bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequencies in vibrating wood – Does cell organization matter?
Authors: Dünisch Oliver
Published: March 2019

The relationship between the spatial organization of different cell types, of the xylem rays, and of the tree rings and the frequencies in vibrating softwoods and hardwoods was studied under controlled conditions. In total, the frequencies in 1007 standardized vibrating plates from 16 softwoods and 74 hardwoods were analysed using high resolution laser sensors (accuracy ± 0.02 μm, sampling frequency 30 kHz) for vibration measurements. Overlapping frequencies within the frequency spectra were identified by means of Fast Fourier Transformation analysis. With regard to the number of distinct frequencies within the spectra, four different vibration types were identified: type 1–one dominant frequency within the frequency spectra; type 2-two dominant frequencies within the frequency spectra; type 3-three dominant frequencies within the frequency spectra; type 4-no dominant frequencies within the frequency spectra. The presence of distinct frequencies was correlated with a highly organized spatial arrangement of tracheids in softwoods, with a storied arrangement of the xylem rays in hardwoods, and with low variation in tree-ring width in both softwoods and hardwoods. The grid size for repetition in these xylem structures influenced the frequencies of the vibrating wood in absolute numbers. The results indicate that the analysis of the anatomical structure of the wood can contribute to the grading of timber for its vibration characteristics, which is of special interest for the selection of resonance wood for musical instruments.
Practices, Constructions and Deconstructions of “World Literature” and “Indian Literature” from the PEN All-India Centre to Arvind Krishna Mehrotra
Authors: Zecchini Laetitia
Published: March 2019

This essay explores two different ways by which ideas and “problems” of the “world,” “India,” “Indian literature,” and “world literature” were experienced, discussed, translated, imagined and remade in specific spaces like Bombay or journals such as The Indian PEN. I focus on one relatively formalized organization, the PEN All-India Centre, which was founded in Bombay in 1933 as the Indian branch of International PEN, and on a contemporary poet, Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, and the informal network of writers and artists close to him. Through the widely different agendas, practices, concerns, contexts and forms of writer collectivization which I outline in this essay, the PEN All-India Centre in the 1940s and 1950s, and the Bombay poets of the 1960s did try to eat the corners of the world and of world literature away. They aimed to break on the world stage, reclaimed an “India” that included what was non-Indian, and put forward, through translation and a cut-and-paste “collation” of the world and world literature, an idea of internationalism and interconnectedness where provincialism was the enemy. By discussing the situated, critical, and imaginative processes of reworlding that were at stake, and the struggles they gave rise to in the case of the PEN All-India Centre, I explore how these writers also put forward defiant practices of cosmopolitanism that reallocated the Eastern and the Western, the peripheral and the significant.
Ethiopian Intellectual History and the Global
Authors: Marzagora Sara
Published: March 2019

Through the literary and historiographical works written by Ethiopian intellectual Käbbädä Mikael in the 1940s and 1950s, this article problematizes the concept of the “world” in world literature. In some theories of world literature, the world is presented as a static a priori, a self-evident spatial referent, a background setting for literary activities. Contrary to this objectivist frame, I propose instead to look at the world as a performative category, and to conceive world literature as a study of worldmaking processes. Käbbädä Mikael’s worldmaking attempted to break into the Eurocentric exclusivity of hegemonic narratives of modernity, jostling for recognition within modernization theory but also, at the same time, activating polycentric connections along oblique South-South networks. For him, the world was not a cosmopolitan project, but a pool of symbolic resources from which to draw in building a better future for Ethiopia.
New records and other notes for Oregon Coleoptera
Authors: WESTCOTT RICHARD L. , LaBONTE J. R. , PARSONS GARY L. , JOHNSON PAUL J.
Published: March 2019

Herein are recorded and vouchered from Oregon 218 species and subspecies of beetles in the following families: Anobiidae, Anthicidae, Anthribidae, Bostrichidae, Bruchidae, Buprestidae, Cantharidae, Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Cerophytidae, Chrysomelidae, Ciidae, Clambidae, Cleridae, Coccinellidae, Colydiidae, Curculionidae, Dermestidae, Elateridae, Eucnemidae, Glaresidae, Heteroceridae, Histeridae, Latridiidae, Leiodidae, Melandryidae, Meloidae, Melyridae, Nitidulidae, Ochodaeidae, Scarabaeidae, Scolytidae, Staphylinidae, Tenebrionidae, and Tetratomidae. Clarifying information is provided for two more: Agrilus cuprescens Ménétriès (Buprestidae) and Hylis irvinei Muona (Eucnemidae).
Two new species of Exallonyx Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupidae) from China, with a key to the Chinese species
Authors: LIU JINGXIAN , HE JUNHUA , XU ZAIFU
Published: March 2019

Two new species, Exallonyx strictus and Exallonyx pingbianensis, are described and illustrated herein from China. Both species belong to the formicarius-group of subgenus Exallonyx Kieffer. A key for the Chinese formicarius-group is given.
A new glanapterygine catfish of the genus Listrura (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the southeastern Brazilian coastal plains
Authors: VILLA-VERDE LEANDRO , COSTA WILSON J.E.M.
Published: March 2019

Listrura picinguabae, new species, is described from small tributary streams of rio da Fazenda, an isolated coastal river in Picinguaba, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. It is distinguished from all other trichomycterids, except L. nematopteryx, in possessing a single long pectoral-fin ray. It differs from L. nematopteryx by a combination of features including relative position of anal and dorsal-fin origins, higher number of anal-fin rays and opercular and interopercular odontodes, and morphology of the urohyal.
On the nomenclature of Bathyergidae and Fukomys n. gen. (Mammalia: Rodentia)
Authors: KOCK DIETER , INGRAM COLLEEN M. , FRABOTTA LAURENCE J. , HONEYCUTT RODNEY L. , BURDA HYNEK
Published: March 2019

Recently, in an examination of the phylogenetic relationships among the mole-rats of the family Bathyergidae (Mammalia: Rodentia), Ingram et al. (2004) documented molecular evidence for the recognition of the Cryptomys mechowii species group at the generic level and resurrected the name Coetomys Gray, 1864 for this group. Subsequent literature review revealed that Coetomys is not available to this species group, being a junior synonym of Cryptomys Gray, 1864. Here, we describe and diagnose Fukomys genus novum. In addition, we discuss the taxonomic history of this group in an attempt to reduce the nomenclatural confusion that has plagued studies of the Bathyergidae for over a century.
New species of lizard from the magellanicus clade of the Liolaemus lineomaculatus section (Squamata: Iguania: Liolaemidae) from southern Patagonia
Authors: BREITMAN MARIA FLORENCIA , PÉREZ CRISTIAN HERNÁN FULVIO , PARRA MICAELA , MORANDO MARIANA , SITES, JR. JACK WALTER , AVILA LUCIANO JAVIER
Published: March 2019

A new species of the Liolaemus lineomaculatus section is described from southwestern Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. The new species is a member of the monotypic magellanicus clade; morphological, molecular and geographical data are sufficient to diagnose this new species as distinct form from L. magellanicus. The new species differs from L. magellanicus in having higher number of midbody, dorsal and ventral scales, and higher number of infradigital third finger and fourth toe lamellae. The new species also differs in having smaller dorsal blotches on the hindlimbs and a more clearly defined vertebral line, fewer precloacal pores and reduced dorsal scale mucronation, compared to L. magellanicus. Liolaemus caparensis sp. nov. is the second species described for the magellanicus group, and is geographically isolated from L. magellanicus on the Campo Las Piedras Plateau, where it is sympatric with other endemic species of the L. lineomaculatus section.
Revised checklist of Australian butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea): Addendum and Errata
Authors: BRABY MICHAEL F.
Published: March 2019

In the published version of the Appendix ‘Revised checklist of Australian butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea)’ (Braby, 2010 pp. 49-76) a number of typographical mistakes, omissions, nomenclatural inaccuracies and corrections to gender agreement among species group names have come to the author’s attention. These errors are corrected below.
Another new Gekko species (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Vietnam
Authors: PHUNG TRUNG MY , ZIEGLER THOMAS
Published: March 2019

We describe a new species of the gekkonid genus Gekko from southern Vietnam on the basis of three adult specimens from Cuc Dong Cape, Ninh Hoa District, Khanh Hoa Province. Gekko truongi sp. n. is distinguished from congeners by the combination of the following characters: medium-sized species with a maximum 95.9 mm SVL; supralabials 13–15; postmentals enlarged; interorbitals 45–58; dorsal tubercles absent; well developed lateral folds; scales between mental and cloaca 160–172; ventrals 35 or 36; subdigital lamellae below first toe 11–13, below fourth toe 15–17; faint basal webbing between fingers and toes; precloacal pores in males 10 or 11; postcloacal tubercles in males 1/1; number of transverse dorsal scale rows in the middle of the third caudal whorl 11; a prominent light postocular stripe is lacking; dorsum grey with dark pattern and light blotches and lines.
Species diversity of Hyalinobatrachium glassfrogs (Amphibia: Centrolenidae) from the Guiana Shield, with the description of two new species
Authors: CASTROVIEJO-FISHER SANTIAGO , VILÀ CARLES , AYARZAGÜENA JOSÉ , BLANC MICHEL , ERNST RAFFAEL
Published: March 2019

Basic information about the taxonomy, biology and distribution of Hyalinobatrachium glassfrogs of the Guiana Shield (GS) is scarce, ambiguous, and in many cases even contradictory. In this review we aim to clarify the current taxonomic status of this group by means of phenotypic (morphology, morphometrics and bioacoustics) and molecular (mitochondrial DNA sequences) comparisons. Eight species have previously been recognized for the GS: H. crurifasciatum, H. eccentricum, H. fleischmanni (initially described as Hylella cappellei in the GS), H. iaspidiense (with the putative synonym H. nouraguense), H. ignioculus, H. mesai, H. mondolfii, and H. taylori. Our data support the resurrection of H . cappellei from its synonymy with H. fleischmanni. Hyalinobatrachium crurifasciatum, H. eccentricum, and H. ignioculus are proposed as junior synonyms of H. cappellei. We show that none of the four paratypes of H. taylori belong to this species and we assign two to H. cappellei and two to H. mondolfii. Additional specimens previously identified as H. taylori are reassigned to H. cappellei, and hence H. taylori is redefined. Hyalinobatrachium nouraguense is confirmed as a junior syn-onym of H. iaspidiense. We also describe two new species of Hyalinobatrachium from French Guiana: Hyalinobatrachium kawense sp. nov. and Hyalinobatrachium tricolor sp. nov. In addition, and in concordance with the new taxonomic rearrangements, we provide diagnostic characters for all species, known distributions and main sources of references for their biology. We also report new distribution records for H. iaspidiense and H. mondolfii, and describe the formerly unknown tadpole of the later. Consequently, we recognize seven species of Hyalinobatrachium for the Guiana Shield: H. cappellei, H. iaspidiense, H. kawense sp. nov., H. mesai, H. mondolfii, H. taylori, and H. tricolor sp. nov. We discuss the suitability of integrative taxonomy as an approach to identify taxonomic uncertainty and consider its significance for conservation purposes. We also address the implications of our results to understand phylogeographic patterns in this area.
New species of Radiospongilla (Porifera: Spongillidae) from Brazilian inland waters
Authors: NICACIO GILBERTO , SEVERI WILLIAM , PINHEIRO ULISSES
Published: March 2019

Radiospongilla Penney & Racek, 1968, characterized by gemmoscleres radially arranged on gemmules and absence of microscleres, is widely distributed in the world across all zoogeographical regions except for Antarctica. In the Neotropical Region only two species are known so far: R. crateriformis (Potts, 1882) and R. amazonensis Volkmer-Ribeiro & Maciel, 1983. Here we describe a new species of Radiospongilla, R. inesi sp. nov., from 28 specimens collected between May 2007 to April 2010 from channels and ponds at the Aquaculture Station of Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rio do Prata Basin, Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil. This new species differs from other species of Radiospongilla from South America in the morphology of its megascleres and gemmoscleres.
New genus for a unique species of Indo-West Pacific bryozoan
Authors: TILBROOK KEVIN J.
Published: March 2019

Larval type, larval morphology, ancestrular morphology and colony astogeny have great systematic value in the cheilostomate bryozoans, but for most species these characters are undocumented. Whilst most cheilostomate bryozoan species produce lecithotrophic coronate larvae; a minority of species produce planktotrophic cyphonautes larvae, all belonging to genera within the superfamily Membraniporoidea. Biflustra laboriosa Tilbrook, 2006 nominally belongs to a membraniporid genus whose species are otherwise characterised by having a twinned ancestrula. The production of a single ancestrula from a cyphonautes larva and overall zooidal morphology excludes B. laboriosa from the Membraniporidae and its zooidal characters are alien to any other membraniporoidean genus. Accordingly, Tarsocryptus n. gen. is erected to accommodate it, resulting in the new combination Tarsocryptus laboriosa n. comb. Its reassignment here to the membraniporoidean Electridae is tentative.
A new avocado pest in Central America (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with a key to Lepidoptera larvae threatening avocados in California
Authors: GILLIGAN TODD M. , BROWN JOHN W. , HODDLE MARK S.
Published: March 2019

Cryptaspasma perseana Gilligan and Brown, new species, is described and illustrated from Mexico and Guatemala. This species is a potential pest of the fruit of cultivated avocado, Persea americana (Lauraceae). Images of adults, male secondary structures, male and female genitalia, eggs, larvae, and pupae are provided. Details of the life history are reviewed. We provide characters to differentiate this pest from the most common avocado fruit pest in the region, Stenoma catenifer (Walsingham) (Elachistidae), and a key to identify Lepidoptera larvae threatening avocado in California. In addition, we provide a complete list of tortricids documented from different avocado varieties worldwide.
Genetic evaluation of the Baja California rock squirrel Otospermophilus atricapillus (Rodentia: Sciuridae)
Authors: ÁLVAREZ-CASTAÑEDA SERGIO TICUL , CORTÉS-CALVA PATRICIA
Published: March 2019

The Baja California rock squirrel (Otospermophilus atricapillus Bryant) is endemic to the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico and known from only five localities. O. atricapillus is considered as the sister species of O. beecheyi (Richardson) and both have been considered different species mainly by its colorations. In an attempt to better understand the relationship within O. atricapillus and with its sister species O. beecheyi, we used genetic information gathered from O. atricapillus, aiming to investigate the phylogenetic and phylogeography of O. atricapillus O. beecheyi. We analyzed two sets of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (Cyt b) data: One 800 (bp) fragments of 118 individuals and a second one of 1140 (bp) for the 32 haplotypes found. Our own hypothesis is that specific characteristics used to distinguish O. artricapillus from O. beecheyi are at the same level than the differences among the recognized subspecies of O beecheyi. Under that condition, a genetic analysis will show that O. atricapillus are within the genetic variation of O. beecheyi, and the current diagnostic characters of O. atricapillus could be considered only at subspecific level. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that O. atricapillus is not significantly different from O. beecheyi, and that, apart from highland populations in the Sierra Nevada, the sampled populations of O. beecheyi and O. atricapillus are not significantly different among all of them.
New species of Horistonotus Candèze from Brazil (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Cardiophorinae)
Authors: CASARI SÔNIA A.
Published: March 2019

Eight species of Horistonotus Candèze (1860), from states of Alagoas and Sergipe, are described and illustrated and a provisional identification key for all Brazilian species of this genus is provided. The described species were collected in the Caatinga, semi-desert tropical woodland, in the Northeastern Region of Brazil. The genus Horistonotus is very numerous with more than a hundred species, distributed throughout of North, Central and South America.
New resin bee species in the genus Mielkeanthidium Urban (Hymenoptera, Megachilinae)
Authors: PARIZOTTO DANIELE R. , URBAN DANÚNCIA
Published: March 2019

Three new species of Mielkeanthidium are described and illustrated: M. albertinoi sp. nov., M. dissimile sp. nov. and M. tucumanum sp. nov. Generic characters are discussed and a key to species of the genus is provided. Mielkeanthidium is reported for the first time from Argentina (Tucumán).
A new species of the genus Parastylodactylus Figueira, 1971 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Stylodactylidae) from off Kollam, southwest coast of India
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , SHANIS C. P. RAJOOL
Published: March 2019

A new species of the caridean genus Parastylodactylus Figueira, 1971 (Stylodactylidae), P. sulcatus, is described and illustrated on the basis of three male specimens from the Southern Arabian Sea, off the southwest coast of India, at a depth of 350 m. Morphologically, the new species appears closest to P. bimaxillaris (Bate, 1888) widely distributed in the IndoWest Pacific, but the much longer rostrum, the absence of a supraorbital tooth on the carapace, the deep hepatic groove on the carapace and the relatively longer and more slender third pereopod distinguish the new species from P. bimaxillaris. It is the first representative of the genus from Indian waters. An updated key to the species of Parastylodactylus is presented.
Hidden in plain sight: reassessment of the pig-footed bandicoot, Chaeropus ecaudatus (Peramelemorphia, Chaeropodidae), with a description of a new species from central australia, and use of the fossil record to trace its past distribution
Authors: TRAVOUILLON KENNY J. , SIMÕES BRUNO F. , MIGUEZ ROBERTO PORTELA , BRACE SELINA , BREWER PHILIPPA , STEMMER DAVID , PRICE GILBERT J. , CRAMB JONATHAN , LOUYS JULIEN
Published: March 2019

The Pig-footed Bandicoot, Chaeropus ecaudatus, an extinct arid-adapted bandicoot, was named in 1838 based on a specimen without a tail from the Murray River in New South Wales. Two additional species were later named, C. castanotis and C. occidentalis, which have since been synonymised with C. ecaudatus. Taxonomic research on the genus is rather difficult because of the limited material available for study. Aside from the types of C. castanotis and C. occidentalis housed at the Natural History Museum in London, and the type of C. ecaudatus at the Australian Museum in Sydney, there are fewer than 30 other modern specimens in other collections scattered around the world. Examining skeletal and dental characters for several specimens, and using a combination of traditional morphology, morphometrics, palaeontology and molecular phylogenetics, we have identified two distinct species, C. ecaudatus and C. yirratji sp. nov., with C. ecaudatus having two distinct subspecies, C. e. ecaudatus and C. e. occidentalis. We use palaeontological data to reconstruct the pre-European distribution of the two species, and review the ecological information known about these extinct taxa.
A Study of the Bottom Boundary Layer of the Florida Current
Authors: Weatherly Georges L.
Published: March 2019

This is a report of an experiment designed to study the bottom boundary layer of the Florida Current at a representative site in the Straits of Florida. The objectives of the experiment were 1) to determine the bottom frictional stress τ0, and 2) to determine whether the bottom boundary layer is a turbulent Ekman layer. A typical value of the bottom stress τ0 was found to be ~0.2 dyn cm−2. A mean veering of ~10° in the correct sense was observed in the logarithmic layer. No mean veering was observed above the logarithmic layer; this is believed to be a consequence of the strong modulation of the bottom current by the diurnal tide. The implication of τ0≈0.2 dyn cm−2 is considered in a simplified model of the Gulf Stream current system; this analysis suggests that, dynamically, the role of bottom friction is rather small.
The Role of Atlantic Heat Transport in Future Arctic Winter Sea Ice Loss
Authors: Årthun Marius , Eldevik Tor , Smedsrud Lars H.
Published: March 2019

During recent decades Arctic sea ice variability and retreat during winter have largely been a result of variable ocean heat transport (OHT). Here we use the Community Earth System Model (CESM) large ensemble simulation to disentangle internally and externally forced winter Arctic sea ice variability, and to assess to what extent future winter sea ice variability and trends are driven by Atlantic heat transport. We find that OHT into the Barents Sea has been, and is at present, a major source of internal Arctic winter sea ice variability and predictability. In a warming world (RCP8.5), OHT remains a good predictor of winter sea ice variability, although the relation weakens as the sea ice retreats beyond the Barents Sea. Warm Atlantic water gradually spreads downstream from the Barents Sea and farther into the Arctic Ocean, leading to a reduced sea ice cover and substantial changes in sea ice thickness. The future long-term increase in Atlantic heat transport is carried by warmer water as the current itself is found to weaken. The externally forced weakening of the Atlantic inflow to the Barents Sea is in contrast to a strengthening of the Nordic Seas circulation, and is thus not directly related to a slowdown of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). The weakened Barents Sea inflow rather results from regional atmospheric circulation trends acting to change the relative strength of Atlantic water pathways into the Arctic. Internal OHT variability is associated with both upstream ocean circulation changes, including AMOC, and large-scale atmospheric circulation anomalies reminiscent of the Arctic Oscillation.
Finite element study of effect of parameters on stress distribution of steel shim in elastomeric bearings
Authors: Zhang Rui-jun , Li Ai-qun
Published: March 2019

Elastomeric bearings are widely used in various structures as a type of seismic isolation device, and accurately assessing the state of their stress is an essential step in the design of elastomeric bearings. This article aims to better understand the influencing factors of stress distribution on the steel shims and the effect of steel shim thickness on the critical behaviour of elastomeric bearings. First, theoretical analysis is conducted for investigating the influencing factors of the bearing’s critical load capacity and stress distribution on the steel shim thickness. Then, a series of finite element models is employed to study the influence of steel shim thickness on the global performance of bearings, the stress distribution on steel shims at different locations and the effect of steel shim thickness on stress distribution. Combining the results of theoretical analysis and finite element analysis, we conclude that steel shim thickness has little obvious effect on the mechanical properties of the bearing under normal working conditions, but it has a significant influence on the distribution and change of the local stress. Especially, when the vertical load and the horizontal displacement of the bearing increases, the growth rate of stress on the upper steel shims is very fast and may enter the yield state first or even resulting in local damage.
Identity incongruence and negotiation in the transition from work to retirement: A theoretical model
Authors: Froidevaux Ariane , Hirschi Andreas , Wang Mo
Published: March 2019

In an aging society, dealing with the disengagement from one’s work-related identity and the quality of retirement adjustment become major concerns for individuals and organizations. However, the processes through which retirement adjustment can be achieved and upon which conditions this depends are only partially understood, especially regarding identity transition processes. To address this issue, we suggest that identity incongruence, identity transition negotiation, and the variety of high-quality exchange relationships represent key factors that explain the different experiences in retirement adjustment quality. Integrating social identity, self-categorization, identity negotiation, and interpersonal perspectives, we develop a theoretical model with 12 propositions highlighting the dynamic changes in identity incongruence across time and the possible coexistence of the work-related identity and the retiree identity. We also discuss the potential boundary conditions of the model, outline directions for future research, and suggest practical implications at the individual and organizational levels.
Cause-specific mortality in children and young adults with diabetes mellitus: A Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Svane Jesper , Lynge Thomas H , Pedersen-Bjergaard Ulrik , Jespersen Thomas , Gislason Gunnar H , Risgaard Bjarke , Winkel Bo G , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob
Published: March 2019

Aims

Persons with diabetes mellitus have increased all-cause mortality compared with the general population. Nationwide studies on causes of death and mortality among young persons with diabetes mellitus are sparse. The aim of this study was to examine all-cause and cause-specific mortality in children and young adults with and without diabetes.

Methods and results

The study population consisted of all persons in Denmark aged 1–35 years in 2000–2009 and 36–49 years in 2007–2009, which equals 27.1 million person-years. All 14,294 deaths in the 10-year period were included and cause of death was established based on information from autopsy reports and death certificates. The Danish Register of Medicinal Product Statistics was used to identify persons with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. During the study period, which included 153,070 diabetic person-years, 669 (5% of all deceased) persons with diabetes mellitus died, of which 70% had type 1 and 30% had type 2 diabetes. Persons with diabetes mellitus had an all-cause mortality rate (ASMR) of 327 per 100,000 person-years compared with 74 per 100,000 person-years among persons without diabetes mellitus (ASMR ratio 4, p < 0.001). The leading cause of death among persons with diabetes mellitus was cardiac diseases (n = 230, 34%) with an ASMR ratio of 8 (95% confidence interval 6–9).

Conclusions

Young persons with diabetes mellitus had four-fold increased all-cause mortality and eight-fold increased cardiovascular mortality compared with persons without diabetes mellitus. Focus on cardiovascular risk monitoring and management among young persons with diabetes mellitus is warranted to prevent premature death in diabetes mellitus.
Visual rehabilitation using video game stimulation for Stargardt disease
Authors: Ratra Dhanashree , Rakshit Archayeeta , Ratra Vineet
Published: March 2019

Background:

Stargardt disease, a common form of heredomacular degeneration, leads to severe vision loss. Video game play can act as a positive biofeedback to reinforce visual rehabilitation and fixation training. It can potentially lead to visual improvement. This study was done to explore the possibility of visual improvement using video game stimulation for visual rehabilitation in Stargardt disease.

Methods:

We evaluated eight patients with Stargardt disease who had nonatrophic retina surrounding the area of degeneration at the macula. They underwent extensive baseline testing to determine their Snellen visual acuity, pattern visual evoked potentials, retinal sensitivity, and fixation analysis with microperimetry, electroretinography, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, and autofluorescence. They were given 40 h of training with video game play and re-evaluated on all the tests.

Results:

They showed both subjective and objective evidence of improvement in visual functions and vision-related tasks. Visual acuity (from 0.77 ± 0.29 to 0.71 ± 0.32 logMAR, p = 0.027), contrast sensitivity (from 1.28 ± 0.25 to 1.46 ± 0.17, p = 0.002), and fixation stability (log of bivariate contour ellipse area from 6.67 ± 0.52 to 5.85 ± 0.84, p = 0.022) improved significantly. The retinal sensitivity improved by 0.47 ± 3.39 dB ( p = 0.67). Stereopsis and pattern visual evoked potentials showed improvement. A low vision questionnaire documented subjective improvement.

Conclusion:

Visual stimulation by video game play can result in improvement in visual acuity, fixation pattern, and retinal sensitivity with improvement in vision-related tasks. It can serve as a simple rehabilitatory technique for patients with central vision loss due to Stargardt disease.
The Potential for pathogenicity was present in the ancestor of the Ascomycete subphylum Pezizomycotina
Authors: Sánchez-Rodríguez Aminael , Martens Cindy , Engelen Kristof , Van de Peer Yves , Marchal Kathleen
Published: March 2019

Background

Previous studies in Ascomycetes have shown that the function of gene families of which the size is considerably larger in extant pathogens than in non-pathogens could be related to pathogenicity traits. However, by only comparing gene inventories in extant species, no insights can be gained into the evolutionary process that gave rise to these larger family sizes in pathogens. Moreover, most studies which consider gene families in extant species only tend to explain observed differences in gene family sizes by gains rather than by losses, hereby largely underestimating the impact of gene loss during genome evolution.

Results

In our study we used a selection of recently published genomes of Ascomycetes to analyze how gene family gains, duplications and losses have affected the origin of pathogenic traits. By analyzing the evolutionary history of gene families we found that most gene families with an enlarged size in pathogens were present in an ancestor common to both pathogens and non-pathogens. The majority of these families were selectively maintained in pathogenic lineages, but disappeared in non-pathogens. Non-pathogen-specific losses largely outnumbered pathogen-specific losses.

Conclusions

We conclude that most of the proteins for pathogenicity were already present in the ancestor of the Ascomycete lineages we used in our study. Species that did not develop pathogenicity seemed to have reduced their genetic complexity compared to their ancestors. We further show that expansion of gained or already existing families in a species-specific way is important to fine-tune the specificities of the pathogenic host-fungus interaction.
A multi-component intervention to sit less and move more in a contact centre setting: a feasibility study
Authors: Morris Abigail S. , Murphy Rebecca C. , Shepherd Sam O. , Healy Genevieve N. , Edwardson Charlotte L. , Graves Lee E. F.
Published: March 2019

Background

Call agents spend ~ 90% of their working day seated, which may negatively impact health, productivity, and wellbeing. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of a multi-component workplace intervention targeting increased activity and decreased prolonged sitting in the contact centre setting prior to a full-scale effectiveness trial.

Methods

An 8-week non-randomised pre-post feasibility study was conducted. Using a mixed methods approach, focus groups and interviews were thematically analysed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of key study phases, and provide context to agents’ process evaluation and survey responses. The multi-component intervention, conducted in a single call centre, included height-adjustable workstations, emails, education and training sessions, and support from team leaders and a workplace champion.

Results

Six (of 20) team leaders were recruited, with 17 of 84 call agents (78% female, 39.3 ± 11.9 years) completing baseline assessments and 13 completing follow-up. High workload influenced recruitment. Call agents perceived assessments as acceptable, though strategies are needed to enhance fidelity. Education sessions, height-adjustable workstations and emails were perceived as the most effective components; however, height-adjustable hot-desks were not perceived as feasible in this setting.

Conclusions

This study has identified unique, pragmatic considerations for conducting a multi-level, multi-component PA and SB intervention and associated evaluation in highly sedentary call agents in the challenging contact centre setting. The intervention was largely perceived positively, with call agents and team leaders describing numerous perceived positive effects on behavioural, health and work-related outcomes. Findings will be of value to researchers attempting to intervene in contact centres and will be used by the current authors to design a subsequent trial.
Delivery of integrated infectious disease control services under the new antenatal care guidelines: a service availability and readiness assessment of health facilities in Tanzania
Authors: Odjidja Emmanuel Nene , Gatasi Ghislaine , Duric Predrag
Published: March 2019

Background

Tanzania remains among the countries with the highest burden of infectious diseases (notably HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis) during pregnancy. In response, the country adopted World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest antenatal care (ANC) guidelines which recommend comprehensive services including diagnostic screening and treatment for pregnant women during antenatal. However, as Tanzania makes efforts to scale up these services under the existing health system resources, it is crucial to understand its capacity to deliver these services in an integrated fashion. Using the WHO’s service availability and readiness assessment(SARA) framework, this study assesses the capacity of the Tanzanian Health System to provide integrated Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV services.

Methods

Composite indicators of the five components of integration were constructed from primary datasets of the Tanzanian Service Provision Assessments (SPA) under the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) programs. Chi-squared analysis was conducted to determine the associations of each of the defined components and background characteristics of facilities/health workers. A logistic regression model was further used to explore strength of relationships between availability of service readiness components and a pregnant women’s receipt of HIV, Malaria and TB services by reporting adjusted odds ratios.

Results

Generally, capacity to integrate malaria services was significantly higher (72.3 95% CI 70.3–74.4 p = 0.02) compared to Tuberculosis (48.9 95% CI 48.4–50.7) and HIV (54.8 95% CI 53.1–56.9) services. Diagnostic capacity was generally higher than treatment commodities. Regarding the components of SARA integration, logistic regression found that the adjusted odds ratio of having all five components of integration and receiving integrated care was 1.9 (95% CI 0.8–2.7). Among these components, the strongest determinant (predictor) to pregnant women’s receipt of integrated care was having trained staff on site (AOR 2.6 95% CI 0.6–4.5).

Conclusion

Toward a successful integration of these services under the new WHO guidelines in Tanzania, efforts should be channelled into strengthening infectious disease care especially HIV and TB. Channelling investments into training of health workers (the strongest determinant to integrated care) is likely to result in positive outcomes for the pregnant woman and unborn child.
Prospective Multicenter Validation of Androgen Receptor Splice Variant 7 and Hormone Therapy Resistance in High-Risk Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: The PROPHECY Study
Authors: Armstrong Andrew J. , Halabi Susan , Luo Jun , Nanus David M. , Giannakakou Paraskevi , Szmulewitz Russell Z. , Danila Daniel C. , Healy Patrick , Anand Monika , Rothwell Colin J. , Rasmussen Julia , Thornburg Blair , Berry William R. , Wilder Rhonda S. , Lu Changxue , Chen Yan , Silberstein John L. , Kemeny Gabor , Galletti Giuseppe , Somarelli Jason A. , Gupta Santosh , Gregory Simon G. , Scher Howard I. , Dittamore Ryan , Tagawa Scott T. , Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , George Daniel J.
Published: March 2019

PURPOSE

Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) results in a truncated receptor, which leads to ligand-independent constitutive activation that is not inhibited by anti-androgen therapies, including abiraterone or enzalutamide. Given that previous reports suggested that circulating tumor cell (CTC) AR-V7 detection is a poor prognostic indicator for the clinical efficacy of secondary hormone therapies, we conducted a prospective multicenter validation study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PROPHECY ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02269982) is a multicenter, prospective-blinded study of men with high-risk mCRPC starting abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide treatment. The primary objective was to validate the prognostic significance of baseline CTC AR-V7 on the basis of radiographic or clinical progression free-survival (PFS) by using the Johns Hopkins University modified-AdnaTest CTC AR-V7 mRNA assay and the Epic Sciences CTC nuclear-specific AR-V7 protein assay. Overall survival (OS) and prostate-specific antigen responses were secondary end points.

RESULTS

We enrolled 118 men with mCRPC who were starting abiraterone or enzalutamide treatment. AR-V7 detection by both the Johns Hopkins and Epic AR-V7 assays was independently associated with shorter PFS (hazard ratio, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.1 to 3.3; P = .032] and 2.4 [95% CI, 1.1 to 5.1; P = .020], respectively) and OS (hazard ratio, 4.2 [95% CI, 2.1 to 8.5] and 3.5 [95% CI, 1.6 to 8.1], respectively) after adjusting for CTC number and clinical prognostic factors. Men with AR-V7–positive mCRPC had fewer confirmed prostate-specific antigen responses (0% to 11%) or soft tissue responses (0% to 6%). The observed percentage agreement between the two AR-V7 assays was 82%.

CONCLUSION

Detection of AR-V7 in CTCs by two blood-based assays is independently associated with shorter PFS and OS with abiraterone or enzalutamide, and such men with mCRPC should be offered alternative treatments.
Improving Access to Safe Anesthetic Care in Rural and Remote Communities in Affluent Countries
Authors: Orser Beverley A. , Wilson C. Ruth , Rotstein Alexandra J. , Iglesias Stuart J. , Spain Brian T. , Ranganathan Pavithra , MacDonald William A. , Ng Victor , O’Leary Susan , Lafontaine Alika
Published: March 2019

Inadequate access to anesthesia and surgical services is often considered to be a problem of low- and middle-income countries. However, affluent nations, including Canada, Australia, and the United States, also face shortages of anesthesia and surgical care in rural and remote communities. Inadequate services often disproportionately affect indigenous populations. A lack of anesthesia care providers has been identified as a major contributing factor to the shortfall of surgical and obstetrical care in rural and remote areas of these countries. This report summarizes the challenges facing the provision of anesthesia services in rural and remote regions. The current landscape of anesthesia providers and their training is described. We also explore innovative strategies and emerging technologies that could better support physician-led anesthesia care teams working in rural and remote areas. Ultimately, we believe that it is the responsibility of specialist anesthesiologists and academic health sciences centers to facilitate access to high-quality care through partnership with other stakeholders. Professional medical organizations also play an important role in ensuring the quality of care and continuing professional development. Enhanced collaboration between academic anesthesiologists and other stakeholders is required to meet the challenge issued by the World Health Organization to ensure access to essential anesthesia and surgical services for all.
Accounting Knowledge and Ethics of Scientifi c Work Ambivalence
Authors: Миславская Н. , Mislavskaya N.
Published: March 2019

The article considers the problem of the development of fundamental science in the fi eld of accounting in conjunction with issues of sociological ambivalence of scientists. The insolvency of R. Merton’s concept in modern conditions of scientifi c activity is argued, the competitive environment underlying the research is critically analyzed. The attention of the professional community is focused on the need for early, radical changes aimed at supporting the development of basic research in accounting science.
Sense and need for power in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Kocur Dagna , Kwiatkowska Sławomira
Published: March 2019

Cel pracy

Celem badania była analiza poczucia władzy w relacjach z innymi, relacjach z lekarzem oraz analiza potrzeby władzy i wywierania wpływu a także poczucia umiejętności wywierania wpływu i sprawowania władzy wśród pacjentów cierpiących na schizofrenię. Analizie poddano także zależności wieku i płci porównując grupę badaną i kontrolną.

Metoda

Grupę badaną stanowiło 47 pacjentów z rozpoznaniem F20 (Schizofrenia). Do grupy kontrolnej zostały dobrane osoby pod kątem wieku i płci, niekorzystające z pomocy psychiatrycznej lub psychologicznej. W badaniu wykorzystano: Kwestionariusz Potrzeby Władzy i Wywierania Wpływu (Bennett, 1988), Skalę Poczucia Władzy (Anderson, John i Keltner, 2012) oraz rozszerzoną metryczkę.

Wyniki

Pacjenci cierpiący na schizofrenię charakteryzowali się niższym poczuciem władzy niż osoby zdrowe. Pacjenci uzyskali także niższe wyniki w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną w zakresie poczucia umiejętności sprawowania władzy i wywierania wpływu. Osoby cierpiące na schizofrenię miały istotnie wyższe poczucie władzy w relacjach ze swoim lekarzem niż ogólnie w relacjach z innymi osobami. Mężczyźni cierpiący na schizofrenię uzyskali niższe wyniki w zakresie poczucia władzy, poczucia umiejętności sprawowania władzy i wywierania wpływu oraz potrzeby wywierania wpływu w porównaniu z pozostałymi mężczyznami. W grupach kobiet nie zaobserwowano analogicznych różnic.

Wnioski

Wyniki mogą zostać wykorzystane w terapii pacjentów cierpiących na schizofrenię, podczas analizy skuteczności terapii czy analizy relacji terapeutycznej.
Errorless Learning as a method of neuropsychological rehabilitation of individuals suffering from dementia in the course of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Śmigórska Agnieszka , Śmigórski Krzysztof , Rymaszewska Joanna
Published: March 2019

W niniejszym artykule omówiono możliwości stosowania strategii rehabilitacyjnej znanej pod nazwą bezbłędnego uczenia się (ang. errorless learning, EL) u pacjentów z chorobą Alzheimera. Autorzy przedstawiają zagadnienie w kontekście stanu wiedzy o efektywności oddziaływań neuropsychologicznych u pacjentów cierpiących na AD. Zarysowana jest historia powstania terapii metodą uczenia się bezbłędnego oraz startegie i techniki stosowane w jej obrębie. Wykazane jest nowatorstwo metodologiczne tego podejścia, które, w przeciwieństwie do większości strategii rehabilitacji neuropsychologicznej, ma względnie solidne podstawy teoretyczne. Pozostała część pracy poświęcona jest omówieniu dostępnych w literaturze ustaleń empirycznych dotyczących efektywności stosowania uczenia się bezbłędnego w rehabilitacji osób z AD. Omówione są czynniki wpływające na nią, takie jak organizacja sesji rehabilitacyjnych, częstotliwość sprawdzania postępów czynionych przez uczestników oraz rodzaj trenowanego materiału. Efektywność EL jest porównana z efektywnością innych metod rehabilitacji neuropsychologicznej. Autorzy artykułu uważają, że strategia bezbłędnego uczenia się może zwiększać efektywność treningów poznawczych i stanowi użyteczną opcję w rehabilitacji neuropsychologicznej pacjentów cierpiących na chorobę Alzheimera w umiarkowanym lub zaawansowanym stadium.
Strengths in patients with schizophrenia and healthy people – similarities and differences
Authors: Rozya Paulina , Sawicka Maryla , Żochowska Agnieszka , Bronowski Paweł
Published: March 2019

Cel pracy

Ocena mocnych stron charakteru osób ze schizofrenią i ich znaczenia w budowaniu satysfakcji z życia. Określenie różnic i podobieństw pod względem mocnych stron pomiędzy chorymi na schizofrenię a osobami zdrowymi.

Metoda

W badaniu wzięło udział 40 osób z rozpoznaną schizofrenią oraz 40 osób zdrowych. Każdego z uczestników zbadano: Kwestionariuszem Danych Społeczno-Demograficznych, Skalą Satysfakcji z Życia (SWLS), Kwestionariuszem do Pomiaru Mocnych Stron Charakteru (IPIP-VIA).

Wyniki

Osoby chore osiągnęły istotnie niższe od osób zdrowych wyniki pod względem takich mocnych stron, jak: nadzieja, humor, samoregulacja, przynależność, przywództwo, zdolność do kochania, życzliwość, inteligencja społeczno-emocjonalna, waleczność, pracowitość, spójność, werwa, ciekawość, pasja zdobywania wiedzy, szerokie horyzonty umysłowe oraz pod względem satysfakcji z życia. Nie odnotowano między zdrowymi i chorymi różnic w zakresie oryginalności, rozsądku, uczciwości, umiejętności przebaczania i okazywania litości, skromności i pokorze, roztropności, podziwie dla piękna, wdzięczności, duchowości. Istotne związki z satysfakcją z życia w grupie osób ze schizofrenią dotyczyły: poczucia wdzięczności, nadziei, humoru, duchowości, samoregulacji, zdolności do kochania, inteligencji społeczno-emocjonalnej, waleczności, werwy, oryginalności, ciekawości, rozsądku i szerokich horyzontów umysłowych. U osób zdrowych satysfakcja z życia wiązała się jedynie z nadzieją i zdolnością do kochania.

Wnioski

Osoby chore na schizofrenię różnią się od osób zdrowych pod względem 15 mocnych stron, których niższy poziom może tłumaczyć ich trudności w funkcjonowaniu społecznym. Są również mniej zadowolone ze swojego życia. Z przeżywaniem satysfakcji z życia u osób chorych wiąże się złożona konfiguracja mocnych stron. Być może mocne strony różniące osoby chore od zdrowych są istotniejsze w budowaniu zadowolenia z życia niż te, które są podobne.