bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnesium Oxide in Nanodimension: Model for MRI and Multimodal Therapy
Authors: Akram M. Waseem , Fakhar-e-Alam Muhammad , Butt Alvina Rafiq , Munir T. , Ali Akbar , Alimgeer K. S. , Mehmood-ur-Rehman Khalid , Iqbal Seemab , Ali Salamat , Ikram Muhammad , Amin N. , Wang Zhiming M.
Published: June 2018

The prime focus of this investigation is to determine which morphology of magnesium oxide (MgO) is nontoxic and accumulates in sufficient quantity to a human brain cellular/tissue model. Thus, nanostructured MgO was synthesized from a coprecipitation technique involving twin synthetic protocols and the resulting product was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), size distribution histogram, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and elemental composition was confirmed by EDX analysis. They were tested for selective antigen response in a human brain cancer model through biodistribution, biotoxicity via MTT assay, and tissue morphology. In addition, the MRI compatibility of MgO nanostructures and immunofluorescence studies were investigated on nanoconjugates with different immunoglobulins in the brain section. The results indicated that MgO had some degree of bindings with the antigens. These results led to the empirical modeling of MgO nanomaterials towards toxicity in cancer cells by analyzing the statistical data obtained by experiments. All these results are providing new rational strategy with the concept of MgO for MRI and PTT/PDT.
Carriage Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Poultry and Cattle in Northern Algeria
Authors: Bounar-Kechih Saliha , Taha Hamdi Mossadak , Aggad Hebib , Meguenni Nacima , Cantekin Zafer
Published: June 2018

Multiresistant and especially Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious public health problem that requires their immediate identification and antibiotic resistance characteristics. In order to determine antibiotic resistance S. aureus poultry and bovine origin, 8840 samples were collected from slaughterhouses in the northern region of Algeria between years 2009 and 2014. 8375 samples were from an avian origin (1875 from laying hens and 6500 from broiler chickens) and the rest was from bovine origin. Bacteriological isolation and identification were made by classical culture method and antibiotic resistance patterns were determined by disc diffusion test. The prevalence of S. aureus was 42% in laying hens, 12% in broilers, and 55% in bovine samples. The prevalence of MRSA was 57%, 50%, and 31% in laying hens, broiler chickens, and bovine, respectively. While MRSA strains isolated from poultry showed cross-resistance to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulphonamides, and cyclins, those isolated from bovine also revealed similar multiresistance except for sulphonamide. This high percentage of methicillin resistance and multidrug resistance in S. aureus poultry and bovine origin may have importance for human health and curing of human infections.
Adaptive Tracking Control for a Class of Manipulator Systems with State Constraints and Stochastic Disturbances
Authors: Sun Wei , Yuan Wenxing , Zhang Jing , Sun Qun
Published: June 2018

An adaptive controller is constructed for a class of stochastic manipulator nonlinear systems in this paper. The states are constrained in the compact set. A tan-type Barrier Lyapunov Function (BLF) is employed to deal with state constraints. The proposed control scheme guarantees the output error convergence to a small neighbourhood of zero. All the signals in the closed-loop system are bounded. The simulation results illustrate the validity of the proposed method.
Quantum-Inspired Wolf Pack Algorithm to Solve the 0-1 Knapsack Problem
Authors: Gao Yangjun , Zhang Fengming , Zhao Yu , Li Chao
Published: June 2018

This paper proposes a Quantum-Inspired wolf pack algorithm (QWPA) based on quantum encoding to enhance the performance of the wolf pack algorithm (WPA) to solve the 0-1 knapsack problems. There are two important operations in QWPA: quantum rotation and quantum collapse. The first step enables the population to move to the global optima and the second step helps to avoid the trapping of individuals into local optima. Ten classical and four high-dimensional knapsack problems are employed to test the proposed algorithm, and the results are compared with other typical algorithms. The statistical results demonstrate the effectiveness and global search capability for knapsack problems, especially for high-level cases.
Privacy Protection of IoT Based on Fully Homomorphic Encryption
Authors: Song Wei-Tao , Hu Bin , Zhao Xiu-Feng
Published: June 2018

With the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT), grave questions of privacy protection are raised. This greatly impacts the large‐scale applications of IoT. Fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) can provide privacy protection for IoT. But, its efficiency needs to be greatly improved. Nowadays, Gentry’s bootstrapping technique is still the only known method of obtaining a “pure” FHE scheme. And it is also the key for the low efficiency of FHE scheme due to the complexity homomorphic decryption. In this paper, the bootstrapping technique of Halevi and Shoup (EUROCRYPT 15) is improved. Firstly, by introducing a definition of “load capacity”, we optimize the parameter range for which their bootstrapping technique works. Next we generalize their ciphertext modulus from closing to a power of two to more general situations. This enables the method to be applied in a larger number of situations. Moreover, this paper also shows how to introduce SIMD homomorphic computation techniques into the new method, to improve the efficiency of recryption.
The Holling Type II Population Model Subjected to Rapid Random Attacks of Predator
Authors: Carkovs Jevgeņijs , Goldšteine Jolanta , Šadurskis Kārlis
Published: June 2018

We present the analysis of a mathematical model of the dynamics of interacting predator and prey populations with the Holling type random trophic function under the assumption of random time interval passage between predator attacks on prey. We propose a stochastic approximation algorithm for quantitative analysis of the above model based on the probabilistic limit theorem. If the predators’ gains and the time intervals between predator attacks are sufficiently small, our proposed method allows us to derive an approximative average dynamical system for mathematical expectations of population dynamics and the stochastic Ito differential equation for the random deviations from the average motion. Assuming that the averaged dynamical system is the classic Holling type II population model with asymptotically stable limit cycle, we prove that the dynamics of stochastic model may be approximated with a two-dimensional Gaussian Markov process with unboundedly increasing variances.
Exponential Lagrange Stability for Markovian Jump Uncertain Neural Networks with Leakage Delay and Mixed Time-Varying Delays via Impulsive Control
Authors: Yogambigai J. , Syed Ali M. , Zhu Quanxin , Cai Jingwei
Published: June 2018

The problem of exponential Lagrange stability analysis of Markovian jump neural networks with leakage delay and mixed time-varying delays is studied in this paper. By utilizing the Lyapunov functional method, employing free-weighting matrix approach and inequality techniques in matrix form, we establish several novel stability criteria such that, for all admissible parameter uncertainties, the suggested neural network is exponentially stable in Lagrange sense. The derived criteria are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). A numerical example is provided to manifest the validity of the proposed results.
ANACONJ Analyzer of the Conjunction AND in Spanish Using Syntactic Patterns and Semantic Frames
Authors: Cuevas Rasgado Alma Delia
Published: June 2018

Conjunctions have different interpretations: they eliminate redundancies: “María se bañó y se peinó” (Maria bathed and she combed her hair), unite different ideas: “Hoy llovió y no fui a corer” (Today it rained and I did not go to run) and use of lists: “Eran Alma, Edith y Omar” (They were Alma, Edith and Omar). Conjunctions take different semantic contexts. We understand each other because of the common sense despite expressing ourselves incorrectly from the standpoint of semantics, but for a computer it is difficult. In order to “understand” the sentences, the machine must solve semantics problems; this article exposes one of these problems. ANACONJ is an algorithm of pattern recognition of texts, which uses rules and syntactic patterns that analyze each word of a sentence in a phrase, identifying those sentences with conjunctions to build a semantic tree of the sentence where the conjunction connects words (nouns, verbs, etc.) according to their meaning. ANACONJ could be used as a teaching Spanish software tool and as an app for a service robot too.
Cellular Stress Responses and Gut Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Cao Siyan “Stewart”
Published: June 2018

Progresses in the past two decades have greatly expanded our understanding of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an incurable disease with multifaceted and challenging clinical manifestations. The pathogenesis of IBD involves multiple processes on the cellular level, which include the stress response signaling such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, and hypoxia. Under physiological conditions, the stress responses play key roles in cell survival, mucosal barrier integrity, and immunomodulation. However, they can also cause energy depletion, trigger cell death and tissue injury, promote inflammatory response, and drive the progression of clinical disease. In recent years, gut microflora has emerged as an essential pathogenic factor and therapeutic target for IBD. Altered compositional and metabolic profiles of gut microbiota, termed dysbiosis, are associated with IBD. Recent studies, although limited, have shed light on how ER stress, oxidative stress, and hypoxic stress interact with gut microorganisms, a potential source of stress in the microenvironment of gastrointestinal tract. Our knowledge of cellular stress responses in intestinal homeostasis as well as their cross-talks with gut microbiome will further our understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and probably open avenues for new therapies.
A Novel Framework for Ab Initio Coarse Protein Structure Prediction
Authors: Dubey Sandhya Parasnath , Balaji S. , Kini N. Gopalakrishna , Sathish Kumar M.
Published: June 2018

Hydrophobic-Polar model is a simplified representation of Protein Structure Prediction (PSP) problem. However, even with the HP model, the PSP problem remains NP-complete. This work proposes a systematic and problem specific design for operators of the evolutionary program which hybrids with local search hill climbing, to efficiently explore the search space of PSP and thereby obtain an optimum conformation. The proposed algorithm achieves this by incorporating the following novel features: (i) new initialization method which generates only valid individuals with (rather than random) better fitness values; (ii) use of probability-based selection operators that limit the local convergence; (iii) use of secondary structure based mutation operator that makes the structure more closely to the laboratory determined structure; and (iv) incorporating all the above-mentioned features developed a complete two-tier framework. The developed framework builds the protein conformation on the square and triangular lattice. The test has been performed using benchmark sequences, and a comparative evaluation is done with various state-of-the-art algorithms. Moreover, in addition to hypothetical test sequences, we have tested protein sequences deposited in protein database repository. It has been observed that the proposed framework has shown superior performance regarding accuracy (fitness value) and speed (number of generations needed to attain the final conformation). The concepts used to enhance the performance are generic and can be used with any other population-based search algorithm such as genetic algorithm, ant colony optimization, and immune algorithm.
The Two-Stage Model of Entrepreneurs Financing Based on the Entry/Exit Decision
Authors: Wang Kaihong , Mingyang Yin , Jiani Zuo
Published: June 2018

Normally entrepreneur would raise fund from angel investors during the initial round. If the venture program was by then successful, the entrepreneur would then continue the fund-raising process from venture capitalist. By adopting the convertible preferred stock, we managed to construct the two-stage angel investment decision process. This research reveals the following: (1) The probability of the first stage’s success has negative relationships with levels of priority dividend in both first and second stages, as well as with the venture capitalist’s proportion of shares. (2) The probability of the second stage’s success has negative relationships with the venture capitalist’s proportion of shares and the dividend level of both first and second stage funding. (3) There has been a threshold of dividend distribution, which belongs to angel investor. While the level of angel investor’s shares is higher than the threshold, AN would decide to join the second phase of the program; otherwise, AN would exit the project at the end of the first stage.
Data Fusion in Ubiquitous Sports Training: Methodology and Application
Authors: Brzostowski Krzysztof , Szwach Piotr
Published: June 2018

We present a data fusion‐based methodology for supporting the sports training. Training sessions are planned by coach on the basis of the analyzed data obtained during each training session. The data are usually acquired from various sensors attached to the athlete (e.g., accelerometers or gyroscopes). One of the techniques dedicated to processing the data originatnig from different sources is data fusion. The data fusion in sports training provides new procedures to acquire, to process, and to analyze the sports training related data. To verify the effectiveness of the data fusion methodology, we design a system to analyze training sessions of a tennis player. The main functionalities of the system are the tennis strokes detection and the classification based on data gathered from the wrist‐worn sensor. The detection and the classification of tennis strokes can reduce the time a coach spends in analyzing the trainees’ data. Recreational players for self‐learning may also use these functionalities. In the proposed approach, we used Mel‐Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients, determined from the accelerometer data, to build the feature vector. The data are gathered from amateur and professional athletes. We tested the quality of the designed feature vector for two different classification methods, that is, k‐Nearest Neighbors and Logistic Regression. We evaluate the classifiers by applying two tests: 10‐fold cross‐validation and leave‐one‐out techniques. Our results demonstrate that data fusion‐based approach can be used effectively to analyze athlete’s activities during the training.
Multiview Layer Fusion Model for Action Recognition Using RGBD Images
Authors: Chalearnnetkul Pongsagorn , Suvonvorn Nikom
Published: June 2018

Vision-based action recognition encounters different challenges in practice, including recognition of the subject from any viewpoint, processing of data in real time, and offering privacy in a real-world setting. Even recognizing profile-based human actions, a subset of vision-based action recognition, is a considerable challenge in computer vision which forms the basis for an understanding of complex actions, activities, and behaviors, especially in healthcare applications and video surveillance systems. Accordingly, we introduce a novel method to construct a layer feature model for a profile-based solution that allows the fusion of features for multiview depth images. This model enables recognition from several viewpoints with low complexity at a real-time running speed of 63 fps for four profile-based actions: standing/walking, sitting, stooping, and lying. The experiment using the Northwestern-UCLA 3D dataset resulted in an average precision of 86.40%. With the i3DPost dataset, the experiment achieved an average precision of 93.00%. With the PSU multiview profile-based action dataset, a new dataset for multiple viewpoints which provides profile-based action RGBD images built by our group, we achieved an average precision of 99.31%.
Efficient and Secure Biometric-Based User Authenticated Key Agreement Scheme with Anonymity
Authors: Kang Dongwoo , Jung Jaewook , Kim Hyoungshick , Lee Youngsook , Won Dongho
Published: June 2018

At present, a number of users employ an authentication protocol so as to enjoy protected electronic transactions in wireless networks. In order to establish an efficient and robust the transaction system, numerous researches have been conducted relating to authentication protocols. Recently, Kaul and Awasthi presented an user authentication and key agreement scheme, arguing that their scheme is able to resist various types of attacks and preserve diverse security properties. However, this scheme possesses critical vulnerabilities. First, the scheme cannot prevent two kinds of attacks, including off-line password guessing attacks and user impersonation attacks. Second, user anonymity rule cannot be upheld. Third, session key can be compromised by an attacker. Fourth, there is high possibility that the time synchronization trouble occurs. Therefore, we suggest an upgraded version of the user authenticated key agreement method that provides enhanced security. Our security and performance analysis shows that compared, to other associated protocols, our method not only improves the security level but also ensures efficiency.
Study on the Fractal Characteristics of Fracture Network Evolution Induced by Mining
Authors: Liang Tao , Liu Xiaoli , Wang Sijing , Wang Enzhi , Li Quansheng
Published: June 2018

The evolution and distribution of fracture network induced by mining is essential to determine the mechanical properties and permeability of disturbed rock mass. In this paper, the similar material model tests are employed to simulate the stress variation, cyclic breaking, and fracture formation and distribution status of the overlying strata with different loading conditions, rock properties, and mining process. The fractal dimension of mining‐induced fracture network varied with mining advancing, and the evolvement laws of fracture network with mining advancing and different mining advancing footage are concerned and obtained. By establishing the relationship between the fractal dimension and the mining length in different horizontal and vertical zones, it demonstrates that the fractal dimensions in horizontal and vertical zones have a self‐similar characteristic, and the distribution of the fractal dimension of the mining‐induced fractures shows generally the “W”‐type trend.
Nonlinear Bond Model for the Dowel Action considering the Fatigue Damage Effect
Authors: Li Pengfei , Tan Ni , Wang Chengzhi
Published: June 2018

To investigate the mechanical properties of dowel action under fatigue loads, 3 reinforced concrete specimens with different bar diameters (12 mm, 20 mm, and 25 mm) were subjected to the fatigue loading and were designed to investigate the attenuation character of dowel action and the fatigue failure modes. The load transfer mechanism of the bond was analyzed based on the 3D relative motions between reinforcing bars and subgrade concrete. Fatigue damage effects were considered in the model. A deterioration coefficient based on the deformation path was defined to represent the accumulation of fatigue damage. Verification of the model was conducted by comparing the analysis results with experimental data obtained in this study and from the literature, and satisfactory agreement was obtained.
Change in Inflammatory Biomarkers and Adipose Tissue in BRCA1/2+ Breast Cancer Survivors Following a Yearlong Lifestyle Modification Program
Authors: Sturgeon Kathleen M. , Foo Wayne , Heroux Mariane , Schmitz Kathryn
Published: June 2018

Breast cancer survivors who carry a genetic mutation for one of the BRCA genes often undergo surgically induced menopause a decade or more before the usual age of natural menopause. These women are at elevated risk for multiple negative health outcomes, including metabolic diseases, heart disease, and cancer recurrence. Effects of a 12-month commercially available web-based lifestyle program (Precision Nutrition) were tested on body composition and markers of inflammation in a randomized controlled trial. Participants (N = 35) were BRCA1/2+, breast cancer survivors, and had completed surgically induced menopause at age <45 years. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to quantify body composition. Fasting blood samples were used to assay insulin, IL1β, IL6, IL8, and TNFα. At baseline, we observed relationships between insulin, TNFα, and IL6, and between biomarkers and adiposity. Insulin and subcutaneous adipose tissue levels significantly decreased following the intervention compared with the change in the control group. Compared with baseline, TNFα and total adipose tissue levels decreased significantly in the intervention group. The percent change in insulin levels was moderately correlated with the percent change in subcutaneous adipose tissue (r = 0.33). Change in adiposity was not related to change in TNFα or IL6. Women in the intervention group decreased levels of subcutaneous, but not visceral, adipose tissue. The change in subcutaneous adipose tissue was the main driver of change in insulin levels for the women in the intervention group. However, the change in body composition achieved by the Precision Nutrition program was not sufficient to alter biomarker levels of inflammation. Cancer Prev Res; 11(9); 545–50. ©2018 AACR.
Novel Proinflammatory Function of Renal Intercalated Cells
Authors: Breton Sylvie , Brown Dennis
Published: June 2018

Background: Serious and often fatal acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently seen after major surgery, local and remote organ damage, and sepsis. It is associated with uncontrolled inflammation, and is usually diagnosed only after the kidneys have gone through significant and often irreversible damage. Summary: During our work involving another type of kidney disease that leads to acid-base disorders of the blood, we unexpectedly found high levels of a protein called the P2Y14 “purinergic” receptor, in specialized kidney epithelial cells called intercalated cells (ICs). These cells are responsible for maintaining whole body acid-base balance by regulating the secretion of excess protons into the urine, which normalizes blood pH. However, it turns out that the P2Y14 receptor in these cells responds to a molecule called uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose, which is a danger signal released by damaged cells anywhere in the body. When UDP-glucose reaches the kidney, it stimulates ICs to produce chemoattractant cytokines; this results in renal inflammation and contributes to the onset of AKI. Key Message: Thus, our work now points to ICs as key mediators of renal inflammation and AKI, following surgery and/or damage to remote organs, sepsis, and also local insults to the kidney itself. The link between the proton secreting ICs of the kidney and AKI is an example of how a fundamental research project with a defined aim, in this case understanding acid-base homeostasis, can lead to a novel observation that has unexpected but major implications in another area of human health.
ПОТРЕБА НАСЕЛЕННЯ В ПАЛІАТИВНІЙ ДОПОМОЗІ НА ПРИКЛАДІ БЕРИСЛАВСЬКОГО ГОСПІТАЛЬНОГО ОКРУГУ
Authors: Ivanchuk O. V. , Bob A. O.
Published: June 2018

Паліативна допомога набуває великого значення в системі охорони здоров’я. Під впливом зростання кількості тяжкохворих та інкурабельних осіб виникає необхідність розвитку та вдосконалення паліативної допомоги на території України. Покращення стану паліативної та хоспісної допомоги залишається пріоритетним у покращенні якості життя всього населення.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СИНДРОМУ ЕМОЦІЙНОГО ВИГОРАННЯ У МЕДИЧНИХ СЕСТЕР ТЕРАПЕВТИЧНИХ ТА ХІРУРГІЧНИХ ВІДДІЛЕНЬ
Authors: Draga T. M. , Khanas T. B. , Krynytska I. Ya.
Published: June 2018

У статті розглянуто сучасні теоретичні підходи до синдрому емоційного вигорання як форми професійної деформації медичних працівників. Звернено увагу на особливості вираження синдрому емоційного вигорання у медичних сестер терапевтичних та хірургічних відділень.
ВПЛИВ МУЗИЧНОЇ ТЕРАПІЇ НА ЗМЕНШЕННЯ ІНТЕНСИВНОСТІ БОЛЮ ПІСЛЯ ОПЕРАційНОГО ВТРУЧАННЯ У ДІТЕЙ
Authors: Ivanovych Y. V. , Kinash M. I.
Published: June 2018

У статті подано результати спостережень впливу музичної терапії на вираження інтенсивності післяопераційного болю у дітей. Проаналізовано інформацію про вплив музичної терапії як одного з нефармакологічних методів лікування болю.
John Doris' Excellence Adventure
Authors: Swanson Carrie
Published: June 2018

Abstract: In his book Lack of Character (2002 Cambridge University Press) John Doris argues that both virtue ethics and common sense or folk psychology are committed to the claim that the attribution of character to persons is predictive, explanatory, and determinative of behaviour. Doris contends however that this claim is empirically false. Citing the results of experiments in the situationist research tradition in experimental social psychology, Doris argues that it is a person’s situation, and not his or her character, that determines how a person will behave in a given situation. Doris concludes that virtue ethics in particular is in need of radical revision, since the attribution of character to persons is thereby shown to be otiose at best, and empirically misleading at worst. In this essay I defend traditional virtue ethics against Doris’ situationist critique. My discussion falls into four parts. In Section 1 I set out the key claims that Doris makes about the empirical inadequacy of traditional virtue ethics. In Section 2 I describe three of the most important experiments which Doris adduces in his argument for situationism. In Section 3 I offer alternative interpretations of all three experiments, largely, but not exclusively, from an Aristotelian perspective. In Section 4 I respond to Doris’ positive account of moral character, viz., his ‘fragmentation hypothesis’ and his theory of ‘local traits’. Here I argue that Doris’ positive account is lacking in explanatory power; I suggest as well that his positive account is poorly motivated, since he has largely misunderstood the traditional concept of a moral disposition. In particular, it is crucial to Doris’ critique of virtue ethics that virtues and traits of character are cross-situationally consistent (or ‘robust’); since according to Doris, it will only be attributions of character so conceived that are shown to be empirically inadequate by the situationist experiments he discusses. Doris’ notion of a robust disposition is however alien to Aristotle and the virtue ethicists who are inspired by him. I demonstrate that the virtue ethicist conceives of a virtue as a rational disposition. A virtue is a disposition to act and feel in an appropriate way as a result of and in response to rational considerations about the good in particular circumstances. The acquisition of virtue is a difficult moral achievement because it involves the complex and interdependent development of both the intellectual and emotional capacities of a human being. It is precisely because the virtues are not robust traits in Doris’ sense that the deliverances of practical reason, even when it is operating in its fullest capacity, will issue in decisions in particular circumstances that cannot be captured by the notion of ‘cross-situational consistency’. I conclude that insofar as that is the case Doris has managed to make very little dialectical contact with the concept of virtue as that has been conceived in the virtue ethics tradition.
Three new species of parasitaphelenchids, Parasitaphelenchus frontalis n. sp., P. costati n. sp. and Bursaphelenchus hirsutae n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae), isolated from bark beetles from Japan
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Ekino Taisuke , Ide Tatsuya , Masuya Hayato , Degawa Yousuke
Published: June 2018

Three parasitaphelenchid species,Parasitaphelenchus frontalisn. sp.,P. costatin. sp. andBursaphelenchus hirsutaen. sp., are described.Parasitaphelenchus frontalisn. sp. was isolated from the body cavity ofScolytus frontalisemerging from dead logs ofZelkova serratacollected from Kanagawa, Japan, and characterised by its four-lined lateral field in the adults and dome-shaped lip region of the parasitic juveniles. Whereas the two first-mentioned species were isolated fromAlniphagus costatus,B. hirsutaen. sp. emerged from dead logs ofAlnus hirsutacollected from Nagano, Japan.Parasitaphelenchus costatin. sp. andB. hirsutaen. sp. were recovered from the body cavity and the underside of the elytra of their host/carrier beetle, respectively.Parasitaphelenchus costatin. sp. is characterised by its three-lined lateral field in adults and the presence of a ventrally-directed hook on the lip region of the parasitic juvenile.Bursaphelenchus hirsutaen. sp. belongs to theeggersigroup of the genus and is characterised by its three-lined lateral field, dorsally truncate condylus and pointed rostrum of males, and long, smoothly tapering and strongly ventrally recurved, female tail. Molecular characterisation is provided for all three new species and their phylogenys discussed.
Global Economic Governance in the Wake of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: Is China Remaking Bretton Woods?
Authors: Wu Chien-Huei
Published: June 2018

This article examines China’s participation in the trade, monetary and development assistance fields and concludes that China’s rise does not undermine the centrality of the Bretton Woods institutions or Word Trade Organization (WTO) in global economic governance. Whereas China’s participation in the WTO presents some challenges to the long dominance of the United States and the European Union, it reaffirms the central role of the WTO. China’s monetary strategy also indicates the continuing importance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the international monetary regime. Whereas the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) introduces some competition to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), China’s efforts in establishing new multilateral development banks are mainly driven by its frustration with stalled reforms of the Bretton Woods institutions. By and large, China’s economic emergence does not challenge, but reaffirms, the post-World War II global economic architecture.
Contribution to the fauna of the genus Meroplius Rondani, 1874 (Diptera, Sepsidae) of the Australasian/Oceanian region
Authors: OZEROV A. L.
Published: June 2018

Flies of the genus Meroplius Rondani, 1874 (Diptera: Sepsidae) of the Australasian and Oceanian regions, which includes 3 species, are reviewed. Generic and species descriptions and a key for the determination of species are given, and distribution data are summarized. One species, Meroplius timikana sp. nov. is described as new to science.
Taxonomy and Natural History of Strumigenys thaxteri Wheeler and Strumigenys reticeps (Kempf) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: LATTKE JOHN E. , SILVA THIAGO S. R. DA , DELSINNE THIBAUT
Published: June 2018

We report finding Strumigenys thaxteri Wheeler in the Amazonian foothills of southeastern Ecuador, over 2000 km to the west of previously known records for the species in Trinidad and Guyana. Field observations suggest it is a sit and wait ambush predator that captures insects that alight on the vegetation upon which they position themselves. Once prey is subdued they descend with it to ground level, where they presumably nest. Their massive mandibles, robust claws, dense body cover of long silky hairs, and sting may all contribute to detecting, trapping, and subduing larger sized, flying prey. This type of predation is hitherto unreported for the genus. Strumigenys reticeps (Kempf), an apparently closely related species from southern Brazil, may share the same behavior but its key morphological traits are of a lesser degree of development than in S. thaxteri. Both species are redescribed and their morphological variability is discussed. High resolution images of both species are provided. The more frequent use of vegetation beating for ant-collecting is urged. Strumigenys lojanensis Lattke & Aguirre is synonymized as a junior synonym of S. onorei Baroni Urbani & De Andrade.
One new species of Baburia Koçak, 1981 and one of Metendothenia Diakonoff, 1973 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae) from Thailand
Authors: JIRASUTTAYAPORN PANAKA , PITAKTUNSAKUL PIYAPORN , PINKAEW NANTASAK
Published: June 2018

Two new species of the tribe Olethreutini are described and illustrated from Thailand: Baburia paucustriga Jirasuttayaporn and Pinkaew, n.sp., and Metendothenia ordospina Jirasuttayaporn and Pinkaew, n.sp. The two new taxa increase the number of described species in Baburia to three and in Metendothenia to 14.
New species of many-plumed moths (Lepidoptera: Alucitidae) from Tanzania
Authors: USTJUZHANIN PETER , KOVTUNOVICH VASILIY , USTJUZHANINA ANNA
Published: June 2018

Basing on the examination of new material on many-plumed moths from Tanzania, four new species have been discovered: Alucita agassizi Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich sp. nov., A. iringiensis Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich sp. nov., A. snezhinka Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich sp. nov. and A. tanzanica Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich sp. nov. They are described and compared with the closest species. The diagnostic characters for each new taxon are specified. The genitalia are described and illustrated, images of the adults are provided. Data on many-plumed moths previously unknown for Tanzania are given. Two species, A. seychellensis (Fletcher 1910) and A. malawica (Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich, 2016) are reported from Tanzania for the first time.
The Nonlinear Optimal Triggering Perturbation of the Kuroshio Large Meander and Its Evolution in a Regional Ocean Model
Authors: Liu Xia , Mu Mu , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2018

Based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) and the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP) method, we explore the nonlinear optimal triggering perturbation of the Kuroshio large meander (LM) and its evolution, and reveal the role of nonlinear physical processes in the formation of the LM path. The results show that the large amplitudes of the perturbations are mainly located in the upper 2000 m in the southeastern area of Kyushu (29°–32°N, 131°–134°E), where the eastward propagation of the cold anomaly is vital to the formation of the LM path. By analyzing the depth-integrated vorticity equation of the perturbation, we find that linear advection, namely, the interaction between the perturbation and the reference field, tends to move the cyclonic eddy induced by the optimal triggering perturbation eastward, while the nonlinear advection associated with the interaction of perturbations tends to move the cyclonic eddy westward. The opposing effects of the nonlinear advection and the linear advection slow the eastward movement of the cyclonic eddy so that the eddy has a chance to effectively develop, eventually leading to the formation of the Kuroshio LM path.
Environmental Factors and Internal Processes Contributing to the Interrupted Rapid Decay of Hurricane Joaquin (2015)
Authors: Hendricks Eric A. , Elsberry Russell L. , Velden Christopher S. , Jorgensen Adam C. , Jordan Mary S. , Creasey Robert L.
Published: June 2018

The objective in this study is to demonstrate how two unique datasets from the Tropical Cyclone Intensity (TCI-15) field experiment can be used to diagnose the environmental and internal factors contributing to the interruption of the rapid decay of Hurricane Joaquin (2015) and then a subsequent 30-h period of constant intensity. A special CIMSS vertical wind shear (VWS) dataset reprocessed at 15-min intervals provides a more precise documentation of the large (~15 m s−1) VWS throughout most of the rapid decay period, and then the timing of a rapid decrease in VWS to moderate (~8 m s−1) values prior to, and following, the rapid decay period. During this period, the VWS was moderate because Joaquin was between large VWSs to the north and near-zero VWSs to the south, which is considered to be a key factor in how Joaquin was able to be sustained at hurricane intensity even though it was moving poleward over colder water. A unique dataset of High Definition Sounding System (HDSS) dropwindsondes deployed from the NASA WB-57 during the TCI-15 field experiment is utilized to calculate zero-wind centers during Joaquin center overpasses that reveal for the first time the vortex tilt structure through the entire troposphere. The HDSS datasets are also utilized to calculate the inertial stability profiles and the inner-core potential temperature anomalies in the vertical. Deeper lower-tropospheric layers of near-zero vortex tilt are correlated with stronger storm intensities, and upper-tropospheric layers with large vortex tilts due to large VWSs are correlated with weaker storm intensities.
Cult books revisited: Jacques Ellul’s The Presence of the Kingdom
Authors: Gill Robin
Published: June 2018

An assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of Jacques Ellul’s classic book The Presence of the Kingdom, now available in a new translation.
New directions in theology, church and sports: A brief overview and position statement
Authors: Watson Nick J.
Published: June 2018

There has been a significant increase in scholarship, empirical research (within both theology and the social sciences) and church-based initiatives focused on sport and Christianity during the last decade. This article seeks to briefly map these developments and provide a position statement by way of addressing two topics: theological reflection on sport; and church and para-church engagement in sport. In conclusion, a number of recommendations are provided for future research and ecclesiological praxis.
Care choices in Europe: To Each According to His or Her Needs?
Authors: Heger Dörte , Korfhage Thorben
Published: June 2018

Growing long-term care (LTC) needs represent a major challenge for our aging societies. Understanding how utilization patterns of different types of care are influenced by LTC policies or changes in the population composition such as age patterns or health can provide helpful insight on how to adequately prepare for this situation. To this aim, this paper explores how individuals choose between different forms of LTC. We exploit variation between countries as well as between individuals within countries using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Using nonlinear decomposition techniques, we break down the difference in utilization rates between countries into differences based on observed sociodemographic and need-related characteristics and differences in the impacts of these characteristics, which allows us to identify the drivers behind differences in the formal-informal care mix. Our results show that a substantial fraction of the observed country differences can be explained by differences in impacts. We argue that this is a result of the different incentives provided by the different LTC systems.
Collaboratively Clearing the Path to a Baccalaureate Degree: Identifying Effective 2- to 4-Year College Transfer Partnerships
Authors: Xu Di , Ran Florence Xiaotao , Fink John , Jenkins Davis , Dundar Afet
Published: June 2018

Objective: This study develops an analytical framework for identifying effective partnerships between 2- and 4-year institutions that enable community college entrants to transfer to a 4-year institution and earn a bachelor’s degree in a timely fashion. Method: Using the individual term-by-term college enrollment and degree records from the National Student Clearinghouse for the entire 2007 fall cohort of first-time-in-college community college students nationwide, we use regressions to control for student and institutional characteristics in identifying effective partnerships in two steps: first, we identify community colleges with large residual values (better than expected outcomes); and second, we identify the 4-year partners of those community colleges with large residual values. Results: Descriptive results on the variation in transfer outcomes among the thousands of unique transfer partnerships nationally are presented alongside results from regressions used in the two-step effective transfer partnership identification. Contributions: Recommendations and considerations for using this framework to evaluate and benchmark institutional performance in supporting the academic success of vertical transfer students for baccalaureate attainment are also discussed.
An Effective Project for Teaching Repeated-Measures Designs
Authors: Swinkels Alan , Giuliano Traci A.
Published: June 2018

A project was developed to introduce the core principles of repeated-measures designs. Using the levels of processing approach to memory, students are prompted to engage in either shallow, moderate, or deep processing of 54 common nouns. An unexpected recall task then measures the number of words remembered in each condition. Data from 293 students from two universities across 16 years indicate that the exercise reliably produces significant differences across conditions. This exercise employs several methodological techniques that are used as a basis for class discussion such as counterbalancing, randomized-blocks designs, reduction of carryover and specific-item effects, and elimination of experimenter expectancy effects. In short, most of the design considerations that would be required of a repeated measures approach are represented, and students can identify their purposes and effects from having participated in the demonstration.
The Importance of Personal Statements in Counselor Education and Psychology Doctoral Program Applications
Authors: Davis Karen M. , Doll Jason F. , Sterner William R.
Published: June 2018

Personal statements are an important component of applications for counselor education and psychology doctoral programs. However, a paucity of empirical information exists about what types of content are viewed favorably and how this content influences admissions decisions. In the current study, 97 faculty members from clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and counselor education doctoral programs completed an online survey about how favorably they viewed content included in personal statements. Respondents viewed personal statements as the most important component of an application, and there were no significant differences in favorability ratings of content or stylistic issues across program types. Recommendations for those mentoring students applying to graduate school and faculty reviewing applications were provided.
The Road to Writing a Textbook
Authors: Sternberg Robert J. , Hayes Nicky
Published: June 2018

Writing a textbook is close to a unique experience in the work of a psychologist. In this article, we discuss the steps authors need to take in preparing to write a textbook. We take the reader through a series of steps, from formulating an idea for a textbook to negotiating a contract. Writing a textbook can be one of the greatest joys of a career, but it is more joyful if one prepares for each step of this long process. This article seeks to help potential authors with this preparation.
Pink and Blue: Assemblages of Family Balancing and the Making of Dubai as a Fertility Destination
Authors: Kroløkke Charlotte , Kotsi Filareti
Published: June 2018

Selective reproductive technologies (SRTs), such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis, enable enhanced clinical success rates, create reproductive choices, and produce new commercial opportunities. Drawing upon empirical material acquired during a ten-month period in 2016, this study uses a total of twenty-two in-depth interviews with doctors, CEOs, clinical directors, marketing directors, patient counselors, and embryologists to discuss how traveling for the SRT of gender selection for nonmedical reasons is mediated by fertility clinics and clinicians in Dubai. Multimodal analysis was used to analyze the clinical websites’ key rhetorical and visual features. Meanwhile, interviews and observational studies highlighted the context within which gender selection takes place. Findings revealed that gender selection is promoted as a form of “enhancement” and “family balance,” which, when combined with the ways that Dubai is assembled as a sensory (fertility) tourist destination, routinize SRTs and lead to an understanding of gender selection as not merely an individualized reproductive journey but an optimization of the family unit.
A novel method for content-based image retrieval to improve the effectiveness of the bag-of-words model using a support vector machine
Authors: Sarwar Amna , Mehmood Zahid , Saba Tanzila , Qazi Khurram Ashfaq , Adnan Ahmed , Jamal Habibullah
Published: June 2018

The advancements in the multimedia technologies result in the growth of the image databases. To retrieve images from such image databases using visual attributes of the images is a challenging task due to the close visual appearance among the visual attributes of these images, which also introduces the issue of the semantic gap. In this article, we recommend a novel method established on the bag-of-words (BoW) model, which perform visual words integration of the local intensity order pattern (LIOP) feature and local binary pattern variance (LBPV) feature to reduce the issue of the semantic gap and enhance the performance of the content-based image retrieval (CBIR). The recommended method uses LIOP and LBPV features to build two smaller size visual vocabularies (one from each feature), which are integrated together to build a larger size of the visual vocabulary, which also contains complementary features of both descriptors. Because for efficient CBIR, the smaller size of the visual vocabulary improves the recall, while the bigger size of the visual vocabulary improves the precision or accuracy of the CBIR. The comparative analysis of the recommended method is performed on three image databases, namely, WANG-1K, WANG-1.5K and Holidays. The experimental analysis of the recommended method on these image databases proves its robust performance as compared with the recent CBIR methods.
Migration of Mexican Seasonal Farm Workers to Canada and Development: Obstacles to Productive Investment
Authors: Basok Tanya
Published: June 2018

This article explores the impact of international labor migration on development in communities of origin. It outlines three theoretical positions corresponding to specific theoretical trends in the field of development. The first position is represented by those who postulate that remittances and acquired skills and knowledge contribute to local development (the optimistic perspective). The second position is represented by those who regard the impact of international migration in predominantly negative terms (the pessimistic perspective). And finally, there are those who believe that some, although limited, growth is possible when transmigrants remit financial and social capital (the moderately optimistic perspective). Based on research on Mexican seasonal workers in Ontario, the article will argue that while international migration can contribute to some economic growth, this growth is limited. While the standards of living of seasonal labor migrants and their households improve (and therefore there is basis for some limited optimism), few among them invest their money in productive activities. Instead, the improvements that the migrants’ households experience are linked to continuous external sources of income. The article illustrates that while Canada-bound migrants experience both structural constraints related to the decline in subsistence agriculture in Mexico and those related to household composition (absence of males from the household), specific criteria used to select participants in the Canadian seasonal farm worker program compound the problems associated with the low potential among these workers to invest remittances productively.