bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insights into the Activation Mode of α‐Carbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides in Rhodium‐Catalyzed C−H Activation: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Zhang Dianmin , He Xiaofang , Yang Tao , Liu Song
Published: February 2022

A computational study has been performed to investigate the mechanism of RhIII‐catalyzed C−H bond activation using sulfoxonium ylides as a carbene precursor. The stepwise and concerted activation modes for sulfoxonium ylides were investigated. Detailed theoretical results showed that the favored stepwise pathway involves C−H bond activation, carbonization, carbene insertion, and protonation. The free energy profiles for dialkylation of 2‐phenylpyridine were also calculated to account for the low yield of this reaction. Furthermore, the substituent effect was elucidated by comparing the energy barriers for the protonation of meta‐ and para‐substituted sulfoxonium ylides calculated by density functional theory.
Long‐term environmental bending behaviors and service LIFE prediction of KEVLAR fiber mat epoxy composite
Authors: Muralidharan Muniraju , Sathishkumar Thottyeapalayam Palanisamy , de‐Prado‐Gil Jesus , Martínez‐García Rebeca
Published: February 2022

Service life prediction of lightweight fiber reinforced polymer composites is essential for activating the recycling process in the future. The present work investigates the amount of material diffusion, long‐term flexural performance, and prediction of service life for Kevlar fiber mat reinforced Epoxy Composites (KEC). Hand layup technique and compression molding were used for manufacturing the composites and they were submerged in water at 20, 40, and 60 °C temperatures for different time durations like 50, 150, and 300 days. As per the ASTM D 790 standard, the three‐point flexural test was conducted on unaged and aged composites. Fick's law was used to calculate the diffusivity, and the Arrhenius principle was used to calculate the service life and activation energy. Experimental outcomes portrayed that the maximum water absorption for KEC occurred at 60 °C for all immersion periods. Moisture absorption was purely depending on the temperature and duration of the aged composite. Dry KEC showed higher flexural strength than aged composite. The higher flexural strength retention of 58.56% with the maximum service life of 100 years was found for KEC at 40°C. It shows the service life of the kevlar fiber reinforced epoxy composites.
Does dengue and COVID‐19 co‐infection have worse outcomes? A systematic review of current evidence
Authors: El‐Qushayri Amr Ehab , Kamel Ahmed Mostafa Ahmed , Reda Abdullah , Ghozy Sherief
Published: February 2022

In dengue‐endemic regions, the co‐infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 and dengue is a significant health concern. Therefore, we performed a literature search for relevant papers in seven databases on 26 Spetember 2021. Out of 24 articles, the mortality rate and intensive care unit (ICU) admission were 19.1% and 7.8%, respectively. The mean hospital stay was 11.4 days. In addition, we identified two pregnancies with dengue and COVID‐19 co‐infection; one ended with premature rupture of membrane and intrauterine growth restriction fetus, while the other one ended with maternal mortality and intrauterine fetal death. COVID‐19 and dengue co‐infection had worse outcomes regarding mortality rates, ICU admission, and prolonged hospital stay. Thus, wise‐decision management approaches should be adequately offered to these patients to enhance their outcomes. Establishing an early diagnosis might be the answer to reducing the estimated significant burden of these conditions.
Oxygen Self‐Supply Engineering‐Ferritin for the Relief of Hypoxia in Tumors and the Enhancement of Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy
Authors: Zhu Yang , Jin Duo , Liu Manman , Dai Yi , Li Li , Zheng Xinwei , Wang Lulu , Shen Aizong , Yu Jianing , Wu Sisi , Wu Yun , Zhong Kai , Cheng Junjie , Liu Yangzhong
Published: February 2022

Hypoxia is a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that promotes tumor development and metastasis. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising strategy in the treatment of tumors, but it is limited by the lack of oxygen in TME. In this work, an O2 self‐supply PDT system is constructed by co‐encapsulation of chlorin e6 (Ce6) and a MnO2 core in an engineered ferritin (Ftn), generating a nanozyme promoted PDT nanoformula (Ce6/Ftn@MnO2) for tumor therapy. Ce6/Ftn@MnO2 exhibits a uniform small size (15.5 nm) and high stability due to the inherent structure of Ftn. The fluorescence imaging and immunofluorescence analysis demonstrate the pronounced accumulation of Ce6/Ftn@MnO2 in the tumors of mice, and the treatment significantly decreases the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α. The Ce6/Ftn@MnO2 nanoplatform exerts a more potent anti‐tumor efficacy with negligible damage to normal tissues compared to the treatment with free Ce6. Moreover, the weak acidity and the presence of H2O2 in TME significantly enhances the r1 relativity of Ce6/Ftn@MnO2, resulting in a prominent enhancement of MRI imaging in the tumor. This bio‐mimic Ftn strategy not only improves the in vivo distribution and retention of Ce6, but also enhances the effectiveness and precision of PDT by TME modulation.
Microfluidics‐Assisted Synthesis of Hierarchical Cu2O Nanocrystal as C2‐Selective CO2 Reduction Electrocatalyst
Authors: Jun Minki , Kwak Changmo , Lee Si Young , Joo Jinwhan , Kim Ji Min , Im Do Jin , Cho Min Kyung , Baik Hionsuck , Hwang Yun Jeong , Kim Heejin , Lee Kwangyeol
Published: February 2022

Copper‐based catalysts have attracted enormous attention due to their high selectivity for C2+ products during the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR). In particular, grain boundaries on the catalysts contribute to the generation of various Cu coordination environments, which have been found essential for C—C coupling. However, smooth‐surfaced Cu2O nanocrystals generally lack the ability for the surface reorganization to form multiple grain boundaries and desired Cu undercoordination sites. Flow chemistry armed with the unparalleled ability to mix reaction mixture can achieve a very high concentration of unstable reaction intermediates, which in turn are used up rapidly to lead to kinetics‐driven nanocrystal growth. Herein, the synthesis of a unique hierarchical structure of Cu2O with numerous steps (h‐Cu2O ONS) via flow chemistry‐assisted modulation of nanocrystal growth kinetics is reported. The surface of h‐Cu2O ONS underwent rapid surface reconstruction under CO2RR conditions to exhibit multiple heterointerfaces between Cu2O and Cu phases, setting the preferable condition to facilitate C—C bond formation. Notably, the h‐Cu2O ONS obtained the increased C2H4 Faradaic efficiency from 31.9% to 43.5% during electrocatalysis concurrent with the morphological reorganization, showing the role of the stepped surface. Also, the h‐Cu2O ONS demonstrated a 3.8‐fold higher ethylene production rate as compared to the Cu2O nanocube.
Analysis of Hysteresis in the Regime Transition of Cocurrent Liquid–Gas Flow
Authors: Saeedipour Mahdi , Pirker Stefan
Published: February 2022

The dynamics of cocurrent liquid–gas flow control the flow patterns and phase distribution inside the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) in the continuous casting. This regime transition from bubbly flow to annular flow is usually associated with a hysteresis effect that is not fully understood yet. Herein, the regime transition in an analogous liquid–gas flow is investigated using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. A downward turbulent water flow in a vertical pipe is considered as the computational domain at the top of which the gas is injected as a volumetric source in the VOF equation. By temporal variation of the gas volume rate following a linear ramp‐up and then ramp‐down, a transition from bubbly to annular flow and vice versa is observed. However, the transition occurs at different operation points and the numerical simulation pictures this hysteresis phenomenon. The regime transition is connected to the evolution of interfacial turbulence in each phase represented by the amount of vortical energy, that is, enstrophy. In addition, the temporal variation of different enstrophy generation/destruction mechanisms is evaluated. The hysteresis phenomenon is explained by the differences in the history of these mechanisms and the difference in the enstrophy generation level upon transition.
Induction of apoptosis using ATN as a novel Yes‐associated protein inhibitor in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Chu Po‐Chen , Dokla Eman M. E. , Hu Jing‐Lan , Weng Jing‐Ru
Published: February 2022

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents a clinical challenge due to the lack of effective therapy to improve prognosis. Hippo/Yes‐associated protein (YAP) signaling has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for squamous cell carcinoma treatment. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity and underlying mechanisms of {[N‐(4‐(5‐(3‐(3‐(4‐acetamido‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido)phenyl)‐1,2,4‐oxadiazol‐3‐yl)‐3‐chlorophenyl)‐nicotinamide]} (ATN), a novel YAP inhibitor, in OSCC cells. ATN exhibited differential antiproliferative efficacy against OSCC cells (IC50 as low as 0.29 μM) versus nontumorigenic human fibroblast cells (IC50 = 1.9 μM). Moreover, ATN effectively suppressed the expression of YAP and YAP‐related or downstream targets, including Akt, p‐AMPK, c‐Myc, and cyclin D1, which paralleled the antiproliferative efficacy of ATN. Supporting the roles of YAP in regulating cancer cell survival and migration, ATN not only induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis, but also suppressed migration activity in OSCC. Mechanistically, the antitumor activity of ATN in OSCC was attributed, in part, to its ability to regulate Mcl‐1 expression. Together, these findings suggest a translational potential of YAP inhibitors, represented by ATN as anticancer therapy for OSCC.
Reliability and Validity of the Self-Report Chinese Version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS) in Patients Undergoing Plastic Surgery
Authors: Chen Xiaodong , Chen Gang , Wang Jinming , Huang Jinlong
Published: February 2022

Background

To develop a self-report Chinese version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale Modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD-YBOCS) and determine its validity and reliability in patients seeking a consultation with a plastic surgeon or undergoing plastic surgery in China.

Methods

Forward and backward translation and cultural adaptation of the BDD-YBOCS were performed according to recommended guidelines. The self-report Chinese version of the BDD-YBOCS was psychometrically tested using data collected from a cross-sectional validation study, which included 240 patients seeking a consultation with a plastic surgeon or undergoing plastic surgery at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China, between May and September 2020. Item analysis used the independent sample t test and bivariate Pearson test. Content validity was established through expert interviews. Construct validity was measured with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent validity and discriminant validity were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation to evaluate the association between the self-report Chinese version of the BDD-YBOCS and the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ). Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α.

Results

No items were removed from the original English version of the BDD-YBOCS based on expert interviews and factor analysis. A total of 220 patients completed the study survey (91.7%). EFA extracted 3 factors, which accounted for 64.50% of the variance. CFA supported a 3-factor structure (χ2/df = 1.322, RMSEA = 0.054, GFI = 0.904, NFI = 0.902, CFI = 0.974 and TLI = 0.966). The scale had good convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach’s α for the scale was 0.871 (P < 0.001) and ranged from 0.852 to 0.873 when individual items were removed.

Conclusion

The self-report Chinese version of the BDD-YBOCS shows good validity and reliability for use in patients seeking a consultation with a plastic surgeon or undergoing plastic surgery in China.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Women Surgeons in Brazil: A Time Trend Analysis by Specialties in the Last Decade
Authors: Rangel Brandão Gabriela , Iaroseski Júlia , Bueno Motter Sarah , Oliveira Trindade Bruna
Published: February 2022

Background

In surgery, there is a gender worldwide gap. In Brazil, we still do not have studies that describe this scenario. Based on this lack of research, we aim to assess the prevalence of women in surgical specialties, how it has changed over the years and how long it will take to achieve an equal distribution of men and women surgeons in Brazil.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of the last five editions of the Brazilian Medical Demography (2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020). We analyzed the absolute and proportional (women/total) increase in women registered in 13 surgical specialties in Brazil. We performed a linear regression, and we estimated the expected year of equal distribution of women and men in each subspecialty, through the linear regression equation.

Results

In absolute numbers of women, all surgical specialties presented a linear increase over the years (p <.05). In proportional numbers of women, however, 10 specialties showed a significant linear increase (p <.05) except cardiovascular surgery, hand surgery, and neurosurgery. According to the equation that predicts equal distribution, pediatric surgery will be the first one to achieve equal distribution, in 2026, and other specialties are far from achieving it. For example, Urology will not achieve equal distribution until 2433.

Conclusions

There are fewer women surgeons in Brazil than men. However, in general, there is an increase in women in the analyzed specialties over the years. With the proportional inclusion of women in the Brazilian surgical workforce, we hope that we can achieve sex equality in Brazil.
Effect of obstructive sleep apnoea on retinal microvascular function: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Turnbull Chris D. , Stockley James A. , Madathil Shyam , Huq Syed S. A. , Cooper Brendan G. , Ali Asad , Wharton Simon , Stradling John R. , Heitmar Rebekka
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Retinal microvascular endothelial dysfunction is thought to be of importance in the development of ocular vascular diseases. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) causes macrovascular endothelial dysfunction, but the effect of OSA on retinal microvascular endothelial function is not known. We aimed to determine the effect of OSA on retinal microvascular function.

Methods

We conducted a multi-centre, double-blind, randomised, parallel, controlled trial in patients with known moderate-to-severe OSA, established on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Participants were randomised to 14 nights of either continued CPAP or sham CPAP to generate a return of OSA. Retinal vascular responses to flickering light were measured using dynamic vessel analysis both at baseline and after 14 nights of intervention. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to follow-up in the area under the curve of the arteriolar response to flickering light, sham CPAP versus continued CPAP.

Results

Nineteen patients were randomised to sham CPAP, and 18 patients were randomised to continued CPAP. There was no significant effect of CPAP withdrawal and return of OSA on retinal responses, with a change in the area under the curve of the arteriole response to flickering light of + 3.8 arbitrary units (95% CI − 10.6 to + 18.2, p = 0.59), sham CPAP versus continued CPAP.

Conclusions

CPAP withdrawal and a return of OSA had no significant effect on retinal microvascular responses. This contrasts with the effect of CPAP withdrawal on macrovascular endothelial function and suggests that OSA has different effects on macrovascular and microvascular endothelial function.

ISRCTN 78082983, 23/10/2014, Prospectively registered.
Late effects and survival of children with malignant solid tumours in northern Finland: a single-centre cohort study
Authors: Kortelainen Sanni , Harju Tekla , Juntti Hanna , Pokka Tytti , Niinimäki Riitta
Published: February 2022

The global survival rates for childhood cancers are high: approximately 80% of affected children will survive. Nevertheless, the burden of treatment for survivors is also high as three-quarters experience late effects of varying severity following cancer treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate the treatment-related late effects of patients with childhood solid tumour in northern Finland and to report their survival rates. Our study included 104 patients treated for malignant solid tumours, excluding central nervous system tumours and lymphomas, between 1990 and 2015. Information regarding the type of late effects as well as other clinical data were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Late effects were observed in 65 (63%) patients, and almost half (40%) of the patients displayed more than one late effect. The most common late effect was hearing loss (n = 20). The 5-year survival rate in our study was 75%.

   Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of long-term follow-up for childhood cancer survivors. As survivors age and survival rates improve, late effects and their impact on patient health as well as the value of surveillance must be considered.

What is Known:• Up to three-quarters of childhood cancer survivors experience treatment-related late effects.

What is New:• The 5-year survival rate and the prevalence of late effects amongst childhood solid tumour patients treated in northern Finland are in line with findings from previous studies.
Optimizing fresh-frozen plasma transfusion in surgical neonates through thromboelastography: a quality improvement study
Authors: Raffaeli Genny , Pesenti Nicola , Cavallaro Giacomo , Cortesi Valeria , Manzoni Francesca , Amelio Giacomo Simeone , Gulden Silvia , Napolitano Luisa , Macchini Francesco , Mosca Fabio , Ghirardello Stefano
Published: February 2022

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is largely misused in the neonatal setting. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of a Thromboelastography (TEG)-based Quality Improvement (QI) project on perioperative FFP use and neonatal outcomes. Retrospective pre-post implementation study in a level-III NICU including all neonates undergoing major non-cardiac surgery before (01–12/2017) and after (01–12/2019) the intervention. In 2018, the intervention included the following: (1) Training on TEG, (2) Implementation of TEG, and (3) Algorithm for TEG-directed FFP administration in surgical neonates. We compared pre- vs post-intervention patient characteristics, hemostasis, and clinical management. Linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the project on main outcomes. We analyzed 139 neonates (pre-intervention: 72/post-intervention: 67) with a mean (± SD) gestational age (GA) 34.9 (± 5) weeks and birthweight 2265 (± 980) grams which were exposed to 184 surgical procedures (pre-intervention: 91/post-intervention: 93). Baseline characteristics were similar between periods. In 2019, prothrombin time (PT) was longer (14.3 vs 13.2 s; p < 0.05) and fibrinogen was lower (229 vs 265 mg/dl; p < 0.05), if compared to 2017. In 2019, the intraoperative exposure to FFP decreased (31% vs 60%, p < 0.001), while the pre-operative FFP use did not change. The reduction of intraoperative FFP did not impact on mortality and morbidity. Intraoperative FFP use was lower in the post-intervention even after controlling for GA, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, PT, and fibrinogen (Odds ratio: 0.167; 95% CI: 0.070, 0.371).

   Conclusion: The TEG-based QI project for the management of FFP during neonatal surgery reduced intraoperative FFP exposure.

What is Known:• PT and aPTT are poor predictors of bleeding risk in acquired neonatal coagulopathy, leading to likely unnecessary fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion in the Neonatal Intensive Care Setting. • As neonatal hemostasis is a delicate balance between the concomitant reduction of pro- and anti-coagulants drivers, thromboelastography (TEG) is a promising alternative for coagulation monitoring.

What is New:• The implementation of TEG, training, and shared protocols contributed to reduced intraoperative FFP use, which was not associated with increased mortality or bleeding events.• These findings inform future research showing that there is clinical equipoise to allow for larger studies to confirm the use of TEG in NICUs and to identify TEG cut-offs for transfusion practice.
Deterministic Constructions of High-Dimensional Sets with Small Dispersion
Authors: Ullrich Mario , Vybíral Jan
Published: February 2022

The dispersion of a point set$$P\subset [0,1]^d$$P⊂[0,1]dis the volume of the largest box with sides parallel to the coordinate axes, which does not intersectP. It was observed only recently that, for any$$\varepsilon >0$$ε>0, certain randomized constructions provide point sets with dispersion smaller than$$\varepsilon $$εand number of elements growing only logarithmically ind. Based on deep results from coding theory, we present explicit, deterministic algorithms to construct such point sets in time that is only polynomial ind. Note that, however, the running-time will be super-exponential in$$\varepsilon ^{-1}$$ε-1. Our construction is based on the apparently new insight that low-dispersion point sets can be deduced from solutions of certaink-restriction problems, which are well-known in coding theory.
Predictive value of the Distress Thermometer score for risk of suicide in patients with cancer
Authors: Chiang Yung-Chih , Couper Jeremy , Chen Jing-Wen , Lin Ke-Jui , Wu Han-Ping
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the association between the Distress Thermometer (DT) score and risk of suicide in patients with cancer. In addition, we aimed to determine the best cutoff score to predict patients at risk of suicide.

Methods

From 2015 to 2016, we retrospectively collected data on patients with cancer. DT scores were collected, and the association between DT score and risk of suicide (suicide ideation or death ideation) was analyzed. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to identify the appropriate cutoff score for predicting risk of suicide.

Results

A total of 260 patients with cancer were included, and suicidal ideation was identified in 33 cases referred for psychological intervention. The DT scores of the patients with suicidal ideation were significantly higher than those of patients without suicidal ideation (6.30±2.11 vs. 4.29±1.72, p<0.05). In addition, the area under the ROC curve for predicting risk for suicide was 0.758. The cutoff DT score of 3 had the highest sensitivity of 1.00 to rule out suicidal ideation, while 9 had the highest specificity of 1.00 to rule in suicidal ideation. Moreover, the appropriate cutoff DT score to predict patients with suicidal ideation was 5, with a sensitivity of 0.52, specificity of .84, positive likelihood ratio of 3.24, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.58.

Conclusion

The DT score may be a helpful clinical tool to evaluate emotional distress and risk of suicide in patients with cancer. Clinically, for DT scores greater than 5 in patients with cancer, the risk of suicide greatly increases. In view of the DT’s widespread use internationally by non-mental health clinicians in cancer to guide the need for specialist mental health interventions, its potential utility in also predicting suicide risk is of great interest.
Risk factors for nephropathy in persons with type 1 diabetes: a population-based study
Authors: Seyed Ahmadi Shilan , Pivodic Aldina , Svensson Ann-Marie , Wedel Hans , Rathsman Björn , Nyström Thomas , Ludvigsson Johnny , Lind Marcus
Published: February 2022

Aims

Albuminuria is strongly associated with risk of renal dysfunction, cardiovascular disease and mortality. However, clinical guidelines diverge, and evidence is sparse on what risk factor levels regarding blood pressure, blood lipids and BMI are needed to prevent albuminuria in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

A total of 9347 children and adults with type 1 diabetes [mean age 15.3 years and mean diabetes duration 1.4 years at start of follow-up] from The Swedish National Diabetes Registry were followed from first registration until end of 2017. Levels for risk factors for a risk increase in nephropathy were evaluated, and the gradient of risk per 1 SD (standard deviation) was estimated to compare the impact of each risk factor.

Results

During the follow-up period, 8610 (92.1%) remained normoalbuminuric, 737 (7.9%) individuals developed micro- or macroalbuminuria at any time period of whom 132 (17.9% of 737) individuals developed macroalbuminuria. Blood pressure ≥ 140/80 mmHg was associated with increased risk of albuminuria (p ≤ 0.0001), as were triglycerides ≥ 1.0 mmol/L (p = 0.039), total cholesterol ≥ 5.0 mmol/L (p =  0.0003), HDL < 1.0 mmol/L (p = 0.013), LDL 3.5– < 4.0 mmol/L (p = 0.020), and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (p =  0.033). HbA1c was the strongest risk factor for any albuminuria estimated by the measure gradient of risk per 1 SD, followed by diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol and LDL. In patients with HbA1c > 65 mmol/mol (> 8.1%), blood pressure > 140/70 mmHg was associated with increased risk of albuminuria.

Conclusions

Preventing renal complications in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes need avoidance at relatively high levels of blood pressure, blood lipids and BMI, whereas very tight control is not associated with further risk reduction. For patients with long-term poor glycaemic control, stricter blood pressure control is advocated.
Early extractions of premolars reduce age-related crowding of lower incisors: 50 years of follow-up
Authors: Persson Maurits , Al-Taai Nameer , Pihlgren Karin , Westerlund Anna
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To study the effects of extraction of four premolars, without subsequent orthodontic treatment, on the crowding of lower incisors in subjects between early adolescence and late adulthood, as compared to untreated subjects.

Materials and methods

A total of 45 subjects were included in this study. The extraction group comprised 24 subjects who had all the first premolars removed at a mean age of 11.5 years, to relieve crowding in a class I malocclusion without subsequent orthodontic treatment. The control group had 21 untreated subjects, having a normal occlusion at a mean age of 13.0 years. The participants were documented with dental casts and cephalograms at mean ages of 11.4 and 13.0 years, for the two groups respectively (T1), and at mean ages of 30.9 years (T2) and 61.7 years (T3). Changes in lower incisor crowding were described as changes in “irregularity” and “space deficiency.”

Results

The extraction group showed no changes in the irregularity of the lower incisors and significant improvement of the space deficiency of the lower teeth into late adulthood. While in the control group, both irregularity of the lower incisors and space deficiency of the lower teeth increased significantly into late adulthood.

Conclusion

Lower incisor alignment remains mainly unchanged into late adulthood in subjects who have all their first premolars removed in childhood, as the only treatment to relieve teeth crowding.

Clinical relevance

Severe crowding in a class I occlusion can be solved solely with premolar extraction, allowing for spontaneous adjustments with more stable incisor alignment up to late adulthood.
Quantifying an online wildlife trade using a web crawler
Authors: Masters Susanne , Anthoons Bastien , Madesis Panagiotis , G. Saroja Seethapathy , Schermer Maarten , Gerritsen Wilfred , Karahan Arzu , Verdoes Rick , Schwallier Rachel , van Andel Tinde , de Boer Hugo , Gravendeel Barbara
Published: February 2022

Legally protected plants are illegally traded through online sales platforms and orchids are a significant component of this wildlife trade. This study focused on salep, a compound product made from wild collected orchid tubers from several genera—including Anacamptis, Dactylorhiza, Himantoglossum, Ophrys, Orchis, Serapias—whose harvest endangers some of the species used, despite their collection and sale being restricted by national and international legislation. Using a custom designed web crawler in combination with DNA barcoding of a subset of products over 18 months 1942 items of salep were detected as sold at a total value of US$ 37,775, estimated to be equivalent to 90,000 to 180,000 wild orchids being destructively harvested. Wild harvested tubers traded at a value of $0.21 and equivalent cultivated orchids have a market price of $16–28; cultivation is currently no viable alternative to wild harvesting. Using a web crawler on open trade sites contributes to knowledge on illegal wildlife trade, which can be used to address illegal plant trade at the national and international level.
Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder-Short Version (PSCD-SV): Psychometric Properties, Concurrent Correlates and Parenting Predictors
Authors: López-Romero Laura , Cutrín Olalla , Maneiro Lorena , Salekin Randall T.
Published: February 2022

The present study aims to further examine the four-factor model of psychopathy in adolescence with a new alternate model for the assessment of psychopathic traits and conduct disorder (CD): The Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder-Short version (PSCD-SV). Data were collected in a sample of 414 adolescents (49.2% females) aged 12–15 at the first assessment who were then followed-up 2 years later. Results supported the usefulness of the PSCD-SV to assess the broader construct of psychopathy showing good psychometric properties, including adequate reliability and validity, while accounting for all its dimensions. In addition, the study showed close associations between psychopathic traits and adolescent behavioral, emotional and psychosocial maladjustment. Finally, the findings elucidated the PSCD’s connection to parental support and psychological control, and reinforced the potential role of parenting practices as predictors that can act as mechanisms of change in the development of psychopathy. Overall, current findings shed light on conceptual and developmental models of psychopathy that may have implications for assessment, diagnostic classification, prevention, and intervention.
An Approaching Motor Boat Induces Stress-Related Behaviors in Proboscis Monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) Living in a Riparian Area
Authors: Davila-Ross Marina , Pople Helen , Gibson Violet , Nathan Senthilvel K. S. S. , Goossens Benoit , Stark Danica J.
Published: February 2022

Primate ecotourism is a fast-growing tourism sector that may have a negative effect on wildlife. In riparian areas, tourists can conveniently reach primates via motor boats, but no study has directly examined whether such boats cause stress in primates. Our goal was to test whether the approach of a motor boat induces stress-related and other behaviors in proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), an Endangered species. We studied six one-male, multifemale groups living in a remote riparian area in Sabah, Malaysia, and conducted an experiment by approaching the monkeys in a motor boat by using three conditions with different speeds and travel distances (fast-close, slow-close, and slow-far conditions; 7-8 subjects per condition). For each condition, we compared stress-related behaviors before the boat approach with after the boat started approaching. Feeding, allogrooming and aggression were similarly examined, respectively. We also observed the monkeys’ behaviors at other times to examine age-sex classes differences in vigilance, social proximity, allogrooming, aggression and play (87 subjects). In the experiment, subjects displayed stress-related behaviors for longer in the fast-close and slow-close conditions once the boat started approaching than before the boat approach. The subjects also reduced feeding in the fast-close condition after the boat started approaching. In our observational study, males were more vigilant than females—a behavior that is likely to relate to male-male competition and group protection. This study provides evidence that even a single motor boat moving slowly, with humans behaving calmly, may negatively affect primate behavior and induce stress—an impact that is likely to be larger with tourist boats. Our study also shows that using conditions comparable to the slow-far condition (speed of 3.6 km/hr; no closer than 60 m), where no impact was observed, may help with to develop guidelines for primate tourism in riparian areas. Future research that examines the impact of boats on other primates is needed.
The effect of real estate purchase subsidies on property prices
Authors: Krolage Carla
Published: February 2022

This paper assesses to which degree housing purchase subsidies are capitalized into property prices. Using a large-scale micro-dataset on German house prices, I exploit the introduction of a new subsidy scheme in the state of Bavaria. My difference-in-difference estimations at the Bavarian interstate border indicate that the prices of single-family homes increased by approximately 10,000 euros more in Bavarian border regions. This is consistent with a full capitalization of the subsidy. No effect is found for apartments, whose purchasers seldom qualify for the subsidy. A heterogeneity analysis confirms that the price effect is larger in segments of the real estate market with a higher exposure to the subsidy scheme. I also provide suggestive evidence that the subsidy scheme slightly stimulated construction activity. Overall, my results indicate that instead of making house purchases more affordable for families, the subsidy scheme led to a rise in house prices and mainly benefited sellers of properties.
Schema-Centred Unity and Process-Centred Pluralism of the Predictive Mind
Authors: Poth Nina
Published: February 2022

Proponents of the predictive processing (PP) framework often claim that one of the framework’s significant virtues is its unificatory power. What is supposedly unified are predictive processes in the mind, and these are explained in virtue of a common prediction error-minimisation (PEM) schema. In this paper, I argue against the claim that PP currently converges towards a unified explanation of cognitive processes. Although the notion of PEM systematically relates a set of posits such as ‘efficiency’ and ‘hierarchical coding’ into a unified conceptual schema, neither the frameworks’ algorithmic specifications nor its hypotheses about their implementations in the brain are clearly unified. I propose a novel way to understand the fruitfulness of the research program in light of a set of research heuristics that are partly shared with those common to Bayesian reverse engineering. An interesting consequence of this proposal is that pluralism is at least as important as unification to promote the positive development of the predictive mind.
A class of C2 quasi-interpolating splines free of Gibbs phenomenon
Authors: Amat Sergio , Levin David , Ruiz-Álvarez Juan , Trillo Juan C. , Yáñez Dionisio F.
Published: February 2022

In many applications, it is useful to use piecewise polynomials that satisfy certain regularity conditions at the joint points. Cubic spline functions emerge as good candidates havingC2regularity. On the other hand, if the data points present discontinuities, the classical spline approximations produce Gibbs oscillations. In a recent paper, we have introduced a new nonlinear spline approximation avoiding the presence of these oscillations. Unfortunately, this new reconstruction loses theC2regularity. This paper introduces a new nonlinear spline that preserves the regularity at all the joint points except at the end points of an interval containing a discontinuity, and that avoids the Gibbs oscillations.
Evaluating cementation factor for bioturbated sandstones, Bhuj Formation, Kachchh Basin, India: a novel approach using triple-porosity model
Authors: Singh Ajendra , Dcunha Jason , Desai Bhawanisingh G.
Published: February 2022

Cementation factor has a crucial role in evaluating volumetric reserves for heterogeneous clastic reservoir. Bioturbation is a prominent source of heterogeneity existing in hydrocarbon-bearing formation across the world. The effect of bioturbation on the petrophysical properties of the clastic has not been comprehensively understood yet, especially its effect on cementation factor estimation. The precise description of such properties is beneficial in developing better volumetric estimates and optimizing field development planning. The present work discusses an approach to characterize cementation factor in bioturbated clastic Bhuj Formation, Kachchh Basin, India. In order to ascertain the cementation exponent for bioturbated media, an improved triple-porosity model is proposed by quantifying the total porous volume into three components, namely matrix 1, matrix 2 and bioturbated region. An equivalent resistance model is then developed by identifying the series and parallel relation between the two matrix components and the burrow. The experimental observations of electrical response indicated large variation in resistivity in vertical cores compared to horizontal cores. The decreased resistivity is due to the vertically aligned burrow which due to their enhanced porosity provides less tortuous path for current to flow. The triple-porosity model is validated with different porosity value of matrix 1, matrix 2 and burrow, and a cementation factor of 2.8 for higher bioturbated samples and 3 for lower bioturbated samples is obtained. This validates the previous understanding of enhanced flow and storage property and thereby produces a consistent way to evaluate total cementation factor. The correct estimation of cementation factor helps in precise evaluation of water saturation in bioturbated reservoirs.
Plan writing as a policy tool: instrumental, conceptual, and tactical uses of water management plans in California
Authors: Escobedo Garcia Nataly , Ulibarri Nicola
Published: February 2022

Numerous environmental regulations require organizations to codify prospective activities in a written plan. However, evidence suggests that many plans are never implemented, raising questions about why public agencies continually require plans, whether mandating plans allows agencies to meet their policy aims, and what additional purposes plans serve. Adopting concepts from literature on research utilization, we develop a plan use typology, defining instrumental use as occurring when the requirement to write a plan directly addresses a stated policy problem, conceptual use as occurring when the requirement to write a plan indirectly addresses a policy problem by raising awareness of an issue or improving governance capacity, and tactical use as occurring when the requirement to write a plan serves a political or symbolic purpose unrelated to solving the policy problem. We then apply the typology to four California statutes that require local and regional utilities to write water management plans. We first assess the statutes to identify the goals underlying the requirement to write a plan and assess what plan uses are emphasized in guidance documents and the written plans themselves. Lastly, we interview the plan writing organizations to capture their perspectives on the value and limitations of these plans. We find that legislators turn to plans to support instrumental and conceptual goals but that the plans themselves and the way they are used by authoring agencies primarily serve conceptual and tactical uses, suggesting a disconnect between the policy goals underlying plans and their actual use.
Hybrid model for exhaust systems in vehicle thermal management simulations
Authors: Ahmed Saad , Rottengruber Hermann , Full Markus
Published: February 2022

Using Vehicle Thermal Management (VTM) simulations to predict the thermal load experienced by components is a popular method within the automotive industry. The VTM simulation approach is fast becoming equivalent to conducting thermal load tests with prototypes for vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. This is especially true in the early development phase of the vehicle. The accuracy of the VTM simulations plays a pivotal role at them being accepted as an eventual replacement for physical testing. The correct prediction of thermal loads in VTM simulations depends on a multitude of different parameters, but the modelling of the exhaust system plays a central role in it. This is because the exhaust gas, and with it the exhaust system, is the primary source of heat in a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The developed approach not only needs to be accurate but also modular enough to allow for different exhaust configurations to be tested. It also needs to be capable of integration into any VTM simulation workflow while maintaining an industrially acceptable turnaround time. This paper explores a new methodology to achieve these requirements. A 1D/3D hybrid approach to exhaust system modelling is presented. In this, the components that have an enthalpy change of the exhaust gas, such as the turbocharger, have been modelled as 1D and simple components such as pipes have been modelled in 3D. This has the advantage of combining the speed of 1D simulations with the spatial accuracy of 3D simulations. The method uses a unique three-code co-simulation technique for full vehicle VTM simulations. The coupling is between a 3D CFD software, a 1D simulation tool, and a Finite Element based thermal solver. The methodology was validated against experimental data for multiple loadcases. The results show good agreement with experiment within acceptable tolerances.
Apologies in South Asian Varieties of English: A Corpus-Based Study on Indian and Sri Lankan English
Authors: Degenhardt Julia , Bernaisch Tobias
Published: February 2022

Despite notable recent exceptions (for instance Funke, 2020), corpus-based research into South Asian Englishes has so far concentrated on structural features. Thus, empirical pragmatic research in said varieties is still sparse, although there has been increasing interest in variational pragmatics in world Englishes (Schneider & Barron, 2008). For instance, requests have been examined in both native and non-native varieties of English. However, studies on apologies have largely focussed on first-language varieties of English (Deutschmann, 2003). Against this background, the present study investigates apology patterns in two South Asian second-language varieties of English, Indian and Sri Lankan English, and their historical input variety British English. With the help of the spoken parts of the respective components of the International Corpus of English, multifactorial analyses—including an improved form of random forests that explicitly takes interactions between several predictors into account—model the choice of sorry as opposed to other apology forms. Findings suggest quantitative differences in the use of sorry which are influenced by factors such as type of apology, topic and age or combinations of said factors. In sum, this study suggests that apology forms and frequencies are sensitive to the speakers’ regional background and sociobiographic factors as well as to structural and contextual parameters.
Migration into and out of Indian Reserves Between 2011 and 2016: a Study Using Census Data Linkage
Authors: Dion Patrice , Morency Jean-Dominique
Published: February 2022

The impact of migration on the sizes, composition, and well-being of First Nations communities and the motivations that triggered such migrations have long been a topic of interest among researchers. Exploiting a new data source, linkages of consecutive censuses, this study aims to portray migration into and out of Indian reserves, with a focus on the Indigenous population. Between 2011 and 2016, migrations into and out of reserves resulted in net losses for reserves. These migratory losses, however, did not prevent the population on reserve to continue growing. From a socioeconomic point of view, migrations had a net positive impact on reserves by contributing to increase the proportions of individuals who are employed, with relatively high incomes or relatively high education. Looking at the determinants of migration, and taking advantage of a multilevel framework, it is found that migration into and out of reserves is multidimensional, being influenced by factors at both individual and community levels. Out-migration seems to be governed mainly by the propensity of individuals at certain stages of life to leave the reserve, permanently or not. In contrast, in-migration appears more influenced by reserves’ characteristics, and its prevalence varies greatly from one reserve to another.
Liberty and the Politics of the Female Voice in Early Stuart England
Authors: Luckyj Christina
Published: February 2022

The female voice was deployed by male and female authors alike to signal emerging discourses of religious and political liberty in early Stuart England. Christina Luckyj's important new study focuses critical attention on writing in multiple genres to show how, in the coded rhetoric of seventeenth-century religious politics, the wife's conscience in resisting tyranny represents the rights of the subject, and the bride's militant voice in the Song of Songs champions Christ's independent jurisdiction. Revealing this gendered system of representation through close analysis of writings by Elizabeth Cary, Aemilia Lanyer, Rachel Speght, Mary Wroth and Anne Southwell, Luckyj illuminates the dangers of essentializing female voices and restricting them to domestic space. Through their connections with parliament, with factional courtiers, or with dissident religious figures, major women writers occupied a powerful oppositional stance in relation to early Stuart monarchs and crafted a radical new politics of the female voice.
Quasi-Interpolation
Authors: Buhmann Martin , Jäger Janin
Published: February 2022

Quasi-interpolation is one of the most useful and often applied methods for the approximation of functions and data in mathematics and applications. Its advantages are manifold: quasi-interpolants are able to approximate in any number of dimensions, they are efficient and relatively easy to formulate for scattered and meshed nodes and for any number of data. This book provides an introduction into the field for graduate students and researchers, outlining all the mathematical background and methods of implementation. The mathematical analysis of quasi-interpolation is given in three directions, namely on the basis (spline spaces, radial basis functions) from which the approximation is taken, on the form and computation of the quasi-interpolants (point evaluations, averages, least squares), and on the mathematical properties (existence, locality, convergence questions, precision). Learn which type of quasi-interpolation to use in different contexts and how to optimise its features to suit applications in physics and engineering.