bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The LIFE Project “Monitoring of insects with public participation” (MIPP): aims, methods and conclusions
Authors: Carpaneto Giuseppe Maria , Campanaro Alessandro , Hardersen Sönke , Audisio Paolo , Bologna Marco Alberto , Roversi Pio Federico , Peverieri Giuseppino Sabbatini , Mason Franco
Published: February 2019

The Life Project “Monitoring of insects with public participation” (LIFE11 NAT/IT/000252) had as the main objective to develop and test methods for the monitoring of five beetle species listed in the Annexes of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC): Osmodermaeremita (hermit beetle, Scarabaeidae), Lucanuscervus (European stag beetle, Lucanidae), Cerambyxcerdo (great capricorn beetle, Cerambycidae), Rosaliaalpina (rosalia longicorn, Cerambycidae) and Morimusasper/funereus (morimus longicorn, Cerambycidae). The data gathered represent an important contribution to the monitoring of these target species in Italy. The methods developed for monitoring of the target species are intended for use by the local management authorities and staff of protected areas. These developed methods are the result of extensive fieldwork and ensure scientific validity, ease of execution and limited labour costs. The detailed description of methods and the results for each species are published in separate articles of this special issue of Nature Conservation. A second objective of the project was to gather faunistic data with a Citizen Science approach, using the web and a mobile application software (app) specifically built for mobile devices. The validation of the records collected by the citizens was carried out by experts, based on photographs, which were obligatory for all records. Dissemination activities represented the principal way to contact and engage citizens for the data collection and also offered the possibility of providing information on topics such as Natura 2000, the Habitats Directive, the role of monitoring in nature conservation, the importance of forest ecosystems and the ecological role of the saproxylic insects. An innovative method tested during the project was the training of a dog for searching and monitoring the elusive hermit beetle; the trained dog also added a “curiosity” factor to attract public attention towards this rare insect and the issues mentioned above.
A taxonomic revision of the subfamily Tillinae Leach sensu lato (Coleoptera, Cleridae) in the New World
Authors: Burke Alan , Zolnerowich Gregory
Published: February 2019

The subfamily Tillinae Leach is represented by 12 genera in the New World. In this study, eight of these genera are revised. A diagnosis and redescription of the species ofAraeodontiaBarr,BarrotillusRifkind,BogciaBarr,CylidrusLatreille,CymatoderellaBarr,LecontellaWolcott & Chapin,MonophyllaSpinola, andOnychotillusChapin are presented.BogciaoaxacaeBarr is designated as a junior synonym ofBogciadisjunctaBarr. One species,CymatoderastriatopunctataChevrolat, is transferred toLecontella. The following species are redescribed:Araeodontiaisabellae(Wolcott),A.marginalisBarr,A.peninsularis(Schaeffer),BarrotilluskropotkiniRifkind,BogciadisjunctaBarr,CylidrusabdominalisKlug,Cymatoderellacollaris(Spinola),C.morulaRifkind,C.patagoniae(Knull),Lecontellabrunnea(Spinola),L.gnaraWolcott,L.striatopunctata(Chevrolat),Monophyllacalifornica(Fall),M.pallipesSchaeffer,M.terminata(Say),OnychotillusvittatusChapin, andO.cubanaDe Zayas. Transcriptions of the original descriptions ofAraeodontiapicipennisBarr,BostrichoclerusbicornisVan Dyke andMonophyllacinctipennis(Chevrolat) are given.CymatoderaGray, with approximately 130 described species, is excluded from this study due to the number of species involved. The generaNeocallotillusBurke andCallotillusWolcott are also excluded here since these groups have been recently revised elsewhere. Collection data are provided for all species revised. Updated distribution maps are presented. Keys to New World genera and species are given and taxonomic characters of relevant importance are provided and discussed.
A new species of Baenothrips Crawford from China (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae)
Authors: Zhao Chao , Tong Xiaoli
Published: February 2019

A new urothripine species, Baenothripscuneatussp. n., is described from China. This is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characteristics: dorsal surface of head having a wedge-shaped reticulation extending from median to the posterior margin; antennal segments VII–VIII is closely joined with a complete suture; the mesoacrotergite strongly constricted in the middle; abdominal tergite I divided into 5 plates; width of membranous gap between ovispan on abdominal sternite IX approximately 1/3 of the apical width of segment IX.
Aedes nigrinus (Eckstein, 1918) (Diptera, Culicidae), a new country record for England, contrasted with Aedes sticticus (Meigen, 1838)
Authors: Harbach Ralph E. , Dallimore Thom , Briscoe Andrew G. , Culverwell C. Lorna , Vaux Alexander G.C. , Medlock Jolyon M.
Published: February 2019

We report the discovery of Aedesnigrinus (Eckstein, 1918) in the New Forest of southern England, bringing to 36 the number of mosquito species recorded in Britain. Because it seems that this species has been misidentified previously in Britain as the morphologically similar Aedessticticus (Meigen, 1838), the two species are contrasted and distinguished based on distinctive differences exhibited in the adult and larval stages. The pupa of Ae.nigrinus is unknown, but the pupa of Ae.sticticus is distinguished from the pupae of other species of Aedes by modification of the most recent key to British mosquitoes. The history of the mosquito fauna recorded in the UK is summarized and bionomical information is provided for the two species.
On ‘lost’ indigenous etymological origins with the specific case of the name Ameiva
Authors: Angeli Nicole Frances
Published: February 2019

Modern biology builds upon the historic exploration of the natural world. Recognizing the origin of a species’ name is one path to honor the historic exploration and description of the natural world and the indigenous peoples that lived closely with organisms prior to their description. While digitization of historic papers catalogued in databases such as the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) allows for searching of the first use and origin of names, the rapid pace of taxonomic publishing can occlude a thorough search for etymologies. The etymological origin of the genus nameAmeivais one such case; while unattributed in multiple recent works, it is of Tupí language origin. The first description was in theHistoriae Rerum Naturalium Brasiliaeby George Marcgrave (1648).Ameivawas the name used by Marcgrave’s Amerindian hosts in 17thcentury Dutch Brazil, where local people spoke the now extinct language Tupí. The Tupí origin was not lost, however, until as recently as the 2000s. Herein, the pre- and post-Linnaean use of the nameAmeivais traced and when the name is attributed to the Tupí language and to Marcgrave through time it is noted. The opportunity to discover and/or recover etymological origins, especially names from extinct and indigenous languages, provides insight into the early Western sciences. Careful study of etymology by naturalists is consistent with the idea that science is an evolving process with many predecessors to appreciate.
First survey of Interstitial molluscs from Cayo Nuevo, Campeche Bank, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Ortigosa Deneb , Suárez-Mozo Nancy Yolimar , Barrera Noe C. , Simões Nuno
Published: February 2019

Six sediment samples weighing between 224–735 g were collected in June of 2016 from Cayo Nuevo reef, located at the Campeche Bank, southern Gulf of Mexico. Samples were collected by SCUBA diving, from were two stations at depths of 7.6 and 18.2 m. Sediment was sieved and molluscs (adults and micromolluscs ≤ 10 mm) were sorted, examined, and identified to the lowest taxonomic level. A total of 1,347 specimens was found, of which 224 shells were dead and 1,123 were alive. Thirty-four families, 53 genera, and 67 species were identified. The most abundant families were Chamidae and Arcidae for the Bivalvia class, and Caecidae and Tornidae for the Gastropoda class. The vertical range ofBentharcasp. was extended.
Pseudorchomene boreoplebs, a new lysianassid amphipod from Korean waters (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Lysianassoidea)
Authors: Jung Tae Won , Coleman Charles Oliver , Yoon Seong Myeong
Published: February 2019

Until now, the genusPseudorchomeneSchellenberg, 1926 has been recorded exclusively in Antarctic or sub-Antarctic regions.Pseudorchomeneboreoplebssp. n., described from Korean waters, is the first record from the Northern Hemisphere as well as from temperate regions. This new species is very similar toPseudorchomeneplebs(Hurley, 1965), but can be readily distinguished by its wider basis of gnathopod 1, elongate carpus and angulate anterodistal corner of the propodus on gnathopod 2, having slender setae only on the posterior margin of the carpus on pereopod 5, and lacking posterior lobations of the carpus on pereopods 5–7.
Taxonomic review of the planthopper genus Orthopagus (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Dictyopharidae), with descriptions of two new species
Authors: Song Zhi-Shun , Malenovský Igor , Chen Jian-Qin , Deckert Jürgen , Liang Ai-Ping
Published: February 2019

The Oriental and eastern Palaearctic planthopper genusOrthopagusUhler, 1897 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Dictyopharidae, Dictyopharinae, Orthopagini) is revised. Six species are included:O.bartlettiSong, Malenovský & Deckert,sp. n.(described from India),O.exoletus(Melichar, 1903),comb. n.,stat. rev.(material studied from India and Sri Lanka),O.hainanensisSong, Chen & Liang,sp. n.(described from China: Hainan island),O.lunuliferUhler, 1897 (the type species of the genus; confirmed from Japan, China, Vietnam, Laos, India, and Nepal),O.philippinusMelichar, 1914 (Philippines), andO.splendens(Germar, 1830) (confirmed from China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia).OrthopagusheliosMelichar, 1912 is newly synonymized withO.lunulifer. Lectotypes are designated forO.helios, O.heliosvar.diffusus Melichar, 1912,O.elegansMelichar, 1912, andO.philippinus.DictyopharaindianaWalker, 1851 is considered a nomen dubium. All species are redescribed, including habitus photographs and detailed illustrations of the male genitalia. Female genitalia are described for the genus for the first time. A key for identification of the species ofOrthopagusand a distribution map are given.
Knowledge and Skills Level of Graduate Civil Engineers Employers and Graduates’ Perceptions
Authors: AlMunifi Abdullatif A. , Aleryani Arwa Y.
Published: February 2019

The Civil Engineering Program at Sana'a University, Yemen aims to provide quality education that develops students’ knowledge, skills and aspirations in preparation for a career, nationally and regionally. This research aims at finding out to which extent the employability skills are available to the program graduates. Comprehensive data collected through questionnaires and interviews on the main issue of this study, the focus of which is if the new graduates have the knowledge and interpersonal skills to meet the requirements of the labour market from the perception of graduates and employers. The output of the analysis shows that graduates gained sufficient technical knowledge, but missed on an early preparation to meet the challenges they may face in the workplace, particularly project management and key transferable skills. As this study might be the first of its type in engineering colleges in Yemen, the findings may provide appropriate inputs to improving engineering education, and particularly the program’s study plans.
Mobile Phone Sensing using the Built-in Camera
Authors: Katuk Norliza , Zakaria Nur Haryani , Ku-Mahamud Ku-Ruhana
Published: February 2019

Modern mobile phones or smartphones have multipurpose functions apart from being used as a device for voice and text communications. They are also embedded with many useful sensors, including camera, barometer, accelerometer, and digital compass. Unlike other types of sensor, the smartphone camera has been underutilized. This paper aims to fill the gap by analyzing and reviewing the hardware and software components of smartphones and highlighting the potential uses of the smartphone camera to support human daily life activities. A simple search of research papers indexed in Google Scholar was carried out using guided terms. The papers were filtered to match the research questions for this study. Only relevant papers were analyzed and reviewed. The results of the analysis suggested that the rapid development in the smartphone hardware has extended the use of the smartphone cameras beyond personal and social photography.  Consequently, applications (apps) based on smartphone cameras emerge, such as barcode readers, document digitizing tools, augmented reality, translation tools, and indoor positioning device. These apps benefit users and facilitate them in their daily life activities.
What Factors Influence Users to Install a Photography-Category Application to Their Android Smartphone
Authors: Dermawi Rizdania , Tolle Herman
Published: February 2019

Availability of the various kinds of Android applications provide the users to get any mobile application that can support their daily activities, whether it supports the work or other needs. Too many applications available often confuse the user to make a decision which application they have to install to their smartphone. This study analyzes the factors that may influence users to make a decision whether or not installing a particular application from photography-category in Play store. The result obtained that users decide to install significantly affected by internal factors (user’s internet quota, user’s smartphone specification) and also significantly affected by an external factor (rating, review, advertisement and friend’s recommendation).
Exploiting Routing Strategy of DTN for Message Forwarding in Information Hiding Applications
Authors: Xia Shuangkui , Liu Meihua , Zhang Xinchen , Sun Hong , Tian Mao
Published: February 2019

Delay tolerant networks (DTNs) represent a class of intermittently connected networks. In such networks, messages are hard to track since they are transmitted by opportunistic encounters between mobile nodes. This feature makes DTN an appropriate masking channel for information hiding systems. However, the DTN often has poor communication quality, given that it suffers from frequent disruptions. In order to improve the communication quality of DTN and meet the needs of information hiding system, an efficient routing strategy is proposed in this article. On the other hand, in information hiding systems, a relatively long Time-To-Live (TTL) of messages will increase the risk of the message being exposed. To achieve a balance between delivery ratio and concealment, the sensitivity of message TTL is analyzed and a suitable value of lifetime is given. Finally, the simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can improve the effectiveness of message transmission, and the DTN can be used as masking channel to realize information hiding system.
Effect of Collagen-Chitosan-Glycerol Composition in Scaffold for Gingival Recession Therapy
Authors: Nurfriana Putri , Widiyanti Prihartini , Rudyardjo Djoni Izak
Published: February 2019

The case of gingival recession has a high prevalence, about 88% of the population of the United States in one or more locations suffering from gingival recession. One of the handling cases of gingival recession is to use scaffold that includes the development of tissue and cell engineering. This study aims to determine the best composition variation scaffold of collagen-chitosan with the addition of glycerol. The process of synthesis of collagen-chitosan-glycerol scaffold using freeze dry method that can form pores on the scaffold. Characterization was also carried out on the results of the synthesis of collagen-chitosan scaffold with the addition of glycerol include the morphological characterization, tensile, cytotoxicity, swelling, degradation, and thickness. The results of morphological characterization showed pore size ranged from 26.68 - 191.7 μm with a thickness of 0.51 - 0.65 mm which was suitable for handling of gingival recession cases. The result of tensile test showed that the variation of 9: 1 has the lowest value that is 2.87 MPa where the value is close to tensile strength value for periodontal which has a value ranging from 2.75 to 5.13. The characterization of cytotoxicity shows a value that is less in line with the literature, where live cells <50%. This is because collagen and chitosan have an acidic pH so that the cells cannot reproduce. Characterization of degradation shows all the variations experienced a severe reduction process from day to day. The characterization of the swelling of all samples was equilibrated at 7 minute. Chitosan-collagen scaffold with the addition of glycerol has good potential as a scaffold candidate for gingival recession therapy based on morphological characterization (thickness and surface structure), the mechanical strength (tensile strength), degradation, and the degree of swelling.
An Efficient MRI Brain Tumor Segmentation by the Fusion of Active Contour Model and Self-Organizing-Map
Authors: Sandhya G. , Kande Giri Babu , Satya Savithri T.
Published: February 2019

Accurate detection of tumors in brain MR images is very important for the medical image analysis and interpretation. Tumors which are detected and treated in the early stage gives better long-term survival than those detected lately. This paper proposes a combined method of Self-Organizing –Map (SOM) and Active Contour Model (ACM) for the effective segmentation of the brain tumor from MR images. ACMs are energy-based image segmentation methods and they treat the segmentation as an optimization problem. The optimization function is formulated in terms of appropriate parameters and is designed such that the minimum value of its correspondence to a contour which is a near approximation of the real object boundary. The traditional ACMs depend on pixel intensity as well as very susceptible to parameter tuning and it turns out to be a challenge for these ACMs to deal the image objects of distinct intensities. Conversely, Neural Networks (NNs) are very effective in dealing inhomogeneities but usually results in noise due to the misclassification of pixels. Additionally, NNs deal the segmentation problems without objective function. Hence we proposed a framework for the brain tumor segmentation which integrates SOM with ACM and is termed as SOMACM. This works by exactly integrating the global information derived from the weights or prototypes of the trained SOM neurons to aid choosing whether to shrink or enlarge the present contour during the optimization process and is performed in an iterative way. The proposed method can deal with the images of complex intensity distributions, even in the presence of noise. Exploratory outcomes demonstrate the high accuracy in the segmentation results of SOMACM on different tumor images, compared to the ACM as well as the general SOM segmentation methods. Furthermore, the proposed framework is not highly sensitive to parameter tuning.
Numerical Simulation of Ship Motions in Regular and Irregular Waves
Authors: Zhang Bao-Ji , Liu Jie , Xu Ning , Niu Lei , She Wen-Xuan
Published: February 2019

AbstractA numerical simulation method is presented in this study to predict ship resistance and motion responses in regular and irregular waves. The unsteady RANS (Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes) method is selected as the governing equation, and a volume of fluid (VoF) model
is used to capture the free surface, combining the k-ε equations. A finite volume method (FVM) is utilized to discretize both the RANS equations and VoF transport equation. The pressure implicit split operator (PISO) method is set as the velocity-pressure coupling equation. The overset
mesh technique is utilized to simulate ship motions in waves. A DTMB5415 ship is selected as a case study to predict its pitch and heave responses in regular and irregular waves at different wave length and wave steepness. The ship is free to move in the pitch and heave directions. The CFD
(Computational Fluid Dynamics) results are found to be in good agreement with the strip theory and experimental data. It can be found that the CFD method presented in this study can provide a theoretical basis and technical support for green design and manufacture of ships.
Covert Underwater Acoustic Communication System Using Parametric Array
Authors: Zhao Anbang , Cheng Yue , An Tiansi , Hui Juan
Published: February 2019

AbstractA novel and efficient covert underwater acoustic (UWA) communication scheme using an acoustic parametric array and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system is presented. The proposed system is robust and can easily be implemented in the ocean environment.
The system is also very useful in military applications where the secrecy of transmission signal and location of the transmitter are extremely important. The paper exploits the difference frequency generated by the acoustic parametric array due to the nonlinear behavior of an underwater medium.
Besides the lightness and compactness, the parametric array also possesses the advantage of being low-frequency, broadband, highly directive, and narrow beam with no side lobes. The narrow beam width also helps to secure the data from a spatial point of view. Experiments have been performed
in a water tank, and the results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Subsea Optical Wireless Communication System in the Arabian Sea Using Field Data
Authors: Prakash Vittal Doss , Vedachalam Narayanaswamy , Ramesh Raju , Prasanth Pokkali Udaya , Ramesh Sethuraman , Murugesan Munusamy , Vasu Murthy Karumuri Naga Venkata , Ramadass Gidugu Ananda
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe article presents the effectiveness of a subsea optical wireless communication (OWC) system comprising a light-emitting diode (LED) transmitter and a photodiode (PD) receiver when operated at various water depths in the Arabian Sea. An optical attenuation profile
identified from solar hyperspectral irradiance measured in up to a 90-m water depth in the Arabian Sea using a remotely operated vehicle is used as inputs to the subsea OWC communication effectiveness assessment (CEA) model developed using MATLAB. It is identified that a 30-W LED-PD-based
OWC system, with the noise equivalent power of 10−12 W/√Hz, could have a horizontal range and data rate of 146 m and 1 Mbps in water depths ≥220 m in the Arabian Sea. For the same data rate, the horizontal range reduces to 65 m at a 90-m water depth in the same location
during the day. In coastal waters, the system could have a data rate of 10 kbps at a 30-m range. A six-fold increase in the transmitter electrical power could increase the horizontal range by a factor of 1.5. An experimental 30-W LED-PD-based OWC system developed and operated in a calibrated
tank facility is found to have a data rate and range of 3.2 Mbps and 3 m, respectively. The performance of the prototype complies with the ideal CEA model with an accuracy of 84% under similar inherent channel property and apparent system parameters.
Effect of Temperature and Nonlinearity of PMMA Material in the Design of Observation Windows for a Full Ocean Depth Manned Submersible
Authors: Wang Fang , Wang Wuwu , Zhang Yongkuang , Du Qinghai , Jiang Zhe , Cui Weicheng
Published: February 2019

AbstractRenewed international interest in exploring the hadal zones (6,000‐11,000 m) promoted the development of full ocean depth deep-sea manned submersibles. The manned cabin is the most critical component in deep-sea manned submersibles. An essential requirement
to guarantee the safety of the manned cabin is the proper design of the observation windows. The current design approach, which is available in design rules such as ASME PVHO-1.2012, did not have sufficient experimental basis when applied for full ocean depth observation windows. In this study,
a full-scale polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) window model is designed and tested under quasistatic loading-unloading cycles in a high-pressure chamber. Strain variations in several critical points and axial displacement in the inner center are recorded and compared with simulation results, and
a large discrepancy was found. The potential influencing parameters, such as temperature and material nonlinearity, are investigated. It was found that correction of these two factors can explain the discrepancy. The newly determined material properties can be used in the design of full ocean
depth observation windows.
Drag Reduction Performance Analysis of Chlamys nobilis Ribbed Surface
Authors: Hu Binying , Bai Xiuqin , Fu Yifeng , Yuan Chengqing
Published: February 2019

AbstractConsidering the fact that the living condition of the shell is similar to the significant defiled environment of a ship, it is selected as a bionic object to study drag reduction for ship hulls. Previous studies have demonstrated that the special physical structure
of the shell surface results in preventing biological adhesion. In order to improve ship operation efficiency, collaborative research on the physical structure was first carried out by studying the drag reduction performance of the actual Chlamys nobilis surface among the antifouling
ranges of the structural dimensions without simplification. Thereafter, the drag reduction mechanism was analyzed by simulation analysis of the surface structures on the antifouling region of the C. nobilis surface. Simulation results demonstrated that a pair of counter-rotating vortices
appeared at the tip of the bionic riblet surface. The secondary vortex, induced by the counter-rotating vortices, was the main reason for the drag reduction effect of the bionic riblet surface. Moreover, analysis of the drag reduction performance indicated that the maximum drag reduction rate
could reach up to 8.53% at the speed of 3 m/s. This study reveals the drag reduction effect of the C. nobilis surface, which will provide a reference for combining drag reduction and antifouling.
Influence of Deep-Sea Ambient Conditions in the Performance of Pressure-Compensated Induction Motors
Authors: Umapathy Arunachalam , Babu Sethuram Muthukrishna , Vedachalam Narayanaswamy , Venkatesan Kandan , Kumar Nanda Kumar Suresh , Gopakumar Kuttikrishnan , Ramadass Gidugu Ananda , Atmanand Malayath Aravindakshan
Published: February 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the influence of low temperature and high hydrostatic pressure in the starting performance of deep-sea pressure-compensated (PC) induction motors is essential for sizing of the motor and upstream power systems. This paper presents the observations from
experiments carried out on industry-standard 3000-V rated deep-sea PC induction motors of 30- and 60-kW capacities in a hyperbaric chamber. It is identified that the motors consume about 30% of their rated power when started at a pressure of 600 bar and a temperature of 2°C. The results
could be used for sizing of deep sea electric motors taking into consideration the increased starting power requirements due to the viscous drag of the PC fluid and to design PC oil viscosity management systems.
Improvements in health-related quality of life and function in middle-aged women with chronic diseases of lifestyle after participating in a non-pharmacological intervention programme: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Barnes Roline Y. , Jelsma Jennifer , Parker Romy
Published: February 2019

Background: Musculoskeletal diseases consume a large amount of health and social resources and are a major cause of disability in both low- and high-income countries. In addition, patients frequently present with co-morbid chronic diseases of lifestyle. The area of musculoskeletal disease is restricted by a lack of epidemiological knowledge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.Objectives: This pragmatic randomised controlled trial assessed the benefits of a 6-week physiotherapy intervention for middle-aged women with musculoskeletal conditions compared to usual care.Method: A weekly 2-h educational programme utilising a workbook, discussion group and exercise class was presented for the intervention group, while the control group received usual care. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life. Parametric and non-parametric data were used to determine the equivalence between the groups.Results: Twenty-two participants were randomised to the intervention and 20 to the control group. The control group demonstrated no within-group improvement in health-related quality of life items, compared to significant improvements in two items in the intervention group. The change in median utility score within the intervention group was twice as large as the change in the control group. With regard to self-efficacy, the intervention group demonstrated significant within-group changes in perceived management of fatigue and discomfort.Conclusion: The positive impact of the intervention on the participants suggests that the programme should continue at the clinic in question, but should be presented at a more convenient time for participants who work, as recruitment to the study was less than anticipated. Primary health care systems in South Africa urgently need to put structures in place for effective management of the functional impact of chronic diseases of lifestyle and musculoskeletal conditions. It is time for physiotherapists and possibly other health care professionals to participate in the development of appropriate community level interventions to address the functioning and quality of life of individuals living with the diseases.
Rediscovering ‘disciplemaking’ and the role of faith-sharing
Authors: Nel Malan , Schoeman W.J.
Published: February 2019

According to the Gospel of Matthew, disciplemaking seems to be the signature mark of faithful disciples of Jesus the Christ (cf. Mt 28:18–20). Van Aarde refers to this, with reference to Von Harnack and Lohmeyer as the manifesto of the church, being on the same level of meaning as Deuteronomy 6 in the Old Testament. It may be fair to say that this ‘natural’ way of being and doing was in more than one way exchanged for evangelism practices that did nothing to show forth that following the Christ is a better or best way of living life, here already, to its fullest. These practices even reflected negatively on disciplemaking as such. A personal conviction is that ‘discipling’ may even be one of the missing links in the so-called missional conversation. This article will reflect on current theory on discipling and the natural necessity thereof. It will also draw upon findings in empirical research conducted by the National Church Life Surveys during 2014 in South Africa that may give an indication whether discipling is a common praxis among selected South African denominations and congregations. The focus will be on ‘Faith-Sharing’ as a core quality among adult attenders and includes several measures of the involvement of attenders in the outreach of the congregation (e.g. evangelistic activities, readiness to share their faith with others and whether outreach is a highly valued part of the ministry of the congregation).
Disaster risk reduction in Iraq
Authors: Al-Shamsi Mustafa T.M.
Published: February 2019

Iraq is at risk of multiple hazards including both natural and man-made calamities. Little effort had been made before 2003 to address the disaster risk; even though many legislations enacted to provide a relief in the event of the acute crisis, they were mainly focused on the reactive response to the calamities without taking into consideration the prevention, preparedness and mitigation approach. The recent years have witnessed some positive attitude from the government and international society to develop strategies for disaster risk reduction in Iraq. Iraq for the first time has drafted a law that is distinctive for the disasters. The purpose of this article is to review the possibilities and challenges of disaster risk reduction in Iraq.
Can financial development influence economic growth: The sub-Saharan analysis?
Authors: Ncanywa Thobeka , Mabusela Karabo
Published: February 2019

Orientation: Financial sector development in a vast majority of sub-Saharan African countries has the potential to reduce the volatility of growth.Research purpose: This article is aimed at determining the influence of financial development on economic growth in selected sub-Saharan African countries.Motivation for the study: In most of the sub-Saharan countries, financial sectors are among the world’s least developed, and the absence of deep, efficient financial markets puts major constraints on economic growth.Research approach/design and method: This article employed panel autoregressive and distributive lag model to determine the relationship between financial development and economic growth.Main findings: The results indicated that there exists a short- and a long-run relationship between financial development and economic growth in the selected countries. In the long run, bank credit to the private sector and liquid liabilities have a positive influence on economic growth, with gross domestic savings exhibiting a negative influence.Practical/managerial implications: This article makes recommendations that as financial stability, both globally and within countries, generates jobs and improves productivity, more effort should be made in ensuring an effective and sound developed financial sector system.Contribution/value-add: The financial-economic growth nexus indicate that a well-functioning financial market development can promote economic growth. However, some controversies exist as some evidence indicated that a negative or positive financial development–growth nexus exists, so there was a need to find out what is the sub-Saharan case. Furthermore, there was a need to find development regulatory and macroeconomic policies that enhance growth.
Dynamic volatility behaviour of stock markets in southern Africa
Authors: Mashamba Tafirei , Magweva Rabson
Published: February 2019

Orientation: The behaviour of stock market return volatility and implications thereof in Southern African Development Committee (SADC).Research purpose: The main aim of this study was to examine leverage effects and volatility persistence in selected southern African stock markets.Motivation for the study: To examine the volatility of stock markets in SADC which has implications on investment risk.Research approach, design and method: The study adopted exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (1.1) model using generalised error distribution and Student’s t-distribution.Main findings: Leverage effects were evidenced in Namibia and South Africa. Other nations reflected mixed results depending on the error distribution assumed. Volatility persistence was noted in all nations save for Malawi.Practical/managerial implications: Investors in Namibia and South Africa are encouraged to include leverage effects in portfolio optimisation and value-at-risk computations. Firms raising funds in these nations should be prepared to incur a risk premium as compensation to creditors for assuming high risk. As such raising capital in such nations is expected to be expensive and difficult coupled by market illiquidity, other things being equal. Except for Malawi, firms operating in other SADC nations are encouraged to hedge their operations as the level of stock market volatility is persistent and notable.Contribution/value-add: The study focused on countries that are excluded from recent studies using current models of volatility. A comparison is therefore possible at country level and using two different error distribution assumptions which concretise the results.
The unemployed and the formal and informal sectors in South Africa: A macroeconomic analysis
Authors: Burger Philippe , Fourie Frederick
Published: February 2019

Background: At 27.2% in the second quarter of 2018 the official unemployment rate in South Africa ranks as one of the highest in the world. However, depending on whether one uses the official or broad definition of unemployed, since 2008 there are on average between 2 and 3.3 times as many unemployed people as there are people in the informal sector.Aim: This article seeks to explore empirically, using time-series data, the extent to which an increase in the number of unemployed leads to increased entry of workers into the informal sector.Method: We use a Markov-switching vector error correction model.Results: We find that such entrance is very limited, lending credence to the notion that significant entry barriers exist into the informal sector.Conclusion: From a policy point of view these results suggest the need to consider measures that will ease entrance into the informal sector.
Gender traits in relation to work versus career salience
Authors: Geldenhuys Madelyn , Bosch Anita , Jeewa Shuaib , Koutris Ioulia
Published: February 2019

Orientation: The concepts of work- and career-role salience are used interchangeably, yet work focuses on the short-term aspect and career on the long-term aspect.Research purpose: We utilised gender traits, that is, masculinity, femininity and psychological androgyny, to find greater nuances in the salience of work versus career roles. We also set out to confirm the adapted factor structure of the revised Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI).Motivation for the study: Generally, self-reported sex is used to determine differences in role salience between men and women, as opposed to considering the gender roles people associate with.Research approach/design and method: A sample of 395 South African employees was used. Structural equation modelling and t-tests were applied.Main findings: We confirmed work- and career-role salience as distinct constructs. The factor structure of the revised BSRI holds for this study. With regard to gender traits, femininity decreased work-role salience, while psychological androgyny increased work-role salience. Masculinity had a direct effect on work-role salience while indirectly influencing career-role salience through work-role salience. Women were found to be significantly more feminine and psychologically androgynous than men.Practical/managerial implications: Utilising gender traits may have greater career guidance relevance for individuals than traditional approaches utilising differences between the sexes.Contribution/value-add: This study confirmed that work and career roles are to be viewed as separate constructs and that people may view the importance placed on work- and career-role salience differently. The study further contributes by including gender traits as a significant contributor to role salience.
Migration history in South Africa as a lens for interpreting God’s mission: Towards a challenge for churches to embrace migrants
Authors: Magezi Christopher
Published: February 2019

This article challenges the church to embrace migrants by presenting migration history in South Africa during the era of European explorers as a lens for interpreting God’s mission. In avowing the aforementioned, it argues for migration history of the European explorers to South Africa as the way God has used in establishing the church in South Africa. However, in view of the subsequent colonialism and slave trade in South Africa that emerged from the period of European explorers, this article recognises the conception of slave trade and colonialism during the era of European explorers as an evil act. Notably, in bringing Joseph’s forced migration to Egypt as a theological lens to interpret some sinful acts that were embedded in the migration of European explorers to South Africa that also resulted in the establishment of the early church in South Africa, it contends that God’s purpose and plans are not frustrated or thwarted by human sin. God, in his grace and love to reach his remnant people with the gospel, utilises various migrations of European explorers to South Africa (regardless of how sinful they are) to advance his kingdom to South Africa. The notion of migration history in South Africa as a lens for interpreting God’s mission is utilised to challenge the churches to embrace migrants because God uses migration or migrants to advance his kingdom to all the earth. The article concludes by calling the church to embrace all migrants because humankind are usually unacquainted with the particular migrants that God is utilising to advance his kingdom.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article outlines theological research agenda for migration history in South Africa as a lens to interpret God’s mission. It considers migration history in South Africa during the era of European explorers as a tool that God used to advance his kingdom. As such, it is a theological interdisciplinary article integrating church history and mission. The contribution of this article lies in establishing the emergence of the early church in South Africa as a result of migration, which it utilises as a challenge for churches to embrace migrants.
Diagnosis and treatment of early-stage glioblastoma
Authors: Hishii Makoto , Matsumoto Toshiharu , Arai Hajime
Published: February 2019

Early-stage glioblastoma has few identifiable findings; clinical significance of its early diagnosis and treatment remains unclear as no report has described treatment and long-term follow-up for early-stage glioblastoma. Here, we report a case of a 69-year-old woman with early-stage glioblastoma treated by microsurgical resection and chemoradiotherapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a small high-intensity lesion in the right temporal lobe on T2-weighted imaging. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI revealed ring enhancement. On magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the lesion demonstrated increased choline and reduced N-acetyl-aspartate levels compared with the normal brain. Positron emission tomography with 11C-methionine (MET) revealed 11C-methionine uptake in the lesion. Microsurgical resection was performed, and glioblastoma was pathologically diagnosed. The patient was treated with local radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy postoperatively. Eight years postoperatively, the patient is surviving without tumor recurrence, but progressive cognitive impairment developed 6 years' postoperatively. Aggressive treatment of early-stage glioblastoma may improve its extremely poor prognosis. Conversely, cognitive impairment may become a significant medical and social problem when effective therapies for glioblastoma are developed.
Solitary primary central nervous system plasmablastic lymphoma in a young immunocompetent female: Report on an extremely rare entity with review of literature
Authors: Mohd Iqbal , Gajbhiye Sanjog , Verma Ritu , Sardhara Jayesh
Published: February 2019

Primary central nervous system (CNS) plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) in immunocompetent patients is an extremely rare disease, and only three cases had been reported till date. We present a case of a young female of age 21 years immunocompetent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) negative, presented to us with left frontal lesion with weakness of the right upper and lower limbs for 9 months. Magnetic resonance images showed ring-enhancing lesions resembling a cavernoma or tuberculoma. Histopathological diagnosis was PBL. Surgical excision of tumor, followed by rapid recurrence with bleed in 3-month duration, was treated by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. We report a young immunocompetent, HIV-negative, and EBV-negative female, with rapidly progressive primary CNS solitary PBL in the posterior frontal region, developed rapid recurrence of the tumor twice despite gross total excision.
Navigation for tubular decompression of the l5 nerve root ganglion after cement leakage via a wiltse approach
Authors: Hartmann Sebastian , Kavakebi Pujan , Tschugg Anja , Lener Sara , Stocsits Anna , Thomé Claudius
Published: February 2019

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are a widespread problem in the elderly population. In experienced hands, treatment procedures are safe and can be done in a minimally invasive fashion. Nevertheless, in rare cases, severe complications may occur. We present a case report of cement leakage after vertebroplasty of L5 compressing the nerve root with neurological signs and radiculopathy. An 86-year-old female patient was introduced to our department with severe L5 nerve root radiculopathy and a foot flexion paresis after vertebroplasty of L5. Computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine revealed extraforaminal extravasation of cement around the nerve root causing significant compression. The patient underwent surgical revision using spinal navigation for skin incision, retractor placing, and verification of the cement extravasation. The cement plombage was removed, and the patient improved immediately. Sufficient decompression of the nerve root after cement leakage can be achieved using a spinal navigation setup in combination with intraoperative CT.
Simulation training methods in neurological surgery
Authors: Oliveira Louise , Figueiredo Eberval
Published: February 2019

Simulation training plays a paramount role in medicine, especially when it comes to mastering surgical skills. By simulating, students gain not only confidence, but expertise, learning to apply theory in a safe environment. As the technological arsenal improved, virtual reality and physical simulators have developed and are now an important part of the Neurosurgery training curriculum. Based on deliberate practice in a controlled space, simulation allows psychomotor skills augment without putting neither patients nor students at risk. When compared to the master-apprentice ongoing model of teaching, simutation becomes even more appealing as it is time-efficient, shortening the learning curve and ultimately leading to error reduction, which is reflected by diminished health care costs in the long run. In this chapter we will discuss the current state of neurosurgery simulation, highlight the potential benefits of this approach, assessing specific training methods and making considerations towards the future of neurosurgical simulation.
Horner's syndrome due to cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma: A rare presentation and review of literature
Authors: Patil Harshad , Rege Shrikant
Published: February 2019

Cervical sympathetic chain schwannoma (CSCS) is an extremely rare benign tumor, and it is a diagnostic challenge. We report a case of 45-year-old female who presented with a solitary right cervical swelling with clinical features of Horner's syndrome (HS). She was evaluated with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography. Surgical excision of the lesion was performed, and the histological examination revealed the diagnosis of schwannoma. Herein, we review the presentation, imaging characteristics, and operative considerations of a patient with a large CSCS, presenting with HS.