bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A revision of the genus Lophomilia Warren, 1913 with description of four new species from East Asia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Hypeninae)
Authors: KONONENKO VLADIMIR , Behounek Gottfried
Published: June 2019

The East Asian noctuid genus Lophomilia Warren, 1913 (=Atuntsea Berio, 1977, Bryograpta Sugi, 1977) is revised. Four new species (L. nekrasovi sp. n., L. rustica sp. n., L. diehli sp. n., and L. kobesi sp. n.) are described from Russian Far East, Korea, China and Indonesia, Sumatra. Lophomilia takao Sugi, 1962 and Lophomilia albicosta Yoshimoto 1995 are reported for the first time from China; Lophomilia polybapta (Butler, 1879) is first reported from Russia. The male and female genitalia of most species are described, adults of 12 species from East Asia are illustrated, and distribution maps for all species are presented.
Resurrection of the name Pachycheta Portschinsky for a genus of Tachinidae (Diptera)
Authors: O’HARA JAMES E.
Published: June 2019

While verifying names in the original literature for a forthcoming catalogue, I discovered a senior objective synonym for the genus currently recognized as Barychaeta Bezzi, 1906. As will be explained below, the generic name Pachycheta Portschinsky, 1881 has priority over Barychaeta. The unjustified emendation Pachychaeta is dated from Brauer and Bergenstamm (1891) instead of Bezzi (1906) as cited in Neave (1940). The correct spelling of the type species of Pachycheta is discussed. The genus Pachycheta was described by Portschinsky (1881: 278) with a single included species, Pachycheta jaroschewsky Portschinsky, 1881 (type species by monotypy). The generic name appeared next in Brauer and Bergenstamm (1891: 99 [also 1892: 403]), where it was cited in a systematic list with the spelling Pachychaeta. The Code (ICZN 1999, Article 33) is very specific about the difference between an emendation (which is an available name) and an incorrect subsequent spelling (which is not an available name), and according to the criteria therein Pachychaeta in Brauer and Bergenstamm (1891) is the former. An emendation is “any demonstrably intentional change in the original spelling of a name other than a mandatory change” (Article 33.2), and can be inferred “when two or more names in the same work are treated in a similar way” (Article 33.2.1). Brauer and Bergenstamm (1891) frequently used emended spellings of taxa in favor of original spellings, for instance changing the original ending of names from -cheta to -chaeta (e.g., Gymnocheta to Gymnochaeta, Pericheta to Perichaeta) and from -mya to -myia (e.g., Acemya to Acemyia, Ceromya to Ceromyia), thereby fulfilling the requirement of Article 33.2.1. Such emendations are now considered unjustified under Article 33.2.3. Therefore, Pachychaeta is an unjustified emendation and a junior objective synonym of Pachycheta Portschinsky and takes authorship and date from Brauer and Bergenstamm (1891). Neave (1940: 507) credited Bezzi (1906) with the emended name, but Brauer and Bergenstamm (1891) were the first to satisfy the conditions of an unjustified emendation as set forth in the present Code (ICZN 1999).
First record of the thermosbaenacean genus Halosbaena from Asia: H. daitoensis sp. nov. (Peracarida: Thermosbaenacea: Halosbaenidae) from an anchialine cave of Minamidaito-jima Is., in Okinawa, southern Japan
Authors: SHIMOMURA MICHITAKA , FUJITA YOSHIHISA
Published: June 2019

A new species of Halosbaena is described from Japan as the first record of the genus from Asia. Halosbaena daitoensis sp. nov. differs from its congeners in the following combination of characters: rounded mediodistal angle of ocular scales; 12–14 segmented main flagellum of antenna 1; segment 2 of exopodite of pereiopods 2–5 with 8 plumose macrosetae; segment 2 of uropodal exopodite with 9 plumose macrosetae; telson about 0.6 times as width as length; distally tapering male penial lobe, with a short projection on its base. A key to species of the genus is provided.
Redescription of Paccius quadridentatus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae: Trachelinae) based on the holotype
Authors: MARUSIK YURI M.
Published: June 2019

Paccius is a small genus of tracheline spiders with only eight species described from Madagascar (seven species) and Seychelles (one species) (Platnick, 2008). However, the genus is likely more diverse and may include as many as 25 species from Madagascar and adjacent islands such as Comoro, La Réunion, and Mauritius (Platnick, 2000). Only five species of this genus were properly illustrated and diagnosed by Platnick (2000). None of the three species described by Simon, including P. madagascariensis Simon, 1898, the type species, have ever been illustrated. The figures of P. quadridentatus in Benoit (1978) refer to Oedignatha mogamoga Marples, 1955 (Platnick, 2000). The only work with the first illustrations of Paccius species was published by Platnick (2000), who illustrated the copulatory organs of five species. The general habitus of Paccius has never been illustrated. While organizing the spider specimens remaining after the late Michael I. Saaristo, I found a vial with the holotype male of Paccius quadridentatus Simon, obviously borrowed from the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris. As I realized that this species was never thoroughly described, and the habitus of Paccius has never been depicted, I decided to provide a detailed redescription of P. quadridentatus, and provide figures of its habitus. Specimens were photographed using an Olympus SZX12 stereomicroscope and Olympus Camedia C-5050 camera. The images have been montaged using “CombineZM” image stacking software. The palp was macerated with lactic acid to make the passage of the seminal duct visible. All measurements are given in millimeters.
Descriptions of eight new species of Phaelota (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with a new generic synonymy and a key to species of Indian subcontinent
Authors: PRATHAPAN K. D. , KONSTANTINOV A. S.
Published: June 2019

Six new species of Phaelota Jacoby from India viz. P. assamensis, P. kottigehara, P. maculipennis, P. mauliki, P. saluki, and P. viridipennis and two new species from Sri Lanka viz. P. ogloblini and P. schereri are described and illustrated. Thrylaea Jacoby is treated as a new junior synonym of Phaelota. A lectotype for Phaelota variabilis (Jacoby) is designated and the species is removed from the synonyms of P. flavipennis (Motschulsky). The consequences of loss of flight on host plant selection in Phaelota are discussed and a key to the species of the Indian subcontinent is provided.
A new species of armored scale (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae) found on avocado fruit from Mexico and a key to the species of armored scales found on avocado worldwide
Authors: EVANS GREGORY A. , WATSON GILLIAN W. , MILLER DOUGLASS R.
Published: June 2019

A new species of armored scale, Abgrallaspis aguacatae Evans, Watson, and Miller spec. nov. is described and illustrated from specimens collected on avocado fruit from Mexico. This species has caused considerable concern as a quarantine issue in the United States. A key to the armored scale species known to feed on avocado worldwide is provided.
Neovochthonius nom. nov. pro Neochthonius Karppinen (Acari, Oribatei, Protoplophoroidea, Heterochthoniidae)
Authors: JUDSON MARK L. I.
Published: June 2019

The oribatid genus Neochthonius Karppinen in Golosova & Karppinen, 1984 was erected for a single species of Heterochthoniidae, Neochthonius latisetosus Golosova & Karppinen, 1984, from Sakhalin Island, Russian Far East (Golosova & Karppinen 1984). As noted by Judson (1995), this name is preoccupied by the pseudoscorpion genus Neochthonius Chamberlin, 1929. Although sometimes treated as a synonym of Kewochthonius Chamberlin, 1929 [now a junior synonym of Chthonius C. L. Koch, 1843] in the past, Neochthonius Chamberlin is currently considered to be a valid genus, containing four species from California, U.S.A. (Judson 1990; Muchmore 1996). Despite repeated letters to Dr Karppinen (the first sent in 1991), advising him that Neochthonius Karppinen was preoccupied, no replacement name has been published and I am informed that he has now given up all zoological activity (R. Penttinen, in litt.). In order to remove this homonymy, Neochthonius Karppinen, 1984 is here replaced with Neovochthonius nom. nov. (etymology: Latin prefix ne-, meaning ‘not’, added to the name of the related genus Ovochthonius; gender masculine). Neochthonius latisetosus Golosova & Karppinen, 1984 therefore becomes Neovochthonius latisetosus (Golosova & Karppinen, 1984) comb. nov. No other species have been assigned to this genus.
An annotated checklist of the handsome fungus beetles of the world (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Endomychidae)
Authors: SHOCKLEY F. W. , TOMASZEWSKA K. W. , MCHUGH J. V.
Published: June 2019

A worldwide checklist is provided for the family Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea). An updated subfamilial classification is presented, based on recent higher-level phylogenetic analyses and incorporating many recently described taxa. At present, Endomychidae contains 1782 valid species and subspecies in 130 genera organized into 12 subfamilies. Two new synonyms are recognized: Symbiotes latus Redtenbacher, 1849 = Symbiotes latus var. roberti Falcoz & Roman, 1930 syn. nov.; and Cholovocerida Belon, 1884 = Displotera Reitter, 1887b syn. nov. Two new combinations are proposed: Cholovocerida ecitonis (Wasmann, 1890) for Coluocera ecitonis Wasmann, 1890 comb. nov.; and Cholovocerida maderae (Wollaston, 1854) for Cholovocera maderae Wollaston, 1854 comb. nov. Loeblia ceylanica Dajoz, 1972a is here designated as the type species for Loeblia Dajoz, 1972a, and Rhymbus hemisphaericus Gerstaecker, 1858 is designated as the type species for Rhymbus Gerstaecker, 1858. Nomen nudum status is proposed for Mycetaea tafilaletica Smirnoff, 1957. Thirty-two species originally described under Corynomalus Chevrolat, 1836 and subsequently transferred to Amphix Laporte, 1840, have been returned to Corynomalus. Known fossil taxa are summarized.
The first formal report of brachypterous stonefly of Leuctridae (Plecoptera) from China
Authors: CHEN ZHI-TENG
Published: June 2019

Paraleuctra cuihuashana sp. nov., the first formally reported brachypterous stonefly of Leuctridae (Plecoptera) known from China, is described from Shaanxi Province of northwestern China. The new species is characterized by the short-winged male with unique hindwing venation and a finger-shaped process on cerci. The female of P. cuihuashana sp. nov. has variable wing length. Molecular data supported the distinctness of the new species and the widespread P. orientalis (Chu, 1928).
Why Was the August Rainfall Pattern in the East Asia–Pacific Ocean Region in 2016 Different from That in 1998 under a Similar Preceding El Niño Background?
Authors: Chen Dong , Gao Ya , Wang Huijun
Published: June 2019

Previous studies have noted that a strong El Niño event occurring in the preceding winter will result in westward stretching of the western North Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) in the following summer, causing anomalously high precipitation in the Yangtze–Huaihe River basin and anomalously low precipitation in southern China. The winters preceding the summers of 1998 and 2016 featured strong El Niño events, which, along with the El Niño event of 1982, represented the strongest El Niño events since 1950. Under these similar El Niño event backgrounds, the July precipitation anomaly in 2016 was similar to that in 1998, but the August precipitation anomalies in the two years featured opposite distributions. According to the atmospheric circulation analysis, we found that an anomalous ascending motion appeared over the Indian Ocean, while an anomalous descending motion appeared over the Pacific Ocean in August 1998. In addition, the WPSH stretched westward over southern China. However, the atmospheric circulation distribution in August 2016 was the opposite of that in 1998, and the WPSH was divided into eastern and western parts by the anomalous western Pacific cyclone. Further analysis showed that the number of tropical cyclones and typhoons over the western Pacific Ocean increased significantly in August 2016, and their activities were concentrated in the South China Sea (SCS)–southern China region and the western Pacific Ocean, resulting in the division of the WPSH. Therefore, the numbers, tracks, and strengths of tropical cyclones and typhoons were responsible for the differences in the anomalous precipitation distributions over the East Asia–Pacific Ocean region between August 2016 and August 1998.
A Multilayer Soil Moisture Dataset Based on the Gravimetric Method in China and Its Characteristics
Authors: Wang Aihui , Shi Xueli
Published: June 2019

Based on the gravimetric-technique-measured soil relative wetness and the observed soil characteristic parameters from 1992 to 2013 in China, this study derives a user-convenient monthly volumetric soil moisture (SM) dataset from 732 stations for five soil layers (10, 20, 50, 70, and 100 cm). The temporal–spatial variations in SM and its relationship with precipitation (Pr) in different subregions are then explored. The magnitude of SM is relatively large in south China and is low in northwest China, and it generally increases with soil depth in each region. The maximum SM appears in spring and/or autumn and the minimum in summer, and the SM seasonality does not vary as distinctly as that of Pr. For the top three soil layers (10-, 20-, and 50-cm levels), the linear trend analysis indicates an overall increasing SM tendency, and the mean trends (averaged across stations with trends passing a 95% significance level test) are 9.35 × 10−7, 7.37 × 10−3, and 2.45 × 10−3 cm3 cm−3 yr−1, respectively. SM memory depends on the soil depth and regions, and it has longer retention time in the deeper layers. Furthermore, the correlation between SM and antecedent Pr varies with soil depth and lag time. The antecedent Pr anomaly (1 or 2 months in advance) can be used to some extent as a surrogate SM anomaly in most regions except for in arid regions. This result is further demonstrated by the relationships between the SM anomaly and the standardized precipitation index. The current SM dataset can be used in various applications, such as validating satellite-retrieved products and model outputs.
Communicating Climate Change: Probabilistic Expressions and Concrete Events
Authors: Joslyn Susan , Demnitz Raoni
Published: June 2019

Despite near unanimous agreement among climate scientists about global warming, a substantial proportion of Americans remain skeptical or unconcerned. The two experiments reported here tested communication strategies designed to increase trust in and concern about climate change. They also measured attitudes toward climate scientists. Climate predictions were systematically manipulated to include either probabilistic (90% predictive interval) or deterministic (mean value) projections that described either concrete (i.e., heat waves and floods) or abstract events (i.e., temperature and precipitation). The results revealed that projections that included the 90% predictive interval were considered more trustworthy than deterministic projections. In addition, in a nationally representative sample, Republicans who were informed of concrete events with predictive intervals reported greater concern and more favorable attitudes toward climate scientists than when deterministic projections were used. Overall, these findings suggest that while climate change beliefs may be rooted in partisan identity, they remain malleable, especially when targeted communication strategies are used.
Effects of Semantic Congruence on Sign Identification: An ERP Study
Authors: Lu Guoying , Hou Guanhua
Published: June 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of semantic congruence and incongruence on sign identification by using event-related potentials (ERPs).

Background

Sign systems have crucial roles in public spaces and traffic facilities. Poorly designed signs can easily confuse pedestrians and drivers and reduce the efficiency of public activities and urban administration.

Method

Thirty-one participants completed a sign identification experiment independently in a laboratory setting. Experimental materials were selected from GB/T 10001, a Chinese national recommendation standard that is officially named Public Information Graphical Symbols for Use on Signs. All ERP data were processed using MATLAB 13b, and behavioral data were analyzed using Stata 14.

Results

N170, P200, N300, and N400 components were induced during semantic processing. Statistical analysis revealed that semantic congruence has a main effect on N300 in the frontal region and has a main effect on N400 at FZ in the frontal region, CPZ in the parietal-central region, and PZ in the parietal region. Amplitudes of N300 induced by picture–word matching were considerably different between the two experimental conditions at electrodes FZ and FCZ. Amplitudes of N400 were significantly larger in the incongruent condition than in the congruent condition.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that N300 and N400 are promising indicators for measuring semantic congruence in future sign design.

Application

Our findings provide ERP indicators for measuring the semantic congruence of sign design, which can be easily applied to improve the efficiency of sign design and sign comprehension.
Analysis of the use of computational intelligence techniques for air-conditioning systems: A systematic mapping study
Authors: Çakır Mustafa , Akbulut Akhan , Hatay Önen Yusuf
Published: June 2019

In our systematic mapping study, we examined 289 published works to determine which intelligent computing methods (e.g. Artificial Neural Networks, Machine Learning, and Fuzzy Logic) used by air-conditioning systems can provide energy savings and improve thermal comfort. Our goal was to identify which methods have been used most in research on the topic, which methods of data collection have been employed, and which areas of research have been empirical in nature. We observed the rules for literature reviews in identifying published works on databases (e.g. the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers database, the Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library) and classified identified works by topic. After excluding works according to the predefined criteria, we reviewed selected works according to the research parameters motivating our study. Results reveal that energy savings is the most frequently examined topic and that intelligent computing methods can be used to provide better indoor environments for occupants, with energy savings of up to 50%. The most common intelligent method used has been artificial neural networks, while sensors have been the tools most used to collect data, followed by searches of databases of experiments, simulations, and surveys accessed to validate the accuracy of findings.
Electrical, optical, and mechanical percolations of multi-walled carbon nanotube and carbon mesoporous-doped polystyrene composites
Authors: Mergen Ömer Bahadır , Arda Ertan , Evingür Gülşen Akın
Published: June 2019

In this study, we have investigated and compared electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of polystyrene thin films with added multi-walled carbon nanotube and carbon mesoporous. Surface conductivity ( σ), scattered light intensity ( I sc), and all the mechanical parameters of these composites have increased with increasing the content of carbon filler (multi-walled carbon nanotube or carbon mesoporous) in the polystyrene composites. This behavior in electrical, mechanical, and optical properties of the polystyrene/carbon fiber composites has been explained by classical and site percolation theory, respectively. The electrical percolation thresholds ( R σ) were determined to be 8.0 wt% for polystyrene/multi-walled carbon nanotube and 25.0 wt% for polystyrene/carbon mesoporous composites. The optical percolation thresholds were found to be R op = 0.8 wt.% for polystyrene/multi-walled carbon nanotube and R op = 3.0 wt.% for polystyrene/carbon mesoporous composites. For the polystyrene/carbon mesoporous composite system, it was determined that the mechanical percolation threshold occurred at lower R values than the polystyrene/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite system. The electrical ( β σ), optical ( β op), and mechanical ( β m) critical exponents have been calculated for both of the polystyrene/carbon fiber composites and obtained as compatible with used percolation theory.
Fabrication of bulk aluminum-graphene nanocomposite through friction stir alloying
Authors: Sharma Abhishek , Sharma Vyas Mani , Paul Jinu
Published: June 2019

Friction stir alloying is primarily employed for the fabrication of surface composite to improve surface properties like hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance without significantly affecting the bulk properties of the alloy. The present study demonstrates the novel method for the fabrication of bulk aluminum-graphene nanoplatelets composite by using friction stir alloying. Here, the novelty is shown through the method of graphene nanoplatelets incorporation in the stir zone. For this purpose, a channel is fabricated on the cross-sectional surface of the aluminum plate and filled with graphene nanoplatelets. It is then covered by the cross-sectional surface of another aluminum plate of same dimensions and friction stir alloying is carried out. Reference material (RM) is also fabricated at the same parameters without any graphene nanoplatelet reinforcements for the performance evaluation of the nanocomposite. The microhardness of the fabricated composite increased by ∼57% as compared to the reference material. However, the tensile strength of the fabricated Al-graphene nanoplatelet composites decreased marginally as compared to reference material. The strengthening of the composite is explained systematically by various mechanisms. The results of microhardness and tensile test were corroborated with various characterization methods such as optical micrographs, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscope, and X-ray diffraction.
Experimental investigation on the influence of carbon-based nanoparticle coating on the heat transfer characteristics of the microprocessor
Authors: Thangamuthu Tamilarasi , Rathanasamy Rajasekar , Kulandaivelu Saminathan , Kuttiappan Ravichandran , Thangamuthu Mohanraj , Chinnasamy Moganapriya , Gobinath Velu Kaliyannan
Published: June 2019

In the current scenario, thermal management plays a vital role in electronic system design. The temperature of the electronic components should not exceed manufacturer-specified temperature levels in order to maintain safe operating range and service life. The reduction in heat build-up will certainly enhance the component life and reliability of the system. The aim of this research work is to analyze the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube and graphene coating on the heat transfer capacity of a microprocessor used in personal computers. The performance of coating materials was investigated at three different usages of central processing unit. Multi-walled carbon nanotube-coated and graphene-coated microprocessors showed better enhancement in heat transfer as compared with uncoated microprocessors. Maximum decrease in heat build-up of 7 and 9℃ was achieved for multi-walled carbon nanotube-coated and graphene-coated microprocessors compared to pure substrate. From the results, graphene has been proven to be a suitable candidate for effective heat transfer compared to with multi-walled carbon nanotubes due to high thermal conductivity characteristics of the former compared to the latter.
Wine Night, “Bro-Dinners,” and Jungle Juice: Disaggregating Practices of Undergraduate Binge Drinking
Authors: Wamboldt Alexander , Khan Shamus , Mellins Claude Ann , Wall Melanie M. , Reardon Leigh , Hirsch Jennifer S.
Published: June 2019

Undergraduate binge drinking, a well-documented problem at U.S. institutions of higher education, has been associated with a host of negative behavioral health outcomes. Scholars have extensively examined individual- and institutional-level risk factors for college binge drinking. However, these data have not been effectively translated into binge-drinking interventions. To inform the development of additional evidence-based prevention programs, this article documents the varied social practices that constitute “binge drinking,” drawing on primarily ethnographic data. By disaggregating what survey research has largely examined as a unified outcome, we offer a descriptive account of the different reasons for and contexts in which students consume alcohol in amounts that constitute binge drinking. Our discussion points to modifiable social factors in university life as strategy for prevention. The implication of our argument is that acknowledging and responding to the varied motivations underlying students’ alcohol use is one strategy to enhance campus binge-drinking prevention.
A minority at the bar: Revisiting the Coptic Christian (in-)visibility
Authors: Ibrahim Mina
Published: June 2019

How do Coptic Christians make sense of a predominantly negated practice such as drinking and selling alcohol? What do they do when they are forced or voluntarily desire to join alcoholic spaces that are refused by ruling religious and social forces? In this article, I build on the unorthodoxy of beer and liquor as per the hegemonic Coptic Orthodox Church tradition of khidma in Egypt by pointing out to completely overlooked interactions that Coptic Christians have at alcoholic spaces. I argue that experiences of Coptic Christians at a bar complicate how and where Copts strive for a ‘visibility’ (i.e. recognition) in a country of a Muslim majority. Especially with the brutal crackdown on the post-2011 street activism following the 2013 coup, predominantly negated venues of entertainment and fun give us hints to important meanings of agency in the lives of members of the largest Christian minority in the Middle East.
Study on the tensile modulus of seamless fabric and tight compression finite element modeling
Authors: Wu Jiahong , Jin Zimin , Jin Jing , Yan Yuxiu , Tao Jianwei
Published: June 2019

Tight compression garments are able to exert pressure on the surface of the human body, helping to relieve muscle fatigue and accelerate recovery. In order to study the effect of the tensile property on fabric pressure on the human body, by response surface methodology, in this paper 13 seamless knitting fabrics were designed with various knitting parameters, including the linear density of bare elastic yarn (33.3, 55.6 and 77.8 dtex), yarn feed tension (0.015, 0.030 and 0.045 cN/dtex) and fabric structure (1 × 1 mock rib, cross-float and plain stitch). Through tensile testing, the tensile moduli of 13 fabrics were measured and the effect of knitting parameters was analyzed. In addition, a finite element method was used to simulate the tight pressure on the human thigh of fabrics with different tensile moduli with ANSYS workbench 19.0. Furthermore, an actual pressure experiment was designed to prove the accuracy and validation of the simulation. The result showed that the effect of yarn feed tension on the elasticity modulus was the least significant, while linear density and structure had a great influence. A quadratic response surface regression model of the elasticity modulus was created, which could calculate a bare elastic yarn knitting fabric by using its parameters. It was proved that the finite element model was able to predict pressure accurately. Through the pressure numerical simulation of three fabric samples with different tensile moduli (0.111, 0.253 and 0.523 MPa), it was indicated that for fabric with a low tensile modulus, its tight compression merely changed as elongation increased; however, for fabric with a high tensile modulus, tight compression was promoted as elongation increased.
Parental Dissatisfaction, Health, and Well-Being Among Older Chinese Adults: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem and Feeling Useless
Authors: Yang Yiqing , Wen Ming
Published: June 2019

Little work has considered the relationship between parental dissatisfaction and health and well-being among older adults. This study investigates whether parental dissatisfaction is linked to four health and well-being outcomes and whether the proposed associations are partly mediated by self-esteem and feeling useless in a 2014 sample of 432 community-dwelling older Chinese parents aged 60 to 79 years. Results from logistic and ordinary least squares regression modeling show that parental dissatisfaction is significantly associated with the four outcomes (physical health, mental health, depression, and life satisfaction), net of age, gender, and financial hardship. Findings from mediation analyses reveal that these associations are attributable to self-esteem and feeling useless both independently and jointly (with varying effects on different outcomes). Parental satisfaction contributes to healthy aging in China. It is important to develop interventions that enhance self-esteem and reduce feeling useless among older adults who are dissatisfied with their parental roles.
European College of Phlebology guideline for truncal ablation
Authors: Kürşat Bozkurt A , Lawaetz Martin , Danielsson Gudmundur , Lazaris Andreas M , Pavlovic Milos , Olariu Sorin , Rasmussen Lars
Published: June 2019

Background

The purpose of the guideline was to achieve consensus in the care and treatment of patients with chronic venous disease, based on current evidence.

Method

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, and the Cochrane library up until 1 February 2019. Additional relevant literature were added through checking of references. Level of evidence was graded through the GRADE scale and recommendations were concluded.

Results

For the treatment of great and small saphenous vein reflux, endovenous ablation with laser or radiofrequency was recommended in preference to surgery or foam sclerotherapy. If tributaries are to be treated it should be done in the same procedure. Treatment with mecanicochemical ablation and glue can be used but we still need long term follow up results.

Conclusion

For the treatment of truncal varicosities, endovenous ablation with laser or radiofrequency combined with phlebectomies is recommended before surgery or foam.
Inclusion, characteristics and outcomes of people requiring palliative care in studies of non-pharmacological interventions for delirium: A systematic review
Authors: Hosie Annmarie , Siddiqi Najma , Featherstone Imogen , Johnson Miriam , Lawlor Peter G , Bush Shirley H , Amgarth-Duff Ingrid , Edwards Layla , Cheah Seong Leang , Phillips Jane , Agar Meera
Published: June 2019

Background:

Delirium is common, distressing, serious and under-researched in specialist palliative care settings.

Objectives:

To examine whether people requiring palliative care were included in non-pharmacological delirium intervention studies in inpatient settings, how they were characterised and what their outcomes were.

Design:

Systematic review (PROSPERO 2017 CRD42017062178).

Data sources:

Systematic search in March 2017 for non-pharmacological delirium intervention studies in adult inpatients. Database search terms were ‘delirium’, ‘hospitalisation’, ‘inpatient’, ‘palliative care’, ‘hospice’, ‘critical care’ and ‘geriatrics’. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodological checklists guided risk of bias assessment.

Results:

The 29 included studies were conducted between 1994 and 2015 in diverse settings in 15 countries (9136 participants, mean age = 76.5 years ( SD = 8.1), 56% women). Most studies tested multicomponent interventions ( n = 26) to prevent delirium ( n = 19). Three-quarters of the 29 included studies ( n = 22) excluded various groups of people requiring palliative care; however, inclusion criteria, participant diagnoses, illness severity and mortality indicated their presence in almost all studies ( n = 26). Of these, 21 studies did not characterise participants requiring palliative care or report their specific outcomes (72%), four reported outcomes for older people with frailty, dementia, cancer and comorbidities, and one was explicitly focused on people receiving palliative care. Study heterogeneity and limitations precluded definitive determination of intervention effectiveness and only allowed interpretations of feasibility for people requiring palliative care. Acceptability outcomes (intervention adverse events and patients’ subjective experience) were rarely reported overall.

Conclusion:

Non-pharmacological delirium interventions have frequently excluded and under-characterised people requiring palliative care and infrequently reported their outcomes.
Robotic technology for palliative and supportive care: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Authors: Nwosu Amara Callistus , Sturgeon Bethany , McGlinchey Tamsin , Goodwin Christian DG , Behera Ardhendu , Mason Stephen , Stanley Sarah , Payne Terry R
Published: June 2019

Background:

Medical robots are increasingly used for a variety of applications in healthcare. Robots have mainly been used to support surgical procedures, and for a variety of assistive uses in dementia and elderly care. To date, there has been limited debate about the potential opportunities and risks of robotics in other areas of palliative, supportive and end-of-life care.

Aim:

The objective of this article is to examine the possible future impact of medical robotics on palliative, supportive care and end-of-life care. Specifically, we will discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of this technology.

Methods:

A SWOT analysis to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of robotic technology in palliative and supportive care.

Results:

The opportunities of robotics in palliative, supportive and end-of-life care include a number of assistive, therapeutic, social and educational uses. However, there are a number of technical, societal, economic and ethical factors which need to be considered to ensure meaningful use of this technology in palliative care.

Conclusion:

Robotics could have a number of potential applications in palliative, supportive and end-of-life care. Future work should evaluate the health-related, economic, societal and ethical implications of using this technology. There is a need for collaborative research to establish use-cases and inform policy, to ensure the appropriate use (or non-use) of robots for people with serious illness.
Establishing key criteria to define and compare models of specialist palliative care: A mixed-methods study using qualitative interviews and Delphi survey
Authors: Firth Alice M , O’Brien Suzanne M , Guo Ping , Seymour Jane , Richardson Heather , Bridges Christopher , Hocaoglu Mevhibe B , Grande Gunn , Dzingina Mendwas , Higginson Irene J , Murtagh Fliss EM
Published: June 2019

Background:

Specialist palliative care services have various configurations of staff, processes and interventions, which determine how care is delivered. Currently, there is no consistent way to define and distinguish these different models of care.

Aim:

To identify the core components that characterise and differentiate existing models of specialist palliative care in the United Kingdom.

Design:

Mixed-methods study: (1) semi-structured interviews to identify criteria, (2) two-round Delphi study to rank/refine criteria, and (3) structured interviews to test/refine criteria.

Setting/participants:

Specialist palliative care stakeholders from hospice inpatient, hospital advisory, and community settings.

Results:

(1)  Semi-structured interviews with 14 clinical leads, from eight UK organisations (five hospice inpatient units, two hospital advisory teams, five community teams), provided 34 preliminary criteria. (2)  Delphi study: Round 1 (54 participants): thirty-four criteria presented, seven removed and seven added. Round 2 (30 participants): these 34 criteria were ranked with the 15 highest ranked criteria, including setting, type of care, size of service, diagnoses, disciplines, mode of care, types of interventions, ‘out-of-hours’ components (referrals, times, disciplines, mode of care, type of care), external education, use of measures, bereavement follow-up and complex grief provision. (3)  Structured interviews with 21 UK service leads (six hospice inpatients, four hospital advisory and nine community teams) refined the criteria from (1) and (2), and provided four further contextual criteria (team purpose, funding, self-referral acceptance and discharge).

Conclusion:

In this innovative study, we derive 20 criteria to characterise and differentiate models of specialist palliative care – a major paradigm shift to enable accurate reporting and comparison in practice and research.
Patient and carer involvement in palliative care research: An integrative qualitative evidence synthesis review
Authors: Chambers Eleni , Gardiner Clare , Thompson Jill , Seymour Jane
Published: June 2019

Background:

Patient/carer involvement in palliative care research has been reported as complex, difficult and less advanced compared to other areas of health and social care research. There is seemingly limited evidence on impact and effectiveness.

Aim:

To examine the evidence regarding patient/carer involvement in palliative care research and identify the facilitators, barriers, impacts and gaps in the evidence base.

Design:

Qualitative evidence synthesis using an integrative review approach and thematic analysis.

Data sources:

Electronic databases were searched up to March 2018. Additional methods included searching websites and ongoing/unpublished studies, author searching and contacting experts. Eligibility criteria were based on the SPICE (Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison, Evaluation) framework. Two quality assessments on methodology and involvement were undertaken.

Results:

A total of 93 records were included. Eight main themes were identified, mainly concerning facilitators and barriers to effective patient and carer involvement in palliative care research: definitions/roles, values/principles, organisations/culture, training/support, networking/groups, perspectives/diversity, relationships/communication and emotions/impact. Evidence on the impact of involvement was limited, but when carried out effectively, involvement brought positive benefits for all concerned, improving the relevance and quality of research. Evidence gaps were found in non-cancer populations and collaborative/user-led involvement.

Conclusion:

Evidence identified suggests that involvement in palliative care research is challenging, but not dissimilar to that elsewhere. The facilitators and barriers identified relate mainly to the conduct of researchers at an individual level; in particular, there exists a reluctance among professionals to undertake involvement, and myths still perpetuate that patients/carers do not want to be involved. A developed infrastructure, more involvement-friendly organisational cultures and a strengthening of the evidence base would also be beneficial.
Long non-coding RNA HAND2-AS1 downregulation predicts poor survival of patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cheng Xianlu , Jiang Hong
Published: June 2019

Objective

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling is inhibited in end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and recombinant IGF-1 improves cardiac function in DCM patients. Long non-coding (lnc)RNA HAND2-AS1 was previously shown to be involved in cancer development, but its role in DCM is unknown. The present study investigated the involvement of IGF-1 and HAND2-AS1 in DCM.

Methods

Plasma HAND2-AS1 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. IGF-1 plasma levels were measured by a human IGF-1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All experiments were performed in triplicate. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analyzed correlations between levels of IGF-1 and HAND2-AS1. Patients were divided into high and low IGF-1 or lncRNA HAND2-AS1 groups, and survival curves were plotted and compared by the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test, respectively.

Results

Plasma levels of IGF-1 and lncRNA HAND2-AS1 were significantly lower in end-stage DCM patients than in healthy controls, and were only positively correlated in end-stage DCM patients. A follow-up study revealed that low levels of IGF-1 or lncRNA HAND2-AS1 were significantly associated with poor survival. In the human cardiomyocyte cell line AC16, lncRNA HAND2-AS1 overexpression failed to alter IGF-1 levels and IGF-1 overexpression did not affect lncRNA HAND2-AS1 expression.

Conclusions

LncRNA HAND2-AS1 may participate in end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy.
The effect of orthotropic material gradation on the plane sliding frictional contact mechanics problem
Authors: Yilmaz Korhan Babacan , Comez Isa , Güler Mehmet Ali , Yildirim Bora
Published: June 2019

With the advent of new functional and intelligent non-conventional materials, understanding the behavior of these materials in different contact conditions over the conventional materials is one of the most crucial aspects in early design process for coated systems. Therefore, the sliding contact problem for a functionally graded orthotropic coating–substrate system and a rigid cylindrical punch is considered in this article to study the aforementioned aspects. The functionally graded orthotropic coating is modeled to be bonded to an isotropic substrate of finite thickness and is loaded by a sliding rigid cylindrical punch under plane strain conditions. For the material orthotropy, five different real orthotropic materials are utilized and the stiffness coefficients of each principal direction are graded separately. Navier’s equations are converted to ordinary differential equations using the Fourier integral transformation technique. Then, the algebraic equations are solved and the problem is cast into a singular integral equation. A parametric finite element analysis based on augmented contact method is also conducted. The normalized surface stress distributions and the normalized contact boundaries obtained from finite element analysis are validated with the results obtained from singular integral equation approach. The results of this study may be helpful for engineers in design and optimization of the characteristics of non-conventional coatings that are used as thermal or structural barriers and wear-resistant surfaces in engineering applications.
Transportation Asset Valuation: Pre-, Peri- and Post-Fourth Industrial Revolution
Authors: Amekudzi-Kennedy Adjo , Labi Samuel , Singh Prerna
Published: June 2019

A critical component of transportation asset management, asset valuation has been applied historically largely to provide condition-based value assessments of transportation infrastructure. There are emerging opportunities for innovations in asset valuation methodology with applications in the MAP-21/FAST performance-based era, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Opportunities exist to incorporate a wider range of value factors to capture multiple objectives in planning, design, and rehabilitation, such as safety, mobility, economic advancement, resilience, sustainability, and equity, to reflect the growing importance of intangible assets, as well as consider more explicitly value-adding technologies in this era of smarter infrastructure and rapid technological change. The paper first examines existing methods in transportation asset valuation practice and trends in asset valuation thinking through a literature review on asset valuation methodology with transportation applications. It then outlines innovation pathways and future research directions in asset valuation that can enhance existing capabilities to capture an expanding notion of transportation infrastructure value in the 21st century. For transportation professionals with continuing interest in valuation approaches to enhance asset management, this paper offers a catalog for identifying appropriate valuation approaches. For researchers and practitioners interested in pursuing innovations to secure increasingly smart, effective, and efficient transportation systems, the paper outlines innovation pathways and research directions enabled by growing computing power and data collection capabilities in the 4IR.
Interactions between Police and Persons Who Experience Homelessness and Mental Illness in Toronto, Canada: Findings from a Prospective Study
Authors: Kouyoumdjian Fiona G. , Wang Ri , Mejia-Lancheros Cilia , Owusu-Bempah Akwasi , Nisenbaum Rosane , O’Campo Patricia , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Hwang Stephen W.
Published: June 2019

Objective:

We aimed to describe interactions between police and persons who experience homelessness and serious mental illness and explore whether housing status is associated with police interactions.

Method:

We conducted a secondary analysis of 2008 to 2013 data from the Toronto, Canada, site of the At Home/Chez Soi study. Using police administrative data, we calculated the number and types of police interactions, the proportion of charges for acts of living and administration of justice, and the proportion of occurrences due to victimization, involuntary psychiatric assessment, and suicidal behavior. Using generalized estimating equations, we estimated the odds of police interaction by housing status.

Results:

This study included 547 adults with mental illness who were homeless at baseline. In the year prior to randomization, 55.8% of participants interacted with police, while 51.7% and 43.0% interacted with police in Study Years 1 and 2, respectively. Of 2,228 charges against participants, 12.6% were due to acts of living and 21.2% were for administration of justice. Of 518 occurrences, 41.1% were for victimization, 45.6% were for mental health assessment, and 22.2% were for suicidal behavior. The odds of any police interaction during the past 90 days was 47% higher for those who were homeless compared to those who were stably housed (95% CI 1.26 to 1.73).

Conclusions:

For people who experience homelessness and mental illness in Toronto, Canada, interactions with police are common. The provision of stable housing and changes in policy and practice could decrease harms and increase health benefits associated with police interactions for this population.
Bra Underwire Customization With 3-D Printing
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Suh Minyoung
Published: June 2019

In the current research, we aimed to investigate whether customized 3-D underwires improve bra performance. The first experiment was designed to study whether customized 3-D printed underwires provide significant benefits over conventional wires. Customized 3-D underwires were produced following individual breast root shapes and compared with conventional underwires through wear trials. According to the empirical data, pressure was significantly reduced with the customized underwire, and performance improvement was more evident with wearing sensations of support and comfort. In the second experiment, we varied the length of the customized underwires and observed how the length of underwires influenced bra performance. More pressure was found in the outer region of the longest underwires than the medium-length wires but support and comfort sensations did not have noticeable changes depending on the wire length. As illustrated in this research, advanced 3-D technologies could contribute to product engineering and customization in the apparel industry.