bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of public health insurance on health behaviors: Evidence from the fifth year of Medicaid expansion
Authors: Soni Aparna
Published: August 2020

This study examines the longer term relationship between public health insurance expansions and health behaviors. I leverage geographic and temporal variation in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act‐facilitated Medicaid expansions and provide the first estimates of the expansions' behavioral impacts during their first 5 years. Using national survey data from the 2010 to 2018 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System and a difference‐in‐differences regression design, I show that the Medicaid expansions increase utilization of certain forms of preventive care, while reducing heavy drinking. I also find suggestive evidence that the expansions reduce smoking and increase the probability of exercise. These results stand in contrast with earlier studies that used only 2 or 3 years of postexpansion data and found no detectable effect of the Medicaid expansions on health behaviors in the short run. My results, combined with evidence from previous studies, suggest that public insurance expansions may not prompt an immediate change in health behaviors, but newly eligible populations do increase investments in healthy behaviors over time. In the long run, Medicaid expansions may help reduce engagement in risky behaviors like drinking and smoking among low‐income people.
Hammond Hill Research Catchment: Supporting hydrologic investigations of rooting zone and vegetation water dynamics under climate change
Authors: Knighton James , Singh Kanishka , Souter‐Kline Valessa , Walter M. Todd
Published: August 2020

The Hammond Hill Research Catchment (HH) is a small (120 ha), temperate, second order tributary to Six Mile Creek, Cayuga Lake, and the Great Lakes (42.42°, −76.32°). The HH has been monitored since January 2017 for the purpose of understanding how recent infiltration mixes with antecedent soil water on hillslope forest floors and the spatial and temporal patterns of Root Water Uptake (RWU) by temperate northeastern US tree species (eastern hemlock [Tsuga canadensis], American beech [Fagus grandifolia], and sugar maple [Acer saccharum]). These data are informing us about the hydrologic consequences of anticipated tree species composition change and supporting the development of more refined ecohydrological models. The glaciated catchment is underlain by a shallow confining siltstone layer (1–1.5 m depth) and densely covered with an approximately 60 year old regrowth mixed species forest of hemlock, beech, and other deciduous tree species common to the northeastern US. Current datasets from the HH include precipitation snow water equivalent, discharge, and associated isotopic water compositions, δ2H & δ18O. Measurements of (top 10 cm) soil water content, as well as bulk soil water and hemlock and beech xylem isotopic compositions are made at several locations across a topographic wetness gradient. The near‐term role of the HH is to support an understanding of the environmental and ecological drivers of plant RWU competition. All data from the HH are publicly available.
Determinants of comparative advantage of crude oil production: Evidence from OPEC and non‐OPEC countries
Authors: Elsalih Osama , Sertoglu Kamil , Besim Mustafa
Published: August 2020

This study investigates the determinants of comparative advantage of crude oil production in 10 OPEC and 10 non‐OPEC countries over the period 1990–2016. The study calculates the comparative advantage using the Normalized Revealed Comparative Advantage index (NRCA) and further estimates the relationship between the comparative advantage and three explanatory variables using panel autoregressive distributed lag (panel ARDL) in a separate panel for each group of countries. The result of NRCA shows that all OPEC countries have a comparative advantage in crude oil production, whereas five of the 10 non‐OPEC countries have a comparative advantage in crude oil production. The result of the ARDL indicates that crude oil price (COP) and average of daily production (ADP) positively affect comparative advantage of crude oil production. The effect of natural resources (PR) is negative, suggesting that an increase in PR decreases the comparative advantage of these countries—a result that aligns with the philosophy of Hotelling rent. Finally, bidirectional Granger causality is established between all the investigated variables in both panels.
Partial adjustment towards performance‐based mutual fund returns: Evidence from U.S.‐based equity funds
Authors: Hippler William J. , Hassan M. Kabir , Pezzo Luca
Published: August 2020

Mutual fund managers face heavy competition and have incentives to quickly re‐allocate their portfolios in order to achieve and beat their performance targets. However, portfolio adjustments are costly, as trading, administrative, and information costs reduce net returns. Therefore, managers face a trade‐off between the benefits of adjusting the portfolio in order to achieve/exceed performance targets and the costs associated with these adjustments. We apply an asymmetric partial adjustment model to a sample of U.S.‐based, open‐ended, equity mutual funds. Our results show that active mutual funds quickly offset and reverse underperformance and have some success in maintaining short‐term, above‐average fund performance. The average mutual fund in our sample offsets 103% of the deviation within 1 month following underperformance, while slowing adjustment to 84% of the deviation following outperformance. Moreover, we link relative performance‐driven portfolio rebalancing to heterogeneous information costs across fund investment objectives and find that funds focusing on acquiring more specific and costly information adjust more efficiently than those with broader investment objectives.
Social funding of green financing: An application of distributed ledger technologies
Authors: Yoshino Naoyuki , Schloesser Tim , Taghizadeh‐Hesary Farhad
Published: August 2020

Technical developments in the sphere of distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) provide the opportunity to enhance existing tools of social funding. In a first step, we elaborate their application to the community‐based hometown investment trust (HIT) fund, which provides financing for small‐scale renewable energy projects. In a second step, we model the investment decision problem of households to illustrate through which channel the use of DLTs impacts the household's behaviour. Our model captures the return–risk trade‐off between two forms of investments for households with different risk preferences. It reveals that the use of DLTs can mitigate the associated risk of an investment in a HIT fund causing more risk‐averse households to change their investment behaviour. Although our theoretical analysis ascertains the potentials of DLTs to enhance social funding schemes, it also works out challenges for the establishment of DLT based funds.
Impact of information on winners' curse and long run performance of initial public offerings
Authors: Chhabra Sheena , Kiran Ravi
Published: August 2020

The current research focuses on the short run and long run performance of initial public offerings (IPOs) during 2005–2012. The study evaluates the impact of informational variables (both internal and external) on the first day returns. The performances have been measured through market adjusted excess return (MAER) and buy and hold abnormal returns (BHAR). A structural equation model (SEM) has been designed to identify how information affects the short run performance of IPOs. The results reveal that new issues are underpriced thereby proving winners' curse hypothesis. The study highlights that the informational variables have a significant effect on first day returns. The results also indicate that the average long run returns are negative. The results of this study will assist global investors in decision making and will facilitate active participation of these investors in IPOs in emerging markets like India.
The impact of the yield curve on the equity returns of insurance companies
Authors: Killins Robert N. , Chen Haiwei
Published: August 2020

The past two decades have provided an interest rate environment that has generally been in decline, with current short‐term rates near zero in most financial markets around the world. This environment puts pressure on insurance firms who generally rely on debt markets to provide returns to fund their future financial obligations and to produce profits for their shareholders. This study examines the impact that the yield curve has on equity returns of Canadian and U.S. insurance companies during the past two decades. Using various measures of the yield curve, U.S. insurers' equity returns tend to have a negative relationship with the yield curve. In the Canadian sample, although the yield curve coefficients are negative and thus directionally align with the U.S. results, there is little statistical significance. Finally, there is additional support for the information diffusion hypothesis and asymmetric impacts of the yield curve on insurers' equity returns.
Technical analysis using Heiken Ashi Stochastic: To catch a trend, use a HASTOC
Authors: Roy Trivedi Smita
Published: August 2020

The study develops a new technical analysis indicator, HASTOC, which reflects in a single number the likelihood of trend generation and momentum in the market. The indicator is developed using the basic characteristics of the Japanese Heiken Ashi (HA) candles. We backtest strategies using HA and HASTOC for three currencies, one index and one stock for three major time frames in each market and find that the strategies give consistent positive returns for select time frames and markets. The contribution of this study extends to the practical trading scenario and literature on technical analysis.
Momentum crashes and variations to market liquidity
Authors: Butt Hilal Anwar , Virk Nader Shahzad
Published: August 2020

We document that the variation in market liquidity is an important determinant of momentum crashes that is independent of other known explanations. This relationship is driven by the asymmetric large return sensitivity of short‐leg of momentum portfolio to changes in market liquidity that increases the tail risk of the momentum strategy in panic states. Identifying this partly explains the forecasting ability of known predictors of tail risk of the momentum strategy. The contemporaneous increase in market liquidity explains, to some extent, the documented negative relationship between predictors and future momentum returns. Our findings are robust to the use of alternative measures of market liquidity that share a common source of variation in aggregate liquidity.
Content‐based gastric image retrieval using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Hu Huiyi , Zheng Wenfang , Zhang Xu , Zhang Xinsen , Liu Jiquan , Hu Weiling , Duan Huilong , Si Jianmin
Published: August 2020

The endoscopy procedure has demonstrated great efficiency in detecting stomach lesions, with extensive numbers of endoscope images produced globally each day. The content‐based gastric image retrieval (CBGIR) system has demonstrated substantial potential in gastric image analysis. Gastric precancerous diseases (GPD) have higher prevalence in gastric cancer patients. Thus, effective intervention is crucial at the GPD stage. In this paper, a CBGIR method is proposed using a modified ResNet‐18 to generate binary hash codes for a rapid and accurate image retrieval process. We tested several popular models (AlexNet, VGGNet and ResNet), with ResNet‐18 determined as the optimum option. Our proposed method was valued using a GPD data set, resulting in a classification accuracy of 96.21 ± 0.66% and a mean average precision of 0.927 ± 0.006, outperforming other state‐of‐art conventional methods. Furthermore, we constructed a Gastric‐Map (GM) based on feature representations in order to visualize the retrieval results. This work has great auxiliary significance for endoscopists in terms of understanding the typical GPD characteristics and improving aided diagnosis.
GSVA score reveals molecular signatures from transcriptomes for biomaterials comparison
Authors: Ferreira Marcel R. , Santos Gerson A. , Biagi Carlos A. , Silva Junior Wilson A. , Zambuzzi Willian F.
Published: August 2020

Two in silico methodologies were implemented to reveal the molecular signatures of inorganic hydroxyapatite and β‐TCP materials from a transcriptome database to compare biomaterials. To test this new methodology, we choose the array E‐MTAB‐7219, which contains the transcription profile of osteoblastic cell line seeded onto 15 different biomaterials up to 48 hr. The expansive potential of the methodology was tested from the construction of customized signatures. We present, for the first time, a methodology to compare the performance of different biomaterials using the transcriptome profile of the cell through the Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) score. To test this methodology, we implemented two methods based on MSigDB collections, using all the collections and sub‐collections except the Hallmark collection, which was used in the second method. The result of this analysis provided an initial understanding of biomaterial grouping based on the cell transcriptional landscape. The comparison using GSVA score combined efforts and expand the potential to compare biomaterials using transcriptome profile. Altogether, our results provide a better understanding of the comparison of different biomaterials and suggest a possibility of the new methodology be applied to the prospection of new biomaterials.
Fouling identification in reciprocal membrane photobioreactor (RMPBR) containing Chlorella vulgaris species: Hydraulic resistances assessment
Authors: Azizi Soroush , Hashemi Ali , Pajoum Shariati Farshid , Bonakdarpour Babak , Safamirzaei Mani
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

The membrane photobioreactor is a combination of membrane technology and the photobioreactor system. It is an economic and efficient system for microalgae cultivation. Light cycles and its intensity are significant parameters in the biomass production and synthesis of metabolites, such as protein and carbohydrates, within the microalgae cells. These parameters can, therefore, have a significant impact on the rate and characteristics of fouling in membrane photobioreactor systems.

RESULTS

In this work, Chlorella vulgaris (green microalgae) was cultivated within the designed reciprocal membrane photobioreactor (RMPBR) under 24–0, 16–8, and 12–12 light–dark (L/D) cycles. Also, the transmembrane pressure (TMP) and different hydraulic membrane resistances (cake layer, pore‐blocking, and fluid resistances) were investigated. The 16–8 L/D cycle had the fastest fouling time (96 h), highest pore‐blocking resistance (Rp), and the maximum concentrations of protein and carbohydrate in the supernatant and permeate flux. However, the 12–12 L/D recorded the maximum cake layer resistance (Rc), the highest content of protein within the cake layer, and the longest fouling time (226 h). Additionally, the highest carbohydrate concentration within the cake layer was for the 24–0 L/D regime, and it was fouled after 162 h.

CONCLUSION

The Rc for each cycle had the highest values compared to the other calculated resistances. When the membrane is fouled, the mechanical membrane cleaning method employed in the RMPBR, which is in the form of an automatic spongy blade, cleans the cake layer on the membrane and improves its operation up to 80% via decreasing the Rt of the system. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
The current status of orthodontic education in U.S. pediatric dental residencies
Authors: Thayer Jessica J. , Park Jung Joo , Duong Mai‐Ly T. , Park Jae Hyun
Published: August 2020

Purpose/objectives

The purpose of this study was to survey the current status of orthodontic education at pediatric dental residencies in the United States. A similar survey was conducted >10 years ago. With changing healthcare politics, social demands, and technology, it is important to have current information about dental education.

Methods

A 23‐item anonymous survey was sent to individual pediatric dental residency program directors via Qualtrics email software. The survey was sent a total of 4 times over an 8‐week period. If the surveys were not completed in a predetermined amount of time, they were resent to those who had not yet completed them.

Results

There were 34 responders for a 24% response rate. Of the respondents, 73% reported teaching biomechanics of tooth movement, and 45% reported teaching 2 × 4 mechanics to “marginally acceptable” level. Early (91%) to late mixed dentition (77%) is the most commonly treated orthodontic case. While most programs do not require a minimum number of orthodontic cases for graduation (85%), residents’ understanding of growth and development is mostly (71%) evaluated through the results of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Qualifying Examination.

Conclusion

This study summarizes the current climate of the orthodontic education component in U.S. pediatric dental residencies.
Accelerating progress towards the elimination of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV: a narrative review
Authors: Chi Benjamin H , Mbori‐Ngacha Dorothy , Essajee Shaffiq , Mofenson Lynne M , Tsiouris Fatima , Mahy Mary , Luo Chewe
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Findings from biomedical, behavioural and implementation studies provide a rich foundation to guide programmatic efforts for the prevention of mother‐to‐child HIV transmission (PMTCT).

Methods

We summarized the current evidence base to support policy makers, programme managers, funding agencies and other stakeholders in designing and optimizing PMTCT programmes. We searched the scientific literature for PMTCT interventions in the era of universal antiretroviral therapy for pregnant and breastfeeding women (i.e. 2013 onward). Where evidence was sparse, relevant studies from the general HIV treatment literature or from prior eras of PMTCT programme implementation were also considered. Studies were organized into six categories: HIV prevention services for women, timely access to HIV testing, timely access to ART, programme retention and adherence support, timely engagement in antenatal care and services for infants at highest risk of HIV acquisition. These were mapped to specific missed opportunities identified by the UNAIDS Spectrum model and embedded in UNICEF operational guidance to optimize PMTCT services.

Results and discussion

From May to November 2019, we identified numerous promising, evidence‐based strategies that, properly tailored and adopted, could contribute to population reductions in vertical HIV transmission. These spanned the HIV and maternal and child health literature, emphasizing the importance of continued alignment and integration of services. We observed overlap between several intervention domains, suggesting potential for synergies and increased downstream impact. Common themes included integration of facility‐based healthcare; decentralization of health services from facilities to communities; and engagement of partners, peers and lay workers for social support. Approaches to ensure early HIV diagnosis and treatment prior to pregnancy would strengthen care across the maternal lifespan and should be promoted in the context of PMTCT.

Conclusions

A wide range of effective strategies exist to improve PMTCT access, uptake and retention. Programmes should carefully consider, prioritize and plan those that are most appropriate for the local setting and best address existing gaps in PMTCT health services.
Multiparametric MRI in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Schaapman Jelte J. , Tushuizen Maarten E. , Coenraad Minneke J. , Lamb Hildo J.
Published: August 2020

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease in the world, affecting more than 25% of the adult population. NAFLD covers a spectrum including simple steatosis, in which lipid accumulation in hepatocytes is the predominant histological characteristic, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by additional hepatic inflammation with or without fibrosis. Liver biopsy is currently the reference standard to discriminate between hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis. Since liver biopsy has several disadvantages, noninvasive diagnostic methods with high sensitivity and specificity are desirable for the analysis of NAFLD. Improvements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology are continuously being implemented in clinical practice, specifically multiparametric MRI methods such as proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF), T2*, and T1 mapping, along with MR elastography. Multiparametric imaging of the liver has a promising role in the clinical management of NAFLD with quantification of fat content, iron load, and fibrosis, which are features in NAFLD. In the present article, we review the utility and limitations of multiparametric quantitative imaging of the liver for diagnosis and management of patients with NAFLD.

Level of Evidence

5.

Technical Efficacy Stage

3.
Effect of section thickness on cone beam computed tomography‐based measurements of intrabony defects compared with clinical measurements
Authors: Nikolic‐Jakoba Natasa , Barac Milena , Jankovic Sasa , Aleksic Zoran , Spin‐Neto Rubens , Wenzel Ann
Published: August 2020

Background

It is unknown whether cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image reconstruction characteristics, including section thickness, may affect linear bone measurements of periodontal intrabony defects. The aim of this study was to compare intrasurgical and CBCT‐based linear measurements of intrabony defects focusing on CBCT section thickness.

Methods

Sixty‐six intrabony defects were assessed in 21 patients with chronic generalized severe periodontitis. Linear measurements of alveolar bone (radiographic bone level [rBL]), assessed in CBCT images at diverse section thicknesses: 0.25 mm (voxel size), 1 mm, and 3 mm, were compared with clinical bone level (cBL) measurements obtained intrasurgically. To provide identical reference points for rBL and cBL measurements, individually adjusted grooves on the reference stent were prepared for each periodontal defect site. CBCT measurements were performed in two rounds by two trained observers. Observer agreement was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). ANOVA assessed the difference among cBL and rBL at different section thicknesses.

Results

Intra‐ and inter‐observer agreement was excellent (ICC >0.99) and highly significant independent of the observer, evaluation round, and CBCT section thickness. Mean rBL in the diverse CBCT section thicknesses was very close to that measured clinically (cBL). There was no statistically significant difference between cBL and rBL for any section thickness, neither for the overall evaluated sites, nor the maxilla or mandible separately.

Conclusions

No statistically significant difference between clinical and radiographic bone level for 0.25‐, 1‐, and 3‐mm CBCT section thicknesses were observed when assessing intrabony periodontal defects.
Recent advances in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering‐based sensors for the detection of inorganic ions: Sensing mechanism and beyond
Authors: Ji Wei , Li Linfang , Zhang Yue , Wang Xinnan , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: August 2020

Inorganic ions determination has been receiving increased attention due to its strong environmental and biomedical impact. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has been considered to be a promising alternative method for inorganic ions analysis. Initially, the detection of inorganic ions is indirectly achieved by monitoring the SERS spectral alteration of a molecular probe (Raman reporter) upon its interaction with a specific inorganic ion. Recent years, based on incorporation of a functional molecule, an aptamer, and a nanocatalyst into a sensing system, numerous new methods have been proposed for the construction of sensitive SERS‐based inorganic ion sensors. Herein, this review is devoted to the recent advances in SERS‐based sensors for the determination of inorganic ions and specially focuses on the sensing mechanism and sensing methods. In addition, the current challenges and future research opportunities in utilizing SERS‐based methods for inorganic ions sensing are briefly featured.
Electrochemical microreactor combined with mass spectrometry for online oxidation and real‐time detection of alkaloids
Authors: Yang Juan , Ye Li‐Hong , Wang Bin , Zheng Hui , Cao Jun
Published: August 2020

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the prototypes and oxidation products of alkaloids with the use of an online electrochemistry/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry system. The metabolism of oxidative phase I and II was simulated in an electrochemical reaction cell. The metabolic processes for coptisine and jatrorrhizine were simulated in a thin‐layer cell fitted with a glassy carbon working electrode, while the metabolic processes for berberine and palmatine were simulated by using a boron‐doped diamond working electrode. By using the new experimental system, dehydrogenation, demethylation, methylation, hydroxylation, and the formation of two hydroxylation adducts were detected by applying different potentials to the electrochemical cell. The online reaction with glutathione yielded different covalent glutathione adducts. The results obtained from the electrochemical simulation were found to be in good accordance with those reported previously in vivo, showing that electrochemistry/mass spectrometry is an effective tool for studying metabolic reactions for various complex components. Moreover, analysis of alkaloids in liver microsomes by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry confirmed the possibility of using an electrochemistry technique to simulate the metabolism of target compounds.
Double‐Blind Randomized Trial on the Efficacy of the Forced Prolonged Position for Treatment of Lateral Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Mandalà Marco , Califano Luigi , Casani Augusto Pietro , Faralli Mario , Marcelli Vincenzo , Neri Giampiero , Pecci Rudi , Scasso Felice , Scotto di Santillo Leonardo , Vannucchi Paolo , Giannoni Beatrice , Dasgupta Soumit , Bindi Ilaria , Salerni Lorenzo , Nuti Daniele
Published: August 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

The need for class I and II studies on the efficacy of liberatory maneuvers in the treatment of lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (LC‐BPPV) motivated the present double‐blind randomized trial on the short‐term efficacy of the forced prolonged position (FPP).

Study Design

Double‐blind, randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Two hundred twenty‐one patients with unilateral LC‐BPPV met the inclusion criteria for a multicentric study. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment by FPP (116 subjects) or sham treatment (105 subjects). Subjects were followed up at 24 hours with the supine roll test by blinded examiners.

Results

Among the sample, 67.4% and 32.6% of the patients showed respectively geotropic and apogeotropic variant of LC‐BPPV. At the 24‐hour follow‐up, the effectiveness of FFP compared to the sham maneuver was, respectively, 57.8% versus 12.4% (P < .0001) in the total sample, 76.9% versus 11.3% (P < .0001) in the geotropic variant group, and 60.5% versus 17.6% (P = .0003) in the apogeotropic variant group, including resolution or transformation to geotropic variant.

Conclusions

FPP proved highly effective compared to the sham maneuver. The present class 2 study of the efficacy of the FPP changes the level of recommendation of the method for treating LC‐BPPV into a strong one.

Level of Evidence

2 Laryngoscope, 131:E1296–E1300, 2021
Familial Aggregation of Head and Neck Cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Padua Paula Francezca , Lin Chia‐Chen , Chien Hui‐Tzu , Young Chi‐Kuan , Kuo Chang‐Fu , See Lai‐Chu , Luo Shue‐Fen , Huang Lu‐Hsiang , Huang Shiang‐Fu
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence has been increasing worldwide. We investigated the familial aggregation of developing HNC if a first‐degree relative (FDR) is affected in a large database.

Methods

This retrospective study utilized Taiwan National Health Insurance Database to assemble a cohort of all registered beneficiaries from 1997 to 2013 and identified diagnosed HNC patients with affected FDRs.

Results

Of the 55,916 individuals diagnosed with HNC, 566 (1.01%) had affected FDRs. There were 525 (0.56%) males and 41 (0.05%) females. Age of onset of HNC was found to be earlier for those with an affected FDR at the fourth decade of life compared to the general population. The adjusted relative risks (RRs) of an individual with an affected FDR to develop HNC is 2.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85–2.26): 2.07 (95% CI, 1.88–2.29) if the affected relative was male, and 1.74 (95% CI, 1.31–2.30) if the affected relative was female. The greatest risk to develop HNC is if the affected individual is a twin with adjusted RR 33.04 (95% CI, 12.89–84.69). This is followed by an affected sibling at RR (95% CI) 3.46 (1.68–7.13), offspring at RR 2.28 (95% CI, 1.94–2.69), and parent at RR 1.66 (95% CI, 1.48–1.87).

Conclusion

Familial tendency of HNC proves the probable contribution of genetic factors to develop cancer. In areca quid endemic region, there is a high likelihood that both environmental and genetic factors work in synergy to develop HNC.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:806–812, 2021
Targeted depression treatment could benefit patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: August 2020

Citing an objective to examine the association between depression and psychosis, researchers found that targeted depression treatment could also benefit patients with schizophrenia, according to new research published in Schizophrenia Bulletin.
Potential new treatment identified to help patients with SMI
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2020

A new treatment currently under development may mean less likelihood of weight gain for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar 1 disorder, according to new research published online in the American Journal of Psychiatry. A single‐tablet combination treatment is intended to provide the efficacy of olanzapine while mitigating olanzapine‐associated weight gain in patients with serious mental illness, researchers suggested.
Tennessee task force moving forward on child well‐being goals
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2020

Following the release of a report by the Tennessee Department of Education on COVID‐19's impact on children across the state, officials announced plans to move forward with efforts to help communities check on the kids and support their holistic needs.
First‐order reflectionless filter topology with symmetrical responses
Authors: Lee Tae‐Hak , Lee Sang‐Gyu , Laurin Jean‐Jacques , Wu Ke
Published: August 2020

In this work, we present a bilateral reflectionless filter topology. A low‐pass filter prototype and its theoretical frequency responses are given. The frequency responses are obtained by means of ABCD matrices, thereby showing that the proposed prototype is reciprocal, symmetrical, and reflectionless at both ports. A first‐order bandpass filter with the reflectionless characteristic has been designed by applying the conventional low‐pass‐to‐bandpass transformation to the proposed low‐pass filter topology. It is verified by measurement results that the proposed bandpass filter can have less than −20 dB reflection coefficient over the passband and stopband at both ports with the same transmission response of a conventional first‐order bandpass filter.
Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Dietary and Nondietary Approaches
Authors: Chen Joan W.
Published: August 2020

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergen‐driven chronic inflammatory condition, characterized by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and confirmed histologically by esophageal mucosal eosinophilia. Since its first description in the 1990s, the incidence and prevalence of EoE have been on the rise. It is known to affect all ages of various ethnic backgrounds and both sexes; however, it is most seen in White males. Children with EoE often present with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and failure to thrive, whereas adults with EoE typically present with dysphagia and food impaction. Diagnosis of EoE requires histologic confirmation of elevated esophageal eosinophils in a symptomatic patient, and only after secondary causes have been excluded. Because EoE is a chronic and progressively fibrostenotic disease, treatment goals include resolution of symptoms, induction and maintenance of disease remission, and prevention and possibly reversal of fibrostenotic complications, while minimizing treatment‐related adverse effects and improving quality of life. Treatment strategies include the “3 D's”—drugs, diet, and dilation. Standard drug therapies include proton‐pump inhibitors and topical corticosteroids. Dietary therapies include elemental diet, allergy testing–directed elimination diet, and empiric elimination diets. Endoscopic esophageal dilation for EoE strictures can alleviate esophageal symptoms but has no effect on mucosal inflammation. Recent progress in EoE research has made possible evidence‐based clinical guidelines. Ongoing pharmacologic trials show promise for novel biologic agents in the treatment of refractory EoE.
Effect of intradialytic progressive resistance exercise on physical fitness and quality of life in maintenance haemodialysis patients
Authors: Zhang Fan , Huang Liuyan , Wang Weiqiong , Shen Qiyun , Zhang Huachun
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To investigate the impact of intradialytic progressive resistance exercise (IPRE) on physical fitness and quality of life in maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients.

Methods

Subjects were allocated randomly to the exercise group received IPRE and the control group underwent a haemodialysis session alone. Outcomes measured were including physical fitness ascertained by 6‐min walk test, sit‐to‐stand 10 test and handgrip strength. Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument was used to assess the quality of life, and also recorded the adverse event at each exercise session.

Results

A total of 87 patients were analysed: 43 in the exercise group and 44 in the control group. After 12 weeks, there were significant improvements in physical fitness and past of the dimension of the scale in the exercise group.

Conclusions

IPRE can improve the physical fitness and quality of life in patients underwent MHD with no serious adverse events or safety issues.
Evaluating the use of social media in escalating conflicts in romantic relationships
Authors: Arikewuyo Abdulgaffar Olawale , Lasisi Taiwo Temitope , Abdulbaqi Saudat Salah , Omoloso Aisha Imam , Arikewuyo Halima Oluwaseyi
Published: August 2020

Conflict in romantic relationships is a natural phenomenon. However, the use of social media by romantic partners has been described as a means of escalating conflicts in romantic relationships. This study sought to find out the effects of social media use on conflict in romantic relationships through the mediating variables of jealousy, infidelity, and monitoring The study recruited 373 individuals who are in romantic relationships. The findings of this study revealed a significant relationship between social media use and conflict in romantic relationships. This study also affirmed that jealousy, infidelity, and monitoring romantic partners are significant mediators between social media use and conflict in romantic relationships. Importantly, the study revealed that social media use is not a predictor of infidelity in romantic relationships.
Comparative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Complex Responses to Bordetella bronchiseptica Infections in the Spleen of Rabbits
Authors: Xiao Chenwen , Huang Yee , Wei Qiang , Liu Yan , Ji Quanan , Li Ke , Bao Guolian
Published: August 2020

Bordetella bronchiseptica (B. bronchiseptica) causes a respiratory disease in rabbits. To determine the proteins of B. bronchiseptica in rabbits related to the disease, differentially accumulated proteins in B. bronchiseptica‐infected cells are identified by comparative proteomic analysis. Comparative proteomic analysis detects 5814 proteins and quantifies 4854 of these. Fifty eight upregulated and 38 downregulated proteins are identified in spleen tissue after B. bronchiseptica infection of rabbits (both p < 0.05). The significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways are ribosome, biosynthesis of amino acids, biosynthesis of amino acids, protein export, and carbon metabolism etc. (all p < 0.01). Significantly enriched KEGG pathways include ‘ocu03010 ribosome’ (a); ‘ocu00260 glycine, serine threonine metabolism’. Analyses of control and infected spleen cells detect responses to B. bronchiseptica infection. Many differentially affected proteins are evident, and reflect different biological changes and diverse subcellular localizations between control and infected spleen cells. Infection markedly alters the expressions of proteins linked to the serine protease system, with the ‘phagosome,’ ‘biosynthesis of amino acids,’ ‘glycine, serine threonine metabolism,’ ‘intestinal immune network for IgA production’, and ‘amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism’ associated with B. bronchiseptica infection. The result will inform studies of responses to B. bronchiseptica infections in rabbits.
Quantum Transitions Between Minkowski and de Sitter Spacetimes
Authors: de Alwis Senarath P. , Muia Francesco , Pasquarella Veronica , Quevedo Fernando
Published: August 2020

Quantum transitions among de Sitter and Minkowski spacetimes through bubble nucleation are revisited using the Hamiltonian formalism. We interpret tunnelling probabilities as relative probabilities: the ratio of the squared wave functionals , with solutions of the Wheeler‐DeWitt equation corresponding to the spacetimes and , gives the probability of nucleating the state relative to the probability of having the state . We find that the transition amplitude from de Sitter to de Sitter for both up‐ and down‐tunnelling agrees with the original result based on Euclidean instanton methods. Expanding on the work of Fischler, Morgan and Polchinski we find that the Minkowski to de Sitter transition is possible as in the original Euclidean approach of Farhi, Guth and Guven. We further generalise existing calculations by computing the wave function away from the turning points for the classical motion of the wall in de Sitter to de Sitter transitions. We address several challenges for the viability of the Minkowski to de Sitter transition, including consistency with detailed balance and AdS/CFT. This sets this transition on firmer grounds but opens further questions. Our arguments also validate the Coleman‐De Luccia formulae in the presence of gravity since it has no issues involving negative eigenmodes and other ambiguities of the Euclidean approach. We briefly discuss the implications of our results for early universe cosmology and the string landscape.
Coexistence of Long‐Term Memory and Short‐Term Memory in an SiNx‐Based Memristor
Authors: Choi Junhyeok , Kim Sungjun
Published: August 2020

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor‐compatible Ni/SiNx/SiO2/Si devices present good synaptic characteristics for neuromorphic systems on the hardware level. The SiO2 layer detectable by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy can improve stability and low‐power resistive switching. The properties of nonvolatile and volatile memory are determined by the compliance current (strength of the conducting path) during DC voltage sweep. For more practical operation, repeated pulse inputs are applied to the memristor to implement both long‐term plasticity and short‐term plasticity, determined by pulse interval time. A shorter interval time between two pulses leads to larger paired‐pulse facilitation related to short‐term plasticity. Finally, ten cycles of potentiation and depression are demonstrated by well‐designed pulse schemes. The coexistence of long‐term and short‐term memory in a Ni/SiNx/SiO2/Si device can provide more flexibility in device design in future neuromorphic systems on the hardware level.
Evaluation of alternative confidence intervals to address non‐inferioritythrough the stratified difference between proportions
Authors: Sui Jiatong , Jiao Jenny , Sun Yijun , Liu Jeen , Bastero Rowena , Koch Gary
Published: August 2020

The confidence interval (CI) for the difference between two proportions has been an important and active research topic, especially in the context of non‐inferiority hypothesis testing. Issues concerning the Type 1 error rate, power, coverage rate and aberrations have been extensively studied for non‐stratified cases. However, stratified confidence intervals are frequently used in non‐inferiority trials and similar settings. In this paper, several methods for stratified confidence intervals for the difference between two proportions, including existing methods and novel extensions from unstratified CIs, are evaluated across different scenarios. When sparsity across the strata is not a concern, adding imputed observations to the stratification analysis can strengthen Type‐1 error control without substantial loss of power. When sparseness of data is a concern, most of the evaluated methods fail to control Type‐1 error; the modified stratifiedt‐test CI is an exception. We recommend the modified stratifiedt‐test CI as the most useful and flexible method across the respective scenarios; the modified stratified Wald CI may be useful in settings where sparsity is unlikely. These findings substantially contribute to the application of stratified CIs for non‐inferiority testing of differences between two proportions.
Analytic first and second derivatives of the energy in the fragment molecular orbital method combined with molecular mechanics
Authors: Nakata Hiroya , Fedorov Dmitri G.
Published: August 2020

Analytic first and second derivatives of the energy are developed for the fragment molecular orbital method interfaced with molecular mechanics in the electrostatic embedding scheme at the level of Hartree‐Fock and density functional theory. The importance of the orbital response terms is demonstrated. The role of electrostatic embedding upon molecular vibrations is analyzed, comparing force field and quantum mechanical treatments for an ionic liquid and a solvated protein. The method is applied for 100 protein conformations sampled in molecular dynamics (MD) to take into account the complexity of a flexible protein structure in solution, and a good agreement with experimental data is obtained: Frequencies from an experimental infrared (IR) spectrum are reproduced within 17 cm−1.
Platform diffusion at temporary gatherings: Social coordination and ecosystem emergence
Authors: Fang Tommy Pan , Wu Andy , Clough David R.
Published: August 2020

Research Summary

Software platforms create value by cultivating an ecosystem of complementary products and services. Existing explanations for how a prospective complementor chooses platforms to join assume the complementor has rich information about the range of available platforms. However, complementors lack this information in many ecosystems, raising the question of how complementors learn about platforms in the first place. We investigate whether attending a temporary gathering—a hackathon—impacts the platform choices of software developers. Through a large‐scale quantitative study of 1,302 developers and 167 hackathons, supported by qualitative research, we analyze the multiple channels—sponsorship, social learning, knowledge exchange, and social coordination—through which hackathons serve as a social forum for the diffusion of platform adoption among attendees.

Managerial Summary

A software platform such as Windows, iOS, or Amazon Web Services relies on third‐party developers to create applications that complement the platform and make it valuable for end users. However, developers face a wide range of possible platforms, and they may have limited information about which platforms would be worthwhile to develop for. A software platform business can educate and encourage developers to adopt their platform by supporting in‐person software development competitions, known as hackathons. Developers learn about prospective platforms that advertise at the hackathon. Developers also learn whether and how to use a platform by observing and teaching one other. Hackathons are particularly useful for spreading platform technologies: developers prefer to adopt widely used platforms, and hackathons permit developers to identify and join fashionable platforms.
An investigation on the effect of filtration and dilution of biological samples on electromembrane extraction efficiency: Determination of basic drugs in plasma and urine samples
Authors: Mahdavi Parisa , Nojavan Saeed , Asadi Sakine
Published: August 2020

In the present work, the impact of dilution and filtration of biological samples (plasma and urine) using ultra‐centrifugal filters were analytically assessed as pretreatment steps before the electromembrane extraction. Pseudoephedrine, lidocaine, propranolol, and ketoconazole were chosen as the basic model drugs. They were analyzed by using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with an ultraviolet‐visible detector after the extraction process. In this way, the type of filter and sample dilution order were evaluated in addition to the method's figures of merit. Hence, purification of the biological samples via ultra‐centrifugal filters results in a successful electromembrane extraction procedure in the presence of high applied voltages (≥300 V). It brings notable augmentation in the extraction recoveries. As a result, a reduction in the amount of electrical current of the extraction system (17.0–30.0 µA for plasma and 23.0–33.0 µA for urine) and acceptable repeatability (4.6–12.9%) were observed. In the water, linearity was attained between 25.0 and 1000.0 ng/mL; besides, limits of quantification were in the range of 10.0–25.0 ng/mL, and limits of detection were between 3.0 and 7.5 ng/mL.
Microchemical enantioseparation of betaxolol and orciprenaline by reversed phase HPLC
Authors: Nagar Hariom , Vyas Renu , Bhushan Ravi
Published: August 2020

Enantioseparation of (RS)‐orciprenaline and (RS)‐betaxolol was achieved by synthesizing their diastereomeric derivatives with chiral derivatizing reagents prepared on a cyanuric chloride platform. There were three dichloro‐triazine derivatives with amino acid amides as chiral auxiliaries and three monochloro‐triazine derivatives with methoxy as achiral moiety and amino acid amides as chiral auxiliaries in cyanuric chloride. A total of 12 pairs of diastereomeric derivatives were synthesized under microwave irradiation and were separated using reversed phase high‐performance liquid chromatography by applying different mobile phases on a C18 column in gradient eluting mode with ultraviolet detection at 230 nm. Resolutions were compared and interpreted on the basis of structure of chiral auxiliaries. Besides, diastereomeric derivatives were separated by open column chromatography and the samples so obtained were used for confirmation of their elution order and configuration by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. In addition, lowest energy optimized structures of diastereomeric derivatives were developed using the density functional theory based Gaussian software that were interpreted to supplement the absolute configurations. The method validation was carried out for detection limit, linearity, accuracy, and precision. Limits of detection were 0.005 and 0.007 µg/mL.