bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exome Sequencing Identifies a Mutation (Y740C) in Spastic Paraplegia 7 Gene Associated with Adult-Onset Primary Lateral Sclerosis in a Chinese Family
Authors: Liu Yihui , Xu Jiang , Tao Wanyun , Fu Changbiao , Liu Jiangbing , Yu Rong , Zhang Xinjiang
Published: May 2019

Background: Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is considered a rare variant of motor neuron disease (MND) characterized by selective upper motor neuron dysfunction leading to limb weakness, spasticity, and even bulbar symptoms. Previous studies have demonstrated that mutations in ALSIN, spastic paraplegia 7 (SPG7), TBK1, ALS2, ERLIN2, and FIG4 are responsible for PLS. Most of them occurred in childhood to young-adult onset patients. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic lesion of patients with adult-onset PLS. Methods: We applied whole-exome sequencing (WES) and MND and ataxia-related genes filtering strategies to discover the genetic factors in a Chinese adult-onset PLS family. Sanger sequencing was used in the cosegregation analysis in the affected family members. Results: A mutation (c.2219A>G/p.Y740C) in exon 17 of SPG7 was identified in an adult-onset PLS patient and cosegregated with the affected members in this family. Meanwhile, the mutation was predicted to be deleterious by 3 bioinformatics programs (Polymorphism phenotyping-2, sorting intolerant from tolerant and MutationTaster). This variant may cause the structure changes of paraplegin protein. Conclusions: We employed WES to detect a missense mutation of SPG7 gene in a PLS family. This finding expands the spectrum of known SPG7 mutations, and it may contribute to novel approaches to genetic diagnosis and counseling of families with PLS.
Evaluation of Clinical Outcome and Risk Factors for Recurrence after Pelvic Reconstruction of Pelvic Organ Prolapse with Implanted Mesh or Biological Grafts: A Single-Blind Randomized Trial
Authors: Wei Ai-Min , Fan Yun , Zhang Lei , Shen Yu-Fei , Kou Qing , Tan Xiao-Mei
Published: May 2019

Background: There are few studies on the relative factors related to postoperative recurrence. Objectives: To compare the outcomes of pelvic floor reconstruction involving Herniamesh mesh and biological grafts and to investigate the correlative factors of postoperative recurrence. Method: Two hundred and thirty-two patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: Herniamesh mesh group (117) and biological graft group (115). Follow-ups for 6 months and 1 year after the surgery. The primary outcomes were recurrence, perioperative complications. Secondary outcome was a questionnaire about the life habits associated with relapse. Results: The recurrence rate at 6 months or 1 year did not differ substantially between the 2 groups (p = 0.787 and 0.968, respectively). Adverse events occurred with significantly different frequencies over 1 year (p = 0.005). Twelve factors were investigated and analyzed by logistic regression analysis. It showed that recurrence had a strong association with a long-term vegetarian diet (OR 0.283, 95% CI 0.117–0.683), long-term soybean product diet (OR 8.010, 95% CI 2.514–25.523), and vaginal intercourse (OR 5.154, 95% CI 1.461–18.184). Conclusions: The surgical recurrence rate for the mesh was similar to biological grafts at short-term follow-up. Eating soy products often and vaginal intercourse after surgery can reduce recurrence.
Defining High Bleeding Risk in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Urban Philip , Mehran Roxana , Colleran Roisin , Angiolillo Dominick J. , Byrne Robert A. , Capodanno Davide , Cuisset Thomas , Cutlip Donald , Eerdmans Pedro , Eikelboom John , Farb Andrew , Gibson C. Michael , Gregson John , Haude Michael , James Stefan K. , Kim Hyo-Soo , Kimura Takeshi , Konishi Akihide , Laschinger John , Leon Martin B. , Magee P.F. Adrian , Mitsutake Yoshiaki , Mylotte Darren , Pocock Stuart , Price Matthew J. , Rao Sunil V. , Spitzer Ernest , Stockbridge Norman , Valgimigli Marco , Varenne Olivier , Windhoevel Ute , Yeh Robert W. , Krucoff Mitchell W. , Morice Marie-Claude
Published: May 2019

Identification and management of patients at high bleeding risk undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are of major importance, but a lack of standardization in defining this population limits trial design, data interpretation, and clinical decision-making. The Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) is a collaboration among leading research organizations, regulatory authorities, and physician-scientists from the United States, Asia, and Europe focusing on percutaneous coronary intervention–related bleeding. Two meetings of the 31-member consortium were held in Washington, DC, in April 2018 and in Paris, France, in October 2018. These meetings were organized by the Cardiovascular European Research Center on behalf of the ARC-HBR group and included representatives of the US Food and Drug Administration and the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, as well as observers from the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. A consensus definition of patients at high bleeding risk was developed that was based on review of the available evidence. The definition is intended to provide consistency in defining this population for clinical trials and to complement clinical decision-making and regulatory review. The proposed ARC-HBR consensus document represents the first pragmatic approach to a consistent definition of high bleeding risk in clinical trials evaluating the safety and effectiveness of devices and drug regimens for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Matrix Product State–Based Quantum Classifier
Authors: Bhatia Amandeep Singh , Saggi Mandeep Kaur , Kumar Ajay , Jain Sushma
Published: May 2019

Interest in quantum computing has increased significantly. Tensor network theory has become increasingly popular and widely used to simulate strongly entangled correlated systems. Matrix product state (MPS) is a well-designed class of tensor network states that plays an important role in processing quantum information. In this letter, we show that MPS, as a one-dimensional array of tensors, can be used to classify classical and quantum data. We have performed binary classification of the classical machine learning data set Iris encoded in a quantum state. We have also investigated its performance by considering different parameters on the ibmqx4 quantum computer and proved that MPS circuits can be used to attain better accuracy. Furthermore the learning ability of an MPS quantum classifier is tested to classify evapotranspiration (ET[Formula: see text]) for the Patiala meteorological station located in northern Punjab (India), using three years of a historical data set (Agri). We have used different performance metrics of classification to measure its capability. Finally, the results are plotted and the degree of correspondence among values of each sample is shown.
Effective Dimensionality Reduction for Visualizing Neural Dynamics by Laplacian Eigenmaps
Authors: Sun Guanghao , Zhang Shaomin , Zhang Yiwei , Xu Kedi , Zhang Qiaosheng , Zhao Ting , Zheng Xiaoxiang
Published: May 2019

With the development of neural recording technology, it has become possible to collect activities from hundreds or even thousands of neurons simultaneously. Visualization of neural population dynamics can help neuroscientists analyze large-scale neural activities efficiently. In this letter, Laplacian eigenmaps is applied to this task for the first time, and the experimental results show that the proposed method significantly outperforms the commonly used methods. This finding was confirmed by the systematic evaluation using nonhuman primate data, which contained the complex dynamics well suited for testing. According to our results, Laplacian eigenmaps is better than the other methods in various ways and can clearly visualize interesting biological phenomena related to neural dynamics.
Characterizing Brain Connectivity From Human Electrocorticography Recordings With Unobserved Inputs During Epileptic Seizures
Authors: Das Anup , Sexton Daniel , Lainscsek Claudia , Cash Sydney S. , Sejnowski Terrence J.
Published: May 2019

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by the sudden occurrence of unprovoked seizures. There is extensive evidence of significantly altered brain connectivity during seizure periods in the human brain. Research on analyzing human brain functional connectivity during epileptic seizures has been limited predominantly to the use of the correlation method. However, spurious connectivity can be measured between two brain regions without having direct connection or interaction between them. Correlations can be due to the apparent interactions of the two brain regions resulting from common input from a third region, which may or may not be observed. Hence, researchers have recently proposed a sparse-plus-latent-regularized precision matrix (SLRPM) when there are unobserved or latent regions interacting with the observed regions. The SLRPM method yields partial correlations of the conditional statistics of the observed regions given the latent regions, thus identifying observed regions that are conditionally independent of both the observed and latent regions. We evaluate the performance of the methods using a spring-mass artificial network and assuming that some nodes cannot be observed, thus constituting the latent variables in the example. Several cases have been considered, including both sparse and dense connections, short-range and long-range connections, and a varying number of latent variables. The SLRPM method is then applied to estimate brain connectivity during epileptic seizures from human ECoG recordings. Seventy-four clinical seizures from five patients, all having complex partial epilepsy, were analyzed using SLRPM, and brain connectivity was quantified using modularity index, clustering coefficient, and eigenvector centrality. Furthermore, using a measure of latent inputs estimated by the SLRPM method, it was possible to automatically detect 72 of the 74 seizures with four false positives and find six seizures that were not marked manually.
Ficophagus auriculatae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), an associate of the Ficus auriculata-complex in China
Authors: Zeng Yongsan , Huang Jianfeng , Zhang Dayuan , Zeng Wensheng , Shi Rongrong , Zhang Yuan , Peng Yanqiong , Ye Weimin , Giblin-Davis Robin M.
Published: May 2019

A new nematode species was recovered from the syconia of Ficus auriculata-complex, including F. auriculata, F. oligodon and F. hainanensis, from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, China. It is described herein as Ficophagus auriculatae n. sp. and is characterised by possessing the combined characters of a short post-uterine sac, excretory pore located between the metacorpus and the stylet basal knobs, testis multi-reflexed, amoeboid sperm, three pairs of subventral papillae on male tail, rounded male tail tip without mucron, absence of gubernaculum (= apophysis) and sickle-shaped spicules with terminal cucullus. Ficophagus auriculatae n. sp. was differentiated from other sequenced species by the partial small subunit rRNA gene and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis with the above-mentioned sequences suggested that F. auriculatae n. sp. has a closer relationship with F. fleckeri in the same highly supported monophyletic clade than with the other sequenced Ficophagus and Schistonchus sensu lato species.
Analysis of nematode-endosymbiont coevolution in the Xiphinema americanum species complex using molecular markers of variable evolutionary rates
Authors: Howe Dana K. , Smith McKinley , Tom Danielle M. , Brown Amanda M.V. , Peetz Amy B. , Zasada Inga A. , Denver Dee R.
Published: May 2019

Bacterial symbioses play important roles in shaping diverse biological processes in nematodes, and serve as targets in nematode biocontrol strategies. Focusing on the Xiphinema americanum species complex, we expanded upon recent research investigating patterns of coevolution between Xiphinema spp. and Xiphinematobacter spp., utilising two symbiont genetic markers of varying evolutionary rates. Phylogenetic analysis of nematode mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed five strongly supported major clades. Analysis of slow-evolving 16S rDNA in bacterial symbionts resulted in a phylogenetic topology composed of four major clades that grouped taxa highly congruent with the nematode mtDNA topology. A faster evolving protein-coding symbiont gene (nad) provided more phylogenetic resolution with seven well-supported clades, also congruent with the nematode mtDNA tree topology. Our results reinforce recent studies suggesting extensive coevolution between Xiphinema spp. and their vertically transmitted endosymbionts Xiphinematobacter spp. and illustrate the advantages of including genetic markers of varying evolutionary rates in coevolutionary and phylogenetic studies.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Hoplolaimus smokyensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Hoplolaimidae), a lance nematode from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
Authors: Ma Xinyuan , Robbins Robert T. , Bernard Ernest C. , Holguin Claudia M. , Agudelo Paula
Published: May 2019

Hoplolaimus smokyensis n. sp. is a new species of lance nematode collected in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. Females of H. smokyensis n. sp. have a labial region characterised by six, occasionally five, annules. The basal lip annule is subdivided by about 24 longitudinal striae. The stylet averages 47 μm long with robust, tulip-shaped stylet knobs bearing anterior projections. The hemizonid is ca 4 μm anterior to the excretory pore. The lateral field is incompletely areolated and has four continuous incisures from the metacorpus region to the tail region. There are three pharyngeal gland nuclei. Vulval epiptygma are absent. The scutellate phasmids are located one anterior and one posterior to the vulva. The male is shorter than the female and the head region is higher and more rounded than that of the female. The bursa extends to the tail tip and the gubernaculum is large and protrusible and has titillae and a capitulum. Morphologically, H. smokyensis n. sp. is most similar to H. galeatus and H. stephanus, but can be distinguished by differences such as the number of annules and longitudinal striae on the lip region and morphometric values. Hoplolaimus smokyensis n. sp. is also genetically distinct from other species according to comparisons of ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA sequences. Phylogenetic analyses based on ribosomal and mitochondrial gene sequences suggest that H. smokyensis n. sp. is a lineage distinct from related Hoplolaimus species.
Digital Language Divide in the European High North: The Level of Online Presence of Minority Languages from Northern Finland, Norway and Sweden
Authors: Dymet Marcin
Published: May 2019

One of the inequalities generated by the introduction of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is the digital language divide, that is, differences in the online presence of languages and unequal access to information due to the lack of understanding of the available content. The digital language divide is particularly visible in the case of small languages with a low number of speakers. There is a large group of languages with non-existent or irrelevant online presence. This is often the case of the endangered minority languages. The number of language speakers or the level of knowledge of a given language is not sufficient to generate a vital online community.

This article presents the current language situation in the European High North with a focus on minority languages: Sámi and Meänkieli languages in Sweden, Sámi and Kven languages in Norway, and Sámi languages in Finland. It also introduces the phenomenon of digital language divide. The article explores the current situation of the minority languages in the European High North in light of their online presence. It responds to the following questions: Is there online presence of the studied minority languages? Is there a need amongst the minorities’ members for more extensive presence? To conclude, the article discusses the possible effects of a language’s underrepresentation.
Refocusing and Redefining Cybersecurity: Individual Security in the Digitalising European High North
Authors: Salminen Mirva
Published: May 2019

This article introduces cybersecurity in the discussion on security in the European High North in a redefined and refocused form. Instead of scrutinising the technical measures taken to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information in systems and networks (information security) or the criticality of a number of digitally operated infrastructures to the functioning of society (national cybersecurity), it concentrates on the human being. It examines cybersecurity from an individual’s perspective by asking what kind of personal security concerns people may have with regard to digitalisation and how those are or are not present in the discussion on health and social security re-organisation in the Finnish Lapland.

The theoretical foundation of this article rests within the human security framework. Individuals living their everyday lives in particular cyber-physical environments are taken as the referent object of security. In the digitalising European High North, multiple aspects of everyday security depend upon cybersecurity, including economic, environmental, and food securities. This article concentrates on health and social security. It examines linkages between the re-organisation of health and social security in Finland and personal security concerns with a particular focus on the case of Länsi-Pohja area in south-western Lapland. The overall aim is to create room for bottom-up influence on the primarily top-down processes of security production in the cyber-physical environment.
A new species of Varanus Merrem (Squamata: Varanidae) from the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with observations on sexual dimorphism in closely related species
Authors: APLIN KENNETH P. , FITCH ALISON J. , KING DENNIS J.
Published: May 2019

We describe a new species of Varanus similar to V. caudolineatus and V. gilleni but distinguishable from each of these taxa on genetic and morphological criteria. The three species are closely related and together constitute a species group within subgenus Odatria. The new species is restricted to the Pilbara region of Western Australia and appears to be sympatric with V. caudolineatus at several localities. It is more widely separated from known populations of V. gilleni. The new species is associated with mulga woodland and is at least partially arboreal, but little else is known of its ecology. Combined morphometric and meristic analyses indicate complex patterns of sexual dimorphism in all three species, including relative body elongation in females that is reflected in higher modal presacral vertebral counts in females than males of each species. Body elongation of females needs to be taken into account in future analyses of sexual dimorphism in varanid lizards.
The subgenus Monilearia (Lyrula) Wollaston, 1878 (Gastropoda: Helicoidea: Cochlicellidae) from Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), with the description of Monilearia (Lyrula) tubaeformis sp. nov.
Authors: IBÁÑEZ MIGUEL , GROH KLAUS , ALONSO MARÍA R. , CASTILLO CAROLINA , YANES YURENA
Published: May 2019

Monilearia tubaeformis sp. nov. is described from Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) and placed in the taxon Lyrula Wollaston, 1878, previously considered as monospecific, for its distinctive type of shell ornamentation. Helix multipunctata Mousson, 1872, from the same island, is also placed in Lyrula because it has similar shell ornamentation. The anatomy of the genital system of both species shows that Lyrula should be treated as a subgenus of Monilearia Mousson, 1872. A new diagnosis of Monilearia (Lyrula) is added
Cranial morphology and karyotypic analysis of Ceratophrys joazeirensis (Anura: Ceratophryidae, Ceratophrynae): taxonomic considerations
Authors: VIEIRA KLEBER DA SILVA , SILVA ANA P. ZAMPIERI , ARZABE CRISTINA
Published: May 2019

The frog species Ceratophrys joazeirensis Mercadal, 1986 is only known from the Caatinga (semi-arid savanna) and, until recently, from the type locality of Juazeiro, State of Bahia, Brazil. It has now also been found in the States of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, in environments of hypo-xerophylic Caatinga. Cytogenetic and comparative analysis of the cranial morphology of C. joazeirensis and C. aurita (Raddi, 1823) were undertaken. The karyotype of the species is also shown for the first time. The results show important differences in the cranial morphology between C. joazeirensis (8n) and C. aurita (8n), species whose areas of distribution (Caatinga and Northeast Atlantic forest, respectively) are contiguous. The chromosomes of C. joazeirensis show similar size and morphology to the ones of C. aurita (C. dorsata), C. ornata Bell, 1843 (8n) and C. cranwelli Barrio, 1980 (2n). Such data would be in agreement with the opinion of some authors who consider these species to constitute a monophyletic group.
The crab spiders of the genus Lysiteles from Yunnan Province, China (Araneae: Thomisidae)
Authors: TANG GUO , YIN CHANG-MING , PENG XIAN-JIN , UBICK DARRELL , GRISWOLD CHARLES
Published: May 2019

This paper describes or redescribes 25 species of crab spiders of the genus Lysiteles (Araneae: Thomisidae) from Yunnan Province, China, including: 12 new species (L. arcuatus sp. nov., L. auriculatus sp. nov., L. clavellatus sp. nov., L. conflatus sp. nov., L. corrugus sp. nov., L. curvatus sp. nov., L. distortus sp. nov., L. guoi sp. nov., L. spirellus sp. nov., L. subdianicus sp. nov., L. transversus sp. nov.and L. uniprocessus sp. nov.); 3 new records for China (L. himalayensis Ono, 1979; L. niger Ono, 1979 and L. punctiger Ono, 2001); and 10 species previously known from China (L. ambrosii Ono, 2001, L. bhutanus Ono, 2001, L. conicus Tang, Yin, Peng, Ubick & Griswold, 2007, L. davidi Tang, Yin, Peng,Ubick & Griswold, 2007, L. dentatus Tang, Yin, Peng, Ubick & Griswold, 2007, L. dianicus Song & Zhao, 1994, L. kunmingensis Song & Zhao, 1994, L. maius Ono, 1979, L. saltus Ono, 1979, and L. torsivus Zhang, Zhu & Tso, 2006). The males of L. punctiger and L. dianicus are described here for the first time. Of these 25 Lysiteles species, 24 were collected from the Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan Province. Detailed morphological characters, distribution map, photos and illustrations of the habitus and genital organs are given to each species except for the five ones reported in the paper by Tang et al. (2007) (L. ambrosii, L. bhutanus, L. conicus, L. davidi and L. dentatus). All species are described in alphabetic order. The key to species of the genus Lysiteles from Yunnan Province is presented.
On a new genus of endemic millipedes (Diplopoda: Chordeumatida: Anthroleucosomatidae) from the Balkan Peninsula
Authors: ĆURČIĆ BOŠIDAR P. M. , MAKAROV SLOBODAN E. , TOMIĆ VLADIMIR T. , MITIĆ BOJAN M. , ĆURČIĆ SREĆKO B. , DUDIĆ BORIS D. , LUČIĆ LUKA R. , JASNIĆ NEBOJŠA
Published: May 2019

A new genus is established for a new species of cave diplopod from Serbia: Belbogosoma bloweri n. gen., n. sp., which is described, thoroughly illustrated, and diagnosed. The phylogeny of some representatives of the family Anthroleucosomatidae is briefly discussed. A key to genera and species of the family is presented.
First record of the scorpion genus Chactopsis Kraepelin in Colombia, with the description of Chactopsis carolinae sp. nov. (Scorpiones: Chactidae)
Authors: BOTERO-TRUJILLO RICARDO
Published: May 2019

Chactopsis carolinae sp. nov. is described on the basis of specimens of both sexes from Selva de Matavén, eastern Colombia. This species seems to be most closely related to Chactopsis anduzei González-Sponga from Venezuela and Brazil, based on the trichobothrial number and general arrangement. The new species, which is the first of the genus to be known from Colombia, raises to ten the number of known species of Chactopsis.
The genus Mimesa in China with descriptions of two new species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Crabronidae)
Authors: MA LI , LI QIANG , CHEN XUE-XIN
Published: May 2019

The genus Mimesa Shuckard (Crabronidae: Pemphredoninae: Psenini) from China is reviewed and a key to the Chinese species is provided. Two new species, M. infossa Ma, Li and Chen, sp. nov. from Tibet, China and M. rhyssocephalica Ma, Li and Chen, sp. nov. from Yunnan, China are described and illustrated. Five species are reported from China for the first time: Mimesa breviventris F. Morawitz, M. caucasica Maidl, M. crassipes A. Costa, M. sibirica (de Beaumont), and M. grandii Maidl. In addition, the unknown females of M. filippovi (Gussakovskij) and M. kaszabi (Tsuneki) are described.
Description of the mature larva of Gonioctena pseudogobanzi Kippenberg, 2001 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) and key to the larvae of the subgenus Spartoxena
Authors: BASELGA ANDRÉS
Published: May 2019

Mature larva of Gonioctena (Spartoxena) pseudogobanzi Kippenberg, 2001 is described and illustrated for the first time, based on specimens collected on Genista umbellata (L’Hér.) Dum. Cours. [Fabaceae] in southeastern Spain. Diagnostic characters for the identification of species within the subgenus Sparoxena Motschulsky, 1860 are number of dorsal tubercles of abdominal segments, shape of tarsal claw, shape of labrum and disposition of microtrichia of epipharynx. A key to known larvae of subgenus Spartoxena is provided, along with figures illustrating the diagnostic characters. Notes on the distribution and host plant of G. pseudogobanzi are included.
A new genus and species of Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) inducing galls in seed capsules of Eucalyptus
Authors: KIM IL-KWON , LA SALLE JOHN
Published: May 2019

Leprosa milga Kim & La Salle gen. & sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) is described from Eucalyptus seed capsules. The new species is an Australian seed gall inducer which has become established in South Africa and Italy. The relationship of Leprosa to two other genera of seed gall inducing tetrastichines, Quadrastichodella and Moona, is discussed.
Five new species of the spider genus Clubiona Latreille (Araneae: Clubionidae) from Thailand
Authors: DANKITTIPAKUL PAKAWIN , SINGTRIPO TIPPAWAN
Published: May 2019

Examination of a collection of the spider genus Clubiona Latreille, 1804 from northern and northeastern Thailand results in recognition of seven species, six of which belong to the japonica-group. Two new records in Thailand are added here (C. melanosticta Thorell, 1890 and C. filicata O. P.-Cambridge, 1874) and five species are new to science (C. campylacantha sp. n., C. octoginta sp. n., C. filifera sp. n., C. suthepica sp. n., C. abnormis sp. n.). Consequently, a total of twelve Clubiona species are hitherto known to occur in the kingdom. Special characters of the female genitalia of the japonica-group are investigated and their significance in taxonomic placement is discussed. The presently recognized species treated here are probably only a fraction of the actual Thai fauna.
Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea II: Revision of the genus Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906, with the descriptions of seven new species (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae)
Authors: CONLE OSKAR V. , HENNEMANN FRANK H. , PEREZ-GELABERT DANIEL E.
Published: May 2019

The genus Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906 is revised at the species-level, based upon examination of all necessary type-material and extensive material housed in ANSP, CMNH and USNM mainly collected on nine expeditions to the Dominican Republic, including collections at 280 sites distributed throughout the country. A re-description of the genus and detailed descriptions of all 13 known species are provided. Seven new species are described and illustrated: Malacomorpha bastardoae n. sp., M. macaya n. sp., M. hispaniola n. sp., M. minima n. sp., M. multipunctata n. sp. & M. obscura n. sp.from Hispaniola and M. sanchezi n. sp. from Puerto Rico. The eggs of M. bastardoae n. sp., M. cyllarus (Westwood, 1859), M. jamaicana (Redtenbacher, 1906), M. multipunctata n. sp., M. obscura n. sp., M. sanchezi n. sp., and M. spinicollis (Burmeister, 1838) are described and illustrated, those of the four latter species for the first time. According to the original description and distribution Phasma graveolens King, 1867 is obviously a synonym of M. cyllarus (Westwood, 1859), and not a synonym of Anismorpha buprestoides (Stoll, 1813) as stated by previous authors (n. syn.). A lectotype is designated for Phasma spinicollis Burmeister, 1838. The newly described species, M. longipennis (Redtenbacher, 1906) and M. hispaniola n. sp. in particular, prove the genera Pseudolcyphides Karny, 1923 (Type-species: Phasma spinicollis Burmeister, 1838) and Alloeophasma Redtenbacher, 1906 (Type-species: Anophelepis poeyi Saussure, 1868) to be synonyms of Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906 (n. syn.). Consequently, the type species of both genera are here transferred to Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906 (n. comb.). The genus now contains apterous, brachypterous and pterous species restricted to the Greater Antilles and Bahamas.
Notes on the genus Petascelis Signoret and description of one new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae: Coreinae: Petascelini)
Authors: BRAILOVSKY HARRY
Published: May 2019

A new species of the genus Petascelis belonging to the coreid tribe Petascelini is described from Tanzania under the name P. inconditus n.sp. Redescription of the genus, diagnoses for males and females as well as illustrations, new distributional records, and a key to all Petascelis taxa are provided.
New species of Tapinotaspoides (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Tapinotaspidini)
Authors: MELO GABRIEL A. R. , AGUIAR ANTONIO J. C.
Published: May 2019

Two new species of Tapinotaspoides Moure are described, T. flavifrons sp.n. from southern Brazil, and T. septentrionalis sp.n., from Colombia and Venezuela. Although not closely related, these two species can be distinguished from the other species of Tapinotaspoides by the yellow clypeus in the males, and the conspicuous bands of white pubescence on the terga. An identification key to the known species is provided.
Hydromedusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from the temperate southwestern Atlantic Ocean: a review
Authors: GABRIEL GENZANO , MIANZAN HERMES , BOUILLON JEAN
Published: May 2019

Hydromedusae are one of the best-represented planktonic groups in waters of the South Atlantic Ocean in terms of species richness. Nevertheless, medusae of the region are inadequately known because earlier studies have been limited and restricted to few areas. During the last two decades, almost 2000 samples from 54 research cruises have been collected, mostly within the continental shelf of Argentina and Uruguay (33 – 55º S). These samples provide an opportunity to significantly augment knowledge of the richness of the medusa fauna in the southwest Atlantic. Forty species of hydromedusae (six of them new records for the area), including 15 of Anthomedusae, 14 of Leptomedusae, three of Limnomedusae, four of Narcomedusae, and four of Trachymedusae, were identified. Our results indicate that previous lists overestimated species richness of hydromedusae in the area. When misidentifications, updated species synonymies, and doubtful records are taken into account, 71 valid species are recognized here from the study area. Based upon this corrected inventory list, the data suggest that the number of species of hydromedusae decreases markedly with increasing latitude, corresponding with that observed in other planktonic groups of invertebrates.
A new species of night-lizard of the genus Lepidophyma (Squamata: Xantusiidae) from the Cuicatlan Valley, Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: CANSECO-MÁRQUEZ LUIS , GUTIÉRREZ-MAYEN GUADALUPE , MENDOZA-HERNÁNDEZ ANDRÉS ALBERTO
Published: May 2019

A new species of Lepidophyma from the Biosphere Reserve area of Tehuacan-Cuicatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico, is described. This new species, Lepidophyma cuicateca sp. nov., is known from two areas in the Cuicatlan Valley. Lepidophyma cuicateca sp. nov. is a member of the Lepidophyma gaigeae species Group and is characterized by its small body size, small size of tubercular body scales, poorly differentiated caudal whorls and interwhorls, and relatively large dorsal, ventral and gular scales. It lives in shady places, below rocks along the Apoala River, and is commonly found in plantain, sapodilla, cherimoya, mango and coffee plantations, as well as tropical deciduous forest. The description of L. cuicateca sp. nov. increases the number of species in the L. gaigeae Group to five.
Erratum: PEREZ-SCHULTHEISS & CRESPO (2008). A new species of Parhyalella Kunkel, 1910 (Amphipoda, Talitroidea, Dogielinotidae) from the coast of Chile. Zootaxa, 1724, 61-68.
Authors: PÉREZ-SCHULTHEISS JORGE , CRESPO JULIO E.
Published: May 2019

(Erratum)
Two new Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Shevaroy massif, Tamil Nadu, India, with a preliminary ND2 phylogeny of Indian Cnemaspis
Authors: KHANDEKAR AKSHAY , GAITONDE NIKHIL , AGARWAL ISHAN
Published: May 2019

We present a preliminary ND2 phylogeny of South Asian Cnemaspis, recovering a number of deeply divergent clades within Indian Cnemaspis, endemic to the southern and northern Western Ghats besides the Mysore Plateau and hills of Tamil Nadu. There are a number of unnamed lineages that are >5% divergent on ND2 across the phylogeny, including three from the gracilis clade on an elevation gradient (800–1400 m asl.) around Yercaud in the Shevaroy massif, Salem district, Tamil Nadu. We describe two of these as new species— Cnemaspis shevaroyensis sp. nov. and Cnemaspis thackerayi sp. nov. are both allied to Cnemaspis gracilis and can be diagnosed from all other Indian Cnemaspis by the absence of spine-like scales on flank, heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis, presence of femoral and precloacal pores, tail with enlarged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles forming whorls, a median row of enlarged and smooth sub-caudals. They differ from C. gracilis and each other in body size, the number of tubercles around midbody, the number of tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of femoral and precloacal pores, the number of poreless scales in-between precloacal pores and between femoral and precloacal pores, and subtle colour pattern differences; besides uncorrected mitochondrial sequence divergence (7.9–16.6 %). We also provide a description of Cnemaspis yercaudensis from its type locality and an additional locality. The discovery of two endemic species and a third unnamed divergent lineage from an isolated massif in peninsular India outside the Western Ghats indicate that many other such understudied hill ranges may harbour high endemic biodiversity.
Changing Spatiotemporal Patterns of 5- and 10-Day Illinois Heavy Precipitation Amounts, 1900–2018
Authors: Changnon David , Gensini Vittorio A.
Published: May 2019

This study examined the spatiotemporal variability associated with 5-/10-day heavy precipitation amounts for 48 high-quality and long-duration (1900–2018) stations in Illinois. The top five seasonal and annual heavy precipitation amounts for each duration were determined and examined for each station. Annual and seasonal spatial patterns generally showed a trend of decreasing precipitation amounts as one moved northward through Illinois. Spatial distributions of the top seasonal amounts exhibited the highest values in boreal spring and summer, with the lowest values during winter. Temporal analysis of the top five 5- and 10-day amounts from 1900 to 2018 indicated an increasing trend with a higher frequencies in the 2000–18 period for spring, summer, winter, and annual time periods (statistically significant for spring and annual). No trend was found in autumn heavy precipitation occurrence. In addition, heavy precipitation events were examined in the context of the background atmospheric environment using the Twentieth Century Reanalysis. Event-averaged precipitable water values were shown to scale linearly with total precipitation in the winter season. Low-level circulation fields indicate that the most widespread heavy rain episodes occur when a synoptic anticyclone is positioned off the coast of the eastern United States. Results from this study suggest that design values used for hydrologic structures should be reevaluated given recent observations.
Understanding the Social Science Effect: An Intervention in Life Course Generosity
Authors: Herzog Patricia Snell , Harris Casey T. , Morimoto Shauna A. , Peifer Jared L.
Published: May 2019

Does interacting with social science data in early adulthood promote generosity? To investigate this question from a life course development perspective, two distinct samples were drawn for a survey with an embedded experimental design. The first sample is of emerging adult college students ( n = 30, median age = 20 years). The second sample is of young adults who were selected to participate based on their prior participation in a nationally representative and longitudinal study ( n = 170, median age = 31 years). Toward the end of the survey, participants were randomly selected into a website interaction with either: (a) data on charitable giving, (b) data on social inequality, or (c) data about weather (a control condition). The key outcome of interest is a behavioral measure of generosity: whether participants elected to keep their study incentive or donate their incentive to a charitable organization. The donation decision occurred after the randomly selected website interaction. Interacting with charitable giving data resulted in greater generosity than interacting with weather data, across both samples. Interacting with social inequality data had mixed results. Moreover, emerging adult college students gave at a considerably higher rate overall than the national sample of young adults, net of treatment type. Implications are discussed.
The Value of Dynamic Voice CT Scan for Complex Airway Patients Undergoing Voice Surgery
Authors: Bergeron Mathieu , Fleck Robert J. , Zacharias Stephanie R. C. , Tabangin Meredith E. , de Alarcon Alessandro
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

Dynamic voice computerized tomography (DVCT) is a novel technique that provides additional information to characterize laryngeal function for patients with complex airway history that may alter surgical decisions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of DVCT on decision making for reconstructive voice surgery for a cohort of post-airway reconstruction dysphonia patients.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review at a pediatric tertiary care center for patients with history of complex airway surgery and subsequent reconstructive voice surgery for dysphonia between 2010 and 2016. The study group had a DVCT prior to surgery while the control group underwent surgery without a DVCT. Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) and pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI) scores were evaluated by the voice clinic team (otolaryngologist, speech therapist) before and after voice surgery.

Results:

Twenty-one patients were analyzed (14 female, 67%) with a mean age (SD) of 14 (4.5) years old. Ninety percent (17/21) had a prior tracheostomy and a mean (SD) of 2.6 (1.3) airway surgeries. Twelve patients (57%) underwent DVCT prior to reconstructive voice surgery. CAPE-V baseline scores were similar between study and controls (means [SE] = 49 [4.6] and 57 [6.0], P = .72). However, scores significantly improved for the study group after voice surgery (mean [SE] = 31 (4.7), P < .0001) while controls did not improve (58 [5.7], P = .99). Baseline VHI scores were similar between both groups: mean (SE) = 54 (5.4) versus 52 (6.2), respectively, P = .99. Postsurgically, VHI scores were also similar between both groups (means [SE]: 46 [7.1] vs 47 [4.5], P = .99). Reconstructive voice surgery for study patients included posterior cricoid reduction (46%), vocal fold medialization/augmentation (46%), and laryngeal reinnervation (7.7%) while all controls underwent a single treatment (vocal fold medialization/augmentation).

Conclusion:

Patients with preoperative DVCT were more likely to have improvement. DVCT appeared to have altered surgical decision making and has allowed tailoring of reconstructive surgery to specific patients’ needs. DVCT could represent an important tool prior to reconstructive surgery to guide the choice of surgical procedures for complex airway patients.
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Disability Education Module During Clinical Clerkship
Authors: Santoro Jonathan D. , Whitgob Emily E. , Huffman Lynne C.
Published: May 2019

The effect of a randomized disability education program on medical student knowledge and attitudes concerning disability was performed. Intervention group received bedside teaching of physical examination/interview skills and case-based discussion. Twenty-three participants completed the study (control group n = 11; intervention group n = 12). Pre-clerkship, 39% of all participants reported no personal experience and 43% reported no professional experience with people with disabilities. Post-clerkship knowledge was higher for both groups; the test of group-by-time interaction was not significant. Qualitative analysis of post-clerkship attitude responses demonstrated that intervention group gave more detailed answers. Intervention group used terms representing functional aspects of disability twice as frequently as control group. Intervention group responses described long-term experience of a disability within community and family; control group responses focused on acute medical management. Participation in disability education resulted in changed attitude toward disability and better understanding of aspects of disability.
Military Service: A Pathway to Conformity or a School for Deviance?
Authors: Orak Ugur , Walker Mark H.
Published: May 2019

Military service has been shown to affect individuals’ criminal and deviant tendencies. Studies on military service and deviance, however, has generally focused on combat veterans, utilized cross-sectional data, and ignored the potentially differential impact of military service based on sociodemographic variations. Utilizing the Add Health data and multilevel growth curve modeling, this study intends to reveal (a) trajectories of deviance from adolescence through adulthood, (b) whether military service in young adulthood moderates these trajectories, and (c) whether any of these relationships change by race, gender, and parental education. Findings revealed that military service was associated with a reduction in rates of delinquency, aggressive behavior, and drug use over time, and these patterns did not change by sociodemographic differences.
Community stroke education practices in New York State designated stroke centres
Authors: Williams Olajide , Leighton-Herrmann Quinn Ellyn , Colello Anna , Perdomo Crismely , Chong Ji , Thompsen Bill , Wyrick Tiana , Brissette Ian , Labovitz Daniel
Published: May 2019

Objective:

Community stroke education is a regulated, integral component of stroke systems of care. However, little is known about the types of activities conducted by hospitals. This study was designed to examine the annual requirement for community stroke education among New York State’s 119 designated Primary Stroke Centres and identify areas for improvement that may have an implication on stroke outcomes.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey design

Setting:

All 119 New York State designated Primary Stroke Centres were invited to participate.

Methods:

Participating hospitals completed a 29-item online questionnaire assessing multiple domains related to community stroke education including hospital characteristics, allocated resources, implementation barriers, current community stroke education practices and willingness to adopt best practice guidelines. Data were analysed using univariate descriptive and chi-square statistics.

Results:

Eighty-eight percent of hospitals completed the survey (105/119). Respondents were mostly stroke coordinators and stroke directors. Stroke outreach education was conducted two to four times per year in 58% of the hospitals ( n = 69). Community stroke education included behavioural risk factor modification, the detection of stroke risk through screening and stroke preparedness education at health fairs. Although 95% of hospitals ( n = 98) reported using at least one best practice approach for these activities, evaluation was generally poor, with only about 23% ( n = 24) implementing outcome-specific assessments. Major barriers to stroke outreach were inadequate staffing, time constraints and lack of funding.

Conclusion:

Hospital-driven community stroke education efforts occur infrequently and are poorly evaluated. This component of stroke systems of care would benefit from guidelines from regulatory agencies, which currently do not exist.
Applying the nutrition education DESIGN procedure to the development of the In Defence of Food Curriculum
Authors: Luesse Hiershenee B , Koch Pamela , Contento Isobel R
Published: May 2019

Objective:

This study describes the use of the Nutrition Education DESIGN Procedure for developing the In Defence of Food Curriculum, a health education curriculum serving as the companion guide to the In Defence of Food documentary film based on the book with the same title.

Design:

The DESIGN Procedure is a systematic stepwise framework that produces behaviourally focused, theory-driven health education programmes and evaluation plans.

Methods:

DESIGN begins with an audience assessment and literature review that guides the selection of desired behaviours and psycho-social theory. For the In Defence of Food Curriculum, the desired behaviour changes were increased intake of whole/minimally processed plant-based foods and decreased intake of highly processed foods. A theoretical framework combining social cognitive and social determination theories guided programme development and evaluation plans. Education theory guided translating this framework into a ready-to-deliver curriculum. DESIGN aims to ensure alignment of theory determinants/mediators, behaviour change strategies, objectives, instructional activities and evaluation measures for systematically addressing desired behaviour changes. Over the course of 10 lessons, young people participate in interactive activities that explore the benefits of healthy eating, while appreciating how the ubiquity of heavily marketed and highly processed foods make healthy eating challenging. The evaluation plan guides measurement of target behaviours and the theory-based determinants/mediators.

Results:

This case study describes the development of the In Defence of Food curriculum using the DESIGN Procedure and demonstrates how a comprehensive and structured method for health education curriculum development and evaluation planning can be applied.

Conclusion:

The DESIGN Procedure has relevance for researchers, practitioners and programme planners.