bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Biochemical Alteration in Animal Model after Short‐Term Exposure of Jatropha curcas (Linn) Leaf Extract
Authors: Igbinosa Osamuyimen O. , Oviasogie Efosa F. , Igbinosa Etinosa O. , Igene Otibhor , Igbinosa Isoken H. , Idemudia Omoruyi G.
Published: May 2013

This study aims to evaluate potential toxic effect of Jatropha curcas leaves methanol extract on laboratory rats as well as determine its LD50. A total of 80 male Wistar rats were used as the experimental animals, 40 for LD50 determination and the other 40 for toxicity study. Based on the pretest that was done in order to establish a range of toxicity, 4 dosages (86.00, 58.00, 46.00, and 34.0 kg/body weight) were chosen. The rats were randomly assigned into four groups with 10 rats in each group. Rats in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were given 0 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg body weight of Jatropha curcas extract, respectively, by oral intubation for 21 days. Thereafter, clinical signs, change in body weight, toxicity symptoms, and biochemical parameters were obtained. The LD50 at 95% confidence limits for rats was 46.0 mg/kg body weight (44.95–52.69 mg/kg body mass). There was no clinical and biochemical signs of toxicity when the extract was administered at 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight, respectively (P > 0.05). Results obtained from this study suggest that liver, kidney, and haematological system of rats tolerated methanolic leave extract of Jatropha curcas at a certain concentration.
Anaesthetic Management of Parturient with Acute Atrial Fibrillation for Emergency Caesarean Section
Authors: Gupta Madhu , Subramanian Shalini , Adlakha Preeti
Published: May 2013

A 31-year-antenatal lady with critical mitral stenosis presented for emergency caesarean section with fetal distress. She had acute onset atrial fibrillation. She was given a combined spinal epidural (CSE) anaesthesia and her arrhythmia was successfully managed after delivery of the baby with intravenous calcium channel blocker. Mitral stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease complicating pregnancy in developing countries. The physiological changes during pregnancy may exacerbate their cardiac symptoms. They may present with complications like congestive cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation, or pulmonary thromboembolism during the antenatal, intrapartum, or postpartum period. Here we discuss the management of parturient woman with high maternal and fetal risk presenting for emergency caesarean. The merits of regional anaesthesia and the importance of invasive monitoring are also discussed.
g‐Weak Contraction in Ordered Cone Rectangular Metric Spaces
Authors: Malhotra S. K. , Sharma J. B. , Shukla Satish
Published: May 2013

We prove some common fixed‐point theorems for the ordered g‐weak contractions in cone rectangular metric spaces without assuming the normality of cone. Our results generalize some recent results from cone metric and cone rectangular metric spaces into ordered cone rectangular metric spaces. Examples are provided which illustrate the results.
Approximation Analysis for a Common Fixed Point of Finite Family of Mappings Which Are Asymptoticallyk-Strict Pseudocontractive in the Intermediate Sense
Authors: Zegeye H. , Shahzad N.
Published: May 2013

We introduce an iterative process which converges strongly to a common fixed point of a finite family of uniformly continuous asymptoticallyki-strict pseudocontractive mappings in the intermediate sense fori=1,2,…,N. The projection ofx0onto the intersection of closed convex setsCnandQnfor eachn≥1is not required. Moreover, the restriction that the interior of common fixed points is nonempty is not required. Our theorems improve and unify most of the results that have been proved for this important class of nonlinear mappings.
Directly Solving Special Second Order Delay Differential Equations Using Runge-Kutta-Nyström Method
Authors: Mechee M. , Ismail F. , Senu N. , Siri Z.
Published: May 2013

Runge-Kutta-Nyström (RKN) method is adapted for solving the special second order delay differential equations (DDEs). The stability polynomial is obtained when this method is used for solving linear second order delay differential equation. A standard set of test problems is solved using the method together with a cubic interpolation for evaluating the delay terms. The same set of problems is reduced to a system of first order delay differential equations and then solved using the existing Runge-Kutta (RK) method. Numerical results show that the RKN method is more efficient in terms of accuracy and computational time when compared to RK method. The methods are applied to a well-known problem involving delay differential equations, that is, the Mathieu problem. The numerical comparison shows that both methods are in a good agreement.
Fabrication of Novel Biodegradable α‐Tricalcium Phosphate Cement Set by Chelating Capability of Inositol Phosphate and Its Biocompatibility
Authors: Konishi Toshiisa , Mizumoto Minori , Honda Michiyo , Horiguchi Yukiko , Oribe Kazuya , Morisue Hikaru , Ishii Ken , Toyama Yoshiaki , Matsumoto Morio , Aizawa Mamoru
Published: May 2013

Biodegradable α‐tricalcium phosphate (α‐TCP) cement based on the chelate‐setting mechanism of inositol phosphate (IP6) was developed. This paper examined the effect of the milling time of α‐TCP powder on the material properties of the cement. In addition, biocompatibility of the result cement in vitro using osteoblasts and in vivo using rabbit models will be studied as well. The α‐TCP powders were ballmilled using ZrO2 beads in pure water for various durations up to 270 minutes, with a single‐phase α‐TCP obtained at ballmilling for 120 minutes. The resulting cement was mostly composed of α‐TCP phase, and the compressive strength of the cement was 8.5 ± 1.1 MPa, which suggested that the cements set with keeping the crystallite phase of starting cement powder. The cell‐culture test indicated that the resulting cements were biocompatible materials. In vivo studies showed that the newly formed bones increased with milling time at a slight distance from the cement specimens and grew mature at 24 weeks, and the surface of the cement was resorbed by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐(TRAP‐)positive osteoclast‐like cells until 24 weeks of implantation. The present α‐TCP cement is promising for application as a novel paste‐like artificial bone with biodegradability and osteoconductivity.
Controlling Foam Morphology of Poly(methyl methacrylate) via Surface Chemistry and Concentration of Silica Nanoparticles and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Process Parameters
Authors: Rende Deniz , Schadler Linda S. , Ozisik Rahmi
Published: May 2013

Polymer nanocomposite foams have received considerable attention because of their potential use in advanced applications such as bone scaffolds, food packaging, and transportation materials due to their low density and enhanced mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties compared to traditional polymer foams. In this study, silica nanofillers were used as nucleating agents and supercritical carbon dioxide as the foaming agent. The use of nanofillers provides an interface upon which CO2 nucleates and leads to remarkably low average cell sizes while improving cell density (number of cells per unit volume). In this study, the effect of concentration, the extent of surface modification of silica nanofillers with CO2‐philic chemical groups, and supercritical carbon dioxide process conditions on the foam morphology of poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, were systematically investigated to shed light on the relative importance of material and process parameters. The silica nanoparticles were chemically modified with tridecafluoro‐1,1,2,2‐tetrahydrooctyl triethoxysilane leading to three different surface chemistries. The silica concentration was varied from 0.85 to 3.2% (by weight). The supercritical CO2 foaming was performed at four different temperatures (40, 65, 75, and 85°C) and between 8.97 and 17.93 MPa. By altering the surface chemistry of the silica nanofiller and manipulating the process conditions, the average cell diameter was decreased from 9.62 ± 5.22 to 1.06 ± 0.32 μm, whereas, the cell density was increased from 7.5 ± 0.5 × 108 to 4.8 ± 0.3 × 1011 cells/cm3. Our findings indicate that surface modification of silica nanoparticles with CO2‐philic surfactants has the strongest effect on foam morphology.
Skin Reactions to Pine Processionary Caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff
Authors: Bonamonte Domenico , Foti Caterina , Vestita Michelangelo , Angelini Gianni
Published: May 2013

Pine caterpillar, Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff, is a phyto‐ and xylophagous lepidopteran, responsible for the delay in the growth or the death of various types of pines. Besides nature damage, pine caterpillar causes dermatological reactions in humans by contact with its irritating larvae hairs. Although the dermatitis occurs among outdoor professionals, it is primarily extraprofessional. Contamination generally occurs in pinewoods, rarely in cities. Means of contamination comprise direct contact with the nest or the processional caterpillar and indirect contact with air dispersed hairs. The dermatitis is generally observed in late spring and particularly from April to June, among campers and tourers. The eruption has its onset 1–12 hours after contact with the hairs and presents with intense and continuous itching. Morphologically, it is strophulus‐like and consists of papulous, excoriated, and pinkish lesions on an oedematous base. Diagnosis is usually straightforward. The pathogenetic mechanism of the affection is mechanical, pharmacological, and allergic in nature. Besides skin, T. pityocampa Schiff can involve the eyes and rarely the airways. Despite the considerable damages to humans and nature, pine caterpillar infestation is an underestimated problem; medical literature lists few studies, and often relevant information is referred to local media and popular wisdom.
Cooperative Control for Uncertain Multiagent Systems via Distributed Output Regulation
Authors: Yu Lu , Wang Jinzhi
Published: May 2013

The distributed robust output regulation problem for multiagent systems is considered. For heterogeneous uncertain linear systems and a linear exosystem, the controlling aim is to stabilize the closed-loop system and meanwhile let the regulated outputs converge to the origin asymptotically, by the help of local interaction. The communication topology considered is directed acyclic graphs, which means directed graphs without loops. With distributed dynamic state feedback controller and output feedback controller, respectively, the solvability of the problem and the algorithm of controller design are both investigated. The solvability conditions are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). It is shown that, for polytopic uncertainties, the distributed controllers constructed by solving LMIs can satisfy the requirements of output regulation property.
Influence of the Process Parameters on the Formation of CaSO4·0.5H2O Whiskers
Authors: Luo Kangbi , Li Huping , Li Chunmei , Ning Ping
Published: May 2013

This paper discussed the influence of the process parameters such as the temperature, the mixing ways, and the molar ratios of the reactants on the morphology of the CaSO4·2H2O precursors and the CaSO4·0.5H2O whiskers. The experimental results indicated that CaSO4·0.5H2O whiskers with a length of 80–310 μm and a width of 0.8–8.0 μm were produced at hydrothermal condition, using CaSO4·2H2O fine particles as the precursors which were formed by adding Na2SO4 solution into CaCl2 solution at 25°C at the molar ratio of Na2SO4 to CaCl2 being 0.5 : 1. A lower supersaturation and a higher [Ca2+]/[]
molar ratio favored the formation of CaSO4·2H2O
particles with small sizes and the hydrothermal synthesis of CaSO4·0.5H2O whiskers with high aspect ratios.
Globally Exponential Stability of Impulsive Neural Networks with Given Convergence Rate
Authors: Liu Chengyan , Li Xiaodi , Fu Xilin
Published: May 2013

This paper deals with the stability problem for a class of impulsive neural networks. Some sufficient conditions which can guarantee the globally exponential stability of the addressed models with given convergence rate are derived by using Lyapunov function and impulsive analysis techniques. Finally, an example is given to show the effectiveness of the obtained results.
GPS-Assisted Path Loss Exponent Estimation for Positioning in IEEE 802.11 Networks
Authors: Navarro-Alvarez Ernesto , Siller Mario , O'Keefe Kyle
Published: May 2013

We present a new adaptive method to calculate the path loss exponent (PLE) for microcell outdoor dynamic environments in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) frequency band. The proposed method calculates the PLE during random walks by recording signal strength measurements from Radio Frequency (RF) transceivers and position data with a consumer-grade GPS receiver. The novelty of this work lies in the formulation of signal propagation conditions as a parametric observation model in order to estimate first the PLE and then the distance from the received RF signals using nonlinear least squares. GPS data is used to identify long term fading from the received signal's power and helps to refine the power-distance model. Ray tracing geometries for urban canyon (direct line of sight) and nonurban canyon (obstacles) propagation scenarios are used as the physics of the model (design matrix). Although the method was implemented for a lightweight localization algorithm for the 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) standard, it can also be applied to other ISM band protocols such as 802.15.4 (Zigbee) and 802.15.1 (Bluetooth).
Comparison of Cement-Based and Polymer-Based Concrete Pipes for Analysis of Cost Assessment
Authors: Bozkurt Orhan , İslamoğlu Mehmet
Published: May 2013

As the variety of materials utilized in construction industry has expanded, new techniques have been used in order to optimize the quality and efficiency of output. Therefore, recent innovations taking place in the construction industry led researchers to increase the mechanical efficiency of the output more than the cost effectiveness of it. However, especially professionals experiencing in the industry look into the cost effectiveness of the work. In other words, they also want researchers to justify the innovative techniques economically. The aim of this study is to provide a comparative analysis of the cost efficiency of polymer concrete used to manufacture durable and long-lasting reinforced concrete structures.
Immobilization and Biochemical Properties of the Enantioselective Recombinant NStcI Esterase ofAspergillus nidulans
Authors: Peña-Montes Carolina , Mondragón-Tintor María Elena , Castro-Rodríguez José Augusto , Bustos-Jaimes Ismael , Navarro-Ocaña Arturo , Farrés Amelia
Published: May 2013

The recombinant NStcIA. nidulansesterase was adsorbed on Accurel MP1000, where protein yield and immobilization efficiency were 42.48% and 81.94%, respectively. Storage stability test at 4°C and RT showed 100% of residual activity after 40 days at both temperatures. The biocatalyst retains more than 70% of its initial activity after 3 cycles of repeated use. Biochemical properties of this new biocatalyst were obtained. Maximum activity was achieved at pH 11 and 30°C, while the best stability was observed with the pH between 9 and 11 at 40°C. NStcI thermostability was increased after immobilization, as it retained 47.5% of its initial activity after 1 h at 60°C, while the free enzyme under the same conditions displayed no activity. NStcI preserved 70% of its initial activity in 100% hexane after 72 h. Enzymatic kinetic resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol was chosen as model reaction, using vinyl acetate as acyl donor. After optimization of reaction parameters, the highest possible conversion (42%) was reached at 37°C,awof 0.07, and 120 h of bioconversion in hexane with an enantiomeric excess of 71.7%. NStcI has selectivity for (R)-enantiomer. The obtainedEvalue (31.3) is in the range considered useful to resolve enantiomeric mixtures.
Mosaic Trisomy 18 in a Five-Month-Old Infant
Authors: Fitas Ana Laura , Paiva Mafalda , Cordeiro Ana Isabel , Nunes Luís , Cordeiro-Ferreira Gonçalo
Published: May 2013

Individuals with mosaic trisomy 18, only approximately 5% of all trisomy 18 cases, carry both a trisomy 18 and an euploid cell line. Their clinical findings are highly variable, from the absence of dysmorphic features to the complete trisomy 18 syndrome. A five-month-old daughter of a 38-year-old mother, with vomiting and feeding problems, was referred to our department. She was undernourished and had axial hypotony and developmental delay, an irregular pattern of hypopigmentation on the right side of the abdomen, and moderate sagittal body asymmetry with left-side muscular hemihypotrophy. Mild craniofacial dysmorphy included dolichocephaly, frontal bossing, prominentocciput, long downslanting palpebral fissures, hypertelorism, and retrognathia. A complex heart defect with atrial and ventricular septal defects, pulmonary artery stenosis, and bicuspid aortic valve was identified. Cytogenetic analysis revealed mosaic trisomy 18 with trisomy in 90% of peripheral lymphocytes and 17% of skin fibroblasts. This case adds to our knowledge of the phenotypic spectrum and the natural history of mosaic trisomy 18 by adding a dysmorphic feature and a cardiac abnormality that, to the best of our knowledge, had not been previously described.
Common Fixed Point Theorems Using the E.A. and CLR Properties in 2-Menger Spaces
Authors: Singh Balbir , Gupta Vishal , Kumar Sanjay
Published: May 2013

First, we prove a common fixed point theorem using weakly compatible maps in 2-Menger space with t-norm of Hadzic type. Second, we prove a common fixed point theorem using the E.A. property along with weakly compatible maps. Further, we obtained a common fixed point theorem using the CLR property along with weakly compatible maps. At the end, we provide an application of our main theorem for four finite families of mappings.
Upper Bounds for the Distance between a Controllable Switched Linear System and the Set of Uncontrollable Ones
Authors: Clotet Josep , Magret M. Dolors
Published: May 2013

The set of controllable switched linear systems is an open and dense set in the space of all switched linear systems. Therefore it makes sense to compute the distance from a controllable system to the nearest uncontrollable one. In the case of a standard system,x˙t=Axt+But, R. Eising, D. Boley, and W. S. Lu obtain some results for this distance, both in the complex and real cases. In this work we explore this distance, for switched linear systems in the real case, obtaining upper bounds for it. The main contribution of the paper is to prove that a natural generalization of the upper bound obtained by D. Boley and W. S. Lu is true in the case of switched linear systems.
Decision Support System for Alarm Correlation in GSM Networks Based on Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Arhouma Ashraf Kamal , Amaitik Saleh M.
Published: May 2013

As mobile networks grow in size and complexity, huge streams of alarms are flooding the operation and maintenance center (OMC). Thus, the operator needs a decision support system that converts these massive alarms to manageable magnitudes. Alarm correlation is very important in improving the service and the efficiency of the maintenance team in mobile networks and in modern telecommunications networks. As any fault in the mobile network results in a number of alarms, correlating these different alarms and identifying their source are a major problem in fault management. In this paper, an artificial neural network model is proposed to interpret the alarm stream, thereby simplifying the decision-making process and shortening the operator's reaction time. MATLAB program is used as programming tool to develop, implement, and compare between different types of designed artificial neural network models. To assist the operators to take fast decision and detect the root cause of the alarms, the alarms and the result of the artificial neural networks model are visualized in real time on the Google Earth application.
Inhibitory Effect of Arctigenin from Fructus Arctii Extract on Melanin Synthesis via Repression of Tyrosinase Expression
Authors: Park Hwayong , Song Kwang Hoon , Jung Pil Mun , Kim Ji-Eun , Ro Hyunju , Kim Mi Yoon , Ma Jin Yeul
Published: May 2013

To identify the active compound arctigenin in Fructus Arctii (dried seed of medicinal plantArctium lappa) and to elucidate the inhibitory mechanism in melanogenesis, we analyzed melanin content and tyrosinase activity on B16BL6 murine melanoma and melan-A cell cultures. Water extracts of Fructus Arctii were shown to inhibit tyrosinase activity in vitro and melanin content inα-melanocyte stimulating hormone-stimulated cells to similar levels as the well-known kojic acid and arbutin, respectively. The active compound arctigenin of Fructus Arctii displayed little or no cytotoxicity at all concentrations examined and decreased the relative melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Melanogenic inhibitory activity was also identified in vivo with zebrafish embryo. To determine the mechanism of inhibition, the effects of arctigenin on tyrosinase gene expression and tyrosinase promoter activity were examined. Also in addition, in the signaling cascade, arctigenin dose dependently decreased the cAMP level and promoted the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. This result suggests that arctigenin downregulates cAMP and the tyrosinase enzyme through its gene promoter and subsequently upregulates extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity by increasing phosphorylation in the melanogenesis signaling pathway, which leads to a lower melanin content.
A Survey of Quantum Lyapunov Control Methods
Authors: Cong Shuang , Meng Fangfang
Published: May 2013

The condition of a quantum Lyapunov‐based control which can be well used in a closed quantum system is that the method can make the system convergent but not just stable. In the convergence study of the quantum Lyapunov control, two situations are classified: nondegenerate cases and degenerate cases. For these two situations, respectively, in this paper the target state is divided into four categories: the eigenstate, the mixed state which commutes with the internal Hamiltonian, the superposition state, and the mixed state which does not commute with the internal Hamiltonian. For these four categories, the quantum Lyapunov control methods for the closed quantum systems are summarized and analyzed. Particularly, the convergence of the control system to the different target states is reviewed, and how to make the convergence conditions be satisfied is summarized and analyzed.
Sleep Ameliorating Effects of Acupuncture in a Psychiatric Population
Authors: Bosch Peggy , van Luijtelaar Gilles , van den Noort Maurits , Lim Sabina , Egger Jos , Coenen Anton
Published: May 2013

The interest of psychiatric patients for complementary medicine, such as acupuncture, is stable, but effect studies in psychiatry remain scarce. In this pilot study, the effects of 3 months of acupuncture treatment on sleep were evaluated and compared between a group of patients with schizophrenia (n=16) and a group with depression (n=16). Healthy controls were included in order to establish reference values (n=8). Patients with schizophrenia and depression were randomly assigned to either a waiting list or a treatment condition. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory was completed before and after the acupuncture treatment (individualized and according to traditional Chinese medicine principles) or the waiting list condition. Both acupuncture groups showed significant lower scores on the sleep inventory, which was not the case for the waiting list condition. Moreover, it was found that the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment was higher in the patients with schizophrenia than in the patients with depression. Acupuncture seems able to improve sleep in this convenient sample of patients with long-lasting psychiatric problems and may be a suitable and cost-effective add-on treatment for this group, particularly if conducted group-wise.
Experimental and Modeling Study of the Turning Process of PA 6/Nano Calcium Carbonate Composite
Authors: Haghi Mehdi , Farshbaf Zinati Reza , Razfar Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2013

Nowadays, polymeric nanocomposites have emerged as a new material class with rapidly growing use in industrial products because of good mechanical, thermal, and physical properties. Recently, the requirement of the direct machining of these materials has increased due to the production of the most of them by extrusion method in simple cross section and the increased demand for personalized products. In this work, the effect of turning parameters (cutting speed and feed) and nano calcium carbonate content on the machinability properties of polyamide 6/nano calcium carbonate composites was investigated by analysis of variance. A novel modeling approach of modified harmony search-based neural network was also utilized to create predictive models of surface roughness and total cutting force from the experimental data. The results revealed that the nano calcium carbonate content on polyamide 6 decreased the cutting forces significantly but did not have a significant effect on surface roughness. Moreover, the results for modeling total cutting forces and surface roughness showed that modified harmony search-based neural network is effective, reliable, and authoritative in modeling the turning process of polyamide 6/nano calcium carbonate composite.
Metabolic Alterations of the Zebrafish Brain after Acute Alcohol Treatment by1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Woo Dong-Cheol , Kim Goo-Young , Kim Hyun-Ju , Bang Eunjung , Rhim Hyang-Shuk , Kim Sang-Young , Lee Do-Wan , Choi Chi-Bong , Seoung Youl-Hun , Choe Bo-Young
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate the metabolic alterations associated with acute alcohol treatment in zebrafish by1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS). The brain metabolism of zebrafish was investigated after acute alcohol treatment (one-hour long exposure of adult fish to 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, or 1.00% ethyl alcohol) with whole brain extraction. The results of this study showed that glutamate (Glu) was significantly decreased, scyllo-inositol (sIns) showed a small apparent increase only in the highest acute treatment dose group, and myoinositol (mIns) showed a significant decrease. [Glu]/[tCr] and [mIns]/[tCr] levels were significantly reduced regardless of the alcohol dose, and [sIns]/[tCr] was increased in the highest alcohol treatment dose group. The present NMR study revealed that specific metabolites, such as Glu and mIns, were substantially decreased in case of acute alcohol exposed zebrafish brain.
A checklist of the vascular plants of the lowland savannas of Belize, Central America
Authors: GOODWIN ZOË A. , LOPEZ GERMAN N. , STUART NEIL , BRIDGEWATER SAMUEL G.M. , HASTON ELSPETH M. , CAMERON IAIN D. , MICHELAKIS DIMITRIS , RATTER JAMES A. , FURLEY PETER A. , KAY ELMA , WHITEFOORD CAROLINE , SOLOMON JAMES , LLOYD ADAM J. , HARRIS DAVID J.
Published: May 2013

Lowland savannas, covering an area of 2,342 km2, form the third largest ecosystem in Belize yet are unevenly and therefore poorly represented in the country’s protected area system. Based on more than 5,700 herbarium collections, a checklist of 957 species of vascular plants is presented for this ecosystem representing ca. 28% of the Belizean flora, of which 54 species are new records for the country. Of the 41 species of plants known to be endemic to Belize, 18 have been recorded within the lowland savanna, and nine species are listed in The World Conservation Union (IUCN) 2010 Red List of Threatened Species. Of the total savanna ecosystem flora, 339 species are characteristic of the open savanna, whilst 309 and 114 species are more frequent in forest and wetland areas respectively. Most species (505, 53% of the lowland savanna flora) are herbaceous. Although the lowland savanna has been relatively well collected, there are geographical biases in botanical sampling which have focused historically on the savannas in the centre and the north of the country. A brief review of the collecting history of the lowland savanna is provided, and recommendations are given on how future collecting efforts may best be focused. The lowland savanna is shown to be a significant regional centre of plant diversity.
Annotated checklist to the vascular plant flora of Tuktut Nogait National Park and the Melville Hills region (Canadian Low Arctic)
Authors: SAARELA JEFFERY M. , GILLESPIE LYNN J. , CONSAUL LAURIE L. , BULL ROGER D.
Published: May 2013

Tuktut Nogait National Park is located in the Melville Hills in the northeastern corner of mainland Northwest Territories in Canada's Southern Arctic Ecozone. The first major floristic survey of the Melville Hills region was conducted in 1990 as part of a natural resource inventory to determine its suitability as a National Park. We studied the flora and made extensive plant collections in Tuktut Nogait National Park and the Melville Hills region in 2009. Here, we present a comprehensive annotated checklist to the region's vascular plant flora based on a review of all existing and our own new collections. This includes the citation of all specimens examined, colour photographs for a subset of taxa and detailed taxonomic comments. The Melville Hills flora comprises 268 taxa (265 species and three additional infraspecific taxa), a 16% increase from the first survey, 215 of which are known from Tuktut Nogait National Park. Forty-eight taxa are newly recorded for the region and 54 taxa are newly recorded for Tuktut Nogait National Park. Noteworthy records include range extensions for Botrychium lunaria, Carex concinna, Draba borealis, Myriophyllum sibiricum, Plantago eriopoda, Poa alpina, Poa ammophila, Puccinellia banksiensis, Salix arbusculoides, and Selaginella selaginoides. The flora includes 19 vascular plant species of potential conservation concern in the Northwest Territories, including six assessed as "May Be At Risk", of which one occurs in the Park and 13 assessed as "Sensitive", of which eight occur in the Park.
Revision of Breda and proposal of a new genus (Araneae: Salticidae)
Authors: RUIZ GUSTAVO R.S. , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D.
Published: May 2013

The genus Breda Peckham & Peckham, 1894 is revised and nine valid species are redescribed and illustrated. The mono-typic Paradescanso Vellard, 1924 is established as a new junior synonym of the genus. Breda modesta (Taczanowski, 1878) comb. nov. is transferred from Balmaceda Peckham & Peckham. The following synonymies are also established: Paradescanso fallax Vellard, 1924 = Breda apicalis Simon, 1901 syn. nov.; B. quinquedentata Badcock, 1932 = B. api-calis Simon, 1901 syn. nov.; B. leucoprocta Mello-Leitão, 1940 = B. modesta (Taczanowski, 1878) syn. nov.; B. spini-manu (Mello-Leitão, 1941) = B. modesta (Taczanowski, 1878) syn. nov. The females of B. bicruciata (Mello-Leitão, 1943) and B. bistriata (C.L. Koch, 1846) are described and illustrated for the first time, as well as the male of B. lubomi-rskii (Taczanowski, 1878). Both sexes of Breda akypueruna sp. nov. and males of B. nanica sp. nov. and B. paraensis sp. nov., all three from the Amazon, are described and illustrated, increasing the present menmber list up to 13 species. Druzia gen. nov. is proposed to include B. flavostriata Simon, 1901. The Australian “Breda” jovialis (L. Koch, 1879) is tenta-tively transferred to Ocrisiona Simon.
Nine new species of Soesilarishius from Brazil (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryinae)
Authors: RUIZ GUSTAVO RODRIGO SANCHES
Published: May 2013

Nine new species of Soesilarishius Makhan, 2007 are described from Brazil, raising the genus member list up to 20 spe-cies. Soesilarishius chaplini sp. nov., S. paxiuba sp. nov. and S. muiratinga sp. nov. are described from the state of Pará. Soesilarishius bicrescens sp. nov., S. excentricus sp. nov. and S. flagellator sp. nov. are described from the state of Piauí. Soesilarishius macrochelis sp. nov. and S. cearensis sp. nov. are described from the state of Ceará. Soesilarishius taber-narius sp. nov. is described from the state of Bahia. Both sexes are described for the new species, except for S. muiratinga, S. bicrescens, S. excentricus and S. tabernarius, whose females remain unknown.
Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Macrobrachium snpurii, a new species of the genus Macrobrachium Bate, 1868 from Kerala, India
Authors: PILLAI P. M. , UNNIKRISHNAN V.
Published: May 2013

Macrobrachium snpurii sp. nov., collected from the Karamana River, in the lower reaches of Western Ghats, is described and illustrated. DNA barcoding using Cytochrome B gene sequences has elucidated the taxonomic status of the new spe-cies and the NJ tree reveals that M. snpurii sp. nov., is phylogenetically close to M. idella idella. However, morphometric and meristic features of the species share certain characters with M. idella idella, M. patheinense and M. tratense, while it diverges remarkably from these three species in distinctive diagnostic characters: rostral formula 12–14/4 with 2 pos-torbital teeth; carapace smooth with distal end of rostrum directed upwards; chelae with 2 proximal denticles both in the movable and immovable fingers. A wide gap present in the distal part of the chelae, when fingers are closed. Movable finger, longer than the immovable and distal end of fingers inwardly hook-like; palm more pigmented than fingers and telson extends beyond the level of the outer lateral spine of uropodal exopod. A pair of plumose setae is present between the inner pair of movable spines of telson.
Review of the marine isopod crustacean genus Hansenium Serov and Wilson, 1995 (Asellota: Stenetriidae) from tropical Australia and Papua New Guinea, with description of a new genus
Authors: BRUCE NIEL L. , BUXTON CHAD
Published: May 2013

The genus Hansenium is revised and a new diagnosis presented. A neotype is designated for the type species Hansenium hanseni (Müller, 1991), and the genus is restricted to the type species and Hansenium remocarpus Kensley and Schotte, 2002. Machatrium gen. nov. and the following species are described: Machatrium falcensis sp. nov. (type species), Machatrium thungku sp. nov. from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef; Machatrium wongat sp. nov. from Madang, Papua New Guinea, Machatrium tropex (Bolstad and Kensley, 1999), comb. nov. also from Madang, Papua New Guinea; a fur-ther five species are transferred from Hansenium to Machatrium gen. nov. The remaining species of Hansenium are re-tained as incertae sedis in their existing combination (11 species), reallocated to other genera (1 species) or regarded as species inquirenda (3 species). The principal differentiating characters of Hansenium, Machatrium gen. nov. and Stene-trium Haswell, 1881, are the pseudorostrum being short and trapezoid or long and anteriorly narrowed, morphology of the male pereopod 1, notably the shape of the propodus inferior margin, presence or absence of a process on the inferodistal margin of the merus and carpus; and the apex of the appendix masculina being acute or blunt, with or without a concavity and with or without terminal setae.
Revision of the Japanese Ablabesmyia (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae), with descriptions of three new species
Authors: NIITSUMA HIROMI
Published: May 2013

The Japanese species of Ablabesmyia Johannsen are reviewed on the basis of the type material and the specimens obtained recently. Four species of the subgenus Ablabesmyia, A. (A.) monilis (Linnaeus), A. (A.) amamisimplex Sasa, A. (A.) jogan-cornua Sasa et Okazawa and A. (A.) prorasha Kobayashi et Kubota, are recognized as valid. The adults, male and female, and the immature stages, pupa and larva, of the first species and the adult males of the remaining are redescribed, while the female adults and both immature stages of A. (A.) amamisimplex and A. (A.) jogancornua, and both immature stages of A. (A.) prorasha are described here for the first time. Reexamination of the holotypes of A. (A.) amamisimplex and A. (A.) jogancornua has shown that the respective original descriptions contain errors in some diagnostic aspects, which are corrected in this study. In addition, the male and female adults, pupa and larva of a new species of the subgenus Karelia Roback, A. (K.) makarchenkoi n. sp., and the male adults of two new species, A. (K.) lata n. sp. and A. (K.) perexilis n. sp., are described and illustrated.
Cryptic speciation within Asthenodipsas vertebralis (Boulenger, 1900) (Squamata: Pareatidae), the description of a new species from Peninsular Malaysia, and the resurrection of A. tropidonotus (Lidth de Jude, 1923) from Sumatra: an integrative taxonomic analysis
Authors: LOREDO ARIEL I. , WOOD PERRY JR. L. , QUAH EVAN S. H. , ANUAR SHAHRUL , GREER LEE F. , AHMAD NORHAYATI , GRISMER LEE
Published: May 2013

A review of the taxonomic status of the Asian Slug Snake, Asthenodipsas vertebralis (Boulenger, 1900) based on an in-tegrative taxonomic approach using molecular, morphological, color pattern, and ecological data indicate it is composed of three well supported monophyletic lineages: (1) Pulau Tioman and Fraser’s Hill, Pahang and Bukit Larut, Perak; Pen-insular Malaysia; (2) its sister lineage from Northern Sumatra; and (3) the remaining basal lineage from Peninsular Ma-laysia. Furthermore, we consider the high sequence divergence (6.3%–10.2%) between these lineages (especially in areas of sympatry) and discrete differences in their morphology, color pattern, and microhabitat preference as evidence they are not conspecific. As such, we resurrect the name A. tropidonotus (Lidth de Jeude, 1923) for the Sumatra populations, re-strict the name A. vertebralis to the populations from Pulau Tioman, Genting Highlands, Fraser’s Hill, Gunung Benom, and Bukit Larut that contain terrestrial, banded adults; and consider A. lasgalenensis sp. nov. to be restricted to the pop-ulations from Fraser’s Hill, Cameron Highlands, and Bukit Larut that contain arboreal, unbanded adults.
Description and host interactions of a new species of Exetasis Walker (Diptera: Acroceridae), with a key to species of the genus
Authors: BARNECHE JORGE ADRIAN , GILLUNG JÉSSICA PAULA , GONZÁLEZ ALDA
Published: May 2013

Exetasis jujuyensis Gillung sp. nov. (Acroceridae) is described from Argentina and a dichotomous key to species of Ex-etasis Walker is provided. Detailed observations are presented on the effect of fly larval development on the behavior of the host spider (Acanthoscurria sternalis Pocock (Theraphosidae)).
Two new subspecies of the leaf-tailed gecko Phyllurus ossa (Lacertilia: Carphodactylidae) from mid-eastern Queensland, Australia
Authors: COUPER PATRICK , HOSKIN CONRAD J.
Published: May 2013

Following the discovery of a new population of Phyllurus ossa on Whitsunday Island in the Cumberland Island Group, eastern Queensland, we conducted both genetic and morphological analyses to assess differences between all known pop-ulations. The analyses revealed three genetically distinct, morphologically diagnosable, geographical units. The differenc-es are such that we recognise these as subspecies: Phyllurus ossa ossa restricted to the Mt Ossa/Mt Pelion/ Mt Charlton/ St Helens Gap area; P. ossa hobsoni subsp. nov. on Mt Dryander and in the Conway Range and P. ossa tamoya subsp. nov. currently only known from Whitsunday Island. There are now 11 recognised taxa in Phyllurus. The three P. ossa sub-species are narrowly distributed and closely associated with exposed rock in low to mid-elevation vine forests. Their cur-rent distributions are shaped by past climate change that progressively contracted and fragmented the distribution of rainforests in eastern Australia. The recognition of these subspecies has land management/conservation implications.
Three new species of Caridina (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Central Sulawesi and Buton Island, Indonesia, and a checklist of the islands’ endemic species
Authors: KLOTZ WERNER , RINTELEN KRISTINA VON
Published: May 2013

Three atyid shrimp species of the genus Caridina Milne Edwards, 1837, Caridina boehmei n. sp., C. laroeha and C. bu-tonensis n. sp., are described from the Indonesian islands Sulawesi and Buton. Caridina boehmei n. sp. differs from its apparently next congener C. sulawesi Cai & Ng, 2009 by the shape of the spinulation of the male sexual appendages. Caridina laroeha resembles C. mahalona and C. opaensis, but can be distinguished by the length and armature of the ros-trum, the length ratio of segments of the third maxilliped and the number of spinules on the uropodal diaeresis. Caridina butonensis n. sp. resembles to C. boehmei n. sp. and C. opaensis but can be distinguished by its peculiar truncated rostrum and by a more reduced podobranch on the second maxilliped.
Madeira’s ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida)
Authors: NIEDBAŁA WOJCIECH , DABERT MIROSLAWA
Published: May 2013

In the material recently collected in Madeira, 16 species of ptyctimous mites have been found. A new species of Austrophthiracarus rabacalensis Niedbała sp. nov. has been described. The presence of P. globosus and S. (R.) ortizi, reported earlier from Madeira has not been confirmed, but P. anonymus and P. montanus, so far not reported from this island, have been found. All 16 species identified in the material from Madeira studied occur in the Palaearctic Region; four of them are endemites, seven occur in western Palaearctic, four are panpalaearctic, while one is a semicosmopolitan. Morphological analysis has revealed a high similarity of two endemic species of Madeira with two European species: Ste-ganacarus (Steganacarus) crassisetosus is similar to Steganacarus (Steganacarus) applicatus, while Steganacarus (Ste-ganacarus) similis to Steganacarus (Steganacarus) spinosus. DNA-barcode analysis using COI and D2 28S rDNA sequences confirmed the species status of these four species. The phylogenetic analyses of COI amino acid data and D2 28S rDNA sequences suggest a closer relationship between S. (S.) crassisetosus and S. (S.) applicatus, pointing to a great genetic distance between S. (S.) spinosus and the other species of Steganacarus (Steganacarus).
Maurice Friedman
Authors: Hycner Rich
Published: May 2013

This is a professional and personal tribute to the late Maurice Friedman. His explication of Martin Buber’s philosophy of dialogue and his profound understanding of the dialogical in human interaction is discussed. Friedman’s understanding of how to apply this dialogical philosophy to psychotherapy is explored. There is a review of some of his innumerable contributions to existential and humanistic psychology, as well as his many interactions with some of its major leaders. The reflections of the author’s personal and professional relationship with Maurice Friedman are presented as a specific example of how he embodied what he wrote about.
“Come Heavy, or Not at All”
Authors: Marshall Hollianne
Published: May 2013

Several qualitative studies, conducted in Chicago, provide the framework for the argument that, despite the massive illicit dealings of the Italian American organized crime, the residential neighborhoods in which they live and work remain relatively free of violent crime, more so than other similar urban neighborhoods. This study quantitatively examines the characteristics of the “defended neighborhood,” and how they are uniquely applied to Chicago neighborhoods. Focusing on neighborhood reputation, this research considers the influence of public reputation as informal social control over violent street crime. The results indicate that neighborhoods with an Italian American concentration have significantly lower rates of robbery compared with the rest of the city of Chicago.
Introduction to the Special Issue—The Rise and Fall of Chicago’s Organized Crime Family
Authors: Binder John J. , Lurigio Arthur J.
Published: May 2013

Chicago’s organized crime family emerged from the politically sponsored criminal activities of Jim Colosimo, which were concentrated in the city’s corrupt Levee District. Unwilling to take advantage of the lucrative opportunities that accompanied the passage of the Volstead Act (Prohibition), Colosimo was assassinated and replaced by Johnny Torrio who partnered with Al Capone to lead the organization. Capone and his allies outfought other gangs during the Beer Wars and assumed control over bootlegging and other criminal activities, becoming the largest criminal organization at the end of the 1920s. The Outfit was born during Frank Nitti’s reign, expanding its reach into labor racketeering, gambling, and extortion. The Outfit thrived from 1930 to 1960, virtually unscathed by law enforcement activities and unchallenged by rival criminal organizations. Changes in the city’s political structures, neighborhood compositions, as well as successful FBI investigations, forced the Outfit to contract its membership and activities during the previous 30 years.
The Chicago Outfit
Authors: Lurigio Arthur J. , Binder John J.
Published: May 2013

Americans have had a love affair with gangsters since the 1920s. Romanticized in novels, movies, and television programs, they have been portrayed as outlaws, entrepreneurs, men of honor, and benevolent godfathers. Stereotypes of organized crime (OC) figures are an enduring feature of popular culture in the United States and so are myths about OC families and gangsters who populate them. This article confronts these myths as they apply particularly to Chicago’s OC family known as the Outfit. Eight such myths are discussed: the Mafia is operating in America; OC families consist of only Italians; all members of OC families must take an oath; nobody testifies in OC families; drugs sales in OC families are prohibited; Al Capone was not the boss of his gang; the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was not a Capone operation; the Outfit helped elect President Kennedy.
The Chicago Outfit
Authors: Lombardo Robert M.
Published: May 2013

This essay studies the Outfit, the traditional organized crime group in the city of Chicago. The alien conspiracy theory argues that organized crime in Chicago and other American cities descended from the Sicilian Mafia. This article challenges the alien conspiracy theory arguing that the Chicago Outfit is better understood by the ethnic succession argument, which holds that organized crime is explained by Merton’s strain theory. Additionally, it is argued that while Merton’s theory is sufficient to explain the emergence of traditional organized crime, its continuation can only be explained by the existence of racket subcultures in American society.