Rediscovery of Disepyris semiruber (Kieffer) (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) in Southern Africa,with first description of the male

Holepyris semiruber Kieffer is redescribed and illustrated based on freshly collected specimens. Holepyris semiruber var. striatipleura Kieffer is considered a colour variant of this species and therefore a junior synonym of H. semiruber syn. nov. This species is transferred to Disepyris, D. semiruber (Kieffer) comb. nov., based on the possession of a short 2r-rs&Rs vein in the fore wing and presence of long flat spine-shaped setae on the outer (posterior) surface of the protarsi. The male is described for the first time from new specimens collected in South Africa. This species is recorded for the first time from Namibia and Zimbabwe. All photographs are available on www.waspweb.org.     

Quantum Theory and the Nature of Consciousness

Our interest focusses on the idea, that consciousness is a powerful acting entity. Up to now there does not exist a scientific concept for this idea. This is not due to problems within the field of psychology or brain research, but rather in resisting theories of modern physics. That is, why we have to search for a solution in the field of physics. A solution can be found in a new understanding of the basics of physical theory. That could be given by abstract and absolute quantum bits of information (AQI bits). To avoid the popular misunderstanding of “information” as “meaningful” it was necessary to find a new word for the free-of-meaning AQI bits: the AQI bits establish a quantum pre-structure termed “Protyposis” (Greek: “pre-formation”), out of which real objects can be formed, starting from energetical and material elementary particles. The Protyposis AQI bits provide a pre-structure for all entities in natural sciences. They are the basic entities, whereof the physical nature of the brain, on the one hand, and the mental nature of consciousness, on the other hand, were formed during the cosmological and the following biological evolution. A deeper understanding of quantum structures may help to overcome the resistance against quantum theory in the field of brain research and consciousness. The key for an understanding is the concept of Protyposis, which means an abstract quantum information free of any definite meaning. With the AQI bits of the Protyposis, both, massless and massive quantum particles can be constructed. Even quantum information with special meanings, in example grammatically formulated thoughts, eventually could be explained. As long as the fundamental basis of quantum theory is misunderstood as being formed by a manifold of some small objects like atoms, quarks, or strings, the problem of understanding consciousness has no solution. If instead we understand quantum theory as based on truly simple quantum structures, there would be no longer fundamental problems for an understanding of consciousness.     

Enhancing momentum investment strategy using leverage

Previous studies examine investment strategies based on leverage and momentum; none investigates both variables jointly as an investment strategy. This paper is the first incorporating leverage and momentum together. We show that low past returns (losers) forecast future negative abnormal returns only among stocks with high leverage levels, but not among stocks with low leverage levels. However, high past returns (winners) forecast future positive abnormal returns independently of leverage level. As a result, the negative relation between leverage and future abnormal returns is only observed among loser stocks, and the positive relation between past returns and future abnormal returns is only shown among non‐low leverage stocks. Our results are important in achieving better investment strategies: buying winners' stocks (independently of their level of leverage) and short‐selling losers' stocks with high leverage yield higher abnormal returns than strategies based on only one of these variables. Our two‐dimensional strategy yields risk‐adjusted abnormal returns of 15.66% per annum, whereas the single leverage or momentum strategies yield 7.70% and 7.96% per annum, respectively. The difference is nearly 8% and economically significant. If leverage is considered as proxy for default risk, our results, contrary to previous evidence, show that momentum profits are not exclusive of default stocks, and that momentum returns are not only driven by negative returns yielded by distress stocks.     

Effect of high anodic polarization on the passive layer properties of superduplex stainless steel friction stir welds at different chloride electrolyte pH values and temperatures

The conditions used for friction stir welding of duplex stainless steels determine the resulting mechanical and corrosion performance of the material.This study investigates the corrosion resistance of UNS S32750 and S32760 superduplex stainless steels(SDSSs)joined by friction stir welding,employing cyclic polarization,Mott–Schottky,and microscopy techniques for analysis.The microscopy images indicated the presence of a deleterious intermetallic phase after electrolytic etching of S32760,as well as decreased corrosion resistance.The presence of molybdenum in the steels promoted better passive behavior at low pH.The Mott–Schottky curves revealed p-n heterojunction behavior of the passive oxide.Images acquired after the polarization test by scanning electron microscopy showed higher passivation propensity with increases of temperature and pH.     

一种新型锰配位聚合物{[Mn(H2cpimda)2(H2O)2]·H2O}n的水热合成及晶体结构表征

以1-(4-苯甲酰)-2-丙基-1H-咪唑-4,5-二甲酸(H3cpimda)为配体,以MnCl2·4H2O为金属源,在水热条件下合成了一种锰的新型配位聚合物{[Mn(H2cpimda)2(H2O)2]·H2O}n,并通过红外光谱(IR)、元素分析、X-射线单晶衍射分析确定了该配位聚合物的组成和晶体结构。单晶结构分析表明:该配位聚合物属于三斜晶系,空间群P-1;晶胞参数a=9.5750(1)?,b=12.985(3)?,c=16.554(3)?;α=88.12(3)o,β=82.33(3)o,γ=78.48(3)o。配位聚合物中的Mn(II)离子分别与来自2个不同cpimda阴离子上的N、O原子以及2个配位水分子的O原子形成了六配位的八面体结构。     

(In)consistency of airsea heat flux estimates; ocean heat uptake anomalies and top of atmosphere radiation budgets

This paper introduces the consistency between top of atmosphere （TOA） imbalances and ocean heat uptake, and the inconsistency between ocean heat uptake estimates and flux climatologies, and then gives some recommendations and outlook.     

Functionalized graphene oxide based on p-phenylenediamine as spacers and nitrogen dopants for high performance supercapacitors

p-Phenylenediamine （PPD） functionalized graphene oxide （GO） materials （PPDG） were prepared through a one-step solvothermal process and their appli-cation as supercapacitors （SCs） were studied. The PPD is not only as the spacers to prevent aggregating and re-stacking of the graphene sheets in the preparing process but also as nitrogen sources to obtain the nitrogen-doped graphene. The structures of PPDG were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR）, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy （XRD）, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） and the results show that the nitrogen-doped graphene was achieved with nitrogen content as high as 10.85 at.%. The field emission scanning electron microscopy （FE-SEM） and high resolu-tion transmission electron microscopy （HR-TEM） have confirmed that the morphologies of PPDG were looselayered with less aggregation, indicating that PPD mole-cules, as spacers, effectively prevent the graphene sheets from restacking during the solvothermal reaction. The special loose textures make PPDG materials exhibit excellent electrochemical performance for symmetric SCs with superior specific capacitance （313 F/g at 0.1 A/g）, rate capability and cycling stability. The present synthesis method is convenient and may have potential applications as ultrahigh performance SCs.