bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monoclonal Gammopathy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case
Report and Review of its Literature
Authors: Goli Vasu Babu , Jain Reetu , Bhat Ganapathi , Sainani Anjana , Advani S H
Published: March 2018

The presence of monoclonal gammopathies in B-cell malignancies occurs frequently. Monoclonal proteins are present in a significant number of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is a disorder of antigen-stimulated mature B-cells. The recognition of monoclonal proteins or light chains in the serum and/or urine is increased in the majority of CLL patients with the use of highly sensitive laboratory methods such as serum immunofixation studies. A different autoimmune phenomenon may explain the presence of some of these monoclonal proteins. Some reports indicate that the finding of monoclonal proteins has a negative impact on patients' survival. However, there is no clear evidence to suggest the prognostic significance of monoclonal proteins in patients with CLL. Although the presence of monoclonal proteins in CLL occurs usually at an incidence of 60%–80%, there are very few cases reported in literature. We report a case of CLL diagnosed in 2009 who developed disease progression along with the presence of immunoglobulin kappa monoclonal gammopathy. Although the presence of monoclonal gammopathy might be due to the use of highly sensitive methods, this can be due to autoimmune phenomenon or development from the same or different clone of B-cells.
Epstein–Barr Virus Infection in Adult Patients with Gastric Cancer in Northeast of Iran
Authors: Amoueian Sakineh , Attaranzadeh Armin , Gholamimoallem Zeinab , Sadeghi Masoud , Hashemi Seyed-Mehdi , Allahyari Abolghasem
Published: March 2018

Background: Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a DNA virus from human herpes virus that associates with many of the human cancers including gastric cancer (GC). Aims: The aim of the present study was to report infection of EBV in adult patients with GC in Northeast of Iran and the correlation between a number of clinicopathology factors with EBV status. Materials and Methods: In a case–control study in 2016, 56 GC patients and 56 controls were selected for the analysis. All patients had gastric adenocarcinoma untreated patients with age >18 years. EBV status detected by the polymerase chain reaction method. Results: Out of 56 GC patients, 35 (62.5%) were EBV positivity and out of 56 controls 3 (5.4%) were EBV positivity (P < 0.001). There is not a significant correlation between the variables with the EBV status (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the progression-free survival rate for the patients with EBV negativity was 95.2% compared with 82.9% for EBV positivity (P = 0.174). Conclusions: This study reported a very high prevalence of EBV-associated GC in the Northeast of Iran compared with other areas of the World and showed a significant correlation between EBV infection and incidence of GC.
KRAS and NRAS Testing in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Central Iran (Tehran): A Review on Literature of the Middle East
Authors: Shahriari-Ahmadi Ali , Ansarinejad Nafise , Fardad Farshid , Abbaszadeh Mehrdad , Sadeghi Masoud
Published: March 2018

Context: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the past three decades in Iran has made it as a major public health burden. Aims: The aim of this study is to report the prevalence of KRAS and NRAS mutations in Iran and the correlation between KRAS mutation status with clinicopathological factors and survival.Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 144 patients were entered into the study based on the criteria. Age, sex, tumor site, grade, metastasis location, familial history, KRAS/NRAS status, and survival were checked for all patients, and the patients were followed for 1 year. DNA was extracted with FFPE QIAGEN kit and then polymerase chain reaction for amplification of gene segments of KRAS and NRAS genes. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 52.9 years (range: 27–72 years) that 39.6% patients had age <50 years and 54.2% were men. KRAS mutation was significantly more in the patients with age ≥50 compared with KRAS wild type. Furthermore, the 6-month overall survival rate in KRAS mutation patients was significantly more than KRAS wild-type patients. Liver metastasis (72.9%) had the highest prevalence of metastasis in the patients, and Grade II with 64.6% had the most prevalence. Conclusions: The metastatic CRC was more prevalent in men than women, and the mean age varied around 50–60 years. The results showed that the present study had the highest prevalence of KRAS mutation in the Middle East and Pakistan with the lowest prevalence in CRC patients.
Breast cancer awareness among women in an urban setup in Western India
Authors: Singh Ranvijay , Shetty Nishitha , Rai Parashar , Yadav Ghanshyam , Gandhi Mukti , Naveed Maryam , Ronghe Ashwini M.
Published: March 2018

Introduction: Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women globally. Better outcomes for patients can be ensured by early detection and treatment. Early detection requires a high degree of awareness about the various aspects of cancer including etiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and breast self-examination (BSE) practices. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness related to breast cancer along with willingness for treatment, among women in an urban setup in Western India. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 500 women belonging to the age group of 18–70 years residing in an urban area of Mumbai. Data were obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire over a period of 6 months (April–September 2016). Results: Over half of the respondents (71.42%) knew the symptoms of breast cancer. Awareness regarding the risk factors was varied. Although most (85.71%) of the respondents knew about BSE, contrastingly very few (38.09%) actually performed it. Awareness regarding diagnostic tests was limited to mammography and biopsy, but 90.47% of the women were willing to undergo these tests. 66.67% of women reported that the best treatment for breast cancer was surgery. Conclusion: Awareness of the different presentations of breast cancers (other than lump) is limited and so is the knowledge pertaining to risk factors. A lower level of education is most likely responsible for the low level of awareness and this is the main obstacle for undergoing regular cancer screening and early detection. There is a need of developing an effective health education programs to educate women about breast cancer, propagate valid information via the media, and promote early detection of breast cancer to ensure better outcomes.
Mixed Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumor with Rhabdomyosarcomatous Malignant Transformation in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Pham Robin L , Ray Anish , Margraf Linda R
Published: March 2018

Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) are the most common malignancy in males aged 15–34. The transformation of GCTs into secondary somatic-type malignancies is rare, and the lack of clear treatment guidelines presents a clinical challenge for treating physicians, especially when chemosensitivities do not overlap. We present the case of a 15-year-old-male with a mixed nonseminomatous malignant GCT with an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma component, which made up 60% of the primary tumor. He was successfully treated with surgical resection and chemotherapy. We highlight our experience in diagnosing and treating this tumor, and through literature review, suggest treatment guidelines for treating a pediatric patient with similar tumor presentation.
Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Risk Factor For Analysis For Disease Free Survival
Authors: Azhar Yohana , Achmad Dimyati , Lukman Kiki , Hilmanto Dani
Published: March 2018

Context:The context of this study was epidemiology pediatric thyroid cancer in Bandung, Indonesia. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical characteristics and outcome between children and young adult patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) treated in our hospital. Settings and Design:This was a cohort retrospective study. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 144 patients with DTC who underwent thyroid surgery followed by radioiodine and thyroid hormone suppression were retrospectively reviewed. Thyroid cancers were diagnosed between January 2007 and December 2010. Participants consisted of 43 patients who were younger than 21 years old and 101 young adult patients (older than 21 years old but younger or equal to 40 years). The clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed and compared, and then, recurrence-free survival was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier methods. Statistical Analysis Used: Software R 3.3.0 version for Windows was used in this study. Results: Female has higher tendency to have thyroid cancer than male (P = 0.006). Based on histopathology report, classic papillary thyroid cancer is the most common cancer type in children than young adult. However, there was no significant difference between two groups regarding thyroid cancer size and multifocality (P = 0.815 and P = 0.370). The risk of recurrent ratio of children to young adults is 3.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38; 10.91). A similar result trend has been shown for sex type, histopathology type, number of nodules, surgical technique, and metastasis parameters (adjusted hazard ratio = 7.91, 95% CI 2.11; 29.67). Conclusions: DTC in children shows more aggressive behavior compared to young adult patients.
Xeroderma Pigmentosum and Bone Marrow Aplasia: A Rare Association
Authors: Shanmugasundaram Sakthisankari , Kumar Prasanna N , Lakshmi S Vidhya , Chaitra V
Published: March 2018

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypersensitivity to ultraviolet rays and predisposition to cutaneous malignancies. Hematological disorders associated with XP include myelodysplastic syndrome and acute leukemia. We report a 7-year-old child with XP along with squamous cell carcinoma and bone marrow aplasia.
Assessment of BCR-ABL1 Fusion Transcripts and Their Association with Response to Imatinib Treatment in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: Kagita Sailaja , Mamidi Tulasi Krishna , Digumarti Leela , Gundeti Sadasivudu , Digumarti Raghunadharao
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
BCR-ABL1 fusion transcripts with contrasting data on response to imatinib therapy have been reported from different parts of the world. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the frequencies of transcripts and their association with response to imatinib therapy in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Methods: A total of 170 (76 follow-up and 94 imatinib-resistant) CML samples were included in the study. BCR-ABL1 fusion transcripts and expression status were analyzed in all cases using multiplex reverse transcriptase PCyR and real-time PCyR. Sanger sequencing was used for tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutation screening in imatinib mesylate-resistant patients. Results: Of 170 CML patients, 36.36% showed b2a2, 63.53% had b3a2, and 2.94% had b2a2 + b3a2 isoforms. Mean platelet counts and blasts were significantly lower in b2a2 carriers (P = 0.0092; P ≤ 0.0001). Patients with b2a2 transcript were found to be more in responders group (both hematological and cytogenetic), whereas b3a2 patients were more in partial responders group and death (P = 0.763; P = 0.309). In follow-up patients, mean baseline BCR-ABL1 expression levels are significantly higher in b2a2 versus b3a2 carriers (P = 0.0351). Of 94 imatinib-resistant patients, 36 (38.29%) had acquired TKD mutations. Among 36 patients, mean BCR-ABL1 levels are significantly higher in b2a2 and b2a2 + b3a2 group (P = 0.0002; P ≤ 0.0001). TKD mutation frequency was more in b3a2 (61.11%) compared to other types. With respect to follow-up status in 36 patients, 17 patients died while 19 were on imatinib higher doses or 2nd-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Of 17 patients, 41.66% had b2a2 transcript and 54.54% had b3a2 transcript. Conclusion: Patients with b3a2 transcripts might be associated with poor response and worse prognosis in CML with imatinib treatment.
High-resolution digital mapping of soil organic carbon in permafrost terrain using machine learning: a case study in a sub-Arctic peatland environment
Authors: Siewert Matthias B.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in northern peatlands and permafrost-affected soils are key components in the global carbon cycle. This article quantifies SOC stocks in a sub-Arctic mountainous peatland environment in the discontinuous permafrost zone in Abisko, northern Sweden. Four machine-learning techniques are evaluated for SOC quantification: multiple linear regression, artificial neural networks, support vector machine and random forest. The random forest model performed best and was used to predict SOC for several depth increments at a spatial resolution of 1 m (1×1 m). A high-resolution (1 m) land cover classification generated for this study is the most relevant predictive variable. The landscape mean SOC storage (0–150 cm) is estimated to be 8.3 ± 8.0 kg C m−2 and the SOC stored in the top meter (0–100 cm) to be 7.7 ± 6.2 kg C m−2. The predictive modeling highlights the relative importance of wetland areas and in particular peat plateaus for the landscape's SOC storage. The total SOC was also predicted at reduced spatial resolutions of 2, 10, 30, 100, 250 and 1000 m and shows a significant drop in land cover class detail and a tendency to underestimate the SOC at resolutions  >  30 m. This is associated with the occurrence of many small-scale wetlands forming local hot-spots of SOC storage that are omitted at coarse resolutions. Sharp transitions in SOC storage associated with land cover and permafrost distribution are the most challenging methodological aspect. However, in this study, at local, regional and circum-Arctic scales, the main factor limiting robust SOC mapping efforts is the scarcity of soil pedon data from across the entire environmental space. For the Abisko region, past SOC and permafrost dynamics indicate that most of the SOC is barely 2000 years old and very dynamic. Future research needs to investigate the geomorphic response of permafrost degradation and the fate of SOC across all landscape compartments in post-permafrost landscapes.
Colluvial deposits as a possible weathering reservoir in uplifting mountains
Authors: Carretier Sébastien , Goddéris Yves , Martinez Javier , Reich Martin , Martinod Pierre
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The role of mountain uplift in the evolution of the global climate
over geological times is controversial. At the heart of this debate
is the capacity of rapid denudation to drive silicate weathering,
which consumes CO2. Here we present the results of a 3-D
model that couples erosion and weathering during mountain uplift, in
which, for the first time, the weathered material is traced during
its stochastic transport from the hillslopes to the mountain
outlet. To explore the response of weathering fluxes to
progressively cooler and drier climatic conditions, we run model
simulations accounting for a decrease in temperature with or without
modifications in the rainfall pattern based on a simple orographic
model. At this stage, the model does not simulate the deep water
circulation, the precipitation of secondary minerals, variations in
the pH, below-ground pCO2, and the chemical affinity of the
water in contact with minerals. Consequently, the predicted silicate
weathering fluxes probably represent a maximum, although the
predicted silicate weathering rates are within the range of silicate
and total weathering rates estimated from field data. In all cases,
the erosion rate increases during mountain uplift, which thins the
regolith and produces a hump in the weathering rate evolution. This
model thus predicts that the weathering outflux reaches a peak and
then falls, consistent with predictions of previous 1-D models. By
tracking the pathways of particles, the model can also consider how
lateral river erosion drives mass wasting and the temporary storage
of colluvial deposits on the valley sides. This reservoir is
comprised of fresh material that has a residence time ranging from
several years up to several thousand years. During this period, the
weathering of colluvium appears to sustain the mountain weathering
flux. The relative weathering contribution of colluvium depends on
the area covered by regolith on the hillslopes. For mountains
sparsely covered by regolith during cold periods, colluvium produces
most of the simulated weathering flux for a large range of erosion
parameters and precipitation rate patterns. In addition to other
reservoirs such as deep fractured bedrock, colluvial deposits may
help to maintain a substantial and constant weathering flux in
rapidly uplifting mountains during cooling periods.
Māori oral histories and the impact of tsunamis in Aotearoa-New Zealand
Authors: King Darren N. , Shaw Wendy S. , Meihana Peter N. , Goff James R.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Māori oral histories from the northern South Island of Aotearoa-New Zealand provide details of ancestral experience with tsunami(s) on, and surrounding, Rangitoto (D'Urville Island). Applying an inductive-based methodology informed by collaborative storytelling, exchanges with key informants from the Māori kin groups of Ngāti Koata and Ngāti Kuia reveal that a folk tale, published in 1907, could be compared to and combined with active oral histories to provide insights into past catastrophic saltwater inundations. Such histories reference multiple layers of experience and meaning, from memorials to ancestral figures and their accomplishments to claims about place, authority and knowledge. Members of Ngāti Koata and Ngāti Kuia, who permitted us to record some of their histories, share the view that there are multiple benefits to be gained by learning from differences in knowledge, practice and belief. This work adds to scientific as well as Maōri understandings about tsunami hazards (and histories). It also demonstrates that to engage with Māori oral histories (and the people who genealogically link to such stories) requires close attention to a politics of representation, in both past recordings and current ways of retelling, as well as sensitivities to the production of new and plural knowledges. This paper makes these narratives available to a new audience, including those families who no longer have access to them, and recites these in ways that might encourage plural knowledge development and co-existence.
Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Dan Lizotte
Authors: Liang Emerald
Published: March 2018

Dr. Dan Lizotte is an assistant professor cross-appointed in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at The University of Western Ontario. His current research focuses on transforming knowledge gleaned from reinforcement learning, machine learning, and statistical techniques into actionable information to be used in the healthcare world. After obtaining his Bachelor of Computer Science at the University of New Brunswick, Dr. Lizotte went to the University of Alberta to complete his Master of Science and Ph.D. in Computing Science. WURJHNS managing editor, Emerald Liang, had the pleasure of interviewing him to learn more about his research, its impact on medicine and advice for Western undergraduate students.
Schelling y Schubert y la cara nocturna (y somnolienta) de la conciencia
Authors: Carrasco-Conde Ana
Published: March 2018

El propósito del texto es rastrear la influencia del magnetismo animal y del mesmerismo a través de G.H. Schubert y su Puntos de vista sobre la cara nocturna de la ciencia de la Naturaleza en las Edades del mundo de Schelling con especial atención a los pasajes consagrados al sueño para mostrar el papel de éste en la conciencia en los tiempos germinales de una filosofía del inconsciente y dar cuenta del nexo existente entre la Naturphilosophie y las fuentes del Romanticismo negro.
Mereología, teoría del conocimiento y metafísica de Ortega como fundamento de la Antropología Metafísica de Julián Marías
Authors: De Nigris Francesco
Published: March 2018

Para una mejor comprensión de la Antropología metafísica de Julián Marías es menester remontarnos a la mereología, a la teoría del conocimiento y a la metafísica de Ortega, sobre todo para aclarar qué significan “estructura”, “sistema”, “órgano” y “función”. La razón vital es proyecto personal en tanto que apertura sistemática a su circunstancia cuya estructura unitaria, empírica, estructural, es “el hombre”.
From Harlem to the “Hoamatlond”: Hip-Hop, Malcolm X, and Muslim Activism in Austria
Authors: Hafez Farid
Published: March 2018

This article analyzes how hip-hop as a social movement influenced youth with a Muslim religious background in Austria. The study examines the influence of African American activist Malcolm X, a central figure in hip-hop culture, on young people in Austria in the 1990s, and specifically his influence on the Islamic Group of Upper Austria (IG OÖ), a social-movement organization founded in 1995. The article also explores what meaning hip-hop and Malcolm X had in the genesis of this group, focusing on syncretic identity construction and how youth from different contexts utilized hip-hop and Malcolm X's legacy to give meaning and mobility to their lives. The fusion of religion and youth culture created an alternative culture as an expression of protest against a hegemonic lifestyle and is interpreted as a struggle for recognition. Seven narrative interviews help analyze this never-before-documented history.
Content Analysis of an Open Online Forum for Band Directors
Authors: Millican J. Si
Published: March 2018

Music teacher concerns have been described using case studies, surveys, and mixed methods, but no research exists that compares music teachers’ online interactions with professional development offerings or how these online discussions may evolve over the school year. I used a content analysis approach (Neuendorf, 2002) to describe 6,430 topics in an online open discussion forum for band directors and the professional development sessions (N = 215) offered by one state’s music educators’ association and bandmasters’ association in 1 calendar year. Music repertoire, employment, festival rules and procedures, program administration, and work environment were chief conversation topics for this group of directors. Directors of beginning bands had specialized conversations differing from their peers. As directors moved through the calendar year, their top concerns evolved from music repertoire to festival rules, employment, and program administration. Professional development sessions mostly involved ensemble or individual pedagogy and program administration.
Challenging the Iconography of Oppression in Marketing: Confronting Speciesism Through Art and Visual Culture
Authors: Cronin J. Keri , Kramer Lisa A.
Published: March 2018

Visual culture has normalized systemic and institutional cruelty toward animals in North America through an iconography of oppression. Certain kinds of images that sanitize and celebrate the consumption of animal bodies through our contemporary food systems are constantly repeated through marketing channels. In doing so, they help us to avoid addressing the very ethical questions at the heart of these practices. In contrast to this, a number of contemporary artists have relied on visual culture to disrupt this pattern of representation and to challenge the status quo. The following discussion explores some recent attempts to reimagine human–animal relationships in nonspeciesist terms through imagery and artistic practice.
On Ascribing Personhood to All Primates
Authors: Donnellan Laura
Published: March 2018

Although not explicitly stated, Nobert Elias’s Civilizing Process provides a theoretical framework for Prolegomenon Toward a Primate Rights Bill. The core tenets of Elias’s work, including interdependency, habitus, and privatization, are common threads throughout the book. The book depicts a utopian ideal whereby the transformation in societal attitudes to nonhuman primates reaches a level wherein all primates come within the protection of the law. This will require the metamorphosis of attitudes (changes in norms and behavior and recognition of sentience) and approaches, including state involvement and intervention, in order to ensure the proposed bill of rights is enforced. Whether this will continue as an ideal or, in the future, form the basis of federal legislation akin to the European Convention on Human Rights or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains to be seen; nevertheless, the book raises some compelling arguments.
“And That’s Why You Always Leave a Note!”: Music as Comedic Element in the First Season of the Television Show Arrested Development
Authors: Christiansen Paul
Published: March 2018

This article explores the underexamined role of music in the American situation comedy Arrested Development. Encompassing the entire first season, analysis concentrates on musical tropes contributing meaning to visual or dialogic elements to create a comedic whole.

Music, whether newly composed or pre-existing, has a number of specific comedic functions in the show. It can portray funny characters, Orientalize places and concepts, lampoon serious situations, comment on action like a Greek chorus, allude to cultural phenomena, and even reach outside a scene to remark meta-comically. Discussion of cues is thus divided into six categories of musical humor: rendering characters’ musical personalities, comic Othering, comic seriousness, snarky commentary with pop-song lyrics, hidden cultural references, and ambiguity between diegetic and nondiegetic music. Categories presented here are not meant to seem exhaustive or mutually exclusive; another author would opt for a different taxonomy. Nevertheless, any other taxonomy would have to reflect multiple concrete comic functions beyond merely setting moods or providing scene transitions.

The complexity of visual and textual humor is matched by an equally rich and textured musical world. The fact that this is a recorded television comedy that can be played over and over again allows for incredible subtlety and multivalence in the humor. As quirky, unpredictable, and fresh as the other modalities of humor, David Schwartz’s musical impulses, from the subliminal to the ridiculing, are essential to the totality of comedy in Arrested Development and its overall feel. Mitchell Hurwitz’s show would be inconceivable without Schwartz’s idiosyncratic work.
The Reform and Harmonization of Commercial Laws in the East African Community
Authors: Mugasha Agasha
Published: March 2018

The Reform and Harmonization of Commercial Laws in the East African Community

The partner states in the East African Community (EAC) have modernized their commercial laws to claim their post-colonial identity and facilitate development. While law reform and the harmonization of laws are both methods of shaping laws, the national law reform programmes in the EAC mainly aim to ensure that the laws reflect the domestic socioeconomic circumstances, in contrast to the harmonization of national commercial laws, which focuses on the attainment of economic development. This article observes that the reformed and harmonized commercial laws in the EAC are mainly legal transplants of the principles of transnational commercial law that have been adapted to meet domestic needs and aspirations.
Geloof in de liberale democratie
Authors: ten Napel Hans-Martien
Published: March 2018

Faith in liberal democracy

The liberal stance regarding religious freedom starts from a particular anthropology, which holds that in order to become fully human citizens must be able to build their lives on the foundations of their religious convictions. This starting point leads to distinctive conceptions of constitutionalism and democracy that make it possible for citizens to keep faith in liberal democracy. The so-called new critics of religious freedom, to the contrary, run the risk of eventually eroding trust in government by putting their substantial ideas of liberal democracy first and demanding of citizens and their organizations to act in conformity with these ideas.
Morphological diagnoses of higher taxa in Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) in support of a new classification
Authors: O'Hara Timothy D. , Stöhr Sabine , Hugall Andrew F. , Thuy Ben , Martynov Alexander
Published: March 2018

A new classification of Ophiuroidea, considering family rank and above, is presented. The new family and superfamily taxa in O’Hara et al. (2017) were proposed to ensure a better readability of the new phylogeny but are unavailable under the provisions of the ICZN. Here, the morphological diagnoses to all 33 families and five superfamilies are provided. Ten new families, Ophiosphalmidae fam. nov., Ophiomusaidae fam. nov., Ophiocamacidae fam. nov., Ophiopteridae fam. nov., Clarkcomidae fam. nov., Ophiopezidae fam. nov., Ophiernidae fam. nov., Amphilimnidae fam. nov., Ophiothamnidae fam. nov. and Ophiopholidae fam. nov., are described. The family Ophiobyrsidae Matsumoto, 1915, not yet discovered in the previous publication, is added, based on new molecular data. A new phylogenetic reconstruction is presented. Definitions of difficult-to-apply morphological characters are given.
Are automated acoustic identification software reliable for bat surveys in the Neotropical region?
Authors: Menon Amrita M , Pereira Maria J R , Aguiar Ludmilla M S
Published: March 2018

Bat populations are known to be affected by anthropogenic activities because bats are an extremely diverse group occupying almost all available niches in terrestrial environment. Hence, bats are considered bioindicators to monitor changes in the environment, but their value as such also depends on the ease to monitor and detect demographic trends in their populations. The long-term interest of researchers in the acoustic of bats results from the fact that it is a non-invasive, time-efficient method to monitor spatiotemporal patterns of bat diversity and activity.The analysis of sounds emitted by organisms has been considered useful to gain insight into species-specific biotic and abiotic interactions, which can further be applied to conservation. Besides manual identifications of bat calls, some automated species identification programs using regional call classifiers have been introduced into the market as an effective tool in the monitoring of bat populations. Most of these programs have not been validated using field data. This study evaluates the reliability of two automated software, SonoChiro, and Kaleidoscope Pro, in comparison to manual identifications of field data collected from the Neotropical region. There was low agreement between the two automated methods at the species level, fair agreement at the genus level and moderate agreement at the family level. There was also a significant difference between the proportions of correctly identified calls of the two-automated software at the species level identifications. Major challenges for using automated identification software include the need for comprehensive call libraries of the regions under scope; significant opportunities, on the other hand, include the widespread possibility to monitor spatiotemporal patterns of bat activity. Overall, there are serious gaps that preclude a widespread application of automated programs ecological and conservation studies of bats, but it has the potential to serve as a useful tool.
Ecosystem approach to monitoring pelagic fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean
Authors: Allain Valerie , Smith Neville , Hampton John , Williams Peter , Pilling Graham , Park Timothy , Leroy Bruno , Roupsard Francois , Caillot Sylvain , Brogan Deirdre , Fukofuka Siosifa , Vourey Elodie , Peatman Thomas , Sanchez Caroline , Receveur Aurore , Hosken Malo
Published: March 2018

Long-term collection of data and samples appears critical to contribute to our understanding of the impacts of fisheries and climate change on the marine ecosystems, and for the implementation of management measures for sustainable use of the resources. In the western and central Pacific Ocean, the source of 50% of the worldwide tuna catches, several tools have been implemented to monitor the fisheries and the tuna pelagic ecosystem. Since the 1990’s fisheries observers of 15 Pacific Island countries, which are now operating under a regional standardised framework, collect data on fishing effort, catch and bycatch to monitor, among others, changes in biodiversity. This network of 800 observers also collect biological samples (stomachs, muscles, otoliths…) that constitute a biological tissue bank of pelagic fish with more than 95000 samples available to scientists for biological studies. Since the 1970’s tuna tagging programmes have been implemented to monitor the fishing pressure and tuna movements and growth. Fishing-independent data have also been collected during scientific cruises to monitor the lower levels of the trophic web. These multiple initiatives at the scale of half of the Pacific represent a unique opportunity to understand the impact of fisheries and climate change on the tuna ecosystem.
Sustainostic Nusantara: Managing marine plastic debris for sustainable tourism in the ‘New Bali’ of Indonesia
Authors: Akhir Kaisar , Wisz Mary S
Published: March 2018

Indonesia’s rich marine biodiversity, endemism and long natural coast lines attract visitors from around the World. Its tourism industry contributes to a high percentage of the country’s GDP, and is a vital source of income for many local communities. Recently, the Indonesian government announced a plan to focus in developing two coastal regions (Mandalika and Labuan Bajo) as the “New Bali” in 2018. These marine tourism areas are however challenged by high levels of plastic pollution and require restoration. Mass cleanups are planned on the islands with support from the government in cooperation with the stakeholders such as local communities and industries. However, there is so far no integrated plan to safeguard the areas from the accumulation of future plastic debris. The Sustainostic (Sustainable No Plastic) Nusantara project will provide stakeholders and the Indonesian government with a policy roadmap to manage marine plastic debris in these areas. Recommendations will be based on a global analysis of plastic waste management approaches and Indonesia’s National Plan of Action on Marine Plastic Debris for 2017-2025. With intense stakeholder involvement, it will include methods applied on national, sub-national and community levels of governance, market-based and techno-entrepreneurial solutions, education and outreach.
Effects of crude oil on survival and development in embryonated eggs in Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Decapoda, Portunidae)
Authors: Kelly Kelsie L. , Taylor Caz M.
Published: March 2018

Blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896, are ubiquitous along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. These organisms play an integral role in the ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), where not only are they a keystone species, but are also socioeconomically important. The survival of embryonated eggs is necessary to ensure adequate recruitment into the next generation. Because the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWH) occurred during the peak of the blue crab spawning season, the incident likely impacted blue crab embryos. In order to assess the effect of oil on embryonic growth and development, we collected embryonated eggs from seven different female blue crabs from the GOM throughout the spawning season and exposed them to an oil concentration of 500 ppb (the approximate concentration of oil at the surface water near the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig). Exposure to oil at this concentration caused a significantly larger proportion of prezoeae versus zoeae to hatch from embryonated eggs in experiments lasting longer than 4 days. Exposure to oil did not significantly affect overall survival or development rate. The prezoeal stage is a little-studied stage of blue crab development. Though it may or may not be a normal stage of development, this stage has been found to occur in suboptimal conditions and has lower survival than zoeal stages. The larger proportion of prezoeae following prolonged exposure to oil thus indicates that crude oil at concentrations likely to be experienced by crabs after the DWH spill negatively impacted the development of blue crab embryos. In addition to providing insight into the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, this study sheds light on embryonic development in blue crabs, a critical, but poorly investigated phase of this important species’ life cycle.
Evolution and cell-type specificity of human-specific genes preferentially expressed in progenitors of fetal neocortex
Authors: Florio Marta , Heide Michael , Pinson Anneline , Brandl Holger , Albert Mareike , Winkler Sylke , Wimberger Pauline , Huttner Wieland B , Hiller Michael
Published: March 2018

Understanding the molecular basis that underlies the expansion of the neocortex during primate, and notably human, evolution requires the identification of genes that are particularly active in the neural stem and progenitor cells of the developing neocortex. Here, we have used existing transcriptome datasets to carry out a comprehensive screen for protein-coding genes preferentially expressed in progenitors of fetal human neocortex. We show that 15 human-specific genes exhibit such expression, and many of them evolved distinct neural progenitor cell-type expression profiles and levels compared to their ancestral paralogs. Functional studies on one such gene, NOTCH2NL, demonstrate its ability to promote basal progenitor proliferation in mice. An additional 35 human genes with progenitor-enriched expression are shown to have orthologs only in primates. Our study provides a resource of genes that are promising candidates to exert specific, and novel, roles in neocortical development during primate, and notably human, evolution.
Dynamic freeze-in: impact of thermal masses and cosmological phase transitions on dark matter production
Authors: Baker Michael J. , Breitbach Moritz , Kopp Joachim , Mittnacht Lukas
Published: March 2018

Abstract

The cosmological abundance of dark matter can be significantly influenced by the temperature dependence of particle masses and vacuum expectation values. We illustrate this point in three simple freeze-in models. The first one, which we call kinematically induced freeze-in, is based on the observation that the effective mass of a scalar temporarily becomes very small as the scalar potential undergoes a second order phase transition. This opens dark matter production channels that are otherwise forbidden. The second model we consider, dubbed vev-induced freeze-in, is a fermionic Higgs portal scenario. Its scalar sector is augmented compared to the Standard Model by an additional scalar singlet, S, which couples to dark matter and temporarily acquires a vacuum expectation value (a two-step phase transition or “vev flip-flop”). While 〈S〉 ≠ 0, the modified coupling structure in the scalar sector implies that dark matter production is significantly enhanced compared to the 〈S〉 = 0 phases realised at very early times and again today. The third model, which we call mixing-induced freeze-in, is similar in spirit, but here it is the mixing of dark sector fermions, induced by non-zero 〈S〉, that temporarily boosts the dark matter production rate. For all three scenarios, we carefully dissect the evolution of the dark sector in the early Universe. We compute the DM relic abundance as a function of the model parameters, emphasising the importance of thermal corrections and the proper treatment of phase transitions in the calculation.
Cusp anomalous dimension and rotating open strings in AdS/CFT
Authors: Espíndola R. , García J. Antonio
Published: March 2018

Abstract

In the context of AdS/CFT we provide analytical support for the proposed duality between a Wilson loop with a cusp, the cusp anomalous dimension, and the meson model constructed from a rotating open string with high angular momentum. This duality was previously studied using numerical tools in [1]. Our result implies that the minimum of the profile function of the minimal area surface dual to the Wilson loop, is related to the inverse of the bulk penetration of the dual string that hangs from the quark-anti-quark pair (meson) in the gauge theory.
Resummed photon spectra for WIMP annihilation
Authors: Baumgart Matthew , Cohen Timothy , Moult Ian , Rodd Nicholas L. , Slatyer Tracy R. , Solon Mikhail P. , Stewart Iain W. , Vaidya Varun
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We construct an effective field theory (EFT) description of the hard photon spectrum for heavy WIMP annihilation. This facilitates precision predictions relevant for line searches, and allows the incorporation of non-trivial energy resolution effects. Our framework combines techniques from non-relativistic EFTs and soft-collinear effective theory (SCET), as well as its multi-scale extensions that have been recently introduced for studying jet substructure. We find a number of interesting features, including the simultaneous presence of SCETI and SCETII modes, as well as collinear-soft modes at the electroweak scale. We derive a factorization formula that enables both the resummation of the leading large Sudakov double logarithms that appear in the perturbative spectrum, and the inclusion of Sommerfeld enhancement effects. Consistency of this factorization is demonstrated to leading logarithmic order through explicit calculation. Our final result contains both the exclusive and the inclusive limits, thereby providing a unifying description of these two previously-considered approximations. We estimate the impact on experimental sensitivity, focusing for concreteness on an SU(2)
W
triplet fermion dark matter — the pure wino — where the strongest constraints are due to a search for gamma-ray lines from the Galactic Center. We find numerically significant corrections compared to previous results, thereby highlighting the importance of accounting for the photon spectrum when interpreting data from current and future indirect detection experiments.
Effect of Statin Therapy on Survival After Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Qun , Yang Han , Lin Qiuning , Hu Ming , Meng Yuanbiao , Qin Xiao
Published: March 2018

Background

No consensus exists on the effect of statin therapy on survival after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The objective of this review was to systematically review the literature to investigate whether statin therapy is associated with improved outcomes after AAA repair.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library to find relevant randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. Outcomes of interest included long‐term mortality and short‐term mortality and perioperative cardiac complications.

Results

Nine cohort studies and one post hoc study of a randomized controlled trial were included, giving a total of 28,496 enrolled patients. Compared with nonusers of statins, statin use was associated with significantly lower long‐term mortality (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.47–0.69, I2 = 70.1%), short‐term mortality (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38–0.98, I2 = 51.7%), and fewer perioperative cardiac complications (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26–0.80, I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

The results suggest that statin therapy has beneficial effects on survival after AAA repair and statins should be recommended to patients who will receive open or endovascular AAA repair. However, these findings mainly relied on data from cohort studies, and the high‐quality studies are still needed to further validate our conclusions.
Micro-Tremor Induced Gravity and Seismic Noise Spectra in the Garhwal Himalaya and the Adjoining Regions
Authors: Sathyaseelan Rajesh , Pappachen John P. , Mundepi Anil K.
Published: March 2018

The characteristic site response spectra of soft sedimentary rocks in the Garhwal Himalaya and a few localities in the adjoining Ganga plain and Himachal Himalaya have been studied through short period passive seismic source experiment using ambient noise data. Along with this, stand-alone temporal gravity data in the Doon valley was also acquired. It has been observed that there exist two extreme frequency bands in the gravity and seismic response spectra of alluvial soft sediments in the Doon valley and the adjoining regions, when it subjected to micro-seismic and gravity-tidal oscillation. The concept of damped harmonic oscillator was used to study the fundamental long period modes in the density driven diffusive fluid flow in the valley alluvial pore spaces, and observed that the flow was continued from minutes to a few days. In this case, apart from the diurnal component, the observed fundamental modes are in the bands from 0.42 to 1.83 days. The characteristic frequencies of seismic response spectra for the fundamental modes of thick soft sediments were also studied using the spectral ratio (HVSR) method of Nakamura. In the Ganga basin, a moderate resonant frequency of 3 Hz is sufficient for thick soft sediment to cause relatively large vertical amplitude, which suggest possibility for sub-surface secondary seismic effects like liquefaction. However, the hard rock terrains in the lesser Himalaya, where only a veneer of soft sediment is present, show relatively high frequency values of 15 to 18 Hz even to produce an H/V amplitude ratio of 1 and 1.7 and hence could be considered as relatively stable.
Correction to: New bounds for the Ostrowski-type inequalities via conformable fractional calculus
Authors: Usta Fuat , Budak Hüseyin , Tunç Tuba , Sarikaya Mehmet Zeki
Published: March 2018

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The financial support information was missing. It is given below:
Biological, environmental and socioeconomic threats to citrus lime production
Authors: Donkersley Philip , Silva Farley W. S. , Carvalho Claudine M. , Al-Sadi Abdullah M. , Elliot Simon L.
Published: March 2018

Limes as a fruit crop are of great economic importance, key to Asian and South American cuisines and cultivated in nearly all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Demand for limes is increasing, driven by World Health Organization recommendations. Pests and pathogens have significantly reduced global productivity, while changes in agronomic techniques aim to alleviate this stress. We present here a holistic examination of the major biotic (pests and pathogens) and abiotic (environment and socioeconomic) factors that presently limit global production of lime. The major producers of limes are India, China and Mexico, while loss of lime production in the United States from 2006 has led many countries in the Western Hemisphere (Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil) to export primarily to the USA. The most widespread invertebrate pests of lime areToxoptera citricidaandScirtothrips citri. Another insect,Diaphorina citri, vectors both Huanglongbing (HLB) and Witches Broom of Lime, which are particularly destructive diseases. Developing agronomic techniques focus on production of resistant and pathogen-free planting materials and control of insect vectors. HLB infects citrus in nearly all growing regions, and has been particularly devastating in Asian citrus. Meanwhile,Citrus tristeza virushas infected over 100 million citrus trees, mainly in the Americas and Mediterranean. Currently, Witches Broom Disease of Lime is localised to the Middle East, but recently it has been detected in South America. The range of its vectors (D. citriandHishimonus phycitis) further raises concerns about the potential spread of this disease. Abiotic threats to lime production are also a significant concern; key areas of lime production such as Mexico, India and the Middle East suffer from increasing water stress and high soil salinity, which combined with invasive pests and pathogens, may eliminate lime production in these areas. To ensure future security in lime production, policy makers, researchers and growers will need to examine the potential of more resistant lime cultivars and establish novel areas of cultivation.