bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using blockchain technology in credit rating industry to promote an innovative bond-pays model
Authors: Iyer Krishna Vishwanath , Ravi Kumar V.V. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to propose an innovative blockchain-based system enabling implementation of a bond-pays model in credit rating industry. Issuer-pays model has led to conflict of interest resulting in rating shopping and inflation. Alternative business models have their own problems, e.g. investor-pays model suffers from “free rider” and public dissemination challenges, whereas government-controlled business models can lead to market distortion. Bond-pays model has been difficult to implement owing to operational difficulties in managing co-ordination amongst multiple entities involved, often with conflicting goals. Blockchain technology enables inter-organizational systems that foster trust amongst non-trusting entities, facilitating business functions such as credit rating to be carried out.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper outlines current processes in credit rating business that has led to repeated rating failures and proposes a new set of processes, leveraging capabilities of blockchain technology to enable implementation of an arms-length bond-pays model.

Findings
A proof-of-concept system, namely, rating chain has been designed to implement a small part of the proposed model to establish technical feasibility in a blockchain environment.

Practical implications
A fully functional blockchain-based system on bond-pays business model, if built and adopted, could impact how credit rating market functions currently and could contribute to a reduction in rating-related challenges.

Originality/value
The proposal to adopt blockchain technologies in implementing a bond-pays model in credit rating industry is a novel contribution.
The moderating effect of network power on relational risks and knowledge flow in R&D network
Authors: Yang Naiding , Guo Min , Wang Jingbei , Zhang Yanlu 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of two dimensions of relational risks, namely, opportunism behavior and interest conflict, on knowledge flow and to explore the moderating effect of network power among these untested relationships and to examine the positive effect of opportunism behavior and interest conflict.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts survey data collected from 180 enterprises in China's high-technology industry and examines the relationship between relational risks, network power and knowledge flow.FindingsThis research empirically shows that opportunism behavior and interest conflict significantly and negatively impact on knowledge flow. Those relationships are positively moderated by network power.Research limitations/implicationsTo be more generalized to the high-technology industry, future research should adopt the quantitative research, which can obtain more comprehensive information to explore the nature of phenomenon. The future research can also combine with other variables. In addition, this research extends the current literature by investigating the relationship of so far understudied theorized antecedents.Originality/valueThis research enriches the related network perspective literature by providing new insight combining relational risks and knowledge flow. Especially, the moderating effect of network power is empirically examined.
Female directors and risk-taking behavior of Indian firms
Authors: Biswas Shreya 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis study examines whether female directorship on board is related to firm's risk-taking behavior in India.Design/methodology/approachThe study considers the top 500 listed companies in India during the period 2013 to 2018 for the analysis. The paper employs fixed effects as well as a dynamic panel data model to address the bias in the fixed effects model when the lagged risk outcome is included as an explanatory variable.FindingsThe study finds that the presence of female directors on board is unrelated to the firm's risk-outcomes and the risk-adjusted return earned by the shareholders. The results are in line with the tokenism theory of board diversity. Having a higher share of female independent directors is also unrelated to the risk-taking behavior of firms. The findings are in contrast to the critical mass theory and the agency theory of gender diversity. The study does not rule out the possibility of female directors' risk-preferences being similar to those of male directors.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that regulations related to having independent female directors may not add value for the shareholders in the short run. The business case for such stringent regulations in India on the gender diversity of boards remains unclear.Originality/valueThis is the first study to analyze the relationship between gender diversity of boards and firm-level risk in India. Most of the studies have focused on gender diversity and firm performance in India. However, modern portfolio theory suggests that both risk and return are important as shareholders care about risk-adjusted returns.
Correlates of motivation for treatment among alcohol service users in Uganda
Authors: Kalema David , Van Damme Lore , Vindevogel Sofie , Derluyn Ilse , Baguma Peter , Vanderplasschen Wouter 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Given the scarce literature on alcohol use disorders (AUD) and their treatment in developing countries, this paper aims to explore motivation levels and their correlates among alcohol service users in two residential treatment centres in Kampala, Uganda. This study how motivation levels of Ugandan alcohol service users compare with those from American studies; and the specific factors affecting internal and external motivation in the Ugandan context.

Design/methodology/approach
The motivation for treatment was measured among 100 individuals entering AUD treatment using the Texas Christian University (TCU) Treatment needs and Motivation scale. The WHOQoL–BREF, Addiction Severity Index–6 and Hopkins Symptoms Check List–37 were used to measure addiction severity, quality of life (QoL) and psychopathology, respectively. Correlates of motivation were identified using linear regression analyses.

Findings
Ugandan service users demonstrated low treatment motivation in the treatment needs a domain. While addiction severity (recent heavy alcohol use) and participating in private treatment were associated with higher internal and external motivation, deterioration in physical and environmental QoL, depressive symptoms and lower education were linked with higher internal motivation.

Research limitations/implications
Different elements affect domains of treatment motivation, requiring attention for clients’ unique needs as influenced by their background, addiction severity, QoL, psychological needs and contextual factors (e.g. treatment setting). Further studies are needed to explore additional correlates of motivation for treatment among alcohol service users in Uganda and to assess the longitudinal impact of motivation on treatment outcomes.

Originality/value
Although motivation has been extensively studied, clinicians are challenged in understanding and explaining motivational dynamics given the multiplicity of factors influencing change-related decisions and behaviours and the diversity in substance-using populations. This need is even bigger in non-Western societies as cultural differences may require differential therapeutic management. This is one of the first studies measuring motivation for AUD treatment in a low-income country and offers insight for understanding motivation dynamics in similar settings.
Coûts/gains commerciaux de l'intégration monétaire dans la Zone Franc africaine: Une analyse à partir de 5 scenarii
Authors: Mignamissi Dieudonné 
Published: February 2021

RésuméCet article évalue, sur la base de cinq scénarii, les gains/coûts commerciaux de l'intégration monétaire dans la Zone Franc africaine (ZFA). Fondés sur la spécification de la variable Franc CFA à travers le relâchement de certains piliers de fonctionnement de la Zone Franc, les scénarii adoptés à partir du Statu quo sont la Coopération, l'Agrégation, la Consolidation et l'Élargissement. Les principaux résultats obtenus sur la base d'un modèle de gravité estimé sur la période 1995–2019 indiquent que les conjectures les plus prometteuses sont la Consolidation pour la CEMAC et la Coopération pour l'UEMOA. Toutefois, l'analyse globale montre que le “Statu quo” n'est pas toujours le scénario le plus désiré, ce qui invite à une réflexion profonde sur l'avenir de la Zone Franc. Les tests de robustesse effectués confortent cette conclusion.
The unique contribution of vocabulary in the reading development of English as a foreign language
Authors: Krepel Alexander , de Bree Elise H. , Mulder Evelien , van de Ven Marco , Segers Eliane , Verhoeven Ludo , de Jong Peter F. 
Published: February 2021

The opaque English orthography complicates learning to read, as irregular words, such as the word pint, cannot be Addread accurately by decoding. Studies with first language (L1) English children show that vocabulary facilitates word reading, especially in the case of irregular words. It is unclear whether this influence of vocabulary extends to children learning to read English as a foreign language (EFL). When learning EFL, words are often encountered in print first, potentially making orthographic knowledge especially important. Orthographic knowledge might partially account for the effect of vocabulary on irregular word reading. In this study, 455 Dutch students in their first year of formal English education (11–13 years, Grade 7) were followed. Their English vocabulary, orthographic knowledge, and irregular, regular and pseudoword reading skills were assessed in fall and spring. Commonality analyses showed that vocabulary contributed more to irregular than to regular or pseudoword reading, even when controlling for orthographic knowledge. Additionally, orthographic knowledge was related to irregular word reading concurrently, independent of vocabulary. Longitudinal analyses showed that vocabulary and orthographic knowledge also had independent effects on the development of irregular word reading, but not on regular or pseudoword reading. Overall, the predictors for EFL word reading were in line with previous L1 findings. Both EFL and L1 learners use vocabulary and orthographic knowledge to read irregular words. This suggests that the relationship between vocabulary and word reading is related to aspects of the English orthography itself. To enable EFL learners to read irregular words, it is important to teach the other constituents of word knowledge, that is, vocabulary and orthography.
Lipoteichoic acid from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL1: a novel postbiotic that reduces fat deposition via IGF‐1 pathway
Authors: Balaguer Ferran , Enrique María , Llopis Silvia , Barrena Marta , Navarro Verónica , Álvarez Beatriz , Chenoll Empar , Ramón Daniel , Tortajada Marta , Martorell Patricia 
Published: February 2021

SummaryObesity and its related metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are major risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the world population. In this context, supplementation with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BPL1 (CECT8145) has been shown to ameliorate obesity biomarkers. Analyzing the basis of this observation and using the pre‐clinical model Caenorhabditis elegans, we have found that lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of BPL1 is responsible for its fat‐reducing properties and that this attribute is preserved under hyperglycaemic conditions. This fat‐reducing capacity of both BPL1 and LTA‐BPL1 is abolished under glucose restriction, as a result of changes in LTA chemical composition. Moreover, we have demonstrated that LTA exerts this function through the IGF‐1 pathway, as does BPL1 strain. These results open the possibility of using LTA as a novel postbiotic, whose beneficial properties can be applied therapeutically and/or preventively in metabolic syndrome and diabetes‐related disorders.
Reward drinking and naltrexone treatment response among young adult heavy drinkers
Authors: Roos Corey R. , Bold Krysten W. , Witkiewitz Katie , Leeman Robert F. , DeMartini Kelly S. , Fucito Lisa M. , Corbin William R. , Mann Karl , Kranzler Henry R. , O'Malley Stephanie S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimsTheory‐driven, exploratory study to: (i) identify a reward drinking phenotype in young adults; (ii) evaluate this phenotype as a predictor of naltrexone response; and (iii) examine mechanisms of naltrexone in reward drinkers.DesignSecondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.SettingUSA.ParticipantsA total of 128 young adult (ages 18–25) heavy drinkers.InterventionsNaltrexone versus placebo.MeasurementsDaily surveys assessed affect, urge, drinking, and context. The Drinking Motives Questionnaire was used to identify phenotypes based on reward (enhancement motives) and relief (coping motives) drinking.FindingsWe identified three profiles: “Low reward/Low relief” (14.1%; low enhancement/low coping motives); “Reward drinkers” (62.2%; high enhancement/low coping motives); and “High reward/High relief” (22.7%; high enhancement/high coping motives). Among reward drinkers (versus low profile), naltrexone significantly reduced percent days drinking to intoxication (blood alcohol concentration [BAC] ≥0.08) (PDI) (d = 0.56; 95% CI [0.17, 0.96]) and percent high intensity drinking days (PHID) (8/10 drinks for women/men) (d = 0.32; 95% CI [0.01, 0.68]). Among the high reward/high relief profile drinkers (versus low profile), naltrexone reduced PHID (d = 0.69; 95% CI [0.02, 1.50]). Using profile‐informed cutoffs and observed scores (for clinical applicability): (i) among cutoff‐derived reward drinkers, we found a medium‐to‐large (d = 0.66; 95% CI [0.24, 1.16]) and small effect (d = 0.28; 95% CI [0.04, 0.72]) of naltrexone in reducing PDI and PHID, respectively; and (ii) among the cutoff‐derived high reward/high relief subgroup, we found a medium‐to‐large effect (d = 0.63; 95% CI [0.05, 1.1]) of naltrexone in reducing PHID. Among reward drinkers (not other profiles), naltrexone reduced drinking on days a drinking event occurred by weakening the within‐day association between positive affect and urges (P < 0.05).ConclusionsNaltrexone has pronounced effects in reducing risky drinking among young adult reward drinkers (high reward/low relief) by reducing urges on days when individuals have higher positive affect and are exposed to a drinking event. Naltrexone also appears to reduce risky drinking among young adult high reward/high relief drinkers, but not via the same mechanism.
A loss‐based prior for Gaussian graphical models
Authors: Hinoveanu Laurenţiu Cătălin , Leisen Fabrizio , Villa Cristiano 
Published: February 2021

SummaryGaussian graphical models play an important role in various areas such as genetics, finance, statistical physics and others. They are a powerful modelling tool, which allows one to describe the relationships among the variables of interest. From the Bayesian perspective, there are two sources of randomness: one is related to the multivariate distribution and the quantities that may parametrise the model, and the other has to do with the underlying graph,G, equivalent to describing the conditional independence structure of the model under consideration. In this paper, we propose a prior onGbased on two loss components. One considers the loss in information one would incur in selecting the wrong graph, while the second penalises for large number of edges, favouring sparsity. We illustrate the prior on simulated data and on real datasets, and compare the results with other priors onGused in the literature. Moreover, we present a default choice of the prior as well as discuss how it can be calibrated so as to reflect available prior information.
Monitoring of gene expression in tacrolimus‐treated de novo renal allograft recipients facilitates individualized immunosuppression: Results of the IMAGEN study
Authors: Sommerer Claudia , Brunet Mercè , Budde Klemens , Millán Olga , Guirado Perich Lluis , Glander Petra , Meuer Stefan , Zeier Martin , Giese Thomas 
Published: February 2021

AimsCalcineurin inhibitors (CNI) have a small therapeutic window, and drug monitoring is required. Pharmacokinetic monitoring does not correlate sufficiently with clinical outcome. Therefore, the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)‐regulated genes in the peripheral blood has been suggested as a potentially useful immune monitoring tool to optimize CNI therapy. NFAT‐regulated gene expression (RGE) was evaluated in renal allograft recipients as predictive biomarker to detect patients at risk of acute rejection or infections.MethodsNFAT‐RGE (interleukin‐2, interferon‐γ, granular‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor) was evaluated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction in whole blood samples at day 7, day 14, month 1, 3, and 6 after transplantation in 64 de novo renal allograft recipients from 3 European centres. Immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus (Tac), mycophenolic acid, and corticosteroids.ResultsTac concentrations (C0 and C1.5) correlated inversely with NFAT‐RGE (P < .01). NFAT‐RGE showed a high interindividual variability (1–61%). Patients with high residual gene expression (NFAT‐RGE ≥30%) were at the increased risk of acute rejection in the following months (35 vs. 5%, P = .02), whereas patients with low residual gene expression (NFAT‐RGE <30%) showed a higher incidence of viral complications, especially cytomegalovirus and BK virus replication (52.5 vs. 10%, P = .01).ConclusionsNFAT‐RGE was confirmed as a potential noninvasive early predictive biomarker in the immediate post‐transplant period to detect patients at risk of acute rejection and infectious complications in Tac‐treated renal allograft recipients. Monitoring of NFAT‐RGE may provide additional useful information for physicians to achieve individualized Tac treatment.
Upregulation of glucocorticoid receptor‐mediated glucose transporter 4 in enzalutamide‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Hoshi Seiji , Meguro Satoru , Imai Hitomi , Matsuoka Yuta , Yoshida Yuki , Onagi Akihumi , Tanji Ryo , Honda‐Takinami Ruriko , Matsuoka Kanako , Koguchi Tomoyuki , Hata Junya , Sato Yuichi , Akaihata Hidenori , Kataoka Masao , Ogawa Soichiro , Kojima Yoshiyuki 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEnzalutamide (Enz) is a second‐generation androgen receptor (AR) antagonist for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) therapy, and it prolongs survival time in these patients. However, during Enz treatment, CRPC patients usually acquire resistance to Enz and often show cross‐resistance to other AR signaling inhibitors. Although glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is involved in this resistance, the role of GR has not yet been clarified. Here, we report that chronic Enz treatment induced GR‐mediated glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) upregulation, and that upregulation was associated with resistance to Enz and other AR signaling inhibitors. Additionally, inhibition of GLUT4 suppressed cell proliferation in Enz‐resistant prostate cancer cells, which recovered from Enz resistance and cross‐resistance without changes in GR expression. Thus, a combination of Enz and a GLUT4 inhibitor could be useful in Enz‐resistant CRPC patients.
Impedance‐pH monitoring profile of patients with reflux and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: A controlled study
Authors: Bobin Francois , Auregan Guy , Muls Vinciane , Cammaroto Giovanni , Hans Stéphane , Saussez Sven , Lechien Jerome R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo study the profile of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) at the hypopharyngeal‐oesophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH monitoring (HEMII‐pH) and to compare their reflux findings with LPR patients without OSAS.DesignProspective controlled study.MethodsPatients with LPR and OSAS were prospectively recruited from August 2019 to June 2020. The profile of hypopharyngeal reflux events (HREs) of patients was studied through a breakdown of the HEMII‐pH findings over the 24 hours of testing. Reflux symptom score (RSS), and gastrointestinal and HEMII‐pH outcomes were compared between LPR patients and patients with LPR and OSAS. Multivariate analysis was used to study the relationship between reflux data and the following sleep outcomes: Apnea Hypopnea Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and paradoxical sleep data.ResultsA total of 89 patients completed the study. There were 45 patients with LPR and 44 subjects with both OSAS and LPR. The numbers of upright and daytime HREs and the otolaryngological RSS were significantly higher in patients with LPR compared with those with OSAS and LPR. There was a significant positive association between RSS quality‐of‐life score and ESS (P = .001). The occurrence of HREs in the evening was associated with higher ESS (P = .015). Patients with OSAS, LPR and GERD had higher number of nocturnal HREs compared with those without GERD (P = .001).ConclusionThe presence of OSAS in LPR patients is associated with less severe HEMII‐pH and ear, nose and throat symptoms. There may have different OSAS patient profiles according to the occurrence of GERD.
Vaseline treatment combined with a natural dye extract to enhance lip print contrast images
Authors: Mebuathong Titichaya , Kangsanan Wongsakorn , Chingthongkham Phawadol , Chomean Sirinart , Suppajariyawat Praew , Kaset Chollanot 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFingerprinting and DNA comparisons are the most commonly used methods in criminal investigations. However, lip prints can also be used as a supplementary tool because of the uniqueness of morphological patterns. A lip print not only can be used for personal screening by its pattern, it also carries genetic information that enables personal identification. Nowadays, there are various kinds of plants that are used for biological and histological staining due to an increasing market value associated with their application and sustainability. This study assessed the ability of natural dye extract to develop latent lip print contrast images and to preserve DNA for short tandem repeat analysis. Results revealed that roselle extract showed potential for the development of vaseline‐treated lip print contrast images on bond paper. Moreover, when roselle extract‐stained paper was compared with unstained paper, short tandem repeat profiles were not affected. Therefore, such dyes could be utilised for the development of latent lip print contrast images and their application could be extensively used to establish a personal identification database for reference in criminal investigations.