bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized Controlled Trial of Surgical Versus Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal and Early Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Adiyaman Ahmet , Buist Thomas J. , Beukema Rypko J. , Smit Jaap Jan J. , Delnoy Peter Paul H.M. , Hemels Martin E.W. , Sie Hauw T. , Ramdat Misier Anand R. , Elvan Arif
Published: October 2018

Background:

Current guidelines recommend both percutaneous catheter ablation (CA) and surgical ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, with different levels of evidence. No direct comparison has been made between minimally invasive thoracoscopic pulmonary vein isolation with left atrial appendage ligation (surgical MIPI) versus percutaneous CA comprising of pulmonary vein isolation as primary treatment of atrial fibrillation. We, therefore, conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing the safety and efficacy of these 2 treatment modalities.

Methods:

Eighty patients were enrolled in the study and underwent implantable loop recorder implantation. Twenty-eight patients did not reach randomization criteria. A total of 52 patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or early persistent atrial fibrillation were randomized, 26 to CA and 26 to surgical MIPI. The primary end point was defined as freedom of atrial tachyarrhythmias, without the use of antiarrhythmic drugs. The safety end point was freedom of complications.

Results:

Median age was 57 years (range, 37–75), and 78% were men. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was present in 74%. Follow-up duration was ≥2 years in all patients. CA was noninferior to MIPI in terms of single-procedure arrhythmia-free survival after 2 years of follow-up (56.0% versus 29.2%; HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.26–1.20; log-rank
P
=0.059). Procedure-related major adverse events occurred significantly more often in MIPI than CA (20.8% versus 0%;
P
=0.029).

Conclusions:

Percutaneous pulmonary vein isolation was noninferior to MIPI in terms of efficacy and resulted in less complications.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00703157.
Loss-of-Function
ABCC8
Mutations in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Bohnen Michael S. , Ma Lijiang , Zhu Na , Qi Hongjian , McClenaghan Conor , Gonzaga-Jauregui Claudia , Dewey Frederick E. , Overton John D. , Reid Jeffrey G. , Shuldiner Alan R. , Baras Aris , Sampson Kevin J. , Bleda Marta , Hadinnapola Charaka , Haimel Matthias , Bogaard Harm J. , Church Colin , Coghlan Gerry , Corris Paul A. , Eyries Mélanie , Gibbs J. Simon R. , Girerd Barbara , Houweling Arjan C. , Humbert Marc , Guignabert Christophe , Kiely David G. , Lawrie Allan , MacKenzie Ross Rob V. , Martin Jennifer M. , Montani David , Peacock Andrew J. , Pepke-Zaba Joanna , Soubrier Florent , Suntharalingam Jay , Toshner Mark , Treacy Carmen M. , Trembath Richard C. , Vonk Noordegraaf Anton , Wharton John , Wilkins Martin R. , Wort Stephen J. , Yates Katherine , Gräf Stefan , Morrell Nicholas W. , Krishnan Usha , Rosenzweig Erika B. , Shen Yufeng , Nichols Colin G. , Kass Robert S. , Chung Wendy K.
Published: October 2018

Background:

In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pathological changes in pulmonary arterioles progressively raise pulmonary artery pressure and increase pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to right heart failure and high mortality rates. Recently, the first potassium channelopathy in PAH, because of mutations in
KCNK3
, was identified as a genetic cause and pharmacological target.

Methods:

Exome sequencing was performed to identify novel genes in a cohort of 99 pediatric and 134 adult-onset group I PAH patients. Novel rare variants in the gene identified were independently identified in a cohort of 680 adult-onset patients. Variants were expressed in COS cells and function assessed by patch-clamp and rubidium flux analysis.

Results:

We identified a de novo novel heterozygous predicted deleterious missense variant c.G2873A (p.R958H) in
ABCC8
in a child with idiopathic PAH. We then evaluated all individuals in the original and a second cohort for rare or novel variants in
ABCC8
and identified 11 additional heterozygous predicted damaging
ABCC8
variants.
ABCC8
encodes SUR1 (sulfonylurea receptor 1)—a regulatory subunit of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. We observed loss of ATP-sensitive potassium channel function for all
ABCC8
variants evaluated and pharmacological rescue of all channel currents in vitro by the SUR1 activator, diazoxide.

Conclusions:

Novel and rare missense variants in
ABCC8
are associated with PAH. Identified
ABCC8
mutations decreased ATP-sensitive potassium channel function, which was pharmacologically recovered.
Angiotensin II Causes Biphasic STAT3 Activation Through TLR4 to Initiate Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Han Jibo , Ye Shiju , Zou Chunpeng , Chen Taiwei , Wang Jingying , Li Jieli , Jiang Liqin , Xu Jianjiang , Huang Weijian , Wang Yi , Liang Guang
Published: October 2018

Evidence indicates that Ang II (angiotensin II) activates STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) in cardiomyocytes. However, the mechanisms underlying STAT3 activation and downstream responses are not fully known. In this study, we show that Ang II caused biphasic STAT3 activation in cardiomyocytes. A rapid and early activation was mediated by direct association between TLR4 (toll-like receptor-4) and STAT3. This early activation increased IL-6 (interleukin-6) production, which in turn, induced the second STAT3 activation through the IL-6/gp130 (glycoprotein 130)/JAK2 (Janus-family tyrosine kinases 2) pathway, resulting in unregulated expression of genes for cardiac remodeling. Moreover, STAT3 inhibition or TLR4 knockout in mice protected against Ang II–induced hypertrophy, fibrosis, and cardiac functional deficits. Thus, Ang II–induced STAT3 activation in cardiomyocytes was biphasic, providing a sequential induction of IL-6 and myocardial remodeling genes, respectively. This work supports a novel mechanism on STAT3 activation in Ang II–induced cardiac dysfunction and remodeling.
Cystatin C for Risk Stratification in Patients After an Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Correa Simon , Morrow David A. , Braunwald Eugene , Davies Richard Y. , Goodrich Erica L. , Murphy Sabina A. , Cannon Christopher P. , O'Donoghue Michelle L.
Published: October 2018

Background

Cystatin C (Cys‐C) is a marker of renal function that has shown prognostic value for cardiovascular risk stratification across different patient populations. The incremental value of Cys‐C beyond established cardiac and renal biomarkers remains incompletely explored.

Methods and Results

SOLID
‐
TIMI
52 (Stabilization of Plaques Using Darapladib‐Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 52;
www.clinicaltrials.gov
, NCT01000727) randomized patients ≤30 days post–acute coronary syndrome were treated with darapladib or placebo. The association between Cys‐C and long‐term risk (median follow‐up 2.5 years) was assessed in 4965 individuals with adjustments made for clinical variables and other risk markers (eg, estimated glomerular filtration rate, high‐sensitivity troponin I, brain‐type natriuretic peptide, and fibroblast growth factor‐23). The prespecified outcome of interest was cardiovascular death (CVD) or heart failure hospitalization. Cys‐C was strongly correlated with creatinine (
r
=0.60) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (
r
=−0.68), moderately correlated with fibroblast growth factor‐23 (
r
=0.39), and weakly correlated with brain‐type natriuretic peptide (
r
=0.28) and high‐sensitivity troponin I (
r
=0.06) (all
P
<0.0001). After multivariate adjustment, increasing concentration of Cys‐C (per
SD
of log‐transformed Cys‐C) was significantly associated with a 28% higher hazard of CVD or heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio [
HR
] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [
CI
] 1.12‐1.46,
P
<0.001), including CVD (
HR
1.24, 95%
CI
1.04‐1.47,
P
=0.01) and heart failure hospitalization (
HR
1.42, 95%
CI
1.19‐1.69,
P
<0.001). Cys‐C was also associated with a higher hazard of CVD, myocardial infarction, or stroke (
HR
1.15, 95%
CI
1.04‐1.28,
P
<0.01), including myocardial infarction (
HR
1.17, 95%
CI
1.02‐1.33,
P
=0.02). The addition of Cys‐C to a fully adjusted model without estimated glomerular filtration rate improved the C‐statistic from 0.80 to 0.81 (
P
=0.03) for CVD or heart failure hospitalization. In contrast, the addition of estimated glomerular filtration rate to a fully adjusted model without Cys‐C failed to improve model discrimination (
P
=0.17).

Conclusions

Cys‐C is associated with the risk of adverse outcomes in patients after acute coronary syndrome. This relationship is independent of established and novel biomarkers of the cardiorenal axis.
Impact of Ideal Cardiovascular Health in Childhood on the Retinal Microvasculature in Midadulthood: Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study
Authors: Campbell Matthew D. , Laitinen Tomi T. , Hughes Alun , Pahkala Katja , Juonala Markus , Kähönen Mika , Wong Tien Y. , Lehtimäki Terho , Hutri‐Kähönen Nina , Raitakari Olli T. , Tapp Robyn J.
Published: October 2018

Background

This study examined the association between ideal cardiovascular health (
CVH
) and the retinal microvasculature in midadulthood.

Methods and Results

The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study included children from 5 Finnish University cities, who were chosen randomly from the national population register. Participants ranged from 12 to 18 years in childhood (1986) and from 37 to 43 years in midadulthood (2011). Ideal
CVH
was defined according to the American Heart Association criteria. Retinal microvascular measures included diameters, lengths, length:diameter ratio, and tortuosity. From childhood to adulthood, fasting plasma glucose and blood pressure were significantly higher in those with impaired fasting glucose or diabetes mellitus. Childhood ideal
CVH
was negatively associated with adult arteriolar tortuosity (β=−0.008; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.01 to −0.003;
P
=0.001). Improved ideal
CVH
from childhood to adulthood was positively associated with adult arteriolar diameter (β=0.122; 95% CI, 0.01–0.24;
P
=0.033) and negatively associated with adult length:diameter ratio (β=−0.666; 95% CI, −1.25 to −0.08;
P
=0.026). When stratified by glucose metabolism, among those with diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose, there was a negative association between childhood ideal
CVH
and adult venular diameter (diabetes mellitus: β=−2.75; 95%
CI
, −5.46 to −0.04;
P
=0.047; impaired fasting glucose: β=−2.13; 95%
CI,
−4.18 to −0.08;
P
=0.042).

Conclusions

This study is the first to comprehensively examine the impact of
CVH
from childhood to midadulthood on quantitative measures of the retinal microvasculature. Ideal
CVH
in childhood and improvement in
CVH
from childhood to adulthood appears to have a protective effect on the retinal microvasculature in those with, without, and at risk of diabetes mellitus.
Immediate and Delayed Procedural Stroke or Death in Stenting Versus Endarterectomy for Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis
Authors: Müller Mandy D. , von Felten Stefanie , Algra Ale , Becquemin Jean-Pierre , Brown Martin , Bulbulia Richard , Calvet David , Eckstein Hans-Henning , Fraedrich Gustav , Halliday Alison , Hendrikse Jeroen , Gregson John , Howard George , Jansen Olav , Mas Jean-Louis , Brott Thomas G. , Ringleb Peter A. , Bonati Leo H. ,   for the Carotid Stenosis Trialists’ Collaboration
Published: October 2018

Background and Purpose—

Stenting for symptomatic carotid stenosis (carotid artery stenting [CAS]) carries a higher risk of procedural stroke or death than carotid endarterectomy (CEA). It is unclear whether this extra risk is present both on the day of procedure and within 1 to 30 days thereafter and whether clinical risk factors differ between these periods.

Methods—

We analyzed the risk of stroke or death occurring on the day of procedure (immediate procedural events) and within 1 to 30 days thereafter (delayed procedural events) in 4597 individual patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent CAS (n=2326) or CEA (n=2271) in 4 randomized trials.

Results—

Compared with CEA, patients treated with CAS were at greater risk for immediate procedural events (110 versus 42; 4.7% versus 1.9%; odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.9–3.8) but not for delayed procedural events (59 versus 46; 2.5% versus 2.0%; odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9–1.9; interaction
P
=0.006). In patients treated with CAS, age increased the risk for both immediate and delayed events while qualifying event severity only increased the risk of delayed events. In patients treated with CEA, we found no risk factors for immediate events while a higher level of disability at baseline and known history of hypertension were associated with delayed procedural events.

Conclusions—

The increased procedural stroke or death risk associated with CAS compared with CEA was caused by an excess of events occurring on the day of procedure. This finding demonstrates the need to enhance the procedural safety of CAS by technical improvements of the procedure and increased operator skill. Higher age increased the risk for both immediate and delayed procedural events in CAS, mechanisms of which remain to be elucidated.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00190398. URL:
http://www.isrctn.com
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN57874028. URL:
http://www.isrctn.com
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN25337470. URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00004732.
Focal Cerebral Arteriopathy of Childhood
Authors: Fullerton Heather J. , Stence Nicholas , Hills Nancy K. , Jiang Bin , Amlie-Lefond Catherine , Bernard Timothy J. , Friedman Neil R. , Ichord Rebecca , Mackay Mark T. , Rafay Mubeen F. , Chabrier Stéphane , Steinlin Maja , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , deVeber Gabrielle A. , Wintermark Max ,   the VIPS Investigators
Published: October 2018

Background and Purpose—

Focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA)—a common cause of arterial ischemic stroke in previously healthy children—often progresses over days to weeks, increasing the risk of recurrent stroke. We developed a novel severity scoring system designed to quantify FCA progression and correlate with clinical outcomes.

Methods—

The VIPS study (Vascular Effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke) prospectively enrolled 355 children with arterial ischemic stroke (2010–2014), including 41 with centrally confirmed FCA. Two neuroradiologists independently reviewed FCA cerebrovascular imaging, assigning a graded severity score of zero (no involvement) to 4 (occlusion) to individual arterial segments. The FCA severity score (FCASS) was the unweighted sum. In an iterative process, we modeled scores derived from different combinations of arterial segments to identify the model that optimized correlation with clinical outcome, simplicity, and reliability.

Results—

The optimal FCASS summed scores from 5 arterial segments: supraclinoid internal carotid artery, A1, A2, M1, and M2. The median (interquartile range) baseline FCASS was 4 (2–6). Of 33 children with follow-up imaging, the maximum FCASS (at any time point) was 7 (5–9). Twenty-four (73%) had FCA progression on follow-up with their maximum FCASS at a median of 8 (5–35.5) days poststroke; their median FCASS increase was 4 (2.5–6). FCASS did not correlate with recurrent arterial ischemic stroke. Maximum (but not baseline) FCASS correlated with 1-year pediatric stroke outcome measures (
P
=0.037).

Conclusions—

Our novel scoring system for FCA severity correlates with neurological outcomes in the VIPS cohort and provides a tool for FCA treatment trials under development.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Paired With Upper Limb Rehabilitation After Chronic Stroke
Authors: Kimberley Teresa J. , Pierce David , Prudente Cecília N. , Francisco Gerard E. , Yozbatiran Nuray , Smith Patricia , Tarver Brent , Engineer Navzer D. , Alexander Dickie David , Kline Danielle K. , Wigginton Jane G. , Cramer Steven C. , Dawson Jesse
Published: October 2018

Background and Purpose—

We assessed safety, feasibility, and potential effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with rehabilitation for improving arm function after chronic stroke.

Methods—

We performed a randomized, multisite, double-blinded, sham-controlled pilot study. All participants were implanted with a VNS device and received 6-week in-clinic rehabilitation followed by a home exercise program. Randomization was to active VNS (n=8) or control VNS (n=9) paired with rehabilitation. Outcomes were assessed at days 1, 30, and 90 post-completion of in-clinic therapy.

Results—

All participants completed the course of therapy. There were 3 serious adverse events related to surgery. Average FMA-UE scores increased 7.6 with active VNS and 5.3 points with control at day 1 post–in-clinic therapy (difference, 2.3 points; CI, −1.8 to 6.4;
P
=0.20). At day 90, mean scores increased 9.5 points from baseline with active VNS, and the control scores improved by 3.8 (difference, 5.7 points; CI, −1.4 to 11.5;
P
=0.055). The clinically meaningful response rate of FMA-UE at day 90 was 88% with active VNS and 33% with control VNS (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

VNS paired with rehabilitation was acceptably safe and feasible in participants with upper limb motor deficit after chronic ischemic stroke. A pivotal study of this therapy is justified.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02243020.
Postmortem Study Exploring Distribution and Patterns of Intracranial Artery Calcification
Authors: Yang Wen-Jie , Zheng Lu , Wu Xiao-Hong , Huang Zhong-Qing , Niu Chun-Bo , Zhao Hai-Lu , Leung Thomas Wai-Hong , Wong Lawrence Ka-Sing , Chen Xiang-Yan
Published: October 2018

Background and Purpose—

Intracranial artery calcification detected by computed tomography is associated with ischemic stroke as an indicator of intracranial atherosclerosis. However, little is known about its histopathology. This study aimed to explore the intracranial calcification patterns and their associations with atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods—

We recruited 32 adult autopsy cases to assess the calcification patterns and distributions in the middle cerebral artery, vertebral artery, and basilar artery. The relationships of calcification patterns with plaque phenotype and luminal stenosis were evaluated. The calcification patterns on computed tomography were correlated with that on histology.

Results—

Visible calcifications were detected within 37 (39%) segments, including 25 segments with intimal calcification, 6 segments with internal elastic lamina calcification, 3 segments with adventitial calcification, and 3 segments with concurrent calcification. Calcification occurred more often in the vertebral artery (51%), followed by the middle cerebral artery (35%) and basilar artery (14%;
P
<0.01 for vertebral artery versus basilar artery). Internal elastic lamina calcification was predominantly detected in the vertebral artery (7/8, 88%). All of the 27 (100%) intimal calcifications were present in the progressive atherosclerotic lesions (
P
<0.001), whereas only 3/8 (38%) internal elastic lamina calcifications and 4/6 (67%) adventitial calcifications were associated with progressive plaques. Arteries with intimal calcification had more severe luminal stenosis than those without (46% versus 21%;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Our histological findings indicate that the presence of intracranial artery calcification has 3 patterns, including intimal, internal elastic lamina, and adventitial calcifications. But only intimal calcification is related with progressive atherosclerotic lesions, indicative of a proxy for intracranial atherosclerosis.
Characterisation of two Chinese native Hemicriconemoides species (Nematoda: Criconematidae) with updated descriptions of H. chitwoodi Esser, 1960 and Criconemoides myungsugae Choi & Geraert, 1975
Authors: Maria Munawar , Cai Ruihang , Castillo Pablo , Cantalapiedra-Navarrete Carolina , Zheng Jingwu
Published: October 2018

Populations ofHemicriconemoides chitwoodi,H. fujianensis,H. parasinensis, andCriconemoides myungsugaeisolated in China from the rhizosphere soil of woody perennials were characterised molecularly, important morphological details being elucidated by SEM observations. The morphometric data of the Chinese populations were compared with all previously reported populations. The SEM observations ofen faceviews indicated thatH. chitwoodiandH. parasinensishave lip patterns belonging to type 1 and phylogenetically both species clustered with otherHemicriconemoidesspecies that showed the same kind of lip pattern. On the other hand,H. fujianensisshowed a lip pattern belonging to type 2 and phylogenetically appears basal to the above-mentioned clade. SEM observation ofC. myungsugaeshowed that the first lip annulus forms a non-projecting uninterrupted disc and the labial annulus is a rectangular shape with slight dorsal and ventral indentations. Phylogenetic relationships amongCriconemoidesspp. are apparently not well resolved. The present study provides updated morphological descriptions, molecular diagnostics and phylogenetic relationships ofH. chitwoodi,H. fujianensis,H. parasinensis, andC. myungsugae, the last species being the first report from China.
Experimental evidence for crustacean zooplankton grazing activity on mixotrophic ciliates
Authors: De Los Rios Patricio , Woelfl Stefan , Soto Cristian
Published: October 2018

With their ultraoligotrophic status, the Chilean North Patagonian lakes have mixotrophic ciliates in their pelagic environments as producers, whereas the primary consumers are crustaceans that are low in abundance and species numbers. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential grazer role of mixotrophic ciliates on crustacean zooplankton collected in a lake without mixotrophic ciliates. Three experiments were conducted; one had a control with mixotrophic ciliates and an experimental treatment including the copepod Boeckella gracilipes obtained from Caburgua lake, whereas the second and third experiments had a control without zooplankton, and three treatments with the addition of Daphnia pulex and Mesocyclops araucanus, and a third treatment with equal amounts of both species. The results revealed grazing effects on the mixotrophic ciliates in the experimental treatments. This finding supports the evidence from the field and experiments suggesting that, in the transition from oligotrophy to mesotrophy with consequent changes in zooplankton, species number and abundance of mixotrophic ciliates decrease in their abundance.
Necessarily Coextensive Predicates and Reduction
Authors: Stratton-Lake Philip
Published: October 2018

Bart Streumer argues that all normative properties are descriptive properties. His first argument is based on the principle that necessarily coextensive predicates ascribe the same property (N), and the claim that there is a descriptive predicate that is necessarily coextensive with normative predicates. From this Streumer concludes that normative properties are identical with descriptive properties. I argue that, even if we accept (N), this conclusion does not follow. Normative properties could only be descriptive properties if there is some descriptive way in which all instances of normative properties are similar. But Streumer does not show that, and the prospects for doing so are, I believe, not good. His second argument rests on the premise that the nature of normative properties cannot depend on which first order normative theory is true. I argue that this premise is false, and that the argument for it does not sit comfortably with (N).
On Reading Xiehou 邂逅 (“Chance Meeting”) as Xing hou 邢侯 (“Marquis of Xing”)
Authors: Gang Liu
Published: October 2018

The words “Xie hou” in the poem “Chou mou” 綢繆 from the “Airs of Tang” in the Shi jing are written as “Xing hou” in the Anhui University Warring States Bamboo Manuscript Shi jing. This might reflect the original orthographic form of the poem. The order of the poem in the manuscript version is different from the received Mao edition and reverses the second and third stanzas. These differences are determined by a different understanding of the people referred to by liangren, canzhe (pointing to a “Grandee”), and Xing hou.
Hope and Irony
Authors: Lundsgaard-Leth Kresten
Published: October 2018

This article looks into the phenomena of irony and hope as well as their relation. The article starts out with an analysis of Richard Rorty’s understanding of private irony and social hope. Here, I argue the case that Rortarian irony is not primarily a matter of epistemic skepticism but instead an existential stance meant to deal appropriately with the idiosyncratic nature of one’s private projects. Moving on, the article focuses on Jonathan Lear’s depiction of two peculiar instances of two phenomena: radical hope and ironic disruption. Whereas radical hope is the experience of hope in a crisis situation where all meaning—and thus every reason to act—has been lost, the experience of ironic disruption accentuates the constitutive instability and openness of the practical identities we inhabit. Insofar as Rorty cannot account for these phenomena, Lear’s analyses present a serious challenge to Rorty’s neo-pragmatic philosophy.
Contribution to the flora of the Maltese Islands: Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce and Euphorbia exigua s. l. (Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: MIFSUD STEPHEN
Published: October 2018

The identity and the taxonomic treatment of the species belonging to Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce occurring on the Maltese Islands were not adequately studied both in historical and recent literature. Apart from the native sand dune species Euphorbia peplis, all records have been previously attributed to the cosmopolitan weedy species E. maculata and E. chamaesyce. This work provides the first taxonomic synopsis based on the examination of 53 specimens collected from Malta and Gozo between 2014 and 2017. The study ascertained the occurrence of six species, of which E. serpens, E. prostrata and E. hypericifolia are first reported from the Maltese Islands. Discussion on the taxonomy, origin, ecology and invasiveness of these species is provided, together with photos and an identification key. Moreover, taxonomic studies on E. exigua s. l., belonging to subg. Esula, sect. Exiguae, have been carried out on Maltese material and discussed. E. exigua var. pycnophylla, originally described as endemic of the Maltese Archipelago and recorded afterwards on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, bears no significant morphological trait which allows to clearly distinguish it from the nominal variety. No differences in fruit and seed morphology resulted when the two varieties were compared and the slight differences present in the habit of the plant and the arrangement of leaves has been judged to be of ecotypic origin, hence justifying the lumping of this variety into the single and variable taxon E. exigua.
An updated taxonomy of the genus Phlogacanthus (Acanthaceae) in Vietnam
Authors: DO HAI VAN , NGUYEN MAI THI , NGUYEN HUONG THI THANH , CHOUDHARY RITESH KUMAR , DENG YUNFEI
Published: October 2018

In the present paper, taxonomic notes on the genus Phlogacanthus from Vietnam are provided. A new combination, P. datii, is proposed. A lectotype is designated for its basionym Cystacanthus datii. In addition, Phlogacanthus paniculatus is reported as a newly recorded species from Vietnam. Descriptions, illustrations, photographs and ecological notes are provided for both species. An identification key for the species of the genus Phlogacanthus from Vietnam is also provided.
Lectotypification of Themeda strigosa (Poaceae, Panicoideae, Andropogoneae)
Authors: KARTHIGEYAN K. , MURUGAN P.
Published: October 2018

The genus Themeda Forsskål (1775: 178) comprises 29 species which are distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, mainly in Asia (Chen & Phillips 2006; Kellogg, 2015; Veldkamp 2016). In India, the genus is represented by about 17 species, including five endemic species (Bor 1960, Sreekumar & Nair 1991, Kabeer & Nair 2009, Singh et al. 2015). While studying the herbarium specimens of Themeda housed at CAL, we found that the name Anthistiria strigosa Buchanan-Hamilton ex Hooker (1896: 214), the basionym of Themeda strigosa (Buchanan-Hamilton ex Hooker) Camus (1920: 423), needs to be typified.
A new fossil species of Euroleptochromus Jałoszyński (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) from Eocene Baltic amber
Authors: YIN ZI-WEI , CAI CHEN-YANG
Published: October 2018

A new species of the extinct scydmaenine genus Euroleptochromus Jałoszyński (Mastigitae: Leptochromini), E. tuberculatus Yin & Cai, sp. nov., is described from Eocene Baltic amber. It can be separated from the two previously known congeners by the different proportions of the body parts and spination of the profemur, and more importantly, lack of an elongate postgenal process of the head. Our finding demonstrates for the first time a notable variability of the postgenal structures within Euroleptochromus.
New encrusting species of Lanceoporidae (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata) from the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Authors: CUMMING ROBYN L. , SEBASTIAN PASCAL
Published: October 2018

Three new species of lanceoporids from the southern Great Barrier Reef are described. Calyptotheca trimandibulata n. sp. is recorded from inter-reefal sites, Stephanotheca bahloo n. sp. is recorded from a coral reef site, and Stephanotheca kutyeri n. sp. is recorded from inter-reefal sites and also Bass Strait and the Great Australian Bight, and is therefore unusual amongst Australian lanceoporids in occurring in both tropical and temperate locations. The known variation in morphological characters is widened for both genera: C. trimandibulata n. sp. is the only known Calyptotheca species typically having three adventitious avicularia per zooid, S. bahloo n. sp. has the most pronounced orifice dimorphism and the most transversely oval primary orifice for the genus, and S. kutyeri n. sp. is distinguished by long, narrow, slit-like pseudopores in the frontal shield. All three species have occasional dimorphic autozooids, distinguished by larger orifices resembling those of the respective ovicellate zooids, and this is documented for the first time for both genera.
An Intraseasonal Mode of Atmospheric Variability Relevant to the U.S. Hydroclimate in Boreal Summer: Dynamic Origin and East Asia Connection
Authors: Zhao Siyu , Deng Yi , Black Robert X.
Published: October 2018

Intraseasonal modes of atmospheric variability over the Northern Hemisphere (NH) midlatitudes in boreal summer are identified via an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the daily 10–90-day bandpass-filtered 250-hPa streamfunction for the period of 1950–2016. The first two EOF modes are characterized, respectively, by (i) a single-signed streamfunction anomaly that extends across the NH and (ii) a regional dipole structure with centers over the Aleutian Islands and northeastern Pacific. The third EOF mode (EOF-3) is a quasi-stationary wave train over the Pacific–North American sector with an equivalent barotropic structure in the vertical. EOF-3 is associated with a northwest–southeast oriented anomalous precipitation dipole over the United States. A nonmodal instability analysis of the boreal summer climatological flow in terms of the 250-hPa streamfunction reveals that one of the top “optimal mode” disturbances mimicking the EOF-3 structure grows from an initial precursor disturbance over East Asia through extracting kinetic energy from background flow and attains its maximum amplitude in around nine days. An additional lag regression analysis illustrates that anomalous latent heating associated with cloud and precipitation formation over East Asia is responsible for generating the precursor disturbance for the EOF-3-like optimal mode. This result suggests the existence of an important connection between the hydrological cycles of East Asia and North America, which is dynamically intrinsic to the boreal summer upper-tropospheric flow. Knowledge of such a connection will help us better understand and model hydroclimate variability over these two continents.
Creating Synthetic Radar Imagery Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Veillette Mark S. , Hassey Eric P. , Mattioli Christopher J. , Iskenderian Haig , Lamey Patrick M.
Published: October 2018

In this work deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are shown to be an effective model for fusing heterogeneous geospatial data to create radar-like analyses of precipitation intensity (i.e., synthetic radar). The CNN trained in this work has a directed acyclic graph (DAG) structure that takes inputs from multiple data sources with varying spatial resolutions. These data sources include geostationary satellite (1-km visible and four 4-km infrared bands), lightning flash density from Earth Network’s Total Lightning Network, and numerical model data from NOAA’s 13-km Rapid Refresh model. A regression is performed in the final layer of the network using NEXRAD-derived data mapped onto a 1-km grid as a target variable. The outputs of the CNN are fused with analyses from NEXRAD to create seamless radar mosaics that extend to offshore sectors and beyond. The model is calibrated and validated using both NEXRAD and spaceborne radar from NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission’s Core Observatory satellite. The advantages over a random forest–based approach used in previous works are discussed.
Probabilistic Precipitation Forecast Postprocessing Using Quantile Mapping and Rank-Weighted Best-Member Dressing
Authors: Hamill Thomas M. , Scheuerer Michael
Published: October 2018

Hamill et al. described a multimodel ensemble precipitation postprocessing algorithm that is used operationally by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS). This article describes further changes that produce improved, reliable, and skillful probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts (PQPFs) for single or multimodel prediction systems. For multimodel systems, final probabilities are produced through the linear combination of PQPFs from the constituent models. The new methodology is applied to each prediction system. Prior to adjustment of the forecasts, parametric cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of model and analyzed climatologies are generated using the previous 60 days’ forecasts and analyses and supplemental locations. The CDFs, which can be stored with minimal disk space, are then used for quantile mapping to correct state-dependent bias for each member. In this stage, the ensemble is also enlarged using a stencil of forecast values from the 5 × 5 surrounding grid points. Different weights and dressing distributions are assigned to the sorted, quantile-mapped members, with generally larger weights for outlying members and broader dressing distributions for members with heavier precipitation. Probability distributions are generated from the weighted sum of the dressing distributions. The NWS Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS), the Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC) global ensemble, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ensemble forecast data are postprocessed for April–June 2016. Single prediction system postprocessed forecasts are generally reliable and skillful. Multimodel PQPFs are roughly as skillful as the ECMWF system alone. Postprocessed guidance was generally more skillful than guidance using the Gamma distribution approach of Scheuerer and Hamill, with coefficients generated from data pooled across the United States.
Weighted Walking Influences Lower Extremity Coordination in Children on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Eggleston Jeffrey D. , Landers Merrill R. , Bates Barry T. , Nagelhout Ed , Dufek Janet S.
Published: October 2018

There is sparse quantitative research regarding gait coordination patterns of children on the autism spectrum, though previous studies, relying only upon observational data, have alluded to characteristically poor movement coordination. This study compared walking with a weighted vest, a backpack carriage, and an unloaded walking condition on lower extremity coordination among 10 male children (aged 8–17 years) on the autism spectrum. All participants completed 15 gait trials in the following three conditions: (a) unloaded, (b) wearing a backpack weighted with 15% body mass, and (c) wearing a vest weighted with 15% body mass. We used continuous relative phase analysis to quantify lower extremity coordination and analyzed data through both group and single-subject comparisons. We used the Model Statistic to test for statistical significance at each of the normalized data points for each segment couple (thigh–leg, leg–foot, and thigh–foot). The first 10 and last 10 stride blocks were tested for possible accommodation strategies. Group comparisons revealed no coordination changes among the three conditions (likely due to insufficient statistical power), while single-subject comparisons exposed significant decreased variability in gait coordination patterns ( p < .05) in both loaded conditions, relative to the unloaded condition. These participants exhibited variable coordination patterns during the unloaded gait. When walking with loads, coordination pattern variability of the lower extremities was decreased. This finding suggests that walking while carrying or wearing heavy objects may reduce the number of potential motor pattern choices and thus decrease the overall variability of lower extremity movement patterns. Additional research with a larger and more diverse participant sample is required to confirm this conclusion.
Causality between European Economic Policy Uncertainty and Tourism Using Wavelet-Based Approaches
Authors: Wu Tsung-Pao , Wu Hung-Che
Published: October 2018

This article aims to examine the link between European economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and tourism activities in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Spain using wavelet transform context structures. This innovative technique allows the decomposition of time-series at different time frequencies. In this work, we used continuous wavelets, wavelet coherency, and wavelet phase difference based on Granger causality analysis to investigate the relationship between European EPU and tourism using the annual data from 1995 to 2015. The results indicate that there is a unidirectional causal influence of European EPU on international tourism receipts (ITR) in the short run and a bidirectional causal influence of European EPU on ITR in European countries in the long run. Accordingly, it can be recommended that the government needs to increase and promote tourism demand and to further provide and nurture the expansion of tourism supply.
Structure and properties of ultrasonically extruded SBR/BR blends and prepared compounds and vulcanizates with various fillers
Authors: Liang Tian , Isayev Avraam I
Published: October 2018

The ultrasonic treatment of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)/butadiene rubber (BR) 50/50 blend in single screw extruder was carried out at amplitudes up to 10 μm. The untreated and treated SBR/BR blends were mixed with carbon black (CB), silica, and silica/silane to prepare 50/50/60 compounds. It was found that ultrasonic power consumption increased and die pressure reduced with the increase of ultrasonic amplitude, indicating a potential to increase extrusion output rate with the aid of ultrasound. Molecular weight of blends treated at 3.5 μm increased, and high molecular weight tail was observed at 5, 7.5, and 10 μm. Solvent extraction experiments showed the formation of gel in blends treated at 7.5 and 10 μm. No gel was observed in blends untreated and treated at 3.5 and 5 μm. SBR/BR/silica vulcanizates prepared from the blend treated at 5 μm showed the reduced loss tangent at −30°C, 0°C, and 60°C, predicting a lower snow, wet traction, and rolling resistance. Reduced loss tangent after ultrasonic treatment was a result of reduced filler flocculation. The tensile strength and elongation at break of all treated SBR/BR and SBR/BR/CB vulcanizates treated at 3.5 and 5 μm increased. Modulus 100% elongation (M100) of vulcanizates prepared from SBR/BR/silica treated at 5 μm was also increased.
Lateral control of an Aerosonde facing tolerance in parameters and operation speed: performance robustness study
Authors: Seyedtabaii S , Zaker S
Published: October 2018

The aim is to acquire low variance roll responses (performance robustness) of control of an Aerosonde despite the high level of tolerances in aerodynamic parameters and working speed. In this respect, fractional-order proportional plus integral and derivative (FOPID) is a valuable option; others are H∞ and μ synthesis. FOPID can tolerate system uncertainty by maintaining a wide open-loop flat phase margin band. All three methods are worked out using the linearized system model and deliver (at least initially) high-integer-order controllers. The uncertainty level is not explicitly considered in H∞, but it may be presented in the μ synthesis and FOPID. The uncertainty presentation in the modified fractional-order controller (mFOC) design is through a Φd curve. The Φd curve is fitted to the mean of the upper and lower bands of the phase margins distribution map of the random systems. It is shown that the mFOC design perfectly secures the desired phase margin flatness. The controllers are applied to the roll of an unmanned aircraft vehicle with a 30% tolerance in the aerodynamic parameters, and operation speed and robustness in performance is evaluated. The simulation results indicate that the mFOC design renders more coherent responses than what H∞ and µ synthesis design deliver. This is confirmed through extensive simulations.
Suppression of high-frequency disturbance to satellite by Vernier-gimballing magnetically suspended flywheel
Authors: Tang Jiqiang , Wang Ying , Liu Bin , Zhao Xiaofeng
Published: October 2018

The high-frequency disturbance acting on a satellite decreases the satellite’s stability and pointing precision. The common flywheel is generally used to suppress it, but the number of the required flywheels is usually five or more and that will make the satellite overweight. The magnetically suspended flywheel (MSFW) with Vernier-gimballing capability (Vernier-gimballing MSFW) is proposed in this paper to suppress the high-frequency disturbance. In addition, a comparative simulation research has been done for a satellite controlled by Vernier-gimballing MSFW or reaction FW. It is worth noting that the Vernier-gimbaling MSFW can not only make the actual angle of the satellite track its reference angle better, but also make the accumulative errors of outer and inner virtual gimbal angle be very small, then the satellite’s stability and pointing precision will be improved accordingly. The Vernier-gimballing MSFW is verified to be able to suppress the high-frequency disturbance effectively when their frequencies are within the frequency bandwidth of MSFW.
What Cognitive Mechanisms Do People Reflect on When They Predict IAT Scores?
Authors: Rivers Andrew M. , Hahn Adam
Published: October 2018

Research indicates that individuals can prospectively predict biases they will show on the implicit-association test (IAT). The present study uses the Quadruple process model to analyze data from Hahn, Judd, Hirsh, and Blair to investigate which cognitive mechanisms people reflect on when predicting their racial bias scores on the IAT. The Quadruple process model reveals that a combination of activated associations and self-regulatory control best explains what participants report when they predict their biases on the IAT. Furthermore, it appears to be specifically the total activation of positive attitudes toward Whites and negative attitudes toward minorities rather than negative attitudes toward minorities alone, that participants use to make their predictions.
Patient Acuity Related to Clinical Research: Concept Clarification and Literature Review
Authors: Brennan Caitlin W. , Krumlauf Michael , Feigenbaum Kathryn , Gartrell Kyungsook , Cusack Georgie
Published: October 2018

In research settings, clinical and research requirements contribute to nursing workload, staffing decisions, and resource allocation. The aim of this article is to define patient acuity in the context of clinical research, or research intensity, and report available instruments to measure it. The design was based on Centre for Reviews and Dissemination recommendations, including defining search terms, developing inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by abstract review by three members of the team, thorough reading of each article by two team members, and data extraction procedures, including a quality appraisal of each article. Few instruments were available to measure research intensity. Findings provide foundational work for conceptual clarity and tool development, both of which are necessary before workforce allocation based on research intensity can occur.
Marketing information system and strategies for sustainable and competitive medicinal and aromatic plants trade
Authors: Chandra Pramod , Sharma Vinay
Published: October 2018

Realizing the sustainability and competitiveness in the trade of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) resources of north India is challenging due to lack of participation from the primary producers (growers and harvesters). This is credited to their unawareness of sustainable resources management practices caused by the lack of a marketing information system (MIS) in the trade. The introduction of a MIS can supplement sustainability in the sector, while improving competitiveness. Through a qualitative research approach, this study investigates the need for marketing information among the primary producers of medicinal and aromatic plants of Uttarakhand, and offers a comprehensive framework for a provincial MIS and strategies for the MAP trade. The proposed MIS would be helpful in linking the MAP trade with sustainability and competitiveness.
Prophylactic uterine artery embolization in second-trimester pregnancy termination with complete placenta previa
Authors: Wang Yinfeng , Hu Changchang , Pan Ningpin , Chen Chaolu , Wu Ruijin
Published: October 2018

Objective

This study was performed to assess whether prophylactic uterine artery embolization (UAE) is beneficial for second-trimester abortion with complete placenta previa (CPP).

Methods

Patients with CPP who underwent second-trimester pregnancy termination by labor induction with or without UAE from January 2010 to January 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. In total, 25 patients were eligible for analysis. The primary outcomes were the abortion success rate and bleeding volume, and the secondary outcomes were the induction-to-abortion time, length of hospital stay, and complications.

Results

CPP occurred in all 25 patients. Fifteen patients underwent prophylactic UAE (UAE group) and 10 did not (control group). Abortion was successful in 13 of 15 (86.7%) women in the UAE group and in 9 of 10 (90.0%) women in the control group. There was no significant difference in the bleeding volume or induction-to-abortion time between the two groups. The hospital stay was longer and pyrexia was more common in the UAE than control group.

Conclusion

Prophylactic UAE did not markedly improve the outcomes of second-trimester abortion in patients with CPP. Conversely, it may increase the risk of complications and prolong the hospital stay.