bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new generic circumscription in tribe Lycieae (Solanaceae)
Authors: Levin Rachel A. , Bernardello Gabriel , Whiting Carolyn , Miller Jill S.
Published: February 2019

Tribe Lycieae (Solanaceae) currently includes ca. 92 species in three genera. Two genera account for only a few species, as Phrodus is monotypic and Grabowskia includes just four species. By contrast, Lycium is one of the largest genera in the family, with ca. 88 species and over 95% of the species diversity in tribe Lycieae. Previous molecular studies have suggested that Lycium is paraphyletic and that species of Grabowskia are nested within Lycium. These studies also suggested that the genus Grabowskia was monophyletic, but questioned the integrity of species within it. Likewise, although the genus is defined by a unique fruit structure, morphology is of limited use in distinguishing species within Grabowskia. Depending on the study, Phrodus microphyllus has been placed either as sister to the rest of the tribe or nested within Lycium. In the present study we include data from two nuclear regions (granule‐bound starch synthase and nitrate reductase) and four plastid spacer regions (trnH‐pbsA, trnDGUC‐trnTGGU, rpl32‐trnLUAG, ndhF‐rpl32) to more clearly resolve evolutionary relationships among genera within the tribe and among species in Grabowskia. Results confirm that Lycium is paraphyletic and includes a monophyletic Grabowskia. However, inclusion of multiple accessions of several Grabowskia species does not support the maintenance of distinct species in the genus. In addition, Phrodus microphyllus is moderately supported as basal within the tribe. Given these results, which are further strengthened by morphological and cytological data, we synonymize three Grabowskia species with Grabowskia boerhaviifolia and include this species within Lycium, using its basionym, Lycium boerhaviifolium L. f. Additionally, we transfer Phrodus microphyllus to the genus Lycium, proposing a new combination: Lycium bridgesii (Miers) Levin, Miller & Bernardello. Tribe Lycieae is now monotypic, including the single genus Lycium.
Molecular phylogeny of Euphorbia subg. Esula sect. Aphyllis (Euphorbiaceae) inferred from nrDNA and cpDNA markers with biogeographic insights
Authors: Barres Laia , Vilatersana Roser , Molero Julià , Susanna Alfonso , Galbany-Casals Mercè
Published: February 2019

Euphorbia subg. Esula (Euphorbiaceae) has recently been shown, using molecular analyses, to contain a clade with a disjunct distribution in Macaronesia, South Africa and the Eritreo‐Arabian region, and being primarily made up of members of sect. Tithymalus subsect. Pachycladae and sect. Tirucalli. To delimitate this disjoint group, we carried out phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) using a broad sampling, with emphasis on subg. Esula. Subsequently, we carried out phylogenetic analyses focused on this clade using nuclear (ITS, ETS) and chloroplast (trnL‐trnF, psbA‐trnH, ycf3‐trnS, trnG, atpB‐rbcL, trnK‐matK, trnT‐trnL) markers, with the aim of resolving the phylogenetic relationships within the group and reconstructing its biogeographic history. Our results showed that sect. Tithymalus subsect. Pachycladae and sect. Tirucalli are polyphyletic. Section Aphyllis is recircumscribed to comprise the Pachycladae core clade and part of sect. Tirucalli. Low resolution within sect. Aphyllis and incongruences between nuclear and chloroplast phylogenies may be due to hybridization. Section Aphyllis should have originated in the Mediterranean area; its disjunct distribution is probably due to vicariance, resulting from fragmentation of a wider distribution area in North Africa caused by the aridification of the climate during the late Miocene‐Pliocene.
Apomictic and sexual lineages of the Potentilla argentea L. group (Rosaceae): Cytotype and molecular genetic differentiation
Authors: Paule Juraj , Sharbel Timothy F. , Dobeš Christoph
Published: February 2019

The presented molecular and cytological study of the European Potentilla argentea group (Rosaceae) demonstrates the importance of ploidy differentiation for the evolutionary diversification in apomictic plants. Despite the frequent occurrence of cytologically‐polymorphic populations in apomicts, few studies have addressed the evolutionary relationships among cytotypes and their taxonomic implications. Combined analyses of amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), chloroplast DNA sequences, and ploidy have identified three main evolutionary lineages within the Potentilla argentea group. The molecular data unravelled a clear separation of European P. argentea s.l. into a diploid and a hexaploid lineage, as well as a Southern European diploid P. calabra. Potentilla argentea var. pseudocalabra was intermediate between hexaploid P. argentea and P. calabra. Diploid and hexaploid P. argentea occur separately in Western and Eastern Europe, respectively, but are found in sympatry in Central and Northern Europe. Population genetic patterns and character incompatibility tests suggested that hexaploids were apomictic, while diploid P. argentea and P. calabra were selfers and outcrossers, respectively. The data strongly support the consideration of all three taxa as separate species and an allopolyploid origin for the hexaploid P. argentea. Furthermore, the results are concordant with the strong correlation between polyploidy and apomixis in other species, and provide a model system for studying the origin of apomixis involving autogamous diploids.
Taxonomy and biogeography of Agarum and Thalassiophyllum (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) based on sequences of nuclear, mitochondrial, and plastid markers
Authors: Boo Ga Hun , Lindstrom Sandra C. , Klochkova Nina G. , Yotsukura Norishige , Yang Eun Chan , Kim Hyung Geun , Waaland J. Robert , Cho Ga Youn , Miller Kathy Ann , Boo Sung Min
Published: February 2019

Agarum is a perennial kelp genus that has a broad distribution from the northwest Pacific to the northwest Atlantic Ocean. In order to address questions regarding phylogenetic relationships and present‐day distribution patterns of species within this genus, we analyzed the nuclear ITS2, mitochondrial cox1 and cox3, and plastid RuBisCO spacer from a subset of 130 samples of the genus plus Thalassiophyllum and Costaria. All analyses of the individual markers and the ITS2 + cox1 + cox3 dataset consistently produced a clade of Agarum that included Thalassiophyllum. The clade consisted of two well‐resolved subclades: one composed of A. fimbriatum and A. oharaense, and the other of A. clathratum, A. turneri, A. yakishiriense, and T. clathrus (the type of the generic name Thalassiophyllum). On the basis of these results, we treat Thalassiophyllum as a syn onym of Agarum, reinstating the combination A. clathrus made by Greville in 1830. Despite its wide distribution from Japan through Alaska to the east coast of North America, A. clathratum had low genetic diversity, suggesting a relatively recent long‐distance dispersal of the species. The low degree of substitutions between A. clathratum and A. yakishiriense suggests their recent divergence from a common ancestor, and we recognize the latter as a subspecies of the former. Because type ma terial of A. clathratum has not been found, we designate as neotype a specimen collected in Kamchatka, one of two syntype localities cited by Gmelin for Fucus agarum.
A comparison of paraffin and resin‐based techniques used in bark anatomy
Authors: Hamann Thomas , Smets Erik , Lens Frederic
Published: February 2019

Bark anatomy is an unappreciated discipline in plant systematics, despite its great potential to reveal systematically informative features. In this paper, main reasons for the lack of detailed bark anatomical data in many plant families are identified, including problems with sectioning, terminological issues, and difficulties in observation of dilated stems. We deal with these problems by focusing on two aspects: (1) compare, discuss and improve existing sectioning and maceration techniques using two species with soft and hard bark tissues; and (2) discuss the best way to collect stem bark samples. We hope that this paper will stimulate inclusion of bark anatomical data in future systematic studies.
The Acacia controversy resulting from minority rule at the Vienna Nomenclature Section: Much more than arcane arguments and complex technicalities
Authors: Moore Gerry , Smith Gideon F. , Figueiredo Estrela , Demissew Sebsebe , Lewis Gwilym , Schrire Brian , Rico Lourdes , van Wyk Abraham E. , Luckow Melissa , Kiesling Roberto , Sousa S. Mario
Published: February 2019

The arguments towards resolving the Acacia nomenclatural controversy put forth by Thiele & al. (2011) are reviewed and rebutted. We argue that a truly pragmatic and, moreover, defensible and equitable alternative to accepting the retypification of Acacia Mill. with a conserved type would be to have the 2006 International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, excluding this retypification, serve as the basis for discussions at the Nomenclature Section of the Melbourne International Botanical Congress in 2011. We, and a large component of the international taxonomic community, and beyond, remain convinced that the minority rule voting procedure used at Vienna on Acacia was inappropriate, resulting in animosity that will without any doubt linger until this situation is rectified. Such a minority rule procedure has never in the history of Nomenclature Sections been implemented before. Exclusion of the Acacia retypification can be achieved through a democratic process by objecting to its inclusion when the printed (2006) Code comes up for adoption at the start of the Nomenclature Section. This is perfectly within the established process that has been used in past Section meetings. The integrity of the Code will suffer permanent damage if the retypification of Acacia Mill. with a conserved type is not removed from the ICBN, especially as it ended up there through a minority decision.
Validation of the names of two genera and thirty‐nine species of fossil spores and pollen recorded from the Tertiary sediments of India
Authors: Saxena Ramesh K.
Published: February 2019

The names of thirty‐nine species of fossil spores and pollen recognized by various palynologists, but not validly published, are validated by providing information on repository of their holotypes. Of these, 10 species are of pteridophytic spores, 2 species of gymnospermous pollen and 27 species of angiospermous pollen. The new species names are: Acanthotricolpites brevicolpus R.K. Kar, Acanthotriletes triangulatus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Assamialetes minutus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Biretisporites minimus A. Kumar, Conitricolporites triangulus R.K. Kar, Corrusporis indicus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Cycadaceaelagenella minor A. Kumar & K. Takah., Cycadaceaelagenella psilata A. Kumar & K. Takah.,Dicolpopollis psilatus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Hibisceaepollenites robustispinosus R.K. Kar, Incrotonipollis mannargudensis M. Acharya (based on “Crotonipollis mannargudensis M. Acharya”), Intertriletes reticulatus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Intrapunctosporis cacharensis A. Kumar & K. Takah., Laevigatosporites robustus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Lanagiopollis reitsmae Phadtare & B. Thakur, Lanagiopollis rugulatus Phadtare & B. Thakur, Lanagiopollis ruguloreticulatus Phadtare & B. Thakur, Meyeripollis triradiatus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Palmidites minor A. Kumar, Palmidites psilatus A. Kumar, Polyvestibulopollenites assamicus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Psilastephanocolpites elongatus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Psilastephanocolpites kumarii R.K. Saxena (“Psilastephanocolpites minutus A. Kumar & K. Takah.”), Psiloschizosporis scabratus R.K. Kar, Pteridacidites minor A. Kumar, Pteridacidites tripuraensis R.K. Kar, Racemonocolpites thanjinathensis J. Mandal, Racemonocolpites trichotomosulcatus J. Mandal, Retibrevitricolpites macroreticulatus A. Kumar & K. Takah., Retipilonapites barakensis A. Kumar & K. Takah., Retistephanocolpites assamicus A. Kumar, Scabrastephanocolpites ovatus A. Kumar & K. Takah.,Striatocolporites takahashii R.K. Saxena (“Striatocolporites minor A. Kumar & K. Takah.”), Tamilnaduapollis reticulatus M. Acharya, Tricolporopilites magnus M. Acharya, Verrualetes baculatus A. Kumar, Verrualetes excellensus M. Acharya, Verrucosisporites miocenicus A. Kumar & K. Takah., and Verrutriporites sparsiverrucatus A. Kumar & K. Takah. The genera Conitricolporites R.K. Kar (Type: C. triangulus R.K. Kar) and Tamilnaduapollis M. Acharya (Type: T. reticulatus M. Acharya) are also here validated with the validation of their respective types.
Nomenclature and typification of names of genera and subdivisions of genera inCypereae(Cyperaceae): 2. Names of subdivisions ofCyperus
Authors: Larridon Isabel , Huygh Wim , Reynders Marc , Muasya A. Muthama , Govaerts Rafaël , Simpson David A. , Goetghebeur Paul
Published: February 2019

This paper is the second in a series of papers on the nomenclature of the names of genera (Huygh & al., 2010) and subdivisions of genera inCypereae(Cyperaceae). Here we present a survey of all published names of subdivisions ofCyperus, designate types where needed, and evaluate priority and legitimacy.Cyperusis the largest genus inCypereaeand is the secondtype="book"largest genus in the family. The high diversity inCyperusand the complex relationships with its segregate genera resulted in the accumulation of more than 220 names of subdivisions inCyperusof which 18 are not validly published and 33 are illegitimate.
Report of the Nomenclature Committee for Algae: 12
Authors: Prud'homme van Reine Willem F.
Published: February 2019

The following three names are recommended for conservation: Achnanthes brevipes against A. adnata, A. baccillarioides, and A. dubia, and with a conserved type; Sphacelaria with a conserved type; and Dasya, nom. cons. against Rhodonema. As result of reference under Art. 53.5, it is recommended that the genus names Sykidion and Sycidium and all the higher taxa based on these names are not to be considered confusingly similar and thus cannot be treated as (para‐)homonyms.
Report of the Nomenclatural Committee for Bryophyta: 10
Authors: Klazenga Niels
Published: February 2019

The following four names of mosses are recommended for conservation: Hypnum molle with a conserved type, Meteorium with a conserved type, Papillaria, nom cons, with a different conserved type, and Rhynchostegium against Eriodon. In addition, conservation of Stirtonia A.L. Sm. (lichenized fungi) against Stirtonia R. Br. bis, already recommended by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi, is supported. The Committee is unable to make any recommendation on the proposals to conserve Leptodontium proliferum against Tortula umbrosa, and Gertrudia validinervis against Barbula uncinicoma at this stage and is continuing its consideration of these proposals. Two proposals for modification of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature that relate particularly to bryophytes are recommended for acceptance, Art. 9 Prop. H (Taxon Prop. 219) and Div. III Prop. A (338).
Enhancement of hydrogen generation using nanoaluminum particles produced by a wire explosion process
Authors: Neelmani  , Rengaswamy Jayaganthan , Satyanarayanan Raghuraman Chakravarthi , Hisayuki Suematsu , Ramanujam Sarathi
Published: February 2019

Nanoaluminum particles were generated by a wire explosion process (WEP) in helium, argon, and nitrogen ambiences, by depositing energy equal to the vaporization energy of the conductor material volume. The size and shape of the generated nanoaluminum particles were analyzed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out to characterize the phase in nanoaluminum (Al) particles. Particle size distribution of the produced nano‐Al particles follows log‐normal distribution and the nanoparticles produced in helium were of smaller size compared to those produced in argon or nitrogen ambience. Hydrogen gas was generated on reacting aluminum nanoparticles with aqueous NaOH solution. It was observed that most of the oxides formed on reaction of Al and aqueous NaOH solution were bayerite at room temperature and boehmite at higher temperature. The formation of bayerite and boehmite was characterized using XRD and TEM studies. The reactions were also carried out at higher temperature to understand the hydrogen generation rate. Molarity of NaOH has a high influence on the rate of hydrogen generation. The rate constant of the reaction was calculated adopting the first order rate law for predicting the amount of hydrogen generation. Nickel (Ni) nanoparticles synthesized by WEP and copper sulfate (CuSO4) were used as catalysts and added to the reaction mixture of Al and aqueous NaOH solution to control the hydrogen generation rate. It was observed that the reaction rate of Al with NaOH medium has increased with the addition of CuSO4 and Ni nanoparticles due to the microgalvanic effect, thereby enhancing the hydrogen generation rate. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Blood metabolite concentration, milk yield, resumption of ovarian activity and conception in grazing dual purpose cows supplemented with concentrate during the post‐partum period
Authors: Adjorlolo Leornard , Obese Frederick Y. , Tecku Patrick
Published: February 2019

Cattle grazing on natural pasture face seasonal variation in pasture availability and nutritive value. Improving the nutrition of cows by providing supplementary feeds during periods of pasture or nutrient deficit is necessary for improved productivity. This study was conducted to determine the effect of feed supplementation during the post‐partum period on the metabolic status and reproductive performance of 40 grazing Sanga and Friesian × Sanga cows. Twenty out of a total of 40 cows (10 Sanga and 10 Friesian × Sanga cows) were supplemented with 2.5 kg of concentrate per day for 16 weeks after calving. Parameters measured include daily milk yield, concentration of blood metabolites, resumption of ovarian activity and conception. Supplemented cows had higher partial milk yield than their non‐supplemented counterparts (2.07 vs. 1.60 kg/day; P < 0.001). Sanga cows had lower milk yield than the Friesian × Sanga crossbreds (1.61 vs. 2.05 kg/day; P < 0.01). Supplemented cows had higher mean total protein (86.7 vs. 81.3 g/L; P = 0.007) and globulin (53.0 vs. 47.7; P = 0.014) concentrations than non‐supplemented cows. Sanga cows had higher glucose (P = 0.027), total protein (P < 0.001) and globulin (P < 0.001) but lower triglyceride (P = 0.003) and progesterone (P = 0.023) concentrations than Friesian × Sanga cows. Supplemented cows had less proportion not cycling (20 vs. 55%; P = 0.022) and less days open (95.8 vs. 106 days; P = 0.032) than non‐supplemented cows. The Friesian × Sanga cows had higher progesterone concentrations at first progesterone rise (3.34 vs. 1.32 ng/mL; P = 0.032) and shorter interval from calving to conception (96.7 vs. 106 days; P = 0.042). The results from this study indicate the beneficial effects of feed supplementation in terms of increased milk yield, better metabolic status and reproductive performance.
Biofilm development dynamics and pollutant removal performance of ceramsite made from drinking‐water treatment sludge
Authors: Chen Shuaiqi , Chen Yang , Pei Haiyan , Hou Qingjie
Published: February 2019

Alum‐sludge ceramsite and denitrifying bacteria (XP‐1, XP‐2, CL‐1, CL‐3) were used as substrate and constructed biofilm for enhancing the removal of pollutants from wastewater. The results showed that, due to the large specific surface area, the maximum growth rate was 0.49 mg/(g·day) on the sludge ceramsite, and the mass of biofilm attached onto sludge ceramsite was 5.98 times higher than that when using commercial ceramsite as substrate. Better removal performance could be achieved with the combination of sludge ceramsite and bacteria, viz. 98.6%, 91.0%, and 85.8% reduction in total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively. Pseudo–first‐order kinetics, pseudo–second‐order kinetics, Monod kinetics, and multiple Monod kinetics combined with continuous‐flow‐stirred tank reactor (CFSTR) behavior were used to investigate the dynamics of the pollutant removal processes. The decrease in band brightness for bacteria attached onto sludge ceramsite was 11.5%, while it was more than 35.7% on commercial ceramsite during wastewater treatment according to results from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Sludge ceramsite played an important role in maintaining quantities and activities of denitrifying bacteria, and application of sludge ceramsite substrate and denitrifying bacteria was a reliable method to enhance the removals of phosphorus, nitrogen, and COD from domestic wastewater.

Practitioner Points

Alum‐sludge ceramsite was a good substrate for phosphorus adsorption and denitrifying bacterial growth.

There was 5.98 times more biofilm on sludge ceramsite than on commercial ceramsite

The biofilm of denitrifying bacteria on sludge ceramsite was more stable.

High removals of TP (98.6%), TN (90.1%) and COD (85.81%) were achieved.
From isolated structures to continuous networks: A categorization of cytoskeleton‐based motile engineered biological microstructures
Authors: Andorfer Rachel , Alper Joshua D.
Published: February 2019

As technology at the small scale is advancing, motile engineered microstructures are becoming useful in drug delivery, biomedicine, and lab‐on‐a‐chip devices. However, traditional engineering methods and materials can be inefficient or functionally inadequate for small‐scale applications. Increasingly, researchers are turning to the biology of the cytoskeleton, including microtubules, actin filaments, kinesins, dyneins, myosins, and associated proteins, for both inspiration and solutions. They are engineering structures with components that range from being entirely biological to being entirely synthetic mimics of biology and on scales that range from isotropic continuous networks to single isolated structures. Motile biological microstructures trace their origins from the development of assays used to study the cytoskeleton to the array of structures currently available today. We define 12 types of motile biological microstructures, based on four categories: entirely biological, modular, hybrid, and synthetic, and three scales: networks, clusters, and isolated structures. We highlight some key examples, the unique functionalities, and the potential applications of each microstructure type, and we summarize the quantitative models that enable engineering them. By categorizing the diversity of motile biological microstructures in this way, we aim to establish a framework to classify these structures, define the gaps in current research, and spur ideas to fill those gaps.

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Cells at the Nanoscale

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Two Bulky Conjugated 4′‐(4‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐4,2′:6′,4′′‐terpyridine‐based Layered Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Activity
Authors: Zhu Shuang , Dai Xue‐Jiao , Wang Xiu‐Guang , Cao Ying‐Yu , Zhao Xiao‐Jun , Yang En‐Cui
Published: February 2019

Two new layered complexes with the formulas of {[Cu(H2O)(HL)2Cl](NO3)}n (1) and {[Cu(H2O)2(HL)2](NO3)2}n (2) were solvothermally synthesized by the reactions of the bulky conjugated 4′‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4,2′:6′,4′′‐terpyridine ligand (HL) with different CuII salts, which were further used as photocatalysts to achieve hydrogen production from water splitting. Single‐crystal structural analyses reveal that both complexes feature coplanar (4 4) layers with different connection manners between the HL extended Z‐shaped chains. More interestingly, 1 possessing more negative conduction band potential and higher structural stability exhibits a large hydrogen production rate of 2.43 mmol·g–1·h–1, which is four times higher than that of 2. Thus, the CuII‐based coordination polymers modified by the bulky conjugated organic ligand can become potentially promising non‐Pt photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water splitting.
Consistency-preserving refactoring of refinement structures in Event-B models
Authors: Kobayashi Tsutomu , Ishikawa Fuyuki , Honiden Shinichi
Published: February 2019

Event-B has been attracting much interest because it supports a flexible refinement mechanism that reduces the complexity of constructing and verifying models of complicated target systems by taking into account multiple abstraction layers of the models. Although most previous studies on Event-B focused on model construction, the constructed models need to be maintained. Moreover, parts of existing models are often reused to construct other models. In this paper, a method is introduced that improves the maintainability and reusability of existing Event-B models. It automatically reconstructs the refinement structure of existing models by constructing models about different sets of variables than that used in the original models, while maintaining the consistencies checked in the original models. The method automatically decomposes each refinement step into multiple steps by taking certain predicates from existing models and deriving additional predicates from the consistency conditions of existing models to create new models consistent with the original ones. By combining the decomposing of refinement steps with the composing of refinement steps, this method automatically restructures a refinement step in accordance with given sets of variables to be taken into account in refinement steps of the refactored models. The results of case studies in which large refinement steps in existing models were decomposed and existing models were restructured to extract reusable parts for constructing other models demonstrated that the proposed method facilitates effective use of the refinement mechanism of Event-B.
RP rewind
Authors: Nickels Liz
Published: February 2019

Liz Nickels leafs through past issues of Reinforced Plastics to find out what was happening in the PM industry of the past.
You are where you build: Hierarchy, Inequality, and Equalitarianism in Mandara Highland Architecture
Authors: Chétima Melchisedek
Published: February 2019

Ethnic groups living in the Mandara Mountains are assumed to be segmentary in structure, which is why scholarly literature portrays them as egalitarian societies. The configuration of the architectural landscape reveals a different reality. This article shows how the architectural landscapes of the Mandara Highlands are ideologically constructed to represent and legitimize hierarchies between clans and individuals. Physical entities appear as particular elements of social space, and as places socially constructed and tinged with ideologies. These fieldwork-based observations provide the foundation for interrogating the meaning of egalitarianism in African society.
Inhaled methoxyflurane for the reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation in the emergency department
Authors: Umana Etimbuk , Kelliher Josephine Hannah , Blom Christiaan Johannes , McNicholl Brian
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Methoxyflurane is an inhalation analgesic used in the emergency department (ED) but also has minimal sedative properties. The major aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of methoxyflurane for acute anterior shoulder dislocation (ASD) reduction. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of methoxyflurane on ED patient flow compared to propofol.

Methods

A health record review was performed for all patients presenting with ASD who underwent reduction with either methoxyflurane or propofol over a 13-month period (December 2016 – December 2017). The primary outcome was reduction success for methoxyflurane, while secondary outcomes such as recovery time and ED length of stay (LOS) were also assessed compared to propofol. Patients with fracture dislocations, polytrauma, intravenous, or intramuscular opioids in the pre-hospital setting, no sedation for reduction, and alternative techniques of sedation or analgesia for reduction were excluded.

Results

A total of 151 patients presented with ASD during the study period. Eighty-two patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Fifty-two patients had ASD reduction with propofol while 30 patients had methoxyflurane. Successful reduction was achieved in 80% (95% CI 65.69% to 94.31%) patients who used methoxyflurane. The median recovery time and ED LOS were 30 minutes [19.3-44] and 70.5 minutes [49.3-105], which was found to be shorter for the methoxyflurane group, who had successful reductions compared to sedation with propofol.

Conclusion

Methoxyflurane was used successfully in 30% of the 82 patients undergoing reduction for ASD, while potentially improving ED efficiency.
Paramedics providing palliative care at home: A mixed-methods exploration of patient and family satisfaction and paramedic comfort and confidence
Authors: Carter Alix J. E. , Arab Marianne , Harrison Michelle , Goldstein Judah , Stewart Barbara , Lecours Mireille , Sullivan James , Villard Carolyn , Crowell Wilma , Houde Katherine , Jensen Jan L. , Downer Kathryn , Pereira Jose
Published: February 2019

Objective

Paramedics Providing Palliative Care at Home was launched in two provinces, including a new clinical practice guideline, database, and paramedic training. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient/family satisfaction and paramedic comfort and confidence.

Methods

In Part A, we gathered perspectives of patients/families via surveys mailed at enrolment and telephone interviews after an encounter. Responses were reported descriptively and by thematic analysis. In Part B, we surveyed paramedics online pre- and 18 months post-launch. Comfort and confidence were scored on a 4-point Likert scale, and attitudes on a 7-point Likert scale, reported as the median (interquartile range [IQR]); analysis with Wilcoxon ranked sum/thematic analysis of free text.

Results

In Part A, 67/255 (30%) enrolment surveys were returned. Three themes emerged: fulfilling wishes, peace of mind, and feeling prepared for emergencies. In 18 post-encounter interviews, four themes emerged: 24/7 availability, paramedic professionalism and compassion, symptom relief, and a plea for program continuation. Thematic saturation was reached with little divergence. In Part B, 235/1255 (18.9%) pre- and 267 (21.3%) post-surveys were completed. Comfort with providing palliative care without transport improved post launch (p = < 0.001) as did confidence in palliative care without transport (p = < 0.001). Respondents strongly agreed that all paramedics should be able to provide basic palliative care.

Conclusions

After implementation of the multifaceted Paramedics Providing Palliative Care at Home Program, paramedics describe palliative care as important and rewarding. The program resulted in high patient/family satisfaction; simply registering provides peace of mind. After an encounter, families particularly noted the compassion and professionalism of the paramedics.
High damage threshold liquid crystal binary mask for laser beam shaping
Authors: Xia Gang , Fan Wei , Huang Dajie , Cheng He , Guo Jiangtao , Wang Xiaoqin
Published: February 2019

In order to improve the damage threshold and enlarge the aperture of a laser beam shaper, photolithographic patterning technology is adopted to design a new type of liquid crystal binary mask. The inherent conductive metal layer of commercial liquid crystal electro-optical spatial light modulators is replaced by azobenzene-based photoalignment layers patterned by noncontact photolithography. Using the azobenzene-based photoalignment layer, a liquid crystal binary mask for beam shaping is fabricated. In addition, the shaping ability, damage threshold, write/erase flexibility and stability of the liquid crystal binary mask are tested. Using a 1 Hz near-IR (1064 nm) laser, the multiple-shot nanosecond damage threshold of the liquid crystal mask is measured to be higher than$15~\text{J}/\text{cm}^{2}$. The damage threshold of the azobenzene-based photoalignment layer is higher than$50~\text{J}/\text{cm}^{2}$under the same testing conditions.
Penetration of boundary-driven flows into a rotating spherical thermally stratified fluid
Authors: Cox Grace A. , Davies Christopher J. , Livermore Philip W. , Singleton James
Published: February 2019

Motivated by the dynamics within terrestrial bodies, we consider a rotating, strongly thermally stratified fluid within a spherical shell subject to a prescribed laterally inhomogeneous heat-flux condition at the outer boundary. Using a numerical model, we explore a broad range of three key dimensionless numbers: a thermal stratification parameter (the relative size of boundary temperature gradients to imposed vertical temperature gradients), $10^{-3}\leqslant S\leqslant 10^{4}$, a buoyancy parameter (the strength of applied boundary heat-flux anomalies), $10^{-2}\leqslant B\leqslant 10^{6}$, and the Ekman number (ratio of viscous to Coriolis forces), $10^{-6}\leqslant E\leqslant 10^{-4}$. We find both steady and time-dependent solutions and delineate the regime boundaries. We focus on steady-state solutions, for which a clear transition is found between a low $S$ regime, in which buoyancy dominates the dynamics, and a high $S$ regime, in which stratification dominates. For the low-$S$ regime, we find that the characteristic flow speed scales as $B^{2/3}$, whereas for high-$S$, the radial and horizontal velocities scale respectively as $u_{r}\sim S^{-1}$, $u_{h}\sim S^{-3/4}B^{1/4}$ and are confined within a thin layer of depth $(SB)^{-1/4}$ at the outer edge of the domain. For the Earth, if lower mantle heterogeneous structure is due principally to chemical anomalies, we estimate that the core is in the high-$S$ regime and steady flows arising from strong outer boundary thermal anomalies cannot penetrate the stable layer. However, if the mantle heterogeneities are due to thermal anomalies and the heat-flux variation is large, the core will be in a low-$S$ regime in which the stable layer is likely penetrated by boundary-driven flows.
Perturbative corrections for the scaling of heat transport in a Hele-Shaw geometry and its application to geological vertical fractures
Authors: Letelier Juvenal A. , Mujica Nicolás , Ortega Jaime H.
Published: February 2019

In this work, we investigate numerically the perturbative effects of cell aperture in heat transport and thermal dissipation rate for a vertical Hele-Shaw geometry, which is used as an analogue representation of a planar vertical fracture at the laboratory scale. To model the problem, we derive a two-dimensional set of equations valid for this geometry. For Hele-Shaw cells heated from below and above, with periodic boundary conditions in the horizontal direction, the model gives new nonlinear scalings for both the time-averaged Nusselt number $\langle Nu\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ and dimensionless mean thermal dissipation rate $\langle \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ in the high-Rayleigh regime. We demonstrate that $\langle Nu\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ and $\langle \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ depend upon the cell anisotropy ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$, which measures the ratio between the cell gap and height. We show that $\langle Nu\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ values in the high-Rayleigh regime decrease when $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$ grows, supporting the field observations at the fracture scale. When $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}\ll 1$, our results are in agreement with the scalings found using the Darcy model. The numerical results satisfy the theoretical relation $\langle Nu\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}=Ra\langle \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$, which is obtained from the model. This latter relation is valid for all values of Rayleigh number considered. The perturbative effects of cell aperture are observed only in the exponents of the scalings $\langle Nu\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}\sim Ra^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D716})}$ and $\langle \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\rangle _{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}\sim Ra^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D716})-1}$.
Nuclear Accidents Will Happen
Authors: Heefner Gretchen
Published: February 2019

In January 2018, theBulletin of the Atomic Scientists(BAS) moved its Doomsday Clock closer to midnight: it now reads 11:58. The last time the minute hand was this close to the hour of Armageddon was 1953, just after the United States and Soviet Union tested thermonuclear bombs. Since then the stylized clock has ticked backward and forward, each year metaphorically registering civilization's proximity to global catastrophe. “To call the world's nuclear situation dire,” the group warned in its January statement, “is to understate the danger—and its immediacy.”
Sex difference of the predictive value of BMI, waist circumference and percentage body fat mass for gallstone disease
Authors: Hsu Hsin-Yin , Huang Chun-Yuan , Hwang Lee-Ching
Published: February 2019

Gallstone disease (GSD) represents a significant health burden and is reported to be strongly related to obesity. This study examined the effect of sex on the association of BMI, waist circumference (WC) and percentage body fat mass (%FM) with GSD. We enrolled 15 671 middle-aged Taiwanese adults undergoing a physical check-up at a health examination centre. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the association of BMI, WC and %FM with the presence of GSD. AUC of the receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for BMI, WC and %FM to compare their respective ability to correctly classify patients with GSD. From our findings, GSD prevalence was 8·1 % in men and 6·3 % in women. The percentage of markedly increased obesity indicators was significantly higher in patients with GSD than in those without GSD. Multivariate analysis showed that all obesity indicators were significant predictors of the presence of GSD in women after adjustment. In men, only BMI and WC were significantly associated with the presence of GSD. In the ROC curve analysis, BMI and WC were the best predictors of GSD risk in women and men, respectively. The obesity indicators better predicted the presence of GSD in women than in men. In conclusion, the best obesity indicator of GSD risk differed by sex. In addition to body weight, fat mass and central obesity were associated with GSD risk in women. In men, central obesity may play a more important role in predicting GSD risk.
On the Ideal Case of a Conjecture of Huneke and Wiegand
Authors: Celikbas Olgur , Goto Shiro , Takahashi Ryo , Taniguchi Naoki
Published: February 2019

A conjecture of Huneke and Wiegand claims that, over one-dimensional commutative Noetherian local domains, the tensor product of a finitely generated, non-free, torsion-free module with its algebraic dual always has torsion. Building on a beautiful result of Corso, Huneke, Katz and Vasconcelos, we prove that the conjecture is affirmative for a large class of ideals over arbitrary one-dimensional local domains. Furthermore, we study a higher-dimensional analogue of the conjecture for integrally closed ideals over Noetherian rings that are not necessarily local. We also consider a related question on the conjecture and give an affirmative answer for first syzygies of maximal Cohen–Macaulay modules.
Cultural Preferences and Firm Financing Choices
Authors: Bedendo Mascia , Garcia-Appendini Emilia , Siming Linus
Published: February 2019

We document significant differences in the financing structures of small firms with managers of diverse cultural backgrounds. To isolate the effect of culture, we exploit cultural heterogeneity within a geographical area with shared regulations, institutions, and macroeconomic cycles. Our findings suggest significant cultural differences in the preference toward debt funding and in the use of formal and informal sources of financing (bank loans and trade credit). Our results are robust to alternative explanations based on potential differences in credit constraints and in the distribution of cultural origins across industries, trading partners, and headquarters locations.
On the cardinal system in Italian Sign Language (LIS)
Authors: MANTOVAN LARA , GERACI CARLO , CARDINALETTI ANNA
Published: February 2019

This paper offers a comprehensive discussion of the cardinal numeral system of Italian Sign Language. At the lexical level, we present the different formational strategies used to generate cardinal numerals and we provide evidence that in the younger generations of signers, the signonehas lost the function of indefinite determiner and is now used as a cardinal only. At the syntactic level, we show that the attested variation in the ordering between the cardinal and the noun is in part due to definiteness and contrastive focus. We account for this variation within the cartographic approach to syntax. Finally, we offer a principled explanation for the reason why cardinals inside Measure Phrases are not subject to word order variation, but always precede the measure noun.
Dust vortices in a direct current glow discharge plasma: a delicate balance between ion drag and Coulomb force
Authors: Bose Sayak , Kaur M. , Chattopadhyay P. K. , Ghosh J. , Thomas Edward , Saxena Y. C.
Published: February 2019

Dust vortices with a void at the centre are reported in this paper. The role of the spatial variation of the plasma potential in the rotation of dust particles is studied in a parallel plate glow discharge plasma. Probe measurements reveal the existence of a local potential minimum in the region of formation of the dust vortex. The minimum in the potential well attracts positively charged ions, while it repels the negatively charged dust particles. Dust rotation is caused by the interplay of the two oppositely directed ion drag and Coulomb forces. The balance between these two forces is found to play a major role in the radial confinement of the dust particles above the cathode surface. Evolution of the dust vortex is studied by increasing the discharge current from 15 to 20 mA. The local minimum of the potential profile is found to coincide with the location of the dust vortex for both values of discharge currents. Additionally, it is found that the size of the dust vortex as well as the void at the centre increases with the discharge current.
Retirement Expectations of Older Workers with Arthritis and Diabetes Compared with Those of Workers with No Chronic Diseases
Authors: Gignac Monique A.M. , Smith Peter M. , Ibrahim Selahadin , Kristman Vicki , Beaton Dorcas E. , Mustard Cameron A.
Published: February 2019

Les plans de retraite des adultes atteints de maladies chroniques sont peu connus. Dans le cadre de cette étude, des travailleurs canadiens âgés de 50 à 67 ans provenant d’un regroupement national de 80 000 personnes (arthrite, n = 631 ; diabète, n = 286 ; arthrite et diabète, n = 111 ; aucune maladie chronique invalidante, n = 538) ont participé à une enquête transversale sur ce sujet. Les questions posées aux participants traitaient de l’âge prévu pour leur départ à la retraite, de leurs plans de travail futurs, de la possibilité d’un départ hâtif à la retraite et de la transition vers la retraite. Des analyses de khi-carré, de variance et des régressions ont permis d’évaluer les attentes et les facteurs qui y étaient associés. Les travailleurs souffrant d’arthrite et de diabète avaient des plans de retraite semblables à ceux des participants sains, malgré leurs problèmes de santé, et ces plans concordaient avec les attentes associées au fait de travailler jusqu’à un âge de retraite conventionnel. Toutefois, le nombre de répondants souffrant d’arthrite ou de diabète qui avaient prévu une retraite anticipée était plus élevé que celui des participants en bonne santé. Contrairement aux prévisions, la part de la variance associée aux facteurs liés à la santé était moindre que celle des autres facteurs en ce qui concerne les attentes en matière de retraite. Ces résultats mettent en lumière la complexité des attentes liées à la retraite et soulignent l’importance de l’adéquation personne-travail, malgré la présence de maladies.
Married Women's Wills: Probate, Property, and Piety in Later Medieval England
Authors: Beattie Cordelia
Published: February 2019

This article responds to a debate about the clash between canon law and common law positions on whether married women in England could make wills and what freedoms they had in terms of bequeathing property. In particular, it revises the argument that wives largely ceased to make wills c.1450 by arguing that local customs should be given more attention. The article offers a detailed study of the surviving wills in the deanery of Wisbech 1465–77, its linked diocese of Ely 1449–1505, and the probate acta of the Archdeaconry of Buckingham 1483–97, in order to demonstrate that there was regional variation in the decline in married women's will-making. In particular, a focus on court books, which included visitation material alongside the enrolled wills and probate acta, enables more to be said about the kinds of married women who continued to make wills and their motivations. The article argues that in these areas, as well as a continued tendency for wives who had some land or buildings to make wills, married women who had close connections with men who acted as churchwardens or jurors in church courts were also more likely to have their wills proved, even when they had little to bequeath.
Emotion regulation across the psychosis continuum
Authors: Chapman Hannah C. , Visser Katherine F. , Mittal Vijay A. , Gibb Brandon E. , Coles Meredith E. , Strauss Gregory P.
Published: February 2019

Emotion regulation dysfunction is characteristic of psychotic disorders, but little is known about how the use of specific types of emotion regulation strategies differs across phases of psychotic illness. This information is vital for understanding factors contributing to psychosis vulnerability states and developing targeted treatments. Three studies were conducted to examine emotion regulation across phases of psychosis, which included (a) adolescent community members with psychotic-like experiences (PLEs; n = 262) and adolescents without PLEs (n = 1,226); (b) adolescents who met clinical high-risk criteria for a prodromal syndrome (n = 29) and healthy controls (n = 29); and (c) outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (SZ; n = 61) and healthy controls (n = 67). In each study, participants completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and measures of psychiatric symptoms and functional outcome. The three psychosis groups did not differ from each other in reported use of suppression; however, there was evidence for a vulnerability-related, dose-dependent decrease in reappraisal. Across each sample, a lower use of reappraisal was associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Findings indicate that emotion regulation abnormalities occur across a continuum of psychosis vulnerability and represent important targets for intervention.