bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting the outcome of fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of various types of scars in skin of color
Authors: Maninder Kaur , Richa Rupla , Dinesh Asati P. , Suman Patra 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundFractional laser resurfacing has been used widely in management of scars. However, data for post‐traumatic and post‐burn scar are limited in skin of color.AimsThis retrospective study assessed the efficacy of fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser in treatment of various types of scars other than acne scars. We also tried to find out the effect of different factors like skin type, duration, shape, location, and color of the scars on the outcome.Materials and methodsForty‐two patients with 67 scars including post‐traumatic (43), post‐burn (15), post‐surgical (5), and post‐folliculitis (5) scars treated during 2019–2020 were analyzed. The improvement was graded according to investigator and patient global assessment (IGA & PGA) through percentage improvement and quartile scale.ResultsOverall, there was 45.4% and 32.7% of improvement according to PGA and IGA, respectively. Scars with >50% improvement were recorded in 13.43% of the scars with IGA and 41.78% with PGA. Early scars, scars without hyperpigmentation, lighter skin type, post‐traumatic scars had better results. There was no significant difference for other parameters like atrophic versus hypertrophic, facial versus extra facial, linear versus non‐linear, or the number of sessions.ConclusionFractional carbon dioxide laser efficacious for non‐acne facial and extra facial scars in the skin of color. Early intervention could yield more satisfactory results.
The relation between self‐event connections and personality functioning in youth with severe psychopathology
Authors: de Moor Elisabeth L. , Van der Graaff Jolien , Koster Nagila , Laceulle Odilia M. , Branje Susan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveOne way in which individuals construct their narrative identity is by making self‐event connections, which are often linked to better functioning. Being unable to make connections is related to identity discontinuity and psychopathology. Work in the general population corroborates this association, but also highlights the importance of focusing on specific aspects of these connections and on vulnerable populations.MethodWe examined the association of self‐event connections with personality functioning in youth with severe psychopathology (cross‐sectional N = 228, Mage = 19.5, longitudinal N = 84), and the role of event and connection valence in the subsample of youth who made a connection (n = 188 and n = 68). Negative affectivity was controlled for in all models.ResultsWe found no evidence that self‐event connections, nor connection valence and its interaction with event valence, are related to functioning. Positive event valence was associated with better functioning. Higher negative affectivity was strongly linked to lower functioning and explained the relation between event valence and functioning. No longitudinal associations emerged.ConclusionsThese findings show that for youth with severe psychopathology making self‐event connections may not be associated with better functioning. Moreover, negative affectivity may be a distal predictor of both event valence and functioning.
Ecological importance of the Myrtaceae in New Zealand's natural forests
Authors: Jo Insu , Bellingham Peter J. , McCarthy James K. , Easdale Tomás A. , Padamsee Mahajabeen , Wiser Susan K. , Richardson Sarah J. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimsThe Myrtaceae is a woody family that plays an important role in forest ecosystems globally. The recent spread of myrtle rust, caused by a fungal pathogen (Austropuccinia psidii), from its native South America into New Zealand (NZ), highlights the need to quantify the ecological importance of Myrtaceae in NZ woody ecosystems.LocationNew Zealand.MethodsUsing NZ nationwide forest and shrubland inventory data, collected from 2009 to 2014, we quantified the ecological importance of Myrtaceae based on its richness and abundance relative to co‐occurring woody families. We then explored how climate and forest stand structure affect Myrtaceae importance in general and by tribe and growth form. Finally, we compared functional traits associated with plant growth and reproductive strategies with other dominant woody families and determined Myrtaceae's contributions to community‐weighted mean (CWM) trait values.ResultsMyrtaceae occurred in 74% of the study plots and its importance value was the second highest across the woody families. It was the only one in which climbers substantially contributed to the importance value (17%). Greater Myrtaceae importance values were associated with warmer and more mesic climates and early forest successional stages. Climate associations were similar within tribes and growth forms, whereas forest structure effects varied. Myrtaceae was functionally distinct from most co‐occurring woody families. Contributions to CWM wood density, maximum height, and specific leaf area values were significantly greater than expected from its importance value.ConclusionsMyrtaceae is the second most ecologically important woody family in NZ woody ecosystems. The family has a distinctive functional trait spectrum associated with high wood density and tall stature, ensuring large and enduring carbon stocks. There will potentially be large and deleterious outcomes in forest ecosystems if taxon‐specific pathogens, such as Austropuccinia psidii, spread and significantly reduce Myrtaceae importance.
Panel Probit Models with Time‐Varying Individual Effects: Reestimating the Effects of Fertility on Female Labour Participation*
Authors: Wei Jie , Zhang Yonghui 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis paper considers a probit model for panel data in which the individual effects vary over time by interacting with unobserved factors. In estimation we adopt a correlated random effects approach for individual effects to get around the incidental parameter problem. This allows us to construct (asymptotically) unbiased estimators for average marginal effects (AMEs), which are often the ultimate quantities of interest in many empirical studies. We derive the asymptotic distributions for the AME estimators as well as provide the consistent estimators for their asymptotic variances. Next, we design a specification test for detecting whether individual effects are time‐varying or not, and establish the asymptotic distribution for the proposed test statistic under the null hypothesis of no time variation of individual effects. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate satisfactory finite sample performance of our proposed method. An empirical application to study the effect of fertility on labour force participation (LFP) is provided. We find that fertility has a larger impact on female LFP in Germany than in the US during the 1980s. We also provide some new empirical evidence of a even stronger effect of fertility on LFP during the 2010s in Germany, which might call for a reconsideration of relevant policies recently enacted such as the subsidized child care programme.
Profiling the oral microbiomes in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Guo Haiying , Li Biao , Yao Hantao , Liu Danfeng , Chen Rourong , Zhou Shuhui , Ji Yaoting , Zeng Lin , Du Minquan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo analyse the characteristics of the oral microbiomes and expected to find biomarkers about Alzheimer's disease (AD).Subjects and MethodsAD patients (n = 26) and cognitive intact people (n = 26) were examined for cognition, depression, oral health and collected saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in the morning. Full‐length 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequencing was performed using the PacBio platform.ResultsThe predominant bacterium of salivary microbiome and periodontal microbiome from AD patients was Streptococcus oralis and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. With respect to β diversity analysis, there was a significance difference in periodontal microbiome between AD patients and cognitively intact subjects. The relative abundance of Veillonella parvula significantly increased in oral microbiomes from AD patients. Interestingly, the dominant species were different between early‐onset AD and late‐onset AD patients. Moreover, the predominant species were changed as the clinical severity of AD. Furthermore, the correlation analysis revealed that V. parvula was associated with AD in both saliva and GCF and that P. gingivalis was associated with AD only in GCF.ConclusionsIn this study, the microbiome community of oral microbes was altered in AD patients and periodontal microbiome was sensitive to cognition changes. Moreover, V. parvula and P. gingivalis were associated with AD.
Higher rates of skin clearance and efficacy in challenging body areas are associated with better health‐related quality of life following ixekizumab maintenance treatment in pediatric patients with plaque psoriasis
Authors: Hebert Adelaide A. , Bobonich Margaret A. , Rodriguez Capriles Claudia , Gallo Gaia , Li Lingnan , Somani Najwa , Ridenour Terri , Wang Yan , Edson‐Heredia Emily , Becker Emily M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesInformation is limited on the relationship between skin clearance, resolution of challenging body areas, and improvement of patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in pediatric psoriasis. Ixekizumab, a high‐affinity monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin‐17A, is approved for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis in patients aged 6 to <18 years. This study examines improvement in psoriasis clearance in challenging body areas in pediatric patients relative to health‐related quality of life.MethodsData from the IXORA‐PEDS trial (NCT03073200) were analyzed, and changes from baseline were measured for overall Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), static Physicians' Global Assessment of psoriasis (sPGA), Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (PSSI), Palmoplantar Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PPASI), and Nail Psoriasis Severity Index. Rates of Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), or Children's DLQI (CDLQI), scores of 0 or 1 were evaluated using the Cochran‐Armitage trend test.ResultsHigher rates of DLQI/CDLQI (0,1) scores were significantly associated with greater PASI and PSSI responses at both Week 12 and Week 48 (p < .0001). A significant association was also observed between DLQI/CDLQI (0,1) and sPGA scores (p < .0001). Significantly higher rates of DLQI/CDLQI (0,1) scores were achieved in patients with greater levels of palmoplantar clearance as measured by PPASI at Week 12 (p = .0139), but significance was not sustained at Week 48 (p = .0896).ConclusionsGreater skin clearance and scalp resolution are associated with better PROs over a short‐term (12‐week) and long‐term (48‐week) period. This demonstrates that greater improvement of skin clearance and scalp resolution may benefit quality of life in pediatric patients with psoriasis.
Optimal queue length information disclosure when service quality is uncertain
Authors: Guo Pengfei , Haviv Moshe , Luo Zhenwei , Wang Yulan 
Published: December 2021

We investigate a server's best queue disclosure strategy in a single‐server service system with an uncertain quality level (which is assumed to be binary). We consider this problem from the perspective of a Bayesian persuasion game. The server first commits to a possibly mixed strategy stating the probability that the queue length will be revealed to customers on their arrival given a realized quality level. The service quality level is then realized, and the server's corresponding queue‐disclosure action is observed by customers, who then update their beliefs regarding service quality and decide whether to join the service system. We reformulate the server's decision problem as looking for the best Bayes‐plausible distribution of posterior beliefs regarding service quality. We demonstrate that the maximal expected effective arrival rate, as a function of the prior belief, can be graphed as the upper envelope of all convex combinations of any two arbitrary points on the two effective arrival rate functions of the revealed and concealed queues. We show that when the market size is sufficiently small (large), the server always conceals (reveals) the queue, regardless of the realized service quality. Numerically, we find that in a medium‐sized market, the server's optimal commitment strategy is often hybrid or mixed, that is, randomizing queue concealment and revelation. We also extend our analysis to a situation in which the server aims to maximize social welfare. We show that under certain conditions, it is always beneficial for the welfare‐maximizing social planner to randomize queue concealment and revelation, regardless of the market size.
COVID‐19 worries, concerns and mitigation behaviours: A snapshot of Nepal during the first wave
Authors: Askari Melanie S. , Treleaven Emily , Ghimire Dirgha , Axinn William , Hermosilla Sabrina 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo understand COVID‐19 worries and how they influence COVID‐19 mitigation behaviours, especially in communities prior to case surges, in Nepal.MethodsData related to COVID‐19 impacts on life disruptions were collected from households in the Chitwan Valley Family Study, a 25‐year community panel study, during February–April 2021. COVID‐19 worry was measured by the extent of respondent concern for themselves or household members getting COVID‐19 in the prior 2 weeks. 11 items examined COVID‐19 mitigation behaviours. Logistic regression models assessed associations between socio‐demographic characteristics and COVID‐19 worry and then the influence of worry on any mitigation behaviour and behaviour type adjusting for age, education, sex, ethnicity and COVID‐19 exposure, accounting for neighbourhood clustering.ResultsOf 2,678 households with a responding adult, ages 18–88, 394 (14.7%) reported moderate‐to‐extreme COVID‐19 worry and 1,214 (45.3%) engaged in three or more mitigation behaviours. Prevalence of mitigation behaviours was higher among those with COVID‐19 worry (e.g. avoided crowds: 62.7% versus 40.5% in those with minimal worry). Respondents self‐reporting COVID‐19 had higher odds of worry (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13, 6.57). Odds of any mitigation behaviour were higher among those with COVID‐19 worry compared to those with minimal worry (aOR: 6.19, 95% CI = 1.88, 20.35).ConclusionsCOVID‐19 mitigation behaviours were more common in people with COVID‐19 worry. To address current and potential future waves of the pandemic, public health efforts should include informational campaigns about mitigation behaviours particularly for those unconcerned with COVID‐19 risks.
Precise estimation of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid content by deconvolution of the absorption spectrum and new simultaneous equations for Chl determination
Authors: Chazaux Marie , Schiphorst Christo , Lazzari Gioele , Caffarri Stefano 
Published: December 2021

SUMMARYThe precise determination of photosynthetic pigment content in green organisms, chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids (Cars), is important to investigate many photosynthetic processes such as responses to environmental fluctuations or to gene mutations, as well as to interpret biochemical and structural results obtained on purified membranes and photosynthetic complexes. The most utilized methods for determination by spectrophotometry of Chl content in solution, usually 80% acetone, are based on the use of simultaneous equations. The advantages are the easiness and speed over chromatography, which also requires less common equipment. The disadvantage is that issues in sample preparation or in the measurement are not detectable, which could lead to wrong results. Here we propose a fast, accurate and (almost) error‐proof method to measure Chl a, Chl b and also total Car content in a solution of pigments extracted from tissue, membranes or purified complexes. The method is based on the fit of the absorption spectrum of the acetone extract using the spectra of purified pigments as references. We show how this method allows a more precise and accurate estimation of pigment content as compared to classical equations, even in incorrectly prepared acetone solutions. Moreover, the method allows the discovery of artifacts in sample preparation or measurement and thus drastically reduces the risk of mistakes. Examples obtained on purified complexes are also discussed. Based on newly acquired Chl spectra, we also propose a new set of improved simultaneous equations that provide slightly different but more reliable results in comparison with the currently used equations.
Phenomenological Analysis of the Combustion of Gaseous Fuels to Measure the Fuel's Energy Quality and Availability to Produce Work in Spark Ignition Engines, Part 2
Authors: Gómez Montoya Juan Pablo , Amell Arrieta Andrés 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
A novel methodology is proposed to evaluate fuel’s performance in spark ignition (SI) engines based on the fuel’s energy quality and availability to produce work. Experiments used a diesel engine with a high compression ratio (CR), modified by SI operation, and using interchangeable pistons. The interchangeable pistons allowed for the generation of varying degrees of turbulence during combustion, ranging from middle to high turbulence. The generating efficiency (ηq), and the maximum electrical energy (EEmax) were measured at the knocking threshold (KT). A cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine operating at the KT was also used to measure the methane number (MN), and critical compression ratio (CCR) for gaseous fuels. Fuels with MNs ranging from 37 to 140 were used: two biogases, methane, propane, and five fuel blends of biogas with methane/propane and hydrogen. Results from both engines are linked at the KT to determine correlations between fuel’s physicochemical properties and the knocking phenomenon. Certain correlations between knocking and fuel properties were experimentally determined: energy density (ED), laminar flame speed (SL), adiabatic flame temperature (Tad), heat capacity ratio (γ), and hydrogen/carbon (H/C) ratio. Based on the results, a mathematical methodology for estimating EEmax and ηq in terms of ED, SL, Tad, γ, H/C, and MN is presented. These equations were derived from the classical maximum thermal efficiency for SI engines given by the Otto cycle efficiency (ηOtto). Fuels with MN &gt; 97 got higher EEmax, and ηq than propane, and diesel fuels.
Automated and Adaptive Geometry Preparation for AR/VR-Applications
Authors: Dammann Maximilian Peter , Steger Wolfgang , Stelzer Ralph 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Product visualization in AR/VR applications requires a largely manual process of data preparation. Previous publications focus on error-free triangulation or transformation of product structure data and display attributes for AR/VR applications. This paper focuses on the preparation of the required geometry data. In this context, a significant reduction in effort can be achieved through automation. The steps of geometry preparation are identified and examined concerning their automation potential. In addition, possible couplings of sub-steps are discussed. Based on these explanations, a structure for the geometry preparation process is proposed. With this structured preparation process, it becomes possible to consider the available computing power of the target platform during the geometry preparation. The number of objects to be rendered, the tessellation quality, and the level of detail (LOD) can be controlled by the automated choice of transformation parameters. Through this approach, tedious preparation tasks and iterative performance optimization can be avoided in the future, which also simplifies the integration of AR/VR applications into product development and use. A software tool is presented in which partial steps of the automatic preparation are already implemented. After an analysis of the product structure of a CAD file, the transformation is executed for each component. Functions implemented so far allow, for example, the selection of assemblies and parts based on filter options, the transformation of geometries in batch mode, the removal of certain details, and the creation of UV maps. Flexibility, transformation quality, and timesavings are described and discussed.
Verification of a Specialized Hydrodynamic Simulation Code for Modeling Deflagration and Detonation of High Explosives
Authors: Andrews Stephen A. , Aslam Tariq D. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
A specialized hydrodynamic simulation code has been developed and verified for the simulation of one-dimensional unsteady problems involving the detonation and deflagration of high explosives. To model all the relevant physical processes in these problems, a code is required to simulate compressible hydrodynamics, unsteady thermal conduction, and chemical reactions with complex rate laws. Several verification exercises are presented which test the implementation of these capabilities. The code also requires models for physics processes such as equations of state and conductivity for pure materials and mixtures as well as rate laws for chemical reactions. Additional verification tests are required to ensure that these models are implemented correctly. Though this code is limited in the types of problems it can simulate, its computationally efficient formulation allows it to be used in calibration studies for reactive burn models for high explosives. This study demonstrates how a series of verification tests can be used to ensure that the various physics processes needed to simulate complex phenomenon can be tested to ensure that they are correctly implemented.
Distinguishing Characteristics Between High and Low Adherence Patients Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Qualitative Examination
Authors: Williams Tom , Evans Lynne , Robertson Angus , Hardy Lew , Roy Stuart , Lewis Daniel 
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that distinguished between injured athletes who displayed high compared with low levels of rehabilitation adherence following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery. In order to gain an in-depth understanding of these factors, semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with six high adherers, six matched low adherers and for each injured athlete, a significant other. Thematic analysis was used to identify the themes that distinguished between high and low adherers. Three themes were generated based on the findings: (a) preparation for postoperative rehabilitation, (b) an active versus passive approach to rehabilitation, and (c) the threat of a poor outcome. Each theme comprised a number of subthemes that further elucidated the participants’ rehabilitation experiences and adherence behaviors. The findings have important implications for medical professionals, sport psychology consultants, coaches, and athletes with a vested interest in expediting recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery.