bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of an aviation‐style computerised pre‐induction anaesthesia checklist on pre‐anaesthetic set‐up and non‐routine events
Authors: Jelacic S. , Bowdle A. , Nair B. G. , Togashi K. , Wu C. , Boorman D. J. , Cain K. C. , Lang J. D. , Dellinger E. P.
Published: June 2019

This prospective, observational study compared the proportion of cases with missing critical pre‐induction items before and after the implementation of an aviation‐style computerised pre‐induction anaesthesia checklist. Trained observers recorded the availability of critical pre‐induction items and evaluated the characteristics of the pre‐induction anaesthesia checklist performance including provider participation and distraction level, resistance to the use of the checklist and the time required for completion. Surgical cases that met the criteria for inclusion in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program at a single academic hospital were selected for observation. A total of 853 cases were observed before and 717 after implementation of the checklist. The proportion of cases with failure to perform all pre‐induction steps decreased from 10.0% to 6.4% (p = 0.012). There was also a significant decrease in the proportion of cases with non‐routine events from 1.2% cases before to none after checklist implementation (p = 0.003). In 17 cases, the checklist alerted the anaesthesia provider to correct a mistake in pre‐induction preparation.
The relationship between galectin‐3 levels and fragmented QRS (fQRS) in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Barman Hasan Ali , Durmaz Eser , Atici Adem , Kahyaoglu Serdar , Asoglu Ramazan , Sahin Irfan , Ikitimur Baris
Published: June 2019

Background

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complex is an electrocardiographic pattern which reflects myocardial scarring. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiogram (ECG) and plasma galectin‐3 levels in patients with heart failure (HF) and severely decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 35%).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 125 symptomatic HF patients (NYHA class II‐III) with severely reduced LVEF (≤35%). fQRS was identified in ECG. Galectin‐3 and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels were measured. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence (n = 40) or absence (n = 85) of a fQRS on ECG.

Results

Majority of patients were male (87.70%), and mean age was 65.1 ± 11.6. Galectin‐3 and NT‐proBNP levels were found to be significantly higher in the fQRS (+) group compared with the fQRS (−) group (NT‐proBNP 5,362 ± 701 pg/ml vs. 4,452 ± 698 pg/ml; p < 0.001, galectin‐3 607 ± 89.8 pg/ml vs. 509.4 ± 63.5 pg/ml; p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed galectin‐3 and NT‐proBNP levels are the presence of fQRS on ECG (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The area under the curve using the galectin‐3 level for fQRS was 0.819.

Conclusions

fQRS and serum galectin‐3 levels are associated with myocardial fibrosis and are associated with poor prognosis in heart failure. In our study, a positive correlation was found between serum galectin‐3 levels and fQRS on ECG.
Long‐term metformin use may improve clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and bridging fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis
Authors: Vilar‐Gomez Eduardo , Vuppalanchi Raj , Desai Archita P. , Gawrieh Samer , Ghabril Marwan , Saxena Romil , Cummings Oscar W. , Chalasani Naga
Published: June 2019

Background

Metformin may protect against hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aim

To investigate whether long‐term use of metformin improves survival and reduces liver‐related outcomes among patients with type 2 diabetes and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Methods

A total of 191 diabetic patients with biopsy‐proven non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and bridging fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis were retrospectively identified at Indiana University Medical Center between October 2004 and January 2016. Of them, 110 were users and 81 never‐users of metformin. Primary outcomes were transplant‐free survival, development of hepatocellular carcinoma or a first event of hepatic decompensation.

Results

Cirrhosis was present in 85% of metformin users and 88% of nonusers. Metformin dose was greater than or equal to 1 g/d in 104 out of 110 users and its median duration of use was 6 (95% CI: 4.4‐7.9) years. The mean follow‐up was 6.92 and 6.80 years for metformin users and non‐users, respectively. During follow‐up, 28 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma (metformin users: 7, nonusers: 21), and 52 died (metformin users: 7, nonusers: 24) or were transplanted (metformin users: 13, non‐users: 13). Metformin use was associated with lower risk of overall mortality or transplant (HR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.24‐0.74, P = 0.003) and hepatocellular carcinoma (sHR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11‐0.58, P = 0.001), and remained independently associated with both outcomes after propensity‐score and covariate‐adjusted analyses. No instances of hepatotoxicity or lactic acidosis were observed.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated an association between long‐term metformin use and reduced the risk of all‐cause mortality/transplant and hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetics with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and advanced fibrosis.
Kantian constructivism and the Reinhold–Sidgwick objection
Authors: Scholten Matthé
Published: June 2019

In this paper, I give a reconstruction of the so‐called Reinhold–Sidgwick objection and show that Korsgaard‐style Kantian constructivists are committed to two key premises of the underlying argument. According to the Reinhold–Sidgwick objection, the Kantian conception of autonomy entails the absurd conclusion that no one is ever morally responsible for a morally wrong action. My reconstruction of the underlying argument reveals that the objection depends on a third premise, which says that freedom is a necessary condition for moral responsibility. After mapping the common replies to the objection, I demonstrate that none of these replies is available to Kantian constructivists. But they need not be committed to the absurd conclusion that no one is ever morally blameworthy. Kantian constructivists who want to resist the Reinhold–Sidgwick objection are well advised to subject the third premise of the underlying argument to critical scrutiny.
Impaired vocal communication, sleep‐related discharges, and transient alteration of slow‐wave sleep in developing mice lacking the GluN2A subunit of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors
Authors: Salmi Manal , Del Gallo Federico , Minlebaev Marat , Zakharov Andrey , Pauly Vanessa , Perron Pauline , Pons‐Bennaceur Alexandre , Corby‐Pellegrino Séverine , Aniksztejn Laurent , Lenck‐Santini Pierre‐Pascal , Epsztein Jérôme , Khazipov Rustem , Burnashev Nail , Bertini Giuseppe , Szepetowski Pierre
Published: June 2019

Objective

Glutamate‐gated N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are instrumental to brain development and functioning. Defects in the GRIN2A gene, encoding the GluN2A subunit of NMDARs, cause slow‐wave sleep (SWS)‐related disorders of the epilepsy‐aphasia spectrum (EAS). The as‐yet poorly understood developmental sequence of early EAS‐related phenotypes, and the role of GluN2A‐containing NMDARs in the development of SWS and associated electroencephalographic (EEG) activity patterns, were investigated in Grin2a knockout (KO) mice.

Methods

Early social communication was investigated by ultrasonic vocalization (USV) recordings; the relationship of electrical activity of the cerebral cortex with SWS was studied using deep local field potential or chronic EEG recordings at various postnatal stages.

Results

Grin2a KO pups displayed altered USV and increased occurrence of high‐voltage spindles. The pattern of slow‐wave activity induced by low‐dose isoflurane was altered in Grin2a KO mice in the 3rd postnatal week and at 1 month of age. These alterations included strong suppression of the delta oscillation power and an increase in the occurrence of the spike‐wave bursts. The proportion of SWS and the sleep quality were transiently reduced in Grin2a KO mice aged 1 month but recovered by the age of 2 months. Grin2a KO mice also displayed spontaneous spike‐wave discharges, which occurred nearly exclusively during SWS, at 1 and 2 months of age.

Significance

The impaired vocal communication, the spike‐wave discharges occurring almost exclusively in SWS, and the age‐dependent alteration of SWS that were all seen in Grin2a KO mice matched the sleep‐related and age‐dependent manifestations seen in children with EAS, hence validating the Grin2a KO as a reliable model of EAS disorders. Our data also show that GluN2A‐containing NMDARs are involved in slow‐wave activity, and that the period of postnatal brain development (postnatal day 30) when several anomalies peaked might be critical for GluN2A‐dependent, sleep‐related physiological and pathological processes.
Critical role of the fibroblast growth factor signalling pathway in Ewing's sarcoma octamer‐binding transcription factor 4‐mediated cell proliferation and tumorigenesis
Authors: Kim Junghoon , Kim Hyo Sun , Shim Jung‐Jae , Lee Jungwoon , Kim Ah‐young , Kim Jungho
Published: June 2019

Certain bone and soft tissue (BST) tumours harbour a chromosomal translocation [t(6;22)(p21;q12)], which fuses the Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) gene at 22q12 with the octamer‐binding transcription factor 4 (Oct‐4) gene at 6p21, resulting in the chimeric EWS‐Oct‐4 protein that possesses high transactivation ability. Although abnormal activation of signalling pathways can lead to human cancer development, the pathways underlying these processes in human BST tumours remain poorly explored. Here, we investigated the functional significance of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling in human BST tumours. To identify the gene(s) involved in the FGF signalling pathway and potentially regulated by EWS‐Oct‐4 (also called EWS‐POU5F1), we performed RNA‐Seq analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, and xenograft assays. Treating GBS6 or ZHBTc4 cells‐expressing EWS‐Oct‐4 with the small molecule FGF receptor (FGFR) inhibitors PD173074, NVPBGJ398, ponatinib, and dovitinib suppressed cellular proliferation. Gene expression analysis revealed that, among 22 Fgf and four Fgfr family members, Fgf‐4 showed the highest upregulation (by 145‐fold) in ZHBTc4 cells‐expressing EWS‐Oct‐4. Computer‐assisted analysis identified a putative EWS‐Oct‐4‐binding site at +3017/+3024, suggesting that EWS‐Oct‐4 regulates Fgf‐4 expression in human BST tumours. Fgf‐4 enhancer constructs showed that EWS‐Oct‐4 transactivated the Fgf‐4 gene reporter in vitro, and that overexpression of EWS‐Oct‐4 stimulated endogenous Fgf‐4 gene expression in vivo. Finally, PD173074 significantly decreased tumour volume in mice. Taken together, these data suggest that FGF‐4 signalling is involved in EWS‐Oct‐4‐mediated tumorigenesis, and that its inhibition impairs tumour growth in vivo significantly.
Gene duplication and subsequent functional diversification of sucrose hydrolase in Papilio xuthus
Authors: Dai X. , Li R. , Li X. , Liang Y. , Gao Y. , Xu Y. , Shi L. , Zhou Y. , Wang H.
Published: June 2019

Sucrose is the main product of photosynthesis in plants, providing a rich carbon and energy source for the physiological growth and development of insects. In a previous study, we identified a novel sucrose hydrolase (SUH) in the larval midgut of moths. Intriguingly, there are two copies of Suh, namely Suh1 and Suh2, in several species of butterflies. However, the biochemical characteristics of SUHs in butterflies remain unclear. In this study, we found that this duplication and subsequent diversification produced two Suh genes in Papilio xuthus. These two PxSuh genes were significantly divergent in terms of their expression pattern and enzyme properties. PxSuh messenger RNA expression was highest during the larval stage, reduced in the prepupal and pupal stages and, for PxSuh1, slightly increased again in the adult. The observed levels of PxSuh2 were overall below those of PxSuh1 amongst the development stages examined. Compared with PxSUH2, which has maintained the original gene function of maltose hydrolysis, PxSUH1 exhibits substrate specificity for sucrose with an optimum enzyme activity occurring at an alkaline pH. The data show that PxSuh1 is evolutionarily adapted for effective functioning in an alkaline digestive system. Furthermore, we find that functional diversification of Suh facilitates P. xuthus to digestive carbohydrate of host plants. Thus, our findings offer new insights into the ecological and evolutionary adaptation of digestive enzymes in butterflies.
T‐wave changes of cardiac memory caused by frequent premature ventricular contractions originating from the right ventricular outflow tract
Authors: Sakamoto Yusuke , Inden Yasuya , Okamoto Hiroya , Mamiya Keita , Tomomatsu Toshiro , Fujii Aya , Yanagisawa Satoshi , Shibata Rei , Hirai Makoto , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Cardiac memory is recognized as altered T‐waves when the sinus rhythm resumes after an abnormal myocardial activation period that recovers slowly over several weeks. The T‐wave changes after ablation of frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) as cardiac memory was not known.

Objective

This study identified whether cardiac memory exists after successful ablation of PVCs from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT).

Methods

We investigated 45 patients who underwent successful ablation of PVCs from RVOT and 10 patients who underwent unsuccessful ablation. We analyzed the amplitude of the T‐wave, QT intervals, and QRST time‐integral values of a 12‐lead electrocardiogram before ablation and 1 day, 3 days, and 1 month after ablation.

Results

In the successful ablation group, the amplitude of the T‐wave and QRST time‐integral values of lead II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF significantly changed after ablation and gradually normalized within 1 month. In addition, if the number of pre‐ablation PVCs was small, then the corresponding impact was also small. However, the greater the number of pre‐ablation PVCs, the more prominent the changes. Significant changes were not observed in the unsuccessful ablation group.

Conclusion

When ablation of PVCs from RVOT was successful, primary T‐wave changes because of cardiac memory and the gradual normalization of the amplitude of the T‐wave were observed. No significant T‐wave changes were detected after unsuccessful ablation.
Color stability and surface roughness of composite resins submitted to brushing with bleaching toothpastes: An in situ study
Authors: de Moraes Rego Roselino Lourenço , Tonani Torrieri Rafaella , Sbardelotto Cristian , Alves Amorim Ayodele , Noronha Ferraz de Arruda Carolina , Tirapelli Camila , de Carvalho Panzeri Pires‐de‐Souza Fernanda
Published: June 2019

Objective

To evaluate, in situ, the color stability (CS) and surface roughness (SR) of composite resins after toothbrushing with whitening toothpaste.

Materials and Methods

Specimens (6 × 2 mm/) of composite resin (Tetric N‐Ceram, Z250 and Z350) were randomly fixed on thirty participants' upper molars (buccal surface). For an initial standardization (7 days), participants used a soft toothbrush and nonwhitening toothpaste (SDB ‐ Sorrisos Dentes Brancos). Initial CS (Easyshade) and SR (Surfcorder RS) measurements were performed. For SR, impressions of specimens were taken (Express, 3 M ESPE) to produce replicas in polyurethane resin (Axon F16, Abcol). Participants were randomly separated into three groups (n = 10) regarding used toothpaste (SDB; Close up White Now ‐ CWN; Colgate Luminous White ‐ CLW). After 90 days, CS and SR measurements were obtained, and data were analyzed (2‐way ANOVA, repeated measures, Bonferroni, P < .05).

Results

Z250 showed higher (P < .05) color change than Z350. Tetric N‐Ceram presented an intermediary value for ΔE, however, it also demonstrated higher SR (P < .05) after brushing with CLW, compared with SDB and CWN.

Conclusions

The SR change of composite resin after toothbrushing with a whitening toothpaste is material dependent, but the toothpaste abrasiveness does not change the CS.

Clinical significance

Whitening toothpaste do not change the color stability of composites; however, it can alter the restorative composite surface roughness.
Personal Experiences and Expectations about Aggregate Outcomes
Authors: KUCHLER THERESA , ZAFAR BASIT
Published: June 2019

Using novel survey data, we document that individuals extrapolate from recent personal experiences when forming expectations about aggregate economic outcomes. Recent locally experienced house price movements affect expectations about future U.S. house price changes and higher experienced house price volatility causes respondents to report a wider distribution over expected U.S. house price movements. When we exploit within‐individual variation in employment status, we find that individuals who personally experience unemployment become more pessimistic about future nationwide unemployment. The extent of extrapolation is unrelated to how informative personal experiences are, is inconsistent with risk adjustment, and is more pronounced for less sophisticated individuals.
Utilization of neurosonography for evaluation of the corpus callosum malformations in the era of fetal magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Turkyilmaz Gurcan , Sarac Sivrikoz Tugba , Erturk Emircan , Ozcan Nahit , Tatlı Burak , Karaman Birsen , Toksoy Güven , Kalelioglu İbrahim H. , Has Recep , Yuksel Atil
Published: June 2019

Aim

We evaluated the ability of fetal neurosonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to asses callosal anomalies (CA) and associated cranial malformations. We also aimed to determine the long‐term prognosis of the cases.

Methods

Thirty‐six cases of CA diagnosed combined with neurosonography and MRI between January 2012 and October 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Seventeen of 36 fetuses were diagnosed complete agenesis of corpus callosum (CACC) (47.2%), 9 had partial agenesis of corpus callosum (PACC) (25%) and 10 was dysgenesis of the corpus callosum (DCC) (27.2%) at ultrasonography (US) examination. Fetal MRI reported 16 of cases as CACC (44.4%), 11 PACC (30.5%) and nine (25%) DCC. The overall consistency between neurosonography and MRI in the definition of CA were 91% of cases. Sulcation anomalies were present in 9 cases in the US (25%) and 11 cases in MRI (30.4%). Seven of cases showed posterior fossa abnormalities in the US (19.4%) and eight cases in MRI (22.1%). Neonatal MRI added new findings to fetal MRI and neurosonography including grade‐1 intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia in two cases (12.5%). Eighteen cases were terminated (50%), 17 cases were followed up and mean follow up interval was 39 ± 5.1 months. The neurologic outcome was abnormal in seven (41.7%) patients. Presence of associated brain anomalies worsened the prognosis.

Conclusion

Fetal neurosonography has a comparable performance with MRI in the diagnosis of CA and associated anomalies. It should be used in collaboration with MRI to achieve accurate diagnosis which is crucial for counseling.
Key experiences of primary social groups in Unspecified Kidney Donation
Authors: Clarke Alexis , Mitchell Annie , Williams Lynsey , Kirk Adam , Auburn Tim , Price Linnie , Shorrock Jan , Chester Lucy
Published: June 2019

Background

The role of family members in directed kidney donation is well documented in the literature from both a physiological and psychosocial perspective. The experiences of families, or primary social groups (PSGs), where one member considers donating a kidney via unspecified altruistic kidney donation route (UKD) is poorly understood. This is pertinent as lack of family support has been identified as a potential contributor to donation withdrawal.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the relevant psychosocial factors underpinning completed and uncompleted donations.

Design

A qualitative study using semi–structured interviews.

Participants

Qualitative interviews were conducted in the United Kingdom with 35 individuals comprising of: 11 donors who donated their kidney altruistically and 8 of their PSG members, and 11 donors who withdrew and 5 of their PSG members.

Approach

Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Framework Analysis.

Results

Two major themes were identified: (1) Supportability, which contained experiences fundamental to proceeding to donate, underpinned by four subthemes Acceptability, Awareness and Information, Family Risk and Ambivalence;(2) Seeking Resolution, contained discussions of experiences following either withdrawal from or completion of the donation, and comprised two sub–themes, Unfinished Business and Resolve.

Conclusions

There are key differences in the experiences between those who completed their donation and those who withdrew. It is clear from this study that UKD operates within a PSG's social framework. Clinical implications suggest interventions at the level of addressing ambivalence within the PSG and the need for promotion of better psychosocial outcomes both following completion or withdrawal from donation.
Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion versus multiple daily injections for type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ross Lindsey J , Neville Kristen A
Published: June 2019

To review the literature on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and multiple daily injections (MDI) to help the family of a 13‐year‐old girl with type 1 diabetes mellitus on MDI choose the best insulin delivery method for her to improve her glycaemic control. A literature search was performed to assess available evidence regarding CSII use versus MDI use for glycaemic control. We identified 15 relevant articles and present these, with a detailed analysis of a multicentre randomised controlled trial by Mueller‐Godeffroy et al. Although CSII use demonstrated a reduction in HbA1c (−0.18 to −0.7%) in some studies compared to MDI, this finding was not consistent across all studies. Mueller‐Godeffroy et al. did not find a statistically significant different in HbA1c between CSII and MDI patients; however, additional benefits of insulin pump therapy, including improved diabetes‐related quality of life and reduced care giver burden, were reported. Further high‐quality randomised controlled trials and long‐term data are required to assess the benefits of CSII over MDI and the longevity of these methods.
Guidewire pacing during transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a patient with complex congenital heart disease
Authors: Follansbee Christopher W. , Qureshi Athar M. , Parekh Dhaval R. , Howard Taylor S. , Kim Jeffrey J.
Published: June 2019

We present a case of temporary guidewire pacing in a patient with Fontan anatomy during transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Temporary pacing was successfully achieved utilizing this method without complications. There is an increasing population of patients with complex congenital heart disease and expanding variety of transcatheter interventions. Due to limitations in vascular access and surgical anatomies, guidewire pacing may have a wide array of potential applications in pediatrics and the congenital heart disease population.
Energy use by the mountain pine beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) for dispersal by flight
Authors: Wijerathna Asha , Evenden Maya
Published: June 2019

The mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins is a major native pest of Pinus Linnaeus (Pinaceae) in western North America. Host colonization by the mountain pine beetle is associated with an obligatory dispersal phase, during which beetles fly in search of a suitable host. Mountain pine beetles use stored energy from feeding in the natal habitat to power flight before host colonization and brood production. Lipids fuel mountain pine beetle flight, although it is not known whether other energy sources are also used during flight. In the present study, we compare the level of energy substrates, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids of individual mountain pine beetles flown on flight mills with unflown control beetles. We use a colorimetric method to measure the entire metabolite content of each individual beetle. The present study reveals that mountain pine beetles are composed of more protein and lipid than carbohydrate. Both female and male mountain pine beetles use lipids and carbohydrates as energy sources during flight. There is variation between sexes, however, in the energy substrates used for flight. Male mountain pine beetles use protein, in addition to lipids and carbohydrates, to fuel flight, whereas protein content is not different between flown and control females.
Palliative dialysis: Addressing the need for alternative dialysis delivery modes
Authors: Tentori Francesca , Hunt Abigail , Nissenson Allen R.
Published: June 2019

For some patients with kidney failure, particularly those who have limited life expectancy or severe comorbidities, the “standard” dialysis treatment regimen may be perceived as excessively burdensome and may not align well with the patient's own priorities. For such patients, a palliative approach to the provision of dialysis—whereby treatment is tailored to the needs of the individual so as to optimize quality of life and minimize disease‐related symptoms, but limit treatment burden—might offer a way to better align the delivery of care with the life goals of the patient. Here, we discuss the fundamental principles of palliative dialysis: the patients who might most benefit from this approach, treatment strategies and considerations for implementation, as well as potential barriers to its provision.
World travellers: phylogeny and biogeography of the butterfly genusLeptotes(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)
Authors: Fric Zdenek F. , Maresova Jana , Kadlec Tomas , Tropek Robert , Pyrcz Tomasz W. , Wiemers Martin
Published: June 2019

Leptotina butterflies (Lycaenidae, Polyommatiinae) are found mostly in tropical and subtropical areas around the globe, marginally penetrating into temperate regions. Here, we investigated phylogenetic and biogeographical relationships of most representatives of the subtribe, using both likelihood and Bayesian approaches. We also estimated the timing of their diversification. And lastly, we studied phylogeographic patterns of the most widespread species,Leptotes pirithous. DNA sequences from two mitochondrial (COI, COII) and two nuclear genes (wingless, Ef1α) were analysed for 13 species of the genusLeptotesScudder and one species of the genusCyclyriusButler. Both genera together form a monophyletic clade, andCyclyriusis rooted deep insideLeptotes. Therefore, we designateCyclyriusto be a junior synonym ofLeptotes. According to our study, the genusLeptotesoriginated between the late Eocene and early Oligocene (35–31 Ma). During the Miocene it dispersed to the rest of the southern hemisphere, with further speciation events within the Indo‐Australian region, and separate radiations in the Americas and the Afrotropics.Leptotes webbianusfrom the Canary Islands turned out to be sister to the American clade from which it splitc. 12 Ma.Leptotes pirithousoriginated in Madagascarc. 4 Ma and invaded the whole of Africa and southern Europe, including numerous surrounding islands. Populations ofL. pirithousfrom Mauritius and Madagascar turned out to represent a distinct species (Leptotes durrellisp.n.) and the same applies to the Australasian populations ofLeptotes plinius(Leptotes lybasstat. rev.).

This published work has been registered in ZooBank,http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:20308930‐988B‐4327‐A35F‐CC983D46263B.
A Scenario Approach to the Simonshaven Case
Authors: van Koppen Peter J. , Mackor Anne Ruth
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we present a scenario approach and apply it to the Simonshaven case. We offer an outline in which we spell out the core notions of the scenario approach. Next, we give a summing up of criteria to assess and compare scenarios. We use examples of the Simonshaven case to illustrate how the scenario‐approach works. The last section contains a discussion of the main strengths and weaknesses of the scenario approach and a brief comparison with argumentation‐based and probabilistic approaches.
The poetics and politics of Englishes in late modernity
Authors: Bhatt Rakesh M.
Published: June 2019

This paper argues that the ‘liberation linguistics’ perspective that Professor Kachru championed achieved two important aims: (i) it explored the creative manipulation of multilinguals’ repertoire in the late‐modern contexts of mobility and complexity; and (ii) it brought into focus the sociolinguistic inequalities engendered by a politics of conformity. Braj Kachru's teaching consistently highlighted the heterogeneity and multifunctionality of language, together with the meaning potential of variation, and his work continues to provide inspiration for the ongoing development of the field, and the ‘gloriously impure’ alchemy of English that he has bequeathed to us all.
Nationalism and the emergence of Lingala as a supranational language in DR Congo
Authors: Bokamba Eyamba G.
Published: June 2019

How particular languages emerge asde factoorde jurelinguae francae is a key issue of debate and analysis in many multilingual contexts worldwide, not least in Africa, which is home to a great many competing intra‐ and inter‐state languages in rural and urban communities. This paper discusses the status and functions of Lingala, which has now attained the level of a supranational language in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In this context, it is argued that the rise of Lingala may largely be explained with reference to its function as a distinguishing index ofcongolité(being a Congolese), as opposed to being a Rwandan or an ‘occupier’ in the DRC.
English as a naturalized African language
Authors: Kamwangamalu Nkonko M.
Published: June 2019

Braj Kachru proposes a redefinition of the concept of ‘nativeness’ of English, and advanced this proposal by distinguishing between ‘genetic nativeness’ and ‘functional nativeness.’ Drawing on Kachru's framework, especially his concept of ‘functional nativeness,’ this article discusses the pragmatic realities of English in Anglophone Africa against the perennial debate on the medium of instruction in public schools in the region. It makes the case for English to be viewed as a naturalized African language, with reference to both its forms and functions.
Variation in the expression of stance across varieties of English
Authors: Mazzon Gabriella
Published: June 2019

Variational pragmatics, one of the youngest branches of pragmatics, studies the different pragmatic values of items across varieties, and the different realisations of the same pragmatic function across varieties through different forms. Studies on (inter)subjectivity, and on pragmatically sensitive items in general, have started to include Inner Circle, Outer Circle and learners’ varieties of English, also thanks to the increased availability of computerised material. In particular, the expression of stance, one of the crucial functions of several language forms that undergo pragmaticisation, is increasingly the focus of variation studies. The paper aims at contributing to such studies, focusing on the parenthetical construction I'm afraid across texts included in the GloWbE corpus in different varieties of English. This discourse marker shows a range of stance‐expressing functions and a complex pragmaticisation path, as demonstrated by previous studies. The marker appears with widely diverging frequencies across the corpus – the study attempts to map this diversified scenario, which could point to a predominance, in different varieties of English, of different pragmatic strategies for the expression of stance.
Quotative like in the Englishes of the Outer and Expanding Circles
Authors: Davydova Julia
Published: June 2019

The study aims at revising the major dichotomy between the Outer and Expanding Circles respectively. Taking the traditional sociolinguistic model of world Englishes as a starting point of discussion, I discuss the argument that classical macrosociolinguistic descriptions of linguistic varieties are helpful accounts that have also proven to be useful heuristic devices in the study of global variation as it is attested in English. Taking the linguistic variable ‘quotatives’ for illustration, I show that the patterns of use of innovative be like are uniform in the speech of young adults with elevated levels of exposure to mass media products and apply across the Outer and Expanding Circle English board. I conclude that the careful study of users’ individual profiles in a given sociolinguistic environment also holds the key to a nuanced understanding of the major sociolinguistic and sociocognitive determinants underlying the emergence of the new forms of English.
Design and Optimization of a Three Degrees-of-Freedom Spatial Motion Compliant Parallel Mechanism With Fully Decoupled Motion Characteristics
Authors: Pham Minh Tuan , Yeo Song Huat , Teo Tat Joo , Wang Pan , Nai Mui Ling Sharon
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a novel three degrees-of-freedom (DOF) compliant parallel mechanism (CPM) with a fully decoupled spatial motion (θX−θY−Z) and optimized mechanical properties. To design the CPM using the beam-based structural optimization method, several novel criteria for synthesizing three-legged CPMs with fully decoupled motions are derived. The obtained results suggest that the synthesized CPM delivers a diagonal compliance matrix, a large workspace of 10deg×10deg×7mm, fast dynamic response of ∼100Hz, and good stiffness performance whereby the translational and rotational stiffness ratios are ∼3600 and ∼570, respectively. A prototype of the synthesized CPM is fabricated using one of the three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, electron beam melting (EBM). Experimental results have shown that the 3D printed CPM can produce the full workspace with deterministic mechanical properties whereby the highest deviations between the theoretical and experimental results are 11.2% and 1% for stiffness and dynamic behaviors, respectively. Importantly, the decoupled-motion characteristic is also verified via an energy approach, i.e., the energies of the undesired parasitic motions are minor (<1%) as compared with the energy of the desired motion. In addition, several comparisons are conducted to clarify the advantages of the synthesized CPM to the existing designs. All these investigations suggest that the proposed CPM can be used in precision positioning systems due to the good stiffness characteristics, large workspace, fast dynamic response, and decoupled output motions.
How Function Ordering Within Morphological Charts Influence Exploration1
Authors: Chawla Anant , Summers Joshua D.
Published: June 2019

Although morphological charts are widely taught used tools in engineering design, little formal guidance is provided regarding their representation and exploration. Thus, an experiment was conducted to elucidate the influence of functional ordering on the exploration of morphological charts. Two design prompts were used, each with five different functional arrangements: (1) most-to-least important function, (2) least-to-most important function, (3) input-to-output function, (4) output-to-input function, and (5) Random. Sixty-seven junior mechanical engineering students were asked to generate integrated design concepts from prepopulated morphological charts for each design prompt. The concepts were analyzed to determine the frequency with which a given means was selected, how much of the chart was explored, the sequence of exploration, and the influence of function ordering. Results indicated a tendency to focus upon the initial columns of the chart irrespective of functional order. The most-to-least-important functional order resulted in higher chances and a uniformity of design space exploration.
The Effect of Vision Impairment on Competitive and Technical–Tactical Performance in Judo: Is the Present System Legitimate?
Authors: Kons Rafael L. , Krabben Kai , Mann David L. , Fischer Gabriela , Detanico Daniele
Published: June 2019

In judo competition for visual impairment, athletes of different classes compete against each other in the same category; B1 athletes are totally blind, whereas B2 and B3 athletes are partially sighted. To test for potential competition disparities due a single category of athletes, this study aimed to compare competitive and technical–tactical performance in visually impaired judo athletes with different degrees of visual impairment. The authors analyzed 340 judo matches from the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. The scores, penalties, efficiency index, and types of medals were examined, as well as the technical variation and temporal structure. The main finding was that blind judo athletes presented lower scores (p < .05; effect size [ES] = 0.43–0.73), medals (p < .05), and efficiency (p < .05; ES = 0.40–0.73); different patterns of play; and a shorter time to lose than partially sighted athletes (p = .027; ES = 0.10–0.14). However, the penalties were similar between classes (p > .05; ES = 0.07–0.14). The odds ratio of a winning medal was 3.5–8 times less in blind athletes than in partially sighted athletes (p < .01). In conclusion, blind judo athletes presented lower competitive and technical–tactical performance than athletes with some residual functional vision. These findings provide support for the development of new evidence-based criteria for judo classification based on vision impairment.
Structure of Physical Activity Opportunities Contribution to Children’s Physical Activity Levels in After-School Programs
Authors: Chandler Jessica L. , Brazendale Keith , Drenowatz Clemens , Moore Justin B. , Sui Xuemei , Weaver Robert G. , Beets Michael W.
Published: June 2019

Background: The primary purpose of this study was to determine which physical activity (PA) opportunity elicits the most moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) in after-school programs. This study used a 3-group cross-over design in which participants were exposed to 3 variations of activity structures: free play, organized, or a mixture. Methods: PA was measured using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. All data were transformed into percentage of time spent sedentary or in MVPA. Repeated-measures mixed-effects models were used to examine differences in MVPA and sedentary among the 3 activity sessions. Participants included 197 unique children, aged 5–12 years, and were 53% male and 55% white. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the percentage of time boys spent in MVPA during free play and mixed compared with organized only sessions (35.8% and 34.8% vs 29.4%). No significant difference was observed in the percentage of time girls spent in MVPA during free play compared with organized or mixed (27.2% and 26.1% vs 26.1%). Both boys and girls experienced ∼10% less time sedentary during free play compared with the others. Conclusion: Offering free play during PA opportunities can help children attain as much if not more MVPA compared with only offering organized, adult-led games.
Is Active Transport and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Associated With Inflammatory Markers in US Adults? A Cross-Sectional Analyses From NHANES
Authors: Smith Lee , Stubbs Brendon , Hu L. , Veronese Nicola , Vancampfort Davy , Williams Genevieve , Vicinanza Domenico , Jackson Sarah E. , Ying Li , López-Sánchez Guillermo F. , Yang Lin
Published: June 2019

Background: To investigate the association between levels of active transport and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, body mass index, waist circumference, and lipids in a large representative sample of adults residing in the United States. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Adjusted multinomial logistic regressions were carried out to quantify associations between levels of self-reported active transport (or LTPA) and quintiles of anthropometric measures and serum markers. Results: A total of 3248 adults were included. For serum inflammatory biomarkers, the authors observed a lower likelihood of being in the top quintile groups of circulating C-reactive protein (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40–0.90) and white blood cell count (aOR: 0.65; 95% CI, 0.44–0.95) with engaging in low to medium levels of active transport but not with high levels of active transport. Higher levels of LTPA were associated with lower likelihood of having high levels of serum inflammatory biomarkers (aOR: 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42–0.86 in the top C-reactive protein group and aOR: 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39–0.87 in top white blood cell group). Conclusions: Promoting active transport and/or LTPA may be a beneficial strategy to improving some, but not all, cardiometabolic health outcomes.
Optimizing the Production of Nursery-Based Biological Soil Crusts for Restoration of Arid Land Soils
Authors: Bethany Julie , Giraldo-Silva Ana , Nelson Corey , Barger Nichole N. , Garcia-Pichel Ferran
Published: June 2019

Biocrust communities provide important ecosystem services for arid land soils, such as soil surface stabilization promoting erosion resistance and contributing to overall soil fertility. Anthropogenic degradation to biocrust communities (through livestock grazing, agriculture, urban sprawl, and trampling) is common and significant, resulting in a loss of those ecosystem services. Losses impact both the health of the native ecosystem and the public health of local populations due to enhanced dust emissions. Because of this, approaches for biocrust restoration are being developed worldwide. Here, we present optimization of a nursery-based approach to scaling up the production of biocrust inoculum for field restoration with respect to temporal dynamics and reuse of biological materials. Unexpectedly, we also report on complex population dynamics, significant spatial variability, and lower than expected yields that we ascribe to the demonstrable presence of cyanobacterial pathogens, the spread of which may be enhanced by some of the nursery production standard practices.
Real-Time PCR Assay for Differentiation of Typhoidal and Nontyphoidal
Salmonella
Authors: Nair Satheesh , Patel Vineet , Hickey Tadgh , Maguire Clare , Greig David R. , Lee Winnie , Godbole Gauri , Grant Kathie , Chattaway Marie Anne
Published: June 2019

Rapid and accurate differentiation of
Salmonella
spp. causing enteric fever from nontyphoidal
Salmonella
is essential for clinical management of cases, laboratory risk management, and implementation of public health measures. Current methods used for confirmation of identification, including biochemistry and serotyping as well as whole-genome sequencing analyses, take several days.
Mutualist-Provisioned Resources Impact Vector Competency
Authors: Rio Rita V. M. , Jozwick Anna K. S. , Savage Amy F. , Sabet Afsoon , Vigneron Aurelien , Wu Yineng , Aksoy Serap , Weiss Brian L.
Published: June 2019

Parasites elicit several physiological changes in their host to enhance transmission. Little is known about the functional association between parasitism and microbiota-provisioned resources typically dedicated to animal hosts and how these goods may be rerouted to optimize parasite development. This study is the first to identify a specific symbiont-generated metabolite that impacts insect vector competence by facilitating parasite establishment and, thus, eventual transmission. Specifically, we demonstrate that the tsetse fly obligate mutualist
Wigglesworthia
provisions folate (vitamin B
9
) that pathogenic African trypanosomes exploit in an effort to successfully establish an infection in the vector’s MG. This process is essential for the parasite to complete its life cycle and be transmitted to a new vertebrate host. Disrupting metabolic contributions provided by the microbiota of arthropod disease vectors may fuel future innovative control strategies while also offering minimal nontarget effects.
Blacklists and Whitelists To Tackle Predatory Publishing: a Cross-Sectional Comparison and Thematic Analysis
Authors: Strinzel Michaela , Severin Anna , Milzow Katrin , Egger Matthias
Published: June 2019

Predatory journals are spurious scientific outlets that charge fees for editorial and publishing services that they do not provide. Their lack of quality assurance of published articles increases the risk that unreliable research is published and thus jeopardizes the integrity and credibility of research as a whole. There is increasing awareness of the risks associated with predatory publishing, but efforts to address this situation are hampered by the lack of a clear definition of predatory outlets. Blacklists of predatory journals and whitelists of legitimate journals have been developed but not comprehensively examined. By systematically analyzing these lists, this study provides insights into their utility and delineates the different notions of quality and legitimacy in scholarly publishing used. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relevant concepts and provides a starting point for the development of a robust definition of predatory journals.
Uncovering Virus-Virus Interactions by Unifying Approaches and Harnessing High-Throughput Tools
Authors: Díaz-Muñoz Samuel L.
Published: June 2019

Virus-host interactions have received much attention in virology. Virus-virus interactions can occur when >1 virus infects a host and can be deemed social when one virus affects the fitness of another virus, as in the well-known case of superinfection exclusion.
New Approaches to Microbiome-Based Therapies
Authors: Wong Andrea C. , Levy Maayan
Published: June 2019

Over the last decade, our understanding of the composition and functions of the gut microbiota has greatly increased. To a large extent, this has been due to the development of high-throughput genomic analyses of microbial communities, which have identified the critical contributions of the microbiome to human health.
Controlling for Contaminants in Low-Biomass 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Experiments
Authors: Karstens Lisa , Asquith Mark , Davin Sean , Fair Damien , Gregory W. Thomas , Wolfe Alan J. , Braun Jonathan , McWeeney Shannon
Published: June 2019

The relative scarcity of microbes in low-microbial-biomass environments makes accurate determination of community composition challenging. Identifying and controlling for contaminant bacterial DNA are critical steps in understanding microbial communities from these low-biomass environments. Our study introduces the use of a mock community dilution series as a positive control and evaluates four computational strategies that can identify contaminants in 16S rRNA gene sequencing experiments in order to remove them from downstream analyses. The appropriate computational approach for removing contaminant sequences from an experiment depends on prior knowledge about the microbial environment under investigation and can be evaluated with a dilution series of a mock microbial community.