bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Cretaceous stomatopods (Crustacea, Malacostraca) from Israel and Jordan
Authors: Hof Cees H.J.
Published: April 2019

The eryonid decapod Eryon yehoachi Remy & Avnimelech, 1955, from the Late Cretaceous of Israel, is redescribed as a fossil stomatopod species within the new genus Ursquilla. This redescription is based on the original type specimen and two additional records from Israel and Jordan. The material allows a detailed reconstruction of the telson, the sixth abdominal tergite, and part of the uropods. The distinct telson ornamentation of these stomatopods justifies the erection of a new family within the superfamily Squilloidea.
The family Histriobdellidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) including descriptions of two new species from Brazil and a new genus
Authors: Steiner Tatiana Menchini , Amaral A. Cecilia Z.
Published: April 2019

We review the family Histriobdellidae and provide species descriptions and notes on geographical distribution based on data from the literature. The morphological structures used in the systematics of this family are defined. A new genus, Dayus, is proposed and two new species from Brazil, Stratiodrilus robustus and S. circensis, are described.
Birds in the sales catalogue of Adriaan Vroeg (1764) described by Pallas and Vosmaer
Authors: Rookmaaker L.C. , Pieters Florence F.J.M.
Published: April 2019

On 6 October 1764, Adriaan Vroeg sold his collection of birds, insects and a few other animals by auction. The sales catalogue was published anonymously, but contained several scientific names of birds, which have nomenclatorial standing. Only three copies of this catalogue are known. The appendix entitled “Adumbratiunculae” has previously been attributed to Peter Simon Pallas, who is quoted as author of the new names of birds. In the present note, the main text is credited to Arnout Vosmaer, on the basis of contemporary references. Where the species names proposed by Vosmaer are synonyms of those published by Pallas in the same volume, the latter are selected, because some names have been validly used before with Pallas as the author.
Cleavage, gastrulation, and germ disc formation of the amphipod Orchestia cavimana (Crustacea, Malacostraca, Peracarida)
Authors: Scholtz Gerhard , Wolff Carsten
Published: April 2019

Investigations of amphipod embryonic development have a long tradition. However, many aspects of amphipod embryology are still controversial. These concern, among others, the nature of the cleavage, the origin of the germ disc, and the mode of gastrulation. On the other hand, amphipods show the same characteristic type of invariant cell division pattern in the germ band as other malacostracans. Since amphipods seem to undergo a stereotyped pattern of early cleavage they are highly interesting for our understanding of the evolution of arthropod development. In this paper, we describe the cleavage pattern of the amphipod crustacean Orchestia cavimana from the zygote to gastrulation and the formation of the germ disc using direct observation, scanning electron microscopy, histology, video recording, and lineage tracing with a vital dye. The early development follows the mode of a total, radial, unequal cleavage with a determinate stereotyped pattern. A small transient blastocoel is formed. The 8-cell stage is characterised by 4 micromeres and 4 macromeres. One quadrant is smaller than the others. There are two kinds of eggs that show a mirror handed image. The 16-cell stage is the last regular stage after which the blastomeres divide highly asynchronously. The germ disc is formed by the descendants of the macromeres and some micromere derivatives. The other micromeres constitute the extra-embryonic region. Migration of macromere descendants is involved in germ disc formation accompanied by the extrusion of the yolk. During this process some vitellophages are formed. The gastrulation sensu stricto is initiated by the micromere derivatives of the smallest quadrant at the anterior of the forming germ disc. A true blastopore occurs which involves an invagination and the immigration of cells. Our data help to correct erroneous interpretations of former students of amphipod development. We can show that many characters of amphipod embryonic development are apomorphic supporting amphipod monophyly. With the present investigation we contribute to a complete understanding of the embryonic cell lineage of amphipods from the egg to segment formation and organogenesis.
Genetic and ecological differentiation between the butterfly sisterspecies Colias alfacariensis and Colias hyale
Authors: Cleary Daniel F.R. , Descimon Henri , Menken Steph B.J.
Published: April 2019

Clear habitat separation between the sister species Colias alfacariensis and C. hyale is shown when occurring sympatrically. Colias hyale is found more often in moist cultivated pastures while Colias alfacariensis is more abundant in dry uncultivated habitat. Out of a total of 16 loci, no diagnostic loci were found between C. alfacariensis and C. hyale, and both species shared most major polymorphisms. Exceptions were the marked differences in allele frequencies at the HK locus and only C. hyale, but not C. alfacariensis was further invariable at the GOT2 locus, which is usually highly polymorphic in the Pieridae. Colias hyale has a significantly lower level of heterozygosity than its sister species C. alfacariensis. In Colias alfacariensis heterozygosity is highest in the Alps and lowest in the low-lying region of Northern France, Both species show high levels of gene flow over a large geographic area. Within C. alfacariensis, but not in C. hyale, the FST value of the PGI locus is significantly different from zero effectively separating the species into populations with high levels of the ’ b’ allele to the west and North, and low levels of the allele in the Alps and Italy. This could point to selection within the PGI locus in line with the well established pattern of selection at the PGI locus in other species of Colias. Glaciations have been an important force in shaping the evolutionary history of European biota, leading to extinction, but also allowing new species to evolve into the newly available land as the ice sheets retreated. The genetic and distributional pattern found between both Colias species suggests that habitat shifts and subsequent adaptation during glaciations could have played an important role in their speciation.
Getting a Sharper View of the Humanitarian Marketplace: Introducing Conduit Engagement Theory
Authors: Bock Joseph G. , Haque Ziaul
Published: April 2019

There are differing views on the strengths and weaknesses of faith-based organizations relative to secular international nongovernmental organizations. This article argues that the theory of comparative advantage and the theory of organizational alignment are inadequate in helping to assess these strengths and weaknesses. The article offers a different perspective, called conduit engagement theory. It holds that humanitarian organizations naturally have specific relationships, organizational linkages, affiliations, or shared philosophies (referred to in the article as conduits) that enable certain programmatic interventions. Maximum effectiveness within the humanitarian marketplace is a function of the robustness of engagement of conduits with high-priority initiatives that have adequate funding over the necessary length of time. A new kind of tool for strategic planning within specific countries and for auditing at an organizational level are proposed.
The Anti-Mercenary Norm and United Nations’ Use of Private Military and Security Companies
Authors: Bures Oldrich , Meyer Jeremy
Published: April 2019

This article offers an analysis of the influence of the anti-mercenary norm on the United Nations’ use of services provided by private military and security companies (PMSCs). It follows a constructivist approach which focuses on violations of the anti-mercenary norm within the UN system and on the justifications and condemnations of these violations in official UN documents. The findings suggest that while the anti-mercenary norm is no longer puritanical, two key aspects of the norm—the lack of a proper cause and the lack of control—remain influential within the UN system. Although all parts of the UN system nowadays routinely use a wide variety of services of PMSCs and the UN Secretary-General officially sanctioned security outsourcing in 2011, the UN continues to insist that it is only using PMSCs as a last resort, when no other options are available. The continuing need to justify the use of PMSCs’ services suggests that this practice challenges both the long-established identity of the UN as a key anti-mercenary norm entrepreneur and its ontological security.
Internet Governance Regimes by Epistemic Community
Authors: An Jungbae , Yoo In Tae
Published: April 2019

Global Internet governance is unique in that it officially adopted a multi-stakeholder decision making procedure instead of a state-driven international cooperation modality. We focus on the role of the Internet epistemic community in Asia, which can explain the emergence of the current norms of Internet coordination and the Internet governance structure. By sharing the most advanced knowledge from global discussions and by organizing regional cooperation platforms starting from the early 1980s, Asian Internet technical professionals created Internet coordination norms based on open contribution and led the stewardship from the early stage of Internet development in the region. Based on a review of historical documents on the early development of the Internet in Asia, we show that the Internet epistemic community in Asia has played a critical role in designing and managing the current formation of regional Internet governance regimes, as well as their working norms starting from the early stage of Internet development in the region.
South Africa and Civil and Political Rights
Authors: Jordaan Eduard
Published: April 2019

For constructivists, a state’s identity implies its preferences, interests, and resultant actions in international affairs, which is why constructivists expect democracies to support human rights internationally. This study examines South Africa’s record on civil and political rights at the UN Human Rights Council. While there is an element of anti-imperialism in South Africa’s identity that might help explain some of its actions, human rights remain important in South Africa’s self-understanding. Despite the presence of human rights in South Africa’s identity, at the Human Rights Council, South Africa’s actions have ranged from failing to uphold civil and political rights to supporting their restriction. A bifurcated national identity therefore diminishes the predictive power of a constructivist national identity approach.
The Power of Justice
Authors: Dembinski Matthias , Peters Dirk
Published: April 2019

Complaints about “double standards” in global governance are widespread. When governments from the Global South criticize powerful Western states for applying double standards in implementing norms such as international criminal justice, this is usually taken to indicate that they disagree with the substance of these norms. In contrast, this article argues that the criticism can also be understood as expressing dissatisfaction with the procedures for applying those norms. Based on insights from empirical justice research in social psychology, the article highlights the significance of procedural fairness for the legitimacy of institutions and illustrates the importance of concerns about procedural unfairness in recent complaints about the International Criminal Court (ICC) by African governments.
Did We Ever Really Understand How the eu Works?
Authors: Piers Ludlow N.
Published: April 2019

One of the stranger aspects of the Brexit saga has been the ignorance of eu norms, rules, history, and institutional practices appearing throughout the public debate in the United Kingdom. This has led to several predictable and rather basic errors of diplomacy, and a far more arduous “negotiation” than some on both sides –uk and eu – may have wanted or intended.
Periclimenaeus dactylodon sp. nov. (Decapoda: Pontoniinae), from Heron Island, Queensland, Australia
Authors: BRUCE A. J.
Published: April 2019

A new species of Periclimenaeus (Crustacea: Pontoniinae) from Heron Island, Queensland, Australia, is described andillustrated. Periclimenaeus dactylodon sp. nov., an ascidian associate, was collected from a coral reef at 25 m and increases to 17 the number of Periclimenaeus known from Heron Island and to 23 the number of species known from Australia.
A second discovery of Lacertopontonia chadi Marin, 2011 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae), with remarks on its systematic position
Authors: FRANSEN CHARLES H. J. M. , REIJNEN BASTIAN T.
Published: April 2019

A second discovery of the cockscomb oyster associated shrimp species Lacertopontonia chadi is recorded from Sabah (Malaysia). The material is compared with the type description and paratypic material. The systematic position of the genus is reevaluated on the basis of morphological and molecular data focusing on the genera Conchodytes and Chernocaris. It is concluded that Lacertopontonia and Chernocaris fall within the present definition of Conchodytes and should be regarded as synonyms of the latter.
Revision of the genus Eucharitolus Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae)
Authors: R. JUAN PABLO BOTERO , MONNÉ MIGUEL A.
Published: April 2019

A revision of the genus Eucharitolus Bates, 1885 is presented. Three new species are described from the Neotropical Region: Eucharitolus depressus sp. nov. (Espírito Santo, Brazil), Eucharitolus spilotus sp. nov. (Rondônia and São Paulo, Brazil) and Eucharitolus longus sp. nov. (Madre de Dios, Peru). The geographical distribution of Eucharitolus pulcher is expanded to include Bolivia (Santa Cruz). Leiopus dorcadioides White, 1855 is transferred to Eucharitolus and its geographical distribution is also expanded to include Peru (Junin). A key to species is provided. All the species are illustrated.
A new species of Pontarachna (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Pontarachnidae) from a mesophotic coral ecosystem off Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea
Authors: PEŠIĆ VLADIMIR , CHATTERJEE TAPAS , SCHIZAS NIKOLAOS V.
Published: April 2019

The water mite family Pontarachnidae Koenike, 1910, the only family of the Hydrachnidia occurring in the marine environment, represents a diverse and widespread, but still neglected group of marine meiofauna. Most marine species live nearshore with the exception of few freshwater species found in estuaries or locations near the sea (Smit 2002; Smit & Alberti 2010). In this paper we describe a new species, Pontarachna nemethi, from substrata collected from El Seco, a mesophotic site near Vieques Island off Puerto Rico, from 52–67 m depth, more than 2 times the depth at which Pontarachnidae have been previously collected. The finding of the new species remarkably extended the potential area of the world ocean occupied by the Pontarachnidae.
Erratum: Anker, A. (2012) “Revision of the western Atlantic members of the Alpheus armillatus H. Milne Edwards, 1837 species complex (Decapoda, Alpheidae), with description of seven new species”. Zootaxa, 3386, 1–109.
Authors: ANKER A.
Published: April 2019

(Erratum)
Description of a new shrew of the genus Cryptotis (Mammalia: Soricomorpha: Soricidae) from the Sierra de Aroa, an isolated mountain range in northwestern Venezuela, with remarks on biogeography and conservation
Authors: QUIROGA-CARMONA MARCIAL , MOLINARI JESÚS
Published: April 2019

In South America, shrews of the genus Cryptotis have a primarily Andean distribution. Based on specimens from the non-Andean Sierra de Aroa in Venezuela, we name Cryptotis aroensis sp. nov., which we assign to the C. thomasi group of thegenus owing to its possession of characters that include a relatively large body size, luxuriant fur, moderately enlargedforefeet with elongated and narrow claws, unicuspid teeth relatively narrow and concave on the posteroventral margin,ectoloph of first upper molar with the anterior element reduced relatively to the posterior element, and mandible with thearticular process not robust, high, and broad, and with the coronoid process joining the ramus at a low angle. The newspecies can be differentiated from other members of the C. thomasi group on the basis of its possession of a uniquecombination of characters, that include a rich grayish brown pelage, a narrow palate at the level of the second upper molars(no overlap in this measurement observed with 146 specimens of 10 other species of the group), nasal cavity and ethmo-turbinals partially visible in occlusal view of palate, lacrimal foramina wide and deep, tympanic process of petromastoidsshowing a minute foramen, unicuspid teeth with posterolingual cuspules, fourth unicuspid tooth labially placed, thirdupper molar complex and nearly as wide as the second upper molar, and bicuspulate lower incisors. The new species isknown from only 3 specimens obtained at the type locality, which is in a pristine patch of cloud forest at elevation 1730m, and represents the first mammalian taxon known to be endemic to the Sierra de Aroa, a small and isolated mountainrange that was previously reported to possess numerous biotic elements that are either exclusive, or shared with the muchlarger Cordillera de la Costa to the east. The clear morphological differentiation of the new species with respect to itsAndean relatives suggests that its ancestors colonized the Sierra de Aroa several glacial maxima ago, when montanevegetation belts were lower than today. The presumably optimal habitat of the new species (cloud forests of the Sierra deAroa above 1500 m) covers less than 40 km2 , and is threatened by deforestation and global climate change. Therefore, thenew species can be categorized as endangered by application of criteria B2a and E of the current “Red List Categories and Criteria” of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
A survey of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) from Fars Province, Iran
Authors: KHODAPARAST RAZEYEH , MONFARED ALIREZA
Published: April 2019

We report 177 bee species from the Fars Province, Iran, of which 91 are new records for Iran, including seven undescribed species. Among the material examined are 56 species of Apidae, 49 of Halictidae, 39 of Megachilidae, 31 of Andrenidae, 1 of Melittidae and 1 of Colletidae. All specimens are deposited in the Museum of Iranian Pollinating Insects of Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.
Graciliblatta bella gen. et sp.n. - a rare carnivorous cockroach (Insecta, Blattida, Raphidiomimidae) from the Middle Jurassic sediments of Daohugou in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: LIANG JUN-HUI , HUANG WEI-LONG , REN DONG
Published: April 2019

Graciliblatta bella Liang, Huang et Ren, gen. et sp. n. is described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou in Eastern Inner Mongolia, China. Vein Sc of the new taxon has up to eight distinct branches, a remarkable diagnostic feature that distinguishes it from the other five known genera of the Raphidiomimidiae. The species was either extraordinary rare or lived remotely from the source area. It significantly expands the knowledge on diversity of carnivorous cockraoches - the least known cockroaches.
The genus Pereionotus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Phliantidae) from Australia
Authors: COLEMAN CH. OLIVER , LOWRY JAMES K.
Published: April 2019

Pereionotus species from around Australia are described. The new taxa Pereionotus dieteri sp. nov. and Pereionotushartmuti sp. nov. are fully described and compared with the redescribed Pereionotus thomsoni. Species misidentified inthe past are synonymised and as a result the new taxon Pereionotus yongensis sp. nov. is introduced. A new name,Pereionotus hirayamai sp. nov., is proposed for Pereionotus thomsoni japonicus (Hirayama, 1987) (homonym of P. japonicus (Tzvetkova, 1967)). A key to the Australian species of the genus Pereionotus is given.
New euophryine jumping spiders from Papua New Guinea (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryinae)
Authors: ZHANG JUN-XIA , MADDISON WAYNE P.
Published: April 2019

Thirty-four new species and five new genera of euophryine jumping spiders from Papua New Guinea are described. Thenew genera are Chalcolemia (type species C. nakanai sp. nov.), Phasmolia (type species P. elegans sp. nov.), Variratina(type species V. minuta sp. nov.), Viribestus (type species V. suyanensis sp. nov.) and Zabkattus (type species Z. brevis sp.nov., plus new species Z. furcatus sp. nov., Z. richardsi sp. nov. and Z. trapeziformis sp. nov.). The other new species belong to the genera Bathippus (B. directus sp. nov., B. gahavisuka sp. nov., B. korei sp. nov., B. madang sp. nov.), Canama(C. extranea sp. nov., C. fimoi sp. nov., C. triramosa sp. nov.), Omoedus (O. brevis sp. nov., O. darleyorum sp. nov., O.meyeri sp. nov., O. omundseni sp. nov., O. papuanus sp. nov., O. swiftorum sp. nov., O. tortuosus sp. nov.), Paraharmochi-rus (P. tualapaensis sp. nov.), Sobasina (S. wanlessi sp. nov.), Thorelliola (T. aliena sp. nov., T. crebra sp. nov., T. joannaesp. nov., T. squamosa sp. nov., T. tamasi sp. nov., T. tualapa sp. nov., T. zabkai sp. nov.) and Xenocytaea (X. agnarssonisp. nov., X. albomaculata sp. nov., X. proszynskii sp. nov.). The genera Pystira and Zenodorus are both considered as juniorsynonyms of Omoedus because of their similar genital structure. Species of these two genera are therefore transferred toOmoedus. Diagnostic illustrations are provided for all new species, and photographs of living spiders are also provided when available.
Wicked wellbeing: Examining the disconnect between the rhetoric and reality of wellbeing interventions in schools
Authors: Svane Denise , Evans Neus (Snowy) , Carter Margaret-Anne
Published: April 2019

Wellbeing is an emerging priority that poses a “wicked” problem. Current directives from policy makers are that schools address student wellbeing. However, the lack of a clear definition, simple solution or process for ensuring wellbeing creates a difficult task for schools. This article seeks to add to the current understanding of wellbeing in schools by drawing on the findings of a systematic literature review to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of school-based wellbeing interventions. Four databases were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles published in English. The background discussion is set in the Australian context; however, the geographic scope of the literature review is international. Findings of the study align with previous research that views definitions of wellbeing as problematic. The broad range of wellbeing interventions found in the literature highlights a lack of consensus around best practice for wellbeing in schools. Despite evidence showing the benefits of a whole school approach, the majority of articles describe programmes and strategies targeted at small groups of students. The outcomes of the interventions are difficult to compare because they do not necessarily relate directly to wellbeing. This article raises questions about the evidence base to support the validity and trustworthiness of the interventions. Further research is necessary to consolidate understandings of wellbeing and to provide solid research evidence to inform further development of school wellbeing practices.
Cultural and service factors related to mental health beliefs among post-9/11 veterans
Authors: Krill Williston Sarah , Roemer Lizabeth , Vogt Dawne S
Published: April 2019

Background and aims:

The primary purpose of this study was to examine cultural and demographic predictors of dimensions of anticipated stigma and negative mental health beliefs, known barriers to mental health care utilization, among post-9/11 veterans.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey methodology was used to assess 132 post-9/11 veterans. Bivariate correlations were used to examine associations between military cultural values (self-reliance and emotional control), demographic variables (gender and service characteristics) and dimensions of anticipated stigma and negative beliefs about mental health. Descriptive statistics were used to examine item-level agreement on scales of stigma, mental health beliefs and cultural values to more fully describe these beliefs in this population.

Results:

Descriptive findings revealed that the most highly endorsed dimension of stigma was anticipated stigma from coworkers. Correlational findings indicated that only exaggerated self-reliance, not emotional control, was positively associated with higher negative beliefs about treatment and treatment-seeking, and not other dimensions of negative beliefs about mental health. Active duty service members and those who deployed reported higher negative beliefs about treatment-seeking, emotional control and self-reliance. In addition, men reported higher negative beliefs about treatments, treatment-seeking and self-reliance than women.

Conclusion:

These results highlight the importance of addressing concerns about self-reliance and mental health treatment in stigma-reduction interventions especially among male, deployed, and active duty service members to reduce stigma and stigma-related barriers to care.
Is mediation the preferred procedure in labour dispute resolution systems? Evidence from employer–employee matched data in China
Authors: Feng Jiaojiao , Xie Pengxin
Published: April 2019

This study explores procedural preferences in the historical development of labour dispute resolution systems at the national level and employees’ pre-experience preference to resolve disputes at the individual level. Drawing on two datasets – one from national public statistics and one from China’s employer–employee matched data – we find that mediation has fluctuated in its use and efficacy, and it has re-emerged as an important method to stabilize labour relations. Employees choose internal mediation only if they feel that the enterprise’s mediation committee is selected fairly. Organizational structure factors, such as the enterprise’s size and the effectiveness of the Staff and Workers Representative Congress, moderate the relationship between employees’ perceptions of justice and procedural preferences. This study contributes to the dispute resolution literature by highlighting the interactions between individual perceptions of justice and organizational factors of procedural preference. Additionally, practical implications are offered to aid in the design of dispute resolution systems and improve organizational justice.
Antecedents of Space Traveler Behavioral Intention
Authors: Olya Hossein G. T. , Han Heesup
Published: April 2019

This study extends the current knowledge of behavioral intention of space travelers based on motivation and risk antecedents of undertaking a space trip. Using cumulative prospect theory, we develop and test research models to investigate sufficient motivation and risk antecedents on behavioral intention, to explore complex combinations of above antecedents (i.e., causal recipes) leading to both high and low scores of behavioral intention, and to identify necessary motivation and risk antecedents to achieve desired behavioral outcome. The results revealed that although motivations appeared as sufficient and necessary antecedents, risk antecedents play a dominant role such that risks can diminish the effects of motivations in shaping desired behavioral intention of space travelers. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Commentary on Place Spirituality
Authors: Latifa Rena , Hidayat Komaruddin , Sodiq Akhmad
Published: April 2019

If Place Spirituality is considered as an attachment experience to a geographic place or an “object,” for Muslims this concept can be explained by the sharia or Islamic law. However, in the highest level of experience as a Muslim, one may attach to God everywhere and at all times, without consideration of any place, time, or object. This experience can clearly be understood with the explanation of the three levels (spiritual path) for Muslims: (1) sharia or “conceptual knowledge,” (2) tariqa or “experiential knowledge,” and (3) ma’rifa or “divine spiritual experiences” or “spiritual consciousness”. At the first and second levels, one may have a Place Spirituality, while at the third level the understanding of and connection to God might be enhanced, and the experience to connect to God can be everywhere, all the time.
Sclerotic Effect of Oxytetracycline on the Submandibular Gland: An Experimental Model
Authors: Güçlü Oğuz , Muratli Asli , Arik Deniz , Tekin Kazim , Erdogan Halil , Dereköy Fevzi Sefa
Published: April 2019

Oxytetracycline has been suggested as an alternate therapy for chronic recurrent sialadenitis and sialorrhea. We conducted an experimental study to investigate the sclerotic effect of this drug on the submandibular gland by histopathologic methods. Our subjects were 20 New Zealand white rabbits, which were divided into two groups of 10. The right submandibular gland of the rabbits in the active-treatment group was injected with 0.3 ml of oxytetracycline (100 mg/ml), and that of the controls was injected with saline. Four weeks after the injections, all the glands were removed. Histopathologic studies, including hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining, were carried out. The glands were evaluated for tissue inflammation, congestion, fibrosis, edema, lipomatosis, and atrophy. To investigate apoptosis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) immunohistochemical staining was used. In the study group, inflammation (n = 9), congestion (n = 9), fibrosis (n = 6), edema (n = 6), and lipomatosis (n = 4) were observed; in the sham group, only lipomatosis was seen (n = 5). The TUNEL assay results for acinar cells were 4.51 ± 1.41% in the oxytetracycline group and 2.08 ± 1.76% in the control group (p = 0.006); the corresponding figures for the duct cells were 7.05 ± 0.87% and 3.10 ± 2.26% (p = 0.001). Based on our findings, we conclude that oxytetracycline might be a viable alternative for the treatment of chronic recurrent sialadenitis and sialorrhea. However, more research in this area is needed.
Quantifying the World and Its Webs: Mathematical Discrete vs Continua in Knowledge Construction
Authors: Longo Giuseppe
Published: April 2019

This short paper is meant to be an introduction to the ‘Letter to Alan Turing’ that follows it. It summarizes some basic ideas in information theory and very informally hints at their mathematical properties. In order to introduce Turing’s two main theoretical contributions, in Theory of Computation and in Morphogenesis (an analysis of the dynamics of forms), the fundamental divide between discrete vs. continuous structures in mathematics is presented, as it is also a divide in his scientific life. The reader who is familiar with these notions, and is convinced that they (and their differences) are relevant in the mathematical understanding of phenomena, may skip this introduction and go directly to the Letter.
Affection substitution: The effect of pornography consumption on close relationships
Authors: Hesse Colin , Floyd Kory
Published: April 2019

Scholars have stated that humans have a fundamental need to belong, but less is known about whether individuals can use other resources to substitute for close relationships. In this study, 357 adults reported their level of affection deprivation, their weekly pornography consumption, their goals for using pornography (including life satisfaction and loneliness reduction), and indicators of their individual and relational wellness. We hypothesized that individuals might consume pornography as a coping mechanism (either adaptive or maladaptive) to deal with affection deprivation, with affection deprivation relating to the goals for using pornography and consumption potentially moderating the relationships between affection deprivation and the outcome measures. As predicted, affection deprivation and pornography consumption were inversely related to relational satisfaction and closeness, while being positively related to loneliness and depression. Affection deprivation was positively related with most stated goals for pornography use (although the relationship between affection deprivation and pornography consumption was nonsignificant). The moderation hypothesis, however, showed little evidence, yielding a moderating effect only on the relationship between affection deprivation and depression (with nonsignificant effects for relational satisfaction, closeness, and loneliness). Overall, there is some evidence that pornography consumption is used as a form of affection substitution (dealing with the perception of affection deprivation). However, there is no evidence of consumption being either adaptive or maladaptive when it comes to relationship satisfaction, closeness, and loneliness, although it is possibly maladaptive in terms of depression.
Cloze testing for comprehension assessment: The HyTeC-cloze
Authors: Kleijn Suzanne , Pander Maat Henk , Sanders Ted
Published: April 2019

Although there are many methods available for assessing text comprehension, the cloze test is not widely acknowledged as one of them. Critiques on cloze testing center on its supposedly limited ability to measure comprehension beyond the sentence. However, these critiques do not hold for all types of cloze tests; the particular configuration of a cloze determines its validity. We review various cloze configurations and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. We propose a new cloze procedure specifically designed to gauge text comprehension: the Hybrid Text Comprehension cloze (HyTeC-cloze). It employs a hybrid mechanical-rational deletion strategy and semantic scoring of answers. The procedure was tested in a large-scale study, involving 2926 Dutch secondary school students with 120 unique cloze tests. Our results show that, in terms of reliability and validity, the HyTeC-cloze matches and sometimes outperforms standardized tests of reading ability.
Broad application of artificial intelligence for document classification, information extraction and predictive analytics in real estate
Authors: Bodenbender Mario , Kurzrock Björn-Martin , Müller Philipp Maximilian
Published: April 2019

Real estate represents a major share of economic activities and wealth in all economies. Due to the lack of widely acknowledged standards, however, the structuring, providing and managing of a life cycle-comprehensive building documentation yet remain challenging. Based on the empirical analysis of 8965 digital documents from 14 properties of 8 different owners, the article presents a model that will unify existing approaches and lead to the development of a document classification standard. This provides the basis for software systems to process relevant data and create timely information over the entire life cycle of a building. Further, it is shown that automated information extraction through artificial intelligence will become instrumental for enhanced and innovative business models and products in real estate such as automated data validation and data evaluation, documentation review, benchmarking and other analytical applications.
Current State of Practice in Transit Ridership Prediction: Results from a Survey of Canadian Transit Agencies
Authors: Diab Ehab , Kasraian Dena , Miller Eric J. , Shalaby Amer
Published: April 2019

With the emergence of new technologies, new data sources, and software, it is important to understand the current approaches used by transit agencies in ridership prediction. This study reports the results of a recent web-based survey conducted in 2018 among 36 Canadian transit agencies to understand their current state of ridership prediction practice. The study presents a wide range of results, starting from agencies’ used prediction methods to the challenges faced by transit agencies as a result of the observed changes in ridership estimates after the introduction of new automated data collection systems. The study also discusses the transit agencies’ level of satisfaction with the currently used methods and data inputs and factors that are incorporated in their methods. In addition, it develops a better understanding of the requirements of robust ridership prediction models from the transit agencies’ perspective. This paper provides planners and researchers with a comprehensive examination of the different aspects and issues that are related to the current state of transit agencies’ ridership prediction practices.
On the Matrix, neuroscience and dialogue
Authors: Bhurruth Martin
Published: April 2019

The author poses a position statement that Foulkes underplayed the importance of emotions as an organizing principle in the mental life of groups, and indeed, paid very little attention to emotions in his published works. Evidence from the field of neuroscience is drawn upon to identify seven emotional neuro-chemical systems in the sub-cortical region of the brain. The fundamental emotions are: rage, fear, seeking, panic/grief, lust, care and play.

The article makes a distinction between emotions, as being physiological responses triggered by neurochemical release caused by perception of both external and internal realities, whereas feelings are a higher order level of functioning at cognitive levels that can articulate cause, meaning and symbolism of the more visceral emotional experiences.

The article puts forward the idea that emotions are the biological substrate of the Foundation Matrix, linking all of humanity and the mammalian world. In turn, groups and individuals have valences to particular emotional responses and this will be demonstrated with examples from the Personal, Social and Dynamic Matrices.

An elaboration of the concept of dialogue, within the wider sphere of communication, is put forward, which the author argues is the group analytic expression of love (care). Love is mutative and facilitates the plasticity of the brain/mind relationship encouraging new neuronal connections to be made, linking sub-cortical brain regions with the neo-cortex thinking cap.
Development and Evaluation of Mindtool-Based Blogs to Promote Learners’ Higher Order Cognitive Thinking in Online Discussions: An Analysis of Learning Effects and Cognitive Process
Authors: Hou Huei-Tse , Yu Tsai-Fang , Chiang Fong-Dai , Lin Yi-Hui , Chang Kuo-En , Kuo Chih-Chen
Published: April 2019

Blogs are useful interaction tools to promote learners’ knowledge construction and interaction in online teaching activities. On the other hand, although many studies show that mindtools facilitate learners’ cognitive process, little research focus on their effects on learners’ higher order cognitive thinking in blogs. This research developed a learning environment by using a mindtool-based blog to promote learners’ higher order cognitive thinking in their online discussions and to assess their learning effects. The participants were 276 senior high school students from an information ethics class. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted in this research. The control group used the ordinary blogs. The Experimental Group 1 used the basic mindtools in blogs, which means that learners can use all the mindtool functions except the Knowledge Compilation function. The Experimental Group 2 used the advanced mindtools in blogs, which means that they can use all the mindtool functions, including the Knowledge Compilation function. The results indicated that both experimental groups showed better learning effects and more higher order cognitive thinking than the control group. Moreover, the higher order cognitive thinking category Analyze was found more often in the Experimental Group 2 than in the Experimental Group 1.
Sol-gel preparation of anti-bacterial and bioactive glass-ceramics
Authors: Xue Beijing , Wang Wenhao , Guo Litong , Zhang Zhongxuan , Meng Jiaxi , Tao Xueyu , Ren Xuanru , Liu Zhangsheng , Qiang Yinghuai
Published: April 2019

Glass-ceramics were synthesized through the sol-gel method. The Thermogravimetry & Differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), bioactivity and turbidometric tests were used to characterize the properties of the glass-ceramics. The TG-DSC results showed that the nitrates could be decomposed completely when the bioactive glass xerogel precursor was heat treated at 750°C. The synthesized glass-ceramic powders had an average particle size of about 3 μm to 20 μm with nanopores on the surface. The XRD results showed that the Na2Ca3Si6O16 and CaSiO3 were the major phases of the glass-ceramics heat treated at 600°C and 700°C, respectively. The flexural strength significantly increased from 79.2 MPa to 163.6 MPa with the sintering temperature increasing from 550°C to 600°C. The formation of carbonated hydroxyapatite can be proved by FT-IR results in this study. The synthesized glass-ceramics have good bioactivity and anti-bacterial property.
Strides Toward Recovery From Intimate Partner Violence: Elucidating Patient-Centered Outcomes to Optimize a Brief Counseling Intervention for Women
Authors: Grillo Alessandra R. , Danitz Sara B. , Dichter Melissa E. , Driscoll Mary A. , Gerber Megan R. , Hamilton Alison B. , Wiltsey-Stirman Shannon , Iverson Katherine M.
Published: April 2019

Women in the United States continue to experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at unprecedented rates, necessitating the development and implementation of personalized, effective healthcare-based interventions. Methods of developing patient-centered interventions for IPV should elicit the voice of the target population (i.e., women who experience IPV) while assuring that outcomes identified as important are incorporated into the refined intervention. This pilot study is part of a multiphase, larger study aiming to refine an IPV intervention and clinical outcome measurements prior to formal evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention. Specifically, this study elucidates patient-centered outcomes identified by women who have experienced IPV. Women patients of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in New England participated in focus groups to provide feedback and desired outcomes of a new IPV intervention. Patient-centered outcomes were defined by the participants. Focus groups were transcribed and analyzed using conventional content analysis and matrix analysis. A total of 25 women participated in focus groups ( n = 5) at two large VHA facilities. Participant feedback revealed five common themes related to desired outcomes. Women opined increased feelings of empowerment as a key outcome of engaging in an IPV intervention. Women desired increased social connectedness and support to be gained during treatment, citing providers and other survivors of IPV as exemplary sources. Self-esteem was viewed as critical to enhancing recovery, as was increased knowledge across domains of IPV (e.g., warning signs, the link between mental and physical health for self and children). Finally, women identified valued action and goal setting, such as achieving more independence, as an optimal outcome. Addressing IPV against women requires patient-centered interventions that specifically target the types of outcomes deemed important by the end users: women who experience IPV. Findings have implications for tailoring treatments for IPV and selecting measures that tap into women’s desired outcomes.
Recent trends and progress in the immersed boundary method
Authors: Huang Wei-Xi , Tian Fang-Bao
Published: April 2019

The immersed boundary method is a methodology for dealing with boundary conditions at fluid–fluid and fluid–solid interfaces. The immersed boundary method has been attracting growing attention in the recent years due to its simplicity in mesh processing. Great effort has been made to develop its new features and promote its applications in new areas. This review is focused on assessing the immersed boundary method fundamentals and the latest progresses especially the strategies to address the challenges and the applications of the immersed boundary method. Various numerical examples are also presented for demonstrating the capability of the immersed boundary method, including blood flow and blood cells, flapping flag, flow around a hoverfly, turbulence flow over a wavy boundary, shock wave-induced vibration, and acoustic waves scattered by a cylinder and a sphere. The major challenges and several open issues in this field are highlighted.
Mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with platelet-rich plasma modulate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity
Authors: Zaki SM , Algaleel WA Abd , Imam RA , Abdelmoaty MM
Published: April 2019

The cardiotoxic adverse effect of doxorubicin (DOX) is the major factor limiting its use. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been implicated in the preclinical studies of treatment of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The question is MSCs pretreated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have a better influence on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity compared to the influence of MSCs alone. Twenty-four Wistar rats were categorized into control, DOX-treated, MSC-treated, and PRP/MSC-treated groups. DOX was injected for two consecutive weeks. Light microscopic, biochemical markers (interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)), immunohistochemical (Bax, Bcl2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cardiac troponin-I (CT-I)), and oxidative/antioxidative markers (malondialdehyde (MDA)/superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were measured. Degenerative cardiac changes were detected in the DOX-treated group with complete loss of the architecture and coagulative necrosis. These changes were accompanied with the elevation of the serum level of CK-MB and loss of CT-I immunoreactivity. The major factors in the DOX-induced cardiotoxicity were the oxidative stress (elevated MDA/decreased SOD), inflammation (elevated TNF-α/decreased IL-10), and cardiac apoptosis (lower Bcl2, higher Bax, and lower Bcl2/Bax ratio). MSCs and PRP/MSCs attenuate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Better attenuation was observed in the PRP/MSC-treated group. PRP/MSC combination reduced greatly the MDA and TNF-α and increased IL-10, Bcl2/Bax ratio, and VEGF. PRP had no significant influence over the Bcl2, Bax, and SOD. In conclusion, DOX in its toxic dose induced myocardial injury. This destructive effect is related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiac apoptosis. PRP/MSC possesses a better attenuation over the DOX-induced toxicity compared to MSC alone.
An issue of identifying longitudinal biomarkers for competing risks data with masked causes of failure considering frailties model
Authors: Ko Feng-shou
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we consider joint modeling of repeated measurements and competing risks failure time data to allow for more than one distinct failure type in the survival endpoint. Hence, we can fit a cause-specific hazards submodel to allow for competing risks, with a separate latent association between longitudinal measurements and each cause of failure. We also consider the possible masked causes of failure in joint modeling of repeated measurements and competing risks failure time data. We also derive a score test to identify longitudinal biomarkers or surrogates for a time-to-event outcome in competing risks data which contain masked causes of failure. With a carefully chosen definition of complete data, the maximum likelihood estimation of the cause-specific hazard functions and of the masking probabilities is performed via an expectation maximization algorithm. The simulations are used to explore how the number of individuals, the number of time points per individual, and the functional form of the random effects from the longitudinal biomarkers considering heterogeneous baseline hazards in individuals influence the power to detect the association of a longitudinal biomarker and the survival time.