bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Angiopoietins 1 and 2 in Malaria-Infested Children
Authors: Oluboyo A. O. , Chukwu S. I. , Oluboyo B. O. , Odewusi O. O.
Published: May 2020

Background. Malaria could affect people of all ages, most especially young children. The study evaluated the levels of serum angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) which are critical regulators of endothelial activation and integrity with some hematological parameters (total white blood cell counts (WBC), total red blood cell counts (RBC), platelet counts, and malaria parasite density) in malaria-infected children. Method. A total of 92 blood samples from children between the ages of 6 months to 15 years were analyzed. The samples consisted of 30 cases of severe malaria, 40 cases of uncomplicated malaria, and 22 apparently healthy subjects served as control. Serum Ang-1 and -2 levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The hematological parameters were determined using the WHO standard. Results. There was significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum Ang-1 of uncomplicated malaria and severe malaria compared with the control, while significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in Ang-2 and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio in uncomplicated malaria and severe malaria compared with the control. RBC and platelet showed significant decrease, while WBC showed significant increase in severe malaria compared with uncomplicated malaria and control. Conclusion. This study showed that subjects with malaria infection had a significant increase of Ang-2 and Ang-2 : Ang-1 ratio but presented with a significant decrease of Ang-1. Ang-1 and Ang-2 may be used to determine the severity of malaria infection since their levels differ significantly in malaria subjects compared with the control.
Application of an Accelerometric System for Determination of Stiffness during a Hopping Task
Authors: Struzik Artur , Zawadzki Jerzy , Rokita Andrzej , Pietraszewski Bogdan
Published: May 2020

Currently, there are several computational methods for stiffness during a hopping task, but they do not necessarily yield the same values. Therefore, it is essential that the simplicity of the equipment used does not affect the measurement validity. The aim of this study is to compare the stiffness values during a hopping task recorded in a laboratory environment and those acquired using the Myotest accelerometer. The measurements were performed on a group of 30 untrained female students (age: 23.0±1.7 years, body height: 1.72±0.07 m, and body mass: 64.8±10.0 kg). According to the manual for the Myotest accelerometric system, each study participant performed three sets of 5 hops. Vertical stiffness was determined based on two measurement methods, one using the Myotest accelerometer and the other using Kistler force plates. The mean value (±SD) of vertical stiffness was 19.0±9.3 kN/m in the countermovement phase and 15.1±5.9 kN/m in the take-off phase. Furthermore, the stiffness determined using the Myotest was 30.7±13.3 kN/m. However, significant relationships between the vertical stiffness in the countermovement phase and the Myotest stiffness (r=0.79) and between the vertical stiffness in the take-off phase and the Myotest stiffness (r=0.89) were found. The relationships between the vertical stiffness (in the countermovement and take-off phases) and the stiffness estimated using the Myotest allow us to conclude that despite the significantly overestimated stiffness value, the Myotest accelerometer can still be used for determination of the stiffness trends, e.g., following training. The overestimated stiffness values can result both from inaccuracy in the determination of ground contact time and flight time by the Myotest accelerometer and from the use of an equation that assumes that the movement of the center of mass has a harmonic profile.
Myalgia and Hematuria in Association with Clonidine and Arginine Administration for Growth Hormone Stimulation Tests
Authors: Glibbery Meghan , Fleming Adam , Chanchlani Rahul , Ajani Olufemi Abiodun , Marchetti Norma , Marr Alexa , Samaan M. Constantine
Published: May 2020

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children has significant impacts on growth and metabolism. Two-agent GH stimulation tests are commonly used to diagnose GHD, and these tests are generally considered safe. We report the case of a 5-year 5-month-old boy with a history of anaplastic ependymoma who underwent GH stimulation testing for growth deceleration using clonidine and arginine. He developed bilateral calf myalgia and gross hematuria within 24 hours of the tests. Myalgia and hematuria resolved spontaneously. Importantly, the literature review and database searches for hematuria identified 6 cases with clonidine and 20 cases with arginine. This case highlights an unusual combination of adverse reactions to clonidine and arginine in children undergoing GH stimulation testing to assess for GHD. Pediatric endocrinologists need to be aware of the potential for these side effects to allow appropriate management, and further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms and frequency of these side effects. We recommend that patients and families need to be counselled about hematuria as an association of GH testing with these medications.
Analysis of a Deterministic and a Stochastic SIS Epidemic Model with Double Epidemic Hypothesis and Specific Functional Response
Authors: Naim Mouhcine , Lahmidi Fouad
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stability of a deterministic and stochastic SIS epidemic model with double epidemic hypothesis and specific nonlinear incidence rate. We prove the local asymptotic stability of the equilibria of the deterministic model. Moreover, by constructing a suitable Lyapunov function, we obtain a sufficient condition for the global stability of the disease-free equilibrium. For the stochastic model, we establish global existence and positivity of the solution. Thereafter, stochastic stability of the disease-free equilibrium in almost sure exponential and pth moment exponential is investigated. Finally, numerical examples are presented.
CUL1-Mediated Organelle Fission Pathway Inhibits the Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Li Ran , Xu Feng , Wu Xiao , Ji Shaoping , Xia Ruixue
Published: May 2020

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global high-incidence chronic airway inflammation disease. Its deterioration will lead to more serious lung lesions and even lung cancer. Therefore, it is urgent to determine the pathogenesis of COPD and find potential therapeutic targets. The purpose of this study is to reveal the molecular mechanism of COPD disease development through in-depth analysis of transcription factors and ncRNA-driven pathogenic modules of COPD. We obtained the expression profile of COPD-related microRNAs from the NCBI-GEO database and analyzed the differences among groups to identify the microRNAs significantly associated with COPD. Then, their target genes are predicted and mapped to a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Finally, key transcription factors and the ncRNA of the regulatory module were identified based on the hypergeometric test. The results showed that CUL1 was the most interactive gene in the highly interactive module, so it was recognized as a dysfunctional molecule of COPD. Enrichment analysis also showed that it was much involved in the biological process of organelle fission, the highest number of regulatory modules. In addition, ncRNAs, mainly composed of miR-590-3p, miR-495-3p, miR-186-5p, and transcription factors such as MYC, BRCA1, and CDX2, significantly regulate COPD dysfunction blocks. In summary, we revealed that the COPD-related target gene CUL1 plays a key role in the potential dysfunction of the disease. It promotes the proliferation of fibroblast cells in COPD patients by mediating functional signals of organelle fission and thus participates in the progress of the disease. Our research helps biologists to further understand the etiology and development trend of COPD.
A Novel Parallel Assembly Sequence Planning Method for Complex Products Based on PSOBC
Authors: Yang Yanfang , Yang Miao , Shu Liang , Li Shasha , Liu Zhiping
Published: May 2020

Parallel assembly sequence planning (PASP) greatly impacts on efficiency of assembly process. In traditional methods, large scale of matrix calculation still limits efficiency of PASP for complex products. A novel PASP method is proposed to address this issue. To avoid matrix calculation, the synchronized assembly Petri net (SAPN) is firstly established to describe the precedence relationships. Associated with the SAPN model, the PASP process can be implemented via particle swarm optimization based on bacterial chemotaxis (PSOBC). Characterized by an attraction-repulsion phase, PSOBC not only prevents premature convergence to a high degree, but also keeps a more rapid convergence rate than standard particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Finally, feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified via a case study. With different assembly parallelism degrees, optimization results show that assembly efficiency of the solution calculated by PSOBC method is 9.0%, 4.2%, and 3.1% better than the standard PSO process.
Quantitative Analysis of Heavy Metals and Organic Compounds in Soil from Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain Dump, Lebanon
Authors: Borjac Jamilah , El Joumaa Manal , Youssef Lobna , Kawach Rawan , Blake Diane A.
Published: May 2020

Recently, there has been a worldwide concern regarding soil contamination by heavy metals and organic compounds, especially in the developing countries including Lebanon that has suffered from solid waste mismanagement for decades. Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain is a village in southern Lebanon that possesses one of the country’s worst dumps, and its leachates influx into a running canal that irrigates surrounding agricultural lands. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of some toxic heavy metals and organic compounds in different soil samples collected from the dump and along the canal during winter and summer seasons. Six research sites (four from the dump and two along the canal) were selected, and the soil samples for analysis were collected from a depth of around 10 cm. Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) and organic compounds (phthalates, bisphenol A, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons) content were determined using atomic absorption and high pressure liquid chromatography, respectively. The conducted research confirmed high levels of contamination in the collected soil samples by both heavy metals and organic compounds. The present study provided evidence that different sampling sites accumulated heavy metals at concentrations that exceeded the average maximum permissible levels for sewage sludge and agricultural land. These findings suggest the need for mitigation measures by the Lebanese authorities and new waste management programs to resolve the problems associated with uncontrolled dumping of solid wastes in Lebanon.
Al2O3 Nanoparticles Promote the Removal of Carbamazepine in Water by Chlorella vulgaris Immobilized in Sodium Alginate Gel Beads
Authors: Yi-cheng Wu , Ai-li Yang , Wei Gao , Hai-yan Fu , Ze-jie Wang
Published: May 2020

The roles of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the removal of carbamazepine (CBZ) by Chlorella vulgaris immobilized in sodium alginate gel beads were for the first time investigated. The optimum conditions to prepare immobilized C. vulgaris beads with addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles were determined as follows: C. vulgaris density was 3.0 × 106 cells for 1 mL sodium alginate solution, Al2O3 nanoparticle concentration was 0.5 g/L, and concentrations of sodium alginate and CaCl2 were 1.6% and 1%, respectively. The results showed that the proposed algae beads achieved the highest CBZ removal rate of 89.6% after 4 days of treatment, relative to 68.84%, 48.56%, and 17.76% in sodium alginate-immobilized C. vulgaris, free microalgae, and Al2O3 nanoparticle alginate beads, respectively. The results also showed that the CBZ removal rate increased with more proposed algae beads, while decreased with increased bead diameter. The algae beads exhibited excellent CBZ removal ability even after three recycles. This work provided an economical and effective approach to remove CBZ from water.
Semifield Evaluation of Improved Passive Outdoor Host Seeking Device (POHD) for Outdoor Control of Anopheles arabiensis Mosquitoes
Authors: Kessy Stella T. , Nyundo Bruno A. , Mnyone Ladslaus L. , Lyimo Issa N.
Published: May 2020

Despite the considerable progress made so far, the effectiveness and mass application of odour-baited outdoor mosquito control devices in pipelines is limited by several factors. These include the design and size of the devices, optimal placement of attractive blends, and nature of materials into which the blends are impregnated. The primary aim of this study was to manipulate these factors to improve the attractiveness of our recently developed passive outdoor host seeking device (POHD) to outdoor biting Anopheles arabiensis. Specifically, the study aimed to determine optimal placement of odour blends and killing bioactives in POHD for maximum attraction and killing of An. arabiensis and to assess the effects of blend types, formulation, and residual activity on attractiveness of the POHD to An. arabiensis. The POHDs baited with attractive blends, carbon dioxide (CO2), and bendiocarb-treated electrostatic netting were placed either towards the top or bottom openings, and other modifications were exposed to An. arabiensis under the semifield system at Ifakara Health Institute (IHI). Each night, a total of 100 starved female, 3–7-day-old, semifield reared An. arabiensis mosquitoes were released, collected the next morning (alive or dead), counted, and recorded. Live mosquitoes were maintained in the semifield insectary and monitored for 24 hours mortality. Each treatment combination of the POHD was tested in three replicates. Overall, the results indicated that the proportion of mosquitoes attracted to and killed in the POHD varied with position of attractants and killing agent (bendiocarb). The POHD with bottom placed attractants and bendiocarb attracted and killed higher proportion of mosquitoes compared to the POHD with top placed attractants and bendiocarb. The highest mortalities were observed when the POHD was baited with a combination of attractive blends and CO2. Moreover, the residual activity of attractive blends applied inside POHD varied with type and formulation of attractive blend. The POHD packed with Mbita and Ifakara blend in microencapsulated pellets (granules) attracted higher proportion of mosquitoes than that baited with soaked nylon-strip formulation of either blends. Interestingly, POHD baited with Mbita blend in microencapsulated pellets (granules) formulation attracted and killed higher proportion of mosquitoes (>90%) than that baited with Ifakara blend even 9 months after application. Conclusively, the POHD remained effective for a relatively longer period of time when baited with bottom placed synthetic blends and CO2 combination, thus warranting further trials under real life situations.
Scenario Method of Strategic Planning and Forecasting the Development of the Rural Economy in Agricultural Complex
Authors: Lukyanova Milyausha T. , Kovshov Vitaliy A. , Galin Zagir A. , Zalilova Zariya A. , Stovba Eugene V.
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the study is to justify the use of the universal scenario method of strategic planning and forecasting the development of the agroindustrial complex of the regional rural economy. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the application of a set of theoretical and methodological provisions for scenario planning and forecasting the development of agriculture in the regions, taking into account the assessment of their existing potential and constructing a territorial planning scheme for the priority of participation in the implementation of strategic directions of rural development in agricultural production. The paper presents a territorial model of the priority of participation of the municipal regions of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the implementation of strategic areas in the areas of development of production of grain crops, sugar beet, and oilseeds. The developed scenario method, reflecting the qualitatively heterogeneous directions of the development of enterprises, is formed taking into account the achievement of the strategic goal and potential opportunities of rural areas. This allows determining strategic decisions for the further development of rural areas and integrating them into a uniform industry development strategy. The developed approach is recommended to be used as a guideline in the development of long-term programs for the development of the crop production industry, as well as for adjusting the activities of ongoing programs.
YiQi GuBen Formula Inhibits PDGF-BB-Induced Proliferation and Migration of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Kong Yibu , Ding Lizhong , Xu Yan , Wang Zhongtian , Sun Liping
Published: May 2020

Objective: Increased proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) are key events in the development of asthma. YiQi GuBen is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula shown to effectively reduce the recurrence rate of asthma and induce anti-asthma effects through multiple pathways; however, its potential role in regulating ASMC proliferation and preventing bronchial asthma remains unexplored. Methods: This study investigated the effects of YiQi GuBen formula on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced ASMC proliferation and migration by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, wound healing, transwell, and cell cycle assays. The influence of YiQi GuBen formula on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling-relevant proteins was measured by Western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay, and ELISA. Results: We found that pretreatment with YiQi GuBen formula had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on PDGF-BB-stimulated ASMC proliferation. It also suppressed PDGF-BB-induced ASMC migration and arrested PDGF-BB-induced cell cycle progression. Furthermore, YiQi GuBen formula suppressed PDGF-BB-induced expression of phosphorylated p65 and the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in ASMCs. Conclusions: In summary, our study shows that YiQi GuBen formula is able to significantly inhibit PDGF-BB-induced ASMC proliferation and migration by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Optimal Ventilation and Surfactant Therapy in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Resource-Restricted Regions
Authors: Van Wyk Lizelle , Tooke Lloyd , Dippenaar Ricky , Rhoda Natasha , Lloyd Lizel , Holgate Sandi , Alexander Richard , Smith Johan
Published: May 2020

In resource-restricted regions, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) data are often underreported, making the determination of effective interventions and their outcome difficult. The combination of oxygen, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surfactant therapy has the potential to prevent 42% of RDS-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the financial implications. This article provides a brief overview on the status of RDS management, mainly nasal CPAP and surfactant therapy in very-low-birth-weight infants, in resource-restricted regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Data from the public health sector, as compared to the private health sector, of the Western Cape province, South Africa, are used to illustrate what RDS management strategies are able to accomplish in a resource-restricted region. Upscaling of all components (antenatal care, antenatal corticosteroids, prevention of hypothermia and RDS management strategies) are required to decrease premature infant mortality rates in resource-restricted areas.
Improving Global Newborn Survival: Building upon Helping Babies Breathe
Authors: Niermeyer Susan
Published: May 2020

Achieving the targets of the Every Newborn Action Plan by the year 2030 will require accelerating the current reduction in neonatal mortality. Educational programs addressing the three major causes of neonatal death – intrapartum-related events (asphyxia), prematurity and small size at birth, and infection – have the potential to significantly reduce preventable mortality. Helping Babies Breathe is an example of an educational program that not only has given health care providers around the world access to current resuscitation science but has changed provider behavior and patient outcomes and resulted in perinatal quality improvement in small- and large-scale trials. However, to realize impact on neonatal mortality at the population level, perinatal educational programs that comprehensively address all aspects of essential newborn care must be implemented at scale with high coverage and quality.
Primary Synovial Sarcoma of the Thyroid: Challenges in Cytologic Diagnosis and Review of the Literature
Authors: Demirel Dilaver , Erkul Evren , Erkılıç Suna , Narlı Issın Gizem , Ramzy Ibrahim
Published: May 2020

Background: Primary synovial sarcoma (SS) of the thyroid (PSST) is extremely rare. Its differential diagnosis from other neoplasms is essential since it has different management protocols and prognosis. Case: A 26-year-old man with a 4.5-cm solid lobulated mass was seen at an outside hospital. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was interpreted as a papillary carcinoma, and a total thyroidectomy was performed. The final histologic diagnosis was spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation (SETTLE). No metastases were detected at that time, and the patient received radioactive iodine treatment. Two years post-surgery, he was seen at our hospital with a local recurrence, and FNA was considered as consistent with SETTLE. The mass was resected, and a left modified radical neck dissection was performed. The tumor revealed necrosis and a high mitotic index. Following histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular studies, the tumor was classified as a PSST. The patient received chemotherapy and targeted immunotherapy, but he died 41 months after the initial presentation. Conclusion: The main diagnostic pitfall of PSST is SETTLE. The presence of mitotic figures and basal lamina material, negative staining for smooth muscle actin, and positive staining for transducer-like enhancer of split 1 antibody favor SS over SETTLE. SYT gene rearrangement is essential to establish the definitive diagnosis of PSST.
Anti-VEGF Therapy Reduces Inflammation in Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Imazeki Makoto , Noma Hidetaka , Yasuda Kanako , Motohashi Ryosuke , Goto Hiroshi , Shimura Masahiko
Published: May 2020

Purpose: Correlations among the aqueous flare value (an indicator of inflammation), several functional-morphologic parameters, and aqueous humor levels of multiple cytokines or inflammatory factors were investigated in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) receiving intravitreal rani­bizumab injection (IRI). Methods: Aqueous humor levels of 12 cytokines, growth factors, or inflammatory factors were measured in 46 DME patients who received IRI. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble VEGF receptor (sVEGFR), and the other cytokines/inflammatory factors were measured by the suspension array method. In addition, aqueous flare values were measured with a laser flare meter, and central macular thickness (CMT) was examined by optical coherence tomography. Results: At 1 month after IRI therapy, the aqueous flare value showed a significant decrease compared with before treatment (baseline). Significant correlations were noted between the aqueous flare value and the aqueous humor levels of 6 factors/cytokines, including sVEGFR-1, placental growth factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin (IL)-6, and interferon-inducible 10-kDa protein (IP-10). There was also a significant correlation between the change in aqueous flare value and improvement in CMT 1 month after IRI. Conclusions: These findings suggest that IRI reduces subclinical inflammation and that the aqueous flare value is influenced by inflammatory factors/cytokines. In addition, the change in the aqueous flare value may be an indicator of the response of CMT to IRI in patients with DME.
O Potencial da Produção Associada ao Turismo e o Turismo de Base Comunitária em Joinville-SC
Authors: Walkowski Marinês Da Conceição
Published: May 2020

O potencial turístico de uma região carece de estudos detalhados dos diversos e complexos componentes da oferta existente. O conhecimento das informações sobre a riqueza do território do espaço rural do município de Joinville é ainda pouco desenvolvido, não sendo possível, obter dados detalhado do potencial turístico, especialmente da produção associada ao turismo. Neste sentido reside o desafio para o planejamento deste setor em utilizar a geoinformação como ferramenta de gestão do turismo no espaço rural para possibilitar o fortalecimento e a diversificação da oferta turística de Joinville. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi demonstrar o potencial da produção associada ao turismo em Joinville, gerando diagramas e cenários de integração para o turismo de base comunitária. Os métodos utilizados foram o geoprocessamento de dados, pesquisa exploratória e descritiva. Por meio do geoprocessamento e fotointerpretação de imagens aéreas de alta resolução foi elaborada a estruturação e integração dos dados, análise do banco de dados e caracterização das unidades familiares e análise do potencial turístico da amostra da pesquisa. Nos resultados, foram obtidos diagramas e cenários de cooperação, caracterizados pelas figuras 1, 2 e 3, além de um portfólio (mapa 2) onde são demonstrados potenciais de cooperação com base nos elementos que interferem na infraestrutura, atrativos naturais e culturais que existem e que poderão compor o produto turístico do espaço rural de Joinville. Concluiu-se que o potencial gerado por meio da integração dos dados, podem auxiliar na geração de cenários de integração e diversificação da oferta turística no espaço rural de Joinville.
Thirty-nine newly documented plant species of Great Nicobar, India
Authors: Pradheep Kanakasabhapathi , John Kattukkunnel Joseph , Jaisankar Iyyappan , Ahlawat Sudhir Pal
Published: May 2020

A constituent of the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot, Great Nicobar in the Nicobar group of islands, India, is known for rich floristic diversity.  As this geographically distinct and southernmost island of India has not been surveyed for plant genetic resources, three survey-cum-exploration trips were undertaken during 2017–2019 to make an inventory of the taxa of importance for food and agriculture, besides their collection for ex situ conservation.  These surveys revealed the new distribution of 39 taxa (belonging to 37 genera, 24 families) in this island, including 14 new to the Nicobar group of islands and one to Andaman & Nicobar Islands.  Among the 39 taxa, 16 have the importance of being wild relatives of 15 crop species.  Fourteen species are classified as naturalized ones (including four globally recognized invasive species); some of them pose potential threat to the ecosystem of this fragile island.  Detailed field studies in this remote island will help in better understanding of phytogeography in general and impact of alien species on native plant diversity in particular.
Diversity and synanthropy of flies (Diptera: Calyptratae) from Ecuador, with new records for the country
Authors: Blacio Karen , Liria Jonathan , Soto-Vivas Ana
Published: May 2020

The Calyptratae are one of the most diverse groups of Diptera.   Some species have immature states involved in the decomposition of organic matter of animal origin (i.e., they are sarcosaprophagous).  In this study, we examined the diversity and synanthropy of sarcosaprophagous calyptrates in several environmental zones of the Ecuadorian Andes.  Captures were performed in an urban zone located in the Tocachi community with monocultures (MC) and polycultures (PC), a rural zone with an agroecological farming system (AFS), and a forest zone with a montane forest located in the Parque Arqueológico Cochasquí (PAC) and the Cochasquí montane forest (CMF).  A total of 2,925 specimens of Calyptratae were collected, representing 38 morphotypes and 17 species.  Four are new reports for Ecuador: Dolichophaonia trigona (Shannon & Del Ponte), Phaonia trispila (Bigot), Compsomyiops melloi Dear, and Calliphora lopesi Mello.  CMF and PAC presented high abundance and richness, followed by AFS, MC, and PC; PAC showed the highest diversity, in contrast to lowest in MC; the evenness decreased from forest to urban zones.  Species that exhibited a preference for human settlements (positive synanthropic index) included Limnophora marginata Stein, Phaonia trispila, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), Calliphora lopesi, Compsomyiops melloi, and Calliphora nigribasis Macquart.  Those with a preference for uninhabited areas (negative index) included Tricharaea sp1, Sarconesiopsis magellanica (Le Guillou), and Sarconesia chlorogaster (Wiedemann).
Blood Pressure and Risks of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Authors: Ou Ya-Nan , Tan Chen-Chen , Shen Xue-Ning , Xu Wei , Hou Xiao-He , Dong Qiang , Tan Lan , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: May 2020

Controversies persist regarding the association between blood pressure (BP) and the risks of cognitive impairment and dementia due to inconsistent definitions of BP exposure and varying population characteristics. Here, we searched PubMed and performed a meta-analysis of the influence of BP exposure on the risks of cognitive disorders in prospective studies. Dose-response analyses were performed to illustrate the existence of linear/nonlinear relationships. The credibility of each meta-analysis was evaluated according to the risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. Of the 31 628 citations, 209 were included in our systematic review, among which 136 were eligible for the meta-analysis. Overall, stronger associations were found in midlife than late-life. Moderate-quality evidence indicated that midlife hypertension was related to a 1.19- to 1.55-fold excess risk of cognitive disorders. Dose-response analyses of 5 studies indicated that midlife systolic BP >130 mm Hg was associated with an increased risk of cognitive disorders. With regard to BP exposure in late-life, high systolic BP, low diastolic BP, excessive BP variability, and orthostatic hypotension were all associated with an increased dementia risk. Encouragingly, the use of antihypertensive medications exhibited a 21% reduction in dementia risk. The U-shaped dose-response curve indicated that the protective window of diastolic BP level was between 90 and 100 mm Hg for low risk of Alzheimer disease. The relationships between BP variables and cognitive disorders are age- and BP type-dependent. Antihypertensive medications were associated with a reduced risk of dementia. However, the optimal dose, duration, and type for preventing cognitive disorders warrant further investigation.
Consolidation of Reward Memory during Sleep Does Not Require Dopaminergic Activation
Authors: Asfestani Marjan Alizadeh , Brechtmann Valentin , Santiago João , Peter Andreas , Born Jan , Feld Gordon Benedikt
Published: May 2020

Sleep enhances memories, especially if they are related to future rewards. Although dopamine has been shown to be a key determinant during reward learning, the role of dopaminergic neurotransmission for amplifying reward-related memories during sleep remains unclear. In this study, we scrutinize the idea that dopamine is needed for the preferential consolidation of rewarded information. We impaired dopaminergic neurotransmission, thereby aiming to wipe out preferential sleep-dependent consolidation of high- over low-rewarded memories during sleep. Following a double-blind, balanced, crossover design, 17 young healthy men received the dopamine d2-like receptor blocker sulpiride (800 mg) or placebo, after learning a motivated learning task. The task required participants to memorize 80 highly and 80 lowly rewarded pictures. Half of them were presented for a short (750 msec) and a long (1500 msec) duration, respectively, which permitted dissociation of the effects of reward on sleep-associated consolidation from those of mere encoding depth. Retrieval was tested after a retention interval of approximately 22 hr that included 8 hr of nocturnal sleep. As expected, at retrieval, highly rewarded memories were remembered better than lowly rewarded memories, under placebo. However, there was no evidence for an effect of reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission with sulpiride during sleep on this differential retention of rewarded information. This result indicates that dopaminergic activation likely is not required for the preferential consolidation of reward-associated memory. Rather, it appears that dopaminergic activation only tags such memories at encoding for intensified reprocessing during sleep.
Monoon kalimantanense (Annonaceae), a new species from Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia

Authors: NURMAWATI SUBEKTI , ARIYANTI NUNIK SRI , CHIKMAWATI TATIK , KEΒLER PAUL J.A.
Published: May 2020

During the study of Monoon Miquel (1865: 15) in western Malesia, we found two individuals of this genus cultivated in the Bogor Botanic Garden. According to the catalogue An alphabetical list of plant species cultivated in the Bogor Botanic Gardens, these plants were collected from South Kalimantan in 1977 (Sari et al. 2010). Leaves and aggregate fruits of these plants indicated that they are a species of Monoon (Annonaceae). The leaves exhibit eucamptodromous venation, decurrent insertion of secondary veins, and scalariform tertiary veins. The aggregate fruits consist of many one-seeded, stalked monocarps. However, other characters indicated that they differ from already known Monoon species. We consider these plants, therefore as new to science.       This new species shares characters with M. lateriflorum (Blume) Miquel (1865: 19), previously Guatteria lateriflora Blume (1825: 20) and M. sclerophyllum (Hook. & Thomson) Xue & Saunders in Xue et al. (2012: 1033), previously Polyalthia sclerophylla Hooker & Thomson (1872: 65), in having ramiflorous, fasciculate inflorescences, many-flowered fascicles, oblong petals slightly constricted basally and many-stipitate monocarps (ca. 30) in aggregate fruits. However, other characters of leaves, flowers, and monocarps indicate that this new material differs from M. lateriflorum, and M. sclerophyllum (Table 1).
A new velvet gecko (Oedura: Diplodactylidae) from Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory
Authors: OLIVER PAUL M. , JOLLY CHRIS J. , SKIPWITH PHILLIP L. , TEDESCHI LEONARDO G. , GILLESPIE GRAEME R.
Published: May 2020

Over the last decade, the combination of biological surveys, genetic diversity assessments and systematic research has revealed a growing number of previously unrecognised vertebrate species endemic to the Australian Monsoonal Tropics. Here we describe a new species of saxicoline velvet gecko in the Oedura marmorata complex from Groote Eylandt, a large island off the eastern edge of the Top End region of the Northern Territory. Oedura nesos sp. nov. differs from all congeners in combination of moderate size, and aspects of tail morphology and colouration. It has not been reported from the nearby mainland regions (eastern Arnhem Land) suggesting it may be an insular endemic, although further survey work is required to confirm this. While Groote Eylandt is recognised as a contemporary ecological refuge for declining mammal species of northern Australia, newly detected endemic species suggest it may also be of significance as an evolutionary refuge for many taxa, especially those associated with sandstone escarpments.
Endogean and Cavernicolous Coleoptera of the Balkans. XX. Notes on the genus Protamaurops J. Müller, 1944 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) with the description of a new species from Bulgaria
Authors: BEKCHIEV ROSTISLAV , HLAVÁČ PETER
Published: May 2020

The genus Protamaurops J. Müller, 1944 and three species: P. macedonicus J. Müller, 1934, P. macrophthalmus J. Müller, 1944 and P. winneguthi Székessy, 1943 are reviewed and redescribed. One new species from Bulgaria, Protamaurops bulgaricus sp. n. is described. Protamaurops montenegrinus (Székessy, 1943) is transferred to the genus Paramaurops Jeannel, 1948 and Protamaurops macrophtalmus beieri (J. Müller, 1944) is synonymized to the nominal species Protamaurops macrophtalmus macrophtalmus (J. Müller, 1944).
Orthoptera Tettigoniidae (Conocephalinae, Hexacentrinae, Phaneropterinae, Mecopodinae, Hetrodinae) from some protected areas of Central African Republic
Authors: MASSA BRUNO , ANNOYER PHILIPPE , PEREZ CYRILLE , DANFLOUS SAMUEL , DUVOT GUILHEM
Published: May 2020

This paper is a contribution to the distribution, taxonomy and phenology of Orthoptera Tettigoniidae of Central African Republic. Thanks to scientific expeditions and entomological missions, 2155 Orthoptera belonging to 118 species of five subfamilies of Tettigoniidae have currently been studied. Examined material is here listed with its known distribution. New genera and species have been found and here described: Eurycoplangiodes sanghaensis Massa, n. gen. and n. sp. Paraeulioptera emitflesti Massa, n. gen. and n. sp., Paraeurycorypha Massa, n. gen. ocellata Massa et Annoyer, n. sp., Arantia (Arantia) gretae Massa, n. sp., Arantia (Euarantia) syssamagalei Massa et Annoyer, n. sp. and Dapanera brevistylata Massa, n. sp. Overall, from 2012 to 2020, the study of the orthopteran material collected in the scientific expeditions to Central Africa carried out since 1984, enabled the description of 6 new genera and 27 new species. They represent 22.8% of the total amount of species currently recorded in the protected areas where this scientific activity has been carried out. This demonstrates that these areas still hold a high number of new species, representing a biodiversity hotspot.
L’authenticité religieuse créative : récits, pratiques et expériences du religieux au Québec
Authors: Moisa Daniela
Published: May 2020

Dans cet article, nous proposons d’interroger le sens de l’authenticité en lien avec l’expérience et la pratique religieuses. L’étude de quelques groupes religieux québécois nous a fait découvrir l’existence d’un déplacement d’autorité de la figure suprême, détentrice de vérité absolue, à savoir Dieu, vers le domaine des expériences quotidiennes et personnelles les plus intimes. Le nouveau chronotope de l’authenticité est ainsi indissociable d’un processus de réenchantement du monde, du retour à l’idée de tradition dans son articulation romantique, proche de la terre, de la nature, de la culture de l’instinct, de l’émotion hic et nunc opposés à la rectitude d’une morale imposée par des orthodoxies qu’elles soient religieuses ou politiques.
Campaign Effects and the Elusive Swing Voter in Modern Machine Politics
Authors: Greene Kenneth F.
Published: May 2020

Are vote-choice buying attempts successful? Much research across the social sciences argues that political machines expertly turn citizens into clients, undermining core aspects of democracy. Using insights from behavioral theories of vote choice, I argue that standard partisan campaigns can diminish vote-choice buying’s efficiency. Machines face a targeting problem: Local brokers identify good clients using long-term markers but then campaigns shift many citizens’ vote-relevant attitudes in ways that brokers cannot detect, leading to targeting errors. Vote-choice buying remains effective on recipients who are unmoved by the campaigns, but this group is small where campaigns are influential. Tests using panel surveys from Mexico’s 2000 and 2012 elections measure vote-buying attempts with direct questions and list experiments, employ various measures of campaign influence, and rely on new and existing estimation techniques. The findings yield a more optimistic view of the quality of elections in new democracies than current literature implies.
Economic, Trade and Employment Implications from EVs Deployment and Policies to Support Domestic Battery Manufacturing in the EU
Authors: Fragkiadakis Kostas , Charalampidis Ioannis , Fragkos Panagiotis , Paroussos Leonidas
Published: May 2020

The decarbonization of the energy system requires the adoption of a mix of zero or low carbon intensive technological options, which depends on their cost-effectiveness, their potential to reduce emissions and on social acceptance issues. Transport electrification combined with renewable energy sources (RES) deployment in power generation is a key decarbonization option assessed in many recent studies that focus on national or international climate policies. The penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) together with a gradual retirement of conventional oil-fuelled vehicles implies that a new ‘trade ecosystem’ will be created characterized by different features (move from OPEX to CAPEX) and supply chains. A key component of the EVs are the Lithium-Ion batteries, the manufacturing of which is employment intensive and constitutes an essential element of the EVs that can act as a driver for establishing comparative advantages and increasing EV market shares. Our study focuses on the size of the EV market that can be established within ambitious global and EU decarbonization scenarios and investigates the economic, trade and employment implications considering the production chain of EVs (i.e., the regional production of batteries and vehicles). We use the large-scale global GEM-E3-FIT model to capture the trade dynamics of decarbonization scenarios. We find that under ambitious climate policies, the global size of the clean energy technologies will be US$44 trillion cumulatively over the 2020–2050 period. 44per cent of the market relates to EVs, which will mostly be produced outside EU. For the EU to capture a significant segment of the EV value chain, it needs to increase clean energy R&D and associated supportive policies so as to boost the domestic capacity to produce competitively batteries.

JEL: F11, F13, F16, F18, F62, F68
The Prevalence of Dyslexia: A New Approach to Its Estimation
Authors: Wagner Richard K. , Zirps Fotena A. , Edwards Ashley A. , Wood Sarah G. , Joyner Rachel E. , Becker Betsy J. , Liu Guangyun , Beal Bethany
Published: May 2020

How prevalent is dyslexia? A definitive answer to this question has been elusive because of the continuous distribution of reading performance and predictors of dyslexia and because of the heterogeneous nature of samples of poor readers. Samples of poor readers are a mixture of individuals whose reading is consistent with or expected based on their performance in other academic areas and in language, and individuals with dyslexia whose reading is not consistent with or expected based on their other performances. In the present article, we replicate and extend a new approach for determining the prevalence of dyslexia. Using model-based meta-analysis and simulation, three main results were found. First, the prevalence of dyslexia is better represented as a distribution that varies as a function of severity as opposed to any single-point estimate. Second, samples of poor readers will contain more expected poor readers than unexpected or dyslexic readers. Third, individuals with dyslexia can be found across the reading spectrum as opposed to only at the lower tail of reading performance. These results have implications for screening and identification, and for recruiting participants for scientific studies of dyslexia.
Mapping coercive institutions: The State Security Forces dataset, 1960–2010
Authors: De Bruin Erica
Published: May 2020

How rulers organize and use their security forces is thought to have important implications for regime survival, repression, and military effectiveness. While a number of studies provide insight into the coercive institutions of individual states, efforts to understand systematic patterns have been hampered by a lack of reliable data on state security forces that can be compared across states and within them over time. This article presents the State Security Forces (SSF) dataset, which includes 375 security forces in 110 countries, 1960–2010. It tracks how each force is commanded, staffed, equipped, and deployed, as well as the number of security forces and potential counterweights in each state’s security sector as a whole. After illustrating how the SSF dataset differs from related ones and presenting descriptive trends, the article shows how it can be used to deepen our understanding of coup-proofing and strategic substitution, and identifies additional research uses of the dataset.
Behavioral Problems and Psychological Distress Among Seriously Delinquent Youth: Assessing a Mediational Pathway of Parental Monitoring, Peer Delinquency, and Violence Exposure
Authors: Jaggers Jeremiah W. , Sonsteng-Person Melanie , Griffiths Austin , Gabbard W. Jay , Turner Marion M.
Published: May 2020

The onset of behavioral problems in early childhood is associated with an increased frequency of delinquent behavior. A significant amount of youth in the juvenile justice system have histories of mental illness and psychological distress. However, little is known about what factors mediate the relationship between early onset behavioral problems and psychological distress. The present study tested the mediating effect of parental monitoring, antisocial peers, exposure to violence, and gender on the relationship between behavioral problems and psychological distress. A secondary analysis of data from the Pathways to Desistence Study was examined using the serial mediation process proposed by Preacher and Hayes, a significant mediation of the behavior problems–psychological distress relationship was found. The results supported the mediational model in which parental monitoring impacted interaction with antisocial peers which in turn increased the level of violence exposure youth experienced ultimately leading to an increase in psychological distress.
The Effect of Migration Duration on Treatment Delay Among Rural-to-Urban Migrants After the Integration of Urban and Rural Health Insurance in China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Niu Li , Liu Yan , Wang Xin , Li Hui , Chen Junbo , Sriplung Hutcha
Published: May 2020

Few researches have been focused on the treatment delay of rural-to-urban migrants in China. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of migration duration on treatment delay among rural-to-urban migrants in tertiary hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a sample of 727 patients and surveyed factors including sociodemographics, medical costs, migration, treatment delay, and health cost-coping strategies. Totally, 727 patients were included, of which 61 delayed their treatment and 666 had no treatment delay. Statistically significant differences were found between different migration duration groups in marital status, education, insurance, family annual income, residency, payment before treatment, reported disease, and migration duration ( P < .05). The results from multiple logistic regression showed that migration between 1 and 5 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 7.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.59-32.87; P < .05) was considered the significant contributing risk factor for treatment delay after adjusting for age, sex, and other variables. To cope with their health expenditure, patients with treatment delay tended to use less savings and borrow more money than those without. Rural-to-urban migrants with 1 to 5 years of migration were the most vulnerable group of having treatment delay. Migrants were more likely to borrow money to cope with the health expenditure. Targeted services should be provided to meet different needs of migrants according to migration duration.