bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐density intracranial recordings reveal a distinct site in anterior dorsal precentral cortex that tracks perceived speech
Authors: Berezutskaya Julia , Baratin Clarissa , Freudenburg Zachary V. , Ramsey Nicolas F. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractVarious brain regions are implicated in speech processing, and the specific function of some of them is better understood than others. In particular, involvement of the dorsal precentral cortex (dPCC) in speech perception remains debated, and attribution of the function of this region is more or less restricted to motor processing. In this study, we investigated high‐density intracranial responses to speech fragments of a feature film, aiming to determine whether dPCC is engaged in perception of continuous speech. Our findings show that dPCC exhibited preference to speech over other tested sounds. Moreover, the identified area was involved in tracking of speech auditory properties including speech spectral envelope, its rhythmic phrasal pattern and pitch contour. DPCC also showed the ability to filter out noise from the perceived speech. Comparing these results to data from motor experiments showed that the identified region had a distinct location in dPCC, anterior to the hand motor area and superior to the mouth articulator region. The present findings uncovered with high‐density intracranial recordings help elucidate the functional specialization of PCC and demonstrate the unique role of its anterior dorsal region in continuous speech perception.
Maturation of cortical microstructure and cognitive development in childhood and adolescence: A T1w/T2w ratio MRI study
Authors: Norbom Linn B. , Rokicki Jaroslav , Alnæs Dag , Kaufmann Tobias , Doan Nhat Trung , Andreassen Ole A. , Westlye Lars T. , Tamnes Christian K. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe restructuring and optimization of the cerebral cortex from early childhood and through adolescence is an essential feature of human brain development, underlying immense cognitive improvements. Beyond established morphometric cortical assessments, the T1w/T2w ratio quantifies partly separate biological processes, and might inform models of typical neurocognitive development and developmental psychopathology. In the present study, we computed vertex‐wise T1w/T2w ratio across the cortical surface in 621 youths (3–21 years) sampled from the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics (PING) study and tested for associations with individual differences in age, sex, and both general and specific cognitive abilities. The results showed a near global linear age‐related increase in T1w/T2w ratio across the brain surface, with a general posterior to anterior increasing gradient in association strength. Moreover, results indicated that boys in late adolescence had regionally higher T1w/T2w ratio as compared to girls. Across individuals, T1w/T2w ratio was negatively associated with general and several specific cognitive abilities mainly within anterior cortical regions. Our study indicates age‐related differences in T1w/T2w ratio throughout childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, in line with the known protracted myelination of the cortex. Moreover, the study supports T1w/T2w ratio as a promising surrogate measure of individual differences in intracortical brain structure in neurodevelopment.
The epidemiology, surgical management, and impact of margins in skull and mandibular osseous‐site tumors
Authors: Torabi Sina J. , Bourdillon Alexandra , Salehi Parsa P. , Kafle Samipya , Mehra Saral , Rahmati Rahmatullah , Judson Benjamin L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the study was to characterize the epidemiology and treatment outcomes of head and neck (HN) osseous‐site tumors.MethodsDescriptive analyses and multivariate Cox regressions were performed to analyze the effect of surgery on overall survival (OS) utilizing the National Cancer Database (2004‐2016).ResultsOf 2449 tumors, surgery was utilized in 84.5% of cases. OS was worse in osteosarcoma (5‐year OS: 53.4% [SE: 2.5%]) compared with cartilage tumors (5‐year OS: 84.6% [SE: 1.8%]) (log‐rank P < .001). Treatment regimens that included surgery were associated with improved OS on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.495 [95% CI: 0.366‐0.670]). Positive margins were found in 40.8% of cases, and associated with decreased OS in osteosarcomas (HR 1.304 [0.697‐2.438]).ConclusionTreatment that included surgery was associated with an increased OS within our cohort of HN osseous‐site tumors, although the rates of positive margins were >40%. These findings may be limited by inherent selection bias in the database.
Dark tetrad personality traits and counterproductive work behavior among doctors in Pakistan
Authors: Li Cai , Murad Majid , Shahzad Fakhar , Khan Muhammad Aamir Shafique , Ashraf Sheikh Farhan 
Published: August 2020

SummaryThe purpose of this article is to identify the effects of dark tetrad personality traits (such as narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism and sadism) on counterproductive work behavior with the mediating role of psychological contract breach and the moderating effect of political skills. Previous researches have focused on the direct effect of the dark triad to measure the counterproductive work behavior of individuals. Recently, everyday sadism has been added to the dark triad and become dark tetrad personality traits. Therefore, this study examines the dark tetrad personality traits to study counterproductive work behavior. This study applied structural equation modeling using partial least square to test the hypotheses on a sample of 400 doctors from the health sector of Pakistan. The results of this study reveal that dark tetrad has a positive and significant effect on counterproductive work behavior, and psychological contract breach significantly partially mediates in the relationship between dark tetrad and counterproductive work behavior. Furthermore, findings show that the moderating effect of political skills also positively and significantly strengthening the link between dark tetrad and the psychological contract breach. The conclusion of this study is made an innovative contribution to the Pakistan health sector, researchers and policy makers to designing the relevant practical implications.
Multidisciplinary academic perspectives during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Al‐Taweel Dalal , Al‐Haqan Asmaa , Bajis Dalia , Al‐Bader Jawaher , Al‐Taweel AbdulRahman M. , Al‐Awadhi Abrar , Al‐Awadhi Fawzeya 
Published: August 2020

SummaryTo date, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) has infected more than 5 million people and caused around 350 000 deaths globally. In most countries, the world as we knew it came to a sudden stop and this led to the biggest shift of employees to remotely conduct their work. Academic institutions were extensively affected, as teaching and assessment activities were hampered, and graduation ceremonies were cancelled. In addition, there was an imminent disruption in academic and research activities including face‐to‐face conferences and conventions. Among many challenges, academics had to grapple to remain engaged professionally and socially with students and colleagues. Digital technology being an integral part of life has become essential for connectivity and communication. In this commentary, multidisciplinary academics from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia share perspectives and experiences in adapting to the COVID‐19 reality. From healthcare sciences to engineering, and from business to education, this paper highlights the role academics play in combating professional and social challenges during COVID‐19.
A conceptual framework of quality of life in chronic kidney disease in Turkey: A patient‐focused approach
Authors: Bayin Donar Gamze , Top Mehmet 
Published: August 2020

SummaryThis study aimed to determine the quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease who were receiving dialysis treatment. It also aimed to identify the factors affecting the quality of life of these patients. The independent variables analyzed were: patients' sociodemographic characteristics, organizational characteristics, adherence to treatment, patient‐physician relationship, and patient activation level. The sample consisted of 328 patients with chronic kidney disease who received services from dialysis units of two university hospitals and two private dialysis centers. Data analysis was performed through multivariate regression. Results showed that receiving treatment from a hospital‐based dialysis unit may have a positive effect in patients' quality of life; and patient‐physician relationship, patient activity, and adherence to treatment may positively affect quality of life. Thus, planning of health service delivery that focus on improving the quality of life of patients who are more active by allowing them to establish positive relationships with their physicians and to have a better adherence to treatment should be adopted. These findings may provide health managers, health professionals, and individual patients with evidence‐based information about treatment management and health service planning processes related to chronic kidney disease.
Investigation into the origins of an ancient BRCA1 founder mutation identified among Chinese families in Singapore
Authors: Shaw Tarryn , Chan Sock Hoai , Teo Jing Xian , Chong Siao Ting , Li Shao‐Tzu , Courtney Eliza , Ishak Diana , Sankar Haresh , Ang Zoe Li Ting , Chiang Jianbang , Loh Marie , Zhou Li , Lee Soo Chin , Yeh Hui‐Yuan , Kolinjivadi Arun Mouli , Lim Weng Khong , Ngeow Joanne 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIdentification of ancestry‐specific pathogenic variants is imperative for diagnostic, treatment, management and prevention strategies, and to understand penetrance/modifiers on risk. Our study aimed to determine the clinical significance of a recurrent BRCA1 c.442‐22_442‐13del variant of unknown significance identified among 13 carriers from six Chinese families, all with a significant history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. We further aimed to establish whether this was due to a founder effect and explore its origins. Haplotype analysis, using nine microsatellite markers encompassing 2.5 megabase pairs around the BRCA1 locus, identified a common haploblock specific to the variant carriers, confirming a founder effect. Variant age was estimated to date back 77.9 generations to 69 bc using the Gamma approach. On principal component analysis using single nucleotide polymorphisms merged with 1000 Genomes dataset, variant carriers were observed to overlap predominantly with the southern Han Chinese population. To determine pathogenicity of the variant, we assessed the functional effect on RAD51 foci formation as well as replication fork stability upon induction of DNA damage and observed an impaired DNA repair response associated with the variant. In summary, we identified an ancient Chinese founder mutation dating back 77.9 generations, possibly common among individuals of southern Han Chinese descent. Using evidence from phenotypic/family history studies, segregation analysis and functional characterization, the BRCA1 variant was reclassified from uncertain significance to pathogenic.
Momentum profits: Fundamentals or time varying unsystematic risk
Authors: BenMabrouk Houda , Souayeh Ismahen 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper examines how fundamentals and time varying unsystematic risk can explore the origins of momentum strategies. Our data encompasses the monthly returns of listed stocks on the NASDAQ 100 index from 2002 to 2016. The results indicate that winners and losers are slanted towards small‐capitalization stocks with high systematic risk. Whereas only winners have growth and value the characteristics. Additionally, the results from the E‐GARCH‐M indicate that the speed of adjustment to volatility shocks is not the same for winners and losers. In fact, we find that the loser portfolios take a longer time to absorb the shocks and are more sensitive to bad than good Innovations. Finally, the results postulate that Momentum is significantly associated to time varying unsystematic risk, specifically for the (3/3) Strategy.
Brexit impact on European Union's destructuration and its contribution to a new economic crisis: A new modelling approach
Authors: Ionescu Romeo‐Victor , Zlati Monica Laura , Antohi Valentin Marian 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe basic economics considers that Brexit will have a great impact on EUs economy after its finalization. This study introduces a new model (RIV‐2) and a new mathematical approach to quantify and measure the Brexit's impact on EU and UK. Five representative economic indicators were put into analysis during a specific time period. The analysis in the paper points out the elements and the dimension of the economic destructuration in UK and EU economies due to the Brexit. Moreover, the forecasting procedures applied in the paper lead to the same economic conclusions. The correlated analyses realized in connection to UK and EU economies point out the future better economic performance of the EU economy compared to UK economy on short and medium terms.
Is human‐capital investment necessary to modernization? The effect of rural polytechnic training in dual agriculture
Authors: Wu Yunyun , Li Xiaochun 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this paper we analyze the link between human‐capital investment and agricultural modernization in a dualistic agricultural economy. We assume that human‐capital investment in the context of agricultural dualism is distinct from that of simple traditional agriculture in that it gives top priority to developing the skills needed for production in the modern agricultural sector. Our aim is to investigate the likely consequences of investments and subsidies that provide polytechnic training to employees in the modern agricultural sector. To this end, we develop a three‐sector general equilibrium model with which one can evaluate the effect of rural polytechnic training. Our research indicates that sector investments and government subsidies raise the output of the traditional agricultural sector but conditionally raise the output of the modern agricultural sector. Moreover, sector investments and government subsidies each have greater effects on the development of the traditional sector than they would on that of the modern sector. These, nevertheless, are not conducive to the agricultural modernization.
Comparisons of deposit types and implications of the financial crisis: Evidence for U.S. banks
Authors: Glass Anthony J. , Kenjegaliev Amangeldi , Kenjegalieva Karligash 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper makes three diverse contributions. First, whereas the extant literature estimates a single elasticity of substitution/complementarity from an input distance function, we calculate a range of elasticities. Second, we make a substantive contribution to the literature on bank input substitution/complementarity because somewhat surprisingly there has been very little work on this issue. Third, our analysis of the substitutability/complementarity of deposit types for U.S. banks in 2008–2015 (crisis and beyond), vis‐à‐vis 1992–2007 (pre‐crisis), is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to consider the effect of structural change on elasticities of substitution/complementarity. To account for the extent of the heterogeneity in the U.S. banking industry we estimate random coefficients models, as opposed to standard fixed parameter models. The key empirical findings are the changes in the substitutability/complementarity of the quantities of particular pairs of deposit types between the two sample periods, which points to changes in depositors' preferences across banks' deposit portfolios. To illustrate, for savings deposits, which are characterized by flexibility and liquidity, and time deposits, which are less so and thus have higher interest rates, we find significantly lower quantity complementarity in 2008–2015. From this finding, we can conclude that savings and time deposits have become more distinct, which we suggest should be reflected in banks' strategic management of their deposit portfolios.
How cost of capital is changing: The effect of accounting information
Authors: Türegün Nida 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe main objective of this paper is to explore the effects of information on the costs of capital. The study will offer insights on how firms can make use of information to manipulate the costs of capital to achieve the desired goals. It offers divergent view on the effects of information on the costs of capital. Moreover, it examines the effect on the capital costs of the firm's accounting information by taking earnings quality as a proxy. The analytical results suggest that all of the accounting information components have an effect on the capital cost of the firm. The further finding of this paper is that the quality and quantity of information have an effect on the capital cost in a firm. Importantly, information has different effects on the informed and uninformed investors. This paper offers new insights on the role of private and public information on affecting the costs of capital on both informed and the uninformed investors.
Exenatide, a GLP‐1 analog, has healing effects on LPS‐induced autism model: Inflammation, oxidative stress, gliosis, cerebral GABA, and serotonin interactions
Authors: Solmaz Volkan , Tekatas Aslan , Erdoğan Mümin Alper , Erbaş Oytun 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPrevious studies have established anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of Exenatide in the central nervous system. Since these mechanisms are thought to have important roles in the pathophysiology of autism, we hypothesized that Exenatide may have healing effects in autism. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effects of Exenatide in an experimental autism model created by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in the womb, with behavioral tests, histopathological examinations, and biochemical measurements. The autism model was created by administration of LPS (i.p) to pregnant rats on the 10th day of their pregnancy at a dose of 100 µg/kg. On postnatal 21st day, a total of four groups were formed from offspring with regard to sex distribution and treatment. After a 45‐day treatment, behavioral analysis tests were performed on rats. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed and biochemical analysis [superoxide dismutase, tumor necrotizing factor alpha, nerve growth factor, 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and glutamic acid decarboxylase‐67] and histopathological analysis were performed. On the 10th day of the intrauterine period, LPS exposure was found to disrupt behavioral findings, increase inflammation and hippocampal gliosis, and decrease 5‐HIAA, GAD‐67, and NGF, especially in male rats. However, among the rats exposed to LPS in the intrauterine period, recipients of Exenatide demonstrated significant amelioration of findings. Exenatide therapy shows positive effects on behavioral disorders in an LPS‐induced autism model. This agent probably exerts its effects by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress and reducing hippocampal gliosis. In addition, Exenatide has also been shown to positively affect cerebral serotonergic and GABAergic effects.
Regulation of glycine metabolism by the glycine cleavage system and conjugation pathway in mouse models of non‐ketotic hyperglycinemia
Authors: Leung Kit‐Yi , De Castro Sandra C. P. , Santos Chloe , Savery Dawn , Prunty Helen , Gold‐Diaz Diana , Bennett Stuart , Heales Simon , Copp Andrew J. , Greene Nicholas D. E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGlycine abundance is modulated in a tissue‐specific manner by use in biosynthetic reactions, catabolism by the glycine cleavage system (GCS), and excretion via glycine conjugation. Dysregulation of glycine metabolism is associated with multiple disorders including epilepsy, developmental delay, and birth defects. Mutation of the GCS component glycine decarboxylase (GLDC) in non‐ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) causes accumulation of glycine in body fluids, but there is a gap in our knowledge regarding the effects on glycine metabolism in tissues. Here, we analysed mice carrying mutations in Gldc that result in severe or mild elevations of plasma glycine and model NKH. Liver of Gldc‐deficient mice accumulated glycine and numerous glycine derivatives, including multiple acylglycines, indicating increased flux through reactions mediated by enzymes including glycine‐N‐acyltransferase and arginine: glycine amidinotransferase. Levels of dysregulated metabolites increased with age and were normalised by liver‐specific rescue of Gldc expression. Brain tissue exhibited increased abundance of glycine, as well as derivatives including guanidinoacetate, which may itself be epileptogenic. Elevation of brain tissue glycine occurred even in the presence of only mildly elevated plasma glycine in mice carrying a missense allele of Gldc. Treatment with benzoate enhanced hepatic glycine conjugation thereby lowering plasma and tissue glycine. Moreover, administration of a glycine conjugation pathway intermediate, cinnamate, similarly achieved normalisation of liver glycine derivatives and circulating glycine. Although exogenous benzoate and cinnamate impact glycine levels via activity of glycine‐N‐acyltransferase, that is not expressed in brain, they are sufficient to lower levels of glycine and derivatives in brain tissue of treated Gldc‐deficient mice.
Tumor inhibition or tumor promotion? The duplicity of CXCR3 in cancer
Authors: Russo Eleonora , Santoni Angela , Bernardini Giovanni 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Tumor tissue includes cancer cells and normal stromal cells such as vascular endothelial cells, connective tissue cells (cancer associated fibroblast, mesenchymal stem cell), and immune cells (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or TIL, dendritic cells, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, tumor-associated macrophages or TAM, myeloid-derived suppressor cells or MDSC). Anti-tumor activity is mainly mediated by infiltration of NK cells, Th1 and CD8+ T cells, and correlates with expression of NK cell and T cell attracting chemokines. Nevertheless, cancer cells hijack tissue homeostasis through secretion of cytokines and chemokines that mediate not only the induction of an inflamed status that supports cancer cell survival and growth, but also the recruitment and/or activation of immune suppressive cells. CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 are known for their tumor-inhibiting properties, but their overexpression in several hematologic and solid tumors correlates with disease severity, suggesting a role in tumor promotion. The dichotomous nature of CXCR3 ligands activity mainly depends on several molecular mechanisms induced by cancer cells themselves able to divert immune responses and to alter the whole local environment. A deep understanding of the nature of such phenomenon may provide a rationale to build up a CXCR3/ligand axis targeting strategy. In this review, we will discuss the role of CXCR3 in cancer progression and in regulation of anti-tumor immune response and immunotherapy.