bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description of immature stages and redescription of adults of Ixodes luciae Sénevet (Acari: Ixodidae)
Authors: ONOFRIO VALERIA C. , LABRUNA MARCELO B. , FACCINI JOÃO LUIZ H. , BARROS-BATTESTI DARCI M.
Published: December 2018

The tick Ixodes luciae occurs in many countries within the Neotropical region but only adult ticks have been morphologically described. Larvae and nymphs parasitize marsupials and rodents while adults are common on marsupials. A colony of I. luciae was obtained from females collected on marsupials from the State of Rondônia, Northern Brazil. After being fed on rabbits, the specimens were maintained under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. Unfed larvae, nymphs, males and females of the first generation were cleaned and prepared for both optical and scanning electron microscopy. Ixodes luciae is closely related to Ixodes loricatus, Ixodes schulzei, and Ixodes amarali, although each species has its own array of distinctive characters. The larva of I. luciae differs from those of both I. schulzei and I. amarali in the length of the capitulum and from I. schulzei in the number of posthalleral setae in the Haller’s organ. Nymphs differ from I. amarali, I. loricatus and I. schulzei by the length of the external spur on coxae I, and from I. schulzei and I. amarali in having slender and shorter capitulum and hypostome. Males and females of I. luciae differ from the other three species by the length of the external spur on coxae I and by the scutal punctations, which are much longer and larger, respectively, in I. luciae. However, except for a few features, the chaetotaxy is the same for larvae of the four species, not only on the idiosoma (e.g. scutum with four pairs of setae), palpi and tarsus I, but also the number of porose setae within the capsule of Haller’s organ and the prehalleral setae.
Species boundaries in the Rana arfaki group (Anura: Ranidae) and phylogenetic relationships to other New Guinean Rana
Authors: DONNELLAN STEPHEN C. , APLIN KEN P. , BERTOZZI TERRY
Published: December 2018

Allozyme electrophoresis is used to explore molecular genetic relationships within the Rana arfaki group and between this group and selected lineages of New Guinean Rana. Rana jimiensis is confirmed as a species distinct from R. arfaki and its range in Papua New Guinea is extended to the Southern Highlands Province and the north-coastal ranges in Sandaun Province. Rana arfaki and R. jimiensis show a high level of genetic differentiation maintained across a wide geographic area and show consistent morphological differences in head shape, tympanum size, degree of digital disc dilation and extent of sexual dimorphism. The two species occur syntopically on the Papuan Plateau, Southern Highlands Province, and are regionally sympatric in Sandaun Province. The observed level of genetic differentiation is equivalent to that reported previously between regionally sympatric members of the Rana papua group. Populations of R. jimiensis from north and south of the central cordillera show no obvious morphological and only minor genetic differentiation. In contrast, R. arfaki shows considerable geographic variation in both morphology and allozymes and may include two or more regionally distinctive forms.
A new species of Elachistocleis (Anura; Microhylidae) from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: TOLEDO LUÍS FELIPE
Published: December 2018

A new species of Elachistocleis (E. magnus) is described from the Amazon basin, in the municipality of Espigão do Oeste, state of Rondônia, Brazil. It differs from all other species of the genus by the combination of the following characters: i) size larger than 31 mm in adult males, ii) grayish ventral coloration, iii) presence of large post-commissural glands, iv) lack of red coloration in the body, and v) grayish dorsum in preserved individuals. There is dimorphism between males and females in size, structures and coloration. Vocalizations and larvae remain unknown.
Leuctra usdi, a new stonefly (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) of the L. tenuis (Pictet) species group from the southeastern U.S.A. plus three new Alabama state records
Authors: GRUBBS SCOTT A.
Published: December 2018

Leuctra usdi sp. n. is described from Tennessee and Alabama, U.S.A. Leuctra usdi sp. n. is differentiated from other members of the L. tenuis (Pictet) species group mainly by unique characteristics of the dorsal process on the male 7 th abdominal tergum. New Alabama state records of Leuctra carolinensis Claassen, L. grandis Banks and Perlesta teaysia Kirchner & Kondratieff are reported.
The Acontiinae and Eustrotiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Authors: POGUE MICHAEL G.
Published: December 2018

Five species of Acontiinae and nine species of Eustrotiinae are known to occur in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each species is documented with an adult image, description/diagnosis, flight period, park distribution, abundance, elevational range, general distribution, and larval hosts. Species accumulation curves using the abundance-based estimators Chao 1 and ACE, and the incidence-based estimators Chao 2 and ICE are presented for each subfamily. The results from these estimators indicate that the number of species observed is equal to or very close to the number of estimated species and, therefore, it is unlikely that additional species will be added to the fauna of GSMNP in these subfamilies.
Revision of the cluster flies of the Pollenia haeretica species-group (Diptera, Calliphoridae)
Authors: ROGNES KNUT
Published: December 2018

The Palaearctic Pollenia haeretica species-group is revised. Two species make up the group: Pollenia haeretica Séguy, 1928 (Algeria, Tunisia, Italy) and Pollenia ibalia Séguy, 1930 (Morocco). Pollenia rungsi Séguy, 1953 is established as a junior synonym of Pollenia ibalia Séguy, 1930, syn. nov. Pollenia funebris Villeneuve, 1933 is treated as a junior synonym of Pollenia ibalia Séguy, 1930, syn. nov., but the name is a junior primary homonym of Pollenia funebris Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863, and therefore permanently invalid. A lectotype is designated for Pollenia haeretica Séguy to fix the interpretation of the name. The syntypes of Pollenia funebris Villeneuve are probably lost.
Misturasotoma, a new nearctic springtail genus (Collembola: Isotomidae)
Authors: BERNARD ERNEST C. , CHRISTIANSEN KENNETH A.
Published: December 2018

Type specimens of Desoria brucealla (Wray), a western North American species, are transferred to Misturasotoma n.gen. The new genus differs from Desoria, Heteroisotoma, Isotoma, and Parisotoma by the following combination of characters: eyes absent, tibiotarsi with 11 setae in distal whorl, tenaculum with 9–15 setae, manubrium with apical spinelike setae, mucrones quadridentate, macrochaetae smooth, and sensilliform setae of abdominal segments IV and V short.
Two new interstitial species of the genus Parapolycope (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from central Japan
Authors: TANAKA HAYATO , TSUKAGOSHI AKIRA
Published: December 2018

Two new interstitial cladocopid ostracods are described from central Japan: Parapolycope oligohalina sp. nov, and Parapolycope spiralis sp. nov. These two species are the third and forth records of the genus Parapolycope Klie, 1936, respectively. Since P. oligohalina sp. nov. inhabits river mouth environments with low salinity at low tides, the wide tolerance to salinity in the species is shown. Myodocopan Ostracoda have so far been considered as a pure marine taxa. The occurrence of P. oligohalina sp. nov. indicates that a few myodocopan ostracods can live in oligohaline environments. The carapace surface covered with puncta of varying size is a unique character of P. oligohalina sp. nov. P. spiralis sp. nov. exhibits a spiral structure in both male copulatory duct and female spermatheca as specific characters. A key to the genera of the Polycopinae is presented.
A reappraisal of some basal lineages of the family Macrochelidae, with the description of a new genus (Acarina: Mesostigmata)
Authors: EMBERSON ROWAN M.
Published: December 2018

Macrocheles analis Hyatt & Emberson is redescribed and assigned to a new genus, Reductholaspis gen. nov. Longicheles Valle is separated from the genus Geholaspis Berlese and given generic rank, based on a complex of strongly autapomorphic features and a possible synapomorphy with Reductholaspis. The new tribe Geholaspini, including the genera Dissoloncha Falconer, Geholaspis, Longicheles, and Reductholaspis is described and a key to the genera is provided. The genus Macrholaspis Oudemans and the subgenus Nothrholaspis Berlese of Macrocheles Latreille are reinstated at the generic level, based on distinctive synapomorphies of the included species. Scleritholaspis Mašàn is newly synonymised with Nothrholaspis. Lists of included species are provided for each of the genera discussed. Proposed new combinations are: Longicheles bianchii (Valle & Mazzoleni), L. lagrecai (Valle), L. ilvana (Valle & Mazzoleni), L. longisetosus (Balogh), L. longulus (Berlese), L. mandibularis (Berlese), L. ranzii (Valle & Mazzoleni), Reductholaspis analis (Hyatt & Emberson), Nothrholaspis banaticus (Iavorschi), N. caucasicus (Bregetova & Koroleva), N. coenosus (Takaku), N. shennongjianensis (Ma & Liu), N. subcoenosus (Takaku), N. submotus (Falconer), Macrholaspis beieri (Johnston), M. carpathicus (Mašán), M. georgicus (Bregetova), M. morikawai (Ishikawa), M. recki (Bregetova & Koroleva), M. reductus (Petrova), M. similiopacus (Mašán), M. stammeri (Krauss), M. terreus (Canestrini & Fanzago), M. tianschanicus (Bregetova).
The genus Scalida Hebard (Blattaria: Blattellidae,Blattellinae) in China
Authors: WANG ZONGQING , CHE YANLI
Published: December 2018

The blattellid cockroach genus Scalida Hebard, 1929 is revised and redefined on the basis of all species currently included in it, including generic diagnosis, evolution of taxonomy, species list, and taxonomy. Two new species are described and illustrated from China: Scalida quadrispinata and S. pyrrhocephala. Scalida biclavata Bey-Bienko and S. ectobiodes (Saussure) are redescribed and illustrated. A key to all Chinese species is provided.
A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1826 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khanh Hoa province, Southern Vietnam
Authors: VAN TRI NGO , ONN CHAN KIN
Published: December 2018

A new species of bent–toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus yangbayensis sp. nov. is described from the monsoon evergreen forests of Truong Son Mountain Range, Khanh Hoa province. It differs from all other species of Indo–Chinese Cyrtodactylus by having a mean SVL of 83.5 mm; dark spots and blotches on the head; no continuous nuchal loop; 6–8 precloacal pores in males arranged in a chevron; five or six dark brown, irregular, dorsal bands between limb insertions; 18–20 subdigital lamellae under first toe; 15–17 subdigital lamellae under fourth toe; and a median row of enlarged subcaudal scales.
Gaussian Copula Method for Bias Correction of Daily Precipitation Generated by a Dynamical Model
Authors: Kim Moosup , Yhang Yoo-Bin , Lim Chang-Mook
Published: December 2018

The daily precipitation data generated by dynamical models, including regional climate models, generally suffer from biases in distribution and spatial dependence. These are serious flaws if the data are intended to be applied to hydrometeorological studies. This paper proposes a scheme for correcting the biases in both aspects simultaneously. The proposed scheme consists of two steps: an aggregation step and a disaggregation step. The first one aims to obtain a smoothed precipitation pattern that must be retained in correcting the bias, and the second aims to make up for the deficient spatial variation of the smoothed pattern. In both steps, the Gaussian copula plays important roles since it not only provides a feasible way to correct the spatial correlation of model simulations but also can be extended for large-dimension cases by imposing a covariance function on its correlation structure. The proposed scheme is applied to the daily precipitation data generated by a regional climate model. We can verify that the biases are satisfactorily corrected by examining several statistics of the corrected data.
Summer Atmospheric Heat Sources over the Western–Central Tibetan Plateau: An Integrated Analysis of Multiple Reanalysis and Satellite Datasets
Authors: Xie Zhiling , Wang Bin
Published: December 2018

Multiple bias-corrected top-quality reanalysis datasets, gauge-based observations, and selected satellite products are synthetically employed to revisit the climatology and variability of the summer atmospheric heat sources over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Verification-based selection and ensemble-mean methods are utilized to combine various datasets. Different from previous works, this study pays special attention to estimating the total heat source (TH) and its components over the data-void western plateau (70°–85°E), including the surface sensible heat (SH), latent heat released by precipitation (LH), and net radiation flux (RD). Consistent with previous studies, the climatology of summer SH (LH) typically increases (decreases) from southeast to northwest. Generally, LH dominates TH over most of the TP. A notable new finding is a minimum TH area over the high-altitude region of the northwestern TP, where the Karakoram mountain range is located. We find that during the period of 1984–2006, TH shows insignificant trends over the eastern and central TP, whereas it exhibits an evident increasing trend over the western TP that is attributed to the rising tendency of LH before 1996 and to that of RD after 1996. The year-to-year variation of TH over the central–eastern TP is highly correlated with that of LH, but that is not the case over the western TP. It is also worth noting that the variations of TH in each summer month are not significantly correlated with each other, and hence study of the interannual variation of the TP heat sources should consider the remarkable subseasonal variations.
On the Mechanisms of Pacific Decadal Oscillation Modulation in a Warming Climate
Authors: Geng Tao , Yang Yun , Wu Lixin
Published: December 2018

Changes of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) under global warming are investigated by using outputs from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and a theoretical midlatitude air–sea coupled model. In a warming climate, the decadal variability of the PDO is found to be significantly suppressed, with the amplitude reduced and the decadal cycle shifted toward a higher-frequency band. We used the theoretical model put forward by Goodman and Marshall (herein the GM model) to underpin the potential mechanisms. The GM model exhibits a growing coupled mode that resembles the simulated PDO. It is found that the suppression of the PDO appears to be associated with the acceleration of Rossby waves due to the enhanced oceanic stratification under global warming. This shortens the PDO period and reduces PDO amplitude by limiting the growth time of the coupled mode. The GM model also suggests that the increase of growth rate due to strengthening of oceanic stratification tends to magnify the PDO amplitude, counteracting the Rossby wave effect. This growth rate influence, however, plays a secondary role.
Summer Arctic Cold Anomaly Dynamically Linked to East Asian Heat Waves
Authors: Wu Bingyi , Francis Jennifer A.
Published: December 2018

During recent years, the rapidly warming Arctic and its impact on winter weather and climate variability in the mid- and low latitudes have been the focus of many research efforts. In contrast, anomalous cool Arctic summers and their impacts on the large-scale circulation have received little attention. In this study, we use atmospheric reanalysis data to reveal a dominant pattern of summer 1000–500-hPa thickness variability north of 30°N and its association with East Asian heat waves. It is found that the second thickness pattern exhibits strong interannual variability but does not exhibit any trend. Spatially, the positive phase of the second thickness pattern corresponds with significant Arctic cold anomalies in the mid- and low troposphere, which are surrounded by warm anomalies outside the Arctic. This pattern is the thermodynamic expression of the leading pattern of upper-tropospheric westerly variability and significantly correlated with the frequency of East Asian heat waves. The Arctic has experienced frequent summer cold anomalies since 2005, accompanied by strengthened tropospheric westerly winds over most of the Arctic and weakened westerlies over the mid- and low latitudes of Asia. The former significantly enhances baroclinicity over the Arctic, which dynamically contributes to increased frequency of anomalous low surface pressure during summer along with decreased frequency over high latitudes of Eurasia and North America. The latter is exhibited by sustained high pressure anomalies in the mid- and low troposphere that dynamically facilitate the occurrence of East Asian heat waves. A systematic northward shift of Asian zonal winds dynamically links Arctic cold anomalies with East Asian heat waves and produces a seesaw structure in zonal wind anomalies over the Arctic and the Tibetan Plateau (the third pole). Evidence suggests that enhanced Arctic westerlies may provide a precursor to improve predictions of the East Asian winter monsoon, though the mechanism for this lag association is unclear.
New Methods for Data Storage of Model Output from Ensemble Simulations
Authors: Düben Peter D. , Leutbecher Martin , Bauer Peter
Published: December 2018

Data storage and data processing generate significant cost for weather and climate modeling centers. The volume of data that needs to be stored and data that are disseminated to end users increases with increasing model resolution and the use of larger forecast ensembles. If precision of data is reduced, cost can be reduced accordingly. In this paper, three new methods to allow a reduction in precision with minimal loss of information are suggested and tested. Two of these methods rely on the similarities between ensemble members in ensemble forecasts. Therefore, precision will be high at the beginning of forecasts when ensemble members are more similar, to provide sufficient distinction, and decrease with increasing ensemble spread. To keep precision high for predictable situations and low elsewhere appears to be a useful approach to optimize data storage in weather forecasts. All methods are tested with data of operational weather forecasts of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
Encultured Biases: The Role of Products in Pathways to Inequality
Authors: Childress Clayton , Nault Jean-François
Published: December 2018

Recent sociological work shows that culture is an important causal variable in labor market outcomes. Does the same hold for product markets? To answer this question, we study a product market in which selection decisions occur absent face-to-face interaction between intermediaries and short-term contract workers. We find evidence of “product-based” cultural matching operating as a pathway to inequality. Relying on quantitative and qualitative observational data and semi-structured interviews with intermediaries in trade fiction publishing, we show intermediaries culturally match themselves to manuscripts as a normal feature of doing “good work.” We propose three organizational conditions under which “encultured biases” come to the fore in product selection, and a fourth resulting in inequalities along demographic lines and other markers of perceived cultural proximity and distance. We close with a discussion of other settings in which product-based cultural matching is likely to occur, call for the investigation of cultural matching beyond previously theorized conditions, and argue for the inclusion of cultural products in the broader movement toward reconsidering culture as a causal factor.
Synthesis of holey reduced graphene oxide covered in the FeCo@SiO2 and their enhanced electromagnetic absorption properties
Authors: Li Suping , Huang Ying , Zhang Na , Zong Meng
Published: December 2018

The FeCo@SiO2/holey reduced graphene oxide composite was successfully prepared by combining liquid-phase reduction reaction in argon atmosphere with high-temperature calcination. The FeCo@SiO2/holey reduced graphene oxide composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis and exhibit excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties. The maximum reflection loss of FeCo@SiO2/holey reduced graphene oxide composite reaches –46.28 dB at 16.16 GHz with the thickness of 1.5 mm and the absorption bandwidth with the reflection loss below –10 dB was up to 3.92 GHz (from 14.08 GHz to 18 GHz) with the thickness of 1.5 mm. The absorption bandwidth with RL below –10 dB is up to 12.64 GHz. It is believed that the FeCo@SiO2/holey reduced graphene oxide composite can serve as an excellent microwave absorber.
Lightweight alternatives to glass fiber/epoxy sheet molding compound composites: A feasibility study
Authors: Asadi Amir , Baaij Ferdinand , Moon Robert J , Harris Tequila AL , Kalaitzidou Kyriaki
Published: December 2018

The focus of this study is to (i) understand the effect of the fiber type and content on the mechanical properties of sheet-molding compounds composites and (ii) investigate possible lightweight alternatives to glass fibers-sheet molding compound composites. Glass fiber and basalt fibers are used to make sheet-molding compound composites and the mechanical performance are determined as a function of the fiber type and content. In addition, cellulose nanocrystals are used to enhance the properties of the sheet-molding compound resin system. The possibility of lightweighting the basalt fiber/epoxy and glass fiber/epoxy sheet-molding compound composites is explored by replacing a portion of the fibers, i.e. 12–16 wt%, with a small amount cellulose nanocrystals, i.e. 1–2 wt%. No significant difference was found between the basalt fiber/epoxy and glass fiber/epoxy sheet-molding compound composites in terms of mechanical and impact properties. When cellulose nanocrystals were added to the composites, the properties of glass fiber/epoxy sheet-molding compound composites were enhanced while those of basalt fiber/epoxy sheet-molding compound composites deteriorated.
Collaborations: Partnerships Create Success for Charter School Students
Authors: Hedgecoth David M.
Published: December 2018

A unique partnership between public charter schools, a civic chamber orchestra, and university school of music has brought music instruction to middle school students in central Ohio. This collaborative endeavor can serve as a model for charter schools administrators wishing to expand their curricular offerings to include music and other arts instruction.
Sensory Imagery in Individuals who Are Blind and Sighted: Examining Unimodal and Multimodal Forms
Authors: Eardley Alison F. , Pring Linda
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Previous research has suggested that visual images are more easily generated, more vivid, and more memorable than other sensory modalities. This research examined whether or not imagery is experienced in similar ways by people with and without sight. Specifically, the imageability of visual, auditory, and tactile cue words was compared. The degree to which images were multimodal or unimodal was also examined.

Methods

Twelve participants who were totally blind from early infancy and 12 sighted participants generated images in response to 53 sensory and nonsensory words, rating imageability and the sensory modality, and describing images. From these 53 items, 4 subgroups of words that stimulated images that were predominantly visual, tactile, auditory, and low-imagery were created.

Results

T-tests comparing imageability ratings from blind and sighted participants found no differences for auditory and tactile words (both p > .1). Nevertheless, although participants without sight found auditory and tactile images equally imageable, sighted participants found images in response to tactile cue words harder to generate than visual cue words (mean difference: −0.51, p = .025). Participants with sight were also more likely to develop multisensory images than were participants without sight (both U ≥ 15.0, N1 = 12, N2 = 12, p ≤.008).

Discussion

For both the blind and sighted groups, auditory and tactile images were rich and varied, and similar language was used. Sighted participants were more likely to generate multimodal images, and this was particularly the case for tactile words. Nevertheless, cue words that resulted in multisensory images were not necessarily rated as more imageable. The discussion considers whether or not multimodal imagery represents a method of compensating for impoverished unimodal imagery.

Implications for practitioners

Imagery is important not only as a mnemonic in memory rehabilitation, but also in everyday uses for modes such as autobiographical memory. This research emphasizes the importance of not only auditory and tactile sensory imagery, but also spatial imagery for people without sight.
The Influence of Need-Supportive Teacher Behavior on the Motivation of Students with Congenital Deafblindness
Authors: Haakma Ineke , Janssen Marleen , Minnaert Alexander
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Research has indicated that need-supportive learning environments positively influence students’ motivation. According to self-determination theory, a need-supportive learning environment is one in which teachers provide structure, autonomy support, and involvement, and thereby support their students’ psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness. In this study, we aimed to explore whether teachers of students with congenital deafblindness provide such an environment and how they adjust their need-supportive teaching to these students.

Methods

We conducted an in-depth analysis of teacher-student interactions using a multiple-case-study design. We analyzed videos of teacher-student interactions from the perspective of self-determination theory.

Results

We found that successful need support for this group requires careful adjustments for each individual student. Only if the provision of structure, autonomy support, and involvement is tailored to the student can a positive influence on motivation be noticed. Another important finding is that teachers provide more structure and involvement than autonomy support.

Discussion

This study showed that need-supportive teaching is important in the education of students with congenital deafblindness. By using video analysis, we were able to point out teaching strategies that led to greater motivation for these students.

Implications for practitioners

Motivation is a prerequisite for learning, and teachers’ behavior might add to that motivation. This study showed that need support leads to enhanced motivation in students with congenital deafblindness. We provided practical insights that teachers can use to create need-supportive learning environments for these students.
Revolutionizing Estimation and Inference for Program Evaluation Using Bayesian Methods
Authors: Vollmer Lauren , Finucane Mariel , Brown Randall
Published: December 2018

Background:

Policy makers seek to replace the “thumbs up–thumbs down” of conventional hypothesis testing with statements about the probability that program effects on key outcomes exceed policy-relevant thresholds.

Objective:

We develop a Bayesian model that addresses the shortcomings of a typical frequentist approach to estimating the effects of the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) initiative, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services demonstration. We compare findings from the two approaches to illustrate the relative merits of introducing additional assumptions through Bayesian methods.

Research design:

We apply Bayesian and frequentist methods to estimate the effects of CPC on total Medicare expenditures per beneficiary per month for Medicare beneficiaries attributed to participating practices. Under both paradigms, we estimated program effects using difference-in-differences regressions comparing the change in Medicare expenditures between baseline and follow-up for Medicare patients attributed to 497 primary care practices participating in CPC to Medicare patients attributed to 908 propensity score-matched comparison practices.

Results:

Results from the Bayesian and frequentist models are comparable for the overall sample, but in regional subsamples, the Bayesian model produces more precise etimates that exhibit less variation over time. The Bayesian results also permit probabilistic inference about the magnitudes of effects, offering policy makers the ability to draw conclusions about practically meaningful thresholds.

Conclusions:

Carefully developed Bayesian models can enhance precision and plausibility and offer a more nuanced understanding of where and when program effects occur, without imposing undue assumptions. At the same time, these methods frame conclusions in flexible, intuitive terms that respond directly to policy makers’ needs.
Family Relationships Associated With Communication and Testing for Inherited Cardiac Conditions
Authors: Shah Lisa L. , Daack-Hirsch Sandra , Ersig Anne L. , Paik Anthony , Ahmad Ferhaan , Williams Janet
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of family relationships associated with communication of genetic risk and testing behaviors among at-risk relatives in families with an inherited cardiac condition. Data were collected from 53 patients and parents of children with an inherited cardiac condition through interviews, pedigrees, and surveys. Associations were examined among family relationship characteristics and whether at-risk relatives were informed about their risk and tested for disease. Of 1,178 at-risk relatives, 52.5% were informed about their risk and 52.1% of those informed were tested. Emotional closeness, relationship quality, and communication frequency had significant bivariate associations with genetic risk communication. Communication frequency was associated with genetic risk communication and testing in multivariate models. This study provides new insight into the extent of genetic risk communication and testing in families with inherited cardiac conditions. Family relationships, especially communication frequency, are critical factors in family communication of genetic risk.
Examining the relationships between environmental barriers and leisure in community-dwelling individuals living with stroke
Authors: Tang Ada , Sun Billy , Pang Marco YC , Harris Jocelyn E
Published: December 2018

Objective:

To characterize environmental barriers to leisure participation among individuals living with stroke; examine relationships between environmental barriers and leisure interest and satisfaction; and investigate participant factors associated with the perception of environmental barriers.

Design:

Survey.

Setting:

Community.

Participants:

Convenience sample of 51 community-dwelling adults less than six months post stroke.

Interventions:

Not applicable.

Main outcome measure(s):

Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors-Short Form.

Results:

Physical and structural environmental barriers were reported as the most frequent and large barrier to leisure participation ( n = 26 (51%) rated as “monthly or more,” n = 12 (24%) rated as “big problem”). While attitude and support and policy barriers were not as commonly encountered, participants labeled these as “big problem(s)” (attitude and support n = 6 (12%), policy n = 7 (14%)). The presence of depressive symptoms was associated with the frequency in which attitudinal and support (rho = 0.50, P < 0.001), physical and structural (rho = 0.46, P < 0.001), and service and assistance (rho = 0.28, P = 0.04) barriers were reported, as well as magnitude of attitude and support barriers (rho = 0.48, P < 0.001). In multivariable regression analysis, depressive symptoms and walking capacity explained 21% of the variance of the frequency of attitude and support barriers ( P = 0.004), where depressive symptoms was an independent correlate ( P = 0.004). No other factors were associated with environmental barriers to leisure participation.

Conclusion:

Individuals with stroke report frequent and large physical and structural environmental barriers to leisure participation, which may be associated with the presence of depressive symptoms.
Quality improvement priorities for safer out-of-hours palliative care: Lessons from a mixed-methods analysis of a national incident-reporting database
Authors: Williams Huw , Donaldson Sir Liam , Noble Simon , Hibbert Peter , Watson Rhiannon , Kenkre Joyce , Edwards Adrian , Carson-Stevens Andrew
Published: December 2018

Background:

Patients receiving palliative care are often at increased risk of unsafe care with the out-of-hours setting presenting particular challenges. The identification of improved ways of delivering palliative care outside working hours is a priority area for policymakers.

Aim:

To explore the nature and causes of unsafe care delivered to patients receiving palliative care from primary-care services outside normal working hours.

Design:

A mixed-methods cross-sectional analysis of patient safety incident reports from the National Reporting and Learning System. We characterised reports, identified by keyword searches, using codes to describe what happened, underlying causes, harm outcome, and severity. Exploratory descriptive and thematic analyses identified factors underpinning unsafe care.

Setting/participants:

A total of 1072 patient safety incident reports involving patients receiving sub-optimal palliative care via the out-of-hours primary-care services.

Results:

Incidents included issues with: medications (n = 613); access to timely care (n = 123); information transfer (n = 102), and/or non-medication-related treatment such as pressure ulcer relief or catheter care (n = 102). Almost two-thirds of reports (n = 695) described harm with outcomes such as increased pain, emotional, and psychological distress featuring highly. Commonly identified contributory factors to these incidents were a failure to follow protocol (n = 282), lack of skills/confidence of staff (n = 156), and patients requiring medication delivered via a syringe driver (n = 80).

Conclusion:

Healthcare systems with primary-care-led models of delivery must examine their practices to determine the prevalence of such safety issues (communication between providers; knowledge of commonly used, and access to, medications and equipment) and utilise improvement methods to achieve improvements in care.
Geographies of public space: Variegated publicness, variegated epistemologies
Authors: Qian Junxi
Published: December 2018

Given the rapid diversification and mutation of public space and public life across the globe, this article theorises epistemologies of publicness that move the research agenda beyond the conceptual straitjacket of presence, accessibility and visibility. It develops three theoretical approaches: public space as situated and lived; public space as assemblage; and public space as a liminal zone between inclusion and exclusion. Signposting more open-ended, flexible, processual, performative and ambivalent conceptions of publicness and public space, this article represents one of the first attempts to systematically map the permutations of new theoretical and conceptual developments in the research of public space.
Comparative analysis of the emerging projects in Latin America after the crisis of the neoliberal modernity project in the early 21st century
Authors: Morales Gustavo
Published: December 2018

This article provides a comparative and interpretative analysis of the emerging projects in Latin America after the crisis of the neoliberal modernity project. It offers a critical interpretation of the current tendencies in Latin American politics at the national level, while suggesting some hints to understand the current neoliberal crisis in Western countries after Trump’s electoral triumph. The purpose is to figure out the collective meanings behind the new national projects in Latin America (postcolonial indigeneity, confrontational populism, defective neoliberalism, and social liberalism) that are constructing a new regional order. The work examines how the neoliberal modernity project came to be dominant in the late 1980s, only to enter into a period of crisis in the current century. That crisis, in turn, provides the basis for exploring four different alternative projects of modernity, based on the kind of rationality and agency promoted by them.
A comparison of satellite-based indices for hazard assessment of MSW open dumps using spatial analysis
Authors: Mahmood Khalid , Ul-Haq Zia , Faizi Fiza , Batol Syeda A.
Published: December 2018

This study compares the suitability of different satellite-based vegetation indices (VIs) for environmental hazard assessment of municipal solid waste (MSW) open dumps. The compared VIs, as bio-indicators of vegetation health, are normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and modified soil adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI) that have been subject to spatio-temporal analysis. The comparison has been made based on three criteria: one is the exponential moving average (EMA) bias, second is the ease in visually finding the distance of VI curve flattening, and third is the radius of biohazardous zone in relation to the waste heap dumped at them. NDVI has been found to work well when MSW dumps are surrounded by continuous and dense vegetation, otherwise, MSAVI is a better option due to its ability for adjusting soil signals. The hierarchy of the goodness for least EMA bias is MSAVI> SAVI> NDVI with average bias values of 101 m, 203 m, and 270 m, respectively. Estimations using NDVI have been found unable to satisfy the direct relationship between waste heap and hazardous zone size and have given a false exaggeration of 374 m for relatively smaller dump as compared to the bigger one. The same false exaggeration for SAVI and MSAVI is measured to be 86 m and -14 m, respectively. So MSAVI is the only VI that has shown the true relation of waste heap and hazardous zone size. The best visualization of distance-dependent vegetation health away from the dumps is also provided by MSAVI.
Late-Holocene subtropical mangrove dynamics in response to climate change during the last millennium
Authors: França Marlon C , Pessenda Luiz CR , Cohen Marcelo CL , de Azevedo Allana Q , Fontes Neuza A , Silva Fernando Borges , de Melo João CF , Piccolo Marisa de C , Bendassolli José A , Macario Kita
Published: December 2018

This work aims to study the impacts of climate change in the subtropical mangroves during the late-Holocene on a southern Brazilian coastal plain and discuss the environmental conditions to the mangrove establishment near the austral limit of South America mangroves. Samples were collected to study palynological groups, sedimentary facies, and geochemistry analyses (δ13C, δ15N, TOC, TN, C:N ratio, TS, and C:S ratio), synchronized with four radiocarbon ages. The main result of this research was the mangrove succession, divided into three palynological zones composing two facies association: (1) herbaceous tidal flat and (2) mangrove tidal flat. The first zone between at least ~1815 and ~1629 cal. yr BP was marked by the mangrove absence with marine particulate organic carbon, C3 terrestrial plants, and macrophytes organic matter influence with δ13C values between −26.7‰ and −20‰, δ15N values x̅ = 3.5‰ and C:N around 21.8. The second zone between ~1629 and ~853 cal. yr BP was marked by the mangrove establishment represented only by Laguncularia pollen under influence of estuarine organic matter (δ13C x̅ = −26.5‰; δ15N x̅ = 3.2‰, and C:N around 16.4). The third zone reveals an increase of Laguncularia and presence of Avicennia pollen since ~853 cal. yr BP. Near the surface (<10 cm) occurs Rhizophora pollen, indicating the establishment of this genus during the past decades, under the modern environmental condition (δ13C x̅ = −27.02‰; δ15N x̅ = 3.12‰, and C:N around 17.42). This mangrove vertical succession may be associated with the low-temperature tolerance, where the sequence Rhizophora, Avicennia, and Laguncularia occurs from the northern to the southern limits of Santa Catarina coast, respectively, reflecting the temperature gradient. Therefore, probably, the establishment of the mangrove assemblage identified along the studied pollen profile was influenced by a temperature increase of air and water during the late-Holocene and, considering the Rhizophora genus, only during the past decades.
Two millennia of anthropogenic landscape modification and nutrient loading at Dian Lake, Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Hillman Aubrey L , Yao Alice , Abbott Mark B , Bain Daniel J
Published: December 2018

Landscapes have been shaped by human activities for millennia and there is a pressing need to characterize pre-industrial impacts in order to mitigate present-day effects. We present the analysis of two sediment cores from Dian Lake in Yunnan, China, which span 4000 years. We compare cores from the northern and southern ends of the lake to investigate spatial variability in natural and anthropogenic environmental changes in this large (300 km2) lake. To document the initiation of human impacts on the landscape and characterize the attendant changes in the lake water and sediment quality, we rely on organic and inorganic geochemical measurements as well as sedimentology and stratigraphy. The character and magnitude of proxy changes are coherent between the two core sites with slight differences in the timing of events. At both core sites, we find definitive evidence for substantial anthropogenic change beginning AD 100 (1850 yr BP), coincident with the introduction of terraced agriculture. Sedimentological shifts are distinctive and characterized by an increase in magnetic susceptibility values and a visible change to red, fine-grained clay. The geochemistry of this sediment suggests that it was sourced from the eastern catchment of the lake and delivered into the basin following intensive agriculture and soil erosion. Anthropogenic impacts intensify after AD 900 through hydrologic modification and cultural eutrophication resulting from increased nutrient loading. This study presents evidence that human-affected landscapes have been present in this region of China for longer than previously believed and that ‘small-scale’ land use change can have measureable impacts on lakes.
Oxidative stress as a mechanism of combined OTA and CTN toxicity in rat plasma, liver and kidney
Authors: Rašić D , Micek V , Klarić MS , Peraica M
Published: December 2018

Ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CTN) commonly coexist in grains. Aiming to evaluate oxidative stress in OTA + CTN toxicity, male Wistar rats were orally treated with two doses of OTA (0.125 and 0.250 mg kg−1 of body weight (b.w.)), CTN (2 mg kg−1 of b.w.) and resveratrol (RSV; 20 mg kg−1 of b.w.) and combined daily during 3 weeks. Protein carbonyl concentrations were measured in kidneys and liver; catalytic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) level in plasma, kidneys and liver, while malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was measured in plasma, kidneys, liver and urine. Mycotoxin treatment significantly increased MDA concentration in plasma and kidney and decreased SOD activity in the liver. Rats treated with CTN and OTA125 + CTN had lower plasma GPx activity. Concentration of GSH in the kidney and protein carbonyls in the kidney and liver as well as GPx activity in the kidney and liver, SOD activity in the kidney and CAT activity in the liver were not affected. Protective effect of RSV was observed on GSH in the kidney and plasma and MDA in the kidney, plasma and urine. Oxidative stress is involved in OTA + CTN toxicity in vivo because such treatment affects parameters of oxidative stress, particularly in plasma. RSV can reduce but not overcome oxidative stress induced by combined OTA and CTN treatment.
Alcohol intake and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Bae S C , Lee Y H
Published: December 2018

Objectives

This study aimed to examine whether alcohol intake is causally associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger regression methods. We used the publicly available summary statistics of alcohol intake frequency from the UK Biobank genome-wide association studies (GWASs; n = 336,965) as the exposure and an SLE GWAS consisting of 1311 SLE and 1783 control subjects of European descent as the outcome.

Results

We selected 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with alcohol intake frequency at genome-wide significance as instrumental variables to improve inference. The IVW method found no evidence to support a causal association between alcohol intake and SLE (beta = –0.413, SE = 0.513, p = 0.421). The MR-Egger regression revealed that directional pleiotropy was unlikely to bias the result (intercept = 0.031, p = 0.582). The MR-Egger analysis found no causal association between alcohol intake and SLE (beta = –1.494, SE = 1.996, p = 0.464). Likewise, the weighted median approach also did not provide evidence of a causal association between alcohol intake and SLE (beta = –0.538, SE = 0.574, p = 0.349). The MR estimates determined using the IVW, weighted median, and MR-Egger regression methods were consistent and results from a “leave-one-out” analysis demonstrated that no single SNP was driving the IVW point estimate.

Conclusions

The results of MR analysis do not support a causal inverse association between alcohol intake and SLE occurrence.
Modification of electrospun, ultra-thin cellulose fibres by means of polycarboxylic acid–based cross-linking agents
Authors: Schramm Christian , Amann Angelika
Published: December 2018

Ultra-thin fibre assemblies consisting of cellulose were prepared by means of the electrospinning procedure. In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) was dissolved in dimethylacetamide/acetone (2:1 v/v) and electrospun using a high voltage of 10 and 15 kV and a tip to collector distance of 15 cm. The CA fibre mats were deacetylated and chemically modified by means of a 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA)/sodium hypophosphite and a BTCA/(3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) solution. After a thermal treatment at 180°C, Fourier Transform infrared/attenuated reflection spectra of the cross-linked fibre mats confirmed the formation of an ester linkage and an imide moiety, respectively. X-ray diffraction spectra made evident the presence of cellulose II. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a significant increase in the thermal stability of the chemically modified mats. The water vapour transmission is increased for BTCA/APTES fibre mats.
Harnessing Energies, Resolving Tensions: Acknowledging a Dual Heritage for Qualitative Evidence Synthesis
Authors: Booth Andrew
Published: December 2018

Qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) encompasses more than 20 methods for synthesizing qualitative accounts of research phenomena documenting real-life contexts. However, tensions frequently arise from the different heritages that shape QES methodology: namely, systematic reviews of effectiveness and primary qualitative research. Methodological innovations either derive from each heritage or are stimulated when both are in juxtaposition; it is important to broker a rapprochement. This article draws on practical experience from a range of syntheses and methodological development work conducted with the Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group. The legacy of both heritages is briefly characterized. Three stages of the QES process offer exemplars: searching/sampling, quality assessment, and data synthesis. Rather than an antagonistic clash of research paradigms, this dual heritage offers an opportunity to harness the collective energies of both paradigms. Future methodological research is needed to identify further applications by which this dual heritage might be optimally harnessed.