Understanding the Role of Commitments in Explaining P2P Lending Investing Willingness: Antecedents and Consequences

As a relatively new e-commerce phenomenon, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending has the potential to thoroughly change the structure of the loan segment in the financial industry. And the success of P2P lending heavily depend on users’ continuous use. However, this topic has not been fully studied in IS research. The high practical significance and lack of research indicate the importance of the present study. This study aims to apply Meyer and Allen’s three-component model of commitment to construct a research model, which incorporates context-specific antecedents. To test the model, we use a survey of 216 actual lenders of the P2P lending platform in China. Results derived from data indicated that lenders’ continuous investments were jointly determined by continuous commitment and affective commitment. Further, platform assurance, trust on third-party, economic feasibility and quality of alternatives performed well as antecedents of continuous commitment. And perceived critical mass and platform assurance were significantly associated with affective commitment. The results of this research provided theoretical implications for future research and practical implications for the success of P2P lending platforms

YQ36: A Novel Bisindolylmaleimide Analogue Induces KB/VCR Cell Death

Overexpression of multidrug resistance proteins P-glycoprotein (P-gp, MDR1) causes resistance of the tumor cells against a variety of chemotherapeutic agents. 3-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-phenyl-4-(1-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (YQ36) is a novel analogue of bisindolylmaleimide, which has been reported to overcome multidrug resistance. Here, we dedicated to investigate the anticancer activity of YQ36 on KB/VCR cells. The results revealed that YQ36 exhibited great antiproliferative activity on three parental cell lines and MDR1 overexpressed cell lines. Moreover, the hypersensitivity of YQ36 was confirmed on the base of great apoptosis induction and unaltered intracellular drug accumulation in KB/VCR cells. Further results suggested that YQ36 could not be considered as a substrate of P-gp, which contributed to its successfully escaping from the efflux mediated by P-gp. Interestingly, we observed that YQ36 could accumulate in nucleus and induce DNA damage. YQ36 could also induce the activation of caspase-3, imposing effects on the mitochondrial function. Collectively, our data demonstrated that YQ36 exhibited potent activities against MDR cells, inducing DNA damage and triggering subsequent apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway

Screening and identification of seed-specific genes using digital differential display tools combined with microarray data from common wheat

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops for human beings, with seeds being the tissue of highly economic value. Various morphogenetic and metabolic processes are exclusively associated with seed maturation. The goal of this study was to screen and identify genes specifically expressed in the developing seed of wheat with an integrative utilization of digital differential display (DDD) and available online microarray databases.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 201 unigenes were identified as the results of DDD screening and microarray database searching. The expressions of 6 of these were shown to be seed-specific by qRT-PCR analysis. Further GO enrichment analysis indicated that seed-specific genes were mainly associated with defense response, response to stress, multi-organism process, pathogenesis, extracellular region, nutrient reservoir activity, enzyme inhibitor activity, antioxidant activity and oxidoreductase activity. A comparison of this set of genes with the rice (<it>Oryza sativa</it>) genome was also performed and approximately three-fifths of them have rice counterparts. Between the counterparts, around 63% showed similar expression patterns according to the microarray data.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In conclusion, the DDD screening combined with microarray data analysis is an effective strategy for the identification of seed-specific expressed genes in wheat. These seed-specific genes screened during this study will provide valuable information for further studies about the functions of these genes in wheat.</p

Non-Traditional Layout Design for Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System with Multiple Workstations

This paper studies the layout design of a robotic mobile fulfillment system with multiple workstations. This is a parts-to-picker storage system where robots hoist pods and bring them directly to the workstations for stationary pickers to retrieve required items. As few research efforts have focused on determining the optimal locations of workstations in such systems, we develop an integer programming model to determine the location of workstations to minimize the total traveling distance of robots. In addition, we investigate the near-optimal workstation location patterns (i.e., some general workstation configuration rules) in the context of both traditional and flying-V layouts. A series of experiments led to the following findings: (1) the flying-V layout can save 8∼26% of travel distance compared with the traditional layout, and the sacrifice of space use is only 2∼3% for medium or large warehouses; (2) instead of solving the optimization model, the proposed 2n rule and n+1 rule are simple and easily implemented ways to locate workstations, with travel distance gaps of less than 1.5% and 5% for traditional and flying-V layouts, respectively; and (3) the “optimal” cross-aisle angle (i.e., θ) in flying-V layout can be set as large as possible as long as the cross-aisle intersects the left or right edge of the warehouse

Advancing Motivation Feedforward Control of Permanent Magnetic Linear Oscillating Synchronous Motor for High Tracking Precision

Linear motors have promising application to industrial manufacture because of their direct motion and thrust output. A permanent magnetic linear oscillating synchronous motor (PMLOSM) provides reciprocating motion which can drive a piston pump directly having advantages of high frequency, high reliability, and easy commercial manufacture. Hence, researching the tracking performance of PMLOSM is of great importance to realizing its popularization and application. Traditional PI control cannot fulfill the requirement of high tracking precision, and PMLOSM performance has high phase lag because of high control stiffness. In this paper, an advancing motivation feedforward control (AMFC), which is a combination of advancing motivation signal and PI control signal, is proposed to obtain high tracking precision of PMLOSM. The PMLOSM inserted with AMFC can provide accurate trajectory tracking at a high frequency. Compared with single PI control, AMFC can reduce the phase lag from −18 to −2.7 degrees, which shows great promotion of the tracking precision of PMLOSM. In addition, AMFC will promote the application of PMLOSM to other working conditions needing high frequency reciprocating tracking performance and give PMLOSM greater future prospects

Clinical application of electrophysiologic monitoring in surgical treatment of glioma locating in gyri centrales or the adjacent area

Objective To explore the application of cortical sensory evoked potential (Co ⁃SEP), motor evoked potential (Co⁃MEP) and electrocorticogram (ECoG) for locating functional area to enhance the effectiveness and safety of glioma resection. Methods Eighteen cases of glioma located in or adjacent to the gyri centrales were screened by iconography. fMRI and magnetoencephalography (MEG) were used to locate functional area. During operation, the Co⁃SEP and Co⁃MEP were performed to further define the functional area, and ECoG was performed to detect the epileptogenic focus. The glioma was removed as much as possible, avoiding the invasion of brain functional area. 125I and 5⁃FU were embeded in the tumor bed during operation. Results In 18 cases, one case was total resected; 13 cases were subtotal resected; 4 cases were partial resected. The curative effect was evaluated at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after operation. Progression⁃free survival (PFS) was 11 months on the average. Objective effective rate was 13/18, 9/18 and 6/18, respectively. Disease control rate (DCR) was 15/18, 13/18 and 10/18, respectively. Karnofsky Performance Scale Score at preoperation and 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after operation was (84.13 ± 12.88), (78.20 ± 15.13), (62.35 ± 13.21) and (46.57 ± 16.93) respectively, and the differences were all significant (P < 0.01). Incidence rate for post ⁃ operative complication was 6/18 (2 cases with hypomyodynamia, 3 case with hypoesthesia, and one case with both). Conclusion Neuro ⁃ electrophysiologic monitoring guided surgery of glioma located in or adjacent to the gyri centrales is effective for the resection of glioma as much as possible, avoiding the invasion of important functional area, and can improve patient's quality of life. After gloma resection, application of interstitial radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy may extend patient's life span, and decrease the recurrence of glioma. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2011.06.00

Transcriptional and physiological analyses of reduced density in apple provide insight into the regulation involved in photosynthesis.

Different densities have a great influence on the physiological process and growth of orchard plants. Exploring the molecular basis and revealing key candidate genes for different densities management of orchard has great significance for production capacity improvement. In this study, transcriptome sequencing of apple trees was carried out at three different sampling heights to determine gene expression patterns under high density(HD) and low density(LD) and the physiological indices were measured to determine the effect of density change on plants. As a result, physiological indexes showed that the content of Chlorophyll, ACC, RUBP and PEP in the LD was apparently higher than that in control group(high density, HD). While the content of PPO and AO in the LD was noticeably lower than that in the HD. There were 3808 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between HD and LD, of which 1935, 2390 and 1108 DEGs were found in the three comparisons(middle-upper, lower-outer and lower-inner), respectively. 274 common differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) were contained in all three comparisons. Functional enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis found these genes were involved in Carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, Circadian rhythm, Photosynthesis - antenna proteins, Photosynthesis, chlorophyll metabolism, Porphyrin, sugar metabolism and so on. Among these genes, LHCB family participated in photosynthesis as parts of photosystem II. In addition, SPA1, rbcL, SNRK2, MYC2, BSK, SAUR and PP2C are involved in Circadian rhythm, the expression of genes related to glycometabolism and hormone signaling pathway is also changed. The results revealed that the decrease of plant density changed the photosynthetic efficiency of leaves and the expression of photosynthesis-related genes, which provide a theoretical basis for the actual production regulation of apples

Correction: Transcriptional and physiological analyses of reduced density in apple provide insight into the regulation involved in photosynthesis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239737.]

Prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in Chinese patients with first-episode drug-na?ve major depressive disorder

Backgrounds: Obesity and overweight are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD); the results are inconsistent due to confounding variables involved in studies. Furthermore, no well-designed study has been published to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and underlying mechanisms of obesity/overweight in Chinese MDD patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of obesity/overweight and related risk factors in first-episode, drug-na & iuml;ve (FEDN) patients with MDD in China.& nbsp; Methods: A total of 1718 patients were recruited. Their clinical and anthropometric data, thyroid function and biochemical parameters were collected. All patients were evaluated on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.& nbsp; & nbsp;Results: The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 3.73% and 56.00%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that TSH was the only independent risk factor for weight gain in MDD patents. The fitting curve of the relationship between TSH and BMI formed an inverted U-shaped parabola. The ordinal logit mode showed that when TSH<=2.68 was set as a reference, the odd rates of weight increased with the increase of TSH, and the highest rate was 3.929 (95%CI: 2.879 & ndash;5.361, P<0.0001).& nbsp; Limitation: Causality cannot be drawn due to cross-sectional design.& nbsp; Conclusion: Our results suggest that overweight is very common among patients with FEDN MDD rather than obesity. TSH is a promising predictor and potential biomarker of high weight in MDD patients, and there is an inverted U-shaped parabolic relationship between TSH and BMI