bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Airway Mechanosensor Behavior during Application of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure
Authors: Guardiola Juan , Moffett Bryan , Li Huafeng , Punnakkattu Rajeesh , Moldoveanu Bogden , Liu Jun , Du Lei , Yu Jerry
Published: August 2014

Background: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is commonly used in clinical settings. It is expected to affect the input from slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors (SARs), leading to altered cardiopulmonary functions. However, we know little about how SARs behave during PEEP application. Objectives: Our study aimed to characterize the behavior of SARs during PEEP application. Methods: We recorded single-unit activities from 18 SARs in the cervical vagus nerve and examined their response to an increase of PEEP from 3 to 10 cm H2O for 20 min in anesthetized, open-chest and mechanically ventilated rabbits. Results: The mean activity of the units increased immediately from 35.7 to 80.5 impulses per second at the fifth breath after increasing PEEP (n = 14, p < 0.001) and then gradually returned to 56.5 impulses per second at the end of 20 min of PEEP application (p < 0.001). In the meantime, peak airway pressure increased from 9.3 to 32.7 cm H2O, and then gradually returned to 29.4 cm H2O (n = 18; p < 0.05) after 20 min. The remaining four units ceased firing at 34.7 s (range 10-56 s) after their initial increased activity upon 10 cm H2O PEEP application. The unit activity resumed as the PEEP was returned to 3 cm H2O. Conclusions: High PEEP stimulates SARs and SAR activity gradually returns towards the baseline via multiple mechanisms including receptor deactivation, neural habituation and mechanical adaptation. Understanding of the sensory inputs during PEEP application will assist in developing better strategies of mechanical ventilation.
Final Safety and Efficacy Analysis of a Phase I/II Trial with Imatinib and Vinorelbine for Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Maass Nicolai , Schem Christian , Bauerschlag Dirk O. , Tiemann Katharina , Schaefer Fritz W. , Hanson Sven , Muth Mathias , Baier Monika , Weigel Marion T. , Wenners Antonia S. , Alkatout Ibrahim , Bauer Maret , Jonat Walter , Mundhenke Christoph
Published: August 2014

Background: Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of BCR-ABL, ABL, PDGFR-α and -β, KIT, and DDR. In solid tumors, it inhibits proliferation and invasiveness and facilitates higher intratumoral cytotoxic drug concentrations. Vinorelbine has good tolerability and efficacy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of imatinib and vinorelbine in combination. Methods: In a prospective, open-label, phase I/II trial, 400 mg imatinib p.o. daily (corrected from 600 mg) was combined with an escalating dose of vinorelbine i.v. weekly in four dose levels of 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg/m2 (each n ≥ 5) to treat patients with MBC (expressing PDGFR-α and/or -β, and/or KIT). The last patient of each level was treated for >28 days, before enrolment for the next dose level started. Study endpoints were feasibility and tolerability, incidence of hematological and nonhematological toxicity, and clinical efficacy (data cutoff: November 18, 2011). A total of 33 patients have been enrolled, and all dose levels have been fully recruited. One patient is still on study medication. A translational subprotocol is ongoing. Results: All 33 included patients are evaluable for safety (32 within the ITT population). Eleven patients were excluded early from the study (progressive disease, toxicity, and withdrawal of consent). Twenty-two patients participated in the study for >28 days (‘ITT >28'). Within the ITT population, the response rate [complete response (CR) and partial response (PR)] was 9.4% (n = 3), the clinical benefit rate (CBR; CR+PR+stable disease) 50% (n = 16), and the median time to progression (TTP) 155 days. A total of 21.3% of the patients were on study medication for >6 months, and 15.2% for >12 months (mean 140 days, range 15-643). Within ‘ITT >28', the response rate was 13.6%, CBR 72.7%, and median TTP 176 days. The response was independent of the receptor status (PDGFR-α, -β, and KIT). Toxicities were as follows (safety population): 21.6% severe leukopenia, 9.1% severe neutropenia (with 1 febrile neutropenia), 1 case of bowel perforation, 36% diarrhea (3% severe), 84.8% nausea (severe 15.2%), 48.5% vomiting (severe 9.1%), 27.3% infections (severe 6.1%), 12.1% peripheral neuropathy (severe 9.1%), and 36.4% dyspnea (3% severe). Four patients on trial died (nondrug-related). Conclusion: The combination of imatinib and vinorelbine in MBC appeared to be feasible and tolerable. A CBR of 50% (ITT) in pretreated patients suggests that this combination may be active. Although toxicities were frequent, they appeared to be manageable.
Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza Extract Suppresses Rabbits' Hypertrophic Scar by Modulating the TGF-β/Smad Signal
Authors: Wu Chao , Jiang Jiemei , Boye Alex , Jiang Yufeng , Yang Yan
Published: August 2014

Background: Hypertrophic scar is a fibro-proliferative disease. Our previous studies demonstrate that compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE) inhibits proliferation and invasion in keloid fibroblasts. Objective: To investigate the effects of CASE on hypertrophic scar. Methods: Rabbits were divided into the control, model and three dosage groups of CASE (0.94, 1.88, 3.76%). An animal model of hypertrophic scar was established and treated with CASE ointment or ointment base. The histopathological detection by hematoxylin & eosin and Masson's trichrome staining and protein expression of scars by Western blot were performed. Results: The hydroxyproline content was decreased under CASE treatment. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) protein expression increased in the model group while it decreased under CASE treatment. The elevated expression of Smad4 protein was decreased under CASE treatment. Additionally, CASE promoted Smad7 protein expression. Conclusion: CASE could inhibit formation of hypertrophic scar by modulating TGF-β/Smad signal and may be useful for the treatment of hyperplastic scars.
Role of Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3-5 on Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Suzuki Hiromichi , Inoue Tsutomu , Dogi Mami , Kikuta Tomohiro , Takenaka Tsuneo , Okada Hirokazu
Published: August 2014

Background: The relationship between arterial stiffness and kidney function has not been clearly demonstrated although observations of higher arterial stiffness in patients with advanced stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) were reported. In longitudinal analyses, there was no close association between basal arterial stiffness and progression of kidney function in the general population. In the present study, we assessed the relationship between arterial stiffness and progression of renal dysfunction in patients with CKD stages 3-5 using two types of measures of arterial stiffness, i.e., carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), over a 10-year period. Methods: 110 patients with CKD stages 3-5 (aged 57.8 ± 10.6 years; female/male: 72/38) were followed for 10 years. Before and at the end of the 10-year period, cfPWV and baPWV were measured using form PWV/ABI (Omron Colin Co. Ltd.). Results: Throughout the study, systolic blood pressure was well-controlled in all patients. Twenty-nine patients (26%) received renal replacement therapy, 12 patients (11%) developed cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), 5 patients were found to have neoplasm, and 9 patients dropped out of the study during the 10-year observation period. In patients who developed end-stage renal disease, the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower, and in patients who developed CVD, the basal value of baPWV was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Throughout the study, blood pressures were controlled (136.1/77.0 ± 15.6/7.1 to 137.5/77.6 ± 14.9/11.2), kidney function worsened (eGFR, 30.8 ± 16.5 to 22.9 ± 17.6 ml/min/1.73 m2; p < 0.01), and baPWV but not cfPWV showed a significant change [1,672.2 ± 209.6 vs. 1,753.1 ± 333.2 cm/s (p = 0.04) and 918.9 ± 153.2 vs. 939.4 ± 133.2 cm/s]. Moreover, the difference in PWV between the start and the end of the 10-year observation period was positively correlated with the difference in eGFR. Conclusion: With moderate progression of renal dysfunction and under well-controlled blood pressure, peripheral but not central arterial stiffness is possibly one of the strongest predictors of CVD in patients with CKD stages 3-5. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Dexamethasone Upregulates Nox1 Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Siuda Daniel , Tobias Silke , Rus Alma , Xia Ning , Förstermann Ulrich , Li Huige
Published: August 2014

Background/Aim: It has been demonstrated that dexamethasone-induced hypertension can be prevented by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin. The effect of dexamethasone on NADPH oxidase, however, is unknown. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on the gene expression of Nox1, the major NADPH oxidase isoform in vascular smooth muscle cells. Results: Oral treatment of Wistar-Kyoto rats with dexamethasone (0.03 mg/kg/day) for 12 days led to an upregulation of Nox1 mRNA expression in the aorta. In cultured A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells, dexamethasone increased Nox1 mRNA expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The upregulation of Nox1 mRNA expression was completely prevented by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone. The effect of dexamethasone on Nox1 expression was likely to be indirect as it could be largely blocked by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis. Dexamethasone increased Nox1 mRNA stability as well as Nox1 transcription. The dexamethasone-induced Nox1 expression was completely prevented by scriptaid, a pan-inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDAC), indicating a crucial role for HDAC enzymes. In total, A7r5 cells expressed 8 HDAC isoforms, with HDAC1, 5, 6 and 7 being the most abundant ones. Knockdown of these 4 individual HDAC enzymes did not prevent the effect of dexamethasone on Nox1 expression, although HDAC5 knockdown markedly reduced basal Nox1 expression. Conclusion: Dexamethasone upregulates Nox1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. This effect involves the glucocorticoid receptor and HDAC enzymes.
Safety and Feasibility of Closed Chest Epicardial Catheter Ablation Using Electroporation
Authors: Neven Kars , van Driel Vincent , van Wessel Harry , van Es René , du Pré Bastiaan , Doevendans Pieter A. , Wittkampf Fred
Published: August 2014

Background—

Permanent coronary artery damage is a hazardous complication of epicardial radiofrequency ablation. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a promising nonthermal ablation modality able to create deep myocardial lesions. We investigated the effects of epicardial IRE on luminal coronary artery diameter and lesion depth.

Methods and Results—

In 5 pigs (60–75 kg), the pericardium was exposed using surgical subxiphoidal epicardial access. A custom deflectable octopolar 12-mm circular catheter with 2-mm ring electrodes was introduced in the pericardium via a steerable sheath. After coronary angiography (CAG), the proximal, mid, and distal left anterior descending, and circumflex coronary arteries were targeted with a single, cathodal 200 J application. CAG was repeated after IRE and after 3 months follow-up. Using quantitative CAG, the minimal luminal diameter at the lesion site was compared with the average of the diameters just proximal and distal to that lesion. Intimal hyperplasia and lesion size were measured histologically. CAG directly postablation demonstrated short-lasting luminal narrowing with normalization in the targeted area, suggestive of coronary spasm. After 3 months, all CAGs were identical to preablation CAGs: mean reference luminal diameter was 2.2±0.3 mm, mean luminal diameter at the lesion site was 2.1±0.3 mm (
P
=0.35). Average intimal hyperplasia in all arteries was 2±4%. Median lesion depth was 6.4±2.6 mm.

Conclusions—

Luminal coronary artery diameter remained unaffected 3 months after epicardial IRE, purposely targeting the coronary arteries. IRE can create deep lesions and is a safe modality for catheter ablation on or near coronary arteries.
Relationship Among Morning Blood Pressure Surge, 24-Hour Blood Pressure Variability, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in a White Population
Authors: Bombelli Michele , Fodri Danilo , Toso Elena , Macchiarulo Mario , Cairo Matteo , Facchetti Rita , Dell’Oro Raffaella , Grassi Guido , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: August 2014

Cardiovascular events have their greatest prevalence in the early morning period. Whether this is attributable to an arousal-dependent blood pressure (BP) increase is far from being clear. It is also not clear to what extent this phenomenon reflects overall 24-hour BP variability. In 2051 subjects (aged 25–74 years) representative of the population of Monza (Italy), we measured 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) and calculated the difference between the 2-hour average values after morning arousal and the lowest 3 or average 2-hour values before arousal (morning BP surge 1 and 2, respectively). For either measure, we sought the relationship with a variety of indices of 24-hour SBP variability and collected information on (1) the occurrence of cardiovascular and all cause deaths during a follow-up of ≈16 years and (2) the appearance of echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy after 10 years from the baseline visit. Morning SBP surge 1 was directly related to indices of 24-hour SBP variability, including those made independent on the magnitude of the day–night SBP difference. There was a weak positive relationship between morning SBP surge 1 and the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause death, which disappeared after adjustment for confounders. This was the case also for development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Morning SBP surge 2 was smaller, inconsistently related to 24-hour SBP variability and not at all related to fatal events or new-onset left ventricular hypertrophy. In a white population, morning BP surge was not found to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular death, all-cause death, or development of high cardiovascular risk (as documented by new-onset cardiac damage) even when appropriately assessed by measures that reflect its association with 24-hour BP variability.
Measurement-to-Measurement Blood Pressure Variability Is Related to Cognitive Performance
Authors: Crichton Georgina E. , Elias Merrill F. , Dore Gregory A. , Torres Rachael V. , Robbins Michael A.
Published: August 2014

The objective was to investigate the association between variability in blood pressure (BP) and cognitive function for sitting, standing, and reclining BP values and variability derived from all 15 measures. In previous studies, only sitting BP values have been examined, and only a few cognitive measures have been used. A secondary objective was to examine associations between BP variability and cognitive performance in hypertensive individuals stratified by treatment success. Cross-sectional analyses were performed on 972 participants of the Maine Syracuse Study for whom 15 serial BP clinic measures (5 sitting, 5 recumbent, and 5 standing) were obtained before testing of cognitive performance. Using all 15 measures, higher variability in systolic and diastolic BP was associated with poorer performance on multiple measures of cognitive performance, independent of demographic factors, cardiovascular risk factors, and pulse pressure. When sitting, reclining, and standing systolic BP values were compared, only variability in standing BP was related to measures of cognitive performance. However, for diastolic BP, variability in all 3 positions was related to cognitive performance. Mean BP values were weaker predictors of cognition. Furthermore, higher overall variability in both systolic and diastolic BP was associated with poorer cognitive performance in unsuccessfully treated hypertensive individuals (with BP ≥140/90 mm Hg), but these associations were not evident in those with controlled hypertension.
Did Cuts in State Aid During the Great Recession Lead to Changes in Local Property Taxes?
Authors: Chakrabarti Rajashri , Livingston Max , Roy Joydeep
Published: August 2014

The Great Recession led to marked declines in state revenue. In this paper we investigate whether (and how) local school districts modified their funding and taxing decisions in response to state aid declines in the post-recession period. Our results reveal school districts responded to state aid cuts in the post-recession period by countering these cuts. Relative to the pre-recession period, a unit decrease in state aid was associated with a relative increase in local funding. To further probe the school district role, we explore whether the property tax rate, which reflects decisions of districts facing budgetary needs, responded to state aid cuts. We find, relative to the pre-recession period, the post-recession period was characterized by a strong negative relationship between property tax rate and state aid per pupil. We also find important heterogeneities in these responses by region, property wealth, and importance of School Tax Relief Program revenue in district budgets.
Unintended Consequences: The Impact of Proposition 2½ Overrides on School Segregation in Massachusetts
Authors: Zabel Jeffrey
Published: August 2014

I investigate a possible unintended consequence of Proposition 2½ override behavior—that it led to increased segregation in school districts in Massachusetts. This can occur because richer, low-minority towns tend to have more successful override votes that attract similar households with relatively high demands for public services who can afford to pay for them. To evaluate this hypothesis, I collect panel data on override behavior from 1982 to 2012 and merge this with data on school district enrollments and other district- and town-level characteristics. I find evidence that passing overrides earmarked for schools results in a significant decrease in the percent of nonwhite students enrolled in Massachusetts school districts. This happens in districts with below-average nonwhite school enrollments, and hence increases segregation.
Tax Increment Financing and Education Expenditures: The Case of Iowa
Authors: Nguyen-Hoang Phuong
Published: August 2014

This is the first study to directly examine the relationship between tax increment financing (TIF) and education expenditures, using the state of Iowa as a case study. I find that greater use of TIF is associated with reduced education expenditures. I also find little evidence to support the commonly held proposition that school spending increases when TIF districts expire. Finally, the negative price effect of TIF on education spending is increasingly larger for school districts in lower wealth or income groups compared with their counterparts in higher wealth or income groups. The negative, though small, effect of TIF on education spending, coupled with no gain from the often-claimed long-run benefits of TIF, justifies policy measures to protect school districts from TIF.
The Rise of School-Supporting Nonprofits
Authors: Nelson Ashlyn Aiko , Gazley Beth
Published: August 2014

This paper examines voluntary contributions to public education via charitable school foundations, booster clubs, parent teacher associations, and parent teacher organizations. We use panel data on school-supporting charities with national coverage from 1995 to 2010, which we geocode and match to school districts. We document the meteoric rise of school-supporting nonprofits during this panel, and then estimate a series of regression models to examine the distributional consequences of voluntary contributions. We find relatively large districts have higher probabilities of receiving revenues from a school-supporting nonprofit but the level of per-pupil voluntary contributions declines with student enrollment. In addition, we find school districts with higher endowments have higher probabilities of being served by at least one school-supporting nonprofit and higher levels of per-pupil contributions. Finally, we find no evidence that impressive recent growth in the number and financial size of these school-supporting charities relates to reductions in the public financing of schools.
So Slow to Change: The Limited Growth of Nontax Revenues in Public Education Finance, 1991–2010
Authors: Downes Tom , Killeen Kieran M.
Published: August 2014

We examine changes in the use of nontax revenues for education finance from 1991 to 2010. Beyond the summary of usage over time, we ask whether nontraditional revenues like fees accentuate or mitigate the impact of downturns. More generally, we examine the extent to which school districts have responded to fiscal pressures by turning to nontax revenues. We also document the extent to which the use of nontax revenues varies across districts according to student poverty status. We show that alternative revenues continue to be a small source of local revenues and have increased quite little since the early 1990s. There was at most a minimal shift to nontax revenues in downturns, though there is evidence of greater use of these revenues among school districts facing more permanent fiscal pressures like tax limits. Differential access to fee revenues and other alternative revenues during downturns may slightly accentuate inequities in K–12 education spending.
Prosthetic Abilities: Conceptualizing Sound Machines for Amplified Elephants
Authors: Hullick James
Published: August 2014

This article discusses how an understanding of prosthetic imagining has influenced the making of sound machines for the Amplified Elephants—a group of sound artists living with intellectual disabilities. This research is contextualized through the discussion of relevant precedent artists: performance artist Stelarc and sound artist Ernie Althoff. The article presents the point that sound art (including music) is a predominantly prosthetic art form; sound-making devices (including traditional musical instruments) can be conceived of as prosthetic audio devices. Investigating notions of prosthesis can inform us further on the human condition.
Draba dongchuanensis (Brassicaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China
Authors: Al-Shehbaz Ihsan A. , Yue Ji-Pei , Deng Tao , Chen Hong-liang
Published: August 2014

Draba dongchuanensis is described, illustrated, and compared with several, primarily Himalayan and Tibetan species, including D. amplexicaulis, D. draboides, D. mongolica, D. polyphylla, D. setosa, and D. surculosa. From these, it is readily distinguished from all of the Himalayan species of Draba by a combination of strongly dilated filament bases, setose basal leaves, and auriculate middle cauline leaves.
Gastrodia flexistyloides (Orchidaceae), a new mycoheterotrophic plant with complete cleistogamy from Japan
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji
Published: August 2014

A new species, Gastrodia flexistyloides (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae) from Takeshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. In its trilobed column with a strongly incurved central lobe, this species shows a close affinity to G. flexistyla from Taiwan, but it is easily distinguished from G. flexistyla by several characteristics, including taller stature during the flowering period and completely cleistogamous flowers with a smaller and narrower perianth tube.
Polystichum hagiangense (subg. Haplopolystichum; Dryopteridaceae), a new fern species from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam
Authors: Lu Ngan Thi , Zhang Liang , Zhang Li-Bing
Published: August 2014

A new fern species, Polystichum hagiangense belonging to P. subg. Haplopolystichum (Dryopteridaceae), is described and illustrated from Ha Giang Province in northern Vietnam. Polystichum hagiangense is most similar to P. minutissimum by having a small habit (lamina 3.6–5.8 × 1.0–1.6 cm), but the former has the widest part of the lamina close to the base and ovate and larger pinnae (5.3–8.2 × 3.2–5.8 mm). In contrast, the latter has the widest part of the lamina above the middle and nearly rectangular and smaller pinnae (2.9−5.8 × 2.8−4.5 mm). Also, the two species have different ecological requirements. Polystichum hagiangense was found on limestone cliffs in forest at an elevation of 1290 m with dry and light conditions, while P. minutissimum grows on dripping limestone walls and stalactites inside a karst cave at an elevation of 750 m with humid and shady conditions. Polystichum hagiangense is currently known only from a single population occurring at Bat Dai Son community in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, and would be classified as Critically Endangered (CR), following IUCN Red List criteria.
Parapercis nigrodorsalis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae), a new species of sandperch from northern New Zealand and the Norfolk Ridge, Tasman Sea and remarks on P. binivirgata (Waite, 1904)
Authors: JOHNSON JEFFREY W. , STRUTHERS CARL D. , WILMER JESSICA WORTHINGTON
Published: August 2014

A new species of pinguipedid fish, Parapercis nigrodorsalis, is described from 17 specimens collected off the North Island of New Zealand and Wanganella Bank, Norfolk Ridge, Tasman Sea, in depths of 56–280 m. The species has also been photographed underwater off the Poor Knights Islands Reserve and Burgess Island, Mokohinau Group, in New Zealand. It is most similar to Parapercis binivirgata (Waite, 1904) in morphology, coloration and meristic values, but is unique among the genus in having a combination of dorsal-fin rays V, 23, anal-fin rays I, 19, lateral-line scales 57–63, vomer with 1–2 irregular rows of robust conical teeth, palatines with 1–2 rows of small teeth, angle of subopercle smooth, 10 abdominal and 22 caudal vertebrae, and coloration, including seven broad reddish-brown bands on the upper body between the spinous dorsal-fin and the caudal peduncle, most bands bifurcated into close-set double bars with black smudge-like blotches below, and membrane of the spinous dorsal fin black. Comparison of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO 1) genetic marker utilised in DNA barcoding produced a genetic divergence of 5.38% and 7.63% between the new species and its two closest sampled congeners. The holotype of P. binivirgata is identified from two specimens previously regarded as syntypes, some revisions are made to meristic data in the original description of the latter, and a detailed description of the revised geographic range of P. binivirgata is provided.
Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. VII. Fergusobia from ‘leafy’ leaf bud galls in Australia, with re-description of Fergusobia tumifaciens (Currie 1937) Wachek 1955 and descriptions of Fergusobia planchonianae n. sp. and Fergusobia viminalisae n. sp.
Authors: Davies KERRIE A. , YE WEIMIN , Giblin-Davis ROBIN M. , TAYLOR GARY S. , Hodda Mike , THOMAS W. KELLEY
Published: August 2014

Fergusobia tumifaciens (Currie 1937) Wachek 1955, the type species for the genus Fergusobia, is re-described from specimens collected from ‘leafy’ leaf bud galls on Eucalyptus bridgesiana near Albury in New South Wales, Australia. It is morphologically characterized by the combination of an open C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a small broadly conoid tail, a C-shaped infective female with a bluntly rounded tail tip, and an arcuate to J-shaped male with angular spicules, not heavily sclerotised, and short to mid-length peloderan bursa. Two new species of Fergusobia, collected from ‘leafy’ leaf bud galls on, respectively, Eucalyptus planchoniana in Queensland, and E. viminalis in South Australia, Australia, are described. Fergusobia planchonianae Davies n. sp. is characterised by the combination of a C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a conoid tail, an arcuate infective female with an hemispherical tail tip, and an almost straight to arcuate to C-shaped male with an angular spicule, a long peloderan bursa and a narrow tail. Fergusobia viminalisae Davies n. sp. is characterised by the combination of an open C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a broadly conoid tail, a C-shaped infective female with a bluntly rounded tail tip, and an arcuate to J-shaped male with an angular (not heavily sclerotised) spicule and short to mid-length peloderan bursa. The shield morphologies of the fly larvae associated with the ‘leafy’ leaf bud galls and their possible relationships are outlined. Possible evolutionary relationships of the Fergusobia nematodes from these galls are discussed, considering their morphology, DNA sequences, and the relationships of the associated Fergusonina flies and host plants.
Mexorchestia: a new genus of talitrid amphipod (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae) from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, with the description of a new species and two new subspecies
Authors: Wildish David J. , LeCroy Sara E.
Published: August 2014

Two species of supralittoral Tethorchestia were reported by Bousfield (1984) to occur on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and closely adjacent waters: T. antillensis Bousfield, 1984 from Quintana Roo, Mexico and an undescribed species, Tethorchestia sp. B of Bousfield (1984), from Florida and the U.S. Gulf coast. In this paper, we rediagnose and illustrate the former taxon based on material from Goodland Bay, Florida, which represents a range extension for that species. We examined the latter taxon from many locations throughout the Gulf of Mexico using classical morphology, epidermal pigment pattern recognition and allometry, reinforced by molecular markers (mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I, Radulovici 2012), determining that Tethorchestia sp. B represents a new genus and species, comprising two subspecies. The nominate subspecies, Mexorchestia carpenteri carpenteri n. gen., sp. and subsp., is described from Tiger Tail Beach, Florida, based on conventional morphological criteria and its distinctive epidermal pigment patterns. The Tiger Tail Beach ecotope of M. c. carpenteri n. gen., sp. and subsp. was distinct from that of other locations examined in Florida and was associated with epidermal pigment pattern polymorphism, absent at other locations. A second subspecies, distinguished by differences in size, number of articles in the flagellum of antenna 2, the number of marginal setae on oostegite 2 of the female and the number of distal dorsolateral robust setae on the telson, was found in samples from Belize and Mexico. This subspecies is described from material collected at Turneffe Island, Belize, as Mexorchestia carpenteri raduloviciae n. gen., sp. and subsp. Like M. c. carpenteri n. gen., sp. and subsp., this taxon is also associated with epidermal pigment pattern polymorphism. A key is provided for the three currently described species of Tethorchestia (two extant) and two new subspecies of Mexorchestia n.gen.
Lectotype designations and new synonymies in the Neotropical bee genus Centris Fabricius, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: RASMUSSEN CLAUS , VIVALLO FELIPE
Published: August 2014

Ten name-bearing specimens of Centris Fabricius deposited in the Hungarian Natural History Museum are examined and nine lectotypes are designated for the following species: C. atripes Mocsáry, 1899; C. flavilabris boliviensis Mocsáry, 1899; C. facialis Mocsáry, 1899; C. fusciventris Mocsáry, 1899; C. mariae Mocsáry, 1896; C. minuta Mocsáry, 1899; C. obsoleta pleuralis Friese, 1901; C. proxima Friese, 1899, and C. vidua Mocsáry, 1899. Two names are newly established as synonyms: C. nitida geminata Cockerell, 1914 syn. nov. = C. facialis Mocsáry, 1899; C. pleuralis Friese, 1901 syn. nov. = C. obsoleta Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, 1841. Comments on the repository of the holotype of C. horvathi Friese are also provided.
Parameterization of Cloud Microphysics Based on the Prediction of Bulk Ice Particle Properties. Part II: Case Study Comparisons with Observations and Other Schemes
Authors: Morrison Hugh , Milbrandt Jason A. , Bryan George H. , Ikeda Kyoko , Tessendorf Sarah A. , Thompson Gregory
Published: August 2014

A new microphysics scheme has been developed based on the prediction of bulk particle properties for a single ice-phase category, in contrast to the traditional approach of separating ice into various predefined species (e.g., cloud ice, snow, and graupel). In this paper, the new predicted particle properties (P3) scheme, described in Part I of this series, is tested in three-dimensional simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model for two contrasting well-observed cases: a midlatitude squall line and winter orographic precipitation. Results are also compared with simulations using other schemes in WRF. Simulations with P3 can produce a wide variety of particle characteristics despite having only one free ice-phase category. For the squall line, it produces dense, fast-falling, hail-like ice near convective updraft cores and lower-density, slower-falling ice elsewhere. Sensitivity tests show that this is critical for simulating high precipitation rates observed along the leading edge of the storm. In contrast, schemes that represent rimed ice as graupel, with lower fall speeds than hail, produce lower peak precipitation rates and wider, less distinct, and less realistic regions of high convective reflectivity. For the orographic precipitation case, P3 produces areas of relatively fast-falling ice with characteristics of rimed snow and low- to medium-density graupel on the windward slope. This leads to less precipitation on leeward slopes and more on windward slopes compared to the other schemes that produce large amounts of snow relative to graupel (with generally the opposite for schemes with significant graupel relative to snow). Overall, the new scheme produces reasonable results for a reduced computational cost.
Clarifying the Roles of Greenhouse Gases and ENSO in Recent Global Warming through Their Prediction Performance
Authors: Triacca Umberto , Pasini Antonello , Attanasio Alessandro , Giovannelli Alessandro , Lippi Marco
Published: August 2014

It is well known that natural external forcings and decadal-to-millennial variability drove changes in the climate system throughout the Holocene. Regarding recent times, attribution studies have shown that greenhouse gases (GHGs) determined the trend of temperature (T) in the last half century, while circulation patterns contributed to modify its interannual, decadal, or multidecadal behavior over this period. Here temperature predictions based on vector autoregressive models (VARs) have been used to study the influence of GHGs and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on recent temperature behavior. It is found that in the last decades of steep temperature increase, ENSO shows just a very short-range influence on T, while GHGs are dominant for each forecast horizon. Conversely and quite surprisingly, in the previous quasi-stationary period the influences of GHGs and ENSO are comparable, even at longer range. Therefore, if the recent hiatus in global temperatures should persist into the near future, an enhancement of the role of ENSO can be expected. Finally, the predictive ability of GHGs is more evident in the Southern Hemisphere, where the temperature series is smoother.
A Framework for Anchor Methods and an Iterative Forward Approach for DIF Detection
Authors: Kopf Julia , Zeileis Achim , Strobl Carolin
Published: August 2014

In differential item functioning (DIF) analysis, a common metric is necessary to compare item parameters between groups of test-takers. In the Rasch model, the same restriction is placed on the item parameters in each group to define a common metric. However, the question how the items in the restriction—termed anchor items—are selected appropriately is still a major challenge. This article proposes a conceptual framework for categorizing anchor methods: The anchor class to describe characteristics of the anchor methods and the anchor selection strategy to guide how the anchor items are determined. Furthermore, the new iterative forward anchor class is proposed. Several anchor classes are implemented with different anchor selection strategies and are compared in an extensive simulation study. The results show that the new anchor class combined with the single-anchor selection strategy is superior in situations where no prior knowledge about the direction of DIF is available.
The resilient Chinese in Australia: Ethnicity, identity and ‘Chineseness’
Authors: Pulla Venkat , Woods Jennifer
Published: August 2014

This review essay discusses the multigenerational ethnicity of Chinese people in Australia, particularly those who are long settled and Australian-born. The recent book by Ngan and Chan, The Chinese Face in Australia: Multi-generational Ethnicity among Australian-born Chinese provides an exploration of those Australian-born Chinese (ABCs) who having been long settled in Australia, still retain their own unique Chinese ethnicity. In comparison, the article by Tung and Chung explores the way in which a diaspora can contribute to the economic operations of both the country of origin and the diasporic host country, and further explores the changes in the views of the Chinese in Australia with the changes they experienced over the course of Australian history. This essay begins with an historical account of Chinese settlement in Australia, identifying the ways in which ‘Chineseness’ is perceived and performed in the social context, within the home, within the ethnic community and comparatively within the global Chinese diaspora. The review further delves into discrimination of the basis of ethnicity and considers the ways in which Chinese have coped with racism, utilizing ethnic and cultural coping, building their resilience to continue forward. Finally, the review probes the life course theory to determine its relevance to long settled ABCs and their ethnicity as well as the impact of linkages on this ethnicity and attempts to answer the question: Is hybridism, the process that sees members of a diaspora forming hybrid identities within the host society, a way out?
African Philosophy: The State of its Historiography
Authors: Oguejiofor J. Obi
Published: August 2014

Departing from Charles Taylor’s statement that philosophy is inescapably historical, the paper tries to examine several attempts to write the history of African philosophy. It notes that contrary to the experience of many other regional philosophies there is yet no comprehensive history of African philosophy which takes full account of its the different spectrums and periods. A good number of authors who have tried to recount the history of African philosophy have dwelt only on aspects or periods of that philosophy thus precluding the advantage of presenting African philosophy as a coherent whole. An examination of the weakness and the strong points of some of these works leads to the assertion of the necessity of comprehensive history of African philosophy, as well as a weighing of the possible reasons why no serious attempt have been made in that direction. Writing such a work will be the last complement of the History of Africa.
Genetic Predisposition Increases the Tic Severity, Rate of Comorbidities, and Psychosocial and Educational Difficulties in Children With Tourette Syndrome
Authors: Eysturoy Absalon Niclas , Skov Liselotte , Debes Nanette Mol
Published: August 2014

This study aimed to examine whether there are differences in tic severity, comorbidities, and psychosocial and educational consequences in children with Tourette syndrome and genetic predisposition to Tourette syndrome compared with children with Tourette syndrome without genetic predisposition to Tourette syndrome. A total of 314 children diagnosed with Tourette syndrome participated in this study. Validated diagnostic tools were used to assess tic severity, comorbidities, and cognitive performance. A structured interview was used to evaluate psychosocial and educational consequences related to Tourette syndrome. The children with Tourette syndrome and genetic predisposition present with statistically significant differences in terms of severity of tics, comorbidities, and a range of psychosocial and educational factors compared with the children with Tourette syndrome without genetic predisposition. Professionals need to be aware of genetic predisposition to Tourette syndrome, as children with Tourette syndrome and genetic predisposition have more severe symptoms than those children with Tourette syndrome who are without genetic predisposition.
Intracranial Saccular Aneurysm in a Child With Only Persistent Headache
Authors: Güngör Olcay , Özkaya Ahmet Kağan , Dilber Cengiz , Çinar Celal
Published: August 2014

Headache is one of the common symptoms of intracranial aneursym. A 5-year-old child lately presented to our pediatric emergency department with persistent headache. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 7×8 mm rounded lesion with slowly heterogeneous low signal in T2 sequence consistent with a partial occluded aneurysm, in the right medial frontal lobe that close to anterior cerebral artery. Intracranial aneurysms are rare in children and they are noncommon without complications as our case.
Improving Enteral Delivery Through the Adoption of the “Feed Early Enteral Diet Adequately for Maximum Effect (FEED ME)” Protocol in a Surgical Trauma ICU
Authors: Taylor Beth , Brody Rebecca , Denmark Robert , Southard Robert , Byham‐Gray Laura
Published: August 2014

Background: Despite the research supporting adequate enteral nutrition (EN) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, underfeeding is still common. This quality improvement (QI) project was done to determine the effect of “volume‐based” feeding on adequacy of EN delivery and provision of calories and protein in a surgical/trauma ICU (STICU). Materials and Methods: Mechanically ventilated STICU patients (n = 111) fed at least 72 hours after achieving their target goal of EN during their first week of admission were reviewed retrospectively in a QI project. Data were obtained before (n = 54) and after (n = 56) initiation of a “volume‐based” feeding protocol (FEED ME—Feed Early Enteral Diet adequately for Maximum Effect). Results: The proportion of EN volume and calories delivered increased significantly (rate based, 63% ± 20%; FEED ME, 89% ± 9%; P < .0001), as did grams of protein/kg actual body weight (1.13 ± .29 to 1.26 ± .37; P = .036) using the FEED ME protocol. Groups were similar in patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and nutrition practices. Only slightly more diarrhea (rate based, 0; FEED ME, 6; P = .046) in gastric‐fed patients was noted. The incidence of gastric residual volume >350 mL (rate‐based, 20 episodes; FEED ME, 11 episodes; P = .34) and emesis (5 vs 2 episodes; P = .22) was similar. Conclusion: A change in standard of practice to an EN volume‐based feeding approach in a STICU led to a significant improvement in adequacy of calories and protein delivered, with only a slight increase in diarrhea.
Behaviour of turbulent Prandtl/Schmidt number in compressible mixing layer
Authors: Javed Afroz , Rajan NKS , Chakraborty Debasis
Published: August 2014

The behaviour of turbulent Prandtl/Schmidt number is explored through the model-free simulation results. It has been observed that compressibility affects the Reynolds scalar flux vectors. Reduced peak values are also observed for compressible convective Mach number mixing layer as compared with the incompressible convective Mach number counterpart, indicating a reduction in the mixing of enthalpy and species. Prt and Sct variations also indicate a reduction in mixing. It is observed that unlike the incompressible case, it is difficult to assign a constant value to these numbers due to their continuous variation in space. Modelling of Prt and Sct would be necessary to cater for this continuous spatial variation. However, the turbulent Lewis number is evaluated to be near unity for the compressible case, making it necessary to model only one of the Prt and Sct..
High-precision control for double-gimbal magnetically suspended control moment gyro via composite anti-disturbance control
Authors: Peng Cong , Fang Jiancheng
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a composite anti-disturbance control method for the magnetic bearing system in a double-gimbal magnetically suspended control moment gyro (DGMSCMG) with mismatched disturbances. The proposed method combines a state-space disturbance observer and a robust controller for rejecting and attenuating the external disturbances and model uncertainties. By stabilizing the state variables to different equilibrium points, the mismatched disturbances are transformed to be matched with the control input variable. One novel merit of the proposed method is its ability to deal with the mismatched influence via the disturbance observer. Experimental results conducted on the DGMSCMG system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Numerical investigation in chaos characteristics of macro-mixing efficiency of two-dimensional supersonic mixing layer
Authors: Yu Jiang-Fei , Liu Wei-Dong , Sun Ming-Bo , Tan Jian-Guo , Zhang Wei-Hua
Published: August 2014

Coherent structures of two-dimensional supersonic turbulent mixing layers with the engineering background have been investigated numerically with large eddy simulation method. The chaos characteristics of transverse sections of mixing layer flowfield have been obtained through the analyses of two chaos characteristic parameters, Lyapunov exponent and correlation dimension. The results show that under the conditions of the present numerical simulations and physical models, the distribution of correlation dimension is roughly consistent with that of streamwise turbulent intensity at transverse sections of mixing layers through analysis of nonlinear time series, as may be used to measure the macro-mixing efficiency of mixing layers quantitatively. The distribution of maximal Lyapunov exponent could be used to validate the quantitative results. Therefore, a potential experimental method measuring the thickness of mixing layers with low costs on the basis of chaos characteristic parameters has been proposed firstly.
Prevalence of oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS children in highly active antiretroviral therapy era. A literature analysis
Authors: Gaitán-Cepeda Luis Alberto , Sánchez-Vargas Octavio , Castillo Nydia
Published: August 2014

Summary

Highly active antiretroviral therapy has decreased the morbidity and mortality related to HIV infection, including oral opportunistic infections. This paper offers an analysis of the scientific literature on the epidemiological aspects of oral candidiasis in HIV-positive children in the combination antiretroviral therapy era. An electronic databases search was made covering the highly active antiretroviral therapy era (1998 onwards). The terms used were oral lesions, oral candidiasis and their combination with highly active antiretroviral therapy and HIV/AIDS children. The following data were collected from each paper: year and country in which the investigation was conducted, antiretroviral treatment, oral candidiasis prevalence and diagnostic parameters (clinical or microbiological). Prevalence of oral candidiasis varied from 2.9% in American HIV-positive children undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy to 88% in Chilean HIV-positive children without antiretroviral therapy. With respect to geographical location and antiretroviral treatment, higher oral candidiasis prevalence in HIV-positive children on combination antiretroviral therapy/antiretroviral therapy was reported in African children (79.1%) followed by 45.9% reported in Hindu children. In HIV-positive Chilean children on no antiretroviral therapy, high oral candidiasis prevalence was reported (88%) followed by Nigerian children (80%). Oral candidiasis is still frequent in HIV-positive children in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era irrespective of geographical location, race and use of antiretroviral therapy.