bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
South Korea in 2016
Authors: CHOO Jaewoo
Published: March 2017

In 2016, a scandal that involved President Park Geun-hye and her confidante shook the country. Cases of bribery, corruption, nepotism, cronyism, illegal persecution of dissenters and so on surfaced. Confidence in Park’s leadership began to waver when she closed the chapter on ‘comfort women’ issue with Japan in December 2015 without public consultation. The deal was unacceptable to the Korean public in the absence of a formal apology from the Japanese government. The speed with which President Park sealed the agreement with the United States to deploy Thermal High Altitude Area Defence also took the country by surprise. These foreign affairs endeavours have wiped out her diplomatic success achieved in 2015.
Adsorption Equilibrium and Kinetics of the Removal of Ammoniacal Nitrogen by Zeolite X/Activated Carbon Composite Synthesized from Elutrilithe
Authors: Zhang Yong , Yu Feng , Cheng Wenping , Wang Jiancheng , Ma Juanjuan
Published: March 2017

Zeolite X/activated carbon composite material (X/AC) was prepared from elutrilithe, by a process consisting of carbonization, activation, and subsequent hydrothermal transformation of aluminosilicate in alkaline solution, which was used for the removal of ammoniacal nitrogen from aqueous solutions. Adsorption kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamic were studied and fitted by various models. The adsorption kinetics is best depicted by pseudosecond-order model, and the adsorption isotherm fits the Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson model. This explains the ammoniacal nitrogen adsorption onto X/AC which was chemical adsorption in nature. Thermodynamic properties such as ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS were determined for the ammoniacal nitrogen adsorption, and the positive enthalpy confirmed that the adsorption process was endothermic. It can be inferred that ammoniacal nitrogen removal by X/AC composite is attributed to the ion exchange ability of zeolite X. Further, as a novel sorbent, this material has the potential application in removing ammoniacal nitrogen coexisting with other organic compounds from industrial wastewater.
Copy Number Variations in Candidate Genes and Intergenic Regions Affect Body Mass Index and Abdominal Obesity in Mexican Children
Authors: Antúnez-Ortiz Diana Lizzete , Flores-Alfaro Eugenia , Burguete-García Ana Isabel , Bonnefond Amélie , Peralta-Romero Jesús , Froguel Philippe , Espinoza-Rojo Mónica , Cruz Miguel
Published: March 2017

Introduction. Increase in body weight is a gradual process that usually begins in childhood and in adolescence as a result of multiple interactions among environmental and genetic factors. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between copy number variants (CNVs) in five genes and four intergenic regions with obesity in Mexican children.Methods. We studied 1423 children aged 6–12 years. Anthropometric measurements and blood levels of biochemical parameters were obtained. Identification of CNVs was performed by real-time PCR. The effect of CNVs on obesity or body composition was assessed using regression models adjusted for age, gender, and family history of obesity.Results. Gains in copy numbers ofLEPRandNEGR1were associated with decreased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and risk of abdominal obesity, whereas gain inARHGEF4andCPXCR1and the intergenic regions 12q15c, 15q21.1a, and 22q11.21d and losses inINSwere associated with increased BMI and WC.Conclusion. Our results indicate a possible contribution of CNVs inLEPR,NEGR1,ARHGEF4, andCPXCR1and the intergenic regions 12q15c, 15q21.1a, and 22q11.21d to the development of obesity, particularly abdominal obesity in Mexican children.
Severe Acute Hepatitis B in HBV-Vaccinated Partner of a Patient with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Cyclophosphamide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone and Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
Authors: Almaghrabi Majed M. , Fortinsky Kyle J. , Wong David
Published: March 2017

Hepatitis B reactivation can occur with various forms of immunosuppression. Cyclophosphamide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone (CYBOR-D) chemotherapy is commonly used for the treatment of multiple myeloma and has not been noted in guidelines to be causative in HBV reactivation. Indeed, current guidelines do not recommend providing antiviral prophylaxis to patients with prior HBV infection. We present a case of HBV reactivation as a result of CYBOR-D and autologous stem cell transplant which is complicated by the patient’s partner who developed acute hepatitis B. Our case highlights the need to review the role of antiviral prophylaxis for patients undergoing treatment of multiple myeloma and also the role of ensuring immunity for close contacts of these patients who may also be at risk.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Basophilic Differentiation Transformed from Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Tanaka Yasuhiro , Tanaka Atsushi , Hashimoto Akiko , Hayashi Kumiko , Shinzato Isaku
Published: March 2017

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) terminally transforms to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or bone marrow failure syndrome, but acute myeloid leukemia with basophilic differentiation has been rarely reported. An 81-year-old man was referred to our department for further examination of intermittent fever and normocytic anemia during immunosuppressive treatment. Chromosomal analysis showed additional abnormalities involving chromosome 7. He was diagnosed as having MDS. At the time of diagnosis, basophils had not proliferated in the bone marrow. However, his anemia and thrombocytopenia rapidly worsened with the appearance of peripheral basophilia three months later. He was diagnosed as having AML with basophilic differentiation transformed from MDS. At that time, monosomy 7 was detected by chromosomal analysis. We found that basophils can be confirmed on the basis of the positivity for CD203c and CD294 by flow cytometric analysis. We also found by cytogenetic analysis that basophils were derived from myeloblasts. He refused any chemotherapy and became transfusion-dependent. He died nine months after the transformation. We should keep in mind that MDS could transform to AML with basophilic differentiation when peripheral basophilia in addition to myeloblasts develops in patients with MDS.
Glucose-Insulin-Potassium Alleviates Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Injuries Involving Decreased Expression of Uncoupling Protein 2 and NLR Family-Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Inflammasome in Polymicrobial Sepsis
Authors: Zhang Jun-liang , Chen Yi-ting , Chen Guang-dao , Wang Tao , Zhang Ju-xin , Zeng Qi-yi
Published: March 2017

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) may be critical for intestinal barrier function which may play a key role in the development of sepsis, and insulin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into five groups: control group, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group, sham surgery group, CLP plus glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) group, and CLP plus glucose and potassium (GK) group. Ileum tissues were collected at 24 h after surgery. Histological and cytokine analyses, intestinal permeability tests, and western blots of intestinal epithelial tight junction component proteins and UCP2 were performed. Compared with CLP group, the CLP + GIK group had milder histological damage, lower levels of cytokines in the serum and ileum tissue samples, and lower UCP2 expression, whereas the CLP + GK group had no such effects. Moreover, the CLP + GIK group exhibited decreased epithelial permeability of the ileum and increased expression of zonula occludens-1, occludin, and claudin-1 in the ileum. The findings demonstrated that the UCP2 and NLR family-pyrin domain-containing 3/caspase 1/interleukin 1β signaling pathway may be involved in intestinal barrier injury and that GIK treatment decreased intestinal barrier permeability. Thus, GIK may be a useful treatment for intestinal barrier injury during sepsis.
Asymptomatic Severe Vagal and Sympathetic Cardiac Denervation in Holmes-Adie’s Syndrome
Authors: Estañol B. , Callejas-Rojas R. C. , Cortés S. , Martínez-Memije R. , Infante-Vázquez O. , Delgado-García G.
Published: March 2017

A 40-year-old woman was found to have bilateral Adie’s pupils and generalized muscle stretch areflexia. She did not have orthostatic hypotension but, in an ECG strip in the office, she appeared to have an almost fixed heart rate. We thus studied the heart rate variability (HRV) and the systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) in supine and standing position and also during rhythmic breathing. We found a decreased HRV in the time domain with very low standard deviation in supine and standing position and during rhythmic breathing. HRV in the frequency domain was low with a decrease in the absolute power of HF and LF and a decrease in the sympathovagal balance in supine and standing positions. SBPV in the time and frequency domains was found to be normal. This patient with Holmes-Adie syndrome had an asymptomatic severe loss of HRV and a preserved SBPV. The global decrease in the HRV in the time and frequency domains indicated that she had both vagal and sympathetic cardiac denervation, whereas the preserved SBPV suggested normal innervation of the blood vessels.
A Higher Ovarian Response after Stimulation for IVF Is Related to a Higher Number of Euploid Embryos
Authors: Labarta Elena , Bosch Ernesto , Mercader Amparo , Alamá Pilar , Mateu Emilia , Pellicer Antonio
Published: March 2017

This study has analysed the relationship between ovarian response and the number of euploid embryos. This is a post hoc analysis of a subset of data generated during a prospective cohort study previously published. Forty-six oocyte donors were subjected to ovarian stimulation with 150 IU of rFSH and 75 IU of hp-hMG in a GnRH agonist long protocol. Preimplantation genetic screening was performed in all viable embryos. We observed a positive relationship between ovarian response and the number of euploid embryos. When ovarian response was above the median (≥17 oocytes), the mean number of euploid embryos per donor was 5.0 ± 2.4, while when <17 oocytes were obtained the mean number of euploid embryos was 2.7 ± 1.4 (p=0.000). Aneuploidy rate did not increase with ovarian response or gonadotropin doses. Also, the number of euploid embryos was inversely related to the amount of gonadotropins needed per oocyte obtained (ovarian sensitivity index). These results suggest that the number of euploid embryos available for embryo transfer increases as the number of oocytes obtained does. Considering the total number of euploid embryos seems more relevant than the aneuploidy rate.
Quercetin Inhibits Pulmonary Arterial Endothelial Cell Transdifferentiation Possibly by Akt and Erk1/2 Pathways
Authors: Huang Shian , Zhu Xiulong , Huang Wenjun , He Yuan , Pang Lingpin , Lan Xiaozhong , Shui Xiaorong , Chen Yanfang , Chen Can , Lei Wei
Published: March 2017

This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of quercetin on pulmonary arterial endothelial cell (PAEC) transdifferentiation into smooth muscle-like cells. TGF-β1-induced PAEC transdifferentiation models were applied to evaluate the pharmacological actions of quercetin. PAEC proliferation was detected with CCK8 method and BurdU immunocytochemistry. Meanwhile, the identification and transdifferentiation of PAECs were determined by FVIII immunofluorescence staining andα-SMA protein expression. The related mechanism was elucidated based on the levels of Akt and Erk1/2 signal pathways. As a result, quercetin effectively inhibited the TGF-β1-induced proliferation and transdifferentiation of the PAECs and activation of Akt/Erk1/2 cascade in the cells. In conclusion, quercetin is demonstrated to be effective for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) probably by inhibiting endothelial transdifferentiation possibly via modulating Akt and Erk1/2 expressions.
Energy-Efficient Multicast Transmission for Underlay Device-to-Device Communications: A Social-Aware Perspective
Authors: Jiang Fan , Liu Yao , Li Chenbi , Sun Changyin
Published: March 2017

In this paper, by utilizing the social relationships among mobile users, we present a framework of energy-efficient cluster formation and resource allocation for multicast D2D transmission. In particular, we first deal with D2D multicast cluster/group formation strategy from both physical distance and social trust level. Then we aim to maximize the overall energy-efficiency of D2D multicast groups through resource allocation and power control scheme, which considers the quality-of-service (QoS) requirements of both cellular user equipment and D2D groups. A heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve above energy-efficiency problem with less complexity. After that, considering the limited battery capacity of mobile users, we propose an energy and social aware cluster head update algorithm, which incorporates both the energy constraint and social centrality measurement. Numerical results indicate that the proposed social-tie based D2D multicast group formation and update algorithm form a multicast group in an energy efficient way. Moreover, the proposed resource and power allocation scheme achieves better energy efficiency in terms of throughput per energy consumption. These results show that, by exploiting social domain information, underlay D2D multicast transmission has high practical potential in saving the source on wireless links and in the backhaul.
Use of Preplaced Casting Method in Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Du Qiang , Sun Qiang , Lv Jing , Yang Jian
Published: March 2017

This study addresses the use of preplaced casting method in lightweight aggregate concrete (LC) to provide a new perspective to solve the aggregate segregation. In casting preplaced lightweight aggregate concrete (PLC), the lightweight aggregates are cast into formworks and then fresh grout is injected to fill voids. PLC and conventional lightweight aggregate concrete (CLC) with three different mixtures are compared to observe the degree of segregation. The properties of PLC and CLC are characterized by means of cubic and axial compression, splitting tension and flexural tests, static modulus of elasticity, and drying shrinkage measurements. Results show that the mechanical properties of PLC are improved with respect to that of CLC with the same mixture. The increase of shrinkage is approximately 13% for the CLC and 6% for PLC when w/c ratio ranges from 0.4 to 0.5 due to effect on interlocking. PLC shows an increased tendency in elastic modulus by approximately 2.5% of 0.5 w/c ratio, 2.7% of 0.45 w/c ratio, and 3.3% of 0.4 w/c ratio at the age of 28 days compared with CLC. In conclusion, PLC has significant reduction in the weight on the premise that it shows excellent mechanical properties.
MicroRNAs-Mediated Regulation of Skeletal Muscle GLUT4 Expression and Translocation in Insulin Resistance
Authors: Esteves João Victor , Enguita Francisco Javier , Machado Ubiratan Fabres
Published: March 2017

The solute carrier family 2 facilitated glucose transporter member 4 (GLUT4) plays a key role in the insulin-induced glucose uptake by muscle and adipose tissues. In prediabetes and diabetes, GLUT4 expression/translocation has been detected as reduced, participating in mechanisms that impair glycemic control. Recently, a class of short endogenous noncoding RNAs named microRNAs (miRNAs) has been increasingly described as involved in the posttranscriptional epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The present review focuses on miRNAs potentially involved in the expression of GLUT4 expression, and proteins related to GLUT4 and translocation in skeletal muscle, seeking to correlate them with insulin resistance and diabetes. So far, miR-21a-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-29c-3p, miR-93-5p, miR-106b-5p, miR-133a-3p, miR-133b-3p, miR-222-3p, and miR-223-3p have been reported to directly and/or indirectly regulate the GLUT4 expression; and their expression is altered under diabetes-related conditions. Besides, some miRNAs that have been linked to the expression of proteins involved in GLUT4 translocation machinery in muscle could also impact glucose uptake. That makes these miRNAs promising targets for preventive and/or therapeutic approaches, which could improve glycemic control, thus deserving future new investigations.
Thin Air Resulting in High Pressure: Mountain Sickness and Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Grimminger Jan , Richter Manuel , Tello Khodr , Sommer Natascha , Gall Henning , Ghofrani Hossein Ardeschir
Published: March 2017

With rising altitude the partial pressure of oxygen falls. This phenomenon leads to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude. Since more than 140 million people permanently live at heights above 2500 m and more than 35 million travel to these heights each year, understanding the mechanisms resulting in acute or chronic maladaptation of the human body to these circumstances is crucial. This review summarizes current knowledge of the body’s acute response to these circumstances, possible complications and their treatment, and health care issues resulting from long-term exposure to high altitude. It furthermore describes the characteristic mechanisms of adaptation to life in hypobaric hypoxia expressed by the three major ethnic groups permanently dwelling at high altitude. We additionally summarize current knowledge regarding possible treatment options for hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension by reviewing in vitro, rodent, and human studies in this area of research.
Ultraviolet Stimulated Emission from Sol-Gel Spin Coated ZnO Thin Films
Authors: Razeen Ahmed S. , Gadallah A.-S. , El-Nahass M. M.
Published: March 2017

Low cost ultraviolet stimulated emission has been generated using optical excitation of ZnO thin films deposited by sol-gel spin coating on n+As-doped100Si-substrate. The number of deposited layers and the heat treatment have been investigated to obtain a film that can generate stimulated emission under optical excitation. The optimum condition for preparation of the film has been presented. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope have been used for structural and morphological investigations. Input-output intensity dependence and spectral width, peak emission wavelength, and the quantum efficiency versus the pump intensity have been presented. A quantum efficiency of about 24.2% has been reported, a power exponent higher than 8 has been obtained in input-output intensity dependence, and a threshold of about 23 Mw/cm2has been evaluated for the samples. The mechanism by which stimulated emission occurs has been discussed. The results show that sol-gel spin coating is a promising method for generating ultraviolet stimulated emission from ZnO thin films.
TOP: Prospective Evaluation of a Volume Based, Computer Assisted Method for Transperineal Optimized Prostate Biopsy
Authors: Kesch Claudia , Radtke Jan Philipp , Popeneciu Ionel Valentin , Gasch Claudia , Dieffenbacher Svenja C. , Klein Tilman , Schlemmer Heinz-Peter , Wieczorek Kathrin , Zogal Pawel , Hohenfellner Markus , Sakas Georgios , Hadaschik Boris Alexander
Published: March 2017

Objective: This study is a prospective evaluation of a volume-based, computer-assisted method for transperineal optimized prostate (TOP) biopsy. The TOP algorithm automates core planning for systematic prostate biopsies using the 3-dimensional organ contour and an alterable volume for tumors to be excluded. Subjects and Methods: MRI-transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy with MRI-targeted biopsies (TBs) and systematic-TOP biopsies were performed on 172 men between October 2013 and March 2014. Systematic biopsies were placed according to TOP for detection of tumor volumes >0.5 mL with a minimum of 80% organ coverage in prostates up to 50 mL (70% in larger organs). Results: Median 24 TOP cores and 3 MRI-TBs have been placed. Prostate cancer (PCa) was detected in 112 of 172 (65%) of men; TOP detected 109 (97%) and TB 62 (55%). Significant cancer (Gleason score ≥7) was detected in 75 (44%) of men and of these TOP detected 73 of 75 (97%) and TB 51 of 75 (68%). Overall, systematic-TOP sampling significantly outperformed TB for the detection of both, all PCa as well as significant PCa (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0005). Conclusion: The TOP method is innovative by integrating the individual prostate volume and PCa volume detection thresholds. In the present cohort, it diagnosed more significant tumors than TB alone. However, at the same time, more low-risk tumors are detected.
In vitro and ex vivo Measurement of Prophylactic Dabigatran Concentrations with a New Ecarin-Based Thromboelastometry Test
Authors: Körber Mareike Kristina , Langer Elisabeth , Köhr Martin , Wernecke Klaus-Dieter , Korte Wolfgang , von Heymann Christian
Published: March 2017

Background: An increasing number of oral anticoagulants has been approved, including dabigatran etexilate (DE). DE is a direct thrombin inhibitor that requires no routine monitoring, but, if necessary (e.g. urgent surgery etc.), the diluted thrombin time measured with Hemoclot® has shown reliable results. So far, no point-of-care (PoC) assay is available to measure DE effects. The EcaTEM assay uses ecarin to initiate the coagulation cascade at the step of thrombin generation and measures the clotting time (CT) by thromboelastometry. Methods: This study investigated the correlation of the EcaTEM with standard laboratory assays in dabigatran-treated patients. Ten patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty were included in the study. DE for thromboprophylaxis was started 4 h after surgery. Blood samples were taken before surgery as well as 2, 6 and 12 h after ingestion on the 3rd postoperative day. Dabigatran concentration (Hemoclot), activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and CT EcaTEM were measured. Results: Only CT EcaTEM and Hemoclot showed a correlation > 0.75 for all measurements. Conclusion: CT EcaTEM appears a valid PoC method parameter to detect thrombin inhibition and thus the presence of dabigatran beside diluted thrombin time at different concentration levels. This may represent an opportunity to identify the presence of dabigatran, e.g., in emergency situations.
Botnet C&C Traffic and Flow Lifespans Using Survival Analysis
Authors: Oujezsky Vaclav , Horvath Tomas , Skorpil Vladislav
Published: March 2017

This paper addresses the issue of detecting unwanted traffic in data networks, namely the detection of botnet networks. In this paper, we focused on a time behavioral analysis, more specifically said – lifespans of a simulated botnet network traffic, collected and discovered from NetFlow messages, and also of real botnet communication of a malware.As a method we chose survival analysis and for rigorous testing of differences Mantel–Cox test. Lifespans of those referred traffics are discovered and calculated by lifelines using Python language.Based on our research we have figured out a possibility to distinguish the individual lifespans of C&C communications that are identical to each other by using survival projection curves, although it occurred in a different time course.
A survey on gram-negative bacteria in saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola) from illegal wildlife trade in Brazil
Authors: Davies Yamê Miniero , Guimarães Marta Brito , Milanelo Liliane , Oliveira Maria Gabriela Xavier de , Gomes Vasco Túlio De Moura , Azevedo Natalia Philadelpho , Cunha Marcos Paulo Vieira , Moreno Luisa Zanolli , Romero Débora Cristina , Christ Ana Paula Guarnieri , Sato Maria Inês Zanoli , Moreno Andrea Micke , Ferreira Antonio José Piantino , Sá Lilian Rose Marques de , Knöbl Terezinha
Published: March 2017

No Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, os pássaros como os canários-da-terra têm sido uma das espécies mais frequentemente resgatadas do tráfico illegal e enviadas aos centros de vida selvagem. Em situações de estresse estas aves podem ser acometidas por infecções causadas por bactérias oportunistas. Este fato é de grande importância quando é planejada da reintrodução das aves na natureza. O presente trabalho foi delineado para avaliar o estado de saúde de canários-da-terra resgatados do tráfico ilegal. Foram colhidas soabes da traqueia e da cloaca de 100 aves resgatadas durante os anos de 2012 e 2013. Os resultados obtidos revelaram alta frequência de bactérias gram-negativas nas fezes e no orofaringe dos animais, com maior frequência para os membros da família Enterobacteriaceae (97,5%). Os gêneros mais frequentes foram Escherichia coli (46,55) e Klebsiella pneumoniae (10,4%). Outros microorganismos incluindo Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia liquefaciens, Serratia spp, Klebsiella oxytoca e Citrobacter freundii também foram isolados em menor frequencia de aves assintomáticas. A presença de estirpes de Escherichia coli enteropagênicas (EPEC) e as produtoras da toxina de Shiga confirmam o risco de zoonose e a importância para saúde pública deste tipo de ave.
The Russian Siloviki & Political Change
Authors: Taylor Brian D.
Published: March 2017

The siloviki – Russian security and military personnel – are a key part of Team Putin. They are not, however, a coherent group, and there are important organizational and factional cleavages among the siloviki. Compared with some security and military forces around the world, Russian military and security forces generally lack the attributes that would make them a proactive and cohesive actor in bringing about fundamental political change in Russia. In the face of potential revolutionary change, most Russian military and security bodies do not have the cohesion or the will to defend the regime with significant violence. Russian siloviki are a conservativeforce supportive of the status quo. Future efforts by the siloviki to maintain the stability of the existing political order are most likely to be reactive, divided, and behind the scenes.
Ideas, Ideology & Intellectuals in Search of Russia's Political Future
Authors: Chebankova Elena
Published: March 2017

The intellectual discourse of any state can function within two broad paradigms: consensual and pluralistic. In the first case, political elites, intellectuals, and the public agree on the base parameters of what constitutes “the good life” and argue about the methods of application. In the second case, participants hold radically different, incommensurable views, which coexist in society. This essay argues that the Western political system broadly rests on the politics of liberal consensus, formed throughout the period of capitalist modernization. But Russia's history took a different turn, following a path of alternative modernization. This engendered the politics of paradigmatic pluralism, in which a number of radically different politico-intellectual frameworks struggle for the dominant discourse. This essay examines these paradigms and argues that, due to the nature and substance of these models, fundamental change of Russia's dominant discourse, along with its main politico-institutional parameters, is unlikely.
Images of the Future
Authors: Breslauer George W.
Published: March 2017

This concluding essay outlines several alternative futures for Russia in the coming decades, building upon the perspectives and information in the preceding essays in this volume and relating these to my own thinking about the future of Russia. Hence, this essay does not represent a consensus of the issue's twelve authors, but rather a meld of their thoughts and my own.
Computer Scientists with Serious Music Avocations Share Their Thinking
Authors: Shaked Varda
Published: March 2017

This article presents the cognitive capacities and tendencies in the lives of computer scientists who play classical music as a serious avocation. Using qualitative research and thematic analysis methods, narratives of seven participants are constructed through open-ended interviews, from which the essence of their thinking skills is extracted in the form of four primary themes: being in the zone, assuming an engineering/scientific mindset, aesthetic thinking and joyous thinking. With such a rich thinking toolkit, this study motivates educators to support individuals with interdisciplinary interests and calls for such individuals not to leave behind their musical passions despite pragmatic career considerations.
Africa in the Eyes of a Memoirist (Volume One)
Authors: Afolayan Michael O.
Published: March 2017

This publication is made up of essays dealing with the experiences of the memoirist, Professor Emeritus A.B. Assensoh of Indiana University, usa, who is also a Courtesy Professor Emeritus of University of Oregon, also in the usa. It is a publication that has been enriched by the author’s wide-ranging experiences in this first volume, which is centered largely on African topical issues but, very briefly, on other geographic areas in Asia, Europe and North America, as they relate to issues being discussed by the memoirist. The second volume is expected to deal heavily with essays on the author’s experiences in the usa, as part of North America, which is also to be published by Pan-African University Press of Austin, Texas, usa. Readers cannot wait for such a timely second volume of “A Matter of Sharing”.
How to Cure Narrativism with Rational Evaluation
Authors: Zeleňák Eugen
Published: March 2017

Over the past years, narrativism has ceased to be the dominant research program in the philosophy of history and several authors have started to develop new research agendas. In his recent book, Jouni-Matti Kuukkanen presents an original postnarrativist philosophy of history as an attempt to surpass narrativism. Although he adopts what he calls the narrativist insight, he tries to avoid the problems of narrativism by focusing on epistemic questions. He is convinced that the historical enterprise is rational and also that historical works contain informal arguments which should be evaluated by rational standards. His postnarrativism is an ambitious project deserving close attention. Nevertheless, I try to show that his innovative approach shares some common features with a fairly conventional understanding of history. In conclusion I argue that it would be preferable to rethink some of the epistemic criteria he relies on rather than to embrace those which were used within the more conventional accounts.
Forum Debate on Jouni-Matti Kuukkanen’s Postnarrativist Philosophy of Historiography
Authors: Ankersmit Frank
Published: March 2017

Is narrativism dead or still alive? Have all questions occasioned by the historical text been answered, so that philosophers of history must now turn to other problems? Or did narrativist philosophy of history have its blind spots that now demand their scrutiny? And if the historical text still has its secrets and mysteries, is narrativism capable of dealing with them? Or would we need for this a ‘postnarrativist’ approach? And, if so, what will this new approach look like and what can we expect from it? These are the questions put on the agenda by Kukkanen’s Postnarrativist Philosophy of Historiography (2015). In this forum debate five scholars (Brian Fay, Eugen Zelenak, Anton Froeyman, Frank Ankersmit and Daniel Fairbrother) comment on Kuukkanen’s book. Pragmatism proves to be an important clue to their findings.
Taxonomic Revision of Dolichandra (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae)

Authors: FONSECA LUIZ HENRIQUE M. , CABRAL SIMONE MIRANDA , AGRA MARIA DE FATIMA , LOHMANN LÚCIA G.
Published: March 2017

Dolichandra Cham. emend. L.G.Lohmann is a genus of Neotropical lianas in tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) that comprises nine species. It is centered in Paraguay, southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina, where six species occur and three are endemic. Species of Dolichandra are generally climbers of dry and wet lowland forests, also growing in swamps and gallery forest formations. The genus is characterized by four main synapomorphies: (i) stems with multiple dissected phloem wedges in cross-section, (ii) trifid and uncate tendrils, (iii) psilate and 3-colpate pollen, and (iv) capsules with four lines of dehiscense. Other features of the genus are the large and membranaceous calyces, dimorphic growth with the juvenile form attaching by its uncinate tendrils, lanceolate prophylls of the axillary buds, congested-cymose inflorescences, and a lobed nectary disk. In this taxonomic revision, we present detailed descriptions for all species recognized, taxonomic and nomenclatural comments, distribution maps and information on the habitat and distribution of each species, as well as information on their conservation status (i.e., IUCN categories), and illustrations of diagnostic characters. Thirty-five names are treated as synonyms, six of which are newly proposed. More specifically, Tecoma maximiliani Mart. ex DC. is synonymized under Dolichandra unguiculata (Vell.) L.G. Lohmann, Bignonia pseudounguis Desf., Bignonia unguis-cati var. radicans DC., and Macfadyena hassleri Sprague are synonymized under Dolichandra uncata (Andrews) L.G. Lohmann, while Bignonia tweediana Lindley and Dolichandra kohautiana Presl are synonymized under Dolichandra ungui-cati (L.) L.G. Lohmann. Lectotypes are proposed for 13 species names, namely Bignonia californica Brandegee, Bignonia gracilis G. Lodd., Bignonia inflata Griseb. Bignonia tweediana Lindley, Bignonia unguis-cati var. guatemalensis K. Schum. & Loes., Bignonia unguis-cati var. serrata Bureau & K. schum., Dolichandra cynanchoides Cham., Dolichandra fenzliana Miq. Macfadyena hassleri Sprague, Parabignonia steyermarkii Sandwith, Paradolichandra chodatii var. brachycalyx , Spathodea mollis and Tecoma maximiliani Mart. ex DC.
Multigene phylogeny and morphology reveal that the Chinese medicinal mushroom ‘Cordyceps gunnii’ is Metacordyceps neogunnii sp. nov.
Authors: WEN TING-CHI , XIAO YUAN-PIN , HAN YAN-FENG , HUANG SHI-KE , ZHA LING-SHENG , HYDE KEVIN D. , KANG JI-CHUAN
Published: March 2017

Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of an entomogenous fungus associated with larvae of Lepidoptera in Guizhou and Anhui, China showed it to be a new species, Metacordyceps neogunnii. It differs from similar species in having longer asci and wider ascospores. Multigene analysis of ITS, 18S, TEF1 and RPB1 sequence data also confirmed the distinctiveness of this species. This species has been wrongly regarded in China as ‘Cordyceps gunnii’ for more than 30 years. Cordyceps gunnii from Tasmania is considered to be in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae based on its multigene phylogeny and morphological analysis.
Sipaneopsis (Sipaneeae, Ixoroideae): A unique flowering process in the family Rubiaceae and its taxonomic significance
Authors: DELPRETE PIERO G.
Published: March 2017

The process of anthesis of Sipaneopsis is unique within the Rubiaceae, and is here described and illustrated in detail for the first time. During the initial stage of anthesis the flowers are small, with the corolla lobes already open and erect before tube elongation, and the corolla lobe basal appendages are appressed against each other, forming a convex structure at the corolla mouth obstructing the entrance of visitors and pollinators. At the final stage of anthesis, the corolla lobes reflex and become perpendicular to the tube, and their basal appendages become erect, not touching each other, allowing visitors and pollinators to access the corolla tube and the nectar disk. Neobertiera and Sipaneopsis are unique within the tribe Sipaneeae in having indehiscent dry fruits and recent molecular phylogenies positioned them as sister taxa. Sipaneopsis is distinguished from Neobertiera in having flowers consistently homostylous (vs. distylous or rarely tristylous in Neobertiera), stamens inserted at the middle of the corolla tube (vs. at variable positions), and five triangular appendages at the base of each corolla lobe (vs. corolla lobes thickened at base, without appendages). The differences in flower morphology and process of anthesis between the two genera (which most likely influence their different pollination syndromes) provide an important set of significant taxonomic and diagnostic characters that can be used to distinguish them.
A new araneogenous fungus in the genus Beauveria from Guizhou, China
Authors: CHEN WAN-HAO , HAN YAN-FENG , LIANG ZONG-QI , JIN DAO-CHAO
Published: March 2017

Beauveria araneola sp. nov., a fungus parasitic on spiders, was isolated from a spider at the Experimental Farm of the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, China; and described with morphological and phylogenetic evidences. This species differs morphologically from other species in the genus by its long slender denticulate rachis, cylindrical to ellipsoid conidiogenous cells, and ellipsoidal to globose conidia. Phylogenetic analyses based on three-locus (TEF, RPB1 and Bloc) data strongly support the distinction of this fungus within the genus. Based on the phylogenetic results, B. araneola shares some pleiomorphic traits with soil-borne or entomogenous members of the genus, and is likely to have jumped from soil or insect hosts to spider.
Oreocharis caobangensis (Gesneriaceae), a new species from Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam
Authors: DO TRUONG VAN , WEI YI-GANG , WEN FANG
Published: March 2017

A new species of Oreocharis (Gesneriaceae) from Cao Bang province, northern Vietnam is described and illustrated. The new species, Oreocharis caobangensis, is most similar to O. lungshengensis, but it can be easily distinguished from the latter by its petioles densely brownish villous, lateral veins 6–8 pair on each leaf blade, bracts smaller (1.5–2 mm long), corolla outside pubescent and pistil glabrous, 18–20 mm long.
A new species of Deltaspis Audinet-Serville (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) from Mexico
Authors: EYA BRYAN K.
Published: March 2017

As currently defined, the genus Deltaspis Audinet-Serville, 1834, contains 16 species ranging in distribution from the southwestern United States to eastern Mexico. However, the generic distinction between Deltaspis and its closely allied genera, such as Crossidius LeConte, 1851 and Muscidora Thomson, 1864, is in need of clarification. According to Audinet-Serville, Deltaspis is so named due to its distinctive triangular scutellum (i.e., Δετα, delta, ασπιζ écusson), which is actually a commonly shared character of all these genera. Members of the tribe Trachyderini Dupont (1836), which includes the above genera, also have mandibles with an emarginate-truncate apex with the edge chisel-like or bifid. This modification of mouthpart appears to be for consumption of pollen and/or petals from composite flowers visited by the adult beetles (Krenn et al., 2005; Beierl & Barchet-Beierl, 1999). Other genera from this tribe with this modification of mandibles from North America, and mostly from Mexico, include: Chemsakiella Monné, 2006, Giesbertia Chemsak & Linsley, 1984, Hoegea Bates, 1885, Neocrossidius Chemsak, 1959, Paroxoplus Chemsak, 1959, Plionoma Casey, 1912, Schizax LeConte, 1873, and Tylosis LeConte, 1850. The remainder of Trachyderini genera have unmodified or simple mandibles with apex acute.
A new species of the genus Xya Latreille, 1809 (Orthoptera, Tridactyloidea, Tridactylidae) from Sichuan, China
Authors: CAO CHENG-QUAN , SHI JIAN-PING , HU YU-LIN
Published: March 2017

A new species Xya leshanensis sp. nov. of the genus Xya Latreille, 1809 from Sichuan, China is described in this paper. It is similar to Xya nitobei (Shiraki, 1913), but differs from latter by apical part of antennae joint almost as same as basal part in width; width of pronotum 1.25 times its length; hind wing long, extending over the end of abdomen distinctly; hind femur with four small yellowish-white spots on upper side; epiproct with a pair of large spines laterally directed on posterior angle, apical half narrow distinctly. Type specimens are deposited in the College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614004, China.
Coeliccia mientrung spec. nov. from Central Vietnam (Odonata: Platycnemididae)
Authors: KOMPIER TOM , PHAN QUOC TOAN
Published: March 2017

Coeliccia mientrung spec. nov. is described from central Vietnam. Detailed differences from the very similar C. pyriformis Laidlaw, 1932, are provided. The female of C. pyriformis is described for the first time.
Toward 1-km Ensemble Forecasts over Large Domains
Authors: Schwartz Craig S. , Romine Glen S. , Fossell Kathryn R. , Sobash Ryan A. , Weisman Morris L.
Published: March 2017

Precipitation forecasts from convection-allowing ensembles with 3- and 1-km horizontal grid spacing were evaluated between 15 May and 15 June 2013 over central and eastern portions of the United States. Probabilistic forecasts produced from 10- and 30-member, 3-km ensembles were consistently better than forecasts from individual 1-km ensemble members. However, 10-member, 1-km probabilistic forecasts usually were best, especially over the first 12 h and at rainfall rates ≥ 5.0 mm h−1 at later times. Further object-based investigation revealed that better 1-km forecasts at heavier rainfall rates were associated with more accurate placement of mesoscale convective systems compared to 3-km forecasts. The collective results indicate promise for 1-km ensembles once computational resources can support their operational implementation.
Unpleasant Business: Rat, Jew, Payment, and Covenant in Freud’sRAT Man
Authors: Atura Annie
Published: March 2017

Freud’s repression of Judaism and its cultural markers from the published “Rat Man” case history has been noted but never satisfactorily explained. This elision can be interpreted using Freud’s suggestion that the paradigmatic “rat” represents (among other things) a circumcised penis marking an intergenerational, covenantal exchange. When read against the case study as originally published, Freud’s process notes for the Rat Man’s treatment (the only set of such notes on a published case that Freud didn’t destroy) suggest that Freud chose to sanitize the published version of explicitly Jewish content, thus repeating a pattern of absence as a marker of debt. This debt only grows more tortuous and powerful the longer it remains unpaid. This system of elision in the Rat Man suggests that Freud understood deferral and denial to be built into the Jewish system of piety. Thus, it would seem that Freud used the Rat Man case history to explore Judaism through its repression; Freud’s relation to and interpretation of Jewish values are revealed as a primary, if unconscious, subject of the text.
Evaluation of the Predictive Value of CHA2DS2-VASc Score for In-Stent Restenosis
Authors: Yilmaz Samet , Akboga Mehmet Kadri , Aras Dursun , Topaloglu Serkan
Published: March 2017

The CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, female gender) score is used to estimate thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation (AF). Its usefulness in predicting in-stent restenosis (ISR) is unknown. We evaluated the predictive value of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in AF-free patients who have undergone stent implantation. A total of 1350 patients who underwent coronary angiography and successful bare-metal stent implantation were analyzed. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was calculated before percutaneous coronary intervention, and the association between the score and ISR was investigated. Patients (n = 700; mean age: 61.4 [8.7] years, 63% men) were divided in 2 subgroups according to the presence of ISR; 265 of 700 patients had ISR. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was significantly higher in the ISR (+) group than the ISR (−) group (3.7 [1.8] vs 2.1 [1.4], P < .001). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, stent length, and CHA2DS2-VASc score were independent predictors of ISR. In conclusion, the CHA2DS2-VASc score may be useful as a new and simple tool to predict ISR.
How to Avoid Innovation Competence Loss in R&D Outsourcing
Authors: Becker Markus C. , Zirpoli Francesco
Published: March 2017

Companies developing complex products face a crucial dilemma: the benefits of research and development (R&D) outsourcing such as lower costs, access to specialist knowledge, or shorter development lead times often have negative consequences for competence development due to the loss of opportunities for learning by doing. Having experienced the problems of outsourcing R&D, Fiat developed a novel organizational solution that offers new insights as to how firms can organize R&D to protect against innovation competence loss in R&D outsourcing.
Great spatial expectations: On three objects, two communities and one house
Authors: Fuller Martin G
Published: March 2017

This article traces the in situ production of space in a multi-unit residential building under construction in Berlin. Looking at how space is constituted in an unfinished building, it shows how material objects become loci of meaning-making in the constitution of a new building and future home. Through examining a group of future dwellers engaged in the participatory planning of a residential building, it argues that this is a community building a house in order to build an idealised community in the future. They negotiate an uncertain future community through objects in the built environment over which they have control in the present. Using relational spatial theory, the activities of planning the built environment are shown as inextricably linked to producing the meanings and significance of objects. Through looking at three objects in the built environment: an information hut, raised flowerbeds and interior windows, the active production of the relational space of inhabitation can be witnessed on-the-ground, through concrete activities, long before dwelling commences and the sites and ideas of homes are achieved.
Expanding the borders ofThe Sociological Imagination: Spatial difference and social inequality
Authors: Shields Rob
Published: March 2017

This article argues that C Wright Mills’ The Sociological Imagination has changed, as evident in sociologies that think beyond national societies and analyse globalization. This ‘imagination’ has in effect been ‘expanded’, moving from one-dimensional (linear) analyses based on historical vectors of force and teleologies to a more contextualized, relativized spatial analysis with more dimensions. There were always outliers. However, at least for mainstream North American sociology, this represents a change in the spatialization of social science, a change in its presuppositions about space, not the becoming spatial of a non-spatial sociology. Borders and mobilities across and along borders are examined in relation to what is needed to confront them critically in a new spatial regime – a new ‘spatialization’ of the social. A hypothesis is developed that understands borderlines relationally as institutions and social technologies that introduce difference and inequalities into an otherwise homogeneous social and spatiotemporal ‘cultural topology’.
From spatial turn to mobilities turn
Authors: Sheller Mimi
Published: March 2017

This article reflects on the contributions of the late John Urry to sociology and to its spatial turn especially by developing the new mobilities paradigm. The proposition of this monograph issue of Current Sociology is that space has not yet been appropriately incorporated into sociology. But although partially true, Urry argued that this misses the significance of ‘the mobilities turn’ that swept through and incorporated the spatial turn within sociology but also within other disciplines. Tracing the spatial turn back to the 1980s, the article describes how the new mobilities paradigm grew out of and extended emerging theorizations of space. It argues that Urry’s work advanced a sociology of space though his focus on mobile spatializations and relational space. This included the distribution of agency between people, places, and material assemblages of connectivity; a broader shift in the spatial imagination of mobilities towards ‘non-representational’ social theory; the emergence of new methodologies that were more eclectic, experimental, creative, and linked to arts, design, and public policy; and lastly a renewed interest in geo-ecologies, the political economy of resource flows, and the global mobilities of energy, capital, and material objects as constitutive of spatial complexity. The new mobilities paradigm furthered the spatial turn in social sciences in many crucial ways, and John Urry’s body of work on mobilities and its influence on countless adjacent research areas have spread that spatial thinking far and wide.