bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trajectories of Cognitive and Motor Function Between Ages 45 and 90 Years: A Population-Based Study
Authors: van der Willik Kimberly D , Licher Silvan , Vinke Elisabeth J , Knol Maria J , Darweesh Sirwan K L , van der Geest Jos N , Schagen Sanne B , Ikram M Kamran , Luik Annemarie I , Ikram M Arfan
Published: August 2020

Background

To establish trajectories of cognitive and motor function, and to determine the sequence of change across individual tests in community-dwelling individuals aged 45–90 years.

Method

Between 1997 and 2016, we repeatedly assessed cognitive function with 5 tests in 9514 participants aged 45–90 years from the population-based Rotterdam Study. Between 1999 and 2016, we measured motor function with 3 tests in 8297 participants. All participants were free from dementia, stroke, and parkinsonism. We assessed overall and education-specific cognitive and motor trajectories using linear mixed models with age as time scale. Next, we determined the sequence of change across individual tests.

Results

The number of assessments per participant ranged between 1 and 6 (mean interval, years [SD]: 5.1 [1.4]) for cognitive function, and 1 and 4 (5.4 [1.4]) for motor function. Cognitive and motor trajectories declined linearly between ages 45 and 65 years, followed by steeper declines after ages 65–70 years. Lower educated participants had lower cognitive function at age 45 years (baseline), and declined faster on most cognitive, but not on motor tests than higher educated participants. Up to a 25-year age difference between the fastest and slowest declining test scores was observed.

Conclusions

On a population-level, cognitive and motor function decline similarly. Compared to higher educated individuals, lower educated individuals had lower cognitive function at baseline, and a faster rate of decline thereafter. These educational-effects were not seen for motor function. These findings benefit the understanding of the natural course of cognitive and motor function during aging, and highlight the role of education in the preservation of cognitive but not motor function.
Measuring (Non)Essentialist Beliefs About the Process of Aging
Authors: Weiss David , Diehl Manfred
Published: August 2020

Objectives

We validated an aging mindset measure that captures beliefs about the process of aging. Specifically, we introduce a brief 4-item and an extended 10-item measure assessing (non)essentialist beliefs about aging.

Methods

We report findings from one longitudinal and one cross-cultural study, including young, middle-aged, and older adults between 18 and 88 years. The studies established (retest) reliability and measurement invariance as well as convergent and discriminant validity of the measures.

Results

First, in a longitudinal study (N = 124, 50–84 years) including 4 measurement occasions, we showed that the 4-item scale assessing (non)essentialist beliefs about aging has good retest reliability and convergent as well as discriminant validity (e.g., awareness of age-related change). Second, in a large cross-cultural sample (N = 1,080, 18–82 years) of participants in the United States and Germany, we established an extended 10-item measure of (non)essentialist beliefs about aging, providing support for a 2-factor structure as well as measurement invariance across samples within and across countries (the United States and Germany), age groups (young, middle-aged, and older adults), as well as across men and women.

Discussion

Our results highlight the importance of distinguishing between fixed versus malleable aging beliefs in research on aging and life-span development.
Fostering global health policy leadership through World Health Assembly simulations: debating climate change and health
Authors: Godinho Myron Anthony , Murthy Shruti , Ali Mohammed Ciraj
Published: August 2020

The South Asian region is predicted to be among the most severely affected by the health impacts of climate change and warrants regional health policy leadership to tackle the same. Model World Health Organization (WHO) simulations offer the academic opportunity to build this leadership. This study describes the conceptualization and conduct of the ‘Manipal Model World Health Organization’ 2018 debate simulation, where a multi-professional group of students at an Indian university deliberated approaches to address the regional health impacts of climate change in South Asia. We contextualized the Model WHO debate model for a multi-professional classroom. Multi-sectoral stakeholders were engaged to draw participants from health and non-health disciplines. Participants were trained in health research literacy, policy politics, bloc politics, writing and public speaking for Model WHO. Mock sessions provided training in navigating parliamentary procedures. The debate event consisted of 22 participants and a four-member panel from diverse academic disciplines who independently assessed the deliberations. All delegations demonstrated competent written and verbal contributions. Content analysis of resolutions reaffirmed international agreements and addressed the Climate Change Health Risk Framework, and objectives of the WHO Secretariat Action Plan. Besides presenting a stratified typology of academic health policy debate simulations in global, regional, and subnational contexts, we also propose a ‘theory of change’, illustrating how academic policy discourse platforms can nurture critical thinking, research/policy literacy and leadership skills. Such initiatives help build the health policy leadership required for addressing global health challenges such as climate change.
From promise to retrenchment: On the changing landscape of Israeli constitutionalism
Authors: Shinar Adam , Medina Barak , Stopler Gila
Published: August 2020

Israeli constitutionalism has long interested comparative constitutional law scholars, whether due to its geopolitical status, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, its internal divisions, or its unique constitutional evolution. Unlike many other countries that have ratified constitutions after the Second World War, Israel was established as a parliamentary democracy, with an explicit intention to ratify a constitution at a later stage. This did not happen. Instead, it underwent a “constitutional revolution” announced by its Supreme Court. Fitting a revolution, much of comparative constitutional law scholarship has focused on this pivotal moment. The articles in this symposium depart from the scholarship focused on that moment. They seek to critically understand what has become of Israeli constitutionalism in the past decade. In this introduction, we highlight several transformations and features which we believe are essential if one is to understand the extant constitutional order in Israel. These should be understood as background conditions against which Israeli constitutionalism is operating. They include the strengthening of judicial review alongside rising political resistance to the Court’s power; populism in political discourse targeting rule of law institutions; the erosion of individual rights alongside the strengthening of nationalist elements; and increasing divisions inside Israeli society. These challenge the idea of a successful constitutional revolution in terms of its inherent promise to better protect individual rights and safeguard the rule of law. In describing these features, we seek to situate the Supreme Court, judicial review, and the legal-constitutional order generally, in the larger sphere of Israeli society and politics.
State Compliance with Investment Awards
Authors: Gaillard Emmanuel , Mitrev Penushliski Ilija
Published: August 2020

When the ICSID system was being set up, the matter of compliance with investment awards rendered against States was considered "academic". ICSID’s architects believed that as long as States would remain under an international obligation to comply with awards they would generally do so. Writing in the 2000s and early 2010s, commentators observed that States have generally complied with adverse investment awards. In the last two decades, the number of investor-State arbitrations has soared, and more and more damages awards have been rendered against States. This analysis seeks to contribute to a fact-based debate on the future of international investment law by addressing an under-examined but essential aspect of that regime, namely, compliance with investment awards. It assesses empirically the experience with investment arbitration of the thirty-two most sued States, covering approximately 70% of all cases initiated through to the end of 2019. The data examined indicates that the ICSID founders’ prognosis that compliance with investment awards would be a non-issue—framed as it was in such sweeping terms—has not held true. Whereas the majority of States have complied with adverse awards (usually after seeking annulment), the instances of non-compliance or significantly delayed compliance are important. A significant proportion of the cases where States have been ordered to pay damages have required enforcement proceedings. Instances of home State’s intervention--and inevitably re-politicization of the dispute--have resurged. There is thus a gap between the regime’s authority and effectiveness that needs to be addressed. Still, and regardless of its imperfections, it could be said that the modern investment dispute resolution system continues to be revolutionary, in particular when compared to the antecedent regime, which rested almost entirely on the inclination of the home State to espouse its nationals’ claims.
Adaptive support ventilation attenuates postpneumonectomy acute lung injury in a porcine model
Authors: Dai Yu-Ling , Hsu Ren-Jun , Huang Hsu-Kai , Huang Tsai-Wang , Tsai Wen-Chiuan , Chang Hung , Lan Chou-Chin , Huang Kun-Lun
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVES

An optimal ventilation strategy that causes as little mechanical stress and inflammation as possible is critical for patients undergoing pneumonectomy. The aim of this study was to determine whether adaptive support ventilation (ASV) can provide protective ventilation to the remaining lung after pneumonectomy with minimal mechanical stress and less inflammation than volume-control ventilation (VCV).

METHODS

In this study, 15 pigs were randomly allocated to 3 groups (n = 5 for each group): the control group, the VCV group and the ASV group. After left pneumonectomy, the VCV group was treated with the volume-control set to 20 ml/kg, and the ASV group with the mode set to achieve 60% of the minute ventilation of 2 lungs.

RESULTS

The ASV group had lower alveolar strain than the VCV group. The ASV group exhibited less lung injury and greater alveolar fluid clearance than the VCV group (13.3% vs −17.8%; P ≤ 0.018). Ventilator-induced lung injury was associated with changes in the cytokine levels in the exhaled breath condensate, differential changes in plasma and changes in the cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Expression of 3 microRNAs (miR449b-3p, P ≤ 0.001; miR451-5p, P = 0.027; and miR144-5p, P = 0.008) was increased in the VCV group compared with the ASV group.

CONCLUSIONS

The ASV mode was capable of supporting rapid, shallow breathing patterns to exert lung-protective effects in a porcine postpneumonectomy model. Further investigation of microRNAs as biomarkers of ventilator-induced lung injury is warranted.
Early postoperative day 0 chest tube removal using a digital drainage device protocol after thoracoscopic major pulmonary resection
Authors: Pfeuty Karel , Lenot Bernard
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the safety of early chest tube removal on postoperative day 0 (POD 0) on the basis of a digital drainage device protocol in patients undergoing thoracoscopic major lung resection and its contribution as a component of an enhanced recovery after surgery programme.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy were submitted to the following criteria for chest tube removal: Air flow ≤20 ml/min for at least 4 h without fluid threshold, except if haemorrhagic or chylous. Two groups were defined according to chest tube removal on POD 0 (G0) or POD ≥1 (G1). Primary outcome was pleural complication and secondary outcomes were cardiopulmonary complication, length of drainage, length of stay (LOS), compliance with opioid-free analgesic protocol and readmission. The follow-up was 90 days from discharge.

RESULTS

The chest tube was removed on POD 0 in 45% of patients (G0). None of them required tube reinsertion for pneumothorax and 1 patient was readmitted for a delayed pleural effusion. Among the 55% remaining patients (G1), the median length of drainage was 2 days, including 3 prolonged air leaks (>5 days). G0 and G1 were not different in terms of cardiopulmonary complication and readmission (6.6% vs 9% and 4.4% vs 7.2%, respectively). The median LOS was 1 day in G0 and 2 days in G1. The compliance with opioid-free analgesic protocol was significantly higher (75% vs 45%, P = 0.004) in G0 compared to G1.

CONCLUSIONS

Early POD 0 chest tube removal after thoracoscopic major pulmonary resection is safe in selected patients on the basis of a digital drainage device protocol. Also, it may contribute, by reducing early postoperative pain, to enhance postoperative recovery as part of an advanced enhanced recovery after surgery programme.
Association between aortic arch angulation and bird-beak configuration after thoracic aortic stent graft repair of type B aortic dissection
Authors: Cao Long , Ge Yangyang , He Yuan , Wang Xinhao , Rong Dan , Lu Weihang , Liu Xiaoping , Guo Wei
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to investigate factors favouring the bird-beak configuration after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type B aortic dissection.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 76 patients with type B aortic dissection who underwent landing zone 1 and 2 TEVAR from December 2015 to January 2018. Preoperative aortic arch geometry (aortic arch length, maximal diameter and angulation), stent graft details and operative details were evaluated. A bird-beak configuration was defined as a ≥5-mm gap between the proximal end of the stent and the aortic wall of the lesser curvature.

RESULTS

Patients were stratified into those with (n = 46) and without (n = 30) a bird-beak configuration. The baseline demographics, dissection chronicity, clinical features and implanted devices were largely similar between the 2 groups. No significant difference was observed in the arch length or maximal arch diameter. However, the mean aortic arch angulation was greater in patients with than without a bird-beak configuration (61.4° vs 51.3°; P < 0.001). No influence of either the stent graft brand or the proximal stent graft type was observed. The multivariable analysis showed that the aortic arch angulation was an independent risk factor for a bird-beak configuration (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.24; P < 0.001). A cut-off angle of 59.15° was predictive of a bird-beak configuration (sensitivity 59%; specificity 77%).

CONCLUSIONS

The preoperative aortic arch angulation was an independent predictor of a postoperative bird-beak configuration in patients with type B aortic dissection who underwent TEVAR that involved the aortic arch. An angle of >59.15° may imply a relatively hostile anatomy with a higher risk of a bird-beak configuration.
Should cardiac surgery be delayed in patients with uncorrected hypothyroidism?
Authors: Ang Zhen Hao , Fong Laura S , Wolfenden Hugh D , Grant Peter W
Published: August 2020

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: ‘should cardiac surgery be delayed in patients with uncorrected hypothyroidism?’ A total of 1412 papers were found using the reported search, of which 7 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. There was limited high-quality evidence with the majority of the studies being retrospective. One propensity-matched analysis and 6 cohort studies provided the evidence that there was no significant difference in the rate of major adverse cardiac events including mortality based on thyroid status. However, hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism were associated with higher rates of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Based on the available evidence, we conclude that cardiac surgery should not be delayed to allow achievement of euthyroid status.
Endovascular repair of an internal mammary artery aneurysm in a patient with Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Sueyoshi Eijun , Sakamoto Ichiro , Koide Yuji , Uetani Masataka
Published: August 2020

Internal mammary artery aneurysms are rare, but serious, clinical entities. We describe a rare case in which an internal mammary artery aneurysm in a patient with Takayasu arteritis was successfully treated with coil embolization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an internal mammary artery aneurysm associated with Takayasu arteritis.
Chronic type B aortic dissection complicated by repetitive spinal cord ischaemia
Authors: Fujimoto Masato , Murakami Hirohisa , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: August 2020

Chronic type B aortic dissection complicated by repetitive transient spinal cord ischaemia is rare. Reduced blood flow in the segmental arteries supplying the radicular arteries in the false lumen is the main cause of this pathology. Individual variations in spinal cord circulation are difficult to identify; therefore, the mechanisms of spinal cord ischaemia are poorly understood. We encountered a patient with chronic type B aortic dissection experiencing repetitive spinal cord ischaemia that finally led to spinal cord infarction. The patient recovered, except for mild monoparesis of the right leg. With the growth of the dissected aorta, we planned for surgical treatment to restore the blood supply in the spinal cord. The patient underwent thoraco-abdominal aortic repair using deep hypothermia, and favourable neurological results were achieved.
Optimization of floor radiant air conditioning heating system in building heating design
Authors: Liang Hongpu
Published: August 2020

For areas with hot summer and cold winter, air conditioning is an essential tool to improve the living environment, but the traditional air conditioning needs to consume a lot of energy in cooling and heating, the fan operation noise is large and the sense of blowing will be uncomfortable. This paper briefly introduced the basic structure of a ground-source heat pump-floor radiant air conditioning system and the control strategy which was used for regulating the operation of the air conditioning system. Then, in order to ensure the appropriate comfort and reduce energy consumption, the control strategy was optimized. An experimental room in Xining, Qinghai province, was taken as an example for analysis. The results showed that the thermal comfort under the control strategy proposed in this study was more stable at the moderate degree and the temperature was slightly higher under the traditional control strategy, although the indoor temperature fluctuation under the optimal control strategy was large and the temperature was slightly lower than that under the traditional control strategy; under the control strategy proposed in this study, the air conditioning system had shorter operation time and less power consumption.
The limits of distribution-free conditional predictive inference
Authors: Foygel Barber Rina , Candès Emmanuel J , Ramdas Aaditya , Tibshirani Ryan J
Published: August 2020

We consider the problem of distribution-free predictive inference, with the goal of producing predictive coverage guarantees that hold conditionally rather than marginally. Existing methods such as conformal prediction offer marginal coverage guarantees, where predictive coverage holds on average over all possible test points, but this is not sufficient for many practical applications where we would like to know that our predictions are valid for a given individual, not merely on average over a population. On the other hand, exact conditional inference guarantees are known to be impossible without imposing assumptions on the underlying distribution. In this work, we aim to explore the space in between these two and examine what types of relaxations of the conditional coverage property would alleviate some of the practical concerns with marginal coverage guarantees while still being possible to achieve in a distribution-free setting.
Punctured Parabolic Cylinders in Automorphisms of ℂ2
Authors: Reppekus Josias
Published: August 2020

We show the existence of automorphisms $F$ of $\mathbb{C}^{2}$ with a non-recurrent Fatou component $\Omega $ biholomorphic to $\mathbb{C}\times \mathbb{C}^{*}$ that is the basin of attraction to an invariant entire curve on which $F$ acts as an irrational rotation. We further show that the biholomorphism $\Omega \to \mathbb{C}\times \mathbb{C}^{*}$ can be chosen such that it conjugates $F$ to a translation $(z,w)\mapsto (z+1,w)$, making $\Omega $ a parabolic cylinder as recently defined by L. Boc Thaler, F. Bracci, and H. Peters. $F$ and $\Omega $ are obtained by blowing up a fixed point of an automorphism of $\mathbb{C}^{2}$ with a Fatou component of the same biholomorphic type attracted to that fixed point, established by F. Bracci, J. Raissy, and B. Stensønes. A crucial step is the application of the density property of a suitable Lie algebra to show that the automorphism in their work can be chosen such that it fixes a coordinate axis. We can then remove the proper transform of that axis from the blow-up to obtain an $F$-stable subset of the blow-up that is biholomorphic to $\mathbb{C}^{2}$. Thus, we can interpret $F$ as an automorphism of $\mathbb{C}^{2}$.
Healthcare-Seeking Behavior for Respiratory Illness Among Flu Near You Participants in the United States During the 2015–2016 Through 2018–2019 Influenza Seasons
Authors: Baltrusaitis Kristin , Reed Carrie , Sewalk Kara , Brownstein John S , Crawley Adam W , Biggerstaff Matthew
Published: August 2020

Background

Flu Near You (FNY) is an online participatory syndromic surveillance system that collects health-related information. In this article, we summarized the healthcare-seeking behavior of FNY participants who reported influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms.

Methods

We applied inverse probability weighting to calculate age-adjusted estimates of the percentage of FNY participants in the United States who sought health care for ILI symptoms during the 2015–2016 through 2018–2019 influenza season and compared seasonal trends across different demographic and regional subgroups, including age group, sex, census region, and place of care using adjusted χ 2 tests.

Results

The overall age-adjusted percentage of FNY participants who sought healthcare for ILI symptoms varied by season and ranged from 22.8% to 35.6%. Across all seasons, healthcare seeking was highest for the <18 and 65+ years age groups, women had a greater percentage compared with men, and the South census region had the largest percentage while the West census region had the smallest percentage.

Conclusions

The percentage of FNY participants who sought healthcare for ILI symptoms varied by season, geographical region, age group, and sex. FNY compliments existing surveillance systems and informs estimates of influenza-associated illness by adding important real-time insights into healthcare-seeking behavior.
Determination of Ethanol Content in Kombucha Using Headspace Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry Detection: Single-Laboratory Validation
Authors: Chan Michael , Sy Hong , Finley Jamie , Robertson Jake , Brown Paula N
Published: August 2020

Background

Kombucha is a fermented beverage made with tea, sugar, and a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast that is usually marketed as a non-alcoholic beverage. Products must contain <0.5% and <1.1% alcohol by volume in the United States and Canada respectively to be classified as non-alcoholic products. Prior studies have found that Kombucha beverages can become very acidic and may contain levels of alcohol above 1% which can be a potential health risk to children and the developing fetus during pregnancy.

Objective

Given the public safety concerns and legal requirements associated with the level of alcohol within Kombucha beverages, there is a need for accurate and reliable methods. Herein we describe the validation of a sensitive, rapid, and simple Headspace Gas Chromatographic method with mass spectrometric detection for determining ethanol in Kombucha.

Methods

Method performance characteristics measured included linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) as per AOAC International guideline Appendix K Part 1. Performance was evaluated against the AOAC Standard Method Performance Requirements 2016.001 for determination of ethanol in Kombucha.

Results

The linear dynamic range for this method was confirmed over the range of 0.025 to 2.47% ABV. The LOD and LOQ were determined to be 0.0002% and 0.002% ABV, respectively. With a spike recovery of 102% for accuracy and precision of RSDr ≤ 4% the method met the SMPR requirements within the analytical range.

Conclusions

The results of this validation study demonstrated the method is fit for the purpose of quantifying ethanol in Kombucha and is suitable for rapid and easy integration by laboratories to ensure that regulatory requirements are met.
Effects of bismuth subsalicylate and encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate on enteric methane production, nutrient digestibility, and liver mineral concentration of beef cattle
Authors: Henry Darren D , Ciriaco Francine M , Araujo Rafael C , Fontes Pedro L P , Oosthuizen Nicola , Rostoll-Cangiano Lautaro , Sanford Carla D , Schulmeister Tessa M , Dubeux Jose C B , Cliff Lamb Graham , DiLorenzo Nicolas
Published: August 2020

Two randomized block designs were performed to evaluate the effects of bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate (eCAN) on enteric methane production, nutrient digestibility, liver mineral concentration, and performance of beef cattle consuming bahiagrass hay (Paspalum notatum; ad libitum) and sugar cane molasses [1.07 kg/d; dry matter basis]. Experiment 1, used 25 crossbred steers [335 ± 46 kg of initial body weight (BW)] with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments for two 20 d periods. Factors were nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) source (350 mg/kg BW of nitrate or 182 mg/kg BW of urea), BSS (0 or 58.4 mg/kg BW), and a negative control (NCTRL; bahiagrass hay and molasses only). Steers were re-randomized for a second period (n = 10/treatment total). Intake, apparent total tract digestibility and enteric methane were evaluated. Experiment 2 used 75 crossbred heifers in 25 pens (3 heifers/pen; 279 ± 57 kg of initial BW), consuming the same diet and treatments as experiment 1, to determine liver mineral concentration and growth performance over 56 d. Orthogonal contrasts were used to evaluate the effects of NPN (NCTRL vs. others), source of NPN (NS; urea vs. eCAN), BSS, and NS × BSS. For experiment 1, no interactions were observed for any variables, nor were there any effects of NPN on total tract digestibility of nutrients, except for crude protein. Digestibility of all nutrients was reduced (P ≤ 0.021) for steers consuming eCAN compared with urea. There was no effect (P > 0.155) of BSS on digestibility of nutrients; however, BSS reduced (P = 0.003) apparent S retention. Enteric CH4 emission (g/kg BW0.75) was decreased (P = 0.051) by 11% with the addition of eCAN compared with urea. For experiment 2, no NS × BSS interactions (P ≥ 0.251) were observed to affect liver mineral concentration; however, the addition of BSS decreased liver concentration of Cu (P = 0.002) while increasing Fe concentration (P = 0.016). There was an NS × BSS interaction (P = 0.048) where heifers consuming eCAN and BSS had lesser final BW compared with heifers consuming urea and BSS. While eCAN may be a viable resource for mitigating enteric CH4 production of forage-fed cattle, the negative effects on digestibility should be considered. Furthermore, BSS, at the amount provided, appears to have no negative effects on digestibility of nutrients in forage-fed cattle; however, there may be deleterious impacts on performance depending upon what nitrogen source is supplied.
Stability of Phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1 in Freshly Drawn, Authentic Samples from Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Skråstad Ragnhild Bergene , Spigset Olav , Aamo Trond Oskar , Andreassen Trine Naalsund
Published: August 2020

Due to its specificity, phosphatidylethanol (PEth) 16:0/18:1 has gained increased popularity as a marker for high alcohol consumption in recent years. As conflicting results regarding the stability of PEth 16:0/18:1 in whole blood have been published, there are still uncertainties related to optimum handling, transport and storage of blood samples for the analysis of PEth 16:0/18:1.

A stability study where whole blood samples were drawn from healthy volunteers, who had ingested alcohol, is presented. The samples were collected in tubes with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and heparin as additives and stored under standardized conditions within 1 h of blood sampling. Storage times were 28 days in ambient temperature and at 4–8°C, and 90 days at −20°C and −80°C. All samples were analyzed regularly during the storage periods. PEth 16:0/18:1 concentrations were stable (defined as < 15% decrease compared with baseline values) at all temperatures up to 28 days, independent of additive. After 90 days of storage at −20°C, the mean concentrations had decreased by 18.8% in EDTA tubes and by 13.8% in heparin tubes. At −80°C, the concentrations were stable throughout the 90-day period. The present study shows that in samples containing PEth formed in vivo, PEth 16:0/18:1 is stable for 28 days irrespective of storage temperature. During long-term storage, samples should be stored at −80°C.
Identification and Quantification of Antipsychotics in Blood Samples by LC–MS-MS: Case Reports and Data from Three Years of Routine Analysis
Authors: Proença Paula , Monteiro Carla , Mustra Carla , Claro Alda , Franco João , Corte-Real Francisco
Published: August 2020

Antipsychotic drugs (AP) are widely prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia and psychosis. The pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia is often performed with the simultaneous use of two or more antipsychotic agents to achieve the desired control of psychotic symptoms Available AP include both conventional (typical) and new (atypical) antipsychotic medications. Atypical AP, such as quetiapine, now account for the vast majority of AP prescriptions. In forensic toxicology, AP are of considerable interest because of their potential abuse and their involvement in intoxications and suicides. The authors retrospectively examined AP positive cases detected in samples collected during autopsies performed in the Forensic Clinical and Pathology Service of National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences Centre Branch or in other autopsies carried out in the central region of Portugal, between January 2016 and December 2018. A quantitative liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay was developed for the simultaneous determination of 16 AP (amisulpride, aripiprazole, chlorpromazine, clozapine, cyamemazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, levomepromazine, melperone, olanzapine, paliperidone, promethazine, quetiapine, risperidone, sulpiride and ziprasidone) in blood samples of postmortem cases. The Laboratory of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology received 3,588 requests for toxicological analysis: 1,413 cases were positive for drugs from which 351 (24.8%) cases were positive for AP, 60.1% from male individuals and 39.9% from female. Quetiapine was the most prevalent AP (36.5%) followed by olanzapine (20.8%). During this period, there were 25 postmortem cases with AP blood concentrations above therapeutic range, in which 36% of those are in agreement with the information received (psychological history or acute intoxication suspicion) and the manner of death was suicide. Our results point that antipsychotics are an increasingly prevalent class of drugs. AP must be measured not only in toxic concentrations but also in therapeutic levels in postmortem cases; therefore, it is important to come up with a sensitive method to cover the low therapeutic range in which AP are usually present.
Functional characterization and tissue localization of the facilitative glucose transporter GLUT12
Authors: Matsuo Shunsuke , Hiasa Miki , Omote Hiroshi
Published: August 2020

Facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) play crucial roles in glucose utilization and homeostasis. GLUT12 was initially isolated as a novel GLUT4-like transporter involved in insulin-dependent glucose transport. However, tissue distribution and biochemical properties of GLUT12 are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the basic kinetic properties and tissue distribution of GLUT12. Human GLUT12 and GLUT1 were overexpressed and purified using Ni-NTA column chromatography. Reconstituted proteoliposomes showed time-dependent d-glucose transport activity, which was inhibited by phloretin and dehydroascorbate. Dose dependence of glucose transport revealed a KM and Vmax values of 6.4 mM and 1.2 μmol/mg/min, respectively, indicating that GLUT12 is a high-affinity type GLUT. Glucose transport by GLUT12 was inhibited by ATP and glucose-1-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate and disaccharides (properties similar to those of GLUT1). Indirect immunohistochemistry revealed the distribution of mouse GLUT12 in the apical region of distal tubules and collecting ducts in the kidney and epithelial cells of the jejunum. In addition to these cells, GLUT12 was present in chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla, the anterior pituitary lobe, as well as the thyroid and pyloric glands. These tissue distributions suggest a unique function of GLUT12, besides that of an insulin-dependent glucose transport.
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0102231 sponges miR-145 to promote non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation by up-regulating the expression of RBBP4
Authors: Cao Xueru , Li Fengzhen , Shao Jianping , Lv Jianmei , Chang Ailan , Dong Weiping , Zhu Fulian
Published: August 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important regulators in various cancers. Previous studies have found that hsa_circ_0102231 is an oncogene in lung adenocarcinoma. Here, we investigated its mechanism in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We detected the levels of hsa_circ_0102231 in five NSCLC cell lines and one normal bronchial epithelium cell line. The interaction between hsa_circ_0102231 and miR-145 was predicted and confirmed by pull-down and luciferase assays. The nuclear mass separation assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to detect the distribution of hsa_circ_0102231. Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assays were used to assess the cell proliferative and invasive ability. Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively, detected the protein and mRNA levels of RBBP4. The RBBP4 promoter activity was detected with a luciferase assay. We found that hsa_circ_0102231 level was higher in NSCLC cells. hsa_circ_0102231 is mainly localized to the cytoplasm. hsa_circ_0102231 promotes NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion by sponge for miR-145. miR-145 significantly decreases the RBBP4 promoter activity, and its mRNA and protein levels. RBBP4 is an oncogene to promote proliferation and invasion ability. Our findings suggest that hsa_circ_0102231 promotes proliferation and invasion by mediating the miR-145/RBBP4 axis in NSCLC, indicating that it might be a potential target for NSCLC treatment.
Exploring the Use of High-Resolution Melting Analysis and Helicase-Dependent Amplification for Discrimination of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Cryptic Species and Trialeurodes vaporariorum
Authors: Andreason Sharon A , Arif Mohammad , Brown Judith K , Ochoa-Corona Francisco , Wayadande Astri
Published: August 2020

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera; Aleyrodidae), and greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), are highly problematic plant pests and virus vectors with worldwide distributions. Identification of whitefly species is typically accomplished by observation of distinct morphological characters; however, because of morphological inconsistency and indistinguishability, the discrimination of B. tabaci species variants is dependent on molecular techniques based on genetic differences. New assays were designed for the detection of B. tabaci A, B, and Q mitotype groups, and T. vaporariorum. Specific primer sets were designed for amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene of the four targets to perform in end-point PCR, real-time PCR coupled to high-resolution melting analysis (HRM), and the isothermal helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). Primer specificities were validated using end-point PCR, then tested in HRM and HDA. Bemisia tabaci A, B, and Q mitotypes, and T. vaporariorum-targeted primer sets discriminately amplified specimens of different populations within their target whitefly group. These tests provide three novel discrimination assays for the high-consequence, exotic B. tabaci B and Q groups, along with the native B. tabaci A group and T. vaporariorum.
Permethrin Residual Activity Against Ambrosia Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Attacks Following Field Aging and Simulated Rainfall Weathering
Authors: Brown Matthew S , Addesso Karla M , Baysal-Gurel Fulya , Youssef Nadeer N , Oliver Jason B
Published: August 2020

Adult ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) bore into ornamental nursery trees resulting in trunk vascular tissue damage, which can potentially kill trees. Ambrosia beetle exposure to surface-applied insecticides is minimal after internal trunk galleries are formed, so effective management requires insecticide treatments to be applied near the time of infestation or to have residual activity on the bark. Tree trunk sections (bolts) were used to determine the effect of field aging or irrigation (i.e., simulated rainfall weathering) on permethrin residual activity against ambrosia beetles. In all experiments, 30-cm-long bolts from Liriodendron tulipifera L. (Magnoliales: Magnoliaceae) were hollowed and filled with 70% ethanol at field deployment to induce ambrosia beetle attacks over a 2-wk period. To evaluate insecticide residual activity, permethrin was sprayed onto tree bolts at 0, 8, 17, or 24 d before ethanol addition, and then bolts were deployed along a wooded border in fall 2017 and spring 2018. Tree bolts with permethrin residues ≤17 d old had significantly fewer ambrosia beetle attacks than bolts with 24-d-old residues or the non-permethrin-treated control bolts. To evaluate simulated rainfall weathering, permethrin was applied to tree bolts 8 or 22 d before ethanol (spring 2018) or 10 or 24 d before ethanol (fall 2018) with half of the bolts receiving regular irrigation events. Irrigation had no significant effect on permethrin residual activity against ambrosia beetles during either test. This study determined ambrosia beetle control was affected by permethrin residue age more than simulated rainfall weathering, and a reapplication interval of ≤17 d maximized beetle control.
Is Data Localization a Solution for Schrems II?
Authors: Chander Anupam
Published: August 2020

For the second time this decade, the Court of Justice of the European Union has struck a blow against the principal mechanisms for personal data transfer to the USA. In Data Protection Commissioner v Facebook Ireland, Maximillian Schrems, the Court declared the European Union-US Privacy Shield invalid and placed significant hurdles to the process of transferring personal data from the European Union to the USA via the mechanism of Standard Contractual Clauses. Many have begun to suggest data localization as the solution to the problem of data transfer; that is, do not transfer the data at all. I argue that data localization neither solves the problem of foreign surveillance, nor enhances personal privacy, while undermining other values embraced by the European Union.
Regulatory Capital and Incentives for Risk Model Choice under Basel 3*
Authors: Liu Fred , Stentoft Lars
Published: August 2020

In response to the Subprime mortgage crisis, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) has spent the previous decade overhauling the regulatory framework that governs how banks calculate minimum capital requirements. In 2019, the BCBS finalized the Basel 3 regulatory regime, which changes the regulatory measure of market risk and adds new complex calculations based on liquidity and risk factors. This article is motivated by these changes and seeks to answer the question of how regulation affects banks’ choice of risk-management models, whether it incentivizes them to use correctly specified models, and if it results in more stable capital requirements. Our results show that, although the models that minimize regulatory capital for a representative bank portfolio also result in the most stable requirements, these models are generally rejected as being correctly specified and tend to produce inferior forecasts of the regulatory risk measures.
Shining a Light on Dark Patterns
Authors: Luguri Jamie , Strahilevitz Lior Jacob
Published: August 2020

Dark patterns are user interfaces whose designers knowingly confuse users, make it difficult for users to express their actual preferences, or manipulate users into taking certain actions. They typically exploit cognitive biases and prompt online consumers to purchase goods and services that they do not want or to reveal personal information they would prefer not to disclose. This article provides the first public evidence of the power of dark patterns. It discusses the results of the authors’ two large-scale experiments in which representative samples of American consumers were exposed to dark patterns. In the first study, users exposed to mild dark patterns were more than twice as likely to sign up for a dubious service as those assigned to the control group, and users in the aggressive dark pattern condition were almost four times as likely to subscribe. Moreover, whereas aggressive dark patterns generated a powerful backlash among consumers, mild dark patterns did not. Less educated subjects were significantly more susceptible to mild dark patterns than their well-educated counterparts. The second study identified the dark patterns that seem most likely to nudge consumers into making decisions that they are likely to regret or misunderstand. Hidden information, trick question, and obstruction strategies were particularly likely to manipulate consumers successfully. Other strategies employing loaded language or generating bandwagon effects worked moderately well, while still others such as “must act now” messages did not make consumers more likely to purchase a costly service. Our second study also replicated a striking result in the first experiment, which is that where dark patterns were employed the cost of the service offered to consumers became immaterial. Decision architecture, not price, drove consumer purchasing decisions. The article concludes by examining legal frameworks for addressing dark patterns. Many dark patterns appear to violate federal and state laws restricting the use of unfair and deceptive practices in trade. Moreover, in those instances where consumers enter into contracts after being exposed to dark patterns, their consent could be deemed voidable under contract law principles. The article also proposes that dark pattern audits become part of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s consent decree process. Dark patterns are presumably proliferating because firms’ proprietary A-B testing has revealed them to be profit maximizing. We show how similar A-B testing can be used to identify those dark patterns that are so manipulative that they ought to be deemed unlawful.
The Law and Economics of “Forced” Technology Transfer and Its Implications for Trade and Investment Policy (and the U.S.–China Trade War)
Authors: Sykes Alan O
Published: August 2020

“Forced technology transfer” is a central issue in the ongoing U.S.–China trade row. The phrase encompasses a number of different practices, but the most significant according to various commentators involve measures that require foreign investors in China to partner with domestic entities as a condition of making an investment, either by forming a joint venture or affording Chinese investors a controlling equity stake. These “corporate structure requirements” empower prospective Chinese partners to bargain for technology transfer as a condition of forming a new venture or otherwise enable them to learn the details of foreign technology through participation in the business enterprise. Foreign investors are free to reject such requirements and forego the associated investment opportunities, and in this sense any technology transfer pursuant to China’s requirements is “consensual.” For ease of reference, this essay refers to these corporate structure requirements as CSR. The analysis to follow examines the economics of CSR from both the national and global welfare perspectives. It indicates how CSR may undercut the national welfare of the USA even if it is profitable for U.S. investors. The global welfare implications of CSR, however, are much less clear, which offers an explanation for the absence of any constraints on CSR in typical trade agreements. A clear role for restrictions on CSR does emerge, however, in investment agreements that seek to eliminate investment protectionism by requiring “pre-establishment national treatment” for foreign investors. This analysis has immediate policy implications for the ongoing trade dispute with China.
Unintended Consequences of Products Liability: Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Market*
Authors: Helland Eric , Lakdawalla Darius , Malani Anup , Seabury Seth A
Published: August 2020

We explain a surprising effect of tort liability in the market for prescription drugs. Greater punitive damage risk seems to increase prescription drug utilization in states without non-economic damage caps but decrease utilization in states with such caps. We offer an explanation for this puzzle. The vertical production process for drugs involves national upstream producers (drug companies) and local downstream producers (doctors). When a single state reallocates liability from downstream to upstream producers, national drug companies see little reason to alter their nationwide output decisions, but local physicians have incentives to increase their prescriptions in that state. The net result is higher local output. We show how this dynamic can explain our puzzle by demonstrating that punitive damages shift liability upstream from doctors to drug companies, but not when non-economic damages caps limit physician malpractice liability. We provide evidence explaining when, how, and why this type of liability shifting occurs (JEL K13, I11, I18).
Commando procedure in a patient with double-valve endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Wedin Johan O , Janiec Mikael , Schiller Petter
Published: August 2020

The indication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is continuously expanding with a simultaneous increase in number of TAVI associated prosthetic valve endocarditis (TAVI–PVE). Evidence for management of TAVI–PVE is lacking but the need for surgical management of complex TAVI–PVE is expected to increase. The Commando procedure, a technically challenging surgery for treatment of complex endocarditis, has never been described in a patient with TAVI–PVE. An 80-year-old female with TAVI–PVE, native mitral valve endocarditis and an abscess in the intervalvular fibrous body was admitted to our clinic. She successfully underwent the Commando procedure with implantation of biological mitral and aortic valve prostheses and reconstruction of the intervalvular fibrous body. We demonstrate that the Commando procedure is a feasible surgical alternative in patients with TAVI–PVE and that it can be considered in patients with high surgical risk.