bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the differential response of loans to shocks in the USA
Authors: Cafiso Gianluca
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain insights useful to explain the loan puzzle: the unexpected increase of loans to firms in case of a monetary tightening. To this end, the authors develop the analysis using several loan categories distinguished by lender, scope and borrower. This approach helps to unveil significant differences on how those categories respond to the same shock and allow to evaluate possible alternative explanations for such differences.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is empirical. The analysis is based on a large vector auto-regression, estimated using Bayesian techniques and has as object the US economy.

Findings

The findings support a supply-side explanation of the loan puzzle, i.e. banks reshuffle their portfolio in favor of short-term business loans after a monetary tightening. Moreover, the authors achieve the following results. First, the analysis shows that loans to small firms increase as well, but less than what observed with large firms: small firms stay between large firms and households. Second, considering advances and other loans allows to conclude that finance companies behave very much as banks. Third, some limited evidence suggests that not just industrial and commercial loans to firms might increase but also more long-term loans, such as mortgages.

Originality/value

The authors develop an analysis, based on state-of-the-art Bayesian techniques, that reveals the differential response of well-distinguished loan categories to several shocks; monetary and real shocks in the first place. After showing their heterogenous response, the authors discuss it in detail, with specific reference to supply and demand factors of credit intrinsic to the transmission mechanism. With respect to previous contributions, the authors consider a plurality of loan categories functional to understand the reason behind each specific response. This allows to conclude in favor of supply factors as an explanation of the unexpected increase of loans to corporate firms in case of a monetary shock.
Integral representation method based efficient rule optimizing framework for anti-money laundering
Authors: Badics Tamás , Hajtó Dániel , Tornai Kálmán , Kiss Levente , Reguly István Zoltán , Pesti István , Sváb Péter , Cserey György
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a framework for optimizing rule-based anti-money laundering systems with a clear economic interpretation, and the authors introduce the integral representation method.

Design/methodology/approach

By using a microeconomic model, the authors reformulate the threshold optimization problem as a decision problem to gain insights from economics regarding the main properties of the optimum. The authors used algorithmic considerations to find an efficient implementation by using a kind of weak mode estimate of the distribution and the authors extend this approach to classes of alerts or cases.

Findings

The method provides a new and efficient alternative for the sampling method or the multidimensional optimization technique described in the literature to decrease the bias emanating from multiple alerts by smoothing the number of alerts across classes in the optimum and decrease the overlapping between scenarios at the case level. Using the method for real bank data, the authors were able to decrease the number of false positives cases by about 18% while retaining almost 98% of the true-positive cases.

Research limitations/implications

The model assumes that alerts from different scenarios are indifferent to the bank. To include scenario-specific preferences or constraints demands further research.

Originality/value

The new framework presented in the paper is a flexible extension of the usual above-the-line method, which makes it possible to include bank preferences and use the parallelization capabilities of modern processors.
The influence of social media and brand equity on business-to-business marketing
Authors: Fagundes Ligia , Gomes-e-Souza Munaier Christian , Crescitelli Edson
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Brand equity (BE) can be strengthened by the strategic association of brand heritage (BH) with social media (SM) in business-to-business (B2B) markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research using cognitive maps.

Findings

BH empowers BE and should be explored within B2B communications.

Research limitations/implications

Brand image and other BH dimensions should be measured in next studies.

Practical implications

BH strongly influences SM, especially the fan loyalty, and impacts BE in all dimensions.

Social implications

Research shows marketing mix impacted, BE reinforcement and willingness to pay a premium price.

Originality/value

Interaction between BH, SM and BE in B2B has not been evaluated yet.
Role of sleep quality in the acceleration of biological aging and its potential for preventive interaction on air pollution insults: Findings from the UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Gao Xu , Huang Ninghao , Guo Xinbiao , Huang Tao
Published: April 2022

Sleep has been associated with aging and relevant health outcomes, but the causal relationship remains inconclusive. In this study, we investigated the associations of sleep behaviors with biological ages (BAs) among 363,886 middle and elderly adults from UK Biobank. Sleep index (0 [worst]–6 [best]) of each participant was retrieved from the following six sleep behaviors: snoring, chronotype, daytime sleepiness, sleep duration, insomnia, and difficulties in getting up. Two BAs, the KDM‐biological age and PhenoAge, were estimated by corresponding algorithms based on clinical traits, and their residual discrepancies with chronological age were defined as the age accelerations (AAs). We first observed negative associations between the sleep index and the two AAs, and demonstrated that the change of AAs could be the consequence of sleep quality using Mendelian randomization with genetic risk scores of sleep index and BAs. Particularly, a one‐unit increase in sleep index was associated with 0.104‐ and 0.119‐year decreases in KDM‐biological AA and PhenoAge acceleration, respectively. Air pollution is another key driver of aging. We further observed significant independent and joint effects of sleep and air pollution (PM2.5 and NO2) on AAs. Sleep quality also showed a modifying effect on the associations of elevated PM2.5 and NO2 levels with accelerated AAs. For instance, an interquartile range increase in PM2.5 level was associated with 0.009‐, 0.044‐, and 0.074‐year increase in PhenoAge acceleration among people with high (5–6), medium (3–4), and low (0–2) sleep index, respectively. Our findings elucidate that better sleep quality could lessen accelerated biological aging resulting from air pollution.
Modal clustering on PPGMMGA projection subspace
Authors: Scrucca Luca
Published: April 2022

PPGMMGA is a projection pursuit (PP) algorithm aimed at detecting and visualising clustering structures in multivariate data. The algorithm uses the negentropy as PP index obtained by fitting Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) for density estimation and, then, exploits genetic algorithms (GAs) for its optimisation. Since the PPGMMGA algorithm is a dimension reduction technique specifically introduced for visualisation purposes, cluster memberships are not explicitly provided. In this paper a modal clustering approach is proposed for estimating clusters of projected data points. In particular, a modal EM algorithm is employed to estimate the modes corresponding to the local maxima in the projection subspace of the underlying density estimated using parsimonious GMMs. Data points are then clustered according to the domain of attraction of the identified modes. Simulated and real data are discussed to illustrate the proposed method and evaluate the clustering performance.
Mindfulness, psychological distress, and somatic symptoms among women engaged in sex work in China
Authors: Tam Cheuk Chi , Zhou Yuejiao , Qiao Shan , Li Xiaoming , Shen Zhiyong
Published: April 2022

Women engaged in sex work (WSW) in China encounter numerous disadvantages (e.g., exposure to violence) and have substantial risk for psychological distress and somatic symptoms. Intervention literature has attended to mindfulness, which is a protective factor for psychological outcomes, and its influences can further improve physical health. However, mindfulness has not been well studied in WSW. We aimed to examine the association among mindfulness, psychological distress, and somatic symptoms among Chinese WSW. Data were collected from 410 WSW in Guangxi, China, using an anonymous, self‐administered survey evaluating demographics, mindfulness, psychological distress (i.e., depression, loneliness, and perceived stress), and somatic symptoms (i.e., pain, cardiopulmonary, and gastrointestinal/fatigue symptoms). Structural equation modeling was utilized for data analyses. Mindfulness was negatively associated with psychological distress and somatic symptoms. Psychological distress was positively associated with somatic symptoms. Psychological distress mediated the association between mindfulness and somatic symptoms. Mindfulness appears to be a protective factor for psychological distress among WSW, and such an effect is further influential to their somatic symptoms. Our findings add to the growing literature on mindfulness, suggesting that mindfulness‐based interventions could be beneficial for WSW. Future research should explore other cognitive factors underlying the psychosomatic mechanism of mindfulness.
Early seed dynamics and tidal marsh revegetation of a salt pond following tidal reconnection
Authors: Beaumont Kieren P. , Dittmann Sabine
Published: April 2022

Question

(1) Following reconnection, does ground cover in the pond become similar to mature salt marsh sites over time? (2) Do seed densities and species composition of seed banks and seed rain differ between the pond and mature salt marsh, and between elevations? (3) Do seed densities vary over time? (4) Within the pond, can seed densities be explained by the abundance of reproductive plants, elevation, or distance from the pond inlet.

Location

Dry Creek salt field, South Australia.

Methods

We sampled seed rain (monthly) and seed banks (every three months) 6 to 18 months after tidal reconnection and surveyed ground cover (plant species, logs, seagrass wrack and bare ground) up to 34 months after reconnection. Samples were collected from the pond and from mature marsh vegetation at a reference site, and a site immediately adjacent to the pond inlet.

Results

Vegetation cover in the pond increased more quickly at mid elevations compared with low elevations. Regarding the composition of ground cover, seed rain and seed banks, the site became more similar to the adjacent site than to the reference site. Seed densities increased from late autumn to early winter. The pattern of seed densities across sites and elevations differed between seed rain and seed banks. Seeds of Salicornia quinqueflora and Suaeda australis dominated in the pond, reflecting their high seed densities adjacent to the pond inlet. Variation in seed densities of both species in the pond was explained by the abundance of nearby, reproductive conspecifics but not by the distance from the inlet.

Conclusions

Early stages of salt marsh revegetation were driven by tidal import of seeds and by the rapid seed production of early colonising species; however, low seed densities may reduce rates of revegetation at low elevations. Seed dispersal and revegetation may be maximised by undertaking tidal reconnection when seed densities are highest.
Endocapsular artificial iris implantation for iris defects: Reducing symptoms, restoring visual function and improving cosmesis
Authors: Crawford Alexandra Z. , Freundlich Simone E. N. , Lim Joevy , McGhee Charles N. J.
Published: April 2022

Background

To investigate repair of iris defects by endocapsular implantation of an artificial iris, in relation to visual outcomes, safety profile and patient satisfaction.

Methods

Retrospective, consecutive case series from Greenlane tertiary teaching hospital and Eye Institute, Auckland, New Zealand. Medical records of patients implanted with an endocapsular artificial iris were reviewed and followed for minimum 3 months. Patient characteristics, surgical management, clinical outcomes and subjective responses were recorded.

Results

Nineteen artificial irises were implanted in 18 patients. Etiologies were iris melanotic lesion excision (73.7%), trauma (10.5%), congenital aniridia (10.5%) and Urrets‐Zavalia syndrome (5.3%). During postoperative follow‐up [14.1 ± 12.4 months (range: 3 to 59 months)], best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) did not change significantly [BCVA, 0.23 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (20/32 Snellen) preoperatively vs. 0.18 logMAR postoperatively (20/25 Snellen) (Z = −0.222, p = 0.824); IOP, 15 mmHg preoperatively vs. 17 mmHg postoperatively (Z = 1.377, p = 0.1447)]. Mild or self‐limiting complications included: elevated IOP (42.1%), cystoid macular oedema (15.8%); persisting postoperative uveitis (15.8%) and minor vaulting of the prosthesis (15.7%). Moderate or severe complications included significant vaulting of prosthesis requiring surgical revision (5.3%) and a single eye (5.3%) with trabeculectomy and corneal graft failure. 94.4% of patients were very satisfied with the cosmesis and would be highly likely to have the procedure again.

Conclusions

This study confirms that endocapsular insertion of an artificial iris is typically associated with good functional and cosmetic results and a relatively low risk of significant complications.
Targeting AKT and CK2 represents a novel therapeutic strategy for SMO constitutive activation‐driven medulloblastoma
Authors: Yao Yue‐Liang , Wang Yan‐Xia , Yang Fei‐Cheng , Wang Chuan , Mao Min , Gai Qu‐Jing , He Jiang , Qin Yan , Yao Xiao‐Xue , Lan Xi , Zhu Jiang , Lu Hui‐Min , Zeng Hui , Yao Xiao‐Hong , Bian Xiu‐Wu , Wang Yan
Published: April 2022

Aims

Sonic hedgehog subtype medulloblastoma is featured with overactivation of hedgehog pathway and can be targeted by SMO‐specific inhibitors. However, the resistance is frequently developed leading to treatment failure of SMO inhibitors. W535L mutation of SMO (SMOW535L) is thought to be an oncogenic driver for Sonic hedgehog subtype MB and confer resistance to SMO inhibitors. The regulation network of SMOW535L remains to be explored in comparison with wild‐type SMO (SMOWT).

Methods

In this study, we profiled transcriptomes, methylomes, and interactomes of MB cells expression SMOWT or SMOW535L in the treatment of DMSO or SMO inhibitor, respectively.

Results

Analysis of transcriptomic data indicated that SMO inhibitor disrupted processes of endocytosis and cilium organization in MB cells with SMOWT, which are necessary for SMO activation. In MB cells with SMOW535L, however, SMO inhibitor did not affect the two processes‐related genes, implying resistance of SMOW535L toward SMO inhibitor. Moreover, we noticed that SMO inhibitor significantly inhibited metabolism‐related pathways. Our metabolic analysis indicated that nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, beta‐alanine metabolism, and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies might be involved in SMOW535L function maintenance. Interactomic analysis revealed casein kinase II (CK2) as an important SMO‐associated protein. Finally, we linked CK2 and AKT together and found combination of inhibitors targeting CK2 and AKT showed synergetic effects to inhibit the growth of MB cells with SMO constitutive activation mutation.

Conclusions

Taken together, our work described SMO‐related transcriptomes, metabolomes, and interactomes under different SMO status and treatment conditions, identifying CK2 and AKT as therapeutic targets for SHH‐subtype MB cells with SMO inhibitor resistance.
Effect of meal intake for evaluating hepatic artery by Doppler ultrasonography in liver transplants: Does fasting matter for screening hepatic artery due to hemodynamic changes in splanchnic circulation?
Authors: Ulu Öztürk Funda , Tezcan Şehnaz , Ayvazoğlu Soy Ebru Hatice , Uslu Nihal , Haberal Mehmet
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study is to assess the utility of fasting on Doppler ultrasonography findings of hepatic artery in liver transplants.

Methods

Liver transplant patients without vascular abnormalities were prospectively evaluated between December 2017 and January 2020. Doppler sonography was used to describe hemodynamic changes in response to a standard meal. The diameter, peak systolic velocity, blood flow, resistive index (RI) of the main hepatic artery and portal vein peak velocity were measured.

Results

The mean hepatic arterial diameter of 44 patients was higher in the fasting group (4.5 mm) than in the postprandial group (3.3 mm) (p < .05). The mean hepatic arterial blood flow decreased (from .276 to .127 L/min) and hepatic arterial RI increased (from .66 to .71) following meal ingestion (p < .05). Hepatic arterial velocity was significantly lower and portal venous velocity was higher after oral intake.

Conclusion

Meal ingestion has an important effect on hepatic artery Doppler features in liver transplants. Therefore, Doppler ultrasound evaluation should be considered after appropriate fasting due to postprandial responses of liver transplant.
Local emergency management's use of social media during disasters: a case study of Hurricane Irma
Authors: Knox Claire Connolly
Published: April 2022

Governments' use of social media during all phases of emergency management, especially during disasters, has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. Yet, implementation at the local government level in the United States remains haphazard. As technology and the role of social media evolve, there persists a need to understand the socio‐technical aspects of social media's employment in times of disaster. This study contributes to the growing social media literature by asking the following questions: what challenges remain and what lessons learned are being institutionalised at the local level of government? A qualitative analysis of 26 after action reports on Hurricane Irma (September 2017) by county, state, and federal governments and a four‐hour focus‐group session revealed dominant and subdominant themes, including: push/pull information; capacity and technical issues; inconsistent messaging; one‐way versus two‐way communication; timing of messages; and data collection. The paper concludes by discussing lessons learned, remaining challenges, evidence of organisational learning, and recommendations for future research.
Generating unbiased estimates of burrowing seabird populations
Authors: Bird Jeremy P. , Terauds Aleks , Fuller Richard A. , Pascoe Penelope P. , Travers Toby D. , McInnes Julie C. , Alderman Rachael , Shaw Justine D.
Published: April 2022

Maximising survey efficiency can help reduce the tradeoff between spending limited conservation resources on identifying population changes and responding to those changes through management. Burrow‐nesting seabirds are particularly challenging to survey because nests cannot be counted directly. We evaluated a stratified random survey design for generating unbiased population estimates simultaneously for four petrel species nesting on Macquarie Island, Australia, where the survey cue, burrow entrances, is similar for all species. We also compared the use of design‐based and model‐based analyses for minimising uncertainty in estimates. We recorded 2845 Antarctic prion burrows, 306 white‐headed petrel burrows and two blue petrel burrows while distance‐sampling along 154 km of transects. For blue petrels and grey petrels, we completed nocturnal searches along a further 71 km and searched 249 km of tracks during follow‐up ground searches. We failed to generate unbiased population estimates for two rare and localised species, blue and grey petrels, from our stratified random survey. Only for the most widespread and abundant species, Antarctic prion, did the estimate have reasonable power to detect a rapid population change. Model‐based analyses of the stratified random survey data did not improve upon traditional design‐based analyses in terms of uncertainty in population estimates, but they did provide useful spatial representation of current populations. Models that used the targeted survey data did not reflect current population sizes and distributions of the two rare and localised species. We found that when species ecologies, distributions and abundances vary, a multi‐method approach to surveys is needed. Species with low abundance that occur patchily across large islands are likely to be best estimated using targeted surveys, whereas widespread and abundant species can be accurately and precisely estimated from randomised surveys using informative model‐based analyses.
Big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning: A transformative symbiosis in favour of financial technology
Authors: Nguyen Duc Khuong , Sermpinis Georgios , Stasinakis Charalampos
Published: April 2022

This paper uses a multidimensional descriptive analysis to familiarize the reader with the extent of penetration of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques in the financial technology roadmap. We propose a clear framework for the symbiotic nature of these data science themes towards fintech empowerment. The framework is validated through their impact on fintech, financial services' profession and the shifting paradigm of the data scientist role. We also discuss the dark side of this symbiosis, while AI and ML techniques are tied with the future challenges of AI ethics, regulation technology and the smart data utilization.
Most subjectively affected joints in patients with haemophilia – what has changed after 20 years in Germany?
Authors: Hmida Jamil , Hilberg Thomas , Ransmann Pia , Tomschi Fabian , Klein Claudia , Koob Sebastian , Franz Alexander , Richter Heinrich , Oldenburg Johannes , Strauss Andreas C.
Published: April 2022

Background

In patients with haemophilia (PwH), most frequently affected joints are the ankle, knee and elbow. Due to improved factor therapy in the last decades, these previous findings have to be verified in Germany.

Aim

The aim of this study is to detect the most affected joint, evaluate the significance of the source of pain and determine the point prevalence of back pain in Germany today.

Patients and methods

In a retrospective study, data of n = 300 patients with severe moderate and mild haemophilia were evaluated regarding the most affected joint, the most common source of pain, and the point prevalence of back pain. An anamnesis questionnaire and the German Pain Questionnaire were used for this assessment.

Results

The most affected joint in German PwH is still the ankle (41%), followed by the knee (27%) and the elbow (11%). The most common source of pain is also the ankle joint (32%). Back pain was also identified as one of the most common sources of pain, which is comparable to the elbow (elbow:15%; back:13%). The point prevalence in PwH for back pain was significantly higher compared to the general German population (P = .031).

Conclusion

Our data showed that the ankle is still the most affected joint and the most common source of pain in Germany. These results also showed the relevance of back pain as a pain source. The evaluations also demonstrated the high point prevalence of back pain in PwH. Future therapies should also focus on the spine because joint changes affect posture.
Prior oral proton‐pump inhibitor use is associated with reduced severity of aspirin‐related upper gastrointestinal bleeding in older people
Authors: Ayonrinde Oyekoya T. , Walldorf Natasha , Chan Nicholas , Foo Nathanael Y. , Kulkarni Tithi , Olynyk John K. , Sanfilippo Frank M.
Published: April 2022

Low‐dose aspirin is commonly used for primary or secondary prophylaxis against cardiovascular disease in older people. However, the potential risk of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) ulceration and bleeding associated with low‐dose aspirin use is often not appreciated by prescribers and older consumers. Among 133 serial patients with UGI bleeding, aspirin‐users aged ≥70 years had a ninefold increased likelihood of overt UGI bleeding compared with non‐users, reducing by 90% in regular proton‐pump inhibitor users (adjusted odds ratio 0.10). We recommend risk‐versus‐benefit discussions when recommending aspirin to older people.
HIV: the changing paradigm
Authors: Raubinger Sian , Lee Frederick J. , Pinto Angie N.
Published: April 2022

The past four decades have seen enormous progress in the diagnosis and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. There have been significant advances spanning the approval of the first antiretroviral agents, the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy to single tablet regimens with minimal toxicity. Although these remarkable developments have on the surface led to the ‘end of AIDS’, there are still key populations being left behind. This clinical update will describe the diagnosis and management of HIV, and the changing paradigms that have seen HIV transform from a life‐limiting condition to a manageable chronic disease over a few decades.
The hybrid convergent procedure for persistent and long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation from an electrophysiologist's perspective
Authors: DeLurgio David B.
Published: April 2022

In atrial fibrillation (AF), the pulmonary veins (PVs) are central to arrhythmogenicity and are targeted by PV isolation (PVI). As AF progresses, triggers become more prevalent in non‐PV areas including the left atrial posterior wall (LAPW). Reported benefits of LAPW isolation in Cox‐maze IV led to exploration of ablation strategies using endocardial catheters. However, no single approach to endocardial LAPW isolation exists. Relative success in comparison to PVI alone has been mixed. The hybrid convergent procedure was developed to combine minimally invasive surgical and electrophysiology techniques to accomplish effective PVI and LAPW isolation. Epicardial LAPW isolation is performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon followed by endocardial ablation by an electrophysiologist who ensures PVI completion and targets any remaining gaps. Safety and effectiveness of hybrid convergent were evaluated in the prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, Convergence of Epicardial and Endocardial Ablation for the Treatment of Symptomatic Persistent AF (CONVERGE). CONVERGE compared the effectiveness of the hybrid convergent procedure to endocardial catheter ablation for treatment of drug‐refractory persistent and long‐standing persistent AF and demonstrated primary effectiveness of higher freedom from atrial arrhythmias absent new/increased dose previously failed/intolerant antiarrhythmic drugs through 12 months compared to endocardial catheter ablation. Greater freedom from AF and proportion of patients experiencing ≥90% burden reduction with hybrid convergent ablation were seen through 18 months of follow‐up. Improved electrophysiology lab efficiency was demonstrated by the reduction in endocardial ablation time with addition of epicardial ablation. This multidisciplinary heart team procedure may improve outcomes in difficult‐to‐treat patients with advanced AF.
Even patients with mild COVID‐19 symptoms after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection show prolonged altered red blood cell morphology and rheological parameters
Authors: Grau Marijke , Ibershoff Lars , Zacher Jonas , Bros Janina , Tomschi Fabian , Diebold Katharina Felicitas , Predel Hans‐Georg , Bloch Wilhelm
Published: April 2022

Infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and the associated coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) might affect red blood cells (RBC); possibly altering oxygen supply. However, investigations of cell morphology and RBC rheological parameters during a mild disease course are lacking and thus, the aim of the study. Fifty individuals with mild COVID‐19 disease process were tested after the acute phase of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (37males/13 females), and the data were compared to n = 42 healthy controls (30 males/12 females). Analysis of venous blood samples, taken at rest, revealed a higher percentage of permanently elongated RBC and membrane extensions in COVID‐19 patients. Haematological parameters and haemoglobin concentration, MCH and MCV in particular, were highly altered in COVID‐19. RBC deformability and deformability under an osmotic gradient were significantly reduced in COVID‐19 patients. Higher RBC‐NOS activation was not capable to at least in part counteract these reductions. Impaired RBC deformability might also be related to morphological changes and/or increased oxidative state. RBC aggregation index remained unaffected. However, higher shear rates were necessary to balance the aggregation‐disaggregation in COVID‐19 patients which might be, among others, related to morphological changes. The data suggest prolonged modifications of the RBC system even during a mild COVID‐19 disease course.
Reference point formation: Does the market whisper in the background?
Authors: Wang Tianyang , Schwebach Robert G. , Villupuram Sriram V.
Published: April 2022

Well‐established studies in behavioral finance confirm that investors are highly influenced by subjective reference points when making economic decisions. Although the literature examines reference point formation for individual stocks based on observed price sequences, the stocks are often treated without considering market context. We extend this literature by incorporating market price information as background to the behavior experiment, and we consider both prospect theory and anticipation/disappointment‐based utility functions in a combined framework to investigate the impact of market context on reference point formation. Our article provides new evidence and insights for investment practitioners and behavioral researchers.
Policy uncertainty and cash dynamics
Authors: Tut Daniel
Published: April 2022

Why and when do firms deviate from target cash? And why do we observe imperfect adjustment of cash? I postulate and provide evidence that policy uncertainty induces financing frictions and adjustment costs, which decelerate the speed of adjustment (SOA) of cash toward target. I find that the effects of policy uncertainty on SOA are higher for firms that operate below target cash than for firms that operate above target cash. The results suggest that under policy uncertainty shocks, firms deviate from target cash as the expected benefit of deviation is greater than the expected value of approaching the target.
Periodicity of trading activity in foreign exchange markets
Authors: Chen Tao , Chan Kam C. , Chang Haodong
Published: April 2022

Using the high‐frequency exchange rates of 25 global currency pairs, we document a striking clock‐time periodicity in which trading activity surges at the beginning of a minute. Additional analyses indicate that clock‐time spikes are accompanied by a lower level of liquidity. Moreover, we find that time‐clustering trades yield permanent price impacts, are devoted to efficient pricing, and make a significant contribution to price discovery. Finally, we investigate three informed scenarios to ascertain how trades at spikes acquire information beforehand and reflect them in markets. Taken together, our findings reinforce the view in the literature that subminute periodicity emanates from algorithmic trading.
Basque in Instagram: A scalar approach to vernacularisation and normativity
Authors: Elordui Agurtzane , Aiestaran Jokin
Published: April 2022

This article analyses vernacularisation as a sociolinguistic change that brings with it an ideological fracturing of previous standard/vernacular indexical relations. It considers this ideological shift in the polycentric environment of social networks as mediated spaces where the values and functions of languages and varieties are re‐evaluated and brought together. We argue that Instagram is a fertile space to study the hierarchies among Basque varieties which could reveal a sociolinguistic change among the Basque youth. In our stylistic and ethnographic research, we draw the data from the corpus of the Gaztesare project that contains the production in Instagram of 30 Basque university students. The discussion highlights the difficulty to give a simple answer to the question of what ‘best’ language is, and it underlines the importance of a multi‐scalar perspective to explore the complex and multidimensional ideological schemes of the Basque youth and to detect new values and hierarchies among Basque varieties.
Transmural migration of a subcutaneous ureteral bypass into the intestine in three cats
Authors: Boullenger J. , Lafuma F. , Baudin Trehiou C. , Blond L. , Gibert S. , Kulendra N.
Published: April 2022

Subcutaneous ureteral bypass™ is a device placed in cats with ureteral obstruction. The most common complications include system occlusion, urinary tract infection and sterile cystitis. In this case series, we describe three cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass devices placed where transmural migration of subcutaneous ureteral bypass catheters into the small intestine resulted in gastrointestinal signs, urinary infection and subcutaneous ureteral bypass occlusion. The system was changed in one case and removed in the other two. In all cases, an intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed. All cats had a good medium‐term outcome, and urinary infection persisted in the case for which the subcutaneous ureteral bypass system was changed. Transmural migration of the device should be ​considered in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass presenting with persistent urinary tract infection, gastrointestinal signs or device obstruction, even if imaging studies such as ultrasound or contrast studies do not demonstrate any abnormalities.
Why Rickert? Regarding the dogma about Heinrich Rickert's influence on Max Weber
Authors: Adair‐Toteff Christopher
Published: April 2022

For almost a century, scholars have held the conviction that Max Weber's methodology was based upon neo‐Kantian philosophy. This belief was founded on the idea that Weber's methodology was dependent on the neo‐Kantianism of Weber's Freiburg colleague and friend Heinrich Rickert. This idea began with Rickert himself and then was promoted by his student Alexander von Schelting. This belief was then passed down through numerous American scholars to the point that today, sociologists have the conviction that Weber's writings on method are tied directly to those of Rickert. In light of this, one may suggest that this conviction has been transformed into dogma. However, as will be demonstrated in this essay, Weber's methodological ideas are fundamentally different from those of Rickert and that is based upon the fact that Weber's methodological goals were fundamentally different from those of Rickert.
Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and C‐reactive protein and plasma von Willebrand concentrations in 23 dogs with chronic hepatopathies
Authors: Ambrosini Yoko M. , Piedra‐Mora Cesar , Jennings Sam , Webster Cynthia R. L.
Published: April 2022

Background

Serum concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VD) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) and von Willebrand's factor (vWF) concentration correlate with histopathologic disease grade and stage in chronic inflammatory and fibrotic hepatopathies (CH) in humans.

Objectives

To evaluate serum 25(OH)VD and serum CRP concentrations and plasma vWF concentration and determine if they correlate with histopathologic and biochemical variables in dog with CH.

Animals

Twenty‐three client‐owned dogs with a histopathologic diagnosis of CH were prospectively enrolled.

Methods

Blood samples were collected before liver biopsy. Correlations between biomarkers and clinical pathological and histopathologic variables were evaluated using Pearson's or Spearman's test.

Results

Serum 25(OH)VD concentration (median, 213 nmol/L; range, 42‐527 nmol/L) was negatively correlated with serum aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST; rho = −0.59, P < .01), polymorphonuclear neutrophil count (PMN; r = −0.46, P < .05), and positively correlated with serum albumin concentration (r = 0.69, P < .001). Serum CRP concentration (median, 7.4 μg/L; range, 1‐44.9 μg/L) was positively correlated with overall histopathologic necroinflammatory activity (r = 0.78, P < .001) and fibrosis score (rho = 0.49, P < .05). Plasma vWF concentration (median, 73.3%; range, 15‐141%) was positively correlated with fibrosis score (r = 0.53, P < .05) and prothrombin time (rho = 0.67, P < .01), and negatively correlated with serum albumin concentration (r = −0.73, P < .001).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

In dogs with CH, serum 25(OH)VD concentration was negatively correlated with disease activity, whereas serum CRP concentration and plasma vWF concentration were positively correlated with histopathologic grade and stage. Our results provide preliminary evidence that these biomarkers may be useful to assess grade and stage of CH in dogs in the absence of liver biopsy.
Risk factors for antimicrobial resistance among Staphylococcus isolated from pets living with a patient diagnosed with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection
Authors: Ferradas Cusi , Cotter Caitlin , Shahbazian Jonathan H. , Iverson Sally Ann , Baron Patrick , Misic Ana M. , Brazil Amy M. , Rankin Shelley C. , Nachamkin Irving , Ferguson Jacqueline M. , Peng Roger D. , Bilker Warren B. , Lautenbach Ebbing , Morris Daniel O. , Lescano Andrés G. , Davis Meghan F.
Published: April 2022

It has been suggested that pets play a critical role in the maintenance of methicillin‐resistant (MR) and multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus spp. in the household. We examined risk factors for carriage of antimicrobial‐resistant coagulase‐positive staphylococci, with particular attention to Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from pets living in households of people diagnosed with methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) skin or soft‐tissue infection. We analyzed data collected cross‐sectionally from a study conducted in 2012 that evaluated the transmission of MRSA and other staphylococci from humans, their pets and the environment (Pets and Environmental Transmission of Staphylococci [PETS] study). We used unadjusted and adjusted stratified logistic regression analyses with household‐clustered standard errors to evaluate the association between demographic, healthcare‐related, contact‐related and environmental risk factors and MDR Staphylococcus spp. isolated from dogs and cats. Staphylococcal isolates obtained from dogs (n = 63) and cats (n = 47) were included in these analyses. The use of oral or injectable antimicrobials by the pets during the prior year was the main risk factor of interest. Based on our results, 50% (12/24) of S. aureus, 3.3% (1/30) of S. pseudintermedius and 25% (14/56) of other coagulase‐positive staphylococci (CPS) were determined to be MDR. S. aureus isolates were more likely to be MDR compared with S. pseudintermedius. We did not find a significant statistical association between the use of oral or injectable antimicrobials in the prior year and the presence of MDR bacteria. The results suggest that drivers of antimicrobial resistance in household staphylococci may vary by bacterial species, which could have implications for one health intervention strategies for staphylococci and inform the investigation of other reverse zoonoses, such as COVID‐19.
Floor Response Spectrum Method of Multiply Supported Piping System Assisted by Time History Analysis
Authors: Takayama Yoshihiro , Yoshida Ayaka , Iriki Nobuyoshi , Maeda Eiichi
Published: April 2022

The independent support motion (ISM) response spectrum method is currently used in seismic analysis to calculate the response of piping systems subjected to independent excitations at several points of a supporting structure. This approach leads to considerable overestimation when the maximum responses by multiple excitations are combined by the absolute sum rule, while this may result in underestimation when the maximum responses by the multiple excitations are combined by the square root of sum of squares rule. Then authors have developed an advanced method of the ISM approach named SATH (spectrum method assisted by time history analysis). In the SATH method, both floor response spectra and time histories of floor acceleration are used as independent inputs of support excitations. The information of the mode shapes, frequencies, and damping values for the supporting structure is not necessary. The maximum responses by multiple excitations are combined using correlation coefficients calculated by taking into account each time history of modal response due to independent inputs of support excitations. In this paper, it was confirmed that the SATH method has the advantage to derive a more realistic rule for combining the maximum responses by multiple excitations, and that it can be easily applied to the actual design as a response spectrum method.
Theoretical Approach for the Fast Estimation of the Turbulent Kinematic Viscosity for Internal Flows
Authors: Rodriguez Sal , Fathi Nima , Pourghasemi Mahyar
Published: April 2022

An analytical expression for turbulent kinematic viscosity (νt), based solely on the hydraulic Reynolds number (Re), was derived and evaluated. The analytical expression is valid for the fast estimation of νt for internal, isotropic, fully developed flows. The expression was compared with experimental and simulation data for air, water, and liquid sodium, and was shown to provide reasonable values for 2100 ≤ Re ≤ 3.6 × 106 and Prandtl number (Pr) range of 0.0107 ≤ Pr ≤ 5.65. In addition, new expressions suitable for the central portion of internal flows, away from the wall, were derived for the turbulent Reynolds number (ReT), showing its relationship to Re, as well as to the ratio of νt and the molecular kinematic viscosity (ν).
Thorax Dynamic Modeling and Biomechanical Analysis of Chest Breathing in Supine Lying Position
Authors: Zhao Xingli , Guo Shijie , Xiao Sen , Song Yao
Published: April 2022

During respiration, the expansion and contraction of the chest and abdomen are coupled with each other, presenting a complex torso movement pattern. A finite element (FE) model of chest breathing based on the HUMOS2 human body model was developed. One-dimensional muscle units with active contraction functions were incorporated into the model based on Hill's active muscle model so as to generate muscle contraction forces that can change over time. The model was validated by comparing it to the surface displacement of the chest and abdomen during respiration. Then, the mechanism of the coupled motion of the chest and abdomen was analyzed. The analyses revealed that since the abdominal wall muscles are connected to the lower edge of the rib cage through tendons, the movement of the rib cage may cause the abdominal wall muscles to be stretched in both horizontal and vertical in a supine position. The anteroposterior and the right–left diameters of the chest will increase at inspiration, while the right–left diameter of the abdomen will decrease even though the anteroposterior diameter of the abdomen increases. The external intercostal muscles at different regions had different effects on the motion of the ribs during respiration. In particular, the external intercostal muscles at the lateral region had a larger effect on pump handle movement than bucket handle movement, and the external intercostal muscles at the dorsal region had a greater influence on bucket handle movement than pump handle movement.
Two Parallel Plates Microreactor for Ethylene Oxide
Authors: Alkhamis Nawaf
Published: April 2022

Ethylene oxide production inside a coated wall microreactor is simulated using computational fluid dynamics. This work considers two parallel plates microreactor filled with different cross-sectional shapes network spacers. The Reynolds numbers in this study ranged from 200 to 800. The spacers' cross-sectional shapes are circular, square, and triangular. The results show that using spacers inside the two parallel plates microreactor is effective at Reynolds number higher than 600. The results show that the triangular spacer with α = 45 deg is the best performance among other spacers at a high Reynolds number, increasing 50% in the reactor performance.
Inhibition of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by selective inhibition of mTORC1
Authors: Gosis Bridget S. , Wada Shogo , Thorsheim Chelsea , Li Kristina , Jung Sunhee , Rhoades Joshua H. , Yang Yifan , Brandimarto Jeffrey , Li Li , Uehara Kahealani , Jang Cholsoon , Lanza Matthew , Sanford Nathan B. , Bornstein Marc R. , Jeong Sunhye , Titchenell Paul M. , Biddinger Sudha B. , Arany Zoltan
Published: April 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remain without effective therapies. The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway is a potential therapeutic target, but conflicting interpretations have been proposed for how mTORC1 controls lipid homeostasis. We show that selective inhibition of mTORC1 signaling in mice, through deletion of the RagC/D guanosine triphosphatase–activating protein folliculin (FLCN), promotes activation of transcription factor E3 (TFE3) in the liver without affecting other mTORC1 targets and protects against NAFLD and NASH. Disease protection is mediated by TFE3, which both induces lipid consumption and suppresses anabolic lipogenesis. TFE3 inhibits lipogenesis by suppressing proteolytic processing and activation of sterol regulatory element–binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and by interacting with SREBP-1c on chromatin. Our data reconcile previously conflicting studies and identify selective inhibition of mTORC1 as a potential approach to treat NASH and NAFLD.
Evidence, causes, and consequences of declining nitrogen availability in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Mason Rachel E. , Craine Joseph M. , Lany Nina K. , Jonard Mathieu , Ollinger Scott V. , Groffman Peter M. , Fulweiler Robinson W. , Angerer Jay , Read Quentin D. , Reich Peter B. , Templer Pamela H. , Elmore Andrew J.
Published: April 2022

The productivity of ecosystems and their capacity to support life depends on access to reactive nitrogen (N). Over the past century, humans have more than doubled the global supply of reactive N through industrial and agricultural activities. However, long-term records demonstrate that N availability is declining in many regions of the world. Reactive N inputs are not evenly distributed, and global changes—including elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO
2
) levels and rising temperatures—are affecting ecosystem N supply relative to demand. Declining N availability is constraining primary productivity, contributing to lower leaf N concentrations, and reducing the quality of herbivore diets in many ecosystems. We outline the current state of knowledge about declining N availability and propose actions aimed at characterizing and responding to this emerging challenge.
Bacterial sensing via neuronal Nod2 regulates appetite and body temperature
Authors: Gabanyi Ilana , Lepousez Gabriel , Wheeler Richard , Vieites-Prado Alba , Nissant Antoine , Chevalier Grégoire , Wagner Sébastien , Moigneu Carine , Dulauroy Sophie , Hicham Samia , Polomack Bernadette , Verny Florine , Rosenstiel Philip , Renier Nicolas , Boneca Ivo Gomperts , Eberl Gérard , Lledo Pierre-Marie
Published: April 2022

Gut bacteria influence brain functions and metabolism. We investigated whether this influence can be mediated by direct sensing of bacterial cell wall components by brain neurons. In mice, we found that bacterial peptidoglycan plays a major role in mediating gut-brain communication via the Nod2 receptor. Peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides reach the brain and alter the activity of a subset of brain neurons that express Nod2. Activation of Nod2 in hypothalamic inhibitory neurons is essential for proper appetite and body temperature control, primarily in females. This study identifies a microbe-sensing mechanism that regulates feeding behavior and host metabolism.