bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CFH Y402H and VEGF Polymorphisms and Anti-VEGF Treatment Response in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Kepez Yildiz Burcin , Ozdek Sengul , Ergun Mehmet Ali , Ergun Sezen , Yaylacioglu Tuncay Fulya , Elbeg Sehri
Published: July 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in complement factor H (CFH) Y402H and VEGF rs2146323 and rs699947 in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and their relationship with intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment response. Methods: A total of 109 exudative AMD patients and 70 controls were included. Patients were classified as ‘good responders' and ‘nonresponders' based on the changes in best corrected visual acuity, central foveal thickness, lesion size, and the persistence of retinal hemorrhage after three dosages of anti-VEGF. We examined CFH, VEGF rs2146323 and rs699947 SNPs, and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in both groups. Results: In total, 42 patients (38.5%) and 11 controls (15.7%) had homozygote wild genotype TT (p = 0.002). The variant C allele frequency was 45% in controls and 31.7% in patients (p = 0.011). A and C allele frequencies for VEGF rs699947 and rs2416323 were similar between the control and patient groups (p = 0.947, p = 0.378). Both SNPs were similar in responders and nonresponders. No significant difference was detected between plasma IL-6 levels of the control and AMD groups (p = 0.594), but the levels were higher in good responders than nonresponders (p < 0.001). Conclusion: CFH Y402H SNP might be protective for AMD in the Turkish population. VEGF rs2146323 and rs699947 SNPs have no relationship to exudative AMD formation, and none of these seem to have any effect on anti-VEGF response.
Clinical Application of Multicolor Imaging Technology
Authors: Tan Anna C.S. , Fleckenstein Monika , Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen , Holz Frank G.
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To assess the clinical application of multicolor imaging by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO). Methods: Retinal imaging was performed in 76 patients including cSLO multicolor imaging (SPECTRALIS SD-OCT, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and color fundus photography (CFP). Results: The use of confocal optics, reduced light scatter and automated eye tracking enable high-resolution cSLO reflectance images. Compared to CFP, the appearance of pigment alterations and hemorrhages were some of the differences observed. Various artifacts including those derived from optical media alterations need to be considered when interpreting images. Specific pathological findings including epiretinal membranes, fibrovascular proliferations, and reticular pseudodrusen may be better visualized on multicolor images. Conclusions: When using multicolor imaging, ophthalmologists need to be mindful about differences in the appearance of pathological changes and artifacts. Multicolor imaging may offer information over and above conventional CFP; it can be performed through undilated pupils and is less affected by media opacities.
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3/MicroRNA-21 Feedback Loop Contributes to Atrial Fibrillation by Promoting Atrial Fibrosis in a Rat Sterile Pericarditis Model
Authors: Huang Zhengrong , Chen Xiao-jun , Qian Cheng , Dong Qian , Ding Dan , Wu Qiong-feng , Li Jing , Wang Hong-fei , Li Wei-hua , Xie Qiang , Cheng Xiang , Zhao Ning , Du Yi-mei , Liao Yu-hua
Published: July 2016

Background—

Postoperative atrial fibrillation is a frequent complication in cardiac surgery. The aberrant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) contributes to the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) promotes atrial fibrosis. Recent studies support the existence of reciprocal regulation between STAT3 and miR-21. Here, we test the hypothesis that these 2 molecules might form a feedback loop that contributes to postoperative atrial fibrillation by promoting atrial fibrosis.

Methods and Results—

A sterile pericarditis model was created using atrial surfaces dusted with sterile talcum powder in rats. The inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, transforming growth factor-β, and tumor necrosis factor-α, along with STAT3 and miR-21, were highly upregulated in sterile pericarditis rats. The inhibition of STAT3 by S3I-201 resulted in miR-21 downregulation, which ameliorated atrial fibrosis and decreased the expression of the fibrosis-related genes, α-smooth muscle actin, collagen-1, and collagen-3; reduced the inhomogeneity of atrial conduction; and attenuated atrial fibrillation vulnerability. Meanwhile, treatment with antagomir-21 decreased STAT3 phosphorylation, alleviated atrial remodeling, abrogated sterile pericarditis–induced inhomogeneous conduction, and prevented atrial fibrillation promotion. The culturing of cardiac fibroblasts with IL-6 resulted in progressively augmented STAT3 phosphorylation and miR-21 levels. S3I-201 blocked IL-6 induced the expression of miR-21 and fibrosis-related genes in addition to cardiac fibroblast proliferation. Transfected antagomir-21 decreased the IL-6–induced cardiac fibroblast activation and STAT3 phosphorylation. The overexpression of miR-21 in cardiac fibroblasts caused the upregulation of STAT3 phosphorylation, enhanced fibrosis-related genes, and increased cell numbers.

Conclusions—

Our results have uncovered a novel reciprocal loop between STAT3 and miR-21 that is activated after heart surgery and can contribute to atrial fibrillation.
Impact of New Technologies and Approaches for Post–Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation During Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Yamashita Seigo , Cochet Hubert , Sacher Frédéric , Mahida Saagar , Berte Benjamin , Hooks Darren , Sellal Jean-Marc , Al Jefairi Nora , Frontera Antonio , Komatsu Yuki , Lim Han S. , Amraoui Sana , Denis Arnaud , Derval Nicolas , Sermesant Maxime , Laurent François , Hocini Mélèze , Haïssaguerre Michel , Montaudon Michel , Jaïs Pierre
Published: July 2016

Background—

During the past years, many innovations have been introduced to facilitate catheter ablation of post–myocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia. However, the predictors of outcome after ablation were not thoroughly studied.

Methods and Results—

From 2009 to 2013, consecutive patients referred for post–myocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia ablation were included. The end point of the procedure was complete elimination of local abnormal ventricular activities (LAVA) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) noninducibility. The predictors of outcome with primary end point of VT recurrence were assessed. A total of 125 patients were included (age: 64±11 years; 7 women) for 142 procedures. The left ventricle was accessed via transseptal, retrograde aortic, and epicardial approaches in 87%, 33%, and 37% of patients, respectively. Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system was used in 70%, multipolar catheter in 51%, and real-time image integration in 38% (from magnetic resonance imaging in 39% and multidetector computed tomography in 93%) of patients. Before ablation, VT was inducible in 75%, and endocardial/epicardial LAVA were present in 88%/75%. After ablation, complete LAVA elimination was achieved in 60%, and VT noninducibility in 83%. During a median follow-up of 850 days (interquartile range, 439–1707), VT recurrence was observed in 36%. Multivariable analysis identified 3 independent outcome predictors: the ability to achieve complete LAVA elimination (
R
2
=0.29;
P
<0.0001; risk ratio=0.52 [0.38–0.70]), the use of real-time image integration (
R
2
=0.21;
P
=0.0006; risk ratio=0.49 [0.33–0.74]), and the use of multipolar catheters (
R
2
=0.08;
P
=0.05; risk ratio=0.75 [0.56–1.00]).

Conclusions—

Achievement of complete LAVA elimination and use of scar integration from imaging and multipolar catheters to focus high-density mapping are independent predictors of VT-free survival after catheter ablation for post–myocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia.
Outcomes 1 Year After Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillator Lead Abandonment Versus Explantation for Unused or Malfunctioning Leads
Authors: Zeitler Emily P. , Wang Yongfei , Dharmarajan Kumar , Anstrom Kevin J. , Peterson Eric D. , Daubert James P. , Curtis Jeptha P. , Al-Khatib Sana M.
Published: July 2016

Background—

Patients with an unused or malfunctioning implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) lead may have the lead either abandoned or explanted; yet there are limited data on the comparative acute and longer-term safety of these 2 approaches.

Methods and Results—

We examined in-hospital events among 24 908 subject encounters using propensity score 1:1 matching for ICD lead abandonment or explantation in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) ICD Registry (April 2010 to June 2014). Relative to patients undergoing lead abandonment, patients undergoing lead explantation had more in-hospital procedure-related complications: 2.19% (n=273) versus 3.77% (n=469;
P
<0.001), respectively. Similarly, patients undergoing lead explantation had slightly higher rates of in-hospital death: 0.21% (n=26) versus 0.64% (n=80;
P
<0.001), respectively. At 1 year in a Medicare subset for survival, there was a trend of increased mortality in the explantation group (11% versus 8%;
P
=0.06). In the Medicare subset analyzed for postprocedure complications, there was no difference with respect to 6-month bleeding (4.80% in both the groups), tamponade (0.38% versus 0.58%), infection (1.34% versus 3.07%), upper extremity thrombosis (0.77% versus 0.96%), pulmonary embolism (0.38% versus 0.96%), or urgent surgery (1.15% for both the groups;
P
>0.05 for all).

Conclusions—

After matching, patients undergoing removal of an unused or malfunctioning ICD lead had slightly higher in-hospital complications and deaths than those with a lead abandonment strategy. Although the 1-year mortality risk was slightly higher in the lead explantation group, this difference was not statistically significant and may be explained by chance.
Resolving Myocardial Activation With Novel Omnipolar Electrograms
Authors: Massé Stéphane , Magtibay Karl , Jackson Nicholas , Asta John , Kusha Marjan , Zhang Boyang , Balachandran Ram , Radisic Milica , Deno D. Curtis , Nanthakumar Kumaraswamy
Published: July 2016

Background—

With its inherent limitations, determining local activation times has been the basis of cardiac mapping for over a century. Here, we introduce omnipolar electrograms that originate from the natural direction of a travelling wave and from which instantaneous conduction velocity amplitude and direction can be computed at any single location without first determining activation times. We sought to validate omnipole-derived conduction velocities and explore potential application for localization of sources of arrhythmias.

Methods and Results—

Electrograms from omnipolar mapping were derived and validated using 4 separate models and 2 independent signal acquisition methodologies. We used both electric signals and optical signals collected from monolayer cell preparations, 3-dimensional constructs built with cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells, simultaneous optical and electric mapping of rabbit hearts, and in vivo pig electrophysiology studies. Conduction velocities calculated from omnipolar electrograms were compared with wavefront propagation from optical and electric-mapping studies with a traditional local activation time–based method. Bland–Altman analysis revealed that omnipolar measurements on optical data were in agreement with local activation time methods for wavefront direction and velocity within 25 cm/s and 30°, respectively. Similar agreement was also found on electric data. Furthermore, mathematical operations, such as curl and divergence, were applied to omnipole-derived velocity vector fields to locate rotational and focal sources, respectively.

Conclusions—

Electrode orientation–independent cardiac wavefront trajectory and speed at a single location for each cardiac activation can be determined accurately with omnipolar electrograms. Omnipole-derived vector fields, when combined with mathematical transforms may aid in real-time detection of cardiac activation sources.
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase–Mediated Redox Signaling and Vascular Remodeling by 16α-Hydroxyestrone in Human Pulmonary Artery Cells
Authors: Hood Katie Y. , Montezano Augusto C. , Harvey Adam P. , Nilsen Margaret , MacLean Margaret R. , Touyz Rhian M.
Published: July 2016

Estrogen and oxidative stress have been implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Mechanisms linking these systems are elusive. We hypothesized that estrogen metabolite, 16α-hydroxyestrone (16αOHE1), stimulates nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (Nox)–induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and proliferative responses in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs) and that in PAH aberrant growth signaling promotes vascular remodeling. The pathophysiological significance of estrogen–Nox–dependent processes was studied in female Nox1
−/−
and Nox4
−/−
mice with PAH. PASMCs from control subjects (control hPASMCs) and PAH patients (PAH-hPASMCs) were exposed to estrogen and 16αOHE1 in the presence/absence of inhibitors of Nox, cytochrome P450 1B1, and estrogen receptors. Estrogen, through estrogen receptor-α, increased Nox-derived ROS and redox-sensitive growth in hPASMCs, with greater effects in PAH-hPASMCs versus control hPASMCs. Estrogen effects were inhibited by cytochrome P450 1B1 blockade. 16αOHE1 stimulated transient ROS production in hPASMCs, with sustained responses in PAH-hPASMCs. Basal expression of Nox1/Nox4 was potentiated in PAH-hPASMCs. In hPASMCs, 16αOHE1 increased Nox1 expression, stimulated irreversible oxidation of protein tyrosine phosphatases, decreased nuclear factor erythroid–related factor 2 activity and expression of nuclear factor erythroid–related factor 2–regulated antioxidant genes, and promoted proliferation. This was further amplified in PAH-hPASMCs. Nox1
−/−
but not Nox4
−/−
mice were protected against PAH and vascular remodeling. Our findings demonstrate that in PAH-hPASMCs, 16αOHE1 stimulates redox-sensitive cell growth primarily through Nox1. Supporting this, in vivo studies exhibited protection against pulmonary hypertension and remodeling in Nox1
−/−
mice. This study provides new insights through Nox1/ROS and nuclear factor erythroid–related factor 2 whereby 16αOHE1 influences hPASMC function, which when upregulated may contribute to vascular injury in PAH, particularly important in women.
Automated Extracellular Volume Fraction Mapping Provides Insights Into the Pathophysiology of Left Ventricular Remodeling Post–Reperfused ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Bulluck Heerajnarain , Rosmini Stefania , Abdel‐Gadir Amna , White Steven K. , Bhuva Anish N. , Treibel Thomas A. , Fontana Marianna , Gonzalez‐Lopez Esther , Reant Patricia , Ramlall Manish , Hamarneh Ashraf , Sirker Alex , Herrey Anna S. , Manisty Charlotte , Yellon Derek M. , Kellman Peter , Moon James C. , Hausenloy Derek J.
Published: July 2016

Background

Whether the remote myocardium of reperfused
ST
‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (
STEMI
) patients plays a part in adverse left ventricular (
LV
) remodeling remains unclear. We aimed to use automated extracellular volume fraction (
ECV
) mapping to investigate whether changes in the
ECV
of the remote (

ECV
R

emote
) and infarcted myocardium (

ECV
I

nfarct
) impacted
LV
remodeling.

Methods and Results

Forty‐eight of 50 prospectively recruited reperfused
STEMI
patients completed a cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 4±2 days and 40 had a follow‐up scan at 5±2 months. Twenty healthy volunteers served as controls. Mean segmental values for native T1, T2, and
ECV
were obtained. Adverse
LV
remodeling was defined as ≥20% increase in
LV
end‐diastolic volume.

ECV
R

emote
was higher on the acute scan when compared to control (27.9±2.1% vs 26.4±2.1%;
P
=0.01). Eight patients developed adverse
LV
remodeling and had higher

ECV
R

emote
acutely (29.5±1.4% vs 27.4±2.0%;
P
=0.01) and remained higher at follow‐up (28.6±1.5% vs 26.6±2.1%;
P
=0.02) compared to those without. Patients with a higher

ECV
R

emote
and a lower myocardial salvage index (
MSI
) acutely were significantly associated with adverse
LV
remodeling, independent of T1
Remote
, T1
Core
and microvascular obstruction, whereas a higher

ECV
I

nfarct
was significantly associated with worse wall motion recovery.

Conclusions

ECV
R

emote
was increased acutely in reperfused
STEMI
patients. Those with adverse
LV
remodeling had higher

ECV
R

emote
acutely, and this remained higher at follow‐up than those without adverse
LV
remodeling. A higher

ECV
R

emote
and a lower
MSI
acutely were significantly associated with adverse
LV
remodeling whereas segments with higher

ECV
I

nfarct
were less likely to recover wall motion.
Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated With Long‐Term Warfarin Anticoagulation Have Higher Rates of All Dementia Types Compared With Patients Receiving Long‐Term Warfarin for Other Indications
Authors: Bunch T. Jared , May Heidi T. , Bair Tami L. , Crandall Brian G. , Cutler Michael J. , Day John D. , Jacobs Victoria , Mallender Charles , Osborn Jeffrey S. , Stevens Scott M. , Weiss J. Peter , Woller Scott C.
Published: July 2016

Background

The mechanisms behind the association of atrial fibrillation (
AF
) and dementia are unknown. We previously found a significantly increased risk of dementia in
AF
patients taking warfarin with a low percentage of time in therapeutic range. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which
AF
itself increases dementia risk, in addition to long‐term anticoagulation exposure.

Methods and Results

A total of 10 537 patients anticoagulated with warfarin (target
INR
2–3), managed by the Clinical Pharmacist Anticoagulation Service with no history of dementia were included. Warfarin indication was for
AF
(n=4460), thromboembolism (n=5868), and mechanical heart valve(s) (n=209). Patients in the latter 2 categories were included only if they had no prior history of
AF
. The primary outcome was dementia. Patients with
AF
were older and had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and stroke.
AF
patients experienced higher rates of total dementia (5.8% versus 1.6%,
P
<0.0001), Alzheimer disease (2.8% versus 0.9%,
P
<0.0001), and vascular dementia (1.0% versus 0.2%,
P
<0.0001). A propensity analysis of 6030 patients was performed to account for baseline demographics differences. Long‐term risk of dementia remained significant in
AF
patients compared with matched non‐
AF
patients (total dementia: hazard ratio [HR]=2.42 [1.85–3.18],
P
<0.0001; Alzheimer:
HR
=2.04 [1.40–2.98],
P
<0.0001; senile:
HR
=2.46 [1.58–3.86],
P
<0.0001). Low percent therapeutic range compared with a higher percent therapeutic range was associated with dementia risk in both
AF
(26–50% versus >75%:
HR
=2.51,
P
=0.005) and non‐
AF
groups (≤25% versus >75%:
HR
=3.92,
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions

The presence of
AF
significantly increases risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, compared with matched patients receiving warfarin anticoagulation for other reasons. Quality of anticoagulation management remains an important risk factor for dementia in all patients.
Political Rationality and Cultural Distance in the European Embassies to Shah Abbas
Authors: Rubiés Joan-Pau
Published: July 2016

The embassy of Don García de Silva y Figueroa, sent in 1614 by Philip iii of Castile and ii of Portugal to negotiate an alliance with Shah Abbas against the Ottomans, was a fiasco. Not only did it fail to secure a deal, but within three years of the ambassador’s departure from Ispahan, in 1622, Persian troops, with the help of English ships, conquered the strategic island and fortress of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, marking a turning point in the decline of Portuguese power in Asia. For many historians the embassy was doomed from the start, notwithstanding the lavish gift offered to the Safavid ruler, because the Spanish ambassador could never offer Shah Abbas what he wanted. This analysis however assumes that the two sides understood each other perfectly well, and that the cultural distance between the ambassador and Shah Abbas was no obstacle to perfectly accurate political calculations. Taking advantage of the plurality of agendas and perspectives that can be documented during these exchanges, including English adventurers and commercial agents, various Carmelite and Augustinian friars, and the independent observer Pietro della Valle, this article seeks to test the degree of cultural commensurability in inter-cultural diplomacy, proposing a model that takes account of cultural distance without falling into a facile version of cultural relativism.
Connecting Things: Trading Companies and Diplomatic Gift-Giving on the Gold and Slave Coasts in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
Authors: Brauner Christina
Published: July 2016

Gift-giving was an important feature of cross-cultural diplomacy in the complex political landscape of the early modern Gold and Slave coasts. The article examines gift-giving practices that European trading companies used toward African rulers and elites, relating them to European courtly diplomacy. Tracing the repertoire of gift objects, it argues that the very function ascribed to gifts required learning about another’s rules, values, habits, or tastes. In consequence, a repertoire of gifts peculiar to the contact zone was established, consisting not least of objects adapted into local practices and production. These processes of adaptation were influenced by the materiality of the objects.
In Search of a Shared Language: The Goan Diplomatic Protocol
Authors: Melo Joao Vicente
Published: July 2016

This paper analyzes the Ceremonial de que uzão os VReys [Vice-Reys] quando escrevem aos Reys da Azia. The Ceremonial was a manual of etiquette that aimed to help the Viceroy in his contacts with local rulers such as the Persian and Mughal emperors, the princedoms of Kanara, Sonda, Tannor, and the Sardessais of Sawantvandi. It will be argued that by selecting specific words to address local rulers, inspired by Indo-Persian ideas of kingship and diplomacy, the Portuguese authorities used some elements of the local political culture to facilitate the negotiations between Goa and the Indian courts and develop a comprehensible image of the Portuguese Crown to most South Asian rulers.
Iconographs of Power or Tools of Diplomacy? Ottoman Fethnames
Authors: Norton Claire
Published: July 2016

Historians of Christian European diplomacy have tended to approach Ottoman diplomatic practice from a rather Eurocentric perspective in that they presuppose initial Ottoman non-involvement in the development of the modern diplomatic system followed by a reluctant adoption of it when faced with a period of economic, military and political decline. In this article I read two fethnames [victory missives] sent to the Queen of England, Elizabeth i to celebrate the Ottoman capture of Nagykanizsa (Kanije) castle in 1600 as a means by which the Ottoman state both performed and legitimized Ottoman sovereignty yet also provided an opportunity for political or diplomatic negotiation.
Butyriboletus hainanensis (Boletaceae, Boletales), a new species from tropical China
Authors: LIANG ZHI-QUN , AN DONG-YU , JIANG SHUAI , SU MING-SHEN , ZENG NIAN-KAI
Published: July 2016

Butyriboletus hainanensis (Boletaceae, Boletales) is described as a new species from Hainan Province, a tropical region of China. It is morphologically characterized by a large, brown pileus with thick context and thin hymenophore, a blue-red-black color change of hymenophore and context, a yellow to brownish red stipe with faint reticulations, and an interwoven trichodermal pileipellis. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from partial 28S regions,  the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef1α) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (rpb2) also confirm that B. hainanensis forms an independent lineage within Butyriboletus. Consequently, a description, color photos of fresh basidiomata and line-drawings of microstructures are presented.
Description of new members of the family Cylindroleberididae (Ostracoda: Cylindroleberidoidea) from the Southern Ocean
Authors: CHAVTUR VLADIMIR G. , KEYSER DIETMAR
Published: July 2016

We report new ostracod data (Family Cylindroleberididae) based on material collected during the German Expeditions onboard the research vessel “Polarstern” from bathyal and abyssal zones (sampling depth range from 1030 to 3963 m) in the Weddell and Scotia Seas and Drake Passage in 2002 and 2005. Four species belonging to four genera were identified in these collections. A new species, Synasterope pseudomystax, is illustrated and described. A first occurrence of an adult female is registered for Archasterope weddellensis (Kornicker, 1975). Additional description for Parasterope cf. styx Kornicker, 1975 is given. Description of Bathyleberis grossmani Kornicker, 1975 is supplemented with new data on the distribution. Additionally, keys for all species known for Antarctic waters are included.
A new species of Xiphovelia Lundblad, 1933 and notes on Pseudovelia Hoberlandt, 1950 (Heteroptera: Veliidae) from Vietnam
Authors: YE ZHEN , BU WENJUN
Published: July 2016

The genus Xiphovelia Lundblad is recorded for the first time from Vietnam and X. vietnamica sp. nov. is described as new. Photographs of the male and female dorsal habitus, male legs, and male genitalic structures are provided. Pseudovelia vittiformis Ye, Polhemus & Bu, 2013 and P. tibialis tibialis Esaki & Miyamoto, 1955 are newly recorded from Vietnam. Together with two other species of Pseudovelia Hoberlandt from southern Vietnam, four species of Pseudovelia are now known from the country. A distribution map for the species of Xiphovelia and Pseudovelia occurring in Vietnam also is provided.
Description of a new species of the genus Hulecoeteomyia (Diptera: Culicidae) from Meghalaya, India
Authors: NATARAJAN R. , RAJAVEL A.R. , JAMBULINGAM P.
Published: July 2016

Female and male adults, female and male genitalia, pupa and larva of Hulecoeteomyia cherrapunjiensis, a new mosquito species, are described from Meghalaya, India. Keys to separate larvae and adults are provided.
Two new species of the feather mite genus Trouessartia (Acari: Trouessartiidae) from Asia
Authors: CONSTANTINESCU IOANA CRISTINA , COBZARU IOANA , MUKHIM D. KHLUR B. , ADAM COSTICĂ
Published: July 2016

Two new feather mite species of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini are described from birds captured in Meghalaya (India): Trouessartia longidenticulata Constantinescu sp. n. from Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes, Pycnonotidae) and Trouessartia dicruri Constantinescu sp. n. from Dicrurus aeneus (Vieillot) (Passeriformes, Dicruridae). In the genus Trouessartia, males of T. longidenticulata show a unique character state in having the lamellae of the opisthosomal lobes with long and sharp denticles. Both sexes of T. dicruri differ from closely related T. delicatula Gaud, 1952 by smaller body size (T. dicruri males are 420–452 long, females 500–532 long, vs. c. 575 and 595, respectively in T. delicatula); males have the adanal apodemes without apophyses and the terminal lamellae in a shape of a parallelogram (vs. the adanal apodemes have a pair of apophyses and the terminal lamellae are semi-ovate); the opisthosomal lobes do not touch each other at the inner margins (vs. the opisthosomal lobes touch each other at the inner margins, at the level of setae h3); in females, setae h1 are lanceolate (vs. spiculiform).
New genus and new species of Neoibidionini from the Neotropical region (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae)
Authors: GALILEO MARIA HELENA M. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: July 2016

One new genus and six new species are described from the Neotropical region: Heterachthes hildebranti, H. skillmani, and H. noguerai, from Mexico; Compsibidion morrisi, from Bolivia; Tropidion wappesi, from Bolivia; and Biraidion, new genus, type species B. martinsi sp. nov., from Bolivia. Biraidion, Compsibidion morrisi, and Tropidion wappesi are included in previous keys.
Some species of Munidopsis from the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Straits and Caribbean Sea (Decapoda: Munidopsidae), with the description of two new species
Authors: MACPHERSON ENRIQUE , BEUCK LYDIA , FREIWALD ANDRÈ
Published: July 2016

During two cruises to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, some specimens of squat lobsters belonging to the genus Munidopsis Whiteaves, 1874 (family Munidopsidae Ortmann, 1898) were collected. The present collection comprises five species, where two are considered as new species: M. karukera, closely related to M. ariadne Macpherson, 2011, from the Mediterranean Sea; and M. tuerkayi, which resembles M. kareenae Ahyong, 2013, from New Zealand. The specimens were caught at six stations between 522 and 1162 m; some were associated with live cold-water corals, such as Lophelia pertusa (Linnaeus, 1758), Enallopsammia profunda (Pourtalès, 1867) and Candidella imbricata (Johnson, 1862).
The sexuales of Cinara palaestinensis Hille Ris Lambers, the Aleppo pine aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae Lachninae)
Authors: BINAZZI FRANCESCO , PENNACCHIO FABRIZIO , PEVERIERI GIUSEPPINO SABBATINI , ROVERSI PIO FEDERICO
Published: July 2016

The male and the oviparous female of Cinara palaestinensis Hille Ris Lambers, the Aleppo pine aphid, are recorded for the first time, in populations on Pinus halepensis in Italy. Description and illustrations are provided together with additional notes on taxonomy, ecology and distribution of the species.
On the Link between Tropical Cyclones and Daily Rainfall Extremes Derived from Global Satellite Observations
Authors: Prat Olivier P. , Nelson Brian R.
Published: July 2016

The authors evaluate the contribution of tropical cyclones (TCs) to daily precipitation extremes over land for TC-active regions around the world. From 1998 to 2012, data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA 3B42) showed that TCs account for an average of 3.5% ± 1% of the total number of rainy days over land areas experiencing cyclonic activity regardless of the basin considered. TC days represent between 13% and 31% of daily extremes above 4 in. day−1, but can account locally for the large majority (>70%) or almost all (≈100%) of extreme rainfall even over higher-latitude areas marginally affected by cyclonic activity. Moreover, regardless of the TC basin, TC-related extremes occur preferably later in the TC season after the peak of cyclonic activity.
Impact of Trade vs. Non-trade Policies on the Incidence of Child Labour
Authors: Chatterjee Biswajit , Ray Runa
Published: July 2016

The use of child labour has been widespread across developing nations. Although the incidence of child labour use has declined in recent years in the aggregate, its use has remained been quite widespread in different developing nations. Various policy interventions have been suggested and debated in international bodies to combat or reduce the incidence of child labour use in different activities in poor labour abundant countries. The present article develops a general equilibrium framework consisting of two sectors and three factors of production to investigate the efficacy of trade and non-trade policies on the incidence of child labour use and finds that although trade policy is ineffective in eradicating child labour, the use of non-trade policy is quite effective in this context.
Complementarities between Employee Involvement and Financial Participation
Authors: Jones Derek C. , Kalmi Panu , Kato Takao , Mäkinen Mikko
Published: July 2016

The authors investigate whether productivity is greater if firms use employee involvement (EI) in decision making and financial participation (FP) as complementary practices. Based on representative panel data from Finnish manufacturing firms, the study uses diverse specifications to examine different theoretical explanations of the productivity effects of complementarities. The authors find virtually no evidence to support the theory of complementarities when EI and FP are simply measured by their incidence. They do find some evidence for complementarities using cross-sectional data (controlling for several covariates that related work has found to be important for firm performance) and also when analyses use measures of the intensity of FP. In accounting for differences in empirical findings across varying settings, the findings suggest that outcomes depend on the institutional context and are sensitive to variation in measurement and analytical methods.
Household debt in midlife and old age: A multinational study
Authors: Lewin-Epstein Noah , Semyonov Moshe
Published: July 2016

This article examines the prevalence of household debt in middle and old age, in the context of rising consumption, the weakening welfare safety net, and the ‘democratization’ of credit. We aim to address theoretical propositions concerning household correlates of mortgage and financial debt, as well as the relationship between the two types of debt. We utilize data gathered on populations, aged 50 years and older, in 15 countries that participated in the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. We find considerable levels of mortgage and financial debt in advanced stages of life, as well as significant differences within and between countries. Controlling for country variation as well as individual and household attributes, we find a positive relationship between the size of mortgage debt and financial debt across most countries. We test alternative explanations for this relationship and discuss the implications of our findings in the broader context of the risks faced by older cohorts in consumer societies with shrinking welfare expenditure.
Art Dealer Networks in the Third Reich and in the Postwar Period
Authors: Petropoulos Jonathan
Published: July 2016

This article discusses art dealers who trafficked in looted art during the Third Reich and how they re-established networks and continued their trade in the postwar period. I argue that these dealers worked within a series of overlapping networks. A primary network was centered in Munich, with dealers such as Dr. Bruno Lohse (Göring’s art agent in Paris during the war); Maria Almas Dietrich, Karl Haberstock, Walter Andreas Hofer, and Adolf Wüster. These individuals worked closely with colleagues in Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein (states contiguous with Bavaria) in the postwar years. Many of the individuals in outer appendages of the networks had not been complicit in the Nazis’ plundering program, yet they trafficked in looted works and formed dealer networks that extended to Paris, London, and New York. Both the recently discovered Gurlitt cache – over 1400 pictures located in Munich, Salzburg, and Kornwestheim – and the annotated Weinmüller auction catalogues help illuminate aspects of these networks. Art dealers played a key role in the looting operations during the Third Reich and in the transfer of non-restituted objects in the postwar period. The current generation of the profession may be the key to advancing our understanding of a still incomplete history.
Culture Moderates the Relation Between Perceived Stress, Social Support, and Mental and Physical Health
Authors: Shavitt Sharon , Cho Young Ik , Johnson Timothy P. , Jiang Duo , Holbrook Allyson , Stavrakantonaki Marina
Published: July 2016

Cultural differences in the relations between perceived stress and mental and physical health, and the role of social support in buffering these relations, are examined in a survey of multiple U.S. cultural/ethnic groups. Findings from a health survey of N = 603 adults comprising approximately equal numbers of non-Hispanic Whites, Mexican Americans, Korean Americans, and African Americans show that perceived stress is negatively correlated with one’s perceived mental and physical health, in line with previous research. However, the role of social support in mitigating this relationship is culturally contingent. A buffering effect of social support on the relation between perceived stress and both mental and physical health was only observed for Mexican Americans, not for the other cultural/ethnic groups. These patterns are discussed in the context of research on differences in social help seeking among distinct types of collectivistic cultural groups. The findings are consistent with recent research on horizontal versus vertical collectivism that highlights the importance of sociability and benevolence in Latin American cultural contexts. The results affirm the importance of distinguishing between collectivistic cultures in understanding how social support may impact mental and physical health.
An English Word Database of EMOtional TErms (EMOTE)
Authors: Grühn Daniel
Published: July 2016

Research in the socio-emotional domain may require words for experimental settings rated on emotionally and socially relevant word characteristics (e.g., valence and desirability). In addition, cognitively relevant word characteristics (e.g., imagery) are important for research in the interface of emotion and cognition (e.g., emotional memory). To provide researchers with a corresponding word pool, the database of English EMOtional TErms (EMOTE) provides subjective ratings for 1287 nouns and 985 adjectives. Nouns and adjectives were rated on valence, arousal, emotionality, concreteness, imagery, familiarity, and clarity of meaning. In addition, adjectives were rated on control, desirability, and likeableness. EMOTE norms provide an easily accessible word pool for research in the socio-emotional domain. To illustrate the usefulness of this database, norms were linked to memorability scores from a word recognition task for EMOTE nouns. The database as well as future directions are discussed.
Megalopolis unbound: Knowledge collaboration and functional polycentricity within and beyond the Yangtze River Delta Region in China, 2014
Authors: Li Yingcheng , Phelps Nicholas
Published: July 2016

Recent work on world city networks, urban polycentricity and megapolitan urban forms share an interest in the economic functionality of inter-city linkages. The intersection of these bodies of literature is in the often overlooked defining features of megalopolitan forms – their being the ‘hub’ that links national to international urban systems and the ‘incubator’ within national urban systems (Gottmann, 1976). With this intersection in mind, this paper measures the functional polycentricity of China’s Yangtze River Delta Region (YRDR) at different geographical scales from an intercity knowledge collaboration perspective. The paper uses data on co-publications as an indicator of knowledge linkages between cities within and beyond this megalopolis. The YRDR can be seen as functionally polycentric at the megapolitan scale but this functional polycentricity decreases with increases in the geographical scale at which interurban linkages are considered. Furthermore, a multi-scalar analysis of functional polycentricity helps identify the hub role of Shanghai. The results show that Shanghai’s knowledge hub role is currently present at the national scale. It may take some time for Shanghai to become a knowledge hub at the global scale given its not-so-strong international links and relatively weak local links. The paper concludes with some suggestions for future research agendas.
Resisting Power, Retooling Justice
Authors: Pollock Anne , Subramaniam Banu
Published: July 2016

This special issue explores intersections of feminism, postcolonialism, and technoscience. The papers emerged out of a 2014 research seminar on Feminist Postcolonial Science and Technology Studies (STS) at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan. Through innovative engagement with rich empirical cases and theoretical trends in postcolonial theory, feminist theory, and STS, the papers trace local and global circulations of technoscience. They illuminate ways in which science and technology are imbricated in circuits of state power and global inequality and in social movements resisting the state and neocolonial orders. The collection foregrounds the importance of feminist postcolonial STS to our understandings of technoscience, especially how power matters for epistemology and justice.
Politics of Sculpting the ‘New’ Indian Woman in Premchand’s Stories
Authors: Roye Susmita
Published: July 2016

This article focuses on two short stories by Munshi Premchand (1880–1936), a stalwart in modern Hindi literature. The aim is to counter the growing amnesia among the general readership about Premchand’s phenomenal contribution to India’s nationalist literature and to challenge the prevailing over-simplistic analysis of his depiction of Indian and Western womanhood. It is widely understood that Premchand, as a traditionalist and nationalist, eulogised Indian womanhood, often by denigrating Western women and their ideals. Re-examining the binary between the memsahib stereotype and the Indian woman ( Bharatiya nari) image, this article takes an untrodden route. Casting new light on the text, it attempts to overturn the binary model that almost all critics so far have created about Premchand’s depiction of memsahibs versus Indian women.
Hemodynamics through the congenitally bicuspid aortic valve: a computational fluid dynamics comparison of opening orifice area and leaflet orientation
Authors: Mei Sen , de Souza Júnior Francisco S.N. , Kuan May Y.S. , Green Naomi C. , Espino Daniel M.
Published: July 2016

A computational fluid dynamics model of a bicuspid aortic valve has been developed using idealised three-dimensional geometry. The aim was to compare how the orifice area and leaflet orientation affect the hemodynamics of a pure bicuspid valve. By applying physiologic material properties and boundary conditions, blood flow shear stresses were predicted during peak systole. A reduced orifice area altered blood velocity, the pressure drop across the valve and the wall shear stress through the valve. Bicuspid models predicted impaired blood flow similar to a stenotic valve, but the flow patterns were specific to leaflet orientation. Flow patterns developed in bicuspid aortic valves, such as helical flow, were sensitive to cusp orientation. In conclusion, the reduced opening area of a bicuspid aortic valve amplifies any impaired hemodynamics, but cusp orientation determines subsequent flow patterns which may determine the specific regions downstream from the valve most at risk of clinical complications.
Factors Associated With the Risk of Acute Malnutrition Among Children Aged 6 to 36 Months in Households Targeted by an Emergency Cash Transfer Program
Authors: Bliss Jessica , Jensen Nathan , Thiede Brian , Shoham Jeremy , Dolan Carmel , Sibson Victoria , Fenn Bridget
Published: July 2016

Background:

Assessing whether and how the expenditure of emergency cash transfer programs (CTPs) relates to child nutritional status is a necessary step for informed program design and targeting.

Objective:

We hypothesized that greater child food expenditures would have a protective effect against the risk of acute malnutrition in the context of a food crisis in Niger.

Methods:

We investigated the relationship between food and medical expenditures and acute malnutrition in children aged 6 to 36 months through an observational cohort study of 420 households enrolled in an emergency CTP in Niger. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the risk of acute malnutrition while adjusting for relevant child and household characteristics.

Results:

Seventy-four (18% of the cohort) children developed acute malnutrition. The risk was 1.79 times higher among ill children than healthy children (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-2.92; P < .05), nearly 3 times higher among children in the poorest households than those in wealthier households (HR: 2.98; 95% CI: 1.86-4.78; P < .001), and 2.85 times lower with each unit increase in baseline weight-for-height Z score (HR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.23-0.53; P < .001). Food expenditures were not associated with risk (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.87-1.07; P > .05).

Conclusion:

Our findings highlight the importance of the health-related determinants of child undernutrition and suggest that a potential role of emergency CTPs may be to enable and promote health service access where services exist. They also indicate a need for more sustained poverty reduction and undernutrition prevention activities in concert with well-timed and strategic use of emergency interventions.
Suboptimal Feeding Practices and High Levels of Undernutrition Among Infants and Young Children in the Rural Communities of Halaba and Zeway, Ethiopia
Authors: Ersino Getahun , Henry Carol J. , Zello Gordon A.
Published: July 2016

Background:

Good nutrition and appropriate child feeding are vital in early stages of child development, particularly in the first 1000 days of life.

Objective:

To assess the adoption of infant and young child feeding practices of World Health Organization, dietary intake, and level of undernutrition in children <2 years of age.

Methods:

Baseline cross-sectional study was conducted (January-June 2013) in purposively selected rural communities of Halaba and Zeway, Ethiopia (N = 383 mother–child pairs, randomly selected).

Results:

Overall prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight was 45%, 9%, and 28% in Halaba, and 33%, 7%, and 15% in Zeway, respectively; higher levels of stunting (54% in Halaba and 36% in Zeway) were observed in 6 to 24 months; stunting and underweight, but not wasting, differed by age ( P < .001) in Halaba. Median dietary diversity score in both communities was 2 with 61% to 65% of children consuming 0 to 2 food groupings. Except protein in all age and iron in 12 to 24 months, median intake of energy, iron, zinc, and calcium (and associated nutrient densities) was below the estimated needs that should come from complementary foods in both communities (in subsample). Early initiation of breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding was 63% and 86% in Halaba and 92% and 93% in Zeway, respectively ( P < .001). Children receiving minimum acceptable diet were 6% and 9% in Halaba and Zeway, respectively.

Conclusions:

The high levels of stunting and suboptimal feeding practices as well as low dietary diversity scores, energy, and nutrient intake in both communities, particularly in Halaba, indicate a need to improve/strengthen nutrition strategies for complementary feeding children in these areas.
Forgiving the Unforgivable: Mortals, Saints and Sinners
Authors: Dalal Farhad
Published: July 2016

This article is a personal reflection on the nature of the complexity called forgiveness. The article tries to avoid moralizing by situating the reflection in the social and personal context of the author. Through this route reasons are established as to why it is difficult to be a reflective citizen, and why the author is more prone to being a paralyzed citizen. The individualistic and internalist account of forgiveness is discredited, and it is argued that forgiveness is a property of the network. The article argues for the necessity of ‘recognition’ prior to any possibility of forgiveness, and in this work the bystander is allocated a central role.
Examining Two of Keynes’s Most Popular Statements—Wasteful Public Spending Can Be Acceptable, and, In The Long Run We Are All Dead—Yields Some Surprising Implications
Authors: Beranek William , Kamerschen David R.
Published: July 2016

Analysis shows that John Maynard Keynes likely interpreted the concept “long run” as reflecting the dimension of calendar time, rather than operational time. More importantly, Keynes was not the advocate of wasteful spending as usually believed. He actually placed strong restrictions on this prescription; it was not an unconditional invitation to raid the public larder. Journalists, politicians, and many economists have overstated his ardor for wasteful spending.