bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence and Human Flourishing
Authors: Clark Charles M. A. , Gevorkyan Aleksandr V.
Published: October 2020

The polarization of the debate about artificial intelligence (AI) pulls in two mutually exclusive directions of either complete takeover of future jobs by omnipotent algorithms or an absolute bliss with robots at work while humans reap the benefits of endless vacation. Add this to conflicting views of work as either a disutility to be minimized or as an essential component in human flourishing, and it is no wonder a wide range of views are expressed on AI and human flourishing. The literature, from Smith to Keynes and beyond, offers some initial methodological guidance. Still, the true social and economic implications of an AI‐type environment in production and labor markets are yet to be fully understood. This article argues that neither of the predictions are realistic. Instead, the global economy may be passing, albeit at a faster speed, through a phase of technological change, similar to those experienced before. While a nuanced balance is emerging, with an emphasis on human skills in future employment, the benefits may not be equitably distributed, as equality of opportunities for human development may not be reachable, though visible, in the AI‐driven society. Hence, as firms seek efficiency gains, much weight is shifted onto governments and quasi‐private entities in maintaining decent living standards conducive to human flourishing in unprecedented times of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The article reviews various popular concerns and advances new public policy measures aimed at tackling some of the immediate fears of automation.
The role of institutions and immigrant networks in firms’ offshoring decisions
Authors: Moriconi Simone , Peri Giovanni , Pozzoli Dario
Published: October 2020

Abstract.

The offshoring of production by firms has expanded dramatically in recent decades, increasing their potential for economic growth. What determines the location of offshore production? How do countries’ policies and characteristics affect a firm's decision about where to offshore? Do firms choose specific countries because of the countries’ policies or because they know them better? In this paper, we use a rich dataset on Danish firms to analyze how decisions to offshore production depend on the institutional characteristics of the country and firm‐specific bilateral networks. We find that institutions that reduce credit risk and corruption increase the probability that firms will offshore there, while those that increase regulation in the labour market decrease this probability. We also show that a firm's probability of offshoring increases with the share of its employees who are immigrants from that country of origin. Finally, our analysis reveals that the negative impact of institutions that hinder offshoring is attenuated by a strong bilateral network of foreign workers.
Trichoblastic carcinosarcoma in a 34‐year‐old woman with histopathologic and molecular analysis, including re‐demonstration of a CDKN2A p.(R58*) mutation
Authors: Kim Chris , Brown Angela , Osipov Vladimir
Published: October 2020

Trichoblastic carcinosarcomas are rare, adnexal‐type cutaneous carcinosarcomas that are thought to be related histogenetically to trichoblastomas, yet in which both the epithelial and stromal components show features of malignancy. Ten cases have been described in the literature thus far, with a predilection for the head and neck of older males. We present a case of cutaneous carcinosarcoma in sun‐damaged skin of a 34‐year‐old woman showing features of a trichoblastic carcinosarcoma, with histopathologic analysis along with targeted next‐generation sequencing of 50 cancer‐associated genes. Two pathogenic variants in TP53 were identified, p.(R158C), p.(R273P), along with a likely pathogenic variant CDKN2A, p.(R58*). In particular, it is noted that the CDKN2A p.(R58*) missense mutation has been described in two previous cases of cutaneous carcinosarcomas, including a case of trichoblastic carcinosarcoma.
The impact of nationwide alcohol ban during the COVID‐19 lockdown on alcohol use‐related internet searches and behaviour in India: An infodemiology study
Authors: Singh Swarndeep , Sharma Pawan , Balhara Yatan Pal Singh
Published: October 2020

Introduction and Aims

To control the spread of COVID‐19, India imposed a nationwide lockdown in phases including lockdown 1.0 (25 March–14 April) and 2.0 (15 April–3 May). Among other restrictions, it involved a complete ban of alcohol sales. We aimed to examine and interpret the changes in online search interest for keywords representing different alcohol‐related themes during the lockdown period in India.

Design and Methods

Data were extracted using the framework described for using Google Trends in health‐related research. The list of alcohol‐related search queries was prepared for four broad themes: types of alcoholic beverages consumed; means of accessing alcohol; problems experienced due to break in alcohol supply; and help‐seeking for alcohol use disorders. The mean relative search volumes across three time periods (pre‐lockdown; lockdown 1.0; lockdown 2.0) were compared using spss version 23.0.

Results

A significant increase in online search interest for keywords related to the procurement of alcohol was observed in lockdown 1.0 but not during lockdown 2.0, compared with pre‐lockdown. A significant increase in online search interest for alcohol withdrawal was observed during lockdown 1.0 compared to the pre‐lockdown period. A significant increase in online search interest for keywords representing benzodiazepines was observed in lockdown 2.0.

Discussion and Conclusions

Indian internet users exhibited significantly increased online interest for alcohol‐related searches during lockdown. It seems that the challenges associated with offering interventions for alcohol use‐related problems are likely to continue once the lockdown is lifted and people have the option to access alcohol and treatment services freely.
Nested variational autoencoder for topic modelling on microtexts with word vectors
Authors: Trinh Trung , Quan Tho , Mai Trung
Published: October 2020

Most of the information on the Internet is represented in the form of microtexts, which are short text snippets such as news headlines or tweets. These sources of information are abundant, and mining these data could uncover meaningful insights. Topic modelling is one of the popular methods to extract knowledge from a collection of documents; however, conventional topic models such as latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) are unable to perform well on short documents, mostly due to the scarcity of word co‐occurrence statistics embedded in the data. The objective of our research is to create a topic model that can achieve great performances on microtexts while requiring a small runtime for scalability to large datasets. To solve the lack of information of microtexts, we allow our method to take advantage of word embeddings for additional knowledge of relationships between words. For speed and scalability, we apply autoencoding variational Bayes, an algorithm that can perform efficient black‐box inference in probabilistic models. The result of our work is a novel topic model called the nested variational autoencoder, which is a distribution that takes into account word vectors and is parameterized by a neural network architecture. For optimization, the model is trained to approximate the posterior distribution of the original LDA model. Experiments show the improvements of our model on microtexts as well as its runtime advantage.
Words of Advice: choosing the right lab for your post‐doctoral fellowship
Authors: Trapani Joseph A. , Voskoboinik Ilia
Published: October 2020

For most researchers, the time they spend as a postdoc stands out as one of challenge, but also enormous personal and professional growth. This Words of Advice is intended to guide the choice of postdoctoral position to help make the venture a success and to launch the first chapter of a happy and fulfilling professional life.
Internationalization of SMEs in the Baltic Sea Region: Barriers of cross‐national collaboration considering regional innovation strategies for smart specialization
Authors: Mueller‐Using Susanne , Urban Wieslaw , Wedemeier Jan
Published: October 2020

This paper provides new evidence on barriers that hamper small and medium‐sized enterprises (SME) in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) to establish international collaboration. Our analysis makes use of collected data concerning internationalization of SMEs in seven BSR countries. Our logistic multivariate regression model, which we applied after selecting relevant variables using the LASSO method, indicates a significant positive effect for the entities´ demand in support to acquire clients as well as the absence of foreign markets operations. A significant adverse effect is found for cooperation agreements as a support tool for internationalization as well as the interest to participate in an innovation and internationalization system. SMEs rather desire their internationalization capacity building than direct support in acquiring clients. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that strengthening cross‐national collaborations and establishing appropriate support programs are important toward innovativeness and competitiveness among SMEs in the BSR. Smart Specialization Strategies (S3) could provide a framework for building cross‐national collaborations.
Religiosity and food waste reduction intentions: A conceptual model
Authors: Elhoushy Sayed , Jang SooCheong (Shawn)
Published: October 2020

Are religious consumers less wasteful? If so, to what extent and by what mechanisms does religiosity motivate consumers to reduce food waste? To address these questions, this study proposes a conceptual model and evaluates it empirically using PLS‐SEM and data from 583 consumers. The results reveal that religiosity encourages food waste reduction. Specifically, religiosity is positively related to consumer attitudes, activism and personal and subjective norms to reduce food waste. Consumers’ activism and personal norms are significant mediating mechanisms that convey the impact of religiosity on food waste reduction intentions. Interestingly, however, consumers’ attitudes and subjective norms show no significant effects on their food waste reduction intentions. In addition, perceived behavioural control (PBC) appears to be an important determinant of consumer intentions, but it plays a direct role rather than a moderating role. These results extend the previous literature by (a) proposing novel intervening mechanisms to explain the understudied religiosity‐consumer behaviour relationship and (b) shedding light on the controversy regarding the additive versus moderating effect of PBC. Ultimately, this study provides a basis for religious‐based interventions for policy makers and marketers as well as ideas to motivate food waste reduction at the consumer level.
Crosstalk between circadian rhythms and the microbiota
Authors: Pearson James Alexander , Wong Florence Susan , Wen Li
Published: October 2020

Circadian rhythms influence daily molecular oscillations in gene/protein expression and aspects of biology and physiology, including behaviour, body temperature and sleep–wake cycles. These circadian rhythms have been associated with a number of metabolic, immune and microbial changes that correlate with health and susceptibility to disease, including infection. While light is the main inducer of circadian rhythms, other factors, including the microbiota, can have important effects on peripheral rhythms. The microbiota have been of significant interest to many investigators over the past decade, with the development of molecular techniques to identify large numbers of species and their function. These studies have shown microbial associations with disease susceptibility, and some of these have demonstrated that alterations in microbiota cause disease. Microbial circadian oscillations impact host metabolism and immunity directly and indirectly. Interestingly, microbial oscillations also regulate host circadian rhythms, and the host circadian rhythms in turn modulate microbial composition. Thus, it is of considerable interest and importance to understand the crosstalk between circadian rhythms and microbiota and especially the microbial influences on the host. In this review, we aim to discuss the role of circadian microbial oscillations and how they influence host immunity. In addition, we discuss how host circadian rhythms can also modulate microbial rhythms. We also discuss potential connections between microbes and circadian rhythms and how these may be used therapeutically to maximize clinical success.
Urinary sodium excretion and its association with blood pressure in Nigeria: A nationwide population survey
Authors: Odili Augustine N. , Chori Babangida S. , Danladi Benjamin , Nwakile Peter C. , Okoye Innocent C. , Abdullahi Umar , Zawaya Kefas , Essien Ime , Sada Kabiru , Nwegbu Maxwell M. , Ogedengbe John O. , Aje Akinyemi , Isiguzo Godsent C.
Published: October 2020

Assessment of level of salt intake in a population is the first step toward planning strategies aimed at salt reduction. As a surrogate of salt intake, we measured a single 24‐hour urine sodium (uNa) of free‐living 2503 adults in a nationally representative sample of Nigerians drawn from 12 rural and urban communities; and evaluated the community‐level association of uNa with blood pressure (BP). Overall, the median (interquartile range (IQR)) of uNa was 99 (105) mmol, ranging from 23.8 (32.4) in rural north‐central to 172.8 (131.0) mmol in urban northwestern region. Daily uNa was significantly higher (p < .001) in men compared to women (107.1 vs 93.9 mmol); and urban compared to rural dwellers (114.9 vs 86.0mmol). About one‐half of participants excreted uNa in excess of recommended daily maximum value (86mmol). In a model adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), level of education, place of residence, and use of antihypertensive medication; being a man (odds ratio, OR 1.69, 95% confidence Interval CI, 1.21‐2.37, p = .002) and being < 60 years of age (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.23‐2.45, p = .002), were associated with excreting higher than recommended uNa. In a fully adjusted model of the community‐level analysis, urinary sodium, potassium, and sodium‐to‐potassium ratio each showed no significant independent association with both systolic and diastolic BPs. Among adult Nigerians, the median daily uNa excretion was 99 mmol and it had no significant association with blood pressure indices.
Glycemic control before admission is an important determinant of prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Liu Li , Wei Wang , Yang Kun , Li Shengzhong , Yu Xuefeng , Dong Chen , Zhang Benping
Published: October 2020

Aims/Introduction

This study aimed to explore the association between glycemic control before admission with severity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019, and tried to reveal the mechanism.

Materials and Methods

A total of 77 inpatients were grouped into sufficient control group (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] <6.5%, n = 49) and insufficient control group (HbA1c ≥6.5%, n = 28). Regression models were used to analyze the clinical data.

Results

Compared with patients with HbA1c <6.5, patients with HbA1c ≥6.5 showed higher heart rate (101 vs 89 b.p.m., P = 0.012), lower percutaneous oxygen saturation (93 vs 97%, P = 0.001), higher levels of multiple indicators of inflammation, such as white blood cell count (7.9 vs 5.9 × 109/L, P = 0.019), neutrophil count (6.5 vs 4.1 × 109/L, P = 0.001), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (52 vs 30 mg/L, P = 0.025) and serum ferritin (1,287 vs 716 μg/L, P = 0.023), as well as lower levels of lymphocyte count (0.7 vs 0.8 × 109/L, P = 0.049) at hospital admission. Thus, patients with HbA1c ≥6.5 were more likely to develop secondary respiratory infections (25 [89%] vs 33 [67%], P = 0.032) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (17 [61%] vs 14 [29%], P = 0.006) than patients with HbA1c <6.5, resulting in a higher proportion of critically ill patients (19 [68%] vs 18 [37%], P = 0.009) and non‐survivors (13 [46%] vs 11 [22%], P = 0.029). After adjustment for potential risk factors, HbA1c was independently associated with in‐hospital death.

Conclusion

HbA1c was an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Severe pulmonary infection and consequent acute respiratory distress syndrome might be the primary causes of death in insufficient glycemic control patients.
A position paper on the management of itch and pain in atopic dermatitis from the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis (ISAD)/Oriented Patient‐Education Network in Dermatology (OPENED) task force
Authors: Misery L. , Belloni Fortina A. , El Hachem M. , Chernyshov P. , von Kobyletzki L. , Heratizadeh A. , Marcoux D. , Aoki V. , Zaniboni M.C. , Stalder J.‐F. , Eichenfield L.F.
Published: October 2020

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease that can have a high impact on quality of life, especially due to itch and skin pain. This paper utilizes expertise from members of the International Society of Atopic Dermatitis (ISAD)/Oriented Patient‐Education Network in Dermatology (OPENED) task force to review the epidemiology, pathophysiology and exacerbating factors of itch and pain in atopic dermatitis. General principles of treatment are provided, as well as a more detailed evaluation of topical and systemic therapies. Educational and psychological approaches to itch and pain in atopic dermatitis are proposed, along with expert recommendations for the management of itch and pain in atopic dermatitis.
Offspring sex ratios are stable across the life course inDrosophila simulans
Authors: Archer C. Ruth , Carey Matthew Robert , Noda Tomohito , Store Stefan J. , Hosken David J.
Published: October 2020

Within populations, adult sex ratios influence population growth and extinction risk, mating behaviours and parental care. Sex ratio adjustment can also have pronounced effects on individual fitness. Accordingly, it is important that we understand how often, and why, offspring sex ratios deviate from parity. InDrosophila melanogaster, females appear to improve their fitness by producing fewer sons when paired with older males. However, facultative sex ratio adjustment inD. melanogasteris controversial, and our understanding of how sex ratio skew affects fitness is hampered by pronounced sexual conflict in this species. Additionally, it is unclear whether maternal age or quality interacts with paternal age to influence offspring sex ratios. Here, we test whether offspring sex ratios vary as a function of maternal quality, and maternal and paternal age inDrosophila simulans, a sister species ofD. melanogasterthat lacks overt sexual conflict. We find that offspring sex ratios are slightly male‐biased overall, but constant across the female life course, and independent of female quality, or paternal age. To really understand if, how and when females skew offspring sex ratios, we need studies linking offspring sex ratios to paternal and maternal phenotypes that are predicted to shift optimal investment in sons and daughters.
Ovarian fluid proteome variation associates with sperm swimming speed in an externally fertilizing fish
Authors: Johnson Sheri L. , Borziak Kirill , Kleffmann Torsten , Rosengrave Patrice , Dorus Steve , Gemmell Neil J.
Published: October 2020

Sperm velocity is a key trait that predicts the outcome of sperm competition. By promoting or impeding sperm velocity, females can control fertilization via postcopulatory cryptic female choice. In Chinook salmon, ovarian fluid (OF), which surrounds the ova, mediates sperm velocity according to male and female identity, biasing the outcome of sperm competition towards males with faster sperm. Past investigations have revealed proteome variation in OF, but the specific components of OF that differentially mediate sperm velocity have yet to be characterized. Here we use quantitative proteomics to investigate whether OF protein composition explains variation in sperm velocity and fertilization success. We found that OF proteomes from six females robustly clustered into two groups and that these groups are distinguished by the abundance of a restricted set of proteins significantly associated with sperm velocity. Exposure of sperm to OF from females in group I had faster sperm compared to sperm exposed to the OF of group II females. Overall, OF proteins that distinguished between these groups were enriched for vitellogenin and calcium ion interactions. Our findings suggest that these proteins may form the functional basis for cryptic female choice via the biochemical and physiological mediation of sperm velocity.
Publication and associated factors of clinical trials registered in Peru
Authors: Heredia Paula , Alarcon‐Ruiz Christoper A. , Roque‐Roque Joel Sack , De La Cruz‐Vargas Jhony A. , Quispe Antonio M.
Published: October 2020

Objective

We aim to determine the percentage of publication and its associated factors of clinical trials (CTs) registered in Peru.

Methods

Using a cross‐sectional study design, we assessed CTs registered at the CT's Peruvian Registry (REPEC) during the 2011‐2016 period, and evaluated its percentage of publication and associated factors. We used a bibliographic search algorithm to determine if the CTs were published and assessed the associated factors by using a Cox regression to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) as the magnitude of association of interest.

Results

We analyzed 228 CTs, of which 63% were published. The regression analysis identified the year of registration (aHR 2012 = 1.15 [0.58‐2.27]; aHR 2013 = 0.45 [0.21‐0.95]; aHR 2014 = 0.89 [0.43‐1.82]; aHR 2015‐2016 = 0.16 [0.05‐0.58]), total number of participants (aHR = 1.12; 1.05‐1.18), and phase III‐IV (aHR = 2.15; 0.1.16‐4.03) as factors associated with the publication of the CTs.

Conclusions

The percentage of publication of CTs executed in Peru is insufficient, and it increases the older the year of its registration in the REPEC, mayor of the number of participating countries, and if it is a phase III or IV study.
Photoperiodic, thermal and trophic responses of a predatory ladybird Cheilomenes propinqua
Authors: Reznik Sergey , Ovchinnikov Andrey , Ovchinnikova Antonina , Bezman‐Moseyko Olga , Belyakova Natalia
Published: October 2020

Large geographic range, wide habitat specificity and broad range of prey (including a number of pests of protected crops) suggest that a predatory ladybird Cheilomenes propinqua can be considered as potential agent for biological control in greenhouses. We investigated the influence of day length (10, 12 and 14 hr), temperature (20 and 24°C) and diet (the green peach aphid Myzus persicae and eggs of the grain moth Sitotroga cerealella) on the rate of maturation, fecundity and induction of reproductive diapause in C. propinqua females of a laboratory population originated from Alexandria, Egypt. The proportion of diapausing females (i.e. those with poorly developed ovaries and well‐developed fat body) varied from 5% to 70% being higher at short day, low temperature and feeding on the grain moth eggs. This diapause, however, was not very stable: more than 20% of females kept under diapause‐inducing conditions started to lay eggs during 110 days, although their pre‐oviposition period was about 5 times longer than that of females which matured at the same temperature but at the long day and on the natural diet. Although not very stable, reproductive diapause significantly increased survival of starving females. Such a short‐term reproductive diapause can be considered as an adaptation to mild and short‐term subtropical winter. The results of our study suggest that C. propinqua mass rearing will be more intensive at the combination of high temperature, natural food (aphids) and long day (14 hr), whereas individuals intended for long‐term storage should be reared under moderate temperature (20°C) and short‐day (10 hr) conditions and should be fed on factitious food (the grain moth eggs).
Clinical performance of a modified Resin‐Bonded fixed partial denture (Carolina bridge): A retrospective study
Authors: Abd Alraheam Islam , Nguyen Ngoc Caroline , Oliveira Gustavo , Donovan Terry
Published: October 2020

Objectives

This research aims to retrospectively evaluate the clinical performance of Carolina bridge (CB) placed at a dental school.

Materials and methods

Data were collected from the electronic patient record system. A follow‐up letter was sent to the subjects' mailing address explaining the research purpose along with a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with the treatment. A phone interview was performed to assess patient satisfaction, function, and choice of permanent restoration. Finally, a clinical exam was conducted for patients that agreed to come for a follow‐up and still had their CBs.

Results

Twenty‐three patients with 26 resin‐bonded CBs met the inclusion criteria. All patients who did the phone interview reported to be very satisfied with the treatment. Most chose to keep the CB as definitive treatment and not to move forward with implant therapy. According to the number of rebonding needed to maintain the CB, the types of survival were analyzed as 42.3% complete survival (no rebonding needed), 26.9% functional survival (rebonded once), 23.1% survival with multiple rebondings, 7.6% failure.

Conclusion

The performance of CBs revealed highly acceptable performance with high‐patient satisfaction.

Clinical significance

Carolina ridge is an esthetic and conservative interim treatment option that can be utilized in favorable clinical situations.
Genetic evidence supports a range extension for the Brazilian cownose ray Rhinoptera brasiliensis in the western North Atlantic
Authors: Weber Helen K. , Jones Christian M. , Ajemian Matthew J. , McCallister Michael P. , Winner Brent L. , Poulakis Gregg R. , Bethea Dana M. , Hollensead Lisa D. , Zapf Daniel , Swenson John D. , Hendon Jill M. , Daly‐Engel Toby S. , Phillips Nicole M.
Published: October 2020

We report 24 new records of the Brazilian cownose ray Rhinoptera brasiliensis outside its accepted geographic range. Sequencing of a 442‐base pair portion of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene for 282 Rhinoptera samples revealed eight records off the east coast of the USA and 16 from the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Both sexes of all life stages were documented in all seasons over multiple years in the Indian River and Lake Worth lagoons, Florida, indicating that their range extends further in the western North Atlantic than previously described.
Selection and microencapsulation of myrosinase enzyme from broccoli sprouts of different varieties and characteristics evaluation
Authors: Lv Xingang , Wang Qilei , Wang Xiao , Zheng Xiaohua , Fan Daidi , Espinoza‐Pinochet Cesar A. , Cespedes‐Acuña Carlos L.
Published: October 2020

Myrosinase (MYR) can hydrolyze glucosinolates rich in crucifer to produce sulforaphane, which has significant anticancer effect. In this study, MYR activity in broccoli seeds and sprouts of different varieties were firstly compared. Then, after optimization for the microencapsulation condition of MYR, the characteristics of free and encapsulated MYR enzyme were evaluated and compared. Broccoli variety and germination time both significantly affected the specific MYR activity, total protein content and total MYR activity in sprouts. The optimum condition for encapsulating MYR was the sodium alginate addition of 5.29 ml, CaCl2 concentration of 0.75%, the hardening time of 29.98 min, and the crosslinking time of 47.20 min. Encapsulated MYR with the specific activity of 2.25 U/mg was obtained (54.6% of free MYR). Encapsulated MYR could retain its activity under wider pH range and higher temperature than free MYR. Encapsulated MYR also kept higher activity during storage at room temperature. Supplement of encapsulated MYR was favorable for SF production in broccoli sprouts during storage. This research would be beneficial for producing more sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts as raw materials of functional foods.

Practical Applications

The function of sulforaphane has been widely accepted. However, products currently on the market contain only its precursor of glucosinolate, which is extremely inefficient in converting to SF in vivo. Encapsulated myrosinase have better temperature and pH tolerance, which can ensure the conversion of Gls to SF before oral intake. It is a good choice to provide encapsulated myrosinase and glucosinolates together to consumer.
Efficacy and safety of a new hyaluronic acid filler for nasolabial folds: A 52‐week, multicenter, randomized, evaluator/subject‐blind, split‐face study
Authors: Cheon Hye In , Kim Jin Hee , Kim Beom Joon , Lee Yang Won
Published: October 2020

Background

Hyaluronic acid fillers are known to be effective for correction of nasolabial folds. Recently, a novel biphasic hyaluronic acid filler incorporating lidocaine, DIVAVIVA medium has been introduced.

Objectives

We compared the efficacy and safety between DIVAVIVA medium and Restylane Perlane Lidocaine for moderate to severe nasolabial folds.

Methods

This was a multicenter, randomized, evaluator/subject‐blind, active‐controlled, split‐face study. A study 1 evaluated the efficacy and safety until 24 weeks. Extension study, study 2, included subjects who wanted to enroll and evaluated the efficacy and safety until 52 weeks. The Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) score, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale measuring pain were evaluated. All adverse events were monitored.

Results

The mean change of WSRS at week 24 was −0.61 ± 0.54 in DIVAVIVA medium group and −0.59 ± 0.49 in Restylane Perlane Lidocaine group. The difference between two groups was 0.08, which was lower than noninferior limit. In study 2, the mean change of WSRS score at week 52 from baseline was −0.01 ± 0.62 in DIVAVIVA group, 0.06 ± 0.57 in Restylane Perlane Lidocaine group. The primary and secondary efficacy outcomes were also achieved in study 1 and 2. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups.

Conclusion

DIVAVIVA medium has comparable efficacy and safety with Restylane Perlane Lidocaine for correction of moderate to severe nasolabial folds.
Effect of piroxicam administration on outcome of frozen–thawed embryo transfer: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Zarei Afsoon , Homayoon Nahid , Hessami Kamran , Hashemi Atefe , Davoodi Sara , Razavi Behnaz , Ghasempour Leila , Alamdarloo Shaghayegh Moradi
Published: October 2020

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of piroxicam adjuvant therapy on the clinical and biochemical pregnancy rate in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and frozen–thawed embryo transfer (ET) cycles.

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 178 patients eligible for IVF‐ET received either single dose of piroxicam 1–2 h before frozen–thawed ET or a placebo at the same time. Study participants were then followed and compared regarding the primary outcome of the study, which was biochemical (positive β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin test) and clinical pregnancy (detected fetal heart beat in ultrasound) rate.

Results

The results of this study indicated that there is no significant association between the piroxicam administration before frozen–thawed ET and the clinical or biochemical pregnancy rate (P = 0.208 and P = 0.699, respectively).

Conclusion

The findings of the current study suggest that piroxicam administration before ET has no beneficial effects on pregnancy rate among women undergoing IVF and frozen–thawed ET. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow‐ups are recommended.
Using the Concepts of Hermeneutical Injustice and Ideology to Explain the Stability of Ancient Egypt During the Middle Kingdom
Authors: El Nabolsy Zeyad
Published: October 2020

This paper argues that the relative stability of ancient Egyptian society during the Middle Kingdom (c.2055 – 1650 BC) can in part be explained by referring to the phenomenon of hermeneutical injustice, i.e., the manner in which imbalances in socio‐economic power are causally correlated with imbalances in the conceptual scheme through which people attempt to interpret their social reality and assert their interests in light of their interpretations. The court literature of the Middle Kingdom is analyzed using the concepts of hermeneutical injustice and ideology. It is argued that while it is true that there was room for maneuver and for internal critique, the efficacy of internal critique was hindered by the structure of the intellectual discourse of Middle Kingdom Egypt. This intellectual discourse was suitable for the interpretation of social reality in a way that allowed the elites to assert their interests, but it was not suitable for the interpretation of social reality in a way that accorded with the interests of the exploited peasantry.
Clinical predictors of donor antibody titre and correlation with recipient antibody response in a COVID‐19 convalescent plasma clinical trial
Authors: Madariaga M. L. L. , Guthmiller J. J. , Schrantz S. , Jansen M. O. , Christensen C. , Kumar M. , Prochaska M. , Wool G. , Durkin‐Celauro A. , Oh W. H. , Trockman L. , Vigneswaran J. , Keskey R. , Shaw D. G. , Dugan H. , Zheng N.‐Y. , Cobb M. , Utset H. , Wang J. , Stovicek O. , Bethel C. , Matushek S. , Giurcanu M. , Beavis K. G. , di Sabato D. , Meltzer D. , Ferguson M. K. , Kress J. P. , Shanmugarajah K. , Matthews J. B. , Fung J. F. , Wilson P. C. , Alverdy J. C. , Donington J. S.
Published: October 2020

Background

Convalescent plasma therapy for COVID‐19 relies on transfer of anti‐viral antibody from donors to recipients via plasma transfusion. The relationship between clinical characteristics and antibody response to COVID‐19 is not well defined. We investigated predictors of convalescent antibody production and quantified recipient antibody response in a convalescent plasma therapy clinical trial.

Methods

Multivariable analysis of clinical and serological parameters in 103 confirmed COVID‐19 convalescent plasma donors 28 days or more following symptom resolution was performed. Mixed‐effects regression models with piecewise linear trends were used to characterize serial antibody responses in 10 convalescent plasma recipients with severe COVID‐19.

Results

Donor antibody titres ranged from 0 to 1 : 3892 (anti‐receptor binding domain (RBD)) and 0 to 1 : 3289 (anti‐spike). Higher anti‐RBD and anti‐spike titres were associated with increased age, hospitalization for COVID‐19, fever and absence of myalgia (all P < 0.05). Fatigue was significantly associated with anti‐RBD (P = 0.03). In pairwise comparison amongst ABO blood types, AB donors had higher anti‐RBD and anti‐spike than O donors (P < 0.05). No toxicity was associated with plasma transfusion. Non‐ECMO recipient anti‐RBD antibody titre increased on average 31% per day during the first three days post‐transfusion (P = 0.01) and anti‐spike antibody titre by 40.3% (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Advanced age, fever, absence of myalgia, fatigue, blood type and hospitalization were associated with higher convalescent antibody titre to COVID‐19. Despite variability in donor titre, 80% of convalescent plasma recipients showed significant increase in antibody levels post‐transfusion. A more complete understanding of the dose‐response effect of plasma transfusion amongst COVID‐19‐infected patients is needed.
Maximizing Tendency Predicts Delayed Marriage Among Japanese Adults
Authors: Ishiguro Itaru
Published: October 2020

The present study examined whether maximizing tendency predicts Japanese adults' likelihood of getting married and their age at first marriage. Registered members of a survey company panel (n = 428) completed the Japanese version of the Relational Maximization Scale, which was used to assess maximizing tendency consisting of two factors. The first factor, “high standards,” was not related to either of the two variables under investigation. The second factor, “alternative search,” was positively related to age at first marriage but not to the likelihood of getting married. The results thus suggest that those who seek the best possible marriage partner tend to get married at a later age, but that they are as likely to get married as those who do not. The finding that maximizing tendency did not significantly predict the likelihood of marriage suggests that getting married remains a strong social norm in Japan.
Seasonal changes in occurrence and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms—Tampere Aging Male Urologic Study (TAMUS)
Authors: Pöyhönen Antti , Åkerla Jonne , Koskimäki Juha , Tammela Teuvo L. J. , Auvinen Anssi
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To determine if lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) involve seasonal variation and how this affects the severity of LUTS.

Methods

A total of 3163 men aged 50 to 70 years were mailed a questionnaire on urinary symptoms. The overall response rate was 65.3% (2064 out of 3163 men). The men were asked whether their urinary symptoms showed variation in degree of difficulty according to time of year and if yes, when LUTS were the worst and the mildest. Ten different LUTS were evaluated with four response options for the severity of symptoms. Mean symptom scores and the proportions of symptomatic men were evaluated according to the presence of seasonal changes in different symptoms.

Results

Overall, 17.1% of men reported seasonal variation in severity of LUTS, older men more frequently than younger men. Worse LUTS during winter were reported by 81% of the men reporting seasonal variation, and 93% reported that LUTS were relieved in summer. More seasonal variation was reported by men with comorbidities (stroke, neurological disease) and those with medical treatment for LUTS or operative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Men with more severe LUTS were more likely to report seasonal changes.

Conclusions

One out of six men reported seasonal changes in LUTS, with winter worsening and summer relieving the symptoms. Men with seasonal variation in LUTS had more severe LUTS in all 10 symptom groups that were investigated.
Genitourinary Systems Entangled with Shifting Environments in a Salvadoran Subsistence Farming Community
Authors: Anastario Mike , Arias Rodas Miguel Geovanny , Escobar Arteaga Milton Alexander , Villanueva Christian , Chacón Serrano Fernando , Ferdowsian Hope
Published: October 2020

Diseases of the genitourinary system are the leading cause of hospital deaths in El Salvador, and chronic kidney disease of unknown origin has been gaining attention as a public health problem among farmers in particular. Epidemiological studies point, in part, to environmental risk factors, which have shifted over time with the deployment of modern agricultural science and ongoing climate change. We examined how diseases of the genitourinary system were situated at several margins of an epidemic in one rural Salvadoran municipality where these environmental and epidemiological changes are occurring, albeit relatively slow. By using this approach to study diseases of the genitourinary system, we illustrate one way in which shifting human/environment entanglements can be experimentally “known” in the context of human diseases associated with them. Our approach offers a unique perspective in thinking with ethnographic data to compliment ongoing epidemiological investigations of kidney disease in El Salvador.
Effects of soil preservation for biodiversity monitoring using environmental DNA
Authors: Guerrieri Alessia , Bonin Aurélie , Münkemüller Tamara , Gielly Ludovic , Thuiller Wilfried , Francesco Ficetola Gentile
Published: October 2020

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is becoming a key tool for biodiversity monitoring over large geographical or taxonomic scales and for elusive taxa such as soil organisms. Increasing sample sizes and interest in remote or extreme areas often require the preservation of soil samples and thus deviations from optimal standardized protocols. However, we still ignore the impact of different methods of soil sample preservation on the results of metabarcoding studies and there is no guideline for best practices so far. Here, we assessed the impact of four methods of soil sample preservation that can be conveniently used also in metabarcoding studies targeting remote or difficult to access areas. Tested methods include: preservation at room temperature for 6 hr, preservation at 4°C for 3 days, desiccation immediately after sampling and preservation for 21 days, and desiccation after 6 hr at room temperature and preservation for 21 days. For each preservation method, we benchmarked resulting estimates of taxon diversity and community composition of three different taxonomic groups (bacteria, fungi and eukaryotes) in three different habitats (forest, river bank and grassland) against results obtained under ideal conditions (i.e., extraction of eDNA immediately after sampling). Overall, the different preservation methods only marginally impaired results and only under certain conditions. When rare taxa were considered, we detected small but significant changes in molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTU) richness of bacteria, fungi and eukaryotes across treatments, but MOTU richness was similar across preservation methods if rare taxa were not considered. All the approaches were able to identify differences in community structure among habitats, and the communities retrieved using the different preservation conditions were extremely similar. We propose guidelines on the selection of the optimal soil sample preservation conditions for metabarcoding studies, depending on the practical constraints, costs and ultimate research goals.
Transitioning to a new era: Future directions for staff development during COVID‐19
Authors: Zuo Leila , Miller Juvé Amy
Published: October 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic created an urgent need for staff development. However, COVID‐19 has created many challenges, including the inability to meet in‐person, travel restrictions to conferences, overwhelming clinical demands on already overextended faculty members and the increased need to focus on personal health and safety. Although current challenges were immediately met with solutions borne out of an emergency, questions remain on how to identify and sustain best practices and further evolve staff development beyond the immediate crisis. Reviewing the Medical Adaptations series revealed several lessons. Several authors used cognitive apprenticeship to provide scaffolding upon which learners can build skills, knowledge and attitudes. Additionally, moderators were recommended during live educational sessions in order to manage the chat box and engage the audience. Comprehensive IT support was key. A post‐session debrief helped deepen understanding and provided a space for peer support and community building. Building a repository for educational materials was recommended. Although we made significant gains in the ability to offer staff development, we must consider potential and unintended consequences and explore how we can use transformative learning theory to capitalize on what we have gained. Utilizing technology can potentially increase access to online learning; however, when not implemented carefully, it can magnify inequities. While providing IT support can serve to mitigate some inequities borne by socioeconomic and generational differences, additional strategies should be implemented to account for English as a second‐language learners; those with disabilities who do not have access to adaptive technology; and other marginalized groups who may already feel vulnerable to presenting arguments in oppositions of authority or the majority. Crafting online education experiences to allow for small group, peer‐to‐peer and social interactions is vital to continued professional and identity development. Now that the urgency has lessened, taking time to ensure what is being offered follows best practices in developing and disseminating quality online education is paramount for broad acceptance.
Attaining full professor: Women’s and men’s experiences in medical education
Authors: Varpio Lara , Harvey Emily , Jaarsma Debbie , Dudek Nancy , Hay Margaret , Day Kathy , Bader Larsen Karlen , Cleland Jennifer
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The underrepresentation of women among senior faculty members in medical education is a longstanding problem. The purpose of this international qualitative investigation was to explore women and men's experiences of attaining full professorship and to investigate why women remain underrepresented among the senior faculty ranks.

Methods

Conducted within a social constructionist orientation, our qualitative study employed narrative analysis. Two female and two male participants working in medical education were recruited from five nations: Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States. All participants held an MD or PhD. During telephone interviews, participants narrated the story of their careers. The five faculty members on the research team were also interviewed. Their narratives were included in analysis, rendering their experiences equal to those of the participants.

Results

A total of 24 full professors working in medical education were interviewed (n = 15 females and n = 9 males). While some aspects were present across all narratives (ie personal events, career milestones and facilitating and/or impeding factors), participants’ experience of those aspects differed by gender. Men did not narrate fatherhood as a role navigated professionally, but women narrated motherhood as intimately connected to their professional roles. Both men and women narrated career success in terms of hard work and overcoming obstacles; however, male participants described promotion as inevitable, whereas women narrated promotion as a tenuous navigation of social structures towards uncertain outcomes. Female and male participants encountered facilitators and inhibitors throughout their careers but described acting on those experiences differently within the cultural contexts they faced.

Discussion

Our data suggest that female and male participants had different experiences of the work involved in achieving full professor status. Understanding these gendered experiences and their impact on career progression is an important advancement for better understanding what leads to the underrepresentation of women among senior faculty members in medical education.
Purgatory
Authors: Charlton William
Published: October 2020

I say briefly what the Catholic Church now teaches about Purgatory. I offer an account of time which allows the purgatorial process to be genuinely temporal, but not precisely quantifiable or temporally relatable to processes and events in our space-time. I examine ancient, Enlightenment and modern notions of punishment, connect them with a theory of the relation of right and wrong to law and with the conception of a faculty of will, and argue that purgatorial process need not be considered punitive. I suggest it might consist in coming to share God's divine knowledge, and consider how prayers for the dead might help them.