bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bias
Authors: Moseley Daniel
Published: June 2019

The term “bias” in its pejorative sense commonly refers to racism or other forms of prejudice. In this entry “bias” is used in a more restrictive sense to refer to systematic errors. The entry is divided into four sections. First, given the central role of error in this understanding of bias, it is helpful to consider what it is to err and to distinguish different kinds of error. Two main kinds of errors are identified: errors of thought and errors of action. Errors of thought include cognitive, perceptual, and affective errors. Errors of action are errors involved in bringing about one's ends of action. The entry examines ethical issues that pertain to the relation of these types of error, distinguishes error and ignorance, and explains their moral significance. Third, a framework for explaining forms of bias is provided, distinguishing four levels of explanation: personal, subpersonal, situational, and systemic. Finally, ethical complexities in attributing bias are examined.
Reification
Authors: Kavoulakos Konstantinos
Published: June 2019

Generally, “reification” denotes the case in which an object that does not possess thing‐like characteristics – for example, the human psyche, a person, his/her consciousness, abilities, social relations, and so forth – is regarded as a thing. For some philosophers, reification has a mainly epistemological meaning. For Marx and his successors within the wider critical theory tradition, epistemology is dialectically connected with social theory and transformative practice. Marx explicates reification as the “mystification” of social relations that appear as “things” because of their immediate coalescence with the material conditions of production. Georg Lukács further developed this view by locating the specifically modern cultural form, namely calculative rationality, the universal implementation of which brings about the phenomenon of reification. He regards reification as the concealment of the historical character of established social relations. Theorists of the Frankfurt School further developed Lukács's theory in the form of a critique of instrumental reason, without, however, offering a clearly contoured concept of reification. Consequently, in his late work, Theodor Adorno confined the use of the term to consciousness and cognition. Similarly, Jürgen Habermas attempted a radical reformulation of the “problematic of reification” in terms of the imbalance between the communicative processes of the modern lifeworld and the functionalist reason of the social system. Finally, in recent years, Axel Honneth proposed a new interpretation of Lukács's theory of reification in the context of his anthropological theory of recognition. In his view, reification represents the “forgetfulness of antecedent recognition,” that is, the forgetfulness of an ontogenetically necessary presupposition of the constitution of human subjects.
Praise
Authors: Haji Ishtiyaque
Published: June 2019

This entry adumbrates four views of praiseworthiness: a social benefits, a reactive attitude, a ledger, and a reasons‐responsive view. It then discusses some purported asymmetries between praiseworthiness and blameworthiness. It lists alleged conditions of praiseworthiness, and traces connections among praiseworthiness, obligation, freedom to do otherwise, and determinism. Invoking the thesis that obligation requires that we have alternatives – nothing can be obligatory, permissible, or impermissible for you unless you could have done otherwise – the difficult issue of whether determinism is compatible with praiseworthiness is addressed. If it is indeed true that having obligations entails having alternatives, then if praiseworthiness, in turn, presupposes obligation, praiseworthiness, too, requires that we could have done otherwise. Furthermore, if determinism effaces the sort of alternative that obligation requires, determinism threatens praiseworthiness as well. If praiseworthiness presupposes only belief in obligation (as opposed to obligation), then determinism may not undermine praiseworthiness, but appraisals of praiseworthiness in a deterministic world will all be based on false beliefs about obligation. The entry introduces accounts of praise that have affiliations with the social benefits, the ledger, and the reactive attitude views of praiseworthiness and discusses their strengths and shortcomings. Finally, two further accounts of praise modeled after George's Sher's dispositional view, and Tim Scanlon's impairment relations view of blame, are briefly assessed.
Philanthropy
Authors: Saunders‐Hastings Emma
Published: June 2019

In ethical traditions and in ordinary usage, the term “philanthropy” traditionally refers to the “love of humanity” or, more broadly, to motives of altruism and benevolence. More recently, the term has come to refer to acts of voluntary giving by individual and collective donors; its usage both overlaps and sometimes contrasts with the usage of the term “charity.” This entry focuses on the normative issues related to philanthropy in the latter sense, as acts of voluntary giving. It begins by acknowledging the range of meanings that “philanthropy” can have and by situating the concept in relation to charity and to justice. It then surveys prominent normative theories of philanthropy, distinguishing ethical theories of philanthropy that focus on the moral obligations of prospective donors from political theories of philanthropy that focus on philanthropy's relationship to the state and to political values such as liberal neutrality, distributive justice, and democracy.
Food Ethics
Authors: Bramble Ben
Published: June 2019

Current food practices affect animals, humans, and the environment in ways that some regard as morally troubling. This entry will explain the most important of these worries and what has been said in response to them. It will conclude with a brief discussion of one of the most interesting recent topics in food ethics, lab‐grown meat, which has been proposed as a “silver bullet” solution to some of these worries.
Global Finance
Authors: Dietsch Peter
Published: June 2019

Global capital flows have increased in both size and complexity in recent decades. This entry categorizes the ethical questions that global finance raises into three groups. First, to what extent do global financial markets actually deliver on their double promise of facilitating investment and diversifying risk? Conversely, to what extent are they subject to market failures? Second, even if global finance is beneficial in the aggregate, the evidence suggests that the benefits as well as the costs it imposes vary significantly for different actors. What are the distributive dimensions of global financial markets? Third, money is inextricably linked to power. Thus, a comprehensive picture of global finance needs to include an assessment of the role of states. How do states shape, but at the same time depend upon, global financial markets? These three considerations overlap in important ways, but distinguishing them is nonetheless useful to identify different ethical dimensions of global finance.
Patients’ Views on Routine Collection of Patient‐Reported Outcomes in Rheumatology Outpatient Care: A Multicenter Focus Group Study
Authors: Primdahl Jette , Jensen Dorte V. , Meincke Rikke H. , Jensen Kim V. , Ziegler Connie , Nielsen Stig W. , Dalsgaard Lillian , Kildemand Malene , Hetland Merete L. , Esbensen Bente A.
Published: June 2019

Objective

To explore the patients’ views of the collection and use of patient‐reported outcomes as part of routine care in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative focus group study based on interviews in each of the 5 geographical regions of Denmark. The analysis was based on content analysis. Four patient research partners were involved in the study.

Results

In total, 32 adult patients (21 female) with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 21), psoriatic arthritis (n = 6), and axial spondyloarthritis (n = 5) participated. The mean age was 60 years (range 32–80 years). Five themes were derived from the analysis: 1) a need for information about why the data are collected, reflecting patients’ uncertainty as to whether the collection of patient‐reported outcomes primarily served to monitor their own disease, to save money, or to gather data for research purposes; 2) inclusion of patient‐reported outcomes in the consultation, encompassing patients’ expectations of active use of the patient‐reported outcomes data during talks with rheumatologists or nurses; 3) reflections on how to respond to the patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) to obtain high quality data, referring to patients’ concerns about how to respond “correctly” and about issues that could affect their responses; 4) addressing patient‐reported outcomes to the individual's challenges, reflecting the need for a more individualized approach; and 5) possibilities for improvement in the use of patient‐reported outcomes, referring to patients’ ideas for the future use of patient‐reported outcomes.

Conclusion

Information and dialogue regarding the purpose of patient‐reported outcomes collection, how to respond to PROMs correctly, and inclusion of the patient‐reported outcomes data in the consultation are of importance to patients with inflammatory arthritis who routinely complete patient‐reported outcomes.
Versatile Fluorescent Probes for Imaging the Superoxide Anion in Living Cells and In Vivo
Authors: Xiao Haibin , Zhang Wen , Li Ping , Zhang Wei , Wang Xin , Tang Bo
Published: June 2019

The superoxide anion (O2.−) is widely engaged in the regulation of cell functions and is thereby intimately associated with the onset and progression of many diseases. To ascertain the pathological roles of O2.− in related diseases, developing effective methods for monitoring O2.− in biological systems is essential. Fluorescence imaging is a powerful tool for monitoring bioactive molecules in cells and in vivo owing to its high sensitivity and high temporal‐spatial resolution. Therefore, increasing numbers of fluorescent imaging probes have been constructed to monitor O2.− inside live cells and small animals. In this minireview, we summarize the methods for design and application of O2.−‐responsive fluorescent probes. Moreover, we present the challenges for detecting O2.− and suggestions for constructing new fluorescent probes that can indicate the production sites and concentration changes in O2.− as well as O2.−‐associated active molecules in living cells and in vivo.
Investigating the wicking behavior of micro/nanofibrous core‐sheath PET–PAN yarn modified by dimethyl 5‐sodium sulfoisophthalate
Authors: Abbaszadeh Asieh , Ravandi Seyed Abdolkarim Hosseini , Valipouri Afsaneh , Alirezazadeh Azam
Published: June 2019

The present research aims at imparting an improved wicking ability to the recycled multifilament yarns by wrapping composite nanofibers to attain an efficient material for filtration purposes. Therefore, polyacrylonitrile nanofibers containing dimethyl 5‐sodium sulfoisophthalate nanoparticles were wrapped around the recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) yarn by means of a novel electrospinning technique. Several tests were performed to investigate the parameters affecting wicking rise and moisture regain of the samples. Taguchi method was used in two separate designs (with or without nanoparticles). Some factors such as polymer solution concentration, mass ratio of nanoparticles, take‐up rate, and number of filaments were considered as the variable factors while yarn wicking rate and moisture regain were the response factors. It was found that the hydrophilic nature of nanoparticles together with the ultrafine structure of nanofibers provide yarns with enhanced wicking properties. Although solution concentration is the predominant factor in wicking rate of the yarns containing nanoparticles, the most effective factor in wicking rise and moisture regain for other cases is the number of filaments. The mechanism of nanoparticle effect on fluidic jet during electrospinning process is explained by theory of nanofluids stability which has never been validated experimentally in previous research studies. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 48185.
A Problematic Tyrannosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) Skeleton and Its Implications for Tyrannosaurid Diversity in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation (Upper Cretaceous) of Alberta
Authors: Mallon Jordan C. , Bura Jonathan R. , Schumann Dirk , Currie Philip J.
Published: June 2019

Several published censuses have noted the presence of two tyrannosaurids, Daspletosaurus sp. and Albertosaurus sarcophagus, within the Upper Cretaceous Horseshoe Canyon Formation of Alberta. Although A. sarcophagus is known from more than a dozen major discoveries in these strata, Daspletosaurus sp. is known from just a single problematic skeleton (lacking most of the skull) of a young individual. Here we describe and figure this skeleton, and marshal a variety of osteohistologic, morphometric, and phylogenetic methods to accurately determine its taxonomic status. Although none of these methods individually provides convincing evidence regarding the affinities of the specimen, together (and including other historical and biostratigraphic considerations) they strongly imply that the skeleton instead pertains to a young A. sarcophagus. In this way, we show that only a single species of tyrannosaurid is definitively present in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation, greatly simplifying interpretations of tyrannosaurid evolution and ecology in this setting. Anat Rec, 303:673–690, 2020. © 2019 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists.
Near‐IR Absorbing Ruthenium Complexes of Non‐Innocent 6,12‐Di(pyridin‐2‐yl)indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole: Variation as a Function of Co‐Ligands
Authors: Panda Sanjib , Ansari Md Asif , Mandal Abhishek , Lahiri Goutam Kumar
Published: June 2019

This article deals with the hitherto unexplored metal complexes of deprotonated 6,12‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5,11‐dihydroindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (H2L). The synthesis and structural, optical, electrochemical characterization of dimeric [{RuIII(acac)2}2(μ‐L.−)]ClO4 ([1]ClO4, S=1/2), [{RuII(bpy)2}2(μ‐L.−)](ClO4)3 ([2](ClO4)3, S=1/2), [{RuII(pap)2}2(μ‐L2−)](ClO4)2 ([4](ClO4)2, S=0), and monomeric [(bpy)2RuII(HL−)]ClO4 ([3]ClO4, S=0), [(pap)2RuII(HL−)]ClO4 ([5]ClO4, S=0) (acac=σ‐donating acetylacetonate, bpy=moderately π‐accepting 2,2’‐bipyridine, pap=strongly π‐accepting 2‐phenylazopyridine) are reported. The radical and dianionic states of deprotonated L in isolated dimeric 1+/23+ and 42+, respectively, could be attributed to the varying electronic features of the ancillary (acac, bpy, and pap) ligands, as was reflected in their redox potentials. Perturbation of the energy level of the deprotonated L or HL upon coordination with {Ru(acac)2}, {Ru(bpy)2}, or {Ru(pap)2} led to the smaller energy gap in the frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), resulting in bathochromically shifted NIR absorption bands (800–2000 nm) in the accessible redox states of the complexes, which varied to some extent as a function of the ancillary ligands. Spectroelectrochemical (UV/Vis/NIR, EPR) studies along with DFT/TD‐DFT calculations revealed (i) involvement of deprotonated L or HL in the oxidation processes owing to its redox non‐innocent potential and (ii) metal (RuIII/RuII) or bpy/pap dominated reduction processes in 1+ or 22+/3+/42+/5+, respectively.
Early language exposure supports later language skills in infants with and without autism
Authors: Swanson Meghan R. , Donovan Kevin , Paterson Sarah , Wolff Jason J. , Parish‐Morris Julia , Meera Shoba S. , Watson Linda R. , Estes Annette M. , Marrus Natasha , Elison Jed T. , Shen Mark D. , McNeilly Heidi B. , MacIntyre Leigh , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , St. John Tanya , Botteron Kelly , Dager Stephen , Piven Joseph ,   for the IBIS Network
Published: June 2019

The way that parents communicate with their typically developing infants is associated with later infant language development. Here we aim to show that these associations are observed in infants subsequently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study had three groups: high‐familial‐risk infants who did not have ASD (n = 46); high‐familial‐risk infants who had ASD (n = 14); and low‐familial‐risk infants who exhibited typical development (n = 36). All‐day home language recordings were collected at 9 and 15 months, and language skills were assessed at 24 months. Across all infants in the study, including those with ASD, a richer home language environment (e.g., hearing more adult words and experiencing more conversational turns) at 9 and 15 months was associated with better language skills. Higher parental educational attainment was associated with a richer home language environment. Mediation analyses showed that the effect of education on child language skills was explained by the richness of the home language environment. Exploratory analyses revealed that typically developing infants experience an increase in caregiver–child conversational turns across 9–15 months, a pattern not seen in children with ASD. The current study shows that parent behavior during the earliest stages of life can have a significant impact on later development, highlighting the home language environment as means to support development in infants with ASD. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1784–1795. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

It has long been understood that caregiver speech supports language skills in typically developing infants. In this study, parents of infants who were later diagnosed with ASD and parents of infants in the control groups completed all‐day home language recordings. We found that for all infants in our study, those who heard more caregiver speech had better language skills later in life. Parental education level was also related to how much caregiver speech an infant experienced.
New Insights into Nail Penetration of Li‐Ion Batteries: Effects of Heterogeneous Contact Resistance
Authors: Chen Meijie , Ye Qin , Shi Changmin , Cheng Qian , Qie Boyu , Liao Xiangbiao , Zhai Haowei , He Yurong , Yang Yuan
Published: June 2019

Nail penetration is one important mode of catastrophic failure in Li‐ion batteries, and the contact resistance between a nail and electrodes is a dominant factor for heat generation. Surprisingly, previous studies always assume uniform resistance and there is no experimental measurement of contact resistance, to the best of our knowledge. In this report, the contact resistance is determined experimentally. The contact resistance between a nail (diameter=1.25 mm) and a Cu/graphite electrode is 2.5±1.5 Ω, and a nail and Al/LiCoO2 is 20.3±12.4 Ω. These values are in the same order of the geometric mean of the resistance between nail/metal substrate and nail/active materials, suggesting a random connection network among the nail, the metal substrate, and active materials. It is found that the resistance can vary as large as 1–2 orders of magnitude, and such fluctuation is critical to the magnitude of temperature rise during nail penetration, which can increase temperature rise by ∼93 % compared to homogeneous contact resistance. The results show that the heterogeneity in contact resistance should be considered. Based on such new understanding, a simple approach to reduce the temperature increase during nail penetration was proposed by having the anode as the outermost layer.
Magnetic Resonance Examinations of Patients With Implanted Active Devices. A Low‐Cost Approach in Slew Rate Evaluation
Authors: Trevisan Diego , Nichelatti Claudio , Maieron Marta , Valentini Aldo
Published: June 2019

Time‐varying magnetic field gradients involved in magnetic resonance examinations can damage implanted electronic systems. The quantity related to this side effect is the gradient slew rate, which is usually not directly available on magnetic resonance console. The present study proposes a low‐cost approach in slew rate assessment, which is useful in risks versus benefits evaluation as well as in sequences optimization. The experimental method is based on an analog circuit, which senses the output voltage of the scanner waveform generator. This allows taking easy and reliable slew rate measurements, even during clinical examinations on patients. Whereas previous studies required managing a considerable amount of data, the present work addresses only the maximal slew rate of any clinical sequence. Experimental results show that the smooth gradient mode, selectable on the two scanners examined, is very effective in patient safety improvement. In particular, it reduces slew rate values in the range from 52.4 up to 132.4 T m‐1 s‐1, i.e. far below the interval 216–346 T m‐1 s‐1, indicated as slew rate tolerance limit of modern implanted electronic devices. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019;40:512–521. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society
An improved LC–MS/MS method for determination of cinacalcet in human plasma and its application to the evaluation of food intake effect on the pharmacokinetics of cinacalcet in healthy volunteers
Authors: Li Lin‐ling , Chen Cai‐li , Cai Ning‐fang , Yi Jin‐ling , Zheng Chao , Feng Yan , Xiong Wen‐gang , Luo Xi , Li Wei‐hua , Cheng Ze‐neng
Published: June 2019

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for the determination of cinacalcet in human plasma was developed and validated. This assay was based on liquid–liquid extraction and cinacalcet‐d4 was used as an internal standard (IS). Separation was achieved on a C18 column by the mobile phase A of water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and the mobile phase B of acetonitrile–water (95:5, v/v) (containing 0.2% formic acid) with gradient elution. Quantification was done using multiple reaction monitoring mode to monitor the precursor‐to‐product ion transitions of m/z 358.2 → m/z 155.2 for cinacalcet and m/z 362.3 → m/z 155.0 for IS at positive ionization mode. The calibration curve was established over the range 0.05–20.0 ng/mL and the correlation coefficient was >0.99. The intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviations were <5.8%. Accuracy determined at four concentrations ranged between 96.0 and 106.0%. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic description of oral dose of cinacalcet and the significant effect of food intake on the pharmacokinetics of cinacalcet was first demonstrated in Chinese healthy volunteers.
Use of image analysis to understand enzyme stability in an aerated stirred reactor
Authors: Dias Gomes Mafalda , Moiseyenko Rayisa P. , Baum Andreas , Jørgensen Thomas M. , Woodley John M.
Published: June 2019

Efficient regeneration of NAD(P)+ cofactors is essential for large‐scale application of alcohol dehydrogenases due to the high cost and chemical instability of these cofactors. NAD(P)+ can be regenerated effectively using NAD(P)H oxidases (NOXs) that require molecular oxygen as a cosubstrate. In large‐scale biocatalytic processes, agitation and aeration are needed for sufficient oxygen transfer into the liquid phase, both of which have been shown to significantly increase the rate of enzyme deactivation. As such, the aim of this study was to identify the existence of a correlation between enzyme stability and gas–liquid interfacial area inside the bioreactor. This was done by measuring gas–liquid interfacial areas inside an aerated stirred reactor, using an in situ optical probe, and simultaneously measuring the kinetic stability of NOXs. Following enzyme incubation at various power inputs and gas‐phase compositions, the residual activity was assessed and video samples were analyzed through an image processing algorithm. Enzyme deactivation was found to be proportional to an increase in interfacial area up to a certain limit, where power input appears to have a higher impact. Furthermore, the presence of oxygen increased enzyme deactivation rates at low interfacial areas. The areas were validated with defined glass beads and found to be in the range of those in large‐scale bioreactors. Finally, a correlation between the enzyme half‐life and specific interfacial area was obtained. Therefore, we conclude that the method developed in this contribution can help to predict the behavior of biocatalyst stability under industrially relevant conditions, concerning specific gas–liquid interfacial areas.
Teaching programming using dedicated Arduino Educational Board
Authors: Perenc Izabela , Jaworski Tomasz , Duch Piotr
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a new approach to teaching programming to undergraduate computer science students. A dedicated Arduino board along with custom application programming interface (API) was introduced into programming classes with a view to strengthen students’ engagement and improving the attractiveness of the course. The students were presented with basic functionalities of the board, which gave them a possibility to accomplish their own projects—typically video games—without any background in electronics. The level of engagement of the participants was observed by the tutors during classes and also reviewed based on questionnaires filled by 347 first‐, second‐, and third‐year undergraduates. The results indicated that the proposed approach was well received by nearly 80%, while nearly 75% of the participants expressed a wish to continue their Computer Science education using Arduino.
Outcomes of nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention requiring mechanical circulatory support in patients without cardiogenic shock
Authors: Al‐khadra Yasser , Alraies M. Chadi , Darmoch Fahed , Pacha Homam M. , Soud Mohamad , Kaki Amir , Rab Tanveer , Grines Cindy L. , Meraj Pewaiz , Alaswad Khaldoon , Kwok Chun S. , Mamas Mamas , Kapadia Samir
Published: June 2019

Background

The utilization of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using percutaneous ventricular assist device (PVAD) or intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been increasing. We sought to evaluate the outcome of coronary intervention using PVAD compared with IABP in noncardiogenic shock and nonacute myocardial infarction patients.

Method

Using the National Inpatient Sampling (NIS) database from 2005 to 2014, we identified patients who underwent PCI using ICD 9 codes. Patients with cardiogenic shock, acute coronary syndrome, or acute myocardial infarction were excluded. Patient was stratified based on the MCS used, either to PVAD or IABP. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to study PCI outcome using PVAD compared with IABP.

Results

Out of 21,848 patients who underwent PCI requiring MCS, 17,270 (79.0%) patients received IABP and 4,578 (21%) patients received PVAD. PVAD patients were older (69 vs. 67, p < .001), were less likely to be women (23.3% vs. 33.3%, p < .001), and had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia prior PCI, prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery, anemia, chronic lung disease, liver disease, renal failure, and peripheral vascular disease compared with IABP group (p ≤ .007). Using Multivariate logistic regression, PVAD patients had lower in‐hospital mortality (6.1% vs. 8.8%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.62; 95% CI 0.51, 0.77, p < .001), vascular complications (4.3% vs. 7.5%, aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.62, 0.99, p = .046), cardiac complications (5.6% vs. 14.5%, aOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.24, 0.36, p < .001), and respiratory complications (3.8% vs. 9.8%, aOR 0.37; 95% CI 0.28, 0.48, p < .001) compared with patients who received IABP.

Conclusion

Despite higher comorbidities, nonemergent PCI procedures using PVAD were associated with lower mortality compared with IABP.
Cutaneous necrotizing small‐vessel vasculitis induced by acute hepatitis E
Authors: Viallard Jean‐François , Vergier Béatrice , Lazaro Estibaliz , Greib Carine , Pellegrin Jean‐Luc
Published: June 2019

Hepatitis E virus is a new emergent virus causing acute self‐limiting hepatitis, but may also cause extrahepatic manifestations. Hepatitis E virus should be systematically considered in patients with cutaneous small‐vessel vasculitis and cytolytic hepatitis.
Rounding the corner on residual risk: Implications of REDUCE‐IT for omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids treatment in secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Baum Seth J. , Scholz Kenneth P.
Published: June 2019

Patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease remain at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events even during optimal lipid‐lowering therapy. Recent studies using the methods of Mendelian randomization, as well as analyses of data from large statin trials, have concluded that elevated triglyceride (TG) levels contribute to that increased risk. Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega‐3 PUFAs) from fish and shellfish (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) reduce TG levels when added to the diet in sufficient amounts, and they have favorable effects on several other markers of CV risk. However, trials of omega‐3 PUFAs have had inconsistent findings regarding CV risk reduction. Recently, the REDUCE‐IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with EPA‐Intervention Trial) trial reported that treatment of such high‐risk patients with icosapent ethyl, a purified and stabilized ethyl ester of EPA, reduced the risk of the trial's primary CV endpoint by 25% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 32%‐17%; P < .001). To appreciate the clinical implications of this result, it is important to understand how the REDUCE‐IT trial differed from previous trials, especially with regard to patient enrollment criteria and treatment dosing. We discuss these design features relative to other trials. TG lowering can account for only part of the risk reduction seen with icosapent ethyl; we also consider other potential contributory mechanisms.
Rational Adaptation of L3MBTL1 Inhibitors to Create Small‐Molecule Cbx7 Antagonists
Authors: Simhadri Chakravarthi , Daze Kevin D. , Douglas Sarah F. , Milosevich Natalia , Monjas Leticia , Dev Amarjot , Brown Tyler M. , Hirsch Anna K. H. , Wulff Jeremy E. , Hof Fraser
Published: June 2019

Chromobox homolog 7 (Cbx7) is an epigenetic modulator that is an important driver of multiple cancers. It is a methyl reader protein that operates by recognizing and binding to methylated lysine residues on specific partners. Herein we report our efforts to create low‐molecular‐weight inhibitors of Cbx7 by making rational structural adaptations to inhibitors of a different methyl reader protein, L3MBTL1, inhibitors that had previously been reported to be inactive against Cbx7. We evaluated each new inhibitor for Cbx7 inhibition by fluorescence polarization assay, and also confirmed the binding of selected inhibitors to Cbx7 by saturation‐transfer difference NMR spectroscopy. This work identified multiple small‐molecule inhibitors with modest (IC50: 257–500 μm) potency.
Progress in simplifying hydrologic model parameterization for broad applications to post‐wildfire flooding and debris‐flow hazards
Authors: Rengers F. K. , McGuire L. A. , Kean J. W. , Staley D. M. , Youberg A. M.
Published: June 2019

Predicting the timing of overland flow in burned watersheds can help to estimate debris‐flow timing and the location of debris‐flow initiation. Numerical models can produce flow predictions, but they are limited by our knowledge of appropriate model parameters. Moreover, opportunities to test and calibrate model parameters in post‐wildfire settings are limited by available data (measurements of debris‐flow timing are rare). In this study, we use a unique data set of rainfall and flow‐timing data to test the extent to which model parameters can be generalized from an individual watershed to other watersheds (0.01 km 2 to >1km 2) within a burned area. Simulations suggest that a single, low, saturated hydraulic conductivity value can be used in post‐wildfire landscapes with reasonable results. By contrast, we found that watershed‐scale effective Manning roughness parameter values decrease as a power‐law function of basin drainage area. Thus a Manning roughness parameter calibrated for a single basin within a burned area may not provide adequate results in a different watershed. However, when flow velocity is modeled independently for hillslopes and channels, and different roughness parameters are used for those morphometric units, there is no drainage‐area dependence on the roughness parameters. Moreover, we found that it was possible to use field‐measured grain size data to parameterize the roughness for both hillslopes and channels. Thus our results show that, employing this generalizable approach, it is possible to use field measurements to fully parameterize a model that produces peak flow timing to within a few minutes in storms lasting several hours. Further, we demonstrate how model simulations can be leveraged to identify areas within a watershed that are most susceptible to debris flows. This modeling approach could be used for decision making in hazardous burned areas and would be especially useful in ungaged basins. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decoupled kinematics of two neighbouring permafrost creeping landforms in the Eastern Italian Alps
Authors: Seppi Roberto , Carturan Luca , Carton Alberto , Zanoner Thomas , Zumiani Matteo , Cazorzi Federico , Bertone Aldo , Baroni Carlo , Salvatore Maria Cristina
Published: June 2019

An overall acceleration of rock glacier displacement rates in the Alps has been observed in recent decades, with several cases of destabilization leading to potential geomorphological hazards. This behaviour has been attributed to the rising permafrost temperature, induced by atmospheric warming and regulated by thermo‐hydrological processes. Landforms derived from the interaction of glacier remnants and permafrost are widespread in mountain areas, but are less studied and monitored than talus rock glaciers. This work presents a comparative study of a talus rock glacier and a glacial‐permafrost composite landform (GPCL) in the Eastern Italian Alps. The two landforms are only 10 km apart, but have rather different elevation ranges and main slope aspects. The kinematics and ground thermal conditions were monitored from 2001 to 2015 along with geomorphological surveys, analyses of historical maps and remote sensing data. The dynamic behaviour of the rock glacier was similar to the majority of monitored rock glaciers in the Alps, with an acceleration after 2008 and a velocity peak in 2015. In contrast, the GPCL had a nearly unchanged displacement rate during the observation period. Statistical analyses of kinematic vs. nivo‐meteorological variables revealed a dynamic decoupling of the two landforms after 2008 that corresponds with increased winter snow accumulation. Although the kinematics of both landforms respond to ground surface temperature variations, the collected evidence suggests a different reaction of ground surface temperature to variations in the precipitation regime. This different reaction is likely due to local topo‐climatic conditions that affect snow redistribution by wind. The different reactions of the two systems to the same climatic forcing is likely a legacy of their different origins. GPCL dynamics result from interaction of permafrost and residual glacial dynamics that are associated with possible peculiarities in the internal/basal meltwater circulation, whose future response is uncertain and requires improved understanding. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy of Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in Adolescents With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus: Part 1 of the DORA Study
Authors: Jonas Maureen M. , Squires Robert H. , Rhee Susan M. , Lin Chih‐Wei , Bessho Kazuhiko , Feiterna‐Sperling Cornelia , Hierro Loreto , Kelly Deirdre , Ling Simon C. , Strokova Tatiana , del Valle‐Segarra Antonio , Lovell Sandra , Liu Wei , Ng Teresa I. , Porcalla Ariel , Gonzalez Yuri Sanchez , Burroughs Margaret , Sokal Etienne
Published: June 2019

The pangenotypic regimen of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (G/P) is approved to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and has yielded high cure rates in adults in clinical trials. Approved treatment options for pediatrics may include ribavirin. A pangenotypic regimen for pediatric patients remains an unmet need. DORA is an ongoing phase 2/3, nonrandomized, open‐label study evaluating the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy of G/P in pediatric patients with chronic HCV. This analysis includes Part 1 of the study, conducted in adolescent patients 12‐17 years of age given the adult regimen of G/P (300 mg/120 mg) once daily for 8‐16 weeks according to the indication durations used in adults. Patients were either treatment naïve or experienced with interferon‐based regimens. The primary PK endpoint was steady‐state exposures for glecaprevir and pibrentasvir; the primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12). The secondary efficacy endpoints were on‐treatment virologic failure, relapse, and reinfection. Safety and tolerability were monitored. Part 1 enrolled 48 adolescent patients infected with genotypes 1, 2, 3, or 4, of whom 47 were administered G/P. All 47 patients (100%) achieved SVR12. No on‐treatment virologic failures or relapses occurred. PK exposures of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir were comparable to exposures in adults. No adverse events (AEs) led to treatment discontinuation, and no serious AEs occurred. Conclusion: Adolescent patients with chronic HCV infection treated with G/P achieved a comparable exposure to adults, 100% SVR12 rate, and safety profile consistent with that in adults. This pangenotypic regimen demonstrated 100% efficacy within the adolescent population in as little as 8 weeks of treatment.
Memory, stress, and the hippocampal hypothesis: Firefighters' recollections of the fireground
Authors: Metcalfe Janet , Brezler Jason C. , McNamara James , Maletta Gabriel , Vuorre Matti
Published: June 2019

Nadel, Jacobs, and colleagues have postulated that human memory under conditions of extremely high stress is “special.” In particular, episodic memories are thought to be susceptible to impairment, and possibly fragmentation, attributable to hormonally based dysfunction occurring selectively in the hippocampal system. While memory for highly salient and self‐relevant events should be better than the memory for less central events, an overall nonmonotonic decrease in spatio/temporal episodic memory as stress approaches traumatic levels is posited. Testing human memory at extremely high levels of stress, however, is difficult and reports are rare. Firefighting is the most stressful civilian occupation in our society. In the present study, we asked New York City firefighters to recall everything that they could upon returning from fires they had just fought. Communications during all fires were recorded, allowing verification of actual events. Our results confirmed that recall was, indeed, impaired with increasing stress. A nonmonotonic relation was observed consistent with the posited inverted u‐shaped memory‐stress function. Central details about emergency situations were better recalled than were more schematic events, but both kinds of events showed the memory decrement with high stress. There was no evidence of fragmentation. Self‐relevant events were recalled nearly five times better than events that were not self‐relevant. These results provide confirmation that memories encoded under conditions of extremely high stress are, indeed, special and are impaired in a manner that is consistent with the Nadel/Jacobs hippocampal hypothesis.
Cancer in Africa 2018: The role of infections
Authors: Parkin Donald M. , Hämmerl Lucia , Ferlay Jacques , Kantelhardt Eva J.
Published: June 2019

We estimate the fractions of cancer attributed to infections in Africa in 2018. The number of new cancer cases occurring was taken from Globocan2018 with some additional estimations based on data from African population‐based registries. Population attributable fractions were calculated using prevalence of infection and relative risk in exposed vs. nonexposed. The greatest share of infection‐associated cancers is due to the human papillomaviruses (12.1% of all cancers in Africa and 15.4% in sub‐Saharan Africa [SSA]); of these, cervical cancer is by far the most common. Kaposi sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus is responsible for 3.1% of all cancers in Africa, the hepatitis viruses (B and C) for 2.9% and Helicobacter pylori for 2.7% (non‐Cardia Gastric cancer and primary gastric lymphomas). Two percent of cancers are attributable to the Epstein–Barr virus, Schistosoma haematobium increases the risk of bladder cancer resulting in 1.0% of all cancers. HIV‐related NHL and squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva account for 0.6% of cancers. Altogether 24.5% of cancers in Africa and 28.7% in SSA are due to infectious agents. Infections are by far the most common cancer risk factor for cancer in Africa—the traditional risk factors (smoking, alcohol and unhealthy diet) probably cause only one in eight cancers in Africa. Prevention should focus on those infectious diseases preventable through vaccination (HPV and hepatitis B) which could reduce two‐thirds of the burden. Helicobacter pylori and schistosomiasis are treatable with antibiotics and praziquantel, with a potential reduction of one in eight infection‐associated cancers.
Mortality of downstream migrating European eel at power stations can be low when turbine mortality is eliminated by protection measures and safe bypass routes are available
Authors: Økland Finn , Havn Torgeir B. , Thorstad Eva B. , Heermann Lisa , Sæther Stein Are , Tambets Meelis , Teichert Maxim A. K. , Borcherding Jost
Published: June 2019

The abundance of the European eel has seriously declined during recent decades. Hydropower production is one of the main threats, and solutions at power stations are needed to reduce the mortality of the downstream migrating silver eel. We examined the mortality, migration routes, and behavior of silver eel at a power station in Germany, after the power station was rebuilt to reduce the mortality of downstream migrating fish. Of 270 eels implanted with radio transmitters and released upstream of the power station, 222 eels passed the power station, primarily in October and November, although some descended during winter and spring. Most eels followed the main flow and passed over the spillway gate (59% and 49% in the 2 study years) or followed the route toward the bar racks in front of the turbines (24% and 27%), where they were guided to a route outside the turbines via the flushing channel. Some eels used the vertical slot fish passage (12% and 8%), whereas few used a nature‐like fishway, canoe pass, or custom‐made bypasses for eel. The eels showed large individual variation in migration timing, migration speeds, and choice of bypass. No eels were killed in the turbines, as none passed through them, likely due to the narrow bar spacing of the racks (10 mm). The results demonstrated that the mortality of eel passing power stations can be low (0–4% and 0–8% in the 2 study years) when the turbine intake is covered by racks hindering eels from entering turbines and safe bypass routes are available. Mortality estimates are given as ranges because the fate of 4% and 8% of the individuals could not be determined. Potential mortality could have been related to injuries in the bypass routes or increased predation risk, but there were no indications of injuries caused by installations in any of the bypass routes.
Noncovalent Complexes of the Noble‐Gas Atoms: Analyzing the Transition from Physical to Chemical Interactions
Authors: Borocci Stefano , Grandinetti Felice , Sanna Nico , Antoniotti Paola , Nunzi Francesca
Published: June 2019

The bonding character of the noncovalent complexes of the noble‐gas (Ng) atoms ranges from nearly purely dispersive contacts to interactions featuring appreciable contributions of induction and charge transfer. In this study, we discuss a new quantitative index that seems peculiarly informative about these diverse bonding situations. This index was termed as the degree of polarization (DoP) of Ng, as it measures, in essence, the Ng polarization promoted by the binding partner. The definition of the DoP(Ng) relies on the analysis of the local electron energy densityH(r), and its physical meaning was best appreciated by studying also the charge‐displacement function and the molecular electrostatic potential of the investigated benchmark species, that include nearly 60 Ngs complexes of different bonding character. The DoP(Ng) appears of general applicability, and is also positively correlated with other bonding character indices. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An exploratory study of patients’ sudden losses during outpatient CBT and therapists’ experience of difficulties
Authors: Odyniec Patrizia , Probst Thomas , Göllner Richard , Margraf Jürgen , Willutzki Ulrike
Published: June 2019

Objective

Patients’ sudden deterioration in symptomatology, also called sudden losses, is a rarely explored phenomenon.

Method

Psychological distress of 1,763 patients treated by 140 therapists was monitored after every therapy session. Patient‐reported outcome measures and patients’ therapy satisfaction was assessed. Therapists rated their experience of difficulties for every patient repeatedly over the course of therapy.

Results

More than one‐quarter of patients (26.5%) experienced at least one sudden loss during therapy. Patients with sudden losses did not differ significantly in psychotherapy outcome and therapy satisfaction from patients without sudden shifts. Therapists did not experience professional self‐doubt more often when working with sudden loss patients.

Conclusion

Sudden losses were not necessarily harmful for the outcome of psychotherapy and patients’ global therapy satisfaction. The results suggest that sudden losses can be compensated over the course of treatment.
Improved NO removal from flue gas by hydrazine and its mechanism analysis
Authors: Guan Zhenzhen , Hong Liu , Guo Ruitang , Pan Weiguo , Li Fangqin , Wu Jiang , Ren Jianxing
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Selective non‐catalytic reduction (SNCR) is a proven technique to lessen nitric oxide (NO) emissions from stationary sources. However, the process using ammonia or urea as a reducing agent is only effective in a narrow and high temperature window, with the maximum NO abatement declining when increasing the oxygen (O2) content. Large industrial boilers may be often under a variable load and an excess of O2, which could decrease the effectiveness of the de‐NOx process. This study investigated hydrazine (N2H4) as a reagent to improve SNCR performance.

RESULTS

NO reduction by N2H4 was experimentally investigated in a pilot‐scale flow reactor. The effect of reaction temperature, molar ratio of NH2 to NO (normalized stoichiometric ratio, NSR), initial NO level and O2 concentration on the NO reduction in flue gas containing 7.4–17.4% (v/v) O2 at temperatures between 450 and 1100 °C was determined. The experimental results indicated that NO reduction by N2H4 was possible in dual temperature ranges, and the optimum reaction temperatures were about 580 and 1060 °C at NSR = 2.0. Moreover, the N2H4–NO reaction is less O2‐sensitive. A chemical kinetic model was developed to correctly describe the non‐catalytic reduction of NO by N2H4 in the presence of O2.

CONCLUSION

Hydrazine‐based SNCR is an alternative method for NO reduction occurring in dual temperature ranges and excess O2. The present model provided a satisfactory prediction of the experimental results, offering an effective tool for process simulation over a wide range of operating conditions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry