bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary cutaneous lymphomas in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL): A series of 12 cases
Authors: Liu Yi Ariel , Finn Alexander J. , Subtil Antonio
Published: January 2021

Background

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is associated with an increased risk of a second malignancy.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective clinicopathologic review of 12 patients with CLL/SLL who developed a second lymphoma in the skin. Demographic data, clinical information, and histopathology from 31 biopsies were recorded. Cases of secondary cutaneous involvement by CLL/SLL (leukemia cutis) and non‐primary cutaneous lymphomas were excluded.

Results

A wide variety of primary cutaneous lymphomas was identified, including classic mycosis fungoides (3), cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (2), primary cutaneous peripheral T‐cell lymphoma unspecified (2), folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (1), Sézary syndrome (1), cutaneous gamma‐delta T‐cell lymphoma (1), cutaneous CD8+ aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T‐cell lymphoma (1), and cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (1). A male predominance was observed, and the average age was 74.1 years. In all patients, CLL/SLL predated the development of the second lymphoma, which was aggressive in the majority of cases (58%). Aggressive cytotoxic T‐cell lymphomas, generally rare neoplasms, were relatively common (30%).

Conclusions

CLL/SLL patients may develop a second lymphoma in the skin, which may be aggressive. Atypical cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates in this patient population should not be assumed to represent secondary CLL/SLL involvement and require thorough immunohistochemical analysis.
Cost‐effectiveness of adrenocorticotropic hormone versus oral steroids for infantile spasms
Authors: Sánchez Fernández Iván , Amengual‐Gual Marta , Gaínza‐Lein Marina , Barcia Aguilar Cristina , Bergin Ann Marie , Yuskaitis Christopher J. , Harini Chellamani
Published: January 2021

Objective

To compare the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and oral steroids as first‐line treatment for infantile spasm resolution, we performed a systematic review, meta‐analysis, and cost‐effectiveness study.

Methods

A decision analysis model was populated with effectiveness data from a systematic review and meta‐analysis of existing literature and cost data from publicly available prices. Effectiveness was defined as the probability of clinical spasm resolution 14 days after treatment initiation.

Results

We included 21 studies with a total of 968 patients. The effectiveness of ACTH was not statistically significantly different from that of oral steroids (.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .60–.79 vs. .63, 95% CI = .56–.70; p = .28). Considering only the three available randomized trials with a total of 185 patients, the odds ratio of spasm resolution at 14 days with ACTH compared to high‐dose prednisolone (4–8 mg/kg/day) was .92 (95% CI = .34–2.52, p = .87). Adjusting for potential publication bias, estimates became even more favorable to high‐dose prednisolone. Using US prices, the more cost‐effective treatment was high‐dose prednisolone, with an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $333 per case of spasms resolved, followed by ACTH, with an ICER of $1 432 200 per case of spasms resolved. These results were robust to multiple sensitivity analyses and different assumptions. Prednisolone at 4–8 mg/kg/day was more cost‐effective than ACTH under a wide range of assumptions.

Significance

For infantile spasm resolution 2 weeks after treatment initiation, current evidence does not support the preeminence of ACTH in terms of effectiveness and, especially, cost‐effectiveness.
Spatial behavior of northern flying squirrels in the same social network
Authors: Diggins Corinne A. , Ford W. Mark
Published: January 2021

North American flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) are social species that communally den and exhibit home range overlap. However, observations on home range overlap tend to come from live‐trapped individuals and it is unknown whether overlap occurs among individuals belonging to the same social network. Since flying squirrels communally den with familiar individuals, their use of artificial nest boxes allows for the radio‐collaring and tracking of squirrels within the same social network. We captured and radio‐collared northern flying squirrels (G. sabrinus Shaw) found communally denning in nest boxes in the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States. We tracked squirrels captured from the same nest box (i.e., nest box groups) to determine home range overlap and subsequent den sharing between familiar individuals within those nest box groups. We found that amount of home range overlap did not differ between male–male, male–female, and female–female dyads, indicating that non‐reproductive females and scrotal males are not territorial at the 95% or 50% home range level. Regardless of sex, all dyads had a significantly higher probability of home range overlap (PHR) at the 95% than the 50% home range level (i.e., overlap between squirrels decreases in core areas of their home range). We also found flying squirrels subsequently denned with familiar individuals during 20.9% of occasions post‐collaring. Our study provides important information for understanding space use within flying squirrel social networks. Further work should be conducted to determine space use between familiar individuals including seasonal shifts in space use, degree of individual relatedness, and potential territoriality in females denning with young up to and following juvenile dispersal.
Distinct structural and functional angiogenic responses are induced by different mechanical stimuli
Authors: Kissane Roger W. P. , Tickle Peter G. , Doody Natalie E. , Al‐Shammari Abdullah A. , Egginton Stuart
Published: January 2021

Objective

Adequacy of the microcirculation is essential for maintaining repetitive skeletal muscle function while avoiding fatigue. It is unclear, however, whether capillary remodelling after different angiogenic stimuli is comparable in terms of vessel distribution and consequent functional adaptations. We determined the physiological consequences of two distinct mechanotransductive stimuli: (1) overload‐mediated abluminal stretch (OV); (2) vasodilator‐induced shear stress (prazosin, PR).

Methods

In situ EDL fatigue resistance was determined after 7 or 14 days of intervention, in addition to measurements of femoral artery flow. Microvascular composition (muscle histology) and oxidative capacity (citrate synthase activity) were quantified, and muscle PO2 calculated using advanced mathematical modelling.

Results

Compared to controls, capillary‐to‐fiber ratio was higher after OV14 (134%, p < .001) and PR14 (121%, p < .05), although fatigue resistance only improved after overload (7 days: 135%, 14 days: 125%, p < .05). In addition, muscle overload improved local capillary supply indices and reduced CS activity, while prazosin treatment failed to alter either index of aerobic capacity.

Conclusion

Targeted capillary growth in response to abluminal stretch is a potent driver of improved muscle fatigue resistance, while shear stress‐driven angiogenesis has no beneficial effect on muscle function. In terms of capillarity, more is not necessarily better.
The Impact of Green Labels on Time Slot Choice and Operational Sustainability
Authors: Agatz Niels , Fan Yingjie , Stam Daan
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study the effectiveness of incentives on delivery service time slot choices. In particular, we focus on the use of green labels that specify time slots as environmentally friendly and that intrinsically motivate customers to choose a specific delivery time slot in lieu of price incentives based on extrinsic motivation. We argue that this is important since green labels’ intrinsic nature affects costumer choice in fundamentally different ways than price incentives. We conduct two experiments and two simulation studies to study the effects of using green labels. Our experimental findings suggest that: (i) green labels are an effective tool to steer shoppers toward a certain delivery option, (ii) green labels are more effective for people who are more eco‐conscious, (iii) green labels remain effective in the presence of price incentives, while price incentives offer little added value beyond that of just green labels, and (iv) the effectiveness of green labels vs. price discounts remains high when time slots are less appealing (i.e., longer). Our simulation findings suggest that green slots, compared to price incentives or no incentives, offer providers a way to effectively steer consumer time slot choices to yield shorter routes, fewer delivery vehicles used, and more per‐customer revenue. We thus conclude that steering individuals to select delivery time slots through intrinsic motivation via green labels may be a promising, no‐cost direction for (online) retailers and an important topic for further research.
Low or Declining Gait Speed is Associated With Risk of Developing Dementia Over 5 Years Among People Aged 85 Years and Over
Authors: Öhlin Jerry , Gustafson Yngve , Littbrand Håkan , Olofsson Birgitta , Toots Annika
Published: January 2021

Improving dementia screening procedures beyond simple assessment of current cognitive performance is timely given the ongoing phenomenon of population aging. A slow or declining gait speed (GS) is a potential early indicator of cognitive decline scarcely investigated in very old people. Here, we investigated the 5-year associations of baseline GS, change in GS, and cognitive function with subsequent dementia development in people aged 85 years and older (n = 296) without dementia at baseline. Declining and a slow baseline GS were associated with higher odds of dementia development after adjusting for confounders (e.g., age, sex, and dependency in activities of daily living) and missing GS values at follow-up. The GS decline was associated with cognitive decline in participants who developed dementia. The results support the potential of GS tests to predict future cognitive decline among community- and nursing home-dwelling very old people.
Randomised assessor-masked trial evaluating topical manuka honey (Optimel) in treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction
Authors: Li Anita Lai-Wah , Li Sophia Ling , Kam Ka Wai , Young Alvin Lerrmann
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of manuka honey eye-drops in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.

Methods

This is an assessor-masked (single-blind), randomised controlled trial comparing conventional treatment group with interventional group using Optimel 16% manuka honey topical eye-drops. 59 patients were recruited to the study and randomised into two groups: one given regular lubricants and the other given Optimel 16% manuka honey eye-drops. The Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) score was measured at baseline and on follow-up. 4 patients were lost to follow-up. Multiple ocular surface parameters were graded from slit lamp examination by a masked assessor. Results were compared from baseline to follow-up date 3 weeks later.

Results

Patients in the conventional treatment group demonstrated minimal difference in SPEED score at 3-week follow-up (mean difference 1.087, p=0.183), which was not statistically significant. However, measurements of tear film break-up time, corneal surface stain (Oxford), lid margin, conjunctival redness, as well as meibum quality and expressibility showed significant improvements at 3 weeks (p<0.01). Patients in the manuka honey eye-drops group showed significant difference after 3 weeks in SPEED score (mean difference 2.53, p=0.006), as well as in lid margin redness, conjunctival redness, corneal surface stain (Oxford), and meibum quality and expressibility (p=0.000).

Conclusions

Optimel 16% manuka honey eye-drops showed significant improvement in symptoms and objective signs in meibomian gland dysfunction and are an effective alternative treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction.

Trial registration number

NCT04457648.
Early palliative care integration trial: consultation content and interaction dynamics
Authors: Kleiner Nadine , Zambrano Sofia C. , Eychmüller Steffen , Zwahlen Susanne
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Evidence for the positive impact of the early integration of palliative care (EPC) continues to grow. Less is known about how EPC improves patient and family outcomes, including the content of EPC consultations. Therefore, we aimed to better understand the content of EPC consultations including areas addressed, percentage covered per area and interaction style.

Methods

As part of a trial in which EPC in addition to oncology care was compared with oncology care alone, we audio recorded 10 interventions. The palliative care team led the interventions using SENS, a conversation structure, which stands for: Symptoms, End-of-life decision-making, Network and Support. We employed two approaches to analysis: the Roter interaction analysis system (RIAS) to analyse interaction dynamics and SENS as a framework for content analysis.

Results

Physician–patient communication covered 91% of the interaction. According to RIAS, the consultations were evenly dominated between physicians and patients (ratio=1.04) and highly patient-centred (ratio=1.26). Content wise, rapport was the largest category covering 27% of the consultation, followed by decision-making (21%) and by symptom assessment/management (17%) including 8.1% for physical symptoms and 5.4% for psychosocial aspects. Network discussions covered 17%, and lastly, support for the family 7%.

Conclusions

EPC consultations cover a variety of end-of-life topics while putting a high value in establishing rapport, developing a relationship with patients, and on providing reassurance and positive emotional talk. EPC consultations using predefined structures may guarantee that a minimum of important aspects are addressed in a way in which the relationship with the patient remains at the centre.
Racial inequality, racial discrimination and obesity incidence in adults from the ELSA-Brasil cohort
Authors: Machado Amanda Viana , Camelo Lidyane V , Chor Dora , Griep Rosane H , Guimarães Joanna M N , Giatti Luana , Barreto Sandhi Maria
Published: January 2021

Background

This study investigated whether self-reported race/skin colour and perceived racial discrimination predict higher obesity incidence after approximately 4-year follow-up of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). We also investigated whether these associations are modified by educational level.

Methods

Following exclusion of individuals defined as obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) at baseline, associations between race/skin colour and obesity incidence between the first (2008–2010) and second (2012–2014) visits were investigated in 10 130 participants. Next, associations between perceived racial discrimination and obesity incidence among black (n=1532) and brown (n=2958) individuals were investigated separately. Racial discrimination (yes/no) was assessed using the Lifetime Major Event Scale. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex and research site were used. All analyses were stratified for educational level.

Results

Obesity risk was higher in Blacks with high education compared with white individuals to the same education level (OR: 2.22; 95% CI 1.62 to 3.04) following adjustments. After adjustments, obesity incidence was higher among black individuals reporting racial discrimination compared with peers who did not report this experience, but only among the low education group (OR: 1.64; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.51). No statistical association with perceived discrimination was observed among brown individuals.

Conclusion

Results are congruent with findings from other studies reporting associations between racial inequality and obesity incidence and also suggest racial discrimination may be one of the mechanisms leading to such inequalities. Also, it supports the paradox theory by which education modify the association in distinct directions.
Character failings in the surgeon fallen from grace: a thematic analysis of disciplinary hearings against surgeons 2016–2020
Authors: Elledge Ross , Jones June
Published: January 2021

Surgeons are commonly evaluated with respect to outcomes and adherence to rules and regulations, rather than a true holistic examination of the character of the surgeon in question. We sought to examine the character failings of surgeons who faced fitness to practice enquiries under the Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service in the UK. In particular, we examined the absence of virtue as perceived through the lens of Aristotelian ethics using thematic analysis of tribunal hearing transcripts from 2016 to 2020. We identified three overarching themes that are explored in depth: ‘the god complex’, ‘reputation over integrity’ and ‘wounded pride’. We hope to use this as the foundation for a re-examination of the place of phronesis in postgraduate surgical education, which we argue should be perceived as an exercise in character development and reformation rather than the simplistic teaching of skills to standardised outcomes.
Indigenous perspectives on breaking bad news: ethical considerations for healthcare providers
Authors: Cassim Shemana , Kidd Jacquie , Keenan Rawiri , Middleton Karen , Rolleston Anna , Hokowhitu Brendan , Firth Melissa , Aitken Denise , Wong Janice , Lawrenson Ross
Published: January 2021

Most healthcare providers (HCPs) work from ethical principles based on a Western model of practice that may not adhere to the cultural values intrinsic to Indigenous peoples. Breaking bad news (BBN) is an important topic of ethical concern in health research. While much has been documented on BBN globally, the ethical implications of receiving bad news, from an Indigenous patient perspective in particular, is an area that requires further inquiry. This article discusses the experiences of Māori (Indigenous peoples of New Zealand) lung cancer patients and their families, in order to investigate the ethical implications of receiving bad news. Data collection occurred through 23 semistructured interviews and nine focus groups with Māori lung cancer patients and their families in four districts in the Midland Region of New Zealand: Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes and Tairāwhiti. The findings of this study were categorised into two key themes: communication and context. Avenues for best practice include understanding the centrality of the HCP–patient relationship and family ties in the healthcare journey, and providing patients with the full range of viable treatment options including hope, clear advice and guidance when the situation calls for it. Overall, the findings of this study hold implications for providing culturally safe and humanistic cancer care when BBN to Māori and Indigenous patients.
Without a trace: Why did corona apps fail?
Authors: White Lucie , van Basshuysen Philippe
Published: January 2021

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, high hopes were put on digital contact tracing, using mobile phone apps to record and immediately notify contacts when a user reports as infected. Such apps can now be downloaded in many countries, but as second waves of COVID-19 are raging, these apps are playing a less important role than anticipated. We argue that this is because most countries have opted for app configurations that cannot provide a means of rapidly informing users of likely infections while avoiding too many false positive reports. Mathematical modelling suggests that differently configured apps have the potential to do this. These require, however, that some pseudonymised data be stored on a central server, which privacy advocates have cautioned against. We contend that their influential arguments are subject to two fallacies. First, they have tended to one-sidedly focus on the risks that centralised data storage entails for privacy, while paying insufficient attention to the fact that inefficient contact tracing involves ethical risks too. Second, while the envisioned system does entail risks of breaches, such risks are also present in decentralised systems, which have been falsely presented as ‘privacy preserving by design’. When these points are understood, it becomes clear that we must rethink our approach to digital contact tracing in our fight against COVID-19.
Vitamin D status and outcomes for hospitalised older patients with COVID-19
Authors: Baktash Vadir , Hosack Tom , Zahari Nishil , Shah Shital , Kandiah Pirabakaran , Van den Abbeele Koenraad , Mandal Amit K J , Missouris Constantinos G
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Older adults are more likely to be vitamin D deficient. The aim of the study was to determine whether these patients have worse outcomes with COVID-19.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study between 1 March and 30 April 2020 to assess the importance of vitamin D deficiency in older patients with COVID-19. The cohort consisted of patients aged ≥65 years presenting with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (n=105). All patients were tested for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels during acute illness. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed via viral reverse transcriptase PCR swab or supporting radiological evidence. COVID-19-positive arm (n=70) was sub-divided into vitamin D-deficient (≤30 nmol/L) (n=39) and -replete groups (n=35). Subgroups were assessed for disease severity using biochemical, radiological and clinical markers. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were laboratory features of cytokine storm, thoracic imaging changes and requirement of non-invasive ventilation (NIV).

Results

COVID-19-positive arm demonstrated lower median serum 25(OH)D level of 27 nmol/L (IQR=20–47 nmol/L) compared with COVID-19-negative arm, with median level of 52 nmol/L (IQR=31.5–71.5 nmol/L) (p value=0.0008). Among patients with vitamin D deficiency, there was higher peak D-dimer level (1914.00 μgFEU/L vs 1268.00 μgFEU/L) (p=0.034) and higher incidence of NIV support and high dependency unit admission (30.77% vs 9.68%) (p=0.042). No increased mortality was observed between groups.

Conclusion

Older adults with vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 may demonstrate worse morbidity outcomes. Vitamin D status may be a useful prognosticator.
Treatment use patterns in a large extended-treatment tobacco cessation program: predictors and cost implications
Authors: Veldhuizen Scott , Zawertailo Laurie , Noormohamed Aliya , Hussain Sarwar , Selby Peter
Published: January 2021

Background

Tobacco dependence follows a chronic and relapsing course, but most treatment programmes are short. Extended care has been shown to improve outcomes. Examining use patterns for longer term programmes can quantify resource requirements and identify opportunities for improving retention.

Methods

We analyse 38 094 primary care treatment episodes from a multisite smoking cessation programme in Ontario, Canada that provides free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and counselling. We calculate distributional measures of weeks of NRT used, clinical visits attended and total length of care. We then divide treatment courses into four exclusive categories and fit a multinomial logistic regression model to measure associations with participant characteristics, using multiple imputation to address missing data.

Results

Time in treatment (median=50 days), visits (median=3) and weeks NRT used (median=8) were well below the maximum available. Of all programme enrolments, 28.8% (95% CI=28.3% to 29.3%) were single contacts, 31.3% (30.8% to 31.8%) lasted <12 weeks, 19.2% (18.8% to 19.6%) were ≥12 weeks with an 8-week interruption and 20.7% (20.3%–21.1%) were ≥12 weeks without interruptions. Care use was most strongly associated with participant age and whether the nicotine patch was dispensed at the first visit.

Conclusion

Treatment use results imply that the marginal costs of extending treatment programmes are relatively low. The prevalence of single contacts supports additional engagement efforts at the initial visit, while interruptions in care highlight the ability of longer term care to address relapse. Results show that use of the nicotine patch is associated with retention in care, and that improving engagement of younger patients should be a priority.
Inflation with non-minimal kinetic and Gauss–Bonnet couplings
Authors: Granda L. N. , Jimenez D. F.
Published: January 2021

The Mukhanov–Sasaki equation is deduced from linear perturbations for a general scalar-tensor model with non-minimal coupling to curvature, to the Gauss–Bonnet invariant and non-minimal kinetic coupling to curvature. The general formulas for the power spectra of the primordial scalar and tensor fluctuations are obtained for arbitrary coupling functions. The results have been applied to models with power-law, exponential, natural and double-well potentials. It was found that the presence of these non-minimal couplings affect the inflationary observables leading to values favored by the latest observations, while some interesting results like sub-planckian symmetry breaking scale in natural inflation and sub-planckian v.e.v. of the scalar filed in the double-well potential were obtained. The consistency with the reheating process was discussed and some numerical cases were shown. The equivalence of the model to a sector of generalized Galileons was shown and the functions that establish the correspondence were found.
Recent results on bottomonium studies at Belle
Authors: Garmash Alexey
Published: January 2021

We review results of recent studies of transitions between bottomonium states obtained from analysis of the large [Formula: see text] data sample recorded by the Belle detector at various [Formula: see text]-resonances and energy scan data in the center-of-mass energy range from [Formula: see text] GeV to 11.02 GeV.
Industry 4.0 Maturity and Readiness Models: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Framework
Authors: Hajoary Pinosh Kumar
Published: January 2021

Over the last five years, Industry 4.0 (I4.0) has gained a lot of attention from industry leaders, policymakers, and government officials worldwide. In an era where new concepts and techniques are introduced continuously, there is a lack of systematic literature review (SLR) on identifying main dimensions, levels, methods to assess the maturity and readiness level toward I4.0. To address this gap, we have chosen our primary objective to provide a critical review of existing literature on dimensions, methods, levels, and current trends to evaluate the I4.0 maturity and readiness models. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology was adopted to make sure that there is no replication and to maintain complete transparency in the review process. A total of 53 papers were deemed relevant for thematic analysis. From the literature, we have found and proposed 10 main dimensions — Strategy and Organization, Manufacturing and Operations, Supply Chain, Business Model, IT, People, Customers, Product, Services, and Culture, to assess the I4.0 maturity and readiness levels of an organization. Further, a conceptual framework was proposed for the same. This study contributes theoretically to the development of I4.0 maturity and readiness models. So far, this is the first review paper on dimensions of I4.0 maturity and readiness models and is expected to give future researchers and practitioners a holistic guideline to design and develop I4.0 maturity and readiness models.
TACKLING INFORMAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN EAST-CENTRAL EUROPE: FROM A DETERRENCE TO PREVENTATIVE APPROACH
Authors: WILLIAMS COLIN C.
Published: January 2021

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of two contrasting policy approaches in tackling informal sector entrepreneurship. The dominant deterrence approach theorizes entrepreneurs as rational economic actors who operate in the informal sector when the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs. The resultant policy focus is upon deterring participation by increasing the costs of operating in the informal sector through increased penalties and probability of being caught. Recently, a more preventative approach has emerged theorizing entrepreneurs as social actors operating in the informal sector when there is a lack of vertical trust (in government) and horizontal trust (in others). The consequent policy focus is upon improving entrepreneurs’ vertical trust (in the state) and horizontal trust (in each other). To evaluate these approaches, evidence is reported from a 2019 Eurobarometer survey in six East-Central European countries (Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia). The finding is that participation in informal entrepreneurship is not significantly associated with the deterrent measures of raising the penalties and probability of being caught but is significantly associated with the preventative measures of improving vertical and horizontal trust. The implications for theory and policy are discussed.
OPPORTUNITY AND NECESSITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF HUMAN CAPITAL
Authors: RODRIGUES DANIELA , AC TEIXEIRA AURORA
Published: January 2021

Although considerable research has been devoted to the study of the effect of entrepreneurship on economic growth, fewer studies have analyzed the effect of the types (opportunity vs necessity) of entrepreneurship on economic growth. Moreover, the latter set of studies overlooked the relevance of human capital as a mediating factor in the relation between (types of) entrepreneurship and economic growth. The aim of the present study is to fill in this gap by assessing the extent to which the direct and indirect effect of (the types of) entrepreneurship, via human capital, matters for countries’ economic growth. In methodological terms, we resort to fixed effects panel data estimations, involving a large set of (OECD and non-OECD) countries, over a relatively long time span (1990–2016). The results suggest total entrepreneurship has a positive effect on economic growth. Distinguishing between types of entrepreneurship, there is clear evidence that OE fosters economic growth, whereas necessity entrepreneurship inhibits it. Interestingly, human capital tends to mitigate the negative effect of necessity entrepreneurship on economic growth. In the case of opportunity entrepreneurship, the direct positive effect observed is reduced in contexts characterized by high levels of human capital, which might reflect increased opportunity costs.
Bridging Accounting and Corporate Governance: New Avenues of Research
Authors: Aguilera Ruth V. , Desender Kurt , López-Puertas Lamy Mónica
Published: January 2021

This paper draws on the articles in the Forum on Corporate Governance to discuss how corporate governance and accounting research complement each other well in explaining how companies are governed as well as properly managed from an accounting point of view. We put special attention to the cross-national differences in both corporate governance systems and accounting practice and how that affect multiple organizational outcomes ranging from financial performance to corporate social performance and reporting quality.
High-Order Structure Exploration on Massive Graphs
Authors: Zhou Dawei , Zhang Si , Yildirim Mehmet Yigit , Alcorn Scott , Tong Hanghang , Davulcu Hasan , He Jingrui
Published: January 2021

Modeling and exploring high-order connectivity patterns, also called network motifs, are essential for understanding the fundamental structures that control and mediate the behavior of many complex systems. For example, in social networks, triangles have been proven to play the fundamental role in understanding social network communities; in online transaction networks, detecting directed looped transactions helps identify money laundering activities; in personally identifiable information networks, the star-shaped structures may correspond to a set of synthetic identities. Despite the ubiquity of such high-order structures, many existing graph clustering methods are either not designed for the high-order connectivity patterns, or suffer from the prohibitive computational cost when modeling high-order structures in the large-scale networks. This article generalizes the challenges in multiple dimensions. First (
Model
), we introduce the notion of high-order conductance, and define the high-order diffusion core, which is based on a high-order random walk induced by the
user-specified high-order
network structure. Second (
Algorithm
), we propose a novel high-order
structure-preserving
graph clustering framework named
HOSGRAP
, which partitions the graph into
structure-rich
clusters in polylogarithmic time with respect to the number of edges in the graph. Third (
Generalization
), we generalize our proposed algorithm to solve the real-world problems on various types of graphs, such as signed graphs, bipartite graphs, and multi-partite graphs. Experimental results on both synthetic and real graphs demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
The 8M Algorithm from Today’s Perspective
Authors: Belohlavek Radim , Trnecka Martin
Published: January 2021

We provide a detailed analysis and a first complete description of 8M—an old but virtually unknown algorithm for Boolean matrix factorization. Even though the algorithm uses a rather limited insight into the factorization problem from today’s perspective, we demonstrate that its performance is reasonably good compared to the currently available algorithms. Our analysis reveals that this is due to certain concepts employed by 8M that are not exploited by the current algorithms. We discuss the prospect of these concepts, utilize them to improve two well-known current factorization algorithms, and, furthermore, propose an improvement of 8M itself, which significantly enhances the performance of the original 8M. Our findings are illustrated by experimental evaluation.
Opinion Expression Dynamics in Social Media Chat Groups: An Integrated Quasi‐Experimental and Agent‐Based Model Approach
Authors: Ma Siyuan , Zhang Hongzhong
Published: January 2021

Social media chat groups, such as WeChat and WhatsApp groups, are widely applied in online communication. This research has conducted two studies to examine the individual level and collective level’s opinion dynamics in those groups. The opinion dynamic is driven by two variables, people’s perceived peer support and willingness of opinion expression. The perceived peer support influences the willingness of opinion expression, and the willingness influences the dynamics of real opinion‐expression. First, the quasi‐experimental study recruited twenty‐five participants as the observation group and found that decreasing perceived peer support would significantly increase individuals’ expression willingness to protect his/her opinion. To generalize the individual level findings to a collective level, the second study treated the social media chat groups as an undirected fully‐connected social network and simulated people’s opinion expression dynamics with an agent‐based model. The simulation indicated that (1) with the help of increased willingness of opinion expression, the minority opinion supporters as a collective did not fall silent but continue to express themselves and (2) increasing willingness of opinion expression would maintain the existence of minority opinion but could not help the minority reverse to the majority.
Development and Validation of a Novel Interpretation Algorithm for Enhanced Resolution of Well Logging Signals
Authors: Zhang Qiong , Peyaud Jean-Baptist
Published: January 2021

This work presents a novel algorithm that achieves enhanced resolution of well logging signals, e.g., from 1 ft of a pulsed neutron mineralogy tool to 0.04 ft of an imaging tool. The algorithm, denoted as “Digital Core,” combines mineralogical and sedimentological information to generate a high‐resolution record of the formation mineralogy which can be consequently applied to thin bedded environments. The keystone to the philosophy of this algorithm is that the spectral information recorded by mineralogy tool is a weighted average of the mineralogy of each lithological component in the analyzed volume. Therefore, by using a high‐resolution image log to determine the proportion of each lithological component, their composition can be determined from the mineralogy log data. A field case from a well located in South Australia is presented in this work, and the results validate the feasibility of an integrated core‐level petrophysical analysis in a cost‐effective and timely manner compared to conventional core measurements.
Are Technology-Driven Mobile Phone Applications (Apps) the New Currency for Digital Stent Registries and Patient Communication: Prospective Outcomes Using Urostentz App
Authors: Hameed B. M. Zeeshan , Shah Milap J. , Naik Nithesh , Amaresh Mohan , Hegde Padmaraj , Beary Rahil Hussein , Jayadeva Suraj , Somani Bhaskar K.
Published: January 2021

Background. Forgotten ureteral stents (FUS) and stent-related symptoms (SRS) lead to increased postprocedural emergency department visits and add to the psychological and financial burden of the patients. Purpose. To review the usage and benefits of ureteral stent tracking and symptom monitoring through a single smartphone-based application (App) platform with 2-way clinician-patient communication. This study also compared the features with other smartphone apps used for stent tracking. Materials and Methods. 100 patients were included in this single-center prospective study conducted between September 2019 and December 2019. Patients who had metallic or long-term indwelling stents, noncomprehensible patients, and those not willing to share their data were excluded from the study. Results. Of 100 patients, 92 downloaded the Urostentz application, and 72 (78.2%) patients answered the pictorial symptom questionnaire. Symptom score analysis suggested that 62 patients (86.1%) had stent-related symptoms of which 3 required readmission and underwent early stent removal. The mean stent duration was 17.2 + 3.5 days (range: 11–23 days), with 69% of patients having their stent removed on the scheduled date and 25% of patients requesting a change of their appointment via the App. Conclusion. In this study, there was no case of FUS encountered. The “Urostentz” App is a freely available patient safety stent tracking application that provides a secure and simplified interface, which can significantly reduce the incidence of FUS and provide digital remote assistance in the management of stent-related symptoms.
Effects of Transmission Ratio on the Nonlinear Vibration Characteristics of a Gear‐Driven High‐Speed Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Zhou Anmin , Zhai Lulu , Zhu Zuchao , Guo Jia , Zhang Xinglin , Cui Baoling
Published: January 2021

The gear transmission system is widely used in high‐speed centrifugal pump to improve the operating speed and hydraulic performances of the whole pump. Vibration characteristics and the stability of these high‐speed rotor systems with gear transmission have great impacts on the stability of the whole fluid transmission system of the plant. Based on the lumped‐mass method and the principle of displacement equilibrium of the rotor system, a coupled lateral‐torsional dynamic model describing the gear‐rotor‐seal‐bearing (GRSB) system of high‐speed centrifugal pumps which has considered the nonlinear factors within the gear pair, nonlinear forces of bearings, and those of the seals is proposed. Then, the stability and nonlinear vibration responses of a model GRSB system under different gear transmission ratios (i) have been studied. The following conclusions are drawn from the results: (1) The components with frequencies like fp, fg, fm, and 2fm have great impacts on the vibration responses of the gear pair, especially the fm component; moreover, the amplitude of fm first increases and then decreases with the ratio increase and reaches the maximum value under the ratio of 3. (2) A jump motion state will occur when the ratio i is 1.25 and the stability of the system is obviously worse than the bifurcation state. Quite different from those under the other states, under this jump motion state, the 0.2fg component and 0.5fp component will appear in the vibration responses of both gears and become the most contributed two factors to the responses of the driven gear. (3) In the design process, the transmission ratio of a high‐speed centrifugal pump with a simplified GRSB system should be specially designed to avoid the jump‐point state and the maximum‐amplitude‐of‐fm state to ensure the stability of the system as well as reduce the mechanical impacts and noises.
The Rise of Inflow Cisternostomy in Resource-Limited Settings: Rationale, Limitations, and Future Challenges
Authors: Kanmounye Ulrick Sidney
Published: January 2021

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear most of the global burden of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but they lack the resources to address this public health crisis. For TBI guidelines and innovations to be effective, they must consider the context in LMICs; keeping this in mind, this article will focus on the history, pathophysiology, practice, evidence, and implications of cisternostomy. In this narrative review, the author discusses the history, pathophysiology, practice, evidence, and implications of cisternostomy. Cisternostomy for the management of TBI is an innovation developed in LMICs, primarily for LMICs. Its practice is based on the cerebrospinal fluid shift edema theory that attributes injury to increased pressure within the subarachnoid space due to subarachnoid hemorrhage and subsequent dysfunction of glymphatic drainage. Early reports of the technique report significant improvements in the Glasgow Outcome Scale, lower mortality rates, and shorter intensive care unit durations. Most reports are single-center studies with small sample sizes, and the technique requires experience and skill. These limitations have led to criticisms and slow adoption of the technique. Further research is needed to establish the effect of cisternostomy on TBI outcomes.
Institutional Environment and Green Economic Growth in China
Authors: Zhou Xiaoxiao , Wang Lu , Du Juntao
Published: January 2021

As the answer to sustainability concerns, green economic growth has gradually attracted considerable attention. Notably, the optimization of the institutional environment contributes to green economic growth from the perspective of new institutional economics. However, few studies have systematically explained the connection between the institutional environment and green growth. In this study, the institutional environment was divided into three dimensions: governmental, legal, and cultural subenvironments. We adopted econometric models with the effect of every dimension on green growth and empirically analyzed with the generalized method of moments, based on Chinese provincial panel data from the years 2000–2016. The results indicated that there was an inverted U‐shaped relationship between China’s institutional environment and its green growth. That is, the institutional environment can initially promote China’s green growth but, if it is not changed, will eventually inhibit it. In addition, the analysis on the three dimensions of the institutional environment highlighted that the role of the cultural subenvironment in green growth is greater than those of the governmental and legal subenvironments.
Wi‐Fi Fingerprint‐Based Indoor Mobile User Localization Using Deep Learning
Authors: Bai Junhang , Sun Yongliang , Meng Weixiao , Li Cheng
Published: January 2021

In recent years, deep learning has been used for Wi‐Fi fingerprint‐based localization to achieve a remarkable performance, which is expected to satisfy the increasing requirements of indoor location‐based service (LBS). In this paper, we propose a Wi‐Fi fingerprint‐based indoor mobile user localization method that integrates a stacked improved sparse autoencoder (SISAE) and a recurrent neural network (RNN). We improve the sparse autoencoder by adding an activity penalty term in its loss function to control the neuron outputs in the hidden layer. The encoders of three improved sparse autoencoders are stacked to obtain high‐level feature representations of received signal strength (RSS) vectors, and an SISAE is constructed for localization by adding a logistic regression layer as the output layer to the stacked encoders. Meanwhile, using the previous location coordinates computed by the trained SISAE as extra inputs, an RNN is employed to compute more accurate current location coordinates for mobile users. The experimental results demonstrate that the mean error of the proposed SISAE‐RNN for mobile user localization can be reduced to 1.60 m.
Identification of Immune-Related Prognostic Biomarkers Associated with HPV-Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Yifei , Nie Jin , Li Xiangsheng , Fan Tao , Deng Xiaowen , Liang Dan , Song Guilin
Published: January 2021

Background. As a type of malignant tumor, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) seriously threatens human health. This study is aimed at constructing a new, reliable prognostic model. Method. The gene expression profile data of HNSCC patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. The immune-related differentially expressed genes (IRDEGs) related to HNSCC were identified. We then used Cox regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis to explore IRDEGs related to the HNSCC prognosis and to construct and validate a risk scoring model and used ESTIMATE to evaluate tumor immune infiltration in HNSCC patients. Finally, we validated IGSF5 expression and function in HNSCC cells. Results. A total of 1,195 IRDEGs were found from the GSE65858 dataset. Thirty-one of the 1,195 IRDEGs were associated with the prognosis of HNSCC. Nine key IRDEGs were further selected using the LASSO method, and a risk scoring model was established for predicting the survival of HNSCC patients. According to the risk scoring model, the prognosis of patients in the high-risk group was worse than that of the low-risk group; the high-risk group had significantly higher immune scores than the low-risk group; and between the high- and low-risk samples, there were significant differences in the proportion of 10 types of cells, including naive cells, plasma cells, and resting CD4+ memory T cells. IGSF5 has low expression in HNSCC, and overexpression of IGSF5 significantly impaired HNSCC cell proliferation. Conclusion. This prognostic risk assessment model can help systematically evaluate the survival prognosis of HNSCC patients and provides a new research direction for the improvement of the survival prognosis of HNSCC patients in clinical practice.