bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transplantation of liver from hepatitis C–infected donors to hepatitis C RNA–negative recipients: Histological and virologic outcome
Authors: Nair Satheesh P. , Marella Hemnishil K. , Maliakkal Benedict , Snyder Heather , Handley Charlotte , Kothadia Jiten P. , Ali Bilal , Satapathy Sanjaya K. , Molnar Miklos Z. , Clark Ian , Jain Richa , Helmick Ryan , Eymard Corey , Eason James D.
Published: March 2021

Background

The virologic and histologic outcomes of a hepatitis C virus (HCV)–infected liver graft into an HCV‐negative recipient are not well understood. We aimed to evaluate the sustained virologic response (SVR) rate and the liver histology at 1 year post‐Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with an HCV‐infected graft.

Methods

A total of 33 patients received the HCV antibody (Ab)+/nucleic acid amplification test (NAT)+ graft. Of these patients, 23 were HCV‐negative recipients and 10 were HCV‐positive recipients. The 1‐year biopsy data were available for 24 patients: 15 patients in HCV‐negative group who received an HCV Ab+/NAT+graft and 9 patients in HCV‐positive group who received an HCV Ab+/NAT+ graft. Patients with (+) HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) were started on direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatment approximately 107 days after OLT using either a Glecaprevir‐Pibrentasvir or Sofosbuvir‐Velpatasvir or Sofosbuvir‐Ledipasvir.

Results

All patients (n = 33) were treated with DAA and achieved SVR. The 1‐year post‐OLT liver biopsies were available in 24 patients: 9 patients had F1 and F2 fibrosis and 17 patients had minimal to moderate inflammation. There was no statistical difference in fibrosis and inflammation between the HCV‐negative vs. HCV‐positive recipients. All patients who received the NAT+ graft developed viremia and subsequently achieved SVR with treatment.

Conclusion

At 1 year protocol liver biopsy, patients had inflammation consistent with viral hepatitis despite the successful eradication of HCV.
Predicting major adverse limb events in individuals with type 2 diabetes: Insights from the EXSCEL trial
Authors: Weissler E. Hope , Clare Robert M. , Lokhnygina Yuliya , Buse John B. , Goodman Shaun G. , Katona Brian , Iqbal Nayyar , Pagidipati Neha J. , Sattar Naveed , Holman Rury R. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Mentz Robert J. , Patel Manesh R. , Jones W. Schuyler
Published: March 2021

Aims

Although models exist to predict amputation among people with type 2 diabetes with foot ulceration or infection, we aimed to develop a prediction model for a broader range of major adverse limb events (MALE)—including gangrene, revascularization and amputation—among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In a post‐hoc analysis of data from the Exenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering (EXSCEL) trial, we compared participants who experienced MALE with those who did not. A multivariable model was constructed and translated into a risk score.

Results

Among the 14,752 participants with type 2 diabetes in EXSCEL, 3.6% experienced MALE. Characteristics associated with increased risk of MALE were peripheral artery disease (PAD) (HRadj 4.83, 95% CI: 3.94–5.92), prior foot ulcer (HRadj 2.16, 95% CI: 1.63–2.87), prior amputation (HRadj 2.00, 95% CI: 1.53–2.64), current smoking (HRadj 2.00, 95% CI: 1.54–2.61), insulin use (HRadj 1.86, 95% CI: 1.52–2.27), coronary artery disease (HRadj 1.67, 95% CI: 1.38–2.03) and male sex (HRadj 1.64, 95% CI: 1.31–2.06). Cerebrovascular disease, former smoking, age, glycated haemoglobin, race and neuropathy were also associated significantly with MALE after adjustment. A risk score ranging from 6 to 96 points was constructed, with a C‐statistic of 0.822 (95% CI: 0.803–0.841).

Conclusions

The majority of MALE occurred among participants with PAD, but participants without a history of PAD also experienced MALE. A risk score with good performance was generated. Although it requires validation in an external dataset, this risk score may be valuable in identifying patients requiring more intensive care and closer follow‐up.
The business of philanthropy: Challenges in measuring the value of cultural giving
Authors: Bosa Iris M.
Published: March 2021

Corporations are under increasing pressure to provide information about their corporate social responsibility activities. However, there is limited work on how firms measure the value of their philanthropic giving. The value of a philanthropic act can be difficult to ascertain as it often relates to unique goods that do not have a market value. The paper examines the processes a sample of (mainly family‐run) private corporations follow to value their donations to a not‐for‐profit cultural festival. The findings suggest that while giving to the festival is seen as a contribution to the local community, there are additional motivations for donating. Moreover, the firms do not attempt to formally assess the value of their act, which they believe is hard (if not impossible) to measure. Our case highlights a more complex system influencing philanthropic acts of private firms.
Biochemical insights into structure and function of arrestins
Authors: Aydin Yasmin , Coin Irene
Published: March 2021

Arrestins (arr) are multifunctional cytosolic adaptors that bind to active and phosphorylated G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) via a highly versatile interface. Arrestins stop G protein signaling and trigger other signaling pathways. Recently, 3D structures of arr–GPCR complexes have been solved, which provide a bulk of structural information for understanding the mechanism of arr recruitment and activation. However, many questions about the functional consequences of structural details and the dynamics of the arr–GPCR interaction remain open. A wealth of information about key determinants for the arr–GPCR interaction and their functional relevance, and dynamic insights into the process of arr binding and the functional outcomes of different binding modes have been provided by a series of biochemical methods which we review here. Importantly, most of these methods provide information from the live cell, which is a necessary validation and complement for structural data. With the main focus on the most recent research, we will highlight major findings about arr structure, function, and dynamics derived from mutagenesis studies, cross‐linking studies, conformational probes, and sensors, and we summarize available systems to detect arr recruitment. Furthermore, we discuss recent findings and directions of in silico investigations in arr–GPCR complexes.
A systematic review of physical activity in people with haemophilia and its relationship with bleeding phenotype and treatment regimen
Authors: Kennedy Megan , O’Gorman Philip , Monaghan Ann , Lavin Michelle , O’Mahony Brian , O’Connell Niamh M. , O’ Donnell James S. , Turecek Peter L. , Gormley John ,   the Irish Personalised Approach to the Treatment of Haemophilia (iPATH) study group
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Although the measurement of physical activity (PA) amongst people with haemophilia (PWH) has become increasingly widespread in recent years, the relationship between PA and bleeding phenotype remains poorly understood. In addition, the influence of various treatment regimens on this relationship has not been defined.

Aim

This review aimed to systematically assess the data that are available regarding PA levels amongst PWH, as well as the relationship between PA and bleeding.

Methods

A systematic search of the online databases EMBASE, Cochrane, MEDLINE Ovid, CINAHL and Web of Science was conducted by two independent reviewers. Quality assessment was undertaken using the AXIS Critical Appraisal Tool for Cross‐sectional Studies and the STROBE checklist.

Results

Of 1902 sources identified overall, 36 articles were included. Low‐to‐moderate transparency of reporting and various sources of bias were identified. PA levels varied amongst heterogeneous samples of PWH. The relationship between PA and bleeds was inconclusive, although there was evidence that improvements in treatment over recent decades have appeared to enable PWH to become more physically active.

Conclusion

Based upon the limited available evidence, the relationship between PA and bleeding phenotype in PWH remains unclear. However, with the development of improved prophylaxis treatment regimens in recent years, there is evidence that PA levels have increased, especially amongst people with severe haemophilia. The use of validated outcome measures of PA and more robust reporting of bleeds and treatment regimen are warranted in future research, especially in a rapidly evolving era of new treatments for PWH.
Mental health clinicians’ views of summary and systematic review utility in evidence‐based practice
Authors: Steele Rachel
Published: March 2021

Background

Evidence‐based practice (EBP) requires integration of research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences. It is endorsed by many regulatory bodies, using the approach is challenging for many busy clinicians.

Objectives

To explore mental health practitioners’ perceptions of the factors which help, and which hinder, EBP and their views of two formats for presenting research findings – a systematic review and a one‐page summary of that review. (written by a clinical librarian)

Methods

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews with a multi‐professional sample of mental health clinicians. (n=7)

Results

Participants worked under varying time constraints, with some participants perceiving a conflict between research activities such as reading the evidence and their clinical duties one‐page research summary would help some participienrs to identify potentially valuable evidence quickly. However, participants agreed that they would need to read full systematic review to assess whether and how their practice could or should change.

Discussion

A one‐page research summary can perform useful functions for clinicians; however, they require more detailed research reports such as systematic reviews to judge research's external validity.

Conclusion

This exploratory study indicates that writing evidence summaries is a useful role for clinical librarians, as part of training and support for EBP.
Crystallization and sintering studies on an anomalous Li2O‐Al2O3‐SiO2 glass for making tunable thermal expansion ceramic
Authors: Venkateswaran Chinnu , Sreemoolanadhan Harihara I. , Pant Bhanu , Sharma Sharad C. , Chauhan Vishal S. , Vaish Rahul
Published: March 2021

This work is an attempt to understand the crystallization behavior of unconventional LAS (1:1.2:7) composition having MgO, BaO, K2O, and ZrO2. Crystallization parameters were determined using thermo‐analytical models based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The activation energy of crystallization, E, and frequency factor, were calculated to be 354.40 kJ mol–1 K–1 and 1.63 × 1015, respectively. Effect of sintering temperature on density, phase constitution, thermal expansion, and microstructure is reported herein. The temperature range between 1373 K and 1473 K was found to be the optimum window for sintering the glass particles. Glass‐ceramic with CTE matching the Fe–Ni alloy is reported herein. Considering the LAS glass system's better sinterability, efforts were made toward sintering alumina with LAS glass as a sintering aid. The 5 wt%. LAS/Al2O3 composite was prepared with density: 3.6 g/cm3, relative permittivity 10.5, and dielectric loss tangent 2.45 × 10‐3. This composition was found to be a potential CTE compensator material while processing tailorable CTE ceramics.
A critical realist evaluation of advance care planning in care homes
Authors: Spacey Adam , Scammell Janet , Board Michele , Porter Sam
Published: March 2021

Aims

To evaluate care planning in advance of end‐of‐life care in care homes.

Design

A qualitative study.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected from January 2018–July 2019 (using focus groups and semi‐structured interviews) from three care homes in the South West of England. The data were analysed using thematic analysis followed by Critical Realist Evaluation.

Results

Participants comprised of registered nurses (N = 4), care assistants (N = 8), bereaved relatives (N = 7), and domiciliary staff (N = 3). Although the importance of advance care planning was well recognized, the emotional labour of frequently engaging in discussions about death and dying was highlighted as a problem by some care home staff. It was evident that in some cases care home staff's unmet emotional needs led them to rushing and avoiding discussions about death and dying with residents and relatives. A sparsity of mechanisms to support care home staff's emotional needs was noted across all three care homes. Furthermore, a lack of training and knowledge appeared to inhibit care home staff's ability to engage in meaningful care planning conversations with specific groups of residents such as those living with dementia. The lack of training was principally evident amongst non‐registered care home staff and those with non‐formal caring roles such as housekeeping.

Conclusion

There is a need for more focused education to support registered and non‐registered care home staff to effectively engage in sensitive discussions about death and dying with residents. Furthermore, greater emotional support is necessary to help build workforce resilience and sustain change.

Impact

Knowledge generated from this study can be used to inform the design and development of future advance care planning interventions capable of supporting the delivery of high‐quality end‐of‐life care in care homes.
The Role of the Commission in Intergovernmental Agreements in the Field of Energy. A Foot in the Door Technique?
Authors: Batzella Francesca
Published: March 2021

The European Commission has been active in proposing legislation on the exchange of information on Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) in the field of energy, pushing for an ex ante control mechanism which most member states have been reluctant to accept. This article aims to explain the extent to which and the conditions under which the Commission has been able to achieve its IGAs objectives. It argues that they have been achieved to a considerable extent due to the ability of the Commission to build on its agenda‐setting powers and the preference alignment of member states. The article offers a thorough analysis of two consecutive legislative processes: the first leading to Decision 994/2012 and the second repealing the former and leading to Decision 2017/684. The analysis builds on legislative documents, secondary sources and data collected during two rounds of interviews in 2013 and 2018.
A questionnaire‐based crossover study on the association of microbiological testing with prescription of systemic antibiotics following initial periodontal therapy
Authors: Vrijghem Camille , Cosyn Jan , Fransen Jasper , Christiaens Véronique
Published: March 2021

Aim

(1) To assess prescription of systemic antibiotics following initial periodontal therapy with and without the availability of microbiological information; (2) To identify factors associated with prescription of systemic antibiotics following initial periodontal therapy.

Materials and methods

Twenty‐four clinicians were invited to complete a questionnaire on 20 patient records with respect to periodontal treatment planning, once with microbiological information available and once without. Randomization determined when the microbiological information was provided, and a 3‐month washout period was respected between scoring sessions. Regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with prescription of systemic antibiotics.

Results

Twenty‐one clinicians completed both scoring sessions. Clinicians prescribed systemic antibiotics in on average 56% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) [0.51; 0.61]) of the cases having microbiological information, and in 52% (95% CI [0.47; 0.57]) of the same cases not having that information (p = 0.094). The odds for prescribing systemic antibiotics were 3.34 (95% CI [2.06; 5.42]) times higher when the clinician had at least 3 years of experience, 2.55 (95% CI [1.40; 4.66]) times higher for patients diagnosed with periodontitis stage IV when compared to stage III, 1.08 (95% CI [1.04; 1.11]) times higher for younger patients, 2.78 times (95% CI [1.37; 5.56]) times higher for non‐smokers and 2.22 (95% CI [1.27; 3.85]) times higher when less than three teeth would require extraction. No significant associations with the prescription of systemic antibiotics were found for detection ofA.actinomycetemcomitans(p = 0.287), grade of periodontitis (p = 0.499) and gender of the patient (p = 0.067).

Conclusions

Based on a limited number of cases and clinicians, several patient and clinician related factors were associated with prescription of systemic antibiotics following initial periodontal therapy. However, microbiological testing was not.
The impact of splinting mobile mandibular incisors on Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life—Preliminary observations from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sonnenschein Sarah K. , Ziegler Philipp , Ciardo Antonio , Ruetters Maurice , Krisam Johannes , Kim Ti‐Sun
Published: March 2021

Aim

To compare the Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of patients with mobile mandibular incisors before and after full‐mouth disinfection (FMD) with and without splinting.

Material and methods

Thirty‐four periodontitis patients with ≥1 mobile mandibular incisor (degree II/III) were randomly allocated to the test or control group. All patients received FMD and the test group additional splinting of teeth 33–43. OHRQoL was assessed before (BL) and 3 months after FMD (RE) using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)‐14. Data were compared within and between the groups (Wilcoxon test/Mann–Whitney U test).

Results

Twenty‐eight patients (13 test group/15 control group) were re‐evaluated. FMD led to a reduction of the mean probing pocket depth (PPD; in mm) (test group: BL‐PPD 3.89 ± 1.03, RE‐PPD 2.82 ± 0.53; control group: BL‐PPD 3.58 ± 0.66, RE‐PPD 2.77 ± 0.59; each p ≤ .001), the mean clinical attachment level (CAL; in mm) (test group: BL‐CAL 5.22 ± 1.38, RE‐CAL 4.79 ± 0.85; control group: BL‐CAL 4.58 ± 1.10, RE‐CAL 4.41 ± 0.96; each p ≤ .05), and the mean OHIP‐14 summary scores (test group: BL‐OHIP 21.7 ± 11.06, RE‐OHIP 9.9 ± 8.96, p = .0046; control group: BL‐OHIP 16.8 ± 8.27, RE‐OHIP 11.7 ± 8.55; p = .0217). The reduction of the OHIP‐G14 scores was considerably higher in the test group but statistically not significant (p = .080).

Conclusions

The results show a positive impact of non‐surgical periodontal treatment on OHRQoL and a possible tendency for further improvement by splinting mobile mandibular incisors.
The emerging role of autoreactive antibodies in inflammatory skin diseases
Authors: Kortekaas Krohn I.
Published: March 2021

Linked article: A. Lamberts et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35: 973–980. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16996.
Epidemiology of rare diseases is important
Authors: Bruckner‐Tuderman L.
Published: March 2021

Linked article: R. Baardman et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35: 995–1006. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17012.
The role of social media in compensating for the lack of field studies: Five new fish species for Mediterranean Egypt
Authors: Al Mabruk Sara A.A. , Abdulghani Abdulghani , Nour Ola Mohamed , Adel Mohammed , Crocetta Fabio , Doumpas Nikolaos , Kleitou Periklis , Tiralongo Francesco
Published: March 2021

In the Mediterranean Sea, where biological invasions constitute a serious threat, the combination of citizen science and social networks amplified the power of proper field studies, recording species that would have otherwise presumably passed unnoticed. Based on data collected on several Facebook groups, we hereby first report the presence of five fish taxa (Kyphosus sp., Heniochus intermedius, Pomacanthus imperator, Pomacanthus maculosus and Abudefduf sp.) new for the Mediterranean Egypt, revise their distribution in the Mediterranean Sea and discuss their possible introduction pathways. Finally, we provide some considerations on the potentiality of social media for citizen science projects.
Rapid label‐free detection of Salmonella enterica with biolayer interferometry
Authors: Zang Cheng‐Lin , Zhang Ming‐Di , Zhang Yan , Li Yan‐Song , Liu Kai , Xie Nan‐Nan , Sun Chun‐Yan , Zhang Xiao‐Guang
Published: March 2021

Salmonella enterica is an important foodborne pathogen. Its rapid and reliable detection in food is critical for the effective prevention of the outbreak of foodborne diseases. Here, we report a novel method for the rapid, specific, label‐free, and real‐time detection of S. enterica with biolayer interferometry (BLI) using an antibody as the receptor. The limit of detection for S. enterica in buffer was 1.6 × 105 CFU/ml at a binding time of 300 s. This method enabled the successful identification of S. enterica in complex food matrices (whole egg powder and beef samples) with satisfactory recovery rates. This BLI‐based method holds great promise in serving as a novel diagnostic tool in the field of food safety and other related fields for the rapid, label‐free, specific, and real‐time detection of S. enterica.
Big Data in the Veterans Health Administration: A Nursing Informatics Perspective
Authors: Deckro John , Phillips Toni , Davis Avaretta , Hehr Andrew T. , Ochylski Sheila
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This article reviews the missions of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the evolution of its electronic health record (EHR), the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA). This system, along with its clinical graphical user interface the Computerized Patient Record System, form a key link in VA health care. A Veteran who receives healthcare through the VA can have their EHR accessed by clinicians at any VA healthcare facility across the United States and its territories. Data aggregated daily at a corporate data warehouse supports VA quality improvement and research.

Organizing Construct

Serving over 9 million Veterans, the VA is one of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the United States. It has been a leader in the development and use of healthcare informatics, EHR, and big data analytics for over 30 years. Nurses engaged in major roles in the evolution of these developments.

Conclusions

With over 500 nurses as members, the Office of Nursing Informatics’ Field Alliance demonstrates the VA’s continuing commitment to fostering nursing informatics. The commitment includes investment by the VA to develop nursing informaticists from among its own staff.

Clinical Relevance

Exemplars of the impact of nursing informatics are shared. Future directions include an EHR that begins during military service and follows the Veteran into VA health care.
Nurses’ Qualitative Descriptions of the Organizational Climate of Hospitals
Authors: Sein Myint Nwe Ni , Kunaviktikul Wipada , Akkadechanunt Thitinut , Wichaikhum Orn‐Anong , Turale Sue
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To explore nurses’ perceptions of the organizational climate in general hospitals in Myanmar.

Design and Methods

Using a qualitative descriptive design, data were purposively collected from all levels of registered nurses in eight general hospitals across Myanmar during August to October 2019. Seventeen individual in‐depth interviews and eight focus group discussions with 65 nurses were undertaken and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman’s qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Four categories of organizational climate from a Myanmar nursing context emerged: organizational uniqueness, organizational alignment, sense of empowerment, and the reinforcing organization. Organizational uniqueness included the subcategories of perception of features and orientation of the organization, whilst organizational alignment comprised the three subcategories of the values inherent in the management process, the criteria of success, and strategic emphasis. The sense of empowerment category embraced the subcategories of the perceptions of the decision making and roles of leaders or managers; the last category, the reinforcing organization, incorporated the subcategories of bonding and recognition of the organization.

Conclusions

This was the first qualitative nursing study on nurses’ perceptions of organizational climate in Myanmar hospitals. Participants revealed a rich source of information that needs to be considered by hospital administrators and other policymakers to enhance quality clinical care by nurses, and their overall well‐being and working conditions. The emphasis on the holistic nature of this concept points to further investigations of working conditions, the lives of nurses, and management of nurses within the hospital environments in Myanmar hospitals, and can inform other countries.

Clinical Relevance

Nurses revealed a rich understanding of what an organizational climate represents or should represent, and they need to work with hospital administrators and managers to contribute to the development of positive organizational climate, which in turn should increase nurse retention and the efficacy of health care provided in hospitals.
Vitamin D status and efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in acne patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Meng , Zhou Yuan , Yan Yan
Published: March 2021

Background

Acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory dermatosis, affects approximately 85% of adolescents and young adults.The level of vitamin D in acne patients and the effect on acne patients of a vitamin D supplementation have previously been documented; however, it remains to be disputed whether vitamin D deficiency is normal in acne patients.

Aims

This paper explores the relationship between vitamin D and acne levels and the advantageous implications of vitamin D supplements on acne.

Methods

From every database start date until December 2020, we checked the PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and the Cochrane libraries. Case‐controls or randomized controlled trial reporting on the serum 25(OH)D level and the efficacy of vitamin D supplement to acne patients were included.

Results

The serum 25(OH)D levels in acne patients is lower (standardized mean difference = −7.66 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −10.92 to −4.40). Articles also revealed the prospect of a therapeutic breakthrough through the supplementing of vitamin D for acne patients.

Conclusion

Our research offers a new guide in the field of acne prevention and health care.
How has the pandemic lockdown changed our daily facial skincare habits?
Authors: Ścieszko Emilia , Budny Emilian , Rotsztejn Helena , Erkiert‐Polguj Anna
Published: March 2021

Background

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, Poland implemented widespread closure of beauty and cosmetic services to control the virus spread.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic on home face care of women and to analyze changes that have occurred in their daily habits.

Patients/Methods

An online survey was completed by 412 women living in Poland during the spring lockdown. Questions addressed changes in face care during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results and conclusions

Our questionnaire showed that during the lockdown, women were more interested in face skincare, more often followed the procedure of full home skincare. And after implementing the changes in skincare, they saw a good impact on their skin. The significance of the Internet also increased considerably, not only as a source of knowledge in the field of cosmetology but also as a thriving market selling cosmetic products.
A successfully treated case of an acute presentation of congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Upshaw–Schulman syndrome) with decreased ADAMTS13 during late stage of pregnancy
Authors: Nonaka Taro , Yamaguchi Masayuki , Nishijima Koji , Moriyama Masato , Takakuwa Koichi , Enomoto Takayuki
Published: March 2021

We herein report the case of a 28‐year‐old pregnant woman with an acute presentation of remarkable petechiae on her lower extremities and severe thrombocytopenia (16 000/mm3) at the 35th week of gestation. Although idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was initially suspected, subsequent examinations revealed that her ADAMTS13 (a Disintegrin And Metalloprotease, with ThromboSpondin type 1 repeats, member 13) titer was extremely decreased, while she was negative for antibodies against ADAMTS13. Infusion of fresh frozen plasma was immediately performed, and the platelet count was observed to increase. However, severe pregnancy‐induced hypertension and proteinuria emerged at 36 weeks and 2 days of gestation, and a male infant was delivered by emergency cesarean section on the 37th week of gestation. The postnatal development was uncomplicated. After delivery, although the mother's platelet count and ADAMTS13 activity decreased temporarily, both values increased following fresh frozen plasma transfusion. This case showed interesting aspects of congenital thrombocytopenic purpura (Upshaw–Schulman syndrome) in pregnancy. Moreover, the rapid measurement of the patient's ADAMTS13 activity and the subsequent accurate diagnosis of congenital thrombocytopenic purpura made it possible to treat the patient with fresh frozen plasma infusion and avoid contraindicated platelet infusion. Close cooperation between obstetricians, hematologists and pediatricians is necessary to achieve successful outcomes in cases of thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy.
Growth maximizing government size, social capital, and corruption
Authors: Carmeci Gaetano , Mauro Luciano , Privileggi Fabio
Published: March 2021

Our paper intersects two topics in growth theory: the growth maximizing government size and the role of Social Capital in development. We modify a simple overlapping generations framework by introducing two key features: a production function à la Barro together with the possibility that public officials steal a fraction of public resources under their own control. As underlined by the literature on corruption, Social Capital affects public officials' accountability through many channels which also affect the probability of being caught for embezzlement and misappropriation of public resources. Therefore, in our endogenous growth model such probability is taken as a proxy of Social Capital. We find that maximum growth rates are compatible with Big Government size, measured both in terms of expenditures and public officials, when associated with high levels of Social Capital.
Peptidomic changes of saliva after non‐surgical treatment of stage I/II generalized periodontitis
Authors: Yuan Chao , Ma Zhangke , Tong Peiyuan , Yu Shunlan , Li Yi , Gallagher Jennifer Elizabeth , Sun Xiangyu , Zheng Shuguo
Published: March 2021

Objective

To explore the changes of peptidome profiles of saliva, serum, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) before and after non‐surgical periodontal treatment in patients with generalized periodontitis (stage I/II).

Subjects and methods

Saliva, serum, and GCF samples were collected from 17 patients at baseline (T0), one week after ultrasonic supragingival scaling (T1) and eight weeks after subgingival scaling and root planning (T2). Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) was carried out to detect changes in peptidomic profiles. Then, nano‐liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (nano‐LC/ESI‐MS/MS) was performed to identify potential peptide biomarkers.

Results

Most of the peptides from the patients exhibited a decreasing trend from the time point of pretreatment to that of post‐treatment. Cluster analysis and scatter plots using these peptides indicated that salivary peptidome has an acceptable capability of reflecting the status of stage I/II generalized periodontitis. Seven of these peptides were successfully identified as α‐1‐antitrypsin, immunoglobulin κ variable 4‐1, haptoglobin, and immunoglobulin heavy constant γ2.

Conclusions

Certain peptides in saliva, serum, and GCF were down‐regulated after non‐surgical periodontal treatment, demonstrating the application prospects of saliva in monitoring and surveillance of periodontal diseases in both clinical settings and communities.
Chemical and biochemical control of skin pigmentation with special emphasis on mixed melanogenesis
Authors: Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Zippin Jonathan H. , Ito Shosuke
Published: March 2021

Melanins are widely distributed in animals and plants; in vertebrates, most melanins are present on the body surface. The diversity of pigmentation in vertebrates is mainly attributed to the quantity and ratio of eumelanin and pheomelanin synthesis. Most natural melanin pigments in animals consist of both eumelanin and pheomelanin in varying ratios, and thus, their combined synthesis is called “mixed melanogenesis.” Gene expression is an established mechanism for controlling melanin synthesis; however, there are multiple factors that affect melanin synthesis besides gene expression. Due to the differential sensitivity of the eumelanin and pheomelanin synthetic pathways to pH, melanosomal pH likely plays a major role in mixed melanogenesis. Here, we focused on various factors affecting mixed melanogenesis including (1) chemical regulation of melanin synthesis, (2) melanosomal pH regulation during normal melanogenesis and effect on mixed melanogenesis, and (3) mechanisms of melanosomal pH control (proton pumps, channels, transporters, and signaling pathways).
Can Social Notifications Help to Mitigate Payment Delinquency in Online Peer‐to‐Peer Lending?
Authors: Lu Xianghua , Lu Tian , Wang Chong (Alex) , Wu Ruofan
Published: March 2021

Payment management is an operations management challenge in online peer‐to‐peer (P2P) lending. It is critical to control the cost of debt collection incurred in late repayments and defaults. We study whether and how a platform can leverage on borrowers’ social connections and use automatic social notifications in regulating repayment behavior. In collaboration with a large online P2P lending platform, we conduct a randomized field experiment to investigate the effect of social notifications targeted at different contact groups (core‐circle and peripheral‐circle groups). Our results indicate that notifying social contacts of a delinquent regarding the overdue payment significantly improves the repayment rate. Compared with the control group in which no notification messages are sent to social contacts, notification‐triggered social sanctions and social support reduce the default rate by more than 50% in both core‐circle and peripheral‐circle groups. Furthermore, we find that social notifications targeted at peripheral‐circle social contacts are only effective in the short term, and its effectiveness decreases with repeated use. By contrast, social notifications targeted at core‐circle social contacts have a lasting effect.
Can It Clean Up Your Inbox? Evidence from South Korean Anti‐spam Legislation
Authors: Ju Jaehyeon , Cho Daegon , Lee Jae Kyu , Ahn Jae‐Hyeon
Published: March 2021

Although spam email messages have been the primary source of cybercrime since the early Internet era, there is no quick fix to this problem. Governments have established anti‐spam legislation, but surprisingly, there has been no measurement of policy impact. This study aims to fill the gap by utilizing a quasi‐experimental setting in South Korea, where the anti‐spam policy was substantially amended in November 2014. A significant change was in the default setting, switching from an opt‐out to an opt‐in scheme, which required that commercial email senders obtain recipients' prior consent. Also, the law notably escalated the deterrent penalties for perpetrators. To empirically examine the policy effectiveness, we use a large‐scale data set of 5.61 billion spam emails originating from over 38,000 spammers in 226 countries during twenty months in 2014–2015. Our findings suggest that the amended policy adopting the opt‐in scheme decreased the volume of spam originating from Korea by 16.1%. The expected economic gain from the increased productivity of recipients is 7.649 million USD per year. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting that a well‐designed policy can lower cybersecurity incidents that threaten organizations, operations, and individuals. Our finding also provides important implications for policymakers and managers in designing effective policies with data‐driven evidence.
Capacity Investment under Bayesian Information Updates at Reporting Periods: Model and Application
Authors: Vedantam Aditya , Iyer Ananth
Published: March 2021

We consider capacity addition decisions by a new product manufacturer faced with uncertain technology alternatives. The manufacturing capacity addition and technology development occurs in parallel, with preliminary results from a technology project's success providing valuable information to the manufacturer in adding capacity. We solve a stochastic dynamic program with Bayesian updates to obtain the manufacturer's expected profit‐maximizing capacity investment decision. Our model and applications are motivated by the Critical Materials Institute (CMI) (funded by the Department of Energy), which manages research projects focused on mitigating critical material constraints, vital to renewable energy technologies such as direct‐drive wind turbines, electric vehicles, and energy‐efficient lighting. We capture three unique aspects of the problem: first, the learning from project progress depends on task‐based stochastic outcomes and a project's percent‐done. Second, the underlying technology's profitability is based on a model of competition. Third, we evaluate the impact of progress across a portfolio of projects based on a manufacturer's capacity addition. We develop a heuristic that produces results that are close to optimal and can thus be used for large problem sizes. The managerial insights from an application of our model to CMI projects include: (i) technology projects that report the percent‐done of a project earlier increase expected manufacturer profit; (ii) careful choice of “safe bets,” that is, technologies with low profitability but a high probability of success, can increase expected manufacturer profit; (iii) a portfolio of projects can increase profits significantly over separate project evaluation; and (iv) dynamic management of project resources can increase overall profit.
Why Those Biscuits Are Relevant and on the Sideboard
Authors: van Rooij Robert , Schulz Katrin
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we explain why the antecedent of a biscuit conditional is relevant to its consequent by extending Douvenʼs evidential support theory of conditionals making use of utilities. By this extension, we can also explain why a biscuit conditional gives rise to the inference that the consequence is (most likely) true. Finally, we account for the intuition that (indicative) biscuit sentences are false when the antecedent is false and allow for counterfactual biscuits.
Price and quality competitiveness across OECD countries: An approach to quality by R&D expenditure
Authors: Ben Hassine Haithem , Mathieu Claude
Published: March 2021

The aim of this paper is to analyse the effects of quality competitiveness based on technological innovation on the bilateral trade of goods. Our approach is based on the estimation of an import demand model that uses the data for 19 manufacturing sectors across 28 OECD countries over the period of 1998–2012. In the first step, to identify quality from prices, the logarithm of unit value (a proxy of price) is regressed on the logarithm of private R&D expenditure (a proxy for quality). The quality‐adjusted prices are derived from the difference between the unit value and its predicted value. In the second step, an import demand function is used to distinguish the effects of quality (private R&D expenditure) from the effects of other factors, such as production costs, which are approximated by the quality‐adjusted prices. The results of the first step indicate a significant positive effect of quality on the prices of imported goods in 7 out of 19 sectors. The results of the second step emphasise significant nonlinear effects of prices and quality on the import demand of goods: when the quality of imported goods is higher, the marginal effect of an increase in quality on the import demand is greater.
Difference in outcome between curative intent vs marginal excision as a first treatment in dogs with oral malignant melanoma and the impact of adjuvant CSPG4‐DNA electrovaccination: A retrospective study on 155 cases
Authors: Giacobino Davide , Camerino Mariateresa , Riccardo Federica , Cavallo Federica , Tarone Lidia , Martano Marina , Dentini Alfredo , Iussich Selina , Lardone Elena , Franci Paolo , Valazza Alberto , Manassero Luca , Del Magno Sara , De Maria Raffaella , Morello Emanuela , Buracco Paolo
Published: March 2021

Canine oral malignant melanoma is locally invasive and highly metastatic. At present, the best option for local control is en bloc excision followed by radiation if excision margins are incomplete. Adjuvantly, the role of chemotherapy is dubious while immunotherapy appears encouraging. This retrospective study evaluated 155 dogs with oral malignant melanomas (24 stage I, 54 stage II, 66 stage III and 11 stage IV) managed in a single institution. The aim was to evaluate the differences in median survival time (MST) and disease‐free interval (DFI) between dogs which, at presentation, were treated surgically with a curative intent (group 1) vs those marginally excised only (group 2). MST in group 1 was longer than in group 2 (594 vs 458 days), but no significant difference was found (P = .57); a statistical difference was, however, found for DFI (232 vs 183 days, P = .008). In the subpopulation of vaccinated dogs, the impact of adjuvant anti‐CSPG4 DNA electrovaccination was then evaluated (curative intent, group 3, vs marginal, group 4); a significant difference for both MST (1333 vs 470 days, respectively, P = .03) and DFI (324 vs 184 days, respectively, P = .008) was found. Progressive disease was significantly more common in dogs undergoing marginal excision than curative intent excision for both the overall population (P = .03) and the vaccinated dogs (P = .02). This study pointed out that, after staging, wide excision together with adjuvant immunotherapy was an effective approach for canine oral malignant melanoma.
Contando colombianos: medición comercial, métricas de audiencias y biopolítica
Authors: Valencia Rincón Juan Carlos , Wehner Patrick , Beltrán López María Alejandra , Méndez Aguilar Laura Carolina , Téllez Garzón María Patricia , Barreneche Carlos Andrés , Baquero Gaitán Mónica , Velásquez Perilla Alcides Alberto , Moreno Cano Antonia María , Jirong Li , Buzzard Karen
Published: March 2021

La tiranía del rating se ha convertido en los últimos años en una expresión muy utilizada por diferentes actores de la industria de los medios de comunicación, que desconfían de la forma en la que las métricas miden el comportamiento de las audiencias. Los compradores, los periodistas, los actores y los productores ven cada vez más en estas mediciones una moneda de cambio que privilegia la cantidad sobre la calidad. Sin embargo, la investigación comercial de audiencias, y la manera en la que es implementada, ajustada, cuestionada, tolerada o acatada por las industrias mediáticas y publicitarias contemporáneas, es un tema que no ha sido estudiado con suficiente atención. Conscientes de la relevancia y de la urgencia de estos temas, los autores de Contando colombianos cuestionan el funcionamiento de las distintas métricas comerciales; analizan los referentes históricos y conceptuales que motivaron el diseño de estos sistemas de clasificación; indagan acerca de sus consecuencias biopolíticas, filosóficas, sociales y culturales; y plantean modos y soluciones que permitan humanizar y relativizar la influencia, el impacto y el poder de las métricas comerciales. A través del estudio de un amplio rango de medios de comunicación, como el cine, la radio, el internet, la publicidad, la prensa y la televisión, y mediante estudios que abarcan toda América Latina y que se extienden a países como los Estados Unidos, España y China, este libro demuestra que la medición de audiencias no se limita a aspectos económicos y comerciales, sino que incide y define los modos en lo que el ser humano es pensado, gobernado, entendido, estudiado y, en última instancia, valorado y contado.
Brecha social y brecha digital. Pobreza, clima educativo del hogar e inclusión digital en la población urbana de Argentina
Authors: Moyano Renzo
Published: March 2021

El presente artículo aborda las condiciones materiales de la inclusión digital en la población urbana de Argentina, a partir de la exploración de la disponibilidad de acceso y utilización de tecnologías. Analiza los resultados de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares (EPH), Módulo Acceso y Uso de Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (MAUTIC) y examina las dimensiones básicas de la inclusión digital y su relación con la estructura de ingresos del hogar, la inserción laboral de las jefas y jefes de hogar, el nivel económico social y el clima educativo predominante dentro del grupo familiar. El trabajo se basa en la información producida a partir del procesamiento y análisis de los micro datos de la EPH-MAUTIC (INDEC, 2019) y se centra en la acción determinante que la brecha social y económica produce sobre las condiciones de inclusión o exclusión digital.
Los debates electorales en Twitter y su correspondencia con las preocupaciones ciudadanas en la contienda presidencial en Colombia 2018
Authors: Alvarado-Vivas Sergio , López López Juan , Pedro-Carañana Joan
Published: March 2021

El artículo se ocupa de cómo los temas más relevantes para la opinión pública colombiana se hicieron presentes en las discusiones y debates acaecidos en Twitter durante la campaña presidencial 2018. En un primer nivel, se analizó el grado de correspondencia entre los temas prioritarios para los ciudadanos según las principales encuestas y la presencia y tratamiento axiológico de estos temas en Twitter a partir de datos obtenidos mediante análisis de contenido. En un segundo nivel, se conjugaron datos cuantitativos y cualitativos que permitieron identificar la estructura de la racionalidad de la acción política que cada ideología promueve. Como resultado, no existió correspondencia alta entre los temas de los demoscópicos y las expresadas en Twitter. Además, las relaciones de poder por la hegemonía evidenciaron una predominancia de emisores de centro enfocados mayoritariamente en educación, mientras que la derecha y la izquierda con menos emisores lograron hegemonizar dos temas cada uno.
Compressible Flows Obtainable From Two-Dimensional Flows Through the Addition of a Constant Normal Velocity
Authors: Poritsky H.
Published: March 2021

This paper demonstrates that exact solutions of the flow of compressible fluids can be obtained by starting with two-dimensional steady-state flows and superposing upon them a velocity of constant magnitude and direction at right angles to the planes of the two-dimensional flows, while at the same time, the pressure, density, and temperature of the fluid at each point are unchanged. The procedure is demonstrated by several examples, one of which is of interest in connection with the discharge of exhaust gases from a gas engine through the tail cone and tail pipe in cases where the circulation has not been completely removed from the flow. Another example is the flow around a “sweepback” or “arrow” wing. This example is illustrated for supersonic flows on plane oblique shocks and on the Meyer-Prandtl expansion around an edge.
An Elementary Theory of the Bourdon Gage
Authors: Wolf Alfred
Published: March 2021

A theory of the Bourdon gage is presented based upon two elements of strain, namely, the bending of the walls in a transverse section through the gage tubing, and a longitudinal extension parallel to the axis of the tubing. Practical formulas are derived for the calculation of the sensitivity and the torque of the Bourdon gage. An estimate is made of the maximum stress. The sensitivity of a very thin-walled gage is shown to be proportional to the inverse first power of the wall thickness. Results of a few measurements show agreement with the theory.