bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potentially inappropriate prescriptions of anticholinergics drugs in Alzheimer's disease patients
Authors: Valladales‐Restrepo Luis Fernando , Duran‐Lengua Marlene , Machado‐Alba Jorge Enrique
Published: July 2019

Aim

Alzheimer's disease is a common cause of dementia, and is usually treated with medications that elevate acetylcholine levels. The objective of the present study was to identify drugs with anticholinergic properties prescribed to patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in Colombia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in outpatients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who were identified from a population database from Colombia, and had been treated with cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonists. The anticholinergic burden was evaluated using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden scale, and patients were classified on a scale of 0–3 points according to anticholinergic potential, and were grouped into those with mild‐to‐moderate (1–2 points) or high (≥3 points) anticholinergic load.

Results

The study included 4134 Alzheimer's disease patients. The mean age was 81.50 ± 8.16 years, and 67.8% were women. At least 22.9% of patients took anticholinergic drugs. Of these, the most frequently prescribed medication was quetiapine (8.6%). Age >85 years was associated with a high risk of having an anticholinergic burden ≥3 points (OR 2.19, 95%CI 1.159–4.162). Potential interactions between cholinesterase inhibitors and anticholinergic drugs were identified in 7.8% of patients.

Conclusions

The majority of patients who were prescribed anticholinergic drugs were older women, had a significant total anticholinergic burden and had frequent pharmacological interactions with cholinesterase inhibitors. The use of anticholinergics reduces the clinical effectiveness of antidementia drugs and increases the risk of adverse reactions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 913–917.
Clinical Analysis of Sphenoid Sinus Mucocele With Initial Neurological Symptoms
Authors: Chen Keyang , Cao Yungang , Wu Jianbin , Xiang Haijie , Huang Xiu‐Feng , Chen Bobei
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives

Neurological manifestations associated with sphenoid sinus mucocele (SSM) are easily misdiagnosed due to nonspecific symptoms. The objective is to analyze and report the clinical features of SSM presenting with neurological manifestations, to allow an earlier diagnosis and more timely intervention for this disease.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross‐sectional study including 19 patients. The detailed clinical information of 19 patients with the initial symptom of neurological manifestations caused by SSM presenting at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between January 2000 and May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Collected data including symptoms, signs, neuroimaging, and pathologic diagnoses.

Results

There were eleven males and 8 females, and their ages ranged from 23 to 71 years. Headache was the most frequent symptom, in 12 of the 19 patients presenting as the initial symptom. The visual disturbance included visual loss (4/19), diplopia (3/19), and another patient had both visual loss and diplopia. Neurophysical examination found that 4 patients presented with oculomotor nerve palsy, 4 patients had optic nerve or abducens nerve palsy, and 1 patient had optic neuropathy, oculomotor nerve palsy and abducens nerve palsy simultaneously. All patients underwent endoscopic surgery and had postoperative clinical symptom improvement.

Conclusions

Headache is the most common symptom of SSM and should be on the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with headache, even if in isolation. The results suggest that CT and MRI are the best tools in diagnosis of SSM and endoscopic sphenoidotomy is a safe and effective method in the treatment of SSM.
MMP11 expression in intratumoral inflammatory cells in breast cancer
Authors: Eiro Noemi , Cid Sandra , Fernández Berta , Fraile Maria , Cernea Ana , Sánchez Rosario , Andicoechea Alejandro , DeAndrés Galiana Enrique J , González Luis O , Fernández‐Muñiz Zulima , Fernández‐Martínez Juan L , Vizoso Francisco J
Published: July 2019

Aims

It is known that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐11 has a role in tumour development and progression, and also that immune cells can influence cancer cells to increase their proliferative and invasive properties. The aim of the present study was to propose the evaluation of MMP11 expression by intratumoral mononuclear inflammatory cells (MICs) as a useful biological marker for breast cancer prognosis.

Methods and results

This study comprised 246 women with invasive breast carcinoma, and a long follow‐up period. Patients were stratified with regard to nodal status and to the development of metastatic disease. The median follow‐up period in patients without metastasis was 146 months and in patients with metastatic disease 31 months. MMP11 was determined by immunohistochemistry. For relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) analysis we used the Cox’s univariate method. Cox’s regression model was used to examine the interactions between different prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our results showed that MMP11 expression by stromal cells was significantly associated with prognosis. MMP11 expression by cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) was associated with both shortened RFS and OS, but MMP11 expression by MICs showed a stronger association with both shortened RFS and OS, therefore being the most potent and independent factor to predict RFS and OS.
LiPON and NaPON glasses: A study of the ammonolysis of lithium and sodium metaphosphate melts
Authors: De Souza José Ezequiel , Rojas De Souza Seila , Gebhardt Ryan , Kmiec Steven , Whale Alison , Warthen Martin Steve
Published: July 2019

Metaphosphate glasses such as LiPO3 and NaPO3 are known to incorporate nitrogen in the molten state under NH3 flow to form (Li/Na)PON glasses through the reaction: (Li/Na)PO3 + xNH3 → (Li/Na)PO3−(3x/2)Nx + (3x/2)H2O, by partially replacing two‐coordinated oxygen with two‐ and three‐coordinated nitrogen. After nitridation, the glasses exhibit improved properties such as increased working range, chemical durability, and ionic conductivity. In this study, LiPO3 and NaPO3 glasses were prepared by the conventional melting and casting method and used as base glasses for the ammonolysis procedure. The nitridation processes were carried out by remelting the base glasses at temperatures up to 780°C, under a constant NH3 flow. The effects on the nitrogen content in the resulting (Li/Na)PON glasses caused by different processing times and masses of powder and/or bulk materials were investigated. Nitridation was successfully confirmed by CNHS chemical analyses, Raman spectroscopy, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Mass loss measurements after the ammonolysis process and Raman spectroscopy were used to quantify the nitrogen content into the glass structure. A new approach using a specific Raman normalization, (P–N<)/(O–P–O)sym, has been demonstrated as a reliable, simple, and fast way to determine the amounts of N incorporated to metaphosphate glass structures.
Machine learning can predict setting behavior and strength evolution of hydrating cement systems
Authors: Oey Tandré , Jones Scott , Bullard Jeffrey W. , Sant Gaurav
Published: July 2019

Setting and strength development of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) binders involves multiple interacting chemical reactions, resulting in the formation of a solid microstructure. A long‐standing yet elusive goal has been to establish a basis for the prediction of the properties and performance of concrete using knowledge of the chemical and physical attributes of its components—PC, sand, stone, water, and chemical admixtures—together with the environmental conditions under which they react. Machine learning (ML) provides a data‐driven basis for the estimation of properties, and has recently been applied to estimate the 28 days (compressive) strength of concrete from knowledge of its mixture proportions (Young et al, Cem Concr Res, 2019, 115:379). Building on this success, the current work uses a diverse dataset of ASTM C150 cements, the chemical composition and other attributes of which have been measured. ML estimators were trained with this dataset to estimate both paste setting time and mortar strength development. The ML estimation errors are typically similar to the measurement repeatability of the relevant ASTM test methods, and are thus able to account for the influence of binder composition and fineness. This creates new opportunities to apply data intensive methods to optimize concrete formulations under multiple constraints of cost, CO2 impact, and performance attributes.
MicroRNA‐transcriptome networks in whole blood and monocytes of women undergoing preterm labour
Authors: Paquette Alison G. , Shynlova Oksana , Wu Xiaogang , Kibschull Mark , Wang Kai , Price Nathan D. , Lye Stephen J.
Published: July 2019

Preterm birth is attributed to neonatal morbidity as well as cognitive and physiological challenges. We have previously identified significant differences in mRNA expression in whole blood and monocytes, as well as differences in miRNA concentration in blood plasma, extracellular vesicles (EV) and EV‐depleted plasma in women undergoing spontaneous preterm labour (sPTL). The goal of this analysis was to identify differences in miRNA expression within whole blood (WB) and peripheral monocytes (PM) from the same population of women undergoing sPTL compared with non‐labouring controls matched by gestational age. We performed single‐end small RNA sequencing in whole blood and peripheral monocytes from women undergoing sPTL with active contractions (24‐34 weeks of gestation, N = 15) matched for gestational age to healthy pregnant non‐labouring controls (>37 weeks gestation, N = 30) who later delivered at term as a part of the Ontario Birth Study (Toronto, Ontario CA). We identified significant differences in expression of 16 miRNAs in PMs and nine miRNAs in WB in women undergoing sPTL. In PMs, these miRNAs were predicted targets of 541 genes, including 28 previously associated with sPTL. In WB, miRNAs were predicted to target 303 genes, including nine previously associated with sPTL. These genes were involved in a variety of immune pathways, including interleukin‐2 signalling. This study is the first to identify changes in miRNA expression in WB and PMs of women undergoing sPTL. Our results shed light on potential mechanisms by which miRNAs may play a role in mediating systemic inflammatory response in pregnant women that deliver prematurely.
Childhood maltreatment, neuropsychological function and suicidal behavior
Authors: Zelazny Jamie , Melhem Nadine , Porta Giovanna , Biernesser Candice , Keilp John G. , Mann J. John , Oquendo Maria A. , Stanley Barbara , Brent David A.
Published: July 2019

Background

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people. Childhood maltreatment, neuropsychological dysfunction and psychopathology have each been shown to increase risk for suicidal behavior. However, few studies have examined their interactions and the effects of those interactions on suicidal behavior.

Methods

Across two sites, a total of 382 offspring of depressed parents underwent neuropsychological assessments. This high‐risk sample included nearly equal numbers of males and females. Average age at the time of neuropsychological assessment was 18.5 years. The most prevalent lifetime psychiatric disorders were mood (43%), anxiety (37%) and alcohol and substance use disorders (21%). Childhood maltreatment was reported by 44% of offspring. Participants underwent extensive neuropsychological testing assessing the following domains: attention, memory, executive function, working memory, language fluency, and impulse control. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of reported childhood maltreatment, neuropsychological functioning, psychopathology and their interactions with suicidal behavior. Bonferroni correction was used to adjust for multiple comparisons.

Results

Maltreatment was associated with increased risk of suicidal behavior with odds ratios ranging between 2.40 and 4.43. Moderation analyses found that adaptive neuropsychological functioning was not protective against childhood maltreatment's effect on suicidal risk. While lifetime history of mood disorder was strongly associated with suicidal behavior, higher scores in working memory (OR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.09, 0.45; p < .001) and executive function (OR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.05, 0.43; p < .001) were protective against suicidal behavior even in the presence of a lifetime history of mood disorder.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to determine how neuropsychological capacity protects depressed patients against the risk of suicidal behavior.
Changes in oral microbial profiles associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma vs leukoplakia
Authors: Hashimoto Kengo , Shimizu Dai , Hirabayashi Sho , Ueda Sei , Miyabe Satoru , Oh‐iwa Ichiro , Nagao Toru , Shimozato Kazuo , Nomoto Shuji
Published: July 2019

Aim

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequently occurring cancer among head and neck SCC worldwide. The identification of novel effective biomarkers for early detection may greatly improve the survival rate and prognosis of patients with OSCC. This study aimed to identify specific oral microbial profiles associated with OSCC.

Methods

Saliva samples were collected from oral leukoplakia (OLK) and OSCC patients (N = 6 each) and healthy controls (HC; N = 4). Total bacterial genomic DNA was isolated and 16S rRNA gene survey was performed by next‐generation sequencing of the V4 region. The relative distribution of abundance for phylogenetic groups was compared among the OSCC and OLK groups.

Results

The 448 operational taxonomic units detected from the libraries were classified into 133 genera, 69 families, 41 orders, 26 classes and 12 phyla. The abundance of phyla Bacteroidetes and genus Solobacterium was notably higher in the OSCC group when compared with the OLK group, whereas those of genus Streptococcus was significantly lower in the OSCC group when compared with the OLK.

Conclusion

These changes in the salivary microbiome may have potential applications as a novel diagnostic tool for the early detection of OSCC.
Body balance analysis of children and youth with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Lipowicz A. , Bugdol M. N. , Szurmik T. , Bibrowicz K. , Kurzeja P. , Mitas A. W.
Published: July 2019

Background

Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are an identified group with postural disturbances resulting from a lack of integration among the visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems. The insufficient level of maturity of the sensory systems is at least partly responsible for disturbances in maintaining body balance. More sway can increase the risk of falls and body injuries. The aims of the study were (1) to compare the ability to maintain the body balance of children and youth with a varying degree of ID, both with the eyes open and closed, and (2) to determine to what extent factors such as sex, level of ID, visual stimulus and body height independently affect the ability to maintain body balance in children and adolescents with ID.

Method

The study involved 131 people aged 13–21 years (65 girls and 66 boys). The participants were classified as (1) with mild disability (42 girls and 47 boys) and (2) with moderate disability (23 girls and 19 boys), based on IQ test results. Sway measures were collected with the Zebris platform, with the eyes open and closed. Sway path, sway path in anterio‐posterior and medio‐lateral directions and sway area were analysed.

Results

Boys with moderate ID were characterised by a significantly more sway indicating their worse postural balance ability than boys with mild ID, both in the trials with open eyes and closed ones. The type of test (eyes open/eyes closed) to a small extent had influenced the body balance of the examined children with ID. Results of analyses of covariance had showed that all analysed factors (sex, level of ID, type of the test performance and body height), irrespectively from direction of sway (sway path in anterio‐posterior and medio‐lateral directions), worked independently influencing body balance.

Conclusions

It could be assumed that lower height, moderate disability and male sex are factors significantly reducing ability of maintenance of balance of children and youth with ID.
The calcium‐activated protease calpain regulates netrin‐1 receptor deleted in colorectal cancer‐induced axon outgrowth in cortical neurons
Authors: Duquette Philippe M. , Lamarche‐Vane Nathalie
Published: July 2019

During development, neurons extend axons toward their appropriate synaptic targets to establish functional neuronal connections. The growth cone, a highly motile structure at the tip of the axon, is capable of recognizing extracellular guidance cues and translating them into directed axon outgrowth through modulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Netrin‐1 mediates its attractive function through the receptor deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) to promote axon outgrowth and guidance. The calcium‐activated protease calpain is involved in the cleavage of cytoskeletal proteins, which plays an important role during adhesion turnover and cell migration. However, its function during neuronal development is less understood. Here we demonstrate that netrin‐1 activated calpain in embryonic rat cortical neurons in an extracellular‐regulated kinase 1/2‐dependent manner. In addition, we found that netrin‐1 stimulation led to an increase in calpain‐1 localization in the axon, whereas its endogenous inhibitor calpastatin was decreased in the growth cones of cortical neurons by indirect immunofluorescence. Interestingly, calpain‐1 was able to cleave DCC in vitro. Furthermore, netrin‐1 induced the cleavage of the cytoskeletal proteins spectrin and focal adhesion kinase concomitantly with the intracellular domain of DCC in a calpain‐dependent manner in embryonic rat cortical neurons. Cortical neurons over‐expressing calpastatin or calpain‐depleted neurons displayed increased basal axon length and were unresponsive to netrin‐1 stimulation. Altogether, we propose a novel model whereby netrin‐1/DCC‐mediated axon outgrowth is modulated by calpain‐mediated proteolysis of DCC and cytoskeletal targets in embryonic cortical neurons.

image

Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge

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A new superficial needle‐scraping method for assessing Demodex density in papulopustular rosacea
Authors: Huang Hui‐Peng , Hsu Chao‐Kai , Lee Julia Yu‐Yun
Published: July 2019

Background

Standardized skin surface biopsy (SSSB) is often performed to determine the density of Demodex mites in facial papulopustular eruptions.

Aim

We aimed to test the applicability of a new, “superficial needle‐scraping” (SNS) method for assessing Demodex density in papulopustular rosacea (PPR).

Patients and methods

Using SNS method, we measured the Demodex density in patients with PPR, also enrolling the patients with acne vulgaris as controls. SNS was performed by gently scraping off 5 small pustules with the convex surface of the tip of an 18# needle for examination. For comparison, SSSB was also performed in patients with PPR. Demodex density was expressed as “mites per 5 pustules” for SNS and as “mites per cm2” for SSSB.

Results

A total of 40 patients with PPR and 35 patients with acne vulgaris were recruited. There were no statistically significant differences in age or sex between the PPR and acne groups. The Demodex density was 5.6 ± 4.2 in the PPR group versus 0.3 ± 1.0 in the acne group (P < .001). The cutoff of “≥3 Demodex mites per 5 pustules” gave a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 97%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.89. Moreover, SNS and SSSB gave mutually concordant results (positive or negative) in half of the patients.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that SNS is a simple and convenient method for assessing Demodex density of pustules in PPR and can be a useful alternative or addition to SSSB for evaluation of Demodex‐associated facial papulopustular eruptions.
Transdermal vitamin D supplementation—A potential vitamin D deficiency treatment
Authors: Sawarkar Sujata , Ashtekar Ashwini
Published: July 2019

Vitamin D deficiency has high prevalence worldwide. Vitamin D3, the active form of vitamin D, exhibits array of roles in body, from calcium homeostasis and bone mineralization to cancer, neurological disorders, immunomodulatory action, and cardiac health. Current approaches for supplementing vitamin D3 are restricted to oral and parenteral routes. This review highlights recent research in the field of transdermal delivery of vitamin D, its active form and analogues with the aid of penetration enhancers and novel carrier system as nutritional supplement in case of vitamin D deficiency. The penetration of vitamin D3 is challenging; however, by means of reducing hydrophobicity of the active and encapsulating vitamin D3 in a suitable carrier system, penetration is achieved. The results show that penetration of vitamin D3 through skin is feasible. Further clinical trials could strengthen these results. However, the present research till date shows transdermal vitamin D3 a promising way of supplementation.
Nurses' understanding and experience of applying painful stimuli when assessing components of the Glasgow Coma Scale
Authors: Cook Neal F. , Braine Mary E. , Trout Ruth
Published: July 2019

Aims and objectives

To evaluate nurses' application, understanding and experience of applying painful stimuli when assessing components of the Glasgow Coma Scale.

Background

The Glasgow Coma Scale has been subjected to much scrutiny and debate since its publication in 1974. However, criticism, confusion and misunderstandings in relation to the use of painful stimuli and its application remain. An absence of evidence‐informed guidance on the use and duration of application of painful stimuli remains, with the potential to negatively impact on decision‐making, delay responsiveness to neurological deterioration and result in adverse incidents.

Design and Methods

This international study used an online self‐reported survey design to ascertain neuroscience nurses' perceptions and experiences around the application of painful stimuli as part of a GCS assessment (n = 273). The STROBE checklist was used.

Results

Data revealed varied practices and a sense of confusion from participants. Anatomical sites for the assessment of pain varied, but most respondents identified the trapezius grip/pinch in assessing eye‐opening and motor responses. Most respondents identified they assess eye‐opening and motor responses together and apply pain for <6 s to elicit a response. Witnessed complications secondary to applying a painful stimulus were varied and of concern.

Conclusion

Neuroscience nurses in this study clearly required evidence‐informed guidelines to underpin practice both in applying painful stimuli and in managing the experience of the person in their care and the family response. A standardised approach to education is necessary to ensure greater interrater reliability of assessment not only within nursing but across professions.

Relevance to practice

Results of this study illustrate inconsistency and confusion when using the Glasgow Coma Scale in practice; this has the potential to compromise care. Clarity around the issues highlighted is necessary. Moreover, these results can inform future guidelines and education required for supporting nurses in practice.
Respect and its associated factors as perceived by older patients
Authors: Koskenniemi Jaana , Leino‐Kilpi Helena , Puukka Pauli , Suhonen Riitta
Published: July 2019

Aims and objectives

To investigate older hospital patients' perceptions of respect in a patient–nurse relationship and its associated factors.

Background

To be cared for with respect is fundamental to ethical nursing care. However, respect has seldom been a main topic of nursing research, and few of these studies have assessed older patients' perceptions of being respected by nurses alongside associated factors.

Design

A cross‐sectional, descriptive and correlational survey design.

Methods

Hospitalised older patients (n = 200) were interviewed using the ReSpect Scale, measuring respect within the nurse–patient relationship, the EuroQol 5D‐5L, measuring perceived health status, and the Patient Satisfaction Scale, measuring satisfaction with nursing care. Sociodemographic characteristics were also collected. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, the t test and analysis of variance. The STROBE Statement was used for reporting this research.

Results

Older patients reported moderate levels of perceived respect in their patient–nurse relationships. A statistically significant, strong positive correlation between patient satisfaction and their perceptions of respect was found. Poor perceived health status was also statistically significantly associated with older patients' perceptions of respect. No statistically significant associations between patients' other sociodemographic characteristics and their perceptions of respect were found.

Conclusions

The identification of factors and their associations with respect is a basic step towards theory generation. Further empirical research is needed to test the preliminary associations found in this study to further develop the current understanding of respect and its associated factors.

Relevance to clinical practice

The older patients' perceptions of respect highlighted in this study show the need for the further consideration, reflection and development of this important aspect of the relationship between patients and nurses. The identification and measurement of respect and its associated factors may help to improve respect in nursing care making it more visible in the care of older people.
Decision‐making around resuscitation of extremely preterm infants in the Philippines: A consensus guideline
Authors: Wilkinson Dominic JC , Villanueva‐Uy Maria Esterlita , Hayden Dean , McTavish James ,   PSNbM Consensus Working Group
Published: July 2019

While the vast majority of preterm births globally occur in low‐ and middle‐income countries, existing published guidelines relating to the decision‐making and resuscitation of extremely preterm infants (EPIs) largely focus on high‐income countries. In 2018–2019, a working group of the Philippine Society of Newborn Medicine aimed to develop the first national guideline relating to the care of EPIs. The working group reviewed data on the outcomes of EPIs in the Philippines, surveyed paediatricians and neonatologists in the Philippines about current practice and held a consensus workshop. This paper describes the guideline development process and presents a summary of the guidelines. The national guidelines endorse consistency in decision‐making. Health professionals should take into consideration the views and wishes of the infant's parents and the availability of resources to treat the newborn infant. Active management would be appropriate to provide for potentially viable preterm infants at moderate to high risk of poor outcomes, where parents have expressed their wish for this management (and where there are resources available to provide this treatment). For such infants, where parents have expressed their wish to withhold active management, palliative management would also be appropriate to provide. The guideline endorses a grey zone for neonatal resuscitation from approximately 24 to 28 weeks’ gestation in the Philippines, reflecting the context for resuscitation in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Disparities in resource availability are themselves an ethical concern for neonatologists and should be a stimulus for advocacy and improvements in health‐care delivery.
Probing the Internal Validity of the LLAMA Language Aptitude Tests
Authors: Bokander Lars , Bylund Emanuel
Published: July 2019

Over the past decade, the LLAMA language aptitude test battery has come to play an increasingly important role as an instrument in research on individual differences in language development. However, a potentially serious problem that has been pointed out by several scholars is that the LLAMA has not yet been carefully validated. We addressed this issue by examining the internal validity of this test battery. We collected LLAMA data from 350 participants and assessed these data using classical item analysis, Rasch analysis, and principal component analysis within a framework of best practices in educational and psychological test validation. The results show that only one out of the four subtests (LLAMA B) produced scores that fit a latent trait model with sufficient accuracy. This suggests that researchers using the LLAMA battery must treat their results with appropriate carefulness and also that there is potential for refining the LLAMA further.
Subjectivism about Future Reasons or The Guise of Caring *
Authors: Shemmer Yonatan
Published: July 2019

According to Parfit one of the main weaknesses of subjectivism is its inability to account for our intuition that future reasons have present authority. Parfit is only partly right about the contours of our intuition however he does have a point: sometimes our future reasons do have authority in current deliberation. Subjectivists who grappled with his challenge have organized themselves along two battle lines: those who think that only current desires are fundamental sources of reasons and those who think that future desires are also fundamental sources of reasons. I belong to the first camp but I believe that focusing on the question of fundamentality obscures the real issue. The key to addressing Parfit's challenge is to shift our focus to a different question. We should ask ourselves what are the best policies to adopt towards our future reasons. Using resources developed by Bratman and Raz, and building on the insight that we often fail to recognize our true current concerns, I argue that we are sometimes justified in thinking of, and therefore treating, our future reasons as having present authority.
Other‐Sacrificing Options*
Authors: Lange Benjamin
Published: July 2019

I argue that you can be permitted to discount the interests of your adversaries even though doing so would be impartially suboptimal. This means that, in addition to the kinds of moral options that the literature traditionally recognises, there exist what I call other‐sacrificing options. I explore the idea that you cannot discount the interests of your adversaries as much as you can favour the interests of your intimates; if this is correct, then there is an asymmetry between negative partiality toward your adversaries and positive partiality toward your intimates.
Reducing the burden of respiratory symptoms and illness in the elderly and general population requires multi‐pronged strategies
Authors: Marks Guy B.
Published: July 2019

See related Article
Rurality and Income Inequality in the United States, 1975–2015
Authors: Hertz Thomas , Silva Andrew
Published: July 2019

Recent events have focused attention on the perceived widening of the economic divide between urban and rural areas, and on the continued rise of national income inequality. We demonstrate that, in fact, the average income gap between urban (metropolitan) and rural (nonmetropolitan) households has not risen over the past 40 years, and makes virtually no contribution to national income inequality. Rising national inequality is driven by rising inequality within both urban and rural America, not by an urban/rural divergence. As is well known, the growing dispersion of household money income is partly driven by rising wage inequality, particularly in urban areas. Less well recognized is the role played by other income sources. We show that a decline in the progressivity of the distribution of social security payments and cash transfers, and an increase in the regressivity of the distribution of retirement incomes, have jointly made a comparably large contribution to rising income inequality. At the same time, the share of income from self‐employment has declined, particularly in rural America, and because self‐employment income is very unequally distributed, its diminution has retarded the growth of rural inequality. In 2014–15, however, rural inequality increased, cutting the urban/rural inequality gap in half.
Use of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for definitive diagnosis of synthetic cannabinoid toxicity in a dog
Authors: Kelmer Efrat , Shimshoni Jakob A. , Merbl Yael , Kolski Ofer , Klainbart Sigal
Published: July 2019

Objective

To report the use of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to confirm a diagnosis of synthetic cannabis toxicosis in a dog and to describe the clinical course of the intoxication.

Case Summary

An 11‐year‐old neutered female Boxer dog was referred due to acute onset of vomiting, ataxia, dull mentation, and delirium that progressed to generalized seizures, unresponsive to diazepam. Prior to presentation, the dog was found lying down, minimally responsive with vomitus around it. A chewed bag containing dried plant material was found next to the dog. The dog was anesthetized and ventilated with positive pressure for 16 hours, and eventually made a full recovery. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the plant material and a plasma sample from the dog revealed presence of the synthetic cannabinoid N‐[(1S)‐1‐(aminocarbonyl)‐2‐methylpropyl]‐1‐(cyclohexylmethyl)‐1H‐indazole‐3‐carboxamide, also known as AB‐CHMINACA, a relatively new illegal synthetic cannabinoid, known by the local forensic police department as a drug of recreational abuse.

New or Unique Information Provided

Reports of synthetic cannabinoid toxicosis in dogs are scarce and are based on urine test kits for tetrahydrocannabinol that have not been validated in the veterinary literature. This is the first report to describe utilization of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry on canine plasma to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Moderating Effects of Financial Transparency on Accounting Information’s Transmission to Share Prices: The Case Study of Non-Financial Companies Listed at BRVM
Authors: Ouattara Aboudou
Published: July 2019

The study of the moderating effect of non-financial companies’ financial transparency on their share values in the context of African stock exchanges is part of a dual perspective. At a first stage, it questions financial theory’s state of art on financial statement disclosure practices of listed companies and their anticipated influence on their shares’ prices. Thereafter, based on the investigation of the specific case of the WAEMU’s Regional capital market (BRVM), a financial place common to eight countries, it highlights the level of transparency in financial communication of companies listed in Africa’s capital market. In doing so, it provides a dual enrichment. First, it highlights the enrichment that researches on Africa’s context can provide to financial theory and its contribution to the reading of African Management practices. In a complementary fashion, it helps to discover the specific practices in Africa and their consequences on market functioning. It also questions the validity of the conclusions drawn from researches made in international environment in the African context.
Isolating the independent effects of hypoxia and hyperventilation‐induced hypocapnia on cerebral haemodynamics and cognitive function
Authors: Friend Alexander T. , Balanos George M. , Lucas Samuel J.E.
Published: July 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the independent effects of hypoxia and hypocapnia on cerebral haemodynamics and cognitive function?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Exposure to hyperventilation‐induced hypocapnia causes cognitive impairment in both normoxia and hypoxia. In addition, supplementation of carbon dioxide during hypoxia alleviates the cognitive impairment and reverses hypocapnia‐induced vasoconstriction of the cerebrovasculature. These data provide new evidence for the independent effect of hypocapnia on the cognitive impairment associated with hypoxia.

Hypoxia, which is accompanied by hypocapnia at altitude, is associated with cognitive impairment. This study examined the independent effects of hypoxia and hypocapnia on cognitive function and assessed how changes in cerebral haemodynamics may underpin cognitive performance outcomes. Single reaction time (SRT), five‐choice reaction time (CRT) and spatial working memory (SWM) tasks were completed in 20 participants at rest and after 1 h of isocapnic hypoxia (IH, end‐tidal oxygen partial pressure () = 45 mmHg, end‐tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure () clamped at normal) and poikilocapnic hypoxia (PH,  = 45 mmHg, not clamped). A subgroup of 10 participants were also exposed to euoxic hypocapnia (EH,  = 100 mmHg, clamped 8 mmHg below normal). Middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) and prefrontal cerebral haemodynamics were measured with transcranial Doppler and near infrared spectroscopy, respectively. IH did not affect SRT and CRT performance from rest (566 ± 50 and 594 ± 70 ms), whereas PH (721 ± 51 and 765 ± 48 ms) and EH (718 ± 55 and 755 ± 34 ms) slowed response times (P < 0.001 vs. IH). Performance on the SWM task was not altered by condition. MCAv increased during IH compared to PH (P < 0.05), which was unchanged from rest. EH caused a significant fall in MCAv and prefrontal cerebral oxygenation (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). MCAv was moderately correlated to cognitive performance (R2 = 0.266–0.289), whereas prefrontal cerebral tissue perfusion and saturation were not (P > 0.05). These findings reveal a role of hyperventilation‐induced hypocapnia per se on the development of cognitive impairment during normoxic and hypoxic exposures.
Impact of Neurapheresis System on Intrathecal Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study
Authors: Khani Mohammadreza , Sass Lucas R. , McCabe Aaron R. , Zitella Verbick Laura M. , Lad Shivanand P. , Sharp M. Keith , Martin Bryn A.
Published: July 2019

It has been hypothesized that early and rapid filtration of blood from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in postsubarachnoid hemorrhage patients may reduce hospital stay and related adverse events. In this study, we formulated a subject-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to parametrically investigate the impact of a novel dual-lumen catheter-based CSF filtration system, the Neurapheresis™ system (Minnetronix Neuro, Inc., St. Paul, MN), on intrathecal CSF dynamics. The operating principle of this system is to remove CSF from one location along the spine (aspiration port), externally filter the CSF routing the retentate to a waste bag, and return permeate (uncontaminated CSF) to another location along the spine (return port). The CFD model allowed parametric simulation of how the Neurapheresis system impacts intrathecal CSF velocities and steady–steady streaming under various Neurapheresis flow settings ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 ml/min and with a constant retentate removal rate of 0.2 ml/min simulation of the Neurapheresis system were compared to a lumbar drain simulation with a typical CSF removal rate setting of 0.2 ml/min. Results showed that the Neurapheresis system at a maximum flow of 2.0 ml/min increased average steady streaming CSF velocity 2× in comparison to lumbar drain (0.190 ± 0.133 versus 0.093 ± 0.107 mm/s, respectively). This affect was localized to the region within the Neurapheresis flow loop. The mean velocities introduced by the flow loop were relatively small in comparison to normal cardiac-induced CSF velocities.
Low- and High-Temperature Primary Resonance in Shape Memory Oscillator Observed by Multiple Time Scales and Harmonic Balance Method
Authors: Weremczuk Andrzej , Rekas Joanna , Rusinek Rafal
Published: July 2019

This paper focuses on the primary resonance of a one degree-of-freedom (1DOF) oscillator with a spring made of shape memory alloy (SMA). The primary resonance is analyzed using the multiple time scales method (MTSM) and the harmonic balance method (HBM). The shape memory spring is described by a fifth-order polynomial function. The solutions are analyzed along with the results reported by another authors, and compared with numerical simulations. Three ranges of temperature are analyzed. Finally, the practical implementation aspect of the harmonic balance and MTSMs are discussed.
User-Oriented Augmented Reality Content Delivery and Management for Ubiquitous Manufacturing
Authors: Li W. K. , Ong S. K. , Nee A. Y. C.
Published: July 2019

Ubiquitous manufacturing provides users with advanced control over the physical manufacturing environment. Ubiquitous augmented reality (UAR) interface enables direct manipulation in an environment containing smart objects. This paper describes a framework for implementing augmented reality (AR) in a ubiquitous manufacturing environment. The proposed system makes use of real-time data captured from client machines to update and manage AR contents. Ubiquitous augmented reality is utilized as a user interface for the client users to receive instructions and guidance from the system and to update the system on task parameters. A review of related work, and the framework, methodology, and implementation of the proposed system, and a case study are presented in this paper to demonstrate the UAR content delivery and update.
Comparative Study of Creep Behavior in 9Cr-1Mo Steel With Different Prediction Methods
Authors: Zhu Lin , Liu Xinbao , Fan Ping , Liu Jianqiu , Pan Chengfei
Published: July 2019

Over the range of variables (temperature and stress) normally encountered in service applications, creep behaviors of 9Cr-1Mo steel were investigated with various models, such as Wilshire model, combination of exponential form and omega (CEO) model, and continuum damage mechanics (CDM) model. First, a series of short-term creep data was prepared to evaluate the material parameters occurring in these models. Then, creep curve, minimum creep rate, and long-term creep life of present 9Cr-1Mo steel were extrapolated with these estimated models. Based on the analysis of obtained results in detail, it suggested that both CDM model and CEO model can give reliable minimum creep rate predictions. However, the most reliable values of long-term creep life are obtained by the CDM model, followed by the Wilshire model and then the CEO model. In particular, the physically based CDM model can provide useful insights into the underlying creep mechanisms. Therefore, the CDM model has promising potential to study the long-term creep behaviors of 9Cr-1Mo steels.
Experimental Study on Non-Pulverized Wood Biomass Combustion With a New Three-Way Swirling Combustion Cyclone Combustor
Authors: Choe Kangil , Lee Yangho , Lee Soongul , Weedon Michael
Published: July 2019

An experimental study presents a new innovative cyclone combustor, known as the three-way swirling combustion (TSC), utilizing non-pulverized wood biomass. The study shows that the combustor reached near-complete combustion, as evident in the measurements of CO and NOx emissions, and the excess air ratio. It also demonstrates the unique features of the TSC combustor, which includes an air curtain insulation effect with a high ash removal rate that reduces clinker and slag formation, alongside a chamber that does not need a refractory brick. It compares against conventional combustion technology, such as the stoker and the fluidized bed in terms of the amount of emission gases, maximum temperature, and excessive air ratio. Six geometrical and operational design criteria of the TSC for wood biomass combustion are identified for future work of design optimization. Ultimately, the implementation of the TSC for non-pulverized wood biomass and possibly for other biomass holds great potential for economically and technically beneficial incineration and power generation.
Using Complementary Techniques of ICDA and ILI for Assessing the Integrity of an Offshore/Onshore SPM Crude Pipeline
Authors: Baniah Bidyut B. , Khera Ashish
Published: July 2019

When a single source based crude oil feeder ‘difficult-to-pig’ pipeline runs through a highly sensitive marine national park, the Operator is challenged with the dilemma of how to assure the integrity of the pipeline with the limited options that are available.

After ten (10) years of service, in 2015, an Indian Operator chose to assess the time dependent threat of internal corrosion on their difficult-to-pig offshore (SPM) to onshore (Tank Farm) crude oil pipeline by utilizing the NACE SP0208-2008 Standard for Liquid-Petroleum Internal Corrosion Direct Assessment (ICDA). This methodology was already recommended by ASME B31.8S as one (1) of the three (3) options for assessing integrity of a pipeline. Only a year earlier, in 2014 – the Indian regulators, Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) had also brought the technique of ICDA within its regulatory framework for Operators as a credible option to assess integrity of pipelines that are difficult to pig and/or un-piggable.

This paper discusses on the findings of the ICDA program that forced the Operator to accelerate their integrity program for the subject pipeline and perform specialised In-line Inspection (ILI) in 2018. The paper also compares the results obtained from the non-intrusive predictive based ICDA program Vs. the ILI measured data.

This paper will be useful for Operators to understand the complementary nature of ICDA with ILI and provide guidance on how combination of these two (2) pipeline integrity tools not only identify the locations at which internal corrosion activity has already occurred but also answers the questions on why it occurred and how would it be mitigated?

The Operator managed to assure the integrity of their “difficult-to-pig” pipeline by timely utilisation of the integrity validation tools of ICDA and ILI. By doing this they were able to prevent the occurrence of any catastrophe that may result in an environmental, and subsequently an economic disaster.
Acoustic and geoacoustic inverse problems in randomly perturbed shallow-water environments
Authors: Dumaz Laure , Garnier Josselin , Lepoultier Guilhem
Published: July 2019

The main goal of this paper is to estimate the regional acoustic and geoacoustic shallow-water environment from data collected by a vertical hydrophone array and transmitted by distant time-harmonic point sources. The aim is to estimate the statistical properties of the random fluctuations of the index of refraction in the water column and the characteristics of the sea bottom. It is explained from first principles how acoustic wave propagation can be expressed as Markovian dynamics for the complex mode amplitudes of the sound pressure. This makes it possible to express the cross moments of the sound pressure in terms of the parameters to be estimated. Then it is shown how the estimation problem can be formulated as a nonlinear inverse problem using this formulation, which can be solved by minimization of a misfit function. The method is applied to experimental data collected by the Acoustic Laboratory for Marine Applications system. A Bayesian analysis quantifies the uncertainty of the estimation.
Vaunted diversity program catches on
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: July 2019

HHMI will fund multiple efforts to reproduce Meyerhoff Scholars Program.
Organic semiconductor photocatalyst can bifunctionalize arenes and heteroarenes
Authors: Ghosh Indrajit , Khamrai Jagadish , Savateev Aleksandr , Shlapakov Nikita , Antonietti Markus , König Burkhard
Published: July 2019

Two-for-one approach to photoredox

In photoredox catalysis, an excited chromophore typically activates a single reactant either by oxidizing or reducing it. Ghosh
et al.
used a semiconductor catalyst to activate two reactants at once by quenching both an excited electron and the residual positive hole (see the Perspective by Swift). As such, two different reactive carbon or halide fragments could be appended to separate sites on an aryl ring. The catalyst also tolerated strong nucleophiles such as cyanide and could be recovered easily and reused.

Science
, this issue p.
360
; see also p.
320