bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of the dyslexia label on academic outlook and aspirations: An analysis using propensity score matching
Authors: Knight Cathryn
Published: January 2021

Background

There is current academic debate over the reliability of the dyslexia label. However, this argument does not consider the impact of the dyslexia label on an individual’s academic outlook and aspirations.

Aims

Using data from the Millennium Cohort Study, this paper aims to objectively explore the impact of the dyslexia label on academic outlook and aspirations.

Methods

Propensity score matching was used to compare children with dyslexia with a non‐dyslexic group matched on ability, socioeconomic class, parent education, income, country, gender, and age in year group.

Results

The results show that those labelled with dyslexia hold lower beliefs about their ability in English and Maths than their matched peers without this label. The children labelled with dyslexia were also significantly less likely to say that they would go to university. Furthermore, teachers and parents held lower aspirations for children labelled with dyslexia. As the children were matched, the results show that dyslexic children, their teachers and parents hold lower expectations of the child’s academic ability while holding higher expectations of those with matched characteristics who do not have the dyslexia label.

Conclusions

The paper concludes that caution is needed when labelling with dyslexia and that further research is needed in order establish whether labelling with dyslexia is beneficial in the current system.
When is women’s benevolent sexism associated with support for other women’s agentic responses to gender‐based threat?
Authors: Kahn Kimberly Barsamian , van Breen Jolien A. , Barreto Manuela , Kaiser Cheryl R.
Published: January 2021

Three studies examine how women’s benevolent sexism (BS) shapes support for other women’s agentic responses to gender‐based threat. In Study 1, women read vignettes about a woman who agentically responded (vs. no response) to gender‐based threat (e.g., sexism). As hypothesized, BS predicted more positive attitudes towards the woman who chose not to challenge sexism and more negative attitudes towards the woman who did. Studies 2 and 3 focused on whether these effects are driven by the behaviour displayed by the target (response or not) or by the ideology it seeks to uphold (traditional or non‐traditional). There may be circumstances under which BS is associated with positive attitudes towards women’s agentic (i.e., non‐gender role conforming) behaviour, for instance, when it is used to support traditional gender roles. Studies 2 and 3 showed that when women’s agentic behaviour is used to uphold traditional gender roles (vs. challenge them), BS is positively associated with support for such behaviour. These findings underscore the importance of ideology underlying women’s agentic behaviour: BS can support women’s agentic responses that violate prescribed gender roles, so long as they reinforce the status quo.
Stigmatization of ‘gay‐sounding’ voices: The role of heterosexual, lesbian, and gay individuals’ essentialist beliefs
Authors: Fasoli Fabio , Hegarty Peter , Frost David M.
Published: January 2021

Voice‐based sexual orientation (SO) judgements can prompt group‐based discrimination. However, the relationships between stigmatization and essentialist beliefs about vocal cues to SO have not been researched. Two studies examined heterosexuals’ and gay men’s and lesbian women’s essentialist beliefs about voice as a cue of SO to uncover essentialist beliefs’ role in the perpetration and experience of stigma. In Study 1 (N = 363), heterosexual participants believed voice was a better cue to SO for men than for women, and participants’ belief in the discreteness, immutability, and controllability of ‘gay‐sounding’ voices was correlated with higher avoidant discrimination towards gay‐sounding men. In Study 2 (N = 147), endorsement of essentialist beliefs about voice as a SO cue was associated with self‐perceptions of sounding gay amongst gay men and lesbians. Sexual minority participants, especially gay men, who believed that they sounded gay reported more anticipation of rejection and engaged in vigilance in response. Essentialist beliefs about vocal cues to SO are relevant to explaining both the perpetration of stigma by heterosexuals and the experience of stigma for lesbians and gay men.
Integrating stratigraphic modelling, inversion analysis, and shelf‐margin records to guide provenance analysis: An example from the Cretaceous Colville Basin, Arctic Alaska
Authors: Zhang Jinyu , Flaig Peter , Wartes Marwan , Aschoff Jennifer , Shuster Mark
Published: January 2021

Delineating sediment source areas is critical for source‐to‐sink analysis and energy exploration because it can reveal sediment pathways and their associated reservoir rocks. We developed a methodology that integrates stratigraphic forward modelling and inversion analysis to provide a first‐order provenance estimate. By employing a large number of modelling runs, and then applying a neighbourhood algorithm we are able to efficiently identify the best source‐to‐sink reconstruction(s). This methodology only requires shelf‐margin records to calibrate the modelling results, therefore, it can be applied in frontier basins with relatively poor data coverage. We test this methodology on a synthetic example with predetermined parameters, and then apply it to deposits of the Colville Basin of northern Alaska, which is known for its remote location and high cost of data collection. The best‐fit reconstructions from our modelling show that Cretaceous Colville Basin sediments deposited from 120 to 97 My were mainly sourced from the Herald Arch, Chukchi Platform, and western Brooks Range Orogenic Belt, consistent with the interpretations of previous provenance studies. The proposed method provides quantitative constraints for analysing deposits of large, remote, or ultra‐deep basins, particularly those with sparse datasets or where sandstone detrital modes are largely unknown.
Discovery of drug‐like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors by rapid virtual screening of a 6.9 million compound database
Authors: Miles Jared A. , Ng Jia Hui , Sreenivas B. Yogi , Courageux Charlotte , Igert Alexandre , Dias José , McGeary Ross P. , Brazzolotto Xavier , Ross Benjamin P.
Published: January 2021

Cholinesterase inhibitors remain the mainstay of Alzheimer's disease treatment, and the search for new inhibitors with better efficacy and side effect profiles is ongoing. Virtual screening (VS) is a powerful technique for searching large compound databases for potential hits. This study used a sequential VS workflow combining ligand‐based VS, molecular docking and physicochemical filtering to screen for central nervous system (CNS) drug‐like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) amongst the 6.9 million compounds of the CoCoCo database. Eleven in silico hits were initially selected, resulting in the discovery of an AChEI with a Ki of 3.2 µM. In vitro kinetics and in silico molecular dynamics experiments informed the selection of an additional seven analogues. This led to the discovery of two further AChEIs, with Ki values of 2.9 µM and 0.65 µM. All three compounds exhibited reversible, mixed inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Importantly, the in silico physicochemical filter facilitated the discovery of CNS drug‐like compounds, such that all three inhibitors displayed high in vitro blood‐brain barrier model permeability.
Mexican‐Origin Adolescent Mothers’ Economic Contexts, Educational Re‐Engagement, and Their Children’s School Readiness
Authors: McDermott Elana R. , Jahromi Laudan B. , Umaña‐Taylor Adriana J. , Martinez‐Fuentes Stefanie , Jones Shandra M. , Updegraff Kimberly A.
Published: January 2021

Drawing on data from a longitudinal study of 204 Mexican‐origin adolescent mothers, their mother figures, and their children, the current investigation examined (a) adolescent mothers’ educational re‐engagement and attainment beginning during their pregnancy and ending when their child was 5 years old; and (b) the influence of the family economic context on adolescent mothers’ educational re‐engagement and attainment and their children’s academic and social‐emotional outcomes. Findings detailed adolescent mothers’ re‐engagement in school after the birth of their child and revealed that family income during adolescents’ pregnancies was directly associated with re‐engagement and attainment, and also initiated cascade effects that shaped adolescents’ economic contexts, their subsequent re‐engagement and attainment, and ultimately their children’s academic and social‐emotional outcomes at age 5.
Early bone formation in mini‐lateral window sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement: An in vivo experimental study
Authors: Zhu Liqin , Yang Jiakang , Gong Jiaxing , Zhang Chenqiu , Ganss Bernhard , Wang Huiming
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the early bone formation in beagles with mini‐lateral window sinus floor elevation and simultaneous implant placement.

Material and methods

Six beagles were selected for the split‐mouth design procedures. In each animal, one maxillary recess received a 5 mm‐diameter mini‐round lateral osteotomy (test group), and the contralateral maxillary recess received a large rectangular osteotomy (10 mm long and 8 mm wide), (control group). Simultaneous implant installation was executed on bilateral maxillary recesses. Tetracycline and calcein dyes were administered on the 14th, 13th days and the 4th, 3rd days prior to sacrifice, respectively. After 8 weeks of healing, the beagles were euthanized for fluorescent labeling and histomorphometric analyses.

Results

In both groups, new bone formation initiated from the circumferential native bone of the maxillary recesses and extended toward the central sub‐recess cavities. The maxillary recesses with the mini‐window procedures exhibited superior mineral apposition rate, bone formation rate, and the percentage of new bone area to those of the group exposed to large osteotomy procedure (p < .05). While there was no significant difference in the value of bone‐to‐implant contact, the mini‐window group displayed a tendency for an increase in this aspect (p > .05). Bone formation rate and new bone amount were not statistically correlated with bone‐to‐implant contact (p > .05).

Conclusion

The hypothesis that mini‐lateral window sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant placement would improve early new bone formation in augmented sinus compared with large lateral window procedure is accepted.
Kidney allograft rejection: Diagnosis and treatment practices in USA‐ A UNOS survey
Authors: Sood Puneet , Cherikh Wida S. , Toll Alice E. , Mehta Rajil B. , Hariharan Sundaram
Published: January 2021

We studied diverse rejection management strategies across centers by conducting a UNOS survey of kidney transplant program directors in 2017. There were 104 total responses from 235 kidney transplant programs representing 88 unique transplant programs (response rate 37%). Information was collected on center‐specific management practices. Pertinent center‐specific data were obtained from the OPTN database. Of the respondents, 33% were considered large centers (>100 transplants/year). Thymoglobulin was the most commonly used induction agent at 84%, 72% responders do rapid steroid withdrawal, and mycophenolic acid (MPA) is the major antimetabolite (100%). For diagnosing TCMR, 100% used indication biopsy, 28% used protocol biopsy, 2% used serum biomarkers, and none used urine cytokines. For ABMR, 99% used indication biopsy, 34% used protocol biopsy, 72% used DSA, 21% used C1q positive DSA, and none used gene profiling (ENDATS). The treatment of subclinical and clinical TCMR included iv/PO steroids. PP/IVIG were the commonest treatments for ABMR. The use of rituximab, bortezomib, and eculizumab increased from C4D‐ABMR to recurrent ABMR. There are diverse management practices for diagnosing and treating rejection. An effort to harmonize these diverse practices for management of TCMR and ABMR will give an opportunity to pool data for evaluating clinical outcomes.
Dimensions of the language environment in infancy and symptoms of psychopathology in toddlerhood
Authors: King Lucy S. , Querdasi Francesca R. , Humphreys Kathryn L. , Gotlib Ian H.
Published: January 2021

The quality of the early environment influences the development of psychopathology. Children who are deprived of sufficient environmental enrichment in infancy may be at higher risk for developing symptoms of psychopathology in toddlerhood. In this study, we investigated the prospective association between naturalistic measures of adult language input obtained through passive monitoring of infants’ daily environments and emerging psychopathology in toddlerhood. In a sample of 100 mothers and their infants recruited from the community (mean age [range] = 6.73 [5–9] months), we used the Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) system to measure multiple dimensions of infants’ language environments, including both the quantity and consistency of adult speech and conversational turns in infants’ daily lives as well as the quantity of infant vocalizations. Subsequently, during toddlerhood (mean age [range] = 18.29 [17–21] months), mothers reported on their children's symptoms of psychopathology. Infants who experienced more consistent adult speech and conversational turns had lower symptoms of psychopathology in toddlerhood, independent of negative emotionality in infancy, maternal depressive symptoms, and laboratory‐based measures of maternal sensitivity. These findings have implications for the measurement of environmental factors that may confer risk and resilience to emerging psychopathology.
Patterns of previous and secondary malignancies in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Langseth Øystein O. , Myklebust Tor Å. , Johannesen Tom B. , Hjertner Øyvind , Waage Anders
Published: January 2021

Objectives

In contrast to secondary primary malignancies (SPM) following multiple myeloma (MM), less is known about previous malignancies. We therefore conducted a population‐based study to assess the patterns of previous malignancies in MM patients as well as the risk for SPM.

Methods

Using data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, we included 9574 MM patients and 37 810 matched control subjects. The association between previous malignancies and a subsequent diagnosis of MM was analysed by a logistic regression model and the risk for SPM by a Cox model.

Results

A previous diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) (OR 3.57; 95% CI:1.45‐8.80) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (OR 3.66; 95% CI: 1.40‐9.55) was associated with the subsequent development of MM. For MPN, the association with MM was explained by an excess of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) in the MM group. The overall incidence of a previous malignancy was not different between MM patients and the control subjects (OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87‐1.00). MM patients had an increased risk for secondary acute myelogenous leukaemia/myelodysplastic syndromes (HR 6.1, 95% CI: 3.9‐9.5).

Conclusions

A previous diagnosis of HL and PMF was associated with a subsequent diagnosis of MM, whereas the overall incidence of previous cancers was not increased for MM patients.
Influence of feldspar ceramic thickness on the properties of resin cements and restorative set
Authors: Blumentritt Fernanda Brombila , Cancian Geórgia , Saporiti Júlia Machado , de Holanda Thiago Azario , Barbon Fabíola Jardim , Boscato Noéli
Published: January 2021

This in vitro study evaluated the influence of feldspathic ceramic thickness on the properties of light‐ and dual‐cured resin cements. For each cement (RelyX Veneer, Allcem Veneer, RelyX Ultimate, and Allcem Dual), three ceramic specimens were prepared, with seven thicknesses for each (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 mm). The degree of conversion, Vickers microhardness, irradiance power, color variation (ΔE00), and translucency parameters were assessed. Microhardness and irradiance power were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Tukey's test, while ΔE00, translucency parameters, and degree of conversion were analyzed using ANOVA of ranks with post hoc Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The relationship between each of the dependent variables (degree of conversion, ΔE00, and translucency parameter tests) and the specimen thickness was described using linear regression for each of the four resin cements. The significance level for all analyses was set at 5%. RelyX Ultimate yielded the lowest degree of conversion values among all resin cements. Allcem Veneer produced the lowest microhardness values, without statistical differences between thicknesses, of up to 1 mm. Allcem Dual produced the highest ΔE00 and translucency parameter values. Feldspathic ceramic thickness influenced the mechanical properties of resin cements and optical aspects of the restorative set.
A reassortant G3P[12] rotavirus A strain associated with severe enteritis in donkeys (Equus asinus)
Authors: Dong Jianbao , Liu Guiqin , Gao Nannan , Suo Jiajia , Matthijnssens Jelle , Li Shuguang , Yuan Dongfang , Du Yan , Zhang Jun , Yamashita Nanako , Haga Takeshi , Cook Frank R. , Zhu Wei
Published: January 2021

Background

In contrast to horses, the only evidence suggesting gastrointestinal disease in neonatal donkeys is associated with Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) is the detection of viral antigens by ELISA in just 1 of 82 symptomatic donkey foals. No additional, more comprehensive investigations have been conducted, and RVAs if circulating in donkey populations have not been molecularly characterised.

Objectives

To investigate if RVAs are associated with an outbreak of severe enteritis in neonatal donkeys and if associated determine the genotype(s) along with the phylogenetic relationship to RVA strains circulating in horses.

Study design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

RT‐PCR‐based techniques were used for RVA diagnosis and gene amplification. Statistical significance was determined by Chi‐square and Fisher's exact two‐sided tests. Genotyping was performed by RotaC and phylogenetic analysis by neighbour joining.

Results

In 2019, acute enteritis occurred in 119 of 206 donkey foals (≤4 months) at two intensive donkey farms in the Shandong province of China. The highest morbidity (68.1%), mortality (29.5%) and fatality levels (45.5%) occurred in foals in the 30‐89 day, 30‐59 day and 0‐29 day age groups respectively. RVA gene sequences were detected in 107 (89.9%) of the symptomatic individuals while further analysis demonstrated the outbreak was associated with the same G3P[12] RVA strain designated RVA/Donkey‐wt/CHN/Don01/2019/G3P[12]. Although the VP4 gene of Don01 exhibited close phylogenetic relationships with equivalent RVA sequences commonly circulating in horses, encoding VP7 was more closely associated with sequences isolated from bats suggesting this new donkey strain arose via an intergenogroup reassortment event.

Main limitations

Actual prevalence not determined because <7% of asymptomatic donkey foals were included in this study. The complete genomic sequence of RVA/Donkey‐wt/CHN/Don01/2019/G3P[12] remains to be determined.

Conclusions

Valuable new information about the molecular epidemiology of rotaviruses in different equid species is provided by isolation and molecular characterisation of a novel RVA strain from neonatal donkeys.
Working hard for long‐distance relationships: Geographic proximity and relationship‐specific investments
Authors: Huang Kershen , Shang Chenguang , Zhang Chi
Published: January 2021

Suppliers that are farther away from their customers make more relationship‐specific investments (RSI). This association is more pronounced when it is less costly for the customer to switch to alternative suppliers and when the supplier operates in relatively opaque information environments. Using the introduction of new airline routes as an exogenous shock to the distance between supply chain partners, we show that the relation between supplier RSI and distance may be causal. We also provide evidence that suppliers with larger RSI are better able to maintain long‐distance business relationships and are associated with higher firm value. These findings suggest an important dimension of supplier commitment: Suppliers use RSI as a signal of their willingness to fulfill on‐going implicit claims.
Do managers provide misleading earnings forecasts before stock repurchases?
Authors: Nain Amrita S. , Vijh Anand M.
Published: January 2021

We question previous evidence that managers mislead investors into selling their stock for artificially lowered prices by releasing overly negative earnings forecasts before stock repurchases. We rely on forecast errors (forecast minus actual earnings) and show that these are insignificantly different between repurchase and matching firms. Our tests are powerful at detecting small differences and yet, across multiple subsamples, we find no statistical difference in forecast errors of repurchase and matching firms. Prior evidence of managerial misleading relied on the negative stock market reaction to management forecasts. We show that this negative reaction is observed only in the subsample where board authorization of repurchase follows management forecast. When board authorization precedes forecast, market reaction to management forecasts for repurchase firms is somewhat higher than that for matching firms. Our evidence suggests that managers are not misleading but exploiting low market prices to the advantage of their long‐term shareholders.
Sedimentary microeukaryotes reveal more dispersal limitation and form networks with less connectivity than planktonic microeukaryotes in a highly regulated river
Authors: Chen Juan , Sun Shenghao , Wang Peifang , Wang Chao , Wang Xun , Gao Han , Miao Lingzhan , Liu Sheng , Yuan Qiusheng
Published: January 2021

Microeukaryotes are considered critical for biogeochemical cycles and material transformation in river ecosystems, but their biogeography and underlying mechanisms of their assemblages remain poorly understood.

We collected 35 water samples and 26 sediment samples covering an 1,148 km reach of the Lancang River, a highly regulated large river in south‐western China. The planktonic and sedimentary microeukaryotic communities were analysed by sequencing the V4 region of eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene. Factors associated with patterns in microeukaryotic communities were assessed by canonical correlation analysis and neutral models. Species interactions and keystone species in microeukaryotic communities were investigated by co‐occurrence network analysis.

The results showed that community composition was distinct between planktonic and sedimentary microeukaryotes, as well as between upstream natural sites and regulated sites downstream. Similar environmental (pH, nutrient concentrations) and spatial (altitude, distance) variables were associated with patterns in community composition of planktonic and sedimentary microeukaryote communities, except that turbidity and water temperature were associated only with patterns in planktonic communities.

Neutral models were an excellent fit to the distributions of both planktonic (r2 = 0.67) and sedimentary (r2 = 0.50) microeukaryotic communities. The estimated immigration rate (m) from planktonic communities (m = 0.032) was higher than from sedimentary communities (m = 0.022).

Co‐occurrence pattern analysis showed that planktonic microeukaryotic networks had more connectivity but a lower proportion of positive interactions than sedimentary microeukaryotic networks. Keystone species, in particular those belonging to phylum Ascomycota, played essential roles in maintaining stability of both planktonic and sedimentary microeukaryotic communities.

Our results showed that the composition of planktonic and sedimentary microeukaryote communities differ, and that diversity in both communities was influenced by river regulation. Given the important roles played by microeukaryotes in nutrient cycling and food webs, such impacts may alter other ecosystem processes in rivers.
Codetermination on the audit committee: An analysis of potential effects on audit quality
Authors: Hillebrandt Svenja , Ratzinger‐Sakel Nicole V.S.
Published: January 2021

This paper empirically investigates the association between codetermination on the audit committee (AC) and audit quality. Using a sample of 655 firm‐year observations related to German CDAX companies, our results indicate that the presence of employee representatives on the AC is negatively associated with audit quality. This negative association can also be observed for the percentage of employee representatives serving on the AC. However, our analyses show that the mentioned findings turn insignificant when employee representatives have accounting expertise. In addition, the type of employee representatives seems to influence audit quality differently: our findings turn insignificant for employee representatives who are classified as company outsiders and, thus, expected to be more independent. These findings highlight the importance of accounting expertise and independence for AC members' monitoring effectiveness. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first that analyses the impact of codetermination on the AC on audit quality.
Serum Hevylite® assay in the differential diagnosis of patients with high suspicion of AL Amyloidosis
Authors: Yogev Dean , Pick Marjorie , Slyusarevsky Elena , Pogrebijski Galina , Pickin Anna , Gatt Moshe E.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

AL amyloidosis (AL) is a malignant form of plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD). It is insidious, and its end‐organ damage can mimic that of common diseases. At diagnosis, routine tests for monoclonal protein are insufficient for the differential diagnosis. We hypothesized that Hevylite® (HLC) isotype patterns may help discriminate between AL and benign PCD states.

Methods

Serum samples of patients with a high clinical suspicion of AL were prospectively tested for IgGκ, IgGλ, IgAκ, IgAλ, IgMκ, and IgMλ concentrations and ratios using Hevylite® assays in a blinded manner. The results were correlated with the final diagnosis.

Results

Of the 99 samples analyzed, 46 were newly diagnosed AL, and the majority, 38 (82.6%), presented with suppression of at least one HLC isotype. Of the 53 benign PCD patients, 36 (67.9%) presented with elevation of at least one HLC isotype. By multivariate analysis, Hevylite® was the best independent test predictor of AL amyloidosis. HLC suppression had an odds ratio (OR) of 14.591, and elevation an OR of 10.149, and thus were significant variables in the diagnosis and exclusion of AL. Furthermore, patients with both HLC suppression, together with no elevation, had an OR of 316.69 to be diagnosed with AL rather than a benign PCD.

Conclusions

Hevylite® HLC analysis for Ig isotypes patterns offers an effective non‐invasive tool in the evaluation of patients with high suspicion of AL and may assist further explorative decisions for diagnosis.
Effectiveness of a locality‐based integrated diabetes care service on clinical outcomes
Authors: Zarora Reetu , MacMillan Freya , Piya Milan K. , Fernandes Brunelle , Simmons David
Published: January 2021

Background

Diabetes management often requires close cooperation between primary and specialist services, but a range of challenges in Australia and elsewhere make seamless care difficult.

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of a new locality‐based integrated diabetes care service for people with Type 2 diabetes in an inner regional area.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental evaluation comparing baseline and follow‐up clinical data collected from general practices and specialist services participating in an integrated diabetes care programme in an inner‐regional area. Patients had at least one specialist service consultation. The primary outcome was glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c).

Results

Clinical data were collected for 178 (74.5%) of 239 patients (age ± standard deviation, 65 ± 11 years; 46% female; median (interquartile range) diabetes duration, 19 (11.0–24.0) years) from seven general practices over 33 months (median 18.5 months). There were reductions in HbA1c (0.7 ± 1.6% (8 ± 18 mmol/mol); P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (5.8 ± 19.5 mmHg; P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (2.4 ± 14.3 mmHg; P = 0.04), total cholesterol (0.5 ± 1.3 mmoL/L; P < 0.001), low‐density lipoprotein (0.4 ± 0.9 mmoL/L; P < 0.001), body mass index (0.5 ± 1.6 kg/m2; P < 0.001) and weight (1.8 ± 4.7 kg; P < 0.001). The proportion without microalbuminuria increased from 48.4% to 59.3% (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Glycaemia and cardiovascular risk factors can be reduced in patients with long‐standing Type 2 diabetes by moving to a locality‐based integrated primary–secondary care diabetes care service.
Decision support issues in automated driving systems
Authors: Caballero William N. , Ríos Insua David , Banks David
Published: January 2021

Machine learning and computational processing have advanced such that automated driving systems (ADSs) are no longer a distant reality. Many automobile manufacturers have developed prototypes; however, there exist numerous decision support issues requiring resolution to ensure mass ADS adoption. In the coming decades, it is likely that production ADSs will only be partially autonomous. Such ADSs operate within predetermined conditions and require driver intervention when they are violated. Since forecasts of their 20‐year market penetration are relatively low, ADSs will likely operate in heterogeneous traffic characterized by vehicles of varying autonomy levels. Under these conditions, effective decision support must consider intangible, subjective, and emotional factors as well as influences of human cognition; otherwise, the ADS risks driver distrust and unsatisfactory performance based on an incomplete understanding of its environment. We survey the literature relevant to these issues, identify open problems, and propose research directions for their resolution.
On the complexity of coloring ‐graphs
Authors: Alves Matheus S. D. , Nascimento Julliano R. , Souza Uéverton S.
Published: January 2021

An ‐graph is a graph that can be partitioned into r independent sets and ℓ cliques. In the Graph Coloring problem, we are given as input a graph G, and the objective is to determine the minimum integer k such that G admits a proper vertex k‐coloring. In this work, we describe a Poly versus NP‐hard dichotomy of this problem regarding the parameters r and ℓ of ‐graphs, which determine the boundaries of the ‐hardness of Graph Coloring for such classes. We also analyze the complexity of the problem on ()‐graphs under the parameterized complexity perspective. We show that given a (2, 1)‐partition of a graph G, finding an optimal coloring of G is ‐complete even when K1 is a maximal clique of size 3; XP but W[1]‐hard when parameterized by ; fixed‐parameter tractable (FPT) and admits a polynomial kernel when parameterized by . Besides, concerning the case where K1 is a maximal clique of size 3, a P versus NPh dichotomy regarding the neighborhood of K1 is provided; furthermore, an FPT algorithm parameterized by the number of vertices having no neighbor in K1 is presented.
Differences in exercise‐induced blood pressure changes between young trained and untrained individuals
Authors: Nakamura Kenji , Fujiwara Takeshi , Hoshide Satoshi , Ishiyama Yusuke , Taki Mizuri , Ozawa Seiji , Kario Kazuomi
Published: January 2021

There are no studies assessing short‐term blood pressure (BP) changes induced by daily exercise load in young trained individuals. The authors enrolled 25 healthy, trained (mean age 19.7 ± 0.1 years, 36% female) and 26 healthy, untrained (mean age 20.4 ± 0.3 years, 50% female) individuals and measured BP after the Master two‐step test. Among them, 42 individuals underwent echocardiography after BP measurements to assess left ventricular mass index (LVMI). The baseline systolic BP (SBP) levels of trained and untrained individuals were 122.7 ± 2.9 versus 117.4 ± 1.5 mmHg, respectively (p = .016). Trained individuals showed a significant suppression of the SBP increase soon after exercise loads and lower SBP levels at 1, 2, and 3 min after exercise loads compared with untrained individuals. The peak SBP level over the study period was also significantly lower in trained individuals than in untrained individuals: 156.4 ± 3.3 versus 183.7 ± 5.2 mmHg (p < .001). Trained individuals showed significantly higher LVMI compared with untrained individuals: 129.4 versus 101.6 g/m2 (p < .001). These findings demonstrated that trained individuals showed significant suppression of short‐term BP variability in response to by daily exercise loads and prompt SBP recovery from acute exercise loads compared with untrained individuals. Our results would be useful to understand short‐term BPV and LV hypertrophy induced by adaptive responses of the heart to regular exercise loads.
Biomarker levels in peri‐implant crevicular fluid of healthy implants, untreated and non‐surgically treated implants with peri‐implantitis
Authors: Hentenaar Diederik F. M. , De Waal Yvonne C. M. , Vissink Arjan , Van Winkelhoff Arie Jan , Meijer Henny J. A. , Liefers Sylvia C. , Kroese Frans G. M. , Raghoebar Gerry M.
Published: January 2021

Aim

To compare biomarker levels in peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) of healthy implants with levels in PICF of implants with peri‐implantitis (before and after non‐surgical treatment).

Materials and methods

Samples were taken from 20 healthy implants (n = 17 patients) and from 20 implants with peri‐implantitis (n = 19 patients) before and 3 months after non‐surgical treatment using the Airflow Master Piezon® (EMS). A Luminex™ assay was used to evaluate pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and G‐CSF, collagen degradation enzyme MMP‐8, chemokines MCP‐1 & MIP‐1α/CCL3, bone markers OPG and sRANKL and interferon‐γ. Clinical and radiographical characteristics were assessed. A Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test analysed between‐ and within‐group differences.

Results

IL‐1β and MMP‐8 levels were found significantly elevated in implants with peri‐implantitis (p = .007; p = <.001, respectively). No difference in levels of TNF‐α, IL‐6, MCP‐1 and MIP‐1α/CCL3, OPG and G‐CSF between healthy and diseased implants was found. Levels of sRANKL and INF‐γ were under the level of detection. None of the biomarker levels improved after non‐surgical therapy, and levels of IL‐1β and MMP‐8 remained high.

Conclusion

Implants diagnosed with peri‐implantitis have higher levels of IL‐1β and MMP‐8 in PICF compared to healthy implants. Non‐surgical therapy did not influence the inflammatory immune response.
Pre‐clinical evaluation of the effect of a volume‐stable collagen matrix on periodontal regeneration in two‐wall intrabony defects
Authors: Imber Jean‐Claude , Bosshardt Dieter Daniel , Stähli Alexandra , Saulacic Nikola , Deschner James , Sculean Anton
Published: January 2021

Aim

To histologically evaluate the effect of a new collagen matrix on periodontal regeneration.

Materials and Methods

Two‐wall intrabony defects were surgically created bilaterally distally to the maxillary first and third pre‐molars in beagle dogs. The defects were randomly allocated to open flap debridement either with (test) or without (control) a volume‐stable collagen matrix (VCMX). After 12 weeks, the dogs were euthanized, and the specimens histologically processed. Descriptive, histomorphometrical (vertical gain of periodontal tissues) and statistical analyses were then performed.

Results

Healing was uneventful in most cases. Residual VCMX was still present and showed integration into new bone, new periodontal ligament, connective tissue and, in some specimens, into new cementum. Periodontal regeneration occurred to a varying extent in both groups. New continuous cementum and new bone formation were statistically significantly greater in the test group (4.12 mm and 3.28 mm, respectively) than in the control group (1.54 mm and 2.47 mm, respectively) (p = .009 and p = .037, respectively). The junctional epithelium was longer in the control group (2.21 mm) than in the test group (1.49 mm, p = .16).

Conclusion

The present results have for the first time provided histologic evidence for the potential of this novel VCMX to facilitate periodontal regeneration thus warranting further pre‐clinical and clinical testing.
Comparative computer‐assisted sperm analysis in non‐human primates
Authors: Schmidt Jenna K. , Mean Katherine D. , Dusek Brittany M. , Hinkle Hayly M. , Puntney Riley C. , Alexander Eric S. , Malicki Kerri B. , Sneed Emily L. , Moy Amy W. , Golos Thaddeus G.
Published: January 2021

Background

Biomedical research has recently focused on developing new models of human disease by implementing genome‐editing strategies in non‐human primates (NHPs) to introduce relevant gene mutations. There is a need to establish objective semen evaluation methods to select sires for in vitro fertilization to perform germline editing in embryos.

Methods

Sperm motility kinematic parameters were evaluated using a computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA) instrument for rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), and common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

Results

Normative sperm kinematic parameters were established, revealing differences between marmosets and macaques. The impact of season on rhesus macaque sperm motility was modest, where changes in sperm motility related to season were dependent on the individual male.

Conclusions

These data provide a baseline of normative kinematic parameters for three captive NHP species, in which implementation of CASA may serve as a tool to evaluate NHP semen quality.
Perfectionism and Neuroticism: Evidence for a common genetic and environmental etiology
Authors: Burcaş Sylvia , Creţu Romeo Zeno
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Recent meta‐analyses have shown that perfectionism dimensions display significant relationships with the Big Five factors, with the strongest associations being detected between perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism. To date, no research investigating the etiologic factors underlying these relationships has been conducted.

Objective

The aim of our study was to address this literature gap by exploring the genetic and environmental influences that explain the phenotypic associations between perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism.

Method

We used a multivariate twin design and tested two theoretical genetic models, an Independent and a Common Pathway model, on a sample of 678 Romanian twins.

Results

Univariate estimates showed that perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism are moderately heritable (32%–46%). Multivariate analyses revealed that their phenotypic relationships were largely explained by additive genetic factors (rg between .58 and .73). The best‐fit Independent Pathway model indicated that perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism were influenced directly by some common genetic and environmental factors accounting for approximately half of their individual variance.

Conclusion

The overlap between perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism is mainly explained by a common genetic etiology. However, perfectionistic concerns and Neuroticism are still distinct personality features as their variances are also influenced by specific genetic and environmental factors.
Spectral methods for small sample time series: A complete periodogram approach
Authors: Das Sourav , Subba Rao Suhasini , Yang Junho
Published: January 2021

The periodogram is a widely used tool to analyze second order stationary time series. An attractive feature of the periodogram is that the expectation of the periodogram is approximately equal to the underlying spectral density of the time series. However, this is only an approximation, and it is well known that the periodogram has a finite sample bias, which can be severe in small samples. In this article, we show that the bias arises because of the finite boundary of observation in one of the discrete Fourier transforms which is used in the construction of the periodogram. Moreover, we show that by using the best linear predictors of the time series over the boundary of observation we can obtain a ‘complete periodogram’ that is an unbiased estimator of the spectral density. In practice, the ‘complete periodogram’ cannot be evaluated as the best linear predictors are unknown. We propose a method for estimating the best linear predictors and prove that the resulting ‘estimated complete periodogram’ has a smaller bias than the regular periodogram. The estimated complete periodogram and a tapered version of it are used to estimate parameters, which can be represented in terms of the integrated spectral density. We prove that the resulting estimators have a smaller bias than their regular periodogram counterparts. The proposed method is illustrated with simulations and real data.
Chanarin‐Dorfman Syndrome: A comprehensive review
Authors: Cakmak Erol , Bagci Gokhan
Published: January 2021

The Chanarin–Dorfman syndrome (CDS) is a rare, autosomal recessively inherited genetic disease. This syndrome is associated with a decrease in the lipolysis activity in multiple tissue cells because of recessive mutations in the abhydrolase domain containing 5 (ABHD5) gene, which leads to the accumulation of lipid droplets in multiple types of cells. Major clinical symptoms in patients with CDS include ichthyosis and intracytoplasmic lipid droplets. The variability of clinical symptoms in patients with CDS depends on a large number of mutations involved. In this syndrome, liver involvement is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. This review aims to summarize the demographic characteristic, clinical symptoms, liver involvement and mutations in CDS patients in the literature to date.
Growth rate is temperature‐dependent, but the proportion of resource allocation between the growth and gonads is not, in early adult stage of the lancelet branchiostomajaponicum
Authors: Takeshita Fumio , Maekawa Takumi , Henmi Yasuhisa
Published: January 2021

The pattern of resource allocation into multiple life‐history traits can vary with the environment; for example, high temperatures generally facilitate growth. Changes in investment in growth due to temperature may alter the allocation to other traits that are in trade‐off with that. Here, we investigated the trade‐off between growth and reproduction and whether the proportion of allocation to these varies with increasing seawater temperature in the lancelet Branchiostoma japonicum. We reared the lancelets of early adult stage under three different temperature treatments (control, + 1°C and + 2°C treatments) for 427 days in the laboratory. Although the total body length at initiation did not differ between treatments, the length was influenced by the interaction between elapsed days and temperature treatments, suggesting that growth rate was temperature‐dependent; the lancelets under higher temperature conditions showed a more rapid growth rate than did those under the control conditions. The frequency of individuals with gonads did not differ between treatments throughout their reproductive season. The monthly growth increments were also not significantly affected by the interaction between the presence/absence of gonads and temperature treatments, although the presence of gonads caused the growth increments to decrease. In addition, the effect of temperature treatments was significant. These results suggest that changes in temperature did not alter the pattern of allocation between growth and reproduction that were in a trade‐off, whereas high temperature would solely result in an increase in resource intake, at least in the early adult stage of this species.
Inbreeding vs outbreeding depression in a marine species with low dispersal potential
Authors: Montecinos Camila , Álvarez Carolina , Riera Rodrigo , Brante Antonio
Published: January 2021

Inbreeding depression strongly affects the biological fitness of organisms throughout their life cycle. These negative effects are more pronounced in species with low dispersal potentials, where mating among relatives is more likely. However, in some species, an outbreeding depression could be expressed when local adaptive and genetic beneficial interactions are disrupted when mating occurs between individuals from different localities. The amphipod Orchestoidea tuberculata inhabits the upper level of sandy beaches. This species has direct development and adults are poor swimmers, resulting in low dispersal potential. We herein evaluated potential inbreeding and outbreeding depression responses in O. tuberculata estimated in fecundity, egg size, and mate choice. Artificial families were used with individuals from different sites within a single beach and from distinct beaches. Results showed that the highest fecundity (66.7%) and the largest egg size (50.1 mm3) were recorded in females that mated with males from the same site, rather than males from other sites and beaches. We also observed potential recognition mechanisms that clearly favored inbreeding (81.8% of males chose females from the same site). These results suggest a potential outbreeding depression in O. tuberculata. Additional studies are needed to elucidate underlying adaptive mechanisms favoring inbreeding in this species.
Are populations of economically important bonefish and queen conch 'open' or 'closed' in the northern caribbean basin?
Authors: Douglas Marlis R. , Chafin Tyler K. , Claussen Julie E. , Philipp David P. , Douglas Michael E.
Published: January 2021

Demographics of co‐occurring species can often be diagnosed through population genomic analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These data can define population structure, gene flow, and candidate regions in the genome that potentially reflect local adaptations. They can also gauge whether populations are demographically “open” or “closed” (i.e., with global or local recruitment). We derived SNPs from double‐digest restriction‐site associated DNA (ddRAD) to test the demographics of commercially important bonefish Albula vulpes (N = 117) and queen conch Lobatus gigas (N = 60) from two northeast Caribbean Basin islands (Grand Bahama to the north and Eleuthera to the south). Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that the strong west‐to‐east current in the Great Bahama Canyon is a vicariant barrier separating the two islands. We conducted Bayesian assignment tests on putatively neutral (A. vulpes = 36,206 SNPs; L. gigas = 64,863) and highly differentiated outlier datasets (A. vulpes = 123 and 79 SNPs; L. gigas = 88 and 51, respectively). For bonefish, results diagnosed asymmetrical gene flow and north‐south differentiation, as potentially driven by adult mobility and easterly currents. However, both analyses indicated genetic structure in conch, substantiating the vicariant hypothesis. These results provide templates for future research endeavors with these impacted species. Outlier loci, for example, can potentially place populations of each within a demographic continuum, rather than within a dichotomous “open/closed” framework, as well as diagnose “source” and “sink” populations, as herein. These methodologies can then be applied to co‐distributed species with similar but less well‐understood ecologies so as to evaluate basin‐wide trends in connectivity and local adaptation.