bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin Metabolism: Relevance of Skin Enzymes for Rational Drug Design
Authors: Pyo Sung Min , Maibach Howard I.
Published: July 2019

Transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) have numerous pharmacological benefits. Drug release, for example, is independent of whether a patient is in a fed or a fasted state, and lower doses can be given as gastrointestinal and hepatic first-pass metabolism is avoided. In addition, inter- and intrapatient variability is minimized as the release of the drug is mainly controlled by the system. This makes TTS interesting as alternative systems to the most common dosage form of oral tablets. The difficulty with the dermal administration route is transporting the drug through the skin, since the skin is an efficient barrier against foreign bodies. Various strategies have been reported in the literature of how drug penetration can be improved. Most of them, however, focus on overcoming the stratum corneum as the first (mechanical) skin barrier. However, penetration is much more complex, and the skin’s barrier function does not only depend on the stratum corneum; what has been underestimated is the second (biological) skin barrier formed of enzymes. Compared to the stratum corneum, very little is known about these enzymes, e.g., which enzymes are present in the skin and where exactly they are localized. Hence, very few strategies can be found for how to bypass or even use the skin enzyme barrier for TTS development. This review article provides an overview of the skin enzymes considered to be relevant for the biotransformation of dermally applied drugs. Also, we discuss the use of dermal prodrugs and soft drugs and give the stereoselectivity of skin metabolism careful consideration. Finally, we provide suggestions on how to make use of the current knowledge about skin enzymes for rational TTS design.
Exercise-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in a Police Officer with Hereditary Renal Hypouricemia
Authors: Shimizu Yoshio , Wakabayashi Keiichi , Totsuka Ayako , Hayashi Yoko , Nitta Shusaku , Hara Kazuaki , Akira Maiko , Tomino Yasuhiko , Suzuki Yusuke
Published: July 2019

Hereditary renal hypouricemia is characterized by hypouricemia with hyper-uric acid clearance due to a defect in renal tubular transport. Patients with hereditary renal hypouricemia have a higher risk of exercise-induced acute kidney injury (EAKI) and reduced kidney function. Although the best preventive measure is avoiding exercise, there are many kinds of jobs that require occupational exercise. A 27-year-old male police officer suffered from stage 3 AKI after performing a 20-m multistage shuttle run test. His mother had previously been diagnosed as having renal hypouricemia at another facility. The patient had reported having hypouricemia during a health check at a previous police station, but his serum uric acid concentration was within the normal range at our hospital. After treatment, he recovered from EAKI and exhibited low serum uric acid and hyper-uric acid clearance. Since the patient desired to continue his career requiring strenuous exercise, it was difficult to establish a preventive plan against the recurrence of EAKI. Patients with hereditary renal hypouricemia who must undergo strenuous occupational anaerobic exercise are at higher risk of developing EAKI than other workers. The risks of EAKI among patients with hypouricemia should be considered when undergoing physical occupational training.
Peritoneal Dialysis Treatment in Small Children with Acute Kidney Injury: Experience in Northwest China
Authors: Li Huixian , Yang Shifeng , Jin Li , Wang Zhigang , Xie Liyi , Lv Jing , Yin Aiping , Lu Wanhong
Published: July 2019

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a kind of renal replacement therapy (RRT), which can be employed to treat pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI) as it is safe, simple, and cost-effective. The studies of PD treatment in pediatric AKI in China have rarely been reported in English literature. Objective: To investigate the efficacy and the outcome of PD in pediatric patients with AKI. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of children who received PD as RRT for AKI in a teaching hospital in northwest China from 2003 to 2013. Demographic characteristics and laboratory data were collected, and the prognostic factors of renal recovery were identified. Results: There were 24 children (62.5% male) identified, with the mean age of 22.4 ± 18.7 months (3 months to 5 years old). The most common causes of AKI were drug induced (25.0%), glomerulonephritis (20.9%), and obstructive nephropathy (16.7%). The mean duration of PD was 11.3 ± 7.8 days (2–39 days). PD treatment was highly effective in attenuation of toxics, improvement of fluid overload, and correction of electrolyte disturbances (p < 0.001). One catheter outflow obstruction was noted, and no major complication was identified. In total, 18 children (75.0%) recovered and had the catheter successfully removed, 2 (8.3%) needed further PD treatment, and 4 (16.7%) died. The albumin level was significantly higher in patients who recovered with PD treatment (33.7 ± 6.2 vs. 21.5 ± 4.8 g/L, p = 0.002). Conclusions: PD can be performed safely and efficiently for the treatment of pediatric AKI. Low albumin level may be associated with poor prognosis of pediatric AKI.
Wavefront Field Mapping Reveals a Physiologic Network Between Drivers Where Ablation Terminates Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Leef George , Shenasa Fatemah , Bhatia Neal K. , Rogers Albert J. , Sauer William , Miller John M. , Swerdlow Mark , Tamboli Mallika , Alhusseini Mahmood I. , Armenia Erin , Baykaner Tina , Brachmann Johannes , Turakhia Mintu P. , Atienza Felipe , Rappel Wouter-Jan , Wang Paul J. , Narayan Sanjiv M.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Localized drivers are proposed mechanisms for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) from optical mapping of human atria and clinical studies of AF, yet are controversial because drivers fluctuate and ablating them may not terminate AF. We used wavefront field mapping to test the hypothesis that AF drivers, if concurrent, may interact to produce fluctuating areas of control to explain their appearance/disappearance and acute impact of ablation.

Methods:

We recruited 54 patients from an international registry in whom persistent AF terminated by targeted ablation. Unipolar AF electrograms were analyzed from 64-pole baskets to reconstruct activation times, map propagation vectors each 20 ms, and create nonproprietary phase maps.

Results:

Each patient (63.6±8.5 years, 29.6% women) showed 4.0±2.1 spatially anchored rotational or focal sites in AF in 3 patterns. First, a single (type I; n=7) or, second, paired chiral-antichiral (type II; n=5) rotational drivers controlled most of the atrial area. Ablation of 1 to 2 large drivers terminated all cases of types I or II AF. Third, interaction of 3 to 5 drivers (type III; n=42) with changing areas of control. Targeted ablation at driver centers terminated AF and required more ablation in types III versus I (
P
=0.02 in left atrium).

Conclusions:

Wavefront field mapping of persistent AF reveals a pathophysiologic network of a small number of spatially anchored rotational and focal sites, which interact, fluctuate, and control varying areas. Future work should define whether AF drivers that control larger atrial areas are attractive targets for ablation.
Donor Simvastatin Treatment in Heart Transplantation
Authors: Nykänen Antti I. , Holmström Emil J. , Tuuminen Raimo , Krebs Rainer , Dhaygude Kishor , Kankainen Matti , Jokinen Janne J. , Lommi Jyri , Helanterä Ilkka , Räisänen-Sokolowski Anne , Syrjälä Simo O. , Lemström Karl B.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Ischemia-reperfusion injury may compromise the short-term and long-term prognosis after heart transplantation. Experimental studies show that simvastatin administered to the organ donor is vasculoprotective and inhibits cardiac allograft ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods:

Eighty-four multiorgan donors were randomly assigned to receive 80 mg of simvastatin (42 donors) via nasogastric tube after declaration of brain death and upon acceptance as a cardiac donor, or to receive no simvastatin (42 donors). The primary efficacy end point was postoperative plasma troponin T and I levels during the first 24 hours after heart transplantation. Secondary end points included postoperative hemodynamics, inflammation, allograft function, rejections and rejection treatments, and mortality.  

Results:

Organ donor simvastatin treatment significantly reduced the heart recipient plasma levels of troponin T by 34% (14 900 ± 12 100 ng/L to 9800 ± 7900 ng/L,
P
=0.047), and troponin I by 40% (171 000 ± 151 000 ng/L to 103 000 ± 109 000 ng/L,
P
=0.023) at 6 hours after reperfusion, the levels of NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) by 36% (32 800 ± 24 300 ng/L to 20 900 ± 15 900 ng/L;
P
=0.011) at 1 week, and the number of rejection treatments with hemodynamic compromise by 53% within the first 30 days (
P
=0.046). Donor simvastatin treatment did not affect donor lipid levels but was associated with a specific transplant myocardial biopsy gene expression profile, and a decrease in recipient postoperative plasma levels of CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine 10), interleukin-1α, placental growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor-BB. Postoperative hemodynamics, biopsy-proven acute rejections, and mortality were similar. No adverse effects were seen in recipients receiving noncardiac solid organ transplants from simvastatin-treated donors.

Conclusions:

Donor simvastatin treatment reduces biomarkers of myocardial injury after heart transplantation, and—also considering its documented general safety profile—may be used as a novel, safe, and inexpensive adjunct therapy in multiorgan donation.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01160978.
Formulas to Estimate Dietary Sodium Intake From Spot Urine Alter Sodium-Mortality Relationship
Authors: He Feng J. , Ma Yuan , Campbell Norm R.C. , MacGregor Graham A. , Cogswell Mary E. , Cook Nancy R.
Published: July 2019

To study the effect of formulas on the estimation of dietary sodium intake (sodium intake) and its association with mortality, we analyzed the TOHP (Trials of Hypertension Prevention) follow-up data. Sodium intake was assessed by measured 24-hour urinary sodium excretion and estimations from sodium concentration using the Kawasaki, Tanaka, and INTERSALT (International Cooperative Study on Salt, Other Factors, and Blood Pressure) formulas. We used both the average of 3 to 7 urinary measurements during the trial period and the first measurement at the beginning of each trial. Additionally, we kept sodium concentration constant to test whether the formulas were independently associated with mortality. We included 2974 individuals aged 30 to 54 years with prehypertension, not assigned to sodium intervention. During a median 24-year follow-up, 272 deaths occurred. The average measured sodium intake was 3766±1290 mg/d. All estimated values, including those with constant sodium concentration, were systematically biased with overestimation at lower levels and underestimation at higher levels. There was a significant linear association between the average measured sodium intake (ie, gold standard method) and mortality. This relationship was altered by using the estimated sodium intakes. There appeared to be a J- or U-shaped relationship for the average estimated sodium by all formulas. Despite variations in the sodium-mortality relationship among various formulas, a common pattern was that all estimated values including those with constant sodium appeared to be inversely related to mortality at lower levels of sodium intake. These results demonstrate that inaccurate estimates of sodium cannot be used in association studies, particularly as the formulas per se seem to be related to mortality independent of sodium.
The End of War: How a Robust Marketplace and Liberal Hegemony Are Leading to Perpetual World Peace
Authors: Mousseau Michael
Published: July 2019

Permanent world peace is beginning to emerge. States with developed market-oriented economies have foremost interests in the principle of self-determination of all states as the foundation for a robust global marketplace. War among these states, even making preparations for war, is not possible, because they are in a natural alliance to preserve and protect the global order. Among other states, weaker powers, fearing those that are stronger, tend to bandwagon with the relatively benign market-oriented powers. The result is a powerful liberal global hierarchy that is unwittingly, but systematically, buttressing states' embrace of market norms and values, moving the world toward perpetual peace. Analysis of voting preferences of members of the United Nations General Assembly from 1946 to 2010 corroborates the influence of the liberal global hierarchy: states with weak internal markets tend to disagree with the foreign policy preferences of the largest market power (i.e., the United States), but more so if they have stronger rather than weaker military and economic capabilities. Market-oriented states, in contrast, align with the market leader regardless of their capabilities. Barring some dark force that brings about the collapse of the global economy (such as climate change), the world is now in the endgame of a five-century-long trajectory toward permanent peace and prosperity.
Ichnotaxonomic revision of Ameghinichnus, a mammalian ichnogenus from the Middle Jurassic La Matilde Formation, Santa Cruz province, Argentina
Authors: DE VALAIS SILVINA
Published: July 2019

The ichnological assemblage from the Estancia Laguna Manantiales, from the Middle Jurassic La Matilde Formation, Santa Cruz province, Argentina, is exceptional both in diversity and abundance. It is composed of mammal, dinosaur, invertebrate, and root traces. The most significant and abundant specimens are those assigned to the ichnogenus Ameghinichnus Casamiquela, 1961. This ichnogenus is revised and an emendation of its diagnosis is suggested. The inclusion of all the known specimens to the type ichnospecies, Ameghinichnus patagonicus Casamiquela, 1961, is challenged and some specimens are placed in a new ichnospecies, Ameghinichnus manantialensis isp. nov. Similar tracks from other ichnological localities worldwide were previously referred to Ameghinichnus, but only Eopentapodiscus (Ellenberger, 1970), from South Africa is considered as a junior synonym of Ameghinichnus. The ichnotaxobases used to classify tracks with mammalian affinities at ichnogeneric and ichnospecific levels are evaluated and re-assessed ichnotaxonomic criteria are proposed. Different criteria used to distinguish mammalian imprints from non-mammalian tracks are commented.
Three new genera of oriental Xyleborina (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)
Authors: HULCR JIRI , COGNATO ANTHONY I.
Published: July 2019

We describe three new genera (Ambrosiophilus gen. n., Beaverium gen. n., and Diuncus gen. n.) and diagnose 26 species of ambrosia-feeding scolytines, almost all from the Palaeotropical region. These taxa are ecologically interesting because of their intimate relationship with other xyleborine species. Recognition of these genera is an initial step towards a revision of the large polyphyletic genus, Xyleborus.
Morphology of the antennal sensilla of Rhus gall aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea: Pemphiginae): A comparative analysis of five genera
Authors: YANG ZI-XIANG , CHEN XIAO-MING , FENG YING , CHEN HANG
Published: July 2019

Rhus gall aphids induce sealed galls which are rich in tannic acid and have been widely used for chemical and medicinal purposes. Identification of these aphids at the genus and species levels can be a challenge due to their morphological similarity and unusually complex life cycles. The external morphology of the antennae of 11 taxa was examined by both light and scanning electron microscopy, each antenna comprising a basal scape, a pedicel, and an elongate flagellum of three or four segments covered with secondary sensilla of five morphologically distinct types. Aphids with Rhus chinensis as primary host have five antennal segments; those with R. potaninii and R. punjabensis var. sinica as hosts have six segments. In Schlechtendalia species, each flagellar segment is covered with a large placoid sensillum that is separated by sunken grooves and appears as irregular plates with numerous microtrichia. In Nurudea species, the secondary sensilla look like annular rings, with the surface almost fully covered with microtrichia. Floraphis meitanensis has annular sensilla with smooth surfaces, and each ring is surrounded by longer microtrichia. Meitanaphis and Kaburagia species have a large sheet secondary sensillum occupying half to three-fourths of the area of each flagellar segment. The secondary sensilla of two species of Meitanaphis showed great differences indicating the need for revision of the genus.
Diaphoromyrma, a new myrmicine ant genus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from North Eastern Brazil
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ FERNANDO , DELABIE JACQUES HUBERT CHARLES , NASCIMENTO IVAN CARDOSO DO
Published: July 2019

Diaphoromyrma sofiae, new genus and new species, is a Myrmicinae ant described from workers from the State of Bahia, Brazil. This taxon is characterized by the following traits: Antenna 9-segmented with 2-segmented club, trapezoidal promesonotum in dorsal view, propodeal spiracles situated on the propodeal edges, and the fourth abdominal sternite with a pair of rounded recurved anterolateral extensions which curve up onto the dorsal surface of the segment. Apparently this ant is close to the genera Allomerus and Diplomorium in the Solenopsidini, but its tribal attribution remains difficult because of the inadequate resolution of the phylogenetic relationships within the Myrmicinae.
Nomenclatural notes in Neotropical Acanthocinini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: MONNÉ MIGUEL A. , MACHADO VANESSA S.
Published: July 2019

During the study of the Neotropical Acanthocinini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) a series of papers that describes the diverse cerambycid beetle fauna of the Americas has been produced (e.g. Monné, 1982, 1985, 1998). To help to stabilize the nomenclature for this tribe, we propose several changes concerning the genera Hylettus Bates, 1864 and Nyssodrysternum Gilmour, 1960.
A synthesis of African and western Indian Ocean Island mammal taxa (Class: Mammalia) described between 1988 and 2008: an update to Allen (1939) and Ansell (1989)
Authors: HOFFMANN MICHAEL , GRUBB PETER , GROVES COLIN P. , HUTTERER RAINER , VAN DER STRAETEN ERIK , SIMMONS NANCY , BERGMANS WIM
Published: July 2019

We provide a synthesis of all mammal taxa described from the African mainland, Madagascar and all surrounding islands in the 20 years since 1988, thereby supplementing the earlier works of G.M. Allen (1939) and W.F.H. Ansell (1989), and bringing the list of African mammals described over the last 250 years current to December 2008. We list 175 new extant taxa, including five new genera, one new subgenus, 138 new species and 31 new subspecies, including remarks, where relevant, on the current systematic position of each taxon. Names of seven species of primates are emended, according to the requirements of the ICZN. The taxonomic group in which the largest number of new taxa has been described is the Primates, with two new genera, 47 new species and 11 new subspecies, while geographically the biggest increase in new species descriptions has been on the island of Madagascar, accounting for roughly half (67) of all new species described in the past 20 years. Nearly half of all new species listed currently are assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (49 of 101 listed species) suggesting further research is urgently needed to help clarify the status of those recently described species.
Three new species of Chordodes and new data on hairworms (Nematomorpha) from Ecuador
Authors: DE VILLALOBOS CRISTINA , ZANCA FERNANDA , YANEZ ALVARO BARRAGAN
Published: July 2019

The presently known freshwater Nematomorpha from Ecuador include only three species. Seven species of hairworms are herein firstly recorded from this country, which makes 10 the known species inhabiting Ecuador. Four of them are redescribed and three new species of Chordodes (C. alticuspis, C. ecuatoriensis and C. ruginosus) are described. All species are described using scanning electron microscopy. A list of all species known from Ecuador is also included.
Two new species of Eucyclops Claus (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from the Chihuahuan Desert with a redescription of E. pseudoensifer Dussart
Authors: SUÁREZ-MORALES EDUARDO , WALSH ELIZABETH J.
Published: July 2019

Two new species of the freshwater copepod genus Eucyclops are described from two sites in the Chihuahuan Desert (CHD), which includes parts of northern Mexico and southern United States. Eucyclops cuatrocienegas sp. nov. is distinguished by having a short inner spiniform seta on the fifth leg, relatively short caudal rami, and a partially naked spine of the fourth endopod, among other characters. The finding of E. cuatrocienegas in Cuatro Ciénegas, an area in the CHD that is known for harbouring the highest number of endemic aquatic species in North America, suggests that these habitats could yield other endemic forms. The other new species resembles the Neotropical E. pseudoensifer Dussart, 1984 but differs in having a shorter basipodal spine of the first leg, shorter outer terminal spiniform caudal seta, a different length ratio of inner/outer spines of leg 4 third endopodal segment, and a different pattern of the serra on the caudal rami. Eucyclops pseudoensifer, originally collected from a high altitude lake in the Andean system of western Venezuela, is here redescribed from female and male type specimens. The description of E. chihuahuensis sp. nov. recognizes both the subtle but consistent differences of this population and its environmental isolation in this arid region. The North American records of E. pseudoensifer should be revised in the light of these findings in order to determine the real distributional ranges of these species.
A revision of Physotarsus Townes (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ctenopelmatinae), with description of 18 new species
Authors: ZHAUROVA KIRA , WHARTON ROBERT
Published: July 2019

The species of Physotarsus Townes are revised. Physotarsus is expanded to include 18 new species: P. albus Zhaurova, n. sp. (Brazil), P. claviger Zhaurova, n. sp. (Argentina), P. concavus Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA & Mexico), P. cordatus Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA), P. emarginatus Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA), P. flavipennis Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA), P. foveatus Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA & Mexico), P. gineus Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA), P. glabellus Zhaurova, n. sp. (Brazil), P. jamesi Zhaurova, n. sp. (Dominica), P. leucohypopygus Zhaurova, n. sp. (Brazil), P. luteus Zhaurova, n. sp. (Mexico), P. melipennis Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA), P. melotarsus Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA), P. niveus Zhaurova, n. sp. (Brazil), P. oculatus Zhaurova, n. sp. (Brazil), P. tonicus Zhaurova, n. sp. (USA), and P. truncatus Zhaurova, n. sp (USA). Physotarsus davidi Gauld, 1997 is treated as a junior subjective synonym of P. varicornis (Cameron, 1886) and a lectotype is designated for the latter. Physotarsus fabioi Gauld, 1997 is removed from the Scolobatini and left incertae sedis in the Ctenopelmatinae. A key to all known species of Physotarsus, and redescriptions of all previously described species are also provided. With 25 valid species, Physotarsus is now the largest genus in the Scolobatini.
Cryptochironomus Kieffer from Lake Winnipeg, Canada, with a review of Nearctic species (Diptera: Chironomidae)
Authors: SÆTHER OLE A.
Published: July 2019

Cryptochironomus imitans sp. n. from Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is described in all stages and both sexes. Six additional species of Cryptochironomus Kieffer, 1918 are recorded from Lake Winnipeg. C. stylifera (Johannsen, 1908) is shown to be a senior synonym of C. redekei Kruseman, 1933. The immatures of C. stylifera, C. digitatus (Malloch, 1915), C. ramus Mason, 1985, and C. curryi Mason, 1985, the male of C. ramus and the female of C. curryi are described or redescribed, and additional information given on imagines of C. stylifera, C. digitatus, C. curryi and C. blarina Townes, 1945. The male of a variety of C. ramus is described, and a pupa of C. eminentia Mason, 1985 figured. Keys are given to Nearctic males, pupae and larvae of Cryptochironomus. The distribution of Cryptochironomus in Lake Winnipeg is mapped and discussed. The separation of larval instars is shown approximately to follow Dyar’s rule.
Is Montandoniola moraguesi (Puton, 1896) a mixture of different species? (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)
Authors: PLUOT-SIGWALT DOMINIQUE , STREITO JEAN-CLAUDE , MATOCQ ARMAND
Published: July 2019

The anthocorid Montandoniola moraguesi (Puton), an oligophagous predator of thrips, is widely used as a biological agent. It was introduced in 1964 from the Philippine Islands to control the Cuban laurel thrips (Gynaikothrips ficorum) in Bermuda, and then in Hawaii and other localities. Examination of specimens from various parts of the world, and a study of type specimens, indicate that several species have been confused since the 1960’s under the name Montandoniola moraguesi (Puton, 1896). The present paper brings: (1) a redefinition of M. moraguesi; (2) the restoration and redefinition of two species erroneously synonymized with M. moraguesi: M. thripodes Bergroth, 1916 and M. pictipennis (Esaki, 1931); (3) and the description of a new species, M. confusa sp. nov., from Guadeloupe. Dorsal habitus views and illustrations of the metathoracic scent gland area and male and female genitalia are provided for each species. M. moraguesi seems to be restricted to the Mediterranean region and Africa. M. thripodes and M. pictipennis are known only by their type material described from Hong-Kong and Japan, respectively. M. confusa sp. nov. appears to be a widely distributed species: discovered in Guadeloupe, its presence is confirmed in Hawaii, USA, Bermuda, and Australia. Literature record indicates, apparently, that the species has often been confused with M. moraguesi and it is likely that the species was used – under this name – for biological control in several parts of the world.
Superodontella gladiator, a new species of the family Odontellidae (Collembola: Poduromorpha) from Nepal with extremely elongated mouthparts
Authors: AGOLIN MIKAËL , HOUSSIN CÉLINE , DEHARVENG LOUIS
Published: July 2019

Superodontella gladiator, a new Odontellidae species from Nepal, is described with emphasis on its extremely elongated mouthparts, which are unique in the family.
The status of the nomina Trapelus savignyi Audouin, 1827 and Agama savignii Duméril & Bibron, 1837 and the valid nomen of the Savignys Agama (Sauria: Agamidae)
Authors: WAGNER PHILIPP , CROCHET PIERRE-ANDRÉ
Published: July 2019

Herein we clarify the status of the nomen Trapelus savignyi Audouin, 1827 and Agama savignii Duméril & Bibron, 1837 by the designation of a lectotype of the former and a neotype of the latter species.
Review of the genus Chagasia (Diptera: Culicidae: Anophelinae)
Authors: HARBACH RALPH E. , HOWARD THERESA M.
Published: July 2019

Genus Chagasia Cruz of subfamily Anophelinae (Diptera: Culicidae) is comprised of five species in the Neotropical Region: Ch. ablusa Harbach, n. sp., Ch. bathana (Dyar), Ch. bonneae Root, Ch. fajardi (Lutz) and Ch. rozeboomi Causey, Deane & Deane. The genus is described in detail and diagnoses, keys and illustrations are provided for the identification of the adult, pupal and larval stages of each species. The larval and pupal stages of a Chagasia species (Ch. bonneae) are fully illustrated for the first time. A neotype specimen is designated for Ch. fajardi to fix its identity and distinguish it from Ch. ablusa. The species treatments also include a synonymy (where applicable), a discussion, information on distribution, a synopsis of material examined and a summary of previous literature. The work is considered to be a review rather than a revision of the genus because too few link-reared specimens were available for detailed comparative study of all life stages, and it was not possible to determine the total range of morphological variation and the actual distributions of the species.
Revision of Scirtidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) described by Victor Ivanovitsch Motschulsky
Authors: RUTA RAFAŁ
Published: July 2019

The available type material of Scirtidae described by V. I. Motschulsky was studied. New combinations are proposed for: Hydrocyphon atratus (Cyphon atratus (Motschulsky) comb. nov.), Cyphon affinis (Scirtes affinis (Motschulsky) comb. nov.), and Cyphon ruficollis (Hydrocyphon rufithorax (Gemminger) comb. nov.). Cyphon infuscatus is synonymized with Cyphon flavescens. Cyphon atratus, Cyphon ovalis, Hydrocyphon rufithorax, Cyphon flavescens, Mescirtes gagatinus, Ora nigropunctata, Scirtes axillaris, Scirtes canescens, and Scirtes grandis are redescribed and illustrated; lectotypes and paralectotypes of Cyphon atratus, Scirtes axillaris, and a neotype of Scirtes grandis are designated. Scirtes californicus belongs to Chrysomelidae: Alticinae, and Cyphon pictus to Melyridae: Rhadalinae. The holotype of Scirtes convexiusculus is badly damaged by pests, and reinterpretation of its status is impossible.
A new frog family (Anura: Terrarana) from South America and an expanded direct-developing clade revealed by molecular phylogeny
Authors: HEINICKE MATTHEW P. , DUELLMAN WILLIAM E. , TRUEB LINDA , MEANS D. BRUCE , MacCULLOCH ROSS D. , HEDGES S. BLAIR
Published: July 2019

Three frogs of a new species found in cloud forests on two nearby mountains in Guyana were included in a molecular phylogeny of 17 nuclear and mitochondrial genes (10,739 aligned sites) that revealed that their closest relative is Terrarana (Brachycephalidae, Craugastoridae, Eleutherodactylidae, and Strabomantidae) and their next-closest relative is Hemiphractidae (marsupial frogs). We place these frogs in a new family, genus, and species which is strongly supported as the basal clade within Terrarana: Ceuthomantidae n. fam., Ceuthomantis smaragdinus n. gen, n. sp. Morphological evidence supports the placement of two other species from the Guiana Highlands, Pristimantis aracamuni (BarrioAmorós & Molina) and P. cavernibardus (Myers & Donnelly), in the new family and genus. This close phylogenetic relationship of terraranans and marsupial frogs, nearly all of which have direct development, supports an hypothesis that direct development evolved early in the evolution of this huge clade (~1000 species), for which we propose the unranked taxonomic epithet Orthobatrachia.
A new hermit crab species of the genus Catapagurus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Paguridae) from the Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , OSAWA MASAYUKI
Published: July 2019

A new species of the pagurid hermit crab genus Catapagurus A. Milne-Edwards, 1880, C. insolitus, is described and illustrated based on specimens from shallow waters in Okinawa Island, the Ryukyus. It belongs to an informal species group characterized by the possession of blade-shaped ambulatory dactyli, and is morphologically most similar to C. kosugei (Asakura, 2001). However, the new species is unique within the genus in having a multispinose antennal acicle, rarely seen in species of the family Paguridae.
Comparative morphology and species-groups of the oribatid mite genus Scapheremaeus (Acari: Oribatida: Cymbaeremaeidae), with new species from South Australia
Authors: COLLOFF MATTHEW J.
Published: July 2019

The morphology of the genus Scapheremaeus Berlese, 1910 is reviewed and characters of taxonomic utility delineated. Based on the morphological review, some 13 species-groups are outlined based on major morphotypes. There are two main categories: i) species that have a complete circumdorsal scissure with plicate microsculpture on the circumnotogastral plate and strongly contrasting microsculpture (foveolae, ridges or tubercles) on the centrodorsal plate (plicate species-groups), and ii) species with the circumdorsal scissure complete, incomplete or absent but with little or no contrast in microsculpture between the central and lateral regions: typically both regions foveolate or reticulate (non- plicate species-groups). A catalogue of world species of Scapheremaeus is provided. Scapheremaeus petrophagus (Banks, 1906) is not a Scapheremaeus but belongs to an undetermined genus in the Ameronothroidea. Cymbaeremaeus cyclops Oudemans, 1915 is recombined to Scapheremaeus. Five new species are described (S. angusi sp. nov., S. cheloniella sp. nov., S. ewani sp. nov., S. lambieae sp. nov., and S. pulleni sp. nov.) from soil and litter habitats in semi-arid Mallee eucalypt vegetation at Bookmark Biosphere Reserve, South Australia. These are the first members of the genus Scapheremaeus to be described from Australia, though undescribed species have been recorded previously. All the new species are morphologically closely-related and belong to a single species-group: Carinatus.
New species of water mites from the Comoros (Acari: Hydrachnidia)
Authors: SMIT HARRY , PESIC VLADIMIR , MARY-SASAL NATHALIE
Published: July 2019

Three new species are described from the Comoros, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean: Teratothyasides scutulatus Smit & Pesic n. sp., Platymamersopsis comoros Smit & Pesic n. sp. and Atractides comorosensis Smit & Pesic n. sp. One species is reported new for the fauna of the Comoros, i.e. Monatractides ventriosa (K. Viets, 1916).
On the status of the tribes Orthognathini and Rhinostomini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae)
Authors: MORRONE JUAN J. , CUEVAS PERLA I.
Published: July 2019

A cladistic analysis is performed of the four genera of the tribe Orthognathini of the curculionid subfamily Dryophthorinae, specifically to assess whether the tribe constitutes a monophyletic group or whether the genus Rhinostomus falls outside it into a separate tribe, as advocated in some classification systems. The analysis based on 27 morphological characters revealed that Orthognathini is indeed a monophyletic group, with the phylogenetic sequence Rhinostomus (= Yuccaborus), Sipalinus, Mesocordylus and Orthognathus. The basal position of Rhinostomus with respect to the other genera may warrant recognition of a separate subtribe, Rhinostomina, for it. Taxonomic synopses of the tribe and subtribes and a key to the genera are provided.
Zethus (Zethus) pilosus Zavattari, 1912 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from Southern Brazil: description of the female, the male genitalia, its nest and notes on biology
Authors: LOPES ROGÉRIO BOTION , BROZOSKI FRANCIELE , BUSCHINI MARIA LUISA TUNES
Published: July 2019

Zethus is the largest vespid genus and, despite being very diverse in the Neotropical region, little is known about its biology and many species are known from only one sex. Zethini are centered in one of the controversies involving Vespidae phylogeny; increased knowledge of terminals will allow for more precise analyses, because some phylogenetically informative characters are observed in only one sex and others can be extracted from nests. With this in mind, complementary knowledge on Zethus pilosus is presented: the description of the female, of the male genitalia, of the nest and notes in its biology. Additional key features in the pronotum for identification of this species are provided. Nests were founded between December and April, presenting construction of partitions out of a combination of mud, sand, vegetable matter and insect parts. Development from egg to adult lasted an average of 39 days.
Synonymies and seven new species in Lamiinae from the Neotropical Region (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: BEZARK LARRY G. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: July 2019

Apyratuca Galileo & Martins, 2006 is synonymized with Rosalba Thomson, 1864, and three new species are described: Rosalba contracta, from Ecuador; R. venusta, from Ecuador; and R. skelleyi, from Bolivia. Tethystola alboangulata sp. nov. is described from Trinidad and Tobago, and Blabicentrus similis sp. nov. is described from Panama. Blabicentrus bellus (Galileo & Martins, 2004) is recorded from Panama. The genus Pygmaeopsis Schaeffer, 1908, is transferred to Desmiphorini and Pygmaeopsis apicalis sp. nov. is described from Mexico. Pseudestola maculata sp. nov. is described from Costa Rica and Panama. Desmiphora cucullata Thomson, 1868, is considered a synonym of Desmiphora cirrosa Erichson, 1847.
Four new species of the genus Draconarius Ovtchinnikov, 1999 (Araneae, Agelenidae) from the Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: LI BING , ZHAO ZHE , CHEN HAIFENG , WU ZHIYAN , LI SHUQIANG
Published: July 2019

Four new species of Draconarius Ovtchinnikov, 1999 (Araneae, Agelenidae) from the Tibetan Plateau, China are described: Draconarius baibaensis sp. n. (♀), Draconarius budanlaensis sp. n. (♀), Draconarius yigongensis sp. n. (♂♀), and Draconarius yingbinensis sp. n. (♀). The male of Draconarius linzhiensis (Hu, 2001) is described for the first time and the female re-illustrated. All species belong to the Draconarius venustus-group. The examined specimens are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS) in Beijing.
Role of Sea Surface Temperatures in Forcing Circulation Anomalies Driving U.S. Great Plains Pluvial Years
Authors: Flanagan Paul X. , Basara Jeffrey B. , Furtado Jason C. , Martin Elinor R. , Xiao Xiangming
Published: July 2019

In the U.S. Great Plains (GP), diagnosing precipitation variability is key in developing an understanding of the present and future availability of water in the region. Building on previous work investigating U.S. GP pluvial years, this study uses ERA twentieth century (ERA-20C) reanalysis data to investigate key circulation anomalies driving GP precipitation anomalies during a subset of GP pluvial years (called in this paper Pattern pluvial years). With previous research showing links between tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and GP climate variability, this study diagnoses the key circulation anomalies through an analysis of SSTs and their influence on the atmosphere. Results show that during Pattern southern Great Plains (SGP) pluvial years, central tropical Pacific SST anomalies are coincident with key atmospheric anomalies across the Pacific basin and North America. During northern Great Plains (NGP) Pattern pluvial years, no specific pattern of oceanic anomalies emerges that forces the circulation anomaly feature inherent in specific NGP pluvial years. Utilizing the results for SGP pluvial years, a conceptual model is developed detailing the identified pathway for the occurrence of circulation patterns that are favorable for pluvial years over the SGP. Overall, results from this study show the importance of the identified SGP atmospheric anomaly signal and the potential for predictability of such events.
Improvements to the Assimilation of Doppler Radial Winds for Convection-Permitting Forecasts of a Heavy Rain Event
Authors: Lippi Donald E. , Carley Jacob R. , Kleist Daryl T.
Published: July 2019

This work describes developments to improve the Doppler radial wind data assimilation scheme used in the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) data assimilation system with a focus on convection-permitting, 0–18-h forecasts of a heavy precipitation single case study. This work focuses on two aspects: 1) the extension of the radial wind observation operator to include vertical velocity and 2) a refinement of the radial wind super-observation processing. The refinement includes reducing the magnitude of observation smoothing and allowing observations from higher scan angles into the analysis with the intent to improve the assimilation of the radar data for operational, convection-permitting models. The results of this study demonstrate that there is sensitivity to the refinement in super-observation settings. The inclusion of vertical velocity in the observation operator is shown to have a neutral to slightly positive impact on the forecast. Results from this study are suggested to be used as a foundation to prioritize future research into the effective assimilation of radial winds in an operational setting.
Challenges to inform the curricula of Master of Public Administration programmes
Authors: Wessels Jacobus S
Published: July 2019

The emerging complex challenges confronting public administration (PA) leaders are used as reasons for rethinking the quality of PA education throughout the world. However, it is not clear what PA scholars mean when they use the word ‘challenge’ when rethinking the curricula of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) programmes globally. The questions this study set to answer were: what are the defining characteristics of the concept corresponding to those objects referred to as ‘challenges’ for MPA graduates to meet, and what are their implications for MPA curriculum standards? In an effort to answer these questions, a concept analysis of the concept ‘challenge’ within the context of PA and MPA curricula was done. For this purpose, three scholarly journals, as well as three operational documents, were purposefully selected for qualitative content analysis. The concept analysis showed that ‘challenge’ within the context of the MPA curriculum is characterised by being a PA task, its wickedness, and the required capabilities for public sector managers to undertake that task. The study found that due to the inherent wickedness of challenges, MPA curricula have to instil a capability in graduates for independent and autonomous thinking amidst a diversity of perspectives and settings.
Electronic government adoption in voluntary environments – a case study of Zimbabwe
Authors: Munyoka Willard
Published: July 2019

Many governmental organisations across the world are progressively implementing electronic government systems to enhance their back-office operations and offer better and efficient services to citizens. Zimbabwe is not an exception to this e-government wave. Previous studies note that the acceptance and utilisation of e-government systems by citizens in Zimbabwe remains suboptimal, sluggish and problematic due to several factors. This study sought to establish the effect of seven predictor variables on citizens’ behavioural intentions to use e-government systems in Zimbabwe. Drawing from the extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2), extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2), Framework for National and Donor Action, and e-Government Trust model as theoretical underpinnings, this study proposed a conceptual framework to predict citizens’ behavioural intentions on e-government. Survey data for testing the conceptual framework were collected from 247 respondents in Zimbabwe using structured questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis using IBM AMOS structural equation modelling method was conducted to establish the structural model fit of the proposed model. Findings of this study establish that eight of the hypothesised constructs explain 89% of the discrepancies of behavioural intention to demonstrate good predictive power of the proposed model in voluntary environments. Thus, level of education, facilitating conditions, e-government awareness, price value; privacy, security and trust; political self-efficacy and influence were all confirmed as salient predictors of e-government adoption. These findings provide invaluable insights and pointers to practitioners and policy-makers on e-government implementation and may guide further research on e-government adoption in voluntary environments.
Novel Method of Atrial Fibrillation Case Identification and Burden Estimation Using the MIMIC-III Electronic Health Data Set
Authors: Ding Eric Y. , Albuquerque Daniella , Winter Michael , Binici Sophia , Piche Jaclyn , Bashar Syed Khairul , Chon Ki , Walkey Allan J. , McManus David D.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) portends poor prognoses in intensive care unit patients with sepsis. However, AF research is challenging: Previous studies demonstrate that International Classification of Disease ( ICD) codes may underestimate the incidence of AF, but chart review is expensive and often not feasible. We aim to examine the accuracy of nurse-charted AF and its temporal precision in critical care patients with sepsis.

Methods:

Patients with sepsis with continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms were identified from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III) database, a de-identified, single-center intensive care unit electronic health record (EHR) source. We selected a random sample of ECGs of 6 to 50 hours’ duration for manual review. Nurse-charted AF occurrence and onset time and ICD-9-coded AF were compared to gold-standard ECG adjudication by a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist blinded to AF status. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables in patients diagnosed with AF by nurse charting, ICD-9 code, or both.

Results:

From 142 ECG waveforms (58 AF and 84 sinus rhythm), nurse charting identified AF events with 93% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87%-100%) and 87% specificity (95% CI: 80%-94%) compared to the gold standard manual ECG review. Furthermore, nurse-charted AF onset time was within 1 hour of expert reader onset time for 85% of the reviewed tracings. The ICD-9 codes were 97% sensitive (95% CI: 88-100%) and 82% specific (95% CI: 74-90%) for incident AF during admission but unable to identify AF time of onset.

Conclusion:

Nurse documentation of AF in EHR is accurate and has high precision for determining AF onset to within 1 hour. Our study suggests that nurse-charted AF in the EHR represents a potentially novel method for AF case identification, timing, and burden estimation.
A dynamic model for human thermal comfort for smart building applications
Authors: Merabet Ghezlane Halhoul , Essaaidi Mohamed , Benhaddou Driss
Published: July 2019

Thermal comfort is closely related to the evaluation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. It can be seen as the result of the perception of the occupants of a given environment, and it is the product of the interaction of a number of personal and environmental factors. Otherwise, comfort issues still do not play an important role in the daily operation of commercial buildings. However, in the workplace, local quality effects, in addition to the health, the productivity that has a significant impact on the performance of the activities. In this regard, researchers have conducted, for decades, investigations related to thermal comfort and indoor environments, which includes developing models and indices through experimentations to establish standards to evaluate comfort and factors and set-up parameters for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. However, to our best knowledge, most of the research work reported in the literature deals only with parameters that are not dynamically tracked. This work aims to propose a prototype for comfort measuring through a wireless sensor network and then presenting a model for thermal comfort prediction. The developed model can be used to set up a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to meet the expected comfort level. In particular, the obtained results show that there is a strong correlation between users’ comfort and variables such as age, gender, and body mass index as a function of height and weight.