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COVID-19 lockdowns led to significant shifts in how professional planners operate. The introduction of advanced digital technologies enabled home working and virtual planning processes. An important line of academic inquiry concerns planners' preparedness in adopting and adapting to digital transformation. Focusing on Northern Ireland, we offer a nuanced analysis of planners' experiences of digital technologies by drilling into the demographics and competencies within the different planning sectors to disaggregate different types of planners by age, gender, seniority and skills. We present a fine-grained analytical canvas to reveal how different types of planners are experiencing the next stages of digital transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nuclear Safety is the property of Nuclear & Radiation Safety Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Landscape Architecture (1673-1530) is the property of Beijing Landscape Architecture Journal Periodical Office Co., Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hybrid silicon and lithium niobate (LN) photonic integration platform has emerged as a promising candidate to combine the scalability of silicon photonic with the high modulation performance of LN. With the rapid development of virtual reality, data communication, and high‐definition video, the core optical modulator has been upgraded to ultrahigh‐bandwidth (BW) and low half‐wave voltage (Vπ$$ {V}_{\pi } $$). Low Vπ$$ {V}_{\pi } $$ and high‐BW LN modulators have been demonstrated, with applications ranging from microwave photonics to quantum interfaces. However, due to the simulation design, material selection, and preparation process, the values of BW and voltage are not satisfactory, whose Vπ$$ {V}_{\pi } $$ of 2.2 V and BW of 67 GHz indicators are not excellent. We successfully prepared monolithically integrated TFLNM that feature a CMOS‐compatible bias voltage, support data rates up to 110 GHz and half‐wave‐voltage down to 2 V. We achieve this by designing high BW and low voltage, high‐quality preparation, advanced testing, and characterization platform. Notably, the results from physical objects align closely with those from Lumerical INTERCONNECT simulations. Overall, our study has almost doubled the BW of TFLNM reported so far, and Vπ$$ {V}_{\pi } $$ has decreased from 2.2 to 2 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consider a positive functional F ⁢ (y) := ∫ t T L ⁢ (s , y ⁢ (s) , y ′ ⁢ (s)) ⁢ 푑 s , defined on the space of Sobolev functions W 1 , p ⁢ ([ t , T ] ; ℝ n) , where p ≥ 1 . This functional is minimized among functions y that may satisfy one or both endpoint conditions. The Lagrangian L is allowed to assume the value + ∞ . In numerous applications minimizers may not be explicit or even may not exist. In such circumstances, it is crucial to know that the infimum of F can be approximated using a sequence of Lipschitz functions that meet the given boundary conditions. However, there are instances where this approximation is not feasible, even with polynomial Lagrangians that meet Tonelli's existence conditions: this situation is referred to as the Lavrentiev phenomenon. Some results are present in the literature if one requires the Lipschitz approximations to preserve just one endpoint constraint or when the Lagrangian is finite valued. The present paper deals with problems with two endpoint constraints and Lagrangians that are allowed to take extended values. As a byproduct, our Lipschitz approximations may preserve given state constraints. The extended-valued case is challenging since the phenomenon may occur even when the Lagrangian is constant on its effective domain, whose topology becomes relevant. Once assumed that the Lagrangian is radial convex on the rays of the last variable, our findings offer new insights, even when the Lagrangian L is real-valued, autonomous, and there are no state constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have assessed the insertion of a gap or a distractor in a peak procedure. A rightward shift in the peak time has been consistently reported in both cases. The Time-Sharing Model (TSM) explains this effect as a disruption in the timing mechanism caused by the distribution of attentional resources when these events are presented concurrently with the timing task. According to the model, subjective time decays during the presence of a distractor or gap, resulting in the observed rightward shift, regardless of the distractor's proportion within the interval. Recent research suggests that changes in performance during timing tasks may be influenced by motivational factors and alternative behaviors rather than disruptions in the timing mechanism. Motivational hypotheses propose a dissociation between certain observed behaviors and the underlying timing mechanisms, indicating that the rightward shift in peak time may be attributed to increased latency in initiating timing behaviors. Consequently, stimuli that reduce likelihood of emitting timing behaviors may have distinct effects on intervals of different durations. To assess these effects, we manipulated the duration and proportion of gaps and distractors within the same procedure, aiming to determine if alternative behaviors evoked by the stimuli or the decay memory proposed by the TSM can account for the observed effects. Our data do not fully support the assumptions of the TSM, and the results suggests the importance of an integrative timing model that considers different components of the performance of subjects in timing tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the gaps within the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) lesions, which may contribute to neurological symptoms, using conventional imaging techniques is challenging. This study aimed to investigate the importance of evaluating gaps using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and their association with the occurrence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 high intensity in the spinal cord. Retrospective cohort study. Retrospective analysis of 116 patients diagnosed with cervical OPLL. Presence of gaps in OPLL, presence of T2 high intensity in the cervical spinal cord, and OPLL thickness were evaluated. Lateral X-ray, CT, and reconstructed 3D-CT images were reviewed to assess lesion characteristics and the presence of gaps. MRI was used to evaluate the change in spinal cord signal intensity. The relationship among gap presence, lesion morphology, and MRI T2 high intensity in the spinal cord was examined. A significant difference in gap detection accuracy was observed between CT and 3D-CT (p=.0054). CT demonstrated false-positive results in the detection of gaps as compared with 3D-CT. The presence of gaps was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of MRI T2 high intensity in the spinal cord (p=.037). Patients with thicker lesions and smaller space available for the spinal cord (SAC) were more likely to exhibit T2 high intensity. Meanwhile, patients with gaps cooccurring with T2 high intensity exhibited significantly thinner lesions (p=.011) and larger SACs (p=.0002). Patients with gaps had a significantly lower JOA scores (p=.0035), which indicates that patient with gaps are likely to exhibit more severe clinical neurological symptoms. 3D-CT showed superiority in accurately identifying gaps within OPLL lesions, while CT demonstrated false-positive results in the detection of gaps. Furthermore, the gap presence was a risk factor for MRI T2 high intensity in the spinal cord, independent of lesion thickness. In addition, gaps are related to more severe clinical symptoms. This study highlighted the importance of evaluating gaps within OPLL lesions using 3D-CT to clarify neurological pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU member states he was trying through reforms to create a system as adaptable as possible to future situations and as much as possible the full. Therefore, we find useful an analysis on the efficiency of collecting value tax added to highlight the yield of the tax mechanism. The approach to this problem started from the recent changes to this type of tax and the importance it has among all citizens of the Member States to bear this tax and because it is the largest source of income from indirect taxes. In our research, we set out to focus more on two indicators of efficiency of the VAT at the member states of the European Union, namely: the indicator for assessment of the efficiency of the VAT (VRR) and the indicator of the VAT collection deficit in percentage treatment (VAT gap).

ObjectiveThis research examines the concept and management practices of “gap” (also known as “sky window”) in national parks, focusing on China and the US. These gaps are areas that are temporarily “drawn out” or excluded from the boundary of protected areas to resolve conflicts between ecological protection and the development needs of local communities. While China has adopted a top-down approach to “open gaps” in national parks as part of its protected area system reform, the US federal land system offers insights into the management of similar gaps through tools like land acquisition and conservation easement. This research aims to explore the institutional motivations, potential challenges, and optimization paths of the spatial planning concept of “gap”, focusing on how these gaps impact the effectiveness of protection and regional development. Through a comparative approach, the research identifies key institutional factors shaping the management of these gaps and provides recommendations for improving China’s approach to gap management.MethodsThis research employs a combination of policy text analysis, historical analysis and comparative analysis to explore the concept and management of “gap” in national parks in both China and the US. By reviewing policy documents and examining historical developments, this research traces the evolution of the “gap” concept in both countries, and compares their respective institutional frameworks, management systems, and strategies for addressing these gaps. The research highlights key similarities and differences between the two countries in the aforesaid aspects, and proposes policy recommendations for optimizing gap management in China’s national parks.ResultsIn China, the concept of “gap” in land planning generally refers to small areas within designated zones that do not align with the intended function, such as plots scattering in ecological protection, agricultural, and urban development zones. The practice of “gap opening” allows for flexibility in land use, enabling the inclusion or exclusion of land parcels that undertake agricultural, ecological, and urban functions within certain zoning boundaries. However, this approach raises concerns about ecological integrity, particularly when it leads to fragmentation, reduced connectivity, and potential ecological risks. In national parks, “gap community” refers to human settlements within or adjacent to protected areas, which present significant management challenges. These communities often pose threats to ecological integrity due to urban infrastructure and intensive resource use. Despite efforts to integrate these areas into a unified management framework, these communities are primarily controlled by local governments, with limited support from the competent park authorities. This separation from national park management has hindered the sustainable development of these communities and undermined broader conservation goals. The complexity of managing these “gap” areas highlights the need for more adaptive and integrated management strategies that balance conservation and community needs. In the US, the management of “gap” in federal lands is in alignment with the evolution of historical land policies, which gives birth to “inholding” — non-federal lands surrounded by federally owned territories. These gaps, akin to China’s “gap” concept, present challenges due to differences in land ownership and management goals. As inholdings often originate from land transfers during the territorial expansion of the US, they create fragmented ownership patterns, complicating federal land management. The management of inholdings remains decentralized, with varied legal frameworks depending on local government policies. These gaps disrupt ecosystem continuity, raise management costs, and increase conflicts between private landowners, federal agencies, and the public. Conflicting interests between federal conservation goals and local economic incentives exacerbate the issue. To address these challenges, two institutional approaches are identified: Top-down federal control, such as land acquisition, and bottom-up local regulation. However, the two approaches both face legal and fiscal constraints, including political resistance, legal uncertainty, and limited funding. The “Cod Cape Model” represents a compromise, blending federal authority with local regulator for gap management, allowing for flexible governance and local compliance with federal objectives. This model has been adopted by several parks, balancing top-down and bottom-up governance. In summary, both China and the US face similar challenges in gap management within national parks, primarily related to land ownership disparities, diverse land functions, and the complex coordination of multiple interests. However, the approaches adopted by the two countries differ significantly. In China, the concept of “gap opening” is dynamic and proactive, focusing on land use and future spatial planning, often separating human activity from nature. This approach may lead to park “isolation” and complicate integrated management. In contrast, the US predominantly employs a “gap closing” strategy, seeking to resolve the issues of land ownership and functional discrepancy through legal tools and land regulation. Although both countries aim to balance ecological protection, economic growth, and social equity, the US faces challenges with fragmented land ownership, while China contends with conflicts between resource use and community development within park boundaries.ConclusionThe establishment and management of “gap” are critical for achieving the effective protection of national parks and the coordination of regional development. China’s national park planning should reflect on the legitimacy of “gap” and develop a legitimacy evaluation system for human activities, while transiting from merely opening gaps to managing them through classified control and spatial coordination. Additionally, China may learn from the institutional tools used in the US for managing gaps on federal lands, and select and combine these tools to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of national park protection.

Rudder shaft gaps of hypersonic vehicles affect the flow structure and corresponding aerodynamic heating characteristics, resulting in local peak heating near the rudder shaft, which poses a safety risk to the local thermal protection system. Numerical simulation of aerothermal environment was carried out for hypersonic plate/rudder, and the influence of gap height, declination angle, Mach number and flight altitude was analyzed. The results show that the peak heating on the surface of rudder shaft increases first and then decreases with the increase of gap height. It also increases with the increase of declination angle and Mach number, and decreases with the increase of flight altitude. For the calculation state and calculation model in this paper, the peak surface heat flux reaches the maximum value when the gap height of the rudder shaft is about 8 mm. When the rudder declination angle is 35°, the peak heat flow is about 3 times more than that of the rudder declination angle of 0°. For incoming flow heights of more than 40 km, the peak value of surface heat flow has been reduced to a minimum.

Moving beyond the purely material understanding of infrastructures, new perspectives in infrastructural regionalism assert that infrastructures and regions simultaneously shape each other. Drawing on this reciprocal relationship, we introduce the concept of 'water regionalism' to examine how regional factors, dynamics, and complexities shape water infrastructures, and how water infrastructures concurrently shape regions. Through qualitative research methodologies, we empirically demonstrate how this concept operates in practice by examining the history of regional planning and hydraulic infrastructure development in Turkey, particularly the process of how the South-eastern Anatolia Project (GAP) and the GAP region have shaped each other since the 1970s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrialization has been a driving force behind India’s economic growth, transforming the nation into one of the world’s largest industrial economies. Over the past few decades, the expansion of industries ranging from manufacturing to construction has contributed significantly to employment opportunities, infrastructure development, and technological advancements. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), India has one of the highest rates of work-related fatalities in the world, with tens of thousands of deaths reported annually due to industrial accidents and occupational diseases. There is a need for urgent attention to occupational safety and health issues.

In recent years, lightning protection cables with integrated optical module are used fairly extensively. These cables actually have the form of a cable made of several layers of steel wires with corrosion-resistant coating and a tubular case made either of aluminum or of stainless steel (central or in a whip) filled with a hydrophobic gel and optical fibers. Circular plastic compression in the process of production of lightning protection cable with integrated optical module enables us to improve the electric contacts of wires in and between the layers and increase both the resistance to the lightning discharge impulse and mechanical strength. For the incorrectly chosen geometric parameters of wires in the first and second layers, circular plastic compression may lead to a significant deformation of the optical module and, as a result, to the unacceptable elevation of the coefficient of attenuation of the transmitted signal. By the method of computer simulation, we determine the value of guaranteed gap between the inner layer of the lightning protection cable with integrated optical module and the central tube guaranteeing the decrease in the level of deformation of the outer shell of the optical module down to admissible values. The possibility of formation of lateral contacts between the wires of the first layer contributing to a decrease in the radial component of pressure transmitted to the surface of the module is demonstrated for the optimized design of the cable. The accumulated results of computer simulation can be used for the optimization of the design and geometric parameters and the level of strand compression required to minimize the deformation of the outer shell of central tube of the integrated optical module of the lightning protection cable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, automotive manufacturers highly prioritize the perceived quality of vehicles, with dimensional engineering being a key influencing factor. Automotive interior and exterior trim components undergo slight deformation due to temperature changes, affecting fit dimensions and imposing stricter consistency requirements. This paper examines the deformation mechanisms of typical parts under varying temperatures using dimensional engineering techniques to study the impact on component gaps. Testing quantifies changes in gap width and surface flatness during temperature variations, providing a theoretical basis for design. The research offers practical guidance for identifying potential issues early in product development and ensuring effective collaboration in production, helping companies achieve higher standards and superior quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic pulse welding (EMPW) is commonly used for welding copper and aluminum alloy. The welding gap is important in the EMPW process. The research focused on the effect of welding gap on the welding process and the mechanical property of joints. During the EMPW experiments, the deformation, collision, and metal jet were recorded with a high-speed camera. The joint mechanical property was tested. SEM and EDS were employed to examine the bonding interface. Results indicated that the welding gap length did not significantly influence the aluminum alloy plate motion behavior when it was long enough. With the welding gap width increasing, the collision velocity initially increased and subsequently decreased, and the angle between the two plates when they first collided increased continuously. The intensity and duration of the metal jet and the joint mechanical properties also increased first and then decreased. The welding marks widened first and then narrowed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, algorithms are developed to determine properties of finite $ \mathbb {Z} $ Z -modules (i.e. abelian groups) related to the classes of (quasi)continuous and (quasi)discrete groups. To this end, some algorithms are provided to check whether the groups have the summand intersection (sum) property, generalized summand intersection (sum) property or absolute direct summand property, and to check whether the groups are virtually semisimple, virtually C2, virtually extending, C2, C3, D2, D3, (quasi)continuous or (quasi)discrete. The algorithms are implemented and published as a collection of GAP4 functions named codiaga (see Ö. Taşdemir and A. Carus [A collection of gap algorithms related to continuous and discrete abelian groups. Available at: ]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-precision Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite clocks are essential for LEO-augmented Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. Nowadays, high-precision LEO satellite clocks can be determined in real-time using a Kalman filter either onboard or on the ground, as long as the GNSS observations collected onboard LEO satellites can be transmitted to the ground in real-time. While various real-time and high-precision GNSS products are available nowadays in the latter case, their continuity and latencies in engineering reality are not as perfect as expected and will lead to unignorable impacts on the precision of the real-time LEO satellite clocks. In this study, based on real observations of Sentinel-3B, the impacts of different latencies and continuity of the real-time GNSS products on LEO real-time clocks are determined and discussed for two scenarios, namely the "epoch estimation" and "arc estimation" scenarios. The former case refers to the traditional filter-based processing epoch-by-epoch, and the latter case connects LEO satellite clocks from different rounds of filter-based processing under a certain arc length. The two scenarios lead to the "end-loss" and "mid-gap" situations. Latencies of the real-time GNSS products are discussed for the cases of orbit-only latency, clock-only latency, and combined forms, and different handling methods for the missing GNSS satellite clocks are discussed and compared. Results show that the real-time LEO satellite clock precision is very sensitive to the precision of real-time GNSS satellite clocks, and prediction of the latter becomes essential in case of their latencies. For the "end-loss" situation, with a latency of 30 to 120 s for the GNSS real-time clocks, the LEO satellite clock precision is reduced from about 0.2 to 0.28–0.57 ns. Waiting for the GNSS products in case of their short latencies and predicting the LEO satellite clocks instead could be a better option. For "arc-estimation", when the gap of GNSS real-time products increases from 5 to 60 min, the real-time LEO clock precision decreases from 0.26 to 0.32 ns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we derive equations for the superconducting nematic order parameter, critical temperature, and chemical potential for two-dimensional rectangular lattice by taking into account nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor hopping of carriers (electrons or holes). By solving the obtained equations, we have found that the symmetry of the order parameter and other superconducting properties strongly depend on the sign and the magnitude of the next-nearest neighbor hopping and on doping. We have analyzed the possible crossover of the system from the Bose–Einstein condensation to the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer superconductivity regimes with increasing the electron density. As we show, the crossover, which can be tuned by both doping and nearest neighbor hopping, only occurs in the s-channel at physically meaningful values of these parameters. A possible connection of the obtained results to the properties of doped high-temperature cuprate superconductors is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Railway Standard Design is the property of Railway Standard Design Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Gap non-union of long bones are challenging problems in orthopaedic patients. Non-vascularized fibular grafting is a simple, cost effective, single stage procedure and is an accepted method of reconstruction for gap non unions in children. However, there is a risk of non-union when a long avascular strut of fibula is used. The periosteum, by itself has high biological activity and is helpful in osteointegration. Harvesting the fibula with the periosteum gives the advantage of mechanical and biological support in a gap non-union. Methods: During 2020 to 2022, 13 patients presented to us with gap nonunion of long bones due to various aetiology. The mean age of the patients was six years with a mean bone gap of 4.2 cm. A modified technique of harvesting the fibula with the periosteum is described. The graft was stabilized with the recipient bone by intra medullary or extra medullary implants. Results: Union occurred in average 12.7 weeks in all except one patient with congenital pseudoarthrosis of tibia. The fibula on the harvest site regenerated completely in all other patients. One patient had a superficial infection. Children were followed were an average of 17.5 months and there was no incidence of graft resorption or fracture. Osteoperiosteal fibula graft is a simple, effective and cost-effective procedure for the treatment of gap non-unions in children. It offers the advantage of both biological and mechanical support, with high union rates and low complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce exterior isoclinism for crossed modules, extending the concept of isoclinism from groups to these 2-dimensional algebraic structures. Motivated by work on tensor and exterior products of nonabelian groups, we utilize nonabelian exterior products, exterior squares, and exterior centers to define this new equivalence relation. Additionally, we provide computational tools implemented in the GAPsystem to identify exterior isoclinism families of small groups and crossed modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the stability of gaps in the essential spectra of self-adjoint relations under non-negative relatively compact perturbation in Hilbert spaces. A stability result about semi-boundedness of self-adjoint relations under relatively bounded perturbation is given. It is shown that the gaps in the essential spectra of self-adjoint relations are invariant under non-negative relatively compact perturbation. The results obtained in the present paper generalize the corresponding results for linear operators to linear relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has two main goals. One is to introduce a type of "headless" (or "antecedentless") relative clause that presents a gap strategy and that has not been sufficiently discussed in the typological literature. The other is to show that this type of headless relative clause with a gap is a characteristic trait of Mesoamerican languages, since it exists in many languages of the Mesoamerican linguistic area as an important constructional option in their relativization syntax, independently of the genetic relationships of the language in question. Two types of headless relative clauses are well known to date: one involving a relativization strategy with a relative pronoun (e.g., I wore what you asked me to wear) and another with a light head, introduced by Citko (2004. On headed, headless, and light-headed relatives. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 22. 95–126), somewhat comparable to I wore the one that you asked me to wear. The third type of headless relative clause discussed here presents a gap (i.e., there is no manifestation of the relativized term in the relative clause). It would be equivalent to saying 'I wore you asked me to wear'. The phenomenon we study here is interesting both from a typological and areal point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Educação e Pesquisa em Contabilidade is the property of Revista de Educacao e Pesquisa em Contabilidade and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Public health measures implemented early in the COVID-19 pandemic brought the idea of essential work into the public discourse, as the public reflected upon what types of work are essential for society to function, who performs that work, and how the labour of essential workers is rewarded. This chapter focusses on the rewards associated with essential work. The authors develop an intersectional lens on work that was officially deemed essential in 2020 to highlight longstanding patterns of devaluation among essential workers, including those undergirded by systemic racism in employment and labour law. The authors use quantitative data from the CPS-MORG to examine earnings differences between essential and non-essential workers and investigate whether the essential worker wage gap changed from month to month in 2020. The authors find that patterns of valuation among essential workers cannot be explained by human capital or other standard labour market characteristics. Rather, intersectional wage inequalities in 2020 reflect historical patterns that are highly durable and did not abate in the first year of the global pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the school performance gap and its potential trend from 2010 to 2020 in non-immigrant and second-generation immigrant children in Sweden, whether parental mental disorders and low socioeconomic status contribute to this gap and its trends, and whether the effects of these factors differ by immigration status. We used multiple Swedish population registers, including 829,787 children born 1994–2004. We examined the school performance gap and its trends by the interaction between immigration status and year with linear mixed models. We assessed whether parental mental disorders and socioeconomic status contributed to this gap and its trends, and whether their effects on school performance differ by immigration status. The existing gap was explained by parental mental disorders in addition to parental education and neighborhood socioeconomic status for both males and females. The unadjusted model suggested an increasing trend of the existing gap in school performance by immigration status for both males and females. In the adjusted model, the increasing trend of the gap remained among males and was partially attributed to parental education and neighborhood socioeconomic status. The interaction tests showed that the potential effects of these factors on school performance were smaller among second-generation immigrant children. Efforts to reduce the effects of socioeconomic inequalities and parental mental disorders are warranted in addition to extra support for second-generation immigrant children at schools.

Cosmetic dermatology is a key subspecialty of academic dermatology. As such, academic centers are expected to demonstrate excellence in the teaching of cosmetic dermatology skills to trainees, the clinical delivery of cosmetic dermatology services to patients, and the performance of clinical research that advances knowledge and uncovers new therapies in cosmetic dermatology. The Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology (AACD), a newly formed medical professional society, includes as its principal aims the support of all of these areas. AACD is comprised of group of board-certified dermatologists who teach cosmetic and laser dermatology at US dermatology residency programs. An expert panel constituted by the AACD recently convened a workshop to review gaps pertaining to academic cosmetic dermatology. This panel considered needs and potential corrective initiatives in three domains: resident education, patient experience, and clinical research. The work of the panel was used to develop a roadmap, which was adopted by consensus, and which will serve to guide the AACD moving forward.

The soil temperature regime is an important regulatory ecosystem function on which many biogeochemical processes depend. This article assesses the variation in the average monthly temperature of the surface organic soil horizon and litter stock in the Spruce-broadleaved and Lime-birch forest types of the Valuev Moscow Forest Park, taking into account intra- and interbiogeocenotic variability for 2019-2022. In all studied summer periods, the litter temperature of the oak-spruce forest is lower than that of the birch-linden forest. The variability of the litter temperature in winter depends on the depth of the snow cover, the onset of stable snow cover and litter reserves. A close negative relationship was found between the litter reserves and its temperature in summer, and a positive relationship in winter. In the presence of a thick snow cover, the litter temperature of the undercrown spaces is higher than the litter temperature of the window, which is characterized by low reserves. Further studies on the effect of woody vegetation on the characteristics of the soil surface temperature regime can be used to assess the rate of litter decomposition and greenhouse gas emission.

Purpose: Preoperative expectations play a major role in determining patient satisfaction after surgery. The aim of this study was to characterize patient’s preoperative expectations and postoperative perceptions of nerve gap repair surgery. Methods: We conducted a search of Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for peer-reviewed articles that studied patient expectations, perceptions, and impressions of nerve gap repair in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies related to lumbar plexus radiculopathy, reimplantation, or patient satisfaction scores without patient testimony were excluded. Primary and secondary outcomes were patient’s preoperative expectations and postoperative perceptions of nerve gap repair surgery, respectively. Results: We included 11 studies evaluating a total of 462 patients. One study evaluated only patient expectations, six studies evaluated only patient perspectives, and four studies evaluated both. Patients were generally overly optimistic in their expectations of surgery. Postoperative satisfaction ranged from 82% to 86%, and 81% to 87% of patients would choose to undergo their surgery again knowing what they know now. Conclusions: Patient expectations in nerve gap repair are optimistic, and at times unrealistic. Patient satisfaction with nerve gap repair is high and subject to influence from preoperative education and postoperative outcomes of functional and sensory recovery. Clinical relevance: Surgeons should be aware that patient expectations of their postoperative outcomes can have substantial impacts on their perceived management and overall satisfaction. More emphasis should be placed on preoperative education and expectation management to optimize patient satisfaction.

Background and purpose: To achieve a successful root canal treatment, it is necessary to have a sealer with ideal characteristics that seal the permanent filling of the tooth canal. Over time, various sealers with different compositions have been introduced to increase the obturation quality of tooth root canals, and many studies are still ongoing to find the ideal sealer. This study aims to evaluate the obturation quality of Endoseal MTA sealer based on the void and spreader track in the root canal using intraoral digital radiography (PSP) and compare it with Adseal and MTA Fillapex. Materials and methods: This laboratory study was conducted on 36 central maxillary single-canal permanent human teeth with the same shape and in the pre-clinic of the dental school of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Root canal preparation was done with the Denco rotary system up to size F3 according to the manufacturer's instructions. During preparation, sodium hypochlorite 5.25% was used for washing, and finally EDTA 17% and sodium chlorite 5.25% were used to remove the smear layer. The teeth were dried with a paper cone. The samples were randomly divided into 3 groups and were filled with gutta-percha and sealers; MTA Fillapex, Endoseal MTA, and Adseal by lateral compaction method using Master Cone 35 and cone 20. After the sealers were set completely for 24 hours, PSP imaging was done with a parallel technique, buccolingually and mesiodistally, from the root canal of the teeth, and the presence of void and gaps in the form of spreader track in the three apical, middle and coronal regions, was evaluated with 3 independent observers. The data were evaluated with chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and items less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: In the current study, the obturation quality of MTA Fillapex, Endoseal MTA, and Adseal sealers was investigated on 36 teeth based on void and gap in the form of spreader track. These evaluations were done according to the direction and location of the sealers. In these evaluations, Adseal sealer had the lowest and MTA Fillapex had the most prevalence of spreader track prevalence, although these differences were not significant based on the chi-square test and there was no significant difference between the prevalence of Spreader track among the three sealers. The void was observed only in the Endoseal group in coronal (mean: 0.5) and apical (mean: 0.7) areas. The results of the Chi-square test showed that there was no significant relationship between the prevalence of void with coronal, middle, and apical sites in Endoseal (P

As the Anthropocene tightens its grip on the world, forests are facing escalating disturbance rates, tree mortality, degradation and risks of catastrophic collapses. A popular and controversial proposition is to enhance forests' response diversity by adding novel tree species with missing functional traits through forest assisted migration (FAM). Beyond tests of the survival and growth of southern species or provenances in colder regions and studies of the socio-ecological challenges facing FAM, little interest has been paid to the silvicultural system for FAM implementation. Yet, the topic could influence its biological success, social acceptability, and economic feasibility. For example, southern light-intolerant tree species introduced into northern uneven-aged forests may experience a lack of light availability. Likewise, implementing FAM in clearcuts raises social acceptability issues. The patch-cut system combines advantages of even- and uneven-aged systems useful for FAM; however, perhaps due to the difficulty of its operationalization, it is rarely used. We propose a new way to implement the patch-cut system, enabling from the get-go to plan the location and timing of treatment of each patch in a stand. We discuss the advantages that this revisited patch-cut system presents for FAM: (i) the testing of various planting environments, (ii) easy monitoring in an adaptative management context where each patch is a replicate of a repeated-measure experiment and (iii) low intensity planting for efficient future dispersion of species adapted to a changing climate. We end with a call for the development of an international network of FAM trials within the revised patch-cut system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article stresses the importance of expanding the quality of critical care pharmacy education to ensure the provision of critical care to patients. Topics mentioned include state of the pharmacy practice, several reasons for providing inconsistent care to patients and the key steps to optimize critical care pharmacy models.

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It is widely recognized that heterogeneous environments promote biodiversity. Consequently, we investigated whether heterogeneous environments influence the diversity of ground‐dwelling beetles within a well‐managed conifer plantation forest. We collected carabid beetles, and necrophagous silphid and dung beetles (necrophagous beetles) using pitfall traps at 37 sites with or without fish meat bait. The result of a two‐dimensional principal component analysis (PCA) utilizing environmental indices measured at each site suggested that the environmental heterogeneity depended on the survival density of planted conifers, serving as an indicator of historical gap formation levels. Gaps populated by invading broadleaved trees exhibited low canopy opening percentages and understory cover degrees, while those filled by the growth of planted conifers displayed the opposite conditions. The presence of bait had a negligible impact on carabid beetles but significantly influenced necrophagous beetles. No significant relationships were found between the scores of PCA components and the beetle species richness, suggesting that a heterogeneous environment does not increase the beetle species diversities. However, significant relationships were observed with the scores on nonmetric multidimensional scaling axes, indicating that a heterogeneous environment contributes to the complexity of beetle assemblages. The most dominant carabid, Synuchus cycloderus, was abundant in areas where historical gap formation was thought to be more prevalent. Among necrophagous beetles, Pherotrupes laevistriatus and Panelus parvulus preferred habitats with darker environments, in contrast to Onthophagus fodiens and O. nitidus. This study will aid in developing forestry practices aimed at conserving specific ground‐dwelling beetle species within conifer plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A finite group G is said to be a B (n , k) group if for any n -element subset { a 1 , ... , a n } of G , | { a i a j   |   1 ≤ i , j ≤ n } | ≤ k. It is of interest to characterize the structure of B (n , k) groups for n (n + 1) / 2 ≤ k ≤ n 2 − 1. The B (5 , k) groups for 15 ≤ k ≤ 19 have been investigated by several authors. In this paper, we give a complete characterization of B (5 , 20) 2-groups by showing there are five classes of such groups which are nontrivial and nonabelian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]