bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic variability of Arthurdendyus triangulatus (Dendy, 1894), a non-native invasive land planarian
Authors: ROBERTS DAVID M , BOAG BRIAN , HUNTER FRASER , TARLTON JAMIE , MACKENZIE KATRIN , NEILSON ROY
Published: July 2020

Arthurdendyus triangulatus (Dendy, 1894) is a land planarian native to New Zealand which has become established in the United Kingdom and the Faroe Islands during the last 60 years. The species has become prevalent and widely established in Scotland mediated by human activity mostly through the exchange of plants and associated soil. As a predator of earthworms, concerns regarding both the direct impact on earthworm abundance and diversity and the indirect impact on those birds and mammals that have earthworms as a primary dietary component led to A. triangulatus being the subject of both national and EU regulation. Whilst much is known regarding the ecology of A. triangulatus there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the genetic variability of the species. Using four DNA target regions cytochrome oxidase (CoI), elongation factor (EF), internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-1) and large subunit (LSU), we characterised the genetic variability of A. triangulatus populations across its full geographic range in Scotland and included a few populations from New Zealand, England and Northern Ireland.                Two DNA regions, ITS-1 and CoI, revealed inter-population variability yielding well supported genetic structure in predominantly Scottish populations. We also identified considerable intra-specific and intra-individual heterogeneity in both ribosomal and mitochondrial regions, including the prevalence of pseudo-gene nuclear encoded mitochondrial DNA (Numt), the latter not previously reported for Platyhelminthes. Furthermore, given the presence of multiple ITS-1 haplotypes in individual specimens of A. triangulatus it is not possible to make definitive comment to support previously published findings that A. triangulatus was subjected to multiple introductions into the UK.
Taxonomic review of Ophiothrix Müller & Troschel, 1840 (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from Brazil, with the description of four new species
Authors: SANTANA ALISSON , MANSO CYNTHIA L.C. , ALMEIDA ANA C.S. , ALVES ORANE F.S.
Published: July 2020

Brittle stars are considered one of the main benthic groups at the Brazilian coast, where they occur in high abundance and diversity. Ophiothrix Müller & Troschel, 1840 is among the most common genera of ophiuroids, with hundreds of specimens deposited in Brazilian Zoological Collections. Here we reviewed the species of Ophiothrix of Brazil and elucidated the taxonomic status of the six species previously reported in Brazilian waters—Ophiothrix ailsae Tommasi, 1970, Ophiothrix angulata (Say, 1825), Ophiothrix brachyactis H. L. Clark, 1915, Ophiothrix rathbuni Ludwig, 1882, Ophiothrix suensoni Lütken, 1856 and Ophiothrix trindadensis Tommasi, 1970. Three of these were not found among the 1.134 specimens analyzed in this study—O. ailsae, O. angulata and O. brachyactis. Most specimens previously attributed to these three taxa are here assigned to Ophiothrix brasiliensis n. sp. due having disc covered by short spines with 2–6 thorns at the apex and triangular radial shields covered only by short bifid and trifid spines. Three other new species are also described. Ophiothrix spiniformis n. sp. has a disc covered by long spines with denticules along their complete length and an apex with spinelets and radial shields covered by short bifid and trifid spines. Ophiothrix tommasii n. sp. is characterized by the interradial regions of the disc and radial shields being covered by spines with 2–7 thorns at the tip, and by the presence of small spines on the first dorsal arm plate. Ophiothrix troscheli n. sp. has a disc covered by long conical spines and naked, triangular radial shields. An identification key for the Ophiothrix species of Brazil is provided.
New species of Pseudothysanoes Blackman, and Sphaerotrypes Blandford (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from Jammu and Kashmir, with biological observations, and a key to South Asian species of Sphaerotrypes
Authors: BUHROO ABDUL A. , KNÍŽEK MILOŠ
Published: July 2020

Two new species of Scolytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are described from Jammu and Kashmir, Pseudothysanoes kashmirica sp. nov. and Sphaerotrypes montanus sp. nov. These discoveries mark the first records of the genera Pseudothysanoes Blackman,1920 from South Asia and Sphaerotrypes Blandford, 1894 from the Northwestern Himalayan region. A discussion on the biology of the new species together with a complete key to the known species of Sphaerotrypes from South Asia are provided.
„Język, którym mówi dzisiejsza władza, jest ideologiczny”. Wywiad z Michałem Głowińskim
Authors: Sharpe Uliana
Published: July 2020

“The Language Used by the Present Political Authorities is Ideological”: An Interview with Michał GłowińskiLanguage can be not only a communication tool but also a dangerous weapon. In this interview, Michał Głowiński, Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Literary Research (IBL), writer, author of numerous literary and scholarly publications, including Zła mowa [Bad Speech], a Polish Jew who survived the Holocaust, shares his traumatic memories and talks about verbal aggression, which is an alarm bell warning that physical aggression is to come. Following the tragic events of the mid-twentieth century, language can no longer be treated as “the house of being”: before the first brick of extermination camps was laid, the word of hatred had thundered first. This is why it is so important to remember the past and to carefully analyse the language of the present, so that the horrible story of the Holocaust can never happen again. The Holocaust is the greatest tragedy of the twentieth century, which brutally destroyed millions of Jews. It also put an end to survivors’ hope of achieving a harmony of self-identity. The Holocaust must be remembered. Literature is one of the tools for keeping it in memory and taking a closer look at all the crimes that were committed. The painful experience of the Holocaust has been reflected in the works of Jewish writers. It is also at the roots of tragic contradictions, the sense of internal emptiness and loss of empathy. „Język, którym mówi dzisiejsza władza, jest ideologiczny”. Wywiad z Michałem GłowińskimJęzyk może być nie tylko narzędziem komunikacji, ale i niebezpieczną bronią. W wywiadzie Michał Głowiński, emerytowany profesor Instytutu Badań Literackich, pisarz, badacz języka publicznego, autor licznych prac literaturoznawczych oraz naukowych, w tym wciąż aktualnej książki Zła mowa, polski Żyd ocalały z Holocaustu, dzieli się traumatycznymi wspomnieniami oraz opowiada o agresji werbalnej, która jest pierwszym niepokojącym sygnałem alarmowym, ostrzegającym przed nadejściem agresji fizycznej. Po tragicznych wydarzeniach pierwszej połowy XX wieku języka już nie sposób traktować jedynie jako „domu istnienia”, bo zanim położono pierwszą cegłę, budując fabrykę Zagłady, najpierw zabrzmiały słowa nienawiści. Właśnie dlatego tak ważna jest pamięć o przeszłości i uważne badanie języka teraźniejszości, by chronić przed powtórką scenariusza potwornej historii Zagłady. Holocaust jest bowiem największą tragedią XX wieku, która była nie tylko zbrodnią na milionach Żydów, ale również odebraniem Ocalałym szansy na odbudowę harmonijnej, nienaznaczonej traumą tożsamości. Pamięć o tych wydarzeniach jest naszym dziedzictwem. Literatura jest jednym ze światów, który pozwala zachować pamięć oraz z bliska przyjrzeć się zbrodniom. Bolesne doświadczenia Shoah znajdują odzwierciedlenie w twórczości pisarzy żydowskich oraz leżą u podstaw tragicznych sprzeczności, wewnętrznej pustki i utraty wrażliwości.
Nowy bard. Twórczość i działania Tomáša Hnídka w dyskursie czeskiej skrajnej prawicy
Authors: Witkowska Tatiana
Published: July 2020

A New Singer-Songwriter: The Songs and Activity of Tomáš Hnídek in Czech Extreme Right-Wing DiscourseThis article aims to present the songs and activity of Tomáš Hnídek and their reception among extreme right-wing sympathisers in the Czech Republic over the last decade. The study analyses the use of selected elements of collective imagery related to the singer-songwriter convention, with particular reference to the figure of Karel Kryl. It also draws attention to persuasive techniques of creating an image and to their influence on the reception of the singer-songwriter genre in the context of hate speech and struggle over a new politics of memory in the Czech Republic, pursued by extreme right-wing politicians and their followers. Nowy bard. Twórczość i działania Tomáša Hnídka w dyskursie czeskiej skrajnej prawicyZadaniem artykułu jest przybliżenie twórczości i działań Tomáša Hnídka oraz ich recepcji wśród zwolenników skrajnej prawicy w minionej dekadzie w Czechach. W artykule podjęto analizę zjawiska eksploatacji wybranych wyobrażeń zbiorowych łączonych z nurtem bardowskim ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem odwołań do postaci Karela Kryla. Zwrócono szczególną uwagę na występujące zabiegi z obszaru kreacji i autokreacji o niezwykle perswazyjnym potencjale oraz ich wpływ na kształtowanie się dalszej recepcji twórczości bardowskiej w kontekście mowy nienawiści oraz walki o nową politykę pamięci w Czechach, podejmowanej przez polityków skrajnej prawicy i ich sympatyków.
Pozdrowienia od ideologii. Konstrukcja nowej ukraińskiej tożsamości na przykładzie serialu „Ostatni Moskal”
Authors: Boichenko Nina
Published: July 2020

Greetings from Ideology: The Construction of a New Ukrainian Identity on the Example of The Last Muscovite TV seriesFollowing the Revolution of Dignity, Ukrainian identity found itself in a crisis – between the abandoned Sovietness and the new Ukrainianess. This paper looks at the worldview apparent in the mass media and the attendant solutions to overcome the identity crisis as presented to Ukrainians today. On the example of the TV series entitled The Last Muscovite (Ostanniĭ Moskal′), the study seeks to explain how the ideological discourse defines individuals representing particular identities (conservative: characteristic of Western and increasingly also Central Ukraine, modernist: typical of Eastern Ukraine, and liberal: most often represented by the central part of the country) and what strategies it offers in terms of mutual perception and relations between these identities Pozdrowienia od ideologii. Konstrukcja nowej ukraińskiej tożsamości na przykładzie serialu Ostatni MoskalPo Rewolucji Godności ukraińska tożsamość znalazła się w sytuacji kryzysowej – w położeniu przejściowym między porzuconą już „sowieckością” a nową „ukraińskością”. W niniejszym artykule przedstawiam obraz świata, jaki wyłania się z tekstów medialnych, oraz proponowane przez nie sposoby wyjścia z kryzysu tożsamościowego. Na przykładzie serialu Ostatni Moskal dokonuję próby wyjaśnienia, jak w dyskursie tym definiuje się osoby reprezentujące poszczególne tożsamości (konserwatywną – specyficzną dla zachodniej Ukrainy, a także częściowo centralnej, modernistyczną – dla wschodniej Ukrainy oraz liberalną – dla centralnej części kraju) i jakie proponuje się strategie w zakresie wzajemnego postrzegania i budowania relacji między tożsamościami.
Społeczna konstrukcja wiarygodności cudzoziemca w procedurze uchodźczej
Authors: Michalak Dominika
Published: July 2020

The Social Construction of Credibility: A Foreigner in the International Protection ProcedureThis article is devoted to symbolic violence occurring in the international protection procedure. The study focuses on the stages of the procedure in which the asylum-seeker is granted a chance to speak for themselves, and yet is unable to represent their case effectively due to sociocultural differences. As a result, even if their life situation qualifies them for refugee status, migration offices and courts are likely to issue a negative decision. Cases in which the failure to represent oneself results from sociocultural differences are described in the article as instances of symbolic violence. Following Dell Hymes and Katrijn Maryns, I stress the role of language-related inequality. I also employ Harold Garfinkel’s concept of degradation ceremonies in order to describe the ritual aspect of language use in statements of grounds for refusal of applications for international protection. The article is based on empirical research including a case study of an asylum-seeker family who applied for protection in Poland in the 2010s, participant observation in a free legal support centre run by a Warsaw-based NGO, and qualitative interviews with activists supporting refugees as their representatives and legal advisors. Społeczna konstrukcja wiarygodności cudzoziemca w procedurze uchodźczejPrzedmiotem artykułu jest przemoc symboliczna w postępowaniach uchodźczych. Skupiam się na etapach procedury, w których migranci przymusowi – mimo, że zgodnie z prawem udziela im się głosu – nie są w stanie skutecznie reprezentować swojej sprawy z powodu różnicy kulturowej. Nawet więc jeśli ich życiowa sytuacja uzasadnia przyznanie im statusu uchodźcy, urzędy i sądy mogą negatywnie rozpatrzyć ich sprawę. Przypadki, w których nieskuteczność w reprezentowaniu własnej sprawy wynika z różnicy społeczno-kulturowej, opisuję w kategoriach przemocy symbolicznej. Za Dellem Hymesem i Katrijn Maryns podkreślam zwłaszcza rolę nierówności językowych. Odwołuję się również do Harolda Garfinkela koncepcji ceremonii degradacji, aby opisać rytualny aspekt uzasadniania decyzji odmownych w języku urzędowym. Artykuł opiera się na badaniach empirycznych obejmujących: studium przypadku postępowania uchodźczego rodziny ubiegającej się o ochronę w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w. (analiza decyzji urzędowych i sądowych), obserwację uczestniczącą w punkcie bezpłatnej pomocy prawnej prowadzonym przez organizację pozarządową, a także wywiady jakościowe z aktywistami występującymi w roli pełnomocników w procedurach uchodźczych i udzielających porad prawnych.
Wstęp
Authors: Michalak Dominika , Linde-Usiekniewicz Jadwiga
Published: July 2020

IntroductionIntroduction to the 15th issue of Adeptus: Hate speech and symbolic violence in Central-Eastern Europe in the 21st century WstępWstęp do 15 numeru czasopisma „Adeptus”: Mowa nienawiści i przemoc symboliczna w Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej w XXI wieku
In Vitro Bioactivity Study on ZnI2-HAp Nanoparticles
Authors: Alshahrani Mohammad Y. , Algarni H. , AlShahrani Ibrahim , Yahia I. S. , Zahran H. Y. , Ibrahim Essam H. , Kilany Mona , Sayed M. A. , Yousef El Sayed
Published: July 2020

The manufactured powder of immaculate HAp which is doped with 1.0, 5.0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 in wt.% ZnI2 has been prepared via the sol–gel process. The characterization of samples was achieved by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)
and Fourier Transform Raman spectroscopy (FT- Raman). The morphology of the obtained HAp powder was studied through SEM analysis. The investigation proves that all prepared samples have the dimension of a nanoscale. The prepared powders were examined for its anti-growth, stimulatory/cytotoxic
potentials on normal/activated mouse splenocytes in vitro as well as the lytic effects on red blood cells (RBCs). Results showed that different preparations of ZnI2 had anti-growth effects on normal mouse splenocytes. The pure HAp, 1% and 10% ZnI2 showed no effects on
stimulated mouse splenic cells while the other preparations 5%, 20%, 30% and 40% ZnI2 showed inhibitory/cytotoxic effects. All ZnI2 preparations showed safe effects on RBCs.
The Effect of Throughflow on Weakly Nonlinear Convection in a Viscoelastic Saturated Porous Medium
Authors: Kiran Palle , Bhadauria B. S. , Roslan R.
Published: July 2020

In this paper we have investigated the effect of throughflow on thermal convection in a viscoelastic fluid saturated porous media. The governing equations are modelled in the presence of throughflow. These equations are made dimensionless and the obtained nonlinear problem solved numerically.
There are two types of throughflow effects on thermal instability inflow and outflow investigated by finite amplitude analysis. This finite amplitude equation is obtained using the complex Ginzburg-Landau amplitude equation (CGLE) for a weak nonlinear oscillatory convection. The heat transport
analysis is given by complex Ginzburg-Landau amplitude equation (CGLE). The numerical results indicate that due to the non-uniform throughflow there is instability at the bottom plate and influence the heat transfer in the system. The vertical throughflow is having both stable and unstable
modes depending on flow direction. The nature of viscoelastic fluid is having both effects either stabilize or destabilize. Further, it is found that the nonlinear throughflow effects have dual role on heat transport. The solutions of the present problem are obtained numerically by using Runge-Kutta
fourth order method.
Energy and Exergy Analysis of Shell and Coil Heat Exchanger Using Water Based Al2O3 Nanofluid Including Diverse Coil Geometries: An Experimental Study
Authors: Elshamy Samir M. , Abdelghany Mohamed T. , Salem M. R. , Abdellatif O. E.
Published: July 2020

The aim of this research is to investigate experimentally the characteristics of the convective heat transfer and exergy analysis of pure water and water based Al2O3 nanofluid through helical coiled tubes (HCTs) and conical coiled tubes (CCTs) inside shell and
coil heat exchangers. HCT and CCT fabricated with different coil torsions (λ) ranges from 0.0202 to 0.052 with different two angles (0° and 45°) while have the same curvature ratio (δ = 0.0564). The effects of mean coil torsion, the cone angle and nanoparticles volume
concentration on the thermal performance were investigated. Results indicated that the overall heat transfer coefficient (Uov), convection heat transfer coefficient (ht), the tube side Nusselt number (Nut), effectiveness (ɛ) and exergy
efficiency (ηex) of nanofluids are higher than those of the pure water at same flow condition, and this increase goes up with the increase in particle volume concentration (ϕ). The results also showed that Uov, ht, Nut,
ɛ and ηex increases by decreasing the coil torsion from 0.052 to 0.0202. Correlations for Nut as a function of the investigated parameters are obtained.
Mixed Bioconvective Flow Over a Wedge in Porous Media Drenched with a Nanofluid
Authors: Chamkha Ali J. , Nabwey Hossam A. , Abdelrahman Z. M. A. , Rashad A. M.
Published: July 2020

A mathematical model is accentuated the mixed bioconvective flow on a vertical wedge in a Darcy porous medium filled with a nanofluid containing both nanoparticles and gyrotactic microorganisms. Thermophoresis and Brownian motion impacts are addressed to consolidate energy and concentration
equations with passivelycontrolled boundary conditions. A mixed convective parameter for the whole regime of the mixed convective is appointed. The system of governing partial differential equations is converted into a non-similar set, which are then solved by an implicit finite difference
method. By taking the impacts of the varying pertinent parameters, namely, the bioconvection nanofluids and wedge angle parameters in the entire mixed convection regime, the numerical results are analyzed graphically for the dimensionless the velocity, temperature, nanoparticle volume fraction
and the density motile microorganisms profiles as well as the local Nusselt and motile microorganism numbers.
Buoyancy-Driven Convection from a Vertical Heated Plate Suspended Inside a Nanofluid-Filled Cooled Enclosure
Authors: Corcione Massimo , Natale Antonio , Quintino Alessandro , Spena Vincenzo Andrea
Published: July 2020

Buoyancy-driven convection from a heated vertical plate suspended inside a nanofluid-filled square enclosure cooled at the walls, is studied numerically using a two-phase model based on the double-diffusive approach. The study is conducted under the assumption that the Brownian diffusion
and thermophoresis are the only slip mechanisms by which the solid phase can develop a significant relative velocity with respect to the liquid phase. The system of the governing equations of continuity, momentum and energy for the nanofluid, and continuity for the nanoparticles, is solved
by a computational code which incorporates three empirical correlations for the evaluation of the effective thermal conductivity, the effective dynamic viscosity and the coefficient of thermophoretic diffusion, all based on a high number of literature experimental data. The SIMPLE-C algorithm
is used to handle the pressure-velocity coupling. Numerical simulations are executed using alumina-water nanofluids for different values of the diameter and the average volume fraction of the suspended nanoparticles, the plate length and position, the cavity width, the average temperature
of the nanofluid, and the temperature difference imposed between the plate and the boundary walls of the enclosure. It is found that the impact of the nanoparticle dispersion into the base liquid increases remarkably with increasing the average temperature, whereas, by contrast, the other
controlling parameters have just moderate effects. Moreover, when the top and bottom walls of the enclosure are cooled, keeping the sidewalls adiabatic, a periodic flow is detected, whose main features will be discussed.
Determining depression and related factors in a society affected by COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ustun Gonca
Published: July 2020

Background:

Turkey has one of the highest death rates in the world due to COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused anxiety and depression in individuals. However, there is insufficient information on the effects of COVID-19 on individuals and their coping methods. Therefore, mental problems associated with the pandemic need to be evaluated rapidly.

Aims:

This study was carried out to determine depression levels and related factors in a society affected by COVID-19.

Method:

The study was planned using a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study started 2 weeks after the first diagnosis of COVID-19 in Turkey and was carried out between March 23 and April 3, 2020. The study included 1115 adult participants who were between 18 and 65 years of age and were citizens of the Turkish Republic. The study was carried out using online questionnaires, and data were collected with the Personal Information Form and the Beck Depression Inventory. The data were evaluated using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 20 software program.

Results:

The depression scores of female participants who were between 18 and 29 years of age, single, students, and had less income than their expenses were found to be higher than others. People who experienced fear of being infected and infecting others, had a cleaning obsession, anxiety about the future, sadness, and anxiousness experienced depression at lower levels when compared to other participants. Participants who had to change their place of residence during the quarantine, experienced loneliness, fear of death, hopelessness, sleep problems, felt useless and worthless, started to smoke and drink alcohol, and experienced depression at moderate levels. Depression scores of those who spent time with their family, made time for themselves, were busy with home education or work were lower compared to others.

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 pandemic caused mild-level depression in the Turkish society.
Burned Ear Reconstruction Using a Superficial Temporal Fascia Flap
Authors: Guo Peipei , Jiang Haiyue , Yang Qinghua , He Leren , Lin Lin , Pan Bo
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

Ear deformity caused by burns is one of the most difficult types of deformity to treat with plastic surgery, and the reconstruction of burned ears undoubtedly remains a substantial challenge. This study aims to report the therapeutic regime of using a superficial temporal fascial flap to cover the framework in burned ear reconstruction.

Methods:

Autologous costal cartilage was used to form the ear framework in all of the reconstruction cases. A superficial temporal fascial flap was used as soft tissue to cover the ear scaffold.

Results:

Five patients with 6 ears were included in our study. The external ear healed well and the location, size, and shape of both ears were generally symmetrical. No complication was observed in any of the patients.

Conclusions:

The superficial temporal fascial flap is a good choice for covering the autogenous cartilage framework when treating ear deformities after burns.
Notes from the Field: Concerns of Health-Related Higher Education Students in Brazil Pertaining to Distance Learning During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Peloso Renan Morais , Ferruzzi Fernanda , Mori Aline Akemi , Camacho Daiane Pereira , Franzin Lucimara Cheles da Silva , Margioto Teston Ana Paula , Freitas Karina Maria Salvatore
Published: July 2020

This survey aimed to assess the concerns of students of health-related higher education in Brazil regarding distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic. A Google Forms anonymous questionnaire was sent by WhatsApp Messenger to students at a private university. Seven hundred and four students answered the questionnaire (566 female, 138 male, mean age = 23.09 years), reflecting approximately a third of the students in health-related disciplines. Students reported feeling anxious due to the pandemic. Most of the students agreed with having the ability to continue education through distance learning, but relatively few of them enjoyed it. Also, students were concerned that learning of clinical material and professional training would be impaired, and they were afraid of failing the year of education. Health-related higher education private institutions in Brazil should focus on reassessing and prioritizing their policies and protocols and include a detailed plan for the future.
Diplomatic documents data for international relations: the Freedom of Information Archive Database
Authors: Connelly Matthew J , Hicks Raymond , Jervis Robert , Spirling Arthur , Suong Clara H
Published: July 2020

We introduce the Freedom of Information Archive (FOIArchive) Database, a collection of over 3 million documents about state diplomacy. Substantively, our database focusses on the USA and provides opportunities to analyze previously classified (or publicly unavailable) corpora of internal government documents which include the raw—often full—text of those documents. We also provide within-country diplomatic records for the USA, UK, and Brazil. The full span of the data is 1620–2013, but it is mainly from the twentieth century. Our database allows scholars to view text and associated statistics online and to download and view customized datasets via an application programming interface. We provide extensive metadata about the documents, including the countries and persons they mention, and their topics and classification levels. The metadata includes information we extracted with domain-specific, customized natural language processing tools. To demonstrate the potential of this data, we use it to design and validate a new index for “country importance” in the context of US foreign policy priorities.
Stimulation and reinforcement of shape-memory polymers and their composites: A review
Authors: Boudjellal Ammar , Trache Djalal , Khimeche Kamel , Hafsaoui Said Lotfi , Bougamra Ahmed , Tcharkhtchi Abbas , Durastanti Jean-Félix
Published: July 2020

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) and their composites (SMPCs), as a kind of smart materials, can respond to particular external stimulus and recover the original shape. They present outstanding features encompassing shape-memory effect, deformability, biocompatibility, variable stiffness, lightweight, and so on. They have attracted considerable research interest in recent years. Several stimulation methods to actuate the deformation of SMPs and SMPCs, of which the thermal stimulation is the common one, and many types of reinforcements have been developed over the past few years. It is revealed that the SMPC thermal and mechanical properties can be improved by introducing a number of reinforcements. Therefore, to well investigate the SMPC characteristics upon exposure to a specific external stimulus, a deep knowledge and understanding of the potential reinforcements as well as the available stimulation methods are crucial. In this review, reinforcements such as fibers, ceramics, and nanocarbons are first concisely presented. Next, numerous novel stimulation methods used to trigger the memory effect of the SMPCs are introduced, where the mechanisms of electrical, magnetic, thermal, light, and solution stimulations are briefly discussed. Finally, considering the increase of the number of interesting reinforcements as well as the efficient stimulation methods, SMPCs are expected to have great potential applications in different fields.
Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by methylmethacrylate associated to seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome and diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Authors: Vera-Lastra Olga , Rojas-Milán Eduardo , Peralta-Amaro Ana Lilia , Sánchez-Uribe Magdalena , Cruz-González Leopoldo Isaac , Hernández-Sánchez Mario , Tecayehuatl-Negrete Laura , Cruz-Dominguez María del Pilar , Jara Luis J
Published: July 2020

Background

Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants has been associated with different substances used for cosmetic purposes; for example, silicone, methylmethacrylate, autoimmune disorders and cancer.

Discussion

A 40-year-old man with a prior history of methylmethacrylate injection in the buttocks for aesthetic purposes 8 years ago, presented with deep venous thrombosis in the left leg 6 months ago, accompanied with inflammation, hardening, changes in colour, ulceration in the buttocks, arthritis, myalgias and fever. Weak and moderate lupus anticoagulant and low levels of anticardiolipin antibodies were present. Thoracoabdominal tomography showed hepatosplenomegaly and a pulmonary nodule, the biopsy of which showed chronic granulomatous inflammation. After a month, a new chest tomography showed multiple nodular pulmonary lesions. The new pulmonary biopsy showed a diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which was treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and rituximab for four cycles, with good response of the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome, but partial response of the diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Conclusion

We describe the first case of seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome and lymphoma associated with methylmethacrylate in a patient with autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome.
Rubrics for mortality: a real-world observational long-term lupus nephritis cohort
Authors: Moraes-Fontes Maria Francisca , Ferreira Ana Carolina , Riso Nuno , Viana Helena , Carvalho Fernanda
Published: July 2020

In this study, we aimed to evaluate long-term patient survival according to demographic data, clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and previous and current treatments, collected retrospectively. Patient selection required a minimum of four American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for SLE, biopsy-proven lupus nephritis (LN) available for reclassification according to the modified National Institutes of Health proposal for activity and chronicity indices and a minimum follow-up of at least three years since the last renal biopsy. Selection criteria were fulfilled in 25 patients followed for a median of 21 years. Based on the last renal biopsy, an equal number of patients were thus classified as class I/II and IV ( n=8) and class III and V ( n = 4). The mortality rate for LN was 14%. Having ever been diagnosed with glomerulonephritis (GN) type III or type IV but not class IV alone ( p = 0.046), a higher histological chronicity index at the last renal biopsy ( p = 0.022), not attaining renal remission one year after induction therapy ( p = 0.004), end-stage renal disease on dialysis ( p = 0.033) and the extra-renal Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index score ( p = 0.017) were all significantly associated with mortality. Our results may provide important clues for strict observation protocols in particular categories of LN patients with long-standing disease.
Bootstrap inference for multiple imputation under uncongeniality and misspecification
Authors: Bartlett Jonathan W , Hughes Rachael A
Published: July 2020

Multiple imputation has become one of the most popular approaches for handling missing data in statistical analyses. Part of this success is due to Rubin’s simple combination rules. These give frequentist valid inferences when the imputation and analysis procedures are so-called congenial and the embedding model is correctly specified, but otherwise may not. Roughly speaking, congeniality corresponds to whether the imputation and analysis models make different assumptions about the data. In practice, imputation models and analysis procedures are often not congenial, such that tests may not have the correct size, and confidence interval coverage deviates from the advertised level. We examine a number of recent proposals which combine bootstrapping with multiple imputation and determine which are valid under uncongeniality and model misspecification. Imputation followed by bootstrapping generally does not result in valid variance estimates under uncongeniality or misspecification, whereas certain bootstrap followed by imputation methods do. We recommend a particular computationally efficient variant of bootstrapping followed by imputation.
Handgrip Strength and Mortality in Elderly Koreans: Evidence From the Korea Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Kim Keuntae , Ho Jeong-Hwa
Published: July 2020

Despite substantial research on numerous aspects of health in the elderly, past studies that examined the association between handgrip strength and mortality have been conducted with samples drawn mostly from Caucasian populations, and little is known about whether similar trends are found in non-Western contexts such as Korea. The present study drew data from KLoSA (Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging), a nationally representative sample of middle-aged adults, and followed up for a decade. Results from discrete-time event history analysis of mortality indicated that higher handgrip strength significantly reduces the likelihood of death in both men and women. Men in the highest third of handgrip strength were 53.9% less likely to experience death than those in the lowest third. Women followed a similar pattern: middle and high handgrip strength reduced the odds by 26.4% and 48.3%, respectively. These findings suggest that handgrip strength has a significant impact on elderly mortality and does so in a negatively gradient manner.
Optimal Information-Sharing Behaviors among Hotels: Game-Theoretical Approach
Authors: Kim Sungsoo , Slutsky Steven M. , Thapa Brijesh
Published: July 2020

The lodging industry uses diverse pricing strategies to maximize revenues. Given the uncertain nature of decision parameters (demand conditions), sharing information among competitors can dramatically affect hotels’ profits. This study examines the decisions of hotels to share or not to share private information with competitors to maximize profits via a game-theoretic model. In a two-stage model, hotels decide whether to share information in the first stage, and then, in the second stage, they compete in setting prices along the lines of a standard price competition model. Results include that hotels share demand information with their competitors if there is a low demand signal but conceal information if the demand signal is high. This study provides a standard price competition model that can assist hotel managers in decision making on revenue management, including room pricing strategy.
Closed form solution for the energy release rate and mode partitioning of the single cantilever beam sandwich debond from an elastic foundation analysis
Authors: Kardomateas George A , Yuan Zhangxian
Published: July 2020

The goal of this paper is to derive closed form expressions for the energy release rate and mode partitioning offace/core debonds for the Single Cantilever Beam Sandwich Composite testing configuration, which is loaded with an applied shear force and/or bending moment. This is achieved by an elastic foundation approach, in which a finite length sandwich beam is treated as having a free “debonded” section and a “joined” section where a series of springs exists between the face and the substrate (core and bottom face). The elastic foundation analysis is done for a general asymmetric sandwich construction. A J-integral approach is subsequently used to derive a closed form expression for the energy release rate. It is also shown that the energy release rate is very close to the differential energy stored in the springs at the beginning of the elastic foundation, i.e. the energy released by the “broken” differential spring element as the debond propagates. In the context of this elastic foundation model, a mode partitioning measure is defined based on the transverse and axial displacements at the beginning of the elastic foundation. Since the normal springs account for the transverse compressibility of the core but not for the shear, a correction for the shear of the substrate is included by deriving the expression for the corresponding shear angle and accounting for the additional horizontal “tip” displacement. The results are compared with finite element results for a range of core materials and show very good agreement.
Interactional strategies for progressing through quizzes in dementia settings
Authors: Webb Joseph , Lindholm Camilla , Williams Val
Published: July 2020

People with early-to-mid stage dementia frequently attend groups that provide opportunities for socialising and engaging in group activities, such as quizzes. This article uses conversation analysis to investigate the interactional strategies that the staff use to initiate and keep these quizzes ‘on track’, and what they orient to as impediments and facilitators of quiz progression. Specifically, we outline how staff deal with incorrect or ‘non-answers’, and what happens when players have their own goals or ‘projects’ that do not align with staff members’ orientations to the overarching activity completion. We reflect on the tensions that arise between doing interactional work to progress through the quiz, and how that goal can conflict with attending to the needs or wishes expressed by the person living with dementia, potentially resulting in threats to the ‘face’ of the quiz players. Data are taken from a corpus of 10 quizzes recorded in 4 different group settings in England.
Turning Discounts Into Profits: Factors Influencing Online Purchasing Decisions for Hotel Add-on Items
Authors: Kim Esther L. , Tanford Sarah
Published: July 2020

A hotel website exclusive discount is widely adopted by major chain hotels to increase the volume of direct bookings. Although the traditional purpose of a discount promotion is to attract customers to the business, this research suggests that a hotel website exclusive price discount can induce consumers’ additional spending. Principles of mental accounting and two thinking styles (analytic vs. holistic) predict different effects of a price discount and the add-on product type by individual thinking styles. A quasi-experiment investigated the effect of an unexpected discount, relatedness of add-on item to a hotel stay, and individual thinking styles on add-on purchasing. The mediating role of impulse buying was subsequently examined using the PROCESS model. The effect of a price discount and the relatedness of add-on item are significant for analytic thinkers, whereas holistic thinkers report higher likelihood to purchase add-on items regardless of relatedness. Holistic thinkers’ likelihood to purchase is enhanced through an impulse buying tendency. The findings provide further evidence for the role of individual differences in response to pricing tactics by suggesting that a price promotion increases add-on purchases for analytic thinkers, whereas promoting a sense of impulsiveness can be more effective for holistic thinkers.
A Systematic Review on the Outcomes of the Fillet Flap in Treating Diabetic and Ischemic Forefoot Ulcers
Authors: Yammine Kaissar , Assi Chahine
Published: July 2020

Background:

Diabetic and ischemic foot ulcers are difficult to heal, and the mastering of numerous treatment methods is imperative to achieve healing. One of these methods is the fillet toe flap used to cover specific diabetic wounds of the forefoot associated with toe osteomyelitis. Instead of amputating the infected toe, phalanges are removed while keeping the viable surrounding soft tissue.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed searching electronic databases up to October 2019 to identify relevant articles reporting the outcomes of the fillet flap in forefoot ulcers of patients with diabetes or peripheral artery disease. All study designs were included. The healing rate was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were the time to heal, ulcer recurrence, and complication rates of such infection, partial necrosis, and total necrosis.

Results:

The 8 studies that met the inclusion criteria were all case series or case reports, with a total of 28 patients including 29 flaps. The mean healing rate was 92.8% (2/29); in both cases, total necrosis was due to infection (7.2%). No ulcer recurrence or partial necrosis was noted.

Conclusions:

Though having limited indications, the fillet flap illustrates the full optimization of the available resources for wound coverage. The consistent presence of an axial vessel makes the fillet flap a reliable local flap to be used in specific circumstances where the loss of a toe is unavoidable. Further research is needed with large prospective controlled trials to support the findings of the review.
Mineralogical analysis of a clay body from Zlakusa, Serbia, used in the manufacture of traditional pottery
Authors: Milošević Maja , Logar Mihovil , Djordjević Biljana
Published: July 2020

The production of pottery in the traditional manner using local raw materials can provide insights into the provenance of ancient artefacts. This study uses mineralogical analysis to evaluate the raw clays and tempers used for pottery production in Zlakusa (western Serbia). Particle-size distribution, plasticity, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry and differential thermal analysis techniques were applied. The mineral phases identified in the raw clay sample are kaolinite/halloysite, mica/illite, smectite, quartz, paragonite, feldspar, calcite and hematite. The clay body sample is a mixture of raw clay and crushed calcite in a ~50:50 ratio, which was confirmed using various techniques. We have also considered and investigated the technological potential of the sampled materials, taking into consideration their actual and potential applications. It was confirmed that the clay body may be used in the manufacture of bricks and pottery, but its industrial application is limited by the paste recipe.
Non-isodiametric growth and confinement effect in the mineralisation of witherite
Authors: Li Kangxin , Liu Xun , Guo Rong , Wu Chao , Peng Bihui , Li Zhaoqian , Duan Xiaohui , Zhou Yong , Pei Chonghua
Published: July 2020

Witherite originates from the biochemical sedimentation of barium in sea water. Due to the complexity of the metallogenic environment, witherite appears in many morphologies. However, the relationship between its diverse morphologies and its mineralisation environment is not well understood. In this paper, Ca2+, a common substitute for Ba2+, and mixed protein (egg white) were used to simulate the inorganic and organic environments of witherite mineralisation, respectively. Comparison of samples prepared under different conditions showed that Ca2+ and egg white have relatively independent regulatory effects on the mineralisation of witherite particles. Egg white primarily limits the growth of the nanocrystals, while Ca2+ directs their non-isodiametric growth. Results shows that Ca2+ is distributed along a gradient in nanocrystalline witherite particles, with the Ca2+ content being proportional to the diameter of the nanocrystals. The results of this study shed light on the different roles of organic matter and inorganic ions in the formation of witherite and offer insight into the genesis of its various morphologies.
Characterization of large in-frame von Willebrand factor deletions highlights differing pathogenic mechanisms
Authors: Cartwright Ashley , Webster Simon J. , de Jong Annika , Dirven Richard J. , Bloomer Lisa D. S. , AL-Buhairan Ahlam M. , Budde Ulrich , Halldén Christer , Habart David , Goudemand Jenny , Peake Ian R. , Eikenboom Jeroen C. J. , Goodeve Anne C. , Hampshire Daniel J.
Published: July 2020

Copy number variation (CNV) is known to cause all von Willebrand disease (VWD) types, although the associated pathogenic mechanisms involved have not been extensively studied. Notably, in-frame CNV provides a unique opportunity to investigate how specific von Willebrand factor (VWF) domains influence the processing and packaging of the protein. Using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, this study determined the extent to which CNV contributed to VWD in the Molecular and Clinical Markers for the Diagnosis and Management of Type 1 von Willebrand Disease cohort, highlighting in-frame deletions of exons 3, 4-5, 32-34, and 33-34. Heterozygous in vitro recombinant VWF expression demonstrated that, although deletion of exons 3, 32-34, and 33-34 all resulted in significant reductions in total VWF (P < .0001, P < .001, and P < .01, respectively), only deletion of exons 3 and 32-34 had a significant impact on VWF secretion (P < .0001). High-resolution microscopy of heterozygous and homozygous deletions confirmed these observations, indicating that deletion of exons 3 and 32-34 severely impaired pseudo-Weibel-Palade body (WPB) formation, whereas deletion of exons 33-34 did not, with this variant still exhibiting pseudo-WPB formation similar to wild-type VWF. In-frame deletions in VWD, therefore, contribute to pathogenesis via moderate or severe defects in VWF biosynthesis and secretion.
Influenza-induced thrombocytopenia is dependent on the subtype and sialoglycan receptor and increases with virus pathogenicity
Authors: Jansen A. J. Gerard , Spaan Thom , Low Hui Zhi , Di Iorio Daniele , van den Brand Judith , Tieke Malte , Barendrecht Arjan , Rohn Kerstin , van Amerongen Geert , Stittelaar Koert , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Osterhaus Albert , Kuiken Thijs , Boons Geert-Jan , Huskens Jurriaan , Boes Marianne , Maas Coen , van der Vries Erhard
Published: July 2020

Thrombocytopenia is a common complication of influenza virus infection, and its severity predicts the clinical outcome of critically ill patients. The underlying cause(s) remain incompletely understood. In this study, in patients with an influenza A/H1N1 virus infection, viral load and platelet count correlated inversely during the acute infection phase. We confirmed this finding in a ferret model of influenza virus infection. In these animals, platelet count decreased with the degree of virus pathogenicity varying from 0% in animals infected with the influenza A/H3N2 virus, to 22% in those with the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus, up to 62% in animals with a highly pathogenic A/H5N1 virus infection. This thrombocytopenia is associated with virus-containing platelets that circulate in the blood. Uptake of influenza virus particles by platelets requires binding to sialoglycans and results in the removal of sialic acids by the virus neuraminidase, a trigger for hepatic clearance of platelets. We propose the clearance of influenza virus by platelets as a paradigm. These insights clarify the pathophysiology of influenza virus infection and show how severe respiratory infections, including COVID-19, may propagate thrombocytopenia and/or thromboembolic complications.