bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Competitive Dimension of Omnichannel Retailing
Authors: Akturk M. Serkan , Ketzenberg Michael
Published: July 2021

We use a proprietary data set from a national department store chain and evaluate the competitive impact of the launch of a buy-online-and-pick-up-in-store service by a major competitor. The transaction-level data set includes nearly 50 million transactions (purchase and return) across both online and brick-and-mortar channels. Although the strategy of buying online and picking up in a store is primarily designed to attract online shoppers into stores, our findings show that after the competitor’s launch, both online and store sales at the focal department store chain are negatively affected. Our results indicate a differential competitive threat that is predicated on the value proposition that the buy-online-and-pick-up-in-store service poses for customers in each channel. Online shoppers are drawn to the competitor through an additional level of shopping assurance, along with the free and fast delivery that the buy-online-and-pick-up-in-store service provides to customers. For store shoppers, the service facilitates research-online, buy-offline behavior, as well as product availability information that eliminates wasted trips to the store. Distance to market affects the intensity of impact. For the online channel, the estimated loss in sales averages 4.7% across the demographic market areas that are served and ranges between 0.4% and 18.5%. For stores, the average estimated loss in sales is 1.8% and ranges between 0.1% and 3.7%.

This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez-de-Albéniz, operations management.
Crowdsourcing Ideas Using Product Prototypes: The Joint Effect of Prototype Enhancement and the Product Design Goal on Idea Novelty
Authors: Althuizen Niek , Chen Bo
Published: July 2021

When soliciting novel product ideas from the “crowd,” companies may opt to show a prototype in order to steer the generation of ideas in the desired direction. On the one hand, the more features the prototype incorporates, the larger the potential for activating relevant knowledge in memory that may serve as a basis for generating novel ideas. On the other hand, it increases the risk of fixation on the incorporated features, which may inhibit the generation of novel ideas. Based on the “dual pathway to creativity” theory, which identifies the depth and breadth of exploration of one’s knowledge base as cognitive pathways to the generation of novel ideas, we argue that the number (and type) of features included in the prototype in combination with the design goal, that is, generating ideas for functional versus aesthetic product improvements, determines whether the positive effects outweigh the negative effects. With a functional design goal, we find that exposure to a prototype with more features leads to more novel ideas as a result of a more thorough exploration of one’s knowledge base. However, with an aesthetic design goal, exposure to a prototype with more features leads to less novel ideas because of a narrower exploration. The latter effect is driven by people’s tendency to consider the whole or gestalt of the prototype when generating aesthetic ideas. This negative effect can, thus, be mitigated by stimulating people to employ a nonholistic, piecemeal thinking style.

This paper was accepted by Ashish Arora, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Stars and Brokers: Knowledge Spillovers Among Medical Scientists
Authors: Mohnen Myra
Published: July 2021

This paper estimates the heterogeneity in peer effects among research scientists in terms of network position. I propose a new measure, brokerage degree, that determines the extent to which a scientist depends on a coauthor to provide him unique access to other scientists further away. I apply this measure to the coauthorship network of medical scientists. I show that network position is crucial for productivity by facilitating access to nonredundant knowledge. Identification results from variation in brokerage degree among coauthors linked to a star scientist who dies. A one standard deviation increase in the brokerage degree of a deceased star is associated with a 10% decrease in annual publications of his coauthor. By applying brokerage degree to topics, I provide evidence that access to knowledge flows embodied in scientists further away can account for a large proportion of the identified heterogeneity effect.

This paper was accepted by Toby Stuart, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Regularização fundiária urbana e a Lei 13.465/2017: aspectos gerais e inovações
Authors: Silva Renan Luiz dos Santos da
Published: July 2021

Este artigo tem como objeto a análise de aspectos gerais sobre a gestão do patrimônio público,com foco específico nos bens imóveis da administração direta. Está estruturado em três capítulos, sendo o primeiro relativo a classificações sobre os bens públicos e o controle da gestão patrimonial. No segundo, é feita uma breve análise sobre as principais inovações trazidas pela Lei 13.465 de 2017 na gestão pública patrimonial, no tocante à regularização fundiária. Na última parte é analisada a gestão do patrimônio no âmbito municipal e estadual, com foco na autonomia de tais entes e o papel do administrador público na gestão patrimonial com vistas à regularização fundiária urbana.
Building ad-hoc team social capital through simulation
Authors: Slack Meagan , Pierazzo Joanna
Published: July 2021

The concept of high functioning healthcare teams is complex and competencies have been developed primarily from aviation. High-functioning healthcare teams, including those formed in an ad-hoc manner, are crucial to positive patient outcomes. Social capital theory identifies structural, cognitive and relational dimensions involved in the formation of trusting, cohesive relationships. Theories of social capital can be used to advise the development of interprofessional simulation-based education. Interprofessional simulation-based education curricula development must focus on the social sciences if it is to promote strong, healthy team relationships. Simulation-based education should take place in learning environments that promote the development of social capital between team members, especially where teams are formed ad hoc.
Remote consultations, prescribing and virtual teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Churchouse Wendy , Griffiths Beth , Sewell Peter , Harries Ruth , Thomas Jonathan , Bryant Claire , Greenwood Sarah
Published: July 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals, including non-medical prescribers, needed to assess and treat patients whilst minimising personal contact. This required the rapid implementation of remote consultations. Simultaneously, in health education, virtual learning was fast-tracked to reduce transmission of the virus. A non-medical prescribing academic team and their learners (students) embarked upon a transitional journey to integrate remote consultations into the curriculum. This article will share the experiences of the academic team and learners during this transition and address the practical aspects of conducting remote consultations whilst maintaining patient safety, professional regulations and governance.
Method to improve the surface shape of BK7 glass in full-aperture polishing
Authors: Zhang Feihu , Wang Yiren
Published: July 2021

Full aperture polishing is a significant process to fabricate optical workpieces with nano figure precision. It has the characteristics of excellent full spectrum uniform removal ability, fast convergence speed, high machining accuracy, and low production cost, which makes it the first choice for the processing of large-aperture optical elements. However, with BK7 glass it is difficult to achieve deterministic processing due to its large thermal expansion coefficient and other factors, and the surface shape accuracy is difficult to improve. In this paper, the thermal deformation of BK7 glass is analyzed first, and then the temperature distribution in the element is measured during full-aperture polishing. The influence of the temperature field in the optics on the accuracy of the final surface shape is analyzed, and the quantitative relationship between the temperature difference and the surface shape is established. In addition, the methods of deterministically controlling the surface shape of optics such as polishing liquid temperature control and immersion polishing are proposed. Finally, the model of quantitative control of the surface shape of optics is verified by experiments, which improve the surface shape accuracy of 600 mm BK7 optics to

0.2

λ

.
Second-order nonlinear optical response of graphene irradiated by two-color lights: ellipticity and phase modulation
Authors: Pei Sen , Duan Suqing , Yang Ning , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2021

We investigate the second-order optical response of graphene irradiated by two-color lights with frequencies

ω

and

3
ω

, focusing on the modulation by ellipticity and phase of the incident fields. Based on the analytical perturbation theory, it is found that the interplay between the second harmonic generation (SHG) (

ω
+
ω

) and difference frequency generation (DFG) (

3
ω
−
ω

) processes leads to nontrivial nonlinear optical properties. The interference between the two processes (SHG and DFG) results in different dependencies of the second-order response intensity

I
(
2
ω
)

on ellipticity, including monotonic, nonmonotonic change of

I
(
2
ω
)

with ellipticity, or even nearly independent of ellipticity under suitable conditions. The optimal incident angles for the highest

I
(
2
ω
)

are found, which can be tuned by changing the ellipticity, relative phase, or field strength of the incident light. In particular, a large output enhancement with respect to a small increment of the incident field can be achieved. We have found effective methods of modulating nonlinear optical processes, which may have applications in optical devices based on two-dimensional materials.
Ultra-fast fiber Bragg grating inscription in CYTOP polymer optical fibers using phase mask and 400 nm femtosecond laser
Authors: Nan Ying-Gang , Kinet Damien , Chah Karima , Chapalo Ivan , Caucheteur Christophe , Mégret Patrice
Published: July 2021

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in cyclic transparent fluoropolymer (CYTOP) optical fiber are the subject of a lot of research as they can be of interest for many applications, such as temperature, humidity, strain, and radiation sensing. We report here a new technique to produce high quality FBGs in CYTOP fiber. It uses a femtosecond laser system operating at 400 nm and a phase mask. In contrast to previously reported results, the gratings are obtained in a few seconds with a writing power as low as 80 μW. With this setup, 2 mm-long gratings with reflectivity up to 92 % and full width at half maximum bandwidth around 0.5 nm were obtained in less than 10 s. The resonance wavelengths of the FBGs are confirmed by numerical computation in the graded-index multimode CYTOP fiber, and the mode selection characteristic of FBGs in CYTOP is investigated. Finally, the temperature sensitivity of CYTOP FBG is measured in different mode groups for heating up and cooling down, showing values independent of the mode group measured, but with a small hysteresis.
Error rate analysis of few-mode fiber based free-space optical communication
Authors: Fan Xingjie , Niu Jianyu , Ma Jing , Bian Yiming , Cheng Julian
Published: July 2021

Few-mode fiber (FMF) based receiver emerges as a promising solution for free-space optical (FSO) communication due to its excellent performance in the presence of turbulence. We propose a theoretical model that uses the coupling efficiency of FMF to evaluate the performance of FMF-based FSO system in the presence of turbulence. The series solutions and asymptotic solutions to bit-error rate (BER) of such system are derived for maximal-ratio combining (MRC) scheme and equal gain combining (EGC) scheme over the Gamma-Gamma turbulence channels. Simulation results show that for the FMF-based FSO system, the asymptotic BER of MRC and EGC are highly accurate in the large transmitted optical power regimes.
Polarization-insensitive graphene photodetectors enhanced by a broadband metamaterial absorber
Authors: Zou Qiushun , Shen Yang , Ou-Yang Jian , Zhang Yueli , Jin Chongjun
Published: July 2021

Graphene, combined with plasmonic nanostructures, shows great promise for achieving desirable photodetection properties and functionalities. Here, we theoretically proposed and experimentally demonstrated a graphene photodetector based on the metamaterial absorber in the visible and near-infrared wavebands. The experimental results show that the metamaterial-based graphene photodetector (MGPD) has achieved up to 3751% of photocurrent enhancement relative to an antennasless graphene device at zero external bias. Furthermore, the polarization-independent of photoresponse has resulted from the polarization-insensitive absorption of symmetric square-ring antennas. Moreover, the spectral-dependent photocurrent enhancement, originated from the enhanced light-trapping effect, was experimentally confirmed and understood by the simulated electric field profiles. The design contributes to the development of high-performance graphene photodetectors and optoelectronic devices.
Acceleration of inverse design process on adaptive mesh
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Liu Haida , Cui Xutai , Teng Geer , Zhao Yu , Liu Ziyang , Dai Fengtong
Published: July 2021

In inverse design, the design and background areas can be represented by different spatial resolutions; thus, adaptive meshes are more efficient than structured meshes. In this study, a second-order interpolation scheme is introduced to realize an inverse design process on an adaptive mesh. Experiment results show that the proposed scheme yields a 1.79-fold acceleration over that achieved using a structured mesh, aiding design time reduction or design area expansion. As the design area can be divided into multiple areas with different spatial resolutions, in future work, adaptive meshes can be combined with machine learning algorithms to further improve the inverse-design-process efficiency.
Simultaneous soot multi-parameter fields predictions in laminar sooting flames from neural network-based flame luminosity measurement I: methodology
Authors: Wang Qianlong , Li Zhen , Sun Zhiwei , Liu Haifeng , Cai Weiwei , Yao Mingfa
Published: July 2021

We originally report the use of a neural network-based method for diagnosing multiple key parameters in axis-symmetric laminar sooting flames. A Bayesian optimized back propagation neural network (BPNN) is developed and applied to flame luminosity to predict the planar distribution of soot volume fraction, temperature, and primary particle diameter. The feasibility and robustness of this approach are firstly assessed using numerical modeling results and then further validated with experimental results of a series of laminar diffusion sooting flames. This proposed BPNN model-based flame luminosity approach shows high prediction accuracies, typically up to 114 K, 0.25 ppm, and 2.56 nm for soot temperature, volume fraction, and primary particle diameter, respectively. We believe that the present machine learning-assisted optical diagnostics paves a more efficient, lower costing, and high-fidelity way for multi-parameters simultaneous diagnosis in combustion and reacting flows.
Free-standing tantalum pentoxide waveguides for gas sensing in the mid-infrared
Authors: Vlk Marek , Datta Anurup , Alberti Sebastián , Murugan Ganapathy Senthil , Aksnes Astrid , Jágerská Jana
Published: July 2021

Typical applications of integrated photonics in the mid-infrared (MIR) are different from near-infrared (telecom) range and, in many instances, they involve chemical sensing through MIR spectroscopy. Such applications necessitate tailored designs of optical waveguides. Both cross-sectional designs and processing methods of MIR waveguides have been a subject of extensive research, where material transparency and substrate leakage of guided modes have been the most common challenges. Both these challenges can be solved simultaneously with air-suspended waveguides. In this paper, tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5, tantala) thin films deposited on silicon were tested for two different dry under-etching procedures, XeF2 and SF6 plasma, with both of them facilitating selective removal of silicon. We analyze the advantages and limitations of these two methods and optimize the processing for fabricating membranes with arbitrary length and cross-sectional aspect ratio over 300. The performance of these high-aspect-ratio membranes as a framework for single-mode waveguides is rigorously analyzed at 2566 nm wavelength. With tantala being transparent up to 10 µm wavelength, such waveguides are particularly well suited for gas sensing in MIR.
Pleiotropy method reveals genetic overlap between orofacial clefts at multiple novel loci from GWAS of multi-ethnic trios
Authors: Ray Debashree , Venkataraghavan Sowmya , Zhang Wanying , Leslie Elizabeth J. , Hetmanski Jacqueline B. , Weinberg Seth M. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Marazita Mary L. , Ruczinski Ingo , Taub Margaret A. , Beaty Terri H.
Published: July 2021

Based on epidemiologic and embryologic patterns, nonsyndromic orofacial clefts– the most common craniofacial birth defects in humans– are commonly categorized into cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate alone (CP), which are traditionally considered to be etiologically distinct. However, some evidence of shared genetic risk inIRF6,GRHL3andARHGAP29regions exists; onlyFOXE1has been recognized as significantly associated with both CL/P and CP in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We used a new statistical approach, PLACO (pleiotropic analysis under composite null), on a combined multi-ethnic GWAS of 2,771 CL/P and 611 CP case-parent trios. At the genome-wide significance threshold of 5 × 10−8, PLACO identified 1 locus in 1q32.2 (IRF6) that appears to increase risk for one OFC subgroup but decrease risk for the other. At a suggestive significance threshold of 10−6, we found 5 more loci with compelling candidate genes having opposite effects on CL/P and CP: 1p36.13 (PAX7), 3q29 (DLG1), 4p13 (LIMCH1), 4q21.1 (SHROOM3) and 17q22 (NOG). Additionally, we replicated the recognized shared locus 9q22.33 (FOXE1), and identified 2 loci in 19p13.12 (RAB8A) and 20q12 (MAFB) that appear to influence risk of both CL/P and CP in the same direction. We found locus-specific effects may vary by racial/ethnic group at these regions of genetic overlap, and failed to find evidence of sex-specific differences. We confirmed shared etiology of the two OFC subtypes comprising CL/P, and additionally found suggestive evidence of differences in their pathogenesis at 2 loci of genetic overlap. Our novel findings include 6 new loci of genetic overlap between CL/P and CP; 3 new loci between pairwise OFC subtypes; and 4 loci not previously implicated in OFCs. Ourin-silicovalidation showed PLACO is robust to subtype-specific effects, and can achieve massive power gains over existing approaches for identifying genetic overlap between disease subtypes. In summary, we found suggestive evidence for new genetic regions and confirmed some recognized OFC genes either exerting shared risk or with opposite effects on risk to OFC subtypes.
Adipose tissue biomarkers and type 2 diabetes incidence in normoglycemic participants in the MESArthritis Ancillary Study: A cohort study
Authors: Pishgar Farhad , Shabani Mahsima , Quinaglia A. C. Silva Thiago , Bluemke David A. , Budoff Matthew , Barr R Graham , Allison Matthew A. , Bertoni Alain G. , Post Wendy S. , Lima João A. C. , Demehri Shadpour
Published: July 2021

Background

Given the central role of skeletal muscles in glucose homeostasis, deposition of adipose depots beneath the fascia of muscles (versus subcutaneous adipose tissue [SAT]) may precede insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence. This study was aimed to investigate the associations between computed tomography (CT)–derived biomarkers for adipose tissue and T2D incidence in normoglycemic adults.

Methods and findings

This study was a population-based multiethnic retrospective cohort of 1,744 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) with normoglycemia (baseline fasting plasma glucose [FPG] less than 100 mg/dL) from 6 United States of America communities. Participants were followed from April 2010 and January 2012 to December 2017, for a median of 7 years. The intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and SAT areas were measured in baseline chest CT exams and were corrected by height squared (SAT and IMAT indices) using a predefined measurement protocol. T2D incidence, as the main outcome, was based on follow-up FPG, review of hospital records, or self-reported physician diagnoses.

Participants’ mean age was 69 ± 9 years at baseline, and 977 (56.0%) were women. Over a median of 7 years, 103 (5.9%) participants were diagnosed with T2D, and 147 (8.4%) participants died. The IMAT index (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.27 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–1.41] per 1-standard deviation [SD] increment) and the SAT index (HR: 1.43 [95% CI: 1.16–1.77] per 1-SD increment) at baseline were associated with T2D incidence over the follow-up. The associations of the IMAT and SAT indices with T2D incidence were attenuated after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, with HRs of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.09–1.38) and 1.29 (95% CI: 0.96–1.74) per 1-SD increment, respectively. The limitations of this study include unmeasured residual confounders and one-time measurement of adipose tissue biomarkers.

Conclusions

In this study, we observed an association between IMAT at baseline and T2D incidence over the follow-up. This study suggests the potential role of intermuscular adipose depots in the pathophysiology of T2D.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT00005487
Drug coated balloons for coronary artery bifurcation lesions: A systematic review and focused meta-analysis
Authors: Corballis Natasha H. , Paddock Sophie , Gunawardena Tharusha , Merinopoulos Ioannis , Vassiliou Vassilios S. , Eccleshall Simon C.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

We sought to systematically review the evidence supporting the role of drug coated balloons (DCBs) in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions.

Background

DCBs are emerging as an attractive alternative treatment strategy for treating coronary bifurcations due to simplifying the approach and reducing rates of stent related complications. We systematically reviewed the evidence for DCB use in coronary bifurcations and conducted a focused meta-analysis on late lumen loss in the side branch comparing DCB and plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA).

Methods

This study was conducted in line with the PRISMA statement. All studies (including both RCTs and observational studies, excluding case reports) using DCB as part of a bifurcation strategy were included in this review. A literature search identified a total of ten studies for inclusion. A focused meta-analysis was undertaken for the use of DCB in side-branch compared with POBA. Mean late lumen loss was used with a random effects model due to heterogeneity.

Results

DCB was found to be superior to POBA for side branch treatment in bifurcations (p = 0.01). There are four studies that investigated the use of DCB for main branch treatment in a bifurcation, with evidence supporting its safety in main branches of bifurcation lesions, while prospective observational studies have demonstrated favourable target lesion revascularisation rates.

Conclusion

Although there is a lack of robust RCTs comparing DCBs with current generation DES, DCBs appear safe in main branch bifurcation lesions with improved side branch late lumen loss when compared with DES or POBA.
Bronchoalveolar lavage affects thorax computed tomography of healthy and SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Maaskant Annemiek , Meijer Lisette , Fagrouch Zahra , Bakker Jaco , van Geest Leo , Zijlmans Dian G. M. , Verstrepen Babs E. , Langermans Jan A. M. , Verschoor Ernst J. , Stammes Marieke A.
Published: July 2021

Medical imaging as method to assess the longitudinal process of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in non-human primates is commonly used in research settings. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is regularly used to determine the local virus production and immune effects of SARS-CoV-2 in the lower respiratory tract. However, the potential interference of those two diagnostic modalities is unknown in non-human primates. The current study investigated the effect and duration of BAL on computed tomography (CT) in both healthy and experimentally SARS-CoV-2-infected female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). In addition, the effect of subsequent BALs was reviewed. Thorax CTs and BALs were obtained from four healthy animals and 11 experimentally SARS-CoV-2-infected animals. From all animals, CTs were obtained just before BAL, and 24 hours post-BAL. Additionally, from the healthy animals, CTs immediately after, and four hours post-BAL were obtained. Thorax CTs were evaluated for alterations in lung density, measured in Hounsfield units, and a visual semi-quantitative scoring system. An increase in the lung density was observed on the immediately post-BAL CT but resolved within 24 hours in the healthy animals. In the infected animals, a significant difference in both the lung density and CT score was still found 24 hours after BAL. Furthermore, the differences between time points in CT score were increased for the second BAL. These results indicate that the effect of BAL on infected lungs is not resolved within the first 24 hours. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the interference between BAL and CT in rhesus macaques.
Dissemination of COVID-19 in inland cities of Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Costa de Assis Sanderson José , Lopes Johnnatas Mikael , de Lima Filho Bartolomeu Fagundes , José Bouzas Sanchis Geronimo , Sousa Rodrigues Guedes Thais , Limeira Cavalcanti Rafael , Araujo Diego Neves , José Sarmento da Nóbrega Antonio , Barbosa Otoni Gonçalves Guedes Marcello , Giuseppe Roncalli da Costa Oliveira Angelo
Published: July 2021

Background

SARS-CoV-2 causes the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and it is weakening all health systems. Therefore, the most vulnerable populations are exposed to harmful consequences, such as illness and death. Thus, this study aims to estimate the temporal effect of COVID-19 dissemination on social indicators of the Northeastern region of Brazil.

Methods

An ecological time-series study was developed with the following: diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in the largest inland cities of Northeast Brazil, Human Development Index (HDI), poverty incidence, and Gini coefficient. Cities with high HDI, poverty rate, and Gini presented a larger number of patients.

Results

It was observed by evaluating case trends that COVID-19 spreads unevenly in inland cities of the Northeastern region of Brazil.

Conclusions

In this sense, we emphasize that regional health managers should support small cities with vulnerable population and social assistance.
Balanced carbohydrate ratios are associated with improved diet quality in Australia: A nationally representative cross-sectional study
Authors: Blumfield Michelle , McConnell Andrew , Cassettari Tim , Petocz Peter , Warner Molly , Campos Vanessa , Lê Kim-Anne , Minehira Kaori , Marshall Skye , Fayet-Moore Flavia
Published: July 2021

Background

Carbohydrate quality influences major health outcomes; however, the best criteria to assess carbohydrate quality remain unknown.

Objective

The objectives were to: i) evaluate whether a diet that meets a carbohydrate ratio (simple, modified or dual ratio) is associated with higher nutrient intakes and diet quality, and ii) model the impact of substituting carbohydrate foods that meet the proposed ratios in place of foods that do not, on nutrient intakes.

Design

A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2011–12 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.

Participants/Setting

National data from participants aged 2 years and older (n = 12,153).

Main outcome measures

Ratios were defined as (i) simple ratio, 10:1 (10g carbohydrate:≥1g dietary fiber); (ii) modified ratio, 10:1:2 (10g carbohydrate:≥1g dietary fiber:≤2g free sugars); and (iii) dual ratio, 10:1 & 1:2 (10g carbohydrate:≥1g dietary fiber & ≤2g free sugars per 1g dietary fiber). Ratios were compared to nutrient intakes obtained via automated multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recall and diet quality calculated using the Australian Healthy Eating Index.

Statistical analyses performed

Substitution dietary modelling was performed. Data were analyzed using paired and independent sample t-tests.

Results

Ratio adherence was highest for simple (50.2% adults; 28.6% children), followed by dual (40.6% adults; 21.7% children), then modified (32.7% adults; 18.6% children) ratios. Participants who met any ratio reported higher nutrient intake and diet quality compared to those who failed to meet the respective ratio (P < .001 for all), with the greatest nutrient intakes found for those who met modified or dual ratios. Dietary modelling improved nutrient intakes for all ratios, with the greatest improvement found for the dual ratio.

Conclusions

All carbohydrate ratios were associated with higher diet quality, with a free sugars constraint in the dual ratio providing the greatest improvements.
Association of BMI, comorbidities and all-cause mortality by using a baseline mortality risk model
Authors: Li Jia , Simon Gyorgy , Castro M. Regina , Kumar Vipin , Steinbach Michael S. , Caraballo Pedro J.
Published: July 2021

Objective

The association of body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality is controversial, frequently referred to as a paradox. Whether the cause is metabolic factors or statistical biases is still controversial. We assessed the association of BMI and all-cause mortality considering a wide range of comorbidities and baseline mortality risk.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of Olmsted County residents with at least one BMI measurement between 2000–2005, clinical data in the electronic health record and minimum 8 year follow-up or death within this time. The cohort was categorized based on baseline mortality risk: Low, Medium, Medium-high, High and Very-high. All-cause mortality was assessed for BMI intervals of 5 and 0.5 Kg/m2.

Results

Of 39,739 subjects (average age 52.6, range 18–89; 38.1% male) 11.86% died during 8-year follow-up. The 8-year all-cause mortality risk had a “U” shape with a flat nadir in all the risk groups. Extreme BMI showed higher risk (BMI <15 = 36.4%, 15 to <20 = 15.4% and ≥45 = 13.7%), while intermediate BMI categories showed a plateau between 10.6 and 12.5%. The increased risk attributed to baseline risk and comorbidities was more obvious than the risk based on BMI increase within the same risk groups.

Conclusions

There is a complex association between BMI and all-cause mortality when evaluated including comorbidities and baseline mortality risk. In general, comorbidities are better predictors of mortality risk except at extreme BMIs. In patients with no or few comorbidities, BMI seems to better define mortality risk. Aggressive management of comorbidities may provide better survival outcome for patients with body mass between normal and moderate obesity.
Clinical and bioethical implications of health care interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in outpatients with rheumatic diseases
Authors: Guaracha-Basáñez Guillermo A. , Contreras-Yáñez Irazú , Hernández-Molina Gabriela , González-Marín Anayanci , Pacheco-Santiago Lexli D. , Valverde-Hernández Salvador S. , Peláez-Ballestas Ingris , Pascual-Ramos Virginia
Published: July 2021

Background

To determine the impact of health care interruption (HCI), on clinical status of the patients reincorporated to an outpatient clinic for rheumatic diseases (OCDIR), from a tertiary care level center who was temporally switched to a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, and to provide a bioethical analysis.

Methods

From March to June 2020, the OCDIR was closed; since June, it is limited to evaluate 25% of the ongoing outpatients. This cross-sectional study surveyed 670 consecutive rheumatic outpatients between June 24th and October 31th, concomitant to the assessment of the rheumatic disease clinical status by the attendant rheumatologist, according to disease activity level, clinical deterioration and adequate/inadequate control. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified factors associated to HCI and to clinical deterioration.

Results

Patients were middle-aged females (86.7%), with median disease duration of 10 years, comorbidity (38.5%) and 138 patients (20.6%) had discontinued treatment. Primary diagnoses were SLE and RA, in 285 (42.5%) and 223 (33.3%) patients, respectively.

There were 344 patients (51.3%) with HCI. Non-RA diagnosis (OR: 2.21, 95%CI: 1.5–3.13), comorbidity (OR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.22–2.37), patient’s need for rheumatic care during HCI (OR: 3.2, 95%CI: 2.06–4.97) and adequate control of the rheumatic disease (OR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.45–0.9) were independently associated to HCI. There were 160 patients (23.8%) with clinical deterioration and associated factors were disease duration, substantial disease activity previous HCI, patients need for rheumatic care and treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions

HCI during COVID-19 pandemic impacted course of rheumatic diseases and need to be considered in the bioethical analysis of virus containment measures.
Eliciting local knowledge of ecosystem services using participatory mapping and Photovoice: A case study of Tun Mustapha Park, Malaysia
Authors: Lim Voon-Ching , Justine Eva Vivian , Yusof Kamila , Wan Mohamad Ariffin Wan Nur Syazana , Goh Hong Ching , Fadzil Kamal Solhaimi
Published: July 2021

Protected areas in Malaysia have always been managed using top-down approach that often exclude the local communities, who are the main users of ecosystem services, from the planning and management. However, a newly established multiple-use marine park in Malaysia, Tun Mustapha Park (TMP), aims for inclusivity in managing the park. This research explores different participatory approaches (i.e. participatory mapping and Photovoice) to understand the ecosystem services and the dynamics surrounding the services in TMP. Community-based organisations and a mariculture farm in TMP were invited to participate in this work. The participants mapped the ecosystem services and provided in-depth qualitative data that supported the maps, besides highlighting ecological, sociocultural and economic issues surrounding the ecosystem services. Furthermore, the participants provided suggestions and recommendations that carry political effects. Therefore, the participatory approaches employed here had provided rich visual and spatial data to enhance the ecosystem-based management of TMP besides empowering the participants to voice out for their communities. The results generated from this work were also further utilised to fill in the gaps of knowledge in a separate ecosystem service assessment matrix. However, the output from participatory approaches should not be considered as the ultimate outcome but rather as supplement to the planning and management of TMP due to potential human errors and biases. Although the participatory approaches came with limitations and challenges that may have affected the findings here, these nonetheless had provided support to the capability of local communities to provide information crucial for management of protected areas as well as room for improvement for further work.
Have maternal or paternal ages any impact on the prenatal incidence of genomic copy number variants associated with fetal structural anomalies?
Authors: Larroya Marta , Tortajada Marta , Mensión Eduard , Pauta Montse , Rodriguez-Revenga Laia , Borrell Antoni
Published: July 2021

The objective of this study was to determine whether maternal or paternal ages have any impact on the prenatal incidence of genomic copy number variants (CNV) in fetuses with structural anomalies. We conducted a non-paired case-control study (1:2 ratio) among pregnancies undergoing chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) because of fetal ultrasound anomalies, from December 2012 to May 2020. Pregnancies with any pathogenic copy number variant (CNV), either microdeletion or microduplication, were defined as cases. Controls were selected as the next two pregnancies with the same indication for CMA but with a normal result. Logistic regression was used, adjusting by use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and parental smoking. Stratified analysis was performed according to CNV type (de novo/inherited and recurrent/non-recurrent). The study included 189 pregnancies: 63 cases and 126 controls. Mean maternal age in cases was 33.1 (SD 4.6) years and 33.9 (SD 6.0) years in controls. Mean paternal mean age was 34.5 (SD 4.8) years in cases and 35.8 (SD 5.8) years in controls. No significant differences in maternal or paternal age were observed, neither in stratified analysis according to the CNV type. Moreover, the proportion of cases were not significantly different between non-advanced and advanced ages, either considering paternal or maternal ages. The presence of pathogenic CNV at CMA in fetuses with structural anomalies was not found to be associated with advanced paternal or maternal age.
Does a learner-centered approach using teleconference improve medical students’ psychological safety and self-explanation in clinical reasoning conferences? a crossover study
Authors: Hoshina Yoji , Shikino Kiyoshi , Yamauchi Yosuke , Yanagita Yasutaka , Yokokawa Daiki , Tsukamoto Tomoko , Noda Kazutaka , Uehara Takanori , Ikusaka Masatomi
Published: July 2021

During clinical reasoning case conferences, a learner-centered approach using teleconferencing can create a psychologically safe environment and help learners speak up. This study aims to measure the psychological safety of students who are supposed to self-explain their clinical reasoning to conference participants. This crossover study compared the effects of two clinical reasoning case conference methods on medical students’ psychological safety. The study population comprised 4th-5th year medical students participating in a two-week general medicine clinical clerkship rotation, from September 2019 to February 2020. They participated in both a learner-centered approach teleconference and a traditional, live-style conference. Teleconferences were conducted in a separate room, with only a group of students and one facilitator. Participants in group 1 received a learner-centered teleconference in the first week and a traditional, live-style conference in the second week. Participants assigned to group 2 received a traditional, live-style conference in the first week and a learner-centered approach teleconference in the second week. After each conference, Edmondson’s Psychological Safety Scale was used to assess the students’ psychological safety. We also counted the number of students who self-explained their clinical reasoning processes during each conference. Of the 38 students, 34 completed the study. Six out of the seven psychological safety items were significantly higher in the learner-centered approach teleconferences (p<0.01). Twenty-nine (85.3%) students performed self-explanation in the teleconference compared to ten (29.4%) in the live conference (p<0.01). A learner-centered approach teleconference could improve psychological safety in novice learners and increase the frequency of their self-explanation, helping educators better assess their understanding. Based on these results, a learner-centered teleconference approach has the potential to be a method for teaching clinical reasoning to medical students.
When research is me-search: How researchers’ motivation to pursue a topic affects laypeople’s trust in science
Authors: Altenmüller Marlene Sophie , Lange Leonie Lucia , Gollwitzer Mario
Published: July 2021

Research is often fueled by researchers’ scientific, but also their personal interests: Sometimes, researchers decide to pursue a specific research question because the answer to that question is idiosyncratically relevant for themselves: Such “me-search” may not only affect the quality of research, but also how it is perceived by the general public. In two studies (N= 621), we investigate the circumstances under which learning about a researcher’s “me-search” increases or decreases laypeople’s ascriptions of trustworthiness and credibility to the respective researcher. Results suggest that participants’ own preexisting attitudes towards the research topic moderate the effects of “me-search” substantially: When participants hold favorable attitudes towards the research topic (i.e., LGBTQ or veganism), “me-searchers” were perceived as more trustworthy and their research was perceived as more credible. This pattern was reversed when participants held unfavorable attitudes towards the research topic. Study 2 furthermore shows that trustworthiness and credibility perceptions generalize to evaluations of the entire field of research. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Assessment of the effect of vacuum-formed retainers and Hawley retainers on periodontal health: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Bowen , Xu Yifeng , Lu Cailian , Wei Zhenheng , Li Yongyue , Zhang Jinghui
Published: July 2021

Background

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the periodontal health of orthodontic patients in the maintenance stage in clinical practice. The focus of this meta-analysis was to compare the effects of vacuum-formed retainers (VFR) and Hawley retainers (HR) on periodontal health, in order to provide a reference for clinical selection.

Methods

From the establishment of the database until November 2020, a large number of databases were searched to find relevant randomized control trials, including the Cochrane Library databases, Embase, PubMed, Medline via Ovi, Web of Science, Scopus, Grey Literature in Europe, Google Scholar and CNKI. Related literature was manually searched and included in the analysis. Two researchers screened the literature according to relevant criteria. The size of the effect was determined using RevMan5.3 software, and the mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the results using a random effects model.

Results

This meta-analysis included six randomized controlled trials involving 304 patients. The results of the meta-analysis showed that there was no statistical difference in sulcus probing depth status between the VFR group and the HR group, including at 1, 3, and 6 months. Compared with the VFR group, the HR group showed a lower gingival index at 1 month (mean difference = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.19) and 3 months (mean difference = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.17), while there was no statistically significant difference at 6 months (mean difference = 0.10, 95%CI: -0.07 to 0.27). The plaque index of the HR group also showed a good state at 1 month (mean difference = 0.06, 95%CI: 0.01 to 0.12), 3 months (mean difference = 0.12, 95%CI: 0.08 to 0.16), and 6 months (mean difference = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.09 to 0.29). Subgroup analysis of PLI showed that when all teeth were measured, PLI status was lower in the HR group at 6 months (mean difference = 0.32, 95%CI: 0.18 to 0.46). PLI status was also low for the other teeth group (mean difference = 0.15, 95%CI: 0.08 to 0.22).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis showed that patients using the Hawley retainer had better periodontal health compared with those using vacuum-formed retainers. However, more research is needed to look at the periodontal health of patients using these two retainers.
Evaluating extraction methods to study canine urine microbiota
Authors: Mrofchak Ryan , Madden Christopher , Evans Morgan V. , Hale Vanessa L.
Published: July 2021

The urinary microbiota is the collection of microbes present in urine that may play a role in host health. Studies of urine microbiota have traditionally relied upon culturing methods aimed at identifying pathogens. However, recent culture-free sequencing studies of the urine microbiota have determined that a diverse array of microbes is present in health and disease. To study these microbes and their potential role in diseases like bladder cancer or interstitial cystitis, consistent extraction and detection of bacterial DNA from urine is critical. However, urine is a low biomass substrate, requiring sensitive methods to capture DNA and making the risk of contamination high. To address this challenge, we collected urine samples from ten healthy dogs and extracted DNA from each sample using five different commercially available extraction methods. Extraction methods were compared based on total and bacterial DNA concentrations and bacterial community composition and diversity assessed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Significant differences in the urinary microbiota were observed by dog and sex but not extraction method. The Bacteremia Kit yielded the highest total DNA concentrations (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.165, not significant) and the highest bacterial DNA concentrations (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.044). Bacteremia also extracted bacterial DNA from the greatest number of samples. Taken together, these results suggest that the Bacteremia kit is an effective option for studying the urine microbiota. This work lays the foundation to study the urine microbiome in a wide range of urogenital diseases in dogs and other species.
How do researchers approach societal impact?
Authors: Fecher Benedikt , Hebing Marcel
Published: July 2021

Based on a communication-centered approach, this article examines how researchers approach societal impact, that is, what they think about societal impact in research governance, what their societal goals are, and how they use communication formats. Hence, this study offers empirical evidence on a group that has received remarkably little attention in the scholarly discourse on the societal impact of research—academic researchers. Our analysis is based on an empirical survey among 499 researchers in Germany conducted from April to June 2020. We show that most researchers regard societal engagement as part of their job and are generally in favor of impact evaluation. However, few think that societal impact is a priority at their institution, and even fewer think that institutional communication departments reach relevant stakeholders in society. Moreover, we show that researchers’ societal goals and use of communication formats differ greatly between their disciplines and the types of organization that they work at. Our results add to the ongoing metascientific discourse on the relationship between science and society and offer empirical support for the hypothesis that assessment needs to be sensitive to disciplinary and organizational context factors.