bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Help, hinder, hide and harm: what can we learn from the interactions betweenPseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureusduring respiratory infections?
Authors: Limoli Dominique Hope , Hoffman Lucas R
Published: February 2019

Recent studies of human respiratory secretions using culture-independent techniques have found a surprisingly diverse array of microbes. Interactions among these community members can profoundly impact microbial survival, persistence and antibiotic susceptibility and, consequently, disease progression. Studies of polymicrobial interactions in the human microbiota have shown that the taxonomic and structural compositions, and resulting behaviours, of microbial communities differ substantially from those of the individual constituent species and in ways of clinical importance. These studies primarily involved oral and gastrointestinal microbiomes. While the field of polymicrobial respiratory disease is relatively young, early findings suggest that respiratory tract microbiota members also compete and cooperate in ways that may influence disease outcomes. Ongoing efforts therefore focus on how these findings can inform more ‘enlightened’, rational approaches to combat respiratory infections. Among the most common respiratory diseases involving polymicrobial infections are cystic fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis, COPD and ventilator-associated pneumonia. While respiratory microbiota can be diverse, two of the most common and best-studied members areStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa, which exhibit a range of competitive and cooperative interactions. Here, we review the state of research on pulmonary coinfection with these pathogens, including their prevalence, combined and independent associations with patient outcomes, and mechanisms of those interactions that could influence lung health. BecauseP. aeruginosa–S. aureuscoinfection is common and well studied in CF, this disease serves as the paradigm for our discussions on these two organisms and inform our recommendations for future studies of polymicrobial interactions in pulmonary disease.
Postanaesthetic spinal cord myelopathy in a Welsh section D pony
Authors: Hughes Jodie , Senior Mark , Bennell Alison
Published: February 2019

A healthy two‐year‐old, male entire Welsh section D pony presenting for cryptorchid castration failed to recover from an uneventful anaesthetic. Clinical signs classical of spinal cord myelopathy were evident in recovery. Despite supportive therapy and an initial improvement in clinical signs, the pony deteriorated and was euthanased the following day.
Melatonin treatment affects changes in adrenal gene expression of catecholamine biosynthesizing enzymes and norepinephrine transporter in the rat model of chronic-stress-induced depression
Authors: Stefanovic Bojana , Spasojevic Natasa , Jovanovic Predrag , Dronjak Sladjana
Published: February 2019

This study investigated the effects of melatonin treatment on adrenal catecholamine content, synthesis, uptake, and vesicular transport induced by the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression in rats. This entailed quantifying the norepinephrine, epinephrine, mRNA, and protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in the adrenal medulla. CUMS caused a significant depletion of norepinephrine stores and protein levels of TH, DBH, and NET, whereas the gene expression of PNMT was increased. It was observed that melatonin treatment in the CUMS rats prevented the stress-induced decrease in norepinephrine content and the protein expression of TH, DBH, and NET in the adrenal medulla of chronically stressed rats. The present study demonstrates the stimulatory effect of melatonin on adrenomedullary synthesis, the uptake and content of catecholamine in the rat model of chronic stress-induced depression.
Calculation energy levels and charge radius for odd 41–49Ca isotopes by using the analytical approach
Authors: Mousavi Mohsen , Shojaei Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2019

In this study, some static properties of odd isotopes of Ca were investigated in the non-relativistic shell model. We also suggested a novel suitable local potential model for the non-microscopic investigation of the mentioned nuclei. We modeled the odd [Formula: see text]Ca nuclei as doubly-magic isotopes with further nucleons (valence) in the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] levels. Then, the modified Eckart potential plus Hulthen potential were chosen for the interaction between core and nucleons. We also used the parametric Nikiforov–Uvarov method to calculate the values of energy, the radius of charge and wave function. The obtained results showed a good agreement with the experimental data, so this model is applicable for the similar nuclei.
Effect of timeliness on the thermal properties of paraffin-based Al2O3 nanofluids
Authors: Wu Yangyang , Wang Baichao , Li Dong , Liu Changyu
Published: February 2019

Paraffin is an excellent photo-thermal conversion phase change energy storage material, and extensively used in the thermal storage field at the medium-low temperature. However, the low thermal conductivity of paraffin restricts its application in practice. Adding nanoparticles into paraffin is one of the effective methods to improve its thermal conductivity. Nevertheless, the thermal diffusivity, specific heat and volumetric heat capacity of paraffin as well as timeliness were affected after the addition of nanoparticles. In this paper, the influences of volume fraction of Al2O3 nanoparticle and timeliness on these thermal parameters of paraffin were investigated. The results show that the thermal conductivity of paraffin-based Al2O3 nanofluids increases first and then decreases with time, and the maximum thermal conductivity is 0.34 W/[Formula: see text] for volume fraction 1% on third day. The higher volume concentration, the lower specific heat and volumetric heat capacity, all present downtrend over time, until stable in the range of 0.3 MJ/[Formula: see text] and 0.4 MJ/[Formula: see text]. The average enhancement rate of specific heat and volumetric heat capacity are concentrates on −6% to 9%, −10% to 0%, respectively. While increasing the volume concentration, the thermal diffusivity has no obvious regularity, and presents undulatory property over time.
New interaction phenomenon and the periodic lump wave for the Jimbo–Miwa equation
Authors: Zhang Runfa , Bilige Sudao
Published: February 2019

By using the Hirota bilinear method, new interaction solutions and the periodic lump wave solutions for the Jimbo–Miwa equation are successfully solved via symbolic computation with Maple. These new solutions greatly enrich the existing literature on the Jimbo–Miwa equation. Via the three-dimensional images and density images, the physical characteristics of the interactions and the periodic lump wave are well observed. These physical features of the waves obtained in this paper will be widely used in the fields of electromagnetism, optics, acoustics, heat transfer, classical mechanics, and fluid dynamics.
LIE SYMMETRY ANALYSIS TO THE WEAKLY COUPLED KAUP–KUPERSHMIDT EQUATION WITH TIME FRACTIONAL ORDER
Authors: WANG ZHENLI , ZHANG LIHUA , LI CHUANZHONG
Published: February 2019

The aim of this paper is to apply the Lie group analysis method to the weakly coupled Kaup–Kupershmidt (KK) equation with time fractional order. We considered the symmetry analysis, explicit solutions to the weakly coupled time fractional KK (TF-KK) equation with Riemann–Liouville (RL) derivative. The weakly coupled TF-KK equation is reduced to a nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE) of fractional order. We solve the reduced fractional ODE using the sub-equation method.
A generalization to Sylow permutability of pronormal subgroups of finite groups
Authors: Esteban-Romero R. , Longobardi P. , Maj M.
Published: February 2019

In this note, we present a new subgroup embedding property that can be considered as an analogue of pronormality in the scope of permutability and Sylow permutability in finite groups. We prove that finite PST-groups, or groups in which Sylow permutability is a transitive relation, can be characterized in terms of this property, in a similar way as T-groups, or groups in which normality is transitive, can be characterized in terms of pronormality.
Astragaloside IV Suppresses High Glucose-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB and CaSR
Authors: Leng Bin , Zhang Yingjie , Liu Xinran , Zhang Zhen , Liu Yang , Wang Hongxin , Lu Meili
Published: February 2019

Long-term exposure to high glucose induces vascular endothelial inflammation that can result in cardiovascular disease. Astragaloside IV (As-IV) is widely used for anti-inflammatory treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, its mechanism of action is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of As-IV on high glucose-induced endothelial inflammation and explored its possible mechanisms. In vivo, As-IV (40 and 80 mg/kg/d) was orally administered to rats for 8 weeks after a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg). In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with high glucose (33 mM glucose) in the presence or absence of As-IV, NPS2143 (CaSR inhibitor), BAY 11-7082 (NF-κB p65 inhibitor), and INF39 (NLRP3 inhibitor), and overexpression of CaSR was induced by infection of CaSR-overexpressing lentiviral vectors to further discuss the anti-inflammatory property of As-IV. The results showed that high glucose increased the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC, as well as the protein level of TLR4, nucleus p65, and CaSR. As-IV can reverse these changes in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, NPS2143, BAY 11-7082, and INF39 could significantly abolish the high glucose-enhanced NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β expression in vitro. In addition, both NPS2143 and BAY 11-7082 attenuated high glucose-induced upregulation of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-18, and IL-1β expression. In conclusion, this study suggested that As-IV could inhibit high glucose-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent secretion of proinflammatory cytokines via inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and CaSR, which provides new insights into the anti-inflammatory activity of As-IV.
Existence Results for Impulsive Fractional Differential Inclusions with Two Different Caputo Fractional Derivatives
Authors: Gao Dongdong , Li Jianli
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we study the impulsive fractional differential inclusions with two different Caputo fractional derivatives and nonlinear integral boundary value conditions. Under certain assumptions, new criteria to guarantee the impulsive fractional impulsive fractional differential inclusion has at least one solution are established by using Bohnenblust-Karlin’s fixed point theorem. Also, some previous results will be significantly improved.
Assessment of Bacteriological and Physicochemical Quality of Drinking Water from Source to Household Tap Connection in Nekemte, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Duressa Gonfa , Assefa Fassil , Jida Mulissa
Published: February 2019

In Ethiopia, access to improved water supply and sanitation has been very low and hence majority of the communicable diseases are associated with unsafe and inadequate water supply. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics of water from sources to household connection in Nekemte town. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to March 2016. Water samples were collected in triplicates from selected 30 sampling points from source, disinfection point, main distribution system tank, and household taps. All samples were analysed for bacteriological, chemical, and physical quality parameters using standard procedures. The results showed that temperature, pH, turbidity, total dissolved substances, and electrical conductivity of the water samples were varied between 16.9 and 22°C, 6.8–7.0, nil-12 NTU, 50–70 mg/l, and 40–46 µS/cm, respectively. Phosphate and nitrate concentrations of the water samples also ranged between 0.65 and 1 mg/l and 2.2–6.5 mg/l, respectively. Free residual chlorine concentration in the majority of the water samples was less than 0.5 mg/l. All samples were positive for total coliform with counts ranging from 12 to 120 CFU/100 ml, whereas faecal coliforms were detected in only 37% of tap water samples. In general, the majority of the tested parameters were within the permissible range of both the WHO and Ethiopian drinking water standards. However, Fe, Mn, faecal coliforms, total coliforms, and temperature did not conform to both WHO and Ethiopian drinking water standards. Based on the results, we can conclude that water quality deterioration was both at the sources and in the supply networks. Hence, proper drainage, sewage disposal systems, and sufficient disinfection of water with chlorine are of prime importance to deliver safe drinking water to the residents of Nekemte town.
Factors Associated with Multibacillary Leprosy in a Priority Region for Disease Control in Northeastern Brazil: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Serra Maria Aparecida Alves de Oliveira , Santos Crislane da Silva , Lima Neto Pedro Martins , Oliveira Karyne Gleyce Zemf , Oliveira Francisca Jacinta Feitoza de , Gordon Ariadne Siqueira de Araujo , Matos Daniella Pontes , Lima Raina Jansen Cutrim Propp , Bezerra Janaina Miranda , Costa Maia Dias Ismália Cassandra , Santos Floriacy Stabnow , Costa Ana Cristina Pereira de Jesus , Santos Neto Marcelino , Silva Antônio Rafael da , Araújo Márcio Flávio Moura de
Published: February 2019

Background. Leprosy is an infectious disease that can lead to physical disabilities and stigmatization. It remains an important public health problem, especially in Brazil.Objective. To analyse sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with multibacillary leprosy in a hyperendemic region of the disease in northeastern Brazil.Method. This is a retrospective observational study with secondary data acquired from 2012 to 2015, from a group of leprosy cases reported in a reference outpatient clinic for the treatment and followup of leprosy in the city of Imperatriz, Maranhao, in northeastern Brazil.Results. From 905 new cases of leprosy studied, 656 (72.5%) were classified as multibacillary leprosy and 249 (27.5%) as paucibacillary leprosy. We observed that men were more likely to present 5 to 15 skin lesions (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.18-1.49; p <0.0001) and >15 skin lesions (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09 -1.45; p = 0.005) and a lower chance of having <5 skin lesions (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.59-0.76; p <0.0001). Women were more likely to have no affected nerves compared to men (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.20-1.77; p <0.0001). The age range of 16 to 60 years showed a greater chance of having <5 skin lesions (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.007-1.20; p = 0.03) and a lower chance of having 5 to 15 skin lesions (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03-1.23; p= 0.008) and a lower chance of being a grade I disability ( CI= 0.73-0.94; p=0.83) and II (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.77-0.98; p=000.1).Conclusion. Cases of multibacillary leprosy were associated with male gender, low educational level, and clinical variables such as number of skin lesions and grade I or II disability.
Estimation of Climatic Parameters of a PV System Based on Gradient Method
Authors: Gammoudi Rabiaa , Brahmi Houda , Dhifaoui Rachid
Published: February 2019

The behavior of a photovoltaic generator is generally described by its current‐voltage characteristic whose appearance depends on the climatic conditions (temperature and solar radiation). The aim of this work is to show the possibility of identifying the values of these two parameters from an experimental curve Ipv (Vpv) using numerical method. Subsequently, we will also estimate the series and shunt resistors of the equivalent scheme of a PVG. This estimate is certainly beneficial to properly evaluate its energy balance. The integration of these resistances allows us to obtain a new model. In this work, we will propose a mathematical calculation strategy to ensure the estimation of all the parameters.
Dynamic Analysis for Lateral Vibrations of Footbridges under Crowd Based on a Two‐Degrees‐of‐Freedom Model
Authors: Zhen Bin , Qi Wenbang , Chang Liang
Published: February 2019

Nakamura’s model is widely used to describe lateral vibrations of a footbridge induced by crowd. The predicted responses of Nakamura’s model were compared with measured data of T‐bridge and M‐bridge in Japan to demonstrate the validity. However, the predicted responses based on Nakamura’s model almost always were stronger than measured data. Considering that both T‐bridge and M‐bridge are cable‐stayed bridges, it seems to be not precise enough to simplify a cable‐stayed bridge as a single degree of freedom system in Nakamura’s model. In this paper, we establish a two‐degrees‐of‐freedom model to describe lateral vibrations of a cable‐stayed bridge. The cables have one degree, and the bridge deck has the other. Additionally, in this model we introduce a time delay in interaction between the bridge and pedestrians. By employing the center manifold theory, we find that a subcritical Hopf bifurcation occurs in the two‐degrees‐of‐freedom model. We theoretically and numerically illustrate that the cables and time delay have significant influence on the lateral vibration amplitude of a footbridge under crowd. The appropriate increases of tension in the cables and time delay both can decrease the lateral vibration amplitude. The analysis for the proposed two‐degrees‐of‐freedom model shows that the predicted responses of Nakamura’s model can better agree with the measured date if we take the influence of cables and time delay into account.
Failure Mechanism and Factor of Safety for Spatially Variable Undrained Soil Slope
Authors: Li Liang , Chu Xuesong
Published: February 2019

This paper aims to investigate the differences in factor of safety (FS) and failure mechanism (FM) for spatially variable undrained soil slope between using finite element method (FEM) , finite difference method (FDM), and limit equilibrium method (LEM). The undrained shear strength of cohesive soil slope is modeled by a one‐dimensional random field in the vertical direction. The FS and FM for a specific realization of random field are determined by SRT embedded in FEM‐ and FDM‐based software (e.g., Phase2 6.0 and FLAC) and LEM, respectively. The comparative study has demonstrated that the bishop method (with circular failure surface) exhibits performance as fairly good as that of SRT both in FS and FM for the undrained slope cases where no preferable controlling surfaces such as hydraulic tension crack and inclined weak seams dominate the failure mechanism. It is, however, worthwhile to point out that unconservative FM is provided by the Bishop method from the aspect of failure consequence (i.e., the failure consequence indicated by the FM from the Bishop method is smaller than that from SRT). The rigorous LEM (e.g., M‐P and Spencer method with noncircular failure surface) is not recommended in the stability analysis of spatially variable soil slopes before the local minima and failure to converge issues are fully addressed. The SRT in combination with FEM and/or FDM provides a rigorous and powerful tool and is highly preferable for slope reliability of spatially variable undrained slope.
Studies of the Anti-amnesic Effects and Mechanisms of Single and Combined Use of Donepezil and Ginkgo Ketoester Tablet on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Jun , Zhou Gui-Sheng , Tan Ya-Jie , Tao Hui-Juan , Chen Jia-Qian , Pu Zong-Jin , Ma Jia-Yan , She Wen , Kang An , Zhu Yue , Liu Pei , Zhu Zhen-Hua , Shi Xu-Qin , Tang Yu-Ping , Duan Jin-Ao
Published: February 2019

Ginkgo ketoester tablets (GT) and donepezil were a clinically used combination for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of the study was undertaken to investigate the antiamnesic effects of the two drugs alone and in combination through in vivo models of the Morris water maze along with in vitro antioxidants, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The potential mechanisms were speculated by the activities of acetylcholine (ACh), AChE, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine protein kinase B (TrkB). The combination group showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of cholinesterase and antioxidation. As far as its mechanism was concerned, the combination of two drugs exerted excellent effects on oxidative stress, cholinergic pathway damage, and inactivation of the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway. Additionally, to elucidate the binding mechanism of GT active ingredients into the structure of AChE, the results of molecular docking studies indicated that hydrogen and/or hydrophobic bonds might play an important role in their binding process. Thus, the combination of drugs could treat AD perfectly and further verify the scientific rationality of clinical medication.
Painlevé Analysis and Abundant Meromorphic Solutions of a Class of Nonlinear Algebraic Differential Equations
Authors: Gu Yongyi , Zheng Xiaoxiao , Meng Fanning
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a class of nonlinear algebraic differential equations (NADEs) is studied. The Painlevé analysis of the NADEs is considered. Abundant meromorphic solutions of the NADEs are obtained by means of the complex method. Then, meromorphic exact solutions of the Schamel‐Korteweg‐de Vries (S‐KdV) equation and (2 + 1)‐dimensional sine‐Gordon equation are derived via the applications of the NADEs.
Increased Thioredoxin-1 Expression Promotes Cancer Progression and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Shang Wenjing , Xie Zhongdong , Lu Fengying , Fang Daoquan , Tang Tianbin , Bi Ruichun , Chen Lingli , Jiang Lei
Published: February 2019

Background. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) is a small redox protein, which plays an important role in many biological processes. Although increased expression of Trx-1 in various solid tumors has been reported, the prognostic significance and function of Trx-1 in human gastric cancer (GC) are still unclear. Here, we investigated the clinical and prognostic significance of Trx-1 expression and the function and mechanism of Trx-1 in human GC. Methods. We analyzed Trx-1 mRNA expression from the GEO database and Trx-1 protein expression in 144 GC tissues using immunohistochemistry. Effects of Trx-1 on GC cell were assessed in vitro and in vivo through Trx-1 knockdown or overexpression. The antitumor effects of the Trx-1 inhibitor, PX-12, on GC cells were investigated. PTEN and p-AKT expressions were evaluated by Western blotting. Results. Increased Trx-1 expression was found in GC tissues and associated with poor prognosis and aggressive clinicopathological characteristics in patients with GC. High Trx-1 expression predicted poor prognosis, and its expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of GC patients. Knockdown of Trx-1 expression inhibited GC cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro and tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of Trx-1 promoted GC cell growth, migration, and invasion. We also found that PX-12 inhibited GC cell growth, migration, and invasion. Overexpression of Trx-1 caused a decrease in PTEN and increase in p-AKT levels whereas silencing Trx-1 caused an increase in PTEN and decrease in p-AKT levels in GC cells. Inhibition of AKT signaling pathway by MK2206 also inhibited GC cell growth, migration, and invasion. Conclusion. Our results indicate that Trx-1 may be a promising prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for GC patients.
Soft Power e a construção simbólica da realidade
Authors: Azevedo Jr Aryovaldo De Castro
Published: February 2019

A sociedade contemporânea tem consolidado o capitalismo enquanto sistema econômico hegemônico, principalmente pela influência dos conglomerados de mídia e entretenimento para a construção simbólica da realidade, somados ao poder de corporações que induzem a definição de diretrizes públicas por parte dos Estadosnacionais. Este artigo, através de análise documental e estudo de caso, propõe tecer algumas relações entre os atores que influenciam as estruturas de poder e exemplificar com estudo de caso da campanha pela reforma da previdência social realizada pelo governo federal brasileiro e, assim, demonstrar a influência da linguagem persuasiva na comunicação pública.
Characterization of the Mechanism and Substrate of Atrial Tachycardia Using Ultra‐High‐Density Mapping in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: Impact on Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Mantziari Lilian , Butcher Charles , Shi Rui , Kontogeorgis Andrianos , Opel Aaisha , Chen Zhong , Haldar Shouvik , Panikker Sandeep , Hussain Wajid , Jones David Gareth , Gatzoulis Michael A. , Markides Vias , Ernst Sabine , Wong Tom
Published: February 2019

Background

Atrial tachycardia (
AT
) is common in patients with adult congenital heart disease and is challenging to map and ablate. We used ultra‐high‐density mapping to characterize the
AT
mechanism and investigate whether substrate characteristics are related to ablation outcomes.

Methods and Results

A total of 50
AT
s were mapped with ultra‐high‐density mapping in 23 procedures. Patients were followed up for up to 12 months. Procedures were classified to group A if there was 1 single
AT
induced (n=12) and group B if there were ≥2
AT
s induced (n=11 procedures). AT mechanism per procedure was macro re‐entry (n=10) and localized re‐entry (n=2) in group A and multiple focal (n=6) or multiple macro re‐entry (n=5) in group B. Procedure duration, low voltage area (0.05–0.5 mV), and low voltage area indexed for volume were higher in group B (159 [147–180] versus 412 [352–420] minutes,
P
<0.001, 22.6 [12.2–29.8] versus 54.2 [51.1–61.6] cm
2
,
P
=0.014 and 0.17 [0.12–0.21] versus 0.26 [0.23–0.27] cm
2
/mL,
P
=0.024 accordingly). Dense scar (<0.05 mV) and atrial volume were similar between groups. Acute success and freedom from arrhythmia recurrence were worse in group B (100% versus 77%
P
=0.009 and 11.3,
CI
9.8–12.7 versus 4.9,
CI
2.2–7.6 months, log rank
P
=0.004). Indexed low voltage area ≥0.24 cm
2
/mL could predict recurrence with 100% sensitivity and 77% specificity (area under the curve 0.923,
P
=0.007).

Conclusions

Larger low voltage area but not dense scar is associated with the induction of multiple focal or re‐entry
AT
s, which are subsequently associated with longer procedure duration and worse acute and midterm clinical outcomes.
The Demographic Transition Theory of War: Why Young Societies Are Conflict Prone and Old Societies Are the Most Peaceful
Authors: Brooks Deborah Jordan , Brooks Stephen G. , Greenhill Brian D. , Haas Mark L.
Published: February 2019

The world is experiencing a period of unprecedented demographic change. For the first time in human history, marked disparities in age structures exist across the globe. Around 40 percent of the world's population lives in countries with significant numbers of elderly citizens. In contrast, the majority of the world's people live in developing countries with very large numbers of young people as a proportion of the total population. Yet, demographically, most of the world's states with young populations are aging, and many are doing so quickly. This first-of-its kind systematic theoretical and empirical examination of how these demographic transitions influence the likelihood of interstate conflict shows that countries with a large number of young people as a proportion of the total population are the most prone to international conflict, whereas states with the oldest populations are the most peaceful. Although societal aging is likely to serve as a force for enhanced stability in most, and perhaps all, regions of the world over the long term, the road to a “demographic peace” is likely to be bumpy in many parts of the world in the short to medium term.
Bad World: The Negativity Bias in International Politics
Authors: Johnson Dominic D.P. , Tierney Dominic
Published: February 2019

A major puzzle in international relations is why states privilege negative over positive information. States tend to inflate threats, exhibit loss aversion, and learn more from failures than from successes. Rationalist accounts fail to explain this phenomenon, because systematically overweighting bad over good may in fact undermine state interests. New research in psychology, however, offers an explanation. The “negativity bias” has emerged as a fundamental principle of the human mind, in which people's response to positive and negative information is asymmetric. Negative factors have greater effects than positive factors across a wide range of psychological phenomena, including cognition, motivation, emotion, information processing, decision-making, learning, and memory. Put simply, bad is stronger than good. Scholars have long pointed to the role of positive biases, such as overconfidence, in causing war, but negative biases are actually more pervasive and may represent a core explanation for patterns of conflict. Positive and negative dispositions apply in different contexts. People privilege negative information about the external environment and other actors, but positive information about themselves. The coexistence of biases can increase the potential for conflict. Decisionmakers simultaneously exaggerate the severity of threats and exhibit overconfidence about their capacity to deal with them. Overall, the negativity bias is a potent force in human judgment and decisionmaking, with important implications for international relations theory and practice.
Why China Has Not Caught Up Yet: Military-Technological Superiority and the Limits of Imitation, Reverse Engineering, and Cyber Espionage
Authors: Gilli Andrea , Gilli Mauro
Published: February 2019

Can countries easily imitate the United States' advanced weapon systems and thus erode its military-technological superiority? Scholarship in international relations theory generally assumes that rising states benefit from the “advantage of backwardness.” That is, by free riding on the research and technology of the most advanced countries, less developed states can allegedly close the military-technological gap with their rivals relatively easily and quickly. More recent works maintain that globalization, the emergence of dual-use components, and advances in communications have facilitated this process. This literature is built on shaky theoretical foundations, however, and its claims lack empirical support. In particular, it largely ignores one of the most important changes to have occurred in the realm of weapons development since the second industrial revolution: the exponential increase in the complexity of military technology. This increase in complexity has promoted a change in the system of production that has made the imitation and replication of the performance of state-of-the-art weapon systems harder—so much so as to offset the diffusing effects of globalization and advances in communications. An examination of the British-German naval rivalry (1890–1915) and China's efforts to imitate U.S. stealth fighters supports these findings.
A new Trichomycterus lacking pelvic fins and pelvic girdle with a very restricted range in Southern Brazil (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)
Authors: FERRER JULIANO , MALABARBA LUIZ R.
Published: February 2019

Trichomycterus tropeiro, new species, is described from the headwaters of the rio das Antas, laguna dos Patos system, Southern Brazil. Trichomycterus tropeiro is distinguishable from other species of the genus by the absence of pelvic fins and pelvic girdle, except from Trichomycterus candidus and Trichomycterus catamarcensis. It differs from these two species in several counts and measurements. The apparent endemism of the species is discussed.
A revision of the subgenus Parasphingonotus Benediktov & Husemann, 2009 (Orthoptera: Oedipodinae: Sphingonotini)
Authors: HUSEMANN MARTIN , RAY JESSE , HOCHKIRCH AXEL
Published: February 2019

The recently erected subgenus Parasphingonotus is revised. The diagnostic characters are given and the species Sphingonotus (Parasphingonotus) radioserratus comb. n., Sphingonotus (Parasphingonotus) femoralis comb. n. and Sphingonotus (Parasphingonotus) turkanae comb. n. are assigned to the subgenus. Sphingonotus (Parasphingonotus) airensis is synonymized with S. (P.) femoralis, making the latter species the new type species of Parasphingonotus. Keys to the subgenera (Sphingonotus, Neosphingonotus, and Parasphingonotus) of the genus Sphingonotus and to the species of Parasphingonotus are presented. All Parasphingonotus species are re-described and further information on the distribution of the species are given.
Five new species of Telegeusis Horn, 1895 (Coleoptera: Telegeusidae) from Mexico, with a key to the species
Authors: ZARAGOZA-CABALLERO SANTIAGO , RODRÍGUEZ-VELEZ BEATRIZ
Published: February 2019

Five Mexican species of the genus Telegeusis, T. austellus sp. n., T. sonorensis sp. n., T. boreios sp. n., T. glessum sp. n., and T. granulatus sp. n., from Quintana Roo, Sonora, Nayarit and Veracruz are described and illustrated. New records of T. orientalis Zaragoza, a key to the 12 known species and an updated checklist are also presented.
Redescription of an enigmatic salamander, Pseudohynobius puxiongensis (Fei et Ye, 2000) (Urodela: Hynobiidae)
Authors: XIONG JIAN-LI , GU HAI-JUN , GONG TIAN-JIAN , ZENG XIAO-MAO
Published: February 2019

Protohynobius puxiongensis Fei et Ye, 2000, a poorly known hynobiid, was described from a single specimen. The new genus was erected because of its peculiar internasal bone. Recent molecular investigations transferred the species to genus Pseudohynobius and presence of the internasal bone was shown to be a variable character. Taxonomically this species is relatively poorly known with no descriptions of egg, larvae, habitat, and other biological data. Furthermore, the extent of adult variation is unknown. We describe features of the adult, larvae, egg sacs, karyotype, breeding habitat and habits. The species is characterized by the following features: dorsal color gray-yellow with yellowish spots; dorsal tail with distinct yellowish line; total length shortest in the genus; tail length shorter than snout-vent length; head length to head width ratio smaller than 1.53; and a moderate number of vomerine teeth (11–15). The karyotype and the breeding season of Ps. puxiongensis are similar to that of other species of the genus.
Checklist and distribution of semiaquatic and aquatic Heteroptera (Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha) occurring in Brazil
Authors: MOREIRA FELIPE FERRAZ FIGUEIREDO , BARBOSA JULIANNA FREIRES , RIBEIRO JOSÉ RICARDO INACIO , ALECRIM VIVIANI PEREIRA
Published: February 2019

Based on published information of about 200 references, 479 species of Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha have been recorded from Brazil and compiled here for the first time. Of these, 105 belong to the family Veliidae. Families Gerridae, Belostomatidae, Corixidae, Naucoridae, Nepidae, and Notonectidae contain between 44 and 61 species each. Because of their apparent inherent lower diversity or difficulty of collection and/or study, other families present at most 21 species. Of the recorded species, 47% occur solely in Brazil, 44% in Brazil and other South American countries, 7% are more distributed along the Neotropical Region, and only 2% are widely distributed in Americas. Species records from Brazil are more concentrated in the North and Southeast regions, and on Amazonas, Pará, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro states, not alone due to environmental conditions, but also because of historical factors. A high number of endemic species of Rhagovelia, Limnocoris, and Ranatra is found in the Southeast and South regions. Other groups are exclusive or more diverse in the Amazon Region, such as Lathriobatoides, Bacillometra, Cryptovelia, Darwinivelia, Euvelia, Stridulivelia, and Weberiella.
Type Classification of Sudden Stratospheric Warming Based on Pre- and Postwarming Periods
Authors: Choi Hyesun , Kim Baek-Min , Choi Wookap
Published: February 2019

In existing literature, sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events have been typically defined as displacement or split types. Detailed reexamination of SSW evolution has revealed that an SSW event often alters its type before and after the central day of the warming event. On the basis of this observation, we objectively define three types of SSW using wave amplitude: displacement–displacement (DD) type, displacement–split (DS) type, and split–split (SS) type. The geopotential height (GPH) amplitude of zonal wavenumbers 1 and 2 averaged over 55°–65°N at 10 hPa was used as a criterion for the classification. If the amplitude of zonal wavenumber 1 is larger (smaller) than that of wavenumber 2 before and after the central day of SSW, the event is regarded as a DD (SS) type. If the amplitude of zonal wavenumber 1 is larger than that of wavenumber 2 before the central day but is smaller after that day, the event is regarded as a DS type. The above classification algorithm has been applied to both reanalysis data and model results. We observe that conventional split-type SSW events identified by previous studies can be categorized as either DS- or SS-type events, each type of which exhibits different evolution characteristics. In particular, they are distinctively different during the prewarming period. In the SS type, the characteristics of the conventional split type are more obvious, and the features that differ from those of the DD type are the most robust. The model results generally resemble the reanalysis data, particularly in the DD cases.
Air–Sea Turbulent Heat Fluxes in Climate Models and Observational Analyses: What Drives Their Variability?
Authors: Small R. Justin , Bryan Frank O. , Bishop Stuart P. , Tomas Robert A.
Published: February 2019

A traditional view is that the ocean outside of the tropics responds passively to atmosphere forcing, which implies that air–sea heat fluxes are mainly driven by atmosphere variability. This paper tests this viewpoint using state-of-the-art air–sea turbulent heat flux observational analyses and a climate model run at different resolutions. It is found that in midlatitude ocean frontal zones the variability of air–sea heat fluxes is not predominantly driven by the atmosphere variations but instead is forced by sea surface temperature (SST) variations arising from intrinsic oceanic variability. Meanwhile in most of the tropics and subtropics wind is the dominant driver of heat flux variability, and atmosphere humidity is mainly important in higher latitudes. The predominance of ocean forcing of heat fluxes found in frontal regions occurs on scales of around 700 km or less. Spatially smoothing the data to larger scales results in the traditional atmosphere-driving case, while filtering to retain only small scales of 5° or less leads to ocean forcing of heat fluxes over most of the globe. All observational analyses examined (1° OAFlux; 0.25° J-OFURO3; 0.25° SeaFlux) show this general behavior. A standard resolution (1°) climate model fails to reproduce the midlatitude, small-scale ocean forcing of heat flux: refining the ocean grid to resolve eddies (0.1°) gives a more realistic representation of ocean forcing but the variability of both SST and of heat flux is too high compared to observational analyses.
Divided We Stand, (Oftentimes) United We Fight: Generational Bridging in Spain’s Feminist Movement and the Cycle of Antiausterity Mobilizations
Authors: Portos Martin
Published: February 2019

After a general campaign that aimed at changing the political and socioeconomic system, the 15M/Indignados abandoned the visible occupation of central squares decentralized through neighborhood assemblies, and specialized around different issues, such as housing, and the health and public education systems. Although often cohabitating amid tension, feminist activists of different generations forged internal and autonomous spaces that prioritized feminist aspirations and permeated dissent in the shadow of the Great Recession, sharing arenas with people who would not have been reached otherwise. Despite the feminist movement(s)’ heterogeneity, intersectional character, and organization through polycephalous networks, it has in recent times grown to stand out as the movement with the highest mobilization capacity in the country. Based on original qualitative data from 12 semi-structured interviews with key informants and activists, the piece of research sheds light on the tensions between different generations of feminists. It will explain the continuities and discontinuities between veteran and younger activists’ world views when it comes to their forms of politicization, theoretical underpinnings, strategic priorities, organizational configuration and resource mobilization, repertoires of action and cultural foundations. In addition, it contends that the ability of veteran and new activists to forge arenas of encounter, fostering debate and synergies during the antiausterity cycle of protest, were key to account for the cross-generational alliance-building processes, which have hitherto seldom been explored in the feminist movement(s) and beyond.
Intratympanic Steroid Use for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Current Otolaryngology Practice
Authors: Lechner Matt , Sutton Liam , Ferguson Mark , Abbas Yasmin , Sandhu Jaswinder , Shaida Azhar
Published: February 2019

Objective:

To investigate the current practice of intratympanic steroid (ITS) injection for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in the United Kingdom and link the data with data from the United States and continental Europe.

Methods:

A survey of 21 questions was distributed to members of the British Society of Otology using an online survey platform via ENT UK. Data obtained from UK otolaryngologists (n = 171) were integrated with previously published data from other countries, including the United States (n = 63) and continental Europe (n = 908).

Results:

In the United Kingdom, 62% of responding otolaryngologists use ITS injection for SSNHL, while 38% do not. Of those using ITS, 59% use it as first-line treatment, either using it in conjunction with oral steroids (51%) or using it as monotherapy (8%). Of those that use ITS, a majority (83%) use it as salvage therapy when primary treatment with systemic steroids has failed, and similar results are found in the continental Europe and US surveys. The most commonly used preparation is dexamethasone. Responses to questions regarding treatment regimes used are enlightening and show considerable variation in the treatment regimes used within and between countries.

Conclusions:

There is a wide variation in practice with regards to ITS for SSNHL hearing loss in the United Kingdom, United States, and continental Europe. In the absence of protocols or definitive guidance from published literature, knowledge of contemporary practice may help guide or encourage reevaluation of clinical practice and will help guide the design of future clinical trials.
An External Validity Approach for Assessing Essential Unidimensionality in Correlated-Factor Models
Authors: Ferrando Pere Joan , Lorenzo-Seva Urbano
Published: February 2019

Many psychometric measures yield data that are compatible with (a) an essentially unidimensional factor analysis solution and (b) a correlated-factor solution. Deciding which of these structures is the most appropriate and useful is of considerable importance, and various procedures have been proposed to help in this decision. The only fully developed procedures available to date, however, are internal, and they use only the information contained in the item scores. In contrast, this article proposes an external auxiliary procedure in which primary factor scores and general factor scores are related to relevant external variables. Our proposal consists of two groups of procedures. The procedures in the first group (differential validity procedures) assess the extent to which the primary factor scores relate differentially to the external variables. Procedures in the second group (incremental validity procedures) assess the extent to which the primary factor scores yield predictive validity increments with respect to the single general factor scores. Both groups of procedures are based on a second-order structural model with latent variables from which new methodological results are obtained. The functioning of the proposal is assessed by means of a simulation study, and its usefulness is illustrated with a real-data example in the personality domain.
Micro-political processes in a multinational corporation subsidiary: A postcolonial reading of restructuring in a sales department
Authors: Hopkinson Gillian C , Aman Asad
Published: February 2019

What shapes micro-political contest in the subsidiary of a multinational corporation? We use observational and interview data from a Pakistani subsidiary of a global company to address this question. We trace debate surrounding the entry of modern (self-service) retail through multiple voices. Following postcolonial theory, we show how top management create a narrative that combines the progressiveness of modern retail with the locally salient discourse of izzat/honour. This hybrid narrative defines the terrain and terms of micro-political contest for all others in the subsidiary. Our analysis shows how some workers adapt this hybrid story to support their interests, whilst the attachment of izzat to the modern restricts the possibility of resistance for others. We examine how the narrative enables the establishment of an elite and a dominated group. The postcolonial approach allows us to argue that the subsidiary is a specific site of micro-political struggle where both geo-political factors and relationships with other parts of the multinational corporation shape micro-political processes.
The Mental Health Industrial Complex: A Study in Three Cases
Authors: Greene Eric M.
Published: February 2019

Among the many sites on the battleground of the United States in which racism and classism rage is the all-too-overlooked mental health industrial complex. Over the past four decades, the mental health industrial complex has used the biomedical explanation for mental suffering. This focus on diagnoses that result from problems of the brain and not from social factors has contributed to an exponential increase of consumed medications and total revenue earned from the mental health and addiction services provided in the United States. Moreover, this specific ontology of subjectivity—that humans are solely defined by their material brains—helps serve the interests of the dominant hegemony. It is the assertion of this article that today as persons are conditioned to understand mental illness as a result of a purely individual problem, they become unaware of the ways in which the structural problems of race and class contribute to their mental illness. As a therapist who works with marginalized populations, I have seen firsthand how the biomedical model can be used to reinforce the illnesses that it aims to treat. The following article will illustrate the complex dynamics of the mental health industrial complex by way of analyzing three case studies of Black, male patients who I treated while working at a mental health facility in the Northeastern United States.