bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aquatic and semi aquatic Hemiptera community of Sonebeel, the largest wetland of Assam, northeastern India
Authors: Saha Anupama , Gupta Susmita
Published: November 2018

Aquatic and semiaquatic Hemiptera bugs play significant ecological roles, and they are important indicators and pest control agents.  Little information is currently available concerning its populations in southern Assam.  This study assessed hemipterans in four sites of Sonebeel, the largest wetland in Assam (3458.12 ha at full storage level), situated in Karimganj District.  The major inflow and outflow of the wetland are the rivers Singla and Kachua, respectively (the Kachua drains into the Kushiyara River).  Samples were trapped with pond nets and were seasonally recorded.  This study recorded a total of 28 species of aquatic and semiaquatic hemipterans belonging to 20 genera under nine families.  Population, geographical and environmental data (e.g., rainfall) were used to assess the relative abundance of species, species richness and different diversity indices, and species distribution.
A preliminary checklist of butterflies from the northern Eastern Ghats with notes on new and significant species records including three new reports for peninsular India
Authors: Goswami Rajkamal , Thorat Ovee , Aditya Vikram , Karimbumkara Seena Narayanan
Published: November 2018

The northern Eastern Ghats is an area with significant biodiversity value but remains poorly explored except for a few charismatic taxa such as birds, mammals and reptiles.  Very few studies have looked at the invertebrate diversity of these hill ranges, particularly butterflies.  We present the first peer-reviewed checklist of butterflies from the northern Eastern Ghats based on a rapid and intensive survey carried out at five sites over 16 days across the buffer area of Papikonda National Park and Araku Valley in 2015 and 2016.  We report a total of 102 species of butterflies from six lepidopteran families.  Seventeen significant records include numerous first reports: three new species reports for peninsular India, nine for Eastern Ghats and 14 for the northern Eastern Ghats.  This checklist adds 17 species to the known butterfly fauna for the state of Andhra Pradesh.  It is hoped that findings from the study will help to mobilise conservation research, action and attention for the northern Eastern Ghats forest habitats, which are currently threatened by large scale development, security threats due to the Naxalite insurgency and mesoscale exploitation of forest resources.
I, etcetera
Authors: Kitnick Alex
Published: November 2018

Over the past few years there has been a marked use of the first-person singular in a broad range of cultural practices, including contemporary art, literature, and criticism. Although it goes by any number of names—autobiography, autofiction, confession, epistle, memoir, personal essay—which each have a specific history and structure, its increased use in our current moment suggests a common impulse and points to a novel conception of the author that is represented in the work of Moyra Davey, Chris Kraus, and Maggie Nelson.
Species delimitation in the genus Tamarix: Morphological and molecular data

Authors: SHEIDAI MASOUD , TEYMOORI HANIYEH , NOORMOHAMMADI ZAHRA , MEHRABIAN AHMAD-REZA , KOOHDAR FAHIMEH , GHASEMZADEH-BARAKI SOMAYEH
Published: November 2018

Tamarix (Tamaricaceae) is an ancient genus in Asia that contains about 54 to 90 species with unresolved taxonomy. Tamarix has major center of speciation in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran-Turkmenistan-S-Kazakhstan-W-China area and in the eastern Mediterranean area. Tamarix species are highly plastic and tolerant to adversity being able to occupy different habitats, thus showing a wide range of ecological variations. Tamarix species have commercial value in the landscape and horticultural trade and are planted for erosion control and as wind breaks. In the genus Tamarix, many species are morphologically very similar probably due, in part, inter-specific hybridization. Tamarix species live in sympatry in Sistan and Baloochestan province of Iran and we have no report on the number of species and their genetic structure. Therefore, we performed morphometric study to delimit the species growing in these two provinces and also used combined ISSR (Inter simple sequence repeat) and RAPD (Random amplified polymorphic DNA) molecular markers to study their genetic structure. Morphological analyses separated plants of 6 studied species in different groups, indicating that morphological characters used can delimit Tamarix species. We also encountered some plants having intermediate morphological characters. AMOVA and Hickory test showed significant genetic differences of the studied species and Mantel test showed significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance. STRUCTURE analysis and population assignment test revealed some degree of genetic admixture among the studied species. Assignment tests showed that gene flow mainly occurred among the species that were growing in neighborhood regions. This genetic admixture may be the reason for intermediate morphological characters observed in some the plants.
The lost and rediscovered holotype of Alyssum austrodalmaticum (Brassicaceae) is in line with the latest taxonomic treatment
Authors: ŠPANIEL STANISLAV , REŠETNIK IVANA , BUZJAK SUZANA
Published: November 2018

Alyssum austrodalmaticum was originally described as an endemic species from southern Croatia. It has been considered a dubious taxon because its holotype specimen got lost and because of the scant information contained in the protologue. To settle the interpretation of the name and its application to other Western Balkan populations, a neotype was recently designated. Soon after, the lost holotype specimen was accidentally rediscovered. It is in agreement with the (now superfluous) neotype and the most recent circumscription of the species. Here we present the holotype, summarize the previous uncertainty surrounding this taxon and list all its herbarium specimens from Croatia and adjacent regions deposited in the herbaria CNHM, ZA, ZAHO and ZAGR.
A new species and new record of Lophiotrema (Lophiotremataceae, Dothideomycetes) from karst landforms in southwest China
Authors: ZHANG JIN-FENG , LIU JIAN-KUI (JACK) , RAN HAI-YAN , KHONGPHINITBUNJONG KITIPHONG , LIU ZUO-YI
Published: November 2018

During fungal diversity studies on ascomycetes from karst landforms in southwest China, two taxa were collected and morphologically identified as Lophiotrema species based on their immersed ascomata, crest-like ostioles, cylindrical, short pedicellate asci and fusiform ascospores. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses based on a combined LSU-TEF1-α-SSU-ITS-RPB2 sequence data also confirmed their phylogenetic placement within the family Lophiotremataceae, where they clustered with reported Lophiotrema species with strong statistical support. Lophiotrema hydei sp. nov. is introduced and the species forms a distinct lineage which is sister to L. neohysterioides. Morphologically, Lophiotrema hydei differs from L. neohysterioides by its unique appearance of ascomata and different ascospore ornamentation. Another species is identified as L. neohysterioides based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic data, and it is reported as the new record from China.
World revision of the wasp genus Liosphex Townes, 1977 (Hymenoptera: Rhopalosomatidae)
Authors: LOHRMANN VOLKER , OHL MICHAEL
Published: November 2018

The wasp genus Liosphex Townes 1977 is revised and twelve new species are described: Liosphex achuar sp. nov. (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Peru), L. atratus sp. nov. (Costa Rica and Mexico), L. boreus sp. nov. (Mexico, Kentucky and Mississippi, USA), L. bribri sp. nov. (Costa Rica, Panama and Peru), L. darien sp. nov. (Panama), L. guanabara sp. nov. (Brazil), L. guarani sp. nov. (Brazil and Argentina), L. longicornis sp. nov. (Costa Rica), L. maleku sp. nov. (Costa Rica and Mexico), L. micropterus sp. nov. (southern Brazil and Paraguay), L. quechua sp. nov. (Peru), and L. tupi sp. nov. (Brazil). The male of L. trichopleurum Townes, 1977 is described for the first time. A redescription of L. varius Townes, 1977, including new diagnostic characters, is provided since the original description was based on a heterogeneous type series of specimens from different species. The revision includes images of all fourteen species, illustrations of the main diagnostic characters, an identification key to species and distribution maps for all species.
Seven new species of Telebasis from Brazil (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)
Authors: MACHADO ANGELO B. M.
Published: November 2018

Seven new species of Telebasis from Brazil are described, illustrated, and diagnosed: T. celiovallei, T. divaricata (Pará State); T. lenkoi (Mato Grosso State); T. myrianae (Bahia State); T. pallida (Mato Grosso State); T. pareci (Mato Grosso State); and T. pataxo (Bahia State).
New species of the genus Lebinthus (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Eneopterinae, Lebinthini) from Indonesia and the Solomon Islands
Authors: ROBILLARD TONY
Published: November 2018

Lebinthus crickets from Indonesia and the Solomon Islands are analysed. Six new species are described: L. ambonensis n. sp., L. buruensis n. sp., L. cyclopus n. sp., L. greensladei n. sp., L. kolombara n. sp. and L. villemantae n. sp., and one is redescribed (L. truncatipennis Chopard, 1929). Descriptions focus on male and female genitalia and forewing venation. Data are provided for L. villemantae n. sp. fine scaled habitat, behaviour and song repertoire.
Taxonomic revision of the ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) genus Paraparatrechina in the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions
Authors: LaPOLLA JOHN S. , CHENG CHIU H. , FISHER BRIAN L.
Published: November 2018

The taxonomy of the Afrotropical and Malagasy Paraparatrechina fauna is revised for the first time. Thirteen species are revealed, of which eight are described as new: P. brunnella LaPolla & Cheng; P. concinnata LaPolla & Cheng; P. gnoma LaPolla & Cheng; P. myops LaPolla & Fisher; P. ocellatula LaPolla & Fisher; P. oreias LaPolla & Cheng; P. splendida LaPolla & Cheng; P. umbranatis LaPolla & Cheng. An identification key to the worker caste is provided.
Revision of the genus Carphontes Bates, with the proposal of a new genus, Paracleodoxus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)
Authors: MONNÉ MIGUEL A. , MONNÉ MARCELA L.
Published: November 2018

The genus Carphontes Bates, 1881 is redefined, and a new genus Paracleodoxus gen. nov. is described. Carphontes posticalis Bates, 1881 is redescribed. Three new species are described and illustrated: Carphontes paradoxus sp. nov. from Venezuela, Paracleodoxus cineraceus sp. nov. from Venezuela and Colombia, and Paracleodoxus simillimus sp. nov. from Venezuela.
Synthesis of Brazilian Collembola: an update to the species list
Authors: ABRANTES EDUARDO A. , BELLINI BRUNO C. , BERNARDO ALESSANDRA N. , FERNANDES LILIANE H. , MENDONÇA MARIA C. , OLIVEIRA ELISIANA P. , QUEIROZ GABRIEL C. , SAUTTER KLAUS D. , SILVEIRA TATIANA C. , ZEPPELINI DOUGLAS
Published: November 2018

The current total number of species found in Brazil is 270, distributed in 19 families and 92 genera, an increase of 71 species and 12 genera in the last 6 years. The greatest known diversity is found in Rio de Janeiro (132 species), Amazonas (56), Espírito Santo (30) and São Paulo (28), while there are no record to seven Brazilian states (Acre, Alagoas, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Rio Grande do Norte, Roraima and Tocantins). Distribution of the records clearly defines the areas that urge investments in scientific research and taxonomic survey and reflects the concentration of information in those centers that host the few specialists in Collembola, currently working in Brazil.
Three new species of Achrysocharoides Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitoids of Phyllonorycter spp. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on Acer platanoides and Robinia pseudoacacia
Authors: HANSSON CHRISTER , SHEVTSOVA EKATERINA
Published: November 2018

Three new species of Achrysocharoides are described, one from northern Europe, A. platanoidae sp. nov., one from central Europe and the U.S.A., A. robiniae sp. nov., and one from the U.S.A., A. robinicolus sp. nov. The descriptions are based on material reared from microlepidopterans of the genus Phyllonorycter Hübner (Gracillariidae): A. platanoidae from P. platanoidella (Joannis) on Acer platanoides, and A. robiniae and A. robinicolus from P. robiniella (Clemens) on Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust). The new species are very similar to previously described species, A. platanoidae to A. acerianus (Askew), and A. robiniae and A. robinicolus to A. gahani (Miller), but they are shown here to differ from their sibling species both in biology and in external morphology. The host of A. robiniae and A. robinicolus, P. robiniella, is a serious pest on the black locust tree in Europe, and the descriptions with diagnoses of these two species, and their scientific names, introduced here will aid the biological control efforts of this pest.
Sinahemeroscopus magnificus, new genus and species of ‘libelluloid’ dragonfly from the Chinese Mesozoic (Odonata, Anisoptera: Nannogomphidae?)
Authors: HUANG DI-YING , NEL ANDRÉ
Published: November 2018

Sinahemeroscopus magnificus gen. and sp. nov. is described from the Early Cretaceous of China. We tentatively attribute it to the Nannogomphidae. This family was currently known from the Late Jurassic of Germany.
New records, a synonymy and a new species of Aradus Fabricius, 1803 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae) from China
Authors: BAI X. , HEISS E. , CAI W.
Published: November 2018

In this paper five new records for the Chinese flat bug fauna are reported: Aradus angularis Sahlberg 1886, Aradus betulae (Linnaeus 1758), Aradus distinctus Fieber 1860, Aradus tonkinensis Kormilev & Heiss 1976, and Aradus rysakovi Kiritshenko 1951. Aradus wuzhisanensis Liu 1981from Hainan Province is synonymised with Aradus candidatus Bergroth 1889, a species known from Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. A new species, Aradus gaoligongensis n. sp. from Sichuan Province, belongs to the “transiens”-group and is described and figured. In addition, new distribution data are given for 8 Aradus species.
New records of Serpulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) from hydrothermal vents of North Fiji, Pacific Ocean
Authors: KUPRIYANOVA ELENA K. , NISHI EIJIROH , KAWATO MASARU , FUJIWARA YOSHIHIRO
Published: November 2018

Serpulidae are sessile suspension-feeding annelids commonly found in the periphery of hydrothermal vents, but up to now only two species, Laminatubus alvini and Protis hydrothermica had been described from such communities. This paper reports two additional serpulid species, collected in 2005 from the North Fiji hydrothermal vent area, identified as Hyalopomatus mironovi and Protis sp. The former has originally been described from the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench and the later recorded from the North-East Pacific. The latter species is similar to Protis hydrothermica, but lacks special finand-blade collar chaetae typical of this genus. Illustrated re-descriptions of the two species have been supplemented by molecular sequences (18S ribosomal RNA). Molecular phylogenetic analyses show that Hyalopomatus mironovi and Protis sp. are sister species of Laminatubus alvini and Protis hydrothermica, respectively.
Phylogeny-based species delimitation of southern Philippines bent-toed geckos and a new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago
Authors: WELTON LUKE J. , SILER CAMERON D. , DIESMOS ARVIN C. , BROWN RAFE M.
Published: November 2018

Using a combination of fixed morphological character differences, mitochondrial DNA sequence data, and an estimate of phylogeny as our guide, we describe a new species of bent-toed gekkonid lizard (Genus: Cyrtodactylus) from southwestern Mindanao Island, and northeastern portions of the Sulu Archipelago, southern Philippines. The new species resembles C. annulatus, but differs from this and all other congeners by characteristics of external morphology, color pattern, and body size. In addition, the new species is distinguished from congeners by marked genetic divergence and reciprocal monophyly of mitochondrial DNA sequences. The new species is common in pristine, low elevation gallery forests throughout Pasonanca Natural Park, Zamboanga Peninsula, southwestern Mindanao Island, and the northeastern portions of the Sulu Archipelago.
A new species of the genus Boltenia (Ascidiacea) from the Red Sea
Authors: SHENKAR NOA , LAMBERT GRETCHEN
Published: November 2018

Between 2003 and 2008 during surveys and collection of ascidians along the Red Sea coast of Israel several specimens of an undescribed species of Boltenia were collected by SCUBA from man-made structures at 1–20 m depth. This is the first species of the genus Boltenia described from the Red Sea. We name the new species Boltenia yossiloya in honor of Professor Yossi Loya, a world renowned researcher of the coral reefs of Eilat.
Analytic taxonomy and notes on marine, brackish-water and estuarine Gastrotricha
Authors: HUMMON WILLIAM D. , TODARO M. ANTONIO
Published: November 2018

Marine Gastrotricha, both Macrodasyida and Chaetonotida, are the subject of an analytic review, citing taxonomic status of names, authorships of taxa, and those responsible for changes, in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, 4 th ed. (1999). Notes are included with regard to taxonomic usage so as to guide workers in the future. Among the proposed novelties are: within Macrodasyida, to restrict the family Lepidodasyidae Remane, 1927 to the genus Lepidodasys Remane, 1926, and to establish a new family, Cephalodasyidae with Cephalodasys Remane, 1926 as its type-species to house the remaining genera and species that have been contained in the polyphyletic family Lepidodasyidae. Hemidasys agaso Claparède, 1867 is considered extinct, and the new name Tetranchyroderma antenniphorum is proposed for Tetranchyroderma antennatum Luporini, Magagnini & Tongiorgi, 1973; in addition, five species are here considered to be species inquirendae: Dactylopodola weilli d'Hondt, 1965, Paradasys nipponensis Sudzuki, 1976, Macrodasys indicus Kutty & Nair, 1969. Tetranchyroderma forceps d’Hondt & Balsamo, 2009 and Turbanella plana (Giard, 1904b). Among Chaetonotida: the Xenotrichula velox-species group Ruppert, 1979 and the Xenotrichula intermedia-species group Ruppert, 1979 were given each the rank of subgenus. Chaetonotus pleuracanthus Remane, 1926 is rejected as a synonym for Chaetonotus marinus Giard, 1904; Chaetonotus somniculosus Mock, 1979 is transferred to the genus Halichaetonotus, the new name Halichaetonotus euromarinus is proposed for Halichaetonotus spinosus Mock, 1979, and Xenotrichula carolinensis Ruppert, 1979 is re-established. Heteroxenotrichula variocirrata d'Hondt, 1966 is here considered to be species inquirenda.
Scapheremaeus rodickae n. sp. (Acari: Oribatida: Cymbaeremaeidae) associated with temporary rock pools in Georgia, with key to Scapheremaeus species in eastern USA and Canada
Authors: NORTON ROY A. , FRANKLIN ELIZABETH , CROSSLEY, JR. D. A.
Published: November 2018

A new and apparently endemic oribatid mite—Scapheremaeus rodickae n. sp. (Cymbaeremaeidae)—is described based on adult specimens collected from mosses (Grimmia laevigata) growing on shallow soils in weathering depressions (rock pools) on granitic outcrops of the Georgia (USA) Piedmont. Scapheremaeus marginalis (Banks) is considered a senior subjective synonym of Scapheremaeus marmoratus (Berlese). A diagnostic key to the five currently recognized species of Scapheremaeus known from the eastern USA and Canada is presented, as are new distribution records. Scapheremaeus palustris (Sellnick) is the most common and widely distributed species in this region and is the only Scapheremaeus species known to have a trans-Atlantic distribution; European populations have a slightly different prodorsal microsculpture.
Morphological and molecular assessment of the Diplodactylus savagei species complex in the Pilbara region, Western Australia, with a description of a new species
Authors: Doughty PAUL , PEPPER MITZY , KEOGH J. SCOTT
Published: November 2018

The gecko Diplodactylus savagei is restricted to the rocky Pilbara and Ashburton regions of Western Australia. Recent collections have enabled a reappraisal of morphological and genetic diversity within the taxon. Analysis of 1200 base pairs of the mtDNA gene ND2 and surrounding tRNA found strong support for three lineages within D. savagei: an eastern clade (which includes the type location of D. savagei from Marble Bar), a southern clade and a north-central clade. The eastern and southern clades did not differ in morphology or dorsal pattern. Although there are several subtle differences in morphological characters between the eastern and southern clades compared to the north-central form, there were clear differences in dorsal pattern with the north-central forms having finer, widely-scattered spots, a pale dorsal border to the loreal stripe and a gradual transition between the dorsal and ventral colouration. We describe the north-central form as a new species, D. galaxias sp. nov., based on the distinctiveness of its colour pattern, subtle morphological differences, mtDNA divergence and maintenance of these differences at the edge of the western Hamersley Range where the north-central and southern clades come into contact.
The Juggler of Notre Dame and the Medievalizing of Modernity
Authors: Ziolkowski Jan M.
Published: November 2018

This ambitious and vivid study in six volumes explores the journey of a single, electrifying story, from its first incarnation in a medieval French poem through its prolific rebirth in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The Juggler of Notre Dame tells how an entertainer abandons the world to join a monastery, but is suspected of blasphemy after dancing his devotion before a statue of the Madonna in the crypt; he is saved when the statue, delighted by his skill, miraculously comes to life.

Jan Ziolkowski tracks the poem from its medieval roots to its rediscovery in late nineteenth-century Paris, before its translation into English in Britain and the United States. The visual influence of the tale on Gothic revivalism and vice versa in America is carefully documented with lavish and inventive illustrations, and Ziolkowski concludes with an examination of the explosion of interest in The Juggler of Notre Dame in the twentieth century and its place in mass culture today. In this concluding volume, Ziolkowski explores the popularity of The Juggler of Notre Dame from the 1930s through the Second World War, especially in the Allied Resistance. Its popularity in the United States was subsequently maintained by figures as diverse as Tony Curtis and W. H. Auden, and although recently the story and medievalism have lost ground, the future of both holds promise.

Presented with great clarity and simplicity, Ziolkowski's work is accessible to the general reader, while its many new discoveries will be valuable to academics in such fields and disciplines as medieval studies, medievalism, philology, literary history, art history, folklore, performance studies, and reception studies.
Oceanic Overturning and Heat Transport: The Role of Background Diffusivity
Authors: Hieronymus Magnus , Nycander Jonas , Nilsson Johan , Döös Kristofer , Hallberg Robert
Published: November 2018

The role of oceanic background diapycnal diffusion for the equilibrium climate state is investigated in the global coupled climate model CM2G. Special emphasis is put on the oceanic meridional overturning and heat transport. Six runs with the model, differing only by their value of the background diffusivity, are run to steady state and the statistically steady integrations are compared. The diffusivity changes have large-scale impacts on many aspects of the climate system. Two examples are the volume-mean potential temperature, which increases by 3.6°C between the least and most diffusive runs, and the Antarctic sea ice extent, which decreases rapidly as the diffusivity increases. The overturning scaling with diffusivity is found to agree rather well with classical theoretical results for the upper but not for the lower cell. An alternative empirical scaling with the mixing energy is found to give good results for both cells. The oceanic meridional heat transport increases strongly with the diffusivity, an increase that can only partly be explained by increases in the meridional overturning. The increasing poleward oceanic heat transport is accompanied by a decrease in its atmospheric counterpart, which keeps the increase in the planetary energy transport small compared to that in the ocean.
H∞ Suboptimal controller design for adaptive optic systems
Authors: Erol Bilal , Altıner Berk , Adalı Erkan , Delibaşı Akın
Published: November 2018

In this paper, an alternative approach to conventional [Formula: see text] control is proposed for adaptive optic (AO) systems. In order to account for the dynamics of the deformable mirror (DM), the Kirchhoff plate equation is considered. Phase wavefront aberrations, which are the effect of atmospheric turbulence, are modelled using the orthogonal set of Zernike polynomials. The first part of this study concerns the derivation of mathematical models for the DM and the atmospheric turbulence. The AO systems used for disturbance rejection concentrate on a specific frequency band, as the disturbance occurs in that region. However, the conventional weighted [Formula: see text] controller is not applicable due to its order. The proposed controller handles this problem by using frequency weighted balanced model reduction. The efficiency of the proposed approach is examined on Zernike’s tip and tilt, focus, astigmatism, coma, trefoil, spherical, secondary astigmatism and quadrafoil modes.
Excluding Europe’s Muslims: Symbolic Boundaries and Anti-immigrant Attitudes Along a Racial–Ethnic Hierarchy
Authors: Ponce Aaron
Published: November 2018

Research has shown that immigrants in Europe face exclusion in an increasingly hostile political climate. However, few studies comprehensively investigate whether exclusionism is patterned by a pervasive race–ethnicity hierarchy. This article bridges anti-immigrant attitudes research with the symbolic boundaries literature, which identifies Islam and Muslim “otherness” as a bright ethnic boundary. I use 2014 European Social Survey data to test whether immigrants of different racial–ethnic profiles are excluded along a preference hierarchy and whether this hierarchy structures intergroup contact, a well-known depressor of anti-immigrant sentiment. In all sample countries, I find that same race and Muslim immigrants are the most and least preferred immigrant groups, respectively. Further, while natives’ residential isolation is typically mediated by interethnic contact, both forces exert a dual influence on anti-Muslim exclusionism only. Results qualify the optimism of intergroup contact theories and indicate an extensive targeting of Muslims for exclusion beyond xenophobia or general racist sentiment.
Diagnostic and predictive performance of biomarkers in patients with sepsis in an intensive care unit
Authors: Zhang Yu , Khalid Sadia , Jiang Li
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study was performed to compare the predictive performance of serum procalcitonin (PCT), N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide (NT-proBNP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 150 patients with sepsis and septic shock and 30 control patients without sepsis. Each patient was followed until death or 28 days. Correlations between variables were assessed with Spearman’s rho test. The Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for between-group comparisons.

Results

Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the SOFA score, PCT, NT-proBNP, IL-6, PT, and TT showed an area under the curve of 0.872, 0.732, 0.711, 0.706, 0.806, and 0.691, respectively, for diagnosing sepsis. Binary logistic regression demonstrated that the SOFA score was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality and septic shock. The correlation coefficient (r) between SOFA and PCT, NT-proBNP and SOFA, IL-6 and SOFA, PT and SOFA, and TT and SOFA was 0.79, 0.52, 0.57, 0.56, and 0.58, respectively.

Conclusion

While the SOFA score is the gold standard, analysis of multiple biomarkers could increase the performance capacity for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with sepsis in the ICU.
Onset of menarche is not delayed in Slovenian patients with celiac disease
Authors: Mičetić-Turk Dušanka , Vlaisavljević Veljko , Turk Eva , Pogačar Maja Šikić
Published: November 2018

Objective

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder associated with numerous health problems, including reproductive disorders. This study was performed to analyze the association between CD and the menstrual cycle in a group of patients with CD and compare these patients’ characteristics with those of healthy women.

Methods

The study included 145 patients with CD (age, 15–51 years) and 162 healthy women (age, 18–55 years). Age at menarche and characteristics of the menstrual cycle were obtained by an anonymous questionnaire developed for the study.

Results

The age at onset of menarche was 12 to 14 years in 72.9% of the patients with CD and 77.3% of the healthy controls. For most patients (74.2%), the length of the menstrual cycle was around 27 to 28 days with 4 to 5 days of bleeding. Furthermore, 8.4% of patients versus 5.9% of controls experienced bleeding between cycles.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that in Slovenia, the age at menarche in patients with CD is 12.7 years, which is comparable with that in healthy women. We conclude that CD (treated or untreated) may not be associated with late menarche.
Regional and Facility Differences in Interventions for Mastitis by Australian Physiotherapists
Authors: Diepeveen Lara Clare , Fraser Elise , Croft Anna Jane Elizabeth , Jacques Angela , McArdle Adelle M. , Briffa Kathy , McKenna Leanda
Published: November 2018

Background:

Little information has been documented regarding interventions for mastitis by Australian physiotherapists. It is currently not known if physiotherapy interventions vary across Australian regions and types of healthcare facilities.

Research aims:

(1) To identify the interventions used by Australian physiotherapists treating mothers with mastitis and (2) to determine the variability in interventions used across regions and facilities.

Methods:

A retrospective observational design was used. A sample of case records of mothers with mastitis was identified ( N = 192). These case records documented physiotherapy interventions for mastitis in hospitals and private physiotherapy practices in Western Australia ( n = 77; 40.1%), Victoria ( n = 76; 39.6%), and New South Wales ( n = 39; 20.3%). An electronic data collection tool was designed to examine intervention variables.

Results:

The physiotherapy interventions received by mothers included therapeutic ultrasound (n=175; 91.1%), education and advice ( n = 160; 83.3%), and massage ( n = 103; 53.6%). Therapeutic ultrasound parameters varied across regions and types of healthcare facilities. Mean documented therapeutic ultrasound intensity was approximately twice as high in New South Wales and Victoria than in Western Australia.

Conclusions:

Regional and facility differences exist in physiotherapy interventions for mastitis in Australia. Healthcare professionals who refer to physiotherapists for mastitis should be aware that interventions received may differ across regions and facility types.
A Subjective Quality of Life Proxy for Older Adults in the PAQUID Cohort Study
Authors: Villeneuve Roxane , Meillon Céline , Bergua Valérie , Rascle Nicole , Dartigues Jean-François , Pérès Karine , Amieva Hélène
Published: November 2018

Objectives:

Quality of life is regarded as a major outcome in epidemiologic research, especially in the older population. Nevertheless, some cohort studies lack a specific instrument to evaluate it. The aim of this study was to propose a subjective quality of life proxy using easily accessible items, available in most epidemiologic studies.

Method:

We used data from the PAQUID (Personnes Agées Quid) cohort study (1991-1992, France). A subjective quality of life proxy was created based on items on positive affects, subjective health, and life satisfaction. Logistic and linear regression models as well as Cox survival models were used to assess the association between the proxy score and depression, dependence, cognitive complaints, adverse life events, comorbidities, and death. Analyses were replicated in an independent cohort study, AMI (Approche Multidisciplinaire intégrée; 2007-2008, France). All models were adjusted for age, sex, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and place of residence.

Results:

In the PAQUID sample (n = 2135), we found significant associations between the proxy score and the selected health outcomes. We found the same associations in the AMI cohort.

Conclusion:

This proxy might be useful when no gold standard for quality of life assessment is available or when in need of a short but reliable instrument that will not require extended administration time.
Inflation-Linked Bonds as a Separate Asset Class: Evidence from Emerging and Developed Markets
Authors: Chopra Monika , Mehta Chhavi , Srivastava Aman
Published: November 2018

One of the key goals of strategic asset allocation is protection against inflation. High inflation eats up real returns, causing a damaging effect on a portfolio of bonds and equities. Inflation-linked bonds (ILBs) were introduced to shield the purchasing power of a portfolio from inflationary conditions by linking portfolio returns to inflation, over a bond’s life term. The current research evaluates the acceptability of ILBs as a separate asset class and as an inflation hedge. It uses data from four emerging and four developed markets for a period of five years, that is, 2011–2016. The study employs multiple regression, cross-correlations and mean-variance spanning techniques to demonstrate the abovementioned benefits of ILBs. The findings of the study establish an advantage of excess returns provided by ILBs over nominal bonds under varying inflationary conditions. An improvement in mean-variance efficiency is found when ILBs are added to a portfolio. Overall, the study contributes to the body of knowledge by suggesting that ILBs can be included in a portfolio to hedge, as well as to improve its strategic asset allocation.
Changing balances of PIL theories in a Europeanized Private International Law
Authors: Vyshka Klea
Published: November 2018

This article offers a reading of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) from a private international law perspective (PIL). The developments that the CJEU thus gave start to in the field of company law, and especially in EU citizenship, invites for a reshaping of the balances between Union law and Member State private international laws, especially in the field of methods of application. This article aims to shed light into the question ‘To what extent has the EU citizenship as a connecting factor in the context of a Europeanized PIL changed the PIL traditional methods of application?’ The host Member State is obliged to recognize the duly created rights in the original Member State, with respect to the mutual recognition principle. The return of the vested rights theory as opposed to the use of the traditional conflict-of-law approach seems on its way.
Climate and Soil Properties Influence Species Diversity of Soil Bacillus Community in India
Authors: Nair Girish R , Raja Suresh SS
Published: November 2018

Bacillus is an important genus as it is a source for antibiotics, enzymes, and probiotics. Therefore, several studies are targeted on this genus in order to understand its diversity abundance in different soil environments. In present study, we investigated the diversity of Bacillus at species level using culturable approach in soils collected at different climatic zones of India and identified 20 prominent members of genus Bacillus species that are able to grow in different media types under same culture conditions. Results also showed that the species diversity of Bacillus changes according to the soil microenvironment under the influence of different climatic conditions. As a pilot study using culturable approach, we made an attempt to investigate the shift in Bacillus species diversity present in the Indian soils experiencing a climatic gradient over a large geographic area.
Health monitoring of reinforced concrete structures with hysteretic dampers subjected to dynamical loads by means of the acoustic emission energy
Authors: Cortés Gonzalo , Suarez Elisabet , Gallego Antolino , Benavent-Climent Amadeo
Published: November 2018

A test specimen representing a scaled reinforced concrete frame structure with hysteretic dampers was subjected to sequential seismic simulations of incremental peak acceleration on a 3 × 3 m2 shaking table. From this specimen, two beam–column connections—one exterior and one interior—were continuously monitored with wideband low-frequency acoustic emission sensors properly attached on the structure. Complementing other Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods, acoustic emission has proven to be a reliable technology for structural health monitoring within a predictive maintenance program. In particular, it was found that the accumulated energy of acoustic emission signals—properly filtered by means of the root mean squared and the spectral partial power of the waveforms in order to avoid the influence of secondary sources—correlated well with the plastic strain energy released by the specimen. Moreover, the use of the rise angle and average frequency of the filtered acoustic emission signals allowed for successful discernment between tensile and shear cracks in the concrete. The acoustic emission energy associated with shear cracks was found to be substantially lesser than that corresponding to tensile crack. This observation is consistent with the fact that the beams and column of the tested reinforced concrete frame were designed under modern codes aimed at preventing the brittle shear failure of members.
Detection of selective forwarding attacks based on adaptive learning automata and communication quality in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Zhu Hongliang , Zhang Zhihua , Du Juan , Luo Shoushan , Xin Yang
Published: November 2018

Wireless sensor networks face threats of selective forwarding attacks which are simple to implement but difficult to detect. It is difficult to distinguish between malicious packet dropping and the normal packet loss on unstable wireless channels. For this situation, a selective forwarding attack detection method is proposed based on adaptive learning automata and communication quality; the method can eliminate the impact of normal packet loss on selective forwarding attack detection and can detect ordinary selective forwarding attack and special cases of selective forwarding attack. The current and comprehensive communication quality of nodes are employed to reflect the short- and long-term forwarding behaviors of nodes, and the normal packet loss caused by unstable channels and medium-access-control layer collisions is considered. The adaptive reward and penalty parameters of a detection learning automata are determined by the comprehensive communication quality of the node and the voting of its neighbors to reward normal nodes or punish malicious ones. Simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed method in detecting ordinary selective forwarding attacks, black-hole attacks, on-off attacks, and energy exhaustion attacks. In addition, the communication overhead of the method is lower than that of other methods.
Prognostic significance of emergency department bypass in stable and unstable patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Scholz Karl Heinrich , Friede Tim , Meyer Thomas , Jacobshagen Claudius , Lengenfelder Björn , Jung Jens , Fleischmann Claus , Moehlis Hiller , Olbrich Hans G , Ott Rainer , Elsässer Albrecht , Schröder Stephen , Thilo Christian , Raut Werner , Franke Andreas , Maier Lars S , Maier Sebastian KG
Published: November 2018

Background:

In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, direct transport from the scene to the catheterisation laboratory bypassing the emergency department has been shown to shorten times to reperfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of emergency department bypass on mortality in both haemodynamically stable and unstable STEMI patients.

Methods:

The analysis is based on a large cohort of STEMI patients prospectively included in the German multicentre Feedback Intervention and Treatment Times in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (FITT-STEMI) trial.

Results:

Out of 13,219 STEMI patients who were brought directly from the scene by emergency medical service transportation and were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, the majority were transported directly to the catheterisation laboratory bypassing the emergency department ( n=6740, 51% with emergency department bypass). These patients had a significantly lower in-hospital mortality than their counterparts with no emergency department bypass (6.2% vs. 10.0%, P<0.0001). The reduced mortality related to emergency department bypass was observed in both stable ( n=11,594, 2.8% vs. 3.8%, P=0.0024) and unstable patients presenting with cardiogenic shock ( n=1625, 36.3% vs. 46.2%, P<0.0001). Regression models adjusted for the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score consistently confirmed a significant and independent predictive effect of emergency department bypass on survival in the total study population (odds ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.56–0.74, P<0.0001) and in the subgroup of shock patients (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.54–0.88, P=0.0028).

Conclusion:

In STEMI patients, emergency department bypass is associated with a significant reduction in mortality, which is most pronounced in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock. Our data encourage treatment protocols for emergency department bypass to improve the survival of both haemodynamically stable patients and, in particular, unstable patients. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT00794001 ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00794001
Characterization of kaolin from Mankon, northwest Cameroon
Authors: Nzeukou Nzeugang A. , Ouahabi M. El , Aziwo B. , Mache J.R. , Mefire Mounton H.S. , Fagel N.
Published: November 2018

A kaolin deposit from Mankon (northwest Cameroon) was prospected and studied for potential applications in ceramics. Six samples were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the mineralogical composition and with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine the chemical composition and properties for ceramic applications. The main minerals in the clays are kaolinite/halloysite and anatase associated with alunite, illite, gibbsite and maghemite. The kaolin samples have abundant organic matter (4–10%) and low absorption of methylene blue (0.2–2.5 meq/100 g), while SiO2 (33.28–56.31%) and Al2O3 (19.26–35.87%) are major oxides. The particle-size distribution derived from sieving and the hydrometer method indicates that 12–38% of the samples are in the <2 μm clay fraction. The clays have low to moderate plasticity (7–21%). One sample with K-feldspar and plagioclase displays the necessary properties for red ceramic products. SEM confirmed the occurence of halloysite in sample M9. The high kaolinite/halloysite content (64–97%), associated with low Fe2O3 content (0.5–1.4%) demonstrates that five samples are suitable raw materials for white firing industrial kaolin.
Composition, technology and provenance of Roman pottery from Napoca (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
Authors: Gál Ágnes , Ionescu Corina , Bajusz Mátyás , Codrea Vlad A. , Hoeck Volker , Barbu-Tudoran Lucian , Simon Viorica , Mureșan-Pop Marieta , Csók Zsolt
Published: November 2018

Second-century CE (common era) household pottery sherds found in the city of Napoca (present day Cluj-Napoca, Romania) in Roman Dacia were investigated by polarized light optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and cold field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to obtain information on technology, raw materials and site of production. Compositionally, all samples are similar with comparable fine and semi-fine microstructures and oriented microtextures. Optically, there is a gradual transition from microcrystalline to an amorphous illitic-muscovitic matrix. The small aplastic inclusions are mostly quartz and feldspar. Fine-grained carbonate aggregates are distributed inhomogeneously in the ceramic body. Well-preserved Middle Miocene foraminifera tests are characteristic of the ceramics. The gradual thermal changes of the matrix and the newly formed phases upon firing, such as ‘ceramic melilite’, Fe-gehlenite, clinopyroxene, glass, hematite and some maghemite support inferences regarding the technological constraints in producing the pottery. The firing took place in a mostly oxidizing atmosphere and the temperature extended from at least 850°C to >900°C. The Middle Miocene marly clay from the area surrounding the site shows similar mineralogical and micropalaeontological contents to those of the ceramic specimens and is the best candidate for the raw material used for local production of the Roman pottery.
IL-15/IL-15Rα/CD80-expressing AML cell vaccines eradicate minimal residual disease in leukemic mice
Authors: Shi Yimin , Dincheva-Vogel Lillia , Ayemoba Charles E. , Fung Jeffrey P. , Bergamaschi Cristina , Pavlakis George N. , Farzaneh Farzin , Gaensler Karin M. L.
Published: November 2018

Engineered autologous acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells present multiple leukemia-associated and patient-specific antigens and as such hold promise as immunotherapeutic vaccines. However, prior vaccines have not reliably induced effective antileukemic immunity, in part because AML blasts have immune inhibitory effects and lack expression of the critical costimulatory molecule CD80. To enhance induction of leukemia-specific cytolytic activity, 32Dp210 murine AML cells were engineered to express either CD80 alone, or the immunostimulatory cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) with its receptor α (IL-15Rα), or heterodimeric IL-15/IL-15Rα together with CD80 and tested as irradiated cell vaccines. IL-15 is a γc-chain cytokine, with unique properties suited to stimulating antitumor immunity, including stimulation of both natural killer and CD8+ memory T cells. Coexpression of IL-15 and IL-15Rα markedly increases IL-15 stability and secretion. Non-tumor-bearing mice vaccinated with irradiated 32Dp210-IL-15/IL-15Rα/CD80 and challenged with 32Dp210 leukemia had greater survival than did mice treated with 32Dp210-CD80 or 32Dp210-IL-15/IL-15Rα vaccines, whereas no unvaccinated mice inoculated with leukemia survived. In mice with established leukemia, treatment with 32Dp210-IL-15/IL-15Rα/CD80 vaccination stimulated unprecedented antileukemic immunity enabling 80% survival, an effect that was abrogated by anti-CD8 antibody-mediated depletion in vivo. Because, clinically, AML vaccines are administered as postremission therapy, we established a novel model in which mice with high leukemic burdens were treated with cytotoxic therapy to induce remission (<5% marrow blasts). Postremission vaccination with 32Dp210-IL-15/IL-15Rα/CD80 achieved 50% overall survival in these mice, whereas all unvaccinated mice achieving remission subsequently relapsed. These studies demonstrate that combined expression of IL-15/IL-15Rα and CD80 by syngeneic AML vaccines stimulates effective and long-lasting antileukemic immunity.