bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In situ growth of SiC wires on CVI densification of SiC foam
Authors: Sreeja Remani , Shyin Palani Prabhakaran , Suchithra Cheriyan , Devapal Deepa , Prabhakaran Payyadakam Veetil
Published: June 2023

Silicon carbide (SiC) foam prepared by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) process was further densified with β‐SiC by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) technique. Scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the presence of highly entangled and branched in situ grown SiC wires of uniform diameter (∼500 nm) over the struts of open‐cell SiC foam. A uniform rate increase in diameter from nanometer to micron range (∼11 μm) was observed with an increase in the CVI reaction period. X‐ray diffraction results showed the formation of highly crystalline β‐SiC structure along the <111> direction with stacking faults. The formation of SiC wires was explained by the vapor–liquid–solid mechanism and evenness of the surface and uniform growth rate of SiC confirmed the homogeneous concentration of gaseous species during CVI reaction. The compressive strength increased with relative density, with maximum values of 5.5 ± 1.26 MPa for ultimate SiC foam (ρ = 400 kg/m3) prepared by hybrid PIP/CVI technique. The thermo‐oxidative stability of the resultant foam was evaluated up to 1650°C under air and shows excellent thermal stability compared to SiC foam prepared by PIP route. The densified SiC foam can find potential applications in the field of hot gas filters, catalyst supports, microwave absorption properties, and heat insulation for high‐temperature applications.
Relationships examined: Parent and child readiness to change and sociodemographic characteristics in family based weight loss treatment
Authors: Ramel Melissa , Wilfley Denise E. , Tabak Rachel , Lew Daphne , Moursi Nasreen A. , Kilanowski Colleen , Cook Steven R. , Eneli Ihouma U. , Quattrin Teresa , Schechtman Kenneth B. , Epstein Leonard H.
Published: June 2023

Background

Family based treatment is an effective, multipronged approach to address obesity as it plagues families.

Objective

To investigate the relationships among sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., education and income), body mass index (BMI) and race/ethnicity with readiness to change for parents enrolled in the Primary care pediatrics, Learning, Activity and Nutrition (PLAN) study.

Methods

Multivariate linear regressions tested two hypotheses: (1) White parents will have higher levels of baseline readiness to change, when compared to Black parents; (2) parents with higher income and education will have higher levels of readiness to change at baseline.

Results

A positive relationship exists between baseline parent BMI and readiness to change (Pearson correlation, 0.09,p < 0.05); statistically significant relationships exist between parent education level (−0.14,p < 0.05), income (0.04,p < 0.05) and readiness to change. Additionally, a statistically significant relationship exists, with both White (β, −0.10,p < 0.05), and Other, non‐Hispanic (−0.10,p < 0.05) parents exhibiting lower readiness to change than Black, non‐Hispanic parents. Child data did not indicate significant relationships between race/ethnicity and readiness to change.

Conclusions

Results demonstrate that investigators should consider sociodemographic characteristic factors and different levels of readiness to change in participants enrolling in obesity interventions.
Comparing the resource implications of old and new colorectal adenoma surveillance guidelines in Australia
Authors: Ow Tsai‐Wing , Angelica Bianca , Burn Sophie , Chu Matthew , Lee Shawn Z. , Lin Richard , Tran Vy , Iyngkaran Guru , Bampton Peter , Sukocheva Olga , Tse Edmund , Rayner Chris K.
Published: June 2023

Background

The latest update to the Australian adenoma surveillance guideline in 2018 introduced a novel risk stratification system with updated surveillance recommendations. The resource implications of adopting this new system are unclear.

Aims

To quanitfy the resource demands of adopting new over old adenoma surveillance guidelines.

Methods

We studied data from 2443 patients undergoing colonoscopies, in which a clinically significant lesion was identified in their latest, or previous procedure(s) across five Australian hospitals. We excluded procedures with inflammatory bowel disease, new or prior history of colorectal cancer or resection, inadequate bowel preparation and incomplete procedures. Old and new Australian surveillance intervals were calculated according to the number, size and histological characteristics of lesions identified. We used these data to compare the rate of procedures according to each guideline.

Results

Based on the procedures for 766 patients, the new surveillance guidelines significantly increased the number of procedures allocated an interval of 1 year (relative risk (RR): 1.57, P = 0.009) and 10 years (RR: 3.83, P < 0.00001) and reduced those allocated to half a year (RR: 0.08, P = 0.00219), 3 years (RR: 0.51, P < 0.00001) and 5 years (RR: 0.59, P < 0.00001). Overall, this reduced the relative number of surveillance procedures by 21% over 10 years (25.92 vs 32.78 procedures/100 patient‐years), which increased to 22% after excluding patients 75 or older at the time of surveillance (19.9 vs 25.65 procedures/100 patient‐years).

Conclusion

The adoption of the latest Australian adenoma surveillance guidelines can reduce demand for surveillance colonoscopy by more than a fifth (21–22%) over 10 years.
Effects of home‐based chronic wound care training for patients and caregivers: A systematic review
Authors: Huang Yao , Hu Jiale , Xie Ting , Jiang Zhaoqi , Ding Wenjing , Mao Beiqian , Hou Lili
Published: June 2023

We aimed to review and synthesise the evidence of the interventions of patients' and informal caregivers' engagement in managing chronic wounds at home. The research team used a systematic review methodology based on an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews (PRISMA) and recommendations from the Synthesis Without Meta‐analysis. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial of the Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, Wanfang (Chinese), and CNKI database (Chinese) were searched from inception to May 2022. The following MESH terms were used: wound healing, pressure ulcer, leg ulcer, diabetic foot, skin ulcer, surgical wound, educational, patient education, counselling, self‐care, self‐management, social support, and family caregiver. Experimental studies involving participants with chronic wounds (not at risk of wounds) and their informal caregivers were screened. Data were extracted and the narrative was synthesised from the findings of included studies. By screening the above databases, 790 studies were retrieved, and 16 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies were 6 RCTs and ten non‐RCTs. Outcomes of chronic wound management included patient indicators, wound indicators, and family/caregiver indicators. Home‐based interventions of patients or informal caregivers' engagement in managing chronic wounds at home may effectively improve patient outcomes and change wound care behaviour. What's more, educational/behavioural interventions were the primary type of intervention. Multiform integration of education and skills training on wound care and aetiology‐based treatment was delivered to patients and caregivers. Besides, there are no studies entirely targeting elderly patients. Home‐based chronic wound care training was important to patients with chronic wounds and their family caregivers, which may advance wound management outcomes. However, the findings of this systematic review were based on relatively small studies. We need more exploration of self and family‐oriented interventions in the future, especially for older people affected by chronic wounds.
How do trucking companies respond to announced versus unannounced safety crackdowns? The case of government inspection blitzes
Authors: Balthrop Andrew , Scott Alex , Miller Jason
Published: June 2023

Ensuring motor carriers comply with safety rules is critical to the efficient workings of supply chains and the safety of the motoring public. However, little is understood regarding how carriers respond to changes in the likelihood of inspection (a.k.a., “crackdowns”) undertaken by the Department of Transportation. Drawing on the regulatory compliance and criminology literature, we extend the rational cheater explanation that undergirds carrier safety research by incorporating principles from attention‐based theory to devise new theoretical predictions regarding how carriers respond to announced versus unannounced inspection crackdowns. To test our theory, we rely on exogenous variation in the probability of inspection from the DOT's use of announced and unannounced inspection “blitzes.” We test predictions using a longitudinal dataset of nearly 10 million truck inspections from 2012 to 2016. We find firms with lower costs of compliance, and higher costs of avoiding inspections improve compliance prior to and during announced blitzes. Small firms with lower costs of avoidance tend to avoid announced blitzes. Unannounced blitzes result in no changes in compliance or avoidance, providing evidence that awareness is driving our results.
Anatomical targeting for electrode localization in subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation: A comparative study
Authors: Tonroe Thomas , McDermott Hugh , Pearce Patrick , Acevedo Nicola , Thevathasan Wesley , Xu San San , Bulluss Kristian , Perera Thushara
Published: June 2023

Background and Purpose

In deep brain stimulation (DBS), accurate electrode placement is essential for optimizing patient outcomes. Localizing electrodes enables insight into therapeutic outcomes and development of metrics for use in clinical trials. Methods of defining anatomical targets have been described with varying accuracy and objectivity. To assess variability in anatomical targeting, we compare four methods of defining an appropriate target for DBS of the subthalamic nucleus for Parkinson's disease.

Methods

The methods compared are direct visualization, red nucleus‐based indirect targeting, mid‐commissural point‐based indirect targeting, and automated template‐based targeting. This study assessed 226 hemispheres in 113 DBS recipients (39 females, 73 males, 62.2 ± 7.7 years). We utilized the electrode placement error (the Euclidean distance between the defined target and closest DBS electrode) as a metric for comparative analysis. Pairwise differences in electrode placement error across the four methods were compared using the Kruskal‐Wallis H‐test and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests.

Results

Interquartile ranges of the differences in electrode placement error spanned 1.18‐1.56 mm. A Kruskal‐Wallis H‐test reported a statistically significant difference in the median of at least two groups (H(5) = 41.052, p < .001). Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests reported statistically significant difference in two comparisons: direct visualization versus red nucleus‐based indirect, and direct visualization versus automated template‐based methods (T < 9215, p < .001).

Conclusions

All methods were similarly discordant in their relative accuracy, despite having significant technical differences in their application. The differing protocols and technical aspects of each method, however, have the implication that one may be more practical depending on the clinical or research application at hand.
Time matters: The role of recovery for daily mood trajectories at work
Authors: Arnold Maike , Sonnentag Sabine
Published: June 2023

Taking a temporal perspective, we examined how employees' mood (i.e., wakefulness‐tiredness, calmness‐tenseness, and pleasantness‐unpleasantness) develops during the workday and tested employees' daily recovery from work as a predictor of these mood trajectories. Specifically, we analysed a serial mediation model with evening recovery experiences (i.e., psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery experiences, and control) being indirectly related to the development of next‐day mood (i.e., linear slopes) via sleep quality and start‐of‐work mood. We collected data from 124 employees who completed up to 5 daily surveys over two workweeks. Multilevel growth curve models showed that, in general, wakefulness followed a negative quadratic, calmness a positive quadratic, and pleasantness no systematic trajectory during the workday. At the day level, path analyses showed that psychological detachment indirectly and relaxation directly predicted the three start‐of‐work mood states. Moreover, mastery experiences and control directly predicted start‐of‐work calmness. Additionally, psychological detachment and relaxation indirectly predicted the development of wakefulness and psychological detachment, relaxation, and mastery experiences indirectly predicted the development of calmness. Results suggest that some benefits of daily psychological detachment, relaxation (i.e., high start‐of‐work wakefulness and calmness), and mastery experiences (i.e., high start‐of‐work calmness) tend to subside during the workday.
Understanding employee work‐life conflict experiences: Self‐leadership responses involving resource management for balancing work, family, and professional development
Authors: Williams Ethlyn A. , McCombs Kate M.
Published: June 2023

The work–life conflict literature describes how employees manage conflict experiences, but little work has focused on experiences beyond work and family (or work and school) conflict to examine more broadly work, family, and professional development (e.g., when employees enter a graduate degree program). This study uses qualitative data to explore the work–life conflict experiences of employees undergoing professional career development in the form of gaining a graduate degree. We contribute to the literature on employees' work–life conflicts. To explore work–life conflicts, 41 semi‐structured interviews were conducted, and revealed that employees report three types of work–life conflict experiences—energizing, depleting and maintaining. Utilizing the conservation of resources theory, we link work–life conflict experiences with resource management and self‐leadership strategies enacted. We demonstrate that when employees report energizing experiences, they utilize behavioural strategies of self‐goal setting and self‐observation to acquire more resources. When employees report depleting experiences, they utilize constructive thought strategies for the evaluation of dysfunctional beliefs and self‐talk to recover from resource loss. Finally, when employees report maintaining experiences, they utilize natural rewards strategies to protect their stock of resources. The link between self‐leadership strategies and work–life conflicts plays a crucial role in understanding how conflict can be resolved.
Assessment of the acoustic adaptation hypothesis in frogs using large‐scale citizen science data
Authors: Gillard G. L. , Rowley J. J. L.
Published: June 2023

Acoustic communication is vital to the survival and fitness of many vertebrates. While successful communication is reliant on acoustic signals reaching an intended receiver and maintaining content fidelity, propagating signals are attenuated by environmental factors such as habitat type. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis (AAH) predicts that the acoustic properties of signals are selected for optimal transmission in the habitats in which they propagate. To date, consistent evidence to support the theory is lacking, but studies have typically been primarily based on localized datasets with small sample sizes. Citizen science is emerging as a potential means to overcome the challenges associated with broad‐scale sampling, allowing us to assess the validity of the AAH in frogs on a continental scale. We analysed the male advertisement calls of 674 individual banjo frogs (Limnodynastes dorsalis, L. dumerilii, L. interioris and L. terraereginae) from across their range, pairing these citizen science data with remotely sensed measures of habitat complexity. While we detected considerable variation in acoustic structure within and among banjo frog species, this was not strongly correlated with habitat complexity. Thus, we found no support for the AAH. However, with our study spanning an area of over 1.7 million km2, we conducted the largest‐scale test of the AAH in frogs to date, contributing to the global understanding of acoustic signal evolution.
Temporal dynamics of soil fungi in a pyrodiverse dry‐sclerophyll forest
Authors: Bowd Elle J. , Egidi Eleonora , Lindenmayer David B. , Wardle David A. , Kardol Paul , Foster Claire
Published: June 2023

Fire is a major evolutionary and ecological driver that shapes biodiversity in forests. While above‐ground community responses to fire have been well‐documented, those below‐ground are much less understood. However, below‐ground communities, including fungi, play key roles in forests and facilitate the recovery of other organisms after fire. Here, we used internal transcribed spacer (ITS) meta‐barcoding data from forests with three different times since fire [short (3 years), medium (13–19 years) and long (>26 years)] to characterize the temporal responses of soil fungal communities across functional groups, ectomycorrhizal exploration strategies and inter‐guild associations. Our findings indicate that fire effects on fungal communities are strongest in the short to medium term, with clear distinctions between communities in forests with a short time (3 years) since fire, a medium time (13–19 years) and a long time (>26 years) since fire. Ectomycorrhizal fungi were disproportionately impacted by fire relative to saprotrophs, but the direction of the response varied depending on morphological structures and exploration strategies. For instance, short‐distance ectomycorrhizal fungi increased with recent fire, while medium‐distance (fringe) ectomycorrhizal fungi decreased. Further, we detected strong, negative inter‐guild associations between ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi but only at medium and long times since fire. Given the functional significance of fungi, the temporal changes in fungal composition, inter‐guild associations and functional groups after fire demonstrated in our study may have functional implications that require adaptive management to curtail.
How do learners perceive task repetition? Distributed practice effects on engagement and metacognitive judgment
Authors: Hanzawa Keiko , Suzuki Yuichi
Published: June 2023

While task repetition is effective for improving oral fluency, some teachers are reluctant to use it in their classrooms due to the alleged negative perceptions of learners toward repetitive practice. To address this concern, the participants in the current study completed a posttask questionnaire probing their perceptions toward task repetition practice, focusing on metacognitive judgment (i.e., the number of task repetitions considered effective) and emotional engagement (i.e., enjoyment and concentration). Prior to taking the survey, 64 second language learners individually performed the same picture‐description task six times under one of the three repetition schedules (massed, short‐spaced, and long‐spaced condition). Their posttask questionnaire results indicated that task repetition was perceived as an effective and engaging activity (about four to five performances were deemed to be most optimal). Relative to massed task repetition, short‐ and long‐spaced schedules led to higher perceived effectiveness and emotional engagement. Moreover, while the short‐spaced group made accurate metacognitive judgment of their fluency gains, learners in the massed practice condition overestimated their fluency gains, possibly due to enjoyment and illusion of high competence. These findings indicate that spacing between task repetitions can influence learners’ engagement in the task, which can impact their fluency development.
The STRIPAK complex orchestrates cell wall integrity signalling to govern the fungal development and virulence of Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Chen Ahai , Liu Na , Xu Chenghui , Wu Siqi , Liu Chao , Qi Hao , Ren Yiyi , Han Xingmin , Yang Kunlong , Liu Xiao , Ma Zhonghua , Chen Yun
Published: June 2023

Striatin‐interacting phosphatases and kinases (STRIPAKs) are evolutionarily conserved supramolecular complexes that control various important cellular processes such as signal transduction and development. However, the role of the STRIPAK complex in pathogenic fungi remains elusive. In this study, the components and function of the STRIPAK complex were investigated in Fusarium graminearum, an important plant‐pathogenic fungus. The results obtained from bioinformatic analyses and the protein–protein interactome suggested that the fungal STRIPAK complex consisted of six proteins: Ham2, Ham3, Ham4, PP2Aa, Ppg1, and Mob3. Deletion mutations of individual components of the STRIPAK complex were created, and observed to cause a significant reduction in fungal vegetative growth and sexual development, and dramatically attenuae virulence, excluding the essential gene PP2Aa. Further results revealed that the STRIPAK complex interacted with the mitogen‐activated protein kinase Mgv1, a key component in the cell wall integrity pathway, subsequently regulating the phosphorylation level and nuclear accumulation of Mgv1 to control the fungal stress response and virulence. Our results also suggested that the STRIPAK complex was interconnected with the target of rapamycin pathway through Tap42‐PP2A cascade. Taken together, our findings revealed that the STRIPAK complex orchestrates cell wall integrity signalling to govern the fungal development and virulence of F. graminearum and highlighted the importance of the STRIPAK complex in fungal virulence.
Prednisolone improves hippocampal regeneration after trimethyltin‐induced neurodegeneration in association with prevention of T lymphocyte infiltration
Authors: Sakurai Masashi , Takenaka Miki , Mitsui Yuki , Sakai Yusuke , Morimoto Masahiro
Published: June 2023

The endogenous regenerative capacity of the brain is quite weak; however, a regenerative reaction, the production of new neurons (neurogenesis), has been reported to occur in brain lesions. In addition, leukocytes are well known to infiltrate brain lesions. Therefore, leukocytes would also have a link with regenerative neurogenesis; however, their role has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated leukocyte infiltration and its influence on brain tissue regeneration in a trimethyltin (TMT)‐injected mouse model of hippocampal regeneration. Immunohistochemically, CD3‐positive T lymphocytes were found in the hippocampal lesion of TMT‐injected mice. Prednisolone (PSL) treatment inhibited T lymphocyte infiltration and increased neuronal nuclei (NeuN)‐positive mature neurons and doublecortin (DCX)‐positive immature neurons in the hippocampus. Investigation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)‐labeled newborn cells revealed the percentage of BrdU/NeuN‐ and BrdU/DCX‐positive cells increased by PSL treatment. These results indicate that infiltrated T lymphocytes prevent brain tissue regeneration by inhibiting hippocampal neurogenesis.
Ineffective esophageal motility: The impact of change of criteria in Chicago Classification version 4.0 on predicting outcome after magnetic sphincter augmentation
Authors: Riccardi Margaret , Eriksson Sven E. , Tamesis Steven , Zheng Ping , Jobe Blair A. , Ayazi Shahin
Published: June 2023

Background

The most recent update of the Chicago Classification (CCv4.0) attempts to provide a more clinically relevant definition for ineffective esophageal motility (IEM). The impact of this new definition on predicting outcome after antireflux surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare utility of IEM diagnosis based on CCv4.0 to CCv3.0 in predicting surgical outcome after magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) and to assess any additional parameters that hold value in future definitions.

Methods

Records of 336 patients who underwent MSA at our institution between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Preoperative manometry files were re‐analyzed using both Chicago Classification version 3.0 (CCv3.0) and CCv4.0 definitions of IEM. The utility of each IEM definition in predicting surgical outcome was then compared. Individual manometric components and impedance data were also assessed.

Key Results

Immediate dysphagia was reported by 186 (55.4%) and persistent dysphagia by 42 (12.5%) patients. CCv3.0 IEM criteria were met by 37 (11%) and CCv4.0 IEM by 18 (5.4%) patients (p = 0.011). CCv3.0 and CCv4.0 IEM were equally poor predictors of immediate (AUC = 0.503 vs. 0.512, p = 0.7482) and persistent (AUC = 0.519 vs. 0.510, p = 0.7544) dysphagia. The predicted dysphagia probability of less than 70% bolus clearance (BC) was 17.4%, higher than CCv4.0 IEM at 16.7%. When BC was incorporated into CCv4.0 IEM criteria, the probability increased significantly to 30.0% (p = 0.0042).

Conclusions & Inferences

The CCv3.0 and CCv4.0 of IEM are poor predictors of dysphagia after MSA. Adding BC to the new definition improves its predictive utility and should be considered in future definitions.
Ethylene controls cambium stem cell activity via promoting local auxin biosynthesis
Authors: Yu Qin , Cheng Chenxia , Zhou Xiaofeng , Li Yonghong , Hu Yingchun , Yang Chun , Zhou Yingying , Soliman Tarek M. A. , Zhang Hao , Wang Qigang , Wang Huichun , Jiang Cai‐Zhong , Gan Su‐Sheng , Gao Junping , Ma Nan
Published: June 2023

The vascular cambium is the main secondary meristem in plants that produces secondary phloem (outside) and xylem (inside) on opposing sides of the cambium. The phytohormone ethylene has been implicated in vascular cambium activity, but the regulatory network underlying ethylene‐mediated cambial activity remains to be elucidated.

Here, we found that PETAL MOVEMENT‐RELATED PROTEIN1 (RhPMP1), an ethylene‐inducible HOMEODOMAIN‐LEUCINE ZIPPER I transcription factor in woody plant rose (Rosa hybrida), regulates local auxin biosynthesis and auxin transport to maintain cambial activity.

Knockdown of RhPMP1 resulted in smaller midveins and reduced auxin content, while RhPMP1 overexpression resulted in larger midveins and increased auxin levels compared with the wild‐type plants. Furthermore, we revealed that Indole‐3‐pyruvate monooxygenase YUCCA 10 (RhYUC10) and Auxin transporter‐like protein 2 (RhAUX2), encoding an auxin biosynthetic enzyme and an auxin influx carrier, respectively, are direct downstream targets of RhPMP1.

In summary, our results suggest that ethylene promotes an auxin maximum in the cambium adjacent to the xylem to maintain cambial activity.
Childhood experiences and undergraduate student interest in STEM disciplines: Attending to setting and activity type
Authors: Dou Remy , Cian Heidi , Hazari Zahra , Sonnert Gerhard , Sadler Philip M.
Published: June 2023

Informal STEM learning experiences (ISLEs), such as participating in science, computing, and engineering clubs and camps, have been associated with the development of youth’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics interests and career aspirations. However, research on ISLEs predominantly focuses on institutional settings such as museums and science centers, which are often discursively inaccessible to youth who identify with minoritized demographic groups. Using latent class analysis, we identify five general profiles (i.e., classes) of childhood participation in ISLEs from data reported by a nationally representative sample of college students (N = 15,579). Results show that childhood participation in specific typologies of ISLEs (i.e., setting and activity type) is associated with youth's disciplinary interests at the end of high school. Participation in outdoor activities that invite observation is more often reported by female respondents and is negatively associated with interest in computing and mathematics. Participation in indoor activities that invite object manipulation is more often reported by male respondents and is positively associated with interest in computing and engineering. However, frequent participation in multiple ISLEs is positively associated with interest in “science.” These results elucidate stereotypical discourses that reinforce the exclusion of minoritized students and expose critical areas needing reform.
Effects of rapid maxillary expansion on sleep disturbance scale for children: A longitudinal CASE‐series study
Authors: de Oliveira Chami Vitória , da Rocha Jéssica Gabriele , Knorst Jessica Klockner , Fensterseifer Caroline Kolling , Ferrazzo Vilmar Antônio , Serra‐Negra Junia Maria Cheib , Marquezan Mariana
Published: June 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) with maxillary atresia.

Materials and Methods

The sample consisted of 27 paediatric patients evaluated through a Brazilian version of the SDSC, answered by their guardians at the following experimental time points: T0 (before installing the Hyrax expander), T1 (on the day of expander stabilization), T2 (3 months after expander stabilization), T3 (immediately after expander removal, following 6 months of retention), and T4 (3 months post‐retention). Multilevel Poisson analysis adjusted for repeated measures was performed to compare outcomes across the assessment time points.

Results

The mean age of patients was 9.1 years (SD = 1.46). The total SDSC scores decreased and were statistically significant from T2 onwards (P < .01), with a decrease of 24% at T4 compared with T1 (IRR 0.76; 95% CI 0.69–0.84). The mean scores at T4 were already lower than the cutoff point for risk of sleep disorders. Regarding the specific domains, there was a significant reduction in sleep breathing disorders, sleep–wake transition disorders, and disorders of excessive somnolence as of T2 (P < .01), T3 (P < .05) and T4 (P < .05), respectively.

Conclusion

RME in children with maxillary atresia had a positive effect on the reduction of total SDSC scores after 3 months of expander stabilization, sustained over 6 and 9 months and significant reduction in sleep breathing disorders domain, sleep–wake transition disorders domain, and disorders of excessive somnolence domain over time points.
Desensitization in children allergic to drugs: Indications, protocols, and limits
Authors: Cernadas Josefina , Vasconcelos Maria João , Carneiro‐Leão Leonor
Published: June 2023

Any drug can potentially induce a hypersensitivity reaction. If after the allergological work‐up the drug hypersensitivity reaction is confirmed, in most cases, the simple avoidance of the culprit drug and a suggestion of an unrelated alternative is enough. However, there are circumstances where the choice to stop the treatment affects the survival, the safety and/or the quality of life of the patient and the global outcome of the disease in question. When this occurs, drug desensitization can be the answer and should not be viewed as an extravagance, nor the pediatric age should be considered a contraindication. Drug desensitization in children can be safely and successfully performed, having a positive impact on the survival and overall prognosis. In general, the indications for DDS are the same in adults as in children. However, in this age group there are specificities that this paper aimed to describe, reviewing the mechanisms behind drug hypersensitivity and rapid drug desensitization, types of protocols, indications, and contraindications, as well as several technical aspects that are specific to the pediatric age.
Preputial lymphangioma in a stallion: First report
Authors: Gomes José Eduardo , Canadas‐Sousa Ana , Guimarães Tiago , Cunha Raquel , Dias‐Pereira Patrícia
Published: June 2023

This short communication describes a case of a 30‐year‐old stallion with a mass on the base of the penis causing paraphimosis. The patient was submitted to anti‐inflammatory and diuretic therapy with no signs of improvement, so 16 days after the lesion was detected, the animal was euthanized. Necropsy was performed, and histopathological assessment of the lesion was conducted. The mass was composed primarily of channels and cavernous structures, lined by elongated cells of vascular origin, located in the preputium. The lesion was diagnosed as a preputial lymphangioma. To the authors' best knowledge, the anatomical location of this neoplasm (which is rare in veterinary medicine) has not been previously reported.
Trade policy uncertainty and pollution emissions of export enterprises—The case of China‐ASEAN free trade area
Authors: Zhou Kexuan , Yu Linhui , Jiang Xinlin , Kumar Sanjay
Published: June 2023

We propose a theoretical framework to illustrate the impact of trade policy uncertainty on pollution emissions of export enterprises and the underlying mechanism. The magnitudes of the effect and the proposed channels are empirically estimated using the case of the formal establishment of China‐ASEAN free trade area and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission intensity as a measure of pollution emission intensity. Our analysis relies on high‐precision micro enterprise‐level data and the difference‐in‐difference methodology. The results show that China‐ASEAN free trade area effectively reduced the trade policy uncertainty and the SO2 emission intensity of Chinese enterprises exporting to ASEAN. The study also shows that the export enterprises of different trade modes, ownership types, regions, factor intensity, and pollution intensity industries show significant heterogeneity in the extent of the reduction in the SO2 emission intensity. The mechanism test reveals that the trade policy uncertainty decline mainly reduces the emission intensity of SO2 by raising the competitive and learning effects. The contribution of the learning effect is higher and accounts for 32.54% of the total effect. In addition, through dynamic decomposition at the industry level, we found that the contribution rate of resource allocation effect among enterprises in reducing the total emission intensity of SO2 of enterprises exporting to ASEAN at the industry level is 52.22%. This effect is perhaps the most significant way trade policy uncertainty impacts the SO2 pollution emission intensity.
Electric regionalism: Path dependence, development, and the African power pools
Authors: Hancock Kathleen J.
Published: June 2023

Low access, unreliable supply, and high‐cost electricity have hampered many African states' ability to grow their economies. Even high‐income states, like South Africa, are increasingly challenged to provide reliable electricity. To help address this shortfall, African states belong to five regional power pools: organizations that link together electricity grids of member states and create markets to buy and sell electricity across borders. Scholar have given scant attention to these power pools, and none have explored the politics behind their creation and maintenance. The path dependence framework reveals that the configuration of the power pools is directly related to the end of colonialism and the subsequent creation of regional organizations formed in the 1960's. Applying the comparative regionalism framework, I find the principal drivers for adding electricity to pre‐existing organizations fall into three categories: development interests (donor states and development banks), mining companies, and some African states, especially South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Using organizations designed for other means might be hampering the region's ability to improve energy security, standards of living, and climate change goals. Donors and power pool members should consider investing more heavily in bilateral rather than regional organizations and in decentralized or distributed electricity systems.
Redemptive processing of impactful COVID‐19 experiences predicts well‐being among older but not younger adults
Authors: Thro Amber , Weststrate Nic M. , Wells Miranda , Strickler Caleb , Mabe Emily , Cummings Shannon , Jayawickreme Eranda
Published: June 2023

People engage in autobiographical reasoning to make sense of major life events. This study examined whether younger and older adults utilized different autobiographical reasoning strategies to make sense of highly emotional and impactful experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We hypothesized that older adults would show higher levels of redemptive processing, younger adults would show higher levels of exploratory processing, and that these respective processes would be associated with well‐being for each group. Two samples of younger (n = 245; ages 17–22) and older (n = 224; ages 55–83) adults provided written narratives about their most impactful positive and negative experiences from the COVID‐19 pandemic and responded to a questionnaire assessing well‐being. We found that younger and older adults did not differ in their use of exploratory and redemptive processing. Redemptive processing was uniquely predictive of well‐being among older adults, although this relationship disappeared when positive and negative events were considered independently. These results suggest that the ability to positively reframe COVID‐related events could be particularly important for the well‐being of older adults.
The combined application of bleomycin and triamcinolone for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars: An effective therapy for treating refractory keloids and hypertrophic scars
Authors: Luo Quan‐Feng
Published: June 2023

Background

Keloids and hypertrophic scars frustrate patients by the deformity of appearance and organ dysfunction. Many modalities had been tried in clinic practice, but the results are unsatisfied.

Objective

We retrospectively analysed the combined application of bleomycin and triamcinolone for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Methods

The combination of bleomycin and triamcin acetonide was applied to the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars, 86 cases accepted the treatment. Follow‐up 2–5 years after treatment.

Results

(1) The pain of scars and itching symptoms have basically subsided through treatment. (2) After drug injection treatment, the keloid began to shrink, some of the keloids disappeared. (3) Small keloids did not recur after treatment. Large keloids had local recurrence after treatment. When further treatment was given, the recurrence disappeared.

Conclusion

The combined application of bleomycin and triamcin acetonide can effectively cure keloids and hypertrophic scars.
Havana's Transnational Gentrification: Highest and Best Use from Elsewhere
Authors: Jolivet Violaine
Published: June 2023

This article addresses the two processes of market making and transnationalization in Havana through the lens of gentrification theory. Using a case study situated between Global South and East, this article looks more closely at transnational families and migrants as agents of gentrification in Havana, analysing how they create and exploit the rent‐gap. Returning to the central ideas of ‘highest and best use’ and ‘circulations’ in N. Smith's rent‐gap theory, I analyse how increased transnational mobility has affected the commodification and potential use of housing in Havana. Based on interviews with transnational owners who purchased housing to upgrade and convert into an Airbnb, this article shows how the “highest and best use” of a property is evaluated from elsewhere. It also demonstrates the complexities of transnational gentrification in a southern socialist city and insists on the need to understand more broadly the gentrification–migration nexus.
Effects of habitat management on newly found populations of the endangered weed, Mummenhoffia alliacea (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Bak Henrietta , Fekete Réka , Török Péter , Süveges Kristóf , Attila Molnár V.
Published: June 2023

Garlic pennycress (Mummenhoffia alliacea) is a rare weed of the Brassicaceae family, protected in Hungary. In 2021, three new sites of the species were discovered. In addition to these previously unknown occurrences, a detailed study of a roadside occurrence known for a longer time but not yet published was carried out. Main aim of our study was to find out how habitat management practices, such as mowing and winter‐deicing effects seed mass and germination. Seeds collected earlier had significantly lower mass than those from later collections, suggesting that late‐spring mowing would be optimal for the reproduction of M. alliacea. The type of mowing (chopping the stem into small pieces or cutting the stem at one point at few centimetres above ground) had no significant effect on seed germination but did have a significant effect on the seed mass. Seed mass deriving from whole individuals was significantly higher than seed mass of chopped individuals, suggesting, that traditional mowing methods are better than the use of modern lawnmowers for the survival of the species. The highest NaCl (used for winter‐deicing) concentration where germination was observed was 0.75 m/m% (mass percentage), which is comparable with strongly saline soils in nature. The newly discovered sites were all disturbed, one of which was located on roadsides (paved and dirt roads) and two on embankments, suggesting that anthropogenic habitats could be optimal for the species, but the long‐term survival depends on the management of these habitats.
The Association of Age and Sex With Joint Angles and Coordination During Unanticipated Cutting in Soccer Players
Authors: Robbins Shawn M. , Lopes Lima Yuri , Brown Harry , Morelli Moreno , Pearsall David J. , Bühler Marco , Lamontagne Anouk
Published: June 2023

Deficits in movement patterns during cutting while running might place soccer players at risk of injury. The objective was to compare joint angles and intersegment coordination between sexes and ages during an unanticipated side-step cutting task in soccer players. This cross-sectional study recruited 11 male (four adolescents and seven adults) and 10 female (six adolescents and four adults) soccer players. Three-dimensional motion capture was used to measure lower-extremity joint and segment angles as participants performed an unanticipated cutting task. Hierarchical linear models examined relationships between joint angle characteristics with age and sex. Continuous relative phase was used to quantify intersegment coordination amplitude and variability. These values were compared between age and sex groups using analysis of covariance. Adult males had greater hip flexion angle excursions than adolescent males, while adult females had smaller excursions than adolescent females (p = .011). Females had smaller changes in hip flexion angles (p = .045), greater hip adduction angles (p = .043), and greater ankle eversion angles (p = .009) than males. Adolescents had greater hip internal rotation (p = .044) and knee flexion (p = .033) angles than adults, but smaller changes in knee flexion angles at precontact compared with stance/foot off (p < .001). For intersegment coordination, females were more out-of-phase than males in the foot/shank segment in the sagittal plane. There were no differences in intersegment coordination variability between groups. Differences in joint motion during an unanticipated cutting task were present between age groups and sexes. Injury prevention programs or training programs may be able target specific deficits to lower injury risk and improve performance.
Cancer immunosurveillance by gut T cells
Authors: Pratt Brandon M. , Milner J. Justin
Published: June 2023

T cells primed in the gut influence immune responses to extraintestinal tumors
Growth of
Enterococcus faecalis
∆
plsX
strains is restored by increased saturated fatty acid synthesis
Authors: Zou Qi , Dong Huijuan , Cronan John E.
Published: June 2023

The
Enterococcus faecalis
acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) phosphate acyltransferase PlsX plays an important role in phospholipid synthesis and exogenous fatty acid incorporation. Loss of
plsX
almost completely blocks growth by decreasing
de novo
phospholipid synthesis, which leads to abnormally long-chain acyl chains in the cell membrane phospholipids. The ∆
plsX
strain failed to grow without supplementation with an appropriate exogenous fatty acid. Introduction of a ∆
fabT
mutation into the ∆
plsX
strain to increase fatty acid synthesis allowed very weak growth. The ∆
plsX
strain accumulated suppressor mutants. One of these encoded a truncated β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase II (FabO) which restored normal growth and restored
de novo
phospholipid acyl chain synthesis by increasing saturated acyl-ACP synthesis. Saturated acyl-ACPs are cleaved by a thioesterase to provide free fatty acids for conversion to acyl-phosphates by the FakAB system. The acyl-phosphates are incorporated into position
sn
1 of the phospholipids by PlsY. We report the
tesE
gene encodes a thioesterase that can provide free fatty acids. However, we were unable to delete the chromosomal
tesE
gene to confirm that it is the responsible enzyme. TesE readily cleaves unsaturated acyl-ACPs, whereas saturated acyl-ACPs are cleaved much more slowly. Overexpression of an
E. faecalis
enoyl-ACP reductase either FabK or FabI which results in high levels of saturated fatty acid synthesis also restored the growth of the ∆
plsX
strain. The ∆
plsX
strain grew faster in the presence of palmitic acid than in the presence of oleic acid with improvement in phospholipid acyl chain synthesis. Positional analysis of the acyl chain distribution in the phospholipids showed that saturated acyl chains dominate the
sn
1-position indicating a preference for saturated fatty acids at this position. High-level production of saturated acyl-ACPs is required to offset the marked preference of the TesE thioesterase for unsaturated acyl-ACPs and allow the initiation of phospholipid synthesis.