bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct Signature of Oxylipid Mediators of Inflammation during Infection and Asymptomatic Colonization byE. coliin the Urinary Bladder
Authors: Packiriswamy Nandakumar , Gandy Jeff , Smith Sara N. , Mobley Harry L. T. , Sordillo Lorraine M. , Subashchandrabose Sargurunathan
Published: December 2017

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an extremely common infectious disease. UropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) is the predominant etiological agent of UTI. Asymptomatic bacteriuricE. coli(ABEC) strains successfully colonize the urinary tract resulting in asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) and do not induce symptoms associated with UTI. Oxylipids are key signaling molecules involved in inflammation. Based on the distinct clinical outcomes ofE. colicolonization, we hypothesized that UPEC triggers the production of predominantly proinflammatory oxylipids and ABEC leads to production of primarily anti-inflammatory or proresolving oxylipids in the urinary tract. We performed quantitative detection of 39 oxylipid mediators with proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and proresolving properties, during UTI and ABU caused by genetically distinctE. colistrains in the murine urinary bladder. Our results reveal that infection with UPEC causes an increased accumulation of proinflammatory oxylipids as early as 6 h postinoculation, compared to controls. To the contrary, ABEC colonization leads to decreased accumulation of proinflammatory oxylipids at the early time point compared to UPEC infection but does not affect the level of proresolving oxylipids. This report represents the first comprehensive investigation on the oxylipidome during benign ABEC colonization observed in ABU and acute inflammation triggered by UPEC leading to UTI.
Fluconazole-Pyridoxine Bis-Triazolium Compounds with Potent Activity against Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi Including Their Biofilm-Embedded Forms
Authors: Garipov Marsel R. , Pavelyev Roman S. , Lisovskaya Svetlana A. , Nikitina Elena V. , Kayumov Airat R. , Sabirova Alina E. , Bondar Oksana V. , Malanyeva Albina G. , Aimaletdinov Alexander M. , Iksanova Alfia G. , Balakin Konstantin V. , Shtyrlin Yurii G.
Published: December 2017

Two novel quaternary ammonium salts, bis-triazolium derivatives of fluconazole and pyridoxine, were synthesized by reaction of fluconazole with pyridoxine-based synthetic intermediates. The leading compound demonstrated pronounced antimycotic and antibacterialin vitroactivity, comparable to or exceeding that of the reference antifungal (fluconazole, terbinafine) and antibacterial/antiseptic (miramistin, benzalkonium chloride) agents. In contrast to many antimicrobials, the leading compound was also active against biofilm-embedded staphylococci andEscherichia coli. While no biofilm structure destruction occurred, all compounds were able to diffuse into the matrix and reduce the number of colony-forming units by three orders of magnitude at 16 × MBC. The leading compound was significantly less toxic than miramistin and benzalkonium chloride and more toxic than the reference antifungal drugs. The obtained results make the described chemotype a promising starting point for the development of new broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapies with powerful effect on fungal and bacterial pathogens including their biofilm-embedded forms.
Ogilvie’s Syndrome after Cesarean Section: Case Report in Saudi Arabia and Management Approach
Authors: Elsebay Lamiaa , Galal Mariam Ahmed
Published: December 2017

Background. Acute colonic pseudoobstruction or Ogilvie’s syndrome is a rare entity that is characterized by acute dilatation of the colon without any mechanical obstruction. It is usually associated with medical disease or surgery and rarely occurs spontaneously. If not diagnosed early, Ogilvie’s syndrome may cause bowel ischemia and perforation. Case. A G7P4+2, 40-year-old woman, who is a known case of gestational diabetes mellitus during her current pregnancy, four previous cesarean sections, two early pregnancy losses at six-week gestation, and hypothyroidism, underwent uncomplicated elective cesarean section, after which she complained of abdominal distention. Conclusion. Ogilvie’s syndrome is a rare condition yet of interest to obstetricians, midwifery staff, and general surgeons because its early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the keystones to avoid any subsequent fatal complications. This case report reviews the clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, and management of Ogilvie’s syndrome. Moreover, we suggest a management approach to help in early diagnosis and prompt management to improve the outcome of this potentially serious condition.
Comparable Encryption Scheme over Encrypted Cloud Data in Internet of Everything
Authors: Meng Qian , Ma Jianfeng , Chen Kefei , Miao Yinbin , Yang Tengfei
Published: December 2017

User authentication has been widely deployed to prevent unauthorized access in the new era of Internet of Everything (IOE). When user passes the legal authentication, he/she can do series of operations in database. We mainly concern issues of data security and comparable queries over ciphertexts in IOE. In traditional database, a Short Comparable Encryption (SCE) scheme has been widely used by authorized users to conduct comparable queries over ciphertexts, but existing SCE schemes still incur high storage and computational overhead as well as economic burden. In this paper, we first propose a basic Short Comparable Encryption scheme based on sliding window method (SCESW), which can significantly reduce computational and storage burden as well as enhance work efficiency. Unfortunately, as the cloud service provider is a semitrusted third party, public auditing mechanism needs to be furnished to protect data integrity. To further protect data integrity and reduce management overhead, we present an enhanced SCESW scheme based on position-aware Merkle tree, namely, PT-SCESW. Security analysis proves that PT-SCESW and SCESW schemes can guarantee completeness and weak indistinguishability in standard model. Performance evaluation indicates that PT-SCESW scheme is efficient and feasible in practical applications, especially for smarter and smaller computing devices in IOE.
Polyethylene Glycol for Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy
Authors: Yang Li , Wang Xiao , Gan Tao , Wang Yiping , Yang Jinlin
Published: December 2017

Capsule endoscopy has been the first-line examination for small bowel diseases, yet its diagnostic yield is restricted by unsatisfactory bowel preparation. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of different dosages of polyethylene glycol in patients undergoing capsule endoscopy, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials involving polyethylene glycol in preparation for capsule endoscopy. The methodological quality of the trials was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment instrument. In this study, 12 RCTs involving 2072 patients were included in this review. Our review indicated that 4 L and 2 L polyethylene (PEG) before capsule endoscopy (CE) and 500 mL PEG after CE increase the small bowel image quality, whereas 1 L PEG did not improve the small bowel image quality. PEG accelerated the gastric emptying time. There was no significant difference between the PEG group and control group in small bowel transit time, completion rates, and diagnostic yield.
Constructing APT Attack Scenarios Based on Intrusion Kill Chain and Fuzzy Clustering
Authors: Zhang Ru , Huo Yanyu , Liu Jianyi , Weng Fangyu
Published: December 2017

The APT attack on the Internet is becoming more serious, and most of intrusion detection systems can only generate alarms to some steps of APT attack and cannot identify the pattern of the APT attack. To detect APT attack, many researchers established attack models and then correlated IDS logs with the attack models. However, the accuracy of detection deeply relied on the integrity of models. In this paper, we propose a new method to construct APT attack scenarios by mining IDS security logs. These APT attack scenarios can be further used for the APT detection. First, we classify all the attack events by purpose of phase of the intrusion kill chain. Then we add the attack event dimension to fuzzy clustering, correlate IDS alarm logs with fuzzy clustering, and generate the attack sequence set. Next, we delete the bug attack sequences to clean the set. Finally, we use the nonaftereffect property of probability transfer matrix to construct attack scenarios by mining the attack sequence set. Experiments show that the proposed method can construct the APT attack scenarios by mining IDS alarm logs, and the constructed scenarios match the actual situation so that they can be used for APT attack detection.
A Broadband Linear-to-Circular Transmission Polarizer Based on Right-Angled Frequency Selective Surfaces
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Jian-ying , Xie Jian
Published: December 2017

A broadband linear-to-circular transmission polarizer using a right-angled frequency selective surface is presented in this paper. The new proposed polarizer has both advantages of wide operational bandwidth and high transmission coefficients. To verify the design, a new polarizer working in X-band is optimized and fabricated. Experimental results show that the measured axial ratios lower than 3 dB range from 6.42 to 13.70 GHz, with low insertion loss. Meanwhile, the polarizer can operate over a broad range of frequencies from 6.75 to 10.75 GHz, when the incident angle increases to 25°.
Assessment of Correlation between Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion Weighted MR Imaging and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging of Sacroiliitis with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Zhao Yinghua , Zhang Qun , Li Wei , Feng Yanqiu , Guo Yihao , Xiang Zhiming , Li Shaolin
Published: December 2017

The relationships between IVIM and DCE-MRI parameters in AS are not clear. We explore the correlation between intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) parameters obtained on MR images in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Forty-four patients with AS were prospectively examined using a 1.5-T MR system. IVIM DWI was performed with 11 b values (range, 0–800 s/mm2) for all patients. The correlation coefficients between IVIM and DCE-MRI parameters were analyzed using Spearman’s method. Our results showed that intra- and interobserver reproducibility were excellent to relatively good (ICC = 0.804–0.981; narrow width of 95% limits of agreement). Moderate positive correlations were observed between pure molecular diffusion (Ds) and maximum enhancement (ME) and relative enhancement (RE) (r = 0.700, P<0.001; r=0.607, P < 0.001, resp.). Perfusion-related diffusion (Df) showed negative moderate correlation with ME (r = -0.608, P < 0.001). However, no correlation was observed between perfusion fraction (f) and any parameters of ME, RE, TTP, and BE (r = −0.093–0.213; P > 0.165). In conclusion, the IVIM parameters, especially f, might play a critical role in detecting the progression of AS, because it can provide more perfusion information compared with DCE-MRI; besides the IVIM MRI is a noninvasive method.
Wear Performance of Bionic Dimpled-Shape Pistons of Mud Pump
Authors: Cheng Xuejing , Gao Tianyu , Ru Shaofeng , Cong Qian
Published: December 2017

The piston is one of the parts that most easily become worn out and experience failure in mud pumps for well drilling. By imitating the body surface morphology of the dung beetle, this paper proposed a new type (BW-160) of mud pump piston that had a dimpled shape in the regular layout on the piston leather cup surface and carried out a performance test on the self-built test rig. Firstly, the influence of different dimple diameters on the service life of the piston was analyzed. Secondly, the analysis of the influence of the dimple central included angle on the service life of the piston under the same dimple area density was obtained. Thirdly, the wear of the new type of piston under the same wear time was analyzed. The experimental results indicated that the service life of the piston with dimples on the surface was longer than that of L-Standard pistons, and the maximum increase in the value of service life was 92.06%. Finally, the Workbench module of the software ANSYS was used to discuss the wear-resisting mechanism of the new type of piston.
A LIDAR-Based Tree Canopy Characterization under Simulated Uneven Road Condition: Advance in Tree Orchard Canopy Profile Measurement
Authors: Shen Yue , Addis Destaw , Liu Hui , Hussain Fida
Published: December 2017

In real outdoor canopy profile detection, the accuracy of a LIDAR scanner to measure canopy structure is affected by a potentially uneven road condition. The level of error associated with attitude angles from undulations in the ground surface can be reduced by developing appropriate correction algorithm. This paper proposes an offline attitude angle offset correction algorithm based on a 3D affine coordinate transformation. The validity of the correction algorithm is verified by conducting an indoor experiment. The experiment was conducted on an especially designed canopy profile measurement platform. During the experiment, an artificial tree and a tree-shaped carved board were continuously scanned at constant laser scanner travel speed and detection distances under simulated bumpy road conditions. Acquired LIDAR laser scanner raw data was processed offline by exceptionally developed MATLAB program. The obtained results before and after correction method show that the single attitude angle offset correction method is able to correct the distorted data points in tree-shaped carved board profile measurement, with a relative error of 5%, while the compound attitude angle offset correction method is effective to reduce the error associated with compound attitude angle deviation from the ideal scanner pose, with relative error of 7%.
Platelet Distribution Width Levels Can Be a Predictor in the Diagnosis of Persistent Organ Failure in Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Wang Feiyang , Meng Zibo , Li Shoukang , Zhang Yushun , Wu Heshui
Published: December 2017

Purpose. The change of serum platelet indices such as platelet distribution width (PDW) has been reported in a series of inflammatory reaction and clinical diseases. However, the relationship between PDW and the incidence of persistent organ failure (POF) in acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been elucidated so far.Materials and Methods. A total of 135 patients with AP admitted within 72 hours from symptom onset of AP at our center between December 2014 and January 2016 were included in this retrospective study. Demographic parameters on admission, organ failure assessment, laboratory data, and in-hospital mortality were compared between patients with and without POF. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were utilized to evaluate the predictive value of serum PDW for POF.Results. 30 patients were diagnosed with POF. Compared to patients without POF, patients with POF showed a significantly higher value of serum PDW on admission (14.88 ± 2.24 versus 17.60 ± 1.96%,P<0.001). After multivariable analysis, high PDW level remained a risk factor for POF (odds ratio 39.42, 95% CI: 8.64–179.77;P<0.001). A PDW value of 16.45% predicted POF with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.870, a sensitivity with 0.867, and a specificity with 0.771, respectively.Conclusions. Our results indicate that serum PDW on admission could be a predictive factor in AP with POF and may serve as a potential prognostic factor.
A Deep Learning Prediction Model Based on Extreme‐Point Symmetric Mode Decomposition and Cluster Analysis
Authors: Li Guohui , Zhang Songling , Yang Hong
Published: December 2017

Aiming at the irregularity of nonlinear signal and its predicting difficulty, a deep learning prediction model based on extreme‐point symmetric mode decomposition (ESMD) and clustering analysis is proposed. Firstly, the original data is decomposed by ESMD to obtain the finite number of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and residuals. Secondly, the fuzzy c‐means is used to cluster the decomposed components, and then the deep belief network (DBN) is used to predict it. Finally, the reconstructed IMFs and residuals are the final prediction results. Six kinds of prediction models are compared, which are DBN prediction model, EMD‐DBN prediction model, EEMD‐DBN prediction model, CEEMD‐DBN prediction model, ESMD‐DBN prediction model, and the proposed model in this paper. The same sunspots time series are predicted with six kinds of prediction models. The experimental results show that the proposed model has better prediction accuracy and smaller error.
Design Analysis and Observed Performance of a Tieback Anchored Pile Wall in Sand
Authors: Han Jian-Yong , Zhao Wen , Chen Yang , Jia Peng-Jiao , Guan Yong-Ping
Published: December 2017

This paper aims to study the design process and service performance of a deep excavation supported by tieback anchored pile walls. The design procedure and design approaches for deep excavation in China are described. Based on the excavation case history for Shenyang, China, design results obtained using the elastic method and the finite element method (FEM) are compared and analyzed. Special emphasis is given to the analysis of horizontal wall deformations, internal forces in the wall, earth pressures on the wall, ground surface settlements, and stabilities of the excavation. The similarities and differences between the Chinese code (JGJ 120‐2012) and the European code (EN 1997‐1) for the design of geotechnical structures are presented based on a design example. Through the comparison, it is indicated that the Chinese code focuses on the design result, while the European code focuses on the design process. The crucial construction methods for reducing construction risk based on the excavation case history are described. The mechanical behaviors of the excavation retained by an anchored pile wall were investigated by analyzing observed field cases. The results provide good, practical guidelines for the design and construction of a tieback anchored pile wall retained excavation in sandy soil.
The Dependency of Diffusion Coefficients and Geometric Factor on the Size of the Diffusing Molecule: Observations for Different Clay-Based Materials
Authors: Jacops Elke , Aertsens Marc , Maes Norbert , Bruggeman Christophe , Swennen Rudy , Krooss Bernd , Amann-Hildenbrand Alexandra , Littke Ralf
Published: December 2017

In order to investigate in more detail the relation between the size of diffusing molecules and their diffusion coefficients (and geometric factors), diffusion experiments with gases of different size and tritiated water (HTO) have been performed on different clayey samples (Boom Clay, Eigenbilzen Sands, Opalinus Clay, Callovo-Oxfordian Clay, and bentonite with different dry densities). We observed that, for unreactive gases in clayey materials, the effective diffusion coefficient varies with the size of the diffusing molecule and this variation can be described by an exponential or a power law function. The variation of the geometric factor can also be described by an exponential function. The observed experimental relations can be used to estimate diffusion coefficients; by measuring experimentally in clay the effective diffusion coefficient of two unreactive dissolved gases with a different size, the diffusion coefficients of other dissolved gases (with a size in between the two measured gases) can be estimated by using the fitted exponential relationship.
Bone Response to Two Dental Implants with Different Sandblasted/Acid-Etched Implant Surfaces: A Histological and Histomorphometrical Study in Rabbits
Authors: Scarano Antonio , Piattelli Adriano , Quaranta Alesandro , Lorusso Felice
Published: December 2017

Background. Scientific evidence in the field of implant dentistry of the past 20 years established that titanium rough surfaces have shown improved osseointegration rates. In a majority of dental implants, the surface microroughness was obtained by grit blasting and/or acid etching. The aim of the study was to evaluatein vivotwo different highly hydrophilic surfaces at different experimental times.Methods. Calcium-modified (CA) and SLActive surfaces were evaluated and a total of 18 implants for each type of surface were positioned into the rabbit articular femoral knee-joint in a split model experiment, and they were evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically at 15, 30, and 60 days of healing.Results. Bone-implant contact (BIC) at the two-implant surfaces was significantly different in favor of the CA surface at 15 days(p=0.027), while SLActive displayed not significantly higher values at 30(p=0.51)and 60 days(p=0.061).Conclusion. Both implant surfaces show an intimate interaction with newly formed bone.
A Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Gas Pressure on the Water Saturation of Compacted Bentonite-Sand Samples
Authors: Liu Jiang-Feng , Song Shuai-Bing , Liu Jian , Huang Bing-Xiang , Cao Xu-Lou , Zhang Kai , Skoczylas Frédéric
Published: December 2017

In deep geological disposal for high-level radioactive waste, the generated gas can potentially affect the sealing ability of bentonite buffers. There is a competition between water and gas: the former provides sealing by swelling bentonite, and the latter attempts to desaturate the bentonite buffer. Thus, this study focused on numerically modelling the coupling effects of water and gas on the water saturation and sealing efficiency of compacted bentonite-sand samples. Different gas pressures were applied to the top surface of an upper sample, whereas the water pressure on the bottom side of the lower sample was maintained at 4 MPa. The results indicated that gas pressure did not significantly affect the saturation of the bentonite-sand sample until 2 MPa. At 2 MPa, the degree of water saturation of the upper sample was close to 1.0. As the gas pressure increased, this influence was more apparent. When the gas pressure was 6 MPa or higher, it was difficult for the upper sample to become fully saturated. Additionally, the lower sample was desaturated due to the high gas pressure. This indicated that gas pressure played an important role in the water saturation process and can affect the sealing efficiency of bentonite-based buffer materials.
A KDM5 Inhibitor Increases Global H3K4 Trimethylation Occupancy and Enhances the Biological Efficacy of 5-Aza-2′-Deoxycytidine
Authors: Leadem Benjamin R. , Kagiampakis Ioannis , Wilson Catherine , Cheung Tommy K. , Arnott David , Trojer Patrick , Classon Marie , Easwaran Hariharan , Baylin Stephen B.
Published: December 2017

The H3K4 demethylase KDM5B is amplified and overexpressed in luminal breast cancer, suggesting it might constitute a potential cancer therapy target. Here, we characterize, in breast cancer cells, the molecular effects of a recently developed small-molecule inhibitor of the KDM5 family of proteins (KDM5i), either alone or in combination with the DNA-demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC). KDM5i treatment alone increased expression of a small number of genes, whereas combined treatment with DAC enhanced the effects of the latter for increasing expression of hundreds of DAC-responsive genes. ChIP-seq studies revealed that KDM5i resulted in the broadening of existing H3K4me3 peaks. Furthermore, cells treated with the drug combination exhibited increased promoter and gene body H3K4me3 occupancy at DAC-responsive genes compared with DAC alone. Importantly, treatment with either DAC or DAC+KDM5i induced a dramatic increase in H3K27ac at enhancers with an associated significant increase in target gene expression, suggesting a previously unappreciated effect of DAC on transcriptional regulation. KDM5i synergized with DAC to reduce the viability of luminal breast cancer cells in in vitro assays. Our study provides the first look into the molecular effects of a novel KDM5i compound and suggests that combinatorial inhibition along with DAC represents a new area to explore in translational epigenetics.

Significance: This study offers a first look into the molecular effects of a novel KDM5 inhibitory compound, suggesting how its use in combination with DNA methylation inhibitors presents new opportunities to explore in translational cancer epigenetics. Cancer Res; 78(5); 1127–39. ©2017 AACR.
Inflammasome Adaptor ASC Suppresses Apoptosis of Gastric Cancer Cells by an IL18-Mediated Inflammation-Independent Mechanism
Authors: Deswaerte Virginie , Nguyen Paul , West Alison , Browning Alison F. , Yu Liang , Ruwanpura Saleela M. , Balic Jesse , Livis Thaleia , Girard Charlotte , Preaudet Adele , Oshima Hiroko , Fung Ka Yee , Tye Hazel , Najdovska Meri , Ernst Matthias , Oshima Masanobu , Gabay Cem , Putoczki Tracy , Jenkins Brendan J.
Published: December 2017

Inflammasomes are key regulators of innate immunity in chronic inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases, but their role in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis remains ill-defined. Here we reveal a protumorigenic role in gastric cancer for the key inflammasome adaptor apoptosis-related speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) and its effector cytokine IL18. Genetic ablation of ASC in the gp130F/F spontaneous mouse model of intestinal-type gastric cancer suppressed tumorigenesis by augmenting caspase-8-like apoptosis in the gastric epithelium, independently from effects on myeloid cells and mucosal inflammation. This phenotype was characterized by reduced activation of caspase-1 and NF-κB activation and reduced expression of mature IL18, but not IL1β, in gastric tumors. Genetic ablation of IL18 in the same model also suppressed gastric tumorigenesis, whereas blockade of IL1β and IL1α activity upon genetic ablation of the IL1 receptor had no effect. The specific protumorigenic role for IL18 was associated with high IL18 gene expression in the gastric tumor epithelium compared with IL1β, which was preferentially expressed in immune cells. Supporting an epithelial-specific role for IL18, we found it to be highly secreted from human gastric cancer cell lines. Moreover, IL18 blockade either by a neutralizing anti-IL18 antibody or by CRISPR/Cas9-driven deletion of ASC augmented apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells. In clinical specimens of human gastric cancer tumors, we observed a significant positive correlation between elevated mature IL18 protein and ASC mRNA levels. Collectively, our findings reveal the ASC/IL18 signaling axis as a candidate therapeutic target in gastric cancer.

Significance: Inflammasome activation that elevates IL18 helps drive gastric cancer by protecting cancer cells against apoptosis, with potential implications for new therapeutic strategies in this setting. Cancer Res; 78(5); 1293–307. ©2017 AACR.
Additions to the sea snail fauna (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) of Lakshadweep Islands, India
Authors: Chandran B.K. Sneha , Ravinesh R. , Kumar A. Biju
Published: December 2017

Among the 373 species of opisthobranchs reported from India, 92 are from Lakshadweep.  This paper documents 11 species of opisthobranch fauna from Lakshadweep Islands, classified under the families Haminoeidae, Colpodaspididae, Volvatellidae, Dendrodorididae, Chromodorididae, Goniodorididae, Embletoniidae, and Tergipedidae, of which five are new records to India.  Goniobranchus rufomaculatus and Volvatella ventricosa are reported for the first time from the western Indian Ocean.
New distribution records of Elegant Water Shrew Nectogale elegans Milne-Edwards, 1870 (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) from the western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Sharma Aashna , Rajput Vandana , Dubey Vineet K. , Dhanda Aavika , Thakur Shagun , Johnson J. A. , Sathyakumar S. , Sivakumar K.
Published: December 2017

Of the 13 known species of water shrews in the world, two water shrews are known from India, the Elegant Water Shrew Nectogale elegans and Himalayan Water Shrew Chimmarogale himalayica.  Of these, the Elegant Water Shrew was earlier reported only from streams of north Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, India.  During the period 2014–2016, the Elegant Water Shrews were sighted at three different locations in Uttarakhand State in the western Himalayan region.  The present records are evidence for the broader range of distribution of Nectogale elegans in India indicating that the species is more widely distributed than previously thought.  We present the details of sightings, habitats and behavior of shrews that were recorded during our study on impact of climate change on the aquatic ecosystem of the Himalaya.
A new species of zygaenid moth Elcysma ziroensis (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae: Chalcosiinae) from India<b?
Authors: Chada Punyo , Gogoi Monsoon Jyoti , Young James John
Published: December 2017

Elcysma, a small genus of zygaenid moths occurring in Nagaland, western China and Japan is recorded from Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India for the first time.  The other known species from northeastern India is E. dohertyi, so far known only from Nagaland by a single specimen collected by W. Doherty in 1889.  A new species, E. ziroensis is hereby described.  The other species of the genus is white in colour with prominent black veins whereas the new species has very broad black stripes along both sides of the veins taking over the white background on forewing and brown background on hindwing, making the moth look entirely blackish in colour.  The new species also has the orange patch restricted to the upper base of forewing, whereas the other species of the genus has orange patch in whole of base of the forewing.  The shape of the wing resembles that of E. dohertyi in being narrower forewing and hind wing. The wing venations is, however, markedly different from all other Elcysma species having five radius veins with three posterior radius sectors branching out to the apical area in forewing.  The species also shows mimetic assemblage with B. lidderdalii which also flies together at the same locality.
Status of conflict mitigation measures in Nilambur, Western Ghats of Kerala, India
Authors: Rohini C. K. , Aravindan T. , Das K.S. Anoop , Vinayan P. A.
Published: December 2017

Mitigation measures are one of the best strategies for the management of human-elephant conflict.  An assessment of the effectiveness of existing crop protection methods in 17 forest fringe villages of Karulai and Vazhikadavu ranges of Nilambur South and North Forest Divisions was carried out during June 2015 to May 2016.  Mitigation methods found in the study area include electric fences (EF), combined electric fence and trench (EPT+EF), and elephant-proof stone wall (EPSW).  Barriers were surveyed by foot and mapped with the help of global positioning systems (GPS).  Number of elephant crossing points per kilometre along the length of the barrier was highest for EPT+EF and least for EF.  About 86% of the barrier surveyed was located at an average distance of 14.47m from the villages and 13.63% of the barrier located at an average distance of 55.33m from the village.  Damage caused by elephants to EF was primarily due to lack of maintenance of the fences.  In EPT+EF, natural weak spots and gateways created for the passage of people and cattle were the main locations of elephant crossing points.  Damage to the EPSW was caused by elephants by breaking the top portion of the wall.  Areas outside damaged spots primarily contained agricultural land, water bodies and forests, with human habitations being least likely.  Crossing points were located primarily in moderate vegetation zones.  Encouraging local communities to take a primary role in the maintenance of barriers is essential in this context.  Information on the current status of mitigation measures will help to improve the efficiency of barriers and facilitate better management of human-elephant conflicts.
Notes on the taxonomy and distribution of two endemic and threatened dipterocarp trees from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India
Authors: Sanil M. S. , Sreekumar V.B. , Sreejith K. A. , Robi A. J. , Nirmesh T. K.
Published: December 2017

Hopea glabra Wight & Arn. and Hopea utilis (Bedd.) Bole are two little-known highly threatened endemic dipterocarps distributed in evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.  Although literature surveys and herbarium records show occurrence of these species in different forest areas of Kerala, the present study could locate Hopea glabra from the Silent Valley National Park and Hopea utilis from Shankili forests in Kulathupuza range, enabling the portrayal of current distribution, basic ecology covering phenology, species association, regeneration and conservation status along with taxonomic notes.
An interview-based survey to determine the conservation status of Softshell Turtles (Reptilia: Trionychidae) in the Irrawaddy Dolphin Protected Area, Myanmar
Authors: Platt Steven G. , Lwin Tint , Win Naing , Aung Htay Lin , Platt Kalyar , Rainwater Thomas R.
Published: December 2017

We conducted an interview-based survey to investigate the conservation status of large (adult carapace length >400mm) Softshell Turtles (Amyda ornata, Chitra vandijki, and Nilssonia formosa) in the Irrawaddy Dolphin Protected Area (IDPA) of Myanmar during November 2015.  Our objectives were to: (1) determine which species of Softshell Turtles occur in IDPA, (2) assess threats to these populations, (3) evaluate the protected area as a release site for captive-bred Softshell Turtles, and (4) make conservation recommendations.  To this end, we interviewed 180 people (mostly males) in 30 villages and verified the occurrence of all three species of Softshell Turtles in IDPA.  Softshell Turtle populations appear to have undergone precipitous declines during the last 10–15 years largely driven by commercial demand from the illegal trans-boundary wildlife trade with China.  Turtle hunting is no longer considered economically worthwhile, but Softshell Turtles continue to be taken as fisheries by-catch.  We recommend that existing regulations designed to protect dolphins be enforced, and most importantly electro-fishing be eliminated from IDPA.  We also urge authorities to revisit earlier proposals to reduce or eliminate the use of monofilament gill netting in IDPA.  Implementation of a community-based fisheries plan to address these issues is warranted.  In lieu of effective action, Softshell Turtle populations in IDPA face almost certain extirpation in the near future.  IDPA is currently considered unsuitable as a release site for captive-bred Softshell Turtles.
SWIran. *didā- “fortress, walled residence” in Iranian Toponymy
Authors: Asatrian Garnik
Published: December 2017

The paper deals with the identification of the Iranian place-names produced with the lexical elements derived from South West Iranian *didā-/*daidā- “fortress, a fortified walled residence” (vs. North West Iranian *dizā-/*daizā- ‘id.’), hitherto assumed to be absent from the geographic nomenclature of Iran and the adjoining areas.
Adam Smith’s Unfinished Grotius Business, Grotius’s Novel Turn to Ancient Law, and the Genealogical Fallacy
Authors: Straumann Benjamin
Published: December 2017

In this Reply, I argue that pace Knud Haakonssen it is dubious that Adam Smith managed to ‘blow up’ Hugo Grotius’s universalist system of natural jurisprudence. Rather, Smith emerges as a closet rationalist who put forward crypto-normative universalist claims himself and found that he could not in the end improve upon Grotius’s system. Grotius was not seen by Smith as a ‘casuist’ tout court. I try to give an explanation for the tensions introduced into Smith’s work by his incorporation of key aspects of Grotius’s theory of justice. Furthermore, I try to clarify in what regard Grotius should be seen as a novel and original thinker. Lastly, I argue in favor of according ideas and arguments their own weight, against a facile contextualism that is always in danger of falling prey to the genealogical fallacy.
Christian Wolff’s Lectures on Grotius’s De Iure Belli ac Pacis from 1739–1740
Authors: Grunert Frank , Kapossy Béla
Published: December 2017

This note announces a recent find in a private Swiss archive: Christian Wolff’s complete lecture course on Grotius’s De iure belli ac pacis that he gave at the University of Marburg between June 1739 and May 1740.
Rus’ and the Mongol Decimal System
Authors: Langer Lawrence N.
Published: December 2017

This essay examines the problem of basqaqs and the Mongol decimal system in Appanage Rus’. It surveys the functions of the basqaqs or daruγas and the importance of the divisions of ten thousand and thousands in the Mongol Empire. In Appanage Rus’ the decimal system was of less importance for the organization of the Rus’ian armies than it was for the administration of the tribute and the collection of other taxes, especially on the local rural level. In Rus’ the Mongol division of ten thousand (tümen) was separated from its military connotations and became associated with the rural district of the volost and rural officials known as the hundredmen and tenmen. The essay reviews the various functions the hundredmen played in Europe and their place, together with the tenmen, in Appanage Rus’ for the collection of the tribute. At the same time, the thousandman or chiliarch gradually disappeared in northeastern Rus’.
Dual-Polarization Radar Rainfall Estimation over Tropical Oceans
Authors: Thompson Elizabeth J. , Rutledge Steven A. , Dolan Brenda , Thurai Merhala , Chandrasekar V.
Published: December 2017

Dual-polarization radar rainfall estimation relationships have been extensively tested in continental and subtropical coastal rain regimes, with little testing over tropical oceans where the majority of rain on Earth occurs. A 1.5-yr Indo-Pacific warm pool disdrometer dataset was used to quantify the impacts of tropical oceanic drop-size distribution (DSD) variability on dual-polarization radar variables and their resulting utility for rainfall estimation. Variables that were analyzed include differential reflectivity Zdr; specific differential phase Kdp; reflectivity Zh; and specific attenuation Ah. When compared with continental or coastal convection, tropical oceanic Zdr and Kdp values were more often of low magnitude (<0.5 dB, <0.3° km−1) and Zdr was lower for a given Kdp or Zh, consistent with observations of tropical oceanic DSDs being dominated by numerous, small, less-oblate drops. New X-, C-, and S-band R estimators were derived: R(Kdp), R(Ah), R(Kdp, ζdr), R(z, ζdr), and R(Ah, ζdr), which use linear versions of Zdr and Zh, namely ζdr and z. Except for R(Kdp), convective/stratiform partitioning was unnecessary for these estimators. All dual-polarization estimators outperformed updated R(z) estimators derived from the same dataset. The best-performing estimator was R(Kdp, ζdr), followed by R(Ah, ζdr) and R(z, ζdr). The R error was further reduced in an updated blended algorithm choosing between R(z), R(z, ζdr), R(Kdp), and R(Kdp, ζdr) depending on Zdr > 0.25 dB and Kdp > 0.3° km−1 thresholds. Because of these thresholds and the lack of hail, R(Kdp) was never used. At all wavelengths, R(z) was still needed 43% of the time during light rain (R < 5 mm h−1, Zdr < 0.25 dB), composing 7% of the total rain volume. As wavelength decreased, R(Kdp, ζdr) was used more often, R(z, ζdr) was used less often, and the blended algorithm became increasingly more accurate than R(z).
Cross-Scale Precipitation Variability in a Semiarid Catchment Area on the Western Slopes of the Central Andes
Authors: Trachte Katja , Seidel Jochen , Figueroa Rafael , Otto Marco , Bendix Joerg
Published: December 2017

Spatiotemporal precipitation patterns were investigated on the western slopes of the central Andes Mountains by applying EOF and cluster analysis as well as the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. In the semiarid catchment area in the highlands of Lima, Peru, the precipitation is assumed to be a cross-scale interplay of large-scale dynamics, varying sea surface temperatures (SSTs), and breeze-dominated slope flows. The EOF analysis was used to encompass and elucidate the upper-level circulation patterns dominating the transport of moisture. To delineate local precipitation regimes, a partitioning cluster analysis was carried out, which additionally should illustrate local effects such as the altitudinal gradient of the Andes. The results demonstrated that especially during the transition to the dry season, synoptic-scale circulation aloft controls the precipitation (correlation coefficients between 0.6 and 0.9), whereas in the remaining seasons the slope breezes due to the altitudinal gradient mainly determine the precipitation behavior. Further analysis with regard to the spatiotemporal precipitation variability revealed an inversion of the precipitation distribution along the elevational gradient within the study area, mainly during February (29%) and March (35%), that showed correlations with coastal SST patterns ranging between 0.56 and 0.67. WRF simulations of the underlying mechanisms disclosed that the large-scale circulation influences the thermally induced upslope flows while the strength of southeastern low-level winds related to the coastal SSTs caused a blocking of easterlies in the middle troposphere through a reduced anticyclonic effect. This interplay enables the generation of precipitation in the usually drier environment at lower elevations, which leads to a decrease in rainfall with increasing elevation.
A Framework for Convection and Boundary Layer Parameterization Derived from Conditional Filtering
Authors: Thuburn John , Weller Hilary , Vallis Geoffrey K. , Beare Robert J. , Whitall Michael
Published: December 2017

A new theoretical framework is derived for parameterization of subgrid physical processes in atmospheric models; the application to parameterization of convection and boundary layer fluxes is a particular focus. The derivation is based on conditional filtering, which uses a set of quasi-Lagrangian labels to pick out different regions of the fluid, such as convective updrafts and environment, before applying a spatial filter. This results in a set of coupled prognostic equations for the different fluid components, including subfilter-scale flux terms and entrainment/detrainment terms. The framework can accommodate different types of approaches to parameterization, such as local turbulence approaches and mass flux approaches. It provides a natural way to distinguish between local and nonlocal transport processes and makes a clearer conceptual link to schemes based on coherent structures such as convective plumes or thermals than the straightforward application of a filter without the quasi-Lagrangian labels. The framework should facilitate the unification of different approaches to parameterization by highlighting the different approximations made and by helping to ensure that budgets of energy, entropy, and momentum are handled consistently and without double counting. The framework also points to various ways in which traditional parameterizations might be extended, for example, by including additional prognostic variables. One possibility is to allow the large-scale dynamics of all the fluid components to be handled by the dynamical core. This has the potential to improve several aspects of convection–dynamics coupling, such as dynamical memory, the location of compensating subsidence, and the propagation of convection to neighboring grid columns.
The Life Cycle of Spontaneously Generated Internal Waves
Authors: Shakespeare Callum J. , McC. Hogg Andrew
Published: December 2017

Recent numerical modeling studies have suggested significant spontaneous internal wave generation near the ocean surface and energy transfers to and from these waves in the ocean interior. Spontaneous generation is the emission of waves by unbalanced, large Rossby number flows in the absence of direct forcing. Here, the authors’ previous work is extended to investigate where and how these waves exchange energy with the nonwave (mean) flow. A novel double-filtering technique is adopted to separate first the wave and nonwave fields, then the individual upward- and downward-propagating wave fields, and thereby identify the pathways of energy transfer. These energy transfers are dominated by the interaction of the waves with the vertical shear in the mean flow. Spontaneously generated waves are found to be oriented such that the downward-propagating wave is amplified by the mean shear. The internal waves propagate through the entire model depth while dissipating energy and reflect back upward. The now-upward-propagating waves have the opposite sign interaction with the mean shear and decay, losing most of their energy to the nonwave flow in the upper 500 m. Overall, in the simulations described here, approximately 30% of the wave energy is dissipated, and 70% is returned to the mean flow. The apparent preferential orientation of spontaneous generation suggests a potentially unique role for these waves in the ocean energy budget in uniformly drawing net energy from mean flow in the upper-ocean interior and transporting it to depth.
An Objective Method for Determining Ocean Mixed Layer Depth with Applications to WOCE Data
Authors: Huang Peng-Qi , Lu Yuan-Zheng , Zhou Sheng-Qi
Published: December 2017

A new method is developed to identify the mixed layer depth (MLD) from individual temperature or density profiles. A relative variance profile is obtained that is the ratio between the standard deviation and the maximum variation of the temperature (density) from the sea surface, and the depth of the minimum relative variance is defined as the MLD. The new method is robust in finding the MLD under the influence of random noise (noise level ≤ 5%). A comparison with other available methods, which include the threshold (difference, difference interpolation, gradient, and hybrid methods) and objective (curvature and maximum angle methods) methods, is carried out using the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) data. It is found that for a variety of depth sampling resolutions ranging from 0.04 to 25 dbar, the new method and the difference-interpolation method predict MLD values that are closer to the visually inspected ones than those by other methods. Moreover, the quality index (QI) of the MLD that is determined by the new method is the highest when compared with those of the available methods. Also, the application of the new method on the WOCE global dataset yields 94% of MLD values with , substantially higher than those (≤86%) of other methods. Ultimately, it is found that the new method determines very similar MLD values when applied to temperature or density profiles globally because it identifies the base of the mixed layer rather than the uppermost depth of the thermocline. This unique advantage makes the new method applicable in many cases, especially when the density profile is unavailable.