bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Transparent Coating to Enhance Self-Cleaning Capability and Strength in Conventional Paper
Authors: Ye Xiangdong , Hou Junwen , Yan Xuerui , Wu Xiaojun
Published: September 2019

Paper is one of the most widely used materials, due to its application in books, packaging, and office supplies. However, conventional paper has many disadvantages, such as low tensile strength, poor resistance to water and oil contamination, lack of antigraffiti capability, and easily deformed by moisture. Therefore, we proposed a double-layer protective coating that consists of a polyurethane (PU) bottom layer, to enhance tensile strength, and a top polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite layer to enable antigraffiti and contamination-resistant capabilities. In the study, a double-layer coating was applied to conventional paper, using a simple two-step spraying method. The results showed that the prepared coating structure exhibited outstanding self-cleaning characteristics with respect to both water and oil contamination and adequately demonstrated antigraffiti capability. Moreover, the coating maintained superhydrophobic and oil-stain resistance after four months of outdoor storage. Finally, the tensile strength of the coated paper was 6.3 times as high as that of the original paper, making this coating structure a promising solution to the problems that limit paper from being more widely utilized in commercial and consumer application.
Risk Factors and Diagnosis of Diabetic Foot Ulceration in Users of the Brazilian Public Health System
Authors: Cardoso Hígor Chagas , Zara Ana Laura de Sene Amâncio , Rosa Suélia de Siqueira Rodrigues Fleury , Rocha Gabriel Alves , Rocha João Victor Costa , Araújo Maria Clara Emos de , Quinzani Pedro de Freitas , Barbosa Yaman Paula , Mrué Fátima
Published: September 2019

Background. An individual with diabetes mellitus (DM) has an approximately 25% risk of developing ulcerations and/or destruction of the feet’s soft tissues. These wounds represent approximately 20% of all causes of hospitalizations due to DM. Objective. To identify the factors for the development of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) among individuals treated by the Brazilian public health system. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals with diabetes mellitus, aged above 18 years, of both sexes, and during July-October 2018 within a public healthcare unit in Brazil. All participants were assessed based on their socioeconomic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics, along with vascular and neurological evaluations. All participants were also classified according to the classification of risk of developing DFU, in accordance with the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF). Statistical analyses were conducted using the chi-squared test, chi-squared test for trend, and Fisher’s exact test, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Results. The study consisted of 85 individuals. The DFU condition was prevalent in 10.6% of the participants. Adopting the classification proposed by IWGDF, observed risks for stratification categories 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 28.2%, 29.4%, 23.5%, and 8.2%, respectively. A statistically significant (p<0.05) association was observed between the development of DFU and the following variables: time since the diagnosis of diabetes and the appearance of the nails, humidity, and deformations on the feet. Conclusion. The present study found an elevated predominance of DM patients in the Brazilian public health system (SUS) featuring cutaneous alterations that may lead to ulcers; these individuals had elevated risks of developing DFU. Furthermore, it was revealed that the feet of patients were not physically examined during treatment.
A Data-Driven Approach to Cyber Risk Assessment
Authors: Santini Paolo , Gottardi Giuseppe , Baldi Marco , Chiaraluce Franco
Published: September 2019

Cyber risk assessment requires defined and objective methodologies; otherwise, its results cannot be considered reliable. The lack of quantitative data can be dangerous: if the assessment is entirely qualitative, subjectivity will loom large in the process. Too much subjectivity in the risk assessment process can weaken the credibility of the assessment results and compromise risk management programs. On the other hand, obtaining a sufficiently large amount of quantitative data allowing reliable extrapolations and previsions is often hard or even unfeasible. In this paper, we propose and study a quantitative methodology to assess a potential annualized economic loss risk of a company. In particular, our approach only relies on aggregated empirical data, which can be obtained from several sources. We also describe how the method can be applied to real companies, in order to customize the initial data and obtain reliable and specific risk assessments.
DGR: Gender Recognition of Human Speech Using One-Dimensional Conventional Neural Network
Authors: Alkhawaldeh Rami S.
Published: September 2019

The speech entailed in human voice comprises essentially paralinguistic information used in many voice-recognition applications. Gender voice is considered one of the pivotal parts to be detected from a given voice, a task that involves certain complications. In order to distinguish gender from a voice signal, a set of techniques have been employed to determine relevant features to be utilized for building a model from a training set. This model is useful for determining the gender (i.e., male or female) from a voice signal. The contributions are three-fold including (i) providing analysis information about well-known voice signal features using a prominent dataset, (ii) studying various machine learning models of different theoretical families to classify the voice gender, and (iii) using three prominent feature selection algorithms to find promisingly optimal features for improving classification models. The experimental results show the importance of subfeatures over others, which are vital for enhancing the efficiency of classification models’ performance. Experimentation reveals that the best recall value is equal to 99.97%; the best recall value is 99.7% for two models of deep learning (DL) and support vector machine (SVM), and with feature selection, the best recall value is 100% for SVM techniques.
Eight-Year Follow-Up Using a Fresh Osteochondral Allograft for a Femoral Head Chondroblastoma in a 17-Year-Old Patient
Authors: Moreau Louis-Charles , Beauchamp-Chalifour Philippe , Belzile Etienne L. , Dion Norbert
Published: September 2019

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign tumor that affects the epiphysis of long bones in adolescents. Chondroblastoma located in the femoral head is associated with a higher recurrence rate and carries the additional risks of head collapse and degenerative hip disease. Aggressive curettage followed by bone grafting is the current mainstay of treatment. To our knowledge, the long-term postoperative outcome of this technique remains unknown due to the short follow-up of previous case reports. We present the case of a 17-year-old male who underwent fresh osteochondral allograft following curettage of a femoral head chondroblastoma, using a Ganz surgical hip dislocation. He made an uneventful recovery without tumor recurrence. The patient was followed up to 8 years postoperatively. However, there were clinical and radiographic degenerative changes at 6 years of follow-up.
Post-MGUS Diagnosis Serum Monoclonal-Protein Velocity and the Progression of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance to Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Chang Su-Hsin , Gumbel Jason , Luo Suhong , Thomas Theodore S. , Sanfilippo Kristen M. , Luo Jingqin , Colditz Graham A. , Carson Kenneth R.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Multiple myeloma is a common hematologic malignancy consistently preceded by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Little is known about postdiagnosis clinical predictors of progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma to guide MGUS management. This study aimed to investigate whether the rate of rise in serum monoclonal protein concentration during the year after MGUS diagnosis—M-protein velocity—predicts progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma.

Methods:

Data from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration system were used. A retrospective cohort of patients with MGUS who progressed to multiple myeloma were matched on age at MGUS diagnosis and race in a 1:4 ratio to the patients with MGUS using incidence density sampling. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted. Univariable and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were fitted from the matched risk sets.

Results:

A total of 128 cases and 490 matched controls were included. The case group contained a higher percentage of patients with M-protein velocity >0.1 g/dL/year than the control group (44.5% vs. 28.2%, P <0.0001). M-protein velocity of >0.1 g/dL during the year following MGUS diagnosis was positively associated with progression of MGUS to multiple myeloma (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio = 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.37–3.35).

Conclusions:

Patients with a positive M-protein velocity during the year after MGUS diagnosis may be considered for more frequent monitoring for early detection and timely treatment of multiple myeloma. Future prevention studies could target these patients for intervention evaluation.

Impact:

Our results suggest a new clinical predictor of progression to multiple myeloma following MGUS diagnosis, which has potential to identify high-risk patients for management and prevention.
CNDAC-Induced DNA Double-Strand Breaks Cause Aberrant Mitosis Prior to Cell Death
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Jiang Yingjun , Takata Kei-ichi , Nowak Billie , Liu Chaomei , Wood Richard D. , Hittelman Walter N. , Plunkett William
Published: September 2019

Incorporation of the clinically active deoxycytidine analogue 2′-C-cyano-2′-deoxy-1-β-D-arabino-pentofuranosyl-cytosine (CNDAC) into DNA generates single-strand breaks that are subsequently converted to double-strand breaks (DSB). Here, we investigated the cellular manifestations of these breaks that link these mechanisms to cell death, and we further tested the relevance of DNA repair pathways in protection of cells against CNDAC damage. The present investigations demonstrate that following exposure to CNDAC and a wash into drug-free medium, chromosomal aberrations, DNA strand breaks, and multinucleate cells arose. These portended loss of viability and were dependent upon exposure time, CNDAC concentration, and passage through mitosis. Following a pulse incubation with CNDAC, live cell imaging using GFP-tagged histone H2B as a marker demonstrated a normal rate of progression to mitosis, but a concentration-dependent delay in passage to a second mitosis. Progression through mitosis was also delayed and accompanied by formation of multinucleate cells. CNDAC-treated cells lacking XPF-ERCC1 nuclease function showed a 16-fold increase in chromosome aberrations. Chromosomal damage in Rad51D-mutant cells (homologous recombination repair deficient) were even more severely affected with extensive aberrations. Rodent or human Polq (POLQ) mutant cells, defective in Pol θ–mediated alternative end joining, did not show enhanced cellular sensitivity to CNDAC. These findings are consistent with formation of DSBs in the second S-phase following exposure, resulting in chromosome aberrations, aberrant mitoses, and subsequent apoptosis.
Outcomes after Application of Active Bone Conducting Implants
Authors: Koro Eleonor , Werner Mimmi
Published: September 2019

Background: A bone conducting implant is a treatment option for individuals with conductive or mixed hearing loss (CHL, MHL) who do not tolerate regular hearing aids, and for individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD). An active bone conducting implant (ABCI) was introduced in 2012 with indication in CHL, MHL, and SSD, and it is still the only ABCI available. With complete implantation of the active transducer and consequent intact skin, a decrease in infections, skin overgrowth, and implant losses, all common disadvantages with earlier passive bone conducting implants, could be expected. Our Ear, Nose and Throat Department, a secondary care center for otosurgery that covers a population of approximately 365,000 inhabitants, was approved to implant ABCIs in 2012. Objectives: Our aim was to conduct an evaluation of audiological and subjective outcomes after ABCIs. Method: A cohort study with retrospective and prospective data collection was performed.The first 20 consecutive patients operated with an ABCI were asked for informed consent. The main outcome measures werepure tone and speech audiometry and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Results: Seventeen patients accepted to participate and 15 were able to complete all parts. Six patients had CHL or MHL. In this group the pure tone audiometry tests are comparable with an average functional hearing gain of 29.8 dB HL. With bilateral hearing, the mean Word Recognition Score (WRS) in noise was 35.7% unaided and 62.7% aided. Ten patients had the indication SSD. With the hearing ear blocked, the pure tone average was >101 dB HL, compared to 29.3 dB HL in sound field aided. With bilateral hearing, the mean WRS in noise was 59.7% unaided and 72.8% aided. The mean of the total GBI score was 42.1 in the group with CHL or MHL and 20.6 in the group with SSD. Conclusions: The patients benefit from their implants in terms of quality of life, and there is a substantial hearing gain from the implant for patients with conductive or MHL. Patients with SSD benefit less from the implant than other diagnoses but the positive outcomes are comparable to other options for this group.
Análise da Eficiência dos Departamentos de Economia de Instituições de Ensino Superior do Brasil
Authors: Almeida Alessio Tony Cavalcanti de , Ramalho Hilton Martins de Brito , Sobral Eryka Fernanda Miranda , Silva Andrea Ferreira da
Published: September 2019

Este artigo examina a eficiência técnica dos cursos de Economia no Brasil, considerando o papel das condições do mercado de trabalho sobre a produtividade relativa dos Departamentos. O método DEA com Fronteira Sequencial e replicações bootstrap foi usado para estimar os escores de eficiência técnica. Tais estimativas foram condicionadas a indicadores de atratividade do mercado de trabalho para o economista em um modelo de efeito fixo. Os resultados mostram que o nível de eficiência teve uma redução de 19,8% no período. Ademais, constatou-se uma associação positiva entre valorização da profissão nas regiões dos cursos e escores de eficiência.
Terminais de Contêineres no Brasil: Eficiência Intertemporal
Authors: Kirchner Leopoldo , Lucas Vander
Published: September 2019

A evolução recente do setor portuário brasileiro tem levado a impactos significativos sobre a concorrência e sobre a expectativa de maiores ganhos de eficiência. Considerando o valor médio das eficiências nos três anos de análise, na fronteira de eficiência permaneceram dois terminais de grande porte (TECON Santos Brasil e LIBRA Terminais – Santos) e um terminal de menor porte (TUP Chibatão). A análise intertemporal através do índice de Malmquist mostra que o índice de mudança de tecnologia do Tecon Santos Brasil caiu. Isso significa que os inputs estão sendo utilizados de uma maneira menos eficiente que no período anterior.
Impactos de choques tecnológicos sobre o uso da terra no Brasil – uma análise por meio de modelos RBC
Authors: Bragagnolo Cassiano , Spolador Humberto Francisco Silva
Published: September 2019

Este artigoanalisa como choques tecnológicos e políticas restritivas afetam o uso da terra destinada à atividade agrícola no Brasil. No modelo RBC empregado, além dos tradicionais fatores de produção capital e trabalho, incluiu-se a terra como um insumo adicional. A utilização deste fator é restrita pela disponibilidade de novas áreas agricultáveis. Os resultados obtidos explicam a dinâmica dos fatores de produção, em resposta a um choque tecnológico sob diferentes cenários de restrição de terra, e reforçam a necessidade de investimentos em tecnologia para compensar limitações à expansão do uso da terra para a produção agrícola.
Cultura nordestina no contexto urbano do sudeste
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas
Published: September 2019

Fruto de uma construção social e intelectual recente, a chamada “cultura nordestina”, quando colocada sob o ângulo de sua presença no Sudeste, pode ser considerada como pontos de convergência e apoio entre indivíduos e experiências sociais em busca de enraizamento e adaptação em contextos urbanos disruptivos. Ao mesmo tempo, ela pode ser vista como constituída por terrenos de disputas, enquanto conjuntos de símbolos, alvo tanto de preconceitos sociais como de apropriações criativas e reinvenções. No evento que resulta neste livro, propusemos uma reflexão sobre esse amálgama, procurando compreender o modo como a “cultura nordestina”, em seu espectro diverso e múltiplo, teria se afirmado, transformado e reinventado a partir da segunda metade do século XX, a fim de mapear seus caminhos enquanto território de resistência, memória, diálogo e criação.
Blood Flow Suppresses Vascular Anomalies in a Zebrafish Model of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations
Authors: Rödel Claudia Jasmin , Otten Cécile , Donat Stefan , Lourenço Marta , Fischer Dorothea , Kuropka Benno , Paolini Alessio , Freund Christian , Abdelilah-Seyfried Salim
Published: September 2019

Rationale:

Pathological biomechanical signaling induces vascular anomalies including cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), which are caused by a clonal loss of CCM1/KRIT1 (Krev interaction trapped protein 1), CCM2/MGC4607, or CCM3/PDCD10. Why patients typically experience lesions only in lowly perfused venous capillaries of the cerebrovasculature is completely unknown.

Objective:

In contrast, animal models with a complete loss of CCM proteins lack a functional heart and blood flow and exhibit vascular anomalies within major blood vessels as well. This finding raises the possibility that hemodynamics may play a role in the context of this vascular pathology.

Methods and Results:

Here, we used a genetic approach to restore cardiac function and blood flow in a zebrafish model of CCM1. We find that blood flow prevents cardiovascular anomalies including a hyperplastic expansion within a large Ccm1-deficient vascular bed, the lateral dorsal aorta.

Conclusions:

This study identifies blood flow as an important physiological factor that is protective in the cause of this devastating vascular pathology.
Phase I/II Study of Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of Intravenous Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Levy Michael L. , Crawford John R. , Dib Nabil , Verkh Lev , Tankovich Nikolai , Cramer Steven C.
Published: September 2019

Background and Purpose—

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability. Limited treatment options exist for patients with chronic stroke and substantial functional deficits. The current study examined safety and preliminary efficacy estimates of intravenous allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in this population.

Methods—

Entry criteria included ischemic stroke >6 months prior and substantial impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥6) and disability. Enrollees received a single intravenous dose of allogeneic ischemia-tolerant mesenchymal stem cells. Phase 1 used a dose-escalation design (3 tiers, n=5 each). Phase 2 was an expanded safety cohort. The primary end point was safety over 1-year. Secondary end points examined behavioral change.

Results—

In phase 1 (n=15), each dose (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 million cells/kg body weight) was found safe, so phase 2 subjects (n=21) received 1.5 million cells/kg. At baseline, subjects (n=36) averaged 4.2±4.6 years poststroke, age 61.1±10.8 years, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 8 (6.5–10), and Barthel Index 65±29. Two were lost to follow-up, one was withdrawn and 2 died (unrelated to study treatment). Of 15 serious adverse events, none was possibly or probably related to study treatment. Two mild adverse events were possibly related to study treatment, a urinary tract infection and intravenous site irritation. Treatment was safe based on serial exams, electrocardiograms, laboratory tests, and computed tomography scans of chest/abdomen/pelvis. All behavioral end points showed significant gains over the 12-months of follow-up. For example, Barthel Index scores increased by 6.8±11.4 points (mean±SD) at 6-months (
P
=0.002) and by 10.8±15.5 points at 12-months (
P
<0.001) post-infusion; the proportion of patients achieving excellent functional outcome (Barthel score ≥95) increased from 11.4% at baseline to 27.3% at 6-months and to 35.5% at 12-months.

Conclusions—

Intravenous transfusion of allogeneic ischemia-tolerant mesenchymal stem cell in patients with chronic stroke and substantial functional deficits was safe and suggested behavioral gains. These data support proceeding to a randomized, placebo-controlled study of this therapy in this population.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01297413.
Taxonomy and biology of Cordyceps qingchengensis sp. nov. and its allies

Authors: ZHA LING-SHENG , WEN TING-CHI , HUANG SHI-KE , BOONMEE SARANYAPHAT , EUNGWANICHAYAPANT PRAPASSORN D.
Published: September 2019

Cordyceps qingchengensis sp. nov., growing on a cocooned pupa of a silk moth (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) and collected from southwestern China, is described, illustrated and compared with allied taxa. The species is morphologically similar to C. bifusispora and C. tenuipes, but can be easily separated from the latter two by the unique host and by branched and thicker stroma. Phylogenetic analyses of single ITS and combined SSU, LSU and TEF1-α datasets indicate that it is closely related to C. bifusispora, C. cicadae (Miq.) Massee (Chanhua) and C. tenuipes, but C. qingchengensis has distinct nucleotide differences which support it as new. Taxonomy of C. tenuipes and C. pruinosa is reviewed and C. ninchukispora (≡ Phytocordyceps ninchukispora) is considered as a synonym of C. pruinosa. Ecology and life cycles of C. qingchengensis, C. tenuipes, C. pruinosa and C. ningxiaensis are recorded and inferred. We provide important biological information for C. qingchengensis and its allies.
Eriocaulon rayatianum, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India

Authors: CHANDORE A.N. , BORUDE D.B. , NATEKAR P.D. , MADHAV N.A. , YADAV S.R.
Published: September 2019

A new species, Eriocaulon rayatianum Chandore, Borude & S.R. Yadav, is described and illustrated from the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. The new species is allied with E. cuspidatum Dalzell, but differs in having obovate involucral bracts, obovate to oblanceolate floral bracts, sessile male flowers and sepals and petals densely hoary in male and female flowers.
THE TADPOLE OF ZACHAENUS CARVALHOI IZECKSOHN, 1983 (ANURA: CYCLORAMPHIDAE)
Authors: ALMEIDA-SILVA DIEGO , ROCHA-BARROS VIVIAN CÉLIA DE OLIVEIRA , FERREIRA RODRIGO BARBOSA , VERDADE VANESSA KRUTH
Published: September 2019

The genus Zachaenus Cope is the least specious within Cycloramphidae, including two species: Z. carvalhoi Izecksohn, and Z. parvulus (Girard). Both are leaf litter species distributed across Atlantic forest remnants in Southeastern Brazil. Zachaenus carvalhoi occurs westerly in the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, and Z. parvulus easterly in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo (Verdade et al. 2009; Motta et al. 2010; Salles & Maciel 2010; Oliveira et al. 2012; Guedes et al. 2019; Frost 2019). Both species build terrestrial nests, and larval development is endotrophic nidicolous (reproductive mode 21 after Haddad & Prado 2005; Lutz 1944; Thibaudeau & Altig 1999; Zocca et al. 2014). In this work, we describe the tadpoles of Z. carvalhoi, and discuss morphological aspects regarding other endotrophic tadpoles.
Deanophlebia: A new genus of south-eastern Australian mayflies and subsequent redefinition of the subgenus Nousia (Australonousia) (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae)
Authors: FINLAY K. J.
Published: September 2019

A new genus of Leptophlebiidae has been established to accommodate two morphospecies, previously known only from nymphs and assigned to the Australian genus Nousia (subgenus Australonousia).  The genus Deanophlebia is established for the species: Deanophlebia kala (Harker) (comb nov.) and Deanophlebia radsjoshi (sp. nov.), both of which were first found in the alpine regions of New South Wales but with a range which extends into East Gippsland in Victoria. The genus can be distinguished from Nousia by the consistently larger size of both the imagos and nymphs. Furthermore, fore and hind wing venation and genitalia morphology are characteristic in the imago as is mouthpart morphology in the nymph. Differences between Deanophlebia and Nousia are defined and discussed and differences between the subgenera of Nousia are re-defined.
The discovery and description of a new species of Bent-toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Langkawi Archipelago, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: QUAH EVAN S. H. , GRISMER L. LEE , WOOD PERRY L. JR , MOHD SAH SHAHRUL ANUAR
Published: September 2019

A new species of limestone karst-adapted gecko of the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus complex, C. dayangbuntingensis sp. nov., is described from Dayang Bunting Island of the Langkawi Archipelago off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is the third species of the group to be described from the archipelago after C. langkawiensis and C. macrotuberculatus. The new species can be distinguished from all other species of Cyrtodactylus based on molecular evidence from the mitochondrial gene ND2 and its flanking tRNAs as well as having unique combinations of morphological and color pattern characteristics. This discovery underscores the need for continued surveys of the many islands in the archipelago to properly ascertain its true herpetological diversity.
First catalogue of the Asopinae (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) from French Guiana
Authors: LUPOLI ROLAND
Published: September 2019

Nine identified species of Asopinae belonging to seven genera were previously reported from French Guiana. Twelve more species are reported here for the first time. Thus, a total of 21 species in nine genera of Asopinae are now known and reported from French Guiana, which represents about 20 % of all the Asopinae species recorded in South America, and though French Guiana only accounting for half a percent of its surface area. Examined species are photographed; localities, some new hosts and ecological aspects are mentioned. The genera Tylospilus and Tyrannocoris are recorded here for the first time in French Guiana and Tyrannocoris jole for the first time in South America.
Description of a new species of the leafhopper genus Ulopsina (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Ulopinae) from China with a key to species
Authors: WANG DONGMING , ZHANG YALIN
Published: September 2019

The leafhopper genus Ulopsina (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Ulopinae) is studied and a new species, Ulopsina bimaculata, from China is described and illustrated. A species checklist and a key to all known species of Ulopsina from China are provided.
Observing Possible Thermodynamic Controls on Tropical Marine Rainfall in Moist Environments
Authors: Powell Scott W.
Published: September 2019

Radar and rawinsonde data from four ground-based observing stations in the tropical Indo-Pacific warm pool were used to identify possible associations of environmental state variables and their vertical profiles with radar-derived rain rate inside a mesoscale radar domain when the column-integrated relative humidity (CRH) exceeds 80%. At CRH exceeding 80%, a wide range—from near 0 to ~50 mm day−1—in rain rate is observed; therefore, tropospheric moisture was a necessary but insufficient condition for deep convection. This study seeks to identify possible factors that inhibit rainfall when the atmosphere is sufficiently moist to support large precipitation rates. The domain-mean rain rate was highly sensitive to the areal coverage of intense, convective rainfall that occurs. There were two fundamentally different instances in which convective area was low. One was when the radar domain is primarily occupied by weakly precipitating, stratiform echoes. The other was when the radar domain contained almost no precipitating echoes of any type. While the former was dependent upon the stage of the convective life cycle seen by radar, the latter was probably dependent upon the convective environment. Areal coverage of convective echoes was largely determined by the number of individual convective echoes rather than their sizes, so changes in the clear-air environment of updrafts might have governed how many updrafts grew into deep cumulonimbi. The most likely environmental influence on convective rainfall identified using rawinsonde data was 900–700-hPa lapse rate; however, processes occurring on spatial scales smaller than a radar domain were probably also important but not investigated.
Drylines in Southern Africa: Rediscovering the Congo Air Boundary
Authors: Howard Emma , Washington Richard
Published: September 2019

Projected rainfall decline in southern Africa is likely to be highly sensitive to subtleties in the local atmospheric circulation. In an effort to understand the regional circulation complexities, a novel algorithm is developed to identify the Congo air boundary (CAB) in ERA-5, a high-resolution reanalysis dataset. The CAB, a forgotten feature of the circulation, is defined in the austral spring and early summer, using surface humidity gradients and near-surface wind convergence lines, and it is found to be an indicator of the location of the southern edge of the African rain belt. A related convergence-line and dryline feature, described in this paper as the Kalahari discontinuity (KD), is also identified. It is established that either a dryline CAB or KD is present in southern Africa for over 95% of days between August and December, with arc lengths typically exceeding 10°. The seasonal and diurnal cycles of the CAB and the KD are presented, and their prevalence in station observational data is confirmed. The interannual variability of the CAB latitude and detection frequency is found to explain at least 55% of interannual spring rainfall variability in southern Africa between 15° to 25°S. Links are established with the Angola and Kalahari heat lows and tropical temperate trough events.
Progress toward Characterization of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer over Northern Alabama Using Observations by a Vertically Pointing, S-Band Profiling Radar during VORTEX-Southeast
Authors: Tanamachi Robin L. , Frasier Stephen J. , Waldinger Joseph , LaFleur Allison , Turner David D. , Rocadenbosch Francesc
Published: September 2019

During spring 2016 and spring 2017, a vertically pointing, S-band Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave radar (UMass FMCW) was deployed in northern Alabama under the auspices of the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX)-Southeast. In total, ~14 weeks of data were collected, in conditions ranging from quiescent clear skies to severe thunderstorms. The principal objective of these deployments was to characterize the boundary layer evolution near the VORTEX-Southeast domain. In this paper, we describe intermediate results in service of this objective. Specifically, we describe updates to the UMass FMCW system, document its deployments for VORTEX-Southeast, and apply four automated algorithms: 1) a dealiasing algorithm to the Doppler velocities, 2) a fuzzy logic scatterer classification scheme to separate precipitation from nonprecipitation observations, 3) a brightband/melting-layer identification algorithm for stratiform precipitation, and 4) an extended Kalman filter–based convective boundary layer depth (mixing height) measurement algorithm for nonprecipitation observations. Results from the latter two applications are qualitatively verified against retrieved soundings from a collocated thermodynamic profiling system.
Assimilation of All-Sky SEVIRI Infrared Brightness Temperatures in a Regional-Scale Ensemble Data Assimilation System
Authors: Otkin Jason A. , Potthast Roland
Published: September 2019

Ensemble data assimilation experiments were performed to assess the ability of satellite all-sky infrared brightness temperatures and different bias correction (BC) predictors to improve the accuracy of short-range forecasts used as the model background during each assimilation cycle. Satellite observations sensitive to clouds and water vapor in the upper troposphere were assimilated at hourly intervals during a 3-day period. Linear and nonlinear conditional biases were removed from the infrared observations using a Taylor series polynomial expansion of the observation-minus-background departures and BC predictors sensitive to clouds and water vapor or to variations in the satellite zenith angle. Assimilating the all-sky infrared brightness temperatures without BC degraded the forecast accuracy based on comparisons to radiosonde observations. Removal of the linear and nonlinear conditional biases from the satellite observations substantially improved the results, with predictors sensitive to the location of the cloud top having the largest impact, especially when higher-order nonlinear BC terms were used. Overall, experiments employing the observed cloud-top height or observed brightness temperature as the bias predictor had the smallest water vapor, cloud, and wind speed errors, while also having less degradation to temperatures than occurred when using other predictors. The forecast errors were smaller during these experiments because the cloud-height-sensitive BC predictors were able to more effectively remove the large conditional biases for lower brightness temperatures associated with a deficiency in upper-level clouds in the model background.
Object-Based Verification of Short-Term, Storm-Scale Probabilistic Mesocyclone Guidance from an Experimental Warn-on-Forecast System
Authors: Flora Montgomery L. , Skinner Patrick S. , Potvin Corey K. , Reinhart Anthony E. , Jones Thomas A. , Yussouf Nusrat , Knopfmeier Kent H.
Published: September 2019

An object-based verification method for short-term, storm-scale probabilistic forecasts was developed and applied to mesocyclone guidance produced by the experimental Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS) in 63 cases from 2017 to 2018. The probabilistic mesocyclone guidance was generated by calculating gridscale ensemble probabilities from WoFS forecasts of updraft helicity (UH) in layers 2–5 km (midlevel) and 0–2 km (low-level) above ground level (AGL) aggregated over 60-min periods. The resulting ensemble probability swaths are associated with individual thunderstorms and treated as objects with a single, representative probability value prescribed. A mesocyclone probability object, conceptually, is a region bounded by the ensemble forecast envelope of a mesocyclone track for a given thunderstorm over 1 h. The mesocyclone probability objects were matched against rotation track objects in Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor data using the total interest score, but with the maximum displacement varied between 0, 9, 15, and 30 km. Forecast accuracy and reliability were assessed at four different forecast lead time periods: 0–60, 30–90, 60–120, and 90–150 min. In the 0–60-min forecast period, the low-level UH probabilistic forecasts had a POD, FAR, and CSI of 0.46, 0.45, and 0.31, respectively, with a probability threshold of 22.2% (the threshold of maximum CSI). In the 90–150-min forecast period, the POD and CSI dropped to 0.39 and 0.27 while FAR remained relatively unchanged. Forecast probabilities > 60% overpredicted the likelihood of observed mesocyclones in the 0–60-min period; however, reliability improved when allowing larger maximum displacements for object matching and at longer lead times.
Smad7 Regulates Dental Epithelial Proliferation during Tooth Development
Authors: Liu Z. , Chen T. , Bai D. , Tian W. , Chen Y.
Published: September 2019

Tooth morphogenesis involves dynamic changes in shape and size as it proceeds through the bud, cap, and bell stages. This process requires exact regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Smad7, a general antagonist against transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) signaling, is necessary for maintaining homeostasis and proper functionality in many organs. While TGF-β signaling is widely involved in tooth morphogenesis, the precise role of Smad7 in tooth development remains unknown. In this study, we showed that Smad7 is expressed in the developing mouse molars with a high level in the dental epithelium but a moderate to weak level in the dental mesenchyme. Smad7 deficiency led to a profound decrease in tooth size primarily due to a severely compromised cell proliferation capability in the dental epithelium. Consistent with the tooth shrinkage phenotype, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis revealed that Smad7 ablation downregulated genes referred to epithelial cell proliferation and cell cycle G1/S phase transition, whereas the upregulated genes were involved in responding to TGF-β signaling and cell cycle arrest. Among these genes, the expression of Cdkn1a (encoding p21), a negative cell proliferation regulator, was remarkably elevated in parallel with the diminution of Ccnd1 encoding the crucial cell cycle regulator cyclin D1 in the dental epithelium. Meanwhile, the expression level of p-Smad2/3 was ectopically elevated in the developing tooth germ of Smad7 null mice, indicating the hyperactivation of the canonical TGF-β signaling. These effects were reversed by addition of TGF-β signaling inhibitor in cell cultures of Smad7−/− molar tooth germs, with rescued expression of cyclin D1 and cell proliferation rate. In sum, our studies demonstrate that Smad7 functions primarily as a positive regulator of cell proliferation via inhibition of the canonical TGF-β signaling during dental epithelium development and highlight a crucial role for Smad7 in regulating tooth size.
Evolution of the Criteria of “Brain Death”: A Critical Analysis Based on Scientific Realism and Christian Anthropology
Authors: Nguyen Doyen
Published: September 2019

“Brain death” (understood in the sense of “whole brain death” and not in the sense of “brainstem death”) was introduced into clinical practice in 1968 when the Harvard Ad Hoc Committee defined irreversible coma as a new criterion for death (understood in the full sense of the word). According to the Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA), promulgated in 1981 by the President’s Commission (which also formally advanced the first conceptual rationale for brain death), the legal declaration of death using the brain death standard requires the irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem. The brain death standard has since evolved, however, to include significant modifications even though, on a literal reading, its clinical test criteria have remained unchanged. This article gives an account of why and how the brain death standard has been updated, leading to the currently practiced guidelines for the determination of brain death put forth by the American Academy of Neurology. According to the updated standard, the presence of certain brain or spinal cord functions does not invalidate the diagnosis of brain death. By analyzing these guidelines critically on the basis of scientific realism and Thomistic hylomorphism, this article demonstrates that the updated brain death standard contradicts both the UDDA and the tenets of sound anthropology held by the Catholic Church.

This article examines the evolution of the “brain death” standard from the time of its introduction by the Harvard Committee until the current guidelines established by the American Academy of Neurology. This evolution consists mainly of a selective discarding of certain brain and spinal cord functions that are deemed insignificant. Based on the principles of scientific realism and a Thomistic substance view of human nature, this article shows that the evolved standard contradicts both the Uniform Determination of Death Act definition of brain death and the fundamental tenets of Christian anthropology as taught by the Catholic Church.
Brain Death and the Formation of Moral Conscience
Authors: Ostertag Christopher , Karches Kyle
Published: September 2019

In this article, we provide an update to Catholic ethicists and clinicians about the current status of Catholic teaching and practice regarding brain death. We aim to challenge the notion that the question has been definitively settled, despite the widespread application of this concept in medical practice including at Catholic facilities. We first summarize some of the notable arguments for and against brain death in Catholic thought as well as the available magisterial teachings on this topic. Although Catholic bishops, theologians, and ethicists have generally signaled at least tentative approval of the neurological criteria for the determination of death, we contend that no definitive magisterial teaching on brain death currently exists; therefore, Catholics are not currently bound to uphold any position on these criteria. In the second part of the article, we describe how Catholics, particularly Catholic medical practitioners, must presently inform their consciences on this issue while awaiting a more definitive magisterial resolution.

Some prominent Catholic theologians and physicians have argued against the validity of brain death; however, most Catholic ethicists and physicians accept the validity of brain death as true human death. In this paper, we argue that there is no definitive magisterial teaching on brain death, meaning that Catholics are not bound to uphold any position on brain death. Catholics in general, but especially Catholic medical practitioners, should inform their consciences on this intra-Catholic debate on brain death while awaiting more definitive magisterial teaching.
The attraction of urban cores: Densification in Dutch city centres
Authors: Broitman Dani , Koomen Eric
Published: September 2019

Urban growth is typically considered a process of expansion. As population grows and transport costs decrease urban density gradients are expected to gradually flatten. This is a basic feature of cities, explained by urban economic models and empirically supported by a plethora of studies about urban density development from all over the world. However, additional forces, such as changes in demographic composition and locational preferences of the urban population acting at local levels, may counteract the flattening tendency of urban gradients. In this paper, we suggest a methodology to test the impact of local density changes on urban gradients, looking at spatio-temporal developments in terms of housing and population. Using highly detailed data on individual housing units and inhabitants in major Dutch cities, we first assess and compare urban density gradients during the period 2000–2017. In all the analysed Dutch cities, both dwelling and population density gradients are becoming steeper over time, contradicting standard predictions from urban economic literature and empirical reports worldwide. The observed trend of steepening urban gradients is partly explained by the presence of historical monuments and urban amenities.
Studying for Introductory Psychology: Differences Across Technical College, 2-, and 4-Year Institutions
Authors: McCann Lee I. , Ebert Alexandria R. , Oechsner Markus , Immel Kathy R. , Kadah-Ammeter Tammy L.
Published: September 2019

Three hundred thirty-three Introductory Psychology (IP) students from a 4-year university, 2-year community college, and a technical college provided survey data. Student self-reports significantly differed across schools on hours studied during exam weeks, textbook helpfulness, importance of lecture and class activities, quality and importance of course notes, and credit load. University students reported higher means on all of these, followed by 2-year and then technical college students. Students significantly differed on hours worked per week and current course grade, with technical college students having the highest means, followed by 2-year and then university students. There were a number of significant intercorrelations among the variables, some differing by institutional type. These institutional differences suggest that IP instructors may wish to consider these differences as they prepare to teach this course.
An Evaluation of Production Versus Error-Recognition Techniques for Teaching APA-Style Citations and References
Authors: Boysen Guy A.
Published: September 2019

American Psychological Association (APA)-style writing is an essential part of the undergraduate psychology curriculum. However, little is known about the effectiveness of specific techniques for instructing students on how to format APA-style citations and references. The current research compared the effectiveness of having students ( N = 76) produce versus recognize errors in APA-style citations and references. Production of materials led to significantly better performance on both an immediate quiz and a later test. Student evaluations ( N = 43) of the activities showed that they elicited similar enjoyment and effort, but most students preferred the error-recognition activity despite indicating that the production activity would lead to more learning. These results indicate that initial instruction of APA style should emphasize the production of correctly formatted APA-style materials.
Increasing Undergraduate Psychology Major’s Workforce Readiness Through Courses in Applied Behavior Analysis
Authors: Metzger Barbara , Gayman Catherine M.
Published: September 2019

The American Psychological Association’s 2013 guidelines recommend that psychology undergraduate programs make workforce preparation a central feature in undergraduate psychology programs. The addition of courses in applied behavior analysis (ABA) is one method to provide students with the skills and credentials necessary to enter a psychology-related career immediately after graduation. The number of university programs offering coursework in ABA is increasing in tandem with the explosive growth in job opportunities for behavior analysts at both the master’s and bachelor’s level. We describe Troy University’s course sequence in ABA and present some possible challenges for adding coursework in ABA. It is our hope that this article will engender lively intradepartmental discussion about adding courses in ABA to a psychology undergraduate curriculum.
Model-free robust finite-time force tracking control for piezoelectric actuators using time-delay estimation with adaptive fuzzy compensator
Authors: Kang Shengzheng , Wu Hongtao , Yang Xiaolong , Li Yao , Wang Yaoyao
Published: September 2019

A robust and practical force control system is crucial to the sensitive piezo-driven micromanipulation applications. This paper presents a new model-free robust finite-time force tracking controller for piezoelectric actuators (PEAs). The proposed controller composes of three intuitive terms: (1) a time-delay estimation (TDE) term that eliminates the requirement of detailed information about the PEA system, realizing model-free control; (2) a fast integral terminal sliding mode-based desired error dynamics injection term that ensures fast convergence and high tracking precision; (3) a correcting term based on adaptive fuzzy logic system that compensates for TDE errors caused by discontinuous nonlinearities and improves the robustness of the system. Force differential signal used in the controller is estimated online by a force state estimator. Stability of the closed-loop system and finite-time convergence are analyzed in theory. Comparative experiments are carried out on a PEA system with two superposed PEAs. Results show that the proposed control strategy has faster convergence, higher tracking accuracy and stronger robustness compared with the traditional TDE-based force controllers.