bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature effects on structure: Five-coordinate (nitrosyl)(tetratolylporphinato)iron(II)
Authors: Silvernail Nathan J. , Oliver Allen G. , Scheidt W. Robert
Published: October 2019

We have prepared crystals of [Fe(TTP)(NO)] (TTP = tetratolylporphyrin), a five-coordinate nitrosyl complex and determined its crystal and molecular structure at two temperatures. The crystal structure at 100 K reveals two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of the structure. One molecule is completely ordered and the second molecule has a moderately disordered nitrosyl ligand. Both molecules show similar structural features: a substantial off-axis tilt of the Fe–N(NO) bond and an asymmetry of the equatorial Fe–N[Formula: see text] bonds that is correlated with the tilt. The axial Fe–N(NO) bond distances are 1.7230 (9) and 1.7210 (10) Å; the Fe–N–O bond angles are 141.62 (8) and 140.04 (10)[Formula: see text]. Determination of the structure at ambient temperature (293 K) showed an unexpected phase change, a crystal structure with one molecule per asymmetric unit containing the superposition of the two molecules at lower temperature. However, there was an increase in the NO disorder.
Synchrotron-based phase-contrast micro-CT as a tool for understanding pulmonary vascular pathobiology and the 3-D microanatomy of alveolar capillary dysplasia
Authors: Norvik Christian , Westöö Christian Karl , Peruzzi Niccolò , Lovric Goran , van der Have Oscar , Mokso Rajmund , Jeremiasen Ida , Brunnström Hans , Galambos Csaba , Bech Martin , Tran-Lundmark Karin
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to explore the value of synchrotron-based phase-contrast microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) in pulmonary vascular pathobiology. The microanatomy of the lung is complex with intricate branching patterns. Tissue sections are therefore difficult to interpret. Recruited intrapulmonary bronchopulmonary anastomoses (IBAs) have been described in several forms of pulmonary hypertension, including alveolar capillary dysplasia with misaligned pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV). Here, we examine paraffin-embedded tissue using this nondestructive method for high-resolution three-dimensional imaging. Blocks of healthy and ACD/MPV lung tissue were used. Pulmonary and bronchial arteries in the ACD/MPV block had been preinjected with dye. One section per block was stained, and areas of interest were marked to allow precise beam-alignment during image acquisition at the X02DA TOMCAT beamline (Swiss Light Source). A ×4 magnifying objective coupled to a 20-µm thick scintillating material and a sCMOS detector yielded the best trade-off between spatial resolution and field-of-view. A phase retrieval algorithm was applied and virtual tomographic slices and video clips of the imaged volumes were produced. Dye injections generated a distinct attenuation difference between vessels and surrounding tissue, facilitating segmentation and three-dimensional rendering. Histology and immunohistochemistry post-imaging offered complementary information. IBAs were confirmed in ACD/MPV, and the MPVs were positioned like bronchial veins/venules. We demonstrate the advantages of using synchrotron-based phase-contrast micro-CT for three-dimensional characterization of pulmonary microvascular anatomy in paraffin-embedded tissue. Vascular dye injections add additional value. We confirm intrapulmonary shunting in ACD/MPV and provide support for the hypothesis that MPVs are dilated bronchial veins/venules.
Hypertonic saline stimulates vagal afferents that respond to lung deflation
Authors: Guardiola Juan , Saad Mohamed , Yu Jerry
Published: October 2019

In our present studies, we seek to determine whether increased osmolarity stimulates deflation-activated receptors (DARs). In anesthetized, open-chest, and mechanically ventilated rabbits, we recorded single-unit activities from typical slowly adapting receptors (SARs; responding only to lung inflation) and DAR-containing SARs (DAR-SARs; responding to both lung inflation and deflation) and identified their receptive fields in the lung. We examined responses of these two groups of pulmonary sensory units to direct injection of hypertonic saline (8.1% sodium chloride; 9-fold in tonicity) into the receptive fields. Hypertonic saline decreased the activity in most SAR units from 40.3 ± 5.4 to 34.8 ± 4.7 imp/s ( P < 0.05, n = 12). In contrast, it increased the activity in DAR-SAR units quickly and significantly from 15.9 ± 2.2 to 43.4 ± 10.0 imp/s ( P < 0.01, n = 10). Many units initially had increased activity, mainly in the deflation phase. DAR-SAR activities largely returned to the control level 30 s after injection. Since hypertonic saline stimulated DAR-SAR units but not SAR units, we conclude that hypertonic saline activates DARs.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Vanadium-Doped SnO2 Nanoparticles in Rhodamine B Degradation
Authors: Letifi H. , Litaiem Y. , Dridi D. , Ammar S. , Chtourou R.
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we have reported a novel photocatalytic study of vanadium-doped SnO2 nanoparticles (SnO2: V NPs) in rhodamine B degradation. These NPs have been prepared with vanadium concentrations varying from 0% to 4% via the coprecipitation method. Structural, morphological, and optical properties of the prepared nanoparticles have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Structural properties showed that both undoped and SnO2: V NPs exhibited the tetragonal structure, and the average crystal size has been decreased from 20 nm to 10 nm with the increasing doping level of vanadium. Optical studies showed that the absorption edge of SnO2: V NPs showed a redshift with the increasing vanadium concentration. This redshift leads to the decrease in the optical band gap from 3.25 eV to 2.55 eV. A quenching in luminescence intensity has been observed in SnO2: V NPs, as compared to the undoped sample. Rhodamine B dye (RhB) has been used to study the photocatalytic degradation of all synthesized NPs. As compared to undoped SnO2 NPs, the photocatalytic activity of SnO2: V NPs has been improved. RhB dye was considerably degraded by 95% within 150 min over on the SnO2: V NPs.
2-Oxiranyl-pyridines: Synthesis and Regioselective Epoxide Ring Openings with Chiral Amines as a Route to Chiral Ligands
Authors: Wosińska-Hrydczuk Marzena , Skarżewski Jacek
Published: October 2019

New epoxides, derivatives of pyridine, 2,2′-bipyridine, and 1,10-phenanthroline, were synthesized from the respective α-methylazaarenes. The obtained racemic 2-oxiranyl-azaarenes along with styrene oxide and trans-stilbene oxide were submitted to the ring opening with chiral primary amines as a chiral auxiliary. The most effective reaction was run in the presence of Sc(OTf)3/diisopropylethylamine for 7 days at 80°C, affording a good yield of the amino alcohols. Except for styrene oxide which gave both α- and β-amino alcohols, the reactions led regioselectively to the corresponding diastereomeric β-amino alcohols. The resulting diastereomers were separated, and the configurations of their stereogenic centers were established. The obtained enantiomerically pure 2-pyridinyl- and 6-(2,2′-bipyridinyl)-β-amino alcohols were tentatively tested as chiral ligands in the zinc-catalyzed aldol reaction.
Use of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam in Patient with Severe Medium Chronic Purulent Otitis by XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Saraca L. M. , Di Giuli C. , Sicari F. , Priante G. , Lavagna F. , Francisci D.
Published: October 2019

We present a case of a male Italian patient of 66 years with a history of kidney transplantation in treatment with cyclosporine and methylprednisolone. He visited an ENT clinic and was diagnosed as chronic left purulent otitis media. He began at-home antibiotic therapy with poor benefit. On 09/13/18, he was admitted to the hospital “S. Maria ”of Terni for persistence of left ear pain and complete hearing loss. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed “in correspondence of the petrous rock and the mastoid…presence of flogistic tissue.” Auricular swabs and later surgical drainage of the purulent material were performed and both were positive for extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa sensitive only to colistin in absence of synergism with rifampin. The patient underwent antibiotic therapy with ceftolozane-tazobactam, a new generation cephalosporin with anti-Pseudomonas activity and a β-lactamase inhibitor, that currently is indicated for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections, with complete healing. In literature, it is described a series of 12 patients with severe MDR (multidrug-resistant) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections (6 pneumonia) who received salvage therapy with ceftolozane-tazobactam after inappropriate empirical and/or suboptimal treatment. This study included a case of a male patient of 45 years, affected by Burkitt lymphoma and severe neutropenia, who presented with otitis and mastoiditis, and isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in surgical drainage of the purulent material of the ear (blood cultures were negative). He underwent antibiotic therapy with ceftolozane–tazobactam at a dosage of 3 g/8 h for 21.3 days. The patient was healed, but a late recurrence was described because of isolation of ceftolozane-tazobactam-resistant Pseudomonas after therapy. The possibility of acquiring resistance to ceftolozane-tazobactam should be considered in patients with previous exposure to beta-lactams and with poor response to these antibiotics.
Hydrogen Effect on Cumulation of Failure, Mechanical Properties, and Fracture Toughness of Ni-Cr Alloys
Authors: Balitskii Alexander , Ivaskevich Ljubomyr
Published: October 2019

Influence of hydrogen pressure and internal hydrogen contents on short-term strength, plasticity, and plane-stress fracture toughness of 05Cr19Ni55 alloys at pressure up to 30 MPa was investigated. It was established that the crack resistance parameters Kc of alloys decrease with displacement rates decreasing similar to elongation (δ) and reduction of area (ψ) of smooth specimens. The maximum hydrogen influence is achieved at strain rate speeds less than 0.1 mm/min and hydrogen pressures above 15 MPa when δ and Kc of prehydrogenated samples are reduced by 3 times. The plane-strain conditions required for the evaluation of KІc were fulfilled on compact tension 05Cr19Ni55 alloy specimens with thickness above 20 mm under hydrogen pressure 30 MPa and preliminary dissolved hydrogen concentration above 20 wppm. Regardless of the test conditions, the value of the characteristics of plasticity (δ, ψ) and fracture toughness (Kс) of alloy (TO1) specimens oriented in the transverse direction (orientation TV) is significantly lower than that of specimens oriented in the longitudinal direction (LT). Alloy cleaning by vacuum arc remelting and optimization of heat treatment regime increase their hydrogen resistance.
Influence of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Irradiation on the Push-Out Bond Strength of Zirconia and Glass Fiber Posts with Radicular Dentin
Authors: Alofi Raneem S. , Alshiddi Ibraheem F. , AlFawaz Yasser F. , Alsahhaf Abdulaziz , Al-Aali Khulud Abdulrahman , Abduljabbar Tariq , Vohra Fahim
Published: October 2019

Objective. This in vitro study was designed to evaluate the influence of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser on the bond strength of zirconia and glass fiber posts with root dentin. Materials and methods. Ninety extracted single-rooted human teeth were randomized into 6 groups (n = 15/group) on the basis of different posts (zirconia/glass fiber) and Er,Cr:YSGG laser tips (axial and radial). Specimens were prepared for push-out testing with the help of a cutting machine; six slices (2 on each cervical, middle, and apical) of approximately 1 mm thickness were sectioned for all roots on a plane perpendicular to the long axis of the post. All specimens were placed into a universal testing machine with a defined 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed until the maximum failure load was obtained. Results. The highest mean push-out bond strength of the glass fiber and zirconia groups was achieved with laser treatment. The highest push-out bond strength was achieved with the axial fiber tip (7.63 ± 1.22 MPa), and the lowest was achieved with a radial fiber tip of the glass fiber group (6.98 ± 0.96 MPa). ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.041). The mean push-out bond strength was found to be higher with an axial fiber tip for both cervical and apical segments in the glass fiber and zirconia groups (p<0.05). The independent t-test resulted in the overall highest mean push-out bond strength in the apical segments (p=0.026). Conclusion. Within the limits of the present in vitro research study, an enhancement in the push-out bond strength of resin cement, mainly in the cervical region of the root canal, was achieved after irradiation with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser using an axial fiber tip.
Synaptic Injury in the Thalamus Accompanies White Matter Injury in Hypoxia/Ischemia-Mediated Brain Injury in Neonatal Rats
Authors: Liu Na , Tong Xin , Huang Wanjie , Fu Jianhua , Xue Xindong
Published: October 2019

The broad spectrum of disabilities caused by white matter injury (WMI) cannot be explained simply by hypomyelination. Synaptic injury in the thalamus may be related to disabilities in WMI survivors. Neuronal injury in the thalamus has been found most commonly in autopsy cases of preterm WMI. We hypothesized that hypoxia/ischemia (HI) in neonatal rats results in synaptic abnormalities in the thalamus that contribute to disabilities in WMI survivors. We examined changes in synapses in a neonatal rat model of HI-induced WMI. Right common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia (8% oxygen for 2.5 hours (h)) were performed in three-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. We found HI rats performed worse in the Morris water maze test than sham rats, suggesting long-term cognition impairment after HI injury. A loss of synapses in the thalamus accompanied by hypomyelination and oligodendrocytes (OLs) reduction was observed. At the ultrastructural level, reductions in active zone (AZ) length and postsynaptic density (PSD) thickness were detected at 2 weeks after HI exposure. Furthermore, increased expression of synaptophysin and PSD-95 in both groups was observed from 3 days (d) to 21 d after hypoxic/ischemic (HI) injury. PSD-95 expression was significantly lower in HI rats than in sham rats from 14 d to 21 d after HI injury, and synaptophysin expression was significantly lower in HI rats from 7 d to 14 d after HI injury. However, no significant difference in synaptophysin expression was observed between HI rats and sham rats at 21 d after HI injury. The results demonstrated synaptic abnormalities in the thalamus accompanied by hypomyelination in WMI in response to HI exposure, which may contribute to the diverse neurological defects observed in WMI patients. Although synaptic reorganization occurred as a compensatory response to HI injury, the impairments in synaptic transmission were not reversed.
Zinc Sulphate and Boron-Based Foliar Fertilizer Effect on Growth, Yield, Minerals, and Heavy Metal Composition of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) Grown on an Alfisol
Authors: Aboyeji Christopher , Dunsin Oluwagbenga , Adekiya Aruna O. , Chinedum Chinomnso , Suleiman Khadijat O. , Okunlola Faith O. , Aremu Charity O. , Owolabi Iyiola O. , Olofintoye Temidayo A. J.
Published: October 2019

Field experiments were conducted during 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons in the derived agro-ecological zone of Nigeria to study the combined and sole effect of zinc and boron fertilizers on the growth, seed yield, and quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated four times. Three levels of zinc (0, 4, and 8 kg·ha−1) and four levels of boron (0, 300, 600, and 900 ml·ha−1) were combined and evaluated. Groundnut seeds were analyzed at the end of the experiments to determine nutrient elements and some heavy metal contents. Data collected were subjected to Statistical Analysis of Variance using SAS 2000. Treatment means were compared using the Duncan multiple range test at 0.05 level of probability. The effect of zinc was not significant on the vegetative parameters, while application 8 kg Zn·ha−1 significantly increased number of seeds, weight of seeds, seed yield per hectare, and seed quality though the values were similar to the application of 4 kg Zn·ha−1 only on the seed yield and its parameters. Application of 600 and 900 ml B·ha−1 gave higher and statistically similar values for vegetative parameters, yield, and yield parameters, while 600 ml B·ha−1 significantly improved the seed quality. It can therefore be recommended that for optimum yield and seed quality, application of 8 kg Zn·ha−1 combined 600 ml B·ha−1 is sufficient in the study area without increasing the heavy metal concentration of groundnut seed.
Tensile Strength of Novel Nonabsorbable PTFE (Teflon®) versus Other Suture Materials: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Arce José , Palacios Alondra , Alvítez-Temoche Daniel , Mendoza-Azpur G. , Romero-Tapia Percy , Mayta-Tovalino Frank
Published: October 2019

Objective. To compare the in vitro tensile strength of sutures used in implant surgery according to the type of thread and the immersion time in artificial saliva. Methods. For the development of the study, three suture materials were used: polyglactin 910 (PG), black silk (BS), and Teflon (PTFE) 4-0; 150 samples were used, which were divided among each type of suture and then subdivided into five groups of 10 according to the various immersion times (baseline, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days) in artificial saliva. A universal test machine was used to measure the tensile strength at a speed of 25 cm/min, stretch each sample until the material fails, and record the maximum strength in Newtons (N). Finally, the failure point of the samples was evaluated at 10× increase using a stereromicroscope (Leica Biosystems). Results. When analyzing the tensile strength of the various groups of sutures, it was evidenced that PG maintained its strength, which was lowest at baseline and highest at 21 days. When performing the statistical inference of PG and PTFE, it was found that the force necessary to achieve detachment was not statistically significant (p<0.05). However, it was shown that the force necessary to achieve rupture in the BS group was statistically significant (p=0.001). Conclusion. To sum up, when comparing the in vitro tensile strength of PG, BS, and PTFE sutures at baseline and 3, 7, 14, and 21 days, there was no statistically significant difference. This indicates that all sutures used present sufficient performance that remains resistant as time progresses.
Do Women who Receive a Negative BRCA1/2 Risk Result Understand the Implications for Breast Cancer Risk?
Authors: Guan Yue , Condit Celeste M. , Escoffery Cam , Bellcross Cecelia A. , McBride Colleen M.
Published: October 2019

Background/Aims: National guidelines endorse using evidence-based tools to identify those at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). This study aimed to evaluate whether women deemed not to be at increased risk of being a BRCA mutation carrier; the majority of those screened, recall, understand and accept the implications of these results for breast cancer risk. Methods: We conducted an online survey with women (n = 148) who screened negative on a brief HBOC screener. Results: While women tended to accept HBOC screener as accurate (range 9–45; mean 32, SD 5.0), less than half (43%) accurately recalled their result. Only 52% understood that they were at low risk of carrying a mutation, and just 34% correctly understood their breast cancer risk. African American women were less likely to recall (33 vs. 53% respectively, OR 0.5, p = 0.03), understand (42 vs. 63% respectively, OR 0.4, p = 0.02), and accept (mean 31 vs. 33 respectively, β –2.1, p = 0.02) the result compared to Whites. Conclusions: Our findings show that those at low risk of carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation had limited understanding of the distinction between mutation risk and breast cancer risk. Theory-based communication strategies are needed to increase the understanding of the implications of being at low risk for hereditary cancers.
Use of Transcription when Assessing Children’s Speech: Australian Speech-Language Pathologists’ Practices, Challenges, and Facilitators
Authors: Nelson Taylor Louise , Mok Zaneta , Ttofari Eecen Kyriaki
Published: October 2019

Objective: There is currently limited knowledge on the useof transcription in the management of children with speech sound disorders (SSD) by speech-language pathologists in Australia. This study explored the use of transcription, the facilitators, and challenges of transcription use, and differences in the use of detailed transcription with various client groups. Method and Participants: Eighty-four participants (speech-language pathologists working in Australia) completed an online exploratory survey which included closed and open-ended questions. Results: 95% of participants reported using transcription. The three most commonly reported strategies/resources were transcription charts (81%), self-practice (68%), and websites (42%). Transcription challenges included the use of two vowel notation systems, reduced proficiency in transcription, service delivery issues, sampling/recording issues, and issues with using transcription to communicate. Finally, results from this survey found that participants use detailed transcription more often when recording the speech of children with childhood apraxia of speech and craniofacial impairment compared to using transcription to document the speech of children who have SSD of unknown origin. Most participants (91%) had not attended transcription professional development. Conclusions: These findings have implications for the university training of speech-language pathologists and for the establishment of professional development courses for practising speech-language pathologists in Australia.
Confidence interval of percentiles in skewed distribution
Authors: Ialongo Cristiano
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Quality indicators (QI) based on percentiles are widely used for managing quality in laboratory medicine nowadays. Due to their statistical nature, their estimation is affected by sampling so they should be always presented together with the confidence interval (CI). Since no methodological recommendation has been issued to date, our aim was investigating the suitability of the parametric method (LP-CI), the non-parametric binomial (NP-CI) and bootstrap (BCa-CI) procedures for the CI estimation of 2.5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 97.5th percentile in skewed sets of data.
Materials and methods: Skewness was reproduced by numeric simulation of a lognormal distribution in order to have samples with different right-tailing (moderate, heavy and very heavy) and size (20, 60 and 120). Performance was assessed with respect to the actual coverage probability (ACP, accuracy) against the confidence level of 1-α with α = 0.5, and the median interval length (MIL, precision).
Results: The parametric method was accurate for sample size N ≥ 20 whereas both NP-CI and BCa-CI required N ≥ 60. However, for extreme percentiles of heavily right-tailed data, the required sample size increased to 60 and 120 units respectively. A case study also demonstrated the possibility to estimate the ACP from a single sample of real-life laboratory data.
Conclusions: No method should be applied blindly to the estimation of CI, especially in small-sized and skewed samples. To this end, the accuracy of the method should be investigated through a numeric simulation that reproduces the same conditions of the real-life sample.
Verification study of free light chains assays on reagent-optimized analysers
Authors: Šegulja Dragana , Matišić Danica , Barišić Karmela , Rogić Dunja
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Our aim was to compare analytical specifications of two assays (monoclonal vs. polyclonal) for free light chains (FLCs) quantification optimized for two different analytical platforms, nephelometer ProSpec (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and turbidimetric analyser Optilite (The Binding Site, Birmingham, UK). Materials and methods: The evaluation included verification of the precision, repeatability and reproducibility, estimation of accuracy and method comparison study with 37 serum samples of haematological patients. Kappa and lambda FLC were measured in each sample by both methods and kappa/lambda ratio was calculated. Results: Results show satisfactory precision of both methods with coefficients of variation for ProSpec of CVwr = 2.20% and CVbr = 3.44%, and for Optilite CVwr = 2.82% and CVbr = 4.15%. Estimated bias for FLC lambda was higher on the ProSpec analyser, but bias for FLC kappa was higher on the Optilite analyser. Correlation coefficients were 0.98; P < 0.001 for FLC kappa and 0.97; P < 0.001 for FLC lambda. Considering normal/pathological FLC ratio moderate agreement within assays was detected (κ = 0.621). When the results were categorized according to criteria for progressive disease, 4/37 (0.10) cases were differently classified. Lambda FLC values by Optilite in three samples with monoclonal FLC lambda were more than twelve times higher than by ProSpec. A 25% difference in FLC ratio was detected in 16/37 (0.43) and 50% difference in 13/37 (0.35) patients. Conclusions: All manufacturers’ precision claims could not be achieved in the verification study. The comparison of results to biological variations data showed that coefficients of variations are acceptable for both assays. The assays should not be used interchangeably in haematological patients.
The Climate Vulnerabilities of Global Nuclear Power
Authors: Jordaan Sarah M. , Siddiqi Afreen , Kakenmaster William , Hill Alice C.
Published: October 2019

Nuclear power—a source of low-carbon electricity—is exposed to increasing risks from climate change. Intensifying storms, droughts, extreme precipitation, wildfires, higher temperatures, and sea-level rise threaten supply disruptions and facility damage. Approximately 64 percent of installed capacity commenced operation between thirty and forty-eight years ago, before climate change was considered in plant design or construction. Globally, 516 million people reside within a fifty mile (80 km) radius of at least one operating nuclear power plant, and 20 million reside within a ten mile (16 km) radius, and could face health and safety risks resulting from an extreme event induced by climate change. Roughly 41 percent of nuclear power plants operate near seacoasts, making them vulnerable to increasing storm intensity and sea-level rise. Inland plants face exposure to other climate risks, such as increasingly severe wildfires and warmer water temperatures. No entity has responsibility for conducting risk assessments that adequately evaluate the climate vulnerabilities of nuclear power and the subsequent threats to international energy security, the environment, and human health. A comprehensive risk assessment by international agencies and the development of national and international standards is necessary to mitigate risks for new and existing plants.
∃-Closure and Alternatives
Authors: Charlow Simon
Published: October 2019

This remark considers the interaction of Alternative Semantics (AS) with various binding operations—centrally, Predicate Abstraction (PA) and ∃-closure; less centrally, intensionalization. Contra Griffiths’s (2019) theory of ellipsis, I argue that it is technically problematic to appeal to the inherent incompatibility of PA and AS, while assuming the compatibility of ∃-closure and AS. I show that the formal pressures that characterize the interaction of PA and alternatives apply equally to ∃-closure and alternatives, and that it is accordingly impossible to define a true ∃-closure operation within what might be termed “standard” AS. A well-behaved AS reflex of ∃-closure can only be defined in compositional settings where a well-behaved AS reflex of PA is definable too. I consider various technical and empirical consequences of these points for Griffiths’s theory of ellipsis, and for linguistic theory more generally.
Asceticism and Poverty in the Qurʾan
Authors: Bonner Michael
Published: October 2019

While the Qurʾan approves of ascetic practices such as fasting and vigils, it does not insist on them. Nonetheless, Sloterdijk’s You Must Change Your Life may help us to identify an ascetic “training program” within the Qurʾan. This has as its main elements: hijra, in the sense of an ongoing attitude of separation and exile; jihad, in the sense of training for and engaging in combat, again as an ongoing attitude; and poverty, not in the sense of voluntarily undergoing deprivation, but of benefaction on a heroic scale recalling pre-Islamic Arabia. How do we contextualize this program and the Qurʾanic environment in general? While the historical narratives about Muhammad and the early community have plenty to say about these elements, they do not adequately account for the way they appear in the Qurʾan. We propose instead to use the chronological order of suras first proposed by Weil and Nöldeke, not to establish chronology but to identify diverse communities of reception within the Qurʾan, specifically with regard to poverty and generosity. The result is a simultaneous contrast and balance between values and practices based on reciprocity on the one hand, and requital/ reward on the other. Asceticism thus has a central role in a uniquely Qurʾanic system of economic and moral exchange.
Phylogeny and redescription of Laimaphelenchus pannocaudus Massey, 1966 (Rhabditida: Aphelenchoididae) intercepted from Canadian Picea glauca
Authors: Fang Yiwu , Maria Munawar , Sánchez-Monge Alcides , Gu Jianfeng
Published: October 2019

Laimaphelenchus pannocaudus, isolated in Ningbo port from Picea gluaca, is redescribed based upon characteristic morphological details elucidated by light and scanning electron microscopy photographs. The recovered population is characterised by 907 (771-1024) μm long females with 11.2 (8.9-12.2) μm long stylet, four incisures in the lateral field, excretory pore located at the same level as, or slightly anterior to the nerve ring, vulva lacking a flap and located at 68.7 (63.9-73.4)% of the body, elongate post-vulval uterine sac 78.5 (55.6-101.1) μm long, and tail 40.6 (33.4-45.6) μm long. Males are common and characterised by 16.5 (15.7-17.8) μm long spicules (chord) with their condylus slightly recurved, squared to rounded in shape with a blunt rounded tip and rostrum triangular with a bluntly pointed tip, and six visible caudal papillae. The female tail is ventrally curved, conoid and bears a stalk-like terminus with 4-8 pedunculate projections. Phylogenetic analyses using partial 18S and 28S rDNA D2-D3 data revealed that L. pannocaudus formed a sister relationship with L. suberensis in both phylogenies.
Three Manila-Fujian Diplomatic Encounters: Different Aims and Different Embassies in the Seventeenth Century
Authors: Busquets Anna
Published: October 2019

During the second half of the seventeenth century, there were at least three embassies between the Spaniards of Manila and the Fujian based Zheng regime. The first embassy took place in 1656 ordered by the Spanish governor in Manila. The ambassadors were two captains of the city, and its aim was to re-establish trade relations, which had been severed many months before. In response, Zheng Chenggong sent his cousin to the Philippine islands to settle several business arrangements regarding Fujianese trade. In 1662, Zheng Chenggong took the initiative of sending the Dominican Victorio Riccio, who worked as missionary in the Catholic mission at Xiamen, as emissary to the Governor of the Philippines, don Sabiniano Manrique de Lara. The third embassy took place in 1663. Thereupon, Zheng Jing, Zheng Chenggong’s successor, sent Riccio to Manila for signing a peace pact and for re-establishing trade. The three embassies were related to the Zheng’s purpose of gaining economic and political supremacy over the Philippines and the South China Seas. In all three cases, the actors, the diplomatic correspondence, the material aspects and the results differed profoundly. The article analyzes the role of individuals as intermediaries and translators while considering the social and cultural effects that these embassies had on the Sino-Spanish relations in Manila.
The Counter-Cultural Church: An Analysis of the Neo-Anabaptist Contribution to Missional Ecclesiology in the Post-Christendom West
Authors: Paas Stefan
Published: October 2019

In response to the ongoing secularization of the West, much missiological reflection on the church has turned to post-foundationalist, pragmatic and traditioned approaches culminating in a ‘counter-cultural’ model of the church. This model, developed most extensively in neo-Anabaptist contributions, is believed to contain rich promises for missionary ecclesiology in a post-Christendom age. In this article several traditions that have contributed to this approach are examined, with an emphasis on neo-Anabaptism – especially the works of Yoder and Hauerwas. A critical discussion of the model’s idealism and view of culture follows. Based on this analysis, the article discusses how the model of the counter-cultural church can contribute to Christian mission in the secularized societies of the West.
Towards an Ecclesiology of the Cathedral
Authors: Avis Paul
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this article is to bring to light the ecclesiological reality of cathedrals, with a main focus on the Church of England. It initiates a concise ecclesiological discussion of the following aspects of the English, Anglican cathedrals: (a) the cathedral as a church of Christ; (b) the place and role of the cathedral within the diocese; (c) the relationship between the cathedral and the diocesan bishop; (d) the mission of the cathedral. The article concludes with a brief reflection on (e) the cathedral as the ‘mother church’ of the diocese.
Logique et existence
Authors: Cléro Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2019

Dans Nécessité ou contingence, l’un des plus grands livres de Jules Vuillemin, on découvre que, bien avant les premiers calculs « réussis » au XVIIe siècle sur les probabilités, un terrain était mis en place pour les penser fondamentalement selon les divisions mêmes qui traverseront leur notion jusqu’à notre époque. Sortis de leur gangue historique, les problèmes sont élevés à quelque pureté logique. Une chose surprend alors : ainsi dégagés de toute situation réelle, les thèmes probabilistes consonnent avec des problèmes éthiques qui se posaient aux auteurs à chaque époque, mais aussi dans les années 1980 aux hommes qui s’affairaient aux problèmes de bioéthique. Vuillemin reste silencieux sur ce type d’application. Redoutable critique des positions « existentialiste », on le voit, paradoxalement, sous l’effet de sa réflexion touchant les probabilités, s’accorder avec Merleau-Ponty sur des positions importantes, alors que cette réflexion est totalement absente de l'oeuvre de son prédécesseur au Collège de France.
God and the Truth of Human Being
Authors: Benjamin Andrew
Published: October 2019

The aim of this paper is to develop a conception of God that works with the identification of being-before-the-law and being-with-God. In addition, it argues that developing a rethinking of God along such lines necessitates, equally, the development of the concomitant political theology and philosophical anthropology that such a repositioning of God envisages. Processes of subject creation have to be thought in relation to any philosophical engagement with the law.
Integrative taxonomy of the Asian skinks Sphenomorphus stellatus (Boulenger, 1900) and S. praesignis (Boulenger, 1900) with the resurrection of S. annamiticus (Boettger, 1901) and the description of a new species from Cambodia
Authors: GRISMER L. LEE , WOOD PERRY L., JR. , QUAH EVAN S. H. , ANUAR SHAHRUL , POYARKOV NIKOLAY A. , THY NEANG , ORLOV NIKOLAI L. , THAMMACHOTI PANUPONG , SEIHA HUN
Published: October 2019

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the sister species Sphenomorphus stellatus and S. praesignis based on the mitochondrial genes 12S and 16S rRNA recover the former as paraphyletic with respect to the latter in that a specimen of S. stellatus from the type locality in Peninsular Malaysia is more closely related to S. praesignis than to Indochinese populations of S. stellatus. Furthermore, the phylogeny indicates that the Indochinese populations represent two species, thus resulting in four major lineages within this clade. These relationships are consistent with multivariate and univariate analyses of morphological and discrete color pattern data which statistically define and diagnose the four lineages and together with the molecular data, provide the foundation for robust, testable, species-level hypotheses. As such, S. stellatus is herein restricted to Peninsular Malaysia; S. annamiticus is resurrected for the circum-continental populations ranging through southeastern Thailand, southern Cambodia, and southern Vietnam; a new species—S. preylangensis sp. nov.—is described from an isolated mountain, Phnom Chi, from the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in central Cambodia; and the taxonomy of S. praesignis remains unchanged. The description of S. preylangensis sp. nov. underscores the necessity to conserve this remnant of lowland evergreen rainforest in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Reduced antennal segmentation in a new species from Iran of the genus Aeolothrips (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae)
Authors: MINAEI KAMBIZ , MOUND LAURENCE
Published: October 2019

The number of antennal segments in adults of the different families and genera in the insect order Thysanoptera varies between five and nine. The plesiotypic number is considered to be nine (Zhang et al. 2019), and fossil thrips reported to have 10 to 15 segments (Tong et al. 2019) are generally considered to be aberrations in which the terminal segment bears transverse striae. The 9-segmented condition occurs particularly amongst species that exhibit several other characters in a plesiomorphic state, including all Melanthripidae, two genera of Merothripidae, also most species of Fauriellidae, Stenurothripidae, Heterothripidae, and Aeolothripidae (Mound et al. 1980). Curiously, members of a few genera of Thripidae (Palmer & Mound 1985; Minaei 2012) also have nine antennal segments, but this is considered a reversion from the 8-segmented condition that is assumed to be plesiomorphic for that family (Zhang et al. 2019). Variation between eight and nine segments occurs in the genus Anaphothrips, and within that genus a few species exhibit intraspecific variation in antennal segmentation (Mound & Masumoto 2009). Intraspecific variation in various characters, including body size, color and wing length, is well documented for the order Thysanoptera (Mound 2005 a, b). However, amongst the 207 listed species of Aeolothripidae there has never been any report of a species bearing antennae with other than nine segments, although these vary in length and shape amongst the different genera. We here describe from Iran a curious species of the genus Aeolothrips that is unusual in having only seven antennal segments, with the number reduced to six or even five in a few individuals in which the terminal segments are fused. These females with 7-segmented antennae were initially considered to be aberrant individuals of some other species. However, 25 females with such antennae have been collected over two years, all from a group of Tamarix trees. Despite extensive studies on the genus Aeolothrips in Iran (Alavi & Minaei 2018, 2019), with 30 species now being recorded from this country, no other species has been found with the same colour pattern of the body and fore wings. We therefore conclude that the available specimens represent a valid species in which the antennal segmentation is reduced, and with the terminal segments unstable.
Two new species of the Phimochirus holthuisi complex from the Gulf of Mexico, supported by morphology, color, and genetics (Crustacea: Anomura: Paguridae)
Authors: FELDER DARRYL L. , LEMAITRE RAFAEL , CRAIG CATHERINE
Published: October 2019

Coloration, gene-sequence data (H3, 12s, 16s), and subtle features in morphology support the description of two new species, both formerly regarded to represent accepted variants of Phimochirus holthuisi s.l. While color in life consistently separates these species from P. holthuisi s.s. and from each other, morphological distinctions are subtle and less than absolute in small specimens, being based on ventral spine counts of walking leg dactyls and relative development of the superior crest on the major chela. Molecular phylogenetic analyses clearly support the separation of sister clades, representing two new species, from P. holthuisi s.s. as well as other congeners available for analysis. Both of the new species are presently known to occur widely throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico, though one occurs more commonly in the northeastern and southeastern Gulf, and may range as far south as Suriname. The other has been taken primarily in the northwestern Gulf, and is not known from outside Gulf waters. While both of the new species appear restricted to relatively deep subtidal waters of the continental shelf, Phimochirus holthuisi s.s. is instead more commonly found in shallow nearshore tropical waters on or near coral reefs. Previous literature reports of P. holthuisi usually represent, at least in part, one or both of these two new species.
Channa rara, a new species of snakehead fish from the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, India (Teleostei: Labyrinthici: Channidae)
Authors: BRITZ RALF , DAHANUKAR NEELESH , ANOOP V.K. , ALI ANVAR
Published: October 2019

Channa rara, new species, is described from the Jagbudi River in Maharashtra, India. It belongs to the Gachua group and differs from all its members by the possession of one or more ocelli in the posterior part of the dorsal fin in adults (vs. ocelli absent or 1, rarely 2–3 ocelli in juveniles only). It is further distinguished from most species of the C. gachua group by having 6–7 dark concentric bands on the pectoral fins. We review recent descriptions of species of the genus Channa and conclude that C. royi is a synonym of Channa harcourtbutleri, that the diagnosis of C. shingon from C. harcourtbutleri is seriously flawed and that C. torsaensis is not sufficiently diagnosed from C. quinquefasciata. The recently described C. amari is a junior synonym of C. brunnea.
Detection and Regulation of Soil Moisture and Nutrients Using Cloud Computing and Internet of Things in Agriculture
Authors: Aiswarya A. , Anantapalli Reshmi , Singh Ria , Nandhini S.
Published: October 2019

Deficiency in fresh water resources globally has been a serious problem in the last decade. For overcoming this major drawback in the irrigation systems, smart soil monitoring system is implemented. The paper focuses on detection of moisture and nutrient levels present within the soil
using moisture sensors and electrochemical sensors. These sensors are connected to Arduino board which controls the automatic water supply system which operates automatically based on the signal received from the Arduino board. Data received from Arduino board is displayed on a Liquid Crystal
Display screen. The data collected will be stored in a cloud via an Internet of Things gateway. The system will also suggest the kinds of crops, from the list of crops stored in an Structured Query Language database, that will be best suitable for that soil based on the levels of soil moisture
and nutrients detected.
A Random Projection Approach to Strengthen the Privacy Level of Medical Images
Authors: Viji Amutha Mary A.
Published: October 2019

All our day’s work in this world of science is done with useful data. These useful data or information is extracted from raw facts. From the information, knowledge is gained. This knowledge is used by the customers for beneficial outcome. Here comes the concept of data mining.
An important query arises as how to preserve these data. This concept is called as Privacy Preserving with Data Mining (PPDM). Many PPDM techniques are available to protect the data. The PPDM technique is useful in fields like medicine, forensics, defence, etc to preserve the confidential
data. The existing techniques protect the secret data either by perturbing or by hiding them. Moreover, most of the techniques focus only on the numerical data. Very few perturbation techniques like translation, multiplicative and rotation perturb the images. But these techniques are very
easily attacked by third parties since the transformation is a linear one. The Research Work aims to overcome the drawbacks of the existing perturbation techniques. The main objective of the Research Work is to improve the privacy level of the images by implementing a Random Projection (RP)
technique. The remarkable features and benefits of the RP technique are pinpointed.
Noble Authentication Protocol with Privacy Preservation Policy for Public Auditing on Shared Data
Authors: Arun Kumar S. , Anbarasi M. S.
Published: October 2019

The cloud based services today offers a large amount of services irrespective of the geographical location to individuals or a group. This opens the way to new security dangers to the protection and also the integrity of the information put away. Public Key Infrastructure mechanism,
advanced endorsements, computerized marks are existing techniques to accomplish numerous security prerequisite sites, however late dangers make them powerless against genuine assaults when utilized without earlier trust-point establishments. At the time of open reviewing of the information
by Third Party Auditor, it is quite possible that it might trade off in protecting client’s privacy. This outcome in two separate issues which represents the dangers of authentication and additionally the trustworthiness of the information that is being shared. In this paper, we propose
a Noble Authentication Protocol with privacy preservation policy cloud that gives solid common verification framework utilizing the Pedersen Commitment scheme alongside using ring signature algorithm calculations that will authenticate the TPA and just give the essential data to checking the
trustworthiness of the mutual information with keeping the privacy of the clients covered up. The proposed technique helps in staying away from conceivable hash crashes, approving the chain of trust to certificate authorities and different denial records.