bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new species of copepod (Siphonostomatoida: Caligidae) parasitic on the striped trumpeter, Latris lineata (Forster), from Tasmania
Authors: ANDREWS MELANIE , BOTT NATHAN , BATTAGLENE1 STEPHEN , NOWAK BARBARA
Published: June 2019

A new species of caligid copepod (Siphonostomatoida), Caligus nuenonnae n. sp., is described based on material collected from the body surface of striped trumpeter [Latris lineata (Forster)] reared at the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute, Marine Research Laboratories, Australia. Caligus nuenonnae n. sp. is characterised by the following combination of features: 1) female genital complex with a mid-lateral indentation and highly concave posterior margin; 2) 1-segmented abdomen in the female that is about one-third the length of the genital complex; 3) distinctly broader first abdominal somite relative to the second abdominal somite in the male; 4) antenna with a spatulate process on the proximal segment; 5) recurved postantennal process without a basal accessory process; 6) female maxilliped with a proximal ridged protrusion on the corpus; 7) sternal furca with widely separated, apically truncate tines; 8) distal exopodal segment of leg 1 with a lateral flange on each apical spine and an accessory process on apical spines two and three; 9) leg 3 protopod with two adhesion pads on the dorsolateral surface; 10) leg 4 exopod 2-segmented, with I-0; I, III armature; 11) terminal exopodal segment of leg 4 with the outer apical spine being slightly shorter than the middle apical spine; 12) male maxillulary dentiform process with numerous small points embossed on the surface; and 13) male legs 5 and 6 represented by distinct lobate projections.
Proposed conservation of the name Penthe Newman, 1838 (Coleoptera: Tetratomidae: Penthinae) threatened by the discovery of an older available name
Authors: BOUCHARD PATRICE , POLLOCK DARREN A.
Published: June 2019

Penthe Newman, 1838 includes nine species distributed in China, the Himalayas, Japan, the Oriental Region and North America (Nikitsky, 1998; Young & Pollock, 2002) and is the type genus of the tetratomid subfamily Penthinae Lacordaire, 1859. Like many other obscure members of Tenebrionoidea, Penthe has had an unsettled family placement until recently. Most early authors placed the genus in Tenebrionidae (e.g. Newman, 1838; Melsheimer, 1853). Then, there was a period during which it was most often placed in Melandryidae, either in Melandryini (e.g. LeConte & Horn, 1883), Penthini (Woodruff, 1920), or Tetratomini (e.g. Csiki, 1924). Finally, based on both larval and adult characters, Penthe was placed in Tetratomidae (e.g. Crowson, 1955; Lawrence, 1982; Nikitsky, 1998). Adults and larvae feed on various fungi associated with rotting wood, e.g. Polyporus, Piptoporus, and Fomitopsis (Lawrence, 1991). As mentioned below, the name Penthe has been used uniformly in the various catalogues, checklists and treatments of North American Coleoptera since Newman’s original description in 1838.
Akysis fontaneus, a new species of catfish (Siluriformes: Akysidae) from Sumatra
Authors: NG HEOK HEE
Published: June 2019

Akysis fontaneus, new species, is described from a spring-fed stream in the Batang Hari drainage in central Sumatra. It is distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: weakly emarginate caudal fin, convex dorsal surface of neurocranium making predorsal profile appear steeply sloping, presence of 4 large serrations on posterior edge of pectoral spine that are more than half width of spine, predorsal length 34.5% SL, pectoral-fin length 21.7% SL, length of adipose-fin base 18.7% SL and interorbital distance 42.3% HL. Akysis fontaneus is most similar to A. heterurus, also from the Batang Hari River drainage, but the differing morphology of the predorsal area (particularly the neurocranium) and shorter pectoral fin distinguishes it from A. heterurus.
Four new species of the genus Indonemoura (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from China
Authors: WANG ZHI-JIE , DU YU-ZHOU
Published: June 2019

Four new species of the genus Indonemoura from China are described: I. bilateralia Du & Wang, sp. nov., I. collina Du & Wang, sp. nov., I. curvicornia Wang & Du, sp. nov., I. tortuosa Wang & Du, sp. nov.. Types of the new species are deposited in the Insect Collection of Yangzhou University.
Two new species of Parasesarma De Man, 1895, from Southeast Asia (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae)
Authors: RAHAYU DWI LISTYO , NG PETER K.L.
Published: June 2019

Two new species of sesarmid crabs of the genus Parasesarma De Man, 1895, are described from mangrove forests in Southeast Asia. Parasesarma paucitorum n. sp. is described from northern Sulawesi and is allied to P. leptosoma (Hilgendorf, 1869) but differs from the latter in the form of its carapace, leg proportions, the structure of the tubercles on the cheliped dactylus, and the male first pleopods. Parasesarma raouli n. sp. is described from southern Peninsular Malaysia and is differentiated from the allied P. charis Rahayu & Ng, 2005, and P. anambas Yeo, Rahayu & Ng, 2004, by the number and form of the tubercles on the cheliped dacylus, the shape of the male abdomen and structure of the male first pleopods.
Bangana brevirostris, a new species of cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from the Lancang-Jiang (Upper Mekong River) drainage in Yunnan, Southwest China
Authors: LIU KAI , ZHOU WEI
Published: June 2019

Bangana brevirostris, new species, is described from the Lancang-Jiang in Yunnan, Southwest China. It can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: a pair of minute rostral barbels; mental groove short and shallow; dorsal fin with 12–13 branched rays; 42–44 lateral line scales; eye large, its diameter 28.1–32.9 % of head length; snout short, its length 25.5–32.7 % of head length. It shares the same postlabial groove-type with Bangana dero and B. devdevi, which makes them very different from other congeners.
Description of three new species of Glossogobius from Australia and New Guinea
Authors: HOESE DOUGLASS F. , ALLEN GERALD R.
Published: June 2019

The present paper describes two new species of the gobiid fish genus Glossogobius from southern New Guinea and a third related species from northeastern Australia. All three species are restricted to a small number of river systems. Glossogobius bellendenensis, sp. nov. is distinctive in having reduced predorsal scales and fin-ray counts and mental frenum shape. It is restricted to relatively clear water rivers of northeastern Queensland. The closely related, Glossogobius muscorum sp. nov. is also distinctive in reduced predorsal scales and fin-ray count and is found only in the Fly River system of New Guinea. Glossogobius robertsi sp. nov. is distinctive in fin-ray and scale counts and is found in the Fly River in Papua New Guinea and possibly in a river in Papua close to the Fly River. That species has been confused with Glossogobius giuris, which generally occurs in lower reaches of the river.
A new species of Antigius (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclini) from Taiwan
Authors: HSU YU-FENG
Published: June 2019

Antigius jinpingi, new species, is described from Taiwan, which Theclini fauna has been investigated extensively. The sister species of the new taxon is presumed to be A. butleri, a species distributed in the Asiatic continent and Japan. The larval host plant of A. jinpingi is unknown, but the most likely candidate is Quercus dentata, a deciduous oak with a relictual distribution in Taiwan.
The genus Jembra Metcalf and Horton from Taiwan with descriptions of two new species and the nymph of J. taiwana sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Aphrophoridae)
Authors: SHIH HSIEN-TZUNG , LIANG AI-PING , YANG JENG-TZE
Published: June 2019

The genus Jembra Metcalf and Horton comprises five species from Taiwan and China. In this paper, the fauna of the genus from Taiwan is reviewed and includes three species. Two new species, J. kuanae sp. nov. and J. taiwana sp. nov., are described, and J. inouyei Matsumura is redescribed. The fourth and fifth instar nymph of J. taiwana sp. nov. is described for the first time. A dichotomous key for the identification of the five species of Jembra is also presented.
Rediscovery of the rare Andean blindsnake Anomalepis colombia Marx 1953 (Serpentes: Anomalepididae) in the wild
Authors: VANEGAS-GUERRERO JHONATTAN , MARTINS ANGELE , QUIÑONES-BETANCURT ESTEBAN , LYNCH JOHN D.
Published: June 2019

The fossorial snake genus Anomalepis Jan 1860 currently comprises four species with distribution restricted to the Neotropics, occurring from Nicaragua to trans-Andean Peru. Species of Anomalepis occur on the mainland from sea level to about 2,700 m elevation in habitats that range from xerophyte vegetation to tropical wet forests (Kofron 1988; McDiarmid et al. 1999; Uetz et al. 2019; Wallach et al. 2014). Kofron (1988) performed a taxonomic review of the genus Anomalepis, recognizing two phenotypic clusters of species: the A. mexicanus Jan 1860 composed exclusively by its nominal form, and the A. aspinosus Taylor 1939 group consisting of the former species, A. colombia Marx 1953 (Fig. 1) and A. flavapices Peters 1957. While Anomalepis aspinosus occurs in xerophytic formation from 500–2700 above sea level (asl hereafter) along the Peruvian Andes (Kofron 1988; McDiarmid et al. 1999; Wallach et al. 2014), and Anomalepis flavapices is found in the coastal rainforest plains of northwestern Ecuador (Kofron 1988; Wallach et al. 2014), Anomalepis mexicanus presents the most widespread distribution amongst its congeners, occurring in northeastern Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama from sea level to 725 m altitude. Even though this species has previously been recorded for Peru (Kofron, 1988), it seems unlikely that this specimen belongs to A. mexicanus due to its distinct meristic features (see Kofron 1988) and its outlandish record (see Fig. 2). Marx (1953) described Anomalepis colombia based on a single specimen collected in 1946 by Kjell von Sneidern at La Selva (05º25’23N, 74º57’44W; 1700 m asl), municipality of Pueblo Rico, department of Caldas, Colombia. As far as we know, since its original description, no additional specimen of A. colombia has been reported in literature (cf. Kofron 1988; McDiarmid et al. 1999; Wallach et al. 2014).
The soft ticks (Parasitiformes: Ixodida: Argasidae) of Mexico: species, hosts, and geographical distribution
Authors: GUZMÁN-CORNEJO CARMEN , HERRERA-MARES ANGEL , ROBBINS RICHARD G. , REBOLLO-HERNÁNDEZ ANDREA
Published: June 2019

Distribution and host data from published literature and previously unpublished collection records are provided for all 37 species of soft ticks, family Argasidae, that are known to occur in Mexico, including Ornithodoros dugesi, which is generally regarded as a junior synonym of Ornithodoros talaje, and Ornithodoros marinkellei, a new record for Mexico. Parasite-host and host-parasite lists are presented, together with keys to adults and larvae, and a gazetteer of collection localities supplemented by maps showing each species’ distribution in Mexico.
Rotundocoris, a new apterous genus of Carventinae from China (Heteroptera: Aradidae)
Authors: QIAN HONGGE , BAI XIAOSHUAN , HEISS ERNST , LIU AIPING , CAI WANZHI
Published: June 2019

A new apterous genus, Rotundocoris gen. nov., and two included new species, R. stenonotum sp. nov. and R. obliquonotum sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae: Carventinae), are described from Hainan, China. The diagnostic morphological features of the genus and its two species are discussed and illustrated.
The world species of Ophthalmothrips Hood (Thysanoptera; Phlaeothripidae), with new records from Africa, China and Japan
Authors: MINOURA KAZUSHIGE , MOUND LAURENCE A.
Published: June 2019

Currently 10 species are listed in the genus Ophthalmothrips: amyae and conocephalus from South Africa, pomeroyi from Tanzania, lesnei from Mozambique, breviceps and faurei from India, formosanus from Taiwan, longiceps and miscanthicola from East Asia, and yunnanensis from China. Here, conocephalus is newly recorded from Madagascar, faurei from China and Japan, lesnei from Kenya, pomeroyi from Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo), and the first records of males of lesnei and pomeroyi are provided. A key to males and females of the 10 species is provided.
A Method of Radar Echo Extrapolation Based on TREC and Barnes Filter
Authors: Zou Haibo , Wu Shanshan , Shan Jiusheng , Yi Xueting
Published: June 2019

A method named BTREC, which is in fact an extension of tracking a radar echo by cross-correlation (TREC) method, is proposed based on the Barnes filter in this paper. BTREC is an efficient objective analysis method for smoothing the motion vectors of radar echo patterns. A comparative analysis of the BTREC vectors and the COTREC (another extension of TREC, which is restricted by the 2D continuity equation) vectors is conducted. The results show that the BTREC method corrects the noise and inconsistencies in TREC vectors (often induced by shielding, ground clutter, and rapid morphological changes of the radar patterns) more thoroughly than COTREC. Then the BTREC, COTREC, and TREC methods are applied to extrapolate the real radar echo pattern over Jiangxi Province in China for two cases (1900–2100 UTC 4 June and 0900–1100 UTC 30 June 2018). Results show that the BTREC method performs the best out of the three methods to forecast the radar echo patterns in the following 1 and 2 h, and has the least distortion. To further confirm that, 892 radar composite reflectivity mosaic images with precipitation in summer (June–August) over Jiangxi are collected to test the three methods. The results show that in the 1- and 2-h extrapolations, the mean differences of the threat score (TS), correlation (CORR), and probability of detection (POD) between BTREC and TREC are obviously more than 0, while that of the false alarm ratio (FAR) is remarkably less than 0 (the threshold to identify whether a grid is correctly predicted is set to 10 dB Z). Although the mean difference of TS, CORR, POD, and FAR between COTREC and TREC have similar variation, their magnitudes are obviously decreased (especially for the 2-h extrapolation). This further indicates that the BTREC method obviously improves the forecast of the radar echo pattern within the next 2 h compared to the COTREC and TREC methods.
L’italiano in rete tra parola e immagine
Authors: Malagnini Francesca
Published: June 2019

Nell’articolo si analizzano i rapporti tra parola e immagini nella comunicazione di alcuni media mostrando come i codici verbale e iconico, se accoppiati, sono spesso incoerenti fra loro, tanto da impedire la comprensione del messaggio.

Inoltre, si esamina il processo di scrittura del messaggio verbale in rete, mettendolo in relazione con i testi semicolti: in entrambi i casi mancano la progettazione e la revisione. Un punto di partenza per insegnare una scrittura di massa strutturata e sequenziale, talvolta accompagnata da immagini, può essere quello di una riflessione linguistica e testuale sui testi verbali frammentati che circolano nella rete.
Reassessing the relationship between elections and democratization
Authors: Kim Nam Kyu
Published: June 2019

Do elections improve a country’s prospects for democratization? The theory of democratization by elections proposes that reiterated multiparty elections foster gradual institutional changes leading to progress toward democracy. Edgell et al. provide the most systematic evidence for this theory, but substantial disagreements remain among scholars studying the effects of authoritarian elections on democratization. In this study, I reassess the relationship between elections and democratization. In doing so, I account for the temporal structure of democratic qualities that are highly persistent. When I control for the dynamics of democratic qualities by adding a lag (or lags) of the dependent variable, the democratizing effects of repeated elections disappear; indeed, most evidence indicates a negative relationship between elections and democratization. This finding calls into question the causal role of elections in the process of democratization and demonstrates the importance of modeling the persistent nature of democracy in exploring the effect of a variable on democratization.
Intergenerational Differences in the Physical Activity Pattern: A Familial Study From Rural Haryana, India
Authors: Thakur Mamta Kumari , Saraswathy K. N. , Kiranmala Devi N.
Published: June 2019

This study was aimed to investigate the patterns and possible differences in the levels of Physical Activity (PA) among members of different generations in a North Indian State. A cross-sectional survey investigated intergenerational PA level up to third generations of Jat males and females ( N = 329; 42 families). PA was quantified using the validated Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Significant differences were observed with respect to the various domains of the PA among generations. Females of the second generation were more active than males, whereas females of the third generation were less active and their activities are confined to household chores only. No such sex-wise differences were observed among first generation. Only 20% of the individuals were performing recreational activities, and almost negligible in the first and second generation. Study supports the need for increasing awareness regarding health benefits of PA especially in terms of recreational activities.
The Non-Randomness of Municipal Government Reorganization: Evidence From Village Dissolution in New York
Authors: Zhang Pengju
Published: June 2019

Municipal government dissolution used to be a rare occurrence in American history and has thus far received little attention in the literature. More than 300 of municipal governments, however, have dissolved since the mid-1990s. To understand this emerging momentum in practice and to fill the gap in literature, this article focuses on the increasing trend of village dissolution in New York, builds an analytical framework, and investigates the driving forces behind the possibility of dissolution, which is measured either by the presence of any dissolution-related activity or by the passage of a dissolution referendum. Based on a representative survey sample and a rich set of secondary data, this article consistently finds that dissolution does not randomly occur. Rather, dissolution is more likely to be considered and approved in a village where the economy struggles, the population declines, political trust undermines, and fiscal health deteriorates. In other words, the research suggests dissolution may not be as appealing or take place in economically strong and politically dynamic areas.
6D interaction control with aerial robots: The flying end-effector paradigm
Authors: Ryll Markus , Muscio Giuseppe , Pierri Francesco , Cataldi Elisabetta , Antonelli Gianluca , Caccavale Fabrizio , Bicego Davide , Franchi Antonio
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a novel paradigm for physical interactive tasks in aerial robotics allowing reliability to be increased and weight and costs to be reduced compared with state-of-the-art approaches. By exploiting its tilted propeller actuation, the robot is able to control the full 6D pose (position and orientation independently) and to exert a full-wrench (force and torque independently) with a rigidly attached end-effector. Interaction is achieved by means of an admittance control scheme in which an outer loop control governs the desired admittance behavior (i.e., interaction compliance/stiffness, damping, and mass) and an inner loop based on inverse dynamics ensures full 6D pose tracking. The interaction forces are estimated by an inertial measurement unit (IMU)-enhanced momentum-based observer. An extensive experimental campaign is performed and four case studies are reported: a hard touch and slide on a wooden surface, called the sliding surface task; a tilted peg-in-hole task, i.e., the insertion of the end-effector in a tilted funnel; an admittance shaping experiment in which it is shown how the stiffness, damping, and apparent mass can be modulated at will; and, finally, the fourth experiment is to show the effectiveness of the approach also in the presence of time-varying interaction forces.
“Failure to adjust”: Boston’s bid for the 2024 Olympics and the difficulties of learning Olympic wisdom
Authors: Kassens-Noor Eva
Published: June 2019

Local resistance often cancels Olympic bids. Boston’s infamous bid failure was one of the first that demonstrated how local resistance can diminish boosters’ aspirations. As an insider to the bidding process, I trace the adjustment strategies of Boston’s bidding committee, B2024, to bid opposition over the course of Boston’s 2024 Olympic bid (2014–2015). I analyze the institutional learning that occurred and find B2024 learned through Olympic networks that won Olympic bids. These Olympic networks failed to learn amidst changing local circumstances and applied old solutions to new problems. While facing four crises, B2024 staff learned the complexities of Olympic bidding in a high-pressure learning environment that did not allow for trial and error. Against anti-Olympic movements, B2024 responded with fire-extinguishing techniques rather than plotting an organized strategy. While bidding, city governments must learn from failed bids to attain Olympic wisdom, which requires mastery of Olympic, counter-Olympic, and local knowledge. Using B2024’s learning process, I draw lessons for policy on learning and organizing complex projects with tight timelines and high uncertainty.
Who Uses Ride-Hailing Services in the United States?
Authors: Sikder Sujan
Published: June 2019

Over the past few years, ride-hailing services have rapidly gained in popularity and grown extensively in the United States (U.S.). Using data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey, this paper investigates the socio-demographic and land use factors that affect the adoption and frequency of use of ride-hailing services in the U.S.A. First, a comprehensive literature review is carried out to identify the gaps in the literature. Next, a detailed descriptive analysis is conducted to understand the key socio-demographic characteristics of the ride-hailing service users. Finally, an ordered logit (ORL) model is estimated to investigate the socio-demographic and land use factors that affect the adoption and frequency of use of ride-hailing services. Results suggest that racial differences exist in the adoption and frequency of use. Specifically, African American individuals are less likely than others to adopt and frequently use these services. People who work full time but with flexible schedules are more likely than other workers and non-workers to adopt and frequently use these services. The tendency to adopt and frequently use these services is higher among individuals in insufficient vehicle households (i.e., households with more workers than vehicles) than other individuals. The presence of children, elderly persons, or both, in the household is likely to have a negative effect on the adoption and frequency of use. Further, these services appear to have a complementary effect on public transit, indicating that collaboration efforts between transit agencies and ride-hailing service providers may help develop an integrated transportation system.
Effects of immediate versus delayed ex-vivo lung perfusion in a porcine cardiac arrest donation model
Authors: Olbertz Carolin , Pizanis Nikolaus , Bäumker Hagen , Becker Simon , Aigner Clemens , Rauen Ursula , Nolte Ingo , Kamler Markus , Koch Achim
Published: June 2019

Objective:

Ex-vivo lung perfusion is a promising tool to evaluate and recondition marginal donor lungs usually after a cold static preservation. The concept of continuous organ perfusion is supposed to reduce ischemic damage; however, the optimal perfusion protocol has not been established yet. The aim of this study was to compare immediate ex-vivo lung perfusion (I-EVLP) to delayed ex-vivo lung perfusion (D-EVLP) after a certain cold static preservation period on lung function in a large animal model.

Methods:

In a porcine model, lungs were procured after circulatory death and 60 min of no-touch warm ischemia. Lungs were preserved with single-flush cold low potassium dextran solution and prepared either for I-EVLP (n = 8) or stored cold for 9 h with subsequent D-EVLP (n = 8). Functional outcomes and morphology were compared during 4 h of ex-vivo lung perfusion, using STEEN SolutionTM as perfusion solution.

Results:

Pulmonary functional data, perfusate activities of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and products of lipid peroxidation did not differ significantly. There was a trend toward lower wet–dry ratio (I-EVLP: 13.4 ± 2.9; D-EVLP: 9.1 ± 2.5) and higher ΔpO2 in D-EVLP group (I-EVLP: 209 ± 51.6 mmHg; D-EVLP: 236.3 ± 47.3 mmHg).

Conclusion:

In this donation-after-circulatory-death model, 9 h of cold static preservation followed by ex-vivo lung perfusion results in comparable pulmonary function to I-EVLP as indicated by oxygenation capacities and wet–dry ratio. Our findings indicate that prolonged cold static preservation prior to ex-vivo lung perfusion is as safe and effective as I-EVLP in the procurement of donor lungs.
Tic Suppression in Children With Recent-Onset Tics Predicts 1-Year Tic Outcome
Authors: Kim Soyoung , Greene Deanna J. , Robichaux-Viehoever Amy , Bihun Emily C. , Koller Jonathan M. , Acevedo Haley , Schlaggar Bradley L. , Black Kevin J.
Published: June 2019

Successful voluntary tic suppression is a key component of the behavioral interventions that are used to treat tic disorders. This study aimed to examine tic suppression in children with recent-onset tics and determine whether the capacity to suppress tics predicts future tic severity. We tested 45 children (30 male, mean age 7.74 years) with recent-onset tics (mean 3.47 months prior to the first study visit; baseline) and re-examined each child at the 12-month anniversary of the first recognized tic (follow-up). At the baseline visit, children performed a tic suppression task with several conditions: tic freely, inhibit tics given a verbal request, and inhibit tics in the presence of a reward. At the baseline visit, children with tics for only a few months could suppress their tics, and tic suppression was especially successful when they received an immediate and contingent reward. Additionally, the ability to suppress tics in the presence of a reward predicted tic severity at follow-up. These findings suggest that better inhibitory control of tics within months of tic onset may be an important predictor of future tic symptom outcome.
Comparison of Melatonin and Zolpidem for Sleep in an Academic Community Hospital: An Analysis of Patient Perception and Inpatient Outcomes
Authors: Stoianovici Robyn , Brunetti Luigi , Adams Christopher D.
Published: June 2019

Hospitalizations can significantly disrupt patient sleep patterns and contribute to insomnia, which places patients at a higher risk of altered mental status as well as other complications. Despite attempts to control environmental factors, deliriogenic medications are often prescribed for the management of hospital-related insomnia. The primary objective of this study is to compare patient-perceived effectiveness of zolpidem versus melatonin in hospitalized patients. All inpatients who received melatonin or zolpidem the previous night as asleep aid and had no acute psychological issues or history of substance abuse were eligible for participation in this single-center, prospective, observational cohort study. The Verran and Snyder-Halpern sleep scale was utilized to evaluate sleep perception in 3 domains: sleep disturbance, effectiveness, and supplementation. A total of 439 patients were screened and 100 patients met study criteria and consented to the study. In the melatonin and zolpidem groups, the estimated adjusted means for the total sleep effectiveness (206.8 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI], 168.7-253.5vs 187.4 mm, 95% CI, 152.8-229.7; P=.513), sleep disturbance(362.1 mm, 95% CI, 310.1-422.7 vs 339.54 mm, 95% CI, 290.8-396.4; P=.573), and sleep supplementation (111.4 mm, 95% CI, 86.3-143.8 vs 120.9 mm, 95% CI, 94.1-155.2; P=.661) domains were not statistically different. Both melatonin and zolpidem were well tolerated with grogginess and headache as the only reported adverse effects. Melatonin demonstrated no significant difference in patient-perceived sleep effectiveness, disturbance, supplementation, or adverse effects when compared to zolpidem.
Psychiatrist and Psychiatric Pharmacists Beliefs and Preferences for Atypical Antipsychotic Treatments in Patients With Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders
Authors: Touchette Daniel R. , Gor Deval , Sharma Dolly , Chennault Rachel R. , Ng-Mak Daisy S. , Rajagopalan Krithika , Ellingrod Vicki
Published: June 2019

Background:

Selection of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder treatments is complicated by treatment-effect heterogeneity.

Objectives:

This study assessed how clinicians’ beliefs and health system/ insurace policies impact choice of atypical antipsychotic agent in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted of members of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and College of Psychiatric & Neurologic Pharmacists. Beliefs regarding atypical antipsychotic effectiveness and safety, impact of comorbidity on drug selection, and factors influencing atypical antipsychotic therapy selection were assessed.

Results:

Twenty-four psychiatric pharmacists and 18 psychiatrists participated. Mean age was 39.6 years, 57.1% were female. Most clinicians (64.3%) believed medication effectiveness and safety equally important, while 26.2% believed safety and 9.4% believed effectiveness more important. The most important medication properties for schizophrenia were reducing positive symptoms (92.7%) and hospitalizations (87.8%) and for bipolar disorder were reducing manic episodes (87.8%), episode relapse (53.7%), and hospitalizations (53.7%). Agranulocytosis (78.1%), arrhythmias (70.7%), and extrapyramidal side effects (68.3%) were most concerning. Restrictions affected antipsychotic choice at 80.5% of sites and were believed to affect medication adherence (55.0%) and outcomes (53.4%).

Conclusion:

Efficacy and safety were considered equally important when choosing atypical antipsychotics. Formulary restrictions were perceived as impacting treatment choice and outcomes.
Pharmacists’ Role in the Management of Acute and Recurrent Pericarditis: Inpatient and Outpatient Perspectives
Authors: Schwier Nicholas C.
Published: June 2019

Pharmacists are qualified to provide valued care to patients inflicted with cardiovascular-related disorders. Although the role of pharmacists regarding the care of patients with cardiovascular disease has been previously described, there is currently no literature describing the role of pharmacists in the management of patients with pericarditis, specifically in patients with viral or idiopathic etiologies of pericarditis. Much of the management of idiopathic pericarditis, whether acute or recurrent, is a combination of pharmacotherapy, consisting of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapies, colchicine, corticosteroids, and/or immunotherapies. Therefore, pharmacists in any practice setting (ie, inpatient or outpatient) have the opportunity to provide an integral role in ensuring adherence to guideline-based care related to the management of acute or recurrent idiopathic pericarditis, optimizing patients’ use of pharmacotherapy, preventing adverse drug events such as drug–drug and drug–disease interactions, resolving managed care-related issues, providing care transitions activities that emphasize medication reconciliation and patient education, and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the pharmacotherapies used to treat acute and recurrent idiopathic pericarditis. This review describes the role of pharmacists in the management of acute and recurrent idiopathic pericarditis within the inpatient and outpatient practice settings, with an emphasis on specialty practice areas, such as the emergency department, intensive care and medicine units within the hospital, ambulatory care–based practices, community pharmacy, and managed care pharmacy.
Performance improvement of an axial-flow pump with inlet guide vanes in the turbine mode
Authors: Zhao Zilong , Guo Zhiwei , Qian Zhongdong , Cheng Qian
Published: June 2019

The axial pump operating in the pump-as-turbine mode is a practical and cost-saving alternative suitable for low-head pico hydropower in rural and remote areas that bypasses the need for expensive turbines. Their pump characteristics, however, indicate that efficiency is low in off-design flow rates. Using the computational fluid dynamics, the adjustable inlet guide vanes with five angles (±20°, 0°, ±10°) in front of the impeller of the axial pump have been redesigned and installed specifically to increase the operating range of high efficiency in the pump-as-turbine mode. To validate the simulation method, a prototype of the axial pump was built to measure in the pump mode the pump characteristics including head and efficiency. The results obtained show that the computational fluid dynamics calculated results are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data. In the pump-as-turbine mode, the adjustable inlet guide vanes were found to affect the performance of the axial pump. The most important aspect is that the adjustable inlet guide vanes widen the efficiency range if the inlet guide vane angle is adjusted for different flow rates. For the same situation with negative angles, the efficiency values at the BEP are higher than those with positive angles, where the efficiency around the angle − 10° is the highest. The main reason is that the direction of flow at the impeller-zone exit is guided by the adjustable inlet guide vanes to reduce the energy loss, which can be supported in the view of vector field and energy losses of different parts of pump.
Monuments and economies: What drove their variability in the middle-Holocene Neolithic?
Authors: Brozio Jan Piet , Müller Johannes , Furholt Martin , Kirleis Wiebke , Dreibrodt Stefan , Feeser Ingo , Dörfler Walter , Weinelt Mara , Raese Hendrik , Bock Annalena
Published: June 2019

In the regions of southern Scandinavia and northern Germany, within the Neolithic ( c. 4100–1700 BCE), two episodes of intensified monumental burial construction are known: Funnel Beaker megaliths mainly from c. 3400–3100 BCE and Single Grave burial mounds from c. 2800–2500 BCE. So far, it remains unclear whether these boom phases of monumental construction were linked with phases of economic expansion, to phases of economic changes or to periods of economic crisis: do they precede and stimulate periods of economic growth? Or are they a social practice that results from social changes within the societies? To approach these research questions, we will use mainly information on the intensity of monumental construction phases, artefact depositions, environmental changes and changes in subsistence strategies as proxies for comparative studies. Our database comes from the southern Cimbrian Peninsula and adjacent areas. Being one of the most intensively archaeologically researched regions of Neolithic Europe, this region provides robust data sets. As a result, the study demonstrates that during the Funnel Beaker period, economy and ritual were closely interlinked, while disconnected in the Single Grave period.
Effects of marked hypertriglyceridemia and lipid clearance techniques on canine biochemistry testing
Authors: Azevedo Carolina N. , Lidbury Jonathan A. , Jeffery Unity
Published: June 2019

Triglyceride concentrations in dogs with hyperlipidemic disorders can exceed concentrations used by assay manufacturers for interference testing. High-speed centrifugation or the polar solvent LipoClear reduce triglyceride concentrations, but efficacy requires evaluation in veterinary species. We determined the effect of marked hypertriglyceridemia on canine biochemistry testing; assessed the ability of high-speed centrifugation or LipoClear to correct lipemic interferences; and determined if LipoClear introduces inaccuracy into biochemistry assays. Fifteen pooled canine serum samples were aliquoted and spiked with equal volumes of water or Intralipid [triglyceride concentration 33.9 mmol/L (3,000 mg/dL)]. Intralipid aliquots underwent lipid removal by high-speed centrifugation or LipoClear treatment, and a water-spiked aliquot underwent LipoClear treatment. Biochemistry panels were performed using a Vitros 4600 chemistry analyzer. Results were compared by paired t-test or Wilcoxon test. Total observed errors were considered clinically acceptable if below veterinary allowable total error (TEa) guidelines. Statistically significant ( p ≤ 0.05) interferences were introduced by Intralipid for 15 of 15 analytes. Median observed error exceeded TEa for potassium and enzymatic carbon dioxide, neither of which were identified by the manufacturer as susceptible to lipemic interference. After centrifugation, median observed error exceeded TEa for potassium and chloride. LipoClear treatment resulted in median errors that exceeded TEa for total protein, chloride, and phosphorus. Given that severe lipemia can occur in dogs with primary or secondary hyperlipidemia, veterinary laboratories should perform their own interference testing at triglyceride concentrations relevant to their patient population and provide this information to clinicians to ensure optimal case management.
Real-world comparison of immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy
Authors: Weis Taylor M , Hough Shannon , Reddy Haritha G , Daignault-Newton Stephanie , Kalemkerian Gregory P
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment modality for advanced non-small cell lung cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy. Nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab demonstrated superior outcomes and improved tolerability compared to standard treatment in randomized controlled trials; however, these studies vary significantly in inclusion criteria and study design. To our knowledge, the efficacy and safety of nivolumab and atezolizumab following platinum-based chemotherapy have not been directly compared to one another in a real-world clinic setting.

Methods

We retrospectively compared immunotherapy response rates and toxicity in patients with stage IV or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer following progression during or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

Results

Among 124 eligible patients, the objective response rate was 14.8% in the nivolumab group (n = 81) vs. 13.9% in the atezolizumab group (n = 43) (p = 0.897). Median overall survival was 8.4 months with nivolumab (95% confidence interval (CI), 6.3 to 11.2) vs. 6.5 months with atezolizumab (95% CI, 4.7 to not reached). Median progression free survival was 2.2 months (95% CI, 1.7 to 2.8) and 2.0 months (95% CI, 1.8 to 2.7) in the nivolumab and atezolizumab groups, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 70.4% of patients in the nivolumab group and 65.1% in the atezolizumab group.

Conclusions

There was no statistically significant difference in efficacy outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who received atezolizumab or nivolumab after progression during or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Response rates in this study were numerically lower than response rates observed in the landmark randomized controlled trials leading to approval of immunotherapy in this setting. Rates of treatment-related adverse events were similar between groups.
Protein Cytokines, Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms, and Potential Acute Coronary Syndrome Symptoms
Authors: Mirzaei Sahereh , Burke Larisa , Rosenfeld Anne G. , Dunn Susan , Dungan Jennifer R. , Maki Katherine , DeVon Holli A.
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine whether relationships exist among protein cytokines, cytokine gene polymorphisms, and symptoms of potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Participants included 438 patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) whose symptoms triggered a cardiac evaluation (206 ruled in and 232 ruled out for ACS). Presence or absence of 13 symptoms was recorded upon arrival. Levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-18 were measured for all patients. A pilot analysis of 85 patients (ACS = 49; non-ACS = 36) genotyped eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; four TNF and four IL6 SNPs). Logistic regression models were tested to determine whether cytokines or SNPs predicted symptoms. Increased levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were associated with a decreased likelihood of chest discomfort for all patients. Increased levels of IL-6 were associated with a lower likelihood of chest discomfort and chest pressure for ACS patients, and an increased likelihood of shoulder and upper back pain for non-ACS patients. Elevated IL-18 was associated with an increased likelihood of sweating in patients with ACS. Of the four TNF SNPs, three were associated with shortness of breath, lightheadedness, unusual fatigue, and arm pain. In all, protein cytokines and TNF polymorphisms were associated with 11 of 13 symptoms assessed. Future studies are needed to determine the predictive ability of cytokines and related SNPs for a diagnosis of ACS or to determine whether biomarkers can identify patients with specific symptom clusters.
Mammaglobin-A, VEGFR3, and Ki67 in Human Breast Cancer Pathology and Five Year Survival
Authors: Baker Elizabeth , Whiteoak Naomi , Hall Louise , France James , Wilson Deborah , Bhaskar Pudupalayam
Published: June 2019

Background/Methods:

This study determines the co-expression of mammaglobin-A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR3) and Ki67 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue samples from 80 patients undergoing breast surgery (cancer or benign disease). The tissue expression was compared with the tumour histopathology and Kaplan Meier 5-year survival analysis was performed.

Results:

Positive breast tissue expression was observed in 53% samples for mammaglobin, 41% Ki67 and 65% VEGFR3 with a significant positive correlation between Ki67 and VEGFR3 co-expression. Ki67 and VEGFR3 expression correlated with the breast tumour grade and Ki67 expression also correlated with oestrogen receptor (ER) status. At 5 years post-operatively, 6/80 patients had died and 3 patients were alive but had cancer recurrence. High Ki67 expression significantly correlated with poor survival (disease-free and overall).

Conclusions:

In this study, VEGFR3 and Ki67 expression but not mammaglobin-A correlated with breast tumour pathology. Positive Ki67 expression was also associated with a poor 5-year survival outcome.
Tribological studies of low and high viscous oils lubricated heavily loaded textured point contacts under the reciprocating motion
Authors: Chaudhary R , Pandey RK , Mazumdar SK
Published: June 2019

The tribo-performance behaviors of lubricated textured point contacts have been explored herein at relatively high contact loads (up to 3 GPa) under reciprocating motion (0.2 and 0.4 m/s) employing low (ν@40 ℃ = 100 cSt) and high (ν@40 ℃ = 422 cSt) viscous oils. In this experimental study, two contacts (flat conventional surface vs. polished ball and textured flat surface vs. polished ball surface) have been created for the investigations of friction, wear, and contact potential (ability for film formation). It is found that in the presence of texture at the concentrated contacts, the coefficient of friction and wear have reduced considerably with high viscous oil irrespective of operating parameters. However, low viscous oil has yielded an increase in the wear under identical operating parameters. The contact potential (an indirect indication of film formation during the running-in period) in the presence of texture develops rapidly as compared to the conventional surface with both oils. It has demonstrated a reduction in the running-in period in the presence of textures at the contacts. The optical microscope images of worn surfaces of balls and tracks have also been presented for the quantification of wear and understanding of the associated mechanisms.
Effect of angular misalignment on the dynamic characteristics of externally pressurized air journal bearing
Authors: Shi Jianghai , Cao Hongrui , Chen Xuefeng
Published: June 2019

This paper studies the effect of angular misalignment on the dynamic characteristics of externally pressurized air journal bearing with four degrees of freedom. The linear perturbation method is applied to the Reynolds equation to obtain the steady-state equation and perturbation equations, and then the finite difference method and an iterative method are used to solve the Reynolds equation. Various eccentricity ratios and rotating speeds are taken into considerations for the comparisons of dynamic stiffness coefficients and damping coefficients of the air journal bearing under different tilt angles. In addition, the influences of perturbation frequency ratio on the dynamic performances of the air journal bearing are also estimated.
Self-reported social impairments predict depressive disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Day Talena C , McNaughton Kathryn A , Naples Adam J , McPartland James C
Published: June 2019

In adults with autism spectrum disorder, co-occurring psychiatric conditions are prevalent, and depression is one of the most common co-occurring disorders. This study examined the relationship between depression and cognitive ability, autism symptom severity, and self-reported social impairments in autism spectrum disorder. A total of 33 adults with autism spectrum disorder and 28 adults with typical development completed a standardized psychiatric interview, cognitive test, measure of clinician-rated autism symptom severity, and self-report of social impairments. Nine participants with autism spectrum disorder (27%) met the criteria for a depressive disorder (autism spectrum disorder + depressive disorder). Relatively more females with autism spectrum disorder had a co-occurring depressive disorder. The typical development group had a higher intelligence quotient than the autism spectrum disorder group, but the autism spectrum disorder + depressive disorder group did not differ from the typical development or autism spectrum disorder group. While the autism spectrum disorder + depressive disorder group had lower clinician-rated autism symptom severity than the autism spectrum disorder group, the autism spectrum disorder + depressive disorder group reported more social impairments than the autism spectrum disorder group. Self-reported social impairments predicted depression in adults with autism spectrum disorder when accounting for symptom severity and cognitive ability. These findings suggest that more self-perceived social impairments are related to depressive disorders in autism spectrum disorder, and may help clinicians identify individuals who are vulnerable in developing a co-occurring depressive disorder. Future directions include follow-up studies with larger cohorts and longitudinal designs to support inferences regarding directionality of these relationships.