bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dasatinib and FLAG-IDA Is an Effective Therapy for Initial Myeloid Blast Crisis but Involves a High Risk of Opportunistic Infections
Authors: Labrador Jorge , Hermida Gerardo J. , Alvarez Rodolfo , Anso Victor , de Vicente Pilar , Goñi Mercedes , Gonzalez-Lopez Tomas Jose
Published: November 2020

Blast crisis (BC) continues to be the major challenge in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Best results have been observed in a few patients who were successfully transplanted after returning to chronic phase. Recent studies focus on the combination of chemotherapy with imatinib, but results remain unsatisfactory. Since dasatinib induces deeper and faster responses, a reasonable strategy might be to combine it with chemotherapy, taking into account the alterations in T-cell response induced by dasatinib. However, there are no published studies or case reports supporting the use of dasatinib as first line treatment for initial myeloid BC, and very little is known about infectious complications associated with this drug. Based on this, we present the case of a patient diagnosed with an initial nonlymphoid phenotype BC, who achieved molecular response (MR4.5) with dasatinib and FLAG-IDA, but he suffered a pulmonary aspergillosis, CMV infection, and a CMV reactivation, prior to an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In conclusion, dasatinib and FLAG-IDA is an effective therapy for initial BC. However, a warning call is needed owing to the high risk of opportunistic infections, such as CMV.
Tunnel Construction Workers’ Cognitive Biases and Unsafe Behaviors: The Mediating Effects of Risk Perceptions
Authors: Li Hujun , Chen Huihua , Zhao Zhengyu , Hu Xiaodong , Cheng Baoquan , Huang Jianling
Published: November 2020

The poor safety performance of the construction industry is a global concern. Workers’ unsafe behaviors (WUBs) are viewed as critical causes of construction accidents. Thus, it has been a leading research topic to identify antecedents of WUBs and establish reliable models to explain WUBs. Cognitive biases (CBs) are salient antecedents of WUBs. However, the relationships between CBs and WUBs are not further explored in construction safety management. As such, this study selected three prevalent CBs, i.e., availability bias (AB), confirmation bias (FB), and overconfidence, and investigated the relationships between the three CBs and WUBs and the functions of RPs in these relationships among tunnel construction workers. We established six multiple regression models. Research results show that CBs can directly influence RPs and WUBs, RPs are antecedents of WUBs, and the mediating effect of RPs on the relationships between CBs and WUBs is salient. In detail, AB and FB explain more ERP and overconfidence explains more BRP. AB and FB indirectly influence more WUBs through ERP, while overconfidence indirectly affects more WUBs through BRP. The study provides a novel theoretical paradigm for conceptualizing CBs and their relationships with RPs and WUBs. The research results can also guide managers to take debiasing measures to decrease workers’ unsafe behaviors on the construction site.
Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antidiabetic Effects of Leaf Extracts from Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae)
Authors: Makopa Mercy , Mangiza Benjamin , Banda Benjamin , Mozirandi Winnie , Mombeshora Molly , Mukanganyama Stanley
Published: November 2020

Fruits and leaves of Persia americana are used in traditional medical practices. This study was carried out to determine the antibacterial, antifungal, and antidiabetic effects of the leaf extracts from P. americana. The antibacterial activities of the leaf extracts were evaluated against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus epidermidis while antifungal activities were determined against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The antidiabetic potential of the extracts was determined against mammalian α-glucosidase in vitro. The broth microdilution method was used to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility of the microbial strains towards the leaf extracts. S. epidermidis was the most susceptible microbe out of the tested microorganisms. The acetone extract was the most potent extract against S. epidermidis with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 μg/mL. At 100 μg/mL, the ethanol:water extract 18% of K. pneumoniae cells remained viable. Cell viability after exposure to the dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol extracts was 28% against C. albicans and 8% against C. tropicalis, respectively. The DCM:methanol and acetone extracts caused membrane damage in S. epidermidis exhibited by protein leakage. Only the acetone extract effected nucleic acid leakage. Screening of extracts’ potential to inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase was carried out spectrophotometrically following the production of p-nitrophenol from p-nitrophenol-glucopyranoside (substrate) at a wavelength of 405 nm. Out of all the tested extracts, the methanolic extract showed the best inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase enzyme in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner.KiandKinactvalues were found to be 1.4 mg/mL and 2.4 U/min, respectively, after incubation for 1 hour. It was concluded that the leaf extracts of P. americana contain phytochemicals with antibacterial, antifungal, and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. Further studies are required for the identification of the active compounds in the leaf extracts responsible for these observed effects.
Impact of Lesion Preparation Technique on Side Branch Compromise in Calcified Coronary Bifurcations: A Subgroup Analysis of the PREPARE-CALC Trial
Authors: Allali Abdelhakim , Abdel-Wahab Mohamed , Traboulsi Hussein , Hemetsberger Rayyan , Mankerious Nader , Byrne Robert , Geist Volker , El-Mawardy Mohamed , Sulimov Dmitriy , Toelg Ralph , Richardt Gert
Published: November 2020

Objectives. To analyze the impact of different techniques of lesion preparation of severely calcified coronary bifurcation lesions. Background. The impact of different techniques of lesion preparation of severely calcified coronary bifurcation lesions is poorly investigated. Methods. We performed an as-treated analysis on 47 calcified bifurcation lesions treated with scoring/cutting balloons (SCB) and 68 lesions treated with rotational atherectomy (RA) in the PREPARE-CALC trial. Compromised side branch (SB) as assessed in the final angiogram was the primary outcome measure and was defined as any significant stenosis, dissection, or thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow <3. Results. True bifurcation lesions were present in 49% vs. 43% of cases in the SCB and RA groups, respectively. After stent implantation, SB balloon dilatation was necessary in around one-third of cases (36% vs. 38%;

p
=
0.82

), and a two-stent technique was performed in 21.3% vs. 25% (

p
=
0.75

). At the end of the procedure, the SB remained compromised in 15 lesions (32%) in the SCB group and 5 lesions (7%) in the RA group (

p
=
0.001

). Large coronary dissections were more frequently observed in the SCB group (13% vs. 2%;

p
=
0.02

). Postprocedural levels of cardiac biomarkers were significantly higher in patients with a compromised SB at the end of the procedure. Conclusions. In the PREPARE-CALC trial, side branch compromise was more frequently observed after lesion preparation with SCB as compared with RA. Consequently, in calcified bifurcation lesions, an upfront debulking with an RA-based strategy might optimize the result in the side branch.
Demographically Corrected Normative Z Scores on the Neuropsychological Test Battery in Cognitively Normal Older Chinese Adults
Authors: Ruan Qingwei , Xiao Feng , Gong Ke , Zhang Weibin , Zhang Min , Ruan Jian , Zhang Xuefeng , Chen Qingru , Yu Zhuowei
Published: November 2020

Background: Subjective questionnaires used for the diagnosis of pre-mild cognitive impairment (pre-MCI) and conventional criteria for MCI might mainly result in false-positive diagnostic errors. The integrated criteria based on demographically adjusted total and process Z scores on neuropsychological tests have been validated to be sensitive for measuring pre-MCI, MCI, and MCI subtypes. However, the underrepresentativity of Chinese populations and the complexity in some tests limit the use of the established Z scores in the elderly Chinese population. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a useful Z score calculator to assess individual cognitive performance after adjustment of the scores on each of the neuropsychological tests according to sex, age, and education and to establish preliminary norms for the objective assessment of cognition function in elderly Chinese individuals. Methods: The neuropsychological test battery consists of measures of performance on different cognitive domains, including episodic memory, language, executive function, processing speed, and attention. Data were obtained from 220 clinically cognitively normal Chinese volunteers aged 60 years or older from the cohort of the Shanghai study of health promotion among frail elderly individuals. Regression models were used to investigate the impact of age, education, and sex on test scores. Z scores were estimated for the different scores by subtracting the predicted mean from the raw score and dividing it by the root mean square error term for any given linear regression model. Results: Preliminary analyses indicated that age, sex, or level of education significantly affected test scores. A series of linear regression models was constructed for all instruments, i.e.: the Trail-Making Test A and B, to assess executive function or attention; the Boston Naming Test and animal list generation, to assess language; delayed free correct responses and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) recognition, as well as three process scores, i.e., intrusion errors, learning slope, and retroactive interference, from the HVLT-R, to assess memory, by adjusting for the covariates of age, sex, and level of education concurrently. The Z scores on all neuropsychological tests were estimated based on the corresponding regression coefficients. Conclusions: We constructed a multivariable regression-based normative Z score method for the measurement of cognition among older Chinese individuals in the community. The normative score will be useful for the accurate diagnosis of different subtypes of pre-MCI and MCI after preliminary rapid screening in the community.
Impact of Medium Cut-Off Dialyzers on Patient-Reported Outcomes: COREXH Registry
Authors: Alarcon Juan Carlos , Bunch Alfonso , Ardila Freddy , Zuñiga Eduardo , Vesga Jasmin I. , Rivera Angela , Sánchez Ricardo , Sanabria Rafael Mauricio ,   on behalf of the Colombian Registry of Expanded Hemodialysis Investigators
Published: November 2020

Introduction: A new generation of hemodialysis (HD) membranes called medium cut-off (MCO) membranes possesses enhanced capacities for middle molecule clearance, which have been associated with adverse outcomes in this population. These improvements could potentially positively impact patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of MCO membranes on PROs in a cohort of HD patients in Colombia. Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study of 992 patients from 12 renal clinics in Colombia who were switched from high-flux HD to MCO therapy and observed for 12 months. Changes in Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36-Item Short Form Survey (KDQoL-SF36) domains, Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI), and restless legs syndrome (RLS) 12 months after switching to MCO membranes were compared with time on high-flux membranes. Repeated measures of ANOVA were used to evaluate changes in KDQoL-SF36 scores; severity scoring was used to assess DSI changes over time; Cochran’s Q test was used to evaluate changes in frequency of diagnostic criteria of RLS. Results: During 12 months of follow-up, 3 of 5 KDQoL-SF36 domains improved compared with baseline: symptoms (p < 0.0001), effects of kidney disease (p < 0.0001), and burden of kidney disease (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients diagnosed with RLS significantly decreased from 22.1% at baseline to 10% at 12 months (p < 0.0001). No significant differences in the number of symptoms (DSI, p = 0.1) were observed, although their severity decreased (p = 0.009). Conclusions: In conventional HD patients, the expanded clearance of large middle molecules with MCO-HD membranes was associated with higher health-related quality of life scores and a decrease in the prevalence of RLS.
Surgical Excision of Thoracic Osteoblastoma with Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst from a 12-Year-Old Child
Authors: Sim David Shaoen , Karunanithi Jayanthi , Selvarajan Sathiyamoorthy , Soh Reuben Chee Cheong
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Osteoblastoma is a primary benign tumour which commonly presents in the younger population during the second decade of life. However, more aggressive osteoblastomas may present with features of aneurysmal bone cyst, and these can occur at uncommon locations. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 12-year-old child having an osteoblastoma on the left side of T11 with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst presenting with neurological deficits and myelopathic symptoms. Surgical debulking of the lesion with decompression laminectomy and posterior instrumentation of the spine was performed. The child is currently recovering well with improvement of neurological deficits. Discussion/Conclusion: Osteoblastoma with aneurysmal bone cyst of the thoracic spine is a rare condition with few reports in the literature, and surgical intervention with complete excision has been demonstrated here with recovery of neurological function.
Use of Antipsychotics in Patients with Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Results of a Spanish Delphi Consensus
Authors: Manzano-Palomo Sagrario , Agüera-Ortiz Luis F. , García-Caballero Alexandre , Martínez-Raga José , Ojea-Ortega Tomás , Sánchez-Valle Raquel , Antón-Jiménez Manuel , Monge-Argilés José A. , Ramos-García Isabel
Published: November 2020

Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are difficult to manage and associated with poor outcome. Objectives: The aim of this study was to reach consensus on the use of antipsychotics in patients with BPSD in Spain. Methods: A qualitative, multicenter, two-round Delphi study was carried out, with the participation of specialists involved in the care of dementia patients throughout Spain. They completed a 76-item questionnaire related to the identification of BPSD, treatment with antipsychotics, follow-up of patients, barriers for the use of atypical antipsychotics, and effects of antipsychotics on quality of life. Results: A total of 162 specialists in neurology, psychiatry, and geriatrics (61% men) with a mean (SD) age of 45.9 (10) years participated in the study. Almost all participants (96.9%) strongly agreed that atypical antipsychotics are safer and better tolerated than typical antipsychotics. There was agreement on the importance to review the indication and dose of the antipsychotic drug at least every 3 months. There was consistent high rate of agreement on the beneficial impact of atypical antipsychotics on the quality of life of patients with dementia and their caregivers. A consensus was also reached on the need of detecting BPSD in patients with dementia as it decreases the quality of life of both patients and caregivers, and the need to routinely screen for dementia in elderly patients with no previous psychiatric history in the presence of suggestive symptoms of BPSD. Finally, the participants in the study agreed that administrative barriers for the prescription of atypical antipsychotics in Spain hinder the access to this drug group and favor the prescription of typical antipsychotics. Conclusions: The participants in the study agreed that atypical antipsychotics should be preferred to typical antipsychotics in the management of BPSD. Wide consensus was reached about the importance of early identification of BPSD in persons with cognitive impairment, the use and management of atypical antipsychotic drugs and their favorable impact on patients and caregiver’s quality of life.
Acute Orbital Compromise after Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy in a Complex Retinoblastoma Associated with 13q Deletion Syndrome
Authors: El Hamichi Sophia , Acon Dhariana , Kon Graversen Veronica , Gold Aaron S. , Berrocal Audina M. , Murray Timothy G.
Published: November 2020

Introduction: The intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) is increasingly used as a first-line therapy for retinoblastoma. The IAC has proved to be relatively safe. However, many local side effects of IAC have been described. Case Presentation: This case report describes a local side effect presenting as proptosis and myositis with vascular access difficulty of the middle meningeal artery, in a 2-year-old male with left eye diffuse multifocal stage Vb retinoblastoma complicated with retinal detachment. Discussion/Conclusion: IAC is assured to provide as efficient results in eliminating the tumor as the systemic chemotherapy, without causing the systemic side effects. It has become an alternative to systemic chemotherapy. A better understanding of the local side effects is required.
Alveolar Airspace Size in Healthy and Diseased Infant Lungs Measured via Hyperpolarized 3He Gas Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Higano Nara S. , Thomen Robert P. , Quirk James D. , Huyck Heidie L. , Hahn Andrew D. , Fain Sean B. , Pryhuber Gloria S. , Woods Jason C.
Published: November 2020

Background: Alveolar development and lung parenchymal simplification are not well characterized in vivo in neonatal patients with respiratory morbidities, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Hyperpolarized (HP) gas diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive, safe, nonionizing, and noninvasive biomarker for measuring airspace size in vivo but has not yet been implemented in young infants. Objective: This work quantified alveolar airspace size via HP gas diffusion MRI in healthy and diseased explanted infant lung specimens, with comparison to histological morphometry. Methods: Lung specimens from 8 infants were obtained: 7 healthy left upper lobes (0–16 months, post-autopsy) and 1 left lung with filamin-A mutation, closely representing BPD lung disease (11 months, post-transplantation). Specimens were imaged using HP 3He diffusion MRI to generate apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) as biomarkers of alveolar airspace size, with comparison to mean linear intercept (Lm) via quantitative histology. Results: Mean ADC and Lm were significantly increased throughout the diseased specimen (ADC = 0.26 ± 0.06 cm2/s, Lm = 587 ± 212 µm) compared with healthy specimens (ADC = 0.14 ± 0.03 cm2/s, Lm = 133 ± 37 µm; p < 1 × 10−7); increased values reflect enlarged airspaces. Mean ADCs in healthy specimens were significantly correlated to Lm (r = 0.69, p = 0.041). Conclusions: HP gas diffusion MRI is sensitive to healthy and diseased regional alveolar airspace size in infant lungs, with good comparison to quantitative histology in ex vivo specimens. This work demonstrates the translational potential of gas MRI techniques for in vivo assessment of normal and abnormal alveolar development in neonates with pulmonary disease.
Suppression of NLRP3 Inflammasome, Pyroptosis, and Cell Death by NIM811 in Rotenone-Exposed Cells as an in vitro Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhang Minghao , He Qingping , Chen Guisheng , Li P. Andy
Published: November 2020

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the selective death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Recently, NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis were found to be associated with PD. Cyclosporine A (CsA), an immunosuppressant, reduces neuronal death in PD. However, CsA could hardly pass through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and high dose is associated with severe side effects and toxicity. N-methyl-4-isoleucine-cyclosporine (NIM811) is a CsA derivate that can pass through the BBB. However, little is known about its effect on PD. Objective: The objectives of this study were to explore the mechanism of rotenone-induced cell damage and to examine the protective effects of NIM811 on the neurotoxicity of a Parkinson-like in vitro model induced by rotenone. Methods: Murine hippocampal HT22 cells were cultured with the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor rotenone, a widely used pesticide that has been used for many years as a tool to induce a PD model in vitro and in vivo and proven to be reproducible. NIM811 was added to the culture media 3 h prior to the rotenone incubation. Cell viability was determined by resazurin assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by dihydroethidine (DHE), and mitochondrial membrane potential by tetramethyl rhodamine methyl ester (TMRM). TUNEL and caspase-1 immunofluorescent double staining was used to detect pyroptosis. NLRP3, caspase-1, pro-caspase-1, GSDMD, and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were measured using Western blotting after 24 h of rotenone incubation. The reactivity of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was determined by ELISA. Results: Our results demonstrated that rotenone caused more than 40% of cell death, increased ROS production, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, while NIM811 reversed these alterations. Immunofluorescent double staining showed that rotenone increased the percentage of caspase-1 and TUNEL double-labelled cells, an indication of pyroptosis, after 24 h of incubation. The protein expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, pro-caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-18, and IL-1β was significantly increased after 24 h of rotenone incubation. NIM811 suppressed rotenone-induced pyroptosis and downregulated the protein expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, pro-caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18. Conclusion: These results provide evidence that rotenone activates the NLRP3 inflammomere and induces pyroptosis. NIM811 protects the cell from rotenone-induced damage and inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis. NIM811 might serve as a potential therapeutic drug in the treatment of PD.
Platelets Promote Ang II (Angiotensin II)-Induced Atrial Fibrillation by Releasing TGF-β1 (Transforming Growth Factor-β1) and Interacting With Fibroblasts
Authors: Liu Yang , Lv Haichen , Tan Ruopeng , An Xiangbo , Niu Xiao-Hui , Liu Yue-Jian , Yang Xiaolei , Yin Xiaomeng , Xia Yun-Long
Published: November 2020

Hypertension is a risk factor of atrial fibrillation (AF), and a certain number of patients with hypertension were found with an enlarged left atrium. Platelet activation is found in patients with hypertension or pressure overload/Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced hypertensive animal models and contribute to ventricular fibrosis. Whether hypertension-induced atrial fibrosis is mediated by platelets remains unknown. Our previous experimental data showed that platelet-derived TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-β1) was reduced in patients with hypertensive AF. The present study is to investigate whether platelet-derived TGF-β1 promotes Ang II-induced atrial fibrosis and AF. Platelet activation and atrial platelet accumulation were measured in sinus rhythm controls, normotensive AF, and patients with hypertensive AF. Ang II (1500 ng/kg per minute, 3 weeks) infused mice with pharmacological (clopidogrel) and genetic platelet inhibition (TGF-β1 deletion in platelets) were used. Platelet activation, atrial structural remodeling, atrial electrical transmission, AF inducibility, inflammation, and fibrosis were measured in mice. We found that circulating platelets were activated in patients with hypertensive AF. A large amount of platelet was accumulated in the atriums of patients with hypertensive AF. Both clopidogrel treatment and platelet-specific deletion of TGF-β1 attenuated Ang II-induced structural remodeling, atrial electrical transmission, AF inducibility, as well as atrial inflammation and fibrosis than mice without interventions. Furthermore, clopidogrel blocked atrial platelet accumulation and platelet-fibroblast conjugation. Platelets promoted atrial fibroblast differentiation in cell culture. Profibrotic actions of platelets are largely via activation of atrial fibroblasts by releasing TGF-β1 and inducing platelet-fibroblast conjugation, and platelet inhibition is sufficient to inhibit atrial fibrosis and AF inducibility.
Amblyopsoides ohlinii (W.M. Tattersall, 1951) (Peracarida, Mysida, Mysidae) in western Mexico
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ-PAYÁN JOSÉ CARLOS , HENDRICKX MICHEL E.
Published: November 2020

The rare pelagic mysid Amblyopsoides ohlinii (W.M. Tattersall, 1951) is reported for the first time off western Mexico and represents the first record in the Pacific Ocean south of Japan and the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench. So far, this species only has been recorded from seven localities in the North Atlantic and in the North Pacific. A complete description of the only specimen available (a male), including illustrations of all appendages and SEM images of the mandibles, is provided.
8. 1794–95: Garat and the École normale
Authors: Warman Caroline
Published: November 2020

By examining Garat’s lectures as delivered at the École normale, Warman argues that Garat was not only familiar with Diderot’s Éléments de physiologie but actively drew from its material to form the basis of his own teachings. The chapter first describes how the École normale was supposed to act as the physical base of a centralised national education system and provide a means of re-establishing trust between the Republic and the country’s elites. At the centre of this institution, Garat envisaged the École normale as ‘the first School in the world’ and presented his own lectures on the Analysis of Human Understanding as the foundation of all other subjects. In particular, Garat was interested in the theory of sense-based knowledge and declared himself a loyal follower of Étienne Bonnot de Condillac. However, Warman notes that Garat often diverges from the Condillacian school of thought and, within these instances, appears to repeat arguments presented in Diderot’s Éléments. The chapter presents five overarching topics on which Garat and Diderot formulate parallel commentaries including sensory perception, memory, and imagination. It was likely that Garat was using Condillac as a ‘shield’ to prevent any student or scholar from recognizing his connections to materialism and, more precisely, to Diderot. Warman concludes this chapter by explaining that Garat, after repeatedly being accused of atheism, never released the unpublished transcripts of his lectures in order to break the dangerous associations between himself, materialism, and Diderot.
9. 1796–97: Cabanis and Destutt de Tracy at the Institut national
Authors: Warman Caroline
Published: November 2020

By closely analysing the published lectures of Pierre-Jean-Georges Cabanis and Antoine Louis Claude Destutt de Tracy, Warman suggests that influences of Diderot’s Éléments de physiologie can be perceived at various points in these philosophers’ writings. Both held positions at Pierre Daunou’s Institut national des sciences et des arts, and each went on to publish extensive meditations on the nature of the senses, a topic in which both the Institut and Diderot were deeply invested. Warman first identifies perceptible similarities between passages in Cabanis’s Rapports sur le physique et le moral and the Éléments, examining in particular Cabanis’s discussions of dream-thinking, the brain, memories, and physical strength. Although the relationship between Destutt de Tracy and Diderot is not quite as clear, Warman notes that Tracy’s ongoing project on sensory analysis would have been strongly associated with Diderot’s distinctive branch of materialism. The chapter also discusses how Jacobin Gracchus Babeuf and Marquis de Sade both played a role in increasing the state’s suspicion towards materialist research, thus making it necessary for Cabanis and Destutt de Tracy to publicly distance themselves from Diderotian scholarship. For Warman, however, the fact that Cabanis and Destutt de Tracy were still quietly engaging with materialist physiological determinism during this period makes it highly likely that these writers were at least aware of the Éléments and, by extension, used this crucial text to develop their own hypotheses.
Effect of Complex Agent Type on Structural and Optical Properties of CdSe Nano Particles
Authors: Mohammed Kahtan A. , Al-Kabbi Alaa S. , Ziadan Kareema M.
Published: November 2020

CdSe capped with Trisodium citrate (TSC), Triethanolamine (TEA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) nanoparticles were organized by chemical process at ambient conditions. Spin casting technique was used to deposit thin films on substrates from glass at room temperature. The
properties of thin films like structural, morphological and optical were described by the transmissionelectron-microscopy, atomic-force-microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR and optical measurements like Photoluminescence and absorption spectrum. The XRD analysis demonstrated that CdSe has a
(sphalerite) cubic zinc Blended structure for all agents. FTIR spectrum indicated that nanoparticles capped well with complex agents. AFM results indicate that prepared films were very smooth with roughness about 1 nanometer. The optical band gaps (Eg) was found direct band
gaps for all samples, where determined from the absorption, which is equivalent to 2.25 e. V, 2 e. V, and 1.9 e. V. The rise in the value of bandgaps of the thin films that deposited in this work as compared to bulk is due to the effect of quantum confinement. These nanoscaled thin films were
found to exhibit high photoluminescence, Its intensity increase within increases of excitation wavelength.
Synthetic Route of CdSe Nanocrystalline Films Fabricated by Substrate Vibration Assisted Drop Casting Method
Authors: Sachdeva Megha , Agrawal P. , Sachdeva Sheenam , Bhasin K. K. , Tripathi S. K. , Gulati Shivani
Published: November 2020

Herein, we report a greener, non-toxic, cost effective and a modest scheme for the fabrication of excellent CdSe nanocrystals (NCs). Precursors for the present reaction are synthesized by the treatment of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) with 2-pyridyl selenolate (NaSeC5H4N)
resulting a complex of the formula [(C5H4NSe)2Cd]. The complex is characterized by NMR (1H and 13C) and IR spectroscopies. The complex, [(C5H4NSe)2Cd] is found to be polymeric in nature, as indicated by
its insolubility in solvents, and is further customized as a single-source pioneers for the preparation of colloidal CdSe NCs. Thermolysis of [(C5H4NSe)2 Cd] has been successfully carried out by hotinjection method using low-cost and harmless oleic acid (OA)
as the coordinating solvent, thereby rejecting the need of air-sensitive and toxic solvents. Based upon dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique, the average size of colloidal CdSe NCs are determined using particle size analyzer. The average size of colloidal NCs comes out to be 6.3 nm. Thin
films of colloidal CdSe NCs are deposited on glass substrate using drop-casting (DC) and ultrasonic substrate vibration assisted drop casting (SVADC) methods to study their use as workable materials for engineering devices. The films are characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis),
photoluminescence (PL) studies, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.
Adsorption Characteristics of Reactive Red 2BF onto MnFe2O4 Nanorods Fabricated by the Facile Alcohol-Solution Combustion–Calcination Technique
Authors: He Dawei , Li Shasha
Published: November 2020

Magnetic MnFe2O4 nanorods were fabricated by the alcohol-solution combustion–calcination technique. The morphology, microstructure, and composition of as-prepared MnFe2O4 nanorods were characterized using the transmission electron microscopy
(TEM), the X-ray diffraction (XRD), the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Moreover, the magnetic MnFe2O4 nanorods were employed to remove reactive red 2BF (RR-2BF), the experimental results showed the pseudo-second-order
kinetics model could be applied to describe the adsorption process of RR-2BF onto MnFe2O4 nanorods in the initial RR-2BF concentrations of 100–400 mg/L, while, the isotherm data of RR-2BF onto MnFe2O4 nanorods could conform to Langmuir model
owing to the value of the square deviations, which revealed that, the adsorption of RR-2BF onto MnFe2O4 nanorods was the monolayer adsorption mechanism.
Modeling the Variation of Electric Field Pattern on Porcelain Insulators by the Deposition of Dust Particles Using Finite Element Method
Authors: Shemshadi Asaad , Khorampour Pourya
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the changes in the electric field intensity due to the presence of dust on the 63 kV porcelain insulators using finite element method (FEM). The investigating Insulators were drawn in three different models (without dust layer as a basic structure,
with uniform dust layer and heterogeneous dust layer) using AutoCAD software and in continue are analyzed with utilization of COMSOL software. Finally the derived values are analyzed and discussed in details. It is shown that the dust layer has an adverse effect on the electric field pattern,
and the higher the concentration and volume of dust placed on the surface of insulators, results to an adverse effect on the electric field intensity around the porcelain insulator.
Reports of Recovered Memories in Therapy in Undergraduate Students
Authors: Patihis Lawrence , Wood Ryan S. , Pendergrast Mark H. , Herrera Mario E.
Published: November 2020

Psychologists have debated the wisdom of recovering traumatic memories in therapy that were previously unknown to the client, with some concerns over accuracy and memory distortions. The current study surveyed a sample of 576 undergraduates in the south of the United States. Of 188 who reported attending therapy or counselling, 8% reported coming to remember memories of abuse, without any prior recollection of that abuse before therapy. Of those who reported recovered memories, 60% cut off contact with some of their family. Within those who received therapy, those who had a therapist discuss the possibility of repressed memory were 28.6 times more likely to report recovered memories, compared to those who received therapy without such discussion. These findings mirror a previous survey of US adults and suggest attempts to recover repressed memories in therapy may continue in the forthcoming generation of adults.
A Queer Perspective on Heteronormativity for LGBT Travelers
Authors: Usai Roberto , Cai Wenjie , Wassler Philipp
Published: November 2020

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) tourists are considered one of the most profitable and, at the same time, vulnerable and discriminated-against segments of the industry. However, a more detailed understanding of how heteronormativity (the privileged and normalized view of heterosexuality) constrains their travels is missing. As a result, this study takes a Queer Perspective, investigating the role of heteronormativity in LGBT tourists’ perceived travel constraints. Through 16 interviews with LGBT travelers, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural heteronormativity are identified as constraining factors, and relevant subthemes are discussed. Finally, this study makes a step toward denaturalizing heterosexuality in a tourism context by giving a voice to an often-overlooked and scarcely understood tourism segment.
Normative Models and Their Success
Authors: Beck Lukas , Jahn Marcel
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we explore an under-investigated question concerning the class of formal models that aim at providing normative guidance. We call such models normative models. In particular, we examine the question of how normative models can successfully exert normative guidance. First, we highlight the absence of a discussion of this question—which is surprising given the extensive debate about the success conditions of descriptive models—and motivate its importance. Second, we introduce and discuss two potential accounts of the success conditions of normative models. Our tentative conclusion is that the second account is more promising.
An investigation of the measurement properties of the de Morton Mobility Index for measuring mobility capacity in hospital patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Braun Tobias , Marks Detlef , Thiel Christian , Menig Alexandra , Grüneberg Christian
Published: November 2020

Objective:

To examine the measurement properties of the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI), a performance-based clinical outcome assessment of mobility capacity, in hospital patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Participants:

Hospital patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Main outcome measure(s):

Structural validity and unidimensionality (Rasch analysis), construct validity, internal consistency reliability, and inter-rater reliability of the de Morton Mobility Index (scale range: 0–100 points) were established. The minimal detectable change, the 95% limits of agreement and possible floor and ceiling effects were calculated to indicate interpretability.

Results:

We analysed validity ( n = 100; mean age: 70 years; 71% male) and reliability ( n = 47; mean age: 71 years; 68% male) in two samples. The mean Hoehn and Yahr stage was 3.2 and the mean disease duration was 12 years in both samples. Rasch analysis indicated unidimensionality with an overall fit to the model (chi-square = 21.49, P = 0.122). Seventy-three percent of hypotheses on construct validity were confirmed. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91) and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.80 to 0.93) were sufficient. The minimal detectable change with 90% confidence was 17.5 points and the limits of agreement were 31%. No floor or ceiling effects were observed. The mean administration time was 6.6 minutes.

Conclusion:

This study provides evidence of unidimensionality, sufficient internal consistency reliability, inter-rater reliability, construct validity, and feasibility of the de Morton Mobility Index in hospital patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Trial registration:

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00004681). Registered May 6, 2013.
Evaluation and Comparison of Condylar Head Inclination With Respect to Glenoid Fossa in Cleft, Class III, and Class I Individuals
Authors: Khakhar Prutha Ganesh , Daigavane Pallavi , Kamble Ranjit , Niranjane Priyanka , Dargahwala Hamza , Bidwai Pooja
Published: November 2020

Background:

Cleft lip and palate are the most common congenital craniofacial defects, which need early intervention with a multidisciplinary approach including surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists, pedodontists, etc. Craniofacial growth is affected the most, leading to marked skeletal discrepancies. Constricted maxillary arch is one of the reasons for faulty occlusal inclined planes which results in abnormal loading of condyles, thus leading to temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in cleft. Condylar head inclination helps to evaluate the position of condyle in the glenoid fossa. Thus, changing the position of condylar head in the glenoid fossa at an early age prevents further worsening of TMD condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate condylar inclination in individuals with cleft lip and palate and compare it with non-cleft individuals.

Method:

The study comprised of 40 subjects aged between 9 and 12 years, divided into 4 groups (10 in each)—unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), and class III and class I malocclusion. Scanned three-dimensional digital volume tomography (3D-DVT) images were taken, and condylar head inclination was evaluated and compared.

Result:

Significant findings were obtained when group 1 was compared to group 2, group 3, and group 4 ( P-value = .001). Also, when group 2 was compared to group 3 and group 4, the values were statistically significant with P-value = .001.

Conclusion:

Condylar head inclination was found to be most anteriorly angulated in the class III group compared to all the other groups. Unilateral cleft lip and palate had more anteriorly angulated condyle than bilateral cleft lip and palate.
Patient and caregiver perspectives on burnout in peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Oveyssi Justin , Manera Karine E , Baumgart Amanda , Cho Yeoungjee , Forfang Derek , Saxena Anjali , Craig Jonathan C , Fung Samuel KS , Harris David , Johnson David W , Kerr Peter G , Lee Achilles , Ruiz Lorena , Tong Matthew , Wang Angela Yee-Moon , Yip Terence , Tong Allison , Shen Jenny I
Published: November 2020

Background:

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) can offer patients more autonomy and flexibility compared with in-center hemodialysis (HD). However, burnout – defined as mental, emotional, or physical exhaustion that leads to thoughts of discontinuing PD – is associated with an increased risk of transfer to HD. We aimed to describe the perspectives of burnout among patients on PD and their caregivers.

Methods:

In this focus group study, 81 patients and 45 caregivers participated in 14 focus groups from 9 dialysis units in Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States. Transcripts were analyzed thematically.

Results:

We identified two themes. Suffering an unrelenting responsibility contributed to burnout, as patients and caregivers felt overwhelmed by the daily regimen, perceived their life to be coming to a halt, tolerated the PD regimen for survival, and had to bear the burden and uncertainty of what to expect from PD alone. Adapting and building resilience against burnout encompassed establishing a new normal, drawing inspiration and support from family, relying on faith and hope for motivation, and finding meaning in other activities.

Conclusions:

For patients on PD and their caregivers, burnout was intensified by perceiving PD as an unrelenting, isolating responsibility that they had no choice but to endure, even if it held them back from doing other activities in life. More emphasis on developing strategies to adapt and build resilience could prevent or minimize burnout.
Human Rights-inspired Governmentality: COVID-19 through a Human Dignity Perspective
Authors: Colombo Enzo
Published: November 2020

The paper aims to reconstruct the debate over the pandemic in Italy to highlight the logic of the discourse that guided the various voices. The two governmentalities that have monopolized the public and political debate are biomedical and economic. The former brought the defense of biological life ( zoé) as the ultimate element of truth and legitimacy of the government’s action. The latter, based the “true” justification upon a careful cost–benefit calculation and the protection of the interests of homo oeconomicus. The debate lacked a “social” perspective capable of placing dignity and human rights as a compass for intervention. What has been lost by limiting the question to a choice between defending bare life or defending economic interests? Behind an apparent impartial universalism that would drive both biomedical and economic logic, there emerges a form of discrimination and lack of protection for specific sectors of society, in particular the marginal ones.
Infusion of anti-DFS70 antibodies prolonged survival of lupus-prone mice
Authors: Aljadeff Gali , Shemer Asaf , Katz Itai , Andrade Luis Eduardo C , Gilburd Boris , Halpert Gilad , Mahler Michael , Blank Miri , Amital Howard , Shoenfeld Yehuda
Published: November 2020

Background

Systemic-lupus-nephritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by immune complex deposition and a flare of autoantibodies and leading to renal injury.

Objectives

To expose anti-Dense-Fine-Speckled-70 (DFS70)-antibodies to genetically-prone-lupus-mice.

Methods

NZBXW/F1 female mice were monitored for the onset of glomerulonephritis by proteinuria upon infusion of anti-DFS70 (40 μg/mouse), commercial-human-IgG (cIgG) or phosphate-buffered-saline (PBS) as controls. The survival time was detected by mice death. Circulating anti-dsDNA were tested by ELISA. Proteinuria, was defined by a standard semi-quantitative-Bayer-Multistix-dipstick. Kidney histology was analyzed by periodic-acid–Schiff-PAS staining.

Results

A significantly higher percentage of anti-DFS70-infused mice exhibited prolonged survival time as compared with cIgG and PBS-subjected mice (p < 0.022). One mouse out of 10 mice injected with anti-DFS70-antibodies died at week 36, whereas, 6 out of 10 mice subjected with PBS found dead at this time. Eighty percent of anti-DFS70 injected mice did not show severe glomerulonephritis by histology.

Conclusions

anti-DFS70 attenuated the progression of glomerulonephritis and prolonged the survival time. Circulating anti-DFS70-autoantibodies may confer a protective role against renal injury in murine-lupus-nephritis. Our data may propose a novel therapy approach for lupus patients.
Maximising the acceptability of extended time intervals between screens in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme: An online experimental study
Authors: Hill Emily , Nemec Martin , Marlow Laura , Sherman Susan Mary , Waller Jo
Published: November 2020

Objective

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme plans to increase the screening interval from 3 to 5 years for women aged 25–49 who test negative for human papillomavirus (HPV). This exploratory cross-sectional online survey tested the impact of different levels of information about the proposed change on acceptability of a longer interval.

Methods

Women aged 18–45 (n = 585) were individually randomised to one of three information exposure groups differing in the level of information provided about the screening interval change: (1) basic information; (2) basic information with additional detail about timeline of HPV infection; (3) as (2) but with the addition of a diagram. Acceptability of the change ( favourable and unfavourable attitudes) was assessed post-exposure alongside HPV timeline beliefs. We used ANOVA and regression analyses to test for between-group differences.

Results

Women in Group 3 had higher scores on the favourable attitudes sub-scale compared with Group 1. Women in Groups 2 and 3 had more accurate timeline beliefs than those in Group 1. There were no between-group differences in unfavourable attitudes. After adjusting for demographic factors, a higher favourable attitudes score was independently predicted by being in Group 3 compared to Group 1, more accurate HPV timeline beliefs, and previous irregular or non-attendance at screening.

Conclusions

Overall, acceptability of an increased screening interval was moderate, but providing women with information about the safety and rationale for this change may improve acceptability. In particular, communicating the long timeline from HPV exposure to cervical cancer may reassure women about the safety of the proposed changes.
The Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure in Bangladesh: Moderating Role of Firm Value
Authors: Hosain Md Sajjad
Published: November 2020

This article aims at identifying the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and corporate social responsibility expenditure (CSRE) for the Bangladeshi banking sector. CG has been considered as the single independent variable divided into three components: board size (BS), gender diversity (GD) and board members’ interrelationship (BMI), and CSRE has been considered as the dependent variable. Further, a single moderator—firm value (FV) as been employed in order to test the moderating influence. Annual reports from 2015 to 2019 (5 years) of 35 banking firms have been used as samples. The study utilized Pearson’s correlation coefficient in order to test the direct relationships and regression analysis to test the moderating effects. The analysis has revealed that BS and GD are positively associated with CSRE while BMI has a negative association with CSRE. Furthermore, has been revealed that FV can moderate all the direct relationships. The study is expected to aid researchers in further empirical investigation over this important issue and guide policymakers to obtain more representative outcomes to make constructive decisions regarding CG and CSRE that would, in turn, increase FV.