bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure to common infections and risk of suicide and self-harm: a longitudinal general population study
Authors: Lindgren Maija , Holm Minna , Markkula Niina , Härkänen Tommi , Dickerson Faith , Yolken Robert H. , Suvisaari Jaana
Published: March 2020

Common infectious agents, such as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and several human herpes viruses, have been linked to increased risk of self-harm. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between self-harm and seropositivity to T. gondii, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex virus Type 1 (HSV-1), and Cytomegalovirus (CMV). IgM and IgG antibodies to these infections were measured in the Health 2000 project nationally representative of the whole Finnish adult population, and 6250 participants, age 30 and over, were followed for 15 years via registers. In addition, lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempts based on medical records and interview were assessed within a subsample of 694 participants screened to a substudy for possible psychotic symptoms or as controls. Among the 6250 participants, 14 individuals died of suicide and an additional 4 individuals had a diagnosis of intentional self-harm during follow-up. Serological evidence of lifetime or acute infections was not found to be associated with these suicidal outcomes. However, in the subsample, those seropositive for CMV had fewer suicide attempts compared to those seronegative, adjusting for gender, age, educational level, childhood family size, regional residence, CRP, and screen status (OR for multiple attempts = 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.20‒0.83, p = 0.014). To conclude, common infections were not associated with risk of death by suicide or with self-harm diagnoses at a 15-year follow-up in the general population sample. Our finding of an increased number of suicide attempts among persons seronegative for CMV calls for further research.
Impaired connectivity within neuromodulatory networks in multiple sclerosis and clinical implications
Authors: Carotenuto Antonio , Wilson Heather , Giordano Beniamino , Caminiti Silvia P. , Chappell Zachary , Williams Steven C. R. , Hammers Alexander , Silber Eli , Brex Peter , Politis Marios
Published: March 2020

There is mounting evidence regarding the role of impairment in neuromodulatory networks for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the role of neuromodulatory networks in multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been assessed. We applied resting-state functional connectivity and graph theory to investigate the changes in the functional connectivity within neuromodulatory networks including the serotonergic, noradrenergic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic systems in MS. Twenty-nine MS patients and twenty-four age- and gender-matched healthy controls performed clinical and cognitive assessments including the expanded disability status score, symbol digit modalities test, and Hamilton Depression rating scale. We demonstrated a diffuse reorganization of network topography (P < 0.01) in serotonergic, cholinergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic networks in patients with MS. Serotonergic, noradrenergic, and cholinergic network functional connectivity derangement was associated with disease duration, EDSS, and depressive symptoms (P < 0.01). Derangements in serotonergic, noradrenergic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic network impairment were associated with cognitive abilities (P < 0.01). Our results indicate that functional connectivity changes within neuromodulatory networks might be a useful tool in predicting disability burden over time, and could serve as a surrogate endpoint to assess efficacy for symptomatic treatments.
Deterioration of initially accepted radiological alignment of conservatively treated AO type-C distal radius fractures: mid-term outcome
Authors: Raudasoja Leena , Vastamäki Heidi , Aspinen Samuli
Published: March 2020

Background and aims

It still remains controversial how often the once-accepted radiological alignment of an AO type-C distal radius fracture deteriorates after conservative treatment, and to what extent this deterioration is perhaps associated with patient-rated outcome measures (PROms). Thus, we aimed to evaluate this radiological deterioration and its association with mid-term functional follow-up.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed 66 patients (mean age at fracture 53 years, SD 14.1, range 18–73, female 65%) with 68 C-type distal radius fractures at a mean of 6.7 years (SD 0.5 years, range 5.8–7.7 years) after primary closed reduction and cast immobilization. Radiographs of the wrists were taken and analysed for any radial shortening, dorsal tilt or step-off at the joint surface. Range of motion and grip strength were measured. In addition to the radiological result, primary outcome measures included Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QDash) and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE).

Results

At mid-term follow-up, an acceptable anatomical radiological result was seen in only 22 wrists (32%). Deterioration of the once-achieved and accepted primary alignment was seen in a majority of cases (68%). Radial shortening of ≥ 2 mm was found in 34 wrists (51%, mean 4 mm, range 2–8 mm), with no association with QDash (12.8 vs. 5.5, p = 0.22) or PRWE (9.1 vs. 5.7, p = 0.40). Only four patients (6%) showed step-off at the joint surface (mean 1.1 mm, range 0.5–2 mm). Twenty-two wrists (32%) showed dorsal tilt of ≥ 10° (five with volar tilt of 15°–25°), with no effect on QDash or PRWE (14.7 vs. 6.5, p = 0.241 and 10.1 vs. 5.8, p = 0.226). Altogether, patients with dorsal tilt, step-off or shortening did not show significantly worse QDash (10.3 vs. 5.7, p = 0.213) or PRWE (8.1 vs. 5.1, p = 0.126) versus those with none. Twenty-nine (43%) of the patients had deficits in range of motion (ROM), either in extension (39%), flexion (43%), supination (16%) or pronation (4%), or combinations of these. Worse extension was associated with worse QDash (15.9 vs. 5.0, p = 0.037), flexion deficit with worse PRWE (11.5 vs. 4.4, p = 0.005) and supination deficit with both QDash (21.7 vs. 6.8, p = 0.025) and PRWE (18.9 vs. 5.2, p = 0.007).

Conclusions

The initially accepted radiological alignment of AO type-C radius fractures deteriorated in a majority of cases during conservative treatment. However, this deterioration was fairly mild and showed no significant association with functional outcome. Restricted ROM showed some association with PROms.

Level of evidence

IV.
Effect of hyperextension of the neck (rose position) on cerebral blood oxygenation in patients who underwent cleft palate reconstructive surgery: prospective cohort study using near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Smarius B.J.A. , Breugem C.C. , Boasson M.P. , Alikhil S. , van Norden J. , van der Molen A.B. Mink , de Graaff J.C.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To facilitate the best approach during cleft palate surgery, children are positioned with hyperextension of the neck. Extensive head extension may induce intraoperative cerebral ischemia if collateral flow is insufficient. To evaluate and monitor the effect of cerebral blood flow on cerebral tissue oxygenation, near-infrared spectroscopy has proved to be a valuable method. The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify whether hyperextension affects the cerebral tissue oxygenation in children during cleft palate surgery.

Materials and methods

This prospective study included children (ASA 1 and 2) under the age of 3 years old who underwent cleft palate repair at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, in The Netherlands. Data were collected for date of birth, cleft type, date of cleft repair, and physiological parameters (MAP, saturation, heart rate, expiratory CO2 and O2, temperature, and cerebral blood oxygenation) during surgery. The cerebral blood oxygenation was measured with NIRS.

Results

Thirty-four children were included in this study. The majority of the population was male (61.8%, n = 21). The mixed model analyses showed a significant drop at time of Rose position of − 4.25 (69–74 95% CI; p < 0.001) and − 4.39 (69–74 95% CI; p < 0.001). Postoperatively, none of the children displayed any neurological disturbance.

Conclusion

This study suggests that hyperextension of the head during cleft palate surgery leads to a significant decrease in cerebral oxygenation. Severe cerebral desaturation events during surgery were uncommon and do not seem to be of clinical relevance in ASA 1 and 2 children.

Clinical relevance

There was a significant drop in cerebral oxygenation after positioning however it is not clear whether this drop is truly significant physiologically in ASA 1 and 2 patients.
Fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh flaps for complex abdominal wall reconstruction after resection of enterocutaneous fistulas and the role of indocyanine green angiography: a pilot study
Authors: Pruimboom T. , Ploegmakers I. B. M. , Bijkerk E. , Breukink S. O. , van der Hulst R. R. W. J. , Qiu S. S.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

No previous study reported the use of a fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap combined with a biological mesh for abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) after enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) in a single-staged procedure and the use of Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICGA) intraoperatively. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and safety of this procedure and to examine the added value of ICGA in minimizing postoperative complications.

Methods

A single-institution review of a prospectively maintained database was conducted at Maastricht University Medical Center. To evaluate the feasibility and safety of this procedure, early (≤ 30 days) and late (> 30 days) postoperative complications were assessed. ECF recurrence was considered the primary outcome. To examine the added value of ICGA, complications in the ICGA group and the non-ICGA group were compared descriptively.

Results

Ten consecutive patients, with a mean age of 66.7 years, underwent a single-staged AWR with fasciocutaneous ALT flaps. Mean follow-up was 17.4 months (4.3–28.2). Two early ECF recurrences were observed. Both restored without the need for reoperation. A lower rate of early complications was observed in the ICGA group compared to the non-ICGA group.

Conclusion

The combination of a biological mesh and fasciocutaneous ALT flap is feasible and safe in AWR after ECF repair in a single-staged approach, with an acceptable complication rate in a cohort of complex patients operated in a dedicated center. ECF closure was achieved in all patients. ICGA seems to be of great added value in minimizing postoperative complications during AWR.
Designing flight deck applications: combining insight from end-users and ergonomists
Authors: Parnell Katie J. , Banks Victoria A. , Allison Craig K. , Plant Katherine L. , Beecroft Peter , Stanton Neville A.
Published: March 2020

Technological advancement brings opportunities for enhanced information, support, and functionality within the flight deck. Whilst this has many benefits to the pilot and the overall safety of the aircraft, the practical integration of new technologies needs to be carefully considered throughout the entirety of the design process. The application of Human Factors methods must ensure that new technologies do not expose the system to new failures. This paper compares two methods of generating design recommendations for new technological features; the system human error reduction and prediction approach (SHERPA) and the Design with Intent (DwI) method. The assimilation of the recommendations from both methods presents interesting findings that highlight the benefits of integrating end-users within structured Human Factors methods to generate effective and usable technological interfaces. Case examples showing the similarities and differences between the concepts that the two methods generate are presented. The practicalities in using each approach within a Human Factors-driven design process are also discussed. The findings highlight the importance of end-user engagement in the early phases of the design lifecycle and how this relates to a Human Factors approach to design.
An Exploratory Study of a Dimensional Assessment of the Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
Authors: Brosnan Mark
Published: March 2020

Prevalence rates of autism based upon child samples have shown a consistent increase over the past three decades, suggesting that many autistic adults are undiagnosed. Adult diagnostic pathways typically are initiated with measures of autistic-like traits. Whilst autistic-like traits represent a continuous dimension across the general population, autism is a categorical diagnosis and the relationship between the two is unclear. A self-report dimensional reflection upon the two diagnostic criteria for autism was developed and reflected upon by 1076 participants embedded within two online surveys. Those with an informal (self) diagnosis of autism self-reported comparable social difficulties but fewer restricted and repetitive behaviour difficulties than those with a formal diagnosis of autism. The new items also significantly correlated with autistic-like traits.
Need Satisfaction and Optimal Functioning at Leisure and Work: A Longitudinal Validation Study of the DRAMMA Model
Authors: Kujanpää Miika , Syrek Christine , Lehr Dirk , Kinnunen Ulla , Reins Jo Annika , de Bloom Jessica
Published: March 2020

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in psychological need satisfaction and its role in promoting optimal functioning. The DRAMMA model integrates existing need and recovery models to explain why leisure is connected to optimal functioning (i.e., high well-being and low ill-being). It encompasses six psychological needs: detachment, relaxation, autonomy, mastery, meaning, and affiliation (DRAMMA). While the individual needs of the DRAMMA model have been previously shown to relate to different aspects of optimal functioning, a longitudinal study examining the entire model has not been conducted before. In this longitudinal field study covering leisure and work episodes, we tested the within-person reliability and (construct and criterion) validity of the operationalization of the DRAMMA model in a sample of 279 German employees. Participants filled out measures of DRAMMA need satisfaction and optimal functioning at five measurement times before, during, and after vacation periods in 2016 and 2017. The six-factor model showed good fit to the data. In the multilevel models, relaxation, detachment, autonomy, and mastery had the most consistent within-person effects on optimal functioning, while the relationships between optimal functioning, meaning, and affiliation were considerably weaker. In conclusion, DRAMMA need satisfaction can aid and nurture employees’ optimal functioning.
Convergence of linking Baskakov-type operators
Authors: Abel Ulrich , Heilmann Margareta , Kushnirevych Vitaliy
Published: March 2020

In this paper we consider a link $$B_{n,\rho }$$Bn,ρ between Baskakov type operators $$B_{n,\infty }$$Bn,∞ and genuine Baskakov–Durrmeyer type operators $$ B_{n,1}$$Bn,1 depending on a positive real parameter $$\rho $$ρ. The topic of the present paper is the pointwise limit relation $$\left( B_{n,\rho }f\right) \left( x\right) \rightarrow \left( B_{n,\infty }f\right) \left( x\right) $$Bn,ρfx→Bn,∞fx as $$\rho \rightarrow \infty $$ρ→∞ for $$x\ge 0.$$x≥0. As a main result we derive uniform convergence on each compact subinterval of the positive real axis for all continuous functions f of polynomial growth.
Anti-adhesion activity of phytochemicals to prevent Campylobacter jejuni biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces
Authors: Klančnik Anja , Šimunović Katarina , Sterniša Meta , Ramić Dina , Smole Možina Sonja , Bucar Franz
Published: March 2020

Biofilms provide a protective environment for pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni, the most prevalent foodborne pathogen, and biofilm formation can enhance bacterial survival in hostile environments. Adhesion of bacteria to the different materials of industrial surfaces is the first step in biofilm formation. Modulation of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation thus represent important targets in alternative control strategies for reduction of pathogens in food-processing environments. With the high prevalence of C. jejuni and the lack of effective control measures, new control strategies are needed to block adhesion and biofilm formation on food contact surfaces in the food industry, with a focus here on natural antimicrobial phytochemicals. Plants remain a poorly recognized yet vast source of such antimicrobials. Valuable phytochemicals can be obtained directly from plant materials but also from agro-food by-products and waste materials. These materials represent a source of important plant bioactive phytochemicals that are effective for prevention of bacterial adhesion. In this review, we will focus on the anti-adhesion activities of phytochemicals targeted against C. jejuni, on the appropriate methodologies to determine anti-adhesion effects of phytochemicals, on the mechanisms of C. jejuni adhesion, and thus possible targets for reduction and control of this foodborne pathogen in food processing environments.
Risk attitudes and digit ratio (2D:4D): Evidence from prospect theory
Authors: Neyse Levent , Vieider Ferdinand M. , Ring Patrick , Probst Catharina , Kaernbach Christian , van Eimeren Thilo , Schmidt Ulrich
Published: March 2020

Prenatal androgens have organizational effects on brain and endocrine system development, which may have a partial impact on economic decisions. Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between prenatal testosterone and financial risk taking, yet results remain inconclusive. We suspect that this is due to difficulty in capturing risk preferences with expected utility based tasks. Prospect theory, on the other hand, suggests that risk preferences differ between gains, losses and mixed prospects, as well as for different probability levels. This study investigates the relationship between financial risk taking and 2D:4D, a putative marker of prenatal testosterone exposure, in the framework of prospect theory. We conducted our study with 350 participants of Caucasian and Asian ethnicities. We do not observe any significant relationship between 2D:4D and risk taking in either of these domains and ethnicities.
A Psychometric Investigation into the Structure of Deception Strategy Use
Authors: Hamlin Iain , Taylor Paul J. , Cross Liam , MacInnes Katharina , Van der Zee Sophie
Published: March 2020

This paper uses a data-driven approach to identify the psychological factors that underlie the array of strategies that people use to hide their deceit. Two hundred and nine participants told two lies and two truths and then completed a self-report scale that elicited their experiences when deceiving. A factor analysis of responses produced four factors, three of which were strategic in nature: Nonverbal behaviour control, which relates to attempts to monitor and control nonverbal behaviour when lying; Detail, which relates to attempts to produce detailed, engaging lies; Cognitive difficulty, which relates to the cognitive difficulties experienced when lying and their strategic consequences; and Anxiety, which relates to the negative emotions experienced when deceiving. The results further our understanding of the psychological processes that underpin deception and suggest several potentially fruitful avenues for future research.
Phagentaxonomie in der Next Generation Sequencing-Ära
Authors: Chibani Cynthia Maria , Liesegang Heiko
Published: March 2020

Phages are the biggest known biological entity on earth (about 1031 particles). Due to next generation sequencing methods applied on environmental samples an unpreceeded amount of phage genome data is available. Due to their extreme diversity and the lack of monophyly a sequence based taxonomy is challenging. However, within the phages there are monophyletic subgroups that can be classified based on their genome sequence. A method that combines the shared gene content with taxon specific similarities enables a reliable identification of the phage family based exclusively on the corresponding genome sequence.
Klein, gefährlich und gesprächig — Quorum sensing bei Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Hecher Yannik , Papenfort Kai
Published: March 2020

To efficiently interact with their environment, bacteria often work in groups to solve complex tasks. Coordination of collective functions requires communication among the members of the group, a process typically referred to as quorum sensing (QS). Marine Vibrio species, including the major human pathogen Vibrio cholerae, have become a model to study the regulatory architecture underlying QS. In this review we summarize how V. cholerae employs QS to regulate virulence, biofilm formation, type-6-secretion, and phage interactions.
Von Plastikmüll zu Plastikwertstoffen — Polymerrecycling neu gedacht
Authors: Tiso Till , Ballerstedt Hendrik , Eberlein Christian , Zimmermann Wolfgang , Wierckx Nick , Blank Lars M.
Published: March 2020

The ever increasing plastic production and the challenges of low recycling quota, microplastic and plastic in the ocean is summarized as plastic crisis, asking for new technology for end-of-life polymer use. We present a value chain for plastic waste developed in the EU project P4SB. Plastic is hydrolysed to its monomers by engineered enzymes and the monomers are the feedstock for engineered microbes to synthesise products of value. This upcycling adds incentives for increased polymer recycling.
A Multiproduct Biorefinery Approach for the Production of Hydrogen, Methane and Volatile Fatty Acids from Agricultural Waste
Authors: Righetti Edoardo , Nortilli Simone , Fatone Francesco , Frison Nicola , Bolzonella David
Published: March 2020

A pilot scale biorefinery platform for the treatment of agro-waste and the production of hydrogen, methane and volatile fatty acids was studied in real environment. The system adopted was a two stage anaerobic process where hydrogen and volatile fatty acids were produced in the first phase (fermentation) and methane in the second one (digestion). The study demonstrated the possibility to produce a biogas composed by hydrogen and methane (10% and 55%, respectively) while recovering volatile fatty acids. The yield for acids production was equivalent to 0.13 gVFA/gTVS (as COD) with acetate and butyrate as dominant observed species.

Graphic Abstract
Comparison of Different Approaches to Include Connection Elements into Frequency-Based Substructuring
Authors: Mahmoudi Ahmed El , Rixen Daniel J. , Meyer Christian H.
Published: March 2020

Dynamic substructuring (DS) is a research field that has gained a great deal of attention in both science and industry. The aim of DS techniques is to provide engineers in structural vibrations and sound practical solutions for analyzing the dynamic behavior of complex systems. This paper addresses the singularity problem that occurs when flexible joints are implemented as substructures into the Lagrange Multiplier Frequency-Based Substructuring (LM-FBS) coupling process. For illustration, we use rubber bushings from an automotive application. Considering the rubber isolators to exhibit hysteretic damping, we assume that only the property of the dynamic stiffness of material is given. To avoid singularity appearing in the admittance when inverting the impedance of a massless joint, we compare three different approaches to include rubber bushings in the framework of LM-FBS. One method consists in including the dynamic stiffness of material directly in the space of the interface constraints and add it to the assembled interface flexibility of the LM-FBS equation. This corresponds to a relaxation of the interface compatibility condition. In the second method, the rubber bushing is treated as a substructure by adding small masses to the equation of the joint. As a result, we obtain a nonsingular total dynamic stiffness matrix that can be included in the coupling process. The third method describes a novel extension of the LM-FBS approach, based on a solution for singular problems. If the applied forces are self-equilibrated with respect to the rigid body modes, a solution for the singular dynamic stiffness matrix exists. The methods are outlined, both mathematically and conceptually, based on a notation commonly used in LM-FBS. They facilitate the integration of connecting elements together with experimental or numerical determined system dynamics of substructures in order to predict the assembled system behavior.
Mesoporous Ternary Nitrides of Earth-Abundant Metals as Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalyst
Authors: Saad Ali , Shen Hangjia , Cheng Zhixing , Arbi Ramis , Guo Beibei , Hui Lok Shu , Liang Kunyu , Liu Siqi , Attfield John Paul , Turak Ayse , Wang Jiacheng , Yang Minghui
Published: March 2020

As sustainable energy becomes a major concern for modern society, renewable and clean energy systems need highly active, stable, and low-cost catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Mesoporous materials offer an attractive route for generating efficient electrocatalysts with high mass transport capabilities. Herein, we report an efficient hard templating pathway to design and synthesize three-dimensional (3-D) mesoporous ternary nickel iron nitride (Ni3FeN). The as-synthesized electrocatalyst shows good OER performance in an alkaline solution with low overpotential (259 mV) and a small Tafel slope (54 mV dec−1), giving superior performance to IrO2 and RuO2 catalysts. The highly active contact area, the hierarchical porosity, and the synergistic effect of bimetal atoms contributed to the improved electrocatalytic performance toward OER. In a practical rechargeable Zn–air battery, mesoporous Ni3FeN is also shown to deliver a lower charging voltage and longer lifetime than RuO2. This work opens up a new promising approach to synthesize active OER electrocatalysts for energy-related devices.
Social capital in the creation of AI perception
Authors: Inaba Yoji , Togawa Kazunari
Published: March 2020

Numerous studies over the past 30 years have examined the relationship between social capital (SC) and information and communication technology (ICT). However, few studies have examined the association between artificial intelligence (AI) and SC. This study addresses this gap using a Web survey (n = 5000) carried out in the Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan in 2018. The survey included questions on ICT literacy and SC (networks, trust, norms of reciprocity), as well as questions on perceptions of AI including its impact on society. Based on the survey, we extracted four SC factors: cognitive SC, and three forms of structural SC, namely contacts with others, group participations, and SC at work place. We found a statistically significant positive association between SC and positive perceptions of AI through ITC literacy. SC is indirectly associated with AI perception by enhancing ICT literacy, and then ICT literacy enhances AI perception. This indirect effect seems to be mainly caused by two types of structural SC: SC through group participations and SC at work place. Besides this indirect effect, SC has direct effect on AI perception. Cognitive SC has direct positive association with AI perception, whereas structural SC in the form of contacts with others was negatively associated with AI perception. Thus, structural SC has an ambivalent effect on AI perception. Structural SC through group participation as well as SC at work place may work for the positive perceptions of AI through ICT literacy, while those with higher level of contacts with others tend to be cautious toward AI. Both cognitive SC and structural SC assume important roles for the smooth transition into the AI era. Policy makers should be aware of the difference in the way each of these SC forms affects AI perception. SC seems to have mainly promotional impact on the AI perception. However, the precautionary function of SC should not be put on the back burner for the sound social acceptance of AI. In any case, SC assumes an important role in the creation of AI perception.
In vitro inhibition of human cytochrome P450 enzymes by the novel atypical antipsychotic drug asenapine: a prediction of possible drug–drug interactions
Authors: Wójcikowski Jacek , Danek Przemysław J. , Basińska-Ziobroń Agnieszka , Pukło Renata , Daniel Władysława A.
Published: March 2020

Background

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes is the most common cause of harmful drug–drug interactions. The present study aimed at examining the inhibitory effect of the novel antipsychotic drug asenapine on the main CYP enzymes in human liver.

Methods

The experiments were performed in vitro using pooled human liver microsomes and the human cDNA-expressed CYP enzymes: CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 (Supersomes). Activities of CYP enzymes were determined using the CYP-specific reactions: caffeine 3-N-demethylation (CYP1A2), diclofenac 4′-hydroxylation (CYP2C9), perazine N-demethylation (CYP2C19), bufuralol 1′-hydroxylation (CYP2D6), and testosterone 6β-hydroxylation (CYP3A4). The rates of the CYP-specific reactions were assessed in the absence and presence of asenapine using HPLC.

Results

The obtained results showed that both in human liver microsomes and Supersomes asenapine potently and to a similar degree inhibited the activity of CYP1A2 via a mixed mechanism (Ki = 3.2 μM in liver microsomes and Supersomes) and CYP2D6 via a competitive mechanism (Ki = 1.75 and 1.89 μM in microsomes and Supersomes, respectively). Moreover, asenapine attenuated the CYP3A4 activity via a non-competitive mechanism (Ki = 31.3 and 27.3 μM in microsomes and Supersomes, respectively). In contrast, asenapine did not affect the activity of CYP2C9 or CYP2C19.

Conclusion

The potent inhibition of CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 by asenapine, demonstrated in vitro, will most probably be observed also in vivo, since the calculated Ki values are close to the presumed concentration range for asenapine in the liver in vivo. Therefore, pharmacokinetic interactions involving asenapine and CYP2D6 or CYP1A2 substrates are likely to occur during their co-administration to patients.
Twitter metrics complement traditional conference evaluations to evaluate knowledge translation at a National Emergency Medicine Conference
Authors: Yiu Stella , Dewhirst Sebastian , Jalali Ali , Lee A. Curtis , Frank Jason R
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Conferences are designed for knowledge translation, but traditional conference evaluations are inadequate. We lack studies that explore alternative metrics to traditional evaluation metrics. We sought to determine how traditional evaluation metrics and Twitter metrics performed using data from a conference of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP).

Methods

This study used a retrospective design to compare social media posts and tradition evaluations related to an annual specialty conference. A post (“tweet”) on the social media platform Twitter was included if it associated with a session. We differentiated original and discussion tweets from retweets. We weighted the numbers of tweets and retweets to comprise a novel Twitter Discussion Index. We extracted the speaker score from the conference evaluation. We performed descriptive statistics and correlation analyses.

Results

Of a total of 3,804 tweets, 2,218 (58.3%) were session-specific. Forty-eight percent (48%) of all sessions received tweets (mean = 11.7 tweets; 95% CI of 0 to 57.5; range, 0–401), with a median Twitter Discussion Index score of 8 (interquartile range, 0 to 27). In the 111 standard presentations, 85 had traditional evaluation metrics and 71 received tweets (p > 0.05), while 57 received both. Twenty (20 of 71; 28%) moderated posters and 44% (40 of 92) posters or oral abstracts received tweets without traditional evaluation metrics. We found no significant correlation between Twitter Discussion Index and traditional evaluation metrics (R = 0.087).

Conclusions

We found no correlation between traditional evaluation metrics and Twitter metrics. However, in many sessions with and without traditional evaluation metrics, audience created real-time tweets to disseminate knowledge. Future conference organizers could use Twitter metrics as a complement to traditional evaluation metrics to evaluate knowledge translation and dissemination.
The Peruvian Amazon Co.: Credit and Debt in the Putumayo “Wild Rubber” Business
Authors: SERJE MARGARITA
Published: March 2020

In this article, I trace the credit and debt practices of a company incorporated in the UK to extract “wild rubber” in the Amazon. Based on reports by Sir Roger Casement, an officer of the British diplomatic service, I present a general description of the organization of the Peruvian Amazon Co., whose operation did not depend on investment in technology or infrastructure but, rather, on the flow of credit in the form of merchandise. I will discuss debt-peonage as the form of labor privileged by the wild rubber industry in the Amazon and show how it works when indigenous peoples and their territories are involved, as was the case in Putumayo. I argue that the concept of debt-peonage is misleading in this situation, as it obscures both the conditions and the relations into which the Indians, as a society, were forced. I will highlight the role of debt in this relation, commonly referred to as the “conquest” of the Indians, as constitutive of both physical and symbolic violence. I conclude showing how credit and debt, usually considered to be instrumental for the development of capitalism, are here at the core of a system that not only was opposed to the logic of the market, but also strangled local production and exchange networks. The “credit engine” became here an instrument of genocide.
The role of parathyroid hormone during pregnancy on the relationship between maternal vitamin D deficiency and fetal growth restriction: a prospective birth cohort study
Authors: Meng Deng-Hong , Zhang Ying , Ma Shuang-Shuang , Hu Hong-Lin , Li Jing-Jing , Yin Wan-Jun , Tao Rui-Xue , Zhu Peng
Published: March 2020

Previous studies have shown conflicting findings regarding the relationship between maternal vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and fetal growth restriction (FGR). We hypothesised that parathyroid hormone (PTH) may be an underlying factor relevant to this potential association. In a prospective birth cohort study, descriptive statistics were evaluated for the demographic characteristics of 3407 pregnancies in the second trimester from three antenatal clinics in Hefei, China. The association of the combined status of vitamin D and PTH with birth weight and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) was assessed by a multivariate linear and binary logistic regression. We found that declined status of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with lower birth weight (for moderate VDD: adjusted β = −49·4 g, 95 % CI −91·1, −7·8, P < 0·05; for severe VDD: adjusted β = −79·8 g, 95 % CI −127·2, −32·5, P < 0·01), as well as ascended levels of PTH (for elevated PTH: adjusted β = −44·5 g, 95 % CI −82·6, −6·4, P < 0·05). Compared with the non-VDD group with non-elevated PTH, pregnancies with severe VDD and elevated PTH had the lowest neonatal birth weight (adjusted β = −124·7 g, 95 % CI −194·6, −54·8, P < 0·001) and the highest risk of SGA (adjusted risk ratio (RR) = 3·36, 95 % CI 1·41, 8·03, P < 0·01). Notably, the highest risk of less Ca supplementation was founded in severe VDD group with elevated PTH (adjusted RR = 4·67, 95 % CI 2·78, 7·85, P < 0·001). In conclusion, elevated PTH induced by less Ca supplementation would further aggravate the risk of FGR in pregnancies with severe VDD through impaired maternal Ca metabolism homoeostasis.
Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in urban south Indians with different grades of glucose tolerance
Authors: Jayashri Ramamoorthy , Venkatesan Ulagamathesan , Shanthirani Coimbatore S. , Deepa Mohan , Anjana Ranjit Mohan , Mohan Viswanathan , Pradeepa Rajendra
Published: March 2020

The present study assessed the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in an urban south Indian population in individuals with different grades of glucose tolerance. A total of 1500 individuals (900 normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 300 prediabetes and 300 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)) who were not on vitamin D supplementation were randomly selected from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiological Study follow-up study. Anthropometric, clinical examination and biochemical investigations (25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), insulin, glycated Hb (HbA1c) and serum lipids) were measured. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25(OH)D < 20·0 ng/ml, insufficiency as 20–29·9 ng/ml and sufficiency as ≥30 ng/ml. Of the 1500 individuals studied, 45 % were males and the mean age was 46 (sd12) years. Vitamin D levels lowered with increasing degrees of glucose tolerance (NGT: 21 (sd11); prediabetes: 19 (sd10); T2DM: 18 (sd11) ng/ml,P< 0·001). The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 55 % and was significantly higher among individuals with T2DM (63 %) followed by prediabetes (58 %) and NGT (51 %) (Pfor trend< 0·001). Women had 1·6 times the risk of vitamin D deficiency compared with men (unadjusted OR 1·6 (95 % CI 1·3, 2·0) and adjusted OR 1·6 (95 % CI 1·2, 1·9)). However, there was no increasing trend observed with increasing age. The prevalence of abdominal obesity (66v. 49 %), generalised obesity (80v. 64 %), the metabolic syndrome (45v. 37 %) and insulin resistance (38v. 27 %) was significantly higher in those with vitamin D deficiency compared with those without. This study shows that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in this urban south Indian population and was higher among individuals with T2DM and prediabetes compared with those with NGT.
LOCAL COMPOSITE QUANTILE REGRESSION SMOOTHING: A FLEXIBLE DATA STRUCTURE AND CROSS-VALIDATION
Authors: Huang Xiao , Lin Zhongjian
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we study the local composite quantile regression estimator for mixed categorical and continuous data. The local composite quantile estimator is an efficient and safe alternative to the local polynomial method and has been well-studied for continuous covariates. Generalization of the local composite quantile regression estimator to a flexible data structure is appealing to practitioners as empirical studies often encounter categorical data. Furthermore, we study the theoretical properties of the cross-validated bandwidth selection for the local composite quantile estimator. Under mild conditions, we derive the rates of convergence of the cross-validated smoothing parameters to their optimal benchmark values for both categorical and continuous covariates. Monte Carlo experiments show that the proposed estimator may have large efficiency gains compared with the local linear estimator. Furthermore, we illustrate the robustness of the local composite quantile estimator using the Boston housing dataset.
INFERENCE IN NONPARAMETRIC SERIES ESTIMATION WITH SPECIFICATION SEARCHES FOR THE NUMBER OF SERIES TERMS
Authors: Kang Byunghoon
Published: March 2020

Nonparametric series regression often involves specification search over the tuning parameter, that is, evaluating estimates and confidence intervals with a different number of series terms. This paper develops pointwise and uniform inferences for conditional mean functions in nonparametric series estimations that are uniform in the number of series terms. As a result, this paper constructs confidence intervals and confidence bands with possibly data-dependent series terms that have valid asymptotic coverage probabilities. This paper also considers a partially linear model setup and develops inference methods for the parametric part uniform in the number of series terms. The finite sample performance of the proposed methods is investigated in various simulation setups as well as in an illustrative example, that is, the nonparametric estimation of the wage elasticity of the expected labor supply from Blomquist and Newey (2002,Econometrica70, 2455–2480).
Gains from Integration? An Empirical Hint from the Eurozone
Authors: Chen Ku-Hsieh , Cheng Jen-Chi , Lee Joe-Ming , Chen Chih-Chun
Published: March 2020

Has the eurozone (EZ) really gained from integration? This study applied two econometric frameworks, mGARCH and gMMPI, to test this hypothesis, using panel data that span 1996–2014, a total of 19 years, involving the EZ, EU, G8, G20 and some emerging economies. The empirical outcomes initially showed that the EZ economies experienced neither superior output growth nor a better capital market return than non-EZ economies or the pre-EZ period. They further suggested that each EZ country had a higher degree of risk bearing and, as a group, a greater risk linkage. Moreover, the results indicated that the EZ had a higher productivity gain if the risk premium was counted as part of productivity. Nonetheless, the EZ did not show a substantial productivity gain when the effect of the risk factor was controlled. The ratio of risk bearing to risk premium gain was shown to be 1 to 0.97. The general conclusion is that, other than the risk premium, there was no extra productivity gain for the EZ from taking the risk.
Cheating the Machine: E-voting Practices in Kyrgyzstan’s Local Elections
Authors: Sheranova Arzuu
Published: March 2020

This paper analyses the e-voting experience of the local elections undertaken by Osh city Council in 2016. The process was introduced to ensure fair and democratic elections in Kyrgyzstan after continuous and repeated violent political uprising. The e-system, based on biometrics registration, biometric identification of voters and automated vote counting, was designed to help to avoid the most common election frauds: vote buying, carousel voting and group/family voting. The case study, mainly based on interviews, illustrates the adaptation and modernization of strategies to resist and cheat within the e-voting system. The analysis outlines three widely practised cheating strategies: procedural violations, such as avoiding cross-checking of manual and automated counting and allowing voting without biometrical identification; transformation of bribery into ‘vote auctioning’; and strengthening of kinship-based/regional support and tribal/regional identity under conditions of e-voting.
Regimes of Memory in the Context of Autocratic Breakthroughs
Authors: Dénes Iván Zoltán
Published: March 2020

Global climate change, migration waves, Brexit, Trump’s presidency, the politics of Putin’s Russia, the narrow-minded technocratic executive leadership of the EU, and the constitutional crisis in Spain, present old, reborn, and new challenges to the integrative and cohesive forces of the diversity and openness of Europe. The current autocratic breakthroughs in Hungary and Poland are part of these phenomena. This introductory article focuses on the common preconditions of autocratic breakthroughs, especially on the uncertainties, anxieties and fears rooted in unprocessed traumatic experiences. They have created the possibility of pitting the case of the community against the case of liberty, producing powder-kegs of political hysteria in which the political language of national egotism and regimes of memory strongly connect with each other.
Essen und Trinken, alltäglich und existentiell
Authors: Sauter Dorothea
Published: March 2020

Zusammenfassung. Essen und Trinken sind bedeutsame und zeitintensive Alltagsaktivitäten eines Menschen. Sie haben großen Einfluss auf die Gesundheit wie auf das psychosoziale Wohlbefinden. Essen und Trinken waren auch schon immer ein zentrales Thema der (psychiatrischen) Pflege. Wenn sich Pflegefachpersonen als Expert_innen für Grundbedürfnisse, Milieugestaltung und Alltagsbewältigung verstehen, muss das Thema Essen und Trinken wieder mehr ins Zentrum gerückt werden. Dieser Beitrag zeigt Aspekte auf, die im psychiatrischen Alltag immer wieder bedacht und überprüft werden sollten.
Behavioral Inhibition and Activation (BIS/BAS) Among Extremely Low Birth Weight Adult Survivors
Authors: Hassan Raha , Van Lieshout Ryan J. , Saigal Saroj , Schmidt Louis A.
Published: March 2020

Abstract. Although individual differences in behavioral inhibition and behavioral activation (BIS/BAS) are associated with differential risk of psychopathology in typical development, and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) survivors experience higher rates of psychopathology, measures of BIS/BAS have been largely unexplored in this population. As well, apparently no studies have examined the long-term stability of BIS/BAS in typical or atypical development. Ninety-nine ELBW survivors and 86 normal birth weight (NBW) control participants completed a measure of BIS/BAS at ages 22–26 and 30–35 years. At age 30–35 years we found that ELBW survivors scored lower on the BAS scale than NBW controls, but did not differ on the BIS scale. We also found evidence for long-term stability of BIS/BAS at the individual and rank-order levels, but not at the mean-level. These results highlight the importance of considering stability of motivational aspects of personality and also add to our understanding of how individual differences in these motivational tendencies may underlie psychopathology among ELBW survivors.
Temporal Evolution of Substorm‐Driven Global Alfvén Wave Power Above the Auroral Acceleration Region
Authors: Keiling Andreas , Thaller Scott , Dombeck John , Wygant John
Published: March 2020

The onset of substorms is associated with bursty enhancements of Alfvén wave power throughout the magnetotail. While impossible to assess the total Alfvén wave power in the entire magnetotail, we have instead monitored waves that are funneled into the auroral acceleration region, in order to assess the temporal evolution of Alfvén wave power above the nightside auroral zone in relation to substorm phases. The substorms were grouped by three conditions: nonstorm periods, storm periods, and all (unconditioned) periods. Using superposed epoch analysis, we found that the global magnetohydrodynamic Alfvén wave power increased significantly at onset for all three conditions, while a power decrease to preonset values occurred within 2 hr. Specifically, the peak inflowing power during the expansion phase was 5.7 GW for unconditioned substorms, 5.6 GW for nonstorm‐time substorms, and 7.8 GW for storm‐time substorms. These results correspond to power increases with respect to preonset values of 138%, 366%, and 200%, respectively. Additional analysis in relation to the aurora was performed for nonstorm‐time substorms only. During the expansion phase, about 50% of the Alfvén wave power over the entire nightside auroral zone is collocated with the auroral bulge region. Furthermore, the total inflowing Alfvén wave power over the entire nightside auroral zone is 17% of the conjugate auroral power, while the inflowing power over the auroral bulge region is 32% of the conjugate aurora. However, allowing for a finite absorption efficiency inside the auroral acceleration region, the likely average Alfvénic contributions to the aurora are approximately 10% and 18%, respectively.