bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A MicroRNA Signature in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Associated with Risk of Macrosomia
Authors: Li Jiandong , Song Liping , Zhou Ling , Wu Jiaoxiang , Sheng Chunjie , Chen Huiming , Liu Yanjun , Gao Shijuan , Huang Wenlin
Published: August 2015

Background/Aims: MicroRNA (miRNA) is a small non-coding RNA molecule that functions in regulation of gene expression by targeting mRNA to affect its stability and/or translation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the miRNAs involvement in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a well known risk factor for fetal overgrowth. Methods: Differential microRNA expression in placental tissues of normal controls and women with GDM were identified by miRNA micorarray analysis and further confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) on an independent set of normal and GDM placental tissues. Target genes of microRNAs were bioinformatically predicted and verified in vitro by Western blotting. Results: Our results uncovered 9 miRNAs that were significantly deregulated in GDM samples: miR-508-3p was up-regulated and miR-27a, miR-9, miR-137, miR-92a, miR-33a, miR-30d, miR-362-5p and miR-502-5p were down-regulated. Bioinformatic approaches revealed that the microRNAs signature identifies gene targets involved in EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-Kinase)-Akt (also known as protein kinase B) pathway, a signal cascade which plays important roles in placental development and fetal growth. We found that the protein levels of EGFR, PI3K and phospho-Akt were up-regulated and PIKfyve (a FYVE finger-containing phosphoinositide kinase), a negative regulator of EGFR signaling, was down-regulated significantly in GDM tissues. We also confirmed PIKfyve was a direct target of miR-508-3p. Conclusion: Our data identified a miRNA signature involvement in GDM which may contribute to macrosomia through enhancing EGFR signaling.
Plerixafor (Mozobil): A Stem Cell-Mobilizing Agent for Transplantation in Lymphoma Patients Predicted to Be Poor Mobilizers - A Pilot Study
Authors: Danylesko Ivetta , Sareli Rina , Varda-Bloom Nira , Yerushalmi Ronit , Shem-Tov Noga , Shimoni Avichai , Nagler Arnon
Published: August 2015

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the standard therapy for refractory/relapsed aggressive lymphoma. The initial step of the procedure involves mobilization and collection of hematopoietic stem cells. G-CSF fails to achieve mobilization in 15-25% of lymphoma patients. Plerixafor is a novel CXCR4 antagonist that can promote mobilization. It has been used successfully in patients after the failure of G-CSF. It is reasonable to test whether plerixafor should become the mobilizing agent of choice in patients expected to exhibit difficulties in mobilization. We initiated a study to assess the use of plerixafor as a first-line stem cell mobilizer in 20 elderly or heavily pretreated patients with non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma. The minimum defined CD34+ cell dose of ≥2 × 106 cells/kg was achieved by 90% of the patients, and for 83% of them with one apheresis procedure. The target CD34+ dose of ≥5 × 106 cells/kg was achieved by 70% of the patients. The median number of circulating CD34+ cells before and after plerixafor was 14.4 and 42.8 cells/μl, respectively. The post-plerixafor adverse events were mild. All patients promptly engrafted after high-dose chemotherapy treatment. We conclude that plerixafor administration is safe and efficient for upfront mobilization in lymphoma patients predicted to be poor mobilizers.
Successful Treatment of Recalcitrant Prurigo with Alitretinoin
Authors: Gadaldi Karolina , Erdemoğlu Yeliz , Yawalkar Nikhil
Published: August 2015

Background: Chronic itch with secondary scratch lesions such as prurigo has a major impact on quality of life. Due to its relapsing nature and often unknown origin, its treatment is challenging. Objective: We sought to demonstrate that alitretinoin can be an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment in a patient suffering from chronic itch with concomitant prurigo and psoriatic lesions. Methods: Case report. Results: After 1 month of alitretinoin treatment (30 mg daily), itch as well as prurigo and psoriasis lesions decreased markedly. Three cycles of alitretinoin were administered, as each cessation of treatment led to relapse of the symptoms after 6-8 weeks. Tapering of the alitretinoin dose (30 mg every second day) after the third cycle allowed to maintain the effects for over 18 months. Conclusion: Treatment of refractory prurigo with alitretinoin might be an efficacious alternative to standard therapies. In case of relapse, retreatment with alitretinoin reinduces a further long-lasting response.
Fas-Associated Protein with Death Domain Regulates Notch Signaling during Muscle Regeneration
Authors: Zhang Rong , Wang Lu , He Liangqiang , Yang Bingya , Yao Chun , Du Pan , Xu Qiang , Cheng Wei , Hua Zi-Chun
Published: August 2015

Notch signaling plays critical roles during myogenesis by promoting the proliferation and inhibiting the differentiation of myogenic progenitors. However, the mechanism of the temporal regulation of Notch signaling during the myogenic lineage progression remains elusive. In the present study, we show that a constitutively phosphoryl-mimicking mutation of Fas-associated death domain (FADD-D) enhances Notch-1 signaling and compromises Wnt signaling in both cultured myoblasts and regenerating muscles, which results in inhibited myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration. Inhibition of Notch signaling recovers the regeneration ability in injured FADD-D muscles through rescuing Wnt signaling. Furthermore, we found that protein kinase Cα mediates FADD-D-induced Notch-1 signaling by stabilizing Notch-1. Collectively, these data identify a novel mechanism for the temporal regulation of Notch signaling during myogenic lineage progression and muscle regeneration.
Stepwise Therapy for Treating Tuberculosis of the Upper Cervical Spine: A Retrospective Study of 11 Patients
Authors: Hou Kedong , Yang Huadong , Zhang Lin , Zhang Xifeng , Xiao Songhua , Lu Ning
Published: August 2015

Aims: Tuberculosis of the upper cervical spine is a rare occurrence with serious consequence, and its optimal treatment protocol remains inconclusive. This study aims at investigating the clinical characteristics and management outcomes of the stepwise therapy for different stages of tuberculosis of the upper cervical spine. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 11 patients with tuberculosis of the upper cervical spine who received anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy for 15 months. Two infants were treated by individualized chemotherapy, while 9 patients with retropharyngeal abscess were first treated with CT-guided percutaneous puncture, and the catheter was used to administer local chemotherapy. Two of these 9 patients continued to receive posterior instrumentation due to atlantoaxial subluxation. Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically for an average period of 60 months. Results: Two patients underwent catheter change due to catheter falling off and blockage, 2 patients had gastrointestinal side effects, and 2 patients had drug-induced hepatitis derived from the chemotherapy. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 10.27 mm/h (range 4-16 mm/h) and average visual analogue scale score was 2.55. A total of 11 cases underwent routine anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy for 15 months. 9 of 11 cases received supplementary surgical therapy, and all patients were cured at the final follow-up. Conclusion: Standard anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is the cornerstone of stepwise therapy for tuberculosis of the upper cervical spine. Local chemotherapy is effective and minimally invasive for patients with severe local symptoms without spinal cord compression. Just as in patients with atlantoaxial instability, open fixation and bone grafting are necessary.
PR Prolongation and Cardiac 123I-MIBG Uptake Reduction in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Mochizuki Hitoshi , Ebihara Yuka , Ugawa Yoshikazu , Ishii Nobuyuki , Taniguchi Akitoshi , Nagamachi Shigeki , Shiomi Kazutaka , Nakazato Masamitsu
Published: August 2015

Background: Cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy (MIBG) previously demonstrated an uptake reduction in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, epidemiologic research showed that electrocardiography (ECG) abnormalities occurred prior to motor signs in PD. Here we investigated whether the electrical conduction system of the heart was impaired in PD. Methods: Clinical features, ECG and MIBG parameters were analyzed in 191 patients with PD, 42 with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and 124 normal controls (NL). Results: The PR interval was significantly longer in patients with PD than in NL. The PR interval was significantly negatively correlated with early and delayed heart-to-mediastinum ratios in MIBG scintigraphy in PD and MSA patients. In 19 PD patients with PR prolongation, 17 patients also had abnormal MIBG findings, and the other 2 showed normal MIBG. Conclusions: The PR prolongation must show some sympathetic system abnormality because it is mainly controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. PR prolongation supports the objective biomarker value of MIBG for PD diagnosis.
Prospective surveillance study of haemophilia A patients switching from moroctocog alfa or other factor VIII products to moroctocog alfa albumin-free cell culture (AF-CC) in usual care settings
Authors: Nemes Laszlo , Jimenez-Yuste Victor , Rusen Luminita , Cid Ana , Charnigo Robert , Baumann James , Smith Lynne , Korth-Bradley Joan , Rendo Pablo , Lopez Rafael Parra
Published: August 2015

This prospective, open-label, postauthorisation safety surveillance study assessed clinically significant inhibitor development in patients with severe haemophilia A transitioning from moroctocog alfa or other factor VIII (FVIII) replacement products to reformulated moroctocog alfa (AF-CC). Males aged12 years with severe haemophilia A (FVIII:C) < 1 IU/dl), > 150 exposure days (EDs) to recombinant or plasma-derived FVIII products, and no detectable inhibitor at screening were enrolled. Primary end point was the incidence of clinically significant FVIII inhibitor development. Secondary end points included annualised bleeding rate (ABR), less-than-expected therapeutic effect (LETE), and FVIII recovery. Patients were assigned to one of two cohorts based on whether they were transitioning to moroctocog alfa (AF-CC) from moroctocog alfa (cohort 1; n=146) or from another recombinant or plasma-derived FVIII product (cohort 2; n=62). Mean number of EDs on study was 94 (range, 1–139). Six positive FVIII inhibitor results, as determined by local laboratories, were reported in four patients; none were confirmed by a central laboratory, no inhibitor-related clinical manifestations were reported, and all anti-FVIII antibody assays were negative. Median ABRs were 23.4 and 3.4 in patients categorised at baseline as following on-demand and prophylactic regimens, respectively; 86.5 % of bleeding episodes resolved after one infusion. LETE incidence was 0.06 % and 0.19 % in the on-demand and prophylaxis settings, respectively. FVIII recovery remained constant throughout the study. No new safety concerns were identified. This study found no increased risk of clinically significant FVIII inhibitor development in patients transitioning from moroctocog alfa or other FVIII replacement products to moroctocog alfa (AF-CC).
Residential Proximity to Major Roadways Is Associated With Increased Levels of AC133
+
Circulating Angiogenic Cells
Authors: DeJarnett Natasha , Yeager Ray , Conklin Daniel J. , Lee Jongmin , O’Toole Timothy E. , McCracken James , Abplanalp Wes , Srivastava Sanjay , Riggs Daniel W. , Hamzeh Ihab , Wagner Stephen , Chugh Atul , DeFilippis Andrew , Ciszewski Tiffany , Wyatt Brad , Becher Carrie , Higdon Deirdre , Ramos Kenneth S. , Tollerud David J. , Myers John A. , Rai Shesh N. , Shah Jasmit , Zafar Nagma , Krishnasamy Sathya S. , Prabhu Sumanth D. , Bhatnagar Aruni
Published: August 2015

Objectives—

Previous studies have shown that residential proximity to a roadway is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Yet, the nature of this association remains unclear, and its effect on individual cardiovascular disease risk factors has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to determine whether residential proximity to roadways influences systemic inflammation and the levels of circulating angiogenic cells.

Approach and Results—

In a cross-sectional study, cardiovascular disease risk factors, blood levels of C-reactive protein, and 15 antigenically defined circulating angiogenic cell populations were measured in participants (n=316) with moderate-to-high cardiovascular disease risk. Attributes of roadways surrounding residential locations were assessed using geographic information systems. Associations between road proximity and cardiovascular indices were analyzed using generalized linear models. Close proximity (<50 m) to a major roadway was associated with lower income and higher rates of smoking but not C-reactive protein levels. After adjustment for potential confounders, the levels of circulating angiogenic cells in peripheral blood were significantly elevated in people living in close proximity to a major roadway (CD31
+
/AC133
+
, AC133
+
, CD34
+
/AC133
+
, and CD34
+
/45
dim
/AC133
+
cells) and positively associated with road segment distance (CD31
+
/AC133
+
, AC133
+
, and CD34
+
/AC133
+
cells), traffic intensity (CD31
+
/AC133
+
and AC133
+
cells), and distance-weighted traffic intensity (CD31
+
/34
+
/45
+
/AC133
+
cells).

Conclusions—

Living close to a major roadway is associated with elevated levels of circulating cells positive for the early stem marker AC133
+
. This may reflect an increased need for vascular repair. Levels of these cells in peripheral blood may be a sensitive index of cardiovascular injury because of residential proximity to roadways.
Association of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) With Cardiovascular Risk in Primary Prevention
Authors: Zhu Yiming M. , Anderson Todd J. , Sikdar Khokan , Fung Marinda , McQueen Matthew J. , Lonn Eva M. , Verma Subodh
Published: August 2015

Objective—

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays an important role in the modulation of low-density lipoprotein metabolism. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between serum PCSK9 concentrations and measures of vascular health, subclinical atherosclerosis, and adverse cardiovascular events. The relationship between traditional risk factors and PCSK9 concentrations was also examined.

Approach and Results—

The cohort consisted of 1527 middle-aged men enrolled in the Firefighters and Their Endothelium (FATE) study, who were free of vascular disease and followed up over a mean period of 7.2±1.7 years. Baseline evaluation included assessment of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and measurements of flow-mediated dilation, reactive hyperemic velocity time integral, and carotid intima-media thickness. Biochemical parameters, including serum PCSK9 concentrations, were analyzed to determine predictors of vascular measures and to evaluate the role of PCSK9 in the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events. Multivariate linear regression analyses indicated that body mass index, insulin, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides were independent predictors of PCSK9. Further modeling revealed no correlation between PCSK9 concentration and carotid intima media thickness, flow-mediated dilation, or reactive hyperemic velocity time integral. Analyses indicated no significant association between PCSK9 concentrations and cardiovascular event occurrences.

Conclusions—

Although correlated with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, insulin, and triglycerides, PCSK9 was not associated with measures of vascular function or structure. There was also no significant relationship between PCSK9 concentrations and cardiovascular events. Thus, although PCSK9 is an important therapeutic target to reduce circulating low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations, it is unlikely to be a biomarker of atherosclerotic risk or vascular health.
An In Vitro Cynomolgus Vascular Surrogate System for Preclinical Drug Assessment and Human Translation
Authors: Cole Banumathi K. , Simmers Michael B. , Feaver Ryan , Qualls Charles W. , Collado M. Sol , Berzin Erica , Figler Robert A. , Pryor Andrew W. , Lawson Mark , Mackey Aaron , Manka David , Wamhoff Brian R. , Turk James R. , Blackman Brett R.
Published: August 2015

Objectives—

The predictive value of animal and in vitro systems for drug development is limited, particularly for nonhuman primate studies as it is difficult to deduce the drug mechanism of action. We describe the development of an in vitro cynomolgus macaque vascular system that reflects the in vivo biology of healthy, atheroprone, or advanced inflammatory cardiovascular disease conditions.

Approach and Results—

We compare the responses of the in vitro human and cynomolgus vascular systems to 4 statins. Although statins exert beneficial pleiotropic effects on the human vasculature, the mechanism of action is difficult to investigate at the tissue level. Using RNA sequencing, we quantified the response to statins and report that most statins significantly increased the expression of genes that promote vascular health while suppressing inflammatory cytokine gene expression. Applying computational pathway analytics, we identified statin-regulated biological themes, independent of cholesterol lowering, that provide mechanisms for off-target effects, including thrombosis, cell cycle regulation, glycogen metabolism, and ethanol degradation.

Conclusions—

The cynomolgus vascular system described herein mimics the baseline and inflammatory regional biology of the human vasculature, including statin responsiveness, and provides mechanistic insight not achievable in vivo.
Learning from Madness: Mário Pedrosa and the Physiognomic Gestalt
Authors: Cabañas Kaira M.
Published: August 2015

What does looking to the art produced by psychiatric patients bring to our understanding of modernism and the rise of geometric abstraction in Rio de Janeiro in the mid-twentieth century? This article explores Brazilian critic Mário Pedrosa's early theses on the psychology of form in relation to his reception of psychiatric patients' creative production. In his early writings on Gestalt, Pedrosa insisted on the autonomy of form and on a modern global, or comprehensive, perception and critiqued bourgeois rationality for its exclusion of the mentally ill. To understand the historical and cultural specificity of Pedrosa's aesthetics of reception, I turn to Rio-based psychiatrist Dr. Nise da Silveira—it is in large measure her work and that of her patients, which stand at the center of this competing account of mid-century aesthetics in Brazil.
The China Girl on the Margins of Film
Authors: Yue Genevieve
Published: August 2015

The “China Girl” has appeared in more films than any actress, but she is almost never seen. Used in industrial film laboratories since the late 1920s, this image-nearly always a woman positioned next to color swatches and patches of white, gray, and black—is clipped to the leader of a film reel and used throughout the processing, developing, and printing of photochemical film to determine the desired exposure, density, and ideal appearance of the human body. This article addresses the China Girl's essential but often overlooked role in film history, specifically as it pertains to questions of race, gender, and visibility. It also surveys the work of various experimental filmmakers, including Owen Land, Morgan Fisher, Barbara Hammer, Sandra Gibson and Luis Recoder, Cécile Fontaine, and Mark Toscano, who have used the China Girl image to explore issues of celluloid materiality, the behind-the-scenes workings of the film industry, and the often marginal role of women both in front of and behind the camera.
Gyrosigma xiamenense sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta) from the middle intertidal zone, Xiamen Bay, southern China
Authors: Liu Bing , Sterrenburg F.A.S. , Huang Bangqin
Published: August 2015

Gyrosigma xiamenense sp. nov., a new diatom species from the middle intertidal zone, Xiamen Bay, southern China, was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The valves are large and sigmoid, with parallel sides. The raphe sternum has single curvature. Externally, a row of round pores is present on the mantle; isomorphic proximal raphe fissures turn first in opposite directions, then both final parts of the fissures run nearly parallel to the longitudinal striae. Internally, a row of areolae closest to the raphe sternum is capped by small projections on the primary side whilst these are absent on the secondary side; proximal raphe endings are first club-shaped, then the final parts of the two raphe endings form two T-shaped slits being separated from the club-shaped part by a tiny bridge; there is a vermiform bar in the middle of the raphe nodule. G. xiamenense is epipelic and lives in marine habitats.
Cantharellus sikkimensis sp.nov. (Cantharellales, Agaricomycetes) from the Indian Himalayas
Authors: Das Kanad , Hofstetter Valerie , Chakraborty Dyutiparna , Baghela Abhishek , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Buyck Bart
Published: August 2015

This paper describes and illustrates Cantharellus sikkimensis sp.nov. from Abies densa vegetation in the mountains of Sikkim, India. The new species is phylogenetically placed in subgenus Parvocantharellus and differs from the other species of the same subgenus in the strong contrast between the dark brown, convex pileus and the yellowish color of all other parts of the fruiting bodies. It is furthermore characterized by its very long, partly hollowing and downward broadening stipe and by the size of its spores measuring 8–9–11× 5–5.5–7 µm (n= 20, Q = 1.33–1.64–2.2 µm). Cantharellus umbonatus Deepika, Upadhyay & Reddy 2013 non Pers.: Fr. 1821, nom. inval. is shown to be unrelated and suggested to be a later synonym of C. pseudoformosus. The systematic position of this species is here corrected as being member of Cantharellus subg. Cantharellus sect. Amethystini.
Domínguez, Y., Panfet Valdés, C.M. & Miranda, V.F.O. (2014) Pinguicula filifolia subsp. alba (Lentibulariaceae), a new subspecies with an extremely restricted distribution in Pinar del Río, Cuba. Phytotaxa 158 (1): 85–92.
Authors: Domínguez Yoannis , Panfet Valdés Cristina Mercedes , De Miranda Vitor Fernandes Oliveira
Published: August 2015

The carnivorous plant Pinguicula filifolia occurs in western Cuba and shows a restricted distribution due to habitat specificity associated with poor wet soils. Its populations are distributed mainly in south Pinar del Río (Cuba) and in Isla de la Juventud. Plants from one isolated location in NW Pinar del Río shows morphological differences with respect to the rest of the known populations observed in nature. Subsequent detailed morphological analysis of specimens led to the description of Pinguicula filifolia subsp. alba as a new subspecies. It differs from the typical subspecies in several reproductive traits involving flower, fruit and seed characters and is so far known only from the type locality.
A new species of the genus Arcoptilia Arenberger (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae) from Angola
Authors: USTJUZHANIN P. , KOVTUNOVICH V.
Published: August 2015

The new species Arcoptilia naumanni sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae) is described and illustrated from males found in Angola. Platyptilia rufamaculata Gielis, 2011, syn. nov. is established as a junior synonym of Arcoptilia pongola Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, 2010.
A new species and subgenus of Elseya (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from New Guinea
Authors: THOMSON SCOTT , AMEPOU YOLARNIE , ANAMIATO JIM , GEORGES ARTHUR
Published: August 2015

The New Guinea freshwater turtle, Elseya novaeguineae (senu lato) is a long-term, widespread resident of New Guinea and has been subject to substantial vicariance in one of the most geologically dynamic regions on earth. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the taxonomy of this turtle is poorly resolved. Elseya novaeguineae has long been recognized as a species complex, though which elements of this taxon warrant recognition as separate species has been debated. In this paper, we restrict Elseya novaeguineae to the Birds Head region of New Guinea, west of the Langguru Thrust and Fold Belt; we resurrect from synonymy Elseya schultzei for the populations north of the Central Ranges; and we describe a new species for the populations to the south of the Central Ranges. We revisit the classification of the genus Elseya throughout its range in the light of our work and recently published reports, and erect three subgenera that recognize the three major clades within this genus. Subgenus Elseya is the nominate subgenus, to which we assign Elseya dentata, E. branderhorsti and undescribed E. sp. aff. dentata [Sth Alligator]. Elseya novaeguineae, E. schultzei and our new species are assigned to a new subgenus, Hanwarachelys. Species of northern and eastern Queensland, E. albagula, E. irwini, E. lavarackorum and the fossil taxa E. uberrima and E. nadibajagu, are assigned to subgenus Pelocomastes, resurrected from synonymy.
A new leaf-tailed gecko of the Uroplatus ebenaui group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Madagascar's central eastern rainforests
Authors: RATSOAVINA FANOMEZANA MIHAJA , RANJANAHARISOA FIADANANTSOA ANDRIANJA , GLAW FRANK , RASELIMANANA ACHILLE P. , MIRALLES AURÉLIEN , VENCES MIGUEL
Published: August 2015

We describe a new leaf-tailed gecko species of the Uroplatus ebenaui group from the eastern central rainforests of Madagascar, which had previously been considered as a confirmed candidate species. Our description of Uroplatus fiera sp. nov. relies on integrating evidence from molecular and morphological characters and is based on newly collected material from two localities. A phylogenetic analysis based on multiple mitochondrial DNA fragments places the new species as sister to a lineage of uncertain status (Uroplatus ebenaui [Ca8]), and the clade consisting of these two lineages is sister to a further undescribed candidate species (U. ebenaui [Ca1]). This entire clade is sister to U. phantasticus plus another candidate species. The new species differs from these close relatives, and all other congenerics, by strong differences in DNA sequences of mitochondrial genes (>8.5% uncorrected p-distance in 16S rDNA to all nominal species of the genus) and lacks shared alleles with any of the nominal species in the nuclear CMOS gene. From its closest relatives the new species further differs in its much smaller tail size (relative to U. phantasticus), and a narrower tail, fewer supralabials, and more toe lamellae (relative to U. ebenaui [Ca1]). Morphologically the new species is most similar to U. ebenaui but differs in its larger body size and unpigmented oral mucosa. Given its distribution in central eastern Madagascar, with records from near Fierenana and Ambatovy, its range overlaps with that of U. phantasticus. Based on examination of the U. phantasticus holotype, we confirm that this latter has a blackish pigmented oral mucosa as do those specimens typically attributed to this nomen, thereby confirming its distinctness from U. fiera sp. nov., in which the mucosa is unpigmented.
New enchytraeid species (Enchytraeidae, Oligochaeta) from Korea
Authors: DÓZSA-FARKAS KLÁRA , Felföldi Tamás , HONG YONG
Published: August 2015

We give descriptions of five new enchytraeid species (Enchytraeidae, Oligochaeta) from Korea: Henlea magnaampullacea sp. n., Fridericia sphaerica sp. n., F. cusanicaformis sp. n., F. granulocyta sp. n. and Mesenchytraeus calyx sp. n., with morphological and molecular (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, nuclear histone 3 genes and nuclear ribosomal ITS region sequences) data. In total, 19 enchytraeid species belonging to seven genera have been found in the studied woodland and agronomical soil samples. Apart from the five new species, three further species are new for the Korean enchytraeid fauna, Enchytraeus christenseni, E. dichaetus, and Achaeta cf. brevivasa. Molecular taxonomical analyses show that the Korean species resembling H. ventriculosa is not identical with the European species, furthermore sequence analysis of individuals morphologically identified as F. seoraksani indicate the possibility of species-complexity and the presence of cryptic species.
Statistical Quality Control of High-Resolution Winds of Different Radiosonde Types for Climatology Analysis
Authors: Houchi Karim , Stoffelen Ad , Marseille Gert-Jan , De Kloe Jos
Published: August 2015

Quality control (QC) is among the most important steps in any data processing. These steps are elaborated for high-vertical-resolution radiosonde datasets that were gathered and analyzed to study atmospheric winds. The database is composed of different radiosonde wind-finding systems (WFSs), including radio theodolite, Loran C, and GPS. Inspection of this database, particularly for wind, wind shear, and ascent height increments (dz), showed a nonnegligible amount of outliers in radio theodolite data as compared to the two other WFSs, thus denoting quality differences between the various systems. An effective statistical QC (SQC) is then developed to isolate and eliminate outliers from the more realistic observations. Improving the accuracy of the radio theodolite WFS is critical to the derivation of the vertical motion and the vertical gradients of the horizontal wind—that is, wind shear—mainly because of the direct dependence of these quantities ondz. Based on the climatological distribution of the quality-controlleddz, a new approach is suggested to estimate these wind quantities for radio theodolite data. The approach is validated with the high-quality modern WFSs (Loran C and GPS). Although initially of reduced quality, applying SQC and using the climatological meandzof 12-s smoothed radio theodolite profiles shows very good improvement in the climatological wind analyses of radio theodolite WFSs. Notably, the climatologies of ascent rate, vertical motion, horizontal wind, and vertical shear now look comparable for the various WFSs. Thus, the SQC processing steps prove essential and may be extended to other variables and measurement systems.
45,X/46,XY Mosaicism and Possible Association With Hypothyroidism in Males
Authors: Hojat Leila , Schweiger Michelle
Published: August 2015

Mosaicism has a wide phenotypic spectrum but frequently manifests as the normal male phenotype. Its association with short stature has been well recognized and appears to respond effectively to growth hormone therapy. We present 2 phenotypically normal males who both initially presented with short stature and were found to have hypothyroidism. They were treated for hypothyroidism but their growth did not improve as expected. Further testing revealed 45,X/46,XY mosaicism in both males. We propose that a potential link exists between 45,X/46,XY mosaicism and hypothyroidism, which has not been previously described in the literature. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to evaluate for other disorders such as 45,X/46,XY mosaicism in young males with short stature and hypothyroidism if their growth does not improve once they become euthyroid.
Late ELISA Testing in Infants Born to HIV-Positive Mothers
Authors: Puertolas Mora V. , Bolton Michael T. , Steele Russell W.
Published: August 2015

We present the case of a young boy who was born to a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive mother and originally found to be uninfected. Evidence-based guidelines were followed regarding the mother’s prenatal and infant’s postnatal care, including the avoidance of breast milk. HIV DNA polymerase chain reaction qualitative tests were obtained at birth, 6 weeks and 4 months, and were all negative. He also received 6 weeks of prophylactic zidovudine. Despite these measures, his health began to decline at 17 months of age and antibody and serology tests performed at this time confirmed HIV infection. Guidelines no longer recommend routine antibody testing at 18 months of age to confirm the absence of infection in exposed infants with a record of negative virology in the first year of life. Based on this case and others we propose that this test be added back to the national guidelines for the early detection and prompt treatment of HIV infection in infants born to HIV-positive mothers.
‘Responsibility to Prosecute’ in an age of global governmentality: The International Criminal Court
Authors: Turan Gozde
Published: August 2015

This paper critically examines the discursive power of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which was established in 2002 with unprecedented jurisdiction in terms of both crimes being prosecuted and territorial scope. What evokes a critical engagement is not only the criminalization of certain acts in international law, but also the evolution of a permanent international criminal court with forms of power enabling the sanctioning, prosecution and punishment of these acts. Analysing how current international criminal law developed and is being shaped brings to the surface particular power structures embedded in legal texts and practices. By subjecting the discourse of the ICC to a Foucauldian analysis and arguing for the utility of Foucault’s concepts in analysing contemporary international criminal legal discourse, the paper contributes to our understanding of novel techniques and procedures of contemporary global governmentality, and how the ‘international community’ is constituted as both a subject and an object within this recent power modality.
Children’s perceptions of illness and health: An analysis of drawings
Authors: Mouratidi Paraskevi-Stavroula , Bonoti Fotini , Leondari Angeliki
Published: August 2015

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to explore possible age differences in children’s perceptions of illness and health and to what extent these differ from adults’ perceptions.

Design:

Cross-sectional design.

Setting:

Selected nursery and primary schools in Greece.

Method:

The sample consisted of 347 children aged 5–11 years and 114 adults – as a comparison group. Each participant was asked to create two drawings, depicting illness and health respectively, and to give an explanatory title for each. Drawings were categorised into three main categories, depending on the aspect of illness or health depicted, namely biomedical, psychosocial and lifestyle.

Results:

Older children produced more multifaceted depictions of illness and health than their younger counterparts, while the youngest group had difficulty to represent the two concepts clearly. A comparison of children’s perception of illness and health revealed that the first is perceived mainly as a biomedical phenomenon, while the latter as a psychosocial one. Finally, a comparison of adults’ and children’s representations showed that children understand illness mainly through its biomedical dimensions, unlike adults who seem to prefer to stress psychosocial ones.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of children’s subjective perceptions of illness and health may be useful in designing health prevention programmes and for medical professionals working with children experiencing chronic illness.
Lesotho’s 2015 Legislative Election: Providing or Undermining Stability?
Authors: Banerjee Vasabjit , Rich Timothy S
Published: August 2015

Political unrest in 2014 threatened Lesotho’s newly found democratic stability. Observers focus on educating the public about the electoral system and encouraging pre-election coalition discussions. However, this analysis suggests that such remedies ignore the institutional influences of Lesotho’s electoral system that undermine both public understanding and stability. Furthermore, a statistical analysis of district competition finds the 2015 elections to be largely consistent with previous elections, but that the percentage of rejected ballots correlates with a district victory for the largest party. Although this may simply be a statistical anomaly, the findings highlight structural challenges and reconsideration of electoral reforms.
Mini vs. Standard Implants for Mandibular Overdentures
Authors: de Souza R.F. , Ribeiro A.B. , Della Vecchia M.P. , Costa L. , Cunha T.R. , Reis A.C. , Albuquerque R.F.
Published: August 2015

A mandibular implant-retained overdenture is considered a first-choice treatment for edentulism. However, some aspects limit the use of standard implants—for example, the width of edentulous ridges, chronic diseases, fear, or costs. This randomized trial compared mandibular overdentures retained by 2 or 4 mini-implants with standard implants, considering oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL), patient satisfaction, and complications such as lost implant. In sum, 120 edentulous men and women (mean age, 59.5 ± 8.5 y) randomly received 4 mini-implants, 2 mini-implants, or 2 standard implants. Participants provided data regarding OHRQoL and satisfaction until 12 mo. Clinical parameters, including implant survival rate, were also recorded. Both 2 and 4 mini-implants led to better OHRQoL, compared with 2 standard implants. Treatment with 4 mini-implants was more satisfying than 2 standard implants, with 2 mini-implants presenting intermediate results. Implant survival rate was 89%, 82%, and 99% for 4 mini-implants, 2 mini-implants, or 2 standard implants, respectively. Overdentures retained by 4 or 2 mini-implants can achieve OHRQoL and satisfaction at least comparable with that of 2 standard implants. However, the survival rate of mini implants is not as high as that of standard implants ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01411683).
Operating Profitability of For-Profit and Not-for-Profit Florida Community Hospitals During Medicare Policy Changes, 2000 to 2010
Authors: Langland-Orban Barbara , Large John T. , Sear Alan M. , Zhang Hanze , Zhang Nanhua
Published: August 2015

Medicare Advantage was implemented in 2004 and the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program was implemented in Florida during 2005. Both increase surveillance of medical necessity and deny payments for improper admissions. The purpose of the present study was to determine their potential impact on for-profit (FP) and not-for-profit (NFP) hospital operating margins in Florida. FP hospitals were expected to be more adversely affected as admissions growth has been one strategy to improve stock performance, which is not a consideration at NFPs. This study analyzed Florida community hospitals from 2000 through 2010, assessing changes in pre-tax operating margin (PTOM). Florida Agency for Health Care Administration data were analyzed for 104 community hospitals (62 FPs and 42 NFPs). Academic, public, and small hospitals were excluded. A mixed-effects model was used to assess the association of RAC implementation, organizational and payer type variables, and ownership interaction effects on PTOM. FP hospitals began the period with a higher average PTOM, but converged with NFPs during the study period. The average Medicare Advantage effect was not significant for either ownership type. The magnitude of the RAC variable was significantly negative for average PTOM at FPs (−4.68) and positive at NFPs (0.08), meaning RAC was associated with decreasing PTOM at FP hospitals only. RAC complements other Medicare surveillance systems that detect medically unnecessary admissions, coding errors, fraud, and abuse. Since its implementation in Florida, average FP and NFP operating margins have been similar, such that the higher margins reported for FP hospitals in the 1990s are no longer evident.
Teaching “Real Utopias” through Experiential Learning
Authors: Peterson Lindsey , Witt Joseph , Huntington Carolyn
Published: August 2015

In this article, we describe a way to encourage students to envision “real utopias” through the Global Village experience at the Heifer Ranch in Arkansas. The Global Village experience introduces participants to issues associated with global hunger, poverty, environmental sustainability, and resource consumption and provides opportunities to experience simulated poverty and resource inequality. Using student journals recorded during the experience and participant observation, we demonstrate how students’ learning is enhanced by temporarily living outside their typical comfort zones and closer to the global averages of consumption. We find that the Global Village experience is an effective and unique tool for engaging students in global and transnational issues and for encouraging students to imagine other possible worlds.
Trajectory tracking control for an indoor quadrotor UAV based on the disturbance observer
Authors: Wang Honglin , Chen Mou
Published: August 2015

A quadrotor is a kind of vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial rotorcraft which has been attracting wide interest around the world. However, small-scale quadrotors usually suffer from modeling error and external disturbance which are severe challenges for the control system design. To this end, the disturbance-observer-based (DOB) control strategy is applied to reject the performance degradation caused by the above negative factors. To further improve the trajectory tracking precision for an indoor quadrotor suffering from modeling error and external disturbance, a linear dual DOB (LDDOB) trajectory tracking control scheme is developed in this paper. Considering the practical implementation in engineering, the LDDOB position control approach is developed based on the linear quadrotor model. In addition, regarding to the non-minimum phase characteristic of the translational motion model, a modified version of a PID position controller is utilized to attenuate the undershoot of the closed-loop system in the initial response. Extensive numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed trajectory tracking control scheme.
Finite-time synchronization of Markovian jump complex networks with generally uncertain transition rates
Authors: Xu Ruiping , Kao Yonggui , Gao Mingmei
Published: August 2015

In this paper, finite-time synchronization for a class of Markovian jump complex networks (MJCNs) with generally uncertain transition rates (GUTRs) is considered. In this GUTR network model, each transition rate can be completely unknown or only its estimate value is known. This new uncertain model is more general than partly unknown transition rates (PUTRs). By constructing a suitable stochastic Lyapunov–Krasovskii function, using finite-time stability theorem and pinning control approaches, a sufficient finite-time synchronization criterion is derived in term of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which is easy to solve with the help of the LMI toolbox in Matlab. Finally, theoretical results are supported by numerical simulations.
An effective fireworks algorithm for warehouse-scheduling problem
Authors: Ye Sengang , Ma Haiping , Xu Sheng , Yang Wenqiang , Fei Minrui
Published: August 2015

This paper proposes an effective fireworks algorithm (FWA), which is a new heuristic algorithm inspired by the phenomenon of a fireworks display, to solve the warehouse-scheduling problem. First, a real-world warehouse-scheduling problem is described in detail, and it is formulated as a constrained single-objective optimization problem. Then an effective FWA, FWA-LSCM, is developed by combining with a local search method and chaotic mutation, which are used to balance the exploration and exploitation of FWA. The experimental results show that FWA-LSCM is a competitive algorithm for a set of 2013 Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC) benchmark functions. Finally, the proposed FWA-LSCM is successfully applied to the warehouse-scheduling problem and outperforms other FWA algorithms studied in this paper.
Industrialization and Rural Development in the Anglophone African Countries
Authors: Darkoh Michael Bernard Kwesi , Kinyanjui Mary Njeri
Published: August 2015

At independence, Anglophone African countries or the former British colonies inherited a structural and spatial pattern of industries incapable of contributing significantly to sustainable rural development and nationally integrated economies. In the subsequent post-independence period, efforts in some countries were made in their industrial planning and implementation processes to restructure the inherited pattern, but not much success has been attained. To date, industrialization and rural development have made little impact in many of the Anglophone African countries. The central argument of this article is that the inherited characteristics and pattern of industrialization in the Anglophone African countries are incapable of contributing significantly to sustainable rural development and balanced nationally integrated economies and there is need for a new industrial allocation pattern. The article discusses the characteristics and evolving trends in industrialization and rural development and makes suggestions for the future.
The Decolonial Mandela
Authors: Ndlovu-Gatsheni Sabelo J.
Published: August 2015

This article provides a fresh decolonial reading of Nelson Mandela’s political life and legacy as an embodiment of critical decolonial ethics of liberation that is opposed to imperial/colonial/apartheid paradigm of war and its logics of racial profiling, classification, and hierarchization of human beings. The paradigm of war is underpinned by the paradigm of difference and working in combination, they enabled the denial of the humanity of black people, their enslavement, conquest, colonization, dispossession, exploitation, and notions of impossibility of copresence of human races. Mandela emerges at the center of this imperial/colonial/apartheid milieu vehemently opposed to the paradigm of war, logic of racism, and coloniality. After enduring 27 years of incarceration at the notorious Robben Island, Mandela avoided bitterness and preached the gospel of racial harmony, reconciliation, and democracy. His leadership during the transition from apartheid to democracy inaugurated a paradigm shift from Nuremberg paradigm of justice to a new paradigm of political justice privileging political reform and social transformation. As the first black president of South Africa, Mandela practically and symbolically made important overtures to the erstwhile white racists aimed at hailing them back to a new, inclusive, nonracial, democratic, and pluriversal society known as the rainbow nation.
Repairing Trust in Organizations and Institutions: Toward a Conceptual Framework
Authors: Bachmann Reinhard , Gillespie Nicole , Priem Richard
Published: August 2015

Trust plays a fundamental role in facilitating social exchange, yet recent global events have undermined trust in many of society’s institutions and organizations. This raises the pertinent question of how trust in organizations and institutions can be restored once it has been lost. The emerging literature on trust repair is largely focused at the micro level, with limited examination of how these processes operate at the macro level and across levels. In this introductory essay, we show how the papers in this special issue each advance our understanding of macro-level trust repair. We draw on these papers, as well as the extant interdisciplinary literature, to propose an integrated conceptual model of six key mechanisms for restoring trust in organizations and institutions, highlighting the merits, limits and paradoxes of each. We conclude that no single mechanism can be relied on to rebuild organizational trust and identify a future research agenda for advancing scholarly understanding of organizational and institutional trust repair.
Opportunity evaluation and changing beliefs during the nascent entrepreneurial process
Authors: McCann Brian T , Vroom Govert
Published: August 2015

This article explores an important but less understood part of the nascent entrepreneurial process, the changes that occur to beliefs associated with continuing evaluation of the opportunity and related learning. Using samples from the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics, we demonstrate that engaging in planning activities by nascent entrepreneurs as they proceed through the process is associated with a decrease in perceptions of environmental uncertainty but an increase in perceived individual self-efficacy and business performance expectations. Overall, our evidence is consistent with a dynamic view of the nascent stage of the entrepreneurial process characterized by ongoing significant changes in beliefs.