bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in CT Radiomic Features Associated with Lymphocyte Distribution Predict Overall Survival and Response to Immunotherapy in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Khorrami Mohammadhadi , Prasanna Prateek , Gupta Amit , Patil Pradnya , Velu Priya D. , Thawani Rajat , Corredor German , Alilou Mehdi , Bera Kaustav , Fu Pingfu , Feldman Michael , Velcheti Vamsidhar , Madabhushi Anant
Published: November 2019

No predictive biomarkers can robustly identify patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who will benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies. Here, in a machine learning setting, we compared changes (“delta”) in the radiomic texture (DelRADx) of CT patterns both within and outside tumor nodules before and after two to three cycles of ICI therapy. We found that DelRADx patterns could predict response to ICI therapy and overall survival (OS) for patients with NSCLC. We retrospectively analyzed data acquired from 139 patients with NSCLC at two institutions, who were divided into a discovery set (D1 = 50) and two independent validation sets (D2 = 62, D3 = 27). Intranodular and perinodular texture descriptors were extracted, and the relative differences were computed. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier was trained with 8 DelRADx features to predict RECIST-derived response. Association of delta-radiomic risk score (DRS) with OS was determined. The association of DelRADx features with tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density on the diagnostic biopsies (n = 36) was also evaluated. The LDA classifier yielded an AUC of 0.88 ± 0.08 in distinguishing responders from nonresponders in D1, and 0.85 and 0.81 in D2 and D3. DRS was associated with OS [HR: 1.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22–2.21; P = 0.0011; C-index = 0.72). Peritumoral Gabor features were associated with the density of TILs on diagnostic biopsy samples. Our results show that DelRADx could be used to identify early functional responses in patients with NSCLC.
Anwendung von Porphyrinen in der antibakteriellen photodynamischen Therapie
Authors: Amos-Tautua Bamidele , Songca Sandile P. , Oluwafemi Oluwatobi S.
Published: November 2019

Antibiotika sind gängige Mittel zur Beherrschung, Behandlung und Vorbeugung von bakteriellen Infektionen, doch bakterielle Resistenzen gegen herkömmliche Antibiotika aller bekannten Klassen haben in den letzten Jahren besonders in Krankenhäusern stark zugenommen und manche Therapien sind wirkungslos geworden. Um diese umsichgreifende Bedrohung der öffentlichen Gesundheit einzudämmen, müssen nicht-invasive, nicht-toxische neue antimikrobielle Strategien gefunden werden, die besser und schneller wirken als die üblichen Antibiotika. Eine solche wirksame Strategie ist die antibakterielle photodynamische Therapie (aPDT). Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit befasst sich schwerpunktmäßig mit der Anwendung von Porphyrinen zur photodynamischen Inaktivierung von Bakterien. Mechanismen der bakteriellen Resistenz und aktuelle «grünere» Ansätze für die Synthese von meso-Phenylporphyrinen werden vorgestellt. Auch auf die Bedeutung und die Beschränkungen der aPDT wird eingegangen. Schließlich stellen wir die aktuellen klinischen Anwendungsgebiete sowie die künftigen Perspektiven und Aussichten dieser Antibiotika-freien Behandlungsstrategie im Kampf gegen Infektionskrankheiten vor.
Fußulkus: Bei Diabetikern immer ein ernst zu nehmendes Problem
Authors: Stücker Markus
Published: November 2019

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most severe and costly complications of diabetes. Foot ulcers result from a combination of multiple causes including peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers frequently require amputation of the lower limb.Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of diabetic foot ulcers among Iraqi patients with diabetes and to examine the effect of some risk factors on healing of the ulcer.Methods: A cohort study was conducted on 100 patients from January to August 2017 at the Diabetic Foot Clinic, Alfayha Teaching Hospital, Basrah, Iraq. Results: A total of 100 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were included. The ulcers of 60% of the patients healed, whereas 8% persisted unhealed; 25% of the patients had a minor amputation, 5% had a major amputation, 1% had recurrent ulcers, and 1% died. The study showed statistically significant associations between diabetic foot ulcer healing and the following variables: patients' age, glycated HbA1c, duration of diabetes, complications of diabetes like peripheral neuropathy, and ulcer size.Conclusions: Diabetic foot ulcer outcomes can be predicted by several factors, some of which are modifiable. Modification of the modifiable factors, such as better control of diabetes, treatment of peripheral neuropathy, and early management of ulcers, may improve the outcome and facilitate healing.
Photodynamische Therapie: Verschiedene Wellenlängen sind nur eventuell vergleichbar effektiv bei Basalzellkarzinomen
Authors: Philipp-Dormston Wolfgang G.
Published: November 2019

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-scarring alternative for treating basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in patients with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome (BCNS), also known as Gorlin syndrome. In Europe, red light (635 nm) is the predominant source for PDT, whereas in the United States blue light (400 nm) is more widely available. The objective of this study was to conduct a head-to-head comparison of blue light and red light PDT in the same BCNS patients.Methods: In a pilot study of three patients with 141 BCC lesions, 5-aminolevulinate (20% solution) was applied to all tumors. After 4 h, half of the tumors were illuminated with blue light and the remainder with red light. To ensure safety while treating this many tumors simultaneously, light doses were escalated gradually. Six treatments were administered in three biweekly sessions over 4 months, with a final evaluation at 6 months. Tumor status was documented with high-resolution photographs. Persistent lesions were biopsied at 6 months.Results: Clearance rates after blue light (98%) were slightly better than after red light (93%), with blue light shown to be statistically non-inferior to red light. Eight suspicious lesions were biopsied, 5 after red light (5/5 were BCC) and 3 after blue light (1 was BCC). Blue light PDT was reportedly less painful.Conclusion: Blue light and red light PDT appear to be equally safe and perhaps equally effective for treating BCC tumors in BCNS patients. Further studies to evaluate long-term clearance after blue light PDT are needed.
Psoriasis: Moderne Versorgung braucht einen ganzheitlichen Ansatz
Authors: Kirsten Natalia
Published: November 2019

Objective: Psoriasis and depression may have common mechanisms, such as systemic inflammation, dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and vitamin D3 deficiency. Among men with psoriasis, this study examined whether depression severity was associated with serum concentrations of different metabolic and inflammatory markers.Methods: The study included 85 men with psoriasis (mean age ±standard deviation [SD], 47 ±14 years) and 65 men without psoriasis (mean age ±SD, 44 ±13 years). In both groups, we measured the body mass index; blood pressure; and serum concentrations of lipids, uric acid, lipase, interleukins 6 and 18, cortisol, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory. Other variables analyzed included psoriasis duration, the Psoriasis Area Severity Index, and the percentage of body surface area affected by psoriatic lesions.Results: Compared with controls, patients with psoriasis had significantly greater depression severity, higher body mass indices, and higher serum concentrations of total cholesterol and interleukins 6 and 18; moreover, they had significantly lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations. In patients with psoriasis, depression severity correlated positively with psoriasis duration, the Psoriasis Area Severity Index, the percentage of body surface area affected by psoriatic lesions, and interleukin-18 concentration. In patients with psoriasis, depression severity correlated negatively with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration, but it did not correlate significantly with the serum concentrations of interleukin 6 and cortisol. Conclusion: High concentrations of interleukin 18 and low concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 may be associated with depression severity in men with psoriasis. Thus, further studies should examine whether effective anti-inflammatory treatments or vitamin D3 supplementation can improve depression outcomes in these patients.
Kuhmilchallergie: Die Bedeutung von Registerstudien für die Allergieforschung
Authors: Traidl-Hoffmann Claudia
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Cowʼs milk allergy (CMA) is a common diagnosis in infants, requiring the exclusion of cowʼs milk until tolerance is recovered. In the present study, we aim to determine which factors are associated with the development of tolerance.Methods: Retrospective, observational study of subjects who underwent the same clinical follow-up methodology. We studied 245 cases of CMA (125 IgE-mediated and 120 non-IgE-mediated). The following variables were analysed: age at diagnosis, gender, type of delivery, type of feeding received, feeding during the first months of life, clinical features, and type of feed received as treatment: casein hydrolysates or casein hydrolysates with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG).Results: Factors associated with earlier tolerance were non-IgE-mediated CMA (HR = 2.92; 95% CI: 2.20-3.88) and patients receiving casein hydrolysate with LGG (HR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.33-2.42). Later tolerance was associated with caesarean delivery (HR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.58-1.05) and breastfeeding for a period of at least 3 days (HR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.44-0.93). The multivariate study shows that the type of formula (HR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.19-2.18) and the type of CMA (HR = 2.82; 95% CI: 2.12-3.85) have an effect on the recovery time. Casein hydrolysates with LGG reduces the recovery time in IgE-mediated (HR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.17-3.01) and non-IgE-mediated CMA (HR = 1.46; 95% CI: 0.98-2.17).Conclusion: Tolerance acquisition is faster in non-IgE-mediated CMA subjects and in those who received casein hydrolysate with LGG.
Xin Jie-Liu Centenary: Progress in Chinese Acarology

Authors: ZHANG ZHI-QIANG , HONG XIAO-YUE , FAN QING-HAI
Published: November 2019

Cover and table of content
The epiphyllous habit in the hepatic genus Frullania

Authors: Von Konrat Matthew J. , Braggins John E.
Published: November 2019

We report for the first time 11 species of Frullania growing as epiphylls in New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Colombia . Also listed are 29 Frullania species that have previously been recorded growing as epiphylls in other regions of the world. The highest diversity of Frullania epiphyllous species are in the floristic regions of New Zealand, New Caledonia, Macraonesia, and Madagascar. Frullania epiphylls range in altitude from sea-level to 2500m and can be categorised into facultative or accidental epiphylls. The number of Frullania species currently recorded growing as epiphylls will no doubt increase as more revisions of the genus in different floristic regions take place. This number may also increase if botanists were to explore leaf surfaces as a potential substrate for Frullania species, in addition to bark and rock habitats that have traditionally been described as microhabitats for the genus.
Two new liverworts for Europe in Macaronesia: Odontoschisma prostratum (Sw.) Trevis. on the Azores and Jungermannia callithrix Lindenb. & Gottsche on the Azores and Madeira

Authors: Schumacker R. , Vá4a J.
Published: November 2019

Odontoschisma prostratum (Sw.) Trevis. and Jungermannia callithrix Lindenb. et Gottsche, two liverworts mainly distributed in the Neotropics, are reported at hand of many collections from Macaronesia. O. prostratum occurs on 8 of the 9 Azorean islands, growing on all type of substrates, even epiphyllous, but rarely in bogs. J. callithrix is known from 8 Azorean islands and from Madeira, growing epigeic. The phytogeographical interest of the occurrence on the Azores of some 39 liverworts (among 147) belonging to the neotropical and/or paleotropical elements is discussed. Most of the neotropical species may have been easily transported to the Azores by the frequent depressions (or occasionally storms) moving rapidly at relatively low altitude (3,000 m) from the North or Central American eastern coasts or from the Caribbean islands and Bermuda to Western Europe in a few days. Only a few of these species could have been be introduced by human activities, mainly along the coast.
Allelopathic effect of the Cladonia verticillaris lichen extracts and fumarprotocetraric acid on the early growth of germinated seedlings in Allium cepa L.

Authors: M. Yano-Melo A. , C. Vicente , L. Xavier- Filho
Published: November 2019

The allelopathic activity of the different type of Cladonia verticillaris lichen extracts and fumarprotocetraric acid on the early growth of A. cepa (IPA 6) germinated seedlings depends on their chemical composition and concentration, respectively. It was observed that the length of the radicle was significantly stimulated by fumarprotocetraric acid at high concentrations and by the total extract of C. verticillaris thalli, which contained high level of fumarprotocetraric, acid confirmed by HPLC – technique. In addition, it was found, that the phosphate buffer extract, which contained high level of methy b-orcinol carboxilate measured by HPLC, significantly reduced the length of the hypocotyls. Under our experimental conditions there was no influence of different type of extract and fumarprotocetraric acid on the seed germination ratio of A. cepa, in relation to control. From the study of HPLC it was found that fumarprotocetraric acid and methy b-orcinol carboxilate were present in all extracts at different concentrations, according to the method of extraction.
New and interesting Campylopus-records from tropical countries
Authors: Frahm J.-P.
Published: November 2019

During the past decades, numerous specimens of Campylopus from all over the world were sent to me for identification. As usual, there remained the one or other specimen, which withstand first attempts of identification. Recently, I took the time to re-investigate the contents of this box. Many specimens turned out to be most probably modifications or young plants of species already known for that region. Some, however, turned out to be new records, which are compiled here.
Jan-Peter Frahm steps down as Managing Editor

Authors: Buck William R.
Published: November 2019

In 1989 Jan-Peter Frahm, with the assistance of Rob Gradstein, published the first issue of Tropical Bryology. It was a pioneering effort because it was billed as “a computer-assisted journal” and authors were required to submit their manuscripts in electronic format. However, this was not even the start of Jan-Peter’s publishing career. In 1987 he began the all-electronic Archive for Bryology. The year after starting Tropical Bryology (1990), he began publishing his next all-electronic venture, Bryologische Rundbriefe, which he continued until 2005. In 1993 he began the monographic Limprichtia, also requiring electronic submission. Both Tropical Bryology and Limprichtia were (and are) available as electronic and hardcopy versions, becoming the first such bryological electronic journals, and very early botanical examples. Another forward-thinking aspect of Tropical Bryology was that it was available at reduced prices to those living in tropical areas, thereby allowing tropical bryologists more ready access to literature dealing directly with their bryofloras. Not surprisingly, after 18 years, Jan-Peter is now ready to take on a diminished role in the publication of Tropical Bryology.
Studies on several Asian Pottiaceous mosses, mainly from the Himalayas
Authors: Sollman Philip
Published: November 2019

Zygodon permollis Warnst. is Anoectangium aestivum (Hedw.) Mitt.; Anoectangium pleuroweisioides J. Froehl. is A. hornschuchianum (Hook.) Hornsch.; Desmatodon raucopapillosum X.j. Li and Tortula planifolia X.j. Li are D. latifolius (Hedw.) Brid.; Didymodon australasiae (Hook. and Grev.) R.H. Zander is reported new for China and India. Didymodon gaochienii B.C. Tan and J. Yu is D. fragilicuspes Broth.; Barbula pallidobasis Dixon and Molendoa japonica Broth. are Didymodon glaucus Ryan. Tortula pseudoprinceps (Müll. Hal.) Dixon is Syntrichia ruraliformis (Besch.) Mans.; Tortula longimucronata X.j. Li is S. sinensis (Müll. Hal.) Ochyra. The few reports of Tortula intermedia (Brid.) De Not. for the Himalayan region should be checked. This taxon very likely does not occur in the region.
Phylogeny of Eunicida (Annelida) based on morphology of jaws
Authors: PAXTON HANNELORE
Published: November 2019

Eunicida have a complex jaw apparatus with a fossil record dating back to the latest Cambrian. Traditionally, Eunicidae, Onuphidae, and Lumbrineridae were considered closely related families having labidognath maxillae, whereas Oenonidae with prionognath type maxillae were thought to be derived. Molecular phylogenies place Oenonidae with Eunicidae/Onuphidae, and Lumbrineridae as the most basal taxon. Re-evaluation of the jaw types based on morphology and ontogeny demonstrated that the labidognaths Eunicidae and Onuphidae have a closer relationship to the prionognath Oenonidae than was previously thought. Lumbrineridae are neither labidognath nor prionognath; therefore a new type, Symmetrognatha, is proposed. Homologies of jaw elements and considerations of functional aspects of the jaw apparatus are explored to present a hypothesis of the Eunicida phylogeny. The earliest fossils are of placognath and ctenognath types, lacking maxillary carriers. While the former are extinct, the latter are represented by the extant Dorvilleidae. The interpretation of relationships between the carrier-bearing families depends on whether the carriers are thought to have evolved once only or twice independently. The similarity of the carrier structure and their associated muscles suggests the former, placing the Lumbrineridae as sister to Eunicidae/Onuphidae and Oenonidae. However, the ontogeny of the eunicid/onuphid apparatus as well as its adult structure differ greatly from those of lumbrinerids, indicating that the lumbrinerid carriers may have evolved independently and earlier than in eunicids/onuphids and oenonids.
Anterior muscular system of the dwarf ectoparasitic male Scolelepis laonicola (Tzetlin, 1985) (Polychaeta, Spionidae)

Authors: VORTSEPNEVA ELENA , TZETLIN ALEXANDER , TSITRIN EUGENI
Published: November 2019

The muscular system of the dwarf ectoparasitic male of Scolelepis laonicola (Tzetlin, 1985) was reconstructed by Falloidin-TRITC technique and confocal scanning microscopy. The anterior part of the male penetrates the female. All four main longitudinal muscle strands of the male’s body enter the female; they are twisted about 90°. Oblique muscle fibers form a pear-shaped structure; they are very similar to the peristomial muscles in Prionospio cirrifera Wirèn. The well-developed musculature of the virtually immobile parasitic male of S. laonicola indicates good swimming abilities of juvenile males at the presettlement stage of the free-living larva.
The polychaete community of the Fregene artificial reef (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): a 20-year study (1981–2001)
Authors: Marzialetti Sara , Nicoletti Luisa , Ardizzone Gian Domenico
Published: November 2019

The artificial reef of Fregene,  Italy, was built in 1981 as a multipurpose structure with the intent of protecting the coastal environment from illegal trawling and also improving fishery production. It is located at 10–14 m depth on a sandy-silty seabed in the Tyrrhenian Sea, 5 nmi north of the outlet of the Tevere River (Latium, Italy) and 1.5 nmi offshore the town of Fregene (Latium, Italy). The development of the polychaete community on the reef was studied from May 1981 to December 2001 in order to examine long-term community dynamics and verify to what extent changes in polychaete assemblage could depict the development of the benthic assemblage. At each sampling time, two standard surfaces of 400 cm2 were scraped from the vertical walls of the same block. Temporal changes in the development of the polychaete community were detected by univariate (S, N, ExpH', 1/Simpson, J') and multivariate (CLUSTER, nMDS) analysis of the faunal data. Functional structure of the community was also analyzed. Changes in the community structure were shown by an overall increasing trend in the total number of species and individuals. The 20-year development of the polychaete community was divided into five different phases representing different benthic assemblages on the reef: the first two periods correspond to settlement of pioneer species (1981–82); the third is a phase characterized by Mytilus galloprovincialis dominance and regression (1983–85); the fourth is a phase of mud accumulation between dead balanids, with the presence of laminar bryozoans (1991–92), and the last corresponds to a phase dominated by bryozoan bioconstruction (2001). The increased complexity in the benthic assemblage and substratum on the reef is also shown by an increased differentiation and distribution of polychaete functional groups. Increasing environmental heterogeneity on the reef is the basic factor that affected biodiversity by generating new niches that could be occupied by additional species with different ecology. The similarity of the benthic assemblage observed on the reef in 2001 with natural bioconstructions suggest that after two decades the ecological succession has lead to a settlement at a steady-state of equilibrium with the surrounding environment.
Distribution of Magelona species (Polychaeta: Magelonidae) in the German Bight (North Sea): a modeling approach

Authors: Meißner Karin , Darr Alexander
Published: November 2019

The aim of the present study was the development of species-habitat models for four Magelona species (Polychaeta: Magelonidae) found in the German Bight in the SE North Sea. Analyses were based on field data and data obtained from reexamination of material deposited in museum collections. In addition, data on environmental variables were retrieved from the sediment map by Figge (1981) and from long-term monitoring data sets. The statistical modeling technique applied was multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). Predictive accuracy measures were calculated for each model. The candidate model with highest discriminatory power was selected for predictive mapping.      Models with excellent predictive performance were developed for Magelona johnstoni, M. filiformis and M. alleni based on the analyzed set of environmental predictors. In each of the developed habitat models the most important predictor was a sediment parameter, either median grain size diameter (M. johnstoni) or mud content (M. alleni, M. filiformis). Salinity and water depth were also of importance. Model predictions were aimed to allow evaluation of habitat suitability for the investigated species in the German Bight. According to our results suitable habitats for M. johnstoni are numerous and a wide distribution of this species could be expected. Habitat suitability for M. filiformis in the German Bight was suggested to be high in areas with mud contents below 10 % at water depths between 25 and 35 m. The M. alleni habitat model indicated the presence of suitable habitats where sands with elevated mud contents are present and where water depths exceed 30 m.
Capitella teleta, a new species designation for the opportunistic and experimental Capitella sp. I, with a review of the literature for confirmed records

Authors: BLAKE JAMES A. , GRASSLE JUDITH P. , ECKELBARGER KEVIN J.
Published: November 2019

This paper provides a morphological description of Capitella teleta sp. nov., an opportunistic capitellid that is also commonly used as an experimental polychaete under the provisional designation Capitella sp. I. The species is widely distributed along the east and west coasts of North America and also reported from Japan and the Mediterranean. The species belongs to a group having distinct sexual dimorphism, yet with hermaphrodites occurring under certain conditions. Morphologically, C. teleta has a long, narrow body, with all thoracic segments similar except for sexual modifications on setigers 8–9; the prostomium/peristomium combined are long, narrow and about 2.5 times as long as setiger 1. Capillary setae are present in noto- and neuropodia of setigers 1–7; setigers 8–9 have hooded hooks in noto- and neuropodia of females; genital spines replace notopodial hooks in males. A methyl green staining pattern is limited to some thoracic setigers of females; males lack a distinct staining pattern. The cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequence is presented. Relationships of C. teleta with the type-species, C. capitata and other known species including siblings identified in laboratory culture are discussed. The syntype of Ancistria acuta Verrill, 1874, the only known species of Capitella described from New England was examined and determined to be incertae sedis. C. teleta is a highly opportunistic species and appears to be the same as the C. capitata identified from southern California as the “polluted zone indicator” by D.J. Reish in the late 1950s. An appendix with over 200 published references to research conducted on C. teleta is included.
Xin Centenary and Progress in Chinese Acarology: an introduction
Authors: ZHANG ZHI-QIANG , HONG XIAO-YUE
Published: November 2019

This commemorative volume is dedicated to Prof Xin Jie-Liu (1909–1994)—a pioneer and founder of acarology and several other branches of zoology in China. Prof Xin was born in November 1909. To celebrate the centenary of his birth in November 2009, Dr Zhang Zhi-Qiang and Dr Hong Xiao-Yue organized a special commemorative symposium “Progress in Acarology in China” during the 9th National Congress of Acarology in Nanjing, China (Zhang, 2009). This volume, however, was conceived prior to the symposium and several leading acarologists in China were invited to prepare reviews of research progress in their area of study for this volume. Some of them also presented their reviews during the symposium. After the symposium, several additional chapters were invited and prepared for this volume.
Discovery of the genus Eoneureclipsis Kimmins (Trichoptera: Psychomyiidae) from Japan

Authors: TORII TAKAAKI , NISHIMOTO HIROYUKI
Published: November 2019

Four new species of Eoneureclipsis (Trichoptera: Psychomyiidae) are described from Japan: E. montanus n. sp., E. shikokuensis n. sp., E. okinawaensis n. sp. and E. yaeyamaensis n. sp. Illustrations of male wing venation and genitalia of both sexes are provided. A distribution map is also presented for the 4 species.
Trichoptera from the Great Falls and Turkey Run units of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Fairfax Co., Virginia, USA
Authors: FLINT JR. OLIVER S.
Published: November 2019

A 3-year effort to collect and identify caddisflies (Trichoptera) along 2 sections of the Potomac River was undertaken at the request of the National Park Service. A variety of techniques including Malaise traps, light traps, and hand netting resulted in the collection of 105 species belonging to 17 families and 38 genera. Fifty-seven species or 54% were deemed rare, 20 species or 19% were common and 28 species or 27% were abundant.  Comments are made on 7 species of special interest. An addendum lists 6 additional species collected during the 4th year’s survey.
Diversity of mites (Acari) on medicinal and aromatic plants in India*
Authors: GUPTA SALIL K. , KARMAKAR KRISHNA
Published: November 2019

Despite the diverse and frequent use of medicinal and aromatic plants throughout the world, they have received poor attention regarding the mites and insects that they harbor. Here we summarize the diversity of phytophagous and predatory mites recorded on medicinal and aromatic plants in India, including first-hand information obtained by the authors in regular observations of plants growing in different parts of India between 2002 and 2009 as well as information reported in previous works conducted in the country. In total, 267 mite species of 93 genera and 18 families were found or have been reported on these plants in India.Most of these species (208) belong to families constituted mostly by phytophages, but quite a large number of species (56) belong to families constituted predominantly by predators. Despite the wide array of phytophagous species, relatively few have behaved as major pests, which may be at least in part due to the effect of the predatory mites with which they have been found. We consider 17 species as major pests of medicinal and aromatic plants and 11 species as main predators. The search for prospective predatory mites and the study of the feasibility of their use for the control of mite pests on medicinal and aromatic plants is worthwhile, given that a considerable proportion of people interested on the use of medicinal plants are adverse to the ingestion of synthetic pesticides residues, which could be found on those plants if the pests were controlled with the use of those products.
Determination of seasonal changes of spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) densities and species composition on kudzu vine and soybean (Fabaceae) in Japan with the use of phosphoglucomutase zymograms*

Authors: GOTOH TETSUO , MORI KATSUHIKO
Published: November 2019

Identification of spider mites based on morphological characteristics is difficult because morphological differences between species may be subtle and in some groups, including the Tetranychus Dufour species, detectable only in adult males, which usually correspond to a small proportion of a population. The utility of an alternative method, phosphoglucomutase (PGM) zymogram, is demonstrated in this study. Using this method, we were able to discriminate females of each of 13 known Japanese Tetranychus species. We examined the species composition and seasonal density changes on kudzu vine [Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa and Pradeep], a fabaceous weed, between 1997 and 1999, and on soybean [Glycine max (L.)] between 1999 and 2001. On kudzu vine, spider mite populations showed two types of seasonal fluctuation, one characterized by a single peak in September or October and the other by two peaks, in June and September. Five spider mite species were found on this plant species, with T. pueraricola Ehara & Gotoh being dominant throughout the 3-year period and accounting for 75.6–96.9% of all females. On soybean, spider mite populations showed three types of seasonal fluctuation, characterized by one peak (August), two peaks (August, November), and three peaks (June, August, October), respectively. On this plant, eight species were found, T. pueraricola being dominant in 1999 (54.7%), T. parakanzawai Ehara in 2000 (72.6%) and T. kanzawai Kishida in 2001 (69.2%). Such annual variation in dominance was probably determined by the order of invasion of soybean fields.
Rainforest-restoration success as judged by assemblages of soil- and litterdwelling mites (Arachnida: Acari)*

Authors: PROCTOR HEATHER , KANOWSKI JOHN , CATTERALL CARLA P. , WARDELLJOHNSON GRANT , REIS TERRY
Published: November 2019

Decline in rainforest cover in many areas ofAustralia is being countered by various methods of forest reestablishment, including ecological restoration plantings, timber plantations, and unmanaged regrowth.We used assemblages of soil- and litter- dwelling mites to determine which style most closely recaptures the assemblage structure of mites associated with intact rainforest at 84 tropical and subtropical sites in eastern Australia. The six habitat types surveyed were pasture (the typical ‘pre-restoration’ state), unmanaged regrowth, monoculture forestry, multi-species forestry, ecological restoration and intact rainforest (the ‘target’state). Forestry and ecological restoration sites were 5–20 years old.Mites were extracted fromsoil/litter samples and (excluding Oribatida) identified to family or to finer levels. For two diverse but taxonomically difficult superfamilies characteristic of rainforest,Uropodoidea and Trombidioidea, identificationwas tomorphotaxon. Presence/absence data were analyzed in several ways. First, we used our data to create a list of ‘indicator taxa’ for pasture and rainforest, and determined the abundance of these indicators in each of the four reforestationmethods.We also calculatedmorphotaxon richness for uropodoids and trombidioids and compared these values among habitat types. In both of these analyses, ecological restoration was most similar to rainforest.We used ordination andANOSIM to compare mite assemblages among habitattypes. Althoughmite assemblages clearly distinguished between rainforest and pasture sites, they did not identify any of the four reforestation methods as being consistently similar to rainforest. They did, however, indicate that monoculture forestry and multi-species forestry plantations were often not readily distinguishable from pasture. This may have as much to do with silviculturalmethods common to these plantations (e.g., pruning, herbicide application, andmaintenance of a relatively open canopy) as to the low diversity of trees present in plantations. We conclude with a brief discussion of the utility of mites in rapid bioassessment programs in Australia, and suggest that the most pragmatic approach involves focusing on a few easily recognized indicators rather than on entire assemblages.
Mites (Acari) important in different agroecosystems and their control in Romania*
Authors: ROSCA IOAN , GUTUE MINODORA , GUTUE CATALIN
Published: November 2019

Mite problems in different agroecosystems in Romania are presented. Of all phytophagousmites known in the country, four species are found on a wide range of crops, with the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), being the most important. The broad mite is difficult to control, but acaricides registered in Romania have provided effective control of this species. Reduction of highly toxic pesticide residues in the environment has been considered important in the country. That could be approached by first reducing the amount of pesticides applied on agricultural land, and second, by finding new pesticides with less toxic active ingredients. This has resulted in reduced numbers of the main groups of pesticides, commercial products and number of active substances. The number of available commercial products varied from12 in 1972–1979 to five in 1980–1989, ten in 1990–1996, four in 1997–2004 and six in 2010, based on five active ingredients. The causes of the decreasing numbers of acaricide products or active ingredients were the reduced availability of several active ingredients due to toxicological or environmental reasons and the high registration cost. Only three acaricides (Envidor 240 SC, Nissorun 10WP and Omite 570 EC) and one insecticide/acaricide (Seizer 10 EC) are at present commonly used in Romanian agriculture.At the same time, from the economic point of view, biological control is impractical if not impossible to be applied in commercial crop production under Romanian economical conditions of farmers in absence of subsidies. EU and Romanian policies are discussed.
Utilization of alien freshwater fishes by the parasitic copepod Neoergasilus japonicus (Ergasilidae) on Okinawa-jima Island, Japan, with a list of its known hosts

Authors: NAGASAWA KAZUYA , UYENO DAISUKE
Published: November 2019

Currently, many fish parasites have been dispersed worldwide via the movement of fishes for food, sport, or the aquarium trade. The freshwater parasitic copepod Neoergasilus japonicus (Harada, 1930) is such an example: it is native to eastern Asia, but has been introduced to southern Asia, Europe, and North America. Since N. japonicus has been regarded as an important alien parasite in such regions, more information is needed on the ecology and host-parasite relationships of this species. In this study, specimens of N. japonicus were collected from the following seven alien freshwater fishes on Okinawa-jima Island, southern Japan: redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zillii), Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), and Nile tilapia (O. niloticus niloticus) (Perciformes: Cichlidae); bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) (Perciformes: Centrarchidae); Indian glassy fish (Pseudambassis ranga) (Perciformes: Ambassidae); mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae); and vermiculated sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Copepods occurred on alien fishes taken from reservoirs, but were absent on those from rivers. The dorsal fin was most heavily infected, followed by the anal fin, gills, and body surface. The native freshwater fishes in our sampling locations have been replaced by alien fishes that were introduced from various regions of the world. Our results therefore showed that this low host-specific species can persist by utilizing alien fishes as hosts even after the native fishes have either disappeared or greatly decreased in abundance. A list is also given of fishes (88 species and 3 subspecies in 7 orders and 16 families) reported as hosts of N. japonicus.
Co-occurrence of the parasitic copepods Acantholochus zairae Morales-Serna & Gómez, 2010 (Poecilostomatoida: Bomolochidae) and Pseudochondracanthus diceraus C. B. Wilson, 1908 (Poecilostomatoida: Chondracanthidae) on the gills of Sphoeroides annulatus (Jenyns) (Pisces: Tetraodontidae)

Authors: MORALES-SERNA F. NEPTALÍ , GÓMEZ SAMUEL
Published: November 2019

The spatial distribution of two parasitic copepods, Acantholochus zairae Morales-Serna & Gómez, 2010 (Poecilostomatoida: Bomolochidae) and Pseudochondracanthus diceraus C. B. Wilson, 1908 (Poecilostomatoida: Chondracanthidae), was analyzed on the gills of the bullseye pufferfish Sphoeroides annulatus (Jenyns). A positive association between A. zairae and P. diceraus was observed; however, species coexistence is facilitated because intraspecific aggregation was stronger than interspecific aggregation. Each copepod species was less frequent on the middle arch regions. Pseudochondracanthus diceraus showed a preference for the third gill arch (the innermost), as well as for the dorsal region of the gill arches and the middle zone of the gill filaments. Acantholochus zairae was randomly distributed among gill arches, but showed a preference for the ventral region of the gill arches and the middle zone of the gill filaments. In addition, only A. zairae appeared to be affected by increasing host length. It is possible that water flowing through the branchial cavities of S. annulatus is a major determinant on the distribution of its gill copepods.
Description of the male of Prosaetes rhinodontis (Wright, 1876) (Crustacea, Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida), with a proposal to synonymize Cecropidae Dana, 1849 and Amaterasidae Izawa, 2008 with Pandaridae Milne Edwards, 1840

Authors: TANG DANNY , BENZ GEORGE W. , NAGASAWA KAZUYA
Published: November 2019

This report provides the first description of the male of Prosaetes rhinodontis (Wright, 1876) (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Cecropidae) based on specimens collected from two whale sharks (Rhincodon typus Smith) held in sea pens off the west coast of Okinawa-jima Island, Japan. We argue that the morphology of P. rhinodontis contributes significantly to the blurring of familial limits between Cecropidae Dana, 1849 and Pandaridae Milne Edwards, 1840 and based on our detailed consideration of this matter we recommend that Cecropidae be recognized as a junior synonym of Pandaridae. Accordingly, we transfer P. rhinodontis, along with species of Cecrops Leach, 1816, Luetkenia Claus, 1864, Philorthagoriscus Horst, 1897, Orthagoriscicola Poche, 1902, and Entepherus Bere, 1936, to the Pandaridae. In addition, our critical evaluation of the morphological features of the adult female and copepodid I of Amaterasia amanoiwatoi Izawa, 2008 indicated that the establishment of Amaterasidae Izawa, 2008 to hold the species was unfounded because A. amanoiwatoi can be accommodated within Pandaridae. Thus, we transfer A. amanoitwatoi to Pandaridae and consider Amaterasidae to be a junior synonym of Pandaridae. Lastly, our comparisons of morphological and ecological attributes of A. amanoiwatoi, specimens of “Nesippus costatus? Wilson, 1924” (Pandaridae) reported by Lewis in 1964, and other pandarids (Pandaridae) revealed the first two taxa to be strikingly similar and suggested them to be congeners. Based on those results we propose Lewis’ specimens represent a new species, which we name Amaterasia lewisi n. sp. Within the Pandaridae, Amaterasia spp. seem to belong to the Dinemoura-group based primarily on their similarity to some Nesippus spp., while representatives of Prosaetes, Cecrops, Luetkenia, Philorthagoriscus, Orthagoriscicola, and Entepherus are more confidently considered members of the Dinemoura-group based on their shared possession of a narrow third pedigerous somite and dorsal plates on the fourth pedigerous somite in the adult female and a modified leg 3 terminal endopodal segment in the adult male.
First record of Holoptilinae from Pakistan, with the redescription of Holoptilus fasciatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: SHAH SYED ISHFAQ ALI , AHMAD AZAZ , LI HU , CAI WANZHI
Published: November 2019

The assassin bug subfamily Holoptilinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) is recorded from Pakistan for the first time. Holoptilus fasciatus Reuter, 1881, newly recorded from Pakistan, is redescribed, its dorsal habitus and diagnostic morphological characters are illustrated.
A new Mexican species of Onthophagus Latreille (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), with a revised key to the species of the O. dicranius species complex
Authors: DELGADO LEONARDO , MORA-AGUILAR EDER F.
Published: November 2019

New World species of the genus Onthophagus Latreille (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) have been classified in different ways, all of them without a phylogenetic framework. For instance, Boucomont (1932) separated them in 13 groups of species, but Zunino & Halffter (1988; 1997) only recognize five species groups. Howden & Gill (1993) add the O. dicranius Bates and O. mirabilis Bates species groups, and Kohlmann & Solís (2001) added the O. gazellinus Bates species group. Also, over the years, groups, complexes, and sets of species have been defined using different criteria not even comparable each other. Two of these groupings are the O. dicranius and O. mirabilis species groups, which were firstly separated from the O. clypeatus Blanchard species group (sensu Zunino & Halffter 1981, 1997) by Howden & Gill (1993). After, Kohlmann & Solís (2001) later merged both groups under the O. dicranius species group. Finally, Génier (2017) gives a conceptual framework for species groups and complexes, thus assigning the status of species complex to the two previous species groups, and integrating them in the O. dicranius species group. Herein, we describe a new species of the O. dicranius species complex, update the species list of this complex, and present a revised key to separate these species.
Automatic Segmentation and Diagnosis Based on Multi-Scale Two-Stage Region Growing and Skeleton Extraction for Vessel Stenosis in Coronary Angiography
Authors: Deng Wu , Luo Kai , Shi Qinke , Yang Yi , Ning Ning
Published: November 2019

Although great progress has been made in vessel segmentation, the existing methods still can not accurately segment small vessels. A novel vessel segmentation and automatic diagnosis in coronary angiography image was proposed. During vessel segmentation, a new vessel function based
on Hessian matrix was put forward. Then the vessel contour was extracted by the dual-stage region growing with automatic selection of seed point. Next, the automatic diagnosis was realized by vessel skeleton extraction, skeleton point search and diameter measurement. The experimental results
demonstrate that our proposed vessel segmentation can extract the main branch contour accurately and have a good effect on the enhancement and segmentation of small vessels. The automatic diagnosis of vessel stenosis is fast. With a relatively accurate diagnosis result, it can provide a good
reference and quantitative basis for the final judgment of the doctor.
Skin Cancer Diagnosis Based on Support Vector Machine and a New Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Li Mingyao , Han Changyuan , Fahim Fadia
Published: November 2019

Skin cancer is one of the most common and dangerous cancers around the world. Early detection of skin cancer can greatly reduce this risk. The main purpose of this paper is to propose an automatic diagnosis system for detecting the healthy and cancerous area. The method includes four
main stages including image contrast enhancement, image segmentation, feature extraction and selection, and images classification. Here, 20 different features are employed and the best of them are selected based on a newly introduced optimization algorithm. In the following, this algorithm
is also applied to a support vector machine for increasing the classification accuracy. The proposed optimization algorithm is a new improved version of the fluid search optimization algorithm based on chaos theory which increases the system convergence speed. The method is compared with four
State of the art methods and shows the superiority of the proposed method toward the analyzed methods.
Justice and Demonstration of Christian Principles: Why churchgoers support Fair Trade
Authors: Dawson Mark
Published: November 2019

From the outset, church support for Fair Trade has been encouraged by what Cloke et al. have termed the Fair Trade ‘evangelists.’ 1 These church-based Fair Trade activists have promoted the concept to their congregations, and to the wider community, in a vocal and determined manner. This article examines the motivation of Fair Trade ‘evangelists’ and how they articulate the connection between Fair Trade and their Christian faith. In the face of criticism and indifference, why do these individuals persist? Drawing on my research interviews with nineteen church-based Fair Trade activists, I identify two clear findings. Firstly, that the activists view support for Fair Trade as an integral part of the work for justice, and secondly, that the action that they carry out for Fair Trade provides an opportunity to demonstrate the outworking of core Christian principles. The activists position support for Fair Trade as central to their faith and view it as contributing to the fulfilment of the core mission of the church.
The Elite, Elitism, and Ensuing Conversations in Ghana’s Higher Education: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Amuzu Delali
Published: November 2019

Contemporary higher education in Ghana and many parts of Africa has European colonial antecedents. In spite of the many goals that it aspired to achieve, a preoccupation was to nurture an elite group. Though widely used, the concept of elite and elitism is vague and hardly conceptualized. It hoovers from status—occupants of the apex or top echelons of an organization/society, to consumption—people with immense wealth. Influence, on the other hand, seems to be a common denominator in both cases. But, does this capture the scope of the phenomenon? This article engages people who have worked in different capacities in Ghana’s higher education space to examine the deeper meanings that could be embedded in elitism, elicits conceptualizations of elitism, and further finds out how elitist higher education is in Ghana. Ultimately, the article intends to initiate a conversation on whether indeed there are elites being produced from the university system. This study was done with reference to an empirical study on decolonizing higher education in Ghana.