bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricular Size and Function in Cats With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Visser L.C. , Sloan C.Q. , Stern J.A.
Published: March 2017

Background

Studies evaluating right ventricular (RV) structural and functional abnormalities in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are limited.

Hypothesis

Right ventricular structural and functional abnormalities are present in cats with HCM and are associated with clinical severity.

Animals

Eighty‐one client‐owned cats.

Methods

Retrospective 2‐dimensional (2D) echocardiographic study. Right atrial diameter (RAD), RV free wall thickness (RVFWd), RV internal dimension (RVIDd), RV fractional area change (FAC), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were measured in control cats (n = 26), cats with subclinical HCM (subclinical HCM; n = 31), and cats with HCM and congestive heart failure (HCM + CHF; n = 24).

Results

Right heart size (RAD, RVFWd, and RVIDd) and RV function (FAC and TAPSE) significantly (all P < .05) increased and decreased, respectively, in the HCM + CHF group compared with controls. In the subclinical HCM group, only RVFWd was significantly (P < .05) higher than in controls. Compared with reference intervals derived from controls, 29% of cats with HCM had increased RVFWd. Increased left ventricular free wall thickness, increased RVIDd and decreased TAPSE independently correlated with increased left atrial size. Cats with HCM and pleural effusion were significantly more likely to have increased RVFWd and had increased RAD and decreased TAPSE compared with cats without pleural effusion.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Right ventricular remodeling and dysfunction occur in some cats with HCM and may be associated with clinical severity. Our results support involvement of RV in the pathophysiology of HCM in some cats and support echocardiographic assessment of the RV in cats with HCM.
Biotic homogenization in an increasingly urbanized temperate grassland ecosystem
Authors: Zeeman Ben J. , McDonnell Mark J. , Kendal Dave , Morgan John W.
Published: March 2017

Question

How does urbanization and associated declines in fire frequency alter the floristic composition of native temperate grasslands? Does it lead to: (1) biotic homogenization, i.e. compositional similarity between remnants increases; (2) biotic differentiation, whereby similarity between remnants declines, or; (3) clustered differentiation, where similarity between remnants remains unchanged, but composition shifts from the historical state?

Location

Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Using site‐level surveys, we examined changes in the floristic similarity of 29 urban grasslands from 1992 to 2013 and compared these changes to those of 63 rural grasslands from 1989 to 2014. Community‐level changes in the representation of key functional traits were also examined in urban grasslands, with traits advantaged following disturbance regime change and urban fragmentation predicted to increase in frequency.

Results

Our results supported the biotic homogenization hypothesis in urban grasslands. Compositional similarity between grasslands increased principally because of an increase in commonly shared non‐native species, with change in native composition comparatively minor. However, no evidence of biotic homogenization was found in rural grasslands, with no significant change in overall composition identified. The most urbanized sites had the highest number of non‐native species in both the current and historical data sets, yet non‐native composition over the past two decades changed the most in sites on the urban fringe, becoming more similar to sites closer to the urban core. As expected, following declines in fire frequency and increased urbanization, the overall composition of urban grasslands shifted to taller plant species, while native species capable of vegetative reproduction and exotic species with an annual life span increased in frequency.

Conclusion

Urbanization was an important driver of biodiversity change in the investigated system, with increasing competition intensity in response to disturbance regime change a likely cause of biotic homogenization. Our results demonstrate that non‐native species are a key driver of biotic homogenization, emphasizing the importance of managing non‐native immigration and maintaining historical disturbance processes once native ecosystems become urbanized.
Teachers negotiating professional agency through literature‐based assessment
Authors: Simpson Alyson
Published: March 2017

Research reports teachers around the world currently face major challenges to their professional agency. They face numerous pressures from accountability measures operating in the highly politicised field of literacy education and standardised testing. At the same time international research encourages teachers to design rich assessment tasks engaging students with literary texts. This paper addresses the paradox of policy working against professionalism. It is illustrated with vignettes of data to demonstrate how collective agency driven through teacher inquiry enabled a group of teachers to negotiate their professional accountability with epistemological benefits for their students. Situated in discourse supporting agentive pedagogies, the paper gives an account of a collaborative project in Australia where three primary teachers teaching students aged 10‐12 years worked with an academic research partner to investigate their own teaching practice. The paper takes a sociocultural orientation to literacy research. It examines students' responses to dialogic prompts in Literature Circles framed within a discussion that acknowledges contextual influences on teacher authority. It provides evidence of successful practice that encourages other educators to resist the power dynamics underpinning reductionist assessments of literacy achievement. The negotiation of professional agency is showcased through the teaching of literature in the classroom.
Role of environmental factors in affecting macrophyte dominance in transitional environments: The Italian Lagoons as a study case
Authors: Sfriso Adriano , Buosi Alessandro , Facca Chiara , Sfriso Andrea A.
Published: March 2017

One of the main challenges to facilitate the classification of water bodies is to identify direct relationships between anthropogenic pressures and the behavior of biological organisms such as macrophytes in different environments including transitional areas. The investigation of many lagoons and ponds described here shows that macrophyte variables and the community composition have strong and univocal relationships with ecological parameters that are a measure of anthropogenic pressure on the ecological status of water bodies. The areas surveyed represent about 78% of the Italian transitional waters (169 sites sampled both in spring and fall). Anthropogenic impacts affect the availability of nutrients in the water column and surface sediments, causing changes in water transparency and phytoplankton concentration (as chlorophyll‐a [Chl‐a]) that act as the main drivers of variation for macrophyte assemblages, changing species dominance and the conditions that govern their presence or absence. The response of macrophytes to anthropogenic pressure is quite similar in all the examined transitional environments, even when the basin morphology, species richness and composition are different. Some taxa and species assemblages are so sensitive to environmental changes that monitoring them can be considered the most suitable and rapid method for assessing the quality of the environment they inhabit.
Integrating phylogenetic and ecological distances reveals new insights into parasite host specificity
Authors: Clark Nicholas J. , Clegg Sonya M.
Published: March 2017

The range of hosts a pathogen infects (host specificity) is a key element of disease risk that may be influenced by both shared phylogenetic history and shared ecological attributes of prospective hosts. Phylospecificity indices quantify host specificity in terms of host relatedness, but can fail to capture ecological attributes that increase susceptibility. For instance, similarity in habitat niche may expose phylogenetically unrelated host species to similar pathogen assemblages. Using a recently proposed method that integrates multiple distances, we assess the relative contributions of host phylogenetic and functional distances to pathogen host specificity (functional–phylogenetic host specificity). We apply this index to a data set of avian malaria parasite (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus spp.) infections from Melanesian birds to show that multihost parasites generally use hosts that are closely related, not hosts with similar habitat niches. We also show that host community phylogenetic ß‐diversity (Pßd) predicts parasite Pßd and that individual host species carry phylogenetically clustered Haemoproteus parasite assemblages. Our findings were robust to phylogenetic uncertainty, and suggest that phylogenetic ancestry of both hosts and parasites plays important roles in driving avian malaria host specificity and community assembly. However, restricting host specificity analyses to either recent or historical timescales identified notable exceptions, including a ‘habitat specialist’ parasite that infects a diversity of unrelated host species with similar habitat niches. This work highlights that integrating ecological and phylogenetic distances provides a powerful approach to better understand drivers of pathogen host specificity and community assembly.
The importance of being Ernest: a Comment on Riga and Hall
Authors: Meadwell Hudson
Published: March 2017

Ernest Gellner's work on nationalism continues to draw a mix of both admiration and criticism. In a recent article, Riga and Hall find fault with a new line of criticism of Gellner's theory of nationalism that I introduced in a series of articles in this journal. They claim that I have merely repeated a well‐known criticism of Gellner – that his work is functionalist. This would be convenient for their arguments if it were true. While I would agree, and have explicitly acknowledged, that there is nothing new in the charge of functionalism, I do not take a functionalist line on Gellner. Functionalism is not the issue. My work shows that his theory of nationalism is plagued with problems that have little or nothing to do with functionalism.
Assessing the colonic microbiome, hydrogenogenic and hydrogenotrophic genes, transit and breath methane in constipation
Authors: Wolf P. G. , Parthasarathy G. , Chen J. , O'Connor H. M. , Chia N. , Bharucha A. E. , Gaskins H. R.
Published: March 2017

Background

Differences in the gut microbiota and breath methane production have been observed in chronic constipation, but the relationship between colonic microbiota, transit, and breath tests remains unclear.

Methods

In 25 healthy and 25 constipated females we evaluated the sigmoid colonic mucosal and fecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, abundance of hydrogenogenic FeFe (FeFe‐hydA) and hydrogenotrophic (methyl coenzyme M reductase A [mrcA] and dissimilatory sulfite reductase A [dsrA]) genes with real‐time qPCR assays, breath hydrogen and methane levels after oral lactulose, and colonic transit with scintigraphy.

Key Results

Breath hydrogen and methane were not correlated with constipation, slow colon transit, or with abundance of corresponding genes. After adjusting for colonic transit, the abundance of FeFehydA, dsrA, and mcrA were greater (P<.005) in colonic mucosa, but not stool, of constipated patients. The abundance of the selected functional gene targets also correlated with that of selected taxa. The colonic mucosal abundance of FeFe‐hydA, but not mcrA, correlated positively (P<.05) with breath methane production, slow colonic transit, and overall microbiome composition. In the colonic mucosa and feces, the abundance of hydrogenogenic and hydrogenotrophic genes were positively correlated (P<.05). Breath methane production was not associated with constipation or colonic transit.

Conclusions & Inferences

Corroborating our earlier findings with 16S rRNA genes, colonic mucosal but not fecal hydrogenogenic and hydrogenotrophic genes were more abundant in constipated vs. healthy subjects independent of colonic transit. Breath gases do not directly reflect the abundance of target genes contributing to their production.
Drought × disease interaction in Eucalyptus globulus under Neofusicoccum eucalyptorum infection
Authors: Barradas C. , Pinto G. , Correia B. , Castro B.B. , Phillips A. J. L. , Alves A.
Published: March 2017

Eucalyptus species are widely spread over the world, being extensively planted and exploited by industries. Drought and pathogens are known to affect the establishment and productivity of Eucalyptus plantations worldwide. The aim of this work was to evaluate the pathogenicity of Neofusicoccum eucalyptorum in drought‐stressed and well‐watered E. globulus plants. The effect of a previous drought priming step and the role of water status at the time of inoculation were evaluated. Lesion length, plant growth and physiological parameters (relative water content, water potential, photosynthetic pigments and lipid peroxidation) were determined. The results indicate that water‐stressed plants were more susceptible to N. eucalyptorum than non‐stressed ones. However, this response was particularly relevant when the plants were inoculated while water limitation was already occurring. Moreover, drought‐primed plants were slightly more resistant to fungal infection than the non‐primed ones. This study reinforces the importance of exploring drought × disease interaction in Eucalyptus and the underlying physiological responses involved in plant performance.
Long‐term viability of the northern anthracnose pathogen, Kabatiella caulivora, facilitates its transportation and spread
Authors: Barua P. , You M. P. , Bayliss K. L. , Lanoiselet V. , Barbetti M. J.
Published: March 2017

The conidia and resting hyphae of the northern anthracnose pathogen of Trifolium species, Kabatiella caulivora, were effectively carried by, and maintained long‐term viability on, a range of materials, including metals, fabrics, woods and plastics. Conidia and hyphae became thick‐walled and melanized with time. There were significant (P < 0.001) differences in conidia/resting hyphae survival between carrier materials and between temperature regimes. At 23 °C/8 °C day/night, conidia and resting hyphae remained viable on steel, corrugated iron, galvanized steel, all tested fabrics, wood and random mixed materials for up to 8 months. At 36 °C/14 °C day/night, conidia and resting hyphae remained viable for up to 8 months, but only on cotton, denim, fleece, silk, leather, paper, plastic and all wood materials. At 45 °C/15 °C day/night, conidia and resting hyphae remained viable up to 8 months only on fleece wool, Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah wood) and paper. There were significant differences between carrier materials in their abilities to retain conidia and resting hyphae after washing (P < 0.001). Metabolic activity was confirmed for conidia and resting hyphae recovered after 8 months and K. caulivora colonies successfully re‐established on potato dextrose agar. Findings confirmed the critical importance of materials as long‐term carriers of viable K. caulivora conidia and resting hyphae, highlighting the potential for spread of a highly virulent K. caulivora race within and outside Australia via farming equipment, clothing and other associated materials. Results also have wider biosecurity implications for the transportation of fungal‐infested carrier materials previously considered as low risk.
Chilled and post‐thaw storage of sperm in different goldfish types
Authors: Bernáth G , Ittzés I , Szabó Z , Horváth Á , Krejszeff S , Lujić J , Várkonyi L , Urbányi B , Bokor Z
Published: March 2017

Contents

The effective storage time of sperm after stripping (for 48 hr in 6‐hr intervals) and after thawing (for 6 hr in 2‐hr intervals) in Black moor, Oranda and Calico goldfish types was investigated. Variations in sperm density were also measured in all lines. The efficiency of a sperm cryopreservation method formerly developed for common carp was recorded in all three goldfish lines. Motility parameters ((pMOT, %), curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm/s) and straightness (STR, %)) of Black moor sperm did not decrease significantly during 48 hr of storage. A significant reduction in the Oranda type compared to the fresh control was observed in pMOT after 42 (23 ± 2%) and VCL after 36 (94 ± 12 μm/s) hours (pMOT 84 ± 5%, VCL 150 ± 11 μm/s). In the Calico type, pMOT decreased significantly already after 18 (42 ± 26%) and VCL after 6 (105 ± 8 μm/s) hours (fresh: pMOT 92 ± 5%, VCL 151 ± 6 μm/s). A high pMOT immediately following thawing was measured in Oranda (46 ± 12%) and Calico (55 ± 15%) types, whereas a reduced pMOT was recorded in Black moor (24 ± 19%). In Calico, pMOT showed a significant reduction after 6 hr (19 ± 11%) in comparison with the initial value, with no changes observed in VCL and STR. None of the parameters changed in the Black moor and Oranda types. Evidence was found that different goldfish lines have different sperm quality and characteristics. Further studies can investigate the possible effects of chilled and post‐thaw storage on the fertilizing capacity of sperm in the Black moor, Oranda and Calico goldfish types.
The impact of Africa‐China's diplomatic visits on bilateral trade
Authors: Lin Faqin , Yan Wenshou , Wang Xiaosong
Published: March 2017

This article documents that African leaders’ state visits to China could stimulate China's exports to Africa in capital intensive manufacturing goods. We further find that state visits significantly increase official aid and exports by state‐owned enterprises to African countries which contribute to the trade growth after state visits.
The Impact of Cannabis Use Disorder on Suicidal and Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury in Iraq/Afghanistan‐Era Veterans with and without Mental Health Disorders
Authors: Kimbrel Nathan A. , Meyer Eric C. , DeBeer Bryann B. , Gulliver Suzy B. , Morissette Sandra B.
Published: March 2017

The objective of this study was to assess the association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and self‐injury among veterans. As expected, after adjusting for sex, age, sexual orientation, combat exposure, traumatic life events, traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, alcohol use disorder, and noncannabis drug use disorder, CUD was significantly associated with both suicidal (OR = 3.10, p = .045) and nonsuicidal (OR = 5.12, p = .009) self‐injury. CUD was the only variable significantly associated with self‐injury in all three models examined. These findings are consistent with prior research among civilians and suggest that CUD may also increase veterans’ risk for self‐injurious behavior.
Acute effect of running exercise on physiological Achilles tendon blood flow
Authors: Risch L. , Cassel M. , Mayer F.
Published: March 2017

Sonographically detectable intratendinous blood flow (IBF) is found in 50%–88% of Achilles tendinopathy patients as well as in up to 35% of asymptomatic Achilles tendons (AT). AlthoughIBFis frequently associated with tendon pathology, it may also represent a physiological regulation, for example, due to increased blood flow in response to exercise. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of a standardized running exercise protocol onIBFassessed with Doppler ultrasound (DU) “Advanced dynamic flow” in healthyATs. 10 recreationally active adults (5 f, 5 m; 29±3 years, 1.72±0.12 m, 68±16 kg, physical activity 206±145 minute/wk) with no history ofATpain and inconspicious tendon structure performed 3 treadmill running tasks on separate days (M1‐3) withDUexaminations directly before and 5, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after exercise. At M1, an incremental exercise test was used to determine the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT). At M2 and M3, participants performed 30‐ minute submaximal constant load tests (CL1/CL2) with an intensity 5% belowIAT.IBFin each tendon was quantified by counting the number of vessels.IBFincreased in fiveATs from no vessels at baseline to one to four vessels solely detectable 5 minutes afterCL1orCL2. OneAThad persistingIBF(three vessels) throughout all examinations. FourteenATs revealed noIBFat all. Prolonged running led to a physiological, temporary appearance ofIBFin 25% of asymptomaticATs. To avoid exercise‐inducedIBFin clinical practice,DUexaminations should be performed after 30 minutes of rest.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DRB1*11:01:20 allele
Authors: Zheng J. W. , Xie J. H. , Sun Y. , Jiang Y. Q. , Xiang D.
Published: March 2017

The HLA‐
DRB1*11:01:20 allele differs from
DRB1*11:01:01:01 by 1 nucleotide substitution at position 219.
Description of a new HLA‐A*02 allele, A*02:658, in a Russian individual
Authors: Loginova M. , Jankevich T. , Goltsov A. , Altukhova O. , Trofimov D.
Published: March 2017

Sequence of the novel allele, HLA‐A*02:658, differs from HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 by one‐nucleotide exchange in exon 2.
The novel KIR3DS1*078 allele identified in a southern Chinese Han individual
Authors: Wang S.‐X. , Xu Y.‐P.
Published: March 2017

KIR3DS1*078 allele differs from the closest allele
KIR3DS1*01301 at nucleotide 775 G>C in exon 5.
Efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of simeprevir, daclatasvir, and ribavirin in patients with recurrent hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection after orthotopic liver transplantation: The Phase II SATURN study
Authors: Forns Xavier , Berenguer Marina , Herzer Kerstin , Sterneck Martina , Donato Maria Francesca , Andreone Pietro , Fagiuoli Stefano , Cieciura Tomasz , Durlik Magdalena , Calleja Jose Luis , Mariño Zoe , Shukla Umesh , Verbinnen Thierry , Lenz Oliver , Ouwerkerk‐Mahadevan Sivi , Peeters Monika , Janssen Katrien , Kalmeijer Ronald , Jessner Wolfgang
Published: March 2017

Background

Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection following liver transplantation is associated with accelerated progression to graft failure and reduced patient survival.

Methods

The Phase II, open‐label SATURN study (NCT01938625) investigated the combination of simeprevir (SMV), daclatasvir (DCV), and ribavirin (RBV) administered for 24 weeks in 35 patients with recurrent HCV genotype (GT) 1b infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Results

High rates of both on‐treatment and sustained virologic response 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12) were achieved in patients who were either treatment‐naïve or had failed post‐OLT treatment with peginterferon and RBV. Overall, 91% of patients (32/35) achieved SVR12. The combination was generally well tolerated, with an adverse event profile consistent with that observed in previous clinical trials of SMV or DCV separately. Co‐administration of SMV with cyclosporine resulted in significantly increased SMV plasma exposures, which was not the case with the co‐administration of SMV with tacrolimus. Therefore, the concomitant use of SMV with cyclosporine is not recommended.

Conclusion

The interferon‐free combination of SMV, DCV, and RBV administered for 24 weeks was shown to be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of post‐OLT HCV GT1b‐infected patients.
The impact of providing blood to the scene of an accident on transfusion laboratory practice
Authors: Wolf S. , Morris J. , Kennedy K. , Lawn M. , Mcloughlin T. , Feane K. , Uprichard J. , Weaver A. , Allard S. , Green L.
Published: March 2017

Background

Haemorrhage is the leading cause of mortality during trauma. In 2012, London's Air Ambulance introduced Blood on Board (BOB), transfusing group O red cells (RBC) to trauma patients at the scene.

Objectives

This study assessed the impact of BOB on the number of mixed field samples received by the laboratory, the number of group O RBC transfused to non‐group O patients and the ratio of RBC to fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfused in the initial 24 h.

Methods

Three major trauma centres collected data on patients for whom the major haemorrhage protocol was activated between August 2008 and February 2012 pre‐BOB and March 2012 and December 2013 post‐BOB.

Results

A total of 233 trauma patients were identified pre‐BOB and 119 post‐BOB. There was no significant difference in the percentage of group O units transfused to non‐group O patients (75 vs 82%, P = 0·21) or the RBC : FFP ratio (pre‐BOB mean 1·6 [interquartile range (IQR) 1·0–2·0]; post‐BOB mean 1·7 [IQR 1·1–2·2], P = 0·24). There was no significant difference in the percentage of mixed field samples received (23% vs 27%, P = 0·3).

Conclusion

The introduction of BOB did not change the proportion of group O RBC transfused or the RBC : FFP ratio; however, the proportion of acceptable samples decreased. This is largely due to an increase in blood samples not received from the post‐BOB cohort, which we believe is probably due to patients who died at the scene. We have introduced robust systems to indicate reasons for not obtaining samples.
Inferring source attribution from a multiyear multisource data set of Salmonella in Minnesota
Authors: Ahlstrom C. , Muellner P. , Spencer S. E. F. , Hong S. , Saupe A. , Rovira A. , Hedberg C. , Perez A. , Muellner U. , Alvarez J.
Published: March 2017

Salmonella enterica is a global health concern because of its widespread association with foodborne illness. Bayesian models have been developed to attribute the burden of human salmonellosis to specific sources with the ultimate objective of prioritizing intervention strategies. Important considerations of source attribution models include the evaluation of the quality of input data, assessment of whether attribution results logically reflect the data trends and identification of patterns within the data that might explain the detailed contribution of different sources to the disease burden. Here, more than 12,000 non‐typhoidal Salmonella isolates from human, bovine, porcine, chicken and turkey sources that originated in Minnesota were analysed. A modified Bayesian source attribution model (available in a dedicated R package), accounting for non‐sampled sources of infection, attributed 4,672 human cases to sources assessed here. Most (60%) cases were attributed to chicken, although there was a spike in cases attributed to a non‐sampled source in the second half of the study period. Molecular epidemiological analysis methods were used to supplement risk modelling, and a visual attribution application was developed to facilitate data exploration and comprehension of the large multiyear data set assessed here. A large amount of within‐source diversity and low similarity between sources was observed, and visual exploration of data provided clues into variations driving the attribution modelling results. Results from this pillared approach provided first attribution estimates for Salmonella in Minnesota and offer an understanding of current data gaps as well as key pathogen population features, such as serotype frequency, similarity and diversity across the sources. Results here will be used to inform policy and management strategies ultimately intended to prevent and control Salmonella infection in the state.
Museum archives revisited: Central Asiatic hawkmoths reveal exceptionally high late Pliocene species diversification (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae)
Authors: Hundsdoerfer Anna K. , Päckert Martin , Kehlmaier Christian , Strutzenberger Patrick , Kitching Ian J.
Published: March 2017

Three high‐elevation Hyles species of Central Asia have proven difficult to sample, and thus, only a limited number of specimens are available for study. Ancient DNA techniques were applied to sequence two mitochondrial genes from ‘historic’ museum specimens of Hyles gallii, Hyles renneri and Hyles salangensis to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of these species. This approach enabled us to include the holotypes and paratypes. The status of H. salangensis as a species endemic to a mountain range north of Kabul in Afghanistan is confirmed by this study. It is most closely related to Hyles nicaea and H. gallii, and quite distant from the clade comprising the species from Hyles vespertilio to Hyles tithymali, despite this group and H. salangensis both completely lacking an arolium on the pretarsus. Our results show that the samples assigned to H. renneri and Hyles livornica tatsienluica are conspecific and so we reinstate Hyles tatsienluica stat. nov. as the valid name for this species and synonymize H. renneri syn. nov. with it. This study shows that the distribution range postulated for H. tatsienluica extends from Nepal well into the mountains of south‐western China. The distribution ranges of H. livornica and H. tatsienluica overlap. The study confirms the previously proposed synonymies of Hyles nepalensis, Hyles gallii intermedia and Hyles gallii tibetanica with H. gallii. Extensive species sampling (over 80% of Hyles species) in this study allowed additional analyses. The dated phylogeny reveals the global Hyles hawkmoth radiation to be much more recent than previously thought: it began in the Late Miocene and culminated in a Pleistocene burst of diversification in the Northern Hemisphere. Ancestral ranges of basal nodes were reconstructed as highly equivocal, but the Neotropics has the highest probability in the two oldest nodes. Although the origins of the Madagascan and Australian species also remain ambiguous, a large crown clade of fifteen species was reconstructed to have originated in the Palaearctic. The wide distribution ranges of the two migratory species, H. livornica and H. gallii, appear to blur any traces of the biogeographic origin of the clades containing these species. Specialization in larval host plant use onto particular plant families from the ancestral condition ‘polyphagous’ may have led to an increased rate of speciation and phylogenetic diversification in three subgroups of Hyles (the Hawaiian clade, the Hyles centralasiae group and the Hyles euphorbiae complex).
IDENTITY AND CULTURE CHANGE OF JAVANESE IN JOHOR
Authors: Jandra Mifedwil , Djamil Agus Sulaiman , Salamon Hussin , Ansyory Anhar , Zein Moh. Damami
Published: March 2017

The Javanese ethnics are among the largest population group in Johor. According to the history, they came to Johor as part of the suggestion and efforts by Temenggong Daing Ibrahim (1810-1862) when they opened the Gambir plantation in Johor back in 1830s after the failure of Gambir companies in Singapore due to lack of land area and fire-wood fuel. The main reason to bring the Javanese and Chinese workers or coolies to operate the Gambir plantation was through the kankar system which he introduced. Data and information were collected from interview with Javanese and books, as well as from journals and websites. The increase of Javanese population is due to their growth and increase of number of labour in Malaysia. Their present may cause several challenges including social and cultural identity. This study aim to understand the fundamental Javanese character and identity, how this identity has been integrated and blended into the Malays culture, and finally to identify the Javanese characters and identity that contribute to the changes in the local culture. The study found that the high tolerances and adaptability of the Javanese has contributed to the acceptance and social harmony to the existing ethnics in Johor.  Keywords : Java community, identity, cultural change
IMPLICATIONS OF ALLAH'S WILL AND WILL OF MAN IN ISLAMIC EDUCATION
Authors: Sudrajat Sudrajat
Published: March 2017

Pedagogical values contained in the discussion of al-masyi'ah are: First : Masyiatullah is a forerunner to the emergence of education. This is reflected in the letter adzariyat who hinted about the purpose or will of God made man, which we can conclude that God created man so conscious of itself as a'bid. Second : Masyiatulibad a legacy of social, meaning masyiatuli’bad is to go through the process of inheritance in this case through a process conducted educators to the learners. Of the inheritance, it means that Islamic education theologically Al-masyiah is spirit (core) of his Islamic education were thrust in achieving its objectives. Masyiatullah should be a mirror for masyiatuli’bad. This meaning is subsequently used for the tendency of the soul towards something decent accompanied by statutes least something was done or not done. Iradah beings are sometimes used in the early stages (orientation) in the form of a tendency towards something; sometimes also used in the final determination of necessity be done or not done. Reflect in education that educating to be done repeatedly. Education must be done with great discretion. Education should be given in order to meet the desires, needs, and expectations of learners. Keywords : Will of God and Masyi'ah; Masyi'ah and Will of Man,Will of God and Allah Masyi'ah
SCIENCE EDUCATION BASED ON CIREBON LOCAL CULINARY FOOD
Authors: Susilawati Susilawati , Fikriyah Fikriyah , Saefudin Asep
Published: March 2017

Cirebon is an area that has rich culture, including culinary. Science education or at school is known as the Natural Sciences (IPA), is expected to integrate the cultural heritage of culinary in Cirebon without compromising the activity of science process containaed in it. The process of science in learning the concept of food and nutrition at schools can be done by observing Cirebon local foods available in the students’ neighborhood. The Nutrient content of Cirebon local foods such as sega jamblang, empal gentong, sega lengko, tahu gejrot, and kerupuk melarat is very useful to our health. In addition, Cirebon local foods are made from various materials and can be consumed by everyone. Science education based on Cirebon local culinary food also performed as one step instill a sense of pride to the students to love the environment and cultural heritage of Cirebon local culinary food that is tasty and contains good nutrients for our health.Keywords: sience education, science process, nutrients, Cirebon local culinary food
THE ROLES OF WOMEN WORKER IN STUDENT CHARACTER BUILDING
Authors: Nurkholis Nurkholis , Kardiyati Endah Nurhawaeny
Published: March 2017

Globalization nowadays more advanced, humans as social beings are required to always try and create new works in his life. For the sake of the survival of the more advanced, not just men who are able to earn a living family as it should be. But women are also able to earn a living for the sake of survival and fulfillment of the needs of his family. In such circumstances, the duties and responsibilities of women become very heavy. The dual role of women becomes a highly optimized, which functions as a housewife (reproduction) and as a major source of income for a living (productive). With a busy life, it is the neglect of the care and education of children because too much time and effort are sacrificed to work outside the home. Lack of sufficient time to educate a child, resulting in children less attention and affection of parents, so that will have an impact on the psychological and physical development of children. Children who do not or less attention and affection of parents will have a negative impact on the child's personality.Educating children is an important thing to be done by every mother as a baby in the womb. Education of children in the family performed by example and example of a parent in the relationship and interaction between the mother and the father, the treatment of parents toward their children, and treatment of the elderly against others in the family and community environment.  Keywords : women worker, education, character
The Use of Smartphone Applications with Press Coverage during Crisis: A Descriptive Study on a Sample of Sudanese Journalists in the Period from February to June 2016
Authors: Mohamed Elsir Ali Saad
Published: March 2017

The present paper tried to throw light on the impact of information technology on press development.The study adopted a descriptive analytical procedure by using a questionnaire for data collection and the formation of a clearer picture of the evolution attained through implementation of communication means, in particular, the smartphone.The study concluded that:Most of the newspapers possess internal network for the exchange of editorial material between the departments head and the other members of the press staff.The implementations of information technology have helped to minimize the steps of gathering press matter.There is harmony, between senior and junior staff, in implementing the technical properties of smartphone device. In addition to the fact that smartphone have contributed to the improvement of editorial performance in gathering, preparation, and processing up to the stage of publishing and \ or broadcasting.It is recommended that there is a need for intensification of the practical training in digital publication. The press editor should be encouraged, by to possess the modern technologies with facilities or free of charge.
Equivariant -theory of Grassmannians II: the Knutson–Vakil conjecture
Authors: Pechenik Oliver , Yong Alexander
Published: March 2017

In 2005, Knutson–Vakil conjectured apuzzlerule for equivariant$K$-theory of Grassmannians. We resolve this conjecture. After giving a correction, we establish a modified rule by combinatorially connecting it to the authors’ recently proved tableau rule for the same Schubert calculus problem.
Brown–Peterson cohomology from Morava -theory
Authors: Barthel Tobias , Stapleton Nathaniel
Published: March 2017

We prove that the $p$-completed Brown–Peterson spectrum is a retract of a product of Morava $E$-theory spectra. As a consequence, we generalize results of Kashiwabara and of Ravenel, Wilson and Yagita from spaces to spectra and deduce that the notion of a good group is determined by Brown–Peterson cohomology. Furthermore, we show that rational factorizations of the Morava $E$-theory of certain finite groups hold integrally up to bounded torsion with height-independent exponent, thereby lifting these factorizations to the rationalized Brown–Peterson cohomology of such groups.
Bezout-type theorems for differential fields
Authors: Binyamini Gal
Published: March 2017

We prove analogs of the Bezout and the Bernstein–Kushnirenko–Khovanskii theorems for systems of algebraic differential conditions over differentially closed fields. Namely, given a system of algebraic conditions on the first $l$ derivatives of an $n$-tuple of functions, which admits finitely many solutions, we show that the number of solutions is bounded by an appropriate constant (depending singly-exponentially on $n$ and $l$) times the volume of the Newton polytope of the set of conditions. This improves a doubly-exponential estimate due to Hrushovski and Pillay. We illustrate the application of our estimates in two diophantine contexts: to counting transcendental lattice points on algebraic subvarieties of semi-abelian varieties, following Hrushovski and Pillay; and to counting the number of intersections between isogeny classes of elliptic curves and algebraic varieties, following Freitag and Scanlon. In both cases we obtain bounds which are singly-exponential (improving the known doubly-exponential bounds) and which exhibit the natural asymptotic growth with respect to the degrees of the equations involved.
A Novel Reconfigurable Gravity Balancer for Lower-Limb Rehabilitation With Switchable Hip/Knee-Only Exercise
Authors: Tseng Tzu-Yu , Lin Yi-Jia , Hsu Wei-Chun , Lin Li-Fong , Kuo Chin-Hsing
Published: March 2017

In lower-limb rehabilitation, there is a specific group of patients that can perform voluntary muscle contraction and visible limb movement provided that the weight of his/her leg is fully supported by a physical therapist. In addition, this therapist is necessary in guiding the patient to switch between hip-only and knee-only motions for training specific muscles effectively. These clinic needs have motivated us to devise a novel reconfigurable gravity-balanced mechanism for tackling with the clinical demands without the help from therapists. The proposed mechanism has two working configurations, each leading the patient to do either hip-only or knee-only exercise. Based on the principle of static balancing, two tensile springs are attached to the mechanism to eliminate the gravitational effect of the mechanism and its payload (i.e., the weight of the patient's leg) in both configurations. The gravity balancing design is verified by a numerical example and adams software simulation. A mechanical prototype of the design was built up and was tested on a healthy subject. By using electromyography (EMG), the myoelectric signals of two major muscles for the subject with/without wearing the device were measured and analyzed. The results show that the myoelectric voltages of the stimulated muscles in both hip-only and knee-only motion modes are reduced when the subject is wearing the device. In summary, the paper for the first time demonstrates the design philosophy and applications by integrating the reconfigurability and static balancing into mechanisms.
Performance Augmentation of Underactuated Fingers' Grasps Using Multiple Drive Actuation
Authors: Boucher Jean-Michel , Birglen Lionel
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the performance augmentation of underactuated fingers through additional actuators is presented and discussed. Underactuated, also known as self-adaptive, fingers typically only rely on a single actuator for a given number of output degrees of freedom (DOF), generally equal to the number of phalanges. Therefore, once the finger is mechanically designed and built, little can be done using control algorithms to change the behavior of this finger, both during the closing motion and the grasp. We propose to use more than one actuator to drive underactuated fingers to improve the typical metrics used to measure their grasp performances (such as stiffness and stability). In order to quantify these improvements, two different scenarios are presented and discussed. The first one analyzes the impact of adding actuators along the transmission linkage of a classical architecture while the second focuses on a finger with a dual-drive actuation system for which both actuators are located inside the palm. A general kinetostatic analysis is first carried out and adapted to cover the case of underactuated fingers using more than one actuator. Typical performance indices are subsequently presented and optimizations are performed to compare the best designs achievable with respect to stiffness and grasp stability, depending on the number of actuators.
Modeling the Flow Behavior and Flow Rate of Medium Viscosity Alginate for Scaffold Fabrication With a Three-Dimensional Bioplotter
Authors: Sarker Md. , Chen X. B.
Published: March 2017

Tissue regeneration with scaffolds has proven promising for the repair of damaged tissues or organs. Dispensing-based printing techniques for scaffold fabrication have drawn considerable attention due to their ability to create complex structures layer-by-layer. When employing such printing techniques, the flow rate of the biomaterial dispensed from the needle tip is critical for creating the intended scaffold structure. The flow rate can be affected by a number of variables including the material flow behavior, temperature, needle geometry, and dispensing pressure. As such, model equations can play a vital role in the prediction and control of the flow rate of the material dispensed, thus facilitating optimal scaffold fabrication. This paper presents the development of a model to represent the flow rate of medium viscosity alginate dispensed for the purpose of scaffold fabrication, by taking into account the shear and slip flow from a tapered needle. Because the fluid flow behavior affects the flow rate, model equations were also developed from regression of experimental data to represent the flow behavior of alginate. The predictions from both the flow behavior equation and flow rate model show close agreement with experimental results. For varying needle diameters and temperatures, the slip effect occurring at the needle wall has a significant effect on the flow rate of alginate during scaffold fabrication.
Intrathyroidal ectopic thymus in children: a sonographic survey
Authors: Kabaalioğlu Adnan , Öztek Murat Alp , Kesimal Uğur , Çeken Kağan , Durmaz Emel , Apaydın Ali
Published: March 2017

Aims: Intrathyroidal ectopic thymus (IET) is being increasingly reported in the radiology literature. Most of the reports are of individual cases or small series and prevalence and natural course of the pathology is not well known. The purpose of this study is to establish the prevalence of IET in children and report long term follow-up results.Material and methods: In 180 children who were examined by ultrasound (US) for other reasons, 7 patients were indentified with IET. Together with the other seven children who were already under follow-up for IET (diagnosed using US criteria), these 14 patients were followed up with US for 30 months. Size, shape, location, echotexture and internal echoes of the lesions were evaluated.Results: There were 16 lesions in 14 children. The most common appearance was a fusiform hypoechoic lesion, with punctate and linear internal echoes and well-defined but slightly irregular borders located posteriorly in the lower thirds of the thyroid. In follow-up, there were no changes in echotexture, shape or border. In 3 patients, the lesion became slightly smaller, in a 10-year-old boy slightly larger, and in an 11-year old boy the lesion disappeared. In a patient with bilateral lesions, one lesion slightly decreased in size.Conclusions: IET in children may be more common than thought. Its growth reflects that of a normal thymus. Awareness of this entity is important in order not to misdiagnose them, especially as papillary cancer, and to prevent unnecessary interventions.
Physics Instructional Resource Usage by High-, Medium-, and Low-Skilled MOOC Students
Authors: Balint Trevor A. , Teodorescu Raluca , Colvin Kimberly , Choi Youn-Jeng , Pritchard David
Published: March 2017

In this paper we examine how different types of participants in a physics Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) tend to use the existing course resources. We use data from the 2013 offering of the Massive Open Online Course 8.MReVx designed by the RELATE (REsearch in Learning Assessing and Tutoring Effectively) Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and offered on the edX platform. We propose six measures of student performance in a course, and, based on these measures, we divide the student population into clusters and analyze the resource usage of the students from each cluster. This course contains a wide variety of physics problems targeting various levels of thinking. Our analysis focuses on 1080 participants (out of 16,787 enrolled in the course) who attempted more than 50% of available problems, as this is an indicator of students who participated actively in the entire course.
Standing Waves in an Elastic Spring: A Systematic Study by Video Analysis
Authors: Ventura Daniel Rodrigues , de Carvalho Paulo Simeão , Dias Marco Adriano
Published: March 2017

The word “wave” is part of the daily language of every student. However, the physical understanding of the concept demands a high level of abstract thought. In physics, waves are oscillating variations of a physical quantity that involve the transfer of energy from one point to another, without displacement of matter. A wave can be formed by an elastic deformation, a variation of pressure, changes in the intensity of electric or magnetic fields, a propagation of a temperature variation, or other disturbances. Moreover, a wave can be categorized as pulsed or periodic. Most importantly, conditions can be set such that waves interfere with one another, resulting in standing waves. These have many applications in technology, although they are not always readily identified and/or understood by all students. In this work, we use a simple setup including a low-cost constant spring, such as a Slinky, and the free software Tracker for video analysis. We show they can be very useful for the teaching of mechanical wave propagation and the analysis of harmonics in standing waves.