Three new spider species of the family Thomisidae from Hong Kong (Arachnida: Araneae)

Three new species of spiders from farmland and nearby non-crop fields at Tai Lung Experimental Station (TLES), Hong Kong, were discovered. All three new species occurred in the family Thomisidae, they are Diaea simplex Xu, Han & Li sp. n., Massuria bellula Xu, Han & Li sp. n. and Mastira tegularis Xu, Han & Li sp. n. Descriptions and illustrations of the new species are provided

Functional nanoparticles

Functional nanoparticles may be formed using at least one nano-lithography step. In one embodiment, sacrificial material may be patterned on a multi-layer substrate using an imprint lithography system. The pattern may be further etched into the multi-layer substrate. Functional material may then be deposited on multi-layer substrate and solidified. At least a portion of the functional material may then be removed to provide a crown surface exposing pillars. Pillars may be removed from multi-layer substrate forming functional nanoparticles.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

DocDeshadower: Frequency-aware Transformer for Document Shadow Removal

The presence of shadows significantly impacts the visual quality of scanned documents. However, the existing traditional techniques and deep learning methods used for shadow removal have several limitations. These methods either rely heavily on heuristics, resulting in suboptimal performance, or require large datasets to learn shadow-related features. In this study, we propose the DocDeshadower, a multi-frequency Transformer-based model built on Laplacian Pyramid. DocDeshadower is designed to remove shadows at different frequencies in a coarse-to-fine manner. To achieve this, we decompose the shadow image into different frequency bands using Laplacian Pyramid. In addition, we introduce two novel components to this model: the Attention-Aggregation Network and the Gated Multi-scale Fusion Transformer. The Attention-Aggregation Network is designed to remove shadows in the low-frequency part of the image, whereas the Gated Multi-scale Fusion Transformer refines the entire image at a global scale with its large perceptive field. Our extensive experiments demonstrate that DocDeshadower outperforms the current state-of-the-art methods in both qualitative and quantitative terms

Ultrasound Versus Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Subclinical Synovitis and Tenosynovitis: A Diagnostic Performance Study

OBJECTIVES: Radiographic manifestations of synovitis (e.g., erosions) can be observed only in the late stage of rheumatoid arthritis. Ultrasound is a noninvasive, cheap, and widely available technique that enables the evaluation of inflammatory changes in the peripheral joint. In the same way, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables qualitative and quantitative measurements. The objectives of the study were to compare the sensitivity and accuracy of ultrasound in detecting subclinical synovitis and tenosynovitis with those of contrast-enhanced MRI. METHODS: The ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced MRI findings of the wrist, metacarpophalangeal, and proximal interphalangeal joints (n=450) of 75 patients with a history of joint pain and morning stiffness between 6 weeks and 2 years were reviewed. The benefits score was evaluated for each modality. RESULTS: The ultrasonic findings showed inflammation in 346 (77%) joints, while contrast-enhanced MRI found signs of early rheumatoid arthritis in 372 (83%) joints. The sensitivities of ultrasound and contrast-enhanced MRI were 0.795 and 0.855, respectively, and the accuracies were 0.769 and 0.823, respectively. Contrast-enhanced MRI had a likelihood of 0–0.83 and ultrasound had a likelihood of 0–0.77 for detecting synovitis and tenosynovitis at one time. The two imaging modalities were equally competitive for detecting synovitis and tenosynovitis (p=0.055). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound could be as sensitive and specific as contrast-enhanced MRI for the diagnosis of subclinical synovitis and tenosynovitis

An Enhanced Erasure Code-Based Security Mechanism for Cloud Storage

Cloud computing offers a wide range of luxuries, such as high performance, rapid elasticity, on-demand self-service, and low cost. However, data security continues to be a significant impediment in the promotion and popularization of cloud computing. To address the problem of data leakage caused by unreliable service providers and external cyber attacks, an enhanced erasure code-based security mechanism is proposed and elaborated in terms of four aspects: data encoding, data transmission, data placement, and data reconstruction, which ensure data security throughout the whole traversing into cloud storage. Based on the mechanism, we implement a secure cloud storage system (SCSS). The key design issues, including data division, construction of generator matrix, data encoding, fragment naming, and data decoding, are also described in detail. Finally, we conduct an analysis of data availability and security and performance evaluation. Experimental results and analysis demonstrate that SCSS achieves high availability, strong security, and excellent performance

Microbiota Changes in the Musk Gland of Male Forest Musk Deer During Musk Maturation

The musk gland in an adult male forest musk deer is an organ that synthesizes, stores, and secretes musk, a cream-colored liquid upon initial secretion that gradually transforms into a blackish-brown solid substance upon full maturation. In this study, four healthy adult male forest musk deer were selected and a total of 12 musk samples were collected for analysis. The samples were in three different states depending on the different seasonal collection dates, which were in June, August, and October. High-throughput 16S-rRNA gene sequencing technology was used to detect microbiota changes in the gland. The results indicate that microbial richness gradually declined during the musk maturation process. The microbiota composition between the initial liquid and final solid musk samples was varied significantly (P < 0.05). The dominant bacterial phyla were similar at all three stages included Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. However, the abundances were differences in terms of the dominant bacterial genera. PICRUSt analysis showed the highest represented category was “Amino acid transport and metabolism” (24.8%), followed by “Transcription” (22.04%), and “Carbohydrate transport and metabolism” (20.74%). Our findings indicate that the microbiota in the musk gland plays an important role in the maturation process of musk

The role of peptides in bone healing and regeneration: A systematic review

Background: Bone tissue engineering and the research surrounding peptides has expanded significantly over the last few decades. Several peptides have been shown to support and stimulate the bone healing response and have been proposed as therapeutic vehicles for clinical use. The aim of this comprehensive review is to present the clinical and experimental studies analysing the potential role of peptides for bone healing and bone regeneration. Methods: A systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Articles presenting peptides capable of exerting an upregulatory effect on osteoprogenitor cells and bone healing were included in the study. Results: Based on the available literature, a significant amount of experimental in vitro and in vivo evidence exists. Several peptides were found to upregulate the bone healing response in experimental models and could act as potential candidates for future clinical applications. However, from the available peptides that reached the level of clinical trials, the presented results are limited. Conclusion: Further research is desirable to shed more light into the processes governing the osteoprogenitor cellular responses. With further advances in the field of biomimetic materials and scaffolds, new treatment modalities for bone repair will emerge

Draconarius zonalis Xu & Li, 2008, spec. nov.

Draconarius zonalis spec. nov. Figs 43–49 Type material: Holotype female, 1 male paratype, CHINA: Hunan Province, Hengshan County (30.3 °N, 102.8 °E), Nanyue Mt., 6 October 2003, Xiang Xu leg. (IZCAS) Etymology. The species name zonalis, -is, -e is derived from the Latin noun zona, meaning “belt” and referring to the copulatory ducts resembling a waistbelt; adjective. Diagnosis. This species is similar to D. neixiangensis (Hu, Wang & Wang, 1991) in having short epigynal teeth and missing a patellar apophysis, but can be distinguished by the presence of a strongly curved median apophysis, the embolus having a sharp distal end and the conductor exhibiting an apophysis on the distal margin in males (Figs 44–46), and by the strongly sclerotised copulatory ducts and the strongly contorted spermathecae (Fig. 48). Description. Holotype male. Total length 4.6 (specimen dried), prosoma 3.0 long, 2.0 wide; opisthosoma 1.6 long, 1.0 wide. Eye measurements: AME 0.10; ALE 0.18; PME 0.15; PLE 0.15; AME–AME 0.03; AME– ALE 0.05; PME–PME 0.10; PME–PLE 0.13; clypeus 0.15. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 2 retromarginal teeth (Fig. 43). Leg formula: IV, I, II, III; measurements of legs: I: 8.3 (2.3, 2.9, 2.0, 1.1); II: 7.5 (2.1, 2.5, 1.9, 1.0); III: 6.8 (1.9, 2.2, 1.8, 0.9); IV: 9.3 (2.5, 3.1, 2.6, 1.1). PLS with the distal segment slightly longer than the basal one. Patellar apophysis absent; RTA sharp, with distal end extending beyond tibia; lateral tibial apophysis present; cymbial furrow short, about one fourth of cymbium length; conductor with apophysis on distal margin; dorsal apophysis of conductor large; median apophysis strongly curved distally; embolus moderately long, arising at approximately 7.30 –o’clock–position (Figs 44–46). Female paratype. Total length 4.6 (specimen dried). Prosoma 2.8 long, 1.8 wide; opisthosoma 1.8 long, 1.5 wide. Eye measurements: AME 0.10; ALE 0.20; PME 0.20; PLE 0.20; AME–AME 0.03; AME–ALE 0.05; PME–PME 0.05; PME–PLE 0.15; clypeus 0.15. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 2 retromarginal teeth. Leg formula: IV, I, II, III; measurements of legs: I: 8.1 (2.1, 2.5, 1.7, 0.9); II: 6.3 (1.8, 2.2, 1.5, 0.8); III: 5.5 (1.5, 1.7, 1.6, 0.7); IV: 8.1 (2.1, 2.8, 2.3, 0.9). Epigynal teeth small, situated on the anterior epigynum and widely separated from the atrium; atrium strongly reduced and with posterior margin strongly sclerotised; copulatory ducts zonal, originating laterally; spermathecae complex, separated not far from each other (Figs 47–48). Distribution. China (Hunan) (Fig. 49).Published as part of Xu, Xiang & Li, Shuqiang, 2008, Ten new species of the genus Draconarius (Araneae: Amaurobiidae) from China, pp. 19-34 in Zootaxa 1786 on pages 33-34, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18247

Draconarius subabsentis Xu & Li, 2008, spec. nov.

Draconarius subabsentis spec. nov. Figs 24 –27, 49 Type material: Holotype male, 16 male paratypes, CHINA: Hubei Province, Shennongjia Nature Reserve (31.7 ° N, 110.6 ° E), Watchtower, 27 July to 8 August 1998, Hongzhang Zhou and Xiaodong Yu leg.; 65 male paratypes, CHINA: Hubei Province, Shennongjia Nature Reserve, Jinhouling, 27 July to 8 August 1998, Hongzhang Zhou and Xiaodong Yu leg. (IZCAS) Etymology. The species name is a compound word of the Latin prefix sub– and the specific name of Draconarius absentis Wang 2003, pointing to the similarity of conductors in both species; to be interpreted as a noun in apposition. Diagnosis. This new species is similar to D. absentis in having the trifid conductor and lacking the median apophysis, but can be distinguished by the embolus arising at approximately 6 –o’clock–position, the slender and sharp ventral apex of conductor and the absence of a patellar apophysis. Description. Holotype male. Total length 9.1, prosoma 4.8 long, 3.2 wide; opisthosoma 4.3 long, 2.8 wide. Eye measurements: AME 0.19; ALE 0.20; PME 0.17; PLE 0.25; AME–AME 0.09; AME–ALE 0.10; PME–PME 0.08; PME–PLE 0.25; clypeus 0.11. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 2 retromarginal teeth (Fig. 24). Leg formula: IV, I, II, III; measurements of legs: I: 12.4 (3.5, 4.3, 2.9, 1.7); II: 11.1 (3.1, 3.7, 2.6, 1.7); III: 9.2 (2.5, 2.9, 2.4, 1.4); IV: 12.5 (3.7, 4.0, 3.2, 1.6). PLS with the distal segment shorter than the basal one. Patellar apophysis absent; the distal end of RTA slightly extending beyond tibia; lateral tibial apophysis distinct; cymbial furrow longer than half of cymbium length; conductor with trifid apex and the ventral apex slender and sharp; dorsal apophysis of conductor large; median apophysis absent; embolus originating at approximately 6 –o’clock–position (Figs 25–27). Female. Unknown. Distribution. China (Sichuan) (Fig. 49).Published as part of Xu, Xiang & Li, Shuqiang, 2008, Ten new species of the genus Draconarius (Araneae: Amaurobiidae) from China, pp. 19-34 in Zootaxa 1786 on pages 25-27, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18247

Draconarius magnarcuatus Xu & Li, 2008, spec. nov.

Draconarius magnarcuatus spec. nov. Figs 13 –17, 49 Type material. Holotype male, CHINA: Jiangsu Province, Nanjing City (32.0° N, 118.5 ° E), lacking detailed collecting data. (IZCAS) Etymology. The species name is a compound word of the Latin magnus, -a, -um and the Latin arcuatus, meaning “large” and “arcuated” respectively, and refering to the shape of the embolus; adjective. Diagnosis. This species is similar to Draconarius rufulus (Wang, Yin, Peng & Xie 1990) in having the distal embolus abruptly becoming narrow and lacking the patellar apophysis, but can be distinguished by the absence of a median apophysis and the presence of an apophysis on the tegular sclerite and the extraordinarily strong embolus. Description. Holotype male. Total length 7.8, prosoma 4.3 long, 2.9 wide; opisthosoma (decayed) 3.5 long, 2.3 wide. Eye measurements: AME 0.15; ALE 0.25; PME 0.18; PLE 0.18; AME–AME 0.08; AME– ALE 0.05; PME–PME 0.10; PME–PLE 0.20; clypeus 0.06. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 2 retromarginal teeth (Fig. 13). Leg formula: IV, I, II, III; measurements of legs: I: 11.2 (3.1, 3.8, 2.7, 1.6); II: 9.7 (2.7, 3.2, 2.4, 1.4); III: 9.0 (2.5, 2.9, 2.4, 1.2); IV: 12.2 (3.3, 3.9, 3.5, 1.5). Patellar apophysis absent; RTA shorter than tibia; lateral tibial apophysis distinct and widely separated from RTA; cymbial furrow about one third of cymbium length; conductor strongly curved basally, strongly modified into a groove holding the distal end of embolus, and with a process on the ventral margin of conductor; median apophysis absent; embolus strong at the basal two thirds and abruptly becoming slender at the distal one third, arising at approximately 6 –o’clock–position (Figs 14–16). Female. Unknown. Distribution. China (Jiangsu) (Fig. 49).Published as part of Xu, Xiang & Li, Shuqiang, 2008, Ten new species of the genus Draconarius (Araneae: Amaurobiidae) from China, pp. 19-34 in Zootaxa 1786 on pages 23-24, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18247