bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Very High Resolution Aerial Photos Using Spectral-Spatial Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Sameen Maher Ibrahim , Pradhan Biswajeet , Aziz Omar Saud
Published: June 2018

Classification of aerial photographs relying purely on spectral content is a challenging topic in remote sensing. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was developed to classify aerial photographs into seven land cover classes such as building, grassland, dense vegetation, waterbody, barren land, road, and shadow. The classifier utilized spectral and spatial contents of the data to maximize the accuracy of the classification process. CNN was trained from scratch with manually created ground truth samples. The architecture of the network comprised of a single convolution layer of 32 filters and a kernel size of 3 × 3, pooling size of 2 × 2, batch normalization, dropout, and a dense layer with Softmax activation. The design of the architecture and its hyperparameters were selected via sensitivity analysis and validation accuracy. The results showed that the proposed model could be effective for classifying the aerial photographs. The overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of the best model were 0.973 and 0.967, respectively. In addition, the sensitivity analysis suggested that the use of dropout and batch normalization technique in CNN is essential to improve the generalization performance of the model. The CNN model without the techniques above achieved the worse performance, with an overall accuracy and Kappa of 0.932 and 0.922, respectively. This research shows that CNN-based models are robust for land cover classification using aerial photographs. However, the architecture and hyperparameters of these models should be carefully selected and optimized.
Morphological Predictive Features on Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography for Visual Outcomes in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated with Ranibizumab
Authors: Azar Georges , Wolff Benjamin , De Bats Flore , Halfon Jeremie , Streho Mate , Tick Sarah , Castelnovo Laurent , Michel Guillaume , Masse Helene , Vasseur Vivien , Sahyoun Marwan , Mauget-Faÿsse Martine
Published: June 2018

Purpose. To identify spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) predictive morphological features for the outcome of Ranibizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods. This is a retrospective multicentric study that involved 64 eyes with naïve AMD. Patients who received three monthly intravitreal injections of Ranibizumab were stratified into (1) “responders” [≥ 5 letters gain on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale] and (2) “nonresponders” (< 5 letters gain). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and SD-OCT morphological features were compared at baseline and one month after three consecutive injections of Ranibizumab. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to correlate these morphological features with the change in BCVA. Results. Among the 64 patients enrolled, 40 (62.5%) were “responders” and 24 (37.5%) “nonresponders”. Age, sex, and BCVA were comparable between both groups. A multivariate correlational analysis found that subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and the presence of pigment epithelial detachment (PED) > 250 μm at baseline were two independent prognostic indicators of final BCVA. No other SD-OCT morphological studied features seem to affect final BCVA after Ranibizumab treatment. Conclusion. SFCT and the presence of PED > 250 μm are two significant biomarkers that may predict improvement after Ranibizumab therapy for AMD. These markers may guide ophthalmologists' treatment decision under financial constraints and limited time.
Successful Treatment of Acromegaly and Associated Hypogonadism with First-Line Clomiphene Therapy
Authors: Palacios Juan D. , Komotar Ricardo J. , Kargi Atil Y.
Published: June 2018

Clomiphene citrate (CC) has been reported as an effective add-on therapy to somatostatin analogs and dopamine agonists in patients with acromegaly accompanied by hypogonadism; its use as a single agent to treat acromegaly and associated hypogonadism following incomplete surgery has not been previously reported. We report the first case in which clomiphene was utilized as a single agent for the dual management of acromegaly and hypogonadism, not controlled by pituitary surgery alone. The treatment was well tolerated and proved to be effective after a process of treatment withdrawal and reintroduction. We propose that clomiphene may be considered as a cost-effective oral treatment option in select cases of hypogonadal acromegaly.
Multiactivation Pooling Method in Convolutional Neural Networks for Image Recognition
Authors: Zhao Qi , Lyu Shuchang , Zhang Boxue , Feng Wenquan
Published: June 2018

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are becoming more and more popular today. CNNs now have become a popular feature extractor applying to image processing, big data processing, fog computing, etc. CNNs usually consist of several basic units like convolutional unit, pooling unit, activation unit, and so on. In CNNs, conventional pooling methods refer to 2×2 max‐pooling and average‐pooling, which are applied after the convolutional or ReLU layers. In this paper, we propose a Multiactivation Pooling (MAP) Method to make the CNNs more accurate on classification tasks without increasing depth and trainable parameters. We add more convolutional layers before one pooling layer and expand the pooling region to 4×4, 8×8, 16×16, and even larger. When doing large‐scale subsampling, we pick top‐k activation, sum up them, and constrain them by a hyperparameter σ. We pick VGG, ALL‐CNN, and DenseNets as our baseline models and evaluate our proposed MAP method on benchmark datasets: CIFAR‐10, CIFAR‐100, SVHN, and ImageNet. The classification results are competitive.
Severe Case of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Recovery after Injection of Procaine into the Vesicoprostatic Plexus—Case Report and Discussion of Pathophysiology and Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Kronenberg R. M. , Ludin S. M. , Fischer L.
Published: June 2018

We describe a patient with a 35-year history of a severe chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) that failed to adequately respond to various drug therapies and other treatments by different specialists. In addition to the ongoing chronic pain, he suffered from week-long episodes of increased pain with no discernible trigger. At the first consultation with us the patient was in a particularly severe pain phase. He was taking four different analgesically effective drugs. In terms of therapeutic local anesthesia (neural therapy), we performed suprapubic injection of procaine 1% with infiltration of the vesicoprostatic plexus. Just a few minutes later, the pain decreased significantly. To maintain and further increase the effect, we performed the injection six more times. The patient gradually reduced and stopped all drugs and remained free of pain and discomfort ever since. This is the first report of a successful therapeutic infiltration of the vesicoprostatic plexus using a local anesthetic (LA) in a patient with CPPS that has been refractory to different treatments for many years. A possible explanation may be that the positive feedback loops maintaining pain and neurogenic inflammation are disrupted by LA infiltration. This can lead to a new organisation (self-organisation) of the pain-processing systems.
Impact of Resource Blocks Allocation Strategies on Downlink Interference and SIR Distributions in LTE Networks: A Stochastic Geometry Approach
Authors: Busson Anthony , Lahsen-Cherif Iyad
Published: June 2018

We propose a model based on stochastic geometry to assess downlink interference and signal over interference ratio (SIR) in LTE networks. The originality of this work lies in the proposition and combination of resource blocks assignment strategies, transmission power control, and realistic traffic patterns into a stochastic geometry model. For this model, we compute the first two moments of interference. They are used to parameterize its distribution from which we deduce the SIR distribution. Outage and transmission rates (modulation and coding rate) are then derived to evaluate the system performance. Simulations that cover a large set of scenarios show the accuracy of our proposal and allow us to compare these strategies with more complex ones that aim to minimize global interference. Numerical evaluations highlight the behavior of the LTE network for different traffic patterns/load, eNodeB density, and amount of resource blocks and offer insights about possible parameterization of LTE networks.
FBXO22 Possesses Both Protumorigenic and Antimetastatic Roles in Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Sun Rui , Xie Hong-Yan , Qian Jin-Xian , Huang Yan-Ni , Yang Fan , Zhang Fang-Lin , Shao Zhi-Min , Li Da-Qiang
Published: June 2018

The molecular underpinnings behind malignant progression of breast cancer from a localized lesion to an invasive and ultimately metastatic disease are incompletely understood. Here, we report that F-box only protein 22 (FBXO22) plays a dual role in mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis. FBXO22 was upregulated in primary breast tumors and promoted cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and xenograft tumorigenicity in vivo. Surprisingly, FBXO22 suppressed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell motility, and invasiveness in vitro and metastatic lung colonization in vivo. Clinical data showed that expression levels of FBXO22 were associated with favorable clinical outcomes, supporting the notion that metastasis, rather than primary cancer, is the major determinant of the mortality of patients with breast cancer. Mechanistic investigations further revealed that FBXO22 elicits its antimetastatic effects by targeting SNAIL, a master regulator of EMT and breast cancer metastasis, for ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation in a glycogen synthase kinase 3β phosphorylation–dependent manner. Importantly, expression of SNAIL rescued FBXO22-mediated suppression of EMT, cell migration, and invasion. A patient-derived tryptophan-to-arginine mutation at residue 52 (W52R) within the F-box domain impaired FBXO22 binding to the SKP1–Cullin1 complex and blocked FBXO22-mediated SNAIL degradation, thus abrogating the ability of FBXO22 to suppress cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Collectively, these findings uncover an unexpected dual role for FBXO22 in mammary tumorigenesis and metastatic progression and delineate the mechanism of an oncogenic mutation of FBXO22 in breast cancer progression.

Significance: These findings highlight the paradoxical roles of FBXO22 in breast cancer, as it promotes breast tumor cell proliferation but prevents EMT and metastasis. Cancer Res; 78(18); 5274–86. ©2018 AACR.
Inhaled TLR9 Agonist Renders Lung Tumors Permissive to PD-1 Blockade by Promoting Optimal CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell Interplay
Authors: Gallotta Marilena , Assi Hikmat , Degagné Émilie , Kannan Shravan Kumar , Coffman Robert L. , Guiducci Cristiana
Published: June 2018

Currently approved inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway represent a major advance for the treatment of lung cancers, yet they are ineffective in a majority of patients due to lack of preexisting T-cell reactivity. Here, we show that a TLR9 agonist delivered by inhalation is able to prime T-cell responses against poorly immunogenic lung tumors and to complement the effects of PD-1 blockade. Inhaled TLR9 agonist causes profound remodeling in tumor-bearing lungs, leading to the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures adjacent to the tumors, CD8+ T-cell infiltration into the tumors, dendritic cell expansion, and antibody production. Inhalation of TLR9 agonist also increased the pool of functional PD-1lowT-bethigh effector CD8+ T cells in tumor-bearing lungs. Effector CD8+ T cells generated by inhaled TLR9 agonist treatment were licensed by PD-1 blockade to become highly functional CTLs, leading to a durable rejection of both lung tumors and tumor lesions outside the lungs. CD4+ T cells activated in response to inhaled TLR9 play a critical role in this process by controlling the proliferation, preventing exhaustion, and guiding the differentiation of optimally functional CTLs. This study characterizes a strategy to apply localized TLR9 stimulation to a tumor type not accessible for direct injection, a strategy that may expand the therapeutic potential of PD-1 blockade in non–small cell lung cancer.

Significance: These findings demonstrate that local delivery of a toll-like receptor 9 agonist can change the immune content of an entire organ and enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition.

Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/17/4943/F1.large.jpg. Cancer Res; 78(17); 4943–56. ©2018 AACR.
Clonal Structures of Regionally Synchronous Gastric Adenomas and Carcinomas
Authors: Jung Seung-Hyun , Kim Shin Young , An Chang Hyeok , Lee Sung Hak , Jung Eun Sun , Park Hyeon-Chun , Kim Min Sung , Chung Yeun-Jun , Lee Sug Hyung
Published: June 2018

Purpose: Gastric adenoma (GA) is a premalignant lesion that precedes intestinal-type gastric carcinoma (GC). However, genetic progression mechanisms from GA to GC have not been clarified.

Experimental Design: We performed whole-exome sequencing–based mutational analyses for 15 synchronous pairs of attached GAs and GCs.

Results: There was no significant difference in the number of driver mutations or copy-number alterations between GAs and GCs. Well-known mutations of TP53, APC, RNF43, and RPL22 were recurrently detected in synchronous GA/GC pairs. In addition, we discovered novel KDM6A, PREX2, FAT1, KMT2C, GLI3, and RPL22 mutations and hypermutation in GAs, but did not identify recurrent drivers for GA-to-GC progression. Clonal structure analyses revealed that most GA/GC pairs exhibit parallel evolution with early divergence rather than stepwise evolution during GA-to-GC progression. Of note, three cases were identified as clonally nonrelated GA/GC pairs despite the lack of histologic differences. We found differences in dominant mutational signatures 1, 6, 15, and 17 in GA/GC trunks, GA branches, and GC branches. Compared with our previous work on synchronous colon adenoma/carcinoma genome structures, where most drivers were in the trunk with parallel evolution, synchronous GA/GC genomes showed a different model of parallel evolution, with many drivers in the branches.

Conclusions: The preferred sequence of mutational events during GA-to-GC progression might be more context-dependent than colon adenoma progression. Our results show that nonclonal synchronous GA/GC is common and that GA genomes have already acquired distinct genomic alterations, suggesting caution in the diagnosis of synchronous GA and GC, especially in residual or recurrent cases. Clin Cancer Res; 24(19); 4715–25. ©2018 AACR.
Talazoparib Is a Potent Radiosensitizer in Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines and Xenografts
Authors: Laird James H. , Lok Benjamin H. , Ma Jennifer , Bell Andrew , de Stanchina Elisa , Poirier John T. , Rudin Charles M.
Published: June 2018

Purpose: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with a critical need for novel therapies. Our goal was to determine whether PARP inhibition could sensitize SCLC cells to ionizing radiation (IR) and if so, to determine the contribution of PARP trapping to radiosensitization.

Experimental Design: Short-term viability assays and clonogenic survival assays (CSA) were used to assess radiosensitization in 6 SCLC cell lines. Doses of veliparib and talazoparib with equivalent enzymatic inhibitory activity but differing PARP trapping activity were identified and compared in CSAs. Talazoparib, IR, and their combination were tested in three patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models.

Results: Talazoparib radiosensitized 5 of 6 SCLC cell lines in short-term viability assays and confirmed in 3 of 3 cell lines by CSAs. Concentrations of 200 nmol/L talazoparib and 1,600 nmol/L veliparib similarly inhibited PAR polymerization; however, talazoparib exhibited greater PARP trapping activity that was associated with superior radiosensitization. This observation further correlated with an increased number of double-stranded DNA breaks induced by talazoparib as compared with veliparib. Finally, a dose of 0.2 mg/kg talazoparib in vivo caused tumor growth inhibition in combination with IR but not as a single agent in 3 SCLC PDX models.

Conclusions: PARP inhibition effectively sensitizes SCLC cell lines and PDXs to IR, and PARP trapping activity enhances this effect. PARP inhibitors, especially those with high PARP trapping activity, may provide a powerful tool to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy in SCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 5143–52. ©2018 AACR.
The Impact of Preexisting Chronic Kidney Disease on the Severity and Recovery of Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Lim Sung Yoon , Ko Yoon Sook , Lee Hee Young , Yang Ji Hyun , Kim Myung Gyu , Jo Sang Kyung , Cho Won Yong
Published: June 2018

Background: Recent observational studies have shown that in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, a significantly smaller percentage of patients with an episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) have full recovery of renal function compared to those without CKD. However, precise mechanisms involved in the incomplete repair after AKI with preexisting CKD have not been completely ascertained. Here, we assessed the impact of preexisting CKD on the severity and recovery of AKI in a mouse model of 5/6 nephrectomy. Methods: Male CD-1 mice underwent 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). Six weeks post surgery, ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) or a sham operation was performed and functional, histological, and various molecular parameters were compared between them. Results: Serum creatinine level on day 1 after IRI was comparable between control and Nx mice. However, serum creatinine remained significantly higher throughout the recovery phase in Nx mice compared to control mice. mRNA and protein expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins were persistently elevated in Nx mice and this was associated with significantly increased levels of the G1 cell cycle arrest markers. Treatment with a p53 inhibitor following IRI resulted in not only decreased expression of G1 arrest markers but also decreased fibrosis, suggesting that prolonged epithelial G1 cell cycle arrest might be partially responsible for impaired recovery from superimposed AKI on CKD. Conclusion: Taken together, reduced nephron mass have a negative effect on the repair process that is partially mediated by the disruption of the cell cycle regulation.
German National Guideline for Treating Chronic Respiratory Failure with Invasive and Non-Invasive Ventilation: Revised Edition 2017 – Part 1
Authors: Windisch Wolfram , Geiseler Jens , Simon Karsten , Walterspacher Stephan , Dreher Michael ,   on behalf of the Guideline Commission
Published: June 2018

Today, invasive and non-invasive home mechanical ventilation have become a well-established treatment option. Consequently, in 2010, the German Respiratory Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin, DGP) has leadingly published the Guidelines on “Non-Invasive and Invasive Mechanical Ventilation for Treatment of Chronic Respiratory Failure.” However, continuing technical evolutions, new scientific insights, and health care developments require an extensive revision of the Guidelines. For this reason, the updated Guidelines are now published. Thereby, the existing chapters, namely technical issues, organizational structures in Germany, qualification criteria, disease-specific recommendations including special features in pediatrics as well as ethical aspects and palliative care, have been updated according to the current literature and the health care developments in Germany. New chapters added to the Guidelines include the topics of home mechanical ventilation in paraplegic patients and in those with failure of prolonged weaning. In the current Guidelines, different societies as well as professional and expert associations have been involved when compared to the 2010 Guidelines. Importantly, disease-specific aspects are now covered by the German Interdisciplinary Society of Home Mechanical Ventilation (DIGAB). In addition, societies and associations directly involved in the care of patients receiving home mechanical ventilation have been included in the current process. Importantly, associations responsible for decisions on costs in the health care system and patient organizations have now been involved.
German National Guideline for Treating Chronic Respiratory Failure with Invasive and Non-Invasive Ventilation – Revised Edition 2017: Part 2
Authors: Windisch Wolfram , Geiseler Jens , Simon Karsten , Walterspacher Stephan , Dreher Michael ,   on behalf of the Guideline Commission
Published: June 2018

Today, invasive and non-invasive home mechanical ventilation have become a well-established treatment option. Consequently, in 2010, the German Respiratory Society (DGP) has leadingly published the guidelines on “Non-Invasive and Invasive Mechanical Ventilation for Treatment of Chronic Respiratory Failure.” However, continuing technical evolutions, new scientific insights, and health care developments require an extensive revision of the guidelines. For this reason, the updated guidelines are now published. Thereby, the existing chapters, namely technical issues, organizational structures in Germany, qualification criteria, disease-specific recommendations including special features in pediatrics as well as ethical aspects and palliative care, have been updated according to the current literature and the health care developments in Germany. New chapters added to the guidelines include the topics of home mechanical ventilation in paraplegic patients and in those with failure of prolonged weaning. In the current guidelines, different societies as well as professional and expert associations have been involved when compared to the 2010 guidelines. Importantly, disease-specific aspects are now covered by the German Interdisciplinary Society of Home Mechanical Ventilation (DIGAB). In addition, societies and associations directly involved in the care of patients receiving home mechanical ventilation have been included in the current process. Importantly, associations responsible for decisions on costs in the health care system and patient organizations have now been involved.
Depersonalization Under Academic Stress: Frequency, Predictors, and Consequences
Authors: Schweden Tabea L.K. , Wolfradt Uwe , Jahnke Sara , Hoyer Juergen
Published: June 2018

Background: Based on the assumptions that depersonalization symptoms are relevant for test anxiety maintenance, we examined their frequency, psychological predictors, association with anxiety symptoms, and association with test performance. Sampling and Methods: In Study 1, 203 students rated their test anxiety severity and depersonalization in their last oral examination. In Study 2, we assessed test anxiety 1 week before an oral examination, depersonalization, safety behaviors, self-focused attention, and negative appraisals of depersonalization directly after the examination, and post-event processing 1 week later among 67 students. Results: In Study 1, 47.3% reported at least one moderate depersonalization symptom. In Study 2, test anxiety and negative appraisals of depersonalization significantly predicted depersonalization. Depersonalization was linked to a higher intensity of safety behaviors and post-event processing but not to self-focused attention. It was not related to performance. Conclusion: Results are limited by the non-random sampling and the small sample size of Study 2. However, by showing that depersonalization contributes to the processes the maintenance of test anxiety, the findings confirm that depersonalization – normally understood as an adaptive mechanism to cope with stressful events – can become maladaptive.
Tumour Characteristics of Patients with Colorectal Cancer after Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis
Authors: Ramphal Winesh , Schreinemakers Jennifer M.J. , Seerden Tom C.J. , Gobardhan Paul D.
Published: June 2018

Background: The association between diverticulitis and colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear, though both share epidemiological characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is higher risk for CRC after an episode of uncomplicated diverticulitis. Furthermore, in cases of CRC, we sought to determine specific tumour characteristics. Methods: This retrospective observational study includes patients with acute diverticulitis (Hinchey 0 and 1) who were conservatively treated with or without antibiotics between 2008 and 2013. Patients with endoscopic follow-up were included for analysis. Tumour characteristics of patients diagnosed with CRC during colonoscopic follow-up according to patients’ presentation of alarm symptoms were considered to be the primary endpoint. Results: A total of 977 patients were conservatively treated for an episode of acute diverticulitis, 645 of whom underwent colonoscopy during follow-up. Ten patients were diagnosed with CRC, nine of whom exhibited alarm symptoms. One patient was diagnosed with stage I disease, 4 had stage II, and 5 had stage III disease. Conclusions: This study strongly suggests that even though CRC is rare after uncomplicated diverticulitis, in cases of alarm symptoms, a colonoscopy is indicated. In cases where CRC is diagnosed, it is often advanced with a higher TNM stage and poor prognosis.
Endoscopic and Histopathology Characteristics in Patients with Esophageal High-Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Authors: Sang Huai-Ming , Cao Jiu-Liang , Soyfoo Muhammad Djaleel , Zhang Wei-Ming , Jiang Jian-Xia , Xu Shun-Fu
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: To correlate the endoscopic characteristics with the histopathology of specimens of esophageal high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia obtained by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Methods: This was a retrospective study developed from January 2010 to December 2015. The study included 169 patients who underwent ESD and were diagnosed with esophageal high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia according to endoscopic forceps biopsy, Lugol staining, endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography, and Narrow-Band Imaging. The demographic, endoscopic, and histopathologic characteristics were analyzed. Results: A total of 19 cases (11.2%) had a change in diagnosis after histopathology exam and 16 (9.5%) needed a change in established treatment. An increase in the severity of disease was correlated with a lesion size > 2 cm, less than 4 samples in biopsy, and depressed or excavated patterns (p < 0.05). One hundred forty patients (82.8%) underwent curative resection. Lesions with leukoplakia (p < 0.001) and negative Lugol staining (p = 0.028) were independent risk factor for non-curative resection. Conclusion: This study confirms that lesion size > 2 cm, depressed and excavated patterns, and ≤4 biopsy samples are independent risk factors for histological grade changes compared to pre-endoscopic treatment diagnosis. Similarly, leukoplakia and no Lugol staining of lesions are independent risk factors for non-curative resection.
Abundance, color pattern variation, life cycle, and reproduction of the triploid parthenogenetic lizard Aspidoscelis uniparens (Squamata: Teiidae) in Chihuahua, Mexico
Authors: Walker James M. , Lemos-Espinal Julio A. , Cordes James E. , Smith Hobart M.
Published: June 2018

Abundance, color pattern variation, life cycle, and reproduction of the triploid parthenogenetic lizard Aspidoscelis uniparens (Squamata: Teiidae) in Chihuahua, Mexico. We have observed the triploid parthenogenetic lizard Aspidoscelis uniparens in syntopy with many congeners, as well as allopatric to them, within a distribution area in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas (USA), and Chihuahua and Sonora (Mexico). In July 2000, we discovered arrays (= groups) of A. uniparens with distinctive dorsal color patterns, allopatric to congeners, at a cluster of three sites in northwestern Chihuahua. These arrays were distinguishable based on strikingly different dorsal color patterns. Thus, we designated specimens from two mapped sites in the Municipality of Casas Grandes and from one nearby mapped site in the Municipality of Nuevo Casas Grandes as vividly striped lizards (VSL). Specimens from other mapped sites were designated normally striped lizards (NSL). We observed that the three VSL sites along the base of foothills of the eastern slope of the Sierra Madre Occidental were ecologically different from NSL sites such as El Sueco and Pradera de Janos in central and northwestern Chihuahua, respectively. All VSL specimens possessed wider and more vividly hued primary stripes, whereas the stripes were of normal width and low-contrast color hues in samples NSL-1 and NSL-2. We used samples NSL-1, NSL-2, and VSL for statistical comparisons of means ± 1 SE for the following characters: snout‒vent length (the three arrays had similar maximum SVL measurements and mean differences attributable to the year-class structure of samples); number of granular scales between the paravertebral stripes at midbody (revealing signifcant differences between some samples); percent of granular scales around midbody situated between the paravertebral stripes at midbody (revealing signifcant differences between all samples); percent of the vertebral feld with a vertebral stripe (revealing signifcant differences between some samples); and clutch size (revealing signifcant differences between some samples). We concluded that qualitative characters diagnostic of the VSL sample of A. uniparens were not accompanied by unique quantitative characters.
Parasitological findings and antiparasitic treatment of captive Jaguarundis Herpailurus yagouaroundi (Carnivora: Felidae) in a conservation center in Brazil
Authors: Grossmann Nárjara Veras , De Sousa Anderson Silva , Cardoso Rebecca Martins , Hoppe Estevam Guilherme Lux
Published: June 2018

Ex situ management of wildlife provides a possibility for species maintenance, research development and environmental education.  But as captive facilities are usually much smaller than the area occupied by a species in the natural habitat, cleaning might be insufficient, domestic species such as cats might be in close proximity, and wild animals in captivity are inevitably stressed, animals kept in these facilities are more at risk of acquiring parasitic infections.  Therefore, an appropriate prophylactic protocol and consequent anti-parasitic therapy of affected animals are fundamental for any wildlife conservation center.  This report describes the procedures adopted in a conservation center for wild felines in which four adult Jaguarundis were diagnosed with severe infection with gastrointestinal parasites and flea infestation.  Two animals died and based on the necropsy findings and fecal examinations, infections with Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara cati were diagnosed, as well as severe infestations with Ctenocephalides felis felis fleas, all common parasites of domestic cats.  We discuss the applied therapy and the adopted environmental management, along with the importance of regular health assessments and a preventive medicine program for this species in captivity.
Polytrias indica (Poaceae: Andropogoneae): the name, species identity and its distribution in India
Authors: Raju Vatsavaya S. , Kumar V. Sampath
Published: June 2018

Polytrias indica (Houtt.) Veldkamp is native to Java (Indonesia) but found outside its native range as a lawn grass or an escape.  In India, it was first collected from Khasia (now Khasi) in Meghalaya and later reported as a garden escape in Indian Botanic Garden, Shibpur, West Bengal. Merrill created the confusion when he made the combination Ischaemum indicum (1938) for a taxon which is not an Ischaemum.  The so-called Polytrias indica in certain Indian herbaria (e.g., PBL, BSID) is, indeed, Ischaemum ciliare Retz. (1791) to which name Ishaemum indicum has been misapplied in Indian grasses literature, and the IUCN assessment of Polytrias indica made in 2013 is not an exception.
Notes on the taxonomy and distribution of the Bengal Morning Glory Ipomoea rubens Choisy (Convolvulaceae) in India
Authors: Swamy J. , Ramana Pragada Venkata
Published: June 2018

Ipomoea rubens Choisy (Convolvulaceae) is a species originally described from India and native to the Old World.  It was hitherto recorded in India only from the states of Assam and the northern part of West Bengal but is now reported for the first time from the coast of Andhra Pradesh.  A detailed description, photographs and notes are provided.
A first report and additional description of the assassin bug Neostaccia plebeja (Stål) (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from India with comparative notes on Staccia diluta Stål from Assam, India
Authors: Sarode Balasaheb V. , Boyane Swapnil S. , Ghate Hemant V.
Published: June 2018

The assassin bug, Neostaccia plebeja (Stål, 1866) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Stenopodainae) is being reported for the first time from India.  It is redescribed with many illustrations.  Comparative photos of the salient characters of Staccia diluta Stål, 1859 are also provided.
High Burden of 30‐Day Readmissions After Acute Venous Thromboembolism in the United States
Authors: Secemsky Eric A. , Rosenfield Kenneth , Kennedy Kevin F. , Jaff Michael , Yeh Robert W.
Published: June 2018

Background

Venous thromboembolism (
VTE
) is the third leading cause of vascular disease and accounts for $10 billion in annual US healthcare costs. The nationwide burden of 30‐day readmissions after such events has not been comprehensively assessed.

Methods and Results

We analyzed adults ≥18 years of age with hospitalizations associated with acute
VTE
between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, in the Nationwide Readmissions Database.
International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification
(

ICD
‐9‐

CM
)

codes were used to identify hospitalizations associated with acute pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. The primary outcome was the rate of unplanned 30‐day readmission. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to calculate hospital‐specific 30‐day risk‐standardized readmission rates, a marker of healthcare quality. Among 1 176 335 hospitalizations with acute
VTE
, in‐hospital death occurred in 6.2%.
VTE
was associated with malignancy in 19.7%, recent surgery in 19.3%, recent trauma in 4.6%, hypercoagulability in 3.3%, and pregnancy in 1.0%. Among survivors to discharge, the 30‐day readmission rate was 17.5%, with no significant difference in rates across study years (17.4%–17.7%;
P
=0.10 for trend). Major predictors of readmission were malignancy (relative risk, 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.47‐1.50), Medicaid insurance (relative risk, 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.46‐1.50), and nonelective index admission (relative risk, 1.31, 95% confidence interval 1.29‐1.33). Top causes of readmission included sepsis (9.6%) and procedural complications (8.1%). Median rehospitalization costs were $9781.7 (interquartile range, $5430.7–$18 784.1), and 8.1% died during readmission. The interquartile range in risk‐standardized readmission rates was 16.6% to 18.3%, suggesting modest interhospital heterogeneity in readmission risk.

Conclusions

Nearly 1 in 5 patients with acute
VTE
were readmitted within 30 days. Predictors and causes of readmission were primarily related to patient characteristics and complications from comorbid conditions, whereas healthcare quality had a moderate impact on readmission risk.
Fold, Hexagonal
Authors: Park Joo Yeon
Published: June 2018

Fold, Hexagonal presents the impossibility of entering into the language of others and suggests the ways in which such an exclusion can open up a space of imagination around words. This space of imagination includes the visual and bodily experiences of language as well as the physical space that writing occupies. The “Hexagonal” of the title alludes to the infinite hexagonal rooms featured in Jorge Luis Borges's short story “The Library of Babel” and also evokes an open-ended linguistic space. The project features hexagonal forms staged on folded, lined paper, reflected and fragmented by multiple mirrors that alter their directions and dimensions and suggest the ruin of Borges's library. Sentences describing the folding, reflecting, and refracting of lines, diagonals, squares, rectangles and hexagons are written with English letters forced into squares designed for Korean syllabic blocks. These form grammatically correct but scarcely legible forms whose process of inscription slows the apprehension of their meaning. What Walter Benjamin calls “pure language” is imagined here through a process of translation that is always a becoming, a translation that follows the unending continuation of a fold.
Cytogenetic evaluation of two species of Cynanchum L. (Apocynaceae) from South India: A possible clue to evolution
Authors: KANNAN B. NEETHU , THOPPIL JOHN E.
Published: June 2018

The present study evaluates the chromosome count as well as the karyomorphological analysis of two species of Cynanchum L. (Apocynaceae) viz., C. viminale and C. sarcomedium. In order to investigate cytogenetic variation in Cynanchum species, mitotic squash preparation method was employed. Image analysis system and micro-measure software (AutoCad) were used to provide cytogenetic parameter measurements of karyotypes. The two plant species possess the same diploid (2n = 22) and haploid (n = 11) chromosome numbers and they are differentiated by their karyotype formula and quantitative parameters of the karyotypes. The karyotypic formula of C. viminale and C. sarcomedium are 22 nm and 16 nm + 6 nsm (-) respectively. Various karyomorphometric parameters or indices revealed the evolutionary status of the two species as primitive.
A new species and phylogenetic insights in Hesiospina (Annelida, Hesionidae)
Authors: BONIFÁCIO PAULO , LELIÈVRE YANN , OMNES EMMANUELLE
Published: June 2018

Hesionids are a very speciose group of polychaetes. In the deep sea, they occur in different environments such as hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, abyssal depths or whale falls. In the present study, a new species of Hesionidae, Hesiospina legendrei sp. nov. has been identified based on morphological and molecular (16S and COI genes) data from hydrothermal vents located in Juan de Fuca Ridge (NE Pacific Ocean). This new species is characterized by trapezoid prostomium; proboscis with high number of distal papillae (20–27), a pair of sac-like structures inserted ventro-laterally in proboscis; notopodia lobe reduced with multiple, slender aciculae on segments 1–5; and neuropodia developed with single, simple chaeta, and numerous, heterogomph falcigers, with 1–2 inferiormost having elongated hood. Hesiospina legendrei sp. nov. is the third described species in the genus. Sequences from the two previously described Hesiospina species are included in the molecular analyses, and although the genes used in this study are not sufficient to resolve the relationships on genus level, the result raises questions about the cosmopolitan aspect of H. vestimentifera.
Design, Development and Performance Evaluation of Bio-Degradable Nano Cutting Fluid
Authors: Venkatesh C , Balasubramani S , Pradeep R. Boopathy
Published: June 2018

Various cutting fluids are available in cutting fluid market to provide good machining performances for metal cutting industries. Incidentally, most of the cutting fluids are synthetic and semi synthetic in nature, though they are beneficial to the industries but they are posing health
and environmental issues. Even if these cutting fluids have the sufficient properties required for good machining, the major constraints associated with these fluids are their nature of non-biodegradability and non-friendliness to the environment. To overcome these difficulties, intense research
is carried out to develop the biodegradable and effective cutting fluid. In this research, a novel castor oil based cutting fluid infused with nano molybdenum (MoS2) particles has been developed and its various machining properties have been investigated. Various important cutting
parameters like surface roughness, tool life, cutting force were investigated using this newly developed biodegradable nano fluid as a cutting fluid. Comparative experimental studies have also been done with sunflower oil blend and conventional synthetic oil. Observed results validated that
the newly developed castor oil based nano fluid improves the surface finish, too life by minimizing the cutting force developed to the considerable extent.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Morphological Studies of Nanocrystalline CdO by Wet-Chemical Method
Authors: Hassan Israr Ul , John Liji , Joseyphus R. Selwin , Joe I. Hubert , Amritha R. S , Naikoo Gowhar Ahmad
Published: June 2018

Synthesis of nanocrystalline cadmium oxide particles were explored by the reaction of inorganic precursor (cadmium chloride) and alkali (sodium hydroxide) via modified wet-chemical method followed by annealing at various temperatures (250, 500 and 750 °C). The structural,
optical and morphological studies of cadmium oxide samples were carried out by X-ray diffraction, infrared, ultraviolet-visible, and scanning electron microscope techniques. From X-ray diffraction analysis, it was confirmed that cadmium oxide particles furnish a face centred cubic phase structure
and revealing a grain size of around 59 nm. The scanning electron microscope micrographs admit that cadmium oxide samples are agglomerated and have spherical shapes. The bonding deformation and stretching frequency results of cadmium oxide samples were obtained from infrared spectra. The corresponding
increase in calcination temperatures has shown an increase in particle size while as no change was found in band gape. These results attribute that the variation in annealing temperature has a significant role on the crystalline nature, grain size and its optical properties. Furthermore, the
synthesized cadmium oxide samples were examined for bioactivity analysis.
Synergistic Bactericidal Effect of Chitosan/Zinc Oxide Based Nanocomposites Against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sathiya S. M , Okram Gunadhor S , Dhivya S. Maria , Mugesh Subramanian , Murugan Maruthamuthu , Rajan M. A. Jothi
Published: June 2018

The biocompatible Chitosan/Zinc oxide (CS/ZnO) nanocomposites (NCs) material was synthesized via a simple and versatile microwave assisted wet synthesis method. After the incorporation of CS in the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), the crystalline structure of the modified NPs was retained in
the NCs and it was clearly exposed in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The Zeta potential measurement of CS/ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) shows more stability than ZnO NPs. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) measurements depict the formation of cauliflower like structure
after the integration of CS in the ZnO NPs. The interaction between ZnO molecules in CS becomes more compact and is confirmed in the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurement. Bacterial activity was increased gradually with the CS/ZnO content and was analytically stronger
against Gram-positive cells. This study has conclusively proved that reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as •OH, •O2− , and H2O2 were significantly produced from aqueous suspension of CS/ZnO and were primarily responsible
for the bactericidal activity.
Numerical Investigation of Convective Heat Transfer of Refined Kerosene-Alumina Nanofluid Under Laminar and Turbulent Regime
Authors: Sundararaj Aldin Justin , Pillai B. C , Tennyson Austin Lord , Edward Allison , Gupta Bhaskar
Published: June 2018

The study reports Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigations of the convective heat transfer coefficient of Al2O3/refined kerosene nanofluids. The study was carried out under laminar and turbulent regime in a circular tube under uniform and constant heat
flux on the wall. The study was carried out for Re 500 to 5500 for base refined kerosene and with alumina added with 0.01% and 0.05% volume concentration in the base refined kerosene. The size of the alumina nanoparticle was 35 nm. Different computational models of Ansys-Fluent were used for
the study. For laminar flows, laminar viscous models and K-Epsilon model for turbulence modelling was used. Energy model was used to define convective heat transfer and a discrete phase model to study particle behaviour and flow pattern in the tube. Multi-phase model with two phase refined
kerosene suspended with alumina nano particles were used for the study. Experimental and simulation results showed that as the Reynolds number and the particle concentration increased there was an enhancement in the thermal performance of nanofluids which was found to be higher than that of
the base fluid. The convective heat transfer increased by 14% for volume concentration of 0.05% and Reynolds number of 5500.
Antimicrobial Studies of Microwave Assisted Copper-Chitosan Nanocomposites
Authors: Meenakshi M , Nithya P , Biswas Krishnendu
Published: June 2018

Copper-chitosan nanocomposite (Cu-CS NC) was prepared by incorporating copper onto chitosan using ethylene glycol by microwave assisted method. Ethylene glycol was used as a solvent as well as a reductant for preparing thenanocomposites. The antibacterial activity was tested against
Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis by Mueller-Hinton agar disk-diffusion method. The observed activity was found to be superior when compared to bare Cu nanoparticles for most of the bacteria.
Statistical Analysis of the Current–Voltage (I–V) and Capacitance–Voltage (C–V) Characteristics of the Au/Ir/n-InGaN Schottky Barrier Diodes
Authors: Padma R , Reddy V. Rajagopal
Published: June 2018

In the present work, 20 Au/Ir/n-InGaN Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) are fabricated using a electron beam evaporation technique. The Schottky barrier parameters such as ideality factor (n), Schottky barrier height (SBH) (Φb) and donar concentration (Nd)
values are determined by current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements at room temperature. From I–V measurements, the statistical distribution of data gives the mean SBH value of 0.70 eV with a normal
deviation of 10 meV and mean ideality factor value of 1.50 with a normal deviation of 0.0478. Two important parameters such as series resistance (RS) and shunt resistance (RSh) are also evaluated from the I–V characteristics. Furthermore,
Norde and Cheung’s methods are used to evaluate the SBH, ideality factor and series resistance. The statistical distribution of C–V data gives the mean SBH value of 0.91 eV with a normal deviation of 12 meV and mean donar concentration of 0.71 × 1017
cm−3, with a normal deviation of 0.018 × 1017 cm−3 respectively.
Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles and Its Application to Dye Sensitized Solar Cell
Authors: Chougala Lakkanna S , Yatnatti Mahantesh S , Linganagoudar Ravi K , Kadadevarmath Jagadish S
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we have reported the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles by aqueous route method and its characterization. By X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) study it reveals that ZnO has hexagonal wurtzite structure with average particle size of 16.5 nm. From the results of
scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Atomic force microscope (AFM) images, particles were spherical in nature with good aggregation. Stoichiometric ratio of Zinc and oxygen were almost close which was revealed from energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX). From infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),
peak of Zn–O bond appears at 433.43 cm−1. Direct band gap of ZnO was found to be 3.36 eV estimated from UV-Vis absorption spectra. The Photovoltaic properties of DSSC sensitized by Di-tetrabutylammonium cis-bis (isothiocyanato) bis (2,2′ -bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylato)
ruthenium(II) (N-719 dye) were obtained in which photo anode is prepared by synthesized ZnO. Photocurrent (I) and photovoltage (V) was measured using designed automated load variable solar simulator and optimum solar energy to electricity conversion efficiency (η) of 2.35%
under AM 1.5 irradiation (1000 W/m2) was observed.