bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytical Modeling and Optimization of Logarithmic Sprag Clutch Considering Profile Modification
Authors: Huang Chuang , Zhao Yongqiang , Liu Ming
Published: November 2018

A new analytical model of a logarithmic sprag clutch considering profile modification is proposed to reflect the effect of profile parameters on the dynamic contact pressure distribution during the engagement, especially the edge stress of a sprag roller. In the model, a nonlinear iteration method of normal force including the logarithmic profile model with three parameters and structural deformations of races is given. The alternate friction model considering stationary and rate‐dependency friction is formulated and applied in the contacts between the sprag rollers and races. Then, the kriging model describing the relationship between the maximum contact stress throughout the engagement and the profile parameters is established and validated, and the kriging‐based optimization of the design parameters is proposed using genetic algorithms. In subsequent analysis, based on the presented analytical model and optimization process, the maximum contact stress throughout the engagement can decrease greatly through optimizing the profile parameters. Therefore, the results of the present paper could aid in the design of the logarithmic sprag clutch and help avoid end crush failure and low cycle fatigue of the sprag roller.
Lingual Abscess: Predisposing Factors, Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management
Authors: Srivanitchapoom Chonticha , Yata Kedsaraporn
Published: November 2018

Lingual abscess is a rare disorder, and current knowledge regarding clinical manifestations and treatment modalities has not been well established. This study presented 6 cases of lingual abscess patients between January 2012 and December 2017. There were three men and three women. Median age was 54 years. Odynophagia and local pain were the common presenting symptoms. Local trauma was the main predisposing factor of anterior abscess, while lingual tonsillitis or infected thyroglossal cyst was the predisposing factor of posterior abscess. An impending airway obstruction was identified in two patients, requiring tracheostomy. All patients achieved an excellent outcome with a combination of surgical drainage and proper antibiotics as well as using proper investigation for detecting unusual areas of lingual abscess. According to the data from the study’s results and review of the relevant literature, an abscess located at the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is easy to diagnose while the posterior one-third of the tongue abscess is relative difficulty. Using contrast-enhanced computed tomography increases diagnostic accuracy, especially on the tongue base and deep space infection. The management strategies include (1) protecting the airway, (2) draining the abscess by needle aspiration or surgery, and (3) administering antibiotics early. Our series showed a superiority of surgical drainage when the patients present with marked tissue edema, deep loculated infection, and airway obstruction.
Sensitivity of Multiphase Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labelling (MP pCASL) Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Measuring Brain and Tumour Blood Flow in Mice
Authors: Buck Jessica , Larkin James R. , Simard Manon A. , Khrapitchev Alexandre A. , Chappell Michael A. , Sibson Nicola R.
Published: November 2018

Brain and tumour blood flow can be measured noninvasively using arterial spin labelling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but reliable quantification in mouse models remains difficult. Pseudocontinuous ASL (pCASL) is recommended as the clinical standard for ASL and can be improved using multiphase labelling (MP pCASL). The aim of this study was to optimise and validate MP pCASL MRI for cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement in mice and to assess its sensitivity to tumour perfusion. Following optimization of the MP pCASL sequence, CBF data were compared with gold-standard autoradiography, showing close agreement. Subsequently, MP pCASL data were acquired at weekly intervals in models of primary and secondary brain tumours, and tumour microvessel density was determined histologically. MP pCASL measurements in a secondary brain tumour model revealed a significant reduction in blood flow at day 35 after induction, despite a higher density of blood vessels. Tumour core regions also showed reduced blood flow compared with the tumour rim. Similarly, significant reductions in CBF were found in a model of glioma 28 days after tumour induction, together with an increased density of blood vessels. These findings indicate that MP pCASL MRI provides accurate and robust measurements of cerebral blood flow in naïve mice and is sensitive to changes in tumour perfusion.
Electroacupuncture Mitigates Skeletal Muscular Lipid Metabolism Disorder Related to High‐Fat‐Diet Induced Insulin Resistance through the AMPK/ACC Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Zhixing , Lan Danchun , Zhang Haihua , Zhang Hongtao , Chen Xiaozhuan , Sun Jian
Published: November 2018

The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on insulin sensitivity in high‐fat diet (HFD) induced insulin resistance (IR) rats and to evaluate expression of AMPK/ACC signaling components. Thirty‐two male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomized into control group, HFD group, HFD+Pi (oral gavage of pioglitazone) group, and HFD+EA group. Acupuncture was subcutaneously applied to Zusanli (ST40) and Sanyinjiao (SP6). For Zusanli (ST40) and Sanyinjiao (SP6), needles were connected to an electroacupuncture (EA) apparatus. Fasting plasma glucose was measured by glucose oxidase method. Plasma fasting insulin (FINS) and adiponectin (ADP) were determined by ELISA. Triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC) were determined by Gpo‐pap. Proteins of adiponectin receptor 1 (adipoR1), AMP‐activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) were determined by Western blot, respectively. Compared with the control group, HFD group exhibits increased levels of FPG, FINS, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and decreased level of ADP and insulin sensitivity index (ISI). These changes were reversed by both EA and pioglitazone. Proteins of adipoR1 and AMPK were decreased, while ACC were increased in HFD group compared to control group. Proteins of these molecules were restored back to normal levels upon EA and pioglitazone. EA can improve the insulin sensitivity of insulin resistance rats; the positive regulation of the AMPK/ACC pathway in the skeletal muscle may be a possible mechanism of EA in the treatment of IR.
Obesity-associated Breast Inflammation among Hispanic/Latina Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Greenlee Heather , Shi Zaixing , Hibshoosh Hanina , Giri Dilip D. , Ahmed Aqeel , Williams Samantha , Falcone Domenick J. , Winston Lisle A. , Zhou Xi K. , Hudis Clifford A. , Hershman Dawn L. , Dannenberg Andrew J. , Iyengar Neil M.
Published: November 2018

Breast white adipose tissue inflammation (BWATi) is associated with obesity and higher breast cancer risk among non-Hispanic white women. Obesity is prevalent in Hispanic/Latina patients with breast cancer, and the occurrence of BWATi in this population is not well-characterized. The association between BWATi and body mass index (BMI) was evaluated in Hispanic/Latina patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy. BWATi was defined as the presence of crown-like structures of the breast (CLS-B), detected by CD68 IHC in nontumor breast tissue. BWATi severity was quantified as number of CLS-B/cm2. Adipocyte diameter was measured using hematoxylin and eosin-stained breast tissue sections. Preoperative BMI (within 1 week prior to mastectomy) was categorized as normal (18.5–<25.0 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–<30.0 kg/m2), class I obesity (30.0–<35.0 kg/m2), and class II–III obesity (35.0 kg/m2 or above). Patient charts were abstracted to record clinicopathologic features and liver function tests <90 days before mastectomy. The study included 91 women (mean age 69 years; range 36–96 years). Prevalence of BWATi increased with BMI (24% in normal weight, 34% in overweight, 57% in class I obesity, and 65% in class II–III obesity; Ptrend <0.01). Severe BWATi (>0.27 CLS-B/cm2) was associated with higher BMI (Ptrend = 0.046) and greater adipocyte diameter (P = 0.04). Adjusting for BMI, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and elevated alanine aminotransferase were associated with severe BWATi, and current smoking was associated with mild BWATi (all P < 0.05). BWATi was associated with higher BMI in Hispanic/Latina patients with breast cancer, consistent with previously described associations in other populations.
Next-Generation Robotic Head and Neck Surgery
Authors: Orosco Ryan K. , Arora Asit , Jeannon Jean Pierre , Holsinger F. Christopher
Published: November 2018

Following the inception of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in 2005, the field of robotic head and neck surgery has undergone refinement and innovation. Optimizing patient outcome, preserving function, and limiting morbidity are the key drivers. The next leap forward is another generation of flexible robotic surgical systems. Several such systems are under clinical and preclinical evaluation. A new single-port (Sp) robotic surgical architecture is now available integrating three fully articulating instruments and a flexible three-dimensional high-definition camera delivered through a 25-mm cannula. Preclinical feasibility studies of the Sp in human cadaver and porcine models suggest improved application compared to existing platforms for oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal resection. With 3-handed manipulation of tissue, traction and countertraction may be used to deliver a more precise surgical dissection of head and neck anatomy than is currently possible. The single-port design permits greater access and maneuverability for the bedside surgical assistant. An alternative currently available in clinical use includes the Flex® system using a robotic camera and manually controlled endoscopic instruments. The Cambridge Medical Robotics Versius system is undergoing preclinical evaluation for TORS and may offer a novel modular approach. All of these systems allow the head and neck surgeon to reach further beyond the upper aerodigestive tract with greater agility and precision, expanding the boundaries of minimal access head and neck surgery.
Enteral Baicalin, a Flavone Glycoside, Reduces Indicators of Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Rats
Authors: Shi Jing , Wu Guofeng , Zou Xiaohua , Jiang Ke
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is one of the most common postoperative complications in intensive care medicine. Baicalin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles in various disorders. We aimed to test the protective effects of baicalin on CSA-AKI using a rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 75 min of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with 45 min of cardioplegic arrest (CA) to establish the AKI model. Baicalin was administered at different doses intragastrically 1 h before CPB. The control and treated rats were subjected to the evaluation of different kidney injury index and inflammation biomarkers. Results: Baicalin significantly attenuated CPB/CA-induced AKI in rats, as evidenced by the lower levels of serum creatinine, serum NGAL, and Kim1. Baicalin remarkably inhibited oxidative stress, reflected in the decreased malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase activity, and enhanced superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione in renal tissue. Baicalin suppressed the expression of IL-18 and iNOS, and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusion: Our data indicated that baicalin mediated CPB/CA-induced AKI by decreasing the oxidative stress and inflammation in the renal tissues, and that baicalin possesses the potential to be developed as a therapeutic tool in clinical use for CSA-AKI.
Validation of a Noninvasive Hair Trapping Method for Extractive-Foraging Primates
Authors: Tan Amanda Wei Yi , Dominy Nathaniel J.
Published: November 2018

Hair is a useful source of biological information. For example, the bulb can be a source of high-quality genetic material, whereas the shaft can be useful for measuring heavy metals and some hormones, such as cortisol. The stable isotope composition of hair is another valuable source of biological information. Consequently, noninvasive methods of hair sampling have become important research tools. Several hair-trapping methods have been developed for use on mammals, but these are rarely deployed on primates in part because their travel patterns can be difficult to predict and because many species are averse to novel objects in their environments. Yet if a species has a natural propensity to envision, manipulate, and withdraw extractable food resources, then a baited receptacle lined with double-sided tape may prove successful as a hair trap. Recently, researchers demonstrated the success of such a contraption with tufted capuchins, a Neotropical monkey species with a high degree of somatosensory intelligence and a proclivity for extractive foraging. Here, we replicate this method in a population of tool-using long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Our trials validate the effectiveness of the method, suggesting that it is suitable for long-tailed macaques and other extractive-foraging primates.
Evaluation of a Standardized Bakery Product (SUTMEK) as a Potential Tool for Baked-Milk Tolerance and Immunotherapy Research Studies
Authors: Kiykim Ayca , Karakoc-Aydiner Elif , Gunes Esra , Nain Ercan , Ogulur Ismail , Yazici Duygu , Aktac Sule , Bicer Ayse Humeyra , Sackesen Cansin , Baris Safa , Ozen Ahmet
Published: November 2018

Background and Objectives: About 65–80% of children with IgE-mediated cow’s milk allergy (CMA) can tolerate extensively heated milk. We have invested in the mass fabrication of a test product containing milk protein baked at 180°C for 30 min (SUTMEK-milk) and a milk-free placebo (SUTMEK-placebo) to carry out a standardised double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) test in patients with CMA. Methods: We studied children with IgE-mediated CMA between 13 and 48 months of age. Specific IgEs (spIgE) to milk proteins were quantified. A DBPCFC with our bakery products was performed, and factors determining reactivity to extensively heated milk were evaluated. We also tested the applicability of SUTMEK products in baked-milk oral immunotherapy in a pilot assessment. Results: We studied 15 children (8 girls, 7 boys) with a median age of 26 months (range: 13–48 months). Nine (60%) patients tolerated a challenge with extensively heated milk, while 6 (40%) were found reactive (anaphylaxis: 2, wheezing: 2, urticaria: 2). spIgE to milk, α-lactalbumin, and casein, and the wheal diameter on skin prick testing were higher in the reactive group than the tolerant groups (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.048, respectively). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses yielded the following cut-off values for spIgEs that would predict a reactivity to extensively heated milk; milk: 25 kU/L (area under curve, AUC: 0.981), casein: 32 kU/L (AUC: 0.983), and α-lactalbumin: 17 kU/L (AUC: 0.981). Nine patients have tolerated well a continued daily consumption of SUTMEK-milk or -placebo for 6 months at the desired doses. Conclusions: Our bakery products were successfully used in DBPCFC studies and qualified as an acceptable tool for use in the research of interventional tolerance induction. Although spIgE appears useful in determining children at high risk of reacting to extensively heated milk, the predictive cut-off values are still far from being perfect.
Cervical Measurement and Pessary Application in Relation to Gestational Age at Delivery in Patients Treated with Fetoscopic Endotracheal Occlusion
Authors: Kosinski Przemyslaw , Luterek Katarzyna , Bomba-Opon Dorota , Lipa Michal , Wielgos Miroslaw
Published: November 2018

Objective: To evaluate the impact of cervical length and cervical pessary application in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) treated by the fetoscopic endotracheal occlusion (FETO) procedure. Methods: The study group consisted of 80 patients with severe CDH treated by FETO. Cervical length measurement was performed by transvaginal ultrasound in all patients within the 24 h prior to the FETO procedure. The study group (n = 44) had cervical pessaries applied routinely within the 24 h following the FETO procedure, whereas the control group (n = 36) were not offered pessaries and only had cervical length measurement performed. Results: The median cervical length was 31 (range 22–45) mm. The median gestational age at delivery was 34.7 (range 27.8–39.2) weeks. Gestational age at delivery correlated significantly with gestational age at balloon removal (r = 0.768; p < 0.0001) and premature rupture of membranes (r = 0.501; p = 0.003). There was no significant correlation between gestational age at delivery and cervical length before the procedure (r = 0.141; p = 0.26) or pessary application (r = 0.081; p = 0.51). In the multivariate linear regression model, the only factor independently associated with gestational age at delivery was gestational age at fetoscopic balloon removal (β = 0.713; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In cases of severe CDH treated by the FETO procedure, neither cervical length before the procedure nor cervical pessary application was associated with gestational age at delivery.
High-Throughput Sequencing of Putative Novel microRNAs in Rhesus Monkey Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells following EV71 and CA16 Infection
Authors: Song Jie , Jiang Xi , Hu Yajie , Li Hui , Zhang Xuemei , Xu Jingwen , Li Weiyu , Zheng Xuelin , Dong Shaozhong
Published: November 2018

Objectives: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) remain the major pathogens in hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases, but the mechanisms of the different pathogeneses that follow EV71 and CA16 infection remain largely unknown. Methods: Herein, we utilized microRNA (miRNA) deep sequencing to investigate the roles of novel differentially expressed miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with EV71 and CA16. Results: The results identified 13 novel differentially expressed miRNAs in each group. Additionally, the target genes were predicted by the miRanda and RNAhybrid programs, and a total of 2,501 targets were found in the two databases. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that these targets were mainly involved in cell development and were associated with nervous system development, system development, multicellular organism development, the Wnt signaling pathway, the PDGF signaling pathway, and the EGF receptor signaling pathway. Finally, a coexpression regulatory network was built with the key targets to further extrapolate the functional interactions of the targets and their coexpressed genes. Conclusion: Our results not only revealed potential biomarkers or targets for the diagnosis and treatment of HFMD, but also provided new insights to explore the mechanisms of EV71 and CA16 pathogenesis.
A Molecular Epidemiological Investigation of Carriage of the Adeno-Associated Virus in Murine Rodents and House Shrews in China
Authors: Xiong Yi-Quan , Zhang Min-Yi , Zhou Jun-Hua , Li Yong-zhi , You Fang-Fei , Wen Yu-Qi , He Wen-Qiao , Chen Qing
Published: November 2018

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) in murine rodents and house shrews in 4 provinces of China. Methods: A total of 469 murine rodents and 19 house shrews were captured between May 2015 and May 2017. Cap gene of AAV sequences was obtained to evaluate the genetic characteristics of rat AAV. Results: Rat AAVs were found in 54.7% (267/488) of throat swabs, 14.3% (70/488) of fecal samples, and 18.4% (41/223) of serum samples. Rat AAVs were detected in 3 species of murine rodents including Rattus norvegicus (34.8%), R. tanezumi (43.0%), and R. losea (2.3%), and house shrews (Suncus murinus) (26.1%) from the selected sampling sites. Fourteen near-full-length Cap gene sequences, ranging in length from 2,156 to 2,169 nt, were isolated from the fecal samples of R. norvegicus and R. tanezumi. These 14 sequences shared a high identity of 97.4% at the nucleotide level and 99.1% at the amino acid level. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the rat AAV formed a distinct clade, distinguishable from the AAV discovered in humans and in other animals. Conclusions: A high prevalence of rat AAV that was highly conserved within the Cap gene was found in 3 common murine rodents and house shrews in China.
Impact of the Timing of Placement of an Intracranial Pressure Monitor on Outcomes in Children with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Balakrishnan Binod , Zhang Liyun , Simpson Pippa M. , Hanson Sheila J.
Published: November 2018

Background: Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality from trauma. Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines recommend intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in sTBI. We hypothesized that early ICP monitor placement was associated with better outcomes in children. Methods: This was a retrospective study of children with sTBI admitted to the participating pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and entered into the Virtual Pediatric Systems (VPS), LLC, database between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. We compared outcomes of patients who had an ICP monitor placed early (≤6 h from PICU admission) to those with later placement (> 6 to < 72 h). We collected demographics, diagnoses, procedure data, illness severity scores, outcomes, and site data. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with outcomes. Results: Twenty-seven percent of 3,608 patients with sTBI underwent ICP monitoring, 355 in the early and 156 in the later ICP monitoring groups, respectively. A higher proportion of patients in the early ICP monitoring group had worse markers of illness/injury severity; unadjusted analysis showed higher mortality in this group (31.3 vs. 21.8%, p = 0.029). Multivariable regression analysis showed that ICP monitoring was not independently associated with any of the outcomes. Conclusion: Time to ICP monitoring was not associated with outcomes after pediatric sTBI.
Extracellular RNA Sensing by Pattern Recognition Receptors
Authors: Tatematsu Megumi , Funami Kenji , Seya Tsukasa , Matsumoto Misako
Published: November 2018

RNA works as a genome and messenger in RNA viruses, and it sends messages in most of the creatures of the Earth, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. The human innate immune system has evolved to detect single- and double-stranded RNA molecules from microbes by pattern recognition receptors and induce defense reactions against infections such as the production of type I interferons and inflammatory cytokines. To avoid cytokine toxicity causing chronic inflammation or autoimmunity by sensing self-RNA, the activation of RNA sensors is strictly regulated. All of the Toll-like receptors that recognize RNA are localized to endosomes/lysosomes, which require internalization of RNA for sensing through an endocytic pathway. RIG-I-like receptors sense RNA in cytosol. These receptors are expressed in a cell type-specific fashion, enabling sensing of RNA for a wide range of microbial invasions. At the same time, both endosomal and cytoplasmic receptors have strategies to respond only to RNA of pathogenic microorganisms or dying cells. RNA are potential vaccine adjuvants for immune enhancement against cancer and provide a benefit for vaccinations. Understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms of the RNA-sensing system will help us to broaden the clinical utility of RNA adjuvants for patients with incurable diseases.
Conflict and Chaos on the Korean Peninsula: Can China's Military Help Secure North Korea's Nuclear Weapons?
Authors: Mastro Oriana Skylar
Published: November 2018

Is China likely to intervene if war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, and if so, does Beijing have the willingness and capabilities to deal safely with North Korea's nuclear program? Securing and destroying Pyongyang's nuclear weapons would be the United States’ top priority in a Korean contingency, but scholars and policymakers have not adequately accounted for the Chinese military's role in this mission. China's concerns about nuclear security and refugee flows, its expanding military capabilities to intervene, and its geopolitical competition with the United States all suggest that China is likely to intervene militarily and extensively on the Korean Peninsula if conflict erupted. In this scenario, Chinese forces would seek to gain control of North Korea's nuclear facilities and matériel. For the most part, China has the capabilities to secure, identify, and characterize North Korean nuclear facilities, though it exhibits weaknesses in weapons dismantlement and nonproliferation practices. On aggregate, however, Chinese troops on the peninsula would be beneficial for U.S. interests and regional security. Nevertheless, to mitigate the risks, the United States should work with China to coordinate their movements in potential areas of operation, share intelligence, and conduct combined nuclear security training.
What Explains Counterterrorism Effectiveness? Evidence from the U.S. Drone War in Pakistan
Authors: Mir Asfandyar
Published: November 2018

For years, the U.S. government has been waging counterterrorism campaigns against al-Qaida and other armed groups in safe havens and weak states. What explains the effectiveness of such campaigns? The variation in effectiveness may result from differences in select tactical, organizational, and technological capabilities of the counterterrorism state and its local partner, captured by the concept of the Legibility and Speed-of-Exploitation System (L&S). Empirical studies, including novel fieldwork data, on the U.S. drone war in Pakistan's Waziristan region from 2004 to 2014 reveal the influence of the L&S on targeted groups. From 2004 to 2007, a lack of U.S. counterterrorism capabilities aligning with the L&S allowed both al-Qaida and the Pakistan Taliban to build their operational infrastructure, expand their bases, engage in extensive recruitment drives, and broker important local alliances. In contrast, as the United States made substantial improvements in the L&S from 2008 to 2014, the campaigns against both groups became increasingly effective. Both al-Qaida and the Pakistan Taliban experienced sustained reductions in operational capabilities, losses of bases, and high desertion rates; they also faced growing political challenges, including from within their own organizations. These findings contrast with the view that counterterrorism offers short-term gains at best and is counterproductive at worst.
Would U.S. Leaders Push the Button? Wargames and the Sources of Nuclear Restraint
Authors: Pauly Reid B.C.
Published: November 2018

Why since 1945 have nuclear weapons not been used? Political scientists have cited five basic reasons: deterrence, practicality, precedent, reputation, and ethics. Scholars attempting to weight these factors face a dearth of empirical data. Declassified records of political-military wargames played by U.S. policymakers, however, open up new avenues for theory testing. An investigation of the willingness of U.S. “strategic elites”—experts with experience in diplomatic or military strategy—to use nuclear weapons in a sample of twenty-six political-military wargames reveals that elite players were reluctant to cross the nuclear threshold against both nuclear-armed and nonnuclear-armed adversaries. The only uses of nuclear weapons in the sample occurred in two wargames with nuclear adversaries. Players’ arguments for restraint in the wargames invoked reputational aversion: decisionmakers feared the opprobrium they would face if they used nuclear weapons. Wargame records also strongly support the power of deterrence and basic practicality—whether conventional weapons could accomplish the same goals—as reasons for widespread hesitation to use nuclear weapons. Precedent and ethical aversions to using nuclear weapons were less common. Finally, players also demonstrated some conformity to what they thought the president expected of them.
Niche sharing and spatial distribution in intertidal decapods on the rocky shores of Easter Island
Authors: De los Ríos Patricio , Ibáñez Arancibia Eliana
Published: November 2018

The coastal marine ecosystems on Easter Island have been poorly studied, and the main studies were isolated species records based on the collections of scientific (primarily faunistic/floristic) expeditions. The aim of the present study was to apply a niche-sharing null model analysis on field observations of intertidal marine decapods on the rocky shores of Easter Island. The dominant species found were the decapods Planes minutus and Leptograpsus variegatus. The results of the null model analysis revealed that the species reported did not share an ecological niche, obviously corresponding to the absence of within-niche competition, and for P. minutus showed an aggregated pattern and negative binomial distribution, whereas L. variegatus had a uniform pattern and a binomial distribution. These results would agree with other, similar information about the littoral and sub-littoral fauna on Easter Island.
Polygonatum undulatifolium (Asparagaceae), a new species from the eastern Himalaya
Authors: FLODEN AARON J.
Published: November 2018

Polygonatum Miller (1754: without pagination) (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae) is a relatively large genus with great diversity of plant form, habit, and ecology. Most of the diversity is found in the Hengduan of southwestern China and the eastern Himalaya (Jeffrey 1980, Chen & Tamura 2000). Field observations at several localities in Arunachal Pradesh, India and specimen examinations of an anomalous opposite leaved species from the eastern Himalaya (incl. southeastern Tibet) could not be placed in any currently described species (Baker 1875, Hooker 1894, Tang 1978, Jeffrey 1980, Wu 1983, Noltie 1994, Chen & Tamura 2000, Floden 2015). Comparisons to the type specimens of all opposite-leaved species, examination of species in the field, examination of over 6,000 specimens of Polygonatum from multiple herbaria through loans or visits (CAS, F, H, MI, MO, NY, and PE, acronyms follow Thiers 2018) and digital images (BM, E, HITBC, IBSC, K, KUN, L, LBG, P, and SZ) confirms the novelty of this species. In addition, molecular phylogenetic analysis (A. Floden, in preparation) of 250+ samples of Polygonatum including two nuclear genes and chloroplast data have confirmed the molecular distinctiveness of this new species and its placement in the opposite-leaved group of species found in the Himalaya.
Species delimitation of Stemona (Stemonaceae) based on sequences of five plastid DNA regions
Authors: LI JIAN-XING , ZHANG WEI-QING , FU CHENG-XIN , LI EN-XIANG
Published: November 2018

In this study, we sequenced plastid DNA to investigate the interspecific relationships of Stemona species. In total, 34 individuals from 23 populations were studied, covering the geographical range of Stemona in China plus eight individuals from Indonesia. Our results show that seven Stemona species cluster into three major clades; S. parviflora is closest to S. javanica of the species studied; it is reasonable to treat S. shandongensis as a synonym of S. sessilifolia, whereas S. japonica is close to S. sessilifolia; the geographically widespread species S. tuberosa possesses a high degree of differentiation and contains three subgroups.
Two new species of Tomocerus ocreatus group with a single large distal dental spine (Collembola, Tomoceridae)
Authors: GONG XIN , QIN CHUNYAN , YU DAOYUAN
Published: November 2018

Most members of Tomocerus ocreatus group have two distal large spines on dens, so far, only Tomocerus spinulus Chen & Christiansen, 1998 and Tomocerus leyensis Yu & Deharveng, 2018 have been described with only one distal large spine and are thus exceptional in this group. In the present paper, we report two other species with the same form. The two new species resemble T. spinulus in chaetotaxy, dental spine formula and general shape of the dental spines, but differ from it in several other characters, including position and shape of the prominent dorsal chaetae on the manubrium and dens. Also, T. pseudospinulus sp. nov. differs from T. spinulus in having larger denticles on the dental spines, and T. paraspinulus sp. nov. differs from T. spinulus in having longer antenna and more chaetae on the tenaculum. The two new species are similar, but can be distinguished by length of the antenna, number of the chaetae on tenaculum, status of the prominent manubrial dorsal chaetae and fine sculpture of the dental spines. Distances of COI mtDNA also support the validation of two new species. A key to species of T. ocreatus species-group with single large dental spine is provided.
The tropical African tribes Poreuomenini, Zeuneriini and Morgeniini with the description of a new genus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae)
Authors: MASSA BRUNO
Published: November 2018

Species currently considered belonging to the tribe Poreuomenini Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878 are here separated; only Poreuomena Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878 and Cestromoecha Karsch, 1893 remain in the tribe Poreuomenini, while Zeuneria Karsch, 1889 and Gravenreuthia Karsch, 1892 are transferred to the new tribe Zeuneriini Karsch, 1890. Morgenia Karsch, 1890 and Mangomaloba Sjöstedt, 1902 are moved to the new tribe Morgeniini Karsch, 1890. The new genus and species Paraporeuomena signata is described from the Tri National Sangha (TNS) (Central African Republic) and tentatively considered belonging to the tribe Poreuomenini. Its general aspect is hardly similar to that of the genus Poreuomena Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878, but it differs remarkably in the shape of eyes, that are oval and elongate, in the presence of subocular grooves, of spines on genicular lobes of femora, and of ventral spines on fore and mid legs. Differently from Poreuomena the last tergite is not modified.
Taxonomic revision of Lepidura Townes, 1971 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Mesochorinae) with the description of three new species, new distribution records and a key to the all known species
Authors: ARAUJO RODRIGO O. , VIVALLO FELIPE
Published: November 2018

A taxonomic review of Lepidura Townes is presented, with three new species described. The following species are recognized: L. abbreviata Dasch, L. callaina Dasch, L. collaris Townes, L. improcera Dasch, L. mallecoensis Dasch, L. olivacea Dasch, L. rubicunda Dasch, L. tenebrosa Dasch, L. tuberosa Dasch, L. variegata Dasch, L. viridis Dasch, L. nigricephala sp. nov., L. patagonica sp. nov. and L. seminitida sp. nov. Species are restricted to Southern South America, occurring in the Andean biogeographic zone. New occurrence records and distribution maps are provided for all species, as well as diagnoses based on type specimens. In addition, an updated key for all species is provided.
Mites of the family Pachylaelapidae in Bayburt Province, Turkey (Acari: Mesostigmata), with a new record and three new species
Authors: ŞAHİN GÜLHAN , ÖZBEK HASAN HÜSEYİN
Published: November 2018

This paper reports on mites of the family Pachylaelapidae collected in Bayburt Province, Turkey, during 2013–2015. Nine species were recorded in the genera Pachyseius, Olopachys, Pachylaelaps, and Onchodellus. Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) bayburtensis sp. nov., Onchodellus turcicus sp. nov. and O. montanus sp. nov. are described to new, and Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) vicarus is a new record for the Turkish mite fauna. New records extend the geographic range of Pachyseius masani, Olopachys hallidayi, and O. elongatus in Turkey.
First record of the genus Eriopisella Chevreux, 1920 (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Eriopisidae) from Australia, with the description of a new species, Eriopisella moretoni sp. nov.
Authors: MYERS A.A. , LOWRY J.K. , BARNES R.S.K.
Published: November 2018

The genus Eriopisella is recorded for the first time from Australia. Material from Moreton Bay, Queensland, proved to be an undescribed species and is here fully described and figured under the name E. moretoni sp. nov. An identification key to the nine known world species of Eriopisella is provided.
The Life and Letters of William Sharp and “Fiona Macleod”
Authors: Halloran William F.
Published: November 2018

William Sharp (1855-1905) conducted one of the most audacious literary deceptions of his or any time. Sharp was a Scottish poet, novelist, biographer and editor who in 1893 began to write critically and commercially successful books under the name Fiona Macleod. This was far more than just a pseudonym: he corresponded as Macleod, enlisting his sister to provide the handwriting and address, and for more than a decade "Fiona Macleod" duped not only the general public but such literary luminaries as William Butler Yeats and, in America, E. C. Stedman.

Sharp wrote "I feel another self within me now more than ever; it is as if I were possessed by a spirit who must speak out". This three-volume collection brings together Sharp’s own correspondence – a fascinating trove in its own right, by a Victorian man of letters who was on intimate terms with writers including Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Walter Pater, and George Meredith – and the Fiona Macleod letters, which bring to life Sharp’s intriguing "second self".

With an introduction and detailed notes by William F. Halloran, this richly rewarding collection offers a wonderful insight into the literary landscape of the time, while also investigating a strange and underappreciated phenomenon of late-nineteenth-century English literature. It is essential for scholars of the period, and it is an illuminating read for anyone interested in authorship and identity.
Development and Evaluation of a Pan-European Multimodel Seasonal Hydrological Forecasting System
Authors: Wanders Niko , Thober Stephan , Kumar Rohini , Pan Ming , Sheffield Justin , Samaniego Luis , Wood Eric F.
Published: November 2018

Hydrological forecasts with a high temporal and spatial resolution are required to provide the level of information needed by end users. So far high-resolution multimodel seasonal hydrological forecasts have been unavailable due to 1) lack of availability of high-resolution meteorological seasonal forecasts, requiring temporal and spatial downscaling; 2) a mismatch between the provided seasonal forecast information and the user needs; and 3) lack of consistency between the hydrological model outputs to generate multimodel seasonal hydrological forecasts. As part of the End-to-End Demonstrator for Improved Decision Making in the Water Sector in Europe (EDgE) project commissioned by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (ECMWF), this study provides a unique dataset of seasonal hydrological forecasts derived from four general circulation models [CanCM4, GFDL Forecast-Oriented Low Ocean Resolution version of CM2.5 (GFDL-FLOR), ECMWF Season Forecast System 4 (ECMWF-S4), and Météo-France LFPW] in combination with four hydrological models [mesoscale hydrologic model (mHM), Noah-MP, PCRaster Global Water Balance (PCR-GLOBWB), and VIC]. The forecasts are provided at daily resolution, 6-month lead time, and 5-km spatial resolution over the historical period from 1993 to 2012. Consistency in hydrological model parameterization ensures an increased consistency in the hydrological forecasts. Results show that skillful discharge forecasts can be made throughout Europe up to 3 months in advance, with predictability up to 6 months for northern Europe resulting from the improved predictability of the spring snowmelt. The new system provides an unprecedented ensemble of seasonal hydrological forecasts with significant skill over Europe to support water management. This study highlights the potential advantages of multimodel based forecasting system in providing skillful hydrological forecasts.
Deservingness and political preference in opinions on distant suffering
Authors: Olesen Thomas
Published: November 2018

This article argues that opinions on distant suffering must be understood via three variables: recipients of aid and sympathy; cause of suffering; and providers of aid and sympathy. These insights are present in the literature but have not to date been combined. One advantage of such a combination is that it allows us to explore the extent to which providers of aid and sympathy employ deservingness criteria in their opinion formation. Theoretically, the article thus opens a dialogue between the distant issue literature and theories of deservingness in welfare state research. Methodologically, it builds on an original survey of 2003 Danish respondents. The article’s main ambition is to probe (1) the relationships between political preference and opinions on distant suffering; (2) the extent to which Danes engage in deservingness calculations when they relate to it; and (3) whether deservingness calculations are patterned along political preference. The data show that political preference predicts opinions and that deservingness calculations are indeed prevalent. Yet they also demonstrate that these differences should be interpreted against the background of a high aggregate level of support for distant issue engagement. The effect of political preference is most pronounced at the outer poles of the political spectrum, and less so at the centre. And while deservingness logics are most prevalent on the right, the pattern is moderate and non-consistent.
How Well is the Revised Common Lectionary Standing the Test of Time?
Authors: Knights Chris
Published: November 2018

This article offers an evaluation of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) and suggests that, while it has many strengths, there are some issues with it—how common it might actually be, the repetition of some passages and the exclusion of many others, either because they contain hard material or because they are too long, the frequent use of ‘Reader’s Digest’ abbreviated versions of texts, the designation ‘ semi-continuous’ and the often obscure way ‘related’ OT lections do actually relate to the set Gospel. It concludes that, while the RCL is better than its predecessors, a slavish use of it is less than helpful.
Self-Actualizing People in the 21st Century: Integration With Contemporary Theory and Research on Personality and Well-Being
Authors: Kaufman Scott Barry
Published: November 2018

More than 70 years ago, Maslow put forward an integrated theory of human motivation that still captures the public imagination. Still, integration with modern theory and research remains elusive. The current study aims to fill this gap in the psychological literature, linking Maslow’s theory to contemporary theory and research on personality and well-being. Toward this aim, the new 30-item “Characteristics of Self-Actualization Scale (CSAS)” was developed. Scale validation showed that 10 characteristics of self-actualizing people as proposed by Maslow load on a general factor of self-actualization and demonstrate external validity. Those reporting more characteristics of self-actualization were more motivated by growth, exploration, and love of humanity than the fulfillment of deficiencies in basic needs. The characteristics of self-actualization were also associated with greater well-being across a number of indicators of well-being, including greater life satisfaction, self-acceptance, positive relations, environmental mastery, personal growth, autonomy, purpose in life, and self-transcendent experiences. Self-actualization scores also predicted work-related outcomes and creativity across multiple domains of achievement. The results provide support for Maslow’s proposed characteristics of self-actualization and basic motivational framework, bringing the concept of self-actualization so frequently discussed by the founding humanistic psychologists firmly into the 21st century.
The Populist Conjuncture: Legitimation Crisis in the Age of Globalized Capitalism
Authors: Ibsen Malte Frøslee
Published: November 2018

This article argues that the theory of legitimation crisis developed by Offe and Habermas offers an instructive theoretical framework for explaining the current surge of populism across the West. The article argues that this populist resurgence is indicative of a profound legitimation crisis of the Western welfare state, which ultimately derives from its inability to control a globalized economic system. The article argues that two prominent rival accounts of the populist resurgence both suffer from their inattention to the specific ideational content of populism, as a reaction to a form of elite political rule experienced as illegitimate. By contrast, the advantage of the theory of legitimation crisis is that it is able to directly account for the structural conditions of the present legitimation crisis. Finally, the article offers an integrative account of why populism tends to focus on immigration in Northern Europe and on economic issues in Southern Europe.
Characterizing a Sample of Chinese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Selected Health Outcomes
Authors: Ji Meihua , Ren Dianxu , Gary-Webb Tiffany L. , Dunbar-Jacob Jacqueline , Erlen Judith A.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to describe the characteristics and selected health outcomes of a sample of Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to examine gender differences based on social cognitive theory. There is limited study in theory-driven research conducted in China and a lack of evidence in collectively examining the associated factors among Chinese patients with T2DM based on a theory, especially among those living in a suburban area.

Methods

Following a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 207 patients (50.2% women; mean age, 56.1 years) with T2DM from an outpatient clinic in a suburban area of Beijing, China. Participants completed a survey, and clinical values were retrieved from the patients’ medical records.

Results

Of the participants, more than half had suboptimal glycemic control; only a small proportion had recommended levels in performing self-management behaviors. A large proportion had metabolic syndrome and were overweight or obese. Compared with men, women demonstrated poorer health literacy and problem solving, received less social support, and presented with more depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Glycemic control and self-management were suboptimal in this sample, and a large proportion of the sample was at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Gender differences exist regarding health literacy, depressive symptoms, problem solving, and social support. Social cognitive theory may provide a lens for addressing factors that are important in improving health outcomes among Chinese patients with T2DM. This evidence will help health care providers to identify pertinent factors through a multifactorial approach, therefore providing tailored care for Chinese patients with T2DM.