bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symptomatic Extra-Adrenal Myelolipoma in the Spleen
Authors: Nitz Jonathan A. , Huckleby Jeremy , Hwang Elise H. , Medina Melissa G. , Pera Samuel J. , Orcutt Sonia T.
Published: July 2020

A 42-year-old male patient presented with intermittent abdominal pain and gastrointestinal discomfort present for 4 years. Work-up included ultrasound and computed tomography, which identified a fat-containing splenic mass 5.6 cm in size. Due to recurrent symptoms, the patient sought medical care again. Subsequent images showed an increase in size to 7.6 cm, which was concerning for neoplasm. This was removed via open splenectomy, which was challenging due to intra-abdominal adhesions despite never having had any abdominal surgery. The patient’s recovery was uncomplicated. Pathologic assessment indicated that the mass was a myelolipoma. Extra-adrenal myelolipomas are rare and typically found within the retroperitoneum but are extremely rare within the spleen. This case report adds the 6th such case to the literature and demonstrates the need for it to remain in the differential diagnosis of patients with fatty splenic masses, as well as that splenectomy is an appropriate treatment.
An Observation of a Resident-as-Teacher Combined with Tutor Guided Hysteroscopy Teaching Program for Standardized Residency Training (SRT) in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Authors: Yang Ye , Li Li Yan , Sang Lin Wei , Yang Bin Yong , Zhu Ping Ya , Dai Lei , Bao Wei , Liu Wei , Wu Fang Su
Published: July 2020

Objectives. The standardized residency training (SRT) program in China is an important link for continuing education and clinical work training for graduate students. The purpose of our study was to enable educators to maintain the effectiveness of hysteroscopy teaching techniques and make the standardized residency training students well experienced in surgery, thus demonstrating that higher efficiency of teaching can lead to better proficiency for surgery. Methods. We generated resident-as-teacher teaching round and tutor guided hysteroscopic surgery as well as a questionnaire based on the mastery degree of the basic theoretical knowledge and operational skills of hysteroscopy among seven junior residents and five senior residents of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, including four attending gynecologic surgeons of a hysteroscopy teaching program. Results. Senior residents felt confident to teach, while junior residents learned effectively through the teaching round. There were statistically significant differences in the whole operation time and the volume of distension fluid used between junior and senior residents (p<0.05). Conclusions. This study acknowledges the need for new approaches to medical education for better characterization of the link between the use of teaching rounds through problem-based learning (PBL) discussion dominated by the residents themselves and overall surgical skills of teaching and learning.
Rolling Bearing Fault Feature Extraction Based on Adaptive Tunable Q-Factor Wavelet Transform and Spectral Kurtosis
Authors: Zhao Jianlong , Zhang Yongchao , Chen Qingguang
Published: July 2020

The fault feature of the rolling bearing is difficult to extract when weak fault occurs and interference exists. The tunable Q-factor wavelet transform (TQWT) can effectively extract the weak fault characteristic of the rolling bearing, but the manual selection of the Q-factor affects the decomposition result and only using TQWT presents interference. Aiming at the above problems, an adaptive tunable Q-factor wavelet transform (ATQWT) and spectral kurtosis (SK) method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the method applies particle swarm optimization (PSO) to seek the optimized Q-factor for avoiding manual selection, which uses the kurtosis value of the transient impact component as the particle fitness function. The rolling bearing fault signal is decomposed into continuous oscillation component and transient impact component containing fault feature by the optimized Q-factor. Then, due to the presence of interference in the decomposition result of ATQWT, the SK analysis of the transient impact component is used to determine the frequency band of periodic impact component characterizing fault feature by fast kurtogram. Finally, the band-pass filter established through the above frequency band is employed to filter the interference in the transient impact component. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the ATQWT can highlight the periodic impact component characterizing rolling bearing fault feature, and the SK can filter interference in the transient impact component, which improves feature extraction effect and has great significance to enhance fault diagnosis accuracy of the rolling bearing. Compared with EEMD-TQWT and TQWT-SK, the fault feature extracted by the proposed method is prominent and effective.
Low-Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma with a Nodule-in-Nodule Appearance in Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Murakami Ryusuke , Abiko Kaoru , Miyamoto Taito , Kitawaki Yoshimi , Yamaguchi Ken , Horie Akihito , Hamanishi Junzo , Kodoh Eiji , Baba Tsukasa , Kido Aki , Minamiguchi Sachiko , Matsumura Noriomi , Mandai Masaki
Published: July 2020

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS) is a rare malignant disease and demonstrates various patterns in preoperative imaging. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is important. Given its unique form, we report a case of LG-ESS with a nodule-in-nodule appearance on preoperative imaging. A 41-year-old woman was referred to our department for further examination of a 45 mm diameter uterine corpus mass. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed several small nodules within a larger nodule. T2-weighted images showed moderate-to-high signal intensity with focal bands of low signal intensity in the small nodules. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Histopathological findings of the small nodules showed densely concentrated endometrial stromal cells reminiscent of a proliferative phase endometrium with a concentric arrangement of small spiral arteriole-like vessels. The small nodules exhibited an expansile growth pattern and were surrounded by less densely concentrated endometrial stromal cells intermingled with the normal uterine myometrium. LG-ESS with smooth muscle differentiation and sex cord-like elements was partially observed. In summary, LG-ESS demonstrating a unique nodule-in-nodule appearance on preoperative imaging histopathologically comprised tumor cells of varying densities. Our current case suggests that preoperative diagnostic imaging with MRI may be useful.
Effect of Music on Patient Experience during Intravitreal Injection
Authors: Chan Jonathan Cheuk-hung , Chan Lok Pong , Yeung Chi Pong , Tang Tin Wai , O Yip Mang , Lam Wai Ching
Published: July 2020

Introduction. Many patients remain anxious during intravitreal injections, despite its increasing use. As music can alleviate anxiety for other procedures, we wanted to evaluate its effect during intravitreal injection. Methods. Patients undergoing routine intravitreal injection were recruited for a randomized controlled trial. Subjects complete a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) questionnaire before and after undergoing injection with or without background music. They were also assessed for subjective satisfaction, anxiety, pain, and future preferences after the injection. Results. There were 39 and 37 Chinese subjects in the music (age 68.08 ± 13.67) and control (age 73.24 ± 11.17) groups, respectively. The music group reported lower anxiety and pain, and a greater reduction in STAI-S score, but the differences were not statistically significant (P=0.830, 0.655, 0.199, respectively). More subjects in the music group (92.3%, control group 64.9%) preferred music for future injections (P=0.003). Age, but not the number of previous injections, was negatively correlated with reported anxiety (r = −0.27, P=0.021). Conclusion. Most subjects preferred music during future injections. Although music reduced anxiety, the effect was not statistically significant and may be masked by the higher age of our control group, as increasing age was correlated with lower anxiety.
Thermal Performance Analysis of Solar Dryer Integrated with Heat Energy Storage System and a Low-Cost Parabolic Solar Dish Concentrator for Food Preservation
Authors: Missana Wenceslaus Pantaleo , Park Eugene , Kivevele Thomas T.
Published: July 2020

Solar energy has become a viable alternative energy because it is a clean type of energy that converts solar radiation into heat energy for various applications such as heating water, power generation, cooking, and food drying. The solar dryer, integrated with the heat energy storage system, uses nitrate salt as a heat storage medium which was designed and tested by drying 1000 grams of red pepper at 19.6 to 62.4°C. The average ambient temperature ranged from 19.3 to 37.4°C, and the maximum temperature of the heat storage media ranged from 87.8 to 125°C. The solar drying process was compared to open sun drying system loaded with 1000 grams of red pepper. The findings showed that the solar dryer maintained color and flavor and lowered the original moisture content from 86% to 10% for 24 hours compared to 36 hours of drying in open air. In this study, nitrate salt is shown to be the perfect heat storage medium for drying food products; it preserved heat for about 4 hours when there is no active sunlight.
Endometrial Cancer Molecular Risk Stratification is Equally Prognostic for Endometrioid Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Krämer Pauline , Talhouk Aline , Brett Mary Anne , Chiu Derek S. , Cairns Evan S. , Scheunhage Daniëlla A. , Hammond Rory F.L. , Farnell David , Nazeran Tayyebeh M. , Grube Marcel , Xia Zhouchunyang , Senz Janine , Leung Samuel , Feil Lukas , Pasternak Jana , Dixon Katherine , Hartkopf Andreas , Krämer Bernhard , Brucker Sara , Heitz Florian , du Bois Andreas , Harter Philipp , Kommoss Felix K.F. , Sinn Hans-Peter , Heublein Sabine , Kommoss Friedrich , Vollert Hans-Walter , Manchanda Ranjit , de Kroon Cornelis D. , Nijman Hans W. , de Bruyn Marco , Thompson Emily F. , Bashashati Ali , McAlpine Jessica N. , Singh Naveena , Tinker Anna V. , Staebler Annette , Bosse Tjalling , Kommoss Stefan , Köbel Martin , Anglesio Michael S.
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

Endometrioid ovarian carcinoma (ENOC) is generally associated with a more favorable prognosis compared with other ovarian carcinomas. Nonetheless, current patient treatment continues to follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Even though tumor staging offers stratification, personalized treatments remain elusive. As ENOC shares many clinical and molecular features with its endometrial counterpart, we sought to investigate The Cancer Genome Atlas–inspired endometrial carcinoma (EC) molecular subtyping in a cohort of ENOC.

Experimental Design:

IHC and mutation biomarkers were used to segregate 511 ENOC tumors into four EC-inspired molecular subtypes: low-risk POLE mutant (POLEmut), moderate-risk mismatch repair deficient (MMRd), high-risk p53 abnormal (p53abn), and moderate-risk with no specific molecular profile (NSMP). Survival analysis with established clinicopathologic and subtype-specific features was performed.

Results:

A total of 3.5% of cases were POLEmut, 13.7% MMRd, 9.6% p53abn, and 73.2% NSMP, each showing distinct outcomes (P < 0.001) and survival similar to observations in EC. Median OS was 18.1 years in NSMP, 12.3 years in MMRd, 4.7 years in p53abn, and not reached for POLEmut cases. Subtypes were independent of stage, grade, and residual disease in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

EC-inspired molecular classification provides independent prognostic information in ENOC. Our findings support investigating molecular subtype–specific management recommendations for patients with ENOC; for example, subtypes may provide guidance when fertility-sparing treatment is desired. Similarities between ENOC and EC suggest that patients with ENOC may benefit from management strategies applied to EC and the opportunity to study those in umbrella trials.
Nagelpsoriasis: Anti-IL17-Therapie ist erfolgversprechend
Authors: Philipp Sandra
Published: July 2020

Background: Nail psoriasis is associated with functional impairment, pain and reduced quality of life. Objectives: To demonstrate the superiority of secukinumab over placebo in clearing nail psoriasis as assessed by the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) at week 16 and over time up to week 132. Presented here is the week 32 interim analysis. Impact on quality of life was assessed by Nail Assessment in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (NAPPA) patient questionnaires. Methods: TRANSFIGURE is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque and nail psoriasis. Results: The primary objective of this study was met: both doses of secukinumab were superior to placebo at week 16 (NAPSI improvements of -45,3%, -37,9% and -10,8% for secukinumab 300 mg and 150 mg and placebo, respectively, P<0,001). Significant improvements were seen in patients’ quality of life: the NAPPA-Quality of Life total score median decreases at week 16 were 60,9%, 49,9% and 15,8% for secukinumab 300 mg and 150 mg and placebo, respectively (P < 0_001). Improvement in nail psoriasis continued to week 32: NAPSI percentage change reached -63,2% and -52,6% for secukinumab 300 mg and 150 mg, respectively. Skin clearance measured by ≥90% improvement in Psoriasis. Area and Severity Index was significant (rates of 72,5%, 54,0% and 1,7% for secukinumab 300mg and 150mg and placebo at week 16, respectively, P<0,001) and was sustained to week 32. The most common adverse events were nasopharyngitis, headache and upper respiratory tract infections. Conclusion: Secukinumab demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful efficacy and quality-of-life improvements for patients with nail psoriasis up to week 32.
Hidradenitis suppurativa: Infektion, Autoimmunkrankheit oder beides?
Authors: Makrantonaki Evgenia
Published: July 2020

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) ist eine chronisch entzündliche Hautkrankheit, die vorwiegend an Hautarealen auftritt, die viele apokrine Drüsen aufweisen, unter anderem im axillären, inguinalen, genitalen, und submammären Bereich. Die Prävalenz von HS zeigt eine signifikante Variabilität in epidemiologischen Studien und liegt zwischen 0,03% und 4%. Die Erkrankung tritt häufiger bei Frauen als bei Männern auf, Männer-Frauen Ratio 1:2 bis 1:5. Das durchschnittliche Alter bei Erstmanifestation liegt bei 23 Jahren [1]. Ein Drittel der HS Patienten gibt eine positive Familienanamnese an und die Erkrankung weist einen autosomal-dominanten Erbgang auf. Zu den häufigsten Komorbiditäten der HS gehören unter anderem Morbus Crohn, Colitis ulcerosa, Spondylarthropathie und metabolisches Syndrom [2]. Genetische Prädisposition, endokrinologische Störungen, dysregulierte erworbene Immunität, bakterielle Superinfektion, Rauchen und Adipositas gehören zu den begünstigenden Faktoren [1]. Eine begrenzte Anzahl von Studien hat sich auf die Analyse molekularer Profiländerungen auf Gen- und/oder Proteinebene konzentriert [3, 4]. Die betroffenen Signalwege sind hauptsächlich mit Inflammation assoziiert, einschließlich Zelladhäsion, Diapedese und Extravasation sowie Signal- und Kommunikationswegen für Immunzellen [3]. Im Artikel von Constantinou, Fragoulis und Nikiphorou wird die aktuelle Evidenz zu Verbindungen zwischen HS und Autoimmun- und Infektionskrankheiten mit einem Schwerpunkt auf Epidemiologie und Pathophysiologie untersucht.
A transformação do corpo bélico na tela em Macbeth de Justin Kurzel
Authors: Rosa Ketlyn Mara
Published: July 2020

Este artigo discute como a adaptação de Macbeth (2015), do diretor Justin Kurzel está imersa no contexto social e político do século XXI em que as guerras do Afeganistão e Iraque reverberam no estado físico e psicológico do soldado. No filme, o corpo bélico carrega cicatrizes das múltiplas experiências violentas de batalha e emerge como um indivíduo danificado, aquele que visceralmente carrega o passado traumático para seu presente. Eu analiso como o corpo bélico de Macbeth passa por uma jornada de ruína, transformando-se de líder das massas em um tirano solitário preso em suas raízes de violentas experiências do passado em um contexto de mutilação do corpo e morte.
Medos públicos em lugares privados: o horror nos filmes de Kleber Mendonça Filho
Authors: Caetano Lucas Procópio , Gomes Paula
Published: July 2020

O artigo investiga três filmes do diretor brasileiro Kleber Mendonça Filho, Vinil Verde (2004), O Som ao Redor (2012) e Aquarius (2016), buscando identificar, por meio da análise fílmica, o uso de elementos característicos do gênero cinematográfico do horror em diferentes momentos destas três obras. A recorrência destes elementos nos filmes do diretor e o modo como eles se relacionam com outros regimes de representação localizam essa produção dentro de uma tendência cinematográfica contemporânea já apontada por pesquisadores como Cánepa (2013).
Músculos, Exú e axé e no realismo performativo de Esse amor que nos consome
Authors: Figueiredo Ruy Cézar Campos
Published: July 2020

Analisam-se cenas e se destacam eventos do filme Esse amor que nos consome (2012), de Allan Ribeiro, a partir de uma abordagem fenomenológica e tátil dos estudos fílmicos presente em autoras como Laura Marks, Vivian Sobchack e Jennifer Barker. Tal abordagem chama atenção para a corporificação, que no filme aqui analisado ganha características peculiares do modo afro-brasileiro de se relacionar com o corpo, considerando outras ontologias no relacionamento com a realidade e sua performance cinematográfica.
Adesão e crítica ao cinema na dramaturgia de The glass menagerie
Authors: Santos Fernanda
Published: July 2020

O presente artigo analisa a dramaturgia da peça The glass menagerie (1944), de Tennessee Williams, tomando aspectos de aderência e crítica que o texto desenvolve em relação ao cinema clássico estadunidense dos anos 1930 e 1940. Por meio de uma abordagem intermidiática, advogarei a favor de uma “adesão-crítica” de The glass menagerie à linguagem e à cultura social do cinema do período, capaz de promover tensionamentos no caráter dramático do texto de Williams. O trabalho almeja um apontamento preliminar a respeito das trocas intermidiáticas entre os textos teatrais de Tennessee Williams e o cinema hollywoodiano.
Ler Saramago em tempos liberais e conservadores
Authors: Lopes Marcos
Published: July 2020

Este artigo sintetiza alguns aspectos principais da recepção de José Saramago nos anos de 1980 e 1990, considerando as transformações políticas e culturais do período. Em seguida, apresenta a seguinte hipótese de leitura para o conjunto de sua obra: a ficção de Saramago oscila entre o ceticismo filosófico, a crença política e a reserva moral. Por fim, faz uma interpretação do núcleo hermenêutico presente em História do cerco de Lisboa: a produção de sentido para o evento histórico depende de alguns dispositivos retóricos, sendo os mais decisivos as alegorias do nevoeiro e da muralha vazia.
Reumatismo de partes moles
Authors: Battistella Linamara Rizzo , Mendonça Lais Lage Furtado de , Balthazar Plínio Augusto , Cossermelli Wilson
Published: July 2020

Foram abordados métodos convencionais no tratamento do reumatismo de partes moles, no qual o sintoma dor pode apresentar diferenças individualizadas em suas características (intensidade, duração, localização etc.), dependendo inclusive do quadro clínico de base. O sucesso terapêutico, pode ser obtido pela escolha de témicas preferencialmente simples, seguras e bem recebidas pelo paciente.
Vital Roles of Gremlin‐1 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Systemic‐to‐Pulmonary Shunts
Authors: Meng Liukun , Teng Xiao , Liu Yao , Yang Chao , Wang Shengwei , Yuan Wen , Meng Jian , Chi Hongjie , Duan Lihua , Liu Xiaoyan
Published: July 2020

Background

Heterozygous mutation in BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) receptor 2 is rare, but BMP cascade suppression is common in congenital heart disease–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHD‐PAH); however, the underling mechanism of BMP cascade suppression independent of BMP receptor 2 mutation is unknown.

Methods and Results

Pulmonary hypertensive status observed in CHD‐PAH was surgically reproduced in rats. Gremlin‐1 expression was increased, but BMP cascade was suppressed, in lungs from CHD‐PAH patients and shunted rats, whereas shunt correction retarded these trends in rats. Immunostaining demonstrated increased gremlin‐1 was mainly in the endothelium and media of remodeled pulmonary arteries. However, mechanical stretch time‐ and amplitude‐dependently stimulated gremlin‐1 secretion and suppressed BMP cascade in distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from healthy rats. Under static condition, gremlin‐1 significantly promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from healthy rats via BMP cascade. Furthermore, plasma gremlin‐1 closely correlated with hemodynamic parameters in CHD‐PAH patients and shunted rats.

Conclusions

Serving as an endogenous antagonist of BMP cascade, the increase of gremlin‐1 in CHD‐PAH may present a reasonable mechanism explanation for BMP cascade suppression independent of BMP receptor 2 mutation.
Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke During New York City’s COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Majidi Shahram , Fifi Johanna T. , Ladner Travis R. , Lara-Reyna Jacques , Yaeger Kurt A. , Yim Benjamin , Dangayach Neha , Oxley Thomas J. , Shigematsu Tomoyoshi , Kummer Benjamin R. , Stein Laura K. , Weinberger Jesse , Fara Michael G. , De Leacy Reade , Dhamoon Mandip S. , Tuhrim Stanley , Mocco J
Published: July 2020

Background and Purpose:

The 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak and its associated disease (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) have created a worldwide pandemic. Early data suggest higher rate of ischemic stroke in severe COVID-19 infection. We evaluated whether a relationship exists between emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) and the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods:

This is a retrospective, observational case series. Data were collected from all patients who presented with ELVO to the Mount Sinai Health System Hospitals across New York City during the peak 3 weeks of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Patients’ demographic, comorbid conditions, cardiovascular risk factors, COVID-19 disease status, and clinical presentation were extracted from the electronic medical record. Comparison was made between COVID-19 positive and negative cohorts. The incidence of ELVO stroke was compared with the pre-COVID period.

Results:

Forty-five consecutive ELVO patients presented during the observation period. Fifty-three percent of patients tested positive for COVID-19. Total patients’ mean (±SD) age was 66 (±17). Patients with COVID-19 were significantly younger than patients without COVID-19, 59±13 versus 74±17 (odds ratio [95% CI], 0.94 [0.81–0.98];
P
=0.004). Seventy-five percent of patients with COVID-19 were male compared with 43% of patients without COVID-19 (odds ratio [95% CI], 3.99 [1.12–14.17];
P
=0.032). Patients with COVID-19 were less likely to be White (8% versus 38% [odds ratio (95% CI), 0.15 (0.04–0.81);
P
=0.027]). In comparison to a similar time duration before the COVID-19 outbreak, a 2-fold increase in the total number of ELVO was observed (estimate: 0.78 [95% CI, 0.47–1.08],
P
≤0.0001).

Conclusions:

More than half of the ELVO stroke patients during the peak time of the New York City’s COVID-19 outbreak were COVID-19 positive, and those patients with COVID-19 were younger, more likely to be male, and less likely to be White. Our findings also suggest an increase in the incidence of ELVO stroke during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak.
SARS-CoV-2 – a new challenge for laboratory medicine
Authors: Dodig Slavica , Čepelak Ivana , Čepelak Dodig Daniela , Laškaj Renata
Published: July 2020

The new corona virus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2) causes a disease called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), that develops mostly in subjects with already impaired immune system function, primarily in the elderly and in individuals with some chronic disease or condition. The reasons for this should be sought in the processes of aging and chronic latent inflammation, i.e. immunosenescence and inflammaging. Laboratory medicine specialists are currently focused on proving the presence of the virus and defining biomarkers that would enable the prediction of disease progression. For now, it has been shown that useful biomarkers can include general biomarkers of inflammation (parameters of complete blood count, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, procalcitonin), biomarkers of myocardial damage (high sensitivity troponin I/T, B-type natriuretic peptide, and N-terminal B type natriuretic peptide), and vascular biomarkers (D-dimer, prothrombin time, fibrinogen). Their actual diagnostic specificity, sensitivity and predictive value need to be tested on a larger number of subjects. In addition, it is important to find and evaluate specific biomarkers of immunosenescence.
A Modest Reply to Timothy Fitzgerald
Authors: Miller Daniel D.
Published: July 2020

A reply to Timothy Fitzgerald’s “Religion, politics, history, and culture: A critical response to Daniel Miller” (2014).
Tibetan-las, -nas and -bas
Authors: W. HILL Nathan , W. HILL Nathan
Published: July 2020

In descriptions of Tibetan grammar it is common to treat -las and -nas together in the discussion of case marking, signaling merely that -las is capable of forming comparisons whereas -nas is not. Similarly, in the discussion of comparison most authors make no distinction between the suffixes -bas and -las. A look at a few examples of these three morphemes demonstrates that they have quite distinct syntax and semantics.
Notes et Documents
Authors: ZHU Xiaonong ,   Li YI, ZHU Xiaonong ,   Li YI
Published: July 2020

This article reports on two previously unknown tonal types discovered in recent fieldwork in China: the "double circumflex tone" and the "back dipping tone". The double circumflex tone has a "fall-rise-fall" pitch curve with two turning points in both perceptual and acoustic terms. The back dipping tone has a higher tonal head and a later turning point than an ordinary dipping tone. This paper lists the 32 localities where DCTs are found. It further discusses major characteristics of the two tones and their phonological contrast with the more commonly known dipping tone.
Continuing or Settled? Prosecution of Israeli Settlements under Article 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute
Authors: Yasar Aysev Uzay
Published: July 2020

This article provides a definitional framework for the concepts of instantaneous, continuous and continuing crimes, drawing from domestic and international legal authorities and applying these definitions to article 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which criminalizes transfer of population by the Occupying Power into an occupied territory. The article focuses on the interpretation of article 8(2)(b)(viii) as an instantaneous, continuous or continuing crime with reference to the Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank in order to assess whether the transfer of settlers into the West Bank prior to June 2014 – i.e. the date that the temporal jurisdiction of the ICC starts in the territory of the State of Palestine, can be investigated and prosecuted.
Whither the Principle of Self-determination in the Post-colonial Era? Building the Case for a Policy-oriented Approach
Authors: Amoroso Daniele
Published: July 2020

It is no secret that, since the end of decolonization, the principle of self-determination of peoples has been going through a veritable identity crisis. On the one hand, inconsistencies and double-standards are so commonplace in international practice as to justify the doubt that the law of self-determination is, in fact, power politics in disguise. On the other hand, a significant portion of the international community maintains that the principle has exhausted its historical function and applies only to a very limited number of cases (e.g. Palestine and Western Sahara). Yet self-determination of peoples is still well entrenched in international legal life.

Against this background, international lawyers have been called upon to clarify how the customary principle on self-determination has changed in order to meet the challenges posed by the new global order. So far, however, the various attempts to overcome the colonial paradigm have not led to satisfactory results, being doomed to capitulate in the face of the fact that international practice in this field is either too sparse or is inconsistent.

The main reason for this difficulty lies in the tendency to conceive of the law of self-determination in a traditional, ‘static’ fashion, as a set of clear-cut rules whose content has to be distilled, ultimately, in the light of accumulated past decisions. I will argue, by contrast, that the principle should be looked at in its ‘dynamic’ aspect, viz. as a ceaseless process through which the international community provides an authoritative response to demands for self-determination. My working hypothesis, specifically, is that a valuable contribution to such an investigation may be offered by the policy-oriented jurisprudence developed by the so-called ‘New Haven School’ of international law (NHS).
The taxonomy and biogeography of the guttulinervis group of the genus Baeturia Stål, 1866 (Homoptera, Tibicinidae)
Authors: de Boer A.J.
Published: July 2020

The guttulinervis group is proposed for a monophyletic group of four northern New Guinean species of the cicada genus Baeturia Stål, 1866. B. guttulinervis Blöte, 1960, is redescribed and three species (B. biroi, B. inconstans, and B. roonensis) are described as new to science. The phylogenetic position of the guttulinervis group, within the genus Baeturia, is discussed. The distribution of shared characters suggests a sister group relationship with the conviva group. A key to the males is provided and a map of distribution is presented.
Campylotropis albopubescens stat. nov. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Desmodieae): the only species in the genus reproduced via rootstocks

Authors: LIAO MIN , XU BO
Published: July 2020

Campylotropis pinetorum is a widespread and morphologically varied species including three subspecies: subsp. pinetorum, subsp. velutina, and subsp. albopubescens. However, our recent extensive observations indicated that C. pinetorum subsp. albopubescens, the only taxon in the genus that can form dominant communities via rootstocks, is clearly distinguished from subsp. pinetorum and subsp. velutina due to its distinct morphological characters: ovate to ovate-triangular stipules; branches, inflorescence rachises, calyces, and both surfaces of leaflets densely white pubescent; longer and wider bracts; purplish-red flowers; standard without green spots; pods without net veins; and presence of both sexual and vegetative reproduction types. Therefore, C. pinetorum var. albopubescens, the basionym of C. pinetorum subsp. albopubescens, is elevated to the species rank as C. albopubscens (Iokawa & H.Ohashi) M.Liao & B.Xu, stat. nov.
Description of two females of Leptagrion Selys (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
Authors: FURIERI KARINA S. , FRAGA FELIPE B. , TRIBULL CARLY , COLOMBO WESLEY D.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we provide taxonomic updates on the genus Leptagrion Selys: the females of L. acutum Santos and L. porrectum Selys are illustrated and diagnosed for the first time. We also add to the original description of L. acutum based on a male collected in the Atlantic Forest. A key for females is also provided for the currently known species of Southeast of Brazil.
First annotated checklist of the Diplura (Insecta) of Turkey
Authors: TUSUN SADREDDIN , SATAR ALI
Published: July 2020

A checklist of the species of Turkish Diplura and their zoogeographical distribution are presented in this study. This checklist is based on studies from the literature, various museums, and private collections.                This study is the first checklist about Diplura from Turkey.
An Intercomparison Study of Algorithms for Downscaling SMAP Radiometer Soil Moisture Retrievals
Authors: Fang Li , Zhan Xiwu , Yin Jifu , Liu Jicheng , Schull Mitchell , Walker Jeffrey P. , Wen Jun , Cosh Michael H. , Lakhankar Tarendra , Collins Chandra Holifield , Bosch David D. , Starks Patrick J.
Published: July 2020

In the past decade, a variety of algorithms have been introduced to downscale passive microwave soil moisture observations. Some exploit the soil moisture information from optical/thermal sensing of land surface temperature (LST) and vegetation dynamics while others use active microwave (radar) observations. In this study, downscaled soil moisture data at 9- or 1-km resolution from several algorithms are intercompared against in situ soil moisture measurements to determine their reliability in an operational system. The finescale satellite data used here for downscaling the coarse-scale SMAP data are observations of LST from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and vegetation index (VI) from the NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) for the warm seasons in 2015 and 2016. Three recently developed downscaling algorithms are evaluated and compared: a simple regression algorithm based on 9-km thermal inertial data, a data mining approach called regression tree based on 9- and 1-km LST and VI, and the NASA SMAP enhanced 9-km soil moisture product algorithm. Seven sets of in situ soil moisture data from intensive networks were used for validation, including 1) the CREST-SMART network in Millbrook, New York; 2) Walnut Gulch Watershed in Arizona; 3) Little Washita Watershed in Oklahoma; 4) Fort Cobb Reservoir Experimental Watersheds in Oklahoma; 5) Little River Watershed in Georgia; 6) the Tibetan Plateau network in China, and 7) the OzNet in Australia. Soil moisture measurements of the in situ networks were upscaled to the corresponding SMAP reference pixels at 9 km and used to assess the accuracy of downscaled products at a 9-km scale. Results revealed that the downscaled 9-km soil moisture products generally outperform the 36-km product for most in situ datasets. The linear regression algorithm using the thermal sensing based evaporative stress index (ESI) had the best agreement with the in situ measurements from networks in the contiguous United States according to the site-by-site comparison. In addition, the inertial thermal linear regression method demonstrated the lowest unbiased RMSE when comparing to the matched-up in situ datasets as well. In general, this method is promising for operational generation of fine-resolution soil moisture data product.
Variabilities of the Sea Surface Height in the Kuril Basin of the Sea of Okhotsk: Coherent Shelf-Trapped Mode and Rossby Normal Modes
Authors: Mensah Vigan , Ohshima Kay I.
Published: July 2020

A time series analysis of the sea surface height anomaly (SSHa) was conducted in the Kuril Basin of the Sea of Okhotsk. The mapping of the satellite-derived SSHa data was optimized to mitigate the effects of sea ice on the SSHa field during winter and early spring. Complex empirical orthogonal functions (CEOFs) were then used to analyze the SSHa field, revealing that the first three modes account for 55% of the signal variance. Mode 1 mainly represents the coherent variability trapped over the shelves all along the coastal regions and the Kuril Islands. Both seasonal and interannual variations are strongly correlated with the alongshore wind stress and can be well explained by an arrested topographic wave. Mode 3 is a propagating mode that exhibits trains of southwestward-propagating, high-amplitude anomalies. One possible mechanism for this is first-mode baroclinic Rossby waves, whose energy propagates from the Kuril Straits toward the Kuril Basin. However, mode 3 can be better interpreted as barotropic Rossby normal modes generated in the deep Kuril Basin. Mode 2 is a standing mode that may encompass the baroclinic variability in the basin. The monthly mean of the SSHa in the Kuril Basin is primarily governed by variability in mode 1, with mode 2 contributing to a lesser extent, and mode 3 being insignificant.
Synoptic-Scale Environments and Precipitation Morphologies of Tornado Outbreaks from Quasi-Linear Convective Systems in the United Kingdom
Authors: Buckingham Ty J. , Schultz David M.
Published: July 2020

Nine tornado outbreaks (days with three or more tornadoes) have occurred in the United Kingdom from quasi-linear convective systems (QLCSs) in the 16 years between 2004 and 2019. Of the nine outbreaks, eight can be classified into two synoptic categories: type 1 and type 2. Synoptic categories are derived from the location of the parent extratropical cyclone and the orientation of the surface front associated with the QLCS. Environmental differences between the categories are assessed using ERA5 reanalysis data. Type 1 events are characterized by a confluent 500-hPa trough from the west, meridional cold front, strong cross-frontal wind veer (about 90°), cross-frontal temperature decrease of 2°–4°C, prefrontal 2-m dewpoint temperatures of 12°–14°C, a prefrontal low-level jet, and prefrontal 0–1- and 0–3-km bulk shears of 15 and 25 m s−1, respectively. In contrast, type 2 events are characterized by a diffluent 500-hPa trough from the northwest, zonal front, weaker cross-frontal wind veer (≤45°), much smaller cross-frontal temperature decrease, lower prefrontal 2-m dewpoint temperatures of 6°–10°C, and weaker prefrontal 0–1- and 0–3-km bulk shears of 10 and 15 m s−1, respectively. Analysis of the Met Office radar reflectivity mosaics revealed that narrow cold-frontal rainbands developed in all type 1 events and subsequently displayed precipitation core-and-gap structures. Conversely, type 2 events did not develop narrow cold-frontal rainbands, although precipitation cores developed sporadically within the wide cold-frontal rainband. Type 1 events produced tornadoes 2–4 h after core-and-gap development, whereas type 2 events produced tornadoes within 1 h of forming cores and gaps. All events produced tornadoes during a relatively short time period (1–3 h).
An Analysis of an Ostensible Anticyclonic Tornado from 9 May 2016 Using High-Resolution, Rapid-Scan Radar Data
Authors: Snyder Jeffrey C. , Bluestein Howard B. , Wienhoff Zachary B. , Kuster Charles M. , Reif Dylan W.
Published: July 2020

Tornadic supercells moved across parts of Oklahoma on the afternoon and evening of 9 May 2016. One such supercell, while producing a long-lived tornado, was observed by nearby WSR-88D radars to contain a strong anticyclonic velocity couplet on the lowest elevation angle. This couplet was located in a very atypical position relative to the ongoing cyclonic tornado and to the supercell’s updraft. A storm survey team identified damage near where this couplet occurred, and, in the absence of evidence refuting otherwise, the damage was thought to have been produced by an anticyclonic tornado. However, such a tornado was not seen in near-ground, high-resolution radar data from a much closer, rapid-scan, mobile radar. Rather, an elongated velocity couplet was observed only at higher elevation angles at altitudes similar to those at which the WSR-88D radars observed the strong couplet. This paper examines observations from two WSR-88D radars and a mobile radar from which it is argued that the anticyclonic couplet (and a similar one ~10 min later) were actually quasi-horizontal vortices centered ~1–1.5 km AGL. The benefits of having data from a radar much closer to the convective storm being sampled (e.g., better spatial resolution and near-ground data coverage) and providing more rapid volume updates are readily apparent. An analysis of these additional radar data provides strong, but not irrefutable, evidence that the anticyclonic tornado that may be inferred from WSR-88D data did not exist; consequently, upon discussions with the National Weather Service, it was not included in Storm Data.
Design of modified 2-degree-of-freedom proportional–integral–derivative controller for unstable processes
Authors: Li Ziwei , Xu Zheng , Zhang Ridong , Zou Hongbo , Gao Furong
Published: July 2020

Concerning first-order unstable processes with time delays that are typical in chemical processes, a modified 2-degree-of-freedom proportional–integral–derivative control method is put forward. The system presents a two-loop structure: inner loop and outer loop. The inner loop is in a classical feedback control structure with a proportional controller intended for implementing stable control of the unstable process; the outer loop is in a 2-degree-of-freedom structure with feedforward control of set points, where the system’s tracking response of set points is separated from its disturbance response. To be specific, the system has a feedforward controller that is designed based on the controlled object models and mainly used for regulating the system’s set point tracking characteristics; besides, it has a feedback controller that is designed on the ground of direct synthesis of disturbance suppression characteristics to improve the system’s disturbance rejection. To verify the effectiveness, the system is put into a theoretical analysis and simulated comparison with other methods. Simulation results show that the system has good set point tracking characteristics and disturbance suppression characteristics.
Child welfare workers’ resilience and coping styles in Ankara, Turkey
Authors: Genç Burcu , Buz Sema
Published: July 2020

This study aims to elucidate child welfare workers’ resilience and coping styles. Data were collected via questionnaire, specifically the Resilience Scale (RS) and Coping Style Scales-Brief Form (CSS-BF). RS-based results indicated intermediate professional resilience ( n = 108) wherein professionals protect their resilience with training and peer support or coaching. Emotion-focused coping methods were also found to be effective. Using different methods than those used in this study, future research on professional resilience in other social work areas is recommended.
Applying an Innovative Model of Disaster Resilience at the Neighborhood Level
Authors: Slemp Catherine C. , Sisco Sarah , Jean Marc C. , Ahmed Munerah S. , Kanarek Norma F. , Erös-Sarnyai Monika , Gonzalez Ingrid A. , Igusa Takeru , Lane Kathryn , Tirado Fernando P. , Tria Maryellen , Lin Sen , Martins Valter N. , Ravi Sanjana , Kendra James M. , Carbone Eric G. , Links Jonathan M.
Published: July 2020

Community resilience is a community’s ability to maintain functioning (ie, delivery of services) during and after a disaster event. The Composite of Post-Event Well-Being (COPEWELL) is a system dynamics model of community resilience that predicts a community’s disaster-specific functioning over time. We explored COPEWELL’s usefulness as a practice-based tool for understanding community resilience and to engage partners in identifying resilience-strengthening strategies. In 2014, along with academic partners, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene organized an interdisciplinary work group that used COPEWELL to advance cross-sector engagement, design approaches to understand and strengthen community resilience, and identify local data to explore COPEWELL implementation at neighborhood levels. The authors conducted participant interviews and collected shared experiences to capture information on lessons learned. The COPEWELL model led to an improved understanding of community resilience among agency members and community partners. Integration and enhanced alignment of efforts among preparedness, disaster resilience, and community development emerged. The work group identified strategies to strengthen resilience. Searches of neighborhood-level data sets and mapping helped prioritize communities that are vulnerable to disasters (eg, medically vulnerable, socially isolated, low income). These actions increased understanding of available data, identified data gaps, and generated ideas for future data collection. The COPEWELL model can be used to drive an understanding of resilience, identify key geographic areas at risk during and after a disaster, spur efforts to build on local metrics, and result in innovative interventions that integrate and align efforts among emergency preparedness, community development, and broader public health initiatives.
An understanding of bra design features to improve bra fit and design for older Chinese women
Authors: Zhang Shichen , Yick Kit-lun , Yip Joanne , Yu Winnie , Tang Ka-po Maggie
Published: July 2020

The aim is to analyze the bra design features and fit problems of older women and to design solutions to improve bra fit and design for older women. Twenty-six participants aged 62 ± 4 years participated in bra fitting experiments with eight commercial senior bras featuring different design features. The bra design features were firstly quantified into 19 parameters including dimensions and/or curvatures, material properties, bra tension and elongation. The associations between bra design features and related problems were then systematically addressed. The most common fit problem was bulging, which was affected by underarm height ( r = 0.23, p < 0.01), underband elongation ( r = –0.25, p < 0.01), rigidity of wing fabric ( r = 0.30, p < 0.01), rigidity of top of the elastic underband ( r = 0.32, p < 0.01), rigidity of bottom elastic band ( r = 0.32, p < 0.01), and tension of the underband ( r = 0.23, p < 0.01). Except for neckline length, other measurements were also found to be related with bra fit problems. The well-fitting bras for older women have wide straps, large width at the front of strap, sufficient vertical cup length, increased gore height and underarm height, fabric straps on the back, and an underband with high rigidity. The reasons are discussed, and new design solutions are given. The design recommendations formulated in this study can advance the design and development processes of bras for older women.
Authenticity and Product Geography in the Making of the Agritourism Destination
Authors: Andéhn Mikael , L’Espoir Decosta J. N. Patrick
Published: July 2020

Agritourism is emerging as a common solution to sustain agriculture-based communities bereft of economic viability. Drawing from the intersecting literature of product country-of-origin and destination branding, we use a case study to show how agritourism in Messinia, Greece, creates and houses a multitude of meanings suitable for tourism consumption. The study highlights the challenge for the destination to sustainably convey experiential authenticity and interpreting its role in a greater product geography to sustain that capability. The agritourism destination must develop consistency in addressing the multitude of meanings it embeds while simultaneously addressing its stakeholders’ divergent needs.