bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The importance of conserving fragmented forest patches with high diversity of flowering plants in the northern Western Ghats: an example from Maharashtra, India
Authors: Kasodekar Amol Kishor , Jadhav Amol Dilip , Bhagat Rani Babanrao , Pawar Rakesh Mahadev , Gupta Vidya Shrikant , Kadoo Narendra Yashwant
Published: May 2019

The northern Western Ghats (NWG) comprises of a patchy continuum of forests that have been severely fragmented mainly due to anthropogenic activities.  We documented tree diversity within a representative fragmented forest patch of the NWG to study the effects of fragmentation on forest structure and composition.  The floristic survey was conducted by replicated strip transect sampling method leading to a total sampling area of 0.3ha.  A total of 444 individual trees (Girth>10cm) were sampled, which represented 49 tree species belonging to 42 genera and 23 families.  Species richness per unit area and tree density were higher than previously reported values from similar forest type in various regions of NWG.  These variations, however, could have resulted due to differences in the sampling area, sampling method, and girth classes used across different studies.  Nevertheless, various diversity parameters such as N/S ratio, Simpson’s index, Shannon’s index, and Fisher’s α index were comparable with those reported in previous studies in the Western Ghats.  The observed species richness was close to species richness estimates such as abundance-based coverage estimate, Chao-1, and Jackknife estimators.  The present study also enumerates 108 species of understory flowering plants, which is provided as a checklist.  While access restrictions are imposed in protected areas having high conservation priority, such restrictions are not imposed in non-protected areas, which make them much more vulnerable to anthropogenic activities.  Hence, this study recommends that owing to their high diversity, the fragmented forest patches of NWG should also be given high conservation priority.
The diversity and distribution of polypores (Basidiomycota: Aphyllophorales) in wet evergreen and shola forests of Silent Valley National Park, southern Western Ghats, India, with three new records
Authors: Adarsh C. K. , Vidyasagaran K. , Ganesh P. N.
Published: May 2019

The present study was conducted to document the diversity and distribution of polypores in wet evergreen and shola forests of Silent Valley National Park, Kerala State, in the southern Western Ghats, India. A combination of opportunistic and plot-based sampling was carried out in order to maximize the documentation of polypore distribution. The study was conducted throughout the entire study period of 2013–2015. Fifty-seven polypore species in 29 genera belonging to seven families were documented from the national park. The wet evergreen forest was enriched with 52 species whereas the shola forest harboured 20 polypore species. Fifteen species were found in both ecosystems while five species were exclusively found in the shola forest. The Polyporaceae was the dominant family with 30 species, followed by Hymenochaetaceae with 16 species, and Fomitopsidaceae and Meripilaceae with three species each. Ganodermataceae and Schizoporaceae made their presence with two species each while only one species was reported under family Meruliaceae. Among the polypores documented, 42 species were annuals and 15 were perennials. While analyzing the rot characteristics of the recorded polypores, it was found that white rot polypores have notable dominance over brown rot polypores. Out of the 57 species analysed, 52 polypores were white rotters and only five species were brown rotters. During the present study, three species (Phylloporia pectinata, Trametes menziesii, and Trametes ochracea) were found to be new records from the southern Western Ghats. An identification key was developed for the polypores documented from Silent Valley National Park based on micro and macro morphological features.
Cats, canines, and coexistence: dietary differentiation between the sympatric Snow Leopard and Grey Wolf in the western landscape of Nepal Himalaya
Authors: Shrestha Anil , Thapa Kanchan , Subba Samundra Ambuhang , Dhakal Maheshwar , Devkota Bishnu Prasad , Thapa Gokarna Jung , Shrestha Sheren , Malla Sabita , Thapa Kamal
Published: May 2019

Understanding the dietary habits of sympatric apex carnivores advances our knowledge of ecological processes and aids their conservation. We compared the diets of the sympatric Snow Leopard Panthera uncia and Grey Wolf Canis lupus using standard micro-histological analyses of scats collected from the western complex of Nepal Himalaya. Our study revealed one of the highest recorded contributions of livestock to the diet of top predators (55% for Grey Wolf and 39% for Snow Leopard) and high dietary overlap (0.82) indicating potential exploitative or interference competition. Their diet composition, however, varied significantly based on their consumption of wild and domestic prey. Limitation in data precludes predicting direction and outcome of inter-specific interactions between these predators. Our findings suggest a high rate of negative interaction with humans in the region and plausibly retaliatory killings of these imperilled predators. To ensure the sustained survival of these two apex carnivores, conservation measures should enhance populations of their wild prey species while reducing livestock losses of the local community through preventive and mitigative interventions.
Winter season bloomer Hairy Bergenia Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. (Saxifragales: Saxifragaceae), an important winter forage for diverse insect groups
Authors: Pandey Aseesh , Joshi Ravindra K. , Negi Bhawana Kapkoti
Published: May 2019

Pollinators can play an important role in production improvement in organic farming.  It is, therefore, essential to ensure their year-round availability, particularly in winter season in Sikkim Himalaya.  Thus, attempts were made to explore resources which could support and provide switching over platforms to pollinators during the winter season.  Among the few observed forage species, Bergenia ciliata was found to be an important species that supports a diverse group of pollinators by providing the necessary forage.  Therefore, B. ciliata is to be protected and managed to provide forage to pollinator insects during winter season.
Roadkill of animals on the road passing from Kalaburagi to Chincholi, Karnataka, India
Authors: Hatti Shankerappa Shantveerappa , Mubeen Heena
Published: May 2019

The road passing from Kalaburagi to Chincholi in Karnataka, India, is around 70km and is a state highway having different types of moderately thick vegetation on either side. The animals utilizing this vegetation face huge threats from vehicular traffic, as was observed in recent years. Although this road does not have heavy traffic, there are significant numbers of roadkills. This study was conducted from February 2015 to January 2016. During the one-year period of the study, the mean frequency of heavy vehicles was 154 per day. Among the 283 roadkills recorded, 52 individuals belonged to the class Amphibia, constituting 18.37% of the total roadkills; no amphibian was killed in the summer season whereas 35 and 17 individuals were killed in the rainy season and in the winter season, respectively. Fifty-two individuals belonged to the class Reptilia, constituting 18.37% of the total roadkills; on an average, 10±5.8 individuals were killed in the summer season, 2.5±0.71 in the rainy season, and 3.5±2.12 in the winter season. Sixty-one individuals belonged to the class Aves, constituting 21.55% of the total roadkills; on an average, 5.71±3.03 individuals were killed in the summer season, 2.66±2.08 in the rainy season, and 4.33±3.51 in the winter season. One-hundred-and-eighteen individuals belonged to the class Mammalia, which was the most affected among the roadkills, constituting 41.69% of the total roadkills; on an average, 5.33±5.08 individuals were killed in the summer season, 5±3.9 in the rainy season, and 4.6±2.7 in the winter season. Under the IUCN Red List category, the majority of the species in this study are considered Least Concern and some of them are not even mentioned. The present study helps to know the problems and threats faced by wild animals and is the first work carried out in the region.
Moths of the superfamily Tineoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera) from the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Katewa Amit , Pathania Prakash Chand
Published: May 2019

Ten species of the superfamily Tineoidea were collected from different localities of the Western Ghats in the states of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala; of the genera Edosa Walker, Cimitra Walker, Monopis Hübner, Compsoctena Zeller, and Clania Walker are present. All the ten species are recorded for the first time from the Western Ghats.
Notes on the diet of adult Yellow Catfish Aspistor luniscutis (Pisces: Siluriformes) in northern Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Di Beneditto Ana Paula Madeira , Tavares Maria Thereza Manhães
Published: May 2019

Diet of adult specimens of Yellow Catfish Aspistor luniscutis (Valenciennes, 1840) was determined through stomach contents analysis.  The specimens were target of commercial gillnet fisheries in northern Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil.  In this region, A. luniscutis is a generalist benthophagous feeder, consuming most available prey species with crustaceans, especially penaeid shrimps, brachyuran crabs, and sciaenid fish dominating.
First assessment of bird diversity in the UNESCO Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve, southwestern Ethiopia: species richness, distribution and potential for avian conservation
Authors: Van Opstal Mattias , Oosterlynck Bernard , Belay Million , Erens Jesse , De Beenhouwer Matthias
Published: May 2019

The Sheka Zone in southwestern Ethiopia is covered by some of the largest remaining forests in the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot.  Owing to the rich biodiversity and a high degree of endemism, it was declared as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2012 and is considered a Key Biodiversity Area.  Detailed knowledge on species diversity and distribution in the reserve is, however, severely limited.  From February to April 2016, an assessment of the bird diversity and distribution in the reserve was made for the first time through point count transects, camera-trap recordings and opportunistic observations.  In total, 244 bird species were identified, of which 19% was only found within the reserve’s designated protected zones.  Our study indicates a remarkable bird species richness across the different habitats in Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve and can be used as a baseline for future monitoring studies and conservation planning.
Ceriagrion chromothorax sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) from Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Joshi Shantanu , Sawant Dattaprasad
Published: May 2019

Ceriagrion chromothorax sp. nov. is described from Western Ghats, India, based on six males and one female collected from Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra.
Genetic diversity among the endemic barb Barbodes tumba (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) populations from Mindanao, Philippines
Authors: Abdulmalik-Labe Onaya P. , Quilang Jonas P.
Published: May 2019

Barbodes tumba is an important fishery resource in Lake Lanao and nearby areas in Mindanao, Philippines. It is one of only two remaining endemic cyprinids out of 20 endemic species originally reported in the lake. In this study, specimens were obtained from fishermen and fish vendors from the lake and from three other sites in Mindanao, namely, Nunungan Lake in Lanao del Norte, Dagoyanan Lake in Lanao del Sur, and Pulangi River in Bukidnon. Eighty-seven haplotypes were recovered from the 122 complete mitochondrial DNA control region sequences analysed. All four populations showed high levels of haplotype (0.662–0.976) and nucleotide (0.552–2.736 %) diversities. Pairwise FST values showed high genetic divergence between populations. Maximum likelihood tree and median-joining network showed geographic separation of Bukidnon population from the three other populations. Lanao Lake specimens also formed a distinct group, which clustered with nine specimens from Dagoyanan Lake. All the other specimens from Dagoyanan clustered with specimens from Nunungan Lake. Despite the high intra- and inter-population genetic variation found in the species, its populations need to be protected and managed so that it will not suffer the same fate as that of the other endemic cyprinids which are now reported to be extinct.
Rediscovery of Van Hasselt’s Mouse-eared Bat Myotis hasseltii (Temminck, 1840) and its first genetic data from Hanoi, northern Vietnam
Authors: Tu Vuong Tan , Arai Satoru , Kikuchi Fuka , Hang Chu Thi , Tuan Tran Anh , Csorba Gábor , Görföl Tamás
Published: May 2019

This paper presents the rediscovery of Van Hasselt’s Mouse-eared Bat Myotis hasseltii after nearly 50 years and its genetic data from Hanoi, northern Vietnam. In addition, a snapshot of the impacts of urbanization on the current distribution and conservation status of this native bat species in Hanoi is also provided.
Kerala state bird checklist: additions during 2015 – May 2019
Authors: Chandran Abhinand , Praveen J.
Published: May 2019

Praveen (2015) compiled a list of 500 species of birds as occurring in the state of Kerala. Birdwatchers have been actively documenting more bird species in the state. Here is an update on the additions and corrections to this list based on records made during years 2015–May 2019 with some older records that were confirmed retrospectively.
Study on biological and ecological characteristics of mudskippers
Authors: Radkhah Ali Reza , Eagderi Soheil
Published: May 2019

Due to the ecological importance of mudskippers, it is necessary to provide a comprehensive reference about these fishes. Therefore, the present work aims to introduce the current book entitled " Fishes out of Water: Biology and Ecology of Mudskippers " edited by Zeehan Jaafar and Edward O. Murdy. This book contains 15 chapters published by CRC press in 2017. Because of its valuable content, this book has become a complete reference about mudskippers. This valid reference will be useful for a wide range of students, researchers and specialists in the fields of evolution, environment, fish behavior and physiology.
Resource Utilization for Prenatally Diagnosed Single‐Ventricle Cardiac Defects: A Philadelphia Fetus‐to‐Fontan Cohort Study
Authors: Zielonka Benjamin , Snarr Brian S. , Liu Michael Y. , Zhang Xuemei , Mascio Christopher E. , Fuller Stephanie , Gaynor J. William , Spray Thomas L. , Rychik Jack
Published: May 2019

Background

Healthcare resource utilization is substantial for single‐ventricle cardiac defects (
SVCD
), with effort commencing at time of fetal diagnosis through staged surgical palliation. We sought to characterize and identify variables that influence resource utilization for
SVCD
from fetal diagnosis through death, completed staged palliation, or cardiac transplant.

Methods and Results

Patients with a prenatal diagnosis of
SVCD
at our institution from 2004 to 2011 were screened. Patients delivered with intent to treat who received cardiac care exclusively at our institution were included. Primary end points included the total days hospitalized and the numbers of echocardiograms and cardiac catheterizations. Subanalysis was performed on survivors of completed staged palliation on the basis of Norwood operation, dominant ventricular morphology, and additional risk factors. Of 202 patients born with intent to treat, 136 patients survived to 6 months after completed staged palliation. The median number of days hospitalized per patient‐year was 25.1 days, and the median numbers of echocardiograms and catheterizations per patient‐year were 7.2 and 0.7, respectively. Mortality is associated with increased resource utilization. Survivors had a cumulative length of stay of 57 days and underwent a median of 21 echocardiograms and 2 catheterizations through staged palliation. Right‐ventricle–dominant lesions requiring Norwood operation are associated with increased resource utilization among survivors of staged palliation.

Conclusions

For fetuses with
SVCD
, those with dominant right‐ventricular morphology requiring Norwood operation demand increased resource utilization regardless of mortality. Our findings provide insight into care for
SVCD
, facilitate precise prenatal counseling, and provide information about the resources utilized to successfully manage
SVCD
.
Trajectories of Blood Lipid Concentrations Over the Adult Life Course and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and All‐Cause Mortality: Observations From the Framingham Study Over 35 Years
Authors: Duncan Meredith S. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Xanthakis Vanessa
Published: May 2019

Background

Elevated total cholesterol (
TC
), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL
‐C), triglycerides, and non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (non‐
HDL
‐C) and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (
HDL
‐C) concentrations correlate with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (
ASCVD
) and mortality. Therefore, understanding how lipid trajectories throughout adulthood impact
ASCVD
and mortality risk is essential.

Methods and Results

We investigated 3875 Framingham Offspring participants (54% women, mean age 48 years) attending ≥1 examination between 1979 and 2014. We evaluated longitudinal correlates of each lipid subtype using mixed‐effects models. Next, we clustered individuals into trajectories through group‐based modeling. Thereafter, we assessed the prospective association of lipid trajectories with
ASCVD
and mortality. Male sex, greater body mass index, and smoking correlated with higher
TC
,
LDL
‐C, triglycerides, non‐
HDL
‐C, and lower
HDL
‐C concentrations. We identified 5
TC
,
HDL
‐C, and
LDL
‐C trajectories, and 4 triglycerides and non‐
HDL
‐C trajectories. Upon follow‐up (median 8.2 years; 199
ASCVD
events; 256 deaths), elevated
TC
(>240 mg/
dL
),
LDL
‐C (>155 mg/
dL
), or non‐
HDL
‐C (>180 mg/
dL
) concentrations conferred >2.25‐fold
ASCVD
and mortality risk compared with concentrations <165 mg/
dL
, <90 mg/
dL
, and <115 mg/
dL
, respectively ([
TC
hazard ratio (
HR
)
ASCVD
=4.17, 95%
CI
1.94–8.99;
TC HR
death
=2.47, 95%
CI
1.28–4.76] [
LDL
‐C HR
ASCVD
=5.09, 95%
CI
1.54–16.85;
LDL
‐C
HR
death
=4.04, 95%
CI
1.84–8.89] [non‐
HDL
‐C HR
ASCVD
=4.60, 95%
CI
1.98–10.70;
LDL
‐C
HR
death
=3.74, 95%
CI
2.03–6.88]). Consistent
HDL
‐C concentrations <40 mg/
dL
were associated with greater
ASCVD
and mortality risk than concentrations >70 mg/
dL
(HR
ASCVD
=3.81, 95%
CI
2.04–7.15;
HR
death
=2.88, 95%
CI
1.70–4.89). Triglycerides trajectories were unassociated with outcomes.

Conclusions

Using a longitudinal modeling technique, we demonstrated that unfavorable lipid trajectories over 35 years confer higher
ASCVD
and mortality risk later in life.
Relationship of the Blood Pressure Categories, as Defined by the ACC/AHA 2017 Blood Pressure Guidelines, and the Risk of Development of Cardiovascular Disease in Low‐Risk Young Adults: Insights From a Retrospective Cohort of Young Adults
Authors: Kim Seolhye , Chang Yoosoo , Kang Jeonggyu , Cho Ara , Cho Juhee , Hong Yun Soo , Zhao Di , Ahn Jiin , Shin Hocheol , Guallar Eliseo , Ryu Seungho , Sung Ki‐Chul
Published: May 2019

Background

There are limited outcome studies of hypertension among young adults, especially using the new blood pressure (
BP
) categories from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. We examined associations between the new
BP
categories and the risk of incident cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) in low‐risk and young adults.

Methods and Results

A cohort study was performed in 244 837 Korean adults (mean age, 39.0 years;
SD
, 8.9 years) who underwent a comprehensive health examination at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2016; they were followed up for incident
CVD
via linkage to the Health Insurance and Review Agency database until the end of 2016, with a median follow‐up of 4.3 years.
BP
was categorized according to the new American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) hypertension guidelines. During 924 420.7 person‐years, 1435 participants developed new‐onset 
CVD
(incidence rate of 16.0 per 10
4
person‐years). The multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (95%
CI
s ) for
CVD
comparing elevated
BP
, stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension, treated and strictly controlled (systolic
BP
/diastolic
BP
<130/80 mm Hg with antihypertensive use), treated and controlled (systolic
BP
130–139 and diastolic
BP
80 to 89 mm Hg with antihypertensive use), treated uncontrolled, and untreated hypertension to normal
BP
were 1.37 (1.11–1.68), 1.45 (1.26–1.68), 2.12 (1.74–2.58), 1.41 (1.12–1.78), 1.97 (1.52–2.56), 2.29 (1.56–3.37) and 1.93 (1.53–2.45), respectively.

Conclusions

In this large cohort of low‐risk and young adults, all categories of higher
BP
were independently associated with an increased risk of
CVD
compared with normal
BP
, underscoring the importance of
BP
management even in these low‐risk populations.
Telomere Length and Vascular Phenotypes in a Population‐Based Cohort of Children and Midlife Adults
Authors: Nguyen Minh Thien , Vryer Regan , Ranganathan Sarath , Lycett Kate , Grobler Anneke , Dwyer Terence , Juonala Markus , Saffery Richard , Burgner David , Wake Melissa
Published: May 2019

Background

Telomere length has been inversely associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood, but its relationship to preclinical cardiovascular phenotypes across the life course remains unclear. We investigated associations of telomere length with vascular structure and function in children and midlife adults.

Methods and Results

Population‐based cross‐sectional CheckPoint (Child Health CheckPoint) study of 11‐ to 12‐year‐old children and their parents, nested within the LSAC (Longitudinal Study of Australian Children). Telomere length (telomeric genomic DNA [T]/β‐globin single‐copy gene [S] [T/S ratio]) was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction from blood‐derived genomic DNA. Vascular structure was assessed by carotid intima‐media thickness, and vascular function was assessed by carotid‐femoral pulse‐wave velocity and carotid elasticity. Mean (SD) T/S ratio was 1.09 (0.55) in children (n=1206; 51% girls) and 0.81 (0.38) in adults (n=1343; 87% women). Linear regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, revealed no evidence of an association between T/S ratio and carotid intima‐media thickness, carotid‐femoral pulse‐wave velocity, or carotid elasticity in children. In adults, longer telomeres were associated with greater carotid elasticity (0.14% per 10–mm Hg higher per unit of T/S ratio; 95% CI, 0.04%–0.2%;
P
=0.007), but not carotid intima‐media thickness (−0.9 μm; 95% CI, −14 to 13 μm;
P
=0.9) or carotid‐femoral pulse‐wave velocity (−0.10 m/s; 95% CI, −0.3 to 0.07 m/s;
P
=0.2). In logistic regression analysis, telomere length did not predict poorer vascular measures at either age.

Conclusions

In midlife adults, but not children, there was some evidence that telomere length was associated with vascular elasticity but not thickness. Associations between telomere length and cardiovascular phenotypes may become more evident in later life, with advancing pathological changes.
CoQA: A Conversational Question Answering Challenge
Authors: Reddy Siva , Chen Danqi , Manning Christopher D.
Published: May 2019

Humans gather information through conversations involving a series of interconnected questions and answers. For machines to assist in information gathering, it is therefore essential to enable them to answer conversational questions. We introduce CoQA, a novel dataset for building Conversational Question Answering systems. Our dataset contains 127k questions with answers, obtained from 8k conversations about text passages from seven diverse domains. The questions are conversational, and the answers are free-form text with their corresponding evidence highlighted in the passage. We analyze CoQA in depth and show that conversational questions have challenging phenomena not present in existing reading comprehension datasets (e.g., coreference and pragmatic reasoning). We evaluate strong dialogue and reading comprehension models on CoQA. The best system obtains an F1 score of 65.4%, which is 23.4 points behind human performance (88.8%), indicating that there is ample room for improvement. We present CoQA as a challenge to the community at https://stanfordnlp.github.io/coqa .
Searching for the Hidden “One”: Muslim and Early European Interpretations of the Indian Upaniṣads
Authors: Winter Franz
Published: May 2019

The Upaniṣads are commonly regarded as the ultimate summary of the Indian Weltanschauung. This high esteem is the result of a rather convoluted history of reception in different cultural environments. The article draws on their first interpretations in the Muslim and the European horizon, which are closely interconnected by a fascinating story of translation, namely the Sirr-i akbar of the Mughal prince Dārā Shukūh (1615–1659) and the Oupnek’hat by A. H. Anquetil-Duperron (1731–1805). As will be argued, both mediators have a comparable attitude towards the Indian corpus, and their search for the “one” (= God = Allah) is deeply rooted in perceptions of a single “sacred book” containing the ultimate expression of the truth, which is the object of a “hidden” transmission undetected so far. The goal of this article is to present the common features of their approaches based on a detailed historical examination of the available material.
Including and Excluding Indigenous Religion through Law
Authors: Årsheim Helge
Published: May 2019

Across the world, indigenous peoples enjoy unprecedented access to international, regional, and domestic legal remedies to gain protections for their religious, spiritual, and customary identities, beliefs, and practices through a wide spectrum of judicial platforms. These remedies provide a broad, inclusive, and “intersectional” vocabulary for indigenous peoples to formulate their rights claims. Despite the growing interest in research on law and religion and the recognition that international human rights law is vital to the formulation of indigenous rights claims, the nature, scope, and effects of the proliferation of international norms protecting “indigenous religion” has so far not been subject to extensive research. Seeking to address this lacuna in the literature, this article explores the extent to which indigenous peoples involved in two recent Supreme Court decisions in Canada and Norway have chosen to rely on the available vocabulary for the formulation of rights claims related to “indigenous religion.”
The Chicano Movement: Mexican American History and the Struggle for Equality
Authors: Muñoz Carlos
Published: May 2019

The Chicano/Chicana movement was a product of the global eruption that took place in 1968. A critical understanding of this movement requires that it be put into a historical context and theoretical framework of an indigenous people who were internally colonized by the expanding us Empire after the end of the us-Mexico War of 1846-48. Violent and nonviolent struggles took place prior to the 1960s over the issues of land, social justice, and civil rights. The first nonviolent and largest Mexican American mass protest in us history occurred in the Spring of 1968 in East Los Angeles, California, where over ten thousand Chicano high school students walked out of their inferior and racist barrio high schools. The student walkouts ignited the emergence of the Chicano civil rights movement. The movement’s positive contributions and failures will be discussed. Discussion will conclude with a critical analysis of Mexican American struggles in the present age of “Trumpism”.
International Collaboration: Experiences of Indian Scientists and Engineers after Returning from the United States
Authors: Varma Roli , Sabharwal Meghna
Published: May 2019

This article presents findings on international research collaboration from a National Science Foundation-funded study with 83 faculty in science and engineering (S&E) who returned to India after studying and working in the United States. These faculty members were brought up in the Indian socio-cultural context, but they were professionalized in the scientific culture of Western academia. When they returned to India to take a faculty position, they knew collaborators in the US with desired skills, including their advisors. Yet, returned Indian migrant faculty face significant challenges in establishing successful international research collaboration with their American peers. Interestingly, this is not the case with collaborators from Europe and other parts of the world with whom they had little connection before moving to India. Findings show some inequities that exist between scientists and engineers in the US and India that pertain to resources and attitudes towards collaboration.
Antike Universalgeschichte und Säkularisierung im Melanchthonkreis
Authors: Nahrendorf Carsten
Published: May 2019

This article argues that the literary reception of Classical historians through Philipp Melanchthon and his students made a decisive contribution to the pluralization and secularization of early Lutheran scholarly culture. It focuses on Georg Major’s hitherto unexplored edition of Justin’s Epitoma, which was printed in Hagenau in 1526, with a second, extended edition appearing in Magdeburg in 1537. Major’s first edition of 1526 is here scrutinized in the broader context of the emergence of Protestant universal history and the forming of Melanchthon’s understanding of the Four Kingdoms of Daniel, which is traditionally seen by scholars as the starting point of the distinction between secular and sacred history. The second edition (1537) includes a general instruction for the study of histories. Based as it is on Cicero’s historical-methodological principles of consilia, acta, and eventus, laid out in De Oratore, this handbook for Protestant Latin-school pupils is rooted in the historical thought of Italian humanists.
The Move towards Gender Equality and Political Participation in Jordan
Authors: Fathi Schirin
Published: May 2019

This paper aims to trace the development of women’s political participation in Jordan and the efforts exerted in a top-down and bottom-up approach towards gender equality. Special consideration is accorded to the constitution, in its function as a social contract mirroring societal developments and the role of the monarchy and its available tools to influence decisions and nudge societal development in ways deemed necessary. At the same time the constraints imposed on Jordan due to its special circumstances are pinpointed.
On Texts and Disciplines: How the Prātiśākhyas are Categorised by Their Commentaries
Authors: Ciotti Giovanni
Published: May 2019

This article explores the relationship between texts and the scholarly categories to which they are attributed. In particular, it focuses on the Prātiśākhyas—grammars of the linguistic features characterising Vedic recitation—and on the position they occupy within the domains of Sanskritic scholarship according to the different views expressed by their commentaries. In fact, the Prātiśākhyas are variously presented as corresponding to specific canonical or non-canonical disciplines, or as piecing together parts of many disciplines. Because of the inherent stylistic difference between the Prātiśākhyas and their commentaries, Vedic scholars found in the latter ones the (textual) space where they could express their opinions regarding the scholarly frame of reference to which the Prātiśākhyas were said to belong.
Self-initiated Expatriates: Taiwanese Migrant Professionals in China’s Global Cities
Authors: Deng Jianbang
Published: May 2019

This paper explores the migration of Taiwanese skilled professionals to China through interviews taken of expatriates in three large Chinese cities. In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of Taiwanese skilled professionals migrating to China. Nevertheless, this increase originated with less organizational sponsorship than in previous trends. This migration pattern originated mainly by decisions of the expatriates themselves—so-called self-initiated expatriation.

Our research shows that Taiwanese skilled professionals who migrated through self-initiated expatriation did not build themselves into a homogeneous group in China’s global cities. Results show also that there have been various patterns of self-directed expatriation. Most such migrants have been categorized as young adventurers, job-seekers, localized professionals, international professionals, and dual-career couples. Through this research, we conclude that as globalization deepens and regional cross-border mobility becomes more commonplace, self-initiated expatriation might gain more influence in the future of skilled migrations.
Species of the subgenus Neohomoneura van der Wulp from Hainan in China (Diptera, Lauxaniidae)
Authors: SHI LI , YANG DING
Published: May 2019

The following five species of the subgenus Neohomoneura from Hainan are described as new to science: Homoneura (Neohomoneura) digitata sp. nov., H. (N.) tortilis sp. nov., H. (N.) tricuspidata sp. nov., H. (N.) tripetata sp. nov. and H. (N.) zengae sp. nov. Homoneura (Neohomoneura) pollex Sasakawa is newly recorded from China, and H. (N.) nadaensis Yang, Hu & Zhu is supplemented by male’s characters. A key to the species of the subgenus Neohomoneura from Hainan is presented.
Types of Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae, Tingidae) deposited in the Museo Entomologico Francisco Luis Gallego, Medellin, Colombia
Authors: RAMÍREZ-MORA MANUEL A. , SEPÚLVEDA-CANO PAULA A.
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this note is to provide a list of the type material of the suborder Heteroptera deposited in the Museo Entomológico Francisco Luís Gallego (MEFLG) of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Medellín, Colombia. The MEFLG was created in 1937 and is one of the largest insect collections in Colombia, containing about 200,000 specimens, and is the most complete collection of the northeastern region of the country.
New species of the owl-fly genus Suhpalacsa Lefebvre from China (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae)
Authors: WANG XINLI , SUN MINGXIA , LIANG AIPING
Published: May 2019

Two new species, Suhpalacsa fuscimarginata sp. nov. and Suhpalacsa fumiala sp. nov. are described. One new combination Suhpalacsa jianfanglingana (Yang, 2002) comb. nov. is also proposed. A checklist and key to Chinese species of Suhpalacsa Lefèbvre are provided.
Range, sexual dimorphism and bilateral asymmetry of rostral tooth counts in the smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata Latham (Chondrichthyes: Pristidae) of the southeastern United States
Authors: WILEY TONYA R. , SIMPFENDORFER COLIN A. , FARIA VICENTE V. , MCDAVITT MATTHEW T.
Published: May 2019

Rostral tooth counts of Pristis pectinata specimens from museum collections, research surveys, and fisheries activities were examined to provide information on sexual dimorphism, bilateral asymmetry, and to aid in the resolution of the taxonomic uncertainty that surrounds the Pristidae. Counts were taken from 105 smalltooth sawfish captured in Florida and Georgia, USA, from 1834 to 2007. The number of rostral teeth present was 22 to 29 per side and 45 to 56 in total. These counts were more constrained, and mean values lower, than historically reported for this species in the literature. Pristis pectinata rostral tooth counts exhibited sexual dimorphism, with males on average having more rostral teeth than females. Bilateral asymmetry in rostral tooth counts was displayed in 73% of individuals, with no consistent side on which the greatest count occurred. No significant difference between left and right side rostral tooth counts was found.
An overview of Suctorian ciliates (Ciliophora, Suctorea) as epibionts of halacarid mites (Acari, Halacaridae)
Authors: DOVGAL IGOR , CHATTERJEE TAPAS , INGOLE BABAN
Published: May 2019

Scant information is available regarding the prevalence and distribution of suctorian ciliates on halacarid mites. However, using this limited information and data from our laboratory on the systematics, biology, ecology and distribution of suctorian ciliates that are epibionts of halacarid mites, we redescribed four suctorian species: Limnoricus ceter (Jankowski), Praethecacineta halacari (Schulz), Thecacineta calix (Schroder) and Acineta sulcata Dons. We also recognized Lissacineta allgeni Jankowski and Thecacineta allgeni (Jankowski) as synonyms of Praethecacineta halacari (Schluz), and Thecacineta laophontis Jankowski and Paracineta moebiusi Kahl as synonyms of Thecacineta calix (Schroder). Many suctorians have been reported, but not properly identified in the halacarid literature. So, we have attempted to identify those suctorians to species level. Lastly, the interactions between the suctorians and their hosts are also discussed and Praethecacineta halacari is also reported for the first time from the Indian coast.
Tympanomastoidectomy for Cholesteatoma in Children: Audiometric Results
Authors: Tzelnick Sharon , Yaniv Dan , Raveh Eyal , Ulanovski David , Hilly Ohad
Published: May 2019

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate the audiometric outcomes of tympanomastoidectomy in children with cholesteatoma and to evaluate factors that may affect outcomes.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. All pediatric patients diagnosed with cholesteatoma who underwent primary canal wall-up tympanomastoidectomy with or without ossicular reconstruction from 2009 to 2016 at a tertiary university-affiliated pediatric medical center were included. Pure tone average (PTA) and air-bone gap (ABG) at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were compared before and after surgery.

Results:

The cohort included 100 children (104 tympanomastoidectomies) of mean age 10.35 ± 3.6 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 35.4 ± 24.1 months. At surgery, 22 patients (21.2%) had intact ossicular chains, and 82 (78.8%) had ossicular discontinuity. Fifty-three patients (51%) underwent ossicular reconstruction, either partial (34 patients [64.1%]) or total (19 patients [35.8%]). In comparison with preoperative audiometry, there was a statistically significant improvement in PTA-ABG at the first postoperative examination (27.5 ± 12.7 vs 21.1 ± 11.1 dB, P = .001) and at the end of follow-up (20.2 ± 12.7 dB, P = .003) . Overall, values of less than 20 dB were measured in 34% of patients preoperatively and 73% postoperatively. On subgroup analysis, in patients who underwent any ossicular reconstruction, PTA-ABG was significantly improved relative to the preoperative value (28.1 ± 14.7 dB) at both the first (19.1 ± 11.9 dB, P = .006) and last (22.4 ± 15.1 dB, P = .011) audiometry examinations.

Conclusions:

Hearing outcomes after pediatric cholesteatoma surgery are diverse and related to several factors. The authors found that ossicular reconstruction improves audiometric outcomes, and the changes remain stable over time.

Level of Evidence:

IIB
Synthesis and properties of crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan and its hemostatic and wound healing effects on liver injury of rats
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xin Yu , Yin Bin , Ye Guan L , Wang Jun X , Shen Jian F , Li Lei , Yang Qi H
Published: May 2019

Carboxymethyl chitosan has the potential to be used in the field of hemostatic materials, but its low molecular weight and high water solubility limit its application. This study prepared crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan by crosslinking reaction with glutaraldehyde and determined its physicochemical properties, FT-IR spectra, and toxicity and cell morphology on L929 fibroblasts. The hemostatic effect and healing function of crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan on rat liver were also evaluated. The animals were divided into three groups ( n = 18): control group (Con), Surgicel® group (Sur), and crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan group (C-CMC). The results showed that crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan with high viscosity was successfully prepared, which had no cytotoxicity and no abnormal effects on cell morphology to L929 fibroblasts of mouse, and had significantly shorter bleeding time and less blood loss compared to Con and Sur ( P < 0.05). The enzyme activity analysis on 7, 14 and 21 days showed that crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan can significantly elevate the activities of inflammatory factor enzymes at earlier time and restore them to normal level faster (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) ( P < 0.05). The wound healing effects of crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan could be reflected by the enzyme activity on rat liver, which can significantly decrease the enzyme activities of ALT and AST ( P < 0.05) and significantly increase the enzyme activity of VEGF on 7 and 14 days and decreased on 21 days ( P < 0.05). The crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan has the potential application of the clinical hemostasis biomaterial, and the present study only conducted a basic research of crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan, and further investigations should be performed in future.
Clinical Features of Heterosexual Intimate Partner Violence Victims With Escalating Injury Severity
Authors: Choi Anna Wai-Man , Lo Barbara Chuen-Yee , Wong Janet Yuen-Ha , Lo Ruby Tsz-Fung , Chau Phyllis Cheuk-Wing , Wong John Kit-Shing , Lau Chu-Leung , Kam Chak-Wah
Published: May 2019

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is largely recognized to have a cyclical pattern and violence escalation in terms of frequency and intensity over time. However, there is a lack of systematic investigation of the profiles of victims and quantification of the patterns of injury of the victims associated with the first time versus repeated violence episodes. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by medical chart review of 878 victims in a 5-year period from 2010 to 2014 in Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of two public general hospitals in Hong Kong. The differences in injury patterns between the first IPV episode (FE) and recurrent IPV episodes (REs) experienced by male and female victims in heterosexual relationship were evaluated. The results indicated the violence escalation occurred in recurrent IPV in both genders. In female victims, there was significant increase in the number of injury locations (mean [ M] = 2.0 vs. 2.2, p < .05), number of causes of injury ( M = 1.7 vs. 2.2, p < .001) and police escort (15.2% vs. 22.1%, p < .05) in RE compared to FE. In male victims, however, only the increase in the number of causes of injury was significant ( M = 1.6 vs. 2.1, p < .05) in RE compared to FE. In summary, our results highlight the escalation in the severity of harm of IPV victims in heterosexual relationship, and the gender differences in severity aggression and injury and help-seeking behavior change in recurrent IPV. Preventive measures are indicated to intervene the IPV occurrence and recurrence with rising morbidity and a potential of mortality.
Male Role Norms, Heavy Drinking, and Bystander Behavior for Sexual Aggression
Authors: Leone Ruschelle M. , Parrott Dominic J.
Published: May 2019

Bystander training programs have proliferated on college campuses to prevent alcohol and non–alcohol-related sexual aggression. However, many programs fail to address the effects of a bystander’s alcohol use on intervention. This is not surprising due to the limited research examining this association. To this end, the present study examined how heavy drinking and a known correlate of intervention, men’s adherence to traditional masculinity, are jointly and independently associated with bystander behavior in drinking contexts. Participants were 148 community men between the ages of 21 and 30 who completed measures of heavy drinking, adherence to traditional male role norms, and prior bystander behavior in drinking contexts aimed at helping friends and strangers. Hierarchical linear regressions demonstrated that adherence to the belief that men should attain social status was associated with more frequent bystander behavior for friends, whereas adherence to the belief that men should avoid stereotypical feminine activities was associated with less frequent bystander behavior for friends. In addition, the relation between adherence to the belief that men should avoid stereotypical feminine activities and bystander behavior for friends was significant and negative among heavy drinkers but not among non-heavy drinkers. Findings suggest that men who avoid stereotypical feminine activities may be most inhibited from intervening to help friends in party contexts if they are heavy, compared with non-heavy, drinkers. These men are likely consuming alcohol in these party contexts and may benefit from targeted, gender-specific, interventions.
A novel analysis model for optimization performance of Bernoulli serial production system considering rework processes
Authors: Zhou Binghai , Lin Song
Published: May 2019

Production system modeling aims to investigate the principles of production procedures and to reveal the relationship between components and systems. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to production system modeling for the serial production system. However, most of the research focuses on the analysis of the systems at the steady state. Due to the emphasis of the quality management, production systems with rework loops are widely used in today’s manufacturing industrials, which the traditional approaches are not applicable to. Since the recent analysis of transients shows significant value and great potential in manufacturing systems, in this article, a new mechanism for rework is introduced based on the principles of quality management and lean production. A novel “Instant-Checking” method is developed to model Bernoulli serial production system considering rework loops. This method overcomes conventional restrictions and limited assumptions, and it extends the problem to systems with complex structures. Meanwhile, the analysis for transients is conducted to demonstrate relationships between component- and system-level characteristics. Finally, numerical experiments are performed to verify the effectiveness of the model.
Answering Savings Puzzle About Small Saving Schemes and Mutual Funds: Evidence from Tripura
Authors: Deb Rajat , Deb Prasenjit , Majumder Sujit , Chakraborty Sourav , Chakraborty Kiran Sankar
Published: May 2019

The study has motivated to assay the comparatively better saving tool—small saving schemes or mutual funds—based on empirical evidence. The related literature has been extensively reviewed to frame a conceptual model and has adopted survey strategy with stratified random sampling technique for gathering data from 150 respondents. Inferential statistics have supported to reject the null hypotheses and has concluded that selective demographics, risk, returns, tax benefits, inflation beating capability, and liquidity significantly influence in savings. The national saving certificate and fixed deposits have been identified as most preferred saving instruments while mutual funds have also been gaining popularity. Policy implications have been derived from the study.
Coaching Teachers to Promote Social Interactions With Toddlers
Authors: O’Flaherty Celia , Barton Erin E. , Winchester Claire , Domingo Maddisen
Published: May 2019

Children with or at risk of disabilities engage in fewer and less complex social interactions (SIs) than their typically developing peers. The playground is an ideal setting for teachers to promote SIs among children. However, few studies have examined practical and meaningful strategies for supporting teachers in effectively facilitating SIs. Also, there is a critical dearth of research examining classroom practices for infants and toddlers. A single-case multiple probe design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief training and email performance feedback on toddler teachers’ SI prompts on the playground. Results indicated functional relations between training plus general and specific feedback, teachers’ use of SI prompts, and levels of child SIs.