bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human-Guided Object Mapping for Task Transfer
Authors: Fitzgerald Tesca , Goel Ashok , Thomaz Andrea
Published: May 2019

When transferring a learned task to an environment containing new objects, a core problem is identifying the mapping between objects in the old and new environments. This object mapping is dependent on the task being performed and the roles objects play in that task. Prior work assumes (i) the robot has access to multiple new demonstrations of the task or (ii) the primary features for object mapping have been specified. We introduce an approach that is not constrained by either assumption but rather uses structured interaction with a human teacher to infer an object mapping for task transfer. We describe three experiments: an extensive evaluation of assisted object mapping in simulation, an interactive evaluation incorporating demonstration and assistance data from a user study involving 10 participants, and an offline evaluation of the robot’s confidence during object mapping. Our results indicate that human-guided object mapping provided a balance between mapping performance and autonomy, resulting in (i) up to 2.25× as many correct object mappings as mapping without human interaction, and (ii) more efficient transfer than requiring the human teacher to re-demonstrate the task in the new environment, correctly inferring the object mapping across 93.3% of the tasks and requiring at most one interactive assist in the typical case.
The Effect of Personalization in Longer-Term Robot Tutoring
Authors: Leyzberg Daniel , Ramachandran Aditi , Scassellati Brian
Published: May 2019

The benefits of personalized social robots must be evaluated in real-world educational contexts over periods of time longer than a single session to understand their full potential to impact learning outcomes. In this work, we describe a personalization system designed for longer-term personalization that orders curriculum based on an adaptive Hidden Markov Model (HMM) that evaluates students’ skill proficiencies. We present a study investigating the effectiveness of this system in a five-session interaction with a robot tutor, taking place over the course of 2 weeks. Our system is evaluated in the context of native Spanish-speaking first-graders interacting with a social robot tutor while completing an English Language Learning educational task. Participants either received lessons: (1) ordered by our adaptive HMM personalization system which selects a lesson based on a skill that the individual participant needs more practice with (“personalized condition”) or (2) ordered randomly from among the lessons the participant had not yet seen (“non-personalized condition”). We found that participants who received personalized lessons from the robot tutor outperformed participants who received non-personalized lessons on a post-test by 2.0 standard deviations on average, corresponding to a mean learning gain in the 98th percentile.
Empathic Robot for Group Learning
Authors: Alves-Oliveira Patrícia , Sequeira Pedro , Melo Francisco S. , Castellano Ginevra , Paiva Ana
Published: May 2019

This work explores a group learning scenario with an autonomous empathic robot. We address two research questions: (1) Can an autonomous robot designed with empathic competencies foster collaborative learning in a group context? (2) Can an empathic robot sustain positive educational outcomes in long-term collaborative learning interactions with groups of students? To answer these questions, we developed an autonomous robot with empathic competencies that is able to interact with a group of students in a learning activity about sustainable development. Two studies were conducted. The first study compares learning outcomes in children across three conditions: learning with an empathic robot; learning with a robot without empathic capabilities; and learning without a robot. The results show that the autonomous robot with empathy fosters meaningful discussions about sustainability, which is a learning outcome in sustainability education. The second study features groups of students who interact with the robot in a school classroom for 2 months. The long-term educational interaction did not seem to provide significant learning gains, although there was a change in game-actions to achieve more sustainability during game-play. This result reflects the need to perform more long-term research in the field of educational robots for group learning.
Influence of Weather Conditions on the Onset of Spontaneous Pneumothorax in the Region of Sousse (Tunisia): Analysis of Time Series
Authors: Aissa Sana , Maoua Maher , Selmi Salsabil , Benzarti Wafa , Gargouri Imen , Abdelghani Ahmed , Garrouche Abdelhamid , Hayouni Abdelaziz , Kahloul Mohamed , Naija Walid , Mrizek Nejib , Benzarti Mohamed
Published: May 2019

Introduction. Weather conditions were implicated in the onset of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). Aim. Investigate the influence of weather conditions on the onset of SP. Methods. A total of 200 patients with SP in Sousse (Tunisia) were enrolled in the study between January 2010 and December 2014. An analysis of two time series (meteorological data and pneumothorax cases) was performed. Data on weather conditions were collected daily throughout the 5-year period. Results. A comparison of the mean temperature between days with and without SP showed significantly higher temperatures during the days with SP. A decrease of 1% in the relative humidity one day lag (D-1) was associated with an increase in the risk of SP by 1.6% (p=0,02). The occurrence of clusters was associated significantly with higher temperature averages on the same days. This same observation was made regarding the mean duration of sunshine two days before the cluster onset (p = 0.05). The occurrence of storms two days before clusters was also significantly associated with a risk multiplied by 1.96. Conclusion. There was a correlation between clusters of spontaneous pneumothorax and weather conditions in the region of Sousse-Tunisia.
Understanding the Journey of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development
Authors: Kumar Akhilesh , D’Souza Saritha S. , Thakur Abir S.
Published: May 2019

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) surface during embryogenesis leading to the genesis of the hematopoietic system, which is vital for immune function, homeostasis balance, and inflammatory responses in the human body. Hematopoiesis is the process of blood cell formation, which initiates from hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and is responsible for the generation of all adult blood cells. With their self-renewing and pluripotent properties, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide an unprecedented opportunity to createin vitromodels of differentiation that will revolutionize our understanding of human development, especially of the human blood system. The utilization of hPSCs provides newfound approaches for studying the origins of human blood cell diseases and generating progenitor populations for cell-based treatments. Current shortages in our knowledge of adult HSCs and the molecular mechanisms that control hematopoietic development in physiological and pathological conditions can be resolved with better understanding of the regulatory networks involved in hematopoiesis, their impact on gene expression, and further enhance our ability to develop novel strategies of clinical importance. In this review, we delve into the recent advances in the understanding of the various cellular and molecular pathways that lead to blood development from hPSCs and examine the current knowledge of human hematopoietic development. We also review howin vitrodifferentiation of hPSCs can undergo hematopoietic transition and specification, including major subtypes, and consider techniques and protocols that facilitate the generation of hematopoietic stem cells.
MMP-9 Contributes to Dendritic Spine Remodeling Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Pijet Barbara , Stefaniuk Marzena , Kaczmarek Leszek
Published: May 2019

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a blow to the head causes brain damage. Apart from physical trauma, it causes a wide range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional deficits including impairments in learning and memory. On neuronal level, TBI may lead to circuitry remodeling and in effect imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmissions. Such change in brain homeostasis may often lead to brain disorders. The basic units of neuronal connectivity are dendritic spines that are tiny protrusions forming synapses between two cells in a network. Spines are dynamic structures that undergo morphological transformation throughout life. Their shape is strictly related to an on/off state of synapse and the strength of synaptic transmission. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an extrasynaptically operating enzyme that plays a role in spine remodeling and has been reported to be activated upon TBI. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of MMP-9 on dendritic spine density and morphology following controlled cortical impact (CCI) as animal model of TBI. We examined spine density and dendritic spine shape in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. CCI caused a marked decrease in spine density as well as spine shrinkage in the cerebral cortex ipsilateral to the injury, when compared to sham animals and contralateral side both 1 day and 1 week after the insult. Decreased spine density was also observed in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus; however, in contrast to the cerebral cortex, spines in the DG became more filopodia-like. In mice lacking MMP-9, no effects of TBI on spine density and morphology were observed.
Optimization and Adsorption-Based Recovery of Cobalt Using Activated Disordered Mesoporous Carbons
Authors: Bernabé I. , Gómez J.M. , Díez E. , Sáez P. , Rodríguez A.
Published: May 2019

Kinetic and operating condition studies were studied in the batch mode. MCSG60A has a large and fast adsorption capacity, retaining 90% of the Co2+ in the solution and reaching equilibria in only 15 minutes. Among all the variables studied, the adsorbent dosage and the agitation speed favor the Co2+ adsorption until an agitation speed of 1100 rpm and 15.0 mg/L of adsorbent dosage; higher values do not increase the adsorption capacity. On the other hand, the presence of Na+ ions in the solution and high particle size hinder the adsorption process. The thermodynamic study indicated that this process is exothermic and spontaneous, mainly caused by electrostatic interactions between adsorbent and adsorbate. The adsorption is highly pH dependent: while it is optimum at basic pH, it decreases by a 70% at pH 2. The adsorption process is favored in controlled pH, in spite of the ionic strength that involves the buffer presence in the solution. As to the cobalt recovery, to preconcentrate this metal, it is tested with different acid solutions, proving that lower pH promotes this phenomena, even reaching a recovery around 98%, with HNO3 solution with 0.5 pH. Moreover, if the volume of regenerative solution is decreased to the eight part, the cobalt concentration increases five times, reaching enough concentration to facilitate its recovery in metallic state by other techniques.
Validity and Reliability of the Amharic Version of the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) in Patients with Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Ethiopia
Authors: Reba Kidist , Birhane Bizuayehu Walle , Gutema Hordofa
Published: May 2019

Background. Although it is largely preventable, type 2 diabetes is the most common type and accounts for the vast majority of diabetes cases worldwide. Objective. To assess the validity and reliability of the Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument for measuring quality of life in people with diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Methods. The Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument was administered to 344 patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital. Contribution of domain scores to QOL facets was assessed using multiple linear regression. Reliability assessment was done by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Construct validity was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Result. The Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument has acceptable internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis has shown acceptable goodness of fit for 4 domain models. The physical, psychological, and environmental domains have a statistically significant contribution in explaining overall quality of life, while only physical and psychological domains have significant contribution in explaining the general health facet. Conclusion. The Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument is appropriate for patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The overall finding of analysis implies that the Amharic version of the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument has internal consistency and validity to investigate quality of life among patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, and it can be used for studies which are going to be conducted in Ethiopia.
Tissue-Specific Autoantibodies Improve Diagnosis of Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome in the Early Stage and Indicate Localized Salivary Injury
Authors: Jin Yuebo , Li Jing , Chen Jiali , Shao Miao , Zhang Ruijun , Liang Yichen , Zhang Xia , Zhang Xiaoying , Zhang Qin , Li Fangting , Cheng Yaobin , Sun Xiaolin , He Jing , Li Zhanguo
Published: May 2019

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands. Due to the absence of specific clinical manifestations and biomarkers in the early stage, pSS is generally underrecognized. To elucidate the role of the tissue-specific autoantibodies (TSAs), i.e., anti-CA6, anti-SP1, and anti-PSP antibodies, we enrolled 137 pSS patients, 32 secondary Sjögren’s syndrome (sSS) patients, and 127 healthy controls (HCs), whose serum and saliva samples were collected. TSA levels were detected by ELISA, and the clinical and laboratory data was reviewed from the medical records. The analysis results showed the following: (1) Compared to HCs, the serum IgA levels of anti-CA6, anti-SP1 and anti-PSP were significantly higher in pSS as well as in sSS patients, and anti-CA6 IgG was also notably higher in pSS patients. (2) The positivity of anti-CA6, anti-PSP and all the three antibodies together were significantly increased in anti-SSA-negative pSS patients. (3) The average IgM levels of anti-CA6 and anti-SP1 decreased as the disease duration extended. (4) The anti-CA6-positive patients have significantly higher levels of serum IgA, while the anti-PSP-positive group has a notably higher serum IgM level. (5) Another autoantibody specific to the salivary glands, anti-α-fodrin antibody, was elevated in TSA-positive patients, especially in the anti-CA6-positive group. (6) Preliminary detection of saliva TSAs showed that all the IgG levels of these three antibodies increased significantly in pSS patients. In conclusion, TSAs improve diagnosis of pSS in the early stage, especially in anti-SSA-negative patients, and their tissue-specific nature indicates localized salivary injury, which deserves further studies to clarify the mechanism.
Adamantinoma-Like Ewing’s Family Tumor of the Sino Nasal Region: A Case Report and a Brief Review of Literature
Authors: Mahadevan Pushpa , Ramkumar Subramaniam , Gangadharan V. P.
Published: May 2019

Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (EFTs) are malignant mesenchymal tumors with a predilection for bone and soft tissue. They are characterized by their monomorphic small blue round cell morphology. However rare morphologic variants of EFTs can also show overt epithelial differentiation in the form of squamoid differentiation along with strong cytokeratin expression. This particular subset of EFTs are known as adamantinoma-like EFTs which can be difficult to differentiate from epithelial head and neck malignancies. Here we report a case of sinonasal adamantinoma-like EFT in an 18-year-old male patient. The lesion differed from a typical EFT by means of overt squamoid differentiation which showed a basaloid appearance with peripheral palisading. The immunohistochemistry was positive for pan-cytokeratin, p40, p63, ERG, FLI1, and CK5/6. It was negative for actin, desmin, and WT-1. Initial diagnosis of a basaloid squamous cell carcinoma was made. Further molecular studies were also done due to the complex presentation of the tumor. EWSR testing with break-apart analysis confirmedEWSR1andFLI1rearrangements. Further confirmation was done with RT-PCR. The case was found to be positive for EWS-FLI-1 translocation. The revised immunohistochemistry panel showed CD99, ERG, FLI1, and synaptophysin positivity. The lesion was reclassified as an adamantinoma-like ES. Our case reinforces the fact that a subset of EFTs can show histomorphologic and immunohistochemical features of aberrant epithelial differentiation. These cases are difficult to differentiate from usual epithelial malignancies which occur in this region. This diagnostic pitfall can be avoided by the inclusion of CD99 and/or FLI1 in the immunohistochemical assessment of any round cell malignancy at any anatomic location. A strong and diffuse CD99 positivity should prompt molecular testing for the presence ofEWSR1gene rearrangements.
From Basic Visual Science to Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Voyage of Environmental Enrichment-Like Stimulation
Authors: Consorti Alan , Sansevero Gabriele , Torelli Claudia , Berardi Nicoletta , Sale Alessandro
Published: May 2019

Genes and environmental stimuli cooperate in the regulation of brain development and formation of the adult neuronal architecture. Genetic alterations or exposure to perturbing environmental conditions, therefore, can lead to altered neural processes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and brain disabilities. In this context, environmental enrichment emerged as a promising and noninvasive experimental treatment for favoring recovery of cognitive and sensory functions in different neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of this review is to depict, mainly through the much explicative examples of amblyopia, Down syndrome, and Rett syndrome, the increasing interest in the potentialities and applications of enriched environment-like protocols in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders and the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of these protocols, which might lead to development of pharmacological interventions.
Flow Cytometric Test with Eosin-5-Maleimide for a Diagnosis of Hereditary Spherocytosis in a Newborn
Authors: Fanhchaksai Kanda , Manowong Suphara , Natesirinilkul Rungrote , Sathitsamitphong Lalita , Charoenkwan Pimlak
Published: May 2019

A term male newborn born to a mother who had hereditary spherocytosis presented with neonatal jaundice at 20 hours of life. Complete blood count showed hemoglobin 17.1 g/dL, MCV 104.2 fL, MCH 32.9 pg, and MCHC 31.6 g/dL. The patient had indirect hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy. The maximum total bilirubin level was 12.15 mg/dL at 20 hours of life. Peripheral blood smear revealed spherocytes, crenated red cells, and polychromasia. A flow cytometric test with eosin-5-maleimide- (EMA-) labeled RBC was performed in the patient and parents. The fluorescence histograms of EMA-labeled RBC from the patient and mother were shifted to the left, and the fluorescence ratio when compared with normal was 0.69 and 0.84, respectively. The flow cytometric test with EMA is useful in supporting the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis during newborn period.
Neisseria meningitidis-Induced Caspase-1 Activation in Human Innate Immune Cells Is LOS-Dependent
Authors: Idosa Berhane Asfaw , Kelly Anne , Jacobsson Susanne , Demirel Isak , Fredlund Hans , Särndahl Eva , Persson Alexander
Published: May 2019

Meningococcal disease such as sepsis and meningitidis is hallmarked by an excessive inflammatory response. The causative agent,Neisseria meningitidis, expresses the endotoxin lipooligosaccharide (LOS) that is responsible for activation of immune cells and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. One of the most potent proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), is activated following caspase-1 activity in the intracellular multiprotein complex called inflammasome. Inflammasomes are activated by a number of microbial factors as well as danger molecules by a two-step mechanism—priming and licensing of inflammasome activation—but there are no data available regarding a role for inflammasome activation in meningococcal disease. The aim of this study was to investigate ifN. meningitidisactivates the inflammasome and, if so, the role of bacterial LOS in this activation. Cells were subjected toN. meningitidis, both wild-type (FAM20) and its LOS-deficient mutant (lpxA), and priming as well as licensing of inflammasome activation was investigated. The wild-type LOS-expressing parental FAM20 serogroup CN. meningitidis(FAM20) strain significantly enhanced the caspase-1 activity in human neutrophils and monocytes, whereaslpxAwas unable to induce caspase-1 activity as well as to induce IL-1βrelease. While thelpxAmutant induced a priming response, measured as increased expression ofNLRP3andIL1B, the LOS-expressing FAM20 further increased this priming. We conclude that although non-LOS components ofN. meningitidiscontribute to the priming of the inflammasome activity, LOSper seis to be considered as the central component ofN. meningitidisvirulence, responsible for both priming and licensing of inflammasome activation.
Novel Technique of Surgical Management of Scimitar Syndrome
Authors: Lark Mary , Cai Amanda , Rideout Phillip , Gregg David , Suranyi Pal , Crawford Fred A. , Fernandes Valerian L.
Published: May 2019

Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality resulting from right-sided pulmonary venous return to the inferior vena cava rather than to the left atrium. It is usually detected in early childhood with symptoms of recurrent chest infection and finding of pulmonary hypertension due to left to right shunt. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman with scimitar syndrome discovered on chest X-ray during evaluation of recurrent pneumonia. Surgical correction was achieved with a novel technique of using a synthetic graft connecting the scimitar vein across the right atrium to the left atrium along with ligation of the scimitar vein connection to the inferior vena cava. The patient continues to do well 10 years after surgery, and the shunt graft shows good flow on echocardiogram. We present her clinical and imaging data and details of the surgical technique along with a brief review of surgical literature.
Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Macrofiber-Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Yao Zhishu , Li Xiang , Fu Cao , Xue Weipei
Published: May 2019

To economically and reasonably solve the difficult problem of mine shaft support subject to complex geological conditions, we studied the mechanical properties of polypropylene macrofiber-reinforced concrete (PPMFRC). First, we selected test raw materials through an investigation and comparison of technical parameters. Second, using a preparation test, we obtained the composition of reference concrete of PPMFRC for the mine shaft lining structure, and test specimens were manufactured according to relevant test technical regulations. Finally, the mechanical properties of the specimens were compared, and the results show that the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of PPMFRC were increased by approximately 3%, 30%, and 20%, respectively, for mixtures with polypropylene macrofibers. The fracture toughness of PPMFRC was between 0.26 and 0.35, and the fracture energy was between 382.7 N/m and 485.6 N/m, which is significantly higher than that of plain concrete. The test results show that PPMFRC is an ideal material for the lining structure of a mine shaft under complex geological conditions, and we have provided technical parameters for engineering applications.
About the Dependence of Breakthrough Curves on Flow Direction in Column Experiments of Transport across a Sharp Interface Separating Different Porous Materials
Authors: Giacobbo Francesca , Giudici Mauro , Da Ros Mirko
Published: May 2019

Conservative transport experiments with layered porous materials (coarse-grained vs. fine-grained) were performed through experimental cylindrical columns to assess the possible occurrence of interface processes at the discontinuity between media with different hydrodynamic and hydrodispersive properties, as proposed by some authors in the past based on modelling and experimental results. The outcomes of the present work show that, under certain conditions, the breakthrough curves (BTCs) obtained for flow through the coarse-grained and then through the fine-grained media (CtF) or vice versa (FtC) can differ. More specifically, an asymmetric behaviour is observed for cases when the ratio between the column and grain diameters is small. Moreover, the discrepancies between CtF and FtC BTCs are enhanced for low flow rates and low quantity of injected solute.
Pyloric Obstruction Caused by an Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp
Authors: Mantas Dimitrios , Garmpis Nikolaos , Polychroni Damaskini , Garmpi Anna , Damaskos Christos , Kouskos Efstratios
Published: May 2019

This is a case report of a 57-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and vomiting over a period of two months. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopies and biopsies were inconclusive, while abdomen computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a large mass arising from the pyloric antrum measuring about 6×4.8 cm imitating gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The patient underwent a laparotomy, and the tumor was totally resected with well-defined borders. The histopathological analysis revealed the mass to be an inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP).
Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: From Early Achievements towards New Perspectives
Authors: De Goycoechea Diego , Stalder Gregoire , Martins Filipe , Duchosal Michel A.
Published: May 2019

Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) became one of the major breakthroughs in cancer treatment over the past decade and entered into therapy within standard oncohematology practice. ICI has demonstrated impressive response rates as salvage therapy in relapsed/refractory (R/R) classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and is now being tested as an adjunction to chemotherapy in the frontline settings. CHL exquisite sensitivity to PD-1/PD-L1 axis inhibition relies on a particular biological background. By contrast, non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) have demonstrated heterogeneous response rates using ICI. These observations highlight discrepancies between various types of lymphomas in terms of genetic alterations, immune microenvironment interactions, and disease phenotype. This review aims to focus on cHL immune escape mechanisms, focusing on cHL biological sensitivity to PD-1 blockade. We will summarize the available data issued from clinical trials on ICI in cHL and its safety profile. Going beyond the current use of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) targeting immune checkpoints in clinical practice, we will offer an overview of new combinatory therapeutic perspectives where cHL immunotherapy may be considered.
Mechanical Properties, Failure Mode, and Microstructure of Soil-Cement Modified with Fly Ash and Polypropylene Fiber
Authors: Duan Xue-lei , Zhang Jing-shuang
Published: May 2019

In order to investigate the effects of fly ash and polypropylene fiber on mechanical properties, failure mode, and microstructure of soil-cement, the unconfined compression test, splitting tension test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test of soil-cement with different polypropylene fiber contents (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5% by weight of dry soil) and fly ash contents (0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% by weight of dry soil) were carried out. The compressive and tensile strengths, deformation characteristics, failure mode, and microstructure of soil-cement modified with fly ash and polypropylene fiber were analyzed. The results show that the unconfined compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of soil-cement show a trend of increasing first and then decreasing with the increase of polypropylene fiber and fly ash content. Under the condition of 0.4% polypropylene fiber and 8% fly ash, the unconfined compressive strength and the splitting tensile strength are 4.90 MPa and 0.91 MPa, respectively, which increased by 32.79% and 51.67% as compared with the plain soil-cement, respectively. When 8% fly ash was used in the experiment, the unconfined compressive peak strain and the splitting tensile peak strain of the inclusion of 0.4% polypropylene fiber were 0.0410 and 0.0196, respectively. The corresponding peak strains were increased by 20.94% and 68.97% as compared with non-fiber-stabilized soil-cement, respectively. The stress-strain curve of fly ash soil-cement modified with polypropylene fiber can be divided into compaction phase, linear rise phase, nonlinear rise phase, and failure phase. Polypropylene fiber constrains the lateral deformation of fly ash soil-cement, which improves the peak strain and the failure mode of soil-cement.
Coexpression of Inhibitory Receptors Enriches for Activated and Functional CD8+ T Cells in Murine Syngeneic Tumor Models
Authors: Xiong Huizhong , Mittman Stephanie , Rodriguez Ryan , Pacheco-Sanchez Patricia , Moskalenko Marina , Yang Yagai , Elstrott Justin , Ritter Alex T. , Müller Sören , Nickles Dorothee , Arenzana Teresita L. , Capietto Aude-Hélène , Delamarre Lélia , Modrusan Zora , Rutz Sascha , Mellman Ira , Cubas Rafael
Published: May 2019

Exhausted T cells have been described in cancer patients and murine tumor models largely based on their expression of various inhibitory receptors. Understanding of the functional attributes of these cells is limited. Here, we report that among CD8+ T cells in commonly used syngeneic tumor models, the coexpression of inhibitory receptors PD-1, LAG3, and TIM3 defined a group of highly activated and functional effector cells. Coexpression of these receptors further enriched for antigen-specific cells with increased T-cell receptor clonality. Anti–PD-L1 treatment increased the number and activation of these triple-positive CD8+ T cells without affecting the density of PD-1− cells. The intratumoral density of CD8+ T cells coexpressing inhibitory receptors negatively correlated with tumor burden. The density ratio and pretreatment phenotype of CD8+ T cells coexpressing inhibitory receptors was positively correlated with response across a variety of tumor models. Our results demonstrate that coexpression of inhibitory receptors is not a signifier of exhausted T cells, but rather can define a group of activated and functional effector cells in syngeneic tumor models. In the cancer setting, these cells could represent a heterogeneous population of not only exhausted but also highly activated cells responsive to treatment.
The Influence of ACE Inhibition on C1-Inhibitor: A Biomarker for ACE Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema?
Authors: Hahn Janina , Nordmann-Kleiner Melanie , Bönner Christoph , Kojda Georg , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Greve Jens
Published: May 2019

Aims: Angioedema is a rare side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It remains unclear why it is only induced in a few patients taking ACE inhibitors, often after a long period of uneventful treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of ACE inhibitor treatment on C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) levels. Methods: Captopril (5 mg/25 mg) was added to blood samples of 5 healthy subjects. C1-INH levels were measured before and after incubation for 180 min. The second section of the study was done with 17 patients who received therapy with an ACE inhibitor for the first time. C1-INH levels were measured before ACE inhibitor treatment, 24 h after first drug administration, and 4 weeks later. Results: After incubation of blood samples with 5 mg captopril, there was no detectable change in C1-INH levels. After incubation with 25 mg, C1-INH activity was decreased by an average of 29% and the C1-INH concentration was decreased by an average of 0.06 g/L. In the second study section, inconsistent effects on C1-INH levels were detected. In the majority of patients, 24 h after the first ACE inhibitor administration C1-INH activity was tending to be increased. Conclusions: A dose-dependent effect on C1-INH levels in captopril-incubated blood samples of healthy test persons was shown. In patients with new ACE inhibitor treatment, heterogeneous reactions of C1-INH values were detected. Larger studies are needed over a longer period of time to find correlations between the effect of ACE inhibitor therapy on C1-INH levels and the clinical course/development of side effects.
Impact of Regular Whole-Blood Donation on Body Iron Stores
Authors: Reddy K Vijayram , Shastry Shamee , Raturi Manish , Baliga B Poornima
Published: May 2019

Background and Objectives: Regular and repeat blood donations may cause reduced body iron stores (BIS), which may lead to a shrinking donor pool. Furthermore, hemoglobin (Hb) itself is quite an inadequate measure to detect iron deficiency. Hence, our primary aim was to understand the effect of repeated blood donations on BIS in regular blood donors. Study Design and Setting: We conducted a prospective study on voluntary whole-blood donors (September 2015 through August 2017). Donor demographics were noted. Donors were further divided into four groups, depending on their number of donations. Their samples were tested for Hb, red cell indices, and serum ferritin to check for reduced BIS. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20 (IBM, USA). Results: A total of 374 regular voluntary blood donors were included in the study. The mean serum ferritin levels in males and females were 75.4 and 36.2µg/L, respectively. There was a 45% decrement in the mean serum ferritin values in Group I (101.57 µg/L) in contrast to Group III (56.69 µg/L) (p < 0.0032). In the study, 9.8, 11.2, and 4.8% of the donors were in Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 of reduced BIS, respectively. Of the donors, 11.2% were in Stage 2 of reduced BIS. Further donations in such cases can compromise donor safety. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates iron depletion in regular voluntary blood donors. In 11.2% of the donors, iron deficiency erythropoiesis was noted. A ferritin screening after the first donation followed up at the tenth donation might help detect iron-deficient individuals. Iron supplementation for all regular blood donors and female donors in particular will help prevent the shrinking donor pool due to iron deficiency.
On a Collection of Isaeidae (Crustacea, Amphipoha) from the Southern Indian Region
Authors: Rabindranath P.
Published: May 2019

Nine species of gammaridean amphipods, belonging to the family Isaeidae, are fully described and figured. Eight of these were collected from typical marine locations on the East and West coast of South India and one, namely Photis digitata K. H. Barnard, 1935, was obtained from a brackish water lake on the West coast of peninsular India between 9°7' and 9°16' N and 76°20' and 76°28' E. Five of the species described are already known from the Indian coasts; one species, Eurystheus digitatus Schellenberg, 1938, is a new record for the region; two others (Microprotopus bicuspidatus and Eurystheus anomalus) are new to science. Until more materials become available, the last species included in this report is provisionally assigned to the genus Megamphopus Norman and is described without a specific name.
Systematics and Ecology of New Caledonian Faviinae (Coelenterata - Scleractinia)
Authors: Wijsman-Best Maya
Published: May 2019

Taxonomic treatment of a large collection of recent corals from New Caledonia belonging to the subfamily Faviinae resulted in the full description of thirty-four species amongst which two are new, while some others are briefly mentioned. A pattern for the subfamily in the influence of environmental factors on growth was found. A comparison between this general pattern and the environment-induced modification of each different form allowed a particular growth form’s ecology to be used as a criterion for defining the species to which it should be allocated.
Life and Malacological Work of Hendrik Elingsz van Rijgersma (1835-1877)
Authors: Coomans H. E.
Published: May 2019

A biography of H. E. van Rijgersma is given, with the genealogical register of his family. The zoological and historical literature, in which he was mentioned, is discussed. Van Rijgersma's illustrated manuscripts on botany (1868) and malacology (1875) of St. Martin, and his correspondence with malacologists, were discovered in the United States and studied. The recent mollusk fauna of St. Martin is summarized, consisting of 550 species, of which 136 are new to the fauna of that island.
A new natural hybrid in the genus Laelia (Orchidaceae) from Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: SOLANO RODOLFO , HUERTA-ESPINOZA HÉCTOR , CRUZ-GARCÍA GABRIELA , ORTIZ-RIVEROS FRANCO
Published: May 2019

A new natural hybrid in the genus Laelia, from the Mixtec region in Oaxaca state, Mexico, is described and illustrated. Laelia × tlaxiacoensis is the name given to a hybrid between L. albida and L. furfuracea. Both Laelia species are sympatric in the region where the hybrid comes from and they coincide in their bloom season. The hybrid looks like a plant of L. albida bearing an inflorescence from L. furfuracea. Laelia × tlaxiacoensis differs from L. albida by its lilac flowers, less floriferous raceme, rhombic and erect petals, and the labellum narrower at the mid-lobe than across the lateral lobes spread out. From L. furfuracea, the hybrid differs by its longer inflorescence, proportionally narrower leaves, orbicular labellum, and straight column. Information about distribution, habitat, phenology, and conservation status for the new hybrid is provided. A potential distribution model was generated for the putative parents of L. × tlaxiacoensis, showing the region where both become sympatric and the occurrence of the new hybrid in it.
Zoological taxonomy at 250: showcasing species descriptions in the cyber era
Authors: ZHANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: May 2019

January 1, 2008 marks the 250th anniversary of the official publication date of Systema Naturae (Linnaeus 1758)recognized by ICZN (1999). During the last two and a half centuries, Linnaeus (1758)’ system for naming, ranking andclassifying organisms has allowed us to document the pattern of life on Earth, Darwin (1850)’s theory of evolution hashelped us to understand the process how this diversity of life came about, and Hennig (1966)’s phylogeneticmethodology has enabled us reconstruct the tree of life. During the last two decades or so, the internet has dramaticallychanged the way we live and work. The rapid advances in bioinformatics have provided taxonomists unprecedentedopportunities to do their research more efficiently and make their findings more accessible. Cybertaxonomy is emergingas an exciting new branch of taxonomy (Wheeler 2007).
A new record of the Late Cretaceous cirripede Eoverruca hewitti (Verrucomorpha, Proverrucidae) from southern Poland
Authors: JAGT JOHN W. M. , JASKUŁA IWONA , WITEK ANNA , JAGT-YAZYKOVA ELENA A.
Published: May 2019

Isolated valves of proverrucid cirripedes (Thoracica, Verrucomorpha) from upper lower Campanian strata exposed at Jeżówka, near Wolbrom (southern Poland), are shown to be conspecific with the type (and sole) species of the genus Eoverruca, E. hewitti Withers, 1935. This species was first recorded from the upper Santonian (Marsupites testudinarius Zone, Uintacrinus Band in Withers’s terminology) at East Harling, Norfolk and at Wattisfield, Suffolk (eastern England). To our knowledge, there have been no subsequent records of this taxon. In general, proverrucids are rare fossils, with but a handful of species known to date from the upper Turonian to upper Maastrichtian (and possibly lower Paleocene) of northwest Europe (Rügen, Germany; eastern England; the Liège-Limburg Basin in northeast Belgium and southeast Netherlands; present record from southern Poland). In part, this undoubtedly reflects collection failure; because of diminutive size, valves of E. hewitti have probably been frequently overlooked. In addition, the species may have had special ecological requirements, and thus be restricted to particular facies types. The present material originates almost exclusively from glauconite-rich levels just below a hardground, with none or very few other cirripede species associated.
Redescription of the adult female and 1st-instar nymph of Ceroplastodes dugesii (Signoret, 1886) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and description of the other immature stages
Authors: PELLIZZARI GIUSEPPINA , HODGSON CHRISTOPHER , RAINATO ALESSIO
Published: May 2019

Ceroplastodes dugesii (Signoret), the Mexican wax scale, is the type species of the genus but previous descriptions have not included some important characters. With the collection of new material of this species off Acacia from Mexico, the opportunity is taken to illustrate and either describe or redescribe all stages apart from the adult male.
Two new wobbegong sharks, Orectolobus floridus sp. nov. and O. parvimaculatus sp. nov. (Orectolobiformes: Orectolobidae), from southwestern Australia
Authors: LAST PETER R. , CHIDLOW JUSTIN A.
Published: May 2019

Two new Orectolobus species, collected from the continental shelf off southwestern Australia as bycatch of a regional shark fishery, are described and figured. Orectolobus floridus sp. nov., which has a striking colour pattern of yellowish brown bands, blotches, spots and reticulations, occurs between Geraldton and Augusta at depths of 42–85 m. Orectolobus parvimaculatus sp. nov., another small, colourful wobbegong shark, which is sympatric with O. floridus and three other congeners, has been confused with a larger, more widespread wobbegong, O. maculatus. Orectolobus parvimaculatus occurs between Green Head and Mandurah at depths of 9–108 m. The new species differ from other Orectolobus species and each other by a combination of colour, morphology, body measurements and meristics.
New species of oak gallwaps from Iran (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini)
Authors: TAVAKOLI M. , MELIKA G. , SADEGHI S. E. , PÉNZES Z. , ASSAREH M. A. , ATKINSON R. , BECHTOLD M. , MIKÓ I. , ZARGARAN M. R. , ALIGOLIZADE D. , BARIMANI H. , BIHARI P. , PIROZI F. , FÜLÖP D. , SOMOGYI K. , CHALLIS R. , PREUSS S. , NICHOLLS J. , STONE G. N.
Published: May 2019

Fourteen new species of oak gallwasps, Andricus istvani, Andricus assarehi, Andricus schoenroggei, Andricus csokai, Andricus chodjaii, Andricus megatruncicolus, Andricus coriariformis, Andricus libani, Andricus stellatus, Andricuspseudoaries, Andricus sadeghii, Andricus atkinsonae, Andricus pujadevillari and Dryocosmus caspiensis (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) are described from Iran. Data on the diagnosis, distribution and biology of new species are given.
New species of Agriotes (Coleoptera: Elateridae) from Mexico with a key to species
Authors: ZURITA-GARCIA MARTIN LEONEL , CABALLERO SANTIAGO ZARAGOZA , BOOTH HELGA OCHOTERENA
Published: May 2019

Four new species of Agriotes from Mexico are described and illustrated: Agriotes minutus, A. pedregalensis, A. rhombus, and A. trinotatus.
Cladocerans of genus Alona Baird, 1843 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) and related genera from Aguascalientes State, Mexico
Authors: SINEV ARTEM Y. , SILVA-BRIANO MARCELO
Published: May 2019

Eight cladoceran species of Alona s. lato and related genera were found in Aguascalientes state, Mexico, after extensivesampling efforts. Two of them are new for science. Both new species belong to the pulchella-group of Alona and sharedistinctive features of the group. Alona aguascalientensis sp. nov. differs from the other species of the group by thepresence of denticles on posteroventral corner of valves, by a moderately elongated narrow postabdomen with weaklyprotruding distal angle and postanal marginal denticles of the same size, and by the morphology of major head pores, withconnection between central and posterior pores always absent, while connection between anterior and central porespresent or interrupted. A. anamariae sp. nov. differs from the other species of the group by the long last seta in the anteriorgroup of setae of the ventral margin of valves, by short, relatively wide, evenly narrowing distally postabdomen, and bythe small size (it is the smallest species of the group). Both new species seems to be endemic of Central Mexican Plateau.Other species found are A. glabra Sars, 1901, A. cf. guttata Sars, 1862, A. ossiani Sinev, 1908, A. setigera Megard, 1967, Coronatella circumfimbriata (Megard, 1967) and Leberis davidi (Richard, 1895).
The European Lepidocyrtus lanuginosus group (Collembola: Entomobryidae), definition and description of a new species from Spain
Authors: MATEOS EDUARDO
Published: May 2019

The Lepidocyrtus lanuginosus group is formed by the species L. lanuginosus and L. cyaneus, which can be differentiated by the body color pattern. In the present paper several populations of these two species from the Northeastern Iberian Peninsula have been studied. This study has allowed the detection of chaetotaxic and morphological differences distinguishing the two mentioned species. Also the description of the new species L. bicoloris has been made (also characterized by the body color pattern), as well as a redefinition of the European Lepidocyrtus lanuginosus group.
Transferability of genomes to the next generation: the fundamental criterion for the biological species
Authors: HOHENEGGER JOHANN
Published: May 2019

Biological species as the basic units in biodiversity unify organisms that are similar in structure, development andecological demands. Since Darwin’s work on the origin of species, intensive efforts have been mounted to find a criterionfor biological species that is common to all organisms, prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes, making species natural units.This has led to numerous species concepts, but none have met the requirement of universal application. Additionally, manyconcepts are based on criteria that can be used only for recognizing species (operational criteria), not defining the ‘being’or make-up of the species (explanatory criteria). The definition of a species concept proposed herein regards species as apool of similar genotypes interconnected in successive generations. This pool can be homogeneous or be divided into sub-pools. Interconnectivity within such pools is given by transferability, which means the potential to transfer completegenomes or genome halves to the next generation, perpetuating transferability. A change in genotype frequencies oversuccessive generations is caused by preferred or restricted genome transfer due to intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors.Speciation is defined as splitting up or splitting off a pool of genotypes into pools with differing genotype frequencies, in combination with a definite loss of transferability of genomes or genome halves between these pools.
A new species of Amphisbaena Linnaeus (Squamata, Amphisbaenidae) from the state of Maranhão, northern Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: GOMES JERRIANE O. , MACIEL ADRIANO O.
Published: May 2019

We describe a new species of Amphisbaena based on a single specimen collected in the northern Brazilian Cerrado,municipality of Loreto, state of Maranhão, Brazil. The new species is characterized by presenting a unique combinationof characters including: absence of precloacal pores, body annuli 306, caudal annuli 21, autotomic site in the eighth postcloacal annulus, dorsal sulci absent, 10 dorsal segments and 14 ventral segments in a midbody annulus.