bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Determines Effective Tax Rates? The Relative Influence of Tax and Other Factors*†
Authors: Schwab Casey M. , Stomberg Bridget , Xia Junwei
Published: July 2021

Many studies use GAAP effective tax rates (ETRs) as a proxy for tax avoidance and assume that very low (high) ETRs represent the greatest (least) tax avoidance, yet ETRs can be affected by items unrelated to tax avoidance. Despite awareness of the potential limitations of ETRs versus other factors as a measure of tax avoidance, the literature lacks consistent evidence on the extent to which ETRs capture tax avoidance. We take a step toward filling this void using income tax footnote disclosures from 2008 through 2016 to investigate how well ETRs versus other factors capture cross‐sectional differences in tax avoidance. We document that ETRs below 5% and above 40% are significantly influenced by items largely unrelated to tax avoidance, such as valuation allowances and goodwill impairments. Truncating ETRs at zero and one, controlling for standard determinants of tax avoidance, and using industry‐size‐adjusted ETRs or multiyear GAAP ETRs do not eliminate the clustering of factors largely unrelated to tax avoidance in the tails of the ETR distribution. Cash ETRs attenuate but do not eliminate this clustering. Researchers can use ETR rate reconciliation data to construct an adjusted ETR that removes the influence of factors largely unrelated to tax avoidance. Our findings inform researchers about factors largely unrelated to tax avoidance that drive significant deviations in ETRs from the statutory tax rate. This is of increasing importance as the number of studies examining the consequences of very high and very low ETRs grows.
Cecidophyopsis mites and blackcurrant reversion virus on Ribes hosts: Current scientific progress and knowledge gaps
Authors: Moročko‐Bičevska Inga , Stalažs Arturs , Lācis Gunārs , Laugale Valda , Baļķe Ina , Zuļģe Neda , Strautiņa Sarmīte
Published: July 2021

The production of Ribes (Rosaceae) in temperate regions in Europe, Asia and New Zealand is severely constrained by damages of Cecidophyopsis mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) and blackcurrant reversion virus (BRV) (Nepovirus, Secoviridae). The infestation of Ribes plants with Cecidophyopsis mites and BRV infection is a complex tripartite system. This paper reviews scientific progress and knowledge gaps on the Cecidophyopsis‐BRV‐Ribes complex emphasising Cecidophyopsis mites as a pest and natural vector of BRV, BRV as a pathogen, and Ribes as a host plant with horticultural significance. Cecidophyopsis species occurring on Ribes, their host range, geographic distribution and the role in BRV transmission is reviewed. Blackcurrant reversion disease symptoms and BRV hosts are analysed. Resistance of Ribes to Cecidophyopsis and BRV, and resistance breeding aspects are discussed. Discrepancies in research data, controversies and problems are highlighted, and further research is suggested to clarify some of the controversial aspects.
Career calling and team member proactivity: The roles of living out a calling and mentoring
Authors: Cai Wenjing , El Baroudi Sabrine , Khapova Svetlana N. , Xu Binfeng , Kraimer Maria L.
Published: July 2021

With the growing interest in the joint effects of individual and contextual factors in predicting team member proactivity, this paper examines why and when pursuing one's career calling can lead to team member proactivity. Drawing on the Work as a Calling Theory, we propose that “living out a calling” explains why employees' perceived career calling positively relates to team member proactivity and especially when the employee receives high levels of mentoring support. Our hypotheses are tested using a multisource and time‐lagged study design with a sample of 296 dyads of Chinese employees and their direct supervisors. We found support for the mediating role of living out a calling (Time 2) in the positive relationship between perceiving a calling (Time 1) and team member proactivity (Time 3). Mentoring (Time 2) moderated the perceiving a calling and living out a calling link such that when employees received more mentoring, the relationship was positive, whereas under lower levels of mentoring, the relationship was negative. Similarly, the indirect relationship between perceiving a calling and team member proactivity through living out a calling was positive at higher levels of mentoring, but the relationship was negative at lower levels of mentoring.
Voices of students with intellectual disabilities: Experiences of transition in “inclusive schools” in Indonesia
Authors: Andriana Elga , Evans David
Published: July 2021

Accessible summary

This paper reports the experiences of primary school students with intellectual disabilities in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, during transitions within various contexts such as from “regular school” to “inclusive school,” from special class to regular class and from one year level to the next year level after experiencing year(s) of grade retention.

Students with intellectual disabilities together with their typically developing peers were involved as co‐researchers using drawings and photographs to research their educational and social experiences and report their views.

Educational transitions are rarely discussed or taken into account in the Indonesian context.

The views of the students with intellectual disability in this study are a significant contribution to the development of meaningful inclusive education in the Indonesian context, which at this time continues to represent exclusionary practices or divisions between “regular children” and “inclusion children.”

Background

Within the emergence of inclusive education in Indonesia, transitions take on various forms impacting the educational and social lives of students. This paper reports the experiences of primary school students with intellectual disabilities during transitions in various contexts.

Methods

An initial period of research used arts‐informed methods to support the students to capture their journey in education. While the voice of students about inclusive education was captured through photographs, drawings and conversations, students were supported to undertake a personal research project.

Results

Students shared a range of experiences and feelings in the interviews using the photographs and drawings as prompts. Some reported on being expelled from regular school as a result of failure to meet academic standards and transitioning to “inclusive school.” These “inclusive schools” moved the students from special to the regular classroom, and back, based on their academic performance. While students valued the opportunity of having more friends in the regular class, they voiced a preference for the special classroom for social interactions. Some students reported their experiences of being retained at year level for lack of progress in a rigid curriculum. Students expressed their conflicting emotions of sadness when retained, of happiness when promoted and despair at the level of learning support provided to “survive” in the higher year level. The students also provided insight into the identity of students with intellectual disabilities as impacted by transition experiences.

Conclusions

Transitions, and barriers to transitions, come in varying forms, and students with disabilities contextualise and report them in different ways.
Palaeoceanographic significance of aragonitic pteropods in the Indian Ocean – a review
Authors: Sreevidya Edayiliam , Sijinkumar Adukkam V. , Nath Bejugam N.
Published: July 2021

The Quaternary pteropod records published in the late 1990s from the Indian Ocean provided vital information on past oceanographic and climatic changes in this region. This paper reviews the published work on pteropod preservation and abundance in the Indian Ocean to evaluate the usefulness of this microfossil group in palaeoceanographic reconstructions. Their aragonitic shell chemistry makes them reliable indicators of ocean acidification, paleaoceanography and paleoclimate. An increased interest in studying this faunal group has arisen from recent findings on the vulnerability of aragonite shell preservation to human impacted water column chemistry changes. The compiled pteropod studies show that most of the pteropod databases contain information on abundance and distribution. However, the biogeochemical parameters and processes, such as aragonite production in the water column, their settling fluxes and the shell dissolution patterns are less explored. Despite the wide geographical range of pteropods and their significance in the marine food web, the ecology and taxonomy of the holoplanktonic gastropods in the Indian Ocean are poorly known. Though these pteropods are recovered in plankton tows (standing crop) and sediment traps (settling fluxes), the surface sediments in large parts of the northern Indian Ocean are completely devoid of them. Thus, assessing their fate in the water column and the sediment–water interface and their response to prevailing biogeochemical conditions are worth pursuing. Genomic studies and isotopic and elemental chemistry of living and fossil pteropods could help assess their response to ecological changes. To date, such modern techniques have been little utilized in studying Indian Ocean pteropods. A knowledge of their shell chemistry is crucial in the context of increased input of anthropogenic CO2and the susceptibility of pteropod preservation to changing climate.
Artificial intelligence for solid tumour diagnosis in digital pathology
Authors: Klein Christophe , Zeng Qinghe , Arbaretaz Floriane , Devêvre Estelle , Calderaro Julien , Lomenie Nicolas , Maiuri Maria Chiara
Published: July 2021

Tumour diagnosis relies on the visual examination of histological slides by pathologists through a microscope eyepiece. Digital pathology, the digitalization of histological slides at high magnification with slides scanners, has raised the opportunity to extract quantitative information due to image analysis. In the last decade, medical image analysis has made exceptional progress due to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. AI has been successfully used in the field of medical imaging and more recently in digital pathology. The feasibility and usefulness of AI assisted pathology tasks have been demonstrated in the very last years and we can expect those developments to be applied to routine histopathology in the future. In this review, we will describe and illustrate this technique and present the most recent applications in the field of tumour histopathology.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Molecular imaging ‐ visual themed issue. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.21/issuetoc
Bat–flower interaction networks in Caatinga reveal generalized associations and temporal stability
Authors: Cordero‐Schmidt Eugenia , Maruyama Pietro Kiyoshi , Vargas‐Mena Juan Carlos , Pereira Oliveira Paulino , de Assis R. Santos Francisco , Medellín Rodrigo A. , Rodriguez‐Herrera Bernal , Venticinque Eduardo M.
Published: July 2021

Seasonal variation in precipitation regimes influences species composition and plant–animal interactions. Such temporal variation is especially relevant in the Brazilian Caatinga, the largest Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in South America, where bat pollination is unusually frequent in comparison with other tropical plant communities. Here, we describe seasonal and annual variations of the interaction networks between nectarivorous bats and flower species in the Caatinga. Five species of nectar‐feeding bats interacted with 30 plant species. Nectarivorous bats showed high levels of interaction overlap, which contributed to ecological generalization (low specialization and modularity) and lack of nestedness in the interaction networks. This pattern was consistent across seasons and years. Chiropterophilous and non‐chiropterophilous plants were equally important components of the interaction network. The generalized interaction patterns found may be a necessary condition for the persistence of nectarivorous bats and their specialized plants in the environmentally harsh and variable Caatinga. The underappreciated generalized interactions of bats with plants calls for studies testing the effectiveness of bats in pollinating the plants they visit, including those not typically categorized as “bat‐flowers”.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
A systematic review of the outcomes of false‐positive results on newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism
Authors: Rosettenstein Kerri R. , Lain Samantha J. , Wormleaton Nicola , Jack Michelle M.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The potential of harm to infants or their parents from a false positive (FP) newborn screening (NBS) result for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is often cited as an argument against lowering of screening thresholds for CH. This systematic review (SR) examines the evidence of harm and factors that possibly contribute.

Study Design

PRISMA guidelines were followed and the protocol was registered online (Prospero, ID CRD42019123950, 20 August 2019) before the search was conducted. Multiple electronic databases and grey literature were searched. Articles were included/excluded based on predetermined eligibility criteria. Included articles were appraised for quality, using the relevant Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool. Data were extracted and results were tabulated and summarised as part of a narrative synthesis.

Results

A total of six studies met the inclusion criteria. All were qualitative and three were based on the same cohort. Studies were published between 1983 and 1996. CASP appraisals scored 2/6 studies as moderate quality and 4/6 as low quality. Studies reported that FP results on CH screening may cause initial stress for parents and poorly defined behavioural disturbance in a small number of children, though these effects were generally not long‐lasting. Poor screening processes and inadequate communication with parents, increased the risk of harm to parents and children, from FP results.

Conclusion

This SR found a small number of dated, qualitative studies of low to moderate quality, conducted soon after the initiation of NBS for CH. Conclusive evidence of the risks of harm from FP results and ways to mitigate harm, awaits further, well‐designed studies.
Risk of complications rise with coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus after endobronchial valve placement in severe heterogeneous emphysema
Authors: Fernandez‐Bussy Sebastian , Kornafeld Anna , Labarca Gonzalo , Abia‐Trujillo David , Patel Neal M. , Johnson Margaret M. , Reisenauer Janani S. , Herth Felix J.
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly have comorbidities which may impact both symptoms and prognosis. Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) with endobronchial valves (EBV) is an innovative, effective and safe treatment for patients with severe emphysema who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy.

Objectives

To evaluate medical comorbidities associated with increased risk of complications after EBV procedure.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort review of patients with severe, heterogeneous emphysema who underwent Zephyr® EBV installation for ELVR. Demographics, baseline comorbidities, dyspnea scores, data regarding procedure, pulmonary function test, minimal clinically important difference and post‐EBV complications were recorded.

Results

Of a total 82 participants, 24 were identified as having a post procedure complication. There was a significant difference in the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at baseline (25%) in complication group compared with non‐complication group (5.1%) (p value = 0.01). There was also a significant difference between baseline coronary artery disease (CAD) in those with (58.3%) or without (29.3%) complication (p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis of other covariables, identified associations of both CAD and T2DM with a heightened risk of complication (adjusted OR 4.19 CI: 1.23–14.2, p value = 0.02 and adjusted OR of 6.1 CI: 1.3–26.1, p value = 0.02 respectively).

Conclusions

Our study found that patients with severe, heterogeneous emphysema who undergo ELVR utilizing Zephyr® EBV and suffer complications during post‐procedure period are more likely to have CAD or T2DM as baseline comorbidity. These data suggest that baseline CAD and T2DM might be predictive of increased risk of complications following ELVR with EBV.
What drives modern protected area establishment in Australia?
Authors: Hernandez Stephanie , Benham Claudia , Miller Rachel L. , Sheaves Marcus , Duce Stephanie
Published: July 2021

Protected areas are a fundamental mechanism for ensuring the persistence of biodiversity. The strategic policy objectives set by governments for protected area land acquisition are strong determinants of biodiversity outcomes. An examination of these objectives is necessary to determine those most influential in designing protected area networks and understand why Australia's extinction rates exceed those elsewhere despite actively establishing protected areas over the past several decades. To examine spatio‐temporal trends in policy objectives for protected areas, we evaluated the strategic priorities in Federal, State, and Territory policy documents across Australia between 1992 and 2019 using thematic analysis. We classified priorities into seven themes: adequacy, Indigenous and cultural values; representation of ecosystem and species types; threatened species and their habitat;socialand recreational values;uniquevalues andavoiding threatening processes. We found that the representation of ecosystem and species types was the most prevalent theme in policy documents, and the least common theme wassocialand recreational values. We posit several reasons for this trend and warn that emphasizing extent, in terms of area or representativeness, may diminish the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact for biodiversity outcomes. We found that policies were generally supportive of the strategic identification of particular species or communities that would quantifiably benefit from protection (referred to asavoided loss). Risked‐based approaches to the establishment of protected areas are supported by modern conservation literature to enhance the protected area network's effectiveness. To maximize limited resources, we recommend that governments continue encouraging urgency to avoid species and habitat loss in their strategic priorities. This urgency should be accompanied by clear and consistent funding for on‐the‐ground actions which facilitate the socio‐ecological outcomes that characterize modern protected area policy.
Epidermotropic metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil: A case report with molecular confirmation
Authors: Li Philippa , Barbieri Andrea , Walther Zenta , McNiff Jennifer , Panse Gauri
Published: July 2021

Metastasis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to skin is uncommon and portends a poor prognosis. Clinical history and histopathology are key to discerning between metastatic disease vs de novo SCC of the skin. We describe a case of an HPV+ tonsillar SCC in a 77‐year‐old male, with metastasis to the neck skin. This case is unique because of prominent in situ epidermal involvement on skin biopsy specimen, complicating the distinction between primary and secondary disease. The nature of the lesion was resolved using next‐generation sequencing of both the primary oropharyngeal SCC and skin lesion biopsy specimens. Both tumors showed identical ATR D1639G somatic mutations, while the skin lesion contained an additional POLE F1366L mutation. Clonal evolution of metastatic lesions is a well‐described phenomenon; comparing the genetic profiles of primary and metastatic specimens can be useful in evaluating the tumor origin as well as identifying targetable genetic aberrations.
Sex separation ofAedesspp. mosquitoes for sterile insect technique application: a review
Authors: Morán‐Aceves Brenda M. , Marina Carlos F. , Dor Ariane , Liedo Pablo , Toledo Jorge
Published: July 2021

Separation of the sexes is necessary for the application of the sterile insect technique (SIT) in mosquitoes due to the hematophagous habits and disease vector activity of the females. In this review we analyze the history, current status, and future perspectives for the development of genetic sexing strains (GSS) ofAedesmosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Various genetic control methods for mosquitoes are reviewed, as are their need for sex‐separation methods. We focus on areas of opportunity where GSS developed with classical genetic methods can be used. Regulatory restrictions and social acceptance of various control methods are analyzed. We conclude that the development of GSS by classical methods represents the most viable option for separation of the sexes and the application of large‐scale SIT programs within an area‐wide integrated vector management (AW‐IVM) approach.
The relevance of the endocrine condition in microglia morphology and dendrite complexity of doublecortin‐associated neurons in young adult and middle‐aged female rats exposed to acute stress
Authors: Vega‐Rivera Nelly Maritza , González‐Monroy Edgar , Morelos‐Santana Erik , Estrada‐Camarena Erika
Published: July 2021

Menopause, natural or surgical, might facilitate the onset of psychiatric pathologies. Some reports suggest that their severity could increase if the decline of ovarian hormones occurs abruptly and before natural endocrine senescence. Therefore, we compared the effects of ovariectomy on microglia's morphological alterations, the complexity of newborn neurons, and the animal's ability to cope with stress. Young adult (3 months) and middle‐aged (15 months) female Wistar rats were subjected to an ovariectomy (OVX) or were sham‐operated. After 3 weeks, animals were assigned to one of the following independent groups: (1) young adult OVX + no stress; (2) young adult sham + no stress; (3) young adult OVX + stress; (4) young adult sham + stress; (5) middle‐aged OVX + no stress; (6) middle‐aged sham + no stress; (7) middle‐aged OVX + stress; (8) middle‐aged sham + stress. Acute stress was induced by forced swimming test (FST) exposure. Immobility behavior was scored during FST and 30 min after; animals were euthanized, their brains collected and prepared for immunohistochemical detection of Iba‐1 to analyze morphological alterations in microglia, and doublecortin (DCX) detection to evaluate the dendrite complexity of newborn neurons. OVX increased immobility behavior, induced microglia morphological alterations, and reduced dendrite complexity of newborn neurons in young adult rats. FST further increased this effect. In middle‐aged rats, the main effects were related to the aging process without OVX or stress exposure. In conclusion, surgical menopause favors in young adult rats, but not in middle‐aged, the vulnerability to develop immobility behavior, retracted morphology of microglial cells, and decreased dendrite complexity of newborn neurons.
Migration and spawning behavior of the greater amberjack Seriola dumerili in eastern Taiwan
Authors: Tone Kazuki , Nakamura Yosuke , Chiang Wei‐Chuan , Yeh Hsin‐Ming , Hsiao Sheng‐Tai , Li Chun‐Huei , Komeyama Kazuyoshi , Tomisaki Masanori , Hasegawa Takamasa , Sakamoto Takashi , Nakamura Itsumi , Sakakura Yoshitaka , Kawabe Ryo
Published: July 2021

Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is an important fishery resource with a circumglobal distribution from tropical to temperate waters. Here, we investigated the spawning migration and habitat utilization of S. dumerili in the East China Sea (ECS). Archival tags were attached to 22 adult fish to examine their horizontal and vertical movements and estimate the spawning ground. S. dumerili were captured and released in the coastal waters of eastern Taiwan on November of 2016 and 2017. Information from seven pop‐up satellite archival tags and seven depth–temperature recorders was recovered. Almost all of the fish stayed in the Taiwanese exclusive economic zone. Most individuals moved from released site to the southern edge of the ECS and showed behavior associated with the topographic features in winter (November to December). These phenomena may be related to foraging and be driven by oceanographic features such as the seasonal monsoon and the Kuroshio. The fish then migrated to the south offshore area of Taiwan in January and February. During their southward migration, the fish experienced a slowly elevated water temperature regime (SETR), which is one of the environmental factors that induce final oocyte maturation. In the spawning season (February to April), tagged females exhibited continuous diel vertical movements (DVMs) after experiencing the SETR. These continuous DVMs were observed over a wide geographic range from north to south in the Kuroshio off eastern Taiwan. Our study demonstrated that the putative spawning ground of S. dumerili must extend further in a north–south direction than predicted in a previous study.
A worldwide and annotated database of evaporative water loss rates in squamate reptiles
Authors: Le Galliard Jean‐François , Chabaud Chloé , de Andrade Denis Otávio Vieira , Brischoux François , Carretero Miguel A. , Dupoué Andréaz , Gavira Rodrigo S. B. , Lourdais Olivier , Sannolo Marco , Van Dooren Tom J. M.
Published: July 2021

Motivation

The understanding of physiological adaptations, of evolutionary radiations and of ecological responses to global change urges for global, comprehensive databases of the functional traits of extant organisms. The ability to maintain an adequate water balance is a critical functional property influencing the resilience of animal species to climate variation. In terrestrial or semi‐terrestrial organisms, total water loss includes a significant contribution from evaporative water loss (EWL). The analysis of geographic and phylogenetic variation in EWL rates must however account for differences in methods and potential confounding factors, which influence standard measures of whole‐organism water loss. We compiled the global and standardized SquamEWL database of total, respiratory and cutaneous EWL for 325 species and subspecies of squamate reptiles (793 samples and 2,536 estimates) from across the globe. An extensive set of companion data and annotations associated with the EWL measurements of potential value for future investigation, including metabolic rate data, is provided. We present preliminary descriptive statistics for the compiled data, discuss gaps and biases, and identify promising avenues to update, expand and explore this database.

Main types of variables contained

Standard water loss rates, geographic data, metabolic rates.

Spatial location

Global.

Time period

Data were obtained from extant species and were collected between 1945 and 2020.

Major taxa

Reptilia, Squamata including lizards, snakes and amphisbaenians.

Level of measurements

Individual samples of animals from the same species, locality, age class and sex category.

Software format

csv.
Diversity patterns and drivers of methanotrophic gene distributions in forest soils across a large latitudinal gradient
Authors: Kou Yongping , Zhao Wenqiang , Liu Yanjiao , Wu Yanhong , Xiao Jiangtao , Wang Xiaohu , Bing Haijian , Liu Qing
Published: July 2021

Aim

Methane oxidation driven by soil aerobic methanotrophs exhibits the largest methane sink capacity in forest ecosystems and plays important roles in the alleviation of global warming. Many studies have revealed the distribution of methanotrophs in forest ecosystems at field scales; however, the biogeographical patterns of methanotrophic communities and related ecological processes and the drivers shaping methanotrophic communities at a large scale remain poorly understood.

Location

China’s forests.

Time period

2012–2013.

Major taxa studied

Methanotrophic communities.

Methods

We evaluated the geographical distributions of soil methanotrophic communities across 26 forests along a 4,000‐km north–south transect in China using a MiSeq high‐throughput sequencing technique. The assembly processes and drivers of the methanotrophic communities were evaluated using the phylogenetic null model approach and structural equation modelling, respectively.

Results

The results showed that the upland soil cluster α (USCα) and ammonia‐ oxidizing bacteria‐related (AOB‐rel) methanotrophs were the most abundant taxa in forest soils and exhibited contrasting distributions of relative abundance across different climate zones, suggesting that they occupy different environmental niches. The α‐diversity pattern of the soil methanotrophic community followed a hump‐shaped pattern along a large latitudinal gradient. Statistical analyses suggest that aridity and vegetation productivity [here represented with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)] are major drivers of the α‐diversity of the methanotrophic community, whereas soil pH is the key environmental factor shaping the β‐diversity of the methanotrophic community at a large scale. Additionally, the community assembly of the methanotrophs primarily resulted from deterministic processes, among which heterogeneous selection had a greater contribution in shaping the methanotrophic community than homogeneous selection.

Main conclusions

Our study provides new insights into the biogeographical distributions, assembly processes and ecological predictors of the methanotrophic community in forest soil at a large scale. These results can be used to improve simulation models for the better prediction of ecosystem functions under predicted global changes.
Surgical approach in the management of ear keloids: our experience with 30 patients
Authors: Madura Chandraiah , Nayak Preethi Balakrishna , Raj Pavan R. , Chandrashekar Byalakere Shivanna
Published: July 2021

Background

Ear keloids are benign, fibrous proliferations due to excessive collagen synthesis and deposition. It is a popular practice to pierce earlobes for decorative earrings and adornment; this might trigger the keloid process. Although there are varied treatment modalities, it is unsatisfactory and has always been a challenge. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment with intralesional therapy in auricular keloids.

Methods

We included 30 patients with 45 keloids over the ear. Patients were evaluated (including detailed history, complete physical and local examination), and photographs and written informed consent were taken. They were treated with: excision and closure, intralesional and/or surface cryotherapy, ablative laser, intralesional steroids, and 5‐fluorouracil. Excision and closure, and intralesional cryotherapy were done under local anesthesia. Closure was done after intramarginal excision with or without raising auto flaps, followed by intraoperative intralesional steroids to margins. Recurrence was assessed at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year.

Results

The age group of patients ranged from 14 to 57 years. A total of 32 out of 45 (71.1%) keloids were excised and were combined with intraoperative and postoperative intralesional steroid injection, with sessions depending on the patient's response. Eight (17.7%) and five (11.1%) keloids were treated using intralesional cryotherapy and only intralesional steroids, respectively. A total of 16.6% of patients had recurrence with one patient having recurrence of bilateral earlobes keloid.

Conclusion

Keloidectomy with intraoperative and postoperative intralesional steroid injections has been very effective in the treatment of ear keloids. Different treatment modalities act synergistically, but excision surgery gives good results as it aims at maintaining ear architecture.
Drug‐induced Grover’s disease: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Awe Olufolakemi , Pavlidakey Peter , Kole Lauren , Kissel Rebecca
Published: July 2021

Background

Grover’s disease (GD) is a relatively rare transient dermatosis that can be idiopathic or acquired. Acquired GD may occur secondary to internal triggers such as medications and malignancies and external factors such as friction.

Objective

The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical and histological presentation of drug‐induced Grover's disease (DIGD) and discuss potential pathogenic mechanisms.

Methods

A systemic review of the literature was performed to identify medications implicated in DIGD.

Results

We identified 13 reports of patients with DIGD. Most patients presented with a papular or papulovesicular morphology involving the trunk and extremities. Pruritus was the most common symptom. The majority of the offending agents were cancer therapeutics. Discontinuation of the culprit medication was sufficient for rash clearance and symptom resolution in most cases.

Conclusion

The overlap in morphology and associated symptoms in DIGD and GD makes the diagnosis of DIGD challenging and has potentially led to underdiagnosis. However, in cases of more extensive involvement and treatment recalcitrance, a drug‐induced eruption should be considered.
Evaluating Online Learning Practice in the Interior Design Studio
Authors: Alawad Abeer
Published: July 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has led most countries to adopt precautionary isolation measures to prevent the spread of the virus. In this context, teaching through online studios has become a necessity. This study aimed to identify students’ practical experiences in fully online interior design studios and determine whether these experiences differ according to students’ educational levels to help improve and ensure the quality of online design education. The participants were 69 female interior design students. A questionnaire was applied using five axes, namely virtual learning environment, curriculum and illustration tools, students’ experiences, interaction with the teacher, and overall satisfaction and hopes. The results showed that the newer students had a positive experience with the online design studio, while there were statistically significant differences between the answers of students at different levels. It was noticeable that the students’ experience on all axes was different, and the level of satisfaction among the new students in Studio 2 was higher than among the students nearing graduation in Studio 6. The findings of this study will benefit the academic programme and technology developers in creating a suitable online learning environment for each profession.
Nanopore sequencing reveals full‐length Tropomyosin 1 isoforms and their regulation by RNA‐binding proteins during rat heart development
Authors: Cao Jun , Routh Andrew L. , Kuyumcu‐Martinez Muge N.
Published: July 2021

Alternative splicing (AS) contributes to the diversity of the proteome by producing multiple isoforms from a single gene. Although short‐read RNA‐sequencing methods have been the gold standard for determining AS patterns of genes, they have a difficulty in defining full‐length mRNA isoforms assembled using different exon combinations. Tropomyosin 1 (TPM1) is an actin‐binding protein required for cytoskeletal functions in non‐muscle cells and for contraction in muscle cells. Tpm1 undergoes AS regulation to generate muscle versus non‐muscle TPM1 protein isoforms with distinct physiological functions. It is unclear which full‐length Tpm1 isoforms are produced via AS and how they are regulated during heart development. To address these, we utilized nanopore long‐read cDNA sequencing without gene‐specific PCR amplification. In rat hearts, we identified full‐length Tpm1 isoforms composed of distinct exons with specific exon linkages. We showed that Tpm1 undergoes AS transitions during embryonic heart development such that muscle‐specific exons are connected generating predominantly muscle‐specific Tpm1 isoforms in adult hearts. We found that the RNA‐binding protein RBFOX2 controls AS of rat Tpm1 exon 6a, which is important for cooperative actin binding. Furthermore, RBFOX2 regulates Tpm1 AS of exon 6a antagonistically to the RNA‐binding protein PTBP1. In sum, we defined full‐length Tpm1 isoforms with different exon combinations that are tightly regulated during cardiac development and provided insights into the regulation of Tpm1 AS by RNA‐binding proteins. Our results demonstrate that nanopore sequencing is an excellent tool to determine full‐length AS variants of muscle‐enriched genes.
SLC39A5 dysfunction impairs extracellular matrix synthesis in high myopia pathogenesis
Authors: Dong Shanshan , Tian Qi , Zhu Tengfei , Wang Kangli , Lei Ganting , Liu Yanling , Xiong Haofeng , Shen Lu , Wang Meng , Zhao Rongjuan , Wu Huidan , Li Bin , Zhang Qiumeng , Yao Yujun , Guo Hui , Xia Kun , Xia Lu , Hu Zhengmao
Published: July 2021

High myopia is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide with high heritability. We have previously identified the genetic contribution of SLC39A5 to nonsyndromic high myopia and demonstrated that disease‐related mutations of SLC39A5 dysregulate the TGF‐β pathway. In this study, the mechanisms underlying SLC39A5 involvement in the pathogenesis of high myopia are determined. We observed the morphogenesis and migration abnormalities of the SLC39A5 knockout (KO) human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and found a significant injury of ECM constituents. RNA‐seq and qRT‐PCR revealed the transcription decrease in COL1A1, COL2A1, COL4A1, FN1 and LAMA1 in the KO cells. Further, we demonstrated that TGF‐β signalling, the regulator of ECM, was inhibited in SLC39A5 depletion situation, wherein the activation of receptor Smads (R‐Smads) via phosphorylation was greatly blocked. SLC39A5 re‐expression reversed the phenotype of TGF‐β signalling and ECM synthesis in the KO cells. The fact that TGF‐β signalling was zinc‐regulated and that SLC39A5 was identified as a zinc transporter urged us to check the involvement of intracellular zinc in TGF‐β signalling impairment. Finally, we determined that insufficient zinc chelation destabilized Smad proteins, which naturally inhibited TGF‐β signalling. Overall, the SLC39A5 depletion–induced zinc deficiency destabilized Smad proteins, which inhibited the TGF‐β signalling and downstream ECM synthesis, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of high myopia. This discovery provides a deep insight into myopic development.
Assessing trophic interactions between pelagic predatory fish by gut content and stable isotopes analysis around Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (Brazil), Equatorial West Atlantic
Authors: Martins Karla , Pelage Latifa , Justino Anne K. S. , Frédou Flavia Lucena , Júnior Teodoro Vaske , Le Loc'h François , Travassos Paulo
Published: July 2021

The objective of this study was to analyse the feeding habits and trophic interactions between four oceanic predatory fish around the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA), Brazil, in the western equatorial Atlantic (3.86°S/32.42°W), internationally recognized as an environment of high economic and ecological value. For this purpose, biological samples of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) were collected for stomach content and stable isotope analysis. Values of the index of relative importance revealed varied diets, with a strong presence of teleost fishes (Diodontidae and Exocoetidae) for all species, with yellowfin tuna having a greater diversity of food items. Despite being generalists/opportunists, the feeding strategy of these predators showed a tendency towards a specialized diet in the use of the available resources around the FNA. They presented a narrow trophic niche width (Levin's index, Bi < 0.6) and low overlap between species, except between barracuda and wahoo (MacArthur and Levin's,R0 = 0.72). Isotopic compositions had broad values of δ13C and δ15N, and were significantly different between species. Our results provide information about the four species' trophic organization and suggest that the predators avoid competition by preying on different prey, thus allowing their coexistence.
Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) with zinc oxide nanoparticles for food packaging
Authors: Díez‐Pascual Ana M.
Published: July 2021

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biodegradable biopolyester synthesized via bacterial fermentation from renewable resources that has received great attention over the last years for medicine and food packaging applications. However, it shows several shortcomings such as narrow processing window and a high crystallinity (>50%), which leads to brittleness and low impact resistance. To solve these drawbacks, the hydroxybutyrate units can be copolymerized with other monomers like 3‐hydroxyhexanoate to yield poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxy‐hexanoate) (PHBHHx), a copolymer with higher ductility, improved impact strength, and lower melting point. However, PHBHHx displays lower crystallinity than PHB, hence reduced stiffness, and poorer barrier properties against moisture and gases, which is a disadvantage for its use as food packaging material. In this regard, (PHBHHx)‐based bionanocomposites incorporating 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 wt% zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized via solution casting technique. Their morphology, mechanical, thermal, barrier, and antibacterial properties were investigated via transmission electron microscopy, tensile and impact strength tests, thermogravimetric analysis, water vapor, and oxygen permeability measurements as well as antibacterial tests. In terms of gas permeability, the optimum performance was attained at 5.0 wt% ZnO loading, with reductions in the water vapor and oxygen permeability of 45 and 33%, respectively. Conversely, the impact strength decreased with increasing ZnO concentration, leading to 25% reduction for the highest ZnO loading tested. The bionanocomposite with 5.0 wt% ZnO is a promising alternative to synthetic plastics, with an optimal balance of toughness, barrier, and antibacterial properties to be used in packaging and disposable applications such as beverage and food containers.

Practical applications

This study analyzes the morphology, thermal, mechanical, barrier, and antibacterial properties of biodegradable nanocomposites based on PHBHHx copolymer and ZnO nanoparticles. These safe and environmentally friendly nanomaterials can be used as a sustainable alternative to synthetic plastics for food and beverage containers.
Divergent metamorphism within the Namche Barwa Complex, the Eastern Himalaya, Southeast Tibet, China: Insights from in situ U–Th–Pb dating of metamorphic monazite
Authors: Peng Tao , Gerdes Axel , Zeng Ling‐Sen , Millonig Leo J. , Albert Richard , Marko Linda , Wang Hao Y. C. , Wu Chun‐Ming
Published: July 2021

Geothermobarometry shows that metapelite samples from Namche Barwa Complex (NBC) reached upper amphibolite to near‐granulite facies during the peak metamorphic stage, with similar conditions of ~700–750°C/8–10 kbar, and then experienced retrograde metamorphism at ~630–700°C/4–7 kbar. In situ monazite laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U–Th–Pb dating suggests divergent metamorphism in the NBC: metapelite on the hanging wall of Namu–La thrust preserved a continuous metamorphic record of >19–3 Ma, whereas metapelite on the footwall yielded age ranges of >18–14 and 8–3 Ma, with a gap in recorded ages between 14 and 8 Ma. Monazite grains in the garnet porphyroblasts, more depleted in the heavy rare earth elements (HREE), yielded the youngest age of ~14 Ma. This is interpreted as the timing of upper amphibolite facies peak metamorphism in the metapelite from the NBC, with the NBC being exhumed coherently thereafter. Furthermore, the discrepancy between reported peak metamorphic ages of high‐pressure granulite (~40–30 Ma, ~25–20 Ma) and mid‐pressure metapelite (~14 Ma, this study) indicate asynchronous subduction–exhumation processes in the NBC. We suggest that crustal flow has played an essential role in exhumation since ~40 Ma, and recent surficial erosion (<8 Ma) intensified the exhumation of the NBC, with young leucogranite (<10 Ma) resulting from decompression melting. From ~3 Ma to the present, the interplay of erosion and tectonic movement caused ubiquitous rapid uplift, resulting in the concomitant exhumation of various types of rocks and the formation of the spectacular high relief between Yarlung Tsangpo Gorge and Namche Barwa Peak.
Scaling of axial muscle architecture in juvenile Alligator mississippiensis reveals an enhanced performance capacity of accessory breathing mechanisms
Authors: Rose Kayleigh A. R. , Tickle Peter G. , Elsey Ruth M. , Sellers William I. , Crossley Dane A. , Codd Jonathan R.
Published: July 2021

Quantitative functional anatomy of amniote thoracic and abdominal regions is crucial to understanding constraints on and adaptations for facilitating simultaneous breathing and locomotion. Crocodilians have diverse locomotor modes and variable breathing mechanics facilitated by basal and derived (accessory) muscles. However, the inherent flexibility of these systems is not well studied, and the functional specialisation of the crocodilian trunk is yet to be investigated. Increases in body size and trunk stiffness would be expected to cause a disproportionate increase in muscle force demands and therefore constrain the basal costal aspiration mechanism, necessitating changes in respiratory mechanics. Here, we describe the anatomy of the trunk muscles, their properties that determine muscle performance (mass, length and physiological cross‐sectional area [PCSA]) and investigate their scaling in juvenile Alligator mississippiensis spanning an order of magnitude in body mass (359 g–5.5 kg). Comparatively, the expiratory muscles (transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, iliocostalis), which compress the trunk, have greater relative PCSA being specialised for greater force‐generating capacity, while the inspiratory muscles (diaphragmaticus, truncocaudalis ischiotruncus, ischiopubis), which create negative internal pressure, have greater relative fascicle lengths, being adapted for greater working range and contraction velocity. Fascicle lengths of the accessory diaphragmaticus scaled with positive allometry in the alligators examined, enhancing contractile capacity, in line with this muscle's ability to modulate both tidal volume and breathing frequency in response to energetic demand during terrestrial locomotion. The iliocostalis, an accessory expiratory muscle, also demonstrated positive allometry in fascicle lengths and mass. All accessory muscles of the infrapubic abdominal wall demonstrated positive allometry in PCSA, which would enhance their force‐generating capacity. Conversely, the basal tetrapod expiratory pump (transversus abdominis) scaled isometrically, which may indicate a decreased reliance on this muscle with ontogeny. Collectively, these findings would support existing anecdotal evidence that crocodilians shift their breathing mechanics as they increase in size. Furthermore, the functional specialisation of the diaphragmaticus and compliance of the body wall in the lumbar region against which it works may contribute to low‐cost breathing in crocodilians.