bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absence of TNF-α enhances inflammatory response in the newborn lung undergoing mechanical ventilation
Authors: Ehrhardt Harald , Pritzke Tina , Oak Prajakta , Kossert Melina , Biebach Luisa , Förster Kai , Koschlig Markus , Alvira Cristina M. , Hilgendorff Anne
Published: March 2016

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), characterized by impaired alveolarization and vascularization in association with lung inflammation and apoptosis, often occurs after mechanical ventilation with oxygen-rich gas (MV-O2). As heightened expression of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α has been described in infants with BPD, we hypothesized that absence of TNF-α would reduce pulmonary inflammation, and attenuate structural changes in newborn mice undergoing MV-O2. Neonatal TNF-α null (TNF-α−/−) and wild type (TNF-α+/+) mice received MV-O2for 8 h; controls spontaneously breathed 40% O2. Histologic, mRNA, and protein analysis in vivo were complemented by in vitro studies subjecting primary pulmonary myofibroblasts to mechanical stretch. Finally, TNF-α level in tracheal aspirates from preterm infants were determined by ELISA. Although MV-O2induced larger and fewer alveoli in both, TNF-α−/−and TNF-α+/+mice, it caused enhanced lung apoptosis (TUNEL, caspase-3/-6/-8), infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, and proinflammatory mediator expression (IL-1β, CXCL-1, MCP-1) in TNF-α−/−mice. These differences were associated with increased pulmonary transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, decreased TGF-β inhibitor SMAD-7 expression, and reduced pulmonary NF-κB activity in ventilated TNF-α−/−mice. Preterm infants who went on to develop BPD showed significantly lower TNF-α levels at birth. Our results suggest a critical balance between TNF-α and TGF-β signaling in the developing lung, and underscore the critical importance of these key pathways in the pathogenesis of BPD. Future treatment strategies need to weigh the potential benefits of inhibiting pathologic cytokine expression against the potential of altering key developmental pathways.
APOBEC3G Expression Correlates with T-Cell Infiltration and Improved Clinical Outcomes in High-grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Leonard Brandon , Starrett Gabriel J. , Maurer Matthew J. , Oberg Ann L. , Van Bockstal Mieke , Van Dorpe Jo , De Wever Olivier , Helleman Jozien , Sieuwerts Anieta M. , Berns Els M.J.J. , Martens John W.M. , Anderson Brett D. , Brown William L. , Kalli Kimberly R. , Kaufmann Scott H. , Harris Reuben S.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: APOBEC3 DNA cytosine deaminase family members normally defend against viruses and transposons. However, deregulated APOBEC3 activity causes mutations in cancer. Because of broad expression profiles and varying mixtures of normal and cancer cells in tumors, including immune cell infiltration, it is difficult to determine where different APOBEC3s are expressed. Here, we ask whether correlations exist between APOBEC3 expression and T-cell infiltration in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), and assess whether these correlations have prognostic value.

Experimental Design: Transcripts for APOBEC3G, APOBEC3B, and the T-cell markers, CD3D, CD4, CD8A, GZMB, PRF1, and RNF128 were quantified by RT-qPCR for a cohort of 354 HGSOC patients. Expression values were correlated with each other and clinical parameters. Two additional cohorts were used to extend HGSOC clinical results. Immunoimaging was used to colocalize APOBEC3G and the T-cell marker CD3. TCGA data extended expression analyses to additional cancer types.

Results: A surprising positive correlation was found for expression of APOBEC3G and several T cell genes in HGSOC. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent imaging showed protein colocalization in tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes. High APOBEC3G expression correlated with improved outcomes in multiple HGSOC cohorts. TCGA data analyses revealed that expression of APOBEC3D and APOBEC3H also correlates with CD3D across multiple cancer types.

Conclusions: Our results identify APOBEC3G as a new candidate biomarker for tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes and favorable prognoses for HGSOC. Our data also highlight the complexity of the tumor environment with respect to differential APOBEC family gene expression in both tumor and surrounding normal cell types. Clin Cancer Res; 22(18); 4746–55. ©2016 AACR.
Dual Faces of IFNγ in Cancer Progression: A Role of PD-L1 Induction in the Determination of Pro- and Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Mandai Masaki , Hamanishi Junzo , Abiko Kaoru , Matsumura Noriomi , Baba Tsukasa , Konishi Ikuo
Published: March 2016

IFNγ is a cytokine that plays a pivotal role in antitumor host immunity. IFNγ elicits potent antitumor immunity by inducing Th1 polarization, CTL activation, and dendritic cell tumoricidal activity. However, there are significant discrepancies in our understanding of the role of IFNγ as an antitumor cytokine. In certain circumstances, IFNγ obviously acts to induce tumor progression. IFNγ treatment has negatively affected patient outcomes in some clinical trials, while it has favorably affected outcomes in other trials. Several mechanisms, including IFNγ insensitivity and the downregulation of the MHC complex, have been regarded as the reasons for this discrepancy, but they do not fully explain it. We propose IFNγ-induced programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression as a novel mechanism by which IFNγ impairs tumor immunity. When tumor cells encounter CTLs in the local environment, they detect them via the high concentration of IFNγ secreted from CTLs, which induces PD-L1 expression in preparation for an immune attack. Thus, tumor cells acquire the capability to counterattack immune cells. These findings indicate that although IFNγ is thought to be a representative antitumor cytokine, it actually has dual roles: one as a hallmark of antitumor immunity and the other as an inducer of the immune escape phenomenon through various mechanisms, such as PD-L1 expression. In this context, the optimization of immunotherapy according to the local immune environment is important. Anti–PD-1/PD-L1 treatment may be particularly promising when efficient tumor immunity is present, but it is disturbed by PD-L1 expression. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2329–34. ©2016 AACR.
DNMT3A Haploinsufficiency Transforms FLT3ITD Myeloproliferative Disease into a Rapid, Spontaneous, and Fully Penetrant Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Meyer Sara E. , Qin Tingting , Muench David E. , Masuda Kohei , Venkatasubramanian Meenakshi , Orr Emily , Suarez Lauren , Gore Steven D. , Delwel Ruud , Paietta Elisabeth , Tallman Martin S. , Fernandez Hugo , Melnick Ari , Le Beau Michelle M. , Kogan Scott , Salomonis Nathan , Figueroa Maria E. , Grimes H. Leighton
Published: March 2016

Cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML) represents nearly 50% of human AML. Co-occurring mutations in the de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A and the FMS related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) are common in CN-AML and confer a poorer prognosis. We demonstrate that mice with Flt3-internal tandem duplication (Flt3ITD) and inducible deletion of Dnmt3a spontaneously develop a rapidly lethal, completely penetrant, and transplantable AML of normal karyotype. AML cells retain a single Dnmt3a floxed allele, revealing the oncogenic potential of Dnmt3a haploinsufficiency. FLT3ITD/DNMT3A-mutant primary human and murine AML exhibit a similar pattern of global DNA methylation associated with changes in the expression of nearby genes. In the murine model, rescuing Dnmt3a expression was accompanied by DNA remethylation and loss of clonogenic potential, suggesting that Dnmt3a-mutant oncogenic effects are reversible. Dissection of the cellular architecture of the AML model using single-cell assays, including single-cell RNA sequencing, identified clonogenic subpopulations that express genes sensitive to the methylation of nearby genomic loci and responsive to DNMT3A levels. Thus, Dnmt3a haploinsufficiency transforms Flt3ITD myeloproliferative disease by modulating methylation-sensitive gene expression within a clonogenic AML subpopulation.

Significance: DNMT3A haploinsufficiency results in reversible epigenetic alterations that transform FLT3ITD-mutant myeloproliferative neoplasm into AML. Cancer Discov; 6(5); 501–15. ©2016 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 461
The Performance of CSR Mutual Funds and Investment Decision-Making
Authors: Day Jen-Der , Nguyen Thuy Mai Trinh , Wang Chia Nan , Wang George Yungchih
Published: March 2016

Nowaday, Corporate Socially Responsible (CSR) mutual funds are becoming a popular investment option for investors. However, no any research confirms whether CSR Mutual fund activity is better than market index or not. Besides, we should have one method can help con sequently investors in making the decision to select appropriate investment funds. In this study, we measure the financial performance of a sample of 15 CSR mutual funds in the world, with the monthly return over the period 2008-2013, then we propose the dession table. We first use the measures to evaluate the performance of mutual funds such as Alpha (α), Sharpe Ratio (SR), and Information Ratio (IR). And then, we use the obtained decision table to evaluate the predictability by each measure. The results indicate that only 3 of the 15 CSR mutual funds achieve good performance results based on the statistical significance of the two measures Sharpe Ratio and Information Ratio. In addition, the IR is suggested to evaluate and make investment decisions in the future and it also is the best one among the three measures. The decision table suggest investors a measure forecast accuracy way.
Optimal DG Placement with the Aim of Profits Maximization
Authors: Dorahaki Sobhan
Published: March 2016

Using distributed generation power plants is common due to advantages such as system capacity release, voltage support and reduced energy losses in power networks. Prior to the creation of distributed generation plants (DG), economic calculation is needed in order to find the optimum location. In this study, IEEE 57 bus test system is evaluated using two index of LMP and CP. Then, the optimal location of distributed generation plants is studied in experimental network. Finally, the effects of DG correct location on buses LMP after DG installation is studied.
Modeling and Simulation of MPPT-SEPIC Combined Bidirectional Control Inverse KY Converter Using ANFIS in Microgrid System
Authors: Soedibyo Soedibyo , Murdianto Farid Dwi , Suyanto Suyanto , Ashari Mochamad , Penangsang Ontoseno
Published: March 2016

Photovoltaic system (PV) is widely used in various renewable energy application. The main problem of PV system is how to get the maximum output power which is integrated in microgrid system. Furthermore, the redundancy output power generated by on a distribution system should also be considered. This study utilizes the excess power for energy storage using bidirectional of KY inverse converter. Since the DC voltage which generated by PV and the energy storage will be converted into AC voltage using inverter toward load. This paper proposes ANFIS as search optimization method using SEPIC converter with a maximum efficiency of 99.95% to impact to power generation performance  in microgrid system.
Prediction of a New Cascaded Hybrid Multilevel Inverter with Less Device Count
Authors: Balamurugan C.R. , Natarajan S.P. , Bensraj R.
Published: March 2016

Multilevel inverters have been opted for high power applications due to reduced harmonic distortion, less device voltage stress and modular structure. This work proposes new modified hybrid H-bridge multilevel inverter using auxiliary switch. This proposed inverter produces five levels output with five power devices and clamping diodes as a phase voltage and nine levels as a line voltage.The levels of the inverters are decided based on the phase voltage not on the line voltage. In this paper the performance of the proposed inverter are measured in terms of line voltage. However, by increase in the number of levels the proposed inverter with reduced number of switches produces low switching losses and improves the efficiency of the inverter. This method achieves the variation of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in the inverter and output voltage is observed for various modulation indices. Simulation is performed using MATLAB-SIMULINK for line to line output voltage. Variable Amplitude Phase Disposition (VAPD) strategy provides output with relatively low distortion for all the strategies. It is also seen that VAPOD is found to perform better for all strategies since it provides relatively higher fundamental RMS output voltage.
Several Mode-Locked Pulses Generation and Transmission over Soliton Based Optical Transmission Link
Authors: Amiri IS , Alavi SE
Published: March 2016

A soliton-based optical communication system is presented to generate and transmits several mode locked laser pulses (generated by fiber laser setup) over 50 km fiber and 120 m wireless link. The passive mode-locking feature of the laser system proposed in this paper is based on nonlinear polarization rotation evolution.
Design and Simulation for UHF oscillator using SAWR with different schematics
Authors: Elsherbini M M , Elkordy M F , Gomaa A M
Published: March 2016

Various schematics for colpitts oscillator with fixed ultra-high frequency using either LC tank circuits or one port surface acoustic wave resonator are presented. Four circuits used to achieve 433.9 MHz oscillating frequency, Two of them using NPN Bipolar junction transistor, while the others using operational amplifier with high speed, gain and accuracy. A comparison between using passive elements as a source of resonance frequency and using SAW resonator is introduced. Another comparison between using an equivalent lumped circuit instead of SAWR package in oscillator design is also introduced. Two different software tools are used to achieve the required simulation. Proteus and ADS tools are used in simulation with AC, S-parameters and hybrid simulation. This paper is considered a direct application for SAW resonators in wide bandwidth ASK Transmitter / Receiver.
Noise Uncertainty Effect on a Modified Two-Stage Spectrum Sensing Technique
Authors: A.Tag El-Dien Heba , M. Zaki Rokaia , M. Tantawy Mohsen , M. Abdel-Kader Hala
Published: March 2016

Detecting the presence or absence of primary user is the key task of cognitive radio networks. However, relying on single detector reduces the probability of detection and increases the probability of missed detection. Combining two conventional spectrum sensing techniques by integrating their individual features improves the probability of detection especially under noise uncertainty. This paper introduces a modified two-stage detection technique that depends on the energy detection as a first stage due to its ease and speed of detection, and the proposed Modified Combinational Maximum-Minimum Eigenvalue based detection as a second stage under noise uncertainty and comperes it with the case of using Maximum-Minimum Eigenvalue and  Combinational Maximum-Minimum Eigenvalue as a second stage.
Research on the Surface Fractal Characteristic of the Rock with Rockburst Proneness
Authors: Mo-xiao Li , Guang Zhang , Jing-xi Chen
Published: March 2016

In order to strengthen the prediction of rockburst and inquire the relationship between the rockburst proneness of rock and its surface fractal characteristic, the surface fractal of the rock was studied by fractal method and uniaxial compression test. The change rules of surface fractal of different types of rock were compared by calculating its fractal dimension of rock before experiment and after experiment. Based on this, we found that the dimension after test is bigger than before test for four kinds of rocks. The rock with stronger rockburst proneness has more intense failure in the loading process and its crack morphology is more complex.
An Interactive Mobile Augmented Reality for Tourism Objects at Purbalingga District
Authors: Tahyudin Imam , Surya Saputra Dhanar Intan , Haviluddin Haviluddin
Published: March 2016

This paper presents the development of an interactive mobile Augmented Reality (AR) for tourism promotion with eXtreme programming (XP) at Purbalingga district, Central Java that has many places of tourism attractions such as Owabong, Purbasari Pancuran Mas, Sanggaluri Park and BuperMunjuluhur. By applying the AR concept, it is expected the tourism objects could be enhanced by augmenting the virtual brochures which could be viewed over a mobile device. In this study, mobile device Android platform is used to display interactive brochures of tourism promotioncontaining 3D models, animations, and sounds. The brochure provides information in of real attractions of the tourism objects in Purbalingga district.
Designing Game-Based Service Desk towards User Engagement Improvement
Authors: Surendro Kridanto , Putri Raflesia Sarifah
Published: March 2016

Along the implementation of Information Technology (IT), there are incident, request, problem, and event. According to this, organizations need to implement a function which can be a single point to provide communication between IT service provider and IT users. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) mentions service desk as a function to operate solution of  this matter. But, recently organizations find new challenge which is related to service desk staffs’ motivation. The repeated activities which are run by service desk may cause saturation. This situation will affect workplace enviroment and productivity. In this research, we propose a design to help organization build game-like activities as solution to boost service desk’s motivation which can give good impact to service desk’s quality. Our proposed design uses game approach and ITIL practices to ensure that game-based service desk is well designed.
IR and Multi Scale Retinex image Enhancement for Concealed Weapon Detection
Authors: Jasim Hussein Nashwan , Hu Fei , Hu Hao , Tareq Rahem Abdalrazak
Published: March 2016

A Concealed Weapon Detection (CWD) had been developed by a large number of researchers and technologies. As a result of the weakness of the infrared images in unique altogether graphic items, infrared and MMW images become inaccurate and insufficient to obviously detectand deal withweaponry objectsin an invisible setting. This article uses Multi Scale Retinex and contrast stretching image processing enhancement techniques to improve the recognition of weapons concealed below attire. Specifically, the focus of the study is on detecting weapons and ammos by enhancing the IR pictures based on image processing techniques. Evaluation techniques were empirically proved to be able to show the enhancement percentage progress.
Information Base Security Threats and Challenges' in Information Forensic: A Survey
Authors: Kumar Barai Dilip , Sridevi G. , Umar Syed , Prasad MSR
Published: March 2016

Generally to store the information or Information of any organization then they will be maintain Information base to manage that Information base we use some management techniques like Information base management systems so called DBMS. In this paper we introduced Relational DBMS which is a collection of applications that can store various information which can be easily retrieve, manipulate and storage of Information. So in this we are concentrating on forensic analysis and Information base of it which is very sensitive Information. In this paper we are analyzing and surveying of forensic Information based using various methodologies with different tools and algorithms for investigations, through which we got what are the challenges are facing in the forensic Information bases since the years.
An assessment of bryozoan (Phylactolaemata) fauna of Kagzipura Lake, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Swami Pavan S. , Harkal Ananta D. , Mokashe Satish S.
Published: March 2016

Freshwater Bryozoa is one of the less explored or ignored animal groups from India.  Kagzipura Lake, a rainwater fed water body was surveyed for three years to understand the diversity and distribution of bryozoan fauna.  The present study depicts four Phylactolaemata bryozoans species as Rumarcanella vorstmani, Plumatella casmiana, Lophopodella carteri and Swarupella divina.  The manuscript provides brief descriptions of these species, photomicrographs of statoblasts using scanning electron microscopy and colony characteristics.
Rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere mycoflora of two ferns from Panhala Fort, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Hande P. R. , Dongare M. M.
Published: March 2016

Hypodematium crenatum (Forssk.) Kuhn and Anogramma leptophylla (L.) Link are threatened fern species from Western Ghats.  The present paper endorses the preliminary study on mycoflora associated with these ferns.  Eighteen fungal species have been isolated from rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of selected ferns.  More diversity of fungi was observed in non-rhizosphere as compared to rhizosphere soils of both the ferns.  Aspergillus was found to be the most dominant genus among the population followed by Penicillium.  Higher percentage of fungal species is shown by H. crenatum, i.e., 44.5% in non-rhizosphere and 27.77% in rhizosphere; while a lower percentage of fungal species was found in A. leptophylla, i.e., 38.88% in non-rhizosphere and 16.66% in rhizosphere.  Number of colony forming units per gram soil was more in non-rhizosphere of A. leptophylla while it was less in non-rhizosphere of H. crenatum.  Inhibitory rhizosphere effect was exerted by A. leptophylla while H. crenatum has stimulatory effect on soil fungi.
Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) Craib ex Loes.: a new record to the flora of Mizoram, India
Authors: Rathi Ranbir Singh , Pradheep Kanakasabhapathi , Roy Somnath , Singh Sanjeev Kumar , Misra Anup Kumar
Published: March 2016

The botanical study of a germplasm, looking similar to Curcuma species and originally collected from the wild in Kolasib District of Mizoram, at the field genebank of ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Shillong, led to its confirmation and authentication as Stahlianthus involucratus (King ex Baker) Craib ex Loes.  Earlier, this taxon had been reported from the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and West Bengal (Darjeeling) in India; this report indicates its distribution in Mizoram also. Its description, phenology, habitat and other field notes, and usefulness have been highlighted here.
Description of a new species of the genus Litus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Mymaridae) from India
Authors: Rehmat Tabassum , Anis Shoeba Binte
Published: March 2016

A new species of the genus Litus Haliday (Chalcidoidea: Mymaridae), Litus assamensis sp. nov., is described from Assam, India.  A key to the Indian species of the genus is also given.
Some new records of plants from the state of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Tiwari Umeshkumar L , Ravikumar Kaliamoorthy , Balachandran Natesan , Sharma Satish K.
Published: March 2016

A brief note on the distribution of vascular plants new to Rajasthan is presented in this paper.  A further distributional expansion and new record of Commicarpus boissieri, Geodorum recurvum, Maytenus senegalensis, Premna resinosa and Solanum elaeagnifolium for the state of Rajasthan is reported.
Distribution, habitat utilisation and conservation status of the freshwater crab, Somanniathelphusa zanklon Ng & Dudgeon, 1992 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) endemic to Hong Kong
Authors: Stanton David J. , Leven Michael R.
Published: March 2016

Somanniathelphusa zanklon Ng & Dudgeon, 1992 is a tropical freshwater crab currently considered endemic to Hong Kong.  The present study shows that S. zanklon has been found in a variety of lotic and lentic habitats, mostly lowland, slow moving streams and marshes.  The species is more widely distributed than previously known, and potentially occurs outside Hong Kong.  However, its habitat is under threat from development and channelization of watercourses.  The life cycle of the crab requires both slow moving streams and marshes for adults and adjacent terrestrial habitats for brooding females, highlighting the need for integrated conservation of lowland streams and their riparian corridors.  It is hoped that understanding of the species habitat requirements will encourage others to further explore lowland watercourses in the Pearl River Delta and aid in habitat conservation.
Channa pardalis, a new species of snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, northeastern India
Authors: Knight J.D. Marcus
Published: March 2016

Channa pardalis, a new species of snakehead, is described from Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, northeastern India.  This species can be distinguished from its congeners by a unique colour pattern consisting of numerous large black spots on the post-orbital region of the head, opercle and body; a broad white and black margin to the dorsal, anal and caudal fins; 36–37 dorsal fin rays; 24–25 anal fin rays; 44–45 pored scales on the body and two scales on the caudal fin base; 4½ scales above lateral line and 6½ scales below lateral line; 45 vertebrae and the palatine with two rows of teeth: outer row with numerous minute teeth and inner row with short, stout inward curved teeth.
Halgerda dalanghita Fahey & Gosliner, 1999 (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia: Discodorididae) - a new record for India from the Andaman Islands
Authors: Immanuel Titus , Goutham-Bharathi M. P. , Kiruba-Sankar R.
Published: March 2016

Halgerda dalanghita Fahey & Gosliner, 1999, a discodoridid nudibranch was reported from Havelock Island of Ritchie’s Archipelago representing a new addition to the Opisthobranch fauna of India. This species is characterized by a firm, bright orange coloured mantle with a network of angular ridges on the dorsum that is ornate with white lines and dots; rhinophores with 17 brown lamellae on a translucent white stalk; highly pinnate gills with eight branchial leaves. The present record extends the known geographical distribution of H. dalanghita and this is the sixth species representing the genus in India.
Moist temperate forest butterflies of western Bhutan
Authors: Singh Arun P.
Published: March 2016

Random surveys were carried out in moist temperate forests (1,860–3,116 m) around Bunakha Village and Dochula Pass, near Thimphu in western Bhutan, recording 65 species of butterflies.  Of these, 11 species, viz., Straightwing Blue Orthomiella pontis pontis Elwes, Slate Royal Maneca bhotea bhotea Moore, Dull Green Hairstreak Esakiozephyrus icana Moore, Yellow Woodbrown Lethe nicetas Hewitson, Small Silverfork Zophoessa jalaurida elwesi Moore, Scarce Labyrinth, Neope pulahina (Evans), Chumbi Wall Chonala masoni Elwes, Pale Hockeystick Sailer Neptis manasa manasa Moore and White Commodore Parasarpa dudu dudu Westwood, are restricted to the eastern Himalaya, northeastern India and Myanmar.  Two other species, Tawny Mime Chiasa agestor agestor (Gray) and Himalayan Spotted Flat Celaenorrhinus munda Moore have been only rarely recorded from Bhutan and a few individuals of the rare Bhutan Glory Bhutanitis lidderdalei Atkinson were also recorded near Bunakha.
Re-discovery of Calinaga aborica Tytler, 1915 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Calinaginae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Sondhi Sanjay , Karmakar Tarun , Sondhi Yash , Jhaveri Rishiddh , Kunte Krushnamegh
Published: March 2016

The butterfly Calinaga aborica Tytler, 1915 has been re-discovered a hundred years after its original description, and its range extended by 200km westwards into western Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Publishing trends for the Cycadales, the most threatened plant group
Authors: Cascasan April N. , Marler Thomas E.
Published: March 2016

Trends in published cycad research within various fields of study were determined using proceedings from international conferences on cycad biology and Google Scholar to access the primary literature.  Both search methods indicated that phylogeny, systematics and ecology are strongly represented in recent cycad literature, while there is a need for more research in horticulture and pathology, reviews and clarification of correspondence between current and discontinued species designations.
Known from a handful of specimens: analyzing the worldwide patterns of occurrence and conservation of rodents and shrews recorded only from the type locality
Authors: Amori Giovanni , Esposito Guido Alari , Luiselli Luca
Published: March 2016

Traditionally, conservation research has not focused on Rodentia and Soricomorpha, and many species are known from a handful of specimens and the type locality only (few and type locality species (FETP)).  Here we studied the patterns of occurrence of FETP rodents and soricomorphs in relation to geographical area and vegetation zones and report some conservation considerations.  Overall, 91 species of Rodentia and 19 species of Soricomorpha were selected.  There was a positive correlation between number of species per genus and number of FETP species in each genus.  The majority of FETP rodents occur in the Neotropical, Afrotropical and Oriental regions, and soricomorphs in the Afrotropical and Oriental regions. Higher numbers of FETP rodent species occurred in Argentina and Indonesia.  There was a positive relationship between species richness of rodents per country and number of FETP species.  In terms of habitat type, FETP species of rodents and soricomorphs showed similar patterns, with most species being found in rainforest.  The great majority of selected species of both groups were Data Deficient (DD), with Critically Endangered (CR) accounting for 16.5% of Rodentia and 5.3% of Soricomorpha.  Overall, IUCN threatened species mostly occur in the Neotropical region, followed by the Afrotropical region.  It is urged that IUCN authorities should promptly revise all FETP species and their precautionary CR status, at least when a reasonable timespan (i.e., >25 years) has passed since the last records.
Population trends and community composition of migratory waterbirds in three emerging wetlands of global significance in southwestern Bengal, India
Authors: Khan T. N. , Sinha Anirban , Hazra Prantik
Published: March 2016

We studied the diversity, abundance and population trends in three flourishing wetlands of southern Bengal over 16 years.  These wetlands constituted a major shift from the present scenario of overall wetland deterioration, including monotonous declines in important winter visitors prevailing in surrounding wetlands, especially in Tilpara Reservoir and Purulia Saheb Bandh Lake.  All the three wetlands support rich waterbird diversity and almost all of them tend to exhibit consistently stable or increasing trends in their populations during the course of the study.  The waterbird communities did not differ greatly during the study period and were tending to arrive at their equilibria.  These wetlands consistently support strong waterbird food-bases, which may support rich diversity.  Since, they have already been supporting increasing or stable populations of a majority of the important waterbird species they are expected to emerge as important waterbird abodes in northeastern India very soon, provided we keep them undisturbed and allow them to follow their own course.
The status of Chinkara Gazella bennettii (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) at Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Supe, Baramati, Pune and a note on its current distribution in the southwestern region of the Deccan Plateau of Maharashtra, India
Authors: Gaikwad Mahesh Chandrakant , Narwade Sujit Shivaji
Published: March 2016

We conducted monthly road surveys for encounter rates of Chinkara Gazella bennettii in Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS), Supe Baramati, Pune from June 2011 to May 2012.  The sighting records of Chinkara were collected from opportunistic surveys conducted in adjoining areas of the Sanctuary, up to a distance of 200km in the southwestern region of the Deccan plateau, Maharashtra. We observed that the Chinkara was facing threats from habitat depletion, including in MWS which was declared a sanctuary for their protection.  Road widening projects such as the four lane Pune-Solapur National Highway runs 13km on its northern side and a district highway from Ahmednagar to Satara running north-south from the boundary of the Sanctuary have been proposed.  Other threats like vehicular movement from tar roads crossing the sanctuary, a proposed underground canal, a major irrigation canal to be constructed along the boundary of the sanctuary, and the increasing number of fenced plots for new residential and other development projects are responsible for the reduction in suitable habitats of the Chinakara.  It appears that within a few years, the sanctuary will become an isolated patch of protected grassland, affecting the smooth movement of Chinkara within and beyond the sanctuary limits.  Therefore, the remaining population of Chinkara from the entire human dominated landscape will struggle for survival.
Subterranian termite genus Odontotermes (Blattaria: Isoptera: Termitidae) from Chhattisgarh, India with its annotated checklist and revised key
Authors: Saha Nivedita , Mazumdar Prahlad C. , Basak Jayati , Raha Angshuman , Majumder Amitava , Chandra Kailash
Published: March 2016

The paper deals with eight subterranean species of termites of the genus Odontotermes from Chhattisgarh, India. Taxonomic descriptions along with photographs and key to all species have been provided.  Among them six species are reported for the first time from the state.  These six species are added to the previously known eight species resulting in a total of 14 species of termite belonging to four genera under the family Termitidae from Chhattisgarh.
First record of Galeodes indicus Pocock, 1900 (Arachnida: Solifugae: Galeodidae) from Rajasthan, India
Authors: Bano Ruquaeya , Roy Sharmila
Published: March 2016

During a regular survey to collect soil arthropods in Lasiurus sindicus Henrard grassland by pitfall methods at Chandan Village near Jaisalmer City, Rajasthan, we found a dead specimen of Galeodes indicus in a sample.  Galeodes indicus (Pocock, 1900) has been reported from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana but so far was unknown to Rajasthan, India.  In this communication, we report Galeodes indicus from Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan, India.
Hospice Use Following Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation in Older Patients
Authors: Kramer Daniel B. , Reynolds Matthew R. , Normand Sharon-Lise , Parzynski Craig S. , Spertus John A. , Mor Vincent , Mitchell Susan L.
Published: March 2016

Background—

Older recipients of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are at increased risk for short-term mortality in comparison with younger patients. Although hospice use is common among decedents aged >65, its use among older ICD recipients is unknown.

Methods and Results—

Medicare patients aged >65 matched to data in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry – ICD Registry from January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2010 were eligible for analysis (N=194 969). The proportion of ICD recipients enrolled in hospice, cumulative incidence of hospice admission, and factors associated with time to hospice enrollment were evaluated. Five years after device implantation, 50.9% of patients were either deceased or in hospice. Among decedents, 36.8% received hospice services. The cumulative incidence of hospice enrollment, accounting for the competing risk of death, was 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6%–4.8%) within 1 year and 21.3% (95% CI, 20.7%–21.8%) at 5 years. Factors most strongly associated with shorter time to hospice enrollment were older age (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.73–1.81), class IV heart failure (versus class I; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.66–1.94); ejection fraction <20 (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.48–1.67), and greater hospice use among decedents in the patients’ health referral region.

Conclusions—

More than one-third of older patients dying with ICDs receive hospice care. Five years after implantation, half of older ICD recipients are either dead or in hospice. Hospice providers should be prepared for ICD patients, whose clinical trajectories and broader palliative care needs require greater focus.
Racial Differences in Electrocardiographic Characteristics and Prognostic Significance in Whites Versus Asians
Authors: Santhanakrishnan Rajalakshmi , Wang Na , Larson Martin G. , Magnani Jared M. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Wang Thomas J. , Yap Jonathan , Feng Liang , Yap Keng B. , Ong Hean Y. , Ng Tze P. , Richards Arthur Mark , Lam Carolyn S. P. , Ho Jennifer E.
Published: March 2016

Background

Racial differences in electrocardiographic (
ECG
) characteristics and prognostic significance among Whites and Asians are not well described.

Methods and Results

We studied 2677 White Framingham Heart Study participants (57% women) and 2972 Asian (64% women) Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study participants (mean age 66 years in both) free of myocardial infarction or heart failure. Racial differences in
ECG
characteristics and effect on mortality were assessed. In linear regression models,
PR
interval was longer in Asians compared with Whites (multivariable‐adjusted β±
SE
5.0±1.4 ms in men and 6.6±0.9 ms in women, both
P
<0.0006).
QT
interval was shorter in Asian men (β±
SE
−6.2±1.2 ms,
P
<0.0001) and longer in Asian women (β±
SE
3.6±0.9 ms,
P
=0.02) compared to White men and women, respectively. Asians had greater odds of having
ECG
left ventricular hypertrophy (
LVH
) compared with Whites (odds ratio [
OR
] 3.56, 95% confidence interval [
CI
] 1.36–9.35 for men,
OR
1.93, 95%
CI
1.35–2.76 for women, both
P
<0.02). Over a mean follow‐up of 11±3 years in Framingham and 8±3 years in Singapore, mortality rates were 24.5 and 13.4 per 1000 person‐years among Whites and Asians, respectively. In Cox models, the presence of
LVH
had a greater effect on all‐cause mortality in Asians compared with Whites (hazard ratio [
HR
] 2.66, 95%
CI
1.83–3.88 vs
HR
1.30, 95%
CI
0.90–1.89,
P
for interaction=0.02).

Conclusion

Our findings from two large community‐based cohorts show prominent race differences in
ECG
characteristics between Whites and Asians, and also suggest a differential association with mortality. These differences may carry implications for race‐specific
ECG
reference ranges and cardiovascular risk.
Balancing on the Creative Highwire
Authors: Berg Justin M.
Published: March 2016

Betting on the most promising new ideas is key to creativity and innovation in organizations, but predicting the success of novel ideas can be difficult. To select the best ideas, creators and managers must excel at creative forecasting, the skill of predicting the outcomes of new ideas. Using both a field study of 339 professionals in the circus arts industry and a lab experiment, I examine the conditions for accurate creative forecasting, focusing on the effect of creators’ and managers’ roles. In the field study, creators and managers forecasted the success of new circus acts with audiences, and the accuracy of these forecasts was assessed using data from 13,248 audience members. Results suggest that creators were more accurate than managers when forecasting about others’ novel ideas, but not their own. This advantage over managers was undermined when creators previously had poor ideas that were successful in the marketplace anyway. Results from the lab experiment show that creators’ advantage over managers in predicting success may be tied to the emphasis on both divergent thinking (idea generation) and convergent thinking (idea evaluation) in the creator role, while the manager role emphasizes only convergent thinking. These studies highlight that creative forecasting is a critical bridge linking creativity and innovation, shed light on the importance of roles in creative forecasting, and advance theory on why creative success is difficult to sustain over time.
A Muckraker Battles Alienation in Organization Studies
Authors: Nord Walter R. , Culbert Samuel A.
Published: March 2016

For years Samuel Culbert has been providing penetrating analysis of how modern organizations are mismanaged, and the dysfunctional assumptions managers make. Presented are two papers describing his phenomenological investigatory approach. The first places his methodology in a broad intellectual framework, and describes it’s avoidance of social science strictures. The second is an autobiographical account of the experiential and intellectual paths that led to Culbert’s choice of methodology, and the reasoning that guides his use of it. It presents a detailed account of how he collects data, analyzes it, goes about validating his conclusions, and trying out remedies suggested by the theoretical frameworks he constructs.
The Mental Number Line in Dyscalculia: Impaired Number Sense or Access From Symbolic Numbers?
Authors: Lafay Anne , St-Pierre Marie-Catherine , Macoir Joël
Published: March 2016

Numbers may be manipulated and represented mentally over a compressible number line oriented from left to right. According to numerous studies, one of the primary reasons for dyscalculia is related to improper understanding of the mental number line. Children with dyscalculia usually show difficulty when they have to place Arabic numbers on a physical number line. However, it remains unclear whether they have a deficit with the mental number line per se or a deficit with accessing it from nonsymbolic and/or symbolic numbers. Quebec French-speaking 8- to 9-year-old children with (24) and without (37) dyscalculia were assessed with transcoding tasks ( number-to-position and position-to-number) designed to assess the acuity of the mental number line with Arabic and spoken numbers as well as with analogic numerosities. Results showed that children with dyscalculia produced a larger percentage absolute error than children without mathematics difficulties in every task except the number-to-position transcoding task with analogic numerosities. Hence, these results suggested that children with dyscalculia do not have a general deficit of the mental number line but rather a deficit with accessing it from symbolic numbers.
Changing for the Better? Longitudinal Associations Between Volitional Personality Change and Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Hudson Nathan W. , Fraley R. Chris
Published: March 2016

Recent research has found that a vast majority of people want to change their personality traits—and they may be able to find some degree of success in doing so. However, desires for self-change have been theoretically and empirically linked to reduced well-being. The present study utilized a longitudinal design to better understand the associations between people’s desires and attempts to change their personality traits and their psychological well-being. Results indicated that possessing change goals did not necessarily predict growing deficits in well-being over time. In contrast, people who were able to change their personality traits in ways that aligned with their desires tended to experience increases in well-being over time. These findings are consistent with theory that dissatisfaction can precipitate change goals, and successful change can ameliorate dissatisfaction.
Reflexivity of Routines: An Ethnomethodological Investigation of Initial Service Encounters at Sushi Bars in Tokyo
Authors: Yamauchi Yutaka , Hiramoto Takeshi
Published: March 2016

This study reconsiders the meaning and implications of reflexivity for the theory of routines. Due to their mundane nature, routines tend to be considered unambiguous phenomena that everyone can readily understand. The performative theory of routines has challenged this view by suggesting there is no guarantee that participants have the same understanding of a routine. Nonetheless, this theory has yet to explain how routines are possible in relation to divergent understandings. Through empirical analyses of customer-provider interactions videotaped at sushi bars, this study shows how participants themselves exhibit and use their understandings of routines within the routine performance. That is to say, understandings of a routine are a reflexive part of the routine performance. It is not necessary to assume that divergent understandings are reconciled prior to the routine performance. Reflexivity helps clarify how routines are possible without a priori shared understanding.
Double-stage venous cannulation combined with Avalon® cannula for potential prolongation of respiratory ECMO in end-stage pulmonary disease
Authors: Colombier Sébastien , Prêtre René , Iafrate Manuel , Niclauss Lars
Published: March 2016

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is a treatment option to correct blood oxygenation in cases of severe respiratory failure. However, it is time-limited and, in cases of no- recovery, it is a bridge-to-lung transplant therapy. We report our experience of two patients waiting for emergency lung transplantation under VV-ECMO using the Avalon® cannula. Both presented signs of ECMO failure after prolonged support, i.e. increased hemolysis, decreased blood flow rate and increased negative pressure of the venous inflow line, leading to an inadequate systemic oxygenation. The addition of a second venous inflow line, by the insertion of another venous femoral cannula, significantly increased blood flow rate, decreasing both centrifugal pump rotation speed and negative pressure (suction) of the venous inflow line. These hemodynamic improvements, together with reduced blood consumption, were maintained during an additional week of ECMO support. Ultimately, both patients died from multi-organ failure due to the absence of available donor organs. Few cases having been described up until now, but the addition of a second venous drainage cannula to the Avalon® system could potentially improve hemodynamic parameters and, therefore, stabilize hypoxemic patients. This may be an option to gain time in long-lasting VV-ECMO support as a potential life-saving attempt.
Growing Future Planners
Authors: Baldwin Claudia , Rosier Johanna
Published: March 2016

The planning industry expects that tertiary planning education will prepare graduating planners with practical planning skills, applicable in an increasingly complex world. However, planning schools are not required to systematically include practice or experiential learning in curriculum. In this article, we explore the benefits of experiential learning, highlight gaps in application of the concept, and present a framework for integrating experiential learning in planning education at a tertiary level. The framework comprises core principles, applied to a range of experiential activities, scaffolded across an undergraduate planning program to provide increasing engagement in practice.
Comparing Criminologists’ Views on Crime and Justice Issues With Those of the General Public
Authors: Griffin Timothy , Pason Amy , Wiecko Filip , Brace Brittany
Published: March 2016

We report the results of a survey of criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) scholars asking their responses to the same questions posed annually to the general public in Gallup public opinion polls. We found CCJ scholars to be more likely to hold more liberal positions on these issues than the general public. The findings indicate a disconnect between popular crime and justice perspectives (and resultant crime policy formation) and the “experts” presumably best trained and informed on how to go about crime policy. We argue for a renewed discussion among CCJ scholars regarding the relevance and role of academic expertise in crime policy formation and offer suggestions for how CCJ scholars might “go public” in influencing policy decisions.