bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and Experiences of Health Professionals in the Peripheral Management of Leishmaniasis in Morocco (ELHajeb)
Authors: El-Mouhdi K. , Fekhaoui M. , Elhamdaoui F. , Guessioui H. , Chahlaoui A.
Published: September 2020

Background. Morocco hopes to eliminate leishmaniases by 2030. These diseases exist in cutaneous and visceral forms and constitute a serious public health problem. The fight against these parasitoses is carried out within the framework of a national program to control leishmaniases, which offers free treatment. However, the screening rate in public health structures does not exceed 35%. Objective. To determine the knowledge and experience of the social actors directly involved in the fight against leishmaniasis to contribute to analyse and understand the factors of this underreporting and to draw scientific recommendations to improve screening and control activities. Methods. Using a self-administered questionnaire, we conducted an exploratory survey during April and May 2019 among all health professionals working in public health structures in the province of ELHajeb in central Morocco. Results. We found that most of the health professionals had good knowledge about the clinical signs of each form of leishmaniasis, but they had erroneous information about the true vector of the disease, the reservoirs, and the mode of transmission. 76% recognized the national leishmaniases control program and only 17% received continuing education. 85% of these professionals focused on the curative aspects of the program. 47% stated that patients do not adhere to the antileishmaniasis treatment, and 25% stated that the population uses the concept of “Hboub of Chniwla” to refer to cutaneous leishmaniasis. Conclusion. The study concluded that the operationalization of the activities of the leishmaniases control program recognizes some weaknesses which explain the underscreening of cases. Improvement of this situation requires the implementation of continuous training programs for caregivers and awareness-raising programs for citizens which should focus on the mode of transmission, preventive measures against reservoirs, sand flies bites, and recognition of lesions using the popular names of the disease as a starting point.
Study on Biodegradable Chitosan-Whey Protein-Based Film Containing Bionanocomposite TiO2 and Zataria multiflora Essential Oil
Authors: Gohargani Maryam , Lashkari Hannan , Shirazinejad Alireza
Published: September 2020

In our research, a composite film of whey protein isolate (WPI)/chitosan incorporated with TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and essential oil of Zataria multiflora (ZEO) was developed. The resulting composite films were evaluated by FTIR, SEM, and XRD, and also the physicochemical characteristics including color, mechanical properties, swelling ratio, and water vapor permeability (WVP) were studied. SEM graphs exhibited that the samples had a uniform and homogeneous structure where TiO2 NPs and ZEO were well dispersed. FTIR and XRD findings also show that the hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions are the main interactions between the composite WPI/chitosan and TiO2. The crystalline nature of the composite samples increased with the increase of NP content. Nevertheless, ZEO had an insignificant effect on the functional groups and the crystallinity of composite samples. The film visual characterization revealed that, by adding and increasing the TiO2 and TiO2-ZEO, sample lightness and opacity significantly increased. Additions of TiO2 remarkably (p<0.05) improved the water vapor and mechanical properties of composite samples, although the loading of ZEO, regardless of TiO2 incorporation, led to a considerable decrement of these properties. Furthermore, composite films containing ZEO combined with 2% of TiO2 compared with 1% of NPs blended with ZEO had strong antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. Generally, the findings proposed that the addition of TiO2 reinforces the properties of composite films with a synergistic effect of ZEO loading on the antibacterial ability, by which the resulting biodegradable composite samples can be used as a food active packaging material.
Numerical Evaluation and Management Suggestions for Heavy Metal Pollution Risks in a Sludge Landfill: A Case Study from Fuyong Landfill, Shenzhen, China
Authors: Sun Muyun , He Kaiyuan , Shu Shi
Published: September 2020

Despite the extensive attention paid to the transport of heavy metals in sludge landfills, the processes of transporting these pollutants from a landfill to the underground environment are quite complicated and subject to significant uncertainty. In this study, the transport of typical heavy metal pollutants in a sludge landfill through saturated and unsaturated soil zones during rainfall was investigated via numerical modeling. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the heavy metal pollution risk from a sludge landfill under rainfall infiltration conditions and to propose several management suggestions. The results indicate that, during rainfall, heavy metal concentrations at the top of the unsaturated sludge layer decrease rapidly, but they decrease more gradually at the bottom of the layer. The maximum concentration appears in vertical distribution and decreases gradually through the saturated zone. Nickel is the first heavy metal pollutant to break through the low‐permeability natural silt barrier. The transport parameters not only influence the simulated time for heavy metal pollutants to break through the silt layer and cause underground environmental pollution but also affect the extent to which the heavy metal pollutants in pore water exceed the guidelines. On the basis of these results, for dredged sludge with heavy metal concentrations significantly exceeding the standard, the concentration of heavy metals in pore water should be reduced before the sludge is landfilled, and a covering layer should be established on the sludge surface to control rainfall infiltration.
An Optimization Method of Multiclass Price Railway Passenger Transport Ticket Allocation under High Passenger Demand
Authors: Wang Bin , Ni Shaoquan , Jin Fucai , Huang Zixu
Published: September 2020

The development of high-speed railways (HSR) in China has attracted a large number of passengers from highway and aviation to railways due to their comfort and high speed. In this case, HSR passenger transportation can improve the operating income by optimizing the ticket allocation. Here, we propose an optimization method of multiclass price railway passenger transport ticket allocation under high passenger demand. First, for the “censored data” problem in the railway passenger demand forecast, we constructed an unconstrained model of railway passenger demand and solved the unconstrained demand through an expectation-maximization algorithm. Then, on this basis, we use gray neural networks (GNNs) to predict the passenger demand of different origins and destinations (ODs), and according to the prediction results, we propose two ticket allocation methods based on operation and capacity control: accurate predivided model and fuzzy predivided model. And we solve this problem by constructing a particle swarm optimization algorithm. Lastly, we use examples to prove that the proposed ticket allocation method can meet the passengers’ needs and have good economic benefits.
PPV Criterion of a Rock Slope Imbedded with a Fault subjected to Blasting P-Waves
Authors: Lu Shiwei , Zhou Chuanbo , Zhang Zhen , Ji Ling , Jiang Nan
Published: September 2020

The open-pit mining slopes continue to become higher and steeper with the continuous exploitation of near-surface mineral resources. The blasting excavation exerts a significance influence on the slope stability. In fact, intact rock slopes do not exist and slope stability is controlled by the geological defects. In this paper, the stability of a rock slope imbedded with a fault is considered. The P-wave component of blasting seismic waves is focused on and the fault is simplified as a semi-infinite crack. In background of Daye iron mine, the peak particle velocity (PPV) threshold is determined based on the linear elastic fracture dynamics. The influence of frequency, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio is studied to modify the PPV threshold. Results show that (1) the PPV threshold decreases with the increasing Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio, but increases with the increasing frequency; (2) the initiation angle is immune to Young's modulus and the frequency, and only depends on the Poisson's ratio; (3) the PPV criterion is finally determined as 1.47 cm/s when the frequency f ≤ 10 Hz, 1.47 cm/s–3.30 cm/s when 10 Hz < f ≤ 50 Hz and 3.37 cm/s–6.59 cm/s when f > 50 Hz, which are far less than that of intact rock slopes; (4) The north slope is quite safe if the proposed PPV threshold is not violated due to the variation range of the initiation angle θ0.
An Embedded-Based Weighted Feature Selection Algorithm for Classifying Web Document
Authors: Siva Shankar G. , Ashokkumar P. , Vinayakumar R. , Ghosh Uttam , Mansoor Wathiq , Alnumay Waleed S.
Published: September 2020

With the exponential increase in a number of web pages daily, it makes it very difficult for a search engine to list relevant web pages. In this paper, we propose a machine learning-based classification model that can learn the best features in each web page and helps in search engine listing. The existing methods for listing have lots of drawbacks like interfacing the normal operations of the website and crawling lots of useless information. Our proposed algorithm provides an optimal classification for websites which has a large number of web pages such as Wikipedia by just considering core information like link text, side information, and header text. We implemented our algorithm with standard benchmark datasets, and the results show that our algorithm outperforms the existing algorithms.
Prevalence of Cattle Trypanosomosis and Apparent Density of Its Fly Vectors in Bambasi District of Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Amante Morka , Tesgera Hika
Published: September 2020

Trypanosomosis is the most serious disease of cattle, which causes great socioeconomic losses in the country. Its socioeconomic impact is reflected on direct losses due to mortality, morbidity, and reduction in milk and meat production, abortion and stillbirth, and also costs associated with combat of the disease are direct losses. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of cattle trypanosomosis, and the apparent density and distribution of its fly vectors in selected study areas. The methods employed during the study were buffy coat technique for parasitological study and deploying trap for the collection of tsetse flies. A total of 1512 flies were trapped, and among them, 1162 were tsetse flies while 350 were biting flies. Higher apparent density for tsetse fly (7.7 F/T/D) followed by Stomoxys (0.9 F/T/D), Tabanus (0.8 F/T/D), and Hematopota (0.6 F/T/D) was recorded. Out of 638 examined cattle, the overall prevalence of trypanosomosis in the study area was 9.1% (58/638). Out of positive cases, Trypanosoma congolense (7.7%) was the dominant trypanosome species followed by Trypanosoma vivax (0.9%), Trypanosoma brucei (0.2%), and mixed infection of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma vivax (0.3%). There was no a significant difference (p>0.05) in trypanosome infection between age, sex, and trypanosome species. The prevalence of trypanosomosis on the bases of body condition was 2.8% for poor, 5.5% for medium, and 0.8% for good body condition. The overall prevalence of anemia was (36.8%), and presence of anemia was higher in trypanosome positive animals (62.5%) than in negative animals (34.3%) which is statistically significant (p<0.05, CI = 1.794–5.471). The overall mean packed cell volume (PCV) value for examined animals was 25.84 ± 0.252SE. Mean (PCV) of parasitaemic cattle (9.1%) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of aparasitaemic cattle (90%). This survey showed that trypanosomosis is still a core problem for livestock production of the study area. Therefore, more attention should be given to the control of both the disease and its vectors.
Searching for Goldilocks: How Evolution and Ecology Can Help Uncover More Effective Patient-Specific Chemotherapies
Authors: Park Derek S. , Luddy Kimberly A. , Robertson-Tessi Mark , O'Farrelly Cliona , Gatenby Robert A. , Anderson Alexander R.A.
Published: September 2020

Deaths from cancer are mostly due to metastatic disease that becomes resistant to therapy. A mainstay treatment for many cancers is chemotherapy, for which the dosing strategy is primarily limited by patient toxicity. While this MTD approach builds upon the intuitively appealing principle that maximum therapeutic benefit is achieved by killing the largest possible number of cancer cells, there is increasing evidence that moderation might allow host-specific features to contribute to success. We believe that a “Goldilocks Window” of submaximal chemotherapy will yield improved overall outcomes. This window combines the complex interplay of cancer cell death, immune activity, emergence of chemoresistance, and metastatic dissemination. These multiple activities driven by chemotherapy have tradeoffs that depend on the specific agents used as well as their dosing levels and schedule. Here we present evidence supporting the idea that MTD may not always be the best approach and offer suggestions toward a more personalized treatment regime that integrates insights into patient-specific eco-evolutionary dynamics.
Serum IL6 as a Prognostic Biomarker and IL6R as a Therapeutic Target in Biliary Tract Cancers
Authors: Høgdall Dan , O'Rourke Colm J. , Dehlendorff Christian , Larsen Ole F. , Jensen Lars H. , Johansen Astrid Z. , Dang Hien , Factor Valentina M. , Grunnet Mie , Mau-Sørensen Morten , Oliveira Douglas V.N.P. , Linnemann Dorte , Boisen Mogens K. , Wang Xin W. , Johansen Julia S. , Andersen Jesper B.
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a heterogeneous group of rare gastrointestinal malignancies with dismal prognosis often associated with inflammation. We assessed the prognostic value of IL6 and YKL-40 compared with CA19-9 before and during palliative chemotherapy. We also investigated in mice whether IL6R inhibition in combination with gemcitabine could prolong chemosensitivity.

Experimental Design:

A total of 452 Danish participants with advanced (locally advanced and metastatic) BTC were included from six clinical trials (February 2004 to March 2017). Serum CA19-9, IL6, and YKL-40 were measured before and during palliative treatment. Associations between candidate biomarkers and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Effects of inhibiting IL6R and YKL-40 were assessed in vitro, and of IL6R inhibition in vivo.

Results:

High pretreatment levels of CA19-9, IL6, and YKL-40, and increasing levels during treatment, were associated with short PFS and OS in patients with advanced BTC. IL6 provided independent prognostic information, independent of tumor location and in patients with normal serum CA19-9. ROC analyses showed that IL6 and YKL-40 were predictive of very short OS (OS < 6 months), whereas CA19-9 was best to predict OS > 1.5 years. Treatment with anti-IL6R and gemcitabine significantly diminished tumor growth when compared with gemcitabine monotherapy in an in vivo transplant model of BTC.

Conclusions:

Serum IL6 and YKL-40 are potential new prognostic biomarkers in BTC. IL6 provides independent prognostic information and may be superior to CA19-9 in certain contexts. Moreover, anti-IL6R should be considered as a new treatment option to sustain gemcitabine response in patients with BTC.
Digital Measures That Matter to Patients: A Framework to Guide the Selection and Development of Digital Measures of Health
Authors: Manta Christine , Patrick-Lake Bray , Goldsack Jennifer C.
Published: September 2020

Background: With the rise of connected sensor technologies, there are seemingly endless possibilities for new ways to measure health. These technologies offer researchers and clinicians opportunities to go beyond brief snapshots of data captured by traditional in-clinic assessments, to redefine health and disease. Given the myriad opportunities for measurement, how do research or clinical teams know what they should be measuring? Patient engagement, early and often, is paramount to thoughtfully selecting what is most important. Regulators encourage stakeholders to have a patient focus but actionable steps for continuous engagement are not well defined. Without patient-focused measurement, stakeholders risk entrenching digital versions of poor traditional assessments and proliferating low-value tools that are ineffective, burdensome, and reduce both quality and efficiency in clinical care and research. Summary: This article synthesizes and defines a sequential framework of core principles for selecting and developing measurements in research and clinical care that are meaningful for patients. We propose next steps to drive forward the science of high-quality patient engagement in support of measures of health that matter in the era of digital medicine. Key Messages: All measures of health should be meaningful, regardless of the product’s regulatory classification, type of measure, or context of use. To evaluate meaningfulness of signals derived from digital sensors, the following four-level framework is useful: Meaningful Aspect of Health, Concept of Interest, Outcome to be measured, and Endpoint (exclusive to research). Incorporating patient input is a dynamic process that requires more than a single, transactional touch point but rather should be conducted continuously throughout the measurement selection process. We recommend that developers, clinicians, and researchers reevaluate processes for more continuous patient engagement in the development, deployment, and interpretation of digital measures of health.
OVOL1/2: Drivers of Epithelial Differentiation in Development, Disease, and Reprogramming
Authors: Saxena Kritika , Srikrishnan Syamanthak , Celia-Terrassa Toni , Jolly Mohit Kumar
Published: September 2020

OVOL proteins (OVOL1 and OVOL2), vertebrate homologs of Drosophila OVO, are critical regulators of epithelial lineage determination and differentiation during embryonic development in tissues such as kidney, skin, mammary epithelia, and testis. OVOL can inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition and/or can promote mesenchymal-epithelial transition. Moreover, they can regulate the stemness of cancer cells, thus playing an important role during cancer cell metastasis. Due to their central role in differentiation and maintenance of epithelial lineage, OVOL overexpression has been shown to be capable of reprogramming fibroblasts to epithelial cells. Here, we review the roles of OVOL-mediated epithelial differentiation across multiple contexts, including embryonic development, cancer progression, and cellular reprogramming.
Marine Annelida of India: taxonomy and status evaluation and an updated checklist
Authors: Sanitha K. Sivadas  , Russell Carvalho
Published: September 2020

We present an updated checklist of marine annelids from the Indian subcontinent.  Records of annelid species were obtained from published and grey literatures and online databases.  Our review of annelid publications was restricted to the Indian continental shelf region.  This paper also discusses the taxonomic status of marine annelid species recorded from this region and problems that impede its research.  The updated list comprises of 727 species belonging to 334 genera and 72 families.  A total of 152 species have their type locality in India including 88 species that are endemic to the region.  The current checklist indicates that 25% (183 species) of the records are questionable and require further examination.  Our results highlight that marine annelid richness of the Indian sub-continent is underestimated with many of the native undescribed species being most likely concealed under ‘erroneous’ or ‘cosmopolitan’ records.  With a combination of factors that include a lack of experts, funding, and failure to update regional literature has resulted in an incomplete state of knowledge for the marine annelid biodiversity from this region.  Therefore, there is an urgent need for extensive and intensive sampling to discover new species, conduct detailed re-examinations of doubtful records and, collaborate within the local and international institutes and organizations to improve the regional biodiversity studies.
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Unveils Unique Transcriptomic Signatures of Organ-Specific Endothelial Cells
Authors: Paik David T. , Tian Lei , Williams Ian M. , Rhee Siyeon , Zhang Hao , Liu Chun , Mishra Ridhima , Wu Sean M. , Red-Horse Kristy , Wu Joseph C.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Endothelial cells (ECs) display considerable functional heterogeneity depending on the vessel and tissue in which they are located. Whereas these functional differences are presumably imprinted in the transcriptome, the pathways and networks that sustain EC heterogeneity have not been fully delineated.

Methods:

To investigate the transcriptomic basis of EC specificity, we analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data from tissue-specific mouse ECs generated by the Tabula Muris consortium. We used a number of bioinformatics tools to uncover markers and sources of EC heterogeneity from single-cell RNA sequencing data.

Results:

We found a strong correlation between tissue-specific EC transcriptomic measurements generated by either single-cell RNA sequencing or bulk RNA sequencing, thus validating the approach. Using a graph-based clustering algorithm, we found that certain tissue-specific ECs cluster strongly by tissue (eg, liver, brain), whereas others (ie, adipose, heart) have considerable transcriptomic overlap with ECs from other tissues. We identified novel markers of tissue-specific ECs and signaling pathways that may be involved in maintaining their identity. Sex was a considerable source of heterogeneity in the endothelial transcriptome and we discovered
Lars2
to be a gene that is highly enriched in ECs from male mice. We found that markers of heart and lung ECs in mice were conserved in human fetal heart and lung ECs. We identified potential angiocrine interactions between tissue-specific ECs and other cell types by analyzing ligand and receptor expression patterns.

Conclusions:

We used single-cell RNA sequencing data generated by the
Tabula Muris
consortium to uncover transcriptional networks that maintain tissue-specific EC identity and to identify novel angiocrine and functional relationships between tissue-specific ECs.
Complex Arrhythmia Syndrome in a Knock-In Mouse Model Carrier of the N98S
Calm1
Mutation
Authors: Tsai Wen-Chin , Guo Shuai , Olaopa Michael A. , Field Loren J. , Yang Jin , Shen Changyu , Chang Ching-Pin , Chen Peng-Sheng , Rubart Michael
Published: September 2020

Background:

Calmodulin mutations are associated with arrhythmia syndromes in humans. Exome sequencing previously identified a de novo mutation in
CALM1
resulting in a p.N98S substitution in a patient with sinus bradycardia and stress-induced bidirectional ventricular ectopy. The objectives of the present study were to determine if mice carrying the N98S mutation knocked into
Calm1
replicate the human arrhythmia phenotype and to examine arrhythmia mechanisms.

Methods:

Mouse lines heterozygous for the Calm1
N98S
allele (Calm1
N98S/+
) were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Adult mutant mice and their wildtype littermates (Calm1
+/+
) underwent electrocardiographic monitoring. Ventricular de- and repolarization was assessed in isolated hearts using optical voltage mapping. Action potentials and whole-cell currents and [Ca
2+
]
i
, as well, were measured in single ventricular myocytes using the patch-clamp technique and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. The microelectrode technique was used for in situ membrane voltage monitoring of ventricular conduction fibers.

Results:

Two biologically independent knock-in mouse lines heterozygous for the Calm1
N98S
allele were generated. Calm1
N98S/+
mice of either sex and line exhibited sinus bradycardia, QT
c
interval prolongation, and catecholaminergic bidirectional ventricular tachycardia. Male mutant mice also showed QRS widening. Pharmacological blockade and activation of β-adrenergic receptors rescued and exacerbated, respectively, the long-QT phenotype of Calm1
N98S/+
mice. Optical and electric assessment of membrane potential in isolated hearts and single left ventricular myocytes, respectively, revealed β-adrenergically induced delay of repolarization. β-Adrenergic stimulation increased peak density, slowed inactivation, and left-shifted the activation curve of
I
Ca.L
significantly more in Calm1
N98S/+
versus Calm1
+/+
ventricular myocytes, increasing late
I
Ca.L
in the former. Rapidly paced Calm1
N98S/+
ventricular myocytes showed increased propensity to delayed afterdepolarization-induced triggered activity, whereas in situ His-Purkinje fibers exhibited increased susceptibility for pause-dependent early afterdepolarizations. Epicardial mapping of Calm1
N98S/+
hearts showed that both reentry and focal mechanisms contribute to arrhythmogenesis.

Conclusions:

Heterozygosity for the
Calm1
N98S
mutation is causative of an arrhythmia syndrome characterized by sinus bradycardia, QRS widening, adrenergically mediated QTc interval prolongation, and bidirectional ventricular tachycardia. β-Adrenergically induced
I
Ca.L
dysregulation contributes to the long-QT phenotype. Pause-dependent early afterdepolarizations and tachycardia-induced delayed afterdepolarizations originating in the His-Purkinje network and ventricular myocytes, respectively, constitute potential sources of arrhythmia in Calm1
N98S/+
hearts.
Association Between Atazanavir‐Induced Hyperbilirubinemia and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients Infected with HIV
Authors: Li Michael , Chan Walter W. , Zucker Stephen D.
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND:

Serum bilirubin is inversely associated with cardiovascular risk. Atazanavir, an HIV protease inhibitor that competitively inhibits bilirubin conjugation, provides a unique opportunity to examine whether selectively increasing bilirubin is cardioprotective. We sought to determine whether patients receiving atazanavir manifest a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those receiving darunavir, an HIV protease inhibitor that does not increase serum bilirubin.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

This was a retrospective cohort study of 1020 patients with HIV. The main outcome was time to myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke. Mean follow‐up was 6.6±3.4 years, with 516 receiving atazanavir and 504 darunavir. Atazanavir patients exhibited significantly higher serum total bilirubin (1.7 versus 0.4 mg/dL;
P
<0.001) and longer mean time to ischemic event (10.2 versus 9.4 years;
P
<0.001). On Cox regression, atazanavir treatment (hazard ratio [HR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.21–0.71;
P
=0.002) and serum bilirubin (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41–0.89;
P
=0.011) were independently associated with a lower risk of an ischemic event. Notably, when atazanavir and bilirubin were included together in the Cox regression model, atazanavir lost significance (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24–1.29;
P
=0.169) consistent with bilirubin being an intermediate variable on the causal pathway between atazanavir and its effect on cardiovascular disease. Patients on atazanavir also had a significantly lower risk of developing new cardiovascular disease (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33–0.86;
P
=0.010) and longer mean time to death (12.2 versus 10.8 years;
P
<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with HIV on atazanavir manifest a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease when compared with those on darunavir, an effect that appears to be mediated by serum bilirubin.
Taxonomical account of the Indian Cyzicid Ozestheria annandalei (Daday, 1913) (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from peninsular India
Authors: PADHYE SAMEER M. , INGALE PRASHANT ARUN , VANJARE AVINASH ISAAC
Published: September 2020

The spinicaudatan family Cyzicidae represents a group of morphologically variable species whose taxonomy is still being updated (Schwentner et al. 2009, 2015, 2020; Rogers et al. 2017). There are 21 species of spinicaudatans currently reported from the Indian subcontinent out of which 4 species represent the Cyzicidae family (sensu Rogers & Padhye, 2015; not considering the species from Eocyzicus genus which are now shifted to Eocyzicidae family sensu Schwentner et al. 2020). Ozestheria indica (Daday, 1913), one of the four species, has been re-described very recently (Padhye, 2020). Ozestheria indica and Ozestheria annandalei (Daday, 1913) are the two valid species currently known from peninsular India (Padhye, 2020; Rogers, 2020). Padhye et al., (2015) re-described the female of a Cyzicus sp. which was later confirmed as C. annandalei (Rogers & Padhye, 2015).
Three new species of Marcepania Jałoszyński (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: September 2020

Three new species of the Oriental genus Marcepania Jałoszyński are described: M. halva sp. n. (Sumatra), M. krowka sp. n. (Sumatra), and M. daifuku sp. n. (Thailand). Previously Marcepania was known from Borneo, Malay Peninsula and Palawan. A female of M. halva was disarticulated to verify its generic placement and its fine structures are illustrated.
A Climatology of Atmospheric Rivers and Associated Precipitation for the Seven U.S. National Climate Assessment Regions
Authors: Slinskey Emily A. , Loikith Paul C. , Waliser Duane E. , Guan Bin , Martin Andrew
Published: September 2020

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are long, narrow filamentary regions of enhanced vertically integrated water vapor transport (IVT) that play an important role in regional water supply and hydrometeorological extremes. Here, an AR detection algorithm is applied to global reanalysis from Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2), to objectively and consistently characterize ARs regionally across the continental United States (CONUS). The characteristics of AR and associated precipitation are computed at the gridpoint scale and summarized over the seven U.S. National Climate Assessment regions. ARs are most frequent in the autumn and winter in the West, spring in the Great Plains, and autumn in the Midwest and Northeast. ARs show regional and seasonal variability in basic geometry and IVT. AR IVT composites reveal annually consistent northeastward-directed moisture transport from the Pacific Ocean in the West, whereas moisture transport patterns vary seasonally across the Southern Great Plains and Midwest. Linked AR precipitation characteristics suggest that a substantial proportion of extreme events, defined as the top 5% of 3-day precipitation totals, are associated with ARs over many parts of CONUS, including the East. Regional patterns of AR-associated precipitation highlight that seasonally varying moisture transport and lifting mechanisms differ between the East and the West where orographic lifting is key. Our study aims to contribute a comprehensive and consistent CONUS-wide, regional-scale analysis of ARs in support of ongoing NCA efforts. Given the CONUS-wide role ARs play in extreme precipitation, findings motivate continued study of associated climate change impacts.
Warm Spiral Streamers over Gulf Stream Warm-Core Rings
Authors: Zhang Weifeng , McGillicuddy Dennis J.
Published: September 2020

This study examines the generation of warm spiral structures (referred to as spiral streamers here) over Gulf Stream warm-core rings. Satellite sea surface temperature imagery shows spiral streamers forming after warmer water from the Gulf Stream or newly formed warm-core rings impinges onto old warm-core rings and then intrudes into the old rings. Field measurements in April 2018 capture the vertical structure of a warm spiral streamer as a shallow lens of low-density water winding over an old ring. Observations also show subduction on both sides of the spiral streamer, which carries surface waters downward. Idealized numerical model simulations initialized with observed water-mass densities reproduce spiral streamers over warm-core rings and reveal that their formation is a nonlinear submesoscale process forced by mesoscale dynamics. The negative density anomaly of the intruding water causes a density front at the interface between the intruding water and surface ring water, which, through thermal wind balance, drives a local anticyclonic flow. The pressure gradient and momentum advection of the local interfacial flow push the intruding water toward the ring center. The large-scale anticyclonic flow of the ring and the radial motion of the intruding water together form the spiral streamer. The observed subduction on both sides of the spiral streamer is part of the secondary cross-streamer circulation resulting from frontogenesis on the stretching streamer edges. The surface divergence of the secondary circulation pushes the side edges of the streamer away from each other, widens the warm spiral on the surface, and thus enhances its surface signal.
Toward the Standardization of Mesoscale Meteorological Networks
Authors: Fiebrich Christopher A. , Brinson Kevin R. , Mahmood Rezaul , Foster Stuart A. , Schargorodski Megan , Edwards Nathan L. , Redmond Christopher A. , Atkins Jennie R. , Andresen Jeffrey A. , Lin Xiaomao
Published: September 2020

Although they share many common qualities in design and operation, mesonetworks across the United States were established independently and organically over the last several decades. In numerous instances, the unique ways each network matured and developed new protocols has led to important lessons learned. These experiences have been shared in informal ways among various network operators over the years to promote reliable operation. As existing networks begin to introduce new sensors and technologies, and as new networks come online, there is a common need for guidance on best practices. This paper aims to formally provide recommendations to improve and harmonize the various aspects of operating a “mesonet,” including siting, sensors, maintenance, quality assurance, and data processing.
Spontaneous Chest Wall Herniation in Centrally Obese Patients: A Single-Center Experience of a Rare Problem
Authors: Sinopoli Jillian , Strong Andrew , Kroh Matthew , Allemang Matthew , Raymond Daniel P.
Published: September 2020

Background

Spontaneous rib fractures, especially in association with chest wall herniation, represent an uncommon pathology. As such, there are little data analyzing approaches to treatment or regarding the success of intervention. The goal of this study was to analyze our cumulative experience with this unusual condition.

Methods

A case series of 12 patients was gathered from a single institution based on outpatient visits between February 2015 and October 2018. Each chart was retrospectively reviewed with particular attention to age, gender, BMI, area of injury, and smoking history. Patients presented with complaints of dyspnea or pain related to rib fractures with or without intercostal neuralgia. Each of these patients was noted to have rib fractures with lung herniation either on imaging, outside hospital records, or physical exam. A thorough medical history was obtained with attempts to find common predisposing factors as well as data regarding any previous surgical intervention for their herniation.

Results

Nine of the 12 patients reviewed had recent or prior surgical intervention. Every patient seen in the clinic with a spontaneous fracture and herniation incidentally had a BMI >30 and was therefore classified as obese. Additionally, every patient who had a recurrence after their first surgical attempt at repair had a BMI greater than or equal to 35. All 12 patients seen at our institution were males. The failure rate of operative intervention was 66%.

Conclusions

Obesity was a prevalent comorbidity in the patient population we reviewed. Given the role obesity plays in abdominal and hiatal hernia repair success rates, it should be considered that obesity is a significant contributor to chest wall herniation if rib fractures occur. With 66% chest wall repair failure, patient selection is critical in the success of surgical intervention. Perhaps additional patient optimization, especially weight loss, should be considered prior to surgery.
Laparoscopic Ladd Procedure for Malrotation in Newborns and Infants
Authors: da Costa Karina M. , Saxena Amulya K.
Published: September 2020

Background

Laparoscopic approach for malrotation has become more popular for neonates and in cases with volvulus, but its safety and efficacy remains controversial. This study reviewed laparoscopy outcomes in neonate/infant malrotation.

Methods

Medline/PubMed and Lilacs databases were reviewed. Data from studies published in English/Spanish between 1995 and 2019 were collected. Results are presented as percentages and means/medians; logistic regression was used to study possible associations.

Results

Nineteen papers offered 99 neonates/infants with median age and weight of 10.5 days and 3.5 kg, respectively. Ladd’s procedure was performed in 95 (96%) patients and bands’ division in 4 (4%); appendectomy was not included in 16 (16.2%) patients, and cecopexy was not performed in all cases. Volvulus was reported in 39 (39.4%) patients. There were 11 conversions (11.1%) and 10 recurrences of symptoms (10.1%) that required reintervention. An association was found between volvulus and recurrence ( P = .05) and the need for conversion ( P < .01). There were 10 (10.1%) minor complications and no mortality. The median follow-up was 10 months.

Discussion

Laparoscopic approach to malrotation is feasible and safe in hemodynamically stable neonates/infants without intestinal necrosis and is associated with 11% conversion rate and 10% reinterventions. The presence of volvulus is associated with recurrence and conversion. Laparoscopic Ladd’s procedure with appendectomy and without cecopexy is the commonly practiced approach that is associated with minor complications.
Human rights and education for Gambian young women during COVID-19: Recommendations for social policy and practice
Authors: Wannamakok Wisuwat , Sissokho Oumie , Gates Trevor G
Published: September 2020

COVID-19 is not only a global health disaster but a full-fledged social, economic, and political crisis that could disrupt the gains made in women’s education and empowerment. In The Gambia, issues of unequal access to educational resources determined by gender, geographical location, and social class; a disproportionate burden of household chores imposed on women and girls; and economic pressures have the potential to expose girls to more violence, exclusion, and abuse. In this article, we use a human rights framework, as conceptualized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), and discuss increases in educational inequality that young women in a poor, conservative, and patriarchal society will face during the COVID-19 pandemic. We propose solutions to mitigate these issues through social protection policies and practices that can ensure the right to education for the most vulnerable and marginalized.
Cross-Validation and Application of a Scale Assessing School Band Performance
Authors: Rossin Emily G. , Bergee Martin J.
Published: September 2020

This is the sixth and culminating study in a series whose purpose has been to acquire a conceptual understanding of school band performance and to develop an assessment based on this understanding. With the present study, we cross-validated and applied a rating scale for school band performance. In the cross-validation phase, college students rated recordings of two high school concert band performances using a scale developed for mid-level band performance. The result was a 25-item School Band Performance Rating Scale (SBPRS) for use at middle and high school levels. Consistent with previous research, the scale was unidimensional, containing one strong second-order factor and three distinct primary-order factors: Rhythm–Technique, Tone Quality–Intonation, and Expressiveness–Musicianship. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency. In a field test, adjudicators used an online version of the SBPRS to assess school band performances. The online form allowed adjudicators to view other adjudicators’ ratings in real time. Good interrater agreement resulted. In another field test, judges used a nonlive version of the SBPRS, and lower interrater agreement resulted. The SBPRS reflects the conceptual structure of school band performance and can be applied advantageously to serve adjudicators and school band ensembles.
Injuries and deaths caused by non-human primate attacks: Paediatric vulnerability
Authors: Behera Chittaranjan , Chauhan Mohit , Sikary Asit , Millo Tabin , Byard Roger W
Published: September 2020

A six-month-old girl was taken from her mother’s lap by a macaque monkey ( Macaca) that had entered the room through an open door. The monkey escaped with the infant but subsequently dropped her from a rooftop terrace. Death occurred soon after impact with the ground, and was found at autopsy to be due to blunt cranio-cerebral trauma with skull fractures and intracranial haemorrhage. Monkeys and apes may cause a variety of serious and potentially life-threatening injuries and may manifest quite unpredictable and aggressive behaviour around humans. The very young are particularly vulnerable to primate attacks, and ‘baby theft’ by apes and monkeys is an event that has now been reported, albeit rarely, in a number of different countries around the world. The fatally injured infants have died from bites, falls and drowning. Chimpanzees in the wild may also specifically hunt human infants for food.
A Validation of Servant Leadership Scale on Multinational Sample
Authors: Gocen Ahmet , Sen Sedat
Published: September 2020

Servant leadership has been gaining attention from all types of organizations, whether it be business organizations or public schools. With the increase of studies on the servanthood characteristics of organizational leaders, various scales of servant leadership were used to examine servant leadership behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes in different organizations. In line with the increasing interest on servant leadership, the purpose of the study was aimed at characterizing the Servant Leadership (SL) scale psychometrically through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis. The related data were collected from 461 teachers across several countries. The one-factor structure of the SL was confirmed in CFA along with the Rasch Rating Scale model, with the analyses of rating scale diagnosis, item fit assessment, reliability, unidimensionality, local independence, and differential item functioning (DIF). High person separation and reliability statistics supported the consistency of the SL scores. Only one item (Item 7) did not fit the Rasch model, and another item (Item 1) showed DIF to be in favor of females. Overall CFA and the Rasch models provided enough evidence for the seven-item SL scale.
The Influence of Tourism on Income Inequality
Authors: Nguyen Canh Phuc , Schinckus Christophe , Su Thanh Dinh , Chong Felicia Hui Ling
Published: September 2020

This article examines the influence of tourism on income inequality on a global sample. Our analysis uses various econometric techniques for panel data including 97 countries over the period 2002–2014 categorized into three subsamples: 30 low- and lower-middle-income economies (LMEs), 25 upper-middle-income economies (UMEs), and 42 high-income economies (HIEs). Our empirical findings are interesting. First, both domestic and international tourism reduce income inequality whereas a better institutional quality increases the income inequality. Our findings also clearly indicate that international tourism contributes to the reduction of income inequalities while the national tourism requires an institutional adjustment in the LMEs and the UMEs to do so. This observation highlights the important roles of tax and transfer policies in fighting against income inequality.
Person-Message Fit: Racial Identification Moderates the Benefits of Multicultural and Colorblind Diversity Approaches
Authors: Kirby Teri A. , Kaiser Cheryl R.
Published: September 2020

Although diversity approaches attempt to foster inclusion, one size may not fit all. In five studies, African Americans ( N = 1,316), who varied in strength of racial identification, contemplated interviewing at a company with a multicultural or colorblind approach. Participants in the multicultural condition anticipated pressure to be prototypical group members relative to colorblind and control conditions. Only weakly identified participants reacted to this pressure, experiencing more anxiety and inauthenticity in the multicultural relative to colorblind (not control) company. Strongly identified participants experienced less anxiety and inauthenticity in the multicultural relative to colorblind and control companies. Inauthenticity among weakly identified participants was apparent in self-descriptions and linked with worse hiring outcomes in multicultural relative to colorblind and control contexts. Despite predictions, there were no self-stereotyping effects. Diversity approaches that make some group members more comfortable may prove simultaneously constraining for others, highlighting the complexity in how diversity approaches affect individuals.
Systematic Review of Second Primary Oropharyngeal Cancers in Patients With p16+ Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Bollig Craig A. , Lee David S. , Mazul Angela L. , Stepan Katelyn , Puram Sidharth V. , Massa Sean T. , Zenga Joseph , Faden Daniel L. , Doering Michelle M. , Jackson Ryan S. , Pipkorn Patrik
Published: September 2020

Objective

To systematically review the literature to determine the prevalence and clinical outcomes of second primary oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Data Sources

Search strategies created with a medical librarian were implemented using multiple databases in October 2019.

Review Methods

The population of interest included adults age >18 years with a p16+ or human papillomavirus‐positive OPSCC. The outcome was a synchronous or metachronous second primary OPSCC. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were designed to capture all study designs. In total, 685 records were identified by the search strategy. Two reviewers independently performed the review, extracted data, and performed a quality assessment. Primary Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. A random‐effects model was used for the meta‐analysis.

Results

A total of 2470 patients with 35 second primary OPSCCs from 15 studies were identified. The pooled prevalence of second primary OPSCC was 1.4% (range, 0%‐14.3%). In the random‐effects model, the prevalence was estimated at 1.3% (95% CI, 0.7%‐2.3%; P =. 51, I2 = 52%). Of the 30 patients with treatment information, 26 (86.7%) received surgical treatment, while 4 (13.3%) underwent nonsurgical therapy. Of the 29 patients with available survival information, 22 (75.9%) had no evidence of disease at last follow‐up, 5 (17.2%) ultimately died of disease, and 2 (6.9%) were alive with disease.

Conclusion

Overall, the rate of second primary OPSCC in patients with an index p16+ OPSCC is low, and most patients are successfully treated. Insufficient evidence currently exists to recommend routine elective tonsillectomy during surgical treatment of p16+ OPSCC.