bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erratum—KIM, YOUNG-HYO., HENDRYCKS, ED A. & LEE, KYUNG-SOOK (2010) A new species and new record of the Amphilochidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from Korea. Zootaxa, 2477, 21–36.
Authors: KIM YOUNG-HYO , HENDRYCKS ED A. , LEE KYUNG-SOOK
Published: December 2018

(Erratum)
Taxonomic review of Sphenoclypeana and cladistic analysis of Ischnorhinini (Hemiptera, Cercopidae, Tomaspidinae)
Authors: PALADINI ANDRESSA , CARVALHO GERVÁSIO SILVA , CAVICHIOLI RODNEY RAMIRO
Published: December 2018

Ischnorhinini currently comprises nine genera: Baetkia Schmidt, Homalogrypota Schmidt, Ischnorhina Stål, Laccogrypota Schmidt, Neosphenorhina Distant, Schistogonia Stål, Sphenoclypeana Lallemand & Synave, Tiodus Nast, and Typeschata Schmidt. A phylogenetic analysis is presented for defining the relationship between the genera and between the species of Sphenoclypeana, and this genus is revised and two new synonymies are proposed and the monophyly of Sphenoclypeana was corroborated. The data matrix comprises 47 characters: 31 relating to the external morphology, 10 to male genitalia and six to female genitalia. The analysis resulted in one cladogram with 102 steps CI = 0.50 and RI = 0.66. (Hyboscarta melichari (Monecphora cingulata Tunaima semiflava) (Schistogonia cercopoides Schistogonia sanguinea) (Neosphenorhina ocellata Neosphenorhina scombergi) (Ischnorhina unifascia (Homalogrypota interrupta Ischnorhina surinamensis) (Laccogrypota valida (Baetkia maroniensis (Baetkia compressa (Homalogrypota coccinea (Typeschata marginata (Sphenoclypeana parana Sphenoclypeana haematina))))))))
First records of Composetia, Eunereis and Nectoneanthes (Annelida: Nereididae) from Taiwan, with descriptions of two new species
Authors: HSUEH PAN-WEN
Published: December 2018

Three species of nereidids collected from various ecological surveys conducted on coasts of west central and northeastern of Taiwan are studied. Each species represents a genus in the subfamily Nereidinae Blainville, 1818 not previously reported from Taiwan: Composetia Hartmann-Schröder, 1985, Eunereis Malmgren, 1865 and Nectoneanthes Sato, 2013. Composetia budaiensis n. sp. can be distinguished from congeners by having 2–5 and 17–27 paragnaths on Areas I & III of the pharynx, respectively. Eunereis shichengensis n. sp. differs from congeners by having one shield-shaped bar on Area VI of the pharynx. The generic diagnosis of Eunereis is emended slightly to include short neuropodial heterogomph falcigers in E. shichengensis n. sp. and three other congeners. Nectoneanthes species examined in the present study showed a continuous broad band of numerous paragnaths on the oral ring of the pharynx, which agrees with the unique character of N. uchiwa Sato, 2013 and represents the first record of the species for Taiwan. A key to all known species to Eunereis are provided.
Four new feather mite species of the genus Anhemialges Gaud, 1958 (Astigmata: Analgidae) from China
Authors: CHANG HUI-QUN , WANG ZI-YING , LIU HUAI
Published: December 2018

Four new species of the feather mite genus Anhemialges (Astigmata: Analgidae) are described from passeriform birds in China: A. lioparus sp. nov. from the Golden–breasted Fulvetta Lioparus chrysotis (Passeriformes, Paradoxornithidae); A. aegithalos sp. nov. from the Black–throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus (Passeriformes, Aegithalidae); A. seicercus sp. nov. from the Golden–spectacled Warbler Seicercus burkii (Passeriformes, Phylloscopidae); and A. zosterops sp. nov. from the Oriental White–eye Zosterops palpebrosus (Passeriformes, Zosteropidae).
A new species of the montane lacewing genus Rapisma McLachlan (Neuroptera, Ithonidae) from China
Authors: LIU XINGYUE , LI DI , YANG ZIZHONG
Published: December 2018

The genus Rapisma McLachlan, 1866 (Insecta: Neuroptera: Ithonidae) is a rare and poorly known lacewing group endemic to Asia. Previously, there were five species recorded from China. Here we describe a new species of Rapisma from Mt. Gaoligongshan, southwestern Yunnan, China, namely Rapisma gaoligongensis sp. nov. The new species appears to be closely related to Rapisma corundum Barnard, 1981 from eastern Myanmar and Rapisma daianum Yang, 1993 from southern Yunnan, China, and it belongs to a group of Rapisma species with pectinate male antennae and posteriorly bilobed male gonocoxites 9.
New records of Reduviidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) from Argentina
Authors: MELO MARÍA CECILIA , COSCARÓN MARÍA D.C.
Published: December 2018

New findings of species of Reduviidae from Argentina are recorded: Cetherinae: Eupheno pallens Laporte (new subfamily record); Harpactorinae: Doldina carinulata St l (new genus record), Repipta nigronotata St l (new species record); Peiratinae: Rasahus amapaensis Coscar n (new species record), Rasahus grandis Fallou (new species record); Saicinae: Paratagalis spinosus Monte (new genus record), Tagalis inornata inornata St l (new genus record), and Saica apicalis Osborn & Drake (new genus record).
The genus Xenosciara gen. n. and the phylogeny of the Sciaridae (Diptera)
Authors: VILKAMAA PEKKA , HIPPA HEIKKI
Published: December 2018

The phylogeny of 50 genera or subgenera of the Sciaridae was studied by parsimony analysis. A cladistic analysis using 138 morphological characters from the adults of fifty-one ingroup and one outgroup species produced one most parsimonious cladogram. Schwenckfeldina, Chaetosciara, and Scythropochroa appeared successively as the sister groups of all other genera included in the analysis. The solution obtained was, in part, different from earlier, traditional views of sciarid phylogeny. The new Oriental genus Xenosciara had the phylogenetic relationship [Metangela + (Pnyxiopalpus + Xenosciara)]. Xenosciara invisa gen. n., sp. n., is described and illustrated. The new monotypic genus is exceptional in its hypopygial structures.
New Cumacea species (Malacostraca, Peracarida) from the deepwater area of the Sea of Japan (Collections of the 52nd Cruise by the R/V Vityaz , 1972)
Authors: VASSILENKO STELLA , TZAREVA LUDMILA
Published: December 2018

Material on cumaceans (17 samples), collected in the Sea of Japan at depths from 209 to 2720 m during the 52 nd cruise of the research vessel Vityaz in 1972, was investigated. Eleven species, known for the Sea of Japan (Hemilamprops gracilis, Diastylis paraspinulosa, D. hirsuta, D. ornata, Leptostylis villosa, Eudorella emarginata, E. pacifica, Leucon acutirostris, L. kobjakovae, Campylaspis clavata, C. glabra), and four new species were identified. New species Diastylis moskalevi, Paraleptostylis vityazi, Eudorella bathyalis, Campylaspis pisum, inhabiting bathyal zone of the Sea of Japan, were described.
Two new plant feeding mites from Brachiaria ruziziensis in citrus groves in S o Paulo, Brazil and new distribution records of other plant mites in Brazil
Authors: FLECHTMANN CARLOS H.W.
Published: December 2018

Two new species of phytophagous mites are described from Brachiaria ruziziensis (Poaceae), namely Catarhinus brachiariae n.sp. belonging to the Diptilomiopidae, and Eotetranychus herbicolus n.sp. a member of the Tetranychidae. New distribution records of other plant feeding mites in Brazil are also presented.
First occurrence of the genus Paraleucilla (Calcarea, Porifera) in the Atlantic Ocean: P. magna sp. nov.
Authors: KLAUTAU MICHELLE , MONTEIRO LEANDRO , BOROJEVIC RADOVAN
Published: December 2018

We describe the first species of the genus Paraleucilla Dendy 1892 from the Atlantic Ocean. P. magna sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of triactines composing the atrial skeleton and the absence of giant diactines, which are characteristic of P. cucumis (Haeckel 1872), a species from Australia, the only known Paraleucilla that also presents atrial triactines. P. magna sp. nov. is the most abundant calcareous sponge in Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil), and shows a strong seasonality, disappearing in autumn.
Modulation of Arctic Sea Ice Loss by Atmospheric Teleconnections from Atlantic Multidecadal Variability
Authors: Castruccio Frederic S. , Ruprich-Robert Yohan , Yeager Stephen G. , Danabasoglu Gokhan , Msadek Rym , Delworth Thomas L.
Published: December 2018

Observed September Arctic sea ice has declined sharply over the satellite era. While most climate models forced by observed external forcing simulate a decline, few show trends matching the observations, suggesting either model deficiencies or significant contributions from internal variability. Using a set of perturbed climate model experiments, we provide evidence that atmospheric teleconnections associated with the Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) can drive low-frequency Arctic sea ice fluctuations. Even without AMV-related changes in ocean heat transport, AMV-like surface temperature anomalies lead to adjustments in atmospheric circulation patterns that produce similar Arctic sea ice changes in three different climate models. Positive AMV anomalies induce a decrease in the frequency of winter polar anticyclones, which is reflected both in the sea level pressure as a weakening of the Beaufort Sea high and in the surface temperature as warm anomalies in response to increased low-cloud cover. Positive AMV anomalies are also shown to favor an increased prevalence of an Arctic dipole–like sea level pressure pattern in late winter/early spring. The resulting anomalous winds drive anomalous ice motions (dynamic effect). Combined with the reduced winter sea ice formation (thermodynamic effect), the Arctic sea ice becomes thinner, younger, and more prone to melt in summer. Following a phase shift to positive AMV, the resulting atmospheric teleconnections can lead to a decadal ice thinning trend in the Arctic Ocean on the order of 8%–16% of the reconstructed long-term trend, and a decadal trend (decline) in September Arctic sea ice area of up to 21% of the observed long-term trend.
Branding the Revolution: Havana Club Advertising and the Fight for Cuban Authenticity
Authors: Chávez Christopher A. , Valencia Ricardo J.
Published: December 2018

Focusing on Havana Club as a case study, we examine how an authentic Cuba has been discursively constructed by agents embedded within different political ideologies. Our research centers on advertising produced in 2015–2016, when two competing rum marketers were laying claim to the Havana Club brand: Havana Club International, an enterprise of the Cuban state, and Bacardi, a global corporation. Previous research has found that the tensions between capitalist and socialist ideologies can be bridged within a single advertisement by assigning political symbols new meanings. Drawing from both critical political economy and critical studies, we move beyond a semiotic approach and examine the professional mechanisms by which advertising practitioners encode brands with political meaning. Based on our review of internal and external documents, we found that both the Havana Club International and the Bacardi campaigns are claiming authenticity to advance similar specific economic goals while asserting competing political worldviews.
Audiovisual Aesthetics of Sound and Movement in Contemporary Dance
Authors: Howlin Claire , Vicary Staci , Orgs Guido
Published: December 2018

How do movement and sound combine to produce an audiovisual aesthetics of dance? We assessed how audiovisual congruency influences continuous aesthetic and psychophysiological responses to contemporary dance. Two groups of spectators watched a recorded dance performance that included the performer’s steps, breathing, and vocalizations but no music. Dance and sound were paired either as recorded or with the original soundtrack in reverse so that the performers’ sounds were no longer coupled to their movements. A third group watched the dance video in silence. Audiovisual incongruency was rated as more enjoyable than congruent or silent conditions. In line with mainstream conceptions of dance as movement-to-music, arbitrary relationships between sound and movement were preferred to causal relationships in which performers produce their own soundtrack. Performed synchrony Granger caused changes in electrodermal activity only in the incongruent condition consistent with “aesthetic capture.” Sound structures the perception of dance movement, increasing its aesthetic appeal.
Individual differences in the reminiscence bump of very long-term memory for popular songs in old age: A non-linear mixed model approach
Authors: Zimprich Daniel
Published: December 2018

Recognition of popular songs from one’s past shows a phenomenon that is known as a “reminiscence bump” from autobiographical memory research, namely, the increased recognition performance of songs from one’s youth and early adulthood. As a first goal of the present study, a non-linear functional relation between popular song recognition performance and song-specific age of an individual was examined. As a second goal, individual differences in recognition performance curves were taken into account by including random effects. The third goal was to explain individual differences by including predictor variables. The sample comprised 90 participants aged 70 to 75 years. Participants listened to excerpts of 51 songs of the German charts from the years 1945 to 1995. Results show that the average bump performance was 75%, that the bump was located at about 17 years of age, and that the inflection point was located at 31 years. Individual differences could be explained by the number of correctly recognized songs, musical taste during one’s youth, and the frequency and preference of listing to bump songs. To conclude, an individual differences approach based on a non-linear function relation has been found to be a promising way to understand why popular songs from one’s youth are remembered better.
Filipinos Love Serving Others: Negotiating a Filipino Identity in Hawai’i
Authors: Eisen Daniel B.
Published: December 2018

Examining how individuals negotiate a Filipino identity in Hawai’i provides insights into the fluidity and flexibility of racism. Filipino identities in Hawai’i are often negotiated at the intersections of a Filipino colonial mentality, a local Hawai’i identity, and racialized structures that marginalize Filipinos. Drawing on interviews with upwardly mobile individuals who grew up in Hawai’i, I illuminate how young adults reclaim a Filipino identity after growing up being ashamed of being Filipino. Spurred by experience in higher education, the participants worked to affiliate themselves with being Filipino and recast negative stereotypes in positive fashions. Although these reframings of stereotypes enabled one to confidently assert that they were Filipino, they also upheld the negative characterizations of Filipinos that inform their marginalization in Hawai’i. Ultimately, this research demonstrates the racial ideologies are fluid and flexible, as they can shape identity processes that attempt to construct a positive Filipino identity in Hawai’i.
Flax fiber and its composites: An overview of water and moisture absorption impact on their performance
Authors: Moudood Abdul , Rahman Anisur , Öchsner Andreas , Islam Mainul , Francucci Gaston
Published: December 2018

Contemporary researchers have specified that natural flax fiber is comparable with synthetic fibers due to its unique physical and mechanical characteristics which have been recognized for decades. Flax fiber-reinforced composites have the potential for wide usage in sport and maritime industries, and as automotive accessories. In addition, this composite is in the development stages for future applications in the aeronautical industry. However, designing the flax composite parts is a challenging task due to the great variability in fiber properties. This is caused by many factors, including the plant origin and growth conditions, plant age, location in the stem, fibers extraction method, and the fact that there is often a non-uniform cross section of the fibers. Furthermore, the water and moisture absorption tendency of the flax fibers and their composites and the consequent detrimental effects on their mechanical performance are also major drawbacks. Fibers may soften and swell with absorbed water molecules, which could affect the performance of this bio-composite. Flax fibers’ moisture absorption propensity may lead to a deterioration of the fiber–matrix interface, weakening the interfacial strength and ultimately degrading the quality of the composite. This review represents a brief summary of the main findings of research into flax fiber reinforced composites, focusing on the challenges of its water and moisture absorption behavior on their performance.
Engaging the African American Church to Improve Communication About Palliative Care and Hospice: Lessons From a Multilevel Approach
Authors: Johnson Jerry , Hayden Tara , Taylor Lynne Allen , Gilbert Arthur , Jones Cedric Hughes , Mitchell Marshall Paul Hughes , Curtis Brenda
Published: December 2018

Background:

As the spiritual family for many African Americans, the church presents an opportunity to improve communication about palliative care and hospice (PCH). However, sustainable change in church-based, practices related to PCH requires a compreshensive, multilevel approach.

Objectives:

Our primary goal was to encourage churches to embrace palliative care and hospice as acceptable alternatives for end-of-life care by creating venues to improve communications about PCH. This paper compares our experience in 5 churches, revealing lessons learned and the challenges of engaging, implementing, and maintaining a multilevel approach in the churches, and our strategies in response to those challenges.

Design:

Descriptive study Settings/Subjects: We partnered with 5 African American Churches in the Philadelphia Region. We targeted pastors, other church leaders, and congregants.

Methods:

We created 1) a leadership-education program, 2) an intensive training program for church-based lay companions (health visitors), and 3) messages and materials to increase knowledge and influence attitudes about PCH.

Results:

We impacted church structures and policies as shown by: integration of the project activities into existing church structures, new church-based programs dedicated to training lay companions and church leaders, new roles for church members (church liaisons) dedicated to this project, and new materials and messages focusing on PCH for the general congregation.

Conclusions:

We demonstrated the feasibility of engaging the African American church in a comprehensive, multilevel process designed to improve communication about palliative care and hospice (PCH). Our success demonstrates the potential of the African American church as a community resource for lay education about PCH.
Use of thioglycerol on porous polyurethane as an effective theranostic capping agent for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Song Eun-Ho , Seong Yun-Jeong , Park Cheonil , Kang In-Gu , Kim Hyoun-Ee , Jeong Seol-Ha
Published: December 2018

Thiolated biodegradable polyurethane (TG-DPU) was synthesized using a one-pot reaction with thioglycerol adopted as a functionalized chain extender. After characterization of the chemical structure of TG-DPU using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) was loaded in the TG-DPU under oxidative conditions to form disulfides between the free thiol of TG-DPU and BMP-2. The interaction between TG-DPU and BMP-2, so-called bioconjugates, was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis; the appearance of disulfide (S–S) linkage indicated the formation of a polymer/growth factor conjugate system. The covalently linked bioconjugates provided stability with minimal loss during the drug delivery with prolonged release performance in in vitro release tests. The effects of the drugs delivered by TG-DPU were also confirmed by in vitro alkaline phosphatase tests using pre-osteoblasts and in vivo bone regeneration tests. The drugs effectively induced cell differentiation and promoted mature bone recovery.
The Relationship Between Sexual Aggression Victimization and Perpetration and Other Types of IPV Among Iranian Married Individuals
Authors: Nikparvar Fatemeh , Stith Sandra , Spencer Chelsea , Panaghi Laily
Published: December 2018

This study examined the relationship between sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration and other types of IPV among married men and women in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected from 116 males and 121 females who reported perpetrating or experiencing IPV at least once in the past year. Four path analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between different types of violence and sexual aggression. The model explained 57% of the variance in men’s sexual aggression perpetration and 44% of the variance in women’s sexual aggression perpetration. Also, the model explained 58% of the variance in men’s and 45% of the variance in women’s sexual aggression victimization. Findings of this study emphasize the importance of understanding how one type of violence can be a context for other types of violence.
Affective Borderlands: Experiences in Practice of the Neo-Zionist Settling Enterprise in the Israeli Periphery
Authors: Koensler Alexander
Published: December 2018

In writing on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the image of neo-Zionist settlers is taken often uncritically as an immediate expression of power, in representations by both settler movements and their opponents. Based on an ethnographic perspective that combines Herzfeld’s attention to the “intimacies” with critical writing on the symbolization of reality, I shift attention to an intricate representation of “affective borderlands” to illuminate situated experiences of settler–native relations in practice. Focusing on specific fragile and contradictory relations of single settlers and natives unfolding around a newly established village in Israel’s southern Negev desert, this ethnographic lens contributes to a deeper understanding of Israeli–Palestinian relations as entangled and entwined rather than separate. Beyond a dichotomist conception of native–settler relations and beyond the palpable dynamics of power, this examination of affective borderlands demonstrates that the more opponents invest in distinguishing themselves from the settler endeavor, the more its power over them grows.
Facebook Digital Traces for Survey Research: Assessing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of a Facebook Ad–Based Procedure for Recruiting Online Survey Respondents in Niche and Difficult-to-Reach Populations
Authors: Iannelli Laura , Giglietto Fabio , Rossi Luca , Zurovac Elisabetta
Published: December 2018

Survey-based studies are increasingly experimenting with strategies that employ digital footprints left by users on social media as entry points for recruiting participants and complementary data sources. In this perspective, the Facebook advertising platform provides unique opportunities and challenges through its marketing tools that target advertisements based on users’ demographics, behaviors, and interests. This article presents a procedure that employed the most recent developments in Facebook marketing tools to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of an innovative method for recruiting niche and traditionally hard-to-reach respondents. Although the multiple innovations introduced in the method hinder a proper comparison with previous studies, the survey provides evidence concerning the efficacy of the procedure and offers scholars a set of implementations to design future comparable Facebook ad–based surveys. Challenges, opportunities, and results for effectiveness are discussed in light of a previous survey on Italian adults carried out with a panel-based computer-assisted web interviewing method.
Marx’s Method of Successive Abstractions and his Analysis of Modes of Production
Authors: Paolucci Paul
Published: December 2018

This is the first of two articles that investigate Marx’s method of successive abstractions, an approach that merges dialectical sensibilities with scientific procedures. This first article explains Marx’s techniques of concept construction and use of constants and variables in his comparative analysis of modes of production. The second article applies the method of successive abstractions to a historical-materialist sociology of religion.
Marx’s Method of Successive Abstractions and a Historical-materialist Sociology of Religion
Authors: Paolucci Paul
Published: December 2018

This second installment continues my investigation of Marx’s research practice. I previously examined Marx’s method of successive abstractions in his analysis of modes of production. This article applies this method to a historical-materialist analysis of religion’s development across levels of historical generality. It concludes with a new taxonomy of religion based on that analysis.
An improved method of detecting engine misfire by sound quality metrics of radiated sound
Authors: Singh Sneha , Potala Sagar , Mohanty Amiya R
Published: December 2018

Existing engine misfire detection techniques require direct contact with hot vibrating engine component(s). Thus, they need costly sensors and regular maintenance. To overcome this limitation, a novel method is proposed to detect cylinder misfire using sound quality metrics of the radiated sound, measured either near the cylinder block or near the exhaust tailpipe. This method was tested on a four-stroke, four-cylinder spark-ignition engine over a wide range of load torques and speeds. Sound signals were measured near the cylinder block and near the tailpipe. Vibration signals were measured on the cylinder block. Sound quality metrics namely, loudness, roughness, and fluctuation strength of engine and tailpipe sound using a support vector machine classifier correctly predicted misfiring with 94% test accuracy each. Whereas engine vibration statistical features predicted at 82% test accuracy, engine/tailpipe sound pressure level predicted at 85% test accuracy. Thus, sound quality metrics of the radiated sound successfully detect engine misfiring, with higher accuracy than conventional time domain features of sound and vibration signals. The method was shown to be speed and torque independent. Unlike existing techniques, the proposed method makes no direct contact with any engine component, is computationally quick and reliable over wider range of speeds and torques, and can be easily applied to any acoustic sensor placed under-hood, or near tailpipe.
Characterizing HIV risk among cisgender men in Latin America who report transgender women as sexual partners
Authors: Reisner Sari L , Perez-Brumer Amaya , Oldenburg Catherine E , Gamarel Kristi E , Malone Jowanna , Leung Kingsley , Mimiaga Matthew J , Rosenberger Joshua G , Biello Katie B.
Published: December 2018

Cisgender men (CM) who report transgender women (TW) as sexual partners are an understudied population in the HIV epidemic in Latin America. The current study sought to characterize this group in a 2012 cross-sectional online survey of Latin American CM who were members of a sexual networking website for men who have sex with men (N = 11,847). Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to estimate demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial correlates of having a TW sexual partner and engaging in condomless sex. Overall, 0.9% (n = 106) reported a TW sexual partner in the last 12 months; of these, 76.4% (n = 81) reported condomless sex in the last three months. Identifying as bisexual or heterosexual compared to gay, and specifying a versatile sexual role preference compared to insertive were associated with reporting a recent TW sex partner (all p < 0.05). HIV-negative serostatus, lifetime STI history, and alcohol dependence were associated with recent condomless sex (all p < 0.05). CM with TW sexual partners have distinct HIV-related vulnerabilities. Future research is needed to understand CM who report TW sexual partners, including their sexual preferences and practices, sexual networks, exposure to stigma, biomedical prevention interest and uptake, and acceptability of integrating alcohol abuse screening into sexual health services.
Novel vegetation and establishment of Chihuahuan Desert communities in response to late Pleistocene moisture availability in the Cuatrociénegas Basin, NE Mexico
Authors: Minckley Thomas A , Felstead Nicholas J , Gonzalez Silvia
Published: December 2018

With over 200 pools, lakes and rivers supporting over 70 species of endemic flora and fauna, the Cuatrociénegas Basin (CCB), Coahuila, NE Mexico, is an extremely important area for conservation studies. However, the palaeoenvironment of this unique area has been relatively neglected. Here, pollen data are presented alongside U-series dating and 14C AMS dating techniques from a 15-m sediment core taken from Poza Tierra Blanca in the CCB. These data suggest the CCB contains palaeoenvironmental information spanning at least the late Pleistocene (84.5 ka BP) to the present and has undergone extensive environmental change, possibly controlled by stadial–interstadial cycles. The CCB is currently functioning as a hydrologically closed system, established around 4 ka BP synchronously with regional drying of the Chihuahuan Desert. Pollen data suggest similar closed hydrology conditions from ~33 to 23.13 ka BP – before the onset of full glacial conditions at the LGM. Hydrologically open system characteristics with a dominance of wetter, winter monsoon climate punctuate the long-term record. The wetter conditions observed in these units appear to have facilitated the downslope movement of montane taxa and the expansion of wetland taxa. These data illustrate that novel vegetation assemblages are not just products of deglaciation but represent the interaction of the individualistic response of taxa with the unique climate spaces formed by millennial-scale variability during both glacial and interglacial times.
Siblings’ Experiences of Everyday Life in a Family Where One Child Is Diagnosed With Blood Cancer: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Van Schoors Marieke , De Mol Jan , Laeremans Natacha , Verhofstadt Lesley L. , Goubert Liesbet , Van Parys Hanna
Published: December 2018

Background: Childhood cancer not only presents challenges to the life of the child with cancer but also to the siblings’ daily family life. The aim of the current study was to gain a better understanding of siblings’ experiences of living in a family where one child has been diagnosed with blood cancer. Method: Ten siblings of children with leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma completed a semistructured interview about their everyday family life experiences postdiagnosis. The verbatim transcripts of the interviews served as the data for an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: The results showed that overall the siblings experienced a continuity in many aspects of their family life: they still experienced their family as an important source of support and information/communication, as warm and loving and as a safe harbor where family members aim to protect each other. However, at the same time, the participating siblings also expressed that some things felt unmistakably different postdiagnosis: They felt that their family as a whole had been ripped apart, with a greater focus on the diagnosed child and changing responsibilities for each family member. Conclusion: This study informs parents and clinicians about the daily family life experiences from the siblings’ perspective, a perspective that is often overlooked. A focus on challenges as well as continuities within family life, the wish for connection expressed by the siblings, and the uniqueness of every sibling’s experiences is what can be taken away from this study by psychosocial workers in the field.
Incidence and attributes of chemotherapy induced myelotoxicity, anemia and neutropenia in adults with cancer in Nepal: A cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Sah Shiv K. , Karn Ambuj , Shah Aarati , Paudel Bishnu D. , Adhikari Kajiram , Acharya Bibek , Chapagain Sandhya
Published: December 2018

Background

Myelosuppression remains a major toxicity in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and is associated with considerable morbidity, mortality and cost.

Objective

The present study aims to investigate the prevalence and incidence of myelotoxicity, anemia and neutropenia in the adult cancer population, and further to determine the factors influencing them.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at National Academy of Medical Sciences, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu. A total of 170 subjects eligible for the study were enrolled for analysis. Prevalence and incidence of myelotoxicity anemia, neutropenia and myelotoxicity at enrollment and during study were investigated. Factors influencing development of myelotoxic event were determined.

Results

Of 170 enrolled patients, the prevalence of myelotoxicity, anemia and neutropenia at enrolment was 54 (31.8%), 20 (11.8%) and 28 (16.6%), respectively, with 27 (16%) mild and 12 (7.1%) moderate type of anemia. Incidence of myelotoxicity, anemia and neutropenia during treatment was 90 (52.94%), 44 (26%) and 53 (31.2%) respectively, with 70 (41.2%) mild, 39 (22.9%) moderate and 5 (2.9%) severe type of anemia. Age (OR: 0.49; p < 0.047), and baseline Hb (OR: 1.29; p < 0.01) were found to be independent predictors associated with anemia. Hb (OR: 2.42, CI: 1.79-3.28; p < 0.001) and smoking (OR: 0.49: p = 0.03) were found to be independent factors associated myelotoxicity.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed a high incidence rate of myelotoxicity, neutropenia and anemia in a considerable number of Nepalese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and that baseline Hb, smoker and older adults are at more risk, these patients should be evaluated carefully and a prophylactic measure should be adopted accordingly so as to prevent toxicity and improve quality of life during cancer treatment.
Pediatric open-globe injury in a university-based tertiary hospital
Authors: AlDahash Faisal , Mousa Ahmed , Gikandi Priscilla W , Abu El-Asrar Ahmed M
Published: December 2018

Background:

To investigate epidemiology, etiology, and outcomes after repair of pediatric open-globe injury.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients ⩽18 years who underwent primary open-globe repair.

Results:

A total of 213 patients were identified. Male–female ratio was 1.44:1. Type of injury was penetration in 157 (74.4%) cases, rupture in 52 (24.4%) cases, and perforation in 2 (0.9%) cases. Knife injuries were the most common cause, affecting 38/196 (19.4%), followed by metallic object in 37/196 (18.9%) patients, glass in 26/196 (13.3%) patients, and pen or pencil in 24/196 (12.8%). Predictors of good visual outcome defined as (⩾20/40) were good initial visual acuity (⩾20/40; p < 0.0001), time from injury to arrival at the emergency room >24 h (p = 0.038), size of wound less than 10 mm (p < 0.0001), absence of iris prolapse (p < 0.0001), deep anterior chamber at presentation (p < 0.0001), absence of hyphema (p = 0.043), intact lens (p < 0.0001), and no retinal detachment during follow-up (p < 0.0001). A total of 27 (12.7%) cases were documented to have retinal detachment at any time during follow-up period. Predictors of retinal detachment were perforation and rupture (p < 0.0001), whereas penetration was not associated with development of retinal detachment, size of the wound ⩾10 mm (p < 0.0001), initial visual acuity ⩽20/200 (p < 0.0001), lens injury (p < 0.0001), and development of endophthalmitis (p < 0.027). Eight (3.7%) eyes had the clinical diagnosis of posttraumatic endophthalmitis.

Conclusions:

The most common type of injury was penetration and the most common tool was knife. Visual outcome was affected by the initial presentation. Retinal detachment was a significant predictor of a worse final visual outcome.
President Trump as status dysfunction
Authors: Gills Barry , Patomäki Heikki , Morgan Jamie
Published: December 2018

In this brief polemic we argue that Trump’s words, actions and inactions are potentially deeply damaging to the legitimacy of the office he holds and to the continuity of the institutions defining that position. This, writ large, is an issue for organization theory. We use Searle’s concept of status functions to argue that Trump invokes problems of status dysfunction. He has failed to place himself in a position to be competent and does not conform to expectations of the role of president, his presidency is characterized by disorganization and he has not become presidential. This is important in the context of US political culture and institutions.
Effects of English-medium instruction on Spanish students’ proficiency and lexical diversity in English
Authors: Vidal Karina , Jarvis Scott
Published: December 2018

Within higher education, it is often believed that the adoption of English-medium instruction (EMI) will provide domestic students with the language skills that will enable them to be more competitive in their future professional pursuits. However, research into language learning and EMI at the university level is very scarce. This study examined essays by 195 undergraduate students (99 1st-year and 96 3rd-year learners) at a major university in Spain in order to investigate the effect of three years of instruction through the medium of English on their level of proficiency, essay quality and lexical diversity (as measured by the Oxford Placement test, the CEFR writing scale and three measures of lexical diversity). The results showed a significant improvement in the learners’ second language (L2) proficiency and a significant but subtle increase in essay quality ratings but no significant increase in lexical diversity scores. In the same vein as the findings of some of the other studies we discuss, the present findings seem to suggest the need to rethink and re-evaluate the implementation of EMI in contexts like the one examined in this study.
‘Minilivestock’ farming: Who is farming edible insects in Europe and North America?
Authors: Wilkie Rhoda M
Published: December 2018

An innovative food sector is emerging in North America and Europe: edible insects. Eating insects is not new; farming insects for human consumption is novel. This article provides an overview of entomophagy to contextualise this upsurge in ‘minilivestock’ farming. It also charts the rise of ‘feeder’ insect farms, because their ability to mass rear invertebrates – for exotic pets, reptiles and other insectivores – is of much interest to those starting and intensifying edible insect farms. A descriptive characterisation of frontier farmers will be provided by preliminary profile findings from 17 semi-structured pilot interviews with people with varying experience of rearing feeder and/or food insects. Since conventional livestock workers were the ‘forgotten pillar’ in agricultural research, this article affords timely insights into the socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle interests and farming experiences of ‘entopreneurs’ shaping this new ‘insect industry’.
Regional newspapers’ sourcing strategies: Changes in media-citation and self-citation from a longitudinal perspective
Authors: Vonbun-Feldbauer Ramona , Dogruel Leyla
Published: December 2018

In the light of profound transformation processes shaping news media markets during the last decade, in particular local and regional news markets are confronted with consolidation and concentration processes. As a result, newspaper organizations are required to adapt their organizational strategies and editorial routines to face these challenges. Among journalistic routines, the use of sources is a prime example for an analysis of changing patterns in news production. This article investigates regional newspaper’s use of self- and media-citations in a longitudinal design (1995, 2006, 2015). Based on a content analysis of German regional newspapers (N = 4713 articles), we illustrate changing patterns in the use of sources over a period of 20 years. Results point to an increase in other media outlets as sources indicative of an eligible and cheap content sourcing strategy. Self-citation is mainly used in articles that cover regional and local events mirroring the core business of local news media.
Fecal microbiota analysis of polycystic kidney disease patients according to renal function: A pilot study
Authors: Yacoub Rabi , Nadkarni Girish N , McSkimming Daniel I , Chaves Lee D , Abyad Sham , Bryniarski Mark A , Honan Amanda M , Thomas Shruthi A , Gowda Madan , He John C , Uribarri Jaime
Published: December 2018

Gut bacterial microbiota is altered in patients with advanced renal disease and those on dialysis. However, it is not clear yet what bacterial composition changes are due to the renal insufficiency per se, and what are in result of the accompanying interventions and comorbid conditions. Most studies analyzed diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, and glomerulonephritis patients which might have directly influenced the microbiome regardless of alterations in renal function. We present in this report changes in gut bacterial microbiota in a highly selected group of patients with strict inclusion criteria to eliminate the effects of the confounding factors on the microbiome composition. We conducted multiple analysis approaches according to participants’ renal function to further understand microbiome alteration in different degrees of renal insufficiency. An interesting group of bacteria showed a step-wise change in relative abundance in response to the three groups’ analysis. These bacteria either decreased or increased from mild, moderate to severe renal insufficiency indicating strong and direct effects of the uremic milieu on its relative abundance. We also ran a sensitivity analysis that took into account an assembly of the significant taxa observed in an approach to investigate whether these taxa can fully explain the separation noted between the groups. We determined the projected metabolic pathways altered according to the gut microbiota composition changes. This report not only delineates with a higher certainty the effects of alteration in renal function on the microbiome, but also explores the possible role of dysbiosis on comorbid conditions through alterations in the projected metabolic pathways.

Impact statement

The heterogeneity of the renal disease, therapeutic interventions, and the original cause of the renal failure, all directly affect the microbiota. We delineate in this report the direct effect of decreased renal function on the bacterial composition following stringent criteria to eliminate the possibilities of other confounding factors and dissect the direct effects of the uremic milieu. We analyzed the microbiome following three different approaches to further evaluate the effects of mild, moderate and advanced renal insufficiency on the microbiome. We also present here a detailed functional analysis of the projected altered pathways secondary to changes in the microbiome composition.
Assessment of the Safety of the New Hybrid Pencil Type Energy (NP) Device Used Close to the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in a Porcine Model: Comparison With a Conventional Electrosurgical Knife
Authors: Takeuchi Masashi , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Abe Yuta , Kanazawa Akishige , Ehara Kazuhisa , Kinugasa Yusuke , Kinoshita Takahiro , Nomura Akinari , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: December 2018

Background. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis is mainly associated with esophagectomy, and it may result in not only other morbidities, such as aspiration pneumonia, but also in long-term issues. Therefore, an approach to prevent RLN paralysis is necessary. The present study was designed to determine the technical usability of the new hybrid pencil type energy (NP) device developed by Olympus Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) and compare it with a conventional electrosurgical knife (EK) for resection around the RLN lymph nodes. Methods. This nonsurvival (acute) study included 10 pigs (20 RLNs) and investigated the threshold for thermal RLN damage with the NP device and a conventional EK. To obtain basic information for our study, a preliminary experiment for heat spread was performed. Results. When using the EK device, the amplitude value disappeared at a distance of 1 mm from the RLN, but when using the NP device, the amplitude value was maintained up to a distance of 0.5 mm. There were significant differences at distances of 0 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1 mm between the NP and EK devices. Furthermore, heat spread was lower with the NP device than with the EK device. Conclusions. The new energy device developed by Olympus Corporation was found to be technically safe for resection of the RLN lymph nodes in a porcine model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the potential advantages of using this new energy device in a clinical aspect.
Sovereign myths in international relations: Sovereignty as equality and the reproduction of Eurocentric blindness
Authors: Mathieu Xavier
Published: December 2018

The concept of sovereignty still generates a considerable amount of debate in the discipline of International Relations. Using myth as a heuristic device, I argue that part of this confusion results from a mythical understanding of ‘sovereignty as equality’. Following the myth, sovereignty is seen as playing an equalising role in international relations, while international inequalities are depicted as existing despite the norm of sovereignty (and not as a result of it). The myth of sovereignty as equality thus enables international relations scholars to separate the inequalities instituted and legitimised by sovereignty from the concept itself. As a consequence, sovereignty is considered as normatively desirable since it is the best tool to offset inequalities. This article argues that the myth rests on three interlinked building blocks and that its maintenance can be explained by its normative appeal (more than by its dubious analytical value). Indeed, even those scholars who reproduce the myth acknowledge that international relations do not conform to it. As such, an effective critique of sovereignty requires both factual disproval (to reveal what the myth contributes to hide) and the construction of an alternative, more desirable myth.