bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hobbes's genealogy of private conscience
Authors: Frilli Guido 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis contribution aims at reconstructing Hobbes's critique of the language of private conscience and at evaluating the relevance of this critique for Hobbes's political philosophy. Hobbes, I argue, radically subverts the traditional moral‐theological notion of private judgment by turning it into a natural and social fact: conscience becomes nothing more than a shared opinion. This drastic redefinition allows him to condemn the seditious uses of the language of conscience: Hobbes's criticism of Papists and Presbyterians can be read, I contend, as an attempt at a genealogical analysis of private conscience. Yet, while always constructed by powerful rhetoric, conscience is not insignificant to Hobbes, since it becomes—in a way that neither “liberal” nor “absolutist” readings of Hobbes's politics have satisfactorily accounted for—the ambivalent dimension of the construction of political consent.
Testing for deterministic succession in metazoan parasite communities of marine fish
Authors: Espínola‐Novelo Juan F. , González M. Teresa , Pacheco Aldo S. , Luque José L. , Oliva Marcelo E. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractParasite communities are similar to free‐living communities; decay of similarity over geographic distance, theory of island biogeography, species–area relationships and nestedness have been documented in both communities. Ecological succession has been studied in free‐living communities but has rarely been examined in parasite communities. We use seriation with replication to test the hypothesis that succession of parasite community structure is deterministic, thus developing throughout consecutive changes along the fish ontogeny, via a seriated pattern. 12 306 marine fishes (95 species) were studied. In 40 species, a seriated pattern was detected; 25 had a tendency towards a seriated pattern, and for 31 species, succession was at random. Age‐classes for each host species explained deterministic successional patterns for whole parasite communities and ectoparasites. Richness and number of age‐classes explained this pattern for endoparasites. Seriated successional pattern was evident for parasite communities of long‐lived marine fish, indicating that parasite communities follow sequential changes over time, like many free‐living communities.
Expression of keratins 8, 18, and 19 in epithelia of atrophic oral lichen planus
Authors: Schreurs Olav , Karatsaidis Andreas , Balta Maria G. , Grung Bjarte , Hals Else K. B. , Schenck Karl 
Published: January 2020

Keratins form intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton in keratinocytes and have roles in cell structure, signaling, intracellular transport, and cell death. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an oral inflammatory disease with derangements in basal keratinocytes and disruption of the basal membrane. Here, we focused on epithelial expression of keratins 8, 18, and 19 because these proteins are known to modulate cell death. Biopsies were taken from buccal oral mucosa of persons with normal oral mucosa (n = 10) or atrophic OLP (n = 10). Cultured normal oral keratinocytes (n = 4) showed expression of mRNA and protein for keratins 8, 18, and 19. Immunohistochemistry showed consistent staining for keratins 8 and 18 in basal keratinocytes of normal oral mucosa. In OLP, staining for keratin (K)8 was mostly negative and staining for K18 was weak. Keratin 19 was expressed irregularly in most biopsies of normal oral mucosa and not at all in OLP. Several mononuclear leukocytes in the cellular infiltrate showed membrane staining for K8 and K18. Positive staining for K16 confirmed partial collapse of the basal cell layer in OLP. The basal cell niche in OLP therefore appeared to be partly populated with keratinocytes demonstrating a higher degree of differentiation (K8− K18− K19− K16+); consequently, such areas may be more susceptible to the action of cell death factors released from the cell infiltrate as a result of lacking the protective, normal keratin present in the basal epithelial cell layer of normal oral mucosa.
Higher body mass index may increase the risk for the development of incisional complications in horses following emergency ventral midline celiotomy
Authors: Hill Jacqueline A. , Tyma Jesse F. , Hayes Galina M. , Radcliffe Rolfe , Fubini Susan L. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundObesity is common in the equine population and it has been associated with increased surgical morbidity and mortality in humans. The effect of increased body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of surgical site infections has not been investigated in horses.ObjectivesTo determine whether horses with increased body fat, as estimated by BMI, are more likely to develop post‐operative complications, particularly incisional complications, following emergency ventral midline celiotomy.Study designRetrospective, multi‐institutional clinical study.MethodsMedical records of horses >2 years old presenting with colic that underwent ventral midline celiotomy between January 2010 and September 2018 with follow‐up of a minimum of 30 post‐operative days were reviewed. Extracted data included signalment, operative details and outcome. BMI was calculated by dividing the patient's weight (kg) by the withers height squared (m2).ResultsIn all, 287 horses fit inclusion criteria. Incisional complication prevalence was 23.7%. Horses with incisional complications had a higher BMI (median 203.6 kg/m2, IQR = 191.5‐217.4) compared with those without (median 199.1 kg/m2, IQR = 184.7‐210.2) (P = .03). Multi‐variable analysis of the effects of age, sex, breed and presence of metabolic disease on the association between BMI and risk of incisional complications, identified a tendency towards increased risk with a higher BMI, but statistical significance decreased toP = .07. Breed had an association with BMI (P < .01), but not with incisional complication risk.Main limitationsBMI as an estimate of body fat has limitations. Retrospective studies with reliance on owners reporting data and complete medical records is imperfect. When the data were subjected to multi‐variable analysis, the trend towards an increased incidence of incisional complications in horses with higher BMI persisted but it was not statistically significant.ConclusionHigher BMI may increase the risk for the development of incisional complications in horses following emergency ventral midline celiotomy.
Low alanine aminotransferase levels predict low muscle strength in older patients with diabetes: A nationwide cross‐sectional study in Korea
Authors: Chung Seung Min , Moon Jun Sung , Yoon Ji Sung , Won Kyu Chang , Lee Hyoung Woo 
Published: January 2020

AimLow alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level is associated with frailty in the older adult population. We investigated the usefulness of ALT in predicting low muscle strength among older patients with diabetes.MethodsWe included 550 men aged ≥50 years and 525 postmenopausal women. All participants had diabetes, and data were based on the 2014–2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants with ALT levels confounded by hepatic causes or who had a cerebrovascular accident were excluded. The accompanying metabolic disorders and the associated parameters were evaluated. Low muscle strength was defined as handgrip strength below the Korean‐specific cut‐off value.ResultsIn men and women, when ALT level was divided into quartiles (Q1–Q4), a positive correlation between ALT and body mass index, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin levels and handgrip strength was observed, whereas a negative correlation was observed with age and duration of diabetes (P < 0.05, all). After adjusting for age, sex, protein intake, aerobic exercise, body mass index, duration of diabetes, glycated hemoglobin and triglycerides, the lower ALT quartiles ([Q1 and Q2) showed a higher risk for low muscle strength compared with Q4 (OR 2.123 and 2.437; P = 0.060 and 0.029). The cut‐off ALT level for low muscle strength was 18.5 IU/L.ConclusionOlder patients with diabetes with ALT levels below low‐to‐normal should not be considered metabolically healthy. Clinicians should pay special attention to the risk of low muscle strength in individuals with ALT levels of ≤18.5 IU/L, independent of any associated metabolic disorders. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 271–276.
Intravenous Endothelin‐1 Infusion Does Not Induce Aura or Headache in Migraine Patients With Aura
Authors: Hougaard Anders , Younis Samaira , Iljazi Afrim , Sugimoto Kazutaka , Ayata Cenk , Ashina Messoud 
Published: January 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate whether intravenously infused provokes migraine aura and migraine headache in migraine patients with aura.BackgroundMigraine with aura has been associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased stroke risk. The initiating mechanism of migraine aura symptoms is not known. Experimental provocation of migraine headache using vasoactive peptides has provided tremendous advances in the understanding of migraine pathophysiology but substances that can induce migraine aura have not been identified. Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), an endogenous, potent vasoconstrictor peptide released from the vascular endothelium, has been proposed to trigger migraine aura. This hypothesis is based on reports of increased plasma ET‐1 levels early during the migraine attacks and the observation that ET‐1 applied to the cortical surface potently induces the cortical spreading depolarization, the underlying electrophysiological phenomenon of migraine aura, in animals. Further, endothelial damage due to, for example, carotid puncture and vascular pathology is known to trigger aura episodes.MethodsWe investigated whether intravascular ET‐1 would provoke migraine aura in patients. Using a two‐way crossover, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind design, we infused high‐dose (8 ng/kg/minutes for 20 minutes) intravenous ET‐1 in patients with migraine with typical aura. The primary end‐point was the difference in incidence of migraine aura between ET‐1 and placebo. Experiments were carried out at a public tertiary headache center (Danish Headache Center, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Denmark).ResultsFourteen patients received intravenous ET‐1. No patients reported migraine aura symptoms or migraine headache during or up to 24 hours following the ET‐1 infusion. Four patients reported mild to moderate headache only on the ET‐1 day, 3 patients reported moderate headache on the placebo day, and 1 patient reported mild headache on both days. No serious adverse events occurred during or after infusion.ConclusionsProvocation of migraine aura by procedures or conditions involving vascular irritation is unlikely to be mediated by ET‐1.
Aberrant von Willebrand factor expression of sinusoidal endothelial cells and quiescence of hepatic stellate cells in nodular regenerative hyperplasia and obliterative portal venopathy
Authors: Zhang Xuchen , Thomas Courtney , Schiano Thomas D , Thung Swan N , Ward Stephen C , Fiel M Isabel 
Published: January 2020

AimsNodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) and obliterative portal venopathy (OPV), entities that comprise idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH), are under‐recognised diseases of uncertain aetiology and the diagnosis can be easily missed on liver biopsy. The expression of CD34 and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) and alpha‐smooth muscle actin (ASMA) in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is unknown in NRH and OPV. We sought to investigate the pathogenesis and potential immunomarkers that might aid in making the diagnosis of NRH and OPV.Methods and resultsImmunohistochemical (IHC) staining for CD34, vWF and ASMA was performed in clinically and histologically well‐characterised NRH (n = 15) and OPV (n = 47) liver specimens. Among the 47 OPV cases, 37 (78.7%) had concurrent features of NRH. CD34 positive staining was mainly confined to small vessels in the portal tracts and LSECs in periportal areas, a finding similar to that in non‐NRH/OPV livers. However, expression of vWF in LSECs was positive in the compressed sinusoids of NRH and in a patchy or geographic pattern, particularly prominent in the perivenular areas and dilated sinusoids of OPV cases. HSCs were negative for ASMA in all NRH and OPV cases.ConclusionOur findings indicate that NRH may be a subtle but common concurrent morphological feature in OPV. The aberrant expression of vWF in LSECs suggests that endothelial injury may play a role in the pathogenesis, which may thus aid in the recognition and diagnosis of NRH and OPV, particularly when confronted with otherwise apparent normal liver histology on needle biopsy.
A novel water‐in‐oil emulsion with a lecithin‐modified bentonite prevents skin damage from urban dust and cedar pollen
Authors: Iwanaga T. , Nioh A. , Reed N. , Kiyokawa H. , Akatsuka H. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveParticulate matter (PM), such as air pollutants and pollens, are known to cause skin ageing through skin inflammation. It is important to develop formulations which protect the skin from PM. We previously developed a conventional water‐in‐oil emulsion with a synthetic surfactant, distearyldimonium chloride, modified bentonite (C‐W/O), which protects skin from allergens. In the present study, we developed a novel water‐in‐oil emulsion with a natural surfactant, lecithin, modified bentonite (N‐W/O).MethodsThe microarray analysis was performed using total RNA extracted from a reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) stimulated with urban aerosols or cedar pollen for 6 h in order to develop an epidermal inflammation model by PM for the evaluation of topical formulations. We then compared the efficacy of N‐W/O and C‐W/O to prevent epidermal degradation. Tissues and culture media were collected 24 h after the urban aerosol or cedar pollen stimulation for a histological assay, and the quantification of MMP1 and IL‐8 secretion.ResultsThe expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL1A and CXCL8, and matrix metalloproteinases, including MMP1, MMP3 and MMP9, were significantly up‐regulated by the PM stimulation. As a result of ranking based on the pathway enrichment analysis, oxidative stress‐related pathways, such as MAPK‐mediated signalling, HIF‐1 signalling, IL‐1 signalling and ROS‐induced cellular signalling, were ranked high in the urban dust‐ and cedar pollen‐treated groups. A thickened stratum corneum, thinned vital layer and cleaved E‐cadherin were observed by haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining of E‐cadherin in the PM treated groups. The secretion of MMP1 and IL‐8 into the media was significantly increased by the PM stimulation. N‐W/O prevented the degradation of epidermal integrity and secretion of inflammatory proteins more effectively than C‐W/O.ConclusionThe present results showed that N‐W/O made using natural surfactant is useful at protecting skin from PM, such as urban aerosols and cedar pollen.
Factors associated with serious intent to die among suicide attempters in Hungary
Authors: Horváth Orsolya N. , Tóth Mónika Ditta , Àdám Szilvia , Purebl György 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAs suicide attempts pose major risk for future suicide death, understanding the underlying factors of suicide attempts and suicidal behaviour is an important mental health imperative. The aim of this study was to examine suicide attempts with a special focus on the intention. A total of 2540 discharge summaries were collected between 2009 and 2011 in Miskolc, Hungary, and a content analysis was conducted. Data regarding the method, the reason for suicide attempts, the amount, the source, and the type of the medication taken were examined. Deliberate self‐poisoning was the most frequent method (73.8%) committed with more than 200 different types of drugs. 40.5% of the patients attempted suicide with an intent to die, whilst 35.6% of the patients wanted to escape from an unbearable situation. Older age groups, greater amount of taken pills, and affective disorders were associated with self‐reported serious intention to die. Our findings should be taken into consideration when monitoring drugs for older patients with depressive disorders.
Sex‐specific differences in gonopore and gonadal growth trajectories in the brooding sea urchin, Abatus cavernosus (Spatangoida)
Authors: Gil Damián G. , Zaixso Héctor E. , Tolosano Javier A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe heart urchin Abatus cavernosus shows sexual dimorphism characterized by the development of external brood pouches and the enlargement of gonopores in brooding females. Relationships between body size, gonopore size, and gonadal maturation in each sex were examined for inflection points using piecewise regression models (PRM). Opening of the gonopore occurred at 15.5 mm test length. Inflection points in the gonadal growth and gonopore diameter trajectories were clustered at smaller sizes in males (23 and 24.2 mm, respectively) than in females (25.1 and 25.9 mm), indicating sex‐specific differences in sexual maturation. Gonopore growth showed positive allometry at pre‐adult stages of development in both sexes, but isometry and negative allometry in adult females and males, respectively. Gonadal growth was initiated at smaller sizes and proceeded at a higher rate with increasing body size in males than in females. Identification of inflection points in gonopore and gonadal growth trajectories, using objective PRM, allows the determination of life stages and sexual maturation for individuals, thus providing a complementary tool for population studies.
Appraising Alternatives for Allocating and Cost Recovery for Irrigation Water in Egypt
Authors: Bowen Richard L. , Young Robert A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAlternative approaches to allocating and recovering costs for water on Egyptian farms are proposed and evaluated in accordance with the societal objectives of allocative efficiency, equity of income distribution and cost recovery. A linear programming model of a study area in Egypt's northern Delta predicts farmers' response to the proposed cost‐sharing instruments over a range of water supply conditions. Transactions costs for each charging instrument are estimated and incorporated into the allocative. efficiency analysis. Flat land charges, supplemented by water quotas in the event of increasing water scarcity, best achieve societal objectives in the current and prospective Egyptian situation. Volumetric charging instruments were judged to be somewhat less desirable, due to higher tangible and intangible costs of implementation. The results highlight the importance of transactions costs, the degree of water scarcity and other governmental revenue raising policies in determining an appropriate charging mechanism.
Effects of Increasing Agricultural Productivity in a Multisectoral Model for the Philippines
Authors: Bautista Romeo M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates empirically the economy‐wide effects of agricultural productivity increases in the Philippines, reporting the results of a quantitative analysis based on a general equilibrium framework. A multisectoral, price endogenous model of the Philippine economy is employed, emphasizing not only agriculture but also other production sectors with which it closely interacts, as well as the distinction between rural and urban households in their income generation and consumption patterns. Among other findings, the differential effects on the real income of rural households vis‐a‐vis urban households arising from increased productivity in the various components of the agricultural production sector are striking. The resulting improvements in the trade balance and national income, among other macroeconomic variables, are also relatively significant. Moreover, there are significant differences in the economy‐wide effects among the four sectors of food and agriculture distinguished in the study. Particularly interesting is the highly favorable impact of rising productivity in the food processing sector on agricultural crop production and rural income, a linkage effect that has not received much attention in the development literature.
Biased Technological Change and Factor Demand in Postwar Japanese Agriculture, 1958‐84
Authors: Kuroda Yoshima 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of factor substitutions in postwar Japanese agriculture by shedding special light on biased technological change. Such biased technological change is first measured, then associated with the movements of factor prices, and then tested for the Hicksian induced‐innovation hypothesis. In addition, a decomposition analysis is carried out in order to quantitatively examine the importance of the biased effects for determining changes in factor‐cost shares and factor proportions during the 1958‐84 period.A slightly modified Stevenson‐Greene model of the translog cost function is employed. This model has at least two important advantages over ordinary translog cost functions. First, it incorporates time into the model such that all coefficients of the ordinary translog cost function may change over time. This is more realistic than the ordinary translog cost function which assumes that all coefficients are constant over the period of estimation. Another attractive feature is that it enables us to test the induced‐innovation hypothesis directly. The model is applied to the 1958‐84 period by making use of farm‐level data.The results show that technological change was biased towards saving labor and other inputs and using machinery, intermediate inputs, and land. This biased technological change is found to be, in principle, consistent with the induced‐innovation hypothesis. Furthermore, it is shown through decomposition analyses that the biased technological change had significant impacts on changes in factor‐cost shares and factor proportions during these years.The empirical results of this study imply that technological change in Japanese agriculture has, in general, proceeded in a manner consistent with factor endowments conditions since the late 1950s. An implication of this study for agriculture in less‐developed countries is that agricultural policies seeking development through technological progress should be carried out so as to take advantage of peculiar factor endowments conditions in the individual countries.
A Dynamic Adjustment Model for U.S. Agriculture: 1948‐79
Authors: Vasavada Utpal , Ball V. Eldon 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA multioutput model is developed within the adjustment cost framework to analyze the structure of dynamic adjustments in U.S. agriculture during the post‐war period. An important feature of this model is that the econometric model is consistent with dynamic economic theory. Fluctuations in capital stocks, variable inputs, and outputs are explained by changing opportunity costs. Empirical results indicated that durable equipment, farm‐produced durables, and family labor exhibited significant rigidity in adjustment as a response to exogenous shocks. Surprisingly, the hypothesis that real estate was a variable input could not be rejected. The univariate flexible accelerator hypothesis, which is widely maintained in most agricultural adjustment studies, is inconsistent with the data.