bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross‐shareholding networks and stock price synchronicity: Evidence from China
Authors: Wen Fenghua , Yuan Yujie , Zhou Wei‐Xing
Published: July 2020

This article investigates the effect of cross‐shareholdings on stock price synchronicity, as a measure of price informativeness, of the listed firms in the Chinese stock market. We gauge firms' levels of cross‐shareholdings in terms of centrality in the cross‐shareholding network. It is confirmed that it is through a noise‐reducing process that cross‐shareholdings promotes price synchronicity and reduces price delay. More importantly, this effect on price informativeness is pronounced for large firms and in the periods of market downturns. Overall, our analyses provide insights into the relation between the ownership structure and price informativeness.
Banking sector stability and economic growth in post‐transition European Union countries
Authors: Bayar Yilmaz , Borozan Djula , Gavriletea Marius Dan
Published: July 2020

Economic growth is considered to be an essential means for poverty alleviation and improving countries' well‐being. Disturbances and instability in the banking sector may jeopardize financial stability and generate adverse, considerable and long‐lasting consequences therefor. This study analyzed the dynamic and causal effects of various indicators of banking sector stability on economic growth by employing new generation panel cointegration and causality tests in post‐transition European Union countries over the period 1998–2016. Taking into account cross‐sectional dependence between countries, the presence of heterogeneity in the errors, endogeneity and structural breaks, the long and short run analyses revealed the cointegration relation between the variables, the statistically significant positive effect of banking sector stability on economic growth and the efficiency of the error correction mechanism. The causality analysis disclosed the opposite causality direction between the particular banking sector stability indicators and economic growth, suggesting that banking sector stability is a complex, hierarchically structured multidimensional construct. Its different dimensions require different policy responses aiming at preventing future shocks and mitigating the adverse effects, while encouraging economic growth.
Are crises sentimental?
Authors: Chen Tao , So Erin P. K. , Yan Isabel K. M.
Published: July 2020

This paper examines the role of investor sentiment in signalling the onset of equity crises in a panel of over 50 countries. We find that although poor economic fundamentals are significant determinants of the vulnerability of countries, a shift from bullish to bearish investor sentiment acts as the final trigger. Bearish investor sentiment in regional and local markets exhibits significant predictive power for the outbreak of equity crises in the subsequent one to eight quarters, beyond that forecasted by pure economic fundamentals. The results remain broadly unchanged even after we orthogonalize the sentiment indices to information about economic fundamentals.
Socially responsible investing portfolio: An almost stochastic dominance approach
Authors: Do Trung K.
Published: July 2020

This study investigates whether socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolio performs better than the market indexes using the utility‐based nonparametric approach. The results from realized return distribution show that SRI portfolio outperforms the market indexes in term of almost stochastic dominance. The outperformance of SRI portfolio is robust to various robustness tests. Overall, our findings indicate that the SRI strategy indeed generates better performance. It is also suggested that past SRI ratings are valuable information for investors to incorporate socially responsible firms into their investment decision and yield a high return.
What determines China's housing price dynamics? New evidence from a DSGE‐VAR
Authors: Liu Chunping , Ou Zhirong
Published: July 2020

We investigate what determines China's housing price dynamics using a DSGE‐VAR estimated with priors allowing for the featured operating of normal and “shadow” banks in China, with data observed between 2001 and 2014. We find that the housing demand shock, which is the essential factor for housing price “bubbles” to happen, accounts for near 90% of the housing price fluctuation. We also find that a prosperous housing market could have led to future economic growth, though quantitatively its marginal impact is small. But this also means that, for policy‐makers who wish to stabilize the housing market, the cost on output reduction would be rather limited.
Deconstructing three‐stage overall efficiency into input, output and stability efficiency components with consideration of market power and loan loss provision: An application to Chinese banks
Authors: Fukuyama Hirofumi , Tan Yong
Published: July 2020

The current study proposes a new three‐stage network data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to estimate three different types of efficiencies. More specifically, the input efficiency is estimated in the first stage, followed by the evaluation of stability efficiency in the second stage, and finally, the output efficiency is derived from the final stage. In particular, we consider market power in deposits and market power in loans in the banking production process. Rather than using non‐performing loans as an undesirable output, this paper innovatively uses loan loss provisions in bank production. We argue that the loan loss provisions are helpful to improve bank stability because they provide a cushion to absorb unexpected losses, therefore we treat it as a good intermediate output in the second stage and a good intermediate input in the third stage. The results exhibit that the scores of stability inefficiency are the highest, followed by output inefficiency, while Chinese commercial banks have the lowest level of input inefficiency. Not only did we observe that the Chinese banking industry has the highest level of stability inefficiency, but we also noticed that the stability inefficiency had the strongest volatility during 2007–2017. We also explore the impact of non‐performing loan ratios from three different geographical areas on bank efficiency in China in a second‐phase regression analysis, the results of which show that the input inefficiency results from higher levels of financial risk from the central area in China, while the western area in China has the opposite sign.
Competing stimulus assessments: A systematic review
Authors: Haddock Jennifer N. , Hagopian Louis P.
Published: July 2020

The current review summarizes the literature on competing stimulus assessments (CSAs). CSAs are pretreatment assessments designed to systematically identify stimuli that reduce problem behavior (PB), ostensibly through reinforcer competition or substitution. We report on the participant characteristics, outcomes, and predictive validity of published CSAs that included (a) no‐stimulus control trial(s), (b) test trials during which each stimulus was available singly and noncontingently, and (c) measurement of PB and stimulus engagement or contact. Results showed that CSAs have broad utility across a variety of topographies and functions of PB. In the majority of CSA applications for which extended analyses, or validations, were performed, stimuli shown to reduce PB during the CSA produced similar reductions during extended analysis. This was the case regardless of topography or function of PB, or whether the stimuli were assumed to be “matched” to the stimulation thought to be produced by PB. Implications for future research are discussed.
Olfactory ensheathing cells seeded decellularized scaffold promotes axonal regeneration in spinal cord injury rats
Authors: Yu Fangzheng , Li Peifeng , Du Shenghu , Lui KoonHei W. , Lin Yutian , Chen Lumin , Ren Qi , Wang Jian , Mei Jin , Xiao Jian , Zhu Junyi
Published: July 2020

Spinal cord decellularized (DC) scaffolds can promote axonal regeneration and restore hindlimb motor function of spinal cord defect rats. However, scarring caused by damage to the astrocytes at the margin of injury can hinder axon regeneration. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) integrate and migrate with astrocytes at the site of spinal cord injury, providing a bridge for axons to penetrate the scars and grow into lesion cores. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether DC scaffolds carrying OECs could better promote axon growth. For these studies, DC scaffolds were cocultured with primary extracted and purified OECs. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy were used for verification of cells adhere and growth on the scaffold. Scaffolds with OECs were transplanted into rat spinal cord defects to evaluate axon regeneration and functional recovery of hind limbs. Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring was used to assess motor function recovery, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and NF200‐stained tissue sections were used to evaluate axonal regeneration and astrological scar distribution. Our results indicated that spinal cord DC scaffolds have good histocompatibility and spatial structure, and can promote the proliferation of adherent OECs. In animal experiments, scaffolds carrying OECs have better axon regeneration promoting protein expression than the SCI model, and improve the proliferation and distribution of astrocytes at the site of injury. These results proved that the spinal cord DC scaffold with OECs can promote axon regeneration at the site of injury, providing a new basis for clinical application.
Development of orthophosphosilicate glass/poly(lactic acid) composite anisotropic scaffolds for simultaneous reconstruction of bone quality and quantity
Authors: Lee Sungho , Nagata Fukue , Kato Katsuya , Kasuga Toshihiro , Nakano Takayoshi
Published: July 2020

Reconstruction of organ‐specific architecture is necessary to recover the original organ function. The anisotropic structure of bone tissue is strongly related to the collagen fibril alignment and bone apatite crystal direction. Bone regeneration indicates following two main process; first, restoration of bone mineral density (BMD; bone quantity), and second, restoring bone apatite c‐axis orientation (bone quality). In addition to BMD, bone quality is the most important factor among bone mechanical properties. Recovery of the original bone function requires development of novel scaffolds with simultaneous reconstruction of bone quality and quantity. Herein, novel orthophosphosilicate glass (PSG)/poly(lactic acid) composite anisotropic scaffolds were developed to control cell alignment and enhance bone formation, which are important for the simultaneous reconstruction of bone quality and quantity. The strategy to control cell alignment and bone formation involved designing anisotropic scaffolds in combination with the release of therapeutic ions by PSGs. The morphology of fibrous scaffolds containing PSGs was quantitatively designed using electrospinning. This successfully modulated cell alignment and subsequent bone apatite c‐axis orientation along the fiber‐oriented direction. The released silicate and Mg2+ ions from PSGs in scaffolds improved cell adhesion, proliferation, and calcification. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that the anisotropic scaffolds containing bioactive glasses regenerate bone tissues with simultaneous reconstruction of bone quality and quantity via stimulating osteoblasts by inorganic ions and designing morphology of scaffolds.
Parent functioning and child psychotherapy outcomes: Predicting outcomes in usual care
Authors: Packard Anna E. , Warren Jared S. , Linford Lauren B.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was (1) to examine whether three domains of a parent's functioning—parent distress, interpersonal relationships, and social role performance—changed over the course of their child's treatment, (2) to examine how these factors as measured at intake predicted youth progress in psychotherapy, and (3) to examine whether changes in these parent factors over the course of youth psychotherapy were associated with changes in youth symptoms.

Method

Participants were 339 youth, ages 4–17 and their parents from a community outpatient treatment setting undergoing usual care. Parent and child outcomes were examined across five time points over the course of child treatment. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the relationship between parent domains and youth progress in therapy.

Results

Results suggested that parent domains significantly predicted their child's symptoms at intake as well as change in psychotherapy. In addition, parent domains improved over the course of youth treatment and the progression of these changes was related to the progression of changes in youth scores across the course of treatment.

Conclusions

The results of this study highlight the important relationship between youth and parent functioning in the context of treatment of youth mental health issues.
Association between emotional intelligence and professionalism among dental hygiene students
Authors: Partido, Brian B. , Stefanik, Dawne , Forsythe, Ashley
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Emotional intelligence (EI) includes the ability to evaluate and govern the emotions of oneself and others. Limited evidence exists in determining whether EI is related to professionalism.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether relationships exist between EI and professionalism among undergraduate dental hygiene students.

Methods

Using a quantitative cross‐sectional survey research design, the study instrument consisted of 3 parts: (1) The Emotional Quotient Self‐Assessment Checklist (EQSAC) included 30 questions measuring 6 domains of EI; (2) The Patient Management and Professionalism Scale (PMPS) included 10 questions measuring 5 domains of professionalism; and (3) Demographic questions. Descriptive statistics, correlational statistics, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.

Results

The responses from 49 participants were used, which represented a response rate of 80.3%. Most undergraduate dental hygiene student participants had EI and professionalism scores in the moderate range. Total EI scores were significant predictors of total professionalism scores (P < 0.001) and EI domain scores were found to be significant predictors of professionalism domain scores (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Since EI was found to be a predictor of professionalism, improving EI levels may bolster the development of professionalism among undergraduate dental hygiene students. Further research should utilize a larger population of dental hygiene students across multiple institutions.
Raltegravir use and outcomes among children and adolescents living with HIV in the IeDEA global consortium
Authors: Patten Gabriela , Puthanakit Thanyawee , McGowan Catherine C , Wools‐Kaloustian Kara , Hazra Rohan , Pinto Jorge A , Machado Daisy , Succi Regina , Sohn Annette H , Rabie Helena , Musick Beverly , Davies Mary‐Ann ,   IeDEA
Published: July 2020

Introduction

As integrase inhibitors become available in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), they offer the potential to expand extremely limited treatment options available to children and adolescents. In LMICs, only small numbers have used raltegravir, primarily as part of third‐line regimens. Using data from the IeDEA global consortium, we aimed to describe the characteristics of children on raltegravir‐containing regimens and their outcomes.

Methods

We included data from 1994 to 2017 from children (age <18 years), from East and Southern Africa, Asia and South America, who received cART regimens containing raltegravir for ≥90 days. We describe their characteristics at raltegravir start, and their immunological and virological outcomes.

Results and discussion

In total, 62 children were included, with median age at raltegravir initiation of 14.3 years (IQR 11.2 to 15.8) and median CD4 count of 276 cells/µL (IQR 68 to 494). Among 40 (65%) with drug resistance testing prior to raltegravir, 71% were resistant to at least one protease inhibitor (PI), and 32% had high‐level resistance to at least one drug class. Most (n = 50; 81%) received raltegravir as part of third‐line cART following PI‐based regimens, and were on regimens containing four or more drugs (n = 47, 76%).

By database closure, median duration on raltegravir was 2.0 years (IQR 0.8 to 3.0), 1 (1.6%) patient had died, 6 (9.7%) were lost to follow‐up and 21 (34%) had discontinued raltegravir. Among 15 patients reporting reasons for stopping raltegravir, six discontinued because it was no longer available. Within one year of starting raltegravir, among 53 patients with VL measures, 40 (75%) had VL < 1000 copies/mL, and among 54 with a reported CD4 count, 45 (83%) and 36 (67%) were ≥350 and ≥500 cells/µL, respectively, with median CD4 count increasing to 517.5 cells/µL (IQR 288 to 810).

Conclusions

Among children in LMICs, the initial use of raltegravir has been primarily for post PI‐based cART. We found good virological and immunological outcomes despite frequent prior triple‐class failure and high levels of drug resistance. Both access to raltegravir and long‐term adherence to regimens with large pill‐burdens remain challenging. Policies which promote earlier access to new drugs and simplify daily regimens for children and adolescents in LMICs are needed.
Displacement Encoding With Stimulated Echoes Enables the Identification of Infarct Transmurality Early Postmyocardial Infarction
Authors: Mangion Kenneth , Loughrey Christopher M. , Auger Daniel A. , McComb Christie , Lee Matthew M. , Corcoran David , McEntegart Margaret , Davie Andrew , Good Richard , Lindsay Mitchell , Eteiba Hany , Rocchiccioli Paul , Watkins Stuart , Hood Stuart , Shaukat Aadil , Haig Caroline , Epstein Frederick H. , Berry Colin
Published: July 2020

Background

Segmental extent of infarction assessed by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging early post‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has utility in predicting left ventricular functional recovery.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that segmental circumferential strain with displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) would be a stronger predictor of infarct transmurality than feature‐tracking strain, and noninferior to extracellular volume fraction (ECV).

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Fifty participants (mean ± SD, 59 ± 9 years, 40 [80%] male) underwent cardiac MRI on day 1 post‐STEMI.

Field‐Strength/Sequences

1.5T/cine, DENSE, T1 mapping, ECV, LGE.

Assessment

Two observers assessed segmental percentage LGE extent, presence of microvascular obstruction (MVO), circumferential and radial strain with DENSE and feature‐tracking, T1 relaxation times, and ECV.

Statistical Tests

Normality was tested using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Skewed distributions were analyzed utilizing Mann–Whitney or Kruskal–Wallis tests and normal distributed data using independent t‐tests. Diagnostic cutoff values were identified using the Youden index. The difference in area under the curve was compared using the z‐statistic.

Results

Segmental circumferential strain with DENSE was associated with the extent of infarction ≥50% (AUC [95% CI], cutoff value = 0.9 [0.8, 0.9], −10%) similar to ECV (AUC = 0.8 [0.8, 0.9], 37%) (P = 0.117) and superior to feature‐tracking circumferential strain (AUC = 0.7[0.7, 0.8], −19%) (P < 0.05). For the detection of segmental infarction ≥75%, circumferential strain with DENSE (AUC = 0.9 [0.8, 0.9], −10%) was noninferior to ECV (AUC = 0.8 [0.7, 0.9], 42%) (P = 0.132) and superior to feature‐tracking (AUC = 0.7 [0.7, 0.8], −13%) (P < 0.05). For MVO detection, circumferential strain with DENSE (AUC = 0.8 [0.8, 0.9], −12%) was superior to ECV (AUC = 0.8 [0.7, 0.8] 34%) (P < 0.05) and feature‐tracking (AUC = 0.7 [0.6, 0.7] −21%) (P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

Circumferential strain with DENSE is a functional measure of infarct severity and may remove the need for gadolinium contrast agents in some circumstances.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

5 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2020;52:1722–1731.
The AO trauma CPP bone infection registry: Epidemiology and outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus bone infection
Authors: Morgenstern Mario , Erichsen Christoph , Militz Matthias , Xie Zhao , Peng Jiachen , Stannard James , Metsemakers Willem‐Jan , Schaefer Dirk , Alt Volker , Søballe Kjeld , Nerlich Michael , Buckley Richard E. , Blauth Michael , Suk Michael , Leung Frankie , Barla Jorge D. , Yukata Kiminori , Qing Bi , Kates Stephen L.
Published: July 2020

Bone infection represents a serious complication of orthopedic surgery and Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen. To improve the understanding of host‐pathogen interaction, we developed a biospecimen registry (AO Trauma CPP Bone Infection Registry) to collect clinical data, bacterial isolates, and serum from patients with S. aureus bone infection. A prospective multinational registry with a 12‐month follow‐up was created to include adult patients (18 years or older) with culture‐confirmed S. aureus infection in long bones after fracture fixation or arthroplasty. Baseline patient attributes and details on infections and treatments were recorded. Blood and serum samples were obtained at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Patient‐reported outcomes were collected at 1, 6, and 12 months. Clinical outcomes were recorded. Two hundred and ninety‐two patients with fracture‐related infection (n = 157, 53.8%), prosthetic joint infection (n = 86, 29.5%), and osteomyelitis (n = 49, 16.8%) were enrolled. Methicillin‐resistant S. aureus was detected in 82 patients (28.4%), with the highest proportion found among patients from North American sites (n = 39, 48.8%) and the lowest from Central European sites (n = 18, 12.2%). Patient outcomes improved at 6 and 12 months in comparison to baseline. The SF‐36 physical component summary mean (95% confidence interval) score, however, did not reach 50 at 12 months. The cure rate at the end of the study period was 62.1%. Although patients improved with treatment, less than two‐thirds were cured in 1 year. At 12‐month follow‐up, patient‐reported outcome scores were worse for patients with methicillin‐resistant S. aureus infections.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce medulloblastoma cell death independent of HDACs recruited in REST repression complexes
Authors: Alshawli Abdulelah S. , Wurdak Heiko , Wood Ian C. , Ladbury John E.
Published: July 2020

Background

Repressor element 1‐silencing transcription factor (REST) acts as a transcriptional repressor by recruiting several chromatin modifiers, including histone deacetylase (HDAC). Elevated REST expression in medulloblastoma has been associated with tumor progression nevertheless, the tumor shows high sensitivity to HDAC inhibitors (HDACi). However, the functional implications of REST and its requirement for HDACi‐induced anti‐cancer effects are not well understood.

Methods

In this study, the expression of REST was evaluated across the medulloblastoma subgroups and subtypes using published gene expression data. Further, the expression of REST was modulated using the CRISPR/Cas9 knockout and shRNA knockdown in the Daoy medulloblastoma cell line.

Results

The results of this study showed that the expression of REST is elevated in most medulloblastoma subgroups compared to the non‐cancerous cerebellum. Blocking of REST expression resulted in increasing the expression of REST‐regulated genes, a moderate decrease in the fraction of the cells in the S‐phase, and reducing the cells' migration ability. However, REST deficiency did not lead to a marked decrease in the Daoy cell viability and sensitivity to HDACi.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that REST is not essential for sustaining the proliferation/viability of the Daoy cells. It also revealed that the anti‐proliferative effect of HDACi is independent of REST expression.
Local fractional Moisil–Teodorescu operator in quaternionic setting involving Cantor‐type coordinate systems
Authors: Bory‐Reyes Juan , Pérez‐de la Rosa Marco Antonio
Published: July 2020

The Moisil‐Teodorescu operator is considered to be a good analogue of the usual Cauchy–Riemann operator of complex analysis in the framework of quaternionic analysis and it is a square root of the scalar Laplace operator in
. In the present work, a general quaternionic structure is developed for the local fractional Moisil–Teodorescu operator in Cantor‐type cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems. Furthermore, in order to reveal the capacity and adaptability of the methods, we show two examples for the Helmholtz equation with local fractional derivatives on the Cantor sets by making use of the local fractional Moisil–Teodorescu operator.
Myocardial T1 and T2 quantification and water–fat separation using cardiac MR fingerprinting with rosette trajectories at 3T and 1.5T
Authors: Liu Yuchi , Hamilton Jesse , Eck Brendan , Griswold Mark , Seiberlich Nicole
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This work aims to develop an approach for simultaneous water–fat separation and myocardial T1 and T2 quantification based on the cardiac MR fingerprinting (cMRF) framework with rosette trajectories at 3T and 1.5T.

Methods

Two 15‐heartbeat cMRF sequences with different rosette trajectories designed for water–fat separation at 3T and 1.5T were implemented. Water T1 and T2 maps, water image, and fat image were generated with B0 inhomogeneity correction using a B0 map derived from the cMRF data themselves. The proposed water–fat separation rosette cMRF approach was validated in the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine/National Institute of Standards and Technology MRI system phantom and water/oil phantoms. It was also applied for myocardial tissue mapping of healthy subjects at both 3T and 1.5T.

Results

Water T1 and T2 values measured using rosette cMRF in the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine/National Institute of Standards and Technology phantom agreed well with the reference values. In the water/oil phantom, oil was well suppressed in the water images and vice versa. Rosette cMRF yielded comparable T1 but 2~3 ms higher T2 values in the myocardium of healthy subjects than the original spiral cMRF method. Epicardial fat deposition was also clearly shown in the fat images.

Conclusion

Rosette cMRF provides fat images along with myocardial T1 and T2 maps with significant fat suppression. This technique may improve visualization of the anatomical structure of the heart by separating water and fat and could provide value in diagnosing cardiac diseases associated with fibrofatty infiltration or epicardial fat accumulation. It also paves the way toward comprehensive myocardial tissue characterization in a single scan.
Quantitative perfusion mapping with induced transient hypoxia using BOLD MRI
Authors: Vu Chau , Chai Yaqiong , Coloigner Julie , Nederveen Aart J. , Borzage Matthew , Bush Adam , Wood John C.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Gadolinium‐based dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) is commonly used to characterize blood flow in patients with stroke and brain tumors. Unfortunately, gadolinium contrast administration has been associated with adverse reactions and long‐term accumulation in tissues. In this work, we propose an alternative deoxygenation‐based DSC (dDSC) method that uses a transient hypoxia gas paradigm to deliver a bolus of paramagnetic deoxygenated hemoglobin to the cerebral vasculature for perfusion imaging.

Methods

Through traditional DSC tracer kinetic modeling, the MR signal change induced by this hypoxic bolus can be used to generate regional perfusion maps of cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, and mean transit time. This gas paradigm and blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD)‐MRI were performed concurrently on a cohort of 66 healthy and chronically anemic subjects (age 23.5 ± 9.7, female 64%).

Results

Our results showed reasonable global and regional agreement between dDSC and other flow techniques, such as phase contrast and arterial spin labeling.

Conclusion

In this proof‐of‐concept study, we demonstrated the feasibility of using transient hypoxia to generate a contrast bolus that mimics the effect of gadolinium and yields reasonable perfusion estimates. Looking forward, optimization of the hypoxia boluses and measurement of the arterial‐input function is necessary to improve the accuracy of dDSC. Additionally, a cross‐validation study of dDSC and DSC in brain tumor and ischemic stroke subjects is warranted to evaluate the clinical diagnostic utility of this approach.
Differences in treatment response to a total diet replacement intervention versus a food‐based intervention: A secondary analysis of the OPTIWIN trial
Authors: Ard Jamy D. , Lewis Kristina H. , Cohen Sarah S. , Rothberg Amy E. , Coburn Sally L. , Loper Judy , Matarese Laura , Pories Walter J. , Periman Seletha
Published: July 2020

Objective

For every weight loss treatment, there are usually groups of people who lose less than expected. This study sought to determine if response rates to a total diet replacement (TDR) differed from those of a calorie‐restricted, food‐based (FB) diet.

Methods

Data from OPTIWIN, a 12‐month multicenter trial in adults with a BMI of 30–55 kg/m2, with 26‐week weight‐loss and weight‐maintenance phases, were utilized. Participants (n = 330) were randomized to the OPTIFAST programme (OP) or to a reduced‐energy FB diet. Treatment non‐responders were defined as those who lost <3% of initial weight at months 6 or 12.

Results

There were 103 (76%) responders in the OP compared with 78 (57%) in the FB group at 12 months. The odds of treatment response at 12 months among participants who were non‐responders at 3 months was not significantly different between the OP and FB groups (p = 0.64). Race, type 2 diabetes status and previous weight loss attempts were significantly associated with responder status. OP responders had higher meal plan adherence and non‐caloric fluid intake compared with FB responders.

Conclusion

Early treatment response is more likely and better sustained with TDR compared with an FB diet. Individual and treatment level factors appear to influence early treatment response to behavioural interventions for weight reduction.
Trajectory of fear of cancer recurrence and beliefs and rates of medication adherence in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Shim Eun‐Jung , Jeong Donghee , Lee Sae Byul , Min Yul Ha
Published: July 2020

Objective

This study examined the growth trajectory of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and its predictors, and the association of that trajectory with the beliefs and rates of medication adherence in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

Two hundred and ten patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy in a university hospital in Seoul, Korea, were followed up five times over 18 months following surgery, and data from the final 162 patients were analyzed.

Results

Latent class growth analysis identified three classes. Classes 1 (38.31%) and 2 (39.89%) showed low and moderate FCR levels, respectively, with a decreasing trend over time. Class 3 (21.80%) showed a high FCR level with an initially decreasing but increasing trend afterward s. Lower education and unemployed status were associated with the high FCR class. Higher depression was more associated with the moderate FCR class than the low FCR class. Higher emotional representation was more associated with the high FCR class than with low FCR class, and greater illness comprehension was more associated with the moderate FCR class than with the high FCR class. Both necessity and concerns about medication were the highest in the high FCR class. However, self‐reported medication adherence rates did not significantly differ between the classes.

Conclusions

A high level of FCR appears to persist over time, and given its association with greater concerns about medication, monitoring and management of FCR throughout the cancer trajectory.
Caregiving experiences of Korean family caregivers of cancer patients: An integrative literature review
Authors: Lee Eunice E. , Lee Shin‐Young
Published: July 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of Korean family caregivers of patients with cancer by reviewing recent literature.

Methods

Five electronic databases were searched—MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and PubMed for English literature, and Korean Information Service System (KISS), and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) for Korean literature for articles published from January 2010 to March 2020 using the key words cancer, caregiver, and Korean. Twenty‐six articles met the inclusion criteria and remained in the final review.

Results

No intervention study was found and most of studies were quantitative without theoretical/conceptual framework. All the studies were conducted with Koreans living in Korea. No previous study has been conducted with Koreans living in the U.S. or other countries. Most studies focused on caregivers' quality of life, burden, unmet needs, and resilience/adaptation/post‐traumatic growth.

Conclusions

Comprehensive intervention studies focused on improving quality of life, burden, and adaptation to their complex roles as caregivers in the context of Korean culture would be helpful. Further research is needed in examining the caregiver‐patient dyad interactions longitudinally to understand the dynamic complicated processes of caregiving.
Growth and Properties of N‐Polar InN/InAlN Heterostructures
Authors: Hasenöhrl Stanislav , Dobročka Edmund , Stoklas Roman , Gucmann Filip , Rosová Alica , Kuzmík Jan
Published: July 2020

N‐polar InN/InAlN heterostructure growth and performance are studied on‐ and off‐axis sapphire substrates misoriented toward the m or a plane by 4°. A high In molar fraction (0.57) in the InAlN layer is chosen to reduce the lattice mismatch. InN growth on the on‐axis InAlN/sapphire system is initiated with random island formation, which coalesce at ≈10 nm thickness smearing grain boundaries. In contrast, on off‐axis sapphires, growth is defined by misorientation‐induced steps and grains remain visible even after the layer coalesces. The best electron mobility of 720 cm2 V−1 s−1 and carrier density of ≈1.5 × 1019 cm−3 are demonstrated on the heterostructure grown on‐axis sapphire, with InN as thin as 20 nm, even though the InN/InAlN interface root mean square roughness is ≈1.3 nm. The concentrations of screw and edge dislocations in the 20 nm thick InN grown on the on‐axis system are extracted to be 4.7 × 109 and 3.5 × 1010 cm−2. In all cases, the InN lattice is still partially strained, performing only ≈85% relaxation. Further lowering of the lattice mismatch, smoothing of the InAlN surface, and achieving semi‐insulating InAlN will provide necessary development steps toward predicted InN‐channel transistors with unprecedented performance.
Multifunctional Inorganic‐Organic U‐MOF Materials with Nitrogen Heterocyclic Carboxylate: Synthesis, Structure and Properties
Authors: Wang Xue‐Meng , Wang Chen , Zhang Nan , Liu Dong‐Qi , Wang Yang , Bai Feng Ying
Published: July 2020

Two uranyl MOF complexes [(UO2)2(TTHA)]⋅[NH2(CH3)2]2⋅(H2O)3 (1) (H6TTHA=1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triamine hexa acetic acid) and (UO2)(HL)2(H2O)2 (2) (L=5‐methyl‐1‐(4‐carboxylphenyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxylic acid) were synthesized by the reaction of uranyl acetate as the metal source with H6TTHA and triazole‐carboxylic acid (L) as the ligand, respectively. They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV‐Vis, PXRD, single crystal X‐ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis. The structural analysis showed that complexes 1 and 2 were covalent inorganic‐organic framework structures. The complex 1 exhibited a self‐assembly 3D structure and 2 was a 2D supramolecular structure by the hydrogen bonding interaction. In order to explore their functional properties, their photoluminescence, surface photovoltage and dye adsorption properties have been also studied and discussed initially. The results showed that complexes 1, 2 exhibited some features in dye adsorption.
Recognition of Lanthanide Metal Cations by t‐DSMI@Alkyl‐Substituted Cucurbit[6]uril Probes
Authors: Yang Rui‐Yu , Deng Xin‐Yu , Huang Ying , Zhang Yun‐Qian , Tao Zhu
Published: July 2020

The binding behavior of three different methyl‐substituted cucurbit[6]urils (SQ[6]s), namely hexamethylcucurbit[3,3]uril (Me6Q[3,3]), tri‐hydroxylated symmetrical hexamethylcucurbit[3,3]uril ((OH)3Me6Q[3,3]), and symmetrical tetramethylcucurbit[6]uril (TMeQ[6]) with trans‐4‐[4‐(dimethylamino)styryl]‐1‐methylpyridinium iodide (t‐DSMI) have been investigated. The results showed that the guest t‐DSMI exhibits dramatic fluorescence enhancement upon interacting with the three SQ[6]s to form 1 : 1 inclusion complexes. Upon addition of lanthanide metal cations to the three t‐DSMI@SQ[6] probes, the fluorescence of the guest was quenched to varying degrees. On this basis, it is possible to discriminate lanthanide metal cations with different ionic radii by principal component analysis (PCA).
Nanoscale Properties of the Methylation in GpC Dinucleotide Systems
Authors: Ovando‐Vázquez Cesaré , Salgado‐Blanco Daniel , López‐Urías Florentino
Published: July 2020

The incorporation of a methyl group to DNA nucleotides (methylation) is a well known phenomenon in epigenetic regulation. Methylation can result in gene silencing. Here we investigate the electronic properties of cytosine methylation in different DNA systems using first‐principles density functional theory calculations. Specifically, four systems are investigated consisting of two stacked base pairs, including the deoxyribose‐phosphate backbone. These four systems are the unmethylated GpC‐CpG, the single methylated GpC‐mCpG, the double symmetrical methylated GpCm‐mCpG, and the quadruple symmetrical GpCmm‐mmCpG. Single base‐pair cases are also considered with and without the deoxyribose‐phosphate backbone (with: pG‐pC, pG‐pCm, and pG‐pCmm; without: G−C, G−Cm, and G‐Cmm). These structures are relaxed using the conjugate gradient method. Nanoscale properties, such as the electronic density of states, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) wave functions, charge Mulliken population, hydrogen bond energy, binding energy, and dipole moments between unmethylated and methylated relaxed structures are obtained and compared. These results demonstrate that the deoxyribose‐phosphate backbone plays a crucial role in the spatial distribution of HOMO and LUMO wave functions in the stacked systems modulating reactivity and stability. Cytosine methylation on the GpC‐CpG system results in a stabilization effect. Dipole moment modification in the studied systems could favor specific protein‐DNA interactions due to the methyl group non‐polarity, producing hydrophobic DNA regions. These findings suggest specific rules of interaction between methylated regions and gene silencing elements at the nanoscale level.
Ethanol Guerbet Condensation to n‐Butanol or C4‐C8 Alcohols over Ni/TiO2 Catalyst
Authors: Li Shuaiqi , Zhu Xionghua , An Hualiang , Zhao Xinqiang , Wang Yanji
Published: July 2020

Ethanol Guerbet condensation is an environmentally friendly process for preparing biofuel such as n‐butanol and alcohols with more than 4 carbon atoms. In this work, a multifunctional catalyst Ni/TiO2 was prepared by an excess impregnation method and its catalytic performance for ethanol Guerbet condensation was evaluated. The selectivity of C4‐C8 alcohols reached up to almost 70% (41.4% of n‐butanol) at nearly half conversion of ethanol at 210 °C and 10 h. Based on GC‐MS analysis results, the products in ethanol Guerbet condensation were identified and a reaction network was established. The presence of acetaldehyde and 2‐crotonaldehyde in the reaction products verified that Ni/TiO2‐catalyzed ethanol condensation followed the traditional dehydrogenation‐condensation‐hydrogenation reaction mechanism.
Design, Synthesis, Antibacterial Evaluation and Molecular Docking Study of New 3‐Aminoquinoxaline‐2‐alkynyl Carboxylate Esters
Authors: Abbaspour Sima , Keivanloo Ali , Bakherad Mohammad , Sepehri Saghi
Published: July 2020

Antibacterial chemotherapy is the clinical application of the antibiotic drug to treat infectious disease. A new series of 3‐aminoquinoxaline‐2‐alkynyl carboxylate esters have been synthesized through the multi‐component copper‐free Sonogashira coupling reaction. Aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids were successfully reacted with 3‐bromoprop‐1‐yne and different amine substituted 3‐chloroquinoxalines in the presence of a Pd‐catalyst to produce the new 3‐(3‐(aminoquinoxalin‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yl carboxylates. All the newly synthesized compounds were screened in vitro for their antibacterial activities against the two bacterial strains Micrococcus luteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to the results obtained, compounds 4 a, 4 d, and 4 e showed the lowest MIC value that was comparable to that for tetracycline with strong inhibition (MIC=62.5 mg/mL) against M. luteus and also compound 4 b exhibited the lowest MIC (62.5 mg/mL) against P. aeruginos. Moreover, the results of the antibacterial activity of the synthesized compounds were investigated using molecular docking calculations. In silico studies showed that the screened molecules could occupy both pterin and p‐aminobenzoic acid binding pockets of the dihydropteroate synthase enzyme. Thus, the active compounds could act using the inhibition of bacterial dihydropteroate synthase.
Transition Metal‐Free, Base‐Induced Arylation of Amino Acids: Synthesis of N‐(para‐Substituted phenyl)amino‐2‐carboxylic acids
Authors: Osinubi Adejoke D. , Izunobi Josephat U. , Asekun Olayinka T. , Familoni Oluwole B. , Bao Xiaoguang
Published: July 2020

A metal‐free aryl amination reaction of aryl halides and amino acids; with the amino acid serving as the nucleophilic aminating agent, is reported. The reaction was achieved by the condensation of various aryl halides 1 with cyclic and acyclic amino acids 2, in the presence of a cheap and readily available base, potassium carbonate, in refluxing ethanol/water solution (1 : 1) for 3 h, under simple operating conditions. The products, N‐(p‐substituted phenyl)‐amino‐2‐carboxylic acids 3–12, were obtained in isolated yields of 25–90% and characterized by IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. These arylated amino acids are vital synthons and precursors to many compounds of physiological importance.
Lewis Acid‐Free Ynoate‐Mediated Chemoselective Reduction of Carboxylic Acids to Primary Alcohols
Authors: Sun Feixiang , Feng Huangdi , Huang Liliang , Liu Weiping
Published: July 2020

We present an economical and facile catalytic reduction process of carboxylic acids for the synthesis of alcohols. This pyridine‐catalyzed strategy operates through addition of carboxylic acids with methyl propiolate followed by NaBH4 reduction or unexpected ester exchange, providing the corresponding primary alcohols and esters, respectively. A range of carboxylic acids bearing other reductive groups (e. g., halogen, cyano, nitro, ester and double bond) are accessed with uniformly high chemoselectivity. The use of environmentally benign, convenient and safe procedure also makes this catalytic protocol attractive for practical application.
Toward Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells: Choosing Appropriate Passivator to Specific Defects
Authors: Zhou Xin , Qi Wenjing , Li Jiale , Cheng Jian , Li Yameng , Luo Jingshan , Ko Min Jae , Li Yuelong , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: July 2020

With a certificated record efficiency of 25.2%, organometal halide perovskite (OHP) solar cells have experienced unprecedentedly rapid development in the past decade due to their extraordinary photoelectronic properties. However, because of the rapid processing conditions and complex precursor compositions, there are a large number of defects in polycrystalline OHP films, including point defects and 2D defects along grain boundary and on the surface. Unfortunately, these defects serve as the nonradiative recombination centers and exert negative effects on the degradation and performance of OHP layers, heavily limiting their further application for efficient photovoltaic devices. Herein, the formation origin of various defects as well as their detrimental effects on the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are discussed, and recent passivation strategies for specific defects to minimize defect state density in the perovskite films are summarized. Finally, a brief outlook on the development trend of future passivation engineering is provided for deeper understanding of efficient and stable PSCs.
Coping with Technological Changes: Regional and National Preparedness in Face of Technical Change
Authors: Kaivo-oja Jari , Knudsen Mikkel Stein , Lauraeus Theresa
Published: July 2020

The ability to cope with technical change is not evenly distributed geographically. It is possible to evaluate and forecast this ability by creating metrics that capture preparedness to face technical change by looking at multiple factors. This chapter presents selected metrics to measure preparedness and discusses how such metrics can be used with other sources of information about the future changes to create a relevant basis for foresight work that helps societies to adopt and to prepare for the age of digitalization and new forms of manufacturing.
Closing Words: Quo vadis Manufacturing 4.0
Authors: Collan Mikael , Michelsen Karl-Erik
Published: July 2020

Final words about the contribution of the book are written and some thoughts about the future of Manufacturing 4.0 voiced. The phenomenon of manufacturing 4.0 is a multi-faceted issue that requires a multi-disciplinary approach to be fully understood.
Quantifying the Economic Feasibility of Additive Manufacturing: Simulating Production Lifetimes in the Context of Spare Parts Production
Authors: Savolainen Jyrki , Collan Mikael
Published: July 2020

In the literature there is a lot of talk about the economics of additive manufacturing—typically the terminology used is imprecise at best, and attempts to quantify the benefits from additive manufacturing are most often based on single case studies. This chapter sets out to create a more general picture of the overall economics and feasibility of using additive manufacturing by using a simulation model. The simulation optimizes the cost of production and the end result is information on how often and where in the production lifetime additive manufacturing is the cost optimizing choice. This information is compared to literature-based production strategies envisioned for additive manufacturing. The context of this model and the chapter is that of spare parts production, however, the results resonate beyond this context. The results presented are illustrative and widen the understanding of where during the production-cycle additive manufacturing is economically feasible.
New black holes with hyperscaling violation for the transports of quantum critical points with magnetic impurity
Authors: Ge Xian-Hui , Seo Yunseok , Sin Sang-Jin , Song Geunho
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We consider the magneto-transports of quantum matters doped with magnetic impurities near the quantum critical points (QCP). For this, we first find new black hole solution with hyper-scaling violation which is dual to such system. By considering the fluctuation near this exact solution, we calculated all transport coefficients using the holographic method. We applied our result to the surface state of the topological insulator with magnetic doping and found two QCP’s, one bosonic and the other fermionic. It turns out that doped Bi2Se3 and Bi2Te3 correspond to different QCP’s. We also investigated transports of QCP’s as functions of physical parameters and found that there are phase transitions as well as crossovers from weak localization to weak anti-localization.