bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isotopes of simple algebras of arbitrary dimension
Authors: Glizburg Vita , Pchelintsev Sergey
Published: March 2019

It is proved that every finite-dimensional algebra is embeddable in a simple finite-dimensional algebra (a suitable isotope of a matrix algebra). An isotope of the 2nd order matrix algebra over an infinite extension of the ground field may contain a trivial ideal.

Every one-sided isotope of a simple unital alternative or Jordan algebra is a simple algebra. Besides, any isotope of a central simple non-Lie Maltsev algebra of characteristic other than 2 and 3 is a simple algebra. But an isotope of a simple Jordan algebra of the symmetric bilinear form on the infinite dimensional space may contain a trivial ideal.
Cellular Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide: Methods and Applications in Cancer
Authors: Hsu Fei-Ting , Sun Rou , Hsieh Chia-Ling
Published: March 2019

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) has been used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) since the late 20th century. With the development of SPIO, cellular MRI has been recognized as a suitable and highly sensitive noninvasive modality with great potential to benefit translational research. In addition to its traditional diagnostic property, latest advances have conferred SPIO with multifunctionality. Several SPIO-based theranostic probes with targeting, therapeutic and diagnosis components have been successfully developed. The objective of this brief review is to summarize the characteristics, synthesizing methods, labeling approaches and current applications of SPIO-based cellular MRI in oncology. Herein, we first depict the history, classification and advantages of and the differences between T1- and T2/T2*-based SPIO contrast agents for cancer treatment. Second, we outline current coating materials that render SPIO less toxic and more biocompatible to mammalian cells. Finally, the cell labeling techniques and applications of SPIO-based MRI for tracking mesenchymal stem cell tumor–homing in preclinical models are introduced.
Density functional study of the structural and phase transition of silver halides: LDA versus GGA calculations
Authors: Djabri H. Rekab , Yagoub R. , Bahlouli S. , Amari S. , Fasla S. Louhibi
Published: March 2019

This paper deals with the theoretical calculation of structural and electronic, properties of AgBr and AgCl compounds using density functional theory within generalized-gradient (GGA) approximation and local density approximation (LDA). We employ the full potential linear muffin-tin orbitals (FP-LMTO) as implemented in the Lmtart code. We have used to examine structure parameter in eight different structures such as in NaCl (B1), CsCl (B2), ZB (B3), NiAs (B8), PbO (B10), Wurtzite (B4), HCP (A3) [Formula: see text]Sn (A5) structures. The equilibrium lattice parameter, bulk modulus and its pressure derivative were presented for all calculated phases. The calculated ground state properties are in good agreement with available experimental and theoretical results. A pressure induced structural phase transition from NaCl (B1) to HCP (A3) phases at 37.66 and 18.11[Formula: see text]GPa for AgBr and AgCl, respectively, and from NaCl to CsCl phase in AgBr and AgCl at 90.55 and 24.4[Formula: see text]GPa, respectively, is also predicted. Furthermore, the band structures are computed. Our results are compared to other theoretical and experimental works, and excellent agreement is obtained.
SageDB and NetAccel
Authors: Colyer Adrian
Published: March 2019

The CIDR (Conference on Innovative Data Systems Research) runs once every two years, and luckily for us 2019 is one of those years. I’ve selected two papers from this year’s conference that highlight bold and exciting directions for data systems.
Comparative Evaluation of a New Depth of Anesthesia Index in ConView® System and the Bispectral Index during Total Intravenous Anesthesia: A Multicenter Clinical Trial
Authors: Fu Yang , Xu Tao , Xie Keliang , Wei Wei , Gao Ping , Nie Huang , Deng Xiaoming , Wang Guolin , Tian Ming , Yan Min , Dong Hailong , Yue Yun
Published: March 2019

The performance of a new monitor for the depth of anesthesia (DOA), the Depth of Anesthesia Index (Ai) based on sample entropy (SampEn), 95% spectral edge frequency (95%SEF), and burst suppression ratio (BSR) was evaluated compared to Bispectral Index (BIS) during total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). 144 patients in six medical centers were enrolled. General anesthesia was induced with stepwise-increased target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol until loss of consciousness (LOC). During surgery propofol was titrated according to BIS. Both Ai and BIS were recorded. Primary outcomes: the limits of agreement between Ai and BIS were -17.68 and 16.49, which were, respectively, -30.0% and 28.0% of the mean value of BIS. Secondary outcomes: prediction probability (Pk) of BIS and Ai was 0.943 and 0.935 (p=0.102) during LOC and 0.928 and 0.918 (p=0.037) during recovery of consciousness (ROC). And the values of BIS and Ai were 68.19 and 66.44 at 50%LOC, and 76.65 and 78.60 at 50%ROC. A decrease or an increase of Ai was significantly greater than that of BIS when consciousness changes (during LOC: -9.13±10.20 versus -5.83±9.63, p<0.001; during ROC: 10.88±11.51 versus 5.32±7.53, p<0.001). The conclusion is that Ai has similar characteristic of BIS as a DOA monitor and revealed the advantage of SampEn for indicating conscious level. This trial is registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with ChiCTR-IOR-16009471.
Improving Physical Activity mHealth Interventions: Development of a Computational Model of Self-Efficacy Theory to Define Adaptive Goals for Exercise Promotion
Authors: Baretta Dario , Sartori Fabio , Greco Andrea , D’Addario Marco , Melen Riccardo , Steca Patrizia
Published: March 2019

The practice of regular physical exercise is a protective factor against noncommunicable diseases and premature mortality. In spite of that, large part of the population does not meet physical activity guidelines and many individuals live a sedentary life. Recent technological progresses and the widespread adoption of mobile technology, such as smartphone and wearables, have opened the way to the development of digital behaviour change interventions targeting physical activity promotion. Such interventions would greatly benefit from the inclusion of computational models framed on behaviour change theories and model-based reasoning. However, research on these topics is still at its infancy. The current paper presents a smartphone application and wearable device system called Muoviti! that targets physical activity promotion among adults not meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines. Specifically, we propose a computational model of behaviour change, grounded on the social cognitive theory of self-efficacy. The purpose of the computational model is to dynamically integrate information referring to individuals’ self-efficacy beliefs and physical activity behaviour in order to define exercising goals that adapt to individuals’ changes over time. The paper presents (i) the theoretical constructs that informed the development of the computational model, (ii) an overview of Muoviti! describing the system dynamics, the graphical user interface, the adopted measures and the intervention design, and (iii) the computational model based on Dynamic Decision Network. We conclude by presenting early results from an experimental study.
Safety State Evaluation Method Based on Attribute Recognition Model for Ancient Timber Buildings
Authors: Huan Junhong , Ma Donghui , Wang Wei , Wang Ziyi
Published: March 2019

To improve accuracy of safety state evaluation results for ancient timber buildings and to know the real state of the building, a safety grade evaluation model of ancient timber buildings is established based on attribute mathematic theory. From the perspective of macro, micro, qualitative, and quantitative, 22 factors may adversely affect the safety state of ancient timber building are considered in this model. First, evaluation system is established, and evaluation indexes are selected based on former study, seismic damage data, and Chinese current code about ancient timber buildings. In the evaluation system, whole building is divided into four parts, which are wood frame, enclosing wall, foundation, and plinth. Different parts contain different components. Every component has its own evaluation indexes. Second, based on the AHP and entropy method, the comprehensive empowering method is used to determine the weights of the indexes. Third, the attribute recognition model is established to identify the safety grade of components or units. Fourth, based on the evaluation results of components, safety grade of units is identified. Then, safety degree of the entire building is determined by the minimum safety grade of units. At last, the model is applied to the “Liben hall” in village Siping, Zhejiang province, China, and the assessment results are consistent with the results of damage identification.
Study on the Relationship between Mechanical Properties and Mesostructure of Microbial Cemented Sand Bodies
Authors: Yan Yue , Tang Yang , Xu Guobin , Lian Jijian , Fu Dengfeng
Published: March 2019

Microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a novel ground improvement method to effectively increase the strength of sandy soil. However, the relationship between the compressive strength of cemented sand and mesostructure of the cemented structure has not been addressed adequately. In this paper, a suite of microbial cementing experiments were conducted, considering multiple parameters controllable in testing. Twenty-two cementing columns were examined by uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) tests to explore the response of variations in compressive strength. The correlation of compressive strength with mesostructure of cemented samples was investigated using the X-ray computed tomography (XCT) method. Three main influential factors—the uniform spatial distribution, increasing contents, and increasing size of the crystals—were found to contribute positively to the strength behavior. Under relatively uniform spatial distribution, increasing the contents of crystals facilitated the initial construction of “spatial network” structure, and further stacks of calcium carbonate crystals promote the complete construction of the “spatial network” structure, and thus helped to increase compressive strength. The spatial distribution curves of crystals are in good agreement with the destructive characteristic curves of structures.
Rapid Enkephalin Delivery Using Exosomes to Promote Neurons Recovery in Ischemic Stroke by Inhibiting Neuronal p53/Caspase-3
Authors: Liu Yang , Fu Naisheng , Su Jiangli , Wang Xiumei , Li Xiaohua
Published: March 2019

No pharmacological treatment is currently available to protect brain from neuronal damage after ischemic stroke. Recent studies found that enkephalin may play an important role in neuron regeneration. We assembled a homogeneous size vesicle constituted by transferrin, exosomes, and enkephalin. Immunofluorescence assay showed that transferrin was combined with the exosomes and enkephalin was packaged into the vesicle; thus this complex was called tar-exo-enkephalin.In vitrostudies were performed using rat primary hippocampal neurons and the results showed that enkephalin decreased p53 and caspase-3 levels to 47.6% and 67.2%, respectively, compared to neurons treated with glutamate, thus inhibiting neuron apoptosis caused by glutamate. Anin vivoexperiment in rats was also carried out using a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)/reperfusion model and tar-exo-enkephalin treatment was performed after tMCAO. The results showed that tar-exo-enkephalin crossed the blood brain barrier (BBB) and decreased the levels of LDH, p53, caspase-3, and NO by 41.9, 52.6, 45.5, and 57.9% compared to the tMCAO rats, respectively. In addition, tar-exo-enkephalin improved brain neuron density and neurological score after tMCAO. These findings suggest that the use of exogenous enkephalin might promote neurological recovery after stroke.
Diagnosis of Parapneumonia Pleural Effusion with Serum and Pleural Fluid Cell-Free DNA
Authors: Su Chih-Min , Kung Chia-Te , Hsiao Sheng-Yuan , Tsai Nai-Wen , Lai Yun-Ru , Huang Chih-Cheng , Wang Hung-Chen , Lin Wei-Che , Cheng Ben-Chung , Su Yu-Jih , Lu Cheng-Hsien
Published: March 2019

Objective. As cell-free DNA levels in the pleural fluid and serum of parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE) patients have not been thoroughly explored, we evaluated their diagnostic potential. Methods. Twenty-two PPE and 16 non-PPE patients were evaluated. Serum and pleural fluids were collected, and cell-free DNA was quantified. All biomarkers were assessed for correlation with days after admission. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine diagnostic accuracy and optimal cut-off point. Results. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA levels in the pleural fluid and nuclear DNA levels in serum of PPE patients were significantly higher than in those of the non-PPE patients. However, only cell-free DNA levels in pleural fluid correlated with days after admission among PPE patients (r= 0.464, 0.538, respectively). ROC curve analysis showed that nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in pleural fluid had AUCs of 0.945 and 0.889, respectively. With cut-off values of 134.9 and 17.8 ng/ml for nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in pleural fluid, respectively, 96% sensitivity and 81% specificity were observed for PPE diagnosis. Conclusion. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in pleural fluid possess PPE diagnostic potential and correlated with disease severity. Serum nuclear DNA could also be used to distinguish freshly admitted PPE patients (Day 1) from non-PPE patients, but with less accuracy.
Operational Risk Assessment for International Transport Corridor: A Case Study of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Authors: Lei Yang , Huang Chengfeng , Wu Yuan
Published: March 2019

The international transport corridor is the basis and carrier of economic and trade exchanges between countries and regions. International transport corridors span different countries and regions, coupled with the long distance, complicated transportation environment and process, which determines the potential risks of the operation of the transport corridors. Therefore, accurately identifying and assessing the risk of international channels are an important prerequisite for ensuring its safe and stable operation. The expert scoring method is used to collect the basic data of risk identification, and the hesitant fuzzy decision theory is introduced. The dependent linguistic ordered weighted geometric (DLOWG) operator and the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) method are used in combination. Taking the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an example, evaluate the operational risks of the international transport corridor. The research results show that corruption, terrorism, and policy stability are the top three risk factors in the operation of the China-Pakistan transport corridor. The risk management and control should focus on these three types of risks and strengthen the security management along the route. Strengthen policy docking and communication, maintain political stability, and strengthen antiterrorism cooperation.
Exposing End-to-End Delay in Software-Defined Networking
Authors: Zhang Ting , Liu Bin
Published: March 2019

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) shows us a promising picture to deploy the demanding services in a fast and cost-effective way. Till now, most SDN use cases are deployed in enterprise/campus networks and data center networks. However, when applying SDN to the large-scale networks, such as Wide Area Network (WAN), the end-to-end delay of packet traversal is suspected to be very large and needs to be further investigated. Moreover, stringent time constraint is the cornerstone for real-time applications in SDN. Understanding the packet delay in SDN-based large networks is crucial for the proper design of switch architecture and the optimization of network algorithms such as flow control algorithms. In this paper, we present a thorough systematic exploration on the end-to-end delay in SDN which consists of multiple nodes, fully exposing the components which contribute to the long delay. We disclose that SDN switches cannot completely avoid the generation of flow setup even in proactive mode and conduct data mining on the probability of flow setup. We propose an analytical model for the end-to-end delay. This model takes into account the impact of the different rule installation time consumption on different switches. Considering the delay in switches contributes a large proportion to the entire delay, we conduct various measurements on the delay of a single switch. Results for the delay at different flow setup rates and with different rule priority patterns are presented. Furthermore, we study the impact on packet delay caused by ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) update. We measure parameters in the delay model and find that if SDN is deployed in all segments of WAN, the delay of packet traversal will be increased up to 27.95 times in the worst case in our experimental settings, compared with the delay in conventional network. Such high delay may eventually lead the end-to-end connections fail to complete if no additional measures are taken.
Interleukin-1 Beta Gene Polymorphism rs16944 May Associate with Increased Susceptibility to Extremity Chronic Osteomyelitis in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Yao Zi-long , Lin Qing-rong , Hu Yan-jun , Hou Yi-long , Ma Yun-fei , Yu Bin , Jiang Nan
Published: March 2019

Background. Previous studies had indicated that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associate with different inflammatory diseases. However, potential links between these polymorphisms and susceptibility to extremity chronic osteomyelitis (COM) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate relationships between IL-1β gene polymorphisms (rs16944, rs1143627, rs1143634, and rs2853550) and risks of developing extremity COM in Chinese Han population. Methods. Altogether 233 extremity COM patients and 200 healthy controls were genotyped for the four tag SNPs of the IL-1β gene using the SNapShot genotyping method. Comparisons were performed regarding genotype distribution, mutant allele frequency, and four genetic models (dominant, recessive, homozygous, and heterozygous models) of the four SNPs between the two groups. Results. Significant associations were identified between rs16944 polymorphism and the risk of developing COM by dominant model (P = 0.026, OR = 1.698, 95% CI 1.065-2.707) and heterozygous model (P = 0.030, OR = 1.733, 95% CI 1.055-2.847). Although no statistical differences were found of rs1143627 polymorphism between the two groups, there existed a trend that rs1143627 may be linked to an elevated risk of developing COM by outcomes of dominant (P = 0.061), homozygous (P = 0.080) and heterozygous (P = 0.095) models. However, no statistical correlations were found between rs1143634 and rs2853550 polymorphisms and susceptibility to COM in Chinese Han population. Conclusions. To our knowledge, we reported for the first time that IL-1β gene rs16944 polymorphism may contribute to the increased susceptibility to extremity COM in Chinese Han population, with genotype of AG as a risk factor.
Modeling of the Axial Load Capacity of RC Columns Strengthened with Steel Jacketing under Preloading Based on FE Simulation
Authors: Sayed Ahmed M. , Diab Hesham M.
Published: March 2019

Reinforced concrete (RC) columns often require consolidation or rehabilitation to enhance their capacity to endure the loads applied. This paper aims at studying the conduct and capacity of RC square columns, those reinforced with steel jacketing under static preloads. For this purpose, a three-dimensional model of finite element (FE) is devised mainly to investigate and analyze the effect of this case. The model was tested and adjusted to ensure its accuracy using the previous experimental results obtained by the author. Results of testing, experimentally, the new developed FE model revealed the ability to use the model for calculating RC columns’ axial load capacity and for predicting accurate failure modes. The new model that tends to predict the axial load capacity was suggested considering the parametric analysis results.
Association between Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase and Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study
Authors: Wang Jun , Li Xing , Pu Jun , Jin Siyu , Jia Lu , Li Xiaomei , Liu Fen , Shan Chunfang , Yang Yining
Published: March 2019

Background. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) has been detected in coronary plaques. However, the association between serum GGT levels and coronary atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) as detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) has not been investigated.Methods. We performed a retrospective study of consecutively enrolled CAD patients undergoing preintervention OCT examination during coronary angiography. Plaque vulnerability was defined as the presence of ruptured plaques or thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) upon OCT. The association between serum GGT levels and coronary plaque vulnerability was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results. A total of 142 patients were included in our analysis. OCT examination detected ruptured plaques in 16 patients, nonruptured plaques with TCFA in 17 patients, and nonruptured plaques and non-TCFA in 109 patients. Univariate analyses showed that gender, diabetes, Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were associated with plaque vulnerability (P all < 0.05). Patients grouped according to serum GGT tertiles did not differ statistically in baseline characteristics or OCT findings. Results of multivariate logistic analyses showed that diabetes and diagnosis of ACS were associated with plaque rupture and TCFA (P < 0.05).Conclusions. GGT serum levels were not associated with OCT detected coronary vulnerability in our cohort of CAD patient.
Clinical Performance of the AllplexTM Respiratory Panel 1 Test Compared to SimplexaTM Flu A/B and RSV for Detection of Influenza Virus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Including Their Subtyping
Authors: Kim Jeeyong , Nam Jeonghun , Jang Woongsik , Lim Chae Seung
Published: March 2019

Objective: The AllplexTM Respiratory Panel 1 (ARP) is a new assay based on a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of influenza A (Flu A), influenza B virus (Flu B), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), including subtyping by multiple detection temperature (MuDT) technology. We evaluated the performance of the Allplex Respiratory Panel compared to the SimplexaTM Flu A/B & RSV assay (SP) and other diagnostic tools. Materials and Methods: A total of 372 samples were collected from patients at the Korea University Guro Hospital in Seoul, Korea. All samples were tested for influenza virus and RSV by ARP, SP, and an in-house RT-PCR. Results: The sensitivity of ARP was 95.56, 100, and 95.24% for Flu A, Flu B, and RSV, respectively. The specificity of ARP was 100, 100, and 100% for Flu A, Flu B, and RSV, respectively. SP had sensitivities and specificities of 98.89 and 100% for Flu A, 100 and 100% for Flu B, and 100 and 100% for RSV. Conclusion: The Allplex panel showed high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values for the detection of Flu A, Flu B, and RSV. This assay is fast and easy to perform because it takes only about 150 min and there is no need for post-PCR electrophoresis. The ARP can be used as a reliable and convenient assay in clinical laboratories.
Consumption Uncertainty and Precautionary Saving
Authors: Christelis Dimitris , Georgarakos Dimitris , Jappelli Tullio , van Rooij Maarten
Published: March 2019

Using survey data from a representative sample of Dutch households, we estimate the strength of precautionary saving by eliciting subjective expectations on future consumption. Expected consumption risk is positively correlated with self-employment and income risk and negatively with age. We insert these subjective expectations (rather than consumption realizations, as in the existing literature) in an Euler equation for consumption and estimate the degree of prudence by associating expected consumption risk with expected consumption growth. Robust OLS and IV estimates indicate a coefficient of relative prudence of around 2. We obtain similar results via partial identification methods using weak assumptions.
When It Rains It Pours: The Long-Run Economic Impacts of Salt Iodization in the United States
Authors: Adhvaryu Achyuta , Bednar Steven , Molina Teresa , Nguyen Quynh , Nyshadham Anant
Published: March 2019

In 1924, the Morton Salt Company began nationwide distribution of iodine-fortified salt. Access to iodine, a key determinant of cognitive ability, rose sharply. We compare outcomes for cohorts exposed in utero with those of slightly older, unexposed cohorts, across states with high versus low baseline iodine deficiency. Income increased by 11%, labor force participation rose 0.68 percentage points, and full-time work went up 0.9 percentage points due to increased iodine availability. These impacts were largely driven by changes in the economic outcomes of young women. In later adulthood, both men and women had higher family incomes due to iodization.
Do Lower Minimum Wages for Young Workers Raise Their Employment? Evidence from a Danish Discontinuity
Authors: Kreiner Claus Thustrup , Reck Daniel , Skov Peer Ebbesen
Published: March 2019

We estimate the impact of youth minimum wages on youth employment by exploiting a large discontinuity in Danish minimum wage rules at age 18, using monthly payroll records for the Danish population. The hourly wage jumps by 40% at the discontinuity. Employment falls by 33%, and total input of hours decreases by 45%, leaving the aggregate wage payment almost unchanged. We show theoretically how the discontinuity may be exploited to evaluate policy changes. The relevant elasticity for evaluating the effect on youth employment of changes in their minimum wage is in the range 0.6 to 1.1.
Euglossa bembei sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Apidae): a new orchid bee from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest belonging to the Euglossa cybelia Moure, 1968 species group
Authors: NEMÉSIO ANDRÉ
Published: March 2019

One species of Euglossa, which has been collected in the Atlantic Forest from Pernambuco to São Paulo in low abundance, is here described as a new species, Euglossa bembei sp. n. An updated identification key for the species of Euglossa (Euglossa) occurring in eastern Brazil is provided.
Assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) of Uruguay: A synoptic catalogue as a contribution to the study of Austral biodiversity
Authors: ABDIEL MARTIN-PARK , MARIA DEL CARMEN COSCARÓN
Published: March 2019

The first synoptic catalogue of Reduviidae is given to Uruguay including nine subfamilies, Ectrichodiinae (4), Emesinae (1), Hammacerinae (1), Harpactorinae (11), Peiratinae (4), Phymatinae (3), Reduviinae (5), Stenopodainae (7), Triatominae (9), being Harpactorinae and Triatominae the best represented by eleven and nine species respectively. Criceptopareis tucumana (Berg) is mentioned for the first time for Uruguay and is confirmed the distribution for Atrachelus cinereus (Fabricius), Melanolestes argentinus Berg, Rasahus hamatus (Fabricius), Zelurus femoralis femoralis (Stål), Diaditus semicolon Stål, Triatoma infestans (Klug) and Triatoma rubrovaria (Blanchard) from the material belonging to the Museo de La Plata (Argentina). This information is of valuable for insect’s conservation biodiversity programs.
A hypothetical evolutionary history of passalid beetles narrated by the comparative anatomy of the hindgut (Coleoptera: Passalidae)
Authors: DA FONSECA CLAUDIO RUY VASCONCELOS , BARBOSA MÁRCIO LUÍS LEITÃO , FERNANDEZ MARIA FERNANDA SOUZA
Published: March 2019

When seen as a whole, the hindgut, more than any other section of the digestive tube, provides insights for the taxonomy of higher-level taxa of Passalidae. This comparative cladistics study utilized parsimony analyses, with 57 terminal taxa (including five outgroups) and 18 characters from the ileum of most genera of passalid beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae), which resulted in a single tree. Based on the results and the topology of the cladogram, the following classification was adopted: (Aulacocyclinae (Solenocyclinae (Proculinae (Passalinae, Macrolininae)))). Three subfamilies (Solenocyclinae, Proculinae, and Macrolininae) are here elevated from the tribal level to the subfamily level. The subfamily Passalinae is redefined and no longer contains any tribes. The family-group name Leptaulacinae is placed in synonym with Solenocyclinae and the family-group name Ceracupedini is placed in synonymy with Aulacocyclinae.
New and obscure species of the genus Chilocorus Mayr in eastern Asia, with the proposal of a "nitidus-group" concept (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae)
Authors: IMURA JIMPEI
Published: March 2019

Comments are presented on four East-Asian species of the genus Chilocoris Mayr, of which three are known but have been hardly mentioned―namely C. alienus Horváth, C. birmanus Lis and C. nitidulus Lis. One new species is described here as C. monticola n. sp. New distribution records are provided: C. alienus is new to China (Liaoning), as well as newly representing the genus in northern China; C. birmanus is new to Taiwan; and C. nitidulus is new to Vietnam and Thailand. Until recently, C. monticola n. sp. found in Japan has been misidentified as C. nitidus Mayr, and earlier records of the latter from Japan are really this new species. Male genital structures are described and illustrated for all four species, and additionally female genital structures are also described for C. birmanus and C. monticola. These East-Asian species are significantly similar to each other in important morphological structures such as the pronotal punctuation, extension of evaporatorium, and the male and female genital organs, yet they can be distinguished from many other congeners by these same structures. It seems plausible, therefore, to group these four species in a species-group named “nitidus-group” because of the species’ definite association with C. nitidus. This species-group possibly consists at least ten East-Asian and one North American species and exhibits a relictual, trans-Beringian disjunction, suggesting an association of this group with the Tertiary circum-boreal flora. Its distributional pattern may further differentiate the species-group from other congeners.
New taxa and records of flat bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae) from Hainan of China XIAOSHUAN BAI (P.R. China), ERNST HEISS (Austria) & WANZHI CAI (P.R. China)
Authors: BAI XIAOSHUAN , HEISS ERNST , CAI WANZHI
Published: March 2019

From Hainan Province, southern China, a new genus of Carventinae: Caiaptera n. gen with the species C. picea n. sp. and a new genus of Mezirinae: Hainanmezira n. gen with the species H. latiscutellata n. sp. as well as Notoplocaptera hainanensis n. sp., are described and illustrated. Additional records are given, and a list of species recorded to date from this province is presented.
A new species and record of Bactrocera Macquart (Diptera,Tephritidae) from China
Authors: CHEN XIAOLIN , ZHOU LIBING , WANG SHAOJUN , LI ZHIWEN , LI JIE
Published: March 2019

One new species of the genus Bactrocera Macquart (Diptera,Tephritidae), B (B.) paradiospyri Chen, Zhou et Li, sp. nov. and one new record species, B (Z.) incisa (Walker, 1861), of this genus from China are described and illustrated. The examined specimens attracted to Cue lure. The type is deposited in Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing (IZCAS).
Odontanthias randalli n. sp., a new anthiine fish (Serranidae: Anthiinae) from Indonesia WILLIAM T. WHITE (Australia)
Authors: WHITE WILLIAM T.
Published: March 2019

Odontanthias randalli, a new species of anthiine serranid fish from southeastern Indonesia, is described, bringing the number of known species in the genus to 14. The new species is clearly distinguished from other members of the genus by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin soft rays 16–17, lateral-line scales 37 to 39, 3rd dorsal spine longest, 3rd dorsal-fin soft ray the only filamentous dorsal-fin ray, caudal fin lunate with extremely long filamentous lobes, depth of body 2.2 to 2. 5 in SL, vomerine-tooth patch arrowhead shaped, and body pinkish with bright yellow spots on upper half and four pale pink blotches below dorsal-fin base. The new species is compared with other members of the genus.
Batriscenellus Jeannel (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae) redefined, with notes on the Chinese species
Authors: YIN ZI-WEI , LI LI-ZHEN , ZHAO MEI-JUN
Published: March 2019

The genus Batriscenellus Jeannel is redefined, and its taxonomic placement discussed. The subgenera Scaioscenellus Jeannel, Batriscenellinus Nomura, and Nipponoscenellus Nomura are placed as synonyms of Batriscenellus, and the genus is divided into six species groups. Three eastern Chinese species, B. chinensis, B. femoralis, and B. pulcher, are described as new. The following new combinations are created: B. auritus (Löbl), B. satoi (Nomura) and B. subpalpicolus (Nomura), all moved from Batrisiella to Batriscenellus. New distributional records for B. orientalis and B. auritus in China are provided. Illustrations of major diagnostic characters are given for the new and the newly recorded Chinese species. An identification key to the species groups and to the Chinese species of Batriscenellus is given. A checklist of Batriscenellus is presented.
Two new damselfly species from Polillo Island, Philippines (Odonata: Platystictidae)
Authors: VILLANUEVA REAGAN JOSEPH T. , SCHORR MARTIN
Published: March 2019

Drepanosticta wildermuthi spec. nov. and Sulcosticta vantoli spec. nov. are described and illustrated. The two species are compared with their nearest relatives, D. moorei van Tol & Müller and S. viticula van Tol, respectively. Drepanosticta wildermuthi spec. nov has shorter anterior lobe processes compared to D. moorei. Sulcosticta vantoli spec. nov. has a simpler paraproct structure compared to S. viticula.
The true Dythemis multipunctata Kirby, 1894, from the West Indies and proposed new taxonomic status (Odonata: Anisoptera: Libellulidae)
Authors: MEURGEY FRANçOIS , POIRON CELINE
Published: March 2019

The true Dythemis multipunctata Kirby is illustrated and the female is described for the first time based on specimens from the type locality, St. Vincent (Lesser Antilles). The taxonomic status of the species is discussed, and notes on behavior, habitat, and range distribution are provided. D. multipunctata is to be considered a subspecies of D. sterilis (Hagen), and mainland populations previously known as multipunctata are now to be called D. nigra Martin.
Elimaea Stål (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) and its relative from China, with description of twenty-three new species
Authors: LIU CHUN-XIANG , LIU XIAN-WEI
Published: March 2019

Elimaea Stål is a comparatively large genus in the subfamily Phaneropterinae, which is mostly characterized by symmetric exposed tibial tympana and commonly distributed in Asia. The genus includes 6 subgenera and 131 valid species. However, species diversity of the genus Elimaea has been occasionally investigated in China. Here we provide a checklist of 53 species in the genus Elimaea and its relative from China, among which 23 species are new to science. We also establish one new subgenus Rectielimaea subgen. nov. for the type species Elimaea (Rectielimaea) percauda sp. nov., which is distinguished from other subgenera by the phallus with a long log-like sclerite horizontally produced outwards. In addition, we consider that proximal part of MP+CuIP vein in tegminal dorsal part is possibly more or less different among species and subgenera: (a) straight in the subgenera Elimaea and Rectielimaea subgen. nov. and in the species Elimaea (Schizelimaea) mira Gorochov, 2009, or (b) more or less convex laterad in the other subgenera without exception of other species in the subgenus Schizelimaea. Necessary illustrations are provided.
A distinctive new species of Euglyphis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) from Costa Rica, with a checklist of the Euglyphis known from Costa Rica
Authors: MONTERO-RAMÍREZ JOSÉ JOAQUÍN , JANZEN DANIEL H. , HALLWACHS WINNIE
Published: March 2019

Euglyphis jessiehillae Montero, new species, is described from Costa Rican rain forest. Photographs of the adult, larva and cocoon, as well as male and female genitalia, are provided. In addition to its description and natural history, we include a checklist for the described members of the genus Euglyphis known from Costa Rica.
Two new species of Cnemidophorus (Squamata: Teiidae) of the C. ocellifer group, from Bahia, Brazil
Authors: ARIAS FEDERICO , DE CARVALHO CELSO MORATO , RODRIGUES MIGUEL TREFAUT , ZAHER HUSSAM
Published: March 2019

Two new species of Cnemidophorus are described from the right bank of the São Francisco river, in the northwestern part of state of Bahia, Brazil. Both species are assigned to the Cnemidophorus ocellifer group and are distinguished from all other congeners on the basis of lepidosis and color pattern. One of them, Cnemidophorus cyanurus, shares with the species of the subgroup of C. littoralis (C. abaetensis, C. littoralis and C. venetacaudus), a bluish green tail, spurs on the heels of males, 6–7 supraciliaries, a high number of femoral pores (27–45), a row of enlarged scales in the dorsal part of the humerus, and 8 to 10 rows of ventral scales. The second species, Cnemidophorus nigrigula, shares with the C. ocellifer subgroup (composed of C. ocellifer, C. mumbuca, C. jalapensis and C. confusionibus) a low number of femoral pores (14– 21), enlarged scales in the temporal region posterior to the third subocular, 5 supraciliaries, 6 to 8 rows of ventral scales, and a brown tail color. It is also characterized by males being conspicuously larger than females and by females retaining the juvenile color pattern, which is lost in adult males. The latter characteristic has not been reported in any species of the C. ocellifer group before now. The two new species occur sympatrically at Santo Inácio.
First records of the genera Chagria and Davmata from China (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini), with descriptions of two new species
Authors: CAO YANGHUI , HUANG MIN , ZHANG YALIN
Published: March 2019

Two oriental genera of Erythroneurini, Chagria Dworakowska and Davmata Dworakowska, are reported from China for the first time, each based on a new species: Chagria camptoprocessa and Davmata falcata spp. nov. Illustrations and keys to males for each genus are provided.
Freshwater prawns of the genus Macrobrachium Bate, 1868 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Laos
Authors: HANAMURA YUKIO , IMAI HIDEYUKI , LASASIMMA OULAYTHAM , SOULIYAMATH PANY , ITO SAYAKA
Published: March 2019

Caridean prawns of the genus Macrobrachium Bate, 1868 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) collected from the Laotian river system were studied. Fourteen species are recognised in this study, including one unidentified species. Their taxonomy is discussed and illustrated, of which 11 species are new records to the Laotian fauna. The identity of species of the “M. dienbienphuense” group has been remained obscure, and this study, which incorporated the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene analysis, demonstrated that M. amplimanus Cai & Dai, 1999, M. dienbienphuense Dang & Nguyen, 1972, and M. eriocheirum Dai, 1984 are valid species. The Macrobrachium fauna in Laos exhibited closer affinity to that of the tropical Indo-China and Sunda elements (southern Yunnan Province, south-western China, northern Vietnam as well as north and north-eastern Thailand), implying that the Mekong River system contributes substantially to the regional freshwater prawn biodiversity.
A review of the Acanthopagrus bifasciatus species complex (Pisces: Sparidae) from the Indian Ocean, with redescriptions of A. bifasciatus (Forsskål 1775) and A. catenula (Lacepède 1801) YUKIO IWATSUKI (Japan) & PHILLIP C. HEEMSTRA (South Africa)
Authors: IWATSUKI YUKIO , HEEMSTRA PHILLIP C.
Published: March 2019

The Doublebar Seabream, Acanthopagrus bifasciatus (Forsskål 1775) with two conspicuous vertical black bars across the head has long been recognized as a distinctive species from the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean. Two distinct colour patterns are associated with two allopatric populations except southern Oman and Somalia which appears to be a zone of overlap: a northern population (Red Sea, through Persian Gulf, to Pakistan) with dorsal and caudal fins immaculate yellow; and a southern population (east coast of Africa from the Horn of Africa to South Africa, Madagascar, and Mascarene Islands) having the dorsal fin with a wide black margin and caudal fin rear margin with a narrow black edge (and both black margins disappearing with growth in specimens over 30 cm SL). Both populations resulted in the two valid species: A. bifasciatus for the northern population and A. catenula (Lacepède 1801) for the southern population. Nominal species (junior synonyms) of the two species are discussed.
Taxonomic study of the genus Promalactis Meyrick, 1908 (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) IV. The sakaiella species group, with descriptions of fifteen new species
Authors: WANG SHUXIA , JIA YANYAN
Published: March 2019

The sakaiella species group of the genus Promalactis Meyrick, 1908 is established on the basis of forewing pattern characteristics. Forty-one species are reported, including 15 new species: P. curvitaeniata Wang sp. nov., P. biprocessa Wang sp. nov., P. lvovskyi Wang sp. nov., P. subquadrata Wang sp. nov., P. tibetica Wang sp. nov., P. auremacularis Wang sp. nov., P. apicidigitata Wang sp. nov. P. campanulata Wang sp. nov., P. bicornea Wang sp. nov., P. spiniflagellata Wang sp. nov., P. grandilobata Wang sp. nov., P. arciformis Wang sp. nov., P. bornensis Wang sp. nov., P. cribrata Wang sp. nov. and P. oliviformis Wang sp. nov. Photographs of adults and genitalia of the new species are provided. A checklist of all the species belonging to the sakaiella species group is included, with original citations given to the known species.
A contribution to the systematics of Salea anamallayana (Beddome, 1878) and S. horsfieldii Gray, 1845 (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae)
Authors: DAS SUNANDAN , CAMPBELL PATRICK D. , DEUTI KAUSHIK , BAG PROBHAT , RAHA SUJOY
Published: March 2019

Salea anamallayana (Beddome, 1878) and S. horsfieldii Gray, 1845 are two endemic montane forest dwelling draconine agamid lizards from the Western Ghats (India). The original descriptions of these two species were brief and apart from their inclusion in general faunal works, they have never been the focus of a rigorous taxonomic study. In this paper we provide a detailed redescription of the types of those two species. We also reconfirm the status of the subjective synonyms of those two species. We conducted a test of niche conservatism and on the basis of the results of this analysis, we demonstrate that in spite of occurring in apparently analogous habitats, the niche of the two species have diverged significantly. We also provide notes on the distribution and natural history of S. anamallayana and S. horsfieldii.
Trajectory-Enhanced AIRS Observations of Environmental Factors Driving Severe Convective Storms
Authors: Kalmus Peter , Kahn Brian H. , Freeman Sean W. , van den Heever Susan C.
Published: March 2019

We investigate environmental factors of severe convective weather using temperature and moisture retrievals from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) that lie along parcel trajectories traced from tornado, large hail, and severe wind producing events in the central United States. We create AIRS proximity soundings representative of the storm environment by calculating back trajectories from storm times and locations at levels throughout the troposphere, using the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model forced with the 32-km North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) and 12-km North American Mesoscale Forecast System (NAM12). The proximity soundings are calculated for severe weather events including tornadoes, hail ≥2 in. diameter, and wind gusts >65 mph (29 m s−1) specified in the NCEI Storm Events database. Box-and-whisker diagrams exhibit more realistic values of enhanced convective available potential energy (CAPE) and suppressed convective inhibition (CIN) relative to conventional “nearest neighbor” (NN) soundings; however, differences in lifting condensation level (LCL), level of free convection (LFC), and significant tornado parameter (STP) from the HYSPLIT-adjusted back traced soundings are more similar to NN soundings. This methodology should be extended to larger swaths of soundings, and to other operational infrared sounders, to characterize the large-scale environment in severe convective events.
Verification of Road Surface Temperature Forecasts Assimilating Data from Mobile Sensors
Authors: Karsisto Virve , Lovén Lauri
Published: March 2019

The advances in communication technologies have made it possible to gather road condition information from moving vehicles in real time. However, data quality must be assessed and its effects on the road weather forecasts analyzed before using the new data as input in forecasting systems. Road surface temperature forecasts assimilating mobile observations in the initialization were verified in this study. In addition to using measured values directly, different statistical corrections were applied to the mobile observations before using them in the road weather model. The verification results are compared to a control run without surface temperature measurements and to a control run that utilized interpolated values from surrounding road weather stations. Simulations were done for the period 12 October 2017–30 April 2018 for stationary road weather station points in southern Finland. Road surface temperature observations from the stations were used in the forecast verification. According to the results, the mobile observations improved the accuracy of road surface temperature forecasts when compared to the first control run. The statistical correction methods had a positive effect on forecast accuracy during the winter, but the effect varied during spring when the daily temperature variation was strong. In the winter season, the forecasts based on the interpolated road surface temperature values and the forecasts utilizing mobile observations with statistical correction had comparable accuracy. However, the tested area has high road weather station density and not much elevation variation, so results might have been different in more varying terrain.
Expanding the Applicability of Sampson and Laub’s Theory of Inequality and Social Control: A Multilevel Examination
Authors: Peck Jennifer H. , Leiber Michael J. , Beaudry-Cyr Maude
Published: March 2019

The present study uses Sampson and Laub’s theory of inequality and social control to examine whether underclass poverty and racial/ethnic inequality hold current relevancy over the court processing of juvenile offenders. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling was used to investigate the impact of community aspects, offender characteristics, and offense-related factors on juvenile court outcomes occurring at intake, adjudication, and judicial disposition. Findings indicate limited evidence for the anticipated relationships between underclass poverty and racial/ethnic inequality on court processing stages. The individual and combined impact of being Black or Hispanic, and/or charged with a drug offense, exerted stronger effects on juvenile justice decision-making compared with Sampson and Laub’s structural factors. Implications for addressing the federal Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Mandate based on the findings are discussed, as well as the future empirical inquiry surrounding whether community factors interact with offender and offense characteristics to influence outcomes of youth referred to juvenile court.