bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing Scenarios’ Network-of-Flight Conflict in Approach of Intersecting Runway
Authors: Cheng Ming , Li Yixuan , Han Xiaolian
Published: May 2021

For studying the mechanism of flight conflict in approach of the intersecting runway, this paper applies the case study, scenario construction, and complex network, analyzes the operational risks of the intersecting runway, and researches the general rule of flight conflict. We constructed a network model of scenario evolution of flight conflict with selecting Beijing Daxing International Airport as the research object, which included 169 nodes and 263 edges. It proposed path evolution and verified the effectiveness of this network. We analyzed the degree centrality, median centrality, and closeness centrality of the network, and the results showed that the comprehensive value of 5 nodes is high, including go-around (V2), conflict resolution (C22), the warning light of aft cargo dJor was extinguished (F12), suspend subsequent take-off operations (F5), and keeping visual flying (C26). The results show that this method provides a new research way for the control strategy of chain breakage and the mechanism of scenario evolution of flight conflict.
An Acute Jejunojejunal Intussusception Revealing a Metastatic Combined Lung Cancer
Authors: Letaief-Ksontini Feryel , Boujnah Ryma , Yahiaoui Yosra , Zaimi Yosra , Ksentini Meriem , Aloui Raoudha , Meddeb Khedija , Mezlini Amel
Published: May 2021

Intussusception is a relatively common disease in pediatric age but it is uncommon in adults. We report a case of a 49-year-old male who presented with an acute jejunojejunal intussusception revealed by abdominal pain and vomiting. He underwent an en bloc resection, and pathological findings concluded to a metastasis of a pulmonary combined small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. A subsequent CT scan revealed the primitive mass of the right lung with no evidence of secondary localization. The biopsy was difficult to perform. The patient underwent a pneumonectomy with lymph node dissection confirming the same diagnosis. He made a good recovery from the surgery, and a postoperative chemotherapy was administrated, and he is in remission until this date.
Follicular Metabolites-Assisted Clinical Evaluation of IVF/ICSI Outcomes
Authors: Qu Bing , Xiong Yunhe , Yu Xiaofan , Ding Jinli , Weng Jing , Yang Xinghua , Ma Yanmin , Liu Lingyan , Yang Jing
Published: May 2021

As infertility became a significant public health problem, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) were introduced. However, the fertilization rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) per cycle varied, and patients needed to repeat IVF or change to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Here, 75 couples suffering from female fallopian tubal blockage (tubal group) and 42 spouses beset by male abnormal sperm status (dysspermia group) were recruited. We comprehensively explored the relationship among couples’ clinical factors, follicular metabolites, and IVF/ICSI stepwise outcomes. IVF/ICSI outcomes were affected by follicular metabolites and physical status in both women and men, regardless of which side infertility came from. Particularly, in the tubal group, the energy supporting pathways—glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism—were most essential in follicles, and IVF/ICSI outcomes were also related to sperm parameters. However, in the dysspermia group, in addition to sperm conditions, oocyte quality acted as a compensation for poor sperm quality, for which aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and the related supporting metabolism were critical in the follicular environment, and ultimately played a decisive role in IVF/ICSI outcomes. The respective logistic regression models in combination with selective male sperm parameters, estradiol (E2), follicular alanine, glutamine, glycoprotein, lipid, and acetic acid, were constructed to predict IVF or ICSI outcomes. No matter which sex infertility comes from, factors from both men and women should be considered. The current study provides a feasible option for pre-IVF evaluation, as well as guidance for follow-up clinical intervention to improve IVF/ICSI success rates.
Spectral Endoscopy Enhances Contrast for Neoplasia in Surveillance of Barrett's Esophagus
Authors: Waterhouse Dale J. , Januszewicz Wladyslaw , Ali Sharib , Fitzgerald Rebecca C. , di Pietro Massimiliano , Bohndiek Sarah E.
Published: May 2021

Early detection of esophageal neoplasia enables curative endoscopic therapy, but the current diagnostic standard of care has low sensitivity because early neoplasia is often inconspicuous with conventional white-light endoscopy. Here, we hypothesized that spectral endoscopy could enhance contrast for neoplasia in surveillance of patients with Barrett's esophagus. A custom spectral endoscope was deployed in a pilot clinical study of 20 patients to capture 715 in vivo tissue spectra matched with gold standard diagnosis from histopathology. Spectral endoscopy was sensitive to changes in neovascularization during the progression of disease; both non-dysplastic and neoplastic Barrett's esophagus showed higher blood volume relative to healthy squamous tissue (P = 0.001 and 0.02, respectively), and vessel radius appeared larger in neoplasia relative to non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (P = 0.06). We further developed a deep learning algorithm capable of classifying spectra of neoplasia versus non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus with high accuracy (84.8% accuracy, 83.7% sensitivity, 85.5% specificity, 78.3% positive predictive value, and 89.4% negative predictive value). Exploiting the newly acquired library of labeled spectra to model custom color filter sets identified a potential 12-fold enhancement in contrast between neoplasia and non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus using application-specific color filters compared with standard-of-care white-light imaging (perceptible color difference = 32.4 and 2.7, respectively). This work demonstrates the potential of endoscopic spectral imaging to extract vascular properties in Barrett's esophagus, to classify disease stages using deep learning, and to enable high-contrast endoscopy.

Significance:

The results of this pilot first-in-human clinical trial demonstrate the potential of spectral endoscopy to reveal disease-associated vascular changes and to provide high-contrast delineation of neoplasia in the esophagus.
Intracellular Factor H Drives Tumor Progression Independently of the Complement Cascade
Authors: Daugan Marie V. , Revel Margot , Thouenon Romane , Dragon-Durey Marie-Agnès , Robe-Rybkine Tania , Torset Carine , Merle Nicolas S. , Noé Rémi , Verkarre Virginie , Oudard Stephane Marie , Mejean Arnaud , Validire Pierre , Cathelineau Xavier , Sanchez-Salas Rafael , Pickering Mathew C. , Cremer Isabelle , Mansuet-Lupo Audrey , Alifano Marco , Sautès-Fridman Catherine , Damotte Diane , Fridman Wolf H. , Roumenina Lubka T.
Published: May 2021

The complement system is a powerful and druggable innate immune component of the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, it is challenging to elucidate the exact mechanisms by which complement affects tumor growth. In this study, we examined the processes by which the master complement regulator factor H (FH) affects clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and lung cancer, two cancers in which complement overactivation predicts poor prognosis. FH was present in two distinct cellular compartments: the membranous (mb-FH) and intracellular (int-FH) compartments. Int-FH resided in lysosomes and colocalized with C3. In ccRCC and lung adenocarcinoma, FH exerted protumoral action through an intracellular, noncanonical mechanism. FH silencing in ccRCC cell lines resulted in decreased proliferation, due to cell-cycle arrest and increased mortality, and this was associated with increased p53 phosphorylation and NFκB translocation to the nucleus. Moreover, the migration of the FH-silenced cells was reduced, likely due to altered morphology. These effects were cell type–specific because no modifications occurred upon CFH silencing in other FH-expressing cells tested: tubular cells (from which ccRCC originates), endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells), and squamous cell lung cancer cells. Consistent with this, in ccRCC and lung adenocarcinoma, but not in lung squamous cell carcinoma, int-FH conferred poor prognosis in patient cohorts. Mb-FH performed its canonical function of complement regulation but had no impact on tumor cell phenotype or patient survival. The discovery of intracellular functions for FH redefines the role of the protein in tumor progression and its use as a prognostic biomarker or potential therapeutic target.

See article by Daugan et al., p. 891 (36).
Bortezomib Induces Immunogenic Cell Death in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Zitvogel Laurence , Kroemer Guido
Published: May 2021

As a general rule, successful antineoplastic treatments induce an antitumor immune response, even if they were initially designed to target cancer cell–autonomous pathways. In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Gulla and colleagues reveal that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib induces immunogenic stress and death in multiple myeloma cells, thus explaining its therapeutic efficacy.

See related article by Gulla et al., p. 468.
Oxidation and RGD Modification Affect the Early Neural Differentiation of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells Cultured in Core-Shell Alginate Hydrogel Microcapsules
Authors: Dumbleton Jenna , Shamul James G. , Jiang Bin , Agarwal Pranay , Huang Haishui , Jia Xiaofeng , He Xiaoming
Published: May 2021

Directed neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) has been studied extensively to improve the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. This can be done through stromal-cell derived inducing activity (SDIA), by culturing ESCs directly on top of a layer of feeder stromal cells. However, the stem cells usually become mixed with the feeder cells during the differentiation process, making it difficult to obtain a pure population of the differentiated cells for further use. To address this issue, a non-planar microfluidic device is used here to encapsulate murine ESCs (mESCs) in the 3D liquid core of microcapsules with an alginate hydrogel shell of different sizes for early neural differentiation through SDIA, by culturing mESC-laden microcapsules over a feeder layer of PA6 cells. Furthermore, the alginate hydrogel shell of the microcapsules is modified via oxidation or RGD peptide conjugation to examine the mechanical and chemical effects on neural differentiation of the encapsulated mESC aggregates. A higher expression of Nestin is observed in the aggregates encapsulated in small (∼300 μm) microcapsules and cultured over the PA6 cell feeder layer. Furthermore, the modification of the alginate with RGD facilitates early neurite extension within the microcapsules. This study demonstrates that the presence of the RGD peptide, the SDIA effect of the PA6 cells, and the absence of leukemia inhibition factor from the medium can lead to the early differentiation of mESCs with extensive neurites within the 3D microenvironment of the small microcapsules. This is the first study to investigate the effects of cell adhesion and degradation of the encapsulation materials for directed neural differentiation of mESCs. The simple modifications (i.e., oxidation and RGD incorporation) of the miniaturized 3D environment for improved early neural differentiation of mESCs may potentially enhance further downstream differentiation of the mESCs into more specialized neurons for therapeutic use and drug screening.
Orbitofrontal Extradural Hematoma: Unusual Cause of Proptosis
Authors: Kulkarni Akshay V. , Mishra Tejesh , Devi B. Indira , Bhat Dhananjaya I. , Konar Subhas , Sadashiva Nishanth
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Frontal extradural hematoma (EDH) extending into orbit is an uncommon entity. Clinical presentation can be subacutely progressive proptosis following head injury. Case Presentation: We present a case of frontal EDH with orbital extension which had delayed progressive proptosis. The patient improved clinically after surgical evacuation of EDH. Conclusion: It is important to look for orbital roof fractures, orbital hematoma in cases of head injury. Such cases should be treated surgically at the earliest.
Identifying Aspects of Public Attitudes Toward Whole Genome Sequencing to Inform the Integration of Genomics into Care
Authors: Etchegary Holly , Pullman Daryl , Simmonds Charlene , Rabie Zoha , Rahman Proton
Published: May 2021

Introduction: The growth of global sequencing initiatives and commercial genomic test offerings suggests the public will increasingly be confronted with decisions about sequencing. Understanding public attitudes can assist efforts to integrate sequencing into care and inform the development of public education and outreach strategies. Methods: A 48-item online survey was advertised on Facebook in Eastern Canada and hosted on SurveyMonkey in late 2018. The survey measured public interest in whole genome sequencing and attitudes toward various aspects of sequencing using vignettes, scaled, and open-ended items. Results: While interest in sequencing was high, critical attitudes were observed. In particular, items measuring features of patient control and choice regarding genomic data were strongly endorsed by respondents. Majority wanted to specify upfront how their data could be used, retain the ability to withdraw their sample at a later date, sign a written consent form, and speak to a genetic counselor prior to sequencing. Concerns about privacy and unauthorized access to data were frequently observed. Education level was the sociodemographic variable most often related to attitude statements such that those with higher levels of education generally displayed more critical attitudes. Conclusions: Attitudes identified here could be used to inform the development of implementation strategies for genomic medicine. Findings suggest health systems must address patient concerns about privacy, consent practices, and the strong desire to control what happens to their genomic data through public outreach and education. Specific oversight procedures and policies that are clearly communicated to the public will be required.
Effect of Video Games on the Otolithic Reflex System
Authors: Wang Chih-Ching , Young Yi-Ho
Published: May 2021

Background: Video gaming (VG) has since the 1980s become increasingly ubiquitous entertainment among the adolescents and young adults. Many young people expe­rienced dizzy spells, but not vertiginous episodes, after playing VG. Objectives: This study performed ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) and cervical VEMP (cVEMP) tests in subjects before and after engaging on VG to investigate the effect of VG on the otolithic reflex system. Methods: Twenty subjects who frequently played VG (>3 days per week) for more than 10 years were assigned to the long-term group. Another 20 subjects with engaging on VG <3 days per week or <10 years were assigned to the short-term group. Each subject underwent baseline oVEMP and cVEMP tests first, followed by playing VG for 1 h. Then, all subjects underwent the same paradigm. The “VG-year” is defined as frequency of VG playing within 1 week (day/week) multiplied by total length of VG engagement (year). Results: Engagement on VG rarely affected the oVEMP responses for either short- or long-term players. In contrast, the response rates of cVEMP significantly declined from pre-VG period (80%) to post-VG period (58%) in the short-term group, but not in the long-term group. The cutoff value for predicting absent cVEMP in VG engagement is 21 VG-year. Conclusion: Short-term engagement on VG may result in temporary cVEMP loss, while permanent cVEMP loss could be identified in long-term VG players. The cutoff value for predicting absent cVEMP in VG engagement is 21 VG-year, indicating that damage to the sacculo-collic reflex system could be anticipated in a subject who has played VG at least 1 h per session, 7 days weekly for 3 years.
Sex Differences on Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination Scores and the Value of Self-Report of Memory Problems among Community Dwelling People 70 Years and above: The HUNT Study
Authors: Engedal Knut , Gjøra Linda , Bredholt Thea , Thingstad Pernille , Tangen Gro Gujord , Ernstsen Linda , Selbæk Geir
Published: May 2021

Introduction: The aims were to examine if the total and item scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and self-reported memory problems differed between older women and men, and if self-reported memory problems were associated with scores on the 2 tests. Methods: We included 309 home-dwelling people aged 70 years and older, 155 women, mean age 75.6 (SD 4.1) years, and 154 men, mean age 76.0 (SD 4.6) years. They were examined with MoCA and MMSE, and they answered 2 questions: “have you experienced any memory problems” and “have you experienced significant memory problems the last 5 years?” Results: The participants scored significantly higher on the MMSE (women 28.0 [1.8], men 28.4 [1.4]) than on MoCA (women 24.6 [3.3], men 24.3 [3.1]). Spearman’s rho was 0.36 between the tests. Women scored significantly higher than men on delayed recall of MoCA (3.0 [1.6] vs. 2.4 [1.6]), whereas men scored significantly higher on visuoconstruction (3.8 [1.2] vs. 3.5 [1.0]) and serial subtraction on MoCA (2.7 [0.6] vs. 2.5 [0.8]) and serial sevens on MMSE (4.5 [0.8] vs. 4.1 [1.1]). Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that female sex, younger age, and higher education were associated with a higher score on MoCA, whereas age and education were associated with a higher score on MMSE. About half of the participants (no sex difference) had experienced significant memory problems the last 5 years, and they had significantly lower scores on both tests. Conclusions: The MoCA score was associated with sex, age, and education, whereas sex did not influence the MMSE score. The question “have you experienced significant memory problems the last 5 years?” may be useful to evaluate older people’s cognition.
Clinimetric Criteria for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
Authors: Carrozzino Danilo , Patierno Chiara , Guidi Jenny , Berrocal Montiel Carmen , Cao Jianxin , Charlson Mary E. , Christensen Kaj Sparle , Concato John , De las Cuevas Carlos , de Leon Jose , Eöry Ajandek , Fleck Marcelo Pio , Furukawa Toshi A. , Horwitz Ralph I. , Nierenberg Andrew A. , Rafanelli Chiara , Wang Hongxing , Wise Thomas N. , Sonino Nicoletta , Fava Giovanni A.
Published: May 2021

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are self-rated scales and indices developed to improve the detection of the patients’ subjective experience. Given that a considerable number of PROMs are available, it is important to evaluate their validity and usefulness in a specific research or clinical setting. Published guidelines, based on psychometric criteria, do not fit in with the complexity of clinical challenges, because of their quest for homogeneity of components and inadequate attention to sensitivity. Psychometric theory has stifled the field and led to the routine use of scales widely accepted yet with a history of poor performance. Clinimetrics, the science of clinical measurements, may provide a more suitable conceptual and methodological framework. The aims of this paper are to outline the major limitations of the psychometric model and to provide criteria for clinimetric patient-reported outcome measures (CLIPROMs). The characteristics related to reliability, sensitivity, validity, and clinical utility of instruments are critically reviewed, with particular reference to the differences between clinimetric and psychometric approaches. Of note is the fact that PROMs, rating scales, and indices developed according to psychometric criteria may display relevant clinimetric properties. The present paper underpins the importance of the clini­metric methodology in choosing the appropriate PROMs. CLIPROM criteria may also guide the development of new indices and the validation of existing PROMs to be employed in clinical settings.
Developing instrument of academic potential test analogy verbal ability for undergraduate students
Authors: Septianingsih Efi , Jerusalem Mohammad Adam
Published: May 2021

The paper aims to develop the instrument about analogy test to measure the level of intelligence of undergraduate students. Determination of the number of samples is done by purposive sampling technique. This instrument is analyzed by factor analysis. Of the 15 items that will be used to develop the academic potential test instrument for verbal analogies, 4 analysis factors. The formation of these 4 factors is from Eigenvalues greater than 1 so that there are only 4 factors that fulfill the requirements. Furthermore, 15 items of the tested instrument to 91 undergraduate student respondents obtained 2 items of invalid instrument with correlation coefficient ≤0.3, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett's test amounted to 0.785 with p 0.05. Trial results from the results of the trial results obtained that the average validity of the questions is 96.8%. Test reliability was analyzed using the Alpha (α) formula of Cronbach. The calculation is done using the help of the IBM SPSS version 22.0 Windows program and the coefficient of 0.806 is obtained. Based on the results of the research, it can be concluded that the quality of the developed instrument items has been valid and reliable.
Implementation of human-machine friendship learning in the new-normal era
Authors: Bahri Saiful , Lestari Emi Tipuk
Published: May 2021

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak has changed the conventional learning system to an online learning system. Online learning system is an alternative that can solve this problem with the principles of human-machine friendship learning (HMFL). This research was conducted to obtain an overview of the implementation of human-machine Friendship learning at IKIP PGRI Pontianak, Indonesia. Lecturers and students become research subjects, especially those in the History Education Study Program of the IKIP PGRI Pontianak. The research employed a qualitative approach with the type of phenomenological research. Data collection in this research was carried out by survey, interview and documentation. The results showed: (1) Implementation of HMFL of History Education Study Program of FIPPS IKIP PGRI Pontianak as a solution for implementing learning; (2) Effectiveness of Human-Machine Friendship Learning which is carried out in an effort to break the chain of the spread of COVID-19 using the application as a whole, students are satisfied with flexible learning; (3) The challenges of implementing HMFL include the weak supervision and control of students, the problem of weak internet signals, especially in rural areas, and the relatively high cost of internet quota.
Interactive e-module using Zoom Cloud Meeting platform to reduce misconceptions on salt hydrolysis material
Authors: Erna Maria , Anwar Lenny , Mazidah Mazidah
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of using an interactive e-module to reduce students’ misconceptions on salt hydrolysis material at grade XI in senior high school. This study implemented a pre-experiment with one group pretest-posttest research design, which utilized one class as the experimental class. Samples were selected by using purposive sampling technique, and it was obtained one class as the experimental class, namely class XI in State Madrasah Aliyah 1 Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia. Before giving the treatment, the sample was administered a pretest and after the treatment, they were given a posttest. The pretest and posttest questions occupied three-tier multiple choice questions. The reduction of misconceptions on Salt Hydrolysis material after using the interactive e-module was 16.21%. The study found that interactive e-modules effective to reduce misconceptions on salt hydrolysis material was significant.
Conservation breeding of Northern River Terrapin Batagur baska (Gray, 1830) in Sundarban Tiger Reserve, India
Authors: Mallick Nillanjan , Singh Shailendra , Chatterjee Dibyadeep , Sharma Souritra
Published: May 2021

The population of Northern River Terrapin Batagur baska is ‘Critically Endangered’ and threatened with extinction.  In India, the species was once known to occur in the mangroves of West Bengal and Odisha.  The sub-population in Odisha is suspected to have been wiped out.  The Sundarban Tiger Reserve and the Turtle Survival Alliance launched a modest conservation breeding program in 2012 to recover the species using a small number of adults as founders.  Gravid adult females are kept in a dedicated breeding enclosure with minimal disturbance, eggs are incubated outdoor on an artificial nesting beach, and hatchlings are raised to develop assurance colonies for purposes of reintroduction in future.  Currently, the project holds 12 adults and over 350 juveniles of various size classes.  Three additional assurance colonies were developed for 70 sub-adults from 2012–13 batches, using rain-fed ponds within STR.
A new fish species of genus Garra (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Nagaland, India
Authors: Ezung Sophiya , Shangningam Bungdon , Pankaj Pranay Punj
Published: May 2021

A species of the genus Garra is described from the Langlung River, Brahmaputra basin, Nagaland, India.  The new species is distinguished from its congeners in having weakly-developed unilobed proboscis, a distinct transverse lobe with 8–12 small sized unicuspid acanthoid tubercles, 30–32 lateral line scales, and 13–15 circumpeduncular scales.
Population status and distribution of Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii (Vigors, 1832) (Aves: Charadriiformes: Ibidorhynchidae) in Kashmir Valley, India
Authors: Haq Iqram ul , Bhat Bilal A. , Ahmad Khursheed , Rahmani Asad R.
Published: May 2021

A field study was carried out for the first time in Kashmir Valley to investigate the population status and distribution of Ibisbill.  The initial reconnaissance surveys conducted across Kashmir Valley, indicated that the Lidder River in district Anantnag and Sindh River in district Ganderbal harbor populations of Ibisbill.  During the intensive study carried out in the river Sindh from September 2017 to August 2018, the mean population size was maximum (36±8.63) at Stretch I and minimum (3±1.35) at stretch II.  The seasonal population of Ibisbill was maximum (25.66±18.44) in the autumn and minimum (10±9.35) in the winter.  The present study indicated that river Sindh provides an ideal habitat for Ibisbill, and was most widely used by the bird.  We recommend further intensive research studies on the lesser known aspects of ecology and biology of this enigmatic species for long term conservation planning in the region.
Notes on new distribution records of Euaspa motokii Koiwaya, 2002 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) from Bhutan
Authors: Wangchuk Jigme , Subba Dhan Bahadur , Wangdi Karma
Published: May 2021

This paper reports Euaspa motokii, Koiwaya, 2002, a newly recorded butterfly species from Bhutan.  Its known distribution range extended from Kachin State of Myanmar to eastern Arunachal Pradesh and is now further extended to the Himalayan foothills of central Bhutan.  Currently, Bhutan has two Euaspa species, pavo and motokii.  With this record Bhutan now lists 760 species of butterflies.
Discovery of two new populations of the rare endemic freshwater crab Louisea yabassi Mvogo Ndongo, von Rintelen & Cumberlidge, 2019 (Brachyura: Potamonautidae) from the Ebo Forest near Yabassi in Cameroon, Central Africa, with recommendations for conservation action
Authors: Ndongo Pierre A. Mvogo , Rintelen Thomas von , Schubart Christoph D. , Clark Paul F. , Rintelen Kristina von , Missoup Alain Didier , Albrecht Christian , Rabone Muriel , Ewoukem Efole , Tamesse Joseph L. , Eyango Minette Tomedi-Tabi , Cumberlidge Neil
Published: May 2021

The endemic freshwater crab, Louisea yabassi Mvogo Ndongo, von Rintelen & Cumberlidge, 2019, is currently only known from three populations in the biodiversity-rich rainforests of southwestern Cameroon.  The first record of L. yabassi dates back to 1908 from Yabassi, while the other two populations were discovered in December 2019 and March 2020 from the Ebo Forest near Yabassi.  These specimens were initially identified as L. edeaensis (Bott, 1969), but were subsequently assigned to L. yabassi.  The newly-discovered populations of L. yabassi provided important data on its habitat, population structure and geographical distribution, all critical knowledge for conservation measures.  Reported here are the anthropogenic threats to L. yabassi and its rainforest habitat, which include forest destruction, agricultural encroachment, water pollution and firewood collection.  This information is inherently useful in the assessment of the extinction risk of L. yabassi and highlights the importance of implementing strategies for preserving primary rainforest and its associated aquatic habitats in Central Africa.
Brain connectivity alterations during sleep by closed-loop transcranial neurostimulation predict metamemory sensitivity
Authors: Hubbard Ryan J. , Zadeh Iman , Jones Aaron P. , Robert Bradley , Bryant Natalie B. , Clark Vincent P. , Pilly Praveen K.
Published: May 2021

Metamemory involves the ability to correctly judge the accuracy of our memories. The retrieval of memories can be improved using transcranial electrical brain stimulation (tES) during sleep, but evidence for improvements to metamemory sensitivity is limited. Applying tES can enhance sleep-dependent memory consolidation, which along with metamemory requires the coordination of activity across distributed neural systems, suggesting that examining functional connectivity is important for understanding these processes. Nevertheless, little research has examined how functional connectivity modulations relate to overnight changes in metamemory sensitivity. Here, we developed a closed-loop short-duration tES method, time-locked to up-states of ongoing slow-wave oscillations, to cue specific memory replays in humans. We measured electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence changes following stimulation pulses, and characterized network alterations with graph theoretic metrics. Using machine learning techniques, we show that pulsed tES elicited network changes in multiple frequency bands, including increased connectivity in the theta band and increased efficiency in the spindle band. Additionally, stimulation-induced changes in beta-band path length were predictive of overnight changes in metamemory sensitivity. These findings add new insights into the growing literature investigating increases in memory performance through brain stimulation during sleep, and highlight the importance of examining functional connectivity to explain its effects.
Mining off the Map: Fulongchang and Silver Mines in the Qing Empire’s Far Southwest
Authors: Kim Nanny , Yuda Yang
Published: May 2021

A donation stele discovered in the 1980 records that the community of the Fulong silver mines raised some 4500 liang of silver to build a temple dedicated to the God of Wealth in 1814. The site in a remote mountain range in northern Yunnan evidently was a prosperous and populous mining town. Yet it appears in no government record. Centered on the case study, this paper provides insights into social self-organization of communities and the structures within the Qing government that allowed the operation of mines that were registered with the local governments and submitted taxes yet kept out of the communications with the central government. The analysis contributes a specific example of communal governance structures and explains the two layers in late imperial administration, one which was official and documented in gazetteers and central records, and another which was customary and usually undocumented.
Dealing with the Past or Moving Forward? Transitional Justice, the Bangsamoro Peace Agreement and Federalism in the Philippines
Authors: Lamchek Jayson S. , Radics George B.
Published: May 2021

In the Philippines, transitional justice is plagued by questions about whether and how to deal with the past as well as whether and what kind of justice is possible in the present. In 2014, the government ended its armed conflict with Muslim secessionists by enacting a peace deal with transitional justice provisions, but also proposed federalism as a more lasting solution to conflict. This article reads the agreement’s ‘dealing with the past’ framework as reflecting a conventional approach. It then highlights continuing Muslim experiences of land dispossession and human rights abuses. It shows how transitional justice can come with uncertainty about what it means to “move forward,” what “past” to overcome, and how the past is related to “justice.” Furthermore, it argues that as the country increasingly veers towards authoritarian rule, conventional applications of transitional justice are further impeded. It explores how federalism receives more enthusiastic support than transitional justice.
Rites of Passage: Conversionary in-Marriages in the Finnish Jewish Communities
Authors: Czimbalmos Mercédesz
Published: May 2021

Debates over intermarriages and conversions are at the heart of Jewish concerns today. International studies outline a growing number of intermarriages or their considerations within several European countries and the United States. Yet, the Nordic context in general and the Finnish context specifically are understudied. The current study seeks to fill the gap in the existing research by contributing to the field of conversion studies in general and the research in Jewish intermarriages and conversions in particular in Europe and in Finland by analyzing newly gathered ethnographic materials from the years 2019–2020 through adapting Sylvia Barack Fishman’s typology on conversionary in-marriages to the Finnish context.
The Development and Impact of Hong Taiji’s Artillery Corps (1631–1643)
Authors: Chung Yan Hon Michael
Published: May 2021

This study retraces the development of the Later Jin/Qing artillery corps between 1631 and 1642, examines the factors that led to its success, and evaluates its military and socio-political impact. The newly established artillery corps, under the direction of the talented Hong Taiji, learned effectively from its participation in sieges and developed the relevant military knowledge. By 1642, it had turned from an auxiliary force into a full-fledged unit that played a decisive role in siege warfare. The success of the Qing artillery corps greatly facilitated the Qing conquest of China (1644–1683). Moreover, the military performance of the artillery corps in the time period led to the multiple expansions and the ultimate institutionalization of the Han Eight Banner Army (baqi Hanjun).
Mexican Vascular Epiphytes: Richness and Distribution

Authors: ESPEJO-SERNA ADOLFO , LÓPEZ-FERRARI ANA ROSA , MENDOZA-RUIZ ANICETO , GARCÍA-CRUZ JAVIER , CEJA-ROMERO JACQUELINE , PÉREZ-GARCÍA BLANCA
Published: May 2021

The first complete checklist of the Mexican vascular epiphytes is presented, accompanied by data relating to its geographical distribution by state, elevational range, endemism, life form and type of vegetation in which each species can be found. Based on the review of herbarium specimens and specialized literature, as well as in the collection of botanical material in several regions of the country, we determined that the vascular epiphytes of Mexico are integrated by 24 orders, 37 families, 253 genera, and 1,813 species, of which 583 are endemic to the country. The families with the highest specific richness are Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, Polypodiaceae, and Piperaceae, while the genera with the highest number of taxa are Tillandsia, Epidendrum, and Peperomia. Only one gymnosperm, Ceratozamia tenuis, was registered as epiphyte. The types of vegetation that harbor the greatest richness are the cloud forest with 1,079 species and the Quercus forest with 837. One hundred eighty-six species are found in some category of the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.
Taxonomic revision of the North-African species of the genus Oiketicoides Heylaerts, 1881 (Lepidoptera: Psychidae: Oiketicinae)
Authors: SOBCZYK THOMAS , ARNSCHEID WILFRIED R.
Published: May 2021

In this paper the North African species of the genus Oiketicoides Heylaerts, 1881, are revised. In total there are 16 species of which Oiketicoides algeriensis sp. nov., Oiketicoides albomaculatus sp. nov., Oiketicoides pseudochottella sp. nov., Oiketicoides numidicum sp. nov., Oiketicoides maroccensis sp. nov., Oiketicoides maghrebensis sp. nov., Oiketicoides imazigheni sp. nov. and Oiketicoides atlanticum sp. nov. are described here as new for science. The subspecies described as Oiketicoides febretta lambessa (Heylaerts, 1889) is treated here as belonging to the species rank and a lectotype is formally fixed.
The New World Belonopterygini (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): descriptions of a new genus and species from the West Indies and comparisons among the genera
Authors: TAUBER CATHERINE A.
Published: May 2021

Pantaleonius toschiorum Tauber, n. gen., n.sp., is described from several islands in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles of the West Indies. For comparison, Abachrysa eureka Banks from southeastern United States is redescribed, and data on the three remaining New World belonopterygine genera, Vieira Navás, Nacarina Navás, and Belonopteryx Gerstaecker, are summarized. A key for identifying the New World belonopteryine genera is included. Although recognizably distinct, Pantaleonius shares several features with Vieira, which is considered basal within Belonopterygini. Both genera are quite different from Abachrysa Banks, which is known to be derived among the New World belonopterygines and also closely related to the Old World belonopterygine clade.
A new species and a new record of Eupines King from China and Japan (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae)
Authors: LI QI-QI , NOMURA SHÛHEI , CAI BO , YIN ZI-WEI
Published: May 2021

A new species of the primarily Australasian genus Eupines King, 1866, E. crinita Li, Nomura & Yin, sp. nov., is described from China and Japan, which is also the first record of the genus from the former country. Moreover, a new distributional record of E. sphaerica (Motschulsky, 1851) from China is provided.
Glyphochaitophorus, a new genus of Chaitophorini (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Chaitophorinae) from China
Authors: CHEN JING , LI ZHAOXU , JIANG LIYUN , QIAO GEXIA
Published: May 2021

Glyphochaitophorus Qiao gen. nov. with one new species Glyphochaitophorus cristaphis Qiao sp. nov. on Acer palmatum from Tibet, China is described and illustrated in the aphid tribe Chaitophorini. A key to Glyphochaitophorus and allied genera is provided.
Influence of Upper-Troposphere Stratification and Cloud-Radiation Interaction on Convective Overshoots in the Tropical Tropopause Layer
Authors: Hu Zeyuan , Lamraoui Fayçal , Kuang Zhiming
Published: May 2021

It is still debated whether radiative heating observed in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) is balanced primarily by cooling from convective overshoots, as in an entrainment layer, or by adiabatic cooling from large-scale eddy-driven upwelling. In this study, three-dimensional cloud-resolving model simulations of radiative-convective equilibrium were carried out with three different cloud microphysics schemes and 1-km horizontal resolution. We demonstrate that overshooting cooling in the TTL can be strongly modulated by upper-troposphere stratification. Two of the schemes produce a hard-landing scenario in which convective overshoots reach the TTL with frequent large vertical velocity leading to strong overshooting cooling (~ −0.2 K day-1). The third scheme produces a soft-landing scenario in which convective overshoots rarely reach the TTL with large vertical velocity and produce little overshooting cooling (~ −0.03 K day-1). The difference between the two scenarios is attributed to changes in the upper-troposphere stratification related to different atmospheric cloud radiative effects (ACRE). The microphysics scheme that produces the soft-landing scenario has much stronger ACRE in the upper troposphere leading to a ~3K warmer and more stable layer which acts as a buffer zone to slow down the convective updrafts. The stratification mechanism suggests the possibility for the ozone variation or eddy-driven upwelling in the TTL to modulate convective overshoots. We further test the sensitivity of overshooting cooling to changes in model resolution by increasing the horizontal resolution to 100 m. The corresponding change of overshooting cooling is much smaller compared with the difference between the hard-landing and soft-landing scenarios.
A seven-year climatology of the initiation, decay and morphology of severe convective storms during the warm season over North China
Authors: Ma Ruoyun , Sun Jianhua , Yang Xinlin
Published: May 2021

The present work established a 7-year climatology of the initiation, decay, and morphology of severe convective storms (SCSs) during the warm seasons (May–September) of 2011–2018 (except 2014) over North China. This was achieved by using severe weather reports, precipitation observations, and composite Doppler radar reflectivity data. A total of 371 SCSs were identified. SCSs primarily initiated around noon with the highest frequency over the high terrain of Mount Taihang, and they mostly decayed over the plains at night. The storm morphologies were classified into three types of cellular storms (individual cells, clusters of cells, and broken lines), six types of linear systems (convective lines with no stratiform, with trailing stratiform, leading stratiform, parallel stratiform, embedded lines, and bow echoes), and nonlinear systems. Three types of severe convective weather, namely, short-duration heavy rainfall, hail, and thunderstorm high winds associated with these morphologies were investigated. Nonlinear systems were the most frequent morphology, followed by clusters of cells. Convective lines with trailing stratiform were the most frequent linear morphology. A total of 1,429 morphology samples from the 371 SCSs were found to be responsible for 15,966 severe convective weather reports. Linear (nonlinear) systems produced the most short-duration heavy rainfall (hail and thunderstorm high wind) reports. Bow echos were most efficient in producing both short-duration heavy rainfall and thunderstorm high wind reports whereas broken lines had the highest efficiency for hail production. The results in the present study are helpful for local forecasters to better anticipate the storm types and associated hazardous weather.
The Trump Prophecies and the Mobilization of Evangelical Voters
Authors: Trangerud Hanne Amanda
Published: May 2021

The Evangelical vote played a major role when Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election. Although various factors may explain this result, we should not overlook the influence of the alliance that emerged between Trump and leading Evangelicals during the campaign. In this article, I present four books written before and after the election that illustrate how Trump prophecies and the portrayal of Trump as a national savior were used deliberately to convince conservative Christians that voting for him was their religious duty. With the help of framing theory, I analyze this rhetorical strategy of Trump’s allies, and show how it not only has influenced Christian voters, but also the president himself
Book review: Zorawar Daulet Singh, Powershift: India–China Relations in a Multipolar World
Authors: Tiwary Rityusha Mani
Published: May 2021

Zorawar Daulet Singh, Powershift: India–China Relations in a Multipolar World (Delhi: Pan Macmillan Publishing India, 2020), vii+335 pp., ₹650, ISBN: 9789389109726 (hardcover).
China’s Triangular Development Cooperation: Perception and Practices
Authors: Chao Zhang
Published: May 2021

Triangular development cooperation (TDC) is an increasingly popular modality in the aid field. It is seen to have both huge potential and limits. As the largest emerging donor, China’s participation in TDC has been put under the spotlight. This article proposes a working definition of TDC focused on the type of resources transferred, and establishes a data set on the projects that China was involved in, from 2005 to 2016. Moreover, it investigates China’s perception of the TDC by analysing its official publications. It finds that (a) China holds an equivocal understanding of the TDC concept; (b) although China has been rhetorically stressing the importance of TDC, few real actions have been taken; (c) China prefers international organisations in TDC instead of traditional donors; and (d) like other actors, most of China’s TDC projects are recorded in non-economic sectors. At the moment, China remains cautious regarding the modality. But considering the growing volume of Chinese aid and its visibility, a more proactive stance on TDC might better serve Chinese interests.
The Belt and Road Initiative: New Driving Force for Sino-Yemen Relationship
Authors: Chaziza Mordechai
Published: May 2021

The Republic of Yemen (North Yemen) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) established diplomatic relations in 1956, the first Arabian Peninsula country to recognise the PRC as the legitimate representative of the country. Yemen is a significant and strategically important state in the southern Arabian Peninsula bordering Saudi Arabia, Oman, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden within the Arabian Sea (Behbehani. 1985. China and the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen). The geographical location of Yemen makes it an essential state for the PRC because it enables it an observation point over three regional trouble spots: the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Horn of Africa. Thus, Yemen can become the bridge between Asia and Africa, and between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, and a vital component of China’s Silk Road Strategy. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could be used as a new driving force for the Sino-Yemen relationship, especially the integration between the state’s post-war reconstruction and the realization of the initiative.
Scarcity in the Theories of Value
Authors: Palumbo Antonella
Published: May 2021

Building on Krishna Bharadwaj’s analysis of the differences between neoclassical economics and classical political economy and her careful historical reconstruction of the process that culminated in the birth of the former, this article focuses on the characterisation of neoclassical theories as ‘scarcity’ theories of value. The article intends, in the first place, to analyse the relation that neoclassical theories bear to earlier theoretical developments, particularly the earlier conception of value based on the demand-and-supply interaction, in which the notion of scarcity played a crucial role, a conception entertained both by pre-classical authors and contemporaries of Ricardo. In the second place, it aims to show that the scarcity conception of value is at the root of some basic inconsistencies of the neoclassical approach. Attention will thus be devoted to a particular expression of the latter, the so-called Walras–Cassel system of general equilibrium, and to the discussions that took place in the 1930s on the properties of such system—afterwards culminating in the Vienna debate over the formal properties of the system—in which the limitations of the scarcity conception of value were clearly addressed.

JEL Code: B12, B13, D51