bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conspectus Genericus Scorpionorum 1758–1985 (Arachnida: Scorpiones) updated through 2018
Authors: FRANCKE OSCAR F.
Published: August 2019

Genus and subgenus names introduced for all Recent and fossil scorpions from 1758–2018, are listed. The treatment follows the Conspectus of Francke (1985) and Dupré (2007) with considerable additional information accumulated during intensive scorpiological research of 2006–2018. The list also includes all available generic and subgeneric synonyms, incorrect spellings and unavailable emendations. For Recent taxa the new totals are 19 families compared to only nine in the first Conspectus, 220 genera with an increase of almost 100 from the first version, and 23 subgenera; for fossil taxa there are 43 families and 80 genera, 12 of which are incertae sedis. The type species of all accepted genus-group names are given.
Description of the last instar larva of Calicnemia eximia (Selys, 1863) (Odonata: Platycnemididae) from West Bengal, India
Authors: DAWN PROSENJIT
Published: August 2019

The final instar larva of Calicnemia eximia (Selys, 1863) is described for the first time from a grass-bed under a waterfall in Buxa Tiger Reserve, Dooars of Darjeeling Himalayas. The larva shows a semi terrestrial nature like other congeneres but is unique in having no premental setae and a longer labium. One C. miniata (Selys, 1886) larva was also collected from the same locality and is compared with the C. eximia larva here.
Description of the female of the cellar spider Mesabolivar guapiara (Araneae, Pholcidae) from Mata Atlântica, Brazil
Authors: PAREDES-MUNGUIA WILLIAMS , TEIXEIRA RENATO AUGUSTO
Published: August 2019

Among South American pholcid genera, Mesabolivar Gonzales-Sponga, 1998 is the largest with 94 species (World Spider Catalog 2019). Over the last two decades, most of these species were described from forest and caves (Huber 2000, 2018a; Huber 2005; Machado et al. 2007a,b,c, 2013). Besides a well-resolved taxonomy, many Mesabolivar species’ natural history is described. Such kind of information has been used both to quantify the spider diversity in caves and to hypothesize how species arrived and diversified into or around caves (Huber 2018b). Here, we describe the female of Mesabolivar guapiara (Huber 2000) for the first time, illustrating the diagnostic features of both sexes and new distributional data are provided from caves and their surroundings.
First description of the tadpole of Theloderma ryabovi Orlov, Dutta, Ghate et Kent, 2006 (Anura: Rhacophoridae), an endemic mossy frog from Vietnam
Authors: KROPACHEV IVAN I. , ORLOV NIKOLAI L. , OSTROSHABOV ALEXANDER A. , NGUYEN TAO THIEN
Published: August 2019

To date, 26 species of Theloderma have been described and all are distributed throughout Southeast Asia from Assam in northeastern India to Myanmar, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, and the islands of the Greater Sundas: Sumatra and Borneo (Frost 2019). The tadpoles of only 12 species have been described and published: T. asperum (Boulenger); T. auratum Poyarkov, Kropachev, Gogoleva & Orlov; T. bicolor (Bourret); T. corticale (Boulenger); T. gordoni Taylor; T. horridum (Boulenger); T. leave (Smith); T. moloch (Annandale); T. nebulosum Rowley, Le, Hoang, Dau & Cao; T. palliatum Rowley, Le, Hoang, Dau & Cao; T. stellatum Taylor; T. vietnamense Poyarkov, Orlov, Moiseeva, Pawangkhanant, Ruangsuwan, Vassilieva, Galoyan, Nguyen & Gogoleva (Boulenger 1903; Annandale 1912; Wassersug et al. 1981; Inger et al. 1999; Leong & Lim 2003; Inthara et al. 2005; Rowley et al. 2011; Gawor et al. 2012; Orlov et al. 2012; Poyarkov et al. 2015; Kropachev et al. 2018).
Revision of the bee genus Bathanthidium Mavromoustakis (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini) with description of a new species from China
Authors: NIU ZE-QING , ASCHER JOHN S. , GRISWOLD TERRY , ZHU CHAO-DONG
Published: August 2019

This revision of the bee genus Bathanthidium Mavromoustakis, 1953, treats 12 species, with 11 recorded from China, including Bathanthidium fengkaiense Niu & Zhu, sp. nov.. Two species are proposed as new combinations in genus Bathanthidium: Anthidium (s. str.) bicolor Wu, 2004, A. (s. str.) monganshanensis Wu, 2004. The two new combinations (B. bicolor, B. monganshanense) are in Bathanthidium (Manthidium), previously considered to include only the type species from Burma and Laos (published records from northeastern India and Malaysia are based on misinterpreted localities). Trachusa (Paraanthidium) concavum (Wu, 1962) and Stelis siamensis Friese, 1925 are synonymized with B. binghami (Friese, 1901). Bathanthidium circinatum Wu, 2004 is transferred to Pseudoanthidium Friese forming the new combination P. (s. str.) circinatum (Wu, 2004). The distribution of each species is given, new distribution sites are marked by asterisk (*) especially. Our results confirm that the genus Bathanthidium has higher species diversity than previously documented and that this diversity is centered in China.
Taxonomic revision of the microleafhopper genus Naratettix Matsumura (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) from Korea
Authors: HOSSAIN MD. SHAMIM , KWON JIN HYUNG , SUH SANG JAE , KWON YONG JUNG
Published: August 2019

The genus Naratettix Matsumura, 1931 from Korea is revised. With the three previously recorded species, N. cheondungsanus sp. nov. is described as new to science, and N. ibukisanus Matsumura, 1931 is reported for the first time from Korea. Descriptions, illustrations and a key to the Korean Naratettix species are provided.
Thalassironus filiformis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Enoplida) from the South China Sea
Authors: HUANG MIAN , HUANG YONG , XU KUIDONG
Published: August 2019

A new species of the genus Thalassironus de Man, 1889, which was discovered from marine sediments in the South China Sea, is described here as Thalassironus filiformis sp. nov. The new species is characterized by having short outer labial setae and cephalic setae of equal length, long filiform tail, buccal cavity with three anterior teeth and three additional teeth just posterior to amphideal fovea, male with a segmented midventral precloacal seta, spicules double curved, slender with ventral ala. It is very similar to Thalassironus lynnae Keppner, 1987, but can be differentiated from the latter species by much shorter cephalic setae (8 μm vs 14–16 μm), longer tail (772–780 μm vs 300–506 μm), longer spicules (67–68 μm vs 35–40 μm), smaller value of de Man ratio “a” (66 vs 99.7–102) and different structure of spicules. An updated dichotomous key to all known species of Thalassironus is provided.
Male identification, generic classification and sexual dimorphism of Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018) comb. nov. (Coleoptera: Lycidae: Calochrominae)
Authors: MOTYKA MICHAL
Published: August 2019

Almost all net-winged beetles are members of Müllerian complexes and their similarity due to phenotypic coevolution sometimes complicates species identification and generic placement. Therefore, large specimen series, detailed exhaustive examination of morphological characters and molecular data are needed to clarify the taxonomic placement. Using mitochondrial DNA sequences, I investigated the sexual dimorphism and generic placement of the recently described species Calochromus pardus Kazantsev, 2018. I found that the species does not belong in Calochromus Guérin-Méneville, 1833 and all morphological characters and molecular analyses point to its placement in Micronychus Motschulsky, 1861. Therefore, Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018), comb. nov. is proposed. Additionally, the male is described here for the first time showing the sexual dimorphism in the species. Unlike the females, the males do not superficially resemble members of Xylobanus Waterhouse, 1879 with bright coloured elytral costae and black background, but mimics the sympatrically occurring yellow and black lycids in the genus Cautires Waterhouse, 1879.
The Global Influence of Cloud Optical Thickness on Terrestrial Carbon Uptake
Authors: Zhu Peiyun , Cheng Susan J. , Butterfield Zachary , Keppel-Aleks Gretchen , Steiner Allison L.
Published: August 2019

Clouds can modify terrestrial productivity by reducing total surface radiation and increasing diffuse radiation, which may be more evenly distributed through plant canopies and increase ecosystem carbon uptake (the “diffuse fertilization effect”). Previous work at ecosystem-level observational towers demonstrated that diffuse photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 400–700 nm) increases with cloud optical thickness (COT) until a COT of approximately 10, defined here as the “low-COT regime.” To identify whether the low-COT regime also influences carbon uptake on broader spatial and longer temporal time scales, we use global, monthly data to investigate the influence of COT on carbon uptake in three land-cover types: shrublands, forests, and croplands. While there are limitations in global gross primary production (GPP) products, global COT data derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) reveal that during the growing season tropical and subtropical regions more frequently experience a monthly low-COT regime (>20% of the time) than other regions of the globe. Contrary to ecosystem-level studies, comparisons of monthly COT with monthly satellite-derived solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence and modeled GPP indicate that, although carbon uptake generally increases with COT under the low-COT regime, the correlations between COT and carbon uptake are insignificant (p > 0.05) in shrublands, forests, and croplands at regional scales. When scaled globally, vegetated regions under the low-COT regime account for only 4.9% of global mean annual GPP, suggesting that clouds and their diffuse fertilization effect become less significant drivers of terrestrial carbon uptake at broader spatial and temporal scales.
The Local Biophysical Response to Land-Use Change in HadGEM2-ES
Authors: Robertson E.
Published: August 2019

The biophysical response to a local change in land use is calculated using the HadGEM2-ES Earth system model. The biophysical temperature response is found to be a small residual of three large opposing flux responses: available energy, sensible heat, and latent heat. Deforestation reduces available energy, which is balanced by a reduction in heat lost via turbulent fluxes. However, the changes in turbulent heat fluxes are not simply a response to the reduction in available energy; rather, they are a direct response to land-use change, caused by reduced roughness length and, in the tropics, an increase in the Bowen ratio. Evaluation against satellite-derived observational datasets shows that in response to deforestation, the model has too much albedo-driven cooling and too little latent-heat-driven warming, leading to a large cooling bias.
The Impact of Initial Condition and Warm Conveyor Belt Forecast Uncertainty on Variability in the Downstream Waveguide in an ECWMF Case Study
Authors: Berman Jeremy D. , Torn Ryan D.
Published: August 2019

Perturbations to the potential vorticity (PV) waveguide, which can result from latent heat release within the warm conveyor belt (WCB) of midlatitude cyclones, can lead to the downstream radiation of Rossby waves, and in turn high-impact weather events. Previous studies have hypothesized that forecast uncertainty associated with diabatic heating in WCBs can result in large downstream forecast variability; however, these studies have not established a direct connection between the two. This study evaluates the potential impact of latent heating variability in the WCB on subsequent downstream forecasts by applying the ensemble-based sensitivity method to European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ensemble forecasts of a cyclogenesis event over the North Atlantic. For this case, ensemble members with a more amplified ridge are associated with greater negative PV advection by the irrotational wind, which is associated with stronger lower-tropospheric southerly moisture transport east of the upstream cyclone in the WCB. This transport is sensitive to the pressure trough to the south of the cyclone along the cold front, which in turn is modulated by earlier differences in the motion of the air masses on either side of the front. The position of the cold air behind the front is modulated by upstream tropopause-based PV anomalies, such that a deeper pressure trough is associated with a more progressive flow pattern, originating from Rossby wave breaking over the North Pacific. Overall, these results suggest that more accurate forecasts of upstream PV anomalies and WCBs may reduce forecast uncertainty in the downstream waveguide.
Rhinotillexomania Manifesting as Empty Nose Syndrome
Authors: Tranchito Eve , Chhabra Nipun
Published: August 2019

Objectives:

To highlight a severe case of rhinotillexomania (compulsive nasal picking) and its potential to manifest as empty nose syndrome (ENS).

Methods:

A single case report with the presentation and management of a patient with severe rhinotillexomania who presented with chronic obstructive symptoms. We review the current literature on rhinotillexomania and ENS.

Results:

This patient’s manifestations mimic the obstructive symptoms of ENS, despite widely patent nasal passages.

Conclusion:

This is the first report of rhinotillexomania manifesting with features of ENS.
How Competition Law Should React in the Age of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Hayashi Shuya , Arai Koki
Published: August 2019

Information and communication technology (ICT) is evolving at an accelerating pace. Competition law and policy aim to secure an active competition process in the market in order to protect customers in their own countries, regardless of the nationality of the actors, including the ICT industry. As the platforms become more oligopolistic, the Japanese government has established a data portability that enables users to transfer from any specific platform, at any time, to open up an environment where new platform-type businesses are created one after another and where active competition is carried out. In this policy discussion, it is necessary to seek methods that include realistic international cooperation that is not subject to regulation or intervention-oriented measures. In addition, discussion based on economic empirical analysis is particularly needed. From the viewpoints of ensuring innovative research and development (R&D) concerning artificial intelligence (AI) and fair competition generally, the way of the Governance of AI Networking should be a nonregulatory and a nonbinding way, taking technical features and responsibility distribution among stakeholders (developers, providers, end users, and third parties) into account.
Exoscore: A Design Tool to Evaluate Factors Associated With Technology Acceptance of Soft Lower Limb Exosuits by Older Adults
Authors: Shore Linda , Power Valerie , Hartigan Bernard , Schülein Samuel , Graf Eveline , de Eyto Adam , O’Sullivan Leonard
Published: August 2019

Objective

This pilot study proposed and performs initial testing with Exoscore, a design evaluation tool to assess factors related to acceptance of exoskeleton by older adults, during the technology development and testing phases.

Background

As longevity increases and our aging population continues to grow, assistive technologies such as exosuits and exoskeletons can provide enhanced quality of life and independence. Exoscore is a design and prototype stage evaluation method to assess factors related to perceptions of the technology, the aim being to optimize technology acceptance.

Method

In this pilot study, we applied the three-phase Exoscore tool during testing with 11 older adults. The aims were to explore the feasibility and face validity of applying the design evaluation tool during user testing of a prototype soft lower limb exoskeleton.

Results

The Exoscore method is presented as part of an iterative design evaluation process. The method was applied during an exoskeleton research and development project. The data revealed the aspects of the concept design that rated favorably with the users and the aspects of the design that required more attention to improve their potential acceptance when deployed as finished products.

Conclusion

Exoscore was effectively applied to three phases of evaluation during a testing session of a soft exoskeleton. Future exoskeleton development can benefit from the application of this design evaluation tool.

Application

This study reveals how the introduction of Exoscore to exoskeleton development will be advantageous when assessing technology acceptance of exoskeletons by older adults.
When Words Sweat: Identifying Signals for Loan Default in the Text of Loan Applications
Authors: Netzer Oded , Lemaire Alain , Herzenstein Michal
Published: August 2019

The authors present empirical evidence that borrowers, consciously or not, leave traces of their intentions, circumstances, and personality traits in the text they write when applying for a loan. This textual information has a substantial and significant ability to predict whether borrowers will pay back the loan above and beyond the financial and demographic variables commonly used in models predicting default. The authors use text-mining and machine learning tools to automatically process and analyze the raw text in over 120,000 loan requests from Prosper, an online crowdfunding platform. Including in the predictive model the textual information in the loan significantly helps predict loan default and can have substantial financial implications. The authors find that loan requests written by defaulting borrowers are more likely to include words related to their family, mentions of God, the borrower’s financial and general hardship, pleading lenders for help, and short-term-focused words. The authors further observe that defaulting loan requests are written in a manner consistent with the writing styles of extroverts and liars.
Determinants of Job Satisfaction Among U.S. Federal Employees: An Investigation of Racial and Gender Differences
Authors: Lee Hyung-Woo , Robertson Peter J. , Kim Kitai
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the determinants of job satisfaction vary between male and female and between White and minority employees of the U.S. federal government. The study investigates nine potential determinants associated with existence, relatedness, growth needs, and organizational equity, based on data from the 2015 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. The study uses multiple regression analysis to assess and compare the strength of the relationships between these determinants and work satisfaction among each of four demographic subgroups (White males, White females, minority males, and minority females). Results indicate that there are no dramatic differences among these groups in terms of which factors have the strongest impact on satisfaction. However, a few subtle distinctions are apparent. In particular, employee development is a higher priority for men than for women, and recognition for good work is not as important to minorities as it is to Whites. There is also some evidence of intersectionality, in that pay satisfaction and diversity management are most important to minority women and least important to White men, and workplace participation is most important to White men and least important to minority women. The study provides potential explanations of these findings, and briefly addresses implications for research and practice.
Freedom of the press and perceptions about government corruption
Authors: Flavin Patrick , Montgomery Fielding
Published: August 2019

The media can play an important role in the relationship between citizens and their government by acting as a watchdog and providing timely information about malfeasance and corruption. We examine whether citizens’ perceptions of government corruption are closer to country experts’ assessments in countries where there are higher levels of press freedom. Using data on citizens’ perceptions of government corruption and country expert evaluations of levels of political corruption for over 100 countries, we present evidence that the relationship between expert measures of corruption and citizens’ perceptions is heightened as the level of press freedom increases across our sample. These findings suggest that a free press can play an important role in bringing corruption to light, educating citizens, and potentially allowing them to better hold their elected officials accountable.
When reality strikes: Opinion changes among citizens and politicians during a deliberation on school closures
Authors: Strandberg Kim , Berg Janne
Published: August 2019

This article reports on deliberation between citizens and politicians in a citizens’ forum about closing small schools and building a school center in a Finnish municipality. This real-world policy issue was highly contested at the time of the deliberation. The purpose of the study was to analyze both the magnitude of opinion changes and potential opinion convergence between citizens and politicians. The citizens’ forum used an experimental design whereby half of the groups engaged in discussion under the guidance of a facilitator with discussion rules, and the other half of the groups had no facilitation or rules. The analyses test how potential opinion changes are mediated by how deliberators experience discussion quality and moderated by the type of participant (citizen or politician). The findings show that opinion changes, both regarding magnitude and convergence, are not uniform for politicians and citizens. Moreover, this study shows how different layers of opinions may be affected differently by deliberation.
Optogenetic assessment of VIP, PV, SOM and NOS inhibitory neuron activity and cerebral blood flow regulation in mouse somato-sensory cortex
Authors: Krawchuk Michael B , Ruff Catherine F , Yang Xiaoling , Ross Sarah E , Vazquez Alberto L
Published: August 2019

The impact of different neuronal populations on local cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation is not well known and insight into these relationships could enhance the interpretation of brain function and dysfunction from brain imaging data. We investigated the role of sub-types of inhibitory neuron activity on the regulation of CBF using optogenetics, laser Doppler flowmetry and different transgenic mouse models (parvalbumin (PV), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)). Whisker stimulation was used to verify that typical CBF responses were obtained in all mice. Photo-stimulation of SOM-cre and NOS-cre mice produced significant increases in CBF that were similar to whisker responses. In NOS-cre mice, CBF responses scaled with the photo-stimulus pulse duration and frequency. In SOM-cre mice, CBF increases were followed by decreases. In VIP-cre mice, photo-stimulation did not consistently produce significant changes in CBF, while slower increases in CBF that peaked 14–18 s after stimulation onset were observed in PV-cre mice. Control experiments performed in non-expressing regions showed no changes in CBF. These findings suggest that dysfunction in NOS or SOM neurons can have a significant impact on vascular responses that are detected by brain imaging methods like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Coronary aspiration thrombectomy after using intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in a patient with acute ischemic stroke: a case report
Authors: Mai Duy Ton , DaoViet Phuong , Nguyen Tien Dung , Nguyen Quang-Anh , Nguyen Tat Thien , Hoang Viet Anh , Le Hong Trung , Nguyen Van Huy , Anh Nguyen Dat , Nguyen Van Chi , Thai Lien Nguyen Vu , Nga Vu Thi , Chu Dinh-Toi
Published: August 2019

The complication of myocardial infarction after using intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke is rare. Several of these cases have been reported in the first 3 hours after infusion of rt-PA. There is controversy on how to manage treatment of the coronary artery, such as intravenous anticoagulants and antiplatelets, at the same time. We introduce a new strategy for treatment of a patient who had ischemic stroke and developed myocardial infarction after intravenous rt-PA therapy. Our case had coronary and cerebral intervention in combination with low-dose intravenous rt-PA. He was successfully treated for coronary occlusion with aspiration thrombectomy.
Barrier or Booster? Digital Media, Social Networks, and Youth Micromobilization
Authors: Maher Thomas V. , Earl Jennifer
Published: August 2019

Research on young people’s protest participation has focused on how the family, peers, and institutions support activism and micromobilization. But digital and social media usage has arguably altered how we interact and how individuals participate in politics and activism, especially among youth. This sets up an important question: Do the institutional supports (e.g., schools) and network ties (e.g., friends and family) that have historically driven micromobilization still matter in a world of pervasive digital and social media usage, particularly for youth? In this article, we analyze this question using interviews with 40 high school and university students. Rather than acting as a disruptive force, we find that digital media has become an integral part of youth micromobilization, facilitating traditional paths to activism and offering pathways to activism for those with no other options. As has been true historically, participation may also be dampened when supportive network ties are absent. We conclude with a discussion of the broader implications for micromobilization and political participation.
A robust bi-objective multi-trip periodic capacitated arc routing problem for urban waste collection using a multi-objective invasive weed optimization
Authors: Babaee Tirkolaee Erfan , Goli Alireza , Pahlevan Maryam , Malekalipour Kordestanizadeh Ramina
Published: August 2019

Urban waste collection is one of the principal processes in municipalities with large expenses and laborious operations. Among the important issues raised in this regard, the lack of awareness of the exact amount of generated waste makes difficulties in the processes of collection, transportation and disposal. To this end, investigating the waste collection issue under uncertainty can play a key role in the decision-making process of managers. This paper addresses a novel robust bi-objective multi-trip periodic capacitated arc routing problem under demand uncertainty to treat the urban waste collection problem. The objectives are to minimize the total cost (i.e. traversing and vehicles’ usage costs) and minimize the longest tour distance of vehicles (makespan). To validate the proposed bi-objective robust model, the ε-constraint method is implemented using the CPLEX solver of GAMS software. Furthermore, a multi-objective invasive weed optimization algorithm is then developed to solve the problem in real-world sizes. The parameters of the multi-objective invasive weed optimization are tuned optimally using the Taguchi design method to enhance its performance. The computational results conducted on different test problems demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can generate high-quality solutions considering three indexes of mean of ideal distance, number of solutions and central processing unit time. It is proved that the ε-constraint method and multi-objective invasive weed optimization can efficiently solve the small- and large-sized problems, respectively. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed on one of the main parameters of the problem to study the behavior of the objective functions and provide the optimal policy.
High-performance polyimides based on pyridine and xanthene pendant groups; synthesis, characterization, photoactivity, thermal, antibacterial, and Cr(VI) ion adsorption properties
Authors: Amininasab S Mojtaba , Esmaili Sahereh , Shami Zahed
Published: August 2019

A group of new polyimides (PIs) containing xanthene bulky groups and heterocyclic pyridine ring were synthesized by polycondensation reaction by using new symmetric and asymmetric diamines with available dianhydrides. The prepared diamines and PIs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, elemental analysis, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The PIs have desirable solubility in common aprotic solvents like dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylacetamide, and pyridine as a less polar solvent. The PIs with inherent viscosities in the range of 0.51–0.72 dL/g were amorphous in nature, showed glass transition temperatures ( Tgs) of about 270–300°C, and 10% weight loss at temperatures 384–443°C. They showed fluorescence emission (quantum yield 7–12%) due to the presence of xanthene and pyridine groups in their structure. The prepared PIs showed tensile strength of 81–91 MPa with elongation at break of 19–23%. The antibacterial properties of the PIs against Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and funguses were investigated. Also, a membrane of PI prepared by electrospinning method was used for the removal of different concentrations of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.
Preparation and properties of polyimide-based nanocomposites containing functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Rasekh Maryam , Rafiee Zahra
Published: August 2019

Polyimide (PI)/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were successfully prepared via the thermal curing of different amounts of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (2, 4, 6 and 8 wt%) functionalized by 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane as a coupling agent, containing the poly(amic acid) derived from 5-diamino- N-(4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol)phenyl)benzamide and 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride. The effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the structural, thermal and magnetic properties of nanocomposites was investigated. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results reveal that the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles is sufficiently compatible with PI through linkage of the coupling agent between Fe3O4 and the polymer. Also, the SEM image shows that Fe3O4 nanoparticles are dispersed uniformly in the polymer matrix, with a particle size of around 78 nm. The nanocomposites of 2 and 8 wt% exhibit the saturation magnetization values of 0.055 and 0.170 emu g− 1, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis data show that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites is improved as compared to the pure PI.
Australian news media constructions and categorisations of primary caregiving fathers
Authors: Hunter Sarah C , Riggs Damien W , Feo Rebecca
Published: August 2019

Increasing cultural and academic attention is being paid to fathers who assume the primary caregiving role, stemming from interest into whether contemporary masculinity is evolving away from traditional, hegemonic ideals. This study utilises a Discourse Analysis informed by Membership Categorisation Analysis to explore how this relatively new category – primary caregiving father – is discursively constructed in 193 Australian newsprint media articles. The analysis identified that the category of ‘primary caregiving father’ was defended and discursively managed so as to remain consistent with the activities and predicates typically associated with the category ‘normative man’. This was routinely achieved in two ways. First, descriptions of traditional uninvolved fathers were contrasted unfavourably against the ‘new’ primary caregiving father, working to position primary caregiving fathers as the new norm. Second, accounts of men’s decision to take on the primary caregiving role routinely relied on the category-tied predicates of rationality and stoicism, thereby working to position primary caregiving fathers as normatively masculine. Overall, this article concludes that, despite fathers taking on roles inconsistent with normative gendered categorisation, constructions of fatherhood in news media routinely work to align (or re-align) primary caregiving fathers within hegemonic ideals. Therefore, while masculinity is evolving and shifting, it remains within the bounds of what is considered hegemonic.
The Causal Impact of Schooling on Children’s Development: Lessons for Developmental Science
Authors: Morrison Frederick J. , Kim Matthew H. , Connor Carol M. , Grammer Jennie K.
Published: August 2019

Entry into formal schooling is a signature developmental milestone for young children and their families and represents an important period of cognitive, social, and emotional development. Until recently, few researchers have attempted to isolate the unique impact of schooling on children’s developmental and academic outcomes. The application of quasiexperimental methods has provided researchers with the tools to examine when and how schooling shapes children’s development. In this article, we summarize three main insights from this work: (a) Schooling produces major, unique changes in children’s growth across a wide range of psychological processes important for learning; (b) the effects of schooling are not universal across all domains; and (c) schooling impacts cognitive processes that are not explicitly taught. We also propose that a deeper look at classroom instruction and brain development can expand our understanding of how schooling influences academic success and positive life outcomes and provide a model for developmental science more broadly.
A Prediction Market-Based Gamified Approach to Enhance Knowledge Sharing in Organizations
Authors: Mizuyama Hajime , Yamaguchi Seiyu , Sato Mizuho
Published: August 2019

Background. Knowledge sharing among the members of an organization is crucial for enhancing the organization’s performance. However, knowing how to motivate and direct members to effectively and efficiently share their relevant private knowledge concerning the organization’s activities is not entirely a straightforward matter.

Aim. This study aims to propose a gamified approach not only for motivating truthful sharing and collective evaluation of knowledge among the members of an organization but also for properly directing those actions so as to maximize the usefulness of the shared knowledge. A case study is also conducted to understand how the proposed approach works in a live business scenario.

Method. A prediction market game on a binary event on whether the specified activity will be completed successfully is devised. The game utilizes an original comment aggregation and evaluation system through which relevant knowledge can be shared verbally and evaluated collectively by the players themselves. Players’ behavior is driven toward a desirable direction with the associated incentive framework realized by three game scores.

Results. The proposed gamified approach was implemented as a web application and verified with a laboratory experiment. The game was also played by four participants who deliberated on an actual sales proposal in a real company. It was observed that the various valuable knowledge elements that were successfully collected from the participants could be utilized for refining the sales proposal.

Conclusions. The game induced motivation through gamification, and some of the designed game scores worked in directing the players’ behavior as desired. The players learned from others’ comments, which brought about a snowball effect and enriched collective knowledge. Future research directions include how to transform this knowledge into an easy-to-comprehend representation.
Education and the Curious Case of Conservative Compromise
Authors: Glaser James M. , Berry Jeffrey M. , Schildkraut Deborah J.
Published: August 2019

“Education,” notes Philip Converse, “is everywhere the universal solvent.” Whatever the ill of the body politic, many believe that greater education improves the condition. Much scholarship explores the impact of education on political attitudes and behaviors, but scholars have not examined the relationship of education to support for political compromise. This is especially topical, as compromise between parties seems harder than ever to achieve, yet compromise is necessary for democratic governance. We examine whether higher levels of education lead to support for compromise and find that education does matter, but the relationship is conditional. For liberals and moderates, more education promotes greater support for compromise. For conservatives, those with more education are not more likely to support compromise than those with less education. We argue that for conservatives, education matters for compromise support, but it also leads to better understanding of bedrock ideological principles that inhibit approval of compromise.
Constituent Approval and Presidential Support: The Mediating Effect of Party and Chamber
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey E. , Rottinghaus Brandon
Published: August 2019

Approval affects congressional support for the president, with a reelection motivation the main linkage mechanism. Yet, the literature has not fully explored this linkage due to theoretical barriers and serious data limitations. Using a new theory and novel data, we argue that the impact of the reelection motivation should vary with contextual factors. This paper identifies two such factors rarely explored together: member party and chamber. We hypothesize that opposition party legislators will be more responsive to constituent approval than co-partisans, but this partisan differential will hold only for the Senate, not the House. We test our hypothesis on House and Senate data, from 2006 through 2012, using multiple regression poststratification (MRP) to measure district and state approval of the president. The analysis finds support for the chamber differences hypothesis that has implications for partisanship and representation.
Pathological Tumor Regression Grade Classifications in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Role on Patients’ Prognosis
Authors: Fanelli Giuseppe N. , Loupakis Fotios , Smyth Elizabeth , Scarpa Marco , Lonardi Sara , Pucciarelli Salvatore , Munari Giada , Rugge Massimo , Valeri Nicola , Fassan Matteo
Published: August 2019

Preoperative chemotherapy or combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy (CRT), followed by surgery, represents the standard approach for locally advanced esophageal, gastric, and rectal carcinomas. To adequately evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant CRT in the resection specimens, several histopathologic tumor regression grade (TRG) scoring systems have been introduced into clinical practice. The primary goal of these TRG systems relies on a correct prognostic stratification of patients in the attempt to help clinical decision-making and influence surgical strategies, postoperative adjuvant therapies, and surveillance intensity. However, most TRG systems suffer from poor reproducibility and low interobserver concordance rates. Many efforts have been made in the identification of alternative, robust, simple, and universally accepted TRG scoring systems, which would help in the comparison of different treatment strategies and in the standardization of multimodal therapies. The aim of this review is to analyze the most commonly used TRG systems in gastrointestinal cancers highlighting their pitfalls and usefulness, depending on the tumor type.
The Positive Valence Systems Scale: Development and Validation
Authors: Khazanov Gabriela Kattan , Ruscio Ayelet Meron , Forbes Courtney N.
Published: August 2019

We present the Positive Valence Systems Scale (PVSS), a measure of the National Institute of Mental Health’s Research Domain Criteria Positive Valence Systems domain. An initial long form of the scale (45 items) providing a broad assessment of the domain was distilled into a short form (21 items) measuring responses to a wide range of rewards (Food, Physical Touch, Outdoors, Positive Feedback, Social Interactions, Hobbies, and Goals). Across three diverse samples, the PVSS-21 demonstrated strong internal consistency, retest reliability, and factorial validity. It was more strongly related to reward than punishment sensitivity, positive than negative affect, and depression than anxiety. PVSS-21 scores discriminated depressed from nondepressed individuals and predicted anhedonia severity even when controlling for depression status. Hobbies emerged as the strongest predictor of clinical outcomes and the best differentiator of depressed and nondepressed individuals. Results highlight the potential of the PVSS for advancing understanding of reward-related abnormalities in depression and other disorders.
Late Versus Early Myocardial Remodeling After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Comparative Review on Mechanistic Insights and Clinical Implications
Authors: Yalta Kenan , Yilmaz Mehmet Birhan , Yalta Tulin , Palabiyik Orkide , Taylan Gokay , Zorkun Cafer
Published: August 2019

In the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), adverse myocardial remodeling (AMR) has been universally regarded as an early-onset phenomenon generally arising within the first few weeks (usually within days in the infarct zone) following myocardial injury. On the other hand, onset of cardiac morphological changes in this setting may potentially extend far beyond this time frame (usually beyond several months after the index AMI), suggesting a prolonged latent period in certain cases. In clinical practice, this delayed form of post-AMI remodeling, namely late AMR, has emerged as an interesting and underrecognized phenomenon with poorly understood mechanisms. Notably, systemic inflammation and associated growth factors seem to play a pivotal role in this setting. Accordingly, the present article primarily aims to discuss potential mechanisms and clinical implications of late AMR (in a comparative manner with its classical early counterpart) among AMI survivors along with a particular emphasis on potential benefits of certain anti-inflammatory strategies in this setting.
Switching to Another Oral Anticoagulant and Drug Discontinuation Among Elderly Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Treated With Different Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Baker Christine L. , Dhamane Amol D. , Rajpura Jigar , Mardekian Jack , Dina Oluwaseyi , Russ Cristina , Rosenblatt Lisa , Lingohr-Smith Melissa , Lin Jay
Published: August 2019

We compared the risks of switching to another oral anticoagulant (OAC) and discontinuation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among elderly patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who were prescribed rivaroxaban or dabigatran versus apixaban. Patients (≥65 years of age) with NVAF prescribed DOACs (January 1, 2013 to September 30, 2017) were identified from the Humana research database and grouped into DOAC cohorts. Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate whether the risk for switching to another OAC or discontinuing index DOACs differed among cohorts. Of the study population (N = 38 250), 55.9% were prescribed apixaban (mean age: 78.6 years; 49.8% female), 37.3% rivaroxaban (mean age: 77.4 years; 46.7% female), and 6.8% dabigatran (mean age: 77.0 years; 44.0% female). Compared to patients prescribed apixaban, patients prescribed rivaroxaban (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-2.25; P < .001) or dabigatran (HR: 3.74; 95% CI, 3.35-4.18, P < .001) had a significantly higher risk of switching to another OAC during the follow-up; compared to patients prescribed apixaban, the risks of discontinuation were also higher for patients treated with rivaroxaban (HR: 1.10; 95% CI, 1.07-1.13, P < .001) or dabigatran (HR: 1.29; 95% CI, 1.23-1.35, P < .001).
Visual Attention, Orthographic Word Recognition, and Executive Functioning in Children With ADHD, Dyslexia, or ADHD + Dyslexia
Authors: Fernández-Andrés M. Inmaculada , Tejero Pilar , Vélez-Calvo Ximena
Published: August 2019

Objective: The current study examined the differences in visual selective attention, orthographic word recognition, and executive functioning. Method: One hundred and forty Ecuadorian children in third and fifth grades of elementary school (8-10 years old) participated in the study—35 with only dyslexia (DD), 35 with the combined type of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD-C), 35 with disorders (DD + ADHD-C), and 35 typical development children (TD). Results: The Ecuadorian children with DD and/or ADHD-C in this age range usually have difficulties in visual selective attention, and also in orthographic word recognition. The executive functioning results showed that such functioning was worse in the ADHD-C groups (with or without DD), but not in the DD group, supporting the dissociation between DD and ADHD-C in executive functioning in this population. Conclusion: The DD + ADHD-C comorbidity produces worse deficits compared to DD, but not compared to ADHD-C, supporting the idea that there are common factors in DD and ADHD-C.
Effects of atipamezole dosage and timing of administration on recovery time and quality in cats following injectable anaesthesia incorporating ketamine
Authors: Bruniges Natalie , Yates David
Published: August 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to establish the optimum dosage and timing of administration of atipamezole in cats undergoing general anaesthesia incorporating ketamine to provide the shortest recovery possible without unacceptably compromising recovery quality.

Methods

In total, 128 healthy male cats (age range 2–108 months, weight range 0.56–5.22 kg) admitted for castration were randomly allocated to groups of 32. Anaesthesia was induced with 60 mg/m2 ketamine, 180 µg/m2 buprenorphine, 3 mg/m2 midazolam and 600 µg/m2 medetomidine intramuscularly (IM). Cats received 600 µg/m2 (groups 1ATI20 and 1ATI40) or 1.5 mg/m2 (groups 2.5ATI20 and 2.5ATI40) atipamezole IM either 20 (groups 1ATI20 and 2.5ATI20) or 40 mins (groups 1ATI40 and 2.5ATI40) after the ‘quad’. Preparation time, surgical time, auricular temperature, times to sternal recumbency and first standing, and recovery quality score were recorded. Data were analysed using ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U-tests and χ2 tests. Statistical significance was deemed to be P ⩽0.05.

Results

Groups did not differ significantly in preparation or surgical time. Auricular temperature decreased significantly over time ( P <0.01) but did not differ between atipamezole treatment groups. Time to sternal recumbency in group 2.5ATI20 (52.9 ± 22.3 mins) was faster than group 1ATI20 (65.7 ± 24.7 mins) ( P ⩽0.05), but there were no significant differences between other groups. Time to first standing and recovery quality scores did not differ significantly between groups. Minimal adverse effects were seen.

Conclusions and relevance

Atipamezole administration after 20 mins did not reduce recovery time but neither was recovery quality adversely affected compared with when it was administered after 40 mins, following datasheet recommendations with concurrent ketamine administration. The results of this study also suggest that an atipamezole:medetomidine dose ratio of 2.5:1 is more effective than 1:1 in reducing recovery time, regardless of timing of administration, although this only reached statistical significance for time to sternal recumbency when atipamezole was administered after 20 mins.