotated as related to salt tolerance, ammonium assimilation, and a truncated denitrification pathway.

Conclusion

The annotated functional genes indicate thatHalomicrobiumsp. ZPS1 could be a candidate strain for the simultaneous removal of nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia in extremely high salt environments.
The role of hepatocyte growth factor in mesenchymal stem cell-induced recovery in spinal cord injured rats
Authors: Song Peiwen , Han Tianyu , Xiang Xia , Wang Ying , Fang Huang , Niu Yang , Shen Cailiang
Published: May 2020

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI) due to the fact that they provide a favorable environment. Treatment using MSCs results in a better neurological functional improvement through the promotion of nerve cell regeneration and the modulation of inflammation. Many studies have highlighted that the beneficial effects of MSCs are more likely associated with their secreted factors. However, the identity of the factor that plays a key role in the MSC-induced neurological functional recovery following SCI as well as its molecular mechanism still remains unclear.

Methods

A conditioned medium (collected from the MSCs) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were used to test the effects on the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCS) in the presence of BMP4 with or without a c-Met antibody. In SCI rats, Western blot, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to investigate the biological effects of MSC-conditioned medium and HGF on nerve cell regeneration and inflammation with or without the pre-treatment using a c-Met antibody. In addition, the possible molecular mechanism (cross-talk between HGF/c-Met and the BMP/Smad 1/5/8 signaling pathway) was also detected by Western blot both in vivo and in vitro.

Results

The conditioned medium from bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) was able to promote the NSC differentiation into neurons in vitro and the neurite outgrowth in the scar boundary of SCI rats by inhibiting the BMP/Smad signaling pathway as well as reduces the secondary damage through the modulation of the inflammatory process. The supplementation of HGF showed similar biological effects to those of BMSC-CM, whereas a functional blocking of the c-Met antibody or HGF knockdown in BMSCs significantly reversed the functional improvement mediated by the BMSC-CM.

Conclusions

The MSC-associated biological effects on the recovery of SCI rats mainly depend on the secretion of HGF.
Physiological and subjective burden when wearing fire protective boots between 3.2 and 5.3 kg
Authors: Roh Sang-Hyun , Ko Yelin , Lee Joo-Young
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the effects of weight increase of firefighters’ boots on physiological and psychological strain. Seven young males (70.9 ± 4.8 kg in body mass, BM) participated in the following four boot conditions while wearing standard firefighting personal protective equipment: 3.2, 3.9, 4.6, and 5.3 kg (4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5%BM). The results showed that the four boot conditions resulted in no differences in rectal temperature, mean skin temperature, energy expenditure and overall thermal comfort during walking, while increments in heart rate were greater for 5.3 kg than for other three conditions (P < 0.05). Subjects felt less warm and had less uncomfortable feet during exercise for the 3.2 kg condition compared to the three other heavier conditions (P < 0.05). These results indicate that psychological strain due to the load carried on the feet appeared earlier (between 4.5 to 5.5%BM) than physiological strain in terms of heart rate (between 6.5 to 7.5%BM). We finally suggest a 5% body mass upper limit for boot weight because subjective strain of the feet may be a valuable preliminary alarm for the physiological strain of firefighters wearing heavy boots.
Scaling the impact of sustainability initiatives: a typology of amplification processes
Authors: Lam David P. M. , Martín-López Berta , Wiek Arnim , Bennett Elena M. , Frantzeskaki Niki , Horcea-Milcu Andra I. , Lang Daniel J.
Published: May 2020

Amplifying the impact of sustainability initiatives to foster transformations in urban and rural contexts, has received increasing attention in resilience, social innovation, and sustainability transitions research. We review the literature on amplification frameworks and propose an integrative typology of eight processes, which aim to increase the impact of such initiatives. The eight amplification processes are: stabilizing, speeding up, growing, replicating, transferring, spreading, scaling up, and scaling deep. We aggregated these processes into three categories: amplifying within, amplifying out, and amplifying beyond. This integrative typology aims to stimulate the debate on impact amplification from urban and rural sustainability initiatives across research areas to support sustainability transformations. We propose going beyond an understanding of amplification, which focuses only on the increase of numbers of sustainability initiatives, by considering how these initiatives create transformative change.
Connecting formal and informal spaces: a long-term and multi-level view of Medellín’s Metrocable
Authors: Galvin Madeleine , Maassen Anne
Published: May 2020

The inauguration of Medellín, Colombia’s aerial cable car in 2004, is widely seen as a key turning point in reversing the city’s historical reputation for drug and gang-related crimes towards greater inclusiveness and public safety. Analyses of Medellín’s transformation have tended to focus on establishing the immediate positive outcomes achieved from the cable car and assessing persistent inequality and the fragile balance between enfranchisement and top-down institutional control. In this paper, we take these interpretations of Medellín’s transformation as our starting point and propose that a lasting legacy is to be found in the way the city plans for and works in disinvested areas. Our focus is on examining the elements that have made transformation possible in Medellín. We begin by exploring a set of framing conditions during the period of 1991 to 2000 (‘Before Line K’) and then outline the implementation of Metrocable and its shorter-term outcomes (‘Executing Line K’), before finally reflecting on the wider transformative impacts of this experience (‘Beyond Line K’). As key takeaways, we highlight the role of national policy, municipal finance, and community engagement in bringing a highly informal space into the reach of public institutions, thus providing insights for urban decision-makers looking to do the same.
Rapid multi-scale analysis of near-surface geophysical anomaly maps: Application to an archaeo-geophysical data set
Authors: Tronicke Jens , Allroggen Niklas , Biermann Felix , Fanselow Florian , Guillemoteau Julien , Krauskopf Christof , Lück Erika
Published: May 2020

In near-surface geophysics, ground-based mapping surveys are routinely employed in a variety of applications including those from archaeology, civil engineering, hydrology, and soil science. The resulting geophysical anomaly maps of, for example, magnetic or electrical parameters are usually interpreted to laterally delineate subsurface structures such as those related to the remains of past human activities, subsurface utilities and other installations, hydrological properties, or different soil types. To ease the interpretation of such data sets, we propose a multi-scale processing, analysis, and visualization strategy. Our approach relies on a discrete redundant wavelet transform (RWT) implemented using cubic-spline filters and the à trous algorithm, which allows to efficiently compute a multi-scale decomposition of 2D data using a series of 1D convolutions. The basic idea of the approach is presented using a synthetic test image, while our archaeo-geophysical case study from North-East Germany demonstrates its potential to analyze and process rather typical geophysical anomaly maps including magnetic and topographic data. Our vertical-gradient magnetic data show amplitude variations over several orders of magnitude, complex anomaly patterns at various spatial scales, and typical noise patterns, while our topographic data show a distinct hill structure superimposed by a microtopographic stripe pattern and random noise. Our results demonstrate that the RWT approach is capable to successfully separate these components and that selected wavelet planes can be scaled and combined so that the reconstructed images allow for a detailed, multi-scale structural interpretation also using integrated visualizations of magnetic and topographic data. Because our analysis approach is straightforward to implement without laborious parameter testing and tuning, computationally efficient, and easily adaptable to other geophysical data sets, we believe that it can help to rapidly analyze and interpret different geophysical mapping data collected to address a variety of near-surface applications from engineering practice and research.
Random objective waveform inversion of surface waves
Authors: Pan Yudi , Gao Lingli
Published: May 2020

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) of surface waves is becoming increasingly popular among shallow-seismic methods. Due to a huge amount of data and the high nonlinearity of the objective function, FWI usually requires heavy computational costs and may converge toward a local minimum. To mitigate these problems, we have reformulated FWI under a multiobjective framework and adopted a random objective waveform inversion (ROWI) method for surface-wave characterization. Three different measure functions were used, whereas the combination of one measure function with one shot independently provided one of the [Formula: see text] objective functions ([Formula: see text] is the total number of shots). We have randomly chose and optimized one objective function at each iteration. We performed a synthetic test to compare the performance of the ROWI and conventional FWI approaches, which showed that the convergence of ROWI is faster and more robust compared with conventional FWI approaches. We also applied ROWI to a field data set acquired in Rheinstetten, Germany. ROWI successfully reconstructed the main geologic feature, a refilled trench, in the final result. The comparison between the ROWI result and a migrated ground-penetrating radar profile further proved the effectiveness of ROWI in reconstructing the near-surface S-wave velocity model. We also ran the same field example by using a poor initial model. In this case, conventional FWI failed whereas ROWI still reconstructed the subsurface model to a fairly good level, which highlighted the relatively low dependency of ROWI on the initial model.
Enhancing interpretability with diffraction imaging using plane-wave destruction aided by frequency-wavenumber f-k filtering
Authors: Lowney Brydon , Lokmer Ivan , O’Brien Gareth Shane , Amy Lawrence , Bean Christopher J. , Igoe Michael
Published: May 2020

A conventional processing workflow favors only the specular reflections, reducing or removing other wavefield interactions. These specular reflections are unsuitable for directly imaging sharp corners, such as those in fault zones and pinch outs; therefore, diffractions are used instead in a technique known as diffraction imaging. Plane-wave destruction (PWD) is a well-established method for removing reflections and imaging diffractions. However, this method assumes a gently variable slope; therefore, it fails to remove energy in areas that do not follow this assumption such as curved interfaces. To remove the remnant energy in these areas and thus enhance the overall interpretability of the diffraction images, we have adopted a simple spatial-variable filter in the frequency-wavenumber f-k domain based on the calculated dip field used for PWD, applied post PWD. To demonstrate the method, we have examined this on a range of synthetic data, complex synthetic data, and real data. The created diffraction images have then been interpreted to evidence the benefit of diffraction imaging in seismic interpretation, helping to delineate pinch outs, faults, and rugose surfaces.
Abnormal bodily experiences detected by Abnormal Bodily Phenomena questionnaire are more frequent and severe in schizophrenia than in bipolar disorder with psychotic features
Authors: Stanghellini Giovanni , Palumbo Davide , Ballerini Massimo , Mucci Armida , Catapano Francesco , Giordano Giulia Maria , Galderisi Silvana
Published: May 2020

Background:

Patients with schizophrenia display experiential anomalies in their feelings and cognitions arising in the domain of their lived body. These abnormal bodily phenomena (ABP) are not part of diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. One of the reasons is the difficulty to assess specific ABP for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The present study aimed to explore the presence in patients with schizophrenia of specific ABP.

Methods:

We used a semistructured interview—the Abnormal Bodily Phenomena questionnaire (ABPq), an instrument devised to detect and measure ABP specific to patients with schizophrenia. Fifty-one outpatients affected by schizophrenia and 28 euthymic outpatients affected by bipolar disorder type I with psychotic features (BD-pf-e) were recruited. Before assessing the specificity for schizophrenia of the observed ABP, we tested the internal consistency and the convergent validity of the ABPq in patients with schizophrenia. Specificity was assessed by examining potential differences in ABPq among the patients with schizophrenia in remission (SCZ-r) and BD-pf-e.

Results:

The ABPq shows strong internal consistency and convergent validity. As to the specificity, ABP measured by ABPq were more frequent and severe in SCZ-r than in BD-pf-e. In particular, all ABPq dimensions, except “Coherence,” had at least mild severity in over 50% of SCZ-r, while dimensions with at least mild severity were observed in 5–10% of the BD-pf-e.

Conclusions:

These findings can contribute to establish more precise phenomenal boundaries between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, to explore the borders between nonpsychotic and psychotic forms of ABP, between ABP and negative and disorganized symptoms, and to enlighten core aspects of schizophrenia.
Electronic Medical Record Search Engine (EMERSE): An Information Retrieval Tool for Supporting Cancer Research
Authors: Hanauer David A. , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S. , Beno Mark F. , Del Fiol Guilherme , Durbin Eric B. , Gologorskaya Oksana , Harris Daniel , Harnett Brett , Kawamoto Kensaku , May Benjamin , Meeks Eric , Pfaff Emily , Weiss Janie , Zheng Kai
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE

The Electronic Medical Record Search Engine (EMERSE) is a software tool built to aid research spanning cohort discovery, population health, and data abstraction for clinical trials. EMERSE is now live at three academic medical centers, with additional sites currently working on implementation. In this report, we describe how EMERSE has been used to support cancer research based on a variety of metrics.

METHODS

We identified peer-reviewed publications that used EMERSE through online searches as well as through direct e-mails to users based on audit logs. These logs were also used to summarize use at each of the three sites. Search terms for two of the sites were characterized using the natural language processing tool MetaMap to determine to which semantic types the terms could be mapped.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 326 peer-reviewed publications that used EMERSE through August 2019, although this is likely an underestimation of the true total based on the use log analysis. Oncology-related research comprised nearly one third (n = 105; 32.2%) of all research output. The use logs showed that EMERSE had been used by multiple people at each site (nearly 3,500 across all three) who had collectively logged into the system > 100,000 times. Many user-entered search queries could not be mapped to a semantic type, but the most common semantic type for terms that did match was “disease or syndrome,” followed by “pharmacologic substance.”

CONCLUSION

EMERSE has been shown to be a valuable tool for supporting cancer research. It has been successfully deployed at other sites, despite some implementation challenges unique to each deployment environment.
Promising Immuno-Oncology Options for the Future: Cellular Therapies and Personalized Cancer Vaccines
Authors: Solomon Benjamin J. , Beavis Paul A. , Darcy Philip K.
Published: May 2020

A common pathway for an effective immune anticancer response involves recognition of tumor neoantigens and subsequent targeting of cancer cells by T cells. In this article, we provide an overview of the current status of two approaches to directly enhance this interaction using either adoptive cell therapy or personalized cancer vaccines with focus on recent advances in solid tumors, including lung cancer.
Patients With Cancer and COVID-19: A WhatsApp Messenger-Based Survey of Patients’ Queries, Needs, Fears, and Actions Taken
Authors: Gebbia Vittorio , Piazza Dario , Valerio Maria Rosaria , Borsellino Nicolò , Firenze Alberto
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE

This descriptive investigation was undertaken at three oncology units to report queries, needs, and fears related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) of patients with cancer and to avoid uncontrolled treatment delays or withdrawal, behavioral mistakes, and panic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All queries spontaneously delivered through the WhatsApp instant messaging system commonly used by patients to communicate with oncology units were collected and grouped by homology in five categories. Responses to the queries were given according to recommendations by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology through WhatsApp and by subsequent phone calls. Patients were also classified according to the site of the primary tumor, stage of disease, and current treatments. Analysis of the association between these data and queries was carried out.

RESULTS

The social scenario in Italy is a nationwide lockdown except for hospitals, pharmacies, and food supplies. Overall, 446 different patients’ WhatsApp conversations were analyzed between March 1 and March 13 and comprised the following: requirement of visit delay by patients undergoing oral therapies or in follow-up, delays in chemotherapy or immunotherapy administration, queries about possible immunosuppression, and changes in lifestyle or daily activities. Delay requirements were statistically more frequent among patients with prostate or breast cancer compared with those with lung or pancreatic cancer. Actions taken by oncologists are also reported.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, the WhatsApp instant messaging system has been occasionally used in other medical settings with controversial results. In our experience, WhatsApp turned out to be adequate to give a rapid answer to most queries from patients with cancer in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario.
Evolving Landscape of Molecular Prescreening Strategies for Oncology Early Clinical Trials
Authors: Dienstmann Rodrigo , Garralda Elena , Aguilar Susana , Sala Gemma , Viaplana Cristina , Ruiz-Pace Fiorella , González-Zorelle Jenifer , Grazia LoGiacco Deborah , Ogbah Zighereda , Ramos Masdeu Laia , Mancuso Francesco , Fasani Roberta , Jimenez Jose , Martinez Paola , Oaknin Ana , Saura Cristina , Oliveira Mafalda , Balmaña Judith , Carles Joan , Macarulla Teresa , Elez Elena , Alsina Maria , Braña Irene , Felip Enriqueta , Tabernero Josep , Rodon Jordi , Nuciforo Paolo , Vivancos Ana
Published: May 2020

Most academic precision oncology programs have been designed to facilitate enrollment of patients in early clinical trials with matched targeted agents. Over the last decade, major changes were seen both in the targetable molecular alteration landscape and in drug development trends. In this article, we describe how the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology molecular prescreening program adapted to a dynamic model of biomarker-drug codevelopment. We started with a tumor-agnostic hotspot mutation panel plus in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry of selected markers and subsequently transitioned to tumor-specific amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests together with custom copy number, fusion, and outlier gene expression panels. All assays are optimized for archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissues without matched germline sequencing. In parallel, biomarker-matched trials evolved from a scenario of few targets and large populations (such as PI3K inhibitors in PIK3CA mutants) to a complex situation with many targets and small populations (such as multiple targetable fusion events). Recruitment rates in clinical trials with mandatory biomarkers decreased over the last 3 years. Molecular tumor board meetings proved critical to guide oncologists on emerging biomarkers for clinical testing and interpretation of NGS results. The substantial increase of immunotherapy trials had a major impact in target prioritization and guided clinical implementation of new markers, such as tumor mutational burden, with larger exon-based NGS assays and gene expression signatures to capture microenvironment infiltration patterns. This new multiomics era of precision oncology is expected to increase the opportunities for early clinical trial matching.
Annie, Annie! Are You Okay?: Faces Behind the Resusci Anne Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Simulator
Authors: Gordetsky Jennifer B. , Rais-Bahrami Soroush , Rabinowitz Ronald
Published: May 2020

We investigated the history of Resusci Anne, the well-known cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) simulation trainer. The creation of Resusci Anne began with Peter J. Safar, an accomplished anesthesiologist who experimented with resuscitation of respiration and cardiac function. He collaborated with Asmund S. Laerdal, whose early experimentation with soft plastics allowed him to create a human simulator that could be used to teach the skills of resuscitation to both medical care practitioners and individuals of all walks of life. A special face was chosen for the simulation mannequin, one based on a mysterious death mask of a beautiful woman from the late 19th century. The success of Resusci Anne led to the widespread acceptance of CPR and simulation use in medical training.
Cauliflower-Like Nanostructured Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Chip for Cytokine Detection
Authors: Luo Xi , Zhu Chen , Saito Masato , Espulgar Wilfred Villariza , Dou Xiaoming , Terada Yuhei , Obara Ain , Uchiyama Sachiyo , Tamiya Eiichi
Published: May 2020

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based nano-plasmonic biosensors have attracted great attentions due to rapid detection and label-free capability. Aiming to obtain a high performance LSPR sensor chip, a cauliflower-like nanopillar (CLNP) structure was fabricated based on the cyclo-olefin polymer (COP) material which could increase the sensitivity according to the “hotspots” effect theory. An oxygen plasma etching procedure was introduced to the chip fabrication process to carve the nanopillar surface prepared by nanoimprinting lithography (NIL) into the cauliflower-like nanostructures. In this paper, the cauliflower-like nanopillar structured sensor chip was successfully obtained and the results confirmed that this sensor chip has higher sensitivity compared to an untreated nanopillar structured chip. Meanwhile, the biosensing capability was verified by cell interleukin-6 (IL-6) immunoassay. This approach provides an easy way to fabricate mass-producible LSPR biosensor chips for cell cytokine secretion detection.
The Anticompetitive Effects of Common Ownership: The Case of Paragraph IV Generic Entry
Authors: Xie Jin , Gerakos Joseph
Published: May 2020

Brand-name pharmaceutical companies often file lawsuits against generic drug manufacturers that challenge the monopoly status of patent-protected drugs. Institutional horizontal shareholdings, measured by the generic shareholders' ownership in the brand-name company relative to their ownership in the generic manufacturer, are significantly positively associated with the likelihood that the two parties enter into a settlement agreement in which the brand pays the generic manufacturer to stay out of the market.
Awards and the Gender Gap in Knowledge Contributions in STEM
Authors: Gallus Jana , Heikensten Emma
Published: May 2020

Organizations miss out if their smartest members do not bring their ideas to the table. Gallus and Heikensten (2019) establish that gender differences play an important role for female participation in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). Moreover, they show that these differences can be eliminated by providing suitable forms of social recognition via awards. This article focuses on self-stereotyping and explores its role as a mechanism behind the effect of recognition on the gender gap in the tendency to speak up.
Reducing Violence against Women in Uganda through Video Dramas: A Survey Experiment to Illuminate Causal Mechanisms
Authors: Cooper Jasper , Green Donald P. , Wilke Anna M.
Published: May 2020

A randomized trial was conducted in rural Uganda in which 112 villages were exposed to video dramatizations about violence against women (VAW) or placebo topics. The treatment videos encouraged viewers to report VAW. Eight months later, surveys showed increased willingness to report in treatment villages as well as lower reported rates of VAW. The present survey experiment suggests a possible causal mechanism: the videos made allegations more credible so that those who come forward with reports are more confident that they will be believed.
Estimating Family Income from Administrative Banking Data: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Farrell Diana , Greig Fiona , Deadman Erica
Published: May 2020

The JPMorgan Chase Institute uses administrative banking data for research. In order to address representativeness in our data, we seek a reliable estimate of gross family income for population segmenting and reweighting purposes. JPMC Institute Income Estimate (JPMC IIE) version 1.0 uses gradient boosting machines (GBM) to estimate gross family income based on a truth set drawn from credit card and mortgage application data. The estimation relies on administrative banking data in combination with zip code-level characteristics available through public datasets. The final model yielded a significantly more accurate prediction of income than checking account inflows alone.
Linguistic Traits and Human Capital Formation
Authors: Galor Oded , Özak Ömer , Sarid Assaf
Published: May 2020

This research establishes the influence of linguistic traits on human behavior. Exploiting variations in the languages spoken by children of migrants with identical ancestral countries of origin, the analysis indicates that the presence of periphrastic future tense and its association with long-term orientation has a significant positive impact on educational attainment, whereas the presence of sex-based grammatical gender, and its association with gender bias, has a significant adverse impact on female educational attainment.
Automatic Stabilizers in a Low-Rate Environment
Authors: Blanchard Olivier J. , Summers Lawrence H.
Published: May 2020

In a world where monetary policy cannot assume responsibility for stabilization policy, there is a strong need for fiscal policy to address stabilization issues. In this context, we argue for “semi-automatic stabilizers,” aimed at reducing unemployment slumps rather than output recessions. We show that the hole left by the limits on monetary policy implies a large role for fiscal policy in general and for semi-automatic stabilizers in particular. Finally, we argue that the design of stabilizers, whether they focus on mechanisms that rely primarily on income or on intertemporal substitution effects, depends crucially on the general design of discretionary policy.
The Fiscal Costs of Climate Change
Authors: Barrage Lint
Published: May 2020

This paper explores the fiscal consequences of climate change. The analysis considers climate change impacts on (i) the cost of existing government services (e.g., disaster assistance) and (ii) the need for publicly provided anticipatory adaptation (e.g., sea walls). These channels are integrated into the COMET, a dynamic general equilibrium climate-economy model with distortionary taxation and government expenditures. The main result is that accounting for fiscal impacts may increase the welfare benefits of efficient climate policy by up to 30 percent. Business-as-usual climate change may necessitate increases in income tax rates and elevate the marginal cost of raising public funds.
Adopting Mobile Money: Evidence from an Experiment in Rural Africa
Authors: Batista Catia , Vicente Pedro C.
Published: May 2020

Who uses mobile money, and what do people do with it? This paper describes mobile money adoption patterns following the experimental introduction of mobile money for the first time in rural areas of Southern Mozambique. We use administrative and household survey data to characterize adopters as well as their mobile money usage patterns over three years. Adopters of mobile money (and early adopters in particular) are more educated than nonadopters, and they are also more likely to already hold a bank account. Positive self-selection of adopters should be considered when introducing mobile money as a tool for rapid financial inclusion.
The Global Financial Cycle after Lehman
Authors: Miranda-Agrippino Silvia , Rey Hélène
Published: May 2020

Did the effect of US monetary policy on the global financial cycle change after the crisis? We analyze the international transmission of the Fed's policy shocks since 2009. We find similar effects for the policies that act mostly on the short end of the US yield curve. But there is evidence of potent information effects active at the long end. Lower ten-year Treasury yields are associated with weaker global financial activity and flight to safety. The information content of the VIX may have changed substantially since the crisis.
Understanding Collateral Re-use in the US Financial System
Authors: Infante Sebastian , Press Charles , Saravay Zack
Published: May 2020

We document how primary dealers use and re-use collateral in the United States. Using confidential supervisory data, we map how collateral flows through individual dealers, identifying whether the collateral is encumbered or rehypothecated. From these data we estimate the degree of collateral re-use at the dealer level. We find a high degree of US Treasury re-use, for which we posit three possible drivers: (1) intermediation of cash, (2) intermediation of collateral, and (3) “stripping” and distribution of their safe asset benefits. This work contributes to research aimed at understanding how collateral circulation improves market functioning but may lead to fragility.
What Happens after an Abortion Denial? A Review of Results from the Turnaway Study
Authors: Miller Sarah , Wherry Laura R. , Foster Diana Greene
Published: May 2020

We provide a brief overview of the Turnaway Study, the first study to collect longitudinal data on individual women who received versus were denied a wanted abortion in the United States. The study team collected data on nearly 1,000 women seeking an abortion from 30 facilities around the country and followed them for 5 years. We discuss some of the main findings from the study related to the health, labor, and human capital outcomes of the women who were denied abortions and gave birth. We conclude by describing future opportunities to learn from the study with new linkages to administrative data.
A Look Ahead at the 2020 US Elections: The Role of Candidate Diversity in Political Participation
Authors: Amuedo-Dorantes Catalina , Bucheli Jose R.
Published: May 2020

An increasingly diverse population in the United States has given rise to a growing body of literature that analyzes the causes and consequences of descriptive representation. Using individual-level representative data on registration and voting for the entire United States over the 2008-2018 decade, we find that diversity in the candidate pool promotes the registration and voting of eligible-to-vote individuals, particularly those belonging to the youngest generations of voters, those located in swing states, and growing minorities, as in the case of Hispanic voters. Given the changing electorate, increasing candidate diversity might prove crucial in promoting political and electoral engagement.
Do Nuisance Ordinances Increase Eviction Risk?
Authors: Kroeger Sarah , La Mattina Giulia
Published: May 2020

We estimate the causal impact of criminal activity nuisance ordinances on tenant evictions and eviction filings. These ordinances penalize property owners when certain types of illegal activity occur on or near their property, reported primarily through 911 calls. We exploit the staggered implementation of laws by municipalities and estimate the treatment effect on eviction outcomes using a difference-in-difference framework. The results show that criminal activity nuisance ordinances increase eviction filing rates by about 16 percent of the sample mean and court ordered evictions by 14 percent of the sample mean.
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum as the only CT finding in an asymptomatic adolescent positive for COVID-19
Authors: Bellini Davide , Lichtner Miriam , Vicini Simone , Rengo Marco , Ambrogi Cesare , Carbone Iacopo
Published: May 2020

The typical findings on CT in patients affected by novel COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pneumonia are characterized by ground-glass opacities and/or air space consolidation mainly bilateral and peripherical in distribution, including crazy paving pattern and reversed halo sign. We hereby describe a case of an adolescent male tested positive for COVID-19 with mild respiratory symptoms and presenting with pneumomediastinum as the only CT finding.
Recent advances in understanding and managing Lichen Sclerosus
Authors: Kwok Rachel , Shah Taimur T. , Minhas Suks
Published: May 2020

Lichen sclerosus (LS), or balanitis xerotica obliterans as it was previously known, is a chronic inflammatory lymphocyte-mediated scarring dermatosis that often affects the preputial skin and glans, leading to phimosis and urethral strictures if left untreated. We present a narrative review of the literature assessing its aetiology and pathogenesis and discuss its links to penile cancer and its medical and surgical management. Possible hypotheses for the development of LS include chronic exposure to trapped urine, leading to changes in the epithelial structure. This is supported by the fact that circumcision is often curative in the early stages of the disease. Although circumcision can be curative, the use of topical steroids is typically the first-line treatment and may preserve the foreskin and forgo the need for circumcision altogether. Patients should be made aware of a possible association with penile cancer. Although the majority of cases can be treated by medical therapy and circumcision, a significant number of patients may also require penile reconstructive procedures.
Host deficiency in ephrin-A1 inhibits breast cancer metastasis
Authors: Shiuan Eileen , Inala Ashwin , Wang Shan , Song Wenqiang , Youngblood Victoria , Chen Jin , Brantley-Sieders Dana M.
Published: May 2020

Background: The conventional dogma of treating cancer by focusing on the elimination of tumor cells has been recently refined to include consideration of the tumor microenvironment, which includes host stromal cells. Ephrin-A1, a cell surface protein involved in adhesion and migration, has been shown to be tumor suppressive in the context of the cancer cell. However, its role in the host has not been fully investigated. Here, we examine how ephrin-A1 host deficiency affects cancer growth and metastasis in a murine model of breast cancer.

Methods: 4T1 cells were orthotopically implanted into the mammary fat pads or injected into the tail veins of ephrin-A1 wild-type (Efna1+/+), heterozygous (Efna1+/-), or knockout (Efna1-/-) mice. Tumor growth, lung metastasis, and tumor recurrence after surgical resection were measured. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to analyze various cell populations in primary tumors and tumor-bearing lungs.

Results: While primary tumor growth did not differ between Efna1+/+, Efna1+/-, and Efna1-/- mice, lung metastasis and primary tumor recurrence were significantly decreased in knockout mice. Efna1-/- mice had reduced lung colonization of 4T1 cells compared to Efna1+/+ littermate controls as early as 24 hours after tail vein injection. Furthermore, established lung lesions in Efna1-/- mice had reduced proliferation compared to those in Efna1+/+ controls.

Conclusions: Our studies demonstrate that host deficiency of ephrin-A1 does not impact primary tumor growth but does affect metastasis by providing a less favorable metastatic niche for cancer cell colonization and growth. Elucidating the mechanisms by which host ephrin-A1 impacts cancer relapse and metastasis may shed new light on novel therapeutic strategies.
Health technology assessment capacity at national level in sub-Saharan Africa: an initial survey of stakeholders
Authors: Hollingworth Samantha A. , Ruiz Francis , Gad Mohamed , Chalkidou Kalipso
Published: May 2020

Background: Health technology assessment (HTA) is an effective tool to support priority setting (PS) in health. Stakeholder groups need to understand HTA appropriate to their role and to interpret and critique the evidence produced. We aimed to rapidly assess current health system priorities and policy areas of demand for HTA in Sub-Saharan Africa, and identify key gaps in data and skills to inform targeted capacity building.

Methods: We revised an existing survey, delivered it to 357 participants, then analysed responses and explored key themes.

Results: There were 51 respondents (14%) across 14 countries. HTA was considered an important and valuable PS tool with a key role in the design of health benefits packages, clinical guideline development, and service improvement. Medicines were identified as a technology type that would especially benefit from the application of HTA. Using HTA to address safety issues (e.g. low-quality medicines) and value for money concerns was particularly highlighted. The perceived availability and accessibility of suitable local data to support HTA varied widely but was mostly considered inadequate and limited. Respondents also noted a need for training support in research methodology and data gathering.

Conclusions: While important in raising awareness of HTA as a tool for PS, this study had a low response rate, and that respondents were self-selected. A more refined survey will be developed to support engagement strategies and capacity building.
International Research Programs for Assessing the Quality of Educational Achievements of Students
Authors: Esikova Yu.
Published: May 2020

This article is devoted to international programs of researching the quality of education - PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS, which study the strengths and weaknesses of the education system in each country and providing information. This research is a unique source of data, which way countries prepare their students for the future. The article analyzes the position of Russia in international ratings based on testing. The author also points to the development of international testing and its transition to a digital format and the use of electronic assessment (eTIMSS).
The Concept of Integrating Artificial Intelligence Technologies Into Human Resources in a Digital Paradigm
Authors: Chulanova Oksana
Published: May 2020

The article discusses the capabilities of artificial intelligence technologies - technologies based on the use of artificial intelligence, including natural language processing, intellectual decision support, computer vision, speech recognition and synthesis, and promising methods of artificial intelligence. The results of the author's study and the analysis of artificial intelligence technologies and their capabilities for optimizing work with staff are presented. A study conducted by the author allowed us to develop an author's concept of integrating artificial intelligence technologies into work with personnel in the digital paradigm.
EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT: COMPETENCE INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE
Authors: Suvalova Tatyana , Suvalov O.
Published: May 2020

The aim of the study is to analyze the technology of conducting interviews by competencies. The article considers the goals and objectives of the interviewer, formulates the basic requirements for the personnel assessment system when hiring. It is noted that the evaluating interviewer should be familiar with the content of competencies and their indicators. Recommendations are given on the number of competencies evaluated and the duration of the interview. A hiring interview plan has been formulated to obtain and evaluate specific information on the required competencies. Concrete examples of real working situations, the procedure for maintaining records are given. Focuses on privacy issues. An example of a form for recording the results of the final interview is given. The principles for assessing a candidate are listed. The scale of expressiveness of indicators of competencies, a scale for assessing the level of expressiveness of competencies is presented. The maximum possible number of positive manifestations of indicators in competence is determined. A formula is recommended for calculating the percentage of positive manifestations following an interview. In conclusion, the components of the universal competency model are formulated.