bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Acute Kidney Injury: Prevention, Early Recognition, and Supportive Measures
Authors: Romagnoli Stefano , Ricci Zaccaria , Ronco Claudio
Published: June 2018

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of both cardiac and major non-cardiac surgery. AKI is independently associated with morbidity, mortality, and long-term adverse events including chronic kidney disease in postsurgical patients. Since specific treatment options for kidney failure are very limited, early identification, diagnosis, and renal support strategies are key steps to improve patients’ outcome. Summary: According to current Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines, AKI diagnosis is based on 2 functional markers, serum creatinine increase and urine output decrease, that are not renal-specific and have important limitations. However, preoperative risk stratification for postoperative AKI and/or early diagnosis after surgery could be the best way to apply preventive or timely supportive therapeutic measures. Clinical prediction scores, renal functional reserve assessment, and new biomarkers of kidney stress (suppression of tumorigenicity-2, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-7, tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2) may help the clinicians to identify patients at risk of AKI and that could benefit from the application of nephroprotective bundles suggested by the KDIGO guidelines. In severe AKI patients with oligoanuria and fluid accumulation, renal replacement therapy is the only supportive measure even if mode and timing remain open to investigation. Key messages: Perioperative AKI is an important and underdiagnosed complication. Identifying patients at high risk of AKI and diagnosing AKI early are major goals. Preventive interventions are mainly based on the KDIGO guidelines and bundles. Furthermore, a personalized multidisciplinary approach should always be considered to minimize the progression of disease and the complications related to kidney damage.
PRMT1 Promoted HCC Growth and Metastasis In Vitro and In Vivo via Activating the STAT3 Signalling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Xiu-Ping , Jiang Ya-Bo , Zhong Cheng-Qian , Ma Ning , Zhang Er-Bin , Zhang Fan , Li Jing-Jing , Deng Yue-Zhen , Wang Kang , Xie Dong , Cheng Shu-Qun
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: Although it has been widely accepted that protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is a cancer-promoting gene in various cancers, the mechanism of PRMT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires more exploration. This study aimed to investigate the role of PRMT1 in HCC growth and metastasis. Methods: We compared PRMT1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics using paired HCC and adjacent noncancerous liver tissues from 210 patients and immunohistochemistry analyses. Cell proliferation, colony formation and migration were determined in HCC cell lines with PRMT1 overexpression or downregulation through MTT, crystal violet and Boyden chamber assays. Tumour growth was monitored in a xenograft model, and intrahepatic metastasis models were established. Results: PRMT1 expression was greatly increased in clinical HCC samples and strongly associated with poor prognosis and recurrence; PRMT1 expression was also positively correlated with microvascular invasion (P = 0.024), tumour differentiation (P = 0.014), tumour size (P = 0.002), and portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) (P = 0.028). Cell proliferation, colony formation and migration in vitro were enhanced by PRMT1 upregulation and decreased by PRMT1 downregulation in HCC cell lines. Moreover, low PRMT1 expression resulted in slow tumour growth and decreased tumour weight in vivo, as well as tumour metastasis. These phenotypes were associated with STAT3 signalling pathway activation. Cryptotanshinone, a STAT3 inhibitor, inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and reversed the HCC phenotype of PRMT1 expression. Conclusions: We revealed a significant role for PRMT1 in HCC progression and metastasis in vitro and in vivo via STAT3 signalling pathway activation. PRMT1 may be a potential novel prognostic biomarker and new therapeutic target for HCC.
Assessments on the impact of human-tiger conflict and community-based conservation in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Chouksey Sandeep , Singh Somesh
Published: June 2018

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) is one of the famous tiger reserves in India, situated in Uamria District of Madhya Pradesh.  Data on human-tiger conflict were collected from the forest record during the period from 2001 to 2011 and a questionnaire survey was conducted to know the level of human-tiger conflict. A total of 27 human casualties were recorded, of which 40.75% were lethal (death) and 59.25% were injuries. A total of 1,603 livestock killing were recorded by tiger, of which consisting of 76.54% (1227) cattle (cow/ox), 22.52% (361) buffaloes and 0.93% (15) goats. Illegal entry into the core and buffer area for collection of minor forest produce, daily needs, and livestock grazing were observed to be the major reasons behind the existing conflict.  Poor livestock shelter was also found responsible for mauling of cattle by tigers.  The forest department had provided adequate compensation for the losses, but most of the respondents were unsatisfied due to assorted reasons. Poaching and retaliation killing of tiger is also a serious issue in and around BTR.  A total of four tiger poaching and one revenge killing case was recorded.  Conflicts create a negative impact on people, even then majority of the respondents (83.89%) felt the necessity for tiger conservation.  Wildlife habitat improvement, restocking of prey base by translocation of herbivores, fencing of protected areas, controlled grazing and rangeland management, adequate compensation, eco-development, promoting the use of toilets in surrounding villages for safety, proper housing of livestock, and community-based conservation are some options for control and management of human-tiger conflict.
Biology and distribution of the Clouded Apollo Parnassius mnemosyne (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), a rare butterfly in the Republic of Mordovia, Russia
Authors: Ruchin A. B.
Published: June 2018

Information is presented on incidence of the Clouded Apollo Parnassius mnemosyne in the Republic of Mordovia (Russia).  Over the period 2006–2016, more than 30 sites of the species were identified.  The main increase in the number from 2 to 22 specimens per 1km of route was observed in 2006–2011.  Biotopes of the species, fodder plants of the imago, and measures for species protection are described.
Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Bangana dero (Hamilton, 1822) (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from northeastern region of India
Authors: Yadav Kamlesh Kumar , Dhanze Rani
Published: June 2018

Assessment of length-weight relationship (LWR), length-length relationship (LLR) and condition factor was carried out for Bangana dero in northeastern India, mainly from the Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy (Manipur) River system.  We report a value of ‘b’ 3.1269 and 3.1426 for LWR with respect to total length and standard length respectively, indicating positive allometric growth. The value of ‘b’ for LLR is less than one, which indicates that growth in total length is less with per unit increase in standard length.  The value of ‘K’ and ‘Kn’ is 0.91 and 0.72 depicts normal well being of fish in its habitat.
First record of a trogid beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Trogidae) from the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Kalawate Aparna Sureshchandra , Patole S. S.
Published: June 2018

The present paper deals with the first record of Omorgus (Afromorgus) italicus (Reiche, 1853) from the Western Ghats, India.  The morphological description, including that of male genitalia, illustration and distribution of the newly recorded species has been provided.  The identified specimen has been deposited at National Zoological Collection, Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
First definitive record of a whip scorpion Labochirus tauricornis (Pocock, 1900) from Goa, India: with notes on its morphometry and pedipalp micro-morphology
Authors: Borkar Manoj Ramakant
Published: June 2018

Bastawade & Borkar in 2008 made a passing reference to the presence of a single uropygid species in Goa, though without much primary diagnostic data on the collected specimen of four females.  The present study puts in place a definitive record of the uropygid, Labochirus tauricornis Pocock, (1900) in the state of Goa, and addresses an important gap in our understanding of its occurrence, morphology, and ecology. Besides documenting the species of this cryptozoic, nocturnal arachnid predator commonly known as ‘Vinegaroon’ on account of their vinegary allomone spray; the present study also describes the gross morphology , morphometry and micro-morphology of non-ambulatory sub-raptorial pedipalps which are of taxonomic-diagnostic value, elucidated using scanning electron microscopy, in addition to routine stereomicroscopy. The paper also examines in detail, sexual dimorphism and morphometry of this uropygid species.
A first confirmed record of the Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrix indica (Mammalia: Rodentia: Hystricidae) in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Chreiki Maral K. , Steer Mark D. , Majeed Sami Ullah , Kakembo Swamiti , Ross Steve
Published: June 2018

We report the first records of the Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica; Kerr, 1792) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), approximately 600km beyond its known range in Arabia.  Images of H. indica were taken by camera traps at two locations in Wadi Wurayah National Park (WWNP), Fujairah, in three separate events in 2015 and 2016.  Long-term occupancy of porcupines was confirmed via social surveys conducted in four villages bordering WWNP.  These findings represent a previously unrecorded and most likely isolated subpopulation of H. indica.  Further study is warranted to assess the genetic and demographic resilience of the population.
The US Experience of the Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Spar David S. , Bianco Nicole R. , Knilans Timothy K. , Czosek Richard J. , Anderson Jeffrey B.
Published: June 2018

Background:

Certain pediatric patients are at risk for sudden cardiac death. The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) can be used in clinical situations in which implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement is not ideal. The objectives of the study are to examine the effectiveness, safety, and compliance of the WCD in the identification and treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in pediatric patients.

Methods:

All United States pediatric patients <18 years who wore a WCD, from 2009 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results:

In total, 455 patients were identified. The median age was 15 (3–17) years, median duration of WCD use was 33 (1–999) days and median patient wear time was 20.6 (0.3–23.8) hours per day. The population was divided into 2 groups: (1) patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator problem, n=63 and (2) patients with nonimplantable cardioverter-defibrillator problem, n=392. Wear time per day was >20 hours in both groups. Wear duration was shorter in the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator problem group, 26 days versus 35 days,
P
<0.05. There were 7 deaths (1.5%); all not wearing WCD at time of death. Eight patients (1.8%) received at least 1 WCD shock treatment. Of the 6 patients (1.3%) who had appropriate therapy, there were 7 episodes of either polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation with a total of 13 treatments delivered. All episodes were successfully converted and the patients survived.

Conclusions:

The WCD has overall adequate compliance with appropriate wear times and wear durations in pediatric patients. The WCD is safe and effective in treating ventricular arrhythmias that can lead to sudden cardiac death in pediatric patients.
An Algorithm Based on Deep Learning for Predicting In‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Kwon Joon‐myoung , Lee Youngnam , Lee Yeha , Lee Seungwoo , Park Jinsik
Published: June 2018

Background

In‐hospital cardiac arrest is a major burden to public health, which affects patient safety. Although traditional track‐and‐trigger systems are used to predict cardiac arrest early, they have limitations, with low sensitivity and high false‐alarm rates. We propose a deep learning–based early warning system that shows higher performance than the existing track‐and‐trigger systems.

Methods and Results

This retrospective cohort study reviewed patients who were admitted to 2 hospitals from June 2010 to July 2017. A total of 52 131 patients were included. Specifically, a recurrent neural network was trained using data from June 2010 to January 2017. The result was tested using the data from February to July 2017. The primary outcome was cardiac arrest, and the secondary outcome was death without attempted resuscitation. As comparative measures, we used the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (
AUROC
), the area under the precision–recall curve (
AUPRC
), and the net reclassification index. Furthermore, we evaluated sensitivity while varying the number of alarms. The deep learning–based early warning system (
AUROC
: 0.850;
AUPRC
: 0.044) significantly outperformed a modified early warning score (
AUROC
: 0.603;
AUPRC
: 0.003), a random forest algorithm (
AUROC
: 0.780;
AUPRC
: 0.014), and logistic regression (
AUROC
: 0.613;
AUPRC
: 0.007). Furthermore, the deep learning–based early warning system reduced the number of alarms by 82.2%, 13.5%, and 42.1% compared with the modified early warning system, random forest, and logistic regression, respectively, at the same sensitivity.

Conclusions

An algorithm based on deep learning had high sensitivity and a low false‐alarm rate for detection of patients with cardiac arrest in the multicenter study.
Increased Left Ventricular Mass Index Is Associated With Compromised White Matter Microstructure Among Older Adults
Authors: Moore Elizabeth E. , Liu Dandan , Pechman Kimberly R. , Terry James G. , Nair Sangeeta , Cambronero Francis E. , Bell Susan P. , Gifford Katherine A. , Anderson Adam W. , Hohman Timothy J. , Carr John Jeffrey , Jefferson Angela L.
Published: June 2018

Background

Left ventricular (
LV
) hypertrophy is associated with cerebrovascular disease and cognitive decline. Increased
LV
mass index is a subclinical imaging marker that precedes overt
LV
hypertrophy. This study relates
LV
mass index to white matter microstructure and cognition among older adults with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment.

Methods and Results

Vanderbilt Memory & Aging Project participants free of clinical stroke, dementia, and heart failure (n=318, 73±7 years, 58% male, 39% mild cognitive impairment) underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac magnetic resonance, and neuropsychological assessment. Voxelwise analyses related
LV
mass index (g/m
2
) to diffusion tensor imaging metrics. Models adjusted for age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, Framingham Stroke Risk Profile, cognitive diagnosis, and apolipoprotein E–ε4 status. Secondary analyses included a
LV
mass index×diagnosis interaction term with follow‐up models stratified by diagnosis. With identical covariates, linear regression models related
LV
mass index to neuropsychological performances. Increased
LV
mass index related to altered white matter microstructure (
P
<0.05). In models stratified by diagnosis, associations between
LV
mass index and diffusion tensor imaging were present among mild cognitive impairment participants only (
P
<0.05).
LV
mass index was related only to worse visuospatial memory performance (β=−0.003,
P
=0.036), an observation that would not withstand correction for multiple testing.

Conclusions

In the absence of prevalent heart failure and clinical stroke, increased
LV
mass index corresponds to altered white matter microstructure, particularly among older adults with clinical symptoms of prodromal dementia. Findings highlight the potential link between subclinical
LV
remodeling and cerebral white matter microstructure vulnerability.
Equations for Estimating the Predissected Diameter of the Descending Aorta From Computed Tomographic Images at the Onset of Aortic Dissection
Authors: Yamauchi Takashi , Masai Takafumi , Takano Hiroshi , Shirakawa Yukitoshi , Toda Koichi , Sawa Yoshiki ,   Osaka Cardiovascular Surgery Research Group (OSCAR)
Published: June 2018

Background

Estimation of the predissected descending aortic diameter is important for deciding on the size of a stent graft in cases of acute aortic dissection. However, no equations for estimating this diameter have been previously reported.

Methods and Results

We developed and validated new equations by investigating computed tomography images that were scanned within 3 years before dissection and those that were scanned immediately after the onset of dissection. Among 1127 patients with acute aortic dissection (425 type A and 702 type B), 36 were matched for the study from October 2005 to March 2017 at 4 centers. New equations were developed in 17 patients and validated in 19 patients. We measured the predissected whole circumference length (CL) and postdissected whole
CL
, true lumen
CL
, the major diameter, and the minor diameter of the acutely dissected aorta, followed by calculation of (post‐true
CL
+post‐whole
CL
)/2 and (post–major diameter+post—minor diameter)/2. Six equations (linear function) and modified equations were derived from each of the above‐mentioned parameters. In the derivation sets, equations that used the parameter of (post‐true
CL
+post‐whole
CL
)/2 were strongly correlated with pre‐whole
CL
(Y=0.9433x+5.0147;
R
2
=0.9001) and showed significantly less bias compared with the other 5 equations (
P
<0.0001). In validation sets using this equation, the mean bias of the circumference length and diameter was 2.7±2.8 and 0.85±0.89 mm, respectively. A total of 99.2% of the calculated values were within 3 mm in diameter or less.

Conclusions

Our newly developed equations can be used to calculate the predissected aortic diameter in cases of acute aortic dissection and might help to decide the size of the stent graft.
Association Between Possible Osteoporosis and Shunt-Dependent Hydrocephalus After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Han Myung-Hoon , Won Yu Deok , Na Min Kyun , Kim Choong Hyun , Kim Jae Min , Ryu Je Il , Yi Hyeong-Joong , Cheong Jin Hwan
Published: June 2018

Background and Purpose—

Pathological obstruction in arachnoid granulations after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can impede cerebrospinal fluid flow outward to the venous sinus and causing hydrocephalus. Because bone and arachnoid granulations share the same collagen type, we evaluated the possible relation between bone mineral density and shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after SAH.

Methods—

We measured Hounsfield units of the frontal skull on admission brain computed tomography in patients with SAH. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cutoff Hounsfield unit in skull to predict osteopenia and osteoporosis in a large sample registry. According to the optimal cutoff skull Hounsfield unit values, study patients were then categorized as hypothetical normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression to determine whether the osteoporotic conditions are independent predictive factors for the development of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after clipping for SAH.

Results—

A total of 447 patients (alive ≥14 days) with ruptured aneurysm SAH who underwent surgical clipping were retrospectively enrolled in this study during a 9-year period from 2 hospitals. We found that hypothetical osteoporosis was an independent predictor for shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after aneurysmal clipping for SAH after full adjustment for other predictive factors, including age (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–4.08;
P
=0.032).

Conclusions—

Our study demonstrates a possible relation between possible osteoporosis and hydrocephalus after SAH. Hounsfield unit measurement on admission brain computed tomography may be helpful for predicting hydrocephalus during the clinical course of SAH in patients with osteoporosis or suspected osteoporosis.
The Senses Pointing Toward a New Transformation
Authors: Oiticica Hélio
Published: June 2018

Hélio Oiticica's “The Senses Pointing Towards a New Transformation” was written between June 18 and June 25, 1969, in London and submitted to the British art magazine Studio International, but never appeared in print. The essay negotiates art after objecthood and contextualises Oiticica's project to effect a definitive radicalization of anti-art, one that the artist held to be necessary in light of the impasse reached by the longstanding conflict between formalist art and its various neo-avant-garde negations (both within the Brazilian and the international neo-avant-gardes). For Oiticica, after both Neoconcretism and Minimalism, it was now the process of art making itself that had to be rethought. Oiticica did so by developing what he called “crebehavior,” a practice that revealed the routinized character of everyday life and proposed an immanent transformation of the same via a change in everyday behavioral patterns. Such a transformation opened up the possibility of bringing about “creleisure,” a condition that Oiticica understood to involve both the realization and the dissolution of art.
Matteo Ricci’s Occidental Method of Memory (Xiguo Jifa) (1596): Untranslatable Images of a Classical Art of Memory in Ming China
Authors: Hosne Ana Carolina
Published: June 2018

One of the attributes of the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) was his prodigious memory. The humanistic education received at the Roman College enabled him to master the classical art of memory. In China, Ricci discovered that memorization was essential to the learning process required for the civil service examinations to hold posts within the empire, and so he composed the Xiguo Jifa (1596) (Occidental Method of Memory), based on one of the commonest mnemonic systems—the architectural type—to help candidates memorize contents for these examinations. Ricci chose Chinese characters as mnemonic images to be placed in mental structures. This article aims to show how Ricci’s choice of Chinese characters as mnemonic images in China deviated from one of the main functions of an art of memory: to mediate between words and images, creating bridges and modes of translation from one another, thus rendering those images “untranslatable.”
Marriage Institutions and the Formation of Cross-Cultural Knowledge Networks in Early Modern Southeast Asia
Authors: Sargent Matthew D.
Published: June 2018

This article explores the ways in which Europeans encountered indigenous knowledge in Asia and the Americas during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and reconstructs the social factors that enabled productive cross-cultural knowledge encounters within a particular temporal and cultural context. By focusing on the tacit nature of medical knowledge and on the structure of the networks that enabled cross-cultural brokerage I develop a framework that explains why knowledge exchange occurred in some situations and not in others. In particular, I argue that a unique marriage institution that emerged in the Dutch-controlled regions of the Indonesian archipelago during the second half of the seventeenth-century fostered European access to indigenous botanical knowledge by reshaping the patterns of relationships that linked European, mestiza, and indigenous cultures. Women in Southeast Asia were the important medical practitioners within their local communities. By fostering and formalizing relationships with Asian and mestiza women this marriage institution both created direct ties with local experts while also integrating European men in to a community who relied primarily on local botanical cures for their medical care and who could broker relationships with local practitioners.
Optimization of IAA production by endophytic Bacillus spp. from Vigna radiata for their potential use as plant growth promoters
Authors: Bhutani Namita , Maheshwari Rajat , Negi Monika , Suneja Pooja
Published: June 2018

Endophytic bacteria isolated from nodules ofVigna radiatawere screened for indole acetic acid (IAA) production. Three isolates MBN3, MJHN1 and MJHN10, molecularly identified asBacillus aryabhattai(MF693121.1),B. megaterium(MF693120.1) andB. cereus(MF693119.1) were producing significantly high amount of IAA. Production parameters viz. L-tryptophan concentration, incubation time, carbon and nitrogen sources were optimized. The study revealed the presence of trp-dependent pathway for IAA production in the isolates. All of them gave maximum production with yeast extract as nitrogen source but variation in preference for carbon sources was observed. The invitro application of bacterial isolates on plant roots resulted in increase in root length as well as number of lateral roots. These results confirm the occurrence ofBacillusas predominant non-rhizobial endophytic genera in summer season crop and its potential as plant root growth promoter.
The Art of Coercion: Repressions and Repressiveness in Putin’s Russia
Authors: Rogov Kirill
Published: June 2018

While repressions are seen to be a backbone of authoritarian rule, there is a lack of case studies of repressions and repressive policies in different kinds of authoritarian regimes and their interaction with other mechanisms of authoritarian sustainability. As Russia has demonstrated a transition from ‘soft’ electoral authoritarianism to its more ‘hard’ version during Putin’s third term in office, the role of repressions has increased. What are their scope and functions in Russia during this reverse transition? This article offers an analysis of the causes, types and mechanisms of repressions, and presents various ways of measuring their scale as well as the sources and means of their legitimation within the framework of an electoral regime. It shows that the regime prefers to demonstrate its high repressiveness—its willingness and propensity to repress—but in a limited number of cases; it also describes the role of repressive populism, namely presenting repressions as a necessary response to multiplying threats, as well as the scope and function of counter-elite repressions. The latter are seen as no less important than political repressions in the regime’s reverse transition, and as the main leverage of redistribution of power and institutional rearrangement in its course.
Putin as a Non-populist Autocrat
Authors: Lassila Jussi
Published: June 2018

This article approaches Vladimir Putinʼs authoritarian rule by adhering to populismʼs minimal definition, and argues – in contrast to vernacular perceptions of populism – that Putin is not a populist by his political identification. Whereas the lack of political plurality is an important obstacle for the emergence of any populism, this factor alone cannot explain the Kremlinʼs lack of a consistent authoritarian populist alternative. For instance, the President of Belarus, Aleksander Lukashenko has justified his longstanding populist rule in a country, which certainly lacks political plurality. It is argued that Russiaʼs historical distrust in ‘the people’ as a political subject and the incompatibility of populismʼs simplified antagonisms for Putinʼs neo-imperial course, are the central explanations for the absence of an authoritarian populism in Russia.
Informality and Corruption Perceptions in Russia’s Regions: Exploring the Effects of Gubernatorial Turnover in Patronal Regimes
Authors: Sharafutdinova Gulnaz
Published: June 2018

This study uses the 2011 BEEPS survey for the Russian Federation to study factors influencing corruption perceptions in Russian regions. Specifically, the analysis relies on Henry Hale’s theory of patronal presidentialism to explore the effects of the institutional environment and, particularly, of regional political uncertainty, on the perceptions of economic actors embedded in it. The analysis reveals that political instability – when measured by the recent political turnover in the region and the presence of regional inter-elite conflicts – works to increase corruption perceptions among economic actors. These findings support earlier literature on the importance of informal rules and ‘insider entrepreneurship’ in Russia.
Politics versus Policy: Technocratic Traps of Russia’s Policy Reforms
Authors: Gel’man Vladimir
Published: June 2018

A number of policy reforms in post-Soviet Russia have been conducted within the framework of the technocratic model. Policy proposals have been developed and to some extent implemented by certain teams of professionals appointed by legitimate political leaders. The leaders, in turn, have tended to monopolize policy adoption and evaluation and to insulate the substance of reforms from public opinion. This article is devoted to a critical reassessment of the technocratic model of policy-making in the context of changes of the 1990s–2010s. The main focus of the analysis is on the political and institutional constraints of policy-making resulting from the influence of interest groups and mechanisms of governance within the state apparatus. Poor quality of governance and rent-seeking aspirations of major actors create significant barriers for reforms, while insulation of policy-making, although beneficial for technocratic reformers themselves, has resulted in an increase to the social costs of reforms and distorted their substantive outcomes. In the conclusion, possible alternatives to the technocratic model are discussed.
A Prelude to Total War? The Abyssinian War (1935–36) in the Eyes of Foreign Military Observers
Authors: Scianna Bastian Matteo
Published: June 2018

The conflict between Italy and Ethiopia in 1935–36 has been framed as a prelude to the Second World War and as a watershed towards ‘Total War’. One perspective has so far been neglected: the assessments of foreign military observers. This article examines American, British, German, and Austrian views on the operations and thereby also analyses the mindset of European officers at the time. The core argument emerging from these reports is that the war was perceived as a rather ‘normal’ colonial conflict. Neither the use of gas, nor the employment of aircraft against civilians was seen as a taboo or created significant outrage among the military observers. Instead, they lauded the Italians’ steady logistical efforts and employment of artillery and airpower to overcome nature and the enemy’s resistance.
The South African Offensive Operations in Southern Abyssinia, 1940–1941
Authors: Kleynhans Evert
Published: June 2018

The Italian declaration of war in June 1940 placed the British possessions in East Africa under threat of invasion from the neighbouring Italian colonies. In July 1940, the Italians launched limited offensives towards the frontiers of Kenya and the Sudan, and completely overran British Somaliland by August. By November 1940 the First South African Division (1st
sa Div) deployed to the Northern Frontier District (nfd) of Kenya, ready to launch offensive operations into Southern Abyssinia against the Mega-Moyale complex. The South African belief in mobile warfare found expression in the ensuing operation, where Maj Gen George E. Brink, the Division’s commander, essentially manoeuvred to fight during the offensive operations. This article critically discusses the objectives allotted to Brink for his offensive operations in Southern Abyssinia. The objectives allocated to the Division are measured against the overall successes of the South African operations in the south of Abyssinia during 1941.
Strike First or Wait Defensively: The Formulation of the idf’s Fighting Strategy after Israel’s War of Independence
Authors: Fried Yoram
Published: June 2018

Two facts related to the fighting strategy adopted by the Israel Defense Forces (idf) following the first Israeli-Arab War of 1948 are well accepted. The first is that after the war, the idf adopted a ‘defensive-offensive’ strategy. The second is that in 1953 this strategy was replaced by an ‘offensive-defensive’ strategy. Over the years, researchers have suggested several explanations for this change. However, opinions remain divided. This article argues that although the ‘offensive-defensive’ strategy was preferred particularly by officials in the planning and operational departments, they reluctantly chose the ‘defensive-offensive’ strategy for economic and strategic reasons. Only a few years later, however, after re-evaluating the premises on which the ‘defensive-offensive’ strategy had been based, the idf switched gears and returned to the strategy it had wanted from the beginning: to strike first.
First report of Agaricus sect. Brunneopicti from Pakistan with descriptions of two new species
Authors: BASHIR HIRA , HUSSAIN SHAH , KHALID ABDUL NASIR , NIAZI ABDUL REHMAN KHAN , PARRA LUIS A. , CALLAC PHILIPPE
Published: June 2018

Agaricus is a genus of saprophytic fungi in the Basidiomycota. As part of ongoing studies on the genus Agaricus in Pakistan, we here describe and discuss two new species, A. pakistanicus sp. nov. and A. sparsisquamosus sp. nov. Morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences were used to clarify their taxonomic affinities. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that both species belong to A. sect. Brunneopicti. This palaeotropical section, which has been recently reconstructed, is reported in Pakistan for the first time. Interestingly, these two new species exhibit a reddish or brown discoloration. With these two new species, the distribution of this section, which was previously restricted to tropical and subtropical humid regions, now extends to semi-arid and desert climate regions and the total number of species in the section increases to 20, including eight unnamed species.
A new species Rubia urceolata (Rubiaceae: Rubieae) from Shennongjia National Park, central China
Authors: WANG CHUN-HUI , LIU ZHI-E , LI YA , WANG XIAO-FAN
Published: June 2018

Rubia urceolata, a new species endemic to Shennongjia National Park, Hubei Province (central China), is herein described and illustrated. The new species has sub-orbicular to ovate leaves and mericarp berry, which might be confused with the closely related species R. ovatifolia. However, R. urceolata can be distinguished from R. ovatifolia by its urceolate corolla, longer corolla tube (1.3–2 mm) and flowers with purplish red lobes. Morphological comparisons with R. ovatifolia are discussed.
Tectaria moranii (Tectariaceae), a new fern species from Costa Rica
Authors: TANG GUANG-DA , ZHANG LI-BING
Published: June 2018

A new fern species, Tectaria moranii (sect. Tectaria; Tectariaceae), is described from central Costa Rica. Tectaria moranii is most similar to T. vivipara in having rachis bulbils, but the two are distinguishable by the habit of rhizome, shape of lamina, petiole and rachis color, proliferability of rachis bulbils, number of pairs of pinnae per lamina, pinna width, and sorus distribution. Tectaria moranii is assigned LC-Least Concern category following the IUCN guidelines.
The New World species of Leucospis Fabricius, 1775 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Leucospidae): an update of Bouček’s revision with description of two new species from Brazil
Authors: LIMA ALESSANDRO RODRIGUES , DIAS PRISCILA GUIMARÃES
Published: June 2018

The revision of Leucospis Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Leucospidae) by Bouček (1974a) is updated for the New World species based on material deposited in Brazilian collections. We provide a key to the New World species including all species described after Bouček, describe two new Brazilian species, Leucospis copepucu sp. nov. and L. muru sp. nov. describe the male of Leucospis opalescens Weld, 1922, and provide diagnoses and illustrations for ten other Brazilian species and one Argentinian species and comments on new geographic records for Brazilian species, with maps.
Revision of the subgenus Dicranomyia (Erostrata) Savchenko, 1976 (Diptera, Limoniidae) of Japan
Authors: KATO DAICHI , TACHI TAKUJI , GELHAUS JON
Published: June 2018

The six Japanese species of the subgenus Dicranomyia (Erostrata) Savchenko, 1976 are revised. D. (E.) globithorax Osten Sacken, 1869 and D. (E.) tabashii (Alexander, 1934) are newly recorded from Japan. We elevate the two subspecies of D. globithorax to species rank based on distinct morphological differences. Three new species, D. (E.) reniformis sp. nov., D. (E.) submelas sp. nov., and D. (E.) yazuensis sp. nov. are described. The male genitalia of all Japanese species and female ovipositors of four of the six species are illustrated, and the habitus of adults are photographed. A key to the Japanese species of the subgenus is provided.
Key to species of the genus Xenovarta Viraktamath (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with description of a new species from China
Authors: XING JICHUN
Published: June 2018

A new leafhopper species, Xenovarta lii sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Yunnan Province, China, and a key is given to separate species of this genus. A map showing the geographic distribution of the new species is also provided. The type specimen of the new species is deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC).
A new cryptic species of Oreobates (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the seasonally dry tropical forest of central Brazil
Authors: VAZ-SILVA WILIAN , MACIEL NATAN MEDEIROS , DE ANDRADE SHEILA PEREIRA , AMARO RENATA CECÍLIA
Published: June 2018

A new species of Oreobates Jiménez de la Espada, 1872 is described from the seasonally dry tropical forest associated to rocky outcrops of the northeastern Goiás State, Central Brazil. Oreobates antrum sp. nov. is diagnosable by the combination of morphological characters (e.g. small size, dorsal and ventral skin texture smooth to finely shagreened, and broadly enlarged truncate discs on Fingers III and IV), call attributes (composed of a single note and no harmonics with dominant frequency ranged 2070 Hz to 3273 Hz), and supported by molecular evidence (phylogenetic position and genetic divergence) with high degree of differentiation among other Oreobates species (divergences of 4.0–20.6% for 12S, 7.0–14% for 16S, 0.7–4.0% for RAG-1, and 1.1–8.0% for TYR). The new species was recovered as the sister of Oreobates remotus.
Benthic hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from off George V Coast (East Antarctica)
Authors: CANTERO ÁLVARO L. PEÑA , MARZAL MARINA FRESNEDA
Published: June 2018

Hydrozoans are one of the main and most characteristic zoological groups of Antarctic benthic communities, yet there are Antarctic areas where the hydrozoan fauna is completely unknown or scarcely known as off George V Coast (East Antarctica). Hitherto, only two studies have dealt with hydroids from this area and only 16 species have been reported. The present study contributes to increase knowledge of the benthic hydroid fauna off George V Coast by studying material collected during a sampling survey associated with the CEAMARC project. A total of 12 species of benthic hydroids were found. Anthoathecata is only represented by Bimeria corynopsis, the remaining species, including Schizotricha auroraaustralis sp. nov., belong to Leptothecata. Seven of the 12 species found in the study represent new records for the area; therefore, the number of benthic hydroids known off George V Coast is raised to 23. Staurotheca is the most speciose genus, represented by three species, followed by Schizotricha with two; the remaining genera are each represented by a single species. All species are restricted to Antarctic or Antarctic/sub-Antarctic waters. Nine species (75%) are endemic to the Antarctic region, most with a circum-Antarctic distribution (7 species); only two are endemic to East Antarctica. Three species are also distributed in sub-Antarctic waters.
A non-destructive virtual dissection by micro-CT reveals diagnostic characters in the type specimen of Caloptilia stigmatella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)
Authors: ROBINSON JEANNE , GIBSON JEREMY , ARÉVALO-MALDONADO HELBER ADRIÁN , PRINS JURATE DE , WINDMILL JAMES
Published: June 2018

Nearly a century ago, wing venation was introduced in gracillariid taxonomy as a means to diagnose closely related genera and species groups. Recent advances in non-destructive virtual micro-dissections suggest promising approaches with which to revisit the relevance of wing venation characters on historic primary type specimens. Many unique type specimens in Gracillariidae and other microlepidoptera groups preserved in museum collections are in poor condition, and over the course of history have suffered loss or damage to their abdomens. Consequently, genitalia morphology is not available for diagnoses and comparisons. In this paper we emphasize the need to include the type species and type specimens into the broader context of taxonomic studies on micro-moths in general and the family Gracillariidae in particular. The genus Caloptilia has a world-wide distribution and has been the subject of research for more than 200 years, yet the generic boundaries and groupings within the genus are still unresolved due to the lack of a reliable set of taxonomic characters obtained from the primary types. We describe a method of virtual descaling of the fore- and hindwings using the unset micro-moth type specimen of Caloptilia stigmatella Fabricius, 1781, in order to demonstrate that the study of historic and fragile type specimens and diagnoses of their internal morphological characters becomes possible by applying new and non-destructive technology.
Do the species with facies reclinobunoides make up a clade?—A new Lomanius (Opiliones, Podoctidae) from Vietnam and a discussion on its relationships
Authors: KURY ADRIANO B. , MACHADO GLAUCO
Published: June 2018

Lomanius annae sp. nov. is described from southern Vietnam. The species is characterized by the greatly developed dorso-basal process on cheliceral hand of males and by the partial effacement of all mesotergal grooves. The genus Lomanius contains four generic synonyms and currently comprises eight valid species distributed in China, Java, peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The new species displays a general morphology similar to the former genus Paralomanius, with a combination of sexually dimorphic interocular mound (which is very large and strongly leaned back in males) and pedipalpus (which is extremely elongate in males). This morphological suite of features is herein called facies reclinobunoides. The replacement name Metibalonius triceratops nom. nov. is proposed for Trispinibunus abnormis Roewer, 1915, which is a junior secondary homonym of Ibalonius abnormis Strand, 1911. Finally, numerous morphological structures found in Podoctidae are recognized and named: (1) the cheliceral comb, present on cheliceral fingers, (2) the chained tubercular ridges, present on dorsal scutum and (3) several others related to the ocular region. The distribution of these two structures among podoctid species is not fully known, but both are absent in the former Ibaloniinae. We suggest that both structures may be useful to define supra-generic groups in the clade composed of the former Podoctinae and Erecananinae.
Evaluation of Antibacterial Potential of CS/Fe3O4 Nanocomposites Based Plate Count Method
Authors: Dhivya S. Maria , Sathiya S. M , Mugesh Subramanian , Murugan Maruthamuthu , Rajan M. A. Jothi
Published: June 2018

In this study, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) and Chitosan coated Fe3O4 nanocomposites (CS-Fe3O4 NCs) were synthesized by simple co-precipitation method under air atmosphere. The structure, Functional, morphology
and magnetic property of synthesized samples have been analyzed. X-ray diffraction results confirmed NPs and CS-Fe3O4 Fe3O4 NCs were composed of pure magnetite and the peak positions were unchanged after the introduction of CS biopolymer. The FTIR
studies authenticate the bonding of the CS polymer with Fe3O4 NPs. The morphological studies revealed that the nanoparticles are almost spherical in size. Magnetization curves showed both Fe3O4 NPs and CS-Fe3O4 NCs were near
to superparamagnetic. In addition, the antimicrobial efficacy of CS-Fe3O4 NCs were found out by using viable cell-counting method against Gram positive bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 3160 (S. aureus). The results proved that synergistic antibacterial
effects by combining CS with Fe3O4 NPs which may have the potential to be used in combating bacterial infections.
Synthesis, Physical and Morphological Characterization of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles by Wet Chemical Method for Catalytic Applications
Authors: Puspharajan J , Joseph Mareena , Johnson K
Published: June 2018

TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using wet chemical technique and characterized with the help of XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, FT-IR, and UV-Vis analyses. TiO2 samples were studied by XRD to find out their crystal phase as well as its grain size. The prepared amorphous
TiO2 nanoparticles were dried first and then sintered at elevated temperatures. Peak intensity of the anatase TiO2 increases with increase in temperature. Higher calcination temperature leads to the formation of a mixture of anatase TiO2 and rutile TiO2.
Metal oxide features were observed in FT-IR spectra. SEM analysis was used to examine the surface morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. TEM studies reveal that the particles are spherical in shape and agglomerated. Specific surface area of the nanocrystals was studied with the help
of BET analysis. Photo catalytic activity of the nanoparticles was investigated with the help of UV-Vis spectrophotometer using methylene blue dye and the results are discussed.
Structural and Photoluminescence Properties of BaCaSO4:Dy3+ Phosphor by Combustion Techniques
Authors: Rubalajyothi P , Nehru L. C
Published: June 2018

Nanocrystalline, BaCaSO4:Dy3+ having a particle size pure and doping material to the prepared combustion method using citric acid as a fuel. To confirm the XRD is an orthorhombic structure. To determine the structure using a JANA 2006 computing software to find
out the goodness of fit values and observed and error peaks. To find out the visualization, electronic structure in three dimensional and electron density values using VESTA software. A surface morphology, chemical composition and phase transitions of the prepared powder samples using SEM,
FT-IR and photoluminescence (PL) results are presented in details.
Sol–Gel Synthesis and Electrochemical Studies on Mo3Nb2O14
Authors: Saritha D
Published: June 2018

Shear ReO3 structure type Mo3Nb2O14 was prepared by both solid state reaction, sol–gel methods, characterized by Powder X-ray Diffraction Patterns (PXRD) and compared the electrochemical cycling performance. Ex-situ XRD studies
proved that the structure is retained. Sol–gel sample shows high capacity 175 mAhg−1 after 20 cycles. At C/5 rate, Sol–gel sample shows lower capacity fading 243 mAhg−1, when compared with solid state reaction sample 170 mAhg−1
after 20 cycles. Mo3Nb2O14 shows good cycling behavior. The complete outcome will be discussed based on the charge/discharge cycles.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Based Fiber Optic Dopamine Sensor Using BSA-Gold Cluster/Polymer Composites
Authors: Raj D. Rithesh , Sudarsanakumar C
Published: June 2018

Highly luminescent BSA-gold clusters were synthesized and its polymer composites were prepared using PVA, PVP and PVA/PVP blend. UV-visible spectroscopy, Photoluminescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size analysis
(DLS) were performed to determine the formation of gold clusters. Luminescence properties of BSA-Gold cluster and its polymer composites were evaluated and it is found that all polymers quench the fluorescence at 650 nm while PVP and PVP/PVA blend enhance the fluorescence at 450 nm. Further,
a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) based fiber optic sensor has been fabricated using PVP/BSA-gold clusters as the sensing material and its dopamine sensing properties were studied. The sensor shows a linear response in the range of 0 to 80 μM concentrations of dopamine and the limit
of detection (LOD) of the sensor is 12 μM.