Niteobrachis, a new genus in the tribe Brachistini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Helconinae), is described. The genus is endemic to the New World and contains 24 species, all of which are newly described: amazonicus, attonitus, candeo, carmenae, clarus, delicatus, elegans, fulgeo, gracilis, gustus, ictus, insignis (type species), luceo, lucidus, luisi, lumen, luminosus, luna, mico, nitidus, serenus, splendidus, subtilis and venustus. Keys to the species of Niteobrachis and to the genera of Brachistini are given. Niteobrachis is diagnosed by a combination of characters in the metasoma, including the absence of striations and/or sculpturing on the second and third median tergites with a glossy/smooth appearance; a shallow suture between the second and third median tergites; presence of a crease that separates the second median tergite from the second laterotergite; absence of a crease that separates the third median tergite from the third laterotergite; fused second and third laterotergites; the lateral longitudinal carinae of the first median tergite reaching the articulation between the first and second median tergites; and the first three median tergites covering most of the remainder of the metasoma. The monophyly of Niteobrachis is supported by two synapomorphies: a minute median longitudinal carina of the propodeum, and the lateral longitudinal carinae of the first median tergite reaching the articulation between the first and second median tergites. Recognition of this genus resulted from a phylogenetic analysis of six tribes of Helconinae, including most genera of Brachistini based on a data matrix of 49 characters and 18 terminal taxa. The phylogenetic affinities of the genus are examined, a sister group relationship with Foersteria Szepligeti is hypothesized, and the problematic placement of the subgenera of Eubazus Nees is considered.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common respiratory disorder during sleep. Apnea is cessation of airflow to the lungs, which lasts for at least 10 seconds accompanied by more than 4% drop of the blood's Oxygen saturation. Polysomnography during the entire night is the Gold Standard diagnostic method of OSA. It's high cost and inconvenience for patients persuaded researchers to seek alternative OSA detection methods. This thesis proposes a technique for assessment of OSA during wakefulness. We recorded tracheal breath sounds of 17 non-apneic individuals and 35 people with various degrees of OSA severity in supine and upright positions during nose and mouth breathing at medium flow rate. We calculated the power spectrum, Kurtosis, and Katz fractal dimensions of the recorded signals. Then, we reduced the number of characteristic features to two. We classified the participant into severe OSA and non-OSA groups as well as non-OSA or mild vs. moderate and severe OSA groups. The results showed more than 91 and 83% accuracy; for the two types of classification. Once veri ed on a larger population, the proposed method may be used as a simple and non-invasive screening tool for assessment of OSA during wakefulness.

Freezing rain is an especially hazardous type of adverse weather and is frequently observed in Churchill, Manitoba. The goals of this study were to assess the climatology of freezing rain in Churchill, assess the synoptic climatology of the Hudson Bay region using a multi-level synoptic classification scheme, assess the relationships between the synoptic climate and freezing rain events, and assess the trends in synoptic types and to discuss the implications of climate change in relation to the expected changes in freezing rain. For the years 1953 thru 2009, freezing rain was observed during 796 hours, an average of approximately 15 hours per year. A 34-type multi-level synoptic classification consisting of five NCEP/NCAR reanalysis datasets was constructed. Type-20 was associated with a majority of the freezing rain cases. More research is needed to understand how climate change may impact the timing, frequency and intensity of freezing rain in Churchill.

A phylogenetic character analysis of the wing venation within Apocrita (Hymenoptera) was conducted in order to examine the phylogenetic significance of wing characters. The venational data were then combined with published studies of other character suites to produce a hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships among apocritan superfamilies and families. Whereas the cladograms obtained from the collection of papers on character suites provide strong support for the sister group relationship between Orussidae and Apocrita, the ones derived from wing venation did not establish such a relationship, although they provided more support for relationships within Apocrita. A ground plan is proposed for the wing venation of each taxon examined; for Apocrita, it is close to the groundplan established for Aculeata. The variability of wing venation is higher between and within apocritan taxa than in Symphyta. This research confirms that groupings such as the Symphyta, Siricoidea, Evanioidea and possibly the Proctorupoidea are artificial.

The phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily Dolichopodinae were investigated based on the examination of over 340 species from all zoogeographic regions. Sixty-five exemplar species were included in cladistic analysis based on 74 morphological characters of adult specimens. Twenty genera are recognized in the Dolichopodinae: Allohercostomus Yang, Saigusa and Masunaga, Anasyntormon Parent, Argyrochlamys Lamb, Cheiromyia Dyte, Dolichopus Latreille, Ethiromyia gen. nov., Gymnopternus Loew, Hercostomus Loew, Metaparaclius Becker, Muscidideicus Becker, Ortochile Latreille, Paraclius Loew, Parahercostomus Yang, Saigusa and Masunaga, Pelastoneurus Loew, Platyopsis Parent, Poecilobothrus Mik, Prohercostomus Grichanov, Stenopygium Becker, Sybistroma Meigen, and Tachytrechus Stannius. Eleven genera are newly synonymized: Halaiba Parent (= Argyrochlamys Lamb); Lichtwardtia Enderlein (= Dolichopus Latreille); Phalacrosoma Becker (= Hercostomus Loew); Steleopyga Grootaert and Meuffels (= Hercostomus Loew); Proarchus Aldrich (= Pelastoneurus Loew); Sarcionus Aldrich (= Pelastoneurus Loew); Pterostylus Mik (= Poecilobothrus Mik); Ludovicius Rondani (= Sybistroma Meigen); Nodicornis Rondani (= Sybistroma Meigen); Gonioneurum Becker (= Tachytrechus Stannius); Syntomoneurum Becker (= Tachytrechus Stannius). Eighty-one new generic combinations are established and one new name is proposed for a secondary homonym. Four genera that were sometimes included in the subfamily are excluded, namely Colobocerus Parent, Katangaia Parent, Pseudohercostomus Stackelberg and Vetimicrotes Dyte. A key to the world genera of Dolichopodinae is provided. The Tachytrechus alatus species group (formerly the genus Syntomoneurum) is revised. This species group includes five Neotropical species, all of which are redescribed. A key to the species of the T. alatus species group is provided. The new genus Ethiromyia is also described, including two Nearctic and one Palaearctic spec

No description available.

The genus Scleria Bergius (Cyperaceae) in Southern Africa is critically examined, and the generic limits reviewed The taxonomic position of the genus in the family is examined. Diagnosis of the tribe Sclerieae is altered to circumscribe Scleria as the only genus, and diagnoses of the tribes Bisboeckelereae and Sclerieae are made. Infrageneric limits are re-assessed and two subgenera, Scleria and Hypoporum recognised, the relationship of which is postulated as co-lateral, not filial. Evidence is presented that ecological specialisation in subgenus Hypoporum has resulted in taxa which are adapted to open, seasonally dry, temperate habitats, whereas ecological specialisation in subgenus Scleria has given rise to taxa which are adapted to shady, wet, tropical and subtropical habitats. Taxa in subgenus Hypoporum are slender, usually narrow-leaved annuals, or perennials with annual aerial parts, that is, they have evolved drought/cold escape mechanisms, the annuals by completion of the life cycle in a season, the perennials by withdrawal of food reserves into a protected, subterranean perennating organ and sometimes also into enlarged culm-bases. Taxa in subgenus Scleria are more-or-less robust, usually broad-leaved perennials, or, less often, annuals. With few exceptions the plants are evergreen and do not manifest drought/cold escape mechanisms. The annual species occupy tropical habitats in areas where seasonal drought may be experienced and it is suggested that they have acquired the annual habit as a drought-escape mechanism. The only perennial species in subgenus Scleria in Southern Africa which has annual aerial parts, has evolved additional storage regioni in the swollen culm-bases. This species, S. transvaalensis occurs at higher, more temperate altitudes than other species in the subgenus. The fundamental branching pattern of the inflorescence of all species examined has been shown to be the same. It is postulated that the pattern is modified in two ways, namely, by progressive contraction of all or most ramuli leading to the "glomerate-spicate" type of inflorescence characteristic of subgenus Hypoporum, in which the bracts are reduced, glumiform structures, and, by progressive contraction of some ramuli and progressive elongation of others leading to the "interrupted-paniculate" type of inflorescence characteristic of subgenus Scleria, in which the bracts are foliaceous. It is suggested that the branched glomerate-spicate type of inflorescence is less specialised than the simply glomerate-spicate type, and that in the line with interrupted-paniculate inflorescences, the greater the degree of elongation and the greater the number of elongated ramuli, the more highly specialised the inflorescence. Evidence is put forward that the spikelet of Scleria is a monopodial, that is, racemosely-branched structure, and suggestions that it may be sympodial, refuted. It is postulated that unisexual spikelets in Scleria have been derived by reduction from bisexual (androgynaeceous) spikelets. Unisexual female spikelets are unknown in subgenus Hypoporum which has androgynaeceous spikelets and unisexual male spikelets. It is suggested that the higher the ratio of androgynaeceous to male spikelets in the inflorescence, the less specialised the inflorescence. Unisexual male and functionally unisexual female spikelets occur in subgenus Scleria and, rarely, androgynaeceous spikelets. It is suggested that species which consistently produce some androgynaeceous spikelets are more primitive than those which consistently lack them, and that species whose functionally female spikelets consistently lack any vestigial male parts are more advanced than those which have male rudiments. The hypogynium or "disc" which is present on some achenes is considered to be a new modification of the stipe of the achene and not a vestigial structure, therefore it is postulated that the type of achene found in subgenus Hypoporum which has a trigonous stipe lacking any distal elaboration as an hypogynium is primitive, and that the type of achene found in subgenus Scleria which has an obpyramidal stipe elaborated distally as an hypogynium is derivative. It is suggested that development of the hypogynium has attained its most specialised level in one group of species in which this structure serves as a flotation device. Diagnoses of sections in subgenus Scleria are based partly on differences in morphology of the hypogynium. It has been demonstrated that the cell-walls of the pericarp are silicified, that the process of silification is progressive proceeding from the apex towards the base of the fruit, and that abscission of the fruit takes place when silicification is complete and the vascular supply is severed. The achenes of subgenus Hypoporum have all cells silicified; those of subgenus Scleria have all cells except those of the free flange(s) of the hypogynium silicified. Scanning electron microscopy has revealed details of surface ornamentation of the achenes not previously known, which provide additional diagnostic characters at species level. Attemptsto germinate achenes of Scleria have been unsuccessful : the conditions required, physical and physiological, are not understood. Analysis of anatomical evidence, in particular those characters seen in transverse sections of laminas and culms, confirms that there has been specialisation along two divergent pathways; one which has led to successful occupation of relatively dry, temperate habitats (subgenus Hypoporum), and the other to successful occupation of shaded damp, and open aquatic, subtropical and tropical habitats (subgenus Scleria). One section, Hypoporum, is recognised in subgenus Hypoporum, pending survey of the subgenus on a world basis. Four sections are recognised in subgenus Scleria, namely, Scleria, Acriulus, Schizolepis and Ophryoscleria. Section Scleria may comprise several natural groups, the delimitations of which can not be attempted until a world survey has been made. A map showing world distribution of the genus, and regional distribution maps of Southern African species are provided, also a Table showing the total distribution range of species recorded from Southern Africa. Generic, subgeneric, sectional and species descriptions are provided. Two new species are described. Keys to the Southern African species for use in the herbarium, in the field, and one based on anatomical characters of the laminas are presented. Original descriptions and photographs of type specimens of taxa represented in Southern Africa are included as appendices. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1983.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was employed in an investigation of peroxidase isozymes extracted from the mature fruits of seventeen individuals belonging to the genusThe purpose of this study was to develop procedures which could supplement existing information contributing to the biosystematics of this genus.Samples were detected on 5%-20% linear gradient gels in a sodium borate - boric acid buffer (pH, 9.0). Following electrophoresis, incubation was carried out in a solution containing benzidine dihydrochioride and hydrogen peroxide in an acetate buffer (pH, 4.5).Resulting zymograms were analyzed and eight different isozyme bands identified, based on width, staining characteristics and relationship to a horseradish peroxidase standard zymogram. Composite zymograms were drawn for each Species, based on frequency of occurrence of individual bands. Within each species, some isozymes were observed in 100% of the individuals, while other bands appeared in 20% to 92% of the gels examined. Three of the seven species investigated exhibited unique zymograms. Similarities were noted in isozyme patterns among species. Three groups of species were established based on the presence or absence of certain variable bands. Two of these groups had some correspondence to series groupings based on observable morphological characteristics. A third group consisted of species not related in traditional classification.

The automatic recognition of human actions in video is of great interest in many applications such as automated surveillance, content-based video summarization, video search, and indexing. The problem is challenging due to a wide range of variations among the motion pattern of a given action such as walking across different subjects and the low variations among similar motions such as running and jogging. This thesis has three contributions in a discriminative bottom-up framework to improve the multi-resolution analysis of the motion patterns in video for better recognition of human actions. The first contribution of this thesis is the introduction of a novel approach for a robust local motion feature detection in video. To this end, four different multi-resolution temporally causal and asymmetric filters of log Gaussian, scale-derivative Gaussian, Poisson, and asymmetric sinc are introduced. The performance of these filters is compared with the widely used multi-resolution Gabor filter in a common framework for detection of local salient motions. The features obtained from the asymmetric filtering are more precise and more robust under geometric deformations such as view change or affine transformations. Moreover, they provide higher classification accuracy when they are used with a standard bag-of-words representation of actions and a single discriminative classifier. The experimental results show that the asymmetric sinc performs the best. The Poisson and the scale-derivative Gaussian perform better than log Gaussian and that better than the symmetric temporal Gabor filter. The second contribution of this thesis is the introduction of an efficient action representation. The observation is that the salient features at different spatial and temporal scales characterize different motion information. A multi-resolution analysis of the motion characteristic should be representative of different actions. A multi-resolution action signature provides a more discriminative video representation. The third contribution of this thesis is on the classification of different human actions. To this end, an ensemble of classifiers in a multiple classifier systems (MCS) framework with a parallel topology is utilized. This framework can fully benefit from the multi-resolution characteristics of the motion patterns in the human actions. The classification combination concept of the MCS has been then extended to address two problems in the configuration setting of a recognition framework, namely the choice of distance metric for comparing the action representations and the size of the codebook by which an action is represented. This implication of MCS at multiple stages of the recognition pipeline provides a multi-stage MCS framework which outperforms the existing methods which use a single classifier. Based on the experimental results of the local feature detection and the action classification, the multi-stage MCS framework, which uses the multi-scale features obtained from the temporal asymmetric sinc filtering, is recommended for the task of human action recognition in video.

As people across the globe are becoming more interested in watching their weight, eating more healthily, and avoiding obesity, a system that can measure calories and nutrition in everyday meals can be very useful. Recently, there has been an increase in the usage of personal mobile technology such as smartphones or tablets, which users carry with them practically all the time. In this paper, we proposed a food calorie and nutrition measurement system that can help patients and dieticians to measure and manage daily food intake. Our system is built on food image processing and uses nutritional fact tables. Via a special calibration technique, our system uses the built-in camera of such mobile devices and records a photo of the food before and after eating it in order to measure the consumption of calorie and nutrient components. The proposed algorithm used color, texture and contour segmentation and extracted important features such as shape, color, size and texture. Using various combinations of these features and applying a support vector machine as a classifier, a good classification was achieved and simulation results show that the algorithm recognizes food categories with an accuracy rate of 92.2%, on average.