bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The adults and nymphs of Asthenopus angelae new species (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarcyidae) from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia
Authors: DE-SOUZA MARCIA REGINA , MOLINERI CARLOS
Published: April 2019

Asthenopus angelae sp. nov. is described based on male and female imagos and associated nymphs from Argentina,Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia. The new species described is similar to A. curtus (Hagen). The nymphal and adult femalestages are indistinguishable from those of that species. The male adults can be separated from its congeners by thefollowing characters: penes tubular, with well developed median basal protrusion, curved ventro-medially, with apexacutely projected, furrow separating penial lobe from median basal protrusion reduced or absent; forceps relativelyslender; forelegs of male 0.6–0.7 × the length of the forewing; fore tarsal claws slightly widening distally; fore wings with 5–11 marginal intercalary veins relatively short.
Two new species of Coecobrya (Collembola: Entomobryidae: Entomobryinae) from China, with a key to the Chinese species of the genus
Authors: XU GUO-LIANG , YU DAO-YUAN , ZHANG FENG
Published: April 2019

Two new species of the genus Coecobrya are described. Both species, belonging to tenebricosa-group, present smoothchaetae on manubrium and base of dens, three sutural cephalic chaetae, labial formula MREL 1 L 2 , spiny microchaetae Xand X 4 posterior to labium, large outer tooth on unguiculus, 3 inner ungual teeth, S-chaetotaxy formula 32/222–3, and 4+4central macrochaetae on Abd. IV. C. brevis sp. nov. is similar to C. tibiotarsalis, and differs from the latter by Abd. IVchaetotaxy and ventral tube. C. pani sp. nov. is similar to C. borerae but can be separated by the latter in chaetotaxy of Abd. III and IV. A key to the Chinese Coecobrya species is provided.
Phylogeny and an integrated biogeography of Acanthotetilla Burton, 1959 (Demospongiae: Spirophorida: Tetillidae): two-way traffic on the peri-African track
Authors: FERNANDEZ JULIO C. C. , PEIXINHO SOLANGE , HAJDU EDUARDO
Published: April 2019

The recent description of Indonesian and Brazilian species of Acanthotetilla motivated the onset of a phylogenic andbiogeographic revision of this taxon, to figure whether it had an Atlantic or an Indo-Pacific origin, and whether a Tethyanor southern African route might have been followed. A datamatrix with 27 morphological characters and 63 characterstates was tabulated and run on PAUP*4.0 using a parsimony algorithm. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis wasconverted in a Taxon Area Cladogram (TAC) and used as a basis for a comparative analysis of the evolutionary history ofthe comprised biogeographic provinces, which in turn was contrasted to additional poriferan phylogenies. TheAcanthotetilla TAC was further used in a dispersal-vicariance analysis with the software DIVA 1.1, and in a manualpanbiogeographic analysis. The resulting preferred tree has a high Bootstrap support, as a consequence of the largest everratio of morphological character states employed per OTU among published poriferan phylogenies. The result showsCentral Indo-Pacific provinces basal to the whole clade, then Western Indo-Pacific provinces basal to the Tropical WesternAtlantic ones, thus unequivocally suggesting colonization of the latter from the former, and likely following a southernAfrican route. It is suggested here that this might have been accomplished through rafting on rings of the Agulhas Current.The dispersal – vicariance analysis undertaken postulated a recent dispersal event with recolonization of the Seychellesfrom the western Atlantic. The panbiogeographic map for Acanthotetilla also points to Western Indo-Pacific origin ofTropical Western Atlantic species. A comparison with 10 additional sponge phylogenies did not recover any prevailingtrends for the relationships of the major areas utilized in the present analyses, but identified two taxa with likely CentralIndo-Pacific origins (Thrinacophora, Placospongia), and one with a Western Indo-Pacific origin of Tropical WesternAtlantic clades (Petromica). The integrated biogeographic approach to the analysis of Acanthotetilla data permitted distinct interpretations, which might have been overlooked in case a single method was chosen a priori.
Two new species of Emmallodera Blanchard, 1842 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from western Argentina
Authors: SILVESTRO VIOLETA A. , FLORES GUSTAVO E.
Published: April 2019

Two new species of the genus Emmallodera Blanchard (Tenebrioninae: Scotobiini) from western Argentina are described,Emmallodera rugosa sp. nov. from the Patagonian steppe and Emmallodera telteca sp. nov. from lowlands in the Men-doza province. Distributional data, habitat records, and photographs of habitus and pronota for these two new species are included, with comparisons to other known species of the genus.
Two new Gordionus species (Nematomorpha: Gordiida) from the southern Rocky Mountains (USA)
Authors: BEGAY ALYSSA C. , SCHMIDT-RHAESA ANDREAS , BOLEK MATTHEW G. , HANELT BEN
Published: April 2019

The phylum Nematomorpha contains approximately 350 species in 19 extant genera. The genus Gordionus contains 56species, four of which occur in the contiguous United States of America. Here we describe two new Gordionus speciesfrom the southern Rocky Mountains. Worms were collected at three sites in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern NewMexico in the southernmost tip of the Rocky Mountains. Sites consisted of first order streams above 3120m in aspen/pinewoodland. Gordionus lokaaus n. sp. has flat, polygonal or roundish, areoles covering all parts of the body. The male cloa-cal opening is surrounded by broad bristles with stout apexes forming a unique tube-like opening. Adhesive warts aresmall and postcloacal spines are thin and triangular-shaped. Gordionus bilaus n. sp. also has flat polygonal or roundshaped areoles, but has indistinct interareolar furrows making neighboring areoles appear fused. The male cloacal openingis surrounded by stout, finger-like bristles in 2‒3 rows. Adhesive warts are larger and postcloacal spines are broad andmound-shaped. These species double the number known from the state of New Mexico and are the first gordiids described from the southern part of the Rocky Mountains.
Phylogeography, geographic variation, and taxonomy of the Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus Taylor, 1962 from Peninsular Malaysia with the description of a new swamp dwelling species
Authors: JOHNSON CHELSÉA B. , S. H. EVAN QUAH , ANUAR SHAHRUL , MUIN M. A. , WOOD, JR. PERRY L. , GRISMER JESSE L. , GREER LEE F. , ONN CHAN KIN , AHMAD NORHAYATI , BAUER AARON M. , GRISMER L. LEE
Published: April 2019

A review of the taxonomic status of the Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus quadrivirgatus Taylor, 1962 based on a molecularphylogeny, scalation, and color pattern analyses indicate that it is composed of a single, recently expanding, widespreadpopulation with weakly supported phylogeographic substructuring with no discrete morphological differentiation betweenpopulations. However, based on sampling, significant mean differences in selected scale counts occur between some pop-ulations. The molecular phylogeny and morphological analysis strongly indicate lineage independence between a subsetof individuals from the Bukit Panchor, Penang population and their closest relative C. pantiensis Grismer, Chan, Grismer,Wood & Belabut, 2008 from southern Peninsular Malaysia. Furthermore, the analyses indicate that the individuals of thissubset are conspecific and not part of C. quadrivirgatus as previously suggested. Additionally, this subset is morphologi-cally distinct from all other Sundaland species of Cyrtodactylus, and as such is described herein as Cyrtodactylus payacola sp. nov.
Distribution records of Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Muscidae) from the Caucasus Mountains, with the descriptions of three new species
Authors: PONT ADRIAN C.
Published: April 2019

Previous literature on the genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 in the Caucasus Mountains is reviewed, and records aregiven for 17 species from Armenia and Georgia, of which nine are new records for Armenia and eight are new records forGeorgia. In addition, three new species are described: Helina edita sp. nov. (Georgia, Turkey, Russia), Helina karina sp. nov. (Armenia) and Helina marisha sp. nov. (Armenia).
Three new species of Grylloblatta Walker (Insecta: Grylloblattodea: Grylloblattidae), from southern Oregon and northern California
Authors: SCHOVILLE SEAN D.
Published: April 2019

Grylloblatta oregonensis new species, Grylloblatta siskiyouensis new species, and Grylloblatta marmoreus new speciesare described from the Klamath Mountains region of Oregon and California, U.S.A. Two species were found at OregonCaves National Monument, with G. oregonensis inhabiting the dark zone of caves and G. siskiyouensis inhabiting surfacehabitat and the twilight zone of caves. The third species, G. marmoreus, is known from Big Foot Cave and Planetary DairyCave, Marble Mountains, California. These three species are recognized on the basis of morphological characters anddistinguished from nearby Grylloblatta species. Analysis of genetic data from the cytochrome oxidase subunit II genesupports the morphological diagnosis of these three species as unique lineages and confirms their genetic divergence from other ice-crawler populations found in Oregon and California.
A remarkable new species of flesh-fly mimicking weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Conoderinae) from Southeastern Brazil
Authors: VANIN SERGIO A. , GUERRA TADEU J.
Published: April 2019

Timorus sarcophagoides, new species (type-locality: Brazil, Minas Gerais, Santana do Riacho - Serra do Cipó, 43o35'W 19o17'S, 1200–1300m ASL), is described and illustrated. The new species can be distinguished mainly from the other species of the genus by the sexual dimorphism of the male rostrum armed with a hooked tubercle at the base of the dorsal carina, while the tubercle is absent in the female and the corresponding region of the carina is only tumid. The new species has a striking pattern of coloration and behavior that mimics flesh-flies in the family Sarcophagidae. Observations on the natural history of the new species are reported and discussed.
A checklist of the Coleoptera (Insecta) from Morelos, Mexico
Authors: ZARAGOZA-CABALLERO SANTIAGO , RODRÍGUEZ-MIRÓN GEOVANNI M. , VEGA-BADILLO VIRIDIANA , GONZÁLEZ-RAMÍREZ MIREYA , ZURITA-GARCÍA MARTÍN L. , DOMÍNGUEZ-LEÓN DANIEL E. , LÓPEZ-PÉREZ SARA , GUTIÉRREZ-CARRANZA ISHWARI G. , CIFUENTES-RUIZ PAULINA , PÉREZ-HERNÁNDEZ CISTEIL X. , DEL VALLE ENYA RAMÍREZ , GUTIÉRREZ NAYELI
Published: April 2019

Data from the literature and from specimens preserved at the Colección Nacional de Insectos (CNIN) Instituto de Biología, UNAM were used to compile a checklist of the fauna of Coleoptera of the state of Morelos, México. A sum of 70 families, 167 subfamilies, 361 tribes, 1,022 genera, and 2,606 species are recorded; from this 24 species are new records for Morelos. The State of Morelos ranks fourth in Coleoptera species richness for Mexico, following Veracruz (3,176 spp.), Oaxaca (2,148 spp.) and Chiapas (1,734 spp.). The checklist presented here provides a summary that can serve as a basis for future progress in the knowledge of Mexican Coleoptera.
Performance Analysis of Multilevel Inverter with Reduced Number of Switches
Authors: Karthikeyan S. , Lakshmi K. , Sivaranjani S. , Karthika J. , Nandhakumar T.
Published: April 2019

Multilevel inverters are mainly used in high power and medium voltage applications to reduce the required voltage rating of the power semiconductor switching devices. Nowadays multilevel inverters are also preferred for various applications regardless of the power ratings because they
can essentially realize lower harmonics with lower switching frequency and lower electromagnetic interference (EMI). However, it has some disadvantages such as increased number of components, complex Pulse Width Modulation control method, and voltage balancing problem. In this paper a new
topology of cascaded multilevel inverter using reduced number of switches is introduced resulting in higher output voltage levels. There era five series connected H-bridges and the DC voltage is given in the ratio n0: n: n3:2n2:10n. The output voltage having 123 levels is obtained (61 positive
voltage levels, 61 negative voltage levels and zero voltage levels). Reduced Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) makes them useful for electric vehicle, FACTS and has given option for various power applications. The proposed topology results in reduction of cost and has simplicity of control system.
Therefore, the overall cost and complexity are greatly reduced particularly for higher output voltage levels.
Parallelization of Jump Flood-Cut Method in Shared Memory Multicore Systems
Authors: Sajan Priya P. , Kumar S. S.
Published: April 2019

Graph cut approach has evidenced to be trenchant strategy for the segmentation of digital images. Primary restraint of existing graph cut method is that of acute arithmetic calculation which use up tremendous processing time to carry into action. This paper aims on parallelizing jump
flooding technique and push re-label scheme with NSP and BFS methodology on shared memory multicore system using OpenMP compiler directives. OpenMP API includes a rich set of library routines and environment variables which enables the parallelization of JF-Cut method within a framework where
parallelism is achieved by sharing a single common memory among multiple co-processors. OpenMP remains live area of interest for research in segmentation of digital images as it accelerates computational speed of complex scientific applications like image segmentation using multicore architecture
in shared memory mode.
Gwet Kappa Reliability Factor-Based Selfish Node Detection Technique for Ensuring Reliable Data Delivery in Mobile Adhoc NETworks
Authors: Karthikayen A. , Raja Selvakumar S.
Published: April 2019

The degree of packet dissemination among the mobile nodes of the network depends on the reliability of each individual mobile node attributed towards the benefits of the other interacting nodes in forwarding activity. However, the selfish intent of selfish nodes in the network reduces
the performance in terms of packet forwarding rate. Thus, the influence of selfish intent in the network need to be minimized to the maximum level by introducing a predominant isolation process. In this paper, a Gwet Kappa Reliability Factor-based Selfish Node Detection Technique (GKRF-SNDT)
scheme is proposed for superior detection of selfish nodes in the network. This proposed GKRF-SNDT scheme inherently derives the advantages of Gwet Kappa Reliability Factor for quantifying the degree of trust possessed by each mobile nodes interacting in the network. The experimental investigations
of the proposed GKRF-SNDT scheme confirmed a superior throughput rate of 18% with reduced energy consumptions of 21% compared to the existing selfish intent isolation approaches.
Pattern Based Matrix Insertion Deletion System for Efficient Bio Molecular Computing System
Authors: Kotteeswaran C. , Khanaa V. , Rajesh A.
Published: April 2019

The problem of bio molecular computing has been well studied and there are number of approaches discussed for the detection of false gene sequences. However, they suffer to achieve higher performance in the detection of false sequences. To improve the performance of detection of fake
molecular patterns, an pattern based approach is discussed in this paper. As of the biomolecular strings a set of patterns, the method first identifies the list of sequences available and based on the set of patterns being maintained, the method identifies the list of patterns present in the
gene sequence. Based on the sequences, the method identifies the incomplete and fake sequences and performs insertion and deletion using matrix operations. The method maintains number of patterns for the matrix insertion and deletion operation. For each pattern available, the method compute
the bio molecular sequence weight. Finally a single sequence has been selected and based on the selected pattern, the method performs insertion and deletion operation. The proposed method produces efficient results on the detection as well as correction.
Recent Advancements in Automation to Enhance Vehicle Technology for Human Centred Interactions
Authors: Kumar S. Satheesh S. , Iqbal Mazher J. L. , Sujin J. S. , Sowmya R. , Kumar Selva D.
Published: April 2019

Human vehicle interactions found massive development in the automobile industry for designing new generation vehicles to ensure safe and secure travel. This article focused on the review of evolution of Human Machine Interactions (HMI) in different stages of evolution from late 2000
to present day. This paper aimed to investigate development of interactive braking systems, role of multimodal actions in system recognition, necessity of cognitive vehicle interactions and automatic steering control. The studies have been taken with satisfying parameters which could be considered
as performance metric for accomplishing the expected goals and responsibilities of human-centered automation. Automatic brake systems and voice based control are some of the mile stones in the development path but still real time factors like societal, legal and human behaviors are required
to be addressed in order to overcome the hurdles before such systems are truly to be introduced on roads. In general, usage of guidance systems will improve the driver performance and some longitudinal research needed to investigate the effects of support systems for the attainment of technical
feasibility, in near future.
Processing of Images and Videos for Extracting Text Information from Clustered Features Using Graph Wavelet Transform
Authors: Livingston Merlin L. M. , Livingston Agnel L. G. X.
Published: April 2019

Image processing is an interesting domain for extracting knowledge from real time video and images for surveillance, automation, robotics, medical and entertainment industries. The data obtained from videos and images are continuous and hold a primary role in semantic based video analysis,
retrieval and indexing. When images and videos are obtained from natural and random sources, they need to be processed for identifying text, tracking, binarization and recognising meaningful information for succeeding actions. This proposal defines a solution with assistance of Spectral Graph
Wave Transform (SGWT) technique for localizing and extracting text information from images and videos. K Means clustering technique precedes the SGWT process to group features in an image from a quantifying Hill Climbing algorithm. Precision, Sensitivity, Specificity and Accuracy are
the four parameters which declares the efficiency of proposed technique. Experimentation is done from training sets from ICDAR and YVT for videos.
Median Filtering for Removal of Maximum Impulse Noise from Images with a Decision Based Model
Authors: Kalaimani G. , Manojkumar K. , Kumar Sathish S.
Published: April 2019

Filtering the unwanted parameters will guarantee the quality of images for further operations. Sensors and other devices used to capture the images may be subjected to situations where it might not function as programmed. The medium in which the images are transformed may also face
the same difficulties. In such cases, salt and pepper noise should be removed before the images are taken into considerations. Otherwise, processes like edge detection, image segmentation and object recognition will be facing hurdles and may not reveal the desired output. This proposal intends
to solve such an issue by using an algorithm for median filtering for using filters with medians on highly affected images. The previous techniques used for filtering out noise are Standard Median Filtering (SMF), Adaptive Median Filtering (AMF) and they have shown relatively lesser performance
than the proposed approach. Implementation includes a FPGA set up and strives to remove impulse noise to a great extent consuming lesser computation time. The quality of output's visual and quantitative metrics has outperformed the discussed previous models.
A Novel and Enhanced Distributed Clustering Methodology for Large Scale Wireless Sensor Network Fields
Authors: Al-Asadi Hamid Ali Abed
Published: April 2019

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is a grid of sensors possessing processor unit and trivial memory unit implanted on them. Trustworthy packet forwarding from nodes to sink seems to be the most substantial purpose of this sensor network. The customary routing algorithms could not be employed
at this juncture since the sensor battery power is limited. To provide energy proficiency, sensors are normally grouped as non-overlapping groups. This research work provides a transitory summary on clustering procedures in sensor networks. An energy-efficient distributed clustering approach
for impenetrable sensor networks, the Weight based clustering Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (WC-LEACH) is proposed and the outcomes are assessed in contradiction with the prevailing Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) and Hybrid Energy Efficient Distributed Clustering
(HEED) methodologies. Simulation results obviously display an exceptional enhancement in packet delivery ratio, reduced packet loss, reduced energy consumption, increased throughput and increased lifetime for WSNs.
Analysis of Safety Communication in a Highway Environment
Authors: Venkatesan M. , Raja Selvakumar S.
Published: April 2019

This paper proposes an idea to develop security applications in vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) need upon propagation the security based messages. A self-arranging MAC protocol is proposed for high-collisions situations. The protocol permits vehicles to sort with others in a collision
warning way before information transmission. Vehicles in the waiting line will get to the channel by time-division multiple accesses (TDMA) based channel access. A queue determine the accessing the channels on queue based channel access to on one node access from all nodes. Distinction with
completely random access, the slot of queue select access the channel needs on completion time of selfsorting operation. In this paper queue achieve self sorting process mainly determined identify and avoid the collisions with another list areas during they self sorting operations. This simulation
results output main purpose for highways securities show the proposed methodologies can considerable decrease the packet loss and delay in collision warning system in highway collisions situations.
A Novel Adaptive Pixel Retaining Approach for Robust Watermarking Using Histogram Intersection Technique
Authors: Devi D. , Kalaivani N. , Anandhi J.
Published: April 2019

Imperceptibility criterion as, the host image is intellectual property that the owners want to protect. It should be visually the increased usage of digitized data for communication leads to the high demand in the copyright protection of the data. This proposed watermarking technique
helps to highly improve the capacity of embedding watermark without affecting the imperceptibility and robustness. The approach couples the idea of building analysis rule in generating the watermark, thereby increasing the capacity of embedding watermark. The approach is additionally guided
with Histogram Intersection technique to improve the confidentiality of watermark. The APRA (Adaptive Pixel Retaining Approach) Algorithm helps to improve the imperceptibility of the extracted watermark. Watermark is embedded in host image by Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). The APRA Algorithm
helps to rebuild the extracted watermark in such a way that it remains close to the original watermark. With the available dataset, the experiments are performed and obtained results shows that the proposed watermarking technique yields watermarked images with high imperceptibility and robustness
to common attacks.
Behaviour of Threaded Cylinder Tool in the Friction Stir Welding of Al–ZrB2 Composite
Authors: Jayaseelan P. , Christy T. V. , Rubesh Prabhu G. , Srinivasan R.
Published: April 2019

Friction Stir welding is a solid state joining process with no filler material. In this work, we specifically investigated the Tool Pin Profile, Tool Material, Base Material and the process parameters in the Aluminum metal matrix composites especially reinforced with Zirconium diboride
(Al–ZrB2 . Tools of Various Materials and the corresponding tensile strength of the weld specimen, microstructure analysis and Hardness test are evaluated. Threaded Cylinder made of various materials are OHNS, HCHCr, H13 tools are carried out in the process with D/d Ratio
are used. The result will be stated with the Threaded Cylinder pin with which tool material provides highest strength to the Bas material.
Data Science: Reducing Environmental Complexities
Authors: Chaitanya Krishna P. , Rao Nagabhushana M.
Published: April 2019

Data Science has been developed as an impressive new scientific field, related disputes and considerations have pursued to address why science in general needs data science. However, few such arguments concern the intrinsic complexities and intelligence in data science. As data science
pay attention to efficient understanding of complex data and business related problems. The primary objective of data science is exploration of the complexities. Among these complexities, Environmental complexities are an important factor. By using algorithms, these complexities can be reduced.
A Survey on Load Balancing Algorithms for Cloud Environment
Authors: Chitra P. , Renuka Karthika D. , Senathipathi K. , Deepika S. , Geethamani R.
Published: April 2019

Cloud computing is the cutting edge technology in the information field to provide services to the users over the internet through web–based tools and applications. One of the major aspects of cloud computing is load balancing. Challenges like Quality of service (QoS) metrics
and resource utilization can be improved by balancing the load in cloud environment. Specific scheduling criteria can be applied using load balancing for users prioritization. This paper surveys different load balancing algorithms. The approaches that are existing are discussed and analyzed
to provide fair load balancing and also a comparative analysis was presented for the performance of the existing different load balancing schemes.
Improving the Efficiency and Performance of Remote Application Monitoring System by PROXMOX Virtual Environment
Authors: Jothikumar R. , Susi S. , Subramaniam Kumar , Shanmugam Siva G.
Published: April 2019

Virtualization is used to set of connections and configure various operating systems on a single host at the same time. Now-a-days many technologies prefer Open source platform for virtualized infrastructure because it provides an enormous space to the user to implement their own module.
In this paper, we used piece based virtual machine (KVM) is the main open source finish virtualization arrangement on x86 equipment and it underpins all major working framework including Linux and windows.
Decision Support System Assisted E-Recruiting System
Authors: Alqahtani Abdullah , Alhaidari Fahd Abdulsalam , Atta-ur-Rahman  , Mahmud Maqsood , Sultan Kiran
Published: April 2019

Individuals play a significant role to enhance and accelerate the performance of the organizations and hiring right employees, is indeed a challenging task. It is because many people show interest in the single job opening. HR in large organizations, recruits and explores such people
by following proper recruitment process. This recruitment process has been proven to be lengthy, tidy and costly because of a substantial number of applicants. Recruitment of suitable individuals becomes more difficult for smaller organizations as they do not have HR department. Automation
can improve the process though. By doing this, the process becomes shorter, easier, and cost effective. In that respect several automated recruiting systems have been proposed in the literature. The primary limitation of the existing recruitment systems is that it simply picks out those candidates
who meet the (100%) skills set and turns down the rest of them yet if they are meeting the partial criteria. It intends that as these programs have been projected to pick only those who are gathering all the prerequisites. In fact, the recruitment system can select the candidates that are
even meeting the near about or close requirements. It is because if a candidate does not meet (100%), then the candidate with the lesser requirement should be kept under consideration. There can be chances where a person meeting 9 out of 10 requirements could have proved to be the best choice,
but because of the system we lose such candidates. The current research proposes a Fuzzy logic-based decision support system (DSS), to overcome the above-mentioned limitation. Abiding by the Fuzzy logic, the proposed system can view the partial skills of the applicants. The system has been
validated by implementing the prototype. The outcomes depict a significant improvement to overcome the limitation of the existing recruitment systems.
Derecho Evolving from a Mesocyclone—A Study of 11 August 2017 Severe Weather Outbreak in Poland: Event Analysis and High-Resolution Simulation
Authors: Taszarek Mateusz , Pilguj Natalia , Orlikowski Juliusz , Surowiecki Artur , Walczakiewicz Szymon , Pilorz Wojciech , Piasecki Krzysztof , Pajurek Łukasz , Półrolniczak Marek
Published: April 2019

This study documents atmospheric conditions, development, and evolution of a severe weather outbreak that occurred on 11 August 2017 in Poland. The emphasis is on analyzing system morphology and highlighting the importance of a mesovortex in producing the most significant wind damages. A derecho-producing mesoscale convective system (MCS) had a remarkable intensity and was one of the most impactful convective storms in the history of Poland. It destroyed and partially damaged 79 700 ha of forest (9.8 million m3 of wood), 6 people lost their lives, and 58 were injured. The MCS developed in an environment of high 0–3-km wind shear (20–25 m s−1), strong 0–3-km storm relative helicity (200–600 m2 s−2), moderate most-unstable convective available potential energy (1000–2500 J kg−1), and high precipitable water (40–46 mm). Within the support of a midtropospheric jet, the MCS moved northeast with a simultaneous northeastward inflow of warm and very moist air, which contributed to strong downdrafts. A mesocyclone embedded in the convective line induced the rear inflow jet (RIJ) to descend and develop a bow echo. In the mature stage, a supercell evolved into a bookend vortex and later into a mesoscale convective vortex. Swaths of the most significant wind damage followed the aforementioned vortex features. A high-resolution simulation performed with initial conditions derived from GFS and ECMWF global models predicted the possibility of a linear MCS with widespread damaging wind gusts and embedded supercells. Simulations highlighted the importance of cloud cover in the preconvective environment, which influenced the placement and propagation of the resulting MCS.
The Adverse Outcome Pathway for Skin Sensitisation: Moving Closer to Replacing Animal Testing
Authors: Schultz Terry W. , Dimitrova Gergana , Dimitrov Sabcho , Mekenyan Ovanes G.
Published: April 2019

This article outlines the work of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that led to being jointly awarded the 2015 Lush Black Box Prize. The award-winning work centred on the development of ‘The Adverse Outcome Pathway for Skin Sensitisation Initiated by Covalent Binding to Proteins’. This Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) has provided the mechanistic basis for the integration of skin sensitisation-related information. Recent developments in integrated approaches to testing and assessment, based on the AOP, are summarised. The impact of the AOP on regulatory policy and on the Three Rs are discussed. An overview of the next generation of the skin sensitisation AOP module in the OECD QSAR Toolbox, based on more-recent work at the Laboratory of Mathematical Chemistry, is also presented.
The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS): A Simple Method for the Assessment of Palliative Care Patients
Authors: Bruera Eduardo , Kuehn Norma , Miller Melvin J. , Selmser Pal , Macmillan Karen
Published: April 2019

We describe a simple method for the assessment of symptoms twice a day in patients admitted to a palliative care unit. Eight visual analog scales (VAS) 0–100 mm are completed either by the patient alone, by the patient with nurse's assistance, or by the nurses or relatives at 10:00 and 18:00 hours, in order to indicate the levels of pain, activity, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, and sensation of well-being. The information is then transferred to a graph that contains the assessments of up to 21 days on each page. The sum of the scores for all symptoms is defined as the symptom distress score. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) was carried out for 101 consecutive patients for the length of their admission to our unit. Of these, 84% were able to make their own assessment sometime during their admission. However, before death 83% of assessments were completed by a nurse or relative. Mean symptom distress score was 410±95 during day 1 of the admission, versus 362±83 during day 5 (p<0.01). Mean symptom distress scores throughout the hospitalization were 359±105, 374±93, 359±91 and 406±81 when the ESAS was completed by the patient alone, patient with nurse's assistance (p=N.S.), nurse alone (p=N.S.), or relative (p<0.01) respectively. We conclude that this is a simple and useful method for the regular assessment of symptom distress in the palliative care setting.
RNA-binding proteins in hematopoiesis and hematological malignancy
Authors: Hodson Daniel J. , Screen Michael , Turner Martin
Published: April 2019

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate fundamental processes, such as differentiation and self-renewal, by enabling the dynamic control of protein abundance or isoforms or through the regulation of noncoding RNA. RBPs are increasingly appreciated as being essential for normal hematopoiesis, and they are understood to play fundamental roles in hematological malignancies by acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Alternative splicing has been shown to play roles in the development of specific hematopoietic lineages, and sequence-specific mutations in RBPs lead to dysregulated splicing in myeloid and lymphoid leukemias. RBPs that regulate translation contribute to the development and function of hematological lineages, act as nodes for the action of multiple signaling pathways, and contribute to hematological malignancies. These insights broaden our mechanistic understanding of the molecular regulation of hematopoiesis and offer opportunities to develop disease biomarkers and new therapeutic modalities.
Clonotypic heterogeneity in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) revealed by comprehensive whole-exome sequencing
Authors: Iyer Aishwarya , Hennessey Dylan , O’Keefe Sandra , Patterson Jordan , Wang Weiwei , Salopek Thomas , Wong Gane Ka-Shu , Gniadecki Robert
Published: April 2019

Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, is believed to represent a clonal expansion of a transformed skin-resident memory T cell. T-cell receptor (TCR) clonality (ie, identical sequences of rearranged TCRα, TCRβ, and TCRγ), the key premise of this hypothesis, has been difficult to document conclusively because malignant cells are not readily distinguishable from the tumor-infiltrating reactive lymphocytes that contribute to the TCR clonotypic repertoire of MF. Here, we have successfully adopted targeted whole-exome sequencing (WES) to identify the repertoire of rearranged TCR genes in tumor-enriched samples from patients with MF. Although some of the investigated MF biopsies had the expected frequency of monoclonal rearrangements of TCRγ corresponding to that of tumor cells, the majority of the samples presented multiple TCRγ, TCRα, and TCRβ clonotypes by WES. Our findings are compatible with the model in which the initial malignant transformation in MF does not occur in mature memory T cells but rather at the level of T-lymphocyte progenitors before TCRβ or TCRα rearrangements. We have also shown that WES can be combined with whole-transcriptome sequencing in the same sample, which enables comprehensive characterization of the TCR repertoire in relation to tumor content. WES/whole-transcriptome sequencing might be applicable to other types of T-cell lymphomas to determine clonal dominance and clonotypic heterogeneity in these malignancies.
Critical Analysis of Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Web Sites in the United States
Authors: Ruddell Jack H. , Ahmed Shaan A. , Tang Oliver Y. , Schiffman Fred J. , Quesenberry Matthew I. , Eltorai Adam E.M.
Published: April 2019

PURPOSE:

Prospective hematology-oncology fellowship applicants use program Web sites as a critical source of information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current content and comprehensiveness of hematology-oncology fellowship Web sites and to identify specific areas for improvement.

METHODS:

This study assessed the presence of 27 commonly evaluated program and application and curriculum and training informational items for Web sites of all accredited hematology-oncology fellowship programs in 2018. The comprehensiveness score was calculated as the number of items present on a fellowship Web site out of 27 and was compared by program region and size using analysis of variance and two-tailed t tests.

RESULTS:

Of the 143 fellowship Web sites evaluated, the mean comprehensiveness score was 39.3% (10.6 ± 3.8 out of 27). Programs contained a mean of 42.1% (5.9 ± 2.3 out of 14) of program and application and 36.2% (4.7 ± 2.1 out of 13) of curriculum and training items. The program and application items most common among Web sites were program coordinator contact and faculty listing (83.2% and 74.1% of Web sites, respectively), whereas social events and salary and benefits were less common (31.5% and 20.3% of Web sites, respectively). Prevalent curriculum and training items were research publications and activity and rotation scheduling (86.0% and 81.1% of Web sites, respectively), whereas board examination pass rates and fellow call duties were uncommon (4.2% and 15.4% of Web sites, respectively). Large programs were associated with greater overall Web site items compared with small programs (43.0% [11.6 ± 4.1 out of 27] v 35.9% [9.7 ± 3.3 out of 27]; P = .003).

CONCLUSION:

Hematology-oncology fellowship Web sites vary considerably in the level and nature of content they contain. Because applicants rely on online information for decision making, more comprehensive online content may promote a better fit between program and applicant. There is room for improvement in hematology-oncology fellowship Web sites, and programs may consider directing resources toward enhancing these Web sites.
Elevated Lipoprotein(a) Levels Lower ABCA1 Cholesterol Efflux Capacity
Authors: Tavori Hagai , Fenton Alexandra M , Plubell Deanna L , Rosario Sara , Yerkes Elisabeth , Gasik Rayna , Miles Joshua , Bergstrom Paige , Minnier Jessica , Fazio Sergio , Pamir Nathalie
Published: April 2019

Context

Elevated serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages may be an antiatherogenic process. Plasminogen (PLG) is a driver of ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux, and its action is inhibited by purified human Lp(a).

Objective

To determine the effects of Lp(a) in human serum on ABCA1 cholesterol efflux.

Methods

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) was measured with two different cell-culture models using serum from 76 patients with either low (<50 mg/dL) or high (>50 mg/dL) Lp(a) levels.

Results

Using cAMP-stimulated J774 macrophages or baby hamster kidney fibroblasts overexpressing human ABCA1, we show that CEC was lower in patients with high Lp(a) levels compared with patients with low levels (−30.6%, P = 0.002 vs −24.1%, P < 0.001, respectively). Total-serum CEC negatively correlated with Lp(a) levels (r = −0.433, P = 0.0007 vs r = −0.505, P = 0.0011, respectively). These negative associations persisted after adjusting for serum cholesterol, age, sex, and statin use in a multiple linear regression model (adjusted R2 = 0.413 or 0.405, respectively) and were strengthened when further adjusting for the interaction between Lp(a) and PLG levels (adjusted R2 = 0.465 and 0.409, respectively). Total-serum and isolated Lp(a) from patients with high Lp(a) inhibited PLG-mediated ABCA1 cholesterol efflux.

Conclusion

Total-serum CEC is reduced in patients with high Lp(a) levels. This is in part due to the inhibition of PLG-mediated ABCA1 cholesterol efflux by Lp(a). Our findings suggest an atherogenic role for Lp(a) through its ability to inhibit CEC.
The impact of using primaquine without prior G6PD testing: a case series describing the obstacles to the medical management of haemolysis
Authors: Chu Cindy S. , Bancone Germana , Soe Nay Lin , Carrara Verena I. , Gornsawun Gornpan , Nosten François
Published: April 2019

Radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals employs weekly primaquine dosing. This is the only recommended regimen for this patient sub-group. If national malaria programs mandate daily primaquine dosing (the recommended regimen for G6PD normal individuals), then G6PD testing before prescription is necessary to avoid iatrogenic haemolysis in G6PD deficient individuals. In this case series, two P. vivax infected patients with unknown G6PD status from two different countries were prescribed primaquine as per national malaria program guidelines. During treatment both patients presented to the clinic with symptoms of anaemia after taking primaquine incorrectly. The clinical management of the iatrogenic severe haemolysis that occurred in these patients demonstrates the various adverse effects primaquine can cause, that other common medical treatments also have haemolytic potential, and how the diagnosis of G6PD deficiency can be elusive during acute haemolysis.

Health care providers should provide careful instructions about primaquine dosing, be watchful for haemolysis, and have a high index of suspicion for G6PD deficiency in the presence of haemolysis if the G6PD status is previously unknown.
The Animation Project: School-based drama therapy and 3D digital storytelling with adolescent populations
Authors: Dean Meredith E. , Girouard Lauren , Witherspoon Hollis
Published: April 2019

The Animation Project (TAP), a non-profit organization working with adolescents in schools and clinical settings, offers digital animation training, workforce development and exposure to emerging technology within a therapeutic framework. TAP utilizes drama therapy to facilitate group process and sculpt participants’ stories. In this article, TAP’s drama therapy interns and clinical program director collaboratively explore how the model works within schools, how drama therapy supports this process, and how embodiment intersects with technology. Their conversation also interrogates the privileged position of the therapists who facilitate groups and explores issues of vulnerability and resistance that exist within programs supporting marginalized youth.
Collaborative discourse analysis on the use of drama therapy to treat trauma in schools
Authors: Sajnani Nisha , Mayor Christine , Burch Darci , Feldman Diana , Davis Cat , Kelly Jaclyn , Landis Heidi , McAdam Lizzie
Published: April 2019

In this study, the authors used collaborative discourse analysis (CDA) to analyse textual descriptions of three approaches to trauma-informed drama therapy in schools. Findings reflected a shared commitment to the use of metaphor and dramatic media in managing trauma-related symptoms and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. Each approach differed with regard to the role of aesthetics and ‘safety’, embodiment, the format and recipients of intervention, and the degree to which traumatic events should be directly addressed. Agreement concerning indicators and approaches to evaluation would strengthen future comparative research on the impact of drama therapy in schools.
The digital democratic dividend
Authors: Starks Michael
Published: April 2019

This commentary proposes a public campaign to counter the threat to standards of journalism posed by the expansion of digital media. It looks in particular at the lack of editorial oversight of material purporting to be news offered by Internet search and social media services. The call to regulate these services in order to combat so-called ‘fake news’ comes up against the awkward question of ‘who would regulate in the name of whom?’. To picture a way forward it is necessary to understand the governance framework within which these services operate. This leads to the answer that effective action will require pressure from civil society and the traditional media.
Morpho-meiotic study in Mentha longifolia from cold desert regions of Lahaul-Spiti and adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh (India)
Authors: Srivastava Devendra Kumar , Saggoo Manjit Inder Singh
Published: April 2019

A morpho-meiotic study of wild Mentha longifolia (L.) L. (Lamiaceae) is presented from the nine populations (Kukumsari, Zero-point, Kishori, Tosh, Kasol, Key, Tiling, Mudh and Darcha) in and around the cold desert regions of Lahaul-Spiti of Himachal Pradesh. Present work is needful effort to fill the gap of morpho-meiotic (morphological and cytological) knowledge in M. longifolia growing in high altitude regions. Meiotic study revealed the different chromosome counts in these populations as n = 12, n = 12 + 0-3B and n = 9. Presence of B-chromosome in the species is reported for the first time from the study area and it reflects inter-population variation in five important descriptors (such as a nature of whole plant, stem, leaves, inflorescences and pollen) with 17 sub-descriptor states and occurrence of B-chromosomes. Present study reflects the existence of M. longifolia at diploid (2x) level based on base numbers x = 12 and x = 9.
Seasonal variation in prevalence, parasite load and mean intensity of ectoparasites in Pipistrellus kuhlii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Iran
Authors: Sharifi Mozafar , Vaissi Somaye , Javanbakht Hossein
Published: April 2019

We studied quantitatively the seasonal variation in prevalence, parasite load, and mean intensity of two species of ectoparasites in free ranging populations of Kuhl's bat, Pipistrellus kuhlii in western Iran. In total, 348 live bats (230 males and 118 females) were collected using mist net during May to November 2013. All bats identified as to sex and the number of ectoparasite species in each bat was counted. On 348 P. kuhlii captured, 5355 ectoparasites were observed. Two species of ectoparasites belonging to Argas vespertilionis (Argasidae) and Steatonyssus sp. (Macronyssidae) were identified. In late May and at the beginning of June, the peaks of ectoparasite load in bats were recorded and then dropped during June to November. The number of ectoparasites in pregnant female bats in May-June during pregnancy was significantly higher than non-pregnant females (p ≤ 0.05). A significant correlation was found between ectoparasite load and the ratio of body mass to the length of forearm (W/FA), as an index of body condition, indicating that parasite load has apparent impact on bat’s health. Our findings indicated that parasite loads correlate with season, sex and reproductive condition of the host.