bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic value, endogenous knowledge and distribution of Picralima nitida (Stapf) T. Durand and H. Durand in Africa
Authors: Akabassi Ghislain Comlan , Padonou Elie Antoine , Assogbajo Achille Ephrem , Zirihi Guede Noël
Published: October 2020

Background: Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae) is an important African medicinal plant species. It is frequently used in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical industries for manufacture of drugs against infectious diseases, malaria, diabetes and cancer. Despite its important, the species can be rare, especially in the Dahomey Gap (in contrast to the Guineo-Congolese region). There is also a controversy on its distribution. Without knowing the drivers of plant species rarity it is impossible to address the issue of the controversy of its distribution and unsustainable use as well as safeguarding endogenous knowledge of its uses. 

Methods: Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Dahomey Gap with 120 informants randomly interviewed. A literature review of scientific papers and books was used to provide information on the uses, distribution and threats of the species in the Guineo-Congolese region.

Results: The results revealed that P. nitida products were more expensive in the Dahomey Gap than the Guineo-Congolese region. All parts of the species were collected and used for 34 treatments. The species had low density and distribution in Dahomey Gap compared to the Guineo-Congolese region.

Conclusions: P. nitida is used across its distribution areas with important economic values. Adapted management strategies are needed for the sustainable use and conservation of the species..
The prevalence, incidence and mortality associated with intra-abdominal hypertension among patients in intensive care units of a low-income country: a cohort study
Authors: Nansubuga Phiona , Kavuma Mwanje Arthur , Kizito Samuel , Obua Daniel , Sendagire Cornelius , Kwizera Arthur
Published: October 2020

Background: Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is sustained increase in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) ≥12 mmHg in adults and ≥10 mmHg in children. IAH has been noted to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients. Measurement of IAP is common among at risk patients in the developed world. However, it has not received due attention in the majority of intensive care units (ICUs) in low-income countries, Uganda being one of these. This is evidenced by paucity of data and lack of protocols from the Ugandan Ministry of Health. This multi-center study was thus conducted to assess the prevalence, incidence and mortality associated with IAH among patients admitted to Ugandan ICUs.

Methods:A multi-center prospective cohort study was conducted from September 2017 to February 2018 at three ICUs in Uganda. We consecutively enrolled 126 patients into the study. IAP was measured using the Harrahil manometer technique. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi square test and continuous variables analyzed using the t-test and Man Whitney test. The prevalence and incidence were determined using proportions and mortality was determined using survival analysis.

Results:The median age was 33 years (26-48.5) for the patients without IAH and 42 years (29-55) for those with IAH. The majority of the patients were male and 9.6% of the patients were below 18 years. The prevalence of IAH was 62.7 (CI 54.1-71.3), whereas the 24 hour and 72 hour incidence of IAH was 9.3% (CI 1.3-17.2) and 14.3 % (CI 4.1-24.4), respectively.  Mortality was higher in patients with IAH compared to those without (p-value 0.003 and 0.028, mean and maximum IAP, respectively). 

Conclusion:We found a high prevalence and incidence of IAH among critically ill patients, associated with a high mortality. Routine screening for IAH can preempt management strategies to mitigate this.
netDx: Software for building interpretable patient classifiers by multi-'omic data integration using patient similarity networks
Authors: Pai Shraddha , Weber Philipp , Isserlin Ruth , Kaka Hussam , Hui Shirley , Shah Muhammad Ahmad , Giudice Luca , Giugno Rosalba , Nøhr Anne Krogh , Baumbach Jan , Bader Gary D.
Published: October 2020

Patient classification based on clinical and genomic data will further the goal of precision medicine. Interpretability is of particular relevance for models based on genomic data, where sample sizes are relatively small (in the hundreds), increasing overfitting risk netDx is a machine learning method to integrate multi-modal patient data and build a patient classifier. Patient data are converted into networks of patient similarity, which is intuitive to clinicians who also use patient similarity for medical diagnosis. Features passing selection are integrated, and new patients are assigned to the class with the greatest profile similarity. netDx has excellent performance, outperforming most machine-learning methods in binary cancer survival prediction. It handles missing data – a common problem in real-world data – without requiring imputation. netDx also has excellent interpretability, with native support to group genes into pathways for mechanistic insight into predictive features.

The netDx Bioconductor package provides multiple workflows for users to build custom patient classifiers. It provides turnkey functions for one-step predictor generation from multi-modal data, including feature selection over multiple train/test data splits. Workflows offer versatility with custom feature design, choice of similarity metric; speed is improved by parallel execution. Built-in functions and examples allow users to compute model performance metrics such as AUROC, AUPR, and accuracy. netDx uses RCy3 to visualize top-scoring pathways and the final integrated patient network in Cytoscape. Advanced users can build more complex predictor designs with functional building blocks used in the default design. Finally, the netDx Bioconductor package provides a novel workflow for pathway-based patient classification from sparse genetic data.
A hydrophobic proclivity index for protein alignments
Authors: Cavanaugh David , Chittur Krishnan
Published: October 2020

Sequence alignment algorithms are fundamental to modern bioinformatics. Sequence alignments are widely used in diverse applications such as phylogenetic analysis, database searches for related sequences to aid identification of unknown protein domain structures and classification of proteins and protein domains. Additionally, alignment algorithms are integral to the location of related proteins to secure understanding of unknown protein functions, to suggest the folded structure of proteins of unknown structure from location of homologous proteins and/or by locating homologous domains of known 3D structure. For proteins, alignment algorithms depend on information about amino acid substitutions that allows for matching sequences that are similar, but not exact. When primary sequence percent identity falls below about 25%, algorithms often fail to identify proteins that may have similar 3D structure. We have created a hydrophobicity scale and a matching dynamic programming algorithm called TMATCH (preprint report) that is able to match proteins with remote homologs with similar secondary/tertiary structure, even with very low primary sequence matches. In this paper, we describe how we arrived at the hydrophobic scale, how it provides much more information than percent identity matches and some of the implications for better alignments and understanding protein structure.
Steps Ahead: optimising physical activity in adults with cystic fibrosis: Study Protocol for a pilot randomised trial using wearable technology
Authors: Curran Maire , Tierney Audrey C. , Collins Louise , Kennedy Lauren , McDonnell Ciara , Jurascheck Andrew J. , Sheikhi Ali , Walsh Cathal , Button Brenda , Galvin Rose , Casserly Brian , Cahalan Roisin
Published: October 2020

Background: Physical activity (PA) and exercise are widely documented as key components in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). In recent years there have been significant improvements in telehealth, in particular; wearable technology,  smartphone use and remote monitoring, all of which may have potential to impact on PA in adults  with CF. The objective of this pilot randomised trial is to explore the effect of wearable technology, which is remotely monitored, combined with personalised text message feedback and goal setting, on PA in adults with CF. Secondary endpoints include lung function, aerobic capacity, quality of life, body composition, wellbeing and sleep.

Methods: This is a pilot randomised trial which will be conducted at the University Hospital Limerick, Ireland. Participants will be randomised to the intervention or active comparator after their baseline assessment. The 12-week intervention will consist of wearable technology (Fitbit Charge 2) which is linked to an online monitoring system (Fitabase) that enables the physiotherapist to remotely monitor participant data. The CF physiotherapist will set individualised PA goals with each participant at baseline and will send text message feedback each week. The text messages will be personalised, one-way texts with positive reinforcement on step count attained by the participant. The active comparator group will receive this wearable technology which is also linked to Fitabase; however, no feedback will be provided to participants in this group. Both groups will be re-assessed at 12 weeks. After this point, both groups will continue with the Fitbit alone for a further 12 weeks. Both groups will be re-assessed at 24 weeks. A semi structured interview will assess satisfaction and acceptability of the intervention.

Discussion: This is a novel concept which utilises modern technology, remote monitoring and personalised feedback to investigate the effect on PA  in adults with CF. 

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03672058 (14/09/2018)
How Vertical Integration Affects Firm Innovation: Quasi-Experimental Evidence
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Tong Tony W.
Published: October 2020

Although it is well established that vertical integration decisions have important consequences for firms, direct evidence on how vertical integration matters to firm innovation has been scarce. This study draws from seminal research on organizing for innovation and recent synthesis of transaction cost and capabilities theories to examine how vertical integration affects the rate and types of firm innovation pursued. To strengthen identification of causal effects, we exploit a quasi-experimental design to compare firms that announced and completed a vertical merger and acquisition (M&A) with those announcing but not completing the transaction. We show that firms completing vertical M&As experience a growth in their rate of innovation; in addition, such firms witness an increase in systemic innovation but a drop in autonomous innovation. Our study contributes important empirical evidence to bear on the literature on the organization of innovation, highlighting that organizational mode choices are a critical determinant of the rate and direction of inventive activity.
The impact of a guideline to prevent inappropriate albumin administration in a hospital in Iran
Authors: Javan-Noughabi Javad , Parnian Elahe , Hajiesmaeili Mohammadreza , Salehiniya Hamid , Setoodehzadeh Fatemeh
Published: October 2020

Background/Aims

In Iran, there are no specific national guidelines for the prescription or administration of albumin. Since March 2017, a standard guideline for albumin prescription has been implemented at a hospital in Tehran, Iran. The objective of this study was to compare the use of albumin and its related costs before and after implementation of this guideline.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed at the hospital in 2018. Data regarding albumin prescription were collected using a census method. Collected data included the demographic and clinical information of patients, duration of hospitalisation and the costs of tests and pharmacotherapy consultations before albumin was prescribed. Albumin consumption costs were also collected before and after the implementation of the guideline. Data were analysed using SPSS 21 software and descriptive statistics.

Results

Albumin consumption was significantly reduced after the guideline was implemented, decreasing from an average of 28 vials (289g) to an average of 6 vials (67g) per patient. The average cost of albumin use also fell from the equivalent of $1218 before the guideline was implemented, to an average of $281 per patient.

Conclusions

The implementation of a guideline for albumin prescription and administration in a hospital setting resulted in a significant reduction of inappropriate albumin use and the associated costs.
Protocolo de tratamiento de heridas con apósito de hidrofibra reforzada, con plata iónica al 1,2%, potenciado con EDTA y cloruro de bencetonio para evitar la recurrencia de biopelícula
Authors: de Moura Marcelo Ruettimann Liberato , Soares Silvana Ribeiro , de Azevedo Darlene Silva , Miranda Jéssica Steffany
Published: October 2020

Sinopsis

Objetivo:

Presentar un protocolo para evitar la reformación de biopelícula en heridas de difícil cicatrización con apósito de hidrofibra reforzada, con plata iónica al 1,2%, potenciado con ácido etilendiaminotetraacético (EDTA) y cloruro de bencetonio.

Método:

Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo y analítico de aplicación de un protocolo de tratamiento, con tres casos de estudio de pacientes tratados en un centro de referencia internacional. Los registros de pacientes con úlceras complejas se analizaron y evaluaron de acuerdo con la inserción en el algoritmo de identificación clínica de biopelículas, y en base a las recomendaciones prácticas para la higiene de heridas.

Resultados:

El protocolo adoptado se basó en tres pilares: identificación de signos clínicos de sugerencia para la presencia de biopelícula, prácticas de higiene en las heridas, y aplicación de la cobertura de antibiopelícula.

Conclusión:

La capacidad de cicatrización de heridas con este protocolo puede considerarse alta. Los pacientes obtuvieron un adecuado control de todos los signos locales de infección y de exceso de exudado, y la desaparición de los signos visuales e indirectos de biopelícula. Todos presentaron una adecuada progresión, disminución de la superficie de la herida, y cicatrización tras el uso del apósito.
An elementary proof of Mirsky's low rank approximation theorem
Authors: Li Chi-Kwong , Strang Gilbert
Published: October 2020

An elementary proof is given for Mirsky's result on best low rank approximations of a given matrix with respect to all unitarily invariant norms.
Production of Rhamnolipids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa AP029-GLVIIA and Application on Bioremediation and as a Fungicide
Authors: Araujo Jaciara S. de , Rocha Juliene da C. , Filho Marcos A. O. , Ribeiro Vitor T. , Vasconcelos Luan T. C. de P. , Araujo Nathalia K. de , de B. Neto Eduardo L. , dos Santos Everaldo S.
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT: Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants synthesized by different species of microorganisms. In this study, the influence of carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) and percentage of inoculum on rhamnolipid production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa AP029-GLVIIA using glucose as substrate was evaluated. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) and surface tension were analyzed for the highest biosurfactant concentration, which presented values of 49.63 mg/L and 29.5 mN/m, respectively. Emulsification rates were determined for different solvents and showed the bioproduct's ability to form stable emulsions for up to 90 days. The efficiency of the biosurfactant in removing petroleum present in the sand was 16.8% and the antimicrobial activity of the rhamnolipid against fungal species was determined, showing its potential to inhibit fungi of the species Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans.
Probiotics: An Alternative Therapeutic Strategy for Covid-19
Authors: Pranoti Belapurkar , Pragya Goyal
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT: The COVID- 19 pandemic has made the scientists today all around the globe to look for its specific prevention and treatment modalities. The disease presents itself as asymptomatic to mild to severe respiratory symptoms along with lesser common gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The situation worsens due to lack of precise treatment strategy. The Healthcare system is being overwhelmed, emphasizing on the need to look for alternate supportive therapy that can not only enhance the immune status of people worldwide but at the same time, ensure better prognosis. The relationship between the gut microbiota and upper and lower respiratory tract viral infections are well studied. Oral administration of probiotic microorganisms of genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Bacillusin mice suffering from influenza infection have shown increased TNFα, IFN-γ and NK cell responses along with the production of anti-Influenza IgG. At the same time they have shown immunomodulation by producing anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as cytotoxic T-cells and T-suppressor cells. Hence, probiotic strains of generaLactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Bacillushave shown a probability to be used as preventive and therapeutic agents for SARS- CoV-2.
Dengue Vector Control: A Review for Wolbachia-Based Strategies
Authors: Alkuriji Mohammed A. , Al-Fageeh Mohamed B. , Shaher Fekri M. , Almutairi Bassam F.
Published: October 2020

Mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose a major health problem globally and have had a significant impact on human life and economy. Consequently, many countries have implemented national vector control programs in an effort to suppress/eradicate mosquitos contributing to spread of diseases including Malaria, Dengue, Yellow fever, Rift valley fever, West Nile fever, Zika, Chikungunya etc. Of these endemic diseases, Dengue fever is an arbovirus and transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquito that has become a rapidly emerging infection, especially in the tropical countries. Insecticides spraying remains the main method to control the transmition of dengue virus. However, the overuse and misuse of insecticides can result in negative consequences such as the development of insecticides resistance. This, in part, has led to the development of a more eco-friendly measures to suppress mosquitoes e.g. gene-drive based controls and Wolbachia-based approaches. The latter approach has the ability to block the dengue virus transmission by inhibiting virus intracellular replication in mosquito. In addition, Wolbachia decreases adult mosquito lifespan and can be naturally passed from one generation to the next. In recent years, Aedes aegypti mosquitos infected with Wolbachia released and tested in the field in several countries and have achieved very promising results. In this review, we focus and discuss the emerging Wolbachia-based biocontrol approaches that are already being deployed, evaluated and tested in the field.
Development of Interspecific Hybrids (Abelmoschus Esculentus × A. Tetraphyllus) in Okra Using Embryo Rescue Approach
Authors: Rattan Puja , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT: Undomesticated related species are the rich stock of genes providing resistance to various diseases, pests and unfavourable environmental conditions. The sexual incompatibilities are bottleneck in introgression of such genes from wild species to popular varieties. The present study was executed to standardize a protocol of embryo rescue so to obtain the hybrids of Abelmoschus esculentus × A. tetraphyllus IC141017. Crosses were made between four (Arka Anamika, Pusa Makhmali, Parbhani Kranti, Jammu Okra-05) cultivated varieties of okra (A. esculentus) and a wild species (A. tetraphyllus IC141017) in reciprocal manner. Out of the four popular cultivars used in crossing, fruit set was recorded in Arka Anamika, Pusa Makhmali, Parbhani Kranti only when A. tetraphyallus IC141017 was used as a male parent. Fruit showed distal cracking after 25 d of pollination. The seeds appeared healthy for up to 15 d after pollination and later shrivelled and became pale yellow. Cross combinations, viz., Parbhani Kranti × A. tetraphyllus IC141017, Arka Anamika × A. tetraphyllus IC141017 and Pusa Makhmali × A. tetraphyllus IC 141017 showed the highest shoot regeneration on MS media containing 0.5 mg l-1 NAA + 1.0 mg l-1 IBA. Greatest number of shoots per explant (0.92±0.12) as well as the highest frequency of shoot regeneration (86±0.12%) was reported in Parbhani Kranti × A. tetraphyllus IC141017. Arka Anamika × A. tetraphyllus IC 141017 (86±0.12%) and Pusa Makhmali × A. tetraphyllus IC 141017 (82±0.13%) resulted in high frequency of shoot regeneration on MS media containing 0.5 mg l-1 NAA + 1.0 mg l-1 IBA. It can be inferred that MS media containing on 0.5 mg l-1 NAA + 1.0 mg l-1 IBA showed positive results in regeneration of interspecific hybrids of okra.
The Phytoremediation of Chromium from Soil Using Cirsium Vulgare and the Health Effects
Authors: Dökmeci Ayşe Handan , Adiloğlu Sevinç
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT: The spreadingof toxic substances as a result of human activities has become a serious problem for ground, atmosphere, and water ecosystems. Many of these toxic substances are pesticides, heavy metals such as chromium, and they cause serious health problems due to contamination ofsoil and food chain. In this study, the phytoremediation capacity of the medicinal plant Cirsium vulgarein the soil which was contaminated by Cr heavy metal, and the toxic effects of bioaccumulation using phytoremediation method were investigated. For this purpose, 30 mgkg-1 Cr heavy metal contaminant was applied to each pot as Chromium (IV)-oxide. To increase the absorption of this contaminant by the Cirsium vulgare, 0, 3, 6, 8, and 10 mmol/kg doses of EDTA were applied to the pots, respectively. According to the results, with the increasing doses of EDTA, Cr content of the above-ground parts of the plant reached to the highest value in the 6 mmol/kg EDTA chelate dosein 8.23mg/kgchromium for plant; after that, Cr accumulation decreased as a result of the toxic effect occurred inside the plant. These increases were determined as statistically significant(P<0,01). The results have demonstrated that the medicinal Cirsium vulgareplant is effective accumulator for the phytoremediation of the chromium-contaminated soils.
Study of Indigenous Medicinal Plants of Northeast States of India as Potential Therapies for Malaria
Authors: Ahmad S Rehan , Tamang Mahendra
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT: The urgent requirement to an alternative medicinal input led to research on indigenously used antimalarials plants in northeast states of India . An ethno botanical survey of potent antimalarial plants used by different tribes and communities of the northeast state of India is the main purpose of the research. The different methods used for the present research includes personal discussion, group interviews with traditional practitioners. Ethno botanical information of various anti-malarial plant’s parts used and mode of administration of the plant extracts were documented . For the present research, different types of secondary materials such as journals, research papers and e-books of various institutes and universities of northeast India was gathered for knowledge on medicinal plant treatment for malaria. The results of the research was that the people belonging to the north eastern region of India commonly use Forty-eight species of plants from different species of 26 families for the treatment of malaria. All the 48 medicinal species of plants were found either in their local area where they used to live or in the nearby forest area. Some of the most commonly used plants used for the treatment are as follows: leaves (38%), roots (33%), bark (14%), whole plant (07%) Based on the research conducted it was further concluded that Malaria can be treated by utilising herbal drugs which are already utilised by conventional Practitioner and Tribes staying and belonging to India.
Algal Sulfated Polysaccharides: Potent Immunomodulators against COVID-19 in Pandemic 2020
Authors: Satpati Gour Gopal
Published: October 2020

The sulfated polysaccharides obtained from algae may serve as potential antiviral components, which can fight against corona virus disease (COVID-19) in the present pandemic situation. Here, bioactivity of some important sulfated polysaccharides including carrageenan, galactans, laminaran, alginates, fucoidans, naviculan, calcium spirulan, p-KG03, nostoflan etc. found widely in red, brown and green seaweeds, diatoms, cyanobacteria and microalgae are discussed. Though the vaccines are yet to be released in the market, these sulfated polysaccharides can help to build a stronger immune system and help in minimizing the problem of pandemic 2020 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-novel corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) and can also lower the risk of viral infections in the post-COVID era.
Effect of Polyethylene on Fruit Yield and Morpho-Biochemical Features During Ripening of a Local Tomato Cultivar Grown in a Tropical Environmental Condition, India
Authors: Pradhan Sunil Chandra , Patra Ajaya Kumar
Published: October 2020

The work was assessed the field performance of Polythene cover on morphology, fruit yield and post maturation changes on growing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Data revealed that use of polythene gave adverse effect on average height in treated condition but favourable for matured ripen fruits (41.5%). Significant correlation observed in the post maturation (0.731, P≤0.01) and fruits ripening time (0.605, P≤0.01). The fruit yield was found to be significantly increased by 61.23%. Polythene induced ripening had shown the variation in the amount of lycopene (429.3mg/100gm), protein (1.92%), ascorbic acid (23.68 mg/ 100gm) and the sugar (5.02%). Polythene covering was significant and positively correlated with lycopene (0.788, P<0.01), lipid(0.853, P<0.01),ascorbic acid(0.515 P<0.01) but negatively correlated with protein(-0.221P<0.05).Maturity at harvest is a very important attribute to tomatoes quality that found to be regulated by the use of polythene. Analysis of variance also showed statistically significant result in the lipid (F-value=14.688801,p≤0.01) ,sugar(F value= 25.52718,p≤0.01) and ascorbic acid (F-value=9.44343,p≤0.01).
Mirroring Hybridity: The use of Arab Folk Tradition in Laila Halaby's
Once in a Promised Land and Alia Yunis's The Night
Counter
Authors: Hilal Reem M.
Published: October 2020

This article explores the way in which Laila Halaby in Once in a Promised
Land and Alia Yunis in The Night Counter utilize
the Arab folk tradition in novels on Arab and Muslim American experience to
counter the dominant narrative that simultaneously erases their extensive
history in the United States and juxtaposes it with a forced visibility that is
marked by Otherness, threat, and distrust. The article argues that by using
folkloric figures and storytelling structures, Halaby and Yunis reverse the
positionality of these communities by marking the multiple cultural signifiers
that inform their stories in order to construct a palimpsest that reinscribes
Arab and Muslim American experiences within narratives that perceive them as
problems. As such, the Arab folk tradition emerges as a significant mode in the
cultural memory of Arab and Muslim Americans, and the American literary fabric
more broadly, and takes on a new meaning in this context.
Recording of multiplexed volume gratings via a phase mask for augmented reality waveguides
Authors: Shishova M. V. , Odinokov S. B. , Zherdev A. Y. , Lushnikov D. S.
Published: October 2020

This paper describes the experiment on multiplexing recording using a phase mask to create augmented reality waveguides. The study is distinguished by the application of photo-thermo-refractive glass as both holographic and substrate materials. The presented approach allows us to obtain the diffraction efficiency above 15% in each of the multiplexed gratings for sevenfold recording. The images output with the manufactured planar waveguide prototype are presented.
Determination of stress intensity factor of sharp V-notch under pure shear loading by the caustic method
Authors: Yang Liyun , Hu Huanning , Song Ye , Chao Yuh J.
Published: October 2020

The caustic method has proven to be a useful optical method to determine stress intensity factors. This paper evaluates the stress intensity factors of a sharp V-notch under pure shear loading by the caustic method for isotropic materials. The elastic stress fields and caustics formation near the V-notch tip under pure shear loading are first introduced. The theoretical relationship between the stress intensity factor of the sharp V-notch and the characteristic length is derived. Then, the experiment on the V-notched polymethyl methacrylate specimens under pure shear loading is carried out to obtain the stress intensity factor with the derived caustic formulation. Finally, the present results obtained from caustics are compared to the results available in the literature. The good accuracy of the results obtained demonstrates the ability of the caustics method in the determination of the stress intensity factor of a sharp V-notch.
Fluctuations in Brillouin shifts and acoustic-phonon speeds in multiwavelength Brillouin Raman erbium-doped fiber laser generation
Authors: Shirazi M. R.
Published: October 2020

Brillouin-shift (B-S) fluctuations in multiwavelength Brillouin Raman erbium-doped fiber laser generation are investigated to obtain a probability distribution of acoustic-phonon speeds in the crystal lattice of a dispersion-compensating fiber (DCF) in a linear cavity. Even though the available B-S line spacing can be at 0.076 and 0.08 nm when Raman pump (RP) power is zero or 76 mW, the other B-S possibilities are obvious, especially at RP power 257 mW. A crystal effective mass participating in the crystal vibration is obtained 8937, 8943, 8954, and 12,106 times the electron rest mass by fitting a general form of a Boltzmann density function and the resulting most probable speed of 5445 m/s at a fixed Brillouin pump power of 6.5 dBm and RP powers of 0, 76, 163, and 257 mW, respectively. Finally, an uncertainty in the crystal dimension is also estimated by Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.
Registration of digital holograms by means of resonant phase-shifting
Authors: Kalenkov S. G. , Kalenkov G. S.
Published: October 2020

The method and corresponding optical scheme for the registration and reconstruction of digital volume holograms are considered. It is shown that a set of digital holograms recorded with a scanning reference beam makes it possible to reconstruct the complex amplitude of the object field. The proposed method for registering digital holograms is considered a digital analog of Denisyuk’s holography. In particular, a condition is obtained connecting the number of steps (number of holograms) with the quantity of the phase step, when the background and conjugate image are eliminated after the reconstruction procedure of an object field according to the suggested algorithm. Experimental results are presented validating the proposed approach.
Faithful reconstruction in polarization holography suitable for high-speed recording and reconstructing
Authors: Huang Zhiyun , Chen Yuxin , Song Haiyang , Tan Xiaodi
Published: October 2020

We report on faithful reconstruction in polarization holography independent of the exposure time and the reading wave that is suitable for high-speed recording and reconstructing. Faithful reconstruction, the reconstructed wave being identical to the signal wave, is the basis of the application of polarization holography, which may be applied in many fields. Unfortunately, in many cases, faithful reconstruction depends on the exposure time and the reading wave when phenanthrenequinone-doped polymethyl methacrylate is used as the recording material, and then it is not easy to obtain faithful reconstruction. This limits its application in the field of high-speed recording and reconstructing. Directed by the newly developed tensor polarization holography theory, we report on faithful reconstruction breaking through these limitations. In the recording stage, the signal and reference waves are s- and p- polarized, respectively. In the reconstructing stage, the reading wave is arbitrarily polarized. More importantly, the obtained faithful reconstruction has nothing to do with exposure time and it is time saving. The reported faithful reconstruction would bring great convenience and is suitable for high-speed recording and reconstructing.
The quality of pasta versus rice is determining to control hunger and appetite: A comparative study of pasta and rice
Authors: Marhuenda Hernández Javier , Arcusa Saura Raúl , Serna Oñate Ana , Victoria Montesinos Desiree , Sánchez Macarro Maravillas , Abellán Ruiz María Salud , Quinde Francisco Javier , Rizo-Patrón Alejandra Mariana , López Román Francisco Javier
Published: October 2020

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the pasta quality is decisive in controlling hunger and satiety compared with rice.Material and methods: n=16 (8 men, 8 women). The effect on appetite and satiety of two different-quality pastas and also rice was determined by repeated measuring. Subjects came on fasting and were evaluated at different times after the intake of product under investigation for 240 min, eaten an ad libitum buffet and were evaluated again at minute 270. Aspects related to satiety (hunger, satiety, fullness, and desire to eat) were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS), overall appetite score (OAS), area under curve (AUC) and satiety quotient (SQ).Results: The OAS reported by volunteers prior to the intake of products under investigation did not differ significantly, so baseline parameters did not bias later measurements. AUC after 60 minutes was higher after the intake of rice (2355 ±1556%/min) compared with both types of pasta. On the other hand, similar values were obtained between the two types of pasta (pasta A = 1808 ± 1329 % /min; pasta B = 1,774 ± 1,370%/min). Further, AUC reported by volunteers after 240 minutes was higher after the intake of rice (12,424 ± 6,187%/min) compared with both types of pastas (pasta A = 10,292 ± 5,410%/min; pasta B = 9,976 ± 5,589%/min). In addition, SQ was lower for rice (1.90 ± 4.29%/kcal) than for both pastas (pasta A = 4.73 ± 4.95%/kcal; pasta B = 4.40 ± 5.14%/kcal).Conclusions: Both varieties of pasta showed higher satiety results than rice, with no significant difference between them. In addition, the difference between rice and pasta was greater within 60 minutes after ingestion.
Estudio transversal para comparar el rendimiento académico en estudiantes mexicanos de educación secundaria en función de su índice de masa corporal
Authors: Ángel-González Mario , Vázquez-Juárez Claudia Liliana , Colunga-Rodríguez Bertha Alicia , Dávalos-Picazo Gabriel , Vázquez-Colunga Julio César , Hernández-Corona Diana Mercedes , Hernández-Bitar Deborah Georgette , Colunga-Rodriguez Cecilia
Published: October 2020

Introducción: México ocupa el segundo lugar del mundo en obesidad infantil. El impacto de la obesidad sobre la salud integral es evidente; sin embargo, la evidencia de su influencia sobre el rendimiento académico en adolescentes mexicanos es todavía escasa. Objetivo: comparar el rendimiento académico de estudiantes de secundaria en función de su Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC). Material y métodos: estudio transversal en muestra probabilística de 156 estudiantes. Se tomó peso y talla y se clasificó el IMC según los criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Para medir el rendimiento académico se utilizó la calificación promedio. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva y Chi cuadrado para comparar grupos. Resultados: 50% mujeres; la media de edad fue de 13,1 años (desviación típica [DT]= 0,94). El 32,7 % presentaron obesidad, 19,2 % sobrepeso y el 48,1 % peso normal. La media de calificación fue 8,6 (DT= 0,82), el 42,3% tenía un rendimiento académico alto, el 38,5% un rendimiento medio y el 19,2% un rendimiento bajo. El rendimiento alto fue más frecuente en el grupo de obesidad (40,9%), seguido de peso normal (36,4%) y sobrepeso (22,7%). Al comparar el rendimiento académico en los grupos por IMC, se encontraron diferencias estadísticas (p=0,01). Conclusiones: la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad es más alta que la media nacional. Existen diferencias en el rendimiento académico en función del IMC. Los adolescentes con obesidad presentaron un rendimiento escolar más alto.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Antegrade Radiofrequency Ablation and Metal Stenting With Hepaticoenterostomy for Malignant Biliary Obstruction: A Prospective Preliminary Study
Authors: Inoue Tadahisa , Ibusuki Mayu , Kitano Rena , Kobayashi Yuji , Ohashi Tomohiko , Sumida Yoshio , Nakade Yukiomi , Ito Kiyoaki , Yoneda Masashi
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVES:

Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for malignant biliary obstruction is a promising option for improving biliary stent patency, but its efficacy and safety with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage are uncertain. We examined the feasibility of EUS-guided hepaticoenterostomy with antegrade stenting (EUS-HEAS) and RFA in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction.

METHODS:

This was a prospective, single-center, single-arm, preliminary study. Twenty patients who met the eligibility criteria for inclusion between August 2018 and January 2020 were enrolled. We evaluated the technical success, functional success, recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), and adverse events other than RBO associated with EUS-HEAS with RFA.

RESULTS:

The technical and functional success rates were both 80% (16/20). The procedure was unsuccessful in a total of 4 patients due to failure to insert the RFA catheter through the fistula (2 patients) or failure to pass the RFA catheter through the stricture (2 patients). Early and late adverse events other than RBO occurred in 10% (2/20) and 13% (2/16) of subjects, respectively. The RBO rate was 25% (4/16), and the median time to RBO was 276 days. The success rate of endoscopic reintervention using hepaticoenterostomy was 100% (4/4).

DISCUSSION:

This preliminary study showed that EUS-HEAS with RFA achieves good results but RFA catheter insertion can be difficult. Further evaluation and device improvements are warranted.
PubliFarm ‐ Agrarforschung zu Biodiversität und Klimawandel erlebbar machen
Authors: Keller Sabina , Güdel Karin , Gyalog Tibor , Buchmann Nina
Published: October 2020

Den Dialog zwischen Landwirtschaft, Forschung und Gesellschaft fördern ‐ dies war das Anliegen des Projekts PubliFarm. An interaktiven Messeständen und an Forschungstagen auf Bauernhöfen tauschten sich die Forscher(innen) mit Konsument(inn)en sowie Bäuerinnen
und Bauern über Biodiversität, Klimawandel und Konsum aus. Ein weites Feld: Landwirtschaft verursacht große Mengen an Treibhausgasemissionen und leidet selbst unter dem Klimawandel.
Single-use vs. reusable packaging in e-commerce: comparing carbon footprints and identifying break-even points
Authors: Zimmermann Till , Bliklen Rebecca
Published: October 2020

The market share of online retail has continued to grow over the past few years, most recently accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual shipments give rise to additional shipping packaging. Our carbon footprint comparison shows that reusable packaging is environmentally advantageous
if it is reused often enough. To achieve this, however, political and economic incentives seem necessary.In Germany, the revenue of e-commerce amounted to over 68 billion euros in 2018 with over two billion shipments being delivered. Up to 30 percent of online retail’s carbon footprint
comes from the use of shipping packaging. Reusable packaging could make a significant contribution to resource savings and waste avoidance. Few valid findings exist as to the environmental performance of reusable packaging systems in online retail. It is also difficult to ascertain which factors
influence these results most (such as material, weight, number of cycles). Against this backdrop, we examined two types of reusable shipping packaging in terms of their CO2eq emissions: a reusable PP box and a reusable shipping bag. Both were then compared with single-use alter
- natives. Compared to a single-use LDPE bag, the reusable shipping bag offered an environmental advantage after a few cycles, with the absolute carbon footprint of both bags depending on whether recycled material was used. For the reusable PP box, the break-even point was between 32 and 81
cycles, depending on which assumptions were made. For a broader application of reusable shipping packaging, further challenges arise, such as the cost-efficient design of return logistics or the optimization of the packaging design.
Obywatelskość w edukacji humanistycznej (w duchu Hannah Arendt)
Authors: Koc Krzysztof
Published: October 2020

The author analyses Hannah Arendt’s writings in search of inspirations for reflecting on the contemporary world’s problems in humanistic (school) education, finding such inspirations in the topics that interested the author of The Human Condition and in her perception of politics, citizenship and thinking as such. Koc’s thesis is that educational documents show a clear deficit of reflection on current challenges, often transnational, that need to be analysed from multiple angles. The article emphasises Arendt’s warningsabout non-thinking as an attitude conducive to totalitarianism, which should unsettle anyone interested in the concept of educating young people. Reconstructing Arendt’s axiology of citizenship and emphasising thevalue of journalistic texts as stories that uncover ambiguity and ask key questions, the author calls for a reconsideration of the nature of Polish language education in contemporary school.
Cztery minuty. Hannah Arendt lekcja o zaimku
Authors: Roszak Joanna
Published: October 2020

The article attempts to analyse Hannah Arendt’s short essay “We Refugees” published in 1943 in a Jewish magazine The Menorah Journal in the context of the current humanitarian crisis (a crisis of reception policies) and peace studies. It also reconstructs refugee themes in the life trajectory of the author of Eichmann in Jerusalem. The author is confident that the essay “We Refugees” from seventy-seven years ago allows one to speak up repeating the questions concerning one of the key problems of contemporary world – the condition of the outcasts.
Polityka Unii Europejskiej wobec Rundy Rozwoju WTO
Authors: Skrzypczyńska Joanna
Published: October 2020

Unia Europejska jest bardzo aktywnym uczestnikiem negocjacji w ramach Rundy Rozwoju WTO. Negocjacje w sprawie rolnictwa, dostępu do rynków dla towarów przemysłowych, inwestycji są szczególnie trudne i czasochłonne. Celem pracy była analiza pozycji negocjacyjnej Unii Europejskiej w wybranych obszarach. W pracy przyjęto tezę o defensywnym charakterze propozycji UE w zakresie negocjacji rolnych i ofensywnej propozycji negocjacyjnej w zakresie dostępu do rynków dla towarów przemysłowych.
Katyń Anniversaries in 1990–2010. The Position and Functions of Political Ritual in the Polish Culture of Remembrance. Research Report
Authors: Czubaj-Kuźmin Sylwia
Published: October 2020

The main goal of the research is to show the functional dimension of the political rituals associated with the celebrations of the Katyń massacre anniversaries in 1990-2010. Using the method of political linguistics, the study makes it possible to identify ten topoi organizing the Katyń anniversary discourse. They include the topos of “an innocent victim”, “violated justice”, “compensation”, “fair Russians”, “friends Muscovites”, “elite”, as well as the topos of “a shared field of remembrance, reconciliation” (“from foes to friends”), the topos of mutual forgiveness and the anniversary as a special occasion, or the topos of “inhuman land”. The pragmatic-semantic analysis of the contents of media reports accompanying the Katyń celebrations allows the author to show a number of functions that the Katyń ritual performed in the Polish culture of remembrance in 1990–2010. The study of functions proceeds from emotional, through normative, legitimization, integration and educational functions, to the performative function.
Constitutional Disqualification: A Critique of English and English-Derived Law
Authors: Jaconelli Joseph
Published: October 2020

Many modern constitutional systems, despite the prevalence of adult suffrage, forbid certain classes of person from participation in the most important aspects of the democratic process, whether by withholding the vote from them or by denying them the right to hold office. While the former has received a considerable amount of attention in the literature, the latter has been comparatively neglected. The aim of the article is to redress this imbalance. It starts by offering, quite generally, a taxonomy of such bans. It then appraises, with particular reference to the constitutions of the English-speaking world, some of the most common grounds for disqualifying persons from holding elective office and the various purposes that these might be thought to serve. A major theme is the question whether some grounds of disqualification, notwithstanding their long history, can be justified.
Illiberal Direct Democracy
Authors: Merli Franz
Published: October 2020

Instruments of direct democracy can be – and are – used to further and strengthen illiberal democracy by restricting minority rights (1). The legal design of these instruments can make this easier or less likely (2).
Compressive Strength Variability Limits of High-Strength Cementitious Grouts
Authors: Friend Trenton , Ahn Il-Sang
Published: October 2020

The quality of grout becomes more important as many projects utilize precast concrete elements and systems to accelerate the delivery of a project. Also, the use of high-strength grout materials increases to properly connect high-strength concrete members. In the present study, two high-strength, cementitious grout materials were tested for their compressive strength to estimate a coefficient of variation (cv), to investigate effects due to curing condition and initial curing time, and to evaluate the strength ratio between cube and cylinder specimens. The 28-day strength of tested grouts reached more than 62.1 MPa (9,000 psi). The estimated cv was 2.3 %, which was slightly higher than the value of 2.1 % used in ASTM C109, Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50 mm] Cube Specimens). Based on the estimated cv, the variability limits of compressive strength in ASTM C109 can be 9.5 % (from 8.7 %) for three cubes and 8.4 % (from 7.6 %) for two cubes. There was not a substantial difference in compressive strength between water-cured and moist-cured cubes. Also, the difference of compressive strength is minimal between cubes initially cured for 24 hours and 48 hours before demolding. The compressive strength ratio of ϕ100 mm × 200 mm cylinder specimens to 50 mm cube specimens was between 0.78 and 0.90 for different test ages. The mean ratio was 0.83. These observations can help engineers and practitioners to use ASTM C109 and ASTM C1107, Standard Specification for Packaged Dry, Hydraulic-Cement Grout (Nonshrink), with more confidence when they test high-strength, cementitious grout materials.