Reliable Record Research Articles

Single‐Cell Membrane Potential Stimulation and Recording by an Electrolyte‐Gated Organic Field‐Effect Transistor

AbstractThe reliable stimulation and recording of electrical activity in single cells by means of organic bio‐electronics will be an important milestone in developing new low‐cost and highly biocompatible medical devices. This paper demonstrates extracellular voltage stimulation and single‐cell membrane potential recording by means of a dual‐gate electrolyte‐gated organic field‐effect transistors (EGOFET) employing 2,8‐Difluoro‐5,11‐bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene blended with polystyrene as active material. To obtain a sufficiently small footprint to allow bidirectional communication at the single cell level, the EGOFET technology has been scaled down implementing a Corbino layout, paving the way to the development of novel bidirectional Electrocorticography (ECoG) devices with a high spatial resolution. A specific and thorough analysis of the working mechanisms of EGOFET‐based bio‐sensors is reported, highlighting the importance of the device design and using an appropriate batch of measurements for the recording of the electrical activity of cells.

150 years after Ferdinand Morawitz: a survey of megachilid bees (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) of Dagestan, Russia.

A list of 148 species of megachilid bees from 16 genera and five tribes is reported for the Republic of Dagestan. The list is based on more than 2,500 examined specimens and one reliable literature record. Twelve species are new to Russia: Chelostoma (Chelostoma) emarginatum (Nylander, 1856), C. (Foveosmia) maidli (Benoist, 1935), Hoplitis (Alcidamea) campanularis (Morawitz, 1877), H. (A.) caucasica (Friese, 1920), H. (Anthocopa) perezi (Ferton, 1894), H. (Pentadentosmia) tringa (Warncke, 1991), Osmia (Allosmia) melanura Morawitz, 1871, O. (Helicosmia) breviata Warncke, 1988, O. (Osmia) scheherazade Peters, 1978, O. (Pyrosmia) saxicola Ducke, 1899, Anthidium (Anthidium) taeniatum Latreille, 1809, and Megachile (Chalicodoma) montenegrensis Dours, 1873. Nine other species are new to the North Caucasus, and 46 other species are new to Dagestan. Compared to the first list of the bees of Dagestan published by F. Morawitz 150 years ago, the number of species of Megachilidae known from the republic was increased by five times.

Intelligence data acquisition based on embedded system in Chinese cuisine cooker (CCICR V1.0)

The Chinese cooking process, intricate and diverse, encompasses a wide range of dishes, generating substantial data that often poses significant challenges for automation. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a versatile, highly reliable, user-friendly, and intelligent data recorder specifically designed for Chinese cuisine-the Chinese Cuisine Intelligent Cooker Recorder-V1.0 (CCICR-V1.0). This device is intended to record data generated during the cooking process and provide essential support for intelligent cooking robot systems. The core of CCICR-V1.0 is a STM32 microcontroller, equipped with sensors that monitor temperature, pressure, and attitude. These sensors facilitate the intelligent collection of data related to dishes, ingredients, and the movements of cookware throughout the cooking process. To ensure efficient data acquisition and storage, CCICR-V1.0 employs a multi-task data buffering storage method that effectively allocates CPU resources. NAND Flash is used as the storage medium, guaranteeing secure storage, management, and preservation of high-frequency, multi-channel data. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of CCICR-V1.0 in achieving multi-channel, high-frequency data acquisition and storage in complex environments. This leads to an increase in automation efficiency of 89.9%. The weighing module demonstrates a maximum relative error of only 0.288%, while the attitude sensor experiment shows an attitude information error of just 0.22°C. Furthermore, the non-contact infrared temperature measurement module exhibits impressive performance with a maximum absolute error of 0.258∘C\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^\\circ C$$\\end{document} and a maximum relative error of 0.88%. Notably, this measurement module has achieved a cost reduction of approximately 91.7% and an accuracy improvement of around 40%. Additionally, the response time of CCICR-V1.0 is less than 3 ms. With its ability to effectively capture data related to Chinese cooking, CCICR-V1.0 holds commercial value for widespread adoption and application in the field of intelligent cooking.

Face Recognition and Authentication using DLIB for Examination Attendance System

Facial recognition technology enables the identification and detection of individuals based on unique facial features. based on various labels such as name, ID number, etc. In this research, a face recognition system for examination attendance is implemented using the DLIB library. Since manual attendance is a tedious and time-consuming task, this research aims to automate the process, thereby increasing the integrity of examinations. The proposed solution reduces the workload of invigilators by eliminating the need to manually take attendance and fill out attendance sheets. The dataset for this research comprises a combination of student images captured by a camera and images from the database. The system utilizes the DLIB library to generate facial encodings, which are then used to identify students in real-time. Upon recognizing a student, the system logs their attendance by recording their name and the current timestamp in a CSV file. DLIB has pre-trained CNN models that can be used forface detection. This ensures accurate and efficient attendance tracking, providing a reliable record of student presence during examinations.

Chronic Biosymbiotic Electrophysiology

AbstractContinuous monitoring of electrophysiological biosignals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and bioimpedance (BioZ) rely on gel‐based electrodes and adhesive skin interfaces requiring active patient interaction inherently restricting chronic use. Current solutions aimed at addressing seamless, comfortable, and reliable recordings with dry electrodes use battery power and are limited to days of operation with clinical‐grade fidelity. Here, current limitations are overcome by uniting at‐distance wirelessly powered wearable electronics with carbon‐doped filament deposition modeling (FDM) printed dry electrodes that overcome impedance degradation by seamless integration into textile and biosymbiotic systems, allowing for high‐fidelity operation over indefinite timescales. These capabilities are demonstrated with ECG during work, activity, and sleep and BioZ recordings documenting gains in forearm training over weeks.

A Soft-Fiber Bioelectronic Device with Axon-Like Architecture Enables Reliable Neural Recording In Vivo under Vigorous Activities.

Implantable neural devices that record neurons in various states, including static states, light activities such as walking, and vigorous activities such as running, offer opportunities for understanding brain functions and dysfunctions. However, recording neurons under vigorous activities remains a long-standing challenge because it leads to intense brain deformation. Thus, three key requirements are needed simultaneously for neural devices, that is, low modulus, low specific interfacial impedance, and high electrical conductivity, to realize stable device/brain interfaces and high-quality transmission of neural signals. However, they always contradict each other in current material strategies. Here, a soft fiber neural device capable of stably tracking individual neurons in the deep brain of medium-sized animals under vigorous activity is reported. Inspired by the axon architecture, this fiber neural device is constructed with a conductive gel fiber possessing a network-in-liquid structure using conjugated polymers and liquid matrices and then insulated with soft fluorine rubber. This strategy reconciles the contradictions and simultaneously confers the fiber neural device with low modulus (300kPa), low specific impedance (579kΩµm2), and high electrical conductivity (32700Sm-1) - ≈1-3 times higher than hydrogels. Stable single-unit spike tracking in running cats, which promises new opportunities for neuroscience is demonstrated.

Vortex Magnetic Domain State Behavior in the Day Plot

AbstractThe ability of rocks to hold a reliable record of the ancient geomagnetic field depends on the structure and stability of magnetic domain‐states contained within constituent particles. In paleomagnetic studies, the Day plot is an easily constructed graph of magnetic hysteresis parameters that is frequently used to estimate the likely magnetic recording stability of samples. Often samples plot in the region of the Day plot attributed to so‐called pseudo‐single‐domain particles with little understanding of the implications for domain‐states or recording fidelity. Here we use micromagnetic models to explore the hysteresis parameters of magnetite particles with idealized prolate and oblate truncated‐octahedral geometries containing single domain (SD), single‐vortex and occasionally multi‐vortex states. We show that these domain states exhibit a well‐defined trend in the Day plot that extends from the SD region well into the multi‐domain region, all of which are likely to be stable remanence carriers. We suggest that although the interpretation of the Day plot and its variants might be subject to ambiguities, if the magnetic mineralogy is known, it can still provide some useful insights about paleomagnetic specimens' dominant domain state, average particle sizes and, consequently, their paleomagnetic stability.

Neurophysiological measurements of planarian brain activity: a unique model for neuroscience research.

Planarians are well-known model organisms for regeneration and developmental biology research due to their remarkable regenerative capacity. Here, we aim to advocate for the use of planaria as a valuable model for neurobiology, as well. Planarians have most of the major qualities of more developed organisms, including a primal brain. These traits combined with their exceptional regeneration capabilities, allow neurobiological experiments not possible in any other model organism, as we demonstrate by electrophysiological recording from planaria with two heads that control a shared body. To facilitate planarian neuroscience research, we developed an extracellular multi-unit recording procedure for the planarians fragile brain (Dugesia japonica). We created a semi-intact preparation restrained with fine dissection pins, enabling hours of reliable recording, via a suction electrode. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and potential of planarian neurophysiological research by characterizing the neuronal activity during simple learning processes and responses to various stimuli. In addition, we examined the use of linalool as anesthetic agent to allows recordings from an intact, large worm and for fine electrophysiological approaches such as intracellular recording. The demonstrated ability for neurophysiological measurements, along with the inherent advantages of planarians, promotes this exceptional model organism for neuroscience research.

Using heart rate and acceleration biologgers to estimate winter activity costs in free-swimming largemouth bass

Winter is a critical period for largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) with winter severity and duration limiting their population growth at northern latitudes. Unfortunately, we have an incomplete understanding of their winter behaviour and energy use in the wild. More winter-focused research is needed to better understand their annual energy budget, improve bioenergetics models, and establish baselines to assess the impacts of climate warming; however, winter research is challenging due to ice cover. Implantable tags show promise for winter-focused research as they can be deployed prior to ice formation. Here, using swim tunnel respirometry, we calibrated heart rate and acceleration biologgers to enable estimations of metabolic rate (ṀO2) and swimming speed in free-swimming largemouth bass across a range of winter-relevant temperatures. In addition, we assessed their aerobic and swim performance. Calculated group thermal sensitivities of most performance metrics indicated the passive physicochemical effects of temperature, suggesting little compensation in the cold; however, resting metabolic rate and critical swimming speed showed partial compensation. We found strong relationships between acceleration and swimming speed, as well as between ṀO2 and heart rate, acceleration, or swimming speed. Jackknife validations indicated that these modeled relationships accurately estimate swimming speed and ṀO2 from biologger recordings. However, there were relatively few reliable heart rate recordings to model the ṀO2 relationship. Recordings of heart rate were high-quality during holding but dropped during experimentation, potentially due to interference from aerobic muscles during swimming. The models informed by acceleration or swimming speed appear to be best suited for field applications.

A high-density 1,024-channel probe for brain-wide recordings in non-human primates.

Large-scale neural population recordings with single-cell resolution across the primate brain remain challenging. Here we introduce the Neuroscroll probe that isolates single neuronal activities simultaneously from 1,024 densely spaced channels that are flexibly distributed across the shank of the probe. The Neuroscroll probe length is easily tunable for individual probes from 10 mm to 90 mm, covering the brain size of non-human primates and humans, and the probes remain intact and functional after repeated bending deformations. The Neuroscroll probes provided reliable recordings from large neural populations with high chronic stability up to 105 weeks in rats. Recording with each Neuroscroll probe yielded hundreds of well-isolated single units simultaneously from multiple brain regions distributed across the entire depth of the rhesus macaque brain. With the thousand simultaneously recorded channels, unprecedented probe length, excellent mechanical stability and flexible recording site distribution, the Neuroscroll probes enable a wide range of new experimental paradigms in system neuroscience studies with great versatility.

First reliable fossil record of the subfamily Rhysipolinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): a new subgenus and species of the genus Rhysipolis Foerster, 1863 from Baltic amber.

A new fossil subgenus and species of the genus Rhysipolis Foerster, 1863 from the subfamily Rhysipolinae, Rhysipolis (Granulopolis) simutniki Belokobylskij, subgen. et sp. nov., are described and illustrated from late Eocene Baltic amber. The genus Trichelyon Ortega-Blanco & Engel, 2012 is synonymised with Clinocentrus Haliday, 1833 (syn. nov.) and a new combination, Clinocentrus tadkeshwarense (Ortega-Blanco & Engel, 2012), comb. nov., is suggested. The status of the previously described species in the subfamily Rhysipolinae are discussed.

A hierarchical recursive feature elimination algorithm to develop brain computer interface application of user behavior for statistical reasoning and decision making

BackgroundWith the aid of a brain computer interface (BCI), users can communicate and receive signals wirelessly or over wired connections to operate smart devices. A BCI classifier's architecture is quite difficult since numerous elements should be combined. These elements are made up of brain signals, which also include high levels of weak sounds that could provide reliable participant recordings of daily activities. We must use computer vision techniques to create a model in order to control those information. The high dimension and volume of signals present the classification classifier with its primary obstacles. New methodDue to this, we extracted and classified the brain activity in this study, and we also presented a novel hierarchical recursive feature elimination method that we refer to as HRFE embracing noisy additions. HRFE makes a variety of categorization suggestions to eliminate bias in classifying BCI systems of different types. We put the HRFE to the test on two BCI signal data sets—specifically, dataset I and BCI contests III—using shallow and deep convolution network classification techniques. Just a grid of assets is used to create electrocorticography (ECoG) signals on the contralateral (right) motor cortex, and these signals are recorded in the BCI contests III database. ResultsUsing ECoG signals, we choose the top 20 features that have the biggest effects on distortion and classification selection. Comparison with existing methodsThe simulation findings show that HRFE has a significant computer vision enhancement when compared to comparable feature selection methods in the literature, particularly for ECoG signal, which achieves about 93% reliability.

Local Magnetic Anomalies Explain Bias in Paleomagnetic Data: Consequences for Sampling

AbstractVolcanic rocks are considered reliable recorders of past changes in the Earth's magnetic field. Recent flows, however, sometimes fail to produce the known magnetic field at the time of cooling. Previous research on Mt. Etna suggests paleomagnetic data might not be accurately recorded. Here we test the accuracy of paleomagnetic data obtained from Mt. Etna lavas by comparing paleomagnetic data from historical flows to direct measurements of the magnetic field above the current topography. The inclinations and intensities in both data sets are biased toward lower values, while there is no such trend for the declination. Inclinations are on average 2.9° lower than expected; intensities are on average 8.8 µT lower. The deviations from the expected values depend on the height above the flow. Moreover, the inclinations and intensities vary as a function of topography. Both are higher above ridges and lower in gullies; the variations within a site are up to 14.1° in inclination and 12.9 µT for intensity. To suppress this paleomagnetic data bias it is important to take samples several meters apart and from different parts of the flow whenever possible. While this leads to a higher degree of scatter in paleodirections, the results better represent the Earth's magnetic field at the time of cooling. This emphasizes the importance of reporting paleomagnetic sampling strategies in detail.

Smart Attendance System (Multi-Factor Authentication)

Abstract: The "SMART Attendance System using Facial and OTP Verification" project aims to revolutionize traditional attendance management processes by integrating advanced biometric technologies. In this project, a sophisticated system is developed to automate attendance tracking using facial recognition and OTP verification methods. The system utilizes computer vision algorithms to accurately identify individuals based on their facial features, ensuring reliable attendance recording. Additionally, OTP verification adds an extra layer of security, enhancing the integrity of the system. The project encompasses the design and implementation of the software and hardware components required for seamless operation. Through this innovative solution, organizations can streamline attendance monitoring, improve efficiency, and mitigate identity fraud. The project not only offers a practical application of emerging technologies but also provides valuable insights into biometric authentication systems' development and deployment.

Which patients do we need to consider augmentation of muscle active potentials regarding transcranial electrical stimulation motor-evoked potentials monitoring before spine surgery?

BACKGROUND CONTEXTTranscranial electrical stimulation motor-evoked potentials (Tc-MEPs) are the current trend and are important in preventing intraoperative neurological deficits. Posttetanic Tc-MEPs (p-MEP) can augment the amplitudes of compound muscle active potentials (CMAPs), especially in the case of insufficient conventional Tc-MEPs (c-MEP). PURPOSETo retrospectively investigate pre- and intraoperative factors necessitating p-MEP monitoring and to examine changes in the success rates of baseline Tc-MEP monitoring before and after tetanic stimulation in patients with such factors. STUDY DESIGNRetrospective observational study. PATIENT SAMPLEPatients (n=184) who underwent spinal surgery with Tc-MEP monitoring in our department between August 2020 and July 2022. OUTCOME MEASURESManual muscle testing (MMT) scores were calculated to identify patients with preoperative motor deficits. c-MEP and p-MEP amplitudes were recorded from the defined muscles. METHODSWe compared preoperative and intraoperative factors between the c-MEP and p-MEP groups (study 1). In cases where the factors were identified, we investigated the success rate of the baseline MEP measurement of each muscle before and after tetanic stimulation (study 2). RESULTSOne hundred fifty-seven patients were included. Of those, 87 showed sufficient CMAPs with c-MEP. Meanwhile, 70 needed p-MEP because of insufficient CMAPs. In univariate analysis, cervical/thoracic surgery (p<.001), preoperative MMT 3 or below (p=.009), shorter duration of illness (p=.037), previous cerebrovascular disease (p=.014), and dialysis (p=.031) were significantly associated with p-MEP group. Preoperative MMT 3 or below was the only factor requiring p-MEP (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-8.73, p=.014) in multivariate analysis. In the p-MEP group, 24 patients had preoperative motor deficits; 16 patients with complete data were included in the analysis (study 2). The success rates of MEP monitoring before and after tetanic stimulation of the entire lower-extremity muscles were 42.7 and 57.3%, respectively (p<.001). The success rates for each muscle before and after tetanic stimulation were abductor pollicis brevis: 81.3% and 96.9%, tibialis anterior: 34.4% and 50.0%, gastrocnemius: 25% and 40.6%, and abductor hallucis: 68.8% and 81.3%, respectively. No significant differences were observed in success rates for any of the muscles. CONCLUSIONSPatients with preoperative MMT 3 or below highly needed p-MEP. The success rate of baseline MEP monitoring increased with tetanic stimulation, even in patients with preoperative motor deficits. We believe that p-MEP monitoring can result in reliable CMAP recording, especially in cases of preoperative motor deficits with MMT scores of 3 or below.

Statistical Evaluation of ERG Responses: A New Method to Validate Cycle-by-Cycle Recordings in Advanced Retinal Degenerations.

To describe and evaluate a novel method to determine the validity of measurements made using cycle-by-cycle (CxC) recording techniques in patients with advanced retinal degenerations (RD) having low-amplitude flicker electroretinogram (ERG) responses. The method extends the original CxC recording algorithm introduced by Sieving et al., retaining the original recording setup and the preliminary analysis of raw data. Novel features include extended use of spectrum analysis, reduction of errors due to known sources, and a comprehensive statistical assessment using three different tests. The method was applied to ERG recordings from seven patients with RD and two patients with CNGB3 achromatopsia. The method was implemented as a Windows application to processes raw data obtained from a commercial ERG system, and it features a computational toolkit for statistical assessment of ERG recordings with amplitudes as low as 1 µV, commonly found in advanced RD patients. When recorded using conditions specific for eliciting cone responses, none of the CNGB3 patients had a CxC validated response, indicating that no signal artifacts were present with our recording conditions. A comparison of the presented method with conventional 30 Hz ERG was performed. Bland-Altman plots indicated good agreement (mean difference, -0.045 µV; limits of agreement, 0.193 to -0.282 µV) between the resulting amplitudes. Within-session test-retest variability was 15%, comparing favorably to the variability of standard ERG amplitudes. This novel method extracts highly reliable clinical recordings of low-amplitude flicker ERGs and effectively detects artifactual responses. It has potential value both as a cone outcome variable and planning tool in clinical trials on natural history and treatment of advanced RDs.

Fossil seeds of Passiflora L.: An Oligocene record of a new species and a Pleistocene record of a modern species from the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain

We describe two small, compressed seeds from the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain that display a reticulate-foveolate seed coat pattern as species of Passiflora subgenus Passiflora. One was obtained from the basal layer of the Catahoula Formation in Wayne County, Mississippi, and is late Oligocene in age (25–23.8 Ma), supported by planktonic foraminferal and nannofossil zones. The other is from a Pleistocene river terrace (luminescent dating of 85–82 ka) on the banks of the Mobile River in Alabama. The Oligocene seed is tridentate (consisting of a central apical appendage and well-displayed lateral protrusions to the sides of this appendage), symmetrical, and has a palisade seed coat structure with ruminate endosperm. Its characters allow tentative placement within supersection Laurifolia and series Tiliifolia. Extensive comparisons with seeds of extant species of Passiflora subgenus Passiflora serve as the basis for recognizing it as a new species, Passiflora axsmithii sp. nov. The Pleistocene seed is obovate, slightly asymmetrical, has a small crown around the base of the apical appendage, and insubstantial lateral projections. As the Pleistocene seed is geologically young and fits the description of seeds produced by the native extant species Passiflora incarnata (supersection Passiflora, series Passiflora), we consider it very likely to be a representative of that species. The Oligocene seed is the earliest reliable record, thus far, of genus Passiflora. The Pleistocene seed is likely the earliest record, to date, of the extant species P. incarnata.

A 4,565-My-old record of the solar nebula field

Magnetic fields in protoplanetary disks are thought to play a prominent role in the formation of planetary bodies. Acting upon turbulence and angular momentum transport, they may influence the motion of solids and accretion onto the central star. By searching for the record of the solar nebula field preserved in meteorites, we aim to characterize the strength of a disk field with a spatial and temporal resolution far superior to observations of extrasolar disks. Here, we present a rock magnetic and paleomagnetic study of the andesite meteorite Erg Chech 002 (EC002). This meteorite contains submicron iron grains, expected to be very reliable magnetic recorders, and carries a stable, high-coercivity magnetization. After ruling out potential sources of magnetic contamination, we show that EC002 most likely carries an ancient thermoremanent magnetization acquired upon cooling on its parent body. Using the U-corrected Pb-Pb age of the meteorite's pyroxene as a proxy for the timing of magnetization acquisition, we estimate that EC002 recorded a field of 60 ± 18 µT at a distance of ~2 to 3 astronomical units, 2.0 ± 0.3 My after the formation of calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions. This record can only be explained if EC002 was magnetized by the field prevalent in the solar nebula. This makes EC002's record, particularly well resolved in time and space, one of the two earliest records of the solar nebula field. Such a field intensity is consistent with stellar accretion rates observed in extrasolar protoplanetary disks.

A Machine Learning-Based Thermobarometer for Magmatic Liquids

Abstract Experimentally calibrated models to recover pressures and temperatures of magmas are widely used in igneous petrology. However, large errors, especially in barometry, limit the capacity of these models to resolve the architecture of crustal igneous systems. Here, we apply machine learning to a large experimental database to calibrate new regression models that recover P–T of magmas based on melt composition plus associated phase assemblage. The method is applicable to compositions from basalt to rhyolite, pressures from 0.2 to 15 kbar, and temperatures of 675°C to 1400°C. Testing and optimisation of the model with a filter that removes estimates with standard deviation above the 50th percentile show that pressures can be recovered with root-mean-square-error (RMSE) of 1.1 to 1.3 kbar and errors on temperature estimates of 21°C. Our findings demonstrate that, given constraints on the coexisting mineral assemblage, melt chemistry is a reliable recorder of magmatic variables. This is a consequence of the relatively low thermodynamic variance of natural magma compositions despite their relatively large number of constituent oxide components. We apply our model to two contrasting cases with well-constrained geophysical information: Mount St. Helens volcano (USA), and Askja caldera in Iceland. Dacite whole-rocks from Mount St Helens erupted 1980 to 1986, inferred to represent liquids extracted from cpx–hbl–opx–plag–mt–ilm mush, yield melt extraction source pressures of 5.1 to 6.7 kbar in excellent agreement with geophysical constraints. Melt inclusions and matrix glasses record lower pressures (0.7–3.8 kbar), consistent with magma crystallisation within the upper reaches of the imaged geophysical anomaly and during ascent. Magma reservoir depth estimates for historical eruptions from Askja match the location of seismic wave speed anomalies. Vp/Vs anomalies at 5 to 10 km depth correspond to hot (~990°C) rhyolite source regions, while basaltic magmas (~1120°C) were stored at 7 to 17 km depth under the caldera. These examples illustrate how our model can link petrology and geophysics to better constrain the architecture of volcanic feeding systems. Our model (MagMaTaB) is accessible through a user-friendly web application (https://igdrasil.shinyapps.io/MagmaTaBv4/).

Sarcophagidae (Insecta: Diptera) of Saudi Arabia: new records, an updated checklist and a new species.

As part of a study on the biodiversity of Diptera of south-western Saudi Arabia, a survey of the Diptera fauna of Jazan, Asir and Najran at 10 sites was performed between 20122015 mainly using Malaise traps, sweep nets and baited traps. A total of 21 species of Sarcophagidae are recorded and documented with photographs, seven of which represent new country records for Saudi Arabia. Including species with a reliable previous record from Saudi Arabia, the total number of species of Sarcophagidae known from Saudi Arabia now stands at 51. All species of Sarcophagidae recorded from Saudi Arabia are listed, including distributions and the source where species were first recorded. Material studied as part of the project resulted in 16 new country records for other countries. Alusomyia Villeneuve, 1933 is here synonymized with Hoplacephala Macquart, 1834, syn. nov., argued from the presence of four proclinate orbital bristles, the row of strong parafacial setae close to the anteroventral eye-margin, the large gena and the robust habitus compared to most other miltogrammines. The generic synonomy requires the new combinations Hoplacephala transfuga (Villeneuve, 1933), comb. nov. and Hoplacephala turana (Rohdendorf, 1975), comb. nov. Sarcophaga surcoufi Villeneuve, 1913 is synonymized with Engelisca adhamae Lehrer & Abou-Zied, 2008, syn. nov. An appendix authored by Dr J.C. Deeming contains the description of Sarcophaga dawahi Deeming, sp. nov.