bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The digger wasps of the genus Prionyx Vander Linden (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) of Russia and Central Asia, with a key to species, new synonymies, and lectotype designations
Authors: DANILOV YURIY N.
Published: April 2019

Seventeen species of Prionyx Vander Linden, 1827 are recorded from Russia and Central Asia. The new synonymies proposed are Sphex haberhaueri Radoszkowski 1871 =Enodia vittata Kohl 1884, syn. nov.; Sphex niveatus Dufour 1854 =Podium maracandicum Radoszkowski 1877, syn. nov., =Sphex afghaniensis de Beaumont 1970, syn. nov.; Sphex viduatus Christ 1791 =Sphex leuconotus F. Morawitz 1890, syn. nov.; Enodia argentata Mocsáry 1883 =Sphex gobiensis Tsuneki 1971, syn. nov. The lectotypes are designated for ten species: Podium maracandicum Radoszkowski 1877, Sphex sirdariensis Radoszkowski 1877, Sphex stschurowskii Radoszkowski 1877, Sphex persicus Mocsáry 1883, Sphex hispidus F. Morawitz 1890, Sphex leuconotus F. Morawitz 1890, Sphex melanotus F. Morawitz 1890, Sphex tenuicornis F. Morawitz 1890, Sphex suavis F. Morawitz 1893, and Sphex zarudnyi Gussakovskij 1933. A key to the species is given.
A new species of Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from the southern region of the Russian Far East
Authors: TESLENKO VALENTINA A.
Published: April 2019

A new species of Plecoptera, Neoperla zhiltzovae sp. n., from the southern region of the Russian Far East is described and illustrated.
A new species of Bokermannohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from highlands of Central Brazil
Authors: BRANDÃO REUBER ALBUQUERQUE , DE MAGALHÃES RAFAEL FÉLIX , GARDA ADRIAN ANTONIO , CAMPOS LEANDRO ABRóSIO , SEBBEN ANTONIO , MACIEL NATAN MEDEIROS
Published: April 2019

We describe a new species of hylid frog, Bokermannohyla sapiranga sp. nov., from Central Brazil (15°55’49” S,47°52’59” W, 1110m asl). The species is characterized by medium size (males snout-vent length 45.6±4.7mm, N=13; fe-males 46.9±6.2, N=4) for the B. pseudopseudis group and by iris color varying from orange to reddish. The advertisementcall is similar in some aspects to calls of B. pseudopseudis, but differs mainly by structure and spectral features, but alsotemporal ones such as call length, note duration, and number of notes per call. The new species uses streams with muddybeds in gallery forests as well as rocky bed streams in the highlands of Goiás State and Distrito Federal. The new speciesis tentatively included in the B. pseudopseudis group based on shared morphological features, ecology, and behavior. Mor-phometric analysis of size-independent variables indicated that B. sapiranga differs from B. pseudopseudis mostly in head length and width, interorbital distance, and diameter of the fourth toe disc.
A new species of Messoracarus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Aenictequoidea: Messoracaridae) from Laos
Authors: KONTSCHÁN JENŐ , SEEMAN OWEN D.
Published: April 2019

A new species of the ant-associated family Messoracaridae, Messoracarus schwendingeri sp. nov., is described on thebasis of one female and two males from Laos. A short review of the family is also presented, and a key for identification of its our species.
A new species of annual fish, Hypsolebias tocantinensis sp.n. (Cyprinodontiformes:Rivulidae) from the rio Tocantins basin, northeastern Brazil
Authors: NIELSEN DALTON TAVARES BRESSANE , CRUZ JOÃO CARLOS , JUNIOR ARSÊNIO CALDEIRA BAPTISTA
Published: April 2019

Hypsolebias tocantinensis n. sp. is described from a temporary pool located in the rio Tocantins basin, Maranhão stateBrazil. Hypsolebias tocantinensis belongs the H. flammeus species-group. It is the first occurrence of genus Hypsolebiasin Maranhão state. This new species differs from all other species of that group, except Hypsolebias flammeus (Costa,1989), Hypsolebias multiradiatus (Costa &Brasil, 1994) and Hypsolebias brunoi (Costa, 2003), by male color pattern andby the presence of a metallic blue sheen surrounding the black spots in the female. It differs from H. flammeus, H. multi-radiatus and H. brunoi by the shape of the dorsal and anal fins (rounded vs. pointed) and by the orientation of the reddishbrown bars in males (diagonal vs. vertical). Hypsolebias tocantinensis differs from all other Hypsolebias by the presenceof, in females, irregular light brown stains on the anal fins and by the pattern of the metallic blue sheen around the blackspots (completely surrounding the black spots while in congeners this blue sheen is either absent or present in vertical bars).
Hemicycla (Hemicycla) fuenterroquensis (Gastropoda: Helicoidea: Helicidae), a new species from La Palma, Canary Islands
Authors: CASTRO JUAN M. , YANES YURENA , ALONSO MARIA R. , IBÁÑEZ MIGUEL
Published: April 2019

The rugged, volcanic oceanic island of La Palma (Fig. 1), with the oldest subaerial rocks dated at 1.7 Ma, is one of the youngest islands of the Atlantic Canarian Archipelago. La Palma is an elongated island with North-South orientation (about 45 km long and near 28 km wide in the northern half, then tapering towards its southernmost tip), with an area of 708 km2 and an altitude of 2426 m above sea level (a.s.l.). The island is in the second stage (“emergence and subaerial construction”) out of the six phases of the hotspot island’s life cycle (Fernández-Palacios & Whittaker, 2010). The most recent volcanic eruption occurred at the Teneguía volcano in 1971. The island exhibits a considerable range of habitats (from arid lowland shrub zones to humid highland evergreen forests) generated by high mountains that intercept the moist trade winds. This great variety of habitats has enhanced land snail radiation and speciation, so the island accommodates about 30 validly described endemic species of land snails, most of them belonging to the main genera (e. g., Napaeus Albers, 1850, Canariella Hesse, 1918, Insulivitrina Hesse, 1923) living today in the archipelago. The genus Hemicycla Swainson, 1840 is second land gastropods in terms of species richness within the Canary Islands, with about 40 known living species (Neiber et al., 2011). Only two of these Hemicycla species are present in La Palma, H. vermiplicata (Wollaston, 1878) and H. granomalleata (Wollaston, 1878) (Fig. 2 A, E), which were merely studied conchologically back in the 19th century. Moreover, Odhner (1937) mentions the presence in Santa Cruz de La Palma of H. ethelema Mabille, 1882, a species viewed as endemic to the Gran Canaria Island, in basis to three shells placed at his disposal by Count C. Strömfelt, Stockholm, and he compares these shells with those of H. granomalleata, indicating that he finds the best concordance in all essential charecteristics, but having the H. granomalleata shells finer granulation than those of H. ethelema.
The family Bombyliidae in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Diptera: Brachycera: Asiloidea)
Authors: EL-HAWAGRY MAGDI S. , DHAFER HATHAL M. AL
Published: April 2019

Bombyliidae, also known as "Bee flies", is one of the dipteran families that have species of potential use as biological control agents, as their larvae are predators or parasitoids of eggs, larvae, prepupae or pupae of other insects. The hosts of Bombyliidae are found within six orders of insects: Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Neuroptera, in addition to the arachnid order Araneae (Spiders). However, almost half of all host records are from bees and wasps (Hymenoptera). The present work provides a catalogue of bee flies (Family Bombyliidae) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Old World synonymies, type localities, world distributions by biogeographic realm(s) and country, Saudi Arabian localities and dates of collection are provided. A total of 116 species belonging to 40 genera, 12 tribes and 10 subfamilies has been catalogued. Hosts and/or habitat data, where known, are given under the proper genera and/or species. Colored photographs of some species are provided.
World Saldidae: Supplement (1987–2018) to the catalog and bibliography of the Leptopodomorpha (Heteroptera)
Authors: LARIVIÈRE MARIE-CLAUDE , LAROCHELLE ANDRÉ
Published: April 2019

A supplement to the Saldidae section of the “Catalog and bibliography of the Leptopodomorpha (Heteroptera)” published by Schuh, Galil and Polhemus (1987: Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 323), is provided. A total of 30 genera and 307 species-group taxa (298 species, 9 subspecies) belonging to 3 tribes and 2 subfamilies of extant Saldidae, is recorded for the world. Changes to the 1987 catalogue are documented. The synonymy and type locality of taxa described between 1987 and 2018 are given. Under each genus, species, and subspecies, geographic distribution is broadly categorised following the terrestrial zoogeographic realms of Holt et al. (2013: Science 339). A summary of the geographic distribution of Saldidae genera is provided as well as faunistic lists of species-group taxa by zoogeographic realms.
New species of Ornebius (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae; Mogoplistinae) from Siargao Island of the Philippines
Authors: TAN MING KAI , INGRISCH SIGFRID , BAROGA-BARBECHO JESSICA B. , YAP SHERYL A.
Published: April 2019

Two new species of Ornebius are described from Siargao Island, Mindanao of the Philippines: O. alvarezi sp. nov. and O. bioculatus sp. nov. These sympatric scaly crickets have diverging genitalia morphology, with O. alvarezi sp. nov. resembling congeners from Borneo whereas O. bioculatus sp. nov. resembling congeners from Sulawesi. With the new findings, the number of Ornebius species known from the Philippines increases to four.
Effect of vertical location of the spark plug on the performance of a raw biogas-fueled variable compression ratio spark ignition engine
Authors: Chaudhari Ashish J , Hotta Santosh K , Sahoo Niranjan , Kulkarni Vinayak
Published: April 2019

The present experimental investigations deal with the spark plug location and its effect on the performance and emission of a 100% raw biogas-fueled variable compression ratio engine. Different measurements of performance, combustion, and emission parameters are used to analyze the effect of four spark locations protruded inside the clearance volume (viz. 0, 2, 5, and 10 mm). The protrusion of the spark plug by 2 mm is observed to be optimum for compression ratios 8, 9, and 10. For this optimum spark plug location, engine efficiency and fuel economy are found to be higher. Faster combustion, in this particular case, has led to early and higher peak cylinder pressure and burnt gas temperature. Lower emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide have verified the optimality of 2 mm protrusion location of the spark plug for all the compression ratios. Thus, present investigations recommend minor protrusion of the spark plug to assist the combustion process, to enhance the performance and lowering the emission of a biogas-fueled engine.
A density functional theory study of the oxygen reduction reaction on the (111) and (100) surfaces of cobalt(II) oxide
Authors: Qin Bangchang , Tian Yang , Zhang Pengxiang , Yang Zuoyin , Zhang Guoxin , Cai Zhao , Li Yaping
Published: April 2019

Density functional theory calculations were employed to investigate the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction on the (111) and (100) surfaces of cobalt(II) oxide. Different mechanisms were applied to evaluate the oxygen reduction reaction performance of cobalt(II) oxide structures in terms of the Gibbs free energy and density of states. A variety of intermediate structures based on associative and dissociative mechanisms were constructed and optimized. As a result, we estimated the catalytic activity by calculating the free energy of the intermediates and constructing free energy diagrams, which suggested that the oxygen reduction reaction Gibbs free energy on cobalt(II) oxide (111) and (100) surfaces based on the associative mechanism is smaller than that based on the dissociative mechanism, demonstrating that the associative mechanism should be more likely to be the oxygen reduction reaction pathway. Moreover, the theoretical oxygen reduction reaction activity on the cobalt(II) oxide (111) surface was found to be higher than that on the cobalt(II) oxide (100) surface. These results shed light on the rational design of high-performance cobalt(II) oxide oxygen reduction reaction catalysts.
Research on the dynamometer system for double motorized spindles
Authors: Jin Tongtong , Chen Chuanhai , Wang Qiong , Yang Zhaojun , Ying Jun , Li Shizheng
Published: April 2019

A new torque-loading method based on the direct torque control strategy for double motorized spindles is developed to achieve simulating the actual static and dynamic torque conditions and reduce the error of centration for back-to-back drive reliability bench test of double motorized spindles. First, the direct torque control theory and dynamometer control strategy of two motorized spindles are discussed, and then the control model of the motorized spindle is developed in the d- q coordinate system based on the direct torque control theory. In order to verify the proposed control model, the direct torque control strategy simulation model of double motorized spindles is constructed, and the virtual simulation tests are conducted. Finally, the torque-loading experiments controlled by the direct torque control theory with 10 and 7.3 kW motorized spindles are performed. Experimental results show that the profile of the desired torque can be accurately followed and the proposed dynamometer system has a good response ability of speed and torque.
Are the dead taking over Facebook? A Big Data approach to the future of death online
Authors: Öhman Carl J , Watson David
Published: April 2019

We project the future accumulation of profiles belonging to deceased Facebook users. Our analysis suggests that a minimum of 1.4 billion users will pass away before 2100 if Facebook ceases to attract new users as of 2018. If the network continues expanding at current rates, however, this number will exceed 4.9 billion. In both cases, a majority of the profiles will belong to non-Western users. In discussing our findings, we draw on the emerging scholarship on digital preservation and stress the challenges arising from curating the profiles of the deceased. We argue that an exclusively commercial approach to data preservation poses important ethical and political risks that demand urgent consideration. We call for a scalable, sustainable, and dignified curation model that incorporates the interests of multiple stakeholders.
On the monetary measures of global liquidity
Authors: Hashmi Israr Ahmad Shah , Bhatti Arshad Ali
Published: April 2019

This study constructs and examines the dynamics of theoretical and atheoretical measures of global liquidity, using monthly data on the components of broad money over the period 2001 M12-2017 M12 for 39 high income countries. We group the countries into five regional blocks as categorized by the World Bank: East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and North America. The atheoretical measures exploited by this study comprise of the simple-sum, GDP-weighted growth rates and PCA based aggregation methods; whereas theoretical measures include the currency equivalent and Divisia index techniques of monetary aggregation. We employ a graphical approach to investigate the trends and dynamics of the aggregates overtime, and a cross-correlation between cyclical components of global real economic activity and the lag of cyclical components of the measures of global liquidity to gauge the strength of their associations. The findings of this study reveal that theoretical measures outperform atheoretical ones in effective delineation of financial and liquidity conditions, and policy stance. Their cyclical components are also strongly associated with those of global real business activity. The currency equivalent measure, besides being a leading indicator of the shift in policy stance, has a sturdy association with global real business activity. Moreover, the theoretical measures, as noted by some empirical studies, contain some information content that the atheoretical lack.
Prostate cancer dose–response, fractionation sensitivity and repopulation parameters evaluation from 25 international radiotherapy outcome data sets
Authors: Tamponi Matteo , Gabriele Domenico , Maggio Angelo , Stasi Michele , Meloni Giovanni B. , Conti Maurizio , Gabriele Pietro
Published: April 2019

Objective:

This study was undertaken to model the biochemical free survival at 5 years and to evaluate the parameters defining dose–response curve, dose–fractionation radiosensitivity and repopulation.

Methods:

It was carried out a literature search on Pubmed to retrieve data sets of patients treated with external beam radiation therapy of 1.8–4.0 Gy per fraction and overall treatment time of 3 to 10 weeks. 10 groups were identified, based on risk class and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Dose–response curve D50 (dose at 50% probability of control) and g50 (steepness), α/β (dose–fractionation radiosensitivity), and repopulation parameters, dprolif and Tprolif , were calculated. Bootstrap-based cross-validation was performed and median and 95% CI (confidence interval) were evaluated.

Results:

25 data sets, including 20,310 patients, were considered. The median (95% CI) D50 and g50 values were 62 (CI 53 – 66) Gy and 1.6 (0.8 – 2.4). ADT patients showed lower values of D50 and g50 (57 ± 5 Gy and 1.1 ± 0.4) compared to no-ADT patients (65 ± 2 Gy and 2.3 ± 0.6), with p < 0.0001 and p = 0.002. If we did not consider any dependence on overall treatment time, the median (95% CI) value of α/β was 1.4 (1.0 – 1.9) Gy with p < 0.0001 for all patients. The median values of dproli f and Tprolif were 0.0 to 0.3 Gy/d and 18–40 days.

Conclusion:

Dose–response curve resulted dependent on risk class and ADT, with higher steepness for no-ADT patients. Low values of dose–fractionation radiosensitivity were found, supporting the use of moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy in each risk class. A limited dependence on repopulation was observed.

Advances in knowledge:

Prostate cancer response to moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy was reliably quantified considering risk class and androgen deprivation therapy.
Role of diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiating benign from malignant bone tumors
Authors: Rao Anuradha , Sharma Chandni , Parampalli Raghuram
Published: April 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiating benign from malignant primary bone tumors. To know the sensitivity and specificity of diffusion weighted MRI and calculating apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) cutoff in differentiating benign from malignant primary bone tumors.

Methods and materials :

This is a prospective observational study of 50 patients, who were clinically or radiologically suspected with primary bone tumor and referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis, for radiography or for MRI. These patients underwent routine MRI sequences including diffusion-weighted MRI with b﻿-values of 0, 500 and 1000, followed by pathological examination supplemented by immunohistochemistry (wherever necessary). Hematological malignancies, recently biopsied cases and recurrent cases were excluded from the study.

Results:

Out of 50 patients with suspected bone tumors, 15 were benign (and tumor like lesions) and 35 were malignant primary bone tumors. The most common age group involved for both benign and malignant primary bone tumors was 11–20 years (23 cases—46%). In our study, total number of affected males were 27 (54%) and total number of affected females were 23 (46%) with M:F ratio of 1.17:1. In this study 72% lesions had appendicular bone involvement and 28% had axial bone involvement. 94.3% of malignant lesions showed restriction on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and in 80 % of benign lesions restriction was absent on DWI which was statistically significant. Mean ADC levels in malignant lesions was 1.092 ± 0.497 and in benign lesions was 1.62 ± 0.596 which was statistically significant. Chondrosarcoma had highest ADC and Ewing’s sarcoma had lowest ADC values in malignant lesions. Chondroblastoma had highest ADC and Osteomyelitis had lowest ADC values in benign lesions. ADC value of 1.31 had highest sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.

Conclusion:

DWI is helpful in differentiating malignant from benign bone tumors and tumor like lesions with diffusion restriction favoring malignancy. Inspite of some overlap, ADC values of benign and malignant bone tumors are different and measurement of ADC values improves the accuracy of the diagnosis of bone tumors and tumor like lesions. Calculation of ADC may also be used as baseline reference to assess response to treatment in future or for follow up.

Advances in knowledge:

DWI imaging (and ADC values) has been extensively used in neuroimaging. Extension of this application to musculoskeletal–oncologic imaging is not so well studied. Apart from differentiating benign from malignant lesions which is the main focus of this study, assessment of response to treatment by ADC values may be possible in near future.
New advances in perioperative cardioprotection
Authors: Momeni Mona , De Hert Stefan
Published: April 2019

With the increasing age of the general population, medical conditions necessitating a surgical intervention will increase. Concomitant with advanced age, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus will also increase. These patients have a two- to three-fold higher risk of occurrence of cardiovascular events and are at higher risk of perioperative myocardial ischemia. This review will discuss recent advances in the field of perioperative cardioprotection and focus specifically on strategies that have aimed to protect the diabetic and the aged myocardium. This review will not deal with potential putative cardioprotective effects of opioids and anesthetic agents, as this is a very broad area that would necessitate a dedicated overview.
A Cross-border Detection Algorithm for Agricultural Spraying UAV
Authors: TANG Chaoying , WEI Xianghui , WANG Biao , PRASAD Shitala
Published: April 2019

Abstract.

In the agriculture sector, an essential task of spraying uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) is to return as soon as the farmland border is reached. Initially, they need to be manually controlled which is a tedious job. This article presents an efficient image processing algorithm to automatically detect farmland borders based on the images received from the airborne cameras. First, the steerable-filter-based surrounded inhibition method was adopted to detect major borders, and then the images were thinned and binarized using non-maxima suppression (NMS) and hysteresis thresholding, respectively. Secondly, the results with different inhibition coefficients were fused, and the burrs were trimmed. Then the breakpoints were connected using a seed growing method. Finally, an improved Markov Random Field (MRF) model based on line segments was proposed to screen out fake borders. The result of classification depends on the maximum length of the retained segment. The experimental results and offline field tests showed that the proposed algorithm could accurately detect farm borders of different types from a complex farmland image. The average detection accuracy and completeness of the proposed algorithm is 85.6% and 83.6%, respectively. Compared with other methods, the proposed algorithm is highly reliable, robust, and scalable to other applications. Keywords: Agricultural spraying UAVs, Cross-border detection, Markov Random Field (MRF), Steerable filters, Surround suppression.
Technical Feasibility of Spraying Trichogramma ostriniae Pupae to Control the European Corn Borer in Sweet Corn Crops
Authors: Gauthier Pascal , Khelifi Mohamed , Dionne Ariane , Todorova Silvia
Published: April 2019

Abstract. The European corn borer, (Hübner), is the major insect pest of sweet corn in the province of Quebec, Canada, and around the world. The presence of this pest results in substantial yield decreases and profit losses for farmers. Currently, chemical insecticides are the main method used to control this insect pest. Nevertheless, there are some interesting alternatives to chemicals for controlling the European corn borer, in particular the use of predator insects. Many research studies demonstrated the effectiveness of using wasps to successfully control the corn borer. However, this biocontrol method is more expensive and complex than chemical insecticides. The main objective of this research study was to investigate the technical feasibility of spraying pupae to facilitate the implementation of this method and reduce operating costs. For this purpose, many experimental trials using were carried out in the laboratory, with the objective of finding a suitable aqueous solution that both disperses the pupae in the sprayer tank and causes them to adhere to corn leaves once sprayed. A laboratory-scale spraying system was also designed and built to check the viability of T pupae after immersion in the spray solution and spraying. The viability of pupae was investigated further using a field prototype boom sprayer. The results showed that it is possible to spray pupae while preserving their physical integrity. In addition, a mixture of guar gum and xanthan gum was found to be the most suitable for the adhesion of pupae to corn leaves. The system overall decreased the emergence rate of Trichogramma by 10% to 15% which is considered acceptable by the authors. The success of this spraying technique for controlling the European corn borer in corn crops is highly valuable and could be generalized to other predator insects. Keywords: Biocontrol, Emergence rate, European corn borer, Spraying system, Sweet corn, Trichogramma ostriniae.
Analysis of Airflow Velocity Field Characteristics of an Oat Cleaner Based on Particle Image Velocimetry Technology
Authors: Li Xinping , Zhang Jialiang , Ji Jiangtao
Published: April 2019

Abstract.

To improve the cleaning performance of oat sorting devices with a single-fan three-cylinder screen system, this study investigated the airflow velocity field of a cleaning machine using particle image velocimetry (PIV) technology. Specifically, an optimal cleaning performance can be described as one with no material idling under the optimal operating parameters of the oat cleaning machine, the measured airflow velocity field space is divided into nine representative longitudinal planes that can reflect airflow velocity characteristics in the longitudinal plane. The results showed that a phenomenon of airflow backflow occurred in the radial direction above the medium cylinder screen, the airflow velocity in each longitudinal section of the airflow velocity field was less uniform in the transverse distribution, a. The movement of oat extracts in the cleaning room was recorded by a high-speed digital video camera. The phenomenon of oat impurities moving along the airflow backflow direction, and a transverse flow irregularity appearing in the radial direction above the medium cylinder screen were observed. The grain loss rate and impurity rate of the oat cleaner were 1.53% and 1.25%, respectively, under optimal conditions. Therefore, to improve the cleaning performance of the cleaner, it is necessary to theoretically analyze the phenomenon of airflow backflow in the cleaner, which can provide a reference for the follow-up design and optimization of the structure of the cleaner. Keywords: Airstream, Analysis, Cleaning, Particle image velocimetry, Test, Velocity field.
Effects of Drip Irrigation Regimes Under Plastic Film on Sugar Beet Yield and Water Use Efficiency in Xinjiang
Authors: Yang Binlin , Wang Zhenhua , Xie Xiangwen , Wang Zeyu
Published: April 2019

Abstract. This 2-yr study analyzed the effects of different irrigation regimes of drip irrigation under plastic film on sugar beet production in Xinjiang, China, and established a binary quadratic regression equation and normalization to describe the maximum root yield, sugar yield, and water use efficiency. Three irrigation frequencies (10, 11, and 12 d) and two irrigation water quotas (45 and 60 mm) were combined to form six treatments. Irrigation frequency had a significant effect on root yield at 1% level of significance in both years, but the effects on sugar yield and water use efficiency were nonsignificant. In both years, the sugar yield resulting from 60 mm irrigation water quota at frequency of 11 d increased by 10.8% and 6.5%, respectively, compared with that resulting from 45 mm irrigation water quota at frequency of 11 d. The regression equation based on the experimental observations indicated that in Xinjiang the optimal irrigation regime was 11 d and 55 mm which saved 21.2% irrigation water for the highest sugar beet yield. The data optimization to determine the weight of roots and evapotranspiration found that root growth exhibited a pattern similar to the aboveground crop growth, and the root growth was most rapid in the period 30 July to 10 August. Keywords: Irrigation frequency, Irrigation water quota, Optimal irrigation regime, Root growth, Root yield, Sugar yield, Water use efficiency.
Empirical findings that establish researchable context using visual art to prepare marginalized youth for a positive future using mixed human enquiry methodologies
Authors: Oliver Valerie
Published: April 2019

The overarching research explored whether and how using contemporary art education and practices can help to reintegrate marginalized youth and to raise their sense of self-efficacy. The framework of theory involving Sartre, Foucault and Bandura informed the research activity in the action research undertaken. In terms of the social and cultural transition beginning with the Enlightenment period in the eighteenth century, the research identified a need to establish the value of how fine art offers theoretical and practical methods that would strengthen and increase educational resources along with pedagogic values for future sustainability of creative and educational impacts. The research design of this particular action research project involves selected research methods incorporating contemporary ‘artbased’ practices and case studies. Three intertwined strands: (1) the action research project, (2) the observations and reflections on three Outsider Art exhibitions and (3) the process evaluation of Maidstone Prison addressed the research question by forming a practical structure that individuals can explore. The chosen methods used for documentation purposes included using a reflective diary, video, photography and sound recordings. The purpose of this case study is to reach a wider audience involved in social sciences, community organizations, the penal system and educational institutions, and also to encourage curiosity to engage in further research in order to address elements of a key finding that highlighted the displacement of the participants within the educational institution, which mirror their exclusion.
Bubble Tea pop: Christine makes Mandopop
Authors: Bell Adam Patrick , Chen Christine
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this case study was to examine Christine’s learning journey and music-making processes of songwriting in the Mandopop style over the course of a series of lessons. We begin this article by outlining our purpose and qualitative method, followed by a primer on Chinese popular music (C-pop). Next, we present a portrait of Christine to provide some context of her musical background, how she became interested in C-pop, and how she became interested in songwriting. We then proceed to describe Christine’s four-month songwriting journey with Adam as her instructor, and conclude by considering the implications of this case study for making Mandopop in music education.
Aspirations, considerations and processes: Songwriting in and for music education
Authors: Hughes Diane , Keith Sarah
Published: April 2019

This article examines an undergraduate songwriting course offered at tertiary level. The article begins by providing a contemporary context for the song and songwriting processes. In doing so, it considers various definitions of song and of songwriting. These considerations provide context for the course development and its subsequent implementation. The associated research explores student motivations and objectives for undertaking the course and for engaging in songwriting more broadly. In addition to identifying a range of student aspirations, findings confirmed a diversity of musical abilities, instrumentation choices and songwriting processes among participants. Such diversity in creative modes reflects the need for educators to consider a range of songwriting processes and components. The article concludes by further considering how songwriting accounts for individualized creative expression in music education.
Risk of Mortality and Hospitalization After Post-Pancreatitis Diabetes Mellitus vs Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Cho Jaelim , Scragg Robert , Petrov Maxim S.
Published: April 2019

Objectives:

To investigate the risk of mortality and hospitalization in individuals with post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM) compared with those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods:

Using nationwide hospital discharge data on pancreatitis and diabetes in New Zealand (n = 231,943), a total of 959 individuals with PPDM were identified. For each individual with PPDM, 10 age- and sex-matched individuals with T2DM were randomly selected. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted, and the risk was expressed as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

A total of 3,867 deaths occurred among 10,549 study individuals. Individuals with PPDM had all-cause mortality rate at 80.5 (95% CI, 70.3–90.6) per 1,000 person-years, which was higher compared with T2DM individuals (adjusted HR, 1.13 (95% CI, 1.00–1.29); absolute excess risk, 14.8 (95% CI, 4.5–25.2) per 1,000 person-years). Compared with T2DM, PPDM was associated with higher risks of mortality from cancer (adjusted HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.13–1.83), infectious disease (adjusted HR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.69–3.77), and gastrointestinal disease (adjusted HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.64–4.01). Individuals with PPDM vs T2DM were also at significantly higher risks of hospitalization for chronic pulmonary disease, moderate to severe renal disease, and infectious disease.

Conclusions:

Individuals with PPDM have higher risk of mortality and hospitalization compared with individuals with T2DM. Guidelines for management of PPDM need to be developed with a view to preventing excess deaths and hospitalizations in individuals with PPDM.
Promotion of Testing for Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Diet Among Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioners
Authors: Boyer Graham , Caulfield Timothy , Green Peter H. R. , Lebwohl Benjamin
Published: April 2019

INTRODUCTION:

We identified the frequency and assessed the validity of marketing claims made by American chiropractors, naturopaths, homeopaths, acupuncturists, and integrative medicine practitioners relating to the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease and nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), both of which have increased in prevalence in recent years.

METHODS:

We performed a cross-sectional study analyzing websites of practitioners from 10 cities in the United States and analyzed the websites for any mention of celiac or NCGS as well as specific claims of ability to diagnose, ability to treat, and treatment efficacy. We classified treatments promoted as true, false, or unproven, as assessed independently by 2 authors.

RESULTS:

Of 500 clinics identified, 178 (35.6%) made a claim regarding celiac disease, NCGS, or a gluten-free diet. Naturopath clinic websites have the highest rates of advertising at least one of diagnosis, treatment, or efficacy for celiac disease (40%), followed by integrative medicine clinics (36%), homeopaths (20%), acupuncturists (14%), and chiropractors (12%). Integrative medicine clinics have the highest rates of advertising at least one of diagnosis, treatment, or efficacy for NCGS (45%), followed by naturopaths (37%), homeopaths (14%), chiropractors (14%), and acupuncturists (10%). A geographic analysis yielded no significant variation in marketing rates among clinics from different cities. Of 232 marketing claims made by these complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) clinic websites, 138 (59.5%) were either false or unproven.

DISCUSSION:

A significant number of CAM clinics advertise diagnostic techniques or treatments for celiac disease or NCGS. Many claims are either false or unproven, thus warranting a need for increased regulation of CAM advertising to protect the public.
Intussusception After Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Patel Kishan , Luthra Anjuli , Aberra Fasika , Lara Luis F. , Gray Darrell
Published: April 2019

Intussusception after pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) is exceedingly rare. We present a case of retrograde jejunal intussusception into the gastric lumen in a patient who previously underwent Whipple procedure. Diagnostic endoscopy may serve to confirm intussusception, identify a potential lead point, and, in some cases, endoscopically reduce the intussusception. Ultimately, however, surgical management is recommended due to a high rate of recurrence along with the potential to detect a lead point and associated malignancy.
REDES SOCIAIS: Grupo para imigrantes brasileiras em Portugal
Authors: Oliveira Eliany Nazaré , Neto Félix Fernando Monteiro
Published: April 2019

Resumo Este artigo constitui um relato de experiência sobre a criação e administração de um grupo nas redes sociais para imigrantes brasileiras em Portugal. A convivência no mundo virtual é uma realidade no século XXI. As novas tecnologias contribuem de forma significativa para aproximação de pessoas e grupos. As redes sociais podem ser consideradas um espaço privilegiado para comunicação e interação. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever o processo de organização, criação e administração do grupo "Brasileiras que Vivem em Portugal" no Facebook. A experiência demostrou sua utilidade e seus benefícios para quem se encontra em outro país e necessita de informações, camaradagem, dividir experiências, pertencer a um grupo étnico e apoio para inserção no mercado de trabalho. O espaço também é favorável para o desenvolvimento de pesquisa, já que pode agregar indivíduos com as características do público- alvo definido pelos pesquisadores. Assim, o grupo demonstrou ser um potente suporte nas redes sociais para imigrantes, contribuindo para sua integração e sobrevivência nesse cenário. Palavras-chave: Imigração. Redes Sociais. Mulher. Portugal. Brasil. SOCIAL NETWORKS: Group for brasilian immigrant women in Portugal Abstract This article is an experience report on the creation and administration of a group on the social networks for Brazilian immigrant women in Portugal. Interaction in the virtual world is a reality in the 21st century. The new technologies significantly contribute to bring people and groups closer. Social networks may be regarded as a privileged space for communication and interaction. This article aims to describe the process of organizing, creating, and administrating the group "Brazilian women living in Portugal" on the Facebook. The experience has shown its usefulness and benefits for those who live abroad and need information, fellowship, sharing of experiences, belonging to an ethnic group, and support to enter the labor market. The space is also favorable for conducting research, as it can bring together individuals with characteristics of the target audience defined by the researchers. Thus, the group proved to be a powerful support on the social networks for immigrants, contributing to their interconnection and survival in this scenario. Keywords: Immigration. Social Networks. Women. Portugal. Brazil.Â
O aborto e a personalidade jurídica do nascituro: uma crítica feminista ao ordenamento jurídico brasileiro
Authors: Botelho Carla Mariana Café , Correia Daniel Camurça
Published: April 2019

Resumo Este artigo busca explicar o conceito de personalidade jurídica bem como as teorias que cercam a condição do nascituro a esse respeito, para que se possa colocar em pauta de discussão os questionamentos envoltos na problemática do aborto. Tem-se como objetivo, alcançar uma posição dialética que auxilie na harmonia entre os direitos da mulher e do nascituro. Palavras-Chave: Personalidade Jurídica. Nascituro. Aborto. Feminismo.AbstractThis article seeks to explain the concept of legal personality as well as the theories surrounding the condition of the unborn child in this respect, so that the questions involved in the abortion problem can be put on the agenda. Its objective is to achieve a dialectical position that assists in the harmony between the rights of women and the unborn. Keywords: Legal Personality. Unborn Child. Abortion. Feminism.Â
Evaluation of Local Feature Detectors for the Comparison of Thermal and Visual Low Altitude Aerial Images
Authors: Krishnan Divya Lakshmi , Muthaiah Rajappa , Tapas Anand Madhukar , Kannan Krithivasan
Published: April 2019

Local features are key regions of an image suitable for applications such as image matching, and fusion. Detection of targets under varying atmospheric conditions, via aerial images is a typical defence application where multi spectral correlation is essential. Focuses on local features for the comparison of thermal and visual aerial images in this study. The state of the art differential and intensity comparison based features are evaluated over the dataset. An improved affine invariant feature is proposed with a new saliency measure. The performances of the existing and the proposed features are measured with a ground truth transformation estimated for each of the image pairs. Among the state of the art local features, Speeded Up Robust Feature exhibited the highest average repeatability of 57 per cent. The proposed detector produces features with average repeatability of 64 per cent. Future works include design of techniques for retrieval of corresponding regions.
Range Performance Modelling of Thermal Imaging System based on Single Parameter Characterised by Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity
Authors: Khare Sudhir , Singh Manvendra , Kaushik Brajesh Kumar
Published: April 2019

Range performance of a thermal imaging system is characterised by the prevailing atmospheric condition present at that time. There are two dominant parameters that limit the range performance of any thermal imaging systems i.e. ambient temperature and relative humidity. In the present work, comparative study of acquisition range performance of thermal imaging system operating in LWIR and MWIR spectral bands has been presented as a function of absolute humidity (AH) which is responsible for attenuation of IR radiation due to water vapour molecules present in path length. Presentation of acquisition range as function of AH leads to a single range performance table/graph for thermal imaging system under consideration for predefined visibility (V), target size, ambient temperature (T), target to background temperature difference (ΔT) and relative humidity (RH). This table/graph can be used to predict detection, recognition and identification ranges for any set of combination of air temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). The approach presented in this paper is versatile and has been illustrated through comparative performance analysis of LWIR and MWIR thermal imaging systems based on 640X512 staring focal plane array (FPA) having identical design parameters in terms of resolution (IFOV). It has been shown that MWIR performance is superior to LWIR beyond a crossover value of AH(T) even though MRTD of MWIR sensor is inferior to that of LWIR sensor at all spatial frequencies. Study has been carried out both for clear atmosphere and hazy conditions.
Fragmentation Behaviour of Radial Layered PELE Impacting Thin Metal Target Plates
Authors: Cheng Chun , Chen Xi , Du Zhonghua , Han Jilong , Du Chengxin , Xu Lizhi
Published: April 2019

The fragmentation mechanism of the penetrator with lateral effect (PELE) after perforating a thin target plate has been summarised and analysed firstly. Then the fragmentation of radial layered PELE was analysed qualitatively and verified by experiment. In the experiment, the target plates were made of 45# steel and 2A12 aluminium respectively. Qualitative analysis and experimental results show that: for normal PELE without layered, after perforating the thin metal target plate, from the bottom to the head of the projectile, the number of fragments formed by the jacket gradually increases, and the mass of the fragment decreases correspondingly. Compared with the normal PELE without layered, the radial layered PELE is less likely to break into fragments, when impacting the thin metal target plate with the same material and thickness under the same impact velocity. However, from the mechanism of the PELE, when the resistance of the target plate is large enough, and the duration of pressure is long enough, the radial layered PELE also can break into fragments with transverse velocity component. The resistance of the target plate plays an important role in the fragmentation of radial layered PELE. The radial layered PELE produced massive fragments with transverse velocity component when impacting the 45# steel plate with5 mm thickness under the impact velocity of 657.2 m/s.
Design Optimisation of Muzzle Brake for Sniper Rifle
Authors: Sherif Mohamed , Abdelsalam Ossama Ramy , Aboul Mohamed
Published: April 2019

Muzzle brakes (MBs) have a great effect on reducing the recoil force of weapons during firing. In this paper, optimum MB efficiency, MB force and recoil force for (12,7 x 99 mm) sniper rifle have been studied. The objective is to obtain the optimum area of side openings, inclination angle and number of chambers for the MB in order to increase the MB efficiency and MB force and thereby to decrease their coil force of the weapon. An analytical model for calculating MB efficiency, MB force and weapon recoil force for MBs of two, three and four chambers has been established. This Model is then utilised in combination with design of experiment (DOE) and Response Surface Method (RSM) statistical techniques to develop a smooth response function which can be efficiently used in optimisation formulation. Finally, multi objectives generic algorithm (MOGA) optimisation method has been employed to find the optimum MB design parameters. The optimisation results show that the three or four chambers MBs have no significant effect on reducing the weapon recoil force compared with the two chamber MB for this sniper rifle.
A Balanced Dual-Band BPF Based on C-CSRR with Improved Passband Selectivity
Authors: Chen Lei , Xiao Qin Kun , Gan Yan Ni
Published: April 2019

A balanced dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) is proposed by embedding two nested coupled complementary split-ring resonators (C-CSRRs) into a H-type balanced stepped-impedance slotline resonator in this paper. C-CSRR is composed of a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) with a pair of coupling slotlines in the open end, which can generate a bandpass response. In order to improve the passband selectivity further, source-load-coupled structure is employed. Moreover, it can be found that the proposed BPF has a wideband common-mode (CM) suppression, which is independent from the differential-mode (DM) passbands. Therefore, the design procedure can be significantly simplified. In order to validate its practicalbility, one balanced dual-band BPF is fabricated. The predicted results on S parameters are compared with the measured ones and a good agreement is found.