bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Let's stop wasting time – and research
Authors: Dean Rachel
Published: August 2019

In this month's evidence column Rachel Dean argues that not only does veterinary research have to be replicable, it also must be relevant and accessible to clinicians
British Veterinary Association Annual General Meeting Swansea, 19 September 2019
Authors: Thorpe Derek
Published: August 2019

The 2019 Annual General Meeting of the British Veterinary Association will be held at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, on Thursday 19 September 2019, at 16.15.
Tropylium cation-fused aromatic [26]dicarbaporphyrinoids with NIR absorptions: Synthesis, spectroscopic and theoretical characterization
Authors: Sahoo Krushna C. , Sangeetha Mohandas , Usharani Dandamudi , Rath Harapriya
Published: August 2019

An easy and efficient synthetic methodology for two hitherto unknown tropylium-cation-fused Hückel aromatic [26] dicarbaporphyrinoids has been developed by acid-catalyzed Lindsey type condensation of bithiophene/biselenophene diol with azulene using BF3 · Et2O followed by oxidation with chloranil and/or DDQ. Both the macrocycles have been achieved in moderately good yields. Their structures, aromaticity and optical properties have been elucidated by NMR, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopic analyses and in-depth theoretical calculations. Both the macrocycles exhibited strongly diatropic characteristics with the UV-vis spectra closely resembling the spectra for true porphyrins. Detailed structural analyses using 1H–1H COSY, ROESY and DFT level theoretical investigations indicated fully conjugated [26][Formula: see text] main conjugation pathway being benefitted by the tropylium character of the seven membered rings.
Novel Haplotype Indicator for End-Stage Renal Disease Progression among Saudi Patients
Authors: Cyrus Cyril , Chathoth Shahanas , Vatte Chittibabu , Alrubaish Nafie , Almuhanna Othman , Borgio J. Francis , Al-Mueilo Samir , Al Muhanna Fahd , Al Ali Amein K.
Published: August 2019

Background. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the result of hypertensive nephrosclerosis and chronic glomerular diseases and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are strong heritable components in the manifestation of the disease with a genetic predisposition to renal disorders, including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and arterionephrosclerosis. Recent studies in genetics have examined modifiable risk factors that contribute to renal disease, and this has provided a deep insight into progressive kidney disease. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms at the proximity of SHROOM3, CST3, SLC7A9, and MYH9 genes have been associated with an increased risk of developing CKD and ESRD. Methods. A total of 160 CKD patients and 189 control subjects of Saudi origin participated in the study. Eight polymorphisms (SHROOM3-rs9992101, rs17319721; SLC7A9-rs4805834; MYH9-rs4821480, rs4821481, rs2032487, rs3752462; CST3-rs13038305) were genotyped using TaqMan assay, and the haplotype analysis was done using the HaploView 4.2 software. Results. Haplotype analysis revealed a novel haplotype “E6”-GTTT to be associated significantly with an increased risk for ESRD (p=0.0001) and CKD (p=0.03). Conclusion. CKD is often silent until symptomatic uremia during the advanced stages of the disease. The newly identified haplotype will help recognize patients at risk for a rapid progression of CKD to ESRD. Accurate detection and mapping of the genetic variants facilitates improved risk stratification and development of improved and targeted therapeutic management for CKD.
Optimization of Transmission Signal Power through Observation of Congestion in VANets Using the Fuzzy Logic Approach: A Case Study in Highway and Urban Layout
Authors: Correa Claudio , Meneguette Rodolfo I. , Oliveira Patrícia R. , Ueyama Jó
Published: August 2019

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have unique features and rely on vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication to mitigate adversities in traffic dynamics management and to support drivers providing safety alerts. Congestions, originating from an incident, frequently endanger traffic and, consequently, cause all kinds of losses. In this scenario, the paper herein proposes eFIRST, a robust solution to autonomous detection of the current congestion condition in order to disseminate safety alerts and to reduce problems with the interruption of traffic in a section of the highway. The approach is supported only by V2V communication and the local neighborhood identification records, which are brought together in a fuzzy strategy and in the adaptive adjustment of the transmission signal power. The estimate of local traffic conditions establishes the dynamic reach of transmission for the vehicle, supporting the connective maintenance. In these circumstances, the drivers receive an alert emitted soon enough for the proper response action. The results during simulations show how the elaborated solution leads to minimized delays, with low communication overload, besides relevantly mapping the congest levels and efficiently providing the event coverage to satisfactory propagation distances inside the area of interest for the dissemination. Promptly, the alert finds vehicles far from the traffic accident located at nearly 1/6 from the evaluated extension. In accordance with the intelligent protocols, this evaluation contributes providing grants for the ratification of fuzzy approximation as an adaptive strategy to fluctuations in vehicular density in different traffic basis.
Rapid and Accurate Registration Method between Intraoperative 2D XA and Preoperative 3D CTA Images for Guidance of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Park Taeyong , Koo Kyoyeong , Shin Juneseuk , Lee Jeongjin , Kim Kyung Won
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we propose a rapid rigid registration method for the fusion visualization of intraoperative 2D X-ray angiogram (XA) and preoperative 3D computed tomography angiography (CTA) images. First, we perform the cardiac cycle alignment of a patient’s 2D XA and 3D CTA images obtained from a different apparatus. Subsequently, we perform the initial registration through alignment of the registration space and optimal boundary box. Finally, the two images are registered where the distance between two vascular structures is minimized by using the local distance map, selective distance measure, and optimization of transformation function. To improve the accuracy and robustness of the registration process, the normalized importance value based on the anatomical information of the coronary arteries is utilized. The experimental results showed fast, robust, and accurate registration using 10 cases, each of the left coronary artery (LCA) and right coronary artery (RCA). Our method can be used as a computer-aided technology for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Our method can be applied to the study of other types of vessels.
Fractionation of Rare Earth Elements in Greisen and Hydrothermal Veins Related to A-Type Magmatism
Authors: Tillberg Mikael , Maskenskaya Olga M. , Drake Henrik , Hogmalm Johan K. , Broman Curt , Fallick Anthony E. , Åström Mats E.
Published: August 2019

This study focuses on concentrations and fractionation of rare earth elements (REE) in a variety of minerals and bulk materials of hydrothermal greisen and vein mineralization in Paleoproterozoic monzodiorite to granodiorite related to the intrusion of Mesoproterozoic alkali- and fluorine-rich granite. The greisen consists of coarse-grained quartz, muscovite, and fluorite, whereas the veins mainly contain quartz, calcite, epidote, chlorite, and fluorite in order of abundance. A temporal and thus genetic link between the granite and the greisen/veins is established via high spatial resolution in situ Rb-Sr dating, supported by several other isotopic signatures (δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, δ18O, and δ13C). Fluid-inclusion microthermometry reveals that multiple pulses of moderately to highly saline aqueous to carbonic solutions caused greisenization and vein formation at temperatures above 200–250°C and up to 430°C at the early hydrothermal stage in the veins. Low calculated ∑REE concentration for bulk vein (15 ppm) compared to greisen (75 ppm), country rocks (173–224 ppm), and the intruding granite (320 ppm) points to overall low REE levels in the hydrothermal fluids emanating from the granite. This is explained by efficient REE retention in the granite via incorporation in accessory phosphates, zircon, and fluorite and unfavorable conditions for REE partitioning in fluids at the magmatic and early hydrothermal stages. A noteworthy feature is substantial heavy REE (HREE) enrichment of calcite in the vein system, in contrast to the relatively flat patterns of greisen calcite. The REE fractionation of the vein calcite is explained mainly by fractional crystallization, where the initially precipitated epidote in the veins preferentially incorporates most of the light REE (LREE) pool, leaving a residual fluid enriched in the HREE from which calcite precipitated. Fluorite occurs throughout the system and displays decreasing REE concentrations from granite towards greisen and veins and different fractionation patterns among all these three materials. Taken together, these features confirm efficient REE retention in the early stages of the system and minor control of the REE uptake by mineral-specific partitioning. REE-fractionation patterns and fluid-inclusion data suggest that chloride complexation dominated REE transport during greisenization, whereas carbonate complexation contributed to the HREE enrichment in vein calcite.
Heterogeneous Gray-Temperature Fusion-Based Deep Learning Architecture for Far Infrared Small Target Detection
Authors: Ryu Junhwan , Kim Sungho
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes the end-to-end detection of a deep network for far infrared small target detection. The problem of detecting small targets has been a subject of research for decades and has been applied mainly in the field of surveillance. Traditional methods focus on filter design for each environment, and several steps are needed to obtain the final detection result. Most of them work well in a given environment but are vulnerable to severe clutter or environmental changes. This paper proposes a novel deep learning-based far infrared small target detection method and a heterogeneous data fusion method to solve the lack of semantic information due to the small target size. Heterogeneous data consists of radiometric temperature data (14-bit) and gray scale data (8-bit), which includes the physical meaning of the target, and compares the effects of the normalization method to fuse heterogeneous data. Experiments were conducted using an infrared small target dataset built directly on the cloud backgrounds. The experimental results showed that there is a significant difference in performance according to the various fusion methods and normalization methods, and the proposed detector showed approximately 20% improvement in average precision (AP) compared to the baseline constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of the Effects of Drill Cuttings on the Open Channel Flow
Authors: Welahettige Prasanna , Berg Christian , Lundberg Joachim , Lie Bernt , Vaagsaether Knut
Published: August 2019

A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study was carried out for drilling fluid flow with drill cuttings in open channels. The flow is similar to the return flow when drilling, stream containing drilling fluid, and drill cuttings. The computational model is under the framework of the Eulerian multifluid volume of the fluid model. The Herschel–Bulkley rheological model was used to describe the non-Newtonian rheology of the drilling fluid, and the computational model was validated with experimental results for two-phase flow in the literature. The effect of flow depth and flow velocity in an open channel was studied for drill cutting size of up to 5 mm and for a solid volume fraction of up to 10%. For constant cross section and short open channels, the effect of drill cuttings on flow depth and mean velocity was found to be small for particle sizes less than 5 mm and solid volume fractions less than 10%. High momentum force in the downward direction can carry the solid-liquid mixture at higher velocities than a lower density mixture. Higher inclination angles mean that the gravity effect upon the flow direction is more significant than the particle friction for short channels.
Shengjing Capsule Improves Spermatogenesis through Upregulating Integrinα6/β1 in the NOA Rats
Authors: Wang Jiamin , Zhao Shankun , Luo Lianmin , Liu Yangzhou , Li Ermao , Zhu Zhiguo , Zhao Zhigang
Published: August 2019

Objective. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Shengjing capsules on nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) in the rat model.Methods. Twenty-five male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows (n=5per group): normal group, NOA group, and three Shengjing capsule treatment groups (low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups, respectively). HE staining and semen smear were performed to assess sperm quality. The expression levels of PI3K/AKT and integrinα6/β1were measured by qRT-PCR and western blot analyses.Results. In the NOA group, almost all of the seminiferous tubules were vacuolated with a thin layer of basal compartment containing some spermatogonial stem cells. The counts of sperms in the NOA group were strongly lower than those of the normal group (P=0.0001). The expression of PI3K/AKT and integrinα6/β1was scarcely expressed in the NOA group. All indexes mentioned above were significantly different from those of the medium- and high-dose groups (P=0.001, all). The sperm count of rats treated with Shengjing capsules was significantly higher than that of the NOA group (P=0.0001). The rats of Shengjing capsule groups had more layers of spermatogonial stem cells and spermatocytes, and some had intracavitary sperms.Conclusions. Shengjing capsules may be a promising therapeutic medicine for NOA. The underlying mechanisms might involve activating SSCs by upregulating the integrinα6/β1expression via the PI3K/AKT pathway.
PARP Inhibition Suppresses GR–MYCN–CDK5–RB1–E2F1 Signaling and Neuroendocrine Differentiation in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Liu Bo , Li Likun , Yang Guang , Geng Chuandong , Luo Yong , Wu Wenhui , Manyam Ganiraju C. , Korentzelos Dimitrios , Park Sanghee , Tang Zhe , Wu Cheng , Dong Zhenyang , Sigouros Michael , Sboner Andrea , Beltran Himisha , Chen Yu , Corn Paul G. , Tetzlaff Michael T. , Troncoso Patricia , Broom Bradley , Thompson Timothy C.
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

In this study, we addressed the underlying mechanisms for the association between enzalutamide (ENZ) treatment and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), and the critical involvement of MYCN, and loss of RB1 function in neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) of prostatic epithelial cells, and the development of NEPC. We further sought to determine whether PARP inhibition could suppress NEPC, and to identify molecular determinants of this therapeutic activity.

Experimental Design:

We used a novel prostate cancer patient–derived xenograft (PDX) treatment model, prostatic adenocarcinoma and NEPC cell lines, an NEPC organoid line, and NEPC xenograft models to address the mechanistic basis of ENZ-induced NED, and to analyze suppression of NED and NEPC growth by PARP inhibition.

Results:

We identified an ENZ treatment–associated glucocorticoid receptor (GR)–MYCN–CDK5–RB1–E2F1 signaling pathway that drives NED in prostatic adenocarcinoma PDX and cell line models. Mechanistically, long-term ENZ treatment transcriptionally upregulates signaling of the GR–MYCN axis, leading to CDK5R1 and CDK5R2 upregulation, Rb1 phosphorylation, and N-Myc–mediated and E2F1-mediated NED gene expression. Importantly, olaparib (OLA) or talazoparib (TALA) suppressed these activities, and the combination of OLA and dinaciclib (DINA), an inhibitor of CDK2 and CDK5, which also inhibits Rb1 phosphorylation, suppressed NED and significantly improved therapeutic efficiency in NEPC cells in vitro and in NEPC tumors in vivo.

Conclusions:

The results of our study indicate an important role of GR–MYCN–CDK5R1/2–RB1–NED signaling in ENZ-induced and PARP inhibitor–suppressed NEPC. We also demonstrated efficacy for OLA+DINA combination therapy in NEPC xenograft models.
Tumor Intrinsic Efficacy by SHP2 and RTK Inhibitors in KRAS-Mutant Cancers
Authors: Hao Huai-Xiang , Wang Hongyun , Liu Chen , Kovats Steven , Velazquez Roberto , Lu Hengyu , Pant Bhavesh , Shirley Matthew , Meyer Matthew J. , Pu Minying , Lim Joanne , Fleming Michael , Alexander LeighAnn , Farsidjani Ali , LaMarche Matthew J. , Moody Susan , Silver Serena J. , Caponigro Giordano , Stuart Darrin D. , Abrams Tinya J. , Hammerman Peter S. , Williams Juliet , Engelman Jeffrey A. , Goldoni Silvia , Mohseni Morvarid
Published: August 2019

KRAS, an oncogene mutated in nearly one third of human cancers, remains a pharmacologic challenge for direct inhibition except for recent advances in selective inhibitors targeting the G12C variant. Here, we report that selective inhibition of the protein tyrosine phosphatase, SHP2, can impair the proliferation of KRAS-mutant cancer cells in vitro and in vivo using cell line xenografts and primary human tumors. In vitro, sensitivity of KRAS-mutant cells toward the allosteric SHP2 inhibitor, SHP099, is not apparent when cells are grown on plastic in 2D monolayer, but is revealed when cells are grown as 3D multicellular spheroids. This antitumor activity is also observed in vivo in mouse models. Interrogation of the MAPK pathway in SHP099-treated KRAS-mutant cancer models demonstrated similar modulation of p-ERK and DUSP6 transcripts in 2D, 3D, and in vivo, suggesting a MAPK pathway–dependent mechanism and possible non-MAPK pathway–dependent mechanisms in tumor cells or tumor microenvironment for the in vivo efficacy. For the KRASG12C MIAPaCa-2 model, we demonstrate that the efficacy is cancer cell intrinsic as there is minimal antiangiogenic activity by SHP099, and the effects of SHP099 is recapitulated by genetic depletion of SHP2 in cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SHP099 efficacy in KRAS-mutant models can be recapitulated with RTK inhibitors, suggesting RTK activity is responsible for the SHP2 activation. Taken together, these data reveal that many KRAS-mutant cancers depend on upstream signaling from RTK and SHP2, and provide a new therapeutic framework for treating KRAS-mutant cancers with SHP2 inhibitors.
Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Differences between Three Different Age Groups (Child/Adolescent, Young Adults, and Adults) of Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Multicentre Study
Authors: Kaplan Muhammet Ali , Ozaydin Sukru , Yerlikaya Halis , Karaagac Mustafa , Gumus Mahmut , Cil Timucin , Yalcintas Arslan Ülkü , Ozdemir Nuriye , Sakin Abdullah , Bilici Mehmet  , Koca Dogan , Uysal Mukremin , Dane Faysal , Sever Özlem Nuray , Seker Mehmet Metin , Oruc Seker Zeynep , Can Mehmet Fatih , Geredeli Caglayan , Aksoy Asude , Pilanci Keziban Nur , Ozturk Topcu Turkan , Isikdogan Abdurrahman
Published: August 2019

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a rare disease amongst children and adolescents. Previous studies have reported a number of differences between children/adolescents, young adults, and adult patients with CRC. However, none of these studies compared these age groups according to their clinicopathologic and prognostic characteristics. In the current study, we compare these three age groups. Methods:A total of 173 (1.1% of 15,654 patients) young CRC patients (≤25 years) were included in the study. As a control group, 237 adult CRC patients (>25 years) were also included. Patients were divided into three age groups: child/adolescent (10–19 years), young adult (20–25 years), and adult (>25 years). Results: Statistical differences amongst the three groups in terms of gender (p = 0.446), family history (p = 0.578), symptoms of presentation (p = 0.306), and interval between initiation of symptoms and diagnosis (p = 0.710) could not be demonstrated. Whilst abdominal pain (p < 0.001) and vomiting (p = 0.002) were less common in young adults than in other groups, rectal bleeding and changes in bowel habits were relatively less common in adolescents than in other groups. Rectal localisation (p = 0.035), mucinous adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001), and a poorly differentiated histologic subtype (p < 0.001) were less common in the adult group than in other groups. The percentage of patients with metastasis and sites of metastasis (e.g., peritoneum and lung) differed between groups. The median overall survival was 32.6 months in the adolescent group, 57.8 months in the young adult group and was not reached in the adult group (p = 0.022). The median event-free survival of the adolescent, young adult, and adult groups was 29.0, 29.9, and 61.6 months, respectively (p = 0.003). Conclusions: CRC patients of different age groups present different clinicopathologic and prognostic characteristics. Clinicians should be aware of and manage the disease according to these differences.
Adapted version of the Pubertal Development Scale for use in Brazil
Authors: Pompéia Sabine , Zanini Gislaine De Almeida Valverde , Freitas Rafaella Sales de , Inacio Luanna Maristella Cabanal , Silva Flávia Calanca da , Souza Giovana Ribeiro de , Vitalle Maria Sylvia De Souza , Niskier Sheila Rejane , Cogo-Moreira Hugo
Published: August 2019

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether scores in an adapted version of the self-assessment Pubertal Development Scale into Portuguese match those from the gold standard in pubertal development (Tanner scale). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 133 children and adolescents aged nine to 17 years (59 males; mean age of 13 years and six months, with standard deviation = 25 months). Youngsters completed the Pubertal Development Scale and were then examined by specialists in adolescent medicine. RESULTS: Exact absolute agreement of pubertal stages were modest, but significant associations between measures (correlation; intra-class correlation coefficients of consistency) showed that the Pubertal Development Scale adequately measures changes that map onto pubertal development determined by physical examination, on par with international publications. Furthermore, scores obtained from each Pubertal Development Scale question reflected adequate gonadal and adrenal events assessed by clinical ratings, mostly with medium/high effect sizes. Latent factors obtained from scores on all Pubertal Development Scale questions had excellent fit indices in Confirmatory Factor Analyses and correlated with Tanner staging. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that self-assessment of body changes by youngsters using the Portuguese version of the Pubertal Development Scale is useful when estimates of pubertal progression are sufficient, and exact agreement with clinical staging is not necessary. The Pubertal Development Scale is, therefore, a reliable instrument for use in large-scale studies in Brazil that aim at investigating adolescent health related to pubertal developmental. The translated version and scoring systems are provided.
Seasonal variation of femoral fractures in the state of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil
Authors: Souza Mônica Marin de , Souza Eniuce Menezes de , Nunes Altacílio Aparecido , Martinez Edson Zangiacomi
Published: August 2019

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of seasonality on femoral fracture incidence among people residing in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Ecological study based on a consecutive series of 216,348 reports of hospital admissions caused by femoral fractures. A Bayesian statistical model was used for time series analysis, considering the monthly average number of events of femoral fractures per day as a dependent variable. RESULTS: Among the female population, significant seasonal effects were observed only for older women, aged 60 years or more. Among younger men (aged less than 20 years) there is not a clear seasonal effect, but among the other age groups there seems to exist a higher number of cases of femoral fractures during the coldest months of the year. CONCLUSIONS: In general, more cases of fractures occur during the coldest months of the year; however, men and women have different patterns of incidence according to each age group.
Ezetimibe Lipid-Lowering Trial on Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in 75 or Older (EWTOPIA 75)
Authors: Ouchi Yasuyoshi , Sasaki Jun , Arai Hidenori , Yokote Koutaro , Harada Kazumasa , Katayama Yasuo , Urabe Takao , Uchida Yasufumi , Hayashi Masaru , Yokota Naoto , Nishida Hirokazu , Otonari Takatoshi , Arai Tadashi , Sakuma Ichiro , Sakabe Kazuo , Yamamoto Masayasu , Kobayashi Takashi , Oikawa Shinichi , Yamashita Shizuya , Rakugi Hiromi , Imai Takumi , Tanaka Shiro , Ohashi Yasuo , Kuwabara Masanari , Ito Hideki
Published: August 2019

Background:

Evidence regarding the primary prevention of coronary artery disease events by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy in older individuals, aged ≥75 years, is insufficient. This trial tested whether LDL-C–lowering therapy with ezetimibe is useful for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in older patients.

Methods:

This multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end-point evaluation conducted at 363 medical institutions in Japan examined the preventive efficacy of ezetimibe for patients aged ≥75 years, with elevated LDL-C without history of coronary artery disease. Patients, who all received dietary counseling, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive ezetimibe (10 mg once daily) versus usual care with randomization stratified by site, age, sex, and baseline LDL-C. The primary outcome was a composite of sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, or stroke.

Results:

Overall, 3796 patients were enrolled between May 2009 and December 2014, and 1898 each were randomly assigned to ezetimibe versus control. Median follow-up was 4.1 years. After exclusion of 182 ezetimibe patients and 203 control patients because of lack of appropriate informed consent and other protocol violations, 1716 (90.4%) and 1695 (89.3%) patients were included in the primary analysis, respectively. Ezetimibe reduced the incidence of the primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50–0.86;
P
=0.002). Regarding the secondary outcomes, the incidences of composite cardiac events (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.37–0.98;
P
=0.039) and coronary revascularization (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18–0.79;
P
=0.007) were lower in the ezetimibe group than in the control group; however, there was no difference in the incidence of stroke, all-cause mortality, or adverse events between trial groups.

Conclusions:

LDL-C–lowering therapy with ezetimibe prevented cardiovascular events, suggesting the importance of LDL-C lowering for primary prevention in individuals aged ≥75 years with elevated LDL-C. Given the open-label nature of the trial, its premature termination and issues with follow-up, the magnitude of benefit observed should be interpreted with caution.

Clinical Registration:

URL:
https://www.umin.ac.jp
. Unique identifier: UMIN000001988.
Howard Thurman’s Jesus: Recovering a Disinherited Identity
Authors: Powery Emerson
Published: August 2019

This essay contextualizes Thurman’s “Jesus” within academia and the larger Western milieu of the 1940–1950s. Thurman offered a usable construction in order to encourage people to eliminate their “fear” of the other, discourage their use of “deception” as a strategy of survival, and replace their “hate” with love for the other, as a means of maintaining their own human dignity for the purpose of thriving in an American society that preferred their ghettoized isolation and dehumanized existence.
Five new and Nationally Threatened taxa of Brachyscome, Cardamine, Convolvulus, Geranium and Ranunculus obligate to vulnerable limestone habitats, eastern South Island, New Zealand

Authors: HEENAN PETER BRIAN , MOLLOY BRIAN P.J.
Published: August 2019

Four new species and one new forma are described from vulnerable and highly threatened calcareous habitats in eastern South Island, New Zealand. Brachyscome lucens is known from a limestone outcrop near Ward Beach, Marlborough. Cardamine magnifica is from Castle Hill Basin/Kura Tâwhiti, Canterbury, where it occurs on limestone scree and stony sites. Ranunculus callianthus is restricted to a limestone scarp in South Canterbury, where it is known from three subpopulations. Geranium socolateum occurs from South Canterbury to North Otago, and although relatively widespread usually occurs in small-sized populations. Convolvulus verecundus forma glaberrimus is known from one site in North Otago (Awahokomo), and is a glabrous-leaved variant of C. verecundus with which it is sympatric. Conservation status assessments are presented for Brachyscome lucens, Cardamine magnifica, Convolvulus verecundus forma glaberrimus, Geranium socolateum and Ranunculus callianthus, with all being assessed as Threatened, Nationally Critical.
Amblyseiinae of New Zealand (Acari: Phytoseiidae): redescriptions, rediscoveries, new records, new combinations and keys to species
Authors: MA MIN , FAN QING-HAI , ZHANG ZHI-QIANG
Published: August 2019

This paper presents several new additions and changes to the subfamily Amblyseiinae of New Zealand. Amblyseius lentiginosus Denmark & Schicha, 1974 is newly recorded in New Zealand and its males and females are redescribed in detail. Amblyseius obtusus was recollected and a revised key to New Zealand species of Amblyseius is provided. Proprioseiopsis lenis (Corpuz & Rimando, 1966) is reported from New Zealand for the first time and its females are described in detail. A key to New Zealand species of Proprioseiopsis is also included. A rare species, Phytoscutus acaridophagus (Collyer, 1964), was rediscovered and its males and females are redescribed in detail. Three species, two in Amblyseius and one in Proprioseiopsis, are transferred to the genus Graminaseius: G. bidibidi (Collyer, 1964) comb. nov., G. martini (Collyer, 1982) comb. nov. and G. exopodalis (Kennett, 1958) comb. nov. Graminaseius has not been previously recorded in New Zealand.
Soyedina Ricker, 1952 (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) in the eastern Nearctic: review of species concepts, proposed morphology-based species groups, and description of a new species from North Carolina
Authors: GRUBBS SCOTT A. , BAUMANN RICHARD W.
Published: August 2019

The eastern Nearctic species of the genus Soyedina Ricker, 1952 (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) are reviewed. Two morphology-based species groups are proposed based on epiproct characteristics. Soyedina sheldoni sp. nov. is described from the southern Appalachian Highland region of western North Carolina. A distribution map and a dichotomous key to all nine Nearctic species are provided.
Two new species of Hoplonannus (Heteroptera: Schizopteridae: Schizopterinae) from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: ALMEIDA FLAVIO ROBERTO DE ALBUQUERQUE , CARVALHO-FILHO FERNANDO DA SILVA , CASTRO HEITOR ANTUNES DE , FERNANDES JOSE ANTONIO MARIN
Published: August 2019

The genus Hoplonannus McAtee & Malloch, 1925 is composed of H. brunneus, H. paenebrunneus, H. craneae, and H. australis, all previously recorded from Central and South America. In this paper, we describe Hoplonannus bifidus sp.n. and Hoplonannus robustus sp.n. based on several specimens collected in the Brazilian Amazon, representing the first record of the genus from northern Brazil. We provide diagnoses, photographs of habitus, scanning electron micrographs of male genitalia, and illustrations of female genitalia. A key to species based on males of Hoplonannus is also presented.
How Are Emergent Constraints Quantifying Uncertainty and What Do They Leave Behind?
Authors: Williamson Daniel B. , Sansom Philip G.
Published: August 2019

The use of emergent constraints to quantify uncertainty for policy-relevant quantities such as equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) has become increasingly widespread in recent years. Many researchers, however, claim that emergent constraints are inappropriate or even underreport uncertainty. In this paper we contribute to this discussion by examining the emergent constraints methodology in terms of its underpinning statistical assumptions. We argue that the statistical assumptions required to underpin existing frameworks are strong, hard to defend, and lead to an underreporting of uncertainty. We show how weakening them leads to a more transparent Bayesian framework wherein hitherto-ignored sources of uncertainty, such as how reality might differ from models, can be quantified. We present a guided framework for the quantification of additional uncertainties that is linked to the confidence we can have in the underpinning physical arguments for using linear constraints. We provide a software tool for implementing our framework for emergent constraints and use it to illustrate the methods on a number of recent emergent constraints for ECS. We find that the robustness of any constraint to additional uncertainties depends strongly on the confidence we have in the underpinning physics, allowing a future framing of the debate over the validity of a particular constraint around underlying physical arguments, rather than statistical assumptions. We also find that when physical arguments lead to confidence in the linear relationships underpinning emergent constraints, prediction intervals are only slightly widened by including additional uncertainties, and they show this across a range of emergent constraints for ECS.
Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Tracks in CMIP5 Models: Statistical Assessment Using a Model-Independent Detection and Tracking Scheme
Authors: Bell Samuel S. , Chand Savin S. , Camargo Suzana J. , Tory Kevin J. , Turville Chris , Ye Harvey
Published: August 2019

Past studies have shown that tropical cyclone (TC) projection results can be sensitive to different types of TC tracking schemes, and that the relative adjustments of detection criteria to accommodate different models may not necessarily provide a consistent platform for comparison of projection results. Here, future climate projections of TC activity in the western North Pacific basin (WNP, defined from 0°–50°N and 100°E–180°) are assessed with a model-independent detection and tracking scheme. This scheme is applied to models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) forced under the historical and representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) conditions. TC tracks from the observed records and independent models are analyzed simultaneously with a curve-clustering algorithm, allowing observed and model tracks to be projected onto the same set of clusters (k = 9). Four of the nine clusters were projected to undergo significant changes in TC frequency. Straight-moving TCs in the South China Sea were projected to significantly decrease. Projected increases in TC frequency were found poleward of 20°N and east of 160°E, consistent with changes in ascending motion, as well as vertical wind shear and relative humidity respectively. Projections of TC track exposure indicated significant reductions for southern China and the Philippines and significant increases for the Korean peninsula and Japan, although very few model TCs reached the latter subtropical regions in comparison to the observations. The use of a fundamentally different detection methodology that overcomes the detector/tracker bias gives increased certainty to projections as best as low-resolution simulations can offer.
Access to Housing Rights and Property Rights for Women: Select Study in Delhi and NCR Regions
Authors: Nanda Bijayalaxmi , Sinha Savita , Menon Venika
Published: August 2019

This article critically evaluates the housing policies and legal provisions regarding property rights for women in India. It interrogates the inclusion of gender within the policies, programmes and laws, and exposes its biases and skewed priorities. Through a desk review of the policies and programmes and an examination of court judgements, it provides an understanding of the contestations and challenges that exist therein.

With carefully conducted interviews and focussed group discussions with women beneficiaries and policy implementers, this article strives to enrich the analysis. It provides a set of suggestions and recommendations on enhancing awareness on women’s right to property and providing women greater access to housing rights.

Although the fieldwork has been conducted in Delhi–NCR region, it has implications for the country as a whole. Overall this article contextualises the debates on gender, policy, laws and institutions in a broader framework of material structure s and a patriarchal society. It highlights the significance of creating awareness on gender issues for all concerned, including policymakers, implementers, judiciary and the women beneficiaries themselves.
Understanding the Particularities of an Unconditional Prenatal Cash Benefit for Low-Income Women: A Case Study Approach
Authors: Struthers Ashley , Metge Colleen , Charette Catherine , Enns Jennifer E. , Nickel Nathan C. , Chateau Dan , Chartier Mariette , Burland Elaine , Katz Alan , Brownell Marni
Published: August 2019

We explored the particularities of the Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit (HBPB), an unconditional cash transfer program for low-income pregnant women in Manitoba, Canada, which aims to connect recipients with prenatal care and community support programs, and help them access healthy foods during pregnancy. While previous studies have shown associations between HBPB and improved birth outcomes, here we focus on how the intervention contributed to positive outcomes. Using a case study design, we collected data from government and program documents and interviews with policy makers, academics, program staff, and recipients of HBPB. Key informants identified using evidence and aligning with government priorities as key facilitators to the implementation of HBPB. Program recipients described how HBPB helped them improve their nutrition, prepare for baby, and engage in self-care to moderate the effect of stressful life events. This study provides important contextualized evidence to support government decision making on healthy child development policies.
Do Trust and Culture Matter for Public Service Motivation Development? Evidence From Public Sector Employees in Korea
Authors: Lee Hyo Joo , Oh Hyun Gyu , Park Sung Min
Published: August 2019

Ethical values and performance have gained importance in the Korean public sector because of the new public management wave and social issues such as corruption. This study examines how the effects of types of organizational culture, such as performance-driven culture and ethics-driven culture, serve as the antecedents of public service motivation (PSM) among central government agencies, public enterprises, and executive agencies in Korea. Furthermore, it investigates how trust in top management affects PSM and how organizational culture moderates this relationship. A survey of 1,216 Korean public employees and seven focus group interviews show that trust in management strongly predicts PSM. Performance-driven culture is positively and significantly associated with norm-based PSM and affective PSM, and ethics-driven culture predicts rational PSM. The moderating effects of organizational culture differ by PSM dimension.
What Can We Learn from Online Reviews? Examining the Reviews of Los Angeles Metro Rail Stations
Authors: Shin Eun Jin
Published: August 2019

Out-of-vehicle time is a well-known major burden of transit travel. Although transit stations’ characteristics likely affect people’s perceptions of out-of-vehicle time and decisions to use public transit, our understanding of how transit users evaluate stations is limited. This study uses reviews of Los Angeles Metro Rail stations from Yelp.com to conduct descriptive analyses of stations’ numeric ratings and to identify the factors users consider important based on content analyses. It also explores spatial and temporal variations in the ratings and factors frequently considered by users, demonstrating how social media content can be used to inform transportation planning.
The Journal of Human Lactation: A Reflective Discussion
Authors: Eden Aimee R. , Gill Sara , Gribble Karleen , Rouw Elien , Wolf Jacqueline H.
Published: August 2019

Research about lactation and breastfeeding has exploded since the Journal of Human Lactation ( JHL) began publishing in 1985. To discuss the 3-decade-long role of the Journal in promoting, supporting, and disseminating lactation research, editors convened a multidisciplinary group of lactation researchers and providers which comprised three senior researchers and one clinical practitioner, all of whom have a long history of lactation advocacy. Their discussion took place on July 1, 2019. Dr Aimee Eden is a medical anthropologist who leads the qualitative research efforts in a small research department. Her dissertation research focused on the maternal and child healthcare workforce, and the professionalization of breastfeeding support. She served on the Board of Directors of the International Board of Lactation Examiners (2010–2016) and currently serves on the board of the Monetary Investment for Lactation Consultant Certification. Dr Karleen Gribble has been conducting research for 15 years about infant and young child feeding in emergencies, long-term breastfeeding, milk sharing, early childhood trauma, adoption, and fostering. She is an Australian Breastfeeding Association community educator and breastfeeding counselor and a member of the Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Core Group. Elien Rouw is a practicing physician in Germany specialized in healthy infant care, with a long-standing specialization in breastfeeding medicine. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, is a member of the German National Breastfeeding Committee and their delegate to the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. Dr Jackie Wolf is an historian of medicine, whose research focuses on the history of childbirth and breastfeeding practices in the United States and how those practices have shaped women’s and children’s health, as well as public health, over time. Her latest book, published by Johns Hopkins University Press and funded by a 3 year grant from the National Institutes of Health, is Cesarean Section: An American History of Risk, Technology, and Consequence. Dr Sara Gill moderated the discussion. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the International Lactation Consultant Association for 5 years, and has been an Associate Editor of the Journal of Human Lactation for the past 4 years. Her research has focused on breastfeeding among vulnerable populations. (Participants’ comments are noted as AE = Aimee Eden; SG = Sara Gill; KG = Karleen Gribble; ER = Elien Rouw; JW = Jacqueline Wolf).
Folklore’s Contemporariness: Dynamics of Value Orientation in Bihu
Authors: Pathak Dev Nath , Kalita Moureen
Published: August 2019

The folklore studies scholar, such as Dorson (1976, Folklore and fakelore: Essays toward the discipline of folk studies, Harvard: Harvard University Press), was emphatic about the distinction between folklore and ‘fake lore’, one being authentic and the other as invented by the popular industry; however, he paradoxically maintained interest in the contemporariness of folklore. This was a paradox since the contemporariness of folklore is largely, and usually, due to intersections of folk with popular and political. Nevertheless, the emphasis on contemporariness was a harbinger of discussion on the potential dynamics of folklore, and everything buried therein, including value orientation. This essay is guided by the observations emerging from folklore studies, socio-cultural anthropology and performance studies in order to get into a specific case of Bihu, a folk performance inclusive of songs, dance, attires and instruments inter alia in Assam, in the northeast of India. The curious case of Bihu in flux divulges dynamics of value orientation and intersections of identity politics, in the wake of the contemporariness of folklore.
Information Linkages Among BRICS Countries: Empirical Evidence from Implied Volatility Indices
Authors: Sharma Gagan , Kayal Parthajit , Pandey Piyush
Published: August 2019

In this article, we examine the information linkages of the forward-looking measure of volatility, the volatility index (VIX), for underlying equity market indices of BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. A study of the information transmission process confirmed a long-run equilibrium relationship between pairs of BRICS countries. The multivariate generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (MGARCH) model revealed strong intertemporal linkages between sample VIX. Return and volatility spill-over matrix show the varying degree of connectedness of BRICS VIX across the study period. This study contributes to the international finance literature and has important implications for investors, portfolio managers, policymakers and academia.

JEL Classification: C58, F36, G11, G14, G15
Discursive Inequity and the Internal Exclusion of Women Speakers
Authors: Beauvais Edana
Published: August 2019

In today’s democracies, disempowered group members are no longer formally barred from the political arena. However, there is a concern that the historical memory of political inequality and exclusion remains as internalized cognitive dispositions, shaping behavior even after laws are changed. Focusing on the legacy of women’s political exclusion from the public sphere, I consider whether internal exclusions undermine women’s ability to influence political discourse even under conditions of formal political equality. All else being equal, do women and men in Western democracies have the same discursive influence? Are women particularly sensitive to men’s discursive authority? I help answer these questions using an experimental research design. The results of my study offer evidence that people are more willing to revise their opinions after hearing a man’s counterargument than after hearing a woman’s identical counterargument. This pattern appears to be driven by the way women respond to a man’s counterclaim. I discuss how gendered discursive inequities reinforce existing patriarchal structures, and the role that women inadvertently play in their own subjugation. I conclude by offering suggestions for better approximating the ideal of discursive gender equality.