bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
At the lower size limit in snakes: two new species of threadsnakes (Squamata: Leptotyphlopidae: Leptotyphlops) from the Lesser Antilles
Authors: HEDGES S. BLAIR
Published: June 2019

Islands are viewed as natural evolutionary laboratories for terrestrial organisms because they have boundaries that limit dispersal and often reveal evolutionary patterns and mechanisms. One such pattern is that the smallest and largest species of different types of tetrapod animals are frequently found on islands. Here I describe two new diminutive species of snakes of the genus Leptotyphlops from the Lesser Antilles: one from Saint Lucia and the other from Barbados. The one from Barbados is the smallest species of snake and has a total adult length of approximately 100 mm. Limited evidence indicates a clutch size of one and a greatly elongated egg shape (length /width). Comparison of egg shapes in snakes indicates that the shape is a packaging phenomenon, related primarily to the shape of the available body cavity and clutch size. For a clutch size of one, expected egg shape is eight whereas expected egg shape drops to two at a clutch size of ten. The body shape of snakes, defined as snout-to-vent length divided by width, also varies and influences the shape of snake eggs. The smallest snakes are typically stout-bodied with shapes of 30–35 whereas the longest snakes usually are more elongate, with shapes of 45–50. The allometry of organ size also affects clutch size and shape, because the smallest snakes have the smallest proportion of body cavity space available for reproduction. The best explanation for the observation of body size extremes on islands is that colonizing species have adapted to open ecological niches that would otherwise be occupied on the mainland. Island colonists encounter novel environments and reduced interspecific competition, allowing species to evolve physical traits, including extremes in size, not normally seen on continents. However, the lower limit of adult size appears to be constrained by the allometry of morphology, physiology, and reproduction. The smallest tetrapods have small clutches, usually one egg or young, and offspring that are relatively large. In the smallest snakes, offspring are one-half of the length of adults, compared with 10% adult length in the case of large species of snakes. Thus the evolutionary tradeoff between number and size of offspring appears to have reached a size boundary in these species, limiting the evolution of yet smaller species.
A new species of Urothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) from canopy of monsoon forest in China
Authors: LU WENMIN , WANG JUN
Published: June 2019

Urothrips is one of a group of 10 genera of fungus-feeding Phlaeothripinae in which species have the tenth abdominal segment greatly elongate and bearing long anal setae (Mound 1972; Okajima 2006). The genus is recorded from Africa, Asia and Australia (ThripsWiki 2019), and currently comprises 11 species. A key to nine of these species was provided by Ulitzka and Mound (2014), to which two further species from China were added subsequently (Tong & Zhao 2017; Zhao & Tong 2017). The purpose of this paper is to describe a new species of Urothrips. This is the fifth member of the genus recorded from China, the others being U. calvus Tong & Zhao, U. lancangensis Zhao & Tong, U. gibberosa Kudo and U. tarai Stannard.
Taxonomic revision of the genus Probolomyrmex Mayr, 1901 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Proceratiinae) for the Neotropical Region
Authors: OLIVEIRA ALINE M. , FEITOSA RODRIGO M.
Published: June 2019

We revise the taxonomy of the ant genus Probolomyrmex for the Neotropical region. Eight species are recognized, four of them already known: P. boliviensis, P. brujitae, P. guanacastensis, and P. petiolatus. Four new species are described: P. cegua sp. n., P. dentinodis sp. n., P. kelleri sp. n. and P. lamellatus sp. n. We present complete descriptions and redescriptions for all the species, including diagnoses, comments on the taxonomic history and biology, high-quality images, and scanning electron microscope micrographs for diagnostic anatomic structures. In addition, distribution maps and an illustrated identification key are provided.
Synopsis of the genus Termitozophilus Silvestri (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae, Corotocini)
Authors: ZILBERMAN BRUNO
Published: June 2019

Termitozophilus Silvestri 1901 is a Neotropical genus of termitophilous beetles, with two species, T. laetus Silvestri, 1901 and T. mirandus (Mann, 1923), in subtribe Timeparthenina Silvestri, 1901, which is a sister group of the remaining Corotocini Fenyes, 1918. A new species, Termitozophilus belleae sp. nov., from Brazil, is described and illustrated. The genus and the other two species are redescribed and illustrated, and morphological and general discussion of host, taxonomic information and key to species are present.
Structural Changes of Almost Completely Inactivated Papain with Higher Concentration of Parachloromercuribenzoic Acid
Authors: Liu Xueying , Cao Xiaoli , Li Min , Chen Yinyan , Li Xiaojuan , Deng Yan , Ma Liang , Deng Jing , Li Wen
Published: June 2019

A hydrolysis of casein by papain was carried out to explore interaction between parachloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMB) and papain through Attenuated Total Reflection Flourier transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Trp intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking analysis.
Papain activity was almost completely inactivated when PCMB concentration reached to 10–4 mol/L or higher. The content of α-helix was decreased from 36.79% to 19.79% even up to 17%. On the other hand, the content of β-sheet was decreased from 13.41% to 11.57%
by a little degree of 1.84%. However, the contents of β-turn, random coil and intermolecular β-sheet aggregates were elevated by different degree of 2.67%, 8.87% and 7.3%, respectively at the papain exposure of 10–4 mol/L PCMB solution. PCMB could bind
to papain mainly through hydrophobic force and hydrogen bonding. The hydrogen bond between PCMB and Gly66; while, the hydrophobic bonds between PCMB and Trp26 in the ligand-binding pocket of papain might be the key functional groups for the inhibition of papain activity. The L-domain of papain
was destructed, leading to the inactivation and fluorescence quenching of papain. The inhibition mechanism of papain activity by 10–4mol/L PCMB was involved the formation of hydrophobic force and hydrogen bond between PCMB and papain. This attempt successfully brought forth
the application of computational approaches to dissect the inhibition mechanism and directed design in enzyme engineering area.
Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells Promote the Biological Activity of Mature Cells by Paracrine Effects
Authors: Guo Xiaorui , Wang Bulin , Chen Qi , Li Qin
Published: June 2019

Several studies have reported that endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) have an auxo-action on ischemic injury. Previous studies have found a possible correlation between this effect and the paracrine effects of ECFCs; however, their specific influencing factors and the mechanism
of action are unknown and need further research. In the present study, we isolated and cultivated ECFCs from human umbilical cord blood and identified the cells. The differential cytokine expression of ECFC conditioned medium (ECFC-CM) with various culture times and conditions was detected
in human umbilical cord blood, and we observed the effect of ECFC-CM on proliferation, migration, tube formation, and angiopoietic ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by CCK-8 assay, cell scratch test, and Matrigel tube assay. Cytokines in serum-free ECFC-CM were detected
using antibody microarrays; ECFC-CM under normoxic conditions was used for comparison. According to experimental results, we found that the primary cultured cells grew like "paving stones", expressing CD34, KDR, and CD144. The primary cultured cells did not express CD45 and CD133, were ac-LDL
uptake and UEA-I binding double positive, and could form tube-like structures in Matrigel. Thus, the characteristics of the primary cultured cells were consistent with those of ECFCs. Antibody microarray results showed that the expression of amphiregulin, osteoprotegerin, EGF, McP-2, HGF,
and LAP and 33 angiogenic factors in ECFC-CM was significantly upregulated after 48 h of normoxic culture. The results of CCK-8 assay revealed that the proliferative activity of HUVECs in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01) at
24, 48, and 72 h. The cell scratch test revealed that the mobility of HUVECs in the experimental group at 12 and 24 h was statistically different (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the experimental group HUVECs could form more tubular structures on Matrigel matrix gel (P
< 0.01). These results indicate that ECFCs can promote the biological activity of mature endothelial cells via paracrine effects.
A Feed Forward Neural Network Based on Model Output Statistics for Short-Term Hurricane Intensity Prediction
Authors: Cloud Kirkwood A. , Reich Brian J. , Rozoff Christopher M. , Alessandrini Stefano , Lewis William E. , Delle Monache Luca
Published: June 2019

A feed forward neural network (FFNN) is developed for tropical cyclone (TC) intensity prediction, where intensity is defined as the maximum 1-min average 10-m wind speed. This deep learning model incorporates a real-time operational estimate of the current intensity and predictors derived from Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF; 2017 version) Model forecasts. The FFNN model is developed with the operational constraint of being restricted to 6-h-old HWRF data. Best track intensity data are used for observational verification. The forecast training data are from 2014 to 2016 HWRF reforecast data and cover a wide variety of TCs from both the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Ocean basins. Cross validation shows that the FFNN increasingly outperforms the operational observation-adjusted HWRF (HWFI) in terms of mean absolute error (MAE) at forecast lead times from 3 to 57 h. Out-of-sample testing on real-time data from 2017 shows the HWFI produces lower MAE than the FFNN at lead times of 24 h or less and similar MAEs at later lead times. On the other hand, the 2017 data indicate significant potential for the FFNN in the prediction of rapid intensification (RI), with RI defined here as an intensification of at least 30 kt (1 kt ≈ 0.51 m s−1) in a 24-h period. The FFNN produces 4 times the number of hits in HWFI for RI. While the FFNN has more false alarms than the HWFI, Brier skill scores show that, in the Atlantic, the FFNN has significantly greater skill than the HWFI and probabilistic Statistical Hurricane Intensity Prediction System RI index.
Value of Syntax Score II in Prediction of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With NSTE-ACS Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Yildirim Erkan , Ermis Emrah , Allahverdiyev Samir , Ucar Hakan , Cengiz Mahir
Published: June 2019

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) has been associated with poor outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the development of NOAF and severity of coronary artery disease using the SYNTAX score (SS) and SYNTAX score II (SSII) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) who were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 662 patients with NSTE-ACS were consecutively enrolled. The incidence of NOAF was 11.4% among the patients with NSTE-ACS. Mean age was significantly higher in NOAF group ( P = .011). White blood cell count, peak troponin I, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, uric acid, left atrial volume index, and ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity were significantly higher in NOAF group (respectively, P = .024, P = .017, P = .002, P = .009, P = .025, P < .001, and P < .001). The hemoglobin, ejection fraction, and post PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade <3 were significantly lower in NOAF group ( P = 001, P = .010, P = .038). The SS and SSII were significantly higher in NOAF group (all P < .001). According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, the SSII was correlated with NOAF ( P < .001) in the study groups. We demonstrated that high SSII is significantly associated with NOAF.
Does training in a top-down approach influence recorded goals and treatment plans?
Authors: Jutzi Katelyn S. R. , Linkewich Elizabeth , Hunt Anne W. , McEwen Sara
Published: June 2019

Background.

Five stroke rehabilitation teams were supported in the implementation of Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) as part of a knowledge translation (KT) project called CO-OP KT. Medical record auditors noted there was occasionally a disconnect between client goals and treatment plans, revealing a need to better understand the characteristics of each and their relationship to each other.

Purpose.

This study aimed to examine the characteristics of goals and treatment plans in occupational therapy before and after CO-OP KT.

Method.

A descriptive secondary analysis of medical record data was employed.

Findings.

Post intervention, there was a change in goal specificity ( p = .04) and therapist–client goal alignment ( p = .05). Occupation-based goals were often paired with a bottom-up, impairment-based treatment. Top-down treatments, when present, lacked the same detail given to bottom-up plans.

Implications.

CO-OP KT seemed to lead to more specific goals, but matching top-down treatment plans were not found.
A Comparison of Print and Braille Reading Rates on Three Reading Tasks
Authors: Wetzel Robin , Knowlton Marie
Published: June 2019

A comparison of the reading rates of 24 adult print readers and 23 adult braille readers on three reading tasks—oral reading, silent reading, and studying—found significant differences as a function of reading group and reading task but no group-by-task interaction. The relative closeness of the two groups’ reading rates indicates that some modifications in the use of unlimited time may be necessary to ensure the accuracy of evaluations.
The Relationship between Visual Impairment and Gestures
Authors: Frame Melissa J.
Published: June 2019

This study found that the gestural activity of persons who are visually impaired differs from that of persons who are sighted. Specifically, the subjects who were visually impaired used more adaptors (especially finger-to-hand gestures) and fewer conversational gestures than did those who were sighted. Differences in gestural activity by degree of visual impairment and grade in school were also observed.
Students with Visual Impairments in Special and Mainstream Schools in Japan: A Survey
Authors: Kakizawa Toshibumi , Douglas Graeme , Kagawa Kunio , Mason Heather
Published: June 2019

This article reports on a 1995 survey of visually impaired students in Japan: 4,537 in special schools for visually impaired students and 233 in visual impairment units in mainstream schools. Although there appears to be a general decrease in the number of students with visual impairments in Japan, the proportion with additional disabilities is increasing. The findings for Japan are contrasted with those of similar studies in Great Britain.
Sighted Children's Knowledge of Environmental Concepts and Ability to Orient in an Unfamiliar Residential Environment
Authors: Ambrose Grace V.
Published: June 2019

In an unfamiliar residential neighborhood, 24 10- and 6 year olds were individually evaluated and compared on their conceptual knowledge of a residential neighborhood. The findings indicate there are statistical and practical differences between the two age groups. Implications for teaching orientation and mobility to children with low vision are discussed.
Model Registry of Early Childhood Visual Impairment: First-Year Results
Authors: Hatton Deborah D.
Published: June 2019

This study obtained information on 406 children from birth to age 3 with visual impairments at the point of entry into specialized early intervention programs in nine states. It found that the majority of the children were legally blind and had disabilities in addition to visual impairment. Cortical visual impairment, retinopathy of prematurity, and optic nerve hypoplasia were the three most prevalent eye conditions in the sample. Furthermore, about a six-month mean lag was found between the diagnosis of children's visual impairment and referral for services.
Toward a Collaborative Working Relationship among Vision Rehabilitation and Allied Health Professionals
Authors: Orr Alberta L. , Huebner Kathleen M.
Published: June 2019

This article explores the issues of allied health professionals who provide vision rehabilitation services to individuals who are visually impaired. It also raises questions about whether allied health professionals have had the opportunity to acquire sufficient training to work with visually impaired people, identifies the challenges facing the vision rehabilitation field, and explores how allied health professionals and vision rehabilitation professionals can work together to mutually benefit consumers who are visually impaired.
Psychosocial Adaptation to Age-related Vision Loss: A Six-year Perspective
Authors: Heyl Vera , Wahl Hans-Werner
Published: June 2019

This comparison of the behavioral and emotional adaptation of elderly visually impaired and sighted people found that age-related visual impairment was associated with other forms of substantial loss that increased over a six-year period. The results underscore the need for the earliest possible intervention and rehabilitation to prevent psychosocial harm to elderly people who experience severe vision loss after a lifetime of seeing.
Biomechanical Substrates of the Two-point Touch Cane Technique: A Review of Research
Authors: Wall Robert
Published: June 2019

This article reviews research on the biomechanical elements related to the most commonly used long cane technique: two-point touch. The use of several natural biomechanical tendencies supports the contention that the technique is inherently efficient.
Literacy for Students with Low Vision: A Framework for Delivering Instruction
Authors: Corn Anne L. , Koenig Alan J.
Published: June 2019

This study identified the levels of direct and consultative instructional services needed for teaching literacy skills to students with low vision. The findings support the need to provide consistent, direct instruction to students with low vision in almost all areas of literacy and literacy-related skills.
Employment after Vision Loss: Results of a Collective Case Study
Authors: Crudden Adele
Published: June 2019

A collective case study approach was used to examine factors that influence the job retention of persons with vision loss. It was found that computer technology was a major positive influence and print access and technology were a source of stress for most participants.
The Target-Route Map: Evaluating Its Usability for Visually Impaired Persons
Authors: Harder Arne , Michel Rainer
Published: June 2019

Two experiments demonstrated the usability of the target-route map in locating and identifying unfamiliar routes by persons who are visually impaired. Compared to the orientation map and the mobility map of the same area, the target-route map was read faster, and more of its details were recalled correctly.
Coping with a Visual Impairment through Self-investigation
Authors: van Huijgevoort Toos
Published: June 2019

This article describes how the self-confrontation method can help people cope with visual impairment. The actual impact of the impairment can be studied by establishing how being visually impaired is expressed in the content and arrangement of self-narratives—the stories people tell about their lives.
Preparing Vision Specialists at a Distance: A Qualitative Study on Computer-Enhanced Learning
Authors: Day Janice Neibaur , Sebastian Joan P.
Published: June 2019

The two systems used in this study of six students in a teacher preparation program for students with visual impairments were an interactive video, audio, and data network system and a web-based course-management software package. Overall, the students were positive about the interactive video system, and those who reported that they had moderate to high technology skills reported positive outcomes from the course-management component.
Collaboration between Special Schools and Local Education Agencies: A Progress Report
Authors: Zebehazy Kim , Whitten Elizabeth
Published: June 2019

This study explored the types of services that schools for students who are blind or have low vision (special schools) provide to students in local education agencies, the extent and quality of collaboration that occurs between them to promote effective services, and perceived changes to improve the process.
“Imagine”: Relaxation and Guided Imagery with People who are Deaf-Blind
Authors: Gothelf Carole R. , Petroff Jerry G. , Teich Jennifer W.
Published: June 2019

This article discusses the acquisition of self-control using relaxation and guided imagery. These methods can be used in conjunction with other effective teaching tools to enable people who are deaf-blind to lead self-determined lives.
Effects of a Psychoeducational Group on Mood and Glycemic Control in Adults with Diabetes and Visual Impairments
Authors: Trozzolino Linda , Thompson Pamela S. , Tansman Mara S. , Azen Stanley P.
Published: June 2019

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-week psychoeducational group therapy program in improving mood and glycemic control in adults with diabetes and visual impairments. The participants made statistically significant gains in glycemic control, and there was a significant positive relationship between control and improvement in depression, but greater knowledge of diabetes self-care did not correlate with improved glycemic control.
Spontaneous Facial Expressions in Congenitally Blind and Sighted Children Aged 8–11
Authors: Galati Dario , Sini Barbara , Schmidt Susanne , Tinti Carla
Published: June 2019

This study found that the emotional facial expressions of 10 congenitally blind and 10 sighted children, aged 8–11, were similar. However, the frequency of certain facial movements was higher in the blind children than in the sighted children, and social influences were evident only in the expressions of the sighted children, who often masked their negative emotions.
Reading Acquisition, Cognitive and Visual Development, and Self-esteem in Four Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment
Authors: Ek Ulla , Fellenius Kerstin , Jacobson Lena
Published: June 2019

During a longitudinal in-depth study of the reading acquisition and cognitive and visual development of four children with cerebral visual impairment, the children's visual acuity improved, but their full-scale IQs declined, mostly because of difficulties in abstract thinking, visual cognitive organization, and extremely low processing speed. The children had little interest in reading, but all acquired reading and writing abilities in different media.
The Impact of a Modified Repeated-Reading Strategy Paired with Optical Character Recognition on the Reading Rates of Students with Visual Impairments
Authors: Pattillo Suzan Trefry , Heller Kathryn Wolf , Smith Maureen
Published: June 2019

The repeated-reading strategy and optical character recognition were paired to demonstrate a functional relationship between the combined strategies and two factors: the reading rates of students with visual impairments and the students’ self-perceptions, or attitudes, toward reading. The results indicated that all five students increased their reading rates, and four students’ attitudes toward reading improved.
Word Reading and Processing of the Identity and Order of Letters by Children with Low Vision and Sighted Children
Authors: Gompel Marjolein , van Bon Wim H. J. , Schreuder Robert
Published: June 2019

Two aspects of word reading were investigated in two word-naming experiments: the identification of the constituent letters of a word and the processing of letter-order information. Both experiments showed qualitative differences between children with low vision and sighted children, but no quantitative or qualitative differences within the group of children with low vision.
Inclusion of Legally Blind Women in the Randolph-Sheppard Program: Issues and Practices
Authors: Tucker Angula , Moore J. Elton , Weber James
Published: June 2019

A national survey of directors of the Business Enterprise Program Vending Facility Program indicated that women who are legally blind are significantly under-represented, making up about 24% of the licensed facility managers. This article reports on the survey and suggests ways to eliminate barriers to the recruitment of women into the program.
How Children who are Blind Experience Numbers
Authors: Ahlberg Ann , Csocsán Emmy
Published: June 2019

This article presents a qualitative study of the ways in which 25 Hungarian children aged 5–9 who were blind dealt with different types of elementary mathematical problems. The study found that the children dealt with numbers in five ways and experienced numbers in four ways. Furthermore, although the children went through the same stages of development as do sighted children, their ways of dealing with numbers had some specific characteristics.
The Creation of a Sustainable Otolaryngology Department in Malawi
Authors: Vandjelovic Nathan Douglas , Sugihara Eric Masao , Mulwafu Wakisa , Madgy David Nathan
Published: June 2019

There is a significant lack of surgeons in the developing world. Malawi Africa is one of the poorest and medically underserved countries in the World, with surgical care particularly lacking. Providing surgical services has numerous barriers, such as availability of well-trained surgeons, infrastructure, continuity of care, and access to care. There is currently one otolaryngologist in Malawi who provides complete access to this subspecialty. The development of the otolaryngology department was successful through institutional, local, national, and international collaboration, with a long-term goal of sustainability. An established department can train the next generation of surgeons for the preservation and growth of the surgical workforce. Once the department approaches independence, the role of outside collaboration transforms primarily from financial to a bi-directional partnership encompassing education, training, and leadership.
Programming with Scratch in primary school, indicators related to effectiveness of education process and analysis of these indicators in terms of various variables
Authors: Durak Hatice Yildiz , Guyer Tolga
Published: June 2019

Since programming processes involve different thinking skills and different fields of knowledge, it is especially important for children to acquire 21st-century skills. Even though the programming education activities are being intensively applied, it can be said that there is a gap in quantitative researches supporting the effort to reveal the direct or indirect effectiveness of the learning–teaching processes for the programming education. This study, which was done to fill this gap, aims to examine the degree to which students learn programming concepts (PC) and to identify effective variables in that process with a developed curriculum for gifted students studying in the second–third–fourth grade in primary schools. For this purpose, a 15-week application was carried out and each student developed an individual project. In the study, a criterion list, observation forms and peer evaluations were used based on PC to examine projects and learning process. The scores obtained from these tools were used to examine the application of each participant, to comment on the effective variables and the adequacy of the teaching process. The evidence from this study intimates that female participants obtained higher scores than male ones in programming education. Those scores are higher in 9 and 10 age group of students than others. Those who haven’t had Internet access, who have never used computer or have had access to Internet as well as who haven’t had any computer courses had lower scores than others. The upshot of this is that previous computer technology experiences of students may have affected the scores obtained programming education process.
How many older adults receive drugs of questionable clinical benefit near the end of life? A cohort study
Authors: Morin Lucas , Wastesson Jonas W , Laroche Marie-Laure , Fastbom Johan , Johnell Kristina
Published: June 2019

Background:

The high burden of disease-oriented drugs among older adults with limited life expectancy raises important questions about the potential futility of care.

Aim:

To describe the use of drugs of questionable clinical benefit during the last 3 months of life of older adults who died from life-limiting conditions.

Design:

Longitudinal, retrospective cohort study of decedents. Death certificate data were linked to administrative and healthcare registries with national coverage in Sweden.

Setting:

Older adults (≥75 years) who died from conditions potentially amenable to palliative care between 1 January and 31 December 2015 in Sweden. We identified drugs of questionable clinical benefit from a set of consensus-based criteria.

Results:

A total of 58,415 decedents were included (mean age, 87.0 years). During their last 3 months of life, they received on average 8.9 different drugs. Overall, 32.0% of older adults continued and 14.0% initiated at least one drug of questionable clinical benefit (e.g. statins, calcium supplements, vitamin D, bisphosphonates, antidementia drugs). These proportions were highest among younger individuals (i.e. aged 75–84 years), among people who died from organ failure and among those with a large number of coexisting chronic conditions. Excluding people who died from acute and potentially unpredictable fatal events had little influence on the results.

Conclusion:

A substantial share of older persons with life-limiting diseases receive drugs of questionable clinical benefit during their last months of life. Adequate training, guidance and resources are needed to rationalize and deprescribe drug treatments for older adults near the end of life.
Extraintestinal Acanthocephalan Oncicola venezuelensis (Oligacanthorhynchidae) in Small Indian Mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) and African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus)
Authors: Becker Anne A. M. J. , Rajeev Sreekumari , Freeman Mark A. , Beierschmitt Amy , Savinon Victoria , Wulcan Judit M. , Bolfa Pompei
Published: June 2019

We identified multiple extraintestinal cystacanths during routine postmortem examination of 3 small Indian mongooses and 2 African green monkeys from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. In mongooses, cystacanths were encysted or free in the subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, or peritoneal or pericardial cavities, whereas in the monkeys, they were in the cavity and parietal layer of the, tunica vaginalis, skeletal muscle, and peritoneal cavity. Morphological, histological, and molecular characterization identified these cystacanths as Oncicola venezuelensis (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae). There was minimal to mild lymphoplasmacytic inflammation associated with the parasite in the mongooses and moderate inflammation, mineralization, hemorrhage, and fibrosis in the connective tissue between the testis and epididymis in 1 monkey. We identified a mature male O. venezuelensis attached in the aboral jejunum of a feral cat, confirming it as the definitive host. Termites serve as intermediate hosts and lizards as paratenic hosts. This report emphasizes the role of the small Indian mongoose and African green monkey as paratenic hosts for O. venezuelensis.
Development of Risk Predictive Collision Avoidance System and Its Impact on Traffic and Vehicular Safety
Authors: Lee Donghoun , Tak Sehyun , Choi Seongjin , Yeo Hwasoo
Published: June 2019

Various collision avoidance systems (CASs) have been developed and employed in human-operated vehicles as well as more recently in autonomous vehicles. Most of the existing CASs perform an override function to actuate automatic emergency braking in a critical situation based on the current traffic information obtained from in-vehicle sensors or short-range vehicular communications. These CASs focus on the critical situation in the vicinity of the subject vehicle, which means they may have negative influences on the subject vehicle and its following vehicles, particularly when the leader vehicle of a platoon with short headway applies harsh braking to mitigate an impending collision risk. This study proposes a risk predictive CAS (RPCAS) which executes predictive deceleration with mild braking in advance to prevent a potential rear-end collision by predicting the collision risk arising from a downstream site. To evaluate the performance of the RPCAS, the proposed system is compared with several existing CASs in various car-following cases based on a microscopic traffic simulation. The simulation results show that the RPCAS can effectively reduce the rear-end collision risk with less harsh braking compared with the existing CASs. Furthermore, the RPCAS enables vehicles arriving from upstream to anticipate a potential crash, which provides them with sufficient time to reduce their current speeds proactively. The research findings suggest that the proposed system can attenuate the negative impacts of the previous CASs in relation to traffic and vehicular safety.
Wreck on the Highway: Intersectionality of Driver Culpability, Tetrahydrocannabinols, Other Intoxicants and Fatalities in Washington State
Authors: Woo Youngki , Willits Dale W. , Stohr Mary K. , Hemmens Craig , Hoff Staci
Published: June 2019

Given the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2012 in Washington State and recent mixed results regarding the effects of cannabis on driver safety, the paper examines the link between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) and driver behavior, including speeding and driver errors which may have contributed to a particular fatal crash. The current study utilized data from the Washington State Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical File (WA FARS) from 2008 to 2016. A series of logistic regressions were employed to compare THC-positive and -negative drivers, as well as drivers who tested positive for other intoxicants. The results of the study were mixed; it was found that delta-9-THC positively predicted speeding, but not other driver errors. Interestingly, carboxy-THC, a non-psychoactive chemical which can be detected for a longer period of time, was a significant predictor of both speeding and driver errors. This research further demonstrates that cannabis is predictive of risky behavior by drivers in fatal crashes, though it is not nearly as strong a predictor as alcohol. Additional research is needed to understand better why carboxy-THC is a stronger and more robust predictor of poor driving behavior than delta-9-THC.
Toward the improvement of 3D-printed vessels’ anatomical models for robotic surgery training
Authors: Marconi S , Negrello E , Mauri V , Pugliese L , Peri A , Argenti F , Auricchio F , Pietrabissa A
Published: June 2019

Multi-Detector Computed Tomography is nowadays the gold standard for the pre-operative imaging for several surgical interventions, thanks to its excellent morphological definition. As for vascular structures, only the blood flowing inside vessels can be highlighted, while vessels’ wall remains mostly invisible. Image segmentation and three-dimensional-printing technology can be used to create physical replica of patient-specific anatomy, to be used for the training of novice surgeons in robotic surgery. To this aim, it is fundamental that the model correctly resembles the morphological properties of the structure of interest, especially concerning vessels on which crucial operations are performed during the intervention. To reach the goal, vessels’ actual size must be restored, including information on their wall. Starting from the correlation between vessels’ lumen diameter and their wall thickness, we developed a semi-automatic approach to compute the local vessels’ wall, bringing the vascular structures as close as possible to their actual size. The optimized virtual models are suitable for manufacturing by means of three-dimensional-printing technology to build patient-specific phantoms for the surgical simulation of robotic abdominal interventions. The proposed approach can effectively lead to the generation of vascular models of optimized thickness wall. The feasibility of the approach is also tested on a selection of clinical cases in abdominal surgery, on which the robotic surgery is performed on the three-dimensional-printed replica before the actual intervention.
Why Should We Abolish Daylight Saving Time?
Authors: Roenneberg Till , Wirz-Justice Anna , Skene Debra J. , Ancoli-Israel Sonia , Wright Kenneth P. , Dijk Derk-Jan , Zee Phyllis , Gorman Michael R. , Winnebeck Eva C. , Klerman Elizabeth B.
Published: June 2019

Local and national governments around the world are currently considering the elimination of the annual switch to and from Daylight Saving Time (DST). As an international organization of scientists dedicated to studying circadian and other biological rhythms, the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR) engaged experts in the field to write a Position Paper on the consequences of choosing to live on DST or Standard Time (ST). The authors take the position that, based on comparisons of large populations living in DST or ST or on western versus eastern edges of time zones, the advantages of permanent ST outweigh switching to DST annually or permanently. Four peer reviewers provided expert critiques of the initial submission, and the SRBR Executive Board approved the revised manuscript as a Position Paper to help educate the public in their evaluation of current legislative actions to end DST.
Cost-effectiveness of a peer mentoring intervention to improve disease self-management practices and self-efficacy among African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus: analysis of the Peer Approaches to Lupus Self-management (PALS) pilot study
Authors: Williams E M , Dismuke C L , Faith T D , Smalls B L , Brown E , Oates J C , Egede L E
Published: June 2019

Objective

The Peer Approaches to Lupus Self-management (PALS) program was developed as a peer mentoring tool to improve health behaviors, beliefs, and outcomes in African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aims to assess the cost of the PALS intervention and determine its effectiveness when compared to existing treatments.

Methods

Peer mentors and mentees were paired on shared criteria such as life stage, marital status, or whether they were mothers. This 12-week program consisted of a weekly peer mentoring session by telephone. Cost of healthcare utilization was evaluated by assessing the healthcare costs pre- and post-intervention. Validated measures of quality of life, self-management, disease activity, depression, and anxiety were collected. Total direct program costs per participant were totaled and used to determine average per unit improvement in outcome measures. The benefit-cost ratio and pre- versus post-intervention hospital charges were examined.

Results

A total of 20 mentees and 7 mentors were enrolled in the PALS program. All PALS pairs completed 12 sessions lasting an average of 54 minutes. Mentees reported statistically significant decreases in patient-reported disease activity, depression, and anxiety, with improved trends in patient activation or patient engagement in their disease and management. The total cost per patient was $1291.50, which was $107.62 per patient per week. There was a savings of $23,417 per individual receiving the intervention with a benefit-cost ratio of 18.13 per patient.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the PALS intervention was effective in improving patient-level factors and was cost-effective. Future research will need to validate these findings in a larger sample.
Stochastic imputation for integrated transcriptome association analysis of a longitudinally measured trait
Authors: Ray Evan L , Qian Jing , Brecha Regina , Reilly Muredach P , Foulkes Andrea S
Published: June 2019

The mechanistic pathways linking genetic polymorphisms and complex disease traits remain largely uncharacterized. At the same time, expansive new transcriptome data resources offer unprecedented opportunity to unravel the mechanistic underpinnings of complex disease associations. Two-stage strategies involving conditioning on a single, penalized regression imputation for transcriptome association analysis have been described for cross-sectional traits. In this manuscript, we propose an alternative two-stage approach based on stochastic regression imputation that additionally incorporates error in the predictive model. Application of a bootstrap procedure offers flexibility when a closed form predictive distribution is not available. The two-stage strategy is also generalized to longitudinally measured traits, using a linear mixed effects modeling framework and a composite test statistic to evaluate whether the genetic component of gene-level expression modifies the biomarker trajectory over time. Simulations studies are performed to evaluate relative performance with respect to type-1 error rates, coverage, estimation error, and power under a range of conditions. A case study is presented to investigate the association between whole blood expression for each of five inflammasome genes with inflammatory response over time after endotoxin challenge.
Experimental and numerical determination of mode II fracture toughness of woven composites verified through unidirectional composite test data
Authors: Healey Rowan , Chowdhury Nabil M , Chiu Wing Kong , Wang John
Published: June 2019

Due to the increase in prevalence of fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRPMC) in aircraft structures, the need for adaption of failure prediction tools such as fatigue spectra has become more pertinent. Fracture toughness is an important measure with regard to fatigue, while adequate techniques and an ASTM standard for unidirectional FRPMC exist, there are mixed opinions when investigating woven FRPMC. This study describes a three-dimensional finite element model developed to assist in determining the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness ( G IIc) of fibre-reinforced woven composites, validated by an experimental and numerical comparison of G IIc determination for unidirectional FRPMC. Experimental testing mirroring the ASTM D7905 resulted in a measure of 1176 J m−2 for the unidirectional specimen, while comparisons made with the literature achieved an average value of 1459.24 J m−2 or the woven specimen. Three numerical methods were employed due to their prominence in the literature: displacement field, virtual crack closure techniques and the J integral. Both the J integral and the displacement field three-dimensional models produced satisfactory unidirectional G IIc estimates of 1284 and 1116.8 J m−2, respectively. Displacement field had a 5% uncertainty in G IIc when compared with experimental results, while J integral had an approximately 8.5% uncertainty. Extending the analysis to the woven specimens, values of 1302.8 and 1465.3 J m−2 were obtained from J integral and displacement field methods, respectively, both within 10% of the experimental values. Hence, numerically determined unidirectional G IIc values were verified with experimental results, leading to the successful employment and extension to woven composites which displayed similar agreement.
Investigation of congestive heart failure in beef cattle in a feedyard at a moderate altitude in western Nebraska
Authors: Moxley Rodney A. , Smith David R. , Grotelueschen Dale M. , Edwards Tom , Steffen David J.
Published: June 2019

Right-sided congestive heart failure (brisket disease) commonly occurs in cattle raised at elevations >2,500–3,500 m. We investigated clinical cases resembling brisket disease at a western Nebraska feedyard at a moderate altitude (1,369 m). Over a 15-mo period (2009–2010), we examined 17 cases (16 steers and 1 heifer), all purebred Angus. All animals had clinical right-sided heart failure: brisket and ventral abdominal edema, and severe chronic passive congestion of the liver. Gross examination confirmed right ventricular hypertrophy (left ventricle plus septum: right ventricle weight ratio mean: 1.33 vs. 2.8–4.0 reference interval). Microscopically, all 17 cases had interstitial fibrosis (mean score: 2.4 ± 0.8) and 6 had replacement fibrosis of the right ventricle, whereas 14 had interstitial fibrosis (mean score: 1.2 ± 0.2) and 0 had replacement fibrosis of the left ventricle. Lesions of arteriosclerosis were seen in 9 of 16 cases in 51 of 571 (8.9%) right ventricular coronary arteries, and in 10 of 16 cases in 52 of 366 (14.2%) left ventricular coronary arteries. The probability of coronary arteriosclerosis was greater in papillary ventricular muscle (OR = 11.3; p < 0.0001), left ventricle (OR = 4.8; p < 0.0001), and larger arteries (OR = 1.01; p < 0.0001). Pulmonary arteries and arterioles had lesions compatible with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesize that moderate hypobaric conditions significantly contributed to disease in cattle genetically predisposed to hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Adiposity, coronary arteriosclerosis, and left ventricular fibrosis may have contributed to the condition; however, the cattle died prior to development of advanced obesity.
Prospective evaluation of S100A12 and S100A8/A9 (calprotectin) in dogs with sepsis or the systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Thames Brittany E. , Barr James W. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Steiner Jörg M. , Heilmann Romy M.
Published: June 2019

Pattern recognition receptors (e.g., S100A12 or S100A8/A9) hold promise as inflammatory biomarkers. We prospectively determined and compared serum S100A12 and S100A8/A9 concentrations in dogs with sepsis ( n = 11) or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS; n = 8) over a 3-d period with each other, healthy controls ( n = 50), and other clinical and clinicopathologic variables. Serum S100A12 and S100A8/A9 concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with sepsis or SIRS (all p < 0.05) at the time of hospital admission (day 1) compared to healthy controls, with no differences between patient groups. However, septic dogs had significantly lower serum S100A12 concentrations on day 2 and day 3 (both p < 0.05) compared to dogs with SIRS. Likewise, dogs with sepsis had significantly lower S100A8/A9 concentrations on day 2 ( p < 0.05). Neither serum S100A12 nor S100A8/A9 concentrations were associated with survival to discharge. Our results suggest a differential expression of the S100/calgranulins between dogs with sepsis and those with SIRS. Serum S100A12 or S100A8/A9 concentration at the time of hospital admission did not differentiate dogs with sepsis from those with SIRS, but the trend of S100/calgranulin concentrations during the following 24–48 h may be a useful surrogate marker for differentiating sepsis from SIRS.
Safety Assessment of Fatty Acid Amidopropyl Dimethylamines as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Burnett Christina L. , Boyer Ivan , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Gill Lillian J. , Heldreth Bart
Published: June 2019

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of fatty acid amidopropyl dimethylamines, which function primarily as antistatic agents in cosmetic products. The relevant animal and human data reviewed for these ingredients indicate that they are potential dermal sensitizers that may be due in part by the sensitizing impurity, 3,3-dimethylaminopropylamine. The Panel concluded that fatty acid amidopropyl dimethylamines were safe as cosmetic ingredients when they are formulated to be nonsensitizing, which may be based on a quantitative risk assessment.