bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orifice barriers to prevent coronal microleakage after root canal treatment: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen P , Chen Z , Teoh Y‐Y , Peters OA , Peters CI
Published: January 2023

Aims

This systematic review aimed to compare the efficiency of orifice barriers in preventing coronal microleakage in vitro.

Methods

Articles published in English, German and Chinese were searched for studies describing microleakage assays for the bacterial penetration of root canal‐treated teeth in vitro. The final sample included 18 articles for review and meta‐analysis. Risk ratios and confidence intervals were determined for dichotomous variables. Ten publications using bacterial leakage models contributed to the meta‐analysis.

Results

The addition of orifice barriers to a root canal filling was overall effective, shown by risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) demonstrating reduced microleakage with glass ionomer cement (GIC) (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.26–0.53, P < 0.001), resin‐modified GIC (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15–0.67, P = 0.01), composite resin (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38–0.75, P < 0.001), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.12–0.52, P < 0.001) and Cavit (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.14–0.39, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between GIC, resin‐modified GIC, composite resin and MTA orifice barriers.

Conclusions

Placement of an orifice barrier over the root canal filling is effective in the prevention of coronal microleakage in vitro. Other parameters may also affect the effectiveness of orifice barriers, including thickness and duration of exposure to the oral environment. © 2023 Australian Dental Association.
Impact of the final agitation system in the irrigant diffusion inside the root canal: A micro‐CT analysis
Authors: de Moraes Cruz Victor , Duarte Marco Antônio Húngaro , Kato Augusto Shoji , Alcalde Murilo Priori , Coelho Letycia Accioly Simões , Tanomaru‐Filho Mario , Gavini Giulio , Vivan Rodrigo Ricci
Published: January 2023

This study evaluated, through micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT), the volume of irrigant diffusion by different techniques of final agitation. Sixty mesiobuccal canals were scanned in a micro‐CT and standardised according to the volume. They were instrumented with the MTwo 40/04 system and using the Terebrix 35 contrast solution as irrigant, were divided into six groups (n = 10): Conventional irrigation with syringe and needle (CI), EndoActivator (EA), EasyClean (EC), RinsEndo (RE), Utrasonic agitation (UI) and XP‐Clean (XP). A second micro‐CT scan was performed and the total irrigant volume and in the final 3 mm apical were determined. The data were analysed using the Anova, Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests (p < 0.05). UI and XP showed a higher percentage of total diffusion than CI, EA and RS groups (p < 0.05). In apical diffusion, there was no significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). The final agitation system increases the diffusion of irrigating agents inside the root canal.
Citrus fruit intake and incidence of renal cell carcinoma: A meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Sheng Tao , Shen Rui‐Lin , Shao Huan , Ma Tian‐Hong
Published: January 2023

Observational studies on the association between citrus fruit intake and risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have reported inconsistent results. We quantitatively assessed this association by conducting a meta‐analysis. PubMed and Embase databases search was conducted including relevant studies published up to January, 2020. We included epidemiological studies that reported relative risks (RRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between citrus fruit intake and RCC risk. A total of eight epidemiological studies consisting of five cohort and three case‐control studies were included. The overall analysis showed a significantly reduced risk of RCC for high intake of citrus fruit (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.73–0.95). No heterogeneity was detected among the included studies (p = 0.497 for heterogeneity; I2 = 0). There was no significant publication bias by Begg's test (p = 0.266) or Egger's test (P = 0.578). A statistically significant association between citrus fruit intake and RCC was observed in case‐control studies (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.71–0.98), while no association was observed in cohort studies (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.64–1.05). In addition, the dose–response analysis indicated that the RCC risk reduced by 13% (95%CI 1.0%‐27%, p = 0.04 for heterogeneity) for each 100 grams per day increment of citrus fruit intake. In summary, our findings suggest an inverse association between citrus fruit intake and RCC incidence.
First step in implementation of opportunistic salpingectomy for prevention of ovarian cancer: Current care and its determinants
Authors: Gelderblom Malou E. , Jaspers Veerle , Akkermans Reinier P. , Slangen Brigitte , Oei Angele L. M. , van Ginkel Alexandra A. , Ngo Huy , IntHout Joanna , Hermens Rosella P. M. G. , de Hullu Joanne A. , Piek Jurgen M. J.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Opportunistic salpingectomy (OS) refers to additional removal of the fallopian tubes during abdominal surgery performed for another medical indication, as prevention for ovarian cancer. As OS has been inconsistently implemented, its clinical practice varies worldwide. To reduce this variation, insight is required into current clinical practice and its determinants. Therefore, the study aim was to determine the implementation of counseling and performance of OS between 2015 and 2018, and its patient, surgical, physician, and hospital characteristics.

Material and methods

Retrospective study using electronic medical records from six different Dutch hospitals: two academic, two large teaching, and two non‐teaching hospitals. Patients were considered eligible for OS if they underwent elective non‐obstetric abdominal surgery for a gynecological indication from January 2015 through December 2018. Primary outcomes were uptake of counseling and performance of OS. Multilevel multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify characteristics associated with OS.

Results

A total of 3214 patients underwent elective non‐obstetric abdominal surgery for a gynecological indication and were eligible for OS. Counseling on OS increased significantly from 2.9% in 2015 to 29.4% in 2018. In this period, 440 patients were counseled on OS, of which 95.9% chose OS. Performance of OS increased significantly from 6.9% in 2015 to 44.5% in 2018. Counseling for and performance of OS were more likely in patients who had surgery by laparoscopic approach, were counseled by a gynecological resident, or had more than three contact moments before surgery. Additionally, OS was less likely in patients who had vaginal surgery.

Conclusions

Although the uptake of OS increased from 2015 to 2018, the majority of patients who were eligible for OS were not counseled and did not undergo OS. Its clinical practice varies on patient, surgery, and physician characteristics. Therefore, an implementation strategy tailored to associated determinants is recommended.
Nickel, cobalt, and chromium in nail sticker and tip products in Korea
Authors: Kim Hyun Hee , Lee Ga Hyun , Pyo Gil Jae , Kwon Eun Sun , Myung Ki Bum , Cheong Seung Hyun
Published: January 2023

Background

Nail stickers and nail tips are increasingly used nail products in Korea, and the rest of the world. However, no studies have examined if these specific consumer products might contain nickel, cobalt, and/or chromium, that is, metals known to provoke contact allergy.

Objective

We aimed to assess the release and content of nickel, cobalt, and chromium in nail stickers and tips by performing qualitative and quantitative analyses, respectively, of 50 convenience samples purchased in Korea.

Methods

Eighty‐six qualitative spot tests were performed to determine the release of nickel, cobalt, and chromium on 35 nail stickers and 15 nail tips across five brands. Subsequently, the metal contents were quantified using inductively coupled plasma‐optical mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS).

Results

According to the spot tests, nickel was released in 7/86 (8.1%) tests before and 10/86 (11.6%) tests after exposure to artificial sweat. Cobalt and chromium (VI) spot test results were negative. However, ICP‐MS detected nickel, cobalt, and chromium in 11%, 6.3%, and 16.7% of the samples, respectively. Detection rates were higher in nail tips than in stickers and were most common in rhinestones.

Conclusion

Nail stickers and tips may contain nickel, cobalt, and/or chromium.
CEO turnover: Cross‐country effects
Authors: Burns Natasha , Minnick Kristina , Starks Laura
Published: January 2023

Research Question/Issue

We examine how countries' cultural and legal environment, in addition to firm‐level governance mechanisms, affects firms' retention and termination decision of the CEO.

Research Findings/Insights

Previous research focuses primarily on the effects of governance structures and incentives on turnover. In this paper, we focus on two additional institutions—cultural and legal. We find that in cultures characterized by higher individualism, competition, and stronger views that hard work leads to success, boards are more likely to replace CEOs in response to poor shareholder performance. Conversely, we find that in more corrupt cultures and cultures more protective of employees, there is lower turnover–performance sensitivity.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Williamson (2000) provided a framework consisting of four levels of institutional influences on economic activity: (1) cultural norms, (2) the legal system, (3) governance structures, and (4) resource allocation and employment. Previous research focuses primarily on the two highest levels; we focus on the two more basic levels, cultural and legal, while controlling for firm‐level governance.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Cultural values and legal conditions combine with the firm's governance structure to affect CEO turnover and its sensitivity to firm shareholder performance.
Ascorbic acid protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from high glucose by inhibiting the NF‐κB signal pathway through MALAT1/IGF2BP3 axis
Authors: Tian Yanming , Cheng Wubo , Wang Haiyan , Zeng Chengcheng , Chen Xueyi
Published: January 2023

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes with nocuous effects on patients' eye health, typically accompanies by excessive inflammation and oxidative stress. Insulin‐like growth factor‐2 messenger RNA‐binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) was engaged with inflammation, whereas its precise role in the DR process was unclear. And enhanced lncRNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) and decreased ascorbic acid (AA) were also found in DR. This study was to explore the regulatory role and mechanism of IGF2BP3, MALAT1 and AA in the high glucose (HG)‐induced retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell injury.

Methods

ARPE‐19 cells were treated with HG to establish the in vitro RPE cell injury model. The mRNA and protein levels of the gene were evaluated by qRT‐PCR or Western blot. Immunofluorescence detected the translocation condition of the p65 protein. Inflammatory factor levels were detected by ELISA assays. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The binding interaction of IGF2BP3 and MALAT1 was validated by RIP‐qPCR assays.

Results

In HG‐induced RPE cell injury, IGF2BP3 expression, inflammatory response and apoptosis were enhanced. Next, the IGF2BP3 activated the NF‐κB signalling to promote the RPE cell injury development. MALAT1 could directly bind with IGF2BP3 and up‐regulate its expression. In addition, AA ameliorated the HG‐induced RPE cell injury through the regulation of MALAT1.

Conclusion

Ascorbic acid ameliorated HG‐induced RPE cell injury by repressing the NF‐κB signalling pathway via modulating the MALAT1/IGF2BP3 axis.
Responsiveness of the broad bean weevil,Bruchus rufimanus, toVicia fabagenotypes
Authors: Dell'Aglio Denise Dalbosco , Tayeh Nadim
Published: January 2023

The broad bean weevil,Bruchus rufimanusBoh. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), also called bruchid beetle, is a major pest ofVicia fabaL. (Fabaceae) given that larvae develop inside the seeds causing direct quality losses in agricultural products. Recurrent chemical applications are inappropriate because they represent a serious threat to pollinators in general. In addition, biological control approaches that have been attempted so far showed limited effectiveness, which makes studies of methods to control bruchid populations extremely important. Breeding resistant cultivars is the most adequate approach to achieve efficient levels of pest resistance and promote sustainable agriculture. To explore the mechanisms underlying bruchid resistance, we exploredB. rufimanusbehavior at different life stages and preference in plant feeding, oviposition, and larval survival into adulthood on a range of susceptible and resistant broad bean cultivars (genotypes), both in greenhouse experiments and in the field. Our greenhouse results showed that females, compared to males, prefer flowers from some genotypes over others, although the choices made did not correspond with egg‐laying preference. Egg‐laying preference was also affected by cultivars. This attraction for egg‐laying was associated with the number of seeds per pod produced by the genotypes. In the field flowering date influenced bruchid infestation. Also the survival of larvae into adulthood was greater in certain genotypes over others. The results of our study lay the groundwork for further analyses to finely dissectV. fabaresistance towards bruchids and pave the way for the development of methods to predict potential resistant genotypes in research and breeding programs.
Incidence and risk factors for norovirus‐related diarrhea in Japanese geriatric intermediate care facilities: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Suita Asae , Ohfuji Satoko , Fukushima Wakaba , Ito Kazuya , Kase Tetsuo , Kondo Kyoko , Ishibashi Motoki , Kumashiro Hiroko , Kawai Shuji , Deguchi Akifumi , Nakata Hiroyuki , Iba Kazuko , Kita Tetsuya , Kinugawa Kazuhiko , Hamada Kazutaka , Fujimoto Mikio , Furukawa Yoshio , Sowa Etsuji , Nakazawa Hideo , Hirota Yoshio
Published: January 2023

Aim

The risk of developing infectious diarrhea among elderly residents at Japanese geriatric intermediate care facilities is unclear. We investigated the incidence rate and risk factors of norovirus‐related diarrhea at such facilities.

Methods

This prospective cohort study followed 1727 residents from November 2018 to April 2020 at 10 geriatric intermediate care facilities in Osaka, Japan regarding the occurrence of diarrhea. Resident data were collected from their medical records using structured forms at two to three of the following three time points: at recruitment, if they developed diarrhea, and when they left the facility. Residents who developed diarrhea were tested using rapid diagnostic tests for norovirus. Cox proportional hazard model was employed to hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the risk factors for norovirus‐related diarrhea.

Results

During the study period, 74 residents developed diarrhea, 13 of whom were norovirus positive. The incidence rate of norovirus‐related diarrhea was 10.11 per 1000 person‐years (95% CI: 4.61–15.61). In terms of risk factors, people with care‐needs level 3 were at a higher risk for developing norovirus‐related diarrhea (adjusted HR [aHR] = 7.35, 95% CI: 1.45–37.30). Residents with hypertension (aHR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.05–11.04) or stroke (aHR = 8.84, 95% CI: 2.46–31.83), and those who walked with canes (aHR = 16.68, 95% CI: 1.35–206.52) also had a significantly higher risk for norovirus‐related diarrhea.

Conclusions

Throughout the study period, the incidence of development of diarrhea was low. Care‐needs level 3, stroke, hypertension and use of a cane were identified as risk factors for norovirus‐related diarrhea in Japanese geriatric intermediate care facilities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 179–187.
Developing a research community within an online healthcare feedback platform
Authors: Fylan Beth , Munro James , O'Hara Jane K. , Khatoon Binish , Lawton Rebecca
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Care Opinion is an online feedback platform supporting patients to author stories about their care. It is not known whether authors would be willing to be involved in improving care through research. The aims of this study were to explore the views and preferences of Care Opinion authors about joining an online research community and to pilot new research community functionality.

Methods

Five hundred and nine Care Opinion authors were invited to take part in an online survey in June 2019. Survey items included questions about participants' willingness to take part in research and their preferences for supporting processes. Data were analysed descriptively. Authors were invited to consent to join a research community and were asked to participate in three pilot studies.

Results

One hundred and sixty‐three people consented to take part in the survey (32%). Participants indicated they would like to know the time commitment to the project (146, 90%), details about the organization carrying out the research (124, 76%) and safeguarding information (124, 76%). Over half indicated that they did not know how to get involved in healthcare research (87, 53%). Subsequently, 667 authors were invited to join the research community, 183 (27%) accepted, and three studies were matched to their expressed preferences for project attributes or organization type.

Conclusion

Many people who leave online feedback about their experiences of healthcare are also willing to join a research community via that platform. They have strong preferences for supporting University and NHS research. Eligibility and acceptance rates to join pilot research studies varied. Further work is needed to grow the research community, increase its diversity, and create relevant and varied opportunities to support research.

Patient or Public Contribution

Four members of the Safety In Numbers patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) group advised about survey development.
Local weather and endogenous factors affect the initiation of migration in short‐ and medium‐distance songbird migrants
Authors: Zenzal Theodore J. , Johnson Darren , Moore Frank R. , Németh Zoltán
Published: January 2023

Migratory birds employ a variety of mechanisms to ensure appropriate timing of migration based on integration of endogenous and exogenous information. The cues to fatten and depart from the non‐breeding area are often linked to exogenous cues such as temperature or precipitation and the endogenous program. Shorter distance migrants should rely heavily on environmental information when initiating migration given relatively close proximity to the breeding area. However, the ability to fatten and subsequently depart may be linked to individual circumstances, including current fuel load and body size. For early and late departing migrants, we investigate effects of temperature, precipitation, lean body mass, fuel load and day of year on the initiation of migration (i.e. fuel load and departure timing) from the non‐breeding region by analyzing 21 years of banding data for four species of short‐ and medium‐distance migrants. Temperatures at the non‐breeding area were related to temperatures at potential stopover areas. Despite local cues being predictive of conditions further north, the amount variation explained by local weather conditions in our models differed by species and temporal period but was low overall (< 33% variation explained). For each species, we also compared lean body mass and fuel load between early and late departing migrants, which showed mixed results. Our combined results suggest that most individuals migrating short or medium distances in our study did not time the initiation of migration with local predictive cues alone, but rather other factors such as lean body mass, fuel load, day of year, which may be a proxy for the endogenous program, and those beyond the scope of our study also influenced the initiation of migration. Our study contributes to understanding which factors influence departure decisions of short‐ and medium‐distance migrants as they transition from the non‐breeding to the migratory phase of the annual cycle.
Dispersal ability is associated with contrasting patterns of beta diversity in African small mammal communities
Authors: Monadjem Ara , Healy Kevin , Guillerme Thomas , Kane Adam
Published: January 2023

Aim

Spatial processes and environmental filtering are important factors shaping community composition, but their effects are rarely tested across all aspects and components of beta diversity. We investigate both of these factors to explain patterns of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic beta diversity of small mammals across Sub‐Saharan Africa. We predict that groups with poorest dispersal ability will experience the highest taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover but a nesting of functional diversity independent of dispersal.

Location

Africa.

Taxa

Rodents, bats, shrews.

Methods

We amassed a continent‐spanning dataset of 97 bat assemblages, 166 rodent assemblages and 153 shrew assemblages comprising a total of 183, 225 and 109 species, respectively, from six bioregions of Sub‐Saharan Africa. We calculated three aspects of beta diversity: taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic. For each of these, we first calculated total beta diversity based on the Sørensen index (βsor) and then decomposed this into turnover (βsim) and nestedness (βnes) components. We then used Moran's Eigenvector Maps to examine the relationships between each aspect of beta diversity and environmental gradients (environmental filtering) and geographical distance between sites (spatial processes).

Results

We found consistent patterns across the three taxa in all aspects of beta diversity, with taxonomic beta diversity being greatest and phylogenetic beta diversity being lowest. The turnover component was typically greater than the nestedness component for taxonomic and functional beta diversity, but not for phylogenetic beta diversity, for all three groups. Beta diversity was also linked with the dispersal ability of the three groups, with the highest levels of beta diversity found in shrews, intermediate levels in rodents and the lowest levels in bats.

Main Conclusions

Spatial processes, which are linked to the dispersal abilities of the three taxa of small mammal, dominate environmental drivers in structuring African small‐mammal communities with phylogenetic comparisons suggesting a relatively permeable continent.
The Big Five model in rural Southeast Asia: Validation, stability, and its role in household income*
Authors: Bühler Dorothee , Sharma Rasadhika , Stein Wiebke
Published: January 2023

Objective

We investigate the applicability of the Big Five model in rural Southeast Asia and thereby challenge recent concerns about the validity of the model in developing countries.

Method

We use a novel data set on personality traits from rural Thailand and Vietnam (N = 3811 individuals). In our analysis, we (i) assess the factor structure of the data, (ii) test the internal consistency of the items, (iii) compare the traits across two consecutive survey waves, and (iv) employ regressions to demonstrate the economic relevance of the traits.

Results

The results demonstrate a five‐factor structure that fits the Big Five model. We observe changes in personality traits over time but Cohen's d coefficients only range between 0.06 and 0.21. The average rank‐order stability, measured by the test–retest correlation of the Big Five between the two consecutive waves, lies at 0.21. Individual changes in personality traits over time relate to experienced shocks and appear to be largely independent of age, gender, and education. We further find that openness and emotional stability positively correlate with rural incomes.

Conclusions

While there is skepticism, pertaining to the use of personality trait models in developing countries, our study demonstrates that their importance and usage cannot be rejected.
Parenting, emotion regulation, and externalizing symptomatology as adolescent antecedents to young adult health risk behaviors
Authors: Herd Toria , Jacques Karen , Brieant Alexis , Noll Jennie G. , King‐Casas Brooks , Kim‐Spoon Jungmeen
Published: January 2023

This study used longitudinal data to elucidate how trajectories of negative parenting across adolescence are associated with young adult health risk behaviors (HRBs) by testing difficulties with emotion regulation and externalizing symptomatology as sequential underlying mediators. The sample included 167 adolescents (53% males, Mage = 14 at Time 1 and Mage = 18 at Time 5) who were assessed five times. Adolescents self‐reported on negative parenting, emotion regulation, externalizing symptomatology, and engagement in HRBs. Results suggest that increasingly negative parenting across adolescence has adverse consequences for emotion regulation development and in turn, externalizing symptomatology, which confers risk for young adult HRBs. Results offer insights towards mechanisms for prevention and intervention and public health policy aimed at reducing the prevalence and consequences of engagement in HRBs.
How do low‐income enrollees in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces respond to cost‐sharing?
Authors: Lavetti Kurt , DeLeire Thomas , Ziebarth Nicolas R.
Published: January 2023

The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to offer cost‐sharing reductions (CSRs) to low‐income consumers on the marketplaces. We link 2013–2015 All‐Payer Claims Data to 2004–2013 administrative hospital discharge data from Utah and exploit policy‐driven differences in the actuarial value of CSR plans that are solely determined by income. This allows us to examine the effect of cost‐sharing on medical spending among low‐income individuals. We find that enrollees facing lower levels of cost‐sharing have higher levels of healthcare spending, controlling for past healthcare use. We estimate demand elasticities of total health care spending among this low‐income population of approximately −0.12, suggesting that demand‐side price mechanisms in health insurance design work similarly for low‐income and higher‐income individuals. We also find that cost‐sharing subsidies substantially lower out‐of‐pocket medical care spending, showing that the CSR program is a key mechanism for making health care affordable to low‐income individuals.
Awareness and Acceptance in Anxiety‐Provoking Social Situations and Social Anxiety: Development and Initial Validation of the Social Anxiety‐Awareness and Acceptance Scale1, 2
Authors: Noda Shota , Nishiuchi Motohiro , Shirotsuki Kentaro
Published: January 2023

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is marked by intense anxiety in social situations and negative cognitions. We developed the Social Anxiety‐Awareness and Acceptance Scale (SA‐AAS) to measure awareness and acceptance in anxiety‐provoking social situations and examined the relationship between awareness, acceptance, and SAD symptoms. Patients (N = 412) with SAD completed the SA‐AAS and a set of questionnaires that evaluated trait mindfulness, self‐focused attention, cost/probability bias, avoidance behavior, and social anxiety. An exploratory factor analysis revealed that the SA‐AAS has two factors: “awareness” and “acceptance.” Correlation analyses revealed that each factor had a significantly weak‐to‐moderate correlation with the total score for trait mindfulness and the observing, non‐reactivity, and describing factors. Partial correlation analyses demonstrated no significant correlations between awareness and cost/probability bias, avoidance behavior, and social anxiety. In contrast, there were significant negative correlations between acceptance and self‐focused attention, cost/probability bias, avoidance behavior, and social anxiety. A one‐way analysis of variance indicated that the low awareness and acceptance cluster, and the high awareness and low acceptance cluster had higher SAD symptom scores concerning cost/probability bias and social anxiety than the moderate and high awareness and acceptance clusters. The SA‐AAS has high reliability and validity, and acceptance of mindfulness was negatively related to SAD symptoms.
Geometric ergodicity and conditional self‐weighted M‐estimator of a GRCAR(p) model with heavy‐tailed errors
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Pan Jiazhu , Song Anchao
Published: January 2023

We establish the geometric ergodicity for general stochastic functional autoregressive (linear and nonlinear) models with heavy‐tailed errors. The stationarity conditions for a generalized random coefficient autoregressive model (GRCAR()) are presented as a corollary. And then, a conditional self‐weighted M‐estimator for parameters in the GRCAR() is proposed. The asymptotic normality of this estimator is discussed by allowing infinite variance innovations. Simulation experiments are carried out to assess the finite‐sample performance of the proposed methodology and theory, and a real heavy‐tailed data example is given as illustration.
Both male and female meiosis contribute to non‐Mendelian inheritance of parental chromosomes in interspecific plant hybrids (Lolium × Festuca)
Authors: Majka Joanna , Glombik Marek , Doležalová Alžběta , Kneřová Jana , Ferreira Marco Tulio Mendes , Zwierzykowski Zbigniew , Duchoslav Martin , Studer Bruno , Doležel Jaroslav , Bartoš Jan , Kopecký David
Published: January 2023

Some interspecific plant hybrids show unequal transmission of chromosomes from parental genomes to the successive generations. It has been suggested that this is due to a differential behavior of parental chromosomes during meiosis. However, underlying mechanism is unknown.

We analyzed chromosome composition of the F2 generation of Festuca × Lolium hybrids and reciprocal backcrosses to elucidate effects of male and female meiosis on the shift in parental genome composition. We studied male meiosis, including the attachment of chromosomes to the karyokinetic spindle and gene expression profiling of the kinetochore genes.

We found that Lolium and Festuca homoeologues were transmitted differently to the F2 generation. Female meiosis led to the replacement of Festuca chromosomes by their Lolium counterparts. In male meiosis, Festuca univalents were attached less frequently to microtubules than Lolium univalents, lagged in divisions and formed micronuclei, which were subsequently eliminated.

Genome sequence analysis revealed a number of non‐synonymous mutations between copies of the kinetochore genes from Festuca and Lolium genomes. Furthermore, we found that outer kinetochore proteins NDC80 and NNF1 were exclusively expressed from the Lolium allele. We hypothesize that silencing of Festuca alleles results in improper attachment of Festuca chromosomes to karyokinetic spindle and subsequently their gradual elimination.
The Critical Shoulder Angle Can be Accurately and Reliably Determined from Three‐Dimensional Computed Tomography Images
Authors: Long Yi , Hu Huijun , Zhou Chuanhai , Hou Jingyi , Wang Zhiling , Zhou Min , Cui Dedong , Xu Xiaoding , Yang Rui
Published: January 2023

Objective

Anteroposterior (AP) radiographs do not necessarily offer the optimal approach to measuring the critical shoulder angle (CSA) due to the malposition of the scapula. Three‐dimensional computed tomography (3D‐CT) may offer some advantages, including the ability to rotate the scapula for position alignment and pre‐operative planning for reducing CSA. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy and reliability of CSA measurement in 3D‐CT and to determine whether there is an association between CSA and rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

Methods

In this retrospective study we identified 200 patients who received shoulder arthroscopy from 2019 to 2021, including 142 patients (81 females, 61 males) with RCTs and 58 patients (14 females, 44 males) with non‐RCTs. For each participant, CSA was measured from standard shoulder AP radiographs and anterior views of 3D‐CT of the scapula by two independent assessors. Inter‐ and intra‐observer agreements were assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The relationship between the two measurement methodologies was determined by Spearman's correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plots. Discriminative capacity was calculated by using receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses in the whole cohort and age sub‐groups above and below 45 years.

Results

We found perfect inter‐observer (ICC >0.96) and intra‐observer (ICC >0.97) reliabilities for CSA measurements obtained from the standard AP radiographs and the 3D‐CT. There was a strong correlation between the two methods (r = 0.960, P < 0.001). The mean CSA was 31.7° ± 4.2° in the standard AP radiographs and 31.8° ± 4.4° in the 3D‐CT (mean difference 0.02°, P = 0.940; bias 0.02°, limits of agreement −2.29° to +2.33°). ROC analysis of the whole cohort showed that the CSA measured in the standard AP radiographs (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.812, P < 0.001) and the 3D‐CT (AUC = 0.815, P < 0.001) predicted RCT with high confidence. ROC analysis of patients aged ≥45 years showed that the CSA measured from the standard AP radiographs (AUC = 0.869, P < 0.001) and the 3D‐CT (AUC = 0.870, P < 0.001) were very good at predicting RCTs.

Conclusion

CSA measured from standard AP radiographs and 3D‐CT showed high consistency, and the CSA could be accurately and reliably measured using 3D‐CT. CSAs measured from standard AP radiographs and 3D‐CT could predict RCTs, especially in patients aged ≥45 years.
Ablation of ectopic atrial foci for successful management of symptomatic bradycardia: A case series (bradycardia and ectopic atrial beats)
Authors: Cunn Gregory , Willner Jonathan , John Roy M.
Published: January 2023

Atrial premature contractions (PACs) that block at the atrio‐ventricular (AV) nodal level and occurring in a bigeminal frequency are recognized as a cause of symptomatic bradycardia. Appropriate suppression of the PACs often results in restoration of a regular rhythm with resolution of bradycardia‐related symptoms. We report a series of three patients with non‐conducted bigeminal PACs arising from the mitral annulus that resulted in symptomatic bradycardia and who were referred for consideration of cardiac pacing. Focal ablation suppressed PACs restoring a normal heart rate and resolution of symptoms without resorting to cardiac pacing.
RGA1 alleviates low‐light‐repressed pollen tube elongation by improving the metabolism and allocation of sugars and energy
Authors: Li Hubo , Feng Baohua , Li Juncai , Fu Weimeng , Wang Wenting , Chen Tingting , Liu Lianmeng , Wu Zhihai , Peng Shaobing , Tao Longxing , Fu Guanfu
Published: January 2023

Low‐light stress compromises photosynthetic and energy efficiency and leads to spikelet sterility; however, the effect of low‐light stress on pollen tube elongation in the pistil remains poorly understood. The gene RGA1, which encodes a Gα‐subunit of the heterotrimeric G‐protein, enhanced low‐light tolerance at anthesis by preventing the cessation of pollen tube elongation in the pistil of rice plants. In this process, marked increases in the activities of acid invertase (INV), sucrose synthase (SUS) and mitochondrial respiratory electron transport chain complexes, as well as the relative expression levels of SUTs (sucrose transporter), SWEETs (sugars will eventually be exported transporters), SUSs, INVs, CINs (cell‐wall INV 1), SnRK1A (sucrose‐nonfermenting 1‐related kinase 1) and SnRK1B, were observed in OE‐1 plants. Accordingly, notable increases in contents of ATP and ATPase were presented in OE‐1 plants under low‐light conditions, while they were decreased in d1 plants. Importantly, INV and ATPase activators (sucrose and Na2SO3, respectively) increased spikelet fertility by improving the energy status in the pistil under low‐light conditions, and the ATPase inhibitor Na2VO4 induced spikelet sterility and decreased ATPase activity. These results suggest that RGA1 could alleviate the low‐light stress‐induced impairment of pollen tube elongation to increase spikelet fertility by promoting sucrose unloading in the pistil and improving the metabolism and allocation of energy.
Estimating random effects in a finite Markov chain with absorbing states: Application to cognitive data
Authors: Wang Pei , Abner Erin L. , Liu Changrui , Fardo David W. , Schmitt Frederick A. , Jicha Gregory A. , Van Eldik Linda J. , Kryscio Richard J.
Published: January 2023

Finite Markov chains with absorbing states are popular tools for analyzing longitudinal data with categorical responses. The one step transition probabilities can be defined in terms of fixed and random effects but it is difficult to estimate these effects due to many unknown parameters. In this article we propose a three‐step estimation method. In the first step the fixed effects are estimated by using a marginal likelihood function, in the second step the random effects are estimated after substituting the estimated fixed effects into a joint likelihood function defined as a h‐likelihood, and in the third step the covariance matrix for the vector of random effects is estimated using the Hessian matrix for this likelihood function. An application involving an analysis of longitudinal cognitive data is used to illustrate the method.
Introduction
Authors: Azadi Pooya , Mesgaran Mohsen B. , Mirramezani Matin
Published: January 2023

The aim of this book is to present a multidimensional and critical analysis of Iran’s path of development over its troubled history of the past half century. The book has an ambitious scope—covering a wide array of subjects including governance, political economy, macroeconomy, demography, education, energy, food, and the environment. The data used throughout this manuscript was meticulously collected from hundreds of sources over several years.
Governance
Authors: Azadi Pooya , Mesgaran Mohsen B. , Mirramezani Matin
Published: January 2023

This chapter first discusses the theoretical background for measuring the quality of governance. It then applies the described framework to evaluate the quality of governance in contemporary Iran and explains why Iran’s major challenges and shortcomings are deeply rooted in a lack of effective governance. The impact of ineffective governance can be seen in virtually all major challenges facing Iran: a sluggish economy, low employment ratio, chronic high inflation, water crisis, troubled pension system, human capital flight, and eroded social trust. As the state struggles to reform itself, the intensification of economic and social crises is leading Iran to an important turning point in its history.
The Economy
Authors: Azadi Pooya , Mesgaran Mohsen B. , Mirramezani Matin
Published: January 2023

This chapter provides an overview of the major trends in the Iranian economy over the past half century by focusing on patterns of economic growth, shares of different sectors in the economy, employment, inflation, inequality, capital formation, and international trade. The final part of this chapter sheds light on some of Iran’s most pressing economic challenges by quantifying their magnitudes and future trajectories.
The Energy Sector
Authors: Azadi Pooya , Mesgaran Mohsen B. , Mirramezani Matin
Published: January 2023

This chapter provides an overview of Iran’s energy landscape, starting with the trends in oil and gas production, domestic consumption, and exports. It also evaluates the historical role that oil revenue has played in financing public expenditures and discusses its future potential in light of the shifting paradigm of the global oil markets from scarcity to abundance. It then explains how today’s sheer volume of produced natural gas is allocated to different uses and the inefficiencies associated with its misallocations. Finally, it delineates trends in demand and supply sides of the electricity market and analyzes Iran’s controversial nuclear program from an economic standpoint.
Migration and Brain Drain
Authors: Azadi Pooya , Mesgaran Mohsen B. , Mirramezani Matin
Published: January 2023

This chapter takes a close look at the issue of migration and brain drain in Iran. The first part of the chapter presents new sets of data compiled from various sources to shed light on how the number of Iranian emigrants, international students, scholars, and asylum seekers has changed over the past half century. We then explain the drivers of migration and discuss the obstacles that prevented Iran’s highly successful diaspora from taking part in the development of their homeland.
The Neighborhood Effect
Authors: Ohanyan Anna
Published: January 2023

Why are certain regions of the world mired in conflict? And how did some regions in Eurasia emerge from the Cold War as peaceful and resilient? Why do conflicts ignite in Bosnia, Donbas, and Damascus—once on the peripheries of mighty empires—yet other postimperial peripheries like the Baltics or Central Europe enjoy quiet stability?
Anna Ohanyan argues for the salience of the neighborhood effect: the complex regional connectivity among ethnic-religious communities that can form resilient regions. In an account of Eurasian regional formation that stretches back long before the nation-state, Ohanyan refutes the notion that stable regions are the luxury of prosperous, stable, democratic states. She examines case studies from regions once on the fringes of the Habsburg, Ottoman, and Russian Empires to find the often-overlooked patterns of bonding and bridging, or clustering and isolation of political power and social resources, that are associated with regional resilience or fracture in those regions today.
With comparative examples from Latin America and Africa, The Neighborhood Effect offers a new explanation for the conflicts we are likely to see emerge as the unipolar US-led order dissolves, making the fractures in regional neighborhoods painfully evident. And it points the way to the future of peacebuilding: making space for the smaller links and connections that comprise a stable neighborhood.
Experimental Investigation of Combustion Dynamics in a High-Pressure Liquid-Fueled Swirl Combustor
Authors: Chandh Aravind , Adhikari Subodh , Wu David , McKinney Randall , Emerson Benjamin , Zhang Qingguo , Joshi Dibesh , Sen Baris , Davis Dustin
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we present combustor acoustics in a high-pressure liquid-fueled rich burn—quick quench—lean burn (RQL) styled swirl combustor with two separate fuel circuits. The fuel circuits are the primary (which has a pressure atomizer nozzle) and secondary (which has an air blast type nozzle) circuits. The data were acquired during two dynamical regimes—combustion noise, where there is an absence of large amplitude oscillations during the unsteady combustion process, and intermittency, where there are intermittent bursts of high amplitude oscillations that appear in a near-random fashion amidst regions of aperiodic low amplitude fluctuations. This dynamic transition from combustion noise to combustion intermittency is investigated experimentally by systematically varying the fuel equivalence ratio and primary-secondary fuel splits. Typical measures such as the amplitude of oscillations cannot serve as a measure of change in the dynamics from combustion noise to intermittency due to the highly turbulent nature. Hence, recurrence plots and complex networks are used to understand the differences in the combustor acoustics and velocity data during the two different regimes. We observe that the combustor transitions from stable operation to intermittency when the equivalence ratio is increased for a given primary fuel flowrate and conversely when the percentage of secondary fuel flowrate is increased for a given equivalence ratio. The contribution of this work is to demonstrate methodologies to detect combustion instability boundaries when approaching them from the stable side in highly turbulent, noisy combustors.
The middle ear muscle reflex: Current and future role in assessing noise-induced cochlear damage
Authors: Trevino Monica , Zang Andie , Lobarinas Edward
Published: January 2023

The middle ear muscle reflex (MEMR) in humans is a bilateral contraction of the middle ear stapedial muscle in response to moderate-to-high intensity acoustic stimuli. Clinically, MEMR thresholds have been used for differential diagnosis of otopathologies for decades. More recently, changes in MEMR amplitude or threshold have been proposed as an assessment for noise-induced synaptopathy, a subclinical form of cochlear damage characterized by suprathreshold hearing problems that occur as a function of inner hair cell (IHC) synaptic loss, including hearing-in-noise deficits, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. In animal models, changes in wideband MEMR immittance have been correlated with noise-induced synaptopathy; however, studies in humans have shown more varied results. The discrepancies observed across studies could reflect the heterogeneity of synaptopathy in humans more than the effects of parametric differences or relative sensitivity of the measurement. Whereas the etiology and degree of synaptopathy can be carefully controlled in animal models, synaptopathy in humans likely stems from multiple etiologies and thus can vary greatly across the population. Here, we explore the evolving research evidence of the MEMR response in relation to subclinical noise-induced cochlear damage and the MEMR as an early correlate of suprathreshold deficits.
Particle migration of suspensions in a pressure-driven flow over and through a porous structure
Authors: Mirbod Parisa , Shapley Nina C.
Published: January 2023

Laboratory experiments were conducted to study particle migration and flow properties of non-Brownian, noncolloidal suspensions ranging from 10% to 40% particle volume fraction in a pressure-driven flow over and through a porous structure at a low Reynolds number. Particle concentration maps, velocity maps, and corresponding profiles were acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging technique. The model porous medium consists of square arrays of circular rods oriented across the flow in a rectangular microchannel. It was observed that the square arrays of the circular rods modify the velocity profiles and result in heterogeneous concentration fields for various suspensions. As the bulk particle volume fraction of the suspension increases, particles tend to concentrate in the free channel relative to the porous medium while the centerline velocity profile along the lateral direction becomes increasingly blunted. Within the porous structure, concentrated suspensions exhibit smaller periodic axial velocity variations due to the geometry compared to semidilute suspensions (bulk volume fraction ranges from 10% to 20%) and show periodic concentration variations, where the average particle concentration is slightly greater between the rods than on top of the rods. For concentrated systems, high particle concentration pathways aligned with the flow direction are observed in regions that correspond to gaps between rods within the porous medium.
Assessment of Bilateral Shoulder Range of Motion in Firefighter Trainees Using a Markerless Motion Capture System
Authors: Howard Conner , Kahnt Alexis , Volberding Jennifer L. , Dawes Jay
Published: January 2023

The unpredictable environments firefighters face paired with biomechanically compromising shoulder movements, such as overhead and lifting movements, place this population at an increased risk for shoulder injury. The purpose of this study was to assess firefighter trainees’ bilateral shoulder range of motion (ROM) using the Dynamic Athletic Research Institute Motion system. Retrospective anthropometric and ROM data for 31 male firefighter trainees were analyzed. Firefighter trainees’ mean shoulder ROM for bilateral external rotation, internal rotation, and extension were lower than previously published values. External rotation demonstrated the lowest percentage of trainees within normal ROM (left—6.67%, right—16.67%). Noting the susceptibility of upper extremity injuries among firefighters, establishing baseline ROM measurements for reference may improve musculoskeletal evaluations, training interventions, and injury rehabilitation.