Low frequency steady‐state brain responses modulate large scale functional networks in a frequency‐specific means

Neural oscillations are essential for brain functions. Research has suggested that the frequency of neural oscillations is lower for more integrative and remote communications. In this vein, some resting‐state studies have suggested that large scale networks function in the very low frequency range (<1 Hz). However, it is difficult to determine the frequency characteristics of brain networks because both resting‐state studies and conventional frequency tagging approaches cannot simultaneously capture multiple large scale networks in controllable cognitive activities. In this preliminary study, we aimed to examine whether large scale networks can be modulated by task‐induced low frequency steady‐state brain responses (lfSSBRs) in a frequency‐specific pattern. In a revised attention network test, the lfSSBRs were evoked in the triple network system and sensory‐motor system, indicating that large scale networks can be modulated in a frequency tagging way. Furthermore, the inter‐ and intranetwork synchronizations as well as coherence were increased at the fundamental frequency and the first harmonic rather than at other frequency bands, indicating a frequency‐specific modulation of information communication. However, there was no difference among attention conditions, indicating that lfSSBRs modulate the general attention state much stronger than distinguishing attention conditions. This study provides insights into the advantage and mechanism of lfSSBRs. More importantly, it paves a new way to investigate frequency‐specific large scale brain activities. Hum Brain Mapp 37:381–394, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A single‐index threshold Cox proportional hazard model for identifying a treatment‐sensitive subset based on multiple biomarkers

In this paper, we introduce a single‐index threshold Cox proportional hazard model to select and combine biomarkers to identify patients who may be sensitive to a specific treatment. A penalized smoothed partial likelihood is proposed to estimate the parameters in the model. A simple, efficient, and unified algorithm is presented to maximize this likelihood function. The estimators based on this likelihood function are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. Under mild conditions, the proposed estimators also achieve the oracle property. The proposed approach is evaluated through simulation analyses and application to the analysis of data from two clinical trials, one involving patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer and one involving patients with resectable lung cancer.     

公司股权结构与企业财务能力的相关性分析

具有不同股权结构的公司,企业财务能力存在明显差异.采用实证方法,选取云南省的上市公司为样本数据,在小样本数据下,分析股权结构和公司财务能力的相关性,得出股权机构(股权集中度)对企业的影响.     

The relationship between psychological <Emphasis Type="Italic">Suzhi</Emphasis> and social anxiety among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of self-esteem and sense of security

Background

High incidence and morbidity rates are found among adolescents with social anxiety disorder, a severe and harmful form of social phobia. Extensive research has been conducted to uncover the underlying psychological factors associated with the development and continuation of this disorder. Previous research has focused on single individual difference variables such as personality, cognition, or emotion; thus, the effect of an individual’s full psychological profile on social anxiety has rarely been studied. Psychological suzhi is a comprehensive psychological quality that has been promoted in Chinese quality-oriented education. This research aimed to explore how psychological suzhi affects Chinese adolescents’ social anxiety.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study was carried out among 1459 middle school students (683 boys and 776 girls) from various middle schools in seven provinces of China. Psychological suzhi, self-esteem, sense of security, and social anxiety were measured via four self-reported questionnaires: the Brief Psychological Suzhi Questionnaire for middle school students, the Chinese version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Security Questionnaire, and the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale.

Results

Analyses showed that psychological suzhi is positively related to self-esteem and sense of security, and it is negatively correlated with social anxiety. The results also revealed that self-esteem partially mediates the relationship between adolescents’ psychological suzhi and social anxiety, with self-esteem and sense of security serving as chain mediators in the relationship between psychological suzhi and social anxiety.

Conclusions

Results highlight that psychological suzhi is a protective factor against social anxiety. It can directly protect adolescents from social anxiety, and it also can protect them through affecting their self-esteem and sense of security. These results are discussed from the viewpoints of school leaders, psychology teachers, and school counsellors, who provide support to students to improve their social functioning within the school context. The findings of this study may provide new perspectives regarding the prevention and treatment of social anxiety.

     

我国商业健康保险发展影响因素实证分析

近年来我国商业健康保险市场发展迅速,但其总体水平与我国庞大的人口规模和高额的医疗费用支出相比还存在很大差距。本文首先分析了商业健康保险供给与需求的影响因素,然后从实证分析的角度出发,运用计量经济学方法和EVIEWS软件对近几年的健康保险相关数据进行了回归分析。1998—2009年的数据分析结果显示:我国城镇居民人均可支配收入和保险意识的提高显著地促进了商业健康保险的发展,短期内社会医疗保障水平的提高与商业健康保险的发展呈负相关,人均医疗卫生费用、老年人口比重及城镇人口数量对商业健康保险的发展无明显影响。     

Assessment of health-related quality of life in orthopaedic outcomes' studies

The assessment of health-related quality of life is becoming increasingly important in evaluating the effectiveness of orthopaedic interventions. This report provides an overview of issues related to the assessment of quality of life in orthopaedic populations. Discussed are the definition and dimensions of health-related quality of life; the usefulness of collecting quality of life data; methodological considerations in designing outcomes' studies; the selection of quality of life instruments; modes of instrument administration; and scoring.