bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathological findings in spontaneously dead and euthanized sows – a descriptive study
Authors: Ala-Kurikka Eve , Munsterhjelm Camilla , Bergman Paula , Laine Taina , Pekkarinen Henna , Peltoniemi Olli , Valros Anna , Heinonen Mari
Published: November 2019

Background

A high rate of euthanized and spontaneously dead sows causes production losses and likely indicates underlying welfare problems. Identification of predisposing factors to on-farm deaths requires a thorough understanding of the causes. Post-mortem examination is needed for a proper diagnosis. The aims of this descriptive study were to determine causes of spontaneous deaths and euthanasia in sows in a convenience sample of Finnish herds and to describe pathological findings in the locomotor system and in teeth and gums.

Results

This study described post-mortem findings in 65 sows found dead or euthanized on 15 farms. All but one of the sows presented with two or more pathological findings. The majority of primary pathologic-anatomic diagnoses (PAD-1) were inflammatory. The most prevalent diagnoses were arthritis and peritonitis (9% of sows each). The locomotor system was the body part most commonly affected by lesions. Findings in the locomotor system unassociated with death were present in 85% of the animals, additionally 29% of PAD-1 s concerned the locomotor system. The prevalence for both degenerative joint disease and tooth wear was 71%. Farmers had noted clinical signs within 30 days of death in every euthanized sow and in half of the spontaneously dead ones. The farmer’s impression of the cause of death agreed at least partly with the PAD-1 in 44% of the cases.

Conclusion

Multiple pathologies were the norm in the present animals. This may indicate an extended course of illness and therefore also an unnecessary delay in medical treatment or euthanasia. The prevalence and clinical relevance of the most common disorders, including degenerative joint disease and tooth wear, need to be elucidated.
Patients’ experience of communication and handling of symptomatic adverse events in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Bæksted Christina Witt , Nissen Aase , Knoop Ann S. , Pappot Helle
Published: November 2019

Background

The study is based on a national cluster randomized trial investigating the effect of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) on treatment outcomes in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. All 13 oncology departments (11 clusters) treating breast cancer patients in Denmark were randomized to use electronic patient-reported outcomes with real-time clinician feedback (ePRO arm) to track symptoms or usual care for eliciting symptoms using a short paper tracking list (usual care arm). The impact of ePRO on clinical outcomes were examined, which is reported elsewhere. The purpose of the present study was to examine patient-reported experience measure (PREM) regarding communication and handling of side effects/symptoms.

Methods

For this sub-study, patient representatives were involved in the development of a PREM questionnaire. Patients enrolled in the cluster randomized trial completed the PREM questionnaire at their last treatment visit. Semi-structured telephone-interviews were performed with a subgroup of patients. The interviews were based on an interview guide comprised of the questions from the PREM questionnaire and aimed to elaborate on the PREM questionnaire data.

Results

A 12 item PREM questionnaire was developed in partnership with patient representatives. In total, 439 out of 682 patients (64.4%) included patients completed the PREM questionnaire. Telephone semi-structured interviews were performed with 22 patients. In total, 52% (ePRO arm) and 65% (usual care arm) reported having talked with the oncologist/nurse about their responses in the tracking systems before each chemotherapy cycle. Fewer patients in the ePRO arm compared to the usual care arm experienced side effects/symptoms not included in the side effect questionnaire. Patients experienced high satisfaction with oncologists’ and nurses’ handling of side effects/symptoms.

Conclusions

Patients experienced high satisfaction with oncologists’ and nurses’ handling of chemotherapy adverse events. The study indicates a need for a more comprehensive side effect questionnaire as tracking system covering more symptoms than the one used in usual care today.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02996201. Registered 19 December 2016, retrospectively registered.
Exploring website gist through rapid serial visual presentation
Authors: Owens Justin W. , Chaparro Barbara S. , Palmer Evan M.
Published: November 2019

Background

Users can make judgments about web pages in a glance. Little research has explored what semantic information can be extracted from a web page within a single fixation or what mental representations users have of web pages, but the scene perception literature provides a framework for understanding how viewers can extract and represent diverse semantic information from scenes in a glance. The purpose of this research was (1) to explore whether semantic information about a web page could be extracted within a single fixation and (2) to explore the effects of size and resolution on extracting this information. Using a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm, Experiment 1 explored whether certain semantic categories of websites (i.e., news, search, shopping, and social networks/blogs) could be detected within a RSVP stream of web page stimuli. Natural scenes, which have been shown to be detectable within a single fixation in the literature, served as a baseline for comparison. Experiment 2 examined the effects of stimulus size and resolution on observers’ ability to detect the presence of website categories using similar methods.

Results

Findings from this research demonstrate that users have conceptual models of websites that allow detection of web pages from a fixation’s worth of stimulus exposure, when provided additional time for processing. For website categories other than search, detection performance decreased significantly when web elements were no longer discernible due to decreases in size and/or resolution. The implications of this research are that website conceptual models rely more on page elements and less on the spatial relationship between these elements.

Conclusions

Participants can detect websites accurately when they were displayed for less than a fixation and when the participants were allowed additional processing time. Subjective comments and stimulus onset asynchrony data suggested that participants likely relied on local features for the detection of website targets for several website categories. This notion was supported when the size and/or resolution of stimuli were decreased to the extent that web elements were indistinguishable. This demonstrates that schemas or conceptualizations of websites provided information sufficient to detect websites from approximately 140 ms of stimulus exposure.
Genetic improvement of Bacillus thuringiensis against the cotton bollworm, Earias vitella (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), to improve the cotton yield in Pakistan
Authors: Yunus Fakhar-un-Nisa , Raza Ghulam , Makhdoom Rahat , Zaheer Hafsa
Published: November 2019

In the present study, CryIAc (Crystal protein) gene was cloned under Cry3A promoter, which is known to express vegetatively as a sporulation independent promoter, transformed into acrystalliferous strain of Bacillus thuringiensis. Its potential was evaluated as a strain to be used for formulation development against the spotted cotton bollworm Earias vitella (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the major pest of cotton, the important cash crop in Pakistan. The crystal protein produced in a new strain, i.e., Bt1, had comparable potency as of crystal protein produced during sporulation. The new strain Bt1 had the maximum expression of Cry1Ac protein during the vegetative stage, i.e., in the first 24 h, thereby reducing the growth period until crystal protein production, from 72 to 24 h. In addition, crystal protein produced during vegetative stage under Cry3A promoter remained encapsulated within the cells, which could protect them from UV degradation and was independent of sporulation; therefore; it did not produce spores and thus is not a source to spread Bt spores in the environment. It can, therefore, be called as an environmentally friendly pesticide to control cotton pest especially bollworms and ultimately improve the yield of cotton.
Endovascular treatment of hepatic arterioportal fistula complicated with giant portal vein aneurysm via percutaneous transhepatic US guided hepatic artery access: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Oguslu Umut , Uyanik Sadik Ahmet , Gümüş Burçak
Published: November 2019

Background

Hepatic arterioportal fistulas are rare, abnormal, direct communications between hepatic artery and portal venous system. Treatment options shifted from surgery to endovascular interventions. Catheterization may be challenging. We report a case of a hepatic arterioportal fistula treated successfuly with Amplatzer Vascular Plug II via percutaneous transhepatic hepatic artery access after failed transfemoral approach.

Case presentation

58 year old woman presented with right heart failure, kidney insufficiency and massive ascites related to portal hypertension caused by hepatic arterioportal fistula. She had a history of previous abdominal surgery. Colour Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography revealed a giant portal vein aneurysm related to large hepatic areterioportal fistula. Endovascular treatment was planned. Catheterization of the hepatic artery could not be realized due to severe tortuosity and angulation of the celiac artery and its branches. Access to the hepatic artery was obtained directly via percutaneous transhepatic route and fistula site was embolized with Amplatzer Vascular Plug II and coils. Immediate thrombosis of the aneurysm sac and draining portal vein was observed. Patients clinical status improved dramatically.

Conclusion

Transcatheter embolization is the first choice of the treatment of hepatic arterioportal fistulas but the type of the therapy should be tailored to the patient and interventional radiologist should decide the access site depending on his own experience if the routine endovascular access can not be obtained.
Prospective trial examining safety and efficacy of microcurrent stimulation for the treatment of sinus pain and congestion
Authors: Goldsobel Alan B. , Prabhakar Niveditha , Gurfein Blake T.
Published: November 2019

Background

Inflammation and swelling of the sinus and nasal mucosa are commonly caused by viral infection, bacterial infection, or exposure to allergens and irritants. Sinonasal inflammation can cause symptoms of nasal congestion, facial pressure, and rhinogenic facial pain or “sinus pain”. A previous randomized controlled study demonstrated that acute treatment with non-invasive periorbital microcurrent stimulation resulted in a rapid and clinically meaningful reduction in self-report of sinus pain that significantly outperformed sham control treatment. Here, we assessed the acute durability of microcurrent pain relief and longitudinal effects of 4 weeks of daily microcurrent treatment in patients presenting with sinus pain.

Methods

Thirty subjects with moderate facial pain (numeric rating scale ≥5) attributed to self-reported sinonasal disease were enrolled in a single-arm, prospective interventional study. At enrollment, subjects were given a microcurrent treatment device and written instructions and self-administered the device to the bilateral periorbital regions for 5 mins. Subjects were instructed to treat themselves at home once daily and up to four times daily as needed for 4 weeks. Pain was measured both acutely and weekly during the 4 weeks of treatment using the numeric rating scale. Congestion and medication use data were collected weekly using the Congestion Quantifier 7 (CQ7) and medication diary, respectively.

Results

Thirty patients were enrolled and completed the study. Microcurrent therapy rapidly reduced post-treatment numeric rating scale for pain by − 1.2 at 10 mins (p = 0.0076), − 1.6 at 1 hr (p = 0.0007), − 1.9 at 2 hrs (p < 0.0001), − 2.1 at 4 hrs (p < 0.0001), and − 2.1 at 6 hrs (p < 0.0001). With daily microcurrent treatment, numeric rating scale for pain was reduced over 4 weeks by − 1.3 (− 20.1%) after 1 week (p = 0.0018), − 2.1 (− 32.1%) after 2 weeks (p < 0.0001), − 2.4 (− 36.6%) after 3 weeks (p < 0.0001) and − 2.9 (− 43.3%) after 4 weeks (p < 0.0001). For subjects who enrolled with moderate or worse congestion, mean congestion scores (CQ7) were reduced by − 4.2 (− 22.0%) after 1 week (p < 0.0001), − 5.8 (− 33.0%) after 2 weeks (p < 0.0001), − 7.2 (− 37.4%) after 3 weeks (p < 0.0001) and − 8.6 (− 44.3%) after 4 weeks (p < 0.0001) of microcurrent treatment.

Conclusion

Self-administered periorbital microcurrent treatment given at home was efficacious in significantly reducing moderate sinus pain for up to 6 hrs and significantly reducing moderate pain and congestion over 4 weeks of daily use. Microcurrent therapy was found to be safe with only minor side effects that resolved without intervention.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03888274. Registered 25 March 2019. Retroactively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03888274.
Robustness of radiomic features in magnetic resonance imaging: review and a phantom study
Authors: Cattell Renee , Chen Shenglan , Huang Chuan
Published: November 2019

Radiomic analysis has exponentially increased the amount of quantitative data that can be extracted from a single image. These imaging biomarkers can aid in the generation of prediction models aimed to further personalized medicine. However, the generalizability of the model is dependent on the robustness of these features. The purpose of this study is to review the current literature regarding robustness of radiomic features on magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, a phantom study is performed to systematically evaluate the behavior of radiomic features under various conditions (signal to noise ratio, region of interest delineation, voxel size change and normalization methods) using intraclass correlation coefficients. The features extracted in this phantom study include first order, shape, gray level cooccurrence matrix and gray level run length matrix. Many features are found to be non-robust to changing parameters. Feature robustness assessment prior to feature selection, especially in the case of combining multi-institutional data, may be warranted. Further investigation is needed in this area of research.
Comparing pain control using oral acetaminophen versus dorsal penile block in neonatal circumcision
Authors: Ogundoyin Olakayode O. , Olulana Dare I. , Lawal Taiwo A. , Kumolalo Felix O.
Published: November 2019

Background

Circumcision is one of the commonest surgical procedures performed yet the most controversial worldwide. Although various reasons have been suggested in support of circumcision, the pain and stress that accompany it on both neonates and mothers are factors against the procedure. This study compared pain control using oral acetaminophen syrup versus 1% lidocaine injection given as dorsal penile block during neonatal circumcision.

Results

There were 191 neonates in group A and 195 in group B. The mean age at circumcision was 23.71 (SD ± 20.39) days, and mean weight was 3.33 (SD ± 0.74) kg. The mean pain scores for group A immediately and 1 h after circumcision were 4.26 (SD ± 2.48) and 0.37 (SD ± 1.35), respectively. In group B, the mean pain scores immediately and 1 h after circumcision were 3.31 (SD ± 2.59) and 0.35 (SD ± 1.19), respectively.

Conclusion

Penile block gives better pain control in comparison with oral acetaminophen syrup, but both agents are effective and can be combined to provide a long-lasting perioperative anaesthesia and analgesia for circumcision in the hospital setting.
Metrics of Diabetes Risk Are Only Minimally Improved by Exercise Training in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Viskochil Richard , Blankenship Jennifer M , Makari-Judson Grace , Staudenmayer John , Freedson Patty S , Hankinson Susan E , Braun Barry
Published: November 2019

Context

Insulin resistance is a risk factor for breast cancer recurrence. How exercise training changes fasting and postglucose insulin resistance in breast cancer survivors is unknown.

Objective

To evaluate exercise-induced changes in postglucose ingestion insulin concentrations, insulin resistance, and their associations with cancer-relevant biomarkers in breast cancer survivors.

Setting

The University of Massachusetts Kinesiology Department.

Participants

15 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors not meeting the physical activity guidelines (150 min/week of exercise).

Intervention

A supervised 12-week aerobic exercise program (60 min/day, 3–4 days/week).

Main outcome measures

Postglucose ingestion insulin was determined by peak insulin and area under the insulin curve (iAUC) during a 5-sample oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity was estimated from the Matsuda composite insulin sensitivity index (C-ISI). Changes in fitness and body composition were determined from submaximal VO2peak and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

Participants averaged 156.8 ± 16.6 min/week of supervised exercise. Estimated VO2peak significantly increased (+2.8 ± 1.4 mL/kg/min, P < .05) and body weight significantly decreased (–1.1 ± 0.8 kg, P < .05) following the intervention. There were no differences in fasting insulin, iAUC, C-ISI, or peak insulin following the intervention. Insulin was only significantly lower 120 min following glucose consumption (68.8 ± 34.5 vs 56.2 ± 31.9 uU/mL, P < .05), and there was a significant interaction with past/present aromatase inhibitor (AI) use for peak insulin (–11.99 non-AI vs +13.91 AI uU/mL) and iAUC (-24.03 non-AI vs +32.73 AI uU/mL).

Conclusions

Exercise training had limited overall benefits on insulin concentrations following glucose ingestion in breast cancer survivors but was strongly influenced by AI use.
Use of hPSC-derived 3D organoids and mouse genetics to define the roles of YAP in the development of the esophagus
Authors: Bailey Dominique D. , Zhang Yongchun , van Soldt Benjamin J. , Jiang Ming , Suresh Supriya , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Rustgi Anil K. , Aceves Seema S. , Cardoso Wellington V. , Que Jianwen
Published: November 2019

Balanced progenitor activities are crucial for the development and maintenance of high turn-over organs such as the esophagus. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating these progenitor activities in the esophagus remain to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that Yap is required for the proliferation of esophageal progenitor cells (EPCs) in the developing murine esophagus. We found that Yap deficiency reduces EPC proliferation and stratification whereas persistent Yap activation increases cell proliferation and causes aberrant stratification of the developing esophagus. We further demonstrated that the role of YAP signaling is conserved in the developing human esophagus by utilizing 3D human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived esophageal organoid culture. Taken together, our studies combining loss/gain-of-function murine models and hPSC differentiation support a key role for YAP in the self-renewal of EPCs and stratification of the esophageal epithelium.
Retrospective analysis of reduced energy switching and room switching times on throughput efficiency of a multi-room proton therapy center
Authors: Mah Dennis , Chen Chin Cheng , Nawaz A Omer , Galbreath Greg , Shmulenson Reuven , Lee Nancy , Chon Brian
Published: November 2019

Objective:

To quantify how a control software upgrade changed beam delivery times and impacted efficiency and capacity of a multiroom proton therapy center.

Methods:

A four-room center treating approximately 90 patients/day, treating for approximately 7 years with optimized operations, underwent a software upgrade which reduced room and energy switching times from approximately 30 to 20 s and approximately 4 s to ~0.5 s, respectively. The center uses radio-frequency identification data to track patient treatments and has software which links this to beam delivery data extracted from the treatment log server. Two 4-month periods, with comparable patient volume, representing periods before and after the software change, were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

A total of 16,168 and 17,102 fields were analyzed. For bilateral head and neck and prostate patients, the beam waiting time was reduced by nearly a factor of 3 and the beam delivery times were reduced by nearly a factor of 2.5. Room switching times were reduced more modestly. Gantry capacity has increased from approximately 30 patients to 40–45 patients in a 16-h daily operation.

Conclusions:

Many proton centers are striving for increased efficiencies. We demonstrated that reductions in energy and room switching time can significantly increase center capacity. Greater potential for further gains would come from improvements in setup and imaging efficiency.

Advances in knowledge:

This paper provides detailed measured data on the effect on treatment times resulting from reducing energy and room switching times under controlled conditions. It helps validate the models of previous investigations to establish treatment capacity of a proton therapy center.
The effectiveness and characteristics of pregnancy yoga interventions: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Corrigan Lisa , Eustace-Cook Jessica , Moran Patrick , Daly Deirdre
Published: November 2019

Background: The purpose of the proposed review is to systematically examine the clinical effectiveness of pregnancy yoga.  The review will use the FITT (frequency, intensity, time/duration and type) principle of physical activity to characterise the different types of yoga interventions that have been evaluated in the included studies.  

Methods/design: The following electronic databases will be searched using a detailed search strategy: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, WHOLiS, AMED, ScieLo, ASSIA and Web of Science. Randomised control trials and quasi-experimental studies examining pregnancy yoga will be included. Titles, abstracts and full articles will be screened by two investigators independently to identify eligible studies.  The Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias Assessment tool will be used to assess study quality.  Quality of the evidence will be evaluated using the GRADE criteria. A standardised data extraction form will be used to extract data. Effect sizes will be estimated using mean differences for continuous outcomes, and relative risks for dichotomous outcome. Where possible, pooling of effect estimates will be done using a random effect model.

Discussion: This review will synthesise the best available evidence on the effectiveness of yoga during pregnancy and provide valuable high-quality information for clinicians and health policymakers. Findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at relevant conference proceedings. The review will make recommendations for the appropriate volume, intensity and type of pregnancy yoga for maximum effect and may have implications for policy and practice relating to pregnancy yoga as an intervention.  

Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42019119916.  Registered on 11th January 2019.
Prediction of Disposition within 48-hours of Hospital Admission
Using Patient Mobility Scores
Authors: Young Daniel L , Colantuoni Elizabeth , Friedman Lisa Aronson , Seltzer Jason , Daley Kelly , Ye Binqing , Brotman Daniel J , Hoyer Erik H
Published: November 2019

Delayed hospital discharges for patients needing rehabilitation in a postacute setting can exacerbate hospital-acquired mobility loss, prolong functional recovery, and increase costs. Systematic measurement of patient mobility by nurses early during hospitalization has the potential to help identify which patients are likely to be discharged to a postacute care facility versus home. To test the predictive ability of this approach, a machine learning classification tree method was applied retrospectively to a diverse sample of hospitalized patients (N = 805) using training and validation sets. Compared with patients discharged to home, patients discharged to a postacute facility were older (median, 64 vs 56 years old) and had lower mobility scores at hospital admission (median, 32 vs 41). The final decision tree accurately classified the discharge location for 73% (95%CI:67%-78%) of patients. This study emphasizes the value of systematically measuring mobility in the hospital and provides a simple decision tree to facilitate early discharge planning.
Impact on Length of Stay of a Hospital Medicine Emergency Department Boarder Service
Authors: Kobayashi Kimiyoshi J , Knuesel Steven J , White Benjamin A , Bravard Marjory A , Chang Yuchiao , Metlay Joshua P , Raja Ali S , MD Melissa LP Mattison
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

It is not known whether delivering inpatient care earlier to patients boarding in the emergency department (ED) by a hospitalist‐led team can decrease length of stay (LOS).

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between care provided by a hospital medicine ED Boarder (EDB) service and LOS.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective cross‐sectional study (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018) conducted at a single, large, urban academic medical center. Patients admitted to general medicine services from the ED were included. EDB patients were defined as those waiting for more than two hours for an inpatient bed. Patients were categorized as covered EDB, noncovered EDB, or nonboarder.

INTERVENTION

The hospital medicine team provided continuous care to covered EDB patients waiting for an inpatient bed.

PRIMARY OUTCOME AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was median hospital LOS defined as the time period from ED arrival to hospital departure. Secondary outcomes included ED LOS and 30‐day ED readmission rate.

RESULTS

There were 8,776 covered EDB, 5,866 noncovered EDB, and 2,026 nonboarder patients. The EDB service covered 59.9% of eligible patients and 62.9% of total boarding hours. Median hospital LOS was 4.76 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.90‐7.22) days for nonboarders, 4.92 (IQR 3.00‐8.03) days for covered EDB patients, and 5.11 (IQR 3.16‐8.34) days for noncovered EDB (P < .001). Median ED LOS for nonboarders was 5.6 (IQR 4.2‐7.5) hours, 20.7 (IQR 15.8‐24.9) hours for covered EDB, and 10.1 (IQR 7.9‐13.8) hours for noncovered EDB (P < .001). There was no difference in 30‐day ED readmission rates.

CONCLUSION

Admitted patients who were not boarders had the shortest LOS. Among boarded patients, coverage by a hospital medicine‐led EDB service was associated with a reduced hospital LOS.
Detecting Opportunistic Special Items
Authors: Cain Carol Anilowski , Kolev Kalin S. , McVay Sarah
Published: November 2019

The frequency of special items has increased dramatically over time, offering a convenient conduit for the inappropriate classification of past, present, and future recurring expenses as nonrecurring. Identifying this misclassification is especially important in light of the pervasive use of non–generally accepted accounting principles earnings in recent periods because special items offer camouflage for excluded recurring expenses. Building on prior research, we propose a method for identifying the predicted level of special items, attributing any excess to opportunism, and demonstrate the importance of this partitioning for financial-statement users. In particular, we provide evidence that the opportunistic portion of special items is associated with lower future earnings, cash flows, and returns. We conclude that this portion of special items is more likely to contain opportunistically misclassified recurring expenses that should have been recognized as such in prior, current, or future periods. Thus, we provide a meaningful partition of special items that should be useful to investors, analysts, creditors, auditors, and regulators because each of these parties must assess the implications of special items.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.
Procurement with Unforeseen Contingencies
Authors: Herweg Fabian , Schmidt Klaus M.
Published: November 2019

A buyer who wants to procure a complex good is often aware that there may be flaws in her initial design, but she does not know what they look like. Potential sellers who discover flaws have no incentive to reveal them early if the buyer uses a price-only auction. We derive an efficient mechanism that induces all sellers to report flaws early and that allocates the project to the seller with the lowest cost. We show that this can be implemented with a simple two-stage auction that does not require any prior knowledge of the set of possible flaws.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, decision analysis.
Wolves at the Door: A Closer Look at Hedge Fund Activism
Authors: Wong Yu Ting Forester
Published: November 2019

Most investor coordination remains undisclosed. I provide empirical evidence on the extent and consequences of investor coordination in the context of hedge fund activism, in which potential benefits and costs from coordination are especially pronounced. In particular, I examine whether hedge fund activists orchestrate “wolf packs”—that is, groups of investors willing to acquire shares in the target firm before the activist’s campaign is publicly disclosed via a 13D filing—as a way to support the campaign and strengthen the activist’s bargaining position. Using a novel hand-collected data set, I develop a method to identify the formation of wolf packs before the 13D filing. I investigate two competing hypotheses: the Coordinated Effort Hypothesis (wolf packs are orchestrated by lead activists to circumvent securities regulations about “groups” of investors) and the Spontaneous Formation Hypothesis (wolf packs spontaneously arise because investors independently monitor and target the same firms at about the same time). A number of tests rule out the Spontaneous Formation Hypothesis and provide support for the Coordinated Effort Hypothesis. Finally, the presence of a wolf pack is associated with various measures of the campaign’s success.

This paper was accepted by Brian Bushee, accounting.
Physical activity and fatigue in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): a systematic review
Authors: Radford Shellie J , Janiszewski Helen , Moran Gordon W
Published: November 2019

Background:

Fatigue is frequently reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD patients, physical activity levels have been shown to have an impact on, and be impacted by, disease activity. Yet, to date, there have been no systematic reviews considering the impact of physical activity on levels of IBD fatigue. This study aims to investigate whether physical activity has the potential to improve levels of IBD fatigue in adults with IBD.

Methods:

Systematic database search (CINAHL, Embase, PsychInfo, PsycARTICLES, AMED, Medline) and hand searching were conducted on 3 March 2019. Searches were restricted to ‘human’, ‘adult’, ‘primary research’ and ‘English language’ publications. No time limit was set. Quality appraisal and data extraction was undertaken by at least two reviewers.

Results:

The searches yielded 32 publications; two studies were included in the review. Physical activity was found to be inhibited by higher fatigue levels, lowering health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but also as a means of reducing fatigue, subsequently improving HRQoL.

Conclusion:

Results identified relationships between IBD fatigue and physical activity. However, further research is warranted, as exploring this information would allow better understanding of IBD fatigue and inform future work on possible fatigue interventions in IBD.
Acceptability of endoscopic procedures and patients' willingness to repeat them: a single-centre nursing study of influential factors
Authors: Spagnuolo Rocco , Bianco Aida , Licata Francesca , Mazzea Silvia , Manduci Elena , Montesano Francesco , Pagnotta Raffaele , Pagliuso Caterina , Cosco Cristina , Cosco Vincenzo , Serafino Massimiliano , Curto Grazia , Doldo Patrizia
Published: November 2019

Background:

Patient satisfaction and factors that influence it have become an important indicator of the quality of digestive endoscopy.

Aims:

This study aimed to define variables that make endoscopic procedures acceptable and those that predispose patients to repeat them under the same conditions.

Methods:

Consecutive outpatients undergoing endoscopic examinations completed questionnaires, administered by the nursing staff, before and after the procedure. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were designed to investigate independent variables associated with the following outcomes of interest.

Findings:

Most patients experienced pain and anxiety before and during the procedure, considered the procedure unacceptable and felt unwilling to repeat it.

Conclusion:

Symptoms strictly related to the patient, specifically anxiety and pain and type of sedation received, were the main factors related to satisfaction and willingness to repeat the procedure under the same conditions.
Equilibrium, DNA Cleavage and Antimicrobial Studies of Cu(II) and
Zn(II) Complexes with Novel 1-Propionyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide
Authors: Jyothi P. Nirmala , Sireesha B.
Published: November 2019

Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal complexes with novel Schiff base 1-propionyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (PMTSC) were synthesized and characterized by LC-MS, IR, 1H NMR (D2O exchangeable), 13C NMR and UV-visible spectra, ESR, TGA, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The spectro-analytical studies revealed the composition of complexes as ML2 for Cu(II)-PMTSC and Zn(II)-PMTSC complex. The proton-ligand dissociation constant and metal-ligand formation constants of PMTSC with Zn(II) have been determined in 70 % (v/v) DMF-water medium at 0.1M (KNO3) ionic strength and 303 K using potentiometric Irving-Rossotti titration technique. The results revealed that PMTSC acts as monobasic ligand by releasing proton from amide via enol form and forms 1:2 (Zn-L) complex in solution. The cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA without any additives was monitored by gel electrophoresis and these complexes exhibited hydrolytic cleavage of plasmid DNA. The antibacterial activity of the Schiff base and its Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Nitration of Methyl Eugenol Derived from Clove Oil
Authors: Sudarma I.M. , Shofiati A. , Darmayanti M.G.
Published: November 2019

No report is available in literature for the nitration of methyl eugenol. The main goal of this work is to find an efficient method for the synthesis of 5-nitro-methyl eugenol. 5-Nitro-methyl eugenol is of considerable importance in the production of other fine chemicals such as 5-amino-methyl eugenol for further chemical synthesis and has also possible to enhance its biological properties and other applications. The methyl eugenol can be prepared from methylation of eugenol which can be isolated from clove oil. In an attempt to synthesize nitro-methyl eugenol in high yield, three different nitration methods of methyl eugenol have been applied. Method (a) gave 5.97 %, (b) 84.37 % and (c) 11.40 %. Method (b) using a nitrating consisting mixture of HNO3 and H2SO4 under mild condition has been found to give 5-nitro-methyl eugenol in good yield.
Chemical Components of Agarwood (Aquilaria crassna)
Essential Oils Grown in Various Regions of Asia
Authors: Kim Ngan Tran Thi , Thu Thuy Dinh Thi , Tuyen Tran Thi , Inh Cam Thi , Bich Hoang Thi , Long Pham Quoc , Chien Nguyen Quyet , Kieu Linh Huynh Thi , Yen Trung Le Nguyen , Tung Nguyen Quang , Nguyen Duy Chinh , Bach Long Giang , Toan Tran Quoc
Published: November 2019

This study presents a chemometric study on agarwood (Aquilaria crassna) essential oils extracted from selected agarwood samples grown in various regions of Asia. Adopting gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique, it was revealed that essential oils, produced by hydrodistillation,constitutes mainly volatile aromatic compounds. Several major components are shared in all samples including dihydro-agarofuran-15-al, jinkoeremol, 10-epi-γ-eudesmol, agarospirol, valerianol, n-hexadecanoic acid, neopetasane and dihydrokaranone. Despite differences in composition, extraction yield and detected constituents found in analyzed samples, characteristic aromatic compounds were abundantly found in the Agarwood essential oil. These discrepancies could be due to cultivation season, climatic conditions and extraction methods. Unambiguous identification of components in agarwood essential oils thereby opens new potential in the application of high-value aromatic compounds in agarwood essential oil in cosmetic products, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals.
Growth and Characterization of Adipic Acid Doped Potassium
Hydrogen Phthalate: A Nonlinear Optical Single Crystal
Authors: Manimekalai R. , Chidambaram S.
Published: November 2019

Adipic acid doped potassium hydrogen phthalate (AAKHP) and pure potassium hydrogen phthalate single crystals were grown by slow evaporation method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to determine the lattice parameters in a = 6.47 Å, b = 9.59 Å, c = 13.25 Å and space group of Pca21. This confirms the grown AAKHP belongs to the orthorhombic system. Various diffracting planes of the grown crystal were indexed using powder X-ray diffraction study. Fourier-transform infrared studies confirm the presence of various functional groups in the grown crystal. The transmittance
spectrum shows that the lower cutoff wavelength is around 290 nm. The nonlinear optical property of the grown crystal has been studied by Kurtz powder second harmonic generation (SHG) analysis. EDAX analysis confirms the presence of various elements in the AAKHP crystal. Vickers micro-hardness studies are used for the analysis of mechanical behaviour of the grown crystal. The paramagnetic nature of the grown crystal was confirmed by vibration spectrum magnetometer technique.
Sterculia Gum: Chemical Structure, Composition and Physico-Chemical Properties
Authors: Sharma N. , Sinderpal T.
Published: November 2019

Physico-chemical properties are crucial characteristics of hydrocolloids as they decide the applicability of them. Rheology of system, flow behaviour and mechanical properties make hydrocolloids suitable for food industry. Modification of consistency or texture properties of functional polymers also controls their sensory characteristics, thereby they become significant essences such as thickener, gelling agents, foaming agent, texture modifier, viscosifier, emulsifier, stabilizer and binder. Industrial and pharmaceutical applications are also controlled by some suitable physico-chemical properties of hydrocolloids. The polysaccharide gum exudates constitute a architecturally distinct class of complex biomacromolecules having unique physico-chemical properties. Due to their good bio/tissue compatibility, non-toxicity, they are extensively used in the field of tissue engineering, drug delivery and wound healing. Chemical and molecular architecture of hydrocolloids in turn controls their physico-chemical and functional properties. Sterculia gum is a substituted rhamnogalacturonoglycan (pectic) type exudate gum used as suspending agent, gelling agents, emulsifier, bulk laxative, dental adhesive, drug delivery agent and wound healing agent. It exhibits high water retention capacity, high viscosity and least solubility. Solutions of sterculia gum are viscoelastic and thixotropic. Sterculia gum has been recommended as effective wound dressing material as it can form a intensely adhesive gel when dispersed in minimum ammount of water. Owing to wide applications and distinctive properties of sterculia gum, present work is an endeavor to summarize the molecular organization, chemical configuration and physico-chemical properties of sterculia gum and the factors affecting physico-chemical properties of sterculia gum.
Synthesis and Spectral Studies of Some Zn(II) Complexes with Substituted
N,N-Donor Ligands Derived from Pyridine-2-carbaldehyde
Authors: Sunar Shiva Lall , Singh Keisham Surjit , Kundu Sajal
Published: November 2019

A series of four neutral zinc complexes with substituted N,N-donor ligands viz. Ln =
(E)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)anilines of composition [Zn(NO3)2(L1)] (1), [Zn(NO3)2L2] (2),
[Zn(NO3)2L3] (3), [Zn(NO3)2L4] (4) were synthesized and characterized. The spectroscopic properties of the Zn(II) complexes were studied by UV-visible, fluorescence, IR and 1H NMR spectral analysis. All the zinc(II) complexes are water soluble and non-electrolyte in solution. Efforts for getting single crystals suitable for X-ray crystal structure could not be achieved. However, on the basis of spectral studies, compounds 1-4 are proposed to have octahedral geometry. The emission spectra of all the complexes show π-π* (intra-ligand) transition.
Application of 1,2,3-Benzotriazole as Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Sulphuric Acid Medium at Different Temperature
Authors: Kumar Harish , Dhanda Tilak
Published: November 2019

Corrosion inhibition property of 1,2,3-benzotriazole for mild steel in 0.1 N sulphuric acid was evaluated at different concentrations and temperatures using weight loss, electrochemical polarization, differential pulse, stripping voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The surface study was carried out using metallurgical research and SEM microscopy. Increase in Warburg impedance and capacitive current and decrease in Faradaic current and capacitive loop was observed with increase in concentration of inhibitor. 1,2,3-Benzotriazole was found as a best corrosion inhibitor (94 %) for mild steel as compared to other inhibitors suggesting 1,2,3-benzotriazole as a potential alternate corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in H2SO4.
Design, Synthesis, Spectral and Theoretical Studies of Some Picrates
Authors: Amala S. , Rajarajan G. , Dhineshkumar E. , doss M. Arockia , Thanikachalam V.
Published: November 2019

The structures of newly synthesized compounds (1-3) viz. 3-ethyl-5-methyl-2,6-bis(4-
chlorophenyl)piperidin-1-ium picrate (1), 3-ethyl-5-methyl-2,6-bis(4-methylphenyl)piperidin-1-ium picrate (2) and 3-ethyl-5-methyl-2,6-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)piperidin-1-ium picrate (3) were confirmed by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR. The UV-visible spectra, fluoresence, emission properties of synthesized 1-3 in different solvents were studied. Compounds 1-3 solvatochromic displays a slight effect of the emission and absorption spectrum, indicating a small change in the dipole moment upon excitation of compounds 1-3. All the compounds were investigated by DFT. The theoretical geometrical parameters are in good agreement with experimental values.
Cobalt(II) Chloride Complex of Propylene-1,3-diamine as CO2 Absorber
Authors: Liu E. , Jian Fangfang
Published: November 2019

A new CO2 absorber is reported in this paper. When CoCl3 is mixed with propylenediamine at room temperature and atmospheric ambient pressure, the extremely low concentration of CO2 in the air can be absorbed to form a stable metal complex [Co(PPD)2CO3]Cl·H2O (PPD = 1,3-propylenediamine). The CO2 capture capacity can reach 23.6 wt. %. Although Co is relatively expensive, the practical use of cobalt metal complexes produced still needs to be developed. This study provides an idea of capturing CO2 at low concentration under normal conditions. Through the structural characterization and performance study of complex [Co(PPD)2CO3]Cl·H2O, a new method for CO2 capture was explored. Thermogravimetric analysis data show that the compound [Co(PPD)2CO3]Cl·H2O has the ability to desorption CO2 and H2O at 160-220 ºC, and the ability to adsorb CO2 or regenerate CO2 is being explored. The electrochemical property of compound [Co(PPD)2CO3]Cl·H2O were also investigated.
Synthesis, Spectral Characterization and Biological Activity of Metal(II) Complexes of 2,4,5-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde-S-Benzyldithiocarbazone
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Singh Arun Kumar , Kumar Ajay , Prasad Dayanand , Kumar Vijay , Sharma Shivadhar
Published: November 2019

2,4,5-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde was condensed with S-benzyldithiocarbazate to give Schiff base 2,4,5-trimethoxy benzaldehyde-S-benzyldithiocarbazone (BBTC), which was used for complexation with Mn(II), Fe(II) and Co(II) metal ions. The complexes were formulated as M(BBTC)2X2 where X is Cl−, NO3− and CH3COO−. The FTIR spectra of the metal complexes in comparison to that of free ligand suggested the coordination through azomethine nitrogen and thion sulphur forming six membered chelating with metal ion. The magnetic susceptibility and electronic spectral bands revealed octahedral symmetry (Oh) around Mn(II) but tetragonally distorted octahedral symmetry (D4h) of Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes. The positive value of Dt for Fe(II) (68.42-135.2 cm-1) and Co(II) (263-280 cm-1) clearly indicated elongation along z-axis in these complexes which was also supported by the less value of Dq(z) than Dq(xy) for the metal complexes. The ligand as well as its metal complexes have been found active against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and antibacterial activity of the free ligand has been observed to have enhanced in metal complexes.
GUGATAN PERDATA BIDANG LINGKUNGAN HIDUP DAN KEHUTANAN DI INDONESIA
Authors: Aminah Aminah
Published: November 2019

Gugatan perdata merupakan salah satu instrumen penyelesaian sengketa di bidang lingkungan hidup dan kehutanan. Pengajuan gugatan perdata terkait lingkungan hidup dan kehutanan di pengadilan tidak semuanya berhasil dikarenakan adanya beberapa faktor penghambat. Pada tulisan ini penulis menganalisis tentang bagaimana penerapan gugatan perdata lingkungan hidup dan kehutanan  di Indonesia dan kendala apa saja yang yang menyebabkan kegagalan gugatan  perdata pada bidang tersebut. Metode pendekatan yang digunakan adalah yuridis empiris dengan spesifikasi deskriptif analitis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa gugatan perdata lingkungan hidup dan kehutanan sudah terlaksana di Indonesia baik yang dilakukan oleh masyarakat, pemerintah maupun organisasi lingkungan hidup. Adapun bentuk ketidakberhasilan gugatan perdata lingkungan hidup dan kehutanan antara lain, gugatan yang ditolak, tidak diterima, kalah, dan menang tapi dapat dieksekusi. Faktor-faktor yang menyebabkan gagalnya gugatan perdata lingkungan hidup dan kehutanan antara lain substansi hukum terkait perkara,  ketidaktepatan penggugat dalam menentukan dasar gugatan, masalah kompetensi,  kesulitan dalam pembuktian, keterbatasan kualitas dan kuantitas penegak hukumnya,  sarana dan prasarana, serta kendala  eksekusi.
URGENSI HARMONISASI HUKUM NASIONAL TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN HUKUM GLOBAL AKIBAT GLOBALISASI
Authors: Sulistyawan Aditya Yuli
Published: November 2019

Pengaruh globalisasi dalam tatanan hukum nasional Indonesia sangatlah besar. Hal ini harus disikapi dengan keinginan kuat dari segenap bangsa Indonesia dalam rangka pembangunan hukum  nasional yang lebih baik. Hal demikian semakin dapat dipahami mengingat globalisasi merupakan suatu gejala yang tidak dapat ditolak ataupun dihindari oleh negara mana pun yang tidak ingin terkucil dalam percaturan internasional. Misalnya sejak ratifikasi terhadap Agremeent Establishing The World Trade Organization (WTO), Indonesia harus mengharmonisasikan seluruh hukum nasional yang terkait dengan ketentuan-ketentuan dalam WTO. Selain itu, lahirnya berbagai Undang-Undang mengenai HAM di Indonesia adalah implikasi lahirnya instrumen-instrumen HAM internasional, utamanya Statuta Roma 1998.
Counterexamples to the tilting and (p,r)-filtration conjectures
Authors: Bendel Christopher P. , Nakano Daniel K. , Pillen Cornelius , Sobaje Paul
Published: November 2019

In this paper the authors produce a projective indecomposable module for the Frobenius kernel of a simple algebraic group in characteristic p that is not the restriction of an indecomposable tilting module. This yields a counterexample to Donkin’s longstanding Tilting Module Conjecture. The authors also produce a Weyl module that does not admit a p-Weyl filtration. This answers an old question of Jantzen, and also provides a counterexample to the

(
p
,
r
)

{(p,r)}

-Filtration Conjecture.