bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic classification and generic delineation of Hydeomyces desertipleosporoides gen. et sp. nov., (Phaeosphaeriaceae) from Jebel Akhdar Mountain in Oman
Authors: MAHARACHCHIKUMBURA SAJEEWA S. N. , ARIYAWANSA HIRAN A. , WANASINGHE DHANUSHKA N. , DAYARATHNE MONIKA C. , AL-SAADY NADIYA A. , AL-SADI ABDULLAH M.
Published: January 2019

Specimens of a new pleosporalean taxon were obtained on the bark of Juniperus excels from the northern mountains of Oman; from the Jebel Akhdar (‘Green Hills’). Sequence analyses based on the regions of large subunit rRNA (LSU), small subunit rRNA (SSU), translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) were performed to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of the new taxon in Phaeosphaeriaceae. The data concluded that the taxon represents a novel genus of the family Phaeosphaeriaceae and the generic name Hydeomyces and the species name H. desertipleosporoides are introduced for the new taxon. An outline of the characters which differentiate the new genus from phylogenetically closely related genera Dematiopleospora and Dlhawksworthia is given and its morphology of asexual and sexual morphs is described.
Orania zheae (Oranieae, Arecoideae, Arecaceae), a new species from the Philippines, with notes on another slender-stemmed species
Authors: ADORADOR JIRO T. , FERNANDO EDWINO S.
Published: January 2019

Orania zheae Adorador & Fernando, a new, slender-stemmed species is described from Samar Island, Philippines. The new combination Orania sibuyanensis (Becc.) Adorador & Fernando is also made, elevating this taxon from variety to species level. The latter species, endemic to Sibuyan Island, is segregated from Orania palindan (Blanco) Merr. (sensu Keim & Dransfield 2012). Both Orania zheae and Orania sibuyanensis are slender undergrowth palms with proportionately diminutive inflorescences borne on very slender peduncles and yellowish globose fruits. But the two species differ from each other in their habitat preferences, reproductive strategies, and in details of flower morphology. Complete descriptions with relevant notes are provided to these two taxa and a determination key to the five Philippine species of Orania is presented.
Six new species of aglajid opisthobranch mollusks from the tropical Indo-Pacific
Authors: GOSLINER TERRENCE
Published: January 2019

Six new species of aglajid opisthobranchs are described from various localities in the tropical Indo-Pacific. Philinopsis falciphallus n. sp., found from the Marshall Islands to the Red Sea, is distinguished by its reddish body color, a distinct black or maroon longitudinal line on the foot, a posterior projection on the posterior shield and a penis with a chitinous, sickle-shaped spine and numerous smaller spines. Philinopsis coronata n. sp., known only from the Philippines, is similar to P. falciphallus but dominated by yellow body color and a ventral surface of the foot with yellow and maroon spots. It has a trumpet-shaped penis with a crown of rounded tubercles on the apex and anterior and posterior zones of penial spines. Philinopsis ctenophoraphaga n. sp. is found from the Philippines, Indonesia and the Red Sea. It feeds on platyctene ctenophores, including Coeloplana meteroris. It can be distinguished by its elongate posterior lobe of the headshield, reddish color with white spots, thinly muscularized buccal mass and simple, unarmed penis. Chelidonura mandroroa n. sp. is characterized by its black body with orange patches lined by yellow. It has a simple penis with a cuticularized apical papilla. This species has been found from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Madagascar and Kenya. Chelidonura alisonae n. sp. is apparently restricted to the central and eastern Pacific of the Hawai’ian Islands, Johnston Island, the Marianas Islands and Easter Island. It is similar in coloration to C. hirundinina, but has orange lines on the dorsal and lateral shields and has a broad right posterior lobe rather than an acutely pointed one. The penis is simple and unarmed. Odontoglaja mosaica n. sp., found from the Indian Ocean of Madagascar and South Africa, differs from O. guamensis by possessing a reticulate pattern on the notum rather than a pattern of brown spots. It also has a shorter penial papilla that is bifurcate rather than undivided one.
A review of the current status of the Polydora-complex (Polychaeta: Spionidae) in Australia and a checklist of recorded species
Authors: WALKER LEXIE M
Published: January 2019

In 1885 Australia’s first recorded marine pest, a mudworm of the Polydora-complex (Spionidae), was identified on Hunter River, New South Wales, oysters (Saccostrea glomerata Gould, 1850). Mudworm is still a serious pest of cultured molluscs in Australia but, although of great concern to many, relatively little progress has been made in resolving the problem. One hundred and thirty years later the identity and life history of this pest remains unclear. The longevity of this problem in Australia is largely due to unaddressed issues of basic taxonomy. This review addresses these issues by presenting the information currently available on the Polydora-complex species in Australia, including taxonomy; history of discovery in the natural environment and in commercial aquaculture facilities; and ecological information. An updated checklist of Polydora-complex species from Australia is also included. It is hoped that by being explicit about the knowledge gaps and problems they can be addressed, ultimately providing a solid taxonomic background for further research into the Polydora-complex species and resolution of the mudworm problem in Australia.
Species of Euphthiracarus (Acari: Oribatida: Euphthiracaridae) from China
Authors: LIU DONG , WU DONGHUI , CHEN JUN
Published: January 2019

The oribatid mite genus Euphthiracarus Ewing, 1917 in China is reviewed. Eight species of Euphthiracarus including six new species, E. aequalis sp. nov., E. carinatus sp. nov., E. dilatatus sp. nov., E. flagellatus sp. nov., E. longisetus sp. nov., E. longulus sp. nov. are described, and two newly recorded species from China are redescribed. A key to Chinese species of Euphthiracarus is provided.
Oreoglanis majusculus, a new glyptosternine catfish from Arunachal Pradesh, India (Teleostei: Sisoridae)
Authors: LINTHOINGAMBI I. , VISHWANATH W.
Published: January 2019

The genus Oreoglanis is reported for the first time from India. Oreoglanis majusculus, new species, from the Kameng River at Rupa (Brahmaputra basin), in Arunachal Pradesh, India, differs from all its congeners in having the posterior margin of the maxillary barbel with villiform projections, vs. entire, crenulate, laciniate or lobulate in all other species of the genus.
Two new species of pitviper of the genus Cryptelytrops Cope 1860 (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from Southeast Asia
Authors: MALHOTRA ANITA , THORPE ROGER S. , _ MRINALINI , STUART BRYAN L.
Published: January 2019

We describe two new species of green pitviper from Southeast Asia that are morphologically similar to Cryptelytrops macrops, but can be distinguished from that species by genetic means, multivariate analysis of morphology and some aspects of coloration. Cryptelytrops cardamomensis sp. nov., is described from southeastern Thailand and the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia. Cryptelytrops rubeus sp. nov. has been recorded from southern Vietnam and eastern Cambodia. These species have previously been confused with C. macrops, hence we also present here a redescription of this species, whose range is now restricted to Thailand, southern and central Laos, and northeastern Cambodia. All three species are present in Cambodia, but have disjunct ranges corresponding to three separate highland regions in southwestern (Cardamom Mountains), northeastern (western edge of the Kontum Plateau) and eastern (low elevation hills on the western edge of the Langbian Plateau) Cambodia for C. cardamomensis, C. macrops and C. rubeus respectively. However, there is still considerable morphological variation between geographically separated populations of C. macrops s.s., and greater sampling in southern and northern Thailand in particular may be required before the species diversity of this group is fully clarified.
Hemicycla (Adiverticula) diegoi (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Helicidae), a new species from Tenerife, Canary Islands, with a phylogenetic analysis of conchologically similar species in the genus Hemicycla Swainson, 1840
Authors: NEIBER MARCO T. , VEGA-LUZ RICARDO , VEGA-LUZ RODOLFO , KOENEMANN STEFAN
Published: January 2019

Hemicycla (Adiverticula) diegoi n. sp. from the westernmost part of the Teno massif above the Lighthouse at Punta de Teno, Tenerife, Canary Islands is described and compared to conchologically and anatomically similar species in the genus Hemicycla Swainson, 1840. The validity of the new species is corroborated by a phylogenetic analysis including several congeneric species, interand intraspecific genetic distances and a morphometric comparison by means of a discriminant function analysis. Hemicycla cf. paivanopsis (Mabille, 1882) and Hemicycla quadricincta quadricincta (Morelet, 1864) from La Gomera and Hemicycla berkeleii (R. T. Lowe, 1861) from Gran Canaria are tentatively placed in Hemicycla s. str. on the basis of a phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, Eobania vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774) is reported as an introduced species in Gran Canaria for the first time.
A new species of snake eel, Pisodonophis sangjuensis (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from Korea
Authors: JI HWAN-SUNG , KIM JIN-KOO
Published: January 2019

A new snake eel, Pisodonophis sangjuensis, is described based on 24 specimens collected from the South Sea of Korea (water depth 5–100 m) between 2005 and 2010. This species is characterized by the following morphological features: fleshy protrusions before and behind the posterior nostril; 1–2 regular rows of conical teeth in both jaws, prevomer and vomer are slightly separated from each other; the origin of the dorsal fin above the middle of the pectoral fin; and the pectoral fin is rounded and not elongated. Pisodonophis sangjuensis is most similar to P. cancrivorus in morphology, but the two species differ in their teeth shape (conical in P. sangjuensis vs. granular in P. cancrivorus), and their numbers of vertebrae (143–153 vs. 153–164, respectively). Pisodonophis sangjuensis differs from P. boro in the origin of the dorsal fin (above the middle of the pectoral fin in P. sangjuensis vs. far behind the pectoral fin in P. boro), their numbers of vertebrae (143–153 vs. 170–177, respectively), and their teeth shape (conical in P. sangjuensis vs. granular in P. boro). Pisodonophis sangjuensis is also easily distinguishable morphologically from the remaining seven Pisodonophis spp. worldwide. Molecular analysis using mitochondrial DNA 12S rRNA sequences supported that P. sangjuensis is a new species because of the considerable genetic distance from what appears to be its most closely related species, P. cancrivorus (d=0.068).
Glyptotendipes Kieffer and Demeijerea Kruseman from Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with the description of four new species (Diptera: Chironomidae)
Authors: SÆTHER OLE A.
Published: January 2019

Glyptotendipes Kieffer and Demeijerea Kruseman from Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, are recorded, described or redescribed. Demeijerea spinulata sp. n., Glyptotendipes (G.) paratestaceus sp. n., G. (G.) paulisensus sp. n., and G. (G.) sensilis sp. n. are described as male imagines and G. (G.) paulisensus also as female imago. Partial redescriptions are given of: Demeijerea brachialis (Coquillett), Glyptotendipes (G.) barbipes (Staeger), G. (G.) paripes (Edwards), G. (G.) lobiferus (Say), and G. (Caulochironomus) dreisbachi Townes. A male probably belonging to G. (Caulochironomus) scirpi (Kieffer) is described. Keys are given to Nearctic males of Glyptotendipes subgen. Glyptotendipes and to known females of the subgenus.
On the identity of Collingwood’s Pill-Making Crab, Sphaerapoeia collingwoodii Collingwood, 1868 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Dotillidae)
Authors: LOW MARTYN E. Y. , NG PETER K. L.
Published: January 2019

The genusand species-group names Sphaerapoeia collingwoodii were made available in an account of the voyage of the H.M.S. Serpent by Collingwood (1868) for a species of intertidal ocypodoid crab found in Singapore, Labuan (Borneo) and Johore (Peninsular Malaysia). The names were used in Collingwood (1868) on the basis of a letter to him from Bate, who never published these names himself. Based on the morphological, ecological and locality notes given by Collingwood (1868), we identify Sphaerapoeia collingwoodii with the dotillid Scopimera intermedia Balss, 1934. We enact Article 23.9.2 of the Code to reverse precedence of these names, thereby making Scopimera intermedia Balss, 1934, a nomen protectum, and Sphaerapoeia collingwoodii Collingwood, 1868, a nomen oblitum.
Description of the unknown male of the Afrotropical Heissocteus ernsti J. A. Lis (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae: Cephalocteinae)
Authors: LIS JERZY A.
Published: January 2019

Heissocteus ernsti was described from Zambia (Lis 2006) as a genus and species new to science. Despite the fact that its description was based on a single female, the morphological characters could place the new taxon close to Cephalocteus Dufour, the only genus of the tribe Cephalocteini (Cydnidae: Cephalocteinae) known at then (Lis 1999).
Taxonomy of the vector leafhopper genus Nesoclutha Evans (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) in China, with description of a new species
Authors: ZHANG YALIN , LU LIN
Published: January 2019

The leafhopper genus Nesoclutha, a known vector of plant pathogens, currently comprises four species worldwide. In this paper, one new species added from China, N. concavipenis sp. nov., is described and one new record, N. phryne (Kirkaldy) (= N. pallida Evans) from China is given. A checklist and a key to all known species in the genus are provided.
Agrionympha, the long-known South African jaw moths: a revision with descriptions of new species (Lepidoptera, Micropterigidae)
Authors: GIBBS GEORGE W. , KRISTENSEN NIELS P.
Published: January 2019

The South African micropterigid genus Agrionympha Meyrick, 1921 has long been known from a single male specimen and very few females with three named species. This revision, based on more recent discoveries, brings the total named species to nine, by the addition of A. fuscoapicella sp. nov., A. jansella sp. nov., A. karoo sp. nov., A. kroonella sp. nov., A. pseudovari sp. nov., A. sagittella sp. nov., and notes the presence of a tenth species, represented only by two males in alcohol. The South Afrrican micropterigid fauna is thus quite diverse although, apart from the presence of another as yet undescribed genus, turns out to be a phenetically tightly-knit assemblage of highly conservative species. This revision provides a morphological description of males and females and includes larval features and a key to species. The micropterigid fauna of South Africa together with recently discovered taxa from Madagascar comprise part of what is regarded as the ‘southern sabatincoid’ lineage within the family—a weakly supported clade also including representatives from Australia, Chile, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. The survival of these small archaic rainforest moths in the face of increasing aridity is discussed.
New records and four new species of Australian Thripidae (Thysanoptera) emphasise faunal relationships between northern Australia and Asia
Authors: MOUND LAURENCE A. , TREE DESLEY J.
Published: January 2019

The following Thripidae taxa are newly recorded from northern Australia, and details are given for their recognition from related taxa: Oxythrips australopalmae sp. n., a likely pollinator of Normanbyia and Archontophoenix in Queensland but also taken on Cocos male flowers in New Britain; Projectothrips beverlyae sp. n. from Pandanus flowers; Rhamphothrips cissus sp. n. from the leaves of Cissus antarctica; R. amyae sp. n. from Callistemon leaves; R. tenuirostris (Karny) from Uncaria lanosai leaves; R. pandens Sakimura from Cassytha leaves; and Tusothrips setiprivus (Karny). Trichromothrips xanthius (Williams) is removed from the Australian list. Tusothrips atrichotus Reyes from the Philippines is synonymised with the widespread Asian species T. teinostomus Okajima. The previously unknown male of Rhamphothrips pandens is described from Western Australia.
Census of Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) of the Azores (NE Atlantic) with a nomenclature update
Authors: SAMPAIO ÍRIS , FREIWALD ANDRE , PORTEIRO FILIPE MORA , MENEZES GUI , CARREIRO-SILVA MARINA
Published: January 2019

Zoological nomenclature revisions are essential for biodiversity studies and indispensable to avoid naming and description of already described species and should be valued in all subsequent studies considering biology, molecular biology, ecology or habitat mapping of deep-sea species. Herein, a thorough revision of the taxonomic literature on Octocorallia since the beginning of deep-sea exploration in the Azores is provided. Since 1870, when the first octocoral, Virgularia mirabilis (Müller, 1776), was recorded in the Azores a cyclic pattern on the taxonomical study of octocorals reveals the deep-sea investigation efforts made on the region at different periods: Prince Albert I of Monaco, Biaçores and recent expeditions. The first decade of this millennium was the peak on taxonomic research of cold-water octocorals in the Azores with 11 publications targeting gorgonians and soft corals (Alcyonacea) and specific sub-orders within it. Ninety-eight names of Octocorallia were found to be given in the economic exclusive zone of the Azores. While 25 names were changed or added to the known Azorean octocoral diversity, 3 species identified in the region and unreported in the reviewed literature, increase the number to 101 species. Twenty-five names were synonymized while three species names were unmasked as errors in need of taxonomical clarification. This is the highest species richness of Octocorallia found in Europe and in any Northern Atlantic archipelago so far, representing ~60% of the most diverse center of endemism of South Africa, with a part in the Eastern Atlantic. Further research on taxonomy may reveal new species to science.
Synonymic notes on European Lymexylidae (Coleoptera)
Authors: NARDI GIANLUCA
Published: January 2019

Lymexylidae Fleming, 1821 are a small, extremely isolated saproxylic family (Lawrence 2010) comprising only four species in Europe (Cuccodoro 2007). Some tropical species have been occasionally intercepted at various ports, but they have never become established (cf. Nardi 2004).
A new species of the rare nematode genus Rostrulium Siddiqi, 1995 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida: Tylencholaimidae) from India
Authors: ISLAM MD. NIRAUL , IMRAN ZARRIN , AHMAD WASIM
Published: January 2019

Rostrulium indicum sp. n. is described and illustrated from Western Ghats, India. The new species is characterized by having a 2.1 mm long body; lip region offset by slight constriction; odontostyle 17.5 µm and odontophore 18 µm long, guiding ring single; pharynx with slender anterior part which expands gradually into the cylindrical basal bulb occupying about 30% of total neck length; female genital system didelphic-amphidelphic, transverse vulva, short rounded conoid tail and male with 40 µm long spicules, lateral guiding pieces and three spaced ventromedian supplements. This is the first report of this rare genus since its original description from Cameroon.
A new species of stone loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae: Schistura) from Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: CHOUDHURY HRISHIKESH , DEY ABHINIT , BHARALI RATUL CH. , SARMA DANDADHAR , VISHWANATH WAIKHOM
Published: January 2019

Schistura rebuw, new species, is described from the Kameng River, a north-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species is easily distinguished from all known congeners in the Brahmaputra basin by its unique sexual dimorphism, specifically a suborbital slit in adult females, and a suborbital flap in adult males; and a colour pattern of 10–11 blackish bars on a greyish-beige body, the pre-dorsal bars mostly broken or incomplete, coalescing dorsally in a more or less alternate fashion.
Neotropical Monogenoidea. 60. Two new species of Gyrodactylus (Monogenoidea: Gyrodactylidae) from the armored-catfish, Pareiorhaphis parmula Pereira (Loricariidae) and from the cascarudo, Callichthys callichthys (Linnaeus) (Callichthyidae) from Brazil
Authors: VIANNA ROGÉRIO T. , BOEGER WALTER A.
Published: January 2019

Two new species of Gyrodactylus are described from the body surface of two catfish species from southern Brazilian rivers. Gyrodactylus anaspidus n. sp. is described from the armored-catfish, Pareiorhaphis parmula (Loricariidae) and Gyrodactylus polyadenus n. sp. is described from the cascarudo, Callichthys callichthys (Callichthyidae). The new species differ from previously described neotropical species of Gyrodactylus by the relative morphology of their haptoral hard structures and male copulatory organ (MCO). Gyrodactylus anaspidus n. sp. has a superficial bar without a shield and an MCO with one row of spinelets (9–11 spinelets). Gyrodactylus polyadenus n. sp. presents a shield associated to a superficial bar, a deep bar with narrow extremities connected to the anchors, a subrectangular hooklet with a short point, and an MCO with one row of six spinelets. We also report that G. anaspidus n. sp. co-occurs with oviparous species of Gyrodactylidae on their respective loricariid hosts.
Targeted Promotions on an E-Book Platform: Crowding Out, Heterogeneity, and Opportunity Costs
Authors: Fong Nathan , Zhang Yuchi , Luo Xueming , Wang Xiaoyi
Published: January 2019

Targeted promotions based on individual purchase history can increase sales. However, the opportunity costs of targeting to optimize promoted product sales are poorly understood. A series of randomized field experiments with a large e-book platform shows that although targeted promotions increase promoted product sales and purchases of similar products, they can crowd out purchases of dissimilar products (i.e., e-books from nontargeted genres) by decreasing search activities of nontargeted goods on the same platform. The effects on total sales are heterogeneous, ranging from net decreases to insignificant drops, motivating a targeting exercise comparing strategies that optimize promoted product sales versus total sales. Targeting for promoted product sales tends to assign promotions to customers who purchased similar products, whereas targeting for total sales assigns promotions on the basis of other user characteristics. Targeting for promoted product sales generated incremental total sales that amounted to approximately 29% of the optimal incremental total sales when targeting for total sales (an opportunity cost of 71%). The optimal targeting exercise highlights how maximizing promotional lift can incur opportunity costs in terms of other forgone sales.
Frailty as a Predictor of Postoperative Outcomes among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Pitts Kristen D. , Arteaga Alberto A. , Stevens Benjamin P. , White William C. , Su Dan , Spankovich Christopher , Jefferson Gina D. , Jackson Lana L.
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To understand measures of frailty among preoperative patients and explain how these can predict perioperative outcomes among patients with head and neck cancer.

Study Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional case series with chart review.

Setting

Academic tertiary medical center.

Subjects and Methods

A retrospective review was performed of patients presenting to an academic hospital following a surgical procedure for a head and neck cancer diagnosis. Charts were queried for preoperative medical diagnoses to calculate 2 frailty scores: the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program modified frailty index and the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty index. The American Society of Anesthesiologists classification system was also analyzed as a predictor. Primary outcomes were mortality, 30‐day readmission, and length of stay. Perioperative complications and discharge disposition were also evaluated.

Results

A total of 410 charts were queried between January 2014 and December 2017. Mortality was 11%; mean ± SD length of stay was 7.4 ± 5.5 days; and the readmission rate was 17%. The modified frailty index score significantly increased the odds of mortality (odds ratio = 1.475, P =. 012) and readmission (odds ratio = 1.472, P =. 004), the length of stay (relative risk = 1.136, P =. 001), and the number of perioperative complications. The American Society of Anesthesiologists classification was also significantly associated with poor outcomes, including readmission, length of stay, and perioperative complications. The Adjusted Clinical Groups index was not a significant predictor of outcomes in this study population.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a significant increase in poor perioperative outcomes and mortality among patients with head and neck cancer and increased frailty, as measured by the modified frailty index.
The Horizon Sign and Frontal Bar: Two Topographic Landmarks to Confirm Endoscopic Frontal Sinusotomy
Authors: Walgama Evan S. , Thamboo Andrew , Tangbumrungtham Navarat , Ayoub Noel , Patel Zara M. , Nayak Jayakar V.
Published: January 2019

Confirming a thorough dissection of the frontal sinus during endoscopic sinus surgery can be challenging, and some surgeons would benefit from reliable topographic landmark identification to ensure completion of this sinus dissection. We defined (1) the “horizon sign” as the curvilinear shadow of the posterior table cast superiorly upon the anterior table of the frontal sinus at the acute angle of their meeting point and (2) the “frontal bar” as a sagittal septation at the union of the anterior/posterior tables. A cadaveric study, followed by an intraoperative consecutive case series, was performed to evaluate these 2 landmarks as indicators of complete dissection. The horizon sign was extremely reliable, identified in 100% of cadaveric frontal sinuses and intraoperative frontal sinuses. The frontal bar was present in only 67% of frontal sinuses by computed tomography. In live patients, the sensitivity and specificity of the frontal bar were 62% and 95%, respectively.
Livedo vasculopathy: Ablation of the affected vessels to prevent recurrent ulcerations
Authors: Parsi Kurosh , Kang Mina , Abbott Lisa
Published: January 2019

Background

Livedo vasculopathy is a cutaneous thrombotic microangiopathy favouring the lower legs characterised by an intense reticulate pigmentation, atrophie blanche and recurrent painful stellate ulcerations. There is a strong association with antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombophilic abnormalities, factor V Leiden mutation and more recently, lipoprotein A. Thrombotic occlusion of the dermal venules is the key pathology in livedo vasculopathyand there is no associated vasculitis. Anticoagulation and other currently recommended conservative therapies do not influence the rate of ulcer healing.

Method

Concurrent venous hypertension was treated with endovenous ablative methods. In addition, vessels deemed to be involved in the process of vasculopathy, irrespective of their reflux status were identified on duplex ultrasound or by sight and ablated using endovenous laser and/or sclerotherapy.

Results

Five patients received endovenous intervention while two patients did not undergo any procedures. One patient requested a delay in interventions due to her circumstances and the other patient had multiple contraindications and comorbidities. On long-term follow-up, the intervention achieved complete ulcer healing and resolution of pain without any recurrence in four treated patients.

Conclusion

We recommend ablative venous interventions in suitable patients with livedo vasculopathy to prevent recurrent ulcerations. Compression should be considered as an adjunct treatment.
A Model for Estimating Resistivity of In-Service Backfill of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls Based on Minimum Resistivity and Degree of Saturation
Authors: Arciniega Jose Luis , Walker W. Shane , Nazarian Soheil , Fishman Kenneth L.
Published: January 2019

The resistivity of aggregates used as fill within mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls has been found to be a good indicator of its potential to corrode metal reinforcements. As such it is important to accurately measure the fill resistivity. Previous studies have found that resistivity is affected by the gradation of the material, as finer particles normally have much lower resistivity than coarse particles. The resistivity is also greatly dependent on moisture content. To estimate how the variation in moisture content can affect the resistivity, and the in-service performance of MSE walls, laboratory resistivity measurements were performed on 23 materials at varying moisture contents. The results were used to develop a model to estimate the resistivity of a given material knowing its minimum resistivity, porosity, and degree of saturation greater than 50%. Model predictions can potentially be used to estimate the resistivity of in-service wall fill and to harmonize field and laboratory resistivity measurements. The model could be used in future corrosion modeling that considers the seasonal or long-term moisture contents of the fill, similar to the recently developed Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design (MEPDG) procedure.
The Glorious Future Never Came: An Interpretive Narrative Analysis of the 1947 St. Louis City Plan
Authors: Benton Mark
Published: January 2019

The 1947 St. Louis city plan predicted a glorious future for the city, but the glorious future never came. St. Louis experienced decline and city planning in St. Louis became problematic for contributing to racial inequity. Drawing upon narrative approaches to public policy and semi-structural content analysis, this research explores those contradictory themes. It argues that the glorious future was a discursive strategy and was promised only to those not labeled socially diseased. To avoid the problems of the 1947 plan, today’s planners should maintain a focus on equity and avoid dehumanizing narrative devices in their planning.
Implications of Social and Material Deprivation for Changes in Health of Older People
Authors: Myck Michał , Najsztub Mateusz , Oczkowska Monika
Published: January 2019

Objective: We use the panel structure of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) data for 14 countries to examine the implications of material and social deprivation for health deterioration in old age and mortality. Method: To minimize the potential endogeneity bias, we examine the relationship between deprivation and changes in health rather than levels of health. We include a substantial set of fixed “initial conditions,” and extend the controls with health measures, as observed at the initial period. Results: The results of the probit regression suggest a strong and statistically significant relationship between measures of material and social deprivation and changes in physical and mental health. Mortality is only affected by the social dimension of deprivation. Discussion: Treating material and social deprivation separately rather than as a single social exclusion indicator allows for more specific identification of the role of the two dimensions, which might be important for policy decisions.
Geoclinical analyses for areas at high risk for motorcycle-related road traffic injury in a district in Malaysia
Authors: Rahman Nik Hisamuddin NA , Naing Nyi Nyi
Published: January 2019

Objective:

The goal of this prospective cross-sectional study was particularly to collect data on the epidemiology, the pattern of injury among motorcyclists and to relate with spatial data in a local district.

Methods:

It involved data collection from prehospital care and inhospital care record. In addition, it utilized geospatial ARCGIS® version 10.1 software in the identification of hotspot location of road traffic injury. Written informed consent was obtained from patient(s) or relatives for their anonymized information to be published in any article.

Results:

A total of 439 cases were recruited over 10 months. The mean age (standard deviation) of the motorvehicle crash victims was 26.04 (15.26) years. Male comprised 302 (73.3%) of the cases. A total of 176 (42.7%) of the victims were between the ages of 20–40 years. A total of 176 (42.7%) of the motorcyclists admitted were wearing the safety helmets either from the history taking or from the witness. A total of 117 (28.4%) and 28 (6.8%) of the victims were admitted to the general wards and critical care units, respectively for further management. The mean (standard deviation) length of hospital stays was 7.19 (6.94) days. Based on hotspot mapping using ARCGIS 10.1, most of the motorvehicle crash cases occurred mainly within the specific borough. This finding concurred with the locations of the state roads involved that traversed mainly within the same borough. Further geospatial and temporal analysis showed that most of the motorvehicle crash that occurred during the weekend were located within the suburban areas.

Conclusion:

Motorcyclists, being male and young age are the vulnerable group of road users commonly injured on our road. The initial geospatial analysis of injury-related motorvehicle crash cases has shown common hotspot trending along certain roads and borough within the district. This new knowledge can be used in the future for preventive and road safety programs in high-risk areas.
Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Risk for Acutely Medically Ill Patients Stratified by Different Ages and Renal Disease Status
Authors: Amin Alpesh , Neuman W. Richey , Lingohr-Smith Melissa , Menges Brandy , Lin Jay
Published: January 2019

The objectives of this study were to examine venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis patterns and risk for VTE events during hospitalization and in the outpatient continuum of care among patients hospitalized for acute illnesses in the United States with stratification by different age groups and renal disease status. Acutely ill hospitalized patients were identified from the MarketScan databases (January 1, 2012-June 30, 2015) and grouped by age (<65, 65-74, ≥75 years old) and whether or not they had a baseline diagnosis of renal disease, separately. Of acutely ill hospitalized patients, 60.1% (n = 10 748) were <65 years old, 15.7% (n = 2803) were 65 to 74 years old, and 24.3% (n = 4344) were ≥75 years old; 32.9% (n = 5892) had baseline renal disease. Among the study cohorts, the majority of patients received no VTE prophylaxis regardless of age or baseline renal status (52.1%-63.6%). Rates of VTE during hospitalization and in the 6 months postdischarge were 4.7%, 4.6%, and 4.5% for patients <65, 65 to 74, and ≥75 years old, respectively, and 6.3% and 3.8% for patients with and without baseline renal disease. The risk for VTE was elevated for 30 to 40 days after index admission regardless of age and renal disease status.
Upzoning Chicago: Impacts of a Zoning Reform on Property Values and Housing Construction
Authors: Freemark Yonah
Published: January 2019

What are the local-level impacts of zoning change? I study recent Chicago upzonings that increased allowed densities and reduced parking requirements in a manner exogenous of development plans and neighborhood characteristics. To evaluate outcomes, I use difference-in-differences tests on property transaction prices and housing-unit construction permits. I detect significant, robust increases in values for transactions on parcels that received a boost in allowed building size. I also identify value increases for residential condominiums, indicating that upzoning increased prices of existing housing units. I find no impacts of the reforms, however, on the number of newly permitted dwellings over five years. As such, I demonstrate that the short-term, local-level impacts of upzoning are higher property prices but no additional new housing construction.
Tumor Treating Fields for Glioblastoma Treatment: Patient Satisfaction and Compliance With the Second-Generation Optune® System
Authors: Kinzel Adrian , Ambrogi Michael , Varshaver Michael , Kirson Eilon D
Published: January 2019

Background:

Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are a non-invasive antimitotic therapy that delivers alternating electric fields via the Optune® system. The Phase III EF-14 trial in newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) showed significantly improved progression-free, overall and long-term survival when Optune was used together with maintenance temozolomide (TMZ) compared with TMZ alone. Compliance (average monthly use) was associated with better clinical outcome. The first-generation Optune system weighed approximately 6 pounds (~2.7 kg). The second-generation redesigned Optune system weighs 2.7 pounds (~1.2 kg). We tested and compared GBM patient experience with the second-generation system versus the first-generation system.

Methods:

Ten newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM patients in Germany (median age: 52.9 years [31-79]) were prospectively monitored over the first month of transitioning from the first-generation to the second-generation Optune system. Questionnaires using a numerical analog scale assessed feedback at baseline (first generation) and after 1 month of second-generation use.

Results:

After transitioning to the second-generation system, compliance improved by more than 10% in four patients, was maintained in five patients and decreased by more than 10% in one patient. Following transition, eight out of nine patients reported a reduction in the triggering of malfunction alarms. Self-reported patient feedback showed improved handling and portability (weight, mobility) of the second- versus the first-generation Optune system.

Conclusions:

This patient user survey suggests that patient satisfaction with the second-generation Optune system is improved versus the first-generation system. Improved features of the new system help patients achieve and maintain a higher rate of treatment compliance.
The Alternate Corridor Technique in the Housing Project Between 1950 and 1970: Skip-Stop, Doorstep, and L’Espace Pivot
Authors: Pérez-Duarte Alejandro F. , Penna Luiza R. M.
Published: January 2019

Between 1950 and 1970, large housing complexes demonstrated contrasting ways of using the “alternate corridor” project technique. Key words such as skip-stop, doorstep, and espace pivot were used to refer to singular spatial devices, responding to different understandings in architecture. Based on certain convictions of the Modern Movement in Architecture, architects were confident in promoting design innovations using this technique, initially aimed to reduce construction costs, in efficient “access distributors” spatial systems. However, some issues arose afterward, mainly concerning the social organization of the “territory,” intending to better connect the diverse “human scales.” Focused on the small scale of intermediate collective spaces, this article proposes a comparative critique of three case studies that share a common building design technique in the alternate corridor: Pruitt-Igoe, Robin Hood Gardens, and Le-Mirail, considered to be great achievements of that time but which nowadays have been put into question or even considered to be complete failures.
Pathologies of recognition: An introduction
Authors: Harris Neal
Published: January 2019

For generations, critical social theorists have turned to the framing of ‘pathology’ to provide a theoretical infrastructure for their critique. Such an approach famously undergirds much of the Frankfurt School’s canonical work. Axel Honneth, current chair of the Institute of Social Research, continues this tradition. While Frankfurt School approaches have largely tied pathology diagnosis to a critique of historically mediated reason, a plurality of alternate conceptions exist. With the ascendancy of an intersubjective approach to critical social theory, the pathologies of the social have increasingly been comprehended as ‘pathologies of recognition’. Advocates of such a framing point to the ease of establishing an immanent basis to their critique, and of the empirical evidence supporting the need for recognition. Yet, today’s academy is increasingly spilt between those who embrace a ‘pathologies of recognition’ framework, and those who consider the development a ‘domestication’ of the Critical Theoretical tradition. This special issue brings together contributors from both sides of this divide. While the optimal framing of social pathology remains contested, the contributors to this collection are committed to furthering forms of social critique which transcend the limited liberal framings of injustice and illegitimacy.
cGMP modulation therapeutics for sickle cell disease
Authors: Conran Nicola , Torres Lidiane
Published: January 2019

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disease caused by the production of abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) S, whose deoxygenation-induced polymerization results in red blood cell (RBC) sickling and numerous pathophysiological consequences. SCD affects approximately 300,000 newborns worldwide each year and is associated with acute and chronic complications, including frequent painful vaso-occlusive episodes that often require hospitalization. Chronic intravascular hemolysis in SCD significantly reduces vascular nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, consequently decreasing intracellular signaling via cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), in turn diminishing vasodilation and contributing to the inflammatory mechanisms that trigger vaso-occlusive processes. Oxidative stress may further reduce NO bioavailability in SCD and can oxidize the intracellular enzyme target of NO, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), rendering it inactive. Increasing intracellular cGMP-dependent signaling constitutes an important pharmacological therapeutic approach for SCD with a view to augmenting vasodilation, and reducing inflammatory mechanisms, as well as for increasing the production of anti-polymerizing fetal Hb in erythroid cells. Pharmacological agents under pre-clinical and clinical investigation for SCD include NO-based therapeutics to augment NO bioavailability, as well as heme-dependent sGC stimulators and heme-independent sGC activators that directly stimulate native and oxidized sGC, respectively, therefore bypassing the need for vascular NO delivery. Additionally, the phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that degrade intracellular cyclic nucleotides with specific cellular distributions are attractive drug targets for SCD; PDE9 is highly expressed in hematopoietic cells, making the use of PDE9 inhibitors, originally developed for use in neurological diseases, a potential approach that could rapidly amplify intracellular cGMP concentrations in a relatively tissue-specific manner.

Impact statement

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited diseases and is associated with a reduced life expectancy and acute and chronic complications, including frequent painful vaso-occlusive episodes that often require hospitalization. At present, treatment of SCD is limited to hematopoietic stem cell transplant, transfusion, and limited options for pharmacotherapy, based principally on hydroxyurea therapy. This review highlights the importance of intracellular cGMP-dependent signaling pathways in SCD pathophysiology; modulation of these pathways with soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators or phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors could potentially provide vasorelaxation and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as elevate levels of anti-sickling fetal hemoglobin.
Intelligent clustering using moth flame optimizer for vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Ishtiaq Atif , Ahmed Sheeraz , Khan Muhammad Fahad , Aadil Farhan , Maqsood Muazzam , Khan Salabat
Published: January 2019

Vehicular ad hoc networks consist of access points for communication, transmission, and collecting information of nodes and environment for managing traffic loads. Clustering can be performed in the vehicular ad hoc networks for achieving the desired goals. Due to the random range of vehicular ad hoc networks, stability is the major issue on which major research is still in progress. In this article, a moth flame optimization–driven clustering algorithm is presented for vehicular ad hoc networks, replicating the social behavior of moth flames in creating efficient clusters. The proposed framework is extracted from the living routine of moth flames. The proposed framework allows efficient communication by creating the augmented number of clusters due to which it is termed as intelligent algorithm. Besides this, the use of unsupervised clustering technique emphasizes to call it as an intelligent clustering algorithm. The recommended intelligent clustering using moth flame optimization framework is executed for resolving and optimizing the clustering problem in vehicular ad hoc networks, the primary focus of the proposed scheme is to improve the stability in vehicular ad hoc networks. This proposed method can also be used for the transmission of data in vehicular networks. Intelligent clustering using moth flame optimization is then proved by relative study with two variants of particle swarm optimization: multiple-objective particle swarm optimization and comprehensive learning particle swarm optimization and a variant of ant colony optimization: ant colony optimization–based clustering algorithm for vehicular ad hoc network. The simulation demonstrates that the intelligent clustering using moth flame optimization is provisioning optimal outcomes in contrast to widely known metaheuristics. Furthermore, it provides a robust routing mechanism based on the clustering. It is suitable for large highways for the productivity of quality communication, reliable delivery for each vehicle and can be widely applicant.
The Risk of Psychiatric Morbidity and Course of Distress in Males Undergoing Infertility Evaluation Is Affected by Their Factor of Infertility
Authors: Warchol-Biedermann Katarzyna
Published: January 2019

This panel study aimed to explore the effects of male, female, mixed or idiopathic factor of infertility on the course of clinical distress and possible psychiatric morbidity in involuntarily childless males undergoing fertility evaluation for the first time. A sample of 255 males completed the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) (a) at the baseline, before their initial fertility evaluation (T1); (b) before their second andrological appointment 2–3 months after diagnostic disclosure (T2); and (c) before subsequent treatment-related/follow-up appointments (T3, T4) to be screened for clinically significant distress and risk for psychiatric morbidity. Then they were dichotomized as non-cases and cases. The timing of psychological testing was strictly related to andrological appointments and medical procedures. The research demonstrated that the baseline prevalence of clinical distress and psychiatric morbidity in all the subgroups was similar to reference values, but then significantly surged after the diagnostic disclosure, particularly in male and mixed factor respondents. However, the percentage of clinically distressed mixed or idiopathic factor of infertility respondents remained stable after diagnostic disclosure and during the entire follow-up. The prevalence of clinically significant distress and risk for psychiatric morbidity in the male factor of infertility, female factor of infertility, and mixed factor subgroups decreased during the follow-up but remained higher than at the baseline. The study identifies that the course of distress and risk of psychiatric morbidity of males is significantly affected by their factor of infertility and changes across the pathway of treatment-related/follow-up appointments.