bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do We Need to Add Postoperative Radiotherapy in Patients Undergoing Trimodality Therapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Positive Lymph Nodes Disease?
Authors: Huang Pei-Ming , Hsu Feng-Ming , Lin Chia-Chi , Hsu Chin-Hung , Cheng Jason Chia-Hsien , Lee Jang-Ming
Published: July 2017

Background: The role of adjuvant radiotherapy for positive lymph nodes (LN) in patients with esophageal cancer who received neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is not well established. This study is aimed at determining the impact of positive LN and the survival benefit of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) after CCRT plus surgery on esophageal cancer patients. Methods: Seventy patients with positive LN after neoadjuvant CCRT followed by esophagectomy were enrolled in the study. Patients were grouped into surgery alone following neoadjuvant CCRT (n = 41) and surgery plus PORT following neoadjuvant CCRT (n = 29) groups. The preoperative radiation dose was 36-45 Gy (mean 40 Gy) and the postoperative radiation dose was 20 Gy in 10 fractions. Results: The 5-year survival rate and mean survival was 40% and 58.6 ± 53.9 months for patients with a pathologic complete response (pCR) compared with 8.3% and 22.7 ± 35.5 months, respectively, for non-pCR patients (p = 0.026). Local and distant recurrent patterns were similar for patients who did and did not receive PORT (p = 0.876). The mean survival did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (p = 0.889). Pathological complete response to CCRT was the only significant factor influencing survival (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Postoperative RT did not improve survival in patients with positive LN after CCRT followed by curative surgery for esophageal cancer.
HIV-1 Subtype Diversity and Prevalence of Primary Drug Resistance in a Single-Center Pediatric Cohort in Germany
Authors: Neubert Jennifer , Michalsky Nadja , Laws Hans-Jürgen , Borkhardt Arndt , Jensen Björn , Lübke Nadine
Published: July 2017

Objectives: Data on drug-resistant mutations (DRMs) in HIV-1-infected therapy-naïve children are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the HIV-1 subtype distribution and the prevalence of DRMs in therapy-naïve HIV-1-infected children who received routine care at the University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. Methods: Records of all HIV-1-infected children who received routine care between January 2005 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The collected data included demographics, clinical characteristics, CD4 cell count, viral load, HIV-1 subtype, and resistance genotype at baseline. Results: 83 HIV-1-infected children received routine care during the observation period. HIV-1 subtypes were available in 61/83 patients (73.5%) and baseline HIV-1 resistance in 24 (29%). The prevalence of major DRMs was 29% (21% nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs], 12.5% non-NRTIs, and 4% protease inhibitors). Minor mutations in the protease gene were common (58%). Non-B subtypes were predominant (77%). Conclusions: We report a predominance of non-subtype-B infections and a higher prevalence of DRMs compared to other pediatric cohorts from resource-rich settings. The difference in HIV-1 subtype distribution is due to the fact that a relevant proportion of pediatric patients in Germany are immigrants from high-prevalence settings in sub-Saharan Africa where non-B subtypes predominate.
Herbal Prevention of Pneumonia Epidemics in Multinational Refugee Camps: Echinacea for Refugees
Authors: Tafazoli Ali
Published: July 2017

Considering the huge number of war refugees all over the world, taking care of their health-related problems is a critical issue for humanitarian organizations. Respiratory tract infections are one the most life-threatening hazards among these populations. Therefore, any measure to control them with acceptable safety and efficacy will be valuable. According to recent studies, Echinacea supplements are potential candidates for this indication.
The Role of Radical Prostatectomy and Radiotherapy in Treatment of Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fahmy Omar , Khairul-Asri Mohd Ghani , Hadi Syed H.S.M. , Gakis Georgios , Stenzl Arnulf
Published: July 2017

Background: The role of radical prostatectomy (RP) is still controversial for locally advanced prostate cancer (PC). Radiotherapy (RT) and hormonal therapy (HT) are usually used as a primary treatment. Material and Methods: A systematic online search was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis statement. Eligible publications reporting the overall survival (OS) and/or disease-specific survival (DSS) were included. A total of 14 studies, including 17,869 patients, were considered for analysis. The impact of therapeutic modalities on survival was assessed, with a risk of bias assessment according to the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Results: For RP, RT, and HT, the mean 10-year OS was 70.7% (95% CI 61.3-80.2), 65.8% (95% CI 48.1-83.3), and 22.6% (95% CI 4.9-40.3; p = 0.001), respectively. The corresponding 10-year DSS was 84.1% (95% CI 75.1-93.2), 89.4% (95% CI 70.1-108.6), and 50.4% (95% CI 31.2-69.6; p = 0.0127), respectively. Among all treatment combinations, RP displayed significant improvement in OS when included in the treatment (Z = 4.01; p < 0.001). Adjuvant RT significantly improved DSS (Z = 2.7; p = 0.007). Combination of RT and HT favored better OS in comparison to monotherapy with RT or HT (Z = 3.61; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Improved outcomes in advanced PC were detected for RP plus adjuvant RT vs. RP alone and RT plus adjuvant HT vs. RT alone with comparable survival results between both regimens. RP with adjuvant RT may present the modality of choice when HT is contraindicated.
ФАРМАКОЕПІДЕМІОЛОГІЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ ТЕНДЕНЦІЙ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ БЕТА-ЛАКТАМНИХ АНТИБІОТИКІВ ДЛЯ ЛІКУВАННЯ ПНЕВМОНІЇ В РЕСПУБЛІЦІ ТАДЖИКИСТАН
Authors: Savchenkova L. V. , Saidova M. N. , Sanginova N. S.
Published: July 2017

Мета роботи. Провести ретроспективний аналіз споживання р-лактамних антибіотиків для лікування позалікарняної пневмонії в стаціонарах Республіки Таджикистан з використанням DDD-методолопї.Матеріали і методи. Оцінювали споживання р-лактамних антибіотиків згідно з індексом ATC/DDD ВООЗ за 2011-2015 рр. В якості одиниці вимірювання використовувалося кількість грамів активної речовини з подальшим розрахунком показника загальної DDDs, DDDs/100 ліжко-днів та % від загальної DDDs.Результати й обговорення. Проведено ретроспективний аналіз споживання р-лактамних антибіотиків для лікування позалікарняної пневмонії в пульмонологічному відділенні багатопрофільного стаціонару Республіки Таджикистан. Встановлено збільшення споживання р-лактамних антибіотиків для лікування пневмонії за 2011­2015 рр. Виявлена динаміка зумовлена виключно за рахунок збільшення споживання антибактеріальних препаратів з групи цефалоспоринів, а саме цефалоспорину III покоління - цефтриаксону. При цьому знизився інтерес в якості антибактеріальних препаратів для лікування позалікарняної пневмонії до антимікробних препаратів з групи пеніцилінів.Висновки. Спостерігається поступове скорочення застосування для фармакотерапії позалікарняної пневмонії застарілих малоефективних препаратів пеніцилінового ряду (ампіцилін) і невиправдане зниження призначення одного з найбільш ефективних і безпечних антибіотиків - амоксициліну. Позитивним є також зниження призначення цефалоспоринів першого покоління (цефазоліну). При цьому велика популярність цефтриаксона становить потенційну небезпеку зростання резистентності до цього препарату і розвитку побічних реакцій, що вимагає більш ретельного контролю раціональності застосування даного антибіотика.
Relato de Atividade: “Faço Parte Dessa História”
Authors: Leme Fernanda , Smaira Fabiana Infante , Martins Bianca Garcia
Published: July 2017

O presente trabalho consiste no relato de uma atividade realizada com alunos do primeiro semestre do curso de Nutrição da Universidade de São Paulo em 2014. Tal atividade teve como proposta a construção pelos alunos, em sala de aula, de uma linha do tempo sobre a história da profissão do nutricionista no Brasil. O objetivo do relato é analisar criticamente o uso de metodologias ativas no ensino superior visando à transformação do aluno de membro passivo em membro ativo na dinâmica da sala de aula. A atividade realizada obteve bons resultados, segundo a visão dos alunos, que relataram ter havido melhor aproveitamento e dedicação ao conteúdo com a dinâmica utilizada.
Clube de Ciências Digital Interativo
Authors: Masson Rafaela , Barbosa Ellen Francine
Published: July 2017

O Clube de Ciências Digital Interativo consistiu em atividades extraclasses que favorecessem a vivência da metodologia científica (nas áreas de Química, Física, Matemática, Computação e Biologia), a fim de repetir os feitos de cientistas em laboratórios. Além disso, consistiu em aproximar os alunos do âmbito universitário, fazendo com que eles conhecessem campos de pesquisa, laboratórios, e realizassem atividades dentro da universidade. O Clube de Ciências Digital Interativo, para suas atividades, contou com o uso de um blog na internet no qual os participantes registravam os resultados dessas atividades. Este projeto teve como público-alvo alunos do primeiro e segundo ano do Ensino Médio de instituições públicas de ensino e foi desenvolvido no escopo das atividades do Instituto de Estudos Avançados (IEA), Polo São Carlos.
Influence of Child and Adult Elevated Blood Pressure on Adult Arterial Stiffness
Authors: Aatola Heikki , Koivistoinen Teemu , Tuominen Heikki , Juonala Markus , Lehtimäki Terho , Viikari Jorma S.A. , Raitakari Olli T. , Kähönen Mika , Hutri-Kähönen Nina
Published: July 2017

Elevated blood pressure (BP) in childhood has been associated with increased adult arterial stiffness, the independent predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The favorable BP change from childhood to adulthood and the risk of high adult arterial stiffness has not been reported. We examined the effect of child and adult BP on pulse wave velocity (PWV) assessed in adulthood among 1540 white adults followed-up for 27 years since baseline (1980, aged 6–18 years). Childhood elevated BP was defined according to the tables from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. In adulthood, BP was classified as elevated if systolic BP ≥120 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥80 mm Hg, or self-reported use of antihypertensive medications. PWV was measured in 2007 by whole-body impedance cardiography, and high PWV was defined as values at or above the age-, sex-, and heart rate–specific 80th percentile. Individuals with persistently elevated BP and individuals with normal child but elevated adult BP had increased risk of high adult PWV (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 3.18 [2.22–4.55] and 2.64 [1.79–3.88], respectively) in comparison with individuals with normal (both child and adult) BP. In contrast, individuals with elevated BP in childhood but not in adulthood did not have significantly increased risk of high PWV (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 1.26[0.80–1.99]). The results were consistent when different definitions for child and adult elevated BP were applied. These findings highlight the importance of BP control in the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
An Aggregate Biomarker Risk Score Predicts High Risk of Near‐Term Myocardial Infarction and Death: Findings From BARI 2D (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes)
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Nima , Brooks Maria M. , Vlachos Helen , Hardison Regina , Sikora Sergey , Sperling Laurence , Quyyumi Arshed A. , Epstein Stephen E.
Published: July 2017

Background

In a previous study, we found that a biomarker risk score (
BRS
) comprised of C‐reactive protein, fibrin‐degradation products, and heat shock protein‐70 predicts risk of myocardial infarction and death in coronary artery disease patients. We sought to: (1) validate the
BRS
in the independent BARI 2D (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes) cohort, (2) investigate whether 1 year of intensive medical therapy is associated with improved
BRS
, and (3) elucidate whether an altered
BRS
parallels altered risk.

Methods and Results

Two thousand thirty‐two subjects with coronary artery disease were followed for 5.3±1.1 years for cardiovascular events. Biomarkers were measured at baseline and retested in 1304 subjects at 1 year.
BRS
was determined as the biomarker number above previously defined cut‐off values (C‐reactive protein >3 mg/L, heat shock protein‐70 >0.313 ng/mL, and fibrin‐degradation products >1 μg/mL). After adjustment for covariates, those with a
BRS
of 3 had a 4‐fold increased risk of all‐cause death and a 6.8‐fold increased risk of cardiac death compared with those with a
BRS
of 0 (95%
CI
, 2.9–16.0;
P
<0.0001). All individual biomarkers decreased by 1 year, with ≈80% of patients decreasing their
BRS
.
BRS
recalibrated at 1 year also predicted risk. Those with 1‐year
BRS
of 2 to 3 had a 4‐year mortality rate of 21.1% versus 7.4% for those with
BRS
of 0 to 1 (
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions

Our results validate the ability of the
BRS
to identify coronary artery disease patients at very high near‐term risk of myocardial infarction/death. After 1 year of intensive medical therapy, the
BRS
decreased significantly, and the reclassified
BRS
continued to track with risk. Our results suggest that repeated
BRS
measurements might be used to assess risk and recalibrate therapy.
Inhibition of IκB Kinase at 24 Hours After Acute Kidney Injury Improves Recovery of Renal Function and Attenuates Fibrosis
Authors: Johnson Florence L. , Patel Nimesh S. A. , Purvis Gareth S. D. , Chiazza Fausto , Chen Jianmin , Sordi Regina , Hache Guillaume , Merezhko Viktoria V. , Collino Massimo , Yaqoob Muhammed M. , Thiemermann Christoph
Published: July 2017

Background

Acute kidney injury (
AKI
) is a major risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease. Nuclear factor‐κB is a nuclear transcription factor activated post‐ischemia, responsible for the transcription of proinflammatory proteins. The role of nuclear factor‐κB in the renal fibrosis post‐
AKI
is unknown.

Methods and Results

We used a rat model of
AKI
caused by unilateral nephrectomy plus contralateral ischemia (30 minutes) and reperfusion injury (up to 28 days) to show impairment of renal function (peak: 24 hours), activation of nuclear factor‐κB (peak: 48 hours), and fibrosis (28 days). In humans,
AKI
is diagnosed by a rise in serum creatinine. We have discovered that the IκB kinase inhibitor
IKK
16 (even when given at peak serum creatinine) still improved functional and structural recovery and reduced myofibroblast formation, macrophage infiltration, transforming growth factor‐β expression, and Smad2/3 phosphorylation.
AKI
resulted in fibrosis within 28 days (Sirius red staining, expression of fibronectin), which was abolished by
IKK
16. To confirm the efficacy of
IKK
16 in a more severe model of fibrosis, animals were subject to 14 days of unilateral ureteral obstruction, resulting in tubulointerstitial fibrosis, myofibroblast formation, and macrophage infiltration, all of which were attenuated by
IKK
16.

Conclusions

Inhibition of IκB kinase at peak creatinine improves functional recovery, reduces further injury, and prevents fibrosis.
Textual History and Reception History
Authors: Allen Garrick V.
Published: July 2017

This article explores the possibility of examining reception history within the textual history of the New Testament, focusing on the book of Revelation. Both intentional alterations located in particular manuscripts and reading practices gleaned from slips of scribal performance are indicative of reception. Attempts to facilitate a certain understanding of a locution constitute acts of reception embedded in Revelation’s early textual history. The article concludes by analysing the social dynamics of the milieus in which exegetical textual alterations were tolerated, suggesting that the work of informal scribal networks provides modern researchers access to evidence for reception.
Access to Environmental Justice: the Double Standards of the ecj
Authors: Krämer Ludwig
Published: July 2017

In its findings of 27 June 2016, the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee concluded that European Union “failed to comply with Article 9 paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Convention with regard to access to justice by members of the public, because neither the Aarhus legislation nor the jurisprudence of the ecj implements or complies with the obligations under these paragraphs”. Against this backdrop, the present contribution retraces the jurisprudence of the ecj on access to justice in environmental matters, evaluates its compatibility with the Aarhus Convention and compares it with the ecj’s practice in economic cases, in particular in the area of State aid. It is shown, i. a., that the ecj denies ngos access to justice with regard to acts and omissions of eu institutions and how this is in breach with both eu environmental laws and Article 9(3) of the Aarhus Convention. It is also shown that the Court of Justice is much stricter with regard to the admissibility of actions which try to protect the environment than it is with regard to actions, where economic interests are at stake.
Vertical Environmental Management: A Panacea to the Environmental Enforcement Gap in China?
Authors: Ma Yun
Published: July 2017

After being proposed in 2015, environmental vertical management (vm) reform was hailed as being able to bridge the environmental law enforcement gap, because it helps in insulating environmental protection agencies from intervention by local governments, thus functioning to end local protectionism brought about by the traditional ‘dual leadership’ model. This article identifies how the ongoing reform process changes the institutional structure of environmental management, explains the reasons for initiating such a reform and analyses whether vm can be as effective as intended. It is concluded that promotion of an environmental vm reform reflects the vicissitudes of central government-local government relations in the environmental era. As a method to strengthen central oversight on local environmental performance, vm is far from the sole or the most cost-effective method to realize this goal. The environmental vm reform plan combines both centralization and decentralization approaches. The design of ‘soft’ (extension of reform below provincial level) and fragmented (selected monitoring and inspection) centralization may decrease the anticipated effectiveness of vm reform by moving local malfeasance from municipal and county levels to the provincial level (‘provincial protectionism’) and thus continuing to harm the integrity of environmental management. As a partial solution, vm reform needs to be supplemented with incentive and accountability mechanisms, and by more effective and professional enforcement activities at local levels.
A Bottom-Up Compliance Mechanism for the Paris Agreement
Authors: Zahar Alexander
Published: July 2017

The article discusses the development of the Paris Agreement’s provision on a compliance mechanism contained in Article 15 of the agreement. There is a risk that a compliance mechanism set up as a separate body within the new regime will be duplicative and dysfunctional. Keeping state parties to their Paris Agreement obligations can be achieved, instead, through the elaboration of pre-existing and already well-developed reporting-and-review processes under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (unfccc). In the past, these have generated sufficient pressure on states to maintain compliance with their unfccc obligations, and are likely to have the same effect for the new treaty. The fact that the Paris Agreement does not impose any onerous new obligations on states is a reason to continue to rely on existing processes. I show that the separate compliance body envisaged by the Paris Agreement has no obvious way to improve on the diffuse ‘compliance mechanism’ currently operating under the unfccc. The most efficient approach to ‘Paris Agreement compliance’, therefore, would be to delay implementation of the Article 15 mechanism and allow current practices, suitably modified, to continue for as long as their performance is satisfactory.
Aspidistra quangngaiensis, a new species of Asparagaceae from Vietnam
Authors: LÝ NGỌC-SÂM , HAEVERMANS THOMAS , TILLICH HANS-JUERGEN
Published: July 2017

The genus Aspidistra Ker Gawler (1822: 628) contains more than 160 species in tropical and subtropical SE-Asia, with the centre of species diversity in southern China and adjacent northern Vietnam (Tillich 2005, 2014, Tillich & Averyanov 2012, Vislobokov et al. 2013). In Vietnam, the genus has more than 50 species with many locally endemic taxa, and about 2/3 of them were discovered from limestone areas in north Vietnam, while ca. 1/3 of species were recently described from sandstone forests in the southern part of the country (Gagnepain 1934, Bogner & Arnautov 2004, Bräuchler & Ngoc 2005, Tillich 2005, 2006, 2008, Tillich et al. 2007, Tillich & Averyanov 2008, 2012, Tillich & Leong-Škorničková 2013, Averyanov & Tillich 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016a, 2016b, Leong-Škorničková et al. 2014, Colin 2015, Averyanov et al. 2016, Vislobokov 2015, Vislobokov et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2016a, 2016b, Lý & Tillich 2016, 2017).
Allium hoshabicum a new species of A. sect. Codonoprasum (Amaryllidaceae) from Van (Turkey)
Authors: FIRAT MEHMET
Published: July 2017

A new species, Allium hoshabicum (A. sect. Codonoprasum), is described from Hoşab/Van province, Turkey. From the morphological point of view, it appears to be similar to Allium huber-morathii, but it differs in several morphological features including scape height, outer tunics shape of bulb, inner tunics colour of bulb, leaf width, umbels size or number, and gynoecium features. A comprehensive description of this species is provided, including detailed illustrations and photographs, geographical distribution, habitat and ecology, vernacular names, and IUCN conservation status.
Aspidistra maguanensis (Asparagaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China
Authors: XU WEN-FEN , LV DING-HAO , WANG BO , HE SHUN-ZHI
Published: July 2017

In November 2014, an investigation at Yunnan province, Maguan county, revealed some unknown taller plants of Aspidistra Ker Gawler (1822: 628) under shrubs at the top of the mountain. This species was identified as new for science after studying relevant literature (Li 1988, 2004, Tillich 2005, 2008, 2014, Tillich et al. 2007, He et al. 2011, Liu et al. 2011, Lin et al. 2012, 2014, 2015, Vislobokov et al. 2014, Xu et al. 2015).
A review of the current taxonomic status of foliose Bangiales (Rhodophyta) in the Philippines
Authors: DUMILAG RICHARD V. , AGUINALDO ZAE-ZAE A. , MINTU CYNTHIA B. , QUINTO MYRNA P. , AME EVELYN C. , ANDRES ROLANDO C. , MONOTILLA WILBERTO D. , YAP SANDRA L. , CAO ERNELEA P. , VITAL PIERANGELI G. , FONTANILLA IAN KENDRICH C.
Published: July 2017

Causes of taxonomic confusion are lamentably well known in foliose Bangiales. A magnitude of these uncertainties stems from the paucity of available taxonomic traits in morphologically homoplastic species. At present, the taxonomic identity and systematics of many of the Philippine foliose Bangiales are in a state of flux. A critical examination of published literature on Philippine records of 10 species of foliose Bangiales has rendered the need for re-confirmation of the presence of Porphyra atropurpurea, Porphyra marcosii, Pyropia denticulata, and Pyropia suborbiculata while records of Porphyra umbilicalis, Pyropia vietnamensis, Wildemania variegata, and the invalid name Porphyra crispata have been omitted from the list. Currently, there are only two confirmed species of foliose Bangiales in the Philippines, which are Pyropia acanthophora and Pyropia tanegashimensis. Thus, this review exhorts a re-examination of collected Philippine foliose Bangiales materials using both morphological and molecular analysis.
A morphological and molecular study of Psilops, a replacement name for the Brazilian microteiid lizard genus Psilophthalmus Rodrigues 1991 (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae), with the description of two new species
Authors: RODRIGUES MIGUEL TREFAUT , RECODER RENATO , TEIXEIRA MAURO JR , ROSCITO JULIANA GUSSON , GUERRERO AGUSTÍN CAMACHO , NUNES PEDRO M. SALES , FREITAS MARCO ANTONIO DE , FERNANDES DANIEL SILVA , BOCCHIGLIERI ADRIANA , VECHIO FRANCISCO DAL , LEITE FELIPE SÁ FORTES , NOGUEIRA CRISTIANO DE CAMPOS , DAMASCENO ROBERTA , PELLEGRINO KÁTIA CRISTINA MACHADO , ARGÔLO ANTÔNIO JORGE SUZART , AMARO RENATA CECILIA
Published: July 2017

The lizard genus Psilophthalmus was originally described from the sandy deposits at the northern end of Serra do Espinhaço, in Santo Inácio, state of Bahia, but since then it has been recorded in other Brazilian localities of the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Sergipe. Here, we review the collected specimens based on molecular markers (mitochondrial 12S, 16S, ND4 and cyt b, and nuclear C-mos and NT3) and morphological evidence (external, hemipenial and osteological morphologies). In the course of our revision we find out that Psilophthalmus Rodrigues 1991 was preoccupied by Psilophthalmus Szépligeti 1902 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). The replacement name Psilops is proposed for the genus for which we recognize three species, with Psilops paeminosus as type species. One of the new species is found along the high elevation areas of the Chapada Diamantina plateaus, state of Bahia, while the other occurs in the cerrados of “Serra Geral”, in the occidental plateaus of that state. Psilops paeminosus comprises three distinct allopatric clades that, based on current evidence, cannot be diagnosed morphologically: one from the vicinities of the type locality, one from the lower São Francisco River, and a third from the uplands of Minas Gerais and southern inland Bahia. We keep the latter two as candidate species but defer their formal description until further evidence allows robust diagnosis. Derived clades of Psilops with shorter limbs have invaded hotter and drier environments, while mostly used sandy soils along their evolution.
Two new ricinuleid species from Ecuador and Colombia belonging to the peckorum species-group of Cryptocellus Westwood (Arachnida, Ricinulei)
Authors: BOTERO-TRUJILLO RICARDO , FLÓREZ EDUARDO D.
Published: July 2017

Two new ricinuleid species, Cryptocellus chiruisla sp. nov., from Orellana (Ecuador), and Cryptocellus guaviarensis sp. nov., from Guaviare (Colombia), are herein described. Both species, here assigned to the peckorum species-group, share a series of male features for which they most closely resemble each other: a flat, triangle-like region on the anterior section of cucullus; a pronounced ventral “notch” on leg I tibia; and a lateral compression on leg I metatarsus. These new taxa raise to three and nine the number of ricinuleid species known from Ecuador and Colombia, respectively. Cryptocellus Westwood, 1874 now consists of 42 species, six of which belong to the peckorum group.
Morphological conservation of rays in the genus Rhinoptera (Elasmobranchii, Rhinopteridae) conceals the occurrence of a large batoid, Rhinoptera brasiliensis Müller, in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: JONES CHRISTIAN M. , HOFFMAYER ERIC R. , HENDON JILL M. , QUATTRO JOSEPH M. , LEWANDOWSKI JUSTIN , ROBERTS MARK A. , POULAKIS GREGG R. , AJEMIAN MATTHEW J. , DRIGGERS WILLIAM B. III , CARVALHO MARCELO R. DE , RÊGO MARIANA G. , HAZIN FÁBIO H. V. , MÁRQUEZ-FARÍAS J. FERNANDO
Published: July 2017

In 2007, three rays identified as Rhinoptera brasiliensis based on tooth series counts were captured in the northern Gulf of Mexico, a region far outside their accepted range of the coastal waters of southern Brazil. Genetic analyses confirmed that these individuals were distinct from R. bonasus, the only recognized indigenous rhinopterid in the Gulf of Mexico. Further analyses of over 250 specimens confirmed the widespread occurrence of two species in the northern Gulf of Mexico and revealed that the anomalous individuals related most closely to vouchered specimens of R. brasiliensis from Brazil. Discriminant function analyses of morphological data identified several potential discriminating characters, but the degree of overlap of the measurements and counts between the two species rendered most impractical for identification purposes. However, the shape of the supracranial fontanelle appeared to be consistently reliable in differentiating between the two species. Tooth series counts (R. bonasus = 5 to 15, R. brasiliensis = usually 7 to 13) were significantly different between the two species but exhibited considerable overlap. This is the first study to verify the occurrence of R. brasiliensis in the northern Gulf of Mexico; however, the close genetic relationships to other rhinopterid species, as well as the morphological similarity of the group as a whole, require additional research.
A new species of Boulengerula Tornier, 1896 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Herpelidae) from Kenya and the “rediscovery” of Boulengerula denhardti
Authors: WILKINSON MARK , MALONZA PATRICK K. , CAMPBELL PATRICK , LOADER SIMON P.
Published: July 2017

A new species of herpelid caecilian, Boulengerula spawlsi sp. nov., is described based on nine specimens from Ngaia (= Ngaya or Ngaja) Forest Reserve, Nyambene Hills, Meru County, Kenya collected between 2007 and 2013. The new species differs from all other Boulengerula in having more anteriorly positioned tentacular apertures and tentacular grooves that are partly or completely covered by the maxillopalatines. Specimens of the new species were previously erroneously reported as a rediscovery of the poorly known congener Boulengerula denhardti Neiden, 1912 together with a biogeographic scenario to explain their disjunct distribution that is not required.
Cosmolaelaps Berlese (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from southern Brazil, with a new record of a heteromorphic male, description of a new species, and a key to the species reported from that country
Authors: DUARTE ADRIANE DA FONSECA , MOREIRA GRAZIELLE FURTADO , CUNHA UEMERSON SILVA DA , MORAES GILBERTO JOSÉ DE
Published: July 2017

Three Cosmolaelaps species were found in surveys recently conducted in the Pampa biome in southern Brazil. One of these is a new species here described as Cosmolaelaps pampaensis sp. nov. In the same surveys, heteromorphic male specimens of Cosmolaelaps guttulatus (Karg, 1978) were collected. A key for the identification of species of Cosmolaelaps reported from Brazil is provided.
Could We Afford Disarmament?
Authors: KAST FREMONT , ROSENZWEIG JIM
Published: July 2017

Military exigencies should not preclude planning for the economics of peace
Upward Mobile Midlanders Rediscover Gastronomic Heritage
Authors: WORKS BRANDEL L.
Published: July 2017

Specially food marketing boom signalizes end of America's “culinary wasteland”
The Use of Tests in Educational Licensing, Employment, and Promotion
Authors: Ebel Robert L.
Published: July 2017

In this period of our country's history, tests for teachers are neither widely used nor highly acclaimed. They have been criticized for lack of validity as indicators of classroom effectiveness. They have been indicted as instruments of discrimination against minority group teachers. States have been enjoined from using them. There is certainly some basis for these criticisms and prohibitions. Nevertheless, I propose in this paper to defend the appropriate use of good tests in the licensing, employment, and promotion of teachers.
The Licensing of Paraprofessionals: The “Visible and Hidden Agendas”
Authors: Berg IVAR
Published: July 2017

The issues involved in licensing educational paraprofessionals are, in most instances, parallel to licensing issues in almost any occupation. The arguments of those who endorse occupational licensing reveal two sets of agendas. The first, which is typically made quite explicit, focuses on the alleged need to assure the public that the practitioner-members of an occupation are capable of maintaining the high standards of performance contemplated in well and conscientiously conceived licensing requirements.
Evolution of International Commercial Policy over the Decades and the Plight of the Developing Countries
Authors: Narasimhan S.
Published: July 2017

This article has been developed not only as a chronicle of events in the field of international commercial policy but also as development of the thinking of the international community. It carefully records important developments in the GATT, UNCTAD and the UN General Assembly. There is, however, one aspect of the question, which it does not deal with, viz., the international trade policy followed by the soCialist countries of Eastern Europe. This subject requires separate treatment, as the economic system followed by these countries is different from the one followed by the developed market economy countries.
Implications for Trade, Especially with the Developing Countries, of Structural Reforms in the Soviet Economy
Authors: Shatalin S.
Published: July 2017

The present analysis of the implications of structural adjustment in the Soviet economy for the trade of the USSR, especially trade with the developing countries, represents the author's own vision of the substance and methods of implementation of the economic reform in the USSR, including ways of transition to a market economy. The problems involved are analyzed with regard to growing economic interdependence and the greater influence of international trade and economic interaction upon decision-making in the context of national reforming activity.

The author's views on how to reorient and readjust the foreign economic policies and management of the USSR (including policies vis-a-vis the developing countries) should be considered primarily against the background of Soviet efforts to ensure the USSR's integration into the world econo111y and international economic relations on the basis or extensive application of market mechanisms and incentives.
Trade and Development Report, 1992 An Overview
Authors: Dadzie K.K.S.
Published: July 2017

The world economy has been suffering its most severe recession since the World War-II. Production has fallen in the United States and flattened in Japan. Western Europe is stagnating: the boost provided by German unification has petered out, while high interest rates remain. Growth has picked up in Latin America, but remains slow there and in other developing regions, other than parts of Asia. Central and Eastern Europe are suffering a precipitous fall in living standards; the transition process is proving much more painful than anticipated. Overall, signs of improvement are scant.

The unexpected severity of the global recession reflects the presence of debt deflation in a number of industrialized economies - a process not experienced since the Great Depression. Household and business expenditures are being reduced, the flow of credit is shrinking, and confidence is being eroded. Econometric forecasts, by taking little or no account of the domestic debt overhang, have tended to paint an overoptimistic picture.

A private sector weighed down by debt and high long-term interest rates will not generate stability or growth unaided. Governments must resume their responsibilities, by acting to foster a return to financial stability and to stimulate the level of economic activity. No single country can solve the macroeconomic problem on its own: the situation demands improved coordination.

Without a swift policy response, cumulative forces may be unleashed, damaging all countries. World economic recovery is especially important for developing countries, for without sustained export growth further bouts of instability can be expected, including an intensification of threats to democratic institutions in countries where these have been established or re-established only recently.

Many developing countries, as well as countries in transition, have unilaterally undertaken a fundamental change of direction towards greater openness in trade. For them to succeed in pursuing outward-oriented strategies, developed countries need to follow suit by relaxing their own import restrictions. A successful conclusion to the Uruguay Round is therefore highly important.

Improved development performance will also require further policy effort at home. The need for reforms is inescapable, but these should be introduced thoughtfully, on the basis offa ct, not fiction.
Target Recognition on Complex Displays
Authors: Baker Charles A. , Morris Dominic F. , Steedman William C.
Published: July 2017

This study was conducted to determine the speed and accuracy of form recognition as a function of: (1) the amount of distortion between the reference form and the target form, (2) the number of irrelevant forms in the target display, and (3) the stimulus properties of the forms involved. The stimulus forms were generated by filling in, on a statistical basis, some of the cells of a 90,000-cell matrix. The subjects were shown a reference photograph of a target and instructed to locate that target on a display containing numerous other forms. Both criterion measures, viz., search time and errors, increased as a function of: (1) an increase in the number of irrelevant forms on the target display, and (2) an increase in the difference between the resolution of the reference form and that of the target display. A quantitative description of the targets, which can be used to predict relative target difficulty, was developed.
An Investigation of the One-Surface Contact Analog Display for Use in Submarine Depth Control
Authors: Sidorsky Raymond C. , Newton John M.
Published: July 2017

The results of an empirical study involving operator response to information displayed in a one-surface Contact Analog are described. Performance of two types of submarine control tasks—depth keeping and depth seeking—was measured.
The System Approach: Organizational Development
Authors: Kennedy John L.
Published: July 2017

The cooperative human organization requires skills of human relations, leadership, cooperation, communication, motivation, and control. It would seem to be the most important invention of man. Our study is concerned with how people behave in groups. The organization is viewed as a kind of synthetic organism in which individuals become components or subsystems of a different entity. Such synthetic organisms may be treated as objects of scientific investigation under laboratory conditions. The processes of development and growth follow a biological analogy. Synthetic environments are considered. Descriptions are given of two major programs of investigation into top managerial techniques and theory—Project SOBIG, a business game, and a simulated Air Defense Direction Center. The paper is devoted to description and search rather than hypothesis testing and research.
Visual Experiments Related to Night Carrier Landing
Authors: Keston Robert , Doxtader Donald , Massa Ronald J.
Published: July 2017

There is a substantially higher incidence of carrier landing accidents at night than during the day. Disasterously low final approaches, a major source of night landing accidents, have been attributed to a visual illusion involving overestimation of altitude. In order to evaluate visual performance in related tasks, subjective judgements of the altitude of a luminous horizontal bar relative to eye level were obtained in total darkness and in the presence of a peripheral artificial horizon. Errors as large as 1° visual angle, corresponding to 8 ft at a range of 500 ft from touchdown, occur frequently, indicating the inadequacy of direct visual contact unaided by artificial display devices. The dramatic reduction in variability resulting from the presence of the artificial horizon demonstrates the importance of a visual frame of reference or structure.
Pilot Eye Fixations While Flying Selected Maneuvers Using Two Instrument Panels
Authors: Gainer Charles A. , Obermayer Richard W.
Published: July 2017

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the eye fixations as they occurred while flying instruments in two panel configurations. The first panel was equipped with vertical moving tape instruments; the second was equipped with round dial instruments. The study was conducted in a MBS Simulator with the flight-characteristics of a high performance jet aircraft. A standardized flight profile was used allowing comparison of both instrument panels across identical representative maneuvers. System performance measurements were taken during scoring periods for which a film record of the pilots' eyes were also taken. Thus the data collected in this study allows an analysis of system performance, eye movements, and the correlation of performance and eye movements for each combination of maneuvers and instrument panels.
Experimental Investigations of Flash Blindness
Authors: Brown John Lott
Published: July 2017

The problem of short term blindness following exposure to intense flashes of light has important practical implications for military aviators in the atomic age. Experimental studies of flash blindness are reviewed and the physiological bases for the phenomenon are inferred for a wide range of conditions. Several methods of developing a descriptive equation are considered and an empirical formulation is presented.
On the Performance of a Combination of Detectors
Authors: Pollack Irwin , Madans Allan B.
Published: July 2017

The performance of a combination of two hypothetical detectors is first examined. It is shown that the performance of the combination may be as poor as the poorer detector alone when the inflation in false alarm rate of the combination of detectors is considered. Experimental tests were carried out in which listeners attempted to detect the presence or absence of a tonal signal in noise under two conditions: unaided by an external source of information (actually aided by a simulated machine detector set at chance performance); and aided by a simulated machine detector set at the same discriminability as the listener. While the performance of the aided listener was consistently superior to the unaided listener, the improvement in performance fell considerably short of an ideal combination. It is concluded that the gain in performance expected from combinations of detectors must be interpreted cautiously.
The Sage System Training Program for the Air Defense Command
Authors: Rowell John T. , Streich Eugene R.
Published: July 2017

This article describes the development and implementation of a program to train a large-scale, semi-automatic data processing system known as SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment). Particular attention is given to describing the the air defense system, the methodology used to satisfy the training requirements, the conduct of the training program in operational settings, and results of various studies of training effectiveness. Of significance was the emergence of a unique conceptual formulation of system training principles and of associated simulation techniques.
The Effects of Extraneous Stimulation on Vigilance
Authors: Zuercher John D.
Published: July 2017

The influence of extraneous stimulation on vigilance performance was investigated by the method of repeated threshold measurement. During part of a 48-min. vigil subjects were required to stand, stretch, and breathe deeply under one condition and to converse with the experimenter during another condition. Performance during the continuing watch improved under both conditions. The results are interpreted as evidence supporting the activation hypothesis of vigilance.
The Elicited Observing Rate and Decision Processes in Vigilance
Authors: Jerison Harry J. , Pickett Ronald M. , Stenson Herbert H.
Published: July 2017

Observers detected many more of a fixed number of signals when these were among stimuli presented at 5 per minute than when these were among stimuli presented at 30 or 60 per minute. The effect, which is associated with either the signal probability or the nonsignal stimulus density, is analyzed with conventional measures and with measures from the theory of signal detectability (TSD). The TSD measures were used to define several possible modes of observing, and the model of vigilance based on decisions about observing could then be related to decision processes in detection performance as considered by TSD. If a single measure of the probability of alert observing is required, the best one is the percentage of detections of the readily detectable signal of the vigilance task. However, the TSD analysis suggested various different “mixes” of modes of observing for the subgroups in this experiment, and these mixes could be specified with the the help of heuristic models relating performance measures to the probability of observing.
Effects of Noise and of Signal Rate upon Vigilance Analysed by Means of Decision Theory
Authors: Broadbent Donald E. , Gregory Margaret
Published: July 2017

A vigilance task was performed in which regular flashes of light were monitored for an occasional flash of greater brightness. Following every flash a decision of signal present, signal absent, or doubtful had to be recorded. Two separate groups received high and low signal rates with a variety of the task in which the flashes occurred only on one lamp; another group received a high signal rate divided between three simultaneously flashing lights. An analysis in terms of decision theory showed that detrimental changes during the watch period were entirely attributable to movement of the subject's criterion for reporting a signal: his sensitivity to the signals if anything improved during the work period. In addition, criterion changes in the presence of intense noise occurred at high signal frequencies, even when only one source of information was involved: thus showing that division of attention between different sources is not essential for harmful effects of noise. In addition, criteria under quiet conditions were different at different signal rates.
Flight By Periscope: Making Takeoffs and Landings; The Influence of Image Magnification, Practice, and Various Conditions of Flight
Authors: Roscoe Stanley N. , Hasler Scott G. , Dougherty Dora J.
Published: July 2017

The proficiency with which pilots can make takeoffs and landings using a periscope as the only source of outside visibility was studied under various conditions of flight. A detailed determination was made of the effects of variations in image magnification upon landing accuracy. Speed of transition to flight by periscope was related to flight experience. Effects of various weather, runway surface, and ambient lighting conditions upon flight by periscope were investigated.
Telescope Field of View Requirements for Star Recognition
Authors: Allen R. W. , Hershberger M. L.
Published: July 2017

An experimental study was conducted by Hughes Aircraft Company to determine telescope field of view requirements for human recognition of navigation stars. The study was conducted at the Griffith Park Planetarium in Los Angeles. Four Air Force navigators viewed the night sky projected on the planetarium dome through a simulated telescope. The subjects had control of telescope azimuth and elevation. The telescope had unity power fields of view ranging between 10 and 45 degrees. The subjects were required to identify and acquire any one of the 35 major navigation stars. The results revealed a significant inverse relationship between field of view size and navigation star acquisition-identification time. Identification errors also varied inversely as a function of field of view size, and mean acquisition-identification times were significantly different between subjects. The minimum field of view required for rapid, accurate star identification-acquisition was established to be between 25 and 30 degrees.
A Study of a Multistage Decision Making Task with an Unknown Duration
Authors: Rapoport Amnon
Published: July 2017

Thirteen college students participated individually in a multistage decision making task. The task consisted of eight different computer-controlled problems. The duration of each problem was not known to the decision maker. A dynamic programming model employing Bayesian notions was constructed for the adaptive decision making task, tested and confirmed. An alternative explanation is discussed briefly.