bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dentalion (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Entedoninae) a new genus from tropical America with eleven new species
Authors: HANSSON CHRISTER
Published: February 2019

Dentalion gen. nov. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Entedoninae), is described from the northern part of the Neotropical region, from Costa Rica to Ecuador and Brazil, and the Caribbean (Trinidad & Tobago). It comprises eleven new species: D. alveum, D. ambonatum, D. apertum, D. apon, D. crassicornis, D. jimenezi, D. mischum, D. noyesi, D. pinguicornis, D. pnigaliae, D. quadrifer. These species are diagnosed, described and illustrated, and a key for their identification is provided. Dentalion is characterized by two putative autapomorphies and two synapomorphies. The phylogenetic implications of these apomorphies are discussed briefly.
A new fossil genus of the family Glaphyridae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation
Authors: NIKOLAJEV G. V. , WANG BO , ZHANG HAICHUN
Published: February 2019

Lithohypna chifengensis, new genus and species of the family Glaphyridae MacLeay, 1819 is described and illustrated from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Liutiaogou of Inner Mongolia, China.
Two new goby species of the genus Eviota from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan (Teleostei: Gobiidae)
Authors: GREENFIELD DAVID W. , SUZUKI TOSHIYUKI
Published: February 2019

Two new species of goby, Eviota ancora and Eviota rubriguttata, are described from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Eviota ancora belongs to the cephalic sensory-pore system pattern group 2, has a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 8/7, simple pectoral-fin rays, and a distinctive hook-shaped orange mark on the side of the head in life. Eviota rubriguttata belongs to the cephalic sensory-pore system pattern group 1, has a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 8/7, branched pectoral-fin rays, the body peppered with tiny black chromatophores, and round red spots on the dorsal and anal fins in life.
A second species of Gegeneophis Peters (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae) lacking secondary annular grooves
Authors: GIRI VARAD , GOWER DAVID J. , GAIKWAD KSHAMATA , WILKINSON MARK
Published: February 2019

A new species of caecilian amphibian, Gegeneophis pareshi sp. nov., is described based on a series of 16 type specimens from the Western Ghats region of southern Goa, India. This species differs from all other congeners except G. seshachari Ravichandran, Gower & Wilkinson, 2003 in lacking secondary annular grooves and possessing an unsegmented terminal ‘shield’. It differs from G. seshachari in having many more primary annuli and a distinct colour pattern with a largely unpigmented head and pale anterior body.
The genus Coleobonzia declared synonymous with Neobonzia Smiley, 1992 (Bdelloidea: Cunaxidae: Coleoscirinae)
Authors: HEYER JACOB DEN
Published: February 2019

Recent investigations into the status of Smiley’s (1992) subfamily Neobonzinae, as well as the genus Neobonzia Smiley, 1992, has led to a re-evalution of this taxon.
Phylum Tardigrada: A re-evaluation of the Parachela
Authors: MARLEY NIGEL J. , MCINNES SANDRA J. , SANDS CHESTER J.
Published: February 2019

We assessed the available morphological evidence to see if this corroborates the paraphyly in the Parachela (Tardigrada) as suggested by recent molecular data. We reconcile molecular phylogenetics with alpha morphology, focusing on claw and apophysis for the insertion of the stylet muscles (AISM). We combine molecular and morphological evidence to define six new taxa within the Parachela Schuster et al 1980. These include two new families of Isohypsibiidae fam. nov. and Ramazzottidae fam. nov. along with four new superfamilies of Eohypsibioidea superfam. nov., Hypsibioidea super- fam. nov., Isohypsibioidea superfam. nov., and Macrobiotoidea superfam. nov.
Can CMIP5 Earth System Models Reproduce the Interannual Variability of Air–Sea CO2 Fluxes over the Tropical Pacific Ocean?
Authors: Jin Chenxi , Zhou Tianjun , Chen Xiaolong
Published: February 2019

Interannual variability of air–sea CO2 exchange is an important metric that represents the interaction between the carbon cycle and climate change. Although previous studies report a large bias in the CO2 flux interannual variability in many Earth system models (ESMs), the reason for this bias remains unclear. In this study, the performance of ESMs in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) is assessed in the context of the variability of air–sea CO2 flux over the tropical Pacific related to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) using an emission-driven historical experiment. Using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the first principal component of air–sea CO2 flux shows a significant relationship with the Niño-3.4 index in both the observation-based product and models. In the observation-based product, the spatial pattern of EOF1 shows negative anomalies in the central Pacific, which is, however, in contrast to those in several ESMs, and even opposite in sign to those in HadGEM2-ES and MPI-ESM-LR. The unrealistic response of the air–sea CO2 flux to ENSO mainly originates from the biases in the anomalous surface-water CO2 partial pressure (). A linear Taylor expansion by decomposing the anomalous into contributions from salinity, sea surface temperature, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and alkalinity is applied to diagnose the biases. The results show that decreased during El Niño results from reduced upwelling of high-concentration DIC from deeper layers that overwhelms the increasing caused by warmer sea surface temperature. Overly weak reduction of vertical motion during El Niño and weak vertical gradients of climatological DIC concentration are the main reasons for biases in the negative surface DIC anomalies and eventually the anomalies. This study highlights the importance of both physical ocean responses to El Niño and climatological distributions of carbon-related tracers in the simulation of the interannual variability of air–sea CO2 fluxes.
Influence of the Kuroshio Interannual Variability on the Summertime Precipitation over the East China Sea and Adjacent Area
Authors: Gan Bolan , Kwon Young-Oh , Joyce Terrence M. , Chen Ke , Wu Lixin
Published: February 2019

Much attention has been paid to the climatic impacts of changes in the Kuroshio Extension, instead of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea (ECS). This study, however, reveals the prominent influences of the lateral shift of the Kuroshio at interannual time scale in late spring [April–June (AMJ)] on the sea surface temperature (SST) and precipitation in summer around the ECS, based on high-resolution satellite observations and ERA-Interim. A persistent offshore displacement of the Kuroshio during AMJ can result in cold SST anomalies in the northern ECS and the Japan/East Sea until late summer, which correspondingly causes anomalous cooling of the lower troposphere. Consequently, the anomalous cold SST in the northern ECS acts as a key driver to robustly enhance the precipitation from the Yangtze River delta to Kyushu in early summer (May–August) and over the central ECS in late summer (July–September). In view of the moisture budget analysis, two different physical processes modulated by the lateral shift of the Kuroshio are identified to account for the distinct responses of precipitation in early and late summer, respectively. First, the anomalous cold SST in the northern ECS induced by the Kuroshio offshore shift is likely conducive to the earlier arrival of the mei-yu–baiu front at 30°–32°N and its subsequent slower northward movement, which may prolong the local rainy season, leading to the increased rain belt in early summer. Second, the persistent cold SST anomalies in late summer strengthen the near-surface baroclinicity and the associated strong atmospheric fronts embedded in the extratropical cyclones over the central ECS, which in turn enhances the local rainfall.
Contribution of Different Time-Scale Variations to the Tropical Cyclogenesis Environment over the Northern Tropical Atlantic and Comparison with the Western North Pacific
Authors: Cao Xi , Wu Renguang , Bi Mingyu , Lan Xiaoqing , Dai Yifeng , Zhao Junhu
Published: February 2019

The present study investigates relative contributions of interannual, intraseasonal, and synoptic variations of environmental factors to tropical cyclone (TC) genesis over the northern tropical Atlantic (NTA) during July–October. Analysis shows that convection, lower-level vorticity, and midlevel specific humidity contribute to TC genesis through intraseasonal and synoptic variations with a larger contribution of the latter. The relative contribution of three components of vertical wind shear depends largely on its magnitude. The contribution of sea surface temperature (SST) to TC genesis is mainly due to the interannual component when total SST is above 27.5°C. The barotropic energy for the development of synoptic-scale disturbances comes mainly from climatological mean flows and intraseasonal wind variations. The proportion of contribution between synoptic and intraseasonal variations of convection, relative vorticity, and specific humidity is larger over the eastern NTA than over the western NTA. The barotropic energy conversion has a larger part related to climatological mean flows and intraseasonal wind variations over the eastern and western NTA, respectively. There are notable differences between the NTA and the western North Pacific (WNP). One is that the relative contribution of synoptic variations of convection, relative vorticity, and specific humidity is larger over the NTA, whereas that of intraseasonal variations is larger over the WNP. The other is that the barotropic energy conversion related to climatological mean flows and intraseasonal wind variations is comparable over the NTA, whereas that related to climatological mean flows is larger over the WNP.
The Master and the Disciple: The Almanac of John of Lignères and the Ephemerides of John of Saxony
Authors: Chabás José , Goldstein Bernard R.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we analyse and compare two sets of tables in the framework of Alfonsine astronomy composed by John of Lignères and his disciple, John of Saxony, respectively, both belonging to the first generation of scholars using the Alfonsine tables in Paris in the early fourteenth century. John of Lignères’s almanac is limited to the five planets, whereas the similar work by John of Saxony deals with the two luminaries as well. Moreover, there are other differences between these sets of tables concerning their principle of organization, precision, and accuracy.
Gain Scores Revisited: A Graphical Models Perspective
Authors: Kim Yongnam , Steiner Peter M.
Published: February 2019

For misguided reasons, social scientists have long been reluctant to use gain scores for estimating causal effects. This article develops graphical models and graph-based arguments to show that gain score methods are a viable strategy for identifying causal treatment effects in observational studies. The proposed graphical models reveal that gain score methods rely on a bias-removing mechanism that is quite different to regular matching or covariance adjustment. While gain score methods offset noncausal associations via differencing, matching or covariance adjustment blocks noncausal association via conditioning. Since gain score estimators do not rely on conditioning, they are immune to measurement error in the pretest, bias amplification, and collider bias. The graph-based arguments also demonstrate that the key identifying assumption for gain score methods, the common trend assumption, is difficult to assess and justify when the pretest causally affects treatment assignment. Finally, we discuss the distinct role of pretests in the context of Lord’s paradox.
A Dual Process Model of Help-Seeking on Social Media Websites
Authors: Fang Yu-Hui
Published: February 2019

The impacts of help-seeking (HS) on purchase decisions associated with social media websites (SMWs) are deemed powerful given the enormous popularity of social media and growth of social commerce. This research explores HS on SMWs and empirically investigates how it influences users’ decision performance. Utilizing the heuristic-systematic model (HSM), media system dependency (MSD) theory, and tangibility theory, in addition to HS logics, the research proposes a theoretical model incorporating both a MSD path and tangibility path for gauging purchase decision on SMWs. Two HS logics—dependent and autonomous—moderate the relationships between gratification, perceived diagnosticity, and decision performance. Data collected from 629 users of SMWs supported all of our hypotheses. Practitioners can benefit from the findings by more fully understanding the prospective value of diverse supports afforded by SMWs and constructing new guidelines to design more effective mechanisms that help consumers.
A mission to converge for inclusion? The smart city and the women of Seelampur
Authors: Sarkar Sreela
Published: February 2019

Based on ethnographic research in New Delhi, this article critically examines the promise of inclusion of the smart city, new governance program Mission Convergence for marginalized residents, especially minority women in the urban periphery of Seelampur. Drawing from transdisciplinary debates, I argue that this smart city program must be globally located in institutional shifts in New Public Management approaches that advocate the hybrid and networked state, entrepreneurial citizens, and self-regulated workers in the global economy. Program practices of counting the poor revealed structural inequities that were concealed behind the smooth interface of Convergence. Furthermore, subaltern women formed the nurturing interface of the networked state which was a hollow position without power. Finally, Seelampur women were trained in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and other skills as precarious labor for the global economy. My research highlights contradictory experiences of marginalized women in the context of optimism about ICT-enabled inclusion.
Plain Language Summary for Patients: Tonsillectomy in Children
Authors: Finestone Sandra A. , Giordano Terri , Mitchell Ron B. , Walsh Sandra A. , O'Connor Sarah S. , Satterfield Lisa M.
Published: February 2019

This plain language summary for patients serves as an overview explaining tonsillectomy in children and to help patients, caregivers, and clinicians in their discussions about the reasons that a tonsillectomy may be needed, management options, and care related to the procedure. This summary applies to patients ages 1 through 18 years and is based on the 2019 “Clinical Practice Guideline: Tonsillectomy in Children (Update).” This evidence‐based guideline mainly addresses the need for tonsillectomy based on breathing problems that take place during sleep and repeated sore throats or “tonsillitis.” The guideline was developed to identify quality improvement opportunities in managing children under consideration for tonsillectomy and to create clear recommendations for clinicians to use in medical practice.
Postoperative Tachycardia in Head and Neck Microvascular Free Flap Patients
Authors: Ziegler Andrea , Schneider Alexander , Pittman Amy , Thorpe Eric
Published: February 2019

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of postoperative tachycardia and its predictive value of complications in patients following microvascular free flap surgery in the head and neck.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Single tertiary care academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

All patients who underwent a microvascular free flap of the head and neck by surgeons in the department of otolaryngology from 2013 to 2017 were included in this study.

Results

Of the 344 who patients met inclusion criteria, 40.4% had a maximum heart rate (HR) of the hospitalization over 110 beats per minute (bpm). Patients with a maximum HR greater than 110 bpm were 19 times more likely to experience a composite vascular complication (myocardial infarction, myocardial necrosis, or pulmonary embolism) than patients with a maximum HR <110 bpm (P =. 0063). Patients with a history of chronic kidney disease were also noted to have an increased risk of experiencing a postoperative composite vascular event.

Conclusion

Postoperative tachycardia is significantly associated with adverse outcomes and should not be dismissed as a normal variant. Identifying patients at an increased risk of having an underlying complication can help guide interpretation, workup, and management of postoperative patients in the head and neck population.
Analysis of mixing performances in microchannel with obstacles of different aspect ratios
Authors: Mondal Bappa , Pati Sukumar , Patowari PK
Published: February 2019

In this study, the mixing performance and pressure drop characteristics have been numerically analyzed for flow through rectangular microchannel with obstacles in the walls arranged in a staggered manner. Three different aspect ratios (AR) of the obstacles are considered, namely 4:1, 1:1, and 1:4. The effects of aspect ratio of the obstacles on the mixing efficiency and the pressure drop are analyzed and compared with that of the channel without obstacle. The results are presented in terms of Reynolds number (Re) and Schmidt number (Sc) in the following range: 0.2 ≤ Re ≤ 1 and 500 ≤ Sc ≤ 1500. Enhanced mixing efficiency is achieved for the case of microchannel with obstacles and the corresponding pressure drop is also found to be higher. The mixing efficiency as well as the pressure drop is maximum for AR = 1:4 among all the geometries considered in the analysis in same flow condition. Furthermore, for a given configuration of the microchannel the mixing efficiency is governed by the mass Peclet number and, accordingly, the mixing efficiency increases with the decrease in Schmidt number for a given Reynolds number.
“You Get the Great Feeling That You’re Being Heard But in the End You Realize That Things Will Be Done Differently and in Others’ Favor”: An Experimental Investigation of Negative Effects of Participation in Evaluation
Authors: Froncek Benjamin , Rohmann Anette
Published: February 2019

Practical-participatory evaluation is often considered an effective approach to enhancing evaluation use. Despite this generally positive connotation, potential negative effects of participatory evaluation have also been discussed in the literature but never empirically investigated before. Drawing upon the social–psychological procedural justice literature, we assumed that stakeholders’ perceptions about the justice of an evaluation might explain possible negative effects of participatory evaluation on evaluation use. Negative effects of participatory evaluation on instrumental and conceptual use were explored in two experiments (Study 1: N = 85; Study 2: N = 78). The results show that negative effects of participation on evaluation use are mediated by stakeholders’ justice perceptions. Implications of the present research include considering stakeholders’ socioemotional needs, negotiation, and transparency when conducting participatory evaluation.
Analysis of whirling motion for the dynamic system of floating ring seal and rotor
Authors: Xia Peng , Chen Hui , Liu Zhansheng , Ma Wensheng , Yang Baofeng
Published: February 2019

In turbopumps, the dynamic characteristics of the floating ring seal and rotor system are important, especially when the floating ring seal fails to lock up. To investigate the motion of the system with the unlocked floating ring seal, a dynamic model for the whirling system is established in this study. On the basis of the perturbation method, the nonlinear model is simplified into a steady whirling model superimposed with perturbation motion. The transient bulk flow model is improved to calculate the hydrodynamic force in the seal clearance. The results show that the floating ring seal is able to steadily follow the rotor whirling motion and reduce the rotor whirling amplitude when the friction is not enough to lock the seal. The perturbation motion is calculated and proved stable, as the direct rotordynamic coefficients of the floating ring seal are much larger than the cross-coupled coefficients. Further, the effects of the mass and the friction of the floating ring seal, the rotor whirling amplitude and the interaction between the seal and the rotor on the dynamic characteristics of the whirling system are investigated.
‘Not my government!’ The role of norms and populist attitudes on voter preferences for government formation after the election
Authors: Plescia Carolina , Eberl Jakob-Moritz
Published: February 2019

Processes of coalition government formation have recently become subject to increasing delay across Europe. There also appears to be a concurrent surge in the success of ‘populist’ challengers, who tend to reject key features intrinsic to pluralism such as elite bargaining and compromise. Against this background, this article investigates for the first time citizen preferences for which party should get the mandate to form the government and which parties should definitely be excluded from government formation. We focus specifically on the effect that political knowledge and populist attitudes have on citizen preferences for government formation. We find that both political knowledge and populist attitudes are essential in explaining voters’ willingness or unwillingness to accept the fundamental prerequisite of coalition bargaining and political compromise. These findings have important implications for our understanding of citizens’ attitudes and political representation.
Prohibitin: A hypothetical target for sex-based new therapeutics for metabolic and immune diseases
Authors: Mishra Suresh , Nyomba BL Grégoire
Published: February 2019

Adipose and immune functions display sex differences and are influenced by sex steroid hormones in health and disease. However, effector molecules that mediate the effects of sex steroids and determine sex differences in adipocytes and immune cells are largely unknown. Sex differences are known to exist in mitochondrial biology, and mitochondria play a crucial role in adipocyte and immune cell functions. In fact, mitochondrial dysregulation is a common finding in a number of diseases that exhibit sex differences. It is, therefore, possible that mitochondria carry out sex-dimorphic functions. Prohibitin, an evolutionarily conserved pleiotropic protein, known to function as a mitochondrial chaperone, has multifaceted relationship with sex steroids and their receptors. New evidence indicates that prohibitin has roles in sex differences in multiple cell and tissue types, including adipocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Transgenic mice overexpressing prohibitin in adipocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells exhibit sex differences in metabolic and immune phenotypes, mediated through mitochondrial and plasma membrane signaling functions of prohibitin. Thus, the discovery of prohibitin as mediating the effects of sex steroids in multiple cell types has opened a new research direction to study the relationship between sex steroids and mitochondrial proteins and their impact on sex differences in health and disease. In this opinion article, we will provide a personal perspective of the role of prohibitin with cellular compartment- and tissue-specific functions in mediating sex-dimorphic adipose and immune functions. We believe that prohibitin is a potential target for sex-based new therapeutics for metabolic and immune diseases.

Impact statement

Traditional sex-related biases in research are now obsolete, and it is important to identify the sex of humans, animals, and even cells in research protocols, due to the role of sex as a fundamental facet of biology, predisposition to disease, and response to therapy. Genetic sex, epigenetics and hormonal regulations, generate sex-dimorphisms. Recent investigations acknowledge sex differences in metabolic and immune health as well as chronic diseases. Prohibitin, an evolutionarily conserved molecule, has pleotropic functions in mitochondrial housekeeping, plasma membrane signaling, and nuclear genetic transcription. Studies in adipocytes, macrophages, and transgenic mice indicate that prohibitin interacts with sex steroids and plays a role in mediating sex differences in adipose tissues and immune cell types. Prohibitin may, depending on context, modulate predisposition to chronic metabolic diseases and malignancy and, because of these attributes, could be a target for sex-based therapies of metabolic and immune-related diseases as well as cancer.
When Risk Assessment Came to Washington: A Look Back
Authors: Rodricks Joseph V.
Published: February 2019

Federal regulatory agencies had, by the 1970s, been charged with enforcing a host of new laws requiring that they establish controls on human exposures to chemicals necessary to protect health. The agencies relied upon a methodology introduced in the 1950s to identify safe levels of exposure to chemicals known to display toxicity. During the 2 decades prior to the 1970s, federal authorities had come to treat carcinogens as distinct from other toxic agents, and to regard them as unsafe at any level of exposure, and no systematic methods had been developed to deal with the rapidly increasing numbers of carcinogens. Beginning in the mid-1970s, some scientists and policy makers in regulatory agencies, including the present author, began to propose adopting emerging quantitative methods to evaluate the risks of carcinogens and introduced new notions of safety based on explicit consideration of risk. Quantitative risk assessment rose to prominence in the decade reviewed in this article (1974-1984) and began to replace the unsystematic approaches that provided no view of how well health would be protected under various regulatory controls. This article offers the author’s recollections of that important decade.
A case of methamphetamine use disorder presenting a condition of ultra-rapid cycler bipolar disorder
Authors: Ikawa Haruki , Kanata Sho , Akahane Akihisa , Tochigi Mamoru , Hayashi Naoki , Ikebuchi Emi
Published: February 2019

Methamphetamine, a potent psychostimulant, may cause a condition of mood disorder among users. However, arguments concerning methamphetamine-induced mood disorder remain insufficient. This case study describes a male with methamphetamine-induced bipolar disorder not accompanied by psychotic symptoms, who twice in an 11-year treatment period, manifested an ultra-rapid cycler condition alternating between manic and depressive mood states with 3- to 7-day durations for each. The conditions ensued after a bout of high-dose methamphetamine use and shifted to a moderately depressive condition within 1 month after the use under a treatment regimen of aripiprazole and mood stabilizers. The cycler condition may be characteristic of a type of the bipolar disorder and a sign usable for characterization. Further efforts are needed to seek distinctive features and to improve diagnostic assessment of methamphetamine-induced mood disorders.
Flashback as a Rhetorical Online Battleground: Debating the (Dis)guise of the Nordic Resistance Movement
Authors: Blomberg Helena , Stier Jonas
Published: February 2019

The right-wing Swedish Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) is increasingly active on social media. Using discursive psychology, this text explores the rhetorical organization of text and rhetorical resources used on the Swedish online forum Flashback. The aim is to reveal and problematize truth claims about NRM made by antagonists and protagonists. Questions are (1) how and what do NRM antagonists and protagonists convey in Flashback posts about NRM, and its ideology and members? (2) how do NRM antagonists and protagonists make truth claims about NRM in Flashback posts? The empirical material consisting of 1546 Flashback posts analyzed to identify typical discussions on “NMR’s true nature”; accomplished social actions stemming from the posts. Findings show that the Flashback thread can be understood as being a rhetorical battle that concerns the “truth” about NRM, where a variety of rhetorical resources are used to render statements credibility and those involved legitimacy.
Incidence of referred carpal tunnel syndrome and carpal tunnel release surgery in the general population: Increase over time and regional variations
Authors: Tadjerbashi Kamelia , Åkesson Anna , Atroshi Isam
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To investigate the change in incidence of referred carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery over time and regional variations.

Methods:

From the nationwide patient registry, we identified all adult individuals who had received first-time CTS diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code G560) at secondary or tertiary level and first-time CTR surgery during the period of 9 years.

Results:

From 2001 through 2009, the incidence (per 100,000 person-years) of CTS diagnosed at secondary or tertiary level increased from 216 to 243 in women and from 95 to 119 in men and of CTR from 117 to 168 in women and from 52 to 78 in men. The mean annual increase in first-time CTR (95% confidence interval) was 5.1% (4.7–5.4) in women and 6.2% (5.6–6.7) in men. The age-standardized 3-year (2007–2009) incidence varied significantly across Sweden’s 21 counties; compared to the county with the lowest incidence of CTR, the incidence rates in the other counties were higher by 6–152% (mean 60%) in women and by 20–182% (mean 85%) in men. The proportion of CTS-diagnosed individuals treated with surgery varied across counties from 53% to 81% in women and from 51% to 77% in men.

Conclusion:

The incidence of referred CTS and of CTR surgery increased over time in both sexes, with large regional variations found in the incidence rates and in the proportion of individuals treated with surgery.
Biomechanical consequences of first metatarsaophalangeal joint arthrodesis on flexor digitorum longus function: A cadaveric study
Authors: Tan Chin Yik , Bin Mohd Fadil Muhammad Farhan
Published: February 2019

Background:

First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis is a common treatment modality for hallux rigidus with successful outcomes. However, the effect of arthrodesis on flexor digitorum longus (FDL) is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate this effect in a biomechanical model.

Methods:

Ten cadaveric trans-knee amputated specimens were studied. Lesser toe range of motion (ROM) and FDL excursion on simulated FDL contraction were measured in the following three scenarios: (1) before 1st MTPJ arthrodesis, (2) after 1st MTPJ arthrodesis, and (3) after the knot of Henry release.

Results:

1st MTPJ arthrodesis reduced both mean lesser toe ROM and FDL excursion. However, there was improvement in these parameters after the knot of Henry release.

Conclusions:

FDL function was reduced following 1st MTPJ arthrodesis. This effect was contributed by soft tissue connections at the knot of Henry, where FDL crosses flexor hallucis longus (FHL). Therefore, with restriction of FHL movement after 1st MTPJ arthrodesis, FDL movement was also restricted.

Clinical Relevance:

This result improved our understanding of 1st MTPJ arthrodesis biomechanics and suggested potential benefits of the knot of Henry release in 1st MTPJ arthrodesis to improve FDL function, thereby decreasing the rate of metatarsalgia and other associated problems.
Reproducibility of pelvic sagittal inclination while acquiring radiographs in supine and standing postures
Authors: Uemura Keisuke , Takao Masaki , Otake Yoshito , Koyama Koki , Yokota Futoshi , Hamada Hidetoshi , Sakai Takashi , Sato Yoshinobu , Sugano Nobuhiko
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

Pelvic position on the sagittal plane is usually evaluated with the pelvic sagittal inclination (PSI) angle from a single radiograph. However, the reproducibility of pelvic positioning has not been investigated, and thus, the validity of measuring the PSI from a single film/time point is not understood. Herein, the reproducibility of a patient’s pelvic positions in supine and standing postures was analyzed.

Methods:

A total of 34 patients who underwent either a pelvic osteotomy or total hip arthroplasty were enrolled in this study. Preoperative radiographs in both supine and standing postures were acquired twice (first X-ray and second X-ray) within 6 months; preoperative computed tomography (CT) images of the full pelvis were also acquired in a supine posture (preop-CT). To eliminate measurement variability, each PSI was automatically measured from radiographs and CT images through the use of CT segmentation and landmark localization followed by intensity-based 2D-3D registration. The absolute difference of PSI among each image was calculated and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) in each posture was also analyzed.

Results:

The median absolute differences of PSI in the supine posture were 1.3° between the first and second X-rays, 1.2° between the first X-ray and preop-CT, and 1.3° between the second X-ray and preop-CT. The median absolute difference of PSI in the standing posture was 1.5°. The ICC was 0.965 (95% CI: 0.939–0.981) in supine and 0.977 (95% CI: 0.954–0.988) during standing.

Conclusions:

Pelvic positions in supine and standing postures are reproducible. Thus, measuring the PSI from a single radiograph is reliable.
Use of a public health law framework to improve medication safety by anesthesia providers
Authors: Litman Ronald S
Published: February 2019

Medication administration by anesthesia providers in the perioperative environment is a uniquely risky endeavor because the prescribing clinician is the same person that dispenses, premixes, repackages, relabels and administers the medications, independently without secondary verification or use of technologic support. Two important sources of medication error by anesthesia providers include vial swap and syringe swap. Currently, there exist potential ways to prevent these types of errors, but few hospitals have implemented these solutions because of cost and availability. They include the use of prefilled drug syringes, which will greatly reduce preparation from the wrong drug vial, and bar-coding of these syringes prior to administration, which will likely reduce the incidence of administering the wrong drug syringe. If harm from medication errors can be considered within the sphere of “public health,” then the use of a public health law framework may decrease the incidence of medication errors by anesthesia providers and increase patient safety.
Vitamin D receptor–mediated skewed differentiation of macrophages initiates myelofibrosis and subsequent osteosclerosis
Authors: Wakahashi Kanako , Minagawa Kentaro , Kawano Yuko , Kawano Hiroki , Suzuki Tomohide , Ishii Shinichi , Sada Akiko , Asada Noboru , Sato Mari , Kato Shigeaki , Shide Kotaro , Shimoda Kazuya , Matsui Toshimitsu , Katayama Yoshio
Published: February 2019

Myelofibrosis in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) with mutations such as JAK2V617F is an unfavorable sign for uncontrollable disease progression in the clinic and is complicated with osteosclerosis whose pathogenesis is largely unknown. Because several studies have revealed that macrophages are an indispensable supporter for bone-forming osteoblasts, we speculated that macrophages might play a significant role in the proliferation of collagen-producing myofibroblasts in marrow fibrotic tissues. Here, we show that myelofibrosis critically depends on macrophages whose differentiation is skewed by vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling. In our novel myelofibrosis model established by transplantation of VDR+/+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells into VDR−/− mice, donor-derived F4/80+ macrophages proliferated together with recipient-derived α-smooth muscle actin–positive myofibroblasts, both of which comprised fibrotic tissues with an indistinguishable spindle-shaped morphology. Interfering VDR signals, such as low vitamin D diet and VDR deficiency in donor cells as well as macrophage depletion prevented myelofibrosis in this model. These interventions also ameliorated myelofibrosis in JAK2V617F-driven murine MPNs likely in a transforming growth factor-β1– or megakaryocyte-independent manner. These results suggest that VDR and macrophages may be novel therapeutic targets for MPNs with myelofibrosis.
Dominant activating RAC2 mutation with lymphopenia, immunodeficiency, and cytoskeletal defects
Authors: Hsu Amy P. , Donkó Agnes , Arrington Megan E. , Swamydas Muthulekha , Fink Danielle , Das Arundhoti , Escobedo Omar , Bonagura Vincent , Szabolcs Paul , Steinberg Harry N. , Bergerson Jenna , Skoskiewicz Amanda , Makhija Melanie , Davis Joie , Foruraghi Ladan , Palmer Cindy , Fuleihan Ramsay L. , Church Joseph A. , Bhandoola Avinash , Lionakis Michail S. , Campbell Sharon , Leto Thomas L. , Kuhns Douglas B. , Holland Steven M.
Published: February 2019

Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (RAC2), through interactions with reduced NAD phosphate oxidase component p67phox, activates neutrophil superoxide production, whereas interactions with p21-activated kinase are necessary for fMLF-induced actin remodeling. We identified 3 patients with de novo RAC2[E62K] mutations resulting in severe T- and B-cell lymphopenia, myeloid dysfunction, and recurrent respiratory infections. Neutrophils from RAC2[E62K] patients exhibited excessive superoxide production, impaired fMLF-directed chemotaxis, and abnormal macropinocytosis. Cell lines transfected with RAC2[E62K] displayed characteristics of active guanosine triphosphate (GTP)–bound RAC2 including enhanced superoxide production and increased membrane ruffling. Biochemical studies demonstrated that RAC2[E62K] retains intrinsic GTP hydrolysis; however, GTPase-activating protein failed to accelerate hydrolysis resulting in prolonged active GTP-bound RAC2. Rac2+/E62K mice phenocopy the T- and B-cell lymphopenia, increased neutrophil F-actin, and excessive superoxide production seen in patients. This gain-of-function mutation highlights a specific, nonredundant role for RAC2 in hematopoietic cells that discriminates RAC2 from the related, ubiquitous RAC1.
Genome-wide promoter methylation of hairy cell leukemia
Authors: Arribas Alberto J. , Rinaldi Andrea , Chiodin Giorgia , Kwee Ivo , Mensah Afua Adjeiwaa , Cascione Luciano , Rossi Davide , Kanduri Meena , Rosenquist Richard , Zucca Emanuele , Johnson Peter W. , Gaidano Gianluca , Oakes Christopher C. , Bertoni Francesco , Forconi Francesco
Published: February 2019

Classic hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a tumor of mature clonal B cells with unique genetic, morphologic, and phenotypic features. DNA methylation profiling has provided a new tier of investigation to gain insight into the origin and behavior of B-cell malignancies; however, the methylation profile of HCL has not been specifically investigated. DNA methylation profiling was analyzed with the Infinium HumanMethylation27 array in 41 mature B-cell tumors, including 11 HCL, 7 splenic marginal zone lymphomas (SMZLs), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia with an unmutated (n = 7) or mutated (n = 6) immunoglobulin gene heavy chain variable (IGHV) region or using IGHV3-21 (n = 10). Methylation profiles of nontumor B-cell subsets and gene expression profiling data were obtained from public databases. HCL had a methylation signature distinct from each B-cell tumor entity, including the closest entity, SMZL. Comparison with normal B-cell subsets revealed the strongest similarity with postgerminal center (GC) B cells and a clear separation from pre-GC and GC cellular programs. Comparison of the integrated analysis with post-GC B cells revealed significant hypomethylation and overexpression of BCR–TLR–NF-κB and BRAF-MAPK signaling pathways and cell adhesion, as well as hypermethylation and underexpression of cell-differentiation markers and methylated genes in cancer, suggesting regulation of the transformed hairy cells through specific components of the B-cell receptor and the BRAF signaling pathways. Our data identify a specific methylation profile of HCL, which may help to distinguish it from other mature B-cell tumors.
PTCy-based haploidentical vs matched related or unrelated donor reduced-intensity conditioning transplant for DLBCL
Authors: Dreger Peter , Sureda Anna , Ahn Kwang Woo , Eapen Mary , Litovich Carlos , Finel Herve , Boumendil Ariane , Gopal Ajay , Herrera Alex F. , Schmid Christoph , Diez-Martin José Luis , Fuchs Ephraim , Bolaños-Meade Javier , Gooptu Mahasweta , Al Malki Monzr M. , Castagna Luca , Ciurea Stefan O. , Dominietto Alida , Blaise Didier , Ciceri Fabio , Tischer Johanna , Corradini Paolo , Montoto Silvia , Robinson Stephen , Gülbas Zafer , Hamadani Mehdi
Published: February 2019

This study retrospectively compared long-term outcomes of nonmyeloablative/reduced intensity conditioning (NMC/RIC) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) from a haploidentical family donor (haplo-HCT) using posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) with those of matched sibling donor (MSD) and matched unrelated donor (MUD) with or without T-cell depletion (TCD+/TCD−) in patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Adult patients with DLBCL who had undergone their first NMC/RIC allo-HCT between 2008 and 2015 were included. Recipients of haplo-HCT were limited to those receiving graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with PTCy. GVHD prophylaxis in MSD was limited to calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)–based approaches without in vivo TCD, while MUD recipients received CNI-based prophylaxis with or without TCD. Outcome analyses for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and disease relapse/progression were calculated. A total of 1438 patients (haplo, 132; MSD, 525; MUD TCD+, 403; and MUD TCD−, 378) were included. Patients with haplo donors were significantly older, had a better performance status and had more frequently received total body irradiation-based conditioning regimens and bone marrow grafts than MSD and MUD TCD+ or TCD−. 3-year OS, PFS, NRM and relapse/progression incidence after haplo-HCT was 46%, 38%, 22%, and 41%, respectively, and not significantly different from outcomes of matched donor transplants on multivariate analyses. Haplo-HCT was associated with a lower cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD compared with MSD, MUD TCD+/TCD−. NMC/RIC haplo-HCT with PTCy seems to be a valuable alternative for patients with DLBCL considered for allo-HCT but lacking a matched donor.
Time-lapse amplitude variation with offset inversion using Bayesian theory in two-phase media
Authors: Zhi Longxiao , Gu Hanming
Published: February 2019

In time-lapse seismic analysis, the Zoeppritz equations are usually used in the time-lapse amplitude variation with offset (AVO) inversion and then combined with a rock-physical model to estimate the reservoir-parameter changes. The real-life reservoir is a two-phase medium that consists of solid and fluid components. The Zoeppritz equations are a simplification, assuming a single-phase solid medium, in which the properties of this medium are estimated by effective parameters from the combined components. This means that the Zoeppritz equations cannot describe the characteristics of the seismic reflection amplitudes in the reservoir in an accurate way. Therefore, we develop a method for time-lapse AVO inversion in two-phase media using the Bayesian theory to estimate the reservoir parameters and their changes quantitatively. We use a reflection-coefficient equation in two-phase media, a rock-physical model, and the convolutional model to build a relationship between the seismic records and reservoir parameters, which include porosity, clay content, saturation, and pressure. Assuming that the seismic-data errors follow a zero-mean Gaussian distribution and that the reservoir parameters follow a four-variable Cauchy prior distribution, we use the Bayesian theory to construct the objective function for the AVO inversion, and we also add a model-constraint term to compensate the low-frequency information and improve the stability of the inversion. Using the objective function of the AVO inversion and the Gauss-Newton method, we derived the equation for time-lapse AVO inversion. This result can be used to estimate the reservoir parameters and their changes accurately and in a stable way. The test results from the feasibility study on synthetic and field data proved that the method is effective and reliable.
Reflection and transmission responses in a layered transversely isotropic medium with horizontal symmetry axis
Authors: Jin Song , Stovas Alexey
Published: February 2019

Seismic wave reflection and transmission (R/T) responses characterize the subsurface local property, and the widely spread anisotropy has considerable influences even at small incident angles. We have considered layered transversely isotropic media with horizontal symmetry axes (HTI), and the symmetry axes were not restricted to be aligned. With the assumption of weak contrast across the interface, linear approximations for R/T coefficients normalized by vertical energy flux are derived based on a simple layered HTI model. We also obtain the approximation with the isotropic background medium under an additional weak anisotropy assumption. Numerical tests illustrate the good accuracy of the approximations compared with the exact results.
President's Page
Authors: Lumley David
Published: February 2019

In my role as a professor and mentor, concerned students and early-career professionals increasingly ask me this question: “Is there a future for me in applied geophysics, or should I switch to something else ASAP?”
Seismic, geologic, geomechanics, and dynamic constraints in flow models of unconventional fractured reservoirs: Example from a south Texas field
Authors: Michelena Reinaldo J. , Gilman James R. , Zahm Christopher K.
Published: February 2019

We present a workflow to build permeability models for flow simulation in unconventional naturally fractured reservoirs constrained by 3D seismic, geologic data and concepts, geomechanics observations, and dynamic data. Joints and faults are modeled separately to account for their differences in scale and flow properties. Seismic-derived orientation statistics are compared against orientations from outcrops and microseismic data to assess their validity and consistency across multiple scales. We show the impact of natural fractures and stress orientation in the flow and variability of the pressure field around producing wells in an unconventional reservoir from south Texas. Such variability can have a significant impact on well interference and optimal well spacing.