bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacy-led ward-based education reduces pharmaceutical waste and saves money
Authors: Tisdall Julia , Edmonds Michelle , McKenzie Alana , Snoswell Centaine L
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To measure the effectiveness of pharmacy-led ward-based education sessions for pharmaceutical waste.

Methods

A pharmacy technician delivery pharmaceutical waste education in 2017. To measure the impact, results from pharmaceutical wastage audits from 2016 and 2018 were compared.

Key findings

Pharmacy-led ward-based education reduces pharmaceutical waste and saves money. It was calculated that the cost of medication wastage was reduced by $1715.67 in the audit period, extrapolating to an annual saving of $44 607.45.

Conclusions

The findings highlighted the importance of pharmacy technicians and provided evidence for an advanced scope pharmacy technician ward role to reduce pharmaceutical wastage.
Dynamic measurements of black oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) predation on mussels (Mytilus californianus)
Authors: Miller Luke P. , Dowd William Wesley
Published: March 2019

Intertidal zone mussels can face threats from a variety of predatory species during high and low tides, and they must balance the threat of predation against other needs such as feeding and aerobic respiration. Black oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) on the Pacific coast of North America can depend on the musselMytilus californianusfor a substantial portion of their diet. Observations suggest that oystercatchers tend to focus on mussels beginning to gape their valves during rising tides, following periods of aerial emersion. We present detailed, autonomous field measurements of the dynamics of three such predation events in the rocky intertidal zone. We measured accelerations of up to 4gimposed on mussels, with handling times of 115–290 s required to open the shell and remove the majority of tissue. In each case a single oystercatcher attacked a mussel that had gaped the shell valves slightly wider than its neighbors as the rising tide began to splash the mussel bed, but no other obvious characteristic of the mussels, such as body temperature or orientation, could be linked to the oystercatcher's individual prey choice.
The Economic Impact of Forming a European Company
Authors: Hornuf Lars , Mohamed Abdulkadir , Schwienbacher Armin
Published: March 2019

Ever since 2004 companies located in Member States of the European Economic Area have been able to opt to incorporate in a supranational legal form, the Societas Europaea. We found that companies located in Member States where the Societas Europaea offers additional legal arbitrage opportunities benefit most. Moreover, our results show that the stock price reaction is positive when the decision to incorporate as an Societas Europaea involves moving the firm's registered office and that firms are moving to jurisdictions with significantly lower corporate tax rates. Finally, we found evidence of uncertainty at the registration date but not at the time of the shareholder meeting.
Taking to Bed at the End of Life
Authors: Gill Thomas M. , Gahbauer Evelyne A. , Leo‐Summers Linda , Murphy Terrence E.
Published: March 2019

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the time course of “taking to bed” at the end of life and determine whether it differs according to age, sex, and condition leading to death.

DESIGN

Prospective longitudinal study.

SETTING

Greater New Haven, Connecticut.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 651 decedents from a cohort of 754 community‐living persons, 70+ years of age.

MEASUREMENTS

During the last 2 years of life, the occurrence of bed rest and number of days in bed, two indicators of bed rest burden, were ascertained each month. Bed rest was defined as staying in bed for at least a half day due to an illness, injury, or other problem.

RESULTS

The occurrence of bed rest increased modestly from 12.4% at 24 months before death to 19.0% at 5 months before death, before increasing exponentially to 51.6% at 1 month before death. The median number of days in bed fluctuated within a narrow range of 3 to 7 from 24 months to 4 months before death, before increasing substantially to a high of 14 at 1 month before death. In the last 2 years of life, the burden of bed rest did not differ by age but was significantly greater in women than men. Among the conditions leading to death, the burden of bed rest was highest among persons dying from organ failure and cancer, lowest for sudden death, and intermediate for frailty, advanced dementia, and other conditions.

CONCLUSION

The burden of bed rest at the end of life is greater in women than men, does not differ by age, and is highest among persons dying from organ failure and cancer. The steep increases observed in the last 3 to 5 months of life suggest that taking to bed may be an indicator that death is approaching and should prompt discussions about referral to hospice among older persons with serious illness.
Dental Implant Therapy in a Patient with Acromegaly: A Clinical Report
Authors: Kernen Florian R. , Bidra Avinash S.
Published: March 2019

Acromegaly is an adult endocrine disorder that results from excessive growth hormone after closure of the growth plates and is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. The orofacial features of patients with acromegaly are thick lips with a tendency towards mandibular overgrowth with prognathism, jaw thickening, maxillary widening, drifting of teeth, malocclusion, and increased gonial angle, all of which can challenge the prosthodontist in dental rehabilitation. Additionally, excessive secretion of growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factors have been shown to increase bone turnover, which in turn leads to weakening of bone microarchitecture and high risk of fragility fractures. This clinical report describes the 4‐year follow‐up of a 59‐year‐old white male with acromegaly, who was managed successfully by using dental implants for replacing his missing teeth. Considerations related to treatment planning, implant surgery, bone remodeling, and management of dental occlusion are discussed. This is the first clinical report in the dental literature describing the use of dental implants in an acromegaly patient.
A Genetic Association Study of a Specific Gene and Severe Form of Resorption in the Edentulous Mandible in the Egyptian Population
Authors: Emam Samar M. , Amin Asmaa K. , Issa Noha M. , El‐Attar Mohamed S.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To investigate for the first time in Egypt and the Middle East the relationship between a specific gene and the presence of severely resorbed edentulous mandibular ridges in a sample of the Egyptian population.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted on 50 subjects divided into case and control groups according to the residual ridge height. Saliva was used as a convenient source of DNA in the dental clinic. A certain genetic variation (1772C>T) in an important gene related to bone healing (hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha [HIF1‐α] gene) was selected. The genetic variation 1772C>T is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that occurs when corresponding sequences of DNA from different individuals differ at one base. Then, we have 2 forms of the gene (2 alleles): C and T. SNPs typically have 3 genotypes; in this study, they are the CC, CT, and TT genotypes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was the method performed for genotyping. The statistical significance of the results was evaluated by the Chi‐square test and Fisher Exact test.

Results

A statistically significant difference in the distribution of the TT genotype between both groups was detected with p‐value = 0.049. There was also a difference in the distribution of the CC and CT genotypes, but it was not statistically significant, since the p‐values were 0.733 and 0.145, respectively. The T alleles were more abundant in the case group, while the control group showed more frequency of the C allele with no statistical significance.

Conclusion

The TT genotype of the 1772C>T polymorphism of HIF1‐α gene is related to the presence of severely atrophied residual ridges in completely edentulous Egyptians. This can be used as a marker to predict the future condition of the ridge using saliva samples. Further studies on larger scale are recommended.
Molecular perturbations in cholangiocarcinoma: Is it time for precision medicine?
Authors: Braconi Chiara , Roessler Stephanie , Kruk Beata , Lammert Frank , Krawczyk Marcin , Andersen Jesper B
Published: March 2019

The complexity of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cellularity and the molecular perturbation mechanisms that underlie the diversity of growth patterns of this malignancy remain a clinical concern. Tumours of the biliary system display significant intrinsic chemoresistance, caused by significant stromal involvement and genome–wide tumour heterogeneity, hampering disease remission and palliation as well as promoting the metastatic behaviour. It is crucial to advance our present understanding of the risk and molecular pathogenesis of CCA. This will facilitate the delineation of patient subsets based on molecular perturbations and adjust for precision therapies.
Characteristics and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with NAFLD without cirrhosis
Authors: Bengtsson Bonnie , Stål Per , Wahlin Staffan , Björkström Niklas K. , Hagström Hannes
Published: March 2019

Background and Aims

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In NAFLD, HCC occurs more commonly in the absence of cirrhosis compared with other liver diseases; yet, patients with non‐cirrhotic NAFLD‐HCC are poorly characterized. Here, we characterized a large cohort of HCC cases and assessed the outcomes of patients with non‐cirrhotic NAFLD‐HCC.

Methods

We identified all cases of HCC treated at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden from 2004 to 2017. Patient charts were manually reviewed for variable extraction. Cases were followed passively for all‐cause and HCC‐related mortality until the end of April 2018. Cox regression was performed to estimate mortality rates and identify mortality risk factors in patients with non‐cirrhotic NAFLD‐HCC.

Results

Totally, 1562 cases with HCC were identified. Of these, 225 (14.4%) had NAFLD‐HCC, of which 83 (37%) did not have cirrhosis. Compared with patients with cirrhotic NAFLD‐HCC, patients with non‐cirrhotic NAFLD‐HCC were older (74 vs 70 years, P < 0.001), had a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (66% vs 80%, P = 0.02), larger tumours, less frequently underwent liver transplantation (0% vs 11%, P = 0.002), but more frequently underwent resection (35% vs 8%, P < 0.001). Mortality was similar (aHR for non‐cirrhotic NAFLD‐HCC vs cirrhotic NAFLD‐HCC 0.93, 95% CI 0.58‐1.51, P = 0.78). Parameters independently associated with increased mortality included the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, number of tumours, lower albumin and presence of T2DM.

Conclusions

Patients with non‐cirrhotic NAFLD‐HCC differ from those with cirrhosis in age, tumour size and allocated treatments. Despite these differences, survival is similar.
UNVEILing connections between genotype, phenotype, and fitness in natural populations
Authors: Nelson Thomas C. , Jones Matthew R. , Velotta Jonathan P. , Dhawanjewar Abhilesh S. , Schweizer Rena M.
Published: March 2019

Understanding the links between genetic variation and fitness in natural populations is a central goal of evolutionary genetics. This monumental task spans the fields of classical and molecular genetics, population genetics, biochemistry, physiology, developmental biology, and ecology. Advances to our molecular and developmental toolkits are facilitating integrative approaches across these traditionally separate fields, providing a more complete picture of the genotype‐phenotype map in natural and non‐model systems. Here, we summarize research presented at the first annual symposium of the UNVEIL Network, an NSF‐funded collaboration between the University of Montana and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, which took place from the 1st to the 3rd of June, 2018. We discuss how this body of work advances basic evolutionary science, what it implies for our ability to predict evolutionary change, and how it might inform novel conservation strategies.
Delineation of ecologically distinct units of marine Bacteroidetes in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Díez‐Vives Cristina , Nielsen Shaun , Sánchez Pablo , Palenzuela Oswaldo , Ferrera Isabel , Sebastián Marta , Pedrós‐Alió Carlos , Gasol Josep M. , Acinas Silvia G.
Published: March 2019

Bacteroidetes is one of the dominant phyla of ocean bacterioplankton, yet its diversity and population structure is poorly understood. To advance in the delineation of ecologically meaningful units within this group, we constructed near full‐length 16S rRNA gene clone libraries from contrasting marine environments in the NW Mediterranean. Based on phylogeny and the associated ecological variables (depth and season), 24 different Bacteroidetes clades were delineated. By considering their relative abundance (from iTag amplicon sequencing studies), we described the distribution patterns of each of these clades, delimiting them as Ecologically Significant Taxonomic Units (ESTUs). Spatially, there was almost no overlap among ESTUs at different depths. In deep waters there was predominance of Owenweeksia, Leeuwenhoekiella, Muricauda‐related genera, and some depth‐associated ESTUs within the NS5 and NS2b marine clades. Seasonally, multi‐annual dynamics of recurring ESTUs were present with dominance of some ESTUs within the NS4, NS5 and NS2b marine clades along most of the year, but with variable relative frequencies between months. A drastic change towards the predominance of Formosa‐related ESTUs and one ESTU from the NS5 marine clade was typically present after the spring bloom. Even though there are no isolates available for these ESTUs to determine their physiology, correlation analyses identified the environmental preference of some of them. Overall, our results suggest that there is a high degree of niche specialisation within these closely related clades. This work constitutes a step forward in disentangling the ecology of marine Bacteroidetes, which are essential players in organic matter processing in the oceans.
Antifungal combinations in Mucorales: A microbiological perspective
Authors: Schwarz Patrick , Cornely Oliver A. , Dannaoui Eric
Published: March 2019

Mucormycosis mostly affects immunocompromised patients and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality despite currently available treatments. In that context, combination therapy might be the key to a better outcome for these patients. Purpose of this review is to summarise and to discuss the current combination data obtained in vitro, in vivo in animal models of mucormycosis, and in patients. In vitro combination studies showed that most of the interactions between antifungal drugs were indifferent, even though that some synergistic interactions were achieved for the combination of echinocandins with either azoles or amphotericin B. Importantly, antagonism was never observed. Animal models of mucormycosis focused on infections caused by Rhizopus arrhizus, neglecting most other species responsible for human disease. In these experimental animal models, no strong interactions have been demonstrated, although a certain degree of synergism has been reported in some instances. Combinations of antifungals with non‐antifungal drugs have also been largely explored in vitro and in animal models and yielded interesting results. In patients with ketoacidosis and rhino‐orbito‐cerebral infection, combination of polyene with caspofungin was effective. In contrast, despite promising experimental data, adjunctive therapy with the iron chelator deferasirox was unfavourable and was associated with a higher mortality than monotherapy with liposomal amphotericin B. More combinations have to be tested in vitro and a much larger panel of Mucorales species has to be tested in vivo to give a valuable statement if antifungal combination therapy could be an effective treatment strategy in patients with mucormycosis.
Effects of massage on outcomes of adult intensive care unit patients: a systematic review
Authors: Jagan Sameera , Park Tanya , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth
Published: March 2019

Background

The critical care experience is particularly stressful for patients, which can result in a number of physiological and psychological consequences, including haemodynamic instability, increased pain, agitation and delirium, leading to prolonged mechanical ventilation, length of stay and subsequent complications. Massage therapy encompasses different techniques to promote relaxation and to counter stress, therefore potentially affecting several patients' outcomes.

Aims

To systematically review evidence on the effects of massage on outcomes of adult critically ill patients. The outcome measures included pain, vital signs (VS), haemodynamic measurements, level of consciousness, sleep quality, muscle tension, anxiety, feelings of calm and relaxation, coping, arterial blood gases and serum biomarkers.

Method

This was a systematic review based on focused literature searches (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, EMBASE‐Ovid databases, Google Scholar). The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Eligibility criteria included published experimental and quasi‐experimental studies reporting on the physiological and psychological outcomes of critically ill patients.

Results

Based on the selection criteria, 12 studies were included in the review. The main findings are as follows: 8 of 12 studies used randomized control designs with high internal validity, and there was a high level of evidence of favourable effects with respect to improvements in VS and a reduction in pain and anxiety. Outcomes that need to be more rigorously pursued include quality of sleep, analgesic and sedative dosages and level of consciousness.

Conclusion

The results suggest that massage interventions can have positive effects on critically ill patients' outcomes. However, there are several gaps in the literature, along with methodological limitations, that require further consideration in critical care settings.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of this systematic review can inform implementation of massage interventions in critical care, which can be challenging as a result of several barriers.
Management of a neonate with diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis: Case report and literature review
Authors: Jenkinson Helena A. , Lundgren Ashley D. , Carter Melody C. , Diaz Lucia Z. , Levy Moise L.
Published: March 2019

Mastocytosis is an accumulation of clonal mast cells within tissues, commonly caused by mutations in the KIT proto‐oncogene. This report describes the management of a neonate with diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM) caused by a rare activating KIT mutation, specifically internal tandem duplication of the Ala502Tyr503 pair on exon 9, and reviews current data regarding work‐up of DCM in pediatric patients.
Farmers’ Risk‐Based Decision Making Under Pervasive Uncertainty: Cognitive Thresholds and Hazy Hedging
Authors: Findlater Kieran M. , Satterfield Terre , Kandlikar Milind
Published: March 2019

Researchers in judgment and decision making have long debunked the idea that we are economically rational optimizers. However, problematic assumptions of rationality remain common in studies of agricultural economics and climate change adaptation, especially those that involve quantitative models. Recent movement toward more complex agent‐based modeling provides an opportunity to reconsider the empirical basis for farmer decision making. Here, we reconceptualize farmer decision making from the ground up, using an in situ mental models approach to analyze weather and climate risk management. We assess how large‐scale commercial grain farmers in South Africa (n = 90) coordinate decisions about weather, climate variability, and climate change with those around other environmental, agronomic, economic, political, and personal risks that they manage every day. Contrary to common simplifying assumptions, we show that these farmers tend to satisfice rather than optimize as they face intractable and multifaceted uncertainty; they make imperfect use of limited information; they are differently averse to different risks; they make decisions on multiple time horizons; they are cautious in responding to changing conditions; and their diverse risk perceptions contribute to important differences in individual behaviors. We find that they use two important nonoptimizing strategies, which we call cognitive thresholds and hazy hedging, to make practical decisions under pervasive uncertainty. These strategies, evident in farmers' simultaneous use of conservation agriculture and livestock to manage weather risks, are the messy in situ performance of naturalistic decision‐making techniques. These results may inform continued research on such behavioral tendencies in narrower lab‐ and modeling‐based studies.
A Different Perspective on the Evolution of UK Income Inequality
Authors: Atkinson A. B. , Jenkins Stephen P.
Published: March 2019

This paper scrutinizes the conventional wisdom about trends in UK income inequality and also places contemporary inequality in a much longer historical perspective. We combine household survey and income tax data to provide better coverage of all income ranges from the bottom to the very top (and make our estimates available to other researchers). We make a case for studying distributions of income between tax units (i.e. not assuming the full income sharing that goes with the use of the household as the unit of analysis) for reasons of principle as well as data harmonization. We present evidence that income inequality in the UK is as least as high today as it was just before the start of World War 2.
Soil organic carbon temperature sensitivity of different soil types and land use systems in the Brazilian semi‐arid region
Authors: Maia Stoécio Malta Ferreira , Gonzaga Giordano Bruno Medeiros , Silva Leilane Kristine dos Santos , Lyra Guilherme Bastos , Gomes Tâmara Cláudia de Araújo
Published: March 2019

Quantifying the sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition (SOM) to global warming is critical for predict future impacts of climate change on soil organic carbon stocks (SOC) and soil respiration, especially in semi‐arid regions such as north‐eastern Brazil, where SOC stocks are naturally small. In this study, the responses of the labile and recalcitrant carbon components and soil respiration dynamics were evaluated in three different soil types and land use systems (native vegetation, cropland and pasture) of the Brazilian semi‐arid region, when submitted to temperature increase. After 169 days of incubation, the results showed that an increase of 5°C generated an average increase in CO2 emission of 12.0%, but which could reach 28.1%. Overall, the labile carbon (LC) in areas of native vegetation showed greater sensitivity to temperature than in cropland areas. It was also observed that recalcitrant carbon (RC) was more sensitive to warming than LC. Our results indicate that Brazil's semi‐arid region presents a substantial vulnerability to global warming, and that the sensitivity of RC and of LC in areas of native vegetation to warming can enhance SOC losses, contributing to positive feedback on climate change, and compromising the productive systems of the region. However, further studies evaluating other types of soil and texture and management systems should be carried out to consolidate the results obtained and to improve the understanding about SOM decomposition in the Brazilian semi‐arid region.
The zinc‐finger transcription factor CcLOL1 controls chloroplast development and immature pepper fruit color in Capsicum chinense and its function is conserved in tomato
Authors: Borovsky Yelena , Monsonego Noam , Mohan Vijee , Shabtai Sara , Kamara Itzhak , Faigenboim Adi , Hill Theresa , Chen Shiyu , Stoffel Kevin , Van Deynze Allen , Paran Ilan
Published: March 2019

Chloroplast development and chlorophyll content in the immature fruit has a major impact on the morphology and quality in pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruit. Two major quantitative trait loci (QTLs), pc1 and pc10 that affect chlorophyll content in the pepper fruit by modulation of chloroplast compartment size were previously identified in chromosomes 1 and 10, respectively. The pepper homolog of GOLDEN2‐LIKE transcription factor (CaGLK2) has been found as underlying pc10, similar to its effect on tomato chloroplast development. In the present study, we identified the pepper homolog of the zinc‐finger transcription factor LOL1 (LSD ONE LIKE1; CcLOL1) as the gene underlying pc1. LOL1 has been identified in Arabidopsis as a positive regulator of programmed cell death and we report here on its role in controlling fruit development in the Solanaceae in a fruit‐specific manner. The light‐green C. chinense parent used for QTL mapping was found to carry a null mutation in CcLOL1. Verification of the function of the gene was done by generating CRISPR/Cas9 knockout mutants of the orthologous tomato gene resulting in light‐green tomato fruits, indicating functional conservation of the orthologous genes in controlling chlorophyll content in the Solanaceae. Transcriptome profiling of light and dark‐green bulks differing for pc1, showed that the QTL affects multiple photosynthesis and oxidation‐reduction associated genes in the immature green fruit. Allelic diversity of three known genes CcLOL1, CaGLK2, and CcAPRR2 that influence pepper immature fruit color, was found to be associated with variation in chlorophyll content primarily in C. chinense.
Making the microbiome public: Participatory experiments with DNA sequencing in domestic kitchens
Authors: Lorimer Jamie , Hodgetts Timothy , Grenyer Richard , Greenhough Beth , McLeod Carmen , Dwyer Andrew
Published: March 2019

Recent rapid increases in the capability and affordability of DNA sequencing have enabled scientists to map the microbiome and to identify its associations with a range of health conditions. Concerns are growing that missing microbes might be behind the current rise in inflammatory disease. Microbial absence and dysbiosis have been linked to a range of hygiene practices, fuelling popular anxiety and confusion about being both too clean and the risk of superbugs. A growing number of microbiology projects allow some publics to engage with DNA sequencing, and enable DIY experiments in microbiome management. Advocates promote this as the democratisation of sequencing. This paper outlines a new methodology for making the microbiome public, and explores the potential of thinking with microbes for social science research. It reports on an interdisciplinary research project, in which a small number of households in Oxford designed and conducted repeated experiments on their kitchen microbiome. These experiments explored the composition of the microbiome and the effects of different hygiene practices. The analysis identifies two challenges of public microbiome research: the mismatch between a vernacular species ontology and the ecological understanding of the microbiome, and the difficulties posed by scientific uncertainty. The reported methodology was able to engage publics in the design and interpretation of experiments, and to work with the surprises generated by open research. Thinking with microbes as ecologies revealed the tensions between an antibiotic and a probiotic approach to domestic hygiene. Public microbiome research needs new metaphors and visualisation tools, and an awareness of the political economic and epistemic barriers that will configure the promised democratisation of sequencing. The conclusion calls for further interdisciplinary and participatory microbiome research to guide the emergence of this new technology.
Ventral distraction‐stabilization in 5 continuous sites for the treatment of cervical spondylomyelopathy in a Great Dane
Authors: Tuan Jayson , Solano Miguel A. , Fitzpatrick Noel
Published: March 2019

Objective

To report the combined use of novel and commercially available implants for ventral distraction‐stabilization of 5 continuous compressive sites in a Great Dane with cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM).

Study design

Case report.

Animals

One 4‐year‐old male Great Dane weighing 78 kg.

Methods

A tetraparetic 4‐year‐old Great Dane with osseous‐associated CSM (OA‐CSM) with 5 sites of dorsolateral compression was presented for surgical intervention. Custom designed Fitz intervertebral traction screws (FITS) and a commercially available polyaxial spinal system were used for ventral distraction‐stabilization of all lesions. Multiple neurological reevaluations were performed, with the final evaluation at 27 months postoperatively. Preoperative, immediate‐postoperative, and 27 month‐postoperative computed tomography (CT) images were retrospectively reviewed to compare the vertebral canal dimensions at the affected sites.

Results

Multilevel distraction‐stabilization technique resulted in improvement of the dog's neurological function by 10 days postoperatively. The vertebral canal measurements were revealed to have improved in over half of the measured variables when the 27‐month‐postoperative images were compared with the preoperative CT images. Increased vertebral canal dimensions were observed immediately after surgery, and some of these measurements continued to improve by 27 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

Ventral distraction‐stabilization technique with custom‐designed FITS and a polyaxial spinal system resulted in both clinical improvement and objective improvement in spinal canal measurements in an OA‐CSM‐affected Great Dane.

Clinical significance

An indirect decompression technique can eliminate dynamic movements and result in regression of vertebral canal bony proliferation in dogs with OA‐CSM.
Myths and Methodologies: How loud is the story told by the transcranial magnetic stimulation‐evoked silent period?
Authors: Škarabot Jakob , Mesquita Ricardo N. O. , Brownstein Callum G. , Ansdell Paul
Published: March 2019

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

The origin, interpretation and methodological constraints of the silent period induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation are reviewed.

What advances does it highlight?

The silent period is generated by both cortical and spinal mechanisms. Therefore, it seems inappropriate to preface silent period with ‘cortical’ unless additional measures are taken. Owing to many confounding variables, a standardized approach to the silent period measurement cannot be suggested. Rather, recommendations of best practice are provided based on the available evidence and the context of the research question.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex evokes a response in the muscle that can be recorded via electromyography (EMG). One component of this response, when elicited during a voluntary contraction, is a period of EMG silence, termed the silent period (SP), which follows a motor evoked potential (MEP). Modulation of SP duration was long thought to reflect the degree of intracortical inhibition. However, the evidence presented in this review suggests that both cortical and spinal mechanisms contribute to generation of the SP, which makes prefacing SP with ‘cortical’ misleading. Further investigations with multi‐methodological approaches, such as TMS–EEG coupling or interaction of TMS with neuroactive drugs, are needed to make such inferences with greater confidence. A multitude of methodological factors can influence the SP and thus confound the interpretation of this measure; namely, background muscle activity, instructions given to the participant, stimulus intensity and the size of the MEP preceding the SP, and the approach to analysis. A systematic understanding of how the confounding factors influence the interpretation of SP is lacking, which makes standardization of the methodology difficult to conceptualize. Instead, the methodology should be guided through the lens of the research question and the population studied, ensuring greater reproducibility, repeatability and comparability of data sets. Recommendations are provided for the best practice within a given context of the experimental design.
Evidencias de manipulación de resultados presupuestarios en el sector público: análisis cross-subnational para el Brasil
Authors: Almeida Santos Paulo Sérgio , Pires da Silva Josimar , Pereira José Matias , Ferreira dos Santos Augusta Conceição
Published: March 2019

Este artículo indaga sobre los incentivos que podrían tener los gestores públicos de los gobiernos regionales brasileños para manipular los resultados presupuestales como respuesta a los ciclos electorales y a la ley de responsabilidad fiscal. Mediante a un análisis cross-regional se analizan los gobiernos regionales brasileños (n = 27), durante el periodo 1989-2014, para un total de 702 observaciones. Los principales hallazgos indican que los gobiernos se involucran con la manipulación de los resultados presupuestarios, esto es, reportan pequeños presupuestos cercanos a cero. La evidencia muestra, por un lado, que el ciclo electoral no tiene efectos conclusivos sobre esta práctica, y por el otro lado, que los gobiernos tienen incentivos para responder positivamente a las reglas de la ley de responsabilidad fiscal.
The health condition of Steve Jobs and the value of Apple’s shares
Authors: Clemente Ademir , Ribeiro Flávio , Douglas Colauto Romualdo
Published: March 2019

This paper aims to analyze the influence of news about Steve Jobs’ health on the price of Apple stock during the period from 10/16/2003 to 10/05/2011. Seven major events were identified for which significant market reaction was detected within five days after the release. The results indicate a trend dampening market reactions over time, suggesting that after the first news, investors gradually included in their predictions the frequent absences of the ceo. The mistaken announcement of Steve Jobs’ death on August 28th, and his appearance showing signs of physical weakness on September 9th 2008, in the acute phase of the financial crisis, were decisive factors in influencing the value of Apple’s shares. Furthermore, the news about Steve Jobs’ health did not cause significant impact on the price of the shares after he returned to the presidency of Apple. This indicates that the market had already picked up signs of a probable permanent absence.
Inconsistencias del deterioro del valor de activos y la normatividad contable internacional
Authors: Perea Murillo Sandra Patricia
Published: March 2019

En este artículo se exponen las inconsistencias de carácter ontológico y epistemológico que existen en la conceptualización del deterioro del valor de activos por parte del organismo emisor de las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera -IASB. Este es un estudio cualitativo basado en la revisión de literatura de la corriente neoclásica de la teoría económica, para elaborar una argumentación coherente de las inconsistencias contenidas en la NIC 36. Encontramos como conclusiones que la NIC 36 trata el valor de uso y el valor razonable como métodos de valoración equivalentes, al plantear que el importe recuperable de un activo es producto del mayor valor una vez comparado el valor de uso con el valor razonable menos costos de venta, dejando de lado la discrepancia evidente que existe en la naturaleza de las fuentes de información de estas dos bases valorativas.
Valoración de bienes de uso público en el modelo contable de entidades de gobierno en Colombia. Una aproximación desde los precios hedónicos
Authors: Díaz Jiménez Michael Andrés , Gutiérrez López Julián Alberto  , Patiño Jacinto Ruth Alejandra
Published: March 2019

Países desarrollados y en vía de desarrollo han modificado su modelo contable como respuesta a los planteamientos de los entes de regulación internacional. Colombia en particular, ha decidido restructurar su Régimen de Contabilidad Pública tomando como referente el modelo internacional. Aunque la Contaduría General de la Nación ha definido una estructura completa, ésta ha presentado algunas dificultades por la falta de herramientas metodológicas para la medición de los bienes de no mercado. El propósito de este artículo es justamente proponer una técnica de medición para actualizar los bienes de uso público, a través de un modelo econométrico que permita determinar la disponibilidad a pagar por el espacio público a partir de precios hedónicos. El resultado alcanzado permite contar con un instrumento metodológico que puede ser utilizado para actualizar el valor de algunos bienes de uso público tanto del distrito capital como de aquellas entidades a nivel nacional e internacional que así lo requieran.
Wear Behavior of Pure Titanium Coated With WC-Co by the Use of Electrospark Deposition Method
Authors: Razavi Arab Seyyed Jaber , Aghajani Hossein
Published: March 2019

Titanium is a highly interesting material in engineering because of its unique combination of high strength to weight ratio, excellent resistance to corrosion, and biocompatibility. However, the material’s low wear resistance, which is its inherent nature, limits its application in highly erosive conditions. In order to enhance the wear resistance of biomedical grade titanium with the help of a WC-Co coating, an electrospark deposition method was used in this work. The goal of this work is to investigate the effect of frequency and current upper limit in the electrospark deposition process on substrate properties. Hardness of the layers was measured by a microhardness tester. In order to study the morphology and microstructure of surface layers, scanning electron microscope was used. Tribological tests were conducted under technically dry friction conditions at a load of 12.5 N by a pin-on-disk tribometer. Titanium was observed in coating and metallurgical bonding between the coating and the substrate. The optimized sample's hardness was about 930 HV 0.1. Results showed that the presence of a carbide layer on the surface of titanium leads to a great enhancement of wear resistance of about 68% in the pin-on-disk test.
Tribological Properties of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Cr and Graphene Oxide-Cr Composite Coating
Authors: Chen Bo , Liang Shenghu , Lu Song , Zou Kun , Peng Yitian , Lang Haojie , Yi Wangmin
Published: March 2019

Chromium (Cr)-based coatings have been widely used to strengthen the friction reduction and wear resistance on various kinds of surface. Here, the stable aqueous dispersion of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and graphene oxide nanosheets (GOS) was obtained by ultrasonic oxidation treatment. Then, MWCNT-Cr and GOS-Cr composite coatings were prepared using the direct current electrochemical co-deposition process on 420 stainless steel in the electrolyte with the addition of MWCNT and GOS under different current density and temperature. The morphology, structure, hardness and tribological properties of MWCNT-Cr and GOS-Cr composite coating are comparatively studied using pure Cr coating as a baseline. The friction reduction performance of MWCNT-Cr and GOS-Cr composite coatings was improved at optimum current density and temperature. The anti-wear properties of MWCNT-Cr and GOS-Cr composite coatings were enhanced by uniform embedment of MWCNT and GOS in coatings increasing the hardness and lubricity. This study suggests that the introduction of oxidized MWCNT and GOS with good dispersion could enhance the wear resistance and friction reduction of pure Cr coating due to their excellent dispersion, mechanical, and lubricant properties.
Fabrication of Hybrid Surface Composites AA6061/(B4C + MoS2) via Friction Stir Processing
Authors: Sharma Daulat Kumar , Patel Vivek , Badheka Vishvesh , Mehta Krunal , Upadhyay Gautam
Published: March 2019

Poor tribological properties restrict structural applications of aluminum alloys and surface composites of aluminum alloys have gained more attention in material processing. The addition of solid lubricant reinforcement particles along with abrasive ceramics contributes to the enhancement of tribological performance of surface composites. In the present study, the solid-state technique, friction stir processing (FSP) was used to develop mono (B4C) and hybrid (B4C + MoS2) surface composites in the AA6061-T651 aluminum alloy. The hybrid surface composites were produced by varying an amount of MoS2. Multipass FSP with different direction strategies was adopted for achieving uniform distribution of reinforcement powders in the aluminum matrix. Microstructure analysis showed a uniform dispersal of reinforcement particles without any clustering or agglomeration in the processing zone. Microhardness and wear performance of mono and hybrid composites improved in comparison with the base metal. The mono surface composite exhibited the highest hardness while the hybrid surface composite (75%B4C + 25%MoS2) achieved the highest wear resistance. This was attributed to the solid lubricant nature of MoS2. Furthermore, dissolution of the strengthening precipitate condition during multipass FSP without reinforcement particles resulted in the reduction of hardness and wear resistance.
Selective biorational treatments for managing the storage mites, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Troupeau) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Bakr Anar , Selim Shady
Published: March 2019

Mites have lately emerged as economically important pests of stored products. Recently, addition of natural origin compounds individually or as a combination with predators have provided a considerable value for controlling these pests. In this study, the efficacy of the bacterium-derived pesticides, spinosad and spinetoram, and the combination of each of them with the predator Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans was evaluated against two storage mite pests, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Troupeau) under optimal abiotic conditions for pest development. After 21d, the terminal density was estimated for both astigmatid mite species exposed to diet (experiment I) treated with either spinosad or spinetoram (concentrations range of 0.01-2 ppm).  Estimation was also done with diet (experiment II) treated with either spinosad or spinetoram (0.5 ppm) and/or the predator at initial predator/prey ratio (0.02). The density of predator was also determined after 21 days. Application of spinosyns significantly reduced population of T. putrescentiae and A. ovatus. The reduction potential increased with increasing concentration. Complete control of T. putrescentiae and A. ovatus was achieved by the application of spinosad at 1 and 2 ppm, respectively. As measured by rC50 and rC90 (concentration for 50% and 90% suppress of population in comparison to control), spinosad was more toxic to T.  putrescentiae and A. ovatus than spinetoram. Furthermore, T. putrescentiae was more susceptible to spinosad than A. ovatus. Conversely, it was less susceptible to spinetoram than A. ovatus. The populations of both mite species were successfully suppressed by the sole application of C. malaccensis. Although the density of predatory mites was not affected by the presence of 0.5 ppm spinosad, it was almost eradicated by spinetoram at 0.5 ppm. A combination of spinosad at 0.5 ppm with two individuals of C. malaccensis mites (ratio 0.02) outperformed spinosad used alone at the same former concentration in reduction efficiency of the pest populations by 12% for T.  putrescentiae and 25% for A. ovatus within 21 days.
Influence of substrate holder configurations on bias enhanced nucleation area for diamond heteroepitaxy: Toward wafer-scale single-crystalline diamond synthesis
Authors: Yoshikawa Taro , Herrling David , Meyer Frank , Burmeister Frank , Nebel Christoph E. , Ambacher Oliver , Lebedev Vadim
Published: March 2019

A simple and effective method to extend the area of bias enhanced nucleation (BEN) for heteroepitaxial diamond growth is introduced. Two-inch substrates are placed on a flat and smooth surface of approximately 3-in. Mo substrate holder and then treated via BEN with or without metal-covered Si plates located right outside of the substrates. It is clarified that not only the plates themselves but also their thickness has a great impact on the BEN area, or in other words, the homogeneity of nucleation density on the substrates. As a result, the epitaxial diamond nucleation is successfully performed on nearly the whole area of a 2-in. Ir/YSZ/Si(001) substrate using the 1 mm thick half-ring plates. For a proof of this concept, finite element method simulations are also performed to investigate the influence of such plates on plasma (electron) density distributions above the substrates. Throughout this study, the significance of substrate holder configurations for the widely accessible wafer-scale diamond heteroepitaxy is revealed.
Mice can learn phonetic categories
Authors: Saunders Jonny L. , Wehr Michael
Published: March 2019

Speech is perceived as a series of relatively invariant phonemes despite extreme variability in the acoustic signal. To be perceived as nearly-identical phonemes, speech sounds that vary continuously over a range of acoustic parameters must be perceptually discretized by the auditory system. Such many-to-one mappings of undifferentiated sensory information to a finite number of discrete categories are ubiquitous in perception. Although many mechanistic models of phonetic perception have been proposed, they remain largely unconstrained by neurobiological data. Current human neurophysiological methods lack the necessary spatiotemporal resolution to provide it: speech is too fast, and the neural circuitry involved is too small. This study demonstrates that mice are capable of learning generalizable phonetic categories, and can thus serve as a model for phonetic perception. Mice learned to discriminate consonants and generalized consonant identity across novel vowel contexts and speakers, consistent with true category learning. A mouse model, given the powerful genetic and electrophysiological tools for probing neural circuits available for them, has the potential to powerfully augment a mechanistic understanding of phonetic perception.
The Extended Speech Transmission Index: Predicting speech intelligibility in fluctuating noise and reverberant rooms
Authors: van Schoonhoven Jelmer , Rhebergen Koenraad S. , Dreschler Wouter A.
Published: March 2019

The Speech Transmission Index (STI) is used to predict speech intelligibility in noise and reverberant environments. However, measurements and predictions in fluctuating noises lead to inaccuracies. In the current paper, the Extended Speech Transmission Index (ESTI) is presented in order to deal with these shortcomings. Speech intelligibility in normally hearing subjects was measured using stationary and fluctuating maskers. These results served to optimize model parameters. Data from the literature were then used to verify the ESTI-model. Model outcomes were accurate for stationary maskers, maskers with artificial fluctuations, and maskers with real life non-speech modulations. Maskers with speech-like characteristics introduced systematic errors in the model outcomes, probably due to a combination of modulation masking, context effects, and informational masking.