bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peripheral refraction, relative peripheral refraction, and axial growth: 18‐month data from the randomised study—Clinical study Of Near‐sightedness; TReatment with Orthokeratology Lenses (CONTROL study)
Authors: Jakobsen Trine M. , Søndergaard Anders P. , Møller Flemming 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPurposeTo investigate changes in peripheral and relative peripheral refraction (RPR) during orthokeratology lens (OKL) use in children, and predictors for myopia progression in a randomized controlled trial.MethodsRefraction and axial length (AL) were measured at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months for children aged 6–12 years, with myopia of 0.5 to 4.75 dioptres (D) spherical component randomized to either OKL or single‐vision spectacles (SVS) at baseline. Cycloplegic spherical equivalent refractive error (SEQ) was measured on‐axis and eccentric at 10°, 20°, and 30° during nasal and temporal gaze in the horizontal plane with Shin‐Nippon Nvision‐K 5001. RPR was computed as SEQ(eccentricity) minus SEQ(on axis). AL was measured with Lenstar LS900.ResultsTwenty‐one and 28 subjects from the OKL and SVS groups, respectively were available for analysis. OKL wear induced significant myopic RPR at all eccentricities (p ≤ 0.004) whereas peripheral refraction only changed in two out of six eccentric measuring points. Baseline peripheral refraction SEQ at all eccentricities, baseline on‐axis SEQ, and baseline RPR at 30° nasal eccentricity were positively correlated to treatment efficacy defined as change in AL.ConclusionWe found no correlations between change in RPR and treatment efficacy defined as change in AL. Interestingly, our results suggest that the central emmetropisation that occurs during OKL‐use accounts for most of the optical changes and to a lesser extent the mid‐peripheral plus‐zone of the lens.
Life history and neonate behaviour of the new river crayfish Cambarus chasmodactylus James 1966 (Decapoda: Astacoidea: Cambaridae) from the central portion of the species range
Authors: Graham Zackary A. , Loughman Zachary J. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe studied the life history of the New River Crayfish, Cambarus chasmodactylus in Anthony, Creek, West Virginia during an entire activity season—from May 2011 through October 2011. We observed two mass moulting events; one occurred in May, whereas the other occurred in September. Most males within this population moulted from Form I (i.e. reproductive form) to Form II (i.e. non‐reproductive form) in May and then later returned to Form I after a September moulting event. We collected females with active glair glands from May to June, with oviposition occurring from July to August. Fecundity was high and weakly correlated with body size. Egg counts of attached eggs/young in ovigerous females ranged from 41 to 281, with an average of 168. Additionally, from June to October, we dissected a subset of females to determine the monthly gonadal development in females with and without active glair glands. Lastly, in the laboratory, we observed 4th instar neonate crayfishes repeatedly “drifting” between females. We speculate on the relevance of this drifting behaviour and propose future studies to investigate this phenomenon. Our study provides the first comprehensive understanding of the life history of C. chasmodactylus.
Winter severity affects occupancy of spring‐ and summer‐breeding anurans across the eastern United States
Authors: Weiskopf Sarah R. , Shiklomanov Alexey N. , Thompson Laura , Wheedleton Sarah , Campbell Grant Evan H. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAimClimate change is an increasingly important driver of biodiversity loss. The ectothermic nature of amphibians may make them particularly sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation regimes, adding to declines from other threats. While active season environmental conditions can influence growth and survival, effects of variation in winter conditions on population dynamics are less well‐studied. Given that extreme winter temperatures can influence amphibian survival and fitness, we expected that increased winter severity—as measured by variability in winter temperatures and snow cover—would be associated with decreased occupancy, and that populations that experience more severe winters would have the largest sensitivities and show the greatest declines.LocationEastern United States.Time period2001–2015.Major taxa studiedAnurans.MethodsWe used large‐scale citizen science data from the eastern half of the United States, a diverse biogeographic and climatic region, to assess how variation in winter severity influenced occupancy dynamics (i.e. presence or absence of species across sites and years) of 11 spring and summer breeding anuran species.ResultsMost species had increased occupancy in years with greater than average snow cover and warmer than average mean winter temperatures. Surprisingly, climatic conditions in winter affected occupancy dynamics of species with varying life history characteristics, including both spring and summer breeding species, those that overwinter under the soil, and those that overwinter in ponds and stream beds. For two wide‐ranging species (Lithobates catesbeianus and Lithobates clamitans), colder winter temperatures reduced occupancy more at northern latitudes, while the association between days of snow cover and latitude was equivocal.Main conclusionsAs the climate continues to change, expected reductions in snowpack may reduce occupancy of already declining anuran populations, while milder winters may improve overwinter survival for some species. The contradictory impacts of temperature and snow cover illustrate the importance of considering multi‐dimensional impacts of climate change on anuran populations.
Shedding light on the decline of Iberian freshwater fish species over the period 1980–2020
Authors: Valerio Carlotta , Baquero Rocío A. , Gómez Nicola Graciela , Garrido Alberto , De Stefano Lucia 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Freshwater fish biodiversity is experiencing an alarming decline worldwide. Understanding the main factors behind its deterioration is a key step for ecosystem restoration. In this work, large‐scale and long‐term data were used to identify the causes of the decline of native species richness in Castilla‐La Mancha. This region in central Spain covers part of six river basins belonging to four of the 11 biogeographical provinces for freshwater fish in the Iberian Peninsula.

Firstly, we built a dataset that associates the presence of several fish species and a wide range of environmental variables (e.g. hydrological and hydromorphological indicators, land use classes, presence of alien fish species) at selected river sites for two different time periods (1980–2000 and 2001–2020). Secondly, we conducted an exploratory data analysis to identify possible temporal trends in the dataset. Finally, we applied the random forest algorithm to predict the response of different ecological guild‐based metrics of fish richness to the selected variables.

The exploratory data analysis revealed a decrease in native fish species richness in 74% of the area studied. There was no sustained temporal trend for stressor variables, except for the number of alien species, which increased in most river sites (63%). The models of the richness of native rheophilic, native intolerant, alien rheophilic, and alien limnophilic species performed satisfactorily. Magnitude of maximum discharge, presence of alien species, land use in the catchment area and altitude were the most important predictors of richness of native intolerant and rheophilic species. Alien limnophilic species proved to be sensitive to variables related to flow regime alteration, such as the presence of dams and the number of river flow reversals, while a less degraded habitat was found to be favourable to alien rheophilic species.

The results suggest that the cumulative effect of persistent altered flow regimes and water pollution, coupled with a strong increase in the number of alien species, have led to the decline of native species in the area studied. The restoration of near‐natural magnitudes of high flows when implementing environmental flows emerged as a key measure to restore ecosystem integrity.

Starting from a long‐term and large‐scale dataset, this study provides new, quantitative insights into stressor–ecosystem relationships in rivers and could inform future environmental policy initiatives because it has identified the main factors leading to native fish decline and alien fish proliferation. Our findings emphasise the importance of considering metrics based on fish assemblage composition and ecological functional groups in order to disentangle the effects of stressors on fish communities.
Amazon fires in the 21st century: The year of 2020 in evidence
Authors: Silveira Marcus V. F. , Silva‐Junior Celso H. L. , Anderson Liana O. , Aragão Luiz E. O. C. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAimThe aim was to evaluate fire activity for the entire Amazon and Amazon regions within each country/department from 2003 to 2020, assessing the potential contributions of drought and deforestation and contrasting 2020 with the previous years.LocationAmazoniasensu lato.Time periodAnnually from 2003 to 2020.Major taxa studiedTerrestrial plants.MethodsWe collected time series of MODIS active fire detections and burned area and assessed the yearly burned area of several land‐use/land‐cover types. We also divided the Amazon territory into 10 km × 10 km grid cells to identify annual anomalies in active fire occurrence, rainfall, maximum cumulative water deficit (MCWD) and deforestation. Rainfall and MCWD anomalies for a given cell each year consisted of annual values at least one standard deviation below average for that cell from 2003 to 2020, whereas fire and deforestation anomalies had annual values at least one standard deviation above the average for that cell.ResultsBrazil and Bolivia have contributed, on average, >70% and about 15%, respectively, of annual active fire detections in the Amazon, in addition to more than half and about one‐third of annual burned areas in the region. On average, 32% of annual burned areas in the Amazon have consisted of agricultural lands, 29% of natural grasslands and 16% of old‐growth forests. The annual extent of areas with fire anomalies was significantly associated with the annual extent of areas with deforestation anomalies, but not significantly associated with the annual extent of areas experiencing water deficit anomalies. In 2020, the total burned area in the Amazon was the greatest since 2010, and the ratio of burned area per active fire was the second greatest of the time series, despite a much lower extent of areas with anomalously high water deficit in comparison to the 2015–2016 megadrought.Main conclusionsOur findings suggest that the majority of anomalously high fire occurrences in the Amazon since 2003 did not occur in anomalous drought conditions. The intensification of agricultural fires and deforestation aggravated the burning of Amazonian ecosystems in 2020.
Low‐temperature thermal energy storage with polymer‐derived ceramic aerogels
Authors: Zambotti Andrea , Biesuz Mattia , Bortolotti Mauro , Dorigato Andrea , Valentini Francesco , Fredi Giulia , Sorarù Gian Domenico 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThermal energy storage (TES) with phase change materials (PCMs) presents some advantages when shape‐stabilization is performed with ceramic aerogels. These low‐density and ultra‐porous materials guarantee high energy density and can be easily regenerated through simple pyrolysis while accounting for moderate mechanical properties. However, the small pore size that typically characterizes these sorbents can hinder the crystallization of PCMs, slightly reducing the energy density of the stabilized compound. In this work, we present the use of polymer‐derived mesoporous SiC and SiOC aerogels for the stabilization of polyethylene glycol and a fatty alcohol (PureTemp 23), having a melting temperature of 17 and 23°C, respectively. Their TES performances point out maximum thermal efficiency values of around 80%. These performances are discussed accounting for the results of thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and leaking tests.
Obstructive sleep apnea and right ventricular function: A meta‐analysis of speckle tracking echocardiographic studies
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Gherbesi Elisa , Faggiano Andrea , Sala Carla , Carugo Stefano , Cuspidi Cesare 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe authors investigated the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction trough a meta‐analysis of echocardiographic studies providing data on RV mechanics as assessed by longitudinal strain (LS). A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, OVID‐MEDLINE, and Cochrane library databases to search English‐language review papers published from inception to March 31, 2022. Only studies reporting data on RV free‐wall or global LS in patients with OSA of different severity and non‐OSA controls were reviewed. Data of interest were pooled to obtain standard means difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The meta‐analysis included 628 participants (436 with OSA and 192 controls) from eight studies. Compared to controls, RV free wall LS was significantly reduced in the pooled OSA group (SMD 1.02 ± .33, CI:.17/1.24,P < .002); this was also the case for RV global LS (SMD: .72 ± .11, CI: .50/.93,P < .0001). Notably, compared to patients with mild‐OSA those with moderate and severe OSA exhibited significantly lower RV free‐wall LS and global LS values; this was not the case for tricuspid annular plane excursion. In conclusions, both RV free‐wall and global LS are impaired in patients with OSA; deterioration of these indices, unlike TAPSE, was already evident in the early stages and was related to the severity of the syndrome. Thus, RV myocardial strain should be considered to be included in echocardiographic evaluation of OSA patients in order to detect subclinical cardiac damage in these patients regardless of its degree of severity.
When Should Bankruptcy Law Be Creditor‐ or Debtor‐Friendly? Theory and Evidence
Authors: SCHOENHERR DAVID , STARMANS JAN 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTWe examine how creditor protection affects firms with different levels of owners' and managers' personal costs of bankruptcy (PCB). Theoretically, we show that firms with high PCB borrow and invest more under a more debtor‐friendly management stay system, whereas firms with low PCB borrow and invest more under a more creditor‐friendly receivership system. Intuitively, stronger creditor protection relaxes financial constraints but reduces credit demand. Which effect dominates depends on owners' and managers' PCB. Empirically, we find support for these predictions using a Korean bankruptcy reform that replaced receivership with management stay.
CEO Political Leanings and Store‐Level Economic Activity during the COVID‐19 Crisis: Effects on Shareholder Value and Public Health
Authors: BIZJAK JOHN M. , KALPATHY SWAMINATHAN L. , MIHOV VASSIL T. , REN JUE 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTMaintaining economic output during the COVID‐19 pandemic results in benefits for firm shareholders but comes at a potential cost to public health. Using store‐level data, we examine how a CEO's political leaning impacts this trade‐off. We document that firms with a Republican‐leaning CEO experience a relative increase in store visits compared to firms with a Democratic‐leaning CEO. The increase in store visits is associated with higher sales and positive abnormal stock returns. However, we also document higher COVID‐19 transmission rates and more employee safety complaints in communities where establishments with higher store traffic are managed by a Republican‐leaning CEO.
Factors associated with severe or fatal clinical manifestations of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection after receiving the third dose of vaccine
Authors: Corrao Giovanni , Franchi Matteo , Cereda Danilo , Bortolan Francesco , Leoni Olivia , Jara Jose , Valenti Giuseppina , Pavesi Giovanni 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about vulnerability to severe COVID‐19 illness after vaccination completion with three doses of vaccine against COVID‐19.ObjectivesTo identify individual features associated with increased risk of severe clinical manifestation of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections after receiving the third dose of vaccine against COVID‐19.MethodsWe performed a nested case‐control study based on 3,360,116 citizens from Lombardy, Italy, aged 12 years or older who received the third dose of vaccine against COVID‐19 from 20 September through 31 December 2021. Individuals were followed from 14 days after vaccination completion until the occurrence of severe COVID‐19 illness, death unrelated to COVID‐19, emigration or 15 March 2022. For each case, controls were randomly selected to be 1:10 matched for the date of vaccination completion and municipality of residence. The association between candidate predictors and outcome was assessed through multivariable conditional logistic regression models.ResultsDuring 12,538,330 person‐months of follow‐up, 5171 cases of severe illness occurred. As age increased, a trend towards increasing odds of severe illness was observed. Male gender was a significant risk factor. As the number of contacts with the Regional Health Service increased, a trend towards increasing odds of severe illness was observed. Having had a previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was a significant protective factor. Having received the Moderna vaccine significantly decreased the odds of severe illness. Significant higher odds were associated with 42 diseases/conditions. Odds ratios ranged from 1.23 (diseases of the musculoskeletal system) to 5.00 (autoimmune disease).ConclusionsThis study provides useful insights for establishing priority in fourth‐dose vaccination programs.
Synthesize this: integrating innovation governance and EU regulation of synthetic biology
Authors: HAMLYN OLIVIA 
Published: August 2022

AbstractResponsible innovation (RI) is an innovation governance framework developed by science and technology studies (STS) that seeks to transform innovation processes. While legal academia has derived valuable insights from STS for regulating technology, it has largely overlooked the implications of developments in research on RI for the law. This article aims to address this gap using European Union governance of synthetic biology (synbio) as a case study. It highlights how the existing regulatory framework struggles to accommodate the diverse issues that synbio raises, and explores hybrid approaches using soft mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of hard law in governing technology. Considering the ‘governance continuum’ as a whole, the article argues, first, that while such hybrid approaches offer the potential for implementing RI, they are currently limited, and, second, that for RI to transform innovation processes, hard law must also adapt. The article suggests finally that RI itself offers guidance for addressing those two needs.
Indirect repair of saliva‐contaminated materials using veneering ceramics
Authors: Abou‐Ayash Samir , Molinero‐Mourelle Pedro , Schönenberger Alwin , Belser Urs Christophe , Brägger Urs , Flury Simon 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPurposeTo analyze the in vitro efficacy of a surface conditioning liquid facilitating ceramic repairs of saliva‐contaminated metal‐ceramic and all‐ceramic restorations.Materials and methodsSpecimens constructed from nonprecious alloy (NPA), precious alloy (PA), lithium‐disilicate (LD), zirconia (ZI), veneering ceramics for zirconia (VZI), veneering ceramics for lithium‐disilicate (VLD), and veneering ceramics for metal alloys (VM) were manufactured (total: n = 168; each material n = 24). Veneering ceramic cylinders (thickness: 2 mm) were hand‐layered on top of the specimens. Shear bond strength (SBS) tests were performed, measuring the maximum bond strength (MBS) of the cylinders on the specimens. Following this, the specimens were artificially aged and stored in artificial saliva for 30 days at 37°C. After physical cleaning using aluminum oxide air abrasion, a new surface conditioning liquid was applied (test, n = 84) or not (control, n = 84). New ceramic cylinders were hand‐layered followed by a second SBS test. Descriptive statistics, linear regression analyses, and a one‐sample t‐test (α = 0.05) were used to ascertain the differences within (prerepair vs. postrepair) and between the groups.ResultsAll specimens in the test group could be repaired, whereas 18 repairs in the control group failed. After the repairs, an MBS decrease was observed for the NPA specimens of the control group (–15.5 MPa, p = 0.004) but not among any of the test groups. Comparing the change in MBS between the test and control groups, the reduction was significantly higher in the repaired NPA specimens of the control group (mean difference 11.8 MPa, p = 0.017).ConclusionsUsing the analyzed surface conditioning liquid, metal‐ceramic and all‐ceramic materials can be repaired, while some repairs failed without the liquid. The initial bond strengths between core and veneering materials could be restored in all specimens when the new surface conditioning liquid was applied.
Primary infection of onion downy mildew on onion seedlings caused by belowground Peronospora destructor inoculum containing germinable oospores
Authors: Watanabe Sachiko , Syobu Shin‐ichirou 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the possible role of oospores in soil as a primary source of onion downy mildew caused by Peronospora destructor. Oospores were extracted from the debris of diseased leaves collected in spring and stored outdoors during the summer. The resulting oospore suspensions were used for germination assays and inoculation experiments in the laboratory. Germination of oospores buried in the soil in cups occurred at a rate of approximately 0.3%–1.3%. Oospore suspensions were dripped or injected into artificial culture soil in cups at sowing onion seeds or at the seedling stage. After raising these plants in a growth chamber for more than 40 days, approximately 20%–30% of the plants exhibited leaf chlorosis and distortion, reproducing the primary infection symptoms of onion downy mildew observed in commercial fields. The presence of P. destructor in symptomatic plants was confirmed by histological observations and species‐specific PCR. Thus, laboratory experiments have demonstrated for the first time that (i) P. destructor oospores that have oversummered outdoors germinate in soil and (ii) belowground inoculum containing germinable oospores causes primary infection. The results showed that P. destructor survives as oospores during host‐free periods and can be a primary inoculum source for downy mildew during the following growing season in autumn. This research on soil‐borne primary infection by P. destructor may help develop knowledge‐based disease management strategies for onion downy mildew, such as proper disposal of crop residues after harvest, effective crop rotation and chemical soil treatments.