bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Mandatory Deleveraging on Corporate Tax Avoidance: Evidence from a Quasi‐experiment in China
Authors: Xu Zihui , Chen Zifan , Deng Lixing , Yu Yan
Published: September 2022

Companies can use both debt and non‐debt tax shields to accomplish tax avoidance. Using a quasi‐experiment in China in which the government implemented deleveraging regulations in selected industries in 2015, this study provides novel evidence of the effect of mandatory deleveraging on corporate tax avoidance. The results show that implementing mandatory deleveraging leads to an increase in the degree of corporate tax avoidance. Mechanism analyses indicate that mandatory deleveraging curbs a company's inclination to take advantage of the tax benefits of debt, but increases its tendency of using non‐debt tax shields, suggesting that companies will use non‐debt tax shields as a substitute for debt tax shields. Supplementary analyses show that the effect of mandatory deleveraging is more pronounced for companies with more debt, higher financing constraints and weaker tax enforcement, as well as for companies that are state owned.
Maxillary sinus floor augmentation comparing removing versus retaining antral pseudocyst: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fu Mengdie , Jiang Zhiwei , Ren Lingfei , He Jin , Zhu Danji , Yang Guoli
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To retrospectively compare multilevel volumetric changes in both hard and soft tissues between antral pseudocyst (AP) removal and retainment before maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) and immediate implant placement.

Material and methods

Twenty‐six patients with 38 implants placed from 2016 to 2021 were included and divided according to a cohort design as follows: 13 removing the cyst (RC group) and 13 “leaving alone” the cyst (LC group). 3D radiographic parameters (primary outcome), 2D parameters and clinical records (secondary outcome) involving both hard and soft tissues were evaluated for four periods (T1: immediate postoperative, T2: 6‐month, T3: 12‐month, and T4: 2‐ to 5‐ year follow‐up). Possible confounding factors, including sinus anatomical features and implant distribution, were also analyzed to eliminate their disturbance.

Results

The 3D volumetric change rate of bone grafts in the RC group (−9.32% ± 10.01%) from T2 to T3 was significantly lower than that in the LC group (−19.8% ± 10.59%) (p < .05). The change rate of apical bone height (ABH), endo‐sinus bone gain (ESBG) and other 2D parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. 5.3% implants in RC group and 9.1% implants in LC group failed during follow‐ups. 0% postoperative complications were observed in RC group. The Schneiderian membrane of RC group was significantly thinner than that of LC group at two measuring points in sinus.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that compared to AP retainment, AP removal before MSFA and immediate implant placement can obtain higher bone graft volumetric stability and favorable prognosis.
Diagnostic accuracy and adequacy of peripheral pulmonary nodules samples obtained by transthoracic needle aspiration
Authors: Lovrenski Aleksandra , Gardic Nikola , Tegeltija Dragana , Miljkovic Dejan
Published: September 2022

Objective

To examine the adequacy of samples and accuracy of transthoracic needle aspiration (TTNA) in patients with peripheral pulmonary nodule (PPN) diagnosis.

Methods

This retrospective study included 248 patients who underwent TTNA of PPN and subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic surgical procedures during a 5‐year period at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina. The following were analysed: adequacy of cytological samples for diagnosis and molecular testing, tumour localisation and dimensions, and cytological and histopathological characteristics.

Results

The adequacy of the cytological samples was 93.15%. The proportion of adequate–diagnostic samples was higher in patients in whom the largest diameter of the lesion was >4 cm, and this difference showed statistical significance. Tumour localisation was not statistically significant for the adequacy of samples for cytological analysis. Cytological samples of lung adenocarcinoma had high projected adequacy for EGFR analyses of 91.55%, not dependent on the size and location of the lesion. The most commonly diagnosed lung tumour was adenocarcinoma (45.51%). Patients with a cytological diagnosis of non‐small cell carcinoma not otherwise specified, after histopathological analyses, had adenocarcinoma in most cases (53.85%). The overall accuracy of TTNA in the diagnosis of PPN was 71%. The method's accuracy was 75.24% for malignant tumours, while it was 28.57% for benign tumours. The accuracy of cytological analysis for the histological type of tumour was 84.18%.

Conclusion

Transthoracic needle aspiration with cytological analysis is an effective and highly sensitive method in determining the aetiology of PPN.
Encouraging pointing with the right hand, but not the left hand, gives right‐handed 3‐year‐olds a linguistic advantage
Authors: Mumford Katherine H. , Aussems Suzanne , Kita Sotaro
Published: September 2022

Previous research has shown a strong positive association between right‐handed gesturing and vocabulary development. However, the causal nature of this relationship remains unclear. In the current study, we tested whether gesturing with the right hand enhances linguistic processing in the left hemisphere, which is contralateral to the right hand. We manipulated the gesture hand children used in pointing tasks to test whether it would affect their performance. In either a linguistic task (verb learning) or a non‐linguistic control task (memory), 131 typically developing right‐handed 3‐year‐olds were encouraged to use either their right hand or left hand to respond. While encouraging children to use a specific hand to indicate their responses had no effect on memory performance, encouraging children to use the right hand to respond, compared to the left hand, significantly improved their verb learning performance. This study is the first to show that manipulating the hand with which children are encouraged to gesture gives them a linguistic advantage. Language lateralization in healthy right‐handed children typically involves a dominant left hemisphere. Producing right‐handed gestures may therefore lead to increased activation in the left hemisphere which may, in turn, facilitate forming and accessing lexical representations. It is important to note that this study manipulated gesture handedness among right‐handers and does therefore not support the practice of encouraging children to become right‐handed in manual activities.

Research Highlights

Right‐handed 3‐year‐olds were instructed to point to indicate their answers exclusively with their right or left hand in either a memory or verb learning task.

Right‐handed pointing was associated with improved verb generalization performance, but not improved memory performance.

Thus, gesturing with the right hand, compared to the left hand, gives right‐handed 3‐year‐olds an advantage in a linguistic but not a non‐linguistic task.

Right‐handed pointing might lead to increased activation in the left hemisphere and facilitate forming and accessing lexical representations.
Do terms of trade affect economic growth? Robust evidence from India
Authors: Singh Tarlok
Published: September 2022

This study extends the previous empirics and conducts a comprehensive analysis of the effects of terms of trade (TOT) on economic growth in the large and emerging market economy, India, which experienced tremendous transformation from a persistently low‐growth economy in the 1950s–1970s to a moderate‐growth economy in the 1980s and then to a high‐growth economy, following the onset of inclusive economic reforms from the beginning 1990s. The TOT remained unfavourable during the 1950s, witnessed boom during the mid‐1960s to the mid‐1970s, showed sharp downturn during the mid‐1970s to the mid‐1980s, and then displayed deteriorations again from the late 1990s to 2017–2018. The model estimated in one‐regime setting with no structural break and in a sample‐split setting with multiple structural breaks—over both “long” and “short” time periods—supports the presence of cointegration among variables and suggests the positive and significant long‐run effects of TOT on economic growth. The diversification of trade, the continual improvements in the quality of export products, and the development of high value‐added industries are essentially crucial to induce long‐term improvements in TOT. The improvements in TOT need to be accompanied by the development of financial sector, expansion of external trade, and acceleration of domestic investment.
Adult female exposure to mild ultraviolet radiation reduces longevity but not egg load in two parasitoid wasps
Authors: Gaudreau Mathilde , Brodeur Jacques , Abram Paul K.
Published: September 2022

Insects can be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation throughout their lifecycle when they rest, forage, and mate. The negative effects that such highly energetic photons can have on insect fitness are not well‐known, especially for natural exposure during the adult stage. Adult insects are considered to be more resistant to UV radiation than their immature stages, but this assumption is supported by only a few studies on a restricted set of pest species. We conducted the first investigation of the vulnerability of parasitoid adults to UV exposure, by assessing the longevity and potential fecundity of female Telenomus podisi Ashmead and Trissolcus utahensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) receiving low doses of UV‐A and visible radiation daily in the laboratory. Parasitoids died up to 2× faster with increasing levels of UV radiation, and, to a lesser extent, of visible radiation. There was no effect of UV radiation on maximum egg load resulting from oogenesis in early adulthood. This study on beneficial insects indicates that the physiological consequences of cumulative exposure to even mild doses of more energetic optical radiation, particularly in the UV range, should not be underestimated in natural and managed ecosystems.
5′‐nucleotidase, cytosolic II genotype, and clinical outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia with intermediate‐risk cytogenetics
Authors: Díaz‐Santa Johana , Rodríguez‐Romanos Rocío , Coll Rosa , Osca Gemma , Pratcorona Marta , González‐Bártulos Marta , Garrido Ana , Angona Anna , Talarn Carme , Tormo Mar , Arnan Montserrat , Vives Susanna , Salamero Olga , Tuset Esperanza , Lloveras Natàlia , Díez Isabel , Zamora Lurdes , Bargay Joan , Sampol Antonia , Cruz David , Vila Jordi , Sitges Marta , Garcia Antoni , Vall‐Llovera Ferran , Esteve Jordi , Sierra Jorge , Gallardo David ,   the “Grupo Cooperativo Para el Estudio y Tratamiento de las Leucemias Agudas y Mielodisplasias” (CETLAM group)
Published: September 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex disease, and its treatment needs to be adjusted to the risk, which is conferred by cytogenetics and molecular markers. Cytarabine is the main drug to treat AML, and it has been suggested that the genotype of cytarabine metabolizing enzymes may have a prognostic relevance in AML. Here we report the association between the 5′‐nucleotidase, cytosolic II (NT5C2) rs10883841, cytidine deaminase (CDA) rs2072671 and rs532545 genotypes and the clinical outcome of 477 intermediate‐risk cytogenetic AML patients receiving cytarabine‐based chemotherapy. Patients younger than 50 years old with the NT5C2 rs10883841 AA genotype had lower overall survival (OS) (p: .003; HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.29–3.61) and lower disease‐free survival (DFS) (p: .002; HR 2.45, 95% CI 1.41–4.27), associated to a higher relapse incidence (p: .010; HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.21–4.12). Interestingly, subgroup analysis showed that the negative effect of the NT5C2 rs10883841 AA genotype was detected in all subgroups except in patients with nucleophosmin mutation without high ratio FLT‐3 internal tandem duplication. CDA polymorphisms were associated with the complete remission rate after induction chemotherapy, without influencing OS. Further studies are warranted to determine whether this pharmacogenomic approach may be helpful to individualize AML treatment.
Present status and future directions: Imaging techniques for the detection of periapical lesions
Authors: Cotti Elisabetta , Schirru Elia
Published: September 2022

Diagnosing and treating apical periodontitis (AP) in an attempt to preserve the natural dentition, and to prevent the direct and indirect systemic effects of this condition, is the major goal in endodontics. Considering that AP is frequently asymptomatic, and is most often associated with a lesion in the periapex of the affected tooth, within the maxillary bones, imaging becomes of paramount importance for the diagnosis of the disease. The aim of this narrative review was to investigate the most relevant classic and current literature to describe which are, to date, the diagnostic imaging systems most reliable and advanced to achieve the early and predictable detection of AP, the best measures of the lesions and the disclosure of the different features of the disease. Dental panoramic tomography (DPT) is a classic exam, considered still useful to provide the basic diagnosis of AP in certain districts of the maxillary bones. Periapical radiographs (PRs) represent a valid routine examination, with few, known limitations. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) is the only system that ensures the early and predictable detection of all periapical lesions in the jaws, with the minor risk of false positives. These techniques can be successfully implemented, with ultrasounds (USI) or magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging, exams that do not use ionising radiations. MRI and USI provide information on specific features of the lesions, like the presence and amount of vascular supply, their content and their relationship with the surrounding soft tissues, leading to differential diagnoses. Further, all the three‐dimensional systems (CBCT, USI and MRI) allow the volumetric assessment of AP. Pioneering research on artificial intelligence is slowly progressing in the detection of periapical radiolucencies on DPTs, PRs and CBCTs, however, with promising results. Finally, it is established that all imaging techniques have to be associated with a thorough clinical examination and a good degree of calibration of the operator.
What does luxury really mean to millennial consumers?
Authors: Slaton Kelcie , Hurst Jessica L.
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study was to determine how millennial luxury consumers define luxury based on a holistic systems theory perspective. The human ecosystem and its components were used to fully investigate the system of the millennial luxury consumer. A mixed methodology was used by conducting interviews and then a consumer survey. Based on the findings from this research, the definition for luxury based on the view of the millennial luxury consumer is as followed: Luxury is the characteristics of the product themselves, addresses the consumer's personal needs, and addresses the consumer's social needs. This study suggests that the ecosystem of the millennial luxury consumers, including its environments and interactions, helped in constructing their definition of luxury. This definition delivers millennial luxury consumer insights for luxury retailers and may provide strategic adaptations to help attract and retain millennial luxury consumers, while also supporting business sustainability in a challenging retail environment.
Chemical characterisation and in vitro wound healing activity of Tunisian ghee products
Authors: Maiza Afraa , Ghazouani Tesnime , Nzekoue Franks Kamgang , Caprioli Giovanni , Fiorini Dennis , Vittori Sauro , Francucci Beatrice , Marucci Gabriella , Buccioni Michela , Fattouch Sami
Published: September 2022

Ayurvedic literature has demonstrated the healing properties of ghee when used systemically and topically. Ghee possesses regenerative properties that can heal wounds, and therefore, the study aimed to compare different types of Tunisian ghee (traditional and industrial cow, goat and sheep) for their wound healing activity. Comparison of the ghee was achieved by studying their antioxidant activity, oxidative stability, fatty acids and vitamin composition analysis, as well as their ability to stimulate dermal fibroblast migration and wound healing process. This study indicates that this Tunisian product with high antioxidant capacity rich in vitamins A and E could improve fibroblast migration, suggesting thus an application as a healing element in an ointment base.
The effects of full‐stream and partial high‐pressure homogenisation on the properties of milk emulsion
Authors: Kiełczewska Katarzyna , Brożek Oskar , Rudkowska Paulina , Garczewska‐Murzyn Anna , Smoczyński Michał
Published: September 2022

The study evaluated the effects of full‐stream and partial high‐pressure homogenisation (HPH) on the properties of milk with 3.5% fat content. During full‐stream HPH, the size of particles decreased with an increase in temperature. Fat globules were smaller in milk treated by full‐stream than partial HPH at 60°C. Creaming was not observed in milk subjected to full‐stream HPH. In milk treated by partial HPH, the phase separation rate during ≤48 h of storage increased in samples processed at 60°C, 40°C and 20°C. Despite high top layer volume in milk that was HPH‐treated at a temperature of ≥40°C, its fat content was lower than in milk homogenised at 20°C. The total difference in colour was approximately 1.5–2.0‐fold higher in full‐stream homogenised milk. Partial HPH can be applied in dairy products requiring milk fat dispersion with minimal changes in the components of the colloidal and soluble phases.
Degradation of curcumin‐mediated photodynamic technology (PDT) on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in oysters and toxicity evaluation of PDT‐treated oysters
Authors: Zhi Jinjin , Tang Qingjuan , Wu Shuangjie , Kong Biao , Jiang Jiali , Li Zhaojie , Wang Yuming , Xue Changhu
Published: September 2022

This study investigated the degradation effect of curcumin‐mediated photodynamic technology (PDT) on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in oysters, and evaluated the safety of PDT‐treated oysters through acute and subacute toxicity experiments. The results demonstrated that curcumin‐mediated PDT could effectively degrade multi‐component PAHs in oysters, the maximum removal efficiency could reach 80.20% (10 μmol L−1 curcumin concentration and 54 J cm−2 light energy density). Acute toxicity experiment revealed PDT‐treated oysters did not cause any mortality and adverse symptoms in mice at an oral dose of 40 g kg−1 BW. Besides, after being treated at the dose of 10 g kg−1 BW for 28 days, the rats showed no obvious abnormal change in the indicators including the body weight, food utilisation, urology, haematology, serum biochemistry, organ index and histopathology. These findings show curcumin‐mediated PDT is a potentially efficacious method to degrade PAHs in oysters, and PDT‐treated oysters have high edible safety.
Identification of the key structure, preparation conditions and properties of resistant dextrin for indigestibility based on simulated gastrointestinal conditions
Authors: Li Zerun , Liu Yang , Huang Yanhong , Tian Yanjun , Liu Jianjun , Wang Shanshan , Sun Ping , Nie Yupeng , Gan Shaobo , Xu Hui
Published: September 2022

Resistant dextrin has broad application prospects as a functional dietary fibre. However, the structural mechanism underlying indigestibility has not yet been reported. The structures and properties of three types of resistant dextrins before and after simulated digestion were characterised. The results showed that the new glycosidic linkages and α‐1,6 linkages dense distribution region were the main causes of resistance to digestive enzymes. Moreover, after the ordered crystal structure was damaged, new glycosidic linkages and 1,6‐anhydro‐β‐d‐glucopyranose were concentrated on the short side chain, which was not conducive to the formation of double‐helix structure, and the degree of branching (DB) increased. Thus, DB increased and negatively correlated with the degree of polymerisation and the average chain length. After adding transglycosidase, the dietary fibre content was higher than 70% and DB increased to 48.87%, indicating the strongest resistance to digestive enzymes. This study provides important information to produce resistant dextrin of higher indigestibility.
Frequency of skin cancer and evaluation of risk factors: A hospital‐based study from Turkey
Authors: Ferhatosmanoğlu Arzu , Selcuk Leyla Baykal , Arıca Deniz Aksu , Ersöz Şafak , Yaylı Savaş
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer with a significantly increasing incidence. The purpose of the study was to uncover the one‐year frequency of melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) and to determine the risk factors in the development of skin cancer.

Methods

The study included 7396 people from all age groups admitted to the dermatology clinic between October 2020 and 2021. The sociodemographic characteristics, sun protection habits, chronic diseases, and drug and vitamin use were evaluated. Lesions with clinical suspicion of skin cancer were excised.

Results

The frequency of skin cancer was found to be 2.7%, basal cell cancer (BCC) 1.2%, squamous cell cancer (SCC) 1.1%, malignant melanoma (MM) was 0.4%. Daily black tea consumption was found to be a risk factor for three type of skin cancer, BCC (p = 0.021), SCC (p = 0.006), and MM (p = 0.002), respectively. Obesity was observed as a risk factor for BCC (p = 0.005) and MM (p = 0.008). We found that having a history of alcohol use were an independent risk factor for all skin cancer types and BMI <30 for SCC. Vitamin D and supplemental drugs intake were observed as protective factors for BCC (p = 0.035, p = 0.007, respectively). Daily coffee consumption was determined as a protective factor for SCC (p < 0.001) and MM (p = 0.049).

Conclusion

This study estimates the frequency of NMSC and melanoma. Also provides evidence to determine the risk factors and probably protective factors for the development of skin cancers.
Hope in the uncertainties and certainty for parents of children with rare neurological disorders: Part 3 (of 3): Hope
Authors: Bye Ann ME , Le Marne Fleur A , Beavis Erin , Macintosh Rebecca , Nevin Suzanne M , Palmer Elizabeth E , Sachdev Rani , Nunn Kenneth
Published: September 2022

This is the third article of a three‐part series and addresses how clinicians provide hopefulness meaningfully to families coping with life‐limiting and quality of life impairing neurological conditions. The first two articles addressed the enormous challenges faced by carers and also explored the struggles of clinicians trying to provide relief and comfort. Can these families, and those helping clinically, legitimately hope? It is expectation that consolidates desire into a substantial hope that may motivate finding a way forward. Hope must be realistic and directed to something in particular and in someone in particular. Hope and despair are not monolithic but often travel together for both children, families and clinicians. Hope is not denial but a belief that there are positive possibilities. Finding what can be helpfully hoped for and what must be realistically despaired of, is the discerning struggle. Clinicians aim to change what we can and accept what we cannot. Acceptance and grief are arrived at slowly for carers and families. Similarly, clinicians struggle with the hopes of bringing meaningful solace and are supported by trusted colleagues who have shared the same experience. Clinicians strive to respond appropriately and effectively in a dynamic process based on trust, providing presence and compassion when cure is not possible. Clinicians help find the small doable things that foster hope and lessen isolation and abandonment, mindful of the limits of their medical expertise. Surprisingly these modest hopes and faltering acceptances often provide a different form of strength and comfort to sustain a family.
Periodontal status is associated with oral function in community‐dwelling older adults, independent of dentition status
Authors: Ueno Yui , Iwasaki Masanori , Kimura Yumi , Kakuta Satoko , Masaki Chihiro , Wada Taizo , Sakamoto Ryota , Ishimoto Yasuko , Fujisawa Michiko , Okumiya Kiyohito , Ansai Toshihiro , Matsubayashi Kozo , Hosokawa Ryuji
Published: September 2022

Objective

To determine whether periodontal status is associated with oral function, including masticatory performance and occlusal force, among community‐dwelling older adults.

Background

Although a potential association between periodontal status and oral function has been reported, variations in the root surface area (RSA) of each tooth have not been considered.

Methods

We used data from a population‐based study involving community‐dwelling older adults. The RSA with periodontal ligament (RSA–PL), which quantifies the RSA attached to the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, was calculated based on full‐mouth periodontal examination. Masticatory performance was assessed using spectrophotometric measurement of the color (a* value) of color‐changing chewing gum. The bilateral maximal occlusal force (MOF) was measured using a pressure‐sensitive sheet and dedicated software. The associations of the RSA–PL, a quantitative marker of periodontal tissue support, with the a* value and MOF were assessed using linear regression models.

Results

The analyses included data from 250 adults [60.8% women; age, mean (standard deviation) 82.5 (5.0) years]. On average, the study participants had an RSA–PL of 26.3 cm2, a* value of 25.0, and an MOF value of 555.1 N. After adjustments for potential confounders, including dentition status, age, sex, dental visit regularity, smoking status, physical activity level, depressive symptoms, a history of stroke or diabetes mellitus, and body mass index, the RSA–PL was found to be associated with the a* value [coefficient (per 1 cm2 increase): 0.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10–0.22)] and MOF (coefficient: 9.2, 95% CI 5.3–13.1).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that greater amounts of remaining tooth‐supporting structures, indicated by higher RSA–PL values, were associated with better masticatory performance and a higher occlusal force among community‐dwelling older adults.
HCV hotline facilitates Hepatitis C elimination during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Hartl Lukas , Jachs Mathias , Bauer David , Simbrunner Benedikt , Chromy David , Binter Teresa , Steininger Lisa , Schwarz Caroline , Schwarz Michael , Burghart Lukas , Strassl Robert , Trauner Michael , Gschwantler Michael , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas
Published: September 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic necessitates healthcare restrictions that also affected ongoing hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination efforts. We assessed the value of a physician‐operated HCV hotline on treatment and cure rates throughout the pandemic. All HCV patients undergoing HCV therapy at the Vienna General Hospital from 2019 to 2021 were included. An HCV hotline was established in 2019 and provided services including phone calls, text messages and voicemails. Patients were stratified by date of HCV therapy: 2019 (pre‐COVID) vs. 2020/2021 (during‐COVID) and use of the HCV hotline: users vs. non‐users. Overall, 220 patients were included (pre‐COVID: n = 91 vs. during‐COVID: n = 129). The prevalence of intravenous drug use (60.5%) and alcohol abuse (24.8%) was high during COVID. During COVID, the number of DAA treatment starts declined by 24.2% (n = 69) in 2020 and by 34.1% (n = 60) in 2021 vs. pre‐COVID (n = 91, 100%). Significantly more patients used the HCV hotline during‐COVID (95.3%) vs. pre‐COVID (65.9%; p < .001). Sustained virologic response (SVR) was 84.6% pre‐COVID and 86.0% during‐COVID. HCV hotline users achieved higher SVR rates during‐COVID (88.2% vs. 33.3%, p = .004), but also pre‐COVID (96.7% vs. 61.3%, p < .001) compared with non‐users. Considering only patients with completed DAA treatments, SVR rates remained similarly high during‐COVID (96.9%) versus pre‐COVID (98.1%). HCV treatment initiations decreased during‐COVID but importantly, nearly all DAA‐treated HCV patients used the HCV hotline during the COVID pandemic. Overall, the SVR rate remained at 88.2% during COVID and was particularly high in HCV phone users—most likely due to facilitation of adherence.
Researcher‐Supported Professional Learning and Development for Instructors in Adult L2 Programs: Factors Leading to Ongoing Communities of Practice
Authors: ABBOTT MARILYN L. , LEE KENT K.
Published: September 2022

We describe a longitudinal (5‐year) researcher‐supported initiative designed to strengthen the research–practice link (RPL) and serve as an effective form of situated professional learning and development (PLD) in adult second language programs. We facilitated the formation of and supported 9 professional reading groups of 6–12 instructors (N= 76). The groups met monthly to discuss peer‐reviewed journal articles to address shared PLD needs. Using retrodictive qualitative modeling, we traced the underlying factors in our RPL initiative that contributed to the rise of ongoing autonomous communities of practice in which instructors continued to engage in monthly cycles of implementing and adapting research knowledge and co‐constructed knowledge and practices gleaned from their reading and group discussions of peer‐reviewed articles. Data included participants’ responses to questionnaires, audio recordings of focus group interviews and reading group discussions, and researchers’ field notes. The results indicated that different types of communities of practice emerged over time through complex dynamic interactions between multiple factors in the RPL initiative (e.g., researchers, practitioners, and institutional and environmental forces). We discuss how researchers can strengthen the RPL by fostering the development of communities of practice that combine both research and practical knowledge to improve and create new educational practices.
To tip or not to tip: The Window of Tipping Point Analysis for social‐ecological systems
Authors: Riekhof Marie‐Catherine , Kluger Lotta Clara , Salvatteci Renato , Siebert Lotta , Voss Rudi
Published: September 2022

We introduce six steps to define a “Window of Tipping Point Analysis” which serves as a framework to increase the understanding of processes and tipping points in social‐ecological systems. We apply the Window of Tipping Point Analysis to a mathematical model and two case studies (i.e., Baltic Sea and the Humboldt Current Upwelling system), focusing on three aspects. In “to tip or be tipped” we look at agency in preventing (or driving) tipping. In “to be tipped or not to be tipped” we discuss intertemporal developments and chosen time periods for delineating regime shifts. In “to tip or not to tip” we discuss the desirability of states and their relation to the elements included. We argue that agency in tipping‐point management, the occurrence of tipping points, and desirable states depend on the window chosen for the analysis.
Normal range of ocular biometry in healthy children: A systemic review and meta‐analysis of 33,559 individuals under seven years of age
Authors: Chen Yanxian , Wang Wei , Wang Jun , Chen Xu , Zhu Zhuoting , Li Jinying , He Mingguang
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To conduct a systemic review and meta‐analysis on the normative range of ocular biometry in healthy children under seven years of age.

Methods

A literature search was performed using the PubMed (MEDLINE) database. The main outcomes were normative values of axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), cornea curvature (CC), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT) and vitreous chamber depth (VCD). Pooled estimates were obtained with a random‐effects meta‐analysis. Multivariate meta‐regressions ascertained the moderator‐related trends.

Results

We included 47 studies for a total of 33,559 subjects. The pooled ALs for 0.0–1.9 years, 2.0–3.9 years and 4.0–6.9 years were 18.33 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.57–19.09), 21.71 mm (21.49–21.93) and 22.37 mm (22.29–22.45), respectively. Children aged 0.0–1.9 years had a greater CCT (576.70 μm, 567.20–586.21), steeper cornea (7.41 mm, 7.16–7.65) and shallower ACD (2.46 mm, 2.23–2.69). LT ranged from 3.65 to 3.74 mm for 0–6 years, and VCD increased from 11.94 mm at birth to 15.36 mm at 4.0–6.9 years. Differences in AL between East Asian and non‐East Asian children were found below two years of age (17.30 mm vs. 18.40 mm,p = 0.008) and for CC at 4.0–6.9 years of age (7.82 mm vs. 7.79 mm,p = 0.004). In a multivariate meta‐regression, AL, CC, ACD and VCD increased with age (p < 0.05 for all), while CCT decreased with age (p = 0.0007).

Conclusions

This study reports normative data for ocular biometry in children. Few differences were found with ethnicity in the ocular biometry of infants and pre‐schoolers.
Hybrid lung lesions in children with segmental infantile hemangiomas, a new association?
Authors: Modiri Omeed , Malick Mahavrat Shaheen S. , Scollan Margaret E. , Duron Vincent , Morel Kimberly , Middlesworth William , Garzon Maria C.
Published: September 2022

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common tumors of infancy and, in rare instances, can present in the setting of congenital structural anomalies or as part of syndromic disorders. In this study, we present three cases of children with segmental IHs born with concurrent pulmonary anomalies: congenital pulmonary airway malformations and bronchopulmonary sequestration. To date, no known association between these entities and hemangiomas has been described.
Improved erythema and decreased blister formation in dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa following treatment with pulsed dye laser
Authors: Garza‐Mayers Anna Cristina , Su Katherine A. , Wiss Karen
Published: September 2022

Dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DDEB), an inherited disorder due to type VII collagen mutations, is characterized by blisters and erosions that heal with scarring, atrophy, and milia. There is no established role for laser in the management of patients with DDEB. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is most often used to target vascular skin lesions. We describe a patient with DDEB with marked improvement in erythema as well as fewer and less symptomatic episodes of blistering following treatment with PDL.
Laments, Remedies, Rights: Nietzsche’sGenealogy of Moralitythrough the Prism of Roman Law
Authors: Sheplyakova Tatjana
Published: September 2022

This article draws on the analysis of Roman law and on the Jewish tradition of lamentation to offer an original reinterpretation of Nietzsche’sOn the Genealogy of Morality. According to Nietzsche, an archetype of a successful revolt against injustice is to be attributed to the Jews—as the ones who were able to carry out “the most spiritual revenge” against the Roman “masters” by transvaluing their values. The analysis of ancient Roman law helps to illuminate Nietzsche’s enigmatic account of the “law of the masters” against which the transvaluation of values takes place. Certain structural elements of the language of lament are then envisioned as a resource for leaving the Roman legal order behind and, surprisingly, for bringing out the very meaning of the modern conception of “rights.”
A legal study of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank's new Environmental and Social Framework
Authors: Gu Bin
Published: September 2022

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank's (AIIB) new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) features a relationship of heritage and innovation, compared with the ESF of the World Bank and other multilateral development banks (MDBs). The innovative elements are not only embodied in a few specific institutions shiny with traditional Asian wisdom of ‘voluntarism, flexibility and incremental progress’ but are also observed in the AIIB's frontier environmental, social and governance portfolio investments in global capital markets. Drawing upon the World Bank, the alternative use of client systems enables the AIIB to maintain high and feasible standards, without having to intervene in national politics. In the Project‐affected People's Mechanism, three‐complaint resolution functions are streamlined under one roof, catering for the nature and degree of seriousness of the dispute involved and marking a major innovation in the design of an accountability mechanism among leading MDBs. The two requirements of exhaustion of project‐level remedies and free, prior and informed consultation expect to function equivalently to the World Bank standards in effect, although they appear to reduce the protection of project‐affected people.
A boundary layer problem in nonflat domains with measurable viscous coefficients
Authors: Phan Tuoc , Valdebenito Darío A.
Published: September 2022

We study the convergence of weak solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations with vanishing measurable viscous coefficients in domains with nonflat boundaries. Sufficient anisotropic conditions on the vanishing rates of the viscous coefficients are found to prove the convergence of Leray–Hopf weak solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations to solutions of the corresponding Euler equations. As the domains are not flat, we apply a change of variables to flatten the domains. We then construct explicit boundary layers for the system of Navier–Stokes equations in the upper‐half space with measurable viscous coefficients. The result is new even when the viscous coefficients are constant, and it recovers the classical results when domains are flat and with constant viscous coefficients.
Voluntary childlessness in a society reluctant to change
Authors: Rojas Betancur Hector Mauricio , Quirama Andrea Hernández , Rubio Carolina Rivero
Published: September 2022

Voluntary childlessness constitutes a social and generational rupture from tradition and culture, with significant effects on the reproduction of the so‐called life and family cycle. This study aims at understanding the reasons why people decide to remain childless and the social pressures that this decision generates. A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted on the emerging decision of non‐motherhood and non‐fatherhood based on semi‐structured interviews with 56 people who autonomously made the decision to opt out of parenthood. This paper underscores the multiple biographical situations involved in the decision, in addition to the concerns about personal development and future. The current social crisis context serves as a means of justification to lessen social and family pressure. We conclude that people who have made this decision promote a different meaning from that of reproduction as a mechanism of the social order.
Characterization of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid methyltransferases in Liriodendron chinense provides insights into the phylogenic basis of angiosperm alkaloid diversity
Authors: Cheng Weijia , Yao Yan , Wang Qiuxia , Chang Xiaosa , Shi Zhuolin , Fang Xueting , Chen Fangfang , Chen Shixin , Zhang Yonghong , Zhang Fan , Zhu Dongqing , Deng Zixin , Lu Li
Published: September 2022

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a class of plant secondary metabolites with great pharmacological value. Their biosynthetic pathways have been extensively elucidated in the species from the Ranunculales order, such as poppy and Coptis japonica, in which methylation events play central roles and are directly responsible for BIA chemodiversity. Here, we combined BIA quantitative profiling and transcriptomic analyses to identify novel BIA methyltransferases (MTs) from Liriodendron chinense, a basal angiosperm plant. We identified an N‐methyltransferase (LcNMT1) and two O‐methyltransferases (LcOMT1 and LcOMT3), and characterized their biochemical functions in vitro. LcNMT1 methylates (S)‐coclaurine to produce mono‐ and dimethylated products. Mutagenesis experiments revealed that a single‐residue alteration is sufficient to change its substrate selectivity. LcOMT1 methylates (S)‐norcoclaurine at the C6 site and LcOMT3 methylates (S)‐coclaurine at the C7 site, respectively. Two key residues of LcOMT3, A115 and T301, are identified as important contributors to its catalytic activity. Compared with Ranunculales‐derived NMTs, Magnoliales‐derived NMTs were less abundant and had narrower substrate specificity, indicating that NMT expansion has contributed substantially to BIA chemodiversity in angiosperms, particularly in Ranunculales species. In summary, we not only characterized three novel enzymes that could be useful in the biosynthetic production of valuable BIAs but also shed light on the molecular origin of BIAs during angiosperm evolution.
Estrategias de compostaje. ¡Velando por una buena salud ambiental!
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Matiz Villamil Adriana , Pulido-Villamarín Adriana , Méndez Kelly Johana , Noriega Noriega Juliana , Pascagaza Pulido Andrés Felipe , Rendón Rendón Tatiana
Published: September 2022

Compostar los residuos orgánicos trae consigo una gran cantidad de beneficios ambientales, sociales y económicos. Con el apoyo de la asociación rural Agroforza y la comunidad de producción porcícola y avícola del municipio de Restrepo, Valle del Cauca, el Departamento Microbiología de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana desarrolló este manual, como parte clave de una estrategia de compostaje a partir de residuos domiciliarios y de granjas porcícolas en los corregimientos Zabaletas y Santa Rosa.
Urbanismo táctico: alternativa para mitigar impactos en la movilidad de la Galería Central de Palmira
Authors: Aparicio Rengifo Reynaldo , Flórez González Fernando
Published: September 2022

Este artículo toma como caso de estudio la Galería Central de Palmira, Valle del Cauca (Colombia). Plantea como objetivo la materialización de una propuesta de organización físico-espacial desde la participación efectiva entre actores interdisciplinares (procesos top-down) y la comunidad (procesos bottom-up), en el marco del urbanismo táctico, para ofrecer una solución al problema de la congestión en el tránsito urbano por las dinámicas del comercio informal.

Desarrolla una línea de abordaje con un sustento de experimentación prolongado en el tiempo y con mayor precisión teórica en la que se develan etapas como la identificación del problema, el reconocimiento de actores y líderes, la comprensión del urbanismo táctico como metodología, el diseño proyectual, los límites de la intervención, la elección de herramientas a implementar, la gestión de los recursos físicos y económicos, la materialización de la propuesta, la evaluación con indicadores, la validación de la misma con la comunidad y las respectivas conclusiones.
Knowledge-Based Process Design Optimization in Blisk Manufacturing
Authors: Landwehr Markus , Ganser Philipp , Vinogradov Georg , Bergs Thomas
Published: September 2022

The manufacturing process of blade-integrated disks (blisks) represents one of the most challenging tasks in turbomachinery manufacturing. The requirement is to machine complex, thin-walled blade geometries with high aspect ratios made of difficult-to-cut materials. In addition, extremely tight tolerances are required, since the smallest deviations can lead to a reduction in efficiency of the blisk in the later use. Nowadays, the ramp-up phase for the manufacturing of a new blisk is time and cost-intensive. To find a suitable manufacturing process that meets the required tolerances of the blisk, many experimental tests with different process parameters and strategies are necessary. The used approach is often trial and error, which offers limited testing opportunities, is time-consuming and waste of resources. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to develop a knowledge-based process design optimization in blisk manufacturing. For this purpose, this paper picks up the results from our previous work. Based on these results, an experimental validation of the two process design tasks “number of blocks” and “block transition” is conducted. As part of the validation, the results of machining tests on a demonstrator blisk made of Inconel 718 are presented and discussed.
Spatial Transform Depthwise Over-Parameterized Convolution Recurrent Neural Network for License Plate Recognition in Complex Environment
Authors: Deng Jiehang , Wei Haomin , Lai Zhenxiang , Gu Guosheng , Chen Zhiqiang , Chen Leo , Ding Lei
Published: September 2022

Automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) system has been widely used in intelligent transportation and other fields. However, in complex environments such as vehicle sound source localization, poor illumination, or bad weather conditions, ALPR is still a challenging problem. Aiming at the problem, an end-to-end deep learning framework is developed based on depthwise over-parameterized convolution recurrent neural network for license plate character recognition. The proposed framework is composed as follows: (i) license plate correcting module based on spatial transformation network; (ii) feature extraction module based on depthwise over-parameterized convolution; (iii) sequence annotation module based on bidirectional long short-term memory; and (iv) regularized sequence decoding module based on connectionist temporal classification with maximum conditional entropy. Two open-source datasets of Chinese License Plate Datasets (SYSU) and Chinese City Parking Dataset (CCPD) are used to verify the performance of the algorithm. The proposed end-to-end framework can effectively rectify distorted and inclined license plates in spatial domain. It can recognize license plates without complex character segmentation process. Compared with some current state-of-art algorithms, the proposed algorithm achieved the best performance with the recognition accuracy of 96.31% and 88.31% based on the two datasets of SYSU and CCPD, respectively.
A Multi-Fidelity Approach for Reliability Assessment Based on the Probability of Classification Inconsistency
Authors: Pidaparthi Bharath , Missoum Samy
Published: September 2022

Most multi-fidelity schemes for optimization or reliability assessment rely on regression surrogates, such as Gaussian processes. Contrary to these approaches, we propose a classification-based multi-fidelity scheme for reliability assessment. This technique leverages multi-fidelity information to locally construct failure boundaries using support vector machine (SVM) classifiers. SVMs are subsequently used to estimate the probability of failure using Monte Carlo simulations. The use of classification has several advantages: It can handle discontinuous responses and reduce the number of function evaluations in the case of a large number of failure modes. In addition, in the context of multi-fidelity techniques, classification enables the identification of regions where the predictions (e.g., failure or safe) from the various fidelities are identical. At the core of the proposed scheme is an adaptive sampling routine driven by the probability of classification inconsistency between the models. This sampling routine explores sparsely sampled regions of inconsistency between the models of various fidelity to iteratively refine the approximation of the failure domain boundaries. A lookahead scheme, which looks one step into the future without any model evaluations, is used to selectively filter adaptive samples that do not induce substantial changes in the failure domain boundary approximation. The model management strategy is based on a framework that adaptively identifies a neighborhood of no confidence between the models. The proposed scheme is tested on analytical examples of dimensions ranging from 2 to 10, and finally applied to assess the reliability of a miniature shell and tube heat exchanger.