bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors and the risk of heart failure: A nationwide cohort study of older adults with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Fralick Michael , Colacci Michael , Thiruchelvam Deva , Gomes Tara , Redelmeier Donald A 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimsTo analyse the rate of heart failure hospitalization for older adults prescribed a sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitor.Materials and MethodsThe study cohort included adults aged 66 years and older diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in Ontario, Canada, between July 2015 and March 2019, who received either an SGLT2 inhibitor or a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor. The primary outcome was a composite of heart failure hospitalization and all‐cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia.ResultsA total of 29 916 adults prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor were compared with 29 916 adults prescribed a DPP‐4 inhibitor. The mean age was 72 years, 60% were men, the baseline glycated haemoglobin concentration was 8.2% and the baseline creatinine was 89 μmol/L. The incidence rate of the primary outcome was 19/1000 person‐years for adults prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor compared to 38/1000 person‐years in those prescribed a DPP‐4 inhibitor. This resulted in a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45, 0.54) and a rate difference (RD) of 19 fewer events per 1000 person‐years (RD –19 [95% CI –22, –17]). Patients prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor also had a lower rate of hypoglycaemia (HR 0.61 [95% CI 0.46, 0.81); RD –1.6 [95% CI –2.4, –0.8]), but a higher rate of diabetic ketoacidosis (HR 1.84 [95% CI 1.26, 2.70]; RD 1.0 [95% CI 0.4, 1.6]).ConclusionsOlder adults prescribed an SGLT2 inhibitor had a lower rate of heart failure hospitalization or death, and a lower rate of hypoglycaemia, but an increased rate of diabetic ketoacidosis compared to older adults prescribed a DPP‐4 inhibitor.
Turkey and Erdoğan’s rising “Lausanne Syndrome”
Authors: Drakoularakos Stavros 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this article, I analyze the rise of the “Lausanne Syndrome” in Turkish politics during the twenty‐first century through the prism of ontological security theory. The arguments are presented through the examination of the legacy of the “Sèvres Syndrome”, the impact of the Turkish‐Israeli diplomatic break‐up during the 2010s on the Turkish self‐narrative, and the declaration of the second war of independence following the failed coup attempt of 2016. The “Lausanne Syndrome” serves both as a domestic and foreign policy tool, as it relates to Erdoğan’s search for ontological security and geopolitical strategy.
Diagnostic accuracy of infrared thermal imaging for detecting COVID‐19 infection in minimally symptomatic patients
Authors: Martinez‐Jimenez Mario A. , Loza‐Gonzalez Victor M. , Kolosovas‐Machuca E. Samuel , Yanes‐Lane Mercedes E. , Ramirez‐GarciaLuna Ana Sofia , Ramirez‐GarciaLuna Jose L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionDespite being widely used as a screening tool, a rigorous scientific evaluation of infrared thermography for the diagnosis of minimally symptomatic patients suspected of having COVID‐19 infection has not been performed.MethodsA consecutive sample of 60 adult individuals with a history of close contact with COVID‐19 infected individuals and mild respiratory symptoms for less than 7 days and 20 confirmed COVID‐19 negative healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Infrared thermograms of the face were obtained with a mobile camera, and RT‐PCR was used as the reference standard test to diagnose COVID‐19 infection. Temperature values and distribution of the face of healthy volunteers and patients with and without COVID‐19 infection were then compared.ResultsThirty‐four patients had an RT‐PCR confirmed diagnosis of COVID‐19 and 26 had negative test results. The temperature asymmetry between the lacrimal caruncles and the forehead was significantly higher in COVID‐19 positive individuals. Through a random forest analysis, a cut‐off value of 0.55°C was found to discriminate with an 82% accuracy between patients with and without COVID‐19 confirmed infection.ConclusionsAmong adults with a history of COVID‐19 exposure and mild respiratory symptoms, a temperature asymmetry of ≥ 0.55°C between the lacrimal caruncle and the forehead is highly suggestive of COVID‐19 infection. This finding questions the widespread use of the measurement of absolute temperature values of the forehead as a COVID‐19 screening tool.
Warming is here: using locomotor performance to infer thermal parameters and vulnerability for an endemic Argentinean tarantula Grammostola vachoni
Authors: Leonela Schwerdt , Ana Elena De Villalobos , Nelson Ferretti 
Published: December 2020

1. Because of global climate change and its consequences, estimating the physiological responses of ectothermicorganisms to temperature is of high priority. The thermal increase and changes in fire frequency are some of the consequences of global warming, which could challenge the physiological performance and thermal tolerance of individuals.2. The present study estimates the thermal parameters from field individuals of the tarantula Grammostola vachoni. To achieve this, we determined the critical thermal limits for locomotor performance, the thermal optimum, and the preferred temperatures. We also calculate the thermal performance breadth and thermal tolerance zone.3. Temperature strongly affected the locomotor performance of spiders; the sprint speeds were significantly different between temperatures, and at 5 °C and 25 °C the parameter was significantly different between females and juveniles. The preferred temperature showed a mean value of 26.5 °C, and females preferred lower temperature than juveniles. Grammostola vachoni showed a wide thermal tolerance range (close to 43 °C) and thermal performance breadth (B80), an index defined as the range of temperatures at which performance is at least 80% of the maximum.4. For G. vachoni, these large breadths in the sprint speed represent a substantial buffer against future increases in habitat temperature and shows that the locomotor performance of this species is an adaptable parameter. Understanding the impact of warming in performances is important to make predictions about if this species can remain ecologically viable while facing global change, given the massive worldwide declines in arthropod populations.
Intra‐mental or intra‐cranial? On Brentano's concept of immanent object
Authors: Leung Ka‐wing 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to elucidate Franz Brentano's concept of immanent object through his own words and from his own perspective. The prevalent account of Brentano's revival of intentionality, his initial failure to distinguish between object and content, and his wrong‐headed immanentism, is largely derived from his students. Brentano's objection to it, although well known, is seldom heeded. In fact, plenty of guidelines have been provided by Brentano himself in his writings on how his concept of immanent object is to be understood. I begin with his distinction between two senses of “object,” which, I argue, must be clearly set apart from distinction between two modes of object. I then examine three different interpretations of the term “in‐existence”: the locative, the inherentist, and the objective interpretation. In the end, after dismissing the first two interpretations, I argue that Brentano is best understood as maintaining an objective and deflationary account of mental in‐existence.
Factors correlated with intracranial interictal epileptiform discharges in refractory epilepsy
Authors: Quon Robert J. , Meisenhelter Stephen , Adamovich‐Zeitlin Richard H. , Song Yinchen , Steimel Sarah A. , Camp Edward J. , Testorf Markus E. , MacKenzie Todd A. , Gross Robert E. , Lega Bradley C. , Sperling Michael R. , Kahana Michael J. , Jobst Barbara C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study was undertaken to evaluate the influence that subject‐specific factors have on intracranial interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) rates in persons with refractory epilepsy.MethodsOne hundred fifty subjects with intracranial electrodes performed multiple sessions of a free recall memory task; this standardized task controlled for subject attention levels. We utilized a dominance analysis to rank the importance of subject‐specific factors based on their relative influence on IED rates. Linear mixed‐effects models were employed to comprehensively examine factors with highly ranked importance.ResultsAntiseizure medication (ASM) status, time of testing, and seizure onset zone (SOZ) location were the highest‐ranking factors in terms of their impact on IED rates. The average IED rate of electrodes in SOZs was 34% higher than the average IED rate of electrodes outside of SOZs (non‐SOZ;p < .001). However, non‐SOZ electrodes had similar IED rates regardless of the subject's SOZ location (p = .99). Subjects on older generation (p < .001) and combined generation (p < .001) ASM regimens had significantly lower IED rates relative to the group taking no ASMs; newer generation ASM regimens demonstrated a nonsignificant association with IED rates (p = .13). Of the ASMs included in this study, the following ASMs were associated with significant reductions in IED rates: levetiracetam (p < .001), carbamazepine (p < .001), lacosamide (p = .03), zonisamide (p = .01), lamotrigine (p = .03), phenytoin (p = .03), and topiramate (p = .01). We observed a nonsignificant association between time of testing and IED rates (morning–afternoonp = .15, morning–eveningp = .85, afternoon–eveningp = .26).SignificanceThe current study ranks the relative influence that subject‐specific factors have on IED rates and highlights the importance of considering certain factors, such as SOZ location and ASM status, when analyzing IEDs for clinical or research purposes.
Sex‐ and time‐specific parental effects of warming on reproduction and offspring quality in a coral reef fish
Authors: Spinks Rachel K. , Bonzi Lucrezia C. , Ravasi Timothy , Munday Philip L. , Donelson Jennifer M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGlobal warming can disrupt reproduction or lead to fewer and poorer quality offspring, owing to the thermally sensitive nature of reproductive physiology. However, phenotypic plasticity may enable some animals to adjust the thermal sensitivity of reproduction to maintain performance in warmer conditions. Whether elevated temperature affects reproduction may depend on the timing of exposure to warming and the sex of the parent exposed. We exposed male and female coral reef damselfish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus) during development, reproduction or both life stages to an elevated temperature (+1.5°C) consistent with projected ocean warming and measured reproductive output and newly hatched offspring performance relative to pairs reared in a present‐day control temperature. We found female development in elevated temperature increased the probability of breeding, but reproduction ceased if warming continued to the reproductive stage, irrespective of the male's developmental experience. Females that developed in warmer conditions, but reproduced in control conditions, also produced larger eggs and hatchlings with greater yolk reserves. By contrast, male development or pairs reproducing in higher temperature produced fewer and poorer quality offspring. Such changes may be due to alterations in sex hormones or an endocrine stress response. In nature, this could mean female fish developing during a marine heatwave may have enhanced reproduction and produce higher quality offspring compared with females developing in a year of usual thermal conditions. However, male development during a heatwave would likely result in reduced reproductive output. Furthermore, the lack of reproduction from an average increase in temperature could lead to population decline. Our results demonstrate how the timing of exposure differentially influences females and males and how this translates to effects on reproduction and population sustainability in a warming world.
Tenectomy of the superficial digital flexor tendon as a treatment of suspected septic tendinitis and tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath followed by rehabilitation with an orthotic device
Authors: Lenoir A. , Schramme M. , Segard‐Weisse E. , Zimmerman M. , Lepage O. M. 
Published: December 2020

SummaryA 15‐year‐old Sports horse gelding was referred for nonweightbearing lameness of the left hindlimb. Septic cellulitis was diagnosed and managed medically. After 14 days, septic tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS), with septic tendinitis of the superficial (SDFT) and deep (DDFT) digital flexor tendons, became evident. Surgical resection of the intrathecal portion of the septic SDFT was performed. Post‐operatively, a half‐limb cast was placed on the operated limb for 10 weeks followed by an articulated orthotic support boot during a rehabilitation period of 6 weeks. The horse recovered and regained long‐term pasture soundness. Ultrasonography demonstrated the presence of bridging connective tissue in the location of the resected SDFT.
Risk factors for bit‐related lesions in Finnish trotting horses
Authors: Tuomola Kati , Mäki‐Kihniä Nina , Valros Anna , Mykkänen Anna , Kujala‐Wirth Minna 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundBit‐related lesions in competition horses have been documented, but little evidence exists concerning their potential risk factors.ObjectivesTo explore potential risk factors for oral lesions in Finnish trotters.Study designCross‐sectional study.MethodsThe rostral part of the mouth of 261 horses (151 Standardbreds, 78 Finnhorses and 32 ponies) was examined after a harness race. Information on bit type, equipment and race performance was collected.ResultsA multivariable logistic regression model of Standardbreds and Finnhorses showed a higher risk of moderate or severe oral lesion status associated with horses wearing a Crescendo bit (n = 38, OR 3.6, CI 1.4–8.9), a mullen mouth regulator bit (n = 25, OR 9.9, CI 2.2‐45) or a straight plastic bit (n = 14, OR 13.7, CI 1.75‐110) compared with horses wearing a snaffle trotting bit (n = 98, P = .002). Bar lesions (67 horses) were more common in horses wearing unjointed bits than in horses wearing jointed bits (Fisher's exact test P < .001). Lesions in the buccal area and the inner lip commissures were not associated with bit type. Using a tongue‐tie or an overcheck, galloping, placement in the top three or money earned in the race were not associated with lesion risk.Main limitationsThe sample size for certain bit types was insufficient for statistical analysis.ConclusionsModerate and severe oral lesion status was more common in horses wearing a Crescendo bit, a mullen mouth regulator bit or a straight plastic bit than in horses wearing a single‐jointed snaffle trotting bit. However, lesions were observed regardless of bit type. Further studies on rein tension, the interaction between bit type and rein tension and prevention of mouth lesions in trotters are warranted.
Implications of the neuroanatomy of the equine thoracolumbar vertebral column with regional anaesthesia and complications following desmotomy of the interspinous ligament
Authors: Derham Ann M. , Schumacher Jim , O’ Leary John M. , Kelly Ger , Hahn Caroline N. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractImpinging/overriding dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) of the thoracolumbar vertebrae are a common cause of poor performance in horses. In the last five decades, numerous surgical treatments have been reported on, from transverse transection of the affected DSPs, and endoscopic resection of the affected DSPs, to transection of the interspinous ligament. Until recently, cosmetic outcomes have been reported as good to excellent in studies. However, a previously unreported complication of neurogenic atrophy of the contralateral epaxial muscle following desmotomy of the interspinous ligament has been recently reported. The authors hypothesised that this was because of a more lateral approach than previously described, resulting in the scissors being too far across midline and transecting a nerve in the region. Considering this finding, we have reviewed the literature on the neuroanatomy of the thoracolumbar region in the horse. Literature on the neuroanatomy of the horse is lacking when compared with that of humans and companion animals, with most of the work extrapolated from companion animals. Based on the current literature, we hypothesise that transection of an intermediate branch of the dorsal spinal nerve supplying the m. longissimus is potentially the cause of the post‐operative neurogenic atrophy. The lack of detailed knowledge of the neural anatomy of the equine back has resulted in the role of local anaesthesia in localising pain in the equine back being poorly understood. The wide variation in techniques used for localising back pain may explain why some horses suffering from poor performance or an abnormal gait because of back pain improve to local anaesthesia of the back while others do not. This review article highlights a lack of anatomical knowledge regarding the equine thoracolumbar region in the literature despite diagnostic local anaesthesia, medication, and surgery in this area being relatively common.
Optimisation and validation of immunohistochemical axonal markers for morphological and functional characterisation of equine peripheral nerves
Authors: Almuhanna Abdulaziz H. , Cahalan Stephen D. , Lane Annette , Goodwin David , Perkins Justin , Piercy Richard J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundHorses are affected by various peripheral nerve disorders but defining their aetiology and pathophysiology is hampered by limited understanding of associated morphological and pathological changes and involvement of specific axonal types.ObjectivesTo investigate the hypothesis that selected antibody markers, used in conjunction with various tissue processing methods, would enable identification of axons with different functional modalities within a range of equine peripheral nerves.Study designOptimisation and validation study.MethodsA range of antibodies were evaluated immunohistochemically via fluorescence confocal microscopy in cadaver equine nerve samples of primary motor, mixed or primary sensory functions (recurrent laryngeal, phrenic and plantar digital) within formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) and formalin‐fixed frozen (FFF) tissues subjected to different antigen retrieval protocols.ResultsImmunohistochemistry of FFPE‐derived nerve samples with selected antibodies and specific antigen retrieval methods enabled identification of myelinated and unmyelinated axons, cholinergic, sympathetic and peptidergic axons. The recurrent laryngeal and phrenic nerves are composed of myelinated cholinergic (motor), myelinated sensory fibres, unmyelinated adrenergic (sympathetic) axons and unmyelinated peptidergic (sensory) axons. In contrast, as expected, the plantar digital nerve had no myelinated motor fibres being mainly composed of myelinated sensory fibres, unmyelinated sympathetic and unmyelinated peptidergic sensory axons.Main limitationAttempts specifically to label parasympathetic fibres were unsuccessful in any nerve examined in both FFPE and FFF tissues.ConclusionsA panel of antibody markers can be used to reveal morphological and functional properties of equine nerves. Future work should enable better characterisation of morphological changes in equine neuropathies at various stages of disease development.
Retrospective case review investigating the effect of replacing oaten hay with a non‐cereal hay on equine peripheral caries in 42 cases
Authors: Jackson Kirsten , Kelty Erin , Tennant Marc 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundEquine peripheral caries can cause significant morbidity and can have considerable welfare implications. Recent research suggests that diets with high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content are associated with high risk of peripheral caries. Previous work has indicated that the condition may be treatable if the inciting cause is removed and the damaged tooth allowed to erupt out, being replaced by the unaffected tooth previously under the gingival margin.ObjectivesTo see whether the peripheral caries process can be ceased if oaten hay (typically high WSC) is removed from the diet and replaced with a non‐cereal hay (typically lower WSC).Study designRetrospective blinded longitudinal study.MethodsForty‐two cases with peripheral caries that were on oaten hay were asked if they would change the hay type from oaten hay to a non‐cereal hay or straw (meadow, Rhodes hay, lucerne hay or barley straw). Photographs were taken at the time and then again at subsequent visits. The photographs were anonymised, randomised and scored by six equine veterinary dentists using the Jackson et al. ‘Peripheral Caries Grading System’ grading scale.ResultsAt follow‐up, 69.0% of cases were marked as inactive, compared with 47.6% of cases at baseline (OR: 2.45, 95%CI: 1.12‐5.36, P = .02). Significantly lower grades of peripheral caries were observed in the gingival, middle and occlusive third of the molars (triadan 9‐11’s) at follow‐up compared with baseline. However, significant improvements were not observed in the premolars (triadan 6–8’s).Main limitationsThis is a review of clinical records, not a prospective study. As such, other changes in the diet and management were not recorded, and there was no control group.ConclusionsRecommending clients change their horse's diet from oaten hay (high WSC) to a typically lower WSC hay was associated with significant improvements in equine peripheral caries located in the molars.
A novel data clustering approach based on whale optimization algorithm
Authors: Singh Tribhuvan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractData clustering is an important technique of data mining in which the objective is to partitionNdata objects intoKclusters that minimize the sum of intra‐cluster distances between each data object to its nearest centroid. This is an optimization problem, and various optimization algorithms have been suggested for capturing the position vectors of optimal centroids. However, in these approaches, the problem of local entrapment is very common due to weak exploration mechanism. In this paper, a novel approach based on a whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is suggested for data clustering. The performance of the suggested approach is validated using 14 benchmark datasets of the UCI machine learning repository. The experimental results and various statistical tests have justified the efficacy of the suggested approach.
A study of university students' attitude towards integration of information technology in higher education in Mauritius
Authors: Ramdhony Dineshwar , Mooneeapen Oren , Dooshila Mantoo , Kokil Khemraj 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTechnology is changing the way teaching and learning take place. The main purpose of this study is to investigate tertiary students' attitude towards integrating information technology (IT) in higher education. Using stratified random sampling, 180 questionnaires were distributed to students from six tertiary institutions in Mauritius. Exploratory Factor Analysis followed by multiple regression analysis were used to identify factors which influence the perception of students towards integrating IT in education. Our findings show that prior experience, IT self‐efficacy, compatibility and institute support are the main determinants of the attitude towards IT integration in tertiary education. Our findings are expected to be useful to a number of players in the tertiary education sector.