bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative Impact of Right Ventricular Electromechanical Dyssynchrony Versus Pulmonary Regurgitation on Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Exercise Intolerance in Patients After Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Lumens Joost , Fan Chun‐Po Steve , Walmsley John , Yim Deane , Manlhiot Cedric , Dragulescu Andreea , Grosse‐Wortmann Lars , Mertens Luc , Prinzen Frits W. , Delhaas Tammo , Friedberg Mark K.
Published: January 2019

Background

The relative impact of right ventricular (
RV
) electromechanical dyssynchrony versus pulmonary regurgitation (
PR
) on exercise capacity and
RV
function after tetralogy of Fallot repair is unknown. We aimed to delineate the relative effects of these factors on
RV
function and exercise capacity.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively analyzed 81 children with tetralogy of Fallot repair using multivariable regression. Predictor parameters were electrocardiographic
QRS
duration reflecting electromechanical dyssynchrony and
PR
severity by cardiac magnetic resonance. The outcome parameters were exercise capacity (percentage predicted peak oxygen consumption) and cardiac magnetic resonance ejection fraction (RV ejection fraction). To understand the relative effects of
RV
dyssynchrony versus
PR
on exercise capacity and
RV
function, virtual patient simulations were performed using a closed‐loop cardiovascular system model (CircAdapt), covering a wide spectrum of disease severity. Eighty‐one patients with tetralogy of Fallot repair (median [interquartile range {
IQR}
] age, 14.48 [11.55–15.91] years) were analyzed. All had prolonged
QRS
duration (median [IQR], 144 [123–152] ms), at least moderate
PR
(median [IQR], 40% [29%–48%]), reduced exercise capacity (median [IQR], 79% [68%–92%] predicted peak oxygen consumption), and reduced
RV
ejection fraction (median [IQR], 48% [44%–52%]). Longer
QRS
duration, more than
PR
, was associated with lower oxygen consumption and lower RV ejection fraction. In a multivariable regression analysis, oxygen consumption decreased with both increasing
QRS
duration and
PR
severity. CircAdapt modeling showed that
RV
dyssynchrony exerts a stronger limiting effect on exercise capacity and on
RV
ejection fraction than does
PR
, regardless of contractile function.

Conclusions

In both patient data and computer simulations,
RV
dyssynchrony, more than
PR
, appears to be associated with reduced exercise capacity and
RV
systolic dysfunction in patients after
TOF
repair.
Differential Phenotypes in Perivascular Adipose Tissue Surrounding the Internal Thoracic Artery and Diseased Coronary Artery
Authors: Numaguchi Ryosuke , Furuhashi Masato , Matsumoto Megumi , Sato Hiroshi , Yanase Yosuke , Kuroda Yosuke , Harada Ryo , Ito Toshiro , Higashiura Yukimura , Koyama Masayuki , Tanaka Marenao , Moniwa Norihito , Nakamura Masanori , Doi Hirosato , Miura Tetsuji , Kawaharada Nobuyoshi
Published: January 2019

Background

Perivascular adipose tissue (
PVAT
) is causally associated with vascular function and the pathogenesis of vascular disease in association with metabolically driven chronic inflammation called metaflammation. However, the difference in
PVAT
surrounding the coronary artery (
CA
‐
PVAT
) and that surrounding the internal thoracic artery (ITA‐PVAT), a vessel resistant to atherosclerosis, remains unclear. Herein, we investigated whether
CA
‐
PVAT
,
ITA
‐
PVAT
, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (
SCAT
) have distinct phenotypes.

Methods and Results

Fat pads were sampled from 44 patients (men/women, 36:8; age, 67±13 years) with CA disease who underwent elective CA bypass grafting. Adipocyte size in
ITA
‐
PVAT
and that in
CA
‐
PVAT
were significantly smaller than that in
SCAT
. A greater extent of fibrosis and increased gene expression levels of fibrosis‐related molecules were observed in
CA
‐
PVAT
than those in
SCAT
and those in
ITA
‐
PVAT
.
CA
‐
PVAT
exhibited more pronounced metaflammation, as indicated by a significantly larger extent of
CD
68‐positive and
CD
11c‐positive M1 macrophages, a lower ratio of
CD
206‐positive M2 to
CD
11c‐positive M1 macrophages, a lower gene expression level of adiponectin, and higher gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and inflammasome‐ and endoplasmic reticulum stress–related molecules, than did
ITA
‐
PVAT
and
SCAT
. Expression patterns of adipocyte developmental and pattern‐forming genes were totally different among
SCAT
,
ITA
‐
PVAT,
and
CA
‐
PVAT
.

Conclusions

The phenotype of
ITA
‐
PVAT
is closer to that of
SCAT
than that of
CA
‐
PVAT
, which may result from inherent differences in adipocytes.
ITA
‐
PVAT
appears to be protected from metaflammation and consecutive adipose tissue remodeling, which may contribute to the decreased atherosclerotic plaque burden in the ITA.
Increased Incidence of Stroke, but Not Coronary Heart Disease, in Elderly Patients With Sleep Apnea
Authors: Catalan-Serra Pablo , Campos-Rodriguez Francisco , Reyes-Nuñez Nuria , Selma-Ferrer Maria Jose , Navarro-Soriano Cristina , Ballester-Canelles Marta , Soler-Cataluña Juan-José , Roman-Sanchez Pilar , Almeida-Gonzalez Carmen V. , Martinez-Garcia Miguel A.
Published: January 2019

Background and Purpose—

The influence of age on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the incidence of hard cardiovascular events remains controversial. We sought to analyze the relationship between OSA and the incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease in a large cohort of elderly patients, as well as to investigate the role of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in these associations.

Methods—

Post hoc analysis of a prospective observational study of consecutive patients ≥65 years studied for OSA suspicion at 2 Spanish University Hospitals. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) <15 were the reference group. OSA was defined by an AHI ≥15 and classified as untreated (CPAP not prescribed or compliance <4 hours/day), mild-moderate (AHI 15–29), untreated severe (AHI ≥30), and CPAP-treated (AHI ≥15 and CPAP compliance ≥4 hours/day).

Results—

859 and 794 elderly patients were included in the stroke and coronary heart disease analyses, respectively. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 72 (50–88.5) and 71 (51.5–89) months, respectively. Compared with the reference group, the fully adjusted hazard ratios for the incidence of stroke were 3.42 (95% CI, 1.37–8.52), 1.02 (95% CI, 0.41–2.56), and 1.76 (95% CI, 0.62–4.97) for the untreated severe OSA group, CPAP-treated group, and untreated mild-moderate OSA group, respectively. No associations were shown between any of the different OSA groups and coronary heart disease incidence.

Conclusions—

The incidence of stroke, but not coronary heart disease, is increased in elderly patients with untreated severe OSA. Adequate CPAP treatment may reduce this risk.
Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. I. Fergusobia/Fergusonina galls on Corymbia spp., with re-description of F. magna and notes on its phylogenetic relationships
Authors: DAVIES KERRIE A. , GIBLIN-DAVIS ROBIN M. , YE WEIMIN , Taylor GARY S. , THOMAS W. KELLEY
Published: January 2019

Fergusobia magna (Neotylenchidae: Fergusobiinae), collected from axial bud (‘stem’) galls on Corymbia tessellaris growing in coastal regions of Queensland, Australia, is re-described. It is characterised by having a combination of a relatively large, variably shaped parthenogenetic female with a slender conoid tail; a relatively large arcuate infective female with a long slender tail with a pointed tip and a relatively anterior vulva; and relatively large, arcuate, open C or Jshaped males with angular spicules having manubrium and shaft forming 66% of their length, slender tail and peloderan bursa arising at 30–50% body length. Other known forms of Fergusobia/Fergusonina galls from Corymbia are outlined, and the morphology of nematodes from them and the shield morphology of their associated mutualistic fly species from Corymbia spp. are described where known. The possible phylogenetic relationships of these associations from Corymbia are discussed.
New Quaternary records of Conilurus (Rodentia: Muridae) from eastern and northern Australia with the description of a new species
Authors: CRAMB JONATHAN , HOCKNULL SCOTT
Published: January 2019

Since European arrival in Australia the murid genus Conilurus Ogilby has suffered severe decline, the causes of which are still uncertain. Knowledge of the distribution of the genus during the Quaternary may be useful in understanding why Conilurus has declined and thus inform efforts to conserve remaining populations. The late Quaternary distribution of species of Conilurus is here revised with the extension of the known ranges of two species, C. albipes and C. penicilattus, to the north and east of their previously known ranges, respectively. An additional species, C. capricornensis sp. nov., is described on the basis of Pleistocene and Holocene dental remains. Conilurus capricornensis is large for the genus and can be distinguished from C. penicillatus and C. albipes by molar dimensions, a posteriorly narrow anterior palatal foramina, the presence of a T3 and anterior cingulum on M 1 , and small or absent posterior cingula on M 1-2 . The southern-most occurrence of C. capricornensis overlaps the northern-most record of C. albipes. The temporal ranges of C. capricornensis and C. penicillatus overlap, but they have not been found in sympatry. Recently recovered fossil and subfossil specimens from the Broken River area, near Townsville, Queensland and Mount Etna (eastern Queensland) indicate that C. capricornensis had a temporal range from the late Pleistocene to very recent time. Preservation of some specimens from the Broken River area indicates that C. capricornensis may still be extant in that area.
The Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) described by Salvador de Toledo Piza Jr. and deposited in the collection of the University of São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Brazil
Authors: CHAMORRO-RENGIFO JULIANA , BRAUN HOLGER
Published: January 2019

The type specimens of Tettigoniidae described by S. de Toledo Piza were photographed for Orthoptera Species File Online and examined. As a result of this revision several species are moved to different genera and two species to different subfamilies, 20 genera and 10 species are synonymized, one species is resurrected from synonymy, and two new genera are created, each accommodating a unique species described by Piza: Toledopizia gen. nov. (Conocephalinae: Copiphorini) and Pizatettix gen. nov. (Pseudophyllinae: Platyphyllini). In total there are 32 new combinations of species names. The paper includes a checklist and explanations for all nomenclatural changes.
Phylogenetic relationships of the gecko genus Carinatogecko (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)
Authors: ČERVENKA JAN , FRYNTA DANIEL , KRATOCHVÍL LUKÁŠ
Published: January 2019

The gecko genus Carinatogecko comprises two species endemic to the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, in Iran and Iraq. Both species are poorly known and to date they are known only from very few records. The phylogenetic affiliation of the genus has been only hypothesized. The aim of this study was to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the genus by analyzing partial sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome b genes. All phylogenetic analyses performed support placing the genus Carinatogecko within the genus Mediodactylus. Taxonomic relevance of both species of the genus Carinatogecko based on morphological characters is discussed along with nomenclatural implications of our findings.
The tadpole of Aplastodiscus cavicola (Cruz & Peixoto, 1985) (Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae)
Authors: PEZZUTI TIAGO LEITE , LEITE FELIPE SÁ FORTES , PIRES MARIA RITA SILVÉRIO , GARCIA PAULO CHRISTIANO DE ANCHIETTA
Published: January 2019

The genus Aplastodiscus Lutz occurs from central and southeastern Brazil to adjacent Argentina and currently comprises 15 species. Faivovich et al. (2005) defined three species groups within the genus: A. albofrenatus, A. albosignatus and A. perviridis. The A. albosignatus group includes A. albosignatus (Lutz & Lutz 1938) A. callipygius (Cruz & Peixoto 1985), A. cavicola (Cruz & Peixoto 1985), A. flumineus (Cruz & Peixoto 1985), A. ibirapitanga (Cruz, Pimenta & Silvano 2003), A. leucopygius (Cruz & Peixoto 1985), and A. sibilatus (Cruz, Pimenta & Silvano 2003). Within this group only A. albosignatus and A. leucopygius have their larval forms described (Peixoto & Cruz 1983; Gomes & Peixoto 2002, respectively).
Coetzeemyia, a new subgenus of Aedes, and a redescription of the holotype female of Aedes (Coetzeemyia) fryeri (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: HUANG YIAU-MIN , MATHIS WAYNE N. , WILKERSON RICHARD C.
Published: January 2019

Coetzeemyia, a new subgenus of Aedes Meigen (in the broad traditional sense, pre-Reinert 2000), is characterized and diagnosed. Aedes fryeri (Theobald) is removed from the subgenus Levua Stone and Bohart (genus Levua of Reinert et al. 2004) and placed in the new monotypic subgenus Coetzeemyia as its type species by present designation. Recognition of Coetzeemyia is based in part on a cladistic analysis of 16 species: seven outgroup species (four non-Aedini species and 3 aedine species) and nine within group species, including the three species that had been included in Levua and six other species belonging to three related subgenera in Aedes (Geoskusea Edwards, Rhinoskusea Edwards, and Ochlerotatus Lynch Arribalzaga). The type female and the male genitalia of Ae. fryeri are redescribed and illustrated. Its affinity to other subgenera of the genus Aedes is discussed. Information on the type data, distribution, bionomics, medical importance, and taxonomy of this species are presented. Some morphological characteristics of adults of the subgenera Ochlerotatus and Levua of Aedes are tabulated. Based on this cladistic analysis, it is evident that Levua is a monotypic lineage represented by a single known species, Ae. geoskusea. Aedes dufouri is transferred back to the subgenus Ochlerotatus and is distinguished from other congeners of this subgenus.
Description of new Chimarra (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) species from the Solomon Islands
Authors: JOHANSON KJELL ARNE , ESPELAND MARIANNE
Published: January 2019

Nine new species of Chimarra (Philopotamidae) are described from the Solomon Islands. Chimarra maculata, C. veveensis, C. babarensis, and C. ventrospina are described from Kolombangara Island; and C. talinensis, C. kolombangensis, C. vitapinensis, C. solomonensis, and C. rosavensis were described from both Guadalcanal Island and Kolombangara Island. Chimarra biramosa Kimmins was collected from both Kolombangara Island and Guadalcanal Island.
A new species of genus Thrips (Thysanoptera, Thripinae) from flowers in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: NG Y. F. , EOW L. X. , MOUND L. A.
Published: January 2019

Thrips is the largest genus in the Thysanoptera subfamily Thripinae, with 280 described species (Mound & Ng, 2009; Mound, 2010). Of these, 91 species are recorded from the Oriental and Pacific Regions (Palmer, 1992), and an identification key is available to the 23 species known from Peninsular Malaysia (Mound & Azidah, 2009). In the latter paper, the authors described one new species and recorded seven species as new records for the area, and these totals suggest that many more species are likely to occur here.
A new species of Lepicerus (Coleoptera: Lepiceridae) from Ecuador
Authors: WILLS FLOWERS R. , SHEPARD WILLIAM D. , MERA ROBERTO TROYA
Published: January 2019

Lepicerus pichilingue new species (type locality: Quevedo, Los Ríos, Ecuador) is described from leaf litter in mixed plantings of plantain and cacao in western Ecuador. L. pichilingue is very similar to L. inaequalis, but differs distinctively in the structure of the aedeagus.
A taxonomic review of the Genus Dryophilocoris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae: Orthotylini) in the Fareast Asia with the description of a new species
Authors: JUNG SUNGHOON , DUWAL RAM KESHARI , YASUNAGA TOMOHIDE , HEISS ERNST , LEE SEUNGHWAN
Published: January 2019

A total of seven species of the genus Dryophilocoris Reuter are reviewed from Fareast Asia with a new species, Dryophilocoris kerzhneri Jung et Yasunaga sp. nov. Three known species, D. lucidus Yasunaga, D. miyamotoi Yasunaga, and D. saigusai Miyamoto, are newly recognized from the Korean Peninsula. The female genitalia are illustrated and described as taxonomic characters for the first time in the genus, and a key to the species in Fareast Asia is also provided.
Pretarsal structures in the family Parastrachiidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea)
Authors: LIS JERZY A.
Published: January 2019

Parastrachiidae, for a long time regarded as a subfamily within the Cydnidae (e.g., Schaefer et al. 1988; Schuh and Slater 1995; Gapud 1991), was raised to family level by Sweet and Schaefer (2002), and this position was then accepted by many heteropterists (e.g., Lis and Heyna 2001; Lis and Schaefer 2005; Hironaka et al. 2007; Schaefer and Kikuhara 2007; Lis 2010).
Two new species of Callulina (Amphibia: Anura: Brevicipitidae) from the Nguru Mountains, Tanzania
Authors: LOADER SIMON P. , GOWER DAVID J. , MÜLLER HENDRIK , MENEGON MICHELE
Published: January 2019

Two new species of Callulina are described from the Nguru Mountains, one from the main Nguru South block (C. hanseni sp. nov.) and one from the outlying mountain fragment of the Nguru in Kanga Forest Reserve (C. kanga sp. nov.). The species are diagnosed based on a combination of morphological, acoustic and molecular data. An updated key to the species of all the known Callulina is provided. The conservation status of the two species is examined and, based on highly restricted distributions and ongoing threat to their Nguru Mountain habitats, we recommend a Critically Endangered categorisation. Additional species of Callulina remain to be described from the Nguru Mountains, underlying the extraordinary diversity of the genus in this area.
Species of Lamiinae (Insecta, Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from east Paraná State (Brazil), with new geographic records
Authors: DE BARROS RAFAEL C. , DA FONSECA MAILSON G. , VENDRAMINI VINICIUS E. , DE ARVARENGA JULIO CARLOS E.
Published: January 2019

A list of species of Lamiinae (Cerambycidae) collected in Iguaçu National Park (PNI) during the period from March 2012 to December 2015, using different collection methods, is provided. A total of 134 species were sampled, all recorded for the first time in the PNI and including 38 new distribution records for the state of Paraná, and one new record for Brazil. The geographic distribution and material examined are stated for each species. Each new record also accompanied by an illustration of the species.
An updated and annotated checklist of the lizards of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and their adjacent archipelagos
Authors: GRISMER L. LEE , QUAH EVAN S. H.
Published: January 2019

Since the book-formatted, monographic treatment of the lizards of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and their adjacent islands by Grismer (2011), 47 additional species have been added to that fauna bringing the total to 174. One species, Cyrtodactylus stresemanni, was removed from the lizard fauna based on its likely mislabeled type locality; 44 species were described as new—29 gekkonids, 11 scincids, five agamids, and one dibamid; and three others, Cnemaspis narathiwatensis, Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus, and Scincella melanosticta were recently discovered in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Taxonomic changes for seven previously described species occurring after 2011 are noted and significant, new locality records are documented here for additional species. The intent of this review is to provide an up to date peer-reviewed checklist for the lizard species of this region prior to a pending updated book monograph.
The Application of an Evolutionary Programming Process to a Simulation of the ETEX Large-Scale Airborne Dispersion Experiment
Authors: Werth David , Maze Grace , Buckley Robert , Chiswell Steven
Published: January 2019

Airborne tracer simulations are typically performed using a dispersion model driven by a high-resolution meteorological model. Besides solving the dynamic equations of momentum, heat, and moisture on the resolved model grid, mesoscale models must account for subgrid-scale fluxes and other unresolved processes. These are estimated through parameterization schemes of eddy diffusion, convection, and surface interactions, and they make use of prescribed parameters set by the user. Such “free” model parameters are often poorly constrained, and a range of plausible values exists for each. Evolutionary programming (EP) is a process to improve the selection of the parameters. A population of simulations is first run with a different set of parameter values for each member, and the member judged most accurate is selected as the “parent” of a new “generation.” After a number of iterations, the simulations should approach a configuration that is best adapted to the atmospheric conditions. We apply the EP process to simulate the first release of the 1994 European Tracer Experiment (ETEX) project, which comprised two experiments in which a tracer was released in western France and sampled by an observing network. The EP process is used to improve a simulation of the RAMS mesoscale weather model, with weather data collected during ETEX being used to “score” the individual members according to how well each simulation matches the observations. The meteorological simulations from before and after application of the EP process are each used to force a dispersion model to create a simulation of the ETEX release, and substantial improvement is observed when these are validated against sampled tracer concentrations.
On the Seasonal Cycle of the Tropical South Indian Ocean. Part I: Mixed Layer Heat and Salt Budgets
Authors: Soares Saulo M. , Richards Kelvin J. , Bryan Frank O. , Yoneyama Kunio
Published: January 2019

Scale interactions in the coupled ocean and atmosphere of the tropics play a crucial role in shaping the climate state and its spatial and temporal variability. The mechanisms driving the seasonal cycles of mixed layer (ML) temperature and salinity in the tropical south Indian Ocean (TSIO) are revisited and quantified using model and observations to form a basis on which to assess the cycle’s impact on shorter and longer time scale variability in the region. Budgets of ML heat for the western, central, and eastern TSIO in both model and observations indicate that seasonality in ML temperature is driven by surface heat fluxes in all regions; ocean processes, however, are essential to explain east–west differences in the cycle. In contrast, the salt budgets show that ML salinity in the west and central regions of the TSIO is driven by horizontal advection, with salinity increasing during austral winter mainly due to meridional advection, and freshening during spring–summer due to zonal advection; in the east, no single mechanism appears to dominate ML salinity seasonality. The ML seasonal cycle across the entire region is very much influenced by the basin-scale adjustment that occurs in response to monsoon winds in the eastern side of the basin. Zonal advection, as part of the adjustment process, is the key mechanism responsible for bringing fresher/colder waters from the east to the central and western TSIO during austral spring, leading to a lag in the coldest ML temperatures in the east relative to the west/central TSIO, and effectively coupling the eastern and western TSIO beyond simply Rossby wave dynamics.
Association Between Lipid Profiles and Arterial Stiffness in Chinese Patients With Hypertension: Insights From the CSPPT
Authors: Zhan Biming , Huang Xiao , Wang Jiancheng , Qin Xianhui , Zhang Jingping , Cao Jingjing , Song Yun , Liu Lishun , Li Ping , Yang Renqiang , Wu Yanqing , Wu Qinghua , Zhang Yan , Li Jianping , Huo Yong , Wang Binyan , Xu Xiping , Bao Huihui , Cheng Xiaoshu
Published: January 2019

Arterial stiffness plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between lipid levels and arterial stiffness is controversial. We aimed to investigate the association between lipid parameters and brachial–ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) in Chinese patients with hypertension. A total of 14 071 participants with hypertension in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) were enrolled in the present study. Patients were assigned to 4 equal groups according to their baPWV. Participants in the highest baPWV group were older with a higher prevalence of stroke and diabetes mellitus as well as higher body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), homocysteine (Hcy), and vitamin B12 levels ( P < .001). After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and other cardiovascular risks, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was negatively related to baPWV (β = −0.22, P = .012), TC (β = 0.08, P = 0.001), TG (β = 0.14, P = .001); non-HDL-C (β = 0.12, P = .001) and positively related to baPWV. The effect was not observed for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; β = 0.12, P = .335).These results suggested that non-HDL-C, TG, and TC were associated with arterial stiffness in a Chinese population with hypertension. HDL-C was inversely associated with arterial stiffness.
Least-weight composite plates with unconventional stacking sequences: Design, analysis and experiments
Authors: Montemurro Marco , Izzi Michele Iacopo , El-Yagoubi Jalal , Fanteria Daniele
Published: January 2019

This study deals with the problem of the least-weight design of a composite multilayer plate subject to constraints of different nature (mechanical, geometrical and technological requirements). To face this problem, a multi-scale two-level design methodology is proposed. This approach aims at optimising simultaneously both geometrical and mechanical parameters of the laminate at each characteristic scale (mesoscopic and macroscopic ones). In this background, at the first level (macroscopic scale), the goal is to find the optimum value of geometrical and mechanical design variables minimising the structure mass and satisfying the set of imposed constraints (on first buckling load, membrane stiffness and feasibility constraints). The second-level problem (mesoscopic scale) aims at finding at least one stacking sequence meeting the geometrical and material parameters provided by the first-level problem. The multi-scale two-level optimisation approach is based on the polar formalism to describe the macroscopic behaviour of the composites (in the framework of the equivalent single-layer theories) and on a special genetic algorithm to perform composite calculations. The optimum solutions provided by the multi-scale two-level optimisation strategy are characterised by a weight saving of about 10% with enhanced mechanical properties when compared to conventional symmetric balanced stacks. The effectiveness of the optimum solutions is also proven through an experimental campaign of buckling tests. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with those foreseen by the numerical simulations.
Bedouins of Silicon Valley: A neo-Khaldunian approach to sociology of technology
Authors: Hashemi Morteza
Published: January 2019

The standard narrative of the emergence, rise and decline of Silicon Valley companies focuses on the evolution of institutions and technological waves, not the mentality of the innovators and entrepreneurs. This article argues that this type of explanation of the rise and decline of the Silicon Valley firms and institutions can hardly be sufficient. The suggestion is that a neo-Khaldunian theory could shed light on the issue. This article is an attempt to, first, distinguish between the medieval and modern aspects of Ibn Khaldun’s theory and second, to use the latter to examine Silicon Valley as a social phenomenon. It will be argued that Ibn Khaldun’s theory is of most contemporary relevance when we read it as a general account of a cyclical replacement of the untrained with the trained, while over and above the specific, environmentally deterministic cycle he identifies between ‘city-dwellers’ and ‘Bedouins’. In the case of Silicon Valley, these could be read as metaphors for, respectively, the established tech firms versus the garage-based start-up ‘geeks’.
Surface morphologies of electrospun polystyrene fibers induced by an electric field
Authors: Meng Na , Zheng Yuansheng , Xin Binjie
Published: January 2019

The electric field plays a key role in the formation of fibers during the electrospinning process. The electric field strength and shape caused by the applied voltage between the spinneret and collector govern the electrospinning process. In this study, a comprehensively designed and correctly implemented analysis was carried out to investigate the effects of the electric field on jet behavior and fiber morphology. Both working distance and applied voltage, respectively, were adjusted to manipulate the electric field shape and strength. The three-dimensional electric fields were simulated to understand the electric field distribution; in addition, a high-speed camera was adopted to capture the images of jet motion. Four parameters, namely straight jet length, envelope cone, height of the bending area, and velocity of the bending jet, were measured to describe the jet behavior. It can be revealed that the shape and strength of the electric field are responsible for the jet behavior and the fiber morphology, which include resultant ripples, grooves, and pores.
From reel life to real social change: the role of contemporary social-issue documentary in U.S. public policy
Authors: Borum Chattoo Caty , Jenkins Will
Published: January 2019

This article examines three digital-era social-issue documentaries – Sin by Silence, Playground, and Semper Fi – to reveal elements of cultural and narrative influence that contributed to legislative change in the United States. Expanding the coalition model of documentary’s political impact through case studies and in-depth interviews with policy subnetworks shaped for each film – policymakers and legislative staffers, advocacy group leaders, and documentary directors – this study finds that social-issue documentaries are influential for U.S. policy engagement when they are perceived as emotional, factual, and nonpartisan. Documentary is thus positioned as ‘situated knowledge’ in a policymaking context – narrative that presents human implications and lived experiences. Ultimately, the policy impact of these documentaries is attributed to the dual defining characteristics of documentary: creative expression and reflection of truth. The present work contributes to expanding literature about documentary and social change.
Evolving the Role of Discovery-focused Pathologists and Comparative Scientists in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Mohanan Sunish , Maguire Sean , Klapwijk Jan , Adler Rick , Haworth Richard , Clements Peter
Published: January 2019

GlaxoSmithKline has recently made significant organizational changes to its nonclinical safety, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic, and laboratory animal science/veterinary functions, with the goal to increase our focus on scientific partnership with the discovery part of the organization. One specific change was bringing together pathologists and comparative medicine veterinarians and scientists into a single functional unit. We describe our early activities (assessing our capabilities and gaps, external benchmarking, listening to our discovery partners, redesigning some of our working practices) aimed at implementing these changes. In addition, early on we held a Discovery Engagement Workshop attended by all pathologists and comparative medicine veterinarians and scientists, as well as selected discovery scientists. The purpose of this workshop was to share learnings from the above activities and devise plans aimed at achieving our overall goal of functional integration: driving pathobiology expertise into drug discovery and increasing the human (translational) relevance of experimental data. This review describes the new organizational structure, the workshop activities, and implementation plans; updates our progress; and considers the opportunity for a pan-industry network of discovery-focused pathologists and comparative medicine veterinarians and scientists.
Public Sector: Its Genesis and its Managers
Authors: Tandon Prakash
Published: January 2019

This article is based on four lectures that the author delivered at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, in December, 1974.

Part I of the article deals with the various reasons for the emergence of the public sector in different countries, different ways in which social control can be exercised, and the raison d'etre for the public sector in India in the background of the Avadi Resolution.

Starting with an overview of the status of professional management in the country. Part II traces the Indian manager's origin from the days of the East India Company, highlights the coexistence of professionalism with internationalism, and concludes that the Indian manager should be not only well versed in the universal principles of management, but also be trained in how to deal with environmental constraints —especially the resistance to change.

Part III analyses the problems of the public sectorambivalent attitude, absence of clear‐cut goals, accountability in retrospect, administrative culture, monopoly or semimonopoly situation, and poor labour-management relations—and suggests that a new breed of managers will emerge in the public sector possessing skills and flexibility to work through environmental challenges and through the altogether new testing situations in which they are often placed.

Part IV examines the available choices—mixed economy as it is, a state and a joint sector, a state sector with a private ancillary sector around it, or a total state sector—and concludes by suggesting a nine-point strategy for the success of public sector in India.
Adoption Process and Marketing of Social Change: A Case Study of the Family Planning Programme
Authors: Bhatnagar S.C.
Published: January 2019

Traditionally demographic and economic variables have been suggested for segmenting the family planning market. This paper argues that for designing effective communication strategies, couple's stage of adoption is a better basis for segmenting the family planning market. However, the major difficulty in using the suggested approach is the inadequate knowledge of the process of adoption. Therefore, a model of adoption is proposed. The methodology consisting of a heuristic built around automatic interaction detector (AID) is described. The validity and the salient features of the proposed adoption model are discussed.

The segmentation scheme is proposed on the basis of the stages of adoption in family planning. Unlike conventional KAP researches, the segments provide a description of a couple in a multi‐dimensional space. The usefulness of the segmentation scheme in the design of work methodology for the worker is discussed.

Finally, for planning at the district level, the implications of regional difference in the distribution of couples in the different market segments are discussed.

This article is based on the author's doctoral dissertation, “Adoption of Family Planning : A Process Model and Optimal Pattern of Field Workers' Visits.” The dissertation was partially financed by the Population Project Unit of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Women's Status: Not a Soft Challenge
Authors: Moulik Rita
Published: January 2019

This article reviews the following books : Padmini Sengupta, Women Workers in India. Bombay: Asia Publishing House, 1960. Promilla Kapur, The Changing Status of the Working Women in India. Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., 1974.
Characteristics of patients with enhancing intracranial atherosclerosis and association between plaque enhancement and recent cerebrovascular ischemic events: a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Huang Juan , Jiao Sheng , Zhao Xihai , Zhang Jintao , Zhang Chen , Chen Min , Song Yan
Published: January 2019

Background

Atherosclerotic plaque inflammation is a well-known risk factor for the development of ischemic stroke.

Purpose

To investigate the characteristics of patients with enhancing intracranial atherosclerosis and the relationship between plaque enhancement and recent cerebrovascular ischemic events by using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI).

Material and Methods

A total of 141 patients (102 men; mean age = 61.1 ± 11.4 years) with intracranial atherosclerotic plaque who underwent HR-MRI were enrolled in this study. The contrast ratio (CR) and contrast enhancement of the plaques were measured. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the association between plaque enhancement and clinical and plaque characteristics. The relationship between plaque enhancement and recent ischemic events was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of 141 patients, plaque enhancement was detected in 80 (56.7%). Compared to patients without plaque enhancement, those with plaque enhancement had significantly lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, greater maximum plaque length, and more severe luminal stenosis. Luminal stenosis was independently associated with plaque enhancement (odds ratio [OR] = 1.026; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.014–1.039). Multivariate regression analysis showed that plaque enhancement was an independent indicator for recent ischemic events after adjusting for confounding factors (OR = 9.521; 95% CI = 4.301–19.900) (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Luminal stenosis is independently associated with plaque enhancement. We observed a strong association between plaque enhancement and recent ischemic events, which suggests that plaque enhancement may serve as an indicator of its instability.
Political will and human geography: Non-representational, post-political, and Gramscian geographies
Authors: Doucette Jamie
Published: January 2019

Inspired by philosopher Peter Hallward’s call for a renewed focus on political will, this article examines its conceptualization within three areas of the discipline: non-representational theory, post-politics, and Gramscian geographies. Non-representational theorists draw attention to the role of affect in shaping political life, but have little to say about conscious collective volition. In contrast, post-politics scholars offer an extensive vocabulary for understanding political will as a prescriptive form of agency, but risk confining the political to an abstract, regulative idea. Meanwhile, Gramscian geographies’ dialectical approach to political will can complement both by mediating between extremes of objective and subjective determination.
Risk Assessment Model for Railway Passengers on a Crowded Platform
Authors: Terabe Shintaro , Kato Takayuki , Yaginuma Hideki , Kang Nan , Tanaka Kosuke
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this study is to develop a risk assessment measure to provide an understanding of the safety of railway station platforms. We estimated the number of accidents on a platform in a year. It was influenced by the factors such as the design, equipment, and the profile of the station users. Consequently, 16 factors were defined, such as the platform design and passenger movement. Poisson regression and negative binomial regression models were employed to estimate and analyze the number of accidents from a station database containing 158 platforms from 52 stations in Japan. The results show that the number of accidents is related to the length of the narrow part of a platform, the width of the gap between the platform and train, the curvature of the platform, passenger flow crossing, the number of trains passing and stopping, and the audio and visual announcements concerning approaching trains. We expect that this result will allow railway companies to identify weaknesses in station safety and subsequently set priorities for investments in safety. Furthermore, administrative authorities can evaluate the safety performances of railway companies, and consider subsidies for investments in safety.
Analysis of Private Participation Effects in Bus Rapid Transit Projects in Ecuador
Authors: Arias Juan F. , Bachmann Chris
Published: January 2019

The two largest cities in Ecuador each implemented three bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors from 1995 to 2013. The projects present similar characteristics, and thus a unique opportunity to analyze factors that influenced their performance. This paper identifies the level of private participation and the extent to which it influenced the outcomes of the projects. Two approaches were identified: 1) including incumbent operators by delegating vehicle acquisitions and operations; and 2) replacing them with a public company. The financial strength and interest of the incumbent operators in continuing to function along parallel routes were major issues. Quito was successful in the implementation of the first corridor through public delivery but failed in its attempts with private participation. Guayaquil surmounted the barriers for effective private participation through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that managed the risk created by the inherent nature of the consortiums. It is expected that a deeper understanding of these processes will contribute to more efficient and sustainable transportation investments in Ecuador.
Fabrication and characterization of novel ethyl cellulose-grafted-poly (ɛ-caprolactone)/alginate nanofibrous/macroporous scaffolds incorporated with nano-hydroxyapatite for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Hokmabad Vahideh Raeisdasteh , Davaran Soodabeh , Aghazadeh Marziyeh , Rahbarghazi Reza , Salehi Roya , Ramazani Ali
Published: January 2019

The major challenge of tissue regeneration is to develop three dimensional scaffolds with suitable properties which would mimic the natural extracellular matrix to induce the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of cells. Several materials have been used for the preparation of the scaffolds for bone regeneration. In this study, novel ethyl cellulose-grafted-poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (EC-g-PCL)/alginate scaffolds with different contents of nano-hydroxyapatite were prepared by combining electrospinning and freeze-drying methods in order to provide nanofibrous/macroporous structures with good mechanical properties. For this aim, EC-g-PCL nanofibers were obtained with electrospinning, embedded layer-by-layer in alginate solutions containing nano-hydroxyapatite particles, and finally, these constructions were freeze-dried. The scaffolds possess highly porous structures with interconnected pore network. The swelling, porosity, and degradation characteristics of the EC-g-PCL/alginate scaffolds were decreased with the increase in nano-hydroxyapatite contents, whereas increases in the in-vitro biomineralization and mechanical strength were observed as the nano-hydroxyapatite content was increased. The cell response to EC-g-PCL/alginate scaffolds with/or without nano-hydroxyapatite was investigated using human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). hDPSCs displayed a high adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation on nano-hydroxyapatite-incorporated EC-g-PCL/alginate scaffolds compared to pristine EC-g-PCL/alginate scaffold. Overall, these results suggested that the EC-g-PCL/alginate-HA scaffolds might have potential applications in bone tissue engineering.
The Impact of Lifestyle Modification on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Health-Care Employees With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Das Sankalp , Rouseff Maribeth , Guzman Henry E. , Osondu Chukwuemeka U. , Brown Doris , Betancourt Brian , Ochoa Teresa , Mora Joseph , Lehn Virginia , Sherriff Shoshana B. , Rubens Muni B. , Saxena Anshul , Nasir Khurram , Veledar Emir
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

Diabetes imposes a significant economic burden on employers, particularly when including productivity costs. Given the great interest on multicomponent lifestyle interventions in these individuals, we assessed the short-term and long-term efficacy of a structured lifestyle modification program, My Unlimited Potential, among employees with diabetes of Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF), a large non-for profit health-care system.

Design:

This is a pre- and post-effectiveness of a workplace health promotion program.

Setting:

Worksite intervention at BHSF.

Participants:

The study analyzed the data of 93 employees with diabetes involved in a worksite wellness program after completion of a year long program.

Intervention:

The intervention was an intense lifestyle modification program that was targeted to the individual needs of the participants.

Measures:

Cardimetabolic risk factors such as body mass index (BMI), weight, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and maximal oxygen consumption.

Analysis:

Paired 2-sample t tests for means and descriptive statistics were used.

Results:

A mean decrease of 0.6 percentage points was observed in HbA1c values from baseline to 12 months. Weight, BMI, blood pressure, and lipid profile improved significantly after 12 months.

Conclusion:

This study suggests worksites with existing health promotion programs, and health-care staff can effectively deliver a diabetes prevention program that appears to have a long-term impact on employee health.
Self-Reported Versus Digitally Recorded: Measuring Political Activity on Facebook
Authors: Haenschen Katherine
Published: January 2019

Facebook has been credited with expanding political activity by simultaneously lowering barriers to participation and creating new ways to engage. However, many of these findings rely on subjects’ abilities to accurately report their Facebook use and political activity on the platform. This study combines survey responses and digital trace data from 828 American adults to determine whether subjects over- or underreport a range of political activities on Facebook, including whether they like political pages or share news links. The results show that individuals underestimate their frequency of status posting and overestimate their frequency of sharing news links on Facebook. Political interest is associated with a decrease in underreporting several political activities, while increasing the likelihood of overreporting the frequency of sharing news links. Furthermore, political interest serves a moderating effect, improving self-reports for high-volume users. The findings suggest that political interest not only predicts political activity but also shapes awareness of that activity and improves self-reports among heavy users.
Neural network-based adaptive fault tolerant tracking control for unmanned autonomous helicopters with prescribed performance
Authors: Yan Kun , Chen Mou , Wu Qingxian
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the issue of prescribed performance-based fault tolerant control is investigated for the medium-scale unmanned autonomous helicopter with external disturbance, system uncertainty and actuator fault. The altitude and attitude combination unmanned autonomous helicopter model is established. An error transformation function is proposed to guarantee that the tracking error satisfies the prescribed performance. The parameter adaptation method is adopted to handle the external unknown disturbance and the radial basis function neural networks are employed to approximate the interaction functions including the system uncertainty. The auxiliary system is introduced to weaken the effect of actuator fault, which can effectively avoid the singularity. Based on the backstepping control technology, an adaptive neural fault tolerant control scheme is developed to ensure the boundness of all closed-loop system signals and the specified tracking error performance. Simulation studies on the medium-scale unmanned autonomous helicopter are performed to demonstrate the efficiency of the designed control strategy.