bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of COVID‐19 vaccines: Several modes of expression should be presented in scientific publications
Authors: Montastruc Jean‐Louis , Biron Pierre , Sommet Agnès
Published: July 2021

Several vaccines are being developed as part of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The results of clinical trials for these vaccines were published with efficacy values of more than 90%, using mainly relative risk (RR). In this paper, we decided to reanalyse the data using the different validated methods of risk expression. Using main publications, absolute risks (AR), AR reduction (ARR), number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated for five COVID‐19 vaccines (tozinameran Comirnaty®, Moderna, Vaxzevria®, Janssen, and Sputnik V vaccines). AR, ARR, NNT, and RR values varied according to COVID‐19 vaccines. The order of the different vaccines was not the same according to the chosen efficacy parameters. This is a further example of the need to express results of clinical trials, using not only RR, but also AR, ARR, and NNT in order to clearly present the clinical interest of drugs.
A performance evaluation of chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassays on the Sysmex CN‐6500 haemostasis analyser
Authors: Gardiner Chris , Lane Philip , Tailor Hitesh , Machin Samuel J. , Mackie Ian J.
Published: July 2021

Background

The Sysmex CN‐6500 is a new haemostasis analyser with an integrated immunoassay module that performs chemiluminescence enzyme assay (CLEIA) in addition to coagulation, turbidimetric, chromogenic and platelet aggregation tests.

Aims

To evaluate the analytical performance of the CN‐6500 against the predicate device (Sysmex HISCL‐800) for soluble thrombomodulin (TM), thrombin‐antithrombin (TAT), tissue plasminogen activator/plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 complex (tPAI‐C) and plasmin α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC) assays.

Methods

Imprecision was assessed by testing two levels of quality control plasmas 10 times on 5 separate days. Comparability was studied in 230 plasmas from normal donors (n = 30), patients with suspected disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC, n = 100), sepsis (n = 20) or liver disease (n = 20), lipaemic (n = 20), haemolysed (n = 20) and icteric samples (n = 20). Limit of detection, limit of quantitation and linearity were determined by testing serial dilutions of normal plasma. Sample carryover was assessed by testing samples with high and low normal levels of the analytes concerned.

Results

The CN‐6500 performed 21 CLEIA tests per hour, while simultaneously performing coagulation tests. Acceptable between‐run imprecision was obtained using commercial controls with normal and high activity for each analyte (%CV <4%), for all four assays. Excellent linearity was observed (slope 0.89‐1.03; r2 >0.99) across the measurement range. The lower limits of detection and quantitation were as follows: TM <0.3/0.6 TU/ml, TAT >0.1/<0.2 ng/ml, PIC <0.004/<0.008 µg/ml and tPAI‐C < 0.01/<0.1 ng/ml, respectively. All four assays showed excellent correlation between analysers and were unaffected by haemolysis, icterus or lipaemia. No carryover was observed.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that the performance of the CLEIA assays on the CN‐6500 is comparable to that of a stand‐alone immunoassay analyser.
Development, reliability and validity of the Nurses' Ethical Behaviours for Protecting Patient Rights Scale
Authors: Eyüboğlu Gülcan , Eyikara Evrim , Göçmen Baykara Zehra , Gül Şenay
Published: July 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to develop a self‐assessment scale for nurses' ethical behaviours for protecting patients' rights and to determine its reliability and validity.

Methods

This was a methodological study. This study was conducted in public, private and university hospitals in Turkey between August 2018 and May 2019. The sample group consisted of 450 nurses. The item pool was formed with 44 items. After five experts' assessment for content validity, the draft scale was formed with 37 items with a 5‐point Likert‐type scale. The item‐total score correlation and exploratory factor analysis were used.

Results

The scale included 28 items and five subscales (respect for right to information and decision making, providing fair care, providing benefit‐not harming, respect for patient values and choices, attention to privacy). Cronbach's alpha was 0.84 for the whole scale.

Conclusion

Validity and reliability have been demonstrated for a newly developed scale to measure nurses' ethical behaviours to protect patients' rights.
Gender diversity in recruitment: Influence of gender trouble on applicant attraction and evaluation
Authors: Klysing Amanda , Renström Emma A. , Gustafsson‐Sendén Marie , Lindqvist Anna
Published: July 2021

The current research addresses gender trouble (acts that question the naturalness of a binary gender system) in two parts of the recruitment situation: applicant attraction and evaluation. Experiment 1 (N = 1,147) investigated how different Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statements in an organization description influenced organizational evaluations. The EEO statements emphasized gender as binary (women and men), gender as diverse (multi‐gender), or gender as irrelevant (de‐gender; compared with no EEO statement). Gender minority participants experienced decreased identity threat in response to the multi‐gendered and the de‐gendered EEO statements, which increased organizational attractivity. There was no significant effect of EEO statement for gender majority participants. Multi‐gendered and de‐gendered EEO statements increased perceived gender diversity within the organization. Experiment 2 (N = 214) investigated how applicants with a normative or non‐normative gender expression were evaluated by HR‐specialists. Applicants with a non‐normative gender expression were rated as more suitable for the position and recommended a higher starting salary than applicants with a normative gender expression. Women with a non‐normative gender expression were rated as more likely to be employed than men with a non‐normative gender expression, while women applicants regardless of gender expression were rated as the most likely to acquire the position. This research indicates that gender minorities can be explicitly included in EEO statements without negative impact on gender majority groups and with a positive impact on gender minority groups. Furthermore, a non‐normative gender expression was not found to be a cause for biased evaluations in an initial recruitment situation.
A risk scoring system to predict the risk of new‐onset hypertension among patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Chieh , Li Chia‐Ing , Liu Chiu‐Shong , Lin Chih‐Hsueh , Wang Mu‐Cyun , Yang Shing‐Yu , Li Tsai‐Chung
Published: July 2021

Hypertension (HTN), which frequently co‐exists with diabetes mellitus, is the leading major cause of cardiovascular disease and death globally. This study aimed to develop and validate a risk scoring system considering the effects of glycemic and blood pressure (BP) variabilities to predict HTN incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes. This research is a retrospective cohort study that included 3416 patients with type 2 diabetes without HTN and who were enrolled in a managed care program in 2001–2015. The patients were followed up until April 2016, new‐onset HTN event, or death. HTN was defined as diastolic BP (DBP) ≥ 90 mm Hg, systolic BP (SBP) ≥ 140 mm Hg, or the initiation of antihypertensive medication. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to develop the risk scoring system for HTN. Of the patients, 1738 experienced new‐onset HTN during an average follow‐up period of 3.40 years. Age, sex, physical activity, body mass index, type of DM treatment, family history of HTN, baseline SBP and DBP, variabilities of fasting plasma glucose, SBP, and DBP and macroalbuminuria were significant variables for the prediction of new‐onset HTN. Using these predictors, the prediction models for 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year periods demonstrated good discrimination, with AUC values of 0.70–0.76. Our HTN scoring system for patients with type 2 DM, which involves innovative predictors of glycemic and BP variabilities, has good classification accuracy and identifies risk factors available in clinical settings for prevention of the progression to new‐onset HTN.
Retrospective long‐term analysis of tooth loss over 20 years in a specialist practice setting: Periodontally healthy/gingivitis and compromised patients
Authors: Junge Timo , Topoll Heinz , Eickholz Peter , Petsos Hari
Published: July 2021

Objective

To assess tooth loss (TL) in initially periodontally healthy/gingivitis (PHG) and periodontally compromised (PC) individuals during a 15‐ to 25‐year follow‐up in a specialist practice and to identify the factors influencing TL.

Materials and methods

Patients were re‐examined 240 ± 60 months after active periodontal therapy (PC) or initial examination (PHG). PHG patients were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and PC patients exhibited at least stage II periodontitis. TL, patient‐related outcomes, and risk factors for TL were assessed at the patient level (group‐relation, gender, age, smoking, bleeding on probing, educational status, mean number of visits/year).

Results

Fifty‐six PC patients receiving regular supportive periodontal care (12 female, mean age 49.1 ± 10.9 years, stage II: 10, stage III/IV: 46) lost 38 teeth (0.03 ± 0.05 teeth/year). Fifty‐one PHG patients (23 female, mean age 34.5 ± 12.4 years) following regular oral prevention lost 39 teeth (0.04 ± 0.05 teeth/year) (p = .631). Both PC and PHG groups did not show any significant differences regarding visual analogue scale measurements [aesthetics (p = .309), chewing function (p = .362), hygiene (p = .989)] and overall Oral Health Impact Profile (p = .484). Age at the start of follow‐up was identified as a risk factor for TL (p < .0001).

Conclusion

PC and PHG patients exhibited similarly small TL rates over 240 ± 60 months, which should, however, be interpreted with caution in view of the group heterogeneity.

Clinical trial number: DRKS00018840 (URL: https://drks.de).
Elimination of Porphyromonas gingivalis inhibits liver fibrosis and inflammation in NASH
Authors: Nagasaki Atsuhiro , Sakamoto Shinnichi , Arai Toshiki , Kato Minami , Ishida Eri , Furusho Hisako , Fujii Makiko , Takata Takashi , Miyauchi Mutsumi
Published: July 2021

Aim

Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a critical liver disease showing potential progression to liver cirrhosis/cancer. Previously, we had reported that odontogenic infection of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a major periodontal pathogen, exacerbates fibrosis in NASH through the production of fibrosis mediators such as transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and galectin‐3. In this study, we determined the effects of therapeutic interventions using antibiotics on NASH progression induced by P. gingivalis odontogenic infection.

Materials and methods

To eliminate P. gingivalis infection, the macrolide antibiotic [azithromycin (AZM)] was applied locally and/or systemically to a high‐fat‐diet‐induced NASH mouse model with P. gingivalis odontogenic infection. After treatment with AZM, liver and periodontal tissues were analysed with focus on inflammation markers such as tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)/Tnf‐α and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)/Il‐1β, and fibrosis markers such as galectin‐3, phosphorylated Smad2 (pSmad2; key signalling molecule of TGF‐β1), and the number of hepatic crown‐like structures (hCLSs). Further, Non‐alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Activity Score (NAS), a common histological scoring system, and fibrosis area were evaluated.

Results

P. gingivalis odontogenic infection significantly increased the expression of Tnf‐α, Il‐1β, galectin‐3, and pSmad2, the number of hCLSs, and NAS score, whereas the elimination of P. gingivalis odontogenic infection, especially local with or without systemic application, significantly inhibited them.

Conclusion

This study suggests that elimination of P. gingivalis odontogenic infection inhibited NASH progression induced by the infection.
Exclusive dealing when upstream displacement is possible
Authors: Liu Ke , Meng Xiaoxuan
Published: July 2021

We study exclusive dealing when the incumbent may be displaced by a more efficient entrant due to the need for a firm to pay a fixed cost to remain active. We show that the incumbent can deter socially efficient entry through exclusive contracts under the one‐buyer‐one‐supplier framework. This result continues to hold in the presence of product differentiation, in which case exclusion is more likely to occur when the efficiency gap between the entrant and the incumbent falls into an intermediate range.
Interdisciplinary treatment of a patient with amelogenesis imperfecta: Case report with a 35‐year follow‐up
Authors: Mathews David P. , Knight Douglas J. , O'Connor Ralph V. , Kokich Vincent G.
Published: July 2021

Objective

This case will illustrate the interdisciplinary management of an adolescent female patient with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). It will contrast this approach and compare it to the previous “multidisciplinary” treatment rendered before the patient was referred for a second opinion.

Clinical considerations

The patient had a family history of AI affecting all of her permanent teeth. There were many impacted teeth. The majority of her family and relatives afflicted by this opted for dentures. The patient had undergone 2 years of treatment and was told that her “braces would be removed next week.” Her new dentist was concerned because the case was not ready to restore.

Conclusion

He recommended referral to another orthodontist for a second opinion and formulation of an interdisciplinary treatment plan that would include a periodontist, endodontist, and restorative dentist. The patient's family accepted the second opinion referral and restarted treatment with an interdisciplinary team. The restorative dentist was the quarterback for this integrated and sequenced approach. The case was ultimately restored. A 35 year follow‐up shows stability with a caries free, periodontally healthy, esthetic result.
Older immigrants perceived health after migration to the United States: Influence of age and level of acculturation
Authors: Kang Gina , Hajduk Alexandra , Marottoli Richard , Nunez‐Smith Marcella
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To determine the age‐related differences in the association between level of acculturation and perceptions about change in health status after migration in mid‐ to late‐life immigrants.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Nationally representative cohort of legal U.S. immigrants.

Participants

Legal immigrants ≥50 years of age.

Measurements

The outcome was perceived change in health status, determined by the survey question, “compared with your health right before you most recently came to the United States to live, would you say that your health is better now, about the same or worse?” The main predictor included age group (50–64, 65–74, and ≥75 years) and secondary variable of interest was level of acculturation. Analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics, medical, and functional comorbidities.

Results

Immigrants age ≥75 years were more likely to report worse health after migration [RRR 1.93, 95% CI (1.17, 3.17), p < 0.01] compared with immigrants of 50–64 years, but this difference was not statistically significant in the adjusted model. Acculturation level was associated with increased likelihood of reporting worse health status, [RRR 2.10, (1.02, 4.35), p < 0.05] for somewhat acculturated and [RRR 2.55, (1.10, 5.88), p < 0.05] for most acculturated, compared with participants who were not acculturated.

Conclusion

The oldest immigrant group (≥75 years) was more likely to report worse health after migration, but this association was no longer significant after accounting for acculturation level and other covariates. Future work should be undertaken to identify specific health needs across older immigrant age groups and identify acculturative stressors that negatively impact health.
Language in the middle: Class and sexuality on the Hinglish continuum
Authors: Hall Kira
Published: July 2021

This article draws from ethnographic research among youth in Delhi's expanding middle classes to call for more sociolinguistic attention to the role played by sexuality discourse in the reproduction of class relations. The discussion highlights the centrality of the middle classes to sustaining as well as shifting sexual normativity, suggesting that sexual norms are in part constituted through everyday discourses that situate middle class subjectivity between two class extremes. Specifically, the article tracks how Hinglish, as a mixed‐language alternative to a class system polarized by English and Hindi, came to rival English as the preferred language of sexuality, challenging the elite censorship of “vernacular” languages that began in nineteenth‐century colonialism. However, as demonstrated by two case studies of queer speakers at different ends of the Hinglish continuum, speakers of this internally diverse hybrid variety are not equally able to master the sexuality discourse that has become indexical of upward mobility.
The legal complex fractured: Legal professional coalition and collision in Taiwan's judicial reform
Authors: Hsu Ching‐fang
Published: July 2021

Sociolegal studies have identified a collectivity of legal actors—the legal complex—and its association with political liberalism in varying power settings. However, little attention has been paid to how such a collectivity evolves with regime change, or if and when such a collectivity might dissolve. Studying the case of Taiwan, this article demonstrates how various legal professions—lawyers, judges, and prosecutors—unite and divide during and after state transition. Democratization had an unsettling effect that brought out the internal dynamics of the legal professions, which initially aligned with one another to defend judicial autonomy from authoritarian control, but then confronted one another in judicial policy making during democratic times. Each legal profession bases its policy orientations on a normative commitment, which leads to three lines of confrontation: the ways in which the judiciary is held accountable, the extent to which the procuracy enjoys investigative power, and the institutional division between the judiciary and procuracy.
Exploring the environments of Martian impact‐generated hydrothermal systems and their potential to support life
Authors: Ramkissoon Nisha K. , Turner Stuart M. R. , Macey Michael C. , Schwenzer Susanne P. , Reed Mark H. , Pearson Victoria K. , Olsson‐Francis Karen
Published: July 2021

Hydrothermal systems that formed as a result of impact events possess all the key requirements for life: liquid water, a supply of bio‐essential elements, and potential energy sources. Therefore, they are prime locations in the search for life on other planets. Here, we apply thermochemical modeling to determine secondary mineral formation within an impact‐generated hydrothermal system, using geochemical data returned for two soils on Mars found in regions that have previously experienced alteration. The computed mineral reaction pathways provide a basis for Gibbs energy calculations that enable both the identification of available geochemical energy, obtained from Fe‐based redox reactions, that could be utilized by potential microbial life within these environments, and an estimate of potential cell numbers. Our results suggest that water–rock interactions occurring within impact‐generated hydrothermal systems could support a range of Fe‐based redox reactions. The geochemical energy produced from these reactions would be substantial and indicates that crater environments have the potential to support microbial cell numbers similar to what has been identified in terrestrial environments.
A beginner's guide to low‐coverage whole genome sequencing for population genomics
Authors: Lou Runyang Nicolas , Jacobs Arne , Wilder Aryn P. , Therkildsen Nina Overgaard
Published: July 2021

Low‐coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS) has emerged as a powerful and cost‐effective approach for population genomic studies in both model and nonmodel species. However, with read depths too low to confidently call individual genotypes, lcWGS requires specialized analysis tools that explicitly account for genotype uncertainty. A growing number of such tools have become available, but it can be difficult to get an overview of what types of analyses can be performed reliably with lcWGS data, and how the distribution of sequencing effort between the number of samples analysed and per‐sample sequencing depths affects inference accuracy. In this introductory guide to lcWGS, we first illustrate how the per‐sample cost for lcWGS is now comparable to RAD‐seq and Pool‐seq in many systems. We then provide an overview of software packages that explicitly account for genotype uncertainty in different types of population genomic inference. Next, we use both simulated and empirical data to assess the accuracy of allele frequency, genetic diversity, and linkage disequilibrium estimation, detection of population structure, and selection scans under different sequencing strategies. Our results show that spreading a given amount of sequencing effort across more samples with lower depth per sample consistently improves the accuracy of most types of inference, with a few notable exceptions. Finally, we assess the potential for using imputation to bolster inference from lcWGS data in nonmodel species, and discuss current limitations and future perspectives for lcWGS‐based population genomics research. With this overview, we hope to make lcWGS more approachable and stimulate its broader adoption.
Parasite spread in experimental metapopulations: resistance, tolerance and host competence
Authors: Tadiri Christina P. , Fussmann Gregor F. , Scott Marilyn E.
Published: July 2021

Host competence, defined as the likelihood that a host will transmit infection, may be affected by an individual's resistance to infection and its ability to withstand damage caused by infection (tolerance). Host competence may therefore be one of the most important factors to impact host–parasite dynamics, yet the relationships among resistance, tolerance and competence are poorly understood. The objective of the present study was to determine whether individual host resistance (ability to resist or minimize infection) and/or tolerance (ability to withstand or minimize reduction in fitness due to infection) contributed to the competence (ability to spread infection) of hosts using guppies infected with the ectoparasite, Gyrodactylus turnbulli. This individual‐fish level analysis used data collected from a previous metapopulation experiment that had tracked host–parasite dynamics at the metapopulation scale using individually marked guppies that were moved among experimental tanks within replicate metapopulations. Fish tolerance was measured as the residual from a fish's expected survival post‐infection for a given parasite burden. Fish resistance was measured as the peak parasite load (– log‐transformed). Host competence was measured as the incidence (number of new infections over two days after the arrival of a fish to a tank) weighted by the density of available uninfected fish in the tank. In contrast to the assumption of a trade‐off between resistance and tolerance, individual fish tolerance and resistance were both negatively associated with competence. Connectivity (the number of fish with which an individual came into contact) was not associated with competence. Our results indicate that resistance and tolerance are both important to disease spread. These findings highlight the importance of understanding how individual defence against parasites may contribute to its competence as a host, and therefore impact metapopulation‐level dynamics.
Seasonal release from competition explains partial migration in European moose
Authors: van Moorter Bram , Singh Navinder J. , Rolandsen Christer M. , Solberg Erling J. , Dettki Holger , Pusenius Jyrki , Månsson Johan , Sand Håkan , Milner Jos M. , Roer Ole , Tallian Aimee , Neumann Wiebke , Ericsson Göran , Mysterud Atle
Published: July 2021

Partial migration, whereby a proportion of a population migrates between distinct seasonal ranges, is common throughout the animal kingdom. However, studies linking existing theoretical models of migration probability, with empirical data are lacking. The competitive release hypothesis for partial migration predicts that due to density‐dependent habitat selection, the proportion of migrants increases as the relative quality and size of the seasonal range increases, but decreases with increasing migration cost and population density. To test this prediction, we developed a quantitative framework to predict the proportion of migrants, using empirical data from 545 individually GPS‐marked moose Alces alces from across Fennoscandia, spanning latitudes of 56° to 68°N. Moose contracted their ranges to common and spatially limited winter areas (typically at lower elevation), but expanded them during summer due to an increase in suitable habitat (at highland ranges). As predicted from our model, a better and larger highland range relative to the lowland range corresponded to a higher proportion of migrants in an area. Quantitative predictions coupling the balance of habitat availability of seasonal ranges with the probability of migrating in a large herbivore is a necessary step towards an enhanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying migration at the population level.
A rice LRR receptor‐like protein associates with its adaptor kinase OsSOBIR1 to mediate plant immunity against viral infection
Authors: Zhang Hehong , Chen Changhai , Li Lulu , Tan Xiaoxiang , Wei Zhongyan , Li Yanjun , Li Junmin , Yan Fei , Chen Jianping , Sun Zongtao
Published: July 2021

Plants sense pathogen attacks using a variety of receptors at the cell surface. The LRR receptor‐like proteins (RLP) and receptor‐like kinases (RLK) are widely reported to participate in plant defence against bacterial and fungal pathogen invasion. However, the role of RLP and RLK in plant antiviral defence has rarely been reported. We employed a high‐throughput‐sequencing approach, transgenic rice plants and viral inoculation assays to investigate the role of OsRLP1 and OsSOBIR1 proteins in rice immunity against virus infection. The transcript of a rice LRR receptor‐like protein, OsRLP1, was markedly up‐regulated following infection by RBSDV, a devastating pathogen of rice and maize. Viral inoculation on various OsRLP1 mutants demonstrated that OsRLP1 modulates rice resistance against RBSDV infection. It was also shown that OsRLP1 is involved in the RBSDV‐induced defence response by positively regulating the activation of MAPKs and PTI‐related gene expression. OsRLP1 interacted with a receptor‐like kinase OsSOBIR1, which was shown to regulate the PTI response and rice antiviral defence. Our results offer a novel insight into how a virus‐induced receptor‐like protein and its adaptor kinase activate the PTI response and antiviral defence in rice.
Relative water content consistently predicts drought mortality risk in seedling populations with different morphology, physiology and times to death
Authors: Sapes Gerard , Sala Anna
Published: July 2021

Predicted increases in forest drought mortality highlight the need for predictors of incipient drought‐induced mortality (DIM) risk that enable proactive large‐scale management. Such predictors should be consistent across plants with varying morphology and physiology. Because of their integrative nature, indicators of water status are promising candidates for real‐time monitoring of DIM, particularly if they standardize morphological differences among plants. We assessed the extent to which differences in morphology and physiology between Pinus ponderosa populations influence time to mortality and the predictive power of key indicators of DIM risk. Time to incipient mortality differed between populations but occurred at the same relative water content (RWC) and water potential (WP). RWC and WP were accurate predictors of drought mortality risk. These results highlight that variables related to water status capture critical thresholds during DIM and the associated dehydration processes. Both WP and RWC are promising candidates for large‐scale assessments of DIM risk. RWC is of special interest because it allows comparisons across different morphologies and can be remotely sensed. Our results offer promise for real‐time landscape‐level monitoring of DIM and its global impacts in the near term.
Dermatologic considerations for transgender and gender diverse youth
Authors: Swink Shane M. , Castelo‐Soccio Leslie
Published: July 2021

Sexual and gender minority individuals, including transgender and gender diverse people, are an underserved and vulnerable population in the field of dermatology. While the unique dermatologic needs for adult patients in this group are increasingly documented, the knowledge surrounding pediatric and adolescent transgender/gender diverse patients is lacking. We aim to summarize the unique dermatologic needs of transgender/gender diverse patients, with particular attention paid to the data available in younger groups. This review highlights the unique role pediatric dermatologists can play in the care of transgender and gender diverse youth including but not limited to treating acne and hair pattern changes as well as being knowledgeable about surgical and other cosmetic options for gender affirmation. It also highlights areas for potential future research including dermatologic effects of hormone therapy in children as well as treatments for those side effects.
Differentiating Interhospital Transfer Types: Varied Impacts and Diverging Coordination Strategies
Authors: Fan Raymond Lei , Zhao Ming , Peng David Xiaosong
Published: July 2021

Interhospital transfer (IHT) is common in care delivery. As a form of care transition, IHT faces coordination challenges and can negatively affect care outcomes. Understanding the underlying reasons and the associated operational challenges of different IHT types can help hospital managers design mitigation mechanisms to improve the IHT care outcomes. We conceptually and empirically differentiate between clinical and non‐clinical transfers based on their unique characteristics and compare their respective impacts on care outcomes, including length of stay (LOS), readmission, and mortality. Non‐clinical transfers are found to have worse care outcomes than clinical transfers and largely accounts for the inferior care outcomes of IHT compared with direct admissions, perhaps due to inadequate care coordination. Since poor coordination between hospitals is frequently cited as a root cause of care quality problems, we investigate whether two coordination mechanisms, namely hospital system affiliation and transfer routinization, can mitigate the potential negative effects of IHT on care outcomes. Our analyses suggest that the two coordination mechanisms are associated with improved IHT outcomes, and both seem to have stronger effects for non‐clinical transfers. Specifically, system affiliation and transfer routinization can reduce LOS and readmission for non‐clinical transfers. The results offer valuable insights to hospital managers for improving IHT care outcomes.
Succession of submerged vegetation in a hydrologically reclaimed opencast mine during first 10 years
Authors: Vejříková Ivana , Vejřík Lukáš , Čech Martin , Říha Milan , Peterka Jiří
Published: July 2021

Succession of submerged vegetation was monitored from the early stages for a period of 10 years by Self‐Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) divers in Milada Lake. Milada Lake is the result of a flooded surface coal mine, the first large‐scale hydrological recultivation in the Czech Republic. The main focus was on apparent changes in the percentage cover of primary producers (macrophytes and macroalgae) during early successional stages. In total, data on 33 environmental factors (chemical, physical, and biological) were collected and the importance of their impact was statistically analyzed. Besides macrophytes, we also monitored macroalgae that mainly occupied deep areas (down to 12 m) and have been neglected in literature in contrast to macrophytes. Uniquely, the trophic state of the study site decreased in contrast to most water bodies worldwide. Changes in the plant species composition during succession, including replacement of the dominant group of Characeae with Vaucheria sp. (both macroalgae), correlated with a decrease in nitrate concentration, N–NO3. Furthermore, the herbivorous fish biomass and availability of uncovered lake bottom played important roles in the succession of macrophytes and macroalgae. Although some changes in submerged vegetation during succession of a newly created lake are to be expected, the main shifts observed apparently correlated with the studied factors. The conclusions may be useful for the prediction of succession in similarly created lakes in the future.
Multiple System Estimation using Covariates having Missing Values and Measurement Error: Estimating the Size of the Māori Population in New Zealand
Authors: van der Heijden Peter G. M. , Cruyff Maarten , Smith Paul A. , Bycroft Christine , Graham Patrick , Matheson-Dunning Nathaniel
Published: July 2021

We investigate the use of two or more linked lists, for both population size estimation and the relationship between variables appearing on all or only some lists. This relationship is usually not fully known because some individuals appear in only some lists, and some are not in any list. These two problems have been solved simultaneously using the EM algorithm. We extend this approach to estimate the size of the indigenous Māori population in New Zealand, leading to several innovations: (1) the approach is extended to four lists (including the population census), where the reporting of Māori status differs between registers; (2) some individuals in one or more lists have missing ethnicity, and we adapt the approach to handle this additional missingness; (3) some lists cover subsets of the population by design. We discuss under which assumptions such structural undercoverage can be ignored and provide a general result; (4) we treat the Māori indicator in each list as a variable measured with error, and embed a latent class model in the multiple system estimation to estimate the population size of a latent variable, interpreted as the true Māori status. Finally, we discuss estimating the Māori population size from administrative data only. Supplementary materials for our article are available online.
On the three‐dimensional consistency of Hirota's discrete Korteweg‐de Vries equation
Authors: Joshi Nalini , Nakazono Nobutaka
Published: July 2021

Hirota's discrete Korteweg‐de Vries equation (dKdV) is an integrable partial difference equation on , which approaches the Korteweg‐de Vries equation in a continuum limit. We find new transformations to other equations, including a second‐degree second‐order partial difference equation, which provide an unusual embedding into a three‐dimensional lattice. The consistency of the resulting system extends a property that has been widely used to study partial difference equations on multidimensional lattices.
Social support and motivation for parenthood as resources against prenatal parental distress
Authors: Gugliandolo Maria Cristina , Cuzzocrea Francesca , Costa Sebastiano , Soenens Bart , Liga Francesca
Published: July 2021

During the pregnancy period, future parents differ substantially in their psychological adjustment, with some parents being more at risk for stress and depression than others. Grounded in self‐determination theory, the present study aimed to investigate the role of motivation to have a child and the social support perceived by both partners in predicting partners’ psychological distress. We examined whether satisfaction of the psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness played an intervening role in associations of motivation and social support with future parents’ distress. Two hundred and forty‐six Italian couples of heterosexual expecting parents participated. Using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM), results showed that perceived support and autonomous motivation to have a child in both partners relate positively to their own psychological need satisfaction. In turn, the satisfaction of needs relates negatively to depressive symptoms and stress, thereby mediating in both partners the effects of perceived support and quality of motivation to have a child. The implications of the findings for future research and clinical interventions are discussed.
Chinese children showed self‐deprecating modest behavior at ages of 7–8
Authors: Hao Yang , Hong Skylar , Su Yanjie
Published: July 2021

Children care about how others evaluate them. In East Asia, children aged 8 and up tend to downplay their own merit by actively concealing their good deeds. This has been regarded as modest behavior. As a way of self‐presentation, modest behavior may be triggeredby the presence of other people in young children. A child may show modesty through a display of self‐deprecating behavior at various levels, rather than in an all‐or‐nothing style. In this study, a new paradigm aimed at self‐deprecating behavior was designed with the purpose of measuring the development of modest behavior between the ages of 5 and 8 years in a sample of 40 children. Children's ratings of their own merit, i.e., the quality in which they completed the task of cleaning the floor, were compared between a public and a private scenario. Results revealed a significant transition from self‐promoting to self‐deprecating behavior between the 5–6‐year‐olds and the 7–8‐year‐olds. Our findings indicate that children in this age period gradually exhibit reputation‐managing behaviors in social situations, which is corroborated by the measurement of self‐presentation in the self‐introduction paradigm.
Evaluation of High‐Efficiency Image Coding algorithm for dermatology images in teledermatology
Authors: Bakhshali Mohamad Amin , Gholizadeh Maryam , Layegh Pouran , Nahidi Yalda , Memarzadeh Zeinab , Meybodi Naser Tayebi , Eslami Saeed
Published: July 2021

Background

Currently, teledermatology assumes a progressively greater role in the modern healthcare system, especially in consultation, diagnosis, or examining lesions and skin cancers. One of the major challenges facing teledermatology systems is determining the optimal image compression method to efficiently reduce the space needed for electronic storage and data transmission.

Objective

To the objective and subjective assessment of HEIC compression method on dermatological color images and benchmarking the performance of High‐Efficiency Image Coding (HEIC) with different algorithms to a feasibility study of the method for teledermatology.

Methods

Twenty‐five clinical and five skin histopathology images were taken in department of dermatology, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. For each image, a set of 24 compressed images with different compression rates, which is composed of eight JPEG, eight JPEG2000, and eight HEIC images, has been prepared. Compressed and original images were shown simultaneously to three dermatologists and one dermatopathologist with different experiences. Each dermatologist scored quality and suitability of compressed images for diagnostic, as well as educational/scientific purposes. An objective evaluation was performed by calculating the mean “distance” of pixel colors and peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR).

Results

All compression rates for HEIC were objectively better than JPEG and JPEG2000, particularly at PSNR. Moreover, mean “color distance” per pixel for compressed images using HEIC was lower than others. The subjective image quality assessment also confirms the results of objective evaluation. In both educational and clinical diagnostic applications, HEIC compressed images have the highest score.

Conclusion

In consideration of objective and subjective evaluation, the HEIC algorithm represents an optimal performance in dermatology images compression compared with JPEG and JPEG2000.
Hirudotherapy (medicinal leeches) for treatment of upper airway obstruction in a dog
Authors: Trenholme H. Nicole , Masseau Isabelle , Reinero Carol R.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To describe upper airway obstruction (UAO) in a dog treated with medicinal leeches (hirudotherapy) as an ancillary therapy to hasten recovery.

Case Summary

A 10‐month‐old neutered female Mastiff presented for acute respiratory distress. On admission, the dog was tachycardic, cyanotic, and orthopneic; stridor was audible. A 10‐cm soft tissue swelling in the right ventral cervical region and bruising around the rostral mandible were noted. At the time of endotracheal intubation, the trachea was deviated to the right as a consequence of severe soft tissue swelling that was contiguous with the sublingual hematoma and cervical region, causing loss of visualization of the arytenoids. A computed tomography with contrast scan of the head, neck, and thorax was performed, showing severe soft tissue swelling of the tongue, obliteration of the common pharyngeal/laryngeal regions from suspected hemorrhage, and rightward displacement of pharynx, larynx, and proximal trachea. Marked diffuse bronchial/bronchiolar thickening associated with bronchiolectasis and diffuse opacification of the pulmonary parenchyma with regions of consolidation were noted. The dog was minimally hypercoagulable on thromboelastography. The imaging results together with results of bronchoalveolar lavage cytology supported a comorbidity of eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy. Intubation was maintained with infusions of propofol and fentanyl, with minimal changes in oropharyngeal swelling within the first 18 hours of treatment. Medicinal leeches were then applied to the sublingual and cervical regions. There was continued slow bleeding from the sites of leech detachment, and the dog was able to be extubated at 44 hours, followed by hospital discharge.

New/Unique Information Provided

Leeches are utilized in human medicine for treatment of UAO. Although UAO from hemorrhage has been described in dogs, this is the first report of medicinal leeches (Hirudo verbana) as complementary treatment for sublingual hematoma that contributed to UAO.
Soft Computing—A Way Ahead to Recover Heat Flux for Short Duration Experiments
Authors: Rout Anil Kumar , Nanda Soumya Ranjan , Sahoo Niranjan , Kalita Pankaj , Kulkarni Vinayak
Published: July 2021

The present investigations provide a pathway for implementation of soft computing-based Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) technique for prediction of surface heat flux from short duration temperature measurement in shock tubes or shock tunnels. Computational modeling of a coaxial thermal probe (CTP) is carried out to get the necessary temperature-time histories for different temporal variations of applied heat loads. Different possible inputs are assessed while defining the most suitable ANFIS structure for the recovery of step or ramp heat loads. This proposition is then tested for recovery of heat flux in a given range or of given time history. In each case, the uncertainty band is found to be in the acceptable range. The final assessment of this novel methodology is performed for recovery of heat flux signal from temperature measurement in a shock tube-based experiment. An in-house fabricated fast response CTP, prepared from chromel (3.25 mm diameter and 10 mm length) and constantan (0.91 mm diameter and 15 mm length) is used for these experiments. The surface heat flux recovered from the experimental signal using ANFIS is seen to have excellent agreement with the conventional analytical method in terms of both trend and magnitude, within an uncertainty band of ± 2%. Therefore, present investigations advocate the use of soft computing technique for heat flux recovery in a short duration temperature measurement due to its accuracy of prediction, lesser complexities in mathematical modeling, and being less computationally intensive.
Experimental Study on Temperature Change by Cavitation Accompanying Self-Pressurization of Propellant for Small Rocket Engines
Authors: Yasuda Kazuki , Nakata Daisuke , Uchiumi Masaharu
Published: July 2021

As a propellant for hybrid rocket engines using liquid oxidizer and solid fuel and for liquid rocket engines, the use of self-pressurized fluids such as nitrous oxide has become widespread. Since these fluids can be self-pressurized by their high saturated vapor pressure, the propulsion system becomes smaller and simpler. However, this self-pressurization generally forms a gas–liquid two-phase flow by flashing or cavitation. This flow is considered highly unsteady because the temperature and pressure greatly change with the discharge process. In this study, unsteady flow characteristics due to self-pressurization were experimentally obtained by conducting many cold flow tests with carbon dioxide as self-pressurizing fluids. As a result, it was clarified that the fluid temperature dropped about 10–15 K with the pressure drop due to feedline pressure loss during the discharge process. From these experimental results, we estimated the bubble growth and void fraction change that would satisfy the temperature drop. In this paper, the obtained test results and estimated temperature drop are reported.
Micro Encapsulated Phase Change Material for the Application in Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Sulzgruber Verena , Unterlass Miriam , Cavalli Tobia , Walter Heimo
Published: July 2021

The pursuit of CO2 reduction targets has increased the need of storage capacities for renewable energy or thermal energy to enhance the efficiency of industrial processes. To combine the benefits of latent and sensible thermal energy storage systems, the concept of micro encapsulated phase change material is presented. The microparticles are designed to work in a high-temperature thermal energy storage system considering economic and technical points of view. Therefore, particles of sodium nitrate are physio-mechanical coated with polyimide by using spray-drying in a fluidized bed reactor. To evaluate the influence of the process conditions, several coating experiments with different process settings are performed. Afterward, the samples are analyzed to determine their properties. Besides a microscopic and a sieving analysis, they are tested in the laboratory to define their mechanical and thermal limits. Finally, a rough layout of a thermal energy storage system using the produced particles is presented and compared to a common sensible thermal energy storage.