bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the efficacy of a probiotic complex containing Bacillus subtilis and Pichia farinosa on the growth performance and fecal microbiota of finishing pigs
Authors: Wang Huan , Kim In Ho
Published: April 2019

A total of 120 finish pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; 52.61 ± 2.37 kg] were randomly allotted into three treatments for a 70 d trial to evaluate the growth performance and fecal microbiota counts in finishing pigs. Treatment groups were (i) basal diet (CON), (ii) CON + 0.1% probiotic complex (TRT1), and (iii) CON + 0.2% probiotic complex (TRT2). Each treatment consisted of eight replicate pens with five pigs per pen. The average daily gain and fecal Lactobacillus counts of TRT2 were increased (P < 0.05) compared with CON treatment. The result showed that 0.2% complex probiotic was more effective than 0.1%.
What can PIWI-interacting RNA research learn from chickens, and vice versa?
Authors: Li Xin Zhiguo
Published: April 2019

P-element induced wimpy testis (PIWI) interacting RNA (piRNA) are essential for fertility, by protecting the integrity of the germ-line genome via silencing of transposable elements (TE). Because new TE are constantly invading the host genome, piRNA-producing loci are under continuous pressure to undergo rapid evolution. This arms race between TE and piRNA is a prime example of the genome being more plastic than previously thought. Historically, the study of piRNA and TE has benefited from the use of diverse model organisms, including worms, fruit fly, zebrafish, frogs, and mice. In domestic chickens, we recently identified a new mode of piRNA acquisition in which the host hijacks and converts a pre-existing provirus into a piRNA-producing locus to defend against Avian leukosis virus, an adaptive immune strategy similar to the prokaryotic CRISPR–Cas [clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas)] system. This finding reveals a previously unrecognized mechanism of the host piRNA repertoire to rapidly evolve and target TE specifically. In this review, we will focus on both the unique and common features of chicken piRNA, as well as the advantages of using chickens as a model system, to address fundamental questions regarding piRNA acquisition in hosts. We will also comment on the potential application of piRNA for improving poultry health and reproductive efficiency.
Humus composition of mineral–microbial residue from microbial utilization of lignin involving different mineral types
Authors: Wang Shuai , Chen Dianyuan , Zhang Xi , Xu Junping , Lei Wanying , Zhou Changyan , Chen Chen , Li Fanghui , Wang Nan
Published: April 2019

This study explored the mineral contribution of lignin to humus (HS) formation through the change of HS composition in microbial–mineral residue (MMR). The liquid shake flask culture method was adopted to collect the MMR formed through the microbial utilization of lignin in the presence of goethite, bayerite, δ-MnO2, kaolinite, and montmorillonite. The carbon (C) contents of humic-like acid (HLA), fulvic-like acid (FLA), and humin-like (HLu) in MMR, represented as CHLA, CFLA, and CHLu, respectively, coupled with the ΔlogK of the HLA alkali-soluble extract and CHLA/CFLA ratio were analyzed at 10, 30, 60, and 110 d. In terms of improving HLA aggregated on minerals, the following rule was observed: goethite > bayerite > montmorillonite > kaolinite ≈δ-MnO2. Goethite was most likely to adsorb organic molecules with a high degree of polymerization. Compared with kaolinite and montmorillonite, goethite, bayerite, and δ-MnO2 were more helpful for decreasing the molecular weight and the degree of HLA condensation. Goethite, δ-MnO2, and montmorillonite presented the greatest advantages in enhancing the relative proportions of CHLA, CFLA, and CHLu, respectively, in MMR. In MMR formed in the presence of kaolinite, goethite, and bayerite, CHLA was decreased by 14.8%, 12.0%, and 5.8%, respectively, at the end of culture, whereas the CHLA associated with δ-MnO2 was increased by 12.0%. δ-MnO2 contributed the most to the conversion of CFLA to CHLA. Due to expandability and a much greater adsorption capacity, montmorillonite was most beneficial to the accumulation of CHLu.
Flame-retardant corrugated paper/epoxy composite materials
Authors: Chen Jieng-Chiang , Huang Bo-Yan
Published: April 2019

The waterproof and flame-retardant properties of corrugated paper (CP) reinforced epoxy resin sandwich composites are discussed. Two composites, a CP-reinforced epoxy composite (CP/E composite) and a CP-reinforced flame-retardant epoxy composite (CP/FRE composite), were developed in this study. A dipping bath was developed for impregnating the paper with epoxy and a flame-retardant epoxy solution to make the CP/P and CP/FRE composite panels. A room-temperature-cured epoxy resin was blended with various contents (10%, 20%, and 30%) of phosphorus-based flame-retardant compounds and then was used as a matrix to make CP/FRE-10, CP/FRE-20, and CP/FRE-30 composite materials. Water absorption tests of these composites were used to estimate the waterproof properties. In addition, vertical and horizontal burning tests were used to evaluate the flame-retardant properties of the composites.
Graphical Analysis of Local Sliding Failure of Roller Slope
Authors: Yi Pan Pan , Kuan Niu Sheng
Published: April 2019

In this paper, for some typical local slump problems, through the site survey of engineering conditions, we observe the local slumping parts, collect a large number of production data, and adopt the Chiping polar projection method to evaluate the initial stability of the problem area. The unstable structure is combined with the solid scale projection to analyze the sliding direction, the sliding surface, the sliding amount, and the like. The study has a clearer understanding of the local slump problem, and based on the stability judgment results, combined with the site conditions, ultimately serves the engineering examples.
Termination Transformation Theorem for Microwave Power Transfer Networks
Authors: Kopru Ramazan
Published: April 2019

Termination transformation theorem (TTT) proposed in this work transforms a doubly complex terminated microwave power transfer network (PTN) to an equivalent doubly resistively terminated termination transformed network (TTN) which is essentially a filter network. In this work, the transducer power gain (TPG) formula, Tgen, based on S and transmission (ABCD) parameters for the PTN have been restudied from the classical literature. Then, a new TPG formula, Tgen1, based on the newly proposed TTT has been derived using the transformed TTN network. To be able to show the validity of the proposed TTT, the newly derived TPG formula Tgen1 and the classical TPG formula Tgen have been computed within the scope of an example PTN design. The theorem has been proved mathematically, and experimentally as well with the aid of a Matlab code. The performance plots yielded from the Matlab code have clearly shown that both TPG formulae, i.e., Tgen and Tgen1, are in complete agreement with each other. In that sense, the proposed TTT might be considered as an alternative and helpful technique to be used in microwave engineering.
Design and Analysis of Inset Fed Wide-Band Rectenna with Defected Ground Structure
Authors: Rajawat Asmita , Singhal P. K.
Published: April 2019

The design proposed and fabricated in this paper is a slotted wide-band rectenna with the inclusion of Defected Ground Structure (DGS) which can harvest RF energy in the frequency range of 5.336–6.194[Formula: see text]GHz with a center frequency of 5.8[Formula: see text]GHz. For the development of antenna, FR4 substrate having a dielectric permittivity of 4.3 has been adopted. Two parallel slots on the patch are incorporated on either side of the feed line to obtain the wide-band structure. Dumbbell-shaped DGS is also incorporated exactly underneath the feed line to increase the gain of the antenna. HSMS-285C Schottky diode has been used for the implementation of the rectifier circuit and a Greinacher voltage doubler has been chosen. ADS design software has been used for rectifier simulation and CST has been used for the designing of the antenna. Current behavior on the patch can be investigated to explore the wide-band mechanism. The antenna operates in the frequency range of 5.336–6.194[Formula: see text]GHz and with VSWR less than 2, which corresponds to 16.07% impedance bandwidth. The antenna achieves a gain of 6.189[Formula: see text]dB and a directivity of 8.776[Formula: see text]dBi. The conversion efficiency of the rectifier was optimized to 75% at 5.8[Formula: see text]GHz. The proposed design gave an output of 3.2[Formula: see text]V which can be used under numerous energy harvesting and wireless power transmission applications.
Sub-regional event mixing constraints for two-pion Bose–Einstein correlations measurements in ππx system
Authors: He Q. , Li T. , He X. , Zhuang K.
Published: April 2019

Current BEC measurements in exclusive reactions with very low multiplicities is still a big challenge due to lack of effective observing method. Previously proposed observing approaches using event mixing technique still face problems of sample reduction and introducing extra and unnecessary fitting parameters. Here, we show the viability of a new event mixing approach with sub-regional mixing constraints related to energy hierarchy and energy sum observables. Extensive numerical simulations are performed to test the new mixing technique. Its ability to observe BEC parameters is validated and the systematic bias of the fit BEC parameter [Formula: see text] is improved since this new approach reduces the fitting parameters from 4 to 3 compared to the previously proposed mixing method.
Exploring donor demographics effects on hepatocyte yield and viability: Results of whole human liver isolation from one center
Authors: Geerts Sharon , Ozer Sinan , Chu Chris , Fuchs Bryan C. , Tanabe Kenneth K. , Yeh Heidi , Uygun Korkut
Published: April 2019

Due to the growth of cell-based therapeutic alternatives addressing the shortage of livers for transplant, there is necessity for a reliable source of human hepatocytes. In addition, pharmaceutical research often requires human hepatocytes to assess new drug therapies during development or to achieve FDA approval. Whole human livers producing large quantities of cells from the same donor are ideal, enhancing reproducibility for all purposes, while also allowing for capturing variances in drug-metabolism across different demographics for pharmaceutical testing and development but are limited in availability and quality for research purposes. The present study investigates the effect of donor and liver procurement factors of 16 human livers on cell viability and yield, showing that typical exclusion criteria for transplant still produce viable hepatocytes with significant yields. Although limited in number of data points, which should be taken into consideration, the conclusions of this study could be utilized as indications, allowing for expansion of liver selection criteria for hepatocyte isolation and provide the necessary quality hepatocytes in large quantities for the growing pharmaceutical, biomedical, and therapeutic research fields.
Digital knowledge ecosystem framework for aerial control of agricultural pests
Authors: Gattaz Cristiane C. , Bernardes Roberto C. , Cruvinel Paulo E.
Published: April 2019

This article puts forward a process model for information gathering, planning and execution for decision making in relation to the technological approach in agricultural pest control. The proposed model was tested on aerial application of pesticides for pest control. In here, we propose a methodology based on action–research for implementation of a business, system, and technology model to assist and facilitate the collaborative use of resources and expertise, as well as to adjust one solution based on technological knowledge and management. A case study on pest control on agricultural landscapes in Brazil is presented to illustrate the results of this action–research approach in three different contexts. Its relevance may be measured by its benefits captured by the sharing of information within the networks, to facilitate the flows from information collected to improve the perception from the environment in the form of collective intelligence, so as to compare with previous cases stored in the knowledgebase, for formulation of action planning. Such arrangements pave the way for non-linear methods replacing attempts at objectivity, linear thought and control, as well as risks consideration to be integrated into a social computing system. The results demonstrate that such command-and-control system could be expanded for deployment in other sectors related to agriculture.
Initiation Condition of Hemodialysis Is Independently Associated with All-Cause Mortality in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Wang Chang , Yang Yuan , Yuan Fang , Li Hui-Qiong , He Li-Yu , Liu Di , Liu Ye-Xin , Zhou An , Chen Xing , Liu Fu-You , Peng You-Ming , Liu Hong
Published: April 2019

Background: Despite the progression of dialysis techniques,  the mortality of hemodialysis (HD) patients is still high in China. Here, a retrospective study was performed to investigate the neglected risk factors of all-cause mortality during maintenance HD (MHD). Methods: We investigated 117 MHD patients who died between 2011 and 2016 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University HD center. In order to analyze the risk factors of 48 months all-cause death, the methods of Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used. Results: Multivariate analyses of adjusted age and gender showed that MHD patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate <7 or >10 mL/min/1.73 m2 and anemia (hemoglobin <100 g/L) at the initiation of dialysis are independently associated with the higher death risk. Using central venous catheter vascular access, cerebrovascular comorbidities, diabetes, low-flux dialyzer, and dialysis frequency ≤2 times weekly were also the independent risk factors of death within 48 months. Conclusions: This study indicated that the status of HD initiation is a risk factor of long-term survival in MHD patients, which were usually ignored for lacking of nephrology care prior and could potentially be identified and modified to improve the survival prognosis. Video Journal Club “Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco” at  https://www.karger.com/Journal/ArticleNews/223997?sponsor=52
Copy Number Gain at Xq28 in a Child with Global Developmental Delay Associated with a Variant Form of Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson Syndrome
Authors: Gonçalves Ramos Lélia L. , Plaza Pinto Irene , Deb Rajib , Ribeiro Cristiano L. , Mírian da Cruz e Cunha Damiana , Bernardes Minasi Lysa , Cordeiro Silva Antonio M.T. , da Cruz Aparecido D.
Published: April 2019

We report the case of a child from Central Brazil with global developmental delay (GDD), syndromic features, and absence of abnormal skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy, and leukoplakia of the oral mucosa, with a rearrangement at Xq28 harboring the DKC1 gene. GTC-banding revealed a male karyotype (46,XY) with no visible numerical or structural alterations. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) showed a 0.36-Mb gain at Xq28 of maternal origin, encompassing 22 genes, including DKC1. Rearrangements and mutations involving this gene have been associated with dyskeratosis congenita, X-linked (OMIM 305000) and Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome. CMA was a powerful and efficient approach to identify a gain at Xq28 harboring the DKC1 gene in our patient with GDD syndromic features and no cutaneous alterations, suggesting that this variant is associated with the Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome.
Inhibition of miR-495 Improves Both Vascular Remodeling and Angiogenesis in Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Fu Jie , Bai Peiyuan , Chen Yiwei , Yu Tingting , Li Fen
Published: April 2019

Background and Aims: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic progressing vascular disease characterized by pulmonary arteriole remodeling and loss of pulmonary microvasculature. The aim of this study was to investigate a potential role for the miR-495 in PH pathogenesis and to explore its therapeutic potential in PH. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with SU5416 weekly during 3 weeks of exposure to 10% oxygen to cause PH. We first tested the effects of adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) delivery which was specifically designed to block miR-495 in the lungs of the PH model. Then, the biological function of miR-495 was analyzed in cultured pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) under hypoxic condition. Results: The inhibition of miR-495 improves hemodynamics and vascular remodeling in PH. At the same time, these effects were associated with increases in angiogenic transcription factor VEZF1 and marked upregulation of other angiogenic genes such as Angpt-1 and IGF1. In vitro, cultured mouse PAECs were transfected with miR-495 inhibitor or miR-495 mimics. Both the flow cytometry results and CCK8 assay showed that miR-495 inhibitor increased the percentage of cells in the G2/M+S phase, and the wound healing assays indicated that the migration capacity of PAECs transfected with miR-495 inhibitor was increased compared to the inhibitor-NC cells. Conclusions: Our results indicate that AAV9-TuD-miR-495 delivery improves hemodynamic and pulmonary vascular structural changes in PH mice.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ НЕСПЕЦИФІЧНОЇ І СПЕЦИФІЧНОЇ ЛАНОК ІМУННОГО ЗАХИСТУ У ЩУРІВ З ГОСТРИМ ПАРОДОНТИТОМ НА ТЛІ ГІПОТИРЕОЗУ
Authors: Dzetsiukh T. I.
Published: April 2019

Для вивчення впливу експериментального гіпотиреозу на стан неспецифічної і специфічної ланок імунного захисту у щурів з гострою травмою мʼяких тканин ясен було проведено НСТ-тест, визначено показники клітинної ланки імунної системи (CD4, CD8), а також досліджено вміст IgG, IgМ і IgА у сироватці крові на аналізаторі Stat FAX (USA).

Мета – вивчити особливості неспецифічної і специфічної ланок імунного захисту у щурів з гострим пародонтитом на тлі гіпотиреозу.

Матеріал і методи. Гіпотиреоз у щурів викликали уведенням мерказолілу в дозі 25 мг/кг протягом 21 доби. Контроль здійснювали за рівнями тироксину, трийодтироніну і тиреотропного гормону, а також за масою тварин і їх руховою активністю. До групи порівняння входили тварини, яким мерказоліл не вводили. Вплив гіпотиреозу на перебіг запального процесу при пародонтиті вивчали на моделі запалення, викликаного гострою травмою м'яких тканин ясен. Тваринам під тіопенталовим наркозом (30 мг/кг) з губної сторони до тканин пародонта нижнього різця підводили робочу головку ультразвукового генератора – випромінювач від ультразвукового скейлера ART (Великобританія), і здійснювали однократний направлений вплив коливаннями ультразвукової частоти при наступних параметрах впливу: частота коливань 50 кГц, потужність випромінювання 1,2 Вт∙см² при експозиції впливу 60 с. Операцію проводили на 14 добу після першого введення мерказолілу. Через 1 і 8 діб після операції щурів декапітували під тіопенталовим наркозом (50 мг/кг). Групами порівняння були тварини з експериментальним гіпотиреозом і щури з гострою механічною травмою м'яких тканин ясен. Контролем служив матеріал від інтактних тварин.

Результати. Запалення у щурів з гострою травмою ясен на тлі гіпотиреозу призводило до збільшення вмісту активних нейтрофілів у периферійній крові, зниження CD-4-лімфоцитів, порушення співвідношення основних субпопуляцій лімфоцитів (CD-4 і CD-8), що супроводжується достовірним зниженням імунорегуляторного індексу, пригніченням секреції IgG, IgМ і IgА на системному рівні.

Висновки. В еутиреоїдних щурів спостерігали нормальний перебіг запального процесу із переважанням зростання Т-хелперів над рівнем цитотоксичних Т-лімфоцитів і, відповідно, зростанням імунорегуляторного індексу. Виявлена недостатність клітинної ланки імунної відповіді відображає посилення взаємного негативного впливу запального процесу в пародонті і системних порушень імунного захисту за умов супутнього дефіциту гормонів щитоподібної залози. За умови модельованого гострого пародонтиту на тлі гіпотиреозу вже на 1 добу відмічалося пригнічення гуморальної ланки імунної системи, яке характеризувалось достовірним зниженням імуноглобулінів усіх класів.
ЗМІНИ ОСНОВНИХ ПОКАЗНИКІВ ЧЕРВОНОЇ КРОВІ У ХВОРИХ НА СТЕАТОГЕПАТИТ РІЗНОЇ ЕТІОЛОГІЇ
Authors: Khukhlina O. S. , Antofiichuk T. M. , Antofiichuk M. P. , Kaushanska O. V.
Published: April 2019

Основними причинами стеатогепатиту печінки є вплив на неї токсичних речовин, ендокринні порушення, неправильне харчування. Особливе місце серед токсичних агентів займає алкоголь.

Мета – дослідити зміни основних показників червоної крові при стеатогепатиті різної етіології.

Матеріал і методи. Проведено клінічне спостереження за 60 хворими на алкогольну хворобу печінки та неалкогольний стеатогепатит. Серед обстежених 53,3 % становили чоловіки, 46,7 % – жінки. Усіх хворих було поділено на дві групи: до першої (І) ввійшли 33 % пацієнтів з алкогольною хворобою печінки (алкогольним стеатогепатитом – АСГ), до другої (ІІ) – 67 % хворих із неалкогольною жировою хворобою печінки (неалкогольний стеатогепатит – НАСГ). Контрольну групу склали 20 практично здорових осіб (ПЗО), в яких не виявлено гострих чи хронічних захворювань та алергічних проявів.

Результати. При дослідженні показників клінічного аналізу крові встановлено, що вміст еритроцитів у периферичній крові хворих на НАСГ був у межах норми, а у хворих на АСГ даний показник був вірогідно нижчий за показник у ПЗО на 9,0 % (p<0,05). Разом з тим, вміст гемоглобіну у хворих цієї ж групи вірогідно відрізнявся від вікової норми і був істотно нижчий від показника у ПЗО на 8,5 % (p<0,05), а це свідчить, що в частини хворих на АСГ встановлено анемічний синдром.

Висновок. Перебіг алкогольного стеатогепатиту у 25,0 % випадків супроводжується анемічним синдромом легкого ступеня, незважаючи на істотне вірогідне підвищення в сироватці крові вмісту заліза, феритину, насичення трансферину залізом. Причому, в 15,0 % хворих на АСГ анемія зумовлена дефіцитом вітаміну B12, а у 10,0 % – гемолізом еритроцитів. Описано, що на тлі ожиріння перебіг неалкогольного стеатогепатиту характеризується невірогідним зростанням показників вмісту заліза в сироватці крові, вмісту феритину та насичення трансферину залізом за відсутності клініко-лабораторних ознак анемії.
Publishing in Brazil
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Comunicações e Artes, Reimao Sandra
Published: April 2019

Having as an initial assumption the assertion that the act of buying a book indicates a cultural demand on the part of the buyer or potential reader, and assuming the correlate affirmation that the most prominet book in a determined society in a given time can indicate its cultural dominants, the book Mercado Editorial Brasileiro analyzes the sales of best-selling Brazilian authors in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. In order to outline the thematic profile of the voluntary purchase choices of books from 1960 to 1990, this work uses three instruments: 1) general quantitative data on the Brazilian publishing market; 2) annual best-selling book listings published in newspapers and magazines - used as vague indicators of dominant themes and concerns in the population sector that has access to books; 3) historical and conjunctural data that help to clarify sales data. The result is an analytical approach to readers' preferences and their correlations with the social, political and cultural contexts of the country between 1960 and 1990.
O caso Bagdonavicius e outros vs. Rússia na Corte Europeia de Direitos Humanos
Authors: Souza Ayrton Ribeiro de , Carreira Carlos Eduardo de Castro e Silva , Serra Evandro Gimenez
Published: April 2019

O presente artigo visa a expor o recente caso Bagdonavicius e Outros vs. Rússia, decisão de 2017, analisando-o não somente no âmbito do Direito Internacional dos Direitos Humanos, representado pelas notas sobre o Sistema Europeu de Direitos Humanos, mas, sobretudo, em face das construções de paradigmas jusinternacionalistas para a Proteção Internacional de Minorias com foco étnico-linguístico.
Additions to the lichen biota of Assam State, India
Authors: Gogoi Rupjyoti , Joseph Siljo , Nayaka Sanjeeva , Yasmin Farishta
Published: April 2019

The present paper deals with 25 new records of lichens under 19 genera and 11 families for the state of Assam in India.  The newly reported species from Assam are Alyxoria apomelaena, A. culmigena, A. varia, Caloplaca pseudisteroides, Cryptothecia striata, Diorygma rupicola, Dirinaria papillulifera, Flavoplaca citrina, Graphis sundarbanensis, Herpothallon echinatum, Lecanographa rufa, Letrouitia muralis, Myriotrema clandestinum, Opegrapha discolor, Parmotrema crinitoides, Phaeophyscia hispidula, Porina eminentior, P. interstes, P. mastoidella, Pyrenula submastophora, P. thelomorpha, Rinodina oxydata, Synarthonia bicolor, Zwackhia bonplandii, and Z. viridis.  Brief descriptions of these additional lichen taxa from Assam are provided to facilitate their identification.
Left Ventricular Remodeling Results in Homogenization of Myocardial Work Distribution
Authors: Duchenne Jürgen , Turco Anna , Ünlü Serkan , Pagourelias Efstathios D. , Vunckx Kathleen , Degtiarova Ganna , Bézy Stéphanie , Cvijic Marta , Nuyts Johan , Claus Piet , Rega Filip , Gheysens Olivier , Voigt Jens-Uwe
Published: April 2019

Background:

The interaction between regional left ventricular (LV) myocardial work and metabolism in remodeled hearts has not yet been well established. Our aim was to investigate the effect of inhomogeneous LV work distribution on regional metabolism and remodeling in our animal model with reversible dyssynchrony due to pacing.

Methods:

In 12 sheep, 8 weeks of right atrial and right ventricular free wall (DDD) pacing lead to LV dilatation, a thinned septum, and thickened lateral wall. Left bundle branch block–like dyssynchrony caused by DDD pacing could be acutely reverted by right atrial pacing (AAI) only. Invasive hemodynamics and echocardiography were used to assess regional work by stress-strain loop area and compared with regional glucose metabolism measured by
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with and without improved spatial resolution by motion and anatomy correction on gated reconstructions.

Results:

Glucose metabolism by positron emission tomography with anatomic correction on gated positron emission tomography reconstruction showed a different regional distribution than with clinical reconstructions and correlated best and significantly with regional myocardial work. At baseline, work was homogeneously distributed with normal conduction (AAI pacing), whereas during dyssynchrony (DDD pacing), the lateral wall was more loaded, and the septum was unloaded. After 8 weeks of remodeling under DDD pacing, however, an almost homogeneous work distribution was found with DDD pacing, whereas with AAI pacing, the thin septum showed exaggerated loading and the lateral walls a low load. Our experimental observations were confirmed in 5 patient responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Conclusions:

Regional LV glucose metabolism closely correlates with regional work. Our data indicate that regionally different LV remodeling after exposure to inhomogeneous loading conditions, such as during LV dyssynchrony, is an adaptive process that helps to equilibrate work distribution. Correction of the inhomogeneous loading conditions, such as during cardiac resynchronization therapy, then triggers a reverse LV remodeling through the same mechanism.
Interhospital Variation in the Costs of Pediatric/Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Procedures: Analysis of Data From the Pediatric Health Information Systems Database
Authors: O'Byrne Michael L. , Glatz Andrew C. , Faerber Jennifer A. , Seshadri Roopa , Millenson Marisa E. , Mi Lanyu , Shinohara Russell T. , Dori Yoav , Gillespie Matthew J. , Rome Jonathan J. , Kawut Steven M. , Groeneveld Peter W.
Published: April 2019

Background

Cardiac catheterization is an important but costly component of health care for young patients with cardiac disease. Measurement of variation in their cost between hospitals and identification of the reasons for this variation may help reduce cost without compromising quality.

Methods and Results

Using data from Pediatric Health Information Systems Database from January 2007 to December 2015, the costs of 9 procedures were measured. Mixed‐effects multivariable models were used to generate case‐mix–adjusted estimates of each hospital's cost for each procedure and measure interhospital variation. Procedures (n=35 637) from 43 hospitals were studied. Median costs varied from $8249 (diagnostic catheterization after orthotopic heart transplantation) to $38 909 (transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement). There was marked variation in the cost of procedures between hospitals with 3.5‐ to 8.9‐fold differences in the case‐mix–adjusted cost between the most and least expensive hospitals. No significant correlation was found between hospitals’ procedure‐specific mortality rates and costs. Higher procedure volume was not associated with lower cost except for diagnostic procedures in heart transplant patients and pulmonary artery angioplasty. At the hospital level, the proportion of cases that were outliers (>95th percentile) was significantly associated with rank in terms of cost (Spearman's ρ ranging from 0.37 to 0.89,
P
<0.01).

Conclusions

Large‐magnitude hospital variation in cost was not explained by case‐mix or volume. Further research is necessary to determine the degree to which variation in cost is the result of differences in the efficiency of the delivery of healthcare services and the rate of catastrophic adverse outcomes and resultant protracted and expensive hospitalizations.
Two new iassine leafhopper genera from Ecuador (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: KRISHNANKUTTY SINDHU M. , DIETRICH CHRISTOPHER H.
Published: April 2019

Two new iassine leafhopper genera, Nigrojassus gen. nov. and Neotrocnada gen. nov. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from Ecuador are described and illustrated. Nigrojassus gen. nov. is closely related to Hoplojassus Dietrich based on the elongate scutellum, arcuate base of the hindwing, leg chaetotaxy and flattened subgenital plate. Two new species, N. madhurai sp. nov. and N. ananthi sp. nov. are described in the genus. Neotrocnada is a monotypic genus with Neotrocnada napoensis sp. nov. as type species. Homologies of the highly modified structures of the male genitalia of Neotrocnada are assessed based on comparison to other New World genera.
New synonym and descriptions of two new species of the spider genus Clubiona Latreille, 1804 from Thailand (Araneae, Clubionidae)
Authors: DANKITTIPAKUL PAKAWIN , TAVANO MARIA , CHOTWONG WIMOLWAN , SINGTRIPOP TIPPAWAN
Published: April 2019

The female holotype of Clubiona distincta Thorell, 1887 from Myanmar is illustrated for the first time. It is considered ajunior synonym of C. filicata Pickard-Cambridge, 1874 originally described from India. Two new species belonging tothe genus Clubiona are described from Thailand. These taxa are C. digitata sp. nov., and C. aberrans sp. nov. The con-specific female of C. filifera Dankittipakul, 2008 is designated and described. Clubiona melanothele Thorell, 1895 and C. corrugata Bösenberg & Strand, 1906 are recorded from Thailand for the first time.
Afrotropical weevils of the Cadoderus Marshall generic complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Embrithini). Part 1. Genera: Cadoderus Marshall, 1926; Sphrigodellus Marshall, 1942 and Oncophyes Marshall, 1942
Authors: YUNAKOV NIKOLAI
Published: April 2019

The canopy dwelling weevils of the genus Cadoderus and allied genera demonstrate significant diversity in fragmentedmontane and gallery forests of East Africa. Adults have various cryptic coloration or vestiture to hide them among branch-es covered with lichens and moss. Cadoderus Marshall, 1926, Sphrigodellus Marshall, 1942, and Oncophyes Marshall,1942 are reviewed and redescribed. Eighteen new species are described: Cadoderus weisei sp. n. (Tanzania: West Usam-bara Mts.), C. burundi sp. n. (Burundi: Ruvube N.P.), C. grebennikovi sp. n. (Tanzania: Nguru Mts.), C. olivaceus sp. n.(Tanzania: Nguru Mts.), Sphrigodellus minutus sp. n., S. gusarovi sp. n., S. nasutus sp. n., S. parecola sp. n., S. viridegr-iseus sp. n., S. kiverengei sp. n. (Tanzania: Pare Mts.), S. usambaricus sp. n., S. kwamkoroensis sp. n. (Tanzania: EastUsambara Mts.), S. nguruensis sp. n. (Tanzania: Nguru Mts.), S. lineatus sp. n. (Tanzania: Udzungwa Mts.), S. sundi sp.n. (Tanzania: Mt. Kilimanjaro), S. aberdarecola sp. n. (Kenya: Aberdare Mountain Range), S. taitae sp. n. (Kenya: TaitaHills), Oncophyes cadoderoides sp. n. (Tanzania: Usambara Mts.). Genitalia of both sexes of all known taxa are exten-sively studied and illustrated for the first time. A modified key to genera and species of the Cadoderus-complex is given.Lectotypes are designated for Ellimenistes bellus Faust, 1896, E. mysticus Faust, 1900, E. amoenus Hartmann, 1904, Barianus centralis Hustache, 1929 and Cadoderus lepidus Marshall, 1940.
Checklist of genus- and species-group names of the false limpets Siphonaria (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Euthyneura)
Authors: WHITE TRACY R. , DAYRAT BENOÎT
Published: April 2019

Not since Hubendick’s 1946 Systematic Monograph of the Patelliformia has a comprehensive taxonomic work been com-pleted on the genus of false-limpets Siphonaria, distributed worldwide, except in the northern Atlantic. A checklist of allsupra-specific names associated with Siphonaria is established. A checklist of all species-group names is provided as welland their nomenclatural status is discussed (available, not available, permanently invalid). Of the 270 species-group namesincluded in the checklist, 205 are available and not permanently invalid. All other names are either not available or avail-able but permanently invalid. The geographic distribution of the type localities is also presented; of the 205 species-group names that are available and not permanently invalid, 62 are from the tropical and subtropical Indo-West Pacific.
Erratum: MITSUHASHI, M. (2012) A new species of the genus Philarius (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Zootaxa, 3481, 82–88.
Authors: MITSUHASHI M.
Published: April 2019

(Erratum)
Morphology of the second zoeal stage of Grapsus adscensionis (Osbeck, 1765) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Grapsoidea) confirms larval characters of the family Grapsidae
Authors: LANDEIRA JOSÉ MARÍA , CUESTA JOSÉ A.
Published: April 2019

The morphology of the second zoeal stage of Grapsus adscensionis, hatched from ovigerous specimens collected in the supralittoral zone of Taliarte Harbour, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, NE Atlantic), is described and illustrated in detail for the first time. The comparison of its larval morphology with those of other species of Grapsidae provides information for the characterization of the zoeal morphology of grapsids, with implications in the phylogenetic relationships within the family, as well as an aid in identification of plankton samples.
Checklist of Inland Aquatic Amphipoda (Crustacea: Malacostraca) of California
Authors: GRAENING G. O. , ROGERS D. CHRISTOPHER , HOLSINGER JOHN R. , BARR CHERYL , BOTTORFF RICHARD
Published: April 2019

We present the first comprehensive checklist of Amphipoda in Californian inland waters. Amphipod distributionrecords were based upon a thorough literature review and unpublished data of colleagues, as well as the collectionsof the authors. We report 62 species in 24 genera and 14 families, including 7 new taxa awaiting formal description.Sixteen species are exotic and at least 20 species are subterranean obligates. Endemicity is high: 40% of the nativefauna are limited to a single locale, typically a spring or cave stream, and another 3 species are known from just 2locales each. Conservation status rank revisions are offered in order to update the California Natural Diversity Da-tabase and IUCN Red List. Threats from invasive species are briefly discussed, as well as the use of amphipods as bioindicators.
Description of two new Carlia species (Reptilia: Scincidae) from north-east Australia, elevation of Carlia pectoralis inconnexa Ingram & Covacevich 1989 to full species status, and redescription of Carlia pectoralis (de Vis 1884)
Authors: HOSKIN CONRAD J. , COUPER PATRICK J.
Published: April 2019

Scincid lizards belonging to the genus Carlia are found in eastern and northern Australia and in New Guinea andassociated islands. These skinks are a particularly diverse component of the reptile fauna of north-east Australia. Carliapectoralis (de Vis 1884) was formerly regarded as occurring over much of eastern Queensland, in north-east Australia.Here we show that it consists of four species: Carlia pectoralis, Carlia decora sp. nov., Carlia rubigo sp. nov. and Carliainconnexa Ingram & Covacevich 1989 (which was formerly described as a subspecies of C. pectoralis). Herein, wedescribe two new species, elevate C. p. inconnexa to full species status with a revised description, and redescribe C.pectoralis sensu stricto. The four species differ in aspects of scalation, morphology and colour pattern. Carlia decora sp.nov. occurs in vine thickets, rainforest margins and moist open forests in high rainfall coastal areas of mid-east and north-east Queensland. Carlia rubigo sp. nov. occurs in dry open forests of inland eastern Queensland and in some coastal areasof mid-eastern Queensland. Carlia pectoralis is distributed through open forests of south-east Queensland. Carliainconnexa is restricted to rocky open forests on islands of ‘the Whitsundays’ off mid-eastern Queensland. The addition of these three species brings the number of Australian Carlia to 22 species, 17 of which are found in Queensland.
First report of the male of Zamora granulata Roewer, 1928, with implications on the higher taxonomy of the Zamorinae Kury, 1997 (Opiliones, Laniatores, Cranaidae)
Authors: KURY ADRIANO B.
Published: April 2019

Males of Zamora granulata Roewer, 1928—a species known from Zamora, Ecuador—are reported for the first time. Thestudy of this species, especially the male genitalia, along with all species of Zamorinae Kury, 1997, allowed to reach thefollowing conclusions: 1) Zamora vulcana Kury, 1997, from Cotopaxi, Ecuador, does not belong to Zamora and istransferred to Rivetinus Roewer, 1914; 2) Zamora granulata, the name-bearer of Zamorinae, is not an Agoristenidae andtherefore Zamorinae is placed in Cranaidae; 3) Zamorinae is redefined based on previously unavailable information frommale genitalia; (4) some genera hitherto placed in Zamorinae which present a combination of a generalized gonyleptoidhabitus plus an agoristenid genitalia (which includes Globibunus Roewer, 1912 and Rivetinus), are placed in Globibuninaesubfam. nov. Based on the examination of the holotype of Prostygnus vestitus Roewer, 1913 (from Ecuador, notColombia, nor Venezuela), and new material of Cutervolus albopunctatus Roewer, 1957, the Prostygninae are restrictedto Cutervolus Roewer, 1957 and Prostygnus Roewer, 1913, with distribution accordingly restricted to southern Ecuadorand northern Peru. Iconographic complements are made on the type species of these two genera, and their male genitaliaare illustrated for the first time. All other Prostygninae are considered Gonyleptoidea incertae sedis. Emended diagnoses are provided for Globibuninae, Prostygninae and Zamorinae.
A new and commercial species of Gastrosaccus Norman, 1868 (Peracarida: Mysida: Mysidae) from Java, Indonesia
Authors: BAMBER ROGER N , MORTON BRIAN
Published: April 2019

A new species of gastrosaccid mysid, Gastrosaccus yuyu, is described from the higher tidal levels of wave-exposed surfbeaches of Java, Indonesia. It belongs to that group of Gastrosaccus species with a fringe of slender spine-like filamentsalong the posterodorsal margin of the carapace, and, in having a mid-dorsal apophysis on the fifth abdominal somite inthe adult and filaments which extend onto the postero-lateral lobes of the carapace, is close only to G. sorrentoensis. It isdistinct in having fewer marginal carapace filaments than G. sorrentoensis, as well as apical telson spines which are hardlylonger than the sub-apical lateral spines and are separated from those spines by a gap distinctly larger than those betweenthe previous spines, a more pronounced rostrum, and a distinct conformation of the distal tip of the mandibular palp, interalia. Gastrosaccus yuyu is collected commercially by artisanal fishermen in Java, and cooked into a fried rice-flour crisp biscuit, known locally as “peyek”.
New and poorly known species of the genus Lesteva Latreille, 1797 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae) from Nepal
Authors: SHAVRIN ALEXEY V.
Published: April 2019

Lesteva (s.str.) jaegeri sp. n. from Nepal (Annapūrna Himal, Manaslu Himal) is described. L. (s.str.) fluviata Champion, 1920 is redescribed. Lesteva (s.str.) championi Lohse, 1982 is recorded from Pakistan for the first time. Aedeagi of all species are illustrated. An identification key to the Lesteva Latreille, 1797 of Nepal is provided.
To the knowledge of Hedychridium Abeille de Perrin, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) of Mediterranean Region, with description of new species and new synonymy
Authors: STRUMIA FRANCO
Published: April 2019

New species Hedychridium goloensis Strumia, sp. nov. from Western Mediterranean Region is described and figured. New synonymy is proposed for Hedychridium jucundum Mocsàry, 1889 (=Hedychridium reticulatum hyalitarse Perraudin 1978, syn. nov.). The number of Hedychridium species known for Sardinia and Corsica increased to 15 and 17 respectively.
Erratum: KALLAL, ROBERT J. & LAPOLLA, JOHN S. (2012) Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part II: Nylanderia in the Nearctic. Zootaxa, 3508, 1–64.
Authors: KALLAL ROBERT J. , LAPOLLA JOHN S.
Published: April 2019

(Erratum)
A new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake, genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Serpentes, Colubridae), from the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesia, with comments on differentiating morphological characters
Authors: KAISER CHRISTINE M. , O’SHEA MARK , KAISER HINRICH
Published: April 2019

We describe a new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake (Stegonotus) from a single adult male specimen collected in 1953 near Kamro, a village in Maybrat Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. The specimen had been considered a member of S. batjanensis, a well-defined species from the northern Maluku Islands over 500 km to the northwest with which it shares the key characteristic of having the 3rd, 4th, and 5th supralabial scales touching the eyes. The new species can be differentiated from S. batjanensis as well as all other species of Stegonotus by having its 5th supralabial scale projecting forward from behind the eye to form a narrow contact zone with the eye. In addition, it is differentiated by the combination of the following characteristics: seven supralabials, the 3rd–5th touching the eye; eight infralabials, the 1st–4th touching the anterior genial; four scales separating the posterior genial and the first gastrostege; dorsal scales in 17 rows, diminishing to 15 posteriorly; a low number of ventrals (181 in the holotype) combined with a high number of subcaudals (105 in the holotype), the latter comprising 37% of the scales on the ventral surface, the highest proportion in the genus. The description of this species is of interest beyond adding to the species diversity of Stegonotus: it allowed us to explore additional characteristics to resolve taxonomic questions in a morphologically conservative genus, it illustrates the need for additional herpetological survey work on the Bird’s Head Peninsula, and its initial misidentification serves as a reminder of the continued relevance and importance of natural history collections as repositories for specimens and data that influence our knowledge today by reaching out from the past.
On the Seasonality of the El Niño Teleconnection to the Amundsen Sea Region
Authors: Scott Yiu Yu Yeung , Maycock Amanda C.
Published: April 2019

The Amundsen Sea low (ASL) is a quasi-stationary low pressure system that affects climate in West Antarctica. Previous studies have shown that El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) modulates the position and strength of the ASL with the strongest teleconnection found in austral winter despite the amplitude of ENSO events generally being largest in austral autumn/summer. This study investigates the mechanisms behind the seasonality of the El Niño teleconnection to the Amundsen Sea region (ASR) using experiments with the HadGEM3 climate model forced with an idealized fixed El Niño sea surface temperature anomaly present throughout the year. The seasonality of the El Niño–ASR teleconnection is found to originate from seasonal differences in the large-scale zonal winds in the South Pacific sector. In austral winter, the region of strong absolute vorticity near ~30°S associated with the subtropical jet, in combination with the changes to upper-tropospheric divergence due to the El Niño perturbation, acts as an anomalous Rossby wave source that is largely absent in austral summer. Furthermore, in austral summer the poleward propagation of tropically sourced Rossby waves into the ASR is inhibited by the strong polar front jet in the South Pacific sector, which leads to Rossby wave reflection away from the ASR. In austral winter, Rossby waves are able to propagate into the ASR, forming part of the Pacific South America pattern. The lack of the Rossby wave source in the tropical Pacific and the absence of favorable conditions for wave propagation explains the weaker El Niño–ASR teleconnection in austral summer compared to austral winter.
Psychometric properties of home accessibility assessment tools: A systematic review
Authors: Patry Alexandre , Vincent Claude , Duval Christian , Careau Emmanuelle
Published: April 2019

Background.

Although home environment assessments are commonly performed by occupational therapists working in home care, use of nonstandardized measures created in-house or lack of measure use can cast a shadow over the quality of these assessments for people with disabilities. To ensure quality of home environment assessments, occupational therapists need standardized measures with demonstrated psychometric properties.

Purpose.

This study provides a critical appraisal of objective accessibility measures of the home environment.

Method.

A systematic review was undertaken for which three databases—CINAHL, PubMed, and Embase—were searched to identify accessibility measures of the home environment and evaluate their psychometric properties. Two authors independently assessed the quality of selected studies using the critical appraisal form for psychometric articles.

Findings.

Ten studies discussing seven accessibility measures were identified and selected for this review. No measures showed strong evidence of both good reliability and validity. Only one study addressed the responsiveness of a measure of accessibility.

Implications.

As occupational therapists are specialists of the person–environment relationship, the lack of evidence of the psychometric properties of objective accessibility measures of the home environment harms evidence-based occupational therapy practice. This review identified the most promising assessment tools, but further research is needed.