bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Airflow Parameters in the Olfactory Fissure Zone Based on Fluid Mechanics Method
Authors: Jian Feitong , Xie Dielai , Wu Shuo
Published: October 2022

Objective:

Airflow in the olfactory fissure region is a necessary condition for olfaction. However, due to the complex anatomy of the olfactory fissure, it is difficult to characterize the airflow in this region. At present, there are few studies on the airflow characteristics of the olfactory fissure. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of objective indicators of airflow parameters in the olfactory fissure region, such as flow velocity, flow rate, pressure and flow ratio, from the perspective of biofluid mechanics.

Methods:

In this study, the anatomical structure of the olfactory fissure zone was reconstructed in three dimensions using raw data from 32 healthy adults and 64 sinus computed tomography scans. To study the characteristics of airflow parameter variations in the olfactory fissure region in healthy adults, 10 cross-sectional sections were established in the olfactory fissure region using computational fluid dynamics after obtaining the airflow parameter values at different anatomical positions in the olfactory fissure region.

Results:

The average flow rate of the ten cross-sections in the olfactory fissure zone was 19.22±9.74 mL/s, the average flow velocity was 0.51±0.21 m/s, the average flow percentage was 5.45%±2.52%, and the average pressure was −13.35±6.74 Pa. The percentile method was used to determine the range of reference values for P90: average flow rate of 0.02–35.87 mL/s, average flow velocity of 0.24–0.94 m/s, average flow percentage of 1.57%–9.93%, and average pressure of −30.4–4.42 Pa. Among the ten cross-sectional systems of the olfactory fissure, the median of Plane3N-Plane8N is more stable and representative. In the olfactory fissure system, the corresponding anatomical position of Plane3N-Plane8N was in the posterior region of the olfactory fissure, mainly at the junction of the anterior, middle 1/3 to the posterior middle turbinate, which was consistent with the main distribution area of the olfactory mucosa.

Conclusion:

This study shows that the application of computational fluid dynamic can rapidly achieve the characterization of airflow parameters in the olfactory fissure. The airflow through the olfactory fissure in healthy adults accounted for no more than 10% of the total flow volume of the nasal cavity. The airflow parameters in the anterior region of the olfactory fissure fluctuated significantly, while those flowing through the posterior region of the olfactory fissure were more stable. This could be due to the anterior section of the middle turbinate truncating the restriction of airflow into the olfactory fissure.
Cilium proteomics reveals Numb as a positive regulator of the Hedgehog signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Xiaoliang , Yam Patricia T. , Schlienger Sabrina , Cai Eva , Zhang Jingyi , Chen Wei-Ju , Gutierrez Oscar Torres , Amilburu Vanesa Jimenez , Ramamurthy Vasanth , Ting Alice Y. , Branon Tess C. , Cayouette Michel , Gen Risako , Marks Tessa , Kong Jennifer H. , Charron Frédéric , Ge Xuecai
Published: October 2022

The transduction of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling relies on the primary cilium, a cell surface organelle serving as a signaling hub for the cell. Using proximity labeling and quantitative proteomics, we identified Numb as a new ciliary protein that positively regulates Hh signaling. Numb localizes to the ciliary pocket and acts as an endocytic adaptor to incorporate Ptch1 into clathrin-coated vesicles, thereby promoting Ptch1 exit from the cilium, a key step in Hh signaling activation. Numb loss hampers Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)-induced Ptch1 departure from the cilium, resulting in reduced activation of Hh signaling. Numb loss in spinal neural progenitors reduces Shh-induced differentiation into Nkx2.2-positive progenitors, a process reliant on high Hh signaling activity. Genetic ablation of Numb in the developing cerebellum impaired the proliferation of granule cell precursors, a Hh-dependent process, resulting in reduced cerebellar size. This study highlights Numb as a critical regulator of Ptch1 levels in the cilium during Hh signal activation and demonstrates the key role of ciliary pocket-mediated endocytosis in modulating the transduction of cell signaling.
Environmental, social and governance performance (ESG) and firm investment efficiency in emerging markets: the interaction effect of board cultural diversity
Authors: Al-Hiyari Ahmad , Ismail Abdussalaam Iyanda , Kolsi Mohamed Chakib , Kehinde Oyewumi Hassan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore whether environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is positively associated with firm investment efficiency (IE) in emerging economies. It also examines whether board cultural diversity can moderate the ESG–IE relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a cross-country sample of listed firms located in seven emerging countries over the 2011–2019 period. The authors use a fixed effect panel regression to empirically test the hypotheses. The authors also use a lagged model and a Heckman’s (1979) two-stage procedure to mitigate potential endogeneity issues. In addition, a two-stage least squares regression analysis was done as an additional robustness check.

Findings

This study finds that firms with stronger ESG performance have a higher investment efficiency. Interestingly, this study finds that board cultural diversity negatively moderates the impact of ESG performance on IE for firms operating in settings prone to overinvestment. This result suggests that ESG performance plays a less important role in mitigating managers' tendencies to overinvest when corporate boards have more foreign directors. However, the authors do not find such evidence in firms prone to underinvestment. These findings hold after using an alternative measure of IE and controlling for endogeneity concerns.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing body of knowledge in three dimensions. First, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first cross-country study that investigates the linkage between ESG performance and corporate IE in the context of emerging countries. Second, the authors have enriched the prior literature by examining the moderating effect of board cultural diversity on the positive association between ESG performance and corporate IE. Finally, this study has important implications for policymakers and capital suppliers in emerging countries, which strive to facilitate the efficient allocation of scarce resources.
Tazzo Bikes: tackling competition
Authors: Ghosh Dastidar Surajit
Published: October 2022

Learning outcomes

The key learning objectives are mentioned as follows:▪ analyse the attractiveness of the bike rental market using Michael Porter’s five forces model;▪ apply the TWOS framework to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of Tazzo;▪ evaluate various competitive strategies of Tazzo; and▪ identify the unique value proposition for such a service in an emerging market such as India.

Case overview/synopsis

Tazzo was an Indian technology bike rental start-up based in Hyderabad. It was a pioneer in providing on-demand bike rental services. Tazzo was founded in 2016 by Priyam Saraswat and Shivangi Srivastava, both from IIT Guwahati, Priyank Suthar from IIT Roorkee and Vikrant Gosain from IMT Hyderabad. Within two years since its inception, Tazzo had scaled up from 5 bikes to a fleet size of 600 bikes with more than 1,000 daily rides. They were making around 24,000 rides monthly with an average ticket size of INR 250. The revenues crossed INR 10 crores with more than 20,000 active users. In 2016, the market was nascent and the concept was new. There was huge demand for such an on-demand bike rental services for self-commute in the metros. However, increasing awareness of a huge untapped market in the bike rental market had led to entry of a flurry of competitors. Notable among them were Vogo, Bounce and ONN Bikes. Facing such intense competition Priyam, co-founder and CEO of Tazzo, had the challenge to be able to sustain his company’s early momentum. How would he be able to retain Tazzo’s market leadership position? Would it be possible for Tazzo to keep up the pace of growth amid increased competition? Would the company be able to ward off the challenges from its competitors? Priyam was facing all these challenging questions and had to quickly address them to continue to lead in this competitive race.

Complexity academic level

This case can be used in Marketing Management course’s “Competition Analysis” module for both MBA and executive-level programs dealing with marketing. This case study helps students in dealing with issues pertaining to a given market sector where a firm is operating, the strategies that could be used by the competitors and application of competitive strategies which the firm can apply.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Why do hotels go green? Understanding TripAdvisor GreenLeaders participation
Authors: Yang Yang , Jiang Lan , Wang Yawei
Published: October 2022

Purpose

More hotels are beginning to embrace green practices given increasing awareness of sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to examine factors contributing to hotels’ participation in TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders program.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 48,064 hotels from 328 destinations in 29 countries, the authors leverage a multi-level logit model to examine antecedents of GreenLeaders participation. A multi-level ordered logit model is then estimated to uncover factors influencing the ranking of this participation.

Findings

Empirical results indicate that hotels with a larger size, a higher class, a better online reputation, greater reliance on business travelers, fewer neighboring hotels and a more long-term-oriented culture are more apt to join the program. Online reputation factors, hotel size and the number of neighboring hotels explain GreenLeaders hotels’ rankings. A series of robustness checks reinforces the results.

Practical implications

The results shed light on green program design and promotion. These findings can help hotel practitioners identify ideal target markets and better use their organizational resources to establish green programs. Several strategies can be implemented to promote hotels’ commitment to sustainability and to encourage guests’ awareness of and involvement in green practices.

Originality/value

This study enriches knowledge of sustainable hospitality and tourism. The findings of this study also address corporate social responsibility by analyzing factors that can promote and inhibit GreenLeaders program participation. Further, as a complement to hotel- and location-specific factors, the authors scrutinize the effects of cultural features in shaping green strategies.
School-level variables that enhance student achievement: examining the role of collective teacher efficacy and organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Erdogan Ufuk , Dipaola Michael F. , Donmez Burhanettin
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among collective teacher efficacy (CTE), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and student achievement in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

Multilevel analysis was conducted to investigate how school-level variables, including collective teacher efficacy, organizational citizenship behavior, and school socioeconomic status, affect student achievement. Data were collected from 674 teachers and 7,173 students embedded in 57 schools.

Findings

Results showed significant variation in mean student achievement between schools, with approximately 20% of the variance in mean achievement occurring between-schools. After controlling for school Socioeconomic status (SES), CTE and OCB significantly predicted school mean achievement scores and explained approximately 45% of the between-schools variance in achievement.

Practical implications

The results of the study verified that CTE and OCB are important school-level variables that contribute to the achievement of students. It reemphasizes the significance of these constructs in creating the conditions to foster student achievement even in low-SES schools.

Originality/value

This was the first attempt to examine the relationships between CTE, OCB and student achievement in Turkey. The findings of this study may contribute to the international knowledge base by investigating the relationship between CTE, OCB, and student achievement in a collectivist cultural context.
Teachers' dilemmatic spaces connected to students' net-based out-of-school activities
Authors: Löfving Christina , Godhe Anna-Lena , Lundin Johan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate and describe the complex and dynamic dilemmas teachers are facing connected to students' net-based out-of-school activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on the notion of dilemmatic spaces when thematically analyzing focus group interviews conducted with 41 teachers at three lower secondary schools in Sweden.

Findings

Two themes capture the teachers' dilemmas concerning their students´ net-based out-of-school activities: negotiations of content and negotiations of professional identity. When teachers take part in professional discussions where dilemmatic spaces are recognized, rather than focusing on either being for or against digitalization, they are enabled to express a multifaceted view of professional identity.

Research limitations/implications

This study is a starting point for further studies investigating how pedagogical and didactic decisions are made in a digital time.

Practical implications

The findings are expected to be helpful to policymakers in understanding teachers' work. Also, teachers can be empowered by taking the departure in the findings and discussing how to handle dilemmas fruitfully.

Originality/value

In a rapidly changing digital society, it is important to investigate what dilemmas teachers face in their work in order to learn from them. This study is a significant contribution.
Municipal climate leadership in Canada: the role of leadership in the expansion of municipal climate action
Authors: Touchant Lauren
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this empirical case study is to study and explain the role of public leadership in the expansion of municipal climate action in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2017 and 2018, the authors conducted13 semi-directed interviews with municipal staff and elected officials from three municipalities, a documentary analysis of primary and secondary sources. Interviews and documentation collected were also coded using the software NVIVO 12. The authors compared three municipal case studies: the City of Toronto (Ontario), the City of Guelph (Ontario), and the Town of Bridgewater (Nova Scotia).

Findings

The authors found that leadership is a prominent factor explaining the expansion of municipal climate action in Canada. Municipal climate action is initiated and championed by an individual, elected officials or municipal staff, who lead and engage in the development of policy instruments to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change. These leaders facilitate the formulation and implementation of instruments, encourage a paradigm shift within the municipality, overcome structural and behavioural barriers, and foster collaboration around a common vision. Optimal municipal climate leadership occurs when the leadership of elected officials and municipal is congruent, though networks play a significant role by amplifying municipal sustainability leadership. They support staff and elected officials leadership within municipalities, provide more information and funding to grow the capacity of municipalities to develop instruments, to the point that conditions under which municipalities are driving climate action are changing.

Research limitations/implications

This paper hopes to contribute to better understand under what conditions municipalities drive change.

Originality/value

There is an international scholarly recognition that municipalities should be further explored and considered important actors in the Canadian and international climate change governance. Gore (2010) and Robinson and Gore (2015) highlighted that we are yet to understand the extent to which municipalities are involved in climate governance in Canada. This article directly addresses this gap in the current scholarly literature and explores the expansion of climate municipal leadership with the aspects of interviews.
Does COVID-19 influence the maturity management of industrial sectors? Evidence from global data
Authors: Najaf Khakan , Rashid Abdul , Kyung Ko Young , Suppiah Susela Devi K.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacts the maturity of all industrial sectors globally. This paper analyses the general patterns of managing maturity in terms of performance and risk-taking of S&P 500 industrial sectors while determining their association with COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyse the immediate response of COVID-19 on maturity management, the authors gather time-series daily index data of S&P sectors from October 2019 until June 2020 from Bloomberg. The authors select this study period to show the immediate effect of COVID-19 on industrial sector maturity management. The performance and volatility of stock are proxies for managing the maturity of each sector. The authors use vector auto-regression (VAR) methodology to determine the impact of global coronavirus.

Findings

This study’s findings suggest that the information technology sectors outperform the other sectors; in contrast, the utility sector exhibits the worst performance during a pandemic. Furthermore, the real estate sector depicts a higher level of systematic risk pattern than other sectors. Interestingly, the empirical result of VAR shows that almost every sector is significantly negatively affected by this pandemic; however, the consumer discretionary sector is immune to it.

Research limitations/implications

Overall, this study’s findings for individual economic sectors demonstrate that the managing maturity of each sector acts differently to the coronavirus outbreak. This study offers insights to researchers, policymakers, regulators, financial report users, investors, employees, clients and society.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature on managing the maturity of industry sectors in terms of observing their trends during the financial crisis.
Learning behavior in augmented reality–mediated mobile game–based learning
Authors: Yu Ya-Lun , Wu Ting Ting , Huang Yueh-Min
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the effects of children's current learning are related to their learning efficiency and behavior when they are exposed to two different gaming media.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the authors used a quasi-experimental design to determine whether game-based learning can be improved by using mobile devices equipped with augmented reality (AR).

Findings

The control group using the card game was careful to find the correct answer, with the intention of “obtaining the maximum score with the highest rate of correctness,” whereas the experimental group using the AR board game played aggressively by “obtaining the maximum score with the highest number.”

Research limitations/implications

Although integrating an AR board game into the curriculum is an effective approach, the need to implement such a game in response to different learning attitudes and behaviors of students should be addressed.

Practical implications

Depending on the learning situation, different teaching methods and aids can be used to help students effectively learn. The recommendations based on this experiment can broaden the teaching field and allow for a wider range of experimental studies.

Originality/value

Learning behavior was observed, and user attention was interpreted using MindWave Mobile.
Litter and root traits control soil microbial composition and enzyme activities in 28 common subtropical tree species
Authors: Wan Xiaohua , Yu Zaipeng , Wang Mengjuan , Zhang Yu , Huang Zhiqun
Published: October 2022

Plant trait‐based approaches are frequently used to explore the linkages between above‐ground plant communities and below‐ground ecosystem functions. However, the role of plant leaf litter and living root traits in driving soil microbial biomass, community composition and enzyme activities has rarely been explored.

Here, we measured the soil microbial biomass, community composition and enzyme activities related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) acquisition under 3‐year‐old monocultures of 28 common subtropical tree species in China.

We found that plant leaf litter and absorptive root traits, including leaf litter C content, litter water holding capacity and root N content, were the three best predictors for soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities. In particular, resource‐exploitative tree species with higher root N contents were associated with microbial communities with lower fungi to bacteria ratios and lower C‐ and P‐acquisition enzyme activities. Tree species with higher leaf litter water holding capacity were associated with microbial resource acquisition strategies for C and P acquisition.

Synthesis: Our findings highlighted that plant leaf litter and root traits are important for mechanistically understanding the ecological linkage between the plant community and ecosystem functions.
Screening of key biomarkers in osteoporosis: Evidence from bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Chen Hao , Li Shaoshuo , Wang Jianwei , Ma Yong , Yin Heng
Published: October 2022

Objective

To analyze the expression characteristics of osteoporosis‐related genes by bioinformatics and elucidate the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

Methods

The differentially expressed genes (DEGs), microRNA (miRNA), and genes with differentially methylated regions (DMRS) in promoters were identified. The protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and performed. The Clue Gene Ontology analysis and miRNA‐mRNA (messenger RNA) regulatory network were constructed using Cytoscape.

Results

Fifty‐nine DEGs, 10 differential miRNAs, and 2083 genes with DMRs were screened out. The Proteasome‐Modulator (PSMD) family proteins and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) are vital for the PPI analysis of DEGs. The interaction network of the Smad3 protein showed that the degree of connection to ESR1, PSMD11, and transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is very high. Homo sapiens (hsa)‐miR‐106b‐5p was differential and regulated TCF4 through building the miRNA‐mRNA regulatory network. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment of DEGs focused on vascular smooth muscle contraction, thyroid hormone signaling pathway, and estrogen signaling pathway. The Gene Ontology (GO) function analysis of genes with DMRs in promoters was primarily concentrated in the cell differentiation, positive regulation of CDP‐diacylglycerol‐serine O‐phosphatidyltransferase activity, and positive regulation of C‐palmitoyltransferase activity. The KEGG enrichment of genes with DMRs in promoters largely focused on glycerol phospholipid metabolism, histidine metabolism, Adenosine 5′‐monophosphate‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway, Hedgehog signaling pathway, and mRNA surveillance pathway.

Conclusion

Hsa‐miRNA‐106b‐5p regulates bone formation and the pathogenesis of osteoporosis by controlling TCF4, and methylation modification of TCF4 can also affect the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.
Content validity of the nursing diagnosis low self‐efficacy in health
Authors: Barreiro Reinaldo Gutiérrez , de Oliveira Lopes Marcos Venícios
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to verify the validity of the content of the proposal for the nursing diagnosis of low self‐efficacy in health.

Methods

Content validation study using the approach proposed by Lopes, a panel of 47 experts on the phenomenon of interest analyzed the content of the diagnosis using a Likert‐type scale to evaluate the relevance of 16 clinical indicators and 18 etiological factors of the nursing diagnosis under investigation. These components were previously identified and defined through a middle‐range theory. Based on the predictive diversity model, the experts’ verifications were weighted according to their level of expertise. The pseudomedian and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. A content validity index above 0.9 was considered valid, and the Wilcoxon test was used to validate each pseudomedian with a p‐value above 0.05.

Findings

Thirteen clinical indicators were considered relevant, demonstrating the importance of these elements for the clinical identification of low self‐efficacy in health. Three clinical indicators were excluded because they were not representative for this diagnosis. The eighteen etiological factors analyzed were considered relevant.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study may help nurses to identify low self‐efficacy in health early and direct effective interventions to increase people's confidence in their abilities to promote their health.

Implications for nursing practice

A new diagnostic framework is presented with peer‐reviewed content, representing a phenomenon frequently reported by clinicians. This new diagnosis can guide nursing care and produce better health outcomes that depend on patients’ confidence in their ability to take care of their own health.
Technological solutions to loneliness—Are they enough?
Authors: Lederman Zohar
Published: October 2022

Loneliness is a major public health concern, particularly during pandemics such as Covid. It is extremely common, and it poses a major risk to human health. Technological solutions including social media, robots, and virtual reality have been advocated and implemented to relieve loneliness, and their use will undoubtedly increase in the near future. This paper explores the use of technological solutions from a normative perspective, asking whether and to what extent such measures should indeed be relied upon. The conclusion is that technological solutions are unquestionably part of the solution to loneliness, but that they cannot and should not constitute the whole solution. It is important to note that this is not a straw‐man argument, as several organizations and scholars have strictly focused on such technological solutions for loneliness.
Dramatic cutaneous eruption of nodular purpuric lesions in an otherwise well older man
Authors: Malone Ciara , Law Ruth , Sargent Jeremy , Feighery Clióna
Published: October 2022

We describe a dramatic presentation of a rare condition, presenting as a diffuse ecchymosis-like area. This entity has a predilection to primary cutaneous involvement, placing dermatologists as important primary assessors. Clinical knowledge and a high level of clinical suspicion are essential for timely diagnosis.

Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article.
Comparison of logistic regression and machine learning methods for predicting postoperative delirium in elderly patients: A retrospective study
Authors: Song Yu‐xiang , Yang Xiao‐dong , Luo Yun‐gen , Ouyang Chun‐lei , Yu Yao , Ma Yu‐long , Li Hao , Lou Jing‐sheng , Liu Yan‐hong , Chen Yi‐qiang , Cao Jiang‐bei , Mi Wei‐dong
Published: October 2022

Aims

To compare the performance of logistic regression and machine learning methods in predicting postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients.

Method

This was a retrospective study of perioperative medical data from patients undergoing non‐cardiac and non‐neurology surgery over 65 years old from January 2014 to August 2019. Forty‐six perioperative variables were used to predict POD. A traditional logistic regression and five machine learning models (Random Forest, GBM, AdaBoost, XGBoost, and a stacking ensemble model) were compared by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC‐ROC), sensitivity, specificity, and precision.

Results

In total, 29,756 patients were enrolled, and the incidence of POD was 3.22% after variable screening. AUCs were 0.783 (0.765–0.8) for the logistic regression method, 0.78 for random forest, 0.76 for GBM, 0.74 for AdaBoost, 0.73 for XGBoost, and 0.77 for the stacking ensemble model. The respective sensitivities for the 6 aforementioned models were 74.2%, 72.2%, 76.8%, 63.6%, 71.6%, and 67.4%. The respective specificities for the 6 aforementioned models were 70.7%, 99.8%, 96.5%, 98.8%, 96.5%, and 96.1%. The respective precision values for the 6 aforementioned models were 7.8%, 52.3%, 55.6%, 57%, 54.5%, and 56.4%.

Conclusions

The optimal application of the logistic regression model could provide quick and convenient POD risk identification to help improve the perioperative management of surgical patients because of its better sensitivity, fewer variables, and easier interpretability than the machine learning model.
Mandibular 3‐implant overdenture: A clinical report of a novel design
Authors: Alsabeeha Nabeel H. M. , Ma Sunyoung , Payne Alan G. T.
Published: October 2022

Objective

To report on the use of a mandibular 3‐implant overdenture with a novel implant distribution opposing a maxillary complete denture for the rehabilitation of an older edentulous patient.

Background

The use of oral implants with attachment systems of various numbers and designs to support removable partial and complete dentures is well documented with success and predictability.

Materials and methods

An older edentulous patient with a mandibular implant‐assisted removable partial denture was presented with failing remaining dentition. Teeth were extracted and a single midsymphyseal implant was placed. A mandibular overdenture on three implants with ball attachments in a tripod distribution was constructed to oppose a new maxillary complete denture made using a modified impression technique.

Results

Over 2 years of follow‐up, no significant biological or mechanical complications were reported, and denture retention and stability remained optimum.

Conclusion

Mandibular overdentures on three implants with ball attachments in a tripod distribution, opposing a maxillary complete denture, could be an alternative treatment option for the older edentulous patients.
Disorders and oxygen vacancies in p‐type Sn2B2O7 (B = Nb, Ta): Role of the B‐site element
Authors: Samizo Akane , Minohara Makoto , Kikuchi Naoto , Ando Kenta , Mazuka Yuta , Nishio Keishi
Published: October 2022

Sn2Nb2−xTaxO7 (x = 0.0–2.0) with pyrochlore structure is a promising material for p‐type oxide semiconductors. A systematic study of its Nb/Ta ratio indicated that the hole–generation efficiency of the Nb end (Sn2Nb2O7) was an order of magnitude lower than that of the Ta end (Sn2Ta2O7). Although this occurs due to differences in oxygen‐vacancy formation, the origins of the hole–generation efficiencies remain unclear due to limited information on local and global crystal‐structure disorders in pyrochlore Sn2Nb2O7 and Sn2Ta2O7. In this study, the crystal structures of Sn2B2O7 (B = Nb, Ta), composed of BO6 octahedra and Sn4O tetrahedra, were investigated using X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. A detailed investigation of the local and global crystal structures indicated a larger amount of disorder in the Sn4O tetrahedra in Sn2Nb2O7 compared to Sn2Ta2O7; disorder in the BO6 octahedra occurred only in Sn2Ta2O7. This study indicates that an appropriate selection of the B‐site element is vital for suppressing defect and disorder formation in Sn4O tetrahedra and subsequently improving the hole–carrier–generation efficiency.
Insights into internal oxidation of SiC/BN/SiC composites
Authors: Christensen Victoria L. , Zok Frank W.
Published: October 2022

The article presents new observations of the physical manifestations of internal oxidation and volatilization in SiC/BN/SiC composites. The observations are made on both unbroken and broken minicomposite specimens before and after 12 h exposures at 1000°C in dry air with 10 ppm water vapor. The observations are enabled by a sample preparation method involving ion‐mill sectioning and polishing. Complementary analyses of volatilization and closure of resulting gaps are also presented. The observations show that BN is generally consumed in two stages: (i) through reaction with oxygen along the interfaces with both the fiber and the matrix, producing two concentric annular pockets of borosilicate glass and an intervening annulus of progressively thinning BN; and (ii) subsequent volatilization, through the reaction of boria with trace amounts of water vapor in the environment to form borohydroxide gases. The spatial extent to which these processes proceed is governed by a competition between the outward diffusion of reaction gases through both matrix cracks and interface gaps produced by boria volatilization, and the formation of oxides on the newly exposed surfaces of fibers, matrix, and coating.
The effectiveness of published continuum constitutive laws to predict stress‐assisted densification of powder compacts
Authors: Espinoza‐Ochoa Irma Magaly , Camacho‐Montes Héctor , Espinosa‐Almeyda Yoanh , Rodríguez‐González Claudia Alejandra , Bordia Rajendra Kumar
Published: October 2022

Commonly used constitutive laws for crystalline and viscous materials have been compared to predict the densification behavior under hot‐pressing and sinter‐forging. Experimental results, from literature for one loading condition, have been used to extract the constitutive laws for amorphous and crystalline materials and, these in‐turn, have been used to predict behavior under a different set of loading conditions. Ideally, the constitutive parameters obtained from one set of loading conditions and thermal history should apply to a different set of conditions. However, there is a lack of systematic experimental studies in which this can be checked. In this paper, we use constitutive parameters obtained from one set of conditions to predict the densification response under a different set of loading conditions. For both sintering of amorphous and crystalline materials, we use two different constitutive parameters and compare the predictions of these for the case where experimental results are not available. In addition, the effect of temperature on densification behavior for stress‐assisted sintering has been investigated. It is shown that the two commonly used constitutive models for viscous sintering (Scherer and Skorohod–Olevsky) predict similar behavior for amorphous materials. However, for crystalline materials, the predictions of the Riedel–Svoboda and the Kuhn–Sofronis–McMeeking (KSM) models are different. Finally, it is shown that the dependence of the normalized densification on temperature, under constant heating rate conditions, with parameters obtained from isothermal experiments, is a good test for the models.
Experience of patients with diabetic retinopathy: A qualitative study
Authors: Shi Jinghua , Zhang Can , Zhao Qingqing , Zhang Ximei , Guo Lixia , Jia Tingting
Published: October 2022

Aims

To understand the status quo and needs of self‐management of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to provide a reference for formulating management programs that meet the needs of these patients.

Design

A qualitative interview study.

Methods

Semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews were conducted between November and December 2021. A purposive sample of 15 patients with DR who were hospitalized in the Retinal Department of Eye Hospital was recruited. Colaizzi's analysis was used to organize and analyse the interview data. This study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.

Results

The experience of patients with DR can be summarized into four themes: (1) lack of DR knowledge, (2) low quality of life, (3) poor self‐management behaviour and (4) seek for support from many aspects.

Conclusion

Patients with DR lack disease knowledge and have poor self‐management abilities and adherence. Medical staff should provide personalized care according to the patient's self‐management status and needs, promote the establishment of self‐management behaviours and prevent and delay disease progression.

Impact

This study helps assist medical staff in the early management of patients with DR and provides a reference for the construction of prevention programs for patients.
Population divergence associated with spatial asynchrony in precipitation in Neotropical frogs
Authors: Guarnizo Carlos E. , Montoya Paola , Quintero Ignacio , Cadena Carlos Daniel
Published: October 2022

Aim

The role that geography plays in promoting speciation by spatially isolating populations has been studied extensively, but less attention has been devoted to assessing the role of isolation by time mediated by spatial variation in climate as a mechanism promoting population divergence. Gene flow between populations differing in their reproductive schedules might be reduced relative to that between populations with overlapping breeding seasons, potentially leading to genetic divergence. Assuming that precipitation influences reproductive schedules, we explored the effect of asynchronous precipitation regimes on intraspecific genetic divergence. In addition, we examined whether microevolutionary processes are reflected in macroevolutionary patterns by assessing whether regions with more asynchronous precipitation across space have higher frog species richness and have experienced greater speciation rates than regions with more spatially synchronous precipitation regimes.

Location

Central and South America.

Taxon

Anurans: across 38 species of Neotropical frogs.

Methods

For microevolutionary analyses, we assessed the relationship between spatial asynchrony in precipitation and mitochondrial DNA genetic divergence accounting for ecological connectivity using multiple regression and phylogenetic meta‐analyses. For macroevolutionary analyses, we assessed the relationship between species richness, speciation rates estimated from a comprehensive molecular phylogeny, and the degree of spatial asynchrony in precipitation using generalized linear models.

Results

We found that spatial asynchrony in precipitation is positively associated with genetic differentiation in 39% of the species tested, resulting in a weak cross‐species effect. However, the effect of asynchrony in precipitation on population divergence seems not to scale to macroevolutionary patterns because spatial asynchrony in precipitation was not associated with geographical patterns of species richness nor speciation rates.

Main Conclusions

Our results indicate that asynchronous breeding may promote genetic divergence even in the absence of geographical barriers in species where breeding is associated with water availability, but such effects may not be stable enough through time to influence macroevolutionary patterns.
Efficacy of access flap and pocket elimination procedures in the management of peri‐implantitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Karlsson Karolina , Trullenque‐Eriksson Anna , Tomasi Cristiano , Derks Jan
Published: October 2022

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of access flap and pocket elimination procedures in the surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis.

Materials and Methods

Systematic electronic searches (Central/MEDLINE/EMBASE) up to March 2022 were conducted to identify prospective clinical studies evaluating surgical therapy (access flap or pocket elimination procedures) of peri‐implantitis. Primary outcome measures were reduction of probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Risk of bias was evaluated according to study design. Meta‐analysis and meta‐regression were performed. Results were expressed as standardized mean effect with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Evidence from studies directly comparing surgical with non‐surgical therapy is lacking. Based on pre‐post data originating from 13 prospective patient cohorts, pronounced reductions of PD (standardized mean effect: 2.2 mm; 95% CI 1.8–2.7) and BOP% (27.0; 95% CI 19.8–34.2) as well as marginal bone level gain (0.2 mm; 95% CI –0.0 to 0.5) were observed at evaluation time points ranging from 1 to 5 years. Wide prediction intervals suggested a high degree of heterogeneity. Reduction of mean PD increased by 0.7 mm (95% CI 0.5–0.9) for every millimetre in increase of mean PD at baseline. During the follow‐up period ranging from 1 to 5 years, disease recurrence occurred frequently and implant loss was not uncommon.

Conclusions

Access flap and pocket elimination surgery are effective procedures in the management of peri‐implantitis, although rates of disease recurrence during 5 years were high. Treatment outcomes were affected by baseline conditions.
Nurses' support needs in providing high‐quality palliative care to persons with dementia in the hospital setting: A cross‐sectional survey study
Authors: Huijten Daniël C. M. , Bolt Sascha R. , Meesterberends Esther , Meijers Judith M. M.
Published: October 2022

Background

Since dementia is an irreversible progressive disease characterized by a decline in mental functions and overall health, a palliative care approach is recommended. Nevertheless, many persons with dementia experience burdensome hospitalizations in end‐of‐life care. Their quality of life during hospitalization can be improved by palliative nursing care that suits their fragile health.

Aim

To explore hospital nurses' perceived support needs while providing high‐quality palliative care for persons with dementia and to identify differences between nurses in different ward types and at different educational levels.

Design

Cross‐sectional, multicenter survey study.

Method

Between January 2021 and April 2021, a convenience sample of Dutch hospital nurses received a web‐based questionnaire on the topics of palliative caregiving, communication, collaboration, and hospital admissions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

The survey was completed by 235 nurses. The most frequently endorsed support needs were “communicating with persons with severe dementia” (58.3%), “appointing a permanent contact person in the care for persons with dementia” (53.6%), and “dealing with family disagreement in end‐of‐life care” (53.2%). If nurses had more time to provide care, 66.4% of them would prioritize providing personal attention. Most support needs identified by nurses were similar.

Conclusion

A heterogeneous group of nurses demonstrates overall similar support needs in providing palliative care for persons with dementia and their families in the hospital setting.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practices should implement dementia‐friendly interventions to improve the quality of dementia care in the hospital.
The multilobated morphology is still a better prognosis factor of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in the R‐CHOP era
Authors: Ito Atsushi , Miyaoka Masashi , Tomita Sakura , Ikoma Haruka , Hiraiwa Shinichiro , Carreras Joaquim , Kikuti Yara Yukie , Kawada Hiroshi , Nakamura Naoya
Published: October 2022

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of B‐cell lymphoma. Although the multilobated subtype of DLBCL has been observed since the 1970s, little is known about the clinical significance of this unique variant in the era of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin, prednisone/prednisolone (R‐CHOP) therapy. In this study, the retrospective clinicopathological analysis of 312 patients diagnosed with DLBCL showed that the multilobated DLBCL group comprised 11% of the cases and was predominantly male (p = 0.027), achieved complete remission in the first therapy (p = 0.023), and exhibited germinal center B‐cell phenotypes in the Hans algorithm (p = 0.025). The multilobated DLBCL groups had a better prognosis in overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) than the non‐multilobated DLBCL group (OS, p = 0.006; PFS, p = 0.010). In the multivariate Cox regression analyses for OS, independent prognosis factors were high soluble IL‐2 receptor (p = 0.025), high risk of International Prognostic Index, and multilobated morphology (p = 0.031). The most characteristic copy number gains found in more than 50% of the cases were located at 1q, 3p, 10q, 12q, and 14q. Overall, the multilobated morphology in DLBCL exhibits a good outcome in the R‐CHOP era.
Natural variation of Alfin‐like family affects seed size and drought tolerance in rice
Authors: Yang Yunan , Ma Xiaosong , Xia Hui , Wang Lei , Chen Shoujun , Xu Kai , Yang Fangwen , Zou Yuqiao , Wang Yulan , Zhu Jinmin , Li Tianfei , Luo Zhi , Hu Songping , Liao Zhigang , Luo Lijun , Yu Shunwu
Published: October 2022

The Alfin‐like (AL) family is a group of small plant‐specific transcriptional factors involved in abiotic stresses in dicotyledon. In an early study, we found an AL gene in rice that was associated with grain yield under drought stress. However, little information is known about the AL family in rice. In this study, AL genes in the rice genome were identified, and the OsAL proteins were found to locate in the nucleus and have no transcriptional self‐activation activity. The expression of the OsALs was regulated by different environmental stimulations and plant hormones. Association and domestication analysis revealed that natural variation of most OsALs was significantly associated with yield traits, drought resistance and divergence in grain size in indica and japonica rice varieties. Hap1 of OsAL7.1 and Hap7 of OsAL11 were favorable haplotypes of seed weight and germination under osmotic stress. Furthermore, osal7.1 and osal11 mutants have larger seeds and are more sensitive to abscisic acid and mannitol during germination stage. Overexpressing of OsAL7.1 and OsAL11 in rice weakened the tolerance to drought in the adult stage. Thus, our work provides informative knowledge for exploring and harnessing haplotype diversity of OsALs to improve yield stability under drought stress.
Lidar Attenuation Through a Physical Model of Grass-Like Vegetation
Authors: Petty Taylor M. , Fernandez Juan D. , Fischell Jason N. , De Jesús-Díaz Luis A.
Published: October 2022

Off-road autonomous vehicles face a unique set of challenges compared to those designed for road use. Lane markings and road signs are unavailable, with soft soils, mud, steep slopes, and vegetation taking their place. Autonomy struggles with shrubbery, saplings, and tall grasses. It can be difficult to determine if this vegetation or what it obscures is drivable. Modeling and simulation of autonomy sensors and the environments they interact with enhances and accelerates autonomy development, but analytical models found in the literature and our in-house simulation software did not agree on how well lidar penetrates grass-like vegetation. To test our simulator against the analytical model, we constructed vegetation mock-ups that conform to the assumptions of the analytical model and measured the pass-through rate on calibrated lidar targets. Vegetation density, lidar-to-vegetation distance, and target reflectivity were varied. A random effects model was used to address the dependence introduced by repeated measures, which increased accuracy while reducing time and cost. Stem density impacted total beam return count and grass patch pass-through rate. Target reflectivity results varied by lidar unit, and three-way factor interaction was significant. Results suggest benchmarking experiments could be useful in autonomy development. Permission to publish was granted by Director, Geotechnical & Structures Laboratory.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Fusobacterium necrophorum Provides Insights into Conserved Virulence Genes
Authors: Bista Prabha K. , Pillai Deepti , Roy Chayan , Scaria Joy , Narayanan Sanjeev K.
Published: October 2022

Fusobacterium necrophorumis an anaerobic bacterium that causes liver abscesses in cattle with an annual incidence rate of 10% to 20%, resulting in a substantial economic impact on the cattle industry. The lack of definite biochemical tests makes it difficult to distinguishF. necrophorumsubspecies phenotypically, where genomic characterization plays a significant role.