bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Synthetic Substrate for the in vitro Performance Testing of Sunscreens
Authors: Sohn Myriam , Malburet Camille , Baptiste Laure , Prigl Yvonne
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) plates generally used for the in vitro testing of sunscreens have failed to yield a satisfactory correlation between the sun protection factor (SPF) in vitro and that in vivo. In the present study, various polymers were investigated as alternative substrates to PMMA plates. Procedures: In total, 14 polymers were tested in terms of ultraviolet (UV) transparency by transmission spectroscopy, and surface properties by contact angle measurement. The polymers that were UV transparent and that showed surface properties similar to human skin were mold-injected in casts with various degrees of roughness to obtain corresponding substrate plates. To assess them, the in vitro SPF of 1 sunscreen was measured on a mold-injected PMMA plate as well as on the proposed polymer plates and compared to the in vivo SPF. Results: Four polymers showed a UV transmittance at 310 nm of more than 50%, as well as a total surface free energy close to the reported value for human skin. Of these, 2 provided an in vitro SPF matching the in vivo SPF contrary to the mold-injected PMMA plate for the tested oil-in-water sunscreen. Conclusion: This work demonstrates the possibilities of using alternative polymers for synthetic substrates for in vitro sunscreen testing.
Erdheim-Chester Disease Presenting with Secondary Hypertension as a Result of Bilateral, Proximal Renal Artery Stenosis: A Case Report
Authors: Arman Farid , Shakeri Hania , Nobakht Niloofar , Rastogi Anjay , Kamgar Mohammad
Published: May 2017

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare, non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis presenting most commonly with bone and central nervous system symptoms, including but not limited to bone pain and diabetes insipidus. We present a known case of ECD, which was referred for secondary hypertension workup and diagnosed with severe, proximal, bilateral renal artery stenosis.
Inflammation Is an Important Covariate for the Crosstalk of Sleep and the HPA Axis in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Straub Rainer H. , Detert Jaqueline , Dziurla René , Fietze Ingo , Loeschmann Peter-Andreas , Burmester Gerd R. , Buttgereit Frank
Published: May 2017

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have sleep problems, and inflammation influences sleep. We demonstrated that sleep quality improves during intensified treatment with methotrexate (MTX) or etanercept (ETA). Since the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is involved in sleep regulation, this study investigated the interrelation between sleep parameters, inflammation as objectified by C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. Thirty-one eligible patients (disease activity score, DAS28CRP ≥3.2) participated in a 16-week, open, prospective study of HPA axis outcomes. MTX was initiated in 15 patients (female-to-male ratio 9/6) and ETA in 16 patients (14/2). Clinical, laboratory (after polysomnography [PSG] between 8 and 9 a.m.), sleep (PSG), and HPA axis outcome parameters (after PSG between 8 and 9 a.m.) were recorded at baseline and week 16. Clinical characteristics of patients markedly improved throughout the study (e.g., DAS28CRP: p < 0.001; CRP: p < 0.001). Sleep efficiency and wake time after sleep onset markedly improved in the ETA group. Serum cortisol and ACTH did not change during observation. At baseline, serum cortisol levels were negatively correlated to sleep efficiency; this may depend on inflammation, because controlling for CRP eliminated this negative correlation. After ETA treatment, serum cortisol had a high positive correlation with total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and a negative correlation with wake time before and after sleep onset, which was not eliminated by controlling for CRP. In RA patients, the data indicate that inflammation is an important covariate for the crosstalk of sleep and the HPA axis.
Systemic Therapy Outcomes in Adult Patients with Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors
Authors: Valdes Mario , Nicholas Garth , Verma Shailendra , Asmis Timothy
Published: May 2017

Background: The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) is a rare but curable bone neoplastic entity. The current standard of care involves chemotherapy and local disease control with surgery or radiation regardless of the extent of disease at presentation. Data that document the effectiveness of the current approach in the adult patient population are limited. Methods: We performed a retrospective review including all ESFT patients older than 19 years of age who received systemic therapy between January 2002 and December 2013 at our institution. The main study outcome was overall survival; secondary outcomes were objective response rate, disease-free survival, and progression-free survival. Results: Eighteen patients with ESFT were identified. The median overall survival for the entire group was 20.65 months (range 0.43–114.54). In patients with localized disease, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 90, 80, and 70%, respectively. Age was not correlated with overall survival (r = 0.58, p = 0.76). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 70%. In patients with metastatic disease, the 1-year survival rate was 40%. In patients treated in the neoadjuvant and palliative setting with chemotherapy, we observed an objective response rate of 61.54%. The time to progression in patients with metastatic disease treated with chemotherapy ranged from 0.69 to 4.93 months. Conclusion: In this group of adult patients with ESFT treated with multimodality therapy, the outcomes were similar to those reported in well-known larger clinical trials that typically included younger patients. Age was not associated with worse survival.
Homöopathisch-phytotherapeutische Behandlung des Reizdarmsyndroms mit Magen-Darm-Entoxin N®: Eine Anwendungsbeobachtung
Authors: Märtens Diane , Range Natasha , Günnewich Nils , Gruber Nicola , Schmidt Stefan
Published: May 2017

Hintergrund: In dieser Anwendungsbeobachtung wird zum ersten Mal die Behandlung des Reizdarmsyndroms (RDS) mit einem homöopathisch-phytotherapeutischen Komplexpräparat beschrieben. Methodik: Ziel der 6-wöchigen Therapie mit dem Magen-Darm-Entoxin N® war die Reduzierung der RDS-Symptomatik sowie die Verbesserung der Lebensqualität. Zielkriterien waren die Veränderungen in der Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) und der Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Quality-of-Life Scale (IBS-QoL). Die Patient/innen (N = 41; Alter 44,0 ± 15,74 Jahre) wurden zu gleichen Teilen in einer Hausarztpraxis (N = 20) und einer Heilpraktikerpraxis (N = 21) rekrutiert. Ergebnisse: Der IBS-QoL-Score verringerte sich signifikant (prä: 35,9 ± 16,3; post: 20,1 ± 13,4; t = 8,504; p < 0,001). Die Effektstärke betrug 1,34 (Cohens d). Der IBS-SSS-Score verringerte sich ebenfalls signifikant (prä: 239,4 ± 83,4; post: 123,7 ± 80,9; t = 7,825; p < 0,001) mit einer Effektstärke von d = 1,24. Die Neben- und Wechselwirkungen waren minimal und signifikante Unterschiede zwischen beiden Praxen wurden nicht gefunden. Schlussfolgerungen: Magen-Darm-Entoxin N® ist eine sichere und sinnvolle Therapieoption bei der Behandlung des RDS. Allerdings sollten randomisierte kontrollierte Studien folgen, um die Spezifizität der Ergebnisse dieser Anwendungsbeobachtung zu stützen.
MiR-424 Promotes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression and Metastasis through Regulating the Tumor Suppressor Gene TNFAIP1
Authors: Zhang Ming , Gao Chang’e , Yang Yi , Li Gaofeng , Dong Jian , Ai Yiqin , Ma Qianli , Li Wenhui
Published: May 2017

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the potential roles of miR-424 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis and growth and its underlying mechanism. Methods: The expression of miR-424 in two NSCLC cell lines (A549 and H1975) was altered by transfection with miR-424 mimic and inhibitor. Effects of miR-424 overexpression and suppression on cells migration, invasion and colony formation were analyzed. Target genes for miR-424 were predicted using bioinformatics method and then verified using luciferase assay. Effects of miR-424 expression on cell migration, invasion and proliferation were reanalyzed on the condition of TNFAIP1 was silenced. Moreover, TNFAIP1 silencing and miR-424 modified A549 cells were subcutaneous injected into node BALB/c mice to confirm the regulation of miR-424 on TNFAIP1 in regulating tumor growth. Results: Compared with the control, miR-424 overexpression significantly increased the migrated and invaded cells, as well as the proliferated colonies. TNFAIP1 was a predicted target gene for miR-424, and was negatively regulated by miR-424. TNFAIP1 silence significantly increased the migrated and invaded cells compared to that in control, while these increases were abolished by miR-424 suppression. Animal experiment further evidenced miR-424 affected tumor growth by regulating TNFAIP1. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that miR-424 may be a contributor for NSCLC progression and metastasis through involving in cell migration, invasion and proliferation via inhibiting TNFAIP1. This study may provide theoretical basis for miR-424 in NSCLC target therapeutic treatment.
Erythropoietin Inhibits Hypoxia–Induced Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition via Upregulation of miR-200b in HK-2 Cells
Authors: Bai Jiuxu , Xiao Xiao , Zhang Xiaoling , Cui Hanmin , Hao Junfeng , Han Jingming , Cao Ning
Published: May 2017

Background/Aims: Renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regarded as an important factor leading to renal interstitial fibrosis. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been reported to attenuate renal fibrosis. The mechanism underlying this protective effect of EPO remains unclear. In this study, we aim to identify possible mechanisms of the EPO renoprotective effect. Methods: Hypoxia was induced in vitro by incubating human proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 cells in 1% O2 and 5% CO2. Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses were used to evaluate the expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers in the cell samples. The expression of miR-200b in the HK-2 cells under hypoxia or treatment with EPO was examined. Results: EPO represses hypoxia-induced EMT by upregulating miR-200b in HK-2 cells. Overexpression of miR-200b represses the effect of ETS proto-oncogene 1 (Ets-1)-induced EMT in HK-2 cells. Conclusion: miR-200 mediates the protective effects of EPO on EMT in hypoxic HK-2 cells. EPO attenuated hypoxia-induced EMT by increasing miR-200 expression via the repression of Ets-1.
Resistant Starch Regulates Gut Microbiota: Structure, Biochemistry and Cell Signalling
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Darko Kwame Oteng , Huang Yanjun , He Caimei , Yang Huansheng , He Shanping , Li Jianzhong , Li Jian , Hocher Berthold , Yin Yulong
Published: May 2017

Starch is one of the most popular nutritional sources for both human and animals. Due to the variation of its nutritional traits and biochemical specificities, starch has been classified into rapidly digestible, slowly digestible and resistant starch. Resistant starch has its own unique chemical structure, and various forms of resistant starch are commercially available. It has been found being a multiple-functional regulator for treating metabolic dysfunction. Different functions of resistant starch such as modulation of the gut microbiota, gut peptides, circulating growth factors, circulating inflammatory mediators have been characterized by animal studies and clinical trials. In this mini-review, recent remarkable progress in resistant starch on gut microbiota, particularly the effect of structure, biochemistry and cell signaling on nutrition has been summarized, with highlights on its regulatory effect on gut microbiota.
Depressão e ansiedade entre estudantes da área de saúde
Authors: Alves Tania Correa de Toledo Ferraz
Published: May 2017

Depressão e ansiedade são sintomas frequentemente observados entre estudantes da área da saúde, mais especificamente medicina. A presença destes sintomas, bem como a não identificação precoce dos mesmos pode levar a um impacto muito grande no desenvolver da carreira médica do aluno, com queda de rendimento, aumento do risco de abandono/desistência do curso e aumento do risco de suicídio. Esta revisão visa abordar esses aspectos e discutir possíveis abordagens.
Exposição à violência, qualidade de vida, depressão, e burnout entre estudantes de medicina em uma universidade estadual paulista
Authors: Peres Maria Fernanda Tourinho , Barreto Abraão Deyvid Lima , Babler Fernanda , Quaresma Irene Yamamoto do Vale , Arakaki Juliana Naomy Lacerda , Eluf-Neto José
Published: May 2017

Estudos demonstram que exposição à violência durante a formação médica tem impacto negativo na saúde mental dos estudantes. Inexistem estudos nacionais que busquem estimar a ocorrência de exposição à violência e investigar o seu impacto na saúde mental dos alunos. O nosso objetivo é descrever a exposição à violência grave por sexo e turma e investigar a associação entre exposição à violência grave e depressão, burnout e qualidade de vida dos alunos. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte-transversal realizado em universidade pública no Estado de São Paulo. Todos os alunos do primeiro ao sexto ano (n=1072) receberam email com convite eletrônico e link para acesso ao questionário e 338 (31,5%) concordaram em participar do projeto. As associações entre exposição à violência severa e depressão, burnout e qualidade de vida foram avaliadas através de modelos de regressão logística multinomial simples e ajustado por sexo e ciclo (Básico, pré-clínico e clínico). RESULTADOS: Exposição à violência constitui-se em fator de risco para depressão, burnout e má avaliação da qualidade de vida. As associações mantiveram-se significantes mesmo após ajuste para sexo e momento do curso. Exposição à violência considerada grave aumenta a chance de depressão leve em 75% e de depressão severa em 598%. A associação com burnout aponta para um aumento na chance de burnout severo de 2,33 vezes e os alunos expostos avaliam sua qualidade de vida pior do que os alunos não expostos, sendo a chance de uma avaliação regular ou negativa entre 4 e 5 vezes maior. CONCLUSÕES: Exposição à violência durante o curso contribui para a ocorrência de depressão, burnout e má avaliação da qualidade de vida entre estudantes de medicina. Medidas que visem prevenir a ocorrência de situações abusivas e violentas e acolher e tratar as vítimas mostram-se fundamentais para melhoria das condições de saúde e qualidade de vida.
Rationale and Design of a Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Intracoronary Infusion of Allogeneic Human Cardiac Stem Cells in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Sanz-Ruiz Ricardo , Casado Plasencia Ana , Borlado Luis R. , Fernández-Santos María Eugenia , Al-Daccak Reem , Claus Piet , Palacios Itziar , Sádaba Rafael , Charron Dominique , Bogaert Jan , Mulet Miguel , Yotti Raquel , Gilaberte Immaculada , Bernad Antonio , Bermejo Javier , Janssens Stefan , Fernández-Avilés Franciso
Published: May 2017

Rationale:

Stem cell therapy has increased the therapeutic armamentarium in the fight against ischemic heart disease and heart failure. The administration of exogenous stem cells has been investigated in patients suffering an acute myocardial infarction, with the final aim of salvaging jeopardized myocardium and preventing left ventricular adverse remodeling and functional deterioration. However, phase I and II clinical trials with autologous and first-generation stem cells have yielded inconsistent benefits and mixed results.

Objective:

In the search for new and more efficient cellular regenerative products, interesting cardioprotective, immunoregulatory, and cardioregenerative properties have been demonstrated for human cardiac stem cells. On the other hand, allogeneic cells show several advantages over autologous sources: they can be produced in large quantities, easily administered off-the-shelf early after an acute myocardial infarction, comply with stringent criteria for product homogeneity, potency, and quality control, and may exhibit a distinctive immunologic behavior.

Methods and Results:

With a promising preclinical background, CAREMI (Cardiac Stem Cells in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction) has been designed as a double-blind, 2:1 randomized, controlled, and multicenter clinical trial that will evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of intracoronary delivery of allogeneic human cardiac stem cell in 55 patients with large acute myocardial infarction, left ventricular dysfunction, and at high risk of developing heart failure.

Conclusions:

This phase I/II clinical trial represents a novel experience in humans with allogeneic cardiac stem cell in a rigorously imaging-based selected group of acute myocardial infarction patients, with detailed safety immunologic assessments and magnetic resonance imaging–based efficacy end points.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02439398.
Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors With Immediate Versus Deferred Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among HIV‐Positive Participants in the START (Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment) Trial
Authors: Baker Jason V. , Sharma Shweta , Achhra Amit C. , Bernardino Jose Ignacio , Bogner Johannes R. , Duprez Daniel , Emery Sean , Gazzard Brian , Gordin Jonathan , Grandits Greg , Phillips Andrew N. , Schwarze Siegfried , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Spector Stephen A. , Tambussi Giuseppe , Lundgren Jens ,   the INSIGHT (International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials) START (Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment) Study Group
Published: May 2017

Introduction

HIV
infection and certain antiretroviral therapy (
ART
) medications increase atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, mediated, in part, through traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Methods and Results

We studied cardiovascular disease risk factor changes in the START (Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment) trial, a randomized study of immediate versus deferred
ART
initiation among HIV‐positive persons with
CD
4
+
cell counts >500 cells/mm
3
. Mean change from baseline in risk factors and the incidence of comorbid conditions were compared between groups. The characteristics among 4685
HIV
‐positive
START
trial participants include a median age of 36 years, a CD4 cell count of 651 cells/mm
3
, an HIV viral load of 12 759 copies/mL, a current smoking status of 32%, a median systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 120/76 mm Hg, and median levels of total cholesterol of 168 mg/dL, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol of 102 mg/dL, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol of 41 mg/dL. Mean follow‐up was 3.0 years. The immediate and deferred
ART
groups spent 94% and 28% of follow‐up time taking
ART
, respectively. Compared with patients in the deferral group, patients in the immediate
ART
group had increased total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher use of lipid‐lowering therapy (1.2%; 95%
CI
, 0.1–2.2). Concurrent increases in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol with immediate
ART
resulted in a 0.1 lower total cholesterol to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (95%
CI
, 0.1–0.2). Immediate
ART
resulted in 2.3% less
BP
‐lowering therapy use (95%
CI
, 0.9–3.6), but there were no differences in new‐onset hypertension or diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions

Among HIV‐positive persons with preserved immunity, immediate
ART
led to increases in total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol but also concurrent increases in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and decreased use of blood pressure medications. These opposing effects suggest that, in the short term, the net effect of early
ART
on traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors may be clinically insignificant."

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00867048.
The Place of Subjectivity in the Academic Study of Religion: A Response to Craig Martin
Authors: Schilbrack Kevin
Published: May 2017

This paper responds to post-structuralist criticisms of my book,Philosophy and the Study of Religions: A Manifesto, made by Craig Martin. In particular, it defends my realist accounts of human beliefs and of religions as structures that operate, respectively, in human subjectivity and in history, even when they are not named.
Reconstruction, Critical Accommodation or Business as Usual? Challenges of Criticisms of the World Religions Paradigm to the Design of Teaching Programmes in the Study of Religions
Authors: Alberts Wanda
Published: May 2017

This article discusses the challenge of criticisms of the world religions paradigm to the design of teaching programmes in the academic Study of Religions, in general and with a particular focus on didactics-related courses as part of teacher training programmes. It uses the design of a particular Bachelor programme at a German university as an example for the general challenge of teaching about religion in an emancipatory framework that critically reflects its own presuppositions, both at university and school levels. Taking seriously recent criticisms of the world religions paradigm, it is argued, involves a shift of focus from the communication of supposedly given knowledge about religions to the communication of critical competences in analysing different types of discourse about religion, religions or “world religions.”
Four new species of Entoloma subgenus Pouzarella from India
Authors: RAJ K. N. ANIL , MANIMOHAN PATINJAREVEETTIL
Published: May 2017

Four new species of Entoloma s.l. subgenus Pouzarella (Entoloma wayanadense, E. peechiense, E. silvanum, and E. tropicum) collected from different parts of Kerala State, India are documented here. Descriptions, photographs and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided. Sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU) region of the new species were obtained and used in BLASTn searches and pairwise sequence alignment to support the morphological data and the novelty of the species. A key to the species of Entoloma subg. Pouzarella known from Kerala is provided.
Morphological and phylogenetic relationships of the threatened geophyte Wurmbea novae-zelandiae (Colchicaceae) from New Zealand, with notes on typification
Authors: HEENAN PETER B. , MACFARLANE TERRY D. , CASE ANDREA L. , GRAHAM SEAN W. , VINNERSTEN ANNIKA , MITCHELL CAROLINE
Published: May 2017

The new combination Wurmbea novae-zelandiae was recently made based on published phylogenetic studies, but little information was provided on its relationships based on morphology. This species was originally described as Anguillaria novae-zelandiae, for which a lectotype is designated. Morphological characters of W. novae-zelandiae are re-evaluated and shown to be characteristic of Wurmbea, thereby supporting the revised generic placement. However, W. novae-zelandiae differs from all other Wurmbea species in its diminutive stature, fewer tepals and stamens, and variable floral morphology, with 1–3 carpels, often leaf-like tepals, and aberrant tepal shape and number. DNA sequence data places W. novae-zelandiae as the sister species of W. uniflora, a species not included in earlier phylogenetic studies. These two species share mostly solitary flowers with white tepals, nectaries two per tepal and similar in form and position, small yellow anthers, and styles that are relatively short and recurve as flowering proceeds, with the inner style surface stigmatic for up to half of its length. A revised generic description of Wurmbea is provided to take account of the recently widened concept.
A brief history of the generic classification of the Trochilini (Aves: Trochilidae): the chaos of the past and problems to be resolved
Authors: STILES F. GARY , PIACENTINI VITOR DE Q. , REMSEN, JR. J. V.
Published: May 2017

The generic classification of the Trochilidae is unusually complicated because early authors, faced with a deluge of specimens with little or no data, often based species and genus names on superficial plumage characters derived from figured plates of varying artistic quality and reproduction. Working independently and with little knowledge of species distributions and with the fixation of type species for genera inconsistent or ignored, these authors produced a bewildering array of generic synonyms. The generic nomenclature of the largest and most recently derived clade of hummingbirds, the tribe Trochilini or “emeralds”, presents an unusually tangled web. Here we review the history of hummingbird generic nomenclature from Linnaeus to the present, giving detailed attention to two generic names that epitomize this confusion: Amazilia (the variety of spellings, supposed type species and circumscriptions makes for an especially complicated tangle) and Leucippus (for which nearly every successive author has advocated a different circumscription). Through application of the International Code for Zoological Nomenclature, this review lays the foundation for a revision of the generic nomenclature of the emeralds to bring it into conformity with recent genetic studies elucidating the phylogeny of this clade.
Macrochelid mites (Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae) from São Paulo state, Brazil, with description of a new species of Macrocheles
Authors: AZEVEDO LETÍCIA H. , CASTILHO RAPHAEL C. , BERTO MARIELLE M. , MORAES GILBERTO J. DE
Published: May 2017

Macrochelid mites have been reported in several papers about mites of different habitats in Brazil, but this is the first work specifically conducted to determine the macrochelids from that country. The main goal was to determine macrochelid species in microhabitats where the stable fly is usually found in commercial cattle farms. In total, 1359 specimens were collected from cow manure and litter in different regions of São Paulo state. These represented ten species of three genera. One of these, Macrocheles embersoni n. sp. is here described as new to science. Other macrochelid species are expected to be found in the study area, when other types of microhabitats are explored.
A new Cyana Walker, 1854 from Vietnam (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , ČERNÝ KAREL , DUBATOLOV VLADIMIR V.
Published: May 2017

A new species of the genus Cyana Walker, 1854, C. aurantifascia Volynkin, Černý & Dubatolov, sp. nov. is described from Vietnam. The Cyana dohertyi and Cyana phaedra species-groups are established. The new species belongs to the C. dohertyi species-group. Diagnostic comparisons are made with species of similar habitus belonging to the same and to other species-group. Adults, male and female genitalia of the new and related species are illustrated.
Two new species of Nemouridae (Plecoptera) from Vietnam
Authors: FOCHETTI ROMOLO , CECI MASSIMO
Published: May 2017

Two new species belonging to the family Nemouridae, Nemoura kontumensis sp. nov. and Amphinemura konplongensis sp. nov. are described from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Remarks on the affinities with related species are given.
Key Issues for Seamless Integrated Chemistry–Meteorology Modeling
Authors: Baklanov Alexander , Brunner Dominik , Carmichael Gregory , Flemming Johannes , Freitas Saulo , Gauss Michael , Hov Øystein , Mathur Rohit , Schlünzen K. Heinke , Seigneur Christian , Vogel Bernhard
Published: May 2017

Online coupled meteorology–atmospheric chemistry models have greatly evolved in recent years. Although mainly developed by the air quality modeling community, these integrated models are also of interest for numerical weather prediction and climate modeling, as they can consider both the effects of meteorology on air quality and the potentially important effects of atmospheric composition on weather. This paper summarizes the main conclusions from the “Symposium on Coupled Chemistry–Meteorology/Climate Modelling: Status and Relevance for Numerical Weather Prediction, Air Quality and Climate Research,” which was initiated by the European COST Action ES1004 “European Framework for Online Integrated Air Quality and Meteorology Modelling (EuMetChem).” It offers a brief review of the current status of online coupled meteorology and atmospheric chemistry modeling and a survey of processes relevant to the interactions between atmospheric physics, dynamics, and composition. In addition, it highlights scientific issues and emerging challenges that require proper consideration to improve the reliability and usability of these models for three main application areas: air quality, meteorology (including weather prediction), and climate modeling. It presents a synthesis of scientific progress in the form of answers to nine key questions, and provides recommendations for future research directions and priorities in the development, application, and evaluation of online coupled models.
Relative Role of Turbulent and Radiative Flux on the Near-Surface Temperature in a Single-Layer Urban Canopy Model over Houston
Authors: Brownlee James , Ray Pallav , Tewari Mukul , Tan Haochen
Published: May 2017

Numerical simulations without hydrological processes tend to overestimate the near-surface temperatures over urban areas. This is presumably due to underestimation of surface latent heat flux. To test this hypothesis, the existing single-layer urban canopy model (SLUCM) within the Weather Research and Forecasting Model is evaluated over Houston, Texas. Three simulations were conducted during 24–26 August 2000. The simulations include the use of the default “BULK” urban scheme, the SLUCM without hydrological processes, and the SLUCM with hydrological processes. The results show that the BULK scheme was least accurate, and it overestimated the near-surface temperatures and winds over the urban regions. In the presence of urban hydrological processes, the SLUCM underestimates these parameters. An analysis of the surface heat fluxes suggests that the error in the BULK scheme is due to a lack of moisture at the urban surface, whereas the error in the SLUCM with hydrological processes is due to increases in moisture at the urban surface. These results confirm earlier studies in which changes in near-surface temperature were primarily due to the changes in the turbulent (latent and sensible heat) fluxes in the presence of hydrological processes. The contribution from radiative flux was about one-third of that from turbulent flux. In the absence of hydrological processes, however, the results indicate that the changes in radiative flux contribute more to the near-surface temperature changes than the turbulent heat flux. The implications of these results are discussed.
Satellite Observations of Regional Drought Severity in the Continental United States Using GRACE-Based Terrestrial Water Storage Changes
Authors: Zhao Meng , A Geruo , Velicogna Isabella , Kimball John S.
Published: May 2017

Drought monitoring is important for characterizing the timing, extent, and severity of drought for effective mitigation and water management. Presented here is a novel satellite-based drought severity index (DSI) for regional monitoring derived using time-variable terrestrial water storage changes from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). The GRACE-DSI enables drought feature comparison across regions and periods, it is unaffected by uncertainties associated with soil water balance models and meteorological forcing data, and it incorporates water storage changes from human impacts including groundwater withdrawals that modify land surface processes and impact water management. Here, the underlying algorithm is described, and the GRACE-DSI performance in the continental United States during 2002–14 is evaluated. It is found that the GRACE-DSI captures documented regional drought events and shows favorable spatial and temporal agreement with the monthly Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM). The GRACE-DSI also correlates well with a satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), indicating sensitivity to plant-available water supply changes affecting vegetation growth. Because the GRACE-DSI captures changes in total terrestrial water storage, it complements more traditional drought monitoring tools such as the PDSI by providing information about deeper water storage changes that affect soil moisture recharge and drought recovery. The GRACE-DSI shows potential for globally consistent and effective drought monitoring, particularly where sparse ground observations (especially precipitation) limit the use of traditional drought monitoring methods.
Twenty-First-Century Climate in CMIP5 Simulations: Implications for Snow and Water Yield across the Contiguous United States
Authors: Mahat Vinod , Ramírez Jorge A. , Brown Thomas C.
Published: May 2017

For 14 alternative climate futures, water yield and snow water equivalent (SWE) throughout the contiguous United States (CONUS) were projected over the twenty-first century using the Variable Infiltration Capacity model (VIC). The futures correspond to climate projections from seven CMIP5 models each forced by two representative concentration pathways for greenhouse gases (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). With both RCPs, decreases in water yields are projected for roughly two-thirds of the CONUS, and in 60% of that area—mainly at more northern latitudes, where the greatest temperature increases are expected—this occurs despite projected increases in precipitation. The greatest relative decreases in yield are projected for the southern Great Plains and the Southwest, where temperature and precipitation changes combine to decrease yield. Snow accumulation is projected to decrease almost everywhere by the latter half of the century, with the time of peak SWE in some basins projected to occur up to 2 months earlier than it now does. These changes, should they come to pass, will challenge the adaptation capacity of future water management.
Surface Wave Effects on the Translation of Wind Stress across the Air–Sea Interface in a Fetch-Limited, Coastal Embayment
Authors: Fisher Alexander W. , Sanford Lawrence P. , Scully Malcolm E. , Suttles Steven E.
Published: May 2017

The role of surface gravity waves in structuring the air–sea momentum flux is examined in the middle reaches of Chesapeake Bay. Observed wave spectra showed that wave direction in Chesapeake Bay is strongly correlated with basin geometry. Waves preferentially developed in the direction of maximum fetch, suggesting that dominant wave frequencies may be commonly and persistently misaligned with local wind forcing. Direct observations from an ultrasonic anemometer and vertical array of ADVs show that the magnitude and direction of stress changed across the air–sea interface, suggesting that a stress divergence occurred at or near the water surface. Using a numerical wave model in combination with direct flux measurements, the air–sea momentum flux was partitioned between the surface wave field and the mean flow. Results indicate that the surface wave field can store or release a significant fraction of the total momentum flux depending on the direction of the wind. When wind blew across dominant fetch axes, the generation of short gravity waves stored as much as 40% of the total wind stress. Accounting for the storage of momentum in the surface wave field closed the air–sea momentum budget. Agreement between the direction of Lagrangian shear and the direction of the stress vector in the mixed surface layer suggests that the observed directional difference was due to the combined effect of breaking waves producing downward sweeps of momentum in the direction of wave propagation and the straining of that vorticity field in a manner similar to Langmuir turbulence.
Civil Conflicts Abroad, Foreign Fighters, and Terrorism at Home
Authors: Braithwaite Alex , Chu Tiffany S.
Published: May 2017

Terrorist attacks in Brussels (May 2014) and Paris (January and November 2015) highlight the threat related to the arrival of foreign fighters (FFs) from civil wars elsewhere. We develop an argument suggesting that terrorism at home is systematically affected by the exit of the so-called FFs out of civil wars abroad. We contend that foreign civil conflicts ending in success for rebel groups can result in a surplus of well-trained FFs, increasing the risk of terrorism at home. By contrast, when rebel groups are defeated in foreign civil conflicts, we anticipate a restriction in the flow of FFs, which reduces the likelihood of terrorism at home. Empirical analyses on most countries for the years 1970 to 2006 support these hypotheses. Our tests also demonstrate that the flow of FFs is associated with the creation of new terrorism campaigns rather than the exacerbation of existing operations.
Democracy and the Settlement of International Borders, 1919 to 2001
Authors: Gibler Douglas M. , Owsiak Andrew P.
Published: May 2017

There is increasing evidence that territorial conflict is associated with centralized and nondemocratic regimes. We explore whether this relationship is due to the facility of democratic regimes to settle their international borders. Using Owsiak’s data set on border settlement processes, we find little evidence that democratic regimes are more likely than other types of regimes to settle their borders. In fact, joint democracy rarely precedes the first border agreement or full settlement of the border, and there is almost no qualitative evidence suggesting a link between democracy and border settlement in the rare instances of successful agreements. Democracies are also not more likely to keep their borders settled or even to be more peaceful during settled-border years. Overall, our findings suggest that border settlements lead to peace in the dyad and affirm a clear temporal sequence of border settlement, then peace and democracy for neighboring dyads.
Maternal Smoking during Pregnancy Is Associated with Offspring Hypodontia
Authors: Al-Ani A.H. , Antoun J.S. , Thomson W.M. , Merriman T.R. , Farella M.
Published: May 2017

Little is known about environmental risk factors for hypodontia. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between hypodontia and common environmental risk factors, such as maternal smoking and alcohol and caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Eighty-nine hypodontia cases with 1 or more missing permanent lateral incisors and/or 1 or more missing premolars were enrolled in this clinic-based case-control study. Some 253 controls with no missing teeth were frequency matched to cases by age and sex. Hypodontia was diagnosed using panoramic radiographs. Sociodemographic data were collected from both the participants and their mothers, with maternal self-reported active and passive smoking, as well as alcohol and caffeine consumption during pregnancy, assessed by a questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with logistic regression to assess the strength of association between risk factors and hypodontia. OR estimates were then adjusted for possible confounders, such as maternal age at delivery, sex and gestational age of the child, and household socioeconomic background. Significant associations were found between hypodontia and maternal cigarette use during pregnancy, as well as the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The consumption of 10 or more cigarettes per day during pregnancy was associated with greater odds of having a child with hypodontia (adjusted OR, 4.18; 95% CI, 1.48–11.80; P = 0.007). Observed associations between hypodontia, second-hand smoke, and alcohol and caffeine consumption were not statistically significant. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with hypodontia. Larger samples and prospective observational study designs, however, are needed to investigate this association further.
Mapping Superpositionality in Global Ethnography
Authors: Williams Logan D. A.
Published: May 2017

Science studies scholars often study up to high-tech elites who produce and design scientific knowledge and technology. Methodological tension begins when you pair a desire to study down to less economically developed countries, with the desire to study up to high-tech elites within them. This becomes further complicated when the ethnographer and his/her informants share professional interests and credentials. In these situations, the researcher has high status because of geopolitical privilege. However, the researcher is neither a high-tech elite nor a local cultural elite. How might the ethnographer successfully access and navigate field sites imbued with these unseen power differentials? There are currently no visual mapping tools to enhance the process of reflexivity by feminist ethnographers, as they consider their globally embedded multiple, hierarchical, and situated positionality. This reflection methodology piece provides a tool to consider this phenomenon, as it exists across the Global North/South divide of power. Such a tool would be useful to northern ethnographers to better strategize ethics and access while avoiding complicity with structures of inequality and empowering their southern interlocutors.
Supporting Governance of Economic Development: The PAANEEAC Experience in Central Africa
Authors: Dijkstra Geske , Bitondo Dieudonné , Nooteboom Sibout , Post Reinoud , Boven Gwen van
Published: May 2017

This article aims to evaluate PAANEEAC (Projet d’appui au développement des associations nationales pour l’évaluation environnementale en Afrique Centrale), the program to support the development of national associations (NAs) for environmental impact assessment (EIA) in Central Africa. PAANEEAC’s objective is to improve the governance of investment decisions through strengthening capacities for EIA. From the literature explaining the failure of donor-induced capacity development programs, the article deduces conditions for success. The empirical assessment of PAANEEAC is based on document review, extensive interviews, and observations. It concludes that PAANEEAC managed to create platforms in which stakeholders meet with the common objective of improving EIA systems, and that this led to measurable, albeit modest improvements in EIA systems. Furthermore, PAANEEAC met most of the success conditions, which was instrumental for its performance.
From an Industrial Powerhouse to a Nation of Vendors: Over Two Decades of Economic Decline and Deindustrialization in Zimbabwe 1990–2015
Authors: Mlambo Alois S.
Published: May 2017

From being the second most industrialized country in Sub-Saharan Africa at independence in 1980, Zimbabwe’s economy has declined rapidly to a point where the country ranks among the poorest economic performers in the region. The three pillars which had underpinned the country’s vibrant economy, namely, agriculture, mining and manufacturing, have suffered greatly from poor government policy choices, resulting in the near collapse of each of the sectors and massive unemployment. As a result, an estimated 90% of the Zimbabwean population was unemployed at 2015 and was forced to eke out a living in the informal sector, mostly through vending of second-hand clothes and other basic items. With regard to the manufacturing sector specifically, the sector had all but collapsed by 2015, as companies either folded or relocated to escape the country’s harsh economic climate. This article traces the decline of the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector from 1990 to 2015 and seeks to explain the factors contributing to this decline.
Unemployment From the Perspective of the Psychology of Working
Authors: Kossen Chris , McIlveen Peter
Published: May 2017

Unemployment is a ubiquitous problem that is a complex of cultural, economic interpersonal, physical, and psychological dimensions. Whereas the pernicious negative outcomes of unemployment are empirically established in the literature, there is a need to better understand the psychological experiences of unemployment so as to inform interventions that ameliorate its impact. The present research is based on archival interview data and uses the psychology of working theory to understand 32 individuals’ experiences of unemployment. The findings include themes that are consistent with the hypothesized predictors posited in the theory, including marginalization, economic constraints, volition, career adaptability, proactive personality, critical consciousness, social support, and economic conditions. The research findings affirm the conceptual precepts of the theory with regard to its predictors; thus, this contribution to the literature on the psychology of working and unemployment opens new perspectives on a perennial problem.
The Axonal Cytoskeleton and the Assembly of Nodes of Ranvier
Authors: Ghosh Aniket , Sherman Diane L. , Brophy Peter J.
Published: May 2017

Vertebrate nervous systems rely on rapid nerve impulse transmission to support their complex functions. Fast conduction depends on ensheathment of nerve axons by myelin-forming glia and the clustering of high concentrations of voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) in the axonal gaps between myelinated segments. These gaps are the nodes of Ranvier. Depolarization of the axonal membrane initiates the action potential responsible for impulse transmission, and the Nav help ensure that this is restricted to nodes. In the central nervous system, the formation of nodes and the clustering of Nav in nodal complexes is achieved when oligodendrocytes extend their processes and ultimately ensheath axons with myelin. However, the mechanistic relationship between myelination and the formation of nodal complexes is unclear. Here we review recent work in the central nervous system that shows that axons, by assembling distinct cytoskeletal interfaces, are not only active participants in oligodendrocyte process migration but are also significant contributors to the mechanisms by which myelination causes Nav clustering. We also discuss how the segregation of membrane protein complexes through their interaction with distinct cytoskeletal complexes may play a wider role in establishing surface domains in axons.
Should I stay or should I go? The effects of precariousness on the gendered career aspirations of postdocs in Switzerland
Authors: Bataille Pierre , Le Feuvre Nicky , Kradolfer Morales Sabine
Published: May 2017

The assumption that men are more likely to undertake and succeed in an academic career, because the requirements of professional success in this occupation are compatible with normative gender assumptions, particularly that of fulfilling a ‘male breadwinner’ or main household earner role, implying reduced domestic and care commitments, is discussed. It is suggested that Switzerland offers a particularly interesting case for this study, because of the combination of the specific structure of academic careers, the characteristics of the non-academic labour market and the dominant gender regime. It is shown that, in this particular context, the aspirations of postdocs to remain in academic employment or to look for non-academic jobs are directly related to their position within the domestic division of labour and to their personal and family circumstances. However, this does not necessarily lead to a clear-cut divide between work-committed men, who ‘succeed’ (and hence stay), and care-committed women who ‘fail’ to climb up the academic career ladder (and hence leave). The results suggest that the situation is more complex and requires a subtle distinction between different ideal-types of post-doctoral experiences that do not always cut neatly across gender lines.