bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preventive Effect of Bupleurum chinense on Nasal Inflammation via Suppressing T Helper Type 2, Eosinophil and Mast Cell Activation
Authors: Bui Thi Tho , Piao Chun Hua , Hyeon Eunjin , Fan Yanjing , Choi Dae Woon , Jung Sun Young , Jang Byung-Hyun , Shin Hee Soon , Song Chang Ho , Chai Ok Hee
Published: March 2019

Bupleurum chinense is distributed in East Asia and has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for more than a thousand years. Though B. chinense has been reported to have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, hepato-protective, antipyretic, analgesic and antifibrotic effects, its specific effect on allergic rhinitis disease has not been clarified. In this study, we investigated the anti-allergic and anti-inflammation effects of B. chinense extract (BCE) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) mouse model. Oral administration of BCE in a dose-independent manner regulated the balance of Th1/Th2/Treg cell differentiation in AR mice. Accordingly, BCE attenuated the expression of Th2-related cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in nasal lavage fluid (NALF) and nasal tissue and up-regulated the secretion of Th1/Treg cells including IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-[Formula: see text]. Also, BCE inhibited the formation and migration of eosinophils to the nasal mucosa and NALF, as well as suppressed CCL24, an eosinophil-specific chemoattractant in NALF. The levels of anti-OVA specific IgE and anti-OVA specific IgG1 were decreased, and as a result, the allergic response was attenuated by BCE via inhibiting mast cells accumulation in nasal mucosa and serum histamine release. The nasal allergy symptoms, nasal mucosal swelling, epithelial barrier disruption and mucus hyperplasia were obviously ameliorated. These results suggest that BCE may have therapeutic potential for treating allergic rhinitis through modulating the accumulation and activation of important leukocytes in the immune system such as Th1, Th2, Treg, eosinophils and mast cells.
A Chaotic Chemical Reactor With and Without Delay: Bifurcations, Competitive Modes, and Amplitude Death
Authors: Roy Choudhury S. , Mandragona Daniel
Published: March 2019

Bifurcations in Huang’s chaotic chemical reactor leading from simple dynamics into chaotic regimes are considered. Following the linear stability analysis, the periodic orbit resulting from a Hopf bifurcation of any of the six fixed points is constructed analytically by the method of multiple scales, and its stability is determined from the resulting normal form and verified by numerical simulations. The dynamically rich range of parameters past the Hopf bifurcation is next explored. In order to bring some order to the search for parameter regimes with more complex dynamics, we employ the recent conjecture of Competitive Modes to find chaotic parameter sets in the large multiparameter space for this system. In addition, it is demonstrated that, by changing the point of view, one may tightly localize the chaotic attractor in shape and location in the phase space by mapping the Competitive Modes surfaces geometrically. Finally, we consider the effect of delay on the system, leading to the suppression of the Hopf bifurcation in some regimes, and also all of the subsequent complex dynamics. In modern terminology, this is an example of Amplitude Death, rather than Oscillation Death, as the complex system dynamics is quenched, with all the variables additionally settling to a fixed point of the original system.
Exact Algorithms via Monotone Local Search
Authors: Fomin Fedor V. , Gaspers Serge , Lokshtanov Daniel , Saurabh Saket
Published: March 2019

We give a new general approach for designing exact exponential-time algorithms for
subset problems
. In a subset problem the input implicitly describes a family of sets over a universe of size
n
and the task is to determine whether the family contains at least one set. A typical example of a subset problem is W
EIGHTED
d
-SAT. Here, the input is a CNF-formula with clauses of size at most
d
, and an integer
W
. The universe is the set of variables and the variables have integer weights. The family contains all the subsets
S
of variables such that the total weight of the variables in
S
does not exceed
W
and setting the variables in
S
to 1 and the remaining variables to 0 satisfies the formula. Our approach is based on “monotone local search,” where the goal is to extend a partial solution to a solution by adding as few elements as possible. More formally, in the extension problem, we are also given as input a subset
X
of the universe and an integer
k
. The task is to determine whether one can add at most
k
elements to
X
to obtain a set in the (implicitly defined) family. Our main result is that a

c
k
n
O(1)

time algorithm for the extension problem immediately yields a randomized algorithm for finding a solution of any size with running time
O
((2−1/
c
)
n
).

In many cases, the extension problem can be reduced to simply finding a solution of size at most
k
. Furthermore, efficient algorithms for finding small solutions have been extensively studied in the field of parameterized algorithms. Directly applying these algorithms, our theorem yields in one stroke significant improvements over the best known exponential-time algorithms for several well-studied problems, including
d
-H
ITTING
S
ET
, F
EEDBACK
V
ERTEX
S
ET
, N
ODE
U
NIQUE
L
ABEL
C
OVER
, and W
EIGHTED
d
-SAT. Our results demonstrate an interesting and very concrete connection between parameterized algorithms and exact exponential-time algorithms.

We also show how to derandomize our algorithms at the cost of a subexponential multiplicative factor in the running time. Our derandomization is based on an efficient construction of a new pseudo-random object that might be of independent interest. Finally, we extend our methods to establish new combinatorial upper bounds and develop enumeration algorithms.
EagerMap
Authors: Cruz Eduardo H. M. , Diener Matthias , Pilla Laércio L. , Navaux Philippe O. A.
Published: March 2019

Communication between tasks and load imbalance have been identified as a major challenge for the performance and energy efficiency of parallel applications. A common way to improve communication is to increase its locality, that is, to reduce the distances of data transfers, prioritizing the usage of faster and more efficient local interconnections over remote ones. Regarding load imbalance, cores should execute a similar amount of work. An important problem to be solved in this context is how to determine an optimized mapping of tasks to cluster nodes and cores that increases the overall locality and load balancing. In this article, we propose the EagerMap algorithm to determine task mappings, which is based on a greedy heuristic to match application communication patterns to hardware hierarchies and which can also consider the task load. Compared to previous algorithms, EagerMap is faster, scales better, and supports more types of computer systems, while maintaining the same or better quality of the determined task mapping. EagerMap is therefore an interesting choice for task mapping on a variety of modern parallel architectures.
Metabolic Imaging at the Single-Cell Scale: Recent Advances in Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Authors: Gilmore Ian S. , Heiles Sven , Pieterse Cornelius L.
Published: March 2019

There is an increasing appreciation that every cell, even of the same type, is different. This complexity, when additionally combined with the variety of different cell types in tissue, is driving the need for spatially resolved omics at the single-cell scale. Rapid advances are being made in genomics and transcriptomics, but progress in metabolomics lags. This is partly because amplification and tagging strategies are not suited to dynamically created metabolite molecules. Mass spectrometry imaging has excellent potential for metabolic imaging. This review summarizes the recent advances in two of these techniques: matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and their convergence in subcellular spatial resolution and molecular information. The barriers that have held back progress such as lack of sensitivity and the breakthroughs that have been made including laser-postionization are highlighted as well as the future challenges and opportunities for metabolic imaging at the single-cell scale.
Pregnancy Immunogenetics and Genomics: Implications for Pregnancy-Related Complications and Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Yeung Hing-Yuen , Dendrou Calliope A.
Published: March 2019

Pregnancy presents a singular physiological scenario during which the maternal immune system must accommodate the semiallogeneic fetus. Fluctuations between pro- and anti-inflammatory states are required throughout gestation to facilitate uterine tissue remodeling, fetal growth and development, and finally birth. Tolerance for the fetus must be established and maintained without fundamentally compromising the maternal immune system function, so that both the mother and fetus are protected from foreign insults. Here, we review our current understanding of how genetic variation at both maternal and fetal loci affects implantation and placenta formation, thereby determining the likelihood of a successful pregnancy outcome or the development of pregnancy-related complications. We also consider the impact of pregnancy on both the maternal and fetal systemic immune systems and the related implications for modulating ongoing autoimmune diseases and triggering their development.
Growth of High-Quality GaN Films on Epitaxial AlN/Sapphire Templates
Authors: Xiejia
Published: March 2019

High quality GaN films have been successfully grown on multi-AlN/sapphire templates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition system. The Hall mobility and the carrier concentration of 720 cm2/Vs and 6.7x1016 cm-3 at 300K, respectively, along with low dislocation density of 4.1x109 cm-2 have been achieved. The X-ray rocking curve full-width at half-maximum were 160 and 290 arcsec for (0004) and (20-24) reflection planes also obtained, respectively. Besides that, the atomic force microscopy images showed smooth surface morphology and a higher intensity near the band edge was also observed by photoluminescence measurement result.
NT-ProBNP and hsTnI: A Multistate Survival Analysis in Outpatients with Reduced Left-Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Di Gesaro Gabriele , Caccamo Giuseppa , Bellavia Diego , Falletta Calogero , Minà Chiara , Romano Giuseppe , Agnese Valentina , Tuzzolino Fabio , Clemenza Francesco
Published: March 2019

Heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has a well-known epidemic relevance in western countries. It affects up to 1–2% of patients > 60 years and reaches a prevalence of 12% in octogenarian patients. The role of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitive troponin I (hsTnI) in risk stratifying HFrEF patients has been established; at present, evidence is exclusively based on one-time assessments, and the prognostic usefulness of serial biochemical assessments in this population still remains to be determined. We prospectively recruited 226 patients with chronic HFrEF, who were all referred to the Outpatient Clinic of our institution from November 2011 through September 2014. Recruited patients underwent full clinical evaluation with complete history taking and physical examination as well as ECG, biochemical assessment, and standard 2D and Doppler flow echocardiography at the first visit, and then again at each visit during the follow-up, repeated every 6 months. During the follow-up period, cardiovascular (CV) death, which occurred in 16 patients, was not statistically correlated with gender (p = 0.088) or age (p = 0.1636); however, baseline serum levels of NT-proBNP, which were 3 times higher in deceased patients, were significantly related to this clinical event (p = 0.001). We found that NT-proBNP represents a strong and independent predictor of CV outcome; serum levels of hsTnI, which are significantly related to an increased risk of hospitalization, cannot properly predict the relative risk of CV mortality. Our study validates, eventually, the multimarker strategy, which reflects the complexity of the HF pathophysiology.
Impact of E-Cadherin and β-Catenin as Prognostic Factor in Renal Cell Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus of the Vena Cava
Authors: Spachmann Philipp Julian , Breyer Johannes , Kalogirou Charis , Lausenmeyer Eva-Maria , Weber Florian , Prohaska Sandra , Denzinger Stefan , Burger Maximilian , Kübler Hubert , Otto Wolfgang , Vergho Daniel
Published: March 2019

Purpose: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) forming tumor thrombus (TT) of vena cava (VC) is characterized by poor prognosis. Nevertheless, the outcome of patients after radical surgery varies. To date only limited data concerning prognostic biomarkers in this RCC subgroup are available. Methods: Out of 159 patients with pT3b/c RCC, 95 patients without synchronous distant metastases at time of diagnosis were included in the study cohort. After immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation of E-cadherin and β-Catenin expression, association with clinical, histopathological and survival was assessed by univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and Kaplan-Meier-analysis. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates and overall survival (OS) rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using Log rank test. Results: We found a significant correlation between E-cadherin overexpression and initial lymph node metastasis (ρ = 0.300, p = 0.003), positive surgical margins (ρ = 0.210, p = 0.043), and the development of distant metastases (ρ = 0.258, p = 0.012). Furthermore, we observed a significant correlation of β-Catenin overexpression with higher tumor stage pT3c (ρ = 0.230, p = 0.028) and initial lymph node metastases (ρ = 0.236, p = 0.025). Survival analysis revealed a statistically significant association of both E-cadherin and β-Catenin overexpression with worse CSS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively) and OS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.041, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed initial lymph node metastasis as the only predictive factor for worse OS (HR 4.54, 95% CI 2.30–8.93; p < 0.001). E-Cadherin and β-Catenin expression failed to be significant in multivariable analysis for OS and CSS. Conclusions: In a large series of RCC with TT of VC high IHC expression of E-cadherin and β-Catenin was associated with initial lymph node metastasis and with both worse OS and worse CSS. This might help to identify patients at risk for recurrence who might benefit from adjuvant therapy or stricter follow-up.
Only Size Matters in Stone Patients: Computed Tomography Controlled Stone-Free Rates after Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Authors: Kokov Dmitriy , Manka Lukas , Beck Andreas , Winter Alexander , Gerullis Holger , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Hammerer Peter , Schiffmann Jonas
Published: March 2019

Objective: To examine and predicting stone-free rates (SFRs) after minimally invasive-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PNL) based on computed tomography (CT), instead of X-ray or ultrasound control. Patients and Methods: We identified 146 mini-PNL patients with pre- and postoperative CT scans. Patient and stone characteristics were assessed. Stone-free status was defined as ≤3 mm residual fragment after mini-PNL according to postsurgery CT scan. Multivariable logistic regression analyses predicted stone-free status after mini-PNL. Results: Overall, 62 (42.5%) patients achieved stone-free status after mini-PNL. In multivariable analyses, stone size was the only independent predictor for stone-free status (OR 0.9; p = 0.02). Patients with stones > 20 mm were less likely to achieve stone-free status, than those harboring stones 10–20 mm (OR 0.3; p = 0.009). SFRs according to stone size categories (< 10, 10–20, and > 20 mm) were 33.3, 50.5, and 25%. Body mass index (BMI) and stone density (Houndsfield units) were no independent predictors for stone-free status after mini-PNL. Conclusions: We report lower SFRs than expected. Stone size was the only independent predictor for stone-free status after mini-PNL. Patients with larger stones need to be informed about high risk of additional interventions. High BMI and high stone density do not represent a barrier for stone-free status after mini-PNL.
Estimation of Physiological Ability and Surgical Stress Score Is a Useful Prognostic Indicator for Elderly Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Yamamoto Manabu , Saito Hiroaki , Uejima Chihiro , Tanio Akimitsu , Tada Yoichiro , Matsunaga Tomoyuki , Sakamoto Teruhisa , Honjo Soichiro , Ashida Keigo , Fujiwara Yoshiyuki
Published: March 2019

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among the elderly has been increasing. Therefore, determining postoperative prognosis factors in elderly CRC patients has clinical importance. This study retrospectively investigated the prognostic significance of the estimation of physiological ability and surgical stress (E-PASS) in elderly CRC patients. Methods: This study enrolled 166 elderly patients aged 75 or more with a histopathological diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma who underwent curative surgery. Results: According to the results of receiver operating characteristic analysis, the patients were divided into the following 2 groups based on the comprehensive risk score (CRS): CRS of ≥0.05 (CRSHigh) and CRS of < 0.05 (CRSLow). The 5-year overall survival rates of CRSHigh group and CRSLow group were 51.1 and 89.6%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 5-year disease-specific survival rates of CRSHigh group and CRSLow group were 81.4 and 96.3%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Also, multivariate analysis indicated that CRS was an independent prognostic indicator in elderly CRC patients. With regard to the cause of death, both recurrence and cancer-unrelated deaths were observed significantly more in the CRSHigh group than in the CRSLow group. Conclusions: E-PASS was a useful prognostic indicator in elderly CRC patients.
The Effect of Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin on the Discontinuation of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Chen Xiaohan , Chen Zhiwen , Wei Tiantian , Li Peiyun , Zhang Ling , Fu Ping
Published: March 2019

Background: To determine the optimal time for discontinuing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) by evaluating serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from September 2015 to March 2018. AKI patients treated with CRRT for at least 24 h were divided into “success” and “failure” groups according to their RRT requirement within 7 days after the initial discontinuation of CRRT. The prefilter and effluent NGAL concentrations were measured to calculate the sieving coefficient (SC) of NGAL in all included subjects from 0 to 72 h. Results: In total, 110 patients were divided into success (n = 78) and failure groups (n = 32). The mean SC of NGAL during CRRT was less than 0.05. The patients in the failure group were associated with higher mortality compared with patients in the success group (37.5 vs. 12.8%, respectively, p = 0.013). There were significant differences in serum NGAL, creatinine, and urine output at discontinuation. In patients without sepsis (n = 70), serum NGAL and urine output were significant predictors of successful cessation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic to predict the successful discontinuation of CRRT was 0.88 for NGAL and 0.86 for urine output. An NGAL level of 403 ng/mL had the highest sensitivity (81%) and specificity (89%) and a urine output of 695 mL/day had the highest sensitivity (83%) and specificity (88%). However, in septic patients (n = 40), urine output but not serum NGAL (OR 0.999, p = 0.69) was a significant variable (OR 1.002, p = 0.005), with a cutoff of 796 mL/day (sensitivity 83%, specificity 88%). Conclusions: Serum NGAL was a significant factor for predicting successful CRRT discontinuation in nonseptic AKI patients. However, urine output, rather than serum NGAL, was a significant predictor in septic AKI patients.
Altered Expression Levels of CD59, but Not CD55, on Red Blood Cells in Stored Blood
Authors: Al-Faris Lama , Al-Humood Salah
Published: March 2019

Objective: Red blood cells (RBCs) in storage undergo structural and biochemical changes that may cause functional effects. Studies exploring structural changes affecting the expression levels of CD55 and CD59 on RBCs are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of CD55 and CD59 expression on RBCs in stored blood from Arab donors. Materials and Methods: Flow-cytometric analysis was performed on RBCs from 92 packed RBC (PRBC) units, stored for varying times, and from 56 nonstored RBC from healthy controls using the commercial REDQUANT kit. Results: The proportions of CD55- and CD59-deficient RBCs from stored PRBC units did not significantly differ when compared with those from healthy controls; however, the mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of CD59 expression, but not MFI of CD55 expression, on RBCs from stored PRBC units was significantly reduced when compared to the expression of RBCs from healthy controls (p = 0.02). MFI of CD55 expression on RBCs from PRBC units did not significantly differ among the 3 groups of stored RBC; however, there was a statistically significant time-dependent preferential decline in MFI of CD59 expression on RBCs from stored PRBC units (p < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a preferential time-dependent decline in the expression of CD59, but not of CD55, on stored RBCs, the in vivo significance of which in relation to the response to PRBC transfusion needs further investigation.
Occupational Class and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Incidence in Japan: Nationwide, Multicenter, Hospital‐Based Case‐Control Study
Authors: Zaitsu Masayoshi , Kato Soichiro , Kim Yongjoo , Takeuchi Takumi , Sato Yuzuru , Kobayashi Yasuki , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: March 2019

Background

In contemporary Western settings, higher occupational class is associated with lower risk for cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) incidence, including coronary heart disease (
CHD
) and stroke. However, in non‐Western settings (including Japan), the occupational class gradient for cardiovascular disease risk has not been characterized.

Methods and Results

Using a nationwide, multicenter hospital inpatient data set (1984–2016) in Japan, we conducted a matched hospital case‐control study with ≈1.1 million study subjects. Based on a standard national classification, we coded patients according to their longest‐held occupational class (blue‐collar, service, professional, manager) within each industrial sector (blue‐collar, service, white‐collar). Using blue‐collar workers in blue‐collar industries as the referent group, odds ratios and 95%
CI
s were estimated by conditional logistic regression with multiple imputation, matched for sex, age, admission date, and admitting hospital. Smoking and drinking were additionally controlled. Higher occupational class (professionals and managers) was associated with excess risk for
CHD
. Even after controlling for smoking and drinking, the excess odds across all industries remained significantly associated with
CHD
, being most pronounced among managers employed in service industries (odds ratio, 1.19; 95%
CI
, 1.08–1.31). On the other hand, the excess
CHD
risk in higher occupational class was offset by their lower risk for stroke (eg, odds ratio for professionals in blue‐collar industries, 0.77; 95%
CI
, 0.70–0.85).

Conclusions

The occupational “gradient” in cardiovascular disease (with lower risk observed in higher status occupations) may not be a universal phenomenon. In contemporary Japanese society, managers and professionals may experience higher risk for
CHD
.
Spirinia elongata, sp. nov. (Nematoda, Desmodoridae) from Pina Basin, Pernambuco, Brazil
Authors: DE CASTRO FRANCISCO J.V. , BEZERRA TÂNIA N.C. , DA SILVA MARIA C. , FONSÊCA-GENEVOIS VERÔNICA
Published: March 2019

A new species Spirinia elongata sp. nov., is described from the Pina Basin a hypereutrophic estuary on the coast of Pernambuco state (Brazil). The new species belongs to the Desmodoridae and is distinguished from all known valid species of the genus by the presence of two dorsal teeth and one ventral tooth.
Simulium (Chirostilbia) jefersoni, a new species of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) from the state of Bahia, Brazil
Authors: HAMADA NEUSA , HERNANDEZ LUIS M. , LUZ SERGIO L.B. , PEPINELLI MATEUS
Published: March 2019

Simulium jefersoni n. sp. is described based on adults, pupae, and larvae collected in Chapada Diamantina National Park and the surrounding area, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Its affinities with other species, distribution, and biology in Brazil are presented. The immature stages of S. jefersoni n. sp. were found in 44% of the 68 streams sampled in the study area. Females did not bite humans in the field.
Synodontis acanthoperca, a new species from the Ogôoué River system, Gabon with comments on spiny ornamentation and sexual dimorphism in mochokid catfishes (Siluriformes: Mochokidae)
Authors: FRIEL JOHN P. , VIGLIOTTA THOMAS R.
Published: March 2019

Synodontis acanthoperca, a new species of mochokid catfish, is described from rapids within the Ogôoué River system of Gabon. This relatively small species (<50 mm SL) is distinguished from all congeners by a distinctive pigmentation pattern that includes a pair of dark patches on the caudal fin and by the presence of hypertrophied opercular spines in sexually mature males.
Contribution to the taxonomy of Eastern North American Epeorus Eaton (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae)
Authors: WEBB J. M. , MCCAFFERTY W. P.
Published: March 2019

The larva of Epeorus punctatus (McDunnough) is described for the first time based on reared specimens from West Virginia. Larvae are differentiated from those of other E. vitreus species group species by the bluntly pointed femoral projections, subrectangular head capsule, and short posterolateral abdominal projections. Epeorus rubidus (Traver) is considered to be a junior subjective synonym of E. vitreus (Walker). A key for the known larvae of the eastern North American species of the E. vitreus species group [E. dispar (Traver), E. punctatus, E. subpallidus (Traver), E. vitreus] is provided.
New records of Heteroptera (Hemiptera) from Argentina
Authors: CARPINTERO DIEGO L. , DELLAPÉ PABLO M. , MELO MARÍA C.
Published: March 2019

Sixty-four species of Heteroptera, in 46 genera, are recorded for the first time from Argentina; these belong to nine families: Schizopteridae (1 sp.), Reduviidae (10 sp.), Miridae (40 sp.), Nabidae (1 sp.), Largidae (1 sp.), Pyrrhocoridae (1 sp.), Lygaeidae (3 sp.), Pachygronthidae (1 sp.), and Rhyparochromidae (6 sp.). Fifteen genera represent new records, and the tribes Cylapini Kirkaldy 1906 (Miridae: Cylapinae), Phorticini Kerzhner 1971 (Nabidae: Prostemmatinae), and Udeocorini Sweet 1967 (Rhyparochromidae: Rhyparochrominae) are recorded for the first time from this country as well.
Raspailia (Raspaxilla) bouryesnaultae, a new name for Brazilian Raspaxilla elegans Boury-Esnault, 1973 (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Raspailiidae) with a redescription and a new record
Authors: LERNER CLÉA , CARRARO JOÃO L. , VAN SOEST ROB
Published: March 2019

The combination Raspailia (Raspaxilla) elegans sensu Boury-Esnault, 1973 is precoccupied by Raspailia elegans Lendenfeld,1887 (Porifera, Poecilosclerida, Raspailiidae). A new name for this Brazilian shallow-water species is proposed, Raspailia (Raspaxilla) bouryesnaultae n.n., and the species is redescribed based on a skeleton slide from the holotype and additional material freshly collected from the coast of Santa Catarina state. The distribution is now expanded to encompass the area from 22º to 27°S, in southeastern Brazil.
Selfcoelum limnodromi n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae: Cyclocoelinae) from the long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus (Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae) from Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Authors: DRONEN NORMAN O. , GARDNER SCOTT L. , JIMÉNEZ F. AGUSTÍN
Published: March 2019

Eleven specimens of a new genus of cyclocoelid, Selfcoelum limnodromi n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Cyclocoelidae: Cyclocoelinae) from the air sacs of a long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus, collected from the Cheyenne bottoms in Oklahoma and deposited at the Howard W. Manter Laboratory, University of Nebraska by Dr. Teague Self, former professor, Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma were examined. The new genus has an intertesticular ovary placing it in Cyclocoeolinae. It is most similar to species of Morishitium and Neohyptiasmus in having a postpharyngeal genital pore and vitelline fields that are not confluent posteriorly. However, unlike species of either of these 2 genera, the ovary of S. limnodromi n. gen., n. sp. forms a triangle with the testes as is found in species of Cyclocoelum where the genital pore is prepharyngeal rather than postpharyngeal. Selfcoelum n. gen. further differs from Morishitium by having uterine loops that surpass the ceca and vitelline fields laterally approaching the body wall instead of being intercecal, and from Neohyptiasmus by having testes that are rounded and entire instead of being lobed. A revised key to the Cyclocoelinae is provided to include the 2 additional genera that have been recently described from North America, Neoallopyge and Selfcoelum.
Review of Ammatucha Turner with descriptions of three new species (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae)
Authors: REN YINGDANG , LI HOUHUN
Published: March 2019

Ammatucha Turner is recorded for the first time from China, with three species described as new: A. longilepigera Ren & Li, sp. nov., A. brevilepigera Ren & Li, sp. nov., and A. flavipalpa Ren & Li, sp. nov. The female of the genus is reported for the first time, and the generic diagnosis is amended accordingly. Ammatucha is compared to the superficially similar Ceroprepes Zeller. A map of the geographic distribution of Ammatucha for the world is presented, and a key for the identification of all described species based on male genitalia is included.
The first snipe fly (Diptera: Rhagionidae) from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: ZHANG KUIYAN Y. , YANG DING , REN DONG
Published: March 2019

The description of the oldest Rhagionidae in China, Sinorhagio daohugouensis gen. et sp. nov., is given as new to science. It comes from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou Formation of Inner Mongolia. The relationships of Sinorhagio and other relevant genera of Rhagionidae are discussed.
On the distribution of the marine genus Thinolestris Grootaert & Meuffels (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) with a description of a new species from Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei
Authors: GROOTAERT PATRICK , EVENHUIS NEAL L.
Published: March 2019

Four species of Thinolestris Grootaert & Meuffels are known so far, including T. nigra sp. nov., which is described here from Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. New morphological data on the genus are given. At the moment, Thinolestris is only known from Andaman Sea, Strait of Singapore, South China Sea, Celebes Sea, Bismarck Sea and the Coral Sea. It is not yet known from North Australia nor from the Gulf of Thailand, or farther north. Thinolestris adults are active on beaches with small pebbles mixed with sandy patches. It is not found on rocks, pure sandy beaches nor mangroves.
A new deep-sea pectinid bivalve from thermal vents of Manus back-arc Basin (south-western Pacific), Sinepecten segonzaci n. gen., n. sp. (Pectinoidea: Pectinidae), and its relationships with the genera Bathypecten and Catillopecten
Authors: SCHEIN ELISABETH
Published: March 2019

Sinepecten segonzaci new genus and new species is described from a thermal vent environment in the Manus back-arc basin, North of New Guinea (south-western Pacific) at 1620–1680 m depth. Sinepecten segonzaci has close affinities with species of the genera Bathypecten and Catillopecten. It differs from the living fossil B. vulcani Schein-Fatton, 1985 from hydrothermal vents of the East Pacific Rise (13°N, 2630 m) in its ornamentation and in two main derived characters of the right valve: a prismatic shell microstructure is restricted to the juvenile stage and there is a specialized byssal notch in the new genus and species. Characters, shell ontogeny and biogeography of the three genera Bathypecten, Catillopecten and Sinepecten are compared to discuss their place in pectinid evolution.Keys words: Sinepecten segonzaci, new taxa, ontogeny, hydrothermal vents, back-arc basin, Western Pacific, Bivalvia, Pectinidae
Two new species of Tenuipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from southeastern Brazil
Authors: MESA N. C. , DE MORAES G. J. , OCHOA R.
Published: March 2019

The flat mites Tenuipalpus isabelae sp. nov. and Tenuipalpus flechtmanni sp. nov. are described based on deutonymphs and adult females collected in Brazil on Actinostemon sp. (Euphorbiaceae) and Campomanesia sp. (Myrtaceae), respectively.
Caballerocotyla llewelyni n. sp. and Caballerocotyla neothunni (Yamaguti, 1968) (Monogenea; Capsalidae) parasites of Brazilian tunas (Scombridae)
Authors: KOHN ANNA , JUSTO MÁRCIA C.N.
Published: March 2019

Two species of Caballerocotyla from scombrids from Atlantic Ocean, Rio de Janeiro coast, Brazil are described: Caballerocotyla llewelyni n. sp. from gills of Katsuwonus pelamis and Caballerocotyla neothunni, from Thunnus albacares. Caballerocotyla neothunni is reported for the first time in South America. Caballerocotyla llewelyni n. sp. is most similar to Caballerocotyla foliacea, Caballerocotyla gregalis, and Caballerocotyla nozawae by lacking marginal spines and by the presence of a sessile haptor. The new species differs from Caballerocotyla foliacea, mainly by its smaller number of testes and by the presence of “cuticular” papillae on the haptor; it differs from Caballerocotyla gregalis by the haptor/body length ratio, by shape of anchors and haptor with “cuticular” papillae; and it differs from Caballerocotyla nozawae, mainly by its smaller haptor and smaller number of testes. There was no morphological differences between the descriptions of Caballerocotyla neothunni and Caballerocotyla abidjani (parasites of Thunnus albacares) when compared to our specimens of C. abidjani (also collected from T. albacares). We propose Caballerocotyla abidjani as a synonym of Caballerocotyla neothunni.Key words: Brazil, Caballerocotyla, Caballerocotyla llewelyni n. sp., Capsalidae, marine fish parasites, Monogenea, Tuna
Revision of the spider family Trochanteriidae from China (Araneae: Gnaphosoidea)
Authors: ZHU MING-SHENG , TANG GUI-MING , ZHANG FENG , SONG DA-XIANG
Published: March 2019

Six species, including two new species, of the spider genus Plator Simon 1880 belonging to the family Trochanteriidae from China are reviewed, which are Plator bowo sp. nov., P. insolens Simon 1880, P. pandeae Tikader 1969, P. pennatus Platnick, 1976, P. sinicus Zhu & Wang 1963 (revalidated) and P. yunlong sp. nov. The male of P. pennatus is described for the first time. Two species groups, Plator insolens group (including P. insolens, P. sinicus and the Japanese species P. nipponicus Kishida 1914) and Plator pennatus group (including P. bowo sp. nov., P. insolens, P. pandeae, P. pennatus and an Indian species, P. indicus Simon 1897) are recognized.
New species of Thraulodes Ulmer, 1920 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae: Atalophlebiinae) from Northeastern Brazil
Authors: CAMPOS ROGÉRIO , MARIANO RODOLFO
Published: March 2019

Two new species of the genus Thraulodes Ulmer are described from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest and Caatinga biomes from the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Thraulodes catoles sp. nov. is described based on the male imago and can be distinguished from all other congeners by possessing the forewings with three cross veins basal to bullae; a reddish band on the apex of the foreleg femora; styliger plate with digitiform dorsal extension and penes with an apicolateral “ear”, long spines, lapel on inner margin and lateral pouch present. Thraulodes calori sp. nov. is described based on male and female imagos and can be diagnosed by the three weak cross veins basal to bullae on forewings; the apex of styliger plate rounded without medial projection with lateral margins acuminated; and the penes short, wide and without lateral pouch. The key to Thraulodes from Brazil was updated to include the new species described for the genus.
A new species of Cintaroa from India and new records of Craspedophorus from Pakistan and the Philippines (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Panagaeini)
Authors: HÄCKEL MARTIN , SCIAKY RICCARDO
Published: March 2019

The second species of the orophilous apterous genus Cintaroa Kasahara, 1989 (Carabidae, Panagaeini), C. sikkimica sp. nov. from Sikkim (Northern India) is here described. Checklists of Panagaeini Bonelli, 1810 from Pakistan and the Philippines are provided, presenting new records and discussions.
Gonialaenini, a new tribe of Lagriinae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Eocene Baltic Amber
Authors: NABOZHENKO MAXIM V. , BUKEJS ANDRIS , TELNOV DMITRY
Published: March 2019

Based on well preserved specimen, Gonialaena groehni gen. et sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is described from Eocene Baltic amber and assigned to Gonialaenini trib. nov. within the subfamily Lagriinae due to the combination of the following characters: labrum elongate; antennal sensilla simple; procoxal cavities closed at least externally; narrow membranes present between abdominal ventrites 3–5; mesocoxal cavities partly closed by mesepimeron, trochantine present; ovipositor of primitive lagrioid type—digitate fourth coxite lobe with gonostyles apically. Gonialaena gen. nov. combines characters of various Lagriinae tribes: humeral angles rounded, formed by basally widened epipleura as in Goniaderini, Pycnocerini and Lupropini; narrow acute intercoxal process of abdominal ventrite 1 as in Belopini, Cossyphini and Lagriini; absence (or strong reduction) of metathoracic wings as in most Adeliini and some Lupropini; large, reniform eyes as in Goniaderini, Pycnocerini, Lagriini and many Adeliini; present intersegmental membranes between abdominal ventrites 3–5 as in all lagriine tribes except for Belopini and Cossyphini; subcylindrical terminal maxillary palpomere as in Belopini and Cossyphini. Thus, the position of Gonialaenini trib. nov. within Lagriinae is not fully understood, but combination of certain features (humeral angles rounded but distinct and vertical border present at elytral base, inconspicuous elytral striae, large reniform eyes, narrow intersegmental membranes) points on morphological similarity with Goniaderini, especially some Anaedus Blanchard, 1845 with indistinct elytral striae and related genera.
Predictable and Unpredictable Aspects of U.S. West Coast Rainfall and El Niño: Understanding the 2015/16 Event
Authors: Cash Benjamin A. , Burls Natalie J.
Published: March 2019

California experienced record-setting drought from 2012 to 2017. Based on both seasonal forecast models and historical associations, there was widespread expectation that the major El Niño event of 2015/16 would result in increased winter-season precipitation and break the drought. However, the 2015/16 winter rainy season ultimately resulted in slightly below-average precipitation and the drought continued. In this work we analyze data from both observations and seasonal forecasts made as part of the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME) to better understand the general relationship between El Niño and U.S. West Coast rainfall, focusing on Southern California (SOCAL) rainfall, Pacific Northwest (PNW) rainfall, and the 2015/16 event. We find that while there is a statistically significant positive correlation between El Niño events and the SOCAL and PNW rainfall anomalies, this relationship explains at most one-third of the observed variance. Examination of hindcasts from the NMME demonstrates that the models are capable of accurately reproducing this observed correlation between tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures and California rainfall when information from the individual ensemble members is retained. However, focusing on the multimodel ensemble mean, which deliberately reduces the influence of unpredicted variability, drastically overestimates the strength of this relationship. Our analysis demonstrates that much of the winter rainfall variability along the U.S. West Coast is dominated by unpredicted variations in the 200-hPa height field and that this same unpredicted variability was largely responsible for the unexpectedly dry conditions in 2015/16.
Response of the Salinity-Stratified Bay of Bengal to Cyclone Phailin
Authors: Chaudhuri Dipanjan , Sengupta Debasis , D’Asaro Eric , Venkatesan R. , Ravichandran M.
Published: March 2019

Cyclone Phailin, which developed over the Bay of Bengal in October 2013, was one of the strongest tropical cyclones to make landfall in India. We study the response of the salinity-stratified north Bay of Bengal to Cyclone Phailin with the help of hourly observations from three open-ocean moorings 200 km from the cyclone track, a mooring close to the cyclone track, daily sea surface salinity (SSS) fromAquarius, and a one-dimensional model. Before the arrival of Phailin, moored observations showed a shallow layer of low-salinity water lying above a deep, warm “barrier” layer. As the winds strengthened, upper-ocean mixing due to enhanced vertical shear of storm-generated currents led to a rapid increase of near-surface salinity. Sea surface temperature (SST) cooled very little, however, because the prestorm subsurface ocean was warm.AquariusSSS increased by 1.5–3 psu over an area of nearly one million square kilometers in the north Bay of Bengal. A one-dimensional model, with initial conditions and surface forcing based on moored observations, shows that cyclone winds rapidly eroded the shallow, salinity-dominated density stratification and mixed the upper ocean to 40–50-m depth, consistent with observations. Model sensitivity experiments indicate that changes in ocean mixed layer temperature in response to Cyclone Phailin are small. A nearly isothermal, salinity-stratified barrier layer in the prestorm upper ocean has two effects. First, near-surface density stratification reduces the depth of vertical mixing. Second, mixing is confined to the nearly isothermal layer, resulting in little or no SST cooling.
Political Generations and the Italian Environmental Movement(s): Innovative Youth Activism and the Permanence of Collective Actors
Authors: Bertuzzi Niccolò
Published: March 2019

During recent years, Italian social movements have experienced a period of crisis, in part due to diffuse antipolitical feelings and latent social conflict. However, environmental issues and especially territorial mobilizations remain relevant, due to the appearance of new contentious actors and to the permanence of long-standing organizations and important local grassroots campaigns. Based on 19 semistructured interviews with activists belonging to informal groups and formal associations, this article discusses the role of age and generations within the variegated Italian environmental archipelago, in which organizational and collective aspects prove to currently have a relevant role. Indeed, age does not represent an important fracture, representing a partial anomaly if confronted with the other case studies discussed in this special issue. The only diversities between cohorts are related to the forms of action preferred and (eventually) adopted, while the common perception of job precariousness among young activists is not translated into a single frame and common path of resistance. More than a Millennials’ identity, it is rather appropriate to speak of various and divergent political generations: individuals belonging to different cohorts share some ideologies and visions of the world, especially related to territorial belongings or to specific ways of looking at environmental issues. Also for this reason, a final comparison between contemporary young activists and those of previous generations is proposed to address the generation(s) in movement(s) in a dynamic perspective.
Estimating Causal Relationships Between Women’s Representation in Government and Corruption
Authors: Esarey Justin , Schwindt-Bayer Leslie A.
Published: March 2019

Does increasing the representation of women in government lead to less corruption, or does corruption prevent the election of women? Are these effects large enough to be substantively meaningful? Some research suggests that having women in legislatures reduces corruption levels, with a variety of theoretical rationales offered to explain the finding. Other research suggests that corruption is a deterrent to women’s representation because it reinforces clientelistic networks that privilege men. Using instrumental variables, we find strong evidence that women’s representation decreases corruption and that corruption decreases women’s participation in government; both effects are substantively significant.
Surveillance, Spying and Disciplining the University: Deployment of State Security Agents on Campus in Zimbabwe
Authors: Gukurume Simbarashe
Published: March 2019

This article examines the deployment of government spies and state security agents on a university campus in Zimbabwe and the implications this has on knowledge production at the university. The campus is presented as a socio-political space in which everyday political struggles are fought. I argue that surveillance is an intractable part of the rhythms of everyday life on campus, and a very specific form of ‘bio-power’, ‘biopolitics’ and violence meant to discipline students and lecturers, as well as the ways in which knowledge is produced and sedimented. Habitualisation of surveillance and fear of surveillance generate Foucauldian ‘panopticon’: producing ‘self-censorship’ on campus.
Would I Want to Reach Age 100? Perspectives of Centenarians’ Family Members on Reaching Exceptional Longevity
Authors: Brandão Daniela , Ribeiro Oscar , Jopp Daniela
Published: March 2019

This study aims to analyze the wish to reach 100 years old in a sample of centenarians’ family members and explore the main reasons for supporting or refuting such a desire. Answers to an open question on the wish to reach 100 years old were analyzed via thematic coding and further explored in relation to personal characteristics (age, gender, kinship, and caregiver status) and to the centenarians’ health status (cognition, functional health). Most family members (56.5%) wished to become centenarians but only under specific circumstances (i.e., functional independence, good health status). Younger proxies (<65 years old) were more likely to express the wish for becoming centenarians; those refuting such a desire (43.5%) stressed the potential unavailability of family support and not wanting to become a burden. No differences were found based on the centenarians’ health status. Further studies are needed on family relations within these specific caregiving dyads.