bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants and consequences of financial distress: review of the empirical literature
Authors: Habib Ahsan , Costa Mabel D' , Huang Hedy Jiaying , Bhuiyan Md. Borhan Uddin , Sun Li
Published: September 2018

We synthesise the empirical literature on the determinants and consequences of financial distress, critique the findings and offer suggestions for future research. We categorise these indicators into (i) firm‐level fundamental determinants, (ii) macroeconomic determinants and (iii) firm‐level corporate governance determinants. We categorise the consequences into (i) financial reporting and auditing consequences, (ii) firm‐level operational consequences, (iii) capital market consequences and (iv) corporate governance consequences. We suggest that future research can make a more meaningful contribution, by developing more comprehensive models of predicting financial distress which will entail a departure from the current partial analysis to a more holistic complex analysis.
Alcohol‐induced cognitive deficits are associated with decreased circulating levels of the neurotrophin BDNF in humans and rats
Authors: Silva‐Peña Daniel , García‐Marchena Nuria , Alén Francisco , Araos Pedro , Rivera Patricia , Vargas Antonio , García‐Fernández María Inmaculada , Martín‐Velasco Ana Isabel , Villanúa María Ángeles , Castilla‐Ortega Estela , Santín Luis , Pavón Francisco Javier , Serrano Antonia , Rubio Gabriel , Rodríguez de Fonseca Fernando , Suárez Juan
Published: September 2018

Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with neurocognitive and memory deficits, dramatically affecting plasticity and connectivity, with maximal expression as dementia. Neurotrophic factors may contribute to alcohol‐related cognitive decline. For further investigation, a cross‐sectional study was performed to evaluate the association of cognitive impairment, by using frontal assessment battery, and memory loss, using memory failures everyday, with the circulating levels of the neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT‐3) in abstinent subjects with alcohol use disorders (AUDs, N = 58, average of 17.9 years of problematic use and 4.3 months of abstinence) compared with healthy control subjects (N = 22). This association was also explored in a pre‐clinical model of adolescent rats chronically exposed to alcohol up to adulthood (~77 days old) in a three‐bottle free‐choice (5–10–20 percent), repeated abstinence and relapse paradigm. AUD subjects had low educational level and cognitive impairment associated with teenage consumption and lower circulating levels of BDNF and NT‐3. Only BDNF concentration showed a positive correlation with frontal assessment battery in AUD patients. In the ethanol‐exposed rats, the plasma levels of BDNF and NT‐3 were also decreased, and a negative correlation between hippocampal Bdnf mRNA levels and recognition memory was found. The ethanol‐exposed rat hippocampus showed a decrease in the mRNA levels of neurotrophic (Bdnf and Ntf‐3) and neurogenic (Mki67, Sox2, Dcx, Ncam1 and Calb1) factors, associated to a deactivation of the neurogenic regulator mitogen‐activated protein kinase extracellular signal‐regulated kinase. Results suggest a relevant role of BDNF/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 2 signaling in alcohol‐induced cognitive impairment and suggest that early alcohol exposure‐derived effects on cognition are associated with neurotrophin signaling deficits.
Consumption dynamics in inverse demand systems: an application to meat and fish demand in Korea
Authors: Wong K. K. Gary , Park Hoanjae
Published: September 2018

In this study, meat and fish consumption is depicted in the form of inverse demand systems taking into consideration the intertemporal consumption behavior presented in the data. The concept of intertemporal two‐stage budgeting process is applied to this system which explicitly incorporates intertemporal consumption behavior as summarized by the Euler equation. Results based on Korean meat and fish products indicate that the proposed method is promising. Furthermore, the prices of meat and fish are quantity inflexible while the prices of beef and pork are sensitive to changes in consumption scale.
Too frail for surgery? A frailty index in major colorectal surgery
Authors: Crozier‐Shaw Geoff , Joyce William P.
Published: September 2018

Background

Frailty is defined as increased vulnerability from accumulating morbidities in multiple organ systems. Evidence suggests frailty indices predict surgical outcomes in elderly patients. We assessed the validity of a frailty index in predicting post‐operative outcomes in major colorectal surgery.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospective database was studied. Patients aged less than 65 years were excluded. Patients were assessed using a validated National Surgical Quality Improvement Program frailty index. Endpoints included intensive care unit (ICU) stay, post‐operative complications and 30‐day post‐operative mortality, and also compared using American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade and P‐Possum CR.

Results

Of the 205 patients, 43 (21%) were frail and 162 (79%) were not frail. Seven percent of frail patients required ICU stay compared with 6% non‐frail patients (P > 0.05, NS). P‐Possum in frail versus non‐frail groups in ICU was 48% versus 8.6% (P < 0.05). Forty percent of frail and 26% non‐frail patients developed post‐operative complications (P > 0.05, NS) with mean P‐Possum of 23% versus 12% in these groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Five percent of frail patients and 2.5% non‐frail patients died within 30 days of surgery (P > 0.05, NS) with a mean P‐Possum of 43% versus 7% in these groups, respectively (P > 0.05, NS).

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that frail patients who developed complications, died within 30 days and required admission to ICU had significantly higher P‐Possum CR scores. However, the P‐Possum CR score is a superior predictor of post‐operative outcomes than frailty index alone.
Impact of an acute surgical unit on outcomes in acute cholecystitis
Authors: Bazzi Zacharia T. , Kinnear Ned , Bazzi Ciara S. , Hennessey Derek , Henneberg Maciej , Otto Greg
Published: September 2018

Background

The acute surgical unit (ASU) model has been associated with improved outcomes for emergency general surgical patients. Few Australasian studies have investigated patients with cholecystitis and none from South Australia.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study compared patients admitted to our institution with acute cholecystitis during the 2 years before (traditional period) and after (ASU period) introduction of an ASU on 1 August 2012. Primary outcomes were length of stay, rates of definitive surgery on index admission, time to definitive surgery and proportion of cases performed in‐hours. Secondary outcomes were time from emergency department referral to admission, time from radiologically confirmed diagnosis to theatre start, rates of conversion to open cholecystectomy, complications and cholelithiasis‐related representations while awaiting definitive procedure.

Results

A total of 319 patients met the inclusion criteria; 172 and 147 pre‐ and post‐ASU introduction, respectively. Compared with the traditional period, ASU patients had shorter length of stay (3.80 versus 2.83 days, P < 0.0001), higher rates of surgery on index admission (70.9% versus 95.3%, P < 0.0001), shorter time to definitive surgery (28.1 versus 22.1 days, P < 0.001), lower rates of conversion to open cholecystectomy (18.0% versus 7.1%, P = 0.007) and fewer complications (24.4% versus 6.1%, P < 0.0001). Other outcomes were not significantly different.

Conclusion

Introduction of an ASU was associated with superior outcomes amongst patients admitted with acute cholecystitis. These findings extend the literature in support of the current model of care.
Using technology to develop teachers as designers of TEL: Evaluating the learning designer
Authors: Laurillard Diana , Kennedy Eileen , Charlton Patricia , Wild Joanna , Dimakopoulos Dionisis
Published: September 2018

This paper reports on an iterative design‐based research project to develop an online design tool (the Learning Designer) to support “teachers as designers.” The aim is to evaluate the potential of the tool to develop and support a knowledge‐building teaching professional community. The Learning Designer was embedded and evaluated through international online “design challenge” events, and a series of MOOCs, providing both quantitative and qualitative data. Findings indicate that the Learning Designer enables an online community of teachers from across the K‐12, further and higher education sectors (~400 per day) to build and share their developing knowledge of learning design, and that this would be strengthened by further functionality to support collaboration and peer review of the learning designs created. The research shows how digital technology could bring about large‐scale improvements in teacher professional development of TEL. The paper concludes with users’ priorities for new features to mobilise community knowledge via large‐scale professional development of teachers as innovative TEL designers.
Innovating for low‐carbon energy through hydropower: Enabling a conservation charity's transition to a low‐carbon community
Authors: Gallagher John , Coughlan Paul , Williams A. Prysor , McNabola Aonghus
Published: September 2018

For an organization to become a low‐carbon community, delivering a range of sustainability initiatives is necessary. Renewable energy (RE) initiatives, offering a source of low‐carbon electricity to offset an organization's energy needs, fit with this objective. This paper examines the role of innovation in achieving low‐carbon energy in the National Trust (NT), a conservation charity and the largest landowner in the UK. It considers how an eco‐design approach to delivering innovative RE projects, specifically hydropower (HP) installations, has supported their transition to a low‐carbon community. Three HP projects delivered on time and within budget were examined; support for each was built through transparent and regular communications with the NT's membership. Despite limited resources and funding for innovation, the NT minimized the associated risk through effective management and external collaboration. It fostered an open environment for creativity and idea sharing, which was key to delivering the RE projects. Innovation was particularly evident in the HP initiatives explored, as eco‐design considerations informed new and innovative design choices and technology selection as each HP project was designed and constructed. Transitioning to a low‐carbon community is an achievable reality for a conservation charity, and this is enabled through the management of innovation to deliver solutions that meet the low‐carbon energy challenge.
Fast Corotated FEM using Operator Splitting
Authors: Kugelstadt T. , Koschier D. , Bender J.
Published: September 2018

In this paper we present a novel operator splitting approach for corotated FEM simulations. The deformation energy of the corotated linear material model consists of two additive terms. The first term models stretching in the individual spatial directions and the second term describes resistance to volume changes. By formulating the backward Euler time integration scheme as an optimization problem, we show that the first term is invariant to rotations. This allows us to use an operator splitting approach and to solve both terms individually with different numerical methods. The stretching part is solved accurately with an optimization integrator, which can be done very efficiently because the system matrix is constant over time such that its Cholesky factorization can be precomputed. The volume term is solved approximately by using the compliant constraints method and Gauss‐Seidel iterations. Further, we introduce the analytic polar decomposition which allows us to speed up the extraction of the rotational part of the deformation gradient and to recover inverted elements. Finally, this results in an extremely fast and robust simulation method with high visual quality that outperforms standard corotated FEMs by more than two orders of magnitude and even the fast but inaccurate PBD and shape matching methods by more than one order of magnitude without having their typical drawbacks. This enables a very efficient simulation of complex scenes containing more than a million elements.
878. LUPINUS MUTABILIS
Authors: Eastwood Ruth J. , Hughes Colin E.
Published: September 2018

Lupinus mutabilis
Sweet is illustrated. The history of its cultivation and domestication is described, nomenclature and typification are discussed, and a full description, two paintings, an illustration and a distribution map are presented.
Behaviour, escapement and mortality of female European silver eels within a regulated lowland river draining into the Baltic Sea
Authors: Frankowski Jens , Dorow Malte , Juenger Jakob , Reckordt Melanie , Schulz Steffen , Ubl Claus , Winkler Helmut
Published: September 2018

Migration patterns of 146 female silver eels on their way through fresh and brackish water stretches of the Warnow River into the Baltic Sea were studied using acoustic telemetry. The majority of eels (77%) regained their expected downstream migration behaviour after a median rehabilitation time of 2 days. Positive rheotactic behaviour was observed for 23% of tagged eels after release, probably influenced by experimental procedures. The observed silver eel escapement rate was 63%. Two migratory groups were classified by significantly different migratory speed, time of residence in brackish waters and biometric silvering characteristics. Although the classification of silvering stages is based on these measures, the proportions of these stages did not reflect the observed differences in migratory behaviour. In the context of a permanent silver eel descent in the freshwater part of the Warnow River, a permanent escapement was likewise occurring into the Baltic Sea.
Hypertensive organ damage predicts future cognitive performance: A 9‐year follow‐up study in patients with hypertension
Authors: Uiterwijk Renske , Staals Julie , Huijts Marjolein , van Kuijk Sander M. J. , de Leeuw Peter W. , Kroon Abraham A. , van Oostenbrugge Robert J.
Published: September 2018

Hypertension is associated with cognitive deficits, probably caused by cerebral small vessel disease. The authors examined whether additional presence of cardiac and renal organ damages, and their combined presence, are associated with future cognitive performance. In 78 patients with essential hypertension (mean age 51.2 ± 12.0 years), brain damage was determined by MRI features, cardiac damage by left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and renal damage by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria. At 9‐year follow‐up, neuropsychological assessment was performed. LVMI was associated with future lower cognition (P = 0.032), independent of age, sex, premorbid cognition, and brain damage, but eGFR and albuminuria were not. The presence of 2 or 3 types of organ damage compared to none was associated with future lower cognition. Increasing number of hypertensive organ damages, and cardiac damage independently of brain damage, might indicate a more severe hypertensive disease burden and could help to identify patients at risk of cognitive problems.
Preferences, Power and Institutions in 21st‐century Europe
Authors: Moravcsik Andrew
Published: September 2018

After twenty‐five years, few scholars still dispute the leading role of Liberal Intergovernmentalism (LI) in theorizing EU history. Yet some question whether it can explain Europe's recent evolution. This article argues that LI retains its place as a ‘baseline’ integration theory. It is uniquely able to provide credible micro‐foundations of EU decision‐making, which even theories ostensibly critical of LI borrow. It offers a richer set of innovative opportunities for forward‐looking extension than is often thought. Compared to competitors such as Post‐Functionalism and Historical Institutionalism, LI generates more consistently satisfying empirical accounts of recent EU policy‐making, particularly with regard to the outcomes that ultimately matter most, namely substantive policies. And it remains a trustworthy guide to normative evaluation, for example on the issue of democratic legitimacy. The future of integration theory lies in creatively elaborating LI and, where possible, crafting more rigorous syntheses with alternative accounts.
Importance of trap liner adhesive selection for male moth catch (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with bisexual attractants
Authors: Knight Alan L. , Stewart William , Basoalto Esteban
Published: September 2018

Studies compared moth captures of three pests (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) of apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen, in delta traps using removable liners coated with either a sticky gel (SG) or a hot‐melt pressure sensitive (HMPS) adhesive. Laboratory and field studies with Cydia pomonella (L.), Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) and Grapholita molesta (Busck) demonstrated that traps with either liner, baited with a pair of virgin females catch males, but at significantly different levels. In the field, male moth captures in traps with the HMPS liner were significantly greater than in traps with the SG liner for C. rosaceana, and G. molesta; but not for C. pomonella. Similar results were observed in laboratory studies using flight tunnels. Additional studies demonstrated that this difference in moth captures between liners was not due to levels of female mortality, but instead was correlated with the occurrence of the female's ventral abdominal surface becoming stuck in the adhesive. Studies showed that a significantly greater proportion of females of all species had their ventral abdomen stuck in the SG than HPMS adhesive on day 1, but only G. molesta and C. rosaceana on day 3. In addition, the tackiness of the two adhesives affected moth movement on the liner with males and females of all species moving farther on liners with SG than HMPS adhesive. A greater proportion of female G. molesta and C. pomonella were either stuck supined or laterally on the SG than HMPS adhesive, and females in this position captured as many males as when prone and unstuck on the liner. Our studies demonstrate that adhesives can secondarily influence male moth captures on trap liners when used with bisexual attractants, and that adhesive type should be considered when developing action thresholds.
Artificial neural network for prediction of dielectric properties relevant to microwave processing of fruit juice
Authors: Kubo M. T. K. , Curet S. , Augusto P. E. D. , Boillereaux L.
Published: September 2018

Dielectric properties are fundamental parameters to determine the heating behavior of food products using microwaves. Determining and modeling these properties as a function of process conditions and product composition is required to be implemented in Multiphysics modeling, in which heat transfer and electromagnetic aspects are solved, allowing the characterizing and optimization of microwave processing. This work evaluates the dielectric properties of model fruit juice solutions at concentrations ranging from 5 to 65°Brix. Measurements were carried out at frequencies between 200 and 3,000 MHz in the temperature range of 20–80 °C. The results show that the dielectric properties are non‐linearly influenced by temperature, frequency and sugar content. A comparison between the dielectric properties of model solutions and of real juices was performed, and similarities were found. Furthermore, based on Artificial Neural Networks, the modeling and prediction of the dielectric properties at different conditions were achieved.

Practical applications

In search of food processes that cause a minimum damage to the original organoleptic characteristics of the product, the use of microwaves is considered as a promising alternative to conventional thermal treatment. Microwave heating can offer rapid volumetric heating, shorter processing time, and lower surface temperature, resulting in better sensorial and nutritional qualities. Knowledge of dielectric properties is fundamental to study the response of the food material to the electromagnetic field and to determine the heating pattern. The need for dielectric properties data is even more evident during microwave process development and optimization using Multiphysics modeling. Therefore, the results presented in this work can be useful for further studies involving the design of microwave processing of fruit juices.
Geriatrics Literature 2017 Year in Review
Authors: Willham Kaitlin , Covinsky Kenneth , Widera Eric
Published: September 2018

We present 11 of the most effective articles from 2017 in geriatric medicine. Studies address topics including self‐driven advance care planning, unnecessary emergency department transfers from assisted living, effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on cognition, a modified Hospital Elder Life Program to reduce delirium after surgery, patient experience and provider understanding of nursing home placement, patient perspectives on recommendations to stop cancer screening, management of subclinical hypothyroidism, reduction of inappropriate medications in nursing homes, effect of lorazepam on end‐of‐life agitated delirium, and benefits of a novel exercise program on walking.
Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment Have Sex: More Evidence Against the Medical Myth of Sexless Aging
Authors: Granville Lisa , Brent Gregory A. , Pregler Janet
Published: September 2018

This editorial comments on the article by Lindau et al.
The common meanings and shared practices of sedation assessment in the context of managing patients with an opioid: A phenomenological study
Authors: Dunwoody Danielle R. , Jungquist Carla R. , Chang Yu‐Ping , Dickerson Suzanne S.
Published: September 2018

Aims and objectives

To examine the common meanings of opioid‐induced sedation and shared practices in the context of post‐operative pain management in expert Post‐Anesthesia Care Unit nurses during patient's pain management with opioids.

Background

Within the clinical setting, linear pain and sedation scales are not enough to support clinical judgement with acute pain management. Because sedation measurement rests along a fluctuating continuum, it is possible for a patient to be sedated and then shift to increasing alertness, and then to drift back to a sedated state. This potential for acute clinical transition can be challenging to nurses of all levels, even for expert nurses.

Design

Interpretive phenomenology.

Methods

Twenty expert Post‐Anesthetic Care Unit nurses, with more than 7 years of nursing experience, participated in qualitative interviews regarding their lived experiences. Interviews were analysed using a modified seven‐stage process for interpretation by Diekelmann, Allen and Tanner. The manuscript was developed utilising the COREQ guidelines for reporting qualitative studies.

Results

Four themes identified through the participant's stories were recognising every patient is different, engaging in iterative knowing, walking a fine line, and looking beyond and anticipating. This study identified a constitutive pattern of interpreting sedation by integrating practical understanding and anticipating beyond.

Conclusions

This study indicates a deeper complexity in the way opioid‐induced sedation is assessed and balanced with pain management by nurses in the Post‐Anesthetic Care Unit.

Relevance to practice

Nurses in the study adapted their practices around pain management with opioids, in response to their patient's level of sedation; incorporating practices such as giving small, incremental doses and changing the drug. Nurses valued the importance of having “eyeballs on everybody” and being ready to meet the needs of their patient. They appreciate the time to watch and wait for their patient to respond, to better judge the result of their interventions.
Development of School and Sport Burnout in Adolescent Student‐Athletes: A Longitudinal Mixed‐Methods Study
Authors: Sorkkila Matilda , Ryba Tatiana V. , Selänne Harri , Aunola Kaisa
Published: September 2018

We investigated the development of school and sport burnout in adolescent student‐athletes (N Time 1 = 391, N Time 2 = 373) during their first year in upper secondary school using an embedded mixed‐methods design. The questionnaire‐based data were analyzed with growth mixture modeling and four burnout profiles were identified among student‐athletes. From the found burnout profiles, two were typical for the interviewed subsample of elite athletes (n = 17), that is, burnout risk and non risk profiles. We generated rich descriptions of well‐being and ill‐being, showing that elite athletes in two burnout profiles differed in their experienced demands and resources related to individual and environmental factors. The results can be used to generate practical tools for burnout detection in student‐athletes’ educational path.
Strontium enhances proliferation and osteogenic behavior of periodontal ligament cells in vitro
Authors: Bizelli‐Silveira Carolina , Pullisaar Helen , Abildtrup Lisbeth A. , Andersen Ole Z. , Spin‐Neto Rubens , Foss Morten , Kraft David C. E.
Published: September 2018

Background and Objective

Strontium (Sr) enhances osteogenic differentiation of certain multipotent cells. Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) are known to be multipotent, and Sr might be useful in periodontal bone tissue engineering. This study investigates the effect of high concentration of Sr on the proliferation and osteogenic behavior of PDLCs in vitro.

Material and Methods

Primary human PDLCs were cultured in MEM + 10% FBS without (Ctrl) or with Sr in four diverse concentrations: Sr1, 11.3 × 10−3 mg/L, human serum physiological level; Sr2, 13 mg/L, typical human serum level after strontium ranelate treatment; Sr3, 130 mg/L, and Sr4, 360 mg/L. The spreading area (2, 4, 6, 24 hours), proliferation rate (1, 3, 7 days), osteogenic behavior (alkaline phosphatase ‐ ALP activity, 7 and 14 days; expression of osteogenic genes, ALP, Runt‐related transcription factor 2 ‐ RUNX2, osteopontin ‐ OPN, osteocalcin ‐ OCN, and osteoprotegerin ‐OPG, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 days), and formation of mineralized nodules (14 and 21 days) of the PDLCs were assessed. Data were compared group‐ and period‐wise using ANOVA tests.

Results

Periodontal ligament cells cultured with Sr4 showed increased spreading area (after 4 hours), proliferation rate (from 3 days), and OCN and OPN (from 7 days) gene expression as compared to Ctrl, Sr1, Sr2, and Sr3. Sr4 also led to lower ALP activity (from 7 days), ALP (from 3 days), and RUNX2 (at 7 and 14 days) gene expression, together with more evident formation of mineralized nodules, compared to Ctrl, Sr1, Sr2, and Sr3.

Conclusion

Periodontal ligament cells responded to Sr4 with increased cellular proliferation and osteogenic behavior in vitro.
The effect of liraglutide on the proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Pang Yunqing , Yuan Xuemin , Guo Jia , Wang Xuemei , Yang Man , Zhu Jingli , Wang Jing
Published: September 2018

Objective

Liraglutide (LIRA) is a novel antidiabetic therapy that may have anti‐inflammatory and bone protective effects. Thus, we studied the potential therapeutic effect of LIRA on periodontitis by assessing the effects of LIRA on the proliferation, migration, inflammation, and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) after LPS stimulation.

Material and Methods

The expression of glucagon like‐peptide 1 receptor (GLP‐1R) was measured using qRT‐PCR. HPDLCs proliferation after LIRA were analyzed using MTT assays. Cell migration was quantified using a wound‐healing assay. The expression of inflammatory (IL‐6 and TNF‐α) was measured by qRT‐PCR and ELISA in hPDLCs. The effect of LIRA on the mineralization potential of hPDLCs was assessed by alizarin red S staining. Furthermore, the expression of Runx2 and ALP was measured by qRT‐PCR and Western blot in hPDLCs.

Results

GLP‐1R mRNA was present on hPDLCs, and LIRA increased the expression of GLP‐1R mRNA. When cultured with 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 nM LIRA for 24 h, hPDLCs proliferation was enhanced in a dose‐dependent manner (P < 0.05), and 100 nM was optimal. LIRA promoted hPDLCs migration in a time‐dependent manner. LPS significantly increased the expression of IL‐6 and TNF‐α (P < 0.01), decreased the formation of mineralization nodes (P < 0.01), and inhibited the expression of ALP and Runx2 (P < 0.05). LIRA treatment blocked the expression of IL‐6 and TNF‐α (P < 0.01), increased the formation of mineralization nodes (P < 0.01), and enhanced the expression of ALP and Runx2 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

LIRA can enhance the proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs and inhibit the inflammatory response. Thus, LIRA may have potential therapeutic use as an adjuvant treatment for human periodontitis, and this effect is independent of hypoglycemic activity.
Promises as Proposals in Joint Practical Deliberation
Authors: de Kenessey Brendan
Published: September 2018

This paper argues that promises are proposals in joint practical deliberation, the activity of deciding together what to do. More precisely: to promise to ϕ is to propose (in a particular way) to decide together with your addressee(s) that you will ϕ. I defend this deliberative theory by showing that the activity of joint practical deliberation naturally gives rise to a speech act with exactly the same properties as promises. A certain kind of proposal to make a joint decision regarding one's own actions turns out to have the very same normative effects, under the very same conditions, as a promise. I submit that this cannot be a coincidence: we should conclude that promises and the relevant kind of proposals in joint practical deliberation are one and the same.
Substitution of artificial colloids for fresh frozen plasma in pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass surgery
Authors: Wang Tian , Wang Xiangyu , Liu Jinping , Zou Lihua , Wang Jingtao , Zhao Mingxia , Cui Yongli
Published: September 2018

Background

In many centers, fresh frozen plasma is generally used as the main component of pump prime in pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass. However, many factors have resulted in stringent control of plasma transfusion and prompted the study of safe and efficient substitutes.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a priming strategy with gelatin during cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery and identify the factors associated with postoperative chest‐tube drainage.

Methods

We reviewed 1164 pediatric patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between January 2012 and April 2013 in Fuwai hospital. Infants and children were primed with different types of solution: plasma or gelatin. Clinical data included postoperative coagulation function (pharmacological agents, chest‐tube drainage, and transfusion requirements), recovery indicators (mechanical ventilator time, ICU stay and hospital stay), incidence of in‐hospital mortality, and morbidity. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify factors correlated with postoperative chest‐tube drainage.

Results

No difference in mortality or morbidity was found between the plasma and gelatin groups. In infants, increased chest‐tube drainage (postoperation 12 hours, median difference −0.046 ml/kg/hr, 95%CI: −0.105 to −0.007, P = 0.001; postoperation 24 hours, median difference −0.047 ml/kg/hr, 95%CI: −0.081 to −0.025, P < 0.001), and decreased transfusion (red blood cell, median difference 0.00 ml/kg/hr, 95%CI: 0.000‐100, P < 0.001; fresh frozen plasma, median difference 5.556 ml/kg/hr, 95%CI: 2.30‐8.333, P = 0.001), and recovery time (mechanical ventilator time, median difference 3.00 hours, 95%CI: 1.00‐5.500, P < 0.001; ICU stay, median difference 17.00 hours, 95%CI: 1.00‐22.000, P = 0.001; hospital stay, median difference 1.00 day, 95%CI: 0.00‐2.000, P = 0.038) were demonstrated in the gelatin group. In children, the transfusion requirements (red blood cell, median difference 100 ml, P < 0.001;fresh frozen plasma, median difference 1.11 ml/kg, 95%CI: 0.000‐2.42, P = 0.001) were decreased in the gelatin group. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the type of priming solution (β = 1.940,95%CI: 1.057‐2.823,P < 0.001), bypass time (β = 0.024, 95%CI: 0.013‐0.036, P < 0.001), and age (β = −0.257, 95%CI: −0.422 to −0.09, P = 0.002) were independent variables correlating with chest‐tube drainage in infants.

Conclusion

In the general pediatric patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery, substitution of gelatin for fresh frozen plasma in cardiopulmonary bypass is feasible.
Vaccines in pediatric transplant recipients—Past, present, and future
Authors: Dulek Daniel E. , de St. Maurice Annabelle , Halasa Natasha B.
Published: September 2018

Infections significantly impact outcomes for solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children. Vaccine‐preventable diseases contribute to morbidity and mortality in both early and late posttransplant time periods. Several infectious diseases and transplantation societies have published recommendations and guidelines that address immunization in adult and pediatric transplant recipients. In many cases, pediatric‐specific studies are limited in size or quality, leading to recommendations being based on adult data or mixed adult‐pediatric studies. We therefore review the current state of evidence for selected immunizations in pediatric transplant recipients and highlight areas for future investigation. Specific attention is given to studies that enrolled only children.
Developing Predictive Models to Enhance Clinician Prediction of Suicide Attempts Among Veterans With and Without PTSD
Authors: Barnes Sean M. , Monteith Lindsey L. , Forster Jeri E. , Nazem Sarra , Borges Lauren M. , Stearns‐Yoder Kelly A. , Bahraini Nazanin H.
Published: September 2018

The limitations of self‐report confine clinicians’ ability to accurately predict suicides and suicide attempts (SAs). Behavioral assessments (e.g., Death Implicit Association Test [IAT]) may be a means of supplementing self‐report and clinician prediction.

Objective

The authors aimed to build and test a predictive model of SAs that included established risk factors and measures of suicide risk, and Death IAT scores. The authors also sought to test the predictive validity of the SA model among subgroups of Veterans with and without PTSD.

Method

Participants included 166 psychiatrically hospitalized Veterans.

Results

A model that included patient prediction, age, and Death IAT scores improved upon clinician prediction of SAs during the six‐month follow‐up (C‐statistic for clinician prediction = 73.6, 95% CI [62.9, 84.4] and C‐statistic for model = 82.8, 95% CI [74.6, 91.0]). The model was tested in subgroups of Veterans with and without PTSD. Among Veterans without PTSD, the Death IAT and patient prediction predicted SAs above and beyond clinician prediction, while these variables did not significantly improve prediction among Veterans with PTSD (C‐statistic for no‐PTSD = 91.3, 95% CI [80.6, 1.00]; C‐statistic for PTSD = 86.8, 95% CI [76.8, 96.8]). Building a separate model for Veterans with PTSD did not improve upon clinician prediction.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that predictive models may bolster clinician prediction of SAs and that predictors may differ for Veterans with PTSD.
Implementing School Management in the Arab Palestinian Education System in Jerusalem Schools, the Viewpoint of the Administrative Staff
Authors: Mizel Omar
Published: September 2018

This study aims to examine the impact of School-Based Management (SBM) on Arab Palestinian schools in East Jerusalem. SBM, which has become a major and irreversible trend in educational reform in Western countries, has been introduced into a number of Asian and African nations over the last few decades. Consequently, a higher level of autonomy and decentralization constitutes the “default” approach to the management of schools within centrally-determined policies, goals, standards, curriculum, and accountability. However, the literature on SBM does not address the repercussions of implementing SBM in conflict zones such as Palestine in the context of larger political questions about power and ideological control. Using a qualitative methodology, field observations, and in-depth interviews with a sample of various stakeholders in Arab-Palestinian schools in East Jerusalem, including school principals and faculty members, this study investigates the impact of SBM on the educational system in these schools, their philosophy, policies, objectives, and the implementation of the curriculum, and the consequences of this on designing a “programmed” educational system educational outputs and learning outcomes. Findings show that these school reforms are driven not by a commitment to decentralization but by political and or ideological considerations (Israelifications and the assimilation of Palestinians within Israeli educational and philosophical frameworks). The study recommends that leaders in the field of education and education and local authorities in the Palestinian Arab community take appropriate measures to correct the current trajectories of the educational process in East Jerusalem schools.
Impact of Binary Biofuel Blend on Lubricating Oil Degradation in a Compression Ignition Engine
Authors: Singh Paramvir , Chauhan S. R. , Goel Varun , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents lubricating oil performance in a compression ignition (CI) engine fueled with a binary fuel blend of 70% aamla seed oil biodiesel and 30% eucalyptus oil (EU) on volume basis. This blended fuel was stable and congruent with engine-fuel system. Initially, the engine was operated with normal diesel fuel as per standard endurance test. The same endurance test was performed with the above binary biodiesel blended fuel in the engine under somewhat modified engine operational condition. The lubricating oil was examined at a specified interval to evaluate the impact of the fuel on lubricating oil properties. Quantification of various metal debris concentrations was carried out using inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. After experimentation, the lubricating oil samples were analyzed using analytical ferrography that showed lower wear debris concentrations from binary biodiesel blend than diesel fuel operated engine. The better lubricating property of binary biodiesel blended fuel resulted in lower wear and improved performance of engine parts. Relatively low wear and concentrations of all metal wear were found in the lubricating oil with binary biodiesel blended fuel engine revealed better performance of engine with this fuel blend. No technical problem was encountered during the long-term endurance tests with the binary biodiesel blended fuel under modified engine parameters.
Stress–Strain Analysis of a Pipeline With Inner and Outer Corrosion Defects
Authors: Liang Zheng , Xiao Yao , Zhang Jie
Published: September 2018

A numerical simulation method is adopted to analyze the effects of three types of defect geometries ((1) a single defect on the inner surface, (2) a single defect on the outer surface, and (3) double coaxial defects on the inner surface and the outer surface.) on the residual strength of corroded X60 steel pipelines and equivalent stress and plastic strain distribution of the local defect area. The results show that the defect geometry exerts obvious effects on stress–strain distribution. The earliest plastic deformation occurs at the edge of the inner surface defect (type 1), but it occurs on the central part of both the outer surface defect (type 2) and the double defects (type 3). The appearance of defects greatly weakens the stability of the pipeline. For equivalent sum total corrosion defect depth, a single defect is more harmful to the pipeline than double defects.
Flatness-Based Control of a Two Degrees-of-Freedom Platform With Pneumatic Artificial Muscles
Authors: Bou Saba David , Massioni Paolo , Bideaux Eric , Brun Xavier
Published: September 2018

Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) are an interesting type of actuators as they provide high power-to-weight and power-to-volume ratio. However, their efficient use requires very accurate control methods taking into account their complex and nonlinear dynamics. This paper considers a two degrees-of-freedom platform whose attitude is determined by three pneumatic muscles controlled by servovalves. An overactuation is present as three muscles are controlled for only two degrees-of-freedom. The contribution of this work is twofold. First, whereas most of the literature approaches the control of systems of similar nature with sliding mode control, we show that the platform can be controlled with the flatness-based approach. This method is a nonlinear open-loop controller. In addition, this approach is model-based, and it can be applied thanks to the accurate models of the muscles, the platform and the servovalves, experimentally developed. In addition to the flatness-based controller, which is mainly a feedforward control, a proportional-integral (PI) controller is added in order to overcome the modeling errors and to improve the control robustness. Second, we solve the overactuation of the platform by an adequate choice for the range of the efforts applied by the muscles. In this paper, we recall the basics of this control technique and then show how it is applied to the proposed experimental platform. At the end of the paper, the proposed approach is compared to the most commonly used control method, and its effectiveness is shown by means of experimental results.
Sound power and timbre as cues for the dynamic strength of orchestral instruments
Authors: Weinzierl Stefan , Lepa Steffen , Schultz Frank , Detzner Erik , von Coler Henrik , Behler Gottfried
Published: September 2018

In a series of measurements, the sound power of 40 musical instruments, including all standard modern orchestral instruments, as well as some of their historic precursors from the classical and the baroque epoch, was determined using the enveloping surface method with a 32-channel spherical microphone array according to ISO 3745. Single notes were recorded at the extremes of the dynamic range (pp and ff) over the entire pitch range. In a subsequent audio content analysis, audio features were determined for all 3482 single notes using the timbre toolbox. In order to analyze the relative contributions of timbre- and amplitude-related properties to the expression of musical dynamics in different instruments, Bayesian linear discriminant analysis and generalized linear mixed modelling were employed to determine those audio features discriminating best between extremes of dynamics both within and across instruments. The results from these measurements and statistical analyses thus deliver a comprehensive picture of the acoustical manifestation of “musical dynamics” with respect to sound power and timbre for all standard orchestral instruments.
Partial-field decomposition analysis of full-scale supersonic jet noise using optimized-location virtual references
Authors: Wall Alan T. , Gee Kent L. , Leete Kevin M. , Neilsen Tracianne B. , Stout Trevor A. , James Michael M.
Published: September 2018

Supersonic jet noise reduction efforts benefit from targeted source feature extraction and high-resolution acoustic imaging. Another useful tool for feature extraction is partial field decomposition of sources into independent contributors. Since such decomposition processes are nonunique, care must be taken in the physical interpretation of decomposed partially coherent aeroacoustic fields. The optimized-location virtual reference method (OLVR) is a partial field decomposition designed to extract physically meaningful source and field information through the strategic placement of virtual references within a reconstructed field. The OLVR method is applied here to obtain spatially distinct and ordered partial sources at multiple frequencies of a full-scale, high-performance supersonic jet engine operating at 100% engine power. Partial sources are shown to mimic behaviors of the total source distributions including monotonic growth and decay. Because of finite spatial coherence, multiple partial sources are used to reproduce far-field radiation away from the main lobe, and the number of required sources increases with increasing frequency. An analytical multiwavepacket model is fitted to the partial sources to demonstrate how OLVR partial fields can be leveraged to produce reduced-order models.
Network tools identify early signs of anxiety
Authors: Jones Rebecca M.
Published: September 2018

Novel network analyses identify constellations of childhood symptoms that predict anxiety disorders and depression during adolescence and young adulthood.
Diagnostic Accuracy of BD Phoenix CPO Detect for Carbapenemase Production in 190 Enterobacteriaceae Isolates
Authors: Ong Chiou Horng , Ratnayake Lasantha , Ang Michelle L. T. , Lin Raymond Tzer Pin , Chan Douglas Su Gin
Published: September 2018

The rapid and accurate detection of carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
(CPE) is necessary for patient management and infection control measures. We compared the performance of the BD Phoenix CPO Detect with that of a homemade Carba NP assay and a modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) by challenging all 3 assays with 190 isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
with meropenem MICs of >0.125 mg/liter.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus safensis Strain JG-B5T, Isolated from a Uranium Mining Waste Pile
Authors: Fischer Sarah , Krause Thomas , Jordan Norbert , Lederer Franziska , Jain Rohan
Published: September 2018

Bacillus safensis
strain JG-B5T was isolated from soil of the uranium mining waste pile Haberland located near Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany. We report here a draft genome sequence (3.7 Mb) of this bacterial strain.
Whole-Genome Sequence of the First Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Strain of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Napoli
Authors: Clément Mathieu , Ramette Alban , Bernasconi Odette J. , Principe Luigi , Luzzaro Francesco , Endimiani Andrea
Published: September 2018

We report here the whole-genome sequence of the first extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strain of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Napoli, LC0541/17, isolated from the stools of an ambulatory pediatric patient in northern Italy.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas sp. Strain 1239, Isolated from Soil in Western France
Authors: Crovadore Julien , Grizard Damien , Chablais Romain , Cochard Bastien , Blanc Philippe , Lefort François
Published: September 2018

We report here the draft genome sequence of
Pseudomonas
sp. strain 1239, a bacterium that is potentially usable as a biostimulant for agriculture or in depollution.
Hit by the wave: a case of painful Horner’s and intramural haematoma of the carotid
Authors: Umana Etimbuk , Bajwa Raazi , Davidson Ian , Gallagher David
Published: September 2018

Carotid artery dissection from rupture of the vasa vasorum is under-recognised. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman presenting to our hospital with a 2-week history of right-sided headache, neck pain, unequal pupils and ptosis after being hit by a wave on the beach. She was diagnosed with painful Horner’s syndrome. MR angiogram revealed dissection of the right internal carotid artery with an intramural haematoma without an intimal flap. A diagnosis of carotid artery dissection from rupture of the vasa vasorum was made. Initial antithrombotic (aspirin and clexane) were stopped as she was deemed a low stroke risk with no signs of ischaemia on MR brain. Her clinical course was uneventful with resolution of the intramural haematoma seen on repeat MR angiogram.