bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing Islamic principles and values in public budgeting: a battle of mindset
Authors: Farhana Intan , Markham Clare , Basri Hasan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the implementation of Islamic principles and values within the budgetary management of one of Indonesia’s local governments, that of Aceh provincial government. The authors investigate the extent of Islamic teachings in Aceh’s public budgeting to gain an understanding of the challenges in implementing such ideas in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate these issues, the authors used a qualitative interpretive approach in this study, gathering written materials related to the budgeting process and conducting 19 interviews with local government officials, politicians, scholars and a corruption watchdog. Data was manually coded and thematically analysed.

Findings

In this study, the authors find that the budgetary management problems Aceh provincial government faces (including poor resource allocation, budget delays and poor accountability and transparency) indicate unsatisfactory performance in incorporating Islamic principles and values into government. The authors argue that a key challenge to a more complete implementation is that the Acehnese’ perspectives of Sharī’ah and its enactment remain limited to particular aspects, such as criminal law, rituals and symbols, and are not extended to wider governance and budgetary practices.

Practical implications

The findings are likely to be of interest to policymakers and those who hold them to account, in a region/country where Islamic values and principles largely influence the government and social affairs. They indicate that a broader conception of Sharī’ah would facilitate a more thorough implementation of Islamic principles and values within public budgeting.

Originality/value

This study is one of a handful of studies exploring Islamic public budgeting, with its originality lying in the investigation of the challenges faced in implementing Islamic principles in government budgeting.
Low occurrence of multi‐antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance in Salmonella enterica from wild birds in the United States
Authors: Fu Yezhi , M'ikanatha Nkuchia M. , Whitehouse Chris A. , Tate Heather , Ottesen Andrea , Lorch Jeffrey M. , Blehert David S. , Berlowski‐Zier Brenda , Dudley Edward G.
Published: December 2021

Wild birds are common reservoirs of Salmonella enterica. Wild birds carrying resistant S. enterica may pose a risk to public health as they can spread the resistant bacteria across large spatial scales within a short time. Here, we whole‐genome sequenced 375 S. enterica strains from wild birds collected in 41 U.S. states during 1978–2019 to examine bacterial resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals. We found that Typhimurium was the dominant S. enterica serovar, accounting for 68.3% (256/375) of the bird isolates. Furthermore, the proportions of the isolates identified as multi‐antimicrobial resistant (multi‐AMR: resistant to at least three antimicrobial classes) or multi‐heavy metal resistant (multi‐HMR: resistant to at least three heavy metals) were both 1.87% (7/375). Interestingly, all the multi‐resistant S. enterica (n = 12) were isolated from water birds or raptors; none of them was isolated from songbirds. Plasmid profiling demonstrated that 75% (9/12) of the multi‐resistant strains carried resistance plasmids. Our study indicates that wild birds do not serve as important reservoirs of multi‐resistant S. enterica strains. Nonetheless, continuous surveillance for bacterial resistance in wild birds is necessary because the multi‐resistant isolates identified in this study also showed close genetic relatedness with those from humans and domestic animals.
Strategic non‐use of the government's precommitment ability for emissions taxation: Environmental R&D formation in a Cournot duopoly
Authors: Ouchida Yasunori , Goto Daisaku
Published: December 2021

The primary focus of this paper is to examine the link between environmental R&D formation and the strategic use or non‐use of a government's ability to precommit to an emissions tax rate. The existing literature implicitly omits this important matter. This paper comprehensively evaluates various regulatory contexts separated by the timing of emissions taxation and by environmental R&D formations in a Cournot duopoly. The following three points are revealed. First, an equilibrium occurs in which the government does not strategically use its emissions tax rate precommitment ability to enhance social efficiency. Second, if the efficiency of environmental R&D costs is high and if environmental damage is serious, then the government should precommit to an emissions tax rate and allow for the cartelization of the two firms' environmental R&D. However, if the environmental R&D cost efficiency and environmental damage are both low, then the government should adopt a time‐consistent emissions tax and allow for the cartelization of the two firms' environmental R&D. Third, when the two firms can form an environmental research joint venture (ERJV), ERJV cartelization should be invariably allowed, even if the government is a strategic non‐user of its precommitment ability.
Improving oxidative stability of foods with apple‐derived polyphenols
Authors: López‐Fernández Olalla , Bohrer Benjamin M. , Munekata Paulo E.S. , Domínguez Rubén , Pateiro Mirian , Lorenzo José Manuel
Published: December 2021

Consumers demand healthy and natural food products. Thus, naturally derived antioxidants are emerging as a promising alternative to the use of present ingredients. Apples and apple derivative products (e.g., apple juice, apple cider, apple sauce, and others) are widely consumed throughout the world for a variety of different reasons and supply a large quantity of polyphenolic compounds. The extraction of polyphenolic compounds from apples and their incorporation into processed foods as naturally sourced ingredients could be a preferred alternative to commonly used commercial antioxidants that are used in many foods. In addition, they could have a positive impact on the environment and on the economy due to the utilization of byproducts generated during processing of apples, like apple pomace. In terms of the extraction procedures for the antioxidant compounds found in apples, the most efficient processes are methods that use ultrasound as the extraction tool. With this technique, greater yields are achieved, and less extraction time is required when compared with other, more conventional, extraction methods. However, parameters such as the extraction solvent, temperature during extraction, and extraction time must be suitably optimized in order to obtain the best performance and the highest antioxidant capacity. From an application standpoint, the use of apple‐derived polyphenol extracts as a naturally derived food additive has documented applications for bread, meat, fish, cookies, and juices and there is evidence of increased antioxidant capacity, reduced rate of lipid oxidation, and increased storage time without compromising on sensory properties.
Measuring long‐run gasoline price elasticities in urban travel demand
Authors: Donna Javier D.
Published: December 2021

I develop a structural model of urban travel to estimate long‐run gasoline price elasticities. I model the demand for transportation services using a dynamic discrete‐choice model with switching costs and estimate it using a panel dataset with public market‐level data on automobile and public transit use in Chicago. Long‐run own‐ (automobile) and cross‐ (transit) price elasticities are substantially more elastic than short‐run elasticities. Elasticity estimates from static and myopic models are downward biased. I use the estimated model to evaluate the response to several counterfactual policies. A gasoline tax is less regressive after accounting for the long‐run substitution behavior.
Novel approaches to the assessment and treatment of lamellar macular hole
Authors: Frisina Rino , Tozzi Luigi , Gius Irene , Pilotto Elisabetta , Midena Edoardo
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To analyse morpho‐functional foveal changes in eyes with lamellar macular hole (LMH) by an integrated assessment of short‐wavelength fundus autofluorescence (SW‐FAF) and microperimetry (SW‐FAF/microperimetry integrated assessment) before and after treatment with a technique of double‐inverted flaps of epiretinal proliferation (EP) and internal limiting membrane (ILM).

Methods

Clinical and tomographic parameters were best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), LMH size, central retinal thickness (CRT) and outer retinal layer integrity. SW‐FAF/microperimetry integrated assessment allowed to analyse retinal sensitivity (RS) and FAF status of the fovea by an overlay of RS map on SW‐FAF image. Follow‐up was at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 postoperative months.

Results

Forty pseudophakic eyes. Hyper‐FAF area was associated with larger LMH size (p = 0.0073) and inversely correlated with CRT (p = 0.021). Lower preoperative RS was observed in hyper‐FAF than normo‐FAF areas (p = 0.0117). External limiting membrane (ELM) defect was associated with worse BCVA (p = 0.0004). After surgery, BCVA improved (p = 0.001) and it was related to ELM recovery (p = 0.00483), hyper‐FAF area decreased (p = 0.001), and RS increased (p = 0.440). Hyper‐FAF points that normalized their FAF were associated with higher RS improvement compared to unchanged points.

Conclusion

Short‐wavelength fundus autofluorescence/microperimetry integrated assessment provides important information on the entity of damage of LMH and on postoperative recovery. Double‐inverted EP and ILM flap technique is safe and effective for LMH treatment.
Use of graph theory to study connectivity and regionalisation of the Polish urban network
Authors: Anna Jażdżewska Iwona
Published: December 2021

This paper uses graph theory to analyse the cohesion and regionalisation of an urban settlement network. The vertices show cities (as points), while the edges reflect distances between the cities located no farther than 25 km apart. As a research area, towns were selected that had the administrative status of cities in Poland in 2002. After an investigation of the graph theory literature, the properties of simple graphs were used to analyse the network, including full, regular, connected, and biconnected graphs. The question posed was: how coherent is a connected graph? Namely, how many edges have to be removed from a graph for it to become disconnected? For this reason, “weak points” were sought in the graphs: null graphs, bridges, and articulation points. It was assumed that the network of cities represented by a graph creates a regular and biconnected network in areas where it is permanently formed. This provided the basis for identifying areas with distinctly urbanised settlement networks. The indexes proposed by Kanski, which can be used for comparative studies, were also used to evaluate coherence. Owing to the functions provided by GIS tools and, in particular, the utilisation of additional layers with rivers, communication routes, and the historical borders of Poland over the last millennium, the interpretation of graph connectivity was able to take historical features into account. The shapes of the graphs and their degrees of connectivity described the properties of the regional settlement networks in Poland, while the historical interpretation allowed us to discuss the historical conditions leading to the formation of these networks. The analysis was conducted using GIS tools.
Evaluation of the Polish version of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale in parents of typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Jankowska Dorota M. , Omelańczuk Iwona , Pisula Ewa , Karwowski Maciej
Published: December 2021

Background

Parental self‐efficacy describes parents' self‐perceived competence in fulfilling their roles. The Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC) is one of the most commonly used self‐report instruments, allowing for parental self‐efficacy measurement.

Methods

This paper summarizes the results of three studies (total N = 2088) conducted to examine factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability and criterion validity of the Polish version of PSOC (PSOC‐PL). The studies were carried out among parents (mothers and fathers) of typically developing 14‐ and 15‐year‐olds (Study 1, n = 1404) as well as among parents of typically developing children aged 6–16 (Study 2, n = 248), parents of typically developing children and children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (Study 3, n = 436, ages ranged from 6 to 13).

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis (Study 1) demonstrated an acceptable fit of the theorized two‐factor model, with theorized Satisfaction and Efficacy factors. The subscales' internal consistencies were satisfactory across all studies (Studies 1–3), and PSOC's test–retest reliability (Study 2) over a 3‐week interval was very high. Parents of children with developmental disorders (Study 3) reported lower efficacy than parents of typically developing children.

Conclusions

The results of these three studies attest that the Polish version of PSOC is a reliable and valid measure of parental self‐efficacy beliefs.
Beyond co‐occurrence: Addressing the intersections of domestic violence, mental health and substance misuse
Authors: Humphreys Cathy , Heward‐Belle Susan , Tsantefski Menka , Isobe Jasmin , Healey Lucy
Published: December 2021

This paper reports an Australian project designed to simultaneously explore and capacity build professional practice when working at the intersection of parental mental health and/or problematic substance use and domestic violence (DV). Data from this paper are derived from two main sources: observations and ethnographic notes obtained during 28 Community of Practice (CoP) meetings and semi‐structured interviews with 28 CoP participants. Participants were front‐line workers from a range of government and non‐government organizations providing services to families experiencing DV across three Australian states who participated in The STACY Project: Safe and Together Addressing ComplexitY. Thematic analysis was employed to examine the research questions: How do professionals and organizations understand and respond to families experiencing DV, parental mental health difficulties and problematic substance use issues? How did practitioners report participation in the STACY Project reorienting professional practice with families experiencing DV, parental mental health difficulties, and substance misuse issues? This paper reports workers' exploration of practice implications. The research found that ‘domestic violence blind’ practice has become entrenched at the intersections of child protection, substance misuse and mental health problems, but a shared framework could bring practitioners from diverse sectors together to generate new ways of working with these complex problems.
Measuring a Sense of Belonging at Museums and Cultural Centers
Authors: Price C. Aaron , Applebaum Lauren
Published: December 2021

Better understanding guests’ sense of belonging can explain why some feel quite at home in museums while others would never consider visiting. To do so, we start by developing a model of belonging uniquely suited for museums and cultural institutions. Based on literature and expert interviews, it includes three elements of belonging: Inclusion, Place Belongingness and Context of the visit. This study presents an easy‐to‐use survey instrument designed to measure all aspects of the model. It adapts two previously published scales while introducing the Cultural Context Belonging Scale, newly developed for these settings. We tested it with 333 guests leaving a science museum and present results of a confirmatory factor analysis and criterion validation. The former showed the new scale consisted of two factors based on concepts of community and agency. Overall, community belongingness showed the most significant difference among guests’ reported sense of overall belonging at the museum. Black or African American, Latinx and Asian guests thought of community more often related to their race and ethnic identity. In contrast, White guests thought of community in terms of a place or location.
mFD: an R package to compute and illustrate the multiple facets of functional diversity
Authors: Magneville Camille , Loiseau Nicolas , Albouy Camille , Casajus Nicolas , Claverie Thomas , Escalas Arthur , Leprieur Fabien , Maire Eva , Mouillot David , Villéger Sébastien
Published: December 2021

Functional diversity (FD), the diversity of organism attributes that relates to their interactions with the abiotic and biotic environment, has been increasingly used for the last two decades in ecology, biogeography and conservation. Yet, FD has many facets and their estimations are not standardized nor embedded in a single tool. mFD (multifaceted functional diversity) is an R package that uses matrices of species assemblages and species trait values as building blocks to compute most FD indices. mFD is firstly based on two functions allowing the user to summarize trait and assemblage data. Then it calculates trait‐based distances between species pairs, informs the user whether species have to be clustered into functional entities and finally computes multidimensional functional space. To let the user choose the most appropriate functional space for computing multidimensional functional diversity indices, two mFD functions allow assessing and illustrating the quality of each functional space. Next, mFD provides 6 core functions to calculate 16 existing FD indices based on trait‐based distances, functional entities or species position in a functional space. The mFD package also provides graphical functions based on the ggplot library to illustrate FD values through customizable and high‐resolution plots of species distribution among functional entities or in a multidimensional space. All functions include internal validation processes to check for errors in data formatting which return detailed error messages. To facilitate the use of mFD framework, we built an associated website hosting five tutorials illustrating the use of all the functions step by step.
Embedded electronic medical record text data mining using neural network association classification algorithm
Authors: Mu Xiuli , Zhang Hongyan
Published: December 2021

The embedded electronic medical record (EMR) information is analysed through a neural network algorithm in the field of deep learning to mine the main sentence of EMR text. The pure convolutional neural network model (PCNN) based on pooled and non‐pooled analysis is constructed based on deep learning CNN to mine EMR text. An association classification algorithm based on neural network is proposed, which integrates classification rules into the neural network and realizes the rapid establishment of neural network structure and parameter setting. Character embedding is imported and combined with a sliding window. Then, CNN is adopted to classify the Chinese character tags of the neural network model. Finally, the model is applied to the word segmentation of the actual pregnant women's EMR text. The results show that the scores of the Biomedical Engineering Society and Bioelectronics in Peking University and Microsoft Reserved Partition datasets are between 0.9516 and 0.9684 and the performance is basically the same, which shows that the model has strong stability. The performance of the max‐pooling, n‐max pooling, and mean‐pooling are all between 0.8004 and 0.8634, but the above results are not as good as the model without pooling layer. For this new fast method to obtain neural network parameters, once the classification rules are given, the parameters in PCNN can be set quickly, and provide a practical basis for the development of deep learning in the medical field.
Analyses of 3D non‐planar fatigue crack propagation with smoothed particle hydrodynamics
Authors: Tazoe Koki , Yagawa Genki
Published: December 2021

The present study discusses fatigue crack propagation simulation using smoothed particle hydrodynamics for nonplanar crack propagation problems in a three‐dimensional body. The algorithm for the nonplanar crack to propagate in the solid and C0 continuous crack front model, called the “chained crack front line” for the nonplanar crack, is proposed. The model is used to simulate some of the conducted experimental fatigue tests of nonplanar crack propagation. The model results matched experimental results. We conclude that the proposed method is a valuable tool in estimating the nonplanar fatigue crack propagation phenomena in actual mechanical structures.
Monthly measurement of high‐sensitivity cardiac troponins T and creatine kinase in asymptomatic chronic hemodialysis patients: A one‐year prospective study
Authors: Gremaud Stéphane , Fellay Benoît , Hemett Ould Maouloud , Magnin Jean‐Luc , Descombes Eric
Published: December 2021

Background

Cardiology guidelines recommend measuring high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs‐cTn) for the diagnostic work‐up of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Many hospitals measure hs‐cTnT, but preliminary data have shown that hs‐cTnT is higher than normal in many hemodialysis patients without evidence of ACS. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the hs‐cTnT levels every month for 1 year in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients, in order to assess their changes over time relative to creatine kinase.

Methods

Fourty‐four hemodialysis patients (mean age 67 ± 14 years) were included. The predialysis levels of fifth‐generation hs‐cTnT, CK, and CK‐MB were measured every month for 1 year using a Cobas® 6000 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland).

Results

Almost 100% of hs‐cTnT measurements were higher than normal (N < 14 ng/L); the mean ± SD annual level was 84 ± 59 ng/L, ranging from a minimum of 24 ± 2 to 241 ± 28 ng/L in individual patients. The mean levels of CK and CK‐MB were normal. Thirteen myocardial infarctions were analyzed, which were all associated with an initial elevation in hs‐cTnT >45% from the individual baseline value. By comparison, CK and CK‐MB only increased in 38% and 31% of these myocardial infarctions, respectively.

Discussion

hs‐cTnT is persistently higher than normal in chronic hemodialysis patients. Standard algorithms for diagnosing ACS can obviously not be used and alternative diagnostic strategies need to be developed. According to our data, and given the huge variation in baseline hs‐cTnT levels among patients, the use of higher cut‐offs as proposed in the literature cannot be recommended. Instead, we consider that hs‐cTnT should be checked at regular intervals (e.g., every 3–6 months) in order to establish individual baseline levels for hs‐cTnT. This approach, in most instances, not only makes it possible to more rapidly rule‐in but also to rapidly rule‐out, cases of ACS in hemodialysis patients who develop cardiac symptoms.
Effect of lanthanum carbonate on the progression of coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xu Jun‐Peng , Zeng Rui‐Xiang , Liao Peng‐Da , Zhang Min‐Zhou
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Coronary artery calcification and cardiac abnormalities are common in hemodialysis patients. The value of lanthanum carbonate over calcium‐based phosphate binders in managing the progression of coronary artery calcification is debated. We reviewed all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the two strategies in these patients.

Methods

RCTs comparing lanthanum carbonate with calcium‐based phosphate binders used in adult hemodialysis patients were identified in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal, and Wanfang databases.

Findings

Ten RCTs involving 687 patients were suitable for inclusion. Compared with calcium‐based phosphate binders, lanthanum carbonate yielded lower coronary artery calcium scores (weighted mean difference, WMD: −74.28, 95% CI: −149.89, 1.33), change in coronary artery calcium scores (WMD: −105.18, 95% CI: −113.83, −96.53), and left ventricular mass index (WMD: −29.95, 95% CI: −54.25, −7.45). Lanthanum carbonate was significantly associated with lower levels of serum phosphate (WMD: −0.18, 95% CI: −0.26, −0.10), calcium (WMD: −0.22, 95% CI: −0.25, −0.20), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) (standard mean difference: −3.78, 95% CI: −5.60, −1.96) but not intact parathyroid hormone (WMD: −4.23, 95% CI: −64.12, 55.65). Moreover, a reduced risk of nonfatal cardiovascular events (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10–0.97) but not all‐cause mortality (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.39–3.01) in lanthanum carbonate therapy was observed.

Discussion

In hemodialysis patients, lanthanum carbonate therapy may impede the progression of coronary artery calcification and left ventricular mass index and lead to reduced serum phosphate, calcium, FGF23, and nonfatal cardiovascular events compared with calcium‐based phosphate binders. However, more well‐designed RCTs are required for confirmation.
Evaluation of the success rate of pit and fissure sealants on first molars: 12 months follow‐up study
Authors: Behroozian Ahmad , Aghazadeh Zahra , Sadrabad Zahra Khalili , Aghazadeh Marziyeh , Alizadeh Vali , Esmaili Zeynab , Pirzadeh Ashraf Marzieh
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Dental caries by far is the most prevalent concern of the preadolescents and adolescents in dental clinics. Despite the provision of local fluoride, the occlusal surfaces of teeth are susceptible to dental caries. Pit and fissure sealant therapy is a preventive method to decrease dental caries in permanent teeth. The present study aimed to evaluate the success of fissure sealant treatments of first molar teeth, at 3, 6 and 12 months follow‐ups.

Materials and methods

Sixty‐five children were randomly selected. The subjects had already received fissure sealants in the department of public health dentistry. Demographic data, including age and gender, sealant failure and the type of failure were recorded in the relevant checklists. Feigal criteria were used to evaluate the success or failure of fissure sealant treatments.

Results

Overall success rate was 74.3% for 1 year. Evaluation of the failure rate showed that at the 3‐month interval, 20.6% of the sealants exhibited failure (57.1% due to margin discoloration and 42.9% due to lack of margin adaptation). 28.6% of the sealants failed at the 6‐month (75% due to marginal discoloration and 25% due to anatomical form) and 41.2% failed at the 12‐month interval (57.1% due to marginal discoloration and 42.9% due to the lack of margin adaptation).

Conclusion

The total failure rate of fissure sealant failures after 1 year was 27.7%. The most frequent reason for the failure of fissure sealants was marginal discoloration.
Learning from itch – epidermolysis bullosa is a genetically determined barrier disruption and a chronic inflammatory disease
Authors: Ruszczak Z. , Abdelhadi S.
Published: December 2021

Linked article: D. Darbord et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36: 133–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17671.
How Much Information Do Monetary Policy Committees Disclose? Evidence from the FOMC's Minutes and Transcripts
Authors: APEL MIKAEL , BLIX GRIMALDI MARIANNA , HULL ISAIAH
Published: December 2021

The purpose of central bank minutes is to give an account of monetary policy meeting discussions to outside observers, thereby enabling them to draw informed conclusions about future policy. However, minutes are by necessity a shortened and edited representation of a broader discussion. Consequently, they may omit information that is predictive of future policy decisions. To investigate this, we compare the predictive content of the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) minutes and transcripts, focusing on dimensions that are likely to be excluded from the minutes, such as the committee's degree of hawkishness, the chairperson's degree of hawkishness, and the level of agreement between committee members. We measure committee and chairperson hawkishness with a new dictionary that is constructed using the FOMC's minutes and transcripts. Agreement is measured using a technique we import from the machine learning literature. We also show that transcripts contain predictive content that is not included in FOMC minutes, macroeconomic variables, financial variables, forecasts, or federal funds rate futures.
Relationship of chest computed tomography score with disease severity and laboratory values in children with COVID‐19
Authors: Çetin Ceren , Karaaslan Ayse , Akın Yasemin , Arifoglu Meral , Rona Günay , Demirhan Recep
Published: December 2021

Aim

Although chest computed tomography (CT) score has been well evaluated in adult coronavirus disease (COVID‐19), its use in paediatric cases is insufficiently studied. Our aim is to evaluate the relationship of chest CT score with disease severity and laboratory parameters.

Methods

Seventy‐six paediatric patients with confirmed COVID‐19 and chest CT evaluation on admission have been included in this study. Chest CT score was calculated for each of the five lobes considering the extent of anatomical involvement, as follows: 0: 0%; 1: <5%; 2: 5%–25%; 3: 26%–50%; 4: 51%–75% and 5: >75%. The resulting total CT score was the sum of each individual lobar score; the range was between 0 and 25.

Results

Total chest CT score was found to be positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase and d‐dimer, and negatively correlated with lymphocyte count. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, total chest CT score had area under the curve 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.98–1.00) at cut‐off 2 with 95% sensitivity and 96% specificity for the severe disease. Furthermore, in‐depth analysis of lobar CT scores showed a correlation between left upper lobe with lymphocyte count, left lower lobe with d‐dimer, right middle and lower lobes with alanine aminotransferase and right upper lobe with leukocyte count.

Conclusions

There is a significant relationship between chest CT score and COVID‐19 severity and laboratory findings in children. This suggests that chest CT scores can be used to assess the severity of the disease and can play an important role in paediatric clinical practice.
Effect of liver steatosis on liver stiffness measurement in chronic hepatitis B patients with normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels: A multicentre cohort study
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Dong , Pan Chen‐Wei , Zhou Guang‐Yao , Gao Feng , Wang Feng‐Ling , Fu Rong‐Quan , Xiao Er‐Hui , Li Peng , Zhang Huai , Zheng Ming‐Hua
Published: December 2021

Liver steatosis is becoming increasingly common in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and its effect on liver stiffness measurement (LSM), as assessed by transient elastography, remains controversial. Seven hundred and fifty‐five patients with CHB and normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels, who underwent vibration‐controlled transient elastography and liver biopsy, were included in the study. We examined whether the histological degree of liver steatosis affects the accuracy of transient elastography‐assessed LSM in these patients. Among the 755 CHB patients included in the study, 286 (37.9%) had liver steatosis, of whom 156 had grade S1, 74 had grade S2, and 56 had grade S3 on histology. Presence of liver steatosis was independently associated with greater body mass index (BMI, adjusted‐odds ratio [OR] = 5.786, 95% CI: 3.998–8.373, p = 0.018), and higher serum total cholesterol (adjusted‐OR = 7.944, 95% CI: 4.731–13.339, p < 0.001) and triglyceride levels (adjusted‐OR = 2.777, 95% CI: 2.050–3.761, p < 0.001). There was no significant association between liver steatosis and fibrosis stage (OR = 1.016, 95% CI: 0.905–1.140, p = 0.790). Age (B‐coefficient = 0.020, 95% CI: 0.001–0.040, p = 0.044), BMI (B‐coefficient = 0.060, 95% CI: 0.011–0.127, p = 0.019), serum gamma‐glutamyl‐transpeptidase (GGT, B‐coefficient = 0.015, 95% CI: 0.001–0.029, p = 0.032), positivity for HBeAg (B‐coefficient = −0.816, 95% CI: −1.568 to −0.064, p = 0.034), as well as liver fibrosis stage (B‐coefficient = 2.796, 95% CI: 2.501–3.090, p < 0.001), and inflammation activity grade (B‐coefficient = 0.648, 95% CI: 0.162–1.135, p = 0.009) were all independently associated with higher LSM, while no significant association was found between degree of liver steatosis and LSM. Among patients with the same histological fibrosis stage, LSM values did not show any significant difference among patients with absent, mild, moderate or severe steatosis. We conclude that liver steatosis has no significant effect on transient elastography‐measured LSM in CHB patients with normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels.
Pharmacokinetic profile and effect on the faecal microbiome of a single dose of pradofloxacin oral suspension in the rabbit(Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Xie Shangzhe , Trott Darren J. , Saputra Sugiyono , Ebrahimie Esmaeil , Dehcheshmeh Manijeh Mohammadi , Page Caitlyn , Woodward Nicola , Griffiths Neil , Kimble Benjamin , Govendir Merran
Published: December 2021

Fluoroquinolones are often administered to pet rabbits given their perceived safety and limited effects on anaerobic gut microbiota. However, the pharmacokinetics and relative safety of pradofloxacin, a third‐generation veterinary fluoroquinolone with a much broader spectrum of activity, have not been reported in this species. Here, we determined the pharmacokinetic profile of a single dose of oral pradofloxacin in rabbits and evaluated effects on the faecal microbiome. Four mature female rabbits were administered pradofloxacin (25 mg/ml oral suspension), at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg. The pradofloxacin median (range) Tmaxwas 4.50 (2.00–5.00) h, Cmax600.66 (395.85–886.72) ng/ml and t½was 1.27 (0.12–1.39) h. These results indicated that oral absorption of pradofloxacin was slower, and elimination faster compared with other fluoroquinolones in healthy rabbits, as well as relative to cats and dogs. Following treatment with pradofloxacin, faecal microbiota profiling showed some compositional differences between treated and control animals. This was the result of a significant decrease in the abundance of Proteobacteria, in particular bacteria belonging to thePseudomonas,AtopostipesandParabacteroidesgenera. The pharmacokinetic profile of pradofloxacin in rabbits should be further studied by increasing the sample size and using multiple‐dose protocols (i.e. 7 days) to confirm safety. Further information on the effects of protein binding, higher dosages and disease on pradofloxacin pharmacokinetics in rabbits are needed before an accurate dosing regimen can be recommended.
Individual, household and national factors associated with iron, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies among children aged 6–59 months in Nepal
Authors: Chitekwe Stanley , Parajuli Kedar Raj , Paudyal Naveen , Haag Karan Courtney , Renzaho Andre , Issaka Abukari , Agho Kingsley
Published: December 2021

Iron, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies are the top three micronutrients contributing to disability‐adjusted life years globally. The study assessed the factors associated with iron, vitamin A, and Zinc deficiencies among Nepalese children (n = 1709) aged 6–59 months using data from the 2016 Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey. The following cut‐off points were applied: iron deficiency [ferritin < 12 μg/L or soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) > 8.3 mg/L], vitamin A deficiency (retinol‐binding protein < 0.69 μmol/L) and zinc deficiency (serum zinc < 65 μg/dl for morning sample and <57 μg/dl for afternoon sample). We used multiple logistic regression adjusted for sampling weights and clustering to examine the predictors of micronutrient deficiencies. The prevalence of iron depletion (ferritin), tissue iron (sTfR), vitamin A and zinc deficiencies were 36.7%, 27.6%, 8.5% and 20.4%, respectively. Children were more likely to be iron deficient (ferritin) if aged 6–23 months, stunted, and in a middle‐wealth quintile household. Vitamin A deficiency was associated with development region and was higher among children living in severe food‐insecure households and those who did not consume fruits. Zinc deficiency was higher among children in rural areas and the poorest wealth quintile. The Government of Nepal should focus on addressing micronutrient deficiencies in the early years, with emphasis on improving food systems, promote healthy diets, among younger and stunted children and provide social cash transfer targeting high‐risk development regions, poorest and food insecure households.
High stability of genotypic differences in puncture resistance of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) roots under various growing conditions
Authors: Nause Nelia , Tossens Alain , Tschoep Hendrik , Hoffmann Christa M.
Published: December 2021

Mechanical properties of sugar beet roots are related to their damage susceptibility and storability. For selection in breeding, it is beneficial to identify stable traits that can be measured in young plants. Ten genotypes, nine sugar beet and one fodder beet, were grown in the field (harvest in August and November) and in the glasshouse for 14 weeks. The puncture resistance was measured using a texture analyser. Furthermore, the dry matter content was determined. Genotypic differences in puncture resistance of sugar beet roots could be determined in early growth stages and showed no relevant interaction to environment/growing conditions. The puncture resistance was closely related to the dry matter content of the root. Genotypic differences in puncture resistance are independent of growing conditions (field/glasshouse) and age of the plants (harvest date/growth stage). Puncture resistance is thus a potential trait for selection of genotypes with a high tissue strength. The dry matter content was identified as an easy‐to‐measure parameter for the preselection of genotypes.
Cutaneous hyperpigmentation following bleomycin sclerotherapy for vascular malformations
Authors: Davis Kyle P. , Gaffey Megan M. , Kompelli Anvesh R. , Richter Gresham T.
Published: December 2021

Systemic bleomycin therapy is associated with pulmonary fibrosis and cutaneous side effects. While it is believed that there is little to no systemic distribution of bleomycin when utilized to treat vascular malformations (VMs), we present a case series in which cutaneous, adhesive‐related hyperpigmentation suggests that there is systemic egress of bleomycin following direct puncture sclerotherapy (DPS). This risk of hyperpigmentation after intralesional bleomycin should be discussed with patients, and steps to minimize the chances of it occurring should be implemented.
Filipinos’ health information‐seeking behaviors and their implications for COVID‐19 vaccination
Authors: Berdida Daniel Joseph E. , Grande Rizal Angelo N. , Lopez Violeta
Published: December 2021

Objectives

This study examined Filipinos' health information‐seeking behaviors, specifically their information engagement and apprehension of getting the COVID‐19 vaccine, the reasons for vaccination, and how these factors influenced their decision to get vaccinated.

Design

Quantitative, cross‐sectional, and predictive approaches.

Sample

This study conducted a national online survey using convenience sampling (n = 2709).

Measurement

The Health Information Orientation Scale (HIOS) and Statista.com's “reasons for not getting a COVID‐19 vaccination” were used to collect data. Demographic characteristics that predict information engagement and apprehension were identified using multivariate linear regression analysis.

Results

Responses to information engagement and apprehension revealed “often true” and “sometimes true,” respectively. The majority of participants intended to receive the COVID‐19 vaccine. “Concerned about the vaccine's safety” is the most common reason for not getting vaccinated. Female gender, college graduate, employed, and using social media to obtain COVID‐19 vaccine information were all significant predictors of information engagement and apprehension. Information engagement and apprehension were predicted by age and religion, respectively.

Conclusions

Policymakers should consider how people seek information regarding the COVID‐19 vaccine and why some people refuse to get vaccinated. Additionally, public health nurses should educate the public about the safety of COVID‐19 vaccines.
Recognition and management of vitamin B12 deficiency: Report of four cases with oral manifestations
Authors: da Silva Weslay Rodrigues , dos Santos André Azevedo , Xerez Mariana Carvalho , de Morais Everton Freitas , de Oliveira Patrícia Teixeira , da Silveira Éricka Janine Dantas
Published: December 2021

Vitamins are organic compounds present in low concentrations in food, performing vital and specific cell metabolism functions. Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation in the bone marrow and its deficiency is caused, mainly, by gastrointestinal malabsorption. In addition to systemic manifestations, oral signs and symptoms have also been associated to this condition such as glossitis, papillary atrophy, painful erythema areas, burning sensation, dysgeusia, lingual paresthesia and itching. This study aims to report four cases of oral manifestations caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. All patients presented oral mucosa lesions. Vitamin B12 deficiency was diagnosed based in clinical characteristics and complementary exams. Oral supplementation for vitamin B12 deficiency was conducted/realized in three patients, while one patient was treated with parenteral doses. All of them showed partial or total remission of the signs and symptoms.
Oro‐dental features in Egyptian patients with familial mediterranean fever
Authors: Abouzaid Maha , Hassib Nehal , Hamed Khaled , Taher Mohamed , Sokkar Mona , Eltaweel Noha , El‐Bassyouni Hala
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an episodic inflammatory disease that is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. It is primarily featured by fever, pain in joints, chest, and abdomen due to Serositis.

Aim

This study delineated the oro‐facial structures presented associated with FMF, as well as, the determination of the potential influences of the long‐term inflammatory process of FMF on several oral structures.

Methods

Fifty eight Egyptian FMF patients were examined to define different oro‐facial structures. Serum amyloid A (SAA) was requested for the selected patients, MEFV gene mutation was also investigated.

Results

The clinical examination revealed peritonitis in 79%, fever in 63.7%, and arthritis in 55% of FMF patients examined, while, oral features as high arched palate, enamel defect, dental malocclusion, and macroglossia in 32%, 27.5%. 26%, and 13.5%, respectively. The previous symptoms might be attributed to the pathology of the disease. Macroglossia when tested versus SAA levels, a highly significant difference was detected. The ROC curve when examining the SAA value to assess macroglossia, displayed reasonable sensitivity and specificity values of, 87.5% and 77.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

The noticed oro‐dental in FMF patients might be influenced by the chronic inflammatory process.
Reflections onNaming and Necessity
Authors: Devitt Michael
Published: December 2021

This paper celebrates the fortieth anniversary ofNaming and Necessityby gathering together some reflections I have made on that work over the years. The paper focuses on aspects of the book that I think have been misunderstood, overlooked, mistakenly rejected, or simply merit more emphasis. The paper starts with the philosophy of language, first discussing Kripke's most powerful argument against description theories of reference: the “ignorance and error” argument. It then considers Kripke's causal‐historical “better picture”; his discussion of rigidity; and finally, “direct reference” an implausible doctrine that has been wrongly attributed to Kripke. The rest of the paper is concerned with essentialist doctrines that Kripke has urged about biological kinds, chemical kinds, and individuals. These doctrines have been trenchantly criticized by some philosophers of science. I think that the relevant sciences support Kripke and do not support the critics.
Mesoscale Simulation-Based Parametric Study of Damage Potential in Brain Tissue Using Hyperelastic and Internal State Variable Models
Authors: He Ge , Fan Lei , Liu Yucheng
Published: December 2021

Two-dimensional mesoscale finite element analysis (FEA) of a multilayered brain tissue was performed to calculate the damage-related average stress triaxiality and local maximum von Mises strain in the brain. The FEA was integrated with rate-dependent hyperelastic and internal state variable (ISV) models, respectively, describing the behaviors of wet and dry brain tissues. Using the finite element results, a statistical method of design of experiments (DOE) was utilized to independently screen the relative influences of seven parameters related to brain morphology (sulcal width/depth, gray matter (GM) thickness, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) thickness and brain lobe) and loading/environment conditions (strain rate and humidity) with respect to the potential damage growth/coalescence in the brain tissue. The results of the parametric study illustrated that the GM thickness and humidity were the two most crucial parameters affecting average stress triaxiality. For the local maximum von Mises strain at the depth of brain sulci, the brain lobe/region was the most influential factor. The conclusion of this investigation gives insight for the future development and refinement of a macroscale brain damage model incorporating information from lower length scale.
Strain Response in the Facet Joint Capsule During Physiological Joint Rotation and Translation Following a Simulated Impact Exposure: An In Vitro Porcine Model
Authors: Fewster Kayla M. , Guo Joyce R. , Zehr Jackie D. , Barrett Jeff M. , Laing Andrew C. , Callaghan Jack P.
Published: December 2021

Low back pain (LBP) is frequently reported following rear impact collisions. Knowledge of how the facet joint capsule (FJC) mechanically behaves before and after rear impact collisions may help explain LBP development despite negative radiographic evidence of gross tissue failure. This study quantified the Green strain tensor in the facet joint capsule during rotation and translation range-of-motion tests completed before and following an in vitro simulation of a rear impact collision. Eight FSUs (4 C3-C4, 4 C5-C6) were tested. Following a preload test, FSUs were flexed and extended at 0.5 deg/s until an ±8 N·m moment was achieved. Anterior and posterior joint translation was then applied at 0.2 mm/s until a target ±400 N shear load was imposed. Markers were drawn on the facet capsule surface and their coordinates were tracked during pre- and postimpact range-of-motion tests. Strain was defined as the change in point configuration relative to the determined neutral joint posture. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) observed in all calculated FJC strain components in rotation and translation before and after the simulated impact. Our results suggest that LBP development resulting from the initiation of strain-induced mechanoreceptors and nociceptors with the facet joint capsule is unlikely following a severe rear impact collision within the boundaries of physiological joint motion.